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The Boys on the Mountain
Jim Brandon has a new house, and boy, is it a pip. Built high on the side of the San Diego mountains by a legendary B-movie actor of the 1930s, Nigel Letters, the house is not only gorgeous, but supposedly haunted. As a writer of horror novels, Jim couldn't be happier.
But after a string of ghostly events sets Jim’s teeth on edge and scares the bejesus out of his dog, Jim begins to dig into the house’s history. What he finds is enough to creep out anybody. Even Jim. It seems long-dead Nigel Letters had a few nasty habits back in his day. And unhappily for Jim, the old bastard still has some tricks up his sleeve.
As Jim welcomes his ex, Michael, and a bevy of old friends for a two-week visit to help christen the new house, he soon realizes his old friends aren’t the only visitors who have come to call.
But after a string of ghostly events sets Jim’s teeth on edge and scares the bejesus out of his dog, Jim begins to dig into the house’s history. What he finds is enough to creep out anybody. Even Jim. It seems long-dead Nigel Letters had a few nasty habits back in his day. And unhappily for Jim, the old bastard still has some tricks up his sleeve.
As Jim welcomes his ex, Michael, and a bevy of old friends for a two-week visit to help christen the new house, he soon realizes his old friends aren’t the only visitors who have come to call.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2015
38 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
About the author
John Inman
42 books442 followersA Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of over forty novels, John has been writing fiction for as long as he can remember. Born on a small farm in Indiana, he now resides in San Diego, California where he spends his time gardening, pampering his pets, hiking and biking the trails and canyons of San Diego, and of course, writing. He and his partner share a passion for theater, books, film, and the continuing fight for marriage equality. If you would like to know more about John, check out his website at----
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 23, 2015
Oh my fucking God.
What the fuck kind of ending was that?
This book was equally disturbing and funny. Weird right? How can a story with such a horrible, horrible tale also be funny? Dunno but it was.
I wasn't scared necessarily but I was totally creeped out, no lie. Very disturbing and vivid subject matter.
But that end? I just can't. I just really and truly can't believe that is how it ended. I'm not pissed necessarily, kind of sad but mostly eager to read about the aftermath.
Shit, maybe it is me that is disturbed.
I wanted a horror book and I got one. Good stuff.
What the fuck kind of ending was that?
This book was equally disturbing and funny. Weird right? How can a story with such a horrible, horrible tale also be funny? Dunno but it was.
I wasn't scared necessarily but I was totally creeped out, no lie. Very disturbing and vivid subject matter.
But that end? I just can't. I just really and truly can't believe that is how it ended. I'm not pissed necessarily, kind of sad but mostly eager to read about the aftermath.
Shit, maybe it is me that is disturbed.
I wanted a horror book and I got one. Good stuff.
August 23, 2018
No rating for this one. I'm not using spoiler tags because this dreck doesn't deserve it.
I've never read a horror story before, and after finishing this one, I still don't think that I have. It wasn't at all scary. I've seen episodes of Buffy and X-Files and Supernatural that are way scarier than anything that happens here. It actually reminded me a lot of the S4 Buffy episode "Where the Wild Things Are". IOW, it's a big hot mess.
First, if you're at all squeamish about child abduction, rape, molestation, torture and murder - skip this book. I only started the first such section of these scenes until I had to skip over it, and then automatically skipped over all the others that came after. They're way too detailed and told from the POVs of both the victim and the murderer. That's not horror, that's disgusting and unnecessary. There are plenty of other ways to get that information across without putting us in the kids' heads. Like, how about Jim dreaming all that crap is happening to him, and later realizing that's what the boys went through? On top of that, you have a bunch of gay men drooling over their ghosts, because what's hotter than murdered children? Oh, I know, a big child ghost orgy, that's what.
As for the rest, this is one of those horror stories that requires all the characters, including the supposedly smart ones, to be too stupid to live and ignore all common sense. That includes the horror writer who writes ghost stories for a living. I'm rather skeptical as to this guy's supposed literary success for even putting himself in that house to begin with - and buying it - and then stupidly inviting all his friends. None of these guys have the brains to fight their way out of a paper bag, and I honestly didn't care one lick about any of them. I was actually kind of rooting for them to die. Unfortunately, none of them did. Then the resolution to the hauntings didn't even require any of them to be there. Like, what was even the point of all this?
About halfway through, I started skimming because I was so bored and just wanted to see how this would eventually be resolved. This story was very disjointed, like it couldn't make up it's mind if it wanted to be a gay weekend getaway or a disturbed attempt to sensationalize sex crimes. It was also way too long, way too many words. It could've easily been half its length and probably been better for it. There were way too many gay stereotypes - I think every single one was used - and the use of horror tropes was boring and uninspired. I liked the gay weekend getaway part of the book but everything else was meh to disgusting.
I've never read a horror story before, and after finishing this one, I still don't think that I have. It wasn't at all scary. I've seen episodes of Buffy and X-Files and Supernatural that are way scarier than anything that happens here. It actually reminded me a lot of the S4 Buffy episode "Where the Wild Things Are". IOW, it's a big hot mess.
First, if you're at all squeamish about child abduction, rape, molestation, torture and murder - skip this book. I only started the first such section of these scenes until I had to skip over it, and then automatically skipped over all the others that came after. They're way too detailed and told from the POVs of both the victim and the murderer. That's not horror, that's disgusting and unnecessary. There are plenty of other ways to get that information across without putting us in the kids' heads. Like, how about Jim dreaming all that crap is happening to him, and later realizing that's what the boys went through? On top of that, you have a bunch of gay men drooling over their ghosts, because what's hotter than murdered children? Oh, I know, a big child ghost orgy, that's what.
As for the rest, this is one of those horror stories that requires all the characters, including the supposedly smart ones, to be too stupid to live and ignore all common sense. That includes the horror writer who writes ghost stories for a living. I'm rather skeptical as to this guy's supposed literary success for even putting himself in that house to begin with - and buying it - and then stupidly inviting all his friends. None of these guys have the brains to fight their way out of a paper bag, and I honestly didn't care one lick about any of them. I was actually kind of rooting for them to die. Unfortunately, none of them did. Then the resolution to the hauntings didn't even require any of them to be there. Like, what was even the point of all this?
About halfway through, I started skimming because I was so bored and just wanted to see how this would eventually be resolved. This story was very disjointed, like it couldn't make up it's mind if it wanted to be a gay weekend getaway or a disturbed attempt to sensationalize sex crimes. It was also way too long, way too many words. It could've easily been half its length and probably been better for it. There were way too many gay stereotypes - I think every single one was used - and the use of horror tropes was boring and uninspired. I liked the gay weekend getaway part of the book but everything else was meh to disgusting.
September 25, 2016
4,5 stars.
John Inman never ceases to amaze me… I adore his ingenuity. Is their anything he can’t write?
The Boys on the Mountains was everything I expected from a horror story… and more. I was totally hooked… from the beginning till the end. I couldn’t turn off the lights while reading the story, the dark chill sank into my bones and I was terrified! *shudders*
Loved Jim, his dog Rex and his bunch of friends (Jesse in Lederhosen and heels was just hilarious). They don’t fear the evil ghost of a murderer und are determined to help the poor boys that once disappeared without a trace.
The book made me laugh and cry, made me loathe a very special guy. The flashbacks were the hardest chapters I’ve ever read… I couldn’t always cope with them and… yes… I skipped parts of the horrible things that happened to the poor boys.
I love every single one of John’s books I’ve read so far… and this one blew me away as well even if it scared the hell out of me.
The end of the book… well… if you want sunshine and roses and a wonderful HEA, don’t read the epilogue… just DON’T!
John, you’re just kidding, right? I still can’t believe this final scene really happened…
March 8, 2017
Not only is John Inman's, The Boys on the Mountain one of the creepiest novel's I've ever read, even outside of it's M/M genre, the thriller/horror novel is better than some of my favourite authors works including Stephen K, Mr. D. Koontz, Clive Barker and Peter Straub to name a few. It's a shame that people can't see past gay sex but that's probably not the main reason this novel didn't make an absolute killing like it should have. I feel that this book could have easily reached the NY Times top 10 in Horror. I think the non consensual underage .
It's that good and not only that, it doesn't go over the top like some of those other horror's do, it was way more believable than fantastical as far as a good horror story goes, it doesn't go off into bizarre fantasy like realms but does use a psychic to tell the story, but that's just my opinion.
This should be on all horror lovers TBR list, it's one that slipped under my radar as I do love John Inman's novels. It is full of TRIGGER WARNINGS so keep that in mind, this is not a nice book at all but it's an exceptional horror.
It's that good and not only that, it doesn't go over the top like some of those other horror's do, it was way more believable than fantastical as far as a good horror story goes, it doesn't go off into bizarre fantasy like realms but does use a psychic to tell the story, but that's just my opinion.
This should be on all horror lovers TBR list, it's one that slipped under my radar as I do love John Inman's novels. It is full of TRIGGER WARNINGS so keep that in mind, this is not a nice book at all but it's an exceptional horror.
January 3, 2016
WOW!! I have to give a shout out to Netgalley for the honest review of this book. There is so much to say. I loved the characters and the story line. That being said the book should have a XXX rating, and not be read by the faint of heart. The book is overly graphic in pedophilia and violence. It took me a very long time to get through this book as I waded through the horrific scenes.
Jim is a gay writer who purchases Nigel Letters mansion in the hills. Nigel Letters is a dead gay actor. Jim hopes the house will inspire him to write his next horror novel. Unbeknownst to all of the world Nigel Letters was not only a gay actor but a sick pedophile serial killer. Jim learns quickly he is not alone in his new home. He takes to his computer and starts writing the ghost boys experiences with Nigel Letters. In doing this Jim feels he can release the boys from this world and expose Nigel Letters for the freak he was.
The play between Jim and his friends is fun and comical, but the crimes they uncover are terribly graphic and will stay with the reader for far to long. I am glad I finished the book although many times I wondered how anyone could write such things. The second to last chapter made me wonder about the writer of this book and his relationship to the writer Jim in the book. The places they live, the people they love and the story they tell.
I gave 3 stars because I liked the characters and the ghost story. All the other stuff I could have lived without.
Jim is a gay writer who purchases Nigel Letters mansion in the hills. Nigel Letters is a dead gay actor. Jim hopes the house will inspire him to write his next horror novel. Unbeknownst to all of the world Nigel Letters was not only a gay actor but a sick pedophile serial killer. Jim learns quickly he is not alone in his new home. He takes to his computer and starts writing the ghost boys experiences with Nigel Letters. In doing this Jim feels he can release the boys from this world and expose Nigel Letters for the freak he was.
The play between Jim and his friends is fun and comical, but the crimes they uncover are terribly graphic and will stay with the reader for far to long. I am glad I finished the book although many times I wondered how anyone could write such things. The second to last chapter made me wonder about the writer of this book and his relationship to the writer Jim in the book. The places they live, the people they love and the story they tell.
I gave 3 stars because I liked the characters and the ghost story. All the other stuff I could have lived without.
December 27, 2018
I finished this book on friday....It's now Monday...I've needed that long to get my head round this book.....Should we enjoy this kind of book....well yes it was done really really well.....OK...Here goes....This is not an easy read...no way.....Jim has bought a mansion...a one story mansion that belonged to an actor...a long time dead actor..except his ghost doesn't want to stay away from it's home and the secrets that lay in wait there......Jim and his close friend Michael and their friends discover these secrets and the horror they unfold.....You will love Jims friends....I loved Jess...yes he's flighty...mouthy and all but god he was hilarious.....Jim channels these secrets.....The boys who were murdered on the mountain by Nigel Letters....old hollywood star who turned to murder 50 odd years before....The boys tell Jim of their lives through to their deaths...and those parts are really hard to read...Tj...Artruro....The twins which was the worst....What those two went through...Although they weren't actually twins they did look alike.....Amongst the horror of what the boys went through and Jim and his friends trying to get rid of the ghosts of the past there is some comedy....little quips that will have you laughing then probably cursing yourself for laughing.....This is a book that should be read but be warned there is triggers in there but I think it's done really really well...there isn't too much...I've read more graphic....the horror parts what got me....Stephen King didn't manage to scare me but John Inman did....signs of a great book....I will definitely be reading more from this author and I have already got this in paperback.....Amazingly written and amazingly scary x
After reading this for the fourth time I still find it an amazing book....truly a book to read over and over again x
After reading this for the fourth time I still find it an amazing book....truly a book to read over and over again x
December 27, 2024
MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING AT END OF REVIEW PAGE!!
So far, I am really REALLY enjoying this :-)!! Terrific writing ... fantastic imagination. If the book continues on the path its been traveling on, I'll be throwing stars at it :-)!! Don't let me down, Book!
Quote @ 26%: - Proceed at your own risk!!
"I could feel his hot hands gripping the boy’s ankles as if they were gripping my own. I could feel him pushing his way inside the boy as if he were pushing himself into me. The calculated brutality of that first savage thrust still took my breath away. I shuddered at the memory of it. For the first time in my life, I understood the true horror of rape. The experience of it had passed from the boy’s mind into my own across a wide span of years. Yet I had felt his pain. I still felt it. Every heartwrenching moment.
A child I had never met, who had, in fact, been born into this world thirty years before me, had opened his mind to me, told me everything I needed to know, baring the horror and the shame of his death for me so that the truth of it would come out, through me, to people who had long since ceased looking for him. People who were, in fact, most certainly dead themselves. There was only one conceivable reason for the boy to have done so. He wanted his story told, and he came to me, the storyteller, to do it.
A pretty smart move for the spirit of a twelve-year-old child."
Trigger warning: Copious flashbacks of brutal child rape, torture, and sexual mutilation; not of the MCs of course, but of the victims the MCs are investigating. Apparently the now dead antagonist of this story was a sadistic child rapist and murderer; having brutally raped, tortured, and sexually mutilated multiple children. We live through and witness everything these children go through, in gruesome and horrific detail. If you're squeamish and/or if rape is one of your triggers, do proceed very very carefully!!
Extra Trigger Warning: Flashbacks of child rape, torture, sexual mutilation, and the horrific deaths described here are of the victims the MC is investigating. The childrens' ages range from 12 to 16! The reason I am emphasizing these potential triggers is because I'd HATE for this book to be rated any less than it deserves, just because a reader wasn't aware of what said reader was getting into. This book really REALLY doesn't deserve that treatment :-/!!
So far, I am really REALLY enjoying this :-)!! Terrific writing ... fantastic imagination. If the book continues on the path its been traveling on, I'll be throwing stars at it :-)!! Don't let me down, Book!
Quote @ 26%: - Proceed at your own risk!!
"I could feel his hot hands gripping the boy’s ankles as if they were gripping my own. I could feel him pushing his way inside the boy as if he were pushing himself into me. The calculated brutality of that first savage thrust still took my breath away. I shuddered at the memory of it. For the first time in my life, I understood the true horror of rape. The experience of it had passed from the boy’s mind into my own across a wide span of years. Yet I had felt his pain. I still felt it. Every heartwrenching moment.
A child I had never met, who had, in fact, been born into this world thirty years before me, had opened his mind to me, told me everything I needed to know, baring the horror and the shame of his death for me so that the truth of it would come out, through me, to people who had long since ceased looking for him. People who were, in fact, most certainly dead themselves. There was only one conceivable reason for the boy to have done so. He wanted his story told, and he came to me, the storyteller, to do it.
A pretty smart move for the spirit of a twelve-year-old child."
Trigger warning: Copious flashbacks of brutal child rape, torture, and sexual mutilation; not of the MCs of course, but of the victims the MCs are investigating. Apparently the now dead antagonist of this story was a sadistic child rapist and murderer; having brutally raped, tortured, and sexually mutilated multiple children. We live through and witness everything these children go through, in gruesome and horrific detail. If you're squeamish and/or if rape is one of your triggers, do proceed very very carefully!!
Extra Trigger Warning: Flashbacks of child rape, torture, sexual mutilation, and the horrific deaths described here are of the victims the MC is investigating. The childrens' ages range from 12 to 16! The reason I am emphasizing these potential triggers is because I'd HATE for this book to be rated any less than it deserves, just because a reader wasn't aware of what said reader was getting into. This book really REALLY doesn't deserve that treatment :-/!!
January 8, 2018
I think I may have confused this book with another of the same title. I was researching the most offensive and / or horrific novels (and why not?) and this came up pretty near the top of the list. It sounded just the sort of thing for a lazy day on the deck. I'm a couple of chapters in and have been utterly surprised and delighted to find a really well written, engaging, witty story. There are definitely supernatural elements lurking, but nothing at all horrific or offensive. In fact, there's an Irish Setter with more sense than his owner, a gay guy, and a beautiful house. Hmm. That reminds me of another author's books... Hey ho. I'm really glad I've found this. I'll update when done... (it's very sunny today and that deck is calling...)
Finished this one today. It's not a long read. John Inman is now on my list of authors to work through. Basically, this is a funny horror story, and it totally works. Given that the horror consists of the sexual torture and murder of boys, and the humour comes from gay guys, it's quite a feat to pull off such an uneasy juxtaposition. One minute there's "gay" torture, the next gay sex, but I was won over by the six gay guys (and of course Rex the dog) and didn't try to over-analyse the thing. Personally, I didn't find this at all frightening or especially gory--but I read a lot of horror, so others might find this occasionally shocking.
The writing is excellent. The characters are really engaging, considering there are six guys to delineate and make likable and worth investing in. As I was reading this it occured to me what a brilliant movie it would make. Why does Hollywood churn out so many remakes and so much dross when there are good, original stories like this out there?
I'm off to find some more Inman to read.
Finished this one today. It's not a long read. John Inman is now on my list of authors to work through. Basically, this is a funny horror story, and it totally works. Given that the horror consists of the sexual torture and murder of boys, and the humour comes from gay guys, it's quite a feat to pull off such an uneasy juxtaposition. One minute there's "gay" torture, the next gay sex, but I was won over by the six gay guys (and of course Rex the dog) and didn't try to over-analyse the thing. Personally, I didn't find this at all frightening or especially gory--but I read a lot of horror, so others might find this occasionally shocking.
The writing is excellent. The characters are really engaging, considering there are six guys to delineate and make likable and worth investing in. As I was reading this it occured to me what a brilliant movie it would make. Why does Hollywood churn out so many remakes and so much dross when there are good, original stories like this out there?
I'm off to find some more Inman to read.
March 14, 2016
Yet another outstanding book by Mr. Inman that is up for a Lambda Award. Written with Inman's smooth narrative style, the pace and the creep factor quickly pick up as Jim, a writer himself, buys what is supposedly a haunted old mansion in the San Diego mountains. Not only is Jim's mansion inundated with the ghosts of dead boys, it is quickly inundated by several of Jim's friends up from L.A. for a party time. The party soon turns bizarre as the ghosts of the boys killed by the original Hollywood legend begin to make themselves known along with the malevolent ghost of the serial killer himself. Inman handles the large cast of characters, both dead and alive, flawlessly as the story grows more complex. The diversity of the characters gives some levity to a story that could have been just a slice 'em dice 'em affair. This book is one that will hold the reader to the end. Highly recommended to any lover of the paranormal.
August 31, 2015
Within three pages, maybe sooner, I fell in love with Inman’s writing. It’s flawless. Truly. And it stayed true the entire novel. I am now a die-hard fan. Everything about this novel was exquisitely crafted. I will warn, which is rare for me, I love dark subject matter, and even I struggled with many parts of this novel, as it contains graphic child abuse. That said, the story is stellar, and I love that Inman didn’t half-ass a horror story. He went for it, held back no punches, and was successful. Brilliant story-teller. If you are a horror fan and can handle the darkness, do not let this book pass you by! This will not be my last Inman novel by any means. I bow to his talent!
Oh! And the ending that so many people are bitching about. Loved it!
Oh! And the ending that so many people are bitching about. Loved it!
October 1, 2018
This book is intense but so so good. I was intrigued by the blurb. I love scary books and this one did not disappoint at all.
Jim is a successful horror writer. He buys a house knowing it is said to be haunted. On his first night there things happen and he absolutely loves it. This is such a haunting book and it is brutal and honest and scary. I loved the flashbacks and being brought into the past of the 1940's. The boys' stories were so horrible and filled with pain and suffering. This stuff happens. I'm sure of it and it's horrible and sad. There is an author who is a favorite of mine (he writes horror) his name is Richard Laymon and he writes just as graphically as John does and it's very hard to read but I didn't feel as if it was just thrown in for shock value. It was part of what these boys endured at the hands of Letters who is one of the most evil man I've read about.
I was reading this at night alone in my living room and the hair on my arms stood up the entire time. I felt transported back to the past with Tj and Allen and Arturo's stories and I felt like I was in the house with Jim and Rex trying to uncover the mysteries.
Thank God for Jim's friends providing some real comic relief. I went from being scared out of my mind and then I was laughing my butt off with all their one liners and comments.
The ending was great and I was happy to see the boys didn't have to suffer anymore BUT that final ending was just like what the f^&k!! I literally went back and read it three times because I thought I was seeing things. God what an ending! I would definitely rec this to everyone!! On a side note one of things that resonated with me throughout the book was that once Jim learned of what happened to the boys he was determined to help them find whatever peace they could and the author made that clear throughout the book that the bottom line was helping the boys at whatever cost...even his own life.
Sept 2018
Still resonates and still powerful
Jim is a successful horror writer. He buys a house knowing it is said to be haunted. On his first night there things happen and he absolutely loves it. This is such a haunting book and it is brutal and honest and scary. I loved the flashbacks and being brought into the past of the 1940's. The boys' stories were so horrible and filled with pain and suffering. This stuff happens. I'm sure of it and it's horrible and sad. There is an author who is a favorite of mine (he writes horror) his name is Richard Laymon and he writes just as graphically as John does and it's very hard to read but I didn't feel as if it was just thrown in for shock value. It was part of what these boys endured at the hands of Letters who is one of the most evil man I've read about.
I was reading this at night alone in my living room and the hair on my arms stood up the entire time. I felt transported back to the past with Tj and Allen and Arturo's stories and I felt like I was in the house with Jim and Rex trying to uncover the mysteries.
Thank God for Jim's friends providing some real comic relief. I went from being scared out of my mind and then I was laughing my butt off with all their one liners and comments.
The ending was great and I was happy to see the boys didn't have to suffer anymore BUT that final ending was just like what the f^&k!! I literally went back and read it three times because I thought I was seeing things. God what an ending! I would definitely rec this to everyone!! On a side note one of things that resonated with me throughout the book was that once Jim learned of what happened to the boys he was determined to help them find whatever peace they could and the author made that clear throughout the book that the bottom line was helping the boys at whatever cost...even his own life.
Sept 2018
Still resonates and still powerful
May 17, 2015
5 Heart Review by Dan
Wow, I started this book this morning, figuring I’d read part of it, and here it is 10:27PM and I just finished it. I will warn you, it is not one of those books you can put down in the middle!
This is my first review of a book by John Inman, and my first review of a book published by DSP Publications. I’m not sure what I expected, but this book was way more than anything I thought it would be. I expected a ghost story, haunted house, etc. I got way more than that.
Jim Brandon has moved into an old mansion in the mountains overlooking San Diego, which formerly belonged to a quite famous B movie actor of the 1930’s. Renowned for his horror films, which were considered quite scary at the time, Nigel Letters reveled in the glory of being a handsome young movie star. But when he started to age and his beauty started to fail, he built this home outside San Diego and retired from public life. Several years later, Letters was found dead in his home of autoerotic asphyxiation…dressed in full drag.
Now Jim has moved into the house. Jim is a writer specializing in horror novels, and he has specifically chosen this home because it is supposed to be haunted. Sometimes you should be careful what you wish for!
When his old friends from Los Angeles come to visit, they aren’t the only visitors Jim is hosting. As the mystery of the house, and of Nigel Letters, is revealed, the story takes on some very dark aspects.
I loved this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story, complete with very believable characters, some humor, a very believable storyline and the feeling that the story could be true it is so well written. OK, I’ll admit it…I even Googled Nigel Letters to make sure he wasn’t a real person!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Wow, I started this book this morning, figuring I’d read part of it, and here it is 10:27PM and I just finished it. I will warn you, it is not one of those books you can put down in the middle!
This is my first review of a book by John Inman, and my first review of a book published by DSP Publications. I’m not sure what I expected, but this book was way more than anything I thought it would be. I expected a ghost story, haunted house, etc. I got way more than that.
Jim Brandon has moved into an old mansion in the mountains overlooking San Diego, which formerly belonged to a quite famous B movie actor of the 1930’s. Renowned for his horror films, which were considered quite scary at the time, Nigel Letters reveled in the glory of being a handsome young movie star. But when he started to age and his beauty started to fail, he built this home outside San Diego and retired from public life. Several years later, Letters was found dead in his home of autoerotic asphyxiation…dressed in full drag.
Now Jim has moved into the house. Jim is a writer specializing in horror novels, and he has specifically chosen this home because it is supposed to be haunted. Sometimes you should be careful what you wish for!
When his old friends from Los Angeles come to visit, they aren’t the only visitors Jim is hosting. As the mystery of the house, and of Nigel Letters, is revealed, the story takes on some very dark aspects.
I loved this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story, complete with very believable characters, some humor, a very believable storyline and the feeling that the story could be true it is so well written. OK, I’ll admit it…I even Googled Nigel Letters to make sure he wasn’t a real person!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
May 15, 2015
I both loved and hated this book. I'm not going to lie. As with all John Inman's works I found the writing witty, the characters dimensional and the story amazing. Because the writing is phenomenal and the emotional response it brought out in me is also why I sort of hate it. Not hate as in the book itself is awful. Because it's far from that. I sort of hate it for the fact it invoked such strong feelings in every way. Some of the imagery I don't know if I will ever get out of my head. It was so well written I could picture every grotesque detail. It's hilarious, it's graphic, it's scary, it hits some of my "oh hell no!" buttons I didn't even know existed and completely drew me in and despite my inner voice screaming at me to maybe take a breather and find something less intense I became immersed into the story.
Seriously, this book has it all. It made me laugh hysterically, cry, and seethe in anger like I haven't felt in quite some time reading a book.
During one of the more gruesome parts I wanted to throw up as I looked down at my 6 year old son sleeping the sleep of the happy and innocent on my belly. And in the next few pages I was spitting water I had sipped all over that sleeping child trying to hold in the laughter.
I love John Inman's books, and this is no different. An emotional roller coaster to be sure. But be warned - this book has major hot buttons for people on the violence involving young adults and children.
Seriously, this book has it all. It made me laugh hysterically, cry, and seethe in anger like I haven't felt in quite some time reading a book.
During one of the more gruesome parts I wanted to throw up as I looked down at my 6 year old son sleeping the sleep of the happy and innocent on my belly. And in the next few pages I was spitting water I had sipped all over that sleeping child trying to hold in the laughter.
I love John Inman's books, and this is no different. An emotional roller coaster to be sure. But be warned - this book has major hot buttons for people on the violence involving young adults and children.
June 7, 2015
4.5 stars for this great paranormal thriller that's not for the faint of heart!
January 25, 2016
Ridiculous & stupid.
July 8, 2017
Let me begin this review with a cautionary note to those who may find certain scenes in this novel as a potential trigger for their own emotional memories. With out a doubt there are repeated accounts of horrific acts of torture, rape and death in this novel. While I strongly feel none of these moments were included for sensationalistic appeal, I will say they are visceral and written with frank realism making them all the more disturbing. With that disclaimer given, please, read on and discover why this book should be placed on your TBR shelf, immediately.
Jim is a writer. The tales he weaves are of the horror genre and yet very little in reality causes him any real fear. Surrounded most of his life by a group of men who are his closest friends, Jim has dated each one over time but remained friends and continued to enjoy their place in his life and his in theirs. Perhaps the only one of his crowd that he regrets not pursuing further is Michael. There is a decided wistful longing for Michael when Jim recounts a memory of their time together.
Despite having this tight knit group in his life, when a remote house in the hills outside San Diego comes up for sale, Jim snaps at the chance to buy it. Arranging to visit the home, he and his intrepid dog, Rex, head into the mountains to stay at the residence for a few days before arranging to move forward in the sale and buy it outright. Immediately he discovers that the rumored hauntings surrounding the house are, in fact, true. The house was formerly owned by Nigel Letters, a B-grade actor who starred in laughable scary films back in the 1930’s. As the story goes, Letters was found dead in a taffeta gown, having choked to death while masturbating—a case of autoerotic asphyxiation. Little did Jim know then that dressing in drag and being a real bastard of a person was Nigel Letters’ least offense.
Before long, the house makes it known that there are others lurking there, that great acts of horror have been done and that Jim has been especially chosen to bring light to past events that have remained hidden for far too long. When boys literally begin appearing out of the woodwork, Jim is drawn into a story that will forever change him and the friends who come to visit him. This was not just fodder for his next horror novel, this was real life and Nigel Letters was the key to indescribable acts of torture that left more than 17 boys dead and buried on the mountain top.
This novel was incredible and one that I could not put down. While every bump in the night forced me to turn on yet another light during my reading, I was still drawn inexorably into this story. I wept for these boys, I was in fear for Jim and his friends and on more than one occasion my heart leaped into my throat and I had to stop reading because I was just too darned scared to continue. During my time with this book, names like Stephen King and Dean Koontz became solidly linked to John Inman—yes, he is that good a storyteller. But this was so much more than a horror story.
Author John Inman plumbs the depth of his characters, pulling from them their foibles, quirks and the deep secrets that make them wholly real and fascinating to read. The secondary cast of friends who surround Jim are simply divine. They provide much needed comic relief in the midst of taut action and frightening circumstances. They also serve to compliment Jim’s character, revealing hints about his past life, making him more human, and, in many ways, they expose his reasons for being obstinate in the face of sure defeat. They also serve to show us how remarkably loyal and tender hearted a person Jim can be toward those he loves.
As far as the story line goes, I have never read a novel such as this one that had a narrative so strong it managed to grab me from page one and hold me in a near death grip to the very end. I was riveted by this house and wanted to discover more about it, the monster that owned it and the terrible things he did to those he entrapped. The story about lost boys who were already cast off by society and their families and who then gave themselves unwittingly to a depraved man made for an incredibly intense and scary story. This was a page-turner from beginning to end.
I am so impressed by this author. John Inman has proven time and again that he can write in multiple genres and still entertain, inform and hold the interests of his audience. The Boys On The Mountain is more than just a scary story; it is a reminder that in life there is always something more.
Jim is a writer. The tales he weaves are of the horror genre and yet very little in reality causes him any real fear. Surrounded most of his life by a group of men who are his closest friends, Jim has dated each one over time but remained friends and continued to enjoy their place in his life and his in theirs. Perhaps the only one of his crowd that he regrets not pursuing further is Michael. There is a decided wistful longing for Michael when Jim recounts a memory of their time together.
Despite having this tight knit group in his life, when a remote house in the hills outside San Diego comes up for sale, Jim snaps at the chance to buy it. Arranging to visit the home, he and his intrepid dog, Rex, head into the mountains to stay at the residence for a few days before arranging to move forward in the sale and buy it outright. Immediately he discovers that the rumored hauntings surrounding the house are, in fact, true. The house was formerly owned by Nigel Letters, a B-grade actor who starred in laughable scary films back in the 1930’s. As the story goes, Letters was found dead in a taffeta gown, having choked to death while masturbating—a case of autoerotic asphyxiation. Little did Jim know then that dressing in drag and being a real bastard of a person was Nigel Letters’ least offense.
Before long, the house makes it known that there are others lurking there, that great acts of horror have been done and that Jim has been especially chosen to bring light to past events that have remained hidden for far too long. When boys literally begin appearing out of the woodwork, Jim is drawn into a story that will forever change him and the friends who come to visit him. This was not just fodder for his next horror novel, this was real life and Nigel Letters was the key to indescribable acts of torture that left more than 17 boys dead and buried on the mountain top.
This novel was incredible and one that I could not put down. While every bump in the night forced me to turn on yet another light during my reading, I was still drawn inexorably into this story. I wept for these boys, I was in fear for Jim and his friends and on more than one occasion my heart leaped into my throat and I had to stop reading because I was just too darned scared to continue. During my time with this book, names like Stephen King and Dean Koontz became solidly linked to John Inman—yes, he is that good a storyteller. But this was so much more than a horror story.
Author John Inman plumbs the depth of his characters, pulling from them their foibles, quirks and the deep secrets that make them wholly real and fascinating to read. The secondary cast of friends who surround Jim are simply divine. They provide much needed comic relief in the midst of taut action and frightening circumstances. They also serve to compliment Jim’s character, revealing hints about his past life, making him more human, and, in many ways, they expose his reasons for being obstinate in the face of sure defeat. They also serve to show us how remarkably loyal and tender hearted a person Jim can be toward those he loves.
As far as the story line goes, I have never read a novel such as this one that had a narrative so strong it managed to grab me from page one and hold me in a near death grip to the very end. I was riveted by this house and wanted to discover more about it, the monster that owned it and the terrible things he did to those he entrapped. The story about lost boys who were already cast off by society and their families and who then gave themselves unwittingly to a depraved man made for an incredibly intense and scary story. This was a page-turner from beginning to end.
I am so impressed by this author. John Inman has proven time and again that he can write in multiple genres and still entertain, inform and hold the interests of his audience. The Boys On The Mountain is more than just a scary story; it is a reminder that in life there is always something more.
June 12, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Jim is a writer. The tales he weaves are of the horror genre and yet very little in reality causes him any real fear. Surrounded most of his life by a group of men who are his closest friends, Jim has dated each one over time, but remained friends and continued to enjoy their place in his life and his in theirs. Perhaps the only one of his crowd that he regrets not pursuing further is Michael. There is a decided wistful longing for Michael when Jim recounts a memory of their time together.
Despite having this tight knit group in his life, when a remote house in the hills outside San Diego comes up for sale, Jim snaps at the chance to buy it. Arranging to visit the home, he and his intrepid dog, Rex, head into the mountains to stay at the residence for a few days before arranging to move forward in the sale and buy it outright. Immediately he discovers that the rumored hauntings surrounding the house are, in fact, true. The house was formerly owned by Nigel Letters, a B-grade actor who starred in laughable scary films back in the 1930s. As the story goes, Letters was found dead in a taffeta gown, having choked to death while masturbating—a case of autoerotic asphyxiation. Little did Jim know then that dressing in drag and being a real bastard of a person was Nigel Letters’ least offense.
Before long, the house makes it known that there are others lurking there, that great acts of horror have been done, and that Jim has been especially chosen to bring light to past events that have remained hidden for far too long. When boys literally begin appearing out of the woodwork, Jim is drawn into a story that will forever change him and the friends who come to visit him. This is not just fodder for his next horror novel, this is real life and Nigel Letters is the key to indescribable acts of torture that left more than 17 boys dead and buried on the mountain top.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Jim is a writer. The tales he weaves are of the horror genre and yet very little in reality causes him any real fear. Surrounded most of his life by a group of men who are his closest friends, Jim has dated each one over time, but remained friends and continued to enjoy their place in his life and his in theirs. Perhaps the only one of his crowd that he regrets not pursuing further is Michael. There is a decided wistful longing for Michael when Jim recounts a memory of their time together.
Despite having this tight knit group in his life, when a remote house in the hills outside San Diego comes up for sale, Jim snaps at the chance to buy it. Arranging to visit the home, he and his intrepid dog, Rex, head into the mountains to stay at the residence for a few days before arranging to move forward in the sale and buy it outright. Immediately he discovers that the rumored hauntings surrounding the house are, in fact, true. The house was formerly owned by Nigel Letters, a B-grade actor who starred in laughable scary films back in the 1930s. As the story goes, Letters was found dead in a taffeta gown, having choked to death while masturbating—a case of autoerotic asphyxiation. Little did Jim know then that dressing in drag and being a real bastard of a person was Nigel Letters’ least offense.
Before long, the house makes it known that there are others lurking there, that great acts of horror have been done, and that Jim has been especially chosen to bring light to past events that have remained hidden for far too long. When boys literally begin appearing out of the woodwork, Jim is drawn into a story that will forever change him and the friends who come to visit him. This is not just fodder for his next horror novel, this is real life and Nigel Letters is the key to indescribable acts of torture that left more than 17 boys dead and buried on the mountain top.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
August 21, 2016
Where do I start? Well John my boy you have officially scared the shit out of me with this one. I thought well I love his romantic books, I'll love to read this too. Boy was I wrong, I loved and hated this book. That's why it took me four days to finish when I usually take one or two days to complete a novel. I was completely freaked out,and intrigued at the same time. If it were not for the funny sentiments and jovial colloquialism at sporadic moments by the characters, I would've stopped reading by chapter five. But with trepidation and suspense welling inside me, I couldn't put it down for long. So I finished the novel today, and by the Gods my sanity is still in check, but my emotions are everywhere! There's so many elements to this story that made it come together in a real theatrical and intense work of art. This is the best romantically psychological thriller I've read so far from any of the hundreds of authors books I've read in the same genre. I don't take back any of my praise because the book was a LGBQT genre as well, I loved it more because of that particular lead on the novel. You really got me in the end, I was very surprised and heartbroken. I won't say any spoilers, because I want your readers to feel what I know when they've completed reading this book. But I will say this though, you had a sinister way of writing this book, and I want to know what inspired this book? What really was going through your psyche when the thoughts about this book came into your mind? Inquiring minds wants to know John...
May 23, 2015
The Boys on the Mountain
This is another ghost story by John Inman, and Ohhh My Frikking God!
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
Jim Brandon is an author of scary stories, and buying Nigel Letters house on the mountain, he gets a completely new state of scary.
Letters was a B-movie, scary story, movie star in the 1930, so his house is a curiosity, right? Right!
When Jim gets a visit from his friends, Frank and Lyle, Stu and Jesse and Michael, the ex-boyfriend, things goes from excitement to SCARY!
It turns out that dead boys that Letters had abused and killed in the early 1940` is haunt the house. Once it is clear to Jim what is going on, as the boys get inside his head to tell their stories, he and his friends, with the housekeeper and her grandmother, tries to exorcise the house.
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
This story is freaking awesome! As scary as any Stephen King novel, but with wonderful gay people. I love Jim and Michael that get together in such a sweet way again. Frank and Lyle the 12 together couple and Stu that has just met Jesse….(I wish I had a Jesse in my life; it would make it so much colourful.)
The ghost boys are sweet, wonderful and so sad in every way they can be…just as Nigel Letters are vicious and horrible in all the ways a “man/monster” can be.
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
Mr. John Inman; as my 15-year-old niece told me yesterday; “I have a young 15 year old heart for those books… You are in your late 40´es and does not, maybe you cannot handle this.”
She hasn´t read this book but it fits here… My poor old heart.
- But I still love you and your books Mr. Inman, I hope that will do –
This is another ghost story by John Inman, and Ohhh My Frikking God!
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
Jim Brandon is an author of scary stories, and buying Nigel Letters house on the mountain, he gets a completely new state of scary.
Letters was a B-movie, scary story, movie star in the 1930, so his house is a curiosity, right? Right!
When Jim gets a visit from his friends, Frank and Lyle, Stu and Jesse and Michael, the ex-boyfriend, things goes from excitement to SCARY!
It turns out that dead boys that Letters had abused and killed in the early 1940` is haunt the house. Once it is clear to Jim what is going on, as the boys get inside his head to tell their stories, he and his friends, with the housekeeper and her grandmother, tries to exorcise the house.
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
This story is freaking awesome! As scary as any Stephen King novel, but with wonderful gay people. I love Jim and Michael that get together in such a sweet way again. Frank and Lyle the 12 together couple and Stu that has just met Jesse….(I wish I had a Jesse in my life; it would make it so much colourful.)
The ghost boys are sweet, wonderful and so sad in every way they can be…just as Nigel Letters are vicious and horrible in all the ways a “man/monster” can be.
THAT ENDING! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
Mr. John Inman; as my 15-year-old niece told me yesterday; “I have a young 15 year old heart for those books… You are in your late 40´es and does not, maybe you cannot handle this.”
She hasn´t read this book but it fits here… My poor old heart.
- But I still love you and your books Mr. Inman, I hope that will do –
December 31, 2015
I love a good ghost story, and this one does not disappoint. The story begins with Jim staying at a house that is supposed to be haunted by an actor that died there in the 40's. Jim writes supernatural books so he doesn't really take it seriously. Pretty much immediately things begin to happen that he cant explain. He hears a boy crying in the carriage house, his dog Rex see's things when there is nothing there. When he and Rex go out and spend time in the carriage house at night, he gets more than he bargained for. Soon he's on a mission to find out what really happened to the man that lived there and died, and the boy that he keeps hearing crying. The more he finds out the more horrible everything that happened there is, the more he wants to know the whole truth. He talks to the housekeeper that used to live there and she confirms that something bad happened there, but she doesnt know what. When his friends arrive, they're all into helping him, until they too realize that its all true. The place is haunted. His friends are very entertaining. They helped with some comedy relief which I appreciated lol. The story is pretty intense at times, but its very good. The story of the boys is told through the boys pov's and it really quite clever, even though their stories are very tragic. This book never stopped, from the beginning to the very last page I was totally engrossed to the end, and what an ending!!!!
May 17, 2015
Jim Brandon is an author. He specializes in horror, so it's not surprising he jumps at the chance to buy a mansion that was once home to an aging film star.
It's rumored the house is haunted and after talking to the housekeeper, Caroline, he is intrigued by what she is telling him. Could it be that the ghosts he writes about are more than fiction?
When Jim's friends arrive for a God-knows-how-long visit they bond together to unlock the secrets of the house and save the young souls trapped for eternity in the house's walls.
I loved this John Inman book more than all of his others and I've read them all. Several times. He's brilliant and his words flow off the page. This book is scary, sad, violent -- it's about a serial killer of young men, with details that take you to the scene of the crime, figuratively kicking and screaming like the victims themselves. But, it's so much more than that. It's about compassion, honor, and righting an injustice. It's about friendship, of the kind we all hope for, the "I'll stand with you thorough it all" love.
Oh, and it's also hysterical, laugh out loud funny. And sexy.
You'll love it.
It's rumored the house is haunted and after talking to the housekeeper, Caroline, he is intrigued by what she is telling him. Could it be that the ghosts he writes about are more than fiction?
When Jim's friends arrive for a God-knows-how-long visit they bond together to unlock the secrets of the house and save the young souls trapped for eternity in the house's walls.
I loved this John Inman book more than all of his others and I've read them all. Several times. He's brilliant and his words flow off the page. This book is scary, sad, violent -- it's about a serial killer of young men, with details that take you to the scene of the crime, figuratively kicking and screaming like the victims themselves. But, it's so much more than that. It's about compassion, honor, and righting an injustice. It's about friendship, of the kind we all hope for, the "I'll stand with you thorough it all" love.
Oh, and it's also hysterical, laugh out loud funny. And sexy.
You'll love it.
October 17, 2018
My rating for this book has more to do with my limits/triggers than anything else. If this book had been a movie, half the time I would have had my eyes closed and my hands over my ears.
As always, the author created a wonderful world and interesting characters. Jim is an author who writes horror books, so when he buys a house that comes with it own ghosts his first reaction is not “Let's get out of here”. No, he just wants to see what happens next and what happens next is a series of encounters with ghosts all all kinds. I found the whole book terrifying. My issue with the book is just that some of violence made me a little nauseous and was very disturbing.
If you love a scary book, I would highly recommend this one!
As always, the author created a wonderful world and interesting characters. Jim is an author who writes horror books, so when he buys a house that comes with it own ghosts his first reaction is not “Let's get out of here”. No, he just wants to see what happens next and what happens next is a series of encounters with ghosts all all kinds. I found the whole book terrifying. My issue with the book is just that some of violence made me a little nauseous and was very disturbing.
If you love a scary book, I would highly recommend this one!
May 23, 2015
I just read the last page and I am chilled to the bone. What an amazing book from such a gifted writer! This is nothing like Mr. Inman has ever published. I have cringed and shuttered less while reading Clive Barker or Wrath James White, but I also laughed at the dry humor.
John Inman has definitely joined the ranks of horror's upper echelon with this book, and I anxiously and impatiently wait for more!
John Inman has definitely joined the ranks of horror's upper echelon with this book, and I anxiously and impatiently wait for more!
September 13, 2015
This was good to about 70% when I wondered "how much horror/torture can you cram into one story?" In this case a little too much I thought. It just wore me down after a while and I started skimming. So, not my favorite by this author.
November 18, 2018
Fantastic
This has to be one of the best paranormal novels I have read, and I have read a load of them. Smart, witty, fantastic characters and the plot is brilliant. I best add here that there is a lot of gore, so not for the faint of heart. Loved it. Highly recommended!
This has to be one of the best paranormal novels I have read, and I have read a load of them. Smart, witty, fantastic characters and the plot is brilliant. I best add here that there is a lot of gore, so not for the faint of heart. Loved it. Highly recommended!
March 4, 2023
I’m going to be clear and concise. I enjoyed 326 pages of this book on its way to a 5-star read. I would literally like my time back because of the last four pages. It Sucked and was unnecessary!
Six Hours Later: I’m even more annoyed at the ending.
Six Hours Later: I’m even more annoyed at the ending.
August 28, 2016
A well deserved 5 stars. This book was fantastic!
June 17, 2016
Wow! My first John Inman and certainly not my last. I'm kinda in awe at this point over what transpired and what we as readers underwent emotionally while reading this book. From gut wrenching torment to roll on the floor laughter I was hit from all angles but what a balance...truly a talented writer at work!
I enjoy some horror and yeah I'm a sucker for some good gore but this pushed me to the brink several times...because yeah this one was quite descriptive...but oh how I loved it. Now I will say that there was one scene early on that I had to skip/skim...I mean momma here does have her no-no's ...and at the time I was so upset not to have been warned properly in the blurb. But thankfully I was not...as I'm afraid I would have elected not to read this book at all...and how terrible that would have been. The descriptive nature of some of these murders was brilliantly told leaving the reader totally immersed in what our MC Jim is experiencing.
I ran my thumb across the yellowed photograph. In my imagination, I felt the smoothness of the boy’s cheek. The warmth of his skin against my own. I felt his mouth open wide in a bellow of torment and pain. And slowly, I felt his eyes close forever, the tears and the suffering at last extinguished. He grew still beneath my touch. “I heard him die,” I said, and I closed my eyes…
“I don’t want to see any more images like I just saw. This all started out as sort of a lark. A game. I’ve spent my life writing novels of the supernatural, and suddenly I find myself living it. I thought it was exciting at first. But no more. I’ve seen enough. Too much. I don’t want to relive every one of those boy’s deaths. I don’t think I could stand it. If you had seen what I saw, what Nigel Letters did to that boy, you wouldn’t want to see any more either.”
We feel it all and yet if we didn't we would never truly understand how Jim decides to do what he does.
But again...thankfully the humor was just the perfect balance...with Jesse holding center stage...I laughed A LOT!!
Jesse alone stood out from the crowd. Dubious fashion icon, as always, he was wearing a pith helmet, hot pants,
and a magenta pullover with the words “The Fruit Never Falls Far From The Tree” emblazoned across his chest.
Truly hilarious and witty dialog...plus throw in a smartass dog and plenty of alcohol...perfect entertainment.
Now there were things I wanted...and certainly there were things I'm glad we did not get... And yes I do wish a few things towards the end had played out a little differently. But disappointed, I was not.
Now that ending!?!?!? Well, you'll just have to read it for yourself and experience this crazy ride for yourself.
A fantastic BR with Marte and Marco.
“BY THE timethis house is despooked this book is read we’ll all be at Alcoholics Anonymous memorizing the steps and waiting for our liver cells to rejuvenate.”
Bwahahahaha!!!
Yeah...I could have filled this review with some classic horror gifs but I have to be honest...nothing comes close to the visuals in my head that will stick with me for some time to come. Again...wow!
*****
They said I could join them...
Status Updates:
1%
When the drapes were suddenly flung open by invisible hands and moonlight flooded across my bed like a spotlight, I gasped, but still I felt more exhilaration than fear. I may even have allowed a small grin to creep across my face.
And so it begins!!
6%
After all, I had just invited friends up. It would be the epitome of rudeness to die before they got here. They had only just received their invitations, for God’s sake, and knowing them, they would be highly offended by such slipshod planning. In the gay world, everything has to be just so. Especially where a party is concerned. Death is no excuse. Yes, I definitely had to stay alive at least until my guests arrived. After that, I could politely drop dead if I felt the urge to do so.
12%
I pushed the board aside and opened another box.
There I found all manner of strange items. In a long, narrow wooden box I found dozens of glass pipettes, the kind a laboratory worker might use to stir chemicals. They were perhaps ten inches long and as narrow as a pencil with a tiny glass bulb on the end of each one. The other end tapered to a dull point. In the box were also several rolls of duct tape, a leather hood with holes for the eyes and mouth, and in a folding leather satchel, a set of knives and clamps and large sewing needles that looked like they might be made for use in saddlery or some other sort of leatherwork.
15%
I had heard the final moments of a young man’s life. A young man, no more than a boy really, who had met his death in that room long before I was even born. I knew nothing about him, but I wanted to. I wanted to know everything there was to know.
You do...I don't. *Annoyed*
19%
“Mrs. O’Donnell, no one has reached out to me. I heard crying. I heard a scream. Someone typed the word pai n on my portable typewriter. That’s all. But I found things in the carriage house that need explaining. Disturbing things.”
She nodded. “That’s where the pain is centered, Mr. Brandon. But it’s in other parts of the house as well. And it isn’t just the boys who roam that house. There’s evil there too. It roams the house with them. Perhaps you haven’t felt it yet, but you will. Sooner or later, you will.”
21%
I ran my thumb across the yellowed photograph. In my imagination, I felt the smoothness of the boy’s cheek. The warmth of his skin against my own. I felt his mouth open wide in a bellow of torment and pain. And slowly, I felt his eyes close forever, the tears and the suffering at last extinguished. He grew still beneath my touch. “I heard him die,” I said, and I closed my eyes….
Stopping. Deep breath.
24%
Nothing could have prepared me for the horror and sexually disturbing behavior depicted in the last 3% of this book. I skipped 98% of this and it was still enough to turn my stomach. I have never been more thankful for falling behind in a BR. *horrified that there is no warning in the blurb for this*
25%
“I don’t want to see any more images like I just saw. This all started out as sort of a lark. A game. I’ve spent my life writing novels of the supernatural, and suddenly I find myself living it. I thought it was exciting at first. But no more. I’ve seen enough. Too much. I don’t want to relive every one of those boy’s deaths. I don’t think I could stand it. If you had seen what I saw, what Nigel Letters did to that boy, you wouldn’t want to see any more either.”
31%
"Who's that?"
37%
TJ didn’t intend to meet the same fate. There were things he wanted to do with his life. Places he wanted to go. His parents’ death might have given him a rocky start, but he would overcome it. He would not fall into any of the traps that so many other boys on the street had fallen into. Drugs, for one. And desperation, for another. He would not be selling himself until sickness and time took everything away from him that men were now so eager to pay him for—his youth, his looks, his aura of innocence. This was a passing phase in his life, not a career choice. In a year or so, when he once again had a bit of money set aside, he would put this life behind him forever.
:-(
40%
“So what is the game plan?” Lyle asked, watching me. “Love is boring. Let’s get down to the really important stuff, such as how do five guys without a religious bone among them set about exorcising demons from a house? Should we swallow our pride and agnosticism and contact a priest?” Then his face brightened. “I know! We’ll hold a séance!”
“Typical gay response,” Michael groaned.
A seance...yes please!!!
43%
Lyle was not happy. “Well, no shit, Jessica!”
Jesse took umbrage. “Now just a minute, Lyla!”
As host, I felt it my duty to diffuse the situation before my guests started bitch-slapping the crap out of each other. I seemed to remember reading something about that in Emily Post’s Guide to Successful Hostessing.
This entire chapter...
45%
“We go to him now so that he can relive the pleasures he had with us. Murder was an act of intimacy to him. An act of love. He enjoyed it then as he enjoys it now. He does not call for me because I was not enjoyable to him.”
One. Sick. Fuck.
46%
One by one, we followed Stu’s eyes upward. Protruding from the ceiling were more than a dozen faces peeking through the plaster as if peering down through the surface of a lake to see what lay beneath. Their eyes numbed with pain, their mouths stretched wide in silent screams, the faces of the young men who had died here more than six decades earlier looked down at us in mute horror. They were seamless faces, unlined but for their agony.
51%
“but it will take another fifty to keep me there all night. For that you can do anything with my youth that takes your fancy. Until you get tired of me.”
“Oh, I think it would take more than one night to grow tired of you. I should think even an eternity wouldn’t be enough. But I don’t mind paying for what I want. I suspect you’ll be well worth the money.”
O_O Eternity... *cringes*
57%
“BY THE time this house is despooked we’ll all be at Alcoholics Anonymous memorizing the steps and waiting for our liver cells to rejuvenate.”
Thank god for the blend of humor. Wow.
59%
72%
But the eyes gave him away. There was nothing of beauty about them at all. If eyes are the windows of the soul, then his looked into an empty room. They stared at us now with cold, condescending hatred.
75%
“Alcohol is forbidden at the Manor, but I’m not at the Manor now, am I? Everyone has a cocktail but me. Being ninety-six years old doesn’t make me dead quite yet. I’d like a drink.”
I jumped. “Oh! I’m sorry. What would you—?”
“Three fingers of Irish whiskey. Straight up.”
"Uh… what about your medica—?”
"Now please. And I’d like a straw.”
"Gotcha."
76%
“My God,” Michael said, watching them. “Here we are doing battle with the minions of Satan, and all we have on our side are Sergeant Bilko, Colonel Klink, Gomer Pyle, and a six-foot seamstress, all just as queer as we are, and all so drunk they couldn’t find each other’s asses with glow-in-the-dark dildos and a topographical map!”
Gawd...I love this book.
82%
Ok I've casted Nigel Letters...
Kevin Spacey from "Seven"
85%
87%
Jesse alone stood out from the crowd. Dubious fashion icon, as always, he was wearing a pith helmet, hot pants, and a magenta pullover with the words “The Fruit Never Falls Far From The Tree” emblazoned across his chest.
*on the floor*
I enjoy some horror and yeah I'm a sucker for some good gore but this pushed me to the brink several times...because yeah this one was quite descriptive...but oh how I loved it. Now I will say that there was one scene early on that I had to skip/skim...I mean momma here does have her no-no's ...and at the time I was so upset not to have been warned properly in the blurb. But thankfully I was not...as I'm afraid I would have elected not to read this book at all...and how terrible that would have been. The descriptive nature of some of these murders was brilliantly told leaving the reader totally immersed in what our MC Jim is experiencing.
I ran my thumb across the yellowed photograph. In my imagination, I felt the smoothness of the boy’s cheek. The warmth of his skin against my own. I felt his mouth open wide in a bellow of torment and pain. And slowly, I felt his eyes close forever, the tears and the suffering at last extinguished. He grew still beneath my touch. “I heard him die,” I said, and I closed my eyes…
“I don’t want to see any more images like I just saw. This all started out as sort of a lark. A game. I’ve spent my life writing novels of the supernatural, and suddenly I find myself living it. I thought it was exciting at first. But no more. I’ve seen enough. Too much. I don’t want to relive every one of those boy’s deaths. I don’t think I could stand it. If you had seen what I saw, what Nigel Letters did to that boy, you wouldn’t want to see any more either.”
We feel it all and yet if we didn't we would never truly understand how Jim decides to do what he does.
But again...thankfully the humor was just the perfect balance...with Jesse holding center stage...I laughed A LOT!!
Jesse alone stood out from the crowd. Dubious fashion icon, as always, he was wearing a pith helmet, hot pants,
and a magenta pullover with the words “The Fruit Never Falls Far From The Tree” emblazoned across his chest.
Truly hilarious and witty dialog...plus throw in a smartass dog and plenty of alcohol...perfect entertainment.
Now there were things I wanted...and certainly there were things I'm glad we did not get... And yes I do wish a few things towards the end had played out a little differently. But disappointed, I was not.
Now that ending!?!?!? Well, you'll just have to read it for yourself and experience this crazy ride for yourself.
A fantastic BR with Marte and Marco.
“BY THE time
Bwahahahaha!!!
Yeah...I could have filled this review with some classic horror gifs but I have to be honest...nothing comes close to the visuals in my head that will stick with me for some time to come. Again...wow!
*****
They said I could join them...
Status Updates:
1%
When the drapes were suddenly flung open by invisible hands and moonlight flooded across my bed like a spotlight, I gasped, but still I felt more exhilaration than fear. I may even have allowed a small grin to creep across my face.
And so it begins!!
6%
After all, I had just invited friends up. It would be the epitome of rudeness to die before they got here. They had only just received their invitations, for God’s sake, and knowing them, they would be highly offended by such slipshod planning. In the gay world, everything has to be just so. Especially where a party is concerned. Death is no excuse. Yes, I definitely had to stay alive at least until my guests arrived. After that, I could politely drop dead if I felt the urge to do so.
12%
I pushed the board aside and opened another box.
There I found all manner of strange items. In a long, narrow wooden box I found dozens of glass pipettes, the kind a laboratory worker might use to stir chemicals. They were perhaps ten inches long and as narrow as a pencil with a tiny glass bulb on the end of each one. The other end tapered to a dull point. In the box were also several rolls of duct tape, a leather hood with holes for the eyes and mouth, and in a folding leather satchel, a set of knives and clamps and large sewing needles that looked like they might be made for use in saddlery or some other sort of leatherwork.
15%
I had heard the final moments of a young man’s life. A young man, no more than a boy really, who had met his death in that room long before I was even born. I knew nothing about him, but I wanted to. I wanted to know everything there was to know.
You do...I don't. *Annoyed*
19%
“Mrs. O’Donnell, no one has reached out to me. I heard crying. I heard a scream. Someone typed the word pai n on my portable typewriter. That’s all. But I found things in the carriage house that need explaining. Disturbing things.”
She nodded. “That’s where the pain is centered, Mr. Brandon. But it’s in other parts of the house as well. And it isn’t just the boys who roam that house. There’s evil there too. It roams the house with them. Perhaps you haven’t felt it yet, but you will. Sooner or later, you will.”
21%
I ran my thumb across the yellowed photograph. In my imagination, I felt the smoothness of the boy’s cheek. The warmth of his skin against my own. I felt his mouth open wide in a bellow of torment and pain. And slowly, I felt his eyes close forever, the tears and the suffering at last extinguished. He grew still beneath my touch. “I heard him die,” I said, and I closed my eyes….
Stopping. Deep breath.
24%
Nothing could have prepared me for the horror and sexually disturbing behavior depicted in the last 3% of this book. I skipped 98% of this and it was still enough to turn my stomach. I have never been more thankful for falling behind in a BR. *horrified that there is no warning in the blurb for this*
25%
“I don’t want to see any more images like I just saw. This all started out as sort of a lark. A game. I’ve spent my life writing novels of the supernatural, and suddenly I find myself living it. I thought it was exciting at first. But no more. I’ve seen enough. Too much. I don’t want to relive every one of those boy’s deaths. I don’t think I could stand it. If you had seen what I saw, what Nigel Letters did to that boy, you wouldn’t want to see any more either.”
31%
"Who's that?"
37%
TJ didn’t intend to meet the same fate. There were things he wanted to do with his life. Places he wanted to go. His parents’ death might have given him a rocky start, but he would overcome it. He would not fall into any of the traps that so many other boys on the street had fallen into. Drugs, for one. And desperation, for another. He would not be selling himself until sickness and time took everything away from him that men were now so eager to pay him for—his youth, his looks, his aura of innocence. This was a passing phase in his life, not a career choice. In a year or so, when he once again had a bit of money set aside, he would put this life behind him forever.
:-(
40%
“So what is the game plan?” Lyle asked, watching me. “Love is boring. Let’s get down to the really important stuff, such as how do five guys without a religious bone among them set about exorcising demons from a house? Should we swallow our pride and agnosticism and contact a priest?” Then his face brightened. “I know! We’ll hold a séance!”
“Typical gay response,” Michael groaned.
A seance...yes please!!!
43%
Lyle was not happy. “Well, no shit, Jessica!”
Jesse took umbrage. “Now just a minute, Lyla!”
As host, I felt it my duty to diffuse the situation before my guests started bitch-slapping the crap out of each other. I seemed to remember reading something about that in Emily Post’s Guide to Successful Hostessing.
This entire chapter...
45%
“We go to him now so that he can relive the pleasures he had with us. Murder was an act of intimacy to him. An act of love. He enjoyed it then as he enjoys it now. He does not call for me because I was not enjoyable to him.”
One. Sick. Fuck.
46%
One by one, we followed Stu’s eyes upward. Protruding from the ceiling were more than a dozen faces peeking through the plaster as if peering down through the surface of a lake to see what lay beneath. Their eyes numbed with pain, their mouths stretched wide in silent screams, the faces of the young men who had died here more than six decades earlier looked down at us in mute horror. They were seamless faces, unlined but for their agony.
51%
“but it will take another fifty to keep me there all night. For that you can do anything with my youth that takes your fancy. Until you get tired of me.”
“Oh, I think it would take more than one night to grow tired of you. I should think even an eternity wouldn’t be enough. But I don’t mind paying for what I want. I suspect you’ll be well worth the money.”
O_O Eternity... *cringes*
57%
“BY THE time this house is despooked we’ll all be at Alcoholics Anonymous memorizing the steps and waiting for our liver cells to rejuvenate.”
Thank god for the blend of humor. Wow.
59%
72%
But the eyes gave him away. There was nothing of beauty about them at all. If eyes are the windows of the soul, then his looked into an empty room. They stared at us now with cold, condescending hatred.
75%
“Alcohol is forbidden at the Manor, but I’m not at the Manor now, am I? Everyone has a cocktail but me. Being ninety-six years old doesn’t make me dead quite yet. I’d like a drink.”
I jumped. “Oh! I’m sorry. What would you—?”
“Three fingers of Irish whiskey. Straight up.”
"Uh… what about your medica—?”
"Now please. And I’d like a straw.”
"Gotcha."
76%
“My God,” Michael said, watching them. “Here we are doing battle with the minions of Satan, and all we have on our side are Sergeant Bilko, Colonel Klink, Gomer Pyle, and a six-foot seamstress, all just as queer as we are, and all so drunk they couldn’t find each other’s asses with glow-in-the-dark dildos and a topographical map!”
Gawd...I love this book.
82%
Ok I've casted Nigel Letters...
Kevin Spacey from "Seven"
85%
87%
Jesse alone stood out from the crowd. Dubious fashion icon, as always, he was wearing a pith helmet, hot pants, and a magenta pullover with the words “The Fruit Never Falls Far From The Tree” emblazoned across his chest.
*on the floor*
May 19, 2015
I have just finished John Inman’s latest masterpiece, ‘The Boys on the Mountain’ and wow! This story left me reeling. It is published by the new DSP Publications, which is described as “a boutique publisher of historical, science fiction, fantasy, mystery/suspense, horror, paranormal, and spiritual fiction.” The Boys on the Mountain is a radical departure from Inman’s cleverly crafty and humorous romance novels, ergo DSP Publications is the perfect home for it. Think old school Stephen King for the M/M reader. If you’re not into that sort of thing, you should probably step away from this one. Things get pretty darned gruesome… and bloody.
This is a story about a guy, Jim, who moves away from it all to a grand house perched on the side of a mountain in San Diego:
The house was built by a famous (infamous?) 1930’s actor by the name of Nigel Letters, and it is supposedly haunted. Because Jim writes horror novels, he is actually thrilled with this prospect, and has no fear of his new home. Jim has a group of really close buddies up in Los Angeles, and they come to visit him shortly after he moves in, to help him get settled into the new place. As they all soon find out, the rumors of the haunting seem to be true.
There are some truly horrifying and grisly moments in this book. I’m usually pretty good about being able to separate fact from fiction and will read any Stephen King novel that has been published, but I must say, along the same lines as a Stephen King horror story, The Boys kept me on the edge of my seat and I did not have any desire to read this one at nighttime. Daylight reading only! However, I had a hard time putting it down too, which forced me to read fast and furious during the daylight hours.
I am a huge fan of John Inman and I adore his writing style. In ‘The Boys on the Mountain,’ he has cleverly crafted the storyline such that the bloody horror-filled moments exist alongside plenty of moments of ingenious wit, smokin’ sexy times and heartwarming camaraderie amongst the friends:
I really fell in love with all of the characters in The Boys; they are all so well developed and multi-faceted that it’s a pleasure to read the “back stories” for each of them. Personally, my favorite character aside from the main character, is Jesse, a flighty Mary Kay pink Cadillac-driving, lederhosen-wearing drag queen dress-maker and makeup artist with a heart of gold. I may have threatened bodily harm to the Author if any horrors of the Letters’ mansion befell my beloved Jesse. I’m happy to report that no lederhosen were harmed in the pages of this book.
Anyway – I loved it. If you are a fan of John Inman and have enjoyed some of his more recent “serious” works such as Willow Man or A Hard Winter Rain and you don’t shy away from horror then I recommend you check this out post haste. And if you are a fan of Inman’s other contemporary romance novels such as Paulie, or Shy or the Belladonna Arms series and want to experience this author in a new light, then give this one a try, but remember to keep the lights on! Last but not least, if you are not a horror fan, you should probably give this one a pass. But my recommendation for the Belladonna Arms series still stands
This is a story about a guy, Jim, who moves away from it all to a grand house perched on the side of a mountain in San Diego:
While I waited for Rex to do his business—and for a dog of very little bravery, he was certainly taking his sweet time about it—I gazed up at the heavens. The night sky seemed so close I felt I could reach up and pluck the stars from it as easily as picking raisins from a scone. Smog did not exist here. Only clear mountain air. And silence. Blessed, blessed silence. After twenty years as a working writer, Los Angeles was finally wearing me down. Too many people. Too many bars. Too much sickness. I had had my fill of Starbucks’s latte. I was ready to get back to basics. Suddenly, Sanka sounded pretty good.
The house was built by a famous (infamous?) 1930’s actor by the name of Nigel Letters, and it is supposedly haunted. Because Jim writes horror novels, he is actually thrilled with this prospect, and has no fear of his new home. Jim has a group of really close buddies up in Los Angeles, and they come to visit him shortly after he moves in, to help him get settled into the new place. As they all soon find out, the rumors of the haunting seem to be true.
There are some truly horrifying and grisly moments in this book. I’m usually pretty good about being able to separate fact from fiction and will read any Stephen King novel that has been published, but I must say, along the same lines as a Stephen King horror story, The Boys kept me on the edge of my seat and I did not have any desire to read this one at nighttime. Daylight reading only! However, I had a hard time putting it down too, which forced me to read fast and furious during the daylight hours.
I am a huge fan of John Inman and I adore his writing style. In ‘The Boys on the Mountain,’ he has cleverly crafted the storyline such that the bloody horror-filled moments exist alongside plenty of moments of ingenious wit, smokin’ sexy times and heartwarming camaraderie amongst the friends:
Christ, Jim! Your weirdass spin on life, and all the supernatural crap you expound on in your books, is rubbing off on me!”
I gave him a lopsided grin. “You’re seeing dead people. That’s all it is.”
Frank scratched his head while staring at me in disbelief. “That’s all it is? I’m sorry, Jim, but I think it’s time you started writing children’s books. Tommy Finds a Grasshopper. Shit like that because, frankly, I think your horror stuff has dribbled off the page and splattered all over me, and I can’t say I’m real happy about it.”
Lyle gave him a quick hug. “Calm down, Frank. All we have to do is destroy the dead serial killer, free the dead boys, try not to get killed in the process, and then we’ll be out of here. I’ll give you a back rub when it’s over.”
Frank stared at his lover of twelve years as if he had never seen him before in his life. “Great. Jim’s infected you too.”
Jesse turned to Stu. “Does this pith helmet make me look fat?”
“No, love. You look yummy. Very butch.”
“Oh, goody.”
Frank cast his eyes around at each of us, wondering, perhaps, when he had lost the ability and the common sense to seek out normal friendships.
“Ready to proceed?” Michael asked, as if the last two minutes had never happened.
Frank shrugged. “Sure. Why not? Far be it from me to stem the tide of lunacy.” He turned to Lyle. “I expect a long back rub.”
“You got it. With a little anal tongue tickling thrown in for good measure. How’s that?”
“Sounds good. Sounds fair.”
“Sure does,” Jesse said, looking like he meant it.
Stu giggled.
Michael offered me a wink as if to say the mutinous crew had been brought back into line so on to business.
I really fell in love with all of the characters in The Boys; they are all so well developed and multi-faceted that it’s a pleasure to read the “back stories” for each of them. Personally, my favorite character aside from the main character, is Jesse, a flighty Mary Kay pink Cadillac-driving, lederhosen-wearing drag queen dress-maker and makeup artist with a heart of gold. I may have threatened bodily harm to the Author if any horrors of the Letters’ mansion befell my beloved Jesse. I’m happy to report that no lederhosen were harmed in the pages of this book.
Anyway – I loved it. If you are a fan of John Inman and have enjoyed some of his more recent “serious” works such as Willow Man or A Hard Winter Rain and you don’t shy away from horror then I recommend you check this out post haste. And if you are a fan of Inman’s other contemporary romance novels such as Paulie, or Shy or the Belladonna Arms series and want to experience this author in a new light, then give this one a try, but remember to keep the lights on! Last but not least, if you are not a horror fan, you should probably give this one a pass. But my recommendation for the Belladonna Arms series still stands
October 13, 2016
I'm not sure how to rate this. I think I'm going to go with 3 stars based on an average.
The writing was excellent, but the book wasn't exactly what I was expecting and the story didn't exactly go the way I thought it would.
There were definitely some extremely disturbing imagery and story lines that I was not prepared for.
I was disappointed that all the sex between Jim and Michael took place off page.
The ending was also surprising.
I'm off to go scrub my brain clean with some fluff.
The writing was excellent, but the book wasn't exactly what I was expecting and the story didn't exactly go the way I thought it would.
There were definitely some extremely disturbing imagery and story lines that I was not prepared for.
I was disappointed that all the sex between Jim and Michael took place off page.
The ending was also surprising.
I'm off to go scrub my brain clean with some fluff.
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