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Sheriff Frank Littlefield #2
Drummer Boy
On the eve of a Civil War re-enactment, the Appalachian Mountain town of Titusville prepares to host a staged battle. But a ghostly troop, trapped in a cave by a long-ago avalanche, is rising from its long slumber and preparing for battle, and only one boy stands between the town and the cold mouth of hell.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2010
135 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Scott Nicholson
211 books768 followersWith more than 800,000 books sold worldwide, Scott Nicholson is an international bestselling thriller writer. He won the Writers of the Future Award in 1999 and was a Stoker Award finalist in 2003. His Fear series was published by Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint and 47North released the supernatural thriller McFALL.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 6, 2012
There’s a couple of things I have learned after reading a few of Scott Nicholson’s novels. 1. I think he should see a psychologist. 2. I am never EVER going to the Appalachian Mountains, and 3. He gets better with every thing he writes.
While most authors fluctuate in their ability to properly express themselves from novel to novel, Scott seems to get more creative, and structurally sound every time he puts pen to paper.
Psychological thrillers and Supernatural Mysteries are 2 of the more complex of genres to write, they not only require a well thought out and established plot but they also require insight into the side of human psyche that society as a whole likes to disregard… the dark side, and to be able to pull off not 1 but at least 8 of these is more than impressive… it’s astounding.
“Drummer Boy” is just one more example of what Nicholson does best. He takes folk tales (whether the tales are in his head or real is beyond me) and then spins them into a battle of wits between a large and complex cast of characters.
The Mountains are speaking, but the tiny town of Titusville isn’t exactly prepared for what they are saying. More focused on their upcoming Civil War reenactment than the whispers, the towns citizens chalk up a rash of mysteriously dressed soldiers to, too much booze or visiting actors, its just to bad that they blow off the fact that these same men seem to flicker and disappear with the blink of an eye. Are these men really a troop of ghostly soldiers hell bent on finding a deserter and changing their fate, or are they just figments of a towns already over active imagination?
Nicholson’s characters were (once again) beautifully detailed and the overall plot was so “twisty turny” that it could keep any mystery junkie on their toes and flipping pages.
All in all…quality writing…good read. I don’t think it gets much easier than that.
Get it, Live it, Love it…pass it on.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: if you hear banjos… I do not recommend running for the hill, there is some pretty creepy shit up there.
While most authors fluctuate in their ability to properly express themselves from novel to novel, Scott seems to get more creative, and structurally sound every time he puts pen to paper.
Psychological thrillers and Supernatural Mysteries are 2 of the more complex of genres to write, they not only require a well thought out and established plot but they also require insight into the side of human psyche that society as a whole likes to disregard… the dark side, and to be able to pull off not 1 but at least 8 of these is more than impressive… it’s astounding.
“Drummer Boy” is just one more example of what Nicholson does best. He takes folk tales (whether the tales are in his head or real is beyond me) and then spins them into a battle of wits between a large and complex cast of characters.
The Mountains are speaking, but the tiny town of Titusville isn’t exactly prepared for what they are saying. More focused on their upcoming Civil War reenactment than the whispers, the towns citizens chalk up a rash of mysteriously dressed soldiers to, too much booze or visiting actors, its just to bad that they blow off the fact that these same men seem to flicker and disappear with the blink of an eye. Are these men really a troop of ghostly soldiers hell bent on finding a deserter and changing their fate, or are they just figments of a towns already over active imagination?
Nicholson’s characters were (once again) beautifully detailed and the overall plot was so “twisty turny” that it could keep any mystery junkie on their toes and flipping pages.
All in all…quality writing…good read. I don’t think it gets much easier than that.
Get it, Live it, Love it…pass it on.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: if you hear banjos… I do not recommend running for the hill, there is some pretty creepy shit up there.
October 6, 2013
On the surface, Drummer Boy is simply an excellent regional ghost story, atmospheric, well told and with that trademark Nicholson humor. What it turns out to be is something so much more. About the deserters and the deserted, the lost souls on both sides of the veil, just going through the motions until the music finally stops. About the burden of being an outcast.....and the horrible toll of belonging. One of the author's best.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 9, 2013
3.5 stars!
I read this novel with my horror group at Shelfari. We previously read The Red Church together and enjoyed it, so we decided to read this story as well.
Sheriff Littlefield is the main character in this book, but I think the other characters stole the show from him. These characters include civil war re-enactors, a group of boys coming of age, some terrible alcoholic parents, farmers and many more. Most of them fascinating and multi-layered.
There is a hole in a field called the Jangling Hole. Why is that? All sorts of noises emanate from it and no one quite knows why. They do know that a band of misfits from the civil war died down there. But are they really dead? You will have to read this to find out.
I thought the setting, the details about the civil war and the characters in this book were fantastic. On the other hand, I also thought that the story got off to a bit of a slow start and it took a little while to get into. Despite that, it was still a good story, though perhaps just short of the great story The Red Church.
I read this novel with my horror group at Shelfari. We previously read The Red Church together and enjoyed it, so we decided to read this story as well.
Sheriff Littlefield is the main character in this book, but I think the other characters stole the show from him. These characters include civil war re-enactors, a group of boys coming of age, some terrible alcoholic parents, farmers and many more. Most of them fascinating and multi-layered.
There is a hole in a field called the Jangling Hole. Why is that? All sorts of noises emanate from it and no one quite knows why. They do know that a band of misfits from the civil war died down there. But are they really dead? You will have to read this to find out.
I thought the setting, the details about the civil war and the characters in this book were fantastic. On the other hand, I also thought that the story got off to a bit of a slow start and it took a little while to get into. Despite that, it was still a good story, though perhaps just short of the great story The Red Church.
Read
January 10, 2012As always, Mr. Nicholson knows his venue: the characterizations, the locale, and the type of folks that inhabit said locale. In this case, however, my personal impetus was to root for the Spooky. But the subtle humour (sometimes I have to read twice before chortling) makes up for some of the characters seeming to be irredeemable (or maybe I ‘m just cynical, and favour ghosts). I also know it’s considered inappropriately ‘black humour” to chuckle throughout a horror story, but darn if Mr. Nicholson doesn’t keep mining that vein of dark humour right in the midst of the worst scenarios, and I can’t help but laugh. Shame on me!
However, even the characters I personally find objectionable are clearly delineated in such a fashion that they become comprehensible, if not always preferable. I find myself glad also that this proves to be one of Mr. Nicholson’s “Littlefield” novels-that star-crossed Sheriff whose live seems an unending path of cursed events and inescapable troubles.
One difference for me in this novel is that the author brings the historical conflict to life in a way that is perhaps more powerful than any of the many impersonal histories of the War Between the States/Civil War I have ever read or researched. All in all, I’m very glad that I’ve read this novel; and I know I won’t shake the memory of it for a very long time, if ever.
However, even the characters I personally find objectionable are clearly delineated in such a fashion that they become comprehensible, if not always preferable. I find myself glad also that this proves to be one of Mr. Nicholson’s “Littlefield” novels-that star-crossed Sheriff whose live seems an unending path of cursed events and inescapable troubles.
One difference for me in this novel is that the author brings the historical conflict to life in a way that is perhaps more powerful than any of the many impersonal histories of the War Between the States/Civil War I have ever read or researched. All in all, I’m very glad that I’ve read this novel; and I know I won’t shake the memory of it for a very long time, if ever.
February 20, 2012
This sequel to the spellbinding horror novel The Red Church continues the adventures of Sheriff Littlefield as a wave of paranormal activity and ghostly visitors once again bring chaos to his small community. A large commercial construction project has disturbed the remains of a group of long-dead Civil War soldiers, who don't seem to know or care that the war is ancient history. Written with Nicholson's usual engaging prose style, this lengthy novel turns into a surprisingly quick read, with many interesting and likable characters along the way -- especially the complicated friendship between two children, Bobby and Vernon Ray. I understand Mr. Nicholson is working on a third installment of this series, to be published this summer. If so, it will be a Day One purchase for me.
February 2, 2012
Another very good book by Scott Nicholson. The story was unique and heartbreaking. Wonderful.
October 20, 2021
The ghost story was good. Most of the adult men were jerks, and it seems the author doesn't have a ton of respect for women.
January 8, 2014
When I got this book, the premise of it sounded wonderful. A haunted cave, Civil War ghosts, these young boys as the only thing between the town and total hell. Sounded really good and creepy. I had no idea this was a sequel of another book, not that it mattered. The titular character of the sheriff barely showed up in the portion I read and, other than mentioning the Red Church every time he was on screen, there was no other tie back to any other book.
I only got 50% the way through before I gave up. What should have been an interesting book was too filled with garbage. Nearly every character was the same person with the same thoughts and same actions and same quirks. The ones that were different were usually hampered down by the others. The characters that did make a bulk of the cast were the most misogynistic, racist, homophobic group I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. The men (and they were all men, I don't think there was a single POV from a woman) were the worst bunch of characters ever. They only thought of women as body parts and what they can get in bed, the sentiment that you're not a real man unless you're bedding (and in much cruder terms) several women, any woman who puts out was a slut and any woman who didn't was either a hag or a lesbian (because what girl wouldn't want to be with a guy who treated her like garbage?), and any guy who wasn't with at least several women had to be gay (again, in much cruder terms). Anyone who wasn't a straight, White, All-American man was talked about as if they were less then human.
This was everywhere in the book! At no point could I get away from it. The kids thought like this, the adults thought like this, everyone! Normally I can press on if one or two people think like this, but the whole town? Even the sheriff? Forget it.
I will never put another book by this author on my Kindle. I was very disgusted by this.
I only got 50% the way through before I gave up. What should have been an interesting book was too filled with garbage. Nearly every character was the same person with the same thoughts and same actions and same quirks. The ones that were different were usually hampered down by the others. The characters that did make a bulk of the cast were the most misogynistic, racist, homophobic group I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. The men (and they were all men, I don't think there was a single POV from a woman) were the worst bunch of characters ever. They only thought of women as body parts and what they can get in bed, the sentiment that you're not a real man unless you're bedding (and in much cruder terms) several women, any woman who puts out was a slut and any woman who didn't was either a hag or a lesbian (because what girl wouldn't want to be with a guy who treated her like garbage?), and any guy who wasn't with at least several women had to be gay (again, in much cruder terms). Anyone who wasn't a straight, White, All-American man was talked about as if they were less then human.
This was everywhere in the book! At no point could I get away from it. The kids thought like this, the adults thought like this, everyone! Normally I can press on if one or two people think like this, but the whole town? Even the sheriff? Forget it.
I will never put another book by this author on my Kindle. I was very disgusted by this.
November 16, 2012
I got this book for several reasons. First of which I've read other Nicholson novels and short stories and really enjoyed them. Secondly, I loved the Red Church and being this was supposed to feature Frank Littlefield (it's called a loose sequel to Church) I was pretty excited to read it.
Thing is, I found it a little slow and there wasn't enough Littlefield in it. The premise is interesting. During the time of the town's annual Civil War Reenactment ghosts of dead Civil War soldiers start coming out of yet another haunt in the area called the Jangling Hole. Several local boys wander into the hole despite the local ghost stories and it changes their lives forever.
As I said, interesting premise but the lack of Littlefield in much of the book left me a little flat. Also, much of the story centers around depressed people complaining about their spouses or parents, etc, etc and I found it honestly didn't add to the story.
Not a 'bad' book by any stretch, but it just didn't grab hold of me like some of Nicholson's previous works.
Thing is, I found it a little slow and there wasn't enough Littlefield in it. The premise is interesting. During the time of the town's annual Civil War Reenactment ghosts of dead Civil War soldiers start coming out of yet another haunt in the area called the Jangling Hole. Several local boys wander into the hole despite the local ghost stories and it changes their lives forever.
As I said, interesting premise but the lack of Littlefield in much of the book left me a little flat. Also, much of the story centers around depressed people complaining about their spouses or parents, etc, etc and I found it honestly didn't add to the story.
Not a 'bad' book by any stretch, but it just didn't grab hold of me like some of Nicholson's previous works.
August 6, 2010
If you like your horror steeped in southern twang, you'll probably find something to like with this one. Nicholson presents a good coming of age story about some boys, right in the middle of a Civil War reenactment--and a ghostly resurrection of dead soldiers from a cave next to the small North Carolina town. It manages to steer clear of some obvious parody, given the subject matter, though a little bit of the dialogue feels ham-handed. Overall, it's a good update in southern gothic, and another show of promise from yet another horror writer from the south. There must be something in the water down there.
May 26, 2010
Nicholson just gets better and better. I've been enjoying previous works of Scott's recently, but this is the best yet. His characters are well drawn and completely believable, and he pulls you into their stories and back stories with consumate ease. Nicholson is a masterful writer, at the top of his form. Miss him at your peril.
January 5, 2019
NOT ALL THAT GOOD
I really didn’t care for this novel very much. I almost gave it up after the first 50 pages, but decided to carry on. So I read the entire novel & liked the ending even less.
Most of the characters were extremely unlikable except for Hardy Eggers, Bobby & Vernon Ray. It’s difficult to enjoy a novel when most of the characters are jackasses. The female characters were one-dimensional & appear to be used for decorative purposes only. The writing was all over the place—-disjointed & jumpy. It was difficult to figure out what was going on without reading certain passages more than once.
Sorry, Scott Nicholsson, but I just didn’t like this novel, & I was glad when it was done.
I have 2 other novels by this author——THE RED CHURCH & MCFALL. I will try reading these at a later date & hope each is better than this one.
I really didn’t care for this novel very much. I almost gave it up after the first 50 pages, but decided to carry on. So I read the entire novel & liked the ending even less.
Most of the characters were extremely unlikable except for Hardy Eggers, Bobby & Vernon Ray. It’s difficult to enjoy a novel when most of the characters are jackasses. The female characters were one-dimensional & appear to be used for decorative purposes only. The writing was all over the place—-disjointed & jumpy. It was difficult to figure out what was going on without reading certain passages more than once.
Sorry, Scott Nicholsson, but I just didn’t like this novel, & I was glad when it was done.
I have 2 other novels by this author——THE RED CHURCH & MCFALL. I will try reading these at a later date & hope each is better than this one.
October 30, 2018
Wow!
I don't usually go for ghost stories (all right, I confess, I do if they're very good). This one was a very good example of what the genre can be. It had a "Stand By Me" feel with the main characters being a trio of adolescent boys. But, while "Stand By Me" dealt with the boys finding a dead kid - no supernatural aspects, Drummer Boy pulls out all the stops and brings a platoon of dead Civil War soldiers back to pseudo-life. The interplay between the boys and a Civil War reenactment group and the real Civil War "veterans" was nicely done! Just because they came back from the dead doesn't necessarily mean that they are evil. But don't piss them off!
I don't usually go for ghost stories (all right, I confess, I do if they're very good). This one was a very good example of what the genre can be. It had a "Stand By Me" feel with the main characters being a trio of adolescent boys. But, while "Stand By Me" dealt with the boys finding a dead kid - no supernatural aspects, Drummer Boy pulls out all the stops and brings a platoon of dead Civil War soldiers back to pseudo-life. The interplay between the boys and a Civil War reenactment group and the real Civil War "veterans" was nicely done! Just because they came back from the dead doesn't necessarily mean that they are evil. But don't piss them off!
June 12, 2019
Civil war ghosts and the plight of a gay kid
I thought the parts about Bobby's and Vernon Ray's friendship and the awkwardness of sexual identity in an intolerant environment were the best part of this novel. I didn't love the approach towards the supernatural elements; there didn't seem to be any air of mystery or dread around the ghost soldiers. People seemed to be taking the whole thing in stride. I guess I had the same problem with The Red Church, which also featured sheriff Littlefield as a character. In this book his role is fairly peripheral. I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters, many of which seemed to be rather exaggerated caricatures.
I thought the parts about Bobby's and Vernon Ray's friendship and the awkwardness of sexual identity in an intolerant environment were the best part of this novel. I didn't love the approach towards the supernatural elements; there didn't seem to be any air of mystery or dread around the ghost soldiers. People seemed to be taking the whole thing in stride. I guess I had the same problem with The Red Church, which also featured sheriff Littlefield as a character. In this book his role is fairly peripheral. I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters, many of which seemed to be rather exaggerated caricatures.
March 20, 2017
Pretty good quick supernatural read although it wasn't that scary, it did have very creepy atmosphere throughout. It was a bit too descriptive at times to the point where I wanted to skip over some parts. This was also a story of good friends who were coming of age and awkward sexual situations. I found myself rooting for contact between the ghosts and the living. All in all, I found it to be a satisfying story which I finished in one day.
August 9, 2021
Civil war ghosts try to take over a town.
It was an interesting concept of a southern town haunted by a tragic war time past but in the end the story really didn't make sense. The battle re-enactment didn't seem to have a purpose. The ghosts didn't seem to have a reason to come back.
It was an interesting concept of a southern town haunted by a tragic war time past but in the end the story really didn't make sense. The battle re-enactment didn't seem to have a purpose. The ghosts didn't seem to have a reason to come back.
February 8, 2018
This was very promising and I think it must be part of a series as there were references to a previous novel, having said that I had no problem keeping up. I was disappointed by the ending although I guess there is more to come from this saga.
January 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book although I wouldn’t call it great fiction. It is very entertaining if you just want to lose yourself in a page-turner. I wish it had one character tell the story of Kirk’s Raiders. Instead, you’re fed just bits and pieces.
January 11, 2020
Nicholson has such an eloquent turn or phrase to the point it makes you smile with your imagination piqued by his terminology. Not a bad read, a classic ghost story. I guess having more knowledge of the American Civil war may have been an advantage ( limited as I'm English) but still enjoyed it.
May 16, 2020
Ok
Ok not as good as the red church. A little long and the soldiers scene 's were a little slow for me.
Ok not as good as the red church. A little long and the soldiers scene 's were a little slow for me.
July 2, 2020
Liked it not loved it
The story line itself was interesting and different, but the writing annoying at times. Too many adjectives and trite overly done descriptive sentences.
The story line itself was interesting and different, but the writing annoying at times. Too many adjectives and trite overly done descriptive sentences.
August 4, 2020
Loved this book and all stories by this author. If you love King, you will love this book
September 5, 2022
I had no idea this book was a sequel to another book and I don't think it mattered. I liked the character building, getting just enough of each person's personality to keep my interest. Good, creepy scenes with some civil war history thrown in made it a good read. The gay person became a distraction as his coming out dominated parts of the story but overall I enjoyed the book.
March 10, 2017
Terrific
I really didn't think this would grab me in the way it did, but it was really well written with strong characters and a story that gripped. I'm definitely going to read more of Scott Nicholson s books.
I really didn't think this would grab me in the way it did, but it was really well written with strong characters and a story that gripped. I'm definitely going to read more of Scott Nicholson s books.
May 5, 2011
This is my first novel from The Haunted Computer and I'm afraid, because now I can hear a faint Ratta-tat, ratta-tat coming from my computer... Oh, Wow, it's been awhile since I've read a spooky good story and I must emphasize that Drummer Boy certainly revived my enthusiasm! If you haven't had any great ghosts visiting recently, I highly recommend you start with Drummer Boy.
Because Colonel Kirk needs a new drummer boy...
Bobby Eldreth, Vernon Ray Davis and Dex McCallister are three young boys around which the story flows. In a town where there is a mine, that everybody called "The Jangling Hole," where Kirk's Raiders, a group of Civil War participants were supposed to have been killed, and still haunted, it was quite natural for boys to play "war." Even the big town boys played as they held reenactments for their own pleasure and to bring visitors into town.
So it was as the boy were playing nearby that Bobby heard something. Actually, Dex had stolen a pack of cigarettes and they went there to be alone while they smoked. Hearing something again, Bobby declared there was somebody in The Hole. Then a shot was fired and the cops and the store owner was coming toward the boys. But additional shots continued...
Before they left that day, Vernon Ray had entered The Hole. Thinking he was with Bobby, he was pulled far into its darkness...
Then he saw Bobby at the Hole opening, calling for him to get out of there...
Big construction equipment was being brought onto the hill where The Hole was. Plans called for the hill to be leveled for new construction. Were the ghosts angry because their home would be disturbed?
Or was the planning for the upcoming reenactment causing the agitation?
For whatever reason, at least one of them had left and was roaming around town. The boys saw a man walking the old railroad tracks coming from the trail from Mulatto Mountain. So did the sheriff.. And when he approached, "Churr-rain," the man said. (p. 64) He had pulled his gun and covered him with his flashlight. That's when he noticed that the man left no footprints,in fact, his feet didn't even touch the ground...
And then Colonel Kirk started to track his deserter down and he brought his soldiers with him!
Many of the Titusville residents were related to soldiers who had been part of Kirk's group. Others had been affected more recently by The Jangling Hole. Now, as the ghosts were disturbed, one boy in particular started to hear the drum. Donnie Hardy had once been in The Hole and, although he was now a grown man, he still had the mind of that boy. Now he was being called back to play...but his father was going to prevent that one way or another!
In the meantime, those in town prepared for the upcoming reenactment. But when they were onsite, getting the camp set up, it was Kirk's Raiders who came to fight...
In the midst of one of the best ghost stories I've ever read, there is a minor but important life story about the relationship of one of the boys with his father and with his best friend...please watch for it and the moral it provides... Everybody loves a good ghost story, right? Well, I certainly loved his one. I believe you will too!
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By Author
GABixlerReviews
Because Colonel Kirk needs a new drummer boy...
Bobby Eldreth, Vernon Ray Davis and Dex McCallister are three young boys around which the story flows. In a town where there is a mine, that everybody called "The Jangling Hole," where Kirk's Raiders, a group of Civil War participants were supposed to have been killed, and still haunted, it was quite natural for boys to play "war." Even the big town boys played as they held reenactments for their own pleasure and to bring visitors into town.
So it was as the boy were playing nearby that Bobby heard something. Actually, Dex had stolen a pack of cigarettes and they went there to be alone while they smoked. Hearing something again, Bobby declared there was somebody in The Hole. Then a shot was fired and the cops and the store owner was coming toward the boys. But additional shots continued...
Before they left that day, Vernon Ray had entered The Hole. Thinking he was with Bobby, he was pulled far into its darkness...
Then he saw Bobby at the Hole opening, calling for him to get out of there...
Big construction equipment was being brought onto the hill where The Hole was. Plans called for the hill to be leveled for new construction. Were the ghosts angry because their home would be disturbed?
Or was the planning for the upcoming reenactment causing the agitation?
For whatever reason, at least one of them had left and was roaming around town. The boys saw a man walking the old railroad tracks coming from the trail from Mulatto Mountain. So did the sheriff.. And when he approached, "Churr-rain," the man said. (p. 64) He had pulled his gun and covered him with his flashlight. That's when he noticed that the man left no footprints,in fact, his feet didn't even touch the ground...
And then Colonel Kirk started to track his deserter down and he brought his soldiers with him!
Many of the Titusville residents were related to soldiers who had been part of Kirk's group. Others had been affected more recently by The Jangling Hole. Now, as the ghosts were disturbed, one boy in particular started to hear the drum. Donnie Hardy had once been in The Hole and, although he was now a grown man, he still had the mind of that boy. Now he was being called back to play...but his father was going to prevent that one way or another!
In the meantime, those in town prepared for the upcoming reenactment. But when they were onsite, getting the camp set up, it was Kirk's Raiders who came to fight...
In the midst of one of the best ghost stories I've ever read, there is a minor but important life story about the relationship of one of the boys with his father and with his best friend...please watch for it and the moral it provides... Everybody loves a good ghost story, right? Well, I certainly loved his one. I believe you will too!
Book Provided
By Author
GABixlerReviews
November 15, 2010
Scott Nicholson is an author I learned about this year when I interviewed him for The Skull Ring. I’m not exactly sure why I chose Drummer Boy as my first Scott Nicholson novel – he has quite a repertoire to choose from – but it was an excellent place to start.
I haven’t read much in the horror/supernatural realm in a long time. I used to read a LOT of Stephen King when I was younger. When King lost his edge, I more or less moved on to other genres – mostly fantasy and scifi. And after that I never really returned.
That has just changed.
Drummer Boy is one of those novels that creeps back into your thoughts long after reading it – in particular, the “Jangling Hole” and the darkness that lies within it. There’s a realism to this story that’s reminiscent of some of King’s earlier work that I once loved. Not the graphic scenes of violence which I don’t have much of a stomach for, but rather supernatural elements that have just enough reality in them to make you turn the lights on at night when you’re alone. It’s the kind of horror that reaches into the deep places where nightmares lurk and make them surface. This is my kind of fright.
With Nicholson, you are in the hands of a master – a brilliant writer that portrays a gritty reality to his characters. They’re flawed in one manner or another, but you can’t help but empathize with their predicaments, especially Vernon Ray. I had quite a personal connection with this particular character – a reluctant hero who shows great resilience considering the harsh environment he’s grown up in.
I think one of the greatest strengths of this writer is the complexities so well weaved into these characters. They live a life you would want to very quickly remove yourself from, yet at the same time you can’t help but be fascinated with them.
Nicholson also references, what I suspect, are some events from The Red Church. This will likely be the next book of Nicholson’s that I pick up. I’m also very tempted by The Skull Ring. Tough call!
All in all, I have to say I’m so pleased to have rediscovered my love of horror through Nicholson. This is a name you should be adding to your TBR list. He’s on mine!!
I haven’t read much in the horror/supernatural realm in a long time. I used to read a LOT of Stephen King when I was younger. When King lost his edge, I more or less moved on to other genres – mostly fantasy and scifi. And after that I never really returned.
That has just changed.
Drummer Boy is one of those novels that creeps back into your thoughts long after reading it – in particular, the “Jangling Hole” and the darkness that lies within it. There’s a realism to this story that’s reminiscent of some of King’s earlier work that I once loved. Not the graphic scenes of violence which I don’t have much of a stomach for, but rather supernatural elements that have just enough reality in them to make you turn the lights on at night when you’re alone. It’s the kind of horror that reaches into the deep places where nightmares lurk and make them surface. This is my kind of fright.
With Nicholson, you are in the hands of a master – a brilliant writer that portrays a gritty reality to his characters. They’re flawed in one manner or another, but you can’t help but empathize with their predicaments, especially Vernon Ray. I had quite a personal connection with this particular character – a reluctant hero who shows great resilience considering the harsh environment he’s grown up in.
I think one of the greatest strengths of this writer is the complexities so well weaved into these characters. They live a life you would want to very quickly remove yourself from, yet at the same time you can’t help but be fascinated with them.
Nicholson also references, what I suspect, are some events from The Red Church. This will likely be the next book of Nicholson’s that I pick up. I’m also very tempted by The Skull Ring. Tough call!
All in all, I have to say I’m so pleased to have rediscovered my love of horror through Nicholson. This is a name you should be adding to your TBR list. He’s on mine!!
February 8, 2012
'He'd drum even if he lost his sticks, even if a canon blast took his hands. He'd beat his splintered bones against the leather head of the snare, pound until his sinews and ragged flesh fell off, he'd roll reveille until the gates of Hades opened up and the soldiers followed his cadence into the pits of Gen. Grant's infernal prison.'
A haunting whose remnants bring life to a ghost story in compelling, spine tingling fashion. Drawn to a misguided form of life, a band of long dead civil war vets return from the infamous Jangling Hole in the Appalachian Mountain town of Titusville to shed terror and blood in their quest to complete their band of ungodly following the desertion of one of their troupe. Nicholson maintains some continuity with the earlier horror 'The Red Church' by enlisting local law enforcement hero Littlefield for a second go-round. However, that's where linkages to 'The Red Church' end. 'The Drummer Boy' is a well defined stand alone - reading 'The Red Church' will provide further insight into Littlefield psyche but is not paramount to the frighting happenings of 'The Drummer Boy'.
Woven into the civil war reenactment horror is a sense of longing and forbidding love - somewhat unexpected but endearing and heart warming at the same time - despite the unpredictable ending. Romanticism aside (for which it plays an accompanying role to the thrills and chills) 'The Drummer Boy' is all about ambiance and instilling dread and foreboding with a focus on things that go bump in the night headed by morphing apparitions, a feeling of being watched, night time chases through dark dense bush and all too real blood and death. Nicholson achieves all he sets out to in this one.
My rating: 3 stars - probably deserved more based on the central characters alone in Bobby, Dex and V-Ray, however being an Australian reader, I felt some of the ghostly moments weren't as scary due to the American civil war not being as prominent in my upbringing. Either way, 'The Drummer Boy' was still an entertaining read with a great scary ghost story - more please.
A haunting whose remnants bring life to a ghost story in compelling, spine tingling fashion. Drawn to a misguided form of life, a band of long dead civil war vets return from the infamous Jangling Hole in the Appalachian Mountain town of Titusville to shed terror and blood in their quest to complete their band of ungodly following the desertion of one of their troupe. Nicholson maintains some continuity with the earlier horror 'The Red Church' by enlisting local law enforcement hero Littlefield for a second go-round. However, that's where linkages to 'The Red Church' end. 'The Drummer Boy' is a well defined stand alone - reading 'The Red Church' will provide further insight into Littlefield psyche but is not paramount to the frighting happenings of 'The Drummer Boy'.
Woven into the civil war reenactment horror is a sense of longing and forbidding love - somewhat unexpected but endearing and heart warming at the same time - despite the unpredictable ending. Romanticism aside (for which it plays an accompanying role to the thrills and chills) 'The Drummer Boy' is all about ambiance and instilling dread and foreboding with a focus on things that go bump in the night headed by morphing apparitions, a feeling of being watched, night time chases through dark dense bush and all too real blood and death. Nicholson achieves all he sets out to in this one.
My rating: 3 stars - probably deserved more based on the central characters alone in Bobby, Dex and V-Ray, however being an Australian reader, I felt some of the ghostly moments weren't as scary due to the American civil war not being as prominent in my upbringing. Either way, 'The Drummer Boy' was still an entertaining read with a great scary ghost story - more please.
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October 17, 2014ABR's full Drummer Boy audiobook review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Dummer Boy is the second in a series following The Red Church. The setting is in Titusville – somewhere on the Appalachian Mountain Ridge. This area is deeply committed to its historic past of battles during the Civil War. Residents of this town are poor and stereo-typical back hills redneck types. The story centers around the civil war and it’s victims of long ago who still can be found near the Jangling Hole.
Several people have fallen victim to the Jangling Hole and it’s spirit inhabitants. The Hole is stirred up when the mountain is slated to be a huge housing development. The spirits manifest and visit several residents who have ties to the long dead men. Within these residents is a young boy – Vernon Ray Davis who does not belong in the world of his father (although he longs for it) and does not belong in the world of the Jangling Hole residents.
Vernon Ray Davis and his friends have multiple encounters with these spirits but ultimately, no one can save Vernon. He is faced with joining a world whose inhabitants have accepted him and given him what he has longed for – respect, and a coveted role of drummer boy or continue in the world where his father mocks and openly hates him. the jangling hole and it’s residents resonant with the rat-a-tat of the snare drum from the dead drummer boy who needs to be replaced.
Officer Littlefield who was predominant in the first book – The Red Church – is not as involved as he is always a day late and a dollar short.
The book had some harsh language but given the demographic it is written about, it only makes it more realistic. The plot and characters were well developed and believable.
The narrator, Milton Bagby did an excellent job of reading the book. He spoke clearly and concisely.
Audiobook provided for review by Scott Nicholson.
Dummer Boy is the second in a series following The Red Church. The setting is in Titusville – somewhere on the Appalachian Mountain Ridge. This area is deeply committed to its historic past of battles during the Civil War. Residents of this town are poor and stereo-typical back hills redneck types. The story centers around the civil war and it’s victims of long ago who still can be found near the Jangling Hole.
Several people have fallen victim to the Jangling Hole and it’s spirit inhabitants. The Hole is stirred up when the mountain is slated to be a huge housing development. The spirits manifest and visit several residents who have ties to the long dead men. Within these residents is a young boy – Vernon Ray Davis who does not belong in the world of his father (although he longs for it) and does not belong in the world of the Jangling Hole residents.
Vernon Ray Davis and his friends have multiple encounters with these spirits but ultimately, no one can save Vernon. He is faced with joining a world whose inhabitants have accepted him and given him what he has longed for – respect, and a coveted role of drummer boy or continue in the world where his father mocks and openly hates him. the jangling hole and it’s residents resonant with the rat-a-tat of the snare drum from the dead drummer boy who needs to be replaced.
Officer Littlefield who was predominant in the first book – The Red Church – is not as involved as he is always a day late and a dollar short.
The book had some harsh language but given the demographic it is written about, it only makes it more realistic. The plot and characters were well developed and believable.
The narrator, Milton Bagby did an excellent job of reading the book. He spoke clearly and concisely.
Audiobook provided for review by Scott Nicholson.
August 31, 2010
The Red Church was the first of Scott Nicholson's novels I ever read. It changed my whole--up to then rather negative--attitude toward the label "horror" or "thriller." But, perhaps, Nicholson is just a much better writer than other authors of the genre. He tells intriguing, mysterious, and suspenseful stories, which are all the more compelling because of their strong and psychologically complex characters, the vivid descriptions, and the sensitive rendering of human emotions.
Drummer Boy is another page turner (or "page clicker", if you have a Kindle reader.) It reminded me a little of The Red Church, not just because some of the characters (Sheriff Littlefield) reappear, but because it depicts the still fragile psyche of adolescent boys, their insecurities, their struggle with love and friendship, and their fear of "not belonging," in a society where you are either "in or "out," "straight" or "gay," "good" or "evil." Interestingly enough, the young boys are more willing and brave enough than the adults to be true to themselves, no matter what the sacrifice.
Having spent my school years abroad for the most part, I am not as intimately familiar with the American Civil War as people who grew up in this country. What came across to me personally from the story was the fact that for many people in the South, the Civil War was never truly resolved. And so, the shadows in the form of ghostly soldiers keep on haunting them. That's true of any war, whether here or abroad. What we're not willing to deal with, will come back to torment us in one form or the other.
There is of course a lot more to the book. Find out for yourself!
Drummer Boy is another page turner (or "page clicker", if you have a Kindle reader.) It reminded me a little of The Red Church, not just because some of the characters (Sheriff Littlefield) reappear, but because it depicts the still fragile psyche of adolescent boys, their insecurities, their struggle with love and friendship, and their fear of "not belonging," in a society where you are either "in or "out," "straight" or "gay," "good" or "evil." Interestingly enough, the young boys are more willing and brave enough than the adults to be true to themselves, no matter what the sacrifice.
Having spent my school years abroad for the most part, I am not as intimately familiar with the American Civil War as people who grew up in this country. What came across to me personally from the story was the fact that for many people in the South, the Civil War was never truly resolved. And so, the shadows in the form of ghostly soldiers keep on haunting them. That's true of any war, whether here or abroad. What we're not willing to deal with, will come back to torment us in one form or the other.
There is of course a lot more to the book. Find out for yourself!
May 17, 2010
DRUMMER BOY is hard to categorize. It's essentially like a ghost story you might hear by the campfire, placed in southern Appalachia and mixed with an odd juxtaposition of a long-held southern grudge against Yankee aggression with the intrusion of modern development.
The book opens with a seemingly ordinary scene involving three adolescent boys throwing rocks at a spooky cave known as the Jangling Hole in a place called Mulatto Mountain. Bobby Eldreth is being taunted by his wealthy friend Dex McCallister to throw a rock into the cave. Bobby, who lives in a trailer park along with the third boy, the always out-of-step Vernon Ray Davis, is torn between the two friends. Their triangular relationship isn't the only thing making Bobby tense. The Jangling Hole is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of long-buried Civil War soldiers.
When a store owner claims one of the boys got a five-finger discount on his goods, the police intervene. At some point, a shot rings out. The cops return fire, but no one can find the shooter.
From that point, the story introduces a plethora of well-developed characters who seem to represent different aspects of the South. Along with the boys, there's an old farmer named Hardy who lives near Mulatto Mountain. A somewhat tragic character, his family once owned the land that's to be developed and he's not happy about it. In addition, his son bears the irreparable scars of having experienced an unknown trauma at the Jangling Hole.
Read the entire review at: http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2010/...
The book opens with a seemingly ordinary scene involving three adolescent boys throwing rocks at a spooky cave known as the Jangling Hole in a place called Mulatto Mountain. Bobby Eldreth is being taunted by his wealthy friend Dex McCallister to throw a rock into the cave. Bobby, who lives in a trailer park along with the third boy, the always out-of-step Vernon Ray Davis, is torn between the two friends. Their triangular relationship isn't the only thing making Bobby tense. The Jangling Hole is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of long-buried Civil War soldiers.
When a store owner claims one of the boys got a five-finger discount on his goods, the police intervene. At some point, a shot rings out. The cops return fire, but no one can find the shooter.
From that point, the story introduces a plethora of well-developed characters who seem to represent different aspects of the South. Along with the boys, there's an old farmer named Hardy who lives near Mulatto Mountain. A somewhat tragic character, his family once owned the land that's to be developed and he's not happy about it. In addition, his son bears the irreparable scars of having experienced an unknown trauma at the Jangling Hole.
Read the entire review at: http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2010/...
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