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The Bends
Marathon is a quiet little Texas town, and it’s getting quieter. Kids are vanishing, disappearing like tumbleweeds in the desert wind.
Action. Adventure. Romance. Suspense. The Bends is a supernatural thriller rollercoaster ride!
Recommended for Fans of Blake Crouch, Stephen King, J.A. Konrath, and Dean Koontz
Somebody—or something—is taking them.
Action. Adventure. Romance. Suspense. The Bends is a supernatural thriller rollercoaster ride!
“If it’s true, well … she can’t be human.”
Recommended for Fans of Blake Crouch, Stephen King, J.A. Konrath, and Dean Koontz
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2017
155 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Bart "J.B." Hopkins
17 books253 followersJ.B. Hopkins grew up along the muddy waters of the Texas coast.
He owned an Atari 2600, loves 80's music, and can use a card catalog like nobody's business.
J.B. likes to snap pictures, design covers, and tell stories.
Subscribe to his newsletter and score a free copy of Dead Ends.
https://eepurl.com/hu2AgL
J.B. has written five novels, a novella, and a few dozen short stories.
He owned an Atari 2600, loves 80's music, and can use a card catalog like nobody's business.
J.B. likes to snap pictures, design covers, and tell stories.
Subscribe to his newsletter and score a free copy of Dead Ends.
https://eepurl.com/hu2AgL
J.B. has written five novels, a novella, and a few dozen short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 12, 2019
I have been a fan of more than a couple of books by this author and really wanted to like this one and gave it a fair crack (giving up at 58% in) but in the end it just got too fanciful for my liking, making it impossible for me to be able to believe in it any longer.....such a shame. Though I've noticed a couple more in his listing I haven't read so I haven't in any way given up on him.
I liked Kane, though he didn't really seem to "do" anything much......and I really liked Lucy, his girlfriend, too. Both great characters and for most of the story things are going along nicely.
Loved his dedication at the beginning as well.
What I did NOT like was the amount of American pop culture references and acronyms thrown into this. Not something I recall him doing in all his books. I had to Google glass packs, an ACU pattern Camelbak, a dually, USOs, Johnny Law Hammer, P90X, The Undertaker, Goose and Maverick and E-9s. You can see how often I had to stop and start and it totally breaks up the experience and is highly irritating.
I found it a little odd that he wrote about Deputy Slidell like this and then Tom in the same paragraph, like he was referring to somebody different. Made it a bit needlessly confusing. He wrote cliche and not cliched, dropped a LOT of speechmarks, kept writing hummer and not Hummer and odd words were missed from sentences. I did get a little tired of hearing about Bird's constant spitting habit and I wondered too if Apple had him on commission for product-placement.....
I reached the part of the story where a character was shape-shifting, rolled my eyes and gave up on it, though. That mystical stuff just isn't for me in the least.
I liked Kane, though he didn't really seem to "do" anything much......and I really liked Lucy, his girlfriend, too. Both great characters and for most of the story things are going along nicely.
Loved his dedication at the beginning as well.
What I did NOT like was the amount of American pop culture references and acronyms thrown into this. Not something I recall him doing in all his books. I had to Google glass packs, an ACU pattern Camelbak, a dually, USOs, Johnny Law Hammer, P90X, The Undertaker, Goose and Maverick and E-9s. You can see how often I had to stop and start and it totally breaks up the experience and is highly irritating.
I found it a little odd that he wrote about Deputy Slidell like this and then Tom in the same paragraph, like he was referring to somebody different. Made it a bit needlessly confusing. He wrote cliche and not cliched, dropped a LOT of speechmarks, kept writing hummer and not Hummer and odd words were missed from sentences. I did get a little tired of hearing about Bird's constant spitting habit and I wondered too if Apple had him on commission for product-placement.....
I reached the part of the story where a character was shape-shifting, rolled my eyes and gave up on it, though. That mystical stuff just isn't for me in the least.
April 22, 2017
Texas...
What a nice time to find a new series. I liked the storyline in this book and the supernatural aspect of it added the right touch.
Kane Montgomery is a drifter, a former air force veteran who spent time in the middle east. He now carries his guitar and sings & plays at different bars. He comes into the small town of marathon, finds a job, and meets Lucy, for whom he is immediately smitten.
When the first baby disappears and an unknown woman in red drives into town things begin to happen. Bad things. Who is this woman? How can she enthrall people? Like Bird, a nasty character if there ever was one.
The characters in this book were exceptional. The author gives us just enough of each to imagine who they are.
There is a lot of action, mystery and pain in this book. He takes us to a scenario but makes us feel better when stuff happens and we're cringing at the danger. It ends well, though.
I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next.😁
What a nice time to find a new series. I liked the storyline in this book and the supernatural aspect of it added the right touch.
Kane Montgomery is a drifter, a former air force veteran who spent time in the middle east. He now carries his guitar and sings & plays at different bars. He comes into the small town of marathon, finds a job, and meets Lucy, for whom he is immediately smitten.
When the first baby disappears and an unknown woman in red drives into town things begin to happen. Bad things. Who is this woman? How can she enthrall people? Like Bird, a nasty character if there ever was one.
The characters in this book were exceptional. The author gives us just enough of each to imagine who they are.
There is a lot of action, mystery and pain in this book. He takes us to a scenario but makes us feel better when stuff happens and we're cringing at the danger. It ends well, though.
I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next.😁
October 23, 2017
This was an unusual thriller that kept me glued to my kindle. I loved the setting; the author did a superb job capturing the feel of the expansive desert and the little community there trying to hang on. The description of the remote area in southern Texas haunted me for days after I’d finished the story.
I loved the romance between the drifter, Kane and Lucy, a local waitress….up ‘til the end.
I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and it certainly took me by surprise. Kane is pursued by his own demons. I hope in a future installment he comes to grips with his past and is able to finally embrace a more rooted future. He certainly deserves some sustained happiness.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I loved the romance between the drifter, Kane and Lucy, a local waitress….up ‘til the end.
I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and it certainly took me by surprise. Kane is pursued by his own demons. I hope in a future installment he comes to grips with his past and is able to finally embrace a more rooted future. He certainly deserves some sustained happiness.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
January 16, 2018
This is the second book from Bart Hopkins that I have read and listened to the Audio version also.
The first one is "Dead Ends". A combination of short stories which gives you the feel of having landed in the twilight-zone.
"The Bends" is a supernatural thriller has an actual connection to the story "Recalculating" in Dead Ends.
It is not necessary to have read "Recalculating" but it was fun to have that connection.
You get some hints along the way but it will not become clear till near the end of the book.
Seeing this book is named "The Bends: Kane Montgomery #1" I'm hoping to see a Kane Montgomery # 2 in the future.
The first one is "Dead Ends". A combination of short stories which gives you the feel of having landed in the twilight-zone.
"The Bends" is a supernatural thriller has an actual connection to the story "Recalculating" in Dead Ends.
It is not necessary to have read "Recalculating" but it was fun to have that connection.
You get some hints along the way but it will not become clear till near the end of the book.
Seeing this book is named "The Bends: Kane Montgomery #1" I'm hoping to see a Kane Montgomery # 2 in the future.
April 1, 2017
The Bends is a fast-paced suspense novel that caught me off-guard with the supernatural twist. Imagine a mellower Jack Reacher up against Jack Torrance's demons in a Texas-style Overlook -- that's the world that author Bart Hopkins has created, and it's a fantastic read. The plot, dialogue, and action are great and the build-up to the final scene is intense and satisfying. I highly recommend it to thriller/supernatural fans.
September 23, 2018
This wasn't a book I would have ever listened to, but the excellent narrator, Luke Daniels, put a snippet on his facebook page and it hooked me.
Works as a standalone. I enjoyed the story and will most likely give any future Montgomery Kane novels a listen.
Also gonna note that the author isn't hostile toward Christianity. What a pleasant break from the sci-fi norm.
Works as a standalone. I enjoyed the story and will most likely give any future Montgomery Kane novels a listen.
Also gonna note that the author isn't hostile toward Christianity. What a pleasant break from the sci-fi norm.
January 16, 2018
Interesting,good book, good twist at the end, fully developed story line, I knew all of them, I was sad when it ended
I liked the book, I knew those people, I liked them,I was sad 😢 when it ended. Good story plot, interesting plot twist at the end
I liked the book, I knew those people, I liked them,I was sad 😢 when it ended. Good story plot, interesting plot twist at the end
March 21, 2018
I really didn’t know what to expect when I started listening to this audio. I had never heard of this author or narrator. When listening to the sample I was intrigue once I started listening to the audio in no time at all the author and narrator pulled me in giving me an amazing outstanding ride that I totally loved. The author gives you a touch of romance but you don’t really see it, its like a tree in the far distances when looking at the land you know that little tree is there but the rest of the view is so breath taking you do not narrow in on the tree. It has a nice touch to it and adds so much to the story and plot. The plot is based around a small town and its people, along with the children, families that come up missing, there is mystery, danger, suspense and a little paranormal. There is evil, but not everything is white or black it is mixed with a little red when death is near.
Mr. Daniels’s narration just blew me out of the water with his wonderful character voices, tones and the way he laid the plot out that as the author wrote it. He pauses just long enough for the facts to sink in pulling you in deeper to the story. His male and female voices are powerful with so many different voices that are truly very different from each other. He has no problem pulling off the high sex females or the cute young women along with deep older man. His redneck pain in the butt voice is a delight as well as his young excited teen, his sexy ex soldier is a dream. There is nothing I didn’t like about his performance. I would have to say my favorite is Birdie on the sexy women who has taken the town over. The emotions Mr. Daniels brings to this audio is outstanding from the sound effect that makes you think he is talking through a blow horn to the excitement, fear, even the romance between the two main characters. I had no trouble feeling every emotion that the characters do. There are no background noises, no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. The narrator deliveries a wonderful clear, crisp audio I totally got lost in. I even forgot I was listening. For me he made this story a five star listen. He pulled me in took me away and I didn’t want to put it end.
The plot is great, the author really put a lot of thought this along putting some major twists and turns along with the buildup of the mystery that really holds you spellbound. You know there is evil near but you can’t put your finger on it until you get closer to the end of the story. You know what it is built around as well as a few of the people who have their hands in the pot and why they do. Things are not as they seem at times I had chills and I can’t tell you what it was from because it would give too much away. This isn’t a story you can really go into or you lose the surprise and it would take away from the reader. What I can tell you is there are some wonderful characters, some scary ones, and some very cute ones. The town is wonderful just a sweet old country town that I fall in love with. The author gives a wonderful mix of humor, seriousness, passion, fun and sorrow. He makes you chuckle and at times leaves you with your heart in your throat. There was even a time or two when I held my hands to my mouth thinking OH NO please No, and then he would have me smiling again at the baiting, the witty humor, and we would go full circle again. The ending is good the mystery is solved but it is a little of a cliffhanger oh the story is complete but the author sets it up for the next story leaving you wondering what is in store for the main characters. Is it worth your time? OH YES, you will find so much enjoyment between these pages from the mystery to the danger to the unknown as well as the paranormal. I hope you will pick up this audio and give it a try you are in for a delightful treat.
Mr. Daniels’s narration just blew me out of the water with his wonderful character voices, tones and the way he laid the plot out that as the author wrote it. He pauses just long enough for the facts to sink in pulling you in deeper to the story. His male and female voices are powerful with so many different voices that are truly very different from each other. He has no problem pulling off the high sex females or the cute young women along with deep older man. His redneck pain in the butt voice is a delight as well as his young excited teen, his sexy ex soldier is a dream. There is nothing I didn’t like about his performance. I would have to say my favorite is Birdie on the sexy women who has taken the town over. The emotions Mr. Daniels brings to this audio is outstanding from the sound effect that makes you think he is talking through a blow horn to the excitement, fear, even the romance between the two main characters. I had no trouble feeling every emotion that the characters do. There are no background noises, no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. The narrator deliveries a wonderful clear, crisp audio I totally got lost in. I even forgot I was listening. For me he made this story a five star listen. He pulled me in took me away and I didn’t want to put it end.
The plot is great, the author really put a lot of thought this along putting some major twists and turns along with the buildup of the mystery that really holds you spellbound. You know there is evil near but you can’t put your finger on it until you get closer to the end of the story. You know what it is built around as well as a few of the people who have their hands in the pot and why they do. Things are not as they seem at times I had chills and I can’t tell you what it was from because it would give too much away. This isn’t a story you can really go into or you lose the surprise and it would take away from the reader. What I can tell you is there are some wonderful characters, some scary ones, and some very cute ones. The town is wonderful just a sweet old country town that I fall in love with. The author gives a wonderful mix of humor, seriousness, passion, fun and sorrow. He makes you chuckle and at times leaves you with your heart in your throat. There was even a time or two when I held my hands to my mouth thinking OH NO please No, and then he would have me smiling again at the baiting, the witty humor, and we would go full circle again. The ending is good the mystery is solved but it is a little of a cliffhanger oh the story is complete but the author sets it up for the next story leaving you wondering what is in store for the main characters. Is it worth your time? OH YES, you will find so much enjoyment between these pages from the mystery to the danger to the unknown as well as the paranormal. I hope you will pick up this audio and give it a try you are in for a delightful treat.
October 22, 2017
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one at first, but the author certainly has a talent for drawing the reader in to his world. The story is fast-paced and has a supernatural element that is a little bit Steven King - ish, and along with that, we get some romance and plenty of action and suspense. The characters are interesting and the dialogue is witty and did an excellent job of filling the spaces between the intense action. Our main character, Kane, is a likable drifter who arrives in town and meets a love interest just in time to get caught up in a mystery. I won't give spoilers, but I will say that the ending threw me at first, but the more I thought about it and Kane's personality, I've realized that the books end was exactly as it should be.
March 21, 2018
In the quiet little town of Marathon Texas, kids are starting to disappear. The town has an ancient evil hiding that has been long forgotten. Kane Montgomery is just a musician passing through. Kane isn't the only new stranger in town. There is a mysterious woman in a red dress, red heels, and a red car and there are two men dressed in black driving a black SUV. Could they be responsible for the disappearances of the children or are they just passing through like Kane? Great mystery story! The narrator did such a great job he had me hooked from the first chapter! I can't wait for book 2 in this series!
January 15, 2018
very good
January 25, 2020
This was a good story. It was supernatural but not so much it was ridiculous. It was about Kane, who came to Marathon. Texas and was playing and singing in a local bar and got involved with Lucy, the cocktail server, and involved with at least 4 bad people, one of which was a, actually I don’t know what she was, but they were guessing she was one thousand years old. AND she was about to sacrifice 3 babies that she’d had kidnapped.
There were some good characters in this: Sheriff Bigsby and his Deputy Slidell, and Slidell’s friend Buster Mackey, an ex-boxer.
All sex was off the pages and the F-bomb was used 32 times.
As to the narration: Luke Daniels is totally awesome. (He’s actually the reason I got the audible, but don’t tell anyone.)
June 6, 2018
Kane is former military and running from his demons. He gets a music gig at a bar in small town TX and strikes up a fling with the server. Meanwhile, ‘Bird’, the creepy owner of the local gas station is intrigued by a lady-dressed in red and driving a red sports car. The local sheriff also encounters the lady in ted and feels something ‘off’ about her. Then babies start to disappear...is there a connection with the lady in red’s sudden arrival? Who are the men in black that attempted to abduct Kane? Will the babies be rescued? I’d really love to say more but that would mean spoilers...just trust me...if you love mystery, the supernatural and a bad@$$ ex-army vet...then you need to read this!!
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 5, 2019
Not a bad read, but the main characters were so cliché I could almost quote them before they spoke. The story was entertaining enough that I wanted to finish it.
Narration was great.
Narration was great.
July 16, 2020
Please Write More!
That says it all. Kane Montgomery was a most engaging character and the writing was great. I see this is book #1, but it has been several years so where is #2? So, please write more!
That says it all. Kane Montgomery was a most engaging character and the writing was great. I see this is book #1, but it has been several years so where is #2? So, please write more!
Read
May 24, 2017Did not finish. While I can, and do, read and enjoy books with dark themes, I will not read anything that involves torturing toddlers.
March 15, 2020
A real page turner.
I didn't want to stop reading. The characters are amazing and crazy. A great plot that caught me and didn't let go.
I didn't want to stop reading. The characters are amazing and crazy. A great plot that caught me and didn't let go.
November 9, 2023
Sweet and Charming
This is a great story, plenty of twists and turns, good guys and bad guys, and you can't help but love Kane Montgomery and Lucy. There are lots of details left out which leaves me wanting to read the next Kane Montgomery book.
This is a great story, plenty of twists and turns, good guys and bad guys, and you can't help but love Kane Montgomery and Lucy. There are lots of details left out which leaves me wanting to read the next Kane Montgomery book.
July 28, 2022
A very interesting and intriguing story. The book draws you in and makes you wonder what could happen next.
June 14, 2023
Great Environment and Description
I can rarely get through self-published novels. This one holds your attention with believable characters and realistic environment. Great story!
I can rarely get through self-published novels. This one holds your attention with believable characters and realistic environment. Great story!
Read
August 8, 2018I live is this area. Disappointed with knowledge of area. I know it’s fiction, but throwing in names of locations does not do it for me.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews