What do you think?
Rate this book
What Hides Within
An award-winning horror/mystery with loads of dark comedy!
Inside all of us, there is darkness. Inside Clive, it's tangible, and it's aching to get out.
What Hides Within tells the story of a man held captive by an unknown evil. Clive Menard is a spineless slacker leading an ordinary existence. But when Chester enters his life, it becomes far from ordinary.
A disheveled Clive stands alone in a hospital waiting room. A series of incidences have led him to undergo unnecessary neurosurgery. A voice inside Clive’s head nags him to kill the doctor.
Weeks prior, a murder investigation and an unrelated kayaking excursion set the story’s interlocking events in motion. When a remorseful killer, a bomb-happy psychopath and a mysterious widow spider converge upon Clive, they bring with them destruction and death. Clive must discover who or what is steering his very existence before he, too, is consumed by the carnage around him.
With a driven detective following his every step and a vicious killer hiding within his circle of friends, Clive must walk a narrow and dangerous path, teetering between salvation and damnation. He must confront Chester and his own demons. But is he powerless to overcome them?
An EPIC Finalist, "Best Horror of 2013" read and eFestival eBook Award Runner-Up for Best Horror.
Inside all of us, there is darkness. Inside Clive, it's tangible, and it's aching to get out.
What Hides Within tells the story of a man held captive by an unknown evil. Clive Menard is a spineless slacker leading an ordinary existence. But when Chester enters his life, it becomes far from ordinary.
A disheveled Clive stands alone in a hospital waiting room. A series of incidences have led him to undergo unnecessary neurosurgery. A voice inside Clive’s head nags him to kill the doctor.
Weeks prior, a murder investigation and an unrelated kayaking excursion set the story’s interlocking events in motion. When a remorseful killer, a bomb-happy psychopath and a mysterious widow spider converge upon Clive, they bring with them destruction and death. Clive must discover who or what is steering his very existence before he, too, is consumed by the carnage around him.
With a driven detective following his every step and a vicious killer hiding within his circle of friends, Clive must walk a narrow and dangerous path, teetering between salvation and damnation. He must confront Chester and his own demons. But is he powerless to overcome them?
An EPIC Finalist, "Best Horror of 2013" read and eFestival eBook Award Runner-Up for Best Horror.
362 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2012
46 people are currently reading
1704 people want to read
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books690 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 26, 2014
Spiders!!! I don't like them! But by opening this book, I asked for it, and I got exactly what I deserved.
This is the story of Clive and his deliberate trip, by boat, through the biggest spider web he had ever seen. Why he would destroy such a thing of beauty, I don't know, but he sure did pay for it. Shortly after the web-destroying boat ride, Clive feels something blocking up his ear. Yeah... you know what that was, don't you?
I liked the character of Clive with all of his juvenile humor and sarcasm. I also liked the character of Reilly, a police detective investigating Clive and his roommate for murder. This was quite a feat, because Reilly had been desensitized to violence and its results and I didn't like her at all at first.
The pacing of this story was excellent, however I did correctly predict the outcome and for that I did deduct one star. The ending was fantastic, and I wouldn't mind seeing more about the character featured in the last chapter of What Hides Within.
Overall I enjoyed this debut effort from Mr. Parent and I look forward to reading whatever else he has to offer.
Recommended!
This is the story of Clive and his deliberate trip, by boat, through the biggest spider web he had ever seen. Why he would destroy such a thing of beauty, I don't know, but he sure did pay for it. Shortly after the web-destroying boat ride, Clive feels something blocking up his ear. Yeah... you know what that was, don't you?
I liked the character of Clive with all of his juvenile humor and sarcasm. I also liked the character of Reilly, a police detective investigating Clive and his roommate for murder. This was quite a feat, because Reilly had been desensitized to violence and its results and I didn't like her at all at first.
The pacing of this story was excellent, however I did correctly predict the outcome and for that I did deduct one star. The ending was fantastic, and I wouldn't mind seeing more about the character featured in the last chapter of What Hides Within.
Overall I enjoyed this debut effort from Mr. Parent and I look forward to reading whatever else he has to offer.
Recommended!
January 31, 2015
Well shit.
The first part of this book was pretty dang good. I liked Clive. He was a bit of a dork but still likeable. The story flowed smoothly. I laughed..I was creeped out. Frigging spiders.
The second part..well it kinda bit boogers. I don't know what the heck happened. Too much alcohol? I know I've done it too. The story goes all over the place. I didn't care anymore. It just could have been so very much more.
I know it's the author's first book. I did like it enough that I will give his other books a chance.
Chester is an asskicker. I will give her that.
I don't want to give the book away. You'll have to read it yourself to see what is up with Chester..sneaky little booger. I'm feeling stuff crawling on me.
I am GR friends with the author and I like him. He acts like he has some sense in his head...except for his Miley Cyrus fixation. :P In no way did any of this affect my review of this book.
The first part of this book was pretty dang good. I liked Clive. He was a bit of a dork but still likeable. The story flowed smoothly. I laughed..I was creeped out. Frigging spiders.
The second part..well it kinda bit boogers. I don't know what the heck happened. Too much alcohol? I know I've done it too. The story goes all over the place. I didn't care anymore. It just could have been so very much more.
I know it's the author's first book. I did like it enough that I will give his other books a chance.
Chester is an asskicker. I will give her that.
I don't want to give the book away. You'll have to read it yourself to see what is up with Chester..sneaky little booger. I'm feeling stuff crawling on me.
I am GR friends with the author and I like him. He acts like he has some sense in his head...except for his Miley Cyrus fixation. :P In no way did any of this affect my review of this book.
September 8, 2014
I will never look at a little spider with the same nonchalance again and I mean ever. I don’t mind saying that while reading this book and since finishing it, if I get a little tickle up the nose or in my ear, no shame attached - my finger is straight in there or up there. Just in case because well, you never know do you. And if I go through a strand of web, what quickly follows is almost a dance of epic craziness to make sure there’s nothing on me, with full slaps, the lot.
I loved this book, the characters were brilliant, the dark humour had me in stitches at times and just as I felt it was going a little flat after the half way mark, the direction changed and a fresh impetus reinvigorated the story for me. Almost perfect, funny as fuck, I mean the humour was right up my street and I highlighted loads of paragraphs that made me laugh.
There’s a couple of stories running in parallel we’ve got the murder of a child being investigated by the Police, there’s a bomber going round blowing shit up and then there’s Clive who attempts to paddle his canoe under a bridge and goes straight through a cobweb of seriously cringing proportions. Then his ears blocked with, yep you guessed it, Jesus wept I wasn’t scared of spiders before but I bloody well am now thanks Mr Parent.
What follows, well he’s hearing voices so a trip to the doctor is the order of the day and wait, still waiting, hours later - the Doctor will see you now ‘That’s nice of him. I was rather enjoying watching the wall. Captivating stuff’. What happens then is a hilarious interchange with a true ‘fucknut’, Dr Allen and mostly Clive’s sarcastic humour is relegated to his own mind but damn is he funny.
Another one was when his brain surgeon took part of his skull off, gets something in his eye, turns to wash it out and steps back to the sound of porcelain being pulverized underfoot. “Where’s the skull piece?” he managed after a hard swallow. Oh fucking dear.
What Hides Within is a quite brilliant story that mostly kept me entertained all the way through, the sarcastically dark humour was wicked and the ending left the door ajar for a follow up. This is my second read from this author after the short story in the Bad Apples anthology and I’m now looking forward to more.
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
I loved this book, the characters were brilliant, the dark humour had me in stitches at times and just as I felt it was going a little flat after the half way mark, the direction changed and a fresh impetus reinvigorated the story for me. Almost perfect, funny as fuck, I mean the humour was right up my street and I highlighted loads of paragraphs that made me laugh.
There’s a couple of stories running in parallel we’ve got the murder of a child being investigated by the Police, there’s a bomber going round blowing shit up and then there’s Clive who attempts to paddle his canoe under a bridge and goes straight through a cobweb of seriously cringing proportions. Then his ears blocked with, yep you guessed it, Jesus wept I wasn’t scared of spiders before but I bloody well am now thanks Mr Parent.
What follows, well he’s hearing voices so a trip to the doctor is the order of the day and wait, still waiting, hours later - the Doctor will see you now ‘That’s nice of him. I was rather enjoying watching the wall. Captivating stuff’. What happens then is a hilarious interchange with a true ‘fucknut’, Dr Allen and mostly Clive’s sarcastic humour is relegated to his own mind but damn is he funny.
Another one was when his brain surgeon took part of his skull off, gets something in his eye, turns to wash it out and steps back to the sound of porcelain being pulverized underfoot. “Where’s the skull piece?” he managed after a hard swallow. Oh fucking dear.
What Hides Within is a quite brilliant story that mostly kept me entertained all the way through, the sarcastically dark humour was wicked and the ending left the door ajar for a follow up. This is my second read from this author after the short story in the Bad Apples anthology and I’m now looking forward to more.
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
January 17, 2014
As assured a debut novel as any I've read, What Hides Within defies both expectations and classification with cleverness and style. Is it horror? Comedy? Crime thriller? Supernatural mystery? The answer is difficult to pin down, but that didn't keep me from enjoying evey second of this book.
When I first started reading, I was expecting a light horror comedy somewhere in the vicinity of JOHN DIES AT THE END or THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS, maybe even shades of DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY.
But even though it is full of wit and humor, as the story progresses it subtley shifts to a different place - and in the end, Joe Hill's book Horns comes to mind as the closest analogue, though thankfully WHAT HIDES WITHIN stays enjoyable throughout the duration and never slumps into pathos, not even for an instant. I'm not sure I'd completely categorize this book as horror, either - even though there are enough lurid shocks to turn the stomachs of more squeamish readers, certainly.
To me, in the end, this book is just the kind I keep searching for: something new. The story is fresh, the writing inventive and accessible, and the ending leaves the door cracked open for more spiders to enter our lives again someday if they so choose. I will be eagerly awaiting the next literary adventure from Jason Parent, and am so glad to have stumbled upon this amazing new talent.
When I first started reading, I was expecting a light horror comedy somewhere in the vicinity of JOHN DIES AT THE END or THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS, maybe even shades of DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY.
But even though it is full of wit and humor, as the story progresses it subtley shifts to a different place - and in the end, Joe Hill's book Horns comes to mind as the closest analogue, though thankfully WHAT HIDES WITHIN stays enjoyable throughout the duration and never slumps into pathos, not even for an instant. I'm not sure I'd completely categorize this book as horror, either - even though there are enough lurid shocks to turn the stomachs of more squeamish readers, certainly.
To me, in the end, this book is just the kind I keep searching for: something new. The story is fresh, the writing inventive and accessible, and the ending leaves the door cracked open for more spiders to enter our lives again someday if they so choose. I will be eagerly awaiting the next literary adventure from Jason Parent, and am so glad to have stumbled upon this amazing new talent.
May 20, 2024
Comedy Horror Fun!
Small backstory:
Clive Menard is out for a boat ride with his girlfriend when he becomes entangled in a spider cobweb and then accidentally falls overboard into the water. When he gets back in the boat his ears are water logged and he cannot figure out why the water will not flush out from his ear. Little does he know that something is lodged down deep into his ear and things go from bad to worse in the following days to come!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story was unique with how the story unfolds and there is quite a bit of humor laced within the storyline that made me giggle and laugh out loud a few times. I wasn't expecting really comedy horror until I became more involved in the storyline and I really liked all the characters in this book including Clive as I felt sorry for him with all what he goes through in the book.
The story flows along at a good pace as I wanted to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next to poor Clive. There was some tension moments too along with some suspense. All in all this was a great story and I really enjoyed how it all played out over the course of the book. Giving this book four "Spider Hider" stars!
Small backstory:
Clive Menard is out for a boat ride with his girlfriend when he becomes entangled in a spider cobweb and then accidentally falls overboard into the water. When he gets back in the boat his ears are water logged and he cannot figure out why the water will not flush out from his ear. Little does he know that something is lodged down deep into his ear and things go from bad to worse in the following days to come!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story was unique with how the story unfolds and there is quite a bit of humor laced within the storyline that made me giggle and laugh out loud a few times. I wasn't expecting really comedy horror until I became more involved in the storyline and I really liked all the characters in this book including Clive as I felt sorry for him with all what he goes through in the book.
The story flows along at a good pace as I wanted to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next to poor Clive. There was some tension moments too along with some suspense. All in all this was a great story and I really enjoyed how it all played out over the course of the book. Giving this book four "Spider Hider" stars!
February 3, 2018
WHAT HIDES WITHIN, by Jason Parent, was originally released in 2012. It is now being re-released by Bloodshot Books, with revised content and an all new cover design. I enjoyed this book immensely the first time I read it (my first novel by Jason Parent), but I must admit that this new edition is a much smoother, more professional quality book overall. I caught several key moments that really added to my understanding of the characters here.
We begin with Clive, an unmotivated man without any real ambition, his reclusive roommate, Kyle, and his "friend", Morgan.
"Clive was complacent in his complacency, his life without waves . . . "
After a day of fishing--when Clive accidentally paddles himself into a massive nest of spiderwebs--he begins to notice some changes . . . The one major change begin a voice that talks to him from inside his own head.
"If I was the devil, would I tell you that I was? . . ."
Through their everyday banter and sarcasm-laced interludes, you begin to know and feel for these characters. Aside from Clive, we have "Chester" (think Charlotte's Web gone horribly wrong), the over-protective "friend", Morgan, and the young but so-much-more-mature than the adults around her, Victoria. These characters come alive on the page through their actions, inactions, and dialog.
". . . He wasn't alone. He was never alone."
Once Clive's head becomes a home to Chester, the novel takes off in all directions, making this a complex narrative that crosses over into several genres. Besides having his "best friend" talking to him from literally inside of his own head, Clive has to contend with a bomb-weilding psychopath, an overly friendly boss, a no-nonsense detective, and his neglected eight-year old niece.
". . . It wasn't that . . . given up. Rather, . . . recognized that the fight was no longer winnable . . . "
There are enough twists in this book to keep you guessing up until--and even after--the very end. The action is virtually non-stop, and the scenes laced with dark-humor give the story some comic relief, without letting up on the intensity of the overall novel. This is one tale that will keep you on your toes all throughout--particularly if you suffer from Arachnophobia . . .
"Some things should stay buried."
Highly recommended!
We begin with Clive, an unmotivated man without any real ambition, his reclusive roommate, Kyle, and his "friend", Morgan.
"Clive was complacent in his complacency, his life without waves . . . "
After a day of fishing--when Clive accidentally paddles himself into a massive nest of spiderwebs--he begins to notice some changes . . . The one major change begin a voice that talks to him from inside his own head.
"If I was the devil, would I tell you that I was? . . ."
Through their everyday banter and sarcasm-laced interludes, you begin to know and feel for these characters. Aside from Clive, we have "Chester" (think Charlotte's Web gone horribly wrong), the over-protective "friend", Morgan, and the young but so-much-more-mature than the adults around her, Victoria. These characters come alive on the page through their actions, inactions, and dialog.
". . . He wasn't alone. He was never alone."
Once Clive's head becomes a home to Chester, the novel takes off in all directions, making this a complex narrative that crosses over into several genres. Besides having his "best friend" talking to him from literally inside of his own head, Clive has to contend with a bomb-weilding psychopath, an overly friendly boss, a no-nonsense detective, and his neglected eight-year old niece.
". . . It wasn't that . . . given up. Rather, . . . recognized that the fight was no longer winnable . . . "
There are enough twists in this book to keep you guessing up until--and even after--the very end. The action is virtually non-stop, and the scenes laced with dark-humor give the story some comic relief, without letting up on the intensity of the overall novel. This is one tale that will keep you on your toes all throughout--particularly if you suffer from Arachnophobia . . .
"Some things should stay buried."
Highly recommended!
February 26, 2014
4.5 stars.
Well, that was a thoroughly engrossing read.
you have to give credit to a novel which features child murder, a brain chomping arachnid, and terrorism... and then manages to deliver with an array of sharp, at times laugh-out-loud, one-liners.
What Hides Within is categorized as a horror novel, but, despite the subject matter, i'm not sure I'd entirely agree. It starts out very much as black comedy. Some of Clive's comments and observations, certainly during the first half of the book, are satirical gold.
The dialogue and wit during the various character exchanges carry the story well, and these interactions serve to show the authors strength as a writer.
Should Jason Parent ever consider branching out into screenplays, then I could imagine him gaining a degree of success. Excellent dialogue.
It's actually quite difficult to write an in depth review without littering the piece with spoilers. Suffice to say, the second half of the book takes a much darker turn.
In the beginning my favorite characters were the acid tongued, Uber-cynic Clive, his friend with (occasional) benefits Morgan, and the hard boiled bitch-Detective Reilly. In particular I loved Clive's scornful observations on life, and those around him. I also enjoyed Clive and Morgan's f*** buddy relationship, and the fact that they both craved more from the other, but each failed to realize the true level of attraction between them.
However, my sympathy for Clive and Morgan did not last the course.
At one point in the story a degree of misfortune is visited upon Derek, an aftershave sodden, would be Lothario (and a mutual friend of Clive and Morgan, although it was more a case of Morgan tolerating him than any genuine friendship).
The pairs total disregard for Derek's plight didn't sit well, and although their reaction served to drive the plot, it still seemed uneven.
As I said, the second half of the story is much darker.
Reilly remained a favorite character, and there may even be scope for her to appear in the future, should Mr Parent have further need of a hard-nosed detective.
To sum up: These days, quite often I can quickly lose interest in a book. I rarely have enough spare hours in my day, so unless its a decent read its unlikely to keep me gripped. What Hides Within is a very decent read. Pulling together more strands than a spider's web (you see what I did there, right?), and fluctuating between black comedy, dark satire, and flesh crawling horror that'll keep you turning page after page.
A thoroughly entertaining debut novel from Jason Parent. Oh yeah, and I loved the ending!
Well, that was a thoroughly engrossing read.
you have to give credit to a novel which features child murder, a brain chomping arachnid, and terrorism... and then manages to deliver with an array of sharp, at times laugh-out-loud, one-liners.
What Hides Within is categorized as a horror novel, but, despite the subject matter, i'm not sure I'd entirely agree. It starts out very much as black comedy. Some of Clive's comments and observations, certainly during the first half of the book, are satirical gold.
The dialogue and wit during the various character exchanges carry the story well, and these interactions serve to show the authors strength as a writer.
Should Jason Parent ever consider branching out into screenplays, then I could imagine him gaining a degree of success. Excellent dialogue.
It's actually quite difficult to write an in depth review without littering the piece with spoilers. Suffice to say, the second half of the book takes a much darker turn.
In the beginning my favorite characters were the acid tongued, Uber-cynic Clive, his friend with (occasional) benefits Morgan, and the hard boiled bitch-Detective Reilly. In particular I loved Clive's scornful observations on life, and those around him. I also enjoyed Clive and Morgan's f*** buddy relationship, and the fact that they both craved more from the other, but each failed to realize the true level of attraction between them.
However, my sympathy for Clive and Morgan did not last the course.
At one point in the story a degree of misfortune is visited upon Derek, an aftershave sodden, would be Lothario (and a mutual friend of Clive and Morgan, although it was more a case of Morgan tolerating him than any genuine friendship).
The pairs total disregard for Derek's plight didn't sit well, and although their reaction served to drive the plot, it still seemed uneven.
As I said, the second half of the story is much darker.
Reilly remained a favorite character, and there may even be scope for her to appear in the future, should Mr Parent have further need of a hard-nosed detective.
To sum up: These days, quite often I can quickly lose interest in a book. I rarely have enough spare hours in my day, so unless its a decent read its unlikely to keep me gripped. What Hides Within is a very decent read. Pulling together more strands than a spider's web (you see what I did there, right?), and fluctuating between black comedy, dark satire, and flesh crawling horror that'll keep you turning page after page.
A thoroughly entertaining debut novel from Jason Parent. Oh yeah, and I loved the ending!
March 23, 2018
What started out as an innocent trip on the river, paddling around with your girlfriend, ended up headfirst into a huge spider's web. The next thing Clive knows, he's hearing a voice from within, and it's telling him to do things. Clive, the poor bastard, doesn't know if he's losing his mind or if he really has a talking spider communicating with him deep inside his head.
Jason Parent's latest tale is one of the most unique offerings I've ever read. He's created such great characters in this one. You can't help to sympathize with Clive and his plight. Is he going insane or is there really a talking arachnid behind it all? However, my favorite part of the story is in the voice in which it's told. Parent uses a fresh, snarky humor that almost pushes the story into satire. Almost. It does, however, provide the story with a breath of fresh air and a few chuckles that you can't help along the way. I can't help but draw comparisons with the ball-busting dialogue that my friends and I unleash on each other. What Hides Within is a well-crafted tale of psychological terror with shades of a Lovecraftian hard-boiled crime story. Great stuff.
4 1/2 Pipe Bombs out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Jason Parent's latest tale is one of the most unique offerings I've ever read. He's created such great characters in this one. You can't help to sympathize with Clive and his plight. Is he going insane or is there really a talking arachnid behind it all? However, my favorite part of the story is in the voice in which it's told. Parent uses a fresh, snarky humor that almost pushes the story into satire. Almost. It does, however, provide the story with a breath of fresh air and a few chuckles that you can't help along the way. I can't help but draw comparisons with the ball-busting dialogue that my friends and I unleash on each other. What Hides Within is a well-crafted tale of psychological terror with shades of a Lovecraftian hard-boiled crime story. Great stuff.
4 1/2 Pipe Bombs out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
October 27, 2014
The itsy bitsy spider crawled into Clive's brain.
It made him hear voices and drove him quite insane.
Nothing could save him, not even John Goodman.
And the itsy bitsy spider wreaked havoc everywhere.
We all know in most books, there always is a twist.
Go ahead and read this one just for the kicks.
I know you won't be disappointed simply because,
it has a cutesy little spider who's totally adorbs.
3.5 ninja bunnehs weaving webs
It made him hear voices and drove him quite insane.
Nothing could save him, not even John Goodman.
And the itsy bitsy spider wreaked havoc everywhere.
We all know in most books, there always is a twist.
Go ahead and read this one just for the kicks.
I know you won't be disappointed simply because,
it has a cutesy little spider who's totally adorbs.
3.5 ninja bunnehs weaving webs
October 9, 2017
While kayaking, Clive Menard and his friend Morgan paddle to a remote part of the pond they have never ventured to before. They come across an old, dilapidated bridge/overpass where Clive discovers a massive, ominous-looking spider web. It's clear that the area hasn't been disturbed in a very long time. Morgan grows wary about continuing down such an isolated path, but Clive is determined to embark upon unchartered territory.
"It's just a little spider web," he tells Morgan as he desecrates the web and continues forward.
Clive's choice proves foolish, when just moments later, his head gets cocooned in thick webbing and in his panic, he plunges into the dirty stream. Clive emerges unharmed--or seemingly so. Soon his right ear becomes maddeningly clogged--waterlogged, he presumes. But where there are spider webs, there are spiders. And those creepy crawlers like seeking shelter in dark openings...not unlike ear canals.
And then Clive begins hearing a voice....
No spoilers here! You'll have to find out about Clive's fate on your own.
I've had this book within my Kindle library for a long time. I'm so glad that I finally read it after all these years. Jason Parent is a talented author who skillfully weaves an engrossing story--one full of suspense and humor. It will surely keep you guessing to the very end.
"It's just a little spider web," he tells Morgan as he desecrates the web and continues forward.
Clive's choice proves foolish, when just moments later, his head gets cocooned in thick webbing and in his panic, he plunges into the dirty stream. Clive emerges unharmed--or seemingly so. Soon his right ear becomes maddeningly clogged--waterlogged, he presumes. But where there are spider webs, there are spiders. And those creepy crawlers like seeking shelter in dark openings...not unlike ear canals.
And then Clive begins hearing a voice....
No spoilers here! You'll have to find out about Clive's fate on your own.
I've had this book within my Kindle library for a long time. I'm so glad that I finally read it after all these years. Jason Parent is a talented author who skillfully weaves an engrossing story--one full of suspense and humor. It will surely keep you guessing to the very end.
August 30, 2013
What Hides Within was a fantastic book. I admit, I wasn't sure what was happening at first, but the further I read the more I realized that was the whole idea. Jason has created quite the intricately plotted story here. As I whipped through the pages at a death-defying pace, it became quite clear that I was being taunted, toyed with and then blissfully pacified only to find my expectations turned inside out again.
The writing is tight and very descriptive and, much to my delight, devoid of mistakes. The editing was very well done. The characters are drawn exceptionally well. Clive was so relatable it was impossible not to like him. And then there was Chester... well, what can I say? You will have to find out for yourself what I mean when I say DAMN! I really felt that I had to care about what happened to poor Clive. There is mystery, suspense, humor and outright terror all blended into a twisting narrative that doesn't let up until the end.
This was a fun read overall, one that I could not stop reading until I found myself at the end wishing there were just a few more pages.
Jason Parent is an author to keep an eye on. He writes with a confidence and clarity I only wish I possessed. I thoroughly enjoyed this strange and exciting novel, and look forward to reading more from the author.
The writing is tight and very descriptive and, much to my delight, devoid of mistakes. The editing was very well done. The characters are drawn exceptionally well. Clive was so relatable it was impossible not to like him. And then there was Chester... well, what can I say? You will have to find out for yourself what I mean when I say DAMN! I really felt that I had to care about what happened to poor Clive. There is mystery, suspense, humor and outright terror all blended into a twisting narrative that doesn't let up until the end.
This was a fun read overall, one that I could not stop reading until I found myself at the end wishing there were just a few more pages.
Jason Parent is an author to keep an eye on. He writes with a confidence and clarity I only wish I possessed. I thoroughly enjoyed this strange and exciting novel, and look forward to reading more from the author.
April 21, 2018
I totally loved this book. I know, I know ... I've said it before ... but I only say it about books that I really do love.
The main character (Clive) is awesome. I love his attitude, personality and witty comebacks. His conversation with the doctor at the beginning ... he thinks the same way I do. You just can't help but laugh at him ... or maybe with him ...
His niece, though, is my favorite character. You just feel for her and all she has to go through, you want to take her in your arms and just hold her.
There are hysterical moments, sad moments and a couple of freak you out moments - and even though I'm not a fan of sex scenes, I have to say that that was the BEST sex scene I've read yet haha - and they all come together really well in the end. I completely didn't expect the very end, but it totally fit and made me like it even more.
There's only one thing I can say that I didn't like about the book - besides the fact that it actually ended - Morgan. It's not the author's fault because he wrote her really well. It's all Morgan's fault - I just don't like women like her.
It's, honestly, one of those books that I would go back and read again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my HONEST review.
The main character (Clive) is awesome. I love his attitude, personality and witty comebacks. His conversation with the doctor at the beginning ... he thinks the same way I do. You just can't help but laugh at him ... or maybe with him ...
His niece, though, is my favorite character. You just feel for her and all she has to go through, you want to take her in your arms and just hold her.
There are hysterical moments, sad moments and a couple of freak you out moments - and even though I'm not a fan of sex scenes, I have to say that that was the BEST sex scene I've read yet haha - and they all come together really well in the end. I completely didn't expect the very end, but it totally fit and made me like it even more.
There's only one thing I can say that I didn't like about the book - besides the fact that it actually ended - Morgan. It's not the author's fault because he wrote her really well. It's all Morgan's fault - I just don't like women like her.
It's, honestly, one of those books that I would go back and read again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my HONEST review.
August 29, 2016
At first I thought this was a funny, dark, mindless thriller. I was wrong. It is smart. Very smart, and amazingly crafted. Several story lines weaved into one story, with characters that'll make you laugh and just hate. Even the hateful characters will make you laugh.
There's a lot to say, but I can't think of what to say.
It's a horror. That's a given. The horror aspect gives a feeling of paranoia, it really digs into your bones when shit gets going.
There's a mystery involved as well. This part really helps the story to keep you guessing as to what's going on and why? It adds the needed depth to help push the story, to give it a plot instead of just making us paranoid about something living in our head.
I actually thought I had it figured out at the beginning after the surgery. Then when that went to hell, I thought I had it figured out again, then THAT went to hell and well you get what I mean. Maybe a little predictable but it still keeps you guessing.
Very awesome story.
There's a lot to say, but I can't think of what to say.
It's a horror. That's a given. The horror aspect gives a feeling of paranoia, it really digs into your bones when shit gets going.
There's a mystery involved as well. This part really helps the story to keep you guessing as to what's going on and why? It adds the needed depth to help push the story, to give it a plot instead of just making us paranoid about something living in our head.
I actually thought I had it figured out at the beginning after the surgery. Then when that went to hell, I thought I had it figured out again, then THAT went to hell and well you get what I mean. Maybe a little predictable but it still keeps you guessing.
Very awesome story.
May 19, 2014
This book strikes me as having been published prematurely. I found it frustrating to pay for a promising book and end up feeling like a beta reader of a work in progress. I think of a book starting out with five stars when I decide to buy it, and keeping a certain number as I read it.
This one kept two because it has a clever plot idea, and the writer shows some innate ability. There are scenes where the horror works. The frightening imagery in these episodes is masterful. The spider details are excellent, too, though I did not find them disturbing. The protagonist Clive had so many cobwebs in his brain already—playing solitaire on his office computer and keeping up with celebrity gossip rather than doing his job—the arrival of a spider in his head was a good twist, and I enjoyed the foray into Chester’s point of view, when she visits Derek. The author showed his potential when he got inside the spider’s head.
Overall, though, the book reads like a satire on clumsy writing. If it was meant to be one, the joke wore out fast. I had a hard time telling whether Jason Parent was over-writing on purpose in an attempt at irony and whether he wrote awkwardly by accident. Either way, I didn’t enjoy it. It’s like singing off-key: funny for one line, but the longer it goes on the more irritating it gets.
Phrases like “indelicate sensitivities” and “stood sedentary” made me slam on my reading brakes. Misused words (leaches for leeches; droned out for drowned out; snuggly for snugly; awe for the “aw” sound of pity; adverse to change instead of averse to change, etc.) added to the impression of a book that had not been professionally edited. Introducing Clive’s coworker Felix, the author writes: “His job seemed as resolute as his commitment to his politically incorrect ways.” Resolute does not describe a job but a person’s determination to hold onto it. Maybe he meant: He hung onto his job and his political incorrectness with equal tenacity.
The quality of the dialog is uneven. Example: Reilly, the detective says she needs to do something “… before nightfall and the return of scavenging coyotes.” I think a person would normally say “… before the coyotes come back at night.” Maybe the unrealistic speech is meant to be funny, but when the previous dialog has been normal, things like this look like mistakes rather than an intentional cartoon effect. The conversation in this book is about fifty-fifty. I found the most of attempts at humorous dialog to be strained digressions that slowed the book down. There were a few exceptions, such as Morgan and Clive’s bowling scene, where the banter was funny and natural. It came from their friendship and it enhanced plot and character. The dialog with Clive and Chester is wordy and gets too expository toward the end.
The overuse of modifiers looks like an attempt at a comic effect at times, but at other times looks like an error. A man annoyed at his alarm clock swats it off. A strong verb like that doesn’t need an adverb. Nonetheless, Parent writes, “He hurriedly swatted it off.” Detailed descriptions of the horror elements were effective. Detail when describing simple actions slowed the story down. The following illustrates this use of excess detail in the wrong places.
In this scene Morgan and Clive have been threatened (I will not say how, to avoid spoilers) and Clive says, “Get help.” Parent describes Morgan’s reaction: “Her anxiety had clouded her thinking, made her helpless, but Clive’s two words sent her running with determination and purpose, running by Kevin, down the apartment stairs and into the street. The combination of excitement and physical exertion shortened her breath.” We don’t need to be told twice that she was running, or that she had determination and purpose, or the reason she’s out of breath, or that “get help” is two words. All of those are obvious. Revision: Clive’s words cut through her paralysis and sent her running downstairs into the street. Breathless, she …”
In the supposedly high tension scene that follows Morgan runs to her “one-year-old BMW.” If that detail matters, it belongs much earlier in the book. At this point, the reader just needs to see her run “to her car,” unless this is another case of attempted wit. She unlocks the car and “forages” for her phone with “clumsy haste” and finds it. Forage is a great verb, but then he bogs it down with “clumsy haste.” He even gives the brand name and color of the phone and a digression on how Clive teased her about it. When she gets hold of that pink phone, Parent writes: “‘Finally!’ she shouted with proud accomplishment.” Finally! by itself would say enough, unless, of course, he also meant that to be amusing.
A fight scene on the next page has a whole paragraph in passive tense, deflating the energy and action. Parent’s writing takes the reader outside the events, not deeper into them. If his goal was to make the reader stand back and disengage from the story, he succeeded, but I don’t see why he would want to do that.
There is a fine art to selecting the kind of tormenting detail to put in a stressful scene, whether comic or terrifying. Everything that raises tension and involves the reader with the character’s feelings belongs. Anything that distracts from that experience doesn’t. A suspenseful example is King’s description of Junior’s feet descending the stairs into the jail in Under the Dome. The reader sees what the prisoner sees, and feels the dread. A great comic example is the bus ride at the end of Lucky Jim, where the reader suffers every excruciating delay with Jim as he creeps towards the girl he loves when he wants to rush.
Less than half-way into What Hides Within the first scene with the unnamed criminal gave away what was probably supposed to be a surprise turn near the end. I don’t find withholding of information this way to be a subtle device.
The formatting in the Nook edition had an annoying space between each paragraph like the ones Goodreads induces in writing that was not intentionally formatted that way. In a book, this ought to be corrected.
Opinions on books differ, so I’ve tried to support my opinion so readers can decide if the things that bothered me would bother them. If the style entertains you, and the humor is your kind of humor, maybe you’ll enjoy this. I wish Parent had decided to focus more on horror, though, and not tried so hard to be funny. Obvious effort at humor kills it, for me. Pared down and professionally edited, with occasional realistic humor integrated into the story-telling, this could have been a good book. I think Parent has the capacity to write one.
This one kept two because it has a clever plot idea, and the writer shows some innate ability. There are scenes where the horror works. The frightening imagery in these episodes is masterful. The spider details are excellent, too, though I did not find them disturbing. The protagonist Clive had so many cobwebs in his brain already—playing solitaire on his office computer and keeping up with celebrity gossip rather than doing his job—the arrival of a spider in his head was a good twist, and I enjoyed the foray into Chester’s point of view, when she visits Derek. The author showed his potential when he got inside the spider’s head.
Overall, though, the book reads like a satire on clumsy writing. If it was meant to be one, the joke wore out fast. I had a hard time telling whether Jason Parent was over-writing on purpose in an attempt at irony and whether he wrote awkwardly by accident. Either way, I didn’t enjoy it. It’s like singing off-key: funny for one line, but the longer it goes on the more irritating it gets.
Phrases like “indelicate sensitivities” and “stood sedentary” made me slam on my reading brakes. Misused words (leaches for leeches; droned out for drowned out; snuggly for snugly; awe for the “aw” sound of pity; adverse to change instead of averse to change, etc.) added to the impression of a book that had not been professionally edited. Introducing Clive’s coworker Felix, the author writes: “His job seemed as resolute as his commitment to his politically incorrect ways.” Resolute does not describe a job but a person’s determination to hold onto it. Maybe he meant: He hung onto his job and his political incorrectness with equal tenacity.
The quality of the dialog is uneven. Example: Reilly, the detective says she needs to do something “… before nightfall and the return of scavenging coyotes.” I think a person would normally say “… before the coyotes come back at night.” Maybe the unrealistic speech is meant to be funny, but when the previous dialog has been normal, things like this look like mistakes rather than an intentional cartoon effect. The conversation in this book is about fifty-fifty. I found the most of attempts at humorous dialog to be strained digressions that slowed the book down. There were a few exceptions, such as Morgan and Clive’s bowling scene, where the banter was funny and natural. It came from their friendship and it enhanced plot and character. The dialog with Clive and Chester is wordy and gets too expository toward the end.
The overuse of modifiers looks like an attempt at a comic effect at times, but at other times looks like an error. A man annoyed at his alarm clock swats it off. A strong verb like that doesn’t need an adverb. Nonetheless, Parent writes, “He hurriedly swatted it off.” Detailed descriptions of the horror elements were effective. Detail when describing simple actions slowed the story down. The following illustrates this use of excess detail in the wrong places.
In this scene Morgan and Clive have been threatened (I will not say how, to avoid spoilers) and Clive says, “Get help.” Parent describes Morgan’s reaction: “Her anxiety had clouded her thinking, made her helpless, but Clive’s two words sent her running with determination and purpose, running by Kevin, down the apartment stairs and into the street. The combination of excitement and physical exertion shortened her breath.” We don’t need to be told twice that she was running, or that she had determination and purpose, or the reason she’s out of breath, or that “get help” is two words. All of those are obvious. Revision: Clive’s words cut through her paralysis and sent her running downstairs into the street. Breathless, she …”
In the supposedly high tension scene that follows Morgan runs to her “one-year-old BMW.” If that detail matters, it belongs much earlier in the book. At this point, the reader just needs to see her run “to her car,” unless this is another case of attempted wit. She unlocks the car and “forages” for her phone with “clumsy haste” and finds it. Forage is a great verb, but then he bogs it down with “clumsy haste.” He even gives the brand name and color of the phone and a digression on how Clive teased her about it. When she gets hold of that pink phone, Parent writes: “‘Finally!’ she shouted with proud accomplishment.” Finally! by itself would say enough, unless, of course, he also meant that to be amusing.
A fight scene on the next page has a whole paragraph in passive tense, deflating the energy and action. Parent’s writing takes the reader outside the events, not deeper into them. If his goal was to make the reader stand back and disengage from the story, he succeeded, but I don’t see why he would want to do that.
There is a fine art to selecting the kind of tormenting detail to put in a stressful scene, whether comic or terrifying. Everything that raises tension and involves the reader with the character’s feelings belongs. Anything that distracts from that experience doesn’t. A suspenseful example is King’s description of Junior’s feet descending the stairs into the jail in Under the Dome. The reader sees what the prisoner sees, and feels the dread. A great comic example is the bus ride at the end of Lucky Jim, where the reader suffers every excruciating delay with Jim as he creeps towards the girl he loves when he wants to rush.
Less than half-way into What Hides Within the first scene with the unnamed criminal gave away what was probably supposed to be a surprise turn near the end. I don’t find withholding of information this way to be a subtle device.
The formatting in the Nook edition had an annoying space between each paragraph like the ones Goodreads induces in writing that was not intentionally formatted that way. In a book, this ought to be corrected.
Opinions on books differ, so I’ve tried to support my opinion so readers can decide if the things that bothered me would bother them. If the style entertains you, and the humor is your kind of humor, maybe you’ll enjoy this. I wish Parent had decided to focus more on horror, though, and not tried so hard to be funny. Obvious effort at humor kills it, for me. Pared down and professionally edited, with occasional realistic humor integrated into the story-telling, this could have been a good book. I think Parent has the capacity to write one.
May 18, 2013
4.5 stars, rounded up for originality, and that all important "CREEPY" factor!
WHAT HIDES WITHIN is a complex narrative combining a bomb-weilding sociopath, an unmotivated man whose best friend talks to him from inside of his head, and a no-nonsense detective. Add in a plethora of sarcasm-laced interludes, and Jason Parent has penned a riveting novel that crosses over several genres. This one will keep you on your toes all throughout, questioning everything you "think" you know is happening. From "Chester" (think Charlotte's Web gone horribly wrong), to the overprotective girlfriend, Morgan, and the young, but oh-so-much-more-mature than the adults around her, Victoria, and you have the beginnings of a large list of characters that actually feel alive to the reader.
A very good first read for me from this author!
WHAT HIDES WITHIN is a complex narrative combining a bomb-weilding sociopath, an unmotivated man whose best friend talks to him from inside of his head, and a no-nonsense detective. Add in a plethora of sarcasm-laced interludes, and Jason Parent has penned a riveting novel that crosses over several genres. This one will keep you on your toes all throughout, questioning everything you "think" you know is happening. From "Chester" (think Charlotte's Web gone horribly wrong), to the overprotective girlfriend, Morgan, and the young, but oh-so-much-more-mature than the adults around her, Victoria, and you have the beginnings of a large list of characters that actually feel alive to the reader.
A very good first read for me from this author!
September 26, 2013
What Hides Within is a solid debut horror novel built on a mystery/suspense engine. The author manages to combine serial bomber, child murderer, and supernatural plotlines effectively. There were a few times where I thought the characters made odd choices that seemed to only serve the plot instead of doing what you’d think any average Joe would do in the given situation. Well, as it turned out, (in almost all instances, I’d say), these “bugs” in the narrative turned out to be “features” later on. The novel starts out with a fair dose of humor mixed in with the darkness. Some bits fell flat, but others made me laugh out loud. (The effectiveness of humor in fiction is largely subjective. So don’t let this deter you from picking this up.) But as the narrative progresses, things get increasingly darker and more tense until the pages really start flying by. I had several theories as to “what’s really going on” and I’m happy to say that all of them were wrong. There are so many things that I’d really like to cite as reasons why I thought this novel was so successful but can’t because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who might pick this up. I’ll just say that
I'll be picking up Parent's next book.
I'll be picking up Parent's next book.
July 24, 2014
Although I really enjoyed the plot, had to, sadly, rip off one star. A moment of silence please.
The book does need a lot of editing and I feel the first chapter should be cut. I know that's painful for any author. Using an introduction chapter that's set in the future can be a nice effect, setting the tone, and hinting at what's to come. I don't feel it works in this case. The first chapter is an out of context moment of slapstick comedy, cute for what it is, but in my opinion, it does a disservice to the whole book.
The comedy is the ace up this book's sleeve.
What Hides Within is a work of true horror with as many spiraled layers as a spider web. The comedy throughout serves as a means for denial, then evolves into a dark chuckle that never leaves the ringing of your ears. With editing, this book has the potential of being a horror masterpiece.
The book does need a lot of editing and I feel the first chapter should be cut. I know that's painful for any author. Using an introduction chapter that's set in the future can be a nice effect, setting the tone, and hinting at what's to come. I don't feel it works in this case. The first chapter is an out of context moment of slapstick comedy, cute for what it is, but in my opinion, it does a disservice to the whole book.
The comedy is the ace up this book's sleeve.
What Hides Within is a work of true horror with as many spiraled layers as a spider web. The comedy throughout serves as a means for denial, then evolves into a dark chuckle that never leaves the ringing of your ears. With editing, this book has the potential of being a horror masterpiece.
February 13, 2018
Review copy
What Hides Within takes off at a torrid pace and barely lets up for a minute before it's exciting conclusion.
Clive stared under the bridge, intending to view the travel conditions beyond it. What he beheld was as magnificent as it was unnerving. His mouth dropped open in awe of the animalistic artistry. In the cool, damp darkness, an intricate mass of webbing sheathed the bridge’s undercarriage like a drape woven in silk by the most skilled of weavers. Its beautiful yet ominous patterns served as a warning to weary travelers who dared attempt passage. This is no place for humankind.
Of course, Clive is not deterred and he'll certainly live to regret his boldness. When his kayak overturns in the murky water, his ear is left waterlogged, and as if that isn't bad enough, he soon begins to hear a lone voice in his head.
Jason Parent masterfully lays on layer after layer of intricate storytelling, weaving a masterful web and an entertaining tale. A tenacious page-turner which only requires the reader to check their disbelief at the door and enjoy. I found What Hides Within to be clever, at times comedic, and at times very dark.
Ultimately recommended.
What Hides Within is currently available in both paperback and Kindle formats from Bloodshot Books. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip-flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists in a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
What Hides Within takes off at a torrid pace and barely lets up for a minute before it's exciting conclusion.
Clive stared under the bridge, intending to view the travel conditions beyond it. What he beheld was as magnificent as it was unnerving. His mouth dropped open in awe of the animalistic artistry. In the cool, damp darkness, an intricate mass of webbing sheathed the bridge’s undercarriage like a drape woven in silk by the most skilled of weavers. Its beautiful yet ominous patterns served as a warning to weary travelers who dared attempt passage. This is no place for humankind.
Of course, Clive is not deterred and he'll certainly live to regret his boldness. When his kayak overturns in the murky water, his ear is left waterlogged, and as if that isn't bad enough, he soon begins to hear a lone voice in his head.
Jason Parent masterfully lays on layer after layer of intricate storytelling, weaving a masterful web and an entertaining tale. A tenacious page-turner which only requires the reader to check their disbelief at the door and enjoy. I found What Hides Within to be clever, at times comedic, and at times very dark.
Ultimately recommended.
What Hides Within is currently available in both paperback and Kindle formats from Bloodshot Books. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
From the author's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip-flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists in a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
September 19, 2013
As assured a debut novel as any I've read, What Hides Within defies both expectations and classification with cleverness and style. Is it horror? Comedy? Crime thriller? Supernatural mystery? The answer is difficult to pin down, but that didn't keep me from enjoying evey second of this book.
When I first started reading, I was expecting a light horror comedy somewhere in the vicinity of JOHN DIES AT THE END or THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS, maybe even shades of DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY.
But even though it is full of wit and humor, as the story progresses it subtley shifts to a different place - and in the end, Joe Hill's book Horns comes to mind as the closest analogue, though thankfully WHAT HIDES WITHIN stays enjoyable throughout the duration and never slumps into pathos, not even for an instant. I'm not sure I'd completely categorize this book as horror, either - even though there are enough lurid shocks to turn the stomachs of more squeamish readers, certainly.
To me, in the end, this book is just the kind I keep searching for: something new. The story is fresh, the writing inventive and accessible, and the ending leaves the door cracked open for more spiders to enter our lives again someday if they so choose. I will be eagerly awaiting the next literary adventure from Jason Parent, and am so glad to have stumbled upon this amazing new talent.
When I first started reading, I was expecting a light horror comedy somewhere in the vicinity of JOHN DIES AT THE END or THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS, maybe even shades of DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY.
But even though it is full of wit and humor, as the story progresses it subtley shifts to a different place - and in the end, Joe Hill's book Horns comes to mind as the closest analogue, though thankfully WHAT HIDES WITHIN stays enjoyable throughout the duration and never slumps into pathos, not even for an instant. I'm not sure I'd completely categorize this book as horror, either - even though there are enough lurid shocks to turn the stomachs of more squeamish readers, certainly.
To me, in the end, this book is just the kind I keep searching for: something new. The story is fresh, the writing inventive and accessible, and the ending leaves the door cracked open for more spiders to enter our lives again someday if they so choose. I will be eagerly awaiting the next literary adventure from Jason Parent, and am so glad to have stumbled upon this amazing new talent.
April 7, 2013
It just so happens that I am not a big fan of spiders no matter how small or harmless. As a matter of fact, I hate spiders and this dude (Clive) has cobwebs coming out of his nose and an ancient evil arachnid named Chester living inside his brain, making him slowly go insane. Nasty. Bummer for Clive.
Jason Parent puts out a very strong debut novel with What Hides Within. There is a lot going on here - murder, terrorism, betrayal, brain surgery, kidnapping, all sprinkled with a little dash of love and a splat of gore. Looking forward to more from Mr. Parent. Recommended. 4 Stars.
Jason Parent puts out a very strong debut novel with What Hides Within. There is a lot going on here - murder, terrorism, betrayal, brain surgery, kidnapping, all sprinkled with a little dash of love and a splat of gore. Looking forward to more from Mr. Parent. Recommended. 4 Stars.
May 4, 2013
I wasn't sure what I thought of What Hides Within when I first started reading it. In the opening half of the novel there are so many surreal things going on that you sort of think you might be watching a late night B movie in your head. But then you start getting all the finer bits of the story and everything starts falling into place.I really enjoyed it.
What Hides Within is one of those unique books you have a hard time pinning down. While there are elements of horror there are also so many other things going on (bits and pieces that you might find at home in a thriller, suspense or action novel)that you get wrapped up in all the threads.
Clive Menard is classic every man, he's rude, repressed and takes most of the elements of his life for granted. He has a close female friend he sometimes has sex with, coworkers he barely tolerates and a roommate who never seems to stick around when he's there. Overall he's not a happy guy but he's also not willing to put forth the effort to change the things that leave him unhappy. Then comes the crazy accident which changes everything.
Clive soon finds himself with a troubling hearing condition that escalates into strange dreams and eventually neurosurgery. At first he thinks he's lost his mind but soon after it becomes clear that something has taken up residence in his head and that something has plans.
Surrounded by bombings, death and changing people Clive doesn't see any of the tragic events in his life coming until they've slapped him in the face. He's joined in this journey by a troubled brother, his equally troubled daughter, a voracious detective, his friends Morgan and Derek and that troubling roommate of his. Part of the appeal of the novel is following all of these threads right to the finale which is quite satisfying. If I were going to compare it to anything I'd say that What Hides Within makes for a very detailed and interesting Tales From the Crypt story and it's well worth your time. Just wait until you meet Chester, she's my favorite!
What Hides Within is one of those unique books you have a hard time pinning down. While there are elements of horror there are also so many other things going on (bits and pieces that you might find at home in a thriller, suspense or action novel)that you get wrapped up in all the threads.
Clive Menard is classic every man, he's rude, repressed and takes most of the elements of his life for granted. He has a close female friend he sometimes has sex with, coworkers he barely tolerates and a roommate who never seems to stick around when he's there. Overall he's not a happy guy but he's also not willing to put forth the effort to change the things that leave him unhappy. Then comes the crazy accident which changes everything.
Clive soon finds himself with a troubling hearing condition that escalates into strange dreams and eventually neurosurgery. At first he thinks he's lost his mind but soon after it becomes clear that something has taken up residence in his head and that something has plans.
Surrounded by bombings, death and changing people Clive doesn't see any of the tragic events in his life coming until they've slapped him in the face. He's joined in this journey by a troubled brother, his equally troubled daughter, a voracious detective, his friends Morgan and Derek and that troubling roommate of his. Part of the appeal of the novel is following all of these threads right to the finale which is quite satisfying. If I were going to compare it to anything I'd say that What Hides Within makes for a very detailed and interesting Tales From the Crypt story and it's well worth your time. Just wait until you meet Chester, she's my favorite!
September 7, 2014
A well-written debut novel from a talented writer, What Hides Within is difficult to categorize accurately. After all, how does a talking, intelligent spider that lives in people's heads and invades their thoughts, gel with a child murder, a spate of deadly bombings, and main character Clive's efforts to glide through life without making any effort at all?
Part supernatural-horror, part slacker-comedy, part mystery-crime-thriller, What Hides Within is all of these things and more. As a horror, I thought it was a little tame (but then I'm hard to horrify these days); as a comedy, it worked best when centered on Clive's disbelieveing responses to his medical treatment; as a mystery-thriller, it engaged me effectively as I tried to puzzle out exactly what was going on, with Parent wisely holding back any concrete answers until the final fifth of the book.
I did have difficulty understanding the decisions certain characters made some of the time, and there was the occasional scene that felt superfluous and could have been cut for a leaner, meander read. And though it was certainly intentional on the author's part, constructing Clive to be a bit of a jerk made it difficult to engage with and root for him through much of the read.
Nevertheless, I was impressed with this as a first-time novel and look forward to being wowed by Jason Parent as his craft develops in future.
3.5 Outside Uses of the Inside Voice for What Hides Within (3 here and 4 on Amazon).
Part supernatural-horror, part slacker-comedy, part mystery-crime-thriller, What Hides Within is all of these things and more. As a horror, I thought it was a little tame (but then I'm hard to horrify these days); as a comedy, it worked best when centered on Clive's disbelieveing responses to his medical treatment; as a mystery-thriller, it engaged me effectively as I tried to puzzle out exactly what was going on, with Parent wisely holding back any concrete answers until the final fifth of the book.
I did have difficulty understanding the decisions certain characters made some of the time, and there was the occasional scene that felt superfluous and could have been cut for a leaner, meander read. And though it was certainly intentional on the author's part, constructing Clive to be a bit of a jerk made it difficult to engage with and root for him through much of the read.
Nevertheless, I was impressed with this as a first-time novel and look forward to being wowed by Jason Parent as his craft develops in future.
3.5 Outside Uses of the Inside Voice for What Hides Within (3 here and 4 on Amazon).
April 20, 2013
I highly recommend What Hides Within. It is very effective on two levels. On a literal level, the plot is fast-moving, the characters are realistic, and the climax is exciting. It is well-written and concise. As I approached the mid-point of the story, I didn't want to put the book down.
On a symbolic level, the title and the theme of the novel invite the reader to take a closer look at himself and society in general. What can be the trigger for certain thoughts and actions? Who is capable of what, and how are thoughts and actions connected? I'm not sure if this was deliberate on the part of the author. I tend to over-analyze things, but I couldn't really shake off the feeling of wondering what hides within me. I walked away with some profound thoughts and questions, which made the reading of What Hides Within even more significant.
On a symbolic level, the title and the theme of the novel invite the reader to take a closer look at himself and society in general. What can be the trigger for certain thoughts and actions? Who is capable of what, and how are thoughts and actions connected? I'm not sure if this was deliberate on the part of the author. I tend to over-analyze things, but I couldn't really shake off the feeling of wondering what hides within me. I walked away with some profound thoughts and questions, which made the reading of What Hides Within even more significant.
April 8, 2013
I liked this book, you can definitely see that Jason Parent´s writing style was influenced by Joe Hill (whom I love!). Even though I believe this book could be shorter than it was (sometimes I wanted to say: I got it already, stop repeating yourself!) in the end it was an interesting story and certainly original.
March 14, 2018
Twisted, funny, kinda icky.... really enjoyed the story with lots of strange people.
I keep wondering if Raid squirted through the ear would have taken care of that pesky spider. :)
I keep wondering if Raid squirted through the ear would have taken care of that pesky spider. :)
August 15, 2014
As a reader, I have two favourite genres. Horror and crime-thrillers. If you take a gander at my bookshelf you'll see the usual suspects. Lee Child, Stephen King, Robert Crais, Richard Laymon. For me, these two genres go hand in hand, often verging into one another - Richard Laymon himself confessed to being more a thriller writer than horror - and creating a unique and often underutilized sub genre: The horror-crime thriller. Some may argue that many traits between the two are similar but it's very rare when an author manages to hone the two equally and create a story that balances the tight-rope...
What Hides Within is an anomaly. Starting as a crime-thriller, then veering into horror territory, then stirring in a solid dose of comedy, WHW is one of those rare books that juggles several balls in the air and never drops them. Clive is a nobody; working a lowly job, living with a deadbeat flatmate and socialising with a female friend he doesn't have the will or balls to ask out. On a kayaking trip, he falls into the water beneath a cobweb smothered bridge. Getting a blocked ear, he starts to seek medical advice. As the story progresses, you realise it's not a blocked ear and the remembrance of the cobwebs will hint at a more perverse and disturbing blockage. As you cringe your way through the book, it's at this point where it becomes one of the most original, hilarious, honest books I've read all year.
To confirm anything further would ruin this delightful story for you. Merging several genres effortlessly, with time and dedication to all of them, Jason Parent has unleashed a brilliant tale, one that will stay with you forever. Several scenes will have you wincing (when he starts probing up his nose, you will flinch) and many scenes will have you roaring with laughter (any scene with his doctors, liability claims here we come). In fact, every scene has your turning the pages. Layered and dripping with chemistry between characters, effortless dialogue, great scenes of crime - seriously, take away the horror aspect and this would have stood tall as a great thriller - and, of course, gross-out horror. What Hides Within has a bit of everything and will keep you hooked. I couldn't put it down.
5* - A must-read. This has hit my Top Ten of 2014 already...and the list is already contains several classics. This is the first Jason Parent book I've read and it won't be the last. I love a good thriller and I love a good horror and when I get both in one book, who am I to argue? Funny, emotional, concise and very engaging, this is a must read for anyone who likes a great book in any of the genres mentioned in this review. All that, and I didn't even mention Chester...go find out for yourself. Excellent read!
What Hides Within is an anomaly. Starting as a crime-thriller, then veering into horror territory, then stirring in a solid dose of comedy, WHW is one of those rare books that juggles several balls in the air and never drops them. Clive is a nobody; working a lowly job, living with a deadbeat flatmate and socialising with a female friend he doesn't have the will or balls to ask out. On a kayaking trip, he falls into the water beneath a cobweb smothered bridge. Getting a blocked ear, he starts to seek medical advice. As the story progresses, you realise it's not a blocked ear and the remembrance of the cobwebs will hint at a more perverse and disturbing blockage. As you cringe your way through the book, it's at this point where it becomes one of the most original, hilarious, honest books I've read all year.
To confirm anything further would ruin this delightful story for you. Merging several genres effortlessly, with time and dedication to all of them, Jason Parent has unleashed a brilliant tale, one that will stay with you forever. Several scenes will have you wincing (when he starts probing up his nose, you will flinch) and many scenes will have you roaring with laughter (any scene with his doctors, liability claims here we come). In fact, every scene has your turning the pages. Layered and dripping with chemistry between characters, effortless dialogue, great scenes of crime - seriously, take away the horror aspect and this would have stood tall as a great thriller - and, of course, gross-out horror. What Hides Within has a bit of everything and will keep you hooked. I couldn't put it down.
5* - A must-read. This has hit my Top Ten of 2014 already...and the list is already contains several classics. This is the first Jason Parent book I've read and it won't be the last. I love a good thriller and I love a good horror and when I get both in one book, who am I to argue? Funny, emotional, concise and very engaging, this is a must read for anyone who likes a great book in any of the genres mentioned in this review. All that, and I didn't even mention Chester...go find out for yourself. Excellent read!
September 15, 2012
Spiders. Need I say more? I had nightmares for days. There is nothing better than a horror story that has you twitching long after you've finished. Definitely Recommended.
January 25, 2019
Just looking at the creepy cover makes me cringe, yet I open it with sweet anticipation, looking forward to a great scare with same laughs, which I know Jason Parent is more than willing to provide.
With a name like Clive, I foresee some bad things coming his way. Will he be the victim or the perpetrator? We shall see.
The doctor cut open his head to remove…something…only to find everything is okay. He stitched him back up, offered an apology, and wanted him to go away. I’m sorry, but that wouldn’t work for me, and I don’t think it will work for Clive either. OMG! The nerve of the idiot moron doctor! If I was Clive, I probably would have killed him on the spot.
That is the present…NOW…let’s go to the past and find out how and why he got into this spot to begin with.
Detective Samantha Reilly was a hardened detective leading the investigation into a young girl’s death. She was inured to the brutality humans inflicted upon each other. Knowing Jason, I see more dead bodies on the horizon and a truly evil killer.
As soon as we went under the bridge, I knew where Jason was taking me. Now, I’m waiting for the twist.
Chester and Derek…OMG…I laughed so hard I cried. I love that Jason Parent packs so much action, along with the darkness and laughs, leaving me wanting more.
Chester, I wonder what’s going to happen to Chester. Every time I think about him, I try to imagine the details of his home, how and what he eats, and his dining accommodations. I wonder what Chester hopes to accomplish.
I shivered and freaked out a little. Spiders are one of my favorite critters to read about because they make me so uncomfortable. Talk about stepping outside my comfort zone.
Well, that didn’t go the way I thought and that is one of the reasons I love Jason Parent’s writing. He mixes genres seamlessly, dark horror and comedy with lots of action, and creates some amazing villains. Can’t hear so well? Have a stuffy nose? Well…
Jason, you did it again. Took me to a place filled with suspense and tension and a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was on the next page, and the next one…
I can hardly wait to get my hands on Victoria, Book II and the final book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of What Hides Within by Jason Parent.
See more at fundinmental
With a name like Clive, I foresee some bad things coming his way. Will he be the victim or the perpetrator? We shall see.
The doctor cut open his head to remove…something…only to find everything is okay. He stitched him back up, offered an apology, and wanted him to go away. I’m sorry, but that wouldn’t work for me, and I don’t think it will work for Clive either. OMG! The nerve of the idiot moron doctor! If I was Clive, I probably would have killed him on the spot.
That is the present…NOW…let’s go to the past and find out how and why he got into this spot to begin with.
Detective Samantha Reilly was a hardened detective leading the investigation into a young girl’s death. She was inured to the brutality humans inflicted upon each other. Knowing Jason, I see more dead bodies on the horizon and a truly evil killer.
As soon as we went under the bridge, I knew where Jason was taking me. Now, I’m waiting for the twist.
Chester and Derek…OMG…I laughed so hard I cried. I love that Jason Parent packs so much action, along with the darkness and laughs, leaving me wanting more.
Chester, I wonder what’s going to happen to Chester. Every time I think about him, I try to imagine the details of his home, how and what he eats, and his dining accommodations. I wonder what Chester hopes to accomplish.
I shivered and freaked out a little. Spiders are one of my favorite critters to read about because they make me so uncomfortable. Talk about stepping outside my comfort zone.
Well, that didn’t go the way I thought and that is one of the reasons I love Jason Parent’s writing. He mixes genres seamlessly, dark horror and comedy with lots of action, and creates some amazing villains. Can’t hear so well? Have a stuffy nose? Well…
Jason, you did it again. Took me to a place filled with suspense and tension and a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was on the next page, and the next one…
I can hardly wait to get my hands on Victoria, Book II and the final book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of What Hides Within by Jason Parent.
See more at fundinmental
March 7, 2014
If you are afraid of spiders this might not be the best book to read! It is an unusual book that is decidedly 'creepy' in places, verging I suppose on horror but much of the book is a fast paced thriller.
I found elements of the story unsettling but never wanted to stop reading! In fact, I couldn't put the book down and read it in about three days.
There are some interesting and vivid characters who are really brought to life by good writing. The main character Clive is living a mundane life until one day an incident changes his life. Clive's personal life is in a mess and I really enjoyed reading about his relationships with the mixed bag of female characters.
There are several threads to the story including a bombing campaign and twists to the story that you might find in a good thriller. It all comes together at the end in a rather dark conclusion.
It is a book which is not easily put in any specific genre but should appeal to a wide audience who enjoy a well written adventure.
I found elements of the story unsettling but never wanted to stop reading! In fact, I couldn't put the book down and read it in about three days.
There are some interesting and vivid characters who are really brought to life by good writing. The main character Clive is living a mundane life until one day an incident changes his life. Clive's personal life is in a mess and I really enjoyed reading about his relationships with the mixed bag of female characters.
There are several threads to the story including a bombing campaign and twists to the story that you might find in a good thriller. It all comes together at the end in a rather dark conclusion.
It is a book which is not easily put in any specific genre but should appeal to a wide audience who enjoy a well written adventure.
February 1, 2013
Loved it!.. I guess I would call it charlotte's web gone bad..Tons of twists and very very funny in a dark way.
Its very well written and not predicatable.
Its very well written and not predicatable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews