Burning Books

by Sharon Gerlach

The first one pulls you in. The last one could be deadly.

The world is in chaos after a solar superstorm wipes thirteen months of memories from Earth's inhabitants and data from its computer banks. The superstorm also stole the lives of Molly McKinley's parents - and nearly her own, leaving her scarred and traumatized. 

Then she finds the books in an obscure shop: six slim volumes with her name printed in the back cover. The books give a disturbing account of one woman's unlikely bond with her stalker and her escalating terror with his sinister cat-and-mouse games. 

Each volume burns when she reaches the end, leaving behind nothing but the memory of the story. Molly can't stop reading despite the effect they have on her already disturbed twin brother, Magnus, as each book further unravels his sanity. 

The narrator's fear and horror become Molly's own, growing with every volume read, bringing her closer to a danger that seems overwhelmingly real. When at last she reaches the final book - will it be the last in every sense of the word?

Genres: Paranormal

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2017

About the author

I am a writer. Enough said. ;-)

I love to hear from my readers what worked for them and what didn't in my writing. I don't issue disclaimers or trigger warnings.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Books by Sharon Gerlach is a kindle scout book and a very different book, a hard book to review. It has supernatural elements, a thriller, a mystery, horror, and ? A girl reads these books, and after she reads them, they burn but...that is not all that happens...(rubs hands together) ...there is more...The books were found in a thrift store with her name on the back page. What will happen when she reads the last book? Wow, didn't see that coming! Interesting, strange, hard to describe...this is one weird book but I liked it.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to know something? Based on the very brief summary of the book, you might not buy this one. You might not, and that would be a shame.

It's so hard to write a review of this book without putting a dozen spoilers. I'll respect the author's choice to provide you with very few details. But, I'll say this:

This is an extremely deceptive little novel. It's a thriller, with a bit of romantic suspense, mystery, and it's even got a tiny bit of a supernatural cum dystopic element to it.

While you figure out one secret long before it's revealed at 82%, the secrets keep coming. Dark, twisted secrets. And trust me when I say that you'll be completely shocked by the ending.

This is my first book by Sharon Gerlach. It definitely won't be my last.

Read this one!

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book certainly wasn't what I was expecting, but I found I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the storyline. This book had a bit of everything in it. But the ending......those last few chapters is where the real shock lies

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.

I'm so torn on what to rate this book. The writing and the story are so compelling, and the premise is totally original. You will not find another story like this, with such well developed characters. On these elements alone, I'd give this book a 4 1/2 rating.

It gripped me and I had a hard time putting it down. But I saw the end coming before the bigger clues showed up, and I struggled with this realization.

I cut back a star because I don't deal well with endings such as this one.
I recommend it to anyone looking for something different.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story kept my attention from start to finish. A bit psychological thriller, a bit magical realism, it's a unique tale. Thirteen months of the entire world's memory have been erased. Twins Molly and Magnus are center to the problem, yet they don't realize that. The tale takes you down one twisting route after the other. When you think you've figured it out, think again. It will keep you guessing until the final pages. Wonderfully executed.

I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique

I know I will come back and write a better review but for now: unreal! And a really really good read. A true "could not put it down" book. Am going to be late for a doc appt just because of this book!!

Uses tropes from more than three genres and does it nearly perfectly. Fabulous read!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

[SA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory, Magic, and Horror
Thirteen lost months. Seven leather bound books. What price to be paid to read them?
Twin journeys to find the light reveals the depths of darkness.

[Leighza · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most suspenseful stories I've read in a very long time. I was completely caught up in "whodunnit", tho I usually see it a mile away. A great way to spend some hours.