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Purgatory Road
When a day trip out of Las Vegas with his wife takes a turn for the worse, Jack is sure he has the ability to get them home.
But he has driven into something far beyond reason
Rescue comes in the form of a desert hermit, but hope fades as the couple comes to realize that the nomad has no intention of letting them leave. A chance encounter with a kidnapped runaway and her crazed abductor leads them all farther into the wilderness — and closer to the cold brutality that isolation brings.
At the edge of his sanity, Jack begins to learn that playing by another’s rules may be the only way to survive.
In a voice that is as hypnotizing as a desert mirage, debut novelist Samuel Parker entices listeners down a treacherous road, where the forces of good and evil are as crushing as the Mojave heat.
But he has driven into something far beyond reason
Rescue comes in the form of a desert hermit, but hope fades as the couple comes to realize that the nomad has no intention of letting them leave. A chance encounter with a kidnapped runaway and her crazed abductor leads them all farther into the wilderness — and closer to the cold brutality that isolation brings.
At the edge of his sanity, Jack begins to learn that playing by another’s rules may be the only way to survive.
In a voice that is as hypnotizing as a desert mirage, debut novelist Samuel Parker entices listeners down a treacherous road, where the forces of good and evil are as crushing as the Mojave heat.
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First published January 1, 2017
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About the author
Samuel Parker
4 books107 followersSamuel Parker was born in the Michigan boondocks but was raised on a never-ending road trip through the U.S. Besides writing, he is a process junkie and the ex-guitarist for several metal bands you've never heard of. He lives in West Michigan with his wife and twin sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
August 5, 2016
I had some trepidation about this because for one, I don't usually read suspense thrillers - they make me too anxious about HOW WILL IT END and I end up reading too fast to get there. And for two, as an atheist & considering this is published by Baker, I was a little worried that God would creep in somehow. And I can see that for some readers He will, but one of the strongest points of this novel to me is that God doesn't have to creep in. Rather it doesn't have to be God. I thought that took real talent, and was perhaps the reason I liked the book so much, making either thing possible. I can envision a lively book club discussion around this. (I don't want to reveal too much!)
I wished for a little backstory on Jack & Laura - maybe on Cole too - but I don't think the story was wanting for that.
Samuel Parker has such a great way of writing, at turns succinct and witty but with a lovely turn of phrase - at one point a spider walked on "eight points of creepiness" which made me laugh out loud and cringe in fear at the same time. I got a The Stand meets A Christmas Carol vibe from this, and there aren't too many books I love more than The Stand. Take that as high praise!
I wished for a little backstory on Jack & Laura - maybe on Cole too - but I don't think the story was wanting for that.
Samuel Parker has such a great way of writing, at turns succinct and witty but with a lovely turn of phrase - at one point a spider walked on "eight points of creepiness" which made me laugh out loud and cringe in fear at the same time. I got a The Stand meets A Christmas Carol vibe from this, and there aren't too many books I love more than The Stand. Take that as high praise!
February 7, 2017
I devoured this spiritual warfare debut novel in 24 hours. The reason that I read it so quickly is because the chapters are very short, which enticed me to read "just one more" many, many times and because I just HAD to know what was going to happen to the three main characters: husband and wife Jack and Laura from Chicago whose marriage has lost its luster and teenage runaway Molly from Ohio. The novel is set in the middle of nowhere outside of Las Vegas. The cover is perfect for the story.
As I was reading the novel, I wasn't LOVING it, but was super motivated to find out what was going to happen. In reflection, I can see the messages and symbolism of the story. This isn't my typical genre to read and I was a little frustrated with not understanding some of the pieces until the novel was over.
It was a good novel and I would read future works by the author. I recommend this one for readers that enjoyed This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti.
As I was reading the novel, I wasn't LOVING it, but was super motivated to find out what was going to happen. In reflection, I can see the messages and symbolism of the story. This isn't my typical genre to read and I was a little frustrated with not understanding some of the pieces until the novel was over.
It was a good novel and I would read future works by the author. I recommend this one for readers that enjoyed This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti.
January 5, 2019
wat een pageturner!
February 9, 2017
I love a good suspense or mystery that takes me away for a couple of hours. When I first read the synopsis for debut author Samuel Parker's book Purgatory Road, I really couldn't wait to read the book. When reading a mystery, I liked the suspense to be high with me wanting to flip the pages because I can't wait to see what happens next. I want to yearn for the victims to come out unharmed on the other end. But, unfortunately, with Parker's book, I didn't feel this way.
While his writing is okay, I did have a hard time with the suspense element of the novel. It was the most disturbing part of the story. First, when Jack and his wife wander in the desert, they get stranded and have to wait until almost death to be rescued. Then the story just stalled for a long time. They were stuck at this elder man's trailer with nowhere to go. Why they didn't leave when they got better is beyond me? Yes, I know they were in the middle of the desert, but they didn't even attempt to leave at all. On the other hand, the suspense element with Colten felt a little odd. It seemed more for shock value than anything else. I believe, and I could be wrong, that Parker wanted to Colten to seem horrible, so he made him taunt Molly, not allowing me to see what was really going on. It just read like a slow-moving, yet moments of horror stuck in gross out the reader. I really didn't like it.
The story moved at a slow pace, and only sped up when Parker was coming to the end of the novel. As for the characters of Jack and Laura, they were one-dimensional with really no personality at all. Their marriage even seemed fake to me. Why would Laura put up with a man like Jake? He only became a hero at the climactic moment. Not before. There really was no romance between Jake and Laura. They really showed no affection to each other or had secret meetings on how they were going to escape, except that one time, and it failed.
With the unpredictable ending and original storyline, I really didn't enjoy this book. Because of the violent nature of some of the scenes, I would not recommend giving Purgatory Road to younger readers. As a fan of suspense novels, I would not recommend this book to others. Pass on this one and spend your time with something more gripping. These are my opinions and other have a right to completely disagree with me.
I received a complimentary copy of Purgatory Road from Revell Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own.
While his writing is okay, I did have a hard time with the suspense element of the novel. It was the most disturbing part of the story. First, when Jack and his wife wander in the desert, they get stranded and have to wait until almost death to be rescued. Then the story just stalled for a long time. They were stuck at this elder man's trailer with nowhere to go. Why they didn't leave when they got better is beyond me? Yes, I know they were in the middle of the desert, but they didn't even attempt to leave at all. On the other hand, the suspense element with Colten felt a little odd. It seemed more for shock value than anything else. I believe, and I could be wrong, that Parker wanted to Colten to seem horrible, so he made him taunt Molly, not allowing me to see what was really going on. It just read like a slow-moving, yet moments of horror stuck in gross out the reader. I really didn't like it.
The story moved at a slow pace, and only sped up when Parker was coming to the end of the novel. As for the characters of Jack and Laura, they were one-dimensional with really no personality at all. Their marriage even seemed fake to me. Why would Laura put up with a man like Jake? He only became a hero at the climactic moment. Not before. There really was no romance between Jake and Laura. They really showed no affection to each other or had secret meetings on how they were going to escape, except that one time, and it failed.
With the unpredictable ending and original storyline, I really didn't enjoy this book. Because of the violent nature of some of the scenes, I would not recommend giving Purgatory Road to younger readers. As a fan of suspense novels, I would not recommend this book to others. Pass on this one and spend your time with something more gripping. These are my opinions and other have a right to completely disagree with me.
I received a complimentary copy of Purgatory Road from Revell Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own.
February 5, 2018
This is good! And a real bargain at $1.59 US for the e-book.
* * * * *
I enjoyed this book, but would someone please tell me what in the world the last section meant???
Some favorite quotations:
". . . they admired the amazing views that they could not see at home: the valley floor butting up against mountain walls; the streaks of reds and tans that told the history of the world. The sun was in its full glory and the heat began to abuse the ground."
"Loneliness is the acute sensation of realizing that you are on nobody's mind."
"At different times through the years she thought of it [her engagement ring] as her disengagement ring. A symbol that marked the last day Jack pursued her. Focused his attention on her. Prioritized her. . . . They had been married for five long, slow years."
"In her youth she had secretly resented her mother for passively supporting her father. Resented her for being the Xeroxed copy of June Cleaver. A woman without her own dreams."
"Two old farts growing old together in misery's outpost."
"Why does a dark road grip the heart in fear? When on foot, a person quickens their pace at night as fears of stalking boogeymen come haunting up behind them. A flash of headlights causes the muscles to tense in anticipation of complete terror."
"She had longed to live without restraint, not realizing she was incapable of living without support."
"His western shirt sported the timeless fashion of the discount thrift store. . ."
"'Don't see much out here'--he smiled--'that's why it's called OUT HERE.'"
"He fought for sleep and won no prize."
"I've seen it before. Man who can't sit down ain't never happy. Always got to be going somewhere."
"'How'd you get out here?' Jack piped in. 'I don't know,' she whispered. 'I don't know where here is.'"
"Molly suffered the fate of the typical teenage suburbanite. No matter how domesticated a young heart is, it still seeks a harder edge, not realizing how sharp that edge actually cuts."
"The things we hate in others are the things we hate about ourselves. . ."
* * * * *
I enjoyed this book, but would someone please tell me what in the world the last section meant???
Some favorite quotations:
". . . they admired the amazing views that they could not see at home: the valley floor butting up against mountain walls; the streaks of reds and tans that told the history of the world. The sun was in its full glory and the heat began to abuse the ground."
"Loneliness is the acute sensation of realizing that you are on nobody's mind."
"At different times through the years she thought of it [her engagement ring] as her disengagement ring. A symbol that marked the last day Jack pursued her. Focused his attention on her. Prioritized her. . . . They had been married for five long, slow years."
"In her youth she had secretly resented her mother for passively supporting her father. Resented her for being the Xeroxed copy of June Cleaver. A woman without her own dreams."
"Two old farts growing old together in misery's outpost."
"Why does a dark road grip the heart in fear? When on foot, a person quickens their pace at night as fears of stalking boogeymen come haunting up behind them. A flash of headlights causes the muscles to tense in anticipation of complete terror."
"She had longed to live without restraint, not realizing she was incapable of living without support."
"His western shirt sported the timeless fashion of the discount thrift store. . ."
"'Don't see much out here'--he smiled--'that's why it's called OUT HERE.'"
"He fought for sleep and won no prize."
"I've seen it before. Man who can't sit down ain't never happy. Always got to be going somewhere."
"'How'd you get out here?' Jack piped in. 'I don't know,' she whispered. 'I don't know where here is.'"
"Molly suffered the fate of the typical teenage suburbanite. No matter how domesticated a young heart is, it still seeks a harder edge, not realizing how sharp that edge actually cuts."
"The things we hate in others are the things we hate about ourselves. . ."
December 19, 2016
Found this on Netgalley, nice cover, interesting premise, sure, why not. Turned out to be a fairly decent thriller in desperate need of proper editing. Not just checking for typos and commas, but actual context editing. Someone to point out that the clunky similes (stars burning like orphans in the lack field of the night, seriously, all those flammable orphans...what) didn't work and in fact looked incongruous in the otherwise matter of fact writing style, short sentences, simple sentiments, etc. Or maybe someone to mention that Ansel Adams didn't draw, but took photos and in his youth was in fact a piano player. Or someone to bring author's attention to that fact that repeatedly describing a man who lives in a trailer in a desert as a desert nomad doesn't work because nomad is by definition someone who doesn't have a permanent abode. The plot itself was actually compelling enough to see what happens for the most part, though the morality of it was laid on much too thickly as the forces of good and evil battled it out small scale on a desert (purgatory, yes, get it, purgatory) road. There was a low budget straight to dvd movie with a similar concept not too long ago. This book was well paced, well intentioned, but overly simplistic and under edited with a general quality of being slightly above an average kindle freebie. Thanks Netgalley.
February 7, 2017
4/5 Stars
I received an advanced reading copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
I know somebody is going to end up giving me hell for this comment, but this book actually gave me subtle American God vibes. And if being compared to Neil Gaiman isn't praise, than I'm not quite sure what is.
Jack & Laura are a married couple who have decided to take a trip out to Las Vegas in a hopes to rekindle their relationship. One afternoon, they decide to rent a car and drive out into the desert to explore and see what they can find. Jack's need to push things just a little bit further have them headed out to a secluded area, and when their car stalls, the two begin to panic. With just two bottles of water to share between them, Jack and Laura wait in their vehicle, hoping that someone will wander down the highway and help them before the desert heat claims their lives.
Just when they have nearly give up, help comes in the form of Boots, a hermit living in the desert in a small shack. He takes the couple back to his home and nurses them back to health, but it seems as though he has no intention of letting the two leave. The situation only intensifies when they stumble upon a teenage runaway who claims she was being held captive in the desert hills.
Samuel Parker knows how to turn a phrase. His writing is completely illustrative, and it's initially what drew me into this story. There is so much going on in Purgatory Road, and yet one of the biggest themes here is definitely man vs. self. Jack is not a perfect man, and his insecurity in himself is leading to the destruction of his relationship without his even realizing. Even when he is rescued, Jack fails to relinquish control over the situation he finds himself in and constantly feels the need to prove himself.
The suspense is real, and the alternating perspectives really help to increase that edge of your seat feeling. There is just enough of a supernatural element to make the whole story still feel plausible while also continuing to raise questions in your mind. My confusion and lack of fully understanding the situation is what pushed me through each chapter. I had to understand, the pieces had to finally come together. And they do, in a way, but they're also left a little open ended. Great discussions will be had about this book!
One hell of a debut novel, I look forward to seeing what else Samuel Parker has in store for us.
Read more reviews on Bibliotique.
I received an advanced reading copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
I know somebody is going to end up giving me hell for this comment, but this book actually gave me subtle American God vibes. And if being compared to Neil Gaiman isn't praise, than I'm not quite sure what is.
Jack & Laura are a married couple who have decided to take a trip out to Las Vegas in a hopes to rekindle their relationship. One afternoon, they decide to rent a car and drive out into the desert to explore and see what they can find. Jack's need to push things just a little bit further have them headed out to a secluded area, and when their car stalls, the two begin to panic. With just two bottles of water to share between them, Jack and Laura wait in their vehicle, hoping that someone will wander down the highway and help them before the desert heat claims their lives.
Just when they have nearly give up, help comes in the form of Boots, a hermit living in the desert in a small shack. He takes the couple back to his home and nurses them back to health, but it seems as though he has no intention of letting the two leave. The situation only intensifies when they stumble upon a teenage runaway who claims she was being held captive in the desert hills.
"Is it the actual blow that causes so much suffering, or the anticipation of it? The waiting for the strike of pain that we know is coming and every fiber in our body tenses in macabre expectation. The road before him was the physical embodiment of the question. He could not will himself to the end of the story; he had to walk the gauntlet of fear."
Samuel Parker knows how to turn a phrase. His writing is completely illustrative, and it's initially what drew me into this story. There is so much going on in Purgatory Road, and yet one of the biggest themes here is definitely man vs. self. Jack is not a perfect man, and his insecurity in himself is leading to the destruction of his relationship without his even realizing. Even when he is rescued, Jack fails to relinquish control over the situation he finds himself in and constantly feels the need to prove himself.
"Maybe the old man would come crashing through the door with an axe in his hand. Maybe Jack would leap up and beat the life out of the old man, saving his wife from dismemberment, and saving the day. They would ride off on horseback, she with her arms around his waist, in love again with her brave hero.
Either that or he would be chopped to bits while Laura cowered in the corner waiting her turn, a look of shame on her face as she realized she had cast her lot with such a horrible protector."
The suspense is real, and the alternating perspectives really help to increase that edge of your seat feeling. There is just enough of a supernatural element to make the whole story still feel plausible while also continuing to raise questions in your mind. My confusion and lack of fully understanding the situation is what pushed me through each chapter. I had to understand, the pieces had to finally come together. And they do, in a way, but they're also left a little open ended. Great discussions will be had about this book!
One hell of a debut novel, I look forward to seeing what else Samuel Parker has in store for us.
Read more reviews on Bibliotique.
September 19, 2016
Another good and evil battle. Is an exciting mystery with supernatural thrown in. Jack and his wife are on vacation in the desert when the car breaks down and they run out of water. A hermit comes along and rescues them by taking them to his trailer on a horse. No phones and no electricity. So their adventure begins. In the mean time there is a serial killer on the loose. The supernatural beings are at work for the good or evil. Keeps one guessing as to what these characters will do with the events enfolding them. This novel is released in January. Thanks to Goodreads.
June 15, 2016
I have heard this book described a couple different ways. It was described as The Shack only scarier, and as a new Frank Peretti style book. To me it fits either and yet stands completely on its own. It doesn't seek to mirror either author, Samuel just brings a book that will not leave you the same.
September 2, 2016
I thought this book to be a fantastic read! The characters and story were extremely interesting. A refreshing story to say the least. There are some nice "life lessons" to be learned here as well. I now know who my favorite author is: Samuel Parker!
August 31, 2016
WOW WOW This is a book that should become a great movie thriller. I want to hand this over for a friend to read yet I want to keep my copy in a safe place so I can devour it again.
I won an ARC from Goodreads.
I won an ARC from Goodreads.
January 11, 2017
This was a refreshing change and I loved it! I usually give 4 stars for books I love and 5 is super rare from me. I'm giving this one 5 stars because the entire time I was never quite sure what was going on. Great story. Great characters. Can't wait for the next book!
July 21, 2019
Wauw, van een pageturner gesproken!
May 28, 2017
Honestly, this book confused me more than it satisfied my need for a solid story. Obviously, not everyone feels this way, but that's fine. Here's why I'm not going to recommend this book:
There's a multitude of characters, all of which get their time in the spotlight, but some almost felt absolutely unneeded. In my opini0n, PJ wasn't introduced or talked about well enough for her death to resonate so badly with Red. I didn't really empathize with any of the characters, either. Laura was annoying because she mentally complains about how Jack treats her THE WHOLE TIME and ends up still staying with him because he just happens to be forced to save her life AFTER he decided it was perfectly okay to leave her behind. Jack is just a stuck up prick. That's all that needs to be said about him. Red is basically the epitome of a small outskirt town sheriff who has had alcohol problems in the past. (He's not a bad character, but overall, his details have been written time and time again by author after author.) The other cop, James, is just useless other than finding PJ's body and then staring at a full bottle of alcohol that Red had out on his table. Boots is probably the only character I was semi-okay with simply because he didn't put up with Jack's self-righteous crap. His mystery felt really forced, especially at the end when almost nothing was ever revealed about him at all. Colten is a terrible villain, honestly. He didn't strike any amount of fear into me at all. He was too unhinged to even plan out decent attacks which just left me feeling bored. Seth just makes no sense whatsoever, seeing as in some scenes, all characters can see and interact with him, and in others, only Colten can see him with no explanation as to how or why. He barely fits into the story at all and then is suddenly SUPER important in the battle scene between him and Boots.
What annoys me most is nothing gets said about Seth and Boots and their powers, their seemingly everlasting battle that's apparently been going on for centuries. This is really obnoxious because Colten is apparently a type of trainee or something for Seth, but you never get told why, or for what purpose, or anything. That made the whole entire book feel absolutely pointless due to the fact that it was basically the driving point for everything that happened.
Long story short, I was pretty disappointed because it seemed as if it was going to be a decent suspense novel with a solid story, but ultimately fell very short with me. Plus, there's only so many times you can describe someone wearing a shirt with "pearl buttons" before it's like OKAY, I GET IT, THEY ARE ALWAYS WEARING PEARL BUTTONS.
There's a multitude of characters, all of which get their time in the spotlight, but some almost felt absolutely unneeded. In my opini0n, PJ wasn't introduced or talked about well enough for her death to resonate so badly with Red. I didn't really empathize with any of the characters, either. Laura was annoying because she mentally complains about how Jack treats her THE WHOLE TIME and ends up still staying with him because he just happens to be forced to save her life AFTER he decided it was perfectly okay to leave her behind. Jack is just a stuck up prick. That's all that needs to be said about him. Red is basically the epitome of a small outskirt town sheriff who has had alcohol problems in the past. (He's not a bad character, but overall, his details have been written time and time again by author after author.) The other cop, James, is just useless other than finding PJ's body and then staring at a full bottle of alcohol that Red had out on his table. Boots is probably the only character I was semi-okay with simply because he didn't put up with Jack's self-righteous crap. His mystery felt really forced, especially at the end when almost nothing was ever revealed about him at all. Colten is a terrible villain, honestly. He didn't strike any amount of fear into me at all. He was too unhinged to even plan out decent attacks which just left me feeling bored. Seth just makes no sense whatsoever, seeing as in some scenes, all characters can see and interact with him, and in others, only Colten can see him with no explanation as to how or why. He barely fits into the story at all and then is suddenly SUPER important in the battle scene between him and Boots.
What annoys me most is nothing gets said about Seth and Boots and their powers, their seemingly everlasting battle that's apparently been going on for centuries. This is really obnoxious because Colten is apparently a type of trainee or something for Seth, but you never get told why, or for what purpose, or anything. That made the whole entire book feel absolutely pointless due to the fact that it was basically the driving point for everything that happened.
Long story short, I was pretty disappointed because it seemed as if it was going to be a decent suspense novel with a solid story, but ultimately fell very short with me. Plus, there's only so many times you can describe someone wearing a shirt with "pearl buttons" before it's like OKAY, I GET IT, THEY ARE ALWAYS WEARING PEARL BUTTONS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2017
The most exceptional read for awhile! Kept me riveted...definite page turner, love the short chapters. I was almost sad when I was finished but will definitely be looking for and reading this author's next book and soon! This book had everything I enjoy most. Suspense, strong emotions (multiple emotions...ranging from love to hate and back...) . Can't wait for more from this author.
March 22, 2017
A very interesting story between good and evil, and the turns you take in life and where they could lead you. First it begins with a young girl who has run away from her home in Ohio because really it was ok, no excitement. Just routine and she was looking for an adventure. She was not upset with her parents or any one thing she was looking for what she thought would be an adventure. After getting all the way to Vegas she accepts a ride from a truck driver who she thinks is going to take her to L.A. that does not happen. Now the second part of the story is about a couple who has traveled from Chicago to Vegas for a weekend and their marriage is ok at least for the both of them in their mind. The husband decides that for fun let’s take a ride out in the desert, not to a local place like Red Rock Canyon, or go out to Hoover Dam. No let’s drive out to the desert. Having grown up in the desert I for one know that this is a bad idea and is not going to end well. Now is when the story changes after an old man rescues the couple. But the husband is still being a jerk and just for good measure the old man lets him try to walk out to find help even the husband does not know where he is going and for being so upset with the old man he leaves his wife with the man. First if you’re a city person don’t go walking in the desert by yourself with idea where you’re going when in a few hours it will be 120 degrees, second if he didn’t like the old man why did he leave his wife with him? The husband really pissed me off. You go back and forth between the couple, and their situation and girls. The author takes you the reader to look at all their lives before they got to this point and you are wondering how is this going to end. The ending is very climatic so I won’t go into it, but I will say that this is a very good book with very strong characters. Overall I really liked the story. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
November 12, 2018
WHOA! I was immediately pulled into the story. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the spiritual elements weaved throughout. I highly recommend this book!
May 16, 2017
Strong debut thriller. Very intense, speed-of-light read, but with some elements of depth. A minimalist masterpiece. Listened to audiobook, narrator did an exceptional job.
October 21, 2018
It's official. I have a new favorite author. Samuel Parker is a natural story teller. I love that he can set the scene without interrupting the story. This book is part thriller, part mystical tale. It has those wonderful nuances found in THE SHACK without it actually being about religion.
February 7, 2017
Fans of Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, rejoice! There is a new suspense author on the scene, one who hearkens back to the glory days of when Peretti and Dekker's latest release would be met by salivating suspense readers everywhere. Parker has offered up a novel equal parts addictive as eerie, a book where you aren't sure who is good and who is evil (at least until the end), and where the confrontation between good and evil takes unexpected turns. Now, readers who get squeamish reading about killers should be cautious with this novel. That said, if you like a good suspense read already, then you won't find anything here that frightens you away (unless you read this book well past midnight, in the dark, and your floors are really creaky...)
"Purgatory Road" works as a purely entertaining novel, but also one that peers into the darkness of the human soul, a parable if you will that may lead you into the own dark corners of your heart to see if there is anything there you need to bring to Jesus. Indeed, at first I found myself looking at Jack and thoroughly judging him, for his behaviour to his wife and his horrible actions towards the character Boots (you will see what I mean). And then I remembered that we are most quick to judge people for the sinful tendencies and thoughts that can cross our own minds! So I found myself shifting uncomfortably in my seat as I judged the selfish and therefore unlikable character of Jack because I realized that perhaps his flaws are my own (though hopefully I'm not quite as self-absorbed as he is).I am thankful that God has not seen fit to send ME to a "purgatory" road, but has sought to teach me in other ways. I am reminded of the Bible verse that the Lord disciplines those he loves, and thus allows hardships for our good. So I closed the covers of this book and just paused to thank God for a good story and also for a reminder that, there but for the grace of God go I.
If you like suspense, read this book. And, if you enjoy books that not only entertain you but also sneakily teach you along the way, then this is definitely the book for you! I award this novel a very
solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars, and look forward to what Parker is going to bring his new fans next.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
January 22, 2017
From the first pages I had creeps running down my spine. This story is a nerve - racking, blood – curdling, fearsome piece of art. It started like every second horror movie, couple’s car broke in the middle of nowhere and they need to survive but eventually they will meet someone who wants to kill them. Heard that before, right? But this novel is something different. There is something else lurking around, where it is very hard to explain what it is, and author kept it for your own imagination till the very last page. Was it real or was it just a fruit of imagination, I honestly don’t know. The plot of this book is really disturbing and filled with lots of violence and disturbed characters so if u have weak nerves and fear of violence save yourself from nightmares. I know I had few even though I like these kind of books.
I really enjoyed what author did with the characters, they are very mysterious and all of them have their own secrets which author helps to untangle slowly, torturing with every chapter. There are amazing insights of couple’s relationship problems and hidden feelings towards each other and helps discover their own most secret realisations which they tried to suppress for some time. Characters manipulate with these feelings magnificently. The book is really fast paced and these chapters are so short, that it grips you so bad that all I could think was “OK, just one more…” and I couldn’t put it down. It is really easy to read this book, because the language used is not difficult so it just flies through. There are a lot of things going on in the book with a lot of turns and twists which made it even more interesting and gripping. The ending was really enjoyable as well not like the ones you see in horror movies. To conclude, I would strongly recommend this book to all out there who got strong nerves and would like some spine – chilling story to read.
I really enjoyed what author did with the characters, they are very mysterious and all of them have their own secrets which author helps to untangle slowly, torturing with every chapter. There are amazing insights of couple’s relationship problems and hidden feelings towards each other and helps discover their own most secret realisations which they tried to suppress for some time. Characters manipulate with these feelings magnificently. The book is really fast paced and these chapters are so short, that it grips you so bad that all I could think was “OK, just one more…” and I couldn’t put it down. It is really easy to read this book, because the language used is not difficult so it just flies through. There are a lot of things going on in the book with a lot of turns and twists which made it even more interesting and gripping. The ending was really enjoyable as well not like the ones you see in horror movies. To conclude, I would strongly recommend this book to all out there who got strong nerves and would like some spine – chilling story to read.
November 28, 2016
I received this ARC edition of Purgatory Road via a goodreads giveaway.
I love a good horror book, and I love good/evil main characters. For years my favorites have been the Old Black woman and the Man in Black from the Stand, now they have finally found competition in Boots, an old desert hermit and Seth, evil incarnate.
Jack and his wife are in Vegas on vacation, or more likely, a quest to find what they use to have. A day trip into the desert in a rented Mustang brings them to the brink of death and a soul searching adventure to seek what had truly been lost within the couple’s lives.
The couple follow a road until the car Jack is driving simply quits. While there is gas and everything appears normal, turning the key produced nothing but worry that the hot sun will fry them to death. On the brink of collapse, Jack sees a miracle when an old timer shows up, taking his wife to safety, promising Jack that he will return for him. As time slowly creeps past Jack’s dehydrating body, his hallucinations become more real, more vivid, and Jack is positive he will endure an eternity of hell.
At the same time, a runaway named Molly is about to meet her maker in the most gruesome of means as her captor plans for her demise, she is chained in a cage somewhere in the mountains shadowing the Mohave Desert, her captor, Colton, an odd man who tends a local gas station/ convenient store awaits for the right moment to unleash terror and death upon her.
Soon, the lives of each of these characters will intersect in the most extreme ways, where good and evil play out at the hands of mere humans.
This is the best horror book I have read in a long, long time!
I love a good horror book, and I love good/evil main characters. For years my favorites have been the Old Black woman and the Man in Black from the Stand, now they have finally found competition in Boots, an old desert hermit and Seth, evil incarnate.
Jack and his wife are in Vegas on vacation, or more likely, a quest to find what they use to have. A day trip into the desert in a rented Mustang brings them to the brink of death and a soul searching adventure to seek what had truly been lost within the couple’s lives.
The couple follow a road until the car Jack is driving simply quits. While there is gas and everything appears normal, turning the key produced nothing but worry that the hot sun will fry them to death. On the brink of collapse, Jack sees a miracle when an old timer shows up, taking his wife to safety, promising Jack that he will return for him. As time slowly creeps past Jack’s dehydrating body, his hallucinations become more real, more vivid, and Jack is positive he will endure an eternity of hell.
At the same time, a runaway named Molly is about to meet her maker in the most gruesome of means as her captor plans for her demise, she is chained in a cage somewhere in the mountains shadowing the Mohave Desert, her captor, Colton, an odd man who tends a local gas station/ convenient store awaits for the right moment to unleash terror and death upon her.
Soon, the lives of each of these characters will intersect in the most extreme ways, where good and evil play out at the hands of mere humans.
This is the best horror book I have read in a long, long time!
August 29, 2016
Sometimes we go through hell for those we love, either physically or emotionally. When Jack and his wife go to Las Vegas to try to rekindle their relationship things don't work out very well. They end up broke down on a lonely road in the desert and end up with a hermit that keeps to himself. A teenage girl runs away from home and gets stuck in Las Vegas with little to no money. She thinks she's found her salvation in a man that offers help in a diner. These people will come together on the path of life that will either save them or destroy them.
I enjoyed this book. It kept you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how it would end.
I won an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. It kept you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how it would end.
I won an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2016
I won this book on goodreads.com !
One hell of a debut thriller.
A couple on vacation in Las Vegas rent a car and take a day trip into the desert. They become stranded on a highway. Near death, they are rescued by a hermit named Boots.
Oh, and there's a killer on the loose. Soon the story takes a turn into the supernatural.
I won't say anymore than that. Sometimes reviews reveal too much and spoil the fun.
It's so good that I wanted to keep reading about the characters.
Superb job Mr. Parker!
One hell of a debut thriller.
A couple on vacation in Las Vegas rent a car and take a day trip into the desert. They become stranded on a highway. Near death, they are rescued by a hermit named Boots.
Oh, and there's a killer on the loose. Soon the story takes a turn into the supernatural.
I won't say anymore than that. Sometimes reviews reveal too much and spoil the fun.
It's so good that I wanted to keep reading about the characters.
Superb job Mr. Parker!
April 27, 2017
Just not for me. I thought it started out well and I was drawn in but it soon lost its appeal. I felt like it was too drawn out and the storyline didn't move forward fast enough to keep me engaged. I got that it was supposed to be a supernatural thriller but I just didn't connect with it.
I was provided with an ebook to facilitate my review.
I was provided with an ebook to facilitate my review.
January 14, 2017
This debut novel was FABULOUS. Samuel Parkers writing style and his use of expressive,illustrative words portray a picture of the Purgatory Road in your minds eye. A GRIPPING, UNPREDICTABLE, PAGE TURNER, THRILLER!!!!
May 16, 2017
This is a snappy,fast read barreling along a tale of the forces of good and evil and the nature of man. The sightseeing trip of Jack and Laura gets them into a deathtrap when their car dies in the Mojave desert . . Jack doesn't even register how inconsiderate and self serving he has become , doesn't reckonise the love changing into loathing. He flounders in his bravado and shakey self worth. Parker captures man's heart desire to be admired as a hero and master of his destiny even as he is lost from his wife. Another thread of the story centers on the teenaged runaway, Molly. She grabs at her future and lands in the hands of a terrorfying killer. A mysterious hermit happens upon these lost souls and pulls them from imiement death caring for them in his solitary trailer in the middle of nowhere. And there they are stalled in the desert ,sitting ducks for an insane serial killer and forces of darkness. The road on pergutory can lead to salvation or eternal loss but it's a place that demands grit to cross. The destiny for Jack,Laura,and Molly is shaped by the struggle of good and evil forever altering each.
April 13, 2017
Purgatory Road recalls the atmosphere and moral challenges of Cormac McCarthy's oeuvre, a world in which the ordinary and expected never show up when they should, much to the harm and danger of the protagonists. Jack and Laura, a 30ish married couple on vacation, and Molly, a teen runaway, arrive in Las Vegas from opposite directions but in the same state: estrangement. Whether by choice or force they become stranded in the aloneness of the Mojave desert where material and non-material agents work to reduce them to no more than animal fear. None are equipped to survive the onslaught to their bodies and minds. Is there no one to help? Maybe, but it could be another evil trick.
I agree with one of the cover quotes that this would make a great movie.
I agree with one of the cover quotes that this would make a great movie.
July 4, 2017
The extremely short chapters made this a quick read-
"Just one more chapter...okay maybe one more...."
This story contains the familiar themes- good vs evil, survival, finding yourself.
Not a whole lot of backstory on the characters. I want to know what makes people tick. What made them this way? If you're a person who asks the same of book characters, you might find yourself disappointed here.
"Just one more chapter...okay maybe one more...."
This story contains the familiar themes- good vs evil, survival, finding yourself.
Not a whole lot of backstory on the characters. I want to know what makes people tick. What made them this way? If you're a person who asks the same of book characters, you might find yourself disappointed here.
February 15, 2018
Excellent
Purgatory would be not having Samuel Parker writing his amazing books! He's an excellent storyteller, especially when it comes to tales with a supernatural aspect, but like all great writers, his real talent lies in his realistic and believable characters. Characters who pull you in and make you believe in them and care about them. Add a great story and a sense of mystery and it's a recipe for amazing reading. He's good. Very good.
Purgatory would be not having Samuel Parker writing his amazing books! He's an excellent storyteller, especially when it comes to tales with a supernatural aspect, but like all great writers, his real talent lies in his realistic and believable characters. Characters who pull you in and make you believe in them and care about them. Add a great story and a sense of mystery and it's a recipe for amazing reading. He's good. Very good.
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