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Devil's Creek
Group Reads: Guest Author Invite
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July 2020 Group Read with Guest Author, Todd Keisling
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Yeah, had goosebumps up to my eyeballs reading that.
I just finished Part Three: Seeds Of Babylon. That is appropriately subtitled, as what has been planted long ago, lying dormant for years, suddenly sprouts, grows and festers in awful ways. The method of converting unbelievers to the new faith is especially gruesome, and makes the skin crawl. By the end of this section, it doesn't seem like things will return to normal in this little town. I'm especially concerned with Jack's circle of friends: Chuck and Stephanie (both of whom share in their childhood trauma as members of The Six) plus young Riley. And, the erotic scenes were ust explicit enough to be entertaining - - until they took a nasty turn.
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This. This rings so true I could cry.
"Suffering is the way to salvation, my child. You are not quite there yet."
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Kasia wrote: "My thoughts keep coming back to this town after fishing, love stories that do that."Mission accomplished. Thank you!
Sorry for the silence this last week--I've been working on my next book. I've also kept an eye on this thread, and I have to say it's made me smile when seeing you all post quotes and impressions. Thank you for reading my book!
I can only speak for myself: I LOVED it!And I'm so glad that you could participate here, answering our questions so patiently. Thank you, Todd!
66% in... Part 4 chpt 17,4..... This is cracking along now, really enjoying this, blasted work keeps getting in the way.
This is turning into one this years favourites for me.
72% getting a Stephen King does Invasion of the body Snatchers vibe, really enjoying it
Silence squirmed between them, the air pregnant with a kind of skepticism better known in the pews of a church.
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I just finished Part 4: Blood And Fire -- and there is plenty of both in abundance. Black blood, of course. Things really come to a head and I'm sure Part 5, the final part, will be one that I zip through. Can't wait. I've been enjoying some of the creative descriptions, metaphors and analogies. This one is a favorite, as the troubles in Stauford did not originate solely with the founding of the Church of Holy Voices. It's deeper than that: "They might discover the very foundations of Stauford were built upon a fragile attitude of 'them' and 'other', making a mockery of the Christian ideals they claimed to uphold. They might discover cracks in the mortar, years upon years of layered sediment, scar tissue in stone, poured with each generation's refusal to confront the blemish of truth at the core of Stauford's necrosis.
Just finished an amazing book
The ending chapter in Part 4 was particularly effective. I couldn't help being reminded throughout of the original Night Of The Living Dead film, with Jack's zombie-like mom tied up in the basement, while the house is besieged by converted followers outside. Many chills!
I just finished this morning. My favorite horror novel of 2020 so far, and there are some good ones. Many novels lately leave some bits unresolved or drop hints at lingering problems, leaving things open for a possible sequel. What I especially like about Devil's Creek is it's finality. Things seem resolved and in a satisfactory manner. Thanks for that, Todd!
A question for Todd:There's a timeline on the last page of September 27, 2007 through March 7th, 2019.
Does that represent the amount of time you've been working on this novel?
If so, that should serve as inspiration to the rest of us, who've started working on novels and years later put it on the shelf for awhile. I've got four on the burner, on slow boil.
Michael wrote: "A question for Todd:There's a timeline on the last page of September 27, 2007 through March 7th, 2019.
Does that represent the amount of time you've been working on this novel?
If so, that should ..."
It's a timeline from conception to completion. There were many starts and stops along the way. I wrote the first full draft of the book in a span of ten months, from 2017-2018, but it was in my head for much longer. There's no shame in putting a book aside if you don't feel your ready. I certainly didn't. Sometimes they need much longer to gestate.
Anyway, thanks so much for your comments and for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed the book!
I'm so glad to see everyone really digging this book!
Char wrote: "I'm so glad to see everyone really digging this book!"Wouldn't expect anything less from a HA group read - you guys always pick the best and this book makes no exception, so thanks for bringing it to my/our attention!
Elke wrote: "Char wrote: "I'm so glad to see everyone really digging this book!"Wouldn't expect anything less from a HA group read - you guys always pick the best and this book makes no exception, so thanks f..."
Aww, you're so sweet!
I finished this book about a month ago. I really liked it but i think it gets better over time, I keep thinking about it and all of the shit that happened. I love that I can’t get it out of my head
Those are super cool!