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Milestone #1
Currency of Souls
Welcome to Eddie's Tavern, the only functioning waterhole in a near-dead town. Among the people you'll meet tonight are: Tom, Milestone's haunted lawman, who walks in the shadow of death; Gracie, the barmaid, a wannabe actress, doomed to spend her hours tending bar in a purgatory of her father's making; Flo, the town seductress, who may or may not have murdered her husband; Cobb, a nudist awaiting an apology from the commune who cast him out; Wintry, the mute giant, whose story is told only in cryptic messages scribbled beneath newspaper headlines; Kyle, the kid, who keeps a loaded gun beneath the table; and Cadaver, who looks like a corpse, but smells real nice, and occupies his time counting stacks of pennies. And then there's Reverend Hill, who will be in at eleven, regular as clockwork, to tell them who's going to die, and who's going to drive. Welcome to Eddie's, where tonight, for the first time in three years, nothing will go according to plan.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
20 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Kealan Patrick Burke
194 books2,353 followersHailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
August 13, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was okay for me. I liked some parts more than others and thought it was a decent story overall. I was really excited going into this book because I was in the mood for a little horror and I have heard great things about Kealan Patrick Burke's work. I am glad that I decided to give this book a listen.
The beginning of the story actually ended up being my favorite part of the book. The book opens with Tom going to Eddie's Tavern for his normal Saturday night. Everyone at the bar spends their Saturday nights together waiting to see if they will be picked for an unpleasant task. Nobody wants to be there but they know there is really no choice in the matter. The group of characters at the bar were great. All of them were incredibly unique and added something to the story. I couldn't wait to see what they were waiting for.
Of course, things do not go as planned on the night in question. Honestly, things go about as bad as they possibly could. There are new characters introduced and a few unexpected situations but the magic of those opening scenes in the bar just never seemed to return to the story. The story had a lot of different threads and kind of seemed to be all over the place at times. Things did come back together by the end of the story some things didn't make a whole lot of sense.
I thought that Rich Miller did a good job with the narration. I thought he had a very pleasant voice that was really easy to listen to hours at a time. My only complaint would be that it was hard to tell when there was a change in point of view of the story which was confusing at times. Overall, I think that he did a great job keeping the story moving forward. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work again in the future.
I do think that some readers will like this one more than I did. I did have good time with this one even though I had to go back and listen to certain parts more than once when I found myself feeling a bit confused. I do hope to read more of Kealan Patrick Burke's work in the future.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author / narrator via Audiobook Boom.
Initial Thoughts
I am somewhere between 3 and 4 stars right now. I am going to take a little bit of time to think about this book. I liked the story but some of the twists were way out there. The narrator was very good but it was sometimes hard to tell when there was a change in POV. The characters in this one were definitely unique.
This was okay for me. I liked some parts more than others and thought it was a decent story overall. I was really excited going into this book because I was in the mood for a little horror and I have heard great things about Kealan Patrick Burke's work. I am glad that I decided to give this book a listen.
The beginning of the story actually ended up being my favorite part of the book. The book opens with Tom going to Eddie's Tavern for his normal Saturday night. Everyone at the bar spends their Saturday nights together waiting to see if they will be picked for an unpleasant task. Nobody wants to be there but they know there is really no choice in the matter. The group of characters at the bar were great. All of them were incredibly unique and added something to the story. I couldn't wait to see what they were waiting for.
Of course, things do not go as planned on the night in question. Honestly, things go about as bad as they possibly could. There are new characters introduced and a few unexpected situations but the magic of those opening scenes in the bar just never seemed to return to the story. The story had a lot of different threads and kind of seemed to be all over the place at times. Things did come back together by the end of the story some things didn't make a whole lot of sense.
I thought that Rich Miller did a good job with the narration. I thought he had a very pleasant voice that was really easy to listen to hours at a time. My only complaint would be that it was hard to tell when there was a change in point of view of the story which was confusing at times. Overall, I think that he did a great job keeping the story moving forward. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work again in the future.
I do think that some readers will like this one more than I did. I did have good time with this one even though I had to go back and listen to certain parts more than once when I found myself feeling a bit confused. I do hope to read more of Kealan Patrick Burke's work in the future.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author / narrator via Audiobook Boom.
Initial Thoughts
I am somewhere between 3 and 4 stars right now. I am going to take a little bit of time to think about this book. I liked the story but some of the twists were way out there. The narrator was very good but it was sometimes hard to tell when there was a change in POV. The characters in this one were definitely unique.
July 25, 2018
** I received this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.**
this is not my first listen or read by KPB. I've loved everything so far. But I am so sorry. This story was just ...not for me. It felt disjointed, like I was just thrown in the middle of a story. By the time some of the character's histories are revealed, I just didn't give a damn about them. Kealan Patrick Burke is a damn fine author but I wouldn't start out with this one.
Rich Miller did a fantastic job of narrating. He fit perfectly with the small town setting of this story. The quality of the audiobook was perfect.
this is not my first listen or read by KPB. I've loved everything so far. But I am so sorry. This story was just ...not for me. It felt disjointed, like I was just thrown in the middle of a story. By the time some of the character's histories are revealed, I just didn't give a damn about them. Kealan Patrick Burke is a damn fine author but I wouldn't start out with this one.
Rich Miller did a fantastic job of narrating. He fit perfectly with the small town setting of this story. The quality of the audiobook was perfect.
August 10, 2018
Milestone is one messed up place. A town gone sour - A place for sinners to await their calling and to wish for death. Enter Eddies Tavern. If you want a drink this is the only game in town. If you want redemption, you’ve come to the wrong place. Is this purgatory or hell…or worse? Belly up to the bar my friends, you are about to go on one crazy, dark and atmospheric ride!
Kealan Patrick Burke never disappoints with his storytelling. His characters are well flushed out, the pacing is always on the mark and he has the ability to suck you into his world until you are lost in another dimension.
Currency of Souls is unlike anything that I have read by KPB to date. This one gets crazy fast – the story takes off at the half way point and there is a whole lot going on. I must admit I got confused more than once trying to keep up with all the goings on toward the end and had to reread a bit to center myself – probably more to do with my short attention span versus the actual story. Another super solid work from KPB. 4.5 Stars! Highly recommended!
8-9-18
Anybody that knows me, knows I am a bit of a KPB fanboy. Creepy, I know. It even feels a little creepy to me at times, but dude has some serious skills and is one of my all-time favorite authors. Since I already read this one a few years ago and gave it 4.5 Stars I was really looking forward to the audio even though it is super rare for me to do a re-read/listen. Glad I did. Thanks, Rich!
This is not your typical KPB. The writing is excellent no doubt, but much more surreal. This one is just plain crazy from the get go. And then it gets crazier…a lot crazier. With a super-size of wtf on the top for good measure. Yep, it’s all going to hell in the town Milestone. Or it may already be hell…
Rich Millers voice reminded me a bit of Chet Williamson except with more emotion and depth. (Not a knock on Chet, who I enjoy, but a compliment to Rich.) Perfect for the tale. His pacing and tone were spot on throughout and I really believe added another dimension to the characters. I look forward to listening more from him.
*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and have voluntarily left this honest review.
Kealan Patrick Burke never disappoints with his storytelling. His characters are well flushed out, the pacing is always on the mark and he has the ability to suck you into his world until you are lost in another dimension.
Currency of Souls is unlike anything that I have read by KPB to date. This one gets crazy fast – the story takes off at the half way point and there is a whole lot going on. I must admit I got confused more than once trying to keep up with all the goings on toward the end and had to reread a bit to center myself – probably more to do with my short attention span versus the actual story. Another super solid work from KPB. 4.5 Stars! Highly recommended!
8-9-18
Anybody that knows me, knows I am a bit of a KPB fanboy. Creepy, I know. It even feels a little creepy to me at times, but dude has some serious skills and is one of my all-time favorite authors. Since I already read this one a few years ago and gave it 4.5 Stars I was really looking forward to the audio even though it is super rare for me to do a re-read/listen. Glad I did. Thanks, Rich!
This is not your typical KPB. The writing is excellent no doubt, but much more surreal. This one is just plain crazy from the get go. And then it gets crazier…a lot crazier. With a super-size of wtf on the top for good measure. Yep, it’s all going to hell in the town Milestone. Or it may already be hell…
Rich Millers voice reminded me a bit of Chet Williamson except with more emotion and depth. (Not a knock on Chet, who I enjoy, but a compliment to Rich.) Perfect for the tale. His pacing and tone were spot on throughout and I really believe added another dimension to the characters. I look forward to listening more from him.
*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and have voluntarily left this honest review.
September 30, 2018
My original CURRENCY OF SOULS audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Few horror authors write as eloquently and thoughtfully as Kealan Patrick Burke, a Bram Stoker Award-winning author who carefully chooses each word that makes it onto the page for maximum impact. Textually, Currency of Souls is a fine example of Burke’s methodical deliberation, and narrator Rich Miller delivers a reading that is aurally arresting right from the get-go.
Currency of Souls is a bit of a genre mish-mash. Tonally, it feels like a modern-day western with it bar-room setting, the Sheriff, and a handful of misfits populating the near-dead town of Milestone, but there’s enough violence and death to put it solidly in the horror genre, as well as a few fantasy elements and plenty of tragedy to boot. Milestone, however, is more than your average run-down locale, and each of the barflies carries the weight of their secret sins like an albatross. This is a down of damnation, and it may or may not be Purgatory or at least some facet of it, and each of the drinkers are constantly being manipulated by darker forces to murder one another. To say much more, though, would be a crime.
Burke keeps the story moving along with plenty of twists and turns, betrayals, and double- and triple-crosses. None of the cast are quite who they appear at first blush, and Burke slowly reveals their true faces and natures in due course. The story itself is weighted in symbolism and degrees of complexity. Simply put, there is a lot going on throughout the entirety of this book. Listeners should expect to not only pay close attention to all the things being said but especially to what is left unsaid. I suspect Currency of Souls is a title that only grows more rewarding with multiple listens, and that future rereads will reveal additional previously unseen facets.
Rich Miller has a deep, brassy voice that immediately captures the atmosphere and tone of Burke’s work, perfectly in tune with the western genre elements present here. I was immediately lost in this man’s reading, lulled in by the strong, yet comforting rhythms of his narration. There’s a kind-of Sam Elliot vibe to Miller’s presentation, which I certainly dug, and the recording is crystal-clear enough that I could practically smell the smoke and whiskey stink of Eddie’s Tavern.
Currency of Souls is a bit like a good whiskey, in fact. The writing is smooth and read by Miller it leaves a pleasantly warm feeling deep in your chest, but the story itself is a complex and full-bodied spirit, possessing various layers of richness. Its narrative threads are knotty and tangled, and it takes some work to unravel before you can fully appreciate it. It’s the type of story you want to let linger a bit before you take another sip and see what else is there to discover.
[Note: Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com]
Few horror authors write as eloquently and thoughtfully as Kealan Patrick Burke, a Bram Stoker Award-winning author who carefully chooses each word that makes it onto the page for maximum impact. Textually, Currency of Souls is a fine example of Burke’s methodical deliberation, and narrator Rich Miller delivers a reading that is aurally arresting right from the get-go.
Currency of Souls is a bit of a genre mish-mash. Tonally, it feels like a modern-day western with it bar-room setting, the Sheriff, and a handful of misfits populating the near-dead town of Milestone, but there’s enough violence and death to put it solidly in the horror genre, as well as a few fantasy elements and plenty of tragedy to boot. Milestone, however, is more than your average run-down locale, and each of the barflies carries the weight of their secret sins like an albatross. This is a down of damnation, and it may or may not be Purgatory or at least some facet of it, and each of the drinkers are constantly being manipulated by darker forces to murder one another. To say much more, though, would be a crime.
Burke keeps the story moving along with plenty of twists and turns, betrayals, and double- and triple-crosses. None of the cast are quite who they appear at first blush, and Burke slowly reveals their true faces and natures in due course. The story itself is weighted in symbolism and degrees of complexity. Simply put, there is a lot going on throughout the entirety of this book. Listeners should expect to not only pay close attention to all the things being said but especially to what is left unsaid. I suspect Currency of Souls is a title that only grows more rewarding with multiple listens, and that future rereads will reveal additional previously unseen facets.
Rich Miller has a deep, brassy voice that immediately captures the atmosphere and tone of Burke’s work, perfectly in tune with the western genre elements present here. I was immediately lost in this man’s reading, lulled in by the strong, yet comforting rhythms of his narration. There’s a kind-of Sam Elliot vibe to Miller’s presentation, which I certainly dug, and the recording is crystal-clear enough that I could practically smell the smoke and whiskey stink of Eddie’s Tavern.
Currency of Souls is a bit like a good whiskey, in fact. The writing is smooth and read by Miller it leaves a pleasantly warm feeling deep in your chest, but the story itself is a complex and full-bodied spirit, possessing various layers of richness. Its narrative threads are knotty and tangled, and it takes some work to unravel before you can fully appreciate it. It’s the type of story you want to let linger a bit before you take another sip and see what else is there to discover.
[Note: Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com]
January 27, 2015
Why haven't I read anything from this author before?! Even if this is one of the most depressing and weirdest stories I have ever read, it won't be the last.
How a book makes me feel leaves a mark on my rating. I can't do that here if I am honest. I loved Currency of Souls even with its feeling of despair.
I guess you could say it is a story of a decrepit town, a small group of people and their sins, desires, secrets and mistakes. Add supernatural elements (glass and wooden men, homicidal deer, crazy Bible-thumping preacher who doesn't seem to be human, ghosts and so on) and you get this story. It would not be fair to do that though. It is all that and much, much more. The setting is contemporary, but it has a weird west historical feel.
Currency of Souls is a great, well written book that probably won't leave you feeling good, but it is definitely worth reading.
How a book makes me feel leaves a mark on my rating. I can't do that here if I am honest. I loved Currency of Souls even with its feeling of despair.
I guess you could say it is a story of a decrepit town, a small group of people and their sins, desires, secrets and mistakes. Add supernatural elements (glass and wooden men, homicidal deer, crazy Bible-thumping preacher who doesn't seem to be human, ghosts and so on) and you get this story. It would not be fair to do that though. It is all that and much, much more. The setting is contemporary, but it has a weird west historical feel.
Currency of Souls is a great, well written book that probably won't leave you feeling good, but it is definitely worth reading.
July 31, 2011
Milestone is the most haunted of all the dying towns you ever heard about. Its citizens are twisted and mangled by their dark pasts and the things they have come to know and do since moving there. Days run into weeks and then years where they all get by on the simple notion that this is their life now and there's no way they can change it. Why fight the decay when there's no more hope left beneath all your pain?
One by one they are all led out into the night to commit terrible crimes to satisfy a corrupt minister who tells them its their salvation. They are all victims of self loathing and regret trapped in a cycle. That is until that night when everything changes and the bizarre events at Eddie's bar morph into even stranger truths and dark resolutions.
Currency of Souls is my first Kealan Patrick Burke novel and I'm happy to say I'll be going out of my way to find more of his books in the future. Rather than following some of the established paths in horror this books takes its time, develops interesting characters and is constantly surprising you with the details of their lives both through Sheriff Tom's eyes and out of his sight. I don't think I've come across such an interesting narrative in a while and I enjoyed the soft haunted voice of Milestone itself. This really is a very haunted and dying town and its because of the people who live there rather than any dark past for the town per se.
The story resonates, the horror here is more subtle and far less about gore and violence than it is about the strange reality we place ourselves in when we've given up and let our past actions and failures swallow us whole.
One by one they are all led out into the night to commit terrible crimes to satisfy a corrupt minister who tells them its their salvation. They are all victims of self loathing and regret trapped in a cycle. That is until that night when everything changes and the bizarre events at Eddie's bar morph into even stranger truths and dark resolutions.
Currency of Souls is my first Kealan Patrick Burke novel and I'm happy to say I'll be going out of my way to find more of his books in the future. Rather than following some of the established paths in horror this books takes its time, develops interesting characters and is constantly surprising you with the details of their lives both through Sheriff Tom's eyes and out of his sight. I don't think I've come across such an interesting narrative in a while and I enjoyed the soft haunted voice of Milestone itself. This really is a very haunted and dying town and its because of the people who live there rather than any dark past for the town per se.
The story resonates, the horror here is more subtle and far less about gore and violence than it is about the strange reality we place ourselves in when we've given up and let our past actions and failures swallow us whole.
August 31, 2020
I always have difficulty with books that start in the middle of the story, especially when they are quite chaotic and you find yourself desperately trying to make sense of what is happening. By the time things started to come together, I had pretty much lost interest in the characters and the story. I usually like KPB, but then maybe it’s possibly the more linear KPB I like.
October 30, 2012
If there's one thing I hate when reading book reviews, it's to keep encountering -summaries- of the book instead of a review. I'm not going to do that here. You're welcome. If you want a summary, read the accompanying blurb, that's what it's there for.
This was definitely a strange book, but strange in a good way. The last part of the book didn't seem to fit in with everything else, like an attempt to tie up loose ends without being sure how to do it. That's the only thing keeping me from giving this five stars, cause the rest of the book was great. I'm not going to ruin it for you, but get ready to be asked to think your way through this one, in that 'I'm enjoying having my brain stimulated.' kind of way.
This was definitely a strange book, but strange in a good way. The last part of the book didn't seem to fit in with everything else, like an attempt to tie up loose ends without being sure how to do it. That's the only thing keeping me from giving this five stars, cause the rest of the book was great. I'm not going to ruin it for you, but get ready to be asked to think your way through this one, in that 'I'm enjoying having my brain stimulated.' kind of way.
August 28, 2013
Wow, this man has some serious writing talent!
I read a short story with some of these characters in his collection 121 to Pennsylvania (if I have the wrong collection, I apologize!!). I remember the bar, Eddie's, and several of the characters. This took the story to a level I never expected! Extremely well-written, atmospheric, great characterization..... how much more can I say without spoilers? With every new book I read by Kealan Patrick Burke, I am taken on a breathtaking journey to the depths of someone's deepest nightmares--how could I give a higher recommendation than that?
Highly recommended!
I read a short story with some of these characters in his collection 121 to Pennsylvania (if I have the wrong collection, I apologize!!). I remember the bar, Eddie's, and several of the characters. This took the story to a level I never expected! Extremely well-written, atmospheric, great characterization..... how much more can I say without spoilers? With every new book I read by Kealan Patrick Burke, I am taken on a breathtaking journey to the depths of someone's deepest nightmares--how could I give a higher recommendation than that?
Highly recommended!
January 24, 2021
Well, this was bizarre... I think it's certainly good, but I'm not sure that I liked it. If Sartre's existentialist No Exit had been produced by Rod Serling with a punk and pulp tilt.... No, that's not quite it. It has a lot of lonesome and hopeless people, interesting characters but none that you'd want to spend much time with, and a herd of crazy deer and Dean Martin and a lot of drinking and depression. It has a Western vibe at the beginning, but the narrative viewpoint shifts and strange and awful things happen and then things get really dark. It's certainly a thought provoking book... I suspect a few things went right over my head... if you ever get a chance to visit Milestone, don't.
November 7, 2013
Currency Of Souls is a vibrant and erratic tale that took me through the gamut of emotional responses I have come to expect from one of my newest favorite authors, Kealan Patrick Burke.
The first part, entitled Saturday Night At Eddie's, is alone worth the price of admission. This story begins by describing a motley cast of regulars at Milestone's local tavern. Each of them, we learn, has a sordid past, and some of them are downright creepy.
The story begins in first person, told through the narration of the town sheriff, apparently the only likeable character of them all. I really enjoyed the pacing and mysterious qualities of the first part. When part one ended, my mind was fully blown. I was surprised at the twists and turns the story took.
As I read further and further, I became immersed in layer after layer of strangeness and horror that this little town on the edge of nowhere supplied. It felt as if the town had possessed Burke into writing of its iniquitous citizens and their insidious motivations, and would only release his own soul upon completing it.
The book grew more complex and the storylines diverged until there were several pov's and many questions posed, hopefully to be answered. I was completely enthralled.
I won't give any spoilers, as I seldom do in my reviews, but I will say this is not my first Burke read, but it is the most bizarre of them. Most of his novels read pretty straight ahead, but this one kept me guessing and pondering on what the hell was going on throughout.
If you like this, which I think you will, check out
, which is a short story/novella based on the novel.
Strongly recommended to lovers of horror and strange/bizarre fiction.
The first part, entitled Saturday Night At Eddie's, is alone worth the price of admission. This story begins by describing a motley cast of regulars at Milestone's local tavern. Each of them, we learn, has a sordid past, and some of them are downright creepy.
The story begins in first person, told through the narration of the town sheriff, apparently the only likeable character of them all. I really enjoyed the pacing and mysterious qualities of the first part. When part one ended, my mind was fully blown. I was surprised at the twists and turns the story took.
As I read further and further, I became immersed in layer after layer of strangeness and horror that this little town on the edge of nowhere supplied. It felt as if the town had possessed Burke into writing of its iniquitous citizens and their insidious motivations, and would only release his own soul upon completing it.
The book grew more complex and the storylines diverged until there were several pov's and many questions posed, hopefully to be answered. I was completely enthralled.
I won't give any spoilers, as I seldom do in my reviews, but I will say this is not my first Burke read, but it is the most bizarre of them. Most of his novels read pretty straight ahead, but this one kept me guessing and pondering on what the hell was going on throughout.
If you like this, which I think you will, check out
, which is a short story/novella based on the novel. Strongly recommended to lovers of horror and strange/bizarre fiction.
May 18, 2012
Another brilliant effort from Burke, who is quickly rising to the top of my favorite author list. This one involves a small town and its citizens who are forced to pay for past transgressions by a mysterious preacher with other wordly connections. Burk'e remarkable writing style makes the story fly by and keeps you glued to the pages until the totally satisfying ending. If you are into contemporary horror and have not tried Burke yet, now is the time to do so. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2016
Wow, what a book! That's all I can say right now!
March 4, 2019
You son of a ***** (that negative thing/unreal thing) I don't know what would I do if I happened to deal with that kind of thing. Just unbelievable. The feeling of my brain right now as I finished it quite unsettling to say. Damn Me...
"It stares at him with black eyes, head cocked a little to the left, thick antlers like a bleached tree branch reaching for the stars."...
I absolutely recommend the fact -
Read Book, Read Good Book and more specifically just Read the freaking awesome all of Kealan Patrick Burke's DAMN books...
I gladly welcoming you everyone in the world of another Kealan Patrick Burke book. Currency of Souls! Dude I have to admit what a story that was. Though it gave me very hard time to rethink my action to give it in total 5 star rating...
It surely will confuse you in some point as if you are reading something which are seeing unreal in the basis of the srory. I would say it was definitely a weirdest horror story I ever read but of course when finally finished it you can say that the reading was time worthy and of course it got no doubt about this fact...
Milestone a haunted place where in the Eddie's Tavern people meet and spend their times. But they all are sinners, did something cruel and crime that they soon will realise what is in the upcoming day waiting for them for their sins. Like the story the characters too all messed up but beautifully created and engulfed with each other. I barely can say at first when started reading the story that you will feel good about it but trust me even though at some point the story could be irritating too but it will definitely going to give you surprise in the end. Just like me myself couldn't believe the ending. Specially about that lady named Iris. You know I wish the Sheriff Tom would do the right thing with her but what he did in the last moment. I didn't enjoyed that part of the story. But of course on the other hand I would say I really loved that story but not like the way the others good horror book did to me. No more words, going through in all kind of different feelings while reading this one; so than there's no doubt from me to give it a full marks of rating...
5 out of 5...
November 6, 2018
Oh, no! Mr. Burke has been let loose in a whole town, and now nobody is safe!
Not sure how much to say without spoilers, but in this we have an ensemble cast of characters dealing with what can only be called a curse. They are all set on a path and have little control over their actions, until things go terribly wrong one night to throw the pattern off balance.
We get very dark and very violent in this as the characters spin out of control, all while trying to regain their freedom and their souls.
Mr. Burke is at his best when showing us the dark side of people's dreams and intentions, and he doesn't let us off easy in this book. People are usually all kinds of bad, and Burke has a mirror and a microscope to show us all of it.
Not sure how much to say without spoilers, but in this we have an ensemble cast of characters dealing with what can only be called a curse. They are all set on a path and have little control over their actions, until things go terribly wrong one night to throw the pattern off balance.
We get very dark and very violent in this as the characters spin out of control, all while trying to regain their freedom and their souls.
Mr. Burke is at his best when showing us the dark side of people's dreams and intentions, and he doesn't let us off easy in this book. People are usually all kinds of bad, and Burke has a mirror and a microscope to show us all of it.
September 26, 2018
“All of us have been, and will continue to be, slaves, not to God or the Devil, but to ourselves, to our innate need to make things right, to attain what our lives tell us we cannot have, and do not deserve.”
Reading Kealan Patrick Burke is like snuggling in a warm, cozy blanket. Granted, that blanket may come alive and strangle me to death but that's really a chance I'm willing to take. His writing is so familiar, so beautiful, so haunting. He may be categorized as a horror author but he is so much more than that. Currency of Souls is much more than horror; it is an exploration of sin, forgiveness of sin, love, grief, and sacrifice.
I had previously read Saturday Night at Eddie's in Burke's collection of novellas, Milestone, (if you haven't read it, please do. It's amazing) and fell in love with this dying town full of dirty little secrets. I was ecstatic to read Currency of Souls and find my way back to Milestone (as you won't find it on any map). Milestone might just be more messed up than Derry, Maine. It felt like a homecoming to be back at Eddie's with Tom and the gang; given the events that transpired at Eddie's and the train wreck after train wreck that occurred after Eddie's, that may be a weird thing to say. But that's Burke's writing for you - gripping, engaging, it draws you in and doesn't let go nor do you want it to. Throughout the novel, my mind was trying to come to terms with how something can be so beautiful yet so horrific.
There are a lot of moving parts and a fairly large cast of characters but the plot never became muddled and everyone had their place. I honestly don't think the story would have been the same had one character been omitted. I felt the most sympathetic towards Tom and was really rooting for him. However, overall I fell in love with Iris. She has her own story to tell and I'd love for Burke to write it for her!
I would love for there to be more Milestone stories! I really can't get enough of this horrible little town.
YOU ARE LEAVING MILESTONE! HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR STAY! ...IN HELL
Reading Kealan Patrick Burke is like snuggling in a warm, cozy blanket. Granted, that blanket may come alive and strangle me to death but that's really a chance I'm willing to take. His writing is so familiar, so beautiful, so haunting. He may be categorized as a horror author but he is so much more than that. Currency of Souls is much more than horror; it is an exploration of sin, forgiveness of sin, love, grief, and sacrifice.
I had previously read Saturday Night at Eddie's in Burke's collection of novellas, Milestone, (if you haven't read it, please do. It's amazing) and fell in love with this dying town full of dirty little secrets. I was ecstatic to read Currency of Souls and find my way back to Milestone (as you won't find it on any map). Milestone might just be more messed up than Derry, Maine. It felt like a homecoming to be back at Eddie's with Tom and the gang; given the events that transpired at Eddie's and the train wreck after train wreck that occurred after Eddie's, that may be a weird thing to say. But that's Burke's writing for you - gripping, engaging, it draws you in and doesn't let go nor do you want it to. Throughout the novel, my mind was trying to come to terms with how something can be so beautiful yet so horrific.
There are a lot of moving parts and a fairly large cast of characters but the plot never became muddled and everyone had their place. I honestly don't think the story would have been the same had one character been omitted. I felt the most sympathetic towards Tom and was really rooting for him. However, overall I fell in love with Iris. She has her own story to tell and I'd love for Burke to write it for her!
I would love for there to be more Milestone stories! I really can't get enough of this horrible little town.
YOU ARE LEAVING MILESTONE! HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR STAY! ...IN HELL
February 20, 2012
Welcome to Eddie's Tavern, the only functioning waterhole in a near-dead town. Among the people you'll meet tonight are: Tom, Milestone's haunted lawman, who walks in the shadow of death; Gracie, the barmaid, a wannabe actress, doomed to spend her hours tending bar in a purgatory of her father's making; Flo, the town seductress, who may or may not have murdered her husband; Cobb, a nudist awaiting an apology from the commune who cast him out; Wintry, the mute giant, whose story is told only in cryptic messages scribbled beneath newspaper headlines; Kyle, the kid, who keeps a loaded gun beneath the table; and Cadaver, who looks like a corpse, but smells real nice, and occupies his time counting stacks of pennies.
And then there's Reverend Hill, who will be in at eleven, regular as clockwork, to tell them who's going to die, and who's going to drive.
Welcome to Eddie's, where tonight, for the first time in three years, nothing will go according to plan.
Not for the faint of heart. This book is out there and it was fun to escape to a place where you have no idea what will happen next. The dead don't stay dead and living wish they weren't and deer speak and cigar store Indians are a pretty good shot with a bow and arrow.
And then there's Reverend Hill, who will be in at eleven, regular as clockwork, to tell them who's going to die, and who's going to drive.
Welcome to Eddie's, where tonight, for the first time in three years, nothing will go according to plan.
Not for the faint of heart. This book is out there and it was fun to escape to a place where you have no idea what will happen next. The dead don't stay dead and living wish they weren't and deer speak and cigar store Indians are a pretty good shot with a bow and arrow.
August 29, 2012
I've heard good things about the author and this gorgeous edition just happened to be at the library, so I checked it out. First thing first, this guy can definitely write and well. The psychological horror in this book is palpable. Burke's Milestone is a purgatory, the darkest bleakest place you'd never want to find yourself in, residents crippled by the weight of their sins, striving for redemption at too high of a cost. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is realistic and the plot takes interesting twists and turns, but most importantly the book has an that quality of totally absorbing the reader, it offers complete immersion into a dark scary place of author's imagination as all good books should. I was trying to figure out why I didn't love this book and it might be because it was just a bit too heavy for me at this particular time, but I was very impressed with the author and this book. Highly recommended.
November 11, 2014
..........what more do I need to say. If you haven't read him before then get started now.......You won't regret it......ever.
August 24, 2022
Wow, großartige Story. Komplex, spannend, tolle Figuren. Wahnsinnig schöne Bildsprache.
January 15, 2025
Zapowiadało się dobrze ale później poszło to w dziwną stronę. Taki tani horror. 185/319.
March 9, 2017
Много красиво написана, мрачна книга, изпълнена с една неясна, потайна атмосфера на ръба на лудостта.
Добре дошли в Майлстоун, западащо градче, което е километричен камък към ада и то някъде в края на пътя. В единствения бар са събрани, както всяка събота, обичайните чудаци, които чакат 11 часа за да разберат кой ще кара тази вечер и кого ще убие. Само дето нещата този път наистина се объркват. Което ни повежда на тъмна разходка из обречения град и ни запознава с неговите жители, прокълнати да повтарят своите грешни избори.
Много, много добра книга на всички фронтове. Хареса ми повече от печелилата Стокър „The Turtle Boy” от същия автор. Има и продължения. Ще се четат задължително.
Добре дошли в Майлстоун, западащо градче, което е километричен камък към ада и то някъде в края на пътя. В единствения бар са събрани, както всяка събота, обичайните чудаци, които чакат 11 часа за да разберат кой ще кара тази вечер и кого ще убие. Само дето нещата този път наистина се объркват. Което ни повежда на тъмна разходка из обречения град и ни запознава с неговите жители, прокълнати да повтарят своите грешни избори.
Много, много добра книга на всички фронтове. Хареса ми повече от печелилата Стокър „The Turtle Boy” от същия автор. Има и продължения. Ще се четат задължително.
May 18, 2012
I remember reading "Saturday Night at Eddie's" from KPB's large collection of short stories, 121 to PENNSYLVANIA and OTHERS, and being really drawn into that particular short story. The character development was phenomenal, and the interaction between characters while engaged in bar banter was just outstanding. As the story closed with a dramatic arson of the bar and the presumable deaths of some of the bar patrons, I remember thinking how great it would be if there was simply more to the story... if we got to follow Sheriff Tom a little bit longer. Well, lo and behold, CURRENCY OF SOULS, provides us with that lengthier story, further expanding upon these wonderfully human (and highly flawed) characters (Sheriff Tom, Kyle, Gracie, Wintry, Cadaver, etc.) while they struggled to either survive or escape from their purgatory-like state in Milestone.
I'm not sure if the story ever answers the question, but the way in which Milestone is presented and the the themes explored in this story leads one to perceive that Milestone doesn't exist in the real world, but is just another stop in purgatory on the way down. In fact, one little scene that further enforces this conclusion is when Brody (one of the side characters) is able to "escape" Milestone but yet finds himself walking into another bar in Saddleback with a very eerie resemblance to Eddie's bar and bar patrons from Milestone.
Anyways, this is a story of redemption...redemption for many of the characters... but redemption requires sacrifice and it certainly doesn't come easy. We have a Sheriff who is struggling to make things right with his son (Kyle), who wants nothing more than to see his father put into the ground by his own hands. You really do feel for these characters though... KPB has done a splendid job adding emotional depth upon depth to all of the characters that you encounter.
The story in upon itself has many clever twists and turns, leaving the reader wondering what is going to hit our protagonist's next. One of the final scenes involving ghost deer and an animated cigar store indian making a final stand was just wild!!
I understand that we will be seeing a follow-up novella to CURRENCY OF SOULS in March 2012. That will be entitled, THIRTY MILES SOUTH OF DRY COUNTRY (published by Delirium Books). I am really looking forward to this one. I wonder if it picks up from where Brody left Milestone...
I'm not sure if the story ever answers the question, but the way in which Milestone is presented and the the themes explored in this story leads one to perceive that Milestone doesn't exist in the real world, but is just another stop in purgatory on the way down. In fact, one little scene that further enforces this conclusion is when Brody (one of the side characters) is able to "escape" Milestone but yet finds himself walking into another bar in Saddleback with a very eerie resemblance to Eddie's bar and bar patrons from Milestone.
Anyways, this is a story of redemption...redemption for many of the characters... but redemption requires sacrifice and it certainly doesn't come easy. We have a Sheriff who is struggling to make things right with his son (Kyle), who wants nothing more than to see his father put into the ground by his own hands. You really do feel for these characters though... KPB has done a splendid job adding emotional depth upon depth to all of the characters that you encounter.
The story in upon itself has many clever twists and turns, leaving the reader wondering what is going to hit our protagonist's next. One of the final scenes involving ghost deer and an animated cigar store indian making a final stand was just wild!!
I understand that we will be seeing a follow-up novella to CURRENCY OF SOULS in March 2012. That will be entitled, THIRTY MILES SOUTH OF DRY COUNTRY (published by Delirium Books). I am really looking forward to this one. I wonder if it picks up from where Brody left Milestone...
October 22, 2019
I have to say that this is one of the strangest books that I have ever read. I love horror stories and thought going into this one that would it would be creepy and it was. The best description of this book can be found in this quote from Cadaver: "I am a salesman selling death to whomever opens their door to me."
The town of Milestone has a place called Eddie's Tavern that seems to be frequented by a handful of very weird characters. As the story progresses, the reader realizes that most of these folks are probably murderers (or worse).
The author, Kealan Patrick Burke, is a great writer and I think that is what kept me listening. Overall, the story was just a little too disjointed for me to be able to keep up with what was happening. Maybe that's because it was because I was listening instead of reading the words on a page, but I found myself getting lost sometimes.
Also, I tend to have to like at least one character before I really become invested in a story. In this case, I didn't like any of them. I kept waiting for one of the characters to make me want them to survive whatever is happening, but I never did come to care.
I was reminded of several other books in the horror genre, but it was also unique. The narrator, Rich Miller, does a fantastic job and was another reason that I kept at the book. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author and hope that others might be a little less confusing. The author is talented and really draws the reader/listener in with his descriptions and dialogues.
I was given the chance to listen to this book by the narrator/publisher/author and chose to review it.
The town of Milestone has a place called Eddie's Tavern that seems to be frequented by a handful of very weird characters. As the story progresses, the reader realizes that most of these folks are probably murderers (or worse).
The author, Kealan Patrick Burke, is a great writer and I think that is what kept me listening. Overall, the story was just a little too disjointed for me to be able to keep up with what was happening. Maybe that's because it was because I was listening instead of reading the words on a page, but I found myself getting lost sometimes.
Also, I tend to have to like at least one character before I really become invested in a story. In this case, I didn't like any of them. I kept waiting for one of the characters to make me want them to survive whatever is happening, but I never did come to care.
I was reminded of several other books in the horror genre, but it was also unique. The narrator, Rich Miller, does a fantastic job and was another reason that I kept at the book. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author and hope that others might be a little less confusing. The author is talented and really draws the reader/listener in with his descriptions and dialogues.
I was given the chance to listen to this book by the narrator/publisher/author and chose to review it.
September 23, 2011
I enjoyed this book and it was well written it has a lot of different ways it pulls you but thankfully you don't get lost and the book was easy to follow. I think I would have given it more stars but there were places that I didn't really understand why they were added to the book and I didn't completely get the very very end of the book with the TIME FLIES I have an idea of what it means but I may be wrong or maybe it is one of those things that is left for you to guess at.
This is a book that will put your imagination to the test because there are a lot of unusual things in this book. I did love the premise of the book tho and love the whole ghost town idea.
This is a book that will put your imagination to the test because there are a lot of unusual things in this book. I did love the premise of the book tho and love the whole ghost town idea.
December 11, 2021
Kealan Patrick Burke, I love you and I love your work (no rhyme intended,) but man if this one didn’t do it for me. Normally, I really enjoy stuff like this- and by that I mean disjointed horror stories that truly bend and alter all the rules of reality. I like to place myself in worlds aside from our own and embrace a full surrealist fantasy. But this… it changed so rapidly, I was just thrown off. To say I had trouble following the story would be an understatement, as there were quite a few moments when I genuinely had no idea what was going on anymore.
I had trouble following nearly everything, from who was who to what was what. I mean, it was truly beautifully written and some passages brought me to near tears; but story-wise I had to do quite a few triple takes. Our story starts out strongly enough, at a tavern called Eddie’s where a group of unconventional people congregate to commiserate over a few drinks. There’s Tom; the sheriff, Kyle; his son, Wintry; a mute giant, Cobb; the nudist… etc. So immediately there is an eccentric and original cast of characters presented, and a unique concept that sucks you right in. I will give this book credit where it’s due; a lot of these concepts have not been done before.
But ultimately, for me, the excitement stopped there. I love bizarre, as I’ve said priorly, and I’m often not one who can focus on drawn-out, elongated explanations, but sometimes it genuinely felt as though every chapter were introducing a different story. I think this could’ve worked marvelously as a short story, or even a collection of short stories, but as a novel I could not fully concentrate on it.
The plot is all over the place, yes, but Cadaver… what a villain. I have to take my hat off for that one. He is grisly and horrifying, as is the town of Milestone. So overall, great concept, great ideas, but I did not get much out of the execution. However, I will continue to read Kealan’s work, as I believe he is a phenomenal creative.
I’m happy I got to stop by for a visit, even if the town wasn’t for me.
I had trouble following nearly everything, from who was who to what was what. I mean, it was truly beautifully written and some passages brought me to near tears; but story-wise I had to do quite a few triple takes. Our story starts out strongly enough, at a tavern called Eddie’s where a group of unconventional people congregate to commiserate over a few drinks. There’s Tom; the sheriff, Kyle; his son, Wintry; a mute giant, Cobb; the nudist… etc. So immediately there is an eccentric and original cast of characters presented, and a unique concept that sucks you right in. I will give this book credit where it’s due; a lot of these concepts have not been done before.
But ultimately, for me, the excitement stopped there. I love bizarre, as I’ve said priorly, and I’m often not one who can focus on drawn-out, elongated explanations, but sometimes it genuinely felt as though every chapter were introducing a different story. I think this could’ve worked marvelously as a short story, or even a collection of short stories, but as a novel I could not fully concentrate on it.
The plot is all over the place, yes, but Cadaver… what a villain. I have to take my hat off for that one. He is grisly and horrifying, as is the town of Milestone. So overall, great concept, great ideas, but I did not get much out of the execution. However, I will continue to read Kealan’s work, as I believe he is a phenomenal creative.
I’m happy I got to stop by for a visit, even if the town wasn’t for me.
October 19, 2018
See this and many more reviews on Brian's Book Blog
An Absolutely Bizarre Book (That I Liked)
First and foremost – this is my first Kealan Patrick Burke book. I want to start by saying it won’t be my last. It was an absolutely bizarre book but I enjoyed every second of it. Every time I thought I could figure out what was going on I was way off. And every time I guessed the ending – same thing – I wasn’t even close. Burke was able to write a book that confused and enthralled me throughout.
The premise, if I can get that right – is there are a group of people who live in Milestone. They all go to the same watering hole and all do basically the same thing every week. At eleven, the reverend will come in and one of the patrons will be told to drive. They’ll also be given a name or names of someone. Tonight will be different for the first time in three years.
There was a lot going on here under that surface – family issues, self-doubt, anger related to death, death, and more death. Along with the craziness that was actually going on in this town (Dean Martin’s ghost visits, there are crazy deer attacking a house, and a dead wife who will come out when a specific song is played).
I wasn’t sure when someone was going to wake up and realize it was all a dream – but that didn’t happen. I thought all of this was going to be some crazy drunken misremembering. It wasn’t. It was an absolutely crazy story where every word, sentence, and paragraph were necessary to move the plot forward.
An Absolutely Bizarre Book (That I Liked)
First and foremost – this is my first Kealan Patrick Burke book. I want to start by saying it won’t be my last. It was an absolutely bizarre book but I enjoyed every second of it. Every time I thought I could figure out what was going on I was way off. And every time I guessed the ending – same thing – I wasn’t even close. Burke was able to write a book that confused and enthralled me throughout.
The premise, if I can get that right – is there are a group of people who live in Milestone. They all go to the same watering hole and all do basically the same thing every week. At eleven, the reverend will come in and one of the patrons will be told to drive. They’ll also be given a name or names of someone. Tonight will be different for the first time in three years.
There was a lot going on here under that surface – family issues, self-doubt, anger related to death, death, and more death. Along with the craziness that was actually going on in this town (Dean Martin’s ghost visits, there are crazy deer attacking a house, and a dead wife who will come out when a specific song is played).
I wasn’t sure when someone was going to wake up and realize it was all a dream – but that didn’t happen. I thought all of this was going to be some crazy drunken misremembering. It wasn’t. It was an absolutely crazy story where every word, sentence, and paragraph were necessary to move the plot forward.
July 12, 2021
Starts out strong but ends messy (and I'm not talking just body count and body fluids). The story flies off in too many directions and Burke has trouble knitting it all back together at the end. I'm thinking here of the Brody/Blue Moon/Red Cloud bit in particular, which felt extraneous.
I think those storylines only added to the feeling I had by the end that it was all getting A Bit Much. I caught myself skimming, just wanting to get through the last bit and be finished. It's kind of a shame because there was a lot of good stuff going on with respect to
I think those storylines only added to the feeling I had by the end that it was all getting A Bit Much. I caught myself skimming, just wanting to get through the last bit and be finished. It's kind of a shame because there was a lot of good stuff going on with respect to
August 9, 2021
“This is where I come to try to forget my pain. There’s so much of it here that isn’t mine, it should make me feel better, but it doesn’t.”
The story takes place in the grim town of Milestone. Populated by the worst of the worst, the bar Eddie’s Tavern is home to a group of misfits every night. Each person has come to their own form of purgatory here and the Reverend like clockwork will decide who stays and who goes.
I enjoy stories which emanate shock and horror. This is one of those ones which does that with every turn of the page. Every character has a dark past and although appear twisted their true self is revealed.
The imagery begins to feel all too real the more you read on. What I liked about this book was the horror is present not only through language, its also about the reality of what is happening and what the truth really is. It’s the kind of stories I enjoy the most by Kealan Patrick Burke.
It had been while since I last read a book by this author and this was a good one to get back into his works 😈
The story takes place in the grim town of Milestone. Populated by the worst of the worst, the bar Eddie’s Tavern is home to a group of misfits every night. Each person has come to their own form of purgatory here and the Reverend like clockwork will decide who stays and who goes.
I enjoy stories which emanate shock and horror. This is one of those ones which does that with every turn of the page. Every character has a dark past and although appear twisted their true self is revealed.
The imagery begins to feel all too real the more you read on. What I liked about this book was the horror is present not only through language, its also about the reality of what is happening and what the truth really is. It’s the kind of stories I enjoy the most by Kealan Patrick Burke.
It had been while since I last read a book by this author and this was a good one to get back into his works 😈
July 30, 2018
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the narrator, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
This is a strange / unique book that left me wanting more. The story structure is a little unconventional, which is probably intentional. I had to keep track of the story's happenings to make any sense of it. The eventual reveal did end with a satisfying conclusion. The complex characters kept me interested throughout this journey.
What I disliked about the book -
A bit difficult to keep track of what's happening.
Narration -
Narration by Rich Miller was well done. All voices were delivered perfectly and didn't distract me from the story listening experience.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the narrator, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
This is a strange / unique book that left me wanting more. The story structure is a little unconventional, which is probably intentional. I had to keep track of the story's happenings to make any sense of it. The eventual reveal did end with a satisfying conclusion. The complex characters kept me interested throughout this journey.
What I disliked about the book -
A bit difficult to keep track of what's happening.
Narration -
Narration by Rich Miller was well done. All voices were delivered perfectly and didn't distract me from the story listening experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews