Bobo

by Richard Schiver

After being kidnapped Sarah receives help from an unlikely source proving that death is not the barrier many believe it to be.

Trapped in a loveless marriage, on the verge of a divorce, Sarah is kidnapped and held for ransom. She realizes her soon to be ex-husband will likely screw up the payment sealing her fate. Help arrives from her past, awakening old memories she's fought hard to keep locked away.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction

10 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Richard is the author of seven novels, and two novellas. His short work has appeared in a diverse range of publications from Dark Moon Digest to The Backbone Mountain Review. His most recent work includes A CAL TO ARMS, book four of his post-apocalyptic series, THIS LAWLESS LAND, and NOT OF US, a World War Two creature feature published by Severed Press.

His love of the macabre was sparked at an early age when he would sit on his grandmother’s porch listening to her tell ghost stories. During the summer he and his cousins would sleep in his grandmother’s back yard, within sight of the abandoned haunted house next door, and spend the night scaring one another with gruesome tales of shadowy creatures that went bump in the night.

During his life he has played a series of roles, husband, father, son, and lover, but his favorite by far is grandfather. He and his wife of twenty plus years have raised four children, and helped raise eight grandchildren. They provide a secure home to a yellow lab named Max. His wife, Dena has experienced first hand the exasperation of living with a writer whose mind has a tendency to wander at the most inappropriate times. Yet she manages to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.

Richard can be found online at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook/RichardSchiver

Follow Richard on Twitter: @RichardSchiver

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/richa...

Written in Blood is Richard's personal blog where he shares his thoughts on writing, and whatever else might strike his fancy. http://www.richardschiver.com

He can be contacted directly at rschiver@gmail.com and would be delighted to hear from you.

Reviews

[Gregor Xane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked all the elements that made up this story, but I didn't much care for the execution. I understand that the protagonist was mentally unstable and that maybe the author was trying to emulate that with the storytelling techniques employed, but it didn't work for me. Following this story was as tricky as building a sandcastle on top of a giant block of Jello after both hands have been bitten off by a shark. (Okay, that bit about the shark is an exaggeration.)

But this is one that folks will likely be divided on. And it looks like Bobo might be permafree on the old Amazon. So, you can grab it and give it a go, if you're one to gobble up stories about creepy clowns no matter what: http://amzn.com/B00727UILU

[Zoeytron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kidnapped and terrified, a woman's mind snaps back to thoughts of her childhood. Some memories are best left buried. On the other hand . . . .

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
First of all, this book is brutal in a non violent kind of way. A few scenes are hard to read. But it's definitely not an extreme horror kind of thing.
It's super short. Over half of the Kindle edition is an excerpt from another book. I did not read that. Mostly because it was only a few chapters. And I think it was about a gunslinger. Not my kind of story.
The Bobo story is deep in a disturbing kind of way. And it's a free Kindle download. So that's always cool

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bobo is a very short horror story, I grabbed it when I saw it free on Amazon for Kindle as I like to read short stories in between novels to "cleanse the palette" or something like that. So I was all geared up to get really scared and freaked out over a short read.

Awakening to find herself the victim of a kidnapping, Sarah realizes just how alone she really is. The kidnapper believes her husband will pay handsomely for her safe return, but he doesn't know about their coming divorce. Help arrives from an unlikely source as Sarah comes face to face with old memories she's kept hidden even from herself.

Sarah is trapped and terrified, the book flits back to memories that she has from childhood whilst she is in this panic state, some of it is confusing however, I found the writing quite disjointed and did not get into a flow with it. I could see how the author was trying to use some clever technique but it did not quite come off as it should have.

Sarah gets help from a creepy and unexpected "friend" in her situation, I guess that in itself could have been really scary if written better but it just didn't have the creep factor for me.

For a free short read, it was okay but I am not raving about this one, I have read much better horror short stories recently. And it didn't scare me too much, not high on the terror factor in my opinion.

But I do hate clowns, especially a toy clown. So points for the cover being possibly the scariest bit about the book.

[Stuart Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on this little gem by accident. Clowns. They scare people but they don't scare me, as kooky and creepy as they are. The biggest problem I had was reviewing this book which is a mere 10 pages long. So how do I do it?

By telling the truth. Bobo is a wonderfully creepy tale. A woman is kidnapped and as she comes to terms with the fact her estranged husband won't pay the ransom, she starts to relive some particular nasty memories. After that, it gets a little creepy.

I read a lot of reviews on this book and the general consensus is that the book is confusing. Yes, for some it will be, but the author is clearly putting us into the victim's shoes. Would you really have a grasp on reality as a kidnap victim? Would you be coefficient and alert, especially after doses of chloroform? I doubt it. It's only when the finale rolls along that you realise something sinister is afoot and it perfectly compliments the confusion.

Does the victim die? Did she revert to her memories because they were her solace (effectively a coma)? The author leaves this for you to decide. A wise decision in a short, atmospheric and eerie story. Bobo is the title and the promise of clowns is scary but as you progress in this, you realise that Bobo is the least of our victims worries.

5*. Ten pages with this much atmosphere and tension? That takes skill. Some people may hate this but I thought it was a perfect late night read. I will read more from this writer. Great job!

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobo. A clown? A doll? Or something much more disturbing...

I do love a good horror short. Bobo fits this criteria. However, the disturbing factor in this twisted tale makes it not for the faint of heart. Abuse, at its most sinister level, can scar a reader almost as much as the victim one is reading about.

The author tells this terrifying short story in kind of a cyclical manner. Often one is left pondering the time line involved in the story. Some events are in the past. Some are in the present. But, as told through the perspective of the subject of these abuses, time seems to be a meaningless thing. A living hell of a life can play such tricks on the mind.

So, before picking up a copy of Bobo and delving into its dark depths, ask yourself this question: Do I want to go there?
If you find your eyes are willing and able, proceed with wild abandonment, as your view of the world will never be the same again...

[chucklesthescot · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sarah has been kidnapped for a ransom that she knows her soon to be ex husband will have no intention of paying, so things look pretty doomed. Escape is impossible when she is tied up and being watched.

I just didn't get what the heck was going on in this one as the plot was very confusing. She is sure she recognises the voice of her kidnapper and seems to be confused over whether it is her father or a toy doll called Bobo or someone else. She is having flashbacks to being sexually abused by either her father or Bobo, which I found really weird. Flashbacks to a stillborn child and Bobo being buried by her mother in amongst the weird stuff. And who is trying to rescue her-the police or Bobo???

What happened??? Who was the kidnapper? What's this all about?
I'm beyond confused...

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars: I wish I could rate this more stars because I feel like there's a lot to this author and this story in particular but being that it was in such a short story format I had a hard time following exactly what was going on. For 15 pages this story is upsetting, confusing, disturbing, disgusting, and weird. I'm still not sure if the very ending was supposed to be some effed up paranormal thing or a break in the main character's psyche. I don't think either one is entirely explainable based on how the story progressed but if I try to think too hard on this super short story, and try to make sense of it, it's going to give me a huge headache.

[Catherine Carlson]

Creepiest story I've read in a long time

to me the story started out a bit slowly and I didn't know what was happening. it was like I stepped into the middle of a situation and I was confused, but as I read on, everything became clear. the ending was a complete surprise and I felt goosebumps up and down my arms I've never had that reaction to a story before. the dialogue was very believable and I cold see the characters talking this way I would recommend this story to anyone who likes a good scare p p

[Angela Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awakening to find herself the victim of a kidnapping, Sarah realizes just how alone she really is. The kidnapper believes her husband will pay handsomely for her safe return, but he doesn't know about their coming divorce. Help arrives from an unlikely source as Sarah comes face to face with old memories she's kept hidden even from herself.

You won't see me review many stand alone short stories on here but when I read Bobo all I could say was WOW. This is one nasty piece of work, but well worth reading! Very disturbing and intense!! 4 stars.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how to rate this one, that's a first for me. It was a really weird short story. The beginning was confusing because I thought the main character was a child. The flashbacks didn't bother me, it let the reader know the Sarah had been through a lot while growing up. The clown aspect wasn't anything new in that, there are a good amount of people in the world who aren't fans of clowns. I'm not one of them though. But with the way the author wrote this, even I'd be more likely to avoid them. haha I assume the stillborn baby she had, was her fathers?

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free download from Amazon and probably the only reason that I would have ever read this book. A fascinating read that really challenges the reader to understand fully what is going on. I don't normally read horror books but I enjoyed this dark creepy story that keeps you guessing to the end and leaves you questioning what you have read. There are so many questions raised in such a short story.

[megHan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book for free on Amazon the other day and decided to give it a try. This is a short horror story and all I can really say is --> Uuum ... interesting. The end - not what I expected at all.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short horror story about a clown. It was very short, but I just didn't enjoy it. It was a little creepy, but not enough on my opinion. It ended abruptly and I think a lot more could have been done to make it better.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I caught the fact the author was trying to add multiple messages throughout but none clicked with me and the ending was rather lame. Maybe with a full blown novel I'd enjoy more. For now I'd say pass on this one.

[Allison Syzdek · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't even think of any words to describe it. waste of time.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly creepy for such a little story.

[Kathryn Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I did not want to read this, I hate clowns but what a terrifying story. Deep and absorbing you into the story before you can help yourself.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I read a quarter of the story....

[Lisa Sandberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, pretty good.

A woman is held hostage, her past comes back to haunt, ummm "save" her.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but too short. Would have loved it to be longer.

[Letitia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a long while ago for my book club. I have to admit it was a very strange book. Well worth a read maybe not so much if your a little afraid of clowns :-)

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a freaky story!

[Petrina Binney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman, kidnapped, tied and unable to move is plagued by her own memories of trauma and personal horror as she waits for an explanation for her incarceration. As her mind flits from one devastating moment to another, she remembers the terror-inducing clown toy her parents gave her when she was a child, and all the horrible feelings of her past which have been wrapped up in that bundle of stuffing, velvet and beady eyes. But was Bobo really the threat that stalked her bedroom at night? And will her soon-to-be ex-husband bother to pay the ransom to ensure her release?

A powerful short story, the writing was full of detail, very wordy in fact, but readers should be aware that there are flashbacks in this story to childhood sexual abuse.

A difficult one to rate because the story itself ends at 35% in. What follows is 9% About the Author and other published works, and from the 44% point, we have a promising excerpt from a zombie story, All Roads Lead To Terror. I might just read that one soon.

[Christina J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the story and the potential it has for a really good novella. I liked the gorge edge that the story crept up to. The suspense & visual scene of Ambrose was right up to the edge of what I was willing to read. Any more details and I would have closed the book. So, the story had my attention. I wanted to see more of the transition in the physcotic break. Was she really that unstable before she was kidnapped? The kidnapped scenario didnt work for me, since there was only a glimpse of what could have been great atmospheric dread. If we're going with the notion of the drugged scenario, it still needed more internal dialog coming in out out of the fog. I felt BoBo needed to either be; more of a real presence ( reanimated in her mind) or more of a shimmery haze turning into a physical object in the room. Bobo It felt like Bobo was just vaguely thrown in there for an appearance. Part of my personal bias maybe I loved Gerard's game & Tic Tock.

[JESSICA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobo is a very disturbing, heartbreaking short story. Sarah Michaels, is kidnapped, chained and held for ransom. In that time, she starts having memories of her past, which is not pleasant { My Trigger Is: "Child Sexual Abuse" wish I would have known that going in BUT the way the author wrote out the past scenes, he handled this subject tastefully and not to much detail. Thank you for that, Mr. Schiver! } My only negative, would have loved. loved to see Bobo - get Sarah's husband! Just saying!

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, fast read

Woman kidnapped. Bobo comes and saves her. Bobo is a stuffed toy from her childhood. Bobo helped her deal with the abuse she suffered at the hands of her Dad.

[Stevie Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually loved it

I was expecting it to be a bit corny but I loved it. I mean it WAS still slightly corny but it was a fun short read.

[Dwayne Fry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will admit, I didn't get this story. I had to come and read reviews by others to see what happened and it seems that there's a lot of different ideas. One person said that they liked that Richard Schiver let us decide what happened in the story. I have to disagree.

There's a saying amongst writers that goes, "show don't tell". While I think there are times when telling is better, Schiver seems to be of the mind that readers should just sort it all out for themselves, relieving the writer from actually telling the story - but isn't that what we're supposed to be doing?

This could probably be a great story if it were more clearly written. Also, it felt rushed. Maybe making it twice as long and really fleshing it out would have helped rather than rushing it along as if the writer can't wait for it to be over.

[whatemsreadingx · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am SO GLAD this book was a free kindle one because I would not have paid money to read this.

The whole story from start to finish didn't make any sense whatsoever, there were points where I think even the author got confused with his own story, the direction it was taking and what he had already written.

There were several seeds planted within this book which could have been expanded upon to make a really interesting story, but sadly they weren't and we were left wanting and waiting for more from this. I have a lot of unanswered questions after reading it.

There was no fear factor within this book, which considering it's marketed as a horror on Goodreads is highly disappointing.

It was just a really poor read and I didn't rate it at all.