There is an urban legend which tells of something not quite human. Forever on the peripheries of society, he stalks the night, living amongst the shadows and feeding on the scraps. His sallow complexion and reddened grin led to the sinister moniker Colours the Clown. Stories forged around the campfires and graveyards of this vicious bogeyman and, gradually, his savage notoriety bloomed. Meanwhile, Bernie Davies is seeking one last haul before the holidays; he has habits he needs to fuel. Unable to resist the pull of one particular house, he has unwittingly set himself on a collision course directly with the nightmare that is Colours. This is the debut novelette by author C S Jones.
3.5 stars. First off, congratulations to CS Jones on publishing their first book! I wish you nothing but the best in your literary career! Now I am a complete mark for killer clowns. They are such terrifying antagonists that you can’t help be drawn to them. So this was like a mix of The Terrifier and IT. An otherworldly, mime-like clown creature slaying and playing mind games with its chosen prey. Not a bad concept. The biggest star here was Jones’ use of prose throughout. Everything just had this organic flow and was extremely easy to follow, whether it was the internal dialogue of our lead, Bernie, and even some of the more gruesome scenes. So, above all else, the writing is top notch. Colours could be a very intricate and dynamic antagonist, but most of his screen time felt sort of repetitive of other similar incarnations. Nothing necessarily new was introduced as compared to the aforementioned, established characters. The lore was dished out fairly quick and, for such a legendary entity, it just felt like the story didn’t match the level of this creature. In one area, he is this well-known, heavily researched and documented thing, but no one else aside from Bernie seemed to be afraid. So that needed to be fine-tuned a bit further to make it all flow better. I read that this is a prequel, so there is a fair chance that a lot of my critiques will be covered and, even possibly, resolved. However, I have to remain cautiously optimistic about this clearly talented writer’s long term game plan. Worth a read for most horror fans, but, reader beware, a short story like this almost always leaves you with more questions than answers.
I have to admit that I probably laughed way too much while reading this book because tap tap tap tap is what we respond to our cat who has the habit of tapping us quickly to get our attention (for those who know me I'm talking about Goobz) and she wants A LOT of attention so yeah we say that a lot and of course in my head it sounded that ridiculous too.
The killer clown was great, I really liked Jones' spin on the idea. The main character was pretty engaging and the pacing was really good.
This is a prequel novelette, ahead of the release of the author's debut novel, and he sure has my attention!
Colours the clown is horrifying! Jones has taken a sometimes overused horror trope and made it entirely his own. There are some moments of light humour scattered throughout, which really only serves to settle the readers' nerves right before things get terrifying.
The story flows and unfolds so naturally. I breezed through this in one sitting. Highly recommend for horror fans. Get in early, this guy's gonna be big!
Soooo this was terrifying! It’s a short, intense tale of horror and is definitely going to give me nightmares!
“He watched on as I did, still smiling. At least the tapping had stopped; his crusty fingernail rested against the glass. Then, he dropped down out of sight.”
Colours the Clown is just an urban legend right? That is until Bernie accidentally runs into him one cold and damp night. What happens next is a series of murderous, evil encounters with a supernatural entity out for revenge.
I can’t wait to see what C.S. Jones has in store for readers next! They definitely have their finger on the pulse of the horror community!
*tap tap tap tap tap* 🫣 (I got the amazing chance to read this early.)
Oh my God, once I started this, I couldn't stop! Colours the Clown is terrifying, goofy, and exactly the kind of clowns I have nightmares about. 🥲 This makes me soooo excited for his book Do Not Unlock!
I'm not usually a fan of clown based stories, but Colors is soooo much more than clown horror. I love the way Jones writes, it makes me feel like I'm watching a movie. He's just descriptive enough to bring the story to life without being overly wordy. He's probably one of the best at describing movement I've ever read, to be honest. It just flows so naturally!
Now, to the story. It's a fast-paced, quick read that will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish, even if you are terrified of clowns. I read it in one sitting, and was late for dinner at mom's house because I couldn't wait to find out how the story ended!
CSS Jones is an author I'll be following; can't wait to read more!
“He was all kinds of wrong, a thing of pure malevolence.” That is the thing changed Bernie Davies forever; the thing that led him to be “… arrested after being found holding a bloodied baby in its nursery on Christmas Eve.” That thing is Colours the Clown.
Now, you all may have noticed that I choose to keep calling “it” (pun intended) a “thing”…. As I’ve said before, I have one trigger, one; and that’s clowns; so, calling them “things” and “its” is a compliment in my book. So, when I was bestowed the intense honor of beta reading my 2nd for our dear author and his amazing editor, I was assured that I’d be “okay”. Mhmm hmm.
I was “okay” for a bit, getting into the story in a big way. Then I got to the description of the “thing” they call Colours The Clown (amongst other names)… “It”l iterally made my stomach crawl up into my brain and rock back/forth in a traumatized ball. I can still see and feel “it” when I close my eyes; it’s my childhood nightmares come to life.
And yet, I still continued, stomach in brain and all… the narration style and voice had me hooked. Our protagonist/ narrator, Bernie, is a tragically and beautifully flawed human who finds himself wrapped up in this sharp, witty and horrifying creative feature.
Listen closely, “tap tap tap tap”, can you hear “it”? Keep listening… Are you brave enough to take a look inside this book? I dare you to try.
This novelette from Chris Jones is creepy good stuff and the perfect teaser for a whole lot more from Colours the Clown, which I for one, absolutely cannot wait for!
Written in first person, which I really enjoyed, with a truly sinister, eerie feel the whole time, Jones sets up brilliantly tense and spooky scenes that are completely gripping! I couldn't put this down, nor did I want to, although the image of Colours himself is forever etched into my brain now. I read it in one sitting, in bed, at night, and Colours proceeded to follow me into my dreams right after! (Nightmares are always considered a bonus for me!) 🖤
Bernie Davies concedes that he deserves to be where he is, prison, and he will tell you precisely why….after he is found holding a bloody child one Xmas eve. He has a drug habit, and a minimum wage job that leaves him scraping by and finding other ways to make a bit of extra cash to keep him in the drug fuelled lifestyle he is accustomed to.
On the way home one night, he comes across what he thought was a legend, but turns out to be absolutely, horrifyingly real, Colours the Clown! Never one to pass up an opportunity to make money, Bernie takes a detour on his way home and inadvertently comes face to face with the clown. And then shit quickly gets real and he's on a mission to stop Colours in his tracks and get away, but of course, it's not as simple as that and there's all sorts of bloody trials, tribulations and torments along the way.
Colours is more than just a clown, hes a contortionist too, but hes also so much more than either of those things….and its fucking terrifying!!
Once in prison, Bernie discovers just who, and what, Colours is, and it makes him feel like he might just be in the safest place, even though he feels like he may be losing his mind. Eventually, he gets a job in the prison laundry and hope returns, along with time to do some research on the clown's origin. And that's when his mind finally snaps, and he's determined to take Colours down with him, but Colours is going to be sticking around for quite a while, one way or another….
This is an immersive and captivating read, the narration is great as is the scene setting and the intense atmosphere. The disturbing image of Colours’ eyes on every chapter header helps to continue that unsettling feeling of being watched, and made me flinch every time I turned the page and started a new one!
This story was a triumph and I am extremely happy to learn that there will be more from Bernie in the future! I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for sure…. tap tap tap tap tap!!!!
I just finished this novella by C S Jones and it was absolutely brilliant! I read a few of this author’s flash fiction pieces and quickly became a fan of his visual writing style. Come and meet Colours the Clown and find out why this author is an auto-buy for me and one to add to your TBR. Release date March 26,2024
Yeah, I ATE THIS UP and I'm very impatiently waiting for the novel, Do Not Unlock, following this prequel.
I'm a sucker for a creepy clown, but Colours the Clown is not the stereotypical creepy clown. I was pleasantly surprised with Jones's originality. It's creepy, fast paced, and I appreciated the light humor sprinkled in (he is a clown after all 🤡). I read this in one sitting and it felt like a fever dream the whole time. Easy 5 ⭐️
I got the amazing opportunity of snagging this one up early! Release date is March 26th 🖤
Well, this was a nice surprise! I love urban legends, and C S Jones' debut novellette did not disappoint: the story feels like a recurring nightmare, full of creepy moments and unsettling scenes. Colours the Clown is not your party clown, and, unless you want to get rid of some pesky kids or an uruly pet (or two), you'd better keep him away from children and animals. He's an insatiable, almost mindless supernatural menace, whose voracious appetite will upset you - cat lovers especially will experience some, uhmm, anxiety, let's say (not to mention anyone who's tried to pick up and hold a baby in the right way!) Fortunately, there's also Jones' darkly humorous approach to this beast, and the main character (first POV narrator), though unlikeable, did grow on me: I'd definitely NOT want to be in his shoes, but he's resourceful, tenacious, and self-critical enough to hold everyone's interest. What's more, this is a prequel to Jones' forthcoming novel, 'Do Not Unlock,' and judging by the title, I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve this time!
Imagine seeing something no else seen. Then getting put away for the crimes committed by the unseen being? Well that’s exactly what happens in this book.
Bernie oh Bernie.. poor guy sees a “clown” named Colours who’s an urban legend where he’s from. He thinks he’s crazy or a little too drunk. After thinking he’s seen him. He goes and breaks into a house to steal some stuff but unbeknownst to him Colours wants in on the action too.
A fight ensues and Colours attempts to hurt a baby and Bernie tries to stop him but in the mix gets caught with the baby in his hands and is put away for it.
Will Bernie be able to shake Colours or is he going to follow him to prison to finish what he started? This book was well written. But I almost feel like it would have been a little longer and gone into more detail about Colours! Besides that this was a great debut and I look forward to reading more by this author!
Any horror enthusiast will understand when I say I loved (hated) it! Debut author C.S. Jones does a phenomenal job with tension building and conveying Bernie’s desperation. I think there’s just enough gore for those of us that love it, but not so much that those who don’t love it would be turned off. *tap tap tap tap tap* So creepy! I devoured this over my lunch hour. I can't wait to see what the author does next.
A brilliant debut: it is a short novella that really packs a punch. Colours the Contortionist is creepy and will live rent-free in my head for a while. This is an excellent mix of urban legend, supernatural horror and psychological horror. The main character is far from a hero but you can really feel his fear and empathise with him the whole way through. Colours doesn’t read like a debut, I am already looking forward to C S Jones’ next book. Don’t miss out on Colours!
What a great read! It was both creepy and humorous at different times. I loved the writing and I thought the tension made it a real page turner as I wanted to know more about Colours. I thought the interspersing of some light hearted moments was well done. I will definitely be reading more of the author’s work.
Colours the Clown is an urban legend in Wrexham, a vicious bogeyman who stalks the night. Bernie is a thief in need of money for his next fix and this is Bernie’s story of the night he met Colours.
A short sharp stab in the guts of a novelette that introduces a character running on pure feral brutality. He is the snarl in the darkness, the growl of the rabid beast and singleminded in his hunt. Bernie is an idiot, a chancer who steals to fund his habit with all of the selfishness that entails.
A tale full of blood, gore and insatiable appetites, wonderful!
If you like spooky clown stories, then you’ll love this short read. I had to put it down one night after chapter 3 because I just knew I wouldn’t be able to go to sleep if I continued. This releases on March 26th! I cannot wait for more from this author.
This is my first story from this author and won’t be my last. An incredibly creepy tale of an urban legend that grips you right from the beginning. A must read for all horror lovers
This is like a cross between IT and The Terrifier. A scary, otherworldly, murderous clown with a sense of humour. What more could you want from an antagonist?! I look forward to reading more for the author in the future.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s written in first-person narrative and I thought the storytelling flowed very naturally. So many parts were simultaneously humorous and terrifying and I loved that. I’ve never been into clown stories, but I’d love to read more involving Colours.
Very well written, great flow and very humerous at times. Main character very well developed. Some good moments of spook and gore. I really wanted this to be longer/wanted a further explanation or more detail at the end.
What a cracking debut! Fleshed out characters, a storyline that keeps you guessing, creepy clowns... What more could you want? I cannot wait for more from this author.
I was sold on the cover - if it’s got a creepy clown, count me in! But this book was more than just a great cover. It grabbed my attention from the start, and I finished it in one sitting. I loved the humour in the story, but it didn’t take away from all the creepy moments. Looking forward to reading more by C.S. Jones! Tethered is actually next on my list, and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.
Colours and Bernie make a wonderful, horrific pairing that takes you through a roller-coaster of over thinking, anxiety and anticipation! The wordings and descriptive language that C S Jones uses makes your mind bloom with imagination and pictures of how these characters, surroundings and scenes would look.
My first ever kindle read and I'm more than happy that it was this book that I chose!
I cannot wait for Do Not Unlock to come out! And I cannot wait for any future books this author brings out!
High recommend this book and author! You will not be disappointed!
3.75 | Eerie, creepy, sinister! I think horrors will always be lower marked in comparison because it takes a lot to terrify me in a written format. But this book was dark and twisted!
Colours by C.S. Jones is a dark, atmospheric urban horror novel set in the gritty town of Wrexham. The story weaves folklore and terror into a chilling narrative about a figure that exists on the fringes of society—Colours the Clown, a sinister and malevolent presence haunting the shadows. With his unsettling sallow complexion and ever-present, reddened grin, Colours has become a terrifying urban legend, whispered about around campfires and in graveyards, a boogeyman whose name is synonymous with fear.
The plot centers around Bernie Davies, a man trapped in a cycle of addiction and desperation. With the holiday season fast approaching, Bernie is seeking one final score to fuel his habits. His path, however, crosses with the nightmare that is Colours, and he finds himself drawn into a confrontation with something far more dangerous than he ever imagined. What begins as a seemingly typical low-life quest for one last heist spirals into something far darker as Bernie becomes entangled in the terrifying mythos surrounding Colours the Clown.
C.S. Jones does an excellent job of blending supernatural horror with the bleak, gritty realities of a small town, making the horror feel both fantastical and grounded. The town of Wrexham itself becomes a character, with its eerie atmosphere and sense of impending dread adding to the tension. The story builds suspense steadily, making the eventual encounter with Colours all the more intense and chilling.
The novel explores themes of addiction, the fragility of human nature, and the consequences of engaging with the dark forces lurking just outside the bounds of everyday life. The character of Bernie Davies is a poignant one, as his inner turmoil and desperate need for escape from his own demons mirror the external horrors he faces.
Ultimately, Colours is a haunting tale that will stick with readers long after they’ve finished it. It’s a terrifying exploration of both personal and supernatural darkness, where the line between legend and reality becomes blurred in the most unsettling of ways. Fans of atmospheric horror with a deep psychological edge will find much to enjoy in this suspenseful and unnerving novel.
A sinister, eerie and spooky Novella vibe! this story unfolds about a wrongly accused man for being found holding a blooded child. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and done for the wrong crime... With a crazed urban legend killer clown...
Beanie was found holding a blooded baby, it isn't how it seems though...
Lets rewind.. Bernie saw something in the woods, something he shouldn't have seen.. Something that was supposed to be. Urban legend..
Heading back to safety or so he thought it safe..Little did he know a crazed killer clown decided to follow him.
We see Bernie enter a house, one where TapTapTap was heard, one where we finally see a unhuman clown. Animals wasn't enough for his crazed hunger.. We small fight break out between Bernie and Colours. Colours got away and headed silently upstairs, on a hunttl to find something that wasn't an animal. he found a child who he held by the leg, one who Bernie tries to save..
No one else had seen Colours encounter, the babies parents woke up after the fight had finished, see Bernie was holding their blooded child...
Fast forward to the start, we see Bernie transfer to prison, where we see him throughout the journey of his prison time..
One night when he thought the whole encounter was over... He heard it.. the same sound he heard previously.. The sound he thought he was going crazy too.. the.. TapTapTap from Colours.
We see Bernie hear the TapTapTap, looking through his doors peephole he sees nothing.. just a prison guard.. Or was it..? You'll have to read this great Novella to find out more.
This Novella was beautifully written, it was in first person, the details from start to finish was brilliant, C.S Jones wrote to most brilliant murderous, cunning and cannibalistic clown there is.. From Colours reptile features to his cunning and clever story, it really drew you in! The cover is what drew me in, this was the first Novella by this author I have read and it will not be the last!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.