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The Midnight Book Club #1
Black Canyon
THE NEW FACE OF EVIL
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado boasts one of the most beautiful and deepest canyons in the United States. For twelve-year-old Brian Garrett, a weekend camping trip in the park promises to be an opportunity to bond with his aloof parents. But after his father suffers a horrible accident during a hike to the chasm's floor, events spiral quickly out of control, and over the next twenty-four hours Brian will uncover a terrifying dark side to his father--and an even darker side to himself.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado boasts one of the most beautiful and deepest canyons in the United States. For twelve-year-old Brian Garrett, a weekend camping trip in the park promises to be an opportunity to bond with his aloof parents. But after his father suffers a horrible accident during a hike to the chasm's floor, events spiral quickly out of control, and over the next twenty-four hours Brian will uncover a terrifying dark side to his father--and an even darker side to himself.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
292 people are currently reading
1457 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Bates
46 books1,840 followersUSA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates has written over twenty novels and novellas, selling more than one million copies worldwide. His work has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film and television by major studios. Midwest Book Review has likened his storytelling to that of Stephen King and Joe Lansdale, calling him a "master of the art." Bates is a KDP Select All-Star and the recipient of the Australian Shadows Award and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award. He was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book honors chosen by readers.
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
July 7, 2018
Wow! Wow!! Another great shocker from Jeremy Bates. I was drawn in by the first page and could not stop reading this short story. The story flows nice and easy and you forget this is a horror
book, then it steadily builds and takes a twist and a turn and Bam! Well, you will just need to read this book for yourself and find out how and why this is a wonderful horror story. I am not going to spoil the fun for anyone.
I am a big fan of this writer and will probably read all his books.
I highly recommend this book and have given a rating of 5 stellar 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!!
book, then it steadily builds and takes a twist and a turn and Bam! Well, you will just need to read this book for yourself and find out how and why this is a wonderful horror story. I am not going to spoil the fun for anyone.
I am a big fan of this writer and will probably read all his books.
I highly recommend this book and have given a rating of 5 stellar 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!!
March 3, 2016
I got this book free from the author's web site.
This was a very good book. I was hooked from the first paragraph. The literally sat there and read the whole thing in one setting and could not stop turning the pages. It held my attention the entire time and I loved that it was written from the young boy Brian's point of view. The story continued into Brian's adult years where he really showed the reader how twisted his mind was. I read a lot of crime fiction as well as true crime and horror and this was just my cup of tea.
It starts when he is young in the 6th grade living with his parents who are dysfunctional to say the least. His parents drink and smoke and his mom is a "dancing" waitress, his father is unemployed and pays little attention to him, they don't really care what he does and have no set household rules. The family decides to go on a family camping trip and this turns out to be quite an expedition and this is where things start to get scary. They face everything from poison ivy, getting lost, bears, and an unexpected family secret that get exposed that is very upsetting to Brian. I don't want to say too much as it would spoil the story and this is a fairly short novella.
This story had me feeling tense, on the edge of my chair, leaning forward toward my computer, reading as fast as I could to see what was going to happen. My heart was beating faster towards the end as Brian became psychotic, or was he really psychotic all along? It really is a thriller of a ride. It was very well-written and interesting. I really enjoyed it. Its free to download on Amazon Kindle Unlimited now.
November 10, 2025
The new face of evil. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado is home to one of the most breathtaking and deepest canyons in the United States. For twelve-year-old Brian Garrett, a weekend camping trip is meant to be a chance to reconnect with his distant parents. But when his father suffers a brutal accident during a hike to the canyon floor, things spiral out of control. In the next twenty-four hours, Brian will discover a horrifying dark side to his father—and an even darker side to himself.
My neighbor rushed over in Sunday's snow...gave me this book and said..."it's yours you have to read it. and you can keep it since it's going to give me nightmares for many nights".
I read it in one day and a big part of the night and I have to say that while few stories actually scare me anymore, this one did manage, in its short length, to give the reader a well-rounded... deeply, deeply flawed characters...a chilling story...and a rather satisfying terrifying ending that would make "The King of Horror""...Stephen King proud.
The story follows 12-year-old, Brian and his parents on a camping trip to Black Canyon in the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. At first the trip starts out like most camping trips...a hot dog roast, some family bickering, and plans to see the canyon. Before any activity happened, Brian's father has a really bad fall, and his mother leaves Brian to watch him while she goes for help. Down in the canyon was scary and it's getting dark, Brian tries to be brave, but along with thirst, a wandering bear, and his father's verbal abuse... which was nothing new...the night drags on. To make matters worse, if possible, Brian must confront a more recent, a more awful darkness that he feels taking root within himself, a darkness so much worse than anything the night can throw at him.
The writing here is okay but not excellent. I've read many Jeremy Bates books, and his writing was always top-notch...not by any means bad, but not as much this time. In spite of that it somehow, just fit this story. Much of the story was being told from the point of view of a child, so the writing is simplified without being "dumbed down". It fits and helps us get a better understanding of Brian's mind. The suspense, at this point, is slowly and carefully built and maintained through the last half of the book. The ending??? Wow! Maybe I should have seen it coming, but all I'm going to say is that it was chilling and startling.
The characters are surprisingly well-rounded for such a short read as well. The family starts off being seemingly pleasant at, but hints are soon laid down early that everything is NOT as it seems, and we gradually see that both Brian and his parents are hiding secrets and flaws from each other. Well done, Mr. Bates!
I spent 28 years of my life working as an educator and wildlife biologist in our local zoo, so I have to question the behavior of the bear in the story. I don't believe that any species of bears behave the way that the author has them behaving. It's probably a minor nitpick...but I have found that the ideas that people have about animals is what they see in movies and read in books...so I want it to be correct. Our message was always that wild animals are NOT pets.
"Black Canyon" is a chilling and suspenseful short story, with well-done characters and a scenario that wouldn't be entirely out of place in a "Criminal Minds" episode. If you enjoy a well-crafted short horror tale, give this one, or almost any of Jeremy Bate's books a shot. This seems to be a series, or part of a series so you can look forward to even more thrills and chills even after this tale is finished.
My neighbor rushed over in Sunday's snow...gave me this book and said..."it's yours you have to read it. and you can keep it since it's going to give me nightmares for many nights".
I read it in one day and a big part of the night and I have to say that while few stories actually scare me anymore, this one did manage, in its short length, to give the reader a well-rounded... deeply, deeply flawed characters...a chilling story...and a rather satisfying terrifying ending that would make "The King of Horror""...Stephen King proud.
The story follows 12-year-old, Brian and his parents on a camping trip to Black Canyon in the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. At first the trip starts out like most camping trips...a hot dog roast, some family bickering, and plans to see the canyon. Before any activity happened, Brian's father has a really bad fall, and his mother leaves Brian to watch him while she goes for help. Down in the canyon was scary and it's getting dark, Brian tries to be brave, but along with thirst, a wandering bear, and his father's verbal abuse... which was nothing new...the night drags on. To make matters worse, if possible, Brian must confront a more recent, a more awful darkness that he feels taking root within himself, a darkness so much worse than anything the night can throw at him.
The writing here is okay but not excellent. I've read many Jeremy Bates books, and his writing was always top-notch...not by any means bad, but not as much this time. In spite of that it somehow, just fit this story. Much of the story was being told from the point of view of a child, so the writing is simplified without being "dumbed down". It fits and helps us get a better understanding of Brian's mind. The suspense, at this point, is slowly and carefully built and maintained through the last half of the book. The ending??? Wow! Maybe I should have seen it coming, but all I'm going to say is that it was chilling and startling.
The characters are surprisingly well-rounded for such a short read as well. The family starts off being seemingly pleasant at, but hints are soon laid down early that everything is NOT as it seems, and we gradually see that both Brian and his parents are hiding secrets and flaws from each other. Well done, Mr. Bates!
I spent 28 years of my life working as an educator and wildlife biologist in our local zoo, so I have to question the behavior of the bear in the story. I don't believe that any species of bears behave the way that the author has them behaving. It's probably a minor nitpick...but I have found that the ideas that people have about animals is what they see in movies and read in books...so I want it to be correct. Our message was always that wild animals are NOT pets.
"Black Canyon" is a chilling and suspenseful short story, with well-done characters and a scenario that wouldn't be entirely out of place in a "Criminal Minds" episode. If you enjoy a well-crafted short horror tale, give this one, or almost any of Jeremy Bate's books a shot. This seems to be a series, or part of a series so you can look forward to even more thrills and chills even after this tale is finished.
March 6, 2016
This is exactly how a horror short story was meant to be done! In only seventy pages, Jeremy Bates has lured me into the lives of his characters, and then clubbed me over the head with the vile monster that he has created.
Kept simple with only three characters, Brian Garrett and his parents, these are the only characters that I need to know. Jeremy Bates introduces his readers to this small family, and as the story progresses we learn more about the dysfunctional nature of this family. It was easy to get acquainted with them and see small (very small) pieces of everyday life in their little family vacation.
The story is paced very well as I found myself in the mind of a twelve year old boy. That point where a child starts his eternal journey to become a man. Brian is still innocent in many ways, I think that everyone can relate to that feeling, pretending to know what the adults are talking about, while in reality, you don’t have a sweet clue. As a reader, this truly helped me identify with Brian Garrett.
What happens? I won’t say, but it is well worth the time, and I found Black Canyon to be a fantastic introduction to Jeremy Bates’ work.
Kept simple with only three characters, Brian Garrett and his parents, these are the only characters that I need to know. Jeremy Bates introduces his readers to this small family, and as the story progresses we learn more about the dysfunctional nature of this family. It was easy to get acquainted with them and see small (very small) pieces of everyday life in their little family vacation.
The story is paced very well as I found myself in the mind of a twelve year old boy. That point where a child starts his eternal journey to become a man. Brian is still innocent in many ways, I think that everyone can relate to that feeling, pretending to know what the adults are talking about, while in reality, you don’t have a sweet clue. As a reader, this truly helped me identify with Brian Garrett.
What happens? I won’t say, but it is well worth the time, and I found Black Canyon to be a fantastic introduction to Jeremy Bates’ work.
May 4, 2017
Huh! I have hundreds of (mostly free) books on my Kindle app, and so when a reading challenge on Goodreads required me to find and read "a book with a house or a tree as the cover" I searched my books and vowed to read the 1st one to have a house or tree, no matter what it might be- it was this novella by Jeremy Bates. Told from the POV of 11 year old Brian, the story begins as he and his parents arrive at Black Canyon in Colorado to camp for the weekend. His parents are not exactly the perfect pair. They smoke and drink and do drugs in front of him and overall do not treat him very kindly. Still, he is happy to be having this weekend with them. Then his dad falls down a cliff. Still alive, but badly hurt. Then? Things get even worse. I really enjoyed this quick little read and it actually made me *smile* with the TONE it had, using an 11 year old boy's perspective on these horrible things. If you like horror, a grim dose of harsh reality, and want a quick blast of it- here you go! --Jen from Quebec :0)
March 10, 2015
Terrifying! You will read in one sitting and feel unsettled the rest of the day. If this is your genre you will definitely have a new author to follow. I lived in this Colorado neighborhood and have camped in this canyon. I will never look back on these memories the same again. Very well written with true to life characters that you will relate to and be frightened of.
September 3, 2019
I wanted to begin with this little tale before I went into his new one, so The Black Canyon, it was.
It starts in present tense and tells you the inevitable end; so that you are wondering through the rest of the story, as he recounts camping as a young child with his parents. You wonder and wait how it all happens. Then you return to the present where you see another little twist.
It starts in present tense and tells you the inevitable end; so that you are wondering through the rest of the story, as he recounts camping as a young child with his parents. You wonder and wait how it all happens. Then you return to the present where you see another little twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2016
I am so glad that Black Canyon is the first work by Jeremy Bates I've read. To be honest, since I have so many books waiting in line to be read – quite a pile on my table and in my Kindle, I wasn't planning on reviewing it at first. I wanted to save time and move on onto another book as soon as possible. But already in the first ten pages of this 2015 dark novella I knew this won't be the case, even if I reflect on it with just a few words.
It is a rarity to have an opportunity to read about the pre-teen young monster, who will grow into a new American psycho and a serial killer, from his own perspective. When a child (12-year-old Brian Garrett) tells you about the weekend camping with his parents in the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, you don't expect anything but the idyllic trip to the amazing and wild nature. And this is what you get. But coated with a few gory moments of surprise, very well timed twists, murders and true horror. The freakiest thing is the lightness with which Brian accepts his dark nature already at this early age, his calculated, heartless and almost mathematically precise survival instinct.
This is a quick-paced read about the seemingly normal but in truth one bad-vibed family which can be easily spotted and recognized too often around us, told in a simple and capturing narrative voice.
Black Canyon, which I also like to fondly call The Mean Innocence and The Growing of American Psycho, lingers in my mind with the aftertaste mixture of a novella and the movie Stand by Me and The River Wild movie, which I both quite liked, while Jeremy Bates, as an author, seriously competes to become one of my new darlings.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
It is a rarity to have an opportunity to read about the pre-teen young monster, who will grow into a new American psycho and a serial killer, from his own perspective. When a child (12-year-old Brian Garrett) tells you about the weekend camping with his parents in the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, you don't expect anything but the idyllic trip to the amazing and wild nature. And this is what you get. But coated with a few gory moments of surprise, very well timed twists, murders and true horror. The freakiest thing is the lightness with which Brian accepts his dark nature already at this early age, his calculated, heartless and almost mathematically precise survival instinct.
This is a quick-paced read about the seemingly normal but in truth one bad-vibed family which can be easily spotted and recognized too often around us, told in a simple and capturing narrative voice.
Black Canyon, which I also like to fondly call The Mean Innocence and The Growing of American Psycho, lingers in my mind with the aftertaste mixture of a novella and the movie Stand by Me and The River Wild movie, which I both quite liked, while Jeremy Bates, as an author, seriously competes to become one of my new darlings.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
April 26, 2018
Brian's parents decide to keep him home from school one Friday and take him camping in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Twenty-five years later, Brian is retelling the tale and he doesn't mince words. On the first page, he tells us that he killed two people to save himself. On the second page, he says: "It was 1990. I was a grade-six student at Dry Creek Elementary School in Englewood, Colorado, and the people I killed were my parents." The majority of the story is from the viewpoint of young Brian. Apparently, his parents are extremely laid back - or just crappy parents depending on your point of view. Brian is allowed to wander as he pleases without having to report home, while his parents drink and get high. His father decides it would be fun to take the family to the canyon for the weekend. As he remembers that fateful weekend, Brian draws us into his family drama. Yes, he killed his family. But things aren't as they appear to be. They're much worse.
I got this for free when I signed up for Jeremy Bates' newsletter. If you are an author and want to give away a free book to reel in unsuspecting readers, this is what you need to give them. Holy shit! I love a story that leaves me gaping, and this did it. It was completely twisted, and totally fantastic. A definite 5 star read.
I got this for free when I signed up for Jeremy Bates' newsletter. If you are an author and want to give away a free book to reel in unsuspecting readers, this is what you need to give them. Holy shit! I love a story that leaves me gaping, and this did it. It was completely twisted, and totally fantastic. A definite 5 star read.
February 21, 2015
This book was scary, thrilling, and a little psychotic. I was pulled in at the beginning and at the end was a little scared of how crazy it ended. It lets you know sometimes nothing is what it seems. Overall a good quick read, the author's writing is powerful. I was a little freaked at how things worked out. I got this book free from the author.
March 5, 2015
I have only recently started reading short stories in addition to devouring novels, and Black Canyon was one that caught my eye while it was free. I loved every moment. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Jeremy Bates.
January 1, 2016
What looks from the very beginning like a camping trip gone wrong turns out into something even worse... Well written, with the perfect narrative voice, and more than disturbing...
April 21, 2019
3 Stars
Brian and his parents go camping. Very simple story that has a nice twist and becomes quite twisted. B-Movie type suspense. Not really horror. No monsters, only the human kind.
Brian and his parents go camping. Very simple story that has a nice twist and becomes quite twisted. B-Movie type suspense. Not really horror. No monsters, only the human kind.
August 25, 2018
Brian is 11 years old and goes camping with his parents to visit the Black Canyon within the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. This novella tells the story of how Brian got along on this lovely trip with his mam and dad.
I really enjoyed reading the Black Canyon, which is odd because it is narrated in the first person by Brian who is only 11 years old. But this novella is told in a very adult fashion. Jeremy Bates is rather clever because he starts his novella from the viewpoint of Brian looking back on his family camping trip in Colorado. This allows Jeremy the scope to write Brian’s story in a very adult way, using the understanding of our world and an extensive vocabulary that an 11 year old would not be able to deliver. Nice one Jeremy, which means we can get a child’s story without it being childish, sugary sweet or Disney-like.
There is some lovely subtle humour in this novella, for example…
My mom kept calling one of the women she worked with a skank. I wondered if maybe she meant “skunk.” Sometimes when she was drinking she didn’t always pronounce her words correctly.
… So we have a nice camping trip with mam and dad. What could go wrong? Slowly doubts are thrown into the story and you begin to wonder how 11 year old Brian is enjoying his trip with mam and dad. Then little doubts develop about Brian’s personality and his relationships with people around him. I loved how Jeremy weaved these little doubts into the story which made me suspect what may happen. I thought it was great how Brian explained in his own words just why things had worked out the way they had.
I am NOT a fan of novellas as I prefer a BIG read that can last me for days on end. That way I really get into a story, live the book and type up a review during my weekly rest period. However, the Black Canyon is an EXCEPTION. I thought this novella was BRILLIANT and the plot was very well thought out indeed. I loved this book and it was simply a joy to read. Well done Jeremy, you have written a wonderful novella with no boring bits or padding out of the tale. I think the length of this story is spot on and what is nice is that the location, although real, is not the key, it is the event of a family camping trip. Although the Black Canyon is a SHORT read, it certainly packs a punch and I can find nothing wrong with it, so it gets the top score of 5 stars from me.
I really enjoyed reading the Black Canyon, which is odd because it is narrated in the first person by Brian who is only 11 years old. But this novella is told in a very adult fashion. Jeremy Bates is rather clever because he starts his novella from the viewpoint of Brian looking back on his family camping trip in Colorado. This allows Jeremy the scope to write Brian’s story in a very adult way, using the understanding of our world and an extensive vocabulary that an 11 year old would not be able to deliver. Nice one Jeremy, which means we can get a child’s story without it being childish, sugary sweet or Disney-like.
There is some lovely subtle humour in this novella, for example…
My mom kept calling one of the women she worked with a skank. I wondered if maybe she meant “skunk.” Sometimes when she was drinking she didn’t always pronounce her words correctly.
… So we have a nice camping trip with mam and dad. What could go wrong? Slowly doubts are thrown into the story and you begin to wonder how 11 year old Brian is enjoying his trip with mam and dad. Then little doubts develop about Brian’s personality and his relationships with people around him. I loved how Jeremy weaved these little doubts into the story which made me suspect what may happen. I thought it was great how Brian explained in his own words just why things had worked out the way they had.
I am NOT a fan of novellas as I prefer a BIG read that can last me for days on end. That way I really get into a story, live the book and type up a review during my weekly rest period. However, the Black Canyon is an EXCEPTION. I thought this novella was BRILLIANT and the plot was very well thought out indeed. I loved this book and it was simply a joy to read. Well done Jeremy, you have written a wonderful novella with no boring bits or padding out of the tale. I think the length of this story is spot on and what is nice is that the location, although real, is not the key, it is the event of a family camping trip. Although the Black Canyon is a SHORT read, it certainly packs a punch and I can find nothing wrong with it, so it gets the top score of 5 stars from me.
January 30, 2023
I read this in one sitting. Bates is eerily skilled at describing his settings, his characters and the horrors they endure. His stories have a way of making you feel as though you’re right there with the characters, shaking in fear, anticipation, and always surprised when things don’t go how they seem to be headed. I didn’t see the twist coming in this one, and the ending was a big surprise. Definitely an enjoyable, creepy read.
July 18, 2025
3.5
what happens in the canyon stays in the canyon. good twist.
what happens in the canyon stays in the canyon. good twist.
June 27, 2016
What I like about short stories that they not only don’t take long to read but also are quick paced. Some authors can write short stories, some do not. Jeremy Bates sure can write them and write them good.
I need to talk about Jeremy Bates for a while. For starters I have to say that he’s one of my favorite horror writers. I discovered him with “Suicide Forest” and I try to read everything of his I can get my hands on. I don’t pass on short stories in general but one from Jeremy Bates I knew must be good.
And it sure was.
Author instantly reveals the core of the story. Well it’s probably for the best because the story itself sure is a short one. And right after introduction to the main character I became more forgiving to the story before even reading it. Why? Because it is set in 1990, the year I was born. I know, pathetic, but what can I do, not many things come across my path that actually make feel connected to the thing.
So after the introduction I already mentioned I was given the view of quite a normal family. At first glance. With Jeremy Bates you never can take anything for face value. At least (and from first glance) that most of people can relate to that family. Brian’s (protagonists) parents argue over trivial things but not too seriously, dad doesn’t want to pay the fee, etc. The kid, Brian, is just like any other generic kid. Nothing special, almost boring.
Yet this kind of a familiar feeling is quick to fade away as parents start to give some nasty vibes. I guess it would be okay if the kid wasn’t 11 y/o. But in the story he is, so his dad who can’t stop groping his mom, the mom who apparently isn’t shy to smoke pot in front of a child, really rubbed me in the wrong way. It’s good when you’re reading horror. Disgusting people almost always get what they deserve.
As I moved from paragraph to paragraph Brian’s parents became even more of an assholes. Knowing the whole story maybe it’s not so surprising, but as I was reading this for the first time I got furious.
Finally my torture reading about scumbag parents was about to end. The dad falls down the cliff. We already know from the introduction that only the boy will survive so I started devouring words at incredible speed. And yet, even to the last minute, parents remained scumbag parents.
Now I will talk about the ending so if you haven’t read “Black Canyon” yet - don’t read it. If you don’t want to read the story or already read it but you are still curious what I think - read on.
<<>>
I found the ending particularly intriguing. I wasn’t expecting that (if you read my review on “The Decagon House Murders” you already know that I don’t make up any theories about the book before finishing it) so it hit me strongly but it was pleasant. I knew something was wrong when “father” mentioned that he’s with Suz for 8 years when Brian is 11y/o. I suspected that he might not be the boy’s true father, but that deal with Brian’s sister was unexpected dark and tasty. How Brian finished off his mother was also great too, though a child dragging a full grown man and woman by his own made me skeptical. Yet, ignoring my skepticism I was so happy when in the end Brian came out as a murderer. Serial killers in horror books are my not so guilty pleasure and by then I already wanted this story to be longer.
<<>>
All in all I completely enjoyed the story. It was a great fast read that left a big impression. 5 out of 5, recommended to all horror fans. You should not skip this one, guys!
I need to talk about Jeremy Bates for a while. For starters I have to say that he’s one of my favorite horror writers. I discovered him with “Suicide Forest” and I try to read everything of his I can get my hands on. I don’t pass on short stories in general but one from Jeremy Bates I knew must be good.
And it sure was.
Author instantly reveals the core of the story. Well it’s probably for the best because the story itself sure is a short one. And right after introduction to the main character I became more forgiving to the story before even reading it. Why? Because it is set in 1990, the year I was born. I know, pathetic, but what can I do, not many things come across my path that actually make feel connected to the thing.
So after the introduction I already mentioned I was given the view of quite a normal family. At first glance. With Jeremy Bates you never can take anything for face value. At least (and from first glance) that most of people can relate to that family. Brian’s (protagonists) parents argue over trivial things but not too seriously, dad doesn’t want to pay the fee, etc. The kid, Brian, is just like any other generic kid. Nothing special, almost boring.
Yet this kind of a familiar feeling is quick to fade away as parents start to give some nasty vibes. I guess it would be okay if the kid wasn’t 11 y/o. But in the story he is, so his dad who can’t stop groping his mom, the mom who apparently isn’t shy to smoke pot in front of a child, really rubbed me in the wrong way. It’s good when you’re reading horror. Disgusting people almost always get what they deserve.
As I moved from paragraph to paragraph Brian’s parents became even more of an assholes. Knowing the whole story maybe it’s not so surprising, but as I was reading this for the first time I got furious.
Finally my torture reading about scumbag parents was about to end. The dad falls down the cliff. We already know from the introduction that only the boy will survive so I started devouring words at incredible speed. And yet, even to the last minute, parents remained scumbag parents.
Now I will talk about the ending so if you haven’t read “Black Canyon” yet - don’t read it. If you don’t want to read the story or already read it but you are still curious what I think - read on.
<<>>
I found the ending particularly intriguing. I wasn’t expecting that (if you read my review on “The Decagon House Murders” you already know that I don’t make up any theories about the book before finishing it) so it hit me strongly but it was pleasant. I knew something was wrong when “father” mentioned that he’s with Suz for 8 years when Brian is 11y/o. I suspected that he might not be the boy’s true father, but that deal with Brian’s sister was unexpected dark and tasty. How Brian finished off his mother was also great too, though a child dragging a full grown man and woman by his own made me skeptical. Yet, ignoring my skepticism I was so happy when in the end Brian came out as a murderer. Serial killers in horror books are my not so guilty pleasure and by then I already wanted this story to be longer.
<<>>
All in all I completely enjoyed the story. It was a great fast read that left a big impression. 5 out of 5, recommended to all horror fans. You should not skip this one, guys!
March 21, 2015
So I received a free e book version of this novella from the author himself. I never read any of his work. Going into it, I didn't expect much. Boy was I wrong. It captivated me from the beginning. I knew that "something" was going to happen because I was told in the beginning. Little did I know HOW it was going to happen. The story is short and straight to the point. Who knew so much can happen in less than 100 pages? The whole thing was suspenseful, thrilling, psychotic, insane, and I'm not even sure there are enough words to describe it. The last 15 pages or so had my heart beating faster than I could read. And that's pretty fast. I went on an emotional and psychotic rollercoaster with Brian, the main character. It was as if I became Brian and entered his twisted mind. It was terrifying yet thrilling. Honestly, this novella was amazing. I recommend it to anyone.
February 7, 2017
Black Canyon is a really good short story. The characterisation is excellent and I had no inkling of what was to come.
The story revolves around a dysfunctional family of three; mum, dad and 12 year old son Brian, on a camping trip to Colorado. The family set out on a hike to the bottom of a canyon but events take a sinister turn when an accident occurs. Brian remains with his injured father while his mother goes in search of help. Meanwhile, there's something in the bushes watching Brian and his dad...
Black Canyon is a quick and easy read. It left me thinking I'd experienced something really good; a bit like eating smoked salmon when you'd been expecting fish fingers :)
The story revolves around a dysfunctional family of three; mum, dad and 12 year old son Brian, on a camping trip to Colorado. The family set out on a hike to the bottom of a canyon but events take a sinister turn when an accident occurs. Brian remains with his injured father while his mother goes in search of help. Meanwhile, there's something in the bushes watching Brian and his dad...
Black Canyon is a quick and easy read. It left me thinking I'd experienced something really good; a bit like eating smoked salmon when you'd been expecting fish fingers :)
March 3, 2015
First off I would like to thank Jeremy Bates for this book as I gratefully won from the goodreads giveaway!
There is only a few books that sit at the back of my brain and this one has now became one of them. Short read but well worth it! If Norman Bates was a actual person I would think Jeremy was his son with this well detailed and thought out thriller and suspense! Applauds to you Jeremy! Can't wait to read more from you! Cheers!
There is only a few books that sit at the back of my brain and this one has now became one of them. Short read but well worth it! If Norman Bates was a actual person I would think Jeremy was his son with this well detailed and thought out thriller and suspense! Applauds to you Jeremy! Can't wait to read more from you! Cheers!
February 18, 2015
I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Black Canyon in a giveaway on Goodreads. I found it hard to turn the pages fast enough while reading Black Canyon. I'm a long time fan of both horror and suspense novels and this is a very good read with elements of both. The story is not at all formulaic or predictable. I read it in one setting from start to finish.
If you enjoy a suspenseful page-turner, then this one's for you!
If you enjoy a suspenseful page-turner, then this one's for you!
November 1, 2021
Well set up to tug the rug out from under your ass
He did a great job of setting up the main character as this innocent child whose mother is in an abusive relationship and is really just thrust into a shitty situation. You really start to belive this even though the first sentence is, "I didn't want to kill them." As soon as you really start to believe this though, it all comes crumbling down.
He did a great job of setting up the main character as this innocent child whose mother is in an abusive relationship and is really just thrust into a shitty situation. You really start to belive this even though the first sentence is, "I didn't want to kill them." As soon as you really start to believe this though, it all comes crumbling down.
February 23, 2015
This story will have you turning pages as fast as you possibly can. It moves from languid scenes of a boy trying to please his lackadaisical parents to an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. Great character development, especially for a short story. Special thanks to the author for sending it to read!
February 15, 2015
Wow!..had me in the first paragraph! This is a GREAT short story! Fantastic up to the last word! I look forward to reading more from this author! Two thumbs up for sure!
January 6, 2016
Ohhh my Jeremy Bates. What a twisted novella. Very good.
January 6, 2019
Stupid
Short and stupid. What a disappointment. I'm done with this author. I have read many of his books and liked most, but this one just made me so mad that I am DONE.
Short and stupid. What a disappointment. I'm done with this author. I have read many of his books and liked most, but this one just made me so mad that I am DONE.
August 26, 2019
This is a short read, but for as short as it is, it packs a powerful punch. Sometimes the key to maintaining suspense in a story is to shorten the length of the story -- even an excellent writer is going to have trouble maintaining suspense over a few hundred pages. And "Black Canyon" manages, in its short length, to give us well-rounded (if deeply flawed) characters, a chilling story arc, and a rather terrifying ending that would do Stephen King proud.
"Black Canyon" follows young Brian and his parents on a camping trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado on a camping trip. At first the trip starts out ordinarily enough, with a hot dog roast, the usual family bickering, and a planned trip to see the canyon itself. But when Brian's father suffers a terrible fall, his mother leaves him to watch over him while she goes for help. Down in the canyon, Brian must brave darkness, thirst, a marauding bear, and his own father's verbal abuse... and as the night wears on, he must confront a more awful darkness within himself, a darkness worse than anything the night can throw at him...
While the writing in "Black Canyon" is servicable but not excellent (I'm a sucker for beautiful writing), I found it fits the story well. Being told from the point of view of a child, the writing -- which is simplified without being completely dumbed down or wooden -- fits the narrator's voice, and helps us better get into Brian's mind. And author Jeremy Bates manages to build the suspense slowly and carefully, and maintain it well through the last half of the book. And that ending... perhaps I should have seen it coming, but it was chilling and startling.
The characters are surprisingly well-rounded for such a short read as well. The family starts off pleasant-seeming at first, but hints are laid down early that not everything is as it seems, and we gradually see that both Brian and his parents are hiding secrets and flaws from the reader and each other. Well done, Bates!
I do question the animal behavior in this book, I admit -- I don't believe bears behave in the way Bates has them behaving. But perhaps I'm wrong, as I'm no wildlife biologist, and it's a minor nitpick at best.
While short, "Black Canyon" is a chilling and suspenseful read, with well-done characters and a scenario that wouldn't be entirely out of place in a "Criminal Minds" episode. If you enjoy a well-crafted short horror tale, give "Black Canyon" a shot. And seeing as it's a series, you can still get your chills even after this short tale is finished...
"Black Canyon" follows young Brian and his parents on a camping trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado on a camping trip. At first the trip starts out ordinarily enough, with a hot dog roast, the usual family bickering, and a planned trip to see the canyon itself. But when Brian's father suffers a terrible fall, his mother leaves him to watch over him while she goes for help. Down in the canyon, Brian must brave darkness, thirst, a marauding bear, and his own father's verbal abuse... and as the night wears on, he must confront a more awful darkness within himself, a darkness worse than anything the night can throw at him...
While the writing in "Black Canyon" is servicable but not excellent (I'm a sucker for beautiful writing), I found it fits the story well. Being told from the point of view of a child, the writing -- which is simplified without being completely dumbed down or wooden -- fits the narrator's voice, and helps us better get into Brian's mind. And author Jeremy Bates manages to build the suspense slowly and carefully, and maintain it well through the last half of the book. And that ending... perhaps I should have seen it coming, but it was chilling and startling.
The characters are surprisingly well-rounded for such a short read as well. The family starts off pleasant-seeming at first, but hints are laid down early that not everything is as it seems, and we gradually see that both Brian and his parents are hiding secrets and flaws from the reader and each other. Well done, Bates!
I do question the animal behavior in this book, I admit -- I don't believe bears behave in the way Bates has them behaving. But perhaps I'm wrong, as I'm no wildlife biologist, and it's a minor nitpick at best.
While short, "Black Canyon" is a chilling and suspenseful read, with well-done characters and a scenario that wouldn't be entirely out of place in a "Criminal Minds" episode. If you enjoy a well-crafted short horror tale, give "Black Canyon" a shot. And seeing as it's a series, you can still get your chills even after this short tale is finished...
May 19, 2025
There's a movie I watched many years ago (Backcountry), that was a simple couple going camping and getting attacked by a bear, the husbands face getting ripped open is legit still my favorite and a vivid image I think of anytime someone mentions a bear. 😂 I lived in the middle of nowhere that bears were affluent in.
With all that being said, that's freaking horror at it's finest. A not so unrealistic horror, and this book delivered in that. Mind you, this book has nothing to do with a couple but does have to do with bears. SO with that being said! Great start to this series!
With all that being said, that's freaking horror at it's finest. A not so unrealistic horror, and this book delivered in that. Mind you, this book has nothing to do with a couple but does have to do with bears. SO with that being said! Great start to this series!
March 13, 2019
This was a short novella (I think around 70 pages) that I was able to finish in one sitting right before bed. I thought the story was enjoyable but not really all that special. I actually think this would have worked out better if it had been a full length novel. For me the strength of a novella lies in it not needing to be longer and not leaving me wanting for more. I recently read a collection of three novella's that did just that. Here, however, I felt like I needed to know more about the main character in order to be better able to understand his thoughts and actions. Also the end was for me not really necessary and again some actions were weird without the extra psychological background (why would you undress yourself at that particular place in that particular situation?)
All in all a nice short story but nothing special. I hope that Jeremy Bates might use this short story as a writing prompt for something bigger, though I'm sure that is not going to happen.
All in all a nice short story but nothing special. I hope that Jeremy Bates might use this short story as a writing prompt for something bigger, though I'm sure that is not going to happen.
February 28, 2018
Short and twisted
A family take a camping trip into the canyons of Colorado where we quickly learn about Brian, a twelve year old child, discovers deep, dark secrets about himself and his parents. These discoveries are what develops Brian into what he becomes as a grown man.
A family take a camping trip into the canyons of Colorado where we quickly learn about Brian, a twelve year old child, discovers deep, dark secrets about himself and his parents. These discoveries are what develops Brian into what he becomes as a grown man.
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