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Cold Keep Reprisal
Cold-Keep’s inmates are going missing at an alarming rate, the bodies are not adding up, and neither is the warden’s list of excuses.
Desperate for answers, Drywell Police Department turns to Walter, an officer haunted by the murder of his son, on thin ice after a routine traffic stop turns sour. Now with a family, career, and reputation on the line, he trades in his badge for prison stripes, delving undercover into Cold-Keep for some long overdue answers.
But once inside his motives quickly change when he discovers that the penitentiary hosts not only his son’s killer, but an ancient evil with a taste for the very criminals trapped within.
With a shiv in hand, a ticking clock, and nerves stretched thin, Walter must fight his very nature and team up with the men he has spent his entire life working against before he too becomes one of the missing men of Cold-Keep.
Desperate for answers, Drywell Police Department turns to Walter, an officer haunted by the murder of his son, on thin ice after a routine traffic stop turns sour. Now with a family, career, and reputation on the line, he trades in his badge for prison stripes, delving undercover into Cold-Keep for some long overdue answers.
But once inside his motives quickly change when he discovers that the penitentiary hosts not only his son’s killer, but an ancient evil with a taste for the very criminals trapped within.
With a shiv in hand, a ticking clock, and nerves stretched thin, Walter must fight his very nature and team up with the men he has spent his entire life working against before he too becomes one of the missing men of Cold-Keep.
- GenresHorror
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2023
21 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
James Lurid
2 books17 followersJames Lurid is a Canadian born author who likes long walks on the beach, weekend getaways in cursed forests, and good old fashioned revenge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 22, 2024
I well and truly did not realize this book was about 350 pages long. There really wasn't a point where I felt like something should have been edited out. The story remained engaging from beginning to end.
The characters were pretty solid and I thought Lurid also did a pretty good job at presenting the overrepresentation of indigenous populations in the carceral system and the way imprisonment often leads to further criminalization without being ham-fisted about it.
The characters were pretty solid and I thought Lurid also did a pretty good job at presenting the overrepresentation of indigenous populations in the carceral system and the way imprisonment often leads to further criminalization without being ham-fisted about it.
June 17, 2023
Walter is a police officer suffering from the effects of PTSD and debilitating guilt after his son is run down by a drunk driver and killed. This is causing him issues at work when he loses it and puts a drink driver in hospital nearly killing him.
The Chief gives him a choice be fired or go undercover at Cold Keep Penitentiary. Cold Keep is starting to come to notice for it high mortality rate and weird occurrences. Walter doesnt want the job but when he hears his sons killer who was never brought to justice for the murder is locked up there he agrees.
Walter encounters way more than he bargained for after a creature with an insatiable appetite is being let loose within the prison and has been for years. Walter not only has to deal with this creature but also seek revenge on the man who murdered his son.
What this novel did well was the character development. They are all unique with detailed back stories, motivations and dialogue. The descriptive nature of the elements with the freezing cold and remote desolate location was perfect for the story and vividly pictured as I read. The plot flows naturally and is detailed and focused. How the story was woven I never would of thought this would of been a debut novel from the indie author.
I did find some aspects a bit tedious at times if I'm honest with the day to day routines of prison life and some of the relationships between certain characters however this is only a small point that didn't work for me personally. The action with the creature was tense. This is not just a gore fest with creature action even though there is gore. It is well established in Indigenous legends and the character of the creatures itself and how it interacted with its victims prior to any death scenes was the scariest part.
I really enjoyed this. This author has a bright future if he can continue writing books with such good plotting, characters and genuine horror.
The Chief gives him a choice be fired or go undercover at Cold Keep Penitentiary. Cold Keep is starting to come to notice for it high mortality rate and weird occurrences. Walter doesnt want the job but when he hears his sons killer who was never brought to justice for the murder is locked up there he agrees.
Walter encounters way more than he bargained for after a creature with an insatiable appetite is being let loose within the prison and has been for years. Walter not only has to deal with this creature but also seek revenge on the man who murdered his son.
What this novel did well was the character development. They are all unique with detailed back stories, motivations and dialogue. The descriptive nature of the elements with the freezing cold and remote desolate location was perfect for the story and vividly pictured as I read. The plot flows naturally and is detailed and focused. How the story was woven I never would of thought this would of been a debut novel from the indie author.
I did find some aspects a bit tedious at times if I'm honest with the day to day routines of prison life and some of the relationships between certain characters however this is only a small point that didn't work for me personally. The action with the creature was tense. This is not just a gore fest with creature action even though there is gore. It is well established in Indigenous legends and the character of the creatures itself and how it interacted with its victims prior to any death scenes was the scariest part.
I really enjoyed this. This author has a bright future if he can continue writing books with such good plotting, characters and genuine horror.
June 14, 2023
Huge thanks to James for sending me a digital-ARC of his debut novel.
What does it say about the current state of Alberta that when I was contacted by James, I saw he’s also in Alberta, so I had to do a dive into his Facebook page to see if there was any horrendous views expressed. Alberta – sadly (and possibly has always been like this, I’m not sure being a transplant from BC) – has devolved into a Canadian Florida for many things. I won’t go too far into it at all, but thankfully, James had shared articles and had made posts that affirmed to me he was on the up and up. Now, for some of you, you may think that’s overkill, but for me, it’s necessary. I work hard to support marginalized people and make sure they know I’m an ally and my feeds are a safe place.
As for the novel itself, I was intrigued. I enjoy possession/haunting stories that take place in a specific area, so beyond just a singular person possessed, but the actual place itself and with it set in a prison, I wanted to see what Lurid would do. Granted, prison-based stories (and movies/TV shows) are normally not my thing, but this had me very curious. So, I dove in.
What I liked: The novel follows Walter, a police officer dealing with significant PTSD, who is unwilling to get help. Following an incident where he uses excessive force, a bargain is made. Instead of losing his job, he’ll go into a prison undercover to see why so many inmates are dying.
It’s from here that James takes us on an imaginative and thrilling roller coaster of a ride. Walter tentatively makes friends while inside, but his ulterior motive for actually being inside guides his decisions and continues to get him in trouble.
When the possession element is introduced, it ramps things up another notch. The Indigenous aspects and care in treating it with respect was phenomenal and acknowledged in the afterword. This aspect, of what was there before and what has been unleashed, made for an engaging antagonist, above and beyond the inmates themselves.
Lurid drags us, kicking and screaming, through a few different set pieces, which leads us up to the brutal, blistering ending. The epilogue can be considered both an ending or a set up for a sequel, but either way, us readers get more questions answered than most books.
What I didn’t like: As I mentioned, I’m not a huge fan of prison-based stuff as a whole. It can be monotonous and honestly, we know what’s going to happen. So the confines of the setting restricted this novel at the beginning. The inmates are stuck in the their cells. And when they leave for food, work etc, you know someone is going to try something, so there’s very little in the way of the element of surprise.
As well, I really disliked the cartoonish nature of the warden. His character reminded me of the warden in the final Human Centipede movie, and every time he showed up in the novel, I felt myself wanting to tune out. His character works well for what needs to be done, but I could’ve done without him.
Why you should buy this: ‘Cold Keep Reprisal’ is a very solid debut novel. It has a pacing that works well for those taking a chance on a new author and James controls the tension perfectly, making sure to slowly ramp it up instead of an all-or-nothing approach many new writers take.
The possession aspect was top notch and the characters will be ones you either root for or hope get ripped apart, and really what more could you want?
What does it say about the current state of Alberta that when I was contacted by James, I saw he’s also in Alberta, so I had to do a dive into his Facebook page to see if there was any horrendous views expressed. Alberta – sadly (and possibly has always been like this, I’m not sure being a transplant from BC) – has devolved into a Canadian Florida for many things. I won’t go too far into it at all, but thankfully, James had shared articles and had made posts that affirmed to me he was on the up and up. Now, for some of you, you may think that’s overkill, but for me, it’s necessary. I work hard to support marginalized people and make sure they know I’m an ally and my feeds are a safe place.
As for the novel itself, I was intrigued. I enjoy possession/haunting stories that take place in a specific area, so beyond just a singular person possessed, but the actual place itself and with it set in a prison, I wanted to see what Lurid would do. Granted, prison-based stories (and movies/TV shows) are normally not my thing, but this had me very curious. So, I dove in.
What I liked: The novel follows Walter, a police officer dealing with significant PTSD, who is unwilling to get help. Following an incident where he uses excessive force, a bargain is made. Instead of losing his job, he’ll go into a prison undercover to see why so many inmates are dying.
It’s from here that James takes us on an imaginative and thrilling roller coaster of a ride. Walter tentatively makes friends while inside, but his ulterior motive for actually being inside guides his decisions and continues to get him in trouble.
When the possession element is introduced, it ramps things up another notch. The Indigenous aspects and care in treating it with respect was phenomenal and acknowledged in the afterword. This aspect, of what was there before and what has been unleashed, made for an engaging antagonist, above and beyond the inmates themselves.
Lurid drags us, kicking and screaming, through a few different set pieces, which leads us up to the brutal, blistering ending. The epilogue can be considered both an ending or a set up for a sequel, but either way, us readers get more questions answered than most books.
What I didn’t like: As I mentioned, I’m not a huge fan of prison-based stuff as a whole. It can be monotonous and honestly, we know what’s going to happen. So the confines of the setting restricted this novel at the beginning. The inmates are stuck in the their cells. And when they leave for food, work etc, you know someone is going to try something, so there’s very little in the way of the element of surprise.
As well, I really disliked the cartoonish nature of the warden. His character reminded me of the warden in the final Human Centipede movie, and every time he showed up in the novel, I felt myself wanting to tune out. His character works well for what needs to be done, but I could’ve done without him.
Why you should buy this: ‘Cold Keep Reprisal’ is a very solid debut novel. It has a pacing that works well for those taking a chance on a new author and James controls the tension perfectly, making sure to slowly ramp it up instead of an all-or-nothing approach many new writers take.
The possession aspect was top notch and the characters will be ones you either root for or hope get ripped apart, and really what more could you want?
June 9, 2023
I’m a big fan of the style/feel of vintage horror & I’ll be damned if James Lurid was able to capture it perfectly in this action-packed horror story. A tale of revenge & an ancient evil all taking place in an unyielding/unconventional prison. From the beginning Lurid paints a palpable picture of angst and loss that stays with you throughout the whole book. Then you are introduced to the bastion of a prison; complete with a despicable warden with big secrets to hide, corrupt prison guards, the contempt of general population with the other prisoners, a cultish religious leader, a deeply personal mission with time ticking away, as well as malevolent creature from Native American lore skulking in the shadows. That’s a lot to digest, but the author is very good at keeping the story moving while more information is revealed including an insane origin story that I hope gets expanded on in the future. Overall, this was one hell of an adventure from a talented new author that I am excited to read more of. Highly recommend it.
May 25, 2023
I received a copy of this book to read, being a new author I decided to give it a try and see where it gets me.
Normally I wouldn't read books based in prison its just not my thing, however I was truly blown away throughout this book! The detail in this book was done perfectly, while reading it you can envision where the character is along with what he sees and is feeling. Along with some violence and of course prison drama there is a bit of something not fully spoken of in cold keep, something that keeps the inmates behaving at night.
Follow one character, Walter, as he battels through his grief, a grief that has literally pushed him over the edge, to the brink of loosing everything good in his life.
Walter is given a chance to save his job after he reached his breaking point, this offer unknowingly is in a place that will allow him to end his grief and tie up some loose ends, something simple as going into a prison for a few days to see what is going on.
While inside Walter finds he has signed up for more than he bargained for and he will be luck if he gets out alive.
This book is a great read however it is one that is hard to put down simply because you want to know what is going to happen next. Nothing will go the way you think it will. I would like to say is as a reader I dislike reading things that have been done before, clichés. This book Thankfully had nothing that was done before, whenever a scene came up where I thought I could tell where it was going it would go another way, this alone kept me reading and canceling plans I had in order to finish reading.
Normally I wouldn't read books based in prison its just not my thing, however I was truly blown away throughout this book! The detail in this book was done perfectly, while reading it you can envision where the character is along with what he sees and is feeling. Along with some violence and of course prison drama there is a bit of something not fully spoken of in cold keep, something that keeps the inmates behaving at night.
Follow one character, Walter, as he battels through his grief, a grief that has literally pushed him over the edge, to the brink of loosing everything good in his life.
Walter is given a chance to save his job after he reached his breaking point, this offer unknowingly is in a place that will allow him to end his grief and tie up some loose ends, something simple as going into a prison for a few days to see what is going on.
While inside Walter finds he has signed up for more than he bargained for and he will be luck if he gets out alive.
This book is a great read however it is one that is hard to put down simply because you want to know what is going to happen next. Nothing will go the way you think it will. I would like to say is as a reader I dislike reading things that have been done before, clichés. This book Thankfully had nothing that was done before, whenever a scene came up where I thought I could tell where it was going it would go another way, this alone kept me reading and canceling plans I had in order to finish reading.
July 2, 2023
Cold Keep Reprisal is a chilling tale about a grieving father, Walter, who would do anything to avenge his son’s death. Tormented by his own thoughts, Walter jumps at the opportunity when asked to go undercover at Cold Keep, the very prison that his son’s killer is being held. But nothing is as it seems at Cold Keep, and Walter quickly finds that there are more gruesome haunts than his own personal demons.
Author James Lurid’s debut novel is a gripping page turner that kept me yearning for more. Experience this journey with Walter and an array of other colorful characters, and quickly learn not to trust anyone or anything. Nothing is as it seems in this tale of hope and despair.
I am already itching for more from Lurid!
Author James Lurid’s debut novel is a gripping page turner that kept me yearning for more. Experience this journey with Walter and an array of other colorful characters, and quickly learn not to trust anyone or anything. Nothing is as it seems in this tale of hope and despair.
I am already itching for more from Lurid!
May 22, 2023
i received an ARC of COLD KEEP: REPRISAL i went into this as i do all new authors: hopeful with a touch of apprehension. after all, they're an unknown commodity, you know? i thought i'd read a few pages before i went to sleep. oh what a mistake that was. before i knew it, two hours had passed and i was seriously wondering just how flexible my early morning alarm really was. could i push it forward a bit?
the tale is a simple, but effective one. how far are you willing to go when you've lost everything and how do you keep from losing yourself in the process of achieving revenge? add to this, one of the most
frightening monsters/creatures i've come across in a very long time. the attention and detail that the author spent in fleshing out the creature's history made for a disturbing and chilling reveal in choices that no one should have to make.
the writing was crisp and vivid, the hallmark of a talented writer. but did it stick the landing? after a promising start, so many wonderful books falter and peter out as they misjudge the ending. yes, i'm looking at you, Mr. King.
COLD KEEP: REPRISAL is the total package, the grand finale doesn't disappoint with a hint of menace for the promise of a possible sequel. i read a lot of books. sometimes i feel myself growing numb from the constant search for the one that will evoke the joy of horror fiction once again. COLD KEEP: REPRISAL did this.
5 out of 5 stars.
don't miss it.
the tale is a simple, but effective one. how far are you willing to go when you've lost everything and how do you keep from losing yourself in the process of achieving revenge? add to this, one of the most
frightening monsters/creatures i've come across in a very long time. the attention and detail that the author spent in fleshing out the creature's history made for a disturbing and chilling reveal in choices that no one should have to make.
the writing was crisp and vivid, the hallmark of a talented writer. but did it stick the landing? after a promising start, so many wonderful books falter and peter out as they misjudge the ending. yes, i'm looking at you, Mr. King.
COLD KEEP: REPRISAL is the total package, the grand finale doesn't disappoint with a hint of menace for the promise of a possible sequel. i read a lot of books. sometimes i feel myself growing numb from the constant search for the one that will evoke the joy of horror fiction once again. COLD KEEP: REPRISAL did this.
5 out of 5 stars.
don't miss it.
July 3, 2024
‘Cold-Keep Reprisal’ is an excellent debut novel by new author James Lurid, that tells the story of how Walter Edwards, a disgraced small-town cop, finds his way to Cold-Keep Penitentiary, a prison built amidst haunted woods. A spirit-creature from Indian lore is having its way with the prisoners, and Walter, who has his own agenda, gets deeply mixed-up with the hair-raising happenings there.
This is one of those books that 20 pages in, you know it’s going to be a good book. James Lurid can definitely deliver a fully engaging story, with a captivating plot, and fascinating characters. The book reads like ‘Prison Break’ meets ‘Stolen Tongues,’ filling the prisoner’s background bit by bit -some of them intrinsically good people, though hardly examples to aspire to, others deeply flawed, cruel, and power-hungry people. Walter, I reckon, is not really the character most readers will love: I personally liked mostly Eddie and Dakota, both of whom had very disturbing stories to tell.
Lurid’s talent, however, shows itself not only in the great dialogue, the gritty realism, and the fantastic characterization, but also in the absolutely riveting description of the monstrous situations the prisoners are facing. The first time that the evil, flesh-hungry spirit appears inside the prison is told with such incredible skill, paced so magnificently, that I truly felt my heart skipping a bit, and chills and cold sweat breaking all over.
That said, there are a couple of downsides that troubled me somewhat: twice I had to suspend disbelief, so that Walter could ‘coincidentally’ find himself in the places he needed to be; and the supernatural acts a bit too arbitrarily, the closer we get to the ending. However, the story is so good, the writing of such high quality, that these glitches soon become irrelevant. Such talent is rare and the book should go to the front of your “must read” list. Recommended!
This is one of those books that 20 pages in, you know it’s going to be a good book. James Lurid can definitely deliver a fully engaging story, with a captivating plot, and fascinating characters. The book reads like ‘Prison Break’ meets ‘Stolen Tongues,’ filling the prisoner’s background bit by bit -some of them intrinsically good people, though hardly examples to aspire to, others deeply flawed, cruel, and power-hungry people. Walter, I reckon, is not really the character most readers will love: I personally liked mostly Eddie and Dakota, both of whom had very disturbing stories to tell.
Lurid’s talent, however, shows itself not only in the great dialogue, the gritty realism, and the fantastic characterization, but also in the absolutely riveting description of the monstrous situations the prisoners are facing. The first time that the evil, flesh-hungry spirit appears inside the prison is told with such incredible skill, paced so magnificently, that I truly felt my heart skipping a bit, and chills and cold sweat breaking all over.
That said, there are a couple of downsides that troubled me somewhat: twice I had to suspend disbelief, so that Walter could ‘coincidentally’ find himself in the places he needed to be; and the supernatural acts a bit too arbitrarily, the closer we get to the ending. However, the story is so good, the writing of such high quality, that these glitches soon become irrelevant. Such talent is rare and the book should go to the front of your “must read” list. Recommended!
June 22, 2023
Loved this book!! An amazing debut novel and one that leaves you wanting for more!
I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this novel as I enjoyed it so much! From the title and the cover I would have never imagined what I got myself into. What I thought would be a story of revenge it turned out to be so much more with complex characters that feel real.
What I loved is the realisation that nothing is what it seems, having to switch my feelings more than once, and that there's always more to know if willing to scratch the surface. I felt strongly rooting for the main character, wanting to fulfil his revenge that became mine as well, evidence of how good is the writing.
Loved the setting, the indigenous elements and the creatures, the switching between reality, memories and dreams. I mean, everything was beautifully crafted and delivered that I can't believe this is a debut novel!
I feel I didn't read this book, I lived it which is an amazing feeling, and now I want more!
I'm sure if you read this book you'll agree, it was a great read!
Thank you James Lurid for a copy and this is my honest review.
I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this novel as I enjoyed it so much! From the title and the cover I would have never imagined what I got myself into. What I thought would be a story of revenge it turned out to be so much more with complex characters that feel real.
What I loved is the realisation that nothing is what it seems, having to switch my feelings more than once, and that there's always more to know if willing to scratch the surface. I felt strongly rooting for the main character, wanting to fulfil his revenge that became mine as well, evidence of how good is the writing.
Loved the setting, the indigenous elements and the creatures, the switching between reality, memories and dreams. I mean, everything was beautifully crafted and delivered that I can't believe this is a debut novel!
I feel I didn't read this book, I lived it which is an amazing feeling, and now I want more!
I'm sure if you read this book you'll agree, it was a great read!
Thank you James Lurid for a copy and this is my honest review.
February 24, 2025
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book from the beginning. I felt fully invested in this story and its characters after just a few pages in.
Walter is a police officer who loses his son to a drunk driver. While Walter looks for someone or something to place his guilt he places a man in the hospital, almost killing him. The police chief gives Water the choice of losing his job or taking a position at Cold Keep Penitentiary. When Walter realizes that his son's killer is being held and Cold Keep and accepts being placed there.
Cold Keep has been having an increase in strange occurrences recently as a creature has been wondering it's halls for years.
Lurid has great character development and his descriptions made this story come alive for me. I highly recommend this books and I will continue to read books from this author.
I loved this book from the beginning. I felt fully invested in this story and its characters after just a few pages in.
Walter is a police officer who loses his son to a drunk driver. While Walter looks for someone or something to place his guilt he places a man in the hospital, almost killing him. The police chief gives Water the choice of losing his job or taking a position at Cold Keep Penitentiary. When Walter realizes that his son's killer is being held and Cold Keep and accepts being placed there.
Cold Keep has been having an increase in strange occurrences recently as a creature has been wondering it's halls for years.
Lurid has great character development and his descriptions made this story come alive for me. I highly recommend this books and I will continue to read books from this author.
July 20, 2023
What a fantastic debut novel! This book has it all, a great creature rooted in the depths of Indigenous lore, a MC that is engaging and had great development and a hint of the supernatural that ties everything together.
We follow Walter, a police officer who battles PTSD from experiencing his sons death by drunk driver. Walter hits a wall and has no choice but to go undercover at Cold Keep to see what’s going on with a high death count there.
We meet a group of characters that all had enriched and believable backstories. Lots of creature feature action and fantastic pacing throughout. Absolutely recommend this for anyone who loves a good creature story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We follow Walter, a police officer who battles PTSD from experiencing his sons death by drunk driver. Walter hits a wall and has no choice but to go undercover at Cold Keep to see what’s going on with a high death count there.
We meet a group of characters that all had enriched and believable backstories. Lots of creature feature action and fantastic pacing throughout. Absolutely recommend this for anyone who loves a good creature story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 21, 2023
🗣️🗣️ATTENTION!!! I know y’all see me ramble on about books all the time but THIS one is special! So, pay attention! I had a dream that this amazing author came out of the woodwork and granted me the honor of his ARC … well, it was via Facebook.. but, whatever! Mitchel Wagner - aka James Lurid - is releasing his first book (and hopefully not his last) on JULY 1ST and I don’t care if you’re a horror, thriller, mystery or even a romance fan, you need to read this book! It’s so beautifully written, had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and even had me spooked. The story itself is so real and so intense, I literally spent the entire time reading trying to figure out the mystery webbed into the chaos right along with the characters. That’s right! I walked the woods and through the jail many times with Walt and I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s got revenge, it’s got hate, it’s got love, it’s got characters you want to throat punch, it’s got history, it’s got scary shit that comes knocking in the dark. This story legit has everything any reader could ask for, except for the ending. The ending is the worst, simply because it ends. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to carry on and see what else happens. But, I guess that’s why they make sequels and he better be writing one (lol I said what I said)! Enough rambling about how talented this author is, here’s a recap of the story! Walter is a cop with a huge burden of the past on his shoulders and he ends up in prison. Not just any prison though, he gets sent to Cold Keep. A prison way out in the middle of nowhere that has a huge reputation for missing inmates. Not only does his time as an inmate involve finding out about the missing inmates, he also has a huge revenge towards one of the inmates from his burdened past. The guy that killed his son. So he looses his focus of the initial reason for being there, focusing on his sweet revenge. Until he finds out the reason random inmates come up missing and ends up not only fighting his past but also a flesh eating demon. During his stay at Cold Keep he meets two of his best friends and a whole lot of others that were not so friendly. Escaping from prison wasn’t really on the to-do list, but escaping from the demon was. But .. the question is .. did they really escape that demon or is it burned into their soul?? Ah!! I could talk about this story for days, but no spoilers (sorry guys). It’s LIVE on the 1st so check it out! It’s, by far, one of the best books I’ve read!!
July 1, 2023
3 and a 1/2 stars here - we need half-stars, Goodreads!!
This book has such fun characters! I do love me a dark and twisty book, and these men, while they have done some terrible things, are wonderful to know.
Walter is a rural cop dealing with the trauma of his young son’s death and the effects on his family. He’s enduring what I’ll call “space-outs” where the memories overtake his senses and he finds himself in a specific situation that jeopardizes his career. Giving the town’s anger time to cool off, sergeant sends him undercover to a nearby prison to investigate a slew of mysterious prisoner deaths and disappearances. While Walter thinks he’ll be in Cold Keep only for five days, he discovers there far more than he bargained for in its stony walls.
Lurid’s writing development of his characters is engaging and wholly entertaining. Walter is sympathetic and his interactions with his wife and daughter are absolutely adorable, while his interactions with the prisoners is fascinating. He’s got some guts for a cop in a prison! I loved secondary characters Dakota and Eddie, too. Cold Keep prison acts as a bit of a character itself, but its layout got confusing more than once. There were a handful of times when I needed to reread to situate where the action was taking place.
As someone who loves atypical narratives, I found the occasional time-jumps to be jarring and a bit confusing - I never really understood if Walter saw those or if they were background simply for the readers’ benefit. The story itself was fascinating, and I understood Lurid’s intentions, but the second half of the novel moves at choppy speeds - at times rushed and others meandering.
The villains are a under-developed, and I was a bit unsatisfied with how they were rounded out. Their experiences didn’t seem authentic to me. That being said, the book is a fun read and I really enjoyed spending time with Lurid’s hero characters. The situations they find themselves in are tense and you truly care for their well-being. I’m looking forward to reading more Lurid in the future!
This book has such fun characters! I do love me a dark and twisty book, and these men, while they have done some terrible things, are wonderful to know.
Walter is a rural cop dealing with the trauma of his young son’s death and the effects on his family. He’s enduring what I’ll call “space-outs” where the memories overtake his senses and he finds himself in a specific situation that jeopardizes his career. Giving the town’s anger time to cool off, sergeant sends him undercover to a nearby prison to investigate a slew of mysterious prisoner deaths and disappearances. While Walter thinks he’ll be in Cold Keep only for five days, he discovers there far more than he bargained for in its stony walls.
Lurid’s writing development of his characters is engaging and wholly entertaining. Walter is sympathetic and his interactions with his wife and daughter are absolutely adorable, while his interactions with the prisoners is fascinating. He’s got some guts for a cop in a prison! I loved secondary characters Dakota and Eddie, too. Cold Keep prison acts as a bit of a character itself, but its layout got confusing more than once. There were a handful of times when I needed to reread to situate where the action was taking place.
As someone who loves atypical narratives, I found the occasional time-jumps to be jarring and a bit confusing - I never really understood if Walter saw those or if they were background simply for the readers’ benefit. The story itself was fascinating, and I understood Lurid’s intentions, but the second half of the novel moves at choppy speeds - at times rushed and others meandering.
The villains are a under-developed, and I was a bit unsatisfied with how they were rounded out. Their experiences didn’t seem authentic to me. That being said, the book is a fun read and I really enjoyed spending time with Lurid’s hero characters. The situations they find themselves in are tense and you truly care for their well-being. I’m looking forward to reading more Lurid in the future!
June 29, 2023
JAMES LURID IS A NEW AUTHOR AND COLD KEEP REPRISAL IS HIS FIRST BOOK. WOW WHAT AN EXCELLENT START TO A NEW WRITING CAREER. I WAS COMPLETELY TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY COLD KEEP REPRISAL. IT IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL. THE STORY IS SO INTENSE AND DRAWS THE READER IN FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE. THE STORY IS VERY UNIQUE AND THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL WRITTEN AND COMPLICATED.
WALTER, A POLICE OFFICER HAUNTED BY HIS SON'S DEATH IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF. AS PUNISHMENT FOR AN INCIDENT, WALTER IS ASKED TO GO UNDER COVER AND INVESTIGATE THE MYSTERY DISAPPEARANCES OF COLD-KEEP'S INMATES. WHAT HE DISCOVERS IS AN ANCIENT EVIL MORE TERRIFYING THEN HE COULD EVER IMAGINE AND IS PRAYING ON THE PRISONERS. THEN HE DISCOVERS HIS SON'S KILLER IS ING AND UNBELIEVABLE AND EVEN MORE TERRIFYING IS THAT HE FOUND HIS SON'S KILLER. WALTER'S MOTIVES THEN CHANGE AND ALL HE CAN THINK ABOUT IS KILLING HIS SON'S KILLER.
COLD KEEP REPRISAL IS A VERY INTENSE, SCARY AND EMOTIONAL STORY. YOU ARE DRAWN INTO THE STORY FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE UNTIL THE END AS YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THERE IS A LOT OF ACTION, SUSPENSE, HORROR AND THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL WRITTEN ESPECIALLY WALTER, WHO FEELS SO MUCH GUILT BECAUSE OF HIS SON'S DEATH AND WANTS VENGEANCE IN ORDER TO MOVE ON. COLD KEEP REPRISAL IS A MUST READ FOR ALL HORROR FANS OUT THERE. THIS AUTHOR JAMES LURID'S FIRST BOOK AND HOPEFULLY NOT HIS LAST SINCE I AM EXCITED TO READ MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR.
WALTER, A POLICE OFFICER HAUNTED BY HIS SON'S DEATH IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF. AS PUNISHMENT FOR AN INCIDENT, WALTER IS ASKED TO GO UNDER COVER AND INVESTIGATE THE MYSTERY DISAPPEARANCES OF COLD-KEEP'S INMATES. WHAT HE DISCOVERS IS AN ANCIENT EVIL MORE TERRIFYING THEN HE COULD EVER IMAGINE AND IS PRAYING ON THE PRISONERS. THEN HE DISCOVERS HIS SON'S KILLER IS ING AND UNBELIEVABLE AND EVEN MORE TERRIFYING IS THAT HE FOUND HIS SON'S KILLER. WALTER'S MOTIVES THEN CHANGE AND ALL HE CAN THINK ABOUT IS KILLING HIS SON'S KILLER.
COLD KEEP REPRISAL IS A VERY INTENSE, SCARY AND EMOTIONAL STORY. YOU ARE DRAWN INTO THE STORY FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE UNTIL THE END AS YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THERE IS A LOT OF ACTION, SUSPENSE, HORROR AND THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL WRITTEN ESPECIALLY WALTER, WHO FEELS SO MUCH GUILT BECAUSE OF HIS SON'S DEATH AND WANTS VENGEANCE IN ORDER TO MOVE ON. COLD KEEP REPRISAL IS A MUST READ FOR ALL HORROR FANS OUT THERE. THIS AUTHOR JAMES LURID'S FIRST BOOK AND HOPEFULLY NOT HIS LAST SINCE I AM EXCITED TO READ MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR.
April 17, 2024
if you enjoy sleeping, don’t start reading this book because you can’t put it down
cold keep reprisal is the kind of book you immerse yourself in by accident and realise it’s the second night in a row you have to go to work on four hours sleep because you just can’t put it down.
set in the late sixties in canada (?), walter is a cop with hella ptsd and 0 coping mechanisms (you know i didn’t actually like him once in the whole book) who gets sent undercover to a remote prison to work out why people are missing. he has an ulterior motive for accepting the job, but it’s his two supporting characters that carry the rest of the story and who i love and will protect at all costs - dakota and eddie (a native american “kid killer” and a man with an undiagnosed learning disability respectively).
there’s a creature that needs to be fed and what better source of nutrition than society’s degenerates all locked away in Cold Keep?
although i got tired of the smell of tar and pine being mentioned every other paragraph initially, it was easy to gloss over because this book suckered me in good.
i loved the way native american lore was seamlessly woven throughout the book (although i’m not sure what the creature actually was).
this is an amazing debut indie novel that is currently available on kindle unlimited! i have bought a physical copy too, though, because i want to own it forever 🌲
cold keep reprisal is the kind of book you immerse yourself in by accident and realise it’s the second night in a row you have to go to work on four hours sleep because you just can’t put it down.
set in the late sixties in canada (?), walter is a cop with hella ptsd and 0 coping mechanisms (you know i didn’t actually like him once in the whole book) who gets sent undercover to a remote prison to work out why people are missing. he has an ulterior motive for accepting the job, but it’s his two supporting characters that carry the rest of the story and who i love and will protect at all costs - dakota and eddie (a native american “kid killer” and a man with an undiagnosed learning disability respectively).
there’s a creature that needs to be fed and what better source of nutrition than society’s degenerates all locked away in Cold Keep?
although i got tired of the smell of tar and pine being mentioned every other paragraph initially, it was easy to gloss over because this book suckered me in good.
i loved the way native american lore was seamlessly woven throughout the book (although i’m not sure what the creature actually was).
this is an amazing debut indie novel that is currently available on kindle unlimited! i have bought a physical copy too, though, because i want to own it forever 🌲
June 3, 2023
What the heck?! This is a debut novel for this author??! Well I’m damn impressed.
It’s well written with a solid plot and characters (good, bad, and monstrous).
Walt is the flawed and broken cop who is trying to find a resolution to his grief and guilt after the death of his son. He infiltrates Cold Keep as an undercover prisoner to keep his job, seek vengeance, and earn the right to forgive himself. He unwittingly gets involved in prison politics and becomes a target for an inhuman predator.
With the snow flying in the air & drifts building against the prison walls, death comes knocking at the gates!
I really enjoyed reading this story. It immediately starts with a dread inducing prologue, and the horror doesn’t stop till the very end. The characters were well written, and considering the time frame of the story is the 1960s, the mannerisms, behaviours, and even racial tensions felt authentic.
While reading you are drawn into the tale, and I felt like a Cold Keep prisoner (or “guest” as Uncle Bill calls them). You’re trapped behind the bars, forced into gruelling jobs, & being beat up in brutal fights alongside Walt & Dakota.
An excellent book, one I would definitely recommend and re-read.
It’s well written with a solid plot and characters (good, bad, and monstrous).
Walt is the flawed and broken cop who is trying to find a resolution to his grief and guilt after the death of his son. He infiltrates Cold Keep as an undercover prisoner to keep his job, seek vengeance, and earn the right to forgive himself. He unwittingly gets involved in prison politics and becomes a target for an inhuman predator.
With the snow flying in the air & drifts building against the prison walls, death comes knocking at the gates!
I really enjoyed reading this story. It immediately starts with a dread inducing prologue, and the horror doesn’t stop till the very end. The characters were well written, and considering the time frame of the story is the 1960s, the mannerisms, behaviours, and even racial tensions felt authentic.
While reading you are drawn into the tale, and I felt like a Cold Keep prisoner (or “guest” as Uncle Bill calls them). You’re trapped behind the bars, forced into gruelling jobs, & being beat up in brutal fights alongside Walt & Dakota.
An excellent book, one I would definitely recommend and re-read.
June 17, 2023
Would you go undercover in a rougher than usual prison, trading in your gun and badge for an unflattering orange jumper? For Walter, he doesn't have much of a choice. After a routine stop turns violent and a small, "everyone knows your name" town is looking for answers.. Walter takes the trip out to Cold Keep where prisoners are going missing under mysterious circumstances. Throw in the happy convenience of Walter's sons killer being kept at the same location, and Walter might not fully hate going after all. Keyword "might". Quickly after arriving, cryptic statements from fellow inmates and an overall sense of unease sets his priorities in a different order. Will Walter not only get answers all of his questions, but survive this imprisonment?
This was a WILD ride from start to finish. The action starts fast and hard, even as you're still trying to piece information together. The tension is high, the gore is descriptive and necessary, and the pacing will have you flipping through pages at record speed! The character development will have you sitting in a Cold Keep cell right alongside our cast (hopefully not really!) I thoroughly enjoyed this story and if you're looking for something gripping, heart pounding and FUN, you will too! I would love a prequel!!
This was a WILD ride from start to finish. The action starts fast and hard, even as you're still trying to piece information together. The tension is high, the gore is descriptive and necessary, and the pacing will have you flipping through pages at record speed! The character development will have you sitting in a Cold Keep cell right alongside our cast (hopefully not really!) I thoroughly enjoyed this story and if you're looking for something gripping, heart pounding and FUN, you will too! I would love a prequel!!
July 2, 2023
Horror would get stale very quickly if we never took a chance on new authors trying to get their work reviewed or noticed in an overcrowded marketplace. After seeing early pre-release praise for James Lurid’s debut Cold Keep Reprisal, I fancied hitching a ride back to 1968 for a short stint in Cold Keep Penitentiary, a prison with an incredibly high mortality rate, which nobody seems to question or mind too much. Thankfully, I did not spend too much time doing hard labour on the chain gang, as I sped through the book double quick to ensure a fast getaway!
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
January 22, 2024
Walter is a man on the verge of loosing everything. After his son is hit and killed by a drunk driver his life spirals out of control. He has an incident at work that almost hurts someone else and his boss gives him an ultimatum. He can go undercover at Cold Keep Prison or loose his job. Walter is against the idea until he hears the words Cold Keep. See there's something no one else knows. The man that destroyed his family is within those very walls and Walter is a man out for revenge. Cold Keep has its secrets and Uncle Bill doesn't want them out. There's something evil out in those woods and on cold winter nights it enters the prison and claims someone for its feast. This book invoked so many emotions in me. I felt sadness, unease, and plain fear at times. The story is written in a way that the characters come off the page and you feel the eerie atmosphere of Cold Keep. I guarantee once Cold Keep has you in its clutches it won't let go.
May 27, 2023
This book is amazing. The pacing is perfect. It’s not quite a slow burn and not a fast paced thrill ride either. Everything in this book moves along just right, with never a dull or rushed moment.
The setting is an isolated prison in winter, could it get scarier? Why yes, yes it can. Because other than the
horrible warden & guards (as all prisons seem to have), there is an ancient blood thirsty entity on the loose.
This is a much deeper story though, because mixed in all of that is revenge, redemption, and so much more.
James Lurid (Mitchel Wagar)writes complex characters and a genuinely terrifying creature. I honestly can’t sing enough praises for this book.
Release day July 1, 2023
The setting is an isolated prison in winter, could it get scarier? Why yes, yes it can. Because other than the
horrible warden & guards (as all prisons seem to have), there is an ancient blood thirsty entity on the loose.
This is a much deeper story though, because mixed in all of that is revenge, redemption, and so much more.
James Lurid (Mitchel Wagar)writes complex characters and a genuinely terrifying creature. I honestly can’t sing enough praises for this book.
Release day July 1, 2023
June 11, 2023
I received a copy this book in exchange for an honest review and let me tell you that it was more than I expected.
I normally read fantasy/romance type books but this book definitely exceeded expectations. It was well paced and the premise behind is really cool! Love that the author showcased a story I grew up hearing about with such accuracy. Not the cheap Hollywood imitations that are unfortunately so common.
The characters were well thought out and they suck you in, all of them just coming across as so real and genuine. You feel the emotions that the characters portray, the author doing an amazing job of weaving this story that I could not put down. Can’t wait for this book to be released, 10/10 will recommend to everyone.
I normally read fantasy/romance type books but this book definitely exceeded expectations. It was well paced and the premise behind is really cool! Love that the author showcased a story I grew up hearing about with such accuracy. Not the cheap Hollywood imitations that are unfortunately so common.
The characters were well thought out and they suck you in, all of them just coming across as so real and genuine. You feel the emotions that the characters portray, the author doing an amazing job of weaving this story that I could not put down. Can’t wait for this book to be released, 10/10 will recommend to everyone.
June 14, 2023
So creepy, horrific and wonderful! When I first read the blurb for Cold Keep Reprisal, I thought it sounded interesting. Some time had passed before I started reading it and I had forgotten about the blurb, so I went in a little blind, only remembering something about a prison and a father’s son. I feel like that’s the best way to go into a book. Because I was met by so many surprises. This book was so well written, joining together Walter’s story, as well as the native tale. And giving background to the characters. I enjoyed the backgrounds given throughout the story and not as soon as they each popped up— as a lot of books do. I cannot wait to see what else the author puts out. I will be adding this book to my collection as soon as possible.
June 23, 2023
I got an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Walter is a cop who loses his son. He's stuck in grief, it's eating him alive. He gets sent to a prison undercover in order to find out why inmates are turning up missing, but he finds so much more during his stay.
The characters are so developed in this book that they feel real. Genuine people. They have flaws and messed up in a lot of ways, but they're also really relatable, and likable as well. They really make you want them to succeed.
This was so hard to put down and action packed. It's an original concept and something like anything I've read before. It's really fast paced and I just really thought it was a good read overall. Highly recommend.
Walter is a cop who loses his son. He's stuck in grief, it's eating him alive. He gets sent to a prison undercover in order to find out why inmates are turning up missing, but he finds so much more during his stay.
The characters are so developed in this book that they feel real. Genuine people. They have flaws and messed up in a lot of ways, but they're also really relatable, and likable as well. They really make you want them to succeed.
This was so hard to put down and action packed. It's an original concept and something like anything I've read before. It's really fast paced and I just really thought it was a good read overall. Highly recommend.
June 19, 2023
This book was not at all what I was expecting...but that's a good thing. It was so much better! The characters alone are worth the 5 star review. I haven't seen, especially in a horror novel, such well written, deeply flawed, yet likeable characters. The Native American lore was very well researched and written, and such a horrifying part of the story. I can't believe that this was a debut novel! Everything about it was so well done. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an ARC copy of this book for review, but it in no way has anything to do with how I felt about this book. It was fantastic!
I received an ARC copy of this book for review, but it in no way has anything to do with how I felt about this book. It was fantastic!
July 3, 2023
Thank you to James for sending me a digital-ARC of his debut novel. I truly loved this book, it leaves you wanting more, that’s for sure.
I enjoyed following the main character Walter through the book. He is a police office dealing with PTSD but, he is unwilling to get help. After an incident, where Walter used to work excessive force, he is given a proposition. Lose his job or go into a prison undercover to see why so many inmates are dying.
Once Walter goes undercover, the author James takes us on a wild ride. The indigenous elements and the creatures were beautifully crafted and I loved how the ending (hopefully) sits it up for a sequel but either way for a debut novel, this book was absolutely a most read!
I enjoyed following the main character Walter through the book. He is a police office dealing with PTSD but, he is unwilling to get help. After an incident, where Walter used to work excessive force, he is given a proposition. Lose his job or go into a prison undercover to see why so many inmates are dying.
Once Walter goes undercover, the author James takes us on a wild ride. The indigenous elements and the creatures were beautifully crafted and I loved how the ending (hopefully) sits it up for a sequel but either way for a debut novel, this book was absolutely a most read!
February 11, 2024
Solid debut! The book follows Walter who’s struggling after the death of his son. When opportunity for revenge arises along with an investigation into a mysteriously deadly prison, Walter jumps at the chance.
The novel isn’t overly gory but definitely has some creepy vibes. I found the writing a bit disjointed at times and felt some of the history and folklore could’ve been a bit more developed. One of the later twists was a bit over the top, but overall the story was well done and I enjoyed it. There were some time jumps that likely could’ve been fleshed out more thoroughly, but I thought it read well for a debut.
I definitely look forward to reading more of James Lurid in the future.
The novel isn’t overly gory but definitely has some creepy vibes. I found the writing a bit disjointed at times and felt some of the history and folklore could’ve been a bit more developed. One of the later twists was a bit over the top, but overall the story was well done and I enjoyed it. There were some time jumps that likely could’ve been fleshed out more thoroughly, but I thought it read well for a debut.
I definitely look forward to reading more of James Lurid in the future.
May 27, 2024
As far as horror books go, I was not used to how much character development as there was written in Cold Keep Reprisal. James did well placing snippets of action in different ways to keep the reader interested while successfully building character personalities and experiences. This book gave me Green Mile vibes, it's prison setting was almost refreshing as it's not often a book setting I feel. Emotions were easily developed for certain characters, enough to make me nearly tear up as certain scenes unfolded. Honestly, this book would make a wicked movie! I'd totally watch. I look forward to reading this books sequel, Cold Keep Requital, once it releases on July 1, 2024!
July 2, 2024
The dialogue was overwhelming and hard to follow at times. Also, they used nicknames for everything which I just found kind of annoying. I liked the idea behind it and wished he focused more on the backstory. A lot of the scenes moved too fast and jumped around. The ending with the kid was underwhelming. The stories they told back and forth and everyone interrupting each other when they were talking got on my nerves. Probably won’t read the second book, the main character was not likable at all to me. 3 stars because I didn’t absolutely hate it, I liked the idea, I just wasn’t a fan of the writing style.
May 28, 2023
With an intense, beautifully written, thrilling intricate plot Cold Keep is a book to keep you on your toes as we follow complex main character walter and his journey through a rough and torturous prison hiding a blood thirsty secret. Not one for prison stories, however, James Lurid kept me on the edge of my seat craving more as each page turned and each chapter passed. I highly recommend this book for anyone especially those who love prison stories or a fantastical tale of hidden horrors within. Superbly done James blows us all away with this book.
June 9, 2023
First of all, thanks for this AMAZING ARC! This book was such a fun ride. By the time Cold Keep came into play, Walter had me so pissed off… I felt like he deserved to be behind the bars that everyone was disappearing inside of. I enjoyed the character-building, the relationships held between every individual in the penitentiary, and the wild ride of every incident after Walter joins the Cold Keep family. This was a crazy story. Lots of entertainment!!
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