Movers

by Evan James Clark

They exist in every big city and small town. They are scattered across the world.

Always small. Always inviting. Always friendly. Shopfronts with handwritten signs in the windows, shelves stacked with baubles and cheap antiques. Little treasures. Precious things.

The places that most walk by without a second look. They open. They close.

They move in the night. These are the rules.

Jamie Christop is a professional. He's a man without a past or future. During the day, he goes unnoticed, a face that fades into the crowd. At night, he's a veteran of a thousand bars, parking lot fights, and one night stands. He's the empty corner table, the sucker punch in the dark, the shadow that slips away.

He is perfect for the job. He does not ask questions. He loves his work.

Jamie disappears for a living.

He is a mover

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Science Fiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2014

About the author

Evan James Clark is a native of San Diego, California. He used to tell everyone that his favorite holiday was Christmas, but it's actually Halloween and there's nothing anyone can do about it. He is the author of The Anachronist Girls, Halcyon Park, Tigerfish, and Paraiso Street.

He currently lives in the Midwest.

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started Movers, I thought that it moved a bit slowly and I was waiting for more "excitement" I guess you'd say, but as the book continued I think I understood what Evan was going for with a slow, creepy kind of horror. It turned out to be a great sci-fi/horror story which was very well written with a great plot. He also wrote about a protagonist who wasn't the most likeable, but something about him still made you interested in his story.

I have the same minor complaint I think some others have had, and it was just that I wanted to see and hear more about the "movers" themselves. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes "lurking horror of the unknown" type stories and anyone who enjoys well written fiction overall.

[Michael Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must be on a lucky streak because I've been reading a LOT of bad self-published books, but have just read two in a row that are outstanding. First was and now there is by Evan Clark. Both books have some important things in common starting with the fact that the writing in each is outstanding (plus they both have great covers). Both have clear, evocative prose that keeps the story moving. The voice in Movers is especially interesting with short, punchy sentences that really create a sense of time and place that tell a story I haven't seen before.

From the first page, we're drawn in to the world of Jaimie, a "mover" involved some kind of bizarre, supernatural world hidden from the eyes of most men. Movers tells Jaimie's story as he learns more about the strange world he's involved in, and more importantly, about what kind of person he truly is and the consequences of that.

Movers, like TTWRC, has a very satisfying emotional ending with character arcs that have our protagonists end up in very different places than they ended.

My sole critique of the books is that I was so intrigued by the secret world of Movers that I really wanted to know more about it. Clark gives us just enough to satisfy the reader and not leave us feeling jerked around, but I definitely would have liked more.

[J K · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd story in the best way - a guy with a distinctly Eldritch flavoured job accidentally gets his heart reawakened, and you know that that's not going to end well...

Freaky enough to be memorable, stingy with the details except when it matters, and a decent hook even if the character is a little too prickly to like - but I stayed hooked all the way through.

Recommended. Well worth a look.

[Dave Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

He builds the plot nicely, and then introduces the conflict, and that is when this book becomes a great story.

I felt the influences Evan mentions in his afterword, but this was a fine rearrangement :)

Creepy, suspenseful , and sweet.

I look forward to more from Evan.

Again, this was a great story!

Thank you, Evan!

PS: love the cover!

[Zachary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this little horror gem and have not a negative thing to say. Truly creepy premise and satisfying conclusion

[K.N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't speak too much about this book for fear of giving anything away! Despite being under 200 pages, it is a bit of a slow burner, but it won't leave you disappointed. The protagonist, Jamie, has many flaws, yet is compelling enough to make you want to tag along for the ride. Clark's writing style is snappy and immersive. I hope he won't be insulted if I say this novel read like a (very good) episode of The Twilight Zone.

[Constance A]

I don't read much these days but when I started reading this I could not stop Evan kept me wanting to keep turning the page knew something was exciting just around the corner it's just like you was living the book with him as he told his story and events on your toes and waiting for what was going to happen next can't wait to read more I would rate this book a five star I was definitely very satisfied with his writing even that he is my nephew I was still rate the book The Way I have.

[Joel Shappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story

A good short read with a tight story. An asset to the Cthulhu mythos. Highly recommended for anyone that enjoys lovecraft.