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Welcome again all you literary horror fans. The summer is here and we
have a few books that might do for that light reading at the beach. We have
a book from our regular Dean Koontz that never disappoints. Also another
book that will make you hate the rain even more. And the last will make you
think differently about the guy with a bad temper Well, I will keep this short
and let you get right to the reviews.
D.W. Jones
Dark Soul Rising by AL J. Vermette
Now I know what everyone is thinking. That I am reviewing
my boss’ book and that I have to write something good about
him. If you have been reading this column for the last couple
of years, I am not adverse to criticizing an author if I don’t
think it’s that good. I even had an iffy review of my favorite
author Koontz at times. So when I tell you it’s a good read and
probably better than most of his stuff, you can count on it.
The story begins with a horrible car accident involving Bill
and Madison Page. Both of them are injured but Bill looks a
lot worse for wear. He survives but right from the start, you
find out that he isn’t the same. His personality has changed
and not for the better. Now he indulges in his darkest fantasies and rages against
anything that stands in his way. Now Madison must find a way to help Bill before he
destroys the world around her.
Vermette tells a realistic horror tale that could happen to anyone. That fact alone
makes it a much more frightening tale. His characters are fleshed out and the story
moves steadily along. He increases the suspense and thrills until the exciting
climax. It is a quick read and very enjoyable for the summer. I recommend this book
for the summer and makes you think twice about accidents in cars.
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz
As I have said before in this column, Koontz is always
reliable for a good read and the way he writes, you flow
through his books fairly quickly. This book is no exception but
I must say that this one is not quite up to the Koontz standard
and more mystery than horror or thriller.
The story starts with life is good for Ryan Perry. He is rich
beyond needing anything, have a beautiful girlfriend and
works from home. But it suddenly crashes down when he is
diagnosed with a incurable heart condition and is in need for
a transplant. He doesn’t handle it well and is in limbo while he
waits.
Doing what he always does, he takes control and changes things and it is for the
good. He receives news of a heart transplant and just before the operation, he feels
something is wrong but it is too late and he receives his heart. A year passes and
life is good until the gifts start arriving. They arrive in places that there should be no
access and with a note saying ‘Your Heart Belong to Me’ Now he fears for his life and
needs to solve this before it gets to him. And no amount of money will be able to
help.
While Koontz tells a good story as always, there seems to be a disconnect that I
haven’t seen from his book. The characters seem unreachable which makes them
less likable. The other thing I found disconcerting is the length of time it took to get
to the meat of the story. It did get more interesting, but it wasn’t until the last quarter
of the book. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a mystery and a lot
of patience.
Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan
This book I got courtesy of our publisher AL Vermette. He
came across this upcoming author and decided to check it out
and gave it to me. When I received it, it was an interesting
cover with an intriguing title. I tell you that I was not
disappointed. Morgan tell an even paced story that pulls you
in and keeps you reading.
The story begins with Megan Blackwood, rising star writer,
suffers a great tragedy in her family and finding it tough to
deal with life. Thinking a summer trip with her daughter would
be the perfect thing to escape her troubles and be the thing to
turn her life back around. On a recommendation, she takes
her daughter to Moonlight Creek.
As soon as Megan gets there, she knows that something just isn’t right. But her
daughter Jenna tells her she is over reacting. Megan tries but there are just too
many things that are wrong. The only thing they sell to drink is water and there are
no restaurants in the town. And the people are just strange. It isn’t until she tries to
leave that she realizes that she was right and by then it is probably too late. But she
will do anything to escape and save her daughter from a fate worse than death.
Morgan tells a story that is simple and straight up. Her characters are very real and
draws you into the real life problems and has you heart go out to them. The pacing
is even and keeps you hooked all the way to the end. Her storytelling and
suspense reminds me of Koontz writing and has a nice twist at the end. I
recommend this book as a great alternative to some of the big names for the fresh
story topic.
have a few books that might do for that light reading at the beach. We have
a book from our regular Dean Koontz that never disappoints. Also another
book that will make you hate the rain even more. And the last will make you
think differently about the guy with a bad temper Well, I will keep this short
and let you get right to the reviews.
D.W. Jones
Dark Soul Rising by AL J. Vermette
Now I know what everyone is thinking. That I am reviewing
my boss’ book and that I have to write something good about
him. If you have been reading this column for the last couple
of years, I am not adverse to criticizing an author if I don’t
think it’s that good. I even had an iffy review of my favorite
author Koontz at times. So when I tell you it’s a good read and
probably better than most of his stuff, you can count on it.
The story begins with a horrible car accident involving Bill
and Madison Page. Both of them are injured but Bill looks a
lot worse for wear. He survives but right from the start, you
find out that he isn’t the same. His personality has changed
and not for the better. Now he indulges in his darkest fantasies and rages against
anything that stands in his way. Now Madison must find a way to help Bill before he
destroys the world around her.
Vermette tells a realistic horror tale that could happen to anyone. That fact alone
makes it a much more frightening tale. His characters are fleshed out and the story
moves steadily along. He increases the suspense and thrills until the exciting
climax. It is a quick read and very enjoyable for the summer. I recommend this book
for the summer and makes you think twice about accidents in cars.
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz
As I have said before in this column, Koontz is always
reliable for a good read and the way he writes, you flow
through his books fairly quickly. This book is no exception but
I must say that this one is not quite up to the Koontz standard
and more mystery than horror or thriller.
The story starts with life is good for Ryan Perry. He is rich
beyond needing anything, have a beautiful girlfriend and
works from home. But it suddenly crashes down when he is
diagnosed with a incurable heart condition and is in need for
a transplant. He doesn’t handle it well and is in limbo while he
waits.
Doing what he always does, he takes control and changes things and it is for the
good. He receives news of a heart transplant and just before the operation, he feels
something is wrong but it is too late and he receives his heart. A year passes and
life is good until the gifts start arriving. They arrive in places that there should be no
access and with a note saying ‘Your Heart Belong to Me’ Now he fears for his life and
needs to solve this before it gets to him. And no amount of money will be able to
help.
While Koontz tells a good story as always, there seems to be a disconnect that I
haven’t seen from his book. The characters seem unreachable which makes them
less likable. The other thing I found disconcerting is the length of time it took to get
to the meat of the story. It did get more interesting, but it wasn’t until the last quarter
of the book. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a mystery and a lot
of patience.
Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan
This book I got courtesy of our publisher AL Vermette. He
came across this upcoming author and decided to check it out
and gave it to me. When I received it, it was an interesting
cover with an intriguing title. I tell you that I was not
disappointed. Morgan tell an even paced story that pulls you
in and keeps you reading.
The story begins with Megan Blackwood, rising star writer,
suffers a great tragedy in her family and finding it tough to
deal with life. Thinking a summer trip with her daughter would
be the perfect thing to escape her troubles and be the thing to
turn her life back around. On a recommendation, she takes
her daughter to Moonlight Creek.
As soon as Megan gets there, she knows that something just isn’t right. But her
daughter Jenna tells her she is over reacting. Megan tries but there are just too
many things that are wrong. The only thing they sell to drink is water and there are
no restaurants in the town. And the people are just strange. It isn’t until she tries to
leave that she realizes that she was right and by then it is probably too late. But she
will do anything to escape and save her daughter from a fate worse than death.
Morgan tells a story that is simple and straight up. Her characters are very real and
draws you into the real life problems and has you heart go out to them. The pacing
is even and keeps you hooked all the way to the end. Her storytelling and
suspense reminds me of Koontz writing and has a nice twist at the end. I
recommend this book as a great alternative to some of the big names for the fresh
story topic.
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