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Jonathan Crowley #c1
One Bad Week: A Jonathan Crowley Chronicle
Jonathan Crowley is having a bad time of it. He’s too busy for anyone’s good, dealing with calls from beyond the grave, demons that refuse to stay dead, the very creature that murdered his wife and children, and a few spirits that have unfinished business with the Hunter. The past comes back to haunt the man who gives monsters their nightmares in a series of encounters that deal with Crowley’s past losses and even his occasional victories, but any way you look at it, Jonathan Crowley is having One Bad Week. Now the question is who will survive to talk about it later?
- GenresHorrorParanormal
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
16 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
James A. Moore
230 books766 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 22, 2017
ONE BAD WEEK: A Jonathan Crowley Chronicle, by James A. Moore is a collection of four stories featuring Moore's "anti-hero", Jonathan Crowley. The fifth story is an original tale featuring the character of Rufo the clown.
Although I had read all of the Crowley tales before, it's great to have them all together in one paperback collection. While nice isn't exactly the right word to describe Rufo, I was very pleased to read a new escapade of his, as well.
Two of Moore's most infamous characters in one collection--what more could a fan ask for??
Highly recommended!
Although I had read all of the Crowley tales before, it's great to have them all together in one paperback collection. While nice isn't exactly the right word to describe Rufo, I was very pleased to read a new escapade of his, as well.
Two of Moore's most infamous characters in one collection--what more could a fan ask for??
Highly recommended!
December 9, 2017
Jonathan Crowley is one of those badass anti-heroes that you just have to love. He's cranky, scary and more than gifted when it comes to hunting things on the dark side. Demons and humans alike fear him and with understandable reasons. He is a dangerous man.
I first encountered the character in a short stories put out by Cohesion Press in the SNAFU line, which dealt with tales of horror with a military flavor and I was sold. I wanted to know more about his history and back story. Yes the shorts were that powerful. I went searching for the author and discovered that there were quite a few tales about the larger than life, edgy character and enjoyed every one.
This collection of tales "One Bad Week" was a treat to read and a definite one click for me and while every glimpse gives more insight into the Hunter dealing with demons, bad spirits and yes clowns, Mr. Moore still somehow manages to create more mystery about the character who is nothing nice. He reminds you of a darker, somewhat insane, no shit taking, Harry Dresden (if you read those books and know who he is).
Not giving any spoilers, but the book was fast paced and a thrilling read and certainly worth overlooking the typos, of which there are a few. Yet again, a solid addition to my collection and highly enjoyable!
I first encountered the character in a short stories put out by Cohesion Press in the SNAFU line, which dealt with tales of horror with a military flavor and I was sold. I wanted to know more about his history and back story. Yes the shorts were that powerful. I went searching for the author and discovered that there were quite a few tales about the larger than life, edgy character and enjoyed every one.
This collection of tales "One Bad Week" was a treat to read and a definite one click for me and while every glimpse gives more insight into the Hunter dealing with demons, bad spirits and yes clowns, Mr. Moore still somehow manages to create more mystery about the character who is nothing nice. He reminds you of a darker, somewhat insane, no shit taking, Harry Dresden (if you read those books and know who he is).
Not giving any spoilers, but the book was fast paced and a thrilling read and certainly worth overlooking the typos, of which there are a few. Yet again, a solid addition to my collection and highly enjoyable!
February 13, 2018
Sometimes you fall in love with a book, or a series of books, and sometimes it is one particular character that is as unforgettable as your child's face. For me, that character is, was, and probably always will be James A. Moore's Crowley. Jonathan Crowley, immortal, somewhat enigmatic, and always vital to the narrative, no matter how brief his appearance may be.
"Back to Serenity"
It's been a long time since I read the Serenity Falls trilogy, however, that did not detract at all from this short piece detailing a return to the cursed upstate New York town. Moore provides a skeleton of background for the return along with an update on relevant characters, so you can appreciate the story without having read the books.. If you've never read the trilogy, I highly recommend that you put it on your TBR.
"Little Boy Blue"
Crowley certainly sees nothing wrong with revenge, but he is patient in doling out his penitence. Sometimes it is necessary to see the bigger picture to know exactly where to exact retribution. Think, if you will, of a large man jumping around whimpering. You might think this man a fool. Then, upon closer examination, you see the chihuahua with its teeth buried in his ankle, blood staining his sock. This is not a spoiler. To learn what I mean, you will have to read "Little Boy Blue" yourself.
An interesting tidbit about Jonathan Crowley once being a blue blood is worth noting. Oh yes, and the hint of a possible love interest.
"Vendetta"
"Vendetta" picks up where "Little Boy Blue" ends. In it much is told about Crowley's history. No, there is nothing about his origin or childhood, but there is much about his adult life that goes a long way toward explaining this enigmatic being.
Then there are the rules that govern his actions...
"Home for the Holidays"
Christmas... Peace on earth, good will toward men? Sad memories of holidays past? It can be a time of joy and a time of sadness. It can be a distraction to a man like Jonathan Crowley.
I must admit that this story left me a bit puzzled, maybe even more than a bit. In fact, I re-read it to see if I could lose some of my confusion. It helped, but not completely.
"Changing Faces"
A clown's face is sacred. When a fairground clown finds that he has almost, but not quite, copied the face of Rufo, things go downhill fast.
James A. Moore isn't a good writer; he is a great writer! I find that I can visualize much of what he describes, and become emotionally involved with his characters. His grasp of the viscerally disturbing is countered with an equal grasp of humanity. This combination makes it hard to put down anything that he writes.
One thing I would like to add is that I sincerely hope that Haverhill House will be publishing the older Moore works (UNDER THE OVERTREE, and The Serenity Falls Trilogy, in particular) so that this generation of eBook readers will have the pleasure of experiencing truly fine writing. I hope this for myself as well, since arthritic fingers and lack of space make eBooks my preferred form. I would love to re-read them all.
*****
I always find quirky language very interesting. Moore often uses the expression "upper state New York." I'm from New York, the Bronx, to be exact, and we natives always say upstate New York to refer to pretty much all of the state that is not New York City. The Bronx is, in itself, a quirky thing. We never say the Manhattan or the Brooklyn, only the Bronx when referring to the only borough in the city that is actually part of the mainland.
"Back to Serenity"
It's been a long time since I read the Serenity Falls trilogy, however, that did not detract at all from this short piece detailing a return to the cursed upstate New York town. Moore provides a skeleton of background for the return along with an update on relevant characters, so you can appreciate the story without having read the books.. If you've never read the trilogy, I highly recommend that you put it on your TBR.
"Little Boy Blue"
Crowley certainly sees nothing wrong with revenge, but he is patient in doling out his penitence. Sometimes it is necessary to see the bigger picture to know exactly where to exact retribution. Think, if you will, of a large man jumping around whimpering. You might think this man a fool. Then, upon closer examination, you see the chihuahua with its teeth buried in his ankle, blood staining his sock. This is not a spoiler. To learn what I mean, you will have to read "Little Boy Blue" yourself.
An interesting tidbit about Jonathan Crowley once being a blue blood is worth noting. Oh yes, and the hint of a possible love interest.
"Vendetta"
"Vendetta" picks up where "Little Boy Blue" ends. In it much is told about Crowley's history. No, there is nothing about his origin or childhood, but there is much about his adult life that goes a long way toward explaining this enigmatic being.
Then there are the rules that govern his actions...
"Home for the Holidays"
Christmas... Peace on earth, good will toward men? Sad memories of holidays past? It can be a time of joy and a time of sadness. It can be a distraction to a man like Jonathan Crowley.
I must admit that this story left me a bit puzzled, maybe even more than a bit. In fact, I re-read it to see if I could lose some of my confusion. It helped, but not completely.
"Changing Faces"
A clown's face is sacred. When a fairground clown finds that he has almost, but not quite, copied the face of Rufo, things go downhill fast.
James A. Moore isn't a good writer; he is a great writer! I find that I can visualize much of what he describes, and become emotionally involved with his characters. His grasp of the viscerally disturbing is countered with an equal grasp of humanity. This combination makes it hard to put down anything that he writes.
One thing I would like to add is that I sincerely hope that Haverhill House will be publishing the older Moore works (UNDER THE OVERTREE, and The Serenity Falls Trilogy, in particular) so that this generation of eBook readers will have the pleasure of experiencing truly fine writing. I hope this for myself as well, since arthritic fingers and lack of space make eBooks my preferred form. I would love to re-read them all.
*****
I always find quirky language very interesting. Moore often uses the expression "upper state New York." I'm from New York, the Bronx, to be exact, and we natives always say upstate New York to refer to pretty much all of the state that is not New York City. The Bronx is, in itself, a quirky thing. We never say the Manhattan or the Brooklyn, only the Bronx when referring to the only borough in the city that is actually part of the mainland.
November 27, 2017
Love the short stories - excellent collection of Jonathan Crowley shorts that provide some inside glimpses. Only reason it's not a 5 star book is for the first Rufo story. I really like Rufo and that one almost made me cry.
December 12, 2018
This is my first time reading stories about Jonathan Crowley, and I was hooked. I just wish there were more stories and books to read about him. I love a well-written anti-hero, and like all my favorite heroes Crowley is damaged. At his happiest he's a nasty guy with his smile promising only pain. Actually, given how Jonathan Crowley feels about people it's surprising he helps them at all. But he does it more because he enjoys causing evil people and creatures pain more than any desire to help the innocent. And Rufo rates as one of the scariest clowns I've ever read about, up there with Pennywise.
The only real downside to the collection is the number of editing errors. Sometimes I'd notice three on a page, which would really hurt my immersion in the story.
The only real downside to the collection is the number of editing errors. Sometimes I'd notice three on a page, which would really hurt my immersion in the story.
May 8, 2021
Good but...
That book is good, but the problem is that the stories refers to previously published stories I haven't read, so I wish I have read it AFTER, so I could relate more. The author seems to have a problem putting numbers that would help us to read in chronological order... Kind of annoying.
That book is good, but the problem is that the stories refers to previously published stories I haven't read, so I wish I have read it AFTER, so I could relate more. The author seems to have a problem putting numbers that would help us to read in chronological order... Kind of annoying.
July 30, 2018
Great book as always !
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews