Writ in Blood

Serenity Falls #1

by James A. Moore

Three hundred years ago, she fell victim to the fear and wrath of those who dwelled in Serenity Falls. Her body was devoured in flames. But her curse upon the town lives on...

The hamlet of Serenity Falls is dying. Businesses have vacated. Tourism has vanished. And good will among neighbours is long gone. Historian Simon MacGruder has taken it upon himself to record a formal narration of the town's past before it fades into oblivion. What he uncovers is a history of the unspeakable: lynchings, mass murders, sexual depravity, and rumors of the birth of the anti-Christ. But the darkest secret is yet to be revealed—by a stranger who has arrived at MacGruder's door on a mission of his own...

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Paranormal, Adult

296 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 31, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.

Reviews

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been way too long since I’ve read James A. Moore, and his writing story doesn’t disappoint after a hiatus. It’s easy to be absorbed into the story by the way he weaves words together.

The mysterious Jonathan Crowley was the most fascinating character in the book. Supernaturally gifted, he travels and haunts down different baddies, led by sources, gut instinct, and something else not explained to the reader. This cover of mystery only makes him more intriguing. Simon MacGruder, the other main, is writing a story of the town’s history, sorting through the violent history and legends which have befallen the town.

Every town has it’s sordid history, but this one worse than others, and things are finally being set in motion to bring it all to a head, revenge style. Intriguing premise.

Pacing is languid but to suit the tone of the story, and also since it’s a trilogy not everything is going to be wrapped up here. It’s all being set in motion and the foundation laid. Writ in Blood goes back and forth between three storylines, which can get disorientating if you don’t pay attention, but ultimately necessary to get all the tidbits in there. I personally dislike timeline changes like that for the most part, as I get sucked into one story and don’t want to leave it, but it’s done as effectively as it can be here.

By the end of the book, I have glimpses of the overall storyline, but not enough to merit me wanting to absorb myself in the story yet.

[Jerrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writ in Blood has a steady pace but is also the first in a finished trilogy. It's laid out by alternating between Simon, who is writing about the darker history of Serenity Falls; Simon's written chapters; and a 'gentleman' named Crowley. By the end of the novel your not quite sure how Crowley fits into the bigger picture quite yet and leaves the reader hanging for some unanswered questions. It's not a complex read and flows fairly well, but some might be irritated that you can't quite connect all the dots. It's not poorly written but it's not at the level [IMO] as say Clive Barker or Conrad Williams. Overall its an entertaining read and worth checking out and killing some time. They do sell a combined novel with all three novels bundled into one for those that don't want the break in books.





********************SPOILERS*******************



I was pretty disappointed that vampires made a brief appearance in the novel [I'm burnt out on main stream vampire lore] but it's made up for by the appearance of 'The Deep Ones' for a brief moment [from HPL fame]. This first book is definitely more spiritual/supernatural horror and doesn't have really any graphic deceptions of depravity. It does happen, but not with grinding and twisting detail, letting the reader in many parts fill it with as much or as little detail as they want. The Crowley character is what adds the spice to the book between reading of Simons searching of the history of Serenity Falls and his written chapters. I do look forward to reading more of what Mr. Crowley has in store and how he really fits into all this mess that is The Falls.

[Herne's Own · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely hated this book. I'm not one to pick up a book and not finish it, but I just cannot go on. The book attempts to tell three stories at the same time:

1) the tale of a writer trying to research the history of his hometown,
2) his finished chapters describing the town and its twisted history, and
3) the tale of a man named Crowley who combats evil.

The way the book jumps about from one storyline to another, each of which seeming completely unrelated to the other. The constant introduction of random people and stories who have nothing to do with the main storyline. The campy action scenes that felt more comic-bookish than real. All of this leads to a book with a random, haphazard, disjointed feel that left me not caring about the few recurring characters anymore and more confused and twisted than a Gordian knot. I know that eventually the three story lines are supposed to converge, but at just over halfway through this book, I simply don't care anymore. And then i find out that the story isn't even finished in this book? That it's only the first part of a trilogy? Sorry, but I'm not sticking around to see it happen.

I hate to do it, but I am putting this book down. It's going in my "to be donated" pile and I will not feel bad about doing it. Good riddance.

[Beth Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time - a very long time ago, I was a kid in junior high. That time also happened to coincide with the publication in the late 1970's-mid 1980's of a bunch of pulp-type horror novels designed to catch the eye. Maybe, if you're a certain age, you remember them, too. Pocket paperbacks published the best ones - they had two covers, the one on the front that had die-cuts out of it. You opened it and there was another cover underneath with a semi-lurid but always intriguing or shocking larger picture underneath. I bought a bunch of those books. I loved them. I wish I still had them.

Anyway. Those were great days. And great reads. But time passed. I went to college. There were fewer and fewer of those Pocket books appearing as tastes and fads changed some. I had other shit I had to read. You know how it is, college.

Then I had kids. And dogs. And horror books, if they can't freak you out in the dark of night with the usual stuff ALWAYS resort to doing horrific, terrible things to small children and maiming or disemboweling innocent dogs.

I admit, I softened up. I couldn't take it anymore. And so, I parted ways with my beloved horror and my Stephen King. We've since re-united, he and I. And recently, I have to say, I've read some very, very fine horror novels. In the intervening years (go ahead, you can say it - the ones where I whimped out), some really fine writers have emerged and I get the joy of going back and finding some of them. A small portion, I am sure of what is really out there.

I'm not sure how James A. Moore's books crossed my radar. I know it was sometime last year. Probably here on GoodReads through a buddy whose reading lists I was stalking. Most likely.
I was cheesed to discover the Serenity Falls books were not available for Kindle. Nor were they available at all. As in no longer being published. Man, I hate that. I cannot tell you how MUCH I hate that. Because I'm lazy, and I am a fan of instant gratification. Hi, Amazon! LOVE YOU!!

So, I shoved Serenity Falls onto a Want-to-Read list and a WishList and basically forgot about it. And then it popped up again - this time most defnitely here on a friend's review. Since I respect that friend's opinions of bookish things and the review was rather raving, I had to go back and see where I was at it with Serenity Falls.

Damn it - still not available. You gotta make it hard on me, don'tcha? Click around a little, check out the secondary sellers' ratings. Who has what and who has it cheap and who isn't looking to get massively rich by gouging me with shipping rates.

Score!! For less than $12 bucks, I got all three books from one seller. In three packages. I paid less than $3 bucks for the books themselves. Don't get me started on shipping.

The books arrived. Not mint copies, but who the hell cares about that? I'm not a collector of books. Anymore. I am A Person Whose Life Situation Has Changed. I have no space for real books. I love my Kindle. And the books arrived in the middle of a personal disaster that literally had me scrambling for a place to live. So they got shoved in a drawer.

Until this past Sunday, when I was at work and my beloved Kindle did the Darwin thing, developed feet and walked out of my life forever. OMG - talk about horror! *SOB*

I panicked. I admit it. I did the only logical thing one can do. I immediately ordered another, signed up for Prime so I could get free 2-day shipping and resigned myself to waiting. Because I was in the middle of not one, but two library loans - both of which I was very happy with.

But I am NOT a girl who can go without reading. Period. It is my sole form of entertainment. And let's face it: once you've made the initial investment in a Kindle, it's a relatively cheap addiction (if you let it be) and it's like heroin - you can't get enough. But I had 2 days to wait. I contemplated phone reading. Like phone sex, really not my thing. The laptop - ditto. I have eyes. They're sensitive.

And then, I had a bolt out of the blue. HEY! Remember books? You know, the old-fashioned kind? I have some kicking around in a drawer here. Crap. That print is SO fricking tiny. But if I didn't do something, and soon, the jonesing for Tuesday was gonna frickin' kill me.

So, hello Serenity Falls. Talk to me.

I read a review here saying the reader DNF'ed this one because there were too many subplots and endless character introductions.

Oh, hell yeah, baby. Bring it on. The more the merrier. And that guy was right. Except, dude - it's a trilogy. Did you not KNOW that? And what are you reading now? Cuz it sure as hell ain't "Game of Thrones."

Well, I've digressed long enough. Hello, James A. Moore. Can I marry you yet? Because, my friend, you have written an AWESOME book. And it really, really needs to see the light of day again. Your story was ABSORBING. (Did I mention I was grieving the loss of my Kindle? You held my hand, you fascinated me. You had quirks and shit. Yeah, you killed some people - and some little kids - but mine are all grown up now and I'm a little tougher, too now. You didn't kill a dog. Yet. Bet that's Book 2. I hope not. I have a great dog. I love him. Please don't kill a dog. I keep begging Joe Hill for the same mercy. He is a cold-hearted dog-killing son-of-a-whelp - but I still love him, too.

Anyway, my true rating for this first book is a 4.5. All my GoodReads friends - if you can hack horror, please go find this book somewhere. Dig through your favorite secondhand paperback swap shop. But get it. Rave about it. Make people read it.

Will it change your life? Of course not. At least - I certainly hope not, because that would not be a good thing I do not think. I mean, it's horror.

But it reconnected me with a little lost insecure junior high school girl who had a thing for some twisted fiction back in the day. This book? Even better than those. Really decent writing. A couple of characters to grow really fond of. Or. . .not. Allusions and twists. Fantastic non-ending, of course.
Mysteries and secrets and shit.

The paperback I have could have been edited better. But I love indie Kindle books and I am always, always bitching about editing. I long ago gave up demoting stars because of crap editing. Especially when I would read new hardback library loans that also had crap editing.

Is that even a job anymore? Because I could do that. If I tried. As if anyone still cared.

But I am serious here. Hi, James A. Moore. I am VERY pleased to meet you. Please don't be a stranger. World - beat a path to the door of James A. Moore. He's written a bunch of stuff that is available. It looks to be high fantasy stuff, which isn't exactly my forte, but hey, maybe. . .
And if everyone shows him enough fan-love, MAYBE someday will wise up and re-release Serenity Falls for the masses. It could happen. Stranger things have. . .

[Paul McNamee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In upstate New York, a writer embarks on writing his hometown's history. What Simon MacGruder learns are dark and disturbing moments that the entire town seems to casually overlook. Occult forces are at work - they always have been, since Serenity Falls' cursed beginning. Meanwhile, Jonathan Crowley, a mysterious man with decidedly unnatural abilities, heads toward Serenity Falls to meet something dark and evil. But, strange events keep his arrival perpetually delayed.

'Serenity Falls' was originally one self-contained novel. When it went to paperback, the story was expanded into a trilogy of novels. As such, 'Writ In Blood' tends to be a very large setup novel that sets the stage for the rest of the trilogy (I assume.)

Moore likes to build his town and reveal it to the reader in due time. He does this deftly and keeps the reader interested all the way. 'Writ In Blood' might be more about the town of Serenity Falls than its inhabitants, though many of them do have roles to play. This opening tale is largely about atmosphere and that's what good horror is, to me.

Moore presents the tale across three aspects - MacGruder's experiences as he digs into the town history, the town history itself, and Crowley's journey. It's a good idea, with Crowley's physical action giving counterweight to the drama of MacGruder and the history of the town.

This opening tale ends on a some very unresolved notes. (see - "split up into trilogy.") But I've been invested enough in the twisted little town of Serenity Falls that I certainly will be returning for the second installment.

[Jhordyan Ruiz]

I tried liking this book and there are some aspects of it that I do like. The exploration of the towns history is well written and intriguing I genuinely liked it. The Simon Macgruder character is bleh for the most part and a creep. He sleeps with his deceased best friend’s daughter who explains prior to the sex making that her mother also found him attractive despite never expressing any kind of those feelings for Simon. Like wtf why would you write that in your book about a town with a multitude of literal skeletons in the closet? Jonathon Crowley fucking blows in my opinion. Nothing more than wish fulfillment on the authors part in my eyes with some really fucking cheesy dialogue and an unnecessary amount of misogynistic machismo oozing out of the character. The point that made me put the book down though was when I had less than like 80 or so pages left and Crowley gets mugged by a bunch of roaming homeless people. The way he describes poor and homeless people as well as the city of Camden itself really rubbed me the wrong way. I can’t say much more about my opinions on the author from just this book as the man passed away earlier this year and can’t defend himself since y’know he’s dead and all. Anyways I would give this book 1 or 2 stars but I ain’t finishing that shit and most certainly don’t give enough of a fuck about the rest of the series to finish that either. Womp womp

[Hugo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much the opening part of a trilogy, quite slow—if deliberately paced—and largely absorbing. The contemporary and historical tales of the town are deep and satisfying, as we follow the writer through his everyday life and experiences, and then read the local history he is researching and writing. Moore has in these chapters the touch of early King and Straub, a feel for and facility with small town Americana, the people and history, and these chapters fly by. Four Star work here, assuredly.

Unfortunately, there is a third story, following a demon hunter across the country. These segments feel like middling 'urban fantasy'—the sort of sub-Buffy and Dresden Files-inspired dreck most horror fans avoid like the plague—and there's more than a whiff of sardonic wisecracking wish-fulfilment as the character takes out a variety of rude, surly, and antisocial characters on his trek. These sections are a slog, feeling very much like a completely different writer.

I plan to read the following books—if only that I already own them—but at this stage I'm hoping the writer veers more into the main story than the subsidiary, and that the inevitable melding of the two aims higher rather than lower.

[Krisztal Rangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book, great story and the main characters are really likeable. There are some editorial errors and sometimes the way a sentence is put together doesn't really make sense, or it will be too similar to the previous sentence (that's why it lost a star). But if you can look past those few issues, it's really worth the read. Excited to start book 2!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting, but feels more like the first PART of a book than a complete entry in a series. Almost like rather than being written separately, a large book was butchered into parts. Intrigued as to how the whole thing unfolds.

[Mommacat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity Falls Trilogy author manuscript

[Becky Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't really say it was scary or label it "horror," but it was a good story. It didn't suck me in and have me anxiously waiting to read the next chapter, but it was enjoyable.

[Michele Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Witches, demons, murder and lots of sadistic crime!!

[Julie]

My dog ate my book

[Strega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome start to the trilogy. James A Moore makes you care about what happens to his characters, even when they're not nice. Or maybe especially then.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed this book. It is written in a very interesting style that has us bouncing back and forth between three different story lines.

In one we are following Simon MacGruder, and elderly man who has recently felt compelled to investigate and write the history of Serenity Falls, a town where he has spent his life. The history that he writes is not what you would typically find in the History books, though. It is a much more morbid history of all of the tragedies and atrocities visited upon or committed by the citizens of Serenity Falls throughout it's history.

The second part is that history of Serenity Falls as it would be written for a book. From the first settlers and the barbaric death that they visited upon one of the female settlers, through a history, that does not leave any of the descendants of those first settlers untouched by tragedy.

The third part of the book follows a Hunter by the name of Jonathan Crowley. Jonathan follows and kills evil supernatural beings across the country. He does not visit Serenity Falls in this book, but I have no doubt that it will be his destination in one of the next two books in the series.

Looking forward to reading the rest of this series as well!

[Jason Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plots and sub plots that were at time hard to collate, especially at 3 in the morning. We have your Ye Olde Witch Burning curse during the puritan days, but then the streets run red with blood, how can one small town cover up so many dead people is beyond me, but, alas, they did. Then there is this introduction of another guy who beats up on Satan's minions any chance he gets, but he has some kind of mystical powers to heal himself and change his cars at will, from a stupid Dodge to some exotic sports car, weird stuff. But again, its another cliff hanger which I found unacceptable, there wasn't enough warning in the beginning, or I would have passed. Even if I found book 2 ( Book 1 was buried deep in the small print of the copyright page) I do not think I would buy it and read it.It did have some really weird imagery I will give it that much. Another airline seat book, 3 hour flight, and leave it in the pocket with the barf bag!

[Korynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume seeks to unsettle and it begins with destruction. It then delves into the history of the small New England town of Serenity Falls, detailing every horrific act which basically totals to a catalog of horror cliches: the burning of the witch, the rape in the woods, the axe-murderering husband, possessed dolls, and most hilariously, the massacre of the wandering carnival. Something about haunted circuses...
Essentially, something nasty happened when Serenity Falls was founded, and HE hasn't forgotten about it.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember those great, interesting parts in The Stand about the survivors of the plague who, for one reason or another, didn't make it? Some of the chapters of Writ in Blood remind me of those passages, they're short, dark stories about the past of Serenity Falls. The rest of the book follows a man writing about the town's past and a powerful traveler who fights evil.

I liked it and plan to read the next one, but the parts with the traveler, while good, didn't seem to fit. It looks like he'll show up in town to help in The Pack (Serenity Falls, Book 2).

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! Methodically organized, with each chapter divided into three sections - the first from the POV of Simon MacGruder, an elderly man collecting the history of his hometown, Serenity Falls. The second chapter shifts to that history and the third brings who we can only assume will be our hero, closer and closer to Serenity Falls. This is a definite first book in a trilogy - more about the setting the stage and tone for a larger story. Still, Moore's writing is fresh, touched with both creepy and humorous parts. I am really looking forward to reading the next installment!

[Tom Hooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serenity Falls is an old town living under a curse it brought upon itself when they charged an innocent woman with witchcraft and executed her. In this opening book of a series, a man who hunts evil things (demons, vampires, and so on) makes his way across country, no doubt headed for Serenity Falls, although he doesn't know it, while the reader is treated to a history of the town and all the terrible things that have taken place there.

[A.D. Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly really good book. Not the type that I'm used to reading, but I found this novel in a second hand store and figured that I would give it a chance.

Glad that I did. This book told two tales, that I'm still not entirely sure were linked at all. One spoke about finding the gruesome history of a town. While the other followed John Crowley on his mission to stop acts of the unnatural, and kill those that stood in his path.

Cool blend of history and witchlore.

[Damond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning to his trilogy. I had never read anything by this author before this, so I was hesitant going into a full series like this. I was so sucked in by the first couple of chapters I went ahead and ordered the other two books before finishing part one. Looking forward to seeing how it all ends.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read the 3rd book in the series years ago and it left an impression. So now I'm starting at the beginning. This first book was ok. It was well-written and packed with action. Many interlocking stories and for that I respect the author. Some predictability and cliches, but forgivable for now.

Let's see how it progresses.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strictly ok. Interesting enough characters that I might pick up the 2nd volume at the library. Mr Moore has a decent knack for dialouge. The horror aspect mostly comes from shock value. All in all it's a good way to veg out, definately a pulp novel.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just kind of a "whatever" book. Might pick up the sequel at the library someday since the last couple chapters were slightly better and actually plot based than the rest but won't be rushing out to continue the series.

[Detective Pickles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice story but i hate it when you get to the end only to find out it continues ...

[Cynna C]

didn't finish

[Malloryk0422 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My guilty pleasure of horror novels, not that well written, but couldn't stop reading it (I shouldn't say that because I could do no better but...)

[Brett]

Horror