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Hell Hole
Deep in a Wyoming mine, hell awaits. Former cattle driver, Rough Rider and current New York City cop Nat Blackburn is given an offer he can't refuse by President Teddy Roosevelt. Tales of gold in the abandoned mining town of Hecla, in the Deep Rock Hills, abound. The only problem-those who go seeking their fortune never return. Along with his constant companion, Teta, a hired gun with a thirst for adventure, Nat travels to a barren land where even animals dare not tread. But the remnants of Hecla are far from empty. Black-eyed children, strange lights and ferocious wild men venture from the deep, dark mine...as well as a force so sinister, Nat's and Teta's very souls are in jeopardy. There's a mystery in Hecla thousands of years old. Solving it could spell the end of the world.
- GenresHorror
273 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
320 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Shea
66 books1,008 followersHunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 3, 2016
Weird Western/Horror story set in the mining town of Hecla, Wyoming in the early 1900s. The first third of the story was a bit slow and could've benefitted from some editing. When the main characters got to the town, the pace really picked up and was pretty action-packed right up to the end. A good book for those looking for something a little different.
July 12, 2016
I received and advance review copy of this release from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Here it is.
Nat and Teta are tasked by President Teddy Roosevelt to find out what is going on in the town of Helca. Once a thriving copper and gold mine, it is now a ghost town and everyone who lived there or has tried to enter the town has disappeared. Is there gold in them there hills? Is someone trying to keep everyone out and keep the precious metals to themselves or is there something much more sinister going on?
When eerie events start to take place, Nat and Teta realize they may be a bit in over their heads. They are going to need some serious help to figure out this riddle. Enter a beautiful lady, a priest and a giant with special talents with the dead and this one goes to hell quickly. Literally, the gates of hell are open and it is going to take everything these five have to try and get it shut before it is too late.
I enjoyed this one from Hunter Shea. The writing was crisp and clean with engaging and well drawn out characters. The plot moved quickly and the story flowed well. There was a lot going on here and Hunter managed to keep it all in check, while never losing the pace. I look forward to more from Mr. Shea. 3.5+ Stars! Recommended.
Nat and Teta are tasked by President Teddy Roosevelt to find out what is going on in the town of Helca. Once a thriving copper and gold mine, it is now a ghost town and everyone who lived there or has tried to enter the town has disappeared. Is there gold in them there hills? Is someone trying to keep everyone out and keep the precious metals to themselves or is there something much more sinister going on?
When eerie events start to take place, Nat and Teta realize they may be a bit in over their heads. They are going to need some serious help to figure out this riddle. Enter a beautiful lady, a priest and a giant with special talents with the dead and this one goes to hell quickly. Literally, the gates of hell are open and it is going to take everything these five have to try and get it shut before it is too late.
I enjoyed this one from Hunter Shea. The writing was crisp and clean with engaging and well drawn out characters. The plot moved quickly and the story flowed well. There was a lot going on here and Hunter managed to keep it all in check, while never losing the pace. I look forward to more from Mr. Shea. 3.5+ Stars! Recommended.
October 21, 2014
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review via NetGalley.)
Hunter Shea’s latest is a weird west monster mash that finds Nat Blackburn and his compatriot, Teta, two of Teddy Roosevelt’s famed Rough Riders, squaring off against demonic forces in the abandoned mining town of Hecla, Wyoming.
Hecla has a sordid history. There’s gold in them there hills, yet prospectors who venture into town are never heard from again. The entire town has up and disappeared, and the latest in a long line of missing are troops sent by President Roosevelt to investigate. As Nat and Teta discover, Hecla is far from abandoned. In fact, there’s all kinds of life cooped up in the mining veins of Deep Rock Hills. Only thing is, none of it’s human…
The first thing that struck me about Hell Hole is that I imagine Shea had a hell of a good time writing it. There’s a constant sense of fun infused in this off-kilter story, along with a sort of tongue-in-cheek tone that is absolutely essential to the proceedings. While it’s a bit of a grim story, and there is a definite darkness lurking about Hecla, it maintains a proper B-movie level of seriousness, and Shea keeps upping the ante monster-wise, leaving readers to wonder just what in the hell is going on here. The answer, of course, will be left unspoiled here, but I found it to be a terrific reveal as I have a bit of a soft spot for these mythological beasties.
The relationship between Nat and Teta is also really terrific. Shea provides a wonderful backdrop for their friendship and demonstrates on more than one occasion just how true and strong their bond is. Both are old-fashioned gunslingers, in the mold of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, or maybe The Lone Ranger and Tonto, with an intriguing shared history that solidifies their partnership.
My only complaint about Hell Hole is that there seems to be at least one action beat too many, and the middle part of the book feels a bit too drawn out and repetitious. There are two characters, Angus and Mattias, a sort of Wild West ghost-busting duo, who prove vitally important to the climax and I could have done with having them introduced a bit sooner. That said, the finale is a raucous amount of fun, and Shea has a knack for describing some truly strange creatures and demons set to oppose our heroes, with a well-constructed callback to Nat and Teta’s time in the war against the Spaniards as they find themselves neck-deep in a far stranger battle.
This is a fun read to be saddled up with, and I’m hoping we get to see more of Nat and Teta again in the future. Recommended.
Hunter Shea’s latest is a weird west monster mash that finds Nat Blackburn and his compatriot, Teta, two of Teddy Roosevelt’s famed Rough Riders, squaring off against demonic forces in the abandoned mining town of Hecla, Wyoming.
Hecla has a sordid history. There’s gold in them there hills, yet prospectors who venture into town are never heard from again. The entire town has up and disappeared, and the latest in a long line of missing are troops sent by President Roosevelt to investigate. As Nat and Teta discover, Hecla is far from abandoned. In fact, there’s all kinds of life cooped up in the mining veins of Deep Rock Hills. Only thing is, none of it’s human…
The first thing that struck me about Hell Hole is that I imagine Shea had a hell of a good time writing it. There’s a constant sense of fun infused in this off-kilter story, along with a sort of tongue-in-cheek tone that is absolutely essential to the proceedings. While it’s a bit of a grim story, and there is a definite darkness lurking about Hecla, it maintains a proper B-movie level of seriousness, and Shea keeps upping the ante monster-wise, leaving readers to wonder just what in the hell is going on here. The answer, of course, will be left unspoiled here, but I found it to be a terrific reveal as I have a bit of a soft spot for these mythological beasties.
The relationship between Nat and Teta is also really terrific. Shea provides a wonderful backdrop for their friendship and demonstrates on more than one occasion just how true and strong their bond is. Both are old-fashioned gunslingers, in the mold of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, or maybe The Lone Ranger and Tonto, with an intriguing shared history that solidifies their partnership.
My only complaint about Hell Hole is that there seems to be at least one action beat too many, and the middle part of the book feels a bit too drawn out and repetitious. There are two characters, Angus and Mattias, a sort of Wild West ghost-busting duo, who prove vitally important to the climax and I could have done with having them introduced a bit sooner. That said, the finale is a raucous amount of fun, and Shea has a knack for describing some truly strange creatures and demons set to oppose our heroes, with a well-constructed callback to Nat and Teta’s time in the war against the Spaniards as they find themselves neck-deep in a far stranger battle.
This is a fun read to be saddled up with, and I’m hoping we get to see more of Nat and Teta again in the future. Recommended.
October 30, 2019
This is an interesting mix of a weird Western and horror novel. Teddy Roosevelt sends a couple of his former Rough Riders to investigate a Western town where they find Hell on Earth. (Or maybe they're transported to Hell from Earth; that part was kind of ambiguous.) The story and characters are interesting, but it would have been improved a lot by editing sixty or so pages out of a train ride and some running about aimlessly underground. But it was still a fun romp.
December 3, 2014
From the Description:
Deep in a Wyoming mine, hell awaits.
Former cattle driver, Rough Rider and current New York City cop Nat Blackburn is given an offer he can’t refuse by President Teddy Roosevelt. Tales of gold in the abandoned mining town of Hecla, in the Deep Rock Hills, abound. The only problem–those who go seeking their fortune never return.
Along with his constant companion, Teta, a hired gun with a thirst for adventure, Nat travels to a barren land where even animals dare not tread. But the remnants of Hecla are far from empty. Black-eyed children, strange lights and ferocious wild men venture from the deep, dark mine...as well as a force so sinister Nat’s and Teta’s very souls are in jeopardy.
There’s a mystery in Hecla thousands of years old. Solving it could spell the end of the world.
This weird western is a rip-roaring fun fest that has it all! It has everything from black eyed kids and ghosts to djinn and bigfoot. Even the Devil makes an appearance or two as our heros Nat and Teta with a few unexpected friends try to solve the mystery of the ghost town of Hecla for the President. I have to say that Teta was my favorite character. A cowboy who can quote Sir Arthur Connan Doyle and H.G. Wells and is still a crack shot! Some parts of this fast paced story made me laugh out loud and other parts were genuinely creepy. So mosey on over to your book seller and grab a copy of this fun read! 3.5 stars.
Deep in a Wyoming mine, hell awaits.
Former cattle driver, Rough Rider and current New York City cop Nat Blackburn is given an offer he can’t refuse by President Teddy Roosevelt. Tales of gold in the abandoned mining town of Hecla, in the Deep Rock Hills, abound. The only problem–those who go seeking their fortune never return.
Along with his constant companion, Teta, a hired gun with a thirst for adventure, Nat travels to a barren land where even animals dare not tread. But the remnants of Hecla are far from empty. Black-eyed children, strange lights and ferocious wild men venture from the deep, dark mine...as well as a force so sinister Nat’s and Teta’s very souls are in jeopardy.
There’s a mystery in Hecla thousands of years old. Solving it could spell the end of the world.
This weird western is a rip-roaring fun fest that has it all! It has everything from black eyed kids and ghosts to djinn and bigfoot. Even the Devil makes an appearance or two as our heros Nat and Teta with a few unexpected friends try to solve the mystery of the ghost town of Hecla for the President. I have to say that Teta was my favorite character. A cowboy who can quote Sir Arthur Connan Doyle and H.G. Wells and is still a crack shot! Some parts of this fast paced story made me laugh out loud and other parts were genuinely creepy. So mosey on over to your book seller and grab a copy of this fun read! 3.5 stars.
August 1, 2014
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review
Hell Hole is the story of former Rough Rider and current New York City Cop Nat Blackburn and his journey on a mission from his old war pal, President Theodore Roosevelt. The mission is seemingly simple: head to a little town called Hecla in Wyoming. Roosevelt tells Nat that the town was a huge source of copper and other minerals, causing it to explode in growth overnight. However, the copper veins eventually dried up and Hecla collapsed, despite rumors of gold being found in the mines. Not only did the town's prosperity fall apart, but the residents of Hecla disappeared without a trace. Naturally, Nat thinks it is because of something easily explainable like Indians scaring off the settlers, who they see as intruders on their land. Roosevelt dashes that theory when he reports that he sent a troop to investigate and they reported that even the Indians were terrified of the desolate town. To make matters worse, shortly after their report, the squad disappeared without a trace. So, with that, Roosevelt enlists Nat to head to Hecla in order to find out what is going on and how to best extract the gold from the hills for a fledgling United States that desperately needs more wealth. When Nat and his longtime friend Teta arrive in Hecla, it becomes clear that their mission is anything but simple and there is something evil lurking in the abandoned mines of the town.
Shea blends all of the best action elements of the western genre with the sinister edge of horror to create a book that is an absolute blast to read and impossible to put down. What makes all of Hunter's stories so enjoyable is that he does not waste any time bringing you right into the action, giving you a glimpse of the evil waiting deep within Hecla's caves within the very first chapter. Even when we learn the backstories of the characters and the town, there is no lull in the intrigue that drives Hell Hole. By giving a lot of the background from Nat's point of view, these little tidbits are every bit as interesting as the main plot.
The characters in Hell Hole are, simply put, awesome. Nat and Teta are two no-nonsense badasses that forged a life-long friendship during their time in war together fighting Spain. Their friendship feels very realistic and it is obvious that they would literally follow each other to hell and back. What makes them my favorite characters is that despite the adversity they face in Hecla, they not only don't give up, they relish the challenge. There are moments where they are terrified by what they see happening around them, but instead of tucking their tails between their legs and heading home, they use the hardships they encounter as fuel in order to destroy the source of the evil in Hecla.
Not only were the action sequences awesome and highly entertaining, but from a horror standpoint, Hell Hole is everything you could possibly want. I mean the story is jam-packed with a host of horrifying entities including extremely creepy children with black eyes, Bigfoot-esque creatures and others that I don't want to spoil for those who have yet to read the novel. Hell Hole comes with my highest recommendation and is a great starting point for those interested in checking out Hunter's work. This story begs to be up on the big screen, so if by some small chance any movie producers are out there reading this, give Hunter a call!
Hell Hole is the story of former Rough Rider and current New York City Cop Nat Blackburn and his journey on a mission from his old war pal, President Theodore Roosevelt. The mission is seemingly simple: head to a little town called Hecla in Wyoming. Roosevelt tells Nat that the town was a huge source of copper and other minerals, causing it to explode in growth overnight. However, the copper veins eventually dried up and Hecla collapsed, despite rumors of gold being found in the mines. Not only did the town's prosperity fall apart, but the residents of Hecla disappeared without a trace. Naturally, Nat thinks it is because of something easily explainable like Indians scaring off the settlers, who they see as intruders on their land. Roosevelt dashes that theory when he reports that he sent a troop to investigate and they reported that even the Indians were terrified of the desolate town. To make matters worse, shortly after their report, the squad disappeared without a trace. So, with that, Roosevelt enlists Nat to head to Hecla in order to find out what is going on and how to best extract the gold from the hills for a fledgling United States that desperately needs more wealth. When Nat and his longtime friend Teta arrive in Hecla, it becomes clear that their mission is anything but simple and there is something evil lurking in the abandoned mines of the town.
Shea blends all of the best action elements of the western genre with the sinister edge of horror to create a book that is an absolute blast to read and impossible to put down. What makes all of Hunter's stories so enjoyable is that he does not waste any time bringing you right into the action, giving you a glimpse of the evil waiting deep within Hecla's caves within the very first chapter. Even when we learn the backstories of the characters and the town, there is no lull in the intrigue that drives Hell Hole. By giving a lot of the background from Nat's point of view, these little tidbits are every bit as interesting as the main plot.
The characters in Hell Hole are, simply put, awesome. Nat and Teta are two no-nonsense badasses that forged a life-long friendship during their time in war together fighting Spain. Their friendship feels very realistic and it is obvious that they would literally follow each other to hell and back. What makes them my favorite characters is that despite the adversity they face in Hecla, they not only don't give up, they relish the challenge. There are moments where they are terrified by what they see happening around them, but instead of tucking their tails between their legs and heading home, they use the hardships they encounter as fuel in order to destroy the source of the evil in Hecla.
Not only were the action sequences awesome and highly entertaining, but from a horror standpoint, Hell Hole is everything you could possibly want. I mean the story is jam-packed with a host of horrifying entities including extremely creepy children with black eyes, Bigfoot-esque creatures and others that I don't want to spoil for those who have yet to read the novel. Hell Hole comes with my highest recommendation and is a great starting point for those interested in checking out Hunter's work. This story begs to be up on the big screen, so if by some small chance any movie producers are out there reading this, give Hunter a call!
July 6, 2014
This horror/western mashes the best of both genres into an action-packed thrill ride in a haunted town at the gate of Hell. The mix of fiction and real history is the perfect balance to keep you wondering how much of this story is real, including a cameo by Theodore Roosevelt. Hunter Shea demonstrates his continued mastery of terrifying adventure and victims’ grisly demise. If you haven’t read any of his books, there’s no better place to start than here.
April 29, 2018
I am a huge fan of Shea’s books and this one is no different. I loved all the different creatures we were given in this novel. I’m a huge bigfoot fan, black eyed kids are creepy and i’m fascinated by the Djin. One of the things that shocked me the most is how he makes you actually feel bad for the black eyed children. I never thought that was possible. I love the historical setting of the novel and the main characters. I would very much enjoy seeing another story with Nat and Teta. Over all, this was a very action-packed and fun read.
September 24, 2019
Neat
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I didn't know what to expect being from a smaller publisher, but it was actually a good yarn. Well written and an interesting concept. Somewhat scary in parts, but to me, it was more interesting and intriguing. If you like your cowboy stories with a hint of paranormal, you will like this.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I didn't know what to expect being from a smaller publisher, but it was actually a good yarn. Well written and an interesting concept. Somewhat scary in parts, but to me, it was more interesting and intriguing. If you like your cowboy stories with a hint of paranormal, you will like this.
October 31, 2014
Hunter Shea is an atmospheric artist in Hell Hole. His complete grasp of imagery, pacing, dialogue and how they play off of one another is in full force. From the descriptions of the characters, down to the barren dustbowl of a ghost town, everything comes alive on these pages.
It’s easy to get involved with the duo of Nat and Teta as their unwavering relationship is explored enough to get a full understanding of how deep their friendship runs. While the main character is Nat, he just doesn’t seem complete without Teta Delacruz there.
As the two companions, and the reader, experience the horrors of the town and wonder just what in the world Teddy Roosevelt was thinking sending them in, complications enter the equation in the name of Selma. She lost her husband in these mines and she means to know what happened and will not take no for an answer. The dynamic between the three is something that comes off really well. Nat Blackburn and Selma each are missing pieces of their life that are fulfilled when around each other.
While all the atmosphere is chilling to read, and Hunter Shea does a fantastic job drawing you into the old west, it started to come off the rails a bit towards the middle when two more characters, Matthias and Angus, come into play. These two characters play such an important role in the finale that I felt it stole the thunder away from the build up of the primary characters and town. It just seemed that the character development and incredible imagery took a back seat to these guys and, while it was still well written, didn’t seem to pack as much of a punch.
The finale was action packed and exciting with moments of sadness and mental anguish, and as usual, Hunter Shea is able to convey many things going on at once with minimal effort and not leave you wanting for a better description. He uses the language to full effect in trying to rip your heart out.
The Bottom Line: Did Hunter Shea enjoy writing this novel? Hell yes he did. It showed! Of all the work I’ve read of his, the sheer amount of detail to character and pacing and atmosphere has come through in this novel than in his other. I enjoyed the little nod given to his previous work, The Montauk Monster as well. It’s Halloween as of posting time, so enjoy a dance with the devil tonight with Hell Hole! Just click the cover above and snag a copy today!
Don't take this 3 star review as it being a bad book, it's not.....but I'm forced to give it a star rating and for me it's damn near impossible, on my site I don't do the rating thing.
It’s easy to get involved with the duo of Nat and Teta as their unwavering relationship is explored enough to get a full understanding of how deep their friendship runs. While the main character is Nat, he just doesn’t seem complete without Teta Delacruz there.
As the two companions, and the reader, experience the horrors of the town and wonder just what in the world Teddy Roosevelt was thinking sending them in, complications enter the equation in the name of Selma. She lost her husband in these mines and she means to know what happened and will not take no for an answer. The dynamic between the three is something that comes off really well. Nat Blackburn and Selma each are missing pieces of their life that are fulfilled when around each other.
While all the atmosphere is chilling to read, and Hunter Shea does a fantastic job drawing you into the old west, it started to come off the rails a bit towards the middle when two more characters, Matthias and Angus, come into play. These two characters play such an important role in the finale that I felt it stole the thunder away from the build up of the primary characters and town. It just seemed that the character development and incredible imagery took a back seat to these guys and, while it was still well written, didn’t seem to pack as much of a punch.
The finale was action packed and exciting with moments of sadness and mental anguish, and as usual, Hunter Shea is able to convey many things going on at once with minimal effort and not leave you wanting for a better description. He uses the language to full effect in trying to rip your heart out.
The Bottom Line: Did Hunter Shea enjoy writing this novel? Hell yes he did. It showed! Of all the work I’ve read of his, the sheer amount of detail to character and pacing and atmosphere has come through in this novel than in his other. I enjoyed the little nod given to his previous work, The Montauk Monster as well. It’s Halloween as of posting time, so enjoy a dance with the devil tonight with Hell Hole! Just click the cover above and snag a copy today!
Don't take this 3 star review as it being a bad book, it's not.....but I'm forced to give it a star rating and for me it's damn near impossible, on my site I don't do the rating thing.
September 23, 2014
I would seriously like to peek inside author Hunter Shea’s head. Seriously, I would. I want to see the bizarre and wondrous landscape that is his brain. It must be a sight to see because it comes up with some crazy-fun horror ideas. Take Shea’s latest release, HELL HOLE; part western, part horror, but all fun, this thrilling tale will take you on a joyride into darkness you won’t ever forget.
‘Wildly imaginative’ is the phrase that keeps popping up in my mind when I think about this book. I mentioned Shea’s impressive imagination in my review of one of his earlier novels, SINISTER ENTITY, last year, and I’m happy to report that nothing seems to have changed. His mind is still coming up with inventive ways to scare his readers.
HELL HOLE is written well and chocked full of creepy, gory goodness. As with his previous work, Shea keeps the impressive metaphors flowing as the plot unfolds. Here is an example: “I was about to say something when a deep, chest-rumbling blast of noise ripped the morning in two.” This sentence is a great sample of how well Shea can convey a lot of action and description with minimal effort.
The characters in HELL HOLE are believable and fleshed out well. Likewise, so are the antagonists (I will not go into detail so as to keep the surprise alive). I particularly like how Shea manages to make his cast damaged but likable.
The story is fresh and original, a nice gust of wind across a mottled plain of overdone western horror concepts. Just when you think you know what’s going on in the story, Shea changes gears and redirects, making you rethink what you thought you knew. I love this aspect of his storytelling, as it keeps me on my toes.
HELL HOLE is a major win for me, and it’s another horrifying feather in Hunter Shea’s cap. I can’t wait to see what other slimy horrors crawl out of that mind of his. HELL HOLE is available now in a variety of formats, so be sure and get your copy today.
‘Wildly imaginative’ is the phrase that keeps popping up in my mind when I think about this book. I mentioned Shea’s impressive imagination in my review of one of his earlier novels, SINISTER ENTITY, last year, and I’m happy to report that nothing seems to have changed. His mind is still coming up with inventive ways to scare his readers.
HELL HOLE is written well and chocked full of creepy, gory goodness. As with his previous work, Shea keeps the impressive metaphors flowing as the plot unfolds. Here is an example: “I was about to say something when a deep, chest-rumbling blast of noise ripped the morning in two.” This sentence is a great sample of how well Shea can convey a lot of action and description with minimal effort.
The characters in HELL HOLE are believable and fleshed out well. Likewise, so are the antagonists (I will not go into detail so as to keep the surprise alive). I particularly like how Shea manages to make his cast damaged but likable.
The story is fresh and original, a nice gust of wind across a mottled plain of overdone western horror concepts. Just when you think you know what’s going on in the story, Shea changes gears and redirects, making you rethink what you thought you knew. I love this aspect of his storytelling, as it keeps me on my toes.
HELL HOLE is a major win for me, and it’s another horrifying feather in Hunter Shea’s cap. I can’t wait to see what other slimy horrors crawl out of that mind of his. HELL HOLE is available now in a variety of formats, so be sure and get your copy today.
October 16, 2014
Ever since I read Hunter Shea's Sinister Entity, I've become a creepy fan girl and have vowed to read everything he ever writes. He already knows I'm stalking him, so it's all good! *insert evil laugh*
As with all of Hunter's books, one of Hell Hole's strengths is its characters. They're living, breathing people with back stories that make them three dimensional. Nat and Teta's personalities, as well as their unbreakable friendship, solidified both of them inside my head, even long after the story ended. Witnessing them deal with some of the horrific twists and turns in the book sped my heart rate since I'd come to care about them.
And speaking of the horrific twists and turns, there were plenty of WTF moments and bursts of speed-reading to quickly find out what happened next. The very beginning, however, plodded along for several chapters, and while I understand the need to give the story a foundation to stand on, there were several instances where I wondered if this scene or that progressed the story and if it was really needed. But when Nat and Teta finally reach their destination, the book really got moving.
If you're in the mood for a creepy story to put you in the Halloween mood (which should be celebrated all year long), this would be a good place to start. Then you can be a Hunter Shea creepy fan girl with me!
As with all of Hunter's books, one of Hell Hole's strengths is its characters. They're living, breathing people with back stories that make them three dimensional. Nat and Teta's personalities, as well as their unbreakable friendship, solidified both of them inside my head, even long after the story ended. Witnessing them deal with some of the horrific twists and turns in the book sped my heart rate since I'd come to care about them.
And speaking of the horrific twists and turns, there were plenty of WTF moments and bursts of speed-reading to quickly find out what happened next. The very beginning, however, plodded along for several chapters, and while I understand the need to give the story a foundation to stand on, there were several instances where I wondered if this scene or that progressed the story and if it was really needed. But when Nat and Teta finally reach their destination, the book really got moving.
If you're in the mood for a creepy story to put you in the Halloween mood (which should be celebrated all year long), this would be a good place to start. Then you can be a Hunter Shea creepy fan girl with me!
December 6, 2014
The mines were the heart of Hecla, the reason for it ever being a town. I guess I just wanted to see if the heart was as dead as the rest of the body. In this place, death was everywhere. I could feel it in my gut, taste it in my mouth with every breath.
HELL HOLE by Hunter Shea is a gripping sci-fi thriller set mostly in the wild west spiced with humor and history! I discovered Hunter Shea's writing when I won an audible of SWAMP MONSTER MASSACRE in a contest just before Halloween. I loved it! (You can see my review of SWAMP MONSTER MASSACRE here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...) I was so excited to be offered the opportunity to read/review HELL HOLE as the description of HELL HOLE fascinated me with Teddy Roosevelt and the western setting. It did not disappoint!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 1/2 Wine Glasses!
HELL HOLE by Hunter Shea is a gripping sci-fi thriller set mostly in the wild west spiced with humor and history! I discovered Hunter Shea's writing when I won an audible of SWAMP MONSTER MASSACRE in a contest just before Halloween. I loved it! (You can see my review of SWAMP MONSTER MASSACRE here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...) I was so excited to be offered the opportunity to read/review HELL HOLE as the description of HELL HOLE fascinated me with Teddy Roosevelt and the western setting. It did not disappoint!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 1/2 Wine Glasses!
July 25, 2015
HELL HOLE is a fun horror thriller set in the Wild West of early 20th century Montana. Hunter Shea's usual smooth reading prose is present here, making this book an easy, enjoyable read from first page to the last. Teddy Roosevelt personally sends two men he served with in the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War to the town of Helca to investigate the disappearance of a group of US troops previously sent there. The troops were looking for reported gold to fill the national coffers in the mines of this long-abandoned town. The narrator of the tale, Nat, is a fifty-ish soldier and cowboy, and his partner Teta, is a mercenary he met i during the war. The two look for an explanation as to the missing soldiers and possible gold, but they find things that cannot be easily explained. They are joined by a cast of interesting supporting players including a widow of a missing miner, an itinerant preacher and a man who can talk to the dead. The action is swift and entertaining, though the supernatural elements become a bit over the top, and the resolution is satisfying.
November 19, 2014
Hell Hole is a great horror western. Period! I've been a fan of Mr. Shea's work since I read Forest of Shadows. This one has a ton of depth and gives the reader the satisfaction that they are in the old west. A wonderful cast of characters that become like old friends who you root for. Oh, and hold on to your seat because this one grows in intensity and craziness as you turn the pages. Shea really let his imagination loose with this one, the novel is chocked full of monsters and very cool, inventive ones at that. You'll definitely be turning the pages of this one long into the night. I highly recommend this one!!!!
January 19, 2015
Terrible. Almost unreadably dull, with ridiculous dialog and mind-numbingly stupid resolution. The writer uses words without knowing what they mean ("elk tusks"?!) and spends 10% of the book describing a meaningless train ride without any bearing on the story at all.
Garbage.
Garbage.
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