Dark Corner

by Brandon Massey

From Brandon Massey, award-winning author of Thunderland, comes a terrifying new novel about a town besieged by evil . . . and the one man who is determined to fight the darkness . . . When renowned author Richard Hunter dies in a boating accident, his son David travels to Mason's Corner, Mississippi, to find out more about the father he never really knew. At first, Mason's Corner seems friendly and unassuming-–the perfect small town. But after a newcomer moves into the old-–and supposedly haunted-–mansion on the hill, everything changes . . . People begin to disappear. Dogs viciously attack. And soon David discovers that the terror consuming this place has its roots in his own family tree . . . For something has risen in Mason's Corner. Something with bloody ties to the town's past. Something undead--and hungering for vengeance . . .

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Audiobook, Horror Thriller

530 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Here’s a little about me, Brandon Massey. (“Massey” is not pronounced “macy,” by the way. Think of “mass” instead.)

I was born June 9, 1973, in Waukegan, Illinois. I grew up in Zion, a suburb north of Chicago.

I originally self-published Thunderland, my first novel, in 1999. After managing to sell a few thousand copies on my own, Kensington Publishing Corp. in New York offered me a two-book contract, and published a new, revised edition of Thunderland in December 2002.

Since then, I’ve published up to three books a year, ranging from thriller novels such as The Other Brother, to short story collections such as Twisted Tales, and anthologies such as Dark Dreams.

My newest suspense thriller, Covenant, was published in November 2010.

I’ve got plenty more stories in the works that I’ll publish in the coming years.

I live with my family near Atlanta, GA.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy Suspense!

Small backstory:

David Hunter moves to the town of Mason's Corner after his father passes away and decides to move into the house where his father had lived. Though the townspeople seem not too friendly as they do not take to strangers well but David is determined to learn more about his father and the life he lived in Mason's Corner.

Not too long after David arrives another stranger comes to town and moves into the mansion on the hill behind David's house which that is when things go from interesting to weird as things in the town start happening along with some corpses turning up!

Thoughts:

This story starts out creepy with quite a bit of suspense but then starts dragging in spots. So the story is up and down throughout the book. I liked the story but it took a bit to know what was really going on as it is revealed that the story is wrapped around vampires. I have read books by Massey before and normally I am able to stay engaged with the storyline but with this book I just never felt a connection to the characters or really cared about what happened to them.

With books that drag along I would normally be laying it down but the only thing the story had going for it was some vampire action after the midway point. Other than that I felt the book took to long getting to the point of the story and with this book being over 500+ pages I felt the story could have been told under 300 pages. Too long and too many bumps in the road brings this story to a three "Long In The Tooth" stars!

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long. I like the parts about the vampires but I could do without the other characters, simply because they weren’t written well.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I didn’t know exactly what this story was going to be about going in. I missed the clue in the blurb that mentioned something undead. When I found out what that was, I was thinking, oh no, not sure this book is what I was hoping it would be. About 8 chapters later I realized I didn’t want to put the book down.

Told from several points of view, you learn exactly what evil is hovering over the town. I think the multiple POVs made this story a richer experience for me. I really came to know the characters, to like them, to despair for them and, yes, to loath some of them. That goes without saying when evil comes out to play. Or bite you in the…..

I’d like to tell you more. Perhaps make some references to books and movies that came to mind while reading this, but why spoil things for you. I enjoyed Massey’s writing and how he had me wishing the one bad guy wasn’t so bad.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give the book about 5 or 6 chapters to really get started. It will hold you a willing captive from then on. The story is told from several points of view and I don’t believe it will take you long to figure out exactly what the evil is that is encasing this delta town…but it will take you and the towns people longer to figure out how to get rid of it…if that is even possible. All of the Brandon Massey books that I've read so far are filled with suspense and generous doses of horror. I will admit this particular horror wasn’t my favorite type but it was well done with a good plotline that Mr. Massey carried out beautifully.

[Tya C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fave Brandon Massey book that I’ve read so far! I always love vampire stories, especially when they’re Black! And this book was INTENSE. The second half of the book was basically back to back straight up action and horror! I loved that! And not to reveal too much, but Brandon Massey shole wasn’t scared to kill off some characters we loved🤭😭

The characters did make a lot of stupid and terrible decisions though, which really annoyed me. I feel like that was a writing problem, because the characters weren’t naturally stupid, they made these stupid decisions so that the story could go where the author wanted it to go. I think the author could’ve done more to move the story along rather than just have the characters make dumb decisions that no person in their right mind would make. But that was my only complaint. I really enjoyed this novel!

4.5 stars!

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After his father dies, David Hunter moves to Mason's Corner, the small Mississippi town where his father lived. David wants to learn about his family, since he didn't know his father very well. Mason's Corner seems a like a friendly small Southern town, but then a newcomer moves into the "haunted" house on the hill. Strange things start happening, and as David learns more about his family, he learns about what is happening in the town.

The story of the town's history and the connection of all the characters to that history was interesting. The town was founded by Edward Mason, a plantation owner in the 1800s, whose slaves revolted and killed him. The current residents of the town are the descendants of the slaves who had revolted. What makes it interesting, is that one of those slaves was a vampire.

A pretty average vampire story. This was a really slow read for me. The plot was fine, but I never felt engaged with the characters. I haven't read anything else by Massey, but I would give his writing another chance.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

The WORST published book that I have every read. Please read Octavia Butler instead. :)

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story with the beautiful writing style of the author.

[Terry and dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Dark Corner. Come and get to know the people, there is a variety of very nice folks, along with a few duds, naturally, but you will get to know them, their relationships, and root for them.
I truly enjoyed the whole world building here. The bits of creepiness and mystery were scattered around for quite a while, it's a pretty long story, but soon enough it erupted into full blown action and gruesomeness. I loved it

[Passion Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t really read the synopsis for this one. I bought it because I attended a virtual event where Black horror writers were sharing their work and the history behind why they started writing.

🩸

I actually liked this book. Black characters, smooth transition from one storyline to the next. Masons Corner was a place where people stayed from one generation to another. The strangest part of the story was that no one had a real solid relationship with David’s father. Not enough to help David know the man even he had no real relationship with.

🩸

David really did his big one in this story. Because he did find out about his father but it definitely wasn’t what he expected.

My favorite characters were Franklin - the historian, Pearl - the psychic, Lisha - the mysterious one, and Jahlil - the sheriffs son. But Lisha had a plan of her own. And honestly, her entire part in this story was weird. The ending was so crazy because I felt the urge to slap Lisha.

But you never really know the lengths that people will go to change their lives, even if it means changing the lives of the generations behind them.

[Loc'd Booktician · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Brandon Massey and I throughly enjoyed this book. Massey has a way of fading to black and setting up a scene that fills you with the emotion that he is intending for you to feel. This story follows a young man who move to a town that is quiet different. I am writing different because I don’t want to spoil too much of the book.

David was raised by his mother and did not know his father. Due to this disconnect, David moves from this small town to Dark corner in order to better understand his father. His father is well known and is also well known in this town. David finds out that his family has more secrets than he cared to know. David falls in love with this woman name Nia who has a past that is haunting her. Through trails and tribulations David goes on this quest on helping this town while also helping himself.

If you are interested in watching my interview with Brandon Massey, click the link below.

https://youtu.be/7srFTERZz3k

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 reading challenge ( name of movie but unrelated).
I am so used to novellas that a full length novel threw me off my reading game. I thought it would take forever to finish, but it didn't. Vampires are cool. The details and descriptions in the book are amazing. Vampires attacking a small town, getting to see the destruction from so many character's perspectives, and likeable characters make this a good book. Full honesty here.... My favorite character wasnt a main one. He was more what I call a background character. A hard worker despite his slowness, loving his one true love until death. Kinda sweet, even though I don't really do sweet. This book was a nice change of pace

[Heather Mood Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story with not the greatest dialogue. I really enjoyed this interpretation of vampires. This novel was full of rich culture and found family. David is grieving the loss of his father that he didn't know in small-town Mississippi. Kyle is on the prowl to find his father that he doesn't know who has been hidden away for many years. The evil that unleashes on this town is quick, swift, and deadly.

This story is also about generational trauma that follows many people and how people overcome that trauma.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clocking in at 18:09, I must say it was a long and enjoyable ride. It definitely could have been a couple hours shorter because the whole stalker subplot didn't need to be there. This is not a typical book I'd read, but its perfect for Halloween season. I was listening as though I was watching a movie or the Game of Thrones episode when they battled the Night King.

If you like horror, terror and suspense, you'll probably enjoy it

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. I almost DNF’d it because it starts out really really slow. I listened to it on audio and I listen at a speed of 2.3 and even with that speed, it was about 8hrs of listening. Once I shifted my mindset to think of it as someone reading me the plot for a movie from start to finish, it was easier to keep listening.

I loved how it tied the history of slavery and living in Mississippi together with vampires. If this was put to film, I’d definitely watch it.

[Tara Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a decent plot but there were somethings that seemed a little cringy. Overall a good story

[Fatimah Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Such a great book. It has everything you could want: action, the paranormal, humor, adventure, danger and a touch of romance. The ending was not rushed at all and I hope this isn't the last of the Hunter!!!!

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First vampire read, loved it!

[Janie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have to say that this was a clasic Vampire novel, with a few diference. When I first started I did not even think it was about vampires. I neglected to read what the book was about when I decided to start it. This is a first for me with this Author. The book was well written although it was a bit predictable. But overall I liked it.

I did not really get connected to the any of the characters, the book just kinda rocked a long. Nothing really stands out about it. If you like vampires then this will probably be a great for you. But it was too much like any other vampire book. Therefore I give this book a rating of 3.5 stars.

[Alison Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is... Not good. I really wanted to like it, as I absolutely loved another book by this author. Perhaps if you haven't delved too much into the realm of supernatural/paranormal fiction, you may enjoy this. However, for me, this book joins the tiny collection of books I simply couldn't finish (perhaps only 5 or so books live on that list). His writing is fairly decent, but the story is, to me, too derivative to be enjoyable.

[Linda Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished listening to this one today. If you like vampires, you will love this book. It is about vampires who take over a city in Georgia. It was a really good read and I really like the narrator. I gave this book 5 stars!!!

[Barrymore Tebbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most boring vampire book I've ever read. Padded with too much mundane activity that does nothing to advance the plot. Excising 300 pages or more might have made it a more interesting read, but I doubt it.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Roma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

Great character development throughout the book. Nice exploration of family dynamics. Story progressed at a good pace and the ending was well thought out.

[Jeff Jellets · Rating 4 out of 5]

”All the cats are gone outta this town. Did you notice that, you old fool? All the cats are gone – scared off by those demon dogs!"

If you happen to be in the mood for a fairly straight forward vampire yarn, then paying a visit to Brandon Massey’s Dark Corner might be for you. Unearthed from beneath the ruined environs of a decaying Mississippi mansion, a master vampire has arisen, calling down a horde of the undead upon the little hamlet of Mason’s Corner, leaving a handful of hardy souls to fend off a fiendish invasion of the town by the reanimated dead.

This one couldn’t help but remind me of the similarly themed ‘Salem’s Lot as Massey follows Stephen King’s penchant for bringing his bloodthirsty predators to small town America. In Massey’s case, though, it’s not New England, but rural Mississippi and a predominately African American community that feels the bite of the bloodsuckers. The setting, deftly crafted by Massey, is a nice change of pace and while the vampire menace is fairly traditional, Massey’s large cast and steady pacing keep this one entertaining right through the final showdown.

(Although, to be fair, protagonist David Hunter has a lot of luck – and disposable comrades – riding at his side. Despite being ‘the chosen one’, David is a little milk toast for me. It’s usually visions, dogs, ravens or his girlfriend consistently coming to his rescue. And if anyone kidnaps my mom? Unlike Nia, he gets a quick cap in his behind before he escapes the house … seriously).

Those little reader quibbles aside, this one also hit me at just the right time because as much as I love an anti-hero, too many of my recent horror reads have been chock full of dirtbags who deserved the butcher’s knife on or before page three. Massey’s community is for the most part populated with decent folk and feels like a lot more realistic representation of what you’d get if you stopped off in one those little towns just off Interstate 55. Of course, that’s not to say Massey is necessarily kind to any of his characters. This one racks up a rather steep body count before its final page.

At 500 plus pages, this is a thick one … so if you do plan to visit Dark Corner, plan to stay awhile. But it’s an entertaining stop, capably crafted, with enough chops to appeal to traditional horror fans looking for an old skool 'monster' book.

[TISHA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Mr. Massey has done it. This is my first vampire book and I enjoyed every moment of it. No, I did not read any of the Twilight books, and to be quite honest, I don't think I ever will. I haven't seen any of the movies either. I've flipped pass them on my television and it isn't something that I don't think I would enjoy. Now back to this great read. I loved every character, from the evil/vengeful vampires, to dogs who were low level servants, and all other characters who added their comic/tension relief. Although this was a book about vampires, it also talked about father/son relationships, slavery revolts, a man who wanted to know his father and why he left, etc. I love how the author incorporated things that happen within any community, and the narrator was able to bring all of these aspects to "life". While I was listening to this book, it was as if a movie was playing for me mentally. The description of foul odors which omitted from the animals and also those who had been turned, cause my nose to scrunch. Everything was so vivid. Now to the main vampire, DIALO. The hatred that this man harbored had festered for centuries. When he was awaken by his son Kyle, his mind, mannerisms, and aggressiveness, was still from his days of being captured in Africa and sold into slavery in America. When listening to this part of his story, I could understand his hatred, and basically "wanting to get revenge", but his son Kyle tried to tell him about the new way of life, and most of all, he just wanted a dad. To be honest, Kyle and David were very similar. They both wanted to know where they came from and to get to know that other side, but for one, it kicked off a path of death and destruction. The other father and son dynamic that got to me was Jahlil and his dad. Jahlil's father was the chief of police, and while he always tried to make his son go in one direction, he was actually pushing him away, due to him being hurt that his wife had passed away. Jahlil loved his dad, but since he didn't get the attention he was seeking from his family, he sort it elsewhere with friends, who were not the best people. I don't want to say to much, but this book touched on a lot of topics and not just supernatural vampire. If you want a good read and something to tug on your heartstrings at times, then this is the book for you.

[Elton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a bit of a remake of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot.' Sometimes the novel wears that on its sleeve with certain plot points emulating King's famous novel about vampires in a small town. There are other times where this book stands on its own. 'Dark Corner' favorably compares to 'Salem's Lot' in the first half of the book where the vampire coming into town unaware is juxtaposed with the protagonist coming into the same small city. This book sets things up better by making many of the characters in the town more likable. It also gives a solid breakdown of how vampires work within this world. This helps carry the book through a climax that is 'hit or miss.'

When all hell breaks loose things are entertaining, but it's hard not to feel like this has been done before in 'Salem's Lot.' Sometimes I paused and thought to myself how the aforementioned novel did the exact same thing but better. Some of the deaths felt very meh because they were predictable, so there wasn't much weight to when you could see it coming from a mile away. There's also a subplot with a villain in a character's past that felt like a waste of time that should have been another novel of its own. There are also some very deus ex machina moments here, but I don't want to make it seem like the book is bad.

At the end of it all I enjoyed it because it's a horror story set in a small town. It's also great reading black characters doing their thing on both sides of the conflict. This book served its purpose as a fun horror read.

[Latonya Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written

I have only read half of this book so far but I am impressed. the horror bug bit me at an early age and I have been reading horror my whole life and in doing so many of the books are just so so .well not this one this book has it all I flows like a river building tawards the end the characters are well thought out and the context is second to none !when I read the intro being from the south I had to read this book and I'm so glad I did this young man in my.opinion is up there with the greats like king John Saul and a few others I don't care to name at this time .most vampire stories are cookie cutter stories but not this one this one draws you in and keeps you engaged until you have turned the last page .I don't usually write reviews and certenly not in the middle of a book but I had to Brandon Massey has a gift with words and I am so glad I stumbled upon this book if you are on the line or not sure please read this book you will not be dissapointed I gave it five stars because I couldn't give it six now I'm going to get back to my reading I'm not putting down this one until it's finished !!!!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon Massey is such an amazing storyteller. I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it as an audiobook. I felt like I was listening to a movie because the pacing is fast and there is so much action.

Dark Corner is a vampire story that feels so familiar, yet different. Meaning it follows a lot of the same tropes you'll see in other vampire tales without being too cliche. The vampires are more human monster. They have some supernatural powers, but they can't fly or shapeshift, for example. They exude influence on those that they turn, but not all vampires have the same abilities.

David, the main character, moves to Mason's Corner (given the racist nickname Dark Corner by past generations, but the current residents take ownership of that name) after his estranged father dies and wills his son his entire estate. Simultaneously, a mysterious Frenchman named Kyle flies to Mason's Quarter for his own familial reasons. Both men have ancestral history to uncover and I really enjoyed the history that unfolds and explains each man's motivations.

Of note, there is some animal violence that I did not enjoy.

[William Shearer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s some really good ideas in this book. Small town vampire infestation in Mississippi in a predominantly black populace is a nice take on things. The vampires themselvess and the method of transmission through infected dogs are pretty neat and the idea of a former slave turned vampire wreaking havoc is pretty cool too.

But this story is such a slog to get through. The pacing is so uneven; one moment you’re hit with a huge infodump at the beginning and then nothing of consequence happens for so long. There are entire characters and subplots who get introduced early but either have no interesting payoff, like the aristocratic vampire Kyle that kickstarts everything, who is unceremoniously killed off without doing anything interesting, or the stalker ex-boyfriend of the love interest who only shows up near the end and gets killed off immediately. So much of the story is wasted in long-winded descriptions and similes.

The story could have dropped 150 pages or so and the pacing tightened up a lot. Also, the ending is so dumb.