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Sins of the Father
Henry Gilman has spent years trying to separate himself from his father's legacy of murder and insanity. Now he has the chance - all he has to do is figure out who's been killing people in Innsmouth. Then he'll be a hero and win the heart of the woman he loves, Flora Marsh.
But soon he's caught in a web of danger, with the undead stalking the streets at night, a terrible monster lurking below the city, and a prophecy of destruction about to come true. In the process, his actions cause unwanted consequences and to save Flora he has to do the very thing he's spent his life trying to avoid: follow his father's footsteps into madness.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
But soon he's caught in a web of danger, with the undead stalking the streets at night, a terrible monster lurking below the city, and a prophecy of destruction about to come true. In the process, his actions cause unwanted consequences and to save Flora he has to do the very thing he's spent his life trying to avoid: follow his father's footsteps into madness.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2020
About the author
J.G. Faherty
100 books140 followersJG Faherty is a Bram Stoker Award® and ITW Thriller Award nominee and the author of six novels, nine novellas, and more than 50 short stories. He writes adult and YA horror/sci-fi/fantasy, and his works range from quiet, dark suspense to over-the-top comic gruesomeness.
His novels and novellas, all of which are listed on Goodreads, include THE CURE, CARNIVAL OF FEAR, GHOSTS OF CORONADO BAY, CEMETERY CLUB, THE BURNING TIME, LEGACY, CASTLE BY THE SEA, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THIEF OF SOULS, THE COLD SPOT, and HE WAITS.
He enjoys urban exploring, photography, classic B-movies, good wine, and pumpkin beer. As a child, his favorite playground was a 17th-century cemetery, which many people feel explains a lot. His personal motto is "Photobombing people since 1979!" You can follow him at www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://about.me/jgfaherty, and www.jgfaherty.com.
His novels and novellas, all of which are listed on Goodreads, include THE CURE, CARNIVAL OF FEAR, GHOSTS OF CORONADO BAY, CEMETERY CLUB, THE BURNING TIME, LEGACY, CASTLE BY THE SEA, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THIEF OF SOULS, THE COLD SPOT, and HE WAITS.
He enjoys urban exploring, photography, classic B-movies, good wine, and pumpkin beer. As a child, his favorite playground was a 17th-century cemetery, which many people feel explains a lot. His personal motto is "Photobombing people since 1979!" You can follow him at www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://about.me/jgfaherty, and www.jgfaherty.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 10, 2020
SINS OF THE FATHER, by J.G. Faherty, is a Lovecraftian-style novel set back in the past. The setting near the town of Innsmouth, the Miskatonic University, and other Lovecraftian landmarks, interested me quite a bit. However, I expect that those not as familiar with Lovecraft's imagination might not fully appreciate all of the links.
"Believe in Science, Henry, not superstition . . . "
At a young age, Henry's mother passed away with a cancer eating away at her. His father--a doctor--grew obsessed with finding a cure. What he resorted to was an act so repulsive that he was sent to live the remainder of his life at the Asylum.
Sadly, Henry's own reputation suffered unjustly because of his infamous father.
". . . the shadows hid plenty of real evils . . . "
The novel quickly becomes a full-out homage to Lovecraft's ideas, in my opinion. While not a bad thing, per-say, I was hoping for a little more individuality in certain aspects.
Henry, and the other characters, just didn't work for me as well as I'd hoped they would. I thought Henry began as a solid individual with firm viewpoints, yet about half-way through the story he became very inconsistent and difficult to follow.
". . . Heaven and Hell exist . . . but they are just two dimensions among millions."
Some of the scenes--particularly in the first half--I found very well done and engaging. There was a different spin that made me want to read on. Unfortunately, at some point this changed, rendering our main character unreliable, the others less than intriguing, and the novel itself began to feel like a variation of previously read material.
". . . instead I became him . . . "
Overall, a strong start that held promise, but ultimately left me feeling less than satisfied. A large factor in this was that I didn't care any longer about any of the characters. Once that happened, everything else fell apart for me.
Perhaps others will connect more with this story than I did, as it did have some unique moments.
"Believe in Science, Henry, not superstition . . . "
At a young age, Henry's mother passed away with a cancer eating away at her. His father--a doctor--grew obsessed with finding a cure. What he resorted to was an act so repulsive that he was sent to live the remainder of his life at the Asylum.
Sadly, Henry's own reputation suffered unjustly because of his infamous father.
". . . the shadows hid plenty of real evils . . . "
The novel quickly becomes a full-out homage to Lovecraft's ideas, in my opinion. While not a bad thing, per-say, I was hoping for a little more individuality in certain aspects.
Henry, and the other characters, just didn't work for me as well as I'd hoped they would. I thought Henry began as a solid individual with firm viewpoints, yet about half-way through the story he became very inconsistent and difficult to follow.
". . . Heaven and Hell exist . . . but they are just two dimensions among millions."
Some of the scenes--particularly in the first half--I found very well done and engaging. There was a different spin that made me want to read on. Unfortunately, at some point this changed, rendering our main character unreliable, the others less than intriguing, and the novel itself began to feel like a variation of previously read material.
". . . instead I became him . . . "
Overall, a strong start that held promise, but ultimately left me feeling less than satisfied. A large factor in this was that I didn't care any longer about any of the characters. Once that happened, everything else fell apart for me.
Perhaps others will connect more with this story than I did, as it did have some unique moments.
August 5, 2020
Sins of the Father is a lovecraftian period horror novel by author JG Faherty
Henry Gilman is a mortician and occasional coroner for the town of Innsmouth, in the early 20th century. He’s burdened by the legacy left by his father, who experimented on blasphemous reanimation techniques, and ended up institutionalized in Arkham Sanitorium.
Innsmouth has fallen victim to serial murders by strangulation, the latest of which was a policeman. Some townspeople evoke demons and ancient curses, but Henry Gilman is a man of science. His beliefs are shattered when he witnesses the murder of a man by a fishlike figure, more demon than man. He retrieves a book from the scene and, soon thereafter, two reanimated dead men enters the pub he’s drinking in, looking for the book, and killing one of his friends. It falls to Henry to convince the police he’s not to blame, as his father was, and to find a way to battle the new horror plaguing the town.
JG Faherty does a good job at adopting a style and vocabulary in line with Lovecraft’s and his circle. The book is a quick read, and the action starts without losing too much time in exposition. However, while Lovecraft and others, like Derleth, left to the reader the task of imagining most of the indicible eldritch horrors, Faherty is a little too specific. This causes creatures to read like giant squids rather than cousins of Dagon and Cthulhu. The same can be said for the locales. The atmosphere of Miskatonic University, for example, is laid a little too thick.
Another quirk, for me, is the main character. Henry Gilman isn’t very likable, sometimes even plain despicable, and this, from the start. Confronted with eldritch horrors, his main preoccupation remains getting the girl before his best friend can. Lovecraft often wrote unlikeable characters, especially as his own world views were skewed but, when we don’t care much about the main protagonist, and the secondary characters aren’t fleshed out, we don’t care much about what happens to them either.
The lovecraftian ambiance is there. The story follows all the beats you’re expecting. Maybe a little too much, as many of the twists can be guessed way before they occur. The author has also chosen to add elements to the Chthulu mythos, when existing ones could have been used (Dagon, his followers and acolytes, Herbert West’s works...)
All in all, it isn’t a bad read, but it doesn’t bring anything new or original to the plate. Still a good way to pass time for lovers of the non euclidian geometries.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
Henry Gilman is a mortician and occasional coroner for the town of Innsmouth, in the early 20th century. He’s burdened by the legacy left by his father, who experimented on blasphemous reanimation techniques, and ended up institutionalized in Arkham Sanitorium.
Innsmouth has fallen victim to serial murders by strangulation, the latest of which was a policeman. Some townspeople evoke demons and ancient curses, but Henry Gilman is a man of science. His beliefs are shattered when he witnesses the murder of a man by a fishlike figure, more demon than man. He retrieves a book from the scene and, soon thereafter, two reanimated dead men enters the pub he’s drinking in, looking for the book, and killing one of his friends. It falls to Henry to convince the police he’s not to blame, as his father was, and to find a way to battle the new horror plaguing the town.
JG Faherty does a good job at adopting a style and vocabulary in line with Lovecraft’s and his circle. The book is a quick read, and the action starts without losing too much time in exposition. However, while Lovecraft and others, like Derleth, left to the reader the task of imagining most of the indicible eldritch horrors, Faherty is a little too specific. This causes creatures to read like giant squids rather than cousins of Dagon and Cthulhu. The same can be said for the locales. The atmosphere of Miskatonic University, for example, is laid a little too thick.
Another quirk, for me, is the main character. Henry Gilman isn’t very likable, sometimes even plain despicable, and this, from the start. Confronted with eldritch horrors, his main preoccupation remains getting the girl before his best friend can. Lovecraft often wrote unlikeable characters, especially as his own world views were skewed but, when we don’t care much about the main protagonist, and the secondary characters aren’t fleshed out, we don’t care much about what happens to them either.
The lovecraftian ambiance is there. The story follows all the beats you’re expecting. Maybe a little too much, as many of the twists can be guessed way before they occur. The author has also chosen to add elements to the Chthulu mythos, when existing ones could have been used (Dagon, his followers and acolytes, Herbert West’s works...)
All in all, it isn’t a bad read, but it doesn’t bring anything new or original to the plate. Still a good way to pass time for lovers of the non euclidian geometries.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
July 30, 2020
This story is a huge homage to H.P. Lovecraft. The setting is in Innsmouth...so the tale includes Arkahm, the Miskatonic River & the University.... Definitely Lovecraft's stomping ground.
The Basics: Henry Gilman has lived under the stigma of atrocities committed by his father. His father was a doctor who descended into madness after Henry's mother died of cancer. His ultimate goal was to cure cancer, but the things he did in his madness were depraved and horrific. Henry does his best to make a life out of the tatters left behind after his father is put away in the asylum.....but given that he is in Innsmouth....well we all know a happily-ever-after is just not going to happen. Cue the undead, a monster lurking under the city, and other very Lovecraftian horrors. Turns out in order to save the one he loves, Henry might just have to share in his father's madness......
I enjoyed the first half of this novel better than the second half. There is a point where things switch gears a bit....and it just jarred me out of the story a bit too much. All in all, an enjoyable homage to Lovecraft. Very much in the horror genre. I loved the setting and the way the tale has a very Lovecraftian feel to it. Very dark and atmospheric.
All in all, a good horror story. I enjoyed it. This is the second book by JG Faherty that I've read. I will definitely be reading more of his writing!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
The Basics: Henry Gilman has lived under the stigma of atrocities committed by his father. His father was a doctor who descended into madness after Henry's mother died of cancer. His ultimate goal was to cure cancer, but the things he did in his madness were depraved and horrific. Henry does his best to make a life out of the tatters left behind after his father is put away in the asylum.....but given that he is in Innsmouth....well we all know a happily-ever-after is just not going to happen. Cue the undead, a monster lurking under the city, and other very Lovecraftian horrors. Turns out in order to save the one he loves, Henry might just have to share in his father's madness......
I enjoyed the first half of this novel better than the second half. There is a point where things switch gears a bit....and it just jarred me out of the story a bit too much. All in all, an enjoyable homage to Lovecraft. Very much in the horror genre. I loved the setting and the way the tale has a very Lovecraftian feel to it. Very dark and atmospheric.
All in all, a good horror story. I enjoyed it. This is the second book by JG Faherty that I've read. I will definitely be reading more of his writing!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
June 17, 2020
This was too much of the 'horror' genre for my taste. The premise was a good one, someone wanting to make amends for his father's sins but in my view could have been executed better (pardon the pun) and was too far moving away from the crime drama that I like. I think others will enjoy this more!
September 25, 2025
za ljubitelje lavkrafta… što ja nisam🤣
August 27, 2020
‘Henry Gilman has spent years trying to separate himself from his father’s legacy of murder and insanity. Now he has the chance – all he has to do is figure out who’s been killing people in Innsmouth.’
Cosmic Horror? Yes, Please!
How the story plays out is a bit predictable early on. However, I wasn’t expecting that ending—loved it!
I had a blast reading SINS OF THE FATHER, and I can’t wait to see what Faherty comes up with next.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eBook of SINS OF THE FATHER in exchange for an honest review.
Cosmic Horror? Yes, Please!
How the story plays out is a bit predictable early on. However, I wasn’t expecting that ending—loved it!
I had a blast reading SINS OF THE FATHER, and I can’t wait to see what Faherty comes up with next.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eBook of SINS OF THE FATHER in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2020
You know what I like better than horror? Horror with tentacles! And while I've not read a lot of Lovecraft, I definitely recognize the author's nod to the classic horror writer.
The novel is set in the early 20th century. As a child, his father was a renowned doctor whose healing techniques came into question when Henry's mother was dying of cancer. Some of his father's experiments led to corpse reanimation and eventually landed him in an asylum. Henry is now an adult working as a coroner/mortician in the town of Innsmouth. He is investigating the death of a local policeman when he witnesses a demon coming from the sea. One who resembles a fish-like creature and one whom Henry witnesses murder someone. Soon Henry has to prove his own innocence which proves hard to do with cloud of his father hovering over him.
This book was fast-paced and exciting. I've read a lot of thrillers lately but as the nights get a tad cooler, I found Sins of the Father just what I needed to satisfy my horror-loving soul. I found myself liking Henry for the most past but don't get me wrong, he was sometimes a despicable man who did questionable things. Maybe it was because of his flaws that I liked him.
I have to admit that I wasn't completely satisfied with the conclusion and perhaps there is a sequel in the making out there somewhere. I'm definitely game for it if there is. Either way, if you are intrigued by Lovecraft or enjoyed his works, then I think this might just be a book for you. Once again, Flame Tree Press doesn't disappoint and Faherty is an author I will definitely pick up again.
The novel is set in the early 20th century. As a child, his father was a renowned doctor whose healing techniques came into question when Henry's mother was dying of cancer. Some of his father's experiments led to corpse reanimation and eventually landed him in an asylum. Henry is now an adult working as a coroner/mortician in the town of Innsmouth. He is investigating the death of a local policeman when he witnesses a demon coming from the sea. One who resembles a fish-like creature and one whom Henry witnesses murder someone. Soon Henry has to prove his own innocence which proves hard to do with cloud of his father hovering over him.
This book was fast-paced and exciting. I've read a lot of thrillers lately but as the nights get a tad cooler, I found Sins of the Father just what I needed to satisfy my horror-loving soul. I found myself liking Henry for the most past but don't get me wrong, he was sometimes a despicable man who did questionable things. Maybe it was because of his flaws that I liked him.
I have to admit that I wasn't completely satisfied with the conclusion and perhaps there is a sequel in the making out there somewhere. I'm definitely game for it if there is. Either way, if you are intrigued by Lovecraft or enjoyed his works, then I think this might just be a book for you. Once again, Flame Tree Press doesn't disappoint and Faherty is an author I will definitely pick up again.
May 6, 2020
This is going to be another of my "bear with me" reviews and for that I should probably apologize. If you do take the time to read this (or any of my other "bear with me" reviews), I'm sorry.
Let's get to it, shall we?
Recently I was told of Aphantasia ("a condition where one does not possess a functioning mind's eye and cannot voluntarily visualize imagery", according to Wikipedia who in turn credited an A.J. Larner). And I'm thinking that this might be one of the reasons - just maybe - that Lovecraftian horror doesn't do the trick for me. I can't for the life of me visualize what these cephalopod creatures look like, despite there being manyfold illustrations and despite my having browsed the web in search of visual understanding.
The irony of Lovecraftian horror being defined as "horror of the unknown or unknowable" isn't lost on me.
Another reason is, I say with all certainty, the cosmic element of Lovecraftiana. I feel like the opposite of Giorgio Tsoukalos (the Ancient Alien meme guy); where he goes "Aliens!" and looks pleased as punch - I go "Aliens!" and look utterly exasperated!
I love the Xenomorph of the Alien franchise, and I love the Predator of that franchise, but other than that? No, not a big fan of aliens in [horror] fiction.
Knowing this, you might say, why did I choose to read a book that is CLEARLY inspired by Lovecraft?
I fall so easily for an interesting plot line.
Some part of me thinks that Sins of the Father deserves "a better reader" than I. It's well written, it IS interesting, on a level, and I think that readers who do enjoy cosmic horror of the unknowable would probably enjoy this a whole lot more than I did.
If I were to give some objective criticism, it is that the main story - or at least the story that takes up most of the book - is less interesting than the conclusion, which feels more like a new beginning of another story (but maybe Faherty is setting us up for a sequel? In which case, I'm almost ashamed to admit, I'll probably read that too.). That's not to say that the "main" story isn't interesting in its own way; it's just not AS interesting.
And funnily enough, I found myself more sympathetic to Henry Gilman, the MC, as events were starting to wrap up - even before the grand finish, during which I most definitely sided with him. Possibly because it took that long for Henry to seem to even begin to understand his father's choices/sins.
I felt that, as a reader, I was confused and a little conflicted in regards to how I was supposed to feel about both Henry and his father, Silas: was I intended to feel sympathy for the choices Silas made? Was Henry meant to appear somewhat callous? What about the relationship between Henry and his friend, Ben Olmstead? And that between Henry and his former paramour, Callie Olmstead? Callie and Ben? Henry and The Mother? The Mother and He Who Dreams? I have questions!
It's hard to grade Sins of the Father, because I really do feel that in the right hands it would've been better received, and I can't actually fault the book for anything other than leaving me with so many questions and not even the satisfaction of knowing that they'll be answered in a coming book.
Let's get to it, shall we?
Recently I was told of Aphantasia ("a condition where one does not possess a functioning mind's eye and cannot voluntarily visualize imagery", according to Wikipedia who in turn credited an A.J. Larner). And I'm thinking that this might be one of the reasons - just maybe - that Lovecraftian horror doesn't do the trick for me. I can't for the life of me visualize what these cephalopod creatures look like, despite there being manyfold illustrations and despite my having browsed the web in search of visual understanding.
The irony of Lovecraftian horror being defined as "horror of the unknown or unknowable" isn't lost on me.
Another reason is, I say with all certainty, the cosmic element of Lovecraftiana. I feel like the opposite of Giorgio Tsoukalos (the Ancient Alien meme guy); where he goes "Aliens!" and looks pleased as punch - I go "Aliens!" and look utterly exasperated!
I love the Xenomorph of the Alien franchise, and I love the Predator of that franchise, but other than that? No, not a big fan of aliens in [horror] fiction.
Knowing this, you might say, why did I choose to read a book that is CLEARLY inspired by Lovecraft?
I fall so easily for an interesting plot line.
Some part of me thinks that Sins of the Father deserves "a better reader" than I. It's well written, it IS interesting, on a level, and I think that readers who do enjoy cosmic horror of the unknowable would probably enjoy this a whole lot more than I did.
If I were to give some objective criticism, it is that the main story - or at least the story that takes up most of the book - is less interesting than the conclusion, which feels more like a new beginning of another story (but maybe Faherty is setting us up for a sequel? In which case, I'm almost ashamed to admit, I'll probably read that too.). That's not to say that the "main" story isn't interesting in its own way; it's just not AS interesting.
And funnily enough, I found myself more sympathetic to Henry Gilman, the MC, as events were starting to wrap up - even before the grand finish, during which I most definitely sided with him. Possibly because it took that long for Henry to seem to even begin to understand his father's choices/sins.
I felt that, as a reader, I was confused and a little conflicted in regards to how I was supposed to feel about both Henry and his father, Silas: was I intended to feel sympathy for the choices Silas made? Was Henry meant to appear somewhat callous? What about the relationship between Henry and his friend, Ben Olmstead? And that between Henry and his former paramour, Callie Olmstead? Callie and Ben? Henry and The Mother? The Mother and He Who Dreams? I have questions!
It's hard to grade Sins of the Father, because I really do feel that in the right hands it would've been better received, and I can't actually fault the book for anything other than leaving me with so many questions and not even the satisfaction of knowing that they'll be answered in a coming book.
June 19, 2020
Fatherty’s new release is a sort of mixed bag where I enjoyed large parts of it whilst at other times I felt it was slightly labour intensive to get through. Saying that, I really admire this book as well so I am very torn overall over this book which maybe a good thing.
The book is a huge dedication to Lovecraft surrounding his writing style, the mythology and place. This is where things can be a bit tricky as I admire Lovecraft and his overall plots but I seldom find him an enjoyable read. I admire the way he writes but I often get lost within the descriptive verses he writes. Fatherty here brings this style alive to reflect to the Lovecraftian style which is very admirable but within the same way I feel about Lovecraft, these writing styles have this affect with this book.
The characters are very well developed although the love interest is very underdeveloped and it was kind of hard to get your head around after the half point mark. As I don’t want to give anything away, let’s just say that it doesn’t always ring true. The main character is an unreliable narrator and as we are seeing everything through his eyes and emotions, we are sometimes left scratching our heads which I believe is what the writer wants us to feel and think.
The plot is very well conceived and although it changes gears in the second half, it works rather well. It seemed to track along at a fairly good pace though at times, there is some plot points that left me wondering why. This is kind of written in two parts with the lead up to the second had a lot of good ideas with the later part going off in another direction. This does keep the reader on his toes and left me a little off balanced but did enjoy once I was able to deal with the shift.
Overall, this is a very well-constructed book that pays homage and yet finds its own voice. This may not be the all-around crowd pleaser but fans of Lovecraft will love the style and story whilst the Stephen King crowd probably will not appreciate the style, structure and work of this novel. I personally really enjoyed it and although I found it as difficult as a Lovecraftian novel is for me, this hits all the points and improves on so many as well. This is a sure fire hit for the right readers.
The book is a huge dedication to Lovecraft surrounding his writing style, the mythology and place. This is where things can be a bit tricky as I admire Lovecraft and his overall plots but I seldom find him an enjoyable read. I admire the way he writes but I often get lost within the descriptive verses he writes. Fatherty here brings this style alive to reflect to the Lovecraftian style which is very admirable but within the same way I feel about Lovecraft, these writing styles have this affect with this book.
The characters are very well developed although the love interest is very underdeveloped and it was kind of hard to get your head around after the half point mark. As I don’t want to give anything away, let’s just say that it doesn’t always ring true. The main character is an unreliable narrator and as we are seeing everything through his eyes and emotions, we are sometimes left scratching our heads which I believe is what the writer wants us to feel and think.
The plot is very well conceived and although it changes gears in the second half, it works rather well. It seemed to track along at a fairly good pace though at times, there is some plot points that left me wondering why. This is kind of written in two parts with the lead up to the second had a lot of good ideas with the later part going off in another direction. This does keep the reader on his toes and left me a little off balanced but did enjoy once I was able to deal with the shift.
Overall, this is a very well-constructed book that pays homage and yet finds its own voice. This may not be the all-around crowd pleaser but fans of Lovecraft will love the style and story whilst the Stephen King crowd probably will not appreciate the style, structure and work of this novel. I personally really enjoyed it and although I found it as difficult as a Lovecraftian novel is for me, this hits all the points and improves on so many as well. This is a sure fire hit for the right readers.
May 2, 2020
Henry Gilman's had a bad go of it, mostly thanks to his father whose crimes shook the community of Innsmouth. He's just trying to get by when he ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time and suddenly finds himself in the middle of a plot involving the undead and a monstrous creature floating beneath the city. And, when the chips are down is he going to follow in the madness of his fathers footsteps? Will he atone for his father's sins or will he carry along the "family business".
That conflict waxes and wanes throughout the story, with it sometimes being a foregone conclusion but at others perhaps not as much. The character of Henry is flawed and human and even as he is motivated by things less than pristine there is still empathy that can be felt for his character.
Beyond Henry, the other characters are also well done, and their reactions as evens transpire are realistic. The story starts in a hurry with action right off the bat and for the most part keeps up a frenetic pace charging between set pieces and keeping the tension high. As a Lovecraft-inspired novel it was good to see that it managed to balance the existential horror at the heart of Lovecraft with the more visceral first person horror in the moment.
In the end it was very entertaining and a pretty fast action packed read that I certainly enjoyed. Definitely recommended.
That conflict waxes and wanes throughout the story, with it sometimes being a foregone conclusion but at others perhaps not as much. The character of Henry is flawed and human and even as he is motivated by things less than pristine there is still empathy that can be felt for his character.
Beyond Henry, the other characters are also well done, and their reactions as evens transpire are realistic. The story starts in a hurry with action right off the bat and for the most part keeps up a frenetic pace charging between set pieces and keeping the tension high. As a Lovecraft-inspired novel it was good to see that it managed to balance the existential horror at the heart of Lovecraft with the more visceral first person horror in the moment.
In the end it was very entertaining and a pretty fast action packed read that I certainly enjoyed. Definitely recommended.
August 17, 2020
J.G. Faherty writes great horror and explores many different facets of the genre. Sins of the Father takes him deep into Lovecraft country and when a writer ventures down that road, there is always a danger that the resulting story could become derivative. But Faherty is much too strong an author to allow that to happen. Sins of the Father is fresh, full of the unexpected and dark. Deeply dark. In Henry, we have a tortured young man forced to live with his father's shocking legacy, and in love with a woman who is being pursued by another suitor. Evil stalks the streets of Innmouth, where he lives, and when disaster strikes, Henry is forced to make the decision he has fought his entire life against.
Sins of the Father presents a town in fear, a place where hideous creatures are breeding, seemingly unchecked. There is something else going on. Something unfathomable. but Henry knows he is going to have to confront it, to save the woman he loves, and far more besides. I loved the way Henry's character unfolds and, indeed, unravels. Nothing is as it appears to be, and the author carries the reader along on a tide of uncertainty, fear and suspense. In doing so, he draws heavily on Lovecraft's mythos, but manages to keep the story new and exciting. Whether you are a Ctulhu fan or not, this is a book for all lovers of terror, suspense, horror, and thrillingly good stories.
Sins of the Father presents a town in fear, a place where hideous creatures are breeding, seemingly unchecked. There is something else going on. Something unfathomable. but Henry knows he is going to have to confront it, to save the woman he loves, and far more besides. I loved the way Henry's character unfolds and, indeed, unravels. Nothing is as it appears to be, and the author carries the reader along on a tide of uncertainty, fear and suspense. In doing so, he draws heavily on Lovecraft's mythos, but manages to keep the story new and exciting. Whether you are a Ctulhu fan or not, this is a book for all lovers of terror, suspense, horror, and thrillingly good stories.
August 9, 2020
WOW! WOW! WOW! A super-fantastic Lovecraftian spin! Even just the Mystery would have been fascinating, but the Denouement and on to the end are tremendously exciting/fascinating/engrossing/beautiful/Cosmic! (I can't point to where the story really caught fire for me, without spoiling!) Can we please have a sequel? I don't want to stop!
Welcome to Innsmouth. What you see is not what is; and what nightmares of Cosmic Horror you experience--may be reality.
Welcome to Innsmouth. What you see is not what is; and what nightmares of Cosmic Horror you experience--may be reality.
March 23, 2021
In a fit of whimsy, I hereby announce I will give everyone five stars, but the reviews may not reflect it.
Review has come - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2021/03/...
Review has come - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2021/03/...
May 16, 2020
The Sins of the Father by J.G. Faherty takes place in the Innsmouth of H.P. Lovecraft. It soon becomes obvious that The sins of the father is a loving pastiche of Lovecraft’s Arkham cycle, a practice which Lovecraft actually encouraged. It is all there, Arkham, the Miskatonic river, the University, and of course, the mysterious, indecipherable manuscript that holds all the secrets of the cosmos. The setting is interesting and realistically described. Lovecraft fans will feel right at home in Faherty’s underground caves and secret ruins, obligatory elements of the Lovecraftian mythos.
The author opens with the protagonist, Henry Gilman, in a darkened street, examining a murder victim. Readers find that Gilman is the son of a doctor and is a “recent former medical student” employed at the city morgue. Immediately, the mystery begins. Why is he a former medical student, and what sort of sin could a doctor pass on to his son?
Evil stalks the streets in the form of darker ones, demons, walking corpses. The locals live in fear but somehow do not seem surprised.
While taking a less traveled shortcut to the local pub, and his current love interest, Henry comes upon a crime in the offing. A large person hovers over a prone victim. When Henry tries to intervene, the creature rushes at him. Just before passing out, Henry hears the demonic killer whisper, “Henry?” When he wakes, Henry finds a heavy, leather-bound book. With that, he becomes locked into a deadly battle with cosmic evil that will test his moral fiber
Faherty keeps his cast of main character limited to four necessary players: Henry’s best but not terribly loyal friend Ben, his sister Callie, Henry’s current love interest Flora, and police inspector Flannery. The interaction between the characters and their shifting loyalties create extremely interesting and believable relationships that waver and morph according to the twists and turns of the plot. In addition, there is the cosmic force, Mother, who like the human characters reveals unexpected aspects.
The character that runs the plot is Henry. His character development is unpredictable, volatile and holds as many transformations as does the plot.
The relentless action begins on page one and continues to the end. The plot is complex, relentless, and constructed to keep readers surprised and guarantee that they will not be able to anticipate the next reversal or redirection.
Realistic dialogue and word choices appropriate to the time and locality combined with a skilled, smooth writing style make for an easy, pleasant read. Although the author is faithful to the Lovecraftian style, one feature the novel that might be considered in short supply is the high level of dread imposed upon readers of cosmic horror created by Lovecraft and writers such as Ramsey Campbell.
The Sins of the Father is an entertaining, satisfying read for those who hunger for the perpetuation of the Lovecraftian mythos.
rougeskireads.com
The author opens with the protagonist, Henry Gilman, in a darkened street, examining a murder victim. Readers find that Gilman is the son of a doctor and is a “recent former medical student” employed at the city morgue. Immediately, the mystery begins. Why is he a former medical student, and what sort of sin could a doctor pass on to his son?
Evil stalks the streets in the form of darker ones, demons, walking corpses. The locals live in fear but somehow do not seem surprised.
While taking a less traveled shortcut to the local pub, and his current love interest, Henry comes upon a crime in the offing. A large person hovers over a prone victim. When Henry tries to intervene, the creature rushes at him. Just before passing out, Henry hears the demonic killer whisper, “Henry?” When he wakes, Henry finds a heavy, leather-bound book. With that, he becomes locked into a deadly battle with cosmic evil that will test his moral fiber
Faherty keeps his cast of main character limited to four necessary players: Henry’s best but not terribly loyal friend Ben, his sister Callie, Henry’s current love interest Flora, and police inspector Flannery. The interaction between the characters and their shifting loyalties create extremely interesting and believable relationships that waver and morph according to the twists and turns of the plot. In addition, there is the cosmic force, Mother, who like the human characters reveals unexpected aspects.
The character that runs the plot is Henry. His character development is unpredictable, volatile and holds as many transformations as does the plot.
The relentless action begins on page one and continues to the end. The plot is complex, relentless, and constructed to keep readers surprised and guarantee that they will not be able to anticipate the next reversal or redirection.
Realistic dialogue and word choices appropriate to the time and locality combined with a skilled, smooth writing style make for an easy, pleasant read. Although the author is faithful to the Lovecraftian style, one feature the novel that might be considered in short supply is the high level of dread imposed upon readers of cosmic horror created by Lovecraft and writers such as Ramsey Campbell.
The Sins of the Father is an entertaining, satisfying read for those who hunger for the perpetuation of the Lovecraftian mythos.
rougeskireads.com
August 18, 2020
“Not you, ma’am. I’m here for him.” Flannery pointed at me.
“Appears the apple don’t fall far from the crazy tree.”
The precise words the protagonist, Henry, does not want to hear. However, he has been carrying the weight of these words his whole life. Thus, begins Sins of Father by J G Faherty with the main character buried under the sins of his father.
The opening chapter is gory, action-packed, thrilling, and lays the foundation of a town gripped in the embrace of fog and a deadly plague. It is also fast-paced. To his credit, Faherty maintains the frenetic pace till the last page which helped me make short work of this book in three days.
The first half of the book unravels the burning question: what did Henry’s father do which made him a pariah among the people of Innsmouth? On the other hand, the second half deals with Henry’s dilemma when he is forced to choose between personal happiness and greater good resulting in a captivating story.
I wish I could tell what evil Henry is up against (as that would be a spoiler). However, the lead up to its revelation is suspenseful and laden with clues for the reader to draw her conclusions while Henry puts two and two together to realize the magnitude of horror he is up against.
At first, Sins of Father seems like a story of a son paying for his father’s crimes. However, the author soon springs a surprise. What’s more, the unexpected twists, sometimes tragic, keep on coming making the story better and darker.
The book charts Henry's descent into madness, just like his father, the very thing he loathed to become. While he starts as a good guy with a firm set of beliefs, by the midpoint of the book, his character transitions into the grey zone, thereby, increasing the mystery quotient of the story. Will Henry go down the same path as his father, or will he make different choices? The story ends in a cliff-hanger hinting towards the possibility of a sequel which I look forward to reading.
The book is entertaining from start to finish. Even if I did not always agree with the protagonist's actions, I could not help but be glued to the pages to find out what is next. Moreover, the Lovecraftian creatures in the novel are very well-described, enough to give the faint-hearted readers nightmares.
I will confess I am vaguely familiar with Lovecraft's works. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had no difficulty in escaping to Innsmouth, the town where this story is set.
J G Faherty’s Sins of Father is perfect for fans of Lovecraft; however, those who are not, or even those who have never read Lovecraft will love reading this darkly atmospheric cosmic horror tale.
There are many gory scenes, so, pick it up if you have the stomach to handle these.
“Appears the apple don’t fall far from the crazy tree.”
The precise words the protagonist, Henry, does not want to hear. However, he has been carrying the weight of these words his whole life. Thus, begins Sins of Father by J G Faherty with the main character buried under the sins of his father.
The opening chapter is gory, action-packed, thrilling, and lays the foundation of a town gripped in the embrace of fog and a deadly plague. It is also fast-paced. To his credit, Faherty maintains the frenetic pace till the last page which helped me make short work of this book in three days.
The first half of the book unravels the burning question: what did Henry’s father do which made him a pariah among the people of Innsmouth? On the other hand, the second half deals with Henry’s dilemma when he is forced to choose between personal happiness and greater good resulting in a captivating story.
I wish I could tell what evil Henry is up against (as that would be a spoiler). However, the lead up to its revelation is suspenseful and laden with clues for the reader to draw her conclusions while Henry puts two and two together to realize the magnitude of horror he is up against.
At first, Sins of Father seems like a story of a son paying for his father’s crimes. However, the author soon springs a surprise. What’s more, the unexpected twists, sometimes tragic, keep on coming making the story better and darker.
The book charts Henry's descent into madness, just like his father, the very thing he loathed to become. While he starts as a good guy with a firm set of beliefs, by the midpoint of the book, his character transitions into the grey zone, thereby, increasing the mystery quotient of the story. Will Henry go down the same path as his father, or will he make different choices? The story ends in a cliff-hanger hinting towards the possibility of a sequel which I look forward to reading.
The book is entertaining from start to finish. Even if I did not always agree with the protagonist's actions, I could not help but be glued to the pages to find out what is next. Moreover, the Lovecraftian creatures in the novel are very well-described, enough to give the faint-hearted readers nightmares.
I will confess I am vaguely familiar with Lovecraft's works. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had no difficulty in escaping to Innsmouth, the town where this story is set.
J G Faherty’s Sins of Father is perfect for fans of Lovecraft; however, those who are not, or even those who have never read Lovecraft will love reading this darkly atmospheric cosmic horror tale.
There are many gory scenes, so, pick it up if you have the stomach to handle these.
July 17, 2020
I received an e-ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
Rated 3.5/5
This book was what I generally refer to as a hammock-read: something that is entertaining but doesn't really require too much thought to enjoy. I requested it because anything lovecraftian has my attention, and this book definitely delivered. I sort of doubt anyone with no clue about the mythos would enjoy this read, seeing how it mentions places, objects, happenings and institutions etc that are central to the world built around what Lovecraft created, and make little sense without some idea of the backstory.
At the very heart, this is less a mystery or a whodunit (as it may seem to be throughout the first third of the book), and more a reiteration of how actions have consequences, and that no one can really escape that fact.
The things that made me enjoy this book was mainly the ease with which I was pulled into the story, despite having to suspend my disbelief several times (many of the relationships seemed vague and shallow, probably because of the first-person narration that means that the reader will just have to accept that there is a past, yet it felt inconsequential a lot of the time), and the language was a little too on the nose sometimes for the period the story is supposed to be set in. The author definitely knows how to write a page-turner, with the pacing keeping the story from going stagnant.
The things that bring the rating down have mostly to do with the fact that I was never surprised or caught unawares by any of the supposed twists. The first major plot twist I had a hunch of from the beginning, and the rest I had figured out early on. I'm not sure of whether it is because I have read a lot of stories using similar twists, or if it's because the author telegraphed the twists too hard, but it did make my enjoyment of the plot go down every time I was proven right.
The book ends on what could well be a cliffhanger engaging enough to warrant a sequel, and I might end up reading that sequel as well, but I honestly don't think we need one.
TL; DR
Entertaining and easy read, with no surprises. For fans of stories set in the world of the lovecraftain mythos.
Rated 3.5/5
This book was what I generally refer to as a hammock-read: something that is entertaining but doesn't really require too much thought to enjoy. I requested it because anything lovecraftian has my attention, and this book definitely delivered. I sort of doubt anyone with no clue about the mythos would enjoy this read, seeing how it mentions places, objects, happenings and institutions etc that are central to the world built around what Lovecraft created, and make little sense without some idea of the backstory.
At the very heart, this is less a mystery or a whodunit (as it may seem to be throughout the first third of the book), and more a reiteration of how actions have consequences, and that no one can really escape that fact.
The things that made me enjoy this book was mainly the ease with which I was pulled into the story, despite having to suspend my disbelief several times (many of the relationships seemed vague and shallow, probably because of the first-person narration that means that the reader will just have to accept that there is a past, yet it felt inconsequential a lot of the time), and the language was a little too on the nose sometimes for the period the story is supposed to be set in. The author definitely knows how to write a page-turner, with the pacing keeping the story from going stagnant.
The things that bring the rating down have mostly to do with the fact that I was never surprised or caught unawares by any of the supposed twists. The first major plot twist I had a hunch of from the beginning, and the rest I had figured out early on. I'm not sure of whether it is because I have read a lot of stories using similar twists, or if it's because the author telegraphed the twists too hard, but it did make my enjoyment of the plot go down every time I was proven right.
The book ends on what could well be a cliffhanger engaging enough to warrant a sequel, and I might end up reading that sequel as well, but I honestly don't think we need one.
TL; DR
Entertaining and easy read, with no surprises. For fans of stories set in the world of the lovecraftain mythos.
May 12, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and FlameTree Press for this ARC of 'Sins of the Father'. Below find my honest review and opinion.
I very much enjoyed my first J.G. Faherty read. I will definitely read more by this author.
Set in Lovecraft's world of Innsmouth, 'Sins of the Father' was very difficult to put down. It was a mystery, a thriller, a romantic drama, a horror story, and a science fiction tale all in one. It kept me thinking about it, even when I wasn't reading.
The main character, Henry Gilman, was very easy to understand and relate to. He had a lot of father issues, as his father had done some monstrous things and been locked up as insane. His father's actions led to Henry being pretty much kicked out of medical school, and ruining his own reputation as well as his prospects. Henry was very wrapped up in his own head throughout the book - he missed a lot of cues and clues from other people because he just couldn't seem to focus on anyone other than himself and his own motives and desires long enough to pick up on what others were trying to tell him.
There were a lot of twists in this story. Irony played a huge role, as Henry learned how very easy it is to start down a slippery slope towards the unthinkable. The Henry at the end was very different in some ways from the Henry in the beginning. Of course, in other ways, Henry didn't change much at all.
It seemed that there might be a sequel to this story, as the end was left wide open. I very much hope that there is a sequel, because I would like to keep the story going. I want to know what happens next...
I recommend this highly for anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers, as well as anyone who enjoys Lovecraft's work.
I very much enjoyed my first J.G. Faherty read. I will definitely read more by this author.
Set in Lovecraft's world of Innsmouth, 'Sins of the Father' was very difficult to put down. It was a mystery, a thriller, a romantic drama, a horror story, and a science fiction tale all in one. It kept me thinking about it, even when I wasn't reading.
The main character, Henry Gilman, was very easy to understand and relate to. He had a lot of father issues, as his father had done some monstrous things and been locked up as insane. His father's actions led to Henry being pretty much kicked out of medical school, and ruining his own reputation as well as his prospects. Henry was very wrapped up in his own head throughout the book - he missed a lot of cues and clues from other people because he just couldn't seem to focus on anyone other than himself and his own motives and desires long enough to pick up on what others were trying to tell him.
There were a lot of twists in this story. Irony played a huge role, as Henry learned how very easy it is to start down a slippery slope towards the unthinkable. The Henry at the end was very different in some ways from the Henry in the beginning. Of course, in other ways, Henry didn't change much at all.
It seemed that there might be a sequel to this story, as the end was left wide open. I very much hope that there is a sequel, because I would like to keep the story going. I want to know what happens next...
I recommend this highly for anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers, as well as anyone who enjoys Lovecraft's work.
May 20, 2020
Sins Of The Father by JG Faherty
Sins Of The Father is an extension of the Lovecraft Universe. This includes historic sights such as Miskatonic University, Arkham Sanitarium and the town of Innsmouth where shadows hide plenty of real evils. Emerging as The Waterfront Killer, a string of very unusual murders have been discovered leading to a deadly web of jealousy and guilt by bloodline.
Written with that familiar first person Lovecraftian style, author JG Faherty brilliantly offers stomach-churning nightmares and rotted flesh abominations. He paints a perfect cinematic scenery with a limelight for roaming watery deaths and walking corpses that only The Ancient Ones could create. Rejoice in the origins of The Elder Gods and let them guide you through this Necronomicon of a book and relish the appalling tentacle toting monsters from the depths of hell. Enjoy!
Grab a copy ... https://www.amazon.com/Sins-Father-Fi...
Other works of JG Faherty include The Burning Time, nominated for an International Thriller Writers’ Thriller Award and The Cure nominated for the Bram StokerAward for Superior Achievement in a novel. He has served as a trustee on the Horror Writers Association’s Board since 2011.
For more recommendations, please check out https://horrorbookwormreviews.wordpre...
Sins Of The Father is an extension of the Lovecraft Universe. This includes historic sights such as Miskatonic University, Arkham Sanitarium and the town of Innsmouth where shadows hide plenty of real evils. Emerging as The Waterfront Killer, a string of very unusual murders have been discovered leading to a deadly web of jealousy and guilt by bloodline.
Written with that familiar first person Lovecraftian style, author JG Faherty brilliantly offers stomach-churning nightmares and rotted flesh abominations. He paints a perfect cinematic scenery with a limelight for roaming watery deaths and walking corpses that only The Ancient Ones could create. Rejoice in the origins of The Elder Gods and let them guide you through this Necronomicon of a book and relish the appalling tentacle toting monsters from the depths of hell. Enjoy!
Grab a copy ... https://www.amazon.com/Sins-Father-Fi...
Other works of JG Faherty include The Burning Time, nominated for an International Thriller Writers’ Thriller Award and The Cure nominated for the Bram StokerAward for Superior Achievement in a novel. He has served as a trustee on the Horror Writers Association’s Board since 2011.
For more recommendations, please check out https://horrorbookwormreviews.wordpre...
May 19, 2020
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Sins of the Father by JG Faherty is as if Dr Frankenstein met HP Lovecraft to create a wild ride of thrills and chills. Henry Gilman is a lowly morgue attendant in the fictional town of Innsmouth in a time period that still remembers the horrors of the plague. He was a medical student, but was expelled and pretty much shunned after it was discovered that his father was attempting to reanimate the dead. One night Henry is out walking when he witnesses an attack which leads him into a murder mystery that he is determined to solve. During his investigation, he learns the truth about his father, himself, and how sometimes the journey to save the ones we love leads to a path of madness.
Sins of the Father was so much fun! I read it in one sitting and didn't want the story to end. I like how relatable Henry was as the main character and how we could empathize with some of the choices that he made, even when we the reader knew it was a bad decision. This was a very enjoyable mystery creature feature and a must read for fans of Lovecraftian horror.
Sins of the Father was so much fun! I read it in one sitting and didn't want the story to end. I like how relatable Henry was as the main character and how we could empathize with some of the choices that he made, even when we the reader knew it was a bad decision. This was a very enjoyable mystery creature feature and a must read for fans of Lovecraftian horror.
May 8, 2021
Great Lovecraftian Tale
Henry Gilman has always been looked upon with disdain because of his father's actions. In the city of Innsmouth there is a lot of violence and depravity. Henry is smitten with a girl named Flora who waits on tables at the local pub. Henry finds a routine and seems content that is until a series of brutal murders start taking place. And since Henry is the towns surgeon and mortician it seems he's getting very close and personal with the case. Some believe the murderer is insane while others don't know what to believe.
When Henry is taking a short cut home he has a close encounter with the murderer himself and ever since that encounter, his life will never be the same again. To Henrys scientific mind the murderer can only be a deranged lunatic but since his encounter he now knows that true monsters actually exist.
What will happen next could very well usher in the end of humanity as we know it.
A very good and unique Lovecraftian tale and I highly recommend!!
Henry Gilman has always been looked upon with disdain because of his father's actions. In the city of Innsmouth there is a lot of violence and depravity. Henry is smitten with a girl named Flora who waits on tables at the local pub. Henry finds a routine and seems content that is until a series of brutal murders start taking place. And since Henry is the towns surgeon and mortician it seems he's getting very close and personal with the case. Some believe the murderer is insane while others don't know what to believe.
When Henry is taking a short cut home he has a close encounter with the murderer himself and ever since that encounter, his life will never be the same again. To Henrys scientific mind the murderer can only be a deranged lunatic but since his encounter he now knows that true monsters actually exist.
What will happen next could very well usher in the end of humanity as we know it.
A very good and unique Lovecraftian tale and I highly recommend!!
August 23, 2020
JG Faherty is an author I will be putting on my watch-list without a doubt. It's not often that you get Lovecraftian authors who write stories that truly capture the essence of the world they're writing about or try to create something of their own which somewhat feels limited in scope and derails from the story material completely.
Faherty has written a novel set in Innsmouth with great reverence to the core characters and creatures that both live and lurk there, setting themselves up for another day's daily grind or plotting their next get-rich-quick scheme that often involves someone getting shot.
Written with an eye that focuses on an early London and how grimy, dirty, and dangerous those times were, Sins of the Father also has a typical protagonist who develops into something more as the story continues.
Faherty has written a novel set in Innsmouth with great reverence to the core characters and creatures that both live and lurk there, setting themselves up for another day's daily grind or plotting their next get-rich-quick scheme that often involves someone getting shot.
Written with an eye that focuses on an early London and how grimy, dirty, and dangerous those times were, Sins of the Father also has a typical protagonist who develops into something more as the story continues.
August 24, 2020
Sins of the Father by JG Faherty is an atmospheric story that definitely pays homage to Lovecraft. I absolutely loved the setting. It gives this dark mood that was dark and beautiful and creepy. I just loved it so much.
JG Faherty has a wonderful writing style. He draws the reader into the story and allows you to feel like you’re there, watching the events unfold. That is my favorite type of novel!
I don’t want to spend too long reviewing this. It is absolutely fantastic, and it deserves as many readers as possible. If you’re a fan of horror, creepy atmosphere, and brilliant characters, I think you’ll enjoy Sins of the Father.
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
JG Faherty has a wonderful writing style. He draws the reader into the story and allows you to feel like you’re there, watching the events unfold. That is my favorite type of novel!
I don’t want to spend too long reviewing this. It is absolutely fantastic, and it deserves as many readers as possible. If you’re a fan of horror, creepy atmosphere, and brilliant characters, I think you’ll enjoy Sins of the Father.
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
April 9, 2020
Sins of the Father is beautifully told in the first person POV of Henry Gilman, a morgue worker, who lives in the shadow of his father’s insane attempt to reanimate the corpse of Henry’s mother. Set in what appears to be the 19th century, the language used by Henry is spot on for the time and period and adds a unique sense of style to this story of the dead reawakening and terrorising Innsmouth. When you think you’ve got to the final battle,you’re totally wrong and in a good way, for the story twists and turns in ways I hadn’t expected and the open ending left me guessing as to whether there’d be a sequel and if there is, I’d definitely read it!
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
August 17, 2022
Henry has lost his status in life and his education because his father was labeled a mad scientist for his Frankenstein work on his dying/dead mother. One night he is almost killed by a man with tentacles and so starts his quest to kill the demon men overriding the city. A fast-paced cosmic horror with plenty of Lovecraftian references. From the get-go, this is action-packed with three twenty-somethings at the fore. The action gets in the way of any real character development though. I would have enjoyed the story more had I been able to care for the characters. The plot moves from one crisis to another keeping the story moving and the reader turning the pages. A fun quick horror romp.
August 10, 2020
A perfect read for any Lovecraft fan. Great setting and world building, interesting characters and a plot that kept me on the edge till the end.
I liked the plot, the creepy atmosphere and the character development.
It's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I liked the plot, the creepy atmosphere and the character development.
It's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 8, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting look at the son having to atone for his father's mistakes/sins. As his father struggled to find a cure for cancer, going insane in the process, and ending up in an asylum, Henry tries to overcome the stigma his father has left and to make a life of his own. Horrifying, really!
Interesting look at the son having to atone for his father's mistakes/sins. As his father struggled to find a cure for cancer, going insane in the process, and ending up in an asylum, Henry tries to overcome the stigma his father has left and to make a life of his own. Horrifying, really!
March 9, 2022
Lovecraft a bit
Just ok is about all I can give this one. An unlikable main character who gets more unlikable as the story progresses. Lovecraft by virtue of some tentacles and a book. More a zombie book with the main character who makes one bad decision after another with each compounding the next.
Just ok is about all I can give this one. An unlikable main character who gets more unlikable as the story progresses. Lovecraft by virtue of some tentacles and a book. More a zombie book with the main character who makes one bad decision after another with each compounding the next.
November 13, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Lovecraftian fiction and this one hits all the marks. The sense of dread, the mystery, the quiet terror. It's horror and romance all wrapped up in a dark thriller. I recommend it to everyone.
November 13, 2020
JG Faherty never fails to deliver! This Lovecraftian story was equal parts supernatural thriller and gothic romance. Monsters under the town of Innsmouth, reanimated people walking the streets, a mad scientist... it's as if Lovecraft and Mary Shelley wrote a book together.
November 13, 2020
The splendid bit of Lovecraftian horror hits all the right notes. Excellent voice, a great flawed narrator, and superb descriptions of the town and the dark places beneath it. Fast moving and grisly with excellent action scenes. Add a star if you are a Lovecraft fanatic.
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