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Fear #1
Liquid Fear
When Roland Doyle wakes up with a dead woman in his motel room, the only clue is a mysterious vial of pills bearing the label "Take one every 4 hrs or else."
Ten years before, six people were involved in a secret pharmaceutical trial that left one of them murdered and five unable to remember what happened. Now the experiment is continuing, as Dr. Sebastian Briggs wants to finish his research into fear response and post-traumatic stress disorder. He's backed by a major drug company and an ambitious U.S. Senator, but he also has a personal stake in the outcome.
Only by taking the mysterious pills can the survivors stave off the creeping phobias and inflicted madness that threaten to consume them. But the pills have an unexpected side effect-the survivors start remembering the terrible acts they perpetrated a decade ago. They are lured back to the Monkey House, the remote facility where the original trials took place, and Briggs has prepared it for their return.
Now they are trapped, they each have only one pill left, and cracks are forming in their civilized veneer.
After the pills are gone, there's only one option. "Or else."
Ten years before, six people were involved in a secret pharmaceutical trial that left one of them murdered and five unable to remember what happened. Now the experiment is continuing, as Dr. Sebastian Briggs wants to finish his research into fear response and post-traumatic stress disorder. He's backed by a major drug company and an ambitious U.S. Senator, but he also has a personal stake in the outcome.
Only by taking the mysterious pills can the survivors stave off the creeping phobias and inflicted madness that threaten to consume them. But the pills have an unexpected side effect-the survivors start remembering the terrible acts they perpetrated a decade ago. They are lured back to the Monkey House, the remote facility where the original trials took place, and Briggs has prepared it for their return.
Now they are trapped, they each have only one pill left, and cracks are forming in their civilized veneer.
After the pills are gone, there's only one option. "Or else."
Nook
First published December 20, 2011
236 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Scott Nicholson
211 books769 followersWith more than 800,000 books sold worldwide, Scott Nicholson is an international bestselling thriller writer. He won the Writers of the Future Award in 1999 and was a Stoker Award finalist in 2003. His Fear series was published by Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint and 47North released the supernatural thriller McFALL.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 13, 2012
Okay, so I'm going to be brutally honest in my review of Liquid Fear. I can usually find a few redeeming qualities within a novel, and perhaps this novel's only one is the premise itself. This could have been a horrifying, suspenseful novel with plenty of gasps, gore and gratuitousness.
What I actually found was a plate of poorly written prose with side orders of yawn and snore.
The narrative lacks in essential description. That is not to say it lacks in description itself - it's descriptive: to a fault. Yes, it's raining. You, as an author, do not need to describe this to me over and over again, within the same chapter, whilst neglecting to even tell me what your characters look like, Mr Nicholson. Traffic does not 'hiss', Mr Nicholson; the noise that tyres make on wet surfaces does, in fact, hiss, and quite frankly I'm astounded that you passed up this prime opportunity to allude to the rain. Again. Nicholson uses lots of overly flowery metaphor and some bizarre similes, all in the description of completely irrelevant features, while neglecting to tell me the things, as a reader, that I want to know. I have no idea what Roland looks like, even on completing the book.I know nothing about Dr Briggs looks like, just that he has handwriting that he was chastised for as a child. Yes, very relevant. Thank you.
The story itself is quite boring. Despite what the author probably sees as 'twists and turns', they are executed in a totally yawn-worthy way. I read in other people's reviews of how well the tension was built up; in my opinion, there was no tension. The only tension this book created was in my own mind: whether to abandon my 'leave no book unfinished' rule and acquire an amazon refund or whether to give it a chance to the end. As you can see from the Goodreads shelf I have filed it under, I made the wrong decision.
Quite simply, there are a lot better thrillers out there to read. I wouldn't waste your time on this rubbish.
What I actually found was a plate of poorly written prose with side orders of yawn and snore.
The narrative lacks in essential description. That is not to say it lacks in description itself - it's descriptive: to a fault. Yes, it's raining. You, as an author, do not need to describe this to me over and over again, within the same chapter, whilst neglecting to even tell me what your characters look like, Mr Nicholson. Traffic does not 'hiss', Mr Nicholson; the noise that tyres make on wet surfaces does, in fact, hiss, and quite frankly I'm astounded that you passed up this prime opportunity to allude to the rain. Again. Nicholson uses lots of overly flowery metaphor and some bizarre similes, all in the description of completely irrelevant features, while neglecting to tell me the things, as a reader, that I want to know. I have no idea what Roland looks like, even on completing the book.I know nothing about Dr Briggs looks like, just that he has handwriting that he was chastised for as a child. Yes, very relevant. Thank you.
The story itself is quite boring. Despite what the author probably sees as 'twists and turns', they are executed in a totally yawn-worthy way. I read in other people's reviews of how well the tension was built up; in my opinion, there was no tension. The only tension this book created was in my own mind: whether to abandon my 'leave no book unfinished' rule and acquire an amazon refund or whether to give it a chance to the end. As you can see from the Goodreads shelf I have filed it under, I made the wrong decision.
Quite simply, there are a lot better thrillers out there to read. I wouldn't waste your time on this rubbish.
May 6, 2011
This story follows a cast of characters that are part of an experiment gone horribly wrong (or right if you take this from the perspective of the master mind behind it). As the book progresses you begin to see how their fates are intertwined and the nature of the experiment in which they are immersed. It's easy to empathize with each of their plights as they are manipulated at every turn to finally end up at their intended destination, The Monkey House.
It's a brilliant thriller that I cannot recommend enough. And if you like shifting points of view, like I do, then you'll easily see the master of storytelling that Nicholson is.
There are writers out there that can pump out a good story, but few can do it was well as Nicholson while still delighting with his ability to craft sentences. This is a man who knows his art. And similar to Drummer Boy, the story doesn't seem to escape your head when you're not reading it. I definitely plan on picking up more of his work. He's on my A-list of authors.
It's a brilliant thriller that I cannot recommend enough. And if you like shifting points of view, like I do, then you'll easily see the master of storytelling that Nicholson is.
There are writers out there that can pump out a good story, but few can do it was well as Nicholson while still delighting with his ability to craft sentences. This is a man who knows his art. And similar to Drummer Boy, the story doesn't seem to escape your head when you're not reading it. I definitely plan on picking up more of his work. He's on my A-list of authors.
January 24, 2013
LIQUID FEAR has one of the best opening lines I’ve read:
“The rain fell like dead bullets.”
It evokes a vivid imagery typical of the noir genre and subsequently follows up with similar styling’s as we’re introduced to Roland, a somewhat confused and battered man wallowing in pain and overcome by the unpredictable situation he so finds himself. From that point forward, author Scott Nicholson switches gears towards medico-thriller with all the trappings. A drug which induces memory loss, another that acts as conduit for rage and the human guinea pigs that unknowingly partake in a 10 year experiment that turns full circle exposing dark revelations and systematic evil delivered through the mind of a genius provides a mere glimpse at an all too viable tale.
Nicholson does a great job at capturing his characters confusion; be it identity or situational and subsequently pushing that onto the reader. Roland’s forgetfulness initially is disorientating, portrayed through a haze of mystery and almost drunkenness liquidity. With this theme following the course of the novel as additional characters fall in line with the effects of the treatment. Adding to that the rage inducing chemical which can only be harnessed by absorbing physical trauma, the interesting and unpredictable cast and course of action maintains a fresh perspective and continuous enjoyment.
There is a lot to like about LIQUID FEAR. It’s fiction bordering on a harsh and all too realistic reality. The villain, a brilliant and twisted scientist who dabbles in grey matter, using the minds of his guinea pigs as a sandbox is truly terrifying, not by virtue of his façade or persona, more due to the reality of a person such as this existing in real-life – its certainly not outside the realms of possibility. I also liked the way Nicholson played the characters against each other. There are many confrontations you never know how they’ll turn out. Throw in a little dirty politicking, big business drug companies, and sexual depravity and LIQUID FEAR becomes one hell of a read.
Given how this ended, I’m interested to see where Nicholson heads in the sequel CHRONIC FEAR.
I highly recommend LIQUID FEAR for readers seeking that little extra thrill to their fiction. 5 stars.
“The rain fell like dead bullets.”
It evokes a vivid imagery typical of the noir genre and subsequently follows up with similar styling’s as we’re introduced to Roland, a somewhat confused and battered man wallowing in pain and overcome by the unpredictable situation he so finds himself. From that point forward, author Scott Nicholson switches gears towards medico-thriller with all the trappings. A drug which induces memory loss, another that acts as conduit for rage and the human guinea pigs that unknowingly partake in a 10 year experiment that turns full circle exposing dark revelations and systematic evil delivered through the mind of a genius provides a mere glimpse at an all too viable tale.
Nicholson does a great job at capturing his characters confusion; be it identity or situational and subsequently pushing that onto the reader. Roland’s forgetfulness initially is disorientating, portrayed through a haze of mystery and almost drunkenness liquidity. With this theme following the course of the novel as additional characters fall in line with the effects of the treatment. Adding to that the rage inducing chemical which can only be harnessed by absorbing physical trauma, the interesting and unpredictable cast and course of action maintains a fresh perspective and continuous enjoyment.
There is a lot to like about LIQUID FEAR. It’s fiction bordering on a harsh and all too realistic reality. The villain, a brilliant and twisted scientist who dabbles in grey matter, using the minds of his guinea pigs as a sandbox is truly terrifying, not by virtue of his façade or persona, more due to the reality of a person such as this existing in real-life – its certainly not outside the realms of possibility. I also liked the way Nicholson played the characters against each other. There are many confrontations you never know how they’ll turn out. Throw in a little dirty politicking, big business drug companies, and sexual depravity and LIQUID FEAR becomes one hell of a read.
Given how this ended, I’m interested to see where Nicholson heads in the sequel CHRONIC FEAR.
I highly recommend LIQUID FEAR for readers seeking that little extra thrill to their fiction. 5 stars.
June 9, 2011
Never mind the plot details. After reading all these reviews and the synopsis you should know if this book is for you by now. But in case you're still sitting on the fence, maybe this review will help you decide. If you like well-written prose that isn't candy coated, Liquid Fear is for you. It's smart, gritty, realistic and frightening at times, but never predictable. If you like twisted plot lines that keep you guessing until the very end, Liquid Fear will fit snuggly in your book collection. If you like a variety of genres such as horror, thriller, suspense, romance, and even a hint of erotica (but only a couple short scenes) you will really like Liquid Fear.
The thing I like about this book, like other Nicholson books, is that he doesn't stick with the mainstream genre rules just because "they" say so. He takes a compelling plot, fills it with exceptional prose, believable dialogue, varied characters and somehow brings it all together into something gritty and meaningful. Liguid Fear is a really good read with lots of current and relevent social cues, without sacrificing the excitement and edge of your seat, nail-biting thrill ride. If you are looking for an easy going mystery, this probably isn't for you. Nicholson isn't that kind of author. But if you like a fast moving, psychological suspense thriller that will keep you on your toes...read Liquid Fear! And then if you like this book, Nicholson has a slew of other books that you might enjoy as well. I really enjoyed The Red Church. But Liquid Fear is far more gritty and varied in its style... and I like that.
The thing I like about this book, like other Nicholson books, is that he doesn't stick with the mainstream genre rules just because "they" say so. He takes a compelling plot, fills it with exceptional prose, believable dialogue, varied characters and somehow brings it all together into something gritty and meaningful. Liguid Fear is a really good read with lots of current and relevent social cues, without sacrificing the excitement and edge of your seat, nail-biting thrill ride. If you are looking for an easy going mystery, this probably isn't for you. Nicholson isn't that kind of author. But if you like a fast moving, psychological suspense thriller that will keep you on your toes...read Liquid Fear! And then if you like this book, Nicholson has a slew of other books that you might enjoy as well. I really enjoyed The Red Church. But Liquid Fear is far more gritty and varied in its style... and I like that.
December 4, 2017
With this book, I teach myself the hard lesson that even though I might've read the book fast, it doesn't mean it was a good book.
Liquid Fear makes you turn the pages quickly, gobbling up the story and wanting the mystery to start to unravel. On that positive side, there has to be something said when someone can write like that. But having to get to the heart of the mystery through unnecessary, crude sex scenes and illusions to sex (that's most of the time not consensual aka: rape)... It's just deeply not my kind of book.
Liquid Fear makes you turn the pages quickly, gobbling up the story and wanting the mystery to start to unravel. On that positive side, there has to be something said when someone can write like that. But having to get to the heart of the mystery through unnecessary, crude sex scenes and illusions to sex (that's most of the time not consensual aka: rape)... It's just deeply not my kind of book.
May 27, 2012
Capitalism on Steroids
Liquid Fear is an example of a growing trend in thriller fiction: analyses and critiques of capitalism serving as the anchor of the plot, in particular, the human impact of blind wealth accumulation.
The subject of wealth inequity is not new for literary fiction – An American Tragedy, The Great Gatsby and others jump quickly to mind – but plots revolving around, or rather, revealing the gritty and painful side of capitalism (rather than celebrating it’s winners or losers) are appearing with greater frequency in what is typically considered genre fiction.
I love this trend. This is a natural subject for genre fiction. Genre fiction lets us tell truths and reveal secrets behind the mask of a fantastical tall tale. Indeed, a willingness to tackle sensitive topics is what makes some genre fiction writers transcend time and others fade into oblivion.
Liquid Fear falls squarely into this newly pulsating genre category (cap-fic? financial-fic? fiscal-lit?) with a big dose of scientific/big pharma illuminati imperialism thrown in to boot. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s grounded in a few seed truths, building out those facts with exaggerations that make it entertaining, if not entirely accurate (especially about clinical research). But who cares about accuracy when you are decapitating capitalism? Frankenstein was not particularly accurate either but it still taught us eternal truths about what it means to be human.
Liquid Fear is about a group of young people duped into participating in a bait-and-switch clinical trial, which is testing both the cure for a condition (post traumatic stress disorder) along with a companion drug that creates the condition. The clinical trial moves into the real world, as the participants are followed for a decade to see how long the effects of the drugs endure. The plot includes evil lobbyists, ambitious politicians, aging porn stars, lusty artists, a mad scientist and a fixer. It ranges from Washington, DC, to North Carolina's Research Triangle and gives a nod to the military-industrial complex and religious fundamentalists.
With such an illustrious cast of characters and themes, it can be a bit of a challenge to follow. I read it on vacation, when I could devote a few uninterrupted hours to it. Once I figured out who everyone was and how the story fit together, I did not put it down until it was done; I had to know who was going to win in this seething saga of capitalism on steroids.
Liquid Fear is a good thriller with believable revelatory moments when characters must choose between capitalism run amuck and love/loyalty. Our choices in life are rarely so stark, but that's what cap-fic genre thrillers (or whatever we end up calling the category) can do for us: show us what our choices are really about by fictionally exaggerating their consequences. I recommend this book, although don’t be dissuaded from participating in biomedical research by the storyline. There aren’t really mad scientists like that, not many at least. I know from experience in my own monkey house.
Liquid Fear is an example of a growing trend in thriller fiction: analyses and critiques of capitalism serving as the anchor of the plot, in particular, the human impact of blind wealth accumulation.
The subject of wealth inequity is not new for literary fiction – An American Tragedy, The Great Gatsby and others jump quickly to mind – but plots revolving around, or rather, revealing the gritty and painful side of capitalism (rather than celebrating it’s winners or losers) are appearing with greater frequency in what is typically considered genre fiction.
I love this trend. This is a natural subject for genre fiction. Genre fiction lets us tell truths and reveal secrets behind the mask of a fantastical tall tale. Indeed, a willingness to tackle sensitive topics is what makes some genre fiction writers transcend time and others fade into oblivion.
Liquid Fear falls squarely into this newly pulsating genre category (cap-fic? financial-fic? fiscal-lit?) with a big dose of scientific/big pharma illuminati imperialism thrown in to boot. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s grounded in a few seed truths, building out those facts with exaggerations that make it entertaining, if not entirely accurate (especially about clinical research). But who cares about accuracy when you are decapitating capitalism? Frankenstein was not particularly accurate either but it still taught us eternal truths about what it means to be human.
Liquid Fear is about a group of young people duped into participating in a bait-and-switch clinical trial, which is testing both the cure for a condition (post traumatic stress disorder) along with a companion drug that creates the condition. The clinical trial moves into the real world, as the participants are followed for a decade to see how long the effects of the drugs endure. The plot includes evil lobbyists, ambitious politicians, aging porn stars, lusty artists, a mad scientist and a fixer. It ranges from Washington, DC, to North Carolina's Research Triangle and gives a nod to the military-industrial complex and religious fundamentalists.
With such an illustrious cast of characters and themes, it can be a bit of a challenge to follow. I read it on vacation, when I could devote a few uninterrupted hours to it. Once I figured out who everyone was and how the story fit together, I did not put it down until it was done; I had to know who was going to win in this seething saga of capitalism on steroids.
Liquid Fear is a good thriller with believable revelatory moments when characters must choose between capitalism run amuck and love/loyalty. Our choices in life are rarely so stark, but that's what cap-fic genre thrillers (or whatever we end up calling the category) can do for us: show us what our choices are really about by fictionally exaggerating their consequences. I recommend this book, although don’t be dissuaded from participating in biomedical research by the storyline. There aren’t really mad scientists like that, not many at least. I know from experience in my own monkey house.
April 21, 2011
Take 1 every 4 hrs...or else. Or else what? That is just ONE of the many questions Roland Doyle has when he awakens in an unfamiliar hotel room. Another might be who is this dead woman in the room with him?
Rewind ten years, a pharmaceutical experiment, led by Dr Sebastian Briggs, involving six test subjects goes awry and leaves one of the subjects dead. Now
the experiment studying fear response and post-traumatic stress syndrome is being continued. Financed by a US Senator and a major pharmaceutical company, Dr Briggs not only has to please his financial backers, but he needs to keep his “patients” and others from finding out the truth of what really happened ten years ago.
Back to present day, still taking the drug given to them...the five remaining test subjects begin to realize that they are still a part of a experiment that supposedly ended a decade ago. The mysterious pill they are continuing to consume can assist in holding back the impulses, phobias and mania that creeps into the minds of the original test subjects, but, as with all drugs, there is a side effect...the survivors of this “mad scientist’s” experimentation's begin to remember the horrible things they did in the past. Lured back to Dr Briggs’ remote facility, the Monkey House, Roland Doyle and the other four survivors are now trapped and have only one pill left. Once that pill is gone all they have left is....or else.
Liquid Fear by Scott Nicolson is a thrilling fast paced roller coaster of raw human emotion. It deals with the chemical suppression of memories, of our natural impulses, urges and feelings and what can happen to us as a result. As Dr Briggs does in the story, Liquid Fear take you on a mind trip. You are led into some very dark and disturbing places before being shown the tiny light at the end that just might lead to your survival.
One of the things that makes Liquid Fear even more chilling is that the premise behind it is one that could happen in the world we live in today. Medication constantly being given to aid in suppressing various feelings, ideations, urges and a variety of other imbalances in the human body. Used properly and in the correct dosages all is well, but in the wrong hands, whether it be the prescribing doctor with an agenda or by the patient themselves just looking to “forget”, who knows what could happen.
Rewind ten years, a pharmaceutical experiment, led by Dr Sebastian Briggs, involving six test subjects goes awry and leaves one of the subjects dead. Now
the experiment studying fear response and post-traumatic stress syndrome is being continued. Financed by a US Senator and a major pharmaceutical company, Dr Briggs not only has to please his financial backers, but he needs to keep his “patients” and others from finding out the truth of what really happened ten years ago.
Back to present day, still taking the drug given to them...the five remaining test subjects begin to realize that they are still a part of a experiment that supposedly ended a decade ago. The mysterious pill they are continuing to consume can assist in holding back the impulses, phobias and mania that creeps into the minds of the original test subjects, but, as with all drugs, there is a side effect...the survivors of this “mad scientist’s” experimentation's begin to remember the horrible things they did in the past. Lured back to Dr Briggs’ remote facility, the Monkey House, Roland Doyle and the other four survivors are now trapped and have only one pill left. Once that pill is gone all they have left is....or else.
Liquid Fear by Scott Nicolson is a thrilling fast paced roller coaster of raw human emotion. It deals with the chemical suppression of memories, of our natural impulses, urges and feelings and what can happen to us as a result. As Dr Briggs does in the story, Liquid Fear take you on a mind trip. You are led into some very dark and disturbing places before being shown the tiny light at the end that just might lead to your survival.
One of the things that makes Liquid Fear even more chilling is that the premise behind it is one that could happen in the world we live in today. Medication constantly being given to aid in suppressing various feelings, ideations, urges and a variety of other imbalances in the human body. Used properly and in the correct dosages all is well, but in the wrong hands, whether it be the prescribing doctor with an agenda or by the patient themselves just looking to “forget”, who knows what could happen.
January 15, 2012
I simply couldn’t put this book down until I had devoured every sentence up to the very last chapter. Full of almost-unbearable suspense, the story had me riveted in my seat for hours.
From politicians vying to become president and striving for world domination; an over ambitious scientist and professional thugs, as well as the victims of the drug tests - the characters in this book are tremendously realistic and believable. The scientist is not your stereo-typical lunatic, but rather a cautious schemer with a healthy measure of paranoia, which of course adds to the hair-raising tension.
The author has that magic in his word use and descriptions of scenes, which make you feel right at home in the world he has created for his characters. This remarkable skill is even more effective as the point of view throughout the story shifts frequently - but the reader is never left behind. The fact that you never know which characters to “trust”, wonderfully enhances the suspense.
Until the conclusion in the last chapter of ‘Liquid Fear’, I had reservations about whether there are any “good’ characters in this story. So what really adds to the magnificence of it all, is the reader’s perception of right and wrong, moral and immoral; and thus the book will have a different impact on everyone who reads it.
“Liquid Fear” provided me with many hours of page-turning entertainment. The cleverly designed plotline in which the author gives nothing away, had me guessing and speculating right up to the last page. It is a book full of action and suspense that never lets up, but which makes it an absolute must read and well deserving of its 5 stars! (Ellen Fritz)
From politicians vying to become president and striving for world domination; an over ambitious scientist and professional thugs, as well as the victims of the drug tests - the characters in this book are tremendously realistic and believable. The scientist is not your stereo-typical lunatic, but rather a cautious schemer with a healthy measure of paranoia, which of course adds to the hair-raising tension.
The author has that magic in his word use and descriptions of scenes, which make you feel right at home in the world he has created for his characters. This remarkable skill is even more effective as the point of view throughout the story shifts frequently - but the reader is never left behind. The fact that you never know which characters to “trust”, wonderfully enhances the suspense.
Until the conclusion in the last chapter of ‘Liquid Fear’, I had reservations about whether there are any “good’ characters in this story. So what really adds to the magnificence of it all, is the reader’s perception of right and wrong, moral and immoral; and thus the book will have a different impact on everyone who reads it.
“Liquid Fear” provided me with many hours of page-turning entertainment. The cleverly designed plotline in which the author gives nothing away, had me guessing and speculating right up to the last page. It is a book full of action and suspense that never lets up, but which makes it an absolute must read and well deserving of its 5 stars! (Ellen Fritz)
July 17, 2012
Liquid Fear by Scott Nicholson is a page-turning story that dives head first into the bizarre and unknown. The reader will immediately become immersed in the world that Nicholson has created and have no option but to continue reading until the end.
Wendy, Roland, Alexis and Anita are all brought together again when they start remembering a dark past that happened while they were test subjects to a new product Dr. Briggs was working on. Originally thought to be a medicine to help one conquer their fears, they are left wondering if the impulses they are feeling are really their own dark desires or just a side-effect of the drug they yearn for. Either way they soon realize they are just test mice running through Dr. Briggs maze with no apparent way to escape.
A relatively quick read (it took me about 4 hours), Liquid Fear touches on topics like controlling your fears, human experimentation, political corruption, sexual desire, murder and pain. This book does contain adult language, sex, violence and gore and should only be read by mature adult audiences that are 18+.
Wendy, Roland, Alexis and Anita are all brought together again when they start remembering a dark past that happened while they were test subjects to a new product Dr. Briggs was working on. Originally thought to be a medicine to help one conquer their fears, they are left wondering if the impulses they are feeling are really their own dark desires or just a side-effect of the drug they yearn for. Either way they soon realize they are just test mice running through Dr. Briggs maze with no apparent way to escape.
A relatively quick read (it took me about 4 hours), Liquid Fear touches on topics like controlling your fears, human experimentation, political corruption, sexual desire, murder and pain. This book does contain adult language, sex, violence and gore and should only be read by mature adult audiences that are 18+.
May 9, 2011
So far this book is just weird. Starts off like you are coming into the middle of a story with several story lines in progress. Then to top it off, since it takes place mostly in Chapel Hill NC and the RTP....it would be more interesting if the author had truly spent time investigating the actual locales. He's added in places that don't exist (and wouldn't exist....a waffle house structure in downtown?), completely fouls up directions when quoting roads between the airport/RTP and Chapel Hill, and has parts of campus completely wrong. Aargh. Halfway through. I'll stick it out.
Didn't like it. Glad it was fairly short.
Didn't like it. Glad it was fairly short.
June 9, 2011
Great fast-paced read. I finished it over a weekend and wished it had been a little longer. This has everything you could ask for in a thriller; dead bodies, jump-cutting from scene to scene, a really twisted antagonist, terror and great pacing. My only regret is that the wind-up at the end left me wanting a little more resolution. I won't tell how so I don't spoil it. Read this, it's worth the time.
March 31, 2011
Liquid Fear is a fast paced, action packed thriller that I couldn't put down. The pieces of the story emerge throughout the novel and once all of the pieces a slammed together, all hell breaks loose. And I mean that in the best way possible.
Read the full review here.
Read the full review here.
August 27, 2011
WOW. Nicholson has released yet another winner! What an intriguing cast of characters and storyline... I could not put this one down. A crazy scientist, his terrified victims... cover-up...chills and thrills. Scott Nicholson remains my favorite writer. Would love to spend a day in his warped mind! *smiling*
June 27, 2011
for fans of the movie "Momento" you'll love the opening of this book. the author does a wonderful job of writing with rich detail and multiple narrators. he gets inside the head of each of the main characters. the complexity of the plot makes tying it all together tough but the author does an admirable job.
October 16, 2011
I can't put this book at the top of my list but it was a good value. I thought the author did a good job of building the suspense and the pace was good until the end. I felt the ending left a lot to be desired and the descriptive violence seemed unnecessary. Maybe I am just not the target audience for this author.
January 16, 2012
I've long been disturbed by how our FDA operates, and this book is like a nightmare come true. Nicholson's writing is vivid. He gets inside the emotions, making us feel them right along with his characters. I had a hard time following the plot at first but, once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down.
April 10, 2011
A compulsive, one-sitting read and my favorite Scott Nicholson novel so far. Disintegration is dark and brilliant, but Liquid Fear is more entertaining – more in the genre I prefer to read.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 1, 2011
Really struggled to get through this. And I felt cheated at the end-like I was missing two more chapters that would've rounded the story off. The storyline was good but meandered too much and didn't give me any kind of closure at the end.
January 8, 2018
Complicated plot but well worth it.
April 11, 2011
I was a little confused at the start but once I got my bearings this was a great entertaining read!
March 15, 2019
This is an exceptionally well designed audiobook and the story itself is rather good, if you like thrillers that involve mad scientists and human experimentation then this is a great book for you.
Our heroes where experimented on over ten years ago and now the experiments have started again and the people involved have to remember if they survived the past that they are failing to remember and are all be thrown into a mess of seething anger and hate making them all forget who they are.
The voice acting is so well done that I was actually pulled in by the actress and the story itself has modern implications that could actually happen.
The only reason I did not give this a five star review is because the book, in the beginning, is disjointed and jumps around which can be hard to follow if you don't keep with it.
Our heroes where experimented on over ten years ago and now the experiments have started again and the people involved have to remember if they survived the past that they are failing to remember and are all be thrown into a mess of seething anger and hate making them all forget who they are.
The voice acting is so well done that I was actually pulled in by the actress and the story itself has modern implications that could actually happen.
The only reason I did not give this a five star review is because the book, in the beginning, is disjointed and jumps around which can be hard to follow if you don't keep with it.
August 21, 2017
All we have to fear is ourselves
I don't really read books like this. But I will say it was really good. I listen to the audio book then I must say it had me captivated till the very end. Definitely an interesting story about a crazy mad scientist and his experiments and how Human Nature can be the scariest thing of all.
I don't really read books like this. But I will say it was really good. I listen to the audio book then I must say it had me captivated till the very end. Definitely an interesting story about a crazy mad scientist and his experiments and how Human Nature can be the scariest thing of all.
February 26, 2018
A good thriller
This novel was very dark, but still very captivating. The prose is really well done and I'll likely read more by this author.
This novel was very dark, but still very captivating. The prose is really well done and I'll likely read more by this author.
September 1, 2025
Average at best - confusing at times and just plain weird. Don't bother.
February 7, 2012
This is one of those books that has a great back cover flap and an awesome first chapter, but when you get to the middle of the book, you end up asking yourself, "What the heck happened?" From the catchy blurb, I expected a fresh thriller with a solid storyline. Instead, I got a forgettable B-rate thriller that's formulaic and all-around boring.
The novel begins, "The rain fell like bullets." Which is an apt description of how this book starts. The first chapter is a phenomenal hook. Nicholson uses a lot of visceral metaphors which set the scene and mood wonderfully right from the very start. He knows how to set a mood and grab the reader, that much is obvious. I haven't read that great an opening chapter in a long time. So amazing. Loved it and couldn't wait to read more.
But after the first few chapters, the novel loses its steam. Some elements are pretty far-fetched, implausible, and inconsistent. He plays fast and loose with the effects of the drugs to railroad the story, which would've been fine if the story was tight and the dialogue was sharp, but it isn't. The premise involving Halcyon and Seethe is interesting, but the story surrounding it just wasn't done well enough.
Two major things stood out to me about "Liquid Fear": first, how interesting it wasn't and second, the sheer amount of misogyny shown to the female characters.
David Underwood. Dr. Briggs. Roland Doyle. Wendy Leng. Martin Kleingarten. Alexis Morgan. Mark Morgan. Wallace Forsyth. Nicholson uses eight different point-of-view characters. It should go without saying -- that's way too many. I barely knew any of them, most of their background info and characterization is told not shown, and the plot isn't wide enough in scope to justify having so many. After finishing the book, I can't tell who the protagonist was. That's a huge problem.
The bad guys are little more than one dimensional tropes. They do bad things so are therefore bad -- no motivation, no exploration. And I love how only the bad guys are misogynists, like so many cliched characters nowadays.
Halfway through the book I realized I just didn't care what happened. I don't care about any of the characters, the plot isn't tight, and the tension is either forced or uninspired. That's three strikes against this thriller, three things that need to be done well for a decent read. The political shenanigans really detracted from the thriller aspect of the story because it was so unoriginal and boring; it slowed the pacing way down.
The "real show" described in the back cover blurb doesn't happen until the last 50 pages. Tension gets better as the book nears its climax, but the struggles of the major players feel so random. Because as the reader, I'm not really pulling for anyone. Briggs' ultimate reason for getting them back together is pretty weak too. So a a disappointing climax. Given the build-up, I expected more tension and higher stakes, but instead it was really kind of dull and predictable.
To put a real cherry on top, there's a lot of misogyny in this book, which is reflected in the fact that not one of the female characters is fleshed out as much more than being sex objects for the men. All of them are victims of unwanted male advances, both in the present and the past. Let me say that again -- the women are merely variations on the same victim theme. Take Anita, the bisexual porn star, whom the sociopath turns down for being too slutty. Or Wendy, the sexy artist that every male character is hard up for. Dr. Alexis Morgan is by far the most realistic, but even she's introduced in a sex scene. As "the brains of the bunch," she comes off as insipid, wooden, and catty. So while sex might be a weakness of the men, it's not a defining feature the way it is for the women. A big disappointment there.
In my opinion, this book is a few revisions away from being done. It's like an amazing short story that was dragged out into a tangentially related book. I was a little appalled to see JA Konrath's glowing sound bite, given that this thriller isn't even close to being same league (or even the same zip code). I guess it might've been good...if I was drunk for the whole six hours it took me to read the thing. On second thought, I rather doubt it.
Can I recommend this? Not really. If you're stuck in a room with only "Liquid Fear" and "Twilight," pick "Liquid Fear." Otherwise, pick anything else.
The novel begins, "The rain fell like bullets." Which is an apt description of how this book starts. The first chapter is a phenomenal hook. Nicholson uses a lot of visceral metaphors which set the scene and mood wonderfully right from the very start. He knows how to set a mood and grab the reader, that much is obvious. I haven't read that great an opening chapter in a long time. So amazing. Loved it and couldn't wait to read more.
But after the first few chapters, the novel loses its steam. Some elements are pretty far-fetched, implausible, and inconsistent. He plays fast and loose with the effects of the drugs to railroad the story, which would've been fine if the story was tight and the dialogue was sharp, but it isn't. The premise involving Halcyon and Seethe is interesting, but the story surrounding it just wasn't done well enough.
Two major things stood out to me about "Liquid Fear": first, how interesting it wasn't and second, the sheer amount of misogyny shown to the female characters.
David Underwood. Dr. Briggs. Roland Doyle. Wendy Leng. Martin Kleingarten. Alexis Morgan. Mark Morgan. Wallace Forsyth. Nicholson uses eight different point-of-view characters. It should go without saying -- that's way too many. I barely knew any of them, most of their background info and characterization is told not shown, and the plot isn't wide enough in scope to justify having so many. After finishing the book, I can't tell who the protagonist was. That's a huge problem.
The bad guys are little more than one dimensional tropes. They do bad things so are therefore bad -- no motivation, no exploration. And I love how only the bad guys are misogynists, like so many cliched characters nowadays.
Halfway through the book I realized I just didn't care what happened. I don't care about any of the characters, the plot isn't tight, and the tension is either forced or uninspired. That's three strikes against this thriller, three things that need to be done well for a decent read. The political shenanigans really detracted from the thriller aspect of the story because it was so unoriginal and boring; it slowed the pacing way down.
The "real show" described in the back cover blurb doesn't happen until the last 50 pages. Tension gets better as the book nears its climax, but the struggles of the major players feel so random. Because as the reader, I'm not really pulling for anyone. Briggs' ultimate reason for getting them back together is pretty weak too. So a a disappointing climax. Given the build-up, I expected more tension and higher stakes, but instead it was really kind of dull and predictable.
To put a real cherry on top, there's a lot of misogyny in this book, which is reflected in the fact that not one of the female characters is fleshed out as much more than being sex objects for the men. All of them are victims of unwanted male advances, both in the present and the past. Let me say that again -- the women are merely variations on the same victim theme. Take Anita, the bisexual porn star, whom the sociopath turns down for being too slutty. Or Wendy, the sexy artist that every male character is hard up for. Dr. Alexis Morgan is by far the most realistic, but even she's introduced in a sex scene. As "the brains of the bunch," she comes off as insipid, wooden, and catty. So while sex might be a weakness of the men, it's not a defining feature the way it is for the women. A big disappointment there.
In my opinion, this book is a few revisions away from being done. It's like an amazing short story that was dragged out into a tangentially related book. I was a little appalled to see JA Konrath's glowing sound bite, given that this thriller isn't even close to being same league (or even the same zip code). I guess it might've been good...if I was drunk for the whole six hours it took me to read the thing. On second thought, I rather doubt it.
Can I recommend this? Not really. If you're stuck in a room with only "Liquid Fear" and "Twilight," pick "Liquid Fear." Otherwise, pick anything else.
January 12, 2012
this will be the 1st from nicholson for me...saw it here somewhere, possibly on trivia.
1st sentence + :
the rain fell like bullets.
david underwood blinked against the drops. darkness pressed against both sides of his eyelids and the air smelled of burnt motor oil. the salvo of rain swept over the expanse of a lighted billboard.
heh! so he's looking at a billboard, right, outside, some lawyer advertising for work...one of those where am i moments? i wonder if circumcision is involved (see previous read). he wonders about a variety of things...and there is a group, "they"..."them" who have not been identified as yet that might have left him there....onward and upward.
okay, so i'm only 8% into the story (kindle) and there's a nice use of, drumroll....parallelism...i dunno if that is like a technical term for it, but all the big heads do it...shakespeare, those guys.
in this case, there's david underwood there to start...unsure of where/what he is....where/what (implied) "they" are..
then in another chapter, roland doyle wakes up in a room...and there's some of the same kind of thingies going on. in his case, they is god the father and his uncertainty is caused by booze. he's in a program, 12-step, all that, but this is like groundhog day, replay from that one writer...and it's crazy because the desk just called and woke "david" up, who they have checking into the room....mystery...suspense. roland doesn't know where he is, either...and his mouth doesn't taste of booze.
okay so yeah so i checked this nicholson's bio page...influences, that sort of thing. koontz, king, vonnegut, some others listed.
at the 29% point now...you bet, can see the koontz/king influence. makes use of repetition: every 4 hrs. or else. and that goes for at least two characters, probably more, though we've only detail on two for certain.
there's at least (close) a dozen characters, a handful of window-dressing characters and even one of those is a "character" the kind you see on the street too often.
this kindle business takes getting used to. can't seem to read as much as i'd like...could be circumstance, global warming...real warm/not cold winter here, sunshine...all that...zzzz
update: finished, wednesday evening 753 pm est, 11 jan 12...
...wicked evil genius doctor type discovers a way to manipulate the brain, the emotions, w/drugs...several drugs, experiments, etc.
time is involved, ten years, and that threw me a bit, getting my head around that idea...too, the idea that david was held captive all this time? or was he? maybe he came in, like the others, again, at the whim of the doc.
koontz has done things like this, stories that raise questions about bioethics as it has come to be called...what was his one story? strangers? i don't recall the time period involved, but i don't think it was ten years between...events.
the other thing is it was not easy sympathizing w/many of the characters as the drugs, administered against their will for the most, made them do things unbecoming. i think part of the point is that we're not that far from....what....devolving? from running amok? anarchy? all those things? perhaps. i dunno is david's situation was satisfactorily resolved...and for him there was a good amount of empathy, as he seemed more innocent than the others.
the narrative voice is fine...things moved from event to event, from character to character....many moments of suspense...and....you can't turn a page on a kindle like you can with a book ....heh! funny, how at times the finger hits the advance button and you're not quite done reading on the page as yet..have to go back...whoa!
all in all, a fascinating story....good read.
1st sentence + :
the rain fell like bullets.
david underwood blinked against the drops. darkness pressed against both sides of his eyelids and the air smelled of burnt motor oil. the salvo of rain swept over the expanse of a lighted billboard.
heh! so he's looking at a billboard, right, outside, some lawyer advertising for work...one of those where am i moments? i wonder if circumcision is involved (see previous read). he wonders about a variety of things...and there is a group, "they"..."them" who have not been identified as yet that might have left him there....onward and upward.
okay, so i'm only 8% into the story (kindle) and there's a nice use of, drumroll....parallelism...i dunno if that is like a technical term for it, but all the big heads do it...shakespeare, those guys.
in this case, there's david underwood there to start...unsure of where/what he is....where/what (implied) "they" are..
then in another chapter, roland doyle wakes up in a room...and there's some of the same kind of thingies going on. in his case, they is god the father and his uncertainty is caused by booze. he's in a program, 12-step, all that, but this is like groundhog day, replay from that one writer...and it's crazy because the desk just called and woke "david" up, who they have checking into the room....mystery...suspense. roland doesn't know where he is, either...and his mouth doesn't taste of booze.
okay so yeah so i checked this nicholson's bio page...influences, that sort of thing. koontz, king, vonnegut, some others listed.
at the 29% point now...you bet, can see the koontz/king influence. makes use of repetition: every 4 hrs. or else. and that goes for at least two characters, probably more, though we've only detail on two for certain.
there's at least (close) a dozen characters, a handful of window-dressing characters and even one of those is a "character" the kind you see on the street too often.
this kindle business takes getting used to. can't seem to read as much as i'd like...could be circumstance, global warming...real warm/not cold winter here, sunshine...all that...zzzz
update: finished, wednesday evening 753 pm est, 11 jan 12...
...wicked evil genius doctor type discovers a way to manipulate the brain, the emotions, w/drugs...several drugs, experiments, etc.
time is involved, ten years, and that threw me a bit, getting my head around that idea...too, the idea that david was held captive all this time? or was he? maybe he came in, like the others, again, at the whim of the doc.
koontz has done things like this, stories that raise questions about bioethics as it has come to be called...what was his one story? strangers? i don't recall the time period involved, but i don't think it was ten years between...events.
the other thing is it was not easy sympathizing w/many of the characters as the drugs, administered against their will for the most, made them do things unbecoming. i think part of the point is that we're not that far from....what....devolving? from running amok? anarchy? all those things? perhaps. i dunno is david's situation was satisfactorily resolved...and for him there was a good amount of empathy, as he seemed more innocent than the others.
the narrative voice is fine...things moved from event to event, from character to character....many moments of suspense...and....you can't turn a page on a kindle like you can with a book ....heh! funny, how at times the finger hits the advance button and you're not quite done reading on the page as yet..have to go back...whoa!
all in all, a fascinating story....good read.
March 15, 2012
Scott Nicholson, Liquid Fear (Thomas and Mercer, 2011)
Full disclosure: this book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
I want to start off this review by trumpeting, SCOTT NICHOLSON IS BACK! The only problem with that is that Scott Nicholson never actually went much of anywhere; he just flew under the radar for a while, rocking his own mic by way of Haunted Computer Books, his self-publishing venture. Well, he's poked his head up aboveground again as one of the “new” kids on the block at Thomas and Mercer, Amazon's own mystery/thriller imprint, and if you're familiar with Nicholson, you should be rejoicing as much as I am that the guy has another shot at getting his books into stores across the nation.
If you're not familiar with Scott Nicholson, before telling you to take the plunge into Liquid Fear, the first in a projected series, I will tell you to go back to the beginning and check out a scary-ass little novel called The Red Church (viz. review 2Aug2004), originally publiched by Pinnacle in 2002 (currently in reprint via CreateSpace and available cheap-cheap in ebook form). That's a lotta novel, that is, and it is well worth reading. After that, Nicholson and Pinnacle parted ways, and while I'm sure there's all sorts of rational(-ized) explanations for that on both sides, it's pretty obvious one of the reasons is “they ain't gonna publish as fast as I'm gonna write.” Nicholson and Haunted Computer pretty much exploded in the decade since; the Scott Nicholson Library, in ebook form, is now up to vol. 4, plus a few other anthology-type releases. Scott Nicholson writes books like Merzbow makes noise—a lot of it, in a very short time span. Which brings us back to late 2011, Thomas and Mercer, and Liquid Fear. As I write this, book two, Chronic Fear, has also hit the streets, and if you want to know what the rest of this review will tell you in a nutshell, I'm planning on picking it up pretty quick.
Liquid Fear is genre thriller the way The Red Church is genre horror, and I do not mean that in any sort of pejorative sense. To the contrary, Nicholson understands very well what to do with the trappings of genre fiction in order to maximize value. This is a thriller that has two speeds, “full speed” and “lookout, Erma, we're gonna blow that turn!”, a sufficiently creepy villain, protagonists who are far too clueless for their own good (and a reasonable enough explanation for their cluelessness so we're not sitting here yelling “no, don't open the door, you idiot!” at the book every five minutes), a hitman with ambition, shady government and religious officials, you name it, all of which lives in service to a tight plot that neither asks too much of the reader nor asks too much to strain the reader's credibility. This can be a fine line to walk, at least jusging by some of my recent forays into the genre, but Nicholson treads it like a Wallenda on crystal meth. Comparatively, the book's problems are minor, and also fall within the usual trappings of genre (some purple prose, some characters who aren't quite as developed as would be nice, etc.). The upside to this is that if you're looking for a genre thriller, you will likely be expecting them all, and so they won't detract too much from the experience. This one's a lot of fun, and worth your time if you're a thriller fan. *** ½
Full disclosure: this book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
I want to start off this review by trumpeting, SCOTT NICHOLSON IS BACK! The only problem with that is that Scott Nicholson never actually went much of anywhere; he just flew under the radar for a while, rocking his own mic by way of Haunted Computer Books, his self-publishing venture. Well, he's poked his head up aboveground again as one of the “new” kids on the block at Thomas and Mercer, Amazon's own mystery/thriller imprint, and if you're familiar with Nicholson, you should be rejoicing as much as I am that the guy has another shot at getting his books into stores across the nation.
If you're not familiar with Scott Nicholson, before telling you to take the plunge into Liquid Fear, the first in a projected series, I will tell you to go back to the beginning and check out a scary-ass little novel called The Red Church (viz. review 2Aug2004), originally publiched by Pinnacle in 2002 (currently in reprint via CreateSpace and available cheap-cheap in ebook form). That's a lotta novel, that is, and it is well worth reading. After that, Nicholson and Pinnacle parted ways, and while I'm sure there's all sorts of rational(-ized) explanations for that on both sides, it's pretty obvious one of the reasons is “they ain't gonna publish as fast as I'm gonna write.” Nicholson and Haunted Computer pretty much exploded in the decade since; the Scott Nicholson Library, in ebook form, is now up to vol. 4, plus a few other anthology-type releases. Scott Nicholson writes books like Merzbow makes noise—a lot of it, in a very short time span. Which brings us back to late 2011, Thomas and Mercer, and Liquid Fear. As I write this, book two, Chronic Fear, has also hit the streets, and if you want to know what the rest of this review will tell you in a nutshell, I'm planning on picking it up pretty quick.
Liquid Fear is genre thriller the way The Red Church is genre horror, and I do not mean that in any sort of pejorative sense. To the contrary, Nicholson understands very well what to do with the trappings of genre fiction in order to maximize value. This is a thriller that has two speeds, “full speed” and “lookout, Erma, we're gonna blow that turn!”, a sufficiently creepy villain, protagonists who are far too clueless for their own good (and a reasonable enough explanation for their cluelessness so we're not sitting here yelling “no, don't open the door, you idiot!” at the book every five minutes), a hitman with ambition, shady government and religious officials, you name it, all of which lives in service to a tight plot that neither asks too much of the reader nor asks too much to strain the reader's credibility. This can be a fine line to walk, at least jusging by some of my recent forays into the genre, but Nicholson treads it like a Wallenda on crystal meth. Comparatively, the book's problems are minor, and also fall within the usual trappings of genre (some purple prose, some characters who aren't quite as developed as would be nice, etc.). The upside to this is that if you're looking for a genre thriller, you will likely be expecting them all, and so they won't detract too much from the experience. This one's a lot of fun, and worth your time if you're a thriller fan. *** ½
March 16, 2023
Scott Nicholson's Liquid Fear was a short but incredibly memorable experience. I am very thankful that I did not read the synopsis posted here on Amazon until after I
had finished the book since it basically gives away 90% of the novel, but even if I had read it, I wouldn't have been disappointed. The mystery/thriller content is
presented immediately when us as readers are not clued in on what is going on until Nicholson thinks it is time. This way of holding onto information with the
stubbornness of a dog's master with a treat, is a skill in my opinion because sometimes it can backfire and really annoy me. In this book, the delivery of just what is
happening and why in small increments kept me reading with the speed of a derailing train. I read the book in one sitting and I suggest that you do the same. I will say
though that Nicholson's writing (which I can't seem to not mention in every review I do about his books) is not like that of Mr. James Patterson or most other
mainstream mystery/thriller authors. Nicholson is not going to repeatedly inform you what the experiment is for and he isn't going to spell out every little detail for
you. His writing is very professional and is definitely not dumbed down for anyone. The writing always stands out for me because it is both very intelligent but it can
also be very dirty. Writing with confident vulgar intelligence is something I can't ever remember coming accross from an author so frequently. I am not just praising
this novel for its writing though. The plot is original, at least to me, and I always seem to enjoy books involving psychological experiments. The closest novel I can
compare it to is Fire-Starter by King because of an experiment gone crazy with a capital K, but it really is its own unique story. And yes, it does involve an
ingenious, and possibly insane, doctor named Sebastian. It also involves a car crashing through a waffle house, a sex scene that the male antagonist actually stops
before an adequate description of the girl's naked body can be described in overwhelming detail (was that the wind or thousands of readers everywhere howling in triumph
at not having to read a pointlessly long sex scene?), an interesting place called the Monkey House, and some advice for girls who may wish to date a concert violinist
in college. The skillfullness of the fingers does not matter.
Anyway, this is a great book and I was glad to see it start a series with a lot of potential. I can't wait for the next book.
had finished the book since it basically gives away 90% of the novel, but even if I had read it, I wouldn't have been disappointed. The mystery/thriller content is
presented immediately when us as readers are not clued in on what is going on until Nicholson thinks it is time. This way of holding onto information with the
stubbornness of a dog's master with a treat, is a skill in my opinion because sometimes it can backfire and really annoy me. In this book, the delivery of just what is
happening and why in small increments kept me reading with the speed of a derailing train. I read the book in one sitting and I suggest that you do the same. I will say
though that Nicholson's writing (which I can't seem to not mention in every review I do about his books) is not like that of Mr. James Patterson or most other
mainstream mystery/thriller authors. Nicholson is not going to repeatedly inform you what the experiment is for and he isn't going to spell out every little detail for
you. His writing is very professional and is definitely not dumbed down for anyone. The writing always stands out for me because it is both very intelligent but it can
also be very dirty. Writing with confident vulgar intelligence is something I can't ever remember coming accross from an author so frequently. I am not just praising
this novel for its writing though. The plot is original, at least to me, and I always seem to enjoy books involving psychological experiments. The closest novel I can
compare it to is Fire-Starter by King because of an experiment gone crazy with a capital K, but it really is its own unique story. And yes, it does involve an
ingenious, and possibly insane, doctor named Sebastian. It also involves a car crashing through a waffle house, a sex scene that the male antagonist actually stops
before an adequate description of the girl's naked body can be described in overwhelming detail (was that the wind or thousands of readers everywhere howling in triumph
at not having to read a pointlessly long sex scene?), an interesting place called the Monkey House, and some advice for girls who may wish to date a concert violinist
in college. The skillfullness of the fingers does not matter.
Anyway, this is a great book and I was glad to see it start a series with a lot of potential. I can't wait for the next book.
August 12, 2011
One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small...Scott Nicholson, the creative guy behind Haunted Computer Books and friend to book bloggers all over the place, brings something different to the table with Liquid Fear, the story of a decade-old pharmaceutical trial and the secret follow up that's been planned for the original participants.
The story begins by introducing members of the fated pharmaceutical trial and briefly describing where they are now. The one thing they all had in common was that they all thought that the trial was behind them and that they were free to live their lives uninterrupted. This would have been the best thing, as the trial in question was unethical to say the least, and while they may have all volunteered for the trial, they didn't volunteer for the extreme measures that Dr. Briggs, the mastermind behind it all, had in store for them in the name of his version of science.
The narration in this story isn't linear in the sense that one person does all the narrating and we find out what we find out as the narrator learns it. Nor is there an omnipotent narrator that knows everything and dispenses wisdom as it becomes important to the story. Instead, we see what's happening from a variety of perspectives, not only of the trial participants, but also from other outside players who are brought in to carry out Dr. Briggs's plan. As a result, we have to keep all the details straight, and piece together later which ones are important to the master plan. It makes for engaging reading.
The story spirals and spirals until all the characters are thrust together and have to claw their way back from a chemical induced wasteland of fear and debauchery, if they can. The book held my interest and I really wanted to know how all the facts and twisted narrative threads would be woven together at the end.
This was my first book by Scott Nicholson but I hope it isn't my last. This story was creepy and thought-provoking and will definitely make you take a moment and consider the impact that drugs can truly have.
The story begins by introducing members of the fated pharmaceutical trial and briefly describing where they are now. The one thing they all had in common was that they all thought that the trial was behind them and that they were free to live their lives uninterrupted. This would have been the best thing, as the trial in question was unethical to say the least, and while they may have all volunteered for the trial, they didn't volunteer for the extreme measures that Dr. Briggs, the mastermind behind it all, had in store for them in the name of his version of science.
The narration in this story isn't linear in the sense that one person does all the narrating and we find out what we find out as the narrator learns it. Nor is there an omnipotent narrator that knows everything and dispenses wisdom as it becomes important to the story. Instead, we see what's happening from a variety of perspectives, not only of the trial participants, but also from other outside players who are brought in to carry out Dr. Briggs's plan. As a result, we have to keep all the details straight, and piece together later which ones are important to the master plan. It makes for engaging reading.
The story spirals and spirals until all the characters are thrust together and have to claw their way back from a chemical induced wasteland of fear and debauchery, if they can. The book held my interest and I really wanted to know how all the facts and twisted narrative threads would be woven together at the end.
This was my first book by Scott Nicholson but I hope it isn't my last. This story was creepy and thought-provoking and will definitely make you take a moment and consider the impact that drugs can truly have.
June 24, 2012
When Roland wakes up in a motel with two identities (according to the contents of his wallet) and a dead woman in the bathroom, he wracks his brain to remember what has happened. The vial of pills labelled "Take one every 4 hours or else" clouds the picture further. Porn actress Anita has the same tablets and an encounter of her own that gets the heart racing. When they are reunited with the other survivors of an unauthorised drug trial the battle is on. They all want to take control of the pills that are helping keep them sane and stop them remembering what happened ten years earlier.
I have read other books by the author in the past and enjoyed them so was looking forward to getting into this. The premise sounded interesting, a botched drug trial that had left a group of people on the edge and despite this the interest of certain parties in developing the drug for military application. It sounded feasible enough to be scary, particularly in the hands of Mr Nicholson.
However I finished it feeling a bit apathetic about the whole thing. The point of view kept switching between a number of characters and I didn't feel like I knew much about any of them. The female characters felt slightly more fleshed out but only because there were chunks devoted to their sexual pasts.
I also had a lot of questions that could have easily been answered in the course of the book. For example the group are all described as sociopaths but it's never made clear whether that is a result of the drugs or if they were chosen for the trial for a personality trait common to sociopaths in the first place. As it is mentioned a few times it would have been nice to know.
With a lack of interest in the fate of the characters the tension that was being built fell flat, and I felt some threads were under-developed with scope for much more about the political forces supporting the mad scientist's research and its potential applications.
I was a bit disappointed in this book after having read Scott's other work, so it's just an "okay" from me.
I have read other books by the author in the past and enjoyed them so was looking forward to getting into this. The premise sounded interesting, a botched drug trial that had left a group of people on the edge and despite this the interest of certain parties in developing the drug for military application. It sounded feasible enough to be scary, particularly in the hands of Mr Nicholson.
However I finished it feeling a bit apathetic about the whole thing. The point of view kept switching between a number of characters and I didn't feel like I knew much about any of them. The female characters felt slightly more fleshed out but only because there were chunks devoted to their sexual pasts.
I also had a lot of questions that could have easily been answered in the course of the book. For example the group are all described as sociopaths but it's never made clear whether that is a result of the drugs or if they were chosen for the trial for a personality trait common to sociopaths in the first place. As it is mentioned a few times it would have been nice to know.
With a lack of interest in the fate of the characters the tension that was being built fell flat, and I felt some threads were under-developed with scope for much more about the political forces supporting the mad scientist's research and its potential applications.
I was a bit disappointed in this book after having read Scott's other work, so it's just an "okay" from me.
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