What do you think?
Rate this book
S'wanee
A spellbinding campus. A new family of friends. A semester of death.
High school senior Cody's prayers are answered when he's recruited on scholarship to the college of his dreams: a stunning and prestigious school tucked high in the Tennessee hills.
But the dream turns living nightmare when his classmates start to die off mysteriously. Is it Cody's imagination, or are his friends' tragic deaths a sinister legacy handed down through the generations? And is he next on the roll call?
A coming-of-age, paranoid thriller in the vein of Ira Levin, "S'wanee" weaves psychological suspense with dark humor in its brutal descent to a shocking climax.
High school senior Cody's prayers are answered when he's recruited on scholarship to the college of his dreams: a stunning and prestigious school tucked high in the Tennessee hills.
But the dream turns living nightmare when his classmates start to die off mysteriously. Is it Cody's imagination, or are his friends' tragic deaths a sinister legacy handed down through the generations? And is he next on the roll call?
A coming-of-age, paranoid thriller in the vein of Ira Levin, "S'wanee" weaves psychological suspense with dark humor in its brutal descent to a shocking climax.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2012
11 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Don Winston
8 books21 followersDon Winston grew up in Nashville and graduated from Princeton University. After a stint at Ralph Lauren headquarters in New York, he moved to Los Angeles to work in entertainment. "S'WANEE: A PARANOID THRILLER" was his debut novel, followed by "THE UNION CLUB: A SUBVERSIVE THRILLER" and "THE GRISTMILL PLAYHOUSE: A NIGHTMARE IN THREE ACTS." His new novel—"OUR FAMILY TROUBLE: A DOMESTIC THRILLER" was released April 2017.
He's not nearly as twisted as his books.
He lives in Hollywood.
He's not nearly as twisted as his books.
He lives in Hollywood.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 21, 2013
I knew when I first started reading this book, it would be an interesting read. The plot held me out through the end of the book. The only character I could relate to was Cody. I was continuously confused about who the other characters in the book were. On a positive note, I love a good thriller and I think S'wanee was exactly that. I also loved that I didn't know who was doing the killing to the very end. It took me by surprise, and I like that the author chose to go in that direction. Some parts were a little confusing and I had to re-read them. However, in the end, I like the plot and like the way the author tied everything up and didn't leave the reader hanging.
February 19, 2013
I stumbled upon this book from my group in goodreads. Winston was looking for reviews for this self published masterpiece. I gladly took him up on his offer since the synopsis really peaked my interest. I began reading and it kept me up hours later then I usually stay up for, rough morning the next day did not stop me from reading for hours on end until I had finally devoured the book entirely. The fact that I had such a hard time putting this book down, and the fact that I was completely interested throughout the whole book, is the reason I have no choice but to rate this with five stars.
My only complaint with this book was that there was too much description at times. That being said, this book was still amazing. It is a story about Cody, a high school student on his way to university. He has it all planned out until mysteriously an offer from S'Wanee makes him question his plans. Eventually he ends up registering for S'Wanee and begins his freshman year on the beautiful grounds of S'wanee. It begins slowly, and gives you time to get to know several other characters and Cody's routines. All of a sudden everything goes haywire and the mystery begins. It kept me on my toes and guessing the entire time. It made me laugh, it made me frustrated, and it made me constantly question Cody's surroundings.
I was not expecting the ending and I would have loved to see something different happen. However, the ending was still great and the storyline flowed smoothly to make it all acceptable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I WILL be recommending this book to any mystery, thriller, and adventure readers. Great book Winston!
My only complaint with this book was that there was too much description at times. That being said, this book was still amazing. It is a story about Cody, a high school student on his way to university. He has it all planned out until mysteriously an offer from S'Wanee makes him question his plans. Eventually he ends up registering for S'Wanee and begins his freshman year on the beautiful grounds of S'wanee. It begins slowly, and gives you time to get to know several other characters and Cody's routines. All of a sudden everything goes haywire and the mystery begins. It kept me on my toes and guessing the entire time. It made me laugh, it made me frustrated, and it made me constantly question Cody's surroundings.
I was not expecting the ending and I would have loved to see something different happen. However, the ending was still great and the storyline flowed smoothly to make it all acceptable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I WILL be recommending this book to any mystery, thriller, and adventure readers. Great book Winston!
July 8, 2013
Kudos to Don Winston on a job well done!
When something seems too good to be true, trust your gut instinct and run...run away...far away!
I enjoy trying to figure out the plot twists and was pleasantly surprised.
When something seems too good to be true, trust your gut instinct and run...run away...far away!
I enjoy trying to figure out the plot twists and was pleasantly surprised.
November 27, 2013
The book is ok. It's not that exciting. I'm a Sewanee student and it was really inaccurate at times yet gives a relatively interesting view on all of the Sewanee traditions. So. Eh.
July 30, 2014
Being an alumnus of both the Academy and the University, I was anxious to read Winston's book.
It wasn't difficult. The prose was simple and flowing, the characters straightforward, the dialogue uncomplicated. I was finished within an hour.
I'm never going to have that hour back now.
One would think that a pretentious old sandstone campus modelled after Oxford, where students still wear academic gowns and ties to classes and attend convocations in the Gothic chapel at the very heart of the academic quadrangle, would furnish enough material for any writer. This was, after all, the community which rejected Tennessee Williams but greedily received his bequest, and lent sanctuary over the years to unrepentant secessionists like Allen Tate and Walker Percy.
But Winston seemed to overlook all that, opting instead for the kind of simplistic paranoiac thriller which would work its juvenile magic in almost any more contemporary setting.
It was obvious to me that the author either knows Sewanee intimately, or else has a damned good research assistant. Of course, this made the book even doubly disappointing.
I suppose I've simply outgrown the days when I found entertainment in negotiating the interplay between delusion and reality in the pathological mind. There are entirely too many credible, straightforward and routinely grievous sins afoot on the University domain at any given moment for some nebulous schoolboy delusion of persecution to compete.
The book had potential, and in its first quarter completely captured my imagination. The final three-quarters, however, were as tedious as an anthology of Ayn Rand's love poetry.
Pass it over.
It wasn't difficult. The prose was simple and flowing, the characters straightforward, the dialogue uncomplicated. I was finished within an hour.
I'm never going to have that hour back now.
One would think that a pretentious old sandstone campus modelled after Oxford, where students still wear academic gowns and ties to classes and attend convocations in the Gothic chapel at the very heart of the academic quadrangle, would furnish enough material for any writer. This was, after all, the community which rejected Tennessee Williams but greedily received his bequest, and lent sanctuary over the years to unrepentant secessionists like Allen Tate and Walker Percy.
But Winston seemed to overlook all that, opting instead for the kind of simplistic paranoiac thriller which would work its juvenile magic in almost any more contemporary setting.
It was obvious to me that the author either knows Sewanee intimately, or else has a damned good research assistant. Of course, this made the book even doubly disappointing.
I suppose I've simply outgrown the days when I found entertainment in negotiating the interplay between delusion and reality in the pathological mind. There are entirely too many credible, straightforward and routinely grievous sins afoot on the University domain at any given moment for some nebulous schoolboy delusion of persecution to compete.
The book had potential, and in its first quarter completely captured my imagination. The final three-quarters, however, were as tedious as an anthology of Ayn Rand's love poetry.
Pass it over.
August 14, 2013
Cody Marko lived with his mother Marcie in a small apartment. It had been just the two of them forever – Cody didn’t know his father, but his mother more than compensated for his absence. They were very close, and now that Cody was seventeen and working, he admired his mother’s fortitude, and looked out for her. He wished she would stop smoking, and that she would meet a man who could be a permanent presence in her life. She worked at Macy’s department store, while he worked in IT at the local Apple shop. He was brilliant with computers, and had no trouble with the troubleshooting he did for their customers.
Applying for college found him being approached late in the running by S’wanee, a school no-one had heard of. But the scholarship they offered him, plus the sound of the prestigious campus - it was irresistible and struck him as perfect. After being initially refused admittance, he was contacted by a person named Ross, who said the administration side of S’wanee had messed up, and he had been accepted. He was very happy, little knowing that right there, right when the decision was made to accept was the catalyst to a future he could never have foreseen.
My thoughts on this book are mixed. The first half of the book was way too long, filled will non-information, with Cody and Marcie’s lives together the sum total of almost 50% of the story. At approximately 53% we moved to the campus where events very slowly began to occur. I can see where this could have been a brilliant story, but the execution was done in a way that just didn’t work for me.
Applying for college found him being approached late in the running by S’wanee, a school no-one had heard of. But the scholarship they offered him, plus the sound of the prestigious campus - it was irresistible and struck him as perfect. After being initially refused admittance, he was contacted by a person named Ross, who said the administration side of S’wanee had messed up, and he had been accepted. He was very happy, little knowing that right there, right when the decision was made to accept was the catalyst to a future he could never have foreseen.
My thoughts on this book are mixed. The first half of the book was way too long, filled will non-information, with Cody and Marcie’s lives together the sum total of almost 50% of the story. At approximately 53% we moved to the campus where events very slowly began to occur. I can see where this could have been a brilliant story, but the execution was done in a way that just didn’t work for me.
June 25, 2014
I was given this book to read and review
I think this book was really good and the ending was incredible. My only negative comments on the book is that the beginning was way too long. I didn't like how it took about 30 percent of the book up with just him and his mom in their everyday Jersey life. I think they should have just gotten right into life at S'wannee. Another thing was that some parts were a bit confusing to understand but its ok because it is all explained in the end.
*WARNING- READING PAST THIS POINT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
I really did not understand why Beth did not want to go to the dorm room of Cody. Did she know she was going to die, or what was that all about. And they never really elaborated on the dorm she was in. Was it real? When I found out that everything was a simulation my brain was mind blown. And the mom was in on it? Like WHAAAAAAT? Did not see that one coming. The last chapter was a bit confusing but now he works for them? Um, how did that happen. Did they make him since they can control his brain. This book was so intense at the end. And not to mention Elliot, I guess he realized that is was all wrong and ended up being killed. I still can't get over the fact that the whole university was fake and EVERYONE but Cody was in on it.
Besides the beginning and the parts that really just made me confused and question what was happening, it was just amazing.
I think this book was really good and the ending was incredible. My only negative comments on the book is that the beginning was way too long. I didn't like how it took about 30 percent of the book up with just him and his mom in their everyday Jersey life. I think they should have just gotten right into life at S'wannee. Another thing was that some parts were a bit confusing to understand but its ok because it is all explained in the end.
*WARNING- READING PAST THIS POINT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
I really did not understand why Beth did not want to go to the dorm room of Cody. Did she know she was going to die, or what was that all about. And they never really elaborated on the dorm she was in. Was it real? When I found out that everything was a simulation my brain was mind blown. And the mom was in on it? Like WHAAAAAAT? Did not see that one coming. The last chapter was a bit confusing but now he works for them? Um, how did that happen. Did they make him since they can control his brain. This book was so intense at the end. And not to mention Elliot, I guess he realized that is was all wrong and ended up being killed. I still can't get over the fact that the whole university was fake and EVERYONE but Cody was in on it.
Besides the beginning and the parts that really just made me confused and question what was happening, it was just amazing.
August 2, 2013
Since the setting is Sewanee, I figured the local color would be fun, plus the thrill of a read likened to "Rosemary's Baby." Well, sorta.
The story is interesting, and the main character is likeable and we want him to succeed and figure out the odd happenings at S'wanee. For sure, the mystery itself, when revealed, is pretty shocking and I suppose worth the price of the book. However, the dialogue nearly killed me. When every character says "Dude" to begin a conversation,your eyes begin to roll back in your head.
So, the dialogue is banal and somewhat stilted and unbelievable. However, as I said, maybe the thrill of the climax is worth the price of the book. It's certainly memorable.
Is this a beach read? Yeah, you could polish it off in a day and a margarita might deaden all the "dude's."
The story is interesting, and the main character is likeable and we want him to succeed and figure out the odd happenings at S'wanee. For sure, the mystery itself, when revealed, is pretty shocking and I suppose worth the price of the book. However, the dialogue nearly killed me. When every character says "Dude" to begin a conversation,your eyes begin to roll back in your head.
So, the dialogue is banal and somewhat stilted and unbelievable. However, as I said, maybe the thrill of the climax is worth the price of the book. It's certainly memorable.
Is this a beach read? Yeah, you could polish it off in a day and a margarita might deaden all the "dude's."
July 2, 2013
I received this book free in exchange for a review.
Life as a college freshman can be scary and strange. The same is true for Cody. A senior in high school debating whether to go to Rutgers or a relatively unheard of college named "S'wanee". After a mix up at S'wanee, Cody goes to Rutgers, but only for one day. He is accepted by S'wanee. That's where the mystery begins.
This book was very well written and held my attention throughout. Some of the events are a little confusing, but they are all sorted out in the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
Life as a college freshman can be scary and strange. The same is true for Cody. A senior in high school debating whether to go to Rutgers or a relatively unheard of college named "S'wanee". After a mix up at S'wanee, Cody goes to Rutgers, but only for one day. He is accepted by S'wanee. That's where the mystery begins.
This book was very well written and held my attention throughout. Some of the events are a little confusing, but they are all sorted out in the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
April 30, 2013
If you like psychological thrillers this is certainly ONE NOT TO MISS.Once started you are well and truly hooked.This spinechiller will scare you, have you holding on to the edge of your seat and keep you wake but you wont want to put it down so be prepared for a late night.Cody registers for S'wanee and so it all begins.You will never be sure whats real or not- nothing is what it seems.
I wont say anymore to spoil your read.Go buy it,it comes highly recommended.
I wont say anymore to spoil your read.Go buy it,it comes highly recommended.
Read
July 24, 2013This is not the typical type of book I read but I found it to be a great read I was able to relate to the character in different ways one being from Jersey and having lived in tennessee and also because I moved around a lot growing up. The plot kept me wanting more the plot twists were good too. I did find certain areas of the book a little jump aroundish and a little confusing but all togethor I really enjoyed the book. Thanks for the chance to read.
September 28, 2013
This book is truly incredible. The protagonist, Cody, came to life, which the mark of excellent writing. I thought I had the story totally figured out, bit I continued reading because I still very much enjoyed the story. As I read the last few pages, I realized I had figured out a minuscule part.
"S'wannee" is well written, intriguing and disturbing in the best way. I am (im)patiently awaiting Don Winston's next novel, which is due out in November!
"S'wannee" is well written, intriguing and disturbing in the best way. I am (im)patiently awaiting Don Winston's next novel, which is due out in November!
December 7, 2012
Unsettling in the best way. I love when I bite into a book expecting one thing based on the setup and it turns into something completely different. The author brought me along on the main character's journey and I started to accept the things that he was accepting, when we definitely shouldn't have! The tension builds and builds - just like it should in a great thriller.
June 18, 2013
I enjoyed the indy feel of this book. While it ended rather abruptly, until that point I felt the writing was very believable. Being from the area, Swannee is just about an hour from Nashville, I can attest to the authenticity of the settings and locale. All in all a fun read, especially if you live in the SE U.S.
April 14, 2013
This book will make you glad you are not starting as a freshman at a new college far from home. The term paranoid thriller truly fits. Great story; great characters and great twists and turns. Highly recommend this book!
December 30, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Everyday is all there is, kiddo."
Cody knew nothing about his father. He lived with his slightly eccentric, overbearing mother - often unrepentantly profligate, a!ways in debt unless funded by a gentleman admired - and needed a scholarship if he wanted to continue to a decent university. And he did. But no scholarships were offered until, out of the blue, he was asked to submit an application to the little known but prestigious college, S'wanee. Met at the airport on arrival and driven to the quirky college by Ross, his student mentor, Cody quickly begins to feel that, finally, he is home with a family.Then people start to die.
S'wanee is a well written, absobing, strange and creepy murder mystery where things are not what they seem to be. Brief but clear descriptions build pictures of the campus for the reader, the air of anticipated danger niggles at the reader long before it becomes obvious to the main protagonist and the conclusion was rather unexpected. So - mystery, thrills, good writing all complemented by the excellent narration by Dan Winston, who really became Cody Marco as we followed his progress through his first terms at S'wanee. He also voices individually all of the other characters. A fine performance.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of S'wanee, at my request, by the rights holder via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it, puzzled over it, pictured it and, when the book was finished, thought back on it again. No doubt, I will at some time in the future, come back to re-read it again. So I recommend S'wanee to all of those adventurous readers who want a little quirky mystery in their lives.
"Everyday is all there is, kiddo."
Cody knew nothing about his father. He lived with his slightly eccentric, overbearing mother - often unrepentantly profligate, a!ways in debt unless funded by a gentleman admired - and needed a scholarship if he wanted to continue to a decent university. And he did. But no scholarships were offered until, out of the blue, he was asked to submit an application to the little known but prestigious college, S'wanee. Met at the airport on arrival and driven to the quirky college by Ross, his student mentor, Cody quickly begins to feel that, finally, he is home with a family.Then people start to die.
S'wanee is a well written, absobing, strange and creepy murder mystery where things are not what they seem to be. Brief but clear descriptions build pictures of the campus for the reader, the air of anticipated danger niggles at the reader long before it becomes obvious to the main protagonist and the conclusion was rather unexpected. So - mystery, thrills, good writing all complemented by the excellent narration by Dan Winston, who really became Cody Marco as we followed his progress through his first terms at S'wanee. He also voices individually all of the other characters. A fine performance.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of S'wanee, at my request, by the rights holder via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it, puzzled over it, pictured it and, when the book was finished, thought back on it again. No doubt, I will at some time in the future, come back to re-read it again. So I recommend S'wanee to all of those adventurous readers who want a little quirky mystery in their lives.
August 18, 2013
It was OK, what more can I say? I found that I read the book to some extent because I wanted to know what was going on, but mainly because I don't like abandoning books. I borrowed this from the kindle lending library as part of my prime membership and I'm glad that I didn't pay for it otherwise I would have been more disappointed than I am with it.
I didn't like the ending, I expected to have answered to my questions, but I felt I still had questions at the end of the book and I prefer to end the book with all questions answered. This book just wasn't for me, I didn't feel the suspense that I have come to expect with a thriller. The plot had the potential to be really good, but I felt like there was a lot of padding that wasn't necessary and not enough working towards building the suspense.
I didn't like the ending, I expected to have answered to my questions, but I felt I still had questions at the end of the book and I prefer to end the book with all questions answered. This book just wasn't for me, I didn't feel the suspense that I have come to expect with a thriller. The plot had the potential to be really good, but I felt like there was a lot of padding that wasn't necessary and not enough working towards building the suspense.
July 19, 2013
Couldn't even finish it it was bad.
I have this book longer than most but chapter after chapter of information that was just boring, not needed and useless I put the book down.
The writing style was patchy it was good at one moment then went all shakey.
The build up to the story like I said was just too much I got fed up of waiting for something to happen, I mean there's building an atmosphere then there's this book which killed it.
The character of Cody was written in a way that it seemed like the author didn't want you to releate or allow you to know him better and marcie was in my eyes not needed has much has she was.
I'm sure this book would have been good but I got board of waiting.
I have this book longer than most but chapter after chapter of information that was just boring, not needed and useless I put the book down.
The writing style was patchy it was good at one moment then went all shakey.
The build up to the story like I said was just too much I got fed up of waiting for something to happen, I mean there's building an atmosphere then there's this book which killed it.
The character of Cody was written in a way that it seemed like the author didn't want you to releate or allow you to know him better and marcie was in my eyes not needed has much has she was.
I'm sure this book would have been good but I got board of waiting.
August 9, 2016
I certainly cannot say that I enjoyed reading this book. The plot is designed to entrap, not entertain. There was too much useless information early in the book and far too little at the end. Cody's mother's character was inconsistently developed and inadequately explained. If I had the time back I spent reading this book, I'd spend it reading something worthwhile. I borrowed the book through Kindle Prime and am glad I didn't buy it. I'm looking forward to returning it and trying to forget about it. I think I'll at least enjoy that part of the experience.
December 28, 2014
Cody Marko is a high school graduate who was invited to attend a small prestigious college called S'wanee. He cannot believe his luck because he had already accepted that his economic situation would not allow him to attend a good school. He had never heard about it but he investigates and soon falls in love with it. His mother finally accepts to let him go, especially when he is given full scholarship. he is very excited upon his arrival, but soon students start dying. He decides to find out what is going on. An unbelievable book with too much fantasy. Definitely not my piece of cake.
April 4, 2013
Pathetic, self-published tripe. More disturbing than the stilted writing is the authors over-the-top self-promotion by using copyrighted images from The University and slapping his quotes and annoying title on them.
You sir, are no gentleman, and certainly not a graduate of SEwanee as you are completely lacking in the integrity found in those who know that the Honor Code stretched far beyond the gates on the mountain.
You sir, are no gentleman, and certainly not a graduate of SEwanee as you are completely lacking in the integrity found in those who know that the Honor Code stretched far beyond the gates on the mountain.
January 5, 2013
Quick easy read. Interesting storyline, but I felt he spent too much time building the scenery and not enough on the play. I would have liked to see more of the plot opened up, especially leading up to and immediately after the climax. Once I got a sense of where it was going, I was enthused and anticipatory. But the swift wrap-up left me wanting.
March 11, 2013
I am not sure which shelves to put this book on. It could be so many different shelves.
I felt the author spent a lot of time building the suspense. He did a great job there. I thought the ending was a little flat. It almost seemed like he had a deadline and could not think of anything else to write.
I would probably recommend this book to other people
I felt the author spent a lot of time building the suspense. He did a great job there. I thought the ending was a little flat. It almost seemed like he had a deadline and could not think of anything else to write.
I would probably recommend this book to other people
April 17, 2013
lost the plot at the end....up till then it was sort of ok...but as a freebie book i am glad i gave it a go...
May 27, 2013
a quick review on S'wanee thriller: good plot, likeable characters, smooth flowing storyline. then you reach the climax & let down. ugh!
May 27, 2013
Paranoid thrillers are not my favorite books to read.
September 4, 2013
review coming soon
December 27, 2013
You'll
jujitsu
mmmmmmm
lollipop
poor opp
ennui to
'll
lollipops to the beach and then I have to get to the
jujitsu
mmmmmmm
lollipop
poor opp
ennui to
'll
lollipops to the beach and then I have to get to the
July 23, 2016
Well written and creepy. The reviews comparing this to Ira Levin are spot on. I liked the story, and it stayed with me, even when I didn't want it to.
May 9, 2014
Awful! I kept reading because I did enjoy reminiscing about the buildings and grounds!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews