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Crowley's Window
Abby Hawkins was never normal. Born with a birth cowl—a rare birth defect thought to predict psychic abilities—she is haunted by horrible visions. Shortly after her 13th birthday, Abby’s parents call in the mysterious Crowley to help their daughter. His interventions rid her of the visions...and her eyes. Now a beautiful young lady, Abby Hawkins works as a blind fortune teller in a traveling Carnival. When she receives a powerful vision—one depicting the abduction of a little girl—she becomes the sole witness to the crime. Only a young police officer believes her bizarre story, and with his help she embarks upon an investigation that will ultimately reunite her with the madman from her past and bring her to the hellish threshold of Crowley’s Window.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Gord Rollo
61 books223 followersGord Rollo was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, but now lives in Ontario, Canada. His short stories and novella-length work have appeared in many professional publications throughout the genre and his novels include: The Jigsaw Man, Crimson, Strange Magic, and Valley Of The Scarecrow. His work has been translated into several languages and his titles are currently being adapted for audiobooks.
Besides novels, Gord edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, Unnatural Selection: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares. He also co-edited Dreaming of Angels, a horror/fantasy anthology created to increase awareness of Down's syndrome and raise money for research. He recently completed his newest horror/dark fantasy novel, entitled The Translators and can be reached at his website www.gordrollo.com
Besides novels, Gord edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, Unnatural Selection: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares. He also co-edited Dreaming of Angels, a horror/fantasy anthology created to increase awareness of Down's syndrome and raise money for research. He recently completed his newest horror/dark fantasy novel, entitled The Translators and can be reached at his website www.gordrollo.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2015
Abby was born with a cowl over her face which has given her the ability to see into people and their doings, ala reminiscent of Johnny Smith in the Dead Zone. The ability crescendos once she has her first period and enters womanhood. This is then followed by horrible visions of all of the world's evils. Enter Marcus Crowley, a mysterious man that promises Abby's parents that he can help her stop seeing these visions. He can help her to stop seeing, alright. He does it by removing her eyes! Years later, Abby is working in a traveling carnival as a fortune teller. Even though her eyes are removed, she can still see into people by touching them. When she witnesses a girl being abducted from the carnival, the hell from her past comes to visit.
I've read a few reviews of Crowley's Window and I think it deserves more love than it has. In fact, I've got this 3.5 star rated novella actually as a 4.5 star read. Why? Characters and setting. The characters are interesting. Ones that you want to read more about. The setting of the carnival adds to the layers of the story and provides depth and realism to Abby's ability to see. Rollo also uses it to bring the creepiness out. The carnies and "freaks" have always been a spooky bunch of outcasts and he uses the characters and the setting well. Add in the mysticism of Crowley and it truly makes for a real page turner. I do think the story could be expanded into something more and I've read the complaints that it should've been. But isn't that the tell-tale sign of a good story - leaving them wanting more? I think it is and I enjoyed the ride. Rollo is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for a fun romp into the macabre.
4.5 bloody eyeballs out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
I've read a few reviews of Crowley's Window and I think it deserves more love than it has. In fact, I've got this 3.5 star rated novella actually as a 4.5 star read. Why? Characters and setting. The characters are interesting. Ones that you want to read more about. The setting of the carnival adds to the layers of the story and provides depth and realism to Abby's ability to see. Rollo also uses it to bring the creepiness out. The carnies and "freaks" have always been a spooky bunch of outcasts and he uses the characters and the setting well. Add in the mysticism of Crowley and it truly makes for a real page turner. I do think the story could be expanded into something more and I've read the complaints that it should've been. But isn't that the tell-tale sign of a good story - leaving them wanting more? I think it is and I enjoyed the ride. Rollo is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for a fun romp into the macabre.
4.5 bloody eyeballs out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
September 2, 2013
3.5 stars.
I liked the story, and the main characters. Overall though, it just felt like it needed more. I generally LOVE novellas, but in this particular tale, it seemed like it should have been more of a novel, in order to fully develop the characters and the storyline to their full potential.
I liked the story, and the main characters. Overall though, it just felt like it needed more. I generally LOVE novellas, but in this particular tale, it seemed like it should have been more of a novel, in order to fully develop the characters and the storyline to their full potential.
December 12, 2012
Interesting characters and situations and a well written novella by a veteran author. My complaint is that it felt like a preface to a longer book. I would be very interested in reading "the rest of the story" since this seems to stop right when the action gets interesting and leaves nothing resolved.
February 10, 2012
This novella was previously published in a collection called Sideshow Exhibits, containing four novellas by Michael McBride, Gene O'Neill, Tom Moran, and Gord Rollo. Rollo decided to re-release his novella again as a stand alone e-book because he wanted more people to read it.
Having previously read Crimson (which I somewhat liked) and Valley of the Scarecrow (which was somewhat disappointing), I decided to give this one a try after I downloaded the sample of the first chapter. I enjoyed it and it peaked my interest enough to want to read more thinking this would be a good read and better than my previous endeavors.
I was enjoying this book up until the point when Aleister Crowley was brought into the plot (if you are unfamiliar with Crowley, read about him here; same guy in Ozzy Osbourne's song "Mr. Crowley"). I kind of figured that Aleister Crowley might be used in the story based on the title and the elements of the plot such as psychic abilities and astral projection, but was really hoping that Rollo wouldn't stoop to such a hackneyed and unoriginal idea. Once Aleister Crowley was introduced towards the end of the story, it went downhill from there with an extremely anticlimactic ending followed by a cliché epilogue.
Like Valley of the Scarecrow, this was a disappointing read, reminiscent of a very bad B horror movie. This novella may have also permanently buried my desire to like Gord Rollo as the good horror writer I have seen others claim him to be.
Having previously read Crimson (which I somewhat liked) and Valley of the Scarecrow (which was somewhat disappointing), I decided to give this one a try after I downloaded the sample of the first chapter. I enjoyed it and it peaked my interest enough to want to read more thinking this would be a good read and better than my previous endeavors.
I was enjoying this book up until the point when Aleister Crowley was brought into the plot (if you are unfamiliar with Crowley, read about him here; same guy in Ozzy Osbourne's song "Mr. Crowley"). I kind of figured that Aleister Crowley might be used in the story based on the title and the elements of the plot such as psychic abilities and astral projection, but was really hoping that Rollo wouldn't stoop to such a hackneyed and unoriginal idea. Once Aleister Crowley was introduced towards the end of the story, it went downhill from there with an extremely anticlimactic ending followed by a cliché epilogue.
Like Valley of the Scarecrow, this was a disappointing read, reminiscent of a very bad B horror movie. This novella may have also permanently buried my desire to like Gord Rollo as the good horror writer I have seen others claim him to be.
August 23, 2013
I really wanted to like this book a lot. It had a great premise and a very disturbing opening act, but unfortunately the main character seemed to become distracted by a burgeoning romance rather than be terrified of the sinister character Reverend Crowley. I know this is a novella, but I would have loved it more if Rollo had taken us inside Crowley's head. Having said that Crowley was a very interesting villain. Overall I did enjoy the read and I see that the ending has left the door open for more tales so let's hope Rollo follows through on his promise.
September 16, 2013
Crowley’s Window was a very good novella from Gord Rollo. The base story is very interesting and unique. The characters are drawn out well, in the short novella format, but maybe could have used a longer work to expound on some of the back stories and extend the ending a bit (which was a bit abrupt). In the author notes, Gord stated that he may return to the story of Abby if she needs more of her story to be told. I hope she does. 3.5*
September 19, 2012
There is something about ocular trauma that gives me the squirmies so I found this novella a treat. I loved the protagonist and couldn’t put this one down. I would line up to read more creepy adventures featuring Abby Hawkins.
October 30, 2012
I really liked the story. Except for the ending. I know it was a novella, but still didn't like the ending. I liked the book enough to think the author could have written a book, perhaps even a series, based on the characters. A fun, quick read.
December 28, 2019
Only the eyes.
Only the still Lucid, watching eyes.
Abigail Hawkins life would forever become altered and shattered with the awkward omg of the powers she held forever inside. Born with a birth vowel, a rare births effect where a lining of skin will hide away a baby’s face, requiring a medical intervention to remove would lead many to believe she’ll hold powers far beyond the reaches of this realm. Taking particular interest in the young girl was Marcus Crowley, a man with a stark complexion and hair, hidden in the shadows with darkly colored clothes who favored her from the moment of her birth. Her parents, Ingrid and Jarred, unknowingly would allow a monster into their daughter’s life, one with a sickened fascination with Hell and The afterlife it’ll provide to devoted followers.
But then their daughter began to scream. And scream again.
By her thirteenth birthday Abby was beginning to become haunted by the illusion of Hell, of the doorway she managed to open up with her eyes alone. Staring into the blistering depths, her gorgeous jade colored eyes marred her young face with an eternal agony she was privy to the sight of. Cursed by the imprisonments of her sight, she would claw at her face trying to remove her ability to see all together to mark away true portal she opened as she reached puberty. As she got older in time her powers would strengthened, rivaling everyone else and proving to Crowley she was the one they’ve been waiting for. For centuries...
Twin lines of syrupy blood openly leaked down her cheeks; crimson tears that stained her bleached white pillowcase on both sides of her face. Abby’s arms were pulled in opposite directions, strapped tightly to her headboard and her feet were still bound together at the baseboard, just the way Jarrett had last left her.
As Crowley took a blade to her eyes, he removed the twin orbs and placed them in a concoction of honey in a mason jar, stealing away her sight but not the visions that’ll seemingly forever torment the poor girl. Her parents were powerless to save her against the man they pledged allegiance to, and for that the night was thankfully erased from her mind. Now six years have woefully passed by in the blink of an eye.
My name is Aurora, Mistress of the Dark.
Believe into the lies a cancer was what robbed her of her precious sight, she had little reason to doubt the stories of her beloved parents until strange occurrences began encircling her life. Living in a traveling circus, dubbed Townsend Traveling Show, she used her abilities to see into the past and future to entertain guests both young and old. Two such guests, Charlie and Raymond Jenkins we’re twins with little to no similarities in both the physical and emotional sense. Charlie the nerdy one who was shy to the ladies to Raymond’s very boisterous outgoing mannerisms, they were about to learn the truth of her mystic powers. Angered by his persistent she allowed The truth to drop of his secrets of poisoned cats and sick fascination with his mother in the nude he would swear some cruel revenge on her. But it’ll never come. Haunted by visions of a young girl named Trisha Martin, she projected her soul to follow her steps as she was lured away by a man wielding a large knife in the midst of a crazy night at the carnival. Watching in real time, no one would believe The painful truth she was watching before learning of her deaths hours later.
She’s right behind you.
Following the investigation she became familiar with Police Officer David Beck, the chemistry between the two was rapidly growing, shocking both of them. Coming from a family who held psychic powers he believed her claims whole heartedly which eased her mind but would rock the two as The truth became haunting entwined.
They say a person’s eyes are the windows to their soul, right? What they don’t understand is sometimes the soul can look back, even from beyond the walls of death. The eyes are the gateway, Abby, the doorway between worlds, and someone who has the ability to astral project can follow a departing soul across the membrane as they hold onto their last visions of life here on Earth.
As she falls into the rabbit hole of death, she is awakened to the truth of her life and the lies following her fathers death announcement from her mother. For his service, he was awarded a quick and prideful end to his mortal life, allowing him to bask eternally. Kidnapped by a cruel man once more, This time hellbent on using her eyes to guide his long dead relative back from Hell she is helpless to stop it or so she believed. Taking matters into her own hands she rips the eyes returned to their sockets and crushes them, snuffing out her abilities at the price of saving herself from a monster that should of long been dead. Leaning forward, her and David were looking forward to a life together, while Mister Chollo, a familiar face as he was the proclaimed smallest man who was sworn into the followings of Crowley who won’t allow them to go on....
They lead me straight to where he waits, imprisoned since his death in 1947. Finding him the first time was tough, but since then it’s been simple. All I need is a new set of eyes each time.
Only the still Lucid, watching eyes.
Abigail Hawkins life would forever become altered and shattered with the awkward omg of the powers she held forever inside. Born with a birth vowel, a rare births effect where a lining of skin will hide away a baby’s face, requiring a medical intervention to remove would lead many to believe she’ll hold powers far beyond the reaches of this realm. Taking particular interest in the young girl was Marcus Crowley, a man with a stark complexion and hair, hidden in the shadows with darkly colored clothes who favored her from the moment of her birth. Her parents, Ingrid and Jarred, unknowingly would allow a monster into their daughter’s life, one with a sickened fascination with Hell and The afterlife it’ll provide to devoted followers.
But then their daughter began to scream. And scream again.
By her thirteenth birthday Abby was beginning to become haunted by the illusion of Hell, of the doorway she managed to open up with her eyes alone. Staring into the blistering depths, her gorgeous jade colored eyes marred her young face with an eternal agony she was privy to the sight of. Cursed by the imprisonments of her sight, she would claw at her face trying to remove her ability to see all together to mark away true portal she opened as she reached puberty. As she got older in time her powers would strengthened, rivaling everyone else and proving to Crowley she was the one they’ve been waiting for. For centuries...
Twin lines of syrupy blood openly leaked down her cheeks; crimson tears that stained her bleached white pillowcase on both sides of her face. Abby’s arms were pulled in opposite directions, strapped tightly to her headboard and her feet were still bound together at the baseboard, just the way Jarrett had last left her.
As Crowley took a blade to her eyes, he removed the twin orbs and placed them in a concoction of honey in a mason jar, stealing away her sight but not the visions that’ll seemingly forever torment the poor girl. Her parents were powerless to save her against the man they pledged allegiance to, and for that the night was thankfully erased from her mind. Now six years have woefully passed by in the blink of an eye.
My name is Aurora, Mistress of the Dark.
Believe into the lies a cancer was what robbed her of her precious sight, she had little reason to doubt the stories of her beloved parents until strange occurrences began encircling her life. Living in a traveling circus, dubbed Townsend Traveling Show, she used her abilities to see into the past and future to entertain guests both young and old. Two such guests, Charlie and Raymond Jenkins we’re twins with little to no similarities in both the physical and emotional sense. Charlie the nerdy one who was shy to the ladies to Raymond’s very boisterous outgoing mannerisms, they were about to learn the truth of her mystic powers. Angered by his persistent she allowed The truth to drop of his secrets of poisoned cats and sick fascination with his mother in the nude he would swear some cruel revenge on her. But it’ll never come. Haunted by visions of a young girl named Trisha Martin, she projected her soul to follow her steps as she was lured away by a man wielding a large knife in the midst of a crazy night at the carnival. Watching in real time, no one would believe The painful truth she was watching before learning of her deaths hours later.
She’s right behind you.
Following the investigation she became familiar with Police Officer David Beck, the chemistry between the two was rapidly growing, shocking both of them. Coming from a family who held psychic powers he believed her claims whole heartedly which eased her mind but would rock the two as The truth became haunting entwined.
They say a person’s eyes are the windows to their soul, right? What they don’t understand is sometimes the soul can look back, even from beyond the walls of death. The eyes are the gateway, Abby, the doorway between worlds, and someone who has the ability to astral project can follow a departing soul across the membrane as they hold onto their last visions of life here on Earth.
As she falls into the rabbit hole of death, she is awakened to the truth of her life and the lies following her fathers death announcement from her mother. For his service, he was awarded a quick and prideful end to his mortal life, allowing him to bask eternally. Kidnapped by a cruel man once more, This time hellbent on using her eyes to guide his long dead relative back from Hell she is helpless to stop it or so she believed. Taking matters into her own hands she rips the eyes returned to their sockets and crushes them, snuffing out her abilities at the price of saving herself from a monster that should of long been dead. Leaning forward, her and David were looking forward to a life together, while Mister Chollo, a familiar face as he was the proclaimed smallest man who was sworn into the followings of Crowley who won’t allow them to go on....
They lead me straight to where he waits, imprisoned since his death in 1947. Finding him the first time was tough, but since then it’s been simple. All I need is a new set of eyes each time.
February 23, 2019
Loved the connection to Aleister Crowley ....best place for him 😉
February 5, 2013
I picked this up looking for a quick read. I’d read Rollo’s Jigsaw Man and quite enjoyed that. I’ve been looking forward to reading Valley Of The Scarecrow because the synopsis intrigued me. So I thought Crowley’s Window, also by Rollo, would be a fitting appetizer. Crowley’s Window begins with a young girl born with psychic powers being ‘helped’ by the sinister Reverend Crowley. He cures the horrific visions she receives by removing her eyes. The story then skips forward a few years to when the girl, Abby Hawkins, is working as a carnival psychic. She is unaware of her encounter with Crowley and the truth about how she lost her eyes. A young girl is kidnapped from the carnival and later found dead with her eyes removed. When Abby tells police she saw the kidnapping in a vision and can help, they all treat her with scorn and think she is just a scam artist – except for one policeman, David. When another murder occurs at the carnival, David puts his trust in Abby’s abilities to try to track down the killer.
I really like the premise of this story and it starts off with a bang. Rollo does a great job with the character of Abby. She is interesting and sympathetic right from the start. It’s easy to become invested in her and the story. The immediate connection and bearing of souls between Abby and David seems a bit unnatural and unrealistic, and the romantic angle feels a bit forced. That could have been left out altogether. It starts out as a minor distraction, but annoyed me more as I continued to read. More gore and less romance in my opinion. The villain of the piece is the Reverend Marcus Crowley, and he is a nasty piece of work. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s with good reason (but I won’t spoil that if you don’t know). I would have liked to have seen much more of him and to have had his character developed a bit more – maybe show him at his diabolical work. The setting of the final confrontation is fantastic and vividly described. There are a couple of twists in the story that I didn’t see coming, including a nice cliffhanger. The story could have been longer and more graphic building upon the strong foundations that kicked it off. I’d recommend it though – definitely worth a read.
I really like the premise of this story and it starts off with a bang. Rollo does a great job with the character of Abby. She is interesting and sympathetic right from the start. It’s easy to become invested in her and the story. The immediate connection and bearing of souls between Abby and David seems a bit unnatural and unrealistic, and the romantic angle feels a bit forced. That could have been left out altogether. It starts out as a minor distraction, but annoyed me more as I continued to read. More gore and less romance in my opinion. The villain of the piece is the Reverend Marcus Crowley, and he is a nasty piece of work. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s with good reason (but I won’t spoil that if you don’t know). I would have liked to have seen much more of him and to have had his character developed a bit more – maybe show him at his diabolical work. The setting of the final confrontation is fantastic and vividly described. There are a couple of twists in the story that I didn’t see coming, including a nice cliffhanger. The story could have been longer and more graphic building upon the strong foundations that kicked it off. I’d recommend it though – definitely worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2012
Review: Crowley’s Window by Gord Rollo
Gord Rollo’s newest work, Crowley’s Window is about a young carnival sideshow fortune teller who is without eyes. Her only vision comes from psychic abilities, allowing her to see past, present, and future. The downside being that the young girl can’t shut her eyes to what she sees, and soon pays the ultimate price for what she is made to witness.
Crowley’s Window is a dark tale that begins with a powerful first chapter. Author Gord Rollo opens his story with a nightmarish scenario that made putting the book down from that point forward impossible. If your child is trapped in a never-ending nightmare, what would you do to end her suffering? What wouldn’t you do?
This story is well written and constantly moving. Mr. Rollo never gives the reader a lull in this tale of supernatural horror, which I loved. I also loved the main character, Abby, the young fortune teller who does the best she can with what she has: no eyes and a strong psychic ability. It was her nightmare we were brought in to at the start of the novel and it is her plight that we follow for the remainder of the tale. She has the ability to see a person’s past, present, and future, and one of my favorite aspects of the story is how Abby dismantles the façade of several characters with her abilities.
My only critiques of this novel are that there are a lot of run-on sentences (something I myself am guilty of) and some of the dialog seems unrealistic. All in all, none of this takes one away from one’s ability to get wrapped up in Crowley’s Window.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book because Abby has to be her own hero, her own savior --something so many of us can relate. She has to find the courage to break through betrayal and soldier through solitude to end an evil destruction that is hell bent on using her powers to annihilate our world. Crowley’s Window is well written enough that Abby’s journey is my journey, and I cheer for our dear Abigail to win one for all of us.
Gord Rollo’s newest work, Crowley’s Window is about a young carnival sideshow fortune teller who is without eyes. Her only vision comes from psychic abilities, allowing her to see past, present, and future. The downside being that the young girl can’t shut her eyes to what she sees, and soon pays the ultimate price for what she is made to witness.
Crowley’s Window is a dark tale that begins with a powerful first chapter. Author Gord Rollo opens his story with a nightmarish scenario that made putting the book down from that point forward impossible. If your child is trapped in a never-ending nightmare, what would you do to end her suffering? What wouldn’t you do?
This story is well written and constantly moving. Mr. Rollo never gives the reader a lull in this tale of supernatural horror, which I loved. I also loved the main character, Abby, the young fortune teller who does the best she can with what she has: no eyes and a strong psychic ability. It was her nightmare we were brought in to at the start of the novel and it is her plight that we follow for the remainder of the tale. She has the ability to see a person’s past, present, and future, and one of my favorite aspects of the story is how Abby dismantles the façade of several characters with her abilities.
My only critiques of this novel are that there are a lot of run-on sentences (something I myself am guilty of) and some of the dialog seems unrealistic. All in all, none of this takes one away from one’s ability to get wrapped up in Crowley’s Window.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book because Abby has to be her own hero, her own savior --something so many of us can relate. She has to find the courage to break through betrayal and soldier through solitude to end an evil destruction that is hell bent on using her powers to annihilate our world. Crowley’s Window is well written enough that Abby’s journey is my journey, and I cheer for our dear Abigail to win one for all of us.
September 12, 2013
Crowley's Window is a good, entertaining horror novella, one that made put me in the mixed mindset of a Seventies horror film (e.g.,
The Devil's Rain
and
The Fury
), Robert Wiene's 1920 film
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
and a 1980s horror novel, because of its elements of Satanism, psychic phenomena, carnie life (Caligari has a carnivalesque visual aspect) and stripped-down storyline and writing style. There's not one wasted word in this gem of a B-flick novella. Not only that, the effective, fun end-twist is simultaneously cheesy and smile-inducing (it felt like a knowing wink from Rollo).
In this book, Rollo also included a post-Crowley, thematically-similar tale of familial dysfunction, Memories of a Haunted Man, one he co-authored with Everett Bell. It's a good fit for Crowley, and, like its attached novella, an entertaining (if sad) read.
Between these two works, Crowley's Window is a worthwhile purchase. Check it out.
(This review originally appeared on the Reading & Writing By Pub Light site.)
In this book, Rollo also included a post-Crowley, thematically-similar tale of familial dysfunction, Memories of a Haunted Man, one he co-authored with Everett Bell. It's a good fit for Crowley, and, like its attached novella, an entertaining (if sad) read.
Between these two works, Crowley's Window is a worthwhile purchase. Check it out.
(This review originally appeared on the Reading & Writing By Pub Light site.)
March 1, 2013
"There was no way a big handsome man like this was interested in a weirdo disabled girl like her." I could see this as a low budget, tongue in cheek horror film for sure
January 11, 2017
Great horror novella with many twists and turns
December 30, 2018
A good horror story with an even better ending
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews