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Cairnwood Manor #1
Shadows over Somerset
What secrets lurk in the heart of Cairnwood Manor? Michael Somers is brought to Cairnwood, an isolated manor in rural Indiana, to sit at the deathbed of a grandfather he never knew existed. But very soon he finds himself drawn into the strange and esoteric world of werewolves, vampires, witches… and a family curse that dates back to 14th Century Scotland. In the sleepy little town of Somerset, an ancient evil awakens, hungering for blood and vengeance…and if Michael is to survive he must face his inner demons and embrace his family’s dark past.
204 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2006
19 people want to read
About the author
Bob Freeman
54 books36 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Bob Freeman is an author, artist and paranormal adventurer from rural Indiana, where he lives with his wife Kim and son Connor.
He is the founder of the paranormal research group Nightstalkers of Indiana, a member of the Aleister Crowley Society, Horror Writers Association,and Indiana Horror Writers.
Bob is the author of the Cairnwood Manor series published by KHP Industries’ horror imprint, Black Death Books. The first two volumes in the series, Shadows Over Somerset (2006) and Keepers of the Dead (2008) are available at all major outlets
Watch for Bob's next novel Descendant, a supernatural thriller, coming in August 2010, from Belfire Press.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Bob Freeman is an author, artist and paranormal adventurer from rural Indiana, where he lives with his wife Kim and son Connor.
He is the founder of the paranormal research group Nightstalkers of Indiana, a member of the Aleister Crowley Society, Horror Writers Association,and Indiana Horror Writers.
Bob is the author of the Cairnwood Manor series published by KHP Industries’ horror imprint, Black Death Books. The first two volumes in the series, Shadows Over Somerset (2006) and Keepers of the Dead (2008) are available at all major outlets
Watch for Bob's next novel Descendant, a supernatural thriller, coming in August 2010, from Belfire Press.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2009
This was actually very good. Been a long time since I have read a horror. My only problem with the book is that some parts they did not seperate some of the scenes. Had to go back and re read a couple of times to realize that they had changed scenes/characters.
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May 22, 2014Bob is an excellent writer ... i hate writing reviews. If we were in the same room i would get excite and gush about the book..
January 17, 2008
Bob Freeman's SHADOWS OVER SOMERSET is a contemporary horror/dark fantasy tale that chronicles the rather mysterious Cairnwood family and the individuals/entities who come to be at odds with them. It's not always simple to tell who's protagging and who's antagging, though, as the Cairnwood family is something of a mess. They've got heroes, they've got werewolves, they've got vampires...they've just got all kinds living under the family name. Their homestead, Cairnwood Manor, situated in a dark corner of Indiana, is reminiscent of the classical mansion full of secrets, a la Collinwood from DARK SHADOWS; in this tale, however, the secrets are multiplied something like tenfold.
Freeman's storytelling is enjoyable, particularly during the action-packed scenes of character conflict. I did have a problem with the lack of breaks between paragraphs when scenes changed, though I'm not sure whether this was a copy-editing gaffe or something done intentionally. Whichever, it's cumbersome, and it brings the flow of the drama to a screeching halt on any number of occasions, particularly because there are so many characters to follow. Better structuring of the book's passages would have helped distinguish what's happening when and to whom. In fact, I would like to have seen better copy-editing in general, as there are numerous small problems that a second trained eye could have easily caught and fixed. KHP Publishing, take note.
Regardless of its problems, SHADOWS OVER SOMERSET is a generally entertaining novel, fast-paced, and vividly rendered. With its dark, gothic atmosphere and occasional moments of breakneck action, it's got a little something for fans of every dark persuasion.
Freeman's storytelling is enjoyable, particularly during the action-packed scenes of character conflict. I did have a problem with the lack of breaks between paragraphs when scenes changed, though I'm not sure whether this was a copy-editing gaffe or something done intentionally. Whichever, it's cumbersome, and it brings the flow of the drama to a screeching halt on any number of occasions, particularly because there are so many characters to follow. Better structuring of the book's passages would have helped distinguish what's happening when and to whom. In fact, I would like to have seen better copy-editing in general, as there are numerous small problems that a second trained eye could have easily caught and fixed. KHP Publishing, take note.
Regardless of its problems, SHADOWS OVER SOMERSET is a generally entertaining novel, fast-paced, and vividly rendered. With its dark, gothic atmosphere and occasional moments of breakneck action, it's got a little something for fans of every dark persuasion.
April 14, 2015
This is a review of the paperback edition brought out by Seventh Star Press.
Imagine a "B" movie, and list such ingredients that have the potential to make it a hit. They would be:
1. Sex
2. Gore
3. Teenagers
4. Supernatural activities
5. Vampires, over & above activities listed under item no. 4
6. Werewolves, over & above activities listed under item no. 4
7. Good versus Evil (mind the Capital Cases, would you)
8. Small town that's quintessentially American
9. More sex.
10. Likelihood/hook of a sequel promising more of items no. 1, 2, and 3.
The present book under review has ALL of these, and it surprises me to find that it's still a book, and not a hollywood block (or something else)-buster. But who knows, where we can have Piranha 3DD, we might have already had some film based on this one. Only reason for the second star was the author's ability to make me read till the end, despite the entirely predictable twists (if they can be called twists).
Mr Freeman, you better stick to Occult Detective short stories only. As far as this one is concerned, NOT RECOMMENDED.
Imagine a "B" movie, and list such ingredients that have the potential to make it a hit. They would be:
1. Sex
2. Gore
3. Teenagers
4. Supernatural activities
5. Vampires, over & above activities listed under item no. 4
6. Werewolves, over & above activities listed under item no. 4
7. Good versus Evil (mind the Capital Cases, would you)
8. Small town that's quintessentially American
9. More sex.
10. Likelihood/hook of a sequel promising more of items no. 1, 2, and 3.
The present book under review has ALL of these, and it surprises me to find that it's still a book, and not a hollywood block (or something else)-buster. But who knows, where we can have Piranha 3DD, we might have already had some film based on this one. Only reason for the second star was the author's ability to make me read till the end, despite the entirely predictable twists (if they can be called twists).
Mr Freeman, you better stick to Occult Detective short stories only. As far as this one is concerned, NOT RECOMMENDED.
August 31, 2014
This was a fantastic read. I loved the old feel to this story and yet it was modern day Indiana. This was a a shorter read but the detail in this book was amazing. It had Vampires, Witches, werewolves, curses. It was a fast paced well written book, that had an old world horror feel. Thank goodness this is book one, I look forward to escaping back into this world and see what evils await.
August 26, 2014
Vampires, Werewolves Witches and men in Kilts.. Oh my! Seriously this was a crazy ride. A 700 year-old clan war. A lost heir, a crazy vampire girl (who seriously needs a Thorazine laced blood bag) with a cocky vampire hunter and that is just the first 10% of the bloody book! Where it went from there was a head-spinning crazy-ass ride of whoop-whoop fun! I also always love anything which brings in at least a mention of my hometown of Seattle. The paranormal investigation is pretty cool too.
This is Contemporary Gothic horror. The witchcraft written about is spot on (thank you Bob-bo) which always is a thrill for this witchy-poo to read. I loved the mixture of modern and already established horror story devices and arcs. Even though the story is set in modern day Indiana, the Gothic flavor really seeps through, much like the dampness of manor, graves and crypts. It was brand new and yet felt like a classic at the same time. Thrilling, chilling and full of horror. One of my favorite things were the protagonists and the antagonists were just as lovable. I wish there was a bit more development with some of them or at least a place to breath. Perhaps I was glamoured by Inari the wicked bitch of the cemetery. It was a good read and like I said a crazy ride!
It was full of wonderful creatures, like I said and a full cast of characters and modern day monsters as well. This herein lies my problem with the book. There was just to many characters and though many were developed OK many .. well I just got lost! It bounced back and fourth so rapidly and at times there was a marker to show it was from a different persons point of view or a different room, time, era, room… country? I know, but it got confusing. If the markers would have been consistent, I lost who, what, and where I was. And yes, I had a review copy but because of issues with the Mobi file, the publisher gave me the final file they used for all the sites. At any rate, because of this it took me longer to finish the book. I lost interest or got tired trying to figure it out. The writing was not bad or I would not have finished it, in fact it was good. But I believe it needed more obvious breaks so readers did not have to be pulled out of the story to re-read to make sure they knew where they were. I know a lot of folks who enjoy this type of chaotic scene changes but it was a bit to much for me.
This is the second edition of the book. It was originally published in a much shorter novel (206 pages) back in 2006. Though it was not that obvious, I was able to tell a few places where the scenes or descriptions were filled out somewhat. Maybe this was some of the jarring reading aspects. Still I liked the book. Oh and for you cover whores? Look how gorgeous Enggar Adirasa has made them!
3.5 stars
This is Contemporary Gothic horror. The witchcraft written about is spot on (thank you Bob-bo) which always is a thrill for this witchy-poo to read. I loved the mixture of modern and already established horror story devices and arcs. Even though the story is set in modern day Indiana, the Gothic flavor really seeps through, much like the dampness of manor, graves and crypts. It was brand new and yet felt like a classic at the same time. Thrilling, chilling and full of horror. One of my favorite things were the protagonists and the antagonists were just as lovable. I wish there was a bit more development with some of them or at least a place to breath. Perhaps I was glamoured by Inari the wicked bitch of the cemetery. It was a good read and like I said a crazy ride!
It was full of wonderful creatures, like I said and a full cast of characters and modern day monsters as well. This herein lies my problem with the book. There was just to many characters and though many were developed OK many .. well I just got lost! It bounced back and fourth so rapidly and at times there was a marker to show it was from a different persons point of view or a different room, time, era, room… country? I know, but it got confusing. If the markers would have been consistent, I lost who, what, and where I was. And yes, I had a review copy but because of issues with the Mobi file, the publisher gave me the final file they used for all the sites. At any rate, because of this it took me longer to finish the book. I lost interest or got tired trying to figure it out. The writing was not bad or I would not have finished it, in fact it was good. But I believe it needed more obvious breaks so readers did not have to be pulled out of the story to re-read to make sure they knew where they were. I know a lot of folks who enjoy this type of chaotic scene changes but it was a bit to much for me.
This is the second edition of the book. It was originally published in a much shorter novel (206 pages) back in 2006. Though it was not that obvious, I was able to tell a few places where the scenes or descriptions were filled out somewhat. Maybe this was some of the jarring reading aspects. Still I liked the book. Oh and for you cover whores? Look how gorgeous Enggar Adirasa has made them!
3.5 stars
August 4, 2015
Bringing gothic horror right up to date, Bob Freeman’s Shadows Over Somerset invites readers into a world where an ancient hero battles monsters and future terror with the aid of mythic Scottish dynasties, American mansion owners, British societies and more. Plus swords, witches, and even gods, perhaps. It’s a heady brew, offered with lashings of cool dialog, complex mystery, gory horror, dark humor, twisting plot, and well-timed revelations.
The story’s complete, with a pleasing Seattle anti-hero thrust into terrifying powers and finding his feet, while the girl he loves seeks to find her place in it all. But it’s also part of a much bigger tale, nicely hinted at, and promised in future volumes, making this the best sort of opening to a series. Would I read more? Definitely. It’s fast, furious, darkly intriguing, and fun.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during a blog tour, and I offer my honest review.
The story’s complete, with a pleasing Seattle anti-hero thrust into terrifying powers and finding his feet, while the girl he loves seeks to find her place in it all. But it’s also part of a much bigger tale, nicely hinted at, and promised in future volumes, making this the best sort of opening to a series. Would I read more? Definitely. It’s fast, furious, darkly intriguing, and fun.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during a blog tour, and I offer my honest review.
August 31, 2014
What kind of story would you expect from a writer who has interacted with the supernatural? With such a vast wealth of knowledge at his disposal that he lectures as an expert in the occult and the paranormal, what kind of tale could Bob Freeman tell? It could be that as a regular lecturer, his writing could quickly deteriorate into an encyclopedia entry, too bogged down by facts to allow the reader to dive into the story. It could also be that a lifetime of study would present some of the best of mythology to support a strong cast of characters and a fast-paced, exciting story. While it may be a little convoluted at first, it quickly becomes apparent that this story will not be any lecture, but a thrill ride that you will not be able to put down.
Check out the rest of my review at http://ragecircus.blogspot.com
Check out the rest of my review at http://ragecircus.blogspot.com
February 21, 2008
Mr. Freeman brings us the first in a series of tales that are the legacy of a 700 year-old Scottish clan war. The cast of characters is large, including humans, werewolves, vampires, and witches. Set in rural Indiana, the tale brings together characters from all over the U.S. and the UK in an epic battle between the clans (and good and evil) to see who will become heir to the dying patriarch.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews