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A Small Dark Place
When a little girl falls down an abandoned mine shaft, Peter Wiley and his wife Sandra, facing financial ruin, see a unique opportunity to save themselves and their town, but their greedy actions have unexpected consequences for themselves and the town of Wishbone, Kansas. A first novel. 100,000 first printing.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Martin Schenk
15 books1 followerThere is more than one author on GR with this name. This is Martin^Schenk, author of weird/horror/mystery fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2023
5 year-old Andromeda Wiley was never meant to be the one to fall down the abandoned mine shaft. It was supposed to be her 8 year-old brother Will. The parents, in dire straits financially, had set it up, hoping that the rescue operation would become a media sensation so that maybe they’d make enough money from well-wishers and such to be able to save their Kansas farm. Only, the wrong kid fell in. And she’s deathly afraid of the dark. The little girl, if and when she emerges from the shaft, may not even be Andromeda anymore. She may be something entirely…other.
The first half of this book contained some of the most tension-filled moments I’ve experienced while reading, and the fact that the second half couldn’t possibly measure up (though it comes close at times) did little to lessen my overall feelings for it. Author Martin Schenk does an excellent job showing not just how the Wiley family profited off baby Andromeda’s harrowing ordeal, but the entire town and the media as well. But Andie will teach them all a lesson, even if it takes many years.
I don’t want to add any more to my plot synopsis for fear of spoilers, but just know that this is pretty heavily supernatural, with a number of freaky-as-hell scenes, and not just a domestic thriller or drama about evil parents. It’s very well-written, with a wealth of King-style characters that manage to be despicable yet somewhat sympathetic at the same time. I’d be surprised if this novel has never been optioned by Hollywood, because it seems ready-made. All I know is that I had a hard time putting it down, and read the entire thing in just a couple sittings.
My only real disappointment is that Martin Schenk only wrote one other novel, one that seems to be impossible to get a hold of despite the fact that it supposedly came out just a few years ago. I’m starting to think it was never published even though there are reviews on Amazon. Oh well, at least he debuted — and went out with — a banger.
The first half of this book contained some of the most tension-filled moments I’ve experienced while reading, and the fact that the second half couldn’t possibly measure up (though it comes close at times) did little to lessen my overall feelings for it. Author Martin Schenk does an excellent job showing not just how the Wiley family profited off baby Andromeda’s harrowing ordeal, but the entire town and the media as well. But Andie will teach them all a lesson, even if it takes many years.
I don’t want to add any more to my plot synopsis for fear of spoilers, but just know that this is pretty heavily supernatural, with a number of freaky-as-hell scenes, and not just a domestic thriller or drama about evil parents. It’s very well-written, with a wealth of King-style characters that manage to be despicable yet somewhat sympathetic at the same time. I’d be surprised if this novel has never been optioned by Hollywood, because it seems ready-made. All I know is that I had a hard time putting it down, and read the entire thing in just a couple sittings.
My only real disappointment is that Martin Schenk only wrote one other novel, one that seems to be impossible to get a hold of despite the fact that it supposedly came out just a few years ago. I’m starting to think it was never published even though there are reviews on Amazon. Oh well, at least he debuted — and went out with — a banger.
August 22, 2023
A pretty engrossing read by Schenk that mixes horror, revenge and 'celebrity media' (for lack of a better phrase) in a small town in Kansas. Schenk divides A Small Dark Place into two books of roughly the same length. The first chronicles the trials and tribulations of the Wiley family in Wishbone, Kansas. Peter and Sandra, high school sweethearts, married shortly after graduation and had little Will a few months later. Peter, once envisioned college on a football scholarship while Sandra had been the queen of her high school year; Peter did the 'right thing', however, and they both settled down in Wishbone to make a go of it.
Eight years later, when the book starts, Peter's dream of being an organic farmer on his handful of acres lay in ashes while Sandra becomes consumed by 'what ifs'. They reach rock bottom when the local bank informs them that foreclosure of their property will take place in two weeks. Desperate, Sandra hatches an evil little plan spawned from prior media events. When the 'baby Carlotta' fell down a mine shaft years ago, it became a media sensation and people all around the world sent money and love. What if they could capture that attention with one of their kids? Will, the oldest sibling, they feel could probably hold out for the several days it would take to become a 'cause celebre', but poor little Andromeda, only 5 years old, is terrified of the dark. In the end, Peter finds an appropriate 'hole' and booby traps it to make it hard to get the child out, but unfortunately, it is little Andromeda that falls into it. Book two is all about the return of Andromeda 15 years later.
Enough about the plot and this review has not gone beyond the backflap to avoid spoilers. Schenk really does a masterful job here with the characters; you can feel the desperation of the Wiley family that is so deep they can even contemplate such a fate for one of their children. The shady manager of the bank that bilked the Wiley family on their mortgage to 'get back' at Peter and Sandra; they all went to high school together, but the bank manager was (is) a total dweeb. How various people in Wishbone aided (or not) with the rescue of little Andie and what they did after. Totally believable!
What knocked this down to 3 stars relates to the uneasy mixture of revenge and horror Schenk developed in the second book. Something changed little Andie when she was 96 feet deep in the hole, but what that something was I found unsatisfying. Schenk cooks up some wonderful foo in the second book as well, but I found it just a little too hard to suspend my disbelief. Nonetheless, a very fun tale with some solid characters. The moral dilemma part with the Wiley family I found perhaps the most creepy! 3.5 dark stars!
Eight years later, when the book starts, Peter's dream of being an organic farmer on his handful of acres lay in ashes while Sandra becomes consumed by 'what ifs'. They reach rock bottom when the local bank informs them that foreclosure of their property will take place in two weeks. Desperate, Sandra hatches an evil little plan spawned from prior media events. When the 'baby Carlotta' fell down a mine shaft years ago, it became a media sensation and people all around the world sent money and love. What if they could capture that attention with one of their kids? Will, the oldest sibling, they feel could probably hold out for the several days it would take to become a 'cause celebre', but poor little Andromeda, only 5 years old, is terrified of the dark. In the end, Peter finds an appropriate 'hole' and booby traps it to make it hard to get the child out, but unfortunately, it is little Andromeda that falls into it. Book two is all about the return of Andromeda 15 years later.
Enough about the plot and this review has not gone beyond the backflap to avoid spoilers. Schenk really does a masterful job here with the characters; you can feel the desperation of the Wiley family that is so deep they can even contemplate such a fate for one of their children. The shady manager of the bank that bilked the Wiley family on their mortgage to 'get back' at Peter and Sandra; they all went to high school together, but the bank manager was (is) a total dweeb. How various people in Wishbone aided (or not) with the rescue of little Andie and what they did after. Totally believable!
What knocked this down to 3 stars relates to the uneasy mixture of revenge and horror Schenk developed in the second book. Something changed little Andie when she was 96 feet deep in the hole, but what that something was I found unsatisfying. Schenk cooks up some wonderful foo in the second book as well, but I found it just a little too hard to suspend my disbelief. Nonetheless, a very fun tale with some solid characters. The moral dilemma part with the Wiley family I found perhaps the most creepy! 3.5 dark stars!
June 17, 2015
There's a blurb on the back of this book that describes it pretty well. It says it "mixes horror, revenge & media saturation with some really creepy things underground." Also, personally, it reminded me of a mixture of Carrie & Needful Things, both by Stephen King.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. It definitely kept my attention & I finished it fairly quickly, but towards the end I got hella bored. Overall, I say check it out if you're in the mood for a creepy ass story along with a shit ton of fucked up characters who only care about themselves.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. It definitely kept my attention & I finished it fairly quickly, but towards the end I got hella bored. Overall, I say check it out if you're in the mood for a creepy ass story along with a shit ton of fucked up characters who only care about themselves.
November 1, 2018
This has a really strong start. There are different elements here that all combine to make the first half of this book a strong read. Here, the horror is mostly environmental - being stuck in a town, in a life that you never imagined, and the desperate choice parents make to overcome it. The horror transitions at this point, centered around one of their children. The tension in the first half of the book is tangible, and it had me not wanting to put this down. The hopelessness, the desperation and the fear flow off of the page. The second half loses some steam, but it still is a solid book. The characters are very well written, and the transition of the first half of the book to the second half has a different feel to it, but it still has a quiet, creeping sense of horror to it. I would love to read more by this author.
June 17, 2021
A creepy book by the director of Blast (2000), a movie that I love! Definitely a good horror/suspense novel. Would recommend!
October 26, 2021
In this debut novel, the Wileys, parents of two young children, are unemployed and desperate, fearing that their lives are about to unravel. They decide to win public sympathy and financial support by having one of their children fall down what appears to be an old mine shaft. They even devise obstacles to prolong the sensational rescue effort. But things don't turn out as planned. The wrong child, a girl utterly terrified of the dark, falls down the shaft, and only the bravery of her brother saves her from dying. But something has happened to her, and the look in her eyes is enough to frighten her brother. While her parents prosper, she remains away at a special school. The story then zooms 15 years ahead. The town, reborn as a tourist mecca, wants to throw a parade for Andromeda, by now a creepy but beautiful vamp who intends to use the supernatural powers she gained while underground to destroy anyone (meaning just about everybody) who profited from her suffering
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2019
Creepy and a bit ******-up. I like this book because of its originality. In two parts, this is really like getting two stories in one; the first, very realistically scary, and the second a bit supernatural.
December 31, 2018
This book was given to me by a close friend, he told me that it was one of his favorites and he wanted me to read it and cherish it like he does. We all have books that we read when we were young and something about that book made it stick out to you. That is what this book is to my friend and his influence may or may not influence my review of this book towards the positive.
Actual Rating: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed the book, the writing, character development and plot were all fairly solid I would say the only lacking point of the three was the character development in the second half of the book kind of lagged for the side characters and what happened for the main happened out side of the plot.
A Small Dark Place definitely gave me strong Jennifer's Body vibes and we all know that movies was ahead of its time. The author did a really good job at building the story in the beginning. I found myself really attached to the characters particularly Andie and Will. I would have liked a little bit more explanation for the creepiness of the basement but it did set the mood pretty well and the fact that most of that part of the story was told from a childs POV (either Andie or Will) definitely helped the ooky spooky factor.
The second half of the book seemed to lag a little bit, and I really think it was due to the lack of side character development. The characters did these horrible things in the first half of the book and in the beginning of the second half of the book it seemed no one was effected by their actions. I know that was to set up Andromeda's return but it felt unattached to the first half.
I did however like the ending and the reference to the Andromeda flowers that took over.
Actual Rating: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed the book, the writing, character development and plot were all fairly solid I would say the only lacking point of the three was the character development in the second half of the book kind of lagged for the side characters and what happened for the main happened out side of the plot.
A Small Dark Place definitely gave me strong Jennifer's Body vibes and we all know that movies was ahead of its time. The author did a really good job at building the story in the beginning. I found myself really attached to the characters particularly Andie and Will. I would have liked a little bit more explanation for the creepiness of the basement but it did set the mood pretty well and the fact that most of that part of the story was told from a childs POV (either Andie or Will) definitely helped the ooky spooky factor.
The second half of the book seemed to lag a little bit, and I really think it was due to the lack of side character development. The characters did these horrible things in the first half of the book and in the beginning of the second half of the book it seemed no one was effected by their actions. I know that was to set up Andromeda's return but it felt unattached to the first half.
I did however like the ending and the reference to the Andromeda flowers that took over.
April 15, 2022
I’m not typically a horror fan… though I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as horror… but it was definitely spooky! Some nights I found myself tossing and turning when Andie was stuck in the well because I was so scared for her! Boy did she get her revenge… swiftly and without hesitation! This book was riveting until the very end. Unusual storyline, but somehow I didn’t find it silly. Kind of loved that Sandra met her end in the ground. I loved all the ridiculous characters. Being a Kansan myself, I could certainly see a small town capitalizing on an event like this to generate revenue, so it didn’t seem so far fetched to me other than the whole roots gave me special powers thing, hah! Was a great break from my typical Romance/Dystopian/Contemporary choices.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
I can’t decide if I liked this or not, but I could not put it down. The book is split in 2, with a 15 year gap between the 2.
First, all the grown ups in the first part are despicable, horribly, selfish humans who are all written so well you just want to hate them.
The second part tells of Andromeda’s return and her revenge.
The writing is well paced and suspenseful, and the descriptions of some of the deaths are detailed and unpleasant. But for a bunch of characters I didn’t like, it was a good book.
Not sure about the ending though, and the thing that was in the hole, feels a little anticlimactic. Or I’m just missing something.
Either way, enjoyable and a nice change from my usual reading faire!
First, all the grown ups in the first part are despicable, horribly, selfish humans who are all written so well you just want to hate them.
The second part tells of Andromeda’s return and her revenge.
The writing is well paced and suspenseful, and the descriptions of some of the deaths are detailed and unpleasant. But for a bunch of characters I didn’t like, it was a good book.
Not sure about the ending though, and the thing that was in the hole, feels a little anticlimactic. Or I’m just missing something.
Either way, enjoyable and a nice change from my usual reading faire!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2022
This book will always be so fresh in my brain, not like many other books I’ve read. Creepy as hell, with twisted selfish characters. Seriously the adults in this book need to go to therapy. A gripping book that’s a quick read. If Stephen King wrote this in his style it would’ve gone even crazier.
did-not-finish
January 2, 2024Aaaaand, just like that, we have the first DNF of the year. After 18 pages.
I'm sorry, but the book was published in 1997, not 1897, and there is no reason for the author to not know that human conception does not occur immediately after ejaculation. GTFO!
Next!
I'm sorry, but the book was published in 1997, not 1897, and there is no reason for the author to not know that human conception does not occur immediately after ejaculation. GTFO!
Next!
July 1, 2024
Overall i like the plot and i would read more from this author. It was well paced and it kept me interested in the story. I wish there was some more unpredictability about it and like a good jump scare kinda moment. I also liked that i always felt present with the characters.
April 3, 2021
Like Stephen King without all the extra words. Carrie did it better but Andromeda was great too. Too much explicit sex but I guess it goes with the book.
April 27, 2022
What a wierd wild quirky wild ride. For fans of Stranger Things and set in Kansas. I have no words for what I just read!
April 17, 2024
Even though I really liked the weirdness and suspense of this book; it had a very strange ending. A lot of things were left unexplained which I didn’t love.
April 8, 2025
This book is so good and so creepy! It's not like any other book I've ever read. I remember reading it for the first time at around age 16 and I've loved it ever since. I recently just bought a new copy since I lost mine in a move and will be re-reading it again.
UPDATING my review because I just finished this book for the second time. It was my first time reading it as an adult, and as a mother. Oh man was this a hard one. This book is actually two books in one. One takes place when the main characters are children, the second is when they are grown. I personally liked the first book more- but the adult stories tied it all together. The ending isn't my favorite. Denny is a disgusting pervert that deserves everything that happens to him. These characters are built well and you either love them or hate them deliberately. The story is gut wrenching and creepy.. definitely unique as well.
UPDATING my review because I just finished this book for the second time. It was my first time reading it as an adult, and as a mother. Oh man was this a hard one. This book is actually two books in one. One takes place when the main characters are children, the second is when they are grown. I personally liked the first book more- but the adult stories tied it all together. The ending isn't my favorite. Denny is a disgusting pervert that deserves everything that happens to him. These characters are built well and you either love them or hate them deliberately. The story is gut wrenching and creepy.. definitely unique as well.
February 27, 2008
This book has a unique plot. Two parents, desperate for money and attention, put their little girl in a deep hole, hoping to gain financial help and sympathy. (This was after they saw a story on the news about a little girl who fell in a well and whose plight caused the whole country to send money and help to her family). Of course, the parents' decision has awful consequences...but not the kind you would think. I liked this book a lot!
June 17, 2008
I'm still not sure I really understand what happened at the end of the book - or for that matter, a few places in the middle - but I really liked it. It did get kind of weird at the very end, but the rest of the book made it worth reading.
February 11, 2009
the ending was a bit too climactic but I enjoyed this. well written, very stephen king, as the book jacket says. I felt like the younger Will was more interesting than the older Will. I almost couldn't bring myself to read it because of the author's photo - awful bleached hair.
October 24, 2014
Such a weird, twisted story. Dark and interesting though. Worth checking out if you any kind of horror stories.
August 7, 2008
Creepy.
August 28, 2009
The parents in this story needed to be hauled off to jail for what they did to get sympathy and money.
January 24, 2011
Very bizarre, but interesting.
April 18, 2013
I may be scarred for life... But I'd read it again.
June 23, 2008
awful, scarey
April 13, 2017
Story of Andromeda Wiley and her fall down an old shaft and her life 15 years later. The darkness at the bottom changed her forever.... and maybe not for the better. Wil Wiley, Diane French, and many town characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews