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The Death Chute
When his mother, Sophia, is diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia, 44-year-old reality television producer Jake Porter is forced leave Hollywood and return to his native Vermont to look after her. His plan is to quickly set her up in a posh new retirement community in the Green Mountains and then head back to Los Angeles to revive his career, which is now in jeopardy after his last few projects bombed in spectacular fashion with TV audiences.
But when he learns that the retirement community was once a tuberculosis sanatorium where many patients died of the dreaded disease, Jake is uneasy at the prospect of leaving Sophia on her own. Only the assurances of the community’s chief medical officer, Diane Barrett, convince Jake that his mother will be in good hands. Not long after she’s moved in, however, Sophia has the first of many frightening experiences when she encounters the apparition of a little boy suffering from TB. At first, Jake dismisses her story as a symptom of her dementia, but as time goes on, it becomes clear the rest home houses dark secrets and is haunted by something strange and terrible.
But when he learns that the retirement community was once a tuberculosis sanatorium where many patients died of the dreaded disease, Jake is uneasy at the prospect of leaving Sophia on her own. Only the assurances of the community’s chief medical officer, Diane Barrett, convince Jake that his mother will be in good hands. Not long after she’s moved in, however, Sophia has the first of many frightening experiences when she encounters the apparition of a little boy suffering from TB. At first, Jake dismisses her story as a symptom of her dementia, but as time goes on, it becomes clear the rest home houses dark secrets and is haunted by something strange and terrible.
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Published April 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 14, 2019
This was actually a very decent supernatural novella. I’ve never heard of the author prior to this, but have read another novella by this publisher, so I had pretty good quality expectations, at least. And this one didn’t disappoint. The only thing is…it came across slightly rushed, but then again it manages to tell an entire story start to finish in 73 pages without skimping on quality or character writing and that’s no small achievement. Nice cover. Readies you up for an atmospheric setting, which the book delivers all the way, when a seemingly fancy retirement community turns out to have a dark disturbing past. TV producer Jake doesn’t do his research before putting his elderly senile mother there, but timing being what it is, the ghosts no longer willing to stay silent or restrict themselves to a small book here and there, so now it’s dangerous, dramatic and downright demolition derby sort of situation. And to think Jake was just starting to get life in order, including a newly found romance with a lady taking care of his mother. So can the ghosts be put to rest? Read and find out. Why not, it’s such a quick read and it’s plenty entertaining, not to mention professionally edited and put together. Fun, good for genre fans. Thanks Netgalley.
July 5, 2022
A creepy ghost story set in a sanitorium turned retirement home. Stolliker is an excellent writer that I will have to read more of. Thomas Decker Croix served as the perfect narrator for this unsettling read.
September 30, 2019
I liked this book and it had really great potential, but I think it just needs a little fleshing out to make it a 5-star read. The pieces are there.
The book follows Jake Porter, whose mother, Sophia, must finally be placed in a nursing home, but the one he chooses has a grim history. It was a tuberculosis hospital at one time and residents swear that those who died in the facility never actually left. When Sophia starts experiencing weird happenings, Jake tries to figure out what’s going on before his mother gets hurt.
The haunting were really good and the story itself was great, but it all seemed to happen so fast. There wasn’t the kind of build-up that would make the story really, really spooky. And the “Explanation”/ending was really spooky indeed, so it had the great potential!
I think the plot just needs to be fleshed out a little more to add some depth to the mystery (like maybe exploring who exactly the ghosts were in life) and what exactly was happening back then.
I would say read with caution on this one.
The book follows Jake Porter, whose mother, Sophia, must finally be placed in a nursing home, but the one he chooses has a grim history. It was a tuberculosis hospital at one time and residents swear that those who died in the facility never actually left. When Sophia starts experiencing weird happenings, Jake tries to figure out what’s going on before his mother gets hurt.
The haunting were really good and the story itself was great, but it all seemed to happen so fast. There wasn’t the kind of build-up that would make the story really, really spooky. And the “Explanation”/ending was really spooky indeed, so it had the great potential!
I think the plot just needs to be fleshed out a little more to add some depth to the mystery (like maybe exploring who exactly the ghosts were in life) and what exactly was happening back then.
I would say read with caution on this one.
May 4, 2019
An engrossing horror novella set in Vermont's mountains, THE DEATH CHUTE deftly and winningly combines both contemporary events and the not-so-distant past. A Vermont native and reality producer of little note in L.A., Jake Porter has returned to his home state in order to place his mother, suffering from senile dementia, into a care home. Unfortunately he selects a lovely institution with a sad and tragic past.
As Jake grieves his mother's decline and fears she is sinking faster than expected, he also begins to develop a relationship with the physician who is the Home's administrator. These three individuals and a resident who has been at the Home a year, gradually unravel the tragic history of the building, which was once a much-needed sanitorium for Tuberculosis patients in the early 20th century.
The background history is fascinating and the story line kept me riveted through to the end, and delivered a satisfying sense of, if not mercy, at least poetic justice.
As Jake grieves his mother's decline and fears she is sinking faster than expected, he also begins to develop a relationship with the physician who is the Home's administrator. These three individuals and a resident who has been at the Home a year, gradually unravel the tragic history of the building, which was once a much-needed sanitorium for Tuberculosis patients in the early 20th century.
The background history is fascinating and the story line kept me riveted through to the end, and delivered a satisfying sense of, if not mercy, at least poetic justice.
May 15, 2019
3.5/5
I really loved the plot of this little novella. I'm a sucker for a ghost story/haunting, and although the "refurbished old hospital/sanitorium" concept may be cliche, it is one of my favorites.
Really where this one was lacking for me was just in length. I enjoy novellas from time to time, but I wanted more of a chance to become absorbed in this story and get a real feel for the history of the setting and let myself really settle in. Due to the fact that this whole book is only about 100 pages long, I just ended up feeling as though it was a bit rushed. Everything seemed to happen too quickly and I didn't quite find the story "scary" or the character's actions believable. Everyone was so quick to do everything that they did and I just felt that I was pulled along faster than I liked.
Given some more length I feel I could have really loved this book. Overall, however, I still enjoyed it quite a lot and found it to be interesting.
I really loved the plot of this little novella. I'm a sucker for a ghost story/haunting, and although the "refurbished old hospital/sanitorium" concept may be cliche, it is one of my favorites.
Really where this one was lacking for me was just in length. I enjoy novellas from time to time, but I wanted more of a chance to become absorbed in this story and get a real feel for the history of the setting and let myself really settle in. Due to the fact that this whole book is only about 100 pages long, I just ended up feeling as though it was a bit rushed. Everything seemed to happen too quickly and I didn't quite find the story "scary" or the character's actions believable. Everyone was so quick to do everything that they did and I just felt that I was pulled along faster than I liked.
Given some more length I feel I could have really loved this book. Overall, however, I still enjoyed it quite a lot and found it to be interesting.
May 19, 2019
Finished this novella tonight (again, insomnia). This takes place in a recently renovated rest home, which once was a TB sanatorium. Hauntings are bound to happen, as thousands died there while being treated. I won’t say too much, as the unique premise was part of the allure for me!! Overall, really good story, several chills, awesome setting and mostly likable characters.
My only complaint - it wasn’t long enough!
Satisfying ending. 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, #Netgalley!!
#TheDeathChute
#Hauntings
#TBHospital
#Insomnia
My only complaint - it wasn’t long enough!
Satisfying ending. 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, #Netgalley!!
#TheDeathChute
#Hauntings
#TBHospital
#Insomnia
June 22, 2022
This was a fun creepy horror novella, narrated excellently by Thomas Deckard Croix with intermittent sound effects to really give the story a life of its own. Beneath the mountain of a retirement home sit the echoes of a tuberculosis sanatorium and the people who withered in those halls. Now filled with the elderly, are they hearing whispers of their decaying mind or are they truly hearing ghosts?!
February 3, 2022
This was a great little novella. It was entertaining and provided enough background and information even with its short length. I’ve read so many novellas that skimp on information and background. It causes them to jump around an not make sense. That was not the case here.
April 15, 2021
This was a fast paced story with traumatized ghosts. I liked it and normally I don't care too much for ghost stories because they're too cheesy. This lacked the cheese. Thank goodness.
January 21, 2022
The ground shakes with truth
History can't be silenced
when the dead still speak.
History can't be silenced
when the dead still speak.
June 15, 2022
Fun quick listen. Had a good blend of horror, mystic, and 'real life'. Felt a little rushed at the end, but many short reads do.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
May 12, 2019
I recently read The Death Chute by Ambrose Stolliker courtesy of Netgalley. It was a quick read, less than two hundred pages. The main character, Jake, develops and produces reality television shows in Hollywood. He is home in Vermont to settle his mother in a nursing home. Sophia has dementia. The nursing home he selects is a building that was a TB sanatarium. What develops is a collision between the old and the new with a mystery at the heart of it. The book touches on a racial theme (quality of care dependent on race) and letting self-interest stop to ensure other's survival.
The book could have been much better. I think if the author had removed the racial theme and just concentrated on the old sanatarium, there was more than enough horror to be had. As I said it was a quick read but not a satisfying one. None of the characters were fleshed out enough to feel real. The location too could have had better descriptions of its grounds and rooms. The book was a missed opportunity in many ways.
#TheDeathChute2019 #NetGalley
The book could have been much better. I think if the author had removed the racial theme and just concentrated on the old sanatarium, there was more than enough horror to be had. As I said it was a quick read but not a satisfying one. None of the characters were fleshed out enough to feel real. The location too could have had better descriptions of its grounds and rooms. The book was a missed opportunity in many ways.
#TheDeathChute2019 #NetGalley
July 21, 2019
Jake Porter produces crappy reality tv shows. Jake's mother, Sophia, is suffering from dementia, and getting worse. He flies home to Vermont to place her in the Glastenbury Mountain Rest Home, a beautiful building in the mountains. He has some reservations as the home used to be a TB hospital, but the beautiful Dr. Christine Barrett reassures him that there has been a complete renovation and everything is fine.
However everything is not fine. Like many TB hospitals, there were plenty of deaths on the grounds, some worse than others. And every night at 11, the residents get visited by some of the former patients. And they are a bit lively.
I have an affinity for old hospitals, particularly sanatoriums. I liked how Jake saw a nurse dressed in old garb nearly immediately on his tour of the premises. Not pulling any punches here - the place is without a doubt haunted. Pretty good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
However everything is not fine. Like many TB hospitals, there were plenty of deaths on the grounds, some worse than others. And every night at 11, the residents get visited by some of the former patients. And they are a bit lively.
I have an affinity for old hospitals, particularly sanatoriums. I liked how Jake saw a nurse dressed in old garb nearly immediately on his tour of the premises. Not pulling any punches here - the place is without a doubt haunted. Pretty good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2020
The Death Chute by Ambrose Stolliker is one of the best thrillers I have read so far. Jake Porter has a life in Television as a producer. He also has a mother who is suffering from dementia. Jake must leave and go back to his hometown in Vermont in order to take care of her. Jake makes plans once there to put his mother into a retirement home and he would go back to his old life. However, he finds out that the retirement home was one a sanitarium for patients with tuberculosis. Would his mother be ok? When she starts seeing a young boy who has tuberculosis she tells Jake all about it. Does he believe her? Will you, the reader, believe her?why is this young man back? Is he a ghost? All of these questions will be answered as you read. This is a fast paced yet fluid story that is easy to keep up with. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 15, 2019
Ambrose Stolliker is likely a very good writer - in fact, I already ordered his other book. That said - yikes.
The Death Chute has a great premise. An old sanatorium turned rest home. Ghost. TB. Race. However, it's also full of 'Hollywood' speak and ugh. There's only so much one can take about that. I wanted to know more about Jake and his relationship with his parents. I wanted to know more about his career and while it has stalled into reality tv. I wanted to know more about Sophia and her life. It felt like missed opportunities to turn this into a deeper conversation about elder care and race and medical history but instead went with a 'horror' trope and a ghost boy.
This read more like...that terrible "Ghost Hunters" show.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Death Chute has a great premise. An old sanatorium turned rest home. Ghost. TB. Race. However, it's also full of 'Hollywood' speak and ugh. There's only so much one can take about that. I wanted to know more about Jake and his relationship with his parents. I wanted to know more about his career and while it has stalled into reality tv. I wanted to know more about Sophia and her life. It felt like missed opportunities to turn this into a deeper conversation about elder care and race and medical history but instead went with a 'horror' trope and a ghost boy.
This read more like...that terrible "Ghost Hunters" show.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 1, 2019
This was a fun and interesting horror novella toying with race and social issues. The downside with this novella is that I wished the characters were fleshed out a bit more as they didn't feel real and that it had more descriptions of both the characters, sanatarium and rooms. In addition to that, I think the plot and concept could have worked great as a full length novel.
June 13, 2022
Well this was a nice quick read! I enjoyed the story and I’m sure it could’ve been expanded into a full novel. However, I appreciated the shortened story. I could picture every scene taking place and it was just what I needed for a nice break in the day.
May 29, 2019
This was an okay read but definitely could have been developed more than it was. I was a little bit disappointed as this book seemed to be better than what it was.
March 30, 2019
**Find my full review HERE at Sci-Fi & Scary.**
Review Excerpt:
This was a really, really solid take on the haunted sanatorium idea. It stays true to some of the classic haunting tropes, but the backstory is something totally new and horrifying. Without giving too much away, the history behind the haunting here is something that’s terrifying both on your typical paranormal ghost-y level, as well as on a deeply human level. It made my heart race and hurt at the same time. It’s creepy and emotional and just all around fantastic.
This was a total pageturner for me, and the length was perfect. Nothing was excessively dragged out, but it didn’t feel rushed either. It can be hard to hit that sweet spot in a novella, but Stolliker does it beautifully here. With the combination of an excellent pace, fully formed characters and just a hit of emotional gut-punch, this was a winner for me.
Review Excerpt:
This was a really, really solid take on the haunted sanatorium idea. It stays true to some of the classic haunting tropes, but the backstory is something totally new and horrifying. Without giving too much away, the history behind the haunting here is something that’s terrifying both on your typical paranormal ghost-y level, as well as on a deeply human level. It made my heart race and hurt at the same time. It’s creepy and emotional and just all around fantastic.
This was a total pageturner for me, and the length was perfect. Nothing was excessively dragged out, but it didn’t feel rushed either. It can be hard to hit that sweet spot in a novella, but Stolliker does it beautifully here. With the combination of an excellent pace, fully formed characters and just a hit of emotional gut-punch, this was a winner for me.
September 20, 2024
The writing is awful, the dialogue dull and the characters annoying as hell. Christina made me roll my eyes so often. At one point she says that she couldn’t imagine a doctor experimenting on their patients yet she also said experimenting on patients is very Dr. Mengele. I mean, what?! Pick one! So she’s aware of the disgusting Dr. Mengele but still says that a doctor experimenting on patients is not possible. I mean? WHAT.
There was also a particular scene in which Christina texted Jake to come meet her in her office, and when she got there, she told him she was busy and her work was going to take all evening to finish. And then Jake told her that he had to leave to go to some meeting. And then he left. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT SCENE? Nothing happened.
God, I don’t know. This book was a mess.
There was also a particular scene in which Christina texted Jake to come meet her in her office, and when she got there, she told him she was busy and her work was going to take all evening to finish. And then Jake told her that he had to leave to go to some meeting. And then he left. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT SCENE? Nothing happened.
God, I don’t know. This book was a mess.
May 13, 2019
The Death Chute could have been so much more or I was just expecting it to be something else. This just wasn't for me. It was a quick read, not well developed and not so much a horror book.
May 19, 2019
Finished this novella tonight (again, insomnia). This takes place in a recently renovated rest home, which once was a TB sanatorium. Hauntings are bound to happen, as thousands died there while being treated. I won’t say too much, as the unique premise was part of the allure for me!! Overall, really good story, several chills, awesome setting and mostly likable characters.
My only complaint - it wasn’t long enough!
Satisfying ending. 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, #Netgalley!!
#TheDeathChute
#Hauntings
#TBHospital
#Insomnia
My only complaint - it wasn’t long enough!
Satisfying ending. 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, #Netgalley!!
#TheDeathChute
#Hauntings
#TBHospital
#Insomnia
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews