What do you think?
Rate this book
Picking Murphys
From Connecticut to California, evil runs rampant. It learns as it goes, having been released into our world without the benefit of a mentor. It has gone by many names and held many jobs. Waiting patiently for its next distraction, it stares at the wall for hours on end. Attempting to start over anew, Matthew travels to California in pursuit of his dreams. He purchases property to mine for minerals beneath the beautiful countryside. Join Matthew as he explores his new environment while working to become a great role model to his son, Robbie. However, an evil presence has taken an interest in Matthew and Robbie. Everything that happens leads its prey to California; all done according to plan. Not a single decision or happening occurred without its direction. Although not always immediately present, it was never too far away to admire its handiwork. It watched on as their lives completely unraveled. Follow Matthew and Robbie as their lives and everyone around them become intertwined with the supernatural. Its evil doings do not go unnoticed by all. An older couple follows the evil as closely as they can. An intriguing game of cat and mouse ensues, with those in pursuit always two steps behind. Hold on to your fears as you witness what's possible when one applies determination in an uphill struggle. Could you persevere in extreme adversity? Could you fight against what you cannot see? Do you believe in one and not the other?
398 pages, Hardcover
Published February 17, 2016
447 people want to read
About the author
James H. Summers
5 books74 followersI write the kind of horror that stands right beside you—quiet, ordinary, and already happening. Not the creatures that crawl from graves, but the ones that smile at you in line at the grocery store. The horror that lives behind closed doors, in unfinished thoughts, in the moment a good person does the wrong thing for the right reason. It was here yesterday. It is here now. And if you’re lucky, you won’t notice it tomorrow.
My work pulls back the curtain on what your neighbors, your friends, your family, and complete strangers do when no one is watching. These are stories that make you look away, then look back because you have to know. The part of you that wants answers—and the part that prays you never get them—meet in the same dark place.
If you’re drawn to tales of broken self-esteem, cause-and-effect spirals, first responders under pressure, vengeful spirits, psychological predators, moral ambiguity, vampires, serial killers, vacations gone wrong, or everyday life tilting just a little too far into ruin—my books are built for you.
James H. Summers was born in suburban Chicago in the 1960s and raised in Kentuckiana, where he still lives. A lifelong fan of horror (especially B-movies), he draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Anne Rice, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and R. A. Salvatore. His cinematic tastes run wide, influenced by the work of Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Zack Snyder, and Chad Stahelski—filmmakers he hopes one day will bring his worlds to the big screen.
My work pulls back the curtain on what your neighbors, your friends, your family, and complete strangers do when no one is watching. These are stories that make you look away, then look back because you have to know. The part of you that wants answers—and the part that prays you never get them—meet in the same dark place.
If you’re drawn to tales of broken self-esteem, cause-and-effect spirals, first responders under pressure, vengeful spirits, psychological predators, moral ambiguity, vampires, serial killers, vacations gone wrong, or everyday life tilting just a little too far into ruin—my books are built for you.
James H. Summers was born in suburban Chicago in the 1960s and raised in Kentuckiana, where he still lives. A lifelong fan of horror (especially B-movies), he draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Anne Rice, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and R. A. Salvatore. His cinematic tastes run wide, influenced by the work of Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Zack Snyder, and Chad Stahelski—filmmakers he hopes one day will bring his worlds to the big screen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 18, 2016
The book looks exciting to read,with a good cover and well constructed. However, I could not get into it. The premise is great, but there seemed to be no pause for breath between scenes. I didn't finish it,sorry. I'm sure other readers will love it, but it just wasn't for me.
January 17, 2023
This is a dark psychological horror book that should make you feel uncomfortable; however, I felt intrigued.
It's freaky and twisted. It's terrifying and compelling. You'll sit down, grab the book, and read it until you've reached the last page. No kiddings here. I read this in one sitting. It'll creep you out and fascinate you, and you'll connect with the story on many levels. I did. I connected with the character, and I'm still having nightmares about it.
Dark is a word to characterize this book, twisted is another. The horrific scenes go deeper than what you'll first imagine and think of another solving the mystery novel.
The ending was brilliant. I couldn't figure out if it was a cliffhanger, and there will be a sequel coming up, or if it was the author's last attempt to screw with my mind. The ending left me wondering, "What's next?" I realize that everything that needed to be told was told. But the way the book ended, it still left me feeling like I read half of the story.
Amazing! It was better than I expected.
It's freaky and twisted. It's terrifying and compelling. You'll sit down, grab the book, and read it until you've reached the last page. No kiddings here. I read this in one sitting. It'll creep you out and fascinate you, and you'll connect with the story on many levels. I did. I connected with the character, and I'm still having nightmares about it.
Dark is a word to characterize this book, twisted is another. The horrific scenes go deeper than what you'll first imagine and think of another solving the mystery novel.
The ending was brilliant. I couldn't figure out if it was a cliffhanger, and there will be a sequel coming up, or if it was the author's last attempt to screw with my mind. The ending left me wondering, "What's next?" I realize that everything that needed to be told was told. But the way the book ended, it still left me feeling like I read half of the story.
Amazing! It was better than I expected.
January 17, 2023
Reading this story, I was catching my breath because of how engrossing everything was and it was happening so fast. I love the protagonist, Mathew, because he resembles someone whom we can all relate to not because of his job but because of his decisions and his emotions that make him so real and relatable. I love his character as a father, and how caring he is for Robbie. I'm deeply touched when he wanted Robbie to have a babysitter to help him do the household chores.
Though he is not a perfect character, we can see his flaws, we can see him struggling. And those flaws make him special and the development is meaningful. This is a book that is full of creativity when it comes to writing techniques and all that but also does not fly you away from reality. A great book to start with psychological horror if you are having second thoughts about trying the genre. Fantastic work of fiction!
Though he is not a perfect character, we can see his flaws, we can see him struggling. And those flaws make him special and the development is meaningful. This is a book that is full of creativity when it comes to writing techniques and all that but also does not fly you away from reality. A great book to start with psychological horror if you are having second thoughts about trying the genre. Fantastic work of fiction!
January 17, 2023
This is a book to read if you’re a fan of psychological horror! I rarely read horror books because they don’t give me the satisfaction and haunt me like I do when I watch movies. But this book has such great storytelling and description that it naturally comes vividly to me. James Summers is such an effective author. He can convey a lot of emotions and thoughts with mere words!
Mathew is a character with so many flaws, yet I find myself rooting for him subtly. All of the characters are very likable, and I was terrified while reading this.
I was impressed with how the author manages to weave every little detail in the story in such a clever and intricate way. All the characters are characterized in a manner that we can all relate to in our own lives. Especially those interested in hardcore sex, maybe some.
Mathew is a character with so many flaws, yet I find myself rooting for him subtly. All of the characters are very likable, and I was terrified while reading this.
I was impressed with how the author manages to weave every little detail in the story in such a clever and intricate way. All the characters are characterized in a manner that we can all relate to in our own lives. Especially those interested in hardcore sex, maybe some.
January 25, 2023
A very sophisticated and complex book to read. Exceptionally good and well-paced. The scenes contain flashbacking events of the past. Though the author jumped between past and present, it was never bothersome. I found it interesting. It made my hair stand on end, and I held my breath. James Summers did a great job of keeping the readers well entertained.
Additionally, Picking Murphys contain dark themes that would surely puke the gut out of your stomach. It’ll make you uncomfortable and distressed in the most amazing way. This book is hard to put down. It’s very addictive. Once you start reading, you’re not going to stop until the last page is absorbed. It’ll creep the heck out of you. It’s not for the fainted heart. But if you feel that these wicked revelations won’t bother you at all, this book is perfect for you.
Additionally, Picking Murphys contain dark themes that would surely puke the gut out of your stomach. It’ll make you uncomfortable and distressed in the most amazing way. This book is hard to put down. It’s very addictive. Once you start reading, you’re not going to stop until the last page is absorbed. It’ll creep the heck out of you. It’s not for the fainted heart. But if you feel that these wicked revelations won’t bother you at all, this book is perfect for you.
January 17, 2023
A horrific story that tells us of the evil spirit hanging around the town of Murphys, California by putting us on a thrilling ride with characters of various backgrounds. I cannot emphasize how realistic the characters are and how their different interests affect them. I love them all but especially Robbie who is strong and independent all on his own for a ten-year-old!
This book takes hold of your attention and never lets it go until the last word! The way the author writes is so impactful, it makes you anticipate what will happen next in every chapter. I read this book in one sitting and even now I’m still not over it; all of the characters are memorable and there isn’t a single character who is one-dimensional, each of them is complex in their ways!
This book takes hold of your attention and never lets it go until the last word! The way the author writes is so impactful, it makes you anticipate what will happen next in every chapter. I read this book in one sitting and even now I’m still not over it; all of the characters are memorable and there isn’t a single character who is one-dimensional, each of them is complex in their ways!
January 17, 2023
A psychological horror to behold indeed! If you read Picking Murphys by James Summers, it is guaranteed that you will be thrown into a roller coaster ride with a lot of twists and turns at every corner. This one is for avid readers of the horror genre because it offers a really deep terrifying aspect and a lot of thrill and build-up of suspense. My head was spinning after reading this book!
The greatest thing about this book is that even if we already know what happened to Dierdre in the first chapter, we still get thrills and second thoughts. The author is very efficient with the way he uses his words and the way he builds up the plot twists! This book has made its way to my heart since the first chapter!
The greatest thing about this book is that even if we already know what happened to Dierdre in the first chapter, we still get thrills and second thoughts. The author is very efficient with the way he uses his words and the way he builds up the plot twists! This book has made its way to my heart since the first chapter!
January 20, 2023
Highly ominous, this tells a story of a seemingly ordinary father and son who get themselves into a position where they cannot turn their backs anymore. Mysteries and evil spirits are hidden, and people are not at all what they seem like. That’s Picking Murphys by James Summers. If you think that it sounds exciting, wait until you read the full book, and you’ll see just how much more thrilling it is!
I am not a huge fan of psychological horror, but this one hit it for me. Although I don’t imagine myself reading another horror book soon, I will if it is written by the author of this book. Something about his concise way of writing just really does it for me, and I truly hope this isn’t the end of him writing psychological horror books!
I am not a huge fan of psychological horror, but this one hit it for me. Although I don’t imagine myself reading another horror book soon, I will if it is written by the author of this book. Something about his concise way of writing just really does it for me, and I truly hope this isn’t the end of him writing psychological horror books!
January 20, 2023
A well-written psychological horror novel, I loved how it had twists and turns that made the book challenging and, at the same time, satisfying. This is a book recommended especially for those who love engrossing tales so much. I am into Mathew, I relate to him so much, and I love how he handles the twists in the plot. The author, James Summers, had written it with a lot of excitement and creativity that made it such a compelling masterpiece. The underlying story is magnificent, I manage to get the whole gist of the plot that the author wants to convey to the readers. Not only does this book give me thrills and excitement except for the hardcore sex, but it also checks all the lists for being an outstanding psychological horror book.
January 20, 2023
This book has got me. I love the book itself, from how it is arranged and how the plot has turned out. At the same time, I love how the author has presented it with a reflection of his morals and personality. I can say this is a different one from the common ones that I have read. Mathew is not common in the books that I have read, but I have grown to be in his shoes as the book continues. The words are so vivid that I can feel a lot of mixed emotions and perspectives. And all I can say is that this is powerful and just unique. This book probably deserves more recognition!
Fair enough, this is undeniably a novel that keeps me moving so swiftly through the pages. Can't wait for the second book in the series.
Fair enough, this is undeniably a novel that keeps me moving so swiftly through the pages. Can't wait for the second book in the series.
January 20, 2023
The gist of this book revolves around Mathew and his son Robbie on their journey to Murphys, California. The book is already dark in the first chapter, and it progressively gets darker and darker. So I suggest that this isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you love a good horror/thriller book now and then, prepare your seatbelt because this is a long ride.
This book leans more on the side of thrillers that require the reader to be mentally capable of coping with dark themes. But as a first-time thriller reader, I genuinely enjoyed this. Not only is this book capable of making me think critically, and haunting me but it is also capable of moving me to tears unexpectedly because of a character’s fate!
This book leans more on the side of thrillers that require the reader to be mentally capable of coping with dark themes. But as a first-time thriller reader, I genuinely enjoyed this. Not only is this book capable of making me think critically, and haunting me but it is also capable of moving me to tears unexpectedly because of a character’s fate!
January 23, 2023
An imaginative, haunted and engrossing story! In the first few chapters, I was skeptical about the book because not many interesting scenes was happening and it’s more of an expository chapter. But when I managed to read through it, I was amazed by how the author plotted all of the events that follow!
This book was so fun to follow because I wasn’t even over a particular event and then the author proceeds to throw another major horrific event that will make the character more hooked, and then there goes another and another until it wraps into one amazing ending.
I loved this so much and I can’t wait to find another book that stimulated me as much as this one did. Because of this book, I am now a fan of psychological horror novels.
This book was so fun to follow because I wasn’t even over a particular event and then the author proceeds to throw another major horrific event that will make the character more hooked, and then there goes another and another until it wraps into one amazing ending.
I loved this so much and I can’t wait to find another book that stimulated me as much as this one did. Because of this book, I am now a fan of psychological horror novels.
January 23, 2023
Picking Murphys is a psychological horror novel that will surely shake the whole world! When I read the first few chapters of this book, I must admit that it takes a while for it to sink in. But once the author introduces all the characters and gets them in place, it’s smooth sailing!
What we can appreciate about this book is that the author takes his time to develop every single one of the characters and make sure that all of the characters have personalities and traits that the readers can relate to.
For Chloe, it’s her uncertainty and her sometimes snobbishness. For Mathew, it’s his fatherly personality. For Robbie, it’s his charm and being such a responsible son. And for Ruthie, it’s how unpredictable she is.
What we can appreciate about this book is that the author takes his time to develop every single one of the characters and make sure that all of the characters have personalities and traits that the readers can relate to.
For Chloe, it’s her uncertainty and her sometimes snobbishness. For Mathew, it’s his fatherly personality. For Robbie, it’s his charm and being such a responsible son. And for Ruthie, it’s how unpredictable she is.
January 25, 2023
A great read - devoured the book in a day.
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists and turns and the intricate detail of the story and characters.
James Summers is a very exceptional author that we are longing for! He just gave us a story in between fiction and nonfiction and delivered it shockingly. I love his writing style, he pays attention to details and it just comes from spontaneously proving to us that he knows what he is writing about and he knows where he is going and that assures me that this book is going to be not forgotten. All the scary scenes to the emotional ones are just written impressively, you will not notice that you are already halfway through the book or even on the back cover. He is one of the many factors that made this book such a great experience.
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists and turns and the intricate detail of the story and characters.
James Summers is a very exceptional author that we are longing for! He just gave us a story in between fiction and nonfiction and delivered it shockingly. I love his writing style, he pays attention to details and it just comes from spontaneously proving to us that he knows what he is writing about and he knows where he is going and that assures me that this book is going to be not forgotten. All the scary scenes to the emotional ones are just written impressively, you will not notice that you are already halfway through the book or even on the back cover. He is one of the many factors that made this book such a great experience.
January 26, 2023
This is the first time that I have encountered such a brilliant and full of intensity. It’s the perfect horror and drama novel. No words could express how superb this book was.
The author James Summers is inarguably brilliant. The writings are well-paced and flawless. The characters were written in such a way that would leave a distinct mark on the reader's mind, so they were not hard to remember. Though this book is a little lengthy, it never bothered me at all. Every pounce of the book is worth the read. They are full of thrills and suspense. However, it’s going to be surprising toward the end when Robbie and Ruthie's conversation happens.
It was such a beautifully scary read! This is a must-read!
The author James Summers is inarguably brilliant. The writings are well-paced and flawless. The characters were written in such a way that would leave a distinct mark on the reader's mind, so they were not hard to remember. Though this book is a little lengthy, it never bothered me at all. Every pounce of the book is worth the read. They are full of thrills and suspense. However, it’s going to be surprising toward the end when Robbie and Ruthie's conversation happens.
It was such a beautifully scary read! This is a must-read!
January 26, 2023
This is the kind of book that you will look for in the psychological horror genre. Picking Murphy is a book that you won't regret reading. You will crave it even after reading it, making you wish it was longer and asking for a sequel. Mathew is unlike other book characters, he knows his reasons and his intentions for his obsession with gold mining.
I immediately have grown a connection with him, as well as the other characters, as they also cope with their adversities in life that are not that much highlighted in the book but gave us an overview. This book has all of the great characteristics of a good psychological horror book with a touch of mystery, I did not expect that this book had impacted me this much.
I immediately have grown a connection with him, as well as the other characters, as they also cope with their adversities in life that are not that much highlighted in the book but gave us an overview. This book has all of the great characteristics of a good psychological horror book with a touch of mystery, I did not expect that this book had impacted me this much.
January 26, 2023
A dark and haunted-filled tale from James Summers. With characters that are easy to identify with and a story that can take your breath away, this felt like a much longer book. I think it's that the author still manages to be very descriptive, whilst using an economy of words. It had my heart pumping!
Seriously, I shouldn't have read the last half of this book at 5:30 in the morning in the darkness. James Summers knows how to get your imagination working with the descriptions he uses to explain what's going on with Ruthie. I don't think I've ever been so creeped out reading a book, but I loved those creepy parts the most. The book was enjoyable because no matter how much I tried to guess what was going to happen at the end, I was never able to. This is a book you want to dig into.
Seriously, I shouldn't have read the last half of this book at 5:30 in the morning in the darkness. James Summers knows how to get your imagination working with the descriptions he uses to explain what's going on with Ruthie. I don't think I've ever been so creeped out reading a book, but I loved those creepy parts the most. The book was enjoyable because no matter how much I tried to guess what was going to happen at the end, I was never able to. This is a book you want to dig into.
January 26, 2023
A substantial book that takes us on a wild and haunting journey. We see so many characters in this book with their personalities and they are so realistically portrayed that you just can’t help but remember every single one of them, even the side characters.
All of the greatness of this book boils down to the effectiveness of the writing style of the author. James Summers has a very unique way of using his words. Whatever emotions he wants the readers to feel, whatever scene he wants to depict, he does it so effectively!
I never knew that the first book I’d give five stars to is an underrated psychological horror read! This was such a great book and I hope I will be able to read this again in the future with a better perspective!
All of the greatness of this book boils down to the effectiveness of the writing style of the author. James Summers has a very unique way of using his words. Whatever emotions he wants the readers to feel, whatever scene he wants to depict, he does it so effectively!
I never knew that the first book I’d give five stars to is an underrated psychological horror read! This was such a great book and I hope I will be able to read this again in the future with a better perspective!
January 20, 2023
Nothing scares me more than horror books! I read books with a lot of engrossing and haunted scenes, and I also watch movies about it. But definitely, the horror genre scares me more because of the slow progression and details of each scene in the book. While reading, I pause and stare nowhere just to absorb all the details and to react and shiver. The author has created a scary yet thrilling mood around your circle whenever you read the book. And it does not stop, not until you finish the whole book. I love how the author has made the characters so distinct from each other. All of them were unique with their characteristics that played different roles in the story.
January 23, 2023
All can agree on how amazing this book has resulted. We start with a confusing look scanning the first few pages of the book, and the curiosity adds up there and then, and you can’t notice that you’re already in the middle of the book. We will all end up appreciating this book, and thinking of our life choices in the past, and how they can have a big impact on our future. Whether one is a reader of psychological horror or is new to it, this is a book that is best for all. I am beyond grateful to have come across this book by James Summers and experienced the adventure of a father and son duo. This ought to be added to your reading list!
January 23, 2023
Picking Murphys made me scared to go to sleep! This book has such an incredible aspect of catching the readers off guard and sending them on a roller coaster of emotions and adrenaline. I speak for a lot of readers of this book that this has left them gasping for air the moment they finished and I can’t exactly blame them, the last chapters were eventful!
There is nothing more to say about this book, you just simply need to dive into the book and read it. I assure you that the ride is worth it and you will love every single one of the characters and the events that transpired from the beginning up until the very end. There are no dull moments and you’ll be finished before you want to!
There is nothing more to say about this book, you just simply need to dive into the book and read it. I assure you that the ride is worth it and you will love every single one of the characters and the events that transpired from the beginning up until the very end. There are no dull moments and you’ll be finished before you want to!
January 23, 2023
This psychological horror book has been living rent-free in my mind! This book is a perfect example of a well-fleshed-out book. It provides such great escapism yet is scary. The setting of the book made me feel as if I am part of the characters vacationing in Murphy’s county and being with them with their laughs and their tribulations. It was like being in a virtual simulator!
The writing style of the character is one of a kind, he is direct to the point and seldom uses flowery words. Despite that, he was still able to create vivid images in my head and clear descriptions of what is happening with the characters. Loved this book, my favorite read of the month yet!
The writing style of the character is one of a kind, he is direct to the point and seldom uses flowery words. Despite that, he was still able to create vivid images in my head and clear descriptions of what is happening with the characters. Loved this book, my favorite read of the month yet!
January 25, 2023
A book that will have your heart racing! The plot takes a while to get to more intense scenes but you will soon find out that what happens in the first few chapters is vital to keep the book moving. And as the chapters go on, it progressively becomes more interesting!
What becomes of this book is that, in the end, we see the characters become better versions of themselves and learn through the catastrophe that they went through. I do hope that this won't be the last time the author writes about the Picking Murphys as it left a lasting impact on me. I don’t think I will ever find another book like this unless the author writes more!
What becomes of this book is that, in the end, we see the characters become better versions of themselves and learn through the catastrophe that they went through. I do hope that this won't be the last time the author writes about the Picking Murphys as it left a lasting impact on me. I don’t think I will ever find another book like this unless the author writes more!
January 25, 2023
Picking Murphy is the type of modern psychological horror novel that everyone can enjoy. You don’t need to be a fan of hardcore horrors to appreciate this book as it is more focused on character development through the happenings in the book.
First of all, I want to comment on how the author plots out all the events. I don’t know what drug he put in the book but it was so addictive! I couldn't take my eyes off of it even for a second because of its climax after climax.
This is how the horror genre should be! I can’t wait to see this on the big screen because this seriously needs a movie adaptation! The depth of this book exceeds that of a paper!
First of all, I want to comment on how the author plots out all the events. I don’t know what drug he put in the book but it was so addictive! I couldn't take my eyes off of it even for a second because of its climax after climax.
This is how the horror genre should be! I can’t wait to see this on the big screen because this seriously needs a movie adaptation! The depth of this book exceeds that of a paper!
January 25, 2023
I cannot get enough of this book by James Summers! He just made a new genre for readers and I am sure many people will love this. I am a person who loves to read fiction, and wants to meet strange characters, with unique and special plots, but I also want to be able to feel real and do not want to go further into it. I am sure there are a lot of readers out there that are like me. And if you are one of those people, you should probably give this book a read! It was so modernly written, it mixes up creativity with common instances of reality and it makes it more meaningful and relatable to the readers. Such a great read and I will not get tired of sharing this book with other readers.
January 26, 2023
James Summers just gave us a world to venture into and indulge ourselves in.
The summary of the story pulled me close and raised my interest in giving it a shot because it was just unique and new to me at first. Upon reading, I realized that there was more to the story than what the author tells us, it was also about symbolism and deeper implications. You will relate to the characters and, most importantly, you will grow with the characters. This book gives us more, gives us something between the words and the lines. This is the first book that I have read from the author but I am sure this will not be the last!
The summary of the story pulled me close and raised my interest in giving it a shot because it was just unique and new to me at first. Upon reading, I realized that there was more to the story than what the author tells us, it was also about symbolism and deeper implications. You will relate to the characters and, most importantly, you will grow with the characters. This book gives us more, gives us something between the words and the lines. This is the first book that I have read from the author but I am sure this will not be the last!
November 3, 2016
This seemed addressed to a younger audience. Touching on the difficulties of a preteen after the death of his mother and brother and rebuilding his life with his gold-mine obsessed father. Then it got gory. Then it became some sort of evil snuff-sex porn nightmare. I tried my best to continue to see if it could redeem itself to the conflicting start, but no, this was not for me.
An advanced reader’s copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
An advanced reader’s copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
June 8, 2016
Haunting and engrossing, this tale of psychological horror as told by author James Summers will have you on the edge of your seat, hiding beneath the covers, and leave you wanting more. I was surprised to finish it so quickly, but I didn’t want to stop reading once I started! I admit I almost jumped out of my skin a few times, and was probably cringing more often than not! I enjoyed the dark and haunting vibe and is written in such a way that you feel very engaged and a part of the story, like you really know the characters and are in their shoes experiencing what they are (for better or worse). The coolest part was how this does seem realistic in a way, yet had a surreal/paranormal feeling to it, like there’s more going on than we ever really know (until the very end). Most of the horror I read feels contrived and frankly, not all that scary. But this book managed to really get inside my head and freak me out! The writing was top-quality - a good amount of details and lyrical prose that added to the scenery without bogging it down any. Good pacing overall and I’m ready to read more in the series when it’s available and if it continues –
September 10, 2016
'Picking Murphys' by James Summer is a 'psychological horror', according to the author. According to this reader, the plot is too confused and badly written to create anything 'psychological', and it does not reach that level of credibility which is necessary to fill the reader with 'horror'. The book is a mix of splatter scenes whose low quality the author must be aware as he alternates them with hard core sex parts to keep the reader from giving up. Bad writing, badly designed story, poor plot. Just read something else, you will difficulty pick up something worse.
March 10, 2017
I really love the plot and character development that went into Picking Murphys. I can't wait to start book two in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews