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Nothing Lasting
Nothing Lasting
by Glen Krisch
Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley's childhood was stolen from him.
Twenty-five years ago, he lost the first and only love of his life.
Twenty-five years ago, someone died at his hand.
Only now, after all these years and spurred by the death of his father, does Noah Berkley believe he can face the memories he buried in the winter of 1984.
But sometimes memories aren't the old things we recover when we reopen the wounds of the past...
by Glen Krisch
Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley's childhood was stolen from him.
Twenty-five years ago, he lost the first and only love of his life.
Twenty-five years ago, someone died at his hand.
Only now, after all these years and spurred by the death of his father, does Noah Berkley believe he can face the memories he buried in the winter of 1984.
But sometimes memories aren't the old things we recover when we reopen the wounds of the past...
242 pages, ebook
First published November 20, 2014
73 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Glen R. Krisch
35 books520 followersA native of the Chicago suburbs, Glen Krisch hopes to add to his list of ghosts he's witnessed (two), as well as develop his rather pedestrian telekinetic and precognitive skills.
His novels include Amazon Bestseller WHERE DARKNESS DWELLS, THE NIGHTMARE WITHIN, NOTHING LASTING, ARKADIUM RISING, ECHOES OF VIOLENCE, and LITTLE WHISPERS.
His novels include Amazon Bestseller WHERE DARKNESS DWELLS, THE NIGHTMARE WITHIN, NOTHING LASTING, ARKADIUM RISING, ECHOES OF VIOLENCE, and LITTLE WHISPERS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 24, 2016
Nothing Lasting is like The Body (aka the movie Stand By Me), but directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Yep, this was a good one!
As young Noah Berkley and his recently divorced dad move to his late grandfather's house, he tries to adjust to his new life. Without his mom living with them, without his grand-dad's support and often without his dad, who as a firefighter often works long shifts, Noah has a difficult time of it. When he meets his dad's "friend" Erin and her son Derek, his life is about to change for the worse. The only good thing he's got going is his pretty new schoolmate Jenny Sparrow, and Noah clings to the thought of her with all he's got. When Derek begins acting like a juvenile delinquent, Noah struggles between doing the right thing or losing Derek. If that was his only problem, Noah would be okay. However, it's not and you'll have to read the book to see what happens next.
Nothing Lasting is more of a YA novel with horrific accents rather than an all-out horror story. YA is normally not my thing, but this book captured and kept my attention. I did find the pacing to be a little slow at times, (teen angst and all that), and though I never felt like putting the book down, I did deduct a star for that. I can't say much else without spoiling anything, but I loved the build up of tension as things began to go south between Derek and Noah. I felt that they were both well developed characters and as the story unfolded, I felt the same way about most of the rest of the cast as well. I cared about them and found it difficult towards the end to deal with my feelings as the truth became clear. To me, that's the sign of a good, (perhaps a great?), novel.
Recommended to fans of coming of age novels intertwined with healthy doses of horror!
You can buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Lastin...
*I am an online *friend* of the author and he provided a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
As young Noah Berkley and his recently divorced dad move to his late grandfather's house, he tries to adjust to his new life. Without his mom living with them, without his grand-dad's support and often without his dad, who as a firefighter often works long shifts, Noah has a difficult time of it. When he meets his dad's "friend" Erin and her son Derek, his life is about to change for the worse. The only good thing he's got going is his pretty new schoolmate Jenny Sparrow, and Noah clings to the thought of her with all he's got. When Derek begins acting like a juvenile delinquent, Noah struggles between doing the right thing or losing Derek. If that was his only problem, Noah would be okay. However, it's not and you'll have to read the book to see what happens next.
Nothing Lasting is more of a YA novel with horrific accents rather than an all-out horror story. YA is normally not my thing, but this book captured and kept my attention. I did find the pacing to be a little slow at times, (teen angst and all that), and though I never felt like putting the book down, I did deduct a star for that. I can't say much else without spoiling anything, but I loved the build up of tension as things began to go south between Derek and Noah. I felt that they were both well developed characters and as the story unfolded, I felt the same way about most of the rest of the cast as well. I cared about them and found it difficult towards the end to deal with my feelings as the truth became clear. To me, that's the sign of a good, (perhaps a great?), novel.
Recommended to fans of coming of age novels intertwined with healthy doses of horror!
You can buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Lastin...
*I am an online *friend* of the author and he provided a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
August 19, 2016
4.5 stars!
NOTHING LASTING, by Glen Krisch, is a story of the emotional upheaval and loss of innocence a boy goes through when forced to move with his father–to his deceased Grandfather’s home–after his parents’ separation.
“Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley’s childhood was stolen from him.”
In the winter of 1984, twelve-year-old Noah and his father arrive in his father’s hometown, and officially take possession of Grandpa Berkley’s former home. Still reeling from the reality of his parents no longer being together, Noah is beyond shocked to see the intimate familiarity between his father and neighbor, Erin Dooling. The worst of it though is Erin’s fourteen-year-old son, Derek–whom Noah soon labels “psychotic” after being forced to accompany the older boy on a series of dubious “adventures”. While it is quickly confirmed that his dad and Erin are seeing each other regularly, Noah is often left to stay with the Doolings, who reside with Erin’s parents; father, Stan, and mother, who is no longer aware of the world around her.
As tensions between Noah and Derek mount, Noah discovers that there was a string of unsolved child disappearances in the area ten years ago.
“Monsters were real. Human monsters who preyed on children . . .”
Only one child’s body was ever found, washed up upon the rocks of a river. Noah begins researching the disappearances, and one day, goes to the river where the one child was discovered: “. . . He wondered if it happened here. Or maybe this was only where it ended. Perhaps those rocks held down child-sized bones under the river’s perpetually rushing water–the scene of a never-ending drowning. . . “
The characterization of Noah, Derek, and the one sunny part of Noah’s new life–Jenny Sparrow–was masterfully done. I felt that I knew these children personally, especially Noah. His angst, anger, love, and determination came clearly out from the pages. Even stuck with the possibility of having the maniacal Derek as a future step-brother, Noah tried to focus on the fact that “at least he had met Jenny”.
The cold winter season added dramatically to the tone of the novel as well. You could virtually feel the wind biting through Noah’s fingers, and assaulting his face as he ventured out. Noah was a boy you couldn’t help but feel for. Despite all the drama and negativity in his life, he was thinking about the horror that OTHER families–those whose children had disappeared–were faced with; no closure. The way Noah saw it, these missing children represented something even worse than an accident claiming their young lives.
“. . . The tragedy was planned, scripted, acted out. Intention made it so much worse, even if the results were the same.”
When you settle down to read about Noah’s story, his interactions with the Doolings, the first love of his life, and his mind trying to come to terms with the unfairness of life–be prepared to spend quite some time there. This is a tale that you won’t want to leave once you’ve begun.
Highly recommended!
*I received an e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
NOTHING LASTING, by Glen Krisch, is a story of the emotional upheaval and loss of innocence a boy goes through when forced to move with his father–to his deceased Grandfather’s home–after his parents’ separation.
“Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley’s childhood was stolen from him.”
In the winter of 1984, twelve-year-old Noah and his father arrive in his father’s hometown, and officially take possession of Grandpa Berkley’s former home. Still reeling from the reality of his parents no longer being together, Noah is beyond shocked to see the intimate familiarity between his father and neighbor, Erin Dooling. The worst of it though is Erin’s fourteen-year-old son, Derek–whom Noah soon labels “psychotic” after being forced to accompany the older boy on a series of dubious “adventures”. While it is quickly confirmed that his dad and Erin are seeing each other regularly, Noah is often left to stay with the Doolings, who reside with Erin’s parents; father, Stan, and mother, who is no longer aware of the world around her.
As tensions between Noah and Derek mount, Noah discovers that there was a string of unsolved child disappearances in the area ten years ago.
“Monsters were real. Human monsters who preyed on children . . .”
Only one child’s body was ever found, washed up upon the rocks of a river. Noah begins researching the disappearances, and one day, goes to the river where the one child was discovered: “. . . He wondered if it happened here. Or maybe this was only where it ended. Perhaps those rocks held down child-sized bones under the river’s perpetually rushing water–the scene of a never-ending drowning. . . “
The characterization of Noah, Derek, and the one sunny part of Noah’s new life–Jenny Sparrow–was masterfully done. I felt that I knew these children personally, especially Noah. His angst, anger, love, and determination came clearly out from the pages. Even stuck with the possibility of having the maniacal Derek as a future step-brother, Noah tried to focus on the fact that “at least he had met Jenny”.
The cold winter season added dramatically to the tone of the novel as well. You could virtually feel the wind biting through Noah’s fingers, and assaulting his face as he ventured out. Noah was a boy you couldn’t help but feel for. Despite all the drama and negativity in his life, he was thinking about the horror that OTHER families–those whose children had disappeared–were faced with; no closure. The way Noah saw it, these missing children represented something even worse than an accident claiming their young lives.
“. . . The tragedy was planned, scripted, acted out. Intention made it so much worse, even if the results were the same.”
When you settle down to read about Noah’s story, his interactions with the Doolings, the first love of his life, and his mind trying to come to terms with the unfairness of life–be prepared to spend quite some time there. This is a tale that you won’t want to leave once you’ve begun.
Highly recommended!
*I received an e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
July 11, 2017
The coming of age tale journeys into the heart of darkness, in this novel that strips away the rosy glow from childhood memories, and lets us see the shadows that were always there.
Glen Krisch remembers what it was like being a 12 year old boy.
The stupid things they do, the trials and tribulations of divorced parents, first loves, bad influences....and secrets. Secrets kept and secrets uncovered.
A beautifully written dark gem, with characters that truly "live" between the pages, empathy, honesty.....and heartfelt fear.
Ever wonder what secrets people keep?
Pick up NOTHING LASTING and find out.
Highest possible recommendation.
Glen Krisch remembers what it was like being a 12 year old boy.
The stupid things they do, the trials and tribulations of divorced parents, first loves, bad influences....and secrets. Secrets kept and secrets uncovered.
A beautifully written dark gem, with characters that truly "live" between the pages, empathy, honesty.....and heartfelt fear.
Ever wonder what secrets people keep?
Pick up NOTHING LASTING and find out.
Highest possible recommendation.
April 29, 2016
Glen Krisch pens a very good tale about growing up with loss, resentment, and love. And secrets. Dark secrets.
Noah Berkley's childhood is turned upside down with the separation of his parents and the death of his estranged grandfather. Forced to move to a new town and interact with kids he only had the barest recollection of, he must now search to fit in and find some sort of peace in his new environment. It doesn’t take long for it to go spiraling out of control however, and it is up to Noah to uncover deep town secrets and find the truth. In the process, he may save the love of his life and maybe himself in the process.
Another solid read from Mr. Krisch, who provided me a copy of this work in exchange for an honest review. I assure you that he did not have to twist my arm and I jumped at the opportunity. It did not disappoint and I recommend anything that Glen puts out there.
Noah Berkley's childhood is turned upside down with the separation of his parents and the death of his estranged grandfather. Forced to move to a new town and interact with kids he only had the barest recollection of, he must now search to fit in and find some sort of peace in his new environment. It doesn’t take long for it to go spiraling out of control however, and it is up to Noah to uncover deep town secrets and find the truth. In the process, he may save the love of his life and maybe himself in the process.
Another solid read from Mr. Krisch, who provided me a copy of this work in exchange for an honest review. I assure you that he did not have to twist my arm and I jumped at the opportunity. It did not disappoint and I recommend anything that Glen puts out there.
January 24, 2015
Glen Krisch is one of the authors who's made enough of a strong impression with his previous novels to read the next one solely based on his name. And I mention novels specifically, because Krisch in my opinion particularly excels at long form. The premise of this book is an all familiar...man returns to a childhood home, goes on a trip down the memory lane years into the past when he was just a kid and terrible things happened to and around him. There are so many books with a similar set up, but Krisch really distinguishes his with excellent writing, not only emotionally intelligent (far exceeding that of a normal genre fare), but also maintaining the mood and suspense consistently throughout. There is nothing supernatural here, all the horror is of human making, the cruelty and madness, all the hidden secrets of the seemingly normal. Everyone has secrets, but the ones 12 year old Noah discovers in Maple Valley are of a particularly lethal nature. And so this is a blend of a coming of age story (particularly well executed) with a serial killer subplot with some genuinely disturbing horrific scenes and eerie settings, terrific memorable characters and a great twist at the end. Something for everyone and altogether really engaging, tough to put down sort of a book. Highly recommended.
Want to read
September 19, 2017This hardcover edition is numbered 28 of 750 copies produced and is signed by Glen R. Krisch.
January 13, 2015
So I land this dream job as a reviewer for Ginger Nuts of Horror. My first “official” job is to review an ARC of Nothing Lasting by Glen Krisch. Who says good things don’t happen?
This is one of those rare occasions that you get 2 reviews from me for one book.
Review 1: It’s Glen Krisch. Buy it. If you have never read him before this will get you hooked.
Review 2: It’s 2009. Noah Berkley’s father has passed away. He has returned to the family home in his father’s hometown of Maple Valley for the funeral and to clear his house. While there he reminisces about the last time he was here, during the winter of 1984 when his life changed forever in ways he could never imagine.....
In 1984 Noah is 12. His mother and father have just separated. He goes to Maple Valley with his father to start a new life in his Grandpa’s house after he passes away. When he gets there he discovers his father has already hooked up with his old flame Erin Dooling. Noah now discovers he must try and get on with her son Derek. Noah despises him and Derek takes him into deep dark places that he will never ever escape. Jenny Sparrow lives round the corner. When she and Noah get together there is an undoubted connection. While Noah is slowly falling in love with Jenny, his secrets with Derek threaten his very existence. Will he ever break away from Derek’s hold? Will his love for Jenny ever come to fruition? Only if the secrets people have, stay as secrets.
This book is probably best described, in my opinion, as a creepy coming of age novel. The main body of the story is a flashback to 1984 following Noah as he tries to deal with his parents break up and the increasingly annoying Derek, and the life he now has to build with him. The character make up is fantastic. Noah is a timid, introverted young boy on the verge of becoming a teenager. You just want to take him under your wing and guide him through everything and keep him out of trouble. Derek is horrible. I probably haven’t hated a character in a book as much in a long time. As the story unfolds he gets worse and even though he is only a teenager in the story I just wanted to punch his face in. Jenny is adorable, worldly wise and a shining star Noah should follow for better future. You don’t like Noah’s parents or Erin Dooling much either until circumstances are explained much later in the story.
Secrets is a key word in this story. Everyone has them. You just never know what they are or the effect they will have on those around them when they are revealed. In this case the secrets span a period of more than 10 years. Just when you think you have found out who the keeper of a certain secret is, it becomes clear that that Mr Krisch has led you up a path of deception with more secrets still to reveal. It shows quite clearly that none of us can trust anyone we don’t know implicitly. We even have to doubt those we do occasionally as well.
This book doesn’t contain the amount of horror we have seen previously from Glen Krisch but when you look deeper into the story it reveals a different kind of horror. Something that is engrained in us all and as a society in general. Human nature. This story is probably happening all over the world as we speak. That is what is so believable in it. That is what is so convincing in it. That is what makes it so scary.
Glen Krisch’s words don’t just flow together on the page. They jump out at you and grab you by the shirt and don’t let you go until you’re finished. They hug you when you need it. They make you laugh when you need it. Just when you think it’s all ok, they creep you out when you don’t expect it.
This is definitely a more slow paced, creepy than all out, in your face horror. If like me you love the gore and the jumps, the heart pumping scares and all out poo your pants horror then this story is not it. On the other hand, it is an excellent read that will let you recover from the former and enjoy writing at it’s very best and a story that will keep you rooted to your seat until the twist at the very end that will quite possibly make your jaw hit the table and leave you like that for a long time after.
Highest recommended 5 stars.
- See more at: http://gingernutsofhorror.com/4/post/...
This is one of those rare occasions that you get 2 reviews from me for one book.
Review 1: It’s Glen Krisch. Buy it. If you have never read him before this will get you hooked.
Review 2: It’s 2009. Noah Berkley’s father has passed away. He has returned to the family home in his father’s hometown of Maple Valley for the funeral and to clear his house. While there he reminisces about the last time he was here, during the winter of 1984 when his life changed forever in ways he could never imagine.....
In 1984 Noah is 12. His mother and father have just separated. He goes to Maple Valley with his father to start a new life in his Grandpa’s house after he passes away. When he gets there he discovers his father has already hooked up with his old flame Erin Dooling. Noah now discovers he must try and get on with her son Derek. Noah despises him and Derek takes him into deep dark places that he will never ever escape. Jenny Sparrow lives round the corner. When she and Noah get together there is an undoubted connection. While Noah is slowly falling in love with Jenny, his secrets with Derek threaten his very existence. Will he ever break away from Derek’s hold? Will his love for Jenny ever come to fruition? Only if the secrets people have, stay as secrets.
This book is probably best described, in my opinion, as a creepy coming of age novel. The main body of the story is a flashback to 1984 following Noah as he tries to deal with his parents break up and the increasingly annoying Derek, and the life he now has to build with him. The character make up is fantastic. Noah is a timid, introverted young boy on the verge of becoming a teenager. You just want to take him under your wing and guide him through everything and keep him out of trouble. Derek is horrible. I probably haven’t hated a character in a book as much in a long time. As the story unfolds he gets worse and even though he is only a teenager in the story I just wanted to punch his face in. Jenny is adorable, worldly wise and a shining star Noah should follow for better future. You don’t like Noah’s parents or Erin Dooling much either until circumstances are explained much later in the story.
Secrets is a key word in this story. Everyone has them. You just never know what they are or the effect they will have on those around them when they are revealed. In this case the secrets span a period of more than 10 years. Just when you think you have found out who the keeper of a certain secret is, it becomes clear that that Mr Krisch has led you up a path of deception with more secrets still to reveal. It shows quite clearly that none of us can trust anyone we don’t know implicitly. We even have to doubt those we do occasionally as well.
This book doesn’t contain the amount of horror we have seen previously from Glen Krisch but when you look deeper into the story it reveals a different kind of horror. Something that is engrained in us all and as a society in general. Human nature. This story is probably happening all over the world as we speak. That is what is so believable in it. That is what is so convincing in it. That is what makes it so scary.
Glen Krisch’s words don’t just flow together on the page. They jump out at you and grab you by the shirt and don’t let you go until you’re finished. They hug you when you need it. They make you laugh when you need it. Just when you think it’s all ok, they creep you out when you don’t expect it.
This is definitely a more slow paced, creepy than all out, in your face horror. If like me you love the gore and the jumps, the heart pumping scares and all out poo your pants horror then this story is not it. On the other hand, it is an excellent read that will let you recover from the former and enjoy writing at it’s very best and a story that will keep you rooted to your seat until the twist at the very end that will quite possibly make your jaw hit the table and leave you like that for a long time after.
Highest recommended 5 stars.
- See more at: http://gingernutsofhorror.com/4/post/...
June 14, 2016
Review copy
Nothing Lasting has been available as an e-book for a couple of years and now it's been released as a Signed Limited Edition hardcover from the folks at Cemetery Dance.
This is a book I may have to reread again someday. Now that I know it's secrets, I think it deserves a closer look so I can see all the clues, because they are there, right out in the open, and I missed them until the very end.
At it's heart, Nothing Lasting, is a story of young love and love lost. Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley lost the first and only love of his life.
In 1984 Noah and his Father moved back to to the town his Father grew up in. "It's a time of change for Noah, life changes, location changes, personal changes." One of the biggest changes is his Father's new girlfriend and her son Derek. Derek was a big problem for Noah. Ever have someone in your life who had a penchant for getting you into trouble? For Noah, that someone was Derek Dooling.
The only bright spot in this new town is Jenny Sparrow, although a year ahead of Noah in school, she and Noah become fast friends with the promise of much more.
Krisch lulls the reader into a false sense of comfort with a simple story of adjusting to a new life, but underneath there is a growing sense of dread.
When things start to go wrong, they go horribly wrong.
I'm being purposefully vague in describing this book. It's one of those reads that is best enjoyed as the reader discovers it's secrets.
Nothing Lasting is published by Cemetery Dance and is available as an e-book and now as a signed limited edition hardcover.
Highly recommended.
Glen Krisch's other novels include The Nightmare Within, Where Darkness Dwells, and Arkadium Rising (Brother's Keeper Book One). His short fiction has appeared in publications across three continents for the last decade. Besides writing and reading, he enjoys spending time with his wife, romance author Sarah Krisch, his three boys, simple living, and ultra-running.
Nothing Lasting has been available as an e-book for a couple of years and now it's been released as a Signed Limited Edition hardcover from the folks at Cemetery Dance.
This is a book I may have to reread again someday. Now that I know it's secrets, I think it deserves a closer look so I can see all the clues, because they are there, right out in the open, and I missed them until the very end.
At it's heart, Nothing Lasting, is a story of young love and love lost. Twenty-five years ago, Noah Berkley lost the first and only love of his life.
In 1984 Noah and his Father moved back to to the town his Father grew up in. "It's a time of change for Noah, life changes, location changes, personal changes." One of the biggest changes is his Father's new girlfriend and her son Derek. Derek was a big problem for Noah. Ever have someone in your life who had a penchant for getting you into trouble? For Noah, that someone was Derek Dooling.
The only bright spot in this new town is Jenny Sparrow, although a year ahead of Noah in school, she and Noah become fast friends with the promise of much more.
Krisch lulls the reader into a false sense of comfort with a simple story of adjusting to a new life, but underneath there is a growing sense of dread.
When things start to go wrong, they go horribly wrong.
I'm being purposefully vague in describing this book. It's one of those reads that is best enjoyed as the reader discovers it's secrets.
Nothing Lasting is published by Cemetery Dance and is available as an e-book and now as a signed limited edition hardcover.
Highly recommended.
Glen Krisch's other novels include The Nightmare Within, Where Darkness Dwells, and Arkadium Rising (Brother's Keeper Book One). His short fiction has appeared in publications across three continents for the last decade. Besides writing and reading, he enjoys spending time with his wife, romance author Sarah Krisch, his three boys, simple living, and ultra-running.
April 30, 2016
In 1984, Noah Berkley moves into his grandfather's old house with his father following his parent's divorce. Noah's memories are clipped and fuzzy of the times he spent here while his grandfather was alive. He vaguely remembers Derek, the older boy that lives next door and whose mother is now dating Noah's father. Noah is angry and spiteful over his father dragging him off to live here and now dating this other woman. His father is a firefighter who works various 24 hour shifts and one night while his father was at work, Derek pops in acting like him and Noah are best friends and whisks him away for what turns out to be a little nighttime mischief. With Derek as the ringleader, Noah winds up being along for the ride as Derek breaks into the neighbor's house and trashes it. Witnessing Derek's sudden transformation from average adolescent high jinx to out of control psycho plants the first seeds of loathing towards him in Noah. Noah also meets Jenny Sparrow, the free-spirited girl next door, and love begins to blossom. All the while, children are going missing in the small town and paranoia starts to run deep amongst the residents as the police have no clue who is responsible. While Noah is going through this turbulent time in his life where his emotions are up and down like a never ending roller coaster, he also finds himself caught smack dab in the middle of much darker and sinister events that will forever change his life.
Nothing Lasting is a wonderful coming-of-age story in the vein of Boy's Life and The Body. Krisch excels at bringing you back to what it's like to see with the eyes of a 12-year-old boy in 1984. The language, the setting, the feel of 1984 is spot on. We forget in today's world what it was like to be a latch-key kid. Krisch reminds us perfectly. Nothing Lasting has a nice, slow build-up reminiscent of Charles Grant's work, too. This isn't a story meant to bludgeon you over the head with non-stop horror with little substance. Oh contrare, the exact opposite. Krisch builds us up making us feel as if we're in Noah's shoes and by the time he drops the bomb on him, it feels as if we're the ones caught in the crossfire. Highly recommended.
4 1/2 Juvenile Delinquints out of 5
** This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Nothing Lasting is a wonderful coming-of-age story in the vein of Boy's Life and The Body. Krisch excels at bringing you back to what it's like to see with the eyes of a 12-year-old boy in 1984. The language, the setting, the feel of 1984 is spot on. We forget in today's world what it was like to be a latch-key kid. Krisch reminds us perfectly. Nothing Lasting has a nice, slow build-up reminiscent of Charles Grant's work, too. This isn't a story meant to bludgeon you over the head with non-stop horror with little substance. Oh contrare, the exact opposite. Krisch builds us up making us feel as if we're in Noah's shoes and by the time he drops the bomb on him, it feels as if we're the ones caught in the crossfire. Highly recommended.
4 1/2 Juvenile Delinquints out of 5
** This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
June 29, 2017
Superior coming-of-age thriller, completely blew off my socks and shoes. I highly recommend this book. I have yet to read anything by Glen Krisch that was anything short of remarkable.
May 16, 2016
I am online friends with the author and he provided a free copy of this book.
I suppose you could call this a coming of age story but it's not one of those where the past is looked back on fondly.
Noah Berkley is burying his father. As most of us would, he begins to reminisce on his adolescence years. Back to a time when his parents had just split up, he and his father had moved to his father's hometown and Noah was just trying to keep it together. He forms a tenuous friendship with Derek, an older boy whose mother is dating Noah's father(and it seems they had a bit of a past) and embarks on a budding romance with Jenny, a free-spirited girl from school.
The story weaves through many twists in Noah's life. Getting in to trouble with Derek, becoming closer with Jenny all while trying to figure out exactly what happened between his parents. Throw in an old crime from the past and you have a story that takes many unexpected turns all the way to the surprise ending.
8/10
I suppose you could call this a coming of age story but it's not one of those where the past is looked back on fondly.
Noah Berkley is burying his father. As most of us would, he begins to reminisce on his adolescence years. Back to a time when his parents had just split up, he and his father had moved to his father's hometown and Noah was just trying to keep it together. He forms a tenuous friendship with Derek, an older boy whose mother is dating Noah's father(and it seems they had a bit of a past) and embarks on a budding romance with Jenny, a free-spirited girl from school.
The story weaves through many twists in Noah's life. Getting in to trouble with Derek, becoming closer with Jenny all while trying to figure out exactly what happened between his parents. Throw in an old crime from the past and you have a story that takes many unexpected turns all the way to the surprise ending.
8/10
June 7, 2016
Will write review soon.
February 19, 2018
I saw this book posted somewhere for $.99. I read the synopsis and it sounded pretty good, but then I saw my Goodreads friend's review. She likened it to The Body by Stephen King, but directed by M. Night Shyamalan. That pushed me over the edge and I purchased it (thanks again, Char!). Had I seen that it was published by Cemetery Dance publications, I probably would've bought it, but that review just intrigued me. It was $.99 well spent!
In 1984, Noah and his dad moved into his grandfather's old house in another town, following the separation of Noah's parents. Erin Dooling, Noah's dad's ex and current girlfriend, lives across the street with her delinquent son, Derek, and her aging parents. Derek immediately takes Noah under his wing committing a little breaking and entering. And from there, their relationship just gets worse. Everything is going poorly for Noah until he meets Jenny, the only bright spot in his new life. Then a boy in Noah's class disappears, reminiscent of several other disappearances that occurred years before. And Noah's life goes from bad to worse.
Some other reviews called this a YA book and maybe it is, but the last YA book I tried to read annoyed me because the language was so juvenile. So we can call this a YA, coming-of-age book if you like, but I think the tone and language are very much so the creepy horror that CD readers do so enjoy. Or at least I do.
This book just wowed me - I am tottering on giving it 5 stars, but for now we'll say 4 1/2. Once I hit the last page, I stood there slack-jawed, thinking: "HOLY SHIT!" And I subsequently went back and re-read several passages, clearing up some things in my mind. (Attempting not to spoil - sorry if that sounds a little clumsy.) Sometimes you finish a book and are simply shocked at just how much you enjoyed it. This is that book.
EDIT: I'm giving it 5 stars. I try to do it sparingly, as that is reserved for books I not only enjoyed, but will conceivably read again, despite the shelves overfilled with to-be-read books and the dozens yet unread on my Kindle. But I would absolutely read this again.
In 1984, Noah and his dad moved into his grandfather's old house in another town, following the separation of Noah's parents. Erin Dooling, Noah's dad's ex and current girlfriend, lives across the street with her delinquent son, Derek, and her aging parents. Derek immediately takes Noah under his wing committing a little breaking and entering. And from there, their relationship just gets worse. Everything is going poorly for Noah until he meets Jenny, the only bright spot in his new life. Then a boy in Noah's class disappears, reminiscent of several other disappearances that occurred years before. And Noah's life goes from bad to worse.
Some other reviews called this a YA book and maybe it is, but the last YA book I tried to read annoyed me because the language was so juvenile. So we can call this a YA, coming-of-age book if you like, but I think the tone and language are very much so the creepy horror that CD readers do so enjoy. Or at least I do.
This book just wowed me - I am tottering on giving it 5 stars, but for now we'll say 4 1/2. Once I hit the last page, I stood there slack-jawed, thinking: "HOLY SHIT!" And I subsequently went back and re-read several passages, clearing up some things in my mind. (Attempting not to spoil - sorry if that sounds a little clumsy.) Sometimes you finish a book and are simply shocked at just how much you enjoyed it. This is that book.
EDIT: I'm giving it 5 stars. I try to do it sparingly, as that is reserved for books I not only enjoyed, but will conceivably read again, despite the shelves overfilled with to-be-read books and the dozens yet unread on my Kindle. But I would absolutely read this again.
December 23, 2025
I finished Nothing Lasting and sat with it for a while before writing anything, because this is the kind of story that asks you to slow down and actually feel what it just did to you. This is my second book by Glen Krisch, and at this point I’m comfortable saying he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. There’s nothing flashy or show-offy about the way he writes. The prose isn’t complicated for the sake of it. It’s clear, visual, and deeply human. You don’t spend time decoding sentences or themes. You just fall into the story. Noah felt real to me almost immediately, to the point where I could easily see pieces of myself or close friends in him. That kind of relatability is rare, especially when paired with writing that’s this controlled and confident.
At its core, this is a coming-of-age story, but one that understands how fragile and fleeting innocence really is. The relationship between Noah and Jenny hit me harder than I expected. Reading their moments together pulled me straight back to my first real girlfriend in high school, that brief window where everything felt magical and insulated from the rest of the world. Krisch captures that feeling perfectly, the way those moments can drown out fear, confusion, and teenage angst, even if only temporarily. There’s something incredibly beautiful about how simply and honestly those scenes are written. They don’t feel sentimental or forced. They feel remembered. At the same time, there’s an undercurrent of dread running through the book that never quite lets you relax, and that tension between beauty and horror is where this story really shines.
Then there’s the ending. The twist is handled with restraint and care, and it completely recontextualizes what you’ve been reading without cheapening what came before it. What I appreciated most is that the ending doesn’t tell you how to feel. Whether this is a happy ending or a tragic one is left up to you, and that ambiguity feels intentional and earned. I closed the book feeling heartbroken and grateful at the same time, which is about the highest compliment I can give a story. This book didn’t just entertain me, it stayed with me. I’m giving Nothing Lasting a firm 5 out of 5. If Glen Krisch can create something this moving in under 300 pages, I genuinely hope he gives himself the room to write something even bigger someday. I’ll be there when he does.
At its core, this is a coming-of-age story, but one that understands how fragile and fleeting innocence really is. The relationship between Noah and Jenny hit me harder than I expected. Reading their moments together pulled me straight back to my first real girlfriend in high school, that brief window where everything felt magical and insulated from the rest of the world. Krisch captures that feeling perfectly, the way those moments can drown out fear, confusion, and teenage angst, even if only temporarily. There’s something incredibly beautiful about how simply and honestly those scenes are written. They don’t feel sentimental or forced. They feel remembered. At the same time, there’s an undercurrent of dread running through the book that never quite lets you relax, and that tension between beauty and horror is where this story really shines.
Then there’s the ending. The twist is handled with restraint and care, and it completely recontextualizes what you’ve been reading without cheapening what came before it. What I appreciated most is that the ending doesn’t tell you how to feel. Whether this is a happy ending or a tragic one is left up to you, and that ambiguity feels intentional and earned. I closed the book feeling heartbroken and grateful at the same time, which is about the highest compliment I can give a story. This book didn’t just entertain me, it stayed with me. I’m giving Nothing Lasting a firm 5 out of 5. If Glen Krisch can create something this moving in under 300 pages, I genuinely hope he gives himself the room to write something even bigger someday. I’ll be there when he does.
November 29, 2014
“NOTHING LASTING”, but some things do.
"Ever wonder about the secrets people keep" is a recurring theme is this creepy and chilling novel of growing up too early amongst mysteries perhaps left alone
.
Noah Berkley moves to the family home with his dad after the death of his beloved grandfather and meets his childhood friend, Derek. His dad has left Noah’s mother leaving Noah an emotional mess and Derek befriends him. Noah falls in love just as his life also begins to fall apart in ways he could never imagine and to confuse him even more, his dad is in love with Derek’s mother Erin.
I found the characters in this novel by Glen Krisch not only lifelike, but also disturbing. The plot has twists and turns and just as soon as the reader believes they have figured out where it is taking them, Krisch throws the story in a different direction. The story flows well and the climax is thrilling with an anti-climax that is even more surprising.
I can easily imagine the events in this novel occurring and the manner in which the characters act is not unreal. A very creepy novel that takes 25 years to resolve.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to readers that like growing of age types of books that reflect small town horrors.
I enthusiastically give this novel 5 stars.
"Ever wonder about the secrets people keep" is a recurring theme is this creepy and chilling novel of growing up too early amongst mysteries perhaps left alone
.
Noah Berkley moves to the family home with his dad after the death of his beloved grandfather and meets his childhood friend, Derek. His dad has left Noah’s mother leaving Noah an emotional mess and Derek befriends him. Noah falls in love just as his life also begins to fall apart in ways he could never imagine and to confuse him even more, his dad is in love with Derek’s mother Erin.
I found the characters in this novel by Glen Krisch not only lifelike, but also disturbing. The plot has twists and turns and just as soon as the reader believes they have figured out where it is taking them, Krisch throws the story in a different direction. The story flows well and the climax is thrilling with an anti-climax that is even more surprising.
I can easily imagine the events in this novel occurring and the manner in which the characters act is not unreal. A very creepy novel that takes 25 years to resolve.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to readers that like growing of age types of books that reflect small town horrors.
I enthusiastically give this novel 5 stars.
December 12, 2020
An excellent coming of age story of a 12 year old boy, dealing with divorcing parents, first love, bad influences. Well written characterization , along with the atmospheric descriptions. Prose that flows smoothly, making the read enjoyable. The fact that this story rings close to home for me. Having a step grandson, With the same name, Noah,facing the same issues as Noah in the book. A great read and highly recommended.
April 30, 2019
I absolutely loved this. Going on my favorites list.
September 15, 2017
This is the second novel I have read by this author and I really enjoy his style. Another great tale about kids, reminiscent of the iconic "Stand By Me" by King. It almost felt like you were listening to a friend tell you about a scary time from his youth. The ending had a great twist and was amazingly perfect! Nice comfortable read that is never boring and doesn't disappoint!
September 17, 2017
Very much enjoyed this haunting mystery/thriller coming of age novel. Interesting characters and plot. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2021
OK, so first, again I need to apologize. I actually finished NOTHING LASTING by Glen Krisch back in December of 2019. I just now realized I not only didn’t mark it as read (on Goodreads), but didn’t write a review either! Talk about slacking off.
Anyway, here it is.
This was my first foray into reading Glen and I have to say, I’m saddened that I hadn’t read him earlier.
Since it has been so long since the book has come out, I’m not going to rehash it here - there are plenty of other reviews that can give you a taste of what to expect: Boy grows up dealing with divorce, and horrible childhood, then goes back an adult to try and find closure.
Yeah, maybe that’s way too simple of an explanation, but it will have to suffice. Glen writes a masterful tale that has you really feeling for the characters - Noah especially - and just when you think you have the plot line down, Glen throws up a detour to keep you on your toes; all culminating to an exciting end.
Anyway, here it is.
This was my first foray into reading Glen and I have to say, I’m saddened that I hadn’t read him earlier.
Since it has been so long since the book has come out, I’m not going to rehash it here - there are plenty of other reviews that can give you a taste of what to expect: Boy grows up dealing with divorce, and horrible childhood, then goes back an adult to try and find closure.
Yeah, maybe that’s way too simple of an explanation, but it will have to suffice. Glen writes a masterful tale that has you really feeling for the characters - Noah especially - and just when you think you have the plot line down, Glen throws up a detour to keep you on your toes; all culminating to an exciting end.
June 6, 2024
The events of the winter of 1984 sees Noah’s life forever changed and innocence lost. Dragged to a new town as his parent’s marriage fell apart, he also finds himself involved in the darker side of the town as his troubled could-be stepbrother embroils him in breaking and entering (and worse). Noah also feels himself inexplicably pulled towards the local cold case of a murdered- & still missing kids of 10 years back.
-Then another child goes missing.
An immersive coming-of-age-tale which managed to give me both Lansdale-noir & King vibes.
-Then another child goes missing.
An immersive coming-of-age-tale which managed to give me both Lansdale-noir & King vibes.
June 13, 2017
Loved it!
Great coming of age story, that drew me in quite early. The characters are very well developed, I could truly emphasize with them. The creepy elements came together in a superb, twisted ending. Excellent use of descriptions to set richly detailed settings. So good, I read it all within 24 hours.
Great coming of age story, that drew me in quite early. The characters are very well developed, I could truly emphasize with them. The creepy elements came together in a superb, twisted ending. Excellent use of descriptions to set richly detailed settings. So good, I read it all within 24 hours.
March 29, 2018
N.L.
This was a very touching novel. There is a growing level of suspenseful throughout. I enjoyed this book and will look into others by this author.
This was a very touching novel. There is a growing level of suspenseful throughout. I enjoyed this book and will look into others by this author.
April 21, 2016
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I have read several other novels by Glen Krisch, most notably, for me at least, was the fantastic historical horror novel Darkness Dwells, which I never stop recommending for those that have the strength for very dark stories. I read that novel several years ago and still remember several scenes. They were that chilling.
Nothing Lasting is very different. I usually avoid reading the synopsis so that I can approach the novel with no preconceived notions about what is going on in the work. I also think sometimes the blurbs give away too much of the plot. I find myself waiting on things that I have already been told were coming. It is probably good that I did not read the synopsis here because I would have discovered that this novel is YA in perspective. I generally don’t go for “coming of age” novels except for a few classics, although there are plenty of exceptions. Point is, I went into this one cold.
It didn’t take more than a few pages for me to realize I was in YA territory but I was still enjoying myself because Krisch is just so good at characters. I tried to look at this story as if I were in my teens and I have to admit that I think Krisch did a very good job of it. He also captured the essence of the 80’s time frame very well, of which I have read enough bad examples to realize is not that easy. It rang very true for me. It is always interesting to think of how plots would be so much different if everyone had a cell phone….
There is much teen angst here, for which I was NOT the target audience, so I have to take away a point because it is MY enjoyment, after all, that I am honestly reporting. If you like YA books you will take as plusses those points that I took as minuses, so keep that in mind. I think any audience will enjoy his fine skills at characterization. The payoff in the last portion of the book is well worth the slower scenes of teen character growth and revelation. In fact, the last 20% of the book is quite compelling, shocking, and dramatic. I found myself racing to see what happened and that is always good.
All in all it was interesting to see a very talented writer writing in another genre than I am used to experiencing him and it was quite enjoyable. 4 stars for a well written book by a talented author who got me to like a YA novel, which isn’t an easy feat.
Thanks, Glen.
I have read several other novels by Glen Krisch, most notably, for me at least, was the fantastic historical horror novel Darkness Dwells, which I never stop recommending for those that have the strength for very dark stories. I read that novel several years ago and still remember several scenes. They were that chilling.
Nothing Lasting is very different. I usually avoid reading the synopsis so that I can approach the novel with no preconceived notions about what is going on in the work. I also think sometimes the blurbs give away too much of the plot. I find myself waiting on things that I have already been told were coming. It is probably good that I did not read the synopsis here because I would have discovered that this novel is YA in perspective. I generally don’t go for “coming of age” novels except for a few classics, although there are plenty of exceptions. Point is, I went into this one cold.
It didn’t take more than a few pages for me to realize I was in YA territory but I was still enjoying myself because Krisch is just so good at characters. I tried to look at this story as if I were in my teens and I have to admit that I think Krisch did a very good job of it. He also captured the essence of the 80’s time frame very well, of which I have read enough bad examples to realize is not that easy. It rang very true for me. It is always interesting to think of how plots would be so much different if everyone had a cell phone….
There is much teen angst here, for which I was NOT the target audience, so I have to take away a point because it is MY enjoyment, after all, that I am honestly reporting. If you like YA books you will take as plusses those points that I took as minuses, so keep that in mind. I think any audience will enjoy his fine skills at characterization. The payoff in the last portion of the book is well worth the slower scenes of teen character growth and revelation. In fact, the last 20% of the book is quite compelling, shocking, and dramatic. I found myself racing to see what happened and that is always good.
All in all it was interesting to see a very talented writer writing in another genre than I am used to experiencing him and it was quite enjoyable. 4 stars for a well written book by a talented author who got me to like a YA novel, which isn’t an easy feat.
Thanks, Glen.
April 25, 2016
I rarely read 'coming of age' fiction. I have nothing against the genre, it's just not the type of book I'm typically drawn to. But this is Glen Krisch. I know his writing is brilliant, so I'm going to read whatever he writes.
This book breaks genre boundaries. Yes, it's a coming of age story. We follow Noah into tumultuous adolescence. It's also a story of relationships - parental, romantic, and friendships. It's a story of boundaries and manipulation, love lost and love found. It's a story of grief and joy. We have Krisch's signature underlying darkness, keeping us on edge. Overall, this is a story with tremendous depth and insight.
Krisch excels at characterization. I hesitate to call them "characters", because they feel real, like I expect to look up from the book and find them standing there in front of me. Even the minor players here are fully developed. We get a firm sense of each of them as people. We understand what they're feeling and why, and what motivates them to act as they do.
The plot is full of surprises. One twist in particular had me saying, "Wow!" out loud. I stopped reading - mind blown. And, honestly, that rarely happens. I read a lot of suspense and thrillers, and I write within the genre myself, so consequently plot twists don't often catch me by complete surprise. This one shocked me.
Glen Krisch should have his name on the NYT Bestseller lists, and I hope that happens for him someday soon. Until then, read this book. And everything else he writes.
This book breaks genre boundaries. Yes, it's a coming of age story. We follow Noah into tumultuous adolescence. It's also a story of relationships - parental, romantic, and friendships. It's a story of boundaries and manipulation, love lost and love found. It's a story of grief and joy. We have Krisch's signature underlying darkness, keeping us on edge. Overall, this is a story with tremendous depth and insight.
Krisch excels at characterization. I hesitate to call them "characters", because they feel real, like I expect to look up from the book and find them standing there in front of me. Even the minor players here are fully developed. We get a firm sense of each of them as people. We understand what they're feeling and why, and what motivates them to act as they do.
The plot is full of surprises. One twist in particular had me saying, "Wow!" out loud. I stopped reading - mind blown. And, honestly, that rarely happens. I read a lot of suspense and thrillers, and I write within the genre myself, so consequently plot twists don't often catch me by complete surprise. This one shocked me.
Glen Krisch should have his name on the NYT Bestseller lists, and I hope that happens for him someday soon. Until then, read this book. And everything else he writes.
June 16, 2017
Wow.
Every book I start to read , I expect to enjoy , otherwise I wouldn't waste my time beginning it. Usually I've chosen well and occasionally I'm disappointed. And then there are those rare times I realize that I've discovered a gem. You know what I mean..... One of those books that just floors you ,and you wonder how you've never stumbled across this hidden treasure before.
Nothing Lasting is one of those precious discoveries. Jesus! What a magnificent book! It reminds me of the first time I read Stephen King , and the lasting effect it had on me as a reader as a young man at that time. I am so looking forward to reading more by author Glen Krisch! The man is a gifted storyteller . Excellent...just excellent.
Every book I start to read , I expect to enjoy , otherwise I wouldn't waste my time beginning it. Usually I've chosen well and occasionally I'm disappointed. And then there are those rare times I realize that I've discovered a gem. You know what I mean..... One of those books that just floors you ,and you wonder how you've never stumbled across this hidden treasure before.
Nothing Lasting is one of those precious discoveries. Jesus! What a magnificent book! It reminds me of the first time I read Stephen King , and the lasting effect it had on me as a reader as a young man at that time. I am so looking forward to reading more by author Glen Krisch! The man is a gifted storyteller . Excellent...just excellent.
September 11, 2015
At first I thought this was going to be a typical coming-of-age -oh-the-hard-life-of-a-teenager story, and was beginning to feel disappointed with the story. Glad I kept reading because it turned out to be different than what I expected.
December 21, 2017
A good story about a 14 yr old boy who is forced to move to a new town ( his Grandfathers house) after his parents separate and his Dad inherits the house. Noah is an outsider but he meets a local girl (Jenny) who is a bit of an outcast herself. Her Dad is the lead suspect in a series of horrific child disappearances 10 years previous. Dad new girlfriend has a psychopath 14 yr old son who befriends Noah. It becomes apparent almost immediately that he is a bad choice in friends. As Noah and Jenny get closer the plot thickens. The jury is out, still, if I liked the ending or not. I guess I was mildly surprised.
November 20, 2025
Not sure why I had this on my kindle - teenage boys are probably my least favorite demographic to read about, and I'm not into coming-of-age stories in general. I expected this to be more of a horror novel, too. No idea why I had so many expectations for a book I don't remember purchasing, but here we are. It has some scary parts, but that's not the bulk of the story. I also wasn't quite sure what to make of the ending.
June 16, 2017
I enjoyed this one. The characters, especially the main one kept my interest. I didn't see the twist near the end coming until just before it became clear, which is rare. The writing style was easy to read and flowed well, and there were very few spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors which is really a rarity these days!
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