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October 32
It's October 31, and insurance agent Alexander Malefant is sent to picturesque Elora during its annual Halloween festival. No sooner does Alexander arrive than he witnesses the near-drowning of a boy bobbing for apples. Shortly after that, a group of children are attacked by crows. Later that evening, all the children in the village suddenly disappear. Soon, every person becomes a suspect as residents frantically try to discover what happened to the children. Who or what is behind these disappearances, and can they get the children back before it's too late?
230 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2015
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755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 12, 2015
This book took me completely by surprise. October 32nd wasn’t at all what I was expecting it to be and was a lot of fun to read!
Alexander Malefant is making a living day by day travelling as an insurance salesman following the tragic death of his daughter. When he gets sent to the small town of Elora on Halloween, strange things begin to happen! A child is nearly drowned when bobbing for apples, some crows attack a bunch of children, and then mysteriously all the children in the town disappear without a trace, their shoes left hanging from a tree! What on earth is going on in this little town? What has Alex gotten himself into? Will he discover where the missing kids are? And will this experience bring him any peace with his life?
FEAR NOT all you readers that don’t like horror books! I wouldn’t actually class this as a horror book, even though it has some spooky elements. It was more of a mystery. The tone of the book was hard to explain. It was like poor Alex was shoved into an episode of scooby doo crossed with a dodgy soap opera, and he had to figure out what on earth was going on in this little town! I found it more ‘quirky’ than ‘scary’ actually, (I’m hopefully that was what the author was going for!) I really enjoyed the fact that I too had NO IDEA what on earth was going to happen. It was a really fun ride! One minute you thought it was going one way, only to have it go in another direction entirely!
Alex was a great character. I just loved how he got to the town and was completely taken back by what was happening around him. The characters of the town were all fabulous. There were perhaps a few too many of them for me to easily keep track of them but it didn’t make me like it any less.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the ending! I totally didn’t see it coming – Totally unexpected!
What a clever, fun book! I’m looking forward to reading others from this author!
Would I recommend it?
Yes it was an entertaining story that was light and easy to read. It was so different to anything that I have ever read before. Very refreshing!
Many thanks to author Larry Rodness for a copy of October 32nd in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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www.facebook.com/booksbabiesbeing
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www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
Alexander Malefant is making a living day by day travelling as an insurance salesman following the tragic death of his daughter. When he gets sent to the small town of Elora on Halloween, strange things begin to happen! A child is nearly drowned when bobbing for apples, some crows attack a bunch of children, and then mysteriously all the children in the town disappear without a trace, their shoes left hanging from a tree! What on earth is going on in this little town? What has Alex gotten himself into? Will he discover where the missing kids are? And will this experience bring him any peace with his life?
FEAR NOT all you readers that don’t like horror books! I wouldn’t actually class this as a horror book, even though it has some spooky elements. It was more of a mystery. The tone of the book was hard to explain. It was like poor Alex was shoved into an episode of scooby doo crossed with a dodgy soap opera, and he had to figure out what on earth was going on in this little town! I found it more ‘quirky’ than ‘scary’ actually, (I’m hopefully that was what the author was going for!) I really enjoyed the fact that I too had NO IDEA what on earth was going to happen. It was a really fun ride! One minute you thought it was going one way, only to have it go in another direction entirely!
Alex was a great character. I just loved how he got to the town and was completely taken back by what was happening around him. The characters of the town were all fabulous. There were perhaps a few too many of them for me to easily keep track of them but it didn’t make me like it any less.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the ending! I totally didn’t see it coming – Totally unexpected!
What a clever, fun book! I’m looking forward to reading others from this author!
Would I recommend it?
Yes it was an entertaining story that was light and easy to read. It was so different to anything that I have ever read before. Very refreshing!
Many thanks to author Larry Rodness for a copy of October 32nd in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
www.facebook.com/booksbabiesbeing
www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
December 19, 2015
Is the small town of Elora caught in a nightmare, a curse, or the wrath of beings from beyond the veil of death? An outside has come to town, but is he the only one? Insurance salesman, Alex Malefant has a job to do and has arrived just in time for the Halloween Festivities. But something is just off in Elora as a small boy nearly drowns and children are attacked by a murder of crows. But trick or treating must go on, until the fog rolls in and the children disappear. Is this history repeating itself? Is Alex trapped among the townsfolk because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time? The top cop, the witch, the jealousy, the fear and the guilt all play a role in Larry Rodness’ 32nd October. As the mystery of the disappearance of the children mounts, tempers flare, accusations are made and from nowhere, another appears. Does he have the answers the town is looking for? Will these answers bring joy or heartache? Will the mystery of the children missing from long ago finally be uncovered? The witch may not have done it, but she sees far more than the normal human, too bad her reputation and her past make her an unreliable source to everyone but Alex, who has his own painful memories and guilt to shoulder.
No, this isn’t Ground Hog Day revisited. Yes, there are slightly humorous moments, but for the most part this mystery is a journey into the unknown, not a horror, but definitely dark and foreboding as a town is divided on what to do and who to blame.
Larry Rodness has a magnetic style of writing that beckons his readers to follow him into the fog, into a night that will stay with you long after that final pages is finished. Perfect cold weather reading, Halloween or not, imagine the darkness outside, the wind blowing, the crows settling in the trees, just waiting and watching, perhaps as a warning, perhaps as harbingers of doom. Then imagine the depth of despair shared by a town that must learn to “play nice” and be honest with each other and themselves. Completely engaging, well-written and filled with scenes that come to life in your mind as you cannot help but join the search for the missing children.
I received this copy from Larry Rodness in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 31, 2015
Publisher: Deer Hawk Publications
Genre: Paranormal suspense
Print Length: 177 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
No, this isn’t Ground Hog Day revisited. Yes, there are slightly humorous moments, but for the most part this mystery is a journey into the unknown, not a horror, but definitely dark and foreboding as a town is divided on what to do and who to blame.
Larry Rodness has a magnetic style of writing that beckons his readers to follow him into the fog, into a night that will stay with you long after that final pages is finished. Perfect cold weather reading, Halloween or not, imagine the darkness outside, the wind blowing, the crows settling in the trees, just waiting and watching, perhaps as a warning, perhaps as harbingers of doom. Then imagine the depth of despair shared by a town that must learn to “play nice” and be honest with each other and themselves. Completely engaging, well-written and filled with scenes that come to life in your mind as you cannot help but join the search for the missing children.
I received this copy from Larry Rodness in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 31, 2015
Publisher: Deer Hawk Publications
Genre: Paranormal suspense
Print Length: 177 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 17, 2021
October 32nd by Larry Rodness was an unexpectedly excellent read, to say the least. The main character, Alexander Malefant is hiding from his emotional world as a traveling insurance salesman (his real job). He goes to a small-town during Halloween to sign some new clients and things get ‘wonky’ quick. Wait until he meets the ‘witch.’ The story was superbly written and structured to keep me off the scent of the real story for as long as possible. The ending was the best part: one of the most imaginative and twisty endings I’ve read in a long time. A clever cross between Stephen King and The Twilight Zone. The last five pages made October 32nd one of my favorite reads of the year and Larry Rodness one of my favorite new horror writers. For me, five stars to Larry Rodness and to October 32nd. Jeff Bailey, author of Not On MY Watch.
April 6, 2017
I received a copy of October 32 from the author for review consideration. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
Alexander Malefant is making a living day by day travelling as an insurance salesman following the tragic death of his daughter. When he gets sent to the small town of Elora on Halloween, strange things begin to happen! A child is nearly drowned when bobbing for apples, some crows attack a bunch of children, but trick or treating must go on, until the fog rolls in and then mysteriously all the children in the town disappear without a trace, their shoes left hanging from a tree! As Alexander becomes involved in the search for the children, deep secrets within the town and our main characters are uncovered.
The story starts off a little slow at first but when it starts to speed up, this book is very had to put down. As the story moves on and the more information you’re given, the more you need to know and try to figure things out.
I liked that this book kept me guessing and wasn’t predictable. I had lots of theories as I was reading. This book took me completely by surprise. October 32nd wasn’t at all what I was expecting it to be.
It is a well written story with plenty of action and plenty of interesting, well-developed characters. I love the character building for the main character, Alexander. He is very well explained and I found that I could understand him quite well, without veering from the main story.
The writing flows well from chapter to chapter. Most chapters ended on some sort of cliff-hanger, which I really liked. It worked, and made me want to read on. I enjoyed the plot, which is full of amazing twists and turns. There was a number of twists throughout about the disappearances and about some of our main characters. The mystery was intriguing, but not too easy to figure out. The storytelling is brisk, but there’s enough detail given that you can still imagine the author’s world and surroundings.
The ending of this book is something that I did not see coming. This book has kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing. Although, I did like the ending and it certainly isn’t what I was expecting, there was a lot of hype throughout the book and it was fast-paced but I felt that there could have been more time spent on the ending.
On one hand, I loved the ending and on the other I was a little disappointed. There was all this build up, but instead of exploding, it just seemed to fade away.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a good solid storyline, well written and great plot twists, though it did take me some time to get used to the slow pace at the start. But the concept, the eeriness and the characters kept me hooked. Once I got into the story I had to keep reading.
If you’re in the mood for a mystical mystery, with a lot of twists and turns, then I recommend you pick up October 32!
Alexander Malefant is making a living day by day travelling as an insurance salesman following the tragic death of his daughter. When he gets sent to the small town of Elora on Halloween, strange things begin to happen! A child is nearly drowned when bobbing for apples, some crows attack a bunch of children, but trick or treating must go on, until the fog rolls in and then mysteriously all the children in the town disappear without a trace, their shoes left hanging from a tree! As Alexander becomes involved in the search for the children, deep secrets within the town and our main characters are uncovered.
The story starts off a little slow at first but when it starts to speed up, this book is very had to put down. As the story moves on and the more information you’re given, the more you need to know and try to figure things out.
I liked that this book kept me guessing and wasn’t predictable. I had lots of theories as I was reading. This book took me completely by surprise. October 32nd wasn’t at all what I was expecting it to be.
It is a well written story with plenty of action and plenty of interesting, well-developed characters. I love the character building for the main character, Alexander. He is very well explained and I found that I could understand him quite well, without veering from the main story.
The writing flows well from chapter to chapter. Most chapters ended on some sort of cliff-hanger, which I really liked. It worked, and made me want to read on. I enjoyed the plot, which is full of amazing twists and turns. There was a number of twists throughout about the disappearances and about some of our main characters. The mystery was intriguing, but not too easy to figure out. The storytelling is brisk, but there’s enough detail given that you can still imagine the author’s world and surroundings.
The ending of this book is something that I did not see coming. This book has kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing. Although, I did like the ending and it certainly isn’t what I was expecting, there was a lot of hype throughout the book and it was fast-paced but I felt that there could have been more time spent on the ending.
On one hand, I loved the ending and on the other I was a little disappointed. There was all this build up, but instead of exploding, it just seemed to fade away.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a good solid storyline, well written and great plot twists, though it did take me some time to get used to the slow pace at the start. But the concept, the eeriness and the characters kept me hooked. Once I got into the story I had to keep reading.
If you’re in the mood for a mystical mystery, with a lot of twists and turns, then I recommend you pick up October 32!
January 26, 2016
First off I would like to say that Mr Rodness made me very very happy by providing me a pdf copy of the book which was easily readable on my Kobo. Some times, most of the times, I have to read the received pdfs on my laptop because when I pull them into my Kobo the text is small as fleash*t... Not in this case! Oh no! The font was perfect size and made for a comfortable reading.
Even though Halloween is really not a thing in a culture where I originate from, and it's reaaaallllyyy difficult to get me excited about Halloween themes, this book delivered a pretty creepy, horrory and well written story around the 31st of October. So, this insurance sales guy travels to this town to sell some policies and ends up getting caught in a pretty strange plot. Kids go missing, something bad happened 50 years ago, there's a witch and a weird lanky dude who isn't a human? There are discussions about ghosts and dimensions and a murder of crows. Yeah, the setting is... set!
What totally shook me was the ending of the book- I didn't, and I still don't, know
It was a well written story with plenty of action and plenty of interesting characters. The mystery was good and character's backstories quite dramatic.
Yeah, I would recommend for an entertaining read!
Even though Halloween is really not a thing in a culture where I originate from, and it's reaaaallllyyy difficult to get me excited about Halloween themes, this book delivered a pretty creepy, horrory and well written story around the 31st of October. So, this insurance sales guy travels to this town to sell some policies and ends up getting caught in a pretty strange plot. Kids go missing, something bad happened 50 years ago, there's a witch and a weird lanky dude who isn't a human? There are discussions about ghosts and dimensions and a murder of crows. Yeah, the setting is... set!
What totally shook me was the ending of the book- I didn't, and I still don't, know
It was a well written story with plenty of action and plenty of interesting characters. The mystery was good and character's backstories quite dramatic.
Yeah, I would recommend for an entertaining read!
January 21, 2016
October 32 is a surprising read that kept me thoroughly entertained.
We meet Alexander who is travelling to a small town called Elora to conduct his business as an insurance salesman, with a few potential clients. After he's arrived mysterious things start happening and then the children of the town go missing. After that it's one intriguing mystery to solve and an ending that I did NOT see coming.
The story starts off a little slow at first with Alex attending to clients etc but after things start turning pear-shaped that's where it starts to speed up and makes this book very hard to put down. As the story moves on and the more information you're fed, the more you need to know and try to figure things out.
I liked that this book kept me guessing and wasn't very predictable at all. Elora has all the traits of a small town, the cop and his dopey deputy, the mayor who always has his political hat on, the one who's called a witch, the floozy and the old guy who knows all etc. There is even a rivalry with the next town over and that is embroiled in the great mystery too.
The characters were all very well-developed, interesting and likeable in their own ways and no two were alike. We also have a few mystical creatures, ghosts, spirits etc that also help solve the mystery.
Larry Rodness is certainly a fantastic story-teller and this book is proof of that. He's tied up any loose ends and finished the book in a way that you know it's done. This aspect I love in a book, and I'm so glad that he's ended it in a way that doesn't leave questions.
If you're in the mood for a mystical mystery and one that is a surprise packet, then I recommend you pick up October 32.
Thank you to Larry Rodness for providing me with a copy of October 32.
Sharon @ Sharon's Book Nook!
We meet Alexander who is travelling to a small town called Elora to conduct his business as an insurance salesman, with a few potential clients. After he's arrived mysterious things start happening and then the children of the town go missing. After that it's one intriguing mystery to solve and an ending that I did NOT see coming.
The story starts off a little slow at first with Alex attending to clients etc but after things start turning pear-shaped that's where it starts to speed up and makes this book very hard to put down. As the story moves on and the more information you're fed, the more you need to know and try to figure things out.
I liked that this book kept me guessing and wasn't very predictable at all. Elora has all the traits of a small town, the cop and his dopey deputy, the mayor who always has his political hat on, the one who's called a witch, the floozy and the old guy who knows all etc. There is even a rivalry with the next town over and that is embroiled in the great mystery too.
The characters were all very well-developed, interesting and likeable in their own ways and no two were alike. We also have a few mystical creatures, ghosts, spirits etc that also help solve the mystery.
Larry Rodness is certainly a fantastic story-teller and this book is proof of that. He's tied up any loose ends and finished the book in a way that you know it's done. This aspect I love in a book, and I'm so glad that he's ended it in a way that doesn't leave questions.
If you're in the mood for a mystical mystery and one that is a surprise packet, then I recommend you pick up October 32.
Thank you to Larry Rodness for providing me with a copy of October 32.
Sharon @ Sharon's Book Nook!
December 22, 2015
Rarely does the ending of a book surprise me … but this time “rarely” was obliterated and it was not just the ending. The entire book kept me on the edge of my seat … and on my toes … because I am the reader that must understand the why as much as the what.
You will need to dispense with the “why” to enjoy this book. But enjoy it you will. Most books that are written in the first person tend to draw me in and this book was no exception to that rule at least. I identified with the narrator … to a point … but at this time, I must add that I was not fond of the protagonist’s name—Alexander Malefant. If it were a type of foreshadowing, then it was not effective for me. Instead, I kept returning to it, wondering if there was a clue in the name.
The book was exceedingly well-written and I loved both the literary and the Hollywood allusions. Although if you’re not old enough to have seen the film Brigadoon, you may want to watch it prior to reading the book. Not because it’s integral to how the story unfolds but to understand the nuances of the book more easily.
How the story unfolds is via the narrator’s interaction with the residents of the town of Elora … and the relationships that develop between Alexander and some of the characters are masterfully drawn. The plot centers on missing children but my fears about violence and the children were unfounded. It is difficult to talk about the plot in detail for fear of giving away how everything folds together. Let’s just say that you need to find a cozy chair and a long evening so you can read October 32 in one sitting!
You will need to dispense with the “why” to enjoy this book. But enjoy it you will. Most books that are written in the first person tend to draw me in and this book was no exception to that rule at least. I identified with the narrator … to a point … but at this time, I must add that I was not fond of the protagonist’s name—Alexander Malefant. If it were a type of foreshadowing, then it was not effective for me. Instead, I kept returning to it, wondering if there was a clue in the name.
The book was exceedingly well-written and I loved both the literary and the Hollywood allusions. Although if you’re not old enough to have seen the film Brigadoon, you may want to watch it prior to reading the book. Not because it’s integral to how the story unfolds but to understand the nuances of the book more easily.
How the story unfolds is via the narrator’s interaction with the residents of the town of Elora … and the relationships that develop between Alexander and some of the characters are masterfully drawn. The plot centers on missing children but my fears about violence and the children were unfounded. It is difficult to talk about the plot in detail for fear of giving away how everything folds together. Let’s just say that you need to find a cozy chair and a long evening so you can read October 32 in one sitting!
December 21, 2016
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Alexander Malefant is a traveling life insurance agent who comes into a small town on October 31st. He witnesses a few events in a local county festival -- pie competitions, largest pumpkin contest, apple bobbing, and so on -- an exercise in small-=town civic pride and rivalry. The first person he meets in town intrigues him, especially when she's accused of being a witch by a kid.
It's not like he took it seriously, it just struck him as odd. Not long after that, he sees an apple-bobbing child being held under the water by something/someone that no one can see. The "witch" rescues him (no spells involved), and issues a warning about something happening in town. She's promptly ignored by everyone and the festivities resume, as does Alexander's sales day.
Once evening comes, a sales visit ends strangely when the family's children go missing. It doesn't take long to discover that other children are missing -- not just a few, but every child (including teenagers). Alex (like everyone in town), gets wrapped up in the search. He's also a suspect in the disappearances (like many people -- especially the strangers).
To the reader, it's pretty clear that no one is going to find a mundane explanation for the disappearance -- it takes the people going through it longer. Which makes sense.
This is well-told, well-paced with a strong voice. Rodness took a bunch of long-standing ideas and combined then in an effective, creepy and entertaining way. The characters were well drawn, and I regretted not getting to spend more time with some of them. I wanted a couple of more chapters at the end (not that we were cheated in the ending, I just wanted a bit more following it). All in all, a fun read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion about it. Note that the word is "honest," not "timely" -- I should have read this months ago, sorry, Mr. Rodness.
---
Alexander Malefant is a traveling life insurance agent who comes into a small town on October 31st. He witnesses a few events in a local county festival -- pie competitions, largest pumpkin contest, apple bobbing, and so on -- an exercise in small-=town civic pride and rivalry. The first person he meets in town intrigues him, especially when she's accused of being a witch by a kid.
It's not like he took it seriously, it just struck him as odd. Not long after that, he sees an apple-bobbing child being held under the water by something/someone that no one can see. The "witch" rescues him (no spells involved), and issues a warning about something happening in town. She's promptly ignored by everyone and the festivities resume, as does Alexander's sales day.
Once evening comes, a sales visit ends strangely when the family's children go missing. It doesn't take long to discover that other children are missing -- not just a few, but every child (including teenagers). Alex (like everyone in town), gets wrapped up in the search. He's also a suspect in the disappearances (like many people -- especially the strangers).
To the reader, it's pretty clear that no one is going to find a mundane explanation for the disappearance -- it takes the people going through it longer. Which makes sense.
This is well-told, well-paced with a strong voice. Rodness took a bunch of long-standing ideas and combined then in an effective, creepy and entertaining way. The characters were well drawn, and I regretted not getting to spend more time with some of them. I wanted a couple of more chapters at the end (not that we were cheated in the ending, I just wanted a bit more following it). All in all, a fun read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion about it. Note that the word is "honest," not "timely" -- I should have read this months ago, sorry, Mr. Rodness.
November 21, 2020
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like October 32nd by Larry Rodness. I Found the narrative voice personal and contemplative, and I thought, "this is going great!" But the farther I got into the book, the more the slow pace of the narrative felt like it was dragging. Not that I don't appreciate the atmosphere, but 22 pages into the story, nothing had happened. I grew bored and started to skim, wondering when the story was going to begin.
And that's it - the book wasn't terrible, but it didn't draw me in. I didn't care about the main character, and I wasn't interested in what was happening in the town. I think the book just missed the mark with it's pacing and I don't want to have to push myself into reading something I'm bored by. The book just wasn't for me.
I really wanted to like October 32nd by Larry Rodness. I Found the narrative voice personal and contemplative, and I thought, "this is going great!" But the farther I got into the book, the more the slow pace of the narrative felt like it was dragging. Not that I don't appreciate the atmosphere, but 22 pages into the story, nothing had happened. I grew bored and started to skim, wondering when the story was going to begin.
And that's it - the book wasn't terrible, but it didn't draw me in. I didn't care about the main character, and I wasn't interested in what was happening in the town. I think the book just missed the mark with it's pacing and I don't want to have to push myself into reading something I'm bored by. The book just wasn't for me.
February 12, 2016
When I first began reading, it was reminiscent of a Supernatural episode. I found myself wondering if I was about to read the Wicker Man version of Supernatural, sans Sam and Dean. While this book was nothing like Wicker Man or Supernatural, it was definitely enough of a hook to interest me right away and keep me reading.
Now, the book is written in first person, present tense. That always irks me. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a personal preference. I always feel like past tense means that the story has already taken place, and it sort of lends a bit more of a feeling of truth to it. Present tense always makes me feel like the story is currently happening, and there's absolutely no reason that I should be watching it as it unfolds. I feel like an intruder. I also tend to prefer third person storytelling. Instead of getting one person's perspective of what's going on, I feel like I'm getting a more rounded version of what actually happened. The fact is that the world can't run the way I'd like it to. So, I have to be a bit more understanding when it comes to this sort of thing. HOWEVER! By the time that I finished the book, I realize exactly why it was written in first person as well as in present tense. There was absolutely no other way that Rodness could have told this story. So, my personal preferences aside, it was definitely the right call for the author to make in this situation.
One of the most fascinating parts of this book for me was the main character. I was struck immediately by the way that he manipulates everything in his brain to see how it relates to him personally. I wouldn't say he's selfish, but definitely a bit of a narcissist. For example, he sees a little boy drowning and carefully watches the townspeople and how they handle the situation. Later, he finds that he has a meeting with the parents of the boy to sell life insurance. At that stage, his mind goes into figuring out how to sell them insurance, while taking the incident into account. He believes they will either be more receptive because of the scare, or possibly more distracted and less open to listening to him because of it. This is just an example of how Alexander is. Whenever something happens in the story, it's all about him. Children are missing? Oh...Well I might as well leave town because nobody will want to meet with me. Now, he's not really a heartless character. He just has trouble forcing himself to care. You see some random instances where he sort of forgets to make everything about him and plunges in to help others, making him much more likable.
As for the story line, I had lots of theories as I was reading. Once new characters are introduced and you really start to delve in to the townspeople and their traits, your brain starts working in overdrive. Not only are children missing, but there's a much deeper mystery to solve and we're given just enough clues to keep us absolutely lost. Even though I thought I had a pretty good handle on where the story was headed, I was blind-sided at the end. I actually read the last page three times because I couldn't believe what I'd just read. OK, to be completely honest...I screamed 'Wait! What?' and stormed off for a few minutes before coming back and reading it two more times. The ending didn't change from the first time I read it, but at least it gave me a chance to reach the acceptance level.
I enjoyed the plot and was ecstatic that there were some great plot twists. All of the characters were interesting, and most of them were likable. The mystery was intriguing, but not too easy to figure out. There's a great bit of subtle humor running throughout the book. The storytelling is brisk, but there's enough detail given that you can still imagine the author's world and surroundings. Also, if you pay close attention, you may even learn a few things about physics.
Now, the book is written in first person, present tense. That always irks me. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a personal preference. I always feel like past tense means that the story has already taken place, and it sort of lends a bit more of a feeling of truth to it. Present tense always makes me feel like the story is currently happening, and there's absolutely no reason that I should be watching it as it unfolds. I feel like an intruder. I also tend to prefer third person storytelling. Instead of getting one person's perspective of what's going on, I feel like I'm getting a more rounded version of what actually happened. The fact is that the world can't run the way I'd like it to. So, I have to be a bit more understanding when it comes to this sort of thing. HOWEVER! By the time that I finished the book, I realize exactly why it was written in first person as well as in present tense. There was absolutely no other way that Rodness could have told this story. So, my personal preferences aside, it was definitely the right call for the author to make in this situation.
One of the most fascinating parts of this book for me was the main character. I was struck immediately by the way that he manipulates everything in his brain to see how it relates to him personally. I wouldn't say he's selfish, but definitely a bit of a narcissist. For example, he sees a little boy drowning and carefully watches the townspeople and how they handle the situation. Later, he finds that he has a meeting with the parents of the boy to sell life insurance. At that stage, his mind goes into figuring out how to sell them insurance, while taking the incident into account. He believes they will either be more receptive because of the scare, or possibly more distracted and less open to listening to him because of it. This is just an example of how Alexander is. Whenever something happens in the story, it's all about him. Children are missing? Oh...Well I might as well leave town because nobody will want to meet with me. Now, he's not really a heartless character. He just has trouble forcing himself to care. You see some random instances where he sort of forgets to make everything about him and plunges in to help others, making him much more likable.
As for the story line, I had lots of theories as I was reading. Once new characters are introduced and you really start to delve in to the townspeople and their traits, your brain starts working in overdrive. Not only are children missing, but there's a much deeper mystery to solve and we're given just enough clues to keep us absolutely lost. Even though I thought I had a pretty good handle on where the story was headed, I was blind-sided at the end. I actually read the last page three times because I couldn't believe what I'd just read. OK, to be completely honest...I screamed 'Wait! What?' and stormed off for a few minutes before coming back and reading it two more times. The ending didn't change from the first time I read it, but at least it gave me a chance to reach the acceptance level.
I enjoyed the plot and was ecstatic that there were some great plot twists. All of the characters were interesting, and most of them were likable. The mystery was intriguing, but not too easy to figure out. There's a great bit of subtle humor running throughout the book. The storytelling is brisk, but there's enough detail given that you can still imagine the author's world and surroundings. Also, if you pay close attention, you may even learn a few things about physics.
December 25, 2015
Edition: 2015 by Larry Rodness
Synopsis: October 31st. The quaint little town of Elora, Ontario has held its annual Halloween festival for the past 50 years but this year it takes a terrible turn. A young boy nearly drowns while bobbing for apples. Shortly after, a group of children are attacked by a flock of crows. Local eccentric, Missy Claridge, senses a mysterious connection between the two incidents and warns the town officials to postpone the upcoming festivities. Unfortunately her premonition is ignored and later that evening, all the children in the village suddenly disappear. The townsfolk are baffled. Soon, every person becomes a suspect as residents frantically try to discover what happened to the children and how to get them back.
Purchase October 32nd Here
I was asked to review this book on behalf of the author. I was given an ePub version in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Firstly, this book is way underhyped. It's a cleverly and brilliantly written novel.
The plot is full of amazing twists and turns. I never knew what was about to happen, and that made for a great read full of suspense and expectation.
The characters are very well written. I love the character building for the main character, Alexander. He is very well explained and I found I could see inside his head very easily and understand him, without veering from the main story.
The writing flows really well from chapter to chapter. Most chapters ended on some sort of cliffhanger, which I really liked. It worked, and made me want to read on.
Something I liked...has to be the way this book launches right into the story, but manages to give us a clear impression of the main character at the same time. I actually found this really impressive, as I have been disappointed with books that take too long or too quick to get into the actual story. I also really enjoying the ending. It really wasn't what I expected, but it really fits the story.
Something I disliked...not much, really. The only thing I can really say is I found this book hard to read with a distraction. You do have to really focus on what's happening, so for some people certain parts may be confusing if you don't have your full attention on the novel.
My rating is…
★★★★
A great quick read.
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
Synopsis: October 31st. The quaint little town of Elora, Ontario has held its annual Halloween festival for the past 50 years but this year it takes a terrible turn. A young boy nearly drowns while bobbing for apples. Shortly after, a group of children are attacked by a flock of crows. Local eccentric, Missy Claridge, senses a mysterious connection between the two incidents and warns the town officials to postpone the upcoming festivities. Unfortunately her premonition is ignored and later that evening, all the children in the village suddenly disappear. The townsfolk are baffled. Soon, every person becomes a suspect as residents frantically try to discover what happened to the children and how to get them back.
Purchase October 32nd Here
I was asked to review this book on behalf of the author. I was given an ePub version in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Firstly, this book is way underhyped. It's a cleverly and brilliantly written novel.
The plot is full of amazing twists and turns. I never knew what was about to happen, and that made for a great read full of suspense and expectation.
The characters are very well written. I love the character building for the main character, Alexander. He is very well explained and I found I could see inside his head very easily and understand him, without veering from the main story.
The writing flows really well from chapter to chapter. Most chapters ended on some sort of cliffhanger, which I really liked. It worked, and made me want to read on.
Something I liked...has to be the way this book launches right into the story, but manages to give us a clear impression of the main character at the same time. I actually found this really impressive, as I have been disappointed with books that take too long or too quick to get into the actual story. I also really enjoying the ending. It really wasn't what I expected, but it really fits the story.
Something I disliked...not much, really. The only thing I can really say is I found this book hard to read with a distraction. You do have to really focus on what's happening, so for some people certain parts may be confusing if you don't have your full attention on the novel.
My rating is…
★★★★
A great quick read.
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
April 12, 2016
I received a copy of this by the author and would very much like to thank Larry for that! I would also like to say that even without a copy being sent to me, I would definitely have picked up this book at some point myself.
The book follows Alexander Malefant as our main character and whose view point we follow throughout. He is a travelling salesman and on Halloween ends up in a small town called Elora. Over the past 50 years, Elora has won the trophy from its neighbouring town in their Halloween festivities. From the moment Alexander steps foot into Elora, strange things begin to happen. We are also introduced to numerous characters from the start such as Missy who is also considered to be a 'witch', families within Elora and the main individuals from the police department. As Alexander begins his appointments, the children of Elora disappear, with only their shoes left behind. As Alexander becomes involved in the search for the children, deep secrets within the town and our main characters are uncovered.
This novel was a very easy read and the whole book flowed throughout; this is something I always look for in a book. There was also a number of twists throughout about the disappearances and about some of our main characters. I certainly couldn't guess anything about what happened throughout which I certainly liked.
I wouldn't say that I loved any of the characters nor did I really hate any of the characters. The odd parent was a little annoying when trying to figure out what has happened but this didn't really bother me or make any difference. Our main character is also a little up and down in his nature - sometimes he wants to help and sometimes he wants to get out as fast as possible but this certainly helps steer us away from figuring out what happens which I also liked.
My only downfall with this book was the ending. I did like the ending and it certainly isn't what I was expecting. There was alot of hype throughout the book and it was fast-paced but I felt that there could have been more time spent on the ending with more detail as the rest of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a good solid storyline, well written and great plot twists. As I said before, this is a book I would pick up anyways and certainly look forward to anything written by Larry in the future.
The book follows Alexander Malefant as our main character and whose view point we follow throughout. He is a travelling salesman and on Halloween ends up in a small town called Elora. Over the past 50 years, Elora has won the trophy from its neighbouring town in their Halloween festivities. From the moment Alexander steps foot into Elora, strange things begin to happen. We are also introduced to numerous characters from the start such as Missy who is also considered to be a 'witch', families within Elora and the main individuals from the police department. As Alexander begins his appointments, the children of Elora disappear, with only their shoes left behind. As Alexander becomes involved in the search for the children, deep secrets within the town and our main characters are uncovered.
This novel was a very easy read and the whole book flowed throughout; this is something I always look for in a book. There was also a number of twists throughout about the disappearances and about some of our main characters. I certainly couldn't guess anything about what happened throughout which I certainly liked.
I wouldn't say that I loved any of the characters nor did I really hate any of the characters. The odd parent was a little annoying when trying to figure out what has happened but this didn't really bother me or make any difference. Our main character is also a little up and down in his nature - sometimes he wants to help and sometimes he wants to get out as fast as possible but this certainly helps steer us away from figuring out what happens which I also liked.
My only downfall with this book was the ending. I did like the ending and it certainly isn't what I was expecting. There was alot of hype throughout the book and it was fast-paced but I felt that there could have been more time spent on the ending with more detail as the rest of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a good solid storyline, well written and great plot twists. As I said before, this is a book I would pick up anyways and certainly look forward to anything written by Larry in the future.
July 14, 2016
Wow! October 32 by Larry Rodness was completely different than what I thought it would be. The whole book is written in the point of view of Alexander Malefant as he first enters the outskirts of this town to the very end of the book. Alex is only there to try to get the people there to buy insurance from his insurance agency but everything has gone wrong for him since he arrives there an hour early to the end.
Alex is seeing a little girl around the town that he has no clue who it is and no one really believes him about seeing her since all of the other towns kids are missing. To make it worse it’s really hot and foggy that everyone doesn’t know with why it’s like that. It seems like the towns past and Alex’s past are the ones that are coming forward to get justice.
Alex has heard about this fire that has happened fifty years ago in the town that had killed thirty-two kids and no one really knows the true story about what really happened that night except that it revolves around a trophy. A trophy which they have had for the past fifty years and one that has made it so that the town, Elora, can win.
The ending of this book is something that I completely didn’t think would happen. This book has kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing as I didn’t even know who killed those kids fifty years ago, or who took the kids, or even more with why all this happened when Alex got into town.
October 32 by Larry Rodness is a great book and one that I am giving five stars too. If anyone asks for a mystery recommendation, I would recommend this book. I will tell them that it is a great book to read especially as it is totally different from with what I imagined it to be from the synopsis.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this book review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUTHOR ASKED ME TO READ AND GIVE AN HONEST REVIEW FOR THIS BOOK!
To read more reviews like this one please visit my blog: baronessbooktrove.com
Alex is seeing a little girl around the town that he has no clue who it is and no one really believes him about seeing her since all of the other towns kids are missing. To make it worse it’s really hot and foggy that everyone doesn’t know with why it’s like that. It seems like the towns past and Alex’s past are the ones that are coming forward to get justice.
Alex has heard about this fire that has happened fifty years ago in the town that had killed thirty-two kids and no one really knows the true story about what really happened that night except that it revolves around a trophy. A trophy which they have had for the past fifty years and one that has made it so that the town, Elora, can win.
The ending of this book is something that I completely didn’t think would happen. This book has kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing as I didn’t even know who killed those kids fifty years ago, or who took the kids, or even more with why all this happened when Alex got into town.
October 32 by Larry Rodness is a great book and one that I am giving five stars too. If anyone asks for a mystery recommendation, I would recommend this book. I will tell them that it is a great book to read especially as it is totally different from with what I imagined it to be from the synopsis.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this book review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUTHOR ASKED ME TO READ AND GIVE AN HONEST REVIEW FOR THIS BOOK!
To read more reviews like this one please visit my blog: baronessbooktrove.com
March 24, 2016
October 32nd is perfect Halloween reading. I know, I know. I read it in February. Might go back and read it in October again. Probably a little too scary to read to my kids, so there goes that excuse!
I read a fair few novellas and short-ish tales, and quite a lot of them are the horror/mystery/creepy variety. Only occasional ones make it to review. Larry Rodness deserves to be here. October 32nd is an easy, absorbing read with a fresh plot, an atmospheric style and a clever set of twists.
Reminding me of the old Twilight Zone or Outer Limits stories, October 32nd tells the tale of an Insurance agent (Alexander Malefant) visiting a small US town called Elora in the line of work. It is Halloween and the town is in the opening throes of a Halloween festival that goes back decades, with – at its heart – competitions against other local towns for a trophy which Elora has won for the past 50 years. In the very beginning we are introduced to a woman considered a witch, families who feud and argue, inept police, the near fatal drowning of a boy, and a town which seems oddly out of place – a throwback to older days. But that’s just the start. When the town’s children go missing and their shoes are found hanging in a tree, everything explodes. The town’s ‘witch’ is vilified, accusations are thrown about, affairs uncovered, and a little of Malefant’s own clouded history begin to emerge. All in Elora is not what it seems, and it may not be by accident that Malefant is here on this day. A huge secret is about to unravel, but even that will not be the end of things.
There is more than one twist and turn in this fascinating tale, which is well plotted, well written and, unusually these days, surprisingly free of the typos and errors that seem endemic of indie or small-publisher releases. All in all a good read. And if you don’t fancy it now, bookmark it for Halloween.
I read a fair few novellas and short-ish tales, and quite a lot of them are the horror/mystery/creepy variety. Only occasional ones make it to review. Larry Rodness deserves to be here. October 32nd is an easy, absorbing read with a fresh plot, an atmospheric style and a clever set of twists.
Reminding me of the old Twilight Zone or Outer Limits stories, October 32nd tells the tale of an Insurance agent (Alexander Malefant) visiting a small US town called Elora in the line of work. It is Halloween and the town is in the opening throes of a Halloween festival that goes back decades, with – at its heart – competitions against other local towns for a trophy which Elora has won for the past 50 years. In the very beginning we are introduced to a woman considered a witch, families who feud and argue, inept police, the near fatal drowning of a boy, and a town which seems oddly out of place – a throwback to older days. But that’s just the start. When the town’s children go missing and their shoes are found hanging in a tree, everything explodes. The town’s ‘witch’ is vilified, accusations are thrown about, affairs uncovered, and a little of Malefant’s own clouded history begin to emerge. All in Elora is not what it seems, and it may not be by accident that Malefant is here on this day. A huge secret is about to unravel, but even that will not be the end of things.
There is more than one twist and turn in this fascinating tale, which is well plotted, well written and, unusually these days, surprisingly free of the typos and errors that seem endemic of indie or small-publisher releases. All in all a good read. And if you don’t fancy it now, bookmark it for Halloween.
July 24, 2016
Some stories have the ability to surprise you with a shock effect. This story was one amongst them. Loved the concept, the twists and turns....
Well, well, first things first. The plot revolves around a small town called Elora and its famous Halloween Fest. Right in the middle of the unexpected turn of events is an insurance agent and a woman labelled as a witch by the entire town. It makes you feel you are back into an era where single women who were not very social were termed so. Add to this missing children and the wrath of the residents. You can well imagine the harrowing experience the so-called 'witch' might be going through.
Larry has a flair to bring in twists and turns when they are least expected. But the best part is that they are never out of place. It is only a bit of mismatch due to slow tempo of the story line. However, this does not take away the fact that the story conjures up lovely visual imageries. There is an air of mystery and spookiness which acts as a magnet for the reader. If only the pace had been a bit more faster, the story would have not lost a star. Maybe patience on part of the reader would make it more comfortable to follow.
The protagonist is convincing as he essays the role of a misfit in an alien society. Narrated through his eyes, the other characters have their own flaws and misgivings, thereby adding to the spooky theme. There are ghosts, creepy images, but then, you need to read this to understand the nuances.
To sum up, I really enjoyed every bit of this book, though it did take me some time to get used to the slow pace. But the concept, the eeriness and the changing characters kept me hooked to it.
P.S- Read this book in July...but it has made me ponder what if there was an October 32!!! Thanks Larry.
Well, well, first things first. The plot revolves around a small town called Elora and its famous Halloween Fest. Right in the middle of the unexpected turn of events is an insurance agent and a woman labelled as a witch by the entire town. It makes you feel you are back into an era where single women who were not very social were termed so. Add to this missing children and the wrath of the residents. You can well imagine the harrowing experience the so-called 'witch' might be going through.
Larry has a flair to bring in twists and turns when they are least expected. But the best part is that they are never out of place. It is only a bit of mismatch due to slow tempo of the story line. However, this does not take away the fact that the story conjures up lovely visual imageries. There is an air of mystery and spookiness which acts as a magnet for the reader. If only the pace had been a bit more faster, the story would have not lost a star. Maybe patience on part of the reader would make it more comfortable to follow.
The protagonist is convincing as he essays the role of a misfit in an alien society. Narrated through his eyes, the other characters have their own flaws and misgivings, thereby adding to the spooky theme. There are ghosts, creepy images, but then, you need to read this to understand the nuances.
To sum up, I really enjoyed every bit of this book, though it did take me some time to get used to the slow pace. But the concept, the eeriness and the changing characters kept me hooked to it.
P.S- Read this book in July...but it has made me ponder what if there was an October 32!!! Thanks Larry.
March 17, 2016
This book is hard to put down! There were so many twists and turns and the plot was really well thought out and put together. I really liked the main character, probably because he was so blunt, but then at the end, once the secret is revealled, it makes you question everything you thought you knew about Alex. In fact, the ending makes you question everything. The supporting characters were also a great bunch, immoral and crazy perhaps and they had me shaking my head in disbelief occassionally, but still they made interesting characters - are all people from small towns this nuts? Also, I liked that even the supporting characters were seen to change and grow throughout the course of the book.
On one hand, I loved the ending and on the other I was a little disappointed. There was all this build up, but instead of exploding it just seemed to fade away. Not saying that's necessarily a bad thing and the ending was really clever, but I was still hoping for an explosion. I wanted to be scared, thrilled, but I wasn't...
I don't usually bother addressing this in reviews, since I know everyone prefers a different writing style, but I though the authors style of writing really fit this book. Also, I saw in several other reviews mentions about grammatical errors, but though I noticed a couple, I was too interested in the story for it to really bother me and I didn't spot many.
For more reviews or to see my favourite quotes from this book, check out my blog at http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow
On one hand, I loved the ending and on the other I was a little disappointed. There was all this build up, but instead of exploding it just seemed to fade away. Not saying that's necessarily a bad thing and the ending was really clever, but I was still hoping for an explosion. I wanted to be scared, thrilled, but I wasn't...
I don't usually bother addressing this in reviews, since I know everyone prefers a different writing style, but I though the authors style of writing really fit this book. Also, I saw in several other reviews mentions about grammatical errors, but though I noticed a couple, I was too interested in the story for it to really bother me and I didn't spot many.
For more reviews or to see my favourite quotes from this book, check out my blog at http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow
January 12, 2016
As a reviewer, I receive many requests to review books; however, I try not to read the synopsis as I want to be completely astounded. I go off of the title. I wasn't disappointed. The writing was polished and the story well developed. There is real craft in the writer's approach to draw the reader into the little town of Elora. I felt my presence there alongside the insurance agent, Alex, the main character, a stranger in a small town. For the sake of book reviewing, I don't have the time to read every book twice, but sometimes, I need to reread portions of the story again to reach some clarity about specifics in the plot or character development. In the beginning of the story the narrator, "protests too much, I think". He starts off telling the story..., "I love my job, I love my life." Does anyone really love their job and their life-simultaneously? Maybe some people do. The story possessed a hint of Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King rolled into one-and that's a compliment. The readers will uncover the mystery of the town Elora unravel as the past and present collide. Without spoiling the ending, Alex finds himself unable to leave the small town as a result of menacing circumstances. Alex has to come to terms with his own past as well, and as fate would have it, he realizes this during his visit in the town of Elora. Larry Rodness offers us a bit of the macabre. -M. Espinola
November 4, 2015
I have received this book for an honest review. First let me tell you that i have read books by Larry Rodness and i loved his writing and type of books. His books are fast paced and easy to read, i finish this one in just one day.
This is a book perfect for the Halloween readers, paranormal, Wicca and everything else combine to create a book that will make feel that you are apart of each adventure. My Question is , would you like to celebrate Halloween for more then one day ? Get away with scaring people ? After reading this book i have some ideas of how can i scare some people.
All the adventures is happening in a town called Elora and Alexander is a just coming to do some business but finds out later on that the actual town (not people) does not let anyone leave until they can fix what is going on. Honestly this book is amazing, i always know that something will happen has to be someone to blame , but it turns out that all my theories were wrong. Nothing is what it seams, everything is different, and trust me, you can not anticipate what is the actual truth in this book and who is to blame and why.
What i love the most about this book is that everyone 'turns stupid' when they find out what is going on. I was like ...WHY , this can not be happening... and truly praying that is not a prank or i will have a heart attack.
This is a book perfect for the Halloween readers, paranormal, Wicca and everything else combine to create a book that will make feel that you are apart of each adventure. My Question is , would you like to celebrate Halloween for more then one day ? Get away with scaring people ? After reading this book i have some ideas of how can i scare some people.
All the adventures is happening in a town called Elora and Alexander is a just coming to do some business but finds out later on that the actual town (not people) does not let anyone leave until they can fix what is going on. Honestly this book is amazing, i always know that something will happen has to be someone to blame , but it turns out that all my theories were wrong. Nothing is what it seams, everything is different, and trust me, you can not anticipate what is the actual truth in this book and who is to blame and why.
What i love the most about this book is that everyone 'turns stupid' when they find out what is going on. I was like ...WHY , this can not be happening... and truly praying that is not a prank or i will have a heart attack.
February 10, 2016
WELCOME TO ELORA, where Halloween is a serious business.
The Fall Halloween Festival is “a joyous event celebrated with costumes and music and the sweet smell of baked goods designed to super-charge the youngsters and play havoc with insulin levels of the elderly.” (16) There is also a myth, which has a common theme of having a “stranger who upsets the status quo and changes the lives of everyone forever.” (19)
Although the concept of this strange Halloween fest was alluring, the story was slow to capture my interest.
It seems our traveling insurance salesman has stumbled on a town of wacky country folk, which is undoubtedly the focal point in the story. It’s funny how the character made a reference to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds because that’s exactly what I was thinking during this book. The thing was though, as I was reading through endless scenery and tedious dialogue, I kept wondering one thing: When were the freaking birds going to attack?
I don’t know. This seemed like an interesting story with a nice cover design, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
The Fall Halloween Festival is “a joyous event celebrated with costumes and music and the sweet smell of baked goods designed to super-charge the youngsters and play havoc with insulin levels of the elderly.” (16) There is also a myth, which has a common theme of having a “stranger who upsets the status quo and changes the lives of everyone forever.” (19)
Although the concept of this strange Halloween fest was alluring, the story was slow to capture my interest.
It seems our traveling insurance salesman has stumbled on a town of wacky country folk, which is undoubtedly the focal point in the story. It’s funny how the character made a reference to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds because that’s exactly what I was thinking during this book. The thing was though, as I was reading through endless scenery and tedious dialogue, I kept wondering one thing: When were the freaking birds going to attack?
I don’t know. This seemed like an interesting story with a nice cover design, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
March 4, 2016
This book was given to me by the Author In Exchange For an Honest Review.
This was a incredible book full of great twists and awesome creativity. Larry Rodness always does a smashing job when it comes to writing and keeps his audience engaged and on their toes.
Elora is a town that is caught in mystery, a town that no one knows what is happening from on moment to the next, drownings, attacking by crows and the poor children disappearing. It all happens like the town is under a curse. who could be behind it? or could they all be!
I couldn't put the book down it was a incredible tale, The power and the creativity Rodness puts into every story is inspiring! you put yourself right into the tale so that your right beside the characters and see the fog roll in beside them, you see the crows attack and feel the very same fear they themselves feel.
I was intrigued by the tale from the start a tale about a town trapped in a time of Halloween! right up my ally! lol who doesn't love a spooky Halloween tale no matter the time of year! don't miss out on your chance to pick up your copy today!
This was a incredible book full of great twists and awesome creativity. Larry Rodness always does a smashing job when it comes to writing and keeps his audience engaged and on their toes.
Elora is a town that is caught in mystery, a town that no one knows what is happening from on moment to the next, drownings, attacking by crows and the poor children disappearing. It all happens like the town is under a curse. who could be behind it? or could they all be!
I couldn't put the book down it was a incredible tale, The power and the creativity Rodness puts into every story is inspiring! you put yourself right into the tale so that your right beside the characters and see the fog roll in beside them, you see the crows attack and feel the very same fear they themselves feel.
I was intrigued by the tale from the start a tale about a town trapped in a time of Halloween! right up my ally! lol who doesn't love a spooky Halloween tale no matter the time of year! don't miss out on your chance to pick up your copy today!
Read
January 4, 2016I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Alexander Malefant is a travelling life insurance salesman. He enjoys bringing peace of mind to families. His job brings him to the quaint town of Elora on Halloween. Preparations are underway for their annual festival, but upon his arrival, very peculiar things begin happening in the town. Will he be able to survive the night and help the people of this town reunite with their missing children?
This story took me completely by surprise. It has witches, ghosts and creepy people, like your typical horror story, but it also has an unexpected depth to it. This book has lots of action and leaves you unable to put the book down. Things aren't always what they seem and it gives you many "wow" moments. Larry Rodness has written another amazing story with an ending you won't see coming.
Alexander Malefant is a travelling life insurance salesman. He enjoys bringing peace of mind to families. His job brings him to the quaint town of Elora on Halloween. Preparations are underway for their annual festival, but upon his arrival, very peculiar things begin happening in the town. Will he be able to survive the night and help the people of this town reunite with their missing children?
This story took me completely by surprise. It has witches, ghosts and creepy people, like your typical horror story, but it also has an unexpected depth to it. This book has lots of action and leaves you unable to put the book down. Things aren't always what they seem and it gives you many "wow" moments. Larry Rodness has written another amazing story with an ending you won't see coming.
April 10, 2016
I was sent this story from the publisher for an honest review.
Larry Rodness weaves a fantastic story, with an unexpected ending.
This is the first I’ve read from this author, but I look forward to reading more. The characters were interesting and well rounded, giving the story a little bit of everything. Rodness gives you a taste of supernatural as well normal small town mentalities. The fear of parents, the digging up the past that most people would rather see left untouched, these were all touches in reality to keep the reader grounded.
Alexander is an unlikely hero, and must face his own demons in order to help the town face theirs, while Missy is the typical scapegoat for small minded, small town fears.
Well written and I look forward to more from this author.
Larry Rodness weaves a fantastic story, with an unexpected ending.
This is the first I’ve read from this author, but I look forward to reading more. The characters were interesting and well rounded, giving the story a little bit of everything. Rodness gives you a taste of supernatural as well normal small town mentalities. The fear of parents, the digging up the past that most people would rather see left untouched, these were all touches in reality to keep the reader grounded.
Alexander is an unlikely hero, and must face his own demons in order to help the town face theirs, while Missy is the typical scapegoat for small minded, small town fears.
Well written and I look forward to more from this author.
August 20, 2016
What a pleasant surprise this book is. So much more than I was expecting.
The lead character, Alexander is irritating as the narrative voice at times. And as a character, it is difficult to like him, even given his history. His selfish approach to the issues at hand underlines that feeling. However, it seems to me that this is precisely the response that the author was seeking to provoke. That friction with the main character, feeds into the edgy, uneasy impression left by this book.
With a real sense of the surreal and tension, I was fully expecting the story to follow a linear course. The final reveal was completely unexpected, but with hindsight, was completely in keeping with the tone of the book.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The lead character, Alexander is irritating as the narrative voice at times. And as a character, it is difficult to like him, even given his history. His selfish approach to the issues at hand underlines that feeling. However, it seems to me that this is precisely the response that the author was seeking to provoke. That friction with the main character, feeds into the edgy, uneasy impression left by this book.
With a real sense of the surreal and tension, I was fully expecting the story to follow a linear course. The final reveal was completely unexpected, but with hindsight, was completely in keeping with the tone of the book.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2015
I was given an ecopy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
The story that the author told in this novel is really intriguing. His explanations of scenes and characters were very well worded and well thought out. Even though the story is about ghosts and a town full of children disappearing, I would not consider it scary at all. I do NOT like horror books/movies at all. I enjoyed the mystery in this novel.
I did find a few grammatical errors, but not so much that I was turned off of the book.
Once I got into the story I had to keep reading. I was hooked and had to find out what happened next. I was totally surprised by the ending.
The story that the author told in this novel is really intriguing. His explanations of scenes and characters were very well worded and well thought out. Even though the story is about ghosts and a town full of children disappearing, I would not consider it scary at all. I do NOT like horror books/movies at all. I enjoyed the mystery in this novel.
I did find a few grammatical errors, but not so much that I was turned off of the book.
Once I got into the story I had to keep reading. I was hooked and had to find out what happened next. I was totally surprised by the ending.
December 21, 2015
Loved it!
This was a fun read. The characters and the town seem to come to life and once you start reading , you won't be able to put it down until finished. It draws u in and holds your interest throughout. I highly recommend .
This was a fun read. The characters and the town seem to come to life and once you start reading , you won't be able to put it down until finished. It draws u in and holds your interest throughout. I highly recommend .
May 23, 2017
I am sorry but I just did not love this book. I found it bizarre and found myself skipping through a good bit of it.
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