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The Labyrinth #1
The City
There is a civilization buried deep beneath our own. A place spoken of only in whispers. If you are desperate enough, you will find it. But remember, all knowledge comes at a price.
The bodies were discovered six months after Max Elliot turned in his badge. All that remained of the victims were piles of flayed skin and organs. The bones of each body had been stolen. This torturous method of execution had only been seen once before, and that case remained unsolved. Confident of a connection between the grizzly murders, the police turn to the one man they believe can help. With the allure of closure to his own personal tragedy, Max Elliot agrees to reinstatement for one last case. But the clues lead the unstable detective down a path he never could have imagined. A mysterious drug, a world beneath our own, sex and violence on an unprecedented level, and creatures as ancient as sin itself.
Follow Max as he looks for answers in The City.
The bodies were discovered six months after Max Elliot turned in his badge. All that remained of the victims were piles of flayed skin and organs. The bones of each body had been stolen. This torturous method of execution had only been seen once before, and that case remained unsolved. Confident of a connection between the grizzly murders, the police turn to the one man they believe can help. With the allure of closure to his own personal tragedy, Max Elliot agrees to reinstatement for one last case. But the clues lead the unstable detective down a path he never could have imagined. A mysterious drug, a world beneath our own, sex and violence on an unprecedented level, and creatures as ancient as sin itself.
Follow Max as he looks for answers in The City.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2017
293 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Mendes
24 books99 followersS.C. Mendes is the co-owner of Blood Bound Books—an independent publisher whose mission is to spreading hope through dark fiction.
Find more about the mission at www.BloodGutsAndStory.com
Mendes has published dark fiction under various pen names since 2009. The Dawn of the Serpent Girl, the final book in The City series is slated for a Dec. 2024 release. His collaborations with Nikki Noir can be found in the New Adult Occult series.
Find more about the mission at www.BloodGutsAndStory.com
Mendes has published dark fiction under various pen names since 2009. The Dawn of the Serpent Girl, the final book in The City series is slated for a Dec. 2024 release. His collaborations with Nikki Noir can be found in the New Adult Occult series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 23, 2024
If you think you've seen it all, brace yourself for Mendes' shocking blend of graphic violence, intense twists, and heart-wrenching drama.......
Book Information
The City by S.C. Mendes is a 275-page crime noir/horror novel with a publication date of January 30, 2023. Thank you to Blood Bound Books for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.
Summary
In 1910 Chinatown, a series of gruesome murders emerges six months after Max Elliot left the police force. The killer flays victims and steals their bones, a method seen only once before in an unsolved case. The police, convinced of a connection, seek Max's help. Lured by the prospect of solving his own past tragedy, Max reenters the force, only to find himself entangled in a supernatural world of drugs, violence, and an ancient race of chemists who have secretly influenced human civilization.
My Thoughts
"The City" by S.C. Mendes delivers a unique and twisted noir mystery enveloped in extreme horror. If you're squeamish, this might not be for you, as it features graphic depictions of sex, torture, and sex-and-torture. The story is disturbing, violent, and heartbreaking, with unpredictable twists and turns that keep you on edge. S.C. Mendes masterfully blends noir and extreme horror, creating a chillingly unforgettable experience.
The characters are engaging, and the secret city they navigate is utterly fascinating. The world-building is impressive, though the connection to the early 1900s setting sometimes falters, with certain parts feeling more akin to the 1970s.
Despite its strengths, the pacing can feel uneven. There's a lot of buildup leading to a quick payoff, followed by a lingering section before another, even briefer climax. However, the novel's blend of serial killers, monsters, drugs, police investigations, and a hidden world just beneath our reality makes it a compelling read for those who can handle its intensity.
Recommendation
For a dark and gripping read, "The City" by S.C. Mendes is a standout. This noir mystery combines extreme horror with engaging characters and a captivating secret city. Be ready for graphic depictions and intense scenes that make for an unforgettable experience.
Rating
4 Underground Stars
Book Information
The City by S.C. Mendes is a 275-page crime noir/horror novel with a publication date of January 30, 2023. Thank you to Blood Bound Books for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.
Summary
In 1910 Chinatown, a series of gruesome murders emerges six months after Max Elliot left the police force. The killer flays victims and steals their bones, a method seen only once before in an unsolved case. The police, convinced of a connection, seek Max's help. Lured by the prospect of solving his own past tragedy, Max reenters the force, only to find himself entangled in a supernatural world of drugs, violence, and an ancient race of chemists who have secretly influenced human civilization.
My Thoughts
"The City" by S.C. Mendes delivers a unique and twisted noir mystery enveloped in extreme horror. If you're squeamish, this might not be for you, as it features graphic depictions of sex, torture, and sex-and-torture. The story is disturbing, violent, and heartbreaking, with unpredictable twists and turns that keep you on edge. S.C. Mendes masterfully blends noir and extreme horror, creating a chillingly unforgettable experience.
The characters are engaging, and the secret city they navigate is utterly fascinating. The world-building is impressive, though the connection to the early 1900s setting sometimes falters, with certain parts feeling more akin to the 1970s.
Despite its strengths, the pacing can feel uneven. There's a lot of buildup leading to a quick payoff, followed by a lingering section before another, even briefer climax. However, the novel's blend of serial killers, monsters, drugs, police investigations, and a hidden world just beneath our reality makes it a compelling read for those who can handle its intensity.
Recommendation
For a dark and gripping read, "The City" by S.C. Mendes is a standout. This noir mystery combines extreme horror with engaging characters and a captivating secret city. Be ready for graphic depictions and intense scenes that make for an unforgettable experience.
Rating
4 Underground Stars
March 29, 2018
I find it very hard to believe this is the first book written by S.C. Mendes but all online searches on this author only bring up this one book. Definitely a must read! The City is the most unique book I've read all year and I couldn't put it down. This is one of those books you are a little leery about assigning a genre too, while "thriller' does fit, it hardly does the book justice. I think I'll make a "just a damn good book, don't worry about the genre' category" ;)
**Notes after a second reading. (This book was featured as book of the month in a reading group I'm in. I'll never pass on a chance to revisit old friends! I'm still floored that this is Mendes debut book. Come along on an epic journey to The City. Can't wait to read more of this or any other work by the author. Serious talent here.
**Notes after a second reading. (This book was featured as book of the month in a reading group I'm in. I'll never pass on a chance to revisit old friends! I'm still floored that this is Mendes debut book. Come along on an epic journey to The City. Can't wait to read more of this or any other work by the author. Serious talent here.
September 26, 2017
A slick story that combines gumshoe noir and extreme horror. Mendes creates a dark, subterranean metropolis right out of a Burrough's novel and fills it with diverse characters, from opium-smoking homicide detectives to dismemberment-obsessed serial killers. The City is a little slow at times, but the overall effect is reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett and Thomas Harris at the same time. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2017
Described as extreme horror combined with crime noir, The City was such an original read that I'd have a hard time describing it. It felt like a very dark version of the Fantastic Beasts movie. Max Elliot lost his wife and daughter in the most horrific circumstances. He was not there for them because... let's say he was up to no good, so that compounds the guilt that has him circling the drain. When a new case comes up with the same MO, Max will take over an investigation that will reveal to him a mysterious world, populated by ancient and very creepy creatures. The world-building is fantastic, starting with San Francisco in 1910 and especially the titular City. Like a fever dream from Bosch, some scenes are not for the faint of heart, but the combination with classic hard-boiled noir is addictive and highly original.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Trench Coat Press!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Trench Coat Press!
November 17, 2019
This book is absolutely facsinating! The City is twisted and unpredictable and one of the best books I've read all year. I'm not usually into crime noir but I'm so happy I gave this a try anyways because it was different from any other book I've ever read and I just did not want it to end. I'm hoping S.C. Mendes writes a sequel to this, because the ending was left open for one. I would be thrilled to see that happen. I highly recommend this book to any and all fans of horror
September 6, 2021
WOW How to describe this book. Horror or Dark Fantasy or mind boggling? Some very sick strange murders leads a troubled detective to an underground world that feeds on mans evil. How far will man go to hurt man? How dark are the nature of desire. Can man find good after evil has entered their lives. This is an underworld you wouldn't think of until you read this. I had a hard time putting it down. If there is another book to this series, I want it.
November 3, 2024
4.5 out if 5 stars, I loved this book.
This book was not what I expected, I was expecting the cop with troubled past v’s the supernatural, but it was so much more than that, it still had the troubled cop, and a secret city, but unlike most crime noir stories, the focus was not on the mystery or the case, the focus was more on the gruesome and emotional toll on the characters the sort of toll that you would expect to see in first responders, and actual police.
There is some deeply disturbing and graphic content, including torture, and sex akin to the 1995 movie ‘Seven’, but it is there for a reason which I can’t go into without spoiling the story.
There is no animal cruelty in this, so if that sort of thing bothers you this one is safe.
I’m looking forward the reading the next book ‘The Order of Eternal Sleep’
And I'd also like to say that I love this cover!
This book was not what I expected, I was expecting the cop with troubled past v’s the supernatural, but it was so much more than that, it still had the troubled cop, and a secret city, but unlike most crime noir stories, the focus was not on the mystery or the case, the focus was more on the gruesome and emotional toll on the characters the sort of toll that you would expect to see in first responders, and actual police.
There is some deeply disturbing and graphic content, including torture, and sex akin to the 1995 movie ‘Seven’, but it is there for a reason which I can’t go into without spoiling the story.
There is no animal cruelty in this, so if that sort of thing bothers you this one is safe.
I’m looking forward the reading the next book ‘The Order of Eternal Sleep’
And I'd also like to say that I love this cover!
October 6, 2021
So vivid and inventive. I love unique interpretations of the noir detective genre. It was brutal, tense, and made you think about topics like how far you would go to get what you want — whether that is vengeance or a cure for disease. There’s a lot going on here and it feels like there will be a sequel. The entire underground world of the city, that I could picture in detail, merits another book. There is a lot to be explored here.
January 30, 2024
Thank you #NetGalley and #BloodBoundBooks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my own, and unbiased opinion.
The first chapter reminded me of a scene from Johnny Depp's movie "From Hell," and I had more or less an inkling of what this book is all about. But I was wrong. Should Depp's film specifically examine the Jack the Ripper murders, "The City" goes beyond a simple cat-and-mouse pursuit of serial killings. It becomes a deep analysis of the ubiquitous evils of society that loom large and cast a shadow over human lives.
As a detective, Max Elliot is used to seeing the darkest sides of crime and society's ills. When someone brutally murdered his wife, and the disappearance of his child remained a mystery, he finds himself lulled into the opium dens of Chinatown to help overcome his grief. When another case that is similar to how Elliot's wife was mutilated - skin flayed and bones removed - comes up, the police force knows that only Elliot's expertise can solve the killings. As he began his search to lead him to what the media has called the "Chinatown Surgeon," Elliot didn't expect to be led into an underground hellhole known as "The City" - a secret thriving society ruled by reptilian humanoids known as "The Mara." But the horror that resides in this malevolent city that burgeons on perverse spectacles and slave shows where sadists bid upon for sick enjoyment and pleasure was something Elliot was not prepared for.
Gruesome yet suspenseful, "The City" isn't like any other noir I have read. Every chapter will leave you with an afterthought. As the atmosphere became even more sinister, I was left gauging the depths of human depravity. When I came across this book for the first time, I had no idea how deep down a rabbit hole it would take me. It will either repel or draw you in, but once you've consumed the pages, the horror it leaves behind will be the stuff nightmares are made of.
"The City" by S.C. Mendes is not for everyone. Readers like myself, who may have bravely stomached disturbing books in the past, have fallen by the wayside on more than one occasion with this one. The narrative is replete with unsettling graphic content that reflects human nature's dark capabilities. I often wonder what goes on in the author's mind as he drafts this book. However, the fact that underground human trafficking exists leaves an acrid taste of bitter reality. Still, the novel drives home a positive point: people with strong moral values and self-discipline can refuse the temptations of the flesh and soul.
Another point that I think the author wants to impart is the power of choice; despite the seeming inescapable madness once you are in "The City," you are free to come and go as you please as long as you adhere to the twisted rules of the Maras. But, the somber truth reveals itself: even when allowed to walk away, yielding to the lure of malevolence may trap one in an endless state of darkness with no discernible way out.
The author also wishes to illustrate that "the city" and "the surface" (where humans reside) are not at all different, save for the supernatural beings that rule an underground network of sex slavery. In both societies, humans are plagued by desires for sex, drug addiction, torture, and, to some extremes, everyday sadists and human traffickers.
"The City" has a compelling cast of characters and a masterfully written social commentary that sucks you in and won't let go. As the ending leaves on a cliffhanger, there's growing anticipation for the second book, "The Order of Eternal Sleep," which I need to secure a copy of. If you are a sick and twisted crime fiction fan, this book is for you.
The first chapter reminded me of a scene from Johnny Depp's movie "From Hell," and I had more or less an inkling of what this book is all about. But I was wrong. Should Depp's film specifically examine the Jack the Ripper murders, "The City" goes beyond a simple cat-and-mouse pursuit of serial killings. It becomes a deep analysis of the ubiquitous evils of society that loom large and cast a shadow over human lives.
As a detective, Max Elliot is used to seeing the darkest sides of crime and society's ills. When someone brutally murdered his wife, and the disappearance of his child remained a mystery, he finds himself lulled into the opium dens of Chinatown to help overcome his grief. When another case that is similar to how Elliot's wife was mutilated - skin flayed and bones removed - comes up, the police force knows that only Elliot's expertise can solve the killings. As he began his search to lead him to what the media has called the "Chinatown Surgeon," Elliot didn't expect to be led into an underground hellhole known as "The City" - a secret thriving society ruled by reptilian humanoids known as "The Mara." But the horror that resides in this malevolent city that burgeons on perverse spectacles and slave shows where sadists bid upon for sick enjoyment and pleasure was something Elliot was not prepared for.
Gruesome yet suspenseful, "The City" isn't like any other noir I have read. Every chapter will leave you with an afterthought. As the atmosphere became even more sinister, I was left gauging the depths of human depravity. When I came across this book for the first time, I had no idea how deep down a rabbit hole it would take me. It will either repel or draw you in, but once you've consumed the pages, the horror it leaves behind will be the stuff nightmares are made of.
"The City" by S.C. Mendes is not for everyone. Readers like myself, who may have bravely stomached disturbing books in the past, have fallen by the wayside on more than one occasion with this one. The narrative is replete with unsettling graphic content that reflects human nature's dark capabilities. I often wonder what goes on in the author's mind as he drafts this book. However, the fact that underground human trafficking exists leaves an acrid taste of bitter reality. Still, the novel drives home a positive point: people with strong moral values and self-discipline can refuse the temptations of the flesh and soul.
Another point that I think the author wants to impart is the power of choice; despite the seeming inescapable madness once you are in "The City," you are free to come and go as you please as long as you adhere to the twisted rules of the Maras. But, the somber truth reveals itself: even when allowed to walk away, yielding to the lure of malevolence may trap one in an endless state of darkness with no discernible way out.
The author also wishes to illustrate that "the city" and "the surface" (where humans reside) are not at all different, save for the supernatural beings that rule an underground network of sex slavery. In both societies, humans are plagued by desires for sex, drug addiction, torture, and, to some extremes, everyday sadists and human traffickers.
"The City" has a compelling cast of characters and a masterfully written social commentary that sucks you in and won't let go. As the ending leaves on a cliffhanger, there's growing anticipation for the second book, "The Order of Eternal Sleep," which I need to secure a copy of. If you are a sick and twisted crime fiction fan, this book is for you.
November 11, 2018
Surreal, dark, and possessing a break neck intensity The City is a gripping novel. The creatures that populate the city, the darkness of mankind on constant display, and the flawed and true to life like characters grab you from the start and don't let go. I didn't want it to end, and I am definitely looking forward to more.
November 23, 2022
A book that has the perfect mix of fantasy and horror.
May 15, 2024
Damn. That was a good read. It's dark. It's, in places, horrific. Yet, in others, it's touching.
I wasn't looking for a horror when poking through my plethora of Amz freebies, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I'm a BIG fan of horror, yet since I fell into the PNR/UF rabbit hole I rarely poke my head out and read something of another genre. This book reminded me how much I love this genre when done well.
I will absolutely be reading the next installment (The Order of Eternal Sleep), which I was thrilled to see had recently been released. I have so many questions.
Our "recommended for" box is gone? Guess I missed that. Fans of Hellraiser and similar will likely enjoy this book. A quote on Amazon : “A slick story that combines gumshoe noir and extreme horror.” - Kristopher Triana, author of Gone to See the River Man; I agree. Amazon categorizes the book as Occult Horror/Fiction & Dark Fantasy Horror; I agree with this, as well.
I wasn't looking for a horror when poking through my plethora of Amz freebies, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I'm a BIG fan of horror, yet since I fell into the PNR/UF rabbit hole I rarely poke my head out and read something of another genre. This book reminded me how much I love this genre when done well.
I will absolutely be reading the next installment (The Order of Eternal Sleep), which I was thrilled to see had recently been released. I have so many questions.
Our "recommended for" box is gone? Guess I missed that. Fans of Hellraiser and similar will likely enjoy this book. A quote on Amazon : “A slick story that combines gumshoe noir and extreme horror.” - Kristopher Triana, author of Gone to See the River Man; I agree. Amazon categorizes the book as Occult Horror/Fiction & Dark Fantasy Horror; I agree with this, as well.
April 4, 2024
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
The City is an extreme horror by S.C. Mendes. This was my first time hearing of the author, but seeing that Kristopher Triana gave a positive review of it; I was totally on board.
Noir isn't my typical goto, so I wasn't too sure of what to expect.
Overall, the author has an unique writing style, which is easy to follow but also easy to stay engaged with.
The storyline moved along at a great pace. There were a few short lulls in action, but nothing too crazy.
The author did an amazing job at making you feel for the main character Max, which is in huge part what kept me engaged in this book. I WANTED him to be okay.
I will definitely check out other books by SC Mendes!
The City is an extreme horror by S.C. Mendes. This was my first time hearing of the author, but seeing that Kristopher Triana gave a positive review of it; I was totally on board.
Noir isn't my typical goto, so I wasn't too sure of what to expect.
Overall, the author has an unique writing style, which is easy to follow but also easy to stay engaged with.
The storyline moved along at a great pace. There were a few short lulls in action, but nothing too crazy.
The author did an amazing job at making you feel for the main character Max, which is in huge part what kept me engaged in this book. I WANTED him to be okay.
I will definitely check out other books by SC Mendes!
July 20, 2025
An underground world for the depraved.
Hidden society stories have always fascinated me, and this one takes unimaginable acts and pushes them to the next level.
A detective's family was brutally murdered, and it takes an invite to this secret city for him to get the answers he needs. Proof that people can walk that fine line between being morally gray and a 'good' person.
One thing I do wish was that we (as the reader) got more information about the 'people/ things/ creatures' running the city.
Hidden society stories have always fascinated me, and this one takes unimaginable acts and pushes them to the next level.
A detective's family was brutally murdered, and it takes an invite to this secret city for him to get the answers he needs. Proof that people can walk that fine line between being morally gray and a 'good' person.
One thing I do wish was that we (as the reader) got more information about the 'people/ things/ creatures' running the city.
June 23, 2018
And it began so… „normal“:
Max, a former police-officer, whose wife was murdered in most disgusting manner and daughter disappeared without a trace, is consulted on a case of murder: the victims were skinned and gutted… also their bones were removed – just like it happened to his wife …
And then everything takes its course: conjectures and hopes, the journey into the unknown to find answers – in „The City“…
„The City“ is a city under the city. A sense of sin, in which nothing is impossible, nothing is unpurchasable, and nothing is unthinkable. The last perversion, the first sick mind – here are the nightmares, which were never dared to be dreamed of.
Max searches his daughter here, because he is firmly convinced that she can only be here – was dragged here; by whomever.
As I said, everything started so incredibly „normal“. A former police-officer; woman murdered; child kidnapped; guilt; an unknown city that deliberately keeps its existence secret…
…and suddenly you’re not longer in the beginning. Suddenly you’re on the journey with Max, are the journey, are Max but still just the reader, you’re foreign in a repulsive familiarity. And thus normality begins its metamorphosis.
Under the cover of a crime-noir in chinatown in the beginning of the 20th century, you submerge into the last essence of the will of life and unite with the darkness.
You do not suffer with Max, you are his suffering! You can literally feel how to try to flee from his eyes as a tear, taste the desperation that threatens to poison his mind and smell the fear as the faithful brother of determination.
What Mendes has written here is so far away from a clear-cut genre: it is an intangible mixture of (extreme) horror, crime-noir, psycho-thriller and a coming-of-age novel.
The opium-clouds slowly form an independent firmament, under which you begin to develop a kind of co-existence, an existence in existence – a life in „The City“.
The discomfort distracts more and more to a familiarity as consciousness can not comprehend it, like a delirium you sink further into the never dared nightmares of fear and finally settles in the rotting cradle of despair – the metamorphosis is done; and starts again at the same time…
„The City“ is extreme horror, is psycho-terror, which only gains color in the garb of the supernatural. Mendes doesn’t work with the excesses of violence, but the foundations of the sentience; he doesn’t attack the reader, does not build on shocking repulsiveness or indescribable violence – he just takes the reader.
Mendes takes the reader with an almost eerie matter-of-factness, denies him all of his self-determination, and then simply stabs: once – precisely – briefly. And so he leaves you behind, slowly bleeding out in the foreignness of your own perversion, your own boundlessness, which soon not only welcome you, but has expect you back…
Welcome home… in „The City“.
---
Visit the Blog to read more reviews in german and english:
Die Büchergnomen
Max, a former police-officer, whose wife was murdered in most disgusting manner and daughter disappeared without a trace, is consulted on a case of murder: the victims were skinned and gutted… also their bones were removed – just like it happened to his wife …
And then everything takes its course: conjectures and hopes, the journey into the unknown to find answers – in „The City“…
„The City“ is a city under the city. A sense of sin, in which nothing is impossible, nothing is unpurchasable, and nothing is unthinkable. The last perversion, the first sick mind – here are the nightmares, which were never dared to be dreamed of.
Max searches his daughter here, because he is firmly convinced that she can only be here – was dragged here; by whomever.
As I said, everything started so incredibly „normal“. A former police-officer; woman murdered; child kidnapped; guilt; an unknown city that deliberately keeps its existence secret…
…and suddenly you’re not longer in the beginning. Suddenly you’re on the journey with Max, are the journey, are Max but still just the reader, you’re foreign in a repulsive familiarity. And thus normality begins its metamorphosis.
Under the cover of a crime-noir in chinatown in the beginning of the 20th century, you submerge into the last essence of the will of life and unite with the darkness.
You do not suffer with Max, you are his suffering! You can literally feel how to try to flee from his eyes as a tear, taste the desperation that threatens to poison his mind and smell the fear as the faithful brother of determination.
What Mendes has written here is so far away from a clear-cut genre: it is an intangible mixture of (extreme) horror, crime-noir, psycho-thriller and a coming-of-age novel.
The opium-clouds slowly form an independent firmament, under which you begin to develop a kind of co-existence, an existence in existence – a life in „The City“.
The discomfort distracts more and more to a familiarity as consciousness can not comprehend it, like a delirium you sink further into the never dared nightmares of fear and finally settles in the rotting cradle of despair – the metamorphosis is done; and starts again at the same time…
„The City“ is extreme horror, is psycho-terror, which only gains color in the garb of the supernatural. Mendes doesn’t work with the excesses of violence, but the foundations of the sentience; he doesn’t attack the reader, does not build on shocking repulsiveness or indescribable violence – he just takes the reader.
Mendes takes the reader with an almost eerie matter-of-factness, denies him all of his self-determination, and then simply stabs: once – precisely – briefly. And so he leaves you behind, slowly bleeding out in the foreignness of your own perversion, your own boundlessness, which soon not only welcome you, but has expect you back…
Welcome home… in „The City“.
---
Visit the Blog to read more reviews in german and english:
Die Büchergnomen
July 20, 2025
We live in pretty dark times. At this point we are all playing a drinking game every time you see a news headline & are disappointed but not surprised—or is that just me? 🥴 It can’t get worse tho…right? Or can it? 🤔 Let’s not go there right now tho. Why not instead do what we do best & escape reality through the pages of a fucked-up book. Enter: The City by S.C. Mendes, a darkly fantastical realm that is as mentally mesmerizing as it is terrifying. Rejoice, it could be worse! 🙌🏽 Let me get my travel toothbrush 🪥. I’m diving head first into this awe-inspiring world that will chew you up & spit you out, literally.
Quick Synopsis:
Ever seen a body with all its bones removed? While gnarly, I’m sure, detective Max Elliot saw it once & never forgot it. Fast forward, the now EX-detective finds history repeating itself thru the bloody hands of a serial killer. The bodies are all found in the same grotesque manner, seem to be tied to the seedy underbelly & a mysterious puzzle box. The deeper Elliot digs, the more of a target he’s putting on himself. Will he solve the mystery? Will he get answers to his own mystery that has haunted his past all these years? Can he do it before it’s too late?
“Chinatown meets Hellraiser” was pretty dead on here. This very stylish, moody, noir is told in such a gritty, expansive way that it grabs you by the neck & doesn’t let go until the last page. From the opening scene, Mendes has built a very impressive & immersive world that leaves the reader just blinking, trying to catch their breath. It’s alluring, harrowing, visceral, & darkly euphoric. This very much felt like a fantasy novel had a baby with an extreme horror novel, then had Clive Barker inject it with his style of fluid story-mapping & “visuals” that you could feel in your teeth. Buckle up for this one & what’s to come still; it’s a 3 parter as of right now. 🙀
Quick Synopsis:
Ever seen a body with all its bones removed? While gnarly, I’m sure, detective Max Elliot saw it once & never forgot it. Fast forward, the now EX-detective finds history repeating itself thru the bloody hands of a serial killer. The bodies are all found in the same grotesque manner, seem to be tied to the seedy underbelly & a mysterious puzzle box. The deeper Elliot digs, the more of a target he’s putting on himself. Will he solve the mystery? Will he get answers to his own mystery that has haunted his past all these years? Can he do it before it’s too late?
“Chinatown meets Hellraiser” was pretty dead on here. This very stylish, moody, noir is told in such a gritty, expansive way that it grabs you by the neck & doesn’t let go until the last page. From the opening scene, Mendes has built a very impressive & immersive world that leaves the reader just blinking, trying to catch their breath. It’s alluring, harrowing, visceral, & darkly euphoric. This very much felt like a fantasy novel had a baby with an extreme horror novel, then had Clive Barker inject it with his style of fluid story-mapping & “visuals” that you could feel in your teeth. Buckle up for this one & what’s to come still; it’s a 3 parter as of right now. 🙀
January 3, 2020
This is....wow. This is a tough one to review. Because it’s a really good book, but it’s also extremely off putting. I have a strong stomach and I’m hard to shock, but there were points here that were almost a little too much for me. Think of this as an Event Horizon kind of book. Outstanding, too be sure, excellent all the way around, but scenes in it that will haunt your dreams.
Also, the kind of movie, and book, that you can only recommend very, very carefully.
There is a lot of deeply disturbing content, including graphic depictions of sex, torture, and sex-and-torture. But, I never felt like it was there for the sole purpose of being graphic or disturbing, not “let’s see how much I can get away with.” The scenes were in service to the story being told, and the information provided in those scenes, no matter how off-putting, was important later on. You have serial killers, monsters, drugs, police investigations, and the ongoing question of what happens when you stare too long into the abyss. So, I recommend this, with a big red flag waving that it is very gruesome, and could also contain a lot of triggers, so approach carefully. But, I got through it, and I’m glad I did.
Also, the kind of movie, and book, that you can only recommend very, very carefully.
There is a lot of deeply disturbing content, including graphic depictions of sex, torture, and sex-and-torture. But, I never felt like it was there for the sole purpose of being graphic or disturbing, not “let’s see how much I can get away with.” The scenes were in service to the story being told, and the information provided in those scenes, no matter how off-putting, was important later on. You have serial killers, monsters, drugs, police investigations, and the ongoing question of what happens when you stare too long into the abyss. So, I recommend this, with a big red flag waving that it is very gruesome, and could also contain a lot of triggers, so approach carefully. But, I got through it, and I’m glad I did.
September 27, 2017
Good book
I've read so many books lately that I was burned out. Amazon recommended this book as a suggestion for me to read. It's been on my list for a long time but I never gave it a chance. The reason I didn't is because of the cover. The author writes extreme horror but writes it well and not amateurish like other authors in this genre (Tim Miller,Sam West, etc) The plot is good and the depravity not overdone. It has a good ending and the story ties in well together. Unlike other authors who try to shock their readers with poorly written extreme scenarios, Mendes does it with enough talent in descriptive writing to pull it off.
That said, the book cover is a turn off and it automatically made me think that this author was a Tim Miller wannabe, but he's 10 times better if not more. Please redo the cover so the author has a fighting chance to attract serious readers. Extreme horror doesn't have to be poorly written trash. The cover makes the reader, or at least me, think that this will be another of "those".
I've read so many books lately that I was burned out. Amazon recommended this book as a suggestion for me to read. It's been on my list for a long time but I never gave it a chance. The reason I didn't is because of the cover. The author writes extreme horror but writes it well and not amateurish like other authors in this genre (Tim Miller,Sam West, etc) The plot is good and the depravity not overdone. It has a good ending and the story ties in well together. Unlike other authors who try to shock their readers with poorly written extreme scenarios, Mendes does it with enough talent in descriptive writing to pull it off.
That said, the book cover is a turn off and it automatically made me think that this author was a Tim Miller wannabe, but he's 10 times better if not more. Please redo the cover so the author has a fighting chance to attract serious readers. Extreme horror doesn't have to be poorly written trash. The cover makes the reader, or at least me, think that this will be another of "those".
October 25, 2019
Max is an ex-detective whose daughter is missing and his wife is dead. Tracked down by the police investigate a similar killing of three young women, Max is thrust from a Raymond Chandler novel of the hard-boiled detective to an underground world inspired by Lovecraft.
This book can be gruesome at times but is still a well written fast-paced read.
For anyone with a love of either genre, this is well recommended.
This was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
This book can be gruesome at times but is still a well written fast-paced read.
For anyone with a love of either genre, this is well recommended.
This was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
April 5, 2019
This novel is a crazy ride! Its was recommended to me by another favorite author, and I'm so glad I read it. Its disturbing, it's dark, and the characters are fascinating. By the end of the book, you are really liking Max Elliot, and it felt to me it was possibly left open for a part two, which I would read in a heartbeat if that happens.
March 21, 2022
Such an incredible story, I will forever be recommending this novel. It was unique and fantastically written, I was walking through the city streets with Max. I loved the originality and the crime noir mixed with horror fantasy. I have the second book ready to start today!
May 31, 2017
What a freakin' awesome read this was! You can see my full review here... https://horrornovelreviews.com/2017/0...
January 3, 2019
Would give more stars if I could.
If you like the gritty, dark writings of Bryan Smith, you’re in for a surprise with this book.
If you like the gritty, dark writings of Bryan Smith, you’re in for a surprise with this book.
January 5, 2019
Dark and hard
But soft in good ways too .... Take a trip to the city and be careful not to dig it too much
But soft in good ways too .... Take a trip to the city and be careful not to dig it too much
September 3, 2019
I could really dig into this one. I love the combination of the noir with the mysterious underground civilization. Who wouldn’t get into that? Nice stuff.
November 6, 2022
This book was excellent. It was a Horror Noir story that was very dark, and just the atmosphere was epic. Can't wait to read the Sequel.
May 30, 2020
This book blew me away. I have never heard of this author, but I can't wait for the next book that he writes. This spoke to me on so many levels. At first glance, this may be dismissed as a glorified murder novel with extra gore, but this is nothing like that at all.
Without spoiling the plot, we have a detective investigating a gruesome murder, who becomes gradually drawn into a mystery that pushes him to the brink of his humanity. This is not for people easily offended, so be warned, there are some very explicit and gory scenes. That said, they are not depicted in a sensational way, but rather in a gritty, hard hitting manner that mirrors the baseness of our own lusts and dark urges, speaking to the primal part of humanity. You will be challenged, how far would you go to experience your desires and when do you stop being you, who are the real monsters in this story? I can't praise this enough. Really enjoyable and recommended to people who like visiting the darker side of life - fans of horror, true crime and people not afraid to 'look behind the curtain'.
Without spoiling the plot, we have a detective investigating a gruesome murder, who becomes gradually drawn into a mystery that pushes him to the brink of his humanity. This is not for people easily offended, so be warned, there are some very explicit and gory scenes. That said, they are not depicted in a sensational way, but rather in a gritty, hard hitting manner that mirrors the baseness of our own lusts and dark urges, speaking to the primal part of humanity. You will be challenged, how far would you go to experience your desires and when do you stop being you, who are the real monsters in this story? I can't praise this enough. Really enjoyable and recommended to people who like visiting the darker side of life - fans of horror, true crime and people not afraid to 'look behind the curtain'.
January 25, 2021
Holy Crap Toto!! Where the hell are we????
The City by S. C. Mendes is an engrossing, taboo delight of a novel that will suck you in to the underground depths of depravity, freedom and forbidden fruit and knowledge it has to offer. But at a price, certainly. Knowledge is never free. It is always experiential and can bring life or death to the soul…but you won’t know which till you taste it. And sometimes it only takes one taste to create an addict, a murderer, a runaway whore, a lost cause – one taste to raise the blinds on innocence and shower it with dirty, licentious truths, truths that prevent it from ever going back to Kansas anymore. There’s no place like home for those who have eaten the fruit offered in the City, because home will not have them any longer. The change is infectious, viral, transformative. Once you go deep enough, the likelihood of return is slim to none.
I say all this to offer that this book, The City, is an enticing and compelling story by any standards on the surface, but the truths it tells us below what everyone sees their neighbor present to them day in and day out is the true greatness of this book. The life behind the mask – what we really think about right and wrong, our ideas about the myth of morality, about lust and addiction, about depression and ceaseless pursuits of something that lights the fires of desire within our hearts that often we so desperately need in order to cover and quench the gaping wounds of painful futility and hopelessness that life has etched our souls with and will not let them heal.
It is Mendes’ exploration of these universally human struggles and weaknesses that show us so much about ourselves. It may show you empathy for the damned. It may draw you to ogle and quiver with excitement along with those glutting themselves, and maybe, maybe if you’re lucky you’ll feel a pang of guilt, a sprinting question in your mind accusing you of heinousness and asking why such things turn you on. It may make you squirm and wish to close this book, but I implore you to not put it down. Push on and explore life with him. See the metaphors beyond the despicable deeds and mush forward, eyes wide open. There is much to learn. So much to see.
The characters are deeply developed. Max Elliot is a man scarred heavily by life – by years of being a homicide detective, by bitter decisions made in his line of work that had horrible repercussions, and by the ungodly murder of his wife and kidnapping of his daughter 6 months prior to the beginning of the story. And now similar murders to that of his wife offer another chance to find out who killed her and possibly a lead on where his daughter might be. His struggles with addiction, hatred of self, life, and trying to figure out what possible sense it all makes is extremely well written and makes us see through his psyche and feel the highs and lows all the way down to his bones.
Other characters reinforce this. Fellow police officer McCloud helps to tether us to our humanity and hope for a better future, to a chance at making a difference instead of endless futility. Ming is the golden flower of innocence preserved in the midst of debauchery and the pivotal player in Max holding onto his humanity in many ways (and ours as well, symbolically) if he can succeed. It is a winding path to both heaven and hell, comfort and rest or endless suffering; and there’s no guarantees in sight as to how this may end.
Read it. Love it. Enjoy the journey. I know I did.
The City by S. C. Mendes is an engrossing, taboo delight of a novel that will suck you in to the underground depths of depravity, freedom and forbidden fruit and knowledge it has to offer. But at a price, certainly. Knowledge is never free. It is always experiential and can bring life or death to the soul…but you won’t know which till you taste it. And sometimes it only takes one taste to create an addict, a murderer, a runaway whore, a lost cause – one taste to raise the blinds on innocence and shower it with dirty, licentious truths, truths that prevent it from ever going back to Kansas anymore. There’s no place like home for those who have eaten the fruit offered in the City, because home will not have them any longer. The change is infectious, viral, transformative. Once you go deep enough, the likelihood of return is slim to none.
I say all this to offer that this book, The City, is an enticing and compelling story by any standards on the surface, but the truths it tells us below what everyone sees their neighbor present to them day in and day out is the true greatness of this book. The life behind the mask – what we really think about right and wrong, our ideas about the myth of morality, about lust and addiction, about depression and ceaseless pursuits of something that lights the fires of desire within our hearts that often we so desperately need in order to cover and quench the gaping wounds of painful futility and hopelessness that life has etched our souls with and will not let them heal.
It is Mendes’ exploration of these universally human struggles and weaknesses that show us so much about ourselves. It may show you empathy for the damned. It may draw you to ogle and quiver with excitement along with those glutting themselves, and maybe, maybe if you’re lucky you’ll feel a pang of guilt, a sprinting question in your mind accusing you of heinousness and asking why such things turn you on. It may make you squirm and wish to close this book, but I implore you to not put it down. Push on and explore life with him. See the metaphors beyond the despicable deeds and mush forward, eyes wide open. There is much to learn. So much to see.
The characters are deeply developed. Max Elliot is a man scarred heavily by life – by years of being a homicide detective, by bitter decisions made in his line of work that had horrible repercussions, and by the ungodly murder of his wife and kidnapping of his daughter 6 months prior to the beginning of the story. And now similar murders to that of his wife offer another chance to find out who killed her and possibly a lead on where his daughter might be. His struggles with addiction, hatred of self, life, and trying to figure out what possible sense it all makes is extremely well written and makes us see through his psyche and feel the highs and lows all the way down to his bones.
Other characters reinforce this. Fellow police officer McCloud helps to tether us to our humanity and hope for a better future, to a chance at making a difference instead of endless futility. Ming is the golden flower of innocence preserved in the midst of debauchery and the pivotal player in Max holding onto his humanity in many ways (and ours as well, symbolically) if he can succeed. It is a winding path to both heaven and hell, comfort and rest or endless suffering; and there’s no guarantees in sight as to how this may end.
Read it. Love it. Enjoy the journey. I know I did.
December 25, 2019
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for lending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
* * *4.5 stars* * *
I'll lead with what I disliked just to get it out of the way and not because it holds more weight than what I liked. It's pretty obvious to me that the loaned copy was likely a first draft so it contained a few grammar errors, words out of context, in short, things that should have been corrected with good proofreading and editing. It's one thing to have to look up a word because you don't understand it; it's another when you have to do so because it makes no sense in the context and get sidetracked trying to figure out what it was the author actually meant. I plan to get the final product and come back at some point to point out whether these things were fixed.
With that said... what an awesome read! I love Mendes' style and how he takes subjects so dark and perverted and just gross and turns them around with unbelievable ease. Without fear of exaggerating, I'll declare that we have the Stephen King of this generation in our midst, should he continue his work, which needless to say I look forward to.
Rock on! \m/
* * *4.5 stars* * *
I'll lead with what I disliked just to get it out of the way and not because it holds more weight than what I liked. It's pretty obvious to me that the loaned copy was likely a first draft so it contained a few grammar errors, words out of context, in short, things that should have been corrected with good proofreading and editing. It's one thing to have to look up a word because you don't understand it; it's another when you have to do so because it makes no sense in the context and get sidetracked trying to figure out what it was the author actually meant. I plan to get the final product and come back at some point to point out whether these things were fixed.
With that said... what an awesome read! I love Mendes' style and how he takes subjects so dark and perverted and just gross and turns them around with unbelievable ease. Without fear of exaggerating, I'll declare that we have the Stephen King of this generation in our midst, should he continue his work, which needless to say I look forward to.
Rock on! \m/
July 28, 2021
“And the man who confuses vengeance with justice might as well dig two graves: one for the enemy and one for himself.”
For a 270 page book, this story has A LOT. It world builds off of our own concept of society and creates a parallel city beneath us that operates under a different understanding of values and systems that I find extremely fascinating. The creatures there are also particularly interesting. 😏 I saw on Goodreads someone describes this as extreme horror mixed with crime noir and I couldn’t agree more. It’s like watching a black and white detective movie whilst being exposed to some of the most graphic scenes of horror I’ve witnessed and some of the coolest inhuman characters.
My one hang up is that the story drags slightly at certain points and then rushes the end. It is a slow burner which is perfect for what it’s trying to do given that it’s showing you a whole other world, but the parts that were emotionally important to me otherwise seemed to be skimmed over. But this is made up for with the visual horror and overall hellish aesthetic. Definitely recommend for those trying to spice up that gore factor in their life right now. 🔥
CW: sexual violence
For a 270 page book, this story has A LOT. It world builds off of our own concept of society and creates a parallel city beneath us that operates under a different understanding of values and systems that I find extremely fascinating. The creatures there are also particularly interesting. 😏 I saw on Goodreads someone describes this as extreme horror mixed with crime noir and I couldn’t agree more. It’s like watching a black and white detective movie whilst being exposed to some of the most graphic scenes of horror I’ve witnessed and some of the coolest inhuman characters.
My one hang up is that the story drags slightly at certain points and then rushes the end. It is a slow burner which is perfect for what it’s trying to do given that it’s showing you a whole other world, but the parts that were emotionally important to me otherwise seemed to be skimmed over. But this is made up for with the visual horror and overall hellish aesthetic. Definitely recommend for those trying to spice up that gore factor in their life right now. 🔥
CW: sexual violence
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