Brian Kirk (3)

The title of this book is entirely accurate.

When I began reading, I was unsure I would enjoy the story, it seemed a bit raw for my taste, but determined to make it through, I kept on. The instant it was mentioned that this book was dangerous and I should stop reading, I became paranoid. Not because I’m a paranoid person or out of touch with reality, but the author’s ability to convince you that you’re in danger is incredible. Rationally, I knew I was perfectly safe, but when I visited the website that I was told not to visit, the really was a cold stone in the pit of my stomach. Pure dread. What did I just hear?

Throughout the book I had to continually remind myself that I was going to be okay, despite the frequent mentions that by reading this book I, too, would be forced to encounter the same horrors as the main character. The imagery was described in such vivid detail, creepy and disturbing, scary in its most primal form. To finish it is a relief, not because it’s terribly written, but because it’s so well done that you’re legitimately stressed out the entire time you’re reading.… (altro)

At the start of this novel I didn't notice any "rumors of a "deadly book" as mentioned in the description, but after recovering addict and rock and roller Jesse performs at a reunion of his former band there is mention that he read a book that was recommended to him. On his way home to his wife and son after the show, he hears a horrifying radio broadcast that seems to be for his ears only. I thought this was an incredibly creepy start, but as the story went on it felt more like a science fiction than the horror I was hoping for. Still it was very creative as Jesse tries to find his way out of a nightmare world that seems to have been invented only for him.
4 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy for review.… (altro)

I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher Flame Tree Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I noticed the authors being published by Flame Tree, especially the legendary Ramsey Campbell, I was hopeful that Will Haunt You would be an interesting and original horror story. It was based on this, more than the blurb about this being a “haunted book” story.

I have read many haunted book/haunted painting/haunted dollhouse/haunted box found at a garage sale-- even haunted rocking horse stories and they are all pretty muc the same. This is not a haunted book story. More like a haunted author/haunted reader story---but really more than that too. You will see what I mean.

By around 10% into the story I realized that Will Haunt You was filled with recurring imagery and concepts and symbols expressed through characters and that I needed to read for the story (the top of a frozen pond perhaps) but also for the deeper story that lay beneath that frozen surface swimming around in the murky depths below. When I finished I was tempted to read it again, and I probably will, to get the rest of it because I need to know what is behind all those mirrors and who the mysterious Mr. O really is.

Will Haunt You felt at the end to me like the first part of a larger story. I wanted a few more chapters to see what else happened. As one reviewer pointed out—the vignette in the middle of the novel about the orphanage is so original and chilling that I thought it alone was worth the price of admission. I wonder if the writer wrote this first and then the rest of the novel formed around it.

Really liked it. Will be reading more by this author and from Flame Tree Press who I thank for the advance copy.… (altro)