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Darkness Falls
In this tale of creeping horror, down-on-his-luck novelist Tyler Beckman returns to his old hometown of Darkness Falls, New Hampshire, hoping to resurrect his career. Tyler fled the town of his youth nearly two decades earlier following the brutal triple murder of his parents and sister, landing in New York and eventually writing six bestselling gothic horror novels, achieving fame and fortune before losing it all in a blizzard of drugs, booze and women.
Now, in a desperate last-ditch effort to regain what he has lost, Tyler rents the home of his family's imprisoned killer, determined to confront demons best left buried. Immediately his writing flourishes, and in a frenzy of activity, Tyler begins pounding out the novel that will put him back on top.
But a malevolent force is at work in Darkness Falls, one which is timeless and evil and unstoppable. And it has Tyler Beckman in its sights.
Fast-paced and eerily seductive, Darkness Falls is a well-told and atmospheric tale of loss and obsession, of madness and revenge.
Now, in a desperate last-ditch effort to regain what he has lost, Tyler rents the home of his family's imprisoned killer, determined to confront demons best left buried. Immediately his writing flourishes, and in a frenzy of activity, Tyler begins pounding out the novel that will put him back on top.
But a malevolent force is at work in Darkness Falls, one which is timeless and evil and unstoppable. And it has Tyler Beckman in its sights.
Fast-paced and eerily seductive, Darkness Falls is a well-told and atmospheric tale of loss and obsession, of madness and revenge.
- GenresHorror
Nook
First published September 1, 2011
80 people want to read
About the author
Allan Leverone
65 books139 followersAllan Leverone is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine novels, including the dark thriller, MR. MIDNIGHT, named by Suspense Magazine as one of the "Best Books of 2013."
A 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee, Allan lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty years, three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Connect at www.allanleverone.com, at Facebook and on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.
A 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee, Allan lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty years, three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Connect at www.allanleverone.com, at Facebook and on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 25, 2013
Very FAST pacing. A no-nonsense approach to a man going back to his hometown--the source of a horrible family tragedy, and, ironically, inspiration for his own success.
October 1, 2011
This is a good Psychological thriller. It's just long enough to make it a camp fire story that you can read to the kids ( minus the cussing ) or one you read by the fire on a cold foggy night.
For me the end was not predictable didn't see that coming at all. I would read another book that gives more of the history of the house and the people that lived in it. I also think the girl friend is weird!
For me the end was not predictable didn't see that coming at all. I would read another book that gives more of the history of the house and the people that lived in it. I also think the girl friend is weird!
September 17, 2011
Well... this is my introduction to Leverone and it was... fair. The story was interesting and certainly had some potential to deliver, but the horror and drama never really materialized. We get flashes of that potential with the reveal of how Tyler Beckman (main character) came to leave Darkness Falls in his youth and why he became such a great horror writer. But beyond that, the story is filled with characters and relationships that were really underdeveloped and because of that, the dialogue and exchanges between the characters ranged from forced to bizarre to inept at times.
I recall seeing that craptastic film, Star Wars II and there was a scene between Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen in which he professes his love to her. The dialogue and melodrama was so unbelievably bad that it left you squirming in your seat feeling embarrassed for the actors. I know I wasn't the only movie goer to feel that way because I saw a few get up and leave to perhaps get some popcorn. The point is, when a film or book really overdoes the dialogue it is so transparent and awful.
Although I can't say the exchanges between Tyler and Debra (Tyler's wet blanket ex-girlfriend) were Hayden Christensen awful, it certainly approached cringe-worthy levels at times. The chemistry between these two characters just didn't click, and ultimately left any interaction between the two feeling really odd and forced.
Likewise, while I understood why Tyler returned to Darkness Falls, why in the world would he return to the house of his family's murderer? Leverone leads us to believe that it was to exorcise his demons. Ok... but wouldn't it make more sense for him to return to his family's house where the actually butchery took place? That would have added a more genuine morbidness to Tyler's screwed up psychology, but renting out the murderer's house feels like an artificial plot element. Likewise, the brief exchange when Tyler actually visits the murderer at the sanitarium had some real potential for further drama and fireworks. Unfortunately, the exchange between the two characters was flat and accomplished little in moving the story forward.
Good potential... below average delivery. If Delirium publishes another Leverone title, I'd consider giving him another shot... but this was not a great intro for me.
I recall seeing that craptastic film, Star Wars II and there was a scene between Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen in which he professes his love to her. The dialogue and melodrama was so unbelievably bad that it left you squirming in your seat feeling embarrassed for the actors. I know I wasn't the only movie goer to feel that way because I saw a few get up and leave to perhaps get some popcorn. The point is, when a film or book really overdoes the dialogue it is so transparent and awful.
Although I can't say the exchanges between Tyler and Debra (Tyler's wet blanket ex-girlfriend) were Hayden Christensen awful, it certainly approached cringe-worthy levels at times. The chemistry between these two characters just didn't click, and ultimately left any interaction between the two feeling really odd and forced.
Likewise, while I understood why Tyler returned to Darkness Falls, why in the world would he return to the house of his family's murderer? Leverone leads us to believe that it was to exorcise his demons. Ok... but wouldn't it make more sense for him to return to his family's house where the actually butchery took place? That would have added a more genuine morbidness to Tyler's screwed up psychology, but renting out the murderer's house feels like an artificial plot element. Likewise, the brief exchange when Tyler actually visits the murderer at the sanitarium had some real potential for further drama and fireworks. Unfortunately, the exchange between the two characters was flat and accomplished little in moving the story forward.
Good potential... below average delivery. If Delirium publishes another Leverone title, I'd consider giving him another shot... but this was not a great intro for me.
February 6, 2014
Damn this was great novella. Very creepy and very sad as well. I loved it
March 14, 2016
Can a house be haunted to the point that it can possess a person? When Tyler returns to Darkness Falls, NH to revive his career as a successful author he may find out that very thing.
September 29, 2011
Tyler Beckman returns to his hometown of Darkness Falls, NH in hopes of rejuvinating his career as a writer. Tyler rents the former home of the vicious killer who butchered his family nearly 20 years ago. Tyler is back home and feels like he is back in the game with his writing being better than ever. However, there are malevolent forces that Tyler must contend with and what do these forces want from Tyler?
This book was about 55 pages so it is a very quick read, but in this short time Al is able to open up his characters and give them the richness of characters in full length novels. The story pulls you right in and holds you tight until the end where you get spit out left wondering....did that really happen. Great horror story!
I do think it could be a full length book and the only negative thing I have to say about it is the plotline is pretty familiar. However, the author knows this and even comments on it in the story, which makes me think maybe its not a negative at all. I can't be sure even as I write this. But I am sure that this is a great horror short that has the potential for being expanded into a full book.
This book was about 55 pages so it is a very quick read, but in this short time Al is able to open up his characters and give them the richness of characters in full length novels. The story pulls you right in and holds you tight until the end where you get spit out left wondering....did that really happen. Great horror story!
I do think it could be a full length book and the only negative thing I have to say about it is the plotline is pretty familiar. However, the author knows this and even comments on it in the story, which makes me think maybe its not a negative at all. I can't be sure even as I write this. But I am sure that this is a great horror short that has the potential for being expanded into a full book.
December 24, 2011
Over the past few months, I've become more familiar with Allan Leverone's body of work, which ranges from suspense thriller to horror. What you have with "Darkness Falls" is a tightly crafted, well-executed classic horror story that resoundingly demonstrates how effective a new spin on an old concept can really be.
Tyler Beckman, a down-on-his-luck former best-selling novelist, finds that fame and fortune are fleeting. When his well of creativity dries up, along with the money and notoriety that accompanied it, he returns to his hometown of Darkness Falls, New Hampshire, after an 18-year hiatus following the brutal murders of his parents and teenage sister, hoping to rekindle his muse. But the house he chooses to rent in Darkness Falls is not your typical dwelling...and he's chosen it for a specific reason.
A clever twist on the haunted house concept, "Darkness Falls" also touches on the sources of creativity, lost love, redemption, and ultimately tragic irony. The story and characters are so rich and expertly drawn that you will wish this dimunitive gem would have been developed into a full-fledged novel.
Allan Leverone is an author to keep your eye on.
Tyler Beckman, a down-on-his-luck former best-selling novelist, finds that fame and fortune are fleeting. When his well of creativity dries up, along with the money and notoriety that accompanied it, he returns to his hometown of Darkness Falls, New Hampshire, after an 18-year hiatus following the brutal murders of his parents and teenage sister, hoping to rekindle his muse. But the house he chooses to rent in Darkness Falls is not your typical dwelling...and he's chosen it for a specific reason.
A clever twist on the haunted house concept, "Darkness Falls" also touches on the sources of creativity, lost love, redemption, and ultimately tragic irony. The story and characters are so rich and expertly drawn that you will wish this dimunitive gem would have been developed into a full-fledged novel.
Allan Leverone is an author to keep your eye on.
January 20, 2012
This is the story of Tyler Beckman. He is returning to his childhood home 18 years after the horrific slaughter of his family to try and rekindle his writing career. He rents out the house own by the man who massacred his family in an effort to exorcise his demons. But is there more to the house than meets the eye?
This is an exceptionally well crafted old fashioned horror story. It is a twist on the original haunted house tale. Tyler goes back to his childhood home of Darkness Falls to write his book and get some closure on the death of his family. His pain at that loss was really poignant. He meets up with his ex high school love and they try to rekindle things, as he descends into a sort of madness it all goes downhill. I was taken on a wild ride from page one and dropped a gibbering wreck at the end. This is the second book I have read from this author and it certainly didn't disappoint.
I totally recommend this if you like an old fashioned horror story that plays on the psychological scare rather than out and out gore.
This is an exceptionally well crafted old fashioned horror story. It is a twist on the original haunted house tale. Tyler goes back to his childhood home of Darkness Falls to write his book and get some closure on the death of his family. His pain at that loss was really poignant. He meets up with his ex high school love and they try to rekindle things, as he descends into a sort of madness it all goes downhill. I was taken on a wild ride from page one and dropped a gibbering wreck at the end. This is the second book I have read from this author and it certainly didn't disappoint.
I totally recommend this if you like an old fashioned horror story that plays on the psychological scare rather than out and out gore.
October 18, 2011
I have found a new favorite author for the thriller/horror genre. Allan Leverone is a master storyteller in the tradition of many of the greats. I'm not sure if you would class Darkness Falls as a short story or a novella, as it is just over 50 pages long (e-book format). What I do know is that all 50+ of those pages tell an unforgettably creepy story. What starts out as a simple trip home to spend some time getting his life back on track, turns into a nightmare for Tyler Beckman. Once again, Allan Leverone scores with his combination of twisted story line and truly interesting characters. As in The Lonely Mile, he splits his characters between those that are normal and safe, and those that will haunt your dreams. And, as good as the entire story is, in my opinion the best part of Darkness Falls is the ending. All I will say, is that it looks like we have a new voice in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King on our hands. I can't wait for his next endeavor.
September 30, 2011
Darkness Falls starts with the return of Tyler Beckman to his hometown of Darkness Falls, New Hampshire after fleeing 18 years ago shortly following the brutal murder of his parents and sister. He rents the house of their killer and the story takes over. Darkness Falls is a fast paced, page turning story that takes the reader on the short, but powerful trip and it packs quite a punch at the end. Overall, worth the read as I enjoyed every minute of it.
October 8, 2011
I don't really enjoy horror stories - unlike a good thriller, I don't find tales of the supernatural all that scary. But I've read other work by this author, so I did want to read this as soon as it came out, and I did like it more than I usually would for the genre. It's an odd length - somewhere between a short story and a novella - but manages to pack quite a lot in to a few short pages. I particularly liked the ending.
September 28, 2011
I loved this book. This book was creepy and sucked me in immediately. I loved the characters that AL was able to develop quickly. The book is a short read...I believe 55 pages in its' entirety, but it was 55 pages of fast paced storytelling! I can see now why the people in my group and some of my favorite authors love Al's writing!
January 2, 2014
I always seem to love short but sweet horror stories. They almost seem to chill me more, because they often give mysterious details or endings. Where one is left to interpret the story for oneself. This started out like a typical house story, but the ending just made me smile. Perfect ending to what could have been just another horror story.
April 15, 2012
I really liked this book, I feel there could of been more. But all in all it was a good short story and had great characters and a plot. I would of liked to see more about the reason the house is taking over peoples minds. It was written well and flowed great.
October 18, 2011
Started this yesterday and, of course, couldn't put it down so finished it yesterday too.
An awesome creepy story!
An awesome creepy story!
Want to read
September 24, 2011The storyline sounds like the movie boogeyman and another movie cant quite remember the name.. but it seems like these 2 movies put together a bit , i cant wait to read this!
October 16, 2011
I loved the suspense of this novel and was really surprised by the ending.
January 22, 2012
What a great book!!! Sat down and read it in two sittings. A fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I will definitely be checking out Mr. Leverone's other books.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews