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The Tent
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The perfect getaway...
The perfect place to hide...
Hocking Hills, Ohio is an oasis for campers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, and for those who just want to get away and lose themselves in the wild.
And as long as you follow your guide's advice and stay within the permitted areas, you can expect to survive the night.
Because deep within the dark woods, something insidious awaits, something few have ever seen, something ancient, unknowable, and insatiable.
If you go down to these woods today, you won't live to see the sunrise...
A brand new novella from the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE TURTLE BOY and KIN.
The perfect getaway...
The perfect place to hide...
Hocking Hills, Ohio is an oasis for campers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, and for those who just want to get away and lose themselves in the wild.
And as long as you follow your guide's advice and stay within the permitted areas, you can expect to survive the night.
Because deep within the dark woods, something insidious awaits, something few have ever seen, something ancient, unknowable, and insatiable.
If you go down to these woods today, you won't live to see the sunrise...
A brand new novella from the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE TURTLE BOY and KIN.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
34 people are currently reading
1858 people want to read
About the author
Kealan Patrick Burke
194 books2,329 followersHailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
A five-time nominee, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award in 2005 for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for producer Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent release is Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin. The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland, is due for release in October as a signed limited edition from Earthling Publications.
Kealan is represented by Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
A five-time nominee, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award in 2005 for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for producer Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent release is Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin. The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland, is due for release in October as a signed limited edition from Earthling Publications.
Kealan is represented by Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
May 5, 2025
Waste Follows a Feeding...
THE TENT
by Kealan Patrick Burke
5 Stars. Late one night, McCabe's old dog became nervous and stood staring at the door to his cabin with raised hackles, whining...
McCabe heard nothing but decided to walk the dog to calm her. As they walked, the dog seemed afraid. McCabe sensed something wrong out there...
Someone may be in trouble and in need of help in the dark night...
McCabe saw the amber glow of a campsite through the trees. He said a prayer because something seemed off...
Later that night...
A family of 3 on a camping trip got lost in the forest with rain and thunder all around them, and their cell phones did not get a signal (what else is new)...
Their 13 year old son disappeared while his parents argued with each other...
As his parents looked for him...
They saw an amber glow through the trees. It led them to a clearing and a tent surrounded by boulders...
Except...
They're not boulders...
Waste follows a feeding...
This was an excellent little novella, and you'll never guess how it ends. What an imagination this author has!
THE TENT
by Kealan Patrick Burke
5 Stars. Late one night, McCabe's old dog became nervous and stood staring at the door to his cabin with raised hackles, whining...
McCabe heard nothing but decided to walk the dog to calm her. As they walked, the dog seemed afraid. McCabe sensed something wrong out there...
Someone may be in trouble and in need of help in the dark night...
McCabe saw the amber glow of a campsite through the trees. He said a prayer because something seemed off...
Later that night...
A family of 3 on a camping trip got lost in the forest with rain and thunder all around them, and their cell phones did not get a signal (what else is new)...
Their 13 year old son disappeared while his parents argued with each other...
As his parents looked for him...
They saw an amber glow through the trees. It led them to a clearing and a tent surrounded by boulders...
Except...
They're not boulders...
Waste follows a feeding...
This was an excellent little novella, and you'll never guess how it ends. What an imagination this author has!
August 1, 2018
Camping out is a blast, right? Except for when the tent blows away. And except for when the campers are lost.
This story interrupted a domestic argument to bring you one heck of a good creature feature. No holds barred horror delivered via the beautiful, descriptive prose Mr. Burke is known for. For example:
This is the perfect read for a summer night, though I recommend you read it while you're safe at home.
This story interrupted a domestic argument to bring you one heck of a good creature feature. No holds barred horror delivered via the beautiful, descriptive prose Mr. Burke is known for. For example:
This is the perfect read for a summer night, though I recommend you read it while you're safe at home.
March 12, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
2.5 Stars
I feel bad giving a well-written story low stars, but 2 Stars means I thought it was “okay” and that’s about all I felt. While I’m admittedly not a big fan of the short story or novella, the length of this one was pretty perfect so I have no complaints there. My problem was with the “horror” aspect. When I read something that is pretty clear is going to have a big payoff alllllll the way at the end, I want to feel like this . . .
Not like this . . .
And while the bitchy/complain-y camping family were A-Okay by me at the beginning of the story (since I can only imagine how my own bright and sunny demeanor would morph into something unbearable on this camping trip from hell - shut up Jeff and Dan 2.0), by the end I was thinking the tale would have been far more believable if the cast of characters were the stereotypical drunken fratboys and big breasted damsels in distress who run toward danger rather than away from it . . . and wishing for more of those stories makes me a sad old bat.
2.5 Stars
I feel bad giving a well-written story low stars, but 2 Stars means I thought it was “okay” and that’s about all I felt. While I’m admittedly not a big fan of the short story or novella, the length of this one was pretty perfect so I have no complaints there. My problem was with the “horror” aspect. When I read something that is pretty clear is going to have a big payoff alllllll the way at the end, I want to feel like this . . .
Not like this . . .
And while the bitchy/complain-y camping family were A-Okay by me at the beginning of the story (since I can only imagine how my own bright and sunny demeanor would morph into something unbearable on this camping trip from hell - shut up Jeff and Dan 2.0), by the end I was thinking the tale would have been far more believable if the cast of characters were the stereotypical drunken fratboys and big breasted damsels in distress who run toward danger rather than away from it . . . and wishing for more of those stories makes me a sad old bat.
May 4, 2020
This is my second Kealan Patrick Burke novella and I think there’s one main thing that’s really jumped out at me. He is THE master at jamming in a whole lot of creepiness into a delightfully small package! You wouldn’t think you’d be satisfied with such a short story but that is most definitely not the case with this one. Right from page one I was completely sucked in and the story had sunk its claws deep. I could literally feel the terror and dread mounting as I turned the pages and it was absolutely delicious! I finished this in one very tense sitting because despite being incredibly creeped out and grossed out I just HAD to know what was going on and what was behind it all. The ending was one hell of a twist that I was most definitely not expecting and I loved it. It’s official, I’m a lifelong Burke fan!
January 25, 2019
The Tent was a fun and creepy creature feature set in the woods! I really enjoyed the uniqueness of writing that Kealan Patrick Burke did with this book.
If you’re looking for something original, creepy and short, look no further then checking out The Tent! I was not disappointed.
Now where’s my camping gear at?! 😉🤣
If you’re looking for something original, creepy and short, look no further then checking out The Tent! I was not disappointed.
Now where’s my camping gear at?! 😉🤣
August 1, 2018
A) The woods are scary
B) Things that live in the woods are scary
C) Kealan Patrick Burke is very scary and very good at what he does
B) Things that live in the woods are scary
C) Kealan Patrick Burke is very scary and very good at what he does
August 16, 2019
Vote:☆☆☆1/2
A funny, original and creepy novella, just perfect for a summer read if you are into hiking, camping and creature-feature.
Storyline was something like Backcountry movie meets The Cave, The X-Files and early Stephen King horror, sadly it ended so abruptly that left me craving for more.
Much more.
January 15, 2020
Το The Tent έρχεται δεύτερο σε μια σειρά απανωτών αναγνώσεων βιβλίων του Burke. H συλλογή του Dead Leaves: 9 Tales from the Witching Season μου είχε συνεπάρει. Γνώρισα έναν συγγραφέα που έγραφε τρόμο δίχως εκπτώσεις στην λογοτεχνικότητά του, αλλά και δίχως την αδικαιολόγητη αμετροέπεια που καταλαμβάνει τους ανθρώπους που θέλουν να αποδείξουν κάτι.
Το The Tent είναι μια μικρή ιστορία που λειτουργεί καλύτερα αν κανείς την δει ως φόρο τιμής σε σχετικά, κυρίως κινηματογραφικά, αφηγήματα: οι αστοί που εκδράμουν στην φύση και έρχονται σε επαφή με κάτι αλλόκοτο και αρχέγονο. Ο Burke δίνει πνοή στους ήρωες του, που συνήθως στην gerne λογοτεχνία είτε είναι ανδρείκελα είτε αρχέτυπα, και δίχως μελοδραματισμούς, μας κάνει να τους γνωρίσουμε μέσα από τις προσωπικές τους διενέξεις.
Το βιβλίο δεν είναι από τα καλύτερά του, αλλά παραμένει ένα διασκεδαστικό ανάγνωσμα που θα φέρει στο νου 80s ταινίες τρόμου. Το εν λόγω κινηματογράφικό είδος βρίσκει μια σχετική αναβίωση, οπότε ακόμα και ο πιο περιστασιακός αναγνώστης του είδους θα νιώσει οικεία με τον κυκεώνα φρίκης στον οποίον παγιδεύονται οι ήρωες του Burke.
Το The Tent είναι μια μικρή ιστορία που λειτουργεί καλύτερα αν κανείς την δει ως φόρο τιμής σε σχετικά, κυρίως κινηματογραφικά, αφηγήματα: οι αστοί που εκδράμουν στην φύση και έρχονται σε επαφή με κάτι αλλόκοτο και αρχέγονο. Ο Burke δίνει πνοή στους ήρωες του, που συνήθως στην gerne λογοτεχνία είτε είναι ανδρείκελα είτε αρχέτυπα, και δίχως μελοδραματισμούς, μας κάνει να τους γνωρίσουμε μέσα από τις προσωπικές τους διενέξεις.
Το βιβλίο δεν είναι από τα καλύτερά του, αλλά παραμένει ένα διασκεδαστικό ανάγνωσμα που θα φέρει στο νου 80s ταινίες τρόμου. Το εν λόγω κινηματογράφικό είδος βρίσκει μια σχετική αναβίωση, οπότε ακόμα και ο πιο περιστασιακός αναγνώστης του είδους θα νιώσει οικεία με τον κυκεώνα φρίκης στον οποίον παγιδεύονται οι ήρωες του Burke.
April 11, 2025
Whyyy is this one so short?! I need more monstrous tent madness! And I need it STAT!
Hold onto your butts for this one, it’s totally bananas!
Hold onto your butts for this one, it’s totally bananas!
April 29, 2013
Well-written story that brings a spark of creativity through unique creatures and interpersonal emotional conflict to this somewhat time-worn genre. The tense in which it was written (third-person present?) took a little getting used to, but was effective in allowing the reader to experience the story from an "over the shoulder perspective". Recommended. Fans of Stephen King's MILE 81 should enjoy this as well.
April 23, 2013
Kealan Patrick Burke kicks camping off our collective bucket list (along with Ohio in general) with this nasty little chiller that amply displays his twisted imagination and unleashing something completely different into our nest of nightmares, all while paying homage to the fine tradition of campfire tales.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
May 14, 2013
A camping trip that goes from bad to .... Burke never disappoints with his truly "personal" characters. To me, this was reminiscent of a campfire tale that made me feel I was actually a participant in the events. The narrative style flows smoothly, and effortlessly immerses you into the drama. Highly recommended tale from a author that has yet to disappoint me!
November 25, 2019
I haven't read much horror, so I thought I would start with this novella as an introduction to Burke's work. I was certainly not disappointed. It was very hard to put down. The atmosphere that the author creates is very creepy. There are scary moments as well as moments that are more psychologically thrilling as opposed to scary. A very good and fast read!
January 18, 2017
A nice grueling, disgusting, little short story. Great stuff!
September 5, 2013
Well, I was warned! I was told on good authority (by the author, no less!) "DO NOT READ THIS BOOK before you go camping". But would I listen? Of course not! Hey, I'm a modern gal & don't scare easily...I love a good creepy horror tale. So, when I read "The Tent" a couple of weeks before heading to my favorite campsite & lake in Oklahoma for a week of camping with friends & family I didn't think much about this story...that is...until it was time to pitch the tent...and then it all came flooding back!!! The story, the people camping, the "Tent"!!!
If you've ever been camping in a tent, you know you hear sounds, things that go bump in the night, things you can't explain. You wake your camping partner,
Camper 1 "Did you hear that!?!"
Camper 2 "Wha-what? Huh? Did you say something? Man, I was sound asleep!"
Camper 1 "I said, I just heard something outside the tent! Listen...there it is again!!!"
Camper 2 "I didn't hear a thing, probably a raccoon raiding garbage. You're nuts! Quit reading that horror stuff & go back to sleep!"
Like I ever went to sleep in the first place! Thanks a lot, Kealan Patrick Burke!
At this point, your camping buddy will probably be less inclined to sleep in the same tent with you the following night meaning you will face whatever 'it' is on your own!
All I can tell you is this is one very weird, creepy tale the outcome, of which, I would have never seen coming when I started reading about a family camping trip...so much like the one I was on...only I just came back with a bad case of Poison Ivy! But at least...I came back.
Very different...very creepy! Go for it!
If you've ever been camping in a tent, you know you hear sounds, things that go bump in the night, things you can't explain. You wake your camping partner,
Camper 1 "Did you hear that!?!"
Camper 2 "Wha-what? Huh? Did you say something? Man, I was sound asleep!"
Camper 1 "I said, I just heard something outside the tent! Listen...there it is again!!!"
Camper 2 "I didn't hear a thing, probably a raccoon raiding garbage. You're nuts! Quit reading that horror stuff & go back to sleep!"
Like I ever went to sleep in the first place! Thanks a lot, Kealan Patrick Burke!
At this point, your camping buddy will probably be less inclined to sleep in the same tent with you the following night meaning you will face whatever 'it' is on your own!
All I can tell you is this is one very weird, creepy tale the outcome, of which, I would have never seen coming when I started reading about a family camping trip...so much like the one I was on...only I just came back with a bad case of Poison Ivy! But at least...I came back.
Very different...very creepy! Go for it!
January 8, 2018
Note: I never change my reviews, but I am here to say that I reread this story, and my review is shit. I must have been in a bad mood. This story is actually super creepy. That is all.
This is the first time I've picked up anything by Kealan Patrick Burke. I noticed that a number of people on Goodreads rate his work highly, so I decided to give this quick little novella a shot.
I don't read a lot of short stories or novellas because I really like long books, and I'm always left wanting more from shorter works. Novellas are designed to offer just a small taste of a story, and that is usually frustrating to me. Just when things are starting to get truly interesting, the story comes to a close, and I am left feeling dissatisfied. This certainly is not the writer's fault, it is merely the way short stories function. The Tent is well done, unique, and certainly creepy. I just can't help feeling that I would have enjoyed it more as a full length novel.
Also, my copy had a typo in one of the character's names, changing "Cody" into "Cory". It was a jolt when I came across it, and I actually had to flip back a few pages to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Pretty much every book published has a typo in it somewhere, but I don't think I have ever found one that completely changes a character's name. It pulled me out of the story, and that is never a good thing.
This is the first time I've picked up anything by Kealan Patrick Burke. I noticed that a number of people on Goodreads rate his work highly, so I decided to give this quick little novella a shot.
I don't read a lot of short stories or novellas because I really like long books, and I'm always left wanting more from shorter works. Novellas are designed to offer just a small taste of a story, and that is usually frustrating to me. Just when things are starting to get truly interesting, the story comes to a close, and I am left feeling dissatisfied. This certainly is not the writer's fault, it is merely the way short stories function. The Tent is well done, unique, and certainly creepy. I just can't help feeling that I would have enjoyed it more as a full length novel.
Also, my copy had a typo in one of the character's names, changing "Cody" into "Cory". It was a jolt when I came across it, and I actually had to flip back a few pages to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Pretty much every book published has a typo in it somewhere, but I don't think I have ever found one that completely changes a character's name. It pulled me out of the story, and that is never a good thing.
January 7, 2015
It's been a few years since I last went camping, as with age comes an aching back after a night on the ground; though I still fancy the idea of a night under canvas. Or at least I did: Kealan Patrick Burke has cured me of any desire to spend a night under the stars (more usually cloud and rain!). Thanks Kealan!
McCabe is at home in his cabin at the base of the mountain, with Pepper, an aged collie, being the widowers only companion. Pepper is uneasy tonight, and this in turn unsettles McCabe. A look outside reveals that the weather is turning up on the mountain. A faint glow confirms the old man's fear. Some damn fool townies are camping amid the growing storm. McCabe and Pepper reluctantly set off for the slopes, someone will need assistance before the night is through; so begins The Tent.
In many respects this is a tale that has been told before; campers lost in dark inclement weather, fractured relationships, a sense of relief at discovering salvation, and something deadly and unpleasant lurking in the woods. However, this is an excellently written story, and it succeeds in overwhelming the reader with a growing dread. KPB's prose allows it to play out in a way that'll have you willing the various protagonists to survive. You'll care about these people, and that is kudos to the author.
A very good story. Recommended.
McCabe is at home in his cabin at the base of the mountain, with Pepper, an aged collie, being the widowers only companion. Pepper is uneasy tonight, and this in turn unsettles McCabe. A look outside reveals that the weather is turning up on the mountain. A faint glow confirms the old man's fear. Some damn fool townies are camping amid the growing storm. McCabe and Pepper reluctantly set off for the slopes, someone will need assistance before the night is through; so begins The Tent.
In many respects this is a tale that has been told before; campers lost in dark inclement weather, fractured relationships, a sense of relief at discovering salvation, and something deadly and unpleasant lurking in the woods. However, this is an excellently written story, and it succeeds in overwhelming the reader with a growing dread. KPB's prose allows it to play out in a way that'll have you willing the various protagonists to survive. You'll care about these people, and that is kudos to the author.
A very good story. Recommended.
September 4, 2020
Like I needed another reason to never go camping.
My idea of camping is staying in a cheap motel. I am not a fan of bugs and dirt or really the sun, so camping isn't really my thing. I have been camping and its really not a good look for me.
Therefore going into this novella, I was already uncomfortable. Then in a true show of his power over me, he throws in my biggest fear (losing a kid) and by the time we meet a monster my heart is pounding, my breathe held, and I swear I can feel bugs crawling on me.
Kealan is the King of Short Horror Fiction. I have yet to find an author with the ability to develop their characters so beautifully in such few words. I genuinely care if their marriage works out or not. I am scared for Cody. I want a happy ending.
As KPB tragically releases me from his characters, I am left with the raw beauty of it all.
My idea of camping is staying in a cheap motel. I am not a fan of bugs and dirt or really the sun, so camping isn't really my thing. I have been camping and its really not a good look for me.
Therefore going into this novella, I was already uncomfortable. Then in a true show of his power over me, he throws in my biggest fear (losing a kid) and by the time we meet a monster my heart is pounding, my breathe held, and I swear I can feel bugs crawling on me.
Kealan is the King of Short Horror Fiction. I have yet to find an author with the ability to develop their characters so beautifully in such few words. I genuinely care if their marriage works out or not. I am scared for Cody. I want a happy ending.
As KPB tragically releases me from his characters, I am left with the raw beauty of it all.
November 1, 2021
Just a brief note that the author is an excellent writer - I just wasn't fully engaged in this story and it wasn't quite what I expected, so therefore the 2 stars.
August 26, 2014
Review to come!
February 27, 2024
This is my least fav novella from this author. It was weird and still felt like Burke. However it felt like the message and the weirdness were disconnected. And in his others they felt intertwined to meee.
November 24, 2014
This short story begins with heightened suspense as an old man in a secluded cabin grows fearful when his dog begins to bark and whine. Something is alarming her and that, in turn, alarms the man. The tension mounts as the gentleman, McCabe, sets off to discover the source of his canine companion's distress. His instincts warn him to stay put until dawn. But it's not unusual for a hiker to encounter some trouble on the mountain. Despite his trepidation, McCabe carries on and soon spots what seems to be an abandoned campsite. And, inevitably, a tent....
Wildly imaginative and so original, this story will surely keep you on the edge of your seat as the scene switches to a couple on the brink of a divorce, and their young son. They are lost in the woods and are about to find out just what secrets the tent holds.
You'll find it difficult to put this book down until the very last page. Burke's masterful storytelling will draw you into the story and you'll feel as though you're wandering in the woods alongside the miserable family. You'll hold your breath with every riveting twist and cringe as you're introduced to the...uh, "tent dweller." So, what is it, you wonder? What's in the tent? Read this amazing story and find out for yourself!
Wildly imaginative and so original, this story will surely keep you on the edge of your seat as the scene switches to a couple on the brink of a divorce, and their young son. They are lost in the woods and are about to find out just what secrets the tent holds.
You'll find it difficult to put this book down until the very last page. Burke's masterful storytelling will draw you into the story and you'll feel as though you're wandering in the woods alongside the miserable family. You'll hold your breath with every riveting twist and cringe as you're introduced to the...uh, "tent dweller." So, what is it, you wonder? What's in the tent? Read this amazing story and find out for yourself!
March 25, 2018
Kealan Patrick Burke has not let me down once with anything I have read. His stories are so versatile and creepy in different ways. The Tent is no exception. On the surface, The Tent follows a married couple lost in the woods on a hiking trip looking for their son. Their son has been lost and a massive storm is coming through to add to the literal "shitstorm" in which they have found themselves.
Tired and freezing as their search grows longer, the mom and dad come across a big camping tent in the middle of the woods. Should they take refuge in it? Should they be cautious since they just found what looks like a human-sized blob resembling an owl pellet? I guess you have to be there to know how you would actually react. I, for one, would never be there because fuck hiking/camping at night. Most of the time I would never even camp at all. And thanks to this book, I am steadfast in my decision that the only "roughing it" I wanna do is one of those flea-bag, roach motels.
Burke introduces us to a new type of monster, an ancient horror. At first I thought it might get a little hokey, but Burke was quick to correct my thinking and transformed my doubt into sheer terror because of how real it was all becoming.
As with a lot of novellas, I was left wanting more. I wish this could have been longer and there were more "incidents" with the monster/beast and that we just got.... more. But knowing that it is, in fact, a novella up-front makes it work.
Tired and freezing as their search grows longer, the mom and dad come across a big camping tent in the middle of the woods. Should they take refuge in it? Should they be cautious since they just found what looks like a human-sized blob resembling an owl pellet? I guess you have to be there to know how you would actually react. I, for one, would never be there because fuck hiking/camping at night. Most of the time I would never even camp at all. And thanks to this book, I am steadfast in my decision that the only "roughing it" I wanna do is one of those flea-bag, roach motels.
Burke introduces us to a new type of monster, an ancient horror. At first I thought it might get a little hokey, but Burke was quick to correct my thinking and transformed my doubt into sheer terror because of how real it was all becoming.
As with a lot of novellas, I was left wanting more. I wish this could have been longer and there were more "incidents" with the monster/beast and that we just got.... more. But knowing that it is, in fact, a novella up-front makes it work.
July 2, 2018
"I am in awe of his talent!" --Bentley Little
"This is one talented McMotherfucker!" --Levi Walls
I don't know who said it best, me or some guy named Bentley Little 😂, but either way, KPB is the baddest motherfucker with three names since Neil Patrick Harris!!
This story is creepy as balls, as you can imagine it happening to you. Those are the best kind, the kind that hit home. You either need to imagine it happening to you, or be able to give a shit when it happens to the characters. KPB is able to give you both, all wrapped up in one little ball of "Oh fuck, I hope that never happens to me, OOOH fuck, it just happened to this person."
After reading this story:
1. I never want to go in the ocean again.......because ocean (I mean, Jesus tits, all these hidden fuckin dinosaur creatures underneath you that can eat you at any moment, nooooooope 😂) this is a random thought...
2. I don't want any kids.....the fuckers run off at the worst times like teenagers in a slasher film 😂
3. I'm never going camping again...and fuck owls (technically that's a fourth idea...but I DO WHAT I WAAAANT) fuckin owls, anything that shits out of its mouth can't be trusted.
To summarize, GO READ EVERYTHING BY KPB because he is awesome, and stay out of the fuckin ocean.....oh and don't go camping. This shit could be real. Read it and find out for yourself.
"This is one talented McMotherfucker!" --Levi Walls
I don't know who said it best, me or some guy named Bentley Little 😂, but either way, KPB is the baddest motherfucker with three names since Neil Patrick Harris!!
This story is creepy as balls, as you can imagine it happening to you. Those are the best kind, the kind that hit home. You either need to imagine it happening to you, or be able to give a shit when it happens to the characters. KPB is able to give you both, all wrapped up in one little ball of "Oh fuck, I hope that never happens to me, OOOH fuck, it just happened to this person."
After reading this story:
1. I never want to go in the ocean again.......because ocean (I mean, Jesus tits, all these hidden fuckin dinosaur creatures underneath you that can eat you at any moment, nooooooope 😂) this is a random thought...
2. I don't want any kids.....the fuckers run off at the worst times like teenagers in a slasher film 😂
3. I'm never going camping again...and fuck owls (technically that's a fourth idea...but I DO WHAT I WAAAANT) fuckin owls, anything that shits out of its mouth can't be trusted.
To summarize, GO READ EVERYTHING BY KPB because he is awesome, and stay out of the fuckin ocean.....oh and don't go camping. This shit could be real. Read it and find out for yourself.
September 10, 2016
***4.5 stars***
I really enjoyed this creepy little novella. It was fast paced, the concept was unique and, at times, it was truly frightening. As for the writing itself, Mr. Burke writes beautifully descriptive prose. It's one of the reasons he's quickly becoming one of my favorite horror writers.
I really enjoyed this creepy little novella. It was fast paced, the concept was unique and, at times, it was truly frightening. As for the writing itself, Mr. Burke writes beautifully descriptive prose. It's one of the reasons he's quickly becoming one of my favorite horror writers.
July 3, 2015
Burke's tale takes place in the Hocking Hills area of SE Ohio, a place where I have been camping many times. Lucky for me, I have never stumbled upon what Burke's imagination has lurking there.
A couple clinging to the last strings of a failed marriage are attempting to camp in the secluded woods with their 13-year-old son in tow. It soon turns out to be a bad idea. The husband purchases a cheap tent and is a novice camper at best. The wife does not want to be there at all while their son seems oblivious to all that is going on around them. A storm trashes their tent and they get lost in an attempt to get back to their vehicle. This is where the fun begins. The back hills of Ohio are no place for inexperienced campers to be wandering around in a storm, especially on this night.
Kealan's novella is well written. The problem I have is with the characters. At first, I felt sorry for the couple on the verge of divorce. As I learned more about them, I cared about them less and less. The husband comes across as a spineless sad sack always apologizing for everything. The wife seems like a bitch and wants nothing to do with camping and you wonder why in the hell she ever agreed to this trip in the first place. We don't get to know the son very well and he simply seems like cannon fodder, as do the other minor characters in the story. But Burke has an eloquent writing style that pulls you in and I enjoyed the imagination of what was in the woods. Tent had promise, but ultimately didn't take me to a place where I was hoping it would.
3 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
A couple clinging to the last strings of a failed marriage are attempting to camp in the secluded woods with their 13-year-old son in tow. It soon turns out to be a bad idea. The husband purchases a cheap tent and is a novice camper at best. The wife does not want to be there at all while their son seems oblivious to all that is going on around them. A storm trashes their tent and they get lost in an attempt to get back to their vehicle. This is where the fun begins. The back hills of Ohio are no place for inexperienced campers to be wandering around in a storm, especially on this night.
Kealan's novella is well written. The problem I have is with the characters. At first, I felt sorry for the couple on the verge of divorce. As I learned more about them, I cared about them less and less. The husband comes across as a spineless sad sack always apologizing for everything. The wife seems like a bitch and wants nothing to do with camping and you wonder why in the hell she ever agreed to this trip in the first place. We don't get to know the son very well and he simply seems like cannon fodder, as do the other minor characters in the story. But Burke has an eloquent writing style that pulls you in and I enjoyed the imagination of what was in the woods. Tent had promise, but ultimately didn't take me to a place where I was hoping it would.
3 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
January 2, 2022
The Tent- Kealan Patrick Burke - (Ohio}
This is a novella but a good little terrifying, short story. What begins as a character study of a man who is in the last throes of screwing up his life, slowly turns serious as the man, his wife, and young son are lost in the woods while camping. Kealan builds the tension using small details. You can feel the man's discomfort, both physical and emotional, as events spiral downward. Then, just as you're starting to think that this story is all about internal conflict, the man stumbles across something in the woods...and from here the situation turns ugly... fast. Just when you think things are perhaps going to turn out okay... think again. This actually reminded me a great deal of early Stephen King...back when he was writing more short stories than full length novels. This is one very weird, creepy tale the outcome, of which, I would have never seen coming when I started reading about a family camping trip.
Actual rating 4.5 stars
This is a novella but a good little terrifying, short story. What begins as a character study of a man who is in the last throes of screwing up his life, slowly turns serious as the man, his wife, and young son are lost in the woods while camping. Kealan builds the tension using small details. You can feel the man's discomfort, both physical and emotional, as events spiral downward. Then, just as you're starting to think that this story is all about internal conflict, the man stumbles across something in the woods...and from here the situation turns ugly... fast. Just when you think things are perhaps going to turn out okay... think again. This actually reminded me a great deal of early Stephen King...back when he was writing more short stories than full length novels. This is one very weird, creepy tale the outcome, of which, I would have never seen coming when I started reading about a family camping trip.
Actual rating 4.5 stars
January 13, 2019
4 Stars
Good grief, I had no idea what to expect, but what I got, was not close at all. It was good, make no mistake, but I was wondering who or what was in the tent?? Zombies, vampires, ghouls or aliens?? When you find out..... Anyway, it was completely unexpected and swwee-eeettt! If this is an invasion, then the author needs to do a full length novel on it. This was too good for a novella.
Good grief, I had no idea what to expect, but what I got, was not close at all. It was good, make no mistake, but I was wondering who or what was in the tent?? Zombies, vampires, ghouls or aliens?? When you find out..... Anyway, it was completely unexpected and swwee-eeettt! If this is an invasion, then the author needs to do a full length novel on it. This was too good for a novella.
August 3, 2016
Not what I was expecting. Not even close but I still enjoyed it immensely.
August 22, 2019
What can I say? I love this author’s mind and I will side eye a tent from now on. Just read it. ☺️
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