Dora Hermansen and her husband Sayad, owned and ran The Brew, a local cafe beside their apartment. Dora was loving her life with Sayad after the traumDora Hermansen and her husband Sayad, owned and ran The Brew, a local cafe beside their apartment. Dora was loving her life with Sayad after the trauma of her last relationship, and she was grateful Troy was now in jail. But after a local man died from a heart attack, Dora's ability to sense ghosts came to the fore and she realised the man needed her help. But worse was to come when she learned her previous partner was dead, murdered - the evil she was feeling, was that the local's death or something far worse?
The Strange Brew is the debut novel by Aussie author M.N. Cox and it was nothing like I've ever read before! I don't generally read horror, but I would class The Strange Brew as paranormal horror. It was intriguing, terrifying, fascinating and gut wrenching! I found myself gripped by the pages, while shuddering at what was happening. A great debut which would be perfect for a select group of readers. Recommended to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Ben Bookman was a bestselling author, and heir to the Blackwood estate. His wife Amanda and their daughter Brianna were with Ben at the book-signing rBen Bookman was a bestselling author, and heir to the Blackwood estate. His wife Amanda and their daughter Brianna were with Ben at the book-signing release of his latest book, The Scarecrow, when the unthinkable happened. It was the beginning of a horror run of terrible events - deaths, murders, brutality - that saw Ben himself being arrested.
Detective Mills and his rookie detective police daughter, Samantha Blue, were deeply involved in the investigation of the murders and deaths that were mirroring Ben's book, and they were doing everything they could to stop what they suspected would happen next. But would they have the power over what was occurring, the power to stop the brutality in its tracks?
The Nightmare Man is my first by J.H. Markert and although I don't read horror as a rule, I wouldn't class this so much as horror, more a dark thriller. There were a lot of characters in this book, so many that I ended up just going with the flow as I couldn't remember who the minor characters were. It dragged in places but I finished it. I think fans of the genre - dark, evil, brutal - would enjoy The Nightmare Man, but, unfortunately, it didn't really do much for me.
With thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Three people on a plane flying to the vast outback in Western Australia where they suspected something terrible was happening. But what they actually Three people on a plane flying to the vast outback in Western Australia where they suspected something terrible was happening. But what they actually found was much worse. The fungi that was mutating – quickly – had already killed all the small town’s inhabitants. Could it be contained? Would the complete destruction of the town eliminate the threat?
It was years later when Roberto Diaz – from the original three - was called in to save humanity from the fungi that had once again found its way into the open air and was proving to be lethal. Could Diaz and two others outwit the deadly organism which killed in a matter of minutes?
Cold Storage is the debut novel by David Koepp and it was definitely weird! Science fiction; also leans toward horror; some humour; plenty of action; gruesome descriptions; and some way-over-the-top “stuff”. It didn’t do it for me I’m afraid – not my type of read. BUT for fans of the above, you’ll love it! Recommended.
With thanks to Harper Collins AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more
John Grant’s quiet pleasure at the thought of six weeks away from the dust, the heat and the flies; of being away from the tiny community where he tauJohn Grant’s quiet pleasure at the thought of six weeks away from the dust, the heat and the flies; of being away from the tiny community where he taught a few students; of being in Sydney at the beautiful beaches, relaxing and getting the dust out of his system was euphoric. As he locked the school doors he was smiling – the journey on the train to Bundanyabba where he was only staying the night before flying to Sydney was imminent. He was on his way…
“Yabba”, as the locals called it, was bigger and better than where he’d spent his last twelve months, but John wasn’t impressed all the same. But the beer was cold and quenching; the dust was washing from his throat. It was when he was directed to the local game of Two Up by a friendly cop that his troubles began. He had time to fill before his flight to Sydney the following day – he may as well enjoy himself; right?
Wake in Fright by Aussie author Kenneth Cook was originally published in 1961 and still has an enormous pull for readers, as well as viewers of the big and small screens. Though classified as horror, I felt it was more along the lines of a dark classic – definitely literary. A novella, it is highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable. This is my second by this author, the first being Fear Is the Rider – now THAT was horror! I have no hesitation in highly recommending Wake in Fright.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC of this new printing; which includes an introduction by Peter Temple. ...more
As a long ago student of Professor Theo Parmitter, Oliver had taken to visiting his old friend in his apartment at Cambridge whenever he was in town. As a long ago student of Professor Theo Parmitter, Oliver had taken to visiting his old friend in his apartment at Cambridge whenever he was in town. On this particular visit, Theo decided he wanted to tell Oliver the story of the old Venetian painting which was on his wall and had been in his possession for decades. The painting was an eerie and mysterious vision of revellers at a carnival, many of them wearing masks. The story Theo told and the events which had occurred caused profound unease in Oliver…but worse was to come.
Unease and a deep sense of foreboding travelled through each and every person who had a story to tell about the Venetian painting – there was a power attached to it; an evil presence…
I don’t read horror as a rule, but needed one for a challenge I was doing. So when I discovered The Man in the Picture buried deep in the recesses of books forgotten, and knowing I’d read a Susan Hill before, I thought it would be perfect for the category needed. And it was! Creepy, eerie and sinister – author Susan Hill knows how to make her readers shudder. Recommended for fans of horror and the paranormal. ...more
Devin Jones had been with his girlfriend Wendy while at college for the past two years, but the vibes he was getting from her made him uneasy. So whenDevin Jones had been with his girlfriend Wendy while at college for the past two years, but the vibes he was getting from her made him uneasy. So when the opportunity for the summer job at the carnival park Joyland where they only sold fun came up, Dev tried for it and was successful. He then took a room in a boarding house nearby for the duration of the summer, along with other carny hands, Tom and Erin.
Dev’s job was huge and varied, but he was good at “wearing the fur”, when he dressed up as Howie the Happy Hound to entertain the children. And when Dev stayed on at the park after the summer ended, then met Annie and Mike, he found he was enjoying the life. But it was his deepening interest in the murder of a young woman at the park some four years previously which had never been solved that changed Dev’s life in an unforeseeable manner…
Joyland by Stephen King is an entertaining murder mystery, but I couldn’t classify it as horror, even though I had done, prior to reading. I was also surprised at myself when I found my suspicions as to the identity of the killer turned out to be correct – and that was from around half way through! A thoroughly enjoyable read, Joyland is one I can easily recommend. ...more
Anna Warren was annoyed – it had been three months since she had had to move from her home in the Pilbara, Western AustraRoast Pumpkin - Leonie Rogers
Anna Warren was annoyed – it had been three months since she had had to move from her home in the Pilbara, Western Australia, to Lewiston in the US because of her Mum Jennifer’s job; she still hated it. Anna missed her friends, her home – now her parents wanted her to go out Trick or Treating for Halloween with Haley from school. She hardly knew Haley and didn’t want to go. But within a short period of time Anna was meeting up with Haley and her friends and their night began. Anna couldn’t believe the displays in the homes; their costumes were amazing too – it made hers seem tame in comparison.
The wonder was accentuated by the magnificence of the Ackersley home – every year the display and ensuing fireworks captivated the onlookers – Anna’s first look up close at Halloween was keeping her in awe. But was there more than just bright lights and candy in front of them?
Roast Pumpkin by Aussie author Leonie Rogers is a fabulous short story tinged with paranormal elements. Written for the anthology, The Cat, the Crow, and the Cauldron: A Halloween Anthology, I picked this one to read first as I’ve loved the author’s previous work, The Frontier Series. I’ll add my reviews to the others as I read them. Highly recommended. ...more
A paracosm is a detailed imaginary world created inside one's mind. This fantasy world may involve humans, animals, and things that exist in reality; A paracosm is a detailed imaginary world created inside one's mind. This fantasy world may involve humans, animals, and things that exist in reality; or it may also contain entities that are entirely imaginary, alien, and otherwordly. Wikepedia.
When twenty two year old Zoe Cosgrove decided to study a phenomenon called “paracosm” for her psychology thesis, her research took her to the small town of Bleath in West Virginia which reportedly housed a number of children who were experiencing paracosms. She was to stay for a month – had already organised it with the mayor of the town, Falco Montalban. But the small community of Bleath was to change Zoe in many ways…
Installed in the Wilmont house where she was to stay for the duration, Zoe first met Karstan when he was doing some maintenance. A good looking young man, he promised to show her around town; show her the local attractions before she began her interviews. But the Wilmont house had Zoe uneasy; she couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong – she just knew something was not right.
Gradually her unease turned to fear – she was seeing figures; knew they were malevolent, angry, even evil. And she sensed danger, especially for the children. What was Bleath? A town filled with innocent psychics, clairvoyants and hypnotists – or much worse? Or was it Zoe who was losing her mind?
Wow! I was absolutely blown away by Aussie author Anya Allyn’s latest novel, Paracosm. A completely gripping and totally engrossing read from start to finish, it alludes to characters from the Dollhouse series, but that series doesn’t have to be read to read this one. And I’m thrilled Paracosm is the beginning of a new series as well. The ending will lead perfectly into the next book! I have no hesitation whatsoever in very highly recommending Paracosm to all.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review. ...more
Ichabod Crane’s life had been one of calm occurrence – day in and day out; his life was the same. But the meeting of a lovely young woman by the name Ichabod Crane’s life had been one of calm occurrence – day in and day out; his life was the same. But the meeting of a lovely young woman by the name of Katrina Van Tassel meant he was sure she would one day become his wife. But she had another vying for her attentions – Brom Bones.
The night of great revelry at her father’s home - with dancing, eating and drinking – Ichabod was sure he would be betrothed by night’s end. But on returning home his mind wouldn’t stop dwelling on the stories of the Headless Horseman and the Galloping Hessian. Tales of horror that he had previously discounted as just talk. But was it all just talk?
This classic short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was originally published in 1820 and it’s immediately obvious that it is a classic piece of literature. The words are beautifully descriptive:
She was a blooming lass of fresh eighteen; plump as a partridge; ripe and melting and rosy-cheeked as one of her father’s peaches… and many more such words throughout.
This particular edition has been converted from its physical edition to the digital format by Gutenberg and is available for free download. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41 ...more
Gareth and Alice Fletcher had just moved with their three children, ten year old Tom, six year old Joe and little Millie, just a toddler, into their nGareth and Alice Fletcher had just moved with their three children, ten year old Tom, six year old Joe and little Millie, just a toddler, into their new home at Heptonclough. Their house was bordered by the church and graveyard, an area which would prove to be a tempting playground for the two boys.
Harry was the new vicar to the church, which was just reopening, after being closed for ten years....why, Harry had yet to find out. He had a sense that something wasn’t quite right in the church, he’d felt uneasy from the very first time he had entered it. His first visit was also the time he met both Tom and Joe for the first time, when they ran into the church to escape Jake and his friends, the bullies from school. But Harry had seen Jake whack the ball through the church window, so even though it was Tom’s bat and ball, Jake was in big trouble. Which also meant more trouble for Tom.
Harry also met Evi that first day as well, as she was thrown from her horse after it was frightened by kids on bikes. Evi was wheelchair bound, after a serious accident some years earlier, and was in constant pain. When Harry rushed to her side, he couldn’t believe how lovely she was; her eyes captivated him. But though shaken and bruised, she was luckily alright.
Tom and Joe were playing in the churchyard when Tom spotted a little girl, hiding in the bushes, just watching them. But something didn’t seem quite right with her, and when he turned to get Joe, she vanished. As time went on, both Tom and Joe would see this little girl, always watching them, but they were never able to see her clearly. They didn’t tell their parents…why would they believe them?
Doctor Evi Oliver, a psychiatrist, was treating Gillian who had lost her daughter Hayley to a house fire four years previously, and always believed she survived the fire. She was haunted by images of Hayley and continually searched for her over the moors, to no avail and the consequence was that Gillian’s health was precarious.
When little Millie’s life was put in extreme danger, and the lives of Harry, the Fletcher’s, Evi and Gillian all collided, no-one knew what dangers lurked, and the horrors that were about to unfold. With the traditional “Blood Harvest” due to occur, a ritual which was ghastly to newcomers Harry and the Fletcher family, and the “burying of the dead”, with bone men burned on the massive bonfire, the strangeness of Heptonclough and the locals became more evident.
The mystery of the little girl and events of long ago were threatening to collide, with long held secrets trying to be told. Would the Fletcher children be safe? Would anyone be safe?
This book was an absolute page turner, incredibly creepy and the events terrifying. The twists in the plot were brilliant, and I didn’t see the ending coming; when it did, it was an “OMG” moment!
The Governess was chosen for her youth and ability to look after the two children, Miles and Flora, joining the cook as another member of the householThe Governess was chosen for her youth and ability to look after the two children, Miles and Flora, joining the cook as another member of the household. The uncle of the children had instructed her not to contact him, to make all the decisions regarding the children herself, that he didn’t want to hear from her at all. She was excited to have the position, and delighted in the children, also finding a friend in the cook.
But all was not as it seemed, with two past employees appearing to be watching them on odd occasions. The Governess and the cook were struggling with what was happening…the children, beautiful angels they seemed, but maybe they weren’t so angelic? Or was it the sanity of the Governess that was the problem?
I struggled with this book. It was difficult to read, with long sentences which didn’t make a lot of sense at times. For me, the sense of horror wasn’t there, the passages seemed stilted and didn’t draw me in. I had no connection to the characters either. I know it was written a long time ago, but it was definitely not for me I’m afraid! ...more
Back in 1979 young Perry Griffin was an only child. His father was gone and it was just his mother and himself; and The Man. From a young age, Perry hBack in 1979 young Perry Griffin was an only child. His father was gone and it was just his mother and himself; and The Man. From a young age, Perry had been unable to say his own name, running the two words together to form Per-grin, which eventually became Peregrine – forever more that was his name, with the only people calling him Perry being his teachers.
On the day his mother tried to kill him, his life changed forever – badly wounded he escaped from her, running through the woods until he could go no further. But the vision he saw when he regained consciousness was...it had to be a dream, or most definitely a nightmare. For in front of him was his dead father, and all around him, watching cautiously, suspiciously, were other dead people – the thickness of the air was frightening. And young Peregrine discovered he had a new purpose in life…
Book #4 in the Timmy Quinn series is a short story, a quick easy read and gives a little background on the ending of book #3, and I guess the lead-up to the final in the series, Nemesis, which is on my wish list to read soon. I have very much enjoyed this series, which I surprised myself about at the start, as I have always had an aversion to horror. So there you go! A series to recommend. ...more
Ten years after the terrifying events portrayed in The Hides Tim Quinn visited a church in Los Angeles – the results did not go the way he wanted themTen years after the terrifying events portrayed in The Hides Tim Quinn visited a church in Los Angeles – the results did not go the way he wanted them to go, but his attitude was that he shouldn’t expect anything else. Arriving on Blackrock Island where he hoped to live out his days in peace, within a sanctuary that had been denied him until now, he spent the beginning of his time there quietly, not encountering any of the islanders. But the day he saw a vessel which drifted ashore, seemingly unpiloted, was the day his life descended into hell once again.
Tim Quinn had become the vessel for the dead to return, bringing revenge and retribution to their killers – but the horror of what he had to do never left him. He had sent his beloved away ten years earlier, so she wouldn’t have to be a part of his terrible life – but the night he was drawn into the small chapel in the dark and the rain, seeing the monstrosity hanging before him, feeling the pain of the dead – was the night he saw her again.
The villagers made him uneasy – they were suddenly menacing. What happened on Blackrock Island? Why was his sanctuary now so suddenly not? The danger ebbed and flowed around him – he had to get away, he had to finish the Curtain and its inhabitants once and for all.
This is the third in the Timmy Quinn series and I enjoyed it as much as I did the previous two. It’s an unusual concept but one that works well. Tim is a great character and the horror he feels deep inside is portrayed well. There is mystery threaded through the story along with the horror, and a touch of romance to even things out (a little!) This is a series I have no hesitation in recommending. ...more
Loading...
