No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill

Darkness lives within ...

Cash-strapped, working for agencies and living in shared accommodation, Stephanie Booth feels she can fall no further. So when she takes a new room at the right price, she believes her luck has finally turned. But 82 Edgware Road is not what it appears to be. It's not only the eerie atmosphere of the vast, neglected house, or the disturbing attitude of her new landlord, Knacker McGuire, that makes her uneasy - it's the whispers behind the fireplace, the scratching beneath floors, the footsteps in the dark, and the young women weeping in neighbouring rooms. And when Knacker's cousin Fergal arrives, the danger goes vertical. 

But this is merely a beginning, a gateway to horrors beyond Stephanie's worst nightmares. And in a house where no one listens to the screams, will she ever get out alive?

Although not my main reading genre, I do enjoy a good horror story. Unfortunately, I have found those difficult to find. Many horror novels either do not scare me or they are just excuses for descriptions of lots of blood and gore. Finding a story that is actually chilling is one of my pet peeves when it comes to reading and few writers have lived up to it. One of the few who does is Adam Nevill.

In his latest, Nevill takes on the haunted house, through the eyes of a young woman, Stephanie, who finds herself forced into taking a room in a decrepit old house in Birmingham. What Nevill does extremely well here is to make the very real situation Stephanie finds herself in just as horrific as the paranormal goings on – alone, friendless and broke, she must put up with the interest of her landlord, a horrific and yet very human man who serves to create much of the tension in the first part of the novel. 

Things take a surprising turn half way through, descending into more classical paranomal territory, but Nevill hands this very well, keeping the stress levels high. I have seen others compare much of this second part to Silent Hill, which is definitely apt. All in all, No One Gets Out Alive succeeds as a horror story, but also as a thriller that delves into some dark truths about the society we live in. 

I gave No One Gets Out Alive 4 stars.

Wrat-Up 2014 - Top Ten Mystery / Thriller / Horror Books

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

From my review:

"The Winter People is one of a number of books I have read since the beginning of the year split over two time periods and with either a crime/thriller bent or a supernatural one. It is also one of the best. Suspenseful, marvelously well-written, with a keen eye for detail in the historical sections and a great trio of female characters at its core, the novel stayed with me in the days after finishing it."

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker

From my review:

"A "coup-de-coeur" as we say in France, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair will be one of those books I will remember for a long time. A great mystery, an exploration of writing and life, the book touches all the buttons I need to make me fall head over heels in love with a novel. I cannot wait to see what Joel Dicker writes next and I doubt I will wait for a translation of whatever it is."

The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh

From my review:

"Though few of the people we meet are necessarily likeable, nor the truths pleasant, it is impossible not to become enthralled and caught up in the town of Henbane and the secrets hidden there. Though the resolution of both mysteries do not hold many surprises, the revelations are handled deftly. More of a sweeping portrait than a true thriller, it was a great read that kept me hooked through to the end."

The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R Carey

A cleverly written zombie novel, The Girl With All the Gifts had a fascinating cast of characters, a neat twist on the undead and a really kick-ass ending.

Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman

From my review:

"Edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting tension from the first page to the last, it is not the kind of book that I found myself laying aside without a tug of reluctance, wanting to read a little bit more to find out what would happen next or how a situation would resolve... At its heart, Ruin Falls is about motherhood and the lengths any of us (mothers or fathers) go to protect our children."

Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell

A fine example of historical mystery done well, Murder as a Fine Art serves up a Sherlock-ian anti-hero with a very personal stake in solving the rash of murders that are sweeping Victorian London. Using a real historical person as the main character is a risk, but one that pays off here.

Eden in Winter by Richard North Patterson

From my review:

"A family saga full to the brim with deceit and lies, Eden in Winter delves deep into the characters of the Blaine family and manages to create a page-turning yarn that is hard to put down. With hints of the political and legal thrillers that Patterson is well known for dribbled throughout, the book is a nice resolution to a departure trilogy for the writer. As usual, a great read that cements Patterson for me as a must-buy whenever he brings out a new book."

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

Another historical, this one more of a thriller, using the real-life Dreyfus Affair as a canvas to tell a story of racism, conspiracy and espionage. Harris is a dab hand at this kind of novel, which shows both in the strong - though plain - prose and the nail-biting pace.

The Fixer Series by T.E. Woods

From my review of Book Two, The Red Hot Fix:

"The Red Hot Fix was a good continuation of the Fixer series, bringing back a lot of what worked in the first novel and progressing both characters storylines in interesting ways. One plotline was more interesting and worked better than the other, but overall they both complimented each other nicely and set up an interesting finale. I will certainly pick up the next book in the series - I'm looking forward to see how Lydia puts her new skills to use in different situations."

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

From my review:

"A whirlwind tour of espionage, terrorism and murder, a globe-trotting thrill ride that also manages to delve into such themes as growing old, family, love and the cost of freedom. I loved the fact that while the entire story is told in first person, Terry Hayes manages to use that to segue into an omniscient third person at times, giving us a glimpse into the lives of various other characters along the way. I was hooked from the first page and it did not let up until the end. If you haven’t already, pick it up, read it and enjoy!"
 

Revival by Stephen King

A dark and electrifying novel about addiction, fanaticism, and what might exist on the other side of life.

In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs -- including Jamie's mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, this charismatic preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town.

Jamie has demons of his own. Wed to his guitar from the age of thirteen, he plays in bands across the country, living the nomadic lifestyle of bar-band rock and roll while fleeing from his family's horrific loss. In his mid-thirties -- addicted to heroin, stranded, desperate -- Jamie meets Charles Jacobs again, with profound consequences for both men. Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil's devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.

This rich and disturbing novel spans five decades on its way to the most terrifying conclusion Stephen King has ever written. It's a masterpiece from King, in the great American tradition of Frank Norris, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Stephen King is an immediate buy for me, one of those authors who embody the phrase "would read their shopping lists". I understand that this far from the case for everybody, though I don't think anyone could claim that a writer whose career spans such classics as The Stand, The Shawshank Redemption or Misery is a hack. His "retirement" has ended up being one of his most prolific periods and it is clear from his recent novels that King is now just having fun - he is writing what he wants how he wants it, knowing full well that no matter what he writes it will sell, and sell well. 

Revival is far from being his best work, but it is a great read nevertheless. Though less gripping than Mr. Mercedes, Revival is King's take on the Frankenstein story, in the same way that Salem's Lot was his take on Dracula. Dealing with such a classic of the horror genre would be risky for a less accomplished writer, but King is good enough to pull it off. Though the homage to Frankenstein (the mad scientist, the link between electricity and life) are clear, they are twisted and changed enough for it not to matter. Throughout, King takes the story on unexplored paths, turning Revival into a relatively epic tale for such a short book (compared to The Stand or It - Revival is by no means a short book!)

As usual, King shines in the conclusion of the book - everything comes together into an extremely thrilling end, with characters forced into collision. This final section contains some of the most horrific imagery King has used in his more recent work, providing a chilling ideal of the afterlife that I would imagine will stay with readers for a long time. Throughout, King never loses sight of the key - the characters. We see Jamie and Charles go through some terrible experiences and it is interesting to see how both men take those experiences and use them in very different ways. 

Though not a classic King, Revival is a great horror novel, combining King's interest in Americana and rock and roll with a Frankensteinesque plot. 

I gave Revival 4 stars. 

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Most people ignored the outrageous reports on the news. But they became too frequent, they became too real. And soon, they began happening down the street. Then the Internet died. The television and radio went silent. The phones stopped ringing. And we couldn't look outside anymore. Malorie raises the children the only way she can; indoors. The house is quiet. The doors are locked, the curtains are closed, mattresses are nailed over the windows. They are out there. She might let them in. The children sleep in the bedroom across the hall. Soon she will have to wake them. Soon she will have to blindfold them. Today they must leave the house. Today they will risk everything.

Always on the lookout for a good horror novel, especially post apocalyptic ones, I came across Bird Box on a blog I regularly check for new releases. The blurb presented a world gone silent, with the people forced to lock themselves away and wear blindfolds outside. Something is out there, something that will make you crazy if you look at it. Added to that the characters of a mother and her children forced to risk everything to leave the safety of their house and it seemed as though Bird Box would be right up my alley.

Although I did enjoy it, Bird Box wasn’t as good as I had hoped. While the tension is palpable as the story progresses, especially in the sections in the novel ‘present’ as Malorie and her two children take a boat on the river to reach the safety of a commune that may or may not exist, the unclear and diffuse nature of the threat acted against that tension rather than for it. Malorie herself was not a particularly pleasant character in these ‘present’ sections and her reactions to the children left me more irritated than anything else. Still, the book could have been saved by a strong ending, but unfortunately the conclusion wrapped things up much too neatly, with very little resolution of what exactly is going on outside. Still, the book had a definite creep factor that kept me reading and the ‘past’ sections painted a clear picture of a world past the brink of disaster.
 
I gave Bird Box 3 stars.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books/Movies To Read Or Watch To Get In The Halloween Spirit

From the Broke and Bookish

This week's theme: Top Ten Books/Movies To Read Or Watch To Get In The Halloween Spirit OR Top Ten Characters Who I Would Totally Want To Be For Halloween. I'm not a huge horror reader or watcher, so I decided to go with a bit of a mixture: 5 books, 3 movies and 2 TV series to get in that Halloween spirit!

Top 5 Books to Get in the Halloween Spirit

It by Stephen King

Choosing one Stephen King book was too hard, so I picked one novel and one collection. Out of his novels, I chose It because for me it is probably the most horror filled of them - although I prefer The Stand, I feel that It, with its small town setting, secret evil and creepy clown is sure to get you nicely freaked out! 

House of Small Shadows by Adam Nevill

A British author, Nevill has written quite a few scary novels but House of Small Shadows, with its dolls, creeped me out the most! 

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

Although there are some who - with good reason - look on McCammon as a Stephen King wannabe, he is a great author who has some amazing books. Swan Song is his take on the post apocalyptic world, but where King took us into a world devastated by a virus, McCammon uses nuclear war. Tapping into a very real fear of the time (Swan Song came out in '87) could have dated this novel but instead it creates a very particular ambiance that serves the story well.

Wildwood Road by Christopher Golden

Golden wrote Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie-ins before creating his own vampire saga. After a few books in that series, he wrote a handful of stand alones, of which Wildwood Road is probably the creepiest. A haunted house story, possession and child ghosts combine to create lots and lots of chills! 

Night Shift by Stephen King

Although Night Shift isn't my favourite of King's short story collections - I preferred the stories in Skeleton Crew - the stories in Night Shift, from earlier in his career, are definitely scarier. From the giant rats in Graveyard Shift to the terrifying kids of Children of the Corn, the stories here are guaranteed to keep you awake until Halloween is far behind you! 

Top 3 Movies to Get in the Halloween Spirit

ILS

This is a French film that was released abroad and is probably the scariest movie I have ever seen. A French couple move to Eastern Europe where their house is invaded by unknown assailants. According to the film's final scene, this is based on real events, which only serves to make this all the scarier. Great stuff! 


The Cabin in the Woods

Joss Whedon's deconstruction of every horror movie released in the last 50 years is funny, scary, gory, smart and mind-bending. So many fantastic shots, but the monsters in cages has to be the best to my mind. 


The Shining

I know this one is controversial, but it is spooky as anything and Jack Nicholson is great.  

Top 2 TV Shows to Get in the Halloween Spirit

Penny Dreadful

Penny Dreadful was released this year by Showtime and is also available through Netflix. A kind of horror-based League of Extraordinary Gentleman, the show starts relatively slowly but ramps up to an amazing finale. With some fantastic acting by Eva Green and Timothy Dalton (to name just two of the great actors in this series) it also has some pretty horrific scenes, sure to get your squirming in time for All Hallows Eve!


Buffy the Vampire Slayer

No Halloween list would be complete without Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I don't think it needs any particular introductions, but the handling of Halloween itself is really nicely done (the actual monsters find it tacky and avoid it like the plague) making for some excellent Halloween episodes. 

So, what will you be reading or watching in preparation for Halloween?

Please share in the comments! :) 

The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones

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Goodreads

With her husband bleeding out in the seat beside her, Hannah is driving frantically, trying to find a safe place for her family. They are being hunted, tracked by a man who can change his shape, slip into the intimate lives of his victims and destroy them from within. A man who has been alive since the early 19^th century. A man who is obsessed with her and her family. As his story is traced through the cache of diaries locked in the trunk of Hannah’s car, from Hungary in the 1800s to Oxford in the 1970s, Hannah realizes that if she is to have a chance of a different life for her daughter, she must do the one thing her entire family has always been terrified to do – stop running…

 

The String Diaries came up in a blog post a few months ago and the storyline immediately caught my attention, thrusting it to the top of my to-read list. I’m glad it did, because The String Diaries is a great thriller that covers a sweeping period of time, told at first in alternating chapters between the past of the man who is tracking Hannah, her father’s meeting with Hannah’s mother, and Hannah herself as she tries to keep one step ahead. The villain’s ability to take on any shape creates a really claustrophobic, stressful atmosphere, leading to some amazing twists and some real gut punch moments. Hannah is a great heroine, strong and real, determined to protect her family. While the ending is wrapped up a little too neatly with the one twist I saw coming from quite a ways away, the rest of the book was masterful and I will definitely be picking up the sequel.

 
I gave The String Diaries 4 stars.

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

 

The first time I saw a sleeper, I was nine years old.

Ever since her father died of a heart attack, Ruthie's mother has been overly protective of her and her sister. For an eighteen-year old girl, though, this protection quickly becomes stifling. When her mother vanishes one night, though, Ruthie is forced to take responsibility for herself and her younger sister. As she searches the farm house where they all live, though, she begins to realise that her mother's disappearance may be due to something much darker and more horrific than she could imagine. Something linked to an old diary that she finds hidden beneath the floorboards in her mother's room...

The Winter People was an Amazon pick of the month, but also a book that had come up on multiple blogs as a book to look out for. The hugely atmospheric cover is really eye-catching and the blurb seemed to indicate that it would be a thriller with a historical bent. Since that is definitely my kind of book, I picked it up and delved into it as soon as I could. What I found, though, was not at all what I had expected. It was better!

Set in the same house but in two different time periods, The Winter People tells the story of two women - Sara, a young mother who loses her daughter in tragic circumstances and whose story is told through a diary she left behind after her own death, and Ruthie, a young daughter whose mother has vanished, leaving her alone with her young sister. Both stories intertwine and eventually collide, bringing with them a number of other women whose lives have been affected in one way or another by Sara's story. Secrets are revealed on both sides of the temporal gap, building to a terrifying and troubling conclusion.

Although I was expecting a thriller that would combine the two time periods together, The Winter People actually has much more of a horror vibe. As I was reading the first few chapters of the modern section, Stephen King came to mind: a small town with a number of past secrets and crimes, strange disappearances revolving around mysterious part of the nearby forest, a young protagonist struggling with her family's rules. Where Stephen King - whose work I am a big fan of - would probably have developed this into a sprawling epic with a dozen different viewpoint characters, McMahon keeps this story very closely focused on three women - Sara, Ruthie and another woman called Helen, who has recently lost her husband. While a handful of chapters are told through the eyes of Sara's husband, it is this triumvirate of women who form the core of the novel.

The horror elements are very low key, hinted at in the historical parts through Sara's aunt and her stories of sleepers. Right from the start, we understand that these are some kind of zombie, though it is not until later in the novel that we discover how much of what Sara's Auntie has told her is true. Most of the historical section is devoted to the mystery of Sara's death - McMahon does a good job of playing with expectations as we hear the rumours in the modern part that have evolved out of what happened back at the beginning of the century. Not until the conclusion of the novel do we understand what really happened and all of its implications. These historical chapters are extremely well done and it is clear that McMahon has done her research.

In the modern part, Ruthie and Helen are very well drawn characters, though I found Helen's storyline to be especially touching as she tries to make sense of her husband's seemingly senseless death in a car accident. Fearing that he was having an affair, Helen abandons her entire life and moves to the town where Ruthie lives. The two storylines are entirely separate until much later in the novel, where we discover the unusual and unexpected links that bind them.

The book ends with a creepy-as-hell confrontation in a cave system in the woods, and while I won't give away any of the great surprises and twists, I will say that I found the ending for Helen to be particularly haunting! I promise that you will be thinking about the final couple of paragraphs of her last chapter for hours after closing the book.

The Winter People is one of a number of books I have read since the beginning of the year split over two time periods and with either a crime/thriller bent or a supernatural one. It is also one of the best. Suspenseful, marvelously well-written, with a keen eye for detail in the historical sections and a great trio of female characters at its core, the novel stayed with me in the days after finishing it. At its heart, The Winter People has a lot to say about the relationship between mothers and daughters, and beyond that the relationships between us all. It is the first book by Jennifer McMahon I have read, but will certainly not be the last! I gave The Winter People 5 skin-peeling sleepers out of 5.

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Author's Website

From the Blogosphere:
Beth Fish Reads
Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The Lost Entwife

From the Author's Mouth:
Interview over at the Quirky Bookworm