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Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales
A terrifying tale of claustrophobia reveals a dark secret even more disturbing than the present ordeal. What should be an idyllic family reunion turns to trauma when a demon from the past reappears to claim its victim. An innocent girl investigating a series of brutal murders becomes warped in ways one cannot imagine. And a pit stop along a long highway drive may lead to love, or it may be the final destination in a bizarre twist of fate…
Award-winning mystery novelist Perry Prete returns with Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales, an anthology of unsettling horror stories that are sure to leave you shivering as you triple-check your locked door. Get ready to experience a weird world as you journey along Highway 7!
Award-winning mystery novelist Perry Prete returns with Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales, an anthology of unsettling horror stories that are sure to leave you shivering as you triple-check your locked door. Get ready to experience a weird world as you journey along Highway 7!
- GenresHorror
309 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 19, 2016
I have to admit that I did not like either of the first two stories in Highway 7. But the following two, 'Social Studies' and 'Highway 7' more than made up for them, so much so that I am going to pretend that those first two do not even exist.
In Social Studies the life of a first year university student is changed forever by the topic of a paper the professor sets and in Highway 7 a man is forced by car trouble to make a stop in a backwater town on Highway 7. And while neither of these may sound that interesting, what Perry Prete does with them is spellbinding, almost breath-taking!
I am so glad I did keep reading as I was very tempted to stop after neither of the first two did anything for me. In fact, I downright disliked both of them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sands Press for the digital ARC of Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
In Social Studies the life of a first year university student is changed forever by the topic of a paper the professor sets and in Highway 7 a man is forced by car trouble to make a stop in a backwater town on Highway 7. And while neither of these may sound that interesting, what Perry Prete does with them is spellbinding, almost breath-taking!
I am so glad I did keep reading as I was very tempted to stop after neither of the first two did anything for me. In fact, I downright disliked both of them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sands Press for the digital ARC of Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
October 2, 2015
The stories in Highway 7 by Perry Prete are definitely dark but in a pleasantly surprising way. The tales themselves are very interesting but what puts this collection in the must read category has more to do with how the stories are told.
In some ways the descriptive prose in minimalist. Not in the sense that things are left out or not given in enough detail but that they are given in just enough detail. You can picture the locations and follow along just fine but the excessive and sometimes hyperbolic description of so much contemporary fiction is missing. This serves to keep the reader attentive because an unusual detail may well be presented with no more embellishment than whether it was sunny or cloudy. In other words, the dark elements are simply elements in the story which makes them seem somehow more plausible. And it is at those points it pays to double check the doors and windows.
This will certainly be enjoyed by readers of suspense, thrillers and even horror but I think this collection will also interest those who simply love the short story form. This manner of storytelling is seldom seen even though it is quite effective. While the comparison might not hold up to close scrutiny, these tales reminded me a bit of Poe's short works where the movement of a drape may or may not be a draft but it still helps to set the scene.
Reviewed from an ARC made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
In some ways the descriptive prose in minimalist. Not in the sense that things are left out or not given in enough detail but that they are given in just enough detail. You can picture the locations and follow along just fine but the excessive and sometimes hyperbolic description of so much contemporary fiction is missing. This serves to keep the reader attentive because an unusual detail may well be presented with no more embellishment than whether it was sunny or cloudy. In other words, the dark elements are simply elements in the story which makes them seem somehow more plausible. And it is at those points it pays to double check the doors and windows.
This will certainly be enjoyed by readers of suspense, thrillers and even horror but I think this collection will also interest those who simply love the short story form. This manner of storytelling is seldom seen even though it is quite effective. While the comparison might not hold up to close scrutiny, these tales reminded me a bit of Poe's short works where the movement of a drape may or may not be a draft but it still helps to set the scene.
Reviewed from an ARC made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
November 13, 2019
The stories are short, so I didn’t have time to get lost in them, but I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be Social Studies.
THE ELEVATOR: This was one creepy story and it had my mind wondering what was real and what was I imagining as I got lost in the dark…trapped in the elevator and in my own mind. Well done. 4 Stars
REUNION: It had been five years since his girlfriend went missing when the creature attacked and he had been back for a family reunion. Sad, frightening, but ya gotta hang in til the end because ya just never know. 4 Stars
SOCIAL STUDIES: One assignment = one grade and it took over her life. I didn’t see where this going and, wow, it was all over the place and I loved it. 4 Stars
HIGHWAY 7: Predictable, now you see it, now you don’t, but with a twist and I loved it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Highway 7 by Perry Prete.
See more at fundinmental
THE ELEVATOR: This was one creepy story and it had my mind wondering what was real and what was I imagining as I got lost in the dark…trapped in the elevator and in my own mind. Well done. 4 Stars
REUNION: It had been five years since his girlfriend went missing when the creature attacked and he had been back for a family reunion. Sad, frightening, but ya gotta hang in til the end because ya just never know. 4 Stars
SOCIAL STUDIES: One assignment = one grade and it took over her life. I didn’t see where this going and, wow, it was all over the place and I loved it. 4 Stars
HIGHWAY 7: Predictable, now you see it, now you don’t, but with a twist and I loved it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Highway 7 by Perry Prete.
See more at fundinmental
September 6, 2015
This book contains four short stories that makes you feel you entered the twilight zone. Praise for Perry Prete for these magnificent stories. By the third story “Social Studies” I was biting my nails with the tension filling up of a tale that begins so in touch with reality and the problems with modern technology that should concern every one and then everything just flips and it’s so gripping that I could not put my Ipad down till I finished. The fourth was also a very disturbing tale that freaked me out. I say it in the kindest way, since that is the effect a book like this should have. I’m a great fan of horror and thrillers and this one doesn’t disappoint. I can say that he will be in my list of authors to follow since I did not know is work before. Really looking forward to his next novel.
Note: I got this book free from Netgalley for review purposes.
Note: I got this book free from Netgalley for review purposes.
October 14, 2015
was shocked as I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought. I didn't find the stories really finished properly and I was asking what happened
August 26, 2015
A demonic family reunion, a girl caught up in some messy murders, and a pit stop for love going horribly wrong... Every story in this collection gives you chills and drives you deeper into the darkness. Read all at once or over a few days, this gripping anthology will have you leaving a light on by the last page. Lovers of horror... this is a definite must.
February 10, 2017
Read this review at my blog Wonderless Reviews
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Highway 7 is a collection of 4 short horror stories. Each story deals with different creepy scenarios including: claustrophobia in a broken down elevator (The Elevator), a reunion involving monsters (The Reunion), a young woman getting too involved in a serial killer's murders (Social Studies) and a mysterious town on a long highway (Highway 7).
I don't normally read short stories or adult fiction, but seeing as this was horror I decided to give it a go! Maybe it's because adult fiction isn't really my thing, but I found myself not loving the stories like I normally would a horror book. However, please don't let that deter you from this book because if you are a fan of adult horror fiction then you will definitely enjoy this. Despite my personal preferences I did have a lot of fun reading this. I found myself very interested in how everything was going to end. There were a lot of unanswered questions, but that's to be expected with horror and short stories.
My favourite stories from this collection were The Reunion and Highway 7. I loved reading about all the myths about the monster/demon in The Reunion and really enjoyed the main character. Highway 7's setting was incredible. I could vividly picture this little old, mysterious town. Despite being a short story all the characters were incredibly interesting and all had their own personalities. I found myself wanting to know everything about them. I love the concept of how the town came to be and whilst the twist confused me a little it was definitely very interesting. I could have definitely read a full length novel of this story. The Elevator was quite creepy as I am terrified of being stuck in one. Going into this I thought Social Studies would be my favourite, but I guess I'm too much of a millennial ;) It had really great horror elements though and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was really interesting seeing a female character act the way she did instead of the usual male character. It was great being in the main character's mind, she was brilliantly disturbing.
I really recommend that lovers of adult horror and short stories read this collection, because it is definitely something you need to experience for yourself. You'll find yourself wanting to get to the last page and then once you're there, wishing it would keep going. Highway 7 was a really fun read and despite not really being an adult fiction fan I would definitely give more of Perry Prete's stories a go after reading this.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Highway 7 is a collection of 4 short horror stories. Each story deals with different creepy scenarios including: claustrophobia in a broken down elevator (The Elevator), a reunion involving monsters (The Reunion), a young woman getting too involved in a serial killer's murders (Social Studies) and a mysterious town on a long highway (Highway 7).
I don't normally read short stories or adult fiction, but seeing as this was horror I decided to give it a go! Maybe it's because adult fiction isn't really my thing, but I found myself not loving the stories like I normally would a horror book. However, please don't let that deter you from this book because if you are a fan of adult horror fiction then you will definitely enjoy this. Despite my personal preferences I did have a lot of fun reading this. I found myself very interested in how everything was going to end. There were a lot of unanswered questions, but that's to be expected with horror and short stories.
My favourite stories from this collection were The Reunion and Highway 7. I loved reading about all the myths about the monster/demon in The Reunion and really enjoyed the main character. Highway 7's setting was incredible. I could vividly picture this little old, mysterious town. Despite being a short story all the characters were incredibly interesting and all had their own personalities. I found myself wanting to know everything about them. I love the concept of how the town came to be and whilst the twist confused me a little it was definitely very interesting. I could have definitely read a full length novel of this story. The Elevator was quite creepy as I am terrified of being stuck in one. Going into this I thought Social Studies would be my favourite, but I guess I'm too much of a millennial ;) It had really great horror elements though and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was really interesting seeing a female character act the way she did instead of the usual male character. It was great being in the main character's mind, she was brilliantly disturbing.
I really recommend that lovers of adult horror and short stories read this collection, because it is definitely something you need to experience for yourself. You'll find yourself wanting to get to the last page and then once you're there, wishing it would keep going. Highway 7 was a really fun read and despite not really being an adult fiction fan I would definitely give more of Perry Prete's stories a go after reading this.
April 14, 2016
Cue the Twilight Zone music! These creepy tales would feel right at home in that show. Anyone who knows me knows this right here is my absolute favorite kind of book, a book of short stories. (And it has nothing to do with reading less. An 800 page book takes me 2-3 days.) Having the ability to scare the pants off people with a word limit is that much more impressive than say scaring me a little after a few hundred pages. Since one of these stories is about the very thing that absolutely terrifies me the most (no I won't tell you which one) this book has managed to produce at least one nightmare and loss of a few hours of sleep. I cannot think of a better compliment to a horror writer. :)
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
March 17, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This is quite a good selection of short stories. Though not your regular horror fare they range from mildly creepy to raising the hair on the back of your neck. Enjoyable and recommended.
This is quite a good selection of short stories. Though not your regular horror fare they range from mildly creepy to raising the hair on the back of your neck. Enjoyable and recommended.
June 13, 2016
A good short story collection
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/highwa... or http://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/highwa... or http://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter @josenher
October 21, 2015
Just an okay read. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be.
March 24, 2016
I got a message through Netgalley, with the question if I could maybe read and review this book. I'm all about that free content, really love horror and the ACR was getting 5 star reviews; so why not ?!
Sadly, I'm not a fan. I firmly believe that reading should stay fun, so I put the book away after the first two stories.
I'm having trouble finding the right words (lost in translation) to describe the dialogues and the characters, but amateurish and overly detailed come really close. The women are either sexual objects or powerless victims, and seem to exist solely to give the male protagonist a mission or a cause, or to boost his ego, and besides that they're empty shells. I really hoped that Teena would kick a little more ass, especially after her intro which really makes her come across as independent and in charge, but she spends the entire story either blubbering in a corner or talking up the guard, Quinn. Quinn I was done with as soon as there was mention of him having weeks of creepshots of Teena on his phone.
The horror wasn't really horrifying in either tales, but long-winded, slowly progressing and with a sudden and unfulfilling end.
Two stars because the author did manage to surprise me somewhat with the ending of the second tale.
Sadly, I'm not a fan. I firmly believe that reading should stay fun, so I put the book away after the first two stories.
I'm having trouble finding the right words (lost in translation) to describe the dialogues and the characters, but amateurish and overly detailed come really close. The women are either sexual objects or powerless victims, and seem to exist solely to give the male protagonist a mission or a cause, or to boost his ego, and besides that they're empty shells. I really hoped that Teena would kick a little more ass, especially after her intro which really makes her come across as independent and in charge, but she spends the entire story either blubbering in a corner or talking up the guard, Quinn. Quinn I was done with as soon as there was mention of him having weeks of creepshots of Teena on his phone.
The horror wasn't really horrifying in either tales, but long-winded, slowly progressing and with a sudden and unfulfilling end.
Two stars because the author did manage to surprise me somewhat with the ending of the second tale.
November 14, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Very well written stories that make me want to keep reading. My attention was grabbed from the beginning of each of these short stories.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews