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Pressure #1
Pressure
Alex stared at the red pocketknife shown to him by his daughter. A pocketknife owned by somebody he hadn't seen in years …
CHILDREN
They met first in boarding school at age twelve. Alex Fletcher, shy and scared. Darren Rust, always furiously scribbling away in a private journal. It was not an immediate friendship, but then one night Darren convinced his roommate to sneak off school grounds to see something glorious. There was a sleazy strip club, you see, and every once in a while the back door opened just long enough to maybe catch a quick glimpse …
Though a bond was formed from their pre-pubescent interest in naked women, Darren had another interest. A morbid curiosity about death. A curiosity that turned into something much more sinister.
FRIENDS
They crossed paths again in college and became the best of friends. But Darren wasn't just looking for a friend. He had dark, ghastly urges squirming around in his head, and he believed he saw the same things—the urge to hurt, the urge to kill—in Alex. He was looking for somebody who understood. A partner.
But Alex could never become a monster. Not even when Darren tried to bring out his friend's most deeply buried feelings of rage. Not even when Darren tried to show him the euphoria of having that much power over another human being. It just couldn't happen … right?
ENEMIES
Now Alex has a wife and a daughter. And Darren is back. He's hiding. He's patient. His mind is twisted in the worst possible way.
And he's seeking a soul mate.
PRESSURE is a defining moment in Jeff Strand's career as an author, and an unforgettable psychological thriller you do not want to miss.
CHILDREN
They met first in boarding school at age twelve. Alex Fletcher, shy and scared. Darren Rust, always furiously scribbling away in a private journal. It was not an immediate friendship, but then one night Darren convinced his roommate to sneak off school grounds to see something glorious. There was a sleazy strip club, you see, and every once in a while the back door opened just long enough to maybe catch a quick glimpse …
Though a bond was formed from their pre-pubescent interest in naked women, Darren had another interest. A morbid curiosity about death. A curiosity that turned into something much more sinister.
FRIENDS
They crossed paths again in college and became the best of friends. But Darren wasn't just looking for a friend. He had dark, ghastly urges squirming around in his head, and he believed he saw the same things—the urge to hurt, the urge to kill—in Alex. He was looking for somebody who understood. A partner.
But Alex could never become a monster. Not even when Darren tried to bring out his friend's most deeply buried feelings of rage. Not even when Darren tried to show him the euphoria of having that much power over another human being. It just couldn't happen … right?
ENEMIES
Now Alex has a wife and a daughter. And Darren is back. He's hiding. He's patient. His mind is twisted in the worst possible way.
And he's seeking a soul mate.
PRESSURE is a defining moment in Jeff Strand's career as an author, and an unforgettable psychological thriller you do not want to miss.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
365 people are currently reading
4683 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
229 books2,210 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 362 reviews
October 20, 2020
I love the way Jeff Strand tells a story. He created a niche for himself as the funniest extreme horror writer ever. At times he gives you schoolgirl giggles and at times he makes your stomach turn, sometimes both at the same time, but he also has that magic that only the best of writers have - he makes you FEEL.
What you can expect:
The book begins with a hilarious condom-stealing-plot gone horribly wrong.
As a twelve year old, Alex gets sent to Branford Academy. Darren, a quiet kid who doesn't seem to have any personal relationships, is one of his roommates. During a Christmas holiday, they bond over their prepubescent interest in naked woman (no, I'm not going to explain that, you have to read it yourself!), even though they do not become best of friends.
But Darren his a secret curiosity, and soon it will change everything for Alex and his other roommates.
Fast-forward to college. A chance meeting on campus brings Alex and Darren together again. They become the best of friends. And Alex falls in love.
But Darren is still hiding some darker things. And he doesn't want to lose Alex or their friendship, and he wants a partner to share his ghastly urges.
This time, things go way beyond the point of redemption or hope.
Fast-forward to Alex, the family man. He has a wife and a daughter, and a pretty decent life. But Darren is still around, patiently waiting for another opportunity.
And this time the odds can't be any bigger...or any more stacked against Alex.
___________________________________________________
My thoughts on this novel jumped from good to great before I reached the halfway mark. A lot of the terror and fear is psychological - I couldn't help but to think of Matt Shaw (if you don't know who this author is, google MATT SHAW THE DARKEST MIND IN HORROR) at some points during the story.
It might build like a pressure cooker, but it doesn't mean that there aren't enough action to keep the reader interested. As far as psychological thrillers go, I loved every second of it.
The idea was also an interesting one - the psychopath who is not hunting the victim, but trying to convert him.
Most important of all, there was a lot about the characters - especially Alex - which was relatable. I don't think there was ever a point in this book where I felt like he did something stupid or out of character just to fit into the story-line.
Last - to be constructive and fair - if there was one thing I would have changed it might have been the character development - there are a lot of questions about their past (the all-important "but why would he...") that was never explained.
But, it would have made the story longer (unnecessary, perhaps?) and may have changed the rhythm which I enjoyed.
I recommend this to all thriller fans, if you can stomach it.
What you can expect:
The book begins with a hilarious condom-stealing-plot gone horribly wrong.
As a twelve year old, Alex gets sent to Branford Academy. Darren, a quiet kid who doesn't seem to have any personal relationships, is one of his roommates. During a Christmas holiday, they bond over their prepubescent interest in naked woman (no, I'm not going to explain that, you have to read it yourself!), even though they do not become best of friends.
But Darren his a secret curiosity, and soon it will change everything for Alex and his other roommates.
Fast-forward to college. A chance meeting on campus brings Alex and Darren together again. They become the best of friends. And Alex falls in love.
But Darren is still hiding some darker things. And he doesn't want to lose Alex or their friendship, and he wants a partner to share his ghastly urges.
This time, things go way beyond the point of redemption or hope.
Fast-forward to Alex, the family man. He has a wife and a daughter, and a pretty decent life. But Darren is still around, patiently waiting for another opportunity.
And this time the odds can't be any bigger...or any more stacked against Alex.
___________________________________________________
My thoughts on this novel jumped from good to great before I reached the halfway mark. A lot of the terror and fear is psychological - I couldn't help but to think of Matt Shaw (if you don't know who this author is, google MATT SHAW THE DARKEST MIND IN HORROR) at some points during the story.
It might build like a pressure cooker, but it doesn't mean that there aren't enough action to keep the reader interested. As far as psychological thrillers go, I loved every second of it.
The idea was also an interesting one - the psychopath who is not hunting the victim, but trying to convert him.
Most important of all, there was a lot about the characters - especially Alex - which was relatable. I don't think there was ever a point in this book where I felt like he did something stupid or out of character just to fit into the story-line.
Last - to be constructive and fair - if there was one thing I would have changed it might have been the character development - there are a lot of questions about their past (the all-important "but why would he...") that was never explained.
But, it would have made the story longer (unnecessary, perhaps?) and may have changed the rhythm which I enjoyed.
I recommend this to all thriller fans, if you can stomach it.
October 24, 2017
Sometimes it's really fun to let yourself go down the abyss. This is one of those super-fast reads that pretty much never lets up as it drags you through the mud. We open with a trademark suicide watch to set the tone and then sit back to see what turned Alex into the quivering wreck he becomes.
The novel is deceptively simple: he's hounded by a psychopath who thinks Alex is just like him and only needs a little push to blossom.
Of course, one push becomes a constant stream of pressure, and it's thanks to the happy times in-between that this novel succeeds so well. Its simplicity lends itself to some really great scenes throughout. It's deceptive and quite wonderful.
That, and there's the humor. There are some really twisted moments scattered throughout.
All in all, it's a super tight thriller that aims for the guts and the heart and the pure, unadulterated rage. In other words, this ain't a tale that's good for little children to read. *insert bloodcurdling scream of murder/suicide*
The novel is deceptively simple: he's hounded by a psychopath who thinks Alex is just like him and only needs a little push to blossom.
Of course, one push becomes a constant stream of pressure, and it's thanks to the happy times in-between that this novel succeeds so well. Its simplicity lends itself to some really great scenes throughout. It's deceptive and quite wonderful.
That, and there's the humor. There are some really twisted moments scattered throughout.
All in all, it's a super tight thriller that aims for the guts and the heart and the pure, unadulterated rage. In other words, this ain't a tale that's good for little children to read. *insert bloodcurdling scream of murder/suicide*
May 3, 2022
Made my blood boil to the highest degree! Evil, brutal and merciless.
Jeff Strand really knows how to create memorable characters. The humor in his scenes were spot on and elevated the plot itself. Although there was darkness in the story, the chemistry between the main characters was evident. I wanted to pounce Darren in the face because of his cruel and calculating nature and I wanted to scream at Alex for making stupid decisions.
I loved how Darren was written. He is such a complex character. He is someone you wouldn’t hesitate to hate and curse every freaking time he does something inhumane. And while Alex is the contrast of Darren’s darkness, I can’t help but feel inclined to sympathise to him although I feel like he lacked the character development that I was looking for.
Overall. I enjoyed this book. Yes, I found myself biting my lips and gritting my teeth at times because of Darren. Only shows how effective this book was.
TRIGGER WARNING: Animal abuse, misogyny.
Jeff Strand really knows how to create memorable characters. The humor in his scenes were spot on and elevated the plot itself. Although there was darkness in the story, the chemistry between the main characters was evident. I wanted to pounce Darren in the face because of his cruel and calculating nature and I wanted to scream at Alex for making stupid decisions.
I loved how Darren was written. He is such a complex character. He is someone you wouldn’t hesitate to hate and curse every freaking time he does something inhumane. And while Alex is the contrast of Darren’s darkness, I can’t help but feel inclined to sympathise to him although I feel like he lacked the character development that I was looking for.
Overall. I enjoyed this book. Yes, I found myself biting my lips and gritting my teeth at times because of Darren. Only shows how effective this book was.
TRIGGER WARNING: Animal abuse, misogyny.
May 1, 2020
Horror at it's best!
Wow-ZERS this is a fantastic, terrifying book.
It has lots of layers and I enjoyed it from the beginning but then the pressure kept building and it ended perfectly.
It's also darker than most Jeff Strand stories.
Thanks to my fellow GoodReader who recommended it to me!! 👍
Wow-ZERS this is a fantastic, terrifying book.
It has lots of layers and I enjoyed it from the beginning but then the pressure kept building and it ended perfectly.
It's also darker than most Jeff Strand stories.
Thanks to my fellow GoodReader who recommended it to me!! 👍
March 26, 2021
“The gods were not, in fact, smiling upon me. I at least hoped they weren't laughing at me.”
What do you want me to say?
I loved it.
Pressure is divided into three parts: Alex as a tween in some sort of hard-ass military-type school; Alex in college; and adult Alex living his best life as a husband and father. Each section becomes a little more hardcore, and Jeff Strand ratchets up the tension effortlessly, like the horror genius he is. The final section is horrifying in the very best way. I was honestly shocked. Not so much by the conclusion, but how often he dared to go there.
You know that line that authors seldom cross, because it's too taboo? Well, Jeff kicked that line in the balls and went on his merry way, much to the delight of this reader.
You need to read this...BUT:
There is a scene that contains animal death and mutilation, which is why I'm ultimately not giving a full five stars.
4.5 stars
AVAILABLE NOW!
What do you want me to say?
I loved it.
Pressure is divided into three parts: Alex as a tween in some sort of hard-ass military-type school; Alex in college; and adult Alex living his best life as a husband and father. Each section becomes a little more hardcore, and Jeff Strand ratchets up the tension effortlessly, like the horror genius he is. The final section is horrifying in the very best way. I was honestly shocked. Not so much by the conclusion, but how often he dared to go there.
You know that line that authors seldom cross, because it's too taboo? Well, Jeff kicked that line in the balls and went on his merry way, much to the delight of this reader.
You need to read this...BUT:
There is a scene that contains animal death and mutilation, which is why I'm ultimately not giving a full five stars.
4.5 stars
AVAILABLE NOW!
January 6, 2024
Wow. Sign me up for book #2.
August 21, 2016
I was gifted a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review from the narrator Scott Thomas. I already know Scott is a fantastic narrator, so when I saw an opportunity to grab this audiobook from one of my favorite authors, it was an offer much too good to refuse.
This is an excellent psychological thriller from the demented mind of Jeff Strand. Please note that if you’re looking for the trademark Strand wit and humor, this ain’t it. There are glimpses of it here and there (and you’ll be thankful for the tiny reprieve too), but this one is just straight up brutal. Pressure is an apropos title for this one as the tension steadily builds until Jeff lets it all out and ratchets it up to eleven.
The narration really works for this one. Scott’s pacing, tone and cadence are always spot on. He is a perfect complement to Jeff’s story and really has a way of breathing life into his characterizations. I have listened to several of his audio works and have enjoyed them all.
Very well done on all fronts for Pressure and Highly Recommended!
This is an excellent psychological thriller from the demented mind of Jeff Strand. Please note that if you’re looking for the trademark Strand wit and humor, this ain’t it. There are glimpses of it here and there (and you’ll be thankful for the tiny reprieve too), but this one is just straight up brutal. Pressure is an apropos title for this one as the tension steadily builds until Jeff lets it all out and ratchets it up to eleven.
The narration really works for this one. Scott’s pacing, tone and cadence are always spot on. He is a perfect complement to Jeff’s story and really has a way of breathing life into his characterizations. I have listened to several of his audio works and have enjoyed them all.
Very well done on all fronts for Pressure and Highly Recommended!
February 6, 2022
⭐⭐⭐3/4
"For a while the bullets were the only thing keeping me alive."
First Impression
My first experience of Jeff Strand was in Draculas, a collaborative effort with a number of prominent horror authors. I enjoyed it immensely and was convinced to get stuck into one of his solo efforts. So I started with one that came with a strong reputation...Pressure.
Going in I didn't know an awful lot about this one, other than it was more of a psychological thriller as oppose to a full on horror. That suited me fine. I'd also heard Strand likes to throw a lot of dark humour into the mix and that again is right up my alley. So I had a good feeling that I was in for a good time.
The Story
What we get with pressure is a very character driven, coming of age story. We go from early childhood in a boarding school into adulthood through the eyes of the protagonist Alex. The focus of this story being his relationship with the psychotic Darren Rust.
Darren is at first quiet and a bit of a loner but soon becomes fascinated with young Alex. We see that he is relentlessly manipulative and devious as he plays a twisted game, pitting a regular man against a monster.
The Writing
The overall standard is pretty good. Jeff Strand has a skill for being able to convey the full range of emotions that his characters are feeling within Pressure, and isn’t afraid to delve into some very dark places. The story is jam packed with suspense and tension, which helped keep me on edge of my seat. Its fast paced with some brutal scenes to wet your appetite.
"...then one foggy Christmas Eve, the Sherrif came to say, Randolph with your gun so bright, won't you shoot my wife tonight...?"
Jeff Strand also has a fantastic ability to make light of some horrifying situations by injecting humour. This adds some much needed variety to the mood and pace, something I really appreciated. It's easy reading, despite some of the tough subject matter.
The Characters
The two central characters are really the stars of the show. Absolutely fabulous and some great chemistry. Alex was very relatable for me personally, being the average guy that you end up caring immensely about. Yes I'm a self confessedly average guy (the shame of it)!
"Don't worry, I'll wear you down in time. Then we'll really have some fun."
Darren, on the other hand, is an absolute lunatic but also witty and charming. He provides that memorable villain that's almost essential in any good horror/thriller. Throughout the story he commits some unspeakable acts while always believing he's helping Alex. It's captivating stuff and an interest twist on this type of narrative.
Final Thoughts
I felt this was a great introduction to Strand and has certainly got me interested with reading more. It reminded me a lot of Dean Koontz's Voice of the Night, although not quite as good as that one. If you've read then you'll certainly see the comparisons and I'm pretty sure it will have been an inspiration for this author.
As I'm becoming a more experienced reader I'm starting to distinguish a lot more in my ratings and unfortunately for this one I've been reading some pretty awesome books lately and it's not quite as good as some of the four star efforts I've notched on my bedpost. But it's still a very entertaining read. So 3.75 stars seems like a fair score to me. Next up for me from Strand will be his first book Dweller. Hope you can join me on that one!
Four time Bram Stoker nominee - Jeff Strand
"For a while the bullets were the only thing keeping me alive."
First Impression
My first experience of Jeff Strand was in Draculas, a collaborative effort with a number of prominent horror authors. I enjoyed it immensely and was convinced to get stuck into one of his solo efforts. So I started with one that came with a strong reputation...Pressure.
Going in I didn't know an awful lot about this one, other than it was more of a psychological thriller as oppose to a full on horror. That suited me fine. I'd also heard Strand likes to throw a lot of dark humour into the mix and that again is right up my alley. So I had a good feeling that I was in for a good time.
The Story
What we get with pressure is a very character driven, coming of age story. We go from early childhood in a boarding school into adulthood through the eyes of the protagonist Alex. The focus of this story being his relationship with the psychotic Darren Rust.
Darren is at first quiet and a bit of a loner but soon becomes fascinated with young Alex. We see that he is relentlessly manipulative and devious as he plays a twisted game, pitting a regular man against a monster.
The Writing
The overall standard is pretty good. Jeff Strand has a skill for being able to convey the full range of emotions that his characters are feeling within Pressure, and isn’t afraid to delve into some very dark places. The story is jam packed with suspense and tension, which helped keep me on edge of my seat. Its fast paced with some brutal scenes to wet your appetite.
"...then one foggy Christmas Eve, the Sherrif came to say, Randolph with your gun so bright, won't you shoot my wife tonight...?"
Jeff Strand also has a fantastic ability to make light of some horrifying situations by injecting humour. This adds some much needed variety to the mood and pace, something I really appreciated. It's easy reading, despite some of the tough subject matter.
The Characters
The two central characters are really the stars of the show. Absolutely fabulous and some great chemistry. Alex was very relatable for me personally, being the average guy that you end up caring immensely about. Yes I'm a self confessedly average guy (the shame of it)!
"Don't worry, I'll wear you down in time. Then we'll really have some fun."
Darren, on the other hand, is an absolute lunatic but also witty and charming. He provides that memorable villain that's almost essential in any good horror/thriller. Throughout the story he commits some unspeakable acts while always believing he's helping Alex. It's captivating stuff and an interest twist on this type of narrative.
Final Thoughts
I felt this was a great introduction to Strand and has certainly got me interested with reading more. It reminded me a lot of Dean Koontz's Voice of the Night, although not quite as good as that one. If you've read then you'll certainly see the comparisons and I'm pretty sure it will have been an inspiration for this author.
As I'm becoming a more experienced reader I'm starting to distinguish a lot more in my ratings and unfortunately for this one I've been reading some pretty awesome books lately and it's not quite as good as some of the four star efforts I've notched on my bedpost. But it's still a very entertaining read. So 3.75 stars seems like a fair score to me. Next up for me from Strand will be his first book Dweller. Hope you can join me on that one!
Four time Bram Stoker nominee - Jeff Strand
June 29, 2012
This is yet another hit by Jeff Strand!
This story focuses on pressure. The opening scene involves some peer pressure between teen boys. From there this story is full steam ahead and don't even think about putting on the brakes.
Alex is sent to a school for troubled kids, even though he's not really troubled. He meets his new roommates Darren (the quiet scribbler), Pete and Jeremy. Little does he know that one of these people is going to change his life forever.
Mr. Strand's trademark sense of humor shows up throughout this story and sometimes it's a welcome break from the stress and the Pressure.
Be sure you have some time available when you start this book!
Highly recommended.
This story focuses on pressure. The opening scene involves some peer pressure between teen boys. From there this story is full steam ahead and don't even think about putting on the brakes.
Alex is sent to a school for troubled kids, even though he's not really troubled. He meets his new roommates Darren (the quiet scribbler), Pete and Jeremy. Little does he know that one of these people is going to change his life forever.
Mr. Strand's trademark sense of humor shows up throughout this story and sometimes it's a welcome break from the stress and the Pressure.
Be sure you have some time available when you start this book!
Highly recommended.
September 15, 2021
“The gods were not, in fact, smiling upon me. I at least hoped they weren't laughing at me.”
What do you want me to say?
I loved it.
Pressure is divided into three parts: Alex as a tween in some sort of hard-ass military-type school; Alex in college; and adult Alex living his best life as a husband and father. Each section becomes a little more hardcore, and Jeff Strand ratchets up the tension effortlessly, like the horror genius he is. The final section is horrifying in the very best way. I was honestly shocked. Not so much by the conclusion, but how often he dared to go there.
You know that line that authors seldom cross, because it's too taboo? Well, Jeff kicked that line in the balls and went on his merry way, much to the delight of this reader.
You need to read this...BUT:
There is a scene that contains animal death and mutilation. Beware.
AVAILABLE NOW!
What do you want me to say?
I loved it.
Pressure is divided into three parts: Alex as a tween in some sort of hard-ass military-type school; Alex in college; and adult Alex living his best life as a husband and father. Each section becomes a little more hardcore, and Jeff Strand ratchets up the tension effortlessly, like the horror genius he is. The final section is horrifying in the very best way. I was honestly shocked. Not so much by the conclusion, but how often he dared to go there.
You know that line that authors seldom cross, because it's too taboo? Well, Jeff kicked that line in the balls and went on his merry way, much to the delight of this reader.
You need to read this...BUT:
There is a scene that contains animal death and mutilation. Beware.
AVAILABLE NOW!
February 28, 2019
This was a nailbiting read. The novel starts with a character named Alex at the end of his wits. Then you come to know his story and what got him into that dire situation. Darren is stalking his friends since they are boarding students. After one year Alex is inscribed at another boarding school. Darren is soon forgotten. When in college he meets Darren again and then the game begins anew. What is Darren and why is he doing this? Sometimes I had to think about the character of John Ryder from 1986 movie The Hitcher. Alex marries Melanie and they have a nice daughter. Can he protect his family from Darren? An incredibly tight and compelling cat and mouse game starts. Who will be the winner? This spine tingling book will give you the creeps, promised. There may be funny elements in it but that's very dark humour... Absolutely recommended!
December 20, 2021
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Narration 5/5
April 16, 2018
Ever get so involved in a book that you find yourself shouting at the characters? I can't tell you how many times I yelled at poor Alex in this story.
The book starts off when Alex is just a young boy, twelve years old. A group of kids pressure him to steal a package of condoms. Alex seems like a good kid, but peer pressure be damned. Being new to the school and having no friends to call his own, Alex succumbs. When his parents find out, the punishment is harsh. It's as though they've been waiting for the opportunity to rid their lives of their only son. They ship him off to Branford Academy, a school for wayward youth.
It is at Branford that Alex has the great misfortune of meeting Darren Rust, his anti-social roommate. Alex makes the mistake of letting his curiousity get the best of him one night and the two students form somewhat of a friendship. But that friendship quickly sours as Alex and his other two roommates realize that Darren has psychotic tendencies.
Years later, Alex and Darren meet again in college and Alex chooses to overlook Darren's youthful indiscretions. They become friends for a while. All too soon, however, that friendship is tested and Alex finally comes to his senses and begins seeing Darren as the deranged lunatic that he is. He graduates, gets married, has a daughter...goes on with his life.
And then Darren returns.
Talk about pressure! Phew! This is one tense, highly-engrossing story that will keep you turning the pages (and maybe shouting at Alex as I did). I could see the barreling train about to collide and it left that sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach. Few books affect me so strongly where I actually come to care about the characters. Strand's writing is simply brilliant. That mounting sense of tension and dread was almost palpable. This is horror and thriller at its best.
The book starts off when Alex is just a young boy, twelve years old. A group of kids pressure him to steal a package of condoms. Alex seems like a good kid, but peer pressure be damned. Being new to the school and having no friends to call his own, Alex succumbs. When his parents find out, the punishment is harsh. It's as though they've been waiting for the opportunity to rid their lives of their only son. They ship him off to Branford Academy, a school for wayward youth.
It is at Branford that Alex has the great misfortune of meeting Darren Rust, his anti-social roommate. Alex makes the mistake of letting his curiousity get the best of him one night and the two students form somewhat of a friendship. But that friendship quickly sours as Alex and his other two roommates realize that Darren has psychotic tendencies.
Years later, Alex and Darren meet again in college and Alex chooses to overlook Darren's youthful indiscretions. They become friends for a while. All too soon, however, that friendship is tested and Alex finally comes to his senses and begins seeing Darren as the deranged lunatic that he is. He graduates, gets married, has a daughter...goes on with his life.
And then Darren returns.
Talk about pressure! Phew! This is one tense, highly-engrossing story that will keep you turning the pages (and maybe shouting at Alex as I did). I could see the barreling train about to collide and it left that sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach. Few books affect me so strongly where I actually come to care about the characters. Strand's writing is simply brilliant. That mounting sense of tension and dread was almost palpable. This is horror and thriller at its best.
November 30, 2013
Jeff Strand grabs you by throat and exerts pressure from the intriguing opening sentence until the brutal end in this amazing psycho-thriller.
This was my first full length Jeff Strand read, and I must say I was extremely happy with it. A big five stars. I know he is known more for his humor, which does make some appropriate appearances here and there in this one, but is largely absent.
I am happy for that, due to the dark themes presented.
Alex is a great protagonist and I felt I got to know him well, and genuinely cared about what became of him. That is the sign of a seriously talented author.
The bad guy in this one is one of the most sadistic villains to come along in a great while, and although he doesn't get fully fleshed out with a lot of backstory and we are not allowed into his head, I don't think that was necessary. He is the monster in the closet even more so for lack of knowledge about why he is the way he is.
Great easy and fast read, but not for the faint of heart.
This was my first full length Jeff Strand read, and I must say I was extremely happy with it. A big five stars. I know he is known more for his humor, which does make some appropriate appearances here and there in this one, but is largely absent.
I am happy for that, due to the dark themes presented.
Alex is a great protagonist and I felt I got to know him well, and genuinely cared about what became of him. That is the sign of a seriously talented author.
The bad guy in this one is one of the most sadistic villains to come along in a great while, and although he doesn't get fully fleshed out with a lot of backstory and we are not allowed into his head, I don't think that was necessary. He is the monster in the closet even more so for lack of knowledge about why he is the way he is.
Great easy and fast read, but not for the faint of heart.
December 13, 2023
A very clever and quick thriller by Strand that really drew me in quickly. Basically, Pressure tells the tale of Alex and Darren, from their year together in boarding school and then later in life. Alex, our main protagonist, got into trouble on a dare when he was 12 (shoplifting condoms!) and his not-so loving parents quickly sent him to a school for 'troubled' children; not quite a military academy, but close. He shared a dormitory room there with three other boys, one being Darren. Darren was the quite one, but also a little off. While Alex befriended the other two boys, Darren seemed to live in his own bubble. Most likely because Darren is a psychopath.
I really do not want to go into the plot here, this being a thriller and all, but will say Pressure has four parts, each being a different stage/time of the relationship between Alex and Darren. I really liked Strand's dark sense of humor here and the often witty dialogue among the characters; this often made me smile even during the darkest parts of the story. This also has a very unusual structure as it really is about Alex and Darren, with other characters being secondary at best. Also, Strand often had me pulling for Darren, which is pretty hard to do being that he is such a nasty fucker. Nasty, but oh so clever! The denouement was apt but not as impressive as the rest of the book. If you want a fast-paced thriller with a seriously dark edge, punctuated with witty banter and repartee, give this a shot for sure. 4 smooth stars!
I really do not want to go into the plot here, this being a thriller and all, but will say Pressure has four parts, each being a different stage/time of the relationship between Alex and Darren. I really liked Strand's dark sense of humor here and the often witty dialogue among the characters; this often made me smile even during the darkest parts of the story. This also has a very unusual structure as it really is about Alex and Darren, with other characters being secondary at best. Also, Strand often had me pulling for Darren, which is pretty hard to do being that he is such a nasty fucker. Nasty, but oh so clever! The denouement was apt but not as impressive as the rest of the book. If you want a fast-paced thriller with a seriously dark edge, punctuated with witty banter and repartee, give this a shot for sure. 4 smooth stars!
May 15, 2011
I would classify Pressure as a psychotic thriller, something that agitates more than scares, sure there are terrifying ordeals that end in blood shed but it's not a scary book. The story revolves around Alex, who we meet when he's a shy simple kid. He's somehow on a path of misbehaving due to some peer pressure, which results in his admission to the Branford Academy. Strict rules aren't enough to keep the really bad kids from acting out and still getting away from it, in this case Alex's roommate Darren turns out to be a thorn that never leaves his side. First he ignores pretty much all the roommates but develops a friendship with Alex that borders on unhealthy obsession. For some reason he's infatuated with Alex and follows him from his youth into the adult years, creeping up into his personal life, endangering his relationships with his strange stalking and seemingly innocent behavior. Darren's explanation for his closeness is that Alex is so much like him, so they might as well have fun together, in this case fun means killing people. Alex isn't as thrilled as Darren, in fact he's annoyed that someone would even think of him as a killer, but his friend doesn't take no for an answer and will literally twist all his fingers to get his way.
The beginning was interesting, I was sucked into the story right away and I liked the character development when it came to Alex, he felt pretty real. Unfortunately Alex had a bit of what I call the Hamlet complex, unable to act in a way that would resolve the horrid situations that he was in. If it was me dealing with a psycho I would not go home and relax and wait a few years to the nut to show up again and again. Also the reader gets to know very little about Darren, I felt that I never got to see inside his head and why he was acting in such a weird way, everyone's childhood was covered at least in some minute detail except for the main bad guy, too much ambiguous mystery going on with that character for my liking. The bad guy is most often the most interesting part, and there was some info missing that kept this book from getting a higher rating from me. Overall I enjoyed the story even though it had some bumps in the road but the writing was good and engaging and I will definitely read more of Strand in the future.
The beginning was interesting, I was sucked into the story right away and I liked the character development when it came to Alex, he felt pretty real. Unfortunately Alex had a bit of what I call the Hamlet complex, unable to act in a way that would resolve the horrid situations that he was in. If it was me dealing with a psycho I would not go home and relax and wait a few years to the nut to show up again and again. Also the reader gets to know very little about Darren, I felt that I never got to see inside his head and why he was acting in such a weird way, everyone's childhood was covered at least in some minute detail except for the main bad guy, too much ambiguous mystery going on with that character for my liking. The bad guy is most often the most interesting part, and there was some info missing that kept this book from getting a higher rating from me. Overall I enjoyed the story even though it had some bumps in the road but the writing was good and engaging and I will definitely read more of Strand in the future.
February 11, 2020
I’m a huge fan of Jeff Strand, and this book is one of his best. Not as funny and much darker than some of his other works, with a villain as monstrous and memorable as some of the sickest in all of literature, Pressure is a dark, tragic journey through one man’s life and the shadow always hanging over it.
Brilliant and highly recommended!
Brilliant and highly recommended!
January 14, 2016
A less funny, more intense than usual Jeff Strand novel, Pressure tells the story of Alex and his long relationship with initially-odd-but-eventually-psychopathic Darren. It begins when the two are children at school, moves through their college years, and settles on their final interactions when they are in their late 20s.
Overall, Pressure is an entertaining read that convincingly sells the reader on how damaged an individual Darren is, while building their hope that Alex has enough brains to not get too involved with him. Of course he doesn't (and what kind of novel would it be if he did?) so the tension mounts as the reader imagines just what horrible things might befall Alex at the hands of Darren.
Pressure affected me quite significantly. It certainly lagged in places and was somewhat let down by some questionable decisions on behalf of the main character that served the plot rather than worked within it, but neither of those things changed the fact that I found myself genuinely feeling for Alex before the end of this novel. And that, to me, is the sign of a quality read.
Strand's trademark whip-smart dialogue is again on display, and it really is readily consumable, so if you're on the hunt for a dark-thriller that occasionally crosses the line into horror, then Pressure is well worth your time and effort.
4 Dogs Gone Missing for Pressure.
Overall, Pressure is an entertaining read that convincingly sells the reader on how damaged an individual Darren is, while building their hope that Alex has enough brains to not get too involved with him. Of course he doesn't (and what kind of novel would it be if he did?) so the tension mounts as the reader imagines just what horrible things might befall Alex at the hands of Darren.
Pressure affected me quite significantly. It certainly lagged in places and was somewhat let down by some questionable decisions on behalf of the main character that served the plot rather than worked within it, but neither of those things changed the fact that I found myself genuinely feeling for Alex before the end of this novel. And that, to me, is the sign of a quality read.
Strand's trademark whip-smart dialogue is again on display, and it really is readily consumable, so if you're on the hunt for a dark-thriller that occasionally crosses the line into horror, then Pressure is well worth your time and effort.
4 Dogs Gone Missing for Pressure.
July 6, 2021
What a great story teller! This is my second book I’ve read from this author and I loved them both. It was so hard to put the book down, but, well life. I would be thinking about it while I was at work and couldn’t wait to get back to it.
June 12, 2022
Edit:: I first read this about five years ago. I’ve read it again to prepare for part 2 of this story.
I liked it then, I liked it now…. On to “Deathless”
____________
I recently read "Blister" by Strand, and I really liked it. After a few chapters of "Pressure" I knew this one was even better. Seriously insane lunacy. The characters and the story.
Between the humor and the gore was anxiety, but in a completely entertaining way.
Strand has a way of lulling you into a stretch of story all sweet and innocent, then BLAM! Creepiness and horror abounds. Before you know it you're back in the middle of sweetness. Quite the ride.
I immediately downloaded another Strand, "Dweller" and am loving it too.
I liked it then, I liked it now…. On to “Deathless”
____________
I recently read "Blister" by Strand, and I really liked it. After a few chapters of "Pressure" I knew this one was even better. Seriously insane lunacy. The characters and the story.
Between the humor and the gore was anxiety, but in a completely entertaining way.
Strand has a way of lulling you into a stretch of story all sweet and innocent, then BLAM! Creepiness and horror abounds. Before you know it you're back in the middle of sweetness. Quite the ride.
I immediately downloaded another Strand, "Dweller" and am loving it too.
February 3, 2022
Wickedly thought out! This was my first stand alone book by Jeff Strand and it did not disappoint. Alex Fletcher has a purple birthmark on his chin so one can only imagine how growing up must have been. His parents move to a small town in Arizona when he is 12. He has very little friends and then two of them invite him to join their club but he has to steal a box of condoms to get in. The purchase/steal of the condoms was hilarious but in the process Alex panics leaving his back pack at the store. When the owner of the store shows up at his home his parents freak and though it’s the only thing Alex has done wrong they decide a private boarding school is his only option. Really the story begins there at Branford Academy.
He is lodged with three other boys in the same age group – Jeremy, Peter and Darren who keeps to himself while writing in a journal. When Peter and Jeremy go home for Christmas Darren and Alex get a chance to bond. As the school staff is on low alert over the Christmas holidays (yeah Alex’s parents had a trip they’d rather take then have Alex back home) Darren and Alex go on some adventures late at night off school grounds. Darren takes him to a strip club where the boys survey the back door waiting for it to open so they can take a peek. I don’t know what it is but I love stories about children’s youth as it brings back so many memories of my own. The story told here by the author and I’m referring to the whole book is drawn out at times. Perhaps even a bit slow, it’s like let’s get to the point but it is well written and again I like the aspect of hearing about their adventures even as Alex ages.
When Peter and Jeremy return from their Christmas break Peter loses his beloved dog Killer Fang who is a small dog that escaped on the school grounds but was lost. With school back in session Darren continues his outlawed ventures during the night. Alex decides to follow him and is terrified with what he finds. He finds Darren mutilating Killer Fang who is clearly dead. Alex thinks Darren killed the dog but Darren insists it was already dead (hit by a car) and he is just experimenting on it. Clearly Darren is one f’d up individual. By the way I believed Darren when he says the dog was already dead. Darren sticks with that story throughout the book. So Alex lets Peter and Jeremy know what happened and in an attempt to scare Darren straight they almost kill him which changes everything. From here on out we really see a scary deviant side of Darren. More of a manipulative, cunning side as he gets back at everyone save Alex (but why save Alex?). As the infighting with the boys cumulate Alex is pulled out of school and goes to another private school.
We then fast forward to Alex at college. He meets Darren again who is muscular and good looking. Darren emphasizes that those days back at Branford Academy were him just being a child and an idiot as well. The two become friends but there are hints while at college that Darren is the same old Darren. While at college Alex meets his first wife Melanie who he later has a daughter Tracy Anne with. Things implode with Darren while at college due to Darren setting up Alex’s roommate Will who is a serial killer fan and has serial killer paraphernalia all around their room. One day when Alex comes home with Darren they see posters of Melanie on the wall but she is victimized as a serial killer victim in various gross poses. Alex freaks out beating the crap out of Will but Will insists he never did it. When Alex finally calms down he sees a pattern that he’s seen before and tells Darren to get lost. The pattern being that Darren likely set Will up.
Man why do I always get so winded? I’ll speed up. So Alex marries Melanie but then Darren comes back into their lives. He kidnaps Alex, brings him to the family secluded cottage where he tells Alex to decapitate Darren’s female hostage or Darren will kill Melanie. It’s quite convoluted but it is oh so buyable and that’s what happens. You see Darren thinks Alex is a natural born serial killer who needs to realize that fact but upon being released by Darren Alex goes to the authorities and Darren is a wanted man while Alex story is believed by authorities. Again it is all buyable.
Years later Alex and Melanie have a five year old daughter Tracy Anne. Darren inserts himself into Alex life again capturing him and holding him hostage while torturing Alex. Strand could have gotten graphic in a lot of the book but he does not. He leaves it to your imagination which with mine isn’t always a good thing, lol. As part of Darren’s sick fantasy he brings Melanie and Tracy Anne into the picture as hostages as well. He is hoping to convert little Tracy Anne into a serial killer now saying he sees her potential. Darren is clearly messed up but Strand sells this whole storyline quite quite well. I had no issue with any of it and if you’ve ever read any of my reviews I usually do. Well how will Alex and his family get out of this mess? Maybe they all don’t…….
Well at least Alex survives and becomes a wreck. The book starts with Alex trying to shoot himself each day and each day that he doesn’t he engraves the days number on the bullet which didn’t take his life. He finally progresses out of this stage but basically seems like a homeless person who is down on himself. This is when he meets Jeremy by chance. Jeremy is becoming a minister and invites him to his home. Jeremy still has contact with Peter and when they all learn the details of what’s happened to Alex they decide it’s time to get Darren out of Alex’s life once and for all.
The plan they come up with is a damn good one but Darren has a tendency to be very crafty and cunning and to see things that are coming. I will leave the ending at that but this book was so unique and different and again so buyable. I have hit on a few books over the past year that have the serial killer manipulating others to kill as well. They were all fun and different reads and if done right I can actually see it happening.
This was an easy four stars. Again the story goes a bit slow at times but the good parts are worth the wait and though things may sound a bit gory here and there most of it is presented in a way that’s left to your imagination to deal with. I loved the ending as well - just so fitting. For readers of intense psychological thrillers this is a very good one but it is not an intense thriller action wise as there is a lot of story that gets told as well. Enjoy……
He is lodged with three other boys in the same age group – Jeremy, Peter and Darren who keeps to himself while writing in a journal. When Peter and Jeremy go home for Christmas Darren and Alex get a chance to bond. As the school staff is on low alert over the Christmas holidays (yeah Alex’s parents had a trip they’d rather take then have Alex back home) Darren and Alex go on some adventures late at night off school grounds. Darren takes him to a strip club where the boys survey the back door waiting for it to open so they can take a peek. I don’t know what it is but I love stories about children’s youth as it brings back so many memories of my own. The story told here by the author and I’m referring to the whole book is drawn out at times. Perhaps even a bit slow, it’s like let’s get to the point but it is well written and again I like the aspect of hearing about their adventures even as Alex ages.
When Peter and Jeremy return from their Christmas break Peter loses his beloved dog Killer Fang who is a small dog that escaped on the school grounds but was lost. With school back in session Darren continues his outlawed ventures during the night. Alex decides to follow him and is terrified with what he finds. He finds Darren mutilating Killer Fang who is clearly dead. Alex thinks Darren killed the dog but Darren insists it was already dead (hit by a car) and he is just experimenting on it. Clearly Darren is one f’d up individual. By the way I believed Darren when he says the dog was already dead. Darren sticks with that story throughout the book. So Alex lets Peter and Jeremy know what happened and in an attempt to scare Darren straight they almost kill him which changes everything. From here on out we really see a scary deviant side of Darren. More of a manipulative, cunning side as he gets back at everyone save Alex (but why save Alex?). As the infighting with the boys cumulate Alex is pulled out of school and goes to another private school.
We then fast forward to Alex at college. He meets Darren again who is muscular and good looking. Darren emphasizes that those days back at Branford Academy were him just being a child and an idiot as well. The two become friends but there are hints while at college that Darren is the same old Darren. While at college Alex meets his first wife Melanie who he later has a daughter Tracy Anne with. Things implode with Darren while at college due to Darren setting up Alex’s roommate Will who is a serial killer fan and has serial killer paraphernalia all around their room. One day when Alex comes home with Darren they see posters of Melanie on the wall but she is victimized as a serial killer victim in various gross poses. Alex freaks out beating the crap out of Will but Will insists he never did it. When Alex finally calms down he sees a pattern that he’s seen before and tells Darren to get lost. The pattern being that Darren likely set Will up.
Man why do I always get so winded? I’ll speed up. So Alex marries Melanie but then Darren comes back into their lives. He kidnaps Alex, brings him to the family secluded cottage where he tells Alex to decapitate Darren’s female hostage or Darren will kill Melanie. It’s quite convoluted but it is oh so buyable and that’s what happens. You see Darren thinks Alex is a natural born serial killer who needs to realize that fact but upon being released by Darren Alex goes to the authorities and Darren is a wanted man while Alex story is believed by authorities. Again it is all buyable.
Years later Alex and Melanie have a five year old daughter Tracy Anne. Darren inserts himself into Alex life again capturing him and holding him hostage while torturing Alex. Strand could have gotten graphic in a lot of the book but he does not. He leaves it to your imagination which with mine isn’t always a good thing, lol. As part of Darren’s sick fantasy he brings Melanie and Tracy Anne into the picture as hostages as well. He is hoping to convert little Tracy Anne into a serial killer now saying he sees her potential. Darren is clearly messed up but Strand sells this whole storyline quite quite well. I had no issue with any of it and if you’ve ever read any of my reviews I usually do. Well how will Alex and his family get out of this mess? Maybe they all don’t…….
Well at least Alex survives and becomes a wreck. The book starts with Alex trying to shoot himself each day and each day that he doesn’t he engraves the days number on the bullet which didn’t take his life. He finally progresses out of this stage but basically seems like a homeless person who is down on himself. This is when he meets Jeremy by chance. Jeremy is becoming a minister and invites him to his home. Jeremy still has contact with Peter and when they all learn the details of what’s happened to Alex they decide it’s time to get Darren out of Alex’s life once and for all.
The plan they come up with is a damn good one but Darren has a tendency to be very crafty and cunning and to see things that are coming. I will leave the ending at that but this book was so unique and different and again so buyable. I have hit on a few books over the past year that have the serial killer manipulating others to kill as well. They were all fun and different reads and if done right I can actually see it happening.
This was an easy four stars. Again the story goes a bit slow at times but the good parts are worth the wait and though things may sound a bit gory here and there most of it is presented in a way that’s left to your imagination to deal with. I loved the ending as well - just so fitting. For readers of intense psychological thrillers this is a very good one but it is not an intense thriller action wise as there is a lot of story that gets told as well. Enjoy……
October 6, 2016
My original Pressure audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Pressure can be defined as the exertion of force upon something by something else, as well mental or physical distress. Either definition is appropriate for Jeff Strand’s aptly titled suspense thriller, Pressure. At its core, this a story of two forces impacting one another, forcefully and violently, and the result is a hefty dose of distress.
Alex and Darren are two boarding school brats, their friendship cemented by a late-night excursion into the woods behind a strip club, where they hide out and hope to catch sight of the action inside. Darren, though, has a secret, and once Alex and their schoolmates discover Darren’s morbid fascinations nothing is the same. What follows is a decades-long story of friendship, adversarial rivalry, and gruesome deeds that can only leave one of them alive.
Strand does a terrific job building his characters, giving them enough dimension and subtle shadings to make them relateable, even if you don’t particularly want to relate to them. And although Darren’s actions are often outside the din of understanding, you at least get what motivates him, even if the results are terribly aberrant. Alex is a solid every-man character caught up in a situation beyond his control and struggling to cope, struggling to make sense, and, mostly, struggling to find a solution to the problem that is Darren. The first-person viewpoint Strand uses allows us to see the world from Alex’s point of view, and while the story itself is pretty pitch-black, Strand, via Alex, is able to interject enough levity and enduring positivity to keep Pressure from collapsing under its own misery.
Pressure is narrated by Scott Thomas, whose voice talents I greatly enjoyed in a prior Strand title, Wolf Hunt. Here, Thomas exhibits a nice a range and listeners are unlikely to confuse characters during stretches of dialogue. While the story belongs to Alex, Thomas injects plenty of different voices and speech styles to mark the other characters that inhabit Pressure. Soundwise, this is a cleanly narrated book, with terrific production quality and no technical issues to speak of.
Clocking in at seven hours, Pressure is a solid psychological suspense thriller with dashes of Strand’s typical wry humor, and packed with plenty of history between the central antagonist and his nemesis. It’s entertaining, occasionally bleak, but highly worthy of attention. Between the two works I’ve listened to that Strand and Thomas have collaborated on, I think it’s fair to say they make quite a good team. As long as Strand keeps writing, and Thomas keeps giving a voice to those words, I’ll be listening.
[Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com.]
Pressure can be defined as the exertion of force upon something by something else, as well mental or physical distress. Either definition is appropriate for Jeff Strand’s aptly titled suspense thriller, Pressure. At its core, this a story of two forces impacting one another, forcefully and violently, and the result is a hefty dose of distress.
Alex and Darren are two boarding school brats, their friendship cemented by a late-night excursion into the woods behind a strip club, where they hide out and hope to catch sight of the action inside. Darren, though, has a secret, and once Alex and their schoolmates discover Darren’s morbid fascinations nothing is the same. What follows is a decades-long story of friendship, adversarial rivalry, and gruesome deeds that can only leave one of them alive.
Strand does a terrific job building his characters, giving them enough dimension and subtle shadings to make them relateable, even if you don’t particularly want to relate to them. And although Darren’s actions are often outside the din of understanding, you at least get what motivates him, even if the results are terribly aberrant. Alex is a solid every-man character caught up in a situation beyond his control and struggling to cope, struggling to make sense, and, mostly, struggling to find a solution to the problem that is Darren. The first-person viewpoint Strand uses allows us to see the world from Alex’s point of view, and while the story itself is pretty pitch-black, Strand, via Alex, is able to interject enough levity and enduring positivity to keep Pressure from collapsing under its own misery.
Pressure is narrated by Scott Thomas, whose voice talents I greatly enjoyed in a prior Strand title, Wolf Hunt. Here, Thomas exhibits a nice a range and listeners are unlikely to confuse characters during stretches of dialogue. While the story belongs to Alex, Thomas injects plenty of different voices and speech styles to mark the other characters that inhabit Pressure. Soundwise, this is a cleanly narrated book, with terrific production quality and no technical issues to speak of.
Clocking in at seven hours, Pressure is a solid psychological suspense thriller with dashes of Strand’s typical wry humor, and packed with plenty of history between the central antagonist and his nemesis. It’s entertaining, occasionally bleak, but highly worthy of attention. Between the two works I’ve listened to that Strand and Thomas have collaborated on, I think it’s fair to say they make quite a good team. As long as Strand keeps writing, and Thomas keeps giving a voice to those words, I’ll be listening.
[Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com.]
April 13, 2012
Unbelievable characters and a clunky plot drag this book down into a pit of meh. First of all we are expected to believe that a seemingly normal family sends their only child to boarding school for shoplifting condoms WHICH HE TRIED TO PAY FOR. When he's never done anything bad before. There just isn't enough insight into Alex's family life before we are supposed to swallow this. A christmas at school is supposed to make us realize Alex has uncaring parents but it isn't enough. I couldn't get over this and it made the rest of the book weak. Alex may be the dumbest person alive-as if MUDFIGHTS!!!!! Are going to make up for torture and animal mutilation. But hey guys! It's all good we went FISHING and now we are buds. At about this point I said to myself " I am not going through college and fatherhood with these characters" skipped to the kidnapping and family killing. So Darren gets shot and hit with a mallet and is ok? I followed Alex on his path of revenge until he met D in the park with Mr Sevrin and I thought to myself "I really don't care how this ends" and I put my kindle down. I hope they all die. I tried to appreciate this authors vision but it just wasn't written well enough for me to drink this kool aid. This isn't horror or a thriller it's a 248 page case of mild anxiety and would have benefited from a shorter time span in which the story was told.
October 4, 2018
Well, I'm not sure how to review this book which I picked up on the suggestion of a Goodreads buddy. So I'm not going to summarise the plot, there's plenty of that already. The title is very apt though. If I had to use one word to describe the book it would be - relentless. After meeting Darren in boarding school at age 12, Alex is never quite free of him. Darren keeps popping into his life and although he claims a lot of what he says is "just joking" it is nevertheless disturbing, and their interactions get worse over the years until you almost want to look away but can't quite do it.
There are also some genuinely funny, laugh out loud, moments in the book early on. Of course as we get into the story it gets very dark indeed as Alex is faced with a number of impossible dilemmas. I did enjoy it even though it was quite visceral at times. I think Strand has a talent for making you squirm. I've read too many books that promised to be creepy but turned out to be limp noodles but Strand is on the money. I doubt I'll be reading all of his books but every now and then when I feel like shocking myself...
There are also some genuinely funny, laugh out loud, moments in the book early on. Of course as we get into the story it gets very dark indeed as Alex is faced with a number of impossible dilemmas. I did enjoy it even though it was quite visceral at times. I think Strand has a talent for making you squirm. I've read too many books that promised to be creepy but turned out to be limp noodles but Strand is on the money. I doubt I'll be reading all of his books but every now and then when I feel like shocking myself...
March 6, 2014
Gave it 4 stars for the quality of the writing. I didn't "like" it however because it was so disturbing. I had to finish it to see what happened but I really almost stopped anyway at least twice. Weird to give 4 stars to a book you wish you hadn't read.
November 29, 2019
This was a pretty dark read, though I think it is more thriller than horror. Great storytelling, believable characters, surprising plot twists, and some pretty good detailed gore. I've never read anything by Strand before, but I see myself getting other works of his.
September 10, 2024
Can’t go wrong with a Jeff strand book. He’s my creme de la creme Palette refresher of an author. If im hitting out of bounds on book choices, in a funk, questioning if I even like reading.. I randomly select a strand book and get right back on track. 👍 pressure didn’t have as much humor which I really enjoy in his writing, but it is a crazy little story.
June 29, 2011
Not since Jack Ketchum's "The Girl Next Door" and J.F. Gonzalez's "Survivor" was I this tense reading a book. Jeff Strand sure knows how to punish his readers - in a good way, of course. Each portion of the main character's life increases the tension until I was scared to turn the page, fearing what was next. Like the other two books I mentioned, I kept telling myself that it could not get any worse for the characters. But sure enough, that sick, twisted, and brilliant mind of Jeff Strand managed to do just that.
Strand writes very smooth, accessible dialogue and straight forward descriptions that make it easy to sail through. It usually takes me a week or more to finish a book with the time I have, but I read this in only three sittings. I did find a couple small continuity errors and some of the character reactions were questionable, but hey, who's to say what anyone would do under similar circumstances? The main problem I had with the book was unfortunately the final 40 or so pages. I didn't believe for one second the whole videotaping scenario and that the local news, on any station, would air a scene of torture when the police were not yet involved. I think Strand could have come up with a more believable way for Alex to lure Darren or somehow locate him.
The setup for the climax aside, I don't know how anyone with a love for the horror or thriller genre won't enjoy this book. It's even hard for me to believe that they won't flat-out love it, like I did. Either way, "Pressure" has hooked me as a fan of Strand's for life. Thankfully Leisure Books made the smart decision to snatch this guy up. Now where's the next book? I think I'm ready to handle the pressure.
Strand writes very smooth, accessible dialogue and straight forward descriptions that make it easy to sail through. It usually takes me a week or more to finish a book with the time I have, but I read this in only three sittings. I did find a couple small continuity errors and some of the character reactions were questionable, but hey, who's to say what anyone would do under similar circumstances? The main problem I had with the book was unfortunately the final 40 or so pages. I didn't believe for one second the whole videotaping scenario and that the local news, on any station, would air a scene of torture when the police were not yet involved. I think Strand could have come up with a more believable way for Alex to lure Darren or somehow locate him.
The setup for the climax aside, I don't know how anyone with a love for the horror or thriller genre won't enjoy this book. It's even hard for me to believe that they won't flat-out love it, like I did. Either way, "Pressure" has hooked me as a fan of Strand's for life. Thankfully Leisure Books made the smart decision to snatch this guy up. Now where's the next book? I think I'm ready to handle the pressure.
August 16, 2020
3.5//Atfer reading his other novel Blister, which I really liked I wanted to read some other books by Jeff Strand.
I dont really want to say what it is about as I prefer going into a book not knowing much.
But I do want to warn you that this is a really gruesome and sad story.
At some points it did feel a bit like torture po*rn but I was too interested in the characters and the slight amount of humor that the Author snuck in here is why I actually enjoyed it.
The story really made me speechless. I definitely do not recommend this If you can't bear to feel really down while reading. The beginning of this book was really atmospheric and set the tone for something bad to happen but I did not expect it do be this horrible. It's like the Author wanted to make you feel as depressed as possible.
I will definetly read some more of Jeff Strand's novels!
I dont really want to say what it is about as I prefer going into a book not knowing much.
But I do want to warn you that this is a really gruesome and sad story.
At some points it did feel a bit like torture po*rn but I was too interested in the characters and the slight amount of humor that the Author snuck in here is why I actually enjoyed it.
The story really made me speechless. I definitely do not recommend this If you can't bear to feel really down while reading. The beginning of this book was really atmospheric and set the tone for something bad to happen but I did not expect it do be this horrible. It's like the Author wanted to make you feel as depressed as possible.
I will definetly read some more of Jeff Strand's novels!
November 8, 2015
One of those rare books that I couldn't read fast enough, my eyes just wanted to gobble up the words so I could find out what fresh hell the character of Darren would wreak upon poor protagonist Alex next.
It's short book too, so one you can zip through in no time. Fantastic high tension read.
It's short book too, so one you can zip through in no time. Fantastic high tension read.
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