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Wind Chill
What if you were held captive by your own family?Emma Rawlins has spent the last year a prisoner. The months following her mother's death dragged her father into a paranoid spiral of conspiracy theories and doomsday premonitions. Obsessing him, controlling him, they now whisper the end days are finally at hand.
And he doesn’t intend to face them alone.
Emma finds herself drugged and dragged to a secluded cabin, the last refuge from a society supposedly due to collapse. Their cabin a snowbound fortress, her every move controlled, but even that isn't enough to weather the end of the world.
Everything she knows is out of reach, lost beyond a haze of white. There is no choice but to play her father's game while she plans her escape.
But there is a force far colder than the freezing drifts. Ancient, ravenous, it knows no mercy. And it's already had a taste...
Wind Chill also contains 8 original
The Fear The local king of Halloween finds himself outdone by a new neighbor and becomes compelled to discover what secrets lie in the haunted house across the street.Bang!: A rivalry between two creatures of the night takes a black-humored twist.Little Red A break down leaves a woman stranded on the wrong side of town—and witness to a bizarre performance that can warp time as easily as it does Still mourning his little brother’s death, an aging wave slave finds comfort in the local playground. But he can’t help but wonder about the strange child who lingers there after dark.Jump Bitter and dejected, a spinster discovers a way to reconnect with the warmer shades of the human experience. And her own regrets.The Skin A one-night stand leaves a businessman with an unthinkable cargo.Carrying on the proud tradition of Gene O'Neill, Clive Barker, and Kealan Patrick Burke.
Proudly brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing – Tales from the Darkest Depths
Interview with the
What makes Wind Chill so special?
Patrick Wind Chill explores a twisted family dynamic as much as the supernatural--and all the conflicting emotions attached to someone you love and hate at the same time. Worse, the isolated setting means there really is no way to walk away from this one.
Tell us more about your lead character.
Patrick Emma is a teenager struggling through the death of her mother while trying to cope with a father left increasingly paranoid from the same incident. The whole experience has left her morbid and rather cynical. She’s basically stepping into a cage whenever she enters her house, and her father doesn’t let her leave it often. Her feelings on him are torn between the man she remembers and the unhinged (albeit well-meaning) prison warden he’s become.
Why should readers give Wind Chill a try?
Patrick I’m very proud of the complexity of the relationship that exists between t
And he doesn’t intend to face them alone.
Emma finds herself drugged and dragged to a secluded cabin, the last refuge from a society supposedly due to collapse. Their cabin a snowbound fortress, her every move controlled, but even that isn't enough to weather the end of the world.
Everything she knows is out of reach, lost beyond a haze of white. There is no choice but to play her father's game while she plans her escape.
But there is a force far colder than the freezing drifts. Ancient, ravenous, it knows no mercy. And it's already had a taste...
Wind Chill also contains 8 original
The Fear The local king of Halloween finds himself outdone by a new neighbor and becomes compelled to discover what secrets lie in the haunted house across the street.Bang!: A rivalry between two creatures of the night takes a black-humored twist.Little Red A break down leaves a woman stranded on the wrong side of town—and witness to a bizarre performance that can warp time as easily as it does Still mourning his little brother’s death, an aging wave slave finds comfort in the local playground. But he can’t help but wonder about the strange child who lingers there after dark.Jump Bitter and dejected, a spinster discovers a way to reconnect with the warmer shades of the human experience. And her own regrets.The Skin A one-night stand leaves a businessman with an unthinkable cargo.Carrying on the proud tradition of Gene O'Neill, Clive Barker, and Kealan Patrick Burke.
Proudly brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing – Tales from the Darkest Depths
Interview with the
What makes Wind Chill so special?
Patrick Wind Chill explores a twisted family dynamic as much as the supernatural--and all the conflicting emotions attached to someone you love and hate at the same time. Worse, the isolated setting means there really is no way to walk away from this one.
Tell us more about your lead character.
Patrick Emma is a teenager struggling through the death of her mother while trying to cope with a father left increasingly paranoid from the same incident. The whole experience has left her morbid and rather cynical. She’s basically stepping into a cage whenever she enters her house, and her father doesn’t let her leave it often. Her feelings on him are torn between the man she remembers and the unhinged (albeit well-meaning) prison warden he’s become.
Why should readers give Wind Chill a try?
Patrick I’m very proud of the complexity of the relationship that exists between t
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2016
4 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Rutigliano
16 books27 followersPatrick Rutigliano made his way as a fry cook, cart monkey and feral cat tamer before going into business for himself. Working as an editor and proofreader in addition to writing, his first independent release, "The Untimely Deaths of Daryl Handy," hit Amazon in 2013. His newest book, "Wind Chill," was released by Crystal Lake Publishing in 2016.
During his off time, Patrick can usually be found attempting to recreate foreign cuisine, performing the solemn duty of feline waterbed and having spirited debates with his wife over the failings of Disney villains.
Further information is available at http://www.patrickrutigliano.wordpres...
During his off time, Patrick can usually be found attempting to recreate foreign cuisine, performing the solemn duty of feline waterbed and having spirited debates with his wife over the failings of Disney villains.
Further information is available at http://www.patrickrutigliano.wordpres...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 7, 2016
I only recently discovered Crystal Lake Publishing when Joe Mynhardt contacted me about a few books he thought I might like to review. That interaction led me to the work of Mercedes M. Yardley, whose book, LITTLE DEAD RED, I recently reviewed. Another author whose work I discovered through our interactions is Patrick Rutigliano and it's his new book, WIND CHILL, that I want to talk about today.
WIND CHILL is a collection containing the titular novella plus eight bonus shorts that are quick, entertaining little reads that I highly recommend you don't pass up. But I'm going to focus mostly on WIND CHILL here.
The first thing you experience going into this book is a sense of insidious fear that lingers throughout the story as Rutigliano leads us into the narrative with the following passage:
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph’s left nut!
Eric Kinley woke up blind to the frozen world around him, but not to the grin that had followed him back from sleep. The face leered at him through the darkness behind his eyes. Pale cheeks squelched like maggots as the grin widened. The lipless mouth said nothing, the teeth inside clenching so tight the incisors cracked."
It's hard to talk about this book that seems to have at least one new surprise in every chapter. It would be extremely easy to spoil something important with even minor plot descriptions that go beyond the book's synopsis so I'm not going to do that. Instead I'm going to talk about the thing that makes this book work, that keeps you reading until the shocking climax. That thing is Patrick Rutigliano's ability to build tension and dread with each scene, piling despair upon despair and keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.
WIND CHILL is a survival horror story that approaches an old myth with a new and fascinating twist, while at the same time presenting us with an ever deepening mystery that draws Emma, the protagonist, into a living nightmare that she may never escape from. Rutigliano has crafted a brutal gut punch of a tale that takes you from start to horrific finish so fast your head will spin, leaving you stunned and wanting more, something that would be very easy to provide. While WIND CHILL is a satisfying and complete novella as it is, it would lend itself well to a beefier novel length retelling, going deeper into the back story and the events that happen in the remote, snowbound forest.
WIND CHILL is a quick, entertaining read by an author that I will definitely keep an eye on, and I recommend that you also do so. And don't forget those eight bonus stories I mentioned. There's a lot of enjoyment to be had there as well, mostly horrific but also bordering on hilarious at times. Rutigliano has talent in heaps and a descriptive voice that keeps you engaged throughout the book.
WIND CHILL is a collection containing the titular novella plus eight bonus shorts that are quick, entertaining little reads that I highly recommend you don't pass up. But I'm going to focus mostly on WIND CHILL here.
The first thing you experience going into this book is a sense of insidious fear that lingers throughout the story as Rutigliano leads us into the narrative with the following passage:
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph’s left nut!
Eric Kinley woke up blind to the frozen world around him, but not to the grin that had followed him back from sleep. The face leered at him through the darkness behind his eyes. Pale cheeks squelched like maggots as the grin widened. The lipless mouth said nothing, the teeth inside clenching so tight the incisors cracked."
It's hard to talk about this book that seems to have at least one new surprise in every chapter. It would be extremely easy to spoil something important with even minor plot descriptions that go beyond the book's synopsis so I'm not going to do that. Instead I'm going to talk about the thing that makes this book work, that keeps you reading until the shocking climax. That thing is Patrick Rutigliano's ability to build tension and dread with each scene, piling despair upon despair and keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.
WIND CHILL is a survival horror story that approaches an old myth with a new and fascinating twist, while at the same time presenting us with an ever deepening mystery that draws Emma, the protagonist, into a living nightmare that she may never escape from. Rutigliano has crafted a brutal gut punch of a tale that takes you from start to horrific finish so fast your head will spin, leaving you stunned and wanting more, something that would be very easy to provide. While WIND CHILL is a satisfying and complete novella as it is, it would lend itself well to a beefier novel length retelling, going deeper into the back story and the events that happen in the remote, snowbound forest.
WIND CHILL is a quick, entertaining read by an author that I will definitely keep an eye on, and I recommend that you also do so. And don't forget those eight bonus stories I mentioned. There's a lot of enjoyment to be had there as well, mostly horrific but also bordering on hilarious at times. Rutigliano has talent in heaps and a descriptive voice that keeps you engaged throughout the book.
January 29, 2016
Short, compact and to the point, Wind Chill is the kind of novella one would want to keep and read more than once. Emma's dad is crazy, and maybe even dangerous. That at least is the impression one gets when one meets this paranoid man who abducts his daughter to a so-called safe house. But what is he afraid of? The end of the world or something even more sinister?
As any good story should, Wind Chill starts with a scene that grips your imagination. Two hunters who have a supernatural experience after following an unusual buck is bound to get and hold the attention of most readers.
The characters in this novella are superbly crafted and well fleshed out. The main character, Emma, is lifelike and draws the reader’s attention from the start. A typical rebellious teen, Emma gives her father a hard time about his decisions. Fortunately, when she has to take control, she handles situations with remarkable maturity.
Her father, clearly a troubled man, is portrayed with the kind of realism that will make the reader remember him for a long time. The other stories that make up the balance of the book present the reader with a variety of tales, scary enough to make your skin crawl.
For those readers new to the horror genre, this novella, as well as the short stories, will be a thrilling and often frightening read. For the seasoned horror fan, Wind Chill offers a whole new and innovative take on the darker side of folklore. This is a must-read for all fans of supernatural thrillers and fiction, built on cleverly applied Native American mythology. (Ellen Fritz)
As any good story should, Wind Chill starts with a scene that grips your imagination. Two hunters who have a supernatural experience after following an unusual buck is bound to get and hold the attention of most readers.
The characters in this novella are superbly crafted and well fleshed out. The main character, Emma, is lifelike and draws the reader’s attention from the start. A typical rebellious teen, Emma gives her father a hard time about his decisions. Fortunately, when she has to take control, she handles situations with remarkable maturity.
Her father, clearly a troubled man, is portrayed with the kind of realism that will make the reader remember him for a long time. The other stories that make up the balance of the book present the reader with a variety of tales, scary enough to make your skin crawl.
For those readers new to the horror genre, this novella, as well as the short stories, will be a thrilling and often frightening read. For the seasoned horror fan, Wind Chill offers a whole new and innovative take on the darker side of folklore. This is a must-read for all fans of supernatural thrillers and fiction, built on cleverly applied Native American mythology. (Ellen Fritz)
January 27, 2016
I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this book.
Wind Chill is a taut thrill ride into terror. The location of an isolated cabin surrounded by an impenetrable, snowed in forest was a perfect backdrop for the escalating sense of claustrophobic terror and dread woven throughout this story. The characters are so well written that you can feel Emma's desperation and fear as she tries to figure out if her father is a prepper driven crazy by the death of his wife or a man desperate to save what remains of his family from the evil that stalks them through the snowy landscape. I highly recommend this fantastic 5 star read. The bonus stories are icing on the cake.
Wind Chill is a taut thrill ride into terror. The location of an isolated cabin surrounded by an impenetrable, snowed in forest was a perfect backdrop for the escalating sense of claustrophobic terror and dread woven throughout this story. The characters are so well written that you can feel Emma's desperation and fear as she tries to figure out if her father is a prepper driven crazy by the death of his wife or a man desperate to save what remains of his family from the evil that stalks them through the snowy landscape. I highly recommend this fantastic 5 star read. The bonus stories are icing on the cake.
May 24, 2016
This book came recommended to me by a fellow author. I did not realize I was getting a collection. What a deal! WIND CHILL is a suspenseful and terrifying story - but that is just the beginning. The "bonus" stories will keep the Rutigliano marathon going, giving readers a deeper appreciation for this author. Just the titles of the stories will make it impossible for you to pass them by. Every story is as good as the feature, and all made me smile at some point. This author's sense of detail and heart-felt depth of intricately woven storytelling has created a new fan in me. Pick up a copy and see why.
April 13, 2016
Lovely collection
Usually with short story collection I find at least one or two stories that feel less like a story and more like incomplete ideas for a story, not in this book. The author did a great job with the thrills and chills but the emotion conveyed in a few of the stories (especially the last one) were downright beautiful.
Usually with short story collection I find at least one or two stories that feel less like a story and more like incomplete ideas for a story, not in this book. The author did a great job with the thrills and chills but the emotion conveyed in a few of the stories (especially the last one) were downright beautiful.
March 19, 2022
My favorite part of this atmospheric novella was the isolation of the cabin where Emma spends most of her time. The thought of trying to escape from such a place was chilling, and I would have loved if the story had focused more on her attempts to get away when she’s hundreds of miles from another human being in hostile territory.
I was surprised to find eight short stories included with the novella.
While the short stories had some interesting ideas, they didn’t add anything to the volume for me.
December 20, 2019
Now this is my kind of book! Edge of your seat page turner. Gia, an FBI agent, must find a serial killer fast. The killer has her sister kidnapped to get at Gia. Finding them before her sister is his next victim is all she’s thinking of. At the same time their small town is seized by one of the worst blizzards for decades. Snow is mounting and roads are becoming impassible but Gia has to save her sister and can’t let weather hinder her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions are my own I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions are my own I highly recommend this book.
July 21, 2016
Unbound by the usual suspects, this collection of short stories springs straight from the Twilight Zone, all embedded with dark imagery and atmosphere. My two favorites were the creepy "Little Red Vest," which left me goose-fleshed, and "The Last Great Effect," for bringing a wry smile to my face.
This is a nice selection of tales on the odd side, well worth the investment.
This is a nice selection of tales on the odd side, well worth the investment.
November 6, 2021
A fine anthology of horror stories. I particularly enjoyed the titular tale. Some of the short stories were better than others, but that is to be expected from a one author anthology (or any anthology).
July 29, 2016
The first story was very good, but the short stories at the end of the main novel were weak.
July 27, 2023
Familiar scenarios with a few twists.
December 13, 2025
Really enjoyed the central novella at the core of the collection, but the short stories after it left me a little cold.
April 5, 2016
We are first introduced to Eric and Jake, who while out hunting near a cabin one of them purchased get stuck in a flash winter storm. They brought more alcohol than food with them, which is not going to end up being very helpful considering they are lost. We leave these lost boys with Eric admitting he had a dream that he now thinks was a premonition…This leads us to meet Emma, a teenager dealing with her father; curfews, choices of movies, lying about where she was-all typical teenage and parental struggles. UNTIL we get to know her father a little better…Emma’s dad is what some would call prepared and what other’s would call paranoid. Join this family through their trials, drills, and their strange relationships, join them as they fight to survive against the unknown, and then as it becomes the known, root for Emma to overcome the terror and realization of her new reality!
Also 8 other great shorts included! My absolute fav was The Last Great Effect: . I will not say too much because I do not encourage or enjoy spoilers BUT I will introduce you to Clyde and Reggie who in their prime were special effects legends! As technology and the movie industry grew, Reggie and Clyde, got pushed aside and even forgotten by some…
Find out what happens when a legend dies but wants to go out in style!
Recommend to fans of modern horror!
Also 8 other great shorts included! My absolute fav was The Last Great Effect: . I will not say too much because I do not encourage or enjoy spoilers BUT I will introduce you to Clyde and Reggie who in their prime were special effects legends! As technology and the movie industry grew, Reggie and Clyde, got pushed aside and even forgotten by some…
Find out what happens when a legend dies but wants to go out in style!
Recommend to fans of modern horror!
February 11, 2016
The stories in this collection have such mystery and chilling that I was fully drawn in to about half of them. I liked the others as well and wouldn't recommend skipping any.
I had to read the novella, "Wind Chill," twice. It has a sort of ending that I wish happened more often, and upon finishing it the first time, I knew I would have to read it again. I fully recommend that you do. Rutigliano's masterful planting of seemingly unrelated details set the scenes well and hint at what's going on in the most subtle of ways.
"The Fear Merchant" was a little strange and took too long to get to the point, but it was an interesting concept.
"Bang!" was a fun short horror story in its own little way. A little peek into forces we can't understand.
Overall, this collection is a great read. I do recommend reading all of them, even the stories I didn't mention.
I had to read the novella, "Wind Chill," twice. It has a sort of ending that I wish happened more often, and upon finishing it the first time, I knew I would have to read it again. I fully recommend that you do. Rutigliano's masterful planting of seemingly unrelated details set the scenes well and hint at what's going on in the most subtle of ways.
"The Fear Merchant" was a little strange and took too long to get to the point, but it was an interesting concept.
"Bang!" was a fun short horror story in its own little way. A little peek into forces we can't understand.
Overall, this collection is a great read. I do recommend reading all of them, even the stories I didn't mention.
July 17, 2016
I didn't necessarily dislike Wind Chill; I just wasn't impressed by it in the way I had hoped. I feel there wasn't quite enough there in the development department to really create a decent story. The same goes for the shorts afterwards: while none of the stories were terrible, they also weren't anything to get excited about. Perhaps it just wasn't my cup of tea, but I probably would have gave this one a pass if I hadn't already committed to reading it.
September 4, 2016
Great story, and I love Emma personality there
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews