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The Punished
There is no way out. The house takes them, flies in the web, and won't let them go. The house is beautiful and silent as a tomb. There are children at play, pretending to live as their souls are sucked out of them. There is no way out. The doors are locked and the windows hammered shut. Some have been there for years, their minds warped into insanity by the fear and pain. Curt is new and can't understand why no one speaks and why the only sounds come from the night. He wonders what it is that comes out of the basement when the sun goes down. There is no way out until you are cold and stiff. What the readers say about The "I did not expect the chilling supernatural story that is The Punished." "...and I will never forget this one. Five stars, 100%, I give it the highest praise I have to offer." "...and it left me spinning in my chair. There’s more to it than horror; there’s mystery and nail-biting suspense."
- GenresHorrorParanormalFiction
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2011
167 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Peter Meredith
59 books666 followersPeter Meredith is the multi-genre author of an author of 35 novels in a variety of genres: Horror, zombies, post-apocalypse and Fantasy. Some of his creative work includes The Trilogy of Void, The Hidden Lands series, The Sacrificial Daughter, A Perfect America, Sprite and The Apocalypse Undead World.
Having tried his hand in real estate, as an emergency room nurse, and a CEO of a national lighting company, he has come to find that his true addiction is as an author.
Having tried his hand in real estate, as an emergency room nurse, and a CEO of a national lighting company, he has come to find that his true addiction is as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 7, 2011
There did you see that? I rated my own book again. There should be a law against this sort of thing!
12-year-old Curt Regis lives the carefree life of a beggar and a thief. Homeless since the age of six, he uses his guile and street smarts, as well as a glib, smooth lying tongue to reign as king of the street rats. So when he is caught breaking into a school and is sent back into foster care for the ninth time, he is quite confident that not only will it be a short stay, he will also be gone again in a day or two with a new set of clothes on his back and his bag filled with silverware, jewelry and maybe if he is really lucky, a Play station to pawn.
However, his luck has run out. This time he is sent to what many in the foster-care system consider the perfect home. It is a home from which no one has ever runaway from. A beautiful home where not a word of complaint is ever heard, where in fact, very few words are ever spoken and where the only real sounds that disturb the stagnant air are the screams of the punished.
12-year-old Curt Regis lives the carefree life of a beggar and a thief. Homeless since the age of six, he uses his guile and street smarts, as well as a glib, smooth lying tongue to reign as king of the street rats. So when he is caught breaking into a school and is sent back into foster care for the ninth time, he is quite confident that not only will it be a short stay, he will also be gone again in a day or two with a new set of clothes on his back and his bag filled with silverware, jewelry and maybe if he is really lucky, a Play station to pawn.
However, his luck has run out. This time he is sent to what many in the foster-care system consider the perfect home. It is a home from which no one has ever runaway from. A beautiful home where not a word of complaint is ever heard, where in fact, very few words are ever spoken and where the only real sounds that disturb the stagnant air are the screams of the punished.
September 5, 2021
This book is a study or an exercise in insanity amongst other things. Be it under social duress, atmospheric uncertainty, or a foreknowledge of the inevitable doom, insanity doggedly pursues every avenue towards impregnating the mind with an awareness of its true fragility; the cocky protagonist of this novel faces precisely this prospect, in the volatile society of the foster home's fellow inhabitants, under the certainty of rules and the uncertainty of punishment, and in the foreknowledge brought on by long term projections of the present hand dealt to one by fate.
March 9, 2012
The Punished has an interior appearance of a YA at first, but as you get further along into the story, you soon realize it’s much more than that. This is a bumpy rollercoaster ride of creepy twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat as you turn the pages to find out what’s to come of the characters. It has an intelligence and a darker side that I feel is part YA, part adult, and it left me spinning in my chair--thinking of obvious influences the author may have like Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe. There’s more to it than horror; there’s a mystery and nail-biting suspense. I liked the tension that builds in the beginning and the character development of small Curt.
My only disputes with The Punished was the editing to be honest. I found some glaring mistakes--understandably, my copy could have been an ARC or an unedited version--but I still want to make a note in case it was a finished copy that it should be reviewed again (no I could not point out particular spots at this time now that I‘m finished. I just remember seeing a few areas as I was reading, mostly punctuation mishaps or grammar misuse in sentences--nothing TOO terrible honestly). I also didn’t particularly like the notes that were passed back and forth between the kids. Yes, I understand the need for the poor grammar and spelling to be displayed due to their lack of education, but I didn’t understand how at times they could spell some “hard” words (words that would have been hard for them to spell anyway if they weren’t educated), but couldn’t capitalize the I’s? Even second graders know the always capitalize those, and according to the characters, all of them at least had that much of an education. So that stumped me a bit when reading. Minor nitpicks there really. Not trying to sound be harsh.
I’m a big horror fan though and I think the author did a tremendous job in creating the setting and story--setting up the fear for the reader. Silence can be frightening in itself--personally, I hate being in total silence. It makes me feel too isolated, and this is the same sense that I got from the characters when reading. I sympathized with the kids easily, tensed along with them, and worried for them. I like that the action and tension begins right away for the reader, and I like the mystery that ensues throughout.
There are a lot of twists and turns, spooks and creeps for this one if you love horror. I’d recommend it. :)
3.5 stars!
<3
Pixie
I was provided a copy of The Punished by the author in exchange for my honest review.
My only disputes with The Punished was the editing to be honest. I found some glaring mistakes--understandably, my copy could have been an ARC or an unedited version--but I still want to make a note in case it was a finished copy that it should be reviewed again (no I could not point out particular spots at this time now that I‘m finished. I just remember seeing a few areas as I was reading, mostly punctuation mishaps or grammar misuse in sentences--nothing TOO terrible honestly). I also didn’t particularly like the notes that were passed back and forth between the kids. Yes, I understand the need for the poor grammar and spelling to be displayed due to their lack of education, but I didn’t understand how at times they could spell some “hard” words (words that would have been hard for them to spell anyway if they weren’t educated), but couldn’t capitalize the I’s? Even second graders know the always capitalize those, and according to the characters, all of them at least had that much of an education. So that stumped me a bit when reading. Minor nitpicks there really. Not trying to sound be harsh.
I’m a big horror fan though and I think the author did a tremendous job in creating the setting and story--setting up the fear for the reader. Silence can be frightening in itself--personally, I hate being in total silence. It makes me feel too isolated, and this is the same sense that I got from the characters when reading. I sympathized with the kids easily, tensed along with them, and worried for them. I like that the action and tension begins right away for the reader, and I like the mystery that ensues throughout.
There are a lot of twists and turns, spooks and creeps for this one if you love horror. I’d recommend it. :)
3.5 stars!
<3
Pixie
I was provided a copy of The Punished by the author in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2016
BEC'S REVIEW
On reading the synopsis, I expected this story to be one of abuse and in a way it is. What I did not expect was the chilling supernatural story that is The Punished. I won’t spoil anything, as it takes awhile for the book to get to the true nature of the punishment, beyond saying that the administrator and very nature of the punishments themselves chilled me to the bone. There were several times when I found myself scared reading this book, which is the true mark of any horror story.
Curtis, our main character, is only 13 years old but this does not make this a book for those of that age. The horrifying nature of the story and some particularly graphic and violent scenes makes this book enough to scare even the most well read adult. If you enjoy being scared, with your adrenalin pumping as you read a book then this book is for you. But read at your own risk as Peter Meredith is such a story teller that, if you are prone to them, this book can easily give you nightmares.
I greatly enjoyed reading The Punished. From feeling sorry for the other children who had succumbed to various forms of insanity in the house, to disliking and, in the case of Matt even hating them for their actions towards Curt; from being hopeful that Curt would escape a punishment, to grimacing when the plots of the others saw him a victim, and to being terrified at the evil that lurked in the house, this book did not fail to evoke strong emotions in me. If you think you can handle some of the frightening and graphic scenes of this book then this one is for you and, who knows, you may be made of sterner stuff than I am. But if you find yourself scared while reading, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
On reading the synopsis, I expected this story to be one of abuse and in a way it is. What I did not expect was the chilling supernatural story that is The Punished. I won’t spoil anything, as it takes awhile for the book to get to the true nature of the punishment, beyond saying that the administrator and very nature of the punishments themselves chilled me to the bone. There were several times when I found myself scared reading this book, which is the true mark of any horror story.
Curtis, our main character, is only 13 years old but this does not make this a book for those of that age. The horrifying nature of the story and some particularly graphic and violent scenes makes this book enough to scare even the most well read adult. If you enjoy being scared, with your adrenalin pumping as you read a book then this book is for you. But read at your own risk as Peter Meredith is such a story teller that, if you are prone to them, this book can easily give you nightmares.
I greatly enjoyed reading The Punished. From feeling sorry for the other children who had succumbed to various forms of insanity in the house, to disliking and, in the case of Matt even hating them for their actions towards Curt; from being hopeful that Curt would escape a punishment, to grimacing when the plots of the others saw him a victim, and to being terrified at the evil that lurked in the house, this book did not fail to evoke strong emotions in me. If you think you can handle some of the frightening and graphic scenes of this book then this one is for you and, who knows, you may be made of sterner stuff than I am. But if you find yourself scared while reading, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
May 28, 2012
What impressed me so much about this book was the way the author managed to maintain such incredible suspense throughout particularly as there was really only one location and relatively few characters.
The tense psychological element of the story never let up and we really got into the head of Curt.
What worked was the way the characters were not good or bad but all shades of grey in between.
The interactions and personalities of the children worked well I thought of Lord of the Flies but I don't think this is a satisfactory comparision.
On reflection this story is more akin to Stephen King or James Herbert.
I just realised this is 140 000 words so credit to the author as it didn't feel like it.
All in all a great read and to use the cliche I did find it difficult to put down.
Paul A.
The tense psychological element of the story never let up and we really got into the head of Curt.
What worked was the way the characters were not good or bad but all shades of grey in between.
The interactions and personalities of the children worked well I thought of Lord of the Flies but I don't think this is a satisfactory comparision.
On reflection this story is more akin to Stephen King or James Herbert.
I just realised this is 140 000 words so credit to the author as it didn't feel like it.
All in all a great read and to use the cliche I did find it difficult to put down.
Paul A.
January 2, 2014
Poorly edited
I wanted to like this book, however it was so poorly edited I had a hard time concentrating on the story. More time could have been spent on the characters back stories and less on running around the house. So much detail was repeated over and over, I ended up skimming over much of the book. Also, it seemed the ending was rushed and not much thought was put into concluding the story.
I wanted to like this book, however it was so poorly edited I had a hard time concentrating on the story. More time could have been spent on the characters back stories and less on running around the house. So much detail was repeated over and over, I ended up skimming over much of the book. Also, it seemed the ending was rushed and not much thought was put into concluding the story.
February 22, 2012
Decent book from an unknown author. It had suspense that I like and some spooky parts. I wasn't crazy about the ending but all in all I would recommend it.
October 14, 2011
I decided to read The Punished purely because of the author's own rating of it which made me want to read the description of the novel. I am glad to say that it does
not give away too much of the plot at all so nothing was spoiled. In the beginning, I was convinced I had stumbled upon a young adult novel. I do not say this because I
thought the writing was childish or because the book was not violent. It just had the feel of one and I thought it was going to be a book about a horrible foster parent
who hates children but for some reason continues to adopt them. I am fascinated at just how wrong I was though. The Punished, although told from the perspective of
12/13 year-old Curt, and involving four other children as the main characters, is not a young adult novel at all. It does lack overly grotesque descriptions of sex,
gore, and does not contain hardly any bad language, but it is a very painful and frightening journey. For some reason, the, for want of a better word, cleanliness of
the book made it all the more horrifying. On top of the almost matter of fact way of presenting the story, the dialog is brilliant because there hardly is any. Because
of the rules of the house, the children communicate silently and this oppressive communication is wonderfully explained. Also, Meredith truly captures the horror of
being trapped in many different ways. For example, all of the characters are trapped in the house and escape both to the readers and the characters seems not only
impossible but pointless to even atempt because of the massive risk. All are trapped in the forced silence. All are confined by the fear of the dreadful punishment
(which is far worse than I could have ever guessed) and all are held in the silence, forced into dull routines, and, in the case of Paul and The Mouse, are trapped
within their own minds. The depiction of the horrors that all characters in the house go through and the harsh reality of the effects of constant fear and punishment is
almost too brutal and I can imagine a lot of people putting this book down or erasing it from their Kindles. The book is almost heart-breaking in a good way, if that
makes any sense at all. I know I shouldn't compare it to this but it reminds me a lot of The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum and, although most might not agree or
understand, this one effected me much more strongly which shows that complete fiction can have more emotion than fiction based on true events. The book even defied my
efforts of predicting any possible ending. I honestly did not know how this book could be solved and loved that feeling. I have nothing negative to say about this book
and I will never forget this one. Five stars, 100%, I give it the highest praise I have to offer and then some.
not give away too much of the plot at all so nothing was spoiled. In the beginning, I was convinced I had stumbled upon a young adult novel. I do not say this because I
thought the writing was childish or because the book was not violent. It just had the feel of one and I thought it was going to be a book about a horrible foster parent
who hates children but for some reason continues to adopt them. I am fascinated at just how wrong I was though. The Punished, although told from the perspective of
12/13 year-old Curt, and involving four other children as the main characters, is not a young adult novel at all. It does lack overly grotesque descriptions of sex,
gore, and does not contain hardly any bad language, but it is a very painful and frightening journey. For some reason, the, for want of a better word, cleanliness of
the book made it all the more horrifying. On top of the almost matter of fact way of presenting the story, the dialog is brilliant because there hardly is any. Because
of the rules of the house, the children communicate silently and this oppressive communication is wonderfully explained. Also, Meredith truly captures the horror of
being trapped in many different ways. For example, all of the characters are trapped in the house and escape both to the readers and the characters seems not only
impossible but pointless to even atempt because of the massive risk. All are trapped in the forced silence. All are confined by the fear of the dreadful punishment
(which is far worse than I could have ever guessed) and all are held in the silence, forced into dull routines, and, in the case of Paul and The Mouse, are trapped
within their own minds. The depiction of the horrors that all characters in the house go through and the harsh reality of the effects of constant fear and punishment is
almost too brutal and I can imagine a lot of people putting this book down or erasing it from their Kindles. The book is almost heart-breaking in a good way, if that
makes any sense at all. I know I shouldn't compare it to this but it reminds me a lot of The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum and, although most might not agree or
understand, this one effected me much more strongly which shows that complete fiction can have more emotion than fiction based on true events. The book even defied my
efforts of predicting any possible ending. I honestly did not know how this book could be solved and loved that feeling. I have nothing negative to say about this book
and I will never forget this one. Five stars, 100%, I give it the highest praise I have to offer and then some.
June 16, 2012
The punished is a different book. Its part YA, part horror, and part a psychological thriller. When you add those together you have a great book. I know it's a good book when I find myself talking to it or screaming at it, or crying over it. I did all three.
It is the story of a young thief , Curt Regis who is placed in foster care. He's cock-sure of himself and thinks he'll give a couple of days in his new home and then scoot out of there with everything that's not tied down. The only problem is the home houses more than just children. There is a dark mystery to it as well. A deadly mystery that took me completely by surprise.
Just when you think you got the book pegged it turned me on my ear and from that point on it was a roller coaster of pain for Curt and the other children. Perhaps the best part of the book was that roller coaster becuase you got to see the mental break down of everyone in the home. It left me breathless and wanting more. This book is five stars and I would recommend it to anyone who wants not just a good scare but for people who like their characters well thought out.
It is the story of a young thief , Curt Regis who is placed in foster care. He's cock-sure of himself and thinks he'll give a couple of days in his new home and then scoot out of there with everything that's not tied down. The only problem is the home houses more than just children. There is a dark mystery to it as well. A deadly mystery that took me completely by surprise.
Just when you think you got the book pegged it turned me on my ear and from that point on it was a roller coaster of pain for Curt and the other children. Perhaps the best part of the book was that roller coaster becuase you got to see the mental break down of everyone in the home. It left me breathless and wanting more. This book is five stars and I would recommend it to anyone who wants not just a good scare but for people who like their characters well thought out.
May 23, 2016
I am an avid audio book supporter, and when I came across this book, I thought ah, let me try it, as I was waiting for another pre ordered book, so I chose this book for no other reason that it was on audio for over 18 hours, I enjoy listening to books while painting... I was not disappointed... I found that I was walking breathing and listening in silence, not wanting to disturb the dust... Holding my breath and working on my own escape routes... I've even recommended the book to my fellow family of readers!
November 27, 2018
Riveting!!
I couldn't put this book down. Very well written, I thought. Delving into the sounds of silence and it's effects on the human psyche, mixed with dread and terror kept me glued to this book late into the night!
I couldn't put this book down. Very well written, I thought. Delving into the sounds of silence and it's effects on the human psyche, mixed with dread and terror kept me glued to this book late into the night!
December 4, 2019
So good!
One of my favourite story from Peter Meredith! The paranoia climax that the author instill drop by drop is just perfect! You slowly fall into anguish with the protagonists till the apotheosis. I strongly recommend!
One of my favourite story from Peter Meredith! The paranoia climax that the author instill drop by drop is just perfect! You slowly fall into anguish with the protagonists till the apotheosis. I strongly recommend!
June 3, 2012
Intense. About midway the book just takes off and I read straight through.
January 2, 2020
Chilling
A definite chilling horror story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. If you like scary this is a book for you.
A definite chilling horror story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. If you like scary this is a book for you.
November 16, 2016
Twelve-year-old Curtis Regis has just entered his ninth foster home, but it’s no big deal. This is old hat to Curt. He’ll just be here for a quick meal or two, maybe find some silver to steal and be on his merry way, back to his carefree lifestyle of self-reliance. He knows this will just be one more short stay.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
“The Punished” drew me in from the very beginning. We are first introduced to a faded-looking girl as she relishes her toast and marmalade, “as if the taste of orange marmalade was a great thing and worth savoring.” The reason for this, as well as the other children’s initial, palpable fear of Curt, becomes evident as the story progresses. Author Peter Meredith gives us a tangible feeling for the oppressive silence of the household and the generally constricting atmosphere of the place. The warped sense of time the children experience is like looking into a fun-house mirror as one day blends into the next and one week slips into another, with no respite from the bland repetition of the days. It becomes obvious that there is some strange evil lurking in the house, but what *is* the thing that sets the occupants so on edge? Suspense builds.
Meredith really gets into the inner workings of Curt’s mind. He is not one to give up easily. We get a good sense of his back story, but not that of the other children, which I think is appropriate to the story. The mystery relies on the anonymity of the small group. The point is not how they came to be there, but simply that they are.
We do, however, get a good sense of the personalities of the others. It becomes evident that the each of the children has descended into his or her own unique madness from living with the terror of what lurks in the house. As Curt observes Matt’s ruthless viciousness, Beth’s full-blown insanity, Paul’s psychosis and Amber’s frequent trance-like states, he fears the same will happen to him, but his cunning saves him time and again. His almost psychic ability to “read” the house and its moods guides him as the other children turn on and sabotage each other to avoid punishment. The children’s distrust of Curt when he doesn’t “break” causes them to sabotage him, too.
Curt’s first punishment, in all its brutality, is almost a letdown after all the gut-wrenching suspense, although Meredith shows great imagination. The true horror lies in the waiting, the watching, the wondering … the *not* knowing. Who will be next, when, why? The frustrating anticipation of the next punishment is always in the forefront of everyone’s mind. The novel then progresses into a cat-and-mouse psychological thriller that will have the reader on the edge of his seat and holding his breath every time one of the children inadvertently makes a sound.
It kills me, however, to have to knock a star off this otherwise five-star book for the atrociously poor editing. The incomplete and/or run-on sentences, misspelled and/or inappropriately used words, incorrect punctuation and sometimes painfully awkward phrases were frequent and glaring to the point of distraction, and the author really needs to clean this up.
Editing aside, Peter Meredith has crafted a suspenseful thriller of the highest order. His talent for crafting such an engrossing tale that takes place in a singular location over the course of just several weeks with few characters is impressive. I really liked how he writes. His ability to mention a thought and then progress into a stream-of-consciousness tangent reminds me of some of King’s best work. I finished the book rather quickly as I was up reading late into the night often. I’m not sure if that was from fear of going to bed and having a nightmare or an inability to just put the darned book down for the night. I just had to see what happened next.
This was a totally satisfying read. If you’re a fan of the horror genre, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
“The Punished” drew me in from the very beginning. We are first introduced to a faded-looking girl as she relishes her toast and marmalade, “as if the taste of orange marmalade was a great thing and worth savoring.” The reason for this, as well as the other children’s initial, palpable fear of Curt, becomes evident as the story progresses. Author Peter Meredith gives us a tangible feeling for the oppressive silence of the household and the generally constricting atmosphere of the place. The warped sense of time the children experience is like looking into a fun-house mirror as one day blends into the next and one week slips into another, with no respite from the bland repetition of the days. It becomes obvious that there is some strange evil lurking in the house, but what *is* the thing that sets the occupants so on edge? Suspense builds.
Meredith really gets into the inner workings of Curt’s mind. He is not one to give up easily. We get a good sense of his back story, but not that of the other children, which I think is appropriate to the story. The mystery relies on the anonymity of the small group. The point is not how they came to be there, but simply that they are.
We do, however, get a good sense of the personalities of the others. It becomes evident that the each of the children has descended into his or her own unique madness from living with the terror of what lurks in the house. As Curt observes Matt’s ruthless viciousness, Beth’s full-blown insanity, Paul’s psychosis and Amber’s frequent trance-like states, he fears the same will happen to him, but his cunning saves him time and again. His almost psychic ability to “read” the house and its moods guides him as the other children turn on and sabotage each other to avoid punishment. The children’s distrust of Curt when he doesn’t “break” causes them to sabotage him, too.
Curt’s first punishment, in all its brutality, is almost a letdown after all the gut-wrenching suspense, although Meredith shows great imagination. The true horror lies in the waiting, the watching, the wondering … the *not* knowing. Who will be next, when, why? The frustrating anticipation of the next punishment is always in the forefront of everyone’s mind. The novel then progresses into a cat-and-mouse psychological thriller that will have the reader on the edge of his seat and holding his breath every time one of the children inadvertently makes a sound.
It kills me, however, to have to knock a star off this otherwise five-star book for the atrociously poor editing. The incomplete and/or run-on sentences, misspelled and/or inappropriately used words, incorrect punctuation and sometimes painfully awkward phrases were frequent and glaring to the point of distraction, and the author really needs to clean this up.
Editing aside, Peter Meredith has crafted a suspenseful thriller of the highest order. His talent for crafting such an engrossing tale that takes place in a singular location over the course of just several weeks with few characters is impressive. I really liked how he writes. His ability to mention a thought and then progress into a stream-of-consciousness tangent reminds me of some of King’s best work. I finished the book rather quickly as I was up reading late into the night often. I’m not sure if that was from fear of going to bed and having a nightmare or an inability to just put the darned book down for the night. I just had to see what happened next.
This was a totally satisfying read. If you’re a fan of the horror genre, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
August 23, 2017
Well this was the weirdest book I've read for a while. Wasn't expecting much of it really, think I found it free at some point and just opened it on a whim. Then couldn't put it down. I thought it was YA when I first started reading it but not sure I'd class it as that, it's a hell of a lot creepier than any I've read in the genre.
To say there are only a handful of characters and one location the author did a damn good job keeping the suspense going. You know something's going on but it's not really clear what until quite far on in the book. And while the whole concept is a bit bizarre...well it's supernatural and I suppose anything goes and within the story it wasn't unbelievable.
I'd have liked to know a bit more about who the characters were really, before they entered the house though. And I thought the ending a bit rushed, what happened to the characters? But overall I really enjoyed this book and will be looking out for more by the same author.
To say there are only a handful of characters and one location the author did a damn good job keeping the suspense going. You know something's going on but it's not really clear what until quite far on in the book. And while the whole concept is a bit bizarre...well it's supernatural and I suppose anything goes and within the story it wasn't unbelievable.
I'd have liked to know a bit more about who the characters were really, before they entered the house though. And I thought the ending a bit rushed, what happened to the characters? But overall I really enjoyed this book and will be looking out for more by the same author.
January 17, 2021
Try Maynard's House by Herman Raucher instead ...
No spoilers
I am astonished...that so many Amazon reviewers would give this tome of a book anything more than one star....really?! 5 stars...
It was grueling molasses all the way through. At 39% when something other than the children sliding through the house, and eating the same disgusting meal over and over again finally happened, it was back to molasses...
Aside from the mind-trip (and headache) reading this...I don't know what to call it...story, gave me, there were so many unanswered questions and nonsensical, unexplained things going on...I started to skim at 79% so that I could get rid of it and enjoy my weekend...I hate loose ends...
Also, some proofing was sorely needed...
Do yourself a favor and pass this one by. Try MAYNARD'S HOUSE by Herman Raucher if you want a great haunted house story.
No spoilers
I am astonished...that so many Amazon reviewers would give this tome of a book anything more than one star....really?! 5 stars...
It was grueling molasses all the way through. At 39% when something other than the children sliding through the house, and eating the same disgusting meal over and over again finally happened, it was back to molasses...
Aside from the mind-trip (and headache) reading this...I don't know what to call it...story, gave me, there were so many unanswered questions and nonsensical, unexplained things going on...I started to skim at 79% so that I could get rid of it and enjoy my weekend...I hate loose ends...
Also, some proofing was sorely needed...
Do yourself a favor and pass this one by. Try MAYNARD'S HOUSE by Herman Raucher if you want a great haunted house story.
May 4, 2017
Suspense, Thrilling, Horror
I must say this book grabs you at the first page until the very last page. I neglected everything to finish this book. That's sad. It keeps you guessing what's gone happen next and to whom. The children and the house is wacky so they bring their luggage from their past. The foster Mom is looney also so shape that with those kids and the house. I laughed, smiled and shredded a tear. Most of all I enjoyed a great story . This story was well written also. I don't say that often.
I must say this book grabs you at the first page until the very last page. I neglected everything to finish this book. That's sad. It keeps you guessing what's gone happen next and to whom. The children and the house is wacky so they bring their luggage from their past. The foster Mom is looney also so shape that with those kids and the house. I laughed, smiled and shredded a tear. Most of all I enjoyed a great story . This story was well written also. I don't say that often.
June 16, 2018
Better than I Expected!
At first, I didn't think this book would hold much interest. After the first chapter, I somehow found that I'd spent all day reading, utterly captivated, wanting to know what is gonna happen next. And next. And next! Before I knew it, I'd reached the end. Although I was disappointed with the end (what happened to Curtis, Amber, and the "mouse"??), the entire storyline was most excellent. Points for originality!
At first, I didn't think this book would hold much interest. After the first chapter, I somehow found that I'd spent all day reading, utterly captivated, wanting to know what is gonna happen next. And next. And next! Before I knew it, I'd reached the end. Although I was disappointed with the end (what happened to Curtis, Amber, and the "mouse"??), the entire storyline was most excellent. Points for originality!
July 1, 2021
I love stumbling in these hidden gems. It doesn't happen often enough. More than just a haunted house story, this is a gripping read that had me up way too late at night (morning). To set an entire novel within one house with a limited number of characters in a short time frame and keep readers totally engaged shows the strength of the author. A great protagonist, deep characters that bring out strong emotions from the reader and a satisfying end made this book well worth my time. Bravo.
May 14, 2017
Holy. Freaky!
Wow! What a seriously twisted story! I loved every second of this book. It kept me guessing, trying to figure out, what this nightly creature was! I only figured half of it out. The foster care aspect of this book, made the story. If it was just a new family moving into a home, I don't think it would have worked. Great job!
Wow! What a seriously twisted story! I loved every second of this book. It kept me guessing, trying to figure out, what this nightly creature was! I only figured half of it out. The foster care aspect of this book, made the story. If it was just a new family moving into a home, I don't think it would have worked. Great job!
June 26, 2017
Interesting
Voice of the author is clear and rhythmic throughout the book making even a recycled storyline intriguing. The plot is non-typical and isn't overly used like most which is is refreshing. Readers are able to connect with each of the characters whether positive or antagonistic in nature.
Voice of the author is clear and rhythmic throughout the book making even a recycled storyline intriguing. The plot is non-typical and isn't overly used like most which is is refreshing. Readers are able to connect with each of the characters whether positive or antagonistic in nature.
May 17, 2018
The Punished! Need I say more
I chose this rating because the book is very good. It held my interest all the way till the end. The book starts out slow and before you know it your really into the story. I really think the book could have been shortened abit, but it really kept my attention.
I chose this rating because the book is very good. It held my interest all the way till the end. The book starts out slow and before you know it your really into the story. I really think the book could have been shortened abit, but it really kept my attention.
May 6, 2017
Great book
This book had me reading well into the in night. I didn't want to put it down. The kids in the story all have their problems, but trying to survive the horrors of the house is the biggest problem of all.
This book had me reading well into the in night. I didn't want to put it down. The kids in the story all have their problems, but trying to survive the horrors of the house is the biggest problem of all.
May 10, 2017
Creepy
This story was real creepy. I loved the setting, the plot and the characters. I am terrible at writing reviews but I just wanted it to be known that this book is worth picking up and giving a try.
This story was real creepy. I loved the setting, the plot and the characters. I am terrible at writing reviews but I just wanted it to be known that this book is worth picking up and giving a try.
May 14, 2017
This was some book. 3 boys and 2 girls in a foster
home. What they had to go through was nothing
but horror. Did they get out of the house?
You'll have to read the book to see. I thought it
was a good read.
home. What they had to go through was nothing
but horror. Did they get out of the house?
You'll have to read the book to see. I thought it
was a good read.
May 23, 2017
Amazing read
This book really had my heart racing at times. The story is crazy good & really creeped me out also. The thought of something supernatural holding you prisoner to use you as it wants is super scary. It's a must read book.
This book really had my heart racing at times. The story is crazy good & really creeped me out also. The thought of something supernatural holding you prisoner to use you as it wants is super scary. It's a must read book.
September 8, 2018
Brilliant
Wow wow wow don’t really know what else to say. Supernatural or monster? Don’t know but it kept me up past midnight trying to finish it . Page turner , thrilling ,tense. Read it for yourself!
Wow wow wow don’t really know what else to say. Supernatural or monster? Don’t know but it kept me up past midnight trying to finish it . Page turner , thrilling ,tense. Read it for yourself!
June 9, 2020
Chilling
If you're looking for a book to keep you up at night, this is it. It's horrifying and scary and would make a better horror movie than the majority out there. I've now read every book by this author published at this date. He had become one of my favorites
If you're looking for a book to keep you up at night, this is it. It's horrifying and scary and would make a better horror movie than the majority out there. I've now read every book by this author published at this date. He had become one of my favorites
May 23, 2017
I enjoyed this a lot. I felt so bad for the kids. I felt the ending was left a little too open for my tastes.
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