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Hatred. Hidden.: A Psychological Short Story
“If people cared more about men holding guns than men holding hands the world would be a better place.” (Unknown)
Mark is the perfect man. He's caring. He's thoughtful. He buys his wife flowers. He's a sensual lover. But when an impromptu outing turns sour, Mark realises he must take action. He wants to protect his wife, but his actions could mean it's his last Christmas as a free man. His hatred has remained hidden, until now.
Perhaps Mark isn't perfect after all....
A short psychological thriller exploring the impact of hate crime, from the author of Here Lies Love , Dan Thompson.
Mark is the perfect man. He's caring. He's thoughtful. He buys his wife flowers. He's a sensual lover. But when an impromptu outing turns sour, Mark realises he must take action. He wants to protect his wife, but his actions could mean it's his last Christmas as a free man. His hatred has remained hidden, until now.
Perhaps Mark isn't perfect after all....
A short psychological thriller exploring the impact of hate crime, from the author of Here Lies Love , Dan Thompson.
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Published August 31, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 7, 2016
An unsettling story of homophobia and violence, this story is told from the perpetrator's viewpoint.
I thought this short story was fine work. In Mark we see a seemingly perfect man ruin so much because he feels homosexuality is wrong, and acts out violently. The author does not condone such action, far from it, but homophobia is nevertheless an interesting subject to tackle with a short story. How does homophobia arise in the individual? How can we extinguish it? These are some of the questions the story raises.
If you enjoy this short, I suggest you take a look at 'The Caseworker's Memoirs' - a further investigation of various phobias from the author.
I thought this short story was fine work. In Mark we see a seemingly perfect man ruin so much because he feels homosexuality is wrong, and acts out violently. The author does not condone such action, far from it, but homophobia is nevertheless an interesting subject to tackle with a short story. How does homophobia arise in the individual? How can we extinguish it? These are some of the questions the story raises.
If you enjoy this short, I suggest you take a look at 'The Caseworker's Memoirs' - a further investigation of various phobias from the author.
August 13, 2016
Review of short story Hatred. Hidden. By Dan Thompson.
I am a huge fan of Dan’s writing so I was delighted to be given a signed copy of this brand new short story. Dan has such a beautiful descriptive style of writing. His characters are realistic and totally believable.
Hatred. Hidden. is a compelling read that hooks you at the start and is so absorbing that I read it in one sitting. The main character Mark appears at first to be the perfect husband and father. His wife Lucy counts her blessings for having such a thoughtful husband and passionate lover.
Mark looks after himself, takes time with his appearance and keeps in shape by going to the gym. The story starts off with Mark buying flowers for his wife, and being easily persuaded to upgrade to roses by a flirty shopkeeper called Shirley.
Mark passes the opportunity to flirt back with Shirley as he only has eyes for his wife, and he hurries home to be with her and hold her in his arms. He is portrayed as a perfect romantic and caring man, however after a comical event where the chicken dinner gets burnt, the couple go out for a meal and we begin to see Mark's shocking, darker side.
I don’t want to give away spoilers here, as I want you to read it! However what I like so much about the story is the unexpected angle in which it is written. Dan offers a fresh story that is totally relevant in today's world.
Beautifully and brutally written, Hatred. Hidden. will have you on the edge of you seat as you read it.
I am a huge fan of Dan’s writing so I was delighted to be given a signed copy of this brand new short story. Dan has such a beautiful descriptive style of writing. His characters are realistic and totally believable.
Hatred. Hidden. is a compelling read that hooks you at the start and is so absorbing that I read it in one sitting. The main character Mark appears at first to be the perfect husband and father. His wife Lucy counts her blessings for having such a thoughtful husband and passionate lover.
Mark looks after himself, takes time with his appearance and keeps in shape by going to the gym. The story starts off with Mark buying flowers for his wife, and being easily persuaded to upgrade to roses by a flirty shopkeeper called Shirley.
Mark passes the opportunity to flirt back with Shirley as he only has eyes for his wife, and he hurries home to be with her and hold her in his arms. He is portrayed as a perfect romantic and caring man, however after a comical event where the chicken dinner gets burnt, the couple go out for a meal and we begin to see Mark's shocking, darker side.
I don’t want to give away spoilers here, as I want you to read it! However what I like so much about the story is the unexpected angle in which it is written. Dan offers a fresh story that is totally relevant in today's world.
Beautifully and brutally written, Hatred. Hidden. will have you on the edge of you seat as you read it.
August 10, 2016
This is a great little story from a very talented writer. I’m a big fan of Dan Thompson’s YA books and was thrilled to hear about this short story. As always, it didn’t disappoint!
The subject is homophobia, a topic very close to my heart, and this is an interesting take in as much as it’s told from the perspective of the homophobic person, an angle that you don’t see very often.
It’s a quick read that starts with telling the story of the perfect husband, a kind and thoughtful man, but it’s cleverly entwined with an air of menace, so even from the very start you get the feeling that this perfect man is hiding something very dark. I can’t say more without giving it away completely, but suffice to say, I really enjoyed this little story – it’s shocking, uncomfortable reading at times, but that makes it an even more important story.
The subject is homophobia, a topic very close to my heart, and this is an interesting take in as much as it’s told from the perspective of the homophobic person, an angle that you don’t see very often.
It’s a quick read that starts with telling the story of the perfect husband, a kind and thoughtful man, but it’s cleverly entwined with an air of menace, so even from the very start you get the feeling that this perfect man is hiding something very dark. I can’t say more without giving it away completely, but suffice to say, I really enjoyed this little story – it’s shocking, uncomfortable reading at times, but that makes it an even more important story.
September 14, 2016
This was such a powerful short story. It is written with great detail and depth. This was completely devoured in one sitting, and I probably got a few looks on the train with my facial expressions.
Unfortunately I would say that the theme of this psychological thriller, is something that a lot of people out there will relate to. Phobias are apart of our every day lives, only some show it more than others.
I would highly recommend this short read.
Unfortunately I would say that the theme of this psychological thriller, is something that a lot of people out there will relate to. Phobias are apart of our every day lives, only some show it more than others.
I would highly recommend this short read.
December 19, 2016
BEST TO READ THIS BOOK W/O GOING THROUGH ANY REVIEWS OR COMMENTS.
*spoilers...*
This book had an extremely descriptive writing even though it wasn't as compelling as I wish it would've been. There was a relatively nice build up on how Mark isn't as simple as he seems from the way he has his inner monologues and how he constantly analyses people in his mind. I kinda spoiled it for myself by reading the reviews and found out about his homophobia... maybe I would've enjoyed it more if I went into it blindly because it didn't feel like a thriller / mystery to me now that I've known his 'secret'.
*spoilers...*
This book had an extremely descriptive writing even though it wasn't as compelling as I wish it would've been. There was a relatively nice build up on how Mark isn't as simple as he seems from the way he has his inner monologues and how he constantly analyses people in his mind. I kinda spoiled it for myself by reading the reviews and found out about his homophobia... maybe I would've enjoyed it more if I went into it blindly because it didn't feel like a thriller / mystery to me now that I've known his 'secret'.
January 8, 2017
A short story that delivers a long-lasting punch. Hatred. Hidden. is a fast read and a fascinating look into the manifestation of homophobia into violence. The pacing was superb. In the first few pages, Mark is a family man, a good and caring husband. He's someone you could easily recognize in your own life. But, without warning, he morphs into a monster. His transformation is a perfect representation of the phrase "Something came over me" and you learn, while he's in that state, that this violent outburst is all too familiar (and satisfying) to him. Such are the monsters we live among.
October 11, 2021
This is a well written short story that gets the reader to question how they would react or not react to a real life situation. Another excellent offering from a highly talented author
December 6, 2016
Fascinating and captivating. It read like an over-the-top dramatized fictitious situation, not a possible real case. A phobia of an intelligent individual like Mark read, in my opinion, is known and rationalized. No person capable of making rational decisions is all white or all black in thinking or acting, we are all gray. He must have realized early on in life his feelings were extreme and a phobia was present. From my own experience with phobias, knowing is half the way to not passing out / acting on an impulse / giving in to that urge... So, gave it 3 stars despite how unrealistic and short sighted it felt to me, exactly because it made me analyse is. A bad book would have left my mind immediately after closing it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
lt seems normal in the beginning- loving family man - taking wife out on the town having a nice meal. Unfortunately his hatred of gay men takes over in a very public and tragic way unfortunately this story is acted out by to many
March 14, 2018
Kurze und knackige Geschichte aus der Perspektive eines homophoben Deppen. Viel Erklärung zu Beweggründen gibt es nicht, auch der psychiatrische Bericht am Ende liefert wenig, weder dramaturgisch noch inhaltlich.
April 12, 2017
Powerful
This is superbly written. Get you into the core of the issue. I was initially curious as to where it was heading but pleased to have continued. A story so realistic it's scary that we live in such a society. I'll be on the look for my books. Dan writes with great description.
This is superbly written. Get you into the core of the issue. I was initially curious as to where it was heading but pleased to have continued. A story so realistic it's scary that we live in such a society. I'll be on the look for my books. Dan writes with great description.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews