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The Exterminators Trilogy #1
Black Storm
To protect his child, he’s going to have to outrun the apocalypse.
These are the last days. The Black Storm – a permanent state of darkness has engulfed the Earth, plunging the world into eternal night and robbing humanity of both sunlight and hope.
Out of the Black Storm comes the Black Widow. A ghostly figure, she walks the Earth triggering an epidemic of despair – suicides, mass murders and arson attacks. Nobody knows why it’s happening. But it is happening.
Ex Hollywood actor, Cody MacLeod, is a burned out recluse living in Texas. He’s got one chance to protect his young daughter Rachel from the Black Storm.
A plane is taking off at San Antonio International Airport, piloted by Cody’s friend. To get there in time, they must drive through the darkness together. But the road is a dangerous place where desperate people are lurking in wait.
And so is the Black Widow.
Black Storm is a post-apocalyptic survival thriller about a father trying to save his child from the end of the world. If you enjoy apocalyptic, dystopian, horror and supernatural thrillers, don’t you dare miss out.
These are the last days. The Black Storm – a permanent state of darkness has engulfed the Earth, plunging the world into eternal night and robbing humanity of both sunlight and hope.
Out of the Black Storm comes the Black Widow. A ghostly figure, she walks the Earth triggering an epidemic of despair – suicides, mass murders and arson attacks. Nobody knows why it’s happening. But it is happening.
Ex Hollywood actor, Cody MacLeod, is a burned out recluse living in Texas. He’s got one chance to protect his young daughter Rachel from the Black Storm.
A plane is taking off at San Antonio International Airport, piloted by Cody’s friend. To get there in time, they must drive through the darkness together. But the road is a dangerous place where desperate people are lurking in wait.
And so is the Black Widow.
Black Storm is a post-apocalyptic survival thriller about a father trying to save his child from the end of the world. If you enjoy apocalyptic, dystopian, horror and supernatural thrillers, don’t you dare miss out.
- GenresDystopiaApocalyptic
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2018
75 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Mark Gillespie
51 books144 followersThese days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews
May 1, 2018
I'm still breathless from reaching the end of the book!
Mark Gillespie knows how to make you care whether a character lives or dies, and he certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat hoping he doesn't pull a George RR Martin and kill them all off!
A great first instalment in his newest series. Loved the dark concept. Not apocalyptic but very early Stephen King-esque.
The story had me squirming in my seat, and I may have even been pressing my foot firmly against my imaginary accelerator pedal as I reached that part in the book... (no spoilers here!).
For a plot with a minimum number of characters, it went exceedingly fast. There are no dull parts to this plot. Mark's descriptive passages get better with every book, and I look forward to the next one.
Mark Gillespie knows how to make you care whether a character lives or dies, and he certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat hoping he doesn't pull a George RR Martin and kill them all off!
A great first instalment in his newest series. Loved the dark concept. Not apocalyptic but very early Stephen King-esque.
The story had me squirming in my seat, and I may have even been pressing my foot firmly against my imaginary accelerator pedal as I reached that part in the book... (no spoilers here!).
For a plot with a minimum number of characters, it went exceedingly fast. There are no dull parts to this plot. Mark's descriptive passages get better with every book, and I look forward to the next one.
April 3, 2018
I'm already a fan of this author's fast-paced and tension-packed novels, so I knew I would not be disappointed by the first book in a new series. I am working my way through the Future of London series, so had an idea of what to expect from Black Storm. A flawed yet believable and likable protagonist, twists and turns, jump out of your seat drama, and tension that clings to every page. The drama starts on page one, no hanging around. Cody, a faded Hollywood star is about to leave his house with his 10-year-old daughter Rachel. We learn quite a lot in the first few pages. Rachel's mother, also a former star, is dead, and a deadly black storm has enveloped the world. The black storm has wrapped the world in darkness and from this darkness, the mysterious black widow emerges. People are going crazy. Killing themselves and each other. Cody has a chance to escape the madness, and a plane waiting at the airport if he can only get there in time and in one piece. What follows is a race against time and a risky jump into the unknown. Cody and Rachel face numerous dangers on the road trying to get to safety. This story is a brilliant and energetic introduction to what promises to be a nail-biting series. I was really pulled into Cody's dilemma, as a parent trying to decide what risks to take in order to protect his child. Brilliant stuff!
July 9, 2020
I am trying book 2 right now
The book started out okay, and I realize it is a serialized book.
But having lived in the dark for a long time, how did he pack fresh fruit? Where is everything he has coming from, like gasoline?
And then, at the end, the daughter does an amazing thing and no one says or does
anything. Yeah right.
The book started out okay, and I realize it is a serialized book.
But having lived in the dark for a long time, how did he pack fresh fruit? Where is everything he has coming from, like gasoline?
And then, at the end, the daughter does an amazing thing and no one says or does
anything. Yeah right.
June 7, 2019
Death Watch
I truly enjoyed this story. It is most certain only a great Post Apocalyptic horror! Great plot,great characters,great writing which make the wording of this story so intriguing you won't want to put this book down until the last page is read. What's even better is that there is more!!!!
I truly enjoyed this story. It is most certain only a great Post Apocalyptic horror! Great plot,great characters,great writing which make the wording of this story so intriguing you won't want to put this book down until the last page is read. What's even better is that there is more!!!!
April 3, 2018
This is a story about the coming of the end of the world. A Black Storm has circled the globe. It started slow with sightings of a woman described as the Black Widow – red hair and dressed completely in black, century’s old attire. People who saw her, died! They went mad, killed others and themselves. The world was going mad and crops were dying as black rain and black storms covered the Earth.
People were desperate, supplies were very short and disasters were also happening everywhere. Cory and his daughter Rachel have one chance to survive and try to escape the Black Storm. A plane piloted by his old friend, at the nearby San Antonio airport. He just had to get them both there, hopefully without sighting the Black Widow again.
As per any type of disaster film or book, our main character makes a stupid mistake and picks up a female hitchhiker. Should he still show his humanity by doing this, setting an example for his daughter, or has he made a fatal mistake? This is yours to find out by reading the book. This book isn’t overly long and so keeps your attention and moves onwards at a good pace.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
People were desperate, supplies were very short and disasters were also happening everywhere. Cory and his daughter Rachel have one chance to survive and try to escape the Black Storm. A plane piloted by his old friend, at the nearby San Antonio airport. He just had to get them both there, hopefully without sighting the Black Widow again.
As per any type of disaster film or book, our main character makes a stupid mistake and picks up a female hitchhiker. Should he still show his humanity by doing this, setting an example for his daughter, or has he made a fatal mistake? This is yours to find out by reading the book. This book isn’t overly long and so keeps your attention and moves onwards at a good pace.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 17, 2018
Black Storm....
This was an interesting book..the black storm....still haven't figured it out but I will. The whole book is like one scenario, seems strange but it works. Cody is trying to make it to the San Antonio airport with his daughter Rachel. The city of San Antonio is in flames, the plague makes people react differently. A mystical figure who appears & disappears encourage people to do bad stuff ...looting, killing, burning down the city. Cody is counting on his friend Nick to fly them out of there.
The question is can he make it on time? He has some loonies in a red truck that want to kill him, his dead wife keeps appearing in front of him & the strange woman tries to encourage him to end it all.
Quite an enjoyable book..kudos to the author..I'm looking for the next book now...😁
This was an interesting book..the black storm....still haven't figured it out but I will. The whole book is like one scenario, seems strange but it works. Cody is trying to make it to the San Antonio airport with his daughter Rachel. The city of San Antonio is in flames, the plague makes people react differently. A mystical figure who appears & disappears encourage people to do bad stuff ...looting, killing, burning down the city. Cody is counting on his friend Nick to fly them out of there.
The question is can he make it on time? He has some loonies in a red truck that want to kill him, his dead wife keeps appearing in front of him & the strange woman tries to encourage him to end it all.
Quite an enjoyable book..kudos to the author..I'm looking for the next book now...😁
September 11, 2021
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK
i picked it up because it was sitting on my bookshelf for a while and i had nothing to do and i thought hm why not give it a try, and when i read the first page i could not stop. I read the whole thing in the span of a day and it was amazing. every little bit had you wanting to read more and i’m someone who doesn’t read much and for me to read this whole thing IN A DAY, says something. It was amazing and probably one of my new favs! i cant wait to read the other two books!!!!!
i picked it up because it was sitting on my bookshelf for a while and i had nothing to do and i thought hm why not give it a try, and when i read the first page i could not stop. I read the whole thing in the span of a day and it was amazing. every little bit had you wanting to read more and i’m someone who doesn’t read much and for me to read this whole thing IN A DAY, says something. It was amazing and probably one of my new favs! i cant wait to read the other two books!!!!!
August 26, 2018
I discovered this book in the daily emails from Bookbub; it was, at that time, free. The synopsis was intriguing, so I've decided to give it a try.
And I wasn't mistaken: This is so heart-attack rythmic!
Very well written, with characters that can be anyone you know... Except the villain itself, which is a mystery. I mean, what is the villain? An alien? A demon? An angel? Why it wants to kill everybody? Man, I need to read the second part to find out!
And I wasn't mistaken: This is so heart-attack rythmic!
Very well written, with characters that can be anyone you know... Except the villain itself, which is a mystery. I mean, what is the villain? An alien? A demon? An angel? Why it wants to kill everybody? Man, I need to read the second part to find out!
April 5, 2019
Easy read,
I enjoyed this book it flowed nicely and made a refreshing change for a book regarding the end of the world not to be all. Zombies. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully it will be as good as this one. I can't wait to find out about the little girl . I would recommend this book and author too as I have now read a few books from him and each are very enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book it flowed nicely and made a refreshing change for a book regarding the end of the world not to be all. Zombies. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully it will be as good as this one. I can't wait to find out about the little girl . I would recommend this book and author too as I have now read a few books from him and each are very enjoyable.
May 20, 2018
A great Post-Apocalyptic story about a dad and his daughter attempting to make their way to friends for survival. Though I am not a fan of him calling his daughter "kid", you can tell he loves her deeply. This book is a first from this Author for me and I am off to read book 2!
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
March 26, 2018
Great read! So much action. Will Cody and Rachel make it out? Will they be able to escape the black storm with its black rain? And what about the Black Widow? Who is she? Can they escape her and survive? I can't wait to read more.
May 6, 2018
Mark Gillespie has a way of drawing you right in to the story.
The horrors that Cody and Rachel go through trying to get just a few miles down the highway are unimaginable.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
The horrors that Cody and Rachel go through trying to get just a few miles down the highway are unimaginable.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
May 21, 2018
Black Storm
I am going to be totally honest. The storyline was great, really good. I enjoyed the characters. My problem, too wordy. It could have been sped up a bit. Looking forward to reading the next book!
I am going to be totally honest. The storyline was great, really good. I enjoyed the characters. My problem, too wordy. It could have been sped up a bit. Looking forward to reading the next book!
March 18, 2020
Black Widow
Cody MacLeod and his daughter Rachel have a chance to leave the black widow and Texas behind but their escape is more than they bargained for. It's a fast paced book that will keep you flipping through it and it's worth it.
Cody MacLeod and his daughter Rachel have a chance to leave the black widow and Texas behind but their escape is more than they bargained for. It's a fast paced book that will keep you flipping through it and it's worth it.
March 21, 2018
Set aside most of the day for a book that will keep you guessing. Well written. I read an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
May 16, 2018
Book 1
This book took me totally by surprise. Through the entire story, I felt as if I was in the story with Cody and Rachel.
This book took me totally by surprise. Through the entire story, I felt as if I was in the story with Cody and Rachel.
November 1, 2018
Great story
I thought this book was a great story showing how humanity can be affected by adverse events. Anxious for the next book.
I thought this book was a great story showing how humanity can be affected by adverse events. Anxious for the next book.
May 3, 2019
A good read!
December 12, 2019
Fast paced without much downtime, so if it is tense escapism you want, this provides it.
September 4, 2020
I felt like I was there.
November 28, 2020
Interesting story line, good tension build, and definitely leaves you curious about what transpires in the rest of the series.
July 28, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It was a little different than other books of this type.
February 24, 2020
I really, really wanted to love this book. The Woman in Black and the doomsday black rain were just really interesting concepts.
And that's where it ended. The MC was completely two dimensional. While I understand that this is a trilogy, this book did not even give us a single hint as to what the BW was, where she came from, what her intentions are (aside from making people kill themselves.)
At the end, the daughter does something remarkable, and it's glossed over. There's no real arc to the story, aside from we're running to the airport.
Overall, it felt meh and left me with no real desire to red the next in the series.
And that's where it ended. The MC was completely two dimensional. While I understand that this is a trilogy, this book did not even give us a single hint as to what the BW was, where she came from, what her intentions are (aside from making people kill themselves.)
At the end, the daughter does something remarkable, and it's glossed over. There's no real arc to the story, aside from we're running to the airport.
Overall, it felt meh and left me with no real desire to red the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews