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Amy
It's been eight years since Amy Brunswick was institutionalised for the murder of five people, including her own father. Now a teenager, and having undergone extensive rehabilitation and psychological evaluation, she is released from Whispers Ward and now faces integration into the world beyond, an environment she has been absent from for more than a decade. With no one for support and a few pounds in her pocket, she faces a fresh start, one that gives her a chance to redeem for her earlier sins.
But she isn't alone.
Despite the rehabilitation, the presence of Charlotte is still buried deep within Amy. Her imaginary friend has taken a back seat, but the evil spirit remains, untouched and maturing. And despite the psychological evaluations, Amy hasn't forgotten who incarcerated her, either.
No, she hasn't forgotten about her mother, the woman who dumped her at Whispers Ward eight years earlier. A mother who abandoned her for a fresh life with a new family, a new husband, a new house and three new children. A woman who disowned her first daughter in shame, and moved on because she couldn't handle the responsibility. Remembering the past brings Charlotte to the surface once more, but Amy is her own woman now. She can handle her own business, can stand on her own two feet, and doesn't need the help of her imaginary friend any more.
Which is when Amy decides to find her mother for a little reunion...
But she isn't alone.
Despite the rehabilitation, the presence of Charlotte is still buried deep within Amy. Her imaginary friend has taken a back seat, but the evil spirit remains, untouched and maturing. And despite the psychological evaluations, Amy hasn't forgotten who incarcerated her, either.
No, she hasn't forgotten about her mother, the woman who dumped her at Whispers Ward eight years earlier. A mother who abandoned her for a fresh life with a new family, a new husband, a new house and three new children. A woman who disowned her first daughter in shame, and moved on because she couldn't handle the responsibility. Remembering the past brings Charlotte to the surface once more, but Amy is her own woman now. She can handle her own business, can stand on her own two feet, and doesn't need the help of her imaginary friend any more.
Which is when Amy decides to find her mother for a little reunion...
- GenresHorror
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2016
27 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Keane
55 books145 followersAt the age of seven, I fell in love with the written word. Since that fateful day, I've dreamt of writing my own novels. In April 2014, twenty-five years later, that dream finally came true.
Writing is, and always has been, my passion. I revel in creating characters, unique worlds, realistic environments, and situations and stories that hook the reader. Reading stories of this kind inspires me so returning the favour has always been important to me, as a writer and a fan of literature.
I'm also a co-director at Dark Chapter Press, an English-based horror publisher, so pop over to my website for more information, including a fan club, the latest submission calls and new releases.
Writing is, and always has been, my passion. I revel in creating characters, unique worlds, realistic environments, and situations and stories that hook the reader. Reading stories of this kind inspires me so returning the favour has always been important to me, as a writer and a fan of literature.
I'm also a co-director at Dark Chapter Press, an English-based horror publisher, so pop over to my website for more information, including a fan club, the latest submission calls and new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 12, 2016
AMY: The Sequel To Chrlotte (The Charlotte Chronicles Book 3), by Stuart Keane is the third book--and the conclusion to--The Charlotte Chronicles. I highly recommend reading CHARLOTTE prior to AMY, as these events pick up after the repercussions of the incidences that concluded in CHARLOTTE.
Amy Brunswick was committed to Whispers Ward, a physchological institution, following the extreme murders she committed while under Charlotte's "guidance". Due in part to the fact that one of these victims was her own father, Amy's mother, Patricia, abandoned her at the age of ten. Unencumbered, Patricia then remarried--now the stepmother of a teenage daughter close to Amy's age, and a mother of two young boys.
While Patricia tries to forget the past, her mind will never let her. Having witnessed first-hand Charlotte's fury, she can never truly let her guard down: ". . . It's nearly time . . . Amy will be free. Charlotte will still be inside her . . . "
Now a teenager who has spent the past eight years cut off from civilization, Amy Brunswick is being released--along with her "companion" who never left, the force that is Charlotte.
Keane does a great job in showing us life inside the ward--how Amy escapes the guards' "punishments" with Charlotte's protection. Still, as a teenager without a clue of how the world around her operates, Amy sets out with one goal in mind--find the mother who left her all those years ago.
No words are wasted in this action-packed book, full of various kinds of brutal murders, plots, and "accidents". Every statement has weight and importance to advance the plot.
"The grey of the evening sky provided ample cover, a security blanket of shadow that enabled certain people to go about their business in peace and privacy."
As the book progresses, the tension continues to amp up around all the characters. We know and feel the emotions and driving forces behind the various people in this story. Each of them are believable due to their individual roles here.
Keane saved the best for last as far as the rapid pacing and bloody body count tally. We are moved along effortlessly from scene to scene, and I--personally--had a difficult time tearing myself away from Amy's story, even momentarily. A fantastic conclusion to an incredible trilogy.
Highly recommended!
(Also recommended: CHARLOTTE (The Charlotte Chronicles Book 1), and AWAKENING: The Prequel To Charlotte (The Charlotte Chronicles Book 2).
Amy Brunswick was committed to Whispers Ward, a physchological institution, following the extreme murders she committed while under Charlotte's "guidance". Due in part to the fact that one of these victims was her own father, Amy's mother, Patricia, abandoned her at the age of ten. Unencumbered, Patricia then remarried--now the stepmother of a teenage daughter close to Amy's age, and a mother of two young boys.
While Patricia tries to forget the past, her mind will never let her. Having witnessed first-hand Charlotte's fury, she can never truly let her guard down: ". . . It's nearly time . . . Amy will be free. Charlotte will still be inside her . . . "
Now a teenager who has spent the past eight years cut off from civilization, Amy Brunswick is being released--along with her "companion" who never left, the force that is Charlotte.
Keane does a great job in showing us life inside the ward--how Amy escapes the guards' "punishments" with Charlotte's protection. Still, as a teenager without a clue of how the world around her operates, Amy sets out with one goal in mind--find the mother who left her all those years ago.
No words are wasted in this action-packed book, full of various kinds of brutal murders, plots, and "accidents". Every statement has weight and importance to advance the plot.
"The grey of the evening sky provided ample cover, a security blanket of shadow that enabled certain people to go about their business in peace and privacy."
As the book progresses, the tension continues to amp up around all the characters. We know and feel the emotions and driving forces behind the various people in this story. Each of them are believable due to their individual roles here.
Keane saved the best for last as far as the rapid pacing and bloody body count tally. We are moved along effortlessly from scene to scene, and I--personally--had a difficult time tearing myself away from Amy's story, even momentarily. A fantastic conclusion to an incredible trilogy.
Highly recommended!
(Also recommended: CHARLOTTE (The Charlotte Chronicles Book 1), and AWAKENING: The Prequel To Charlotte (The Charlotte Chronicles Book 2).
December 13, 2016
Wow!! I love evil kid stories!!
I absolutely love this series!! It blew my mind!!
This is the 3rd and final installment in this series and is the best! This book takes us to the time when Amy is 18 years old and has been a patient at Whispers Ward for almost eight years, where she has been a model patient...until the day before her release. Amy wants to reunite with Patricia, her mom.
This story takes you on a roller coaster ride totally driven by Charlotte. There are several shocking moments I didn't expect...wow!!
Stuart Keane is a master storyteller and I cannot wait to read more of his stuff!!
I absolutely love this series!! It blew my mind!!
This is the 3rd and final installment in this series and is the best! This book takes us to the time when Amy is 18 years old and has been a patient at Whispers Ward for almost eight years, where she has been a model patient...until the day before her release. Amy wants to reunite with Patricia, her mom.
This story takes you on a roller coaster ride totally driven by Charlotte. There are several shocking moments I didn't expect...wow!!
Stuart Keane is a master storyteller and I cannot wait to read more of his stuff!!
October 31, 2016
HOLY HOT DAMN!! What a way to close the show!
The final book in the Charlotte Chronicles was absolutely mind blowingly perfect, perfect in every way, a flawless and fitting way for Stuart 'The King' Keane to end his (our) much beloved series.
Gripping from the very first page, actually ALL his books are definitive page turners and this was no exception. His words jump off the page and slap you upside your head...then you get some gentle pats and rubdowns here and there, just to keep you right on edge and under his thumb.
Fantastic double ending too!! WOW.
Bare with me, I'm gonna attempt an...analogy; Keane is like...he's like, an upper class whitecollar wordsmith architect artiste` with a lucrative lush side gig in interior design.
He diligently blueprints his plans out and meticulously constructs his story starting with a solid foundation and then builds UP from there, story after story after story of well laid, highest quality/rock solid material, until his structure is all serene and secure.
Then he Feng Shuis the shit outta it!!
And that's how thy Keanedom was created.
True origin story.
Yeeea...sorry. I'm not so great with the analogies... hehehe
The best of the best writers can effortlessly transport you INTO the story, you are right there, in the guts and glory of it all. And I've never had a problem picturing it 'movie style' when I read his stuff. Hell, can practically taste and smell it too, just goes with the show.
I learned a long time ago, you have to submit your senses when you read Keane, and he does with them as he wishes. HE BRUTALLY ASSAULTS YOUR SENSES!!
You're in HIS Keanedom after all and I'm always a peasant girl extra in a Keane moviebook.
Ohhh the horrors, ahhh the pleasures.
It's not always pleasant though and I have gagged and cried and cursed him at the same time.
Ok, so our little Amy grew up, she's 18 now, been a resident at Whisper Wards mental hospital for almost 8 years now. A model resident, keeps to herself, causes no problems....well, there was that one 'incident' the night before she's set to be released...
But what's one incident on an otherwise unblemished 'ward of the state' record, just a dull smudge really.
She is an adult now. The cost is high, the resources are low ~ theee paperwork has already gone through.
Besides, she was most likely provoked...
That's what our esteemed Doc Stone and his beauty of an assistant Zoe have concluded anyway. There is always a bottom line and it's usually a economic 'must cut costs at all costs' rough jagged line..
Deemed CURED, all cured of what ailed her.
Well, we know what ailed her...her name being Charlotte. And Charlotte has only been resting, ain't much to do but bide the time when you're on the inside.
Now, she..err they are free, escorted out the front door to a world that baffles her, it's always baffled her actually, being only a naïve 9 year old when she went away.
Thankfully she does have Charlotte, Charlotte is wise beyond their years and knows an 'other worldly' thing or two.
However it ain't all bestie bliss up in her head right now, she needs to assert control. It is her mind and body after all, she'll call upon Charlotte if and when she needs her.
The first thing (well, the only thing) on her free reign freedom agenda, is to find that rotten, pitiful, piss poor, neglectful abandoner of a mother of hers. The one who threw her in Whispers Ward, signed some papers, and never looked back.
I mean, what kind of mother does that, right???
So what if she killed her own father.
A classmate.
The neighbor boy and his mom.
Plus their puppy and tried to kill mommy dearest too.
A mother's love should be able to look past all that, right....??
So, yes, Amy is fueled by vengeance, feels more neglected than ever, and with Charlotte fully back in tow and somewhat under control, they devise a plan.
In all the years that have passed, Patricia has effectively 'moved on', moved 3 hours away from the home she shared with Amy and her deceased hubby in Lake Whisper. Had a couple sons with her new adoring husband, Walter, and has a teenaged stepdaughter.
She's very happy but has always had Amy in the back of her mind. She had no choice but to abandon her, she was a monster. She did try in the beginning to stand by her, went and visited her a few times before her final placement to Whispers Ward (...due to slaughtering a guard), only to be verbally and/or physically accosted each time.
Her daughter would never BE her daughter with Charlotte around, hopefully the doctors could fix her but she always doubted it.
Not her problem anymore, she washed her hands of her...well, until now, she knows Amy is set to be released and she is terrified that she'll come after her even though she was assured her whereabouts would remain under lock and key in the good doc's office. These things do often have a way of getting out though.
There is also a rogue vigilante Whisper Ward guard named Keith hot on Amy's trail, he's got an old vendetta to settle and is just brazen enough to think he's entitled and inculpable.
And some strange happenings are occurring at said ward since her departure as well....the guards are a tad bit restless.
And that's it, you get no further rundown from this loyal and protective peasant girl extra.
To go into any sort of detail about the 2nd half of this story would be unfair. Unfair to the brilliant writer and unfair to potential readers looking for a twisty turny, hell of a good time read!
There are 3, or probably more like 4, storylines all running parallel in this book and Keane keeps the pace and momentum flowing at full throttle.
It's intense and fast paced with warm slow 3rd degree burns. That's possible with this particular writer, ya know. :D
There are quite the multiple showdowns going down and no safety nets or fail safes within reach...anything goes this go round.
You're gonna get a little mad and you're gonna get a little sad, then you'll be happy and cheer all because you can't help but care so much about these characters he's created.
I noticed a lot of familiar names in this from Facebook row. That's so awesome that he used and abused so many of his fans in one book. And everyone had ample screen time, parts that were necessary and important to the plot. No fillers just to fulfil fan requests here.
He gave them all things to do, then did bad things to them.
I mean, there is a reason I have read and reviewed more of this author's work than any other. I literally enjoy the pain and abuse...and I mean that figuratively, obviously.
Errr, wait, no I don't....BRING ON THE TORTURE, I savor all that suffering.. :O he-he-he
I think this is like my 10th review of his, with 11 soon to come after Whispers 3 releases in mid Nov.
I've actually read even more but hadn't started writing reviews at that time. So, yes, I MUST reread All or Nothing and Grin so I can give them my proper cheerleader review treatment. They were fantastic so that won't be much of a chore!
Much obliged for an ARC of this story for my honest and highly excitable review.
I just can't help myself. :D
The final book in the Charlotte Chronicles was absolutely mind blowingly perfect, perfect in every way, a flawless and fitting way for Stuart 'The King' Keane to end his (our) much beloved series.
Gripping from the very first page, actually ALL his books are definitive page turners and this was no exception. His words jump off the page and slap you upside your head...then you get some gentle pats and rubdowns here and there, just to keep you right on edge and under his thumb.
Fantastic double ending too!! WOW.
Bare with me, I'm gonna attempt an...analogy; Keane is like...he's like, an upper class whitecollar wordsmith architect artiste` with a lucrative lush side gig in interior design.
He diligently blueprints his plans out and meticulously constructs his story starting with a solid foundation and then builds UP from there, story after story after story of well laid, highest quality/rock solid material, until his structure is all serene and secure.
Then he Feng Shuis the shit outta it!!
And that's how thy Keanedom was created.
True origin story.
Yeeea...sorry. I'm not so great with the analogies... hehehe
The best of the best writers can effortlessly transport you INTO the story, you are right there, in the guts and glory of it all. And I've never had a problem picturing it 'movie style' when I read his stuff. Hell, can practically taste and smell it too, just goes with the show.
I learned a long time ago, you have to submit your senses when you read Keane, and he does with them as he wishes. HE BRUTALLY ASSAULTS YOUR SENSES!!
You're in HIS Keanedom after all and I'm always a peasant girl extra in a Keane moviebook.
Ohhh the horrors, ahhh the pleasures.
It's not always pleasant though and I have gagged and cried and cursed him at the same time.
Ok, so our little Amy grew up, she's 18 now, been a resident at Whisper Wards mental hospital for almost 8 years now. A model resident, keeps to herself, causes no problems....well, there was that one 'incident' the night before she's set to be released...
But what's one incident on an otherwise unblemished 'ward of the state' record, just a dull smudge really.
She is an adult now. The cost is high, the resources are low ~ theee paperwork has already gone through.
Besides, she was most likely provoked...
That's what our esteemed Doc Stone and his beauty of an assistant Zoe have concluded anyway. There is always a bottom line and it's usually a economic 'must cut costs at all costs' rough jagged line..
Deemed CURED, all cured of what ailed her.
Well, we know what ailed her...her name being Charlotte. And Charlotte has only been resting, ain't much to do but bide the time when you're on the inside.
Now, she..err they are free, escorted out the front door to a world that baffles her, it's always baffled her actually, being only a naïve 9 year old when she went away.
Thankfully she does have Charlotte, Charlotte is wise beyond their years and knows an 'other worldly' thing or two.
However it ain't all bestie bliss up in her head right now, she needs to assert control. It is her mind and body after all, she'll call upon Charlotte if and when she needs her.
The first thing (well, the only thing) on her free reign freedom agenda, is to find that rotten, pitiful, piss poor, neglectful abandoner of a mother of hers. The one who threw her in Whispers Ward, signed some papers, and never looked back.
I mean, what kind of mother does that, right???
So what if she killed her own father.
A classmate.
The neighbor boy and his mom.
Plus their puppy and tried to kill mommy dearest too.
A mother's love should be able to look past all that, right....??
So, yes, Amy is fueled by vengeance, feels more neglected than ever, and with Charlotte fully back in tow and somewhat under control, they devise a plan.
In all the years that have passed, Patricia has effectively 'moved on', moved 3 hours away from the home she shared with Amy and her deceased hubby in Lake Whisper. Had a couple sons with her new adoring husband, Walter, and has a teenaged stepdaughter.
She's very happy but has always had Amy in the back of her mind. She had no choice but to abandon her, she was a monster. She did try in the beginning to stand by her, went and visited her a few times before her final placement to Whispers Ward (...due to slaughtering a guard), only to be verbally and/or physically accosted each time.
Her daughter would never BE her daughter with Charlotte around, hopefully the doctors could fix her but she always doubted it.
Not her problem anymore, she washed her hands of her...well, until now, she knows Amy is set to be released and she is terrified that she'll come after her even though she was assured her whereabouts would remain under lock and key in the good doc's office. These things do often have a way of getting out though.
There is also a rogue vigilante Whisper Ward guard named Keith hot on Amy's trail, he's got an old vendetta to settle and is just brazen enough to think he's entitled and inculpable.
And some strange happenings are occurring at said ward since her departure as well....the guards are a tad bit restless.
And that's it, you get no further rundown from this loyal and protective peasant girl extra.
To go into any sort of detail about the 2nd half of this story would be unfair. Unfair to the brilliant writer and unfair to potential readers looking for a twisty turny, hell of a good time read!
There are 3, or probably more like 4, storylines all running parallel in this book and Keane keeps the pace and momentum flowing at full throttle.
It's intense and fast paced with warm slow 3rd degree burns. That's possible with this particular writer, ya know. :D
There are quite the multiple showdowns going down and no safety nets or fail safes within reach...anything goes this go round.
You're gonna get a little mad and you're gonna get a little sad, then you'll be happy and cheer all because you can't help but care so much about these characters he's created.
I noticed a lot of familiar names in this from Facebook row. That's so awesome that he used and abused so many of his fans in one book. And everyone had ample screen time, parts that were necessary and important to the plot. No fillers just to fulfil fan requests here.
He gave them all things to do, then did bad things to them.
I mean, there is a reason I have read and reviewed more of this author's work than any other. I literally enjoy the pain and abuse...and I mean that figuratively, obviously.
Errr, wait, no I don't....BRING ON THE TORTURE, I savor all that suffering.. :O he-he-he
I think this is like my 10th review of his, with 11 soon to come after Whispers 3 releases in mid Nov.
I've actually read even more but hadn't started writing reviews at that time. So, yes, I MUST reread All or Nothing and Grin so I can give them my proper cheerleader review treatment. They were fantastic so that won't be much of a chore!
Much obliged for an ARC of this story for my honest and highly excitable review.
I just can't help myself. :D
November 22, 2016
What a way to end a fantastic series. This is the third book of The Charlotte Chronicles and Keane delivers with a roller coaster ride of mayhem, torture and brutality. Amy has been released after eight years in a mental institute even though she is certainly not cured. She goes on a mission to reunite with her Mother who abandoned her years ago. The journey to the reunion is filled with blood, gore and terror for anyone who crosses Amy/Charlotte's path. I will not tell you how the reunion goes as you really need to read this series if you love the horror genre. Way to go Stuart Keane.
October 31, 2016
She has such beautiful "Blue Eyes".
Stuart Keane skillfully brings his trilogy to end and just in time for the Halloween theme. All his fans and followers of the “Charlotte Chronicles” won’t be disappointed. Yet, for me some things remain a mystery, but sometimes that’s what horror is. In life and fiction. You know what the premise is already so I won’t go over it. “Amy” is all about Amy and vengeance. Don’t go into to this story looking for “Charlotte”, it’s not her time anymore. Her evil presence is basically on the back burner until a final twist with the epilogue. Instead, the author, makes you for a moment, want to go back to Book 1, “Charlotte”, and re-examine, 8-year-old, Amy’s personality for clues before Charlotte even entered the picture. So, that’s what I did and I found some. That maybe her parents would have seen if they were more involved in her upbringing. So, in a way “Amy’s” neglect could be child abuse also, which made Charlotte appear and latch onto her as host. There is a twist in the middle I didn’t see coming, yet it was very emotional. The ending is a climatic, action packed, showdown and blood will run down the walls. Who will win in the end, Amy, Patricia or Charlotte…….
One scene I especially loved was when “Amy “is being released from the Whispers Ward. The whole set-up was chilling, and reminded me of a female version, of Michael Meyers. When you read it, you will see why. I could almost hear a musical score in the background as she returns to her childhood home, looking for her mother, Patricia. Who abandoned her a long time ago. From then on she is an unstoppable, destructive force.
Are others just as complicit to this horrific tragedy, such as the Doctors who treated her. Or in the end was she just a bad seed. You must decide for yourself.
By robinleehorrorbookreviews.com
Stuart Keane skillfully brings his trilogy to end and just in time for the Halloween theme. All his fans and followers of the “Charlotte Chronicles” won’t be disappointed. Yet, for me some things remain a mystery, but sometimes that’s what horror is. In life and fiction. You know what the premise is already so I won’t go over it. “Amy” is all about Amy and vengeance. Don’t go into to this story looking for “Charlotte”, it’s not her time anymore. Her evil presence is basically on the back burner until a final twist with the epilogue. Instead, the author, makes you for a moment, want to go back to Book 1, “Charlotte”, and re-examine, 8-year-old, Amy’s personality for clues before Charlotte even entered the picture. So, that’s what I did and I found some. That maybe her parents would have seen if they were more involved in her upbringing. So, in a way “Amy’s” neglect could be child abuse also, which made Charlotte appear and latch onto her as host. There is a twist in the middle I didn’t see coming, yet it was very emotional. The ending is a climatic, action packed, showdown and blood will run down the walls. Who will win in the end, Amy, Patricia or Charlotte…….
One scene I especially loved was when “Amy “is being released from the Whispers Ward. The whole set-up was chilling, and reminded me of a female version, of Michael Meyers. When you read it, you will see why. I could almost hear a musical score in the background as she returns to her childhood home, looking for her mother, Patricia. Who abandoned her a long time ago. From then on she is an unstoppable, destructive force.
Are others just as complicit to this horrific tragedy, such as the Doctors who treated her. Or in the end was she just a bad seed. You must decide for yourself.
By robinleehorrorbookreviews.com
November 16, 2016
A decent end to a great trilogy. There were a few questionable and unanswered moments that bugged me a little but still an enjoyable read. Does Amy finally get released from the asylum? Does Amy go seeking revenge?? Just read it.
November 3, 2016
Seriously good
Loved this have read the previous books and it continued seamlessly. Well written with lots of chills along the way. Thanks Stuart for a great read
Loved this have read the previous books and it continued seamlessly. Well written with lots of chills along the way. Thanks Stuart for a great read
December 28, 2016
Stuart Keane strikes again, yes another brilliant book. Anything this author releases I shall be reading in the future. Such a brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews