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314 Crescent Manor
Fiction
Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2010
16 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
M. Jones
15 books12 followersI am a neurotic, typing mess who sits in front of an old Olympia manual typewriter, appreciating the way it reduces my fingertips to bloodied stumps, the flesh punctured ragged by broken bones. Ghosts hover in my periphery, while time and space travel long in two directions, in a vast circle that never manages to complete itself.
I have currently completed and published a very disturbing m/m (gay) novel that explores themes of abuse, gender identity, vigilantism and emotional compartmentalization. IN ABSENTIA can be found at http://bloodlettersink.com or at Amazon.
Contrary to popular belief, I have not wrestled tigers in India, took a bullet for a nun or obtained a master's degree in Japanese breakfast cereals.
I am, however, very fond of knives.
I have currently completed and published a very disturbing m/m (gay) novel that explores themes of abuse, gender identity, vigilantism and emotional compartmentalization. IN ABSENTIA can be found at http://bloodlettersink.com or at Amazon.
Contrary to popular belief, I have not wrestled tigers in India, took a bullet for a nun or obtained a master's degree in Japanese breakfast cereals.
I am, however, very fond of knives.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 20, 2010
Well...I wrote this one. Not sure how I should rate myself, considering just how biased I am--But I will say I learned a lot while writing this and still wonder about the continued quantum fates of Mark/Mars, Nathan/Natassia, Charlie, Paul and Mrs. MacDonald. Series two will begin in December of this year.
I'm going to give it a four, for enjoyment of the experience. It won't be a five, because there has to be room for some authorial hand wringing.
I'm going to give it a four, for enjoyment of the experience. It won't be a five, because there has to be room for some authorial hand wringing.
June 20, 2010
As is the case with many character-driven stories, 314 Crescent Manor starts off a little slow, but it picks up speed quite nicely and keeps you on tenterhooks for more. The plot is compelling, the characters—to match their dark surroundings—all have a torrid history of their own. And all of them are drawn to 314 Crescent Manor and to each other.
While the first couple of chapters set the tone for Nathan and Mark’s awkward sibling relationship, I wasn’t properly pulled into the story until The Event (Chapter 4), when things take a bizarre twist down the rabbit hole. And it is then that M. Jones’ atmospheric story-telling really starts to shine. The sense of parallel or alternate worlds, the lurking evil, and the growing mystery all combine together into an almost Silent Hill-esque setting which promises more questions than answers... and that’s exactly what it delivers.
The chapters jump mostly between Mark and Nathan’s point of view, and detail their parallel experiences of The Event and their attempts to understand the supernatural forces at work. Both points of view are well-written and distinctive.
The writing is description-heavy, often times eerie. For my tastes, it is a little too verbose at times, but the overall quality is extremely solid. M Jones doesn’t shy away from describing the gruesome details, which really brings to life the horror elements of the story, but she also knows when to step back and let the events speak for themselves.
Both plot and characterization are strong, the latter particularly so; I have a very clear impression of not just Mark and Nathan, but all of the characters. M Jones does a perfect job capturing the changing dynamics between the tenants caused by The Event, and I particularly enjoyed witnessing Mark and Nathan’s love interests.
The book draws to a close with The Event and its underlying mysteries partially resolved, but there are just enough dark hints to leave room for a sequel, and I look forward to reading more about Mark, Nathan, and the other tenants of 314 Crescent Manor.
IN SUM: refreshingly eerie story that gets stronger with every episode. Definitely one to read.
[Note: This was originally posted online as a webfiction serial, with a lot of of additional information to browse, including detailed character bios (although I recommend reading these after reading the first five chapters, unless you don’t mind spoilers).]
While the first couple of chapters set the tone for Nathan and Mark’s awkward sibling relationship, I wasn’t properly pulled into the story until The Event (Chapter 4), when things take a bizarre twist down the rabbit hole. And it is then that M. Jones’ atmospheric story-telling really starts to shine. The sense of parallel or alternate worlds, the lurking evil, and the growing mystery all combine together into an almost Silent Hill-esque setting which promises more questions than answers... and that’s exactly what it delivers.
The chapters jump mostly between Mark and Nathan’s point of view, and detail their parallel experiences of The Event and their attempts to understand the supernatural forces at work. Both points of view are well-written and distinctive.
The writing is description-heavy, often times eerie. For my tastes, it is a little too verbose at times, but the overall quality is extremely solid. M Jones doesn’t shy away from describing the gruesome details, which really brings to life the horror elements of the story, but she also knows when to step back and let the events speak for themselves.
Both plot and characterization are strong, the latter particularly so; I have a very clear impression of not just Mark and Nathan, but all of the characters. M Jones does a perfect job capturing the changing dynamics between the tenants caused by The Event, and I particularly enjoyed witnessing Mark and Nathan’s love interests.
The book draws to a close with The Event and its underlying mysteries partially resolved, but there are just enough dark hints to leave room for a sequel, and I look forward to reading more about Mark, Nathan, and the other tenants of 314 Crescent Manor.
IN SUM: refreshingly eerie story that gets stronger with every episode. Definitely one to read.
[Note: This was originally posted online as a webfiction serial, with a lot of of additional information to browse, including detailed character bios (although I recommend reading these after reading the first five chapters, unless you don’t mind spoilers).]
July 30, 2011
I'm not sure if the author, M. Jones, has ever actually read a real horror novel or not.....but I think it would have helped him/her to actually write a coherent story but actually understanding what it is.....this story was so all-over-the-place and made no sense whatsoever.....OMG.....there is a haunted apartment complex and let's throw in twin brothers and then have an "event' that causes them to be able to change from male to female (by flexing their kegle muscle...WTH?!?!?!)....a messed up cop with a dead ghoulish lover haunting him....a grandpa stuck in the walls.....and top it off with a past nuclear disaster that made several universes.....What The Heck was this mess all about......it was one of the worst horror stories I have ever read and I am so bummed to think that the time I spent on reading this, I will never get it back.....all I can say is don't waste your time with this wannabe mess......stick with legit stuff from Stephen King....Dean Koontz....etc.....
January 16, 2016
This novel was an incredibly fresh and innovative mix of genres that I would love to see more of. It has everything I love in a good story; Horror, Sci-Fi, twisted sex and plenty of plot twists. It's the kind of story that makes you think, with fresh surprises around every corner as well as many "WTF" moments that come together for an exciting and suspenseful journey.
I actually just meant to glance at the novel online but wound up reading all night, and was disappointed that there wasn't more when it ended.
I actually just meant to glance at the novel online but wound up reading all night, and was disappointed that there wasn't more when it ended.
September 15, 2011
I finished this book 2 days ago, and I am still thinking about it! This book is CRAZY! Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it actually! Holy cow, I don't even know what else to say except- Go read this book now! So much happens and you don't see any of it coming. I have not been this constantly surprised by a book in a long time. I just did't want to stop reading in the middle because something will happen out of the blue and then I would need to find out what the next bizarre thing was going to be, and how we would get there.
It is definitely weird, and supernatural so you have to be open to all sorts of crazy unimaginable scenarios. But if you are, you will LOVE this book! Just seeing what was going to happen next was so much fun. There are so many layers to this story. You would get one baby step closer to finding out what on earth is going on, and then 5 new things would pop up out of nowhere! There was an overarching plot line and mystery and then there were all the characters sub plots. The sub plots were even more interesting to me than the whole mystery because I wanted to figure out how each of them were connected to 314 Crescent Manor.
I still have unanswered questions about the book. Normally that would bug the heck out of me, but somehow its fitting.
This book was freaky and bizarre and super creepy! I don't think I would ever be able to go anywhere near 314 Crescent Manor if it were a real place. That is how creepy this book was. I loved this book! It was just so different than anything else I have read lately. Awesome read.
It is definitely weird, and supernatural so you have to be open to all sorts of crazy unimaginable scenarios. But if you are, you will LOVE this book! Just seeing what was going to happen next was so much fun. There are so many layers to this story. You would get one baby step closer to finding out what on earth is going on, and then 5 new things would pop up out of nowhere! There was an overarching plot line and mystery and then there were all the characters sub plots. The sub plots were even more interesting to me than the whole mystery because I wanted to figure out how each of them were connected to 314 Crescent Manor.
I still have unanswered questions about the book. Normally that would bug the heck out of me, but somehow its fitting.
This book was freaky and bizarre and super creepy! I don't think I would ever be able to go anywhere near 314 Crescent Manor if it were a real place. That is how creepy this book was. I loved this book! It was just so different than anything else I have read lately. Awesome read.
January 16, 2016
An absolutely excellent novel! If you're a drooling horror groupie who wants to be spoon fed mindless drivel, this book isn't for you. You won't like it and will probably leave inane reviews about not getting it or it being all over the place. For everyone else, it's fun, intelligent, exciting and scary. You've got to keep your wits about you and actually engage your brain when reading this novel, and it's well worth it.
If Samuel R. Delany had a threesome with Philip K. Dick and Clive Barker, this novel would be their bastard love child (and to be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that exact orgy wasn't happening right now in one of the rooms at 314 Crescent Manor, as H.P. Lovecraft and Ursula K. Le Guin provide the poppers and lube while looking on in delight).
If Samuel R. Delany had a threesome with Philip K. Dick and Clive Barker, this novel would be their bastard love child (and to be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that exact orgy wasn't happening right now in one of the rooms at 314 Crescent Manor, as H.P. Lovecraft and Ursula K. Le Guin provide the poppers and lube while looking on in delight).
January 16, 2016
An absolutely excellent novel! If you're a drooling horror groupie who wants to be spoon fed mindless drivel, this book isn't for you. You won't like it and will probably leave inane reviews about not getting it or it being all over the place. For everyone else, it's fun, intelligent, exciting and scary. You've got to keep your wits about you and actually engage your brain when reading this novel, and it's well worth it.
If Samuel R. Delany had a threesome with Philip K. Dick and Clive Barker, this novel would be their bastard love child (and to be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that exact orgy wasn't happening right now in one of the rooms at 314 Crescent Manor, as H.P. Lovecraft and Ursula K. Le Guin provide the poppers and lube while looking on in delight).
If Samuel R. Delany had a threesome with Philip K. Dick and Clive Barker, this novel would be their bastard love child (and to be quite honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that exact orgy wasn't happening right now in one of the rooms at 314 Crescent Manor, as H.P. Lovecraft and Ursula K. Le Guin provide the poppers and lube while looking on in delight).
June 22, 2010
I've been a fan of Jones' writing for a few years now. Her work is full of black comedy, suspense, memorable characters, and palpable atmosphere. 314 Crescent Manor is no exception.
Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged fraternal twins drifting through life. They know that something's wrong, but can't put their finger on what until The Event happens at Crescent Manor. Even after the supernatural (or quantum physics-related, depending on your point of view) Event turns their lives upside down, the siblings don't yet have all the answers. A cast of supporting characters, each as wonderfully strange as conspiracy theorist and bohemian artist Nathan and straight-laced, too-serious Mark, helps them with their quest. The Manor itself, a decaying art deco apartment building, is as much of a character as its tenants. It's eerie and unsettling, which makes you wonder all the more about those who live there.
Crescent Manor comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for more -- and I certainly hope there's more!
Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged fraternal twins drifting through life. They know that something's wrong, but can't put their finger on what until The Event happens at Crescent Manor. Even after the supernatural (or quantum physics-related, depending on your point of view) Event turns their lives upside down, the siblings don't yet have all the answers. A cast of supporting characters, each as wonderfully strange as conspiracy theorist and bohemian artist Nathan and straight-laced, too-serious Mark, helps them with their quest. The Manor itself, a decaying art deco apartment building, is as much of a character as its tenants. It's eerie and unsettling, which makes you wonder all the more about those who live there.
Crescent Manor comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for more -- and I certainly hope there's more!
August 7, 2012
Quite a boring story with too many things going on. I tried numerous times to continue reading it and then found myself skipping pages. I couldn't finish the book as I was getting irritated with the tale and finally decided to move on to another book. Apologies M. Jones for the harshness of this review. I think you may have been able to write 2 or 3 different stories than just packing it all in one. I do give credit to the way you write as you are quite descriptive and it does make the story more compelling to read but the flow was not there.
January 16, 2016
This novel was an incredibly fresh and innovative mix of genres that I would love to see more of. It has everything I love in a good story; Horror, Sci-Fi, twisted sex and plenty of plot twists. It's the kind of story that makes you think, with fresh surprises around every corner as well as many "WTF" moments that come together for an exciting and suspenseful journey.
I actually just meant to glance at the novel online but wound up reading all night, and was disappointed that there wasn't more when it ended.
I actually just meant to glance at the novel online but wound up reading all night, and was disappointed that there wasn't more when it ended.
August 26, 2016
This took a long time for me to read. I did not look forward to reading it. It did not take me away...
But it held my interest because it was so odd! So I plodded through.
One event changes the ways things are for a building with a life of it's own. Evil escalates, and causes bizarre things to happen to the buildings tenants. Can things be made right again? Well, maybe not right, but just different.
What am I talking about? Exactly. That's how I feel about the book. I ended with "Huh?".
But it held my interest because it was so odd! So I plodded through.
One event changes the ways things are for a building with a life of it's own. Evil escalates, and causes bizarre things to happen to the buildings tenants. Can things be made right again? Well, maybe not right, but just different.
What am I talking about? Exactly. That's how I feel about the book. I ended with "Huh?".
April 7, 2012
This could have used a bit more work before being let loose. I went from scanning it to just paging forward... The beginning just didn't grab me and the prose felt heavy. I also felt like the summary for the book could have been better to warn about the whole 'randomly turning into females' thing.
October 17, 2011
I just had a hard time keeping up with this story. Just when I thought i was on line with the story, it changed. And kept changing. All I can say is this is a different type of story for me so I wont try to advise anyone. If your curious, just read it.
January 19, 2012
So I typically do not read books of this genre but I have decided to step out of the box a bit. I guess this was the wrong book to do that with. Not only was this book badly written it was just a crazy storyline. I am glad this book was free because I do not think I would have read it otherwise.
September 21, 2011
The beginning sort of dragged on and on, but if you keep reading the parts begin to come together and you finally get into the suspense.
November 6, 2011
I just didn't really like this book.
May 16, 2015
definitely intriguing. Charlie's theory as to why such strange occurrences happen was a bit over my head but was a good read anyhow
February 20, 2012
This book was just too weird for my taste (and I love a well-written spooker). I couldn't even finish it.
August 26, 2012
This is a strange horror story. No NOT read it before going to bed. I detected a possible 15 errors, mostly words left out of a sentence.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews