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Diavolino
The chance to build a dream home on a private island in one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes offers architect Tom Lupton the fresh start he’s been yearning for. But when he arrives with his family on Diavolino, he finds the terrified locals dead set against him. The island, whose very existence has been shrouded in secrecy for half a millennium, has a dark history that no one cares to remember, and as the opposition to Tom grows, so grows a brooding evil that will lead them to the very doors of hell…
Now available in paperback, too!
Now available in paperback, too!
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2011
3 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Steve Emmett
12 books40 followersSteve studied at the Architectural Association in London where he witnessed Dame Zaha Hadid fall through a canvas chair (admittedly she was just plain Ms Hadid then). He spent most of his working life selling and restoring Italian country homes, so spent many years living in London and Italy.
Steve grew up on Hammer Horror films, Dennis Wheatley and M R James stories, so not surprising that his main genre is horror and dark matter. He reads his work and that of others on his YouTube Channel - Steve Emmett in Other Words.
He is a member of Humanists UK, writing and leading humanist funerals and wedding ceremonies on their behalf.
Steve grew up on Hammer Horror films, Dennis Wheatley and M R James stories, so not surprising that his main genre is horror and dark matter. He reads his work and that of others on his YouTube Channel - Steve Emmett in Other Words.
He is a member of Humanists UK, writing and leading humanist funerals and wedding ceremonies on their behalf.
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March 17, 2011I don't add stars for my own book!
February 5, 2011
Diavolino
Diavolino, a debut novel by Steve Emmett, is a riveting book in the supernatural thriller category. This well-crafted book includes terrifying scenes, vivid monsters, and three-dimensional characters. The exquisite setting in Trasimeno, Italy, provides an intriguing contrast between intense beauty and horrifying occurrences.
Architects Tom and Elspeth Lupton, accompanied by their young daughter, Alice, travel to Italy at the request of an affable but unconventional client, Roger Ashby. It seems as though they have an enviable assignment to build a house on a previously unknown island that Ashby purchased. But the island has an occult history involving human torture and sacrifice.
Sima, Tom's assistant, accompanies the Luptons. Her ties with the supernatural provide the spark that ignites a shocking sequence of events, which a powerful sinister character orchestrates. His malicious intentions pose a global threat. Tom's race to save his family provides the reader with unrelenting suspense.
Anyone who reads the book will be pleased to know that this talented author has already started on a sequel.
Diavolino, a debut novel by Steve Emmett, is a riveting book in the supernatural thriller category. This well-crafted book includes terrifying scenes, vivid monsters, and three-dimensional characters. The exquisite setting in Trasimeno, Italy, provides an intriguing contrast between intense beauty and horrifying occurrences.
Architects Tom and Elspeth Lupton, accompanied by their young daughter, Alice, travel to Italy at the request of an affable but unconventional client, Roger Ashby. It seems as though they have an enviable assignment to build a house on a previously unknown island that Ashby purchased. But the island has an occult history involving human torture and sacrifice.
Sima, Tom's assistant, accompanies the Luptons. Her ties with the supernatural provide the spark that ignites a shocking sequence of events, which a powerful sinister character orchestrates. His malicious intentions pose a global threat. Tom's race to save his family provides the reader with unrelenting suspense.
Anyone who reads the book will be pleased to know that this talented author has already started on a sequel.
September 26, 2013
If you're looking for something creepy, dark, and bloody, look no further. Diavolino has all that. And then some. The apocalyptic portents and the showdown against evil are total bonuses. Seriously, nothing says "stay indoors today" like a good demon raising.
What does this book give us? A town that's both welcoming and murderous. An island that no one wants to admit exists. A pervasive evil that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. A family that is going to have some serious therapy bills in the future. Did I mention the evil? It's big. It's bad. It's a Lying McLiar pants who shouldn't be trusted.
Unfortunately, there are those who do trust the evil and they do bad things in its name.
Wonderfully atmospheric (forgotten island, people!) with plenty of death and destruction for everyone. With evil whispering in the ear of otherwise decent people, Tom and his family don't know who to trust. Doesn't that sound delicious?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
What does this book give us? A town that's both welcoming and murderous. An island that no one wants to admit exists. A pervasive evil that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. A family that is going to have some serious therapy bills in the future. Did I mention the evil? It's big. It's bad. It's a Lying McLiar pants who shouldn't be trusted.
Unfortunately, there are those who do trust the evil and they do bad things in its name.
Wonderfully atmospheric (forgotten island, people!) with plenty of death and destruction for everyone. With evil whispering in the ear of otherwise decent people, Tom and his family don't know who to trust. Doesn't that sound delicious?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 9, 2011
A Fabulous Read
If you’re a fan of Dan Brown and Stephen King, look no further. I have just read a novel that will keep fans of both thrilled – a kind of DB and SK one-stop book. How it could be overlooked by large publishing houses is beyond me, but maybe it’s the sign of the times, I don’t know.
I’m not usually a fan of paranormal and horror but this new story grabbed me from the very first page to such an extent that I had to email the author and say, Wow! And I was only on chapter three. By the end I was breathless, so wrung out I couldn’t touch a keyboard until now.
You waiting for the title? Hang on.
The scene is set in Italy, there’s Vatican involvement (we believe), and a puzzle to solve that leads back to ancient icons and history, not forgetting a simmering fight between Good and Evil that threatens to boil over.
Sounds like Dan Brown? Maybe, but this is so much better.
In this novel the reader is able to smell, taste, feel and see the countryside of Umbria, the author really knows his stuff about this area. But, don’t worry, it doesn’t overwhelm the plot or the reader at all.
It starts out in the Papal States, circa 1545. In true Stephen King fashion the reader gets an immediate foretaste of the horror to come. And what a horror - the author is a master at conjuring up the worst images and situations. I wiped my brow and breathed a sigh of relief when I was next taken to recent London and characters as normal as you or I (!) Fully rounded characters, I might add – none of your two dimensionals à la D.B. – with believable dialogue and quirks.
It’s not my place here to give the plot away, suffice to say that my relief was short-lived as I was then transported off to modern-day Italy – back to that place in Umbria which had me reeling in the beginning. The suspense builds. If the horror at the beginning was bad, you won’t believe what comes up later.
The author is exceedingly clever: he’s done a lot of research into his subject and releases it at just the right pace. He knows how to tease, to thrill and to leave almost every scene on a cliff-hanger that has the reader begging for more. It is a heart-racing thriller with twists that take you on a roller-coaster which will have you clinging to the sides of your chair. But it’s a fun ride that builds to a horrifying climax having reduced Italy to a boiling cauldron (Italians watch out!).
All I can say is, put this at the top of your reading pile and be prepared to sweat (or glow, in my case).
Shall I put you out of your misery? OK.
DIAVOLINO by Steve Emmett should be the book of the year. Read it and see if you agree.
If you’re a fan of Dan Brown and Stephen King, look no further. I have just read a novel that will keep fans of both thrilled – a kind of DB and SK one-stop book. How it could be overlooked by large publishing houses is beyond me, but maybe it’s the sign of the times, I don’t know.
I’m not usually a fan of paranormal and horror but this new story grabbed me from the very first page to such an extent that I had to email the author and say, Wow! And I was only on chapter three. By the end I was breathless, so wrung out I couldn’t touch a keyboard until now.
You waiting for the title? Hang on.
The scene is set in Italy, there’s Vatican involvement (we believe), and a puzzle to solve that leads back to ancient icons and history, not forgetting a simmering fight between Good and Evil that threatens to boil over.
Sounds like Dan Brown? Maybe, but this is so much better.
In this novel the reader is able to smell, taste, feel and see the countryside of Umbria, the author really knows his stuff about this area. But, don’t worry, it doesn’t overwhelm the plot or the reader at all.
It starts out in the Papal States, circa 1545. In true Stephen King fashion the reader gets an immediate foretaste of the horror to come. And what a horror - the author is a master at conjuring up the worst images and situations. I wiped my brow and breathed a sigh of relief when I was next taken to recent London and characters as normal as you or I (!) Fully rounded characters, I might add – none of your two dimensionals à la D.B. – with believable dialogue and quirks.
It’s not my place here to give the plot away, suffice to say that my relief was short-lived as I was then transported off to modern-day Italy – back to that place in Umbria which had me reeling in the beginning. The suspense builds. If the horror at the beginning was bad, you won’t believe what comes up later.
The author is exceedingly clever: he’s done a lot of research into his subject and releases it at just the right pace. He knows how to tease, to thrill and to leave almost every scene on a cliff-hanger that has the reader begging for more. It is a heart-racing thriller with twists that take you on a roller-coaster which will have you clinging to the sides of your chair. But it’s a fun ride that builds to a horrifying climax having reduced Italy to a boiling cauldron (Italians watch out!).
All I can say is, put this at the top of your reading pile and be prepared to sweat (or glow, in my case).
Shall I put you out of your misery? OK.
DIAVOLINO by Steve Emmett should be the book of the year. Read it and see if you agree.
June 20, 2011
If you are a fan of Stephen King and Dan Brown, you're gunna love Steve Emmett. In Diavolino, architect Tom Lupton and his family are uprooted from their home in London to design and build a new home for the unconventional Sir Roger who has bought a mysterious island in Italy - Diavolino. The locals see Sir Roger and his new purchase as a threat that will expose hidden evils and put the whole of the town in extreme danger, so, needless to say, Tom and his family aren't exactly welcomed with open arms. What they thought would be a nice repreive in paradise turned out to be beyond what they could even imagine as their worst nightmares.
Diavolino is extremely fast-paced and jumps from scene to scene with an abruptness that forces the reader's undivided attention. The descriptions are incredibly detailed and full of clever adjectives and metaphors that really set the creepy and horrific tone of the book. Emmett's character's are likeable, but I think the focus was meant to be toward the unraveling events rather than knowing in-depth details about the characters.
I didn't give Diavolino five glowing stars because I felt like there were a few details that didn't make sense or were left open-ended. I will probably read it again later, just to make sure I didn't miss anything, but sometimes I was left wondering how some interactions, dialogues, or events tied in with the whole of the story. Also, I would have liked a bit more of a 'lead-up,' because it seemed as though everything happened so suddenly. However, I'm sure there are many readers who will really like the fast-pace and non-stop action and suspense.
Overall, I really enjoyed Steve Emmett's twisted tale and will definitely be reading whatever he releases next.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Diavolino is extremely fast-paced and jumps from scene to scene with an abruptness that forces the reader's undivided attention. The descriptions are incredibly detailed and full of clever adjectives and metaphors that really set the creepy and horrific tone of the book. Emmett's character's are likeable, but I think the focus was meant to be toward the unraveling events rather than knowing in-depth details about the characters.
I didn't give Diavolino five glowing stars because I felt like there were a few details that didn't make sense or were left open-ended. I will probably read it again later, just to make sure I didn't miss anything, but sometimes I was left wondering how some interactions, dialogues, or events tied in with the whole of the story. Also, I would have liked a bit more of a 'lead-up,' because it seemed as though everything happened so suddenly. However, I'm sure there are many readers who will really like the fast-pace and non-stop action and suspense.
Overall, I really enjoyed Steve Emmett's twisted tale and will definitely be reading whatever he releases next.
Happy Reading Everyone!
March 17, 2015
Diavolino by Steve Emmett, the new kid on the horror block, is a spectacular, horrific and devilish romp that has all the catastrophic ambition of a 2012 disaster movie and it doesn't let you down.
Architect Tom Lupton is brought to the island of Diavolino to design and oversee the building of Sir Roger's Playhouse only to find that the island is the doorway to Hell - but of course it is! Before he knows it Tom and his family are caught up in some seriously dark shenanigans. And we have it all, earthquakes, freak weather, monks that are orgiastically charged devils and a creature that munches on skulls like they are hard boiled sweets. It rollicks along. Moments of pause are nicely played with gentle evocative prose. The choreography of action and spectacle point perfect.
If there is criticism then it would be that some of the decisions made by the characters seem a little rushed and not earned - the narrative flies ahead like a Hollywood blockbuster and as a result characterisation is truncated. The result is that a couple of choices taken by the heroes could have been explored more to make them work - an almost ridiculous statement considering the sheer enormity of the horror at play, but for me psychological logic is important, it supports my suspension of disbelief. But this is a minor niggle, Diavolino's sense of scale is no holds barred and Emmett's play on form is top notch and knowing, he writes with a twinkle in his eye and it's the twinkle of a rough diamond.
Diavolino is a big budget opera of doom and damnation and a hoot to boot.
Architect Tom Lupton is brought to the island of Diavolino to design and oversee the building of Sir Roger's Playhouse only to find that the island is the doorway to Hell - but of course it is! Before he knows it Tom and his family are caught up in some seriously dark shenanigans. And we have it all, earthquakes, freak weather, monks that are orgiastically charged devils and a creature that munches on skulls like they are hard boiled sweets. It rollicks along. Moments of pause are nicely played with gentle evocative prose. The choreography of action and spectacle point perfect.
If there is criticism then it would be that some of the decisions made by the characters seem a little rushed and not earned - the narrative flies ahead like a Hollywood blockbuster and as a result characterisation is truncated. The result is that a couple of choices taken by the heroes could have been explored more to make them work - an almost ridiculous statement considering the sheer enormity of the horror at play, but for me psychological logic is important, it supports my suspension of disbelief. But this is a minor niggle, Diavolino's sense of scale is no holds barred and Emmett's play on form is top notch and knowing, he writes with a twinkle in his eye and it's the twinkle of a rough diamond.
Diavolino is a big budget opera of doom and damnation and a hoot to boot.
June 9, 2012
Tom Lupton is hired by an old friend, Sir Roger, who happens to be a billionaire businessman, to build a house on an island Sir Roger has purchased in Italy. Tom's wife and young daughter go along and they see the weeks they will spend there as a grand adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The island Roger purchased, however, has been vacant for centuries after atrocities were committed there and the towns people shut it off to civilization. It only takes a few days for the adventure to turn sour. Tom's assistant disappears, then mysteriously reappears a day later in a coma. The Lupton's daughter sees a pig-faced creature watching her from the trees and later believes it was in their home. The incidents are all being orchestrated by an old priest named Clavelli who wants to claim the island as his own to reanimate an ancient evil that he has lived for his whole life.
Diavolino was a very entertaining book. Emmett's writing flows smoothly and gives you clearly delineated characters to root for and against. I found them all to be real people as well, no stereotypes or cardboard cut-outs. He does especially well with some gruesome descriptive passages that really allow you to feel and smell the scenery. Diavolino is an excellent horror story.
Diavolino was a very entertaining book. Emmett's writing flows smoothly and gives you clearly delineated characters to root for and against. I found them all to be real people as well, no stereotypes or cardboard cut-outs. He does especially well with some gruesome descriptive passages that really allow you to feel and smell the scenery. Diavolino is an excellent horror story.
June 25, 2021
I found myself impressed with this debut novel. The Lupton family thinks they’re just living in Italy for a short while as they design a home for a wealthy client. Instead of a pleasant working vacation, they find unwelcoming and suspicious townspeople and a big scary hole in the ground. I liked the Lupton family as characters, and Annamaria, the local schoolmistress. Emmett does a great job of letting the reader know who is good, who is bad, and who you shouldn’t be too sure of. I was also impressed by the description; the bloody lake splashing up against the white hull of the boat was particularly vibrant for me. Also, the Stymphalian birds taking down the planes.
The one thing I wish had been different is the build-up. I would have a loved another incident or two before the chaos really begins. Things go bad very quickly, when we’ve barely had a chance to get our bearings on the island and in the town.
Overall, this is a nice piece of horror with religious roots. It also made me think of the Italian "haunted island" of Poveglia, and I always like when I can relate a story to something in real-life.
The one thing I wish had been different is the build-up. I would have a loved another incident or two before the chaos really begins. Things go bad very quickly, when we’ve barely had a chance to get our bearings on the island and in the town.
Overall, this is a nice piece of horror with religious roots. It also made me think of the Italian "haunted island" of Poveglia, and I always like when I can relate a story to something in real-life.
April 3, 2011
This is the sort of genre that I dip in and out of from time to time, and I'd heard good things about this author, so decided to give this one a whirl.
I'm very glad I did.
Emmett writes with a very readable style, the sort that encourages you to turn the pages, wanting to race through and find out what the heck is going on. That's not to say the book isn't worth savouring. I'd recommend two reads--one to just plow through and satisfy curiosity, a second to just enjoy.
The characters are well rounded, the descriptive prose fantastic and the plot intriguing and exciting. You know what? It feels like the way a Dan Brown novel should have been to justify all those sales!
I'd highly encourage you to download a copy, pour yourself a glass of wine, grab a bowl of olives and settle in for an enjoyable few hours with this fantastic debut novel.
I'm very glad I did.
Emmett writes with a very readable style, the sort that encourages you to turn the pages, wanting to race through and find out what the heck is going on. That's not to say the book isn't worth savouring. I'd recommend two reads--one to just plow through and satisfy curiosity, a second to just enjoy.
The characters are well rounded, the descriptive prose fantastic and the plot intriguing and exciting. You know what? It feels like the way a Dan Brown novel should have been to justify all those sales!
I'd highly encourage you to download a copy, pour yourself a glass of wine, grab a bowl of olives and settle in for an enjoyable few hours with this fantastic debut novel.
January 25, 2012
I read this on the Kindle. Being a big horror fan, I was delighted to find that this ticked all the right boxes: a gripping beginning; a slow build, fraught with tension; well crafted, incredibly sinister characters that I couldn't wait to find out more about; a plot that slowly drew me in until I was looking forward to bedtime so that I could find out what was going to happen next. It's meticulously researched, and the author obviosuly has extensive first-hand knowledge of the Italian setting. This serves him well, though occasionally I found myself getting a little frustrated with the detailed scene setting as I wanted to get back to the main action. However, that's just me being picky. I would definitely recommend this to all horror fans. It's a genuine spinetingler that you'll enjoy delving into as the wind moans outside and the branches scratch at the window.
September 11, 2012
I don't normally read horror but having got one of the first print copies of this in the UK I couldn't resist. And I really enjoyed it. It has a fast, involving and original story and the author's familiarity with the region of Italy he's describing is obvious. The characters are nicely formed and the living landscape exudes evil.
I'm not going to spell out the story because to do so would spoil it. Just pour a glass of wine - preferably a deep red Italian vintage or perhaps some prosecco and dive in.
Emmett is a very competent writer and I look forward to seeing his next novel which I have been told is very different... but no doubt just as good...
I'm not going to spell out the story because to do so would spoil it. Just pour a glass of wine - preferably a deep red Italian vintage or perhaps some prosecco and dive in.
Emmett is a very competent writer and I look forward to seeing his next novel which I have been told is very different... but no doubt just as good...
February 15, 2011
I was hooked after that disturbing first chapter. Steve Emmett has given us a whirlwind horror adventure that just doesn't let up. His knowledge of the area adds to the story, and his vision of those things best left hidden in darkness will haunt me for some time to come! Excellent! One of my favorite reads in the last couple of years!
February 12, 2011
A seductive start, atmospheric, and pacey with twists and turns... for me - perfect bedtime reading! A real 'good vs evil' adventure, I really enjoyed this, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Steve Emmett
December 13, 2012
I wasn't completely convinced at the start of this book but the more I read the more I liked it. By the time I got towards the end I couldn't put it down. Once the action started it was fast paced and had me hooked.
February 5, 2011
Brilliant first novel that captures the sense of place as well as the spirit of evil. Good page-turner!
March 6, 2011
Polished and slick.
May 15, 2013
When I look for excuses to read rather than work, the book must be a page-turner. Such was the case with Diavolino. Was it a good idea for the Catholic Church to exile their murderer and rapist priests to an island where there might be a latent supernatural phenomenon? When Tom Lubton and his family arrives on Diavolino, they find out that, not only are the locals from Polvese dead set against development of the island, but, there is also something strange and threatening on Diavolino itself. Soon they are in for a hair-raising adventure filled with the stuff of their worst nightmares.
This extremely well-researched and suspense laden book kept me spellbound for hours. Filled with action from the word go, the story builds to a mighty climax in the second half of the book. The author took the time to wind the story down in a satisfactory way with some of the questions unanswered - something that I like in a book.
The characters are truly realistically and skillfully crafted. From Sir Roger, the typical old English gentleman, to the numerous Italian locals on Polvese, they are all so absolutely unique and vivid that I could visualize them throughout the story. Some of the bad guys actually have second thoughts when they realize how destructive their mission is, and what is an almost five-hundred-year old priest and his doctor, who is a transplant specialist, doing in the Vatican?
The author uses multiple points of view to tell the story and this serves to crank the suspense up to almost unbearable at times. During the main crisis of the book, he adds what is being broadcast on the media to the rapidly switching points of view thus emphasizing the sense of disaster. This book contains some of the best descriptions of pure evil that I have ever read. His use of the mythical Stymphalian birds gives a nicely inventive twist to the events.
For an edge-of-your-chair reading experience I highly recommend Diavolino, a truly five star read by an author who clearly put in a great deal of effort to create a highly exciting and informative book. (Ellen Fritz)
This extremely well-researched and suspense laden book kept me spellbound for hours. Filled with action from the word go, the story builds to a mighty climax in the second half of the book. The author took the time to wind the story down in a satisfactory way with some of the questions unanswered - something that I like in a book.
The characters are truly realistically and skillfully crafted. From Sir Roger, the typical old English gentleman, to the numerous Italian locals on Polvese, they are all so absolutely unique and vivid that I could visualize them throughout the story. Some of the bad guys actually have second thoughts when they realize how destructive their mission is, and what is an almost five-hundred-year old priest and his doctor, who is a transplant specialist, doing in the Vatican?
The author uses multiple points of view to tell the story and this serves to crank the suspense up to almost unbearable at times. During the main crisis of the book, he adds what is being broadcast on the media to the rapidly switching points of view thus emphasizing the sense of disaster. This book contains some of the best descriptions of pure evil that I have ever read. His use of the mythical Stymphalian birds gives a nicely inventive twist to the events.
For an edge-of-your-chair reading experience I highly recommend Diavolino, a truly five star read by an author who clearly put in a great deal of effort to create a highly exciting and informative book. (Ellen Fritz)
May 31, 2011
Tom Lupton and his wife Elspeth have the once in lifetime chance for a fresh start on things. Commissioned by Roger Ashby, they have the opportunity to build a dream home on a private island in Italy’s most beautiful lake. However, the locals are terrified and set against this becoming a reality. The island has a dark history that surrounds it involving torture and sacrifice and they are in fear that the darkness with awaken and be revealed. Sima, Tom's assistant, who joins the Lupton's on their trip has a connection to the supernatural world and this connection sparks a series of events not only endangers Lupton's family, but the entire world.
The first thing that struck me about Diavolino is that the author, Steve Emmett, obviously has first hand knowledge of the location of his story. My husband and I were privileged enough to get to spend 2 weeks throughout Italy back in 2003 and to this day we still remember details as though it were yesterday; so to read Emmett's descriptions you can tell he knows what he is talking about.
Diavolino sets off at neckbreaking speed and only occasionally pauses to allow you to catch your breath. I would have preferred a slightly slower start with a bit more set up, but the rest of the ride...no complaints.
Some readers may not like that there is not a lot of character build up. The author introduces you to a character, gives a brief summary as to who they are and then tosses them into the story to allow you to figure them out yourself. I, personally, felt that with Emmett's writing style this tactic worked and added a bit of extra suspense to the already tension filled tale.
Diavolino has a raw grittiness to it that works well with the wonder and intrigue within the world that Steve Emmett has created.
The first thing that struck me about Diavolino is that the author, Steve Emmett, obviously has first hand knowledge of the location of his story. My husband and I were privileged enough to get to spend 2 weeks throughout Italy back in 2003 and to this day we still remember details as though it were yesterday; so to read Emmett's descriptions you can tell he knows what he is talking about.
Diavolino sets off at neckbreaking speed and only occasionally pauses to allow you to catch your breath. I would have preferred a slightly slower start with a bit more set up, but the rest of the ride...no complaints.
Some readers may not like that there is not a lot of character build up. The author introduces you to a character, gives a brief summary as to who they are and then tosses them into the story to allow you to figure them out yourself. I, personally, felt that with Emmett's writing style this tactic worked and added a bit of extra suspense to the already tension filled tale.
Diavolino has a raw grittiness to it that works well with the wonder and intrigue within the world that Steve Emmett has created.
June 20, 2011
Why this book wasn't taken by a major publisher and blasted all over the media I will never know. It is utterly brilliant. One of the best horrors for years. It's a good old-fashioned British horror adventure of the Wheatley school but with modern influences like King and Barker. Emmett has put all this together to create a 21st century thriller that should be read by everyone remotely interested in horror and supernatural - or Italy. It is not a slasher gore fest, and for that I praise it. On top of this, Emmett is a master writer with an enviable command of the English language.
July 26, 2016
Emmett sets the mood from page one in this horror masterpiece. There's plenty of foreshadowing in place that leads me to wish I could warn the Lupton family. Emmett builds your knowledge of the characters' personalities layer by layer while moving the plot along at fast pace that keeps you turning the page. The imagery of the novel immerses the reader in several environments - England, Italy, and Hell.
If you want a read that feels like a stroll in the park, this isn't it. This book keeps your running with the Boogie Man behind you.
If you want a read that feels like a stroll in the park, this isn't it. This book keeps your running with the Boogie Man behind you.
May 17, 2012
This is my kind of horror story. Great plot, plausible characters that you actually care about and a pace that never lets up. This is 21st century Dennis Wheatley meets Stephen King and I found it unputdownable. Highly recommended. I understand the paperback is coming out soon in the UK (already out in the US), so all non-converts to ebooks will be able to enjoy it too.
May 10, 2011
Horror isn't usually my thing, but Steve Emmett writes a riveting tale of demons at the mouth of hell. It's a bit graphic (if you're a squeemy meemie like me). But it's fast moving and very cinematic and it keeps you turning pages.
April 20, 2011
Great story; review to come soon and will be linked through my Facebook and Twitter.
July 8, 2011
Rarely does a book leave me in fear and with damp hands, but this did.
Excellent knowledge of the area and gripping yarn. When the next one out
Excellent knowledge of the area and gripping yarn. When the next one out
July 30, 2011
See my review at: http://www.thedeepening.com/horror/20...
August 14, 2013
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, and that's all I've got to say.
September 7, 2014
I am not usually a fan of the supernatural, but I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews