The Half Killed

Sundered Veil #1

by Quenby Olson

Dorothea Hawes has no wish to renew contact with what lies beyond the veil. After an attempt to take her own life, she has retired into seclusion, but as the wounds on her body heal, she is drawn back into a world she wants nothing more than to avoid.

She is sought out by Julian Chissick, a former man of God who wants her help in discovering who is behind the gruesome murder of a young woman. But the manner of death is all too familiar to Dorothea, and she begins to fear that something even more terrible is about to unleash itself on London.

And so Dorothea risks her life and her sanity in order to save people who are oblivious to the threat that hovers over them. It is a task that forces her into a confrontation with her own lurid past, and tests her ability to shape events frighteningly beyond her control.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Historical Fantasy, Fiction

Paperback

First published August 13, 2015

About the author

Quenby Olson lives in Central Pennsylvania where she spends most of her time writing, glaring at baskets of unfolded laundry, and chasing the cat off the kitchen counters. She lives with her husband and five children, who do nothing to dampen her love of classical ballet, geeky crochet, and staying up late to watch old episodes of Doctor Who.

Reviews

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: after reconsidering, I've bumped this book from a 4 to a 5. I usually HATE victorian stuff, so if a book makes me enjoy a genre I can't stand, it's obviously doing something right.

This book was so different in style from anything I've read in the recent past and the setting and plot line were also a big step sideways from what I've been reading lately.


Characters:

* Dorothea Hawes - the main character, connected to the spirit world and survivor of horrors.

* Chissick - an ex priest, someone who's come seeking the help of Dorothea after his sister was murdered

* Franny - a faux medium to spirits, mostly frills and tricks no real power of her own

* Marta - a kind of friend of Dorotheas

* Sissy - a rather gross person from the start, she's surrounded by filth and the first time you meet her she's spitting foul liquid from her mouth. A long time acquaintance/friend of Dorotheas.

Plot:

There are a couple plot lines going on, but they sort of all merge together. There's been a murder of a young girl, Chissicks sister, who was a probably a prostitute and found herself with her throat slit. However, it's not a normal murder, there's no blood, the wound around her neck has been cauterized and it's the exact same kind of wound she had seen years before when she lived through the deaths of her family members.

Tone:

Creepy, this wasn't a typical horror with monsters and blood and gore, it was an overall tone of mystery, weirdness, and a darkness just around the corner. The voices of the dead never really leave the main character, and having the voices follow and having the darkness of the world follow the character around gave this a great haunting tone.

Pacing:

The pacing is slower than some of the books I've read recently, if you're a person who needs action, battles, monsters, blood, fast paced kind of thing, this may not be the book for you. However, if you love curling up with a nice glass of something, and get yourself lost in a richly detailed world that slowly reveals itself to you, this will be perfect.

Worldbuilding:

There wasn't expansive world building like there is in some epic fantasy tale, this is a much more intimate tale and the setting and world building matched it. Instead of vast armies marching across the realm with a ton of cities and rulers and that kind of world building, this kind of world building was atmospheric. You can find yourself lost in the words as they bring to life a very pungent, hot, and warped version of London. Recently there's been an increase in temperature some of the godly folk are calling the end of the world, that the world has turned against God and so he's bringing hell to Earth. People are dropping dead from the heat, and the heat is an ever present source of misery in this world. This kind of heat made me think of the desert, except it was in London, and true to Victorian prudent society, the women and men continued to dress in lace and their Sunday-best despite the sweltering heat.

Writing/prose:

As stated before, this is a very immersive very atmospheric type of writing style, where if you let it you can fall into a world that feels tangible. The prologue is written in second person which immediately made me feel bad for the little girl who was living through the scene, after the prologue it switches to first person and it has a very story telling feel to it. Although the writing wasn't as purple as some, I wouldnt describe it as utilitarian either, it's a nice medium which was enjoyable to read.

Audience:

People who like creepy stories
People who like spirits and mediums
People who like single POV
People who like character driven stories
People who like atmospheric writing
People who like Victorian/London settings
People who like 1st person story telling

http://weatherwaxreport.blog

[Wol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I might as well just come straight out with it – this is one of my favorite reads of the year, and in a year where I have read a lot of fantastically good books. I am something of a fan of Victorian and Regency era novels, so the Fantasy of Manners subgenre appeals to me quite a bit. But this book could have been written specifically to please me, so keep that in mind if I fangirl a little bit.

The book opens with a scene some years prior to the story – our main character is shown as a young girl, prodded into helping to perform a séance by her rather well to-do family. Evidently young Thea is a genuinely gifted spiritualist in a sea of fakes, and so she reluctantly does as she’s asked. And something goes horribly, tragically wrong.

Suddenly we shift to the present, and Dorothea Hawes is an absolute wreck of a human being. Wracked with constant pain, the voices of the dead torment her and even sleep is no refuge. Something is horribly amiss in London, and when a former priest named Julian Chissick begs for her aid to investigate a murder, she begins to realize the enormity of the problem. What follows is a rising sense of unease and discomfort for both Thea and the reader as the plot unravels around her.

Now, obviously being FoM it’s not a book for people who want a lot of fight scenes, battles and badass wisecracking protagonists. This is a novel best suited to people who love the classics, who want something a little different, who love a good ghost story or a murder mystery. I think fans of Agatha Christie would find much to love.

The Half Killed is a beautifully written slow burn of a novel. The Victorian voice is well executed and thoroughly researched, with a host of wonderful little details about the era mixed in for flavor. Thea is a fabulous example of a strong female character who is not physically strong, and who has moments of extreme weakness. I loved her chemistry with Chissick, who takes on the role of her protector while treating her with utmost deference and respect. The prose is lovingly crafted and I found myself pausing just to admire various sentences throughout.

It’s almost as if Elizabeth Gaskell wrote fantasy at times, with a rather Dickensian host of colorful side characters and a deeply unromantic depiction of Victorian London. In the Half Killed we are shown that London’s underbelly is and always was a grimy, seedy place. I found myself gasping out loud with genuine horror when a favorite character was attacked, and the sinister tone kept me up far later than intended when I started reading. It’s an absolute page-turner with some nice twists and a satisfying conclusion. After I finished it I immediately purchased 3 copies to give to friends as Christmas gifts, and I can’t give it a higher endorsement than that. I love this book, and I want to share it with the people I love. It is well worth your time.

[Dyrk Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Rice meets Penny Dreadful in a lush and terrifying tale of madness and horror, with a deeply human touch. Olson's eye for detail and luscious prose flows like smoke through the flats and alleys of old London, revealing the story of a tortured but strong young woman with a gift, or curse, of sight into human minds, and beyond. I was particularly struck by the first person, present tense narrative perspective, which I found fascinating and incredibly well written. Olson's ability to catch the slightest details of locale, and particularly characters' mannerisms, quite honestly blew me away. I thoroughly enjoyed it, a I'll be thinking about The Half Killed for quite some time to come.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly evocative paranormal tale.

Dorothea, once a prominent spiritualist, is living a fairly reclusive life until a man seeks her out to help him uncover the truth behind the recent murder of a young woman. Dorothea is reluctant to become involved, until she notices a similarity between the murder and happenings in her own horrific past. She is plagued by constant pain and voices in her head, but when Dorothea realizes the magnitude of what is threatening London, she decides to aid Julian Chissick, and together they investigate the murder.

The story is very dark and atmospheric, with plenty of strange mysteries to keep a reader intrigued. The prose is excellent, especially if you are a fan of the Victorian style. The pacing is a bit slow, but it's an immersive story with great characters and a fantastic setting. The Victorian era London presented in this book was done exceptionally well. Also, I'm fascinated by spiritualism, which was extremely popular in the U.S. and Europe for much of the 1800s up until the early 1900s, and it is featured heavily this book. The author is well versed on the topics of Victorian London and spiritualism, and I really enjoyed those elements of the story. If any of that piques your interests, I highly recommend giving this book a look. The book is self-published, but I assure you, the writing and editing is top-notch. The story is truly haunting and incredibly evocative. I was very impressed with the book, as well as the author, Quenby Olson.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure I would reach for this book if it wasn’t one of this year’s SPFBO contest entries. There’s no hype about it and it’s still fairly unknown.
I’m glad I gave it a chance because the book is certainly interesting and quite unique in terms of narration and creating dense and disturbing atmosphere. The book was described as psychological thriller and it’s certainly true but for me it was good Victorian horror novel. Not usual one with monsters lurking in the dark and waiting to shred people to bloody pieces. No. The atmosphere, city descriptions and the way we are introduced to the world through the eyes of spiritualist Dorothea is underlined with disturbing images that enhance suspense. Let’s call it psychological horror as it uses mystery elements and the main character is a troubled person who suffers from severe headaches and, unlike most fraud spirtualists, is able to interact with the world of ghosts. We can question her sanity and agree that the way she experiences world and her psychological states are unsettling.

Dorothea Hawes has a past with spiritual world, a past she would prefer to forget. After an attempt to take her own life, she has retired into seclusion, and would stat there if the world didn’t have other plans for her.

She is sought out by Julian Chissick, a former man of God who wants her help in discovering who is behind the gruesome murder of a young woman. But the manner of death is all too familiar to Dorothea, and she begins to fear that something even more terrible is about to unleash itself on London.

And so Dorothea risks her life and her sanity in order to save people who are oblivious to the threat that hovers over them. It is a task that forces her into a confrontation with her own lurid past.

That’s what synopsis tells us and it’s accurate. What makes the book unique is narration – it’s told from first person perspective. Said person is an individual with troubled past and fragile psyche. She hears voices, she’s able to sense darkness in people and see unsettling images from their lives. Her presense is strong. She pays a lot of attention to nuances and details and her interactions with people are oftentimes difficult.

The book is fairly slow-paced and written in a way that mirrors style and vocabulary of Vicorian writers. Her prose is very visual and nice. The tone of the book is dark and creepy in most places. Sometimes there’s not a lot happening but the choice of words and descriptions make even small things unsettling. Here’s a quote, just to give you a taste:

There is silence after this. Of course, it isn’t quiet at all. There’s still the crack and snap of the fire, the slow creak of the house around us, the rustling of some creature creeping about inside the walls. And further out, the bustle of horses, of wheels, of boots and slippers on the pavement, of shouts and whispers and the faltering hum of a city as the Thames—its very lifeblood—drains away from it..

There’s not a lot of humor but some comedy elements are present and actually funny. I really enjoyed dialogue between Julian and Dorothea when they discovered some photos of naked ladies. It plays with Victorian sense of what is proper and what improper. I laughed out loud while reading it. Dorothea has her moments.

“I'm sorry," he says, his fingers closing around mine. "You shouldn't be looking at such..."

"Such what?" I ask, a question that is rapidly chased by another. "And why not?"

He glances down at the pictures, then tears his gaze away, dragging it back to my face. "Well, because it's improper, for one thing."

How cruel it would be of me to ask for a second thing, if only to watch him stumble and stammer while his gaze struggles not to dip down to those portraits a second time. "It may have escaped your notice at some point during our acquaintance, but I am a woman. And as shocking as it may be for you to believe, I have seen myself naked on more than one occasion, so you'll pardon me if I am not offended by anything these ladies have to offer.”

I’m not sure I’m fully satisfied with The Half Killed conclusion – I expected the book to finish on a darker note but, overall, I enjoyed the ride. The prose was good, although I’m pretty sure it won’t suit everybody’s taste, especially that it’s stylized and feels Victorian and artificial at times. I guess The Half Killed is a book that should be approached when you’re in the mood for slower book that pays a lot of attention to details (flicker of the eyes, small gestures and everything that’s not said but palpable in between the lines). Also be prepared for some creepy scenes and unsettling atmosphere. There won’t be gore but the atmosphere stays dense throughout the book and it’s easy to feel anxious at times and afraid of mysterious malevolent entity that kills people.

Some mysteries stay unanswered. I guess, with this book, it works just fine. While it’s not my usual choice of the genre I must admit I liked The Half Killed for it’s great stylization, unsettling tone, very nice prose and author’s imagination.

I won’t recommend it to fans of fast paced, action-packed fantasy books because they could feel dissatisfied. I will recommend it to those who look for something new with loads of atmosphere and unusual point of view.

[Eric Dicarlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book totally blind and with a complete misconception about what it would be about. What I got, however, was so much better.

The story itself is super solid. Without spoiling, it's a Victorian-Era Paranormal Mystery that focuses on characters (their relationships and their histories) to propel the plot, rather than... well, the opposite. Seriously, it's great, but even if you don't care for the Victorian setting?

You will LOVE the voice and style of this book. It's just so alive! I actually picked it up because someone had told me it was a good example of setting being conveyed in a way that didn't drag, but they absolutely undersold it. The voice that Olson pulls lets her paint a vivid landscape with little more than a paragraph, and then she tops it off with a realisation of perspective that shows the subtle character biases in that crucial way that makes the protagonist vulnerable to the reader. By seeing through their eyes, we see more than they mean to tell.

This is such a fantastic book and I'm SO glad I read it!

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had picked up this book a while ago and didn’t have a chance to read it until recently. I knew it was a book that fell outside of what I often read (it’s classified as Gaslamp Fantasy, Psychic Mysteries, and Historical Fantasy). I was in the mood for something different, and I felt this was a good fit for the month of October. It was also the first book I have read by Quenby Olson.

From the first page, we are brought into the torturous life of Dorothea Hawes, a young woman who can’t seem to escape her connection with the undead. The constant voices that she hears and her tragic memories of horrific events are her constant companions. She is visited unexpectedly by Julian Chissick who has abandoned his path as a pastor/priest and is seeking Thea’s help with an unexplained murder.

To simply call this a murder mystery is extremely unfair since it is so much more. It is as eloquent as it is creepy. It is as hopeful as it is macabre. There is a pervasive sense of foreboding that lurks on every page. It is gothic in tone, toeing the line of horror but not truly crossing that line. Like any classic horror movie, there are countless times when there is a quiet stillness that heightens the suspense and terror by lingering on the absence of explicit action. The best analogy I could use is that it felt like I was walking cautiously on a razor’s edge the whole way through the book.

The characters are all flawed and beautiful. They are nuanced and complex. There is so much depth to each character, and even the supporting characters were fully fleshed out.

The Victorian London setting is perfectly crafted. Everything is dreary and dying. The weather is stifling and it adds to the gloominess and despair of the story.

The plot followed a wonderful set of twists and diversions typical to most mysteries, and it ended with a satisfying conclusion. The ending wasn’t a simple “lived happily ever after”, but it was optimistic enough to cause the reader to finally take a much-needed exhale.

I honestly liked this book much more than I expected. Because of the tone, darker themes, and spookiness of the book it won’t be for everyone, but it was a captivating read from cover to cover. Highly recommended! 4.6 / 5 stars.

[Mihir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Half-Killed is and interesting historical story with strong supernatural undertones. This story was an excellent surprise and I have to point out how much I enjoyed Quenby Olson's characterization and plot. This book was one of those books that I didn't want to complete because of how much I was enjoying the story.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hard one for me to review, although this has more to do with the genre than anything else.

7/10

This was a well written, interestingly plotted story, with some rather well done and sympathetic characters. But it also wasn't really my cup of tea. You have the setting, Victorian England, which isn't my thing. You have a murder mystery, which again isn't my thing. And you have a rather...weak protagonist. Literally. For what seems the entirety of the story, she gets sicker and sicker, while events ramp up and up. And there's nothing wrong with that, it just lends itself to a slower and more restricted paced novel that I'm used to. With that all said, I did enjoy it for the most part. Would I read more like it? Probably not. Would I recommend it to people? Happily! For those who do enjoy this style and genre, I imagine that they would take so much more away from it than I did.

[Sarah Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was absolutely beautiful and I really felt pulled into the lush setting. I loved the eerie tone. The plot is definitely slower and it feels like our main character doesn't exactly do much of anything, but rather has things just happen around/to her. I didn't feel very attached to the characters, but I am interested in picking up the next book to see where things go. This was more of a 3.5 for me... but I've ultimately decided I think I'll be rounding up rather than down with my official starring.

(Plus I actually happened to be on vacation in London at the time I started reading this not knowing that's where it was going to be taking place, ha! and this is where I also must admit I often don't really read blurbs before jumping into books...)

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothea Hawes is a former spiritualist, trying her best to leave her past behind her, even though she's still haunted by memories and voices from the past. Drawn back into her former life by Mr. Chissick and a series of strange murders, she'll have to confront some things she'd hoped to leave well behind her.

This is an odd review to write, as honestly, at times it felt like nothing was really happening for good portions of the book. That being said, I never once felt bored or disinterested in things. Olson's writing style paints many vivid pictures and creates an unsettling atmosphere throughout that kept me engaged up until the very end.

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something slightly different to read, though perhaps not if you prefer your stories fast paced and action packed.

[Jennifer (bunnyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how long this has been sitting in my reader, I tend to pick up things when they go on sale and then forget about them.

This turned out to be a nice little spooky Victorian-regency mystery (or whatever period regency’s fall in. I can never tell the difference between if they’re Georgian, or Edwardian etc.).

The story starts a little slow but picks up about midway. I finished this in like two or three sittings, it was a really quick read.

The writing is very visual, the language, setting and all-around atmosphere transports you to an early London and you can almost smell the stink from the river, and hear the echo of horse hooves clip-clopping off the buildings. It’s a perfect setting for a creepy story about the paranormal.

Great characters. I enjoyed Chissick and Dorothea together, the were kind of the perfect duo. Marta was awesome, I even liked the grumpy landlady and her cat.

Though Dorothea came across quite prickly on occasion I decided it was because she was very hungry…all the time.
Which brings me to my only stumble point in the story- and that was that we see Dorothea was weak, and hungry, and recovering from her illness- which I was never quite sure if it was the ghosts that were making her ill, the no food, or the recovery from her suicide attempt, or all of the above, but it did get a bit repetitive for me after awhile.

But that is a very minor criticism in an all around good, solid story.

Other thoughts-
*The opening chapter was damned scary and a great use of second person pov.
*Also, because I jumped in without double-checking the summary- between the cover and the title, I did begin this book believing the mc was going to be half-dead corpse. :)

This falls somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. But I’m rounding up for having such an interesting setting, and very clean editing.

[K.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I realized I've never written a review for this, so I'm going to try even though it's going to be clear that I'm going to be very biased because I worked on this book before publication. But there's empty praise because you're giving it to a close friend, and then there's just actual praise that you can defend, and this is a clear case of the latter.

This is a unique book that is told in first person and present tense. It's set in a fantasy Victorian world with a sort of horror/paranormal/murder mystery mix to it. The genre, however, isn't as important so much as that this is a character-driven book that revolves around the character Dorothea (and Chissick, to a lesser extent). This means that this book doesn't shy away from the topics of abuse and depression.

This isn't a fast-paced book, and isn't really meant for anyone looking for quick entertainment. What it is, however, is extraordinarily well-done for what it tries to accomplish. The prose is beautiful, dripping with atmosphere and scenery and occasional turns of emotion. It's done as a Victorian-style classic novel, too, which adds to the effect--and it helps that it all flows very well, especially considering how complex the sentences can get. It reads smoothly and rarely gets bogged down. As a writer, this is one of those books that can make me jealous with the author's ability to paint such a clear picture with words, and I don't say that lightly.

As it's hard to genuinely define an audience, this book is recommended for people who are intrigued by the concept and, having flipped through the samples, find the prose intriguing.

[Jason Aycock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Half Killed will seduce you. It will whisper and draw you gently into its pages. Before you know it you're in its clutches. This isn't a wonton sexual seduction, all about the eyes and desire. No, this is the kind that entices your mind, playing on your emotions of safety and fear, telling you its going to be all-right while you know for a certainty something evil lurks around the corner but you can't help but trust and follow into the shadows. It is a dark, intimate, and immersive Victorian horror story that will keep you turning pages.

Plot


"Dorothea Hawes has no wish to renew contact with what lies beyond the veil. After an attempt to take her own life, she has retired into seclusion, but as the wounds on her body heal, she is drawn into a world she wants nothing more than to avoid.

She is sought out by Julian Chissick, a former man of God who wants her help in discovering who is behind the gruesome murder of a young woman. But the manner of death is all too familiar to Dorothea, and she begins to fear that something even more terrible is about to unleash itself on London.

And so Dorothea risks her life and her sanity in order to save people who are oblivious to the threat that hovers over them. It is a task that forces her into a confrontation with her own lurid past, and tests her ability to shape events frighteningly beyond her control."

Throughout the story there is a tension between the events of Thea's past (both distant and recent) which are slowly revealed, and the events of the present which increasingly seem to be related to the former. Thea had thought she'd left her old life behind her, a life lived in the world of mediums, séances, possession, and the paranormal. It is a world where many practitioners are charlatans giving a greedy public a faux fix for communicating beyond the veil they desire but where a few true purveyors of the art exist who can provide a real experience. Thea, one of those true purveyors is something of a celebrity within her community, albeit one who wishes to retire early and leave it all behind. But when Chissick shows up at her door asking her to help investigate a murder she can't help but be drawn back in only to discover what lurks in the darkness may kill her and everyone she holds dear in the process.

Writing

As I noted in my opening The Half Killed is dark, intimate, and immersive. This is all due to Olsen's writing style. From page one I felt like I was in the story and I loved it. All of what I said about how it draws you in...that's Olsen's handiwork. Her writing is smooth and rich, like chocolate syrup. I know that's a crazy way to describe a horror novel but I'm struggling to put what I want to say into words.

Most of the book - all except the prologue - is told in the first person from the point of view of the protagonist Dorothea Hawes. I know a lot of people hate first person, but it is used extremely well here as the narrative is wrapped up in Thea's past and present.

The only chapter to be told from a different point of view is the prologue. It's told from a second person point of view and is superbly done. Because as you begin this chapter you know the narrator is talking to someone else, some other party in the story, but the opening paragraph is so evocative you can't help but feel like the narrator is talking to you.


"It wasn't your fault. Mama forced you to do it, one hand on your sleeve, the other combing through your curls, and all the while she whispered in your ear, saying it would be all right, that it would please her so much if you would just show yourself in front of the guests. And with such enticement what choice did you have? So you said yes..."

When I read that first paragraph I knew something horrible was coming. Horrible because the set-up hinted at it, but also because of the intimacy of that mother child interaction where the child will do anything to please the parent they love, even when they know it is the wrong thing to do. I was hooked from that opening paragraph.

Olson has a way of writing atmosphere that captures you and sets you in place. The setting is a sultry summer in London. Olson's uses the season and location well in her writing. The oppressive heat coupled with a gruesome murder mystery lays a heavy blanket over the narrative in such a way that the reader can almost feel it and feel the weariness it produces in Thea while the city provides a suspenseful backdrop to the events at hand.

Then there's Olson's use of language. Here I'm at something of a disadvantage because I have not read many books set in the Victorian era so I can't say what is true to form and what isn't. But the entire time I read, I felt I could hear the accents and cadences of the characters. It just felt right to my mind's ear. This carried over to non-dialogue descriptions as well. Maybe it is just what I as an American think sounds right, but it worked for me and pulled me even more into the story.

Olson's other works have included a number of romance/love stories and I wonder if some of her skill in that genre was put to good use here. This isn't a modern romance novel but woven into the writing are elements I can't really put into words (or I'd be an author myself) that I imagine are put to good use in Romance (which I haven't ever read). Perhaps this is where the seduction I noted in my opening comes into play. The fact it works here so well shouldn't be surprising as the gothic horror genre was birthed from the romantic form. Think of the seductive character of Dracula and vampire literature in general and you'll know what I mean. Olson's writing is much more on par with that kind of horror than later forms of the genre.

Pacing

The Half Killed is a relatively short book. As such you can read it in a couple of sittings, even just one if you have the time. The pacing throughout is pretty consistent, a slow burn of a novel, but not too slow. It fits perfectly with the narrative plot and tension and its character driven elements.

The story is propelled not so much by action but by characters and their interactions. There isn't a lot of action. I mean there IS a little or else what's the point right? But it truly is a character driven plot. I know many readers say they hate character driven stories but I think what they mean is they hate poorly written character driven stories. When written well they can be even more enjoyable than action driven plots. And this one is written well. As such it is the characters' actions and response to events that sets the pace for this book, not the way events happen to the characters. Let me add that I LOVE action. So when a character driven story pulls me in I sit up and take notice. I never once sat back while reading The Half Killed and wished for more action to push the narrative pace along.

Characters

Miss Dorothea Hawes is the story's protagonist. The narrative is told from her point of view and the reader moves through the events of the novel through her eyes and experiences. Thea suffers from a depression that recently drove her to attempt suicide. She is still somewhat weak and recovering while having trouble sleeping. She hears voices in her head and is plagued by pain she can't fully explain but fears she knows its origin. As such Thea is physically weak yet at the same time exhibits an inner strength that propels her along.

Julian Chissick is the secondary character of import. A somewhat disheveled ex-man of God Chissick seeks Thea's aid in a murder mystery that he believes only she can solve. Chissick becomes a rock that Thea can cling to not for strength per se, but as an anchor in an increasingly shifting and stormy world.

The dance between Thea and Chissick moves along with the narrative. There is a hint of affection and longing that develops between them but in such manner that is never overt or overdone. At times it even adds to the tension in a scene and in their relationship, and the reader is left wondering throughout whether anything will come of it. Olson did a great job writing these two characters.

There are a number of other secondary characters who each add depth and intrigue to the story: There is Marta, Thea's former handler in the world of séance and the paranormal who would book sessions and find clientele who would pay handsomely; And Lady Francesca, Marta's new protégé who may or may not be the real deal like Thea...and who may resent living in her shadow; Sissy, an old friend from the street who also has real abilities and can "see" what others cant'; And Ryall, of minor nobility and who was once Thea's benefactor and lover.

World Building

Olson has set her story in 19th century Victorian London. As such she has a lot of historical references to build off of in terms of setting, language, dress, and culture. In all of these her touch is light, with just enough detail to conjure up images in our mind from pictures, books, movies, and locals we've seen or experienced before.

The setting becomes the stage for Olson's exploration of horror and the occult. Thea's lived experience is in the world of psychics and mediums (both real and charlatan), and possession, and things that go bump in the night; monsters that live in a parallel existence and threaten to rip the fabric separating our world from theirs and burst through the seam.

Themes

There are a number of themes Olson weaves through the book. I've already gone on too long so I'll just touch on them a bit. Light and more specifically it's opposite darkness play throughout the story. Darkness is always threatening to overtake the characters and weighs upon them. Life and Death are also predominant; for the victims of the murders and for Dorothea herself. Darkness and death are almost linked hand-in-hand throughout.

Abuse and depression also factor prominently. Thea suffers from both and her character can't be understood apart from them and the affect they've had on her. They inform her actions and how others perceive her.

Family and Loyalty are perhaps the third strong thematic tie I found. Family and loyalty in the sense of both blood relation and ties built between friends. These both play positively and negatively for Thea throughout the book.

To Conclude

I don't know what else to say other than I loved this book. If you like Victorian era horror stories, especially character driven ones dripping in atmosphere and tone it should be right up your alley. But even if you don't normally venture down that path I'd encourage you to try it...you might be surprised how much you like it. I was, and I look forward to more in this genre from Olson.

5 of 5 Stars

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book as part of Reddit’s r/Fantasy bingo, as my Fantasy of Manners square. I’m still not sure what classifies as Fantasy of Manners, but it apparently fits, and that’s good enough for bingo. It was a square I was pretty apprehensive about and wasn’t sure I’d enjoy, so when I heard some good things about The Half Killed I grabbed myself a copy, hoping for a good read. I was not disappointed.

Characters

The Half Killed is set in first person POV, so the reader has a good understanding of Dorothea’s inner thoughts and trials regarding spiritualism. The use of first person POV allows the reader to have a nice insight into Dorothea’s life throughout the book as she develops and grows.

Julian Chissick is the other main character and very well developed over the course of the book. Quenby has done some fantastic things with her characters, such as the way she develops and portrays them throughout The Half-Killed, and I really enjoyed reading about them.

Plot

The plot follows the basic premise of a mystery novel with additional fantasy and paranormal elements thrown in. I haven’t really read many similar books which join mystery, horror, urban fantasy and historical fiction into one plot. The plot takes elements from a lot of different subgenres to build a unique book.

Other Thoughts

I’m not normally one for commenting on prose because I don’t always notice it; however, I definitely noticed how well written The Half Killed is. Quenby’s prose is very descriptive, and thus slow at times, but the book is fantastically written.

I had one small issue with the book. I opened it and read the prologue which was written in the second person. At this stage I mentally prepared myself for the whole book to be written as such, and was a bit surprised when Chapter 1 was written in first person instead.

Audience

This book is probably best for people who like:

-Paranormal
-Mystery
-Historical fiction
-Fantasy of Manners
-Victorian England
-Horror
-First Person POV
-Female Protagonists

[Calvin Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

One part Victorian romance and one part paranormal thriller, Quenby Olson’s The Half Killed is a wonderful—and at times disturbing—read. London is sweltering under an unprecedented heat wave and bodies with distinct wounds have begun turning up. Dorothea Hawes may be the only one who can untangle the mystery, but at what cost? Thus the plot begins in The Half Killed and we experience the entire thing through the eyes of Dorothea.

Olson’s ability to allow us to feel as if we are in Dorothea’s head, sharing her thoughts, is second to none. Her characterization of the main character is absolutely stellar. As we read, when Dorothea is confused, we are confused. When she begins to see something clearly, so do we. Olson manages this without ever making the reader feel like she is keeping things back from us. Actually, quite the opposite. It feels like we are experiencing the story right along with the main character. As if we are being taken into her confidence, or reading her thoughts as she is thinking them. This adds a certain thrill at points, as Dorothea’s mind and experiences are disturbing at times. I loved the feel and ambiance this created for the story. An excellent pick for a Halloween read. I’m not often one for paranormal stories, but this one hooked me. It was engaging from start to finish and I could barely put it down. The plot is extremely interesting and the reveals well-paced. As the story unfolds you find yourself caring deeply for the main character. Not only was Dorothea’s characterization excellent, but the prose the Olson crafts is beautiful. Always evocative and at times lyrical, the prose pulls you into the story. There are very few books where I feel like the experience of the words on the page itself is enough to make me want to keep reading. This was one of them.

My criticisms are highly personal for this one. The first is that there were one or two places where I felt like things could have been tightened up just a little or perhaps moved more quickly. The second is that the novel is written in the present tense. I am not typically a fan of present tense narratives. While they can work at times, I often find myself jarred out of the story. In the case of The Half Killed this happened less than it normally does. It’s difficult to criticize this, because I think part of the reason the narrative and prose were so compelling is exactly because it was written in present tense. Yet along with this, for me, there were moments when the tense jarred me out of the story. The bottom line: if you, like me, often find present tense narratives off-putting, you shouldn’t let that stop you from giving The Half Killed a try. It’s a great novel.

Quenby Olson has given us a tremendous paranormal yarn in The Half Killed. I could barely put it down. The prose is beautiful, lyrical, and evocative. The main character is finely crafted. The mystery at the heart of the tale keeps you engaged. I’m only disappointed I can’t read it again for the first time—but you can, and you should.

8.8/10

4.4/5 stars.

5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing

[Laura Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously gothic tale, suffused with gentle horror and vivid prose that brings to life the claustrophobia of Victorian London.

This is the first I've read of Quenby Olson's books, but it most definitely won't be the last.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Half Killed by Quenby Olson

Dorothea Hawes lives her life secluded after attempting to take her life. She is content with living alone in her own little world. Then one day Julian Chissick shows up. He is a former man of God. He wants to help her. But does she really want help trying to figure out who brutally killed her family? Dorthea is forced to face her past in order to save those around her, but is this a risk she wants to take?

Dorthea is likable, although flawed, and tormented by her past. She finds herself in a situation where she doesn't know who to trust, not even sure if she can trust herself. She starts to believe that anyone around her is doomed to a horrible fate. She begins to question her own sanity, not knowing what is real.

A well written psychological thriller with an original plot and an unlikely leading lady. Told through Dorthea's point of view, I was able to feel every emotion and her frustrations. Watching the story unfold was intense, with some surprises that kept me at the edge of my seat.

I recommend The Half Killed to those who love a great psychological thriller. I also like the cover, a bit macabre but suits the story perfectly.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a very long while since a book has shocked me, but this did it. I sort of had an idea going in what it was about, but I was not at all prepared. I totally fell in love with these characters and the writing style of Miss Olson. The descriptions are so vivid I felt I was there walking those streets with them. And the fear was a real and tangible thing. i am just floored by this book. I can't wait to see what else the author comes up with.

[A.E. Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Half Killed is an incredible book. It is gorgeously written with an incredible attention to detail. It tells the story of Dorothea Hawes, a medium with a strong connection to the spirit world, who gets involved in a supernatural murder mystery. I was riveted as soon as I started reading and couldn't put it down. I was entirely transported to London during a sweltering summer and remained engrossed until the exciting conclusion. This is a truly excellent book and a must-read!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lushly written tale of horrors in Victorian London. A perfect combination of setting and style to create a marvelous aura of suspenseful supernatural mystery.

The story is set just after London's obsession with spiritualism has begun to fade. The main character, an actual medium who had been made famous during the fad, is recuperating from both her time in the spotlight and the wear of supernatural forces. Throughout the work, Olson's story details the over-heated summer, the urban decay, and the looming shadows. From the beginning, it's clear the nerve-addled narrator can see into the beyond, but it's seldom clear how much of what she sees is fact, and how much merely fearful imagining.

The prose was the initial highlight for me. As a matter of personal taste, I tend not to enjoy first person narratives, but the period stylings here were enough to keep me going -- the long twisting sentences, dripping with detail, the elaborate descriptions sometimes providing a sort of dramatic pause to lend freight to otherwise simple exchanges of restrained dialogue. Once those drew me in, the narrative advanced to reveal intriguing clues as to the nature of The Half Killed's magical world. The narrator never really stops to explain exactly how her spiritualism works, it's not clear that she could explain, but I delight in magic systems that show just enough of their framework to hint that there are rules, while leaving the actual mechanics of their operation mysterious enough to provide a sense of wonder, and The Half Killed does exactly that.

The action has a more gradual build-up compared to some other stories I've read recently, but the story isn't overlong so that wasn't a problem. The first third gradually wound me in, lured by a morbid curiosity much akin to the fans of spiritualism who begged for the narrator's performances, but once its hook set I sped through the final chapters.

I struggle with the rating on this one, balancing it between my own eclectic preferences and recognizing the obvious skill and polish of the narrative. To give it 5 is at odds with my own usual taste in narrative style, but to give it anything less feels awkward with a masterful creation of the style it is in.

It reminds me a little of Jeanette Ng's Under the Pendulum Sun, but with Victorian spiritualism rather than Gothic fae. The setting also calls to mind Felix Gilman's The Revolutions. Fans of either of those works would probably find The Half Killed very much to their taste.

[Olivia Atwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had The Half Killed on my shelf for a while now, because it sounded so fascinating; I was responsibly saving it up as a treat for after I'd accomplished a few other goals. Naturally, I read it almost all in one go.

This book is unique. I feel like that word might be too open to interpretation, so I'll add that it's unique in a very good way that nonetheless makes you feel slightly off-balance. The opening chapter was done in second-person POV, which I wasn't sure I liked at first. But almost the entire rest of the book is in first-person POV, which made it stand out in such a way that it's clear it was an authorial choice. I could be completely wrong, but I now suspect that the opening chapter might have actually been from the villain's perspective, or else used as a method of setting the reader's initial unease. Either way, while I wasn't sure I liked the initial chapter, I appreciated it more and more as the book went on.

The Half Killed is full of this unsettling feeling, in more ways than one. It's got a fantastically gritty, creepy vibe to it that makes full use of the dirtiness and desperation of the era. And every once in a while, it makes you miss a step, because you're expecting something that doesn't come. Because The Half Killed could easily seem like it's a murder mystery, a thriller, a fantasy, or any number of other things. But by the end, I decided that it was actually a novel of internal horror, akin in some respects to the Penny Dreadful television series. A body drops within the first little bit, but the investigation is more of a vehicle for the reader to uncover the main character's past than it is a whodunnit. The focus is on the growing sense of fear and dread, and the main character's struggles to force herself forward, in spite of those things. This, dear readers, is a gorgeous sort of narrative horror walking simulator, where the story unfolds for you as you go. We're not here to mash buttons--we're here to enjoy the view.

I should add that The Half Killed is the sort of subtle metaphysical horror that even a wimp like me can enjoy. The prose is lyrical and gorgeous, so that you're so wrapped up in the beauty of it that you sometimes forget to be scared. And in spite of the horror, it is ultimately a story with a certain amount of hope and self-determination, which I deeply appreciate. The main character's struggles are something of a parallel for people with chronic conditions, who experience many of the same symptoms and desperate feelings of helplessness and are often not fully believed. I'm sure this is part of what resonated with me specifically, and it's worth going into the book being aware of that parallelism.

All in all, I feel like The Half Killed does not fit very well into any specific genre conventions. But for me, at least, that is part of its beauty. And I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys dark, flowing prose the same way that I do.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.bookwormblues.net/2020/09/...

I just finished this book last night, and I knew the first thing I wanted to do this morning was write a review for it. Reason being? I just really loved this book that much, and all I want to do is tell you why all of you should read it.

The Half Killed is a historical fantasy, that leans into the history and sort of flirts with the fantasy. Kind of. Set in a grimy Victorian-era London, the atmosphere is what grabbed me right away, which was unexpected. Truthfully, I have a really hard time with books set in this era. I don’t typically read them, and I usually get so frustrated by how stuffy they are that I just can’t. However, Olson, I’m realizing, basically took everything I typically don’t like about books set in the Victorian (or similar) era and lit it on fire. Within two chapters, I knew this was a book I’d love. Within three, I couldn’t put it down.

Now, before we go on to the meat and potatoes of the book, I want to touch on the atmosphere and setting. Nothing is wasted here, and while Olson can get a bit wordy with descriptions I never got bothered by that. In fact, there were a lot of times when I just had to sit back and admire how she used words. And, let’s be real here. If you’ve read any of my books, you’d know lengthy descriptions full of uniquely placed words is just about the last thing on the planet that would bother me. And oh, do I love lyrical prose no matter the form they take. I just love them.

“There is a second when I think that I want to commit everything about this moment to memory, every sound and smell, the weight of the clothing on my limbs, the dampness of the hair clinging to the back of my neck. But I don’t want to remember any of these things. I want it to be over. All of it. And I want it to be done now.”

That being said, the descriptions really brought this grimy London to life. The Half Killed is one of those books where the city becomes as much of a character as the people themselves. Under Olson’s eye, knack for detail, and careful care with the placement of every word, London of Dorothea’s time comes alive, and breaths both on and off the page. More, I could tell how much research Olson did, not just to nail down the setting, but on all of it, from setting to vernacular to mannerisms. There are so many small details, so many nuances of speech that just sang out to me as genuine and real. This tells me the author did a ton of work to make this feel not just unique, but true to the time, and it worked really, really well.

The Half Killed is a slow burn novel. What gripped me first was the atmosphere, as I’ve said. Then Dorothea’s voice. She’s snarky and opinionated, she absolutely steals the show and is the perfect vessel from which this story spills forth. Dorothea is a strong, independent woman in a world where that really isn’t a thing (and her landlord’s constant suspicion underscores that, while adding some color to the book).

Dorothea is not just a simple protagonist. She has quite a few layers and the blustery, up front, snarky strength of her personality serves to mask a lot of what is going on underneath. The pain. The heartache. The yearning for what could have been. It took a bit of time for me to realize that Dorothea herself was just as much of a mystery as the mystery the book is focused on. It was honestly quite well done, and by the time Olson was done deftly pulling apart all the things that made up Dorothea’s crusty exterior to show readers the soft, terrified woman who is riddled by pain and haunted by ghosts of the past that lay underneath, I was… astounded.

“It may have escaped your notice at some point during our acquaintance, but I am a woman. And as shocking as it may be for you to believe, I have seen myself naked on more than one occasion, so you’ll pardon me if I am not offended by anything these ladies have to offer.”

You see, what you really need to know about this book is that it sneaks up on you. There is just so much here. So on the surface you’ve got a mystery in the heart of grimy Victorian London. You’ve got an ex-priest and a woman who talks a lot trying to figure it out. Complete with ghosts and seances and plenty of colorful secondary characters, you’ve got a recipe for a whole lot of fun.

And it is fun, don’t get me wrong. This book, once I really got into it, absolutely flew by. It was nearly impossible to put down. I was locked in this weird place where I was completely engrossed in the plot, while being enamored with how Olson used words.

However.

If you just read this book for that surface stuff, you’ll really like it, but you’ll miss all the sleight of hand that Olson is also doing. Lots of subtle development here, lots of slow revelations and details that make this book truly something to behold. Dorothea, for example, was a character I knew I’d love from the second chapter on. However, by the end of the book my understanding of her as a woman in the world, as a human who exists, as a person standing on her own two feet was far different than it was when I went into the book, and I loved the fact that Olson could not only have a developed character, but continue developing her throughout the book, in such a subtle way that I often didn’t notice it was happening until after it had happened.

Mixed into this, we have the ex-priest, Julian Chissick. Chissick took me some time to warm up to. He’s kind of stuffy, very concerned with propriety. The fact that he’s coming to Thea tells you he’s desperate for help and completely out of his comfort zone. Their relationship is uncomfortable at first and takes some time for them to warm up to each other. Chissick’s desire to be a protector is both natural to the time, where that is very much a thing men were taught, and also feels true to the character himself. The fact that Dorothea kept bucking propriety gave him quite a challenge, and it also led to a few humorous moments. By the end of the book, I liked Chissick a lot more than I thought I would. He was the perfect mitigating balance to Dorothea’s headstrong, take charge nature.

You might wonder why I haven’t said much about the plot, and it’s because I didn’t know what I was getting going into this and I think that was half the fun. Suffice it to say, there’s a murder, and it involves a lot of spiritualism. I think this book would qualify, maybe, as historical fantasy and/or paranormal, but I’m not really sure. It is one of those books that doesn’t quite fit anywhere, and as such, it makes me love it all the more. Yay for bucking trends and refusing to be pigeonholed.

“I was so young.” And I wince at this poor excuse, as if every sin can be readily forgiven so long as it was committed well before the last of a person’s molars have broken through.

In the end, The Half Killed was a book I went into expecting to hate, largely due to my aversion for all things Victorian. I left this book half in love, and also reassessing my lack of love for the Victorian era. The writing was superb. The characterization was off the charts amazing. The plot was slow, which might frustrate some readers, but I honestly think it needed to be this way and I appreciated the time taken to set things up and introduce me to the characters and world.

I decided that what I think actually dislike about so many Victorian books is how romanticized things are, which is just completely historically inaccurate. Unless you were one of the ultra-wealthy, Victorian London was a hotbed of strife, crime, sewage in the street, prostitution, cursing, disease, and violence. And while Olson does not glorify any of that, she does paint a picture that is far more in line with the history I have read, and I absolutely loved it. Not only is there truth in this book, but there’s also an absolutely incredible story and a phenomenal amount of stunning detail.

And all those incredible words.

Be still, my heart.

So, The Half Killed is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. Halloween is coming up, so maybe it’s time for you to give it a shot during this most appropriate of seasons.

[Jennifer Senhaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be one of the best books I have ever read. Ever. The author weaves together tales of evil spirits and murder, captivating the reader from the first page. Pulled under the heroine Thea’s thrall as the story progressed, I was engrossed in the mystery and beautiful prose. “The lower half of her body is all layers of shredded and muddy skirts twined around swollen legs, while the upper half is shielded from view. One of the men has sacrificed his coat to the task of concealment, so I’m left to study the feet, one with a shoe and the other without, the stockings and petticoats stained a mottled grey by the silt and sediment of the river. For there’s no doubt that this body was recently recovered from the water that even now edges away from us, drawn out by the tide.” The language so beautifully detailed, you can almost feel the sweat dripping down your back as you read on. This lovely work of fiction belongs on the shelf next to award winning classics. Nothing I can say will do this masterpiece justice. I will be eagerly awaiting another piece of historical fiction from this author.

[ReadBecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this and do want to see more (I think this starts a series?), but I wound up finding it really hard to empathize with anyone except the cat, even after finishing I don't think I know what is actually happening with Dorthea at all.

I was strongly reminded of The Prestige, which I really loved, instead of stage magicians seeking real magic, we have mediums and spiritualists in this case. The plot is primarily a paranormal murder mystery in a Victorian-esque setting, the mystery just sort of happens without too much progression or unraveling though, so I found it a bit hard to get invested. The ending climax was pretty fantastic, but as with lack of clarity about Dorthea, I was a bit lost on the actual final motives and outcomes. Even after that conclusion, the last page of the book during the final wind down just really soured things for me.

Over all, there were huge portions of this story, along with the style and excellent quality of writing, that were absolutely right up my alley. However, there were just a few key things that made it not quite work for me personally that just made it a like but not love.

[Danielle Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in three days. That pace is pretty impressive considering I'm usually wrangling a preschooler at the same time. I just couldn't put it down. This period piece-paranormal-mystery-thriller kept me on my toes.

The way the atmosphere is described made me a little sweaty and miserable despite the fact that I was nowhere near a boiling hot, smelly London. I usually read contemporary work so it was a bit jarring to read a historical/period piece for me. The author makes it very easy to slip into this realm like putting on your favorite jeans (or skirt and petticoat as it were).

The characters are endearing and captivating. You have the distinct feeling that everyone has their secrets and their motivations that they keep simmering under the surface.

Very creepy, a story to read and thought about while reading by candlelight, perhaps. I know the story will stick with me for days to come.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review and I have to say right from the beginning, this story hooked me. I love a good paranormal story and when it's mixed with a mystery, strong characters and an immersive setting, it's a winner.

Author Quenby Olsen drew me in from the first scene — a dead body on a greasy cobblestone street in London as seen from the perspective of a young woman. I wanted to know more about this young woman who's drawn to this dead body. I was also captivated by Olsen's imagery and the effortless way she creates her world and its atmosphere.

"The Half Killed" will give you chills but it also will make you feel for its characters, Dorothea Hawes and Julian Chissick. I loved their relationship and watching it develop. I highly recommend "The Half Killed" by Quenby Olsen, especially if you love reading paranormal thrillers.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mystery. I love a good paranormal read. I love a good period piece. This was all three, and it just made my heart happy.

Quenby Olson paints a very detailed portrait in this novel, and I wasn't just reading this story, I was seeing it. Olson was very detail oriented, and for me that is great. I think that some readers may see the story as slow because of that, though.

My favorite part about this book is that I wasn't able to guess the end! This is one of my biggest pet peeves when reading, as some authors tend to make things very obvious. I had an idea, but was totally floored that I was wrong, and it was very refreshing for me!

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG***

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this eerie paranormal tale, Dorothea Hawes, a confident young lady with a tragic past and a gift for seeing beyond the veil, is forced to face her demons when a string of several murders beckons her back to her past life.

Miss Olson’s writing style is vivid and detailed, and though the pace of her book was slower at first than I expected, it quickly drew me in, and the imagery leapt off the page that much more because of it. The plot itself has many twists and turns, and I found the ending to be both expected and unexpected, but in the most satisfying way possible. I look forward to reading more of her brilliant work.

[Kay Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it from the first sentence. Dorothea is sought out by Mr. Chissick who is need of her help.
This book was a page turner. The story brought me right along and I felt every inch of terror that Dorothea felt as she got more into the story.
Five stars!!