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The Hook
It's 1976 and Ernest Kemp is looking for his wife and daughter. After leaving the US Navy, he finds his way to Hallowell, Maine. He's an outsider and the townsfolk don't trust him. Their suspicions increase when someone starts killing children. After being falsely accused and arrested, Ernest teams up with Samantha Belcher as she investigates the murders for the Kennebec Journal. They discover the murders are ritualistic sacrifices. Ernest and Samantha's issues rise as bullfrogs roam all over town and three new outsiders resemble women from a 100-year-old news article. Will they find the killers and Ernest's family before another child dies?
318 pages, Hardcover
Published March 7, 2023
2 people want to read
About the author
James Pack
10 books6 followersJames Pack is an award-winning author and member of the Horror Writers Association. He has published several collections of poetry and short fiction. Learn more about James and his collected works on his personal blog thejamespack.com. He lives in Tucson, AZ.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 19, 2023
There were some parts that got really dark, but overall it was good. I liked the stuff with the ravens and bullfrogs
April 18, 2024
In The Hook, set against the evocative backdrop of the 1970s, author James Pack takes readers on a thrilling journey through the unsettling murders plaguing the town of Hallowell. The novel's distinctive feature is the mysterious presence of bullfrogs at each crime scene, lending a uniquely eerie quality to the already perplexing homicides. This detail, combined with the arrival of new residents, weaves an engaging narrative tapestry that keeps readers thoroughly absorbed.
Central to the story is Earnest, a Navy retiree seeking a peaceful life with his family. His world is upended when his wife and daughter disappear, leading him to Hallowell in a fraught search for answers. Pack's narrative style is notable for its blend of third-person narration and excerpts from Earnest's diary. This dual approach immerses the reader in Earnest's internal world while offering a comprehensive view of the story's environment and secondary characters. Pack adeptly intertwines mystery, suspense, and emotional resonance elements, creating a richly layered story. The climax skillfully ties together the novel's various threads, resolving key mysteries but leaving some questions intriguingly unanswered. The book's strengths include well-crafted character arcs, vivid descriptions, and a constant undercurrent of tension that captivates the reader.
The Hook is remarkable for its complex plot and innovative storytelling. Pack's detailed prose vividly captures the story's darker moments, making it an enticing read for those who relish a mystery rich in intricate details and atmospheric tension.
Central to the story is Earnest, a Navy retiree seeking a peaceful life with his family. His world is upended when his wife and daughter disappear, leading him to Hallowell in a fraught search for answers. Pack's narrative style is notable for its blend of third-person narration and excerpts from Earnest's diary. This dual approach immerses the reader in Earnest's internal world while offering a comprehensive view of the story's environment and secondary characters. Pack adeptly intertwines mystery, suspense, and emotional resonance elements, creating a richly layered story. The climax skillfully ties together the novel's various threads, resolving key mysteries but leaving some questions intriguingly unanswered. The book's strengths include well-crafted character arcs, vivid descriptions, and a constant undercurrent of tension that captivates the reader.
The Hook is remarkable for its complex plot and innovative storytelling. Pack's detailed prose vividly captures the story's darker moments, making it an enticing read for those who relish a mystery rich in intricate details and atmospheric tension.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews