January 2023 Group Read with Guest Author, Jonathan Janz

[Michael]

I'm already about 30% of the way into the novel. It is very good so far.

[Cal]

I can’t wait to read this with y’all! My first read along on here. Gonna be a good time🤙🏼

[Evie]

I read this yesterday in one sitting and it's fantastic! I was hooked within the first chapter and couldn't put it down. I read the Kindle unlimited version but will definitely be ordering a printed copy to add yo my bookshelf. I'm definitely going to be checking out more titles by the author. Jonathan Janz's writing in this book feels pulled out of my darkest dreams. It's gripping, macabre, dark, anxiety inducing yet beautiful and decadent. I'm excited to explore more of his work!

[Jonathan]

Evie wrote: "I read this yesterday in one sitting and it's fantastic! I was hooked within the first chapter and couldn't put it down. I read the Kindle unlimited version but will definitely be ordering a printe..."

Evie, that makes me so happy! I can't thank you enough for your kind words!

[Alan]

Jason wrote: "Now that January is here, what is next? Do we read at a set pace or our own pace? Is there discussion as we go?"

You can read at your own pace and discuss as you go. Just when discussing specifics rather than general comments please use spoiler tags for things that may be considered spoilers by those who haven't gotten that far.

[Jonathan]

Char wrote: "I had the pleasure of finally meeting Jonathan at the Merrimack Valley Halloween Bookfest and I bought this book then.

Jonathan drove 16 hours to be at this festival which only reinforced to me th..."

Meeting you was awesome, Char, and this group read is going to be a blast!

[Steve]

Downloaded and ready to roll, also, my first read along. loving the synopsis for this one so here we go...

I've set a personal goal to read much more, so this should be a perfect avenue to spur that on .

Happy New Year everyone.

[Chris]

A very fun quick read! I found myself squirming (in a good way) towards the end.

I read this book in two short sittings and it reminded me of the classic '70s Hammer horror films such as 'Hands of the Ripper' which I enjoyed.

I wish I had read more Gothic books to compare, but unfortunately I haven't which means I may have also missed out on some references. I will definitely be checking out some of Jonathan's other titles as I liked the writing style. Any recommendations will be welcomed and much appreciated. :)

[Jonathan]

Lauren wrote: "I'm excited to read this with everyone. This sounds so good!"

Hello, Lauren!

[Jonathan]

Shannon wrote: "Ooh, this looks awesome! Can't wait to read this with you all! :)

What a fun way to start 2023!"

I'm glad you're joining us, Shannon!

[Char]

I started today at lunch and read about 50 pages. I am grinning because I love the language being used and the gothic atmosphere. AND, my favorite Poe story THE BLACK CAT has been mentioned!

I have read a few of the classic gothic novels-one of them, The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, included a character named Valancourt and if I remember correctly, that's the name that was taken by Valancourt Books. (I had /have a great relationship with that publisher since they brought back Michael McDowell.)

That said, I don't think I'll be reading any more classic gothic novels, as Udolpho nearly drove me out of my mind with endless pages devoted to scenery, songs and poems.

[Jonathan]

Kelly B wrote: "You had me at gothic :-)."

Hello, Kelly. Gothics rock!

[Jonathan]

Miguel wrote: "Got my copy!"

Hey, Miguel!

[Jonathan]

Ami wrote: "Oooo. :D Sounds fun!"

Hi, Ami!

[Jonathan]

First of all, thank you so much to the kind folks at Horror Aficionados for hosting me. Secondly, how about that cover? Independent of the story and everything else, Matthew Revert really created something special when he created the cover for The Dismembered. If I can figure out how, I'll share some of the inspiration images I sent him so you all can see where he started with the artwork.

[Evie]

The cover is so well done and a really perfect fit for the story within.

[Ginger]

Got started on this today. I’m loving it so far! The Coyle family is a mess. 😂🤣

[Ginger]

Jonathan wrote: "First of all, thank you so much to the kind folks at Horror Aficionados for hosting me. Secondly, how about that cover? Independent of the story and everything else, Matthew Revert really created s..."

Jonathan, the cover is fantastic and is perfect for this book!

[Cal]

The cover is incredible looking! And side note (but also main point) it is so cool to have you in the comments Jonathan. I couldn’t be happier about this being my first read along on this app. Almost done with chapter one and it’s already so well written. Gonna love this one!

[Terry]

I’m in for this as well. Just getting started tonight. Love that cover!

[Jonathan]

[Jonathan]

[Jonathan]

[Jonathan]

[Jonathan]

[Alan]

The cover just screams 70s gothic, just like the samples you posted.

[Jonathan]

Alan wrote: "The cover just screams 70s gothic, just like the samples you posted."

Right? I still get chills looking at Matthew's work. The end result looks like those images above, but Matthew explained a little bit about how he did it, and there was nothing simple about it. But in the end it's just seamless.

[Jonathan]

Chris wrote: "Just started getting into reading after a lifetime spent watching films and ignoring books.

Excited to read this with you all in 2023! :)"

I love that you're getting into books, Chris! It's never too late to do that!

[Jonathan]

Marie Helene wrote: "Got my copy too!"

That's awesome!

[Jonathan]

Ginger wrote: "I've got my copy and ready to go on this one! Looking forward to it."

Fantastic!

[Jonathan]

Kandice wrote: "I can't wait!"

Hello, Kandice!

[Jonathan]

Kalila wrote: "Looking forward to reading this soon!! I quite enjoyed his The Siren and the Specter."

Thank you, Kalila!

[Jonathan]

Jason wrote: "This will be my first group read. I'm not sure how I've made it 44 years and thousands of books without joining one, but I'm happy to be here."

Howdy, Jason!

[Jonathan]

•Evil•Eye•Reviews• wrote: "I have yet to read a Jonathan Janz book but I always see them! I think i'll have to join in on this one. I love those classic covers of women running away from mansions lol :)"

That's such an awesome subject for a cover. I love them!

[Jonathan]

Ricardo wrote: "I already finish the book, but since next week starts the discussion I will keep my comments until that."

Hello, Ricardo!

[Monica]

Jonathan wrote: "Monica wrote: "Yes! I'm so glad even though I already read it last month. I'll definitely check in. The cover is stunning!"

Happy New Year, Monica!"

Thank you! To you tooooooo

Love the insights about the cover work.

[Char]

Thanks for sharing that info regarding the cover design!

Looking at the books of yours that I've read over the last few years, you really don't seem to be tied to any specific type of horror. I mean, I've read a creature-feature type book from you, a wild story about exorcisms from you, (among others), and they're all so different from each other.

Is there any type of horror that you are not interested in? Cosmic horror, for instance? Or horror sub-genre that you don't care for or wouldn't consider writing in?

[Kimberly]

I have to jump in to say that I started this book, put my youngest to bed, and then read until after 2:30am to finish it--couldn't stop after a certain point!

Looking at Char's post above, I echo her question. This story was so unique from every other book I've read by you, and yet... they really ALL have been unique.

[Kandice]

My copy was supposed to arrive Friday, but isn't here yet. I'm hoping it arrives today because I cannot wait to start! Especially as I browse this thread and see how much everyone is enjoying it.

[Char]

It's really fun and it goes by super quick!

[Jonathan]

Char wrote: "Thanks for sharing that info regarding the cover design!

Looking at the books of yours that I've read over the last few years, you really don't seem to be tied to any specific type of horror. I me..."

First of all, thank you! I don't really do it consciously, but my tastes are so diverse that I find myself gravitating in one direction, then another, then a different one after that. For example, I love zombie books and movies, and I plan on tackling that subgenre at some point, but so far I haven't been obsessed enough by a specific character or idea to take that on.

I can tell you that the one type of book I've never been that excited about is Christmas horror, but ironically, I just accepted an invite to write a Christmas horror tale for an anthology, so I'll be changing my tune now. I guess I do love the notion of Christmas ghost stories like A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and I've always found the notion of M.R. James telling ghost stories around Christmastime to be a delicious notion, so even as I sit here typing I find myself getting interested in writing one of my own.

All of that, I suppose, is my way of realizing that no, there probably isn't a type of horror I can definitively say I'll never write. :-)

[Jonathan]

Shannon | Sp00ky B00ks wrote: "I have this one! Can't wait."

It's gonna be a blast!

[Jonathan]

Michael wrote: "My copy arrives Wednesday!"

That's wonderful!

[Jonathan]

Steve wrote: "Downloaded and ready to roll, also, my first read along. loving the synopsis for this one so here we go...

I've set a personal goal to read much more, so this should be a perfect avenue to spur th..."

Thanks for the kind words about the synopsis!

[Jonathan]

Kimberly wrote: "I have to jump in to say that I started this book, put my youngest to bed, and then read until after 2:30am to finish it--couldn't stop after a certain point!

Looking at Char's post above, I echo..."

Thank you, Kimberly! I'm so glad this was a brisk read for you. I can tell you that I've enjoyed this one so much that I'm strongly considering doing more like it.

But first I have to write my winter horror novel!

[Kenneth]

My copy should be here Friday!

[Jonathan]

Kenneth wrote: "My copy should be here Friday!"

Fantastic!

[Kandice]

I just checked and mine is delayed until Friday as well. WTH? I'm glad to hear it's a quick read since so many of you have finished. The anticipation is killing me!

[Kimberly]

Kandice wrote: "I just checked and mine is delayed until Friday as well. WTH? I'm glad to hear it's a quick read since so many of you have finished. The anticipation is killing me!"

It is definitely worth it!!!

[Michael]

Jonathan wrote: ""

Thanks for sharing all those cover inspirations with us. I'm assuming you may also have read all those novels. Were they (or one of them) your inspiration for writing THE DISMEMBERED? Did any of those novels really stand out from the others and influence you?
I'm really glad you are here to share and bounce questions off of.
Thanks, Jonathan!