Weekend Getaway

by Tom Deady

A lost child.
A marriage shattered beyond repair?
John Baxter doesn't think so, which is why he has planned this weekend getaway with his wife. He expected a lot of shouting, a lot of tears, but in the end, he hoped to have a stronger foundation upon which they could start rebuilding what they had once had.
What he wasn't expecting was the home invasion…
…and the hell that awaited them beneath the rented cabin.

Genres: Horror, Thriller

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2017

About the author

Tom Deady's first novel, HAVEN, won the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. He has since published several novels and novellas. He has a Master's Degree in English and Creative Writing and is a member of both the Horror Writers Association and the New England Horror Writers Association. He resides in Arizona where he is working on his next novel.
Be sure to follow Tom on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tom-d...

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home invasion.

Is there anything scarier? I mean, the very idea that someone can invade the one place you are supposed to safe...

Okay, it was a rhetorical question. Forget about your proctologist, Dr. Pineapplefingers, for a moment. Nobody likes a wise-ass, Larry.

Well, after reading this one, I'm probably about two books away from never, ever going anywhere secluded again. Think I'm kidding? I was about to take off the bathroom door a minute ago.
But I took a deep breath and told myself not to become paranoid...again.

So, I'm applying something I learned from a shrink, and making a list of people who would not make good home invaders:

1. Paranoid people. They wouldn't make good criminals in general.
2. People without arms. Or legs. Basically disabled people. I mean, how would they get in? Or out?
3. People with OCD. Forget about the key that must be turned eight times or the hands that must be washed at least three times with a brand new bar of soap...what if the home of the people they are invading is a mess. Like the dishes hasn't been washed for a week. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to aim a gun at somebody while scrubbing the bottom of a burnt pot? Or stepping on dog shit on the lawn, dont even get me started!
4. People with severe diarrhea. While not impossible, it seems highly unlikely that they would have the energy. And even if they do, the chances of them dehydrating and passing out is fairly high.
5. People who are in comas.
6. People who are serving life sentences in prison.
7. People who are on a different continent.
8. People under the age of 5 and over the age of 95. Again, not impossible, but I'm fairly sure I can take them.
9. Well, Dr Pineapplefingers, he's too rich to be interested in my stuff.

Take another deep breath.

See, feeling better already, aren't we. All we needed was to calm down and think positive thoughts.

Sigh.

Who the fuck am I kidding?! This book was scary!

Good story, short and to the point.
Well done, Mr. Deady

PS: How do you pronounce that surname? Is it like saying "Ready" when you have a severe cold?
I'm actually not trying to make a joke, I'm one of those people for whom such things are important.

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good for a typical kidnap/torture type of story. It took some unique approaches that set it apart from other similar concepts, but also lacked a bit of depth at times that held it back. Not a ton of violence or vulgarity, but just enough to keep things uncomfortable and entertaining. John was a really enjoyable lead and the bizarre and dangerous circumstances he was shoved in certainly tested his fortitude. It was a little short, and could have expanded on our fairly interesting antagonist a bit more, but overall was a good experience. This was my first outing with Tom Deady and I look forward to seeing more of his works.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Baxter wants to save his marriage and books a weekend getaway. Upon arrival, things turn out different. The first part in the "then" section reminded me a bit on The Duel by Matheson. Later on I had to think on Laymon. The setting and the opponent strongly reminded me on character concepts from his books. The "now" section of the novella is the frame story when John tells the true story to his grandson and his daughter. Well written, interestingly plotted, extremely compelling and full of psychological terror. The author knows how to compose a spellbinding story. Highly recommended!

[Jeremy Hepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of Tom's I've read, and I loved it. If you like thriller authors like Linwood Barclay, then you should check this out. It's intense and gritty yet still has heart. A fun read.

[STEPH · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical home invasion story. Just as scary as any other similar type of genre BUT not much depth which made this a bit on the dull side.

I belive that people shoud trust their instinct if it's telling them that something is not right. More so if you are in an unfamiliar part of the world and every bit of your being is telling you that something is incredibly wrong. A creepy pick-up truck that's been following you in every turn? A suspicious police officer? A secluded cabin with no reception and miles away from town? Red flags all the way? Turn around, drive and never look back! Maybe then you'd steer clear of basement, cages, torture and stuff.


Although I didn't particularly liked this one, this is a decent read. Not much violence or ferity but terrifying just the same. I just needed something more from it.

[joyce g · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little gem added to author Tom Deady's assembly of horror. Fast paced, don't you dare put it down!

[Frank Errington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy

Weekend Getaway is the new novella by the author of Haven, the 2016 Bram Stoker Winner for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. This new work is decidedly different in tone from his debut work, a lovely coming of age story. Weekend Getaway has more in common with some of Jack Ketchum's more graphic works than his own novel. And it's every bit as good.

In the words from the introduction by Josh Malerman "Weekend Getaway is as much a gulp of Jolt ® Cola as it is a quick snap of a rubber band on the wrist. It’s smart, small, and (undoubtedly) effective."

At its purest, Weekend Getaway is the story of how John Baxter lost his finger. After the loss of their child, John and his wife of off for a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods, a place John found and booked online. Needless to say, things did not turn out as planned.

There are plenty of unexpected twists to keep the reader guessing from start to finish, making Weekend Getaway one of the best novellas I've read in 2017.

Recommended, for sure.

Weekend Getaway is available now in both paperback and e-book formats from Grinning Skull Press. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the author's bio - Tom Deady is the author of Haven, winner of the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. His second novel, Eternal Darkness, was released in early 2017, and his writing journey has just begun. He has a Master’s Degree in English and Creative Writing from SNHU. Tom is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, where he is hard at work on his next novel.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had some crummy weekend getaways in my time, but certainly nothing on par with what John and Rachel Baxter are forced to endure. Rather than spending a romantic weekend repairing their marriage, the two's road-trip gets off to a rocky start when they're followed by a menacing, souped-up black truck to their rental cabin in the woods.

To say much more would be to spoil Tom Deady's fast-paced novella of violence and mayhem, so that's all the synopsis you'll get from me. Weekend Getaway chugs along with eye-watering rapidity, and while the abuse John and Rachel Baxter endure are well depicted it's the emotional element of the work where Deady really shines. John suffers from panic attacks, and filtering the first half of this novella through his paranoid, anxious viewpoint provides a wonderfully charged narrative. I couldn't help but get swept up in John's nightmares, while at the same time questioning their validity and his reliability as a narrator. Deady uses this paranoia to great effect, directing readers toward a specific threat and then an even grander reveal.

I will admit, though, that there were a few specific plot-points and conveniences that very briefly interrupted my willing suspension of disbelief, though. There's a late-game revelation about the nature of the sadistic villain that didn't quite jibe with me and felt like an unnecessary addition. Although this particular aspect didn't entirely work for me, it did nothing to rob me of this story's sheer entertainment value overall. I was pretty well swept up in the Baxters misadventures and curious to see how Deady was going to wrap up everything.

Weekend Getaway is the perfect, breezy, weekend read. It's jam-packed with peril and occasional viciousness, kind of like the Baxter marriage, come to think of it...

[Jeffm518 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very hard book to rate, I didn't hate the book in fact I enjoyed it however, I didn't care for the first chapter and then the last chapter along with the line of "our marriage was dead well before this". Just broke me and makes me feel numb to the world. I was torn between a 3 and a 4 but I always give the benefit of the higher rating. Overall this is my first Deady book and I keep looking at "haven" and "of monsters and men".

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm totally on the fence with this one
.Some of it was great. Some of it not so much. If you're looking for a quick thrill, look no further.. just don't overthink it like I am..I'm left with questions.

First of all, Malermans intro hyped it up, reminding me of a trip to the movie theater to see a horror flick. Watching trailers for other upcoming movies you know you'll go back to the theater to see gets your heart pumping. That's what this intro did for this story.


The actual story??? I'm so torn. I saw the ending before it happened. That was still decent, though. It could have been bloodier, in my opinion, but yeah, this isn't that like of book
My unanswered questions

So was the multi-personality guy a real cop? That can't be possible right. They don't hand out guns to mentally unstable people. So did he kill a cop? And our main character just happened to run into him en route to the cabin?

Also, the truck thing was separate, but why did the cop kill them so quick but not the others?. Also, the way it shifted from truck villains to cop villain was so sudden I really thought I missed something

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lost child and a marriage shattered beyond repair? John Baxter doesn't think so, which is why he has planned this weekend getaway with his wife. He expected some shouting and tears but, in the end, he hoped to have a stronger foundation upon which they could start rebuilding what they had once had. What he wasn't expecting was the home invasion…and the hell that awaited them beneath the rented cabin.
Short, sharp and brutal (it’s not a novella and reads very briskly), this throws you into the story almost immediately and rockets through to a grim, but hopeful conclusion. The home invasion is a well handled misdirection but once the action moves down to the cellar then the book gets very dark indeed. With broadbrush characterisation that works well in the circumstances, this is a gruelling read with a smart twist. If you like your horror dark (and 80s style gruesome), then this might be just right for you. Recommended.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this one on audio. Unfortunately it ended up just ok for me. The story was flat in places as was the narration.

[Mylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Not Be The Best Advert for Your next AirBNB

This is my second read from Tom Deady; the first being Of Men And Monsters, and although I loved that first tale, this was just awesome. The build-up and back story are excellent. Although I saw the “twist” coming, it did not ruin my enjoyment of the ending, nor did it affect my overview of the whole. Tom created relatable and less than perfect heroes who find themselves in an impossible situation. Ultimately, they will only uncover how to escape when they uncover the truth about themselves and those they hold dear.

[exorcismemily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weekend Getaway has an awesome creepy synopsis, but it ended up falling short for me. I think I was expecting something spooky/paranormal, and this was much more of a thriller than a horror novella.

The story starts out well - the home invasion part is creepy, and I definitely shouldn't have started reading that first portion of the story right before bed. It's very ominous, and the reader can tell that bad things are coming. This was the last thing that I really enjoyed about the story.

There were a lot of people involved for such a short book, and I still don't understand the purpose of some characters. I think some people & aspects of the story could have been cut out to have things be more cohesive.

Some parts of the storyline are pretty similar to a popular horror/thriller movie, and I guess it just didn't feel unique enough to me. It caught my interest a little bit more at the end, but as a whole, this book was pretty underwhelming for me. I would like to read more from Tom Deady because it had a promising start, though.

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.

This is the second short I've read by Deady (the first was a heart-wrenching story in the Hardened Hearts anthology, which I highly recommend) and it's apparent he's a master of abbreviated fiction.

While a little of the power and suspense is removed by who the protagonist is (you'll understand when you read it), Deady still manages to spin a harrowing tale about a romantic vacation gone horribly wrong.

A riveting read you won't be able to put down. Recommended.

[Michelle {Book Hangovers} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about INTENSE!!!! Just how I like it!

[William Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read, so fast paced, edge of seat heart pounding story. I did figure out the end but won't spoil it for anyone else. Characters where solid and love the setting. The surprises where well placed and I did not see some of them coming. I know the author and I'm reading another book by him called Haven.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little horror read. You think you know what happens, but you don't. I fear to say more because I don't want to give anything away. It's always nice to have surprises in books, and this one has them.

[Robin Amstutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun and addicting. Once I started it, I read the whole thing in one sitting. A creepy, suspenseful, quick read with a surprising ending I didn’t see coming. Tom Deady is one of my favorite authors and this book won’t disappoint.

[Jerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Fast paced, easy read. I enjoyed the story but wasn't wowed. I rounded down because what was to be the big surprise (IMHO) was obvious. It was a fun, creepy, quick read. Grab it while on KU.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deady packed so much horror and emotions in such a short novella, and I loved every moment of it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced quick horror read. It's not often I find myself feeling actual fear and anxiety reading a book but this one managed to do it within the first few chapters. The horror is truly horrifying with some gruesome elements. Be sure to check trigger warnings for this one. It's a quick read but still somehow manages to pack a punch. I enjoyed this one immensely.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read. Love Deady's style of writing.

[Theresa Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I challenge readers to not finish this book in one sitting. It’s next to impossible. Deady accomplishes quite a bit in this short, lightning speed read. To start, the protagonist is flawed but likeable. Furthermore, the story opens the present, but flashes back and forth to that horrific weekend. With a few twists and turns. You’ll be dying to find out what happens. That blending of time frames is difficult to pull off in such a fast-paced book. Deady is able to do it well.

One of the things I really liked was how Deady toys with the reader a bit. For example, we’re introduced to a truck full of assholes in the beginning. The question is whether or not they’re the ones the married couple needs to fear. They factor into the scenario, but not how we expect.

In an effort to not give everything away, all I’ll tell you is the couple winds up in the cabin’s dungeon at the hands of a madman. And, with other victims in there as well. Where they come from and who makes it out alive, I won’t divulge. Like, that’s the whole point of the book. What I will tell you is that I was going to write up an aspect of the plot that I thought Deady was giving away too early. But as I read on, the joke was on me. Something I should have seen coming, surprised me. And it was this that made the novel for me. Sure enough, when I thought back to the subtle foreshadowing, I was like: nicely played, Deady. Nicely played.

Some nit-picky critique. To begin with, the wife’s big reveal during their captivity could’ve been dealt with in more depth. That’s all I will say about that. Also, I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of a transition from the protagonist’s getting out of the cabin and living to tell the story. I’d like to discuss this further, but it would involve too many spoilers. I realize that angle of the novel could be a book in itself, but I still wanted it more fleshed out. The other thing is I craved a more complex villain. He’s got a psychological disorder, one we’ve seen many times in other storylines. I think I was jonesing for something else to be making him the way he is. Again, this is all minor stuff. Anyway, sometimes evil is evil. It can’t be explained. I was able to roll with it.

In short, I enjoyed this book. It might be your gateway drug into more of Deady’s work. And this one is available with Kindle Unlimited. Have at it. It’ll go by so fast, so you might have to read it again.

[Morgan Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, stories about couples in love heading out into the countryside for a romantic weekend away from it all are always a favourite of mine. So picking up the excellent Weekend Getaway, I was excited to hear how a lovely couple of lovebirds rekindled that spark to bring their relationship to a whole new level of mush.

OK, that whole intro is a lie. I don’t like romance stories, and I certainly knew that this was going to be nothing like one. In fact the only truth in the above paragraph is my describing the book as excellent.

This short novel, or probably more like novella, got the scares on pretty darn early. John and Rachel are heading out to a remote cabin in the woods because their relationship sure could do with it. And from the journey there you can tell that everything is a little ‘off’.

Come on, this is a horror story after all, things ain’t going to go swimmingly are they?

I have to admit, I’m struggling to write this review, because the less said the better. I don’t want to give anything away. Yes the couple are terrorized, yes there seems like no escape, yes things don’t turn out quite as expected.

John is recounting the story to his grandson following the funeral of John’s wife. The book cleverly intertwines the two narratives, ie then and now, making you believe one thing but slapping you round the face like an ignorant fool when it comes to the big reveal.

So instead of describing anything too plotty, I’m just going to urge you read it for yourself. The deserted cabin in the woods is nothing new in the horror genre, but if anything your prior knowledge of the cliché makes the events seem even more imaginable. The audience know something’s amiss as soon as the characters do, but we have the luxury of being able to close the book if the horrors become too real. Not that you would, though. The writing is gripping, and the descriptions of the bad stuff are definite toe-curlers.

Torture, rape, insanity, death, and some woods. What’s not to love?

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read novellas but in the past year or so I have purchased a few just because the covers really intrigued me! This was one of those! The cover is perfect for the book.....although ......what you find lurking beneath that cover might knock you for a loop(in the best possible way).I thought I knew where the story was going and boy was I wrong! I read it in one sitting because I was so anxious to find out what happened to the characters.The whole book just flowed along perfectly and I found the end to be very satisfying and yes even a bit romantic.Nothing like a little romance to take the edge off of the horror you are feeling from what you have just read.So don’t pass this one by because of it���s length.You’ll miss out on a great story!

[Dez Nemec · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there is one thing that freaks me out more than anything, it's home invasion stories. I literally just told my boyfriend a few days ago that I don't like to watch those movies because they are too real. And here I am, reading a book about them. But it was totally worth it. This book was a short one - two punch to the gut. I was floored. Finished it in a couple hours since I couldn't put it down.

A great quick read.

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

well that was unsettling and slightly optimistic at the same time. 4 out of 5 stars- full review to come!

[Spooky Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced read that I enjoyed. I gave it a 4/5 stars because I felt that the story was a bit rushed, I just wish that it was longer.

[Shelly Maze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intense short read. Well worth it. What can go wrong when you take a trip to the woods to salvage your relationship......many things!