Shady Palms

by Allen Dusk

A sleazy motel, burrowed on the edge of town, is haunted by rumors of dead hookers found between mattresses and peep holes drilled through walls.When Special Agent Daniels targets the motel during an investigation, the nefarious owner, Sanjay, must scramble to conceal evidence of his own dark deeds. Just when he believes things can’t get any worse, motel guests begin to vanish without a trace.

Can Sanjay discover the truth behind the phenomena threatening his motel before the Feds get suspicious, or does he risk exposing his own sordid enterprises to seek help from the outside?

Why don’t you book a room for the night and find out? At these bargain rates you’ll be lucky if you only find dirty sheets and a few skeletons in the closet.

Welcome to the Shady Palms Motel. Check out is at 11, if you live that long…

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Mystery

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Allen Dusk is a writer of dark speculative fiction who thrives on weaving shadows between genres. His stories slip between horror, science fiction, and the erotic, creating unsettling worlds where dread and desire collide. Known for twisting the familiar into something hauntingly strange, he pulls readers into narratives that refuse to stay predictable.

When he isn’t conjuring nightmares on the page, Allen explores his fascination with imagery through photography and revisits the eerie comfort of classic horror films.

Reviews

[Allen Dusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I wrote the book, so I have to love it, or why else did I bother writing it? If you like multilayered plots, cunning anti-heros, and edge of your seat suspense, then you may like this book. Just be warned, to learn all the secrets of the Shady Phalms Motel you're going to have to feel your way along a dark passage filled knee-deep with blood, and you'll probably be disgusted with what you find. If you can keep reading after that, then I have done my job correctly.

[Heather Faville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever get the feeling you're being watched? You know, the hairs on the back of your neck start to tingle like your own personal version of Spideysense and you get that eerie feeling that you're not alone? Welcome to Shady Palms! The skeezy hotel where every creepy feeling of something lurking around the corner or under your bed is not only intensified, but it's actually happening.

Yes, the Shady Palms has its hidden cameras but it is the highly questionable clientele and their nightly activity that puts the FBI on high alert. Now, Sanjay, the office manager, must now work overtime to hide his "side project" from those snooping around his hotel. But will his naughty little web business even be a worry for the investigators when there are terrorists to find and people actually disappearing from the hotel?

Pornographic websites, employees just out of jail for crimes they did/did not commit, cleaning up dead bodies, Federal investigations of terrorist activities and creepy crawlies. Those are just a few of the thrills and chills you have waiting for you within the walls of the Shady Palms hotel. Entertaining and questionable characters you love/hate or love to hate all going about their messed up lives in a setting that would make Oscar the Grouch feel the need to bath.

[Kelly Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in the first reads giveaway. This review may contain some spoilers, just giving warning in advance.

Shady Palms is a motel on the outskirts of the city. It's generally seen as the last place you want to stay and most people who stay there are involved in some sort of criminal activity or they have nowhere else to go.

You have terrorism, prostitution, murder, pornography and mutant bedbugs (yes mutant bedbugs) all intertwined in the story. Who would have though bedbugs could be so deadly?

There is a fair bit of sex which can be quite graphic at times (there is a detailed description of someone being given a blowjob). But this isn't 50 Shades of Grey when it comes to sex (don't even get me started on that book). The violence can be graphic as well. So if you don't like reading about blood and gore this novel probably isn't for you. I enjoy horror novels, for me the scarier the better.

It is a page turner, it's not the type of book you can't walk away from for a long time.

The chapters were very short, which has it's advantages and disadvantages. Some of the chapters were too short (1 and a bit pages) and 2 chapters could have made into 1. Also with so many themes, sometimes the story jumped around too much and you are not always sure what you are reading.

Overall it is a good book and definately worth reading if you are a fan of horror (like me).

[Kristin L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to start off by saying that I was already a huge fan of this author's short stories. I love the macabre way he tells a tale, and the oft chilling voice he gives to his characters. Shady Palms, his first full length novel, does not disappoint! It keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride. I am not going to post any spoilers here - you will have to read the book for yourselves to find out what happens! But, I will say that I was sad to see some characters die off, while cheering for other to kick the bucket. And I have to add most emphatically that I will never, ever look at a hotel room without checking for bedbugs first, especially if the hotel manager's name happens to be Sanjay. ((shudder!))

Okay, this may be a spoiler after all - I have to give Mary a huge "high five" for finally dealing with her problem ex-husband in the end. Way to go, girl!

I highly recommend this novel for fans of gritty, urban horror stories. Two thumbs way up!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, because I don't think the books is getting the attention it deserves.
I thought the book was going to be typical FBI hunting down Al-Qaeda. I was wrong.

It was a fun read with lots of humor, Gore, and sex. Yes sex well it is a shady hotel. I have skipped over worse in romance novels.

"Its decision to suck up an extra helping of toddler soup would cost it dearly."

Read this is you like A. Lee Martinez books.

Or Christopher Moore Practical Demonkeeping you will enjoy this.

[Amy Barnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so splatter punk has never been a genre that I thought I would enjoy. But I LOVED this book. The Kiss Me Quick podcast with Rose Carraway presented the first 29 chapters and I was hooked.

Dusk does a great job developing characters to the point where I was even surprised to find myself feeling sorry for Sanjay. His gritty, no holds barred descriptions make you feel like you are there.

I am anxiously awaiting Dusk's next contribution.....

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is very over-the-top in a way that could easily have gone very wrong, but didn't. It's very crude and vulgar, but it's used in a way that works to inform the setting (a fleabag motel) and world of the characters. Without a doubt one of the scuzziest books I've ever read, and I have to respect that. Certainly not for everyone, but it worked for me.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Guy Smith will dig this one. Sex, violence and giant bugs. Yeah, good times. You can read my full review at HorrorTalk.com.

[jyweniverel]

A very intriguing, suspenseful sounding novel..the edge of my seat, here I come.....if I win a copy of course....hope

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary to think of bedbugs becoming more than a foot long O_O

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written well but not for young readers.Ending was unexpected but I did enjoy the book. I really don`t think women enjoy the erotica,but that is just my opinion. Good book and worth reading.

[Brian J · Rating 4 out of 5]

read my review at bookie-monster.com

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dayum! I will never look at bedbugs the same way again. The author created some really fun characters, and that in my opinion makes or breaks any story. The staff of the motel were the most developed - I felt like I totally knew them and could see them clearly in my mind. The motel owner was the best! But the bugs... daaaaaaaaammmnnn the bugs!! They were incredibly creepy, weird, scary, and mean as hell!

I felt the pacing of the book was perfect. You aren't steered into the action right away, but rather it builds until suddenly you're creeped out, then things switch gears and you're left sweating, wondering what's going to happen next. The book has plenty of suspense to mix with the action.

And did I mention the bugs were super-f'in creepy???

This was a really fun book and a must-read for anyone who's into good, fun, dirty, creepy, action- and suspense-filled horror.

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the seeming rise of bed bug incidents throughout the country, it was only a matter of time before someone capitalized on the situation and put the fear of these disgusting little beasts to paper or film. And author Allen Dusk did exactly that in his book Shady Palms by exploring what would happen if you mixed terrorism, chemical warfare, bloodsucking critters and a less-than-desirable motel in one of the seedier parts of town – where drugs and flesh are sold in the open without fear of police intervention.

You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Jess Amon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Shady Palms Motel—where the horrors between the walls are just as chilling as the ones in your imagination. Allen Dusk delivers a gritty, unsettling thriller that lures you in with sleaze and suspense, then keeps you hooked with its sinister twists.

From whispers of bodies hidden in mattresses to guests vanishing into thin air, the tension builds with every chapter. Sanjay, the shady owner, is as compelling as he is corrupt—caught between his own dark secrets and a mystery far greater than himself.

Creepy, atmospheric, and wickedly entertaining, Shady Palms Motel is the kind of book you don’t want to check out of… even if survival isn’t guaranteed. Perfect for fans of horror and noir who love their stories laced with grit, menace, and dark humor.

[Adams Hub · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most was how unpredictable this book was. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was going, it threw in another twist. The suspense, the grotesque details, and the haunting atmosphere made it one of the most entertaining horror reads I’ve picked up in a while.

[Carley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this in a Goodreads First Reads Contest.

I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. This may be a guys book but I could not help but find the dialogue,cliche plot lines, and poorly developed characters a complete and utter turn off. I get that people swear and curse and say foul things, and to use it in dialogue is understandable and reasonable, however this went above and beyond acceptable. "Lung Oyster" literally made me gag. Really there wasn't any other words that could have been used to describe spit? It seemed like every other word was a curse or dirty slang term and it replaced good writing.

The characters and plot lines were cliche too. "Candy" the prostitute, the prison inmate just trying to get her son back, the crooked lawyer whose cohort was the sleazy motel owner, the American hating Terrorist, the list goes on. The only thing that was a surprise mutant bed bugs.

[Aisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book in the First Reads giveaway here on GoodReads. Thank you Allen Dusk for sending me a copy.

This book is for an 18+ audience.

In this book, a terrorist stashes radioactive material at this sketchy motel. As a result, the bed bugs infesting the mattress become mutant bugs. I'm not going to give of much away, but there are other back stories involved, such as Sanjay (the motel owner) and Mary, and prisoner working towards her freedom, and agent Jack Daniels (interesting name).

The author was very good with getting graphic and gory. And as the author wrote to me, this story isn't for everyone, but I'm glad to have given it a chance. It's always nice to read something different.

[Jami · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not my cup of tea. I didn't care about any of the characters and this so-called horror book did not chill me at all. There was a ton of graphic sexual language; while this does not offend me per se when it pertains to the story, in this case, the author seemed to have been enthralled with the word "c*ck." It got tiring after awhile, especially when it didn't move the story along. Plus, some of the terms used to describe semen and other bodily functions (lung oyster?) just made me roll my eyes. As for the narration, it was average and did nothing to redeem the story. Sorry, but I just can't recommend this one. I did finish it for some reason, but there were many times when I almost bailed on it.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I had initially entered for this first-reads I thought it was a different kind of genre so I had a hard time getting in to it. However, once I finally sat down and read it, it only took me two days to read(which is very fast for me) so, all-in-all it was an okay book.

Sometimes you were pulling for the 'bad guy' and other times you weren't, sometimes you looked down on the 'good guys' and when they did bad you were sometimes glad- so it made it an interesting read for sure. Had the book been a little less raunchy I would have liked it a lot more but that's just my preference. I thought the ending was all very fitting.

Won this from a goodreads' first-reads giveaway.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this audiobook around a year ago shortly after it was published thinking that the premise was interesting. The ratings were middle of the road at that time, but when I finally got around to reading it, the ratings had dropped. I figured it couldn't be THAT bad. Part way in, I still was thinking that it wasn't THAT bad. But it didn't take long for the vulgarity to have me saying, "I changed my mind. It is THAT bad."

The writing was poor. The plot was sublimely ridiculous. The vulgarity was over the top. Enough said.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is obviously talented and intelligent. This book could have been a well crafted, fun and engaging story, and reached a much larger audience had the author put his talents to good use instead of resorting to vulgarity, gore, sex, and violence. I could have given this book at least a star, but can only manage ½ a star. I hope the author will steer his talents away from everything gross and just tell a good story next time.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't even really finish this one. Not my cup of tea.

[Rachel Stowell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm glad that's over.

Turns out this is not my genre, but I did still finish it. Maybe that means something?

[Craig Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. Almost a black comedy really. Filthy language all through the book - much of it simply not needed to tell the story.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected based on the description on Audible. I did not like any of the characters, the story was not compelling, and it wasn't humorous.

[Niki Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just way too creepy for my taste. Ugh. I really couldn't find a character to latch on to and like enough to finish the book.

[Scotty Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are looking for a horror novel that spends more time describing porn scenes that it does trying to scare you, this may be the book for you.