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Crossman McKnight #1
Life of Death
What I am about to tell you is absolutely true. Whether you believe me or not, is completely up to you. I have had a remarkable experience and only wish to share it with you just in case a similar experience happens to you someday, which is very well possible.
So sit back, relax, and get ready for a tale unlike any other you have heard. And most important, listen to your mind, it will explain this tale better than I ever could. For the mind holds the key to the story. Without your mind’s ears, this story will never make sense. I invite you to the Life of Death, because Death truly does have life and walks with and lives through us every day.
So sit back, relax, and get ready for a tale unlike any other you have heard. And most important, listen to your mind, it will explain this tale better than I ever could. For the mind holds the key to the story. Without your mind’s ears, this story will never make sense. I invite you to the Life of Death, because Death truly does have life and walks with and lives through us every day.
260 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2005
15 people are currently reading
1380 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas A. McGirr
7 books154 followersAUTHOR OF THE AFTERLIFE
Nicholas McGirr is a fantasy writer with themes of the afterlife. Nicholas has 4 novels and 3 novelettes published, all of which can be found on amazon. Nicholas holds a BA in English, another BA in Journalism and is currently working on his MFA in Creative Writing.
A previous musician, Nicholas has been a music critic for Steel Town Reviews, and most of his books hold a musical background theme. When Nicholas isn’t checking out the latest music to write to, he visits cemeteries around Charleston to look for inspiration for his next afterlife tale.
Check out his blog, podcast and published works at www.nicholasmcgirr.com.
Nicholas McGirr is a fantasy writer with themes of the afterlife. Nicholas has 4 novels and 3 novelettes published, all of which can be found on amazon. Nicholas holds a BA in English, another BA in Journalism and is currently working on his MFA in Creative Writing.
A previous musician, Nicholas has been a music critic for Steel Town Reviews, and most of his books hold a musical background theme. When Nicholas isn’t checking out the latest music to write to, he visits cemeteries around Charleston to look for inspiration for his next afterlife tale.
Check out his blog, podcast and published works at www.nicholasmcgirr.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 3, 2011
I didn't know what to expect at first when I started reading this book. Then I thought I knew what the story was about; I thought it was the story about the life of an immortal. I was right...and wrong. This story is told in two views: the first is the view of a young woman and the other is that of a "fly on the wall". This is mainly a mystery. Usually, I'm not into mysteries, but since I have started writing my own type of mystery, I have started reading others' mysteries. And like many mysteries, this one is full of life, love, pain, anger, sadness, and death. This story could also be considered a thriller, if you read it like that. If what I just said has confused you, I meant to. This story is meant to be in YOUR perspective. What is the time setting of this story? The town setting? The race of the characters? What is the origin itself? The author left that decision to our own imagination, which makes a story always interesting and makes you unable to put it down. I give Life of Death a five star rating.
April 24, 2013
I have received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.
Definitely an interesting read, and one I couldn't stop thinking of once I read the whole thing.
To be honest, I don't have the slightest inkling what genre this book fits into. Mystery of course, but I feel that labeling the book into one category or another doesn't do it justice. The imagery is unforgettable, almost magical, and the story is not one you'll soon forget. Life of Death is a rare treat, atmospheric, and mysterious but also a book that makes you think, not your typical mindless mystery you can figure out in 50 pages.
Definitely an interesting read, and one I couldn't stop thinking of once I read the whole thing.
To be honest, I don't have the slightest inkling what genre this book fits into. Mystery of course, but I feel that labeling the book into one category or another doesn't do it justice. The imagery is unforgettable, almost magical, and the story is not one you'll soon forget. Life of Death is a rare treat, atmospheric, and mysterious but also a book that makes you think, not your typical mindless mystery you can figure out in 50 pages.
October 23, 2011
The Growing Dim Project - Band on the Run!
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Author: Nicholas McGirr
Formate: Kindle, Paperback
Crossman Jessica, Clint, Mike, and Justin , they are the band "The Growing Dim Project". An eclectic mix of musician's, their emo group is an alternative performance rock band costumed in black garb playing to the light of candles in their regular haunt - The Sh*t Creek bar. As they play their signature original and cover pieces on what is their best performance to date, the band and the crowd all feel something odd happening as the night progresses. Cross, the bands founder and drummer is acting a bit odd. A feeling of dread fills the room. Something is about to happen as fate draws them inexorably forward…
Like the band members in the book, Nicholas McGirr's "The Growing Dim Project" is an eclectic mix of styles and genres. Told from multiple first person perspectives as well as third person occasionally, the first part of the book reads like a band documentary. Through frequent flashbacks, we are introduced to the various band members, how they met, how The Growing Dim Project came to fruition and how all of these events brought them to what would become their final performance at Sh*t Creek. About half way through the book, however, it becomes clear this isn't just a documentary but something much much different. Supernatural abilities emerge from Crossman and readers come to learn the Cross plays a pivotal roll in human history and is faced with a choice none of us would want to face.
The Growing Dim Project is a very different kind of book with true alternative / indie flair. Though it is a fist in a series, the ending of this volume is climatic and resolves a number of story arcs while leaving clear a path to future chapters. If you are looking for something different, consider picking up The Growing Dim Project. It is $2.99 on Kindle.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Author: Nicholas McGirr
Formate: Kindle, Paperback
Crossman Jessica, Clint, Mike, and Justin , they are the band "The Growing Dim Project". An eclectic mix of musician's, their emo group is an alternative performance rock band costumed in black garb playing to the light of candles in their regular haunt - The Sh*t Creek bar. As they play their signature original and cover pieces on what is their best performance to date, the band and the crowd all feel something odd happening as the night progresses. Cross, the bands founder and drummer is acting a bit odd. A feeling of dread fills the room. Something is about to happen as fate draws them inexorably forward…
Like the band members in the book, Nicholas McGirr's "The Growing Dim Project" is an eclectic mix of styles and genres. Told from multiple first person perspectives as well as third person occasionally, the first part of the book reads like a band documentary. Through frequent flashbacks, we are introduced to the various band members, how they met, how The Growing Dim Project came to fruition and how all of these events brought them to what would become their final performance at Sh*t Creek. About half way through the book, however, it becomes clear this isn't just a documentary but something much much different. Supernatural abilities emerge from Crossman and readers come to learn the Cross plays a pivotal roll in human history and is faced with a choice none of us would want to face.
The Growing Dim Project is a very different kind of book with true alternative / indie flair. Though it is a fist in a series, the ending of this volume is climatic and resolves a number of story arcs while leaving clear a path to future chapters. If you are looking for something different, consider picking up The Growing Dim Project. It is $2.99 on Kindle.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
November 20, 2011
Life of Death - Echoes of "Dead Again"
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Nicholas A McGirr
Format: Kindle
After encountering a strangely compelling homeless man, a young woman is taken to his forest hideaway where she learns her thoughts and feelings are as transparent to him as her words. She can hide nothing and though she feels fear she also finds she cannot leave. Somehow able to transport his experiences to her, she learns through vivid memories of his tortured youth and how he learns of his abilities leading to his ultimate belief that he is immortal. Crazy? Perhaps. But something deep inside her tells her there is truth in his words. But why has he abducted her? Why has he shared his life with her and why does he seek her as his companion? Slowly the walls come down, and she finds the truth is something she never expected.
Nicholas McGirr's "Life of Death" is a cerebral game of cat and mouse. I started reading this thinking I had a good idea of what and who the stranger was based on the title and thought perhaps this would be a predictable plot. However, I found myself challenging my assumptions as the stranger's past and present were revealed. This kept me turning pages well into the night.
The style and progression of the story are unconventional which some could find confusing but like a David Lynch movie, these greatly enhanced the strangeness of the book and its theme. The questions of immortality are thought provoking and I found the book haunted me for hours after I finished the final pages. Life of Death is $7.99 on Kindle.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Nicholas A McGirr
Format: Kindle
After encountering a strangely compelling homeless man, a young woman is taken to his forest hideaway where she learns her thoughts and feelings are as transparent to him as her words. She can hide nothing and though she feels fear she also finds she cannot leave. Somehow able to transport his experiences to her, she learns through vivid memories of his tortured youth and how he learns of his abilities leading to his ultimate belief that he is immortal. Crazy? Perhaps. But something deep inside her tells her there is truth in his words. But why has he abducted her? Why has he shared his life with her and why does he seek her as his companion? Slowly the walls come down, and she finds the truth is something she never expected.
Nicholas McGirr's "Life of Death" is a cerebral game of cat and mouse. I started reading this thinking I had a good idea of what and who the stranger was based on the title and thought perhaps this would be a predictable plot. However, I found myself challenging my assumptions as the stranger's past and present were revealed. This kept me turning pages well into the night.
The style and progression of the story are unconventional which some could find confusing but like a David Lynch movie, these greatly enhanced the strangeness of the book and its theme. The questions of immortality are thought provoking and I found the book haunted me for hours after I finished the final pages. Life of Death is $7.99 on Kindle.
Note: A complimentary copy of this work was provided in return for a review.
August 27, 2011
The Growing Dim Project is a solid book, worth checking out.
Author Nicholas McGirr's words set the scene vividly, making his vision for characters and their surroundings easily conveyed to the reader. The emotions that McGirr pours into his novel is clear, and gives the book a very "real" feel, making the novel seem perhaps a bit unrefined at parts, but full of heart. It makes the book all the more pleasant to the reader.
That being said, the flaw that locked in my rating is the jagged manner in which a good story is told. I found it hard to focus. As opposed to sticking with the view points of a solitary character, McGirr alternates between characters quite frequently, not only to switch scenes, but to give different views on conversations as well. I found myself having to reread a bit here and there in order to double check which perspective I was actually on. It helps you to learn about each character, but I think that could have been done in a smoother way.
All in all though, I found this book a good read. It was worth the struggle I had with the character perspective. A dark, enjoyable balance of rock music, relationships, and Greek mythology make this book one that can please just about anyone who picks it up (or downloads it).
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other books in this series, and in general by this author, because I think Nicholas McGirr is a genuinely talented author to watch out for.
Author Nicholas McGirr's words set the scene vividly, making his vision for characters and their surroundings easily conveyed to the reader. The emotions that McGirr pours into his novel is clear, and gives the book a very "real" feel, making the novel seem perhaps a bit unrefined at parts, but full of heart. It makes the book all the more pleasant to the reader.
That being said, the flaw that locked in my rating is the jagged manner in which a good story is told. I found it hard to focus. As opposed to sticking with the view points of a solitary character, McGirr alternates between characters quite frequently, not only to switch scenes, but to give different views on conversations as well. I found myself having to reread a bit here and there in order to double check which perspective I was actually on. It helps you to learn about each character, but I think that could have been done in a smoother way.
All in all though, I found this book a good read. It was worth the struggle I had with the character perspective. A dark, enjoyable balance of rock music, relationships, and Greek mythology make this book one that can please just about anyone who picks it up (or downloads it).
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other books in this series, and in general by this author, because I think Nicholas McGirr is a genuinely talented author to watch out for.
August 22, 2011
Overall: not bad.
Nicholas McGirr has real talent, albeit somewhat raw. The jumping between characters' point of view become somewhat confusing for me and made the plot rather disjointed. Perhaps keeping to just one or two characters' points of view may have made this easier to piece together. Also, plenty of repetition. I did not see the purpose of repeating conversations from a different point of view. I also do not know why Chrona's speech with the Shade was repeated as a Chapter on its own.
Other than that, I am thoroughly impressed. The use of language is powerful and stirred up the relevant emotions without my trying. I found myself engrossed and eager for more information. While I was confused by all the talk of gifts in the beginning, it became clear that my confusion was necessary in order to identify with the Cross and Lenny and their confusion.
As a fan of Greek Myth, I am impressed at the use of it within the book as well as the clever use of names for the darker characters relating to the myths. McGirr clearly did his research and has presented us with some interesting thoughts on how the realm of afterlife is set up.
I look forward to reading the sequel for this as well as any other novels McGirr comes out with.
Nicholas McGirr has real talent, albeit somewhat raw. The jumping between characters' point of view become somewhat confusing for me and made the plot rather disjointed. Perhaps keeping to just one or two characters' points of view may have made this easier to piece together. Also, plenty of repetition. I did not see the purpose of repeating conversations from a different point of view. I also do not know why Chrona's speech with the Shade was repeated as a Chapter on its own.
Other than that, I am thoroughly impressed. The use of language is powerful and stirred up the relevant emotions without my trying. I found myself engrossed and eager for more information. While I was confused by all the talk of gifts in the beginning, it became clear that my confusion was necessary in order to identify with the Cross and Lenny and their confusion.
As a fan of Greek Myth, I am impressed at the use of it within the book as well as the clever use of names for the darker characters relating to the myths. McGirr clearly did his research and has presented us with some interesting thoughts on how the realm of afterlife is set up.
I look forward to reading the sequel for this as well as any other novels McGirr comes out with.
June 14, 2012
Since the author gave me a free copy of Life of Death, I guess I owe it to him to write a review--and give a justification of my 1-star rating.
My main problem with the book was the structure. It seemed like everything was placed out of sequence, and it was a tad anitclimactic.
There was also the heroine's willingness to listen to Jason's life story. For one thing, I didn't understand why he needed to tell anyone his past--especially her, a random woman he kidnapped and took to his cave--but maybe that's my problem. But why did she feel it was her duty to stay and listen?
And another thing, which may just as well be entirely my problem too, is that I still don't understand what happened. Man kidnaps woman, takes her to his cave to tell her his tragic past--which consists of the death of his mother, the oppression of his controlling father, and his group of preadolescent musical protégées --and then...what? He is immortal and mind-reading, yet I don't exactly remember the reason for this. I don't know, the book is a little jumbled up in my head.
I just felt it was all over the place and that everything was placed randomly. Could have turned out better.
I will end this on a good note, though, and say that the imagery is quite impressive.
My main problem with the book was the structure. It seemed like everything was placed out of sequence, and it was a tad anitclimactic.
There was also the heroine's willingness to listen to Jason's life story. For one thing, I didn't understand why he needed to tell anyone his past--especially her, a random woman he kidnapped and took to his cave--but maybe that's my problem. But why did she feel it was her duty to stay and listen?
And another thing, which may just as well be entirely my problem too, is that I still don't understand what happened. Man kidnaps woman, takes her to his cave to tell her his tragic past--which consists of the death of his mother, the oppression of his controlling father, and his group of preadolescent musical protégées --and then...what? He is immortal and mind-reading, yet I don't exactly remember the reason for this. I don't know, the book is a little jumbled up in my head.
I just felt it was all over the place and that everything was placed randomly. Could have turned out better.
I will end this on a good note, though, and say that the imagery is quite impressive.
did-not-finish
July 21, 2017*WON A COPY FROM A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY*
I gave up on this book on page two of chapter one. It wasn't because of the story; I actually think it's really interesting, and I'm sad that I can't finish it. The language and general rules of writing are awful. It was difficult to understand what was going on; it seems information was forced together specifically to make longer paragraphs. Dialogue was inserted haphazardly.
Overall, it's giant disappointment in terms of writing style. I cannot continue to read a book if I have to read each paragraph three times to understand what is happening.
The plot does sound intriguing, and the cover is beautiful! So if you want to dive on in and try it yourself, I say go for it! My reading preferences may be different than yours.
My autographed copy of this book will be donated.
I gave up on this book on page two of chapter one. It wasn't because of the story; I actually think it's really interesting, and I'm sad that I can't finish it. The language and general rules of writing are awful. It was difficult to understand what was going on; it seems information was forced together specifically to make longer paragraphs. Dialogue was inserted haphazardly.
Overall, it's giant disappointment in terms of writing style. I cannot continue to read a book if I have to read each paragraph three times to understand what is happening.
The plot does sound intriguing, and the cover is beautiful! So if you want to dive on in and try it yourself, I say go for it! My reading preferences may be different than yours.
My autographed copy of this book will be donated.
February 8, 2017
This is an early work of mine that I have been wanting to publish for quite some time. I wrote this book nearly 12 years ago. Though the editing of this book may seem incomplete, I wanted to leave it as exactly that so that I may gage my progress as a writer and use it as a guide as I continue to write more novels.
I love this book, I love it for more sentimental reasons. I hope you, the reader enjoy this book for what it is: the start of my writing career. I understand that this title may have early writing mistakes and an informal approach, but I do indeed love this story. It has been an inspiration for me to continue writing, which is exactly what I plan to do.
I love this book, I love it for more sentimental reasons. I hope you, the reader enjoy this book for what it is: the start of my writing career. I understand that this title may have early writing mistakes and an informal approach, but I do indeed love this story. It has been an inspiration for me to continue writing, which is exactly what I plan to do.
June 20, 2012
I won this novel from goodreads.
Try as I could I could not get pulled into it.
I am unsure of why, but it held no interest for me. Nothing kept me reading it, so eventually I gave up and moved on to something I would enjoy.
Thank you for sending me a copy- it was passed on to someone I hope will enjoy it more than I did.
Try as I could I could not get pulled into it.
I am unsure of why, but it held no interest for me. Nothing kept me reading it, so eventually I gave up and moved on to something I would enjoy.
Thank you for sending me a copy- it was passed on to someone I hope will enjoy it more than I did.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews