Ratcatcher

by V.J. Chambers

He plays. They follow. They die. Five years ago, Shane Adams hallucinated a smeared, smoky shadow of a man, who made him a he'd make Shane famous, if Shane would sacrifice some of his fans to the ash man. Shane shrugged the incident off as a bad mushroom trip, but now he's the lead singer of The Wrenching, a rock band whose cult following trails him from city to city. And his fans have started to disappear. Convinced he is a macabre modern Pied Piper, leading kids to their death with his music, Shane is determined to save his fans. But the journalist to whom he told his story can't get it published. His best friend and fellow band member, Chris, has grown cold and jealous. He'll do anything to keep Shane on stage. And the dark and secretive Lark, a fan with a violent past, has inched her way into his life. He isn't sure if he can make it without her anymore. Through a haze of drugs, paranoia, and confusion, Shane struggles to right what he has wronged. Before anyone else dies. Ratcatcher take its cues from the Pied Piper folk tale, also known as "The Ratcatcher of Hamelin."

Genres: Paranormal, Horror

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2011

About the author

V. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.

She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.

Reviews

[Heidi Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good read. Rock stars, deals with a devilish entity, a mysterious woman, and a nod to the Pied Piper. Reminded me a bit of Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box, another rock star horror tale.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like horror, this book is a good read.

This was a cool horror novel about a rock star who is a modern day Pied Piper. His band attracted a group of followers like the Grateful Dead or Phish do, and someone is using that group of followers as its herd of prey. Or something.

But one of the Entourage has a power of her own, and she's getting in the way of things.

Great compelling story with a very cool ending. Inexpensive price tag makes me wonder why this one isn't selling a ton! Check it out!

[audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to readers interested in a dark paranormal novel about a rock star and his supporters trapped within the scheme of a demonic entity. It’s a unique macabre reinterpretation of the classic tale, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”

Ratcatcher is an amazing horror story about the price of obsession. It has a vivid portrayal of musicianship that highlights the artistry in addition to the hazards of fame. The characters are wonderfully complex and constantly develop through out the story. The plot was intricate and engaging with remarkable description. I particularly enjoyed how the paranormal elements were gradually woven in creating a more mysterious and suspenseful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ratcatcher and the ending had me dazed in astonishment.

[Vicki Keire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and complex story about love and vulnerability, music and magic-