The Original's Return

The Original #1

by David Watkins

Sergeant Peter Knowles has seen it in Afghanistan he witnessed death on a level that no-one should walk away from. Returning to Britain, he jumps at the chance to lead a small team in Devon. The task sounds more like a holiday; exactly what Knowles and his men need.

The watch Jack Stadler.

Jack has always led a quiet life, but now he is suffering blackouts and has violent outbursts. When the first dismembered body is found, Knowles begins to realise he has made a terrible mistake…

Genres: Horror, Werewolves, Novels, Action

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2013

About the author

David Watkins lives in Devon in the UK with his wife, two sons, crazy dog and psychotic cat.

He has currently released five novels, two novellas and several short stories. Each book is well rated and reviewed on Amazon and beyond.

His most recent release is The Original's Rage, from Original Books.

"Great monsters and dynamic characters make this brutal, bloody, brilliant novel an essential read. I'll never see Exeter in the same light again!" - Tim Lebbon, The Last Storm (praise for The Exeter Incident)

"...gut twisting scenes...” 4* Joe X Young, Gingernuts of Horror (The Devil's Inn)

"..a damn entertaining read.." - DLS Reviews (The Devil's Inn)

"Watkins writes with a real flow for tension." - Steve Stred, Kendall Reviews

"Great horror! I couldn't put the book down" 4.5*, Pamela Kinney, Ismellsheep.com (The Original's Return)

He hates referring to himself in the third person, but no-one else is going to write this for him.

Dave can be found on Twitter so drop by and say hello @joshfishkins, where you'll find him ranting about horror, the British education system and Welsh rugby, but not usually at the same time.

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A deer broke from undergrowth and fled, terror clear in her scent. The Wolf ignored her. For now it wanted to just run and run until it could run no more. Maybe then it would forget that it had once been a man.”

An excellent and thrilling tale of one man’s metamorphosis.

Jack falls into a hole in the forest, Jack comes out of the hole a changed man. The bodies start to pile up and the eyes of important people turn to Devon County. Can Jack stay true to himself and his family? Or will he become more beast than man?

I really enjoyed the mix of the classic monster trope, military dark ops, secret organizations, and all set in a quaint English village. The characters were so well developed and layered; you really feel like your heart is in your throat when they’re in danger.

This was definitely one of the most captivating and enjoyable reads I’ve picked up in the last few months! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Steve Stred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of ended up going into this book backwards. You see, I connected some time ago with Watkins on one of the various social media platforms and grabbed a few of his books.

Recently, I read his outstanding story in ‘Leaders of the Pack: A Werewolf Anthology’ and knew I needed to get to this sooner than later. Being a massive werewolf fan, I was doing myself a disservice by not reading it.

Diving in, I wasn’t sure where this would go, especially from the cover blurb.

What I liked: Meet Jack. Jack goes for a morning run every day. One day, his beloved pooch veers off the trail. Jack searches. Finds the dog who isn’t very happy, and as he attempts to get his companion to come to him… he falls down a massive hole.

From that simple opening, Watkins leads us along a break neck story that weaves between the real world stuff – being a dad, husband etc, and the lycanthrope stuff – farmer down the way has his animals picked off.

Watkins planted some little snippets of humor throughout and when things get bloody you better be wearing some protective clothing.

What I love most about werewolf stories are when they are almost timeless. You get a nod to the yesteryear as well as the present and David ensured that he took the care to craft a story that does just that.

What I didn’t like: While I did love the opening, I wasn’t a big fan of how fast things seemed to blow over at the beginning. I don’t want to spoil it, but the opening, I thought at least, was about to expand massively upon a few things and instead it kind of just happens and we move on.

Why you should buy this: Well, obviously you can never have too many werewolf books, so add this to the pile of fun reads. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a great story with a bit of ‘Dog Soldiers’ feel to it, this’ll be right up your alley.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violence Rating: 3/5 - Full Moon Frenzy

I wish I would've discovered this book sooner. David Watkins’ ‘The Original’s Return’ is a hidden gem in its genre. A werewolf story packed with military action, my two favorite topics and it was yummy. Absolutely LOVED the book.

The day Jack's son was born was the day he was cursed. While his wife is in the hospital struggling with labour, Jack is stuck in a cave, an ancient bone piercing through his chest. There was no pain, there was no blood, and as soon as he pulled out the bone, there was no injury. If that was not strange enough, we later learn that the bone belonged to a primeval Canis Dirus (Direwolf).

As days go by, strange things start to happen around Jack, animals die, his dog acts out near him, and his eyes seemingly play tricks on him showing him disturbing images like changes in his body or wicked visions.

One thing I loved in particular was the way the changes took over Jack. They were coming in gradually, but very fast. A flashback, a dream, a memory, a blinding rage that turned him murderous, an uncontrollable possessiveness towards his wife, and then an internal voice he grew all too familiar with.

Throw a Special Forces team led by the witty, competent Sgt Peter Knowles in the mix, and we got ourselves some good action on top of the horror and suspense. And boy did I love this team’s dynamics.

Halfway through the book, more precisely when we're introduced to Steven, the story got even more intense and I must admit, it put the cherry on my sundae. Jack had no idea who he stumbled upon on an empty beach, but soon finds out there are more people like him. One of the Packs is recruiting and Jack got the golden ticket, not because of his commending behaviour but because of a heritage he didn’t understand.

Throughout all the carnage and intense military action, I did not expect to feel for these characters, but I often found myself pitying Jack because he had no idea what was happening to him. And I felt sorry for Anton too, the wolf who lost his mate and I could easily empathize with his need for revenge.

What made me devour this novel was the non-stop suspense and action, there’s almost no downtime, as well as the ambiguity and morality of the story. Truth be told, I found myself unable to pick a side and stick with it because all parties seemed to be right and wrong at the same time.

Perhaps the weirdest thing that left me scratching my head and reread the paragraph and go ‘huh?’ was the ending. It was truly confusing, especially since Jack was so adamant to go back home. But this is also the reason I’m going to get the 2nd book because I must bring some sense to this behaviour. Besides, I really need to see more of Knowles and the Packs.

This went straight to my favorites.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually avoid books with anything military. I stumbled across this book by posting in a FB book group to find new to me authors. I'm glad the military part was not a huge portion of the story.
By the blurb,you really don't know what you're getting into. It started great with a man falling into some sort of cave, being punctured by old bones, surrounded by demon like drawings, and a swarm of spiders.
There was a really great scene with the eight legged buggers. Gave me chills. I hate those things.
WaRNING SPOILERS AHEAD
Anyways, the man survives the thirty foot fall , amazingly without a scratch. His hospital records ding the military,and they send a team to watch him. The man doesn't know it, but he's a werewolf of some sort now. Then there's a ton of action. The wolves want their leader, the military wants to weaponize him... And all he wants to do is go home to his wife and child.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I hate that it ended so abruptly, leading into a sequel.

[Lee Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Werewolf Action

An absolutely blistering read that has you tearing through the pages. Brilliantly written and an outstanding cast of characters makes it more then "just another werewolf story".

Highly recommended!!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great horror! I couldn't put the book down, not until I finished it. Jack falls down a rabbit hole of terror and finds that his life has shifted and will never be ordinary again. Worse, there are others who want him and what he has become, the British military, and a race of modern werewolves who feel that he is one of the Originals responsible for their existence. I cannot wait for the next book as the ending lays promise to that.
I am giving it 4 1/2 stars.
Read the rest of the review at I Smell Sheep Reviews at http://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/09/bo...

[Corrina Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This folky/cryptid horror, is an action packed page turner, from the very start, right up until the very end.

Creepy from the outset, it gets pretty claustrophobic at times, yet stays completely engaging too. One particular scene, down in the cave, had my skin crawling so bad, I struggled to keep reading! 🕷 But I put on my big girl pants and carried on, and despite the nightmares, I'm so glad I did!

Watkins' characters have real depth to them, especially the MC, that really makes you believe in them, feel for them, and spur them on from the sidelines!

Lots of twists, turns and intrigue make for an addictive read, so be prepared to become invested in this story and nothing else until you've reached the last page, closed the book, taken a deep breath…and then purchased the next book! 😉

You'll be left breathless and exhilarated after reading this, and definitely wanting more! And I'm very happy to learn that there is indeed a sequel! This story is going places, and I want to be there when it does!

Also, its set fairly locally to me, in "Fucking Devon!" which added to my enjoyment. 😁

[Alan Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing Reinterpretation of the Werewolf Mythos

This tale of a father and husband who falls into a cave in England starts off with a bang and never stops. This reinterpretation of werewolves is refreshing and fascinating, changing many of the tropes we have come to expect in lycanthropy tales.

I loved the characters, the story, the action and look forward to the sequel.

A wise film agent will snap this one up before the competition.

[Dale Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different take on the werewolf genre but one that worked well. Multiple factions are involved in a story that gets ever more gory and wild as it continues on. Good action, good gore, good story - really enjoyed it. Short chapters make it a great book to pick up and zip through quickly.

[Eric Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and unique take on the werewolf legend. If you like action and military sequences this book is for you. I'm very interested to see more of the "Original" idea fleshed out and look forward to the sequel.

[Phil Sloman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking fast paced werewolf novel. Loved it from start to finish.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book I read this in a day I couldn’t put it down, if you’re a fan of werewolf stories then this is a must to pick up and immerse yourself in. Jack is just an average man until he falls down a hole and finds himself irrevocably changed body and mind. He notices changes but dismisses them too engrossed in his wife and new baby.
A squad have been sent to watch Jack with no explanation as to why but soldiers don’t question orders, so begins a story of fear and confusion for all especially Jack as he sees changes in himself.

[Veronik Durocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good!

Nice take on the werewolf "mythology". Different from what I read in the past, as the infection didn't came from a bite...

[Kenny Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read... conjuring up cinematic images in my minds eye. Sentences so expertly setting a quickening pace with its prose and timbre, as an impending sense of doom violently erupts into a crashing rollercoaster ride of action.

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love Werewolves!

Admittedly, I am a werewolf fan and have been since seeing The Wolfman with Lon Chaney Jr. probably over 50 years ago. I've always been a werewolf sympathizer too which made this book easy to like. Schoolteacher Jack accidentally becomes a werewolf and his life takes a quick turn into the twilight zone. Sorry if that's a mixed metaphor or mangled genre reference. I have to admit that too many characters I liked don't make it to the end of the story and the book does end rather abruptly and not in the most satisfying manner, but there's another book waiting to be read that, I hope, wraps up the larger story cycle a bit better. Still, I gave it 5 stars because I didn't want to put it down.

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story, a well written page turner that keeps you gripped. Very graphic - had my stomach turning as much as my heart beating but it is a brilliant read. True British horror in a fast paced action packed novel. Bring on book two.....

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the werewolf trope, with head nods to Underworld and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Watkins draws the reader in with a fast-paced, no-nonsense narrative, but takes enough time en route to endear his characters.

The trials of our protagonist as he adjusts to a barrage of life-changing situations (becoming a father, becoming a werewolf, becoming a focal point as an assumed lycanthrope deity) are deftly done with a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour, countered by bursts of high-octane violence.

Recommended reading for any fan of the werewolf sub-genre.

[Tracey Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking read, pitting the modern-day logic of the military against the bewildering supernatural experiences of Jack, the protagonist. I thought this was a really interesting and refreshingly different take on the werewolf theme - it's unlike any other horror I have read. Visceral and action-packed, with glimpses into the thoughts of some of the characters, I'm very glad that I have the second book to look forward to.

The author has, for me, reinforced why jogging is a bad idea...

[Shani White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first chapter, exciting and fast-paced I couldn't put it down. I was completely drawn in to the story which has fascinating characters, especially Jack, who I could really empathise with. I can't wait for the sequel and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

[Shoulanda August · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!!

I was completely caught up in this dark tale of murder, wolves, and mayhem. I loved how the characters and stories seemed to come alive as I read. A real turn pager from beginning to the end. Well worth reading and I didn't want it to end...

[Jeff Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome werewolf book. This reminded me so much of the Hammer horror films of my youth. I had never read any of this authors works before but am eager to see what else he has written.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take: military verses mystical. Jack really should have skipped his morning run that day. An excellent read by an exciting new and upcoming author; looking forward to reading future works.

[Austrian Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Devil’s Inn from Watkins this year and was excited to start The Original’s return based on the writing from that previous read. Watkins’ detailed descriptions of gore and violence are stylistically what I love in Horror – clean, unemotional, and sudden. I love the shock value such descriptions arouse in the reader's minds. Dan Soule employs the same approach, there’s just nothing like that cold narration of trauma to bring it home. Which leads me to The Original’s return.

That sudden gore comes here, and every time the method is employed it is a smack to the reader’s senses. Watkins uses it from the get-go – but allows a slower build to the whole book. The initial accident in his opening chapters is punctuated by the realization that something catastrophic has happened, and that first smack to the face lets you know you’re in for a ride.

I didn’t know what the novel was about when I started reading it, I had a vague idea it was werewolves – but couldn’t tell you why? Perhaps I heard someone talking about it, perhaps Dave himself mentioned it when I bumped into him at Chillercon – whatever the case, this quickly turns into a book that at the very least hints at werewolf activity, so I don’t think I’m letting any spoilers out of the bag by mentioning the theme here. That the MC becomes one is due, however, to something other than a werewolf bite.

So, if we accept that, contrary to werewolf lore (which is all made up, obviously), one can become a werewolf through contamination of the body of the victim through trauma sustained by entry (into the body) of werewolf bones (and the micro-organisms that might still be present on and in those decaying bones), there’s still enough in here to deviate from a standard werewolf book to be interesting, and what’s more, exhilarating. Dave brings in a team of army specialists to observe the subject, and with that, a home invasion, and a pregnant wife, and suddenly it goes very territorial. Which is excellent, of course.

The build here is great, Watkins takes his time to build the environment, before letting rip with the effects. New to me, was the idea that the transformation didn’t hurt. That did jar a little, but presented here as just another element of the whole, it fits.

There are holes here, information withheld or overlooked – the fine details of the transformation and original turning left blank – there are questions I’ll be wanting answering in the sequel (and I checked, there is a sequel) – the sudden healing from the original wound? Wouldn’t an adaptation of those abilities require time? But I’m going to be buying the next book because this was a great ride, and from the reviews I scanned of the next installment, the body count and gore rise, as they should.

All in all, I had a great time in this book, it gets 5 out of 5 ⭐ ‘s.

Read you soon, David.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great werewolf story 4/5

When Jack goes out for a run with his dog he never expected the earth to give out beneath him and to fall into a hidden cave.... and would never have dreamed what would happen next to him. When the army gets wind of Jack they send Sergeant Knowles and some troops to Devon (the best place in England) to keep an eye on him and things quickly spiral out of control.

The action starts fast in the book and builds up a good cast of characters that you want to read about. There are good levels of gore at times with enough unpredictable moments to keep you going.

It was a good take on the werewolf genre and this is from someone who normally isn't a fan of it, but I'm going to be getting the sequel for sure!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked Dog Soldiers, you will absolutely love this!

David Watkins delivers again with a high octane action driven narrative with pace and tension, but with a real depth of characterisation.

Jack, the MC has an accident during a routine morning walk; that he survives is a miracle, but as he appears unscathed, it’s bloody unsettling! So unsettling that the military have him under surveillance.

Jack is drawn so sympathetically; he never asked for any of this, and his dawning reality changes him forever

This is packed with action; some fabulous military humour; and an empathy that never dulls.

[Lou Canning · Rating 5 out of 5]

second time around and still brill!

So, I’ve reviewed before but on reading this for the second time I had to share (again!) just how damn good this book is!!!
So much action, gore, wolves, soldiers not forgetting a new born baby!! All the characters are memorable and a majority likeable! Wasn’t expecting the end outcome of so many !!
I love the werewolf/wolf genre and this series is one of the best I’ve read! Again! A totally different take on a popular genre. So refreshing, so brilliant!! 👏👏👏

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

A unique read on werewolf lore. It was a fun and fast paced read. The author had a well thought out plot. The dialogue flowed. I read the book in a day so it definitely kept me glued. I felt the length of the book was great and there wasn’t any slow / unnecessary narrative that stalled the pace of the book. David Watkins has a great talent in capturing you in the very first several pages of the book and then you are his for the rest of the fantastic ride. David Watkins is definitely an up and coming author. Keep writing David!

[Justin Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic modern day Werewolf, told with a Wolf point of view. Really a very surprising tale full of twists and turns. Some really excellent takes on modern authority, official reactions and responses. All adds up to a positive and engrossing read. Take "American werewolf in London", add realism and you are close. Must admit I enjoyed this more as the Wolf is sentient and not a slavering beast. Note not a spoiler in sight!

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Afghanistan Peter Knowles thought he had witnessed the worst of humanity. On his return home he is asked to lead a team to Devon to watch Jack Stadler, easy right?

A fantastic story that is brutal, viscerally appalling and the most fun I’ve had with a werewolf story. Mixing folklore and soldiers in a gruesome battle of man against beast. But this beast is different, he has a conscience but that does not stop the carnage, you will be desperate to find out what is going on. Fabulous!!

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Wow what a story.Started this morning while taking breaks from painting door frames. Obviously spent more



time reading than painting.
Great story draws you in and let's you follow the anguish of Jack, his wife's terror/uncertainty.
Has he forged a friendship of sorts with Knowles?
Are the military to blame?
Great read would fully recommend