Retribution, Inc.

by Geoff Cooper, Chad Savage (Illustrator)

Cemetery Dance Novella Series #16

Retribution, Inc. is a hardcore band struggling on the club circuit. Shortly after their guitar player leaves for Florida to attend recording school, they get a call from Brackard's Point's most prestigious venue, The Electra Complex, to open for Your Kid's On Fire — a national act currently touring to support their new major-label release.

The race to find a stand-in guitar player becomes desperate, and they must choose between Joey Donnatello, a virtuoso with a massive ego, and Ernie Shiel, whose skills eclipse even Joey's, but his image is wrong for the part — and he has a secret: his hands bleed every time he plays.

Chuck, the bass player and singer, doesn't want Joey.

Mark, the drummer, doesn't want Ernie.

Apathy becomes anger, and anger turns to violence, with deception, betrayal, and manipulation running rampant through every action, every word. Chuck and Mark see their band tearing itself apart in front of their eyes, as each does what he believes is for the good of the band.

Someone must give in, if they are to do the show — which is drawing ever closer. A decision must be made, but is there one that is right — that could preserve their humanity without destroying that which they have built, or are they doomed to become like all those bands they despise, run by greed and ambition rather than words and music?

There is blood on their hands, and not all of it is Ernie's...

Genres: Horror

103 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2005

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book by Cooper. This was promoted as a horror novel, but there were no horror aspects until the last four pages or so. To me, it was just a story of two bandmates who need a new guitarist. One is a geek, while the other is full of it. One member likes the odd guitarist (whose fingers blee when he plays guitar), while the other dislikes him. And this story is their struggle between the two, and what happens between them. The ending, adds a supernatural aspect to the story. Overall, this was a pretty decent book

[William M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this Cemetery Dance Publication didn't have as many horror elements as I would have liked or expected, I enjoyed this addictive novella a lot. Retribution, Inc fits perfectly into a novella format. I had such a smile on my face as I read this because I felt I had known many of the book's same characters thoughout my life. The music scene, at least here in New York, was very accurate. The situations were believable and the dialogue flowed comfortably and honestly. I was very much into the initial twist of the story, but expected Cooper to delve a little deeper into Ernie and his guitar. But regardless, this is certainly worth reading, especially if you are a musician or ever in any band. I look forward to reading more of Geoff Cooper.

[Mikepottz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A band needs a guitarist and a geek looking, reddish blonde haired pimple faced young guy rocks up with an annoying laugh. He plays his guitar and his fingers bleed. He was great, fitted in well musically but was not a great fit for the band. Another band member plays the geek's guitar and his fingers start to bleed. The geek will be beaten by a guy who wants to be in the band. Hung with guitar string, blood dripping down the body, the carpet soaked the blood, the guitar given as a present. Not really horror. Signed 479/750