January 2023 Group Read with Guest Author, Jonathan Janz

[Jonathan]

Netanella wrote: "This is my first Jonathan Janz book, so I'm excited to be reading this with y'all. I just started last night.

I love the title and the old school feel to the cover art. It reminded me of Victoria ..."

Thank you so much, Netanella! I'm so happy you're enjoying it and very happy you're with us!

[Char]

Hehehe...I love watching the reactions here. :)

And thank you, Jonathan.

[Kasia]

Jonathan wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Gah just got to end of chapter 4... holy shmoly :("

If that's the part I think it is...yeah. It's awful. Undeniably, deeply awful."

A crystal clear way to make you see who the character truly is if they are capable of something like that. And actually again shows that you're a very gifted writer. I think ppl don't realize how tough scenes like this must be to write then go to sleep and think of them at night, etc.. that's a lot to take on.

[Brenna]

I’m about 80% of the way through & oh my goodness this is just so good. I’ve been hooked since I really got to reading this morning. I love how the writing is so accessible to the modern reader while keeping us immersed in that time period & world. Can’t wait to see how this ends!

[Kandice]

It's a page turner, no doubt! Most of us read it in one sitting or one day, unless life intervened. Let's be honest, if life didn't intervene, I'd be happy to read any book I was enjoying straight through, but this one demanded it!

[Kasia]

This book is so addictive, once you start you want to live in this word, well no actually not like that haha, but in the "im reading" mode.

40% in and only had to stop cause baby woke up from his nap, how rude :P

[Steve]

Great read. Took three sittings, but the second half of the book I devoured in one go as I couldn't put it down.

I was expecting the story to go dark and gruesome, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how it exceeded my expectations in this regard.

My first read of a Mr Janz novel, with myself now eyeing up "The Dark Game". consider me hooked.

[Jonathan]

Kasia wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Gah just got to end of chapter 4... holy shmoly :("

If that's the part I think it is...yeah. It's awful. Undeniably, deeply awful."

A crystal clear way to make you ..."

Thank you so much, Kasia! I think you're one of the first people, with this book at least, to articulate it like that. I think sometimes folks look at the writer like a mustache-twirler when something that awful happens, and I totally don't begrudge anyone for having a negative reaction to that scene. In a way, it's kind of a compliment.

But the thing is, *I* had a negative reaction to that scene. I hated writing it, I hated editing it, and I hate when the audiobook narrator gets to it. I legit hate that scene. But it came naturally with the story, and in the end I decided not to cut it down too much because I felt like it was really important, with characterization (which you pointed out), with theme, with plot, with foreshadowing, with everything, really.

But it is terrible. I love cats so much. Dogs too. But I grew up with cats, and one named Cuddles (who lived to be 21) slept with me every night between the ages of like six and eighteen. So because of how deeply I love cats, that scene felt to me...almost like a profanation. Like something so despicable that it would harm someone's soul (not the writer, hopefully, but the character responsible).

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I appreciated your take on it a lot.

[Jonathan]

Brenna wrote: "I’m about 80% of the way through & oh my goodness this is just so good. I’ve been hooked since I really got to reading this morning. I love how the writing is so accessible to the modern reader whi..."

That makes me so happy, Brenna. Thank you!!!!

[Jonathan]

Kandice wrote: "It's a page turner, no doubt! Most of us read it in one sitting or one day, unless life intervened. Let's be honest, if life didn't intervene, I'd be happy to read any book I was enjoying straight ..."

Life can be so insensitive to our reading needs! There are times when I'd just love to curl up for hours with a book.

[Jonathan]

Kasia wrote: "This book is so addictive, once you start you want to live in this word, well no actually not like that haha, but in the "im reading" mode.

40% in and only had to stop cause baby woke up from his ..."

See, there we go! Life getting in the way. I think when our first kid was born might have been when life really started making it tough for me to read for long spans.

[Jonathan]

Steve wrote: "Great read. Took three sittings, but the second half of the book I devoured in one go as I couldn't put it down.

I was expecting the story to go dark and gruesome, but I was very pleasantly surpri..."

That is fantastic to hear, Steve. Thank you! And you're right...it doesn't go light on the gore in that second half.

I hope you dig The Dark Game too!

[Kasia]

Jonathan wrote: "Thank you so much, Kasia! I think you're one of the first people, with this book at least, to articulate it like that. I think sometimes folks look at the writer like a mustache-twirler when something that awful happens, and I totally don't begrudge anyone for having a negative reaction to that scene. In a way, it's kind of a compliment.

But the thing is, *I* had a negative reaction to that scene. I hated writing it, I hated editing it, and I hate when the audiobook narrator gets to it. I legit hate that scene. But it came naturally with the story, and in the end I decided not to cut it down too much because I felt like it was really important, with characterization (which you pointed out), with theme, with plot, with foreshadowing, with everything, really.

But it is terrible. I love cats so much. Dogs too. But I grew up with cats, and one named Cuddles (who lived to be 21) slept with me every night between the ages of like six and eighteen. So because of how deeply I love cats, that scene felt to me...almost like a profanation. Like something so despicable that it would harm someone's soul (not the writer, hopefully, but the character responsible).

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I appreciated your take on it a lot."

Might have to print this and frame it on my wall, thank you for a deeper dive to confirm things I've felt :)

[Kandice]

Jonathan wrote: "See, there we go! Life getting in the way. I think when our first kid was born might have been when life really started making it tough for me to read for long spans...."

When my children were wee I nursed and they were all absolute pigs, so after the first week or so of the first child I vowed to read aloud to them as I did so. No matter the subject, because they were babies and couldn't understand anyway. I read more during the four and half years I nursed (all three together, not one!) than at any other time in my life. I read them all of Shakespeare, tons of classics, and whatever else took my fancy. After a while I did become more intentional about what I was choosing, hence the Shakespeare and heavy classics saturation during that time of my life.

I can't say this is the reason, but all three of my children are readers. My very favorite memories are of the four of us dog piled on my bed taking turns reading out loud to each other the passages that touched our hearts. We did this until my youngest went to college.

Even now, when they visit, they'll lie on "the big bed" and read with me happily for hours. My oldest has ADHD, so takes walking breaks, but he can be counted on for huge swathes of time. This is unusual for him, and I LOVE it!

[Marie]

I am late to the party it seems, but I have had this on my kindle since it came out. :)

I am 5% into the story. Love this gothic feel! :) This should be fun! I have not read spoilers through here - will read them later when I get past a certain point.

*Hi Jonathan*! 😊

[Char]

Those are some wonderful memories you just shared with us, Kandice. :)
READERS RULE!

[Jonathan]

Kandice wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "See, there we go! Life getting in the way. I think when our first kid was born might have been when life really started making it tough for me to read for long spans...."

When my ..."

That's so cool, Kandice. We're a reading family too! I love that you've laid that foundation for them.

[Jonathan]

Kasia wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Thank you so much, Kasia! I think you're one of the first people, with this book at least, to articulate it like that. I think sometimes folks look at the writer like a mustache-tw..."

Thank you, Kasia!

[Jonathan]

Marie wrote: "I am late to the party it seems, but I have had this on my kindle since it came out. :)

I am 5% into the story. Love this gothic feel! :) This should be fun! I have not read spoilers through here ..."

Hello, Marie! So great to have you here!!!

[Kenneth]

Absolutely loved it, Jonathan. I love how you blended that wonderful Gothic setting and elegant prose with your inner Splatterpunk. I’ve never seen that done before, so kudos to you.

Here’s my review, if anyone is interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Marie]

46% into the story and "Wow" this book is hard to put down! :)

[Badseedgirl]

I've finally started to dig into this one. I'm enjoying the Poe references and the mid-story twist. I'm on page 81.

[Brenna]

Finished! So flipping good! Really made me fall in love with gothic horror again. The pacing, descriptions of those insane gory moments, and some kick-ass characters made this a book to remember - will be recommending to anyone who will listen 😂

Excited to read your other work, Jonathan!

[Badseedgirl]

Mr. Janz, What books would you consider influenced your writing of this book? I just finished it and thought it was a great book.

[Jonathan]

Kenneth wrote: "Absolutely loved it, Jonathan. I love how you blended that wonderful Gothic setting and elegant prose with your inner Splatterpunk. I’ve never seen that done before, so kudos to you.

Here’s my re..."

Thank you so much for that review, Kenneth. I'm happy you dug it!

[Jonathan]

Marie wrote: "46% into the story and "Wow" this book is hard to put down! :)"

That's so good to hear, Marie. Thank you!

[Jonathan]

Badseedgirl wrote: "I've finally started to dig into this one. I'm enjoying the Poe references and the mid-story twist. I'm on page 81."

Hah! Awesome. I feel like any Poe reference is a worthwhile reference. That guy gets better every time I read him.

[Jonathan]

Brenna wrote: "Finished! So flipping good! Really made me fall in love with gothic horror again. The pacing, descriptions of those insane gory moments, and some kick-ass characters made this a book to remember - ..."

What an awesome review, Brenna. Thank you! I can't tell you how happy I was to read that. :-)

[Jonathan]

Badseedgirl wrote: "Mr. Janz, What books would you consider influenced your writing of this book? I just finished it and thought it was a great book."

Thank you so much! That's fantastic to hear.

Influences would include...so many, but off the top of my head...

FRANKENSTEIN
DRACULA
M.R. James's short stories
Jane Austen's novels
J.S. Lefanu's short stories
Arthur Machen's "The Great God Pan"
SARDONICUS
THE SOUND OF HIS HORN
FENGRIFFEN
All Edgar Allan Poe
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
The works of Arthur Conan Doyle

I love the above authors and stories, so they (and others) really helped prepare me for this tale.

[Marie]

76% into the story!

I am flying through this book or should I say (view spoiler)[fileting through it -LOL 😆 (hide spoiler)]

A gothic story that totally (view spoiler)[crosses into the threshold of extreme. A different twist for a gothic story! Loving the blood splatter even with it being in a gothic story - had to grab my gore suit. 😂 🤣 (hide spoiler)]

This is not the first time I have seen some splatter in your books Jonathan, but I am curious as to why you mixed it in with a gothic story? 😊

[Jonathan]

Marie wrote: "76% into the story!

I am flying through this book or should I say [spoilers removed]

A gothic story that totally [spoilers removed]

This is not the first time I have seen some splatter in your b..."

That's awesome to hear, Marie! As far as the blending of Gothic with splatter...it just felt natural to me. And new. I'm sure others have done this (maybe Edward Lee?), but I haven't read anything done exactly this way, and that made it a blast to write.

[Clara]

Hi, I’m starting this tonight, very excited!

So, our hero is a lovesick author whose “tough guy talk” is based on a Poe story? What’s not to like? ;)

[Char]

Heehee! Enjoy, Clara!

[Jonathan]

Clara wrote: "Hi, I’m starting this tonight, very excited!

So, our hero is a lovesick author whose “tough guy talk” is based on a Poe story? What’s not to like? ;)"

Thank you, Clara!

[Marie]

I finished the book and it was definitely 5 big stars from me! Loved this book!

Going to put something in a spoiler here (view spoiler)[I had an image in my mind when Dunning went off the cliff and he fell to his death - that image popped in my mind of Hans Gruber falling off the Nakatomi Tower - that expression on his face transferred that surprise look to Dunning when he realized that he was not going to make it. Gave me a smile - couldn't happen to a nicer count! lol :) (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

I just finished this one and really enjoyed it! I love gothic stories, so this caught my attention right away. I love the original feel of this one. Some older gothic stories can feel a bit dry at times, but this one was just fun from start to finish.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments! Thank you, Jonathan, for a super fun read and for being so active in the thread! :)

[Latasha]

Just finished this one. That was a load of fun!

[Kandice]

Marie wrote: "I finished the book and it was definitely 5 big stars from me! Loved this book!

Going to put something in a spoiler here [spoilers removed]"

That's a pretty perfect image for the scene!

[Jonathan]

Marie wrote: "I finished the book and it was definitely 5 big stars from me! Loved this book!

Going to put something in a spoiler here [spoilers removed]"

Hans Gruber! YES! I love that movie and that actor and that moment! So freaking cool. And thank you for this wonderful review. I loved it!

[Clara]

This was very enjoyable! I am so glad to have discovered this book through the group. Thank you!

The dinner scene, especially, was so well done ~~

[Jonathan]

Shannon wrote: "I just finished this one and really enjoyed it! I love gothic stories, so this caught my attention right away. I love the original feel of this one. Some older gothic stories can feel a bit dry at ..."

This makes me so happy. Thank you, Shannon! I genuinely appreciate your review, and it's been a blast hanging out with you too! :-)

[Jonathan]

Latasha wrote: "Just finished this one. That was a load of fun!"

Thank you so much, Latasha!

[Jonathan]

Clara wrote: "This was very enjoyable! I am so glad to have discovered this book through the group. Thank you!

The dinner scene, especially, was so well done ~~"

Thank you, Clara! I appreciate that and have to be honest--I was very happy with the way that scene ended up. As someone else said, a definite gore suit moment, but just as I hoped it would turn out.

[Shainlock]

I loved it! It was crazy wild!

[Shainlock]

But the cat scene tore my heart open and I agree so much with Kasia. Any animal would have been bad but this, I felt might as well have been me being torn apart. Needless to say, I wanted Erskine to get his; but I will never get that out of my brain. My cats come sleep with me too and one always knows when I’m sad and puts her big furry paws on my heart. I guess I can see why you needed to show Erskine’s real self in such a way, but that one almost made me stop reading. Glad I kept on, just, felt you should know… with respect.

[Jonathan]

Shainlock wrote: "But the cat scene tore my heart open and I agree so much with Kasia. Any animal would have been bad but this, I felt might as well have been me being torn apart. Needless to say, I wanted Erskine t..."

100 percent understand this, Shainlock, and had you stopped there I would've totally understood and not judged in any way. I've got a couple long-time readers who tapped out there, and I respect them completely for it (just as I totally respect your feelings).

I agree. That part is awful. Absolutely awful. And I appreciate your reading it and rating it too. Thank you!!!

[Shainlock]

Oh, I felt it got vindicated later! I had a feeling there would be justice. You can tell if any of the characters show sympathy or if they mention it later. I gave it that chance and could tell. I understand the reason for it and after reading your other posts about animals and cats; I understand. It really shows what type of man he was. It gave the MC something to doubt. It felt was an exquisite piece of gothic old world and I would definitely read it again and probably will. Thanks for explaining.

[Jonathan]

Shainlock wrote: "Oh, I felt it got vindicated later! I had a feeling there would be justice. You can tell if any of the characters show sympathy or if they mention it later. I gave it that chance and could tell. I ..."

That's awesome to hear. Thank you so much, Shainlock. I really appreciate it!

[Char]

Jonathan wrote: "Shainlock wrote: "Oh, I felt it got vindicated later! I had a feeling there would be justice. You can tell if any of the characters show sympathy or if they mention it later. I gave it that chance ..."

That scene reminded me of a similar scene in Robert McCammon's book THE LISTENER. The villain comes upon a litter of puppies early on in the story, and well...it wasn't good. I intensely dislike animal violence, but if it's an author that I've read before, I am more likely to give it a pass...hoping that the author had a good reason. This time, just as that time with McCammon, I was right to trust the author to lead me through it.

[Jonathan]

Char wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Shainlock wrote: "Oh, I felt it got vindicated later! I had a feeling there would be justice. You can tell if any of the characters show sympathy or if they mention it later. I gav..."

Oh my gosh yes! I read that scene relatively recently, and it was so painful but (I believe) necessary to the story.

Thanks for saying that! I think this definitely falls into that category of awful but for a purpose. And anytime any of my works or scenes are mentioned in the same breath with McCammon, I'm on Cloud Nine. That guy is an all-time great!