Torment

by Jeff Menapace

SOME LEGENDS WON'T DIE...

A Native American man consumed with vengeance for a legendary beast said to roam the woods of Northern Minnesota.

A professor of folklore, cryptozoology, and the supernatural. An expert on the beast.

A mysterious village tucked away from the world deep in the northern woods.

Four friends from Minneapolis heading north to a rented cabin for a weekend of fun.

All have a separate agenda. None are prepared for the terrifying outcome lying in wait.


Short Fiction. approx 76 pages

Genres: Horror

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2012

About the author

A native of the Philadelphia area, Jeff has published multiple works in both fiction and non-fiction. In 2011 he was the recipient of the Red Adept Reviews Indie Award for Horror.

In March of 2014, his novel BAD GAMES was a #1 Kindle bestseller and is now being optioned as a feature film.

Free time for Jeff is spent watching horror movies, The Three Stooges, and mixed martial arts. He loves steak and more steak, thinks the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the greatest movie ever, wants to pet a lion some day, and hates spiders.

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Jeff Menapace! I only wish it was longer. (Pure Selfishness). There was so much fun in this novella, a Native American legend, a cryptozoologist, a little girl, a small group of weekend vacationers, a heavily wooded forest, a local village with similarities to the amish community ie. No electricity or telephone service. What more can a horror story offer except a wild and scary, fun filled treat for those who enjoy reading this style of creepy horror!

I highly recommend to all horror lovers and have given a rating of 4 1/2 Creepy 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here you will find all ingredients for a good horror story: First there is an act of cannibalism in the last century. Then we have two young couples getting lost in the woods looking for their cabin. Prof John is met by Kane who persuades him to go on a Windigo hunt. A young girl tied to a tree gets them all in contact with a strange rural community. Who stole the mobiles and how will the story about the mysterious girl end? Fast paced, eerie with reference to many cult movies like 'The Wicker Man' and a shot of satire. Recommended!

[Angel Gelique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the Bad Games series, but still entertaining. Review to come!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Jeff Menapace.. I didn't really care for the ending.. it didn't really have an ending. Maybe book 2 coming?

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read enough of author Jeff Menapace's work to know that he's a first rate horror writer. He also knows how to grab your attention immediately, as the bizarre 19th century prologue of "Torment" set the scary mood, then segued into the story, which took place in today's world. The two parallel stories of four frightened teenagers out in the woods at night, and two men who were on an outlandish mission, converge in a little out-of-the-way village, and that's where the creep factor really set in. The next few minutes would determined who lived and who died. No spoilers here, but this was a scary story that probably shouldn't be read when you're all alone in the house late at night.

Note: The Windigo creature that was central to "Torment" wasn't created by the author for the story. I looked up "Windigo" in Wikipedia and learned that it's a creature appearing in the legends of the Algonquian Indians. It is thought of variously as a malevolent cannibalistic spirit that could possess humans, or a monster that humans could physically transform into. Those who indulged in cannibalism were at particular risk, and the legend appears to have reinforced this practice [cannibalism] as a taboo.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another twisting, twisted tale.

Jeff has a real talent for leading you down a path to a horror you don't see coming. I like that his stories remain believable despite the unbelievable things that are going on. And just when you think you know where he's taking you ... he snaps you in another direction. Another great story that will make your skin crawl.

[Amy Mcnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story.

Wow, what a story. This was a really good short read. So much action & craziness. I’m never disappointed by anything from this author. It’s a good book, but don’t take my word for it...READ IT.

[Μαργαριτα Φραντζεσκου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short read.

Would recommend this to those who are interested in folklore. Beautifully written, though it does leave a few things unanswered (which can be good and be cause to invoke the imagination).

[Pitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!

Amazing read! Just like all of his other books that I have read, he pulls you in from the very first page until you reach the end wishing there were more.

[barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great plot but too short and no real ending and would make a great series .

[Daryl Moretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very surprised. Quick read. Very short but always good from this author

[Billy · Rating 2 out of 5]

waste of time

I’m a big Jeff Menapace fan but this story turned out to be a flop!
Maybe he got soft in his older days.
Waste of time is what this book was!

[Carolyn Injoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torment by Jeff Menapace Torment - A Horror Novella by Jeff Menapace is truly frightening. I gave it four stars because it compelled me to keep reading.
The prologue was brutal. It reminded me of the movie "The Shining" where the father was driven made by the snow & isolation. Except in this case, the man was the only survivor in the cabin.
 
When the four young travelers met a man in the woods this took place. "Tim wasn't sure what happened next; he'd never seen anything like it. Fluid violence were the first words that popped into his head. Fluid, because the stranger's response to Andy's attack seemed effortless; violence, because Andy suddenly found himself face-down on the road, the stranger pinning him there with one knee in Andy's back & one hand on his head."
 
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
 
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/TORMENT-Horror...

[Christina McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at the Windigo plot but I guess it's cause I just read a different book w/windigo plot BUT I DID enjoy this book! Only thing I wished for was more information on the village people, it could've been more detailed & longer focusing more on the villagers & I would've given 5 stars! I do recommend tho

[Quinesia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Okay. This is the Menapace we know and love! I was beginning to think he couldn't do novellas. This one's a little longer, which was wonderful. Verrrry creepy, very thriller. Lots of credibility in character actions + plain good writing. He's a pro because he brought lots of credibility to an incredible story. Great read!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grabbed my attention immediately and I was completely invested in the story....and it just stopped. Lol...definitely not the ending I expected. Loved the story but not the ending.

[Katarzyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not what I expected. It grabbed my attention pretty quickly but the story lacked the suspense that other books by Jeff Menapace provided. I was a little dissapointed by the read.

[Amanda Author · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy

This was one crazy story. I am still lost on some of this story. The end didn't explain nothing to me either. Sucks