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Paskagankee #1
Paskagankee
From the New York Times and USA Today master of crackling suspense comes a tale of supernatural terror that will force you to sleep with the lights on... An isolated village, remote and vulnerable.A series of brutal murders.And a vengeful spirit born of tragedy, reawakened after a centuries-old massacre.Three distinctly different people must come together, racing against time and their own personal demons in a desperate attempt to stop an unstoppable killer, and in so doing, save their town.Welcome to Paskagankee, Maine. You may not survive the visit.**********Praise for Allan "Allan Leverone delivers a taut crime drama full of twists and conspiracy..." -- Scott Nicholson, Amazon bestselling author of LIQUID FEAR and THE RED CHURCH"Allan Leverone raises the stakes with every turn of the page..." -- Sophie Littlefield, Anthony Award-winning author of A BAD DAY FOR SORRY"The successor to Michael Crichton has landed. And his name is Allan Leverone." -- Vincent Zandri, New York Times bestselling author of EVERYTHING BURNS and THE REMAINS"A scorching supernatural thriller - Allan Leverone...is a writer on the rise..." -- Mark Edward Hall, author of APOCALYPSE ISLAND and SERVANTS OF DARKNESS"Suspenseful and well-written..." -- Debbi Mack, New York Times bestselling author of IDENTITY CRISIS and LEAST WANTED"A tense, tightly-plotted thriller that will keep you turing pages into the night." -- Christopher Allan Poe, author of THE PORTAL**********Allan Leverone is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty novels in the thriller and dark fiction genres. He lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty-five years, three children and three beautiful grandchildren. Learn more at allanleverone.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2012
63 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Allan Leverone
65 books139 followersAllan Leverone is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine novels, including the dark thriller, MR. MIDNIGHT, named by Suspense Magazine as one of the "Best Books of 2013."
A 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee, Allan lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty years, three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Connect at www.allanleverone.com, at Facebook and on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.
A 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee, Allan lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty years, three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Connect at www.allanleverone.com, at Facebook and on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 15, 2015
Actual rating 1.5 stars
This just really wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I think the premise of the book was (or could have been) interesting, but the execution was lacking.
The things that bothered me the most were:
I had issues with the dialogue. At times it was very stilted, and...hokey at times. And the characters at random times would be referred to by their fist and last names. It was rather jarring. And the one character, Sharon, also had a nickname, Shari, so at times she'd be refrred to as, 'Sharon', 'Sharon Dupont', and 'Shari' pretty much on the same page. It just seemed odd to me.
Speaking of Sharon, I found it quite aggravating that she was constantly, and I mean constantly, being referred to as young and beautiful. Really, that's something that I only need to be told once or twice for me to remember it.
And on that note, the constant reminders that Sharon was just, oh so young, also soured me to the romance between her and the sheriff. I mean, I'm under the impression that there was maybe a ten year age difference between the two, and that's not something that would normally bother me in a relationship between two consenting adults, but after being clobbered over the head by how young Sharon is, I found myself really turned off by the whole thing.
This just really wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I think the premise of the book was (or could have been) interesting, but the execution was lacking.
The things that bothered me the most were:
I had issues with the dialogue. At times it was very stilted, and...hokey at times. And the characters at random times would be referred to by their fist and last names. It was rather jarring. And the one character, Sharon, also had a nickname, Shari, so at times she'd be refrred to as, 'Sharon', 'Sharon Dupont', and 'Shari' pretty much on the same page. It just seemed odd to me.
Speaking of Sharon, I found it quite aggravating that she was constantly, and I mean constantly, being referred to as young and beautiful. Really, that's something that I only need to be told once or twice for me to remember it.
And on that note, the constant reminders that Sharon was just, oh so young, also soured me to the romance between her and the sheriff. I mean, I'm under the impression that there was maybe a ten year age difference between the two, and that's not something that would normally bother me in a relationship between two consenting adults, but after being clobbered over the head by how young Sharon is, I found myself really turned off by the whole thing.
August 15, 2014
Mike McMahon was just hired as the new chief of police in the small town of Paskagnkee, Maine. McMahon teams up with rookie officer Sharon DuPont to fight crime. Gruesome murders are happening in this small Maine town. Some thing with superhuman strength is tearing apart bodies limb by limb. One poor victims head had been rip from his body and thrown in a large tree. Professor Kenneth Dye contacts McMahon and tells him that he might be able to help him. Dye tells McMahon about the massacre between the missionaries and a local Indian tribe. Legend has it that a Native American women and her baby were shot and killed by one of the missionaries. Professor Dye thinks that the Native American women spirit has come back to seek revenge for her baby death. Neither McMahon or DuPont believe Dye story. The killing do not stop and McMahon has nothing to go on. He calls the professor to see if he can come up and look around. McMahon is a well developed character with a background filled with tragedy. This is a well written story that you do not want to put down. This is the first book of a series.
May 7, 2012
It has been a while since I have read what I consider a true horror story, and this is definitely one of them. It gave me the feelings that I had as a teenager reading some of my first Stephen King novels - whether it was the setting in Maine or the aspect of the story that was such horror that it was beyond impossible. I truly enjoyed it and devoured it in one day.
Mike McMahon has taken over as chief of police, and partners with rookie cop Sharon Dupont. He had chosen her to learn the ropes of this small town because since she was the newest on the force that she would be more willing to show him the ropes without any hassle. He didn't expect to be attracted to her as well.
After a couple of gruesome murders, they are contacted by a college professor who has spent his life researching Native American tribes and customs and he thinks that there is an old Indian curse that has been reawakened in Paskagankee. With no other leads to follow, they take a chance on him.
If you are a fan of horror stories, definitely add this one to your reading list. Even though we live in a suburban neighborhood, and not a heavily forested area like Northern Maine, it had me looking over my shoulder at our outside doors with every creak that I heard!
Mike McMahon has taken over as chief of police, and partners with rookie cop Sharon Dupont. He had chosen her to learn the ropes of this small town because since she was the newest on the force that she would be more willing to show him the ropes without any hassle. He didn't expect to be attracted to her as well.
After a couple of gruesome murders, they are contacted by a college professor who has spent his life researching Native American tribes and customs and he thinks that there is an old Indian curse that has been reawakened in Paskagankee. With no other leads to follow, they take a chance on him.
If you are a fan of horror stories, definitely add this one to your reading list. Even though we live in a suburban neighborhood, and not a heavily forested area like Northern Maine, it had me looking over my shoulder at our outside doors with every creak that I heard!
September 4, 2012
I... just can't do it anymore. It was interesting in the beginning with a promise of some good haunting horror. What I got were some seemingly unrelated events and a hokey-ass backstory.
I wanted to like Leverone's writing so much. After I couldn't make it through Postcards from the Apocalypse, I thought I should credit the fact that it was a short story collection and move on to something else by him, but... Oh, what a delusion that was.
I've never read cornier, less worthy stuff in my life. There was no suspense, no mystery, no horror whatsoever... The writing was also as stale and sightless as it was in Postcards from the Apocalypse. So, no, it's not just the short stories that don't do it for me. It's Leverone's style. And that's something that's probably just going to ruin this relationship for me from now on.
It's about time I move on already.
I wanted to like Leverone's writing so much. After I couldn't make it through Postcards from the Apocalypse, I thought I should credit the fact that it was a short story collection and move on to something else by him, but... Oh, what a delusion that was.
I've never read cornier, less worthy stuff in my life. There was no suspense, no mystery, no horror whatsoever... The writing was also as stale and sightless as it was in Postcards from the Apocalypse. So, no, it's not just the short stories that don't do it for me. It's Leverone's style. And that's something that's probably just going to ruin this relationship for me from now on.
It's about time I move on already.
August 1, 2015
Quite a good read.
November 26, 2020
I'm not normally a reader of horror stories--I don't enjoy getting the pants scared off me when I do my bedtime reading. But Paskagankee was fantastic, my favorite of the Allan Leverone books I've read so far. Leverone knows how to construct a super story and how to tell it with high-quality writing.
Every time he started a scene where you knew something nasty was about to happen, Leverone took his time developing each character's unique voice and scenario (I especially enjoyed the unlucky computer salesman), building the reader's investment in each victim along with the rising suspense. The payoff horror was plenty horrible, but described with a very effective balance between gore and good taste.
Chief Mike McMahon's lack of restraint/integrity when it came to jumping into his vulnerable subordinate's bed, presumably intended to demonstrate his angst-ridden need for love and the pair's affinity as "damaged goods" as Mike says, was a bit off-putting and unnecessarily hasty in my opinion. Nevertheless, both characters and all the supporting cast were well written. Having already read Revenant, I know Earl Manning will get the additional attention he so richly deserves later. :)
I really like Leverone's style of narration--competent but comfortable, almost conversational, with a lurking sense of humor. He's in top form here.
Every time he started a scene where you knew something nasty was about to happen, Leverone took his time developing each character's unique voice and scenario (I especially enjoyed the unlucky computer salesman), building the reader's investment in each victim along with the rising suspense. The payoff horror was plenty horrible, but described with a very effective balance between gore and good taste.
Chief Mike McMahon's lack of restraint/integrity when it came to jumping into his vulnerable subordinate's bed, presumably intended to demonstrate his angst-ridden need for love and the pair's affinity as "damaged goods" as Mike says, was a bit off-putting and unnecessarily hasty in my opinion. Nevertheless, both characters and all the supporting cast were well written. Having already read Revenant, I know Earl Manning will get the additional attention he so richly deserves later. :)
I really like Leverone's style of narration--competent but comfortable, almost conversational, with a lurking sense of humor. He's in top form here.
September 8, 2018
This was a free download and I am often skeptical about these. Either they are older books that have not sold well or (much more often) the first in a series given away in the hope of getting the reader hooked so they'll buy the rest of the series. This is definitely the case here. A centuries-old native American spirit seeks vengeance for her murder, and that of her child, by missionaries takes over the bodies of anyone who spends much time on the grounds where the murder occurred. This spirit kills in a particularly gruesome manner and local police struggle to solve these crimes. As they investigate, a horrific truth comes to light.
I have a thing for ancient legends, whether they be native American, ancient European or most anyplace. This one kept me up reading late a couple of nights. I will definitely read more from this author. Highly recommended.
I have a thing for ancient legends, whether they be native American, ancient European or most anyplace. This one kept me up reading late a couple of nights. I will definitely read more from this author. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2019
This book grabs you by the throat and takes you on a paranormal thrill ride!
First time reading this author but won't be the last! This story kept me reading into the wee hours! Couldn't put it down. Vivid descriptions,great well rounded characters and a wild plot filled with twists and turns. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Excellent reading
First time reading this author but won't be the last! This story kept me reading into the wee hours! Couldn't put it down. Vivid descriptions,great well rounded characters and a wild plot filled with twists and turns. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Excellent reading
May 19, 2017
The story started out really well but it got bogged down in the details and dragged a bit. I am going to read the next one and hope for the best.
August 18, 2022
Excellent read!!
February 15, 2023
Characters were likeable enough, but overall a bit too tropey for me, especially a Vengeful Native American Spirit.
October 11, 2012
Though I'm sure to upset some authors and publishers who, understandably, want five-star reviews, I've my own definition of the five-star system.
*One Star: A crime against God and man.
*Two Stars: Poor, or otherwise not ready for publication.
*Three Stars: A solid work worth the money/read.
*Four Stars: A superior, award-worthy achievement.
*Five Stars: A standard setter, a work to stand the test of time, a work to be studied and read again and again....
"Paskagankee," a three-star, guilty pleasure.
My first introduction to Leverone's work was through his well-written novella "Heartless." With this second venture, that of "Paskagankee," I'm glad to see the author still hitting homers.
The positives?
In this case, they're the same as the negatives:
It's a simple tale.
Jaded, fifteen-year police veteran, Mike McMahon, needing a place to rest, recover, and reinvent his life, transplants to as far away from the action as he can get. And where better than serving as the new police chief for out-of-the-way Paskagankee, Maine? Unfortunately for him (but quite fortuitous for us), he's on the job for barely a week before the body count--and body parts--starts to rise--FAST. Quickly realizing his pocket-sized department might be out of its depth, McMahon draws strength from the budding romance he has with junior officer Sharon Dupont, a woman with troubles of her own, and the two quickly enlist the aid Native American expert Professor Dye.
Sound familiar?
It is.
And thus it remains throughout the novel, familiar tropes, characters, and menace.
A simple story.
A simple story the way, many times, Richard Laymon simply wrote simple stories.
What saves the work is Leverone not padding the tale with extra slabs of non-nutritional story-fat, or trying to embellish the tale to make it more than what it is, which is a page-turning pleasure, a horror novel version of a cozy. And that's fine. Not every novel needs to be a genre-defying-redefining-masterpiece, a "Swan Song," "Carrior Comfort," or "It." Not every story needs to be akin to some $200 meal at a posh restaurant. "Paskagankee," instead, reads like a nice steak dinner at "Sizzler's."
It's simple and well-written."
And thanks to that writing, and thanks to sympathetic lead characters that Leverone presents and so well characterizes, the story works wonderfully. While on a busy schedule, I finished the work within a couple of days, my thumb, Kindle-trained, clicking away, the digital pages flying. And with that, my appreciation for the skill and discipline of the author, for him just doing his job, that of delivering his story as clear and concise and honest as possible.
A risky move. In today's climate, there's a lot of pressure to have the next bestseller.
My fear is that some might discount this work. After all, it's not Cronin's "The Passage."
But make no mistake. A story doesn't have to be an epic to be successful. What it does have to do is one very important thing, that of getting the reader to turn the page ... to want to know what happens next. With an author, with their work, they directly and indirectly make promises to their readership, that if the money and time is spent consuming their product, then the story addicts out there will be able to get their much needed fix.
I'm quickly coming to believe that Allan Leverone is a pusher of the utmost integrity.
Why?
I've now visited out-of-the-way Paskagankee. I've met their police chief, Officer Dupont, and others--and I like 'em. I'm starting book two of the Paskagankee series tomorrow.
For I'm a story addict, too!
*One Star: A crime against God and man.
*Two Stars: Poor, or otherwise not ready for publication.
*Three Stars: A solid work worth the money/read.
*Four Stars: A superior, award-worthy achievement.
*Five Stars: A standard setter, a work to stand the test of time, a work to be studied and read again and again....
"Paskagankee," a three-star, guilty pleasure.
My first introduction to Leverone's work was through his well-written novella "Heartless." With this second venture, that of "Paskagankee," I'm glad to see the author still hitting homers.
The positives?
In this case, they're the same as the negatives:
It's a simple tale.
Jaded, fifteen-year police veteran, Mike McMahon, needing a place to rest, recover, and reinvent his life, transplants to as far away from the action as he can get. And where better than serving as the new police chief for out-of-the-way Paskagankee, Maine? Unfortunately for him (but quite fortuitous for us), he's on the job for barely a week before the body count--and body parts--starts to rise--FAST. Quickly realizing his pocket-sized department might be out of its depth, McMahon draws strength from the budding romance he has with junior officer Sharon Dupont, a woman with troubles of her own, and the two quickly enlist the aid Native American expert Professor Dye.
Sound familiar?
It is.
And thus it remains throughout the novel, familiar tropes, characters, and menace.
A simple story.
A simple story the way, many times, Richard Laymon simply wrote simple stories.
What saves the work is Leverone not padding the tale with extra slabs of non-nutritional story-fat, or trying to embellish the tale to make it more than what it is, which is a page-turning pleasure, a horror novel version of a cozy. And that's fine. Not every novel needs to be a genre-defying-redefining-masterpiece, a "Swan Song," "Carrior Comfort," or "It." Not every story needs to be akin to some $200 meal at a posh restaurant. "Paskagankee," instead, reads like a nice steak dinner at "Sizzler's."
It's simple and well-written."
And thanks to that writing, and thanks to sympathetic lead characters that Leverone presents and so well characterizes, the story works wonderfully. While on a busy schedule, I finished the work within a couple of days, my thumb, Kindle-trained, clicking away, the digital pages flying. And with that, my appreciation for the skill and discipline of the author, for him just doing his job, that of delivering his story as clear and concise and honest as possible.
A risky move. In today's climate, there's a lot of pressure to have the next bestseller.
My fear is that some might discount this work. After all, it's not Cronin's "The Passage."
But make no mistake. A story doesn't have to be an epic to be successful. What it does have to do is one very important thing, that of getting the reader to turn the page ... to want to know what happens next. With an author, with their work, they directly and indirectly make promises to their readership, that if the money and time is spent consuming their product, then the story addicts out there will be able to get their much needed fix.
I'm quickly coming to believe that Allan Leverone is a pusher of the utmost integrity.
Why?
I've now visited out-of-the-way Paskagankee. I've met their police chief, Officer Dupont, and others--and I like 'em. I'm starting book two of the Paskagankee series tomorrow.
For I'm a story addict, too!
July 12, 2013
Chilling blend of mystery, suspense and horror with a unique plot
This book introduces us to Paskagankee- a town that harbors an ancient secret. A curse that quickly spirals out of control once it is reawakened. I love Native American legends so I found myself intrigued by this book that centers around a shocking and tragic occurrence; an occurrence from the past that comes back with a vengeance and reeks havoc on the town and its residents. The underlying legend, once revealed, almost had me rooting for the 'evil' which is a twist. To say more would spoil the back-story, which I found to be a unique concept that is expertly told, so I will stop there regarding the plot-you'll have to read it to understand my sentiment.
The cast of characters we are introduced to are rich with detail and harbor past secrets of their own. I felt connected to the characters and genuinely cared about what happened to them, which is refreshing when so many other books fail to deliver when it comes to character development. There is some light romance, but it adds to the story rather than detract from it, develops at a natural pace and doesn't feel forced or cheesy.
**Personal preference note: This book does contain some graphic and violent scenes and language, but its not over-the-top. I personally have ZERO issue with either of these but I know some do, so this is just an FYI for potential readers that may take issue. I do tend to shy away from all out gore fests but this book uses psychological terror combined with some violent horror without delving too deep into blood and guts descriptions. Therefore, fans of horror and/or mysteries should be able to enjoy this book-no problem.
Additional praise: this book is edited! Proper editing is one of my pet peeves, so I was delighted to note as I was reading along that blaring errors were not popping out at every turn. Also, the book ended without a blasted cliff-hanger (I detest those) so no unanswered questions at the end. With that said, it does leave room for many more books to come along in this series.
This novel was hard to put down and it picks up speed pretty early on so be sure to set aside a good chunk of time for this one. All in all, this is a great first book for what appears to be an ongoing series. In my opinion, the best overall attribute to this novel is its unique premise and masterful storytelling. I hope future books in this series keep the originality flowing. Happy reading!
This book introduces us to Paskagankee- a town that harbors an ancient secret. A curse that quickly spirals out of control once it is reawakened. I love Native American legends so I found myself intrigued by this book that centers around a shocking and tragic occurrence; an occurrence from the past that comes back with a vengeance and reeks havoc on the town and its residents. The underlying legend, once revealed, almost had me rooting for the 'evil' which is a twist. To say more would spoil the back-story, which I found to be a unique concept that is expertly told, so I will stop there regarding the plot-you'll have to read it to understand my sentiment.
The cast of characters we are introduced to are rich with detail and harbor past secrets of their own. I felt connected to the characters and genuinely cared about what happened to them, which is refreshing when so many other books fail to deliver when it comes to character development. There is some light romance, but it adds to the story rather than detract from it, develops at a natural pace and doesn't feel forced or cheesy.
**Personal preference note: This book does contain some graphic and violent scenes and language, but its not over-the-top. I personally have ZERO issue with either of these but I know some do, so this is just an FYI for potential readers that may take issue. I do tend to shy away from all out gore fests but this book uses psychological terror combined with some violent horror without delving too deep into blood and guts descriptions. Therefore, fans of horror and/or mysteries should be able to enjoy this book-no problem.
Additional praise: this book is edited! Proper editing is one of my pet peeves, so I was delighted to note as I was reading along that blaring errors were not popping out at every turn. Also, the book ended without a blasted cliff-hanger (I detest those) so no unanswered questions at the end. With that said, it does leave room for many more books to come along in this series.
This novel was hard to put down and it picks up speed pretty early on so be sure to set aside a good chunk of time for this one. All in all, this is a great first book for what appears to be an ongoing series. In my opinion, the best overall attribute to this novel is its unique premise and masterful storytelling. I hope future books in this series keep the originality flowing. Happy reading!
May 3, 2012
I knew this book would be a thriller when I agreed to review it. Based on the description of the book, I felt like there was a “Jesse Stone” kind of feel to it, and since I’m a huge Tom Selleck fan, I was hooked. This is the description I received:
When Mike McMahon moves to the remote village of Paskagankee, Maine, to take over as chief of police following a tragic shooting, he’s hoping for nothing more than to get a new start on life. Instead, he encounters a series of brutal murders, beginning almost immediately upon his arrival.
Together with a beautiful rookie cop and a disgraced college professor, McMahon races against time and a mounting body count in a desperate attempt to stop a seemingly unstoppable killer…
Now for the reality of the book…I loved it! While there were some good similarities between this book and the Jesse Stone novels by Robert B. Parker and Michael Brandman, this in no way is a copycat story! Allan has his own style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading page after page.
The characters were believable and the story elements were all in just the right place to make this a suspenseful thriller. I could imagine the forest looming over the two-lane highway, going on for miles. The town felt real and the legend did, too. I really liked the interactions between the Chief and his newbie recruit. The clues were all there, but not shouting out the ending – just the way it should be in a suspense crime novel.
I can highly recommend this book to any who like a good crime story sprinkled with legend and romance. And go ahead and imagine Tom Selleck as Mike McMahon, Chief of Police in Paskagankee, Maine…if you dare.
When Mike McMahon moves to the remote village of Paskagankee, Maine, to take over as chief of police following a tragic shooting, he’s hoping for nothing more than to get a new start on life. Instead, he encounters a series of brutal murders, beginning almost immediately upon his arrival.
Together with a beautiful rookie cop and a disgraced college professor, McMahon races against time and a mounting body count in a desperate attempt to stop a seemingly unstoppable killer…
Now for the reality of the book…I loved it! While there were some good similarities between this book and the Jesse Stone novels by Robert B. Parker and Michael Brandman, this in no way is a copycat story! Allan has his own style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading page after page.
The characters were believable and the story elements were all in just the right place to make this a suspenseful thriller. I could imagine the forest looming over the two-lane highway, going on for miles. The town felt real and the legend did, too. I really liked the interactions between the Chief and his newbie recruit. The clues were all there, but not shouting out the ending – just the way it should be in a suspense crime novel.
I can highly recommend this book to any who like a good crime story sprinkled with legend and romance. And go ahead and imagine Tom Selleck as Mike McMahon, Chief of Police in Paskagankee, Maine…if you dare.
August 21, 2012
This is my first book by Allan Leverone, I knew I would love it when in the beginning pages he mentions The Yankees and New Jersey.. HOWEVER this book takes place in Paskagankee Maine a normally quiet small town .. Our Heroes "Mike McMahon" (who takes the job as Police Chief after a HORRIFIC shooting accident at his last police job where a child is killed) rookie cop, "Sharon Dupont" (who has quite a past in our sleepy town but got herself together and became a cop) and our most unlikely hero Professor Kenneth Dye (who has been totally outcast in the academic world as a major nut case in his research and book on The Indian Tribe that is the crux of this story).. These three people come together to fight an entity that has come back after hundreds of years to seek revenge for a crime committed against her and her infant child and we all know how incredibly angry we Moms can get if you hurt our child, Its Murder,The Paranormal, Budding Romance and how far you would go out of your realm of beliefs to solve a murder and protect "Your Town" Amazingly written and you can be sure I will be reading more of Allan's books.. so well done.. I didn't want to put it down and then when I saw the story will continue I actually "Whooped" out loud tehehe I give this Book 5 shivers.. LOVED it!! http://www.amazon.com/PASKAGANKEE-ebo...
February 8, 2012
This is the story of a small town rocked by the most unimaginable horror. Mike McMahon has left his job as a Policeman in Revere, Massachusetts after a tragedy knocked him for six. He takes up the position as Police Chief in Paskagankee, Maine hoping to get his life back on track. In his first few days as Chief the town is rocked by two horrific murders. Along with rookie cop, Sharon Dupont and ridiculed Professor Kenneth Dye, they must come together to solve the mystery and save the town from a vengeful entity bent on revenge.
I started this with a feeling of great excitement and expectation as I have read this authors work before and have come to enjoy his way of storytelling. I was not disappointed.From a fairly quiet beginning everything suddenly exploded and I was taken on the mother of all rides. The pace was fast and and unrelenting and the storytelling slick and to the point. The story mixed thriller with outright horror and some scenes were quite graphic. Mike McMahon shines as the slightly battered chief going from one nightmare seemingly into another. I loved the way the author seemed to take me in one direction at the beginning only to throw a curveball about half way through that I never saw coming. The authors use of Native American legends was also a good point of interest.
I totally recommend this and I cannot wait until the next one in the series.
I started this with a feeling of great excitement and expectation as I have read this authors work before and have come to enjoy his way of storytelling. I was not disappointed.From a fairly quiet beginning everything suddenly exploded and I was taken on the mother of all rides. The pace was fast and and unrelenting and the storytelling slick and to the point. The story mixed thriller with outright horror and some scenes were quite graphic. Mike McMahon shines as the slightly battered chief going from one nightmare seemingly into another. I loved the way the author seemed to take me in one direction at the beginning only to throw a curveball about half way through that I never saw coming. The authors use of Native American legends was also a good point of interest.
I totally recommend this and I cannot wait until the next one in the series.
April 18, 2012
Review by Ryder Islington
Paskagankee starts out with a bang, literally, as a battle occurs between Native Americans of the Abenaqui tribe and a group of missionaries in 1691, a story told in the prologue. The rest of the story is in modern day Northern Maine, in the small town of Paskagankee.
The new sheriff in town, Mike McMahon, is just getting his footing, when the killing starts. Bodies are being ripped apart as if The Incredible Hulk was pitching temper tantrums. The story is imaginative, the characters somewhat rounded. But Mr. Leverone didn’t do this story justice. Major plot points are predictable. Parts that should have a reader on the edge of his or her seat, were slow. And something critical that would have made this story rich and complete, was left out. Of course, I won’t tell you what, because it would be a giant spoiler for those who want to give the book a chance. The end was a let down.
Mr. Levarone shows a talent for storytelling, and had a unique voice, but could use a good editor, or more time to hone his craft. Paskagankee is supposed to be the first in a series. Let’s hope book two comes to life in a way book one didn’t.
Paskagankee starts out with a bang, literally, as a battle occurs between Native Americans of the Abenaqui tribe and a group of missionaries in 1691, a story told in the prologue. The rest of the story is in modern day Northern Maine, in the small town of Paskagankee.
The new sheriff in town, Mike McMahon, is just getting his footing, when the killing starts. Bodies are being ripped apart as if The Incredible Hulk was pitching temper tantrums. The story is imaginative, the characters somewhat rounded. But Mr. Leverone didn’t do this story justice. Major plot points are predictable. Parts that should have a reader on the edge of his or her seat, were slow. And something critical that would have made this story rich and complete, was left out. Of course, I won’t tell you what, because it would be a giant spoiler for those who want to give the book a chance. The end was a let down.
Mr. Levarone shows a talent for storytelling, and had a unique voice, but could use a good editor, or more time to hone his craft. Paskagankee is supposed to be the first in a series. Let’s hope book two comes to life in a way book one didn’t.
January 11, 2013
This book is set in a small town in northern Maine. The brand new police chief finds himself in-over-his-head very quickly when a series of attacks rocks the community. At first, a dog is attacked by what seems like a wild animal, then a man suddenly disappears while shoveling his driveway, leaving behind nothing but large amounts of blood. It soon becomes clear that the attacks are not from any animal but, rather impossibly, a human. The new sheriff~along with a young woman on his police force and a ridiculed and discredited professor from a neighboring town~embark on a dangerous and interesting mission to hunt down this “person” and stop him/her before any more murders can take place.
My interest was kept during the entire book. I was able to predict the “person” that killing people, but that didn’t take away from the story for me. Honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn’t Stephen King. Maybe it was the Maine setting, but Allan Leverone had a very good writing style that almost bled mystery and danger. I am sure I will be reading more from him!
I gave this book 4 stars!
My interest was kept during the entire book. I was able to predict the “person” that killing people, but that didn’t take away from the story for me. Honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn’t Stephen King. Maybe it was the Maine setting, but Allan Leverone had a very good writing style that almost bled mystery and danger. I am sure I will be reading more from him!
I gave this book 4 stars!
April 18, 2012
This book was definitely a wild ride. Right off there is a masacre in the town that is now known as Paskagankee, Maine. A young missionary finds out a village girl he had a relationship with gave birth to his child. This creates a massacre of epic proportions.
In the current state people are being killed in a horrific fashion. Everything points to something not normal. A local professor has a theory which seems like the only possible option but not many a quick to buy into it. It takes the new police chief alot of work to figure out what is going on and some faith to see it through.
Allan Leverone is a phenomenal writer, he has a way with story telling that drags you in and won't let you go until the story is told. This is his second book I've read and I put him up there with some of the best known authors. This one reminded me of Stephen King's writing style. Definitely an author I love to read time and again. This book is great for anyone who loves horror, thrillers, mystery, mayhem.
In the current state people are being killed in a horrific fashion. Everything points to something not normal. A local professor has a theory which seems like the only possible option but not many a quick to buy into it. It takes the new police chief alot of work to figure out what is going on and some faith to see it through.
Allan Leverone is a phenomenal writer, he has a way with story telling that drags you in and won't let you go until the story is told. This is his second book I've read and I put him up there with some of the best known authors. This one reminded me of Stephen King's writing style. Definitely an author I love to read time and again. This book is great for anyone who loves horror, thrillers, mystery, mayhem.
February 21, 2016
I had a hard time finishing this one. I read about half of it and put it down for a couple of weeks, started another book, took a long time to read it and finally picked this one back up and finished it. I'm not sure if I was just in a reading slump or if I picked some books that were just not very good.
So, first for what I liked about this book. I really liked the plot. The story. The Indian legend that the crimes were based on and the way the the crimes ended and were resolved.
And what I didn't like about the book. I was a little disappointed with the dialogue in the book. It sounded stilted, stiff and a bit amateurish. I hated the love story component. It was too quick and unbelievable. I think the characters (and author) would have been better served by letting the relationship develop for awhile before jumping in. This is the first in a series so jumping in to the relationship was premature.
Not sure if I'll read book #2.
So, first for what I liked about this book. I really liked the plot. The story. The Indian legend that the crimes were based on and the way the the crimes ended and were resolved.
And what I didn't like about the book. I was a little disappointed with the dialogue in the book. It sounded stilted, stiff and a bit amateurish. I hated the love story component. It was too quick and unbelievable. I think the characters (and author) would have been better served by letting the relationship develop for awhile before jumping in. This is the first in a series so jumping in to the relationship was premature.
Not sure if I'll read book #2.
June 19, 2015
First glance, this is a great horror story with blood and guts spilling on the pages. It is also a crime story filled with characters confronted with hard hitting dilemmas. This novel introduced Mike McMahon, the new Paskagankee Chief of Police. He is a deeply developed character and has a background filled with tragedy that haunts his present. The story is also filled with many other characters, from University professor to small town old woman. The development amazes as the characters react to the elements and crisis that confront each of them. I liked the way Allan Leverone used the Native American incident as the backdrop to the story line. This tale/legend added dimension to the story, right to the end. I am looking forward to reading the second in the Paskagankee series, to see what else develops for the township.
June 9, 2012
I enjoyed this novel. This book description evoked memories of one of my all-time favorite horror novels ("Crooked Tree" by Robert C. Wilson), which was also about Indian legends set in the Northern Woods (though of Michigan, not Maine), so I gave it a shot. I wasn't disappointed. Nothing much new here; it fits nicely into the genre -- but it's solidly written and flows nicely. Even though there will be more books set in this locale, this doesn't leave you hanging at the end, for which I am grateful. I will definitely buy Leverone's other novels.
July 28, 2012
This was a surprisingly good horror story. The main characters were likable, and made me root for them. The setting was believable, an isolated small town, built close to an old indian village with an ancient Indian legend come to life to extract revenge. I liked that there was a Native American legend involved. I don't know if it was made up for this story, but it certainly seems like it could be real. I am glad I picked up this book and took a chance on an author I had never read before. I was lucky to be able to download it for free to my kindle.
December 2, 2013
Mike McMahon left his job as a Policeman in Revere, Massachusetts and took up the position as Police Chief in Paskagankee, Maine hoping to get his life back on track. He figured in a small town where there wasn't much going on he could do just that. With his partner rookie cop Sharon Dupont. They must battle an ancient evil with the help of Professor Kenneth Dye; who has become a recluse due to being labeled a fraud.A great horror story in a small backwood town that is sure to get your attention!
December 29, 2015
So close...
This book had a lot of great points. The two main characters were by far the best thing about this story. Mike and Sharon are both flawed people, but I really liked them and rooted for their survival. The plot wasn't as great, as I would have liked perhaps more depth on how things transpired and exactly why. It felt like there was a long period where the characters were just chasing their tails. Also, some of the secondary characters felt a bit 2D. The professor was good, but the rest felt like convenient caricatures. On the whole, this was a decent read.
This book had a lot of great points. The two main characters were by far the best thing about this story. Mike and Sharon are both flawed people, but I really liked them and rooted for their survival. The plot wasn't as great, as I would have liked perhaps more depth on how things transpired and exactly why. It felt like there was a long period where the characters were just chasing their tails. Also, some of the secondary characters felt a bit 2D. The professor was good, but the rest felt like convenient caricatures. On the whole, this was a decent read.
May 30, 2012
A very well written, scary story with a series of brutal murders that involves the American Indians and legends, which shows how much research was done to entail such details. Definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves an ending that you really don't expect to happen.
Can't wait to see if there will be a sequel. This is my first book by Allan Leverone
Can't wait to see if there will be a sequel. This is my first book by Allan Leverone
June 25, 2012
This was a delicious thriller set in northern Maine, and I think I was hoping for something with a little Stephen King flavor. The story didn't disappoint, although the writing isn't quite up to par. My only complaint would be the romantic subplot which got to be quite obnoxious at one point. But other than that, all in all it was an excellent book. A true thriller.
December 1, 2015
Nicely spooky plot. Marred by writing that can verge on wishful thinking--the petite cop who magically falls immediately in love with the handsome hero and who gets up in the middle of the night after a long day of police work to do his laundry so it's ready in the morning and can make an apple pie in 15 minutes. Seriously. Aside from that, a quick read with some good surprises.
May 14, 2012
Honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't Stephen King. Maybe it was the Maine setting, but Allan Leverone had a very good writing style that almost bled mystery and danger...
To read more see my blog, here http://stephsgrn.blogspot.com/2012/05...
To read more see my blog, here http://stephsgrn.blogspot.com/2012/05...
May 22, 2012
I love scary, and this book was scary to the extreme. It had me afraid to open the door to let the dog out at 2:00 am. I was looking over my shoulder while I was reading and even when I closed the book and watched tv.
If you like scary, read this book! I can’t wait for the sequel!
If you like scary, read this book! I can’t wait for the sequel!
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