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Crack
Addiction is an affliction.
As you crave you endure sweats, irritations, sleepless nights. Your life suffers, your job suffers… your family suffer.
But you need it, you HAVE to have your fix.
Joe O'Hara is having a bad morning, and it's just about to get worse.
A random road traffic accident sends him on the path to addiction. Crack is the only thing that can give him any relief from his living hell - but it's a far cry from the crack you might think it is.
CRACK is a psychological horror from D E McCluskey, author of The Twelve, Zola, and The Boyfriend.
As you crave you endure sweats, irritations, sleepless nights. Your life suffers, your job suffers… your family suffer.
But you need it, you HAVE to have your fix.
Joe O'Hara is having a bad morning, and it's just about to get worse.
A random road traffic accident sends him on the path to addiction. Crack is the only thing that can give him any relief from his living hell - but it's a far cry from the crack you might think it is.
CRACK is a psychological horror from D E McCluskey, author of The Twelve, Zola, and The Boyfriend.
- GenresHorror
337 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2018
110 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
D.E. McCluskey
49 books454 followersI love horror, and I love Christmas. Some would say that the two are not mutually associated, I would tell you different.
I started writing at Christmas, back in the days of yore. I was reading The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore to my daughter who was too excited to sleep. But, I used my secret weapon, my boring voice she was soon catching the right amount of zzzzz's... As I tiptoed out of the room, giving Santa the space he needed to do his bit, I thought to myself, you know what? I could write something like that...
So I did...
The good Behaviour Act was written, the first story in Interesting Tymes, my very first publication.
I live in sunny Liverpool in the UK with my partner and daughters, I used to work in IT but don't anymore, and am the happier person for it. I love football, music and film... I also enjoy long walks, pretty flowers, and gratuitous violence and nudity...
I can be found mostly on Facebook @demccluskey_author
or on Twitter @dammagedpro @demccluskey1
my website is www.dammaged.com
I started writing at Christmas, back in the days of yore. I was reading The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore to my daughter who was too excited to sleep. But, I used my secret weapon, my boring voice she was soon catching the right amount of zzzzz's... As I tiptoed out of the room, giving Santa the space he needed to do his bit, I thought to myself, you know what? I could write something like that...
So I did...
The good Behaviour Act was written, the first story in Interesting Tymes, my very first publication.
I live in sunny Liverpool in the UK with my partner and daughters, I used to work in IT but don't anymore, and am the happier person for it. I love football, music and film... I also enjoy long walks, pretty flowers, and gratuitous violence and nudity...
I can be found mostly on Facebook @demccluskey_author
or on Twitter @dammagedpro @demccluskey1
my website is www.dammaged.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 22, 2021
CRACK. This was a really good psychological horror\thriller it was very fast paced and hard to put down. Crack was like Stephen King's the dark half crossed with Death Proof combined with the intensity and the insanity caused by addiction. CRACK kills man 4.5 for me.
May 30, 2022
This is one hell of a brutal story showing with all disgrace how devastating addiction ruins lives. Addiction is NEVER an isolated problem hitting an individual. Addiction hits hard and it hits like a scattergun; it's hitting everyone in close proximity, both the addicted, the love ones, but also everyone else who happens to be a part of or just near.
Addiction comes in many ways and types, and with this story D.E. McCluskey have chosen an extreme type of addiction which facilitates making it painfully clear what the nature of addiction does.
The story also touches themes as mental health/instability and the problem/issue/potential dangers with handling over psychophamarca without throughout diagnosis and follow-up regularly. It's peripheral touched, but enough to spark some thoughts going for the reader without it being a statement.
Thanks to D.E. McCluskey for a free promotion code to the audiobook for an honest review in return.
- A note about the narration.
Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the narration. I did like his voice in general, but to me his intonation was weirdly off. He was clearly cable of adjusting his voice to different moods, etc. but I kept feeling it wasn't fitting the context. As always; narration is such a personal taste, and this might be me who's in the minority with this one.
Addiction comes in many ways and types, and with this story D.E. McCluskey have chosen an extreme type of addiction which facilitates making it painfully clear what the nature of addiction does.
The story also touches themes as mental health/instability and the problem/issue/potential dangers with handling over psychophamarca without throughout diagnosis and follow-up regularly. It's peripheral touched, but enough to spark some thoughts going for the reader without it being a statement.
Thanks to D.E. McCluskey for a free promotion code to the audiobook for an honest review in return.
- A note about the narration.
Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the narration. I did like his voice in general, but to me his intonation was weirdly off. He was clearly cable of adjusting his voice to different moods, etc. but I kept feeling it wasn't fitting the context. As always; narration is such a personal taste, and this might be me who's in the minority with this one.
May 27, 2022
From the first chapter this is highly disturbing. A psychological horror the likes I have never read. This book will stick with me for a long long time.
It's insane, grusome, riveting and sad. Emotionally it's a very heavy book and I do feel a bit drained after reading it. But that's a good thing.
It's insane, grusome, riveting and sad. Emotionally it's a very heavy book and I do feel a bit drained after reading it. But that's a good thing.
February 2, 2022
Well, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. What a ride! A unique and clever story that will stick with me for awhile.
March 28, 2024
Bravo, Mr McCluskey, you have knocked it out of the park with this unique psychological thriller. I am a seasoned book blogger and I have yet to read anything quite like this. Crack....the perfect title for a perfectly dark descent into madness.
The author knew the rules to pen the perfect thriller. The formula, the prose, the tension. I'm usually comforted by the rules, I know the format, I'm expecting the twists and turns, I could set my watch by them. D.E. McCluskey ripped up the rule book and threw me in the boot of his car.
Forget the rules, the boundaries, that familiar road because this author has forged his own path. It blends Horror and thriller with a well sutured exit wound. Societal explorations at how PTSD affects the mind and how one inciting incident can shatter the the illusion of reality.
Upon finishing Crack, my reaction was pretty simple..."What the hell?"
I didn't really know how to process what I'd read. Mainly because everything rang true. How people view mental illness, how people struggle to process serious incidents in their life and the ability to accept help. There is a serious coldness seeping from the pages. dark humour and satirical references.
Joe O'Hara has had the worst day. After being involved in a car accident with a motorcycle rider and inadvertently decapitating them. It from that moment on that he can't get the sound out of his head. CRACK!!
He can't sleep or rest for the constant barrage of noise. He loses everything because of it. He sees a man in motorcycle leathers and a cracked helmet. He's an extension of himself. He converses with him. It spurs him on to recreate the real CRACK. It is a spiral that destroys his life and that of others. This is art in its purest and evilest form.
The author knew the rules to pen the perfect thriller. The formula, the prose, the tension. I'm usually comforted by the rules, I know the format, I'm expecting the twists and turns, I could set my watch by them. D.E. McCluskey ripped up the rule book and threw me in the boot of his car.
Forget the rules, the boundaries, that familiar road because this author has forged his own path. It blends Horror and thriller with a well sutured exit wound. Societal explorations at how PTSD affects the mind and how one inciting incident can shatter the the illusion of reality.
Upon finishing Crack, my reaction was pretty simple..."What the hell?"
I didn't really know how to process what I'd read. Mainly because everything rang true. How people view mental illness, how people struggle to process serious incidents in their life and the ability to accept help. There is a serious coldness seeping from the pages. dark humour and satirical references.
Joe O'Hara has had the worst day. After being involved in a car accident with a motorcycle rider and inadvertently decapitating them. It from that moment on that he can't get the sound out of his head. CRACK!!
He can't sleep or rest for the constant barrage of noise. He loses everything because of it. He sees a man in motorcycle leathers and a cracked helmet. He's an extension of himself. He converses with him. It spurs him on to recreate the real CRACK. It is a spiral that destroys his life and that of others. This is art in its purest and evilest form.
February 10, 2024
I've seen great things about this book, and I'm a huge fan of McCluskey anyway, so why have I had a signed copy of this waiting on my bedside table for about 2 years!?!🤦
Well, at least I can say it was worth the wait! It's also now my favorite non-extreme book by DE! This story will make your head explode, a psychological mind fuck that is as gripping as it is horrifying! It will appeal to horror, psychological thriller, and splatterpunk/extreme lovers alike! 🖤
A story of addiction, despair, and deeply dark and terrifying realisations….
I was hooked in immediately with the intriguing, bloody and very chilling opener, and totally addicted until the very end. If I didn't have to adult, I would have sat and read the entire thing in one sitting, I really didn't want to put it down!
Joe is a night security guard at a construction site. After a nasty accident involving a motorcycle on the way home one morning, he suffers increasingly vivid nightmares, and a progressive case of PTSD, which ultimately sees him begin to lose his sanity, and we become unwilling witnesses to his sad decline. His psyche cracks after one thing sticks with him more than any other after the crash, it grows with him, inside him, turning into an addiction he just can't seem to ‘crack’.
He discovers that the only thing that can keep him feeling himself and keep the horrific dreams at bay, is a soothing sound, born from nightmarish actions. Actions that quickly increase in barbarity, but he knows exactly what he must do if he wants to get a decent night's sleep. But, as with any addiction, it's never going to be enough, it can always be bigger, better, more!! The dose needs to keep increasing, dampening the cravings for a brief period, until the next time. And there are more victims than just him along the way, as always, it's never just the addict that suffers….
Joe's life deteriorates at a scarily rapid and terrifying rate, spiraling crazily out of control, his mind and his body both, and things take horrendous twists and turns until one particular victim makes Joe rethink everything. It brings to light just exactly what he had been doing, opens his eyes to how bad things had really gotten while his mind was collapsing from his addiction.
The Crack in this story is not at all what you would expect, but it is just as powerful and will get into your mind just the same. It may even stay awhile.. and it'll definitely show you how drastically life can change in just the blink of an eye, or in the time it takes to say ‘Crack!’
With short, gripping chapters, it'll keep those pages turning at top speed, a completely addictive storyline full of suspense and tension, with crystal clear imagery affecting all the senses, especially, for me, the hearing! It's utterly chilling and horrifying, it gave me goosebumps in parts and left me with vivid, heart stopping nightmares (nightmares are always a bonus for me! 😁) It'll get right in your head and mess with your mind, it'll have you seeing things out of the corner of your eye, and you'll for sure be hearing this one resonate for a long time to come. Powerful, raw and emotional! McCluskey, you bloody cracked it!! 🖤🖤
Well, at least I can say it was worth the wait! It's also now my favorite non-extreme book by DE! This story will make your head explode, a psychological mind fuck that is as gripping as it is horrifying! It will appeal to horror, psychological thriller, and splatterpunk/extreme lovers alike! 🖤
A story of addiction, despair, and deeply dark and terrifying realisations….
I was hooked in immediately with the intriguing, bloody and very chilling opener, and totally addicted until the very end. If I didn't have to adult, I would have sat and read the entire thing in one sitting, I really didn't want to put it down!
Joe is a night security guard at a construction site. After a nasty accident involving a motorcycle on the way home one morning, he suffers increasingly vivid nightmares, and a progressive case of PTSD, which ultimately sees him begin to lose his sanity, and we become unwilling witnesses to his sad decline. His psyche cracks after one thing sticks with him more than any other after the crash, it grows with him, inside him, turning into an addiction he just can't seem to ‘crack’.
He discovers that the only thing that can keep him feeling himself and keep the horrific dreams at bay, is a soothing sound, born from nightmarish actions. Actions that quickly increase in barbarity, but he knows exactly what he must do if he wants to get a decent night's sleep. But, as with any addiction, it's never going to be enough, it can always be bigger, better, more!! The dose needs to keep increasing, dampening the cravings for a brief period, until the next time. And there are more victims than just him along the way, as always, it's never just the addict that suffers….
Joe's life deteriorates at a scarily rapid and terrifying rate, spiraling crazily out of control, his mind and his body both, and things take horrendous twists and turns until one particular victim makes Joe rethink everything. It brings to light just exactly what he had been doing, opens his eyes to how bad things had really gotten while his mind was collapsing from his addiction.
The Crack in this story is not at all what you would expect, but it is just as powerful and will get into your mind just the same. It may even stay awhile.. and it'll definitely show you how drastically life can change in just the blink of an eye, or in the time it takes to say ‘Crack!’
With short, gripping chapters, it'll keep those pages turning at top speed, a completely addictive storyline full of suspense and tension, with crystal clear imagery affecting all the senses, especially, for me, the hearing! It's utterly chilling and horrifying, it gave me goosebumps in parts and left me with vivid, heart stopping nightmares (nightmares are always a bonus for me! 😁) It'll get right in your head and mess with your mind, it'll have you seeing things out of the corner of your eye, and you'll for sure be hearing this one resonate for a long time to come. Powerful, raw and emotional! McCluskey, you bloody cracked it!! 🖤🖤
January 10, 2023
Addiction comes in many forms and affects so many lives in different ways. People form addictions for many reasons, a lot of the times it’s because of some kind of trauma that happens. This is what happened to our poor friend Joe. His trauma truly haunted him and spun him in a world of horror and depravity. Not only affecting him and his family, but others as well with his new addiction … CRACK!
I went into this blind with just the title known to me. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I had a great time following Joe on his insane and demented journey, which had a lot of horror, gore, and carnage along the way. This is not your typical addiction horror story. It’s a very unique and brilliant story that will stick with me for quite sometime…. Specially if anyone mentions crack.
I also want to mention this was my first experience with audio and ebook combination that I never tried before. When I went to buy the ebook, right below it it had “add audio narration to your order for 7.49” so I did. When I would change from ebook to audio, it would pick up where the ebook had stopped and vice versa. I will be doing this more often when it’s available to me.
I went into this blind with just the title known to me. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I had a great time following Joe on his insane and demented journey, which had a lot of horror, gore, and carnage along the way. This is not your typical addiction horror story. It’s a very unique and brilliant story that will stick with me for quite sometime…. Specially if anyone mentions crack.
I also want to mention this was my first experience with audio and ebook combination that I never tried before. When I went to buy the ebook, right below it it had “add audio narration to your order for 7.49” so I did. When I would change from ebook to audio, it would pick up where the ebook had stopped and vice versa. I will be doing this more often when it’s available to me.
May 26, 2022
Crack……..crack………crack!!!
It only takes one thing to start an addiction and addiction is normally almost always a bad thing. Just takes one little push to topple over the edge. Once you’ve been pushed over the edge it’s all down from there! Your life starts to fall apart……… your family and love ones start to drift away, strangers you have never met get sucked in. This is a hard hitting, brutal story about addiction and mental health. You never know what other people are going through in life so shouldn’t assume yours is worse!
It only takes one thing to start an addiction and addiction is normally almost always a bad thing. Just takes one little push to topple over the edge. Once you’ve been pushed over the edge it’s all down from there! Your life starts to fall apart……… your family and love ones start to drift away, strangers you have never met get sucked in. This is a hard hitting, brutal story about addiction and mental health. You never know what other people are going through in life so shouldn’t assume yours is worse!
February 13, 2024
A mesmerizing tale of addiction through the eyes of a man who just can't help himself, CRACK will keep you on your toes from start to finish! Told by the most unreliable narrator I've ever read, CRACK follows Joe's descent into madness after an accident breaks something inside him, and his life is forever changed.
Wow....this one was a doozy! I loved how unreliable Joe was throughout the story. There were times that I didn't realize something was a dream until most of the way into the scene, and it had me questioning the book's reality until I clued in. That's such a fun mechanic for a book, and I don't see unreliable narrators used as effectively as Joe was very often. It really made CRACK something special.
Let's talk Paula. I'm extremely sad for how her story ended, but I also loved it as a plot point. Sometimes, the villains win, especially in real life, and I loved the use of that element in Paula's story even though it was really upsetting. It really emphasized that it doesn't matter how hard you struggle and fight; sometimes, it can't be helped. My heart goes out to Ian for never knowing what happened; that would be a really tough situation. I am really curious how Joe's story plays out, though, and what eventually ends up happening to him. CRACK 2? RE-CRACK? THE CRACK COMES BACK? THE CRACKENING?
Ok, I'll stop now! Anyway, I enjoyed this one a lot. There were parts where the subject was really hard for me to read, but it really highlighted how unstable Joe was becoming. He really grew over the course of the story, and I loved his character development so much! If you take nothing else away from this, remember: Once you CRACK, you don't come back!
Mr. McCluskey....you've done it again! Hat's off to you, sir!
Wow....this one was a doozy! I loved how unreliable Joe was throughout the story. There were times that I didn't realize something was a dream until most of the way into the scene, and it had me questioning the book's reality until I clued in. That's such a fun mechanic for a book, and I don't see unreliable narrators used as effectively as Joe was very often. It really made CRACK something special.
Let's talk Paula. I'm extremely sad for how her story ended, but I also loved it as a plot point. Sometimes, the villains win, especially in real life, and I loved the use of that element in Paula's story even though it was really upsetting. It really emphasized that it doesn't matter how hard you struggle and fight; sometimes, it can't be helped. My heart goes out to Ian for never knowing what happened; that would be a really tough situation. I am really curious how Joe's story plays out, though, and what eventually ends up happening to him. CRACK 2? RE-CRACK? THE CRACK COMES BACK? THE CRACKENING?
Ok, I'll stop now! Anyway, I enjoyed this one a lot. There were parts where the subject was really hard for me to read, but it really highlighted how unstable Joe was becoming. He really grew over the course of the story, and I loved his character development so much! If you take nothing else away from this, remember: Once you CRACK, you don't come back!
Mr. McCluskey....you've done it again! Hat's off to you, sir!
February 29, 2024
Joe....joe.....joe....
You, sir, have some seriously unhealthy coping mechanisms for trauma.
Addicted to Crack....no, it's not that crack. It's actually much, much worse.
I just love a good play on words. And DE nailed it with this one....
CRACK:
noun
1. a line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking into separate parts.
2.a sudden sharp or explosive noise.
verb
1. break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts.
2. Make or cause to make a sudden sharp or explosive sound
This book was brilliant. It disturbed me, it disgusted me, it made me cry, and weeks later, it still haunts me. That fucking sound. That crack.... just imagining what that would feel like, sound like.....
You're just gonna have to trust me and grab this one. It's unlike another other story I've read. If you love psychological thrillers, dont mind some gore and are tired of the same old tropes...Then Give Crack a chance....It's worth it.
You, sir, have some seriously unhealthy coping mechanisms for trauma.
Addicted to Crack....no, it's not that crack. It's actually much, much worse.
I just love a good play on words. And DE nailed it with this one....
CRACK:
noun
1. a line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking into separate parts.
2.a sudden sharp or explosive noise.
verb
1. break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts.
2. Make or cause to make a sudden sharp or explosive sound
This book was brilliant. It disturbed me, it disgusted me, it made me cry, and weeks later, it still haunts me. That fucking sound. That crack.... just imagining what that would feel like, sound like.....
You're just gonna have to trust me and grab this one. It's unlike another other story I've read. If you love psychological thrillers, dont mind some gore and are tired of the same old tropes...Then Give Crack a chance....It's worth it.
June 22, 2021
Full disclosure. I love this narrator's voice. I stumbled across him on ACx and he gave me a free promo code. I'm odd so this book piqued my interest. The crack this book speaks of is not the the drug.. not even close. It's much better. I can still hear him say CRACK repeatedly and maybe I should go for a drive!!! Lol. just playing.
This is one unique story. I'm usually not a big fan of stories that follow the life of the cops/ detectives, but this one did it right. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Seriously, it's a book better to listen to than reading. The 1st part, intro, prologue, whatever was weird. don't let that stop you from reading or listening to this story
This is one unique story. I'm usually not a big fan of stories that follow the life of the cops/ detectives, but this one did it right. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Seriously, it's a book better to listen to than reading. The 1st part, intro, prologue, whatever was weird. don't let that stop you from reading or listening to this story
February 5, 2022
Hold on to your seat for this one because it will give you nightmares you didn’t think were possible.
Ian is a normal guy, has a wife and two kids, and works the Night Shift at a construction site. Until one day he has a bad accident and runs over a motorcyclist and this incident changes Ian’s life forever. Ian’s mind and life spins totally out of control and he does everything he can in to stop the madness that took over his mind. CRACK… CRACK..
This book is not for the squeamish. There is gore and blood, some animals will get hurt and violence.
I highly recommend this book if you’re into reading about people going down in a downward spiral.
Ian is a normal guy, has a wife and two kids, and works the Night Shift at a construction site. Until one day he has a bad accident and runs over a motorcyclist and this incident changes Ian’s life forever. Ian’s mind and life spins totally out of control and he does everything he can in to stop the madness that took over his mind. CRACK… CRACK..
This book is not for the squeamish. There is gore and blood, some animals will get hurt and violence.
I highly recommend this book if you’re into reading about people going down in a downward spiral.
July 6, 2022
A high-octane, full brutal dive into madness and depravity.
Extremely dark and not for the easily offended!
A guy develops an...'unusual' addiction after inadvertently killing a biker in a road accident. This was a very fast read for me. It's no literary masterpiece, but there's something to be said about these fast-paced Extreme horror novels...
It's like trying to watch only one episode of Breaking Bad. You just can't do it. You just NEED to know what happens next. I enjoyed it anyway.
4 Stars.
Extremely dark and not for the easily offended!
A guy develops an...'unusual' addiction after inadvertently killing a biker in a road accident. This was a very fast read for me. It's no literary masterpiece, but there's something to be said about these fast-paced Extreme horror novels...
It's like trying to watch only one episode of Breaking Bad. You just can't do it. You just NEED to know what happens next. I enjoyed it anyway.
4 Stars.
June 1, 2018
This is one of the most brutal and disturbing things I have ever read and I kept trying to run away from it. Several times I found myself scared to find out what was going to happen next. McCluskey’s combination of unpredictability and ominous foreshadowing creates a consuming tension and building dread.
CRACK is listed as psychological horror, which it most certainly is, however, the brutality and graphic content pushes the envelope into the realm of extreme horror as well. Additionally, the edgy element of realism makes this a truly frightening read for the intellectual horror connoisseur. This story has widespread appeal… except maybe to those with delicate constitutions.
With realistic characters and attention to detail, McCluskey brings the horrifying story of Joe O’Hara’s tragic and gruesome addiction to life with exquisite skill. Expect the unexpected. Expect nightmares to plague your sleep after.
CRACK is listed as psychological horror, which it most certainly is, however, the brutality and graphic content pushes the envelope into the realm of extreme horror as well. Additionally, the edgy element of realism makes this a truly frightening read for the intellectual horror connoisseur. This story has widespread appeal… except maybe to those with delicate constitutions.
With realistic characters and attention to detail, McCluskey brings the horrifying story of Joe O’Hara’s tragic and gruesome addiction to life with exquisite skill. Expect the unexpected. Expect nightmares to plague your sleep after.
May 29, 2018
What can I say about this book. Firstly I should say I'm extremely desenitised, and this book, it's something else. It's gory, but not just gory for the sake of it, it progresses the story well, so that's my warning out of the way.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! so I'm not doing spoilers, that drive me insane, but I will say this, the author has the rare gift to be able to write well and also spin a good yarn, ( trust me they are two different skills ) The characters are so three dimensional and you feel like you really get to know them, and genuinely care what happens. Nothing is worse that a book where you couldn't care less about the characters.
The story itself is very unique ( I think ) it's deliciously dark and twisted. Definitely not one for the faint hearted, but definitely one to read.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! so I'm not doing spoilers, that drive me insane, but I will say this, the author has the rare gift to be able to write well and also spin a good yarn, ( trust me they are two different skills ) The characters are so three dimensional and you feel like you really get to know them, and genuinely care what happens. Nothing is worse that a book where you couldn't care less about the characters.
The story itself is very unique ( I think ) it's deliciously dark and twisted. Definitely not one for the faint hearted, but definitely one to read.
March 29, 2024
One Hell Of A Ride
D E McCluskey does it again with CRACK. Although when I first opened this book on my Kindle I was expecting 150 pages or less for some reason, I was suprised to see almost 350. Most splatter books I've read are straight to the point, short, and quick. This one was a steady burn and since Joe's "addiction" was one certain thing I was trying to figure out how DE was going to rework it multiple ways but he pulled it off. A sad story IMO from beginning to end but honestly? I never expect a splatter book to end like fairy tales so here we go. The book was detailed, well written, and a really great read. Highly recommend!
D E McCluskey does it again with CRACK. Although when I first opened this book on my Kindle I was expecting 150 pages or less for some reason, I was suprised to see almost 350. Most splatter books I've read are straight to the point, short, and quick. This one was a steady burn and since Joe's "addiction" was one certain thing I was trying to figure out how DE was going to rework it multiple ways but he pulled it off. A sad story IMO from beginning to end but honestly? I never expect a splatter book to end like fairy tales so here we go. The book was detailed, well written, and a really great read. Highly recommend!
September 16, 2023
An unusual psychological horror story centred around a very different type of addiction. Great portrayal of Joe who we see unravel as he battles with himself and the addiction. Not afraid to really go to the darkest of places, the development of the story and writing makes this a disturbing but intriguing read. Not for the faint-hearted.
February 10, 2024
4.5
I read ‘The Boyfriend’ by this author and liked it, for some twisted reason I enjoyed this one more. An extreme thriller about addiction but a ‘different’ take…
If you like splatterpunk and you like a side of gore with your thriller, this one’s for you!
Check triggers
I read ‘The Boyfriend’ by this author and liked it, for some twisted reason I enjoyed this one more. An extreme thriller about addiction but a ‘different’ take…
If you like splatterpunk and you like a side of gore with your thriller, this one’s for you!
Check triggers
June 21, 2018
Review Pending
September 7, 2025
Crack by D.E. McCluskey
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very different psychological horror story. My brain is still trying to figure out my final thoughts on this book!
Poor Joe is in a traumatic car accident where he ends up killing another person on a motorcycle. Now he’s got serious PTSD from what occurred. Life changes dramatically for Joe after this accident and he has the need to act on horrific new impulses just to be able to make the nightmares go away.
This is a very well written and darkly entertaining story. I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it, because I think everyone should experience it! It’s one of those stories that will stick with you!
*CRACK*
I listened to the audio and the narrator did an excellent job! I think the audio is the way to go with this book!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very different psychological horror story. My brain is still trying to figure out my final thoughts on this book!
Poor Joe is in a traumatic car accident where he ends up killing another person on a motorcycle. Now he’s got serious PTSD from what occurred. Life changes dramatically for Joe after this accident and he has the need to act on horrific new impulses just to be able to make the nightmares go away.
This is a very well written and darkly entertaining story. I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it, because I think everyone should experience it! It’s one of those stories that will stick with you!
*CRACK*
I listened to the audio and the narrator did an excellent job! I think the audio is the way to go with this book!!
September 20, 2025
I picked this up thinking it would be addiction horror like so many before it, following someone hopelessly hooked on a substance. I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
It follows a man involved in a fatal accident who unfortunately decapitates a motorcyclist. Plagued by nightmares of a terrible CRACK, he finds solace in re-creating the accident and discovers sweet relief. After crossing paths with an intrepid detective investigating the deaths of neighborhood sex workers... is rehabilitation an option or is he too far gone?
It follows a man involved in a fatal accident who unfortunately decapitates a motorcyclist. Plagued by nightmares of a terrible CRACK, he finds solace in re-creating the accident and discovers sweet relief. After crossing paths with an intrepid detective investigating the deaths of neighborhood sex workers... is rehabilitation an option or is he too far gone?
July 7, 2021
Much darker than I expected, but not in a bad way! Weird but I somewhat thought I was getting into a horror version of the action film Crank after reading the synopsis?
CRACK!
Even weirder were all of the bizarre signs I received while reading this book.
An Owl City song called "Cave In" played on shuffle immediately after reading this on my work break and the lyrics changed the entire song's meaning for me permanently.
Earlier today (also after a work break), I saw an open package with a motorcycle helmet pass by on a factory belt. An hour later, I got an Amazon notification about deals on motorcycle helmets and to finish off the day, a girl I work with was telling me she had a motorcycle license test the next day. So I knew I had to finish this book tonight and did just that! Needless to say, it boosted the eerie mood of the book and the creepiness level was maxed out.
CRACK!
A small handful of the early chapters felt like filler and the writing started off weak but the second half of the book is VERY strong. Fun random pickup and I'm glad I stuck with it.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Even weirder were all of the bizarre signs I received while reading this book.
An Owl City song called "Cave In" played on shuffle immediately after reading this on my work break and the lyrics changed the entire song's meaning for me permanently.
Earlier today (also after a work break), I saw an open package with a motorcycle helmet pass by on a factory belt. An hour later, I got an Amazon notification about deals on motorcycle helmets and to finish off the day, a girl I work with was telling me she had a motorcycle license test the next day. So I knew I had to finish this book tonight and did just that! Needless to say, it boosted the eerie mood of the book and the creepiness level was maxed out.
CRACK!
A small handful of the early chapters felt like filler and the writing started off weak but the second half of the book is VERY strong. Fun random pickup and I'm glad I stuck with it.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
February 18, 2019
Great read and another you will find hard to put down. Fantastically written and such a out there concept. The way that one accident can change a mans life so much and such a different way to show addiction, not your normal drink or drugs. DE McCluskey is defiantly an up and coming writer to keep an eye out for. He will go far.
April 22, 2024
A disappointing read.
I had high hopes for this book but it fell so flat. It took me weeks to push through it because of how bored it made me. The worst part was the misspelling, incorrect use of words/punctuation. Enough to make me crazy. I don’t recommend this one.
I had high hopes for this book but it fell so flat. It took me weeks to push through it because of how bored it made me. The worst part was the misspelling, incorrect use of words/punctuation. Enough to make me crazy. I don’t recommend this one.
August 15, 2020
This wasn’t the book I was expecting. It’s firmly in the Horror genre but parts of it read like snuff porn. I was expecting more psychological thriller and less sexual violence over all. The book does open with a scene that portends what the rest of the story will be like; had this not been a for-review book, I would have put it down there. It’s just not my cup of tea.
The main character, Joe, snapped at some point prior to where this story starts. Life pushed him too hard and he couldn’t take it and all that internal rage cracked out into this unhealthy need to kill. Cracking skulls is the only thing that gives Joe a few days of peace these days. The story shows how his need escalates from killing animals to killing women. There’s a fair amount of description spent on Joe’s orgasms, which occur with each cracked skull. It definitely adds to the ick factor that is Joe’s life.
The story goes from one victim to the next: animals, Joe beating up his wife, the women he kills, his therapist who he fantasizes about, etc. Joe doesn’t have much of a personality throughout the story. At first, it’s a little interesting because Joe has this imaginary friend he talks to, but the interest quickly faded for me because Joe remains a one-dimensional character throughout. Though, there at the very end, the plot tries to humanize him.
The ladies are victims and romantic interests throughout. All the male characters, not just Joe, refer to the women as girls throughout the story, failing to make the distinction between actual girls and grown women. If it was just Joe doing that, I would say it’s part of his character, but the other men do it too. The ladies had small roles. Even Paula, the police detective, is sexualized and made a victim throughout. One of the victims even gets her hands undone from Joe’s restraints and then, conveniently, gives up and lets the end come. So I was pretty disappointed in the use of the female characters all around.
For me, the end was unsatisfactory. There is no real justice. 2.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Tim Welch had an odd cadence to his narration. He put extra emphasis on a few words each sentence, like he was trying to add excitement or anticipation to each and every sentence. It was part old-time radio drama and part sports announcer. I got used to it and for some scenes, like the gory murder scenes, it made sense. I did like his voice over all for Joe. Welch tried to give each character their own voice, but they often blended together if 2 or more characters were talking together. His female voices could use more femininity. There were no technical issues with the recording. 3/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
The main character, Joe, snapped at some point prior to where this story starts. Life pushed him too hard and he couldn’t take it and all that internal rage cracked out into this unhealthy need to kill. Cracking skulls is the only thing that gives Joe a few days of peace these days. The story shows how his need escalates from killing animals to killing women. There’s a fair amount of description spent on Joe’s orgasms, which occur with each cracked skull. It definitely adds to the ick factor that is Joe’s life.
The story goes from one victim to the next: animals, Joe beating up his wife, the women he kills, his therapist who he fantasizes about, etc. Joe doesn’t have much of a personality throughout the story. At first, it’s a little interesting because Joe has this imaginary friend he talks to, but the interest quickly faded for me because Joe remains a one-dimensional character throughout. Though, there at the very end, the plot tries to humanize him.
The ladies are victims and romantic interests throughout. All the male characters, not just Joe, refer to the women as girls throughout the story, failing to make the distinction between actual girls and grown women. If it was just Joe doing that, I would say it’s part of his character, but the other men do it too. The ladies had small roles. Even Paula, the police detective, is sexualized and made a victim throughout. One of the victims even gets her hands undone from Joe’s restraints and then, conveniently, gives up and lets the end come. So I was pretty disappointed in the use of the female characters all around.
For me, the end was unsatisfactory. There is no real justice. 2.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Tim Welch had an odd cadence to his narration. He put extra emphasis on a few words each sentence, like he was trying to add excitement or anticipation to each and every sentence. It was part old-time radio drama and part sports announcer. I got used to it and for some scenes, like the gory murder scenes, it made sense. I did like his voice over all for Joe. Welch tried to give each character their own voice, but they often blended together if 2 or more characters were talking together. His female voices could use more femininity. There were no technical issues with the recording. 3/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
August 4, 2019
This is a totally dark and gruesome psychological horror!
Joe is on his way home from work one day when he's involved in a traffic accident......something that will change his life forever. The change in him is dramatic. Once a loving and caring family man, the trauma of the accident turns him in to a sick and twisted monster.....who will do anything to get his next fix. Although his needs start off small, they spiral out of control - until he's at the point where he can't face it anymore. But will he be able to stop, or will it all end in blood and tears?
Paula is a Detective and is called to investigate the deaths of a number of missing prostitutes. Not getting anywhere, she goes undercover but will she find out what's happening to these women?
Firstly, this story will have you hooked. It's completely gripping as you want to know what Joe will get up to next. You also fall in love with Paula and her family and really want her to find the person who's responsible for people going missing....
Potential reader warning:
I do have to say that I found some of this REALLY disturbing. It is very graphic in terms of the details and there is graphic animal cruelty involved. If I'm honest I did get to a point where I didn't think I'd be able to finish it, as I couldn't bring myself to read about anymore animals getting harmed. But I contacted Dave and he told me I was past the worst of it....so I carried on and I'm glad I did. The overall story is fantastic and the ending is rather ironic.
I would say though that if you don't want to read about animal cruelty then this definitely isn't the book for you. If you're willing to give it a go, you get about a third of the way through and there are no more animals getting hurt....only people. So it really depends on your own personal views.
In light of that I'm giving this 3/4 stars. 3 because I won't read it again - I can't put myself through it! 4 because the storyline is really good and will honestly have you hooked.
This is another well written but truly gruesome story from Dave looking at how addiction affects people and how it can quickly escalate. If you're a fan of horror and a bit of gore, and can handle the fact that this is very dark - then this could definitely be for you.
Joe is on his way home from work one day when he's involved in a traffic accident......something that will change his life forever. The change in him is dramatic. Once a loving and caring family man, the trauma of the accident turns him in to a sick and twisted monster.....who will do anything to get his next fix. Although his needs start off small, they spiral out of control - until he's at the point where he can't face it anymore. But will he be able to stop, or will it all end in blood and tears?
Paula is a Detective and is called to investigate the deaths of a number of missing prostitutes. Not getting anywhere, she goes undercover but will she find out what's happening to these women?
Firstly, this story will have you hooked. It's completely gripping as you want to know what Joe will get up to next. You also fall in love with Paula and her family and really want her to find the person who's responsible for people going missing....
Potential reader warning:
I do have to say that I found some of this REALLY disturbing. It is very graphic in terms of the details and there is graphic animal cruelty involved. If I'm honest I did get to a point where I didn't think I'd be able to finish it, as I couldn't bring myself to read about anymore animals getting harmed. But I contacted Dave and he told me I was past the worst of it....so I carried on and I'm glad I did. The overall story is fantastic and the ending is rather ironic.
I would say though that if you don't want to read about animal cruelty then this definitely isn't the book for you. If you're willing to give it a go, you get about a third of the way through and there are no more animals getting hurt....only people. So it really depends on your own personal views.
In light of that I'm giving this 3/4 stars. 3 because I won't read it again - I can't put myself through it! 4 because the storyline is really good and will honestly have you hooked.
This is another well written but truly gruesome story from Dave looking at how addiction affects people and how it can quickly escalate. If you're a fan of horror and a bit of gore, and can handle the fact that this is very dark - then this could definitely be for you.
February 5, 2024
CRACK by DE McCluskey
TL;DR — Super fast paced extreme psychological thriller with elements of horror that I absolutely recommend. This book showcased a different side of the author for me as I typically would associate his name with Zola. 🧀 Please do yourself a favor and make sure you check this one out. 👏🏼
I review different than most with my bullet point system so per always, if you need clarification or more details just @ me. 😅
•“The darkness was complete and blissful.”
•When tragedy strikes and then you start
letting your intrusive thoughts win. 🫨
•Hard to say too much without giving away certain things, but I can say, it’s NOT what you think. 🥸
•Fast paced with short chapters as I know that this is something some readers look for / enjoy. I really love it myself as well.
•I don’t often use this as I find it to be slightly cliche but this really is a “heart pounding thriller.” 🫨
•CRACK!!! (Intrigued yet? 😏)
•“Dreams work in mysterious ways.”
•Addiction comes in many forms. 😮💨
•Graphic AF. (Just FYI to readers) But fantastic plot and story. 🤌🏼
•There is some animal sadness, but is pretty important to the plot line and character development. However, it can easily be skimmed for those that may have an aversion to reading that stuff but are still interested in the book. 🫶🏻
•CRACK!!!
•Second book EVER to give me nightmares. Well played. 🫣
🩸🩸🩸🩸
TL;DR — Super fast paced extreme psychological thriller with elements of horror that I absolutely recommend. This book showcased a different side of the author for me as I typically would associate his name with Zola. 🧀 Please do yourself a favor and make sure you check this one out. 👏🏼
I review different than most with my bullet point system so per always, if you need clarification or more details just @ me. 😅
•“The darkness was complete and blissful.”
•When tragedy strikes and then you start
letting your intrusive thoughts win. 🫨
•Hard to say too much without giving away certain things, but I can say, it’s NOT what you think. 🥸
•Fast paced with short chapters as I know that this is something some readers look for / enjoy. I really love it myself as well.
•I don’t often use this as I find it to be slightly cliche but this really is a “heart pounding thriller.” 🫨
•CRACK!!! (Intrigued yet? 😏)
•“Dreams work in mysterious ways.”
•Addiction comes in many forms. 😮💨
•Graphic AF. (Just FYI to readers) But fantastic plot and story. 🤌🏼
•There is some animal sadness, but is pretty important to the plot line and character development. However, it can easily be skimmed for those that may have an aversion to reading that stuff but are still interested in the book. 🫶🏻
•CRACK!!!
•Second book EVER to give me nightmares. Well played. 🫣
🩸🩸🩸🩸
January 24, 2024
𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞'𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝.
This was an absolutely horrific story about the ravages of addiction and how it affects so many more than just the addict.
Joe O'Hara is a regular guy with a regular family working the night shift at a regular job when the entire trajectory of his life is changed by one random traffic accident. Disturbed and shaken by the violent incident, Joe finds himself reliving the accident again and again, and before long, he is spiraling out of control. He can't sleep, and he suffers from vivid, savage nightmares in which he struggles to tell reality from fantasy. He desperately needs a respite from his suffering, and he finds it. But could the very thing that brings him relief also be the beginning of the end?
This was a tough book to read because someone I loved struggled with addiction for many years. I was limited by focusing on how I felt, how the addict's actions affected me, and how I suffered. This book nearly brought me to tears because it's vividly written about the what the addict is experiencing. Yes, everyone in his path is affected, but the focus is on the addict, and it was a sobering (no pun intended) exercise in humility and empathy.
Many thanks to the author for my review copy!
This was an absolutely horrific story about the ravages of addiction and how it affects so many more than just the addict.
Joe O'Hara is a regular guy with a regular family working the night shift at a regular job when the entire trajectory of his life is changed by one random traffic accident. Disturbed and shaken by the violent incident, Joe finds himself reliving the accident again and again, and before long, he is spiraling out of control. He can't sleep, and he suffers from vivid, savage nightmares in which he struggles to tell reality from fantasy. He desperately needs a respite from his suffering, and he finds it. But could the very thing that brings him relief also be the beginning of the end?
This was a tough book to read because someone I loved struggled with addiction for many years. I was limited by focusing on how I felt, how the addict's actions affected me, and how I suffered. This book nearly brought me to tears because it's vividly written about the what the addict is experiencing. Yes, everyone in his path is affected, but the focus is on the addict, and it was a sobering (no pun intended) exercise in humility and empathy.
Many thanks to the author for my review copy!
July 16, 2020
I am so glad I no longer drive. It's obviously become a seriously dangerous and profoundly moving experience in the dozen or so years since I gave up my licence. Poor Joe, you didn't get the feeling he was living his best life before the accident. After the accident, boy oh boy, things got very bad, very quickly. I think it says more about me when I sobbed more about the dog than anything or anyone else. I can't hear any sound even similar to 'CRACK' now without the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Mr McCluskey's imagination is extremely, erm, imaginative! I'm thanking all my gods that he chooses to write about the things going on in his head rather than act them out. Not for the faint hearted, Crack gets down and dirty in the guts, gore and gristle and sweeps you in so close you could smell and taste the blood in the air. This is my first audio book by D.E. McCluskey but I can assure you it won't be my last! Listen with the lights on!
August 9, 2020
The main character in this book is Joe O'Hara and he's just finished his night shift and not only tired and wanting to get home to bed but on his way home things just got worse, and he gets involved in a road traffic accident a collision with a biker and all he could hear was the crack as the bones and skull crushed to smithereens and decapitated the head from the body. Somehow the more he thinks about what he heard the more addicted he became and soon was orchestrating his own decapitations just to get the thrill and his sexual desires from the cracking sound. As Joe gets more addicted, it was affecting his home life and his family decides to move on, but Joe is not bothered as his imaginary friend without a face only the black helmet helps him with his addition. This is a very dark listen and the narrator Tim Welch was clear and precise but did emphasize the word Crack and sometimes did get a bit annoying but a must finish for the book, but beware it is quite gory in places.
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