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Prodigal Son
This is an ACE of ASIN:B00AYV3CSM Prodigal son
"In Prodigal Son, Christine Sutton has penned a tight, brutally honest portrait of a psychopath reminiscent of Theodore Sturgeon's 'Some of Your Blood'. This dark descent into the broken mind of Timothy Robert Shively will send chills down your back. Every word rings true, and every page is dark with menace. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right now. You can thank me later."
-Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Inheritance and Dead City
Timothy Shively is a very bad man. Under the thumb of his abusive mother, and trapped in the shadow of his absent father, Timothy embarks on a bloody, violent journey to find his place in the world.
Was he born this way, or is he the product of his nightmarish upbringing? Decide for yourself as Timothy searches for his father as well as his own identity in this raw psychological thriller.
What secrets will be revealed upon the return of the prodigal son?
Warning: This book contains scenes of relatively graphic violence. Please use good judgement when purchasing.
"In Prodigal Son, Christine Sutton has penned a tight, brutally honest portrait of a psychopath reminiscent of Theodore Sturgeon's 'Some of Your Blood'. This dark descent into the broken mind of Timothy Robert Shively will send chills down your back. Every word rings true, and every page is dark with menace. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right now. You can thank me later."
-Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Inheritance and Dead City
Timothy Shively is a very bad man. Under the thumb of his abusive mother, and trapped in the shadow of his absent father, Timothy embarks on a bloody, violent journey to find his place in the world.
Was he born this way, or is he the product of his nightmarish upbringing? Decide for yourself as Timothy searches for his father as well as his own identity in this raw psychological thriller.
What secrets will be revealed upon the return of the prodigal son?
Warning: This book contains scenes of relatively graphic violence. Please use good judgement when purchasing.
- GenresHorror
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2013
5 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 25, 2014
This was 212 pages. Wow. It went flying by. Just under two hours, which is probably as much time as one ought to be visiting a mind of a homicidal maniac for anyway, even one with occasional sparks of conscience. Some serial killers are born and some are made, but Tim Shrively (son of a serial killer absentee father and a violently abusive prostitute of a mother) is both, nature and nurture combined perfectly or, more accurately, horribly imperfectly to produce a young man driven to rape, maim and murder. This is his story in all its ruthless unflinchingly sanguineous glory. Quite possibly one of the most violent works I've read by a female author. Certainly an interesting exploration of the human evil, though exceptionally brutal, caveat emptor. Very solid quick disturbing read.
May 23, 2013
Not to be confused with Jesus’ parable…
Cover art for Prodigal Son recalls the film “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” and while the narrative bears that same intensity, Christine Sutton does not give us the luxury of cutaways or R-rated edits to soften its bloody edges. This is an extreme horror story, on the same level as the most brutal grindcore metal you’ve ever (or more likely, never) heard. But it’s important to note that Sutton is not going for the lurid puerile appeal of a true crime story, she is instead using that same approach to tell a story that is essentially a tragedy.
Timothy Shively is young man who might have been a productive, even valued member of society, but for an upbringing that leaves him emotionally stunted, an alien in his own skin. Looking for answers, some scrap of purpose to give his miserable life meaning, Tim sets out to find his father, who happens to be a horrific rapist/murderer–yet seems to harbor a deep love for his estranged son, as indicated in a letter Tim’s mother has kept hidden from him.
What happens next is not pretty–Shively’s demons are firmly in control for the bulk of his adventure, and they are some ugly bastards.
Sutton writes a direct and detailed kind of prose that flows well, keeping the reader coming back for more. Yet she possesses the instinct to keep it short; this is not a tale that rambles on, nor should it be. Her style and themes are reminiscent of Tina Wainscott, and there are times when reading either author that I cannot imagine myself going as far in my own writing. Be warned: it is graphic and harsh. The atrocities of Timothy Shively and company are far beyond the pale.
Cover art for Prodigal Son recalls the film “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” and while the narrative bears that same intensity, Christine Sutton does not give us the luxury of cutaways or R-rated edits to soften its bloody edges. This is an extreme horror story, on the same level as the most brutal grindcore metal you’ve ever (or more likely, never) heard. But it’s important to note that Sutton is not going for the lurid puerile appeal of a true crime story, she is instead using that same approach to tell a story that is essentially a tragedy.
Timothy Shively is young man who might have been a productive, even valued member of society, but for an upbringing that leaves him emotionally stunted, an alien in his own skin. Looking for answers, some scrap of purpose to give his miserable life meaning, Tim sets out to find his father, who happens to be a horrific rapist/murderer–yet seems to harbor a deep love for his estranged son, as indicated in a letter Tim’s mother has kept hidden from him.
What happens next is not pretty–Shively’s demons are firmly in control for the bulk of his adventure, and they are some ugly bastards.
Sutton writes a direct and detailed kind of prose that flows well, keeping the reader coming back for more. Yet she possesses the instinct to keep it short; this is not a tale that rambles on, nor should it be. Her style and themes are reminiscent of Tina Wainscott, and there are times when reading either author that I cannot imagine myself going as far in my own writing. Be warned: it is graphic and harsh. The atrocities of Timothy Shively and company are far beyond the pale.
February 6, 2022
Graphic
This book is really graphic. Unfortunately in a way that doesn't add much to the story. It also feels really incomplete. almost like it doesn't have a middle and than just cuts off at the end.
This book is really graphic. Unfortunately in a way that doesn't add much to the story. It also feels really incomplete. almost like it doesn't have a middle and than just cuts off at the end.
October 26, 2013
Oh my, oh my !!! What a read! This must be one of the most gruesome books that I have ever read, with graphically detailed scenes of sex, kidnap, rape and murder. It is a disturbing journey into the mind of psychopaths. It is also the compelling story of a boy's life born to an abusive, drunkard woman and her psychopath killer husband.
Tim's father leaves home when the boy is still young and he is left alone to cope with his mother, her vodka and the men she brings home, until one day a letter arrives...a letter that will change the course of the boy's life forever.
As Tim feels the urge to follow in his father's horrible footsteps, he embarks on a terrible mission to find him, spilling blood and bringing death and mayhem in the process.
He asks himself the question of whether people like him are born evil or if they turn evil as a result of the environment in which they are brought up.
The ending is stuff for movies that left me with my mouth open. I have only words of praise for the author for how she succeeded in weaving such a brilliant conclusion.
This book is surely not for the faint hearted as it keeps your heart thumping in your chest. It leaves you breathless always expecting the worst to happen in the following page.
So, if you think this is your type of book, go for it. It will stay with you long after you finish it.
Tim's father leaves home when the boy is still young and he is left alone to cope with his mother, her vodka and the men she brings home, until one day a letter arrives...a letter that will change the course of the boy's life forever.
As Tim feels the urge to follow in his father's horrible footsteps, he embarks on a terrible mission to find him, spilling blood and bringing death and mayhem in the process.
He asks himself the question of whether people like him are born evil or if they turn evil as a result of the environment in which they are brought up.
The ending is stuff for movies that left me with my mouth open. I have only words of praise for the author for how she succeeded in weaving such a brilliant conclusion.
This book is surely not for the faint hearted as it keeps your heart thumping in your chest. It leaves you breathless always expecting the worst to happen in the following page.
So, if you think this is your type of book, go for it. It will stay with you long after you finish it.
March 13, 2013
If you are a reader of horror or serial killer fiction then this book will be right up your alley. From the start I was pulled into the story and by the time I got to 30% I was completely pulled in and could not put it down until I had finished the entire thing. As will all of Christine Sutton's writing there were some very emotional parts in this book for me. She has a way of really giving you characters that you can both love and hate and Prodigal son is no exception. This is one of those books where you feel there is just so much I want to go on about but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
I will leave you with a couple of question that stays in my mind as the end of this book was in site; Is a person born with darkness and hate in their heart or is it put there as time grows and they have no one to love and care for them? How much abuse can a person take before they loose their minds?
Outstanding horror read!
I will leave you with a couple of question that stays in my mind as the end of this book was in site; Is a person born with darkness and hate in their heart or is it put there as time grows and they have no one to love and care for them? How much abuse can a person take before they loose their minds?
Outstanding horror read!
April 3, 2013
Short, but such as is the description of a novella. That being said, this novella doesn't bog one down in the whys of severe deviance, it alludes to it, and then just runs wild and goes for the jugular. Not many redeeming human characteristics of the main characters here, and one does not need that to enjoy the story. We have a lonely boy, growing up with an abusive mother who wants to search for his father. No, believe me, it is not a maudlin cry fest, it is a road trip into madness and murder and picquerism, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Some time ago the author had a giveaway weekend, I partook but did not read any of the titles I downloaded. I will be rectifying that oversight now that I have read this nasty little treat.
April 5, 2013
Prodigal Son reads like a novelization of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and it lacks the arty artifice of McNaughton's film, much like a novelization would. Sutton's novel is quite readable, and it's swell exploitation. Still, it lacked the depth and complexity that would've elevated it beyond simply being an exercise in subgenre.
January 7, 2014
So is this how serial killers are made, by following in their fathers footsteps? I've read a few serial killer books before now, both real & fictional, and this one had me gripped from the very beginning, so much so that I finished it in a few hours.
This is the first book of Christine Sutton's that I've read, and it may not be the last if this one is anything to go by.
This is the first book of Christine Sutton's that I've read, and it may not be the last if this one is anything to go by.
February 17, 2013
Wow! I've read this author before...but she totally outdid herself on this one. Beyond excellent, how she got into the mind of Tim is spooky. I've also noticed her growth as an author. This is a recommended read on my list of awesome books. Christine keep publishing, I'll keep reading.
October 4, 2013
I wasn't prepared for what I'd find in this book, not having anticipated the level of graphic imagery involved, which is extremely disturbing at times. The story it is well written and offers a convincing glimpse into the mind of a serial killer/rapist. It is, however, not for the faint of heart.
May 10, 2013
A novella that reads like a quick punch to the gut. I really enjoyed it, although it feels a bit odd to praise a story that was told from the point-of-view of a serial killer...
May 7, 2013
This book was a little to much for me. The writer did a very good job but the book was not the types I like to read. Thought I would try it out but probably won't read this type again.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews