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The Litter
They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.
- GenresHorror
ebook
First published January 5, 2015
3 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Kevin R. Doyle
14 books227 followers A retired high-school teacher and former college instructor, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written four crime thrillers including The Group and The Anchor, and one horror novel, The Litter. In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton private eye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel. The fourth Sam Quinton book, Clean Win, was released in March of 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 22, 2015
Don't read too many reviews, so many spoil the whole twist in the book. Wow. I am still reeling a bit from finishing this book last night and finally getting the whole picture eventually from what was one hell of a journey and plot. One of the most interesting and surprising plots I have read for a while. Loved it!
The book is a blend of crime and horror, with some paranormal/supernatural thrown in, to be honest I don't want to put this in a genre, it's just really good. The blend of terror and crime works SO well for this story. I had read another of Kevin's novels last year and found it to be okay but not spectacular. His writing has got stronger in leaps and bounds and I can see the feedback he has taken on from others. This book was in another league and I really found it entertaining and intriguing.
They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman, who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life, would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.
It's the plot of this book that makes it so good, so different. It's not expected, I loved the blend of crime elements with the "other".
Very clever pacing and plotting as you getting bits of the story as it goes along. Opening up on a gruesome murder with more to come, but not just ordinary murders, there is something REALLY wrong with the way these vagrants died. The book being set in an area of the city called The Zone, where the homeless gather in the dark alleys and corners of the streets.
Basically something or someone is killing savagely and the police are at a loss as to what it going on. The forensic evidence and feedback is shocking and makes no sense as to helping them work out how to catch the killers, that kill in such a barbaric and primal way. I can't tell you more, it would give away the whole plot.
The characters are excellently done, I was with them every step of the way in their hunt in The Zone. The main character - Karen works with the homeless and is determined to find out what is going on in an area she knows so well, even putting herself at risk herself. Much to the annoyance of her Father, who sits high up in the police force.
We first get a taste of the truth early in the book by by the time the full story and truth and twist is revealed I was fist-pumping the air for such a clever, brilliant plot. I felt so much for this book, you will understand when you read it too. This is where the true shocking horror element comes into it, but it's not splatter gore stuff, it's intelligent urban horror where the unbelievable becomes part of our society.
The lead up to the ending is just fantastic, I was flicking pages on my Kindle, loving every single part of it. Confused whether to feel disgust or pity, hatred or sorrow. It's like that. The ending was spectacular and for those that like urban horror with a twist and likes some crime, police procedural and strong characters thrown in, this is the one for you.
You will never guess the actual truth until it hits you. I so want to give more away, as I feel like I am not doing this book justice. I am giving this one five stars as it's entertaining from start to finish, it's imaginative and the writing has improved hugely from the last book I read from Kevin. I would have loved a follow on to this book too.
If this was written by Stephen King it would be a best seller. Don't forget, a lot of independent authors have good books written, so if you are scared to try lesser known authors, then don't be. I recommend this one to anyone that likes something a bit different, likes a twist, likes a bit of the unusual and loves a surprise ending.
Thanks to Kevin for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for a fair and honest review, I am really glad he did as I enjoyed it very much.
The book is a blend of crime and horror, with some paranormal/supernatural thrown in, to be honest I don't want to put this in a genre, it's just really good. The blend of terror and crime works SO well for this story. I had read another of Kevin's novels last year and found it to be okay but not spectacular. His writing has got stronger in leaps and bounds and I can see the feedback he has taken on from others. This book was in another league and I really found it entertaining and intriguing.
They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman, who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life, would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.
It's the plot of this book that makes it so good, so different. It's not expected, I loved the blend of crime elements with the "other".
Very clever pacing and plotting as you getting bits of the story as it goes along. Opening up on a gruesome murder with more to come, but not just ordinary murders, there is something REALLY wrong with the way these vagrants died. The book being set in an area of the city called The Zone, where the homeless gather in the dark alleys and corners of the streets.
Basically something or someone is killing savagely and the police are at a loss as to what it going on. The forensic evidence and feedback is shocking and makes no sense as to helping them work out how to catch the killers, that kill in such a barbaric and primal way. I can't tell you more, it would give away the whole plot.
The characters are excellently done, I was with them every step of the way in their hunt in The Zone. The main character - Karen works with the homeless and is determined to find out what is going on in an area she knows so well, even putting herself at risk herself. Much to the annoyance of her Father, who sits high up in the police force.
We first get a taste of the truth early in the book by by the time the full story and truth and twist is revealed I was fist-pumping the air for such a clever, brilliant plot. I felt so much for this book, you will understand when you read it too. This is where the true shocking horror element comes into it, but it's not splatter gore stuff, it's intelligent urban horror where the unbelievable becomes part of our society.
The lead up to the ending is just fantastic, I was flicking pages on my Kindle, loving every single part of it. Confused whether to feel disgust or pity, hatred or sorrow. It's like that. The ending was spectacular and for those that like urban horror with a twist and likes some crime, police procedural and strong characters thrown in, this is the one for you.
You will never guess the actual truth until it hits you. I so want to give more away, as I feel like I am not doing this book justice. I am giving this one five stars as it's entertaining from start to finish, it's imaginative and the writing has improved hugely from the last book I read from Kevin. I would have loved a follow on to this book too.
If this was written by Stephen King it would be a best seller. Don't forget, a lot of independent authors have good books written, so if you are scared to try lesser known authors, then don't be. I recommend this one to anyone that likes something a bit different, likes a twist, likes a bit of the unusual and loves a surprise ending.
Thanks to Kevin for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for a fair and honest review, I am really glad he did as I enjoyed it very much.
April 4, 2015
3.5 stars.
In THE LITTER, by Kevin R. Doyle, we start out with a string of horrific murders. The main question is what could so savagely overcome an adult–mutilate and feed off their flesh–and then disappear without a trace?
The Chief’s estranged daughter, Karen Bannister, soon finds herself caught in the middle of this web of secrecy and cover-ups.
First off, Doyle does an outstanding job in conveying the all-encompassing bleak atmosphere to his readers. The scene set is consistent with the hopelessly “lost” feeling that is the prevalent mood throughout this novel. From the characters themselves to the events unfolding, the reader can’t help but feel pulled into the pit of despair that the story presents.
Another strong point for Doyle is his characterization. These are emotionally scarred and flawed individuals. Their personal histories and the tragedies that have consumed their lives makes them a perfect fit, in keeping with the tone of the novel.
My only complaints were that the reason behind the murders seemed very predictable to me (I had figured it out long before the characters were led down that particular path), and that the ending seemed–in my opinion–too rapidly resolved after all the build up.
*I received an e-version of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
In THE LITTER, by Kevin R. Doyle, we start out with a string of horrific murders. The main question is what could so savagely overcome an adult–mutilate and feed off their flesh–and then disappear without a trace?
The Chief’s estranged daughter, Karen Bannister, soon finds herself caught in the middle of this web of secrecy and cover-ups.
First off, Doyle does an outstanding job in conveying the all-encompassing bleak atmosphere to his readers. The scene set is consistent with the hopelessly “lost” feeling that is the prevalent mood throughout this novel. From the characters themselves to the events unfolding, the reader can’t help but feel pulled into the pit of despair that the story presents.
Another strong point for Doyle is his characterization. These are emotionally scarred and flawed individuals. Their personal histories and the tragedies that have consumed their lives makes them a perfect fit, in keeping with the tone of the novel.
My only complaints were that the reason behind the murders seemed very predictable to me (I had figured it out long before the characters were led down that particular path), and that the ending seemed–in my opinion–too rapidly resolved after all the build up.
*I received an e-version of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
October 17, 2015
I really liked this engrossing, creepy and twisted read. I love to read horror/thrillers and this one had some amazing twists.
The writing is great and I really liked the well discribed characters.
It’s really hard to tell something about this story without giving away too much.
They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.
Karen works at a homeless shelter and had a great loss herself. Because of that she is stranged from her father who is chief of detectives.
Karen is trying to find a Young boy who is missing, and as she searches she stumbles upon a dead body, and it seems to be chewed on. Her father is covering up.
Karen wants to find out what is going on. With help from Jared, an investigative journalist they discover someting that is unbelievable.
The plot is very surprising!
Kevin R Doyle is a new author for me, and I definitely want to read more from his hand.
The writing is great and I really liked the well discribed characters.
It’s really hard to tell something about this story without giving away too much.
They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.
Karen works at a homeless shelter and had a great loss herself. Because of that she is stranged from her father who is chief of detectives.
Karen is trying to find a Young boy who is missing, and as she searches she stumbles upon a dead body, and it seems to be chewed on. Her father is covering up.
Karen wants to find out what is going on. With help from Jared, an investigative journalist they discover someting that is unbelievable.
The plot is very surprising!
Kevin R Doyle is a new author for me, and I definitely want to read more from his hand.
September 10, 2015
3.5★
This is a detective / horror story by an author with obvious talent and a lively imagination. I expect he will attract a fan base for any sequels, which seem obvious, judging by the ending.
Karen is the daughter of a high-profile Chief of Detectives, while Jared is a local TV station reporter / personality. We learn more of Karen’s background than anyone else’s. She is torn between grieving for her husband, recently lost in a police action gone wrong, and in her estrangement from her father, who is part of the police force, of course.
She works in a homeless shelter in a pretty seedy part of town and is pretty street-wise because of her father’s job. A youngster from the shelter has wandered off and Karen decides to go look for him.
“As Karen moved out of the doorway and headed down the street, she swivelled her head in every direction. What she saw, the collection of vagrants huddling down in alleys for the night; two small groups of gangstas squaring off on opposite street corners; one or two far too obvious hookers shuffling down the street; and numerous darkened, gloomy windows looking down on the whole thing, would have been, at the least, discomforting to the average person. At the most, they would have run for the nearest exit.”
There have been some grisly murders – possibly by a pack of dogs or someone using farm implements. As the truth is revealed, there is a fair amount of blood and gore. The writing varies, but with time, I think this is an author to watch.
The pace moves along and the switch between chapters and characters makes it one of those “I’ll just read one more chapter . . . “ books.
Many thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author for my copy to review. I shall await a sequel! (Hint, hint, to the author.)
This is a detective / horror story by an author with obvious talent and a lively imagination. I expect he will attract a fan base for any sequels, which seem obvious, judging by the ending.
Karen is the daughter of a high-profile Chief of Detectives, while Jared is a local TV station reporter / personality. We learn more of Karen’s background than anyone else’s. She is torn between grieving for her husband, recently lost in a police action gone wrong, and in her estrangement from her father, who is part of the police force, of course.
She works in a homeless shelter in a pretty seedy part of town and is pretty street-wise because of her father’s job. A youngster from the shelter has wandered off and Karen decides to go look for him.
“As Karen moved out of the doorway and headed down the street, she swivelled her head in every direction. What she saw, the collection of vagrants huddling down in alleys for the night; two small groups of gangstas squaring off on opposite street corners; one or two far too obvious hookers shuffling down the street; and numerous darkened, gloomy windows looking down on the whole thing, would have been, at the least, discomforting to the average person. At the most, they would have run for the nearest exit.”
There have been some grisly murders – possibly by a pack of dogs or someone using farm implements. As the truth is revealed, there is a fair amount of blood and gore. The writing varies, but with time, I think this is an author to watch.
The pace moves along and the switch between chapters and characters makes it one of those “I’ll just read one more chapter . . . “ books.
Many thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author for my copy to review. I shall await a sequel! (Hint, hint, to the author.)
August 24, 2015
This book is a paranormal suspense book.
The story starts out with a body that is found not just killed but torn apart but by what you can only just make out it is a male.
Karen is a young women who works at a homeless shelter and who is trying to find a young boy who has gone missing, as she searches for him she comes across something terrifying..
I dont want to say to much about this book and give away any of the twists but it is a great book.
The descriptions were vivid at times but i don't mind that.
A tough book to put down once started great book.
Thank you to the Author and Booklover Catlady Publicity for a chance to read this book.
The story starts out with a body that is found not just killed but torn apart but by what you can only just make out it is a male.
Karen is a young women who works at a homeless shelter and who is trying to find a young boy who has gone missing, as she searches for him she comes across something terrifying..
I dont want to say to much about this book and give away any of the twists but it is a great book.
The descriptions were vivid at times but i don't mind that.
A tough book to put down once started great book.
Thank you to the Author and Booklover Catlady Publicity for a chance to read this book.
February 13, 2015
Review: THE LITTER by Kevin Doyle
Engrossing, riveting, unforgettable; with each new revelation, readers (and protagonists) step off yet another cliff, into unimaginable ferocity and mutation--yet every single step is logically patterned and worked through, despite the entirely outré nature of the framework. I know I won't get this story out of my mind for a very, very long time.
A young woman working at an inner city homeless shelter seeks a missing young boy. What she begins to uncover has massive repercussions, ranging from dangerous to outright fatal.
My enormous gratitude to author Kevin Doyle for allowing me to read and review an advanced digital ARC.
Engrossing, riveting, unforgettable; with each new revelation, readers (and protagonists) step off yet another cliff, into unimaginable ferocity and mutation--yet every single step is logically patterned and worked through, despite the entirely outré nature of the framework. I know I won't get this story out of my mind for a very, very long time.
A young woman working at an inner city homeless shelter seeks a missing young boy. What she begins to uncover has massive repercussions, ranging from dangerous to outright fatal.
My enormous gratitude to author Kevin Doyle for allowing me to read and review an advanced digital ARC.
August 19, 2015
I don't usually read suspense/thriller books but decided to take a chance and broaden my reading horizons and I'm really glad that I did.
Based in a city in the USA (we never find out which one though, very clever), the story is centered around a slum area know as The Zone, full of seedy bars, abandoned buildings and any activity, legal or otherwise, available for a price. The first chapter starts with the body of a person. The problem is that the body is so mutilated that it takes forensics to find out the gender. The police start looking for a pack of dogs but the locals seem to be overly worried, more so than dog attacks would suggest.
The story centers on 3 characters who, while worlds away from each other, all get sucked into an astonishing secret at the heart of The Zone.
I won't say any more on the story line in case I spoil the plot,
The book is very well written and the characters are well rounded with hopes, fears and individual character traits. The author gives us vivid descriptions of people and places without procrastination, allowing the story to flow. I started reading the book last night and read it from cover to cover in one go, ending in the early hours of this morning. I don't do that often so that shows how good the book is. The story just grabs your attention and sucks you in, and your happy that it does.
For great, attention-grabbing storytelling along with a huge surprise along the way, this is one of the best books I have read in a while.
Based in a city in the USA (we never find out which one though, very clever), the story is centered around a slum area know as The Zone, full of seedy bars, abandoned buildings and any activity, legal or otherwise, available for a price. The first chapter starts with the body of a person. The problem is that the body is so mutilated that it takes forensics to find out the gender. The police start looking for a pack of dogs but the locals seem to be overly worried, more so than dog attacks would suggest.
The story centers on 3 characters who, while worlds away from each other, all get sucked into an astonishing secret at the heart of The Zone.
I won't say any more on the story line in case I spoil the plot,
The book is very well written and the characters are well rounded with hopes, fears and individual character traits. The author gives us vivid descriptions of people and places without procrastination, allowing the story to flow. I started reading the book last night and read it from cover to cover in one go, ending in the early hours of this morning. I don't do that often so that shows how good the book is. The story just grabs your attention and sucks you in, and your happy that it does.
For great, attention-grabbing storytelling along with a huge surprise along the way, this is one of the best books I have read in a while.
May 25, 2015
I know I have given three five star reviews so far I only read books that Appeal to me & thus far I am not disappointed...
I am a fan of any classic werewolf story so I jumped at the chance to review this book. What a pleasant surprise! For all intents and purposes this book is not a classic werewolf tail. I REALLY loved Mr. Doyle's The Litter. I found the book very entertaining.
( There would be Warning Spoilers but The title is The Litter)
The book is about a city's band of feral children. The story is set in the inner city. I grew up and or near the big city & Mr. Doyle captured the atmosphere very well in deed.
Mr. Doyle as written a real horror story with original characters. He wrote a well rounded main character. Karen is a strong and independent character.
For those that are extremely offended by language &/or graphic sexual activity there were no explicit sex scenes or graphic language. I found the story original with many twists to keep my interest.
The Litter is a great read! A must buy & read!
I am a fan of any classic werewolf story so I jumped at the chance to review this book. What a pleasant surprise! For all intents and purposes this book is not a classic werewolf tail. I REALLY loved Mr. Doyle's The Litter. I found the book very entertaining.
( There would be Warning Spoilers but The title is The Litter)
The book is about a city's band of feral children. The story is set in the inner city. I grew up and or near the big city & Mr. Doyle captured the atmosphere very well in deed.
Mr. Doyle as written a real horror story with original characters. He wrote a well rounded main character. Karen is a strong and independent character.
For those that are extremely offended by language &/or graphic sexual activity there were no explicit sex scenes or graphic language. I found the story original with many twists to keep my interest.
The Litter is a great read! A must buy & read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2015
I received a free copy from the author and his publicist in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Kevin R. Doyle!
It is hard to try to review a book when you can't say much about the plot, but I‘ll do my best. The Litter begins as a crime thriller with unusual victims and gruesome remains, and it soon turns into something else... something that I was not expecting but that really worked. It is part procedural and part horror novel, with some supernatural elements thrown in. The plot is engrossing and the twists are hard to predict - when you think the story is going one way, it blindsides you completely. When I thought that one of the characters was doing something extremely stupid, the author turned it around on its head. Among the things that I can talk about and which I liked: the character of Karen - with all her compassion, the descriptions of the Zone - the slum where the crimes take place, how it made me think about the forgotten denizens of society. Alas, my favorite part and character I can't discuss. So, please, just read it... it's worth it!
It is hard to try to review a book when you can't say much about the plot, but I‘ll do my best. The Litter begins as a crime thriller with unusual victims and gruesome remains, and it soon turns into something else... something that I was not expecting but that really worked. It is part procedural and part horror novel, with some supernatural elements thrown in. The plot is engrossing and the twists are hard to predict - when you think the story is going one way, it blindsides you completely. When I thought that one of the characters was doing something extremely stupid, the author turned it around on its head. Among the things that I can talk about and which I liked: the character of Karen - with all her compassion, the descriptions of the Zone - the slum where the crimes take place, how it made me think about the forgotten denizens of society. Alas, my favorite part and character I can't discuss. So, please, just read it... it's worth it!
August 24, 2015
This is a genre that is not usually my thing. (I don't want images staying with me at bedtime!), however this book changed my view. A well written book with vivid characters and some great phrases, some light hearted moments too. I would put it at a "crime thriller" as opposed to "horror/thriller". A very different story set in modern day times that takes you into the moment, understanding the characters and their thoughts. I would love to see a sequel to this.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2015
They kept to the shadows...
I have never read a horror, paranormal, suspense book that was written as well as this one.
Every sentence written brought out some emotion in me, whether it was fear, pain, hurt or annoyance. Yes at times I found the main character annoying because of the choices she made at times but she had good qualities also. Overall, the plot was amazing the characters well written and the flow of the story excellent.
I have never read a horror, paranormal, suspense book that was written as well as this one.
Every sentence written brought out some emotion in me, whether it was fear, pain, hurt or annoyance. Yes at times I found the main character annoying because of the choices she made at times but she had good qualities also. Overall, the plot was amazing the characters well written and the flow of the story excellent.
February 22, 2016
This book was SO VERY GOOD! Totally creepy and also a crime story. Not much to say without spoiling the book, but it was an engrossing read! It was very unexpected what was going on in this part of the town, and the characters were fabulous. I usually read horror, and although this story has some horrifying elements, it was also a drama, a crime story, a suspense novel...I'm not sure what it was! I thoroughly enjoyed it though.
September 28, 2023
Whoa. I’m a huge fan of horror. Been reading it and watching it since I was a youngster. I don’t expect the characters to always be well fleshed out as the author’s often kill them off quickly. And the plot doesn’t always have to be well written. I often read a scary book for easy, fast entertainment. Probably why I enjoy those B Movies so much.
What Kevin Doyle did with The Litter was immerse me in his story to where I had to remind myself it was just a book. Nothing bad was happening to me. It was that well written.
The title and cover promised that horror waited in the pages, and it did. As did the synopsis. Gruesome attacks, suspense around every corner and all the horror you could hope for. Whatever prowls the streets is hazardous to your health.
This was a straight through read for me and I read it at night. In the dark. The only light came from my eReader. What was that? Was there something creeping up behind me? The hairs stood up on my arms. Talk about a bad case of the heebie jeebies.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
What Kevin Doyle did with The Litter was immerse me in his story to where I had to remind myself it was just a book. Nothing bad was happening to me. It was that well written.
The title and cover promised that horror waited in the pages, and it did. As did the synopsis. Gruesome attacks, suspense around every corner and all the horror you could hope for. Whatever prowls the streets is hazardous to your health.
This was a straight through read for me and I read it at night. In the dark. The only light came from my eReader. What was that? Was there something creeping up behind me? The hairs stood up on my arms. Talk about a bad case of the heebie jeebies.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
February 3, 2015
The Litter by Kevin R. Doyle
Karen has been down on her luck for about a year since the death of her boyfriend. Her father the Sheriff and she have a strained relationship. Then a body is found. It looks as if the victim was attack by some kind of animal. Even the medical examiner is not sure what happens. Karen works for a shelter and one of the children go missing. As she searches for him she comes across something terrifying, and unbelievable. With the help of a reporter they decide to try to figure out what is going on in this town. Should she go to her Father for help? Will they figure out what is happening, and will anyone believe them?
A fast paced tale of terror. Well written with graphic details the savage attacks are gruesome and horrifying. The story is very original, intense, filled with suspense, drama and horror. What Karen discovers is beyond unbelievable, and fascinating at the same time. Although Karen is in her own personal "dark place" she is likable. The story moves smoothly and keeps you hanging, a true all night read. I highly recommend The Litter to those who love a great horror story.
Karen has been down on her luck for about a year since the death of her boyfriend. Her father the Sheriff and she have a strained relationship. Then a body is found. It looks as if the victim was attack by some kind of animal. Even the medical examiner is not sure what happens. Karen works for a shelter and one of the children go missing. As she searches for him she comes across something terrifying, and unbelievable. With the help of a reporter they decide to try to figure out what is going on in this town. Should she go to her Father for help? Will they figure out what is happening, and will anyone believe them?
A fast paced tale of terror. Well written with graphic details the savage attacks are gruesome and horrifying. The story is very original, intense, filled with suspense, drama and horror. What Karen discovers is beyond unbelievable, and fascinating at the same time. Although Karen is in her own personal "dark place" she is likable. The story moves smoothly and keeps you hanging, a true all night read. I highly recommend The Litter to those who love a great horror story.
August 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The author's style and formatting remind me of my own, so how could I not? Anyway, that's a compliment!
The premise is quite ghastly and I don't believe it's been done before and that's a big plus. I found the story telling very authentic. It reads real. There are no stupid plot devices to get past holes in the story either.
My only complaint is with Karen, the main character and her back story. Through more than half the book we know something bad happened but we don't know what. We even find out what's killing people, yet this part remains hidden-and I just thought that went on too long. I also thought her animosity towards her father and the entire police department was over done. One person made a mistake and caused her grief, yet she takes it out on everyone - none of which had any control over it. Karen's hatred is so venomous it makes her unsympathetic and very tough to root for.
That being said The Litter is one heck of a horror-thriller you won't soon forget. One of the better books I've read this year (out of more than two dozen so far).
The premise is quite ghastly and I don't believe it's been done before and that's a big plus. I found the story telling very authentic. It reads real. There are no stupid plot devices to get past holes in the story either.
My only complaint is with Karen, the main character and her back story. Through more than half the book we know something bad happened but we don't know what. We even find out what's killing people, yet this part remains hidden-and I just thought that went on too long. I also thought her animosity towards her father and the entire police department was over done. One person made a mistake and caused her grief, yet she takes it out on everyone - none of which had any control over it. Karen's hatred is so venomous it makes her unsympathetic and very tough to root for.
That being said The Litter is one heck of a horror-thriller you won't soon forget. One of the better books I've read this year (out of more than two dozen so far).
August 30, 2015
The Litter is not for the faint of heart. To me it reminded me a little bit of Children of the Corn. (Shudders).
The story takes place in what could be any major metropolitan city in the U.S. The book touches on the real struggles that we face in society. Poverty, homeless, etc. The book begins with homeless people being killed and partially eaten. The scene is so bad, the police can barely tell if the person is a man or woman. A compassionate social worker is pulled into the turmoil of The Zone, when she encounters one of the homeless children. Will her willingness to help be her downfall? How to you help all of the feral children of The Zone? Are they already helping themselves?
You are drawn into this story, which has quite a bit of horror, suspense, and a bit of supernatural as well. It makes you wonder if these types of things are really happening in society today, but really being swept under the rug.
There are several twists and turns in the book that keep you guessing and saying "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" The book is written very well and the characters are very well developed. You won't be disappointed with this book.
The story takes place in what could be any major metropolitan city in the U.S. The book touches on the real struggles that we face in society. Poverty, homeless, etc. The book begins with homeless people being killed and partially eaten. The scene is so bad, the police can barely tell if the person is a man or woman. A compassionate social worker is pulled into the turmoil of The Zone, when she encounters one of the homeless children. Will her willingness to help be her downfall? How to you help all of the feral children of The Zone? Are they already helping themselves?
You are drawn into this story, which has quite a bit of horror, suspense, and a bit of supernatural as well. It makes you wonder if these types of things are really happening in society today, but really being swept under the rug.
There are several twists and turns in the book that keep you guessing and saying "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" The book is written very well and the characters are very well developed. You won't be disappointed with this book.
June 17, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this book.
The Litter is a whole new look at an old legend. This story had me hooked right from the start. The mounting tension and bodies had me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Karen and Jared are interesting characters to follow, as they try to discover who or what is killing and eating the homeless people in their city. Karen is a social worker who is in mourning for her fiancé, Jared is a reporter trying to find out what the police are trying to cover up about the murders. I would have loved to know more about The Brethren and the Sire. The action is full of suspense and gruesome without being overly gory building up to a surprisingly heart wrenching ending. This is my first book by Kevin Doyle but I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for future works by him. The Litter is an engrossing 4.5 star read.
The Litter is a whole new look at an old legend. This story had me hooked right from the start. The mounting tension and bodies had me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Karen and Jared are interesting characters to follow, as they try to discover who or what is killing and eating the homeless people in their city. Karen is a social worker who is in mourning for her fiancé, Jared is a reporter trying to find out what the police are trying to cover up about the murders. I would have loved to know more about The Brethren and the Sire. The action is full of suspense and gruesome without being overly gory building up to a surprisingly heart wrenching ending. This is my first book by Kevin Doyle but I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for future works by him. The Litter is an engrossing 4.5 star read.
March 7, 2016
Since the death of her boyfriend Karen has been down on her luck for almost a year. She has a strained relationship with her Dad the Sheriff. When a body is found it looks like the victim was killed by some animal. The medical examiner isn't even sure what happened. Karen works for a shelter and when one of the children goes missing she searches for him and comes across something terrifying and totally unbelievable. A reporter and Karen decide to try to figure what is really happening in this town.Should she ask her Dad the Sheriff for help? Will anyone believe them? A very fast paced tale of terror , very graphic details with savage attacks which are horrifying and graphic. Plenty os suspense, horror and drama. A truly fantastic read.
September 11, 2023
The suspense had me jumping at every sound in the house!
The Litter by Kevin R. Doyle is a terrifying and devilishly clever urban horror story unlike any I’ve ever encountered. This riveting tale grabbed me from page one and never let me go!
The book opens with a young homeless boy disappearing into the darkened street that could represent any large urban center in the country, and the foreboding for what was to come begins. Readers won’t have long to wait for the shoe to drop, though, as the first gruesome death soon follows. The circumstances are puzzling, and the evidence left behind is perplexing. Early on, I questioned my suspicions about what was tearing the victims apart, literally chewing on the victims.The plot unfolds from two main points of view. One is that of Karen Bannister, a social worker at the city’s homeless shelter, and the other is from Jared Woodson, a reporter for the local news station looking for his next big break of a story. Both are carrying baggage with them as they individually seek out the truth. Karen is the daughter of the city’s Chief of Detectives, from whom she has been estranged since the death of her fiancé at the hands of the police almost a year earlier. The shelter where she works is smack in the midst of “The Zone,” the crime-riddled inner city where the poor and unhoused cluster. Her energies are focused on the men, women, and children who are the first to fall prey to the dangers lurking amidst the crumbling urban infrastructure.
The setting could be any large city with a deteriorating downtown and a homeless population that calls the area home. The author creates just the right mood and atmosphere from the start, describing shadowy figures, darkened alleys, and the disembodied sounds of someone or something breathing down your neck. I literally got goosebumps and the suspense had me jumpy, starting at every unexplained sound I heard in the house while reading. While the reader finds out fairly quickly what’s behind the body count, the truth of the rest of the story comes later and as an absolute surprise. I won’t ruin it for you.I recommend THE LITTER to readers of horror and urban thrillers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.
September 11, 2023
A tale of family dysfunction in a decrepit city neighborhood where ravenous rabid-like children stalk the streets for their next meal. With the name, I figured I’d read about some creepy demonic kids. But the author had more in store for me.
Bodies of homeless people shredded to bloody pieces are found in the Zone’s alleys, a dangerous part of the city that most avoid unless they’re up to no good. It’s clear early on that the police and locals suspect something weird, but like many people, they ignore the blatant truth. After all, how many packs of wild animals terrorize urban communities? And after the medical examiner discovers wounds made from children’s teeth, who’d believe it? Cops are tight-lipped, which fuels Karen’s hatred of the entire force, who carelessly shot her fiancé in a store robbery gone awry. I appreciated that the author left few questions answered about this litter of youngsters until closer to the end of the story. Most works would’ve revealed the truth beforehand, but I enjoyed being teased and dragged along. However, I would’ve liked more development in the “sire” character. Villains interest me way more than heroes, and I wanted more of a taste here. Altogether, I would’ve liked to have spent more time with everyone, but that also means that I enjoyed the characters.
Growls, putrid breath, and black teeth, these demonic critters linger in my mind, making me want to avoid any dark shadows that dance along city streets. If readers are looking for a book that’ll create a new phobia for diabolic toddlers, this one will do it. With lots of remaining plot ends, I’m sure the author will return to give us more.
I received a free review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bodies of homeless people shredded to bloody pieces are found in the Zone’s alleys, a dangerous part of the city that most avoid unless they’re up to no good. It’s clear early on that the police and locals suspect something weird, but like many people, they ignore the blatant truth. After all, how many packs of wild animals terrorize urban communities? And after the medical examiner discovers wounds made from children’s teeth, who’d believe it? Cops are tight-lipped, which fuels Karen’s hatred of the entire force, who carelessly shot her fiancé in a store robbery gone awry. I appreciated that the author left few questions answered about this litter of youngsters until closer to the end of the story. Most works would’ve revealed the truth beforehand, but I enjoyed being teased and dragged along. However, I would’ve liked more development in the “sire” character. Villains interest me way more than heroes, and I wanted more of a taste here. Altogether, I would’ve liked to have spent more time with everyone, but that also means that I enjoyed the characters.
Growls, putrid breath, and black teeth, these demonic critters linger in my mind, making me want to avoid any dark shadows that dance along city streets. If readers are looking for a book that’ll create a new phobia for diabolic toddlers, this one will do it. With lots of remaining plot ends, I’m sure the author will return to give us more.
I received a free review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 11, 2023
No spoilers!
You genuinely want to go into this blind
There are so many little surprise twists and "holy guacamole" moments
that will keep you on the edge of your seat
The author did a fabulous job of blending mystery and suspense along with a great cast that kept me turning pages from beginning to end. Not to mention battling my inner child from peeking ahead to see who survived and who or maybe what was responsible - I won that battle, but it was hard-fought
The story is told from alternating character perspectives.
The victims. The detectives, some of whom know more than they are sharing. The Pathologist, who is so close to retiring from all those skeletons. Jared, the scoop-sniffing investigating journalist, who I might add is more tenacious than a terrier. Karen, who works at the shelter giving her all to the clients there. I felt at times it was her way of obtaining some peace or a sense of penance.
There are many more players throughout that add little pieces here and there.
I am not sure if being able to see the story from multiple angles aided me or just sent me running amock with misdirection chasing false leads
There were a few times that I felt the story slowed a bit - Probably a good thing as my heart was constantly racing
Well developed cast of characters that I easily connected with. Some I was quick to trust, while others pinged my suspicious radar.
Turned out I wasn't always a great judge of character.
Overall a great read that will keep you engaged, on edge, and guessing till the end
You genuinely want to go into this blind
There are so many little surprise twists and "holy guacamole" moments
that will keep you on the edge of your seat
The author did a fabulous job of blending mystery and suspense along with a great cast that kept me turning pages from beginning to end. Not to mention battling my inner child from peeking ahead to see who survived and who or maybe what was responsible - I won that battle, but it was hard-fought
The story is told from alternating character perspectives.
The victims. The detectives, some of whom know more than they are sharing. The Pathologist, who is so close to retiring from all those skeletons. Jared, the scoop-sniffing investigating journalist, who I might add is more tenacious than a terrier. Karen, who works at the shelter giving her all to the clients there. I felt at times it was her way of obtaining some peace or a sense of penance.
There are many more players throughout that add little pieces here and there.
I am not sure if being able to see the story from multiple angles aided me or just sent me running amock with misdirection chasing false leads
There were a few times that I felt the story slowed a bit - Probably a good thing as my heart was constantly racing
Well developed cast of characters that I easily connected with. Some I was quick to trust, while others pinged my suspicious radar.
Turned out I wasn't always a great judge of character.
Overall a great read that will keep you engaged, on edge, and guessing till the end
September 11, 2023
It's been a while since I read a horror novel and there is something going bump in the night in this one. Something killing people in the Zone. That part of the city left to the homeless and the lost. Not only killing but mutilating their victims...chewing them.
The book is told from several points of view which gives it more intensity and depth. Karen Bannister is passionate about helping the homeless and when a young boy disappears, she is determined to find him. But she finds much more than she bargained for. Jared Woodson is a seasoned reporter who stumbles upon a secret so big that the cops don't want anyone to know about it. What Karen and Jared discover is unbelievably savage and dangerous. How will they explain what they saw in that alley and will they survive the fallout?
I was completely riveted by the storyline which included not only the incredible suspense but the sad backstory of Karen and her father's tragic estrangement. Mr. Doyle's imagination is diabolical and thought-provoking considering the nightmare aftermath if the cops go in without knowing what awaits them. Of course, I'm not giving you any more than that so read at your own peril.
I am excited to recommend this creepy and chilling tale full of well-developed characters and shocking reveals.
Thank you to Mr. Doyle for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
The book is told from several points of view which gives it more intensity and depth. Karen Bannister is passionate about helping the homeless and when a young boy disappears, she is determined to find him. But she finds much more than she bargained for. Jared Woodson is a seasoned reporter who stumbles upon a secret so big that the cops don't want anyone to know about it. What Karen and Jared discover is unbelievably savage and dangerous. How will they explain what they saw in that alley and will they survive the fallout?
I was completely riveted by the storyline which included not only the incredible suspense but the sad backstory of Karen and her father's tragic estrangement. Mr. Doyle's imagination is diabolical and thought-provoking considering the nightmare aftermath if the cops go in without knowing what awaits them. Of course, I'm not giving you any more than that so read at your own peril.
I am excited to recommend this creepy and chilling tale full of well-developed characters and shocking reveals.
Thank you to Mr. Doyle for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
July 27, 2022
This is such a good thriller! It well and truly earned its genre and more. This is my first read, by this author, and I must say I am very impressed.
I came in to the book, having read the blurb, and was hoping for a good ‘spine tingling’ read, and, honestly, I thought this was beyond my expectations. The characters were unique, detailed and created very well. There was a lot of attention to detail and all the little things, that really brought the story together. I loved the pace of the story and the twists you got thrown. The main character’s journey was both interesting and exciting, as you find out what is happening.
Honestly, I highly recommend this book. It is brilliant and really is a page-Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and ended up reading it in one sitting, oops who needs sleep!
I came in to the book, having read the blurb, and was hoping for a good ‘spine tingling’ read, and, honestly, I thought this was beyond my expectations. The characters were unique, detailed and created very well. There was a lot of attention to detail and all the little things, that really brought the story together. I loved the pace of the story and the twists you got thrown. The main character’s journey was both interesting and exciting, as you find out what is happening.
Honestly, I highly recommend this book. It is brilliant and really is a page-Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and ended up reading it in one sitting, oops who needs sleep!
September 3, 2023
The blurb alone promises an ominous and chilling plot, and the story absolutely delivers. Doyle does an amazing job of hooking you from page one, drawing you into a dark, twisted world, feeding you small hints along the way to keep you reading and guessing. There's a little bit of mystery woven in - who/what is committing these murders (which would make Jack the Ripper proud). I absolutely adored Karen, she has such a big heart, but she's full of grit and determination. The imagery is so vivid, you'll feel like you've stepped right into the story, and might even find yourself glancing over your shoulder as though you're the one roaming the streets of The Zone. If you're looking for a fresh new horror book, don't let this one pass you by!
August 19, 2025
Truly different! Almost unbelievable, but could happen. Scary to think about. I really liked this book. Lots of gruesome descriptions. I can't say much without spoiling the book. But if you like gore, a must read. A Clive Barker type author!
July 20, 2023
Enjoyed this story. Would recommend
May 22, 2015
*I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing's Member Giveaways program in exchange for an unbiased review. Brief plot spoilers may follow.*
When I received my copy of The Litter, the author warned me that the story was a very grim one, and now that I have finished reading, I have to say that ‘grim’ was probably an understatement. For someone who doesn’t normally read horror or gorror (that’s horror and gore lol) books, this was one hell of a ‘welcome back’ to the genre. LOL For the most part, though, I really enjoyed The Litter and the rollercoaster ride feeling that it created. One thing that I have to say that I liked about the book was all of the bouncing perspectives, especially towards the end, from the various parties involved, at all different corners of the situation. Most of the characters ended up dragged into the story due to occupation, others were dragged in for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and others were the situation in question, yet we still got to see some of the story through their eyes. I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go once we started really getting to the meat of the situation, but then out of nowhere came this twist that sort of humanized the situation I’d previously been waiting for the police to bring to an end. I loved that twist because I couldn’t see it coming and I wasn't sure how to react once I read it. This book is a very slow burn, so if you’re expecting a plot that brings everything out into the open in rapid succession, you’re not going to find it with The Litter. The book is slow, almost to the point of being maddening, but I enjoyed the drama once it finally began to come out in the open. And that’s the thing—even when you get an idea of what's going on, it won’t be dealt with nearly as quickly as you’d expect. I thought the storyline was creative, the way it was written suited the story, and even though I couldn’t find a character that I could fully root for, I liked that as well. It allowed me to focus on the story from all angles involved without being biased to one side. The descriptive abilities were great so for fans of the genre, you won't be disappointed. I really liked the constant tone of disbelief throughout the story. Usually when there's a bit of supernatural or folklore in a story, the main character can usually get someone to believe them and follow along. In The Litter, even though everyone who was in the know was pretty positive about what they were dealing with, there was an obvious conflict between what they were taught to be true and the reality of what they were facing. There was always this tiny sliver of doubt, this "Is this real or have I lost my mind?" mentality, and I think that made everything a bit more realistic, as did the trauma of having to do some of the things that they did in order to resolve the conflict.
My largest complaint with the book was the editing. There were a couple of characters in the book who had names with two common spellings, but both spellings were utilized instead of sticking with just one. There were some grammatical errors throughout; they weren’t massive but they were distracting. Despite being one of the main characters in the story, Karen wasn’t high on my list of favorites. I just couldn’t sympathize much with her, especially because she was always fully aware that she was irrationally taking out her anger over her fiance’s death on her father, yet did nothing about it. She thought about it constantly, and it was in just about every interaction she had with the police throughout the entire book. She even said multiple times that she knew it was wrong. Despite that, did she stop, ever take responsibility, ever make the effort to make things right with her father? No, and we never got to see her deal with the consequences of her actions over it, either. I wasn’t able to root for her that much because of it and I wish I could have because she really got a raw deal. If there are future installments in this series where we get to see more of Karen (and learn what happens on that date she agrees to go on with Woodson lol), I’d like to see how she deals with everything that happened throughout the book.
Overall, I found The Litter to be a solid book. Multiple perspectives, writing that doesn’t follow the typical skeleton of a horror or suspense book, a pretty great introduction (if there are more installments on the way) to whom I nicknamed the Cujo Kids—all of these elements combined with the way the story unfolds creates quite the ride. Unless you have a strong stomach I’d suggest staying away from food, more specifically meat of any kind LOL, while reading along or you’ll end up about as nauseated as I did. If you’re a fan of gorror books and like a good plot twist in your stories, then The Litter is a good one for you to read.
When I received my copy of The Litter, the author warned me that the story was a very grim one, and now that I have finished reading, I have to say that ‘grim’ was probably an understatement. For someone who doesn’t normally read horror or gorror (that’s horror and gore lol) books, this was one hell of a ‘welcome back’ to the genre. LOL For the most part, though, I really enjoyed The Litter and the rollercoaster ride feeling that it created. One thing that I have to say that I liked about the book was all of the bouncing perspectives, especially towards the end, from the various parties involved, at all different corners of the situation. Most of the characters ended up dragged into the story due to occupation, others were dragged in for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and others were the situation in question, yet we still got to see some of the story through their eyes. I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go once we started really getting to the meat of the situation, but then out of nowhere came this twist that sort of humanized the situation I’d previously been waiting for the police to bring to an end. I loved that twist because I couldn’t see it coming and I wasn't sure how to react once I read it. This book is a very slow burn, so if you’re expecting a plot that brings everything out into the open in rapid succession, you’re not going to find it with The Litter. The book is slow, almost to the point of being maddening, but I enjoyed the drama once it finally began to come out in the open. And that’s the thing—even when you get an idea of what's going on, it won’t be dealt with nearly as quickly as you’d expect. I thought the storyline was creative, the way it was written suited the story, and even though I couldn’t find a character that I could fully root for, I liked that as well. It allowed me to focus on the story from all angles involved without being biased to one side. The descriptive abilities were great so for fans of the genre, you won't be disappointed. I really liked the constant tone of disbelief throughout the story. Usually when there's a bit of supernatural or folklore in a story, the main character can usually get someone to believe them and follow along. In The Litter, even though everyone who was in the know was pretty positive about what they were dealing with, there was an obvious conflict between what they were taught to be true and the reality of what they were facing. There was always this tiny sliver of doubt, this "Is this real or have I lost my mind?" mentality, and I think that made everything a bit more realistic, as did the trauma of having to do some of the things that they did in order to resolve the conflict.
My largest complaint with the book was the editing. There were a couple of characters in the book who had names with two common spellings, but both spellings were utilized instead of sticking with just one. There were some grammatical errors throughout; they weren’t massive but they were distracting. Despite being one of the main characters in the story, Karen wasn’t high on my list of favorites. I just couldn’t sympathize much with her, especially because she was always fully aware that she was irrationally taking out her anger over her fiance’s death on her father, yet did nothing about it. She thought about it constantly, and it was in just about every interaction she had with the police throughout the entire book. She even said multiple times that she knew it was wrong. Despite that, did she stop, ever take responsibility, ever make the effort to make things right with her father? No, and we never got to see her deal with the consequences of her actions over it, either. I wasn’t able to root for her that much because of it and I wish I could have because she really got a raw deal. If there are future installments in this series where we get to see more of Karen (and learn what happens on that date she agrees to go on with Woodson lol), I’d like to see how she deals with everything that happened throughout the book.
Overall, I found The Litter to be a solid book. Multiple perspectives, writing that doesn’t follow the typical skeleton of a horror or suspense book, a pretty great introduction (if there are more installments on the way) to whom I nicknamed the Cujo Kids—all of these elements combined with the way the story unfolds creates quite the ride. Unless you have a strong stomach I’d suggest staying away from food, more specifically meat of any kind LOL, while reading along or you’ll end up about as nauseated as I did. If you’re a fan of gorror books and like a good plot twist in your stories, then The Litter is a good one for you to read.
September 25, 2023
The Litter is definitely unlike anything I have read before. The plot is so engrossing and mind-binding. There are lots and lots of twisted twists to keep those pages flowing one after the other.
I was pulled into the world of The Litter from the first page and I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough as the story unfolded bit by bit leaving me shocked as the next twist came into view.
After each twist, I was left more and more in the dark as to what was going on. I kept trying and trying to figure out what was happening but I never would have guessed as to what it really was. I mean there was no way. I was surprised on several occasions.
After the police were called out to the scene of the first body I tried so hard to picture what I was reading the description of the body and the crime scene but I do not believe that I did it justice. It sounded so horrific or at least that is what I kept seeing in my mind. I don’t think that the police knew what to think or how to describe what they saw. I don’t even believe they had any idea at all as to who or what did the killing upon their first viewing of the body. It didn’t happen just once either.
I do believe that The Litter is one of the best crime mystery stories I have ever read. I loved every word of it. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page. When the real culprit was finally brought to light I was sorely surprised and shocked, to say the least.
I highly enjoyed reading The Litter and highly recommended it to all mystery readers with one little warning, It is gory and horrific! Grab a copy of The Litter today for an epic surprise!
I was pulled into the world of The Litter from the first page and I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough as the story unfolded bit by bit leaving me shocked as the next twist came into view.
After each twist, I was left more and more in the dark as to what was going on. I kept trying and trying to figure out what was happening but I never would have guessed as to what it really was. I mean there was no way. I was surprised on several occasions.
After the police were called out to the scene of the first body I tried so hard to picture what I was reading the description of the body and the crime scene but I do not believe that I did it justice. It sounded so horrific or at least that is what I kept seeing in my mind. I don’t think that the police knew what to think or how to describe what they saw. I don’t even believe they had any idea at all as to who or what did the killing upon their first viewing of the body. It didn’t happen just once either.
I do believe that The Litter is one of the best crime mystery stories I have ever read. I loved every word of it. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page. When the real culprit was finally brought to light I was sorely surprised and shocked, to say the least.
I highly enjoyed reading The Litter and highly recommended it to all mystery readers with one little warning, It is gory and horrific! Grab a copy of The Litter today for an epic surprise!
February 27, 2015
I received a copy of The Litter by Kevin Doyle from goodreads.
This fast moving story caught & held my attention. For that reason, I gave it five stars.
After finding a mutilated corpse, the cops are approached by a wild-eyed man of indeterminate age. One said: "Living on the streets for any appreciable time aged a person in an odd way. Gonzalez had always concluded that a year on the streets equaled about six years of physical deterioration, but after a certain point the decline seemed to stop, as if all that could be drained out of a body had been, and he’d seen some geezers could pass for their sixties who’d actually been closer to the eighty mark."
A reporter, Jared Woodson, catches the scent of a story. He believed that the one to contact would be: "Allen, a portly man hovering around sixty years old, had arrived in town a little over two years before, hailing from the sunny climes of southern Arizona. He had come to town for a job, more specifically the job – chief of police. A lifer in law enforcement, Allen arrived with all sorts of rumors trailing him. A few discreet calls down south, made by a handful of the newspeople in town, had drawn a picture of a Joe Arpaio wannabe who had spent the last six months searching for new employment, all in a dodge to evade a forced retirement."
Jared was waiting for two people to arrive in a bar. He was observing, not meeting them. His boss called & asked about the woman, he responded: “Well, let’s just say this. She’s not what you’d call ugly, but she’s also not going to have too many guys tripping over their tongues.”
Meanwhile, Barb had been considering his last comment.
“If I recall correctly,” she said, sarcasm oozing from the phone, “Allen’s not exactly a tall hunk of stud, right?”
She lived up to her reputation as a tough talking woman.
The police officials are attempting to keep any news of the attacks in the Zone out of the media. They threatened Jared if he reported anything from a meeting he barged into uninvited. He's hot on the trail of a story.
Karen Bannister is the Chief of Detective's daughter. She works in a municipal homeless shelter & goes into the Zone looking for a red haired boy who went missing from the shelter in the middle of the night. Her father wants her to stop going there. Their relationship had been damaged irreparably the year before when David, her fiance was killed. She had to compartmentalize her life to function after that.
Dr. Lewis Preston is a coroner almost ready to retire. "He knew the truth, at least part of it, and he wondered just how long he could keep quiet. Or if he would end up taking his knowledge to the grave."
I thought I had figured this book out but half way through a radical curve caught me off guard. It's a thought provoking story & I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy mysterious thrillers.
Link to purchase:http://www.amazon.com/Litter-Kevin-Do...
This fast moving story caught & held my attention. For that reason, I gave it five stars.
After finding a mutilated corpse, the cops are approached by a wild-eyed man of indeterminate age. One said: "Living on the streets for any appreciable time aged a person in an odd way. Gonzalez had always concluded that a year on the streets equaled about six years of physical deterioration, but after a certain point the decline seemed to stop, as if all that could be drained out of a body had been, and he’d seen some geezers could pass for their sixties who’d actually been closer to the eighty mark."
A reporter, Jared Woodson, catches the scent of a story. He believed that the one to contact would be: "Allen, a portly man hovering around sixty years old, had arrived in town a little over two years before, hailing from the sunny climes of southern Arizona. He had come to town for a job, more specifically the job – chief of police. A lifer in law enforcement, Allen arrived with all sorts of rumors trailing him. A few discreet calls down south, made by a handful of the newspeople in town, had drawn a picture of a Joe Arpaio wannabe who had spent the last six months searching for new employment, all in a dodge to evade a forced retirement."
Jared was waiting for two people to arrive in a bar. He was observing, not meeting them. His boss called & asked about the woman, he responded: “Well, let’s just say this. She’s not what you’d call ugly, but she’s also not going to have too many guys tripping over their tongues.”
Meanwhile, Barb had been considering his last comment.
“If I recall correctly,” she said, sarcasm oozing from the phone, “Allen’s not exactly a tall hunk of stud, right?”
She lived up to her reputation as a tough talking woman.
The police officials are attempting to keep any news of the attacks in the Zone out of the media. They threatened Jared if he reported anything from a meeting he barged into uninvited. He's hot on the trail of a story.
Karen Bannister is the Chief of Detective's daughter. She works in a municipal homeless shelter & goes into the Zone looking for a red haired boy who went missing from the shelter in the middle of the night. Her father wants her to stop going there. Their relationship had been damaged irreparably the year before when David, her fiance was killed. She had to compartmentalize her life to function after that.
Dr. Lewis Preston is a coroner almost ready to retire. "He knew the truth, at least part of it, and he wondered just how long he could keep quiet. Or if he would end up taking his knowledge to the grave."
I thought I had figured this book out but half way through a radical curve caught me off guard. It's a thought provoking story & I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy mysterious thrillers.
Link to purchase:http://www.amazon.com/Litter-Kevin-Do...
January 17, 2017
I was sent a free digital copy of this book by the author.
3.5 Stars.
When a child goes missing in the Zone, the slum area of a city, nobody cares about what happens to him, except for Karen who searches the streets in a desperate attempt to find him. But with people being brutally murdered and no clear explanation as to why, will she find the boy in time? And what other secrets will she unearth?
'The Litter' is a horror novel with a different feel to it. Set mostly in the slum area of a city, known as the 'Zone', the book helps draw you into a dark and dismal world right away. The story is told in the third person but switches between characters and locations. This switching doesn't get confusing though and helps build the story as it has the feel of both a horror and a mystery at the same time.
The main story centres around the character Karen who works at a homeless shelter in the Zone. When one child walks out of the shelter she spends the next few days trying to find him. At the same time people in the Zone are being brutally killed by an unknown force. Karen's character is well developed as we learn a lot about her back story which sets up how she deals with things happening around her. However, despite being well developed and having reasons for certain behaviour, I couldn't help but not feel so much for her character as the story went on. Towards the end I was disappointed that there wasn't more emotion in her especially after something terrible happens in the story.
The horror is well written and you do feel the dark atmosphere of the book. I haven't read many horror novels to date but this one certainly has a unique feel that Doyle is good at creating. The atmosphere is tense and the story is written in sections, revealing bits and pieces at a time which I enjoyed. I wasn't surprised by the initial discovery as to what killed the people, and I don't think many people would be either, however it was a revelation further down the story which got me and I didn't expect the truth to be what it was.
The book does a good job of keeping you in this dark and tense atmosphere while building the suspense, however I just personally never felt as drawn into it as I had hoped and it's a shame as I really wanted to connect with this book more. Most of the characters, apart from Karen, had less depth than I would have liked and I would have liked more scenes with and emotion from the reporter Jared. I also think some of the language used in the book made it tougher for me to enjoy this, perhaps a regional thing but some words used were new to my vocabulary, which is a surprise.
The book has one use of the f swear word and milder words used only occasionally. There is no sex but the descriptions of the deaths and attacks are pretty gruesome so I would only recommend this to more mature teens and older.
Overall a good book with a great and unique atmosphere. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked but it's a good story with a satisfying ending.
3.5 Stars.
When a child goes missing in the Zone, the slum area of a city, nobody cares about what happens to him, except for Karen who searches the streets in a desperate attempt to find him. But with people being brutally murdered and no clear explanation as to why, will she find the boy in time? And what other secrets will she unearth?
'The Litter' is a horror novel with a different feel to it. Set mostly in the slum area of a city, known as the 'Zone', the book helps draw you into a dark and dismal world right away. The story is told in the third person but switches between characters and locations. This switching doesn't get confusing though and helps build the story as it has the feel of both a horror and a mystery at the same time.
The main story centres around the character Karen who works at a homeless shelter in the Zone. When one child walks out of the shelter she spends the next few days trying to find him. At the same time people in the Zone are being brutally killed by an unknown force. Karen's character is well developed as we learn a lot about her back story which sets up how she deals with things happening around her. However, despite being well developed and having reasons for certain behaviour, I couldn't help but not feel so much for her character as the story went on. Towards the end I was disappointed that there wasn't more emotion in her especially after something terrible happens in the story.
The horror is well written and you do feel the dark atmosphere of the book. I haven't read many horror novels to date but this one certainly has a unique feel that Doyle is good at creating. The atmosphere is tense and the story is written in sections, revealing bits and pieces at a time which I enjoyed. I wasn't surprised by the initial discovery as to what killed the people, and I don't think many people would be either, however it was a revelation further down the story which got me and I didn't expect the truth to be what it was.
The book does a good job of keeping you in this dark and tense atmosphere while building the suspense, however I just personally never felt as drawn into it as I had hoped and it's a shame as I really wanted to connect with this book more. Most of the characters, apart from Karen, had less depth than I would have liked and I would have liked more scenes with and emotion from the reporter Jared. I also think some of the language used in the book made it tougher for me to enjoy this, perhaps a regional thing but some words used were new to my vocabulary, which is a surprise.
The book has one use of the f swear word and milder words used only occasionally. There is no sex but the descriptions of the deaths and attacks are pretty gruesome so I would only recommend this to more mature teens and older.
Overall a good book with a great and unique atmosphere. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked but it's a good story with a satisfying ending.
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