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The Well
Trapped. Missing. Cursed. Fourteen-year-old Becca Richards and her stepbrother have fallen to the bottom of an ancient well. Their parents are away; they won't be missed for days. The predatory man who had been stalking Becca now switches his attentions to her best friend. Two women who know where Becca is trapped are desperate that she should never escape. Over the course of a week, family, friends and strangers are drawn together by a terrible shared fate - from which not all will escape.'The Well' is a darkly gripping tale about how we respond to the hand fate has dealt us - and the consequences of our choices.Set in Bankside, a quiet Lancashire town that hides many secrets, The Well deftly intertwines a story of supernatural horror with a tale of one of the greatest fears of modern life. As the book progresses, the two stories become one- driving relentlessly towards a single, thrilling finale. The Well is a fast-paced, riveting story that will grip you - and keep you guessing - until the very end.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2010
4 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Peter Labrow
6 books34 followersPeter Labrow writes both fiction and non-fiction. With a background in copywriting and journalism, he published his first novel, The Well, in 2010. His goal is to write ‘dark, gripping stories’ that people find hard to put down. Populated by flawed characters with ambiguous motives, his writing mixes the supernatural with frighteningly normal terrors. He co-authored his second non-fiction book – Is It News? – in 2020. Based on the authors’ combined sixty years’ experience, Is it News? tackles the subject of writing press releases rare depth – providing a comprehensive, practical, logical and understandable framework for dependable publicity success.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 22, 2011
Contemporary horror with a supernatural twist. The Well is a horrifying blend of supernatural evil and the darker side of human nature. Peter Labrow weaves a tortured tale of horrors, past and present, that entangle and ensnare both victim and malefactor. The lives of multiple characters are entwined in this realistic, emotional story. Labrow presents flawed characters that are at once identifiable and believable. These are characters that readers can have strong feeling for. I found myself tensely rooting for the survival of some characters and vehemently wishing for the demise of others. If you are looking for a haunting tale of horror that delves deep into human motivations (sex/pleasure, survival/self preservation...), then this is the book for you. A dark work that will appeal to fans of psychological and supernatural horror.
I recommend The Well to readers of contemporary, psychological, and supernatural horror.
Sensitive reader warning: sexual situations, sexual predation of minors, language, death and violence.
Source: This book was provided by the author or publisher for honest review.
Don't miss our Q+A with author Peter Labrow May 12th! We will be giving away one signed paperback copy of The Well by Peter Labrow.
I recommend The Well to readers of contemporary, psychological, and supernatural horror.
Sensitive reader warning: sexual situations, sexual predation of minors, language, death and violence.
Source: This book was provided by the author or publisher for honest review.
Don't miss our Q+A with author Peter Labrow May 12th! We will be giving away one signed paperback copy of The Well by Peter Labrow.
March 12, 2011
Stayed up until 2 am to finish this rollercoaster of a book, which grips you from the very first page and just doesn't let go. As soon as Becca and her stepbrother fall into The Well you're tipped over the edge and hurtle on through twists and turns which literally made me jump out of my skin. The characters are so well drawn - some engage, some repulse, and they linger in your thoughts until the next time you pick up the story. Most gripping book I've read in years.
April 12, 2011
I've just started this book and am thoroughly gripped already , looks like it's going to be a late night for me!
Finished this book very quickly as I didn't want to put it down, great read!
Finished this book very quickly as I didn't want to put it down, great read!
January 17, 2019
The Whitaker Estate, on the outskirts of the town of Bankside, is old, neglected and largely deserted, its only regular visitors wildlife and schoolkids. Like many an old and dilapidated place, it has a colourful past and has, as a result, attracted its fair share of local gossip and superstition. Reading this, you may be forgiven a certain sense of déjà vu: this is, after all, the stuff of horror. However, Peter Labrow adds an intriguing twist to the formula. The estate, it transpires, also has a disused, derelict well; and this, as schoolgirl Becca and her boyfriend Matt are about to find out, is far more dangerous.
A freak accident whilst planning an illicit tryst leaves the two teenagers trapped at the bottom of the well. Nobody knows they're there. Their parents are away for the weekend. They were injured in the fall. They have only a little food and clean water. Their mobile phones don't work. And, as if this weren't enough, a local ephebophile, who has been keeping a predatory eye on Becca for some time, in on their trail. Needless to say, this on its own would have made for a tense, taut horror/thriller. However, Labrow doesn't stop there. The well, as soon becomes clear, is the focus not just of the earthly horrors of pain and hunger and death, but also of a supernatural threat. And all of these different threats have very long tentacles indeed: they creep outwards, affecting the lives of various luckless strangers.
These different plot elements could have made for confusion, but in the hands of a skilled storyteller such as Labrow they flow together seamlessly, and apparently effortlessly. The separate but interconnected stories are told carefully and with great dexterity, and come together at the end in a very satisfying dénouement. It's hard to write a novel with so many strands and so many characters, all with their assorted viewpoints; it requires great skill on the part of the author. What I love about The Well is just how beautifully Labrow manages it. There isn't a single wobble, nor any of the clunkiness and slip-ups that could all too easily have crept in. The well itself is evoked in all its dank, claustrophobic nastiness, but Labrow just as easily draws us into events above ground.
Deceit is a major theme in The Well. Becca lies to her mother, and Matt lies to Becca; a mother tells white lies to protect her young child; the lies told centuries ago continue to reverberate in the present. A dangerous, predatory man lives a lie, concealing his unhealthy interest in young girls and total lack of human empathy beneath an affable, kindly façade. And yet, from the point of view of the characters, all of these lies are necessary and understandable. Reading, you ask yourself exactly how honest you would have been in similar circumstances, just as you are forced to consider the consequences of deceit. Labrow occasionally brings the darkness a little closer to home than is comfortable.
The questions you are led to ask yourself do not, however, weigh the story down. It is tightly-paced, never drags – and yes, it is often quite horrific. Yet the horror, curiously enough, owes less to the supernatural than to Labrow's vivid and uncomfortably plausible portrayal of human nature. In this respect, the novel often put me in mind of 'Salem's Lot, in which the supernatural is far less frightening than King's depiction of the mindless, low-level corruption and brutality of some of the town's inhabitants. In Labrow's novel, too, the characters are realistic and psychologically believable, often disturbingly so. There are no heroes here, and only one real villain. For the most part, these are complex people with complex motivations, behaving as people do – and people, as we all know, do not always behave well. This is, perhaps, the ultimate source of all horror.
A freak accident whilst planning an illicit tryst leaves the two teenagers trapped at the bottom of the well. Nobody knows they're there. Their parents are away for the weekend. They were injured in the fall. They have only a little food and clean water. Their mobile phones don't work. And, as if this weren't enough, a local ephebophile, who has been keeping a predatory eye on Becca for some time, in on their trail. Needless to say, this on its own would have made for a tense, taut horror/thriller. However, Labrow doesn't stop there. The well, as soon becomes clear, is the focus not just of the earthly horrors of pain and hunger and death, but also of a supernatural threat. And all of these different threats have very long tentacles indeed: they creep outwards, affecting the lives of various luckless strangers.
These different plot elements could have made for confusion, but in the hands of a skilled storyteller such as Labrow they flow together seamlessly, and apparently effortlessly. The separate but interconnected stories are told carefully and with great dexterity, and come together at the end in a very satisfying dénouement. It's hard to write a novel with so many strands and so many characters, all with their assorted viewpoints; it requires great skill on the part of the author. What I love about The Well is just how beautifully Labrow manages it. There isn't a single wobble, nor any of the clunkiness and slip-ups that could all too easily have crept in. The well itself is evoked in all its dank, claustrophobic nastiness, but Labrow just as easily draws us into events above ground.
Deceit is a major theme in The Well. Becca lies to her mother, and Matt lies to Becca; a mother tells white lies to protect her young child; the lies told centuries ago continue to reverberate in the present. A dangerous, predatory man lives a lie, concealing his unhealthy interest in young girls and total lack of human empathy beneath an affable, kindly façade. And yet, from the point of view of the characters, all of these lies are necessary and understandable. Reading, you ask yourself exactly how honest you would have been in similar circumstances, just as you are forced to consider the consequences of deceit. Labrow occasionally brings the darkness a little closer to home than is comfortable.
The questions you are led to ask yourself do not, however, weigh the story down. It is tightly-paced, never drags – and yes, it is often quite horrific. Yet the horror, curiously enough, owes less to the supernatural than to Labrow's vivid and uncomfortably plausible portrayal of human nature. In this respect, the novel often put me in mind of 'Salem's Lot, in which the supernatural is far less frightening than King's depiction of the mindless, low-level corruption and brutality of some of the town's inhabitants. In Labrow's novel, too, the characters are realistic and psychologically believable, often disturbingly so. There are no heroes here, and only one real villain. For the most part, these are complex people with complex motivations, behaving as people do – and people, as we all know, do not always behave well. This is, perhaps, the ultimate source of all horror.
July 4, 2011
For me, The Well by Peter Labrow was one of those books that took a little while for me to really get into. But, after a while I had a really hard time putting it down. I even sat in the bathtub for two hours reading and topping off the hot water.
When I first started this book, I wondered ‘how could he possibly write an entire book about a couple kids stuck in a well?’ Peter Labrow managed to do it and do a wonderful job on it. I know I’m beginning to be one of those reviewers who never have a bad review, but seriously, I thought this book was great!
In The Well, you will find several characters whose lives connect because of the circumstances of Becca and Matt falling in the well. I was very impressed at how Labrow managed to entwine their stories and connect them by unfolding their stories little by little. This isn’t always easy to do when you have things happening to different people at exactly the same moments.
Let me tell you, you think about what you would do if you ever fell into a well or got stuck somewhere, but this book really makes you think about it. This is not simply a story about someone stuck in a well, there is a bigger picture. The book description says “As the book progresses, the two stories become one-driving relentlessly towards a single, thrilling finale.” This is totally true, the pace of the book picks up and it’s almost impossible to put the book down because the story is fast headed toward the conclusion.
Normally, I have a hard time if there are too many changes in point of view, but Peter Labrow did a good job with changing the point of view so that the reader remain informed. Also, many you know that I am a big fan of fantasy/paranormal stuff and I wasn’t disappointed when it came to this book either.
My favorite character in this book was a little girl named Sammy. Sammy is a smart, adorable little girl who everyone can learn something from. The other characters were also well developed; even the ones who had short parts to play.
Ok, I am soooo not giving away the ending. But let me just say, I would never, ever…ever do what she had to do at the end. Uh uh, no way!
I definitely recommend The Well for readers of all types.
When I first started this book, I wondered ‘how could he possibly write an entire book about a couple kids stuck in a well?’ Peter Labrow managed to do it and do a wonderful job on it. I know I’m beginning to be one of those reviewers who never have a bad review, but seriously, I thought this book was great!
In The Well, you will find several characters whose lives connect because of the circumstances of Becca and Matt falling in the well. I was very impressed at how Labrow managed to entwine their stories and connect them by unfolding their stories little by little. This isn’t always easy to do when you have things happening to different people at exactly the same moments.
Let me tell you, you think about what you would do if you ever fell into a well or got stuck somewhere, but this book really makes you think about it. This is not simply a story about someone stuck in a well, there is a bigger picture. The book description says “As the book progresses, the two stories become one-driving relentlessly towards a single, thrilling finale.” This is totally true, the pace of the book picks up and it’s almost impossible to put the book down because the story is fast headed toward the conclusion.
Normally, I have a hard time if there are too many changes in point of view, but Peter Labrow did a good job with changing the point of view so that the reader remain informed. Also, many you know that I am a big fan of fantasy/paranormal stuff and I wasn’t disappointed when it came to this book either.
My favorite character in this book was a little girl named Sammy. Sammy is a smart, adorable little girl who everyone can learn something from. The other characters were also well developed; even the ones who had short parts to play.
Ok, I am soooo not giving away the ending. But let me just say, I would never, ever…ever do what she had to do at the end. Uh uh, no way!
I definitely recommend The Well for readers of all types.
March 17, 2011
It's an unusual experience to read a book written by someone that one actually knows - there is an undercurrent of determination to enjoy it in appreciation of their hard work. Luckily I am unable to be anything but honest so this review is entirely unbiased!
Before I cracked the spine of this book I hesitated for a few seconds, worried that I wouldn't like it because I'm not particularly drawn to the horror genre. I am proud and relieved however to say that by the end of the fourth page I was already Tweeting Peter to assure him how much I loved it. I was hooked from the very beginning by this gripping, chilling book and was driven schizophrenic as a result of not wanting to put it down and not wanting it to end.
Peter's characters are gritty and intricately created but leave plenty of room for the reader to engage with them, his plot is absolutely terrifying and suspensful and I adored the way the story is told in triplicate from the viewpoint of different characters (with wonderfully conflicting personalities!) and then brought together in the end.
Even if, like me, you don't usually read horror stories give this a try. It's absolutely fantastic.
Before I cracked the spine of this book I hesitated for a few seconds, worried that I wouldn't like it because I'm not particularly drawn to the horror genre. I am proud and relieved however to say that by the end of the fourth page I was already Tweeting Peter to assure him how much I loved it. I was hooked from the very beginning by this gripping, chilling book and was driven schizophrenic as a result of not wanting to put it down and not wanting it to end.
Peter's characters are gritty and intricately created but leave plenty of room for the reader to engage with them, his plot is absolutely terrifying and suspensful and I adored the way the story is told in triplicate from the viewpoint of different characters (with wonderfully conflicting personalities!) and then brought together in the end.
Even if, like me, you don't usually read horror stories give this a try. It's absolutely fantastic.
March 27, 2011
I was rapidly drawn into this superbly simple concept, from which threads of complexity reached out and interwove.
I was initially curious as to how this "bottle story" could sustain 120,000 words but the trials and tribulations faced at the bottom of the eponymous prison had me captivated. It is tightly-plotted and never drags. Peter Labrow takes you into the darkness and makes it utterly real. Every horrible facet of that experience is totally believable, and incomprehensibly awful.
And then, beyond the stone walls, stories emerge of warring parents, devoted lovers, troubled children and evil men. Their criss-crossing paths create a narrative which is compelling and emotive. Mixed into this honest portrayal of normal lives an element of the supernatural which adds another layer of intrigue.
The Well offers a simple premise cloaked in mystery. It is laced with themes about gender and sexuality, and provides food for thought on love, devotion, sacrifice, and maturity. I sincerely look forward to the next book from Peter Labrow.
I was initially curious as to how this "bottle story" could sustain 120,000 words but the trials and tribulations faced at the bottom of the eponymous prison had me captivated. It is tightly-plotted and never drags. Peter Labrow takes you into the darkness and makes it utterly real. Every horrible facet of that experience is totally believable, and incomprehensibly awful.
And then, beyond the stone walls, stories emerge of warring parents, devoted lovers, troubled children and evil men. Their criss-crossing paths create a narrative which is compelling and emotive. Mixed into this honest portrayal of normal lives an element of the supernatural which adds another layer of intrigue.
The Well offers a simple premise cloaked in mystery. It is laced with themes about gender and sexuality, and provides food for thought on love, devotion, sacrifice, and maturity. I sincerely look forward to the next book from Peter Labrow.
March 12, 2011
Brilliant book, couldn't put it down, can't wait for the next one. Definitely an author to keep your eye on.
April 22, 2011
The Well---what a story. i enjoyed this story from beginning to end. i don't want to be a spoiler so there is nothing else i can say except IT IS A GOODREAD. thank you Peter Labrow
May 9, 2011
A real page turner, didn't want to put it down.
The author does a great job of building strong, but believable female characters.
Congrats, Peter on a very good first novel!
The author does a great job of building strong, but believable female characters.
Congrats, Peter on a very good first novel!
October 29, 2013
It was a long read, but it was worth it.
I wish it was longer LOL.
This was a wonderful read, thank you.
I cried in the end, it was awesome !!!
I wish it was longer LOL.
This was a wonderful read, thank you.
I cried in the end, it was awesome !!!
October 28, 2011
Loved it! I normally steer well wide of "scary" books, but this was gripping! Would love to see a film of it. Great atmosphere and unputdownable!
November 12, 2016
An unpredictable, modern horror story. Rooting for the main character and never knowing what's coming next made it a book you look forward to reading.
August 5, 2025
The Well is a superb novel; I can not stress this enough.
Let me preface this by mentioning that this review is going to be a bit different.
I read this book in about 3 days, I think? During those various reading sessions, I would occasionally enjoy a gummy, which I found to increase my enjoyment of this story exponentially. I'm going to include my *enlightened* thoughts in this review. So, forewarning, the grammar is a bit rough.
The moment I realized this book was incredible was when Becca woke up with water up to her neck due to the relentless rain. While reading the book sober, I kept thinking to myself, "I bet I could get out of the well. I bet I could remove the stone up the wall to make steps, or maybe if it rains, I'd just wait and float to the top."
That is what my sober brain thought. As it started to rain in the book, I was like, "Hell yeah, that's how she's gonna get out, easy peasy."
But as my gummy brain began to form, and Becca woke up with the water to her neck, realization hit me like a rusty grate to the gut, "Oh my God. She's waterlogged, she can't float." The author took such meticulous time expressing how soaked Becca was chapter to chapter, how bloated her fingers and feet had become, how truly frozen to the bone she was, all of that information suddenly hit me, and I knew, "Oh my God. She's fucking waterlogged."
Now, another thing that had been meticulously expressed was Becca's strong will and determination. So, even when I realized she's waterlogged, I thought, "Well, Becca is the best swimmer. She is a fighter, so maybe she can still reach the top of the well if she manages to float. Maybe she can cling to the well and float/climb up that way..."
I was absolutely hooked.
Now let's take it back a bit, to when Becca and Matt first fell into the well. As I said, I like to self-insert and imagine how I'd do in these situations, so I have a sort of mental checklist that I mark off when the character says or does a thing I would do. As an example, I know that when someone is stabbed or impaled, you should leave the object in the wound so that your blood doesn't gush. So as Becca is looking Matt over and assessing his injuries, I was struck by Becca mentioning that, due to the water and placement of Matt's wound, the blood would continue to flow. Of course, that makes sense, but that's not something I would have ever considered, and I'm impressed that the author considered this detail. It's just so clever.
This book is refreshing in many ways, not just in how Becca survives. The entire cast of characters is incredibly well thought out and feels like real people. Not only that, but for this book to include a queer relationship between a black woman and a white woman, and to be published in 2011??? It's incredibly progressive. Something else I found refreshing is that their relationship is healthy, characterized by clear communication, love, and trust in each other. In most books today, you never find couples that aren't toxic in a glorified way, so I found their love very beautiful.
Similarly, I found it amazing that the cop's wife gave him an ultimatum at the end. Too often, domestic relationships are overlooked and left silent. I love that this novel showed a woman who reached her limit and stood on her own business.
I'm also very thankful that Becca's mother and Matt's father separated. It's true that Becca's mother wasn't there enough for her partner. She wasn't wrong to be worried about Becca, and he wasn't wrong to want more support as well. I'm glad he was able to recognize that he deserves better. I'm happy that a man was represented in such a healthy way.
Randle. That man. This evil man was written so well that I felt genuine fear for everyone near him.
When Randle had Hannah and Sammy in the house, a part of my brain thought, "Ohhh fuck, maybe the witch is gonna see this and stop him, cuz something like this happened to her."
I'm glad that, in the end, the Witch didn't help the girls. Because that would go against her character. The Witch is evil. That's all there is to it. Black and White. She doesn't care about anyone but herself, and having her help the children would have taken that strength from her character.
Let me tell you
WHEN I READ WHAT BECCA DECIDED TO DO TO ESCAPE
I would have died. Straight up. Becca is PEAK indomitable human spirit because I could NEVER have crawled through those caves while holding my breath for over five minutes. The witch woulda had me.
There are a million things I could talk about for hours. This book is just THAT GOOD. If done correctly, it could be a fantastic TV series.
I hope Peter Labrow does end up releasing more books because, as of today, he is my favorite author.
Let me preface this by mentioning that this review is going to be a bit different.
I read this book in about 3 days, I think? During those various reading sessions, I would occasionally enjoy a gummy, which I found to increase my enjoyment of this story exponentially. I'm going to include my *enlightened* thoughts in this review. So, forewarning, the grammar is a bit rough.
The moment I realized this book was incredible was when Becca woke up with water up to her neck due to the relentless rain. While reading the book sober, I kept thinking to myself, "I bet I could get out of the well. I bet I could remove the stone up the wall to make steps, or maybe if it rains, I'd just wait and float to the top."
That is what my sober brain thought. As it started to rain in the book, I was like, "Hell yeah, that's how she's gonna get out, easy peasy."
But as my gummy brain began to form, and Becca woke up with the water to her neck, realization hit me like a rusty grate to the gut, "Oh my God. She's waterlogged, she can't float." The author took such meticulous time expressing how soaked Becca was chapter to chapter, how bloated her fingers and feet had become, how truly frozen to the bone she was, all of that information suddenly hit me, and I knew, "Oh my God. She's fucking waterlogged."
Now, another thing that had been meticulously expressed was Becca's strong will and determination. So, even when I realized she's waterlogged, I thought, "Well, Becca is the best swimmer. She is a fighter, so maybe she can still reach the top of the well if she manages to float. Maybe she can cling to the well and float/climb up that way..."
I was absolutely hooked.
Now let's take it back a bit, to when Becca and Matt first fell into the well. As I said, I like to self-insert and imagine how I'd do in these situations, so I have a sort of mental checklist that I mark off when the character says or does a thing I would do. As an example, I know that when someone is stabbed or impaled, you should leave the object in the wound so that your blood doesn't gush. So as Becca is looking Matt over and assessing his injuries, I was struck by Becca mentioning that, due to the water and placement of Matt's wound, the blood would continue to flow. Of course, that makes sense, but that's not something I would have ever considered, and I'm impressed that the author considered this detail. It's just so clever.
This book is refreshing in many ways, not just in how Becca survives. The entire cast of characters is incredibly well thought out and feels like real people. Not only that, but for this book to include a queer relationship between a black woman and a white woman, and to be published in 2011??? It's incredibly progressive. Something else I found refreshing is that their relationship is healthy, characterized by clear communication, love, and trust in each other. In most books today, you never find couples that aren't toxic in a glorified way, so I found their love very beautiful.
Similarly, I found it amazing that the cop's wife gave him an ultimatum at the end. Too often, domestic relationships are overlooked and left silent. I love that this novel showed a woman who reached her limit and stood on her own business.
I'm also very thankful that Becca's mother and Matt's father separated. It's true that Becca's mother wasn't there enough for her partner. She wasn't wrong to be worried about Becca, and he wasn't wrong to want more support as well. I'm glad he was able to recognize that he deserves better. I'm happy that a man was represented in such a healthy way.
Randle. That man. This evil man was written so well that I felt genuine fear for everyone near him.
When Randle had Hannah and Sammy in the house, a part of my brain thought, "Ohhh fuck, maybe the witch is gonna see this and stop him, cuz something like this happened to her."
I'm glad that, in the end, the Witch didn't help the girls. Because that would go against her character. The Witch is evil. That's all there is to it. Black and White. She doesn't care about anyone but herself, and having her help the children would have taken that strength from her character.
Let me tell you
WHEN I READ WHAT BECCA DECIDED TO DO TO ESCAPE
I would have died. Straight up. Becca is PEAK indomitable human spirit because I could NEVER have crawled through those caves while holding my breath for over five minutes. The witch woulda had me.
There are a million things I could talk about for hours. This book is just THAT GOOD. If done correctly, it could be a fantastic TV series.
I hope Peter Labrow does end up releasing more books because, as of today, he is my favorite author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2019
Reading this book is like getting hit over the head over and over again with a very sad, dirty rock.
“Running his tongue around the inside of his mouth, he found a tooth missing. It didn’t seem to be in his mouth - he assumed that he’d swallowed it.
Shit, he thought. He tried to look around the room but found it very hard to focus on anything. He closed one eye, then the other. The vision in his left eye was fine, but in his right was horribly blurred - although he didn’t know it yet, it was because his retina was detached.
From where he lay, he could see the front door, a blurry oblong outside the room.
He struggled to move from the chair, but was held tight. Pain flared in his left shoulder and he (rightly) suspected that it had been dislocated.”
“Running his tongue around the inside of his mouth, he found a tooth missing. It didn’t seem to be in his mouth - he assumed that he’d swallowed it.
Shit, he thought. He tried to look around the room but found it very hard to focus on anything. He closed one eye, then the other. The vision in his left eye was fine, but in his right was horribly blurred - although he didn’t know it yet, it was because his retina was detached.
From where he lay, he could see the front door, a blurry oblong outside the room.
He struggled to move from the chair, but was held tight. Pain flared in his left shoulder and he (rightly) suspected that it had been dislocated.”
December 29, 2011
Note: There are some mild spoilers scattered throughout.
On the outskirts of Bankside, the old Whitaker estate stands in ruins. The well has been capped with a metal grating, but the grating is in nearly as much disrepair as the "overgrown, crumbling" wall surrounding the estate. Not that it matters, since it is the legends that keep people away, not the wall. Although the place gives Becca the creeps, she goes there to be "properly alone" with Matt, who is both her stepbrother and her boyfriend. A flirtatious kiss on the well plunges the two of them into the dank water.
The Well, by Peter Labrow, could have been entirely focused on Becca's experience of being injured and trapped in an abandoned well. The descriptions of her hunger, the lurid detail of how she manages her bodily functions, the horror of sitting with a corpse, and the torment of a vengeful spirit provides more than enough material for a satisfying 'hit' of dark fiction. Had Labrow chosen to keep his focus narrow, The Well would have been very, very good. Instead, Labrow seamlessly combines a cornucopia of horror that takes a broader, more frightening look at the evils of our world. The Well isn't very, very good: it's better than that. Labrow's novel is a close call with a dark fiction overdose. The Well is a horror aficionado's wicked good time.
Claustrophobia, pedophilia, supernatural malevolence, and relationships strained by extraordinary circumstances: The Well has uses all of these themes to examine the effect lies have on people. Becca and Matt would not have been in their predicament if Becca had not lied to her mother and her friend Hannah about her whereabouts. It's unlikely they would have been together at the well if Matt had not lied about being a virgin, especially if Becca knew "the one girl he'd had sex with… didn't exactly qualify as willing." The supernatural cycle of the novel also is based in lies. Ages ago, when the Whitaker estate was still occupied, the Bankside apothecary's wife lied to her husband as to the nature of how she knew the Whitaker witch was murdering children. In the modern day, the descendant of the apothecary's wife lies to her young daughter when a vivid dream presages the reoccurrence of the Whitaker curse upon their lineage.
Granted, how is a mother supposed to tell her eight-year old daughter that it is their place to allow the sacrifice of an innocent? It is also true that if the apothecary's wife hadn't lied, she would have been branded a witch and slaughtered along with the Whitakers. Few condone date rape, and many wouldn't condone premarital sex with stepsiblings, but almost everyone can understand how two hormonal sixteen year olds would lie to get a chance to make out. Therein lies a large part of the horror you feel upon reading The Well: you understand the reasoning behind the lies, you get it. Then Labrow shows you the nasty consequences of the darkness unleashed by 'understandable' lies.
The characters in The Well are mostly well-crafted. If you were to meet one of them in the grocery store, he or she would be indistinguishable from the 'real' shoppers. When Labrow characters lie, love, or feel the entire spectrum of fear, they do it convincingly - except for one character. That character is Matt's father, Jim. Jim is presented as "decent" albeit "slightly dull," the type of man who, even "under pressure…[is] able to think straight." When driving to see if their kids are in danger, Jim "drove as quickly as he could but - being Jim - not irresponsibly." Instead of just showing us Jim being Jim, the narrative resorts to telling us facts about Jim. The scenes with Jim break the flow of the story, making me conscious of the fact that I am, after all, reading. This is a minor quibble; the other characters, especially the pedophile crossing-guard, are almost uncomfortably human.
What interests me about Jim is that he seems to be the only male character in The Well who is not a womanizing bully, cheater, drunk, or aspiring rapist. Instead, Jim is the poster-boy for calm and supportive love; he makes a conscious effort to touch his wife and offer her comfort despite his own fears. Although this review is not the place for an in depth analysis of any one facet of the novel, I think a book club would find a veritable treasure trove of discussion solely around the topic of gender and sexuality presented in The Well.
If The Well is about the consequences of lying, it is in equal measure a book about the dynamics of relationships. Labrow presents several types of relationships, all at varying stages of intimacy, and each with their own set of problems. However, he doesn't limit the narrative to examining only personal relationships. As with the choice to expand the work beyond just the events that take place within the well, Labrow expands the type of relationships he examines beyond everyday romance and friendship. Labrow orchestrates situations to examine a variety of interactions including the relationship of the accursed to the innocent; the relationship of a trusting community to a predatory school employee; and the relationship of police to possible suspects. The question of individual responsibility to a group or community is an understated yet dynamic theme in the novel. What is truly notable is that at no point does the weightiness of the questions posed drag down the story or interrupt the immediacy of the characters' panic and fear.
The Well is a multifaceted, thematically rich horror novel you don't want to miss!
This review originally appeared on my blog, http://anikocarmean.wordpress.com
On the outskirts of Bankside, the old Whitaker estate stands in ruins. The well has been capped with a metal grating, but the grating is in nearly as much disrepair as the "overgrown, crumbling" wall surrounding the estate. Not that it matters, since it is the legends that keep people away, not the wall. Although the place gives Becca the creeps, she goes there to be "properly alone" with Matt, who is both her stepbrother and her boyfriend. A flirtatious kiss on the well plunges the two of them into the dank water.
The Well, by Peter Labrow, could have been entirely focused on Becca's experience of being injured and trapped in an abandoned well. The descriptions of her hunger, the lurid detail of how she manages her bodily functions, the horror of sitting with a corpse, and the torment of a vengeful spirit provides more than enough material for a satisfying 'hit' of dark fiction. Had Labrow chosen to keep his focus narrow, The Well would have been very, very good. Instead, Labrow seamlessly combines a cornucopia of horror that takes a broader, more frightening look at the evils of our world. The Well isn't very, very good: it's better than that. Labrow's novel is a close call with a dark fiction overdose. The Well is a horror aficionado's wicked good time.
Claustrophobia, pedophilia, supernatural malevolence, and relationships strained by extraordinary circumstances: The Well has uses all of these themes to examine the effect lies have on people. Becca and Matt would not have been in their predicament if Becca had not lied to her mother and her friend Hannah about her whereabouts. It's unlikely they would have been together at the well if Matt had not lied about being a virgin, especially if Becca knew "the one girl he'd had sex with… didn't exactly qualify as willing." The supernatural cycle of the novel also is based in lies. Ages ago, when the Whitaker estate was still occupied, the Bankside apothecary's wife lied to her husband as to the nature of how she knew the Whitaker witch was murdering children. In the modern day, the descendant of the apothecary's wife lies to her young daughter when a vivid dream presages the reoccurrence of the Whitaker curse upon their lineage.
Granted, how is a mother supposed to tell her eight-year old daughter that it is their place to allow the sacrifice of an innocent? It is also true that if the apothecary's wife hadn't lied, she would have been branded a witch and slaughtered along with the Whitakers. Few condone date rape, and many wouldn't condone premarital sex with stepsiblings, but almost everyone can understand how two hormonal sixteen year olds would lie to get a chance to make out. Therein lies a large part of the horror you feel upon reading The Well: you understand the reasoning behind the lies, you get it. Then Labrow shows you the nasty consequences of the darkness unleashed by 'understandable' lies.
The characters in The Well are mostly well-crafted. If you were to meet one of them in the grocery store, he or she would be indistinguishable from the 'real' shoppers. When Labrow characters lie, love, or feel the entire spectrum of fear, they do it convincingly - except for one character. That character is Matt's father, Jim. Jim is presented as "decent" albeit "slightly dull," the type of man who, even "under pressure…[is] able to think straight." When driving to see if their kids are in danger, Jim "drove as quickly as he could but - being Jim - not irresponsibly." Instead of just showing us Jim being Jim, the narrative resorts to telling us facts about Jim. The scenes with Jim break the flow of the story, making me conscious of the fact that I am, after all, reading. This is a minor quibble; the other characters, especially the pedophile crossing-guard, are almost uncomfortably human.
What interests me about Jim is that he seems to be the only male character in The Well who is not a womanizing bully, cheater, drunk, or aspiring rapist. Instead, Jim is the poster-boy for calm and supportive love; he makes a conscious effort to touch his wife and offer her comfort despite his own fears. Although this review is not the place for an in depth analysis of any one facet of the novel, I think a book club would find a veritable treasure trove of discussion solely around the topic of gender and sexuality presented in The Well.
If The Well is about the consequences of lying, it is in equal measure a book about the dynamics of relationships. Labrow presents several types of relationships, all at varying stages of intimacy, and each with their own set of problems. However, he doesn't limit the narrative to examining only personal relationships. As with the choice to expand the work beyond just the events that take place within the well, Labrow expands the type of relationships he examines beyond everyday romance and friendship. Labrow orchestrates situations to examine a variety of interactions including the relationship of the accursed to the innocent; the relationship of a trusting community to a predatory school employee; and the relationship of police to possible suspects. The question of individual responsibility to a group or community is an understated yet dynamic theme in the novel. What is truly notable is that at no point does the weightiness of the questions posed drag down the story or interrupt the immediacy of the characters' panic and fear.
The Well is a multifaceted, thematically rich horror novel you don't want to miss!
This review originally appeared on my blog, http://anikocarmean.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2021
I am not a huge reader of horror books, but I definitely enjoyed this one. The connection, through a well, of a witch, a pedophile and a young female swimmer, was really excellent! I know, sounds strange, but it works!
October 16, 2022
Good book. Wish I'd never read it.
November 3, 2016
Really enjoyed this. Never knew what was coming next.
Shame the chap hasn't published any more
Shame the chap hasn't published any more
July 6, 2011
Genre: Horror
Publisher: indie/self-published
Where I got it: I won it! Amazon
Warnings: violence, adult themes
The review (spoilers past this point):
The Well could easily be called The Surprise.
I think the first thing I thought when seeing this book was "how on earth do you keep a story going about some people trapped in a well?"
The answer is "with a lot of care".
What makes The Well so compelling is the human element. The narrative follows several lives over the course of a week, beginning with Becca and Matt, who end up trapped in an isolated well after their parents leave town for a few days. Becca, as a point of view character, is quite a likeable protagonist. She's spunky, determined and resourceful. I felt her emotions and actions were quite realistic for such a harrowing ordeal.
Seeing the parents first face the realisation that something is terribly wrong, and then fracturing as the painful reality sits in, is equally heartbreaking for very different reasons. They can escape the well they've put themselves in, if they'd only realise and act on it.
All of the characters - from the antagonistic crossing guard to the police officers on the case and Becca's friends - are well-fleshed out, with care taken to explore their lives and propel them along a path that easily be described as "fate". One character in particular, Sammy, is endearing, brave and completely sure in her convictions. It's a rare gem of a character that reminds the reader that the world doesn't have to be an apathetic place devoid of people making the hard, but heroic choices. Sammy contrasts sharply with her mother, Abby, who, while trying to do the right thing, is in fact making no choice at all and remains as trapped as Becca. For this reason, Sammy becomes an excellent catalyst who forces several characters to move forward, for good or bad. It's a very cool parallel with Becca.
There are numerous moments that have you biting your fingernails and pushing to read "just one more page", but there are also moments that have you pumping your fist in the air. Small triumphs and large ones. It's a wonderful balance to have in a horror novel that is surprisingly free of gore, but high on characterisation and quality story-telling.
Final word
A surprisingly addictive horror novel that is a strong showcase of character limits, failings and successes when faced with an impossible situation
Publisher: indie/self-published
Where I got it: I won it! Amazon
Warnings: violence, adult themes
The review (spoilers past this point):
The Well could easily be called The Surprise.
I think the first thing I thought when seeing this book was "how on earth do you keep a story going about some people trapped in a well?"
The answer is "with a lot of care".
What makes The Well so compelling is the human element. The narrative follows several lives over the course of a week, beginning with Becca and Matt, who end up trapped in an isolated well after their parents leave town for a few days. Becca, as a point of view character, is quite a likeable protagonist. She's spunky, determined and resourceful. I felt her emotions and actions were quite realistic for such a harrowing ordeal.
Seeing the parents first face the realisation that something is terribly wrong, and then fracturing as the painful reality sits in, is equally heartbreaking for very different reasons. They can escape the well they've put themselves in, if they'd only realise and act on it.
All of the characters - from the antagonistic crossing guard to the police officers on the case and Becca's friends - are well-fleshed out, with care taken to explore their lives and propel them along a path that easily be described as "fate". One character in particular, Sammy, is endearing, brave and completely sure in her convictions. It's a rare gem of a character that reminds the reader that the world doesn't have to be an apathetic place devoid of people making the hard, but heroic choices. Sammy contrasts sharply with her mother, Abby, who, while trying to do the right thing, is in fact making no choice at all and remains as trapped as Becca. For this reason, Sammy becomes an excellent catalyst who forces several characters to move forward, for good or bad. It's a very cool parallel with Becca.
There are numerous moments that have you biting your fingernails and pushing to read "just one more page", but there are also moments that have you pumping your fist in the air. Small triumphs and large ones. It's a wonderful balance to have in a horror novel that is surprisingly free of gore, but high on characterisation and quality story-telling.
Final word
A surprisingly addictive horror novel that is a strong showcase of character limits, failings and successes when faced with an impossible situation
February 26, 2012
"The Well" by author Peter Labrow is an amazing tale that is three very good works in one: it has Horror, it is a great Crime Drama and it is a Thriller that is immensely that. In the beginning, I sat down, preparing myself for horror. When it became a crime story, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself slightly disappointed when it suddenly turned paranormal on me; however, in the end, it all worked together beautifully. Labrow could have settled for his story simply being a Thriller, and he would have had a very good novel. Yet he did not. He went for the trifecta, and nailed it.
It is a tantalising tale, but it very well might be the many subplots that keep you flipping pages. They weave in and out, back and forth, as if the author had been sipping from the same fount as Dan Brown, but, dare I say, with a bit more substance to each chapter, not merely settling for stringing his readers along with one cliff hanger after another. Without revealing too much, I just loved the way that separate characters came together, not just for the missing Becca, but by the very determined young girl, Sammy, who refused to stand idly by and allow another to suffer.
"This is a great story, as I have already alluded to; however, what makes it more than just a fun way to pass a weekend, are the brilliant characters. The phrase 'three-dimensional' gets tossed about a lot when writers discuss the craft of creating believable characters, but let me tell you something: Labrow nailed that, too. From the heights of leads such as trapped Becca and the "gifted" young Sammy; to the supporting cast of best friend Hannah, Sammy's mother Abby, Becca' s mother Sarah and boyfriend Jim; to even the creepy Randle, troubled Ed and members of the police force - this novel is the fabled Lost Ark. It raises the bar for all of us! You may submit for me a novel that contains a better story, but I defy you to list one that sports better characters.
It is a tantalising tale, but it very well might be the many subplots that keep you flipping pages. They weave in and out, back and forth, as if the author had been sipping from the same fount as Dan Brown, but, dare I say, with a bit more substance to each chapter, not merely settling for stringing his readers along with one cliff hanger after another. Without revealing too much, I just loved the way that separate characters came together, not just for the missing Becca, but by the very determined young girl, Sammy, who refused to stand idly by and allow another to suffer.
"This is a great story, as I have already alluded to; however, what makes it more than just a fun way to pass a weekend, are the brilliant characters. The phrase 'three-dimensional' gets tossed about a lot when writers discuss the craft of creating believable characters, but let me tell you something: Labrow nailed that, too. From the heights of leads such as trapped Becca and the "gifted" young Sammy; to the supporting cast of best friend Hannah, Sammy's mother Abby, Becca' s mother Sarah and boyfriend Jim; to even the creepy Randle, troubled Ed and members of the police force - this novel is the fabled Lost Ark. It raises the bar for all of us! You may submit for me a novel that contains a better story, but I defy you to list one that sports better characters.
May 18, 2011
First off I would like to thank Peter Labrow for giving me the opportunity to read this truly brilliant book.
I often don't like to regurgitate the stories book' entail, but describe the feelings and emotions that books give me as I read them. I hope this book will transform you as it did me.
This is a true escape and gripping read, you will not want to put this book down. Scenes are so vivid that you can nearly smell the waters surrounding Becca. The depth of the characters give you a hauting look and human touch to stories within. This book has heart, and raw feelings as you explore each characters world. There is potent and terrifying imagery soldered onto this horrific and heart racing thriller of a story. I believe this will be a masterpiece to the horror genre and that no reader will want to put it down. What a fine touch Mr. Labrow, what an intensive story this is.
Thank you for sharing it with me, I hope to read more of your work in the future.
I often don't like to regurgitate the stories book' entail, but describe the feelings and emotions that books give me as I read them. I hope this book will transform you as it did me.
This is a true escape and gripping read, you will not want to put this book down. Scenes are so vivid that you can nearly smell the waters surrounding Becca. The depth of the characters give you a hauting look and human touch to stories within. This book has heart, and raw feelings as you explore each characters world. There is potent and terrifying imagery soldered onto this horrific and heart racing thriller of a story. I believe this will be a masterpiece to the horror genre and that no reader will want to put it down. What a fine touch Mr. Labrow, what an intensive story this is.
Thank you for sharing it with me, I hope to read more of your work in the future.
December 29, 2011
I am a great fan of James Herbert and in the past have read most of his books. However, I have been trying a variety of new authors' books and after reading the excellent reviews on The Well, I thought I'd give it a go. I was not disappointed!
The Well keeps you captivated from start to finish. I usually take my time reading a book but this one was hard to put down.
Many other reviewers have already given good accounts of the story so there's no need to reiterate, but I'd like to say "Well done!" to Peter Labrow on his debut novel and I hope to read more of his works in the future. To be honest, this novel has gripped me as much (if not more) than some of James Herbert's books. If you enjoy a good supernatural thriller, read this!
The Well keeps you captivated from start to finish. I usually take my time reading a book but this one was hard to put down.
Many other reviewers have already given good accounts of the story so there's no need to reiterate, but I'd like to say "Well done!" to Peter Labrow on his debut novel and I hope to read more of his works in the future. To be honest, this novel has gripped me as much (if not more) than some of James Herbert's books. If you enjoy a good supernatural thriller, read this!
June 19, 2011
I really liked this book. As has been said several times before that once you start, it's very hard to put it down. How true. The story gets going very quickly and doesn't really let up until the conclusion. Peter has done such a superb job to make the characters believable that you feel you are there with them and experience all the emotions they go through. In particular the feeling of claustrophobia is almost unbearable.
It’s hard to believe that this is his first novel and I look forward to the next.
A must read.
It’s hard to believe that this is his first novel and I look forward to the next.
A must read.
October 3, 2011
When this book started I was a bit worried. How can any writer hold my attention for an entire book that starts out early with the protagonist already trapped in a well? But Labrow deftly weaves a plot full of intrigue that will have you turning pages quickly once he hits his stride.
I appreciated the attention to detail. Every single plot point was wrapped up in the conclusion even though there were a number of complex plot lines. I wish all books were as well written from a technical standpoint!
I appreciated the attention to detail. Every single plot point was wrapped up in the conclusion even though there were a number of complex plot lines. I wish all books were as well written from a technical standpoint!
November 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this work, it had some genuinely creepy moments. I'm a fan of the works of Richard Laymon, Bentley Little, Jack Ketchum, Stephen King and Clive Barker. Of those authors only Clive Barker has ever really 'scared' me - Labrow has managed what the others failed to do.
The work does have some gross out moments (nowhere near what you get in a Laymon/Little work) the only complaint I'd have however is the use of the Raven - a bit clichéd.
The work does have some gross out moments (nowhere near what you get in a Laymon/Little work) the only complaint I'd have however is the use of the Raven - a bit clichéd.
November 11, 2013
Well told! I have to admit I was a little doubtful when the story started with two kids falling into a well... I mean how long can you spin a tale about that? But the author took a creative spin and ended up with an interesting and suspenseful story. I love the fact that after the big finale, where most authors would have ended, he kept going and pointed out the long-term impact of the event on the main characters.
July 28, 2015
A page turner that kept me intently interested. I had this book in my list for quite some time worrying that a story about somebody being stuck in a well can't be very entertaining, but I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a great job of conveying the emotions of each character to the point that I could really empathize with each protagonist. If you have similar reservations, give it a chance - you won't regret it. Especially if you like dark fiction.
April 29, 2011
Received this book free in First Read Giveaway. Really enjoyed it, so suspenseful and intriguing. I found myself yelling cautions at the characters throughout and feeling a sense of dread right along with them. The author really found a way to draw the reader in to the storyline and made me feel like I was right there in the middle of the action. A must-read for suspense lovers.
September 25, 2011
This was my October read -- though obviously it was late. I think next year, I'll be sticking with classic/iconic horror/scary books. This definitely had some good parts, but overall it just felt like a bunch. I don't know that the story really flowed and I didn't feel like invested in any of the characters really. I'm still glad I got my October read in.
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