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Fear #2
Chronic Fear
When Roland Doyle wakes up in an unfamiliar motel room with a strange man’s wallet in his pocket and a woman’s dead body in the bathroom, he fears the worst…and that’s before he finds the vial of pills labeled "take one every 4 hrs or else." Or else what? Ten years ago, Dr. Sebastian Briggs’s clinical drug trial for a cutting-edge fear-response drug went horribly wrong — or did it? It’s true that one trial participant died and five others were left with no memory of what happened to them. But now several interested parties, including a major pharmaceutical company and an ambitious U.S. senator, are willing to back Briggs’s continued research. All he has to do is recall his five surviving "volunteers," whose addiction to a mysterious drug has left them largely at his disposal. They will do anything necessary to keep the pills coming and to stave off the creeping phobias, intense sexual impulses, and all-consuming madness that lurk on the edges of their minds. It’s easy enough for the good doctor to lure the survivors back to the remote Monkey House, where the original trials took place. But when the pills finally run out…that’s when the real show begins.
280 pages, ebook
First published December 20, 2011
58 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Scott Nicholson
211 books768 followersWith more than 800,000 books sold worldwide, Scott Nicholson is an international bestselling thriller writer. He won the Writers of the Future Award in 1999 and was a Stoker Award finalist in 2003. His Fear series was published by Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint and 47North released the supernatural thriller McFALL.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 1, 2012
The action, suspense and emotions are back in Chronic Fear by Scott Nicholson, the sequel to Liquid Fear. Picking up a year from where the first book ended, the Monkey House survivors have went on their own ways to try to make peace of the dreaded experiment they were subjected to several years earlier.
Alexis sets out to find a cure for the effects of Seethe which happen to be tormenting her husband Mark. With just a single pill of Halcyon remaining, she is racing the clock to produce a new batch of Halcyon as Mark's paranoid and rage-filled tantrums begin to take him over.
Roland and Wendy have left the city life behind them and hidden out in a small cabin in the mountains. Constantly battling the Seethe that is living within him, Roland knows it is only a matter of time before they are being hunted after receiving an alarming email warning of impending trouble.
Scott Nicholson begins Chronic Fear with a bang and puts the reader right back into the crazy maze that the late Dr. Briggs subjected them too. The clock is ticking and Alexis, Mark, Wendy and Roland vow to keep the effects of Seethe and Halcyon from spreading to the masses. If you love reading psychological thrillers...read Chronic Fear.
Chronic Fear does contain adult language, sex, violence and gore and should only be read by mature adult audiences that are 18+.
Alexis sets out to find a cure for the effects of Seethe which happen to be tormenting her husband Mark. With just a single pill of Halcyon remaining, she is racing the clock to produce a new batch of Halcyon as Mark's paranoid and rage-filled tantrums begin to take him over.
Roland and Wendy have left the city life behind them and hidden out in a small cabin in the mountains. Constantly battling the Seethe that is living within him, Roland knows it is only a matter of time before they are being hunted after receiving an alarming email warning of impending trouble.
Scott Nicholson begins Chronic Fear with a bang and puts the reader right back into the crazy maze that the late Dr. Briggs subjected them too. The clock is ticking and Alexis, Mark, Wendy and Roland vow to keep the effects of Seethe and Halcyon from spreading to the masses. If you love reading psychological thrillers...read Chronic Fear.
Chronic Fear does contain adult language, sex, violence and gore and should only be read by mature adult audiences that are 18+.
September 17, 2013
Please note: Read and reviewed in December 2011 from an eARC provided by the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: With the designer of Halcyon and Seethe dead and the lab and equipment destroyed, plus the last of the manufactured medicines flushed away, the survivors of the Monkey House thought the nightmare was over. Then they each started receiving messages: “Did you really think we would let you live after what happened?” Now they are discovering – the nightmare is just beginning …
My Thoughts: The action explodes in this sequel to Liquid Fear (review linked here) and no slowing is allowed. We learn a bit more about the main characters, and see how they’ve changed over the year since their second stint in the Monkey House. Kleingarten is replaced with Scagnelli, who is amusing, but not quite as amusing as his predecessor. Fans of dark, psychological suspense should enjoy this latest from Scott Nicholson – available 12/20/11.
My Synopsis: With the designer of Halcyon and Seethe dead and the lab and equipment destroyed, plus the last of the manufactured medicines flushed away, the survivors of the Monkey House thought the nightmare was over. Then they each started receiving messages: “Did you really think we would let you live after what happened?” Now they are discovering – the nightmare is just beginning …
My Thoughts: The action explodes in this sequel to Liquid Fear (review linked here) and no slowing is allowed. We learn a bit more about the main characters, and see how they’ve changed over the year since their second stint in the Monkey House. Kleingarten is replaced with Scagnelli, who is amusing, but not quite as amusing as his predecessor. Fans of dark, psychological suspense should enjoy this latest from Scott Nicholson – available 12/20/11.
January 6, 2012
When I gave Liquid Fear five stars, I didn’t think a thriller could get any better, but this one did. Chronic Fear yanked me into a realistic battle between former pharmaceutical test subjects struggling to regain their sanity, an assassin with his own agenda, and major power brokers that included a presidential candidate, feuding federal agencies, and pharmaceutical lobbyists. The dialogue evoked that wonderful fly on the wall feel. There were many thought-provoking passages that gave me pause. That’s one of many reasons I always enjoy Scott Nicholson fiction, his evocative writing possesses a force of its own. The roller-coaster story and players resonate like future headlines. I can not wait for the next one!
December 27, 2011
This book hits you like a runaway semi, takes you for one Hell of a ride and you'll still be wanting more! Mr. Nicholson has produced a high octane thriller that blows the doors off the competition! It had me hanging on by my fingernails! You're wasting time reading this review, go out and get the "Fear" series RIGHT NOW!
April 7, 2018
An excellent dark novel
Scott Nicholson expertly depicts a world where several individuals are caught in a complex government conspiracy plot to monopolize a powerful drug which can only be built from their disassociated, fragmented, collective memories.
Scott Nicholson expertly depicts a world where several individuals are caught in a complex government conspiracy plot to monopolize a powerful drug which can only be built from their disassociated, fragmented, collective memories.
March 13, 2018
Total page turner...couldn't put it down! Nicholson does a great job of developing complex characters and story lines. I've read several of his books now and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them!
March 7, 2012
In this sequel to “Liquid Fear”, Scott Nicholson gives us another page-turning, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Eleven years after the initial drug tests and one year since the Monkey House had been razed to the ground, the five remaining subjects are still being threatened. The threats however, are not only in the phone calls and emails these subjects receive, but also in their minds as the lingering side effects of the drugs are still lurking and subtly changing them. But, are the drugs only inside the subjects or are they still secretly available?
This is the story of people tormented by things over which they have almost no control; of dedicated scientists who just would not let go; of a woman trying to save her husband from complete insanity; and an ambitious politician who wants to be the next president. Bring into this a fanatic, subversive man with his eye on the vice presidency, the CIA, the FBI and the National Clandestine Service, and the situation becomes unbelievably volatile.
Once again I found myself sweating with suspense as the story built up to the inevitably violent and highly unpredictable ending. Most of the time I was asking myself who the good guys in this story were, as even those who seem to be victims also have their own nefarious hidden agendas. The author gives the reader a good look into the thoughts of all the main characters - the malice in the minds of the ambitious; and the paranoia, rage and delusions in the confused minds of those with the drugs still working in them.
As the point of view shifts with every new chapter, the suspense builds in leaps and bounds.
I was extremely impressed with the way in which the author expertly brings together the numerous key characters for the climactic end of the story. Although I would suggest that readers read the prequel, “Liquid Fear”, before this book, the author gives enough back story for “Chronic Fear” to be read as a stand-alone novel.
Five stars and three cheers for this excellent book by an outstanding author! (Ellen Fritz)
This is the story of people tormented by things over which they have almost no control; of dedicated scientists who just would not let go; of a woman trying to save her husband from complete insanity; and an ambitious politician who wants to be the next president. Bring into this a fanatic, subversive man with his eye on the vice presidency, the CIA, the FBI and the National Clandestine Service, and the situation becomes unbelievably volatile.
Once again I found myself sweating with suspense as the story built up to the inevitably violent and highly unpredictable ending. Most of the time I was asking myself who the good guys in this story were, as even those who seem to be victims also have their own nefarious hidden agendas. The author gives the reader a good look into the thoughts of all the main characters - the malice in the minds of the ambitious; and the paranoia, rage and delusions in the confused minds of those with the drugs still working in them.
As the point of view shifts with every new chapter, the suspense builds in leaps and bounds.
I was extremely impressed with the way in which the author expertly brings together the numerous key characters for the climactic end of the story. Although I would suggest that readers read the prequel, “Liquid Fear”, before this book, the author gives enough back story for “Chronic Fear” to be read as a stand-alone novel.
Five stars and three cheers for this excellent book by an outstanding author! (Ellen Fritz)
February 8, 2013
Scott Nicholson writes the way I like to read and stories I like. I love his prose. I really liked LIQUID FEAR, but something was certainly off for CHRONIC FEAR.
Perhaps my expectation was too high because I expected the story to be substantially different from the first book. A different plot, perhaps escalating the people affected and the scale. What I found was pretty much the same plot, slightly different, but nonetheless, the same. The saving grace was Mark. Mark was an unknown variable in CHRONIC that at least gave some excitement to a different ending.
I don't recommend reading this book without reading its predecessor LIQUID FEAR. The first book introduces us to two drugs, Seethe and Halcyion. One produces a permanent rage in humans and the other a bliss of forgetfulness which needs to be taken every 4 hours (or else). CHRONIC focuses more on curing Mark of Seethe. Perhaps that is what disappointed me.
I don't care much for conspiracy stories unless they are well thought out, and Nicholson did a super job with the story's pharmacology and the politics involved with greedy PHARM co's and erratic senators. I felt there was little need for much suspension of belief, because something like FEAR is possible, and for that, both books are rather frightening.
I fear this is going to be one of those sequels that you either love it or hate it. I still enjoyed the book, but I feel Mr. Nicholson missed a chance to write an awesome epic-like, near apocolyptic thriller.
Perhaps my expectation was too high because I expected the story to be substantially different from the first book. A different plot, perhaps escalating the people affected and the scale. What I found was pretty much the same plot, slightly different, but nonetheless, the same. The saving grace was Mark. Mark was an unknown variable in CHRONIC that at least gave some excitement to a different ending.
I don't recommend reading this book without reading its predecessor LIQUID FEAR. The first book introduces us to two drugs, Seethe and Halcyion. One produces a permanent rage in humans and the other a bliss of forgetfulness which needs to be taken every 4 hours (or else). CHRONIC focuses more on curing Mark of Seethe. Perhaps that is what disappointed me.
I don't care much for conspiracy stories unless they are well thought out, and Nicholson did a super job with the story's pharmacology and the politics involved with greedy PHARM co's and erratic senators. I felt there was little need for much suspension of belief, because something like FEAR is possible, and for that, both books are rather frightening.
I fear this is going to be one of those sequels that you either love it or hate it. I still enjoyed the book, but I feel Mr. Nicholson missed a chance to write an awesome epic-like, near apocolyptic thriller.
July 24, 2012
The characters are well-written, the story, great.
Back again are Anita, Mark, Alexis, Roland, and Wendy, all trying to escape the memory of the drug trials eleven years earlier. Dosed with Halycon and Seethe, our friend's moods range from animal rage to docile timidity. For ten years they lived without memory of the trials, only to be drawn back to the Monkey House one last time.
One year later, and our characters still haven't recovered. Alexis knows that Seethe was created to help soldiers fight wars, and Halycon to counteract Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Now she experiments with Halcyon trying to find a cure for her husband, Mark, who suffers the effects of Seethe.
Senator Burchfield, now presidential hopeful, along with the CIA, want Seethe and Halcyon. They pursue the survivor's of the Monkey House trials, determined to kill them all--eventually.
And THAT sets the premise of a great book.
In-between car chases, rabid foxes, and disgrundled CIA men, there is tons more action. The book pops with scenes to keep you reading.
While I had some reservations with the first book, Liquid Fear, this time we are drawn into the character's heads and we can feel the pull of Seethe and Halcyon. Once again, we are faced with the question: How much is too much?
Disclaimer: Reviewed by Louann Carroll, author of Gemini Rising, Shadow of Time and Journey's. Chronic Fear is an advanced reader's copy.
Back again are Anita, Mark, Alexis, Roland, and Wendy, all trying to escape the memory of the drug trials eleven years earlier. Dosed with Halycon and Seethe, our friend's moods range from animal rage to docile timidity. For ten years they lived without memory of the trials, only to be drawn back to the Monkey House one last time.
One year later, and our characters still haven't recovered. Alexis knows that Seethe was created to help soldiers fight wars, and Halycon to counteract Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Now she experiments with Halcyon trying to find a cure for her husband, Mark, who suffers the effects of Seethe.
Senator Burchfield, now presidential hopeful, along with the CIA, want Seethe and Halcyon. They pursue the survivor's of the Monkey House trials, determined to kill them all--eventually.
And THAT sets the premise of a great book.
In-between car chases, rabid foxes, and disgrundled CIA men, there is tons more action. The book pops with scenes to keep you reading.
While I had some reservations with the first book, Liquid Fear, this time we are drawn into the character's heads and we can feel the pull of Seethe and Halcyon. Once again, we are faced with the question: How much is too much?
Disclaimer: Reviewed by Louann Carroll, author of Gemini Rising, Shadow of Time and Journey's. Chronic Fear is an advanced reader's copy.
March 12, 2012
2.0 out of 5 stars - I hope to forget I ever wasted my time on this one.
This is the sequel to Liquid Fear, and it is not meant as a stand-alone so be sure, if you must, to read that one first.
The survivors from the first book return in this novel -- and I liked them all even less this time! Dr. Alexis Morgan and her "Seething" husband, Mark are trying to stay one step ahead of the multiple criminals interested in both Seethe and Halcyon -- did either drug product/formula survive the Monkey House fiasco? Cross and double cross as independent agents, government leaders and others try to get their hands on both for their own purposes. Wendy and Roland try to hide out in the Blue Ridge Mountains and forget what happened back at the Monkey House and move on with reconnecting their marriage. Unfortunately, the drug is still in their bodies and won't let them go.
It's a race to stay ahead of those who want to kill them and so they are on the run. Lots of murder and mayhem as the four try to escape the trackers and also their own personal demons.
I'm not a fan of either book in this series. I just kept turning the pages, wanting to finish as if for an assignment. I wasn't engaged or invested in the characters and I really don't care what happens to them next.
This is the sequel to Liquid Fear, and it is not meant as a stand-alone so be sure, if you must, to read that one first.
The survivors from the first book return in this novel -- and I liked them all even less this time! Dr. Alexis Morgan and her "Seething" husband, Mark are trying to stay one step ahead of the multiple criminals interested in both Seethe and Halcyon -- did either drug product/formula survive the Monkey House fiasco? Cross and double cross as independent agents, government leaders and others try to get their hands on both for their own purposes. Wendy and Roland try to hide out in the Blue Ridge Mountains and forget what happened back at the Monkey House and move on with reconnecting their marriage. Unfortunately, the drug is still in their bodies and won't let them go.
It's a race to stay ahead of those who want to kill them and so they are on the run. Lots of murder and mayhem as the four try to escape the trackers and also their own personal demons.
I'm not a fan of either book in this series. I just kept turning the pages, wanting to finish as if for an assignment. I wasn't engaged or invested in the characters and I really don't care what happens to them next.
November 16, 2012
'take every four hrs or else'..
Just when the surviving members of Liquid Fear think they're ok to go about their lives and deal with the chemical induced demons that were thrust upon them both ten years ago and again during the events of Liquid Fear, the trials and terrors of the Monkey House track them down and corrupt their minds once again..the only thing is, is it the meddling of the major powerful players pulling the strings that makes the horrors of Seethe and the Monkey House unable to leave the survivors alone or is it their own naked ambition that won't allow to let sleeping dogs lie?
Nicholson gives us a more action packed and paranoia filled installment of what I hope is at least a trilogy. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I would love to see at least one more of these novels work its way into my kindle in the near future.
If you enjoyed the first one you'll enjoy this one just as much and if you haven't read the first one, go read it then pick this up as well. You'll be turning pages very quickly to see what happens in the end..or is it just the beginning?
Just when the surviving members of Liquid Fear think they're ok to go about their lives and deal with the chemical induced demons that were thrust upon them both ten years ago and again during the events of Liquid Fear, the trials and terrors of the Monkey House track them down and corrupt their minds once again..the only thing is, is it the meddling of the major powerful players pulling the strings that makes the horrors of Seethe and the Monkey House unable to leave the survivors alone or is it their own naked ambition that won't allow to let sleeping dogs lie?
Nicholson gives us a more action packed and paranoia filled installment of what I hope is at least a trilogy. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I would love to see at least one more of these novels work its way into my kindle in the near future.
If you enjoyed the first one you'll enjoy this one just as much and if you haven't read the first one, go read it then pick this up as well. You'll be turning pages very quickly to see what happens in the end..or is it just the beginning?
February 20, 2012
The drugs Seethe and Halcyon had been an experiment gone wrong eleven years before. Then Briggs tried to restart the program with the original volunteers a year ago(LIQUID FEAR).
The rage drug Seethe was still working on the scattered participants, fueling anger, suspicion even of each other, and intense feelings of paranoia.
But you know the old saying: Just because you]re paranoid.
They are being watched. And by separate groups each with their own reasons.
Dr. Alexis Morgan simply wants to help her husband Mark, whose brain is slowly subsuming and he doesn't even realize it. Anita Molkesky's mind is falling apart. Wendy and Roland Doyle live in the mountains of North Carolina.
All thought the Monkey House was behind them.
But they weren't the only ones there a year ago.
Senator Burchfield was and now is running for President and wants the mess cleaned up. His potential running mate, Congressman Forsythe, the religious fanatic has his own designs.
They too were infected by Seethe.
a nice tight thriller that races from beginning to end.
The rage drug Seethe was still working on the scattered participants, fueling anger, suspicion even of each other, and intense feelings of paranoia.
But you know the old saying: Just because you]re paranoid.
They are being watched. And by separate groups each with their own reasons.
Dr. Alexis Morgan simply wants to help her husband Mark, whose brain is slowly subsuming and he doesn't even realize it. Anita Molkesky's mind is falling apart. Wendy and Roland Doyle live in the mountains of North Carolina.
All thought the Monkey House was behind them.
But they weren't the only ones there a year ago.
Senator Burchfield was and now is running for President and wants the mess cleaned up. His potential running mate, Congressman Forsythe, the religious fanatic has his own designs.
They too were infected by Seethe.
a nice tight thriller that races from beginning to end.
October 15, 2015
I struggled to decide if I liked this or just thought it was ok, until I concluded that if I was having that much trouble deciding if I liked it then I probably didn't. There were certainly things I liked about it but overall the book was pretty weak. There were some good scenes, but by the I didn't really care what happened to anyone in the book. Because all the protagonists are affected by mind altering drugs throughout, their behavior is too erratic and inconsistent to feel very connected to who these people really are and invested in them, and the antagonists aren't much better. I know Nicholson is capable of much better than this.
February 20, 2012
This is the perfect follow up to Liquid Fear. We're dropped into a world of power and corruption. Important people want the Halcyon and Seethe experiments completed. Others want the entire debacle erased. The survivors of the drug trial are rebuilding their lives, even as they are slowly losing their minds.
The pace is quick and unrelenting. Nicholson gives enough detail from the first book to make this one work as a stand-alone. Still, I'd suggest reading Liquid Fear first in order to get the full impact.
The pace is quick and unrelenting. Nicholson gives enough detail from the first book to make this one work as a stand-alone. Still, I'd suggest reading Liquid Fear first in order to get the full impact.
September 18, 2012
While this book is far less creepy than Liquid Fear, it was none-the-less a good read. It mostly dealt with the conspiracy side of the story, but you still had a healthy mix of violence and pure evil. So whether your thing is sex, murder, drugs, or conspiracies, you'll have your fix with this book.
I do admit that I'm more interested in David Underwood than the rest of the characters, but I think that is because the opening pages of Liquid Fear had me captivated from the start. The randomness and twisted logic almost made you feel as if you were the one that was seething.
I do admit that I'm more interested in David Underwood than the rest of the characters, but I think that is because the opening pages of Liquid Fear had me captivated from the start. The randomness and twisted logic almost made you feel as if you were the one that was seething.
July 18, 2012
UUUGGGHHH...FINALLY!!! I AM DONE!!! I couldn't possibly be any happier...now on to books that I may actually enjoy! The summary of the book was definitely more interesting than the book itself and I have never taken so long to finish a book simply because I just couldn't get into it, I kept pushing forward reminding myself I can get back to books I actually will enjoy as soon as I finish. I was more than disappointed with this purchase and regret spending anything on either of these books :o/
March 5, 2012
Wasn't too crazy about this one. Maybe it would've been better had I read the first one, I don't know. I just didn't find any of the characters very likable and while the concept was interesting, the story just wasn't that suspenseful or engaging to me. I found myself barreling through not because I couldn't put it down, but because I just wanted to get it over with and move on.
July 5, 2014
When I read this one I hadn't read the first book. To be honest it was kind of hard for me to read both books because this really isn't my area. It was suspenseful and different from other books that I have read but again it's not my genre so I personally didn't enjoy it and some of the sexual stuff seemed to be a bit over done but all over not bad.
June 26, 2012
I like Scott Nicholson's work and Chronic Fear was well written and held my attention (as always) but and this is definitely a BUT...I found the ending totally disappointing - what a shame to another-wise great read
March 8, 2013
I only read it since it was free from Amazon and it was the second installment after Liquid Fear. It was okay but nothing I "just had" to read and finish. I'm glad to be done with it. It was okay, but so glad I'm done with it.
December 8, 2014
Fear
I enjoyed the two books of the fear series. Scott Nicholson is one the better authors of recent if you get a chance read these and also take a peak into some of have s other works
I enjoyed the two books of the fear series. Scott Nicholson is one the better authors of recent if you get a chance read these and also take a peak into some of have s other works
January 29, 2013
another great book. the perfect sequel to liquid fear. wondering if scott is playing a 3rd book?
September 12, 2016
Pretty decent book, obviously set up to keep you buying them series, but I knew that going in.
October 7, 2015
Not A Fun Book to Read
This book has too may pages of flash back. I was very disappointed with it. Sorry Mr. Nicholson I will not be reading any more of your books.
This book has too may pages of flash back. I was very disappointed with it. Sorry Mr. Nicholson I will not be reading any more of your books.
December 21, 2020
Mediicre
Pretty lousy read. Almost didn't finish it but I rarely do that. I can't believe a fixed number of words are required.
Pretty lousy read. Almost didn't finish it but I rarely do that. I can't believe a fixed number of words are required.
October 10, 2014
didn't like it at all.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews