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The Five Watchers
The Five Watchers centers on events occurring in a secluded valley in north-central Pennsylvania called Shady Glen.
The people who have lived in the valley over the centuries have unwittingly helped in the formation of a psychic entity, an amalgam of potent psychic residue and a number of remnant human consciousnesses of those who are connected with the area, immersed in evil thoughts, powerful enough to bend the will of the weak-minded, and strong enough to kill.
After lying uninhabited for more than 30 years and largely faded from media notoriety, Shady Glen is chosen by a New York City-based TV production company for the latest episode of their new paranormal-focused reality TV series. In each show a group of five volunteer investigators and two psychics are brought together to investigate a haunted location. Over the course of a weekend, the investigators are filmed as they try to verify claims of paranormal activity in the chosen area.
What the investigators and psychics don't know is that the production company has secretly sent in a second crew to scare them. And what they are all about to find out is that the evil is real, and is awakening.
The people who have lived in the valley over the centuries have unwittingly helped in the formation of a psychic entity, an amalgam of potent psychic residue and a number of remnant human consciousnesses of those who are connected with the area, immersed in evil thoughts, powerful enough to bend the will of the weak-minded, and strong enough to kill.
After lying uninhabited for more than 30 years and largely faded from media notoriety, Shady Glen is chosen by a New York City-based TV production company for the latest episode of their new paranormal-focused reality TV series. In each show a group of five volunteer investigators and two psychics are brought together to investigate a haunted location. Over the course of a weekend, the investigators are filmed as they try to verify claims of paranormal activity in the chosen area.
What the investigators and psychics don't know is that the production company has secretly sent in a second crew to scare them. And what they are all about to find out is that the evil is real, and is awakening.
- GenresParanormalEbooks
225 pages, ebook
First published September 4, 2012
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
J. Cameron McClain
10 books40 followersJ. Cameron McClain started life in Huntsville Alabama, home of the Redstsone Arsenal and the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. His grandfather was one of the flight surgeons for those space programs, thus he was introduced to the ambitious concept of humans flying into space at a very early age. Not to mention he met Miss Baker, a distant cousin who flew in space a while before us reticent humans decided to give it a go.
The first book he can remember receiving as a gift was entitled Thirteen Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey. Soon after that, he saw his first ghost, one of many, many such revenants who have passed by—and through—over the years. Having been introduced to the paranormal at a young age, he has enjoyed a close and mostly cordial relationship with it since that time.
J. Cameron McClain has lived in ten or so states in the US, Tanzania, Kenya, Japan, India, England, Wales and South Africa. He is usually making his way through four or so books at any given time. He cooks spicy Indian curries. He doesn't always drink beer, but when he does, he drinks stout.
The first book he can remember receiving as a gift was entitled Thirteen Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey. Soon after that, he saw his first ghost, one of many, many such revenants who have passed by—and through—over the years. Having been introduced to the paranormal at a young age, he has enjoyed a close and mostly cordial relationship with it since that time.
J. Cameron McClain has lived in ten or so states in the US, Tanzania, Kenya, Japan, India, England, Wales and South Africa. He is usually making his way through four or so books at any given time. He cooks spicy Indian curries. He doesn't always drink beer, but when he does, he drinks stout.
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September 17, 2013Author notes on the Second Edition of The Five Watchers
A number of very perceptive observations were made regarding the First Edition of The Five Watchers, and after thrusting my arm down my throat and ripping through the upper lung area, jerking out my beating heart, setting it on a wooden cutting board, and taking a sushi knife to it, I unpublished it, fed it my sashimi heart, and sent it back on its way, republished.
Sashimi Heart Flavoring Second Edition Ingredients:
Center section reinforced / rearranged
Plot problems resolved
Fewer points of view
Excess character deleted
Existing characters more focused
More stuff makes more sense
Better connections to the second and third books
Climax at the end is larger, now thus appropriately large, though naturally smaller than climaxes of books two and three
Ha ha! Take that, blemishes! Forward, to eternity!
A number of very perceptive observations were made regarding the First Edition of The Five Watchers, and after thrusting my arm down my throat and ripping through the upper lung area, jerking out my beating heart, setting it on a wooden cutting board, and taking a sushi knife to it, I unpublished it, fed it my sashimi heart, and sent it back on its way, republished.
Sashimi Heart Flavoring Second Edition Ingredients:
Center section reinforced / rearranged
Plot problems resolved
Fewer points of view
Excess character deleted
Existing characters more focused
More stuff makes more sense
Better connections to the second and third books
Climax at the end is larger, now thus appropriately large, though naturally smaller than climaxes of books two and three
Ha ha! Take that, blemishes! Forward, to eternity!
October 9, 2012
I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All thoughts contained in this review have rattled around in my head alone.
This novel just made it to my Favorites shelf....seriously one of the scariest books I've ever read! Here goes.....
Spook 'N Spectre Productions is responsible for a ghost hunting show on the new Horri-Fi Cable channel, called "Hunters in the Dark", where friends name other friends to go on a ghost-hunting expedition. If you make it through the first round, your friend then moves into the second round -- if you and your friend are successful, you each win $5,000. The purpose of the show is to send novice paranormal investigators into supposedly haunted locations, in order to either debunk or prove the existence of paranormal activity. The nominated participants are all excited about their trip, and think of it as no more than a way to get a little publicity and maybe some cash in the mix.
Enter Shady Glen (proving that locations can be characters too): Two production assistants acting as scouts from Spook 'N Spectre are sent location-hunting to find the creepiest location. They travel to Pennsylvania and are shown around Shady Glen by the realtor who handles the property for its unspecified owner, and who refuses to cross over into most of the property at all...actually makes both scouts sign double indemnity clauses that says they can't sue if they are hurt or killed on the property.
The property includes an old schoolhouse (built in mid-1850s), Watchers Sanatorium, boathouse, farm, barn, and slaughterhouse surrounded by 5 large mountain peaks. The area had been abandoned for almost 30 years, despite having had renters in one or the other building every so often who met unfortunate ends. Murders and horrific events have plagued the Shady Glen area since its inception, and the land seems hungry for more blood. A horrific massacre of schoolchildren closed the school shortly after it opened...the hospital was shut down after the head surgeon (Dr. Stills)was discovered performing brutal, inhumane experiments on patients -- then it was later opened as a hotel, where a sadist pedophile named Nadler murdered countless men, women and children....and the list goes on and on.
In any event, the production company decides that in order to ramp up the ratings for its declining show, it needs to plant some extra "Ghosts" in Shady Glen, to make sure the investigators catch unexplained things on camera. But what they don't consider - at all - is that Shady Glen doesn't need any help in that arena. Against the scouts' recommendations, Spook 'N Spectre sends all of the investigators into Shady Glen -- and the mayhem ensues.
A cast of colorful characters - keep your eye on Tuiren, she is an intriguing one - keep the story fast-paced and alarming from start to finish. I'll admit that I actually had to stop reading two nights in a row (it just got too scary for me!). This book will seriously scare the S- out of you :)
GREAT JOB, J. Cameron McClain!
This novel just made it to my Favorites shelf....seriously one of the scariest books I've ever read! Here goes.....
Spook 'N Spectre Productions is responsible for a ghost hunting show on the new Horri-Fi Cable channel, called "Hunters in the Dark", where friends name other friends to go on a ghost-hunting expedition. If you make it through the first round, your friend then moves into the second round -- if you and your friend are successful, you each win $5,000. The purpose of the show is to send novice paranormal investigators into supposedly haunted locations, in order to either debunk or prove the existence of paranormal activity. The nominated participants are all excited about their trip, and think of it as no more than a way to get a little publicity and maybe some cash in the mix.
Enter Shady Glen (proving that locations can be characters too): Two production assistants acting as scouts from Spook 'N Spectre are sent location-hunting to find the creepiest location. They travel to Pennsylvania and are shown around Shady Glen by the realtor who handles the property for its unspecified owner, and who refuses to cross over into most of the property at all...actually makes both scouts sign double indemnity clauses that says they can't sue if they are hurt or killed on the property.
The property includes an old schoolhouse (built in mid-1850s), Watchers Sanatorium, boathouse, farm, barn, and slaughterhouse surrounded by 5 large mountain peaks. The area had been abandoned for almost 30 years, despite having had renters in one or the other building every so often who met unfortunate ends. Murders and horrific events have plagued the Shady Glen area since its inception, and the land seems hungry for more blood. A horrific massacre of schoolchildren closed the school shortly after it opened...the hospital was shut down after the head surgeon (Dr. Stills)was discovered performing brutal, inhumane experiments on patients -- then it was later opened as a hotel, where a sadist pedophile named Nadler murdered countless men, women and children....and the list goes on and on.
In any event, the production company decides that in order to ramp up the ratings for its declining show, it needs to plant some extra "Ghosts" in Shady Glen, to make sure the investigators catch unexplained things on camera. But what they don't consider - at all - is that Shady Glen doesn't need any help in that arena. Against the scouts' recommendations, Spook 'N Spectre sends all of the investigators into Shady Glen -- and the mayhem ensues.
A cast of colorful characters - keep your eye on Tuiren, she is an intriguing one - keep the story fast-paced and alarming from start to finish. I'll admit that I actually had to stop reading two nights in a row (it just got too scary for me!). This book will seriously scare the S- out of you :)
GREAT JOB, J. Cameron McClain!
November 1, 2012
Call me a salmon. Seriously, I am always swimming upstream. Okay, maybe not always. But a lot. This story has all four and five star reviews, until me.
This book did have a lot going for it. McClain had some very good lines, and I really liked the idea. My problem was that I went in expecting true horror, or what is true horror to me. I expected subtle, psychological terror. "The Five Watchers" felt a lot more like a slasher flick, with lots of gore and creative deaths.
McClain is not a bad writer, but I did find this book over-written. Trying too hard to be scary and dramatic. There were also too many characters. Even he lost track of them at one point, saying (twice!) that there were four people in a group when there were five. There were way too many point of view changes, sometimes to characters that were only in the book for a few chapters or that we only saw once. (And not even for a gory death.) I also thought the perspectives in chapters four and twenty-two were just melodramatic, and ruined any real tension.
Some scenes and interactions felt downright pointless, but I give that credit for possibly being sequel material.
I felt like the multitude of PoV changes made it so that you never really got to know any of the characters, or feel truly invested in them, with the exception of Davey and Gilden. The former I thought was an idiot, but the latter I liked. But there were character background details or day to day life details thrown in seemingly for "three dimensions" but just seemed slapped in for that reason without truly taking the time to develop the characters. Too much time was spent on the grisly history and gory scenes.
There was also something... odd about the pacing, even though I can't say precisely what it was. The Davey/history stuff felt almost like a separate story to the stuff on the shoot at Shady Glen.
And yet... I did finish the story. I can't really say I DISliked it. All of these above were... annoyances, but not enough to make me not be able to read the story, and my curiosity about where it would go did compel me. And there were some genuinely good lines. So, I gotta give this one a 3.
Post-script... Because I know how hard it is to be an indie author and how expensive editing can be, I don't take off the "score" for stories because of this, but do have to note that the editing was... quite bad. Some parts looked like it had never seen even a first pass of editing, and there's a long list of editors being thanked in the end. So... dunno what happened here, but the author may want to make another editing pass on it.
This book did have a lot going for it. McClain had some very good lines, and I really liked the idea. My problem was that I went in expecting true horror, or what is true horror to me. I expected subtle, psychological terror. "The Five Watchers" felt a lot more like a slasher flick, with lots of gore and creative deaths.
McClain is not a bad writer, but I did find this book over-written. Trying too hard to be scary and dramatic. There were also too many characters. Even he lost track of them at one point, saying (twice!) that there were four people in a group when there were five. There were way too many point of view changes, sometimes to characters that were only in the book for a few chapters or that we only saw once. (And not even for a gory death.) I also thought the perspectives in chapters four and twenty-two were just melodramatic, and ruined any real tension.
Some scenes and interactions felt downright pointless, but I give that credit for possibly being sequel material.
I felt like the multitude of PoV changes made it so that you never really got to know any of the characters, or feel truly invested in them, with the exception of Davey and Gilden. The former I thought was an idiot, but the latter I liked. But there were character background details or day to day life details thrown in seemingly for "three dimensions" but just seemed slapped in for that reason without truly taking the time to develop the characters. Too much time was spent on the grisly history and gory scenes.
There was also something... odd about the pacing, even though I can't say precisely what it was. The Davey/history stuff felt almost like a separate story to the stuff on the shoot at Shady Glen.
And yet... I did finish the story. I can't really say I DISliked it. All of these above were... annoyances, but not enough to make me not be able to read the story, and my curiosity about where it would go did compel me. And there were some genuinely good lines. So, I gotta give this one a 3.
Post-script... Because I know how hard it is to be an indie author and how expensive editing can be, I don't take off the "score" for stories because of this, but do have to note that the editing was... quite bad. Some parts looked like it had never seen even a first pass of editing, and there's a long list of editors being thanked in the end. So... dunno what happened here, but the author may want to make another editing pass on it.
April 18, 2013
This is my second reading of 'The Five Watchers' by J. Cameron McClain. I read version one in December 2012, and this version two almost five months later. Both versions were received free in exchange for honest, unbiased reviews. All thoughts and conclusions are mine, all mine.
I really enjoyed version one -- the book was spooky and gory and all that you want in a horror novel. But I did agree with some of the other reviewers that there were too many points of view from seemingly random characters, that really made it hard to follow the story at times. I also agreed that some additional details could be added to help clarify some of the more detailed scenes.
With version two, it seems that McClain has taken that feedback and patched it back into the story, thus making a much more enjoyable, understandable read. Still just as scary and creepy, but with an added depth. I could tell that he deleted some scenes, which really didn't affect the outcome of the story at all - which means they were extraneous to begin with. The ending was also changed up a little, which makes it a much more compelling reason to buy book two in the series, 'Kamaitachi'. Before, I didn't really understand where else the story could go, and why there would be a book two.
So all in all, I still love this story, but I love it a little more now. I understand more of what was going on (which is always nice), and my sleep tonight will be disturbed because of it.
Big thanks to the author for listening to his readers and reviewers and making these needed changes!
I really enjoyed version one -- the book was spooky and gory and all that you want in a horror novel. But I did agree with some of the other reviewers that there were too many points of view from seemingly random characters, that really made it hard to follow the story at times. I also agreed that some additional details could be added to help clarify some of the more detailed scenes.
With version two, it seems that McClain has taken that feedback and patched it back into the story, thus making a much more enjoyable, understandable read. Still just as scary and creepy, but with an added depth. I could tell that he deleted some scenes, which really didn't affect the outcome of the story at all - which means they were extraneous to begin with. The ending was also changed up a little, which makes it a much more compelling reason to buy book two in the series, 'Kamaitachi'. Before, I didn't really understand where else the story could go, and why there would be a book two.
So all in all, I still love this story, but I love it a little more now. I understand more of what was going on (which is always nice), and my sleep tonight will be disturbed because of it.
Big thanks to the author for listening to his readers and reviewers and making these needed changes!
May 26, 2013
The Five Watchers was a great read. I could not put the book down, especially once the group was at Shady Glenn. This was a page turner. But because of the intensity and the graphic visuals so well described in the book, I was very careful only to read the book during the day!
The studio sends Davey to do research on the area before sending in the crew. He uncovers history from the property that goes back to the original owners; and all the owners thereafter. The extreme and disturbing acts that occur over the years on the property are an exciting build-up to when the cast and crew finally make it to Shady Glenn for the shoot.
Many characters are introduced at the first of the story that I had a hard time following. But once they were at Shady Glenn, I was able to connect with them. I found myself on the edge of my seat pulling for these characters hoping they would make it out alive and not die a horrific death!
I loved the story and can’t wait for the second book! This would be a great story to watch on the big screen!
The studio sends Davey to do research on the area before sending in the crew. He uncovers history from the property that goes back to the original owners; and all the owners thereafter. The extreme and disturbing acts that occur over the years on the property are an exciting build-up to when the cast and crew finally make it to Shady Glenn for the shoot.
Many characters are introduced at the first of the story that I had a hard time following. But once they were at Shady Glenn, I was able to connect with them. I found myself on the edge of my seat pulling for these characters hoping they would make it out alive and not die a horrific death!
I loved the story and can’t wait for the second book! This would be a great story to watch on the big screen!
October 26, 2012
I received this book from the author via the group Lovers of Paranormal in exchange for an honest review. Let me just say, holy crap Mr McClain, way to spook me sir.
(It took me longer to read this then others, primarily because I read at night, in the dark, before bed. Not my smartest move to date.)
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book! I had been waiting for something to totally freak me out, and this did it for sure. It's ominous from the start, dark, and disturbing. I felt the weight of the mountains pressing down on me, the tightening in my chest, and blood banging through my head in anticipation. (And then my kid snorts in her sleep and I jump out of my skin...)
Well done sir, very enjoyable.
**Spoiler, kind of**
Also the book was left open for a potential second? Would love to see a continuation of the story, what's a couple more heart palpitations...right?
(It took me longer to read this then others, primarily because I read at night, in the dark, before bed. Not my smartest move to date.)
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book! I had been waiting for something to totally freak me out, and this did it for sure. It's ominous from the start, dark, and disturbing. I felt the weight of the mountains pressing down on me, the tightening in my chest, and blood banging through my head in anticipation. (And then my kid snorts in her sleep and I jump out of my skin...)
Well done sir, very enjoyable.
**Spoiler, kind of**
Also the book was left open for a potential second? Would love to see a continuation of the story, what's a couple more heart palpitations...right?
October 15, 2012
I greatly enjoyed this book and loved the intense mystery and spine tingling Shady Glen scenes! What kept me completely entranced were the recounts and stories of the past about the manor and surrounding land; each story building and growing as each generation lost their lives or loved ones there! It was fascinating! It felt so real and I found myself flying through the chapters with ease. My favorite characters were Davey and Tuiren - I wished we could have seen the story through their point of view more often. The amount of characters and multiple point of views became a little confusing although I understand why the author did it. It added to the chaos and mystery of what was happening. The entire plot was well thought out and unique. Can't wait for the next book!
December 19, 2012
I received this book as a free novel in exchange for a honest review. I accepted because of how interesting this novel sounded even though this is nothing even close to what I normally read.
I had trouble getting into the novel. Probably likely due to the genre difference. But what kept me reading was the sheer enormity of the world the author was creating. The multiple backgrounds he was creating so that each character was developed and had their own history and background and didn't just fill a stereotype.
I don't know if I will read the next novel or a similar genre novel again but I think the ability of an author to keep a genre jumper interests piqued must be shown the respect that such a task entails.
Horror lovers I am sure would find this a great read.
I had trouble getting into the novel. Probably likely due to the genre difference. But what kept me reading was the sheer enormity of the world the author was creating. The multiple backgrounds he was creating so that each character was developed and had their own history and background and didn't just fill a stereotype.
I don't know if I will read the next novel or a similar genre novel again but I think the ability of an author to keep a genre jumper interests piqued must be shown the respect that such a task entails.
Horror lovers I am sure would find this a great read.
November 21, 2012
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
It took me awhile to get through this book, because it freaked me out to read it in the dark. I thought the plot was great, well thought out, very different then most stories you read these days. The creepy factor was definatelt there for me. After reading certain parts I had very weird dreams. I felt there were too many characters, and at times too much bouncing around, I think maybe it would have been a bit easier to read if it were in sections, from each "group" point of view. The way strange way people died and went missing made me want to keep reading.I would definately read another book by this author.
It took me awhile to get through this book, because it freaked me out to read it in the dark. I thought the plot was great, well thought out, very different then most stories you read these days. The creepy factor was definatelt there for me. After reading certain parts I had very weird dreams. I felt there were too many characters, and at times too much bouncing around, I think maybe it would have been a bit easier to read if it were in sections, from each "group" point of view. The way strange way people died and went missing made me want to keep reading.I would definately read another book by this author.
November 10, 2012
The Five Watchers by John Cameron McClain
Reviewed by Lucy Pireel
What can I say? A more than satisfying read. Almost from page one I was freaked out, very pleasantly freaked out. This book takes scary onto a whole new level, into the realm of reality, and beyond what we can see, or understand. There were moments I had to put the book down because of sounds in the house I couldn’t place—yes, I got scared by reading a book. All in the mind of course, but that’s where it takes you, in your mind and deeper still.
It’s not only scary, but it’s also gross—in a good way, a Clive Barker way—suspenseful, and utterly compelling. Mister McClain has the skills to go beyond writing a mere horror flick. This is major league freaking out and I must read more on Shady Glen, even if it has me checking under my bed and fearing cold air.
It has the whole range of emotions, great imagery and not quite unimportant it’s gripping you by the hairs, drags you along and forces you into believing it’s real. Until you put the book down, then you start convincing yourself it is only make believe, which—believe me—isn’t easy. It’s a figment of imagination. But boy, what great imagination.
Move over Pinhead, cause The Malevolence is coming to take your place and if you don’t go quietly it will gobble you up for breakfast.
All of its pages had me glued to them. The book read like a freight train full speed through the station, more than well worth your time and money. I’d recommend this to anyone up for a thrilling read, but best leave the lights on.
Reviewed by Lucy Pireel
What can I say? A more than satisfying read. Almost from page one I was freaked out, very pleasantly freaked out. This book takes scary onto a whole new level, into the realm of reality, and beyond what we can see, or understand. There were moments I had to put the book down because of sounds in the house I couldn’t place—yes, I got scared by reading a book. All in the mind of course, but that’s where it takes you, in your mind and deeper still.
It’s not only scary, but it’s also gross—in a good way, a Clive Barker way—suspenseful, and utterly compelling. Mister McClain has the skills to go beyond writing a mere horror flick. This is major league freaking out and I must read more on Shady Glen, even if it has me checking under my bed and fearing cold air.
It has the whole range of emotions, great imagery and not quite unimportant it’s gripping you by the hairs, drags you along and forces you into believing it’s real. Until you put the book down, then you start convincing yourself it is only make believe, which—believe me—isn’t easy. It’s a figment of imagination. But boy, what great imagination.
Move over Pinhead, cause The Malevolence is coming to take your place and if you don’t go quietly it will gobble you up for breakfast.
All of its pages had me glued to them. The book read like a freight train full speed through the station, more than well worth your time and money. I’d recommend this to anyone up for a thrilling read, but best leave the lights on.
October 28, 2013
I brought this book on an Alaskan cruise, thinking I would just read it in the evenings while I was winding down for bed. I was so wrong. This book was intense, a real adrenaline rush, and I ended up reading it poolside during daylight hours just to make sure I wouldn't have nightmares.
I won't spoil anything here, but I will say that this is a truly believable story. The whole book reads very much like a good modern suspense/horror film. I found myself saying, "No, don't do that! Don't go there!" as if the characters could hear me. But even when characters tried to play it safe, they were never truly safe, and the author made that very clear. Shady Glen was home to a purely evil presence, and the author described everything in such detail that the sense of being helpless to the power of that evil was palpable. I felt like I'd stopped reading and started living the story...and that was terrifying. I swear I could smell the last 1/10th of the book. Seriously, even though I knew I was breathing crisp, clean air, I smelled death and decay.
Beyond the horror aspect, The Five Watchers is just a really great story. I really appreciate that the author created such a complex history for Shady Glen and the surrounding area, because it added so much more depth and suspense to the whole atmosphere. The plot made sense and didn't take any turns that it didn't need to. The characters were diverse and well developed. I am totally looking forward to sequels. And hopefully a movie!
I won't spoil anything here, but I will say that this is a truly believable story. The whole book reads very much like a good modern suspense/horror film. I found myself saying, "No, don't do that! Don't go there!" as if the characters could hear me. But even when characters tried to play it safe, they were never truly safe, and the author made that very clear. Shady Glen was home to a purely evil presence, and the author described everything in such detail that the sense of being helpless to the power of that evil was palpable. I felt like I'd stopped reading and started living the story...and that was terrifying. I swear I could smell the last 1/10th of the book. Seriously, even though I knew I was breathing crisp, clean air, I smelled death and decay.
Beyond the horror aspect, The Five Watchers is just a really great story. I really appreciate that the author created such a complex history for Shady Glen and the surrounding area, because it added so much more depth and suspense to the whole atmosphere. The plot made sense and didn't take any turns that it didn't need to. The characters were diverse and well developed. I am totally looking forward to sequels. And hopefully a movie!
October 14, 2012
I read the book last week and really enjoyed it .It's one really scary and disturbing novel . Those who like to read horror novels based on haunted house and haunted places would absolutely love the book . I was really chilled while reading the book .The author seems to be bit influenced by the works of HP Lovecraft like "Dunwitch Horror". There is one character of a little demon pig with with glowing red eyes .In the book "Amityville Horror" The Lutzes' 5-year-old daughter Missy, developed an imaginary friend named "Jodie," a demonic pig-like creature with glowing red eyes .But make no mistake ,in "The Five Watchers" the character of the pig spirit is really different and well developed . I will never be able to eat pork ever again for sure . The best feature of the novel is it's style of story telling ( at times I felt like I am watching an horror movie rather than reading a novel). The things start bit slowly yet in a griping manner and once things begin to happen there is no slowing down at all as the members of the ghost hunting team are being hunted down by an evil demonic entity one by one . I cannot wait to get my hands on the second novel of the series .
October 16, 2012
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest and fair review through the group Lovers of Paranormal.
Wow what a horrific trip!!! Hands down the most intriguing, heart thumping, adrenaline rush, horrific story, I have ever read. I loved the summary of the story, so I just had to read this book, and I'm glad I did.
The history, the town, the world building made it believable. I have to admit I was tempted to Google the place, to see if it actually existed. The story is so full of background information, which adds to the mystery of Shady Glen. The description of the place not only adds to the mystic of the story but to its depth. The author describes the place with such detail, I couldn't help but imagine the place and the feel of it.
At the beginning of the story I got a little confused, because there were so many characters being introduced one right after another. It was hard to figure out who was who, but I stuck to the story and let me tell you it was worth it. It was a very well developed horror story. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
Wow what a horrific trip!!! Hands down the most intriguing, heart thumping, adrenaline rush, horrific story, I have ever read. I loved the summary of the story, so I just had to read this book, and I'm glad I did.
The history, the town, the world building made it believable. I have to admit I was tempted to Google the place, to see if it actually existed. The story is so full of background information, which adds to the mystery of Shady Glen. The description of the place not only adds to the mystic of the story but to its depth. The author describes the place with such detail, I couldn't help but imagine the place and the feel of it.
At the beginning of the story I got a little confused, because there were so many characters being introduced one right after another. It was hard to figure out who was who, but I stuck to the story and let me tell you it was worth it. It was a very well developed horror story. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
October 29, 2012
I loved this book, and was sincerely disappointed there wasn't a second one out already I could read, because I can't stand not knowing what's going to happen. I especially loved the historical information about Shady Glen. It was detailed and there was enough to make you feel like you had a lot of information, but it just created more questions you didn't get the answers to until the end--it keeps you guessing. Great scenes, great settings, great storyline, awesome suspense, lovely creepy & scary parts, some really good twists that seem to come out of nowhere, but make sense when you think back on what all you just read. To illustrate how much this book sucked me in, I had every intention of watching the Walking Dead, writing, and THEN finishing the book this evening. I instead read the book during the commercial breaks of Walking Dead, finished it up afterward, and only NOW can I focus on my writing. CANNOT WAIT for the second one!
February 17, 2013
It’s hard to review into details any book without spoiling the story, but this is especially true for horror stories. With this in mind, I’ll keep my review to overall impressions. First and foremost, the general concepts of The Five Watchers, along with the level of detail describing everything, makes it incredibly believable. With all the historical background provided, I really got a good feel of Shady Glen’s distorted history.
The characters are also very believable, with their unique backgrounds and down to earth realities. I enjoyed their interactions and reactions under stress. I ended up rooting for my favorites and cursing the stupidity of unbelievers.
The only complaint I could think of would be that it takes a while for the action to resume after the excellent introduction. In this respect, the story is like ‘Timeline’, from Michael Crichton. Fortunately, like ‘Timeline’, once the background info is provided, the story takes off and never slows down.
The characters are also very believable, with their unique backgrounds and down to earth realities. I enjoyed their interactions and reactions under stress. I ended up rooting for my favorites and cursing the stupidity of unbelievers.
The only complaint I could think of would be that it takes a while for the action to resume after the excellent introduction. In this respect, the story is like ‘Timeline’, from Michael Crichton. Fortunately, like ‘Timeline’, once the background info is provided, the story takes off and never slows down.
November 2, 2013
This was a book that I found hard to put down.....that is, until darkness fell and the normal creaks and groans that a 70-something year old house gives at night began! I had to put the book down then and told myself I would only pick it back up again once it was daylight!
I enjoyed the characters and the novel moved along quickly, I don't remember any parts that didn't keep my interest going. A good, old-fashioned scare without the excessive delving into every detail of gore that sometimes makes me question if some authors are serial killers in the making. In other words, it scared me enough that sudden noises around the house made me jump and breathe hard, but it didn't delve into the blood-and-guts details enough to leave me nauseated and threaten me with nightmares for months to come.
My first reaction to the ending of the book was to run to my computer to see if the second one was out yet! Well done!
I enjoyed the characters and the novel moved along quickly, I don't remember any parts that didn't keep my interest going. A good, old-fashioned scare without the excessive delving into every detail of gore that sometimes makes me question if some authors are serial killers in the making. In other words, it scared me enough that sudden noises around the house made me jump and breathe hard, but it didn't delve into the blood-and-guts details enough to leave me nauseated and threaten me with nightmares for months to come.
My first reaction to the ending of the book was to run to my computer to see if the second one was out yet! Well done!
August 15, 2013
Highly enjoyed this. This book kept me up a few nights in a row til well past midnight because I just didn't want to put it down. I finally finished last night and am now anticipating part 2. Very well put together as I found myself saying things out loud to myself like "oh snap" and finding my jaw open while reading. Love when a book makes me physically react to it and this one deff did.
February 15, 2013
Loved this
Book!!!
Book!!!
July 16, 2014
It was just as amazing as the first time I read it. LOVE LOVE LOVE this story, especially love the history entwined in it, the characters, and the SCARY. This is a fantastic horror story, everyone should read this!
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