A Haunting Masterpiece of Horror - "Keepers" Will Stay with You

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Keepers" by Gary A. Braunbeck is a mesmerizing tour de force in the world of horror literature. This chilling and thought-provoking tale will grip your heart and mind from the very first page and not let go until long after you've closed the book.

Braunbeck's storytelling is a testament to his mastery of the genre. He weaves a deeply atmospheric and suspenseful narrative that transcends the traditional horror clichés, offering a unique and profoundly unsettling experience. The small-town setting of Cedar Hill becomes an integral character in its own right, with the author's vivid descriptions drawing you into a world where darkness hides beneath the seemingly ordinary.

The characters in "Keepers" are beautifully drawn, each with their own complex backstories and secrets. You'll find yourself deeply invested in their struggles, their fears, and their attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding Cedar Hill. The emotional depth Braunbeck infuses into his characters enhances the sense of dread and empathy.

What truly sets "Keepers" apart is its ability to blend supernatural horror with poignant human themes. As the narrative unfolds, it explores the nature of fear, grief, and the enduring power of stories. The sense of unease and dread lingers, making you question the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

This is a horror novel that will not only send shivers down your spine but also leave you with a haunting sense of introspection. It's a reminder of the uncharted territories of the human psyche and the terrifying secrets hidden within the shadows.

"Keepers" is a must-read for fans of horror fiction and those who appreciate the genre's deeper, psychological aspects. Gary A. Braunbeck delivers a masterpiece that will leave you sleepless and haunted by its brilliance long after you've finished it. It's a true gem that deserves its place among the classics of horror literature. ( )

A Keeper Another pretty good read from Braunbeck. He really knows how to finish unlike a lot of other horror writers. This time we have a rectifying to the imbalance between the human and the animal world. It seems that man was not really meant to dominate animals on earth. That's why there are a lot more animals than men. Well how are we going to correct this mess and what part is our intrepid hero Gil going to play in it? The Keepers will get it straight but who or what are they? And what happened to Gil's girlfriend?Like "In Silent Graves" Braunbeck is not afraid to go for the spectacular. Gil's world is coming totally unseamed. Braunbeck starts this novel in a weird way but then backs up to the mundane for so long you forget what the beginning was like. Eventually the menace reemerges only we're not sure it is a menace anymore. This all leads to a crazed ending that I still am not sure what it was about, but it was fun.Unlike "Graves" Braunbeck's prose goes a little down on the literary scale but he's trying to show things from the first person so the language has to stay in character for Gil.I really didn't know if this book was going to make it as a horror novel or just be an interesting novel with horror elements, but again Braunbeck has the end turning so berserk you'll marvel at how downhill things have come in just a short while. Braunbeck is good at taking the everyday and having it come apart in a totally weird way without making you say: "Oh, come on." These aren't just a few ghosts or werewolves prancing about.Good, fast, fun, thoughtful read. ( )

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review. Please keep in mind this is my OPINION...your's may differ.

KEEPERS
By Gary A. Braunbeck

I'll have to say that this book took me a LONG time to finish. It's not that the writing or the editing were bad, Mr. Braunbeck's writing style is easy to read and interesting.

The problem I had with the book was that it seemed to be multiple stories just "Squished" together. The parts about the main character's life, family and girlfriend (Beth) were extremely interesting and he did a great job weaving portions of it with historically true events. The other parts...dealing with the Keepers, the Pedestrians and "blue tagged" animals just seemed really boring/dull to me. They didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book. It felt like there were two different authors (or stories as I said). I would have been happy to read about the main character's life and how he grew up...just leave out the "not scary" scary stuff and all the silliness about the animals. What was it supposed to be ? The portion of the story with "drop-kick"in it reminded me of made-for-TV movies about animals that act like humans.

If this author wrote another book, I might be interested in checking it out but this one was NOT for me.
3 Stars for writing ability and portions of the book. ( )

There are some authors who have the knack for whipping up a horrific tale that is as confusing as it is interesting; others who write with a dark style that’s impossible to learn through schooling or practice, and still more writers with either the natural knack for scaring the socks off their readers or the food out of their stomachs. Braunbeck has already shown he possesses each of these talents, which seem to come to him effortlessly. When you read his words, they’re real, dark, brooding, and just…well, you’d never mistake the man for a romance novelist.

Keepers is a very different kind of book, clever in its originality, confusing in its clues and hints, and morbid with its premise. Braunbecks goal was to horrify, I’m sure; he succeeded. I’ve said it before in movie reviews, and I’ll say the same thing with books – when you involve animals, you can get some of the creepiest effects possible. I mean, brrrr. These natural creatures can be the most menacing things around! Braunbeck keeps the horror deceivingly subtle, not throwing scary antics right in the readers face, instead letting it seep in through the pores. Without debate, Braunbeck has an amazing knack at bringing the reader into areas of the mind were surreal horror lurks, mystifying while at the same time seducing.

The plot itself is just strange; I felt a few brain hemorrhages reading it. You never know what the hell is really going on, and amidst the creepy atmosphere, you can sympathize with the main character’s seemingly constant state of confusion. From the bizarre opening sequence of a man on the highway being chased by virile dogs, to the bizarre hospital laboratory experiments, to strange comic book scrawlings, it’s impossible to keep a clear, sane head. This is always a good thing with horror, as heightening this state and being able to tap into this part of the human brain can result in the best kind of horror out there.

There were flaws, though. For some reason I couldn’t stay as focused as I would have liked with the book. The flashbacks were the more interesting, while the modern times were peppered with lengthy memories and sometimes anemic messages. Being back in one time, then going in another, can almost be two different books. This method almost always works, but if enough detail of the past is given – that is not always relevant to the future – then the reader may end up caring more about what happened then, and get impatient when thrust back in the ‘now.’ The different modes I got into when reading a flashback vs. current event ended up slightly distracting.

The Keepers were an intriguing lot, but I didn’t know whether to find them threatening or friendly, depending on the circumstance. It’s almost as if the author himself wasn’t sure till the end. For brownie points, a speech made by an important character at the end, about the treatment of our senior citizens, forgotten animals, and deformed children was both memorable and heart-gripping.

Braunbecks’ other book I read, In Silent Graves, was excellent and just as dark, concentrating on children, this one on the world between people and animals. While I enjoyed the previous book more, this one stands as another haunting, lesson-enriched, disturbing horror novel begging to be grabbed and devoured. ( )

This is one of the best books I’ve read in years. There are some twists and turns and the ending in quite shocking. I especially like the dialogues and the colorful characters. ( )