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Crazy Eights
As one of the nation’s leading cryptozoologists, Emily Nite is used to investigating the strange and unusual. An expert in all things extraordinary, she’s approached to lead the formation of a new team into the West Virginia wilderness to evaluate reports of a giant spider, but her quest for answers leads her to the discovery of an eight-legged monstrosity no one could have prepared for.
Existing for eons beneath our earth, these aren’t your garden variety spiders. They’re bloodthirsty monsters that will rip apart anything—and anyone—in their path, and while a town fights to survive Emily and her team will have to do everything they can to beat back the terror before there’s a new species at the top of the food chain!
Existing for eons beneath our earth, these aren’t your garden variety spiders. They’re bloodthirsty monsters that will rip apart anything—and anyone—in their path, and while a town fights to survive Emily and her team will have to do everything they can to beat back the terror before there’s a new species at the top of the food chain!
- GenresHorror
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2017
33 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
James Melzer
19 books56 followersJames Melzer fell in love with love at an early age…he just didn’t know it yet. Originally writing in the horror genre, he’s completed two contemporary romance novels under the name “Jamie Deschain,” and is currently adding more to be released under his own name. When he’s not working, James can be found in his studio, painting art from the heart. He currently resides in Pennsylvania with his wife, son, and two very opinionated cats.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 20, 2017
After reading The Hatching earlier this year, I thought I had broken my streak of poor to exceedingly average spider-based horror novels.
Sadly, Crazy Eights proves The Hatching was the exception rather than the rule, as it provides zero chills, a bit of action, and a bunch of fairly unremarkable characters, all of whom
James Melzer writes absolutely fine. He's not going to win any awards, but his prose flows well and his dialogue gets the job done. But when an arachnophobe is not the least bit frightened by giant spiders attacking people, then something is wrong. In the end, I was flat-out bored, and Crazy Eights is only 186 pages long. Take that for what you will.
Perhaps the secret is expectations. Mine was for a horror because giant spiders would be bloody horrific, but this is something far closer to a lightweight Joe Ledger novel. Go in expecting that, and you'll likely have a fine time.
2 Off-The Book Squads for Crazy Eights
Sadly, Crazy Eights proves The Hatching was the exception rather than the rule, as it provides zero chills, a bit of action, and a bunch of fairly unremarkable characters, all of whom
James Melzer writes absolutely fine. He's not going to win any awards, but his prose flows well and his dialogue gets the job done. But when an arachnophobe is not the least bit frightened by giant spiders attacking people, then something is wrong. In the end, I was flat-out bored, and Crazy Eights is only 186 pages long. Take that for what you will.
Perhaps the secret is expectations. Mine was for a horror because giant spiders would be bloody horrific, but this is something far closer to a lightweight Joe Ledger novel. Go in expecting that, and you'll likely have a fine time.
2 Off-The Book Squads for Crazy Eights
March 30, 2017
Action packed fun horror
An enjoyable read from a talented writer and hopefully the start of a series. If you liked Eight Legged Freaks, you'll love this.
An enjoyable read from a talented writer and hopefully the start of a series. If you liked Eight Legged Freaks, you'll love this.
April 10, 2017
B-Movie goodness!
Giant spiders? Clandestine military operation? Small town in the middle of nowhere setting?
This book has it all!
And it's a lot of fun!
Emily Nite is an expert in the weird and the urban legend. Think X-Files meets Ancient Aliens and you get the gist. When a man named Tempo contacts her about giant spiders in a West Virginia town, Emily is skeptical at first, and a believer by the end. She is given a team and a dossier and told to go forth and figure out what the hell is going on and to stop the threat at all costs.
What follows is really a great little ride into everything a B-movie promises to be: over the top ridiculous with action, explosions, and monsters!
The book was great fun. It's everything I wanted it to be, right down to groan-worthy jokes.
It's a quick read and the pages do keep turning. The only fault I found was the author did quite a bit of telling in the narration when, perhaps, a little more dialogue would have done.
Otherwise, the book is fun. Straight up fun.
You won't be sorry for putting this one on your shelf!
Giant spiders? Clandestine military operation? Small town in the middle of nowhere setting?
This book has it all!
And it's a lot of fun!
Emily Nite is an expert in the weird and the urban legend. Think X-Files meets Ancient Aliens and you get the gist. When a man named Tempo contacts her about giant spiders in a West Virginia town, Emily is skeptical at first, and a believer by the end. She is given a team and a dossier and told to go forth and figure out what the hell is going on and to stop the threat at all costs.
What follows is really a great little ride into everything a B-movie promises to be: over the top ridiculous with action, explosions, and monsters!
The book was great fun. It's everything I wanted it to be, right down to groan-worthy jokes.
It's a quick read and the pages do keep turning. The only fault I found was the author did quite a bit of telling in the narration when, perhaps, a little more dialogue would have done.
Otherwise, the book is fun. Straight up fun.
You won't be sorry for putting this one on your shelf!
May 3, 2017
3.5 stars.
If you have a "sweet tooth" for b-movie horror, like I do, this novel is worth a read. Lots of fun for people who like stories of giant bugs, mutant creatures, or monsters run amok. Consider it a SyFy Original movie, but with better special effects.
If you have a "sweet tooth" for b-movie horror, like I do, this novel is worth a read. Lots of fun for people who like stories of giant bugs, mutant creatures, or monsters run amok. Consider it a SyFy Original movie, but with better special effects.
June 16, 2021
Good fast read, but needs better editing.
As a recovering arachnophobe, I read every book I can find that includes giant spiders. Some are scary as hell and some are downright ridiculous, but all seem to have a similar plot - giant spiders overrun a town, kill a lot of folks and end up getting wiped out by the military. This one follows that pattern almost verbatim. It does have a few unique aspects, such as the spiders being holdovers from prehistory, but otherwise is same old, same old. That doesn't make it a bad read though.
If I have any major complaints about this book, it would be that it could really use some editing in places. I try not to judge the quality of writing based on poor editing because although both are important, each is a different animal in the grander scheme of things.
There will apparently be more books from this author in a similar vein. I'll probably read them but I hope he finds a better editor.
As a recovering arachnophobe, I read every book I can find that includes giant spiders. Some are scary as hell and some are downright ridiculous, but all seem to have a similar plot - giant spiders overrun a town, kill a lot of folks and end up getting wiped out by the military. This one follows that pattern almost verbatim. It does have a few unique aspects, such as the spiders being holdovers from prehistory, but otherwise is same old, same old. That doesn't make it a bad read though.
If I have any major complaints about this book, it would be that it could really use some editing in places. I try not to judge the quality of writing based on poor editing because although both are important, each is a different animal in the grander scheme of things.
There will apparently be more books from this author in a similar vein. I'll probably read them but I hope he finds a better editor.
August 3, 2017
This is not a bad book. There are some good refreshing ideas and it's fast paced.
I could have given it four stars because I did like it. The reason I end up giving it only three stars is because i became so annoyed with the characters - especially or because of the way I had every thought and motivation shoved down my throat. It distracted me enough from the story to retract a star. And since that alone is reason enough for me to not pick up any sequel I retracted another star.
I would still recommend it to readers who are not bothered by that writing style.
I could have given it four stars because I did like it. The reason I end up giving it only three stars is because i became so annoyed with the characters - especially or because of the way I had every thought and motivation shoved down my throat. It distracted me enough from the story to retract a star. And since that alone is reason enough for me to not pick up any sequel I retracted another star.
I would still recommend it to readers who are not bothered by that writing style.
April 16, 2020
Spiders Everywhere
If you are afraid of little spiders, this book might not be for you because these spiders are not little and they are very, very hungry. It starts out with a missing dog and develops into an entire town becoming one big dinner plate. There is no lack of action. It's difficult to find a good stopping point. You'll be tempted to read "just one page". Recommend this book for just the fun of it.
If you are afraid of little spiders, this book might not be for you because these spiders are not little and they are very, very hungry. It starts out with a missing dog and develops into an entire town becoming one big dinner plate. There is no lack of action. It's difficult to find a good stopping point. You'll be tempted to read "just one page". Recommend this book for just the fun of it.
July 3, 2017
A fun read!
I thought this book would be another typical somewhat scary creature story. Wrong! This is a fun, somewhat gross novel about giant spiders. The team sent in to take care of the spiders were great characters who made everything come alive even in the midst of so much death. I really hope that another book is being written with more adventures for the team.
I thought this book would be another typical somewhat scary creature story. Wrong! This is a fun, somewhat gross novel about giant spiders. The team sent in to take care of the spiders were great characters who made everything come alive even in the midst of so much death. I really hope that another book is being written with more adventures for the team.
April 11, 2021
Great read
This was an awesome story! Loved the premise of the plot and the team of characters! I hope there will be many more stories in the DOA series. This team of characters and the situations they found themselves in are funny and in some instances touching as well. I would recommend this story to any reader that enjoys comedic horror stories.
This was an awesome story! Loved the premise of the plot and the team of characters! I hope there will be many more stories in the DOA series. This team of characters and the situations they found themselves in are funny and in some instances touching as well. I would recommend this story to any reader that enjoys comedic horror stories.
August 5, 2017
Exciting
The story pulled you in and kept you on the edge of your seat. The team brought the human element with occasional humor but such excitement and anticipation. Can't wait for the next book.
The story pulled you in and kept you on the edge of your seat. The team brought the human element with occasional humor but such excitement and anticipation. Can't wait for the next book.
October 8, 2019
Great cast of characters makes the storyline pop. Can't wait for next book. Think it could be a long lasting series. 5 stars from me.
Glad to have a creature book that is fast paced and well written and could be read in one setting.!!!!!!!!!
Glad to have a creature book that is fast paced and well written and could be read in one setting.!!!!!!!!!
October 11, 2019
Edge of your seat book especially if your scared of spiders.
I'm scared of spiders and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the way it was written. The author kept you wondering "what next" I always enjoy this type of story. Keeps you wondering who who will.survive.
I'm scared of spiders and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the way it was written. The author kept you wondering "what next" I always enjoy this type of story. Keeps you wondering who who will.survive.
October 20, 2019
Creepy crawly spiders.
This book was written in a fast paced,and enjoyable way.It held my attention from the first page.I look forward to more books by James Metzer,I'd love to read more of his work!!
This book was written in a fast paced,and enjoyable way.It held my attention from the first page.I look forward to more books by James Metzer,I'd love to read more of his work!!
November 8, 2019
Nice short story .
Excellent start and a good plot. I really enjoyed this story of a special group investigating sightings of a giant spider. As expected things go downhill very fast when they run into a very hungry giant spider.
Excellent start and a good plot. I really enjoyed this story of a special group investigating sightings of a giant spider. As expected things go downhill very fast when they run into a very hungry giant spider.
December 27, 2019
I love spiders!
And there are plenty in this book, It’s a very easy read.....some cursing, no sex....just blood guts and a cool heroine. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys slightly gory critter stories. I’m going to read some more of this authors books.
And there are plenty in this book, It’s a very easy read.....some cursing, no sex....just blood guts and a cool heroine. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys slightly gory critter stories. I’m going to read some more of this authors books.
July 31, 2025
my spidy senses are tingling!
I really enjoyed reading this book, the author has a good story line and great characters to fill it out. I had a hard time putting it down, it’s really a fun read.
I really enjoyed reading this book, the author has a good story line and great characters to fill it out. I had a hard time putting it down, it’s really a fun read.
August 7, 2017
Crazy eights
Pretty good book. It will make a nice series. Good action sequences and people who act like people and not robots.
Pretty good book. It will make a nice series. Good action sequences and people who act like people and not robots.
November 28, 2017
A fun monster hunt.
A good bug hunt. A little heavy on the female
Leader trope. Let her be the commander, without pointing it out so often.
A good bug hunt. A little heavy on the female
Leader trope. Let her be the commander, without pointing it out so often.
December 30, 2019
A fun read
What can I say. It's a fun story with great big giant spiders in it. Enjoy. You'll like it. Good job James.
What can I say. It's a fun story with great big giant spiders in it. Enjoy. You'll like it. Good job James.
May 6, 2023
Overall thoughts:
Decent B-movie plot, weighed down by crappy prose.
Decent B-movie plot, weighed down by crappy prose.
October 9, 2019
I hate spiders
Why do people who have a fear of something,always seem to seek out what scares them.This story is for readers like those people,and hold on folks,for you will not want to stop reading.
Why do people who have a fear of something,always seem to seek out what scares them.This story is for readers like those people,and hold on folks,for you will not want to stop reading.
April 27, 2017
Let's start by saying...I really really don't like spiders, but I really really enjoy reading James Melzer book! I have been reading and following him for a long time. Crazy Eights is a monster story that leaves you wanting more. It's a fast read, with great character development that makes this team believable, and creepy spiders that are the stuff of nightmares. And yes I had a couple because I like to read before bed, so thanks for that James.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews