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Dark Mountain
While hiking on a lonely mountain in Arkansas, Jacob Barclay finds a cabin with a terrible secret. Sheriff Billy Joe Shoemaker discovers that his small, backwoods town may hold more danger than he ever imagined. Molly Carothers, lost in a sea of woods, starving and scared, believes she has found a guardian angel to free her. Brian Carothers, haunted by his family's heritage, struggles with his sanity. Victor Carothers sees his power increase. As his appetites are sated, he oils his guns and plots his next victim. The lives of the town of Bexton, Arkansas depend upon Jacob, the strange Yankee seeking adventure and solace. Jacob finds he is faced with a struggling faith, and the realization that sometimes evil runs in the family.
- GenresHorror
ebook
First published April 11, 2012
4 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Robert Michael
21 books23 followersRobert Allen Michael, born October 20, 1969 in Weston, West Virginia began telling tales when he was eight. He started with ghost stories, like the ones he read in books and heard from his family. Late at night, he would spin these tales hoping to scare his sisters or impress his mother.
In eighth grade, Robert wrote his first short story, a sort of "Children of the Corn" knock-off. He wanted so badly to impress his teacher that he even drew a cover replete with dripping blood from the title, blurbs and fake reviews. The story was hand-written, but demonstrated his love for writing and ability to spin a yarn.
After that, Robert never really looked back. He wrote almost constantly. Dark Mountain, his first book is self published. It pays homage to his roots, spinning a dark tale about people who reside in the hills and a man who is searching for his faith.
Robert is an accomplished fisherman. He enjoys being stream side catching rainbow trout and small mouth bass. He is active at the Broken Arrow Church of Christ where he serves as a Bible class teacher, a deacon and a coach and mentor for teens. Robert is a voracious and eclectic reader. He is a member of Goodreads and you are welcome to friend him there to check out his library or books he is currently reading.
Robert is perhaps most proud of being a faithful husband and a devoted father of four children: Nathaniel, Eden, Seth and Isaac. His wife Tracey and he reside in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
FUN FACTS:
Most embarrassing moment--dropping trow by accident while stripping out of his sweat pants at a track meet in 9th grade in Elkins, WV.
Favorite food--cheesecake of any variety. Home made chili. Guacamole. Baked Salmon.
Graduated--1987 from Lewis County High School
Degree--Bachelor of Arts in English (Oklahoma Christian, 1992)
Favorite Author--King, Tolkien, Hosseini, Ludlum, and Terry Brooks among others (Robert reads A LOT of books)
Favorite Music--Norah Jones, Dean Martin, A Cappella, AVB, Michael Buble, Eagles, Adele, 3 Doors Down, Billy Joel, Iron & Wine, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkle, 5 Finger Death Punch (I know), and Little Big Town (Robert listens to a LOT of music
In eighth grade, Robert wrote his first short story, a sort of "Children of the Corn" knock-off. He wanted so badly to impress his teacher that he even drew a cover replete with dripping blood from the title, blurbs and fake reviews. The story was hand-written, but demonstrated his love for writing and ability to spin a yarn.
After that, Robert never really looked back. He wrote almost constantly. Dark Mountain, his first book is self published. It pays homage to his roots, spinning a dark tale about people who reside in the hills and a man who is searching for his faith.
Robert is an accomplished fisherman. He enjoys being stream side catching rainbow trout and small mouth bass. He is active at the Broken Arrow Church of Christ where he serves as a Bible class teacher, a deacon and a coach and mentor for teens. Robert is a voracious and eclectic reader. He is a member of Goodreads and you are welcome to friend him there to check out his library or books he is currently reading.
Robert is perhaps most proud of being a faithful husband and a devoted father of four children: Nathaniel, Eden, Seth and Isaac. His wife Tracey and he reside in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
FUN FACTS:
Most embarrassing moment--dropping trow by accident while stripping out of his sweat pants at a track meet in 9th grade in Elkins, WV.
Favorite food--cheesecake of any variety. Home made chili. Guacamole. Baked Salmon.
Graduated--1987 from Lewis County High School
Degree--Bachelor of Arts in English (Oklahoma Christian, 1992)
Favorite Author--King, Tolkien, Hosseini, Ludlum, and Terry Brooks among others (Robert reads A LOT of books)
Favorite Music--Norah Jones, Dean Martin, A Cappella, AVB, Michael Buble, Eagles, Adele, 3 Doors Down, Billy Joel, Iron & Wine, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkle, 5 Finger Death Punch (I know), and Little Big Town (Robert listens to a LOT of music
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 12, 2012
It was definately a thriller, no real mystery involved. I found it to be well written, some christian themes worked in, so if that turns you off of books you better not read this one. I loved the story and how the main character came to know himself as he dealt with adversity during his hike through the Ozarks.
June 1, 2012
**This is a shortened version of the full review I did on my blog.
The imagery Michael uses to describe the small town in Arkansas where he stops to buy camping gear and rations could be spot on for just about any tiny, one horse town anywhere in North America. The lone, solitary small town police officer that comes off as too big for his britches is one of my favourite characters in the book. He’s not particularly likable, but he amused me.
...
Michael, for a first time novel-length author, does know how to engage a reader. I wouldn’t call the novel riveting, but it was entertaining. If have any major criticism at all, it’s that the scene with the runaway (I’m being vague so I don’t spoil too much — send me a message if you want more details) got me far too invested and then I was sorely let down at the end when it turned out that it wasn’t actually going to go anywhere. I was more than let down. I was really annoyed about it.
...
The imagery is fantastic and can easily let you create a picture in your mind of what is going on and, for me, that is a must have in any novel. The plot could have used a little more polish in parts. The bits that were clearly supposed to be the parts that earned the title its “thriller” classification weren’t as thrilling and terrifying as they could have been. I wanted far more detail about the lives of Molly and Brian’s parents and their blood fetish. I didn’t feel disgusted, like I felt like I should have.
...
The reasons the serial murdering couple did what they did should have made me get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, but it was much less of an event than the runaway for me. The darkness of the mountain wasn’t dark enough for me. I may have read too many Michael Slade, Stephen King, and Peter Straub novels, though.
Overall, Dark Mountain is a good read. Recommended? Definitely. Dark Mountain deserves a read if for nothing else than you’ll be missing out on Robert Michael’s talent for describing people and places. Again, the story is a good one; I just felt it could have used a little more work in places.
The imagery Michael uses to describe the small town in Arkansas where he stops to buy camping gear and rations could be spot on for just about any tiny, one horse town anywhere in North America. The lone, solitary small town police officer that comes off as too big for his britches is one of my favourite characters in the book. He’s not particularly likable, but he amused me.
...
Michael, for a first time novel-length author, does know how to engage a reader. I wouldn’t call the novel riveting, but it was entertaining. If have any major criticism at all, it’s that the scene with the runaway (I’m being vague so I don’t spoil too much — send me a message if you want more details) got me far too invested and then I was sorely let down at the end when it turned out that it wasn’t actually going to go anywhere. I was more than let down. I was really annoyed about it.
...
The imagery is fantastic and can easily let you create a picture in your mind of what is going on and, for me, that is a must have in any novel. The plot could have used a little more polish in parts. The bits that were clearly supposed to be the parts that earned the title its “thriller” classification weren’t as thrilling and terrifying as they could have been. I wanted far more detail about the lives of Molly and Brian’s parents and their blood fetish. I didn’t feel disgusted, like I felt like I should have.
...
The reasons the serial murdering couple did what they did should have made me get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, but it was much less of an event than the runaway for me. The darkness of the mountain wasn’t dark enough for me. I may have read too many Michael Slade, Stephen King, and Peter Straub novels, though.
Overall, Dark Mountain is a good read. Recommended? Definitely. Dark Mountain deserves a read if for nothing else than you’ll be missing out on Robert Michael’s talent for describing people and places. Again, the story is a good one; I just felt it could have used a little more work in places.
June 10, 2012
I liked the story, it took awhile to figure out how everything fit together, but kept rolling along throughout the book. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall I enjoyed the book.
July 21, 2012
Really good book. It flowed well and kept your interest. It was a hard book to put down. Highly recommend it!
August 21, 2012
Loved it! So looking forward to more. From start to finish it was flowing, easy to read, and kept me hooked. You know it's a good read if it meets those criteria.
October 26, 2022
OhHHHHhhhHHhHHhHhHHhhhHH MaaaaNnnNnN........
Way toooooooooooooooooo good and good.
By the way do they have internet.
They should subscribe to my channel
but over all.....
Meh
Way toooooooooooooooooo good and good.
By the way do they have internet.
They should subscribe to my channel
but over all.....
Meh
Read
May 18, 2013Meh
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews