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dans_bookscape's Reviews (29)
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Prisoner of Fear
The Prisoner of Fear is a multi POV dairy style horror story featuring friends and colleagues, John Doyle and Thomas Braham. The two investigate the more supernatural cases. Lurking in the background is Braham’s niece, Scarlett who Doyle has been secretly allowing to be involved with their cases.
The Prisoner of Fear throws Doyle and Braham into a personal case, Doyle’s old friend has went missing when attempting to help the love of his life with a mysterious illness. As Doyle and Braham investigate this disappearance, they are confronted with a true horror that may finally offer evidence that they have been looking for in their line of work. However, this isn’t just a simple case, their lives are in danger, and it seems they set thing in motion that can’t be controlled.
As I neared the end of The Prisoner of Fear, I was concerned that a lot wasn’t resolved, I then realised that there was a sequel.
I love the relationship between Doyle and Braham, they are likable characters and their banter and arguments with each other feel very real, there’s a Sherlock and Watson element to them and a little Mulder and Sculley thrown in there two. Scarlett is perhaps my favourite character though, she is a bit of them both but also wildly different and she really adds another level to the team.
The Prisoner of Fear is a multi POV dairy style horror story featuring friends and colleagues, John Doyle and Thomas Braham. The two investigate the more supernatural cases. Lurking in the background is Braham’s niece, Scarlett who Doyle has been secretly allowing to be involved with their cases.
The Prisoner of Fear throws Doyle and Braham into a personal case, Doyle’s old friend has went missing when attempting to help the love of his life with a mysterious illness. As Doyle and Braham investigate this disappearance, they are confronted with a true horror that may finally offer evidence that they have been looking for in their line of work. However, this isn’t just a simple case, their lives are in danger, and it seems they set thing in motion that can’t be controlled.
As I neared the end of The Prisoner of Fear, I was concerned that a lot wasn’t resolved, I then realised that there was a sequel.
I love the relationship between Doyle and Braham, they are likable characters and their banter and arguments with each other feel very real, there’s a Sherlock and Watson element to them and a little Mulder and Sculley thrown in there two. Scarlett is perhaps my favourite character though, she is a bit of them both but also wildly different and she really adds another level to the team.
I have a fondness for books that a written in dairy/journal format, it provides a good insight into the characters thoughts and motivations, it also helps break the story up into that obvious lie of just one more chapter.
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Behind the Horror covers twenty one movies and the true crime horrors that inspired them in fascinating detail.
Each section gives an overview of the movies and characters and then goes on to how real life incidents or individuals were the basis of the stories. Some of these are loose links but some leave you in shock at the crossover between some of the best horror movies and real monsters.
Some of the most famous serial killers like Ed Gein inspired the likes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho, whilst Hannibal Lector had a number of killers like Ed Kemper, Ted Bundy and Andrei Chikatilo as the inspiration.
Some of the most fascinating are the ones that aren’t as well known, like the stories that inspired Scream and Jaws.
There is a good selection of photos in the book as well that cover each section with a mix of movie posters and real life shots, which is always a nice bonus in books like this.
This is definitely a good read for True Crime and Horror Movies fans, it's really well written, break's stuff down, not spending too much time on single movie/crimes but informative enough to get into it.
Each section gives an overview of the movies and characters and then goes on to how real life incidents or individuals were the basis of the stories. Some of these are loose links but some leave you in shock at the crossover between some of the best horror movies and real monsters.
Some of the most famous serial killers like Ed Gein inspired the likes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho, whilst Hannibal Lector had a number of killers like Ed Kemper, Ted Bundy and Andrei Chikatilo as the inspiration.
Some of the most fascinating are the ones that aren’t as well known, like the stories that inspired Scream and Jaws.
There is a good selection of photos in the book as well that cover each section with a mix of movie posters and real life shots, which is always a nice bonus in books like this.
This is definitely a good read for True Crime and Horror Movies fans, it's really well written, break's stuff down, not spending too much time on single movie/crimes but informative enough to get into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder
This is based on True Crime so covers murders, sexual assault etc
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There’s nothing better than at time than a big book that sucks you into its world and leaves you just wanting more of it. As sad as it is when it's finished, the journey through it was just so fun!
American Gods follows Shadow Moon, a recently realised prisoner, as he travels small town America recruiting for a battle between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Shadows wife has died as he was due to be realised leaving him with nothing but a job opportunity with a man known to him as Mr Wednesday. On his journey with Mr Wednesday, Shadows sees behind the veil, interacting with barely remembered God’s that America has forgotten, they are angry and want their place in back in the minds of the people.
Having watched the TV adaptation of American Gods I knew I would enjoy this but sometimes get a bit put off by larger books, which is stupid as I normally enjoy them immensely.
I’m starting to realise I love books that have the main protagonist just chilling in some small town, while the main plot is still going on around them but in that moment they have much smaller problems to deal with that become their main focus.
This is just an excellent book, Shadow is a great character to follow and interactions with various Gods are fascinating, low key funny and scary. The Coming to America sections are amazing and often unsettling. American Gods is rich in detail, with Neil Gaiman only writing about places he has actually visited.
Couldn’t recommend this book enough, although this won’t be for everyone it, this is definitely one that will be a re-read in future for me.
American Gods follows Shadow Moon, a recently realised prisoner, as he travels small town America recruiting for a battle between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Shadows wife has died as he was due to be realised leaving him with nothing but a job opportunity with a man known to him as Mr Wednesday. On his journey with Mr Wednesday, Shadows sees behind the veil, interacting with barely remembered God’s that America has forgotten, they are angry and want their place in back in the minds of the people.
Having watched the TV adaptation of American Gods I knew I would enjoy this but sometimes get a bit put off by larger books, which is stupid as I normally enjoy them immensely.
I’m starting to realise I love books that have the main protagonist just chilling in some small town, while the main plot is still going on around them but in that moment they have much smaller problems to deal with that become their main focus.
This is just an excellent book, Shadow is a great character to follow and interactions with various Gods are fascinating, low key funny and scary. The Coming to America sections are amazing and often unsettling. American Gods is rich in detail, with Neil Gaiman only writing about places he has actually visited.
Couldn’t recommend this book enough, although this won’t be for everyone it, this is definitely one that will be a re-read in future for me.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
11.22.63 – Stephen King
Stephen King has the habit of sometimes over writing, with books full of filler that doesn’t need to be there...at 700+ pages 11.22.63 is in my opinion one of those that needs more, not sure what more it needs but I just wanted it to carry on, I wasn’t prepared to leave this story behind.
This is the story of Jake Epping traveling back in time to rewrite history by stopping the assassination of JFK and while that is the overarching story throughout, there is so much more to it.
This is a love story as much as anything else, Jake ends up falling in love and his journey becomes more about Sadie at times, to the point that he is willing to disregard his mission to keep her safe.
I loved the 50/60s setting, it is presented as a simpler time with a friendlier vibe, especially when Jake is residing in Jodie, Texas but the time period does come with it’s own issues, racism and ‘the place of a woman’.
The book is wonderfully researched, I read that this was an early idea by King, but he waited which I think allowed more information to be disclosed that possibly added additional value.
I was pleasantly shocked by Jakes first mission to a little familiar location and some cool cameos.
11.22.63 is definitely my favourite King book now but it also may my new favourite book in general....point of this post is, I love this book!
Stephen King has the habit of sometimes over writing, with books full of filler that doesn’t need to be there...at 700+ pages 11.22.63 is in my opinion one of those that needs more, not sure what more it needs but I just wanted it to carry on, I wasn’t prepared to leave this story behind.
This is the story of Jake Epping traveling back in time to rewrite history by stopping the assassination of JFK and while that is the overarching story throughout, there is so much more to it.
This is a love story as much as anything else, Jake ends up falling in love and his journey becomes more about Sadie at times, to the point that he is willing to disregard his mission to keep her safe.
I loved the 50/60s setting, it is presented as a simpler time with a friendlier vibe, especially when Jake is residing in Jodie, Texas but the time period does come with it’s own issues, racism and ‘the place of a woman’.
The book is wonderfully researched, I read that this was an early idea by King, but he waited which I think allowed more information to be disclosed that possibly added additional value.
I was pleasantly shocked by Jakes first mission to a little familiar location and some cool cameos.
11.22.63 is definitely my favourite King book now but it also may my new favourite book in general....point of this post is, I love this book!
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
One missing boy. Four guilty women. In a community full of secrets, who is really at fault?
All Her Fault covers the fallout of the kidnapping of Milo Irvine, the story picks up as Marissa arrives to pick him up from a play date in a quiet Dublin suburb. Milo isn’t there and the woman that answers the door has no idea what Marissa is talking about.
Every parents nightmare begins, dragging in multiple families and unearthing long held secrets. Marissa finds that the most unlikely of people are the greatest support while those closer to home come under suspicion.
This was such a fast paced book, those short chapters are a massive hindrance to sleep, you know how it goes ‘just one more chapter’. The story was really good, as soon as you felt you had it figured out a new clue or twist would throw everything up in the air!
