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motherhorror's review
5.0
Thank you to the publisher, Grey Matter Press for a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading a book written by Alan Baxter. Typically, there's some awkward time for me as I grow acquainted with an author's particular style but not so in Manifest Recall. I felt very comfortable in Baxter's first person narrative and it helped that I have a sweet spot for urban crime dramas (think 24, Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy). Baxter seems very capable in this genre and is skilled at keeping to a fast pace while also spending time on important details so that the reader feels like a part of the story and not just a confused outsider.
I love a good stoic, quick witted, tough-guy and the protagonist, Eli Carver quickly won me over to his side. Sure, Carver has plenty of flaws but a flawed hero with bad-guy tendencies make for those inner turmoil moments that I live for--I'm always waiting for that redemptive story that's going to crush my heart. In a stroke of genius, Alan Baxter wrote a fantastic, complicated, female character that pairs perfectly with Carver and I was worried that she wouldn't survive the razor sharp edge of the plot--that she would somehow get written out, but I was delighted when she kept showing up page after page. Carly is a girl in a "man ruled plot" that doesn't fade into the background or get played as the damsel in distress. I loved her and I loved Baxter's fresh take on the "unwilling female sidekick" role. Brilliant.
The reader gets dropped right down into the middle of something-and I'll be damned if I'm going to give away any discoveries or spoilers so instead, I'll just applaud the way the way the story unfolds to reveal itself little by little, like the peeling back of so many onion layers. As new revelations come to light, the way we interact with Eli and Carly evolve and I enjoyed that very much.
I also really appreciated the "back seat drivers" and that will make sense to you if you read this book--WHEN you read this book. I highly recommend it, there was never a flat scene, never a dull moment and there was always something coming around the bend to add a new flavor to the already robust drama. (PS. SUCH A GREAT ENDING) I can't wait for more!
This was my first time reading a book written by Alan Baxter. Typically, there's some awkward time for me as I grow acquainted with an author's particular style but not so in Manifest Recall. I felt very comfortable in Baxter's first person narrative and it helped that I have a sweet spot for urban crime dramas (think 24, Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy). Baxter seems very capable in this genre and is skilled at keeping to a fast pace while also spending time on important details so that the reader feels like a part of the story and not just a confused outsider.
I love a good stoic, quick witted, tough-guy and the protagonist, Eli Carver quickly won me over to his side. Sure, Carver has plenty of flaws but a flawed hero with bad-guy tendencies make for those inner turmoil moments that I live for--I'm always waiting for that redemptive story that's going to crush my heart. In a stroke of genius, Alan Baxter wrote a fantastic, complicated, female character that pairs perfectly with Carver and I was worried that she wouldn't survive the razor sharp edge of the plot--that she would somehow get written out, but I was delighted when she kept showing up page after page. Carly is a girl in a "man ruled plot" that doesn't fade into the background or get played as the damsel in distress. I loved her and I loved Baxter's fresh take on the "unwilling female sidekick" role. Brilliant.
The reader gets dropped right down into the middle of something-and I'll be damned if I'm going to give away any discoveries or spoilers so instead, I'll just applaud the way the way the story unfolds to reveal itself little by little, like the peeling back of so many onion layers. As new revelations come to light, the way we interact with Eli and Carly evolve and I enjoyed that very much.
I also really appreciated the "back seat drivers" and that will make sense to you if you read this book--WHEN you read this book. I highly recommend it, there was never a flat scene, never a dull moment and there was always something coming around the bend to add a new flavor to the already robust drama. (PS. SUCH A GREAT ENDING) I can't wait for more!
teamredmon's review
5.0
A quick, action-packed, non-stop thrill ride. I loved every page of this book.
errantdreams's review
5.0
Alan Baxter’s paranormal thriller Manifest Recall (Eli Carver Supernatural Thriller) starts out in a moving car, with Eli Carver behind the wheel. He has no idea where he is, how he got there, or why he has Carly in the passenger seat with her hands tied. Gradually pieces come back to him. He was a hit man for mobster Vernon Sykes. Carly is Vernon’s stepdaughter. Every time he comes closer to remembering anything recent, he blanks out again. Carly seems surprisingly okay with being kidnapped, but she’s decidedly not okay with Eli blanking out and stuffing her in the trunk. As Carly tries to help Eli remember what happened without going over a mental cliff, Eli racks up a body count. He’s also haunted by the ghosts of five of the men he’s killed, all of whom seem ecstatic at the idea that he might get himself offed.
The ghosts are fantastic. There’s a great thread running through everything where you’re wondering whether the ghosts are real or a figment of his imagination. Sometimes it seems like maybe they know things he doesn’t, but it could be explained as him having subconsciously noticed or remembered something. By the end you may know which it is! The ghosts also fight amongst themselves, which is pretty hilarious.
Eli is an excellent character. He’s obviously not an admirable person, as early on we see him kill a cop who did nothing more than knock on his motel door. And, well, that whole hit-man thing. But we also see his first kill, which he did not want to do, but had little choice about if he wanted to live. When he isn’t blanking out he’s treating Carly pretty well. And as we find out more and more about him, he becomes all the more human. Never an admirable man, but one we can sympathize with. Carly, too, is intriguing. Eli’s first memory of her once he returns to full consciousness is that she’s the mob boss’s daughter, but it’s more complicated than that. She’s scared but tough, and does an admirable job of figuring out how to keep Eli from drifting back into his blackouts.
Eli goes after some bad people–biker gangs, white supremacists–but not for any altruistic reason. He needs information. He knows the only way to ever be free is to kill Vernon Sykes, and there are reasons why he needs to hurry in order to accomplish that. There’s plenty of shooting and mayhem.
I really enjoyed this book. I think this makes three I’ve read of Baxter’s, and each one is both very different from and yet equally enjoyable as the last.
Content note for discussion of rape and for lots of shooting and killing.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/09/review-manifest-recall-alan-baxter/
The ghosts are fantastic. There’s a great thread running through everything where you’re wondering whether the ghosts are real or a figment of his imagination. Sometimes it seems like maybe they know things he doesn’t, but it could be explained as him having subconsciously noticed or remembered something. By the end you may know which it is! The ghosts also fight amongst themselves, which is pretty hilarious.
Eli is an excellent character. He’s obviously not an admirable person, as early on we see him kill a cop who did nothing more than knock on his motel door. And, well, that whole hit-man thing. But we also see his first kill, which he did not want to do, but had little choice about if he wanted to live. When he isn’t blanking out he’s treating Carly pretty well. And as we find out more and more about him, he becomes all the more human. Never an admirable man, but one we can sympathize with. Carly, too, is intriguing. Eli’s first memory of her once he returns to full consciousness is that she’s the mob boss’s daughter, but it’s more complicated than that. She’s scared but tough, and does an admirable job of figuring out how to keep Eli from drifting back into his blackouts.
Eli goes after some bad people–biker gangs, white supremacists–but not for any altruistic reason. He needs information. He knows the only way to ever be free is to kill Vernon Sykes, and there are reasons why he needs to hurry in order to accomplish that. There’s plenty of shooting and mayhem.
I really enjoyed this book. I think this makes three I’ve read of Baxter’s, and each one is both very different from and yet equally enjoyable as the last.
Content note for discussion of rape and for lots of shooting and killing.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/09/review-manifest-recall-alan-baxter/
brennanlafaro's review
4.0
I loved this book, but instead of anything resembling a review, I'm just going to treat you to some rejected opening lines for a review:
- Alan Baxter wants the reader who has never done cocaine to understand what's its like to do cocaine. - Reading this book, I consistently had to remember to breathe. The action was unrelenting and wouldn't quit long enough for me to grab a Diet Coke. - I've never seen any of the John Wick movies, but I'm assuming there aren't enough ghosts! This has that! And more! - Ever wish Jack Reacher cursed a lot more and had extremely questionable morals? Have I got a story for you.
Manifest Recall was a thrill-a-minute read, and it's a damn shame that this book is not already being developed as a Netflix movie or some such.
- Alan Baxter wants the reader who has never done cocaine to understand what's its like to do cocaine. - Reading this book, I consistently had to remember to breathe. The action was unrelenting and wouldn't quit long enough for me to grab a Diet Coke. - I've never seen any of the John Wick movies, but I'm assuming there aren't enough ghosts! This has that! And more! - Ever wish Jack Reacher cursed a lot more and had extremely questionable morals? Have I got a story for you.
Manifest Recall was a thrill-a-minute read, and it's a damn shame that this book is not already being developed as a Netflix movie or some such.
georginaballantine's review
5.0
Rollercoaster ride from start to finish, which made a refreshing change from most of the books I've read lately!
I don't read a great deal of crime and I have a low tolerance for violence, but the characters grabbed me and sucked me in. Alan Baxter's writing is honest – these are bad people, their behaviour often repellent, and he doesn't try to pretend they're not. But he's able to humanise the protagonist enough that we feel sympathy for him, despite the bloodbath.
Recommended as a wild, in your face, blast of icy air kinda read!
I don't read a great deal of crime and I have a low tolerance for violence, but the characters grabbed me and sucked me in. Alan Baxter's writing is honest – these are bad people, their behaviour often repellent, and he doesn't try to pretend they're not. But he's able to humanise the protagonist enough that we feel sympathy for him, despite the bloodbath.
Recommended as a wild, in your face, blast of icy air kinda read!
armand_rosamilia's review
5.0
This character-driven story keeps you guessing, which is great. I loved the back and forth between the two main characters as the reader is slowly given the few facts to understand their relationship and motivation. Will be looking for more from this author!
bookertsfarm's review
4.0
I had been wanting to read this book ever since I first stumbled across the cover on Amazon so when the author reached out on Twitter looking for reviewers, I jumped straight away. This book immediately starts in with action. The reader meets Eli Carver. Eli is clearly running from something and just happens to have a young lady in the passenger seat who previously spent a few days tied up in his trunk. The first half of the book we learned how Eli got to this point and in the second half, we learn what he's going to do about it.
There are some paranormal elements present in "Manifest Recall" in the form of ghosts of individuals Eli has encountered in the past (I'm trying not to give a lot away here guys so bear with me). These ghosts accompany Eli on his journey and have the potential to either be his downfall or his saviors.
As the book is on the shorter side, I think it's best to not give too much away. I also think this is a great read to go into knowing little about the synopsis. All I can say is that if you love fast-paced bloody books, then definitely grab this one. And since reading it, I've already accumulated some future reads by the same author.
As I mentioned, I received my copy from the author but it in no way influenced my thoughts.
There are some paranormal elements present in "Manifest Recall" in the form of ghosts of individuals Eli has encountered in the past (I'm trying not to give a lot away here guys so bear with me). These ghosts accompany Eli on his journey and have the potential to either be his downfall or his saviors.
As the book is on the shorter side, I think it's best to not give too much away. I also think this is a great read to go into knowing little about the synopsis. All I can say is that if you love fast-paced bloody books, then definitely grab this one. And since reading it, I've already accumulated some future reads by the same author.
As I mentioned, I received my copy from the author but it in no way influenced my thoughts.
tracyreads's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this read. Baxter knows how to spin a tale. This first half is a bit slow as the main character tries to piece together his memory - he has a bit of amnesia after a traumatic event. Note: when this event is revealed, it really is awful - it's heart wrenching and I can see why the mc blocks it out. It was difficult to read.
The second half of the book kicks the motion into high gear. Revenge must be had and the author spares no time in getting things moving.
I don't know that I'd shelve this as horror, per se, it's more of a dark thriller. There are som "ghosts" that appear to the MC, but to me they seem more like pieces of his subconscious rather then entities outside of the MC's psyche.
I look forward to reading more from Alan Baxter.
The second half of the book kicks the motion into high gear. Revenge must be had and the author spares no time in getting things moving.
I don't know that I'd shelve this as horror, per se, it's more of a dark thriller. There are som "ghosts" that appear to the MC, but to me they seem more like pieces of his subconscious rather then entities outside of the MC's psyche.
I look forward to reading more from Alan Baxter.
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