Census: What Lurks Beneath

by Marshall Cobb

The tortures of the daily routine of big city life dwell on David Reynolds, driving him to an early grave. The sanctity of his farm in central Texas gives him respite.

But that changes on his latest visit when he notices things starting to happen; odd things, strange things, things that make him fear for his life.

˃˃˃ It’s a small town a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Central Texas the evil things are real.

Something is challenging David's ranking as the top predator in the area or even worse, he is losing something else, his mind.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2017

Reviews

[Kimberly C. Winslow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique

Pacing issues for me. I thought it was too monotonous with all the work, email, phone, meetings, etc. The story really lacked substance and the ending...not fond of it. Good idea that didn't go far enough.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange

Too unbelievable and strange. I don't know why I finished reading this because I did find it unnerving. Hope others enjoy it.

[Janice Goll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is nothing like I have ever read before. The story starts out city dweller buying land in country as a get away for himself, wife and young son. The story starts with strange things happening, Dave Reynolds starts having health issues, has a severe headaches, he thinks he might be imaging some of ithe things that are happening because they are so unexplainable, he thinks his wife is having an affair, he is over worked to and doesn't know what do do about any of it. This book keeps you spell bound to the end. I not sure about the ending because I think it needed to be clearer or have a better set up but it did have a shock value to it. It still could be picked up into a series because its needs a better closure. Not sure it really defined what lurks beneath.

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be totally honest, I'm still not sure exactly what DOES lurk beneath.

I found the tale engrossing and interesting. I didn't feel that I was being led by the nose, but I'm wondering now exactly what. I was intrigued, I guess. Hints all the while but nothing concrete, nothing absolute. Always grey around the edges. Right up to the end.

I was well written, I was very interested in the characters and how things were going to end up, and in a sense I did find out. But it was never absolutely clear cut exactly what was going on. That is why I only gave it 3 stars. I guess I was disappointed because I feel as though I was left hanging.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the whole thing in one sitting

The only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because of quite a few typos that required me to reread some sentences. The story is engaging, creepy and definitely keeps you wondering. The twist ending is truly worth the read.
My only real complaint is that it wasn't a much longer story.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crawling good

Well I will never look at ants the same way again! Disturbingly well written, this book gives off the same disquieting vibe that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre does. From the first page, you can just feel that something is wrong, but you can't tell what that something is. A fun, quick read for any fan of the macabre!

[Debra Schwitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy & Exciting!

Wow, this like nothing I have read before. Two thumbs up for the great buildup to a totally unexpected ending! I was really worried and anxious for a couple of the characters many times which means I was deeply involved in this story.

[dwayne wheat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really creepy. Hard to put down.p

Good read. Kept leading you down the path wanting to find out what is going to happen. Did not see the ending coming.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

good horror story. Characters are great. Surprising ending.

[Cricket1327_Zmob King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaky good book!

[Jose Brenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery supernatural thriller, love!

Marshall Cobb does a great job at building up the tension and mystery. There is no scarier place than a human's mind. If you're a Stephen King fan, you're going to be a Marshall Cobb fan after reading this first take of Census.

[Marshall Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is the jumping-off point for the series, which shows a man in mental free-fall. Is his enemy external, or do the demons reside within?

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imaginative

I keep getting sucked into this type of book promising a mystery ending. Not my genre at all but I felt compelled to read in it's entirety, hoping the ending would be plausible and logical, yet the signs were there all along that this would be quite 'different'.