All Her Fault covers the fallout of the kidnapping of Milo Irvine, the story picks up as Marissa arrives to pick him up from a play date in a quiet Dublin suburb. Milo isn’t there and the woman that answers the door has no idea what Marissa is talking about.
Every parents nightmare begins, dragging in multiple families and unearthing long held secrets. Marissa finds that the most unlikely of people are the greatest support while those closer to home come under suspicion.
This was such a fast paced book, those short chapters are a massive hindrance to sleep, you know how it goes ‘just one more chapter’. The story was really good, as soon as you felt you had it figured out a new clue or twist would throw everything up in the air!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Animals of Farthing Wood – Colin Dann
This one is pure nostalgia driven, I spotted this in a charity shop a while ago and grabbed it like my life depended on it. The Animals of Farthing Wood were such a big part of my early childhood, I watched the TV series on CBBC, had the kids book collection, one of which is also pictured, and still have the annuals that came out at the time. I loved The Animals of Farthing Wood so when I saw I had to get the book it was all based on.
The story follows a group of animals, led by Fox, as they make the decision to leave their home behind. People are bulldozing Farthing Wood to make room for new houses and Toad has just returned with news of a nature reserve where the group can live without fear.
The animals make a pact to protect each other, predators and prey alike. As the animals make their journey to White Deer Park, they encounter various obstacles that endanger their lives such as fires, hunters and other predators.
I loved every second of this book, it may be the fond memories of it but it was just a lovely story of a group, putting aside their nature’s to protect each other and ensure their own survival. The group comes together to overcome anything in their path. There are sad points and the feeling that it might not work out for them all but overall it’s just a heart warming story and it offered some happy memories of childhood!
This one is pure nostalgia driven, I spotted this in a charity shop a while ago and grabbed it like my life depended on it. The Animals of Farthing Wood were such a big part of my early childhood, I watched the TV series on CBBC, had the kids book collection, one of which is also pictured, and still have the annuals that came out at the time. I loved The Animals of Farthing Wood so when I saw I had to get the book it was all based on.
The story follows a group of animals, led by Fox, as they make the decision to leave their home behind. People are bulldozing Farthing Wood to make room for new houses and Toad has just returned with news of a nature reserve where the group can live without fear.
The animals make a pact to protect each other, predators and prey alike. As the animals make their journey to White Deer Park, they encounter various obstacles that endanger their lives such as fires, hunters and other predators.
I loved every second of this book, it may be the fond memories of it but it was just a lovely story of a group, putting aside their nature’s to protect each other and ensure their own survival. The group comes together to overcome anything in their path. There are sad points and the feeling that it might not work out for them all but overall it’s just a heart warming story and it offered some happy memories of childhood!
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nana – @towseywrites
‘Meet Olly’s nana, Ivy. It takes more than clean dentures, brandy, and bingo night to keep this one happy! Nana Ivy lives in Newhaven Crescent, where most of the other residents are past their expiry date and all kinds of batshit crazy, the kind of place where you hang your sanity up at the door. Being the matriarchal type, Ivy cares for the other residents as though they were kin, so of course, it’s of enormous concern when their veins begin to blacken and they start shedding skin, not to mention the glistening things crawling out of their hair. They’re pushing their luck, and Nana Ivy knows it. Did I mention she has a dark secret? Young Olly doesn’t know what to make of it when he comes to visit, but he’s about to find out there’s more to his nana than cough drops and slippers. Oh yes, he’s in for a long night.’
I normally write notes for book as I’m going as preparation for doing these posts...for Nana, I wrote one thing ‘eeeewww’. Simplistic I know, but I feel it sums up what I was going through my head throughout this novella.
There’s old people literally falling apart, a box full of toe nails, geriatric orgies and the odd sacrifice...what more could you want from a story right?
Seriously though the novella is, whilst gross, genuinely funny as these old people just totally don’t give a shit and will say and do what they want. They are decomposing, pissing and shitting themselves but they have a goal...carry on living no matter the cost!
This is another fun read from Mark Towse, his stories are so unique and crazy and this is a great quick read.
‘Meet Olly’s nana, Ivy. It takes more than clean dentures, brandy, and bingo night to keep this one happy! Nana Ivy lives in Newhaven Crescent, where most of the other residents are past their expiry date and all kinds of batshit crazy, the kind of place where you hang your sanity up at the door. Being the matriarchal type, Ivy cares for the other residents as though they were kin, so of course, it’s of enormous concern when their veins begin to blacken and they start shedding skin, not to mention the glistening things crawling out of their hair. They’re pushing their luck, and Nana Ivy knows it. Did I mention she has a dark secret? Young Olly doesn’t know what to make of it when he comes to visit, but he’s about to find out there’s more to his nana than cough drops and slippers. Oh yes, he’s in for a long night.’
I normally write notes for book as I’m going as preparation for doing these posts...for Nana, I wrote one thing ‘eeeewww’. Simplistic I know, but I feel it sums up what I was going through my head throughout this novella.
There’s old people literally falling apart, a box full of toe nails, geriatric orgies and the odd sacrifice...what more could you want from a story right?
Seriously though the novella is, whilst gross, genuinely funny as these old people just totally don’t give a shit and will say and do what they want. They are decomposing, pissing and shitting themselves but they have a goal...carry on living no matter the cost!
This is another fun read from Mark Towse, his stories are so unique and crazy and this is a great quick read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Miller and her estranged mother, Sylvie, have always had a tense relationship. But after Miller’s father dies, she agrees to a girls’ vacation away from the city to reconnect with the only family she has left.
Unfortunately, Sylvie’s trapped in the past. She’s recreated Miller’s childhood home down to the smallest details – she’s even found adult versions of Miller’s childhood outfits – and is desperate to revive the ‘happy family’ they once had, at any cost.”
I don’t think I recall enjoying a book and being infuriated with it as much as I have with this brilliant novella. Not infuriated with it in a bad way, it actually helped with the enjoyment!
As the novella is so short and the time period of the story is over a couple of days the pace of it is at breakneck speed, which plays into the feeling of Miller being trapped in this bizarre recreation of her childhood, in the middle of nowhere.
Sylvie is awful, no better way to describe her. She claims to want to get a relationship with her daughter back but spends the whole time gaslighting her...I could feel every nasty comment, shifting of blame and emotional blackmail from my own past which heightened the fury I felt with every interaction.
The feeling of just wanting to shout into the pages for Miller to run and get away, was felt almost immediately, there was just the sense that this wasn’t going to end well.
Excellent book from @caitlinmarceau ... if you haven’t read it yet you really should!
Unfortunately, Sylvie’s trapped in the past. She’s recreated Miller’s childhood home down to the smallest details – she’s even found adult versions of Miller’s childhood outfits – and is desperate to revive the ‘happy family’ they once had, at any cost.”
I don’t think I recall enjoying a book and being infuriated with it as much as I have with this brilliant novella. Not infuriated with it in a bad way, it actually helped with the enjoyment!
As the novella is so short and the time period of the story is over a couple of days the pace of it is at breakneck speed, which plays into the feeling of Miller being trapped in this bizarre recreation of her childhood, in the middle of nowhere.
Sylvie is awful, no better way to describe her. She claims to want to get a relationship with her daughter back but spends the whole time gaslighting her...I could feel every nasty comment, shifting of blame and emotional blackmail from my own past which heightened the fury I felt with every interaction.
The feeling of just wanting to shout into the pages for Miller to run and get away, was felt almost immediately, there was just the sense that this wasn’t going to end well.
Excellent book from @caitlinmarceau ... if you haven’t read it yet you really should!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After reading and loving Wicked Blood recently I was looking forward to getting stuck into Fake Somebodies, Real Nobodies.
E.C. Hanson’s latest is a collection of 12 interesting short horror stories featuring everything from witches and werewolves to vengeful seagulls and a collection of different father’s trying to protect their children...in their own unique ways. Oh and of course there’s a clown at some point...there’s always a clown! (The latest version of IT helped with my fear of clowns, but it’s always still there haha)
I very much enjoyed Fake Somebodies, Real Nobodies, it just had a bit of everything. I loved the simplicity of some, such at the opening story ‘Salem Village’ and some were just fun ‘Salem Sightseers’ whilst others like ‘AK-47@11’ & ‘Gulls’ were just crazy!
Fake Somebodies, Real Nobodies is a great quick read and another excellent offering from E.C. Hanson.
E.C. Hanson’s latest is a collection of 12 interesting short horror stories featuring everything from witches and werewolves to vengeful seagulls and a collection of different father’s trying to protect their children...in their own unique ways. Oh and of course there’s a clown at some point...there’s always a clown! (The latest version of IT helped with my fear of clowns, but it’s always still there haha)
I very much enjoyed Fake Somebodies, Real Nobodies, it just had a bit of everything. I loved the simplicity of some, such at the opening story ‘Salem Village’ and some were just fun ‘Salem Sightseers’ whilst others like ‘AK-47@11’ & ‘Gulls’ were just crazy!
Fake Somebodies, Real Nobodies is a great quick read and another excellent offering from E.C. Hanson.