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Grimm Woods
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counsellors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables in order to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.
Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew.
Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2016
2 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
D. Melhoff
6 books63 followers**Please note: A limited number of complimentary ebook copies of THE EASTER WITCH are available for review. Please email me directly with the word "EASTER" in the subject line if you are interested: d.melhoff@gmail.com**
D. Melhoff is a master of making the fun and bizarre go hand in hand. Along with the rich, one-of-a-kind illustrations of Ariane Elsammak, his twisted tales are exciting, vintage-flavored rides through the dark side of every reader’s imagination, appealing to mature children and immature adults everywhere.
D. Melhoff Website:
www.dmelhoff.com
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/dmelhoff
D. Melhoff is a master of making the fun and bizarre go hand in hand. Along with the rich, one-of-a-kind illustrations of Ariane Elsammak, his twisted tales are exciting, vintage-flavored rides through the dark side of every reader’s imagination, appealing to mature children and immature adults everywhere.
D. Melhoff Website:
www.dmelhoff.com
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/dmelhoff
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 23, 2017
Who knew fairy tales could be so terrifying?! I knew some of the Grimm Tales were scarier than the Disney version but holy hell, I didn't realize they were that twisted.
This was an engaging, gruesome and outstanding read. Grimm Woods sucked me in from the very beginning. No joke. The plot was action packed and the shock factor was excellent for a horror book. Fans of horror, mystery or thrillers would really enjoy this book in my opinion.
After reading this grimm (see what I did there) tale, I’m not sure I ever want to go to Summer Camp again!! And the ending was excellent with the psychological impact that will stay with the survivor forever.
Kudos to D. Melhoff for writing a book that was hard to put down!
This was an engaging, gruesome and outstanding read. Grimm Woods sucked me in from the very beginning. No joke. The plot was action packed and the shock factor was excellent for a horror book. Fans of horror, mystery or thrillers would really enjoy this book in my opinion.
After reading this grimm (see what I did there) tale, I’m not sure I ever want to go to Summer Camp again!! And the ending was excellent with the psychological impact that will stay with the survivor forever.
Kudos to D. Melhoff for writing a book that was hard to put down!
February 7, 2017
Scott, a troubled young man who suffers from a recurring nightmare, signs up as a counselor at Camp Crownheart, a fairytale-themed summer camp. As well as the four staff, there are fourteen young counselors in all - who are more interested in partying than looking after the 55 kids. The murders start the first night and, with no telephone or means of getting outside help, the staff, counselors, and children are virtually under siege. Upon finding an old copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales, Scott discovers that these stories are not as tame as the versions they are familiar with. The stories contain dark elements, torture, and death - no happily-ever-afters here. And they strangely mirror the murders that have been occurring around them. It's almost as if someone is trying to teach the counselors the lessons that are taught in the fairy tales.
From the outset, the author sets a creepy tone, as we watch our unknown serial killer plot the deaths of more than a dozen victims. Melhoff then proceeds to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, turning the idyllic camp setting into a harrowing nightmare for all involved. The author has an enviable vocabulary, as well as a remarkable ability to spin a yarn, maintain suspense, and create interest in the characters - even though they are all flawed. Through it all, Scott surprises us by growing as a person, from a sullen, aggressive, nicotine-crazed loser to a strong, compassionate, caring man.
Reading Grimm Woods, you won't know who you can trust or who will die next. This is one book you'll find hard to put down.
Warnings: drug use, sex scenes, sexual references, coarse language, graphic violence, gore, horror.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (25 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
From the outset, the author sets a creepy tone, as we watch our unknown serial killer plot the deaths of more than a dozen victims. Melhoff then proceeds to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, turning the idyllic camp setting into a harrowing nightmare for all involved. The author has an enviable vocabulary, as well as a remarkable ability to spin a yarn, maintain suspense, and create interest in the characters - even though they are all flawed. Through it all, Scott surprises us by growing as a person, from a sullen, aggressive, nicotine-crazed loser to a strong, compassionate, caring man.
Reading Grimm Woods, you won't know who you can trust or who will die next. This is one book you'll find hard to put down.
Warnings: drug use, sex scenes, sexual references, coarse language, graphic violence, gore, horror.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (25 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
February 6, 2017
Reading this was like an experience with Lays Potato Chips. I couldn’t eat just one. I devoured this in one sitting.
If you love horror thrillers with a good whodunit, you’ll like this book.
It synopsis sounds familiar, but just wait for it. Young camp counselors protect their flock of kids from someone bent on killing. It’s not longer before the bodies start piling up. Except, the killer isn’t after the kids. The counselors are the targets. Many meet grisly ends and it seems the the killer leaves a message with each new body. They all die differently, the killer using the very themes the park is based on to display his victims. Grimm Fairy Tales come true.
Sound good? It is. And the thing I enjoyed most…the author spares no one. Yep, don’t get attached to any of these characters as they drop like flies.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntarily given.
If you love horror thrillers with a good whodunit, you’ll like this book.
It synopsis sounds familiar, but just wait for it. Young camp counselors protect their flock of kids from someone bent on killing. It’s not longer before the bodies start piling up. Except, the killer isn’t after the kids. The counselors are the targets. Many meet grisly ends and it seems the the killer leaves a message with each new body. They all die differently, the killer using the very themes the park is based on to display his victims. Grimm Fairy Tales come true.
Sound good? It is. And the thing I enjoyed most…the author spares no one. Yep, don’t get attached to any of these characters as they drop like flies.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntarily given.
February 4, 2017
I dislike when a book I am really looking forward too, turns out to be a disappointment. That is what happened to me with this book. I had really high expectations. Yet, I could barely read this book. I got only to chapter 8 and could no longer continue. I even had to make myself read the book even to get to the point I did.
All of the camp counselors were acting like two year olds. They were very childish in the way they acted and spoke. Than there was the foul language. Now, I have read many books with the "f" word and I have said it before and I will say it again. I don't mind when the "f" word is used when it has a purpose but when it is just pointlessly used, I can't tolerate it. In this case, the it was not really used without a purpose as the counselors were using the word as their form of communication but it did not do anything to enhance the story other than to make them come off as unintelligent.
Than there is sex. Not just the talking about it but also the act of doing it as well as the drug use. I felt bad for the children that they were subject to have to deal with these counselors. I really wanted to get to see what happened in the rest of the book. All I do know is that I hope and don't care if all of the counselors got killed. This book felt like a cheesy straight to DVD horror movie.
All of the camp counselors were acting like two year olds. They were very childish in the way they acted and spoke. Than there was the foul language. Now, I have read many books with the "f" word and I have said it before and I will say it again. I don't mind when the "f" word is used when it has a purpose but when it is just pointlessly used, I can't tolerate it. In this case, the it was not really used without a purpose as the counselors were using the word as their form of communication but it did not do anything to enhance the story other than to make them come off as unintelligent.
Than there is sex. Not just the talking about it but also the act of doing it as well as the drug use. I felt bad for the children that they were subject to have to deal with these counselors. I really wanted to get to see what happened in the rest of the book. All I do know is that I hope and don't care if all of the counselors got killed. This book felt like a cheesy straight to DVD horror movie.
February 6, 2017
We will never look at the woods or a fairytale the same again. This book is eerily creepy. Worse(in a totally awesome way) it lulls you into a happy place and than whomp you are freaked out and just when you are in full creep you get a glimpse of normality just so you can be creeped again. Brilliant to do. I felt like Anne Rice and Stephen King was an inspiration in this writing. the twisting it so your sins were mirrored out in Grimms fairytale and so was the punishment was twisted, devious and genius. Truly keeps you in the book wondering how they will tie together. And the fact that this revolved around one character having a past that haunts him in his dreams is super uber freaky and alluring.
Sean is a counselor with some demons in the closet. Overall a good guy just has had to do things that aren’t great to survive. He arrives at this fairytale like camp thinking he will get a paycheck and be on his way. Nope not happening for this dude. Instead he is sent down the rabbit whole and into the red queen’s lair so to speak. Suddenly a summer of babysitting turns into a summer of evil and creepy moments. He finds counselors being killed in a vicious way.
When things seem to be at a lull watchout man. YOu are sucked back into the vortex of spiraling evil and more deaths come about. What is worse is the justification the killer comes up with will chill you to the bone. it is seriously twisted and will have you cackle with glee at how truly imaginative, twisted, freaky, creepy and dark this tale is. You aren’t safe for you don’t know when you turn the page what you will find next. And that is how Sean feels as well. Unsafe and when he figures out they are tied to Grimm’s fairytales and the sins of the one killed it turns darker and he falls further. We see the nature of the beast of what we are come out in all its glory in this book. How one event can change the course for one and make things go dark. We see sacrifice as well.
This is creepy, dark and ominous. Entertaining, twisty and downright alluring. Intriguing and fascinating to see the human mind spiral and justify but also love the twist of adding the Grimm’s fairytale angle in the book. A wonderfully dark alluring book that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time and needing to know if anyone comes out in tact and who the heck is doing this and why. Great book.
Sean is a counselor with some demons in the closet. Overall a good guy just has had to do things that aren’t great to survive. He arrives at this fairytale like camp thinking he will get a paycheck and be on his way. Nope not happening for this dude. Instead he is sent down the rabbit whole and into the red queen’s lair so to speak. Suddenly a summer of babysitting turns into a summer of evil and creepy moments. He finds counselors being killed in a vicious way.
When things seem to be at a lull watchout man. YOu are sucked back into the vortex of spiraling evil and more deaths come about. What is worse is the justification the killer comes up with will chill you to the bone. it is seriously twisted and will have you cackle with glee at how truly imaginative, twisted, freaky, creepy and dark this tale is. You aren’t safe for you don’t know when you turn the page what you will find next. And that is how Sean feels as well. Unsafe and when he figures out they are tied to Grimm’s fairytales and the sins of the one killed it turns darker and he falls further. We see the nature of the beast of what we are come out in all its glory in this book. How one event can change the course for one and make things go dark. We see sacrifice as well.
This is creepy, dark and ominous. Entertaining, twisty and downright alluring. Intriguing and fascinating to see the human mind spiral and justify but also love the twist of adding the Grimm’s fairytale angle in the book. A wonderfully dark alluring book that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time and needing to know if anyone comes out in tact and who the heck is doing this and why. Great book.
February 6, 2017
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counsellors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables in order to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.
Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew.
Rating: 4.75/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: well-rounded, complex, shady snark characters; SO MUCH BLOOD AND GORE I loved it!; horror that was actually horrifying; mix in a side of fairy tales for an interesting, unique tale; plot-focused novel that still manages to round out everything else; this read was intense!
Huge thanks to D. Melhoff, Bellwoods Publishing, and Worldwind Virtual Book Tours for sending me a free ecopy of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
"Make a wish," Scott mumbled, chucking the paper towels in a garbage can.
"Huh?"
He nodded at the ball of cranes in Brynn's hands. "Aren't you supposed to wish on those things?"
"I think you need a thousand of them. Seems like wishing on a few dead ones is asking for a Japanese curse."
OH. MY. PENGUINS. If you'd told me, last week, that I'd be reading a book that mixed horror and fairy tales into one gruesome mess--and done so in an entertaining and awesome way--I probably wouldn't have believed you. I've read a few books pegged as "horror" recently and overall been vastly disappointed, so when I picked up this book, I didn't let my hopes get TOO high. But GOOOOOODNESS, I underestimated this read!
So let's talk plot first this time, because oh my, this book is TOTALLY plot-centric and I absolutely adooooored that! It's not often you find a book that's focused on plot yet still manages to implement and introduce complex, well-rounded, awesome characters...but this book?! This book manages to make everything seamless. The plot is action-packed and SUPER intense, to boot. Like seriously, penguins--I was clenching my fists, sitting on the edge of my seat, terrified about what was still to come. And that doesn't happen to me often these days--usually I can see where things are going and puzzle out what the major "plot twists" are. D. Melhoff? You caught me totally by surprise, SEVERAL times, and I love that you did!
And Scott--while you're reading, always remember one thing: sometimes we need the bad guy to make us better. Because without a villain, justice lacks its catalyst, and without justice, all you're left with is a world full of outlaws where the wolves eat you alive.
Like I said, these characters are well-rounded and complex. I really enjoyed that we also get different varying perspectives from them (the better to watch you DIE, my dear!) It brought a fun and unique twist to the story, and helped to keep the air of mystery and drama at SUPER INTENSE instead of just chugging along like some other horror novels I've read. I really enjoyed the way this comes full-circle in a sense, too--and that ending! That ending will just...gah. It's bound to haunt me, just as I'm sure it's bound to haunt that specific character. GAAAAH! GAH! I need more horror novels like THIS, okay?! So...someone recommend me some maybe?
In the end, this was a super entertaining, gruesome, intensely satisfying read and I cannot wait to see what D. Melhoff does in the future! The plot is action-packed and blood-soaked, the characters are like balls of shady snark, and the read was SO so worth it! I recommend this to lovers of horror, murder mysteries, and varying points of view. If characters actually bled, this book would be dripping red--be sure to wear an apron while reading, and remember, even fairy tales have a dark side.
May 19, 2017
This is, by far, one of the most interesting, creepy thrillers I’ve read in quite some time. The story line is not only reminiscent of the bloody fairy tales of old, but also of all those scary campfire tales and old urban myth stories of murderers/slashers. The action starts quickly and keeps the adrenaline flowing until the very end.
The book has stories encapsulated within the main story, as well. From the beginning, there is the feeling that there is more to the main characters than is readily apparent. The gradual revelations of these details provide an added element of complexity to the story. It draws the reader into the tale more and more until the reader becomes wholly immersed in the world of Grimm Woods and its very dark fairy tales.
Grimm Woods is far more than a simple whodunit. This story could easily be made into a great mystery/horror film, holding audiences enthralled. I read the novel in one sitting; I simply had to know everything that was going on – both about the murders, and about those “secret” or hidden stories. That’s the pull of the best books and Grimm Woods is one of the year’s best.
5 stars.
The book has stories encapsulated within the main story, as well. From the beginning, there is the feeling that there is more to the main characters than is readily apparent. The gradual revelations of these details provide an added element of complexity to the story. It draws the reader into the tale more and more until the reader becomes wholly immersed in the world of Grimm Woods and its very dark fairy tales.
Grimm Woods is far more than a simple whodunit. This story could easily be made into a great mystery/horror film, holding audiences enthralled. I read the novel in one sitting; I simply had to know everything that was going on – both about the murders, and about those “secret” or hidden stories. That’s the pull of the best books and Grimm Woods is one of the year’s best.
5 stars.
February 21, 2018
The first half of the book was really boring, by the time that it got interesting I had forgotten what happened in the beginning. As the killings started happening it started to get really interesting. It was kind of obvious who was behind the killings. I probably won’t read this book again, unfortunately.
March 7, 2017
The Woods are Grimm Grimm Woods started out pretty benign, a busload of kids and counselors on their way for a week at Camp Crownheart in the Michigan woods. Scott Mamer, a guy who needs a job, decides to take this one for the summer. Pretty easy gig for him he thinks. He meets the owner of the camp, Charlotte and the maintenance guy, Bruce along with the other counselors. The counselors all have their issues and reasons for wanting to be at the camp, some have been working at the camp for years. The kids are your typical camp goers, rich kids, underprivileged kids sent for some learning and fun activities.
We learn about Scott and his past and about a little girl named Desiree and what happened to her. The first night at camp there is a get together with all of the counselors at the lake. There is alcohol, drugs and sex which kind of surprises Scott, but he joins in. The first night, two of the counselors go missing and are found dead. That starts the murder spree that continues through the next few days and what a spree it is.
I found that the book started out a little slow, but I think that was to set the scene and timbre of the story. Then it took off and I had a hard time putting the book down. I have not read a horror story in a long time and this is definitely a readable story. Makes me glad that I never went to summer camp! The writing was easy to read and I came to really feel for the characters and I usually figure out who the bad guy is but I was not able to until the author lets the reader know. I really enjoyed the book!
We learn about Scott and his past and about a little girl named Desiree and what happened to her. The first night at camp there is a get together with all of the counselors at the lake. There is alcohol, drugs and sex which kind of surprises Scott, but he joins in. The first night, two of the counselors go missing and are found dead. That starts the murder spree that continues through the next few days and what a spree it is.
I found that the book started out a little slow, but I think that was to set the scene and timbre of the story. Then it took off and I had a hard time putting the book down. I have not read a horror story in a long time and this is definitely a readable story. Makes me glad that I never went to summer camp! The writing was easy to read and I came to really feel for the characters and I usually figure out who the bad guy is but I was not able to until the author lets the reader know. I really enjoyed the book!
February 27, 2017
This isn't your average fairytales. It is dark, violent, bloody, and definitely not full of happy endings. It is definitely grim. There are very few happy, feel-good moments in this story. This story was one of teaching lessons in the form of revenge. Punishment for not being on the best behavior. It is a dark horror story. Definitely not for the faint of heart. You will not find any happy fairytale endings here.
It held my attention very well. There was always plenty going on. It was fast-paced and didn't slow down or let up on the gore or horror. I felt like I was watching a teen horror flick movie. There were moments in the story where I didn't see things coming. It played with my mind a little bit. It was a quick read and one that fully held my attention. This story definitely wasn't lacking any dull or boring moments. It had plenty of interesting situations going on.
If you enjoy reading something dark and full of horror than you will definitely enjoy reading this book.
Warning: This book has a lot of profanity, sexual content, and drug use. At times it may be a bit crude.
It held my attention very well. There was always plenty going on. It was fast-paced and didn't slow down or let up on the gore or horror. I felt like I was watching a teen horror flick movie. There were moments in the story where I didn't see things coming. It played with my mind a little bit. It was a quick read and one that fully held my attention. This story definitely wasn't lacking any dull or boring moments. It had plenty of interesting situations going on.
If you enjoy reading something dark and full of horror than you will definitely enjoy reading this book.
Warning: This book has a lot of profanity, sexual content, and drug use. At times it may be a bit crude.
February 14, 2017
Going to a summer camp that has a theme based on Grimm’s fairy tales may sound like fun, but it’s not. Scott was having a hard time finding a job but that all changed when he was offered a summer job as a camp counselor for kids. Everything at the camp is based on old fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel and others. Seems like it would be an easy and fun job but when counselors start dying in gruesome ways, Scott and the other adults quickly learn that this camp is no fairy tale.
Someone is killing all the counselors and making it look like deaths that take place in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. We’re not talking the sanitized Disney fairy tales, we’re talking about the original stories which were meant to scare kids into being moral. Scott and the other counselors are faced with the challenge of staying alive while being hunted by a fairy tale obsessed psychopath.
Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff has the feel of an old 80’s slasher movie. We have a summer camp where there are teenagers having sex, doing drugs and unbeknownst to them, they’re being stalked by a serial killer. That’s only the beginning though, as the story moves along it gets more complex and the characters become more interesting. What really makes this book stand out is when it gets into the old fairy tales and you see how different they are compared to the kid friendly ones that most people know. D. Melhoff did his homework on Grimm’s fairy tales and seeing how they fit into the story is what made Grimm Woods different from other slasher stories.
The best part of the story is when all of the kids and counselors are trapped in a building trying to stay away from the killer. One of the counselors finds a big book of original fairy tales and decides to have the kids put on plays based on the stories. While they’re working on the performances they realize that the stories aren’t kid friendly, leading to a gruesome discovery and the realization that the world of fairy tales is a bleak place.
Grimm Woods is a book that has its flaws but is still a fun read. It gets off to a slow start, some of the action sequences didn’t make sense and the story would have been better if it was shorter. That being said, I enjoyed how a few of the characters grew as the story moved along, the villain was downright sadistic and the use of original fairy tales that most people don’t know about, made it all worthwhile. Grimm Woods may not be a great read but it’s an entertaining ride.
Someone is killing all the counselors and making it look like deaths that take place in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. We’re not talking the sanitized Disney fairy tales, we’re talking about the original stories which were meant to scare kids into being moral. Scott and the other counselors are faced with the challenge of staying alive while being hunted by a fairy tale obsessed psychopath.
Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff has the feel of an old 80’s slasher movie. We have a summer camp where there are teenagers having sex, doing drugs and unbeknownst to them, they’re being stalked by a serial killer. That’s only the beginning though, as the story moves along it gets more complex and the characters become more interesting. What really makes this book stand out is when it gets into the old fairy tales and you see how different they are compared to the kid friendly ones that most people know. D. Melhoff did his homework on Grimm’s fairy tales and seeing how they fit into the story is what made Grimm Woods different from other slasher stories.
The best part of the story is when all of the kids and counselors are trapped in a building trying to stay away from the killer. One of the counselors finds a big book of original fairy tales and decides to have the kids put on plays based on the stories. While they’re working on the performances they realize that the stories aren’t kid friendly, leading to a gruesome discovery and the realization that the world of fairy tales is a bleak place.
Grimm Woods is a book that has its flaws but is still a fun read. It gets off to a slow start, some of the action sequences didn’t make sense and the story would have been better if it was shorter. That being said, I enjoyed how a few of the characters grew as the story moved along, the villain was downright sadistic and the use of original fairy tales that most people don’t know about, made it all worthwhile. Grimm Woods may not be a great read but it’s an entertaining ride.
February 8, 2017
Wow. A really well written horror story. I was impressed with the writing in general. The fast paced horror story had me at the first page. I was glued to the story.
The characters were very well written. They each all had some quarkyness in them even for a short time. They were very believable characters.
Some of the Fairytales in this story are very twisted into a scary form. Which I never could imagine until now. They were so well put together. The ending wasn’t what I expected and it was a surprise for me. But that is a good thing.
If you are looking for a good horror story this book would be for you
I received a ARC to give a review.
The characters were very well written. They each all had some quarkyness in them even for a short time. They were very believable characters.
Some of the Fairytales in this story are very twisted into a scary form. Which I never could imagine until now. They were so well put together. The ending wasn’t what I expected and it was a surprise for me. But that is a good thing.
If you are looking for a good horror story this book would be for you
I received a ARC to give a review.
February 2, 2017
Book Tour: Grimm Woods Gimm Woods is a good book. It tells the story somewhat of the fairy tales. Counselors come to help with children that are coming for summer camp. There are few kids coming for some fun. You and may people and kids know what the fairy tales are like now.
In Grimm Woods, you will find out, what happens in some fairy tales. There are twist and turns and surprises throughout the book. I think it is a good book. What I like about it is it keeps you guessing who and why things are happening. There are crimes that happen throughout the book. Some counselors body shows up.
There is a dark ending to the children stories that you once thought you knew. I was surprised by this when two counselors put on a play for summer camp children. D. Melhoff does a good job on this book. I would though think that parents would take cautiously and only allow their children to read this book if they are 15 plus and older. I will let parents decide for themselves.
In Grimm Woods, you will find out, what happens in some fairy tales. There are twist and turns and surprises throughout the book. I think it is a good book. What I like about it is it keeps you guessing who and why things are happening. There are crimes that happen throughout the book. Some counselors body shows up.
There is a dark ending to the children stories that you once thought you knew. I was surprised by this when two counselors put on a play for summer camp children. D. Melhoff does a good job on this book. I would though think that parents would take cautiously and only allow their children to read this book if they are 15 plus and older. I will let parents decide for themselves.
July 31, 2017
D. Melhoff: Grimm Woods D. Melhoff takes the readers on a journey of what happens at your very typical fairy tale inspired summer camp: A remote summer camp that is based on fairy tales themes is about to show the dark side of the fairy tales. When two teens are murdered and rendered in to a real life version of a classic Grimm's fairy tale chaos is about to ensue. The counselors and children are trapped within the wilderness till Friday and the bus comes to pick the children up, 4 more days they have to try and survive. But this killer has been planned for everything and has a Grimm Fairy Tale for each counselor they want to enact, survival is not likely. This book (and several movies out there) makes me happy that I was never a counselor at camp, these people seem to get the worst of the worst at these camps, plus they have to take care of a whole bunch of children at the same time, no thank you. This book starts out like the Wet Hot American Summer (well less funny and more sex) with just some not so casual murders involved. This was an gripping read and this was due to the fair tale murder aspect of the book. I personally was not aware of all the different horrors fair tales come from and Melhoff does not shy away from expanding on them. The deaths are twisted, gruesome and at times you can only imagine how much the individual suffered before they succumbed to their end. These are not your Disney tales that you think you know so well and I think that Melhoff describes it best when you first open the book "Fairy tales have not always been considered suitable for children. Many of them originally contained elements of torture, incest, rape, cannibalism, suicide, beastiality, murder and other horrific acts. All references to these elements in this novel are accurate". It was from this point on that you know but don't really know what you are about to get in to. Then by the end of the book you realize how screwed up our ancestors were for coming up with these stories, and you can understand why they have changed in to the Disney version over time. This book does not strive for a lot of character development. Yes, we have our main character in Sean but with some many people being murdered like flies it is hard to really get to know Sean outside of how he tries to handle himself in each situation. Other than that all we know about Sean is that he suffers from a reoccurring nightmare each night about trains. This book is very much plot driven as the counselors strive to stay alive, take care of the children at the camp as well as figure out why this is happening to them. Was not as graphic as I was expecting for being a horror book, really only "experience " one of the murders the rest happen and are discovered or the people are killed but it is not elaborated on. However I am okay with this as it allows you as the reader to use your own imagination for what happened, so you can create it as graphic as you want in your head. This does not mean that these scenes are any less disturbing, the way some of the counselors die are horrific even if only the body is discovered. This is the first book that I have read by Melhoff and it will not be the last. I enjoyed the thin lines that he played with throughout the book and he chose well when he decided to cross them. Enjoy!!!
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February 23, 2017
This book is disgustingly but scary good
I surprised myself when reading this book. I cannot believed I actually enjoyed reading this book. As much as I loved reading fairy tales story and Cinderella is my all time favorite, Grimm Woods is a twist from regular fairy tales stories. This book is disgustingly but scary good. It is actually hard to put it down. I start reading it at night and finished the following day.
I never been to summer camp or things closed to that. This story is full of adventures. It is a typical teenagers that deals with situations like drugs and sex which is normal when you explore new things in life. I am so glad I did not experienced those kind of situations when I was at their age. I did not see it coming. I was blown away. This book will teach you how to survive and be responsible.
Scott and Brynn are my favorite characters. I loved the setting and I know that my family will enjoy that kind of environment. This book is a must read if you love horror. I am not a fan of horror but I did surprised myself enjoying this story.
I surprised myself when reading this book. I cannot believed I actually enjoyed reading this book. As much as I loved reading fairy tales story and Cinderella is my all time favorite, Grimm Woods is a twist from regular fairy tales stories. This book is disgustingly but scary good. It is actually hard to put it down. I start reading it at night and finished the following day.
I never been to summer camp or things closed to that. This story is full of adventures. It is a typical teenagers that deals with situations like drugs and sex which is normal when you explore new things in life. I am so glad I did not experienced those kind of situations when I was at their age. I did not see it coming. I was blown away. This book will teach you how to survive and be responsible.
Scott and Brynn are my favorite characters. I loved the setting and I know that my family will enjoy that kind of environment. This book is a must read if you love horror. I am not a fan of horror but I did surprised myself enjoying this story.
February 13, 2017
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iRead in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff was a great book. I liked this book right from the start of it which is always a good thing. I loved how the fairy tales were used throughout the book and how they made them relate to what was going on in the book. This is the first book in quite a while that kept me on the edge of my seat which I also love, and it can be hard for me to find books like that now that I have read so many books out there. I also so super interested in this book because I had no idea how fairy tales used to be so I also found that part of this book interesting as well. If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat than I would for sure recommend this one to you.
Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff was a great book. I liked this book right from the start of it which is always a good thing. I loved how the fairy tales were used throughout the book and how they made them relate to what was going on in the book. This is the first book in quite a while that kept me on the edge of my seat which I also love, and it can be hard for me to find books like that now that I have read so many books out there. I also so super interested in this book because I had no idea how fairy tales used to be so I also found that part of this book interesting as well. If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat than I would for sure recommend this one to you.
February 7, 2017
Fun premise, especially for those who like cheesy 80's horror films and snappy young adult dialogue. Scott is less than excited to start his first summer as a summer camp counselor at a storybook themed camp. He cheers up though when he realizes that the counselors are all young hot, horny, and ready to party. Just as he's about to get into the swing of things all hell breaks loose. Counselors are being brutally murdered in gruesome ways depicted in the old Grimm's Fairy Tale book. To save themselves, Scott and the other counselors are going to have to learn the morals to the gruesome fairy-tale murders in order to stay alive. What sick freak is killing all the counselors? And to what end? Full of witty dialogue, gory murders, and fun. Probably of most interest to young adults.
I received this book for free from iRead Book Tours in return for my honest, unbiased review.
I received this book for free from iRead Book Tours in return for my honest, unbiased review.
November 17, 2017
As a voracious reader of fairy tale retellings and modern adaptations of classic stories I am very familiar with the usual pitfalls of trying to put a new spin on old tropes. I am so happy to report that there were no disappointments here.
Melhoff beautifully twists morals from the Grimm Brothers' tales to fit a modern world. The motivation of the killer is to bring justice to youths that "got away" with criminal behavior and it is a brilliant story.
You only get to know most of the characters well enough to understand their flaws and bad behaviors, but this leaves plenty of time to build the suspense. It is one wild ride of a story and I would only recommend this to people that can handle dark and gory stories.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
Melhoff beautifully twists morals from the Grimm Brothers' tales to fit a modern world. The motivation of the killer is to bring justice to youths that "got away" with criminal behavior and it is a brilliant story.
You only get to know most of the characters well enough to understand their flaws and bad behaviors, but this leaves plenty of time to build the suspense. It is one wild ride of a story and I would only recommend this to people that can handle dark and gory stories.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
February 27, 2017
This is a Goodreads win review. This book is a scary horror theme when a summer camp becomes a place for murder. The counselors then have to follow childrens fables before every one else gets killed.
May 31, 2017
Good, creepy story. I like.
February 6, 2017
The original version of this review can be found on my Blog www.kendallreviews.com
I have been aware of US author D. Melhoff for some time now, with his debut adult novel Come Little Children being recommended to me on several occasions. So in typical fashion, it was his second novel I decided to read first. After all, who could resist a story that promised murder that drew on the ‘grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales‘?
“Every fairy tale has a dark side…”
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counselors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.
Camp Crownheart, is a fairy tale themed summer camp for troubled children. Counselors with a mixture of experience have arrived a day before the camp opens, to get to know each other and to understand how the camp works and it’s rules. The introductions have this old school vibe, the counselors are all about 19 years old, there is the obvious mix of male, female, race and class. Their focus is more on the first night party with the promise of sex and drugs and not learning how to keep the next busload of kids safe. The men are obviously mostly looking for a good time, and it seems a lot of the girls are thinking the same. Crownheart, in my mind’s eye is looking and feeling like Friday The 13’s Camp Crystal, its in woodland, by a lake, you have a bunch of sexually active, drug taking, beer swilling teenagers, you know murder is obviously on the agenda. I’m a huge fan of the 80’s slasher genre, so the stereo-typical characters in a familiar horror setting didn’t bother me at all. The writing is fast paced, with a style that initially keeps me interested, Melhoff had me in his pocket, I’m now sitting here waiting for the mayhem to start. With the story about to kick off in earnest, the author references something modern, I found that jarring. Hang on, I thought this was the 80’s! This was working perfectly as an homage, everything in my head was ready for ’85. Attitudes were rightly or wrongly different 30 years ago, now those somewhat sleazy comments made about the girls seemed wrong, the drug references move from the classic movie stoner to something darker, it was a shift in tone I didn’t appreciate.
I don’t want to spoil anything about this book, but again in classic 80’s slasher style, the first deaths are inexplicably dismissed, the camp is kept open, as closing would ‘hurt the hundreds of kids that are due to arrive’. The indifference to these deaths from all parties seems odd, it makes a large proportion of the characters unlikable. As the book progresses and more deaths occur, characters are still acting oddly, with one lead still maintaining his workout routine, even though mayhem is going on around him. Finding themselves trapped in a building, conversations are occasionally light and playful, almost flirtatious. When counselors of the opposite sex are alone together, you expect them to start ripping each others clothes off, there is an omnipresent air of sexual tension, which is bewildering as one such scene occurs in a room often tainted by the smell of rotting flesh! At one point, the announcement of the deaths of two counselors is made in such a flippant way, it’s hardly surprising no-one reacts! I was finding myself being pulled out of the story due to the unbelievable way some of these people were behaving. This was not helped by a middle section that was incredibly tough to get through, a lot of people were running about, letting off fireworks, flirting, running into woods alone, avoiding death, working out, flirting, playing games, avoiding death, flirting and for two of the leads, they developed sleuthing skills to make Sherlock Holmes jealous! Add to that some annoyingly convenient plotting the transition to the last act was complete.
Had this book been set in the 80’s, it would have been an enjoyable novel with nods to classic horror tropes. Setting this book in modern times, I struggled to feel much for anyone. Behaviour that would have stood out as odd even in Friday The 13th stands out as baffling in 2016, the characters were all acting like exaggerated versions of their 80’s slasher counterparts. The premise for deaths based on the original Grimm fairy tales was a good one, but we mostly discover the aftermath and, for me, there is no suspense in that. When Melhoff actually has a victim trapped and is cranking up the tension it works, sadly there was not enough of this. It’s difficult to have an emotional response to the death of a character who’s only presence in the book was a couple of lines of text 50 pages earlier.
A flawed novel sadly, the main problem, setting aside, once you stop caring about the characters, especially the leads, then it’s never going to be a fairy tale ending.
I have been aware of US author D. Melhoff for some time now, with his debut adult novel Come Little Children being recommended to me on several occasions. So in typical fashion, it was his second novel I decided to read first. After all, who could resist a story that promised murder that drew on the ‘grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales‘?
“Every fairy tale has a dark side…”
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counselors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.
Camp Crownheart, is a fairy tale themed summer camp for troubled children. Counselors with a mixture of experience have arrived a day before the camp opens, to get to know each other and to understand how the camp works and it’s rules. The introductions have this old school vibe, the counselors are all about 19 years old, there is the obvious mix of male, female, race and class. Their focus is more on the first night party with the promise of sex and drugs and not learning how to keep the next busload of kids safe. The men are obviously mostly looking for a good time, and it seems a lot of the girls are thinking the same. Crownheart, in my mind’s eye is looking and feeling like Friday The 13’s Camp Crystal, its in woodland, by a lake, you have a bunch of sexually active, drug taking, beer swilling teenagers, you know murder is obviously on the agenda. I’m a huge fan of the 80’s slasher genre, so the stereo-typical characters in a familiar horror setting didn’t bother me at all. The writing is fast paced, with a style that initially keeps me interested, Melhoff had me in his pocket, I’m now sitting here waiting for the mayhem to start. With the story about to kick off in earnest, the author references something modern, I found that jarring. Hang on, I thought this was the 80’s! This was working perfectly as an homage, everything in my head was ready for ’85. Attitudes were rightly or wrongly different 30 years ago, now those somewhat sleazy comments made about the girls seemed wrong, the drug references move from the classic movie stoner to something darker, it was a shift in tone I didn’t appreciate.
I don’t want to spoil anything about this book, but again in classic 80’s slasher style, the first deaths are inexplicably dismissed, the camp is kept open, as closing would ‘hurt the hundreds of kids that are due to arrive’. The indifference to these deaths from all parties seems odd, it makes a large proportion of the characters unlikable. As the book progresses and more deaths occur, characters are still acting oddly, with one lead still maintaining his workout routine, even though mayhem is going on around him. Finding themselves trapped in a building, conversations are occasionally light and playful, almost flirtatious. When counselors of the opposite sex are alone together, you expect them to start ripping each others clothes off, there is an omnipresent air of sexual tension, which is bewildering as one such scene occurs in a room often tainted by the smell of rotting flesh! At one point, the announcement of the deaths of two counselors is made in such a flippant way, it’s hardly surprising no-one reacts! I was finding myself being pulled out of the story due to the unbelievable way some of these people were behaving. This was not helped by a middle section that was incredibly tough to get through, a lot of people were running about, letting off fireworks, flirting, running into woods alone, avoiding death, working out, flirting, playing games, avoiding death, flirting and for two of the leads, they developed sleuthing skills to make Sherlock Holmes jealous! Add to that some annoyingly convenient plotting the transition to the last act was complete.
Had this book been set in the 80’s, it would have been an enjoyable novel with nods to classic horror tropes. Setting this book in modern times, I struggled to feel much for anyone. Behaviour that would have stood out as odd even in Friday The 13th stands out as baffling in 2016, the characters were all acting like exaggerated versions of their 80’s slasher counterparts. The premise for deaths based on the original Grimm fairy tales was a good one, but we mostly discover the aftermath and, for me, there is no suspense in that. When Melhoff actually has a victim trapped and is cranking up the tension it works, sadly there was not enough of this. It’s difficult to have an emotional response to the death of a character who’s only presence in the book was a couple of lines of text 50 pages earlier.
A flawed novel sadly, the main problem, setting aside, once you stop caring about the characters, especially the leads, then it’s never going to be a fairy tale ending.
March 1, 2017
Scott Mamer is holding a dark secret in his past about the death of a young girl. Since then, he has had trouble sleeping and holding down a job. When an opportunity arises to work at Camp Crownheart, a children's fairy tale camp set deep in the Michigan woods, Scott seizes the opportunity even though it isn't his cup of tea. When he arrives, Scott is surprised that the counselors aren't exactly the wholesome bunch that you would expect to be a a children's camp; girls with eating disorders, exotic dancers, drug users and teens who owe child support round out the list. The camp director, Charlotte and her maintenance guy, Bruce also seems to be running quite a strict business. Scott tries to settle in before the kids arrive; however, on the very first night two of the counselors go missing and are found dead later that night. The death toll continues to climb and Scott tries to figure out why the counselors seem to be targeted.
Many of us know that the original fairy tales were not the nice sweet stories that have been imagined for today's world. The original fairy tales were dark, gory and downright horrifying; nonetheless their purpose was to teach a lesson, a moral of the story. This is what the killer at Camp Crownheart is striving to teach the wayward counselors. Grimm Woods begins like a typical teen slasher camp film that we all know; teens who are hooking up quickly fall victim to a murderer bent on revenge. It isn't until about halfway through the book that the fairy tale angle begins to become apparent and I became very interested in what twisted fate that the counselors would meet. I was very intrigued once we begin to learn the true versions of the fairy tales and what moral the killer believes each counselor deserves for their transgressions. The deaths were very creative and of course, gory, violent and bloody. The mystery involved is of course finding out who the killer is, but more so why they have it out for Scott specifically. Once all those plot points come together, Scott's fairy tale moral is revealed for an exciting, vengeful and bloody ending. Overall, an interesting murder mystery with original fairy tale tie-ins.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Many of us know that the original fairy tales were not the nice sweet stories that have been imagined for today's world. The original fairy tales were dark, gory and downright horrifying; nonetheless their purpose was to teach a lesson, a moral of the story. This is what the killer at Camp Crownheart is striving to teach the wayward counselors. Grimm Woods begins like a typical teen slasher camp film that we all know; teens who are hooking up quickly fall victim to a murderer bent on revenge. It isn't until about halfway through the book that the fairy tale angle begins to become apparent and I became very interested in what twisted fate that the counselors would meet. I was very intrigued once we begin to learn the true versions of the fairy tales and what moral the killer believes each counselor deserves for their transgressions. The deaths were very creative and of course, gory, violent and bloody. The mystery involved is of course finding out who the killer is, but more so why they have it out for Scott specifically. Once all those plot points come together, Scott's fairy tale moral is revealed for an exciting, vengeful and bloody ending. Overall, an interesting murder mystery with original fairy tale tie-ins.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
March 1, 2017
Do you love creepy books? If so, you just found your next read! I admittedly have not read a lot of Stephen King books, but the few I have made me feel like that was the direction this author was trying to good. Taking something as banal as a child's fairy tale story and turning it into a completely bizarre and eerie tale, and some parts were downright scary. I can't say I'd recommend this as a bedtime read because I did that for a few nights and I had some bizarre dreams.
We have summer camp gone really bad when teenagers are found dead and sending the counselors down the path of solving the crime. But instead of leaving clue like perhaps a more traditional murderer, this one is committing murders to resemble classic fairy tales, and depending on your chosen offense, you'll die a death themed around a fairy tale. So theft would be Goldilocks, and so on.
Not only could I not figure out who the murderer was, I was kind of scared to find out, and more so scared to find out it was one of the remaining group members. The great part about this book is that anyone and everyone is likely to be a victim and the murderer (and the author) doesn't care if you want someone spared, both are equally ruthless in their quest. While I can't tell you if there is a happy ending, I can tell you this book is detailed and it is, at times, full of gore. If this is an issue for you, it's probably best to skip it. I will say that while not necessarily being a fan of the horror genre, this was done very well and I would easily read this author again. Ingenious writing to twist what you know into what you can't even imagine, I give this book 5/5 stars. Truly. This was far better than I thought it was going to be.
We have summer camp gone really bad when teenagers are found dead and sending the counselors down the path of solving the crime. But instead of leaving clue like perhaps a more traditional murderer, this one is committing murders to resemble classic fairy tales, and depending on your chosen offense, you'll die a death themed around a fairy tale. So theft would be Goldilocks, and so on.
Not only could I not figure out who the murderer was, I was kind of scared to find out, and more so scared to find out it was one of the remaining group members. The great part about this book is that anyone and everyone is likely to be a victim and the murderer (and the author) doesn't care if you want someone spared, both are equally ruthless in their quest. While I can't tell you if there is a happy ending, I can tell you this book is detailed and it is, at times, full of gore. If this is an issue for you, it's probably best to skip it. I will say that while not necessarily being a fan of the horror genre, this was done very well and I would easily read this author again. Ingenious writing to twist what you know into what you can't even imagine, I give this book 5/5 stars. Truly. This was far better than I thought it was going to be.
March 1, 2017
Scott has had a rough past but he is trying to work through that. After an unsuccessful round of job searches, he is hired to be a counselor at Camp Crownheart which is fairytales themed. But when he gets there, Scott finds that counselors are more interested in drugs and sex instead of watching the 55 kids. But then the counselors are being discovered murdered and staged similar to fairytales. The counselors try to protect the kids from the killer and stumble upon a collection of Grimm’s Fairytales and they learn that fairytales are not the happy stories that we know, they are darker and were told to keep kids inline. It seems someone is trying to keep the counselors in line.
This is a dark, gory story that is filled with ungrateful teenagers, sex, drugs, and a bloody killing spree. I love how it is based around the original stories. They are not the warm fuzzy stories that we have come to think of as a fairytale. I love how they are used against those that are taking advantage of the situation, the counselors.
This is a purely gory horror story and I loved it. I can’t wait to read other books from D. Melhoff.
I received Grimm Woods from iRead Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This is a dark, gory story that is filled with ungrateful teenagers, sex, drugs, and a bloody killing spree. I love how it is based around the original stories. They are not the warm fuzzy stories that we have come to think of as a fairytale. I love how they are used against those that are taking advantage of the situation, the counselors.
This is a purely gory horror story and I loved it. I can’t wait to read other books from D. Melhoff.
I received Grimm Woods from iRead Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
February 25, 2017
I received a free ebook to read, from the author, in exchange for an honest review when I was finished.
I was pulled into the story right away. Melhoff makes the first few pages so descriptive, without overdoing it, that you can see, smell, and feel the surrounding. He makes the world within the book come alive. It's wonderous and he takes that wonder and turns it into disturbing nightmares. The book definitely lives up to it's title!
I'm going to approach spoiler territory, so further reading is at your own risk.
When things first started happening, I was a little worried it was heading in the stereotypical teenage horror movie direction, a.k.a. anyone who has sex dies. It took a little while before it was made clear that wasn't the case, but once you understood what was up, it got more interesting. The way Melhoff ,used Grimm's fairytales as the twisted thread that holds the perpetrator's living and psychosis together is remarkable.
At one point, I thought this would end with the villain getting away, or at least no one really winning. As I finished the book though, I realized that the person who wins is still the villain because of the last delivery to the "hero," if that's what you'd call him. The fact that he thought he had made it through the past six months in some kind of peace and could move on with his life, only to have a taunting from beyond the grave bring all the nightmares back was enough to keep me disturbed and a bit perturbed when I was done.
I was pulled into the story right away. Melhoff makes the first few pages so descriptive, without overdoing it, that you can see, smell, and feel the surrounding. He makes the world within the book come alive. It's wonderous and he takes that wonder and turns it into disturbing nightmares. The book definitely lives up to it's title!
I'm going to approach spoiler territory, so further reading is at your own risk.
When things first started happening, I was a little worried it was heading in the stereotypical teenage horror movie direction, a.k.a. anyone who has sex dies. It took a little while before it was made clear that wasn't the case, but once you understood what was up, it got more interesting. The way Melhoff ,used Grimm's fairytales as the twisted thread that holds the perpetrator's living and psychosis together is remarkable.
At one point, I thought this would end with the villain getting away, or at least no one really winning. As I finished the book though, I realized that the person who wins is still the villain because of the last delivery to the "hero," if that's what you'd call him. The fact that he thought he had made it through the past six months in some kind of peace and could move on with his life, only to have a taunting from beyond the grave bring all the nightmares back was enough to keep me disturbed and a bit perturbed when I was done.
February 28, 2017
This thriller is about the experience of a group of counselors and children in a remote summer camp. Scott at the age of 21 is a new counselor of the group. What starts to be an adventurous and fun time for kids, ends with each counselor getting murdered by a random unknown killer. Now, Scott has to find out the pattern, reason behind the killings and save the other counselors and himself.
The writing style of the author is very casual, but not very easy to follow for a non-American reader. The book really is thrilling and unpredictable. The pace is also good keeping the reader's attention. The storyline is interesting as the mystery element is combined with classic fairy tales. The characterization is good and apt for the story. I felt the book cover can be more interesting. If you judge the book by the cover, you might not expect this to be a good thriller.
The only put off for me is the foul language in the book. I also didn't feel it easy to read as it has more American slang.
My Rating: 3/5
PS: I have received this book from the author for review and this is my honest opinion on the book.
The writing style of the author is very casual, but not very easy to follow for a non-American reader. The book really is thrilling and unpredictable. The pace is also good keeping the reader's attention. The storyline is interesting as the mystery element is combined with classic fairy tales. The characterization is good and apt for the story. I felt the book cover can be more interesting. If you judge the book by the cover, you might not expect this to be a good thriller.
The only put off for me is the foul language in the book. I also didn't feel it easy to read as it has more American slang.
My Rating: 3/5
PS: I have received this book from the author for review and this is my honest opinion on the book.
February 10, 2017
Grimm Woods is not the typical, predictable thriller. At first, I wondered how "original" a story about a serial killer stalking summer camp counselors in an isolated woods could be. D. Melhoff surprised me with the fairy tale element. I was never a fan of fairy tales anyway--and, apparently my reserve was with good reason. Readers will find themselves taking some unexpected twists and turns throughout the book. Readers will also find that nothing is "safe" from darkness--from our childhood bedtime story memories to the characters of this book. Grimm Woods took the same old same old, "summer camp horror" theme and created something just a little different for readers.
Grimm Woods is not for the prim and proper. This book is filled with sex, drugs, violence, gore and darkness. Yet, none of those elements are presented for simple shock value--they all have a place in the story. Readers will find some of the elements disturbing at times--because they are supposed to be disturbing. I am not a fan of books loaded with language and graphic sex when they are misplaced or seem out of context. These things fit the setting and story line of this novel--but, if you prefer not to read those things; then this book may not be for you. Even though these things are usually not as prominent in my favorite books--I wasn't able to put this book down from start to finish.
Would I recommend Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff? I was drawn to the characters of this book from the first few pages. I didn't necessarily like many of them--but, they were complicated in each of their own rights. I loved that the author took away my safety nets with twists and turns and unexpected victims and outcomes. Even if I didn't like a particular outcome--I liked the fact that the author made it real--and didn't give us those predictable, happy endings that we often find. If you enjoy horror and psychological thrillers--and can handle the gore and adult themes--this book is right up your alley.
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book for use in a blog review. I was not asked to post here--I simply wanted to share my opinion of the novel.
Grimm Woods is not for the prim and proper. This book is filled with sex, drugs, violence, gore and darkness. Yet, none of those elements are presented for simple shock value--they all have a place in the story. Readers will find some of the elements disturbing at times--because they are supposed to be disturbing. I am not a fan of books loaded with language and graphic sex when they are misplaced or seem out of context. These things fit the setting and story line of this novel--but, if you prefer not to read those things; then this book may not be for you. Even though these things are usually not as prominent in my favorite books--I wasn't able to put this book down from start to finish.
Would I recommend Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff? I was drawn to the characters of this book from the first few pages. I didn't necessarily like many of them--but, they were complicated in each of their own rights. I loved that the author took away my safety nets with twists and turns and unexpected victims and outcomes. Even if I didn't like a particular outcome--I liked the fact that the author made it real--and didn't give us those predictable, happy endings that we often find. If you enjoy horror and psychological thrillers--and can handle the gore and adult themes--this book is right up your alley.
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book for use in a blog review. I was not asked to post here--I simply wanted to share my opinion of the novel.
February 6, 2017
There were times when I couldn't believe the coldness of the culprit, though they initially appeared to be 'nice' on the surface. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
I will admit that my initial instinct about this book, after reading the first 10 chapters or so, was to put it down and give it a DNF. For some reason I continued though, and although I can't say I'm exactly super thrilled I did, the book was worth the time it took to read.
It seems the author was trying to create a Friday the 13th, slasher flick atmosphere; in some ways he succeeded, in some ways not. This is a horror book for sure though; very gory and not for the faint of heart.
Scott Mamer and a dozen other college aged students are counselors at a fairy tale themed camp for kids in the middle of the woods. Before the kids even arrive, the counselors are being picked off one by one, their bodies displayed in gruesome ways. When the murders continue after the children get there, Scott takes it upon himself to see who is really behind the killing and try to stop it.
Don't get twisted--Scott is no hero, though. He's not even really likeable as a character. No one in this novel truly is. It's soon discovered all of the counselors have been handpicked for a reason and they will pay for the sins of their past. The victims and the ways they are killed are all, in some cases very tentatively, connected to old school, violent fairy tales. In some instances I could see the connection, but in others it was a stretch.
I had a TON of questions as I was reading this book and seeing as this was a mystery, decided to keep reading and see if they would be answered. For the most part, they were, but some things still don't make sense to me. It's difficult to explain myself more without giving away the plot.
I feel that in some ways the author was trying too hard. He uses big, uncommon words when simpler ones would have fit better. There are mentions of torture devices and methods of killing that are kind of shoehorned in, as if the author was just trying to say, "Look, I know this."
Though in many ways I was dissatisfied, Grimm Woods was a quick, thrilling read for me and I was totally escaping into the world when I was reading. The author does do a great job with descriptions, whether it's the setting, or the bloody details of how someone is killed. It's very vibrant and you can really see it in your mind's eye.
In my opinion the basis for the story was a creative one and it took me for a ride, but the author just has some writing issues he needs to work on. I would revisit his work in the future.
It seems the author was trying to create a Friday the 13th, slasher flick atmosphere; in some ways he succeeded, in some ways not. This is a horror book for sure though; very gory and not for the faint of heart.
Scott Mamer and a dozen other college aged students are counselors at a fairy tale themed camp for kids in the middle of the woods. Before the kids even arrive, the counselors are being picked off one by one, their bodies displayed in gruesome ways. When the murders continue after the children get there, Scott takes it upon himself to see who is really behind the killing and try to stop it.
Don't get twisted--Scott is no hero, though. He's not even really likeable as a character. No one in this novel truly is. It's soon discovered all of the counselors have been handpicked for a reason and they will pay for the sins of their past. The victims and the ways they are killed are all, in some cases very tentatively, connected to old school, violent fairy tales. In some instances I could see the connection, but in others it was a stretch.
I had a TON of questions as I was reading this book and seeing as this was a mystery, decided to keep reading and see if they would be answered. For the most part, they were, but some things still don't make sense to me. It's difficult to explain myself more without giving away the plot.
I feel that in some ways the author was trying too hard. He uses big, uncommon words when simpler ones would have fit better. There are mentions of torture devices and methods of killing that are kind of shoehorned in, as if the author was just trying to say, "Look, I know this."
Though in many ways I was dissatisfied, Grimm Woods was a quick, thrilling read for me and I was totally escaping into the world when I was reading. The author does do a great job with descriptions, whether it's the setting, or the bloody details of how someone is killed. It's very vibrant and you can really see it in your mind's eye.
In my opinion the basis for the story was a creative one and it took me for a ride, but the author just has some writing issues he needs to work on. I would revisit his work in the future.
February 28, 2017
excellent
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