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Red
*****WARNING: Content may disturb and offend*****
e-book, paperback, audio
A serial killer’s depraved history has molded the person he is today. His lust for blood leads to inventive ways to kill his victims. Who is his next victim and can she be his salvation?
e-book, paperback, audio
A serial killer’s depraved history has molded the person he is today. His lust for blood leads to inventive ways to kill his victims. Who is his next victim and can she be his salvation?
- GenresHorror
47 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2017
46 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Doyle
25 books263 followersD.J. Doyle was raised by pot-smoking hippies and spent her days worshipping pagan deities in the HellFire Club and her nights watching horror movies and reading horror books. She now lives with her family in a treehouse, preying on unsuspecting travellers, and where she likes nothing better than coming up with ideas for new stories and plotting her next novel. Some of this might have been made up. To learn more about D.J. Doyle, her website can be found at http://djdoyleauthor.com and her official Facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/DJDoyleAuthor/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 15, 2021
I just don’t understand…
She wanted someone who is a good listener…check.
She wanted someone who will treat her like a princess…check.
She wanted someone who can take care of her and keep her safe…check.
I know this because I heard her tell these things to her girlfriends. So why is she being such an ungrateful bitch?
Some men just don’t get it. Right, ladies?
She wanted someone who is a good listener…check.
She wanted someone who will treat her like a princess…check.
She wanted someone who can take care of her and keep her safe…check.
I know this because I heard her tell these things to her girlfriends. So why is she being such an ungrateful bitch?
Some men just don’t get it. Right, ladies?
November 6, 2021
Cringe Worthy Gore!
A small backstory:
Dwayne is a serial killer and he has his eyes on a woman that he has been stalking for quite awhile by the name of Amanda. He has been on the hunt for a long time trying to find "Ms. Right" as he wants someone to share his passions with.
When Dwayne finally makes a move and kidnaps Amanda things go from bad to worse for him as what he finds out about her flips his world to the point he wishes that he had never laid eyes on her!
Thoughts:
This was a twisted messed up short story! Most of the book is about the character Dwayne and his serial killer exploits with women that he snatches off the streets and then has his way with them "serial killer style".
The author throws in a major twist though when Dwayne grabs Amanda and literally flips the tables upside down and sideways along with letting the blood and gore fly in all directions!
It was a good thing I had my full gore suit on as it was needed for this book! Giving this one four "Twisted Terror" stars!
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
A small backstory:
Dwayne is a serial killer and he has his eyes on a woman that he has been stalking for quite awhile by the name of Amanda. He has been on the hunt for a long time trying to find "Ms. Right" as he wants someone to share his passions with.
When Dwayne finally makes a move and kidnaps Amanda things go from bad to worse for him as what he finds out about her flips his world to the point he wishes that he had never laid eyes on her!
Thoughts:
This was a twisted messed up short story! Most of the book is about the character Dwayne and his serial killer exploits with women that he snatches off the streets and then has his way with them "serial killer style".
The author throws in a major twist though when Dwayne grabs Amanda and literally flips the tables upside down and sideways along with letting the blood and gore fly in all directions!
It was a good thing I had my full gore suit on as it was needed for this book! Giving this one four "Twisted Terror" stars!
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
November 1, 2021
This is an extremely graphic story of a serial sex killer. Much of his background is revealed, giving us some psychological insight into his actions. When he encounters the perfect girl, his world is bound to change. Who is this new "princess?" Find out if you dare.
February 19, 2021
She turned the key in the opposite direction and pulled out the contraption, which turned my favorite color. Strips of flesh hung from the closed sections.
May 4, 2018
3.5 stars
Genre: Horror
Humor: 4/5
Darkness: 3/5
Writing style: 2.75/5
Triggers? Uh-huh.
Amanda Price is number nine on Dwayne/Todd Jenkins’s potential mate list. He catches her off guard by breaking into her home, drugging her, and hauling her off to his secluded hideaway.
Sure, this story is supposed to be dark and scary, but the narrator had a twisted sense of humor and I almost died of laughter while reading this!
It wouldn’t hurt to fine-tune the writing style but the narrator had me glued to his every sick and disturbing move! Todd frequently reminisced about each “princess” he stalked and killed, justifying his behavior and rationalizing with the “voices” that spoke to him. His thoughts about some of the women he kidnapped?
I let number eight, Fiona, fall down the steps and she broke her leg and arm, the bone split out of the skin. She cried for days, begging for something to kill the pain. I didn’t know what to do, and fucking YouTube didn’t help.
► More of the narrator’s thoughts?
Auditory hallucinations, delusions, serial killer tendencies and outright homicidal maniac qualities aside, I liked seeing the narrator in action and liked the layout/structure of this story. Even though it was short, it was packed with captivating content and I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough to find out Todd’s fate. Most disturbing part of this story for me? The narrator’s homemade/custom baseball bat!
► The last page was by far the most gory and gruesome of the entire book! It was also the perfect ending to a story of this nature!
Genre: Horror
Humor: 4/5
Darkness: 3/5
Writing style: 2.75/5
Triggers? Uh-huh.
Amanda Price is number nine on Dwayne/Todd Jenkins’s potential mate list. He catches her off guard by breaking into her home, drugging her, and hauling her off to his secluded hideaway.
Sure, this story is supposed to be dark and scary, but the narrator had a twisted sense of humor and I almost died of laughter while reading this!
It wouldn’t hurt to fine-tune the writing style but the narrator had me glued to his every sick and disturbing move! Todd frequently reminisced about each “princess” he stalked and killed, justifying his behavior and rationalizing with the “voices” that spoke to him. His thoughts about some of the women he kidnapped?
I let number eight, Fiona, fall down the steps and she broke her leg and arm, the bone split out of the skin. She cried for days, begging for something to kill the pain. I didn’t know what to do, and fucking YouTube didn’t help.
► More of the narrator’s thoughts?
Auditory hallucinations, delusions, serial killer tendencies and outright homicidal maniac qualities aside, I liked seeing the narrator in action and liked the layout/structure of this story. Even though it was short, it was packed with captivating content and I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough to find out Todd’s fate. Most disturbing part of this story for me? The narrator’s homemade/custom baseball bat!
► The last page was by far the most gory and gruesome of the entire book! It was also the perfect ending to a story of this nature!
August 26, 2017
"Blood poured in buckets.... I lapped some up...and tasted her soul on the buds of my tongue."
The story is told in a first-person narrative voice by a serial killer, Dwayne, a.k.a. Todd Jenkins, who has his sights on a new "princess," Amanda Price. He has been watching her for weeks now and is ready to make his move. Through Todd, we learn about the other women he has taken and the horrific experiences they endured under his "care." In his deranged mind, he's merely satisfying their needs and searching for a good companion. If they're good to him, he's good to them. But if they don't cooperate or show him the respect he feels he deserves, he commits unthinkable acts. Will Amanda do whatever it takes to appease him or will Todd see red and begin his search for princess number ten?
This story was engrossing from the very beginning. Todd's character is developed nicely through his thoughts of the past. I applaud the author's courage in stepping beyond her comfort zone to craft such a sick and gory book. She doesn't just skirt around the violence and depravity but pulls readers right into the horrors with her rich, descriptive writing. The brilliant twist at the end provided the absolute perfect, satisfying ending.
Thank you, Ramona Plant, for recommending this great story. I will certainly be reading more books by D.J. Doyle.
The story is told in a first-person narrative voice by a serial killer, Dwayne, a.k.a. Todd Jenkins, who has his sights on a new "princess," Amanda Price. He has been watching her for weeks now and is ready to make his move. Through Todd, we learn about the other women he has taken and the horrific experiences they endured under his "care." In his deranged mind, he's merely satisfying their needs and searching for a good companion. If they're good to him, he's good to them. But if they don't cooperate or show him the respect he feels he deserves, he commits unthinkable acts. Will Amanda do whatever it takes to appease him or will Todd see red and begin his search for princess number ten?
This story was engrossing from the very beginning. Todd's character is developed nicely through his thoughts of the past. I applaud the author's courage in stepping beyond her comfort zone to craft such a sick and gory book. She doesn't just skirt around the violence and depravity but pulls readers right into the horrors with her rich, descriptive writing. The brilliant twist at the end provided the absolute perfect, satisfying ending.
Thank you, Ramona Plant, for recommending this great story. I will certainly be reading more books by D.J. Doyle.
December 19, 2020
Triggers a plenty..
First time read from D.J Doyle and as you can tell by the rating won't be my last.
I enjoyed this a lot, the author does a very good job of adding so much plot, back story and characters in such a short read.
Told in POV of stalker/killer Dwayne/Todd search for a princess. Dwayne obviously suffers from mental issues quite noticeably schizophrenia, his delusions are comical at times but also very childlike in his actions and reasons that it comes off as innocently naive which makes him really creepy. While brutally violent and a great twist at the end it's Dwayne comical telling of the previous princesses I enjoyed the most.
First time read from D.J Doyle and as you can tell by the rating won't be my last.
I enjoyed this a lot, the author does a very good job of adding so much plot, back story and characters in such a short read.
Told in POV of stalker/killer Dwayne/Todd search for a princess. Dwayne obviously suffers from mental issues quite noticeably schizophrenia, his delusions are comical at times but also very childlike in his actions and reasons that it comes off as innocently naive which makes him really creepy. While brutally violent and a great twist at the end it's Dwayne comical telling of the previous princesses I enjoyed the most.
December 16, 2020
Well I guess I'm gonna have to start reading more of D.J. Doyle now. This was a awesome short read. This story for some reason reminded me of that series YOU on Netflix only way more fucked up if you haven't read this and dig horror read this cuz I know after I am done writing this review I am going to go buy the second book in this series cuz I definitely need to know what's going to go down after the ending in this one. So I will see ya after the next one ...... Just read it.
June 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this bloody tale and the shocking twist. I did not see that coming. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
December 31, 2020
‘On the spectrum: From Ultra-Violent to Inta-RED.’
This is the extremely dark and violent story about an abductor and serial sex killer, told from the perspective of the sad, deeply disturbed and deranged individual himself. Set within an orgy of truly gruesome and gory sexual depravity, we get to hear about his early life experiences, powerful motivating influences and brutally violent behaviour when carrying out his horrific crimes on the unfortunate list of young ‘princesses’.
Yes, an undeniably difficult read at times, but also a fascinating story, written in a way that I found worked really well and which managed to interest and engage from beginning to end. Also, although I did kind of guess early on the very clever, and much welcomed, big final twist, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was for totally false and incorrect reasons and assumptions. Now that was impressive!
A really good, full-on, hard core story from an extremely talented, professional writer of this genre.
It will long be remembered and yes, red is most definitely the colour!
Rating: 4.2 stars.
This is the extremely dark and violent story about an abductor and serial sex killer, told from the perspective of the sad, deeply disturbed and deranged individual himself. Set within an orgy of truly gruesome and gory sexual depravity, we get to hear about his early life experiences, powerful motivating influences and brutally violent behaviour when carrying out his horrific crimes on the unfortunate list of young ‘princesses’.
Yes, an undeniably difficult read at times, but also a fascinating story, written in a way that I found worked really well and which managed to interest and engage from beginning to end. Also, although I did kind of guess early on the very clever, and much welcomed, big final twist, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was for totally false and incorrect reasons and assumptions. Now that was impressive!
A really good, full-on, hard core story from an extremely talented, professional writer of this genre.
It will long be remembered and yes, red is most definitely the colour!
Rating: 4.2 stars.
April 4, 2021
Based on some of my friends really great reviews i wanted to read this one! What a great quick gross and somewhat erotic read! Pretty cool tools!
The story, for as short as it is, has some good character development about Todd's insane past history antics.
Big story twist, didn't see that coming and oh ewwww. Excited to read reddest the sequel.
The story, for as short as it is, has some good character development about Todd's insane past history antics.
Big story twist, didn't see that coming and oh ewwww. Excited to read reddest the sequel.
April 5, 2018
This was a quick read. The story is well written and character driven. The twist at the end is definitely unexpected. This is what kept me reading; wanting to know how this was going to end. I confess I had to breeze over some passages. I guess I am one of the faint-hearted and this story is not for the timid or faint-hearted. Yes, it is a very disturbing story. I was totally grossed out. I enjoy reading horror stories, but this was on a whole other level. It is more of a sadistic story. I had to give the author all of her stars because she delivered a well written and well-told story. I believe the author accomplished what she set out to do with this story—get up under the reader's skin, make their stomachs roll, and their eyeballs pop. Well done.
June 12, 2021
This book had me from beginning to end,as good as it gets for me,brutal throughout!
February 4, 2021
Blood and sex galore! Who says women can't write about fucked up stuff?
Great job.
Great job.
April 22, 2020
I had forgotten how good this is, and how brutal! And the twist!
I just read it for the second time - thank you, Sea Caummisar for reminding me about it!
I just read it for the second time - thank you, Sea Caummisar for reminding me about it!
April 20, 2019
Red is absolutely gruesome at it's best!
This novella is definitely disturbing, gory, demented, and intense. The whole time I'm reading this I'm saying oh my god! No he didn't! This is my first book by this author and sure is heck won't be my last. I went and bought the paperback. I can't wait to read the second part to this series.
This novella is definitely disturbing, gory, demented, and intense. The whole time I'm reading this I'm saying oh my god! No he didn't! This is my first book by this author and sure is heck won't be my last. I went and bought the paperback. I can't wait to read the second part to this series.
November 28, 2018
This is a quick read being a novella but that doesn’t take away from the fact it’s a great book.
Not for the faint hearted, it even made my eyes water at times and I love me a bit of gore!
I loved the twist at the end. I didn’t see that one coming at all!!
Onto book 2....Reddest!
Not for the faint hearted, it even made my eyes water at times and I love me a bit of gore!
I loved the twist at the end. I didn’t see that one coming at all!!
Onto book 2....Reddest!
March 3, 2019
Eerily well-constructed psychopath in a well-written and gripping tale. There is no dancing around in this story, you will face the darkest most graphic sides of said psychopath and boy, is he a doozy. And the twist at the end . . . You won't see it coming. A great read for the true horror fan.
May 8, 2018
Red: An Extreme Horror Novelette by D.J. Doyle is the story of Todd Jenkins (formerly known as Dwayne) and his bloodlust for all things red. Red lipstick, red books, red kerchiefs...all souvenirs taken off women who became his prisoners. Told in the first person, Todd reveals his history with "princesses" and the highs and lows of each prisoner, which always culminate with a violent act of sodomy and the lapping up of their blood once they'd stopped appreciating him. His conquests are detailed and his methods are severe.
"My favorite is the small baseball bat with the push-up button that released a head full of nails at the top of the bat. It took hours to hollow out the middle, carve every hole, and connect every nail to the same metal piece in the middle, but it was worth it. My masterpiece."
When he meets, drugs, and makes Amanda his captive, the story takes an especially unexpected turn in a narrative where unpredictability begins to feel uncomfortably compos mentis.
Red is not for the faint of heart. A psychological slasher thriller, Doyle unpeels the backstory of Todd Jenkins methodically. As we begin to understand (as well as anyone is able to understand a psychopath), Doyle is able to do the unthinkable: endear Todd to the reader. Yes, you've read that correctly. While Red is written simply, something about the narrative drew me to actually feel sorry for Todd. The same Todd who violently kidnaps, violates, tortures, and kills women. That's a massive feat for a novelette where character development is severely limited by word count.
If you enjoy a quick read à la American Psycho, give Red a try. You'll probably regret it...but only if others happen find out you actually enjoyed it (which you most certainly will).
Review written for Readers' Favorite.
"My favorite is the small baseball bat with the push-up button that released a head full of nails at the top of the bat. It took hours to hollow out the middle, carve every hole, and connect every nail to the same metal piece in the middle, but it was worth it. My masterpiece."
When he meets, drugs, and makes Amanda his captive, the story takes an especially unexpected turn in a narrative where unpredictability begins to feel uncomfortably compos mentis.
Red is not for the faint of heart. A psychological slasher thriller, Doyle unpeels the backstory of Todd Jenkins methodically. As we begin to understand (as well as anyone is able to understand a psychopath), Doyle is able to do the unthinkable: endear Todd to the reader. Yes, you've read that correctly. While Red is written simply, something about the narrative drew me to actually feel sorry for Todd. The same Todd who violently kidnaps, violates, tortures, and kills women. That's a massive feat for a novelette where character development is severely limited by word count.
If you enjoy a quick read à la American Psycho, give Red a try. You'll probably regret it...but only if others happen find out you actually enjoyed it (which you most certainly will).
Review written for Readers' Favorite.
October 3, 2017
If you think extreme horror is just a male’s domain, then think again. D.J. Doyle doesn’t mess around with this short, sharp slice of brutality right here.
‘Red’ is a graphic, gore-splattered gut-punch revolving around serial killer Dwayne/Todd and his compulsive behaviour, as he slices and dices his way through a series of women. A terrible upbringing and not so happy childhood has shaped our demented antagonist into what he is today, a man infatuated with the colour red, and driven to act on the voices he hears inside his head, voices he believes are those of who ultimately become his victims.
The themes and the premise of the tale are not any major departure from many similar ones of this ilk, but Doyle has managed to deliver them in such a compelling way that elevates Red above books which tread like-minded paths. The writing is sharp, crisp and lean, without superfluous words or padding, it is pared down and straight to the point, which works very well given this novelette is a short read that you’ll be bound to devour in one sitting.
Characterization is strong, with well-fleshed out and developed folks-what few of them are here-populating the story, and the pacing is superb. Doyle puts the foot down pretty much from the word-go, dropping us right into the sordid life of Dwayne/Todd, and swings back and forth between the present and the often disturbing history of the lunatic without sacrificing anything in the switches between these now and then moments.
Red is a journey into the unhinged psyche of a man who never rises above the bad hand dealt to him as a child, but instead chooses to venture deeper into his world of dark, depraved desires and obsessions. It is unrelenting, unapologetic, and most definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re keen to delve into the extreme, then I’d highly recommend it. The stunner of an ending alone is worth the price of entry.
Extreme horror is where I love to dwell, and Red makes for a cracking read in that department.
‘Red’ is a graphic, gore-splattered gut-punch revolving around serial killer Dwayne/Todd and his compulsive behaviour, as he slices and dices his way through a series of women. A terrible upbringing and not so happy childhood has shaped our demented antagonist into what he is today, a man infatuated with the colour red, and driven to act on the voices he hears inside his head, voices he believes are those of who ultimately become his victims.
The themes and the premise of the tale are not any major departure from many similar ones of this ilk, but Doyle has managed to deliver them in such a compelling way that elevates Red above books which tread like-minded paths. The writing is sharp, crisp and lean, without superfluous words or padding, it is pared down and straight to the point, which works very well given this novelette is a short read that you’ll be bound to devour in one sitting.
Characterization is strong, with well-fleshed out and developed folks-what few of them are here-populating the story, and the pacing is superb. Doyle puts the foot down pretty much from the word-go, dropping us right into the sordid life of Dwayne/Todd, and swings back and forth between the present and the often disturbing history of the lunatic without sacrificing anything in the switches between these now and then moments.
Red is a journey into the unhinged psyche of a man who never rises above the bad hand dealt to him as a child, but instead chooses to venture deeper into his world of dark, depraved desires and obsessions. It is unrelenting, unapologetic, and most definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re keen to delve into the extreme, then I’d highly recommend it. The stunner of an ending alone is worth the price of entry.
Extreme horror is where I love to dwell, and Red makes for a cracking read in that department.
April 20, 2019
Very extreme!
I usually don't read such short books, but it was a free promo, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did. I kinda saw the twist coming, but still enjoyed it. I thought I knew the twist, but then the author crossed a certain line,making me think I was wrong. But then bam! The twist hit me like a train.
I really enjoy blood and gore. And for me, there is no such thing as too extreme. I loved how extreme this book was. The author definitely crossed lines into what some people would say is too much, or over the top. For me, it was an enjoyable short read.
I usually don't read such short books, but it was a free promo, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did. I kinda saw the twist coming, but still enjoyed it. I thought I knew the twist, but then the author crossed a certain line,making me think I was wrong. But then bam! The twist hit me like a train.
I really enjoy blood and gore. And for me, there is no such thing as too extreme. I loved how extreme this book was. The author definitely crossed lines into what some people would say is too much, or over the top. For me, it was an enjoyable short read.
October 3, 2017
Wow, talk about extreme! If I didn’t know better, I’d say D.J. Doyle needs help. This is a totally chilling look into the mind of an insane, deranged, sick individual. There are no punches pulled, and this is not or the faint of heart. It’s exactly what it promises, extreme, disturbing, and brilliantly written- giving the impression that this is exactly how the mind of such a person would work. The pace is fast, no words are wasted, and the narrative is chilling. Fans of extreme horror will love this.
May 29, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I liked how it was told from the killer’s POV, and we see how he became what he is and what he’s looking for in a victim. It was more gore than horror, but there’s nothing wrong with that to me. A little blood and guts hits the spot once in a while! And I loved the ending!
August 15, 2017
Holy wow I did not expect this book! Masterfully written and crafted, intensely disturbing, downright depraved, and with an ending that will literally blow your mind with the rest of the story, I just sit here in a kind of awe. I don't know how the author did it, but I was sucked into the story from the start and although it was like a kind of train wreck, I kept reading because I had to find out what would happen next. The story does not disappoint. In fact, it's so action packed this little novella will stick with you a long time after you finish reading.
The thing is, I'm not usually one for this kind of horror, or any horror really, but something about this story drew me in. Maybe it's all the crime shows I've watched and the interest of psychoanalyzing serial killers. There's a sort of clarity in the main character's dysfunction that is as disturbing as it is mesmerizing. Truly a screwed up kind of read, in a way, but one that will appeal to those who enjoy these types of stories. It's more than a horror novel, it's a true psychological mind f**k. Is it bad I couldn't put it down, reading from start to finish without pausing? All those descriptions...so much detail that you are left in no doubt of what is and has taken place. I've got chills!
Take a deep breath and plunge into the red...but don't say I didn't warn you! 5 horror filled depraved and truly disgusting stars!
The thing is, I'm not usually one for this kind of horror, or any horror really, but something about this story drew me in. Maybe it's all the crime shows I've watched and the interest of psychoanalyzing serial killers. There's a sort of clarity in the main character's dysfunction that is as disturbing as it is mesmerizing. Truly a screwed up kind of read, in a way, but one that will appeal to those who enjoy these types of stories. It's more than a horror novel, it's a true psychological mind f**k. Is it bad I couldn't put it down, reading from start to finish without pausing? All those descriptions...so much detail that you are left in no doubt of what is and has taken place. I've got chills!
Take a deep breath and plunge into the red...but don't say I didn't warn you! 5 horror filled depraved and truly disgusting stars!
October 5, 2017
I thought that Horror Fans will read this book, RED. The author, D.J. Doyle, painted all the story with those dirty words (Maybe I won’t write them into my books in my lifetime). This is a very short horror novelette to read within 2-3 hours on your bed. And it’s really hard for me to put 5 stars for the end of her story, or 3 stars dute to I am not a Horror Fan. Hmmm…. Thanks for the horrible ending. Red: An Extreme Horror Novelette
—S.L. Tsao, Author & Art Director, in Oct 2017.
—S.L. Tsao, Author & Art Director, in Oct 2017.
April 11, 2021
This is my second novelette by D J Doyle and I heard lots of good things about Red, so I had high expectations. I was told to expect - and be able to stomach extreme horror. Well, it didn’t disappoint. This story really packs a punch and I loved the ending. All I will say about the plot is it’s about a sick man who preys on women searching for his ultimate ‘princess’ to cherish and spoil. He’ll do anything for the ‘one’ as long as they don’t try to escape. D J Doyle is definitely someone to keep an eye on and shows us girls can be just as delightfully wicked as the boys! Five stars. I’m looking forward to reading its sequel.
August 12, 2017
The description is no joke. This story is indeed extreme. The story doesn't hold back and the author doesn't flinch for a second. Holy cow! But it's not a mindless story, either, not just guts and gore for nothing. There is a story and it creeps up on you until it finally takes center stage and you're blown away by the hidden truth. I honestly didn't see the end coming. The story had a lot more depth to it than most extreme tales I've read so I was fairly impressed.
Strong characterization, strong horror and solid story. Not for the meek, but certainly high-quality extreme.
Strong characterization, strong horror and solid story. Not for the meek, but certainly high-quality extreme.
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January 2, 2019This one is for those strange ducks, I'm not one. No offense...DNF
*Edit* extremely horrific alright....but I finally finished it. crazy content.... All I can say is wow
*Edit* extremely horrific alright....but I finally finished it. crazy content.... All I can say is wow
December 20, 2018
D J Doyle shows a remarkable ability to get inside a man's head, speak in his voice, know his turn-ons and turn-offs inside out, and has the creative flair to add some novelty to the usual Ed Gein or Ted Bundy stuff that us lovers (and a few connoisseurs) of gore have read, seen and imbibed over the years as extreme horror in both literature and cinema kept the hardcore stuff simmering under the mainstream surface. As my friend Angel Gelique pointed out in her review, She (Doyle) doesn't just skirt around the violence and depravity but pulls readers right into the horrors with her rich, descriptive writing. Rich enough and depraved enough, with such tools of the sadistic trade in Dwayne’s basement as the Pear of Anguish. So many phallic possibilities explored as his ‘princesses’ spoke to him and his fondness for the colour red called out to him.
The ending makes it sound like a 'Saw' series in the making - which may be a great idea because Doyle has the wherewithal to pull it off.
I have a personal connection with the story too, without having a woman locked up in my house of course (you never know, by the way). How Dwayne is aroused by Amanda's sweat-sprinkled body reminds me of a series of stories I used to write for a fitness-freak lady friend while we had an online thing going on. It has stayed with me since then, the fetish for diamond beads of perspiration adorning a perfect body straight out of the labours of a gym. Hell, aren't we humans part of an enduring struggle to add kink after kink to the insipid and repetitive male-female intimacy that God intended for us? How much of it is perversion (paraphilia is the Wiki term) and how much is ‘healthy’ sexual experimentation is rather hard to answer. Thumbs up to women who don’t see it all in a repulsive light. I hope D J Doyle agrees and keeps writing such stories without being put off by her own creations.
The ending makes it sound like a 'Saw' series in the making - which may be a great idea because Doyle has the wherewithal to pull it off.
I have a personal connection with the story too, without having a woman locked up in my house of course (you never know, by the way). How Dwayne is aroused by Amanda's sweat-sprinkled body reminds me of a series of stories I used to write for a fitness-freak lady friend while we had an online thing going on. It has stayed with me since then, the fetish for diamond beads of perspiration adorning a perfect body straight out of the labours of a gym. Hell, aren't we humans part of an enduring struggle to add kink after kink to the insipid and repetitive male-female intimacy that God intended for us? How much of it is perversion (paraphilia is the Wiki term) and how much is ‘healthy’ sexual experimentation is rather hard to answer. Thumbs up to women who don’t see it all in a repulsive light. I hope D J Doyle agrees and keeps writing such stories without being put off by her own creations.
October 29, 2017
Wow. This book is great. I don’t usually enjoy novellas, but I was lent this one so I decided to give it a try. And I am really glad I did. I liked it so much I purchased it. I usually find short stories and novellas are either rushed or nothing happens. This one is the complete opposite. I cannot believe the author managed to fit so much into so few pages. The pace is perfect, it is well written and the way the main character’s background and previous murders gradually comes out cannot have been done any better. It is an intense read and I couldn’t put it down. It comes with a warning and this warning is justified. It is very graphic in some places, but this is not done to shock readers; those scenes fit in with the storyline and the main character and improve the book. The ending was unexpected and perfect. My only complaint about this book is that it ended too soon. I don’t mean it would have been better if it was longer; I was just enjoying it so much I wanted to keep on reading. I became immersed in the story and could easily picture every part of it.
To me, this book is not a horror book (though I know a lot of others would disagree and I understand why this could be classed as horror). It is about a serial killer so falls into the murder/mystery genre. I believe the author should pitch this book to those readers as well as horror readers as I believe it will appeal to both. This will open up the market more and this book definitely deserves more sales and reviews.
To me, this book is not a horror book (though I know a lot of others would disagree and I understand why this could be classed as horror). It is about a serial killer so falls into the murder/mystery genre. I believe the author should pitch this book to those readers as well as horror readers as I believe it will appeal to both. This will open up the market more and this book definitely deserves more sales and reviews.
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