What do you think?
Rate this book
Unseemly: A Novella of Horror
Some discoveries are better left unmade.
Peter thought he was done with grave robbing, but when a former business partner lures him out to Dungarradh, a small Scottish island with a big secret, he finds himself waist deep in more than local folklore. Is the disappearance of his teammate truly the work of the legendary fae, or is a sinister force at play?
A brand-new tale of dark fantasy and horror, from the bestselling author of WHAT HIDES WITHIN and SEEING EVIL.
Peter thought he was done with grave robbing, but when a former business partner lures him out to Dungarradh, a small Scottish island with a big secret, he finds himself waist deep in more than local folklore. Is the disappearance of his teammate truly the work of the legendary fae, or is a sinister force at play?
A brand-new tale of dark fantasy and horror, from the bestselling author of WHAT HIDES WITHIN and SEEING EVIL.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
1 person is currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books690 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 18, 2025
3.5 stars. I'm a mark for interesting creatures in horror stories and this appeased me, ever so much. The writing was done very well, the premise was simple, but unique, and, overall, this was a good blend of fantasy and horror, as promised. Now, the pacing was a big issue for me. I really never got a good feel for our lead, Peter, as things rushed by a bit. He needed more character development, leading up to the mission to this Scottish island being presented to him. In doing just that, it would have made all other plot points and occurrences feel more significant. And I also wanted to sit with the story a bit more to let everything settle in my mind before progressing into the deeper parts of the plot, too. The book is fairly short and could have just used some additional content to bring it all together. However, it was still a strong effort by Jason Parent.
February 22, 2016
3.5*
A man named Peter travels to an island in Scotland to meet his less than respectable friend, Dervish, to discuss some probably illegal shenanigans. He's got a bad feeling from the get-go and he should have listened. That's all I can say about the plot of this novella.
The guy's going to an island in Scotland, so you already know this isn't going to turn out well. Scotland is home to how many scary legends and myths? Why, oh why, would you go despite your bad feelings about the situation? Of course horror stories almost all consist of someone doing something despite having a bad feeling about it, so that's cool.
Where the story didn't quite deliver for me was where Peter was concerned. I didn't much care for the guy, therefore I wasn't yelling at him, (other readers do that, right?), "Don't go, don't do it!", I was just "You should think about this" and moved on.
Unseemly was a quick reading novella that was a fun adventure with some shudder-causing twists that I didn't expect. For that reason I recommend it to fans of creature features and myth-based stories.
*I received a free review copy from Corpus Press in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
A man named Peter travels to an island in Scotland to meet his less than respectable friend, Dervish, to discuss some probably illegal shenanigans. He's got a bad feeling from the get-go and he should have listened. That's all I can say about the plot of this novella.
The guy's going to an island in Scotland, so you already know this isn't going to turn out well. Scotland is home to how many scary legends and myths? Why, oh why, would you go despite your bad feelings about the situation? Of course horror stories almost all consist of someone doing something despite having a bad feeling about it, so that's cool.
Where the story didn't quite deliver for me was where Peter was concerned. I didn't much care for the guy, therefore I wasn't yelling at him, (other readers do that, right?), "Don't go, don't do it!", I was just "You should think about this" and moved on.
Unseemly was a quick reading novella that was a fun adventure with some shudder-causing twists that I didn't expect. For that reason I recommend it to fans of creature features and myth-based stories.
*I received a free review copy from Corpus Press in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
January 31, 2016
4.5 stars.
UNSEEMLY: A Novella of Horror, by Jason Parent is the latest example of this author's vast writing skills. We begin with Peter Callum, a down-on-his-luck archeologist, arriving at a small village in Scotland after a call from the brutish Dervish--a "friend" who specializes in finding money through dubious means. When Peter first finds out what Dervish is onto, he scoffs at the notion. However, at some point during the narrative, he begins to think of the possibilities, "that maybe there was some truth to the legends . . ."
The irony of polar opposites working in conjunction with each other is a prevalent theme throughout this entire novella. We have Dervish and Peter--the oafish, greed-driven monster of a man, and a good-hearted one, led astray by the dangled lure of money to pay his child support; the calm, friendly veneer of the barmaid, verses the locals' unconcealed contempt and derision of outsiders; even the elements themselves are at odds with each other.
". . . a cool, crisp breeze that smelled of beauty and power, harmony and discord, and all the magic of the sea. And underneath it, the dank, dead, and putrefying odor of the tunnel . . ."
These counterparts--whether of personalities or nature--give the story a depth that so many in the novella range seem to miss. They make it possible to give more insight into the characters and atmosphere within a shorter format. The beauty of Scotland contrasted with the bugs and smell of decay that greets our explorers helped me hone in on the sense of danger and "otherworldliness" of the mission they are undergoing. Even Peter's initial disbelief is affected by these tensions. "In the midst of his racing thoughts, a subliminal message repeated: Run . . ."
I, personally, love when an author is able to take on a theme that I think I can predict, and turn it around completely. This is what Jason Parent brings to us: A fast-paced, richly atmospheric story of a legend, twisted beyond anything I was expecting.
"Some discoveries are better left unmade."
Highly recommended!
UNSEEMLY: A Novella of Horror, by Jason Parent is the latest example of this author's vast writing skills. We begin with Peter Callum, a down-on-his-luck archeologist, arriving at a small village in Scotland after a call from the brutish Dervish--a "friend" who specializes in finding money through dubious means. When Peter first finds out what Dervish is onto, he scoffs at the notion. However, at some point during the narrative, he begins to think of the possibilities, "that maybe there was some truth to the legends . . ."
The irony of polar opposites working in conjunction with each other is a prevalent theme throughout this entire novella. We have Dervish and Peter--the oafish, greed-driven monster of a man, and a good-hearted one, led astray by the dangled lure of money to pay his child support; the calm, friendly veneer of the barmaid, verses the locals' unconcealed contempt and derision of outsiders; even the elements themselves are at odds with each other.
". . . a cool, crisp breeze that smelled of beauty and power, harmony and discord, and all the magic of the sea. And underneath it, the dank, dead, and putrefying odor of the tunnel . . ."
These counterparts--whether of personalities or nature--give the story a depth that so many in the novella range seem to miss. They make it possible to give more insight into the characters and atmosphere within a shorter format. The beauty of Scotland contrasted with the bugs and smell of decay that greets our explorers helped me hone in on the sense of danger and "otherworldliness" of the mission they are undergoing. Even Peter's initial disbelief is affected by these tensions. "In the midst of his racing thoughts, a subliminal message repeated: Run . . ."
I, personally, love when an author is able to take on a theme that I think I can predict, and turn it around completely. This is what Jason Parent brings to us: A fast-paced, richly atmospheric story of a legend, twisted beyond anything I was expecting.
"Some discoveries are better left unmade."
Highly recommended!
August 23, 2021
That was absolutely terrifying! Especially if you suffer from arachnophobia like me.
June 12, 2016
UNSEEMLY: A Novella of Horror, by Jason Parent is the latest example of this author's vast writing skills. We begin with Peter Callum, a down-on-his-luck archeologist, arriving at a small village in Scotland after a call from the brutish Dervish--a "friend" who specializes in finding money through dubious means. When Peter first finds out what Dervish is onto, he scoffs at the notion. However, at some point during the narrative, he begins to think of the possibilities,
"that maybe there was some truth to the legends . . ."
The irony of polar opposites working in conjunction with each other is a prevalent theme throughout this entire novella. We have Dervish and Peter--the oafish, greed-driven monster of a man, and a good-hearted one, led astray by the dangled lure of money to pay his child support; the calm, friendly veneer of the barmaid, verses the locals' unconcealed contempt and derision of outsiders; even the elements themselves are at odds with each other.
". . . a cool, crisp breeze that smelled of beauty and power, harmony and discord, and all the magic of the sea. And underneath it, the dank, dead, and putrefying odor of the tunnel . . ."
These counterparts--whether of personalities or nature--give the story a depth that so many in the novella range seem to miss. They make it possible to give more insight into the characters and atmosphere within a shorter format. The beauty of Scotland contrasted with the bugs and smell of decay that greets our explorers helped me hone in on the sense of danger and "otherworldliness" of the mission they are undergoing. Even Peter's initial disbelief is affected by these tensions. "In the midst of his racing thoughts, a subliminal message repeated: Run . . ."
I, personally, love when an author is able to take on a theme that I think I can predict, and turn it around completely. This is what Jason Parent brings to us: A fast-paced, richly atmospheric story of a legend, twisted beyond anything I was expecting.
"Some discoveries are better left unmade."
Highly recommended!
The irony of polar opposites working in conjunction with each other is a prevalent theme throughout this entire novella. We have Dervish and Peter--the oafish, greed-driven monster of a man, and a good-hearted one, led astray by the dangled lure of money to pay his child support; the calm, friendly veneer of the barmaid, verses the locals' unconcealed contempt and derision of outsiders; even the elements themselves are at odds with each other.
". . . a cool, crisp breeze that smelled of beauty and power, harmony and discord, and all the magic of the sea. And underneath it, the dank, dead, and putrefying odor of the tunnel . . ."
These counterparts--whether of personalities or nature--give the story a depth that so many in the novella range seem to miss. They make it possible to give more insight into the characters and atmosphere within a shorter format. The beauty of Scotland contrasted with the bugs and smell of decay that greets our explorers helped me hone in on the sense of danger and "otherworldliness" of the mission they are undergoing. Even Peter's initial disbelief is affected by these tensions. "In the midst of his racing thoughts, a subliminal message repeated: Run . . ."
I, personally, love when an author is able to take on a theme that I think I can predict, and turn it around completely. This is what Jason Parent brings to us: A fast-paced, richly atmospheric story of a legend, twisted beyond anything I was expecting.
"Some discoveries are better left unmade."
Highly recommended!
March 6, 2017
Review: UNSEEMLY by Jason Parent
This novelette is just exceptional. I certainly did not expect it to unfold as it did, neither the denouement nor the conclusion. The poetic imagery throughout really inspires vividness, and there's a neat balance of "I really don't trust/shouldn't get involved" vs. sheer greed plus inertia. The outworking of the plot is deliciously scary. Definitely rereadable.
This novelette is just exceptional. I certainly did not expect it to unfold as it did, neither the denouement nor the conclusion. The poetic imagery throughout really inspires vividness, and there's a neat balance of "I really don't trust/shouldn't get involved" vs. sheer greed plus inertia. The outworking of the plot is deliciously scary. Definitely rereadable.
March 21, 2025
Unseemly is a short story/novella written by Jason Parent featuring a legend about an obscure Scottish Island. Peter is here for a black market payday and another grave-robbing experience. Although his true passion is archeology, he learned long ago that honest money didn't pay his bills.
He has come to the island to meet with past unsavory partners who have teamed up on other undesirable jobs. This one features an academically researched legend on the sidhe. Against his intuition and instincts, he continues with the job.
This was a quick read and very exciting. It is an enticing, fantastical horror story that ended abruptly. It made me feel like I was reading a more in-depth "Are You Afraid of the Dark" tale.
4 Stars!
He has come to the island to meet with past unsavory partners who have teamed up on other undesirable jobs. This one features an academically researched legend on the sidhe. Against his intuition and instincts, he continues with the job.
This was a quick read and very exciting. It is an enticing, fantastical horror story that ended abruptly. It made me feel like I was reading a more in-depth "Are You Afraid of the Dark" tale.
4 Stars!
March 14, 2017
I really dug this novelette from Jason Parent. Since I rarely read synopsis or reviews before diving into a work, I was unsure where this one would be going. Of course, after reading Jason’s “What Hides Within” and checking out the cover of this one, I pretty much assumed this was going to be some crazy dark fantasy story about spiders. *eek! Jumps up on the dining room table*
Well…I was wrong.
Sort of.
Ish.
That’s it! No spoilers!
There is very little f’n around here and the story gets right to it. I think this would have worked as a longer effort too, but Jason does a very good job keeping it in a shorter format – lean and mean. I already said, no spoilers here, so you will just have to give it a go for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this work from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well…I was wrong.
Sort of.
Ish.
That’s it! No spoilers!
There is very little f’n around here and the story gets right to it. I think this would have worked as a longer effort too, but Jason does a very good job keeping it in a shorter format – lean and mean. I already said, no spoilers here, so you will just have to give it a go for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this work from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2016
In this day and age where time is so precious, I find myself becoming increasingly appreciative of authors who can put together a tale in a relatively sparse number of pages, but lose none of the suspense while doing away with much of the unnecessary detail longer novels tend to include. Unseemly is one such novella, and it is very well written to boot by an up and coming author who also seems to be a mighty fine human being - at least based on my online interactions with him.
Not that it's a perfect novella. Because it does take a few extra pages to find its feet, and I was not quite convinced that the protagonist of the piece would have made some of the decisions he did.
But regardless of this, I found Jason Parent's Unseemly to be an exceptionally good horror novella for one major reason. The pity is I cannot reveal it here without giving away a massive spoiler. So I'll put it in the spoiler tags, but for the love of all that is horrific, do not read the next sentence until you've swiped through the last page of this tale.
Well worth the time of any reader who enjoys dark, imaginative horror fiction, Unseemly is another fantastic tale from the clearly warped mind of Parent.
4 Gut Instincts Worth Following for Unseemly.
Not that it's a perfect novella. Because it does take a few extra pages to find its feet, and I was not quite convinced that the protagonist of the piece would have made some of the decisions he did.
But regardless of this, I found Jason Parent's Unseemly to be an exceptionally good horror novella for one major reason. The pity is I cannot reveal it here without giving away a massive spoiler. So I'll put it in the spoiler tags, but for the love of all that is horrific, do not read the next sentence until you've swiped through the last page of this tale.
Well worth the time of any reader who enjoys dark, imaginative horror fiction, Unseemly is another fantastic tale from the clearly warped mind of Parent.
4 Gut Instincts Worth Following for Unseemly.
October 19, 2016
A special thanks to the author for sending this to me for free in exchange for a review!
This was a great twisty-turny novella. It has a touch of horror, a touch of science fiction, and a bit of fantasy. It was engaging as well, though I kept guessing wrong at every step! I enjoyed it and will look into more by the author. :)
This was a great twisty-turny novella. It has a touch of horror, a touch of science fiction, and a bit of fantasy. It was engaging as well, though I kept guessing wrong at every step! I enjoyed it and will look into more by the author. :)
March 13, 2017
Faeries aren't real...are they? Read to find out and it isn't a pretty sight. And so...Go figure. A Scottish tale of horror that isn't authored by Meikle. Parent did a good enough job with it. Having listened to Seeing Evil before, sort of knew what to expect and sure, this was about as diverting as expected, though maybe grosser than optimal enjoyment merits, but certainly nothing too disgusting for seasoned horror fans. For 40 minutes total, this novella entertains plenty. Thanks Netgalley.
February 1, 2016
"You sort of know where the story in this is going. You know what the main characters are after and want out of the story so you sort of know what to expect, and what to expect to come round the corner so to speak.
WRONG!!"
See here for the full review:
Unseemly
WRONG!!"
See here for the full review:
Unseemly
May 26, 2016
To tell too much about Jason Parent's little pinprick of a horror story, UNSEEMLY, would be to spoil it terribly and that would be, well, unseemly. The synopsis will have to suffice for that purpose. What can be said about this incredible tale is that it's chilling as hell, packed with edge of your seat action and a collection of quirky, three-dimensional characters that are interesting to follow and easy to like.
"Peter Callum stared at the behemoth with the slack jaw and handlebar mustache, slouching in a corner booth and guzzling down what Peter guessed to be his sixth or seventh beer. He wondered, and not for the first time, why in the sake of all that was good and holy and contrary to that hateful man had he come to Scotland."
Jason Parent is a talented and promising author with a small but impressive backlog of published titles including the exceptional, skin-creeping novel, SEEING EVIL (review here). That book was one of the most impressive novels of 2015 so it comes as no surprise to find that UNSEEMLY is a simultaneously delightful and terrifying read. One of the things that made SEEING EVIL such an impressive book was Parent's incredibly strong grasp of character development and character driven action, and the same is true of UNSEEMLY, a fact that's all the more impressive because of the extremely limited amount of space in which he has to build them up:
"“Fuck,” Peter muttered. Can’t leave now. He’s seen me. Do I really need the money this badly? But he knew that he did. He owed money everywhere: the bank for the mortgage on a house his ex-wife lived in with her new lover, Steve; the child support payments (for two kids that looked nothing like him) that always seemed due the second he scrounged up enough money to pay off the prior one; the piece of shit Hyundai he had to get to replace the BMW Steve now drove; and the more than frequent drinking and whoring and the occasional snort of coke he needed to get him through the lonely hours of night."
And it doesn't stop there. As the story progresses, we are fed bite size pieces of information that help us to paint a vivid picture of the relationship and history between Peter and Dervish, and we're led to care for what happens to them, what happens being a thing which is horrific in the extreme and not something that is easy to forget once the story is finished. You'll read this wonderful story in one sitting and find yourself wishing for more, the characters and the world Parent imagines around them capturing you and not wanting to let you go. And you won't want them to.
The book is too short to say much about it. As mentioned above, it would be way to easy to spoil it. Suffice it to say that Jason Parent is an extraordinarily talented author and UNSEEMLY is just one more piece of evidence in support of that statement. If you haven't read his work, this would be a great place to start. And after you read it you'll be wanting to check out Jason's Amazon author page to get the rest of his books, including SEEING EVIL and the new novella, WHERE WOLVES RUN.
"Peter Callum stared at the behemoth with the slack jaw and handlebar mustache, slouching in a corner booth and guzzling down what Peter guessed to be his sixth or seventh beer. He wondered, and not for the first time, why in the sake of all that was good and holy and contrary to that hateful man had he come to Scotland."
Jason Parent is a talented and promising author with a small but impressive backlog of published titles including the exceptional, skin-creeping novel, SEEING EVIL (review here). That book was one of the most impressive novels of 2015 so it comes as no surprise to find that UNSEEMLY is a simultaneously delightful and terrifying read. One of the things that made SEEING EVIL such an impressive book was Parent's incredibly strong grasp of character development and character driven action, and the same is true of UNSEEMLY, a fact that's all the more impressive because of the extremely limited amount of space in which he has to build them up:
"“Fuck,” Peter muttered. Can’t leave now. He’s seen me. Do I really need the money this badly? But he knew that he did. He owed money everywhere: the bank for the mortgage on a house his ex-wife lived in with her new lover, Steve; the child support payments (for two kids that looked nothing like him) that always seemed due the second he scrounged up enough money to pay off the prior one; the piece of shit Hyundai he had to get to replace the BMW Steve now drove; and the more than frequent drinking and whoring and the occasional snort of coke he needed to get him through the lonely hours of night."
And it doesn't stop there. As the story progresses, we are fed bite size pieces of information that help us to paint a vivid picture of the relationship and history between Peter and Dervish, and we're led to care for what happens to them, what happens being a thing which is horrific in the extreme and not something that is easy to forget once the story is finished. You'll read this wonderful story in one sitting and find yourself wishing for more, the characters and the world Parent imagines around them capturing you and not wanting to let you go. And you won't want them to.
The book is too short to say much about it. As mentioned above, it would be way to easy to spoil it. Suffice it to say that Jason Parent is an extraordinarily talented author and UNSEEMLY is just one more piece of evidence in support of that statement. If you haven't read his work, this would be a great place to start. And after you read it you'll be wanting to check out Jason's Amazon author page to get the rest of his books, including SEEING EVIL and the new novella, WHERE WOLVES RUN.
February 9, 2016
The novella, Unseemly, is my first read from author, Jason Parent. For a guy who hails from New England, Jason does a really nice job at painting a vivid and realistic picture of a secluded. island off of the northern coast of Scotland. Parent summons his inner Lovecraft as he introduces us to Peter, an archeologist who is trying to reform his checkered and seedy ways that he previously used to make his living. When he receives a call from his unscrupulous and former partner, Dervish, requesting his presence on another money-making, and probably highly illegal adventure, Peter is pulled back into the life that he's been trying to escape. His ex-wife bled him dry in a very messy divorce and the bill collectors were hot on his heels. What choice did he have? Upon arriving at the remote Scottish island of Dungarradh, he discovers an island that appears to be very prosperous, yet doesn't seem to have any means of industry or commerce that would support their seemingly lavish economy. At the local pub, Peter meets with Dervish and his cohorts to discuss the plan. What he learns is that Dervish's son is missing and that they're there to follow up on a lead of the origins of the legend of faeries. Peter thinks that they're crazy, but soon learns that all legends have to start from some grain of truth. And he'll soon wish that this was all only just a legend.
Parent does a nice job melding a nice atmospheric tale that harkens the Hammer film days with a Lovecraftian horror that seems to make the impossible possible. Unseemly is a quick read that will leave you wanting to discover Parent's back catalog.
4 Faeries by the Sea out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
Parent does a nice job melding a nice atmospheric tale that harkens the Hammer film days with a Lovecraftian horror that seems to make the impossible possible. Unseemly is a quick read that will leave you wanting to discover Parent's back catalog.
4 Faeries by the Sea out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
June 10, 2016
First of all, thanks to Mr. Jason Parent and my friend Brittany for sending me this book.
This was a horror novella. It starts with Peter (who has problem with money and family). Peter was lured by a old time partner in crime for a new job. Work promised money. But, Peter agreed to do it because his friend's son was lost during the surveillance (he liked the boy[young man] too). And from there on it's all about plans gone wrong and existence falling into horror.
I think the story wasn't bad, but I have a few complains about the storytelling. Lots of metaphors and long sentences were used. Then there were synonyms which didn't felt good either. But perhaps native readers will like it more and hopefully won't have this kind of troubles while reading.
Plot had a few twists and turns. I liked at least one of them. The things I expected didn't happen by the end, which was great! There is action, triumph and failure.
If you like horror stories, perhaps you can give it a go.
This was a horror novella. It starts with Peter (who has problem with money and family). Peter was lured by a old time partner in crime for a new job. Work promised money. But, Peter agreed to do it because his friend's son was lost during the surveillance (he liked the boy[young man] too). And from there on it's all about plans gone wrong and existence falling into horror.
I think the story wasn't bad, but I have a few complains about the storytelling. Lots of metaphors and long sentences were used. Then there were synonyms which didn't felt good either. But perhaps native readers will like it more and hopefully won't have this kind of troubles while reading.
Plot had a few twists and turns. I liked at least one of them. The things I expected didn't happen by the end, which was great! There is action, triumph and failure.
If you like horror stories, perhaps you can give it a go.
February 27, 2016
Jason Parent flexes his writing wings in this magnificent tale. It is a tale centered around fae, but you can remove any thoughts of Darby O'Gill from your disillusioned mind and sit back for a nasty little tale reminiscent of some long forgotten Tales from the Crypt episode. Jason writes a dark little story here. The characters are believeable and the horror just seems to drip from the page. Jason is beginning to show his talents as a writer and I really enjoyed this one. The atmosphere is thick and I could taste salt on my lips as I read it. If you enjoy your books filled with horror and written with a taste of fantasy, you owe it to yourself to check out Unseemly.
February 3, 2016
I received Unseemly as a gift from Jason Parent, without his intention of me reading it. However, once I read "Scottish Island with a big secret" how could I not be enticed!? It wouldn't quit calling me to read it. It's length made it easy to read quickly, yet he completely packed it full of just enough entertainment to make me feel satiated. I was highly impressed with this captivating work right from the start. The first half of the book held me engaged with hints, clues, and atmospheric suspense wrapped up with gothic elements as well as making me laugh with some expertly positioned humor. It reminded me of the earlier generations of gothic horror writing that I love so much. Jason's character development is the best I've seen it, especially considering it's a shorter piece, and the juxtaposition between Dervish and Peter, his main protagonists, showed that Jason has a solid understanding of the creation of man and his sidekick, much like Holmes and Watson of Arthur Conan Doyle. He built personalities easily defined with depth and dimension. I would love to see more of these two, or someone like these two, jetting around to eerie places on archaeological quests only to each time land upon a mystery of folklore that needs to be solved. His description and details of place/setting made locale easily visualized as well as his description of side characters. He created stark contrast between the men and the beauty of the bar maid. He easily entranced me to her as well as his characters. By the time we get to the second half of the story, I realized that Jason is not only creative, but a master storyteller that kept me turning pages even though I was horrified. He created foreboding and then blasted us with the horror of the situation and I, for one, am glad I wasn't on that Scottish shore. Very creepy in all the right ways. His monsters are unique and original and highly thought-out. I can't say enough about this book. It's like Sherlock Holmes meets the Twilight Zone or Alfred Hitchcock and then crossed over with Tales from the Crypt. If you like old-old-school horror, this one is a must for you. Well-written prose as sing-song as the lure of the beach.
February 14, 2016
Review from: http://beneaththeunderground.com
An adventurer, grave robber, and parent struggling to get his next child support payment made, Peter Callum decides to take one more job when a former business partner and part time friend, Dervish, lures him to small Scottish island by the name of Dungarradh. The draw is a mystery wrapped in a large payday. When Peter arrives, he will discover that some fairytales and local legends are far more terrifying in reality.
The town of Dungarradh holds many secrets. In a Straw Dogs/Wicker Man sort of way, the townsfolk are clearly keeping secrets from the get go. The bar and local businesses are adorned with riches that are almost impossible for such a remote island. With the disappearance of their friend, the two believe that the local folklore of fae hiding in the caves is only one of the secrets that the townsfolk are hiding.
Taking folklore of fairies and turning them into something vile and intense is the name of the game in this novella from Jason Parent. The writing is captivating, a sense of mystery and adventure leads the charge until Parent reveals his utterly horrifying finale. Trust me, this is one of the most memorable finales I have read in a long time. There isn’t a ton of twists and turns, just one shocking ending that will leave your jaw agape. Parent is on hot streak right now and Unseemly is yet another showcase for this talented writer that is elevating the genre. I can’t wait for his next story.
April 10, 2016
Peter Callum was once a grave robber but has given up that type of life. Peter gets word from a former business partner, that he has something lined up, that would make the both of them rich. Peter, is going through a messy divorce with his ex-wife and she was trying bleed him dry. So Peter, travels to Scotland, to see what Dervish has lined up for them. Scotland is the home of many myths and legends. When Peter, finds out what Dervish crazy plan is, he wants nothing to do with it. Like in most cases, greed seems to win most of the time. What Peter and Dervish find is not a treasure but a terrible nightmare in hell. Parent, does an excellent job in the development of his characters, which helps to make the story even stronger. This tale has a mixture of horror and fantasy. The is the second book that I have read by Jason Parent and have not been disappointed yet. I highly recommend this book!
October 6, 2022
Unseemly by Jason Parent
Jason Parent was kind enough to give me this novella after I had some issues with a kindle purchase. He did not ask anything from me and this is my unbiased review.
Fairies tend to be a tired theme to work with, but Mr. Parent was able to put his own spin on it. His descriptions of the action in this story are gruesome without being bloody, something that tends to be a challenge at times with authors. This story is a true horror to read, and what more could you ask from a horror story?
Jason Parent was kind enough to give me this novella after I had some issues with a kindle purchase. He did not ask anything from me and this is my unbiased review.
Fairies tend to be a tired theme to work with, but Mr. Parent was able to put his own spin on it. His descriptions of the action in this story are gruesome without being bloody, something that tends to be a challenge at times with authors. This story is a true horror to read, and what more could you ask from a horror story?
March 16, 2017
Novellas have a special place in my heart. They are short, to the point, and when well written they can be just as riveting as a full blown novel. Parent has succeeded in pulling that off with Unseemly. With such a short page count he has managed to tell a good horror story with, twists, a character you actually care about, and just enough back story peppered in to really suck you into this world.
Unseemly tells the tale of Peter, a down on his luck archeologist/grave robber, who is trying to earn an honest living. Unfortunately old habits die hard, and he is sucked back into that world he was trying to stay away from. With a phone call from one of his old associates, he ends up on a small Scottish island in the hunt for fairies, yes I said it, honest to goodness Scottish fairies.. and of course treasure. Against his better judgment, and with an untrustworthy crew, the adventure begins. Will he find treasure, fairies, or some unknown horror that awaits.
I have no real complaints about Unseemly. Parent did an excellent job telling a story that I feel was complete, and gave me everything I could want from a horror novella. This was the first time I have read any of his works, and I guarantee you I will be reading a lot more of them.
* I received a copy of this book for free with the For Love of a Book Advanced Reading Opportunity Program
Unseemly tells the tale of Peter, a down on his luck archeologist/grave robber, who is trying to earn an honest living. Unfortunately old habits die hard, and he is sucked back into that world he was trying to stay away from. With a phone call from one of his old associates, he ends up on a small Scottish island in the hunt for fairies, yes I said it, honest to goodness Scottish fairies.. and of course treasure. Against his better judgment, and with an untrustworthy crew, the adventure begins. Will he find treasure, fairies, or some unknown horror that awaits.
I have no real complaints about Unseemly. Parent did an excellent job telling a story that I feel was complete, and gave me everything I could want from a horror novella. This was the first time I have read any of his works, and I guarantee you I will be reading a lot more of them.
* I received a copy of this book for free with the For Love of a Book Advanced Reading Opportunity Program
September 25, 2017
I'll never be able to look at mermaids the same way.
That's for sure.
*I know it's a fae and not a mermaid.
But oh well.
Except the part where the book leaves you with a cliffhanger, what is more horrifying is that it doesn't have a sequel.
You heard me.
It had mystery, horror and grit at just the right proportion with some chilling twists which were really unexpected.
It wasn't earth-shatteringly good but good enough to make you think twice about going to take a piss alone.
Just saying.
The story is set in a forlorn piece of island in Scotland with creep branded everywhere but did the woman in that horror movie listen to me when I told her not to enter the kitchen to find out what the noise was all about?
Why should this be different.
So yeah, the protagonist, while his gut says otherwise, goes to this island and further the events unravel as they do.
Little does the Author know that Scotland was my Dream Destination: all rolling clouds, untouched expanse of green.
*Correction: Another thing I'll never be looking at the same way--Scotland.
Overall, I'll recommend this novella for a quick-read-and-creep.
Would like to thank the Author for this Review Copy in exchange of an honest review.
That's for sure.
*I know it's a fae and not a mermaid.
But oh well.
Except the part where the book leaves you with a cliffhanger, what is more horrifying is that it doesn't have a sequel.
You heard me.
It had mystery, horror and grit at just the right proportion with some chilling twists which were really unexpected.
It wasn't earth-shatteringly good but good enough to make you think twice about going to take a piss alone.
Just saying.
The story is set in a forlorn piece of island in Scotland with creep branded everywhere but did the woman in that horror movie listen to me when I told her not to enter the kitchen to find out what the noise was all about?
Why should this be different.
So yeah, the protagonist, while his gut says otherwise, goes to this island and further the events unravel as they do.
Little does the Author know that Scotland was my Dream Destination: all rolling clouds, untouched expanse of green.
*Correction: Another thing I'll never be looking at the same way--Scotland.
Overall, I'll recommend this novella for a quick-read-and-creep.
Would like to thank the Author for this Review Copy in exchange of an honest review.
July 20, 2016
While this was a fast read, the pace of the story was not - which in this case is not meant as criticism. Of course, the action traveled in high gear, but several descriptive scenes appeared like in slow motion, where you are able to notice every little detail in perfect clarity. Another well-working constrast of the story was between the mystical cute little fairies and the horrendous otherworldly creatures. (The first image that came to mind was the cuddly little Blawp from Lost in Space - caused by some weird mental short circuit I guess.)
While I did not care much for the colorless main character, and not at all for his shady companions, I loved the descriptions of the secret world they entered on their mission to find some real fairies or at least some valuable treasures. The ending was nasty of course, but somehow it managed to do so with a weird kind of grace. This novella conjures some very beautiful images to tell a not at all beautiful story...
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
While I did not care much for the colorless main character, and not at all for his shady companions, I loved the descriptions of the secret world they entered on their mission to find some real fairies or at least some valuable treasures. The ending was nasty of course, but somehow it managed to do so with a weird kind of grace. This novella conjures some very beautiful images to tell a not at all beautiful story...
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
November 14, 2016
I don't read a lot of fantasy. It's just generally not my thing. This novella was interesting and written well enough to keep me reading. A creepy short story that would be ideal for when you don't have a lot of time and crave a good read.
Peter has been called to a small island... and regrets it not long after he arrives. A former business partner he's done seedy things with in the past has lured him there with the promise of a big payday. His instincts are screaming for him to leave, as he'd rather not be associated with the man and he just has a bad feeling about the place. These thoughts only intensify when he learns what he's there for: chasing a legend that couldn't possibly be true. Right?
Peter has been called to a small island... and regrets it not long after he arrives. A former business partner he's done seedy things with in the past has lured him there with the promise of a big payday. His instincts are screaming for him to leave, as he'd rather not be associated with the man and he just has a bad feeling about the place. These thoughts only intensify when he learns what he's there for: chasing a legend that couldn't possibly be true. Right?
February 2, 2017
The story set in island of Scotland. In order to get money to pay his debt and child support payment, Peter Callum decides to Fly to an island to take job. The town holds many secrets and folklore about fairy tale. His friends Dervish plans to find and catch the fairy somewhere in that island. With the team set by four people they do the expedition which later they discover that the local legends are far more terrifying in reality.
Unseemly is a novella mix of horror and dark fantasy. It will leads the reader into the horrific adventure.
*I got a chance to read the book for free in exchange for the honest review
Unseemly is a novella mix of horror and dark fantasy. It will leads the reader into the horrific adventure.
*I got a chance to read the book for free in exchange for the honest review
August 30, 2016
Just the right mix of horror and fantasy to keep me intrigued enough to get me through to the fantastic ending. My kind of writer. I'll definitely be picking up some of Parent's other works.
August 5, 2016
**I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange of a honest review**
First of all, let me thanks the author for this opportunity.
It was the first time i read anything from Jason Parent, and i usually do not read horror books but i have to admit that this one is well written and that i like the plot of the story.
My rating was more 3.5* stars actually, and it was not because of something negative on the book but because i usually do not give more than 3* for short story's.
In this sort of books one does not have much time to get to know the MC and to empathize with them and because of that almost every time i read a SS i get to the end thinking i miss something.
In this one i almost not get this feeling, the speed of the story is great and in the end i have the sensation that, this is a prequel for something and all that happens here is to be continued.
I fell so sorry for Matt and i didn't know him and of course for Peter, and the final really surprise me
In general a great book that get me with the interest to know more about the worlds created by this author.
First of all, let me thanks the author for this opportunity.
It was the first time i read anything from Jason Parent, and i usually do not read horror books but i have to admit that this one is well written and that i like the plot of the story.
My rating was more 3.5* stars actually, and it was not because of something negative on the book but because i usually do not give more than 3* for short story's.
In this sort of books one does not have much time to get to know the MC and to empathize with them and because of that almost every time i read a SS i get to the end thinking i miss something.
In this one i almost not get this feeling, the speed of the story is great and in the end i have the sensation that, this is a prequel for something and all that happens here is to be continued.
I fell so sorry for Matt and i didn't know him and of course for Peter, and the final really surprise me
In general a great book that get me with the interest to know more about the worlds created by this author.
May 11, 2016
Jason Parent’s new book, “The Unseemly” is a juicy, quick read. Looking at the cover and reading the back jacket I definitely was ready one thing and was served something completely different…in the best possible way. In fact, the cover felt misleading until I got further into the story. Parent does a great job of placing the reader into the middle of the characters’ lives without the annoying sense that you don’t know any of their motivations or backstory. For such a small book, the pacing doesn’t feel rushed and events unfold in a logical and really unexpected way. I hate spoilers in reviews so I won’t reveal much of the plot. I will say I have read some similar stories within the horror genre and was glad I couldn’t “figure out” what was going to happen. The ending was truly not what I expected. I was left feeling glad I spent a hot summer afternoon enjoying this book. For the record, anything written by Jason Parent is well worth reading. He understands the things that universally scare people and then turns everything on its head. Another great addition to my growing number of Jason Parent books.
June 26, 2016
**I received a copy of this book from the For Love of a Book's Read & Review Opportunity Program
For such a short novella, I found this book haunting and atmospheric. I loved the mix of dark fantasy and horror. Although fast paced, this book took twists and turns that weren't confusing. It flowed really well and the writing was cohesive. The author Jason Parent does a great job of fleshing out his MC in just a handful of pages. Written from Peter's POV, you get a glimpse of his backstory as well as his emotions and thoughts on the dangerous expedition.
The worldbuilding was fantastic. I found the descriptions to be very lyrical. It really helped amp up the intrigue in the story. I loved the twist at the end although it was a bit sad. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author. I wish this was book was a part of a series but it makes for a great standalone as well.
For such a short novella, I found this book haunting and atmospheric. I loved the mix of dark fantasy and horror. Although fast paced, this book took twists and turns that weren't confusing. It flowed really well and the writing was cohesive. The author Jason Parent does a great job of fleshing out his MC in just a handful of pages. Written from Peter's POV, you get a glimpse of his backstory as well as his emotions and thoughts on the dangerous expedition.
The worldbuilding was fantastic. I found the descriptions to be very lyrical. It really helped amp up the intrigue in the story. I loved the twist at the end although it was a bit sad. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author. I wish this was book was a part of a series but it makes for a great standalone as well.
February 28, 2016
I saw Mr. Parent wrote a new book. I had to check it out. I would break this book up into three parts. First part is character building. Second part is set up of their adventure. Third part is all the action and horror. It's a quick story. I was surprised Jason was writing about the Fae. It made me wonder and laugh a bit then everything started to happen and I felt, . There was some major twists but if you pay attention to some of the minor characters in the story, you will start to figure out certain things through out. Hint, the cover will point you in the direction of where this story goes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews