davscomur's reviews
206 reviews

In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg

challenging mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Blind Voices by Tom Reamy

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This had a strong beginning and an interesting conclusion. Between those two points, it meandered a bit. Somehow, in 190 pages it contained even more 1970s porny sex scenes than in a typical Stephen King. 

The Snail on the Slope by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Abyss by Jere Cunningham

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

A rare misstep from the Paperbacks from Hell series. This was just mostly very boring and directionless. 

A Collapse of Horses by Brian Evenson

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch's Dune. an Oral History by Max Evry

informative slow-paced

3.5

A bit repetitive after a bit, with some truly interesting anecdotes every now and then. I’m not sorry I read this but am also glad I got it from the library. 

Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

Was this a good book? No. Ok, but was it well-written? Also no. Ok, but isn’t Malerman usually a reliable writer? If by “reliable” you mean “awful,” then yes. Otherwise, no. 

The description of this novel was interesting and was what convinced me to read it, even though I disliked Bird Box and hated Bird Box 2: More Birds, More Boxes. However, after reading three of Malerman’s books, I think I can honestly say that he is a good idea man but doesn’t have any follow-through. 

The paper-thin characters are perhaps the most annoying in anything I’ve ever read. Malerman has no idea how to write children, so why he tried is beyond me, and his conception of women, at least in the book, seems to be that they are irrational and bitchy. 

And as with many modern horror novels, there’s about 150 pages of plot here stretched out to a grand total of 367, which means lots of filler, lots of running around for no reason, lots of pointless conversations that add nothing to the story, and lots of repetition. 

So I can’t recommend this. To anyone. Ever. 

I think the best summation as to why this book is terrible is found in Sadie Hartmann’s back-cover blurb: “This book has actual jump scares!” This cringe-inducing statement should warn anyone thinking about reading it to stay far away, and “Recommended by Sadie Hartmann” should be a universal warning akin to the Surgeon General telling you that cigarettes are bad for your health.

I never want to see the word “Daddo” again. If I could give this no stars, I would.