Sentinels

by Matt Manochio

These are no ordinary killers. They don't distinguish between good and evil. They just kill. South Carolina's a ruthless place after the Civil War. And when Sheriff's Deputy Noah Chandler finds seven Ku Klux Klansmen and two Northern soldiers massacred along a road, he cannot imagine who would murder these two diametrically opposed forces. When a surviving Klansman babbles about wraiths, and is later murdered inside a heavily guarded jail cell, Noah realizes something sinister stalks his town. He believes a freed slave who's trying to protect his farm from a merciless land baron can help unmask the killers. Soon Noah will have to personally confront the things good men must do to protect their loved ones from evil.

Genres: Horror

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

I've been writing and editing professionally for my entire adult life. I spent most of that time in the newspaper business. Writing novels is what I enjoy doing the most, and I'm fortunate enough to have Samhain Publishing backing my debut, The Dark Servant. Those of you who enjoy Christmas, mayhem and demons will love it. When I'm not writing, I'm wrangling my toddler from mischief.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Manochio's novel, SENTINELS, hooked me immediately with the first three lines of the synopsis.
"These are no ordinary killers.
They don't distinguish between good and evil. They just kill."

As enticing as that was, I found this story to be so much more than the possibility of insatiable murders. The book is set back in the early 1870's, following the American Civil War and Reconstruction. At the heart of this novel was the escalating racial tensions and hatred of white southerners over the newly freedmen and women. The main characters we follow are Sheriff's Deputy Noah Chandler and freedman--now landowner--Toby Jenkins. Despite their difference in race, both these men share something vital in common--family--as each has a wife and infant son to protect. One of the elements I loved about this book was how the author was able to so effectively point out that there are certain things universal to all people, regardless of the situations they are in.

Toby is threatened by a white supremacist land baron, Briggs, who finds it unpardonable that a former slave now owns a very successful plantation. When Briggs decides to strike out with violence to gain possession of the deed to Toby's land, the freedman's reaction is nothing like you would expect . . .

That's when the brutal massacres begin.

The pace moves forward relentlessly as we are exposed to both life in 1873 South Carolina, and the mystery surrounding the "wraithlike" beings that kill seemingly indiscriminately.

My only complaints here would be the large number of characters--particularly newly appointed deputies and KKK members--that it became very difficult to tell any apart, aside from the few dominating characters. Also, a couple of subplots were brought up that really didn't do anything to further along the plot of the story. Some of these details I felt to be merely distracting to the central theme.

However, the novel was rich in historical references, and the dynamics between the different races was portrayed with such authenticity that I actually felt as if I were a part of this era while reading. The atmosphere remained consistent throughout the entire tale and never once seemed "forced" or inaccurate. Also, as the mystery behind the murders continued, I had an idea--but nothing concrete--as to exactly how the killers were being called to action. This story kept me on my toes throughout the entire journey.

I will be searching out other novels by Matt Manochio in the near future.

Highly recommended!

*I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

[megHan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to this book, so when Erin approached me about being part of his blog tour, there was no way I could turn it down. And it was well worth the wait. I really enjoyed the story, holding my breath with anticipation from start to finish, and had the hardest time putting it down, reading late into the night. The story has some great characters and, as always, Matt is on point with the pacing of the story - nothing ever seems rushed and the story plays out perfectly. And the way he does fear - wow! I was creeped out by several parts of the story, but the characters and events came back into my mind once the lights were off, creeping me out a second time - nicely done! Definitely a must read.

There was just one problem, one that to others may not be a big deal, but to me became bothersome. There were several errors throughout (missing words, not enough research on the way people spoke at the time, etc) and even though it didn't stop me from finishing the story, they did become irritating the further I got into the story. To be honest, it was rather disappointing.

[Zakk Madness · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sentinels", my first read from Matt Manochio is a very enjoyable. I dig pieces that intermingle historical eras and horror. The landscapes and personalities here feel genuine to the era, from the weariness of the newly freed slaves to the scathing contempt of entitled, wealthy land owners, and all the others falling on either side of the Civil War divide. All finding their way in this wild frontier.

The dialogue doesn't quite feel historically accurate, granted I am not schooled enough in this era to really tell you one way or the other, what I can say is that it is solid and interesting, fluid and entertaining, lending itself to the differing personalities inhabiting the read.

There are plenty of graphic action scenes, just to wet your whistle, and some memorable visuals that really help set the mental scene. While flipping through these pages it was easy to imagine this book playing out on a large screen, which makes getting lost in the tale the much easier.

As far as the supernatural element goes, it could have easily been handled in a ham-fisted fashion. In contrast to the harsh and heavy racial tension, it was actually pleasantly subtle. Building on itself, eerie and purposeful. Culminating in a satisfying payoff during a fantastic ending sequence.

With loyalties not playing out like you think they might (there are clues that are deft enough to be missed) and some not quite expected sleights-of-hand "Sentinels" is a hell of a good time and I'll definitely be reading more from Mr. Manochio.

Trigger warning: This book takes place in the 1870's, so their is a fair amount of racial insensitivity . It's not overdone or mean spirited (and not nearly as harsh as a Lansdale yarn), just a reflection of history. Just thought you should know.

Put "Sentinels" on a playlist with Russell R. James' "Blood Red Roses"

Zakk is a big dumb animal!
The Mouths of Madness Podcastshow
Www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness

P.S. Take a drink every time Noah takes a blow to the head. When you regain consciousness finish the book, cause I know that you're dying to know how it ends. :)

*Note: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, these are my honest feelings.

[Angela Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this book. Follow along with the blog tour at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Sentinels is a fun and fast paced story! I had read The Dark Servant and thoroughly enjoyed it so when I was asked to review Sentinels I couldn't wait to see what Matt Manochio had in store with this story. While the story had some historical inaccuracies (T-shirts weren't invented until 1913) it was so well written that they didn't bother me after I got into the story. I really liked the setting and the characters. The time period around the Civil War is an interesting one that really worked for this story. The main characters were a bit PC for that time but not so much so that they weren't believable. Noah, Toby and Doreen were my favorites. The wraiths were scary and relentless in their pursuit of their prey. All in all this was a very good story. Fans of historical fiction, westerns, and great horror will like this 4 star read.

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...

A fast-paced, gripping horror story set in 1870 that combines a great story with excellent characters. The time period, around the Civil War, was interesting too, and despite some historical inaccuracies, I did enjoy this. Horror the way it should be.

[Shane Douglas Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone were to ask me to summarize SENTINELS, the new weird western by Matt Manochio, in one word, the word would be: fun. It’s a fast paced romp through reconstruction era South Carolina, packed with excitement and chills, and populated with villains that are truly creepy, at least as far as the non human ones go. The human ones are more hilarious than they are scary. I think that was probably Manochio’s intention and, if so he pulled it off admirably. Lyle, Brendan, and Franklin are a group of less than brilliant henchmen under the control of Diggs, a greedy landowner, and the trio had me laughing virtually every time they appeared in a scene.

One of the things I really liked about SENTINELS was Matt’s strong use of dialogue. The character interactions were smooth and natural, yet always served to inform the reader and move the story forward. And his settings were damn near perfect, effectively evoking a feel for the period and sense of time and place within the story.

If I had one nit-pick about the book, it would be that the characters were a tad thin. With the exception of the protagonist, Noah, and to some degree Toby Jenkins, the rest of the characters in the book had very little back story to help shore them up. That said, I didn’t really feel like this did much to detract from the story. SENTINELS is an action packed weird western adventure story designed to engage and entertain and it does so with great success. And, whether it was the author’s intention or not, it’s also got some intrigue and mystery going on to further add to the fun. If you want some pure escapism on a quiet afternoon and you don’t mind a little–okay, maybe a lot–of blood, SENTINELS is exactly what you’re looking for. Manochio is a talented author with a bright future and someone who’s work I will follow with great interest.

[Rich D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review
My first introduction to Matt Manochio's work was reading The Dark Servant on his blog tour last year. Manochio took the legend of Krampus - the terrifying beast that serves as a dark foil to Santa Claus - and crafted a super fun read that was full of adrenaline fueled scenes and dark humor. Reading The Dark Servant, it was clear that Manochio was a talented author and I was excited to see what he would come up with next.

Sentinels is a supernatural historical horror story set in Reconstruction-era South Carolina. It opens with a pretty intense scene as a rag-tag group of criminals led by Lyle and his friends Brendan and Franklin attempting to kill former slave Toby Jenkins in order to steal the deed for the massive farm he inherited from Charlie Stanhope for the nefarious land baron Thomas Diggs. As they encircle the property, they are attacked by mysterious, shadowy figures and barely escape with their lives.

Noah Chandler is a brand new sheriff's deputy and was raised in South Carolina but fought for the North after attending Harvard for his law degree. He witnessed his brother die on the battlefield as they fought against each other, an event that still weighs heavy on his conscience. Despite his allegiances during the war, he moves back to his hometown of Henderson after the war in an effort to assist the Reconstruction efforts he deeply believes in. Noah finds himself quickly thrust into a bloody and bizarre situation in his first few days on the job when seven Ku Klux Klan members and two northern soldiers are found savagely murdered outside of a nearby plantation. Noah and the other sheriffs find little evidence and have no idea who would have committed the horrible crimes considering the victims belonged to two opposing groups. It isn't until Noah talks to one of the survivors, Robert Culliver, that he gets any information at all. Culliver states that it wasn't men that massacred those men, but wraiths. He said that they moved with precision and that even when they were shot by the soldiers trying to defend themselves, they didn't bleed like normal men.

Noah chalks up Culliver's ravings about supernatural entities to the shock of witnessing such a brutal attack and the injuries he sustained. Surely wraiths couldn't be responsible for killing those men, even if the circumstances surrounding their deaths were a bit bizarre. It isn't until Culliver is murdered in his heavily guarded jail cell and Noah witnesses a series of unexplained events in the attack that he begins to suspect that there may be some truth to Culliver's claims. As Noah begins to investigate the attacks, he and his family are plunged into danger and he learns the startling truth about the wraiths.

I am a bit of a history nut, so I loved Manochio's decision to use the period of Reconstruction as the setting for Sentinels. Lately, I have read a lot of horror books that take place in modern times, so it was refreshing to read a novel with a more historical setting. Manochio gives an unflinching look at the horrors of slavery and the violence that plagued the country during the Civil War and after it was over. There is one particular scene where Toby details his childhood to Noah while they are sharing drinks in the town's tavern that is particularly gut wrenching. Even though it is clear early on Toby is somehow connected to the brutal attacks carried out by the mysterious figures that plunge Henderson into chaos, it is this scene that makes the reader feel a connection to Toby.

I loved the wraiths Manochio conjures up in the novel and they are definitely creepy! I don't want to spoil their appearance, but there is a scene toward the end of the novel that had an old school horror feel too it that I enjoyed. While I thought the wraiths were a cool and interesting choice as a horror monster, I felt their history was a bit rushed and ambiguous. Manochio does provide some back story on the wraiths and how they were unleashed on the town of Henderson, but I feel it would have been more effective if it was handled in bits and pieces instead of having it all explained toward the end of the novel.

Manochio does a great job of bringing most of his main characters to life and giving them distinct personalities from the arrogant aristocrat Thomas Diggs to the often mocked criminal Franklin. Noah's wife Natalie and widower Doreen Culliver seem to be one dimensional early on, but as the novel progresses they become much more complex and one scene late in the novel proves they are total badasses. Although most of the characters are well developed, there are a few secondary characters that fall flat and get lost in the action. I also loved how Manochio managed to blur the lines between good and evil throughout Sentinels. There are a few characters throughout the novel that stay firmly on one side of the spectrum, but some of them are a lot harder to label. There are characters who start off as good but are forced to do bad things out of necessity and some who are seen as evil only to go against all odds and finally do the right thing.

There are some nice twists and surprises thrown into Sentinels that I didn't see coming while reading, but after finishing the novel, I realized there were clues to some of the mysteries all along. I love those sort of little surprises and they definitely added to my enjoyment of the novel. Despite a few minor style choices that didn't work for me, Sentinels is a highly entertaining read that I would definitely recommend to horror fans and particularly those who enjoy historical horror.

[Tim Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Manochio’s upcoming novel Sentinels is a relentless, action-packed and almost entirely successful novel of historical horror. The story is set in 1873 South Carolina, a small town called Henderson, and focuses on the all-too-real horrors that plagued the southern United States in the years after the Civil War and Reconstruction. The terror that centers on the real world does eventually spin into the supernatural, but never at the cost of derailing the book’s moral and ethical foundation.

Racism is at the center of the plot, with former slave and current land owner Toby, his wife and their infant son drawing the ire of white landowners and the Ku Klux Klan. Toby can’t rightly be called the hero of the story because he’s too complex for classification, which results in him being a character of great depth. His connection to the land he rightfully owns and will do anything in defense of is the central conflict of the novel. Another local landowner will stop at nothing to acquire Toby’s land, starting by offering to buy the land, an offer that is flatly rejected, to physical coercion and attempted murder.

Noah is the story’s main character and lead protagonist. He grew up in Henderson but moved north in his pursuit of an education that will make him a lawyer, and, as he is living in the north he becomes a member of the Union Army during the Civil War. His brother, who never left Henderson, is fighting in the War also, though on the side of the Confederacy, which leads to one of the book’s only faults. Not only do the brothers meet on opposing sides of the battlefield, but come face to face as Noah is gravely wounded and his brother is killed. It an unnecessary cliche that does nothing to advance the plot of the book. Without any brother Noah would still have had ample motivation for his actions.

Having returned to his hometown after the War, Noah decides to become a deputy to the sheriff in an attempt to help his hometown. This brings him together with Toby in opposition of the KKK and entwined in a conspiracy with roots deep in Henderson society. While putting their respective families at risk, Toby and Noah work to understand the convoluted politics and social institutions that are threatening Toby, other Freedmen and Freedwomen and the soul of Henderson.

The story is set a few years too many after the Civil War. It’s a small criticism, but an important one from a historical perspective. The power of the Klan and the presence of the army of the Union was much greater in, say, 1870 than 1873. Luckily it’s an issue that doesn’t interfere with the reader’s ability to enjoy the tale.

The setting in place and time (give or take three years) is very successful in all other levels. The reader is easily transported to Henderson, South Carolina in the years following the Civil War. The book’s greatest achievement, though, is in its pacing as it seamlessly blends characterization, suspense, mystery and almost non-stop action. From the gritty realism of the beginning of the book to the climactic supernatural showdown, Sentinels is a novel that never lets up, always delivers on unfolding mystery and is suspenseful to the last page.

[Matthew Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I hear the word ‘sentinels’, my first thought is of the towering, mutant-killing robots from X-MEN. Author Matt Manochio’s recent book, SENTINELS, has nothing to do with automatons, however its antagonists are just as menacing. And whereas superpowers might work battling Marvel’s metal giants, Manochio’s sentinels offer no such hope.

Earlier this year, in January, I had the pleasure of reviewing Manochio’s book THE DARK SERVANT. I was very impressed with the originality of his concept for that one, and I can say the same here.

SENTINELS is written well and flows with a nice, fluid rhythm. The pacing is spot on, and the plot unfolds with perfect balance. There’s even a nice twist that shows up later in the book, and thankfully, it is not cliche or over the top. In short, this book offers a solid and entertaining reading experience.

The characters are well thought-out, however I feel like more backstory could have been offered on a couple of them. This isn’t a detractor to the story, and it does not cut down on the enjoyment the book offers…however, I do feel like it warrants mentioning. Still, the main characters (such as Noah) are fleshed-out and believable.

The story in SENTINELS is fresh and engaging. As I mentioned, the concept of Manochio’s ‘sentinels’ is original, and I never once rolled my eyes at any overused horror tropes or banalities. This book is an island of refuge in a sea of overused horror plots.

SENTINELS is a great book, and I suggest giving it a look. Manochio is an author to watch, and I’m excited to see what he gives us next. SENTINELS is available now in a variety of formats.

[Russell Coy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby Jenkins is a landowner and ex-slave who finds himself the target of a bigwig plantation owner, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on Toby's land. Meanwhile, the Klan is a big presence in Henderson, South Carolina, and they're hell-bent on terrorizing freed blacks right out of town.

Toby has a way of dealing with both problems, though, one that will challenge Deputy Noah Chandler's beliefs and test his conscience.

Sentinels is a fun pulp period novel, which blends Western stock characters with a Reconstruction setting and adds a heavy dose of the supernatural, with entertaining results. Where Manochio really shines is during the book's many action scenes, which are unrelenting, clever, and hold some refreshing surprises. Less impressive is the novel's dialogue--the characters all seem to be speaking for our benefit, rather than for themselves--and a lot of annoying POV-jumps. (This last problem may be more of a formatting issue, since there are many scene-changes within individual chapters, but almost no section-breaks.)

This is the kind of novel you can sit down and enjoy on a lazy Saturday after a long week at work. No mental heavy-lifting required--just enjoy the ride.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sentinels is an interesting read with a decent mystery.

Taking place in the Deep South, new Deputy Noah Chandler looks to restore peace in the town of Henderson. A massacre in the dead of night sends the new Sheriff's office into a frenzy. Someone or something is hunting Klansmen. More attacks happen the following nights and bullets seem to have no effect. Noah scrambles to find out who is behind the attacks before another bloodbath ensues in his hometown.

Not a bad book, but it develops at a snail's pace. Heck, there is no exposition to explain what the creatures are until the very last two chapters. Most of the time, I felt as confused as the main character. I feel with some better editing, this could have been a greater book.

The last battle is by far the best scene of the book. Great action and some great reveals. Also I'm a sucker for scarecrows, so I enjoyed them kicking ass.

The publisher could have made the print on the trade paperback a bit bigger. I often felt my eyes strain to read what was on the page.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and although I learned I'm really not a fan of civil-war literature, it was well written.

I did find it a little slow in places, which is probably why it took me so long to read it, but there was a lot of action as well. But then again, maybe the slow parts weren't that slow, maybe it was just my lack of interest in the post civil war theme. That being said, I would definitely try out other books by this author.

There were parts of the book where I found myself a little confused because the perspective shifts so frequently (during action scenes, in particular the last big final battle) but they were still well written, just don't let yourself get distracted during those parts!

I did enjoy how the book ended, specifically that very last line... It did take me a minute to figure it out but it put a smile on my face once I did! I would recommend reading it just so you can feel that satisfaction at the end when you realize...

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW: SENTINELS by Matt Manochio

Author Matt Manochio debuted with THE DARK SERVANT in 2014, a novel which subsumed contemporary suburbia into Teutonic medieval legend, and consequently scared me senseless. In SENTINELS, he tackles an ugly historical era and turns it inside out. Reconstruction in the American South was probably, along with the Civil War, the most widespread brutal period in U.$ history. In SENTINELS, the horror is both man-made [ignorance, bigotry, jingoism, the Ku Klux Klan] and otherworldly: unearthly, destroying both friend and foe, good folks and bad. But there are also strong characters, such as Sheriff's Deputy Noah Chandler and freedman Toby Jenkins, whose integrity shines in an era of dross. Yet will they be sufficient to withstand the otherworldly forces summoned to protect--forces bloody, unbeatable, and implacable?

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can be so scary about a freedman defending his property? Well, plenty, in Matt's latest book! Firstly, this explores a time where even the acts of fellow humans is enough to elicit fear and disgust. But I knew there was a sinister twist somewhere and Matt did a fabulous job of hiding this from the reader, giving just enough glimpses to keep one guessing, wondering, and then it would flit out of sight again only to resurface later. A huge fan of the Jeepers Creepers movies, there were elements that gave me that same chill... someone or something is watching and while you want them to kill the bad guys, do they really know which is which? I love Matt's writings because they always house a deeper, more valuable lesson and offer hope, something so many books in this genre don't deliver. The good guys don't always lose, but sometimes victory can still come with a price.

[Matthew Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Manochio proves, yet again, that he can tell a great story. With Sentinels, his second horror novel, he takes us into the post-Civil War past for a supernatural thrill ride that provides plenty of horror and some great bits of humor along the way.

Additionally, the story deals with the subject of racism in a way I've never read before. The supernatural element provides an excellent testament to the notion that we are all created equal and the relationship between Noah and Toby proves that family connects people in ways that transcend race.

I highly recommend this thought provoking, intensely suspenseful tale!

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good novel but one that could be so much better

For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/sentin... or http://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/2... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great horror book, and I highly recommend it! The writing flows, the story was unique and interesting, and I loved the characters.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.