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Tressie 1: Demon Born in Blood
Whether living or dead, whether in heaven or in hell, a mother will do anything to avenge her only child.
More than 40 years ago, Tressie Stafford’s daughter, Trina, was raped and killed by a gang of boys. Tressie was framed for her murder. In Griffin’s Peak Prison for Women, she was tortured, tormented and brutalized. Then, she was viciously executed. That was supposed to be the end of it. But they were wrong.
It's here.
The haunting echoes of her screams are only the beginning.
A terrifying demon, born in blood, has arisen.
More than 40 years ago, Tressie Stafford’s daughter, Trina, was raped and killed by a gang of boys. Tressie was framed for her murder. In Griffin’s Peak Prison for Women, she was tortured, tormented and brutalized. Then, she was viciously executed. That was supposed to be the end of it. But they were wrong.
It's here.
The haunting echoes of her screams are only the beginning.
A terrifying demon, born in blood, has arisen.
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First published June 27, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 29, 2014
Fear the things that go bump in the night, but you should also fear a society that treat humans as animals, worse than animals. This is the life Tressie and her daughter Trina faced in the small town of Griffin’s Peak. This community did not treat people who were like Tressie well. With the rich perched high on a mountain top and the poor at the bottom, they shoved the mentally challenged out to the river beds to sleep in shacks that are falling down around them.
Another perk that the rich had in this town was the sheriff, who would change the laws and tweak the outcome of trials so the rich can continue on their selfish ways while the less than humans take the blame and torture for a crime they did not commit.
Tressie and Trina both had difficulty speaking and would walk the streets looking for something to eat. Never meaning to bother anyone they stayed to themselves and just survived the best they could. One night evil came to their door and left Tressie shattered and broken, and now labeled a murderer. Being sentenced to death because of the crooked law torture isn’t even a strong enough word for what happen to her before death.
Once high society had decided they have accomplished their goal and had gotten rid of the embarrassment of Tressie, the story really begins to take a shift in horror. Tressie isn’t done seeking the revenge she deserves. With strange things happening, screams heard across the town and shadows lurking in the dark, the community become the ones who are stalked.
I will admit there were times in this short book that I had to put it down and focus on something happier. I had a very difficult time reading about the evil horrors done to Tressie and Trina and I don’t mind saying that I am still a bit spooked now. While the book was not a long one and it did feel rushed in some scenes, after giving it some thought, even with the rushed feel, I am not sure giving us more would have benefited the story. What the author did offer was enough to create a nightmarish scene in my mind and leave me feeling not only outraged but devastated at how people treated Tressie and Trina. It will be a long while before I forget this story and the emotions it brought to the surface in my heart.
This is NOT for the faint of heart or those looking for a fluffy read. I love dark and twisted but this is in a category all of its own. This will leave you wondering how human beings can be so heartless, so evil and it also gave me pause to think about Karma and the spirit of those who have been sent to the other side unjustly. I know there is a second book out continuing Tressie’s story and while I want to know what happens because the story is that good, I think I will need to take a little time to recover from this one and stop jumping every time I feel a cold breeze or hear an odd sound. The author really did a brilliant job at bringing horror to life with her words.
*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
Another perk that the rich had in this town was the sheriff, who would change the laws and tweak the outcome of trials so the rich can continue on their selfish ways while the less than humans take the blame and torture for a crime they did not commit.
Tressie and Trina both had difficulty speaking and would walk the streets looking for something to eat. Never meaning to bother anyone they stayed to themselves and just survived the best they could. One night evil came to their door and left Tressie shattered and broken, and now labeled a murderer. Being sentenced to death because of the crooked law torture isn’t even a strong enough word for what happen to her before death.
Once high society had decided they have accomplished their goal and had gotten rid of the embarrassment of Tressie, the story really begins to take a shift in horror. Tressie isn’t done seeking the revenge she deserves. With strange things happening, screams heard across the town and shadows lurking in the dark, the community become the ones who are stalked.
I will admit there were times in this short book that I had to put it down and focus on something happier. I had a very difficult time reading about the evil horrors done to Tressie and Trina and I don’t mind saying that I am still a bit spooked now. While the book was not a long one and it did feel rushed in some scenes, after giving it some thought, even with the rushed feel, I am not sure giving us more would have benefited the story. What the author did offer was enough to create a nightmarish scene in my mind and leave me feeling not only outraged but devastated at how people treated Tressie and Trina. It will be a long while before I forget this story and the emotions it brought to the surface in my heart.
This is NOT for the faint of heart or those looking for a fluffy read. I love dark and twisted but this is in a category all of its own. This will leave you wondering how human beings can be so heartless, so evil and it also gave me pause to think about Karma and the spirit of those who have been sent to the other side unjustly. I know there is a second book out continuing Tressie’s story and while I want to know what happens because the story is that good, I think I will need to take a little time to recover from this one and stop jumping every time I feel a cold breeze or hear an odd sound. The author really did a brilliant job at bringing horror to life with her words.
*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
December 31, 2014
First I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.
Before I start my review, a tip for future readers. Do NOT read this book at night, while everyone else is asleep. You will be ready to hide under the covers and/or wake everyone in the house to ease your fear. Yes, this book creeped me out that much. I love scary stories, horror movies and ghost tours and if I feel my body tighten up with anxiety, it means it's a good one.
For a novella, this book really packs in the horror factor. Starting off, the story centers around a mentally challenged woman and the death of her equally disabled daughter. A deadly cover up of the true nature of girls death ensues culminating with the execution of the mother. After this, the town starts to hear screams in the night. This is a town with lots of hidden secrets and one of the biggest is trying to be heard.
So much is unsaid in this book, but your imagination quickly fills in the blanks. I honestly haven't been this spooked by a book since I read Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown by Ryan Buell. While reading that, my imagination really kicked into full gear. I'm hoping that tonight I'm able to get a good nights sleep without the side effects of dreaming of demons and such.
This book has murder, cover ups, paranormal investigators, conspiracy, shadows, cold spots, fire and death by electric chair gone worse than one could ever imagine. Tressie is ready to avenge the death of her daughter and bring everyone to their knees. People will be begging for mercy and there will be blood spilled. If it wasn't for having to be up in 4 hours for work, I'd be nose deep in the next book in the series, Tressie: A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge - Book 2.
I recommend this to anyone who likes to read horror stories. You will be drawn immediately into this book and come up for air only either once you are done, or if the unease gets the best of you. It takes a brilliant storyteller to draw one in and make them frightened in the short time this author does. I look forward to reading more from this writer and I hope he keeps on terrifying me.
Before I start my review, a tip for future readers. Do NOT read this book at night, while everyone else is asleep. You will be ready to hide under the covers and/or wake everyone in the house to ease your fear. Yes, this book creeped me out that much. I love scary stories, horror movies and ghost tours and if I feel my body tighten up with anxiety, it means it's a good one.
For a novella, this book really packs in the horror factor. Starting off, the story centers around a mentally challenged woman and the death of her equally disabled daughter. A deadly cover up of the true nature of girls death ensues culminating with the execution of the mother. After this, the town starts to hear screams in the night. This is a town with lots of hidden secrets and one of the biggest is trying to be heard.
So much is unsaid in this book, but your imagination quickly fills in the blanks. I honestly haven't been this spooked by a book since I read Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown by Ryan Buell. While reading that, my imagination really kicked into full gear. I'm hoping that tonight I'm able to get a good nights sleep without the side effects of dreaming of demons and such.
This book has murder, cover ups, paranormal investigators, conspiracy, shadows, cold spots, fire and death by electric chair gone worse than one could ever imagine. Tressie is ready to avenge the death of her daughter and bring everyone to their knees. People will be begging for mercy and there will be blood spilled. If it wasn't for having to be up in 4 hours for work, I'd be nose deep in the next book in the series, Tressie: A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge - Book 2.
I recommend this to anyone who likes to read horror stories. You will be drawn immediately into this book and come up for air only either once you are done, or if the unease gets the best of you. It takes a brilliant storyteller to draw one in and make them frightened in the short time this author does. I look forward to reading more from this writer and I hope he keeps on terrifying me.
August 22, 2014
This is the first book in a set of at least two. They are both more of a novella length, and the first one ends in a major cliffhanger.
Tressie is a mentally disabled woman who lives on the fringe of society in her town. She cares as best as she can for her daughter who is also mentally challenged, but they still live in a shack with holes in the roof and have to search dumpsters for food. Tressie is framed for the death of her daughter and pays for her "crime". She vows to avenge the death of her child and seek revenge for her poor treatment by the townspeople.
This is actually a well written story. The premise is entirely believable and I really see shades of Stephen King or Dean Koontz in the type of story and the writing. I definitely got a good creepy vibe from the story, and can see how some people might actually be scared when they read it. It has a lot of potential for that. There was one small continuity problem that I caught but the rest of the story seemed fine. There were only two things that I didn't like about the book. The first was that the other characters aren't really as developed as I think they could have been, we don't get a lot of back story, just a few quick vignettes for each one. The second was that the book is actually more of a novella length, and it ends shortly after things start to really get going and before anything too major happens. I was disappointed to find that I had reached the end of the book before anything really got going. I chose to remove a star from my original rating for those two reasons. I think that if this story were to be kept together all in one book, it could be a hit, I think that the fact that you have to purchase each section of the story is going to be off-putting for some readers. It is certainly a deterrent to me as a reader who has to watch my pennies.
Overall, it's a great story and is well written. As I said previously, it reminded me of a Stephen King or Dean Koontz novel in the telling, though it is far less verbose than those authors' work tend to be. So, if you like a good paranormal horror story, this one is probably going to be right up your alley. Be warned though that there are some graphic scenes and some possible triggers with the subject matter.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
Tressie is a mentally disabled woman who lives on the fringe of society in her town. She cares as best as she can for her daughter who is also mentally challenged, but they still live in a shack with holes in the roof and have to search dumpsters for food. Tressie is framed for the death of her daughter and pays for her "crime". She vows to avenge the death of her child and seek revenge for her poor treatment by the townspeople.
This is actually a well written story. The premise is entirely believable and I really see shades of Stephen King or Dean Koontz in the type of story and the writing. I definitely got a good creepy vibe from the story, and can see how some people might actually be scared when they read it. It has a lot of potential for that. There was one small continuity problem that I caught but the rest of the story seemed fine. There were only two things that I didn't like about the book. The first was that the other characters aren't really as developed as I think they could have been, we don't get a lot of back story, just a few quick vignettes for each one. The second was that the book is actually more of a novella length, and it ends shortly after things start to really get going and before anything too major happens. I was disappointed to find that I had reached the end of the book before anything really got going. I chose to remove a star from my original rating for those two reasons. I think that if this story were to be kept together all in one book, it could be a hit, I think that the fact that you have to purchase each section of the story is going to be off-putting for some readers. It is certainly a deterrent to me as a reader who has to watch my pennies.
Overall, it's a great story and is well written. As I said previously, it reminded me of a Stephen King or Dean Koontz novel in the telling, though it is far less verbose than those authors' work tend to be. So, if you like a good paranormal horror story, this one is probably going to be right up your alley. Be warned though that there are some graphic scenes and some possible triggers with the subject matter.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
May 11, 2016
Blowing out my breath… this book was intense. It is not the kind of book that you stay up all night and finish. No, this book you put down, go decompress, read something light, then go back to it. The prologue starts out with evil. But then the evil just gets worse. Tressie is a mental challenged woman that has had a daughter, Trina, who is also mentally challenged. Because they are different most, not all, of the town’s people treat them like dirt and beneath them. Tressie and Trina are treated as if they don’t have feelings.
When Trina is attacked and dies as a result, Tressie is the lead suspect. Not because she did anything wrong – but because certain people could and did pull strings. The people of Griffin’s Peak is a town where the well to do look down upon everyone else. The powerful live at the top of the hill and everyone else is below them literally and figuratively. As the attackers pulled the strings to make it look like Tressie was guilty, that’s when the real evil starts – the evil that are human beings who only care that they are taken care of, their secrets are hidden, including the everyday people that let the power of crowd pressure and influence what they think without question. Tressie is treated horribly and like an animal during the trial. Everyone is ready to suddenly believe that she is a bad person.
The vileness of people only gets worse when she is convicted. As she is dragged off to prison and there treated to really gut wrenching abominable behavior. It was difficult to see first the travesty of injustice served to Tressie, but then to see what happened in prison. To know that people can do such evil things. Tressie dies abhorrently in jail.
After a few years, the prison is shut down. But what happened in the prison still affects the town. The mayor eventually brings in a paranormal team to help dissuade the rumors of the prison. The team finds the evil and lets it out of the prison. As intense as the book was, I’m finding that I will have to read the second book to find out if Tressie gets vengeance and justice or if the evil let out of the prison will just continue to be evil and torment the town.
I noted from the author’s bio that they hope this book would be made in to a movie. My opinion is that this would be an excellent movie – just one that you would see in the middle of the afternoon and not at night.
When Trina is attacked and dies as a result, Tressie is the lead suspect. Not because she did anything wrong – but because certain people could and did pull strings. The people of Griffin’s Peak is a town where the well to do look down upon everyone else. The powerful live at the top of the hill and everyone else is below them literally and figuratively. As the attackers pulled the strings to make it look like Tressie was guilty, that’s when the real evil starts – the evil that are human beings who only care that they are taken care of, their secrets are hidden, including the everyday people that let the power of crowd pressure and influence what they think without question. Tressie is treated horribly and like an animal during the trial. Everyone is ready to suddenly believe that she is a bad person.
The vileness of people only gets worse when she is convicted. As she is dragged off to prison and there treated to really gut wrenching abominable behavior. It was difficult to see first the travesty of injustice served to Tressie, but then to see what happened in prison. To know that people can do such evil things. Tressie dies abhorrently in jail.
After a few years, the prison is shut down. But what happened in the prison still affects the town. The mayor eventually brings in a paranormal team to help dissuade the rumors of the prison. The team finds the evil and lets it out of the prison. As intense as the book was, I’m finding that I will have to read the second book to find out if Tressie gets vengeance and justice or if the evil let out of the prison will just continue to be evil and torment the town.
I noted from the author’s bio that they hope this book would be made in to a movie. My opinion is that this would be an excellent movie – just one that you would see in the middle of the afternoon and not at night.
November 10, 2014
You’ll see some reviews that compare “Tressie” to the works of Stephen King and/or Dean Koontz. When it comes to story content, there are undoubtedly some similarities. However, the storytelling style is entirely different. I was curious when I read, “Tressie – Book One – A Spirit Unleashed, by Blaine Hislop – Story by Tom Townsend.”
The story is well told by a narrator whose choice of words and style is reminiscent, not necessarily of a famous author, rather that of an award winning movie producer—Quentin Tarantino. A huge fan of Tarantino, I absolutely loved this story and the approach for its telling. The writing is concise, full of imagery and, as mentioned, the narration that is interspersed throughout the action and dialog is superbly done. It actually seems as if Mr. Townsend is telling a story that Mr. Hislop is capturing on paper…verbatim. Several of Mr. Tarantino’s films use this technique and it’s one of the especial gimmicks that set his films apart from the mainstream. So, too, does this technique set “Tressie” apart from other works of fiction.
This is a paranormal horror story that will get under your skin. It will work on your subconscious while you sleep. If you’re prone to nightmares, beware; this story is highly likely to inspire some dreams of terrifying angst. The characters are real and they won’t leave you alone, even though some are dead and you’ve finished the book. Since I truly loved this story, why “only” four stars? The story ends a bit too abruptly in a steep cliffhanger. Under other circumstances, that would have earned to book only three stars. The fact that the story is wonderfully told and written, the next book in the series is already published and soon to be on my TBR list, got these two artists a fourth star. I am well prepared to add a fifth star for “Tressie – A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge – Book Two.”
The story is well told by a narrator whose choice of words and style is reminiscent, not necessarily of a famous author, rather that of an award winning movie producer—Quentin Tarantino. A huge fan of Tarantino, I absolutely loved this story and the approach for its telling. The writing is concise, full of imagery and, as mentioned, the narration that is interspersed throughout the action and dialog is superbly done. It actually seems as if Mr. Townsend is telling a story that Mr. Hislop is capturing on paper…verbatim. Several of Mr. Tarantino’s films use this technique and it’s one of the especial gimmicks that set his films apart from the mainstream. So, too, does this technique set “Tressie” apart from other works of fiction.
This is a paranormal horror story that will get under your skin. It will work on your subconscious while you sleep. If you’re prone to nightmares, beware; this story is highly likely to inspire some dreams of terrifying angst. The characters are real and they won’t leave you alone, even though some are dead and you’ve finished the book. Since I truly loved this story, why “only” four stars? The story ends a bit too abruptly in a steep cliffhanger. Under other circumstances, that would have earned to book only three stars. The fact that the story is wonderfully told and written, the next book in the series is already published and soon to be on my TBR list, got these two artists a fourth star. I am well prepared to add a fifth star for “Tressie – A Thriller of Paranormal Revenge – Book Two.”
September 13, 2014
Even though the mysterious 5 W's is answered in the first section of the book, you are so pulled into Tressie's story that you need to know how it ends. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat and make your pulse race and heart skip a beat.
In Griffen's Peak in the 70's, the rich had the law in their pocket. The law that should protect you, did anything but only because the rich owned and controlled them. This was the cause of Tressie's death. The humiliation, pain and injustice was all brought on by the death of her daughter. She swore that she would make them pay.
Years later, the Ghost Hunters arrive to investigate the prison and the warning. I rate this book with 5 stars. I wish I could give it more. Even knowing the mystery behind the paranormal experience, you are left with creepy goosebumps and more questions.
Read this book if you dare.
In Griffen's Peak in the 70's, the rich had the law in their pocket. The law that should protect you, did anything but only because the rich owned and controlled them. This was the cause of Tressie's death. The humiliation, pain and injustice was all brought on by the death of her daughter. She swore that she would make them pay.
Years later, the Ghost Hunters arrive to investigate the prison and the warning. I rate this book with 5 stars. I wish I could give it more. Even knowing the mystery behind the paranormal experience, you are left with creepy goosebumps and more questions.
Read this book if you dare.
December 31, 2015
This is my kind of book. Murder, mystery, ghosts,everything I like packed into a quick read. In fact I loved it so much I went straight out and bought book 2!
The story is difficult to read at times due to the subject matter - child death, abuse, murder. But it is extremely well written and kept my attention throughout.
It was quite a quick read for me but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
What Tressie, and her daughter, were put through is horrific. Will the perpetrators be brought to justice? Will we actually find out who did these awful acts? Or will we need to wait for more from this author?
I can't wait to read book 2 to see where the story goes, and I will definitely be following this author, and this series, with interest.
The story is difficult to read at times due to the subject matter - child death, abuse, murder. But it is extremely well written and kept my attention throughout.
It was quite a quick read for me but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
What Tressie, and her daughter, were put through is horrific. Will the perpetrators be brought to justice? Will we actually find out who did these awful acts? Or will we need to wait for more from this author?
I can't wait to read book 2 to see where the story goes, and I will definitely be following this author, and this series, with interest.
September 22, 2014
This is definitely not for those of the faint heart. Its a very dark and disturbing story.
I had a hard time at first getting into this. It was a lot of just dark stuff with very little character build up. It just showed how horrible people can be and judgmental. But I was really intrigued by how it was all going to play out.
This is a 2 part story and this one does end on some what of a cliff hanger. This is mostly the backstory of what happened to Tressie and her daughter.
I really liked the ghost hunters that they brought in. I'm intrigued as to how the second part of the story will go.
I had a hard time at first getting into this. It was a lot of just dark stuff with very little character build up. It just showed how horrible people can be and judgmental. But I was really intrigued by how it was all going to play out.
This is a 2 part story and this one does end on some what of a cliff hanger. This is mostly the backstory of what happened to Tressie and her daughter.
I really liked the ghost hunters that they brought in. I'm intrigued as to how the second part of the story will go.
September 19, 2014
*I was provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super scary book. No joke.
When you start Tressie you are taken in by the ideal of a mentally challenged woman who is accused of killing her daughter, she is tormented and then sentenced to death.
Don't read this one if you are #1 alone or #2 afraid of the dark.
I felt that the story itself was kinda short though and we are left with a MAJOR cliffhanger! Be forewarned!
Not intended for younger readers.
~Dowie
This was a super scary book. No joke.
When you start Tressie you are taken in by the ideal of a mentally challenged woman who is accused of killing her daughter, she is tormented and then sentenced to death.
Don't read this one if you are #1 alone or #2 afraid of the dark.
I felt that the story itself was kinda short though and we are left with a MAJOR cliffhanger! Be forewarned!
Not intended for younger readers.
~Dowie
October 10, 2014
A nice, quiet town where you don't want to scratch the surface, because what you'll find is far from nice.
This is the first in what I suspect will be a creepy series of episodes. This has all the chills of movies like The House on Haunted Hill, where ghosts become more than mere wisps where there's revenge and the fierce desire for vengeance driving them.
Definitely an appropriate read for Halloween or any other night you're up for nightmares and jumping at every noise.
A haunting tale that will definitely stay with you.
This is the first in what I suspect will be a creepy series of episodes. This has all the chills of movies like The House on Haunted Hill, where ghosts become more than mere wisps where there's revenge and the fierce desire for vengeance driving them.
Definitely an appropriate read for Halloween or any other night you're up for nightmares and jumping at every noise.
A haunting tale that will definitely stay with you.
September 23, 2014
~~RECEIVED FOR HONEST REVIEW~~
Get ready for a wild and creepy ride! If you scare easily, go lightly in! Seat gripping, hide under the covers read! Yet a must read! Fast paced, well written and just the perfect read to get in the swing of Halloween!
Get ready for a wild and creepy ride! If you scare easily, go lightly in! Seat gripping, hide under the covers read! Yet a must read! Fast paced, well written and just the perfect read to get in the swing of Halloween!
January 27, 2015
This book tore at every emotion I have ever tucked away. What a phenomenal, terrifying, devastatingly horrific book
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews