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He Waits
For more than 30 years, Ron Francis has been haunted by the death of his younger brother, Stu. Everyone believed Stu died when he fell into the old well, because that’s what Ron told them. But only Ron knows the real Stu didn’t fall, he was dragged into the well by something with red eyes and sharp claws.
In 1980, Ron did nothing to save his brother. But when his own children suffer the same terrible fate, Ron puts his fear aside and ventures into the dark depths, determined to find them and rid the town of the evil plague living beneath it.
But down in those dark depths, Ron discovers something much more terrible than even his worst nightmares.
In 1980, Ron did nothing to save his brother. But when his own children suffer the same terrible fate, Ron puts his fear aside and ventures into the dark depths, determined to find them and rid the town of the evil plague living beneath it.
But down in those dark depths, Ron discovers something much more terrible than even his worst nightmares.
- GenresHorror
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
J.G. Faherty
98 books138 followersJG Faherty is a Bram Stoker Award® and ITW Thriller Award nominee and the author of six novels, nine novellas, and more than 50 short stories. He writes adult and YA horror/sci-fi/fantasy, and his works range from quiet, dark suspense to over-the-top comic gruesomeness.
His novels and novellas, all of which are listed on Goodreads, include THE CURE, CARNIVAL OF FEAR, GHOSTS OF CORONADO BAY, CEMETERY CLUB, THE BURNING TIME, LEGACY, CASTLE BY THE SEA, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THIEF OF SOULS, THE COLD SPOT, and HE WAITS.
He enjoys urban exploring, photography, classic B-movies, good wine, and pumpkin beer. As a child, his favorite playground was a 17th-century cemetery, which many people feel explains a lot. His personal motto is "Photobombing people since 1979!" You can follow him at www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://about.me/jgfaherty, and www.jgfaherty.com.
His novels and novellas, all of which are listed on Goodreads, include THE CURE, CARNIVAL OF FEAR, GHOSTS OF CORONADO BAY, CEMETERY CLUB, THE BURNING TIME, LEGACY, CASTLE BY THE SEA, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THIEF OF SOULS, THE COLD SPOT, and HE WAITS.
He enjoys urban exploring, photography, classic B-movies, good wine, and pumpkin beer. As a child, his favorite playground was a 17th-century cemetery, which many people feel explains a lot. His personal motto is "Photobombing people since 1979!" You can follow him at www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://about.me/jgfaherty, and www.jgfaherty.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 10, 2012
A friend let me borrow He Waits and I am really thankful. I was wondering what was off about this read at the 30% point. It took me a minute, but I figured it out. It's the writing. It's so simple my 12 year old could read it. A wordsmith Faherty is not although it did flow very well. This read would have been better if the entire story was told by a child. Ron, the father in search of his children that "fell" down a well, was a real wimp and had a habit of over-thinking and making everything about him: his hands, his rib, his pain, and so on. The kids had more gumption than he did. The real downer for this read is when you find out what the "demons" with the red eyes are. Horrifying? No. You will not believe it. I know I didn't. Not my type of read~
December 27, 2025
Hated that. Cringey dialogue. Hate the ending. I guess it does creepy/hooror well though?
June 18, 2012
JG Faherty’s “He Waits” is another excellent novella in Delirium Books’ ongoing series.
It begins with a frightening tragic death-Ron Francis’s younger brother Stu is dragged into a well by a monster right before his eyes. Assuming nobody will believe him Ron says Stu fell into the well, and maintains that lie for more than 30 years. When Ron returns to his deceased father’s property, his own sons fall victim to the same fate as Stu. Determined to save his children and come to terms with this demon from his past, Ron enters the infernal depths of the well shaft.
The first few chapters set this situation up in a rather routine way. The reader knows all of this from the teaser that probably led them to buy the book anyway, but I must admit I initially thought the fact that Ron’s sons made the exact same mistake he and Stu did a bit contrived. But then, I thought-well these kids did what kids do-especially boys, it seems-we always think “[fill in the blank] isn’t going to happen to us”-we’re invulnerable. So I went with it.
Well, Faherty is a skilled horror writer and once this premise is set up, predictability ends. All of the clichéd plot points and probable happy ending you might expect do not occur. Once Ron enters the well, Faherty presents an original plot that had one twist I did not expect and a heck of an ending as well.
All of the main characters are fleshed out so you care about their fates, most of all the main character, Ron. The novella is told from his point of view and provides great emotional depth for this length work. Initially, there is insight into how the lie wounds him for thirty years, and then once he goes down the well, Faherty does an excellent job of portraying a character willing to go through any sacrifice to save his children.
There are indeed monsters in the depths of the labyrinthine world below the well and some other ghastly surprises. Faherty does an excellent job describing this underworld, building both fear from revulsion and taut suspense.
The book can easily be read in one sitting and I recommend that to get the full impact.
It begins with a frightening tragic death-Ron Francis’s younger brother Stu is dragged into a well by a monster right before his eyes. Assuming nobody will believe him Ron says Stu fell into the well, and maintains that lie for more than 30 years. When Ron returns to his deceased father’s property, his own sons fall victim to the same fate as Stu. Determined to save his children and come to terms with this demon from his past, Ron enters the infernal depths of the well shaft.
The first few chapters set this situation up in a rather routine way. The reader knows all of this from the teaser that probably led them to buy the book anyway, but I must admit I initially thought the fact that Ron’s sons made the exact same mistake he and Stu did a bit contrived. But then, I thought-well these kids did what kids do-especially boys, it seems-we always think “[fill in the blank] isn’t going to happen to us”-we’re invulnerable. So I went with it.
Well, Faherty is a skilled horror writer and once this premise is set up, predictability ends. All of the clichéd plot points and probable happy ending you might expect do not occur. Once Ron enters the well, Faherty presents an original plot that had one twist I did not expect and a heck of an ending as well.
All of the main characters are fleshed out so you care about their fates, most of all the main character, Ron. The novella is told from his point of view and provides great emotional depth for this length work. Initially, there is insight into how the lie wounds him for thirty years, and then once he goes down the well, Faherty does an excellent job of portraying a character willing to go through any sacrifice to save his children.
There are indeed monsters in the depths of the labyrinthine world below the well and some other ghastly surprises. Faherty does an excellent job describing this underworld, building both fear from revulsion and taut suspense.
The book can easily be read in one sitting and I recommend that to get the full impact.
October 4, 2012
This is the story of Ron Francis. His brother fell in a well when they were children and died. At least that's what Ron told everybody. What really happened is far more sinister. Now 30 years later, his sons have fallen down the same well, and fearing they have succumbed to the same fate as his brother, he decides to go down the well after them. What he finds down there is far more horrifying than he could ever imagine.
This was chilling and gruesome and horrible. I loved it. It's a quick read, and a captivating one. Ron's anguish and need to put things right shines through and you want to find out what happens to him and his family. The descriptions of the well and beyond were creepy and claustrophobic in places, and made me shiver once or twice! The ending was shocking, with a huge twist. All in all this was a belter.
This was chilling and gruesome and horrible. I loved it. It's a quick read, and a captivating one. Ron's anguish and need to put things right shines through and you want to find out what happens to him and his family. The descriptions of the well and beyond were creepy and claustrophobic in places, and made me shiver once or twice! The ending was shocking, with a huge twist. All in all this was a belter.
December 11, 2012
This book would probably appeal to a younger audience, both for its prose level and the simplicity of the story. Basically a run and chase monster story with little character development or real scares along the way although I probably would have liked it as a kid.
I also read The Cold Spot by this author which was slightly better. 3.5 stars but suffered from the same problems.
I also read The Cold Spot by this author which was slightly better. 3.5 stars but suffered from the same problems.
November 29, 2012
A terrific piece that any fan of horror will enjoy. A brilliant premise, fantastic writing, and a shocking twist. Can't recommend it highly enough.
January 31, 2015
Good book
I probably would have given it 3 1/2 stars if we could give half stars. Well written, kind of freaky, the ending definitely not for the squeamish.
I probably would have given it 3 1/2 stars if we could give half stars. Well written, kind of freaky, the ending definitely not for the squeamish.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews