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Haven of Evil
After floodwaters destroyed Kevin and Sandra Wilson’s home, Kevin’s mother-in-law, Katherine Ford, referred him to Marge Crabtree, a rental agent who had a house for rent in a town called Havenville. On their way to meet with Marge Crabtree, Kevin swerved his car to keep from hitting a mysterious elderly woman who was standing in the road.
Settled in his new home, Kevin decided to go on a walk to check out his new neighborhood one day. He saw the elderly woman he had almost hit a week earlier. He followed her and came upon a hill. He climbed the hill and was attacked by hawks. Battling off the birds, he fell down the hill and got his leg caught in an animal trap near a cemetery. An elderly man named Walter Morris stumbled upon him. The man drove him home. Inside the house, Kevin was pushed into a room by an unseen force. He heard a demonic-sounding voice while inside the room. He assumed the voice wasn’t real and thought he was going insane.
During the following weeks, Kevin was visited by an evil entity who wanted him dead, people close to him and Sandra became victims of unexplained deaths, and Sandra went mad with murderous intentions. He would soon learn disturbing secrets about the mysterious elderly woman, Marge Crabtree, Walter Morris, and the evil that resided inside the house.
Settled in his new home, Kevin decided to go on a walk to check out his new neighborhood one day. He saw the elderly woman he had almost hit a week earlier. He followed her and came upon a hill. He climbed the hill and was attacked by hawks. Battling off the birds, he fell down the hill and got his leg caught in an animal trap near a cemetery. An elderly man named Walter Morris stumbled upon him. The man drove him home. Inside the house, Kevin was pushed into a room by an unseen force. He heard a demonic-sounding voice while inside the room. He assumed the voice wasn’t real and thought he was going insane.
During the following weeks, Kevin was visited by an evil entity who wanted him dead, people close to him and Sandra became victims of unexplained deaths, and Sandra went mad with murderous intentions. He would soon learn disturbing secrets about the mysterious elderly woman, Marge Crabtree, Walter Morris, and the evil that resided inside the house.
- GenresHorror
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2014
1 person is currently reading
502 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 16, 2015
The battle of good versus evil is that classic subject that all horror writers take on during their careers. It’s the topic that we all think about at some point in our own lives, and sometimes keeps us up at night. It’s the “what if” question because we all have fears, especially of the unknown.
After losing their home to a flood, Kevin and Sandra are in dire need of a place to live. For them, it is not to be happily ever after in their newly found house because something unknown and unseen already resides there. The young couple is warned to stay away by an old lady encountered suddenly in the road as they prepare to move in, but who is the lady and how did she suddenly appear? To say more much would begin to ruin the story, so I’ll just say that the lady is not the only one who will give warning to our couple. Of course, if they listened, then the story would be over.
This is a fairly short book, and I feel that the author is testing the waters with this tale of evil incarnate. I would like to have seen a more fully fleshed out plot and characters, but sometimes shorter stories are meant to be just that. They give us a scare and make us lose some sleep. I hope to see Rivers as an up and coming writer in years ahead. He is a writer working out his craft of the macabre. He also has couple of other small books I plan to check out, so I look forward to seeing the stories they tell.
After losing their home to a flood, Kevin and Sandra are in dire need of a place to live. For them, it is not to be happily ever after in their newly found house because something unknown and unseen already resides there. The young couple is warned to stay away by an old lady encountered suddenly in the road as they prepare to move in, but who is the lady and how did she suddenly appear? To say more much would begin to ruin the story, so I’ll just say that the lady is not the only one who will give warning to our couple. Of course, if they listened, then the story would be over.
This is a fairly short book, and I feel that the author is testing the waters with this tale of evil incarnate. I would like to have seen a more fully fleshed out plot and characters, but sometimes shorter stories are meant to be just that. They give us a scare and make us lose some sleep. I hope to see Rivers as an up and coming writer in years ahead. He is a writer working out his craft of the macabre. He also has couple of other small books I plan to check out, so I look forward to seeing the stories they tell.
October 1, 2015
When Kevin and Sandra lose their home to a flood they are forced to stay in a motel. Sandra's mother gives them the name of a friend in real estate to try to find a new place to rent. Having lost his job also due to the flood, Kevin tells Mrs. Crabtree that they will take whatever she has available. The couple soon find themselves in Havenville in a home that seems to have more issues than a little handy work can take care of.
Having read a lot of horror novels and watched a lot of horror movies I found the story good but not surprising or new. It really didn't remind me of anything specific but I also found myself kind of thinking I knew what was coming long before it happened.
I thought this was still a good read but I'd also like to have the characters a bit more fleshed out and a bit more depth to the story line. The book is fairly short and I think with adding a bit more description to it I might have become a bit more attached to the story going on. The conversations didn't have quite the natural feel some times as I would be wondering what the emotions were at the time. More depth would bring more life to each interaction for me.
Overall, a somewhat average but still good horror story. Will be checking out more by Melvin Rivers soon.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Having read a lot of horror novels and watched a lot of horror movies I found the story good but not surprising or new. It really didn't remind me of anything specific but I also found myself kind of thinking I knew what was coming long before it happened.
I thought this was still a good read but I'd also like to have the characters a bit more fleshed out and a bit more depth to the story line. The book is fairly short and I think with adding a bit more description to it I might have become a bit more attached to the story going on. The conversations didn't have quite the natural feel some times as I would be wondering what the emotions were at the time. More depth would bring more life to each interaction for me.
Overall, a somewhat average but still good horror story. Will be checking out more by Melvin Rivers soon.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
August 23, 2016
Kevin and Sandra move into a new house after a flood destroys their home. The new house they move into is not all it seems to be. Along with the many fix ups that it needs, comes a terrible past. This past comes to haunt Kevin and Sandra. Bodies begin to pile up, voices are heard in the house, and they become suspects. What is the real truth about this house?
I was really excited about this book. A good scary book is what I was expecting, but sadly it is not what I got. It had the makings of a good book because the story was good, but the writing was lacking. It was not very descriptive and so the scare factor wasn't there. All this crazy stuff is happening and and the house is obviously sinister, but I didn't get scared. It honestly felt like I was reading a script. It was emotionless. I hate giving bad reviews, but this book was nothing like it seemed in the synopsis....Stormi
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I was really excited about this book. A good scary book is what I was expecting, but sadly it is not what I got. It had the makings of a good book because the story was good, but the writing was lacking. It was not very descriptive and so the scare factor wasn't there. All this crazy stuff is happening and and the house is obviously sinister, but I didn't get scared. It honestly felt like I was reading a script. It was emotionless. I hate giving bad reviews, but this book was nothing like it seemed in the synopsis....Stormi
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March 7, 2016
I would describe the story of this book as containing elements of traditional horror, such as a haunted house, demons, the devil, etc. So when I began reading I wasn’t too sure what to expect, this could be full of clichés, or I might really enjoy it. I’m glad to say it was the latter and I really enjoyed it. It’s hard to describe, but the story manages to maintain a steady level of creepiness throughout.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good scare!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good scare!
October 14, 2016
I’m always game to read another supernatural horror story. This sounded like a good one.
A couple moves to an isolated house. They’re unaware it has a history. Something waits for them, biding it’s time. And the terror begins when Kevin goes into the basement. Guess he doesn’t know about the rules of horror.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? It is. It has an eerie atmosphere, some odd character’s to make you wonder, and a truly nasty entity up to no good.
I did have an issue with the main protagonist, Kevin. He kept secrets from his wife, Sandra. I don’t get why men keep secrets to supposedly protect us women. Maybe if Kevin had told Sandra what was occurring, she might have been better prepared for what came after her.
The author mentions that some will live and some will die. Ooh, I love it when I hear that. It adds a level of suspense when you don’t know if the character or characters you’ve connected with will survive.
This is a creepy story for a late night read. Alone. During a storm. LOL
I received this book free of charge from the author.
A couple moves to an isolated house. They’re unaware it has a history. Something waits for them, biding it’s time. And the terror begins when Kevin goes into the basement. Guess he doesn’t know about the rules of horror.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? It is. It has an eerie atmosphere, some odd character’s to make you wonder, and a truly nasty entity up to no good.
I did have an issue with the main protagonist, Kevin. He kept secrets from his wife, Sandra. I don’t get why men keep secrets to supposedly protect us women. Maybe if Kevin had told Sandra what was occurring, she might have been better prepared for what came after her.
The author mentions that some will live and some will die. Ooh, I love it when I hear that. It adds a level of suspense when you don’t know if the character or characters you’ve connected with will survive.
This is a creepy story for a late night read. Alone. During a storm. LOL
I received this book free of charge from the author.
September 9, 2016
I have to admit this book was downright creepy and scary. I loved it!! My advice do not read it late at night.
Sandy and Kevin lost their home in a flood and have been living very unhappily in a motel. Sandy's Mother gives them a name of an old friend to check with about a house. Kevin makes the call and after basically begging and pleading she offers them a house.
Kevin and Sandy relocate 80 miles away to move into their new home. Before they even get to the house weird things start happening in their new town. Weird becomes so much worse very quickly. People can be evil but can a house?
Sandy and Kevin lost their home in a flood and have been living very unhappily in a motel. Sandy's Mother gives them a name of an old friend to check with about a house. Kevin makes the call and after basically begging and pleading she offers them a house.
Kevin and Sandy relocate 80 miles away to move into their new home. Before they even get to the house weird things start happening in their new town. Weird becomes so much worse very quickly. People can be evil but can a house?
October 26, 2016
've been a fan of haunted house films and books ever since I saw the 1986 horror-comedy House when I was a kid. Naturally, I became interested in reading Haven of Evil. With a creepy cover art, and of course with Halloween just around the corner, I eagerly sat down and read Haven of Evil with a cup of coffee nearby.
The plot here is pretty simple with a couple, Kevin and Sandra Wilson, moving into an old house. Of course weird things occur, making them believe there's some kind of evil force in their home.
Though the novel is intended for adults, I felt the book is written more for young adults. Not that that's a bad a thing. I still occasionally like reading YA horror books, and Haven of Evil just felt like it was written in the same style as those.
The author, Melvin Rivers, does a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere with interesting characters and intriguing dialogue. The only downside I found is with the lack of vivid descriptions which is always crucial to any good horror novel.
Overall, Haven of Evil is a cliched, but entertaining horror novel that I enjoyed reading.
The plot here is pretty simple with a couple, Kevin and Sandra Wilson, moving into an old house. Of course weird things occur, making them believe there's some kind of evil force in their home.
Though the novel is intended for adults, I felt the book is written more for young adults. Not that that's a bad a thing. I still occasionally like reading YA horror books, and Haven of Evil just felt like it was written in the same style as those.
The author, Melvin Rivers, does a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere with interesting characters and intriguing dialogue. The only downside I found is with the lack of vivid descriptions which is always crucial to any good horror novel.
Overall, Haven of Evil is a cliched, but entertaining horror novel that I enjoyed reading.
July 1, 2016
Haven of Evil by Melvin Rivers is a dark and intriguing story. This book reminded me of Unfortunate Events. It seems like one destructive thing happens after another to this one family. A flood destroying their home and previous jobs. Then, there's the crappy hotel living situation they are stuck in until the husband's new job starts. A job that will start within a week. The wife is waiting and hoping that her raise finally comes in so that she can help her family's living situation. The husband is so desperate for his family to move out of the hotel room, they e makes a bargain with a real estate lady. He waivers...but what he doesn't know is that the home he and his family will live in is full of evilness. Nothing good will come of their arrival to the house. An evilness that of unthinkable portions happens to be in their new home. What comes of the family and their lives is one that readers will enjoy reading for themselves. Suspenseful, edgy, and well-told. Overall, I highly recommend Haven of Evil to readers everywhere.
July 20, 2016
Faith, believing in something so much that it protects you or having the courage to face any darkness. This book has a great metaphor for Faith. I was captured by the story almost from the first. The author manages to use creative suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what surprise is coming next. The way the chapters were numbered were off and I felt the ending could have been drawn out more for full impact but I enjoyed this story. Based on content I recommend this book for mature audiences and rate this story 4 hearts. I am an independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.
September 20, 2015
This book gave me chills. I felt for the family a little but having to start over but I was pulled into the story and it was very good. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
July 18, 2016
Not a very good read. In fact I didn't even finish it as I could not get into the story. The characters were very two dimensional and never came across as genuine. Sorry. Others may enjoy it, so don't let my review put you off.
September 20, 2015
Great book full of danger and suspense. A must read for all who love to read suspense books.
http://www.amazon.com/Haven-Evil-Melv...
http://www.amazon.com/Haven-Evil-Melv...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews