What do you think?
Rate this book
Melt
On March 26th, seven people are abducted from right across the United States of America.
A charity collector. A schoolboy. A CEO. A UPS delivery driver. A retired schoolteacher. A computer gamer. A hunter. They are just everyday people with nothing in common.
No ransom is demanded. No one knows why they are taken. And no one could possibly imagine the horrors they've been chosen to face. Given no instructions, totally isolated from the outside world, all they find is ice.
From the moment they awaken, the ice begins to melt and their terrifying struggle for survival begins. The ice will push them beyond their limits of endurance. It will reveal their personal secrets. It will torture them in ways they hadn't imagined possible, but it is also their only hope of escape.
As cryptic patterns emerge, the ice reveals its rules. Rules they must obey or die. Thrust into the most horrifying ordeal of their lives, seven strangers must band together to survive. But as the ice melts, what they find inside begins to tear their group apart.
They will learn terrible things about each other. They will learn their own personal limits. Scariest of all, they will learn what humans are capable of when pushed to the edge of sanity.
A charity collector. A schoolboy. A CEO. A UPS delivery driver. A retired schoolteacher. A computer gamer. A hunter. They are just everyday people with nothing in common.
No ransom is demanded. No one knows why they are taken. And no one could possibly imagine the horrors they've been chosen to face. Given no instructions, totally isolated from the outside world, all they find is ice.
From the moment they awaken, the ice begins to melt and their terrifying struggle for survival begins. The ice will push them beyond their limits of endurance. It will reveal their personal secrets. It will torture them in ways they hadn't imagined possible, but it is also their only hope of escape.
As cryptic patterns emerge, the ice reveals its rules. Rules they must obey or die. Thrust into the most horrifying ordeal of their lives, seven strangers must band together to survive. But as the ice melts, what they find inside begins to tear their group apart.
They will learn terrible things about each other. They will learn their own personal limits. Scariest of all, they will learn what humans are capable of when pushed to the edge of sanity.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2013
26 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Shane M. Brown
14 books28 followersSHANE M BROWN was born in 1974 and writes from Brisbane, Australia. He attended James Cook University, graduating with a First Class Honors Degree in Biological Science and a Masters Degree in Underwater Archaeology. Shane has published multiple short stories and recently signed a contract selling the rights for a feature film to be based on one of his stories. His other novels are titled FAST and PLAZA. His collection of short stories is titled AFTER.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 22, 2014
When I began reading MELT, I really didn’t have any idea what I was getting myself into. Other than the fact that it was written by Shane M Brown, the author of several awesome thrillers such as PLAZA and FAST; I really had no idea what to expect. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! While PLAZA and FAST are intense action thrillers, MELT is a thriller of a different kind. It is a psychological thriller based on characterization, mystery, and most of all survival. Seven ordinary strangers wake up to find themselves captive in an ice prison, with no explanation of where they are, or why they are there. As the story unfolds, clues are revealed and the characters must work together and use their brains in order to survive. This book definitely has some gore factor to it, and not everyone will make it out alive. I could not put this book down! There was never a good place to stop reading, because I always wanted to find out what was on the next page. A lot of times with books like these, it is easy to predict things and solve the mystery ahead of time…Not with this one. I had lots of guesses, but couldn’t figure it out until the very end. Shane M Brown is a fairly new, yet extremely talented, author on the scene; and one whose books will always be some of the first on my must-read list. (Right up there with James Rollins and Matthew Reilly). All in all it was an extremely intense, satisfying and entertaining read which I highly recommend.
August 11, 2013
Every once in a while I come across an author whose work I enjoy so much, I get lost in his or her world; I eagerly turn the pages, thirsty for the next line but at the same time I do not want to get to the end.
Such is Shane’s talent that I have read all his other books : “Plaza”, “Fast”, and “After”.
(In the spirit of full disclosure, I got “Melt” as an advanced reader’s copy from Shane himself.)
Without giving much away, this is it the story of several people who are kidnapped and find themselves in an enclosure of some sort. All are seemingly strangers to each other and there appears to be a common thread. I can however, without a shadow of a doubt, state that I care for each character; I want to know more about them (even the ones that are simply despicable!), their past, their state of mind, even what they think about each other.
Though I am very close to the end of the story, I am not quite ready for the conclusion because I am enthralled by the story and the pace of the narrative.
Warning: if you read this book while on a bus or train, be careful because you might just miss your stop as it happened to me a couple of times.
Such is Shane’s talent that I have read all his other books : “Plaza”, “Fast”, and “After”.
(In the spirit of full disclosure, I got “Melt” as an advanced reader’s copy from Shane himself.)
Without giving much away, this is it the story of several people who are kidnapped and find themselves in an enclosure of some sort. All are seemingly strangers to each other and there appears to be a common thread. I can however, without a shadow of a doubt, state that I care for each character; I want to know more about them (even the ones that are simply despicable!), their past, their state of mind, even what they think about each other.
Though I am very close to the end of the story, I am not quite ready for the conclusion because I am enthralled by the story and the pace of the narrative.
Warning: if you read this book while on a bus or train, be careful because you might just miss your stop as it happened to me a couple of times.
January 23, 2015
I do believe this may be the simplest review ever. This book is a slightly less gorey version of Saw. Stangers all abducted for unknown reasons, locked into a room with a giant block of ice and absolutely no directive about why they are there or what they should do. It was fun, definitely worth the daily deal price of less than $3.00. But a fluff read for sure.
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading!
September 12, 2020
Meltdown
We follow a group of individuals through a harrowing abduction and the subsequent events that follow as they try to understand the purpose of their kidnapping and how to win back their freedom. They quickly realize this isn’t a typical hostage situation. Dominating their prison chamber is an absolutely massive dome of ice and the answers they seek slowly come to the surface.
Even though this is a familiar plot, I was swept away from the get go until the very end. The suspense continually intensified until the explosive finish. I have to admit, one of the big reveals at the end was so obvious and I never even saw it coming. I do feel the final explanation was a bit weak and there were definitely some unanswered head scratchers but this story is more about the journey instead of the destination.
We follow a group of individuals through a harrowing abduction and the subsequent events that follow as they try to understand the purpose of their kidnapping and how to win back their freedom. They quickly realize this isn’t a typical hostage situation. Dominating their prison chamber is an absolutely massive dome of ice and the answers they seek slowly come to the surface.
Even though this is a familiar plot, I was swept away from the get go until the very end. The suspense continually intensified until the explosive finish. I have to admit, one of the big reveals at the end was so obvious and I never even saw it coming. I do feel the final explanation was a bit weak and there were definitely some unanswered head scratchers but this story is more about the journey instead of the destination.
December 25, 2017
MELT review
This book kept me going! Couldn’t wait to find out what kind of nut case had them and where they were. Excellent job of explaining the victims emotions. I would recommend it to all who enjoy psychological thrillers.
This book kept me going! Couldn’t wait to find out what kind of nut case had them and where they were. Excellent job of explaining the victims emotions. I would recommend it to all who enjoy psychological thrillers.
September 26, 2022
Absolutely incredible! Amazingly written with all the right things. Was immersed in the story the whole time! I 100% recommend it if you’re looking for a (admittedly) slightly gruesome spec fic :))
March 8, 2025
Whew!
As with all the books by Mr Brown, this was intense. And I have to admit that I was a bit worried toward the end. Everything was looking bad. But it ended well.
As with all the books by Mr Brown, this was intense. And I have to admit that I was a bit worried toward the end. Everything was looking bad. But it ended well.
October 24, 2013
I'm not sure how I should rate this book. I picked it up as a freebie on Amazon because I was intrigued by the synopsis. The storyline grabbed my attention from the beginning, and held my interest all the way through. Great characters, great editing (a pet peeve of mine with regard to ebooks) and an intriguing plot, and the entire time I was reading it I was wondering how the author was going to wrap things up in a way that would be somewhat plausible. Unfortunately, he didn't, in my opinion. The ending explanation of the entire set up of the story was ridiculous and over the top - keep in mind that I didn't expect it to make sense in a real world way, just in a "well this is plausible in story land" way. I will check out his other work, because I did greatly enjoy most of the book, and keep my fingers crossed that the next ending isn't quite so silly.
August 27, 2016
Melt by Shane Brown is a cliff-hanging thriller. Like his other novels, it is engaging, scary, and timely. The premise of Melt is that a group of diverse individuals have been kidnapped and are being held against their will in some bizarre experiment. As the story unfolds, the pasts of the members are slowly revealed as are secrets about their captivity. Booby traps, violence, and hostility begin to decimate the group. The characters are well developed and the plot intriguing. I read the book in two sittings, unable to put it down. I would highly recommend it along with all of Mr. Brown’s other novels.
February 15, 2014
Sitting here stunned
Sitting here stunned
I hardly know how to really evaluate this book. I have never read such a dark and morbid story. I would make up my mind that it was just too disturbing, and I wasn't going to finish it, but I couldn't for the life of me, put it down. It was compelling, and unlike anything I have ever read. The storyline completely draws the reader in, and curiosity will not allow the average reader to put it down. In all fairness, this is not a fun, entertaining or feel good book. But if you are looking for a book that will leave you thinking about it for a long time to come, this is the one.
Sitting here stunned
I hardly know how to really evaluate this book. I have never read such a dark and morbid story. I would make up my mind that it was just too disturbing, and I wasn't going to finish it, but I couldn't for the life of me, put it down. It was compelling, and unlike anything I have ever read. The storyline completely draws the reader in, and curiosity will not allow the average reader to put it down. In all fairness, this is not a fun, entertaining or feel good book. But if you are looking for a book that will leave you thinking about it for a long time to come, this is the one.
September 9, 2013
What a great book! This is another book that I downloaded free from ebookdaily.com. Either there are millions of amazing books, or I just manage to randomly find them all!
This is an abduction story with a twist. It takes you through history and gives warnings about disruptive inventions. The characters were very interesting and their stories are revealed slowly throughout the book in creative ways. It was very hard to put the book down! Loved it!
This is an abduction story with a twist. It takes you through history and gives warnings about disruptive inventions. The characters were very interesting and their stories are revealed slowly throughout the book in creative ways. It was very hard to put the book down! Loved it!
January 12, 2014
If you like a book that really keeps you trying to figure out the who, what, where, and mostly the why...this is a fantastic book to meet those criteria. 7 people different backgrounds, all from different parts of the Country, age, financial status and so on, are forced together in a very secluded area, for what seems to be a test, or maybe even up punishment, or just plain amusement for a sicko? 7 people that depending, trusting, and working together may just save them...or will it?
May 6, 2016
A very different kind of novel from Author Shane M. Brown. His stories are usually lightning paced creature adventures. This one is somewhat slower paced (still fast) and more character driven. It reminded me a lot of the Lost tv show. I kept asking myself why these things were happening? where the heck were they? It is very suspenseful and claustrophobic. I loved it.
November 18, 2014
What a great book...it left me breathless and wanting more! I stayed up half the night until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, and when I woke up this morning I finished it. I hated putting it down because it captures you from the first chapter and keeps going until the end. I love authors who have the ability to do that and I can't wait for more by this author!
July 3, 2014
Interesting story oh human tribulation
This is a riveting story of a small group of humans locked in an ice filled dome. It's about their struggle to survive the elements and each other, while trying to solve the mystery of their abductions, captivity and strange artifacts buried in the ice
Well written, interesting tale.
This is a riveting story of a small group of humans locked in an ice filled dome. It's about their struggle to survive the elements and each other, while trying to solve the mystery of their abductions, captivity and strange artifacts buried in the ice
Well written, interesting tale.
February 16, 2014
Although I'm not too fond of movies, books that take place in just one room or location, I really enjoyed this book. I found it a tad Hitchcockian , with twists and surprises. I found the ending a bit quick, but ok nonetheless.
January 25, 2015
WOW!! I couldn't put this book down. 8 seemingly random people are abducted, drugged and wake up in an icy dome. Their phones don't work, they have no appropriate clothing and they must cooperate or die. Everyone has a secret.
What kind of evil monster could devise such a deadly trap?
What kind of evil monster could devise such a deadly trap?
August 23, 2013
Good read. Very interesting comment on global warming. I couldn't stop reading the book once started. Will def read more books by this author.
August 29, 2013
A group of people gathered together against their will. Very good character development in an excellent puzzle.
August 31, 2013
Goo thriller.
November 6, 2020
This book grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the very last page. There are some details that are not clear, but they are minor.
October 7, 2014
This book blew my mind. Simplest of stories, brilliantly told. The ending was great and the tension was so believable. This is NOTHING like the movie "Saw", this was something wonderful.
December 26, 2016
I found this book that was downloaded by my husband. I have to say I couldn't put the book down. I gave it four stars based on how they escaped. I will look for other books written by this author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews