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Crawl
You’re out in the middle of nowhere.
You’ve been crippled and left for dead.
There’s something in the woods.
It’s coming.
There’s only one thing you can do…
CRAWL
You’ve been crippled and left for dead.
There’s something in the woods.
It’s coming.
There’s only one thing you can do…
CRAWL
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2014
8 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Edward Lorn
63 books2,921 followersEdward Lorn (E. to most) is a reader, writer, and content creator. He's been writing for fun since the age of six, and writing professionally since 2011. He can be found haunting the halls of Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
E. lives in Alabama with his wife and two children. He is currently working on his next novel.
E. lives in Alabama with his wife and two children. He is currently working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
January 22, 2014
A couple whose marriage is in a state of crisis gets into a horrible car cash and Juliet winds up nailed to a post in the woods. She manages to get free but has to crawl for her life from the thing roaming the woods...
I'm going to take a detour before I get into the meat of the review. Most of us have been spammed by authors, an approach that never works. I'm much more likely to become interested in a writer's work if they also display their love of reading. When Edward Lorn put out the call to read this ARC on Booklikes, I jumped at the chance since he's demonstrated he's a writer that still loves to read. I was not disappointed.
You know that when the horrific car accident is just part of the setup in a horror story, you're on to something good. Crawl is a tale of desperation and survival, both of a couple's dying marriage and a woman trying to get away from a supernatural horror on a pair of shredded feet.
Since it's a novelette, that's all I'm going to divulge about the plot. Edward Lorn's writing is polished and chilling, like Robert McCammon or a young Stephen King. Juliet was a great character and her struggles were powerful, both with forgiving her husband and trying not to be torn apart. My feet stung in sympathy for her.
I can't help but think that, for me, the best thing about testing the waters over at Booklikes was that it lead to me discovering Edward Lorn. Four out of five stars.
I'm going to take a detour before I get into the meat of the review. Most of us have been spammed by authors, an approach that never works. I'm much more likely to become interested in a writer's work if they also display their love of reading. When Edward Lorn put out the call to read this ARC on Booklikes, I jumped at the chance since he's demonstrated he's a writer that still loves to read. I was not disappointed.
You know that when the horrific car accident is just part of the setup in a horror story, you're on to something good. Crawl is a tale of desperation and survival, both of a couple's dying marriage and a woman trying to get away from a supernatural horror on a pair of shredded feet.
Since it's a novelette, that's all I'm going to divulge about the plot. Edward Lorn's writing is polished and chilling, like Robert McCammon or a young Stephen King. Juliet was a great character and her struggles were powerful, both with forgiving her husband and trying not to be torn apart. My feet stung in sympathy for her.
I can't help but think that, for me, the best thing about testing the waters over at Booklikes was that it lead to me discovering Edward Lorn. Four out of five stars.
January 12, 2016
Author Edward Lorn is an active member here on Goodreads and while we don't interact that much I've admired his book reviews and his taste in the horror genre. He doesn't seem to hound people for reviews which is refreshing, and his books have also gotten pretty good praise so when October came around I dropped a couple bucks on Amazon and gave this a go.
I was DEFINITELY not disappointed. I expected a good horror read but I didn't expect the writing to be as sharp and polished as the other greats in the genre. I know it's pretty much en vogue these days that whenever you read a good horror tale you compare it to Stephen King, but let me tell you, this comparison is undeniable and a total compliment with this book. Like King, not only is Edward Lorn's prose wicked and chilling, but it also mixes that horror with dashes of wit, a great sensitivity to character, and a dramatic bravery. Crawl is right up there with some of the best of King's short fiction.
The story is told from the point of view of Juliet and tells the story of what happens to her and her cheating husband as they travel along a dark highway on one creepy night.
And I must say, horror books don't really scare me that often but the way this story quickly descended really kept me wide-eyed and on edge, and there's one part that truly gave me the goosebumps: ...holy shit, if I saw that in that situation, I'd probably shit myself before going insane. It's the fact that it's something so normally childlike and playful placed into a such a harrowing situation that really made it terrifying for me. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've been scared while reading and this is one of them. That's enough for me to look into all of this author's work.
I was DEFINITELY not disappointed. I expected a good horror read but I didn't expect the writing to be as sharp and polished as the other greats in the genre. I know it's pretty much en vogue these days that whenever you read a good horror tale you compare it to Stephen King, but let me tell you, this comparison is undeniable and a total compliment with this book. Like King, not only is Edward Lorn's prose wicked and chilling, but it also mixes that horror with dashes of wit, a great sensitivity to character, and a dramatic bravery. Crawl is right up there with some of the best of King's short fiction.
The story is told from the point of view of Juliet and tells the story of what happens to her and her cheating husband as they travel along a dark highway on one creepy night.
And I must say, horror books don't really scare me that often but the way this story quickly descended really kept me wide-eyed and on edge, and there's one part that truly gave me the goosebumps: ...holy shit, if I saw that in that situation, I'd probably shit myself before going insane. It's the fact that it's something so normally childlike and playful placed into a such a harrowing situation that really made it terrifying for me. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've been scared while reading and this is one of them. That's enough for me to look into all of this author's work.
February 18, 2014
Filling a hole.
That's how the trouble started.
There's a hole in her life made by a husband who works too many hours.
So she gets a dog.
Then they get a dog-sitter.
And her husband ends up filling a different hole.
He's caught and guilty.
She's angry and hurt.
This can't end well.
A damn-near-perfect story of suspense and horror, totally original, yet calling up shades of Children of the Corn and Gerald's Game - yeah, I know that's not a popular book here on Goodreads, but like this tale, it does concern a strong woman dealing with adverse circumstances who ends up having trouble separating reality from delusion.
Warning - this is intense and nasty and NOT to be read while eating lunch. (Yep, I made THAT mistake...)
"...I suggest you crawl."
God helps those who help themselves...and sometimes, that's the only option you've got.
That's how the trouble started.
There's a hole in her life made by a husband who works too many hours.
So she gets a dog.
Then they get a dog-sitter.
And her husband ends up filling a different hole.
He's caught and guilty.
She's angry and hurt.
This can't end well.
A damn-near-perfect story of suspense and horror, totally original, yet calling up shades of Children of the Corn and Gerald's Game - yeah, I know that's not a popular book here on Goodreads, but like this tale, it does concern a strong woman dealing with adverse circumstances who ends up having trouble separating reality from delusion.
Warning - this is intense and nasty and NOT to be read while eating lunch. (Yep, I made THAT mistake...)
"...I suggest you crawl."
God helps those who help themselves...and sometimes, that's the only option you've got.
September 2, 2014
Full Disclosure: I'd say that Edward Lorn and I are pals. It's not like our families take our summer vacations together or anything, but we do communicate over the Internet on a fairly regular basis. We also have worked together on a forthcoming anthology project. You may think this review is biased as a result.
Crawl, as a novella of horror, is damned near perfect. The only things I didn't like about it were pretty subjective: some of the humor fell flat, the pop culture references served to date the piece prematurely, and there were some oft-used phrases that could have been replaced with something fresher.
Crawl gains your sympathy by putting you in a car with a married couple whose wounds are still fresh after the discovery of the husband's infidelity. Then the car crashes and it's a fight for survival, but not in the way you might think. Where this story went surprised me, so I won't say any more about it. Just read it.
Or listen to it. That's what I did. I'm not an audio book person, really, but I did enjoy the presentation. The only negative thing I can say about it is that I got the 'I'm embarrassed for you' goosebumps every time the female narrator, Maria Hunter Welles, switched to speaking in her 'man voices.' But this likely only bothered me because I don't listen to audio books very often. But it wasn't a huge deal as 95% of the book didn't require that Welles switch to her various 'man voices.' And that 95% was delivered in an appropriately dramatic, clean, and professional manner.
Crawl is further evidence for the argument that the novella is the perfect length for works of horror fiction. You have just the right number of pages to flesh out your characters and to roll out the brutality and the terror in an unrelenting fashion up until the very last word. You can end a novella any way you like (with or without a glimmer of hope) without much risk of pissing your reader off; the time investment isn't the same as with a novel. There are conventions of the horror novel that don't have to be adhered to in works of this length. The characters you've grown to sympathize with don't have to come through on the other side, gasping for breath, scarred and ready to start the healing process. They don't have to come through at all.
That's what I like about the novella as a vehicle for horror. You can do what you damned well please and the reader, if you've done your job, will be surprised at where the story turns, and where it stops.
Crawl, as a novella of horror, is damned near perfect. The only things I didn't like about it were pretty subjective: some of the humor fell flat, the pop culture references served to date the piece prematurely, and there were some oft-used phrases that could have been replaced with something fresher.
Crawl gains your sympathy by putting you in a car with a married couple whose wounds are still fresh after the discovery of the husband's infidelity. Then the car crashes and it's a fight for survival, but not in the way you might think. Where this story went surprised me, so I won't say any more about it. Just read it.
Or listen to it. That's what I did. I'm not an audio book person, really, but I did enjoy the presentation. The only negative thing I can say about it is that I got the 'I'm embarrassed for you' goosebumps every time the female narrator, Maria Hunter Welles, switched to speaking in her 'man voices.' But this likely only bothered me because I don't listen to audio books very often. But it wasn't a huge deal as 95% of the book didn't require that Welles switch to her various 'man voices.' And that 95% was delivered in an appropriately dramatic, clean, and professional manner.
Crawl is further evidence for the argument that the novella is the perfect length for works of horror fiction. You have just the right number of pages to flesh out your characters and to roll out the brutality and the terror in an unrelenting fashion up until the very last word. You can end a novella any way you like (with or without a glimmer of hope) without much risk of pissing your reader off; the time investment isn't the same as with a novel. There are conventions of the horror novel that don't have to be adhered to in works of this length. The characters you've grown to sympathize with don't have to come through on the other side, gasping for breath, scarred and ready to start the healing process. They don't have to come through at all.
That's what I like about the novella as a vehicle for horror. You can do what you damned well please and the reader, if you've done your job, will be surprised at where the story turns, and where it stops.
December 10, 2014
Edward Lorn's novella Crawl is much more than, yet still very much a study in extreme horror. It is also a brief and all too revealing glimpse into the aftermath of a husband's infidelity.
We are privy to to the conflicting gamut of emotions felt by the spurned wife as her cheating husband drives her to her mother's home in the middle of the night.
The effects of marital indescretions are handled in a knowing and realistic way, and as I read I became so fully immersed in the couple's drama that when the insanity began, it was like a cinderblock to the head.
A solid five star read.
We are privy to to the conflicting gamut of emotions felt by the spurned wife as her cheating husband drives her to her mother's home in the middle of the night.
The effects of marital indescretions are handled in a knowing and realistic way, and as I read I became so fully immersed in the couple's drama that when the insanity began, it was like a cinderblock to the head.
A solid five star read.
February 9, 2014
I've recently read Edward Lorn's Life After Dane and What the Dark Brings. While both were excellent in their own right, I have to say that CRAWL undeniably proves that Lorn's prowess as both a writer and, perhaps more importantly, a storyteller, is growing by leaps and bounds.
CRAWL literally has it all: impeccable characterization, grippingly tense suspense, gruesome horror and a superbly memorable villian. All this wrapped in a perfectly paced and ideal-length package, tied up with a bow of gorgeous, almost-too-good-for-this genre literary flourish. This is exactly the type of short story/novelette I adore, and the length I love.
I'm not going to summarize the plot here, because the synopsis is all you need to know. I'm rating this effort a solid 4.5, rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. The only thing that kept this from being a perfect score for me was the ending, which in my opinion
Possibly the best thing I've read so far this year. Get it now! Highest recommendation.
CRAWL literally has it all: impeccable characterization, grippingly tense suspense, gruesome horror and a superbly memorable villian. All this wrapped in a perfectly paced and ideal-length package, tied up with a bow of gorgeous, almost-too-good-for-this genre literary flourish. This is exactly the type of short story/novelette I adore, and the length I love.
I'm not going to summarize the plot here, because the synopsis is all you need to know. I'm rating this effort a solid 4.5, rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. The only thing that kept this from being a perfect score for me was the ending, which in my opinion
Possibly the best thing I've read so far this year. Get it now! Highest recommendation.
January 18, 2016
OOWW!!! I felt every bump in the road (and the forest) in this nerve-wracking story. It was the most fun I've had being scared in a long time. Just read it. And don't call me Silas.
January 25, 2014
It all began with his reveal of the cover on BookLikes. I was immediately intrigued, which became even more intense when I read the description. :O When he posted that he was looking for a couple of people to tell him if the story was crap or not, I couldn't message him fast enough. I mean, I have already read one of his books and LOVED it and I'm currently listening to the audio of another, loving that also. How could I not be super psyched to check out another something of his, especially before the masses get a chance?
I read somewhere once that you know they're an amazing author when you're willing to read ANYTHING that they put out, anything they write, including their grocery list. When it comes to Indie/Self-published authors, I have so far come across four - and E is one of them (all four made it to my Top Four of 2013 list).
This story is a prime example of one of the things I love so much about his writing - the twists and turns out of nowhere. Stories are never what they originally seem with him. And he packed so much goodness into this story.
Her inner dialogue is awesome. I think, under similar circumstances, I may have gone a little off the deep end as well and I hope my inner dialogue is as entertaining as hers in the end. (He had a star held hostage over on BookLikes and I completely agree - I want more stories with this character.)
And, as usual, the beautiful endings (and by beautiful, I do not mean all happy with unicorns and glitter and snowflakes, but then if you are a fan of E, you already know this) that I expect from him.
I usually only share my favorite line over on my book-ish blog, but I liked this one so much, I've decided to share it here as well:
"If the devil was a redneck who lived in the woods, was God a rapper living in Bankhead? Made sense, didn't it? That God was a celebrity and Satan was a backwoods hermit. No one minded either until someone gave either a reality show. Then you found yourself watching Duck Dynasty and the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo and World's Dumbest Criminals: Holy Fucks Edition."
*dramatic pause* Hahahahahahaha!!
Note: I received a copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.
I read somewhere once that you know they're an amazing author when you're willing to read ANYTHING that they put out, anything they write, including their grocery list. When it comes to Indie/Self-published authors, I have so far come across four - and E is one of them (all four made it to my Top Four of 2013 list).
This story is a prime example of one of the things I love so much about his writing - the twists and turns out of nowhere. Stories are never what they originally seem with him. And he packed so much goodness into this story.
Her inner dialogue is awesome. I think, under similar circumstances, I may have gone a little off the deep end as well and I hope my inner dialogue is as entertaining as hers in the end. (He had a star held hostage over on BookLikes and I completely agree - I want more stories with this character.)
And, as usual, the beautiful endings (and by beautiful, I do not mean all happy with unicorns and glitter and snowflakes, but then if you are a fan of E, you already know this) that I expect from him.
I usually only share my favorite line over on my book-ish blog, but I liked this one so much, I've decided to share it here as well:
"If the devil was a redneck who lived in the woods, was God a rapper living in Bankhead? Made sense, didn't it? That God was a celebrity and Satan was a backwoods hermit. No one minded either until someone gave either a reality show. Then you found yourself watching Duck Dynasty and the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo and World's Dumbest Criminals: Holy Fucks Edition."
*dramatic pause* Hahahahahahaha!!
Note: I received a copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2014
He loved her, or so she thought, why cheat then, well it was presented on a plate and he couldn’t say no. Now he’s got to suffer as Juliet & the Judas Colton embark on a roadtrip to drop her off at her Mothers, time to think.
Things are a little frosty, he begs for forgiveness, pleads for her to rise above it, she responds we don’t need to rise above it, I have to forgive you and then quote –
‘A silence weighing roughly the same as a Sumo wrestler settled upon them’.
Ed Lorn writes some seriously wicked stuff, you’re can’t help being dragged in by Juliet and her pissed off attitude, her sarcasm at the predicament she finds herself in.
His characters are fascinating, serious and more often than not violent situations combined with dry humour, I’m a big fan of this style of writing.
At a rest stop she encounters a priest with the license plate and bumper sticker JXSAVES….I DO NOT and a weird interchange takes place, one that plays on her mind.
Queue, foggy highway and one quite serious crash later, Juliet finds herself captive and in a jaw dropping description she’s strung up on a post with nails embedded in her feet. Woah! WTF didn’t see that one coming, this is nerve shredding and what happens next gives us the title of this stunning novella as the priests advice is ‘Oh, and I suggest you CRAWL’.
But amidst the terror is that humour again, fucking love it ‘God could take a flying fuck on a rolling doughnut in a field full of dandelions fertilized by baby tears for all the fucks given by her.’
Without a shadow of a doubt - Highly Recommended
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
Things are a little frosty, he begs for forgiveness, pleads for her to rise above it, she responds we don’t need to rise above it, I have to forgive you and then quote –
‘A silence weighing roughly the same as a Sumo wrestler settled upon them’.
Ed Lorn writes some seriously wicked stuff, you’re can’t help being dragged in by Juliet and her pissed off attitude, her sarcasm at the predicament she finds herself in.
His characters are fascinating, serious and more often than not violent situations combined with dry humour, I’m a big fan of this style of writing.
At a rest stop she encounters a priest with the license plate and bumper sticker JXSAVES….I DO NOT and a weird interchange takes place, one that plays on her mind.
Queue, foggy highway and one quite serious crash later, Juliet finds herself captive and in a jaw dropping description she’s strung up on a post with nails embedded in her feet. Woah! WTF didn’t see that one coming, this is nerve shredding and what happens next gives us the title of this stunning novella as the priests advice is ‘Oh, and I suggest you CRAWL’.
But amidst the terror is that humour again, fucking love it ‘God could take a flying fuck on a rolling doughnut in a field full of dandelions fertilized by baby tears for all the fucks given by her.’
Without a shadow of a doubt - Highly Recommended
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
August 18, 2016
Juliet only wants to get away from her cheating husband, Colton. She can't seem to get rid of the images of him with another woman from her mind. A trip to her mother's is supposed to provide her with the time she needs to see whether she can forgive him or not.
On a lonely road with a Mercury on their tail, Colton won't be the only thing she needs to escape from. When evil comes, you'll do what you must. Even if you have to...crawl.
Juliet! Oh, how she jumped off the pages and sat in my living room telling me about this bastard, Colton. Befriending me with her jibes and introspection that had me chuckling aloud as she rode along beside him, trying to keep her rage in check. She was real to me and I applaud the author for every demonstration of his superior skill at characterization. I'll have to read a few more stories from E. to cement this in stone.
Colton was your typical cheater, wanting to blame the wounded party, but he kept up his end of the dialogue.
The pacing was perfect and the story flowed with ease until the last climatic scene.
Edward is a storyteller. A teller of stories. And if you like stories, check out the way he does it. You won't be disappointed (At least, I don't think you will).
A particular part make me think of Jeepers Creepers, but I'm not going to spoil this one for you with any details of the...
Nope! You have to read it.
Another great tale by Edward Lorn.
*I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Visit Horror After Dark for more reviews and author interviews www.horrorafterdark.com
On a lonely road with a Mercury on their tail, Colton won't be the only thing she needs to escape from. When evil comes, you'll do what you must. Even if you have to...crawl.
Juliet! Oh, how she jumped off the pages and sat in my living room telling me about this bastard, Colton. Befriending me with her jibes and introspection that had me chuckling aloud as she rode along beside him, trying to keep her rage in check. She was real to me and I applaud the author for every demonstration of his superior skill at characterization. I'll have to read a few more stories from E. to cement this in stone.
Colton was your typical cheater, wanting to blame the wounded party, but he kept up his end of the dialogue.
The pacing was perfect and the story flowed with ease until the last climatic scene.
Edward is a storyteller. A teller of stories. And if you like stories, check out the way he does it. You won't be disappointed (At least, I don't think you will).
A particular part make me think of Jeepers Creepers, but I'm not going to spoil this one for you with any details of the...
Nope! You have to read it.
Another great tale by Edward Lorn.
*I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Visit Horror After Dark for more reviews and author interviews www.horrorafterdark.com
March 9, 2014
After Colton screws up his marriage, his wife, Juliet, needs some time apart to figure out whether their marriage can overcome his infidelity. As Colton is driving her to her mother's house, they encounter a vehicle with the license plate "JXSAVES" to the left of a bumper sticker that reads "I DO NOT." Hmmmm, not very reassuring. They end up meeting the weirdo driver, "the red priest" a short while later at a Waffle House. Juliet gets spooked by him and the other creepy people there so they make a hasty retreat from the restaurant and continue their trip. Sadly for them, a car accident brings them up close to the red priest once more...and one of his minions. No spoilers from me....
This book started off great, with beautiful writing and flawless character development. I immediately liked Juliet and sympathized with her predicament. After Colton and Juliet left the Waffle House, the story took on a new spin. I thought it got a little confusing to follow at times. I understood the grand scheme of things, but I think certain parts eluded me...though I wonder if it was intentionally written that way to impart Juliet's sense of confusion, shock, despair, etc. (?)
Overall, this was a good, creepy book. I thought it ended a bit abruptly though and would have liked to have known what followed next. But I suppose I can use my imagination....
Short stories, in general, aren't my cup of tea so I'll definitely be reading one of Lorn's full-length novels next. I'm looking forward to it!
November 26, 2015
I somehow stockpiled Edward Lorn Kindle downloads and ended up with four of them, so I thought it was time to actually check him out and I'm certainly glad I did. Stockpiling without reading in this case definitely justified. Lorn isn't just a seriously talented horror author, he's a good writer as well, if this short novella is an example to go by. The story starts off with a married couple struggling to get through the husband's infidelity and turns into a horrifying demon in the woods scenario. There is only one way to get away, can you guess what it is? It's in the title after all. Great pacing, excellent character development, particularly for such a short work, phenomenal descriptive writing, the car crash sequence alone was visceral. Crawl is terrifically horrific or horrifically terrific dynamic unputdownable kind of read. Highly recommended. (February 19, 2014)
Just reread this one on a sort of rereading kick and glad to report it certainly holds up a second time around. All the things I've mentioned in my original review remain valid. Take an hour to check this one out. This was my introduction to Lorn, an author I've read a lot of since, and he's yet to disappoint. Again, recommended.
Just reread this one on a sort of rereading kick and glad to report it certainly holds up a second time around. All the things I've mentioned in my original review remain valid. Take an hour to check this one out. This was my introduction to Lorn, an author I've read a lot of since, and he's yet to disappoint. Again, recommended.
May 30, 2016
This is a story sizzling with atmosphere. The main character Juliet (definitely no longer a dewy-eyed teenaged romantic) is disillusioned by a marriage gone sour. While on a trip with her roaming Romeo, she encounters a man whose appearance and manners are even creepier than his license-plate. A little while later, she has another encounter with him which is much too close for comfort. She is forced to rely on courage to get out of an increasingly nasty situation. Fear is a pretty good motivator too.
Once again I would have liked a little more explanation as to how the evil presence got there. However, all the other elements are handled with consummate skill. Julie is a well-crafted, very three-dimensional character. The author shows us not only her thoughts, feelings and memories, he makes us feel her physical and emotional reactions as she fights to survive.
Once again I would have liked a little more explanation as to how the evil presence got there. However, all the other elements are handled with consummate skill. Julie is a well-crafted, very three-dimensional character. The author shows us not only her thoughts, feelings and memories, he makes us feel her physical and emotional reactions as she fights to survive.
July 10, 2015
An unsettling vanity plate on a classic 50's Mercury, a Waffle House with a bathroom stall used by a gravelly-voiced old waitress for her smoke breaks, and a closet full of shoes waiting for their owner who may no longer require footwear. Why? Because it has been suggested that she just CRAWL.
Another fine ride to the dark side by Edward Lorn. Write on!
Another fine ride to the dark side by Edward Lorn. Write on!
March 25, 2014
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Any spoilers will be clearly marked.
I have a love/hate relationship with short stories. When I like them, I'm mad that they aren't longer. This was the case with this book for me. I wanted more.
We meet a husband and wife, Colton and Juliet, who are driving in their car on the way to Georgia. They aren't in the best of places in their relationship. For some reason, I bonded to Juliet in the beginning. I felt like she was real. Her emotions, while sometimes silly, felt like what I would do if I had been in her shoes. The thoughts she had, again sometimes silly, seemed like thoughts I may have if I'd been in that situation (which I pray to God, I never am).
This being a short story means that not much world or character building happens, and the action picks up more quickly than it would in a full length novel.
While on the road, they encounter a creepy car with a creepy license plate. They stop at a diner in a podunk town to use the facilities and grab some coffee. Juliet encounters some creepy people and wants to get the eff outta dodge! Back on the road…some crazy shit happens….
….and then things got creepy, and gory, and freaky!! There was one scene that the description made my tummy roll and I had to take a quick breather .
Thank you, Ed Lorn for bringing me this creepy, little story!! I'm doing my best not to be greedy with my stars simply because I'm left wanting more of this story!! :-P Give me 200 or 300 more pages of this, and I'd be happier. I know since it's a short story, things will be left open. But I was super curious as to what happened to Colton and also . All in all, I really enjoyed this!! And because of this short story, I will be reading more from Mister Lorn.
I have a love/hate relationship with short stories. When I like them, I'm mad that they aren't longer. This was the case with this book for me. I wanted more.
We meet a husband and wife, Colton and Juliet, who are driving in their car on the way to Georgia. They aren't in the best of places in their relationship. For some reason, I bonded to Juliet in the beginning. I felt like she was real. Her emotions, while sometimes silly, felt like what I would do if I had been in her shoes. The thoughts she had, again sometimes silly, seemed like thoughts I may have if I'd been in that situation (which I pray to God, I never am).
This being a short story means that not much world or character building happens, and the action picks up more quickly than it would in a full length novel.
While on the road, they encounter a creepy car with a creepy license plate. They stop at a diner in a podunk town to use the facilities and grab some coffee. Juliet encounters some creepy people and wants to get the eff outta dodge! Back on the road…some crazy shit happens….
….and then things got creepy, and gory, and freaky!! There was one scene that the description made my tummy roll and I had to take a quick breather .
Thank you, Ed Lorn for bringing me this creepy, little story!! I'm doing my best not to be greedy with my stars simply because I'm left wanting more of this story!! :-P Give me 200 or 300 more pages of this, and I'd be happier. I know since it's a short story, things will be left open. But I was super curious as to what happened to Colton and also . All in all, I really enjoyed this!! And because of this short story, I will be reading more from Mister Lorn.
January 1, 2016
What a lovely start to the year. I listened to the audio version of this novella, lying on my couch while outside a storm tried its best to knock my house down and I had a ball. This is a creepy little tale made even better by the excellent narrator whose voice transported me into twisted world of Edward Lorn. Highly recommended if you like getting the shivers.
July 10, 2015
Another awesome short story!!
I started reading this last night then saved the last part for tonight. I really enjoyed it. The suspense was written great.
The characters were excellent and the half way point had me guessing what was going on.
Kudos, Lorn!! :)
I started reading this last night then saved the last part for tonight. I really enjoyed it. The suspense was written great.
The characters were excellent and the half way point had me guessing what was going on.
Kudos, Lorn!! :)
March 8, 2015
Edward Lorn, you have done it again. This one was really scary, to me anyway. It is a fast read but wow.....just wow....worst road trip nightmare ever. Makes me want to stay home and go nowhere ever again. Also, I always knew Waffle Houses were just bad places, not stopping at one of those again, even if I'm drunk, no matter how good their hash browns are. The comedic relief of the narrators thoughts in her head made this story even better. Oh yeah, and if you're married or otherwise already committed to someone, don't screw the dog sitter. It is just not a good thing, no matter how available she might seem, it is just NOT worth it. Read this, it's fast and you won't be disappointed. 5 stars and best reads pile.
August 3, 2016
Crawl Juliet and Colton is driving home to Juliet's mom. Their marriage is on the rocks and she is going to stay there and figure out if she want to continue living with him. They don't get there instead Juliet ends up fighting for her life out in the woods on her hands and knees...Strangely enough the worst part of the book was the anticipation that something is going to happen. The part in the forest is gruesome but it ends too soon for my taste (It always does with short stories)...I'm a little puzzled how she figured out that the priest owned the car and why she got so jumpy in the toilet...so the women next door is talking to her, so what?
October 15, 2015
Short and not so sweet! Brilliant introduction distracting us with a infidelity story unraveling and then sneaking in elements echoing of "The Duel" and "The Hitcher" - only to take a twist in an even more improbable direction! Can't really say more without telling what 'Crawl' is all about. At about 50 pages it's easy to find out though! If anything, I would have liked it to be a bit longer, but it's still a recommended read.
February 27, 2017
It's hard for me to write a detailed review of a short story without giving too much away. I will just say Edward Lorn has done it again.
An unhappy couple are about to separate. Perhaps that separation would have been temporary, or perhaps this trip would have led to eventual divorce, had it not been interrupted by the horror they encounter during their travels. A quick and creepy read.
An unhappy couple are about to separate. Perhaps that separation would have been temporary, or perhaps this trip would have led to eventual divorce, had it not been interrupted by the horror they encounter during their travels. A quick and creepy read.
November 23, 2023
This horror short story took me by surprise. The writing is superb and I really felt for the main character. Also, a a lot more visceral, terrifying, gory then I expected. Plus "Stop calling me Shirley" is one of my favorite lines in cinema history.
I do think the ending could have been better, but still an excellent 4 stars. I will definitely read more from the author.
I do think the ending could have been better, but still an excellent 4 stars. I will definitely read more from the author.
February 8, 2014
*Book source ~ Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Colton is driving Juliet to her mom’s house, so she can have some space away from her cheating idiot of a husband and decide whether their years together make it worth staying with him or if she should just cut-n-run. Apparently Colton felt Juliet wasn’t ‘”there for him”, so he decided to do the dog sitter, most likely doggy style, because she was available. However, before they get to their destination they’re in a terrible car crash and Juliet’s world abruptly changes.
Ok, I have to take a deep breath here and remain calm because this book freaked me the fuck out. I’m just riding along loving Juliet’s inner monologue and narrowing my eyes at Colton and then there’s the Mercury with the screwed up plate and bumper sticker. Woah. Dafuq kind of weirdo is driving that thing? Uneasy feeling number 1 intrudes in my enjoyment of Juliet’s thoughts. Rest stop makes me all jumpy, the uneasy feelings multiply like compound interest and now I’m wishing they’d hurry up and get to Juliet’s mom’s place. Foggy night, lonely highway? Umm…can we turn around, go home and work things out? Guys? Hello? Oh, shit…the car crashes and afterwards Juliet passes out. Then wakes up. Wait. Sweet Baby Jane. I cannot relive those moments after she wakes up. The stomach in knots, the tense shoulders, the biting of the fingernails, the crawling skin, the cringing, no, no, no. I’m not going back there and you can’t make me. I’m still checking my feet, just to make sure and that’s bad enough.
The only reason this story didn’t get a 5 from me is the ending. I didn’t understand it. I am in no way blaming the author. I *feel* as if I should get it, that I’m the only one not getting it and it’s frustrating me. It’s Chemistry class all over again. I fully believe I will wake up from a sound sleep in the not-so-distant future and say, “Holy fucking shit! I get it!” Before I curl into a ball and sob.
Colton is driving Juliet to her mom’s house, so she can have some space away from her cheating idiot of a husband and decide whether their years together make it worth staying with him or if she should just cut-n-run. Apparently Colton felt Juliet wasn’t ‘”there for him”, so he decided to do the dog sitter, most likely doggy style, because she was available. However, before they get to their destination they’re in a terrible car crash and Juliet’s world abruptly changes.
Ok, I have to take a deep breath here and remain calm because this book freaked me the fuck out. I’m just riding along loving Juliet’s inner monologue and narrowing my eyes at Colton and then there’s the Mercury with the screwed up plate and bumper sticker. Woah. Dafuq kind of weirdo is driving that thing? Uneasy feeling number 1 intrudes in my enjoyment of Juliet’s thoughts. Rest stop makes me all jumpy, the uneasy feelings multiply like compound interest and now I’m wishing they’d hurry up and get to Juliet’s mom’s place. Foggy night, lonely highway? Umm…can we turn around, go home and work things out? Guys? Hello? Oh, shit…the car crashes and afterwards Juliet passes out. Then wakes up. Wait. Sweet Baby Jane. I cannot relive those moments after she wakes up. The stomach in knots, the tense shoulders, the biting of the fingernails, the crawling skin, the cringing, no, no, no. I’m not going back there and you can’t make me. I’m still checking my feet, just to make sure and that’s bad enough.
The only reason this story didn’t get a 5 from me is the ending. I didn’t understand it. I am in no way blaming the author. I *feel* as if I should get it, that I’m the only one not getting it and it’s frustrating me. It’s Chemistry class all over again. I fully believe I will wake up from a sound sleep in the not-so-distant future and say, “Holy fucking shit! I get it!” Before I curl into a ball and sob.
January 26, 2022
You ever just read something and say "that was good... Just good"
This is an audiobook read for me.
That's where I am at with this one, nothing blew me away. You follow a couple who's relationship is on the rocks because of adultery. The couple is driving to the wife's mother's house. They pass a vehicle that is unsettling because of its license plate. The plate says "JXSAVEsIDoNot" or something like that. There's some religious undertone small town horror type stuff along the way. I will leave the rest of the story up for you to find out for yourself.
Plot ⭐⭐
Horror ⭐⭐⭐
Writing ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐
Fun⭐⭐
What I liked
• E's writing style is witty and really shows his sense of humor as we kind of all know it from his videos. This was a higher point of this story and I definitely want to read more of his work.
• the religious elements are always creepy to me when people become fanatics or overbearing with religion. (As a Christian man we do have to admit that some people go a little too far LOL)
• the scene right before the end. Not so much the end but the scene right before lol I can't State why I enjoyed it because of spoilers.
What I didn't like
• the characters were a little unlikable and also I questioned motives at certain points of the story.
• the end was wrapped up rather quickly. Almost came off as rushed.
• the remainder of my dislikes our personal preferences for story structure and don't really matter for the review.
Overall ⭐⭐⭐
This is an audiobook read for me.
That's where I am at with this one, nothing blew me away. You follow a couple who's relationship is on the rocks because of adultery. The couple is driving to the wife's mother's house. They pass a vehicle that is unsettling because of its license plate. The plate says "JXSAVEsIDoNot" or something like that. There's some religious undertone small town horror type stuff along the way. I will leave the rest of the story up for you to find out for yourself.
Plot ⭐⭐
Horror ⭐⭐⭐
Writing ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐
Fun⭐⭐
What I liked
• E's writing style is witty and really shows his sense of humor as we kind of all know it from his videos. This was a higher point of this story and I definitely want to read more of his work.
• the religious elements are always creepy to me when people become fanatics or overbearing with religion. (As a Christian man we do have to admit that some people go a little too far LOL)
• the scene right before the end. Not so much the end but the scene right before lol I can't State why I enjoyed it because of spoilers.
What I didn't like
• the characters were a little unlikable and also I questioned motives at certain points of the story.
• the end was wrapped up rather quickly. Almost came off as rushed.
• the remainder of my dislikes our personal preferences for story structure and don't really matter for the review.
Overall ⭐⭐⭐
April 6, 2018
Horror stories have so much more impact when they ride on strong characterization, a long-time Stephen King preserve for me who was blown away to the hot gates of hell and brought back in a shroud of ice by such short and taut gems of fiction as The Raft and Gramma (both appearing in Skeleton Crew). Edward Lorn has achieved something special here by drawing water from the same wellspring, weaving a chilling little story around a woman who is way too tired of fighting inner demons to confront a presence lurking in the woods, and that too with badly mutilated feet. A cliffhanger of a tale.
March 14, 2014
Very twisted and gruesome. This could be the next episode for a new season of Creepshow.
October 27, 2021
This was creepy and I did mostly like it, but I think I missed something. Maybe my brain will figure it out later, maybe not. Still, a solid 3 stars isn't bad.
March 3, 2015
I enjoyed Mr. Lorn's style of writing. The story moved rapidly, and kept my interest. There was a spot right at the end that made me blink, trying to figure out the logic - but really, it's probably better if I DON'T use logic on some of these books! LOL! I would read more by this author.
Want to read
February 17, 2014free on Kindle from today Mon 17 Feb to 21 Feb
November 24, 2021
Colton is driving his girlfriend Juliet down a dark and desolate highway to her mother's house. The innocent setup quickly takes a nerve-wracking turn when it's revealed that Colton is driving Juliet to stay with her mother because he's guilty of infidelity with their young dog-sitter and she wants to get away from him so she can decide if she really wants to continue their decade long relationship. Fighting constantly. The air of betrayal and defeat. All alone on a dark road with the person you currently hate the most. The tension is through the roof and the hurtful dialogue and inner monologues are truly gripping.
The actual horror elements introduced in the second half of the story when the two get stranded near a creepy gas station full of threatening individuals is where things became surprisingly less exciting and engaging. I think the tension and banter between Colton and Juliet is where the actual horror of the story came from because the writing was so damn good. It showed just how tragic and even traumatizing being betrayed by someone you have such an intimate connection with for such a long period of time can be. So when it shifted to a somewhat generic survival-horror scenario it took me out of it. It's a very short novella though so I definitely enjoyed it for the first half alone.
Lorn has a talent for strong characterization through dialogue so I'll be checking out more of his work in the future.
***
If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
The actual horror elements introduced in the second half of the story when the two get stranded near a creepy gas station full of threatening individuals is where things became surprisingly less exciting and engaging. I think the tension and banter between Colton and Juliet is where the actual horror of the story came from because the writing was so damn good. It showed just how tragic and even traumatizing being betrayed by someone you have such an intimate connection with for such a long period of time can be. So when it shifted to a somewhat generic survival-horror scenario it took me out of it. It's a very short novella though so I definitely enjoyed it for the first half alone.
Lorn has a talent for strong characterization through dialogue so I'll be checking out more of his work in the future.
***
If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
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