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Shutterbug
Several years after visiting Harry Beacon's Photography Studio and going through a terrifying experience, Jess Stevenson's life is finally working out. With her loving boyfriend, a fun housemate and her father's mental health under control, she can finally forget about the past and move on with her life. Harry Beacon has been jailed for his crime...
The new terrors start with a photograph.
Someone wants to make Jess relive the horror of her childhood all over again. As the photographs get more obscene and the nightmares intensify, Jess feels that she's losing her mind, because Harry Beacon is still in prison...isn't he?
The new terrors start with a photograph.
Someone wants to make Jess relive the horror of her childhood all over again. As the photographs get more obscene and the nightmares intensify, Jess feels that she's losing her mind, because Harry Beacon is still in prison...isn't he?
78 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2007
8 people want to read
About the author
Daniel I. Russell
53 books151 followersAustralian Shadows Award finalist D.l I. Russell has been featured publications such as The Zombie Feed from Apex, Pseudopod and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #43. Author of Samhane, Come Into Darkness, Critique, Mother's Boys, The Collector and Tricks, Mischief and Mayhem, D. I. Russell is also the former vice-president of the Australian Horror Writers' Association and was a special guest editor of Midnight Echo.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 15, 2010
This story reminds me of exactly why I didn't become a model. With the click of the camera, this girls world was turned upside down. A darkly enjoyable read, with a real terror.
January 21, 2008
Daniel I. Russell's Shutterbug is a readable novella. After perverted photographer Harry Beacon rapes fifteen-year-old Jess Stevenson, then murders her mother, Jess must rebuild her life with her best friend Kerry, her father, who is troubled by memory loss, and boyfriend Dean. Beacon is locked away, yet from his prison cell he seems able to reach out to the now-eighteen-year-old Jess, and threaten every wall she has built against the pain he caused. Nowhere--not even in her own bed--is she safe from intrusive photography.
Beginning with Jess's mother's point of view, the story jars when it changes to Jess's pov after her mother's death. A gap of some years is glossed, and it almost feels as if the story is starting all over again. This is perhaps a case where the judicious use of flashbacks might have helped the story flow more smoothly. Motivations are rarely explored, making the story feel superficial at times.
Russell doesn't flinch from the more visceral details concerning the rape, but succeeds in not eroticising them. The scene where Jess's mother is waiting to confront Beacon is truly painful, as she observes a young girl who may be another victim being forced to apologise to her abuser.
Russell does a decent job of building suspense, but the plot covers well-worn ground that will be familiar to many readers. While it's possible to guess who's behind the attacks on Jess, it's probably better to relax and enjoy the ride.
Note: a print-out of the novella was reviewed.
Beginning with Jess's mother's point of view, the story jars when it changes to Jess's pov after her mother's death. A gap of some years is glossed, and it almost feels as if the story is starting all over again. This is perhaps a case where the judicious use of flashbacks might have helped the story flow more smoothly. Motivations are rarely explored, making the story feel superficial at times.
Russell doesn't flinch from the more visceral details concerning the rape, but succeeds in not eroticising them. The scene where Jess's mother is waiting to confront Beacon is truly painful, as she observes a young girl who may be another victim being forced to apologise to her abuser.
Russell does a decent job of building suspense, but the plot covers well-worn ground that will be familiar to many readers. While it's possible to guess who's behind the attacks on Jess, it's probably better to relax and enjoy the ride.
Note: a print-out of the novella was reviewed.
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September 30, 2009Ah, to be a young author again that writes two-star thrillers...
Please note that Shutterbug is no longer available, after an author request for it to be pulled from the publisher earlier this year. It's status is officially 'backburnered' while I work on the current horror projects.
Daniel I Russell.
Please note that Shutterbug is no longer available, after an author request for it to be pulled from the publisher earlier this year. It's status is officially 'backburnered' while I work on the current horror projects.
Daniel I Russell.
October 16, 2009
A visit to a photographic studio results in more than an album of endearing snapshots for Jess Stevenson. Instead of a decorative memento, she leaves scarred by haunting images of the horror that occurred.
Daniel Russell's story leaves a similar lasting impression that hangs in the readers mind to develop, making sure you'll never look at a photographer the same again.
Now say, cheese.
Daniel Russell's story leaves a similar lasting impression that hangs in the readers mind to develop, making sure you'll never look at a photographer the same again.
Now say, cheese.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews