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Warhol's Prophecy
"Everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes," said Andy Warhol. And fame is something certain people will go to any lengths to whether to be revered or reviled, the lure of notoriety is strong for those lacking it. When five-year-old Becky goes missing in a crowded shopping centre, her mother's worst nightmare has come true. But Hailey Gibson's nightmares are just beginning. After Becky is safely returned by Adam Walker, Hailey finds her initial gratitude turning to something else. With her marriage close to ruins, she is tempted to begin an affair with this likeable newcomer. Besides, Hailey wants revenge against her husband and his mistress. And Walker seems willing - only too happy to please. But maybe he has his own agenda? As she wisely ends their budding relationship, Hailey begins to wonder if Walker could be behind the acts of vandalism committed against her home and family. Or is someone else seeking revenge, who she has not yet encountered? When petty harassment turns to open violence, Hailey finds herself caught in a spiralling vortex of suffering and death . . . until the shattering truth forces her to make the the most horrendous decision of her life.
541 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 1999
About the author
Shaun Hutson
123 books559 followersBritish horror novelist, including horror and urban thriller novels.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 24, 2022
Hmm. I don't know. I love some Hutson, but this one felt like he was writing on autopilot. Funnily enough, a side character who is a writer mentions that she's getting the next book done quickly, as there was a publisher's cheque waiting on completion! The ending to the mystery side of the plot was also a bit too convenient for my tastes. Still, fun enough and pacey, as are all Hutson novels...but yeah. Better ones out there.
July 24, 2024
Hate it took me 30 years to get into Shaun Hutson. He's close to taking the high spot as my 2nd favourite horror writer (after Stephen King)
April 24, 2020
Amazing
You have suspicions as the book proceeds but it keeps you hooked till the end. Fab read. Another great from Shaun Hutson
You have suspicions as the book proceeds but it keeps you hooked till the end. Fab read. Another great from Shaun Hutson
August 23, 2014
Time taken to read - 1 day
Publisher - Pan Books
Pages - 447
Blurb from Goodreads
"Everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes," said Andy Warhol. And fame is something certain people will go to any lengths to achieve: whether to be revered or reviled, the lure of notoriety is strong for those lacking it.When five-year-old Becky goes missing in a crowded shopping centre, her mother's worst nightmare has come true. But Hailey Gibson's nightmares are just beginning. After Becky is safely returned by Adam Walker, Hailey finds her initial gratitude turning to something else. With her marriage close to ruins, she is tempted to begin an affair with this likeable newcomer. Besides, Hailey wants revenge against her husband and his mistress. And Walker seems willing -- only too happy to please. But maybe he has his own agenda? As she wisely ends their budding relationship, Hailey begins to wonder if Walker could be behind the acts of vandalism committed against her home and family. Or is someone else seeking revenge, who she has not yet encountered? When petty harassment turns to open violence, Hailey finds herself caught in a spiralling vortex of suffering and death . until the shattering truth forces her to make the the most horrendous decision of her life.
My Review
Shaun Hutson has always been horror for me, this is more of a psychological thriller with some gore and suspense thrown in. The book opens with the line "There was blood everywhere". It is from the scene where Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson's "family" - every so many chapters there is an opening like this from a true life murder. The first line of our actual tale is "HER CHILD WAS dead". Hailey Gibson's little girl Becky, five years old, is missing from a busy store. However Adam Walker comes to the rescue, a helpful stranger who finds Becky and reunites her with her mother. Hailey is going through hell, trying to cope with her husbands infidelity, attracted to Adam, trying to be a good mum. Things start to spiral and soon Hailey finds someone has been in her house, violence is at her doorstep and she doesn't know who she can trust!
This is a book that draws you in quickly, you know something seems a bit off but you can't quite put your finger on it. The chapters are quite thin so you can fire right through them as you want to know, will she won't she. Who is responsible for the skulduggery afoot and how will it all end. This is a difference theme for me for what I have come to expect from Mr Hutson however I did like it although like seems a bit inappropriate considering the content and how dark some of the book is.
It is not for the faint hearted as it does have scenes of graphic violence, there is also some explicit sex scenes which some may find uncomfortable. Fast paced, it keeps you guessing and if you like thriller or dark scenes with some gore, this is a hit for you. 4/5 for me, I have read quite a few Shaun Hutson and I would read his work again.
Publisher - Pan Books
Pages - 447
Blurb from Goodreads
"Everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes," said Andy Warhol. And fame is something certain people will go to any lengths to achieve: whether to be revered or reviled, the lure of notoriety is strong for those lacking it.When five-year-old Becky goes missing in a crowded shopping centre, her mother's worst nightmare has come true. But Hailey Gibson's nightmares are just beginning. After Becky is safely returned by Adam Walker, Hailey finds her initial gratitude turning to something else. With her marriage close to ruins, she is tempted to begin an affair with this likeable newcomer. Besides, Hailey wants revenge against her husband and his mistress. And Walker seems willing -- only too happy to please. But maybe he has his own agenda? As she wisely ends their budding relationship, Hailey begins to wonder if Walker could be behind the acts of vandalism committed against her home and family. Or is someone else seeking revenge, who she has not yet encountered? When petty harassment turns to open violence, Hailey finds herself caught in a spiralling vortex of suffering and death . until the shattering truth forces her to make the the most horrendous decision of her life.
My Review
Shaun Hutson has always been horror for me, this is more of a psychological thriller with some gore and suspense thrown in. The book opens with the line "There was blood everywhere". It is from the scene where Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson's "family" - every so many chapters there is an opening like this from a true life murder. The first line of our actual tale is "HER CHILD WAS dead". Hailey Gibson's little girl Becky, five years old, is missing from a busy store. However Adam Walker comes to the rescue, a helpful stranger who finds Becky and reunites her with her mother. Hailey is going through hell, trying to cope with her husbands infidelity, attracted to Adam, trying to be a good mum. Things start to spiral and soon Hailey finds someone has been in her house, violence is at her doorstep and she doesn't know who she can trust!
This is a book that draws you in quickly, you know something seems a bit off but you can't quite put your finger on it. The chapters are quite thin so you can fire right through them as you want to know, will she won't she. Who is responsible for the skulduggery afoot and how will it all end. This is a difference theme for me for what I have come to expect from Mr Hutson however I did like it although like seems a bit inappropriate considering the content and how dark some of the book is.
It is not for the faint hearted as it does have scenes of graphic violence, there is also some explicit sex scenes which some may find uncomfortable. Fast paced, it keeps you guessing and if you like thriller or dark scenes with some gore, this is a hit for you. 4/5 for me, I have read quite a few Shaun Hutson and I would read his work again.
January 17, 2016
Well I've rated Warhol's Prophecy 3 stars = "I liked it". BUT did I really?? The fact that I read it in a day and a half would indicate there was something about it that I liked but there was SO much about it that annoyed the crap out of me!
March 17, 2018
the longest hutson book I read by far but I couldn't put it down from word go realy enjoyed this one well I can't say I haven't liked a single book he's written except the Sean Doyle ones but still read them shuan has a way of keeping you turning the pages even if your not interested in one.part you know for.dam sure somethings coming up he's a great writer in my books I recommend this one!!
March 26, 2024
I’ve found Shaun Hutson’s thriller novels to be slightly better than his horror ones, particularly as he has written more of them and at the point “Warhol’s Prophecy” was released, he had been publishing for nearly twenty years. I also quite liked the basic premise, based on Andy Warhol’s statement that everyone would be famous for fifteen minutes, so it was an encouraging start.
The story opens in a shopping centre, where Hailey Gibson has suffered a mother’s worst nightmare and misplaced her daughter, Becky. Fortunately, she is swiftly found and returned by a stranger, Adam Walker, who both of them warm to, especially as the events of the day soon turn into a weapon for Hailey’s husband Rob to use against her, in the ongoing battle that their marriage has become after Rob’s affair.
Adam’s life is not without issues of its own, as his abusive father is dying in a hospice and his artwork shows hints of the darkness in his life and has never sold a single piece. So when Hailey breaks off their relationship and their family starts being attacked, he seems like the obvious candidate, until Rob is badly beaten and sees that the culprit is not Walker. Having returned to work and been tasked with organising a big show, Hailey doesn’t have enough time to wonder too much about things outside herself.
The novel was certainly based on an interesting premise and side notes about serial killers show what sort of fame he was hinting at, but it never really took off. Whilst there were occasional hints about how fame isn’t always a good thing and how it can become an obsession whether you have it or not, or just work in proximity to it, there was never a real through line. The novel felt as if there was a good idea, but Hutson had no idea how to make it work, so he skirted around it and then built up some other stories around it, which acted more as covering than anything of real structure.
The end result was a story that never had enough coherence to properly get going or generate any kind of a spark. As it went along, the body count increased and some of the violence became worse, building up to what should have been a set-piece ending, but I never once felt particularly excited or enthralled, or involved in the story. Maybe there is a lesson here about the superficiality of fame, but I somehow doubt that Hutson is skilled enough to have written that feeling into these pages.
As with many of Hutson’s novels, the writing was relatively simple and things did move along fairly swiftly, but always only at a very basic level. None of the characters were particularly likeable, even the ones that didn’t largely vanish as soon as their part of the story was done and, in some cases, entire sub-plots didn’t so much get resolved, but simply stopped, whilst others took up far more space than they deserved, especially early in the novel.
This isn’t a dreadful novel in the way many of Hutson’s earlier works were, but it does feel as if there is something missing. The whole novel feels sketched out and unfinished and whilst Hutson usually writes his characters that way, his plots tend to be a little more involved, but this time around there’s something missing there as well. This is a novel that feels like a decent starting point for something, but which got published before it had been properly fleshed out.
The story opens in a shopping centre, where Hailey Gibson has suffered a mother’s worst nightmare and misplaced her daughter, Becky. Fortunately, she is swiftly found and returned by a stranger, Adam Walker, who both of them warm to, especially as the events of the day soon turn into a weapon for Hailey’s husband Rob to use against her, in the ongoing battle that their marriage has become after Rob’s affair.
Adam’s life is not without issues of its own, as his abusive father is dying in a hospice and his artwork shows hints of the darkness in his life and has never sold a single piece. So when Hailey breaks off their relationship and their family starts being attacked, he seems like the obvious candidate, until Rob is badly beaten and sees that the culprit is not Walker. Having returned to work and been tasked with organising a big show, Hailey doesn’t have enough time to wonder too much about things outside herself.
The novel was certainly based on an interesting premise and side notes about serial killers show what sort of fame he was hinting at, but it never really took off. Whilst there were occasional hints about how fame isn’t always a good thing and how it can become an obsession whether you have it or not, or just work in proximity to it, there was never a real through line. The novel felt as if there was a good idea, but Hutson had no idea how to make it work, so he skirted around it and then built up some other stories around it, which acted more as covering than anything of real structure.
The end result was a story that never had enough coherence to properly get going or generate any kind of a spark. As it went along, the body count increased and some of the violence became worse, building up to what should have been a set-piece ending, but I never once felt particularly excited or enthralled, or involved in the story. Maybe there is a lesson here about the superficiality of fame, but I somehow doubt that Hutson is skilled enough to have written that feeling into these pages.
As with many of Hutson’s novels, the writing was relatively simple and things did move along fairly swiftly, but always only at a very basic level. None of the characters were particularly likeable, even the ones that didn’t largely vanish as soon as their part of the story was done and, in some cases, entire sub-plots didn’t so much get resolved, but simply stopped, whilst others took up far more space than they deserved, especially early in the novel.
This isn’t a dreadful novel in the way many of Hutson’s earlier works were, but it does feel as if there is something missing. The whole novel feels sketched out and unfinished and whilst Hutson usually writes his characters that way, his plots tend to be a little more involved, but this time around there’s something missing there as well. This is a novel that feels like a decent starting point for something, but which got published before it had been properly fleshed out.
September 21, 2026
I have read a few of Hutson's books by now, yet starting to read this, it definitely didn't feel like most of his works I'd read so far. If I knew more about the premise about the book and the amount of quarreling and build up regarding a previous and possible affair between a married couple I wouldn't have even been remotely interested in it, however in reading it I found myself being unable to stop feeling like I wanted to continue reading and find out where this was ultimately leading up to.
When I checked reviews for this book out of curiosity (when I was halfway through and wondering where the story was taking me and if it was to be worth it) I had seen other reviews mention how it all culminates to a whirlwind ending with a great final sucker punch twist on the final page and I can only agree. The ending was really well done in my opinion. But does that mean the rest of the build up to the final 30 or so pages of "normal Hutson" in this book mean this novel is good? No, I think it's quite simply okay, but like mentioned previously it genuinely had me hooked so I will give it that and leave a final rating of a 3/5
When I checked reviews for this book out of curiosity (when I was halfway through and wondering where the story was taking me and if it was to be worth it) I had seen other reviews mention how it all culminates to a whirlwind ending with a great final sucker punch twist on the final page and I can only agree. The ending was really well done in my opinion. But does that mean the rest of the build up to the final 30 or so pages of "normal Hutson" in this book mean this novel is good? No, I think it's quite simply okay, but like mentioned previously it genuinely had me hooked so I will give it that and leave a final rating of a 3/5
October 9, 2021
There are some things I really loved about this book; it was great at building suspense and at exploring relationships. I liked that all the relationships were in many shades of grey, rather than black and white; people had ambivalent feelings and motives. The theme of Overall a gripping read despite the issues I had.
September 6, 2026
Summary:
Andy Warhol once said, “everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”.
Hailey finds herself living her worst nightmare when her five-year-old daughter Becky wanders away from her in a shopping centre. However, Becky is found alive & well by a passerby called Adam Walker. Hailey strikes up a budding friendship with Adam & is tempted into having a brief affair with him. When she tries to end their relationship, Hailey wonders if Adam could be responsible for acts of vandalism against her home & her family.
My Thoughts:
Warhol’s Prophecy is not for the faint of heart as it does have some really graphic scenes which some might be uncomfortable with. However, I was quickly drawn into the story & it kept my interest until that jaw dropping ending. Hutson is my king of horror!
My Rating: * * * *
Andy Warhol once said, “everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”.
Hailey finds herself living her worst nightmare when her five-year-old daughter Becky wanders away from her in a shopping centre. However, Becky is found alive & well by a passerby called Adam Walker. Hailey strikes up a budding friendship with Adam & is tempted into having a brief affair with him. When she tries to end their relationship, Hailey wonders if Adam could be responsible for acts of vandalism against her home & her family.
My Thoughts:
Warhol’s Prophecy is not for the faint of heart as it does have some really graphic scenes which some might be uncomfortable with. However, I was quickly drawn into the story & it kept my interest until that jaw dropping ending. Hutson is my king of horror!
My Rating: * * * *
October 27, 2018
Great read
Another good going from this author can't wait to read the next one have already got it downloaded ready to start
Another good going from this author can't wait to read the next one have already got it downloaded ready to start
December 1, 2019
Brilliant! Engaging characters, and definitely no happy ever after. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2013
This book was one of shaun hutson thriller novels, although they still read as horror as the violence was very extreme. I enjoyed this book a lot, the subject of affairs was dealt with very well. Shaun hutson showed the hypocracy perfectly and the emotional effect that such selfish acts have. Off course the book would not be hutsons without the main story of a murder and mayhem centered around the subject of fame and desire for attention. Horror when in the hands of good writers can satires the darker side of our nature and this is not just to do with psychos, but normal family people and the effect they have when they choose to act without care to how they hurt other people. Way to go Shaun my old chum :-) I recommend this to all horror fans.
Update 10/7/13
I am increasing this book to fourstars as i believe the message in this book was brilliant. The current obession with fame for fame sakes is cleverly protrayed here by Shaun hutson at his peak.
Update 10/7/13
I am increasing this book to fourstars as i believe the message in this book was brilliant. The current obession with fame for fame sakes is cleverly protrayed here by Shaun hutson at his peak.
July 1, 2011
I couldn't put this book down! I loved it. I recommend it to everyone!
September 15, 2012
Shaun Hutson at his best. Very fast paced book with an interesting premise for the story.
March 5, 2013
I didn't think this book was going to be much but now I've read it its one of my favoures.
January 29, 2015
Absolutely loved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews