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Stirbugs & Screws
Much of this Novel is true. An insight into life on a Reservation and within a Maximum Institution is shown with brutal clarity in violence yet within both worlds the two ‘cultures’ share a morbid humor and history. Our notion and fears of the supernatural in all our cultures plays a part in this story. This is so true within the confines of this Psych Center where reality has been twisted, manipulated by the enigmatic inmate Charlie Fuhr whose horrific crimes relate to his grooming as the leader of an ancient international cult. He shares his seclusion time in the Hole with an “Indian” who is a product of violent sexual abuse suffered onto him by Priests of an Indian Residential School. The two rule the “Bug-House” with their smarts and violence. A Native guard (the Narrator) who through many years will get to know them both and discover they share a secret from their childhood. His files prepared by nurses and Psychologists are filled delusions of horror, bestiality, incest, murder and a Grandfather of profound powers. The guard will discover through research and a childhood friend from their school in the U.S. that these delusions maybe true. An order of deportation is agreed upon (Canada-U.S.) to investigate other murders and a cult headed by his Grandfather. The dialogue is graphic, brutal yet insightful to the personalities in this novel that really do exist in real-life. The story has interludes of coming-of-age that fit into the plot complete with music, songs, activities and movies of that childhood (1950’s-60’s).
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2011
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 17, 2012
Reviewed by Joana James for Readers Favorite
Stirbugs & Screws is a cleverly woven novel that gives us a peek into life as a guard in a high risk Psychiatric Centre and on an Indian Reservation. The story unfolds from two angles. On one hand we see a young boy leaving a home and a best friend whom he loved, to return to the Indian reservation where his parents grew up. On the other hand, we see a man dutifully serving in a place others would find difficult to work in for extended periods. He develops a unique relationship with a serial killer who was an inmate at the Centre. Later as the story unfolds, several uncanny connections between the characters are made.
The book holds a bit of mystery and suspense. The elements are cleverly developed and brought together expertly. The characters are also well developed and the story held my interest. The look into the minds of the serial killers and other inmates at the psychiatric Centre made the story all the more interesting. The suggestions of a supernatural entity at work caused hair raising experiences and for this reason I believe that this book would appeal to both lovers of mystery and suspense and the paranormal. The book is unique in its subject matter and it is near impossible to figure out how it would end. I’m still not convinced of what I read even though I went over the final chapter a few times. I strongly believe a sequel be a success. There is a bit of profanity in the book but it’s not over the top and I believe that any mature lover of mystery and suspense could enjoy it.
Stirbugs & Screws is a cleverly woven novel that gives us a peek into life as a guard in a high risk Psychiatric Centre and on an Indian Reservation. The story unfolds from two angles. On one hand we see a young boy leaving a home and a best friend whom he loved, to return to the Indian reservation where his parents grew up. On the other hand, we see a man dutifully serving in a place others would find difficult to work in for extended periods. He develops a unique relationship with a serial killer who was an inmate at the Centre. Later as the story unfolds, several uncanny connections between the characters are made.
The book holds a bit of mystery and suspense. The elements are cleverly developed and brought together expertly. The characters are also well developed and the story held my interest. The look into the minds of the serial killers and other inmates at the psychiatric Centre made the story all the more interesting. The suggestions of a supernatural entity at work caused hair raising experiences and for this reason I believe that this book would appeal to both lovers of mystery and suspense and the paranormal. The book is unique in its subject matter and it is near impossible to figure out how it would end. I’m still not convinced of what I read even though I went over the final chapter a few times. I strongly believe a sequel be a success. There is a bit of profanity in the book but it’s not over the top and I believe that any mature lover of mystery and suspense could enjoy it.
March 11, 2015
Wow, I liked this book a lot. It seemed to plot along, but it didn't drag, instead it built the suspense. Gave the reader a lot to think about. I thought it would be more supernatural, but it was more of a coming of age story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews