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Haunted Hollow Chronicles
Red Harvest
In the epic tradition of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Jonathan Maberry, a chilling new masterwork of small-town evil, centuries-old traditions, and newly-risen terror…
RED HARVEST
Every year at harvest time, something strange and wonderful happens in the sleepy farm community of Ember Hollow. It comes alive. Truckloads of pumpkins are sent off to be carved into lanterns. Children scramble to create the creepiest, scariest costumes. Parents stock up on candy and prepare for the town’s celebrated Pumpkin Parade. And then there is Devil’s Night . . .
But this year, something is different. Some of the citizens are experiencing dark, disturbing visions. Others are beginning to wonder if they’re losing their minds, or maybe their souls. One newly sober singer with the voice of a fallen angel is tempted to make a deal that will seal his fate. And one very odd boy is kept locked in a shed by his family—for reasons too horrible to imagine . . .
Whatever is happening to this town, they’re going to make it through this Halloween. Even if it kills them . . .
RED HARVEST
Every year at harvest time, something strange and wonderful happens in the sleepy farm community of Ember Hollow. It comes alive. Truckloads of pumpkins are sent off to be carved into lanterns. Children scramble to create the creepiest, scariest costumes. Parents stock up on candy and prepare for the town’s celebrated Pumpkin Parade. And then there is Devil’s Night . . .
But this year, something is different. Some of the citizens are experiencing dark, disturbing visions. Others are beginning to wonder if they’re losing their minds, or maybe their souls. One newly sober singer with the voice of a fallen angel is tempted to make a deal that will seal his fate. And one very odd boy is kept locked in a shed by his family—for reasons too horrible to imagine . . .
Whatever is happening to this town, they’re going to make it through this Halloween. Even if it kills them . . .
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
70 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Patrick C. Greene
28 books153 followersSome dark serendipity plopped a young Patrick Greene in front of a series of ever stranger films-and experiences-in his formative years, leading to a unique viewpoint. His odd interests have led to pursuits in film acting, paranormal investigation, martial arts, quantum physics, bizarre folklore and eastern philosophy. These elements flavor his screenplays and fiction works, often leading to strange and unexpected detours designed to keep viewers and readers on their toes.
Literary influences range from Poe to Clive Barker to John Keel to a certain best selling Bangorian. Suspense, irony, and outrageously surreal circumstances test the characters who populate his work, taking them and the reader on a grandly bizarre journey into the furthest realms of darkness. The uneasy notion that reality itself is not only relative but indeed elastic- is the hallmark of Greene’s writing.
Living in the rural periphery of Asheville North Carolina with his wife,youngest son Gavin and an ever-growing army of cats, Greene still trains in martial arts when he’s not giving birth to demons via his pen and keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 7, 2018
Red Harvest by Patrick C. Greene seems to be the first book in the Haunted Hollow Chronicles. This one is a horror story set in a small town right at the Halloween season so with Halloween coming up I thought it would be a perfect read to get into the fall mood, however I wasn’t quite the fan I thought I would be.
Red Harvest takes place in the small town of Ember Hollow that lives for the Halloween season and goes all out on the activities every year. From the multitude of jack o lanterns, the pumpkin parade to the devil’s night celebration the town is known as the place to be to celebrate.
This Halloween however things in Ember Hollow are a bit creepier than normal and the citizens find themselves battling to figure out what is real and what is imaginary. With dark and disturbing visions haunting them are they losing their minds or is something evil in the town?
Alright, obviously this is another book that just wasn’t for me. It started off alright enough bringing on the creepy vibe very early on however once getting really into the story it fell apart a bit. I struggled with whether I thought the author brought a bit too many characters or too many situations in or perhaps a bit of both but I found it hard to follow and began to lose interest. In my mind there’s some good ideas but as a whole this one felt a bit like mashing up a short story collection and trying to make one book out of many so sadly I wasn’t a fan.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Red Harvest takes place in the small town of Ember Hollow that lives for the Halloween season and goes all out on the activities every year. From the multitude of jack o lanterns, the pumpkin parade to the devil’s night celebration the town is known as the place to be to celebrate.
This Halloween however things in Ember Hollow are a bit creepier than normal and the citizens find themselves battling to figure out what is real and what is imaginary. With dark and disturbing visions haunting them are they losing their minds or is something evil in the town?
Alright, obviously this is another book that just wasn’t for me. It started off alright enough bringing on the creepy vibe very early on however once getting really into the story it fell apart a bit. I struggled with whether I thought the author brought a bit too many characters or too many situations in or perhaps a bit of both but I found it hard to follow and began to lose interest. In my mind there’s some good ideas but as a whole this one felt a bit like mashing up a short story collection and trying to make one book out of many so sadly I wasn’t a fan.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 15, 2019
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A full video review is coming soon.
Yikes. This one has some low ratings. Reading through a few of the reviews, I feel like many readers picked up Red Harvest by Patrick C. Greene expecting one thing, but instead got a gory, trashy Halloween slasher with supernatural elements, one with far too many beheadings. I, on the other hand, thought Red Harvest had just the right amount of beheadings. In fact, it was just as trashy as I was hoping considering it is published by Kensington Books, the same company that published all those crazy Zebra and Pinnacle horror paperbacks of the 1980s. If you are an experienced horror book nerd, you probably don't need me to say another word; the name "Kensington" sums it all up. But if you are a casual horror reader who believes "real" horror should always be a slow burn -- that "real" horror can be easily described as "actually more of a thriller" to your friends and family because you are ashamed of the word "horror" -- then let me tell you, Red Harvest isn't the book for you.
Red Harvest is set in Ember Hollow, a small town that is preparing for its annual Halloween Pumpkin Parade. Little do the people of Ember Hollow know that there is a killer in their midst, one that has chosen their little town to "trick-or-treat" in this Halloween.
As you can probably guess by the small-town angle, this novel has a cozy side. Ember Hollow is the kind of town where everyone knows each other, where everyone is excited to participate in the upcoming Halloween festivities. (Well, almost everyone.) I found myself getting lost in this sleepy community, wishing I could live in a town like this. That is, until the killing started.
Decapitations, severed limbs, spilling guts, strangulation via bra straps, epic battles straight out Peter Jackson's Dead Alive... Red Harvest goes all out the closer it gets to its final act. You need not worry about the book taking the lazy route during its finale. Patrick C. Greene doesn't hold back. Instead, he throws everything at the reader in a showdown of escalating insanity. We even get a brawl between the local pastor and a crazy religious fanatic.
While Greene's writing is decent, don't go in expecting a masterpiece of literature. Red Harvest is meant solely to entertain you with copious amounts of gore and impossible situations. The only thing keeping the pace from reaching its full potential is the large cast of characters. A few could have been cut to allow space for the important characters to shine. I have deducted a star for this reason, and for the small handful of typos I noticed. I also have to give a warning for sexual assault. While it isn't shown onscreen (page?), it is definitely implied.
Overall, I got a kick out of Red Harvest. It made me chuckle on more than one occasion and gave me my early-Halloween fix. I recommend this to Halloween-enthusiests who love the Zebra horror paperbacks of the '80s.
Yikes. This one has some low ratings. Reading through a few of the reviews, I feel like many readers picked up Red Harvest by Patrick C. Greene expecting one thing, but instead got a gory, trashy Halloween slasher with supernatural elements, one with far too many beheadings. I, on the other hand, thought Red Harvest had just the right amount of beheadings. In fact, it was just as trashy as I was hoping considering it is published by Kensington Books, the same company that published all those crazy Zebra and Pinnacle horror paperbacks of the 1980s. If you are an experienced horror book nerd, you probably don't need me to say another word; the name "Kensington" sums it all up. But if you are a casual horror reader who believes "real" horror should always be a slow burn -- that "real" horror can be easily described as "actually more of a thriller" to your friends and family because you are ashamed of the word "horror" -- then let me tell you, Red Harvest isn't the book for you.
Red Harvest is set in Ember Hollow, a small town that is preparing for its annual Halloween Pumpkin Parade. Little do the people of Ember Hollow know that there is a killer in their midst, one that has chosen their little town to "trick-or-treat" in this Halloween.
As you can probably guess by the small-town angle, this novel has a cozy side. Ember Hollow is the kind of town where everyone knows each other, where everyone is excited to participate in the upcoming Halloween festivities. (Well, almost everyone.) I found myself getting lost in this sleepy community, wishing I could live in a town like this. That is, until the killing started.
Decapitations, severed limbs, spilling guts, strangulation via bra straps, epic battles straight out Peter Jackson's Dead Alive... Red Harvest goes all out the closer it gets to its final act. You need not worry about the book taking the lazy route during its finale. Patrick C. Greene doesn't hold back. Instead, he throws everything at the reader in a showdown of escalating insanity. We even get a brawl between the local pastor and a crazy religious fanatic.
While Greene's writing is decent, don't go in expecting a masterpiece of literature. Red Harvest is meant solely to entertain you with copious amounts of gore and impossible situations. The only thing keeping the pace from reaching its full potential is the large cast of characters. A few could have been cut to allow space for the important characters to shine. I have deducted a star for this reason, and for the small handful of typos I noticed. I also have to give a warning for sexual assault. While it isn't shown onscreen (page?), it is definitely implied.
Overall, I got a kick out of Red Harvest. It made me chuckle on more than one occasion and gave me my early-Halloween fix. I recommend this to Halloween-enthusiests who love the Zebra horror paperbacks of the '80s.
August 14, 2018
*Just a quick note before my review*
If you downloaded an advance copy of this book before July 26 you should delete it and download the new file. Formatting errors have been fixed.
I love any and all things Halloween related, so give me a rock and roll horror story set in a town that is pretty much the Halloween capitol of the planet and I'm all over it. I loved Stuart and his relationship with his punk rocker brother Dennis, who is recently sober and has moved back in with Stuart and his mom while they are all still struggling with the loss of Dad. Halloween is always a huge deal in this town but this year holds the promise of a possible recording deal for Dennis and his band, who tour around in a tricked out hearse.
As the town is preparing for their annual celebration there is someone who aims to put a permanent stop to all the fun, and someone else who has far different ideas about how to celebrate.
While I did have a couple of minor issues with the plot and would have rather the reasoning behind certain happenings had been just a little different I did enjoy this book and thought it was a lot of gory fun. I will definitely be back for the next installment of these Haunted Hollow Chronicles.
I received an advance copy for review.
If you downloaded an advance copy of this book before July 26 you should delete it and download the new file. Formatting errors have been fixed.
I love any and all things Halloween related, so give me a rock and roll horror story set in a town that is pretty much the Halloween capitol of the planet and I'm all over it. I loved Stuart and his relationship with his punk rocker brother Dennis, who is recently sober and has moved back in with Stuart and his mom while they are all still struggling with the loss of Dad. Halloween is always a huge deal in this town but this year holds the promise of a possible recording deal for Dennis and his band, who tour around in a tricked out hearse.
As the town is preparing for their annual celebration there is someone who aims to put a permanent stop to all the fun, and someone else who has far different ideas about how to celebrate.
While I did have a couple of minor issues with the plot and would have rather the reasoning behind certain happenings had been just a little different I did enjoy this book and thought it was a lot of gory fun. I will definitely be back for the next installment of these Haunted Hollow Chronicles.
I received an advance copy for review.
August 11, 2018
Unforuantely as much as I wanted to really experience a creepy Halloween feel by reading this book, it did nothing for me as I had a hard time figuring out what was really going on. The chapters of the book are very disjointed and the sentences run together in areas, making the book not enjoyable.
Normally that doesn't deter me from reading the story, but when chapter after chapter continues to be like that, then it becomes a struggle to read. I want to enjoy my books that I read not drown in unformatted sentence structure. So this will be going on my DNF shelf and I am going to just give it a one star rating.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for letting me read the book.
Normally that doesn't deter me from reading the story, but when chapter after chapter continues to be like that, then it becomes a struggle to read. I want to enjoy my books that I read not drown in unformatted sentence structure. So this will be going on my DNF shelf and I am going to just give it a one star rating.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for letting me read the book.
April 25, 2019
I received a free e-copy of Red Harvest (The Haunted Hollow Chronicles) by Patrick C. Greene from Goodreads for my honest review.
I was really excited to win this book because I love Halloween and absolutely love a creepy book. Sadly, I couldn't get into this book. It was more gore than creepy and the characters were very odd.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book, it just wasn't for me.
I was really excited to win this book because I love Halloween and absolutely love a creepy book. Sadly, I couldn't get into this book. It was more gore than creepy and the characters were very odd.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book, it just wasn't for me.
September 14, 2019
This book was scary, thrilling, and touching all at once. Sorry to the big guys, but this author has out-Kinged, out-Koontzed, and out-Straubed every modern horror novel I've read in a long time.
Halloween is always celebrated in a big way in this small town, but this year will top them all. I won't give spoilers, but Mr. Green has carved us a glorious jack-o-lantern that will have a much longer shelf life than the squash kind.
Horror fans, get your copy of Red Harvest and be prepared to stay up and read all night!
Halloween is always celebrated in a big way in this small town, but this year will top them all. I won't give spoilers, but Mr. Green has carved us a glorious jack-o-lantern that will have a much longer shelf life than the squash kind.
Horror fans, get your copy of Red Harvest and be prepared to stay up and read all night!
July 3, 2018
Review: RED HARVEST by Patrick C. Greene
(The Haunted Hollow Chronicles Book One)
Set in the Appalachian hills of Western North Carolina, this novel of extreme horror is the first in a continuing series, invoking both Supernatural elements and the horrifying evils in the human hearts. There are some stomach-churning moments and revelations in this compelling story, but what most impressed me was the characters, their delineation, and the emotional impacts they cause on each other. I'm quite looking forward to the next entry in The Haunted Hollow Chronicles, as once again, good and evil battle for supremacy in tiny, tucked-away, Ember Hollow.
(The Haunted Hollow Chronicles Book One)
Set in the Appalachian hills of Western North Carolina, this novel of extreme horror is the first in a continuing series, invoking both Supernatural elements and the horrifying evils in the human hearts. There are some stomach-churning moments and revelations in this compelling story, but what most impressed me was the characters, their delineation, and the emotional impacts they cause on each other. I'm quite looking forward to the next entry in The Haunted Hollow Chronicles, as once again, good and evil battle for supremacy in tiny, tucked-away, Ember Hollow.
July 18, 2018
3 stars
This book has a creepy bad guy and outlines his horrific deeds. It is fairly well written and plotted. I, too, had trouble on my Kindle with missing words and empty quotation marks (as another reader said). It certainly wasn’t as classy as a Stephen King novel, but I think he and Dan Simmons have ruined most other horror writers for me.
I mildly enjoyed the book, but it passed relatively slowly for me, and that I did not enjoy. I usually get a better quality of writing from books I request from this publisher, so I was disappointed there as well. Oh well, a reader can’t like them all.
I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Uderground for forwarding to me a copy of this fairly good book for me to read and review.
This book has a creepy bad guy and outlines his horrific deeds. It is fairly well written and plotted. I, too, had trouble on my Kindle with missing words and empty quotation marks (as another reader said). It certainly wasn’t as classy as a Stephen King novel, but I think he and Dan Simmons have ruined most other horror writers for me.
I mildly enjoyed the book, but it passed relatively slowly for me, and that I did not enjoy. I usually get a better quality of writing from books I request from this publisher, so I was disappointed there as well. Oh well, a reader can’t like them all.
I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Uderground for forwarding to me a copy of this fairly good book for me to read and review.
October 12, 2020
Pedestrian, bland slasher novel that attempts to market itself as something else. A little extra gore than usual, if that's enough to compel you to read a story previously told by Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine or Richie Tankersley Cusick.
I was excited to read this, as it was released by a modern day subsidiary of Pinnacle/Zebra (yes, they're still kicking) but quickly realized this is not an inaugural release in some new planned horror line, but rather yet another print-on-demand line that may as well just be self-published. When and if Pinnacle/Zebra starts a new Horror line, my hope is they try a pinch harder at grabbing up titles with some actual identity.
Some cool Halloween atmosphere at times, some gore but not enough to keep me going.
I was excited to read this, as it was released by a modern day subsidiary of Pinnacle/Zebra (yes, they're still kicking) but quickly realized this is not an inaugural release in some new planned horror line, but rather yet another print-on-demand line that may as well just be self-published. When and if Pinnacle/Zebra starts a new Horror line, my hope is they try a pinch harder at grabbing up titles with some actual identity.
Some cool Halloween atmosphere at times, some gore but not enough to keep me going.
November 4, 2019
First in a proposed series from this newer author, part of Kensington Press's outstanding Lyrical line.
Ember Hollow, a sleepy bucolic town nestled in the Carolinas, lives to celebrate Halloween with a huge Fall Harvest Parade and even the local church pastor gets involved. A local rockabilly punk band that's up and coming will play live atop the old town theater and everyone looks forward to the festive holiday. Well, almost everyone. There's Ruth, an ultra religious church member with dark plans to thwart it...and a mysterious family with an even darker secret kept hidden out back in a shed. And another church member has been experiencing something inexplicable and frightening while alone inside the church and she believes it may be supernatural...and not friendly.
There's a lot going on in this lean and mean Halloween themed novel, but Greene does a fine job pulling it all together in one helluva climax. Highly recommended!
Ember Hollow, a sleepy bucolic town nestled in the Carolinas, lives to celebrate Halloween with a huge Fall Harvest Parade and even the local church pastor gets involved. A local rockabilly punk band that's up and coming will play live atop the old town theater and everyone looks forward to the festive holiday. Well, almost everyone. There's Ruth, an ultra religious church member with dark plans to thwart it...and a mysterious family with an even darker secret kept hidden out back in a shed. And another church member has been experiencing something inexplicable and frightening while alone inside the church and she believes it may be supernatural...and not friendly.
There's a lot going on in this lean and mean Halloween themed novel, but Greene does a fine job pulling it all together in one helluva climax. Highly recommended!
October 5, 2022
A mediocre stab at recapturing the sleazy horror paperbacks of old that only manages to inherit that era’s flaws (way too many trite, flat characters, predictable, lifeless pacing that stretches itself thin to meet a page count) rather than bringing anything new to the table. Red Harvest very much feels like a musty novelization for one of those countless deservingly-forgotten 1980s slasher flicks hoping to cash in on superior films’ popularity.
I might have been willing to recommend this to particularly desperate genre readers if this was standalone, but no, it’s actually part one in a trilogy. Maybe it’s just a pet peeve of mine, but I’d rather authors just put out a 708-page doorstopper of a book rather than selling each section of their already-thin narrative as a "part" of a trilogy to be bought individually.
I might have been willing to recommend this to particularly desperate genre readers if this was standalone, but no, it’s actually part one in a trilogy. Maybe it’s just a pet peeve of mine, but I’d rather authors just put out a 708-page doorstopper of a book rather than selling each section of their already-thin narrative as a "part" of a trilogy to be bought individually.
never-finished
August 9, 2018This was a DNF for me I got in about 50% into the book and I couldn't find myself caring. No matter how much I tried I just couldn't get into it and premise was so good, why couldn't I get into it dang it? Sigh!
August 12, 2018
Ember Hollow takes Halloween to a whole other level! Parades, music, and this year something even more sinister.
The premise of this book was good. The execution was not. I spent most of the book filling in missing words and trying to decide who was speaking. I almost gave up half-way in because it was more work than pleasure.
I would have liked more background on the characters. Unfortunately this was more of a guess what the next word could/should be.
Netgalley/ September 4th 2018 by Lyrical Underground
The premise of this book was good. The execution was not. I spent most of the book filling in missing words and trying to decide who was speaking. I almost gave up half-way in because it was more work than pleasure.
I would have liked more background on the characters. Unfortunately this was more of a guess what the next word could/should be.
Netgalley/ September 4th 2018 by Lyrical Underground
August 21, 2018
Short Take: Addiction is terrifying.
(*Note - I received a free copy of this book for review.*)
Yes, I KNOW that it’s still August (it’s so crazy-hot that my buns are perma-toasted) but today, I have an extra-special Halloween treat for y’all. Try, if you can, to imagine a world that’s pretty much our own. It has the same traditions, music, and movies, but with a few teensy little changes - cell phones and computers aren’t used, ghosts and psychics are real, and OH!! My darling nerdlings, the nerds rule the school! Ok, they are absolutely terrible people, but they are still MY people, and so that last one tickled me purple.
On the surface, Red Harvest is Our Town on a nightmare acid trip. You see, the town of Ember Hollow itself is one of the main characters, in that there’s a strange, possibly dark and pagan history to the town’s founding, and traditions such as the annual Pumpkin Parade, and a lot of people with only a degree or two of separation. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone, but nobody really KNOWS what goes on behind closed doors.
Take for example Everett Geelens, a freakishly strong Michael Myers-ish young man who has a child-like obsession with all things Halloween, especially the blood and death. He’s kept locked up by his family, but when he gets loose on Devil’s Night, well, I don’t have to tell you that nothing good will come of it, do I?
Or Ruth. She has recently discovered religion, and has decided that it’s God’s will that she do whatever it takes to put an end to all the “satanic” Halloween festivities. And if “whatever it takes” involves some decidedly un-Christian acts, well, the ends will justify the means, of course.
Then there’s Dennis Barcroft, lead singer of the Chalk Outlines, a punkabilly band with a spooky sensibility. He’s tried to channel his demons into his music, and his thirteen year old brother Stuart is only too happy to tag along, especially if it means the chance to impress Candace Geelens, who is Everett’s younger sister and the object of his first real crush.
I could list another dozen or so really great characters, but you see, all these fascinating people, and the beautifully complex web of alllllll their relationships isn’t what Red Harvest is really about. Neither is the high-octane plot that swings effortlessly between the strands of Everett’s violent spree, Ruth’s growing madness, a haunted church, a minister with his own difficult past, all the trials and tribulations of high school, and a zoot-suit wearing music agent.
What Red Harvest is REALLY about is addiction. Every one of the characters has their drug of choice, whether it’s Halloween, booze, religion, music, or power, and that’s what makes this book so amazing. It’s easy to make bad guys bad and good guys good. But by showing us how thin the line really is, and how even good people can do bad things for the sake of what they value most, or how bad people can genuinely believe they are doing a Good Thing, Mr. Greene has brought a brilliant level of complexity and humanity to a horror novel.
Don’t get me wrong - the horror elements are flawless in this one, but for me, the real horror is how believable so much of it is. Except maybe for the nerds who are drunk with power. That just seems needlessly cruel.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a pumpkin spice anything, because I’m so ready for fall now!)
(*Note - I received a free copy of this book for review.*)
Yes, I KNOW that it’s still August (it’s so crazy-hot that my buns are perma-toasted) but today, I have an extra-special Halloween treat for y’all. Try, if you can, to imagine a world that’s pretty much our own. It has the same traditions, music, and movies, but with a few teensy little changes - cell phones and computers aren’t used, ghosts and psychics are real, and OH!! My darling nerdlings, the nerds rule the school! Ok, they are absolutely terrible people, but they are still MY people, and so that last one tickled me purple.
On the surface, Red Harvest is Our Town on a nightmare acid trip. You see, the town of Ember Hollow itself is one of the main characters, in that there’s a strange, possibly dark and pagan history to the town’s founding, and traditions such as the annual Pumpkin Parade, and a lot of people with only a degree or two of separation. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone, but nobody really KNOWS what goes on behind closed doors.
Take for example Everett Geelens, a freakishly strong Michael Myers-ish young man who has a child-like obsession with all things Halloween, especially the blood and death. He’s kept locked up by his family, but when he gets loose on Devil’s Night, well, I don’t have to tell you that nothing good will come of it, do I?
Or Ruth. She has recently discovered religion, and has decided that it’s God’s will that she do whatever it takes to put an end to all the “satanic” Halloween festivities. And if “whatever it takes” involves some decidedly un-Christian acts, well, the ends will justify the means, of course.
Then there’s Dennis Barcroft, lead singer of the Chalk Outlines, a punkabilly band with a spooky sensibility. He’s tried to channel his demons into his music, and his thirteen year old brother Stuart is only too happy to tag along, especially if it means the chance to impress Candace Geelens, who is Everett’s younger sister and the object of his first real crush.
I could list another dozen or so really great characters, but you see, all these fascinating people, and the beautifully complex web of alllllll their relationships isn’t what Red Harvest is really about. Neither is the high-octane plot that swings effortlessly between the strands of Everett’s violent spree, Ruth’s growing madness, a haunted church, a minister with his own difficult past, all the trials and tribulations of high school, and a zoot-suit wearing music agent.
What Red Harvest is REALLY about is addiction. Every one of the characters has their drug of choice, whether it’s Halloween, booze, religion, music, or power, and that’s what makes this book so amazing. It’s easy to make bad guys bad and good guys good. But by showing us how thin the line really is, and how even good people can do bad things for the sake of what they value most, or how bad people can genuinely believe they are doing a Good Thing, Mr. Greene has brought a brilliant level of complexity and humanity to a horror novel.
Don’t get me wrong - the horror elements are flawless in this one, but for me, the real horror is how believable so much of it is. Except maybe for the nerds who are drunk with power. That just seems needlessly cruel.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a pumpkin spice anything, because I’m so ready for fall now!)
October 30, 2018
Red Harvest is a spooky horror novel that will most likely make you feel a bit rage-y at times. It's the first book in the Haunted Hollow Chronicles, and it's set in a small town called Ember Hollow. Ember Hollow is known for it's Halloween celebrations and pumpkin harvesting. But this year, it'll be known for something darker and more evil than any of those small-town folk could have ever imagined.
There are a lot of characters to follow in this story, and they all have something going on. There's Dennis aka Kenny Killmore, the lead singer of a band who may have the chance to get signed if all goes well at the Pumpkin Parade. His little brother Stuart is crushing hard on the new girl, but the nerdy bullies want to put a stop to that.
There's Ruth, the young woman who works in the church. She's...well, she's hiding some serious secrets.
And then there's Everett. He's...different. Very different. Like Michael Myers different.
I spent most of the time trying to figure out what was so bad about Everett, what Ruth's deal was, and why the nerdy kids had to be the bullies (as a nerdy kid myself, I was saddened by this). But I digress...
It took me a while to get into the story. And there were times I wanted to give up on it, mostly because of the dialogue, and because I was trying to keep up with everything that was going on. It felt a bit jumpy at times, the plot moving from scene to scene to scene.
Once it's revealed what happened to Everett and what his deal is, the story then rushes head-long into pure insanity. Pitting him and Ruth, with her utter religious craziness, against the town, it becomes a sort of free-for-all complete with lots of death and destruction.
So, overall, even though I wasn't keen on certain parts of the book, and I felt it could have been tightened up a bit, I was still intrigued enough to keep reading so I could figure out the mysteries of...everything and know what was really going on (and why).
I give Red Harvest 3.5 stars.
There are a lot of characters to follow in this story, and they all have something going on. There's Dennis aka Kenny Killmore, the lead singer of a band who may have the chance to get signed if all goes well at the Pumpkin Parade. His little brother Stuart is crushing hard on the new girl, but the nerdy bullies want to put a stop to that.
There's Ruth, the young woman who works in the church. She's...well, she's hiding some serious secrets.
And then there's Everett. He's...different. Very different. Like Michael Myers different.
I spent most of the time trying to figure out what was so bad about Everett, what Ruth's deal was, and why the nerdy kids had to be the bullies (as a nerdy kid myself, I was saddened by this). But I digress...
It took me a while to get into the story. And there were times I wanted to give up on it, mostly because of the dialogue, and because I was trying to keep up with everything that was going on. It felt a bit jumpy at times, the plot moving from scene to scene to scene.
Once it's revealed what happened to Everett and what his deal is, the story then rushes head-long into pure insanity. Pitting him and Ruth, with her utter religious craziness, against the town, it becomes a sort of free-for-all complete with lots of death and destruction.
So, overall, even though I wasn't keen on certain parts of the book, and I felt it could have been tightened up a bit, I was still intrigued enough to keep reading so I could figure out the mysteries of...everything and know what was really going on (and why).
I give Red Harvest 3.5 stars.
September 2, 2018
I feel like this book had lots of potential - tainted candy, murderous child, haunted sanctuary, deranged church lady - but it didn't quite deliver. I read it all, but I just couldn't find myself caring much about what happened, which is a shame because I love Halloween. And it probably didn't help that I have an older copy with the missing words and quotes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2023
An oddball, sometimes campy, yet fun-filled ride.
August 2, 2018
I won this book from Goodreads (Kindle version) for an honest review.
I read a book very similar to this one that I purchased from the author himself (the Pumpkin House by Chad P. Brown). This story though similar is different and very well told. This story will keep you held in it's grip till the very last word is read. A haunting story that is not for the weak or faint.
I read a book very similar to this one that I purchased from the author himself (the Pumpkin House by Chad P. Brown). This story though similar is different and very well told. This story will keep you held in it's grip till the very last word is read. A haunting story that is not for the weak or faint.
October 8, 2018
ATTENTION reader. I am in a mood! Please take note of reason that follows.
A person needs to be careful when openly comparing themselves to those determined by the general public to be great.
In fact, don’t do it.
As stated, that’s for that general public to declare.
Same goes for storytelling. If the first page declares that what I am about to read will be comparable to works by King and Koontz, I have no choice but to measure by that. Literally zero choice!
You put those names in my head. After all, these are memories of teenage and early twenties reading. These are fond memories.
My girlfriend did not believe that 6 inches was 9, even though I said it as a statement, and nor should a reader take such bold statements as truth when starting a new book.
Save your opinion until the end and make your own comparisons. Maybe this opinion will be satisfactory, or (as in my girlfriend's case)…not.
Alex. Careful!
Review:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The pumpkin harvest is complete, but another harvest is about to begin. Not that of the oblivious orange orb, but that of a reaper’s red rage.
Ember Hollows is a small town that goes all out for Halloween. Founded by a Wilcott Bennington who had some inclination for possible worship toward the Roman god Saturn. Apparently, there was some unpleasantness but no details were given by the end of the book, so I am inclined to believe this fact does not really matter to the story.
The first third of the book, as introductions to its characters are made, was rather hard for me to take in. Through my life at times, I would wonder if I had some sort of attention deficit problem or if I just take in too much coffee.
Turns out it’s the coffee, if it were the former, I don’t think the beginning would have been much trouble for me.
In what I could only guess was a method to quicken the pace of the story, we are exposed to all the towns leading stars by small snippets of information. Quick one or two thoughts that abruptly stop, switching to some other person. To make it worse, some of these quick glimpses are wrapped in a flashback for that character. I wouldn’t say its confusing. I understand the words in front of my nose, but I would have sincerely liked to been given a chance to be with one of the protagonists long enough to get attached. I did not.
Let’s give you some perspective.
Ever have a child grab the TV remote and start channel-flipping? Just have them pause long enough on each program to get your attention then boop! to the next one? There is a point where you explode. That kid is NOT touching the remote for the rest of the night!
...Sorry. It’s the future now...
Ever have someone on the controls of Netflix? They’re going hard to the right, and shit is spinning. You think your going to vomit. You don’t like it.
Well.
The characters.
For the “good guys," we got a 26-year-old recovering alcoholic, lead singer of a local punk band (it’s not totally punk in my opinion). We have his young teenage brother, having problems with a group of intelligent nerd bullies (I very much liked this). We have a young girl, love interest to said teenage brother plus younger sister to a psycho. There’s the Reverend, also a recovering alcoholic (this time old enough for the word 'alcoholic' to feel legit, not that I’m saying a 26-year-old can't be one) plus the reverend's sidekick, spirit-channeling church pianist.
For the “bad," we got ourselves the psycho, molested by priests, locked in a shed 364 days a year and fan of Halloween. The group of “nerd bullies,” very original and delightful antagonists. There’s the Reverend's assistant intent on poisoning the town with hallucination-inducing Halloween candy. And last but not least a possible ghost, throwing hard candy at unsuspecting reverends and playing tricks on the pianist.
There we have it. All the mixings for a basic King or Koontz novel. Just instead of Derry, we have a small town called Ember Hallow. The healthy number of bad guys ensures the potential for some interesting plot twisting, and the protagonists all seem to have some potential for good old personal struggle.
(Never happened.)
My hopes were not fulfilled. In fact, after finishing, I immediately called my girlfriend at her work and apologized for ever giving her hope regarding my endowment when we first met.
Character growth was at a zero.
Any and all protagonists ended just how we found them. The punk star showed up drunk after his first stressful event. His little brother didn’t even get the chance to have a showdown with his bullies. The Reverend was still a reverend.
The “nerd bullies" I knew I would love didn’t even come close to making it to the climax.
The psycho killer was enjoyable, to be honest. I mean, if it were a Stephen King book he would have had some supernatural aspect revealed later on, but this is, without a doubt, NOT a King book. The problem with this psycho though, was that he didn’t have much depth, just kill kill, fun fun, trick or treat.
The Reverend's assistant fits in nicely. Had a plan. I understood her motives and enjoyed her struggle as she would run into obstacles on her path to cleanse the unworthy from the town.
By its finish, the story had a couple of decent characters and…oh wait there was a ghost wasn’t there…right. That’s how important the thing was to the story; forgot all about it. Well turns out it was the ghost of the town's founder, Wilcott Benror-whatever.
My problem is when you have a plot with all this potential and so many places you can take it, but only a fraction of it is realized, it’s like you have all these choices on the path before you and you decide to sit and eat a sandwich.
The channel flipping dispersed near the middle, thankfully, starting up near the end but appropriate to the plot's speed.
And I’m reeeally pissed about the nerds. What a waste. I mean, come on, intellectuals who use their wit to torment and buy muscle through doing homework for the football goons. How could an average kid overcome this enemy? I guess the author didn’t know either so he got rid of them before anything could come of it.
Now there are more tales of Ember Hallows on the way. My opinion can always change as a new perspective is introduced. There is a teaser for the sequel that involves the ex-boyfriend of the reverend's assistant, breaking out of jail with the help of his werewolf gang.
So who knows.
(And yes actual f***ing werewolves with absolutely no hint or foreshadowing to such things existing in the Red Harvest universe….may as well be god-damn orcs from Mordor.)
This one gets 4 out 10 jack-o-lanterns.
Almost the worst Dean Koontz book I’ve ever read. Didn’t even have a talking dog, or the word “penultimate.”
Thank you very much!
A person needs to be careful when openly comparing themselves to those determined by the general public to be great.
In fact, don’t do it.
As stated, that’s for that general public to declare.
Same goes for storytelling. If the first page declares that what I am about to read will be comparable to works by King and Koontz, I have no choice but to measure by that. Literally zero choice!
You put those names in my head. After all, these are memories of teenage and early twenties reading. These are fond memories.
My girlfriend did not believe that 6 inches was 9, even though I said it as a statement, and nor should a reader take such bold statements as truth when starting a new book.
Save your opinion until the end and make your own comparisons. Maybe this opinion will be satisfactory, or (as in my girlfriend's case)…not.
Alex. Careful!
Review:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The pumpkin harvest is complete, but another harvest is about to begin. Not that of the oblivious orange orb, but that of a reaper’s red rage.
Ember Hollows is a small town that goes all out for Halloween. Founded by a Wilcott Bennington who had some inclination for possible worship toward the Roman god Saturn. Apparently, there was some unpleasantness but no details were given by the end of the book, so I am inclined to believe this fact does not really matter to the story.
The first third of the book, as introductions to its characters are made, was rather hard for me to take in. Through my life at times, I would wonder if I had some sort of attention deficit problem or if I just take in too much coffee.
Turns out it’s the coffee, if it were the former, I don’t think the beginning would have been much trouble for me.
In what I could only guess was a method to quicken the pace of the story, we are exposed to all the towns leading stars by small snippets of information. Quick one or two thoughts that abruptly stop, switching to some other person. To make it worse, some of these quick glimpses are wrapped in a flashback for that character. I wouldn’t say its confusing. I understand the words in front of my nose, but I would have sincerely liked to been given a chance to be with one of the protagonists long enough to get attached. I did not.
Let’s give you some perspective.
Ever have a child grab the TV remote and start channel-flipping? Just have them pause long enough on each program to get your attention then boop! to the next one? There is a point where you explode. That kid is NOT touching the remote for the rest of the night!
...Sorry. It’s the future now...
Ever have someone on the controls of Netflix? They’re going hard to the right, and shit is spinning. You think your going to vomit. You don’t like it.
Well.
The characters.
For the “good guys," we got a 26-year-old recovering alcoholic, lead singer of a local punk band (it’s not totally punk in my opinion). We have his young teenage brother, having problems with a group of intelligent nerd bullies (I very much liked this). We have a young girl, love interest to said teenage brother plus younger sister to a psycho. There’s the Reverend, also a recovering alcoholic (this time old enough for the word 'alcoholic' to feel legit, not that I’m saying a 26-year-old can't be one) plus the reverend's sidekick, spirit-channeling church pianist.
For the “bad," we got ourselves the psycho, molested by priests, locked in a shed 364 days a year and fan of Halloween. The group of “nerd bullies,” very original and delightful antagonists. There’s the Reverend's assistant intent on poisoning the town with hallucination-inducing Halloween candy. And last but not least a possible ghost, throwing hard candy at unsuspecting reverends and playing tricks on the pianist.
There we have it. All the mixings for a basic King or Koontz novel. Just instead of Derry, we have a small town called Ember Hallow. The healthy number of bad guys ensures the potential for some interesting plot twisting, and the protagonists all seem to have some potential for good old personal struggle.
(Never happened.)
My hopes were not fulfilled. In fact, after finishing, I immediately called my girlfriend at her work and apologized for ever giving her hope regarding my endowment when we first met.
Character growth was at a zero.
Any and all protagonists ended just how we found them. The punk star showed up drunk after his first stressful event. His little brother didn’t even get the chance to have a showdown with his bullies. The Reverend was still a reverend.
The “nerd bullies" I knew I would love didn’t even come close to making it to the climax.
The psycho killer was enjoyable, to be honest. I mean, if it were a Stephen King book he would have had some supernatural aspect revealed later on, but this is, without a doubt, NOT a King book. The problem with this psycho though, was that he didn’t have much depth, just kill kill, fun fun, trick or treat.
The Reverend's assistant fits in nicely. Had a plan. I understood her motives and enjoyed her struggle as she would run into obstacles on her path to cleanse the unworthy from the town.
By its finish, the story had a couple of decent characters and…oh wait there was a ghost wasn’t there…right. That’s how important the thing was to the story; forgot all about it. Well turns out it was the ghost of the town's founder, Wilcott Benror-whatever.
My problem is when you have a plot with all this potential and so many places you can take it, but only a fraction of it is realized, it’s like you have all these choices on the path before you and you decide to sit and eat a sandwich.
The channel flipping dispersed near the middle, thankfully, starting up near the end but appropriate to the plot's speed.
And I’m reeeally pissed about the nerds. What a waste. I mean, come on, intellectuals who use their wit to torment and buy muscle through doing homework for the football goons. How could an average kid overcome this enemy? I guess the author didn’t know either so he got rid of them before anything could come of it.
Now there are more tales of Ember Hallows on the way. My opinion can always change as a new perspective is introduced. There is a teaser for the sequel that involves the ex-boyfriend of the reverend's assistant, breaking out of jail with the help of his werewolf gang.
So who knows.
(And yes actual f***ing werewolves with absolutely no hint or foreshadowing to such things existing in the Red Harvest universe….may as well be god-damn orcs from Mordor.)
This one gets 4 out 10 jack-o-lanterns.
Almost the worst Dean Koontz book I’ve ever read. Didn’t even have a talking dog, or the word “penultimate.”
Thank you very much!
October 20, 2023
4.5 stars rounded down for Goodreads. Red Harvest is a fun and thematic slasher with a supernatural twist. I truly had such a blast with this book, and it read very fast.
If you're looking for a book with autumn and Halloween vibes with more than just a dash a gore added in, look no further! I'm excited to continue on with the series. There were a few typos and some unusual word choices, otherwise this could have been a five star read for me.
I recommend this book for those who love Halloween-themed reads with lots of blood. If you pick this up, you'll be in for a trashy good time!
If you're looking for a book with autumn and Halloween vibes with more than just a dash a gore added in, look no further! I'm excited to continue on with the series. There were a few typos and some unusual word choices, otherwise this could have been a five star read for me.
I recommend this book for those who love Halloween-themed reads with lots of blood. If you pick this up, you'll be in for a trashy good time!
August 24, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable throwback horror novel. Great dialogue, great action scenes and gore. Recommended.
September 15, 2018
I received an ebook copy of this book for free through a giveaway hosted on GoodReads.
Much like the events that occur within, this book is one which was good in planning, then erupts into chaos at its climax. It tells of the Halloween events in the town of Ember Hollow, a town in which the spooky holiday is integral to its identity. While helping his older brother prepare for the chance of a lifetime for his band, Stuart finds himself finally confessing his crush on the strange not-quite-new girl in his school, and inviting her to celebrate with him and his friend. Candace, however, must overcome a number of obstacles before she can truly enjoy her time with new friends, namely her mentally ill brother who takes Halloween a bit too seriously. Meanwhile, the adults in town are not having the easiest time preparing for the coming Pumpkin Parade either. While the church’s organist deals with a spiritual presence within the chapel, the pastor and his assistant butt heads over whether Halloween is actually the “devil’s holiday”, and Ruth is determined to prove God’s approval, even if she must stoop to devilish means to do so. As these problems and more converge the closer the month comes to the end, it is clear that this year’s festivities will shape the little town more than it ever had before.
In all honest, I don’t know how to feel about this book. For much of the time I was reading it, I felt that it was a bunch of great individual plots that had suffered from poor execution by being too ambitious, as the author tried to squash too many plots into one novel. Particularly considering there were 2 horror plots triggered by human elements, in addition to a supernatural subplot as well, it felt like it all would have felt less chaotic if at least 1 plot had been saved for a separate story, especially considering it was already planned as the beginning of a series. If the author had chosen either the Ruth plot or the Everett plot, and layered it on top of the ghost plot, it still would have had the necessary spookiness and controlled chaos to carry the story without feeling so frantic. That, added to the fact that the file was missing words and even full lines of dialogue multiple times each chapter throughout the book made reading it very difficult.
At least, that was how I felt until the last 5 chapters, as after the majority of the story came together, it became apparent that all three main plots were necessary in order to tie up the loose ends efficiently. Furthermore, although I felt overwhelmed for much of it, and didn’t feel like I would be interested in the rest of the series, the end still made me curious about what was to come. So, I suppose that the book with a grain of salt. Although I still feel the book needed a bit more revision, and I definitely feel that people who are prone to feeling stressful when reading chaotic books and scenes should sit this one out, it is an alright book as a whole, provided you know what you are getting into. If nothing else, it might be a good book to read during October if you just want something festive to pass the time. Hopefully, however, your file (or, a physical copy, if that is an option) has all the words.
Much like the events that occur within, this book is one which was good in planning, then erupts into chaos at its climax. It tells of the Halloween events in the town of Ember Hollow, a town in which the spooky holiday is integral to its identity. While helping his older brother prepare for the chance of a lifetime for his band, Stuart finds himself finally confessing his crush on the strange not-quite-new girl in his school, and inviting her to celebrate with him and his friend. Candace, however, must overcome a number of obstacles before she can truly enjoy her time with new friends, namely her mentally ill brother who takes Halloween a bit too seriously. Meanwhile, the adults in town are not having the easiest time preparing for the coming Pumpkin Parade either. While the church’s organist deals with a spiritual presence within the chapel, the pastor and his assistant butt heads over whether Halloween is actually the “devil’s holiday”, and Ruth is determined to prove God’s approval, even if she must stoop to devilish means to do so. As these problems and more converge the closer the month comes to the end, it is clear that this year’s festivities will shape the little town more than it ever had before.
In all honest, I don’t know how to feel about this book. For much of the time I was reading it, I felt that it was a bunch of great individual plots that had suffered from poor execution by being too ambitious, as the author tried to squash too many plots into one novel. Particularly considering there were 2 horror plots triggered by human elements, in addition to a supernatural subplot as well, it felt like it all would have felt less chaotic if at least 1 plot had been saved for a separate story, especially considering it was already planned as the beginning of a series. If the author had chosen either the Ruth plot or the Everett plot, and layered it on top of the ghost plot, it still would have had the necessary spookiness and controlled chaos to carry the story without feeling so frantic. That, added to the fact that the file was missing words and even full lines of dialogue multiple times each chapter throughout the book made reading it very difficult.
At least, that was how I felt until the last 5 chapters, as after the majority of the story came together, it became apparent that all three main plots were necessary in order to tie up the loose ends efficiently. Furthermore, although I felt overwhelmed for much of it, and didn’t feel like I would be interested in the rest of the series, the end still made me curious about what was to come. So, I suppose that the book with a grain of salt. Although I still feel the book needed a bit more revision, and I definitely feel that people who are prone to feeling stressful when reading chaotic books and scenes should sit this one out, it is an alright book as a whole, provided you know what you are getting into. If nothing else, it might be a good book to read during October if you just want something festive to pass the time. Hopefully, however, your file (or, a physical copy, if that is an option) has all the words.
October 31, 2018
4 Cranky Stars
What do you get when you combine horror punk, a killer ala Michael Meyers and the parade scene from "Animal House"? Red Harvest!
Ember Hollow is known for its annual Pumpkin Parade, with everybody in town getting into the Halloween spirit. This year on Devil's Night the local punk band, Chalk Outlines, is performing during the parade. Little do they know that there is a true horror coming.
Stuart Barcroft is the younger brother of the band's lead singer and tries to impress his crush, Candace Geelens, by inviting her to the concert with front row seats. However, Candace has a huge secret to hide.
Without giving too much away, this book has tons of creepy characters, more than enough religious zealots, recovering alcoholics, and enough scares and gore to delight the biggest horror fan. The author has added tons of references to classic horror, including some obscure Bela Lugosi films. "The Exorcist" is also brought to mind with some sleazy priests thrown into the mix. I am sure that a closer reading of the book would bring to mind a lot of other horror movies.
It took a while to get into this book because of the introduction of a lot of characters. However, once I passed the first third of the book, I couldn't stop reading. As a former punk myself, I loved the inclusion of the Chalk Outlines and I wish I could hear their music. Their manager, Kerwin Stuyvesant, was a cringe-worthy character straight out of a bad haircut.
A short quote from one of the band's songs gives a pretty good description of the story:
"I was hunted, far from home
Haunted, cursed to roam
Desperate to be freed
From my insatiable need
To kill by full moon's light"
If you are a fan of campy teen slasher movies, you will love this book. And, if you ever see Everett Geelens out Trick or Treating, run and hide as fast as you can!
What do you get when you combine horror punk, a killer ala Michael Meyers and the parade scene from "Animal House"? Red Harvest!
Ember Hollow is known for its annual Pumpkin Parade, with everybody in town getting into the Halloween spirit. This year on Devil's Night the local punk band, Chalk Outlines, is performing during the parade. Little do they know that there is a true horror coming.
Stuart Barcroft is the younger brother of the band's lead singer and tries to impress his crush, Candace Geelens, by inviting her to the concert with front row seats. However, Candace has a huge secret to hide.
Without giving too much away, this book has tons of creepy characters, more than enough religious zealots, recovering alcoholics, and enough scares and gore to delight the biggest horror fan. The author has added tons of references to classic horror, including some obscure Bela Lugosi films. "The Exorcist" is also brought to mind with some sleazy priests thrown into the mix. I am sure that a closer reading of the book would bring to mind a lot of other horror movies.
It took a while to get into this book because of the introduction of a lot of characters. However, once I passed the first third of the book, I couldn't stop reading. As a former punk myself, I loved the inclusion of the Chalk Outlines and I wish I could hear their music. Their manager, Kerwin Stuyvesant, was a cringe-worthy character straight out of a bad haircut.
A short quote from one of the band's songs gives a pretty good description of the story:
"I was hunted, far from home
Haunted, cursed to roam
Desperate to be freed
From my insatiable need
To kill by full moon's light"
If you are a fan of campy teen slasher movies, you will love this book. And, if you ever see Everett Geelens out Trick or Treating, run and hide as fast as you can!
January 14, 2022
Red Harvest, Patrick C. Greene, 2018
My favorite quote: “‘For, you see, come Halloween, Ember Hollow becomes Haunted Hollow, Halloween Capital of the World.’” That, or, “‘What is this? The Waltons? I thought men were supposed to go all corpsy after sex.’”
Notable characters: Stuart Barcroft, an Ember Hollow Junior High School student; Candace Galeens, the very cool love interest; Dennis, his recently-sober, punk-rocker older brother; DeShaun Lott, Stuart’s lifelong BFF; Hudson Lott, Chief Deputy and DeShaun’s father; Ruth, a local church-goer hell-bent on putting a stop to the festivities
Most memorable scene: The string of horrors Candace sees when she’s walking home -- and it only gets worse from there
Greatest strengths: The characters. OMG. There are some seriously f*cked up people in this book -- and I dig them all. Especially Ruth. GAWD, how I loved that despicable little nut-job! Disclaimer: This book has a massive cast -- but don’t let that scare you. Greene not only pulls it off but makes it look easy
Standout achievements: This book absolutely nails the Halloween atmosphere … and as a big fan of Halloween Atmosphere, I appreciate that. Oh, and it’s got great music, too
Fun Facts: Red Harvest is book one of the Haunted Hollow series
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: A little about music and a lot about punk
How it inspired me: Red Harvest made me want to center one of my own books on Halloween -- and after thinking on it a little, I think I know how to do it
Additional thoughts: There’s a lot going on here, but Greene balances gore, creep, religious zealotry, and the slow descent into madness with a quick, deft hand that pulls no punches -- and that’s how I like it
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
My favorite quote: “‘For, you see, come Halloween, Ember Hollow becomes Haunted Hollow, Halloween Capital of the World.’” That, or, “‘What is this? The Waltons? I thought men were supposed to go all corpsy after sex.’”
Notable characters: Stuart Barcroft, an Ember Hollow Junior High School student; Candace Galeens, the very cool love interest; Dennis, his recently-sober, punk-rocker older brother; DeShaun Lott, Stuart’s lifelong BFF; Hudson Lott, Chief Deputy and DeShaun’s father; Ruth, a local church-goer hell-bent on putting a stop to the festivities
Most memorable scene: The string of horrors Candace sees when she’s walking home -- and it only gets worse from there
Greatest strengths: The characters. OMG. There are some seriously f*cked up people in this book -- and I dig them all. Especially Ruth. GAWD, how I loved that despicable little nut-job! Disclaimer: This book has a massive cast -- but don’t let that scare you. Greene not only pulls it off but makes it look easy
Standout achievements: This book absolutely nails the Halloween atmosphere … and as a big fan of Halloween Atmosphere, I appreciate that. Oh, and it’s got great music, too
Fun Facts: Red Harvest is book one of the Haunted Hollow series
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: A little about music and a lot about punk
How it inspired me: Red Harvest made me want to center one of my own books on Halloween -- and after thinking on it a little, I think I know how to do it
Additional thoughts: There’s a lot going on here, but Greene balances gore, creep, religious zealotry, and the slow descent into madness with a quick, deft hand that pulls no punches -- and that’s how I like it
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
October 31, 2018
Ember Hollow is a small town that goes to the extreme when it comes to Halloween. But this year there is more than normal. This town harbors some people with some serious issues. But as good or bad as those issues are, this Halloween is going to turn them on their head in the most disturbing kind of way.
So this town is small and secluded and similar to any little town that doesn’t have computers or cell phone and the paranormal is true and strong. We have a musician that is trying to make his little band go big. His little brother loves following him around especially when it means he can impress the girl he has a crush on.
Then you have a seriously disturbed young man that has an unhealthy obsession with all things Halloween including the blood, guts, and gore. And where there is evil, you will also find a woman that has taken her vows to God overly seriously and has planned to end the pagan/satanic Halloween at all costs.
This story definitely has blood and gore in it but I felt that it wandered away from the story. There were some interesting story branches but they got all caught up and lost the thread that they were on. But I will say that everyone in this town shows how messed up people can be and that there really are no true heroes or villains. People tend to dance the line between the two.
Red Harvest is a decent read and will appeal to anyone that likes lots of blood and gore.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
So this town is small and secluded and similar to any little town that doesn’t have computers or cell phone and the paranormal is true and strong. We have a musician that is trying to make his little band go big. His little brother loves following him around especially when it means he can impress the girl he has a crush on.
Then you have a seriously disturbed young man that has an unhealthy obsession with all things Halloween including the blood, guts, and gore. And where there is evil, you will also find a woman that has taken her vows to God overly seriously and has planned to end the pagan/satanic Halloween at all costs.
This story definitely has blood and gore in it but I felt that it wandered away from the story. There were some interesting story branches but they got all caught up and lost the thread that they were on. But I will say that everyone in this town shows how messed up people can be and that there really are no true heroes or villains. People tend to dance the line between the two.
Red Harvest is a decent read and will appeal to anyone that likes lots of blood and gore.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
October 3, 2020
Happy Friday ✨✨
Have you ever stumbled upon a book unintentionally that turned out to be a gem?
Last year, I requested Grim Harvest from Net Galley but ended up not reading it because it was a sequel. Instead, I searched for the first book of the series, Red Harvest, and saved it for October. Red Harvest has definitely put me in the Halloween mood.
I will preface this review by saying that if you are not a fan of gory, slasher books then this book is not for you. Red Harvest is not a slow burn horror book or a thriller. It is an in your face slasher fun.
Red Harvest takes place in a small town called Amber Hollow where everyone knows everyone. The town is cozy and embraces Halloween preparations.
This book is gory! There are beheadings, detached limbs and lots of blood. Once the story gets off the ground it is full speed ahead till the end. Red Harvest definitely put me in the mood for the rest of the season. If you are a slasher loving 80’s horror fan then this will hit the spot.
The book has several plot lines and characters. I thought the author did a good job at tying it all in at the end. Two of the characters stood out to me. First, Everett seemed to be a cross between Michel Myers and Sam. He is an adult with an intense love of Halloween, including blood and death.
Second is Ruth, who has found religion and feels it is her Godly duty to, by any means necessary, put an end to the Satanic rituals of Halloween. There are so many characters and I could go on and on about but I would much rather you read the book for yourself.
4 🌟
Have you ever stumbled upon a book unintentionally that turned out to be a gem?
Last year, I requested Grim Harvest from Net Galley but ended up not reading it because it was a sequel. Instead, I searched for the first book of the series, Red Harvest, and saved it for October. Red Harvest has definitely put me in the Halloween mood.
I will preface this review by saying that if you are not a fan of gory, slasher books then this book is not for you. Red Harvest is not a slow burn horror book or a thriller. It is an in your face slasher fun.
Red Harvest takes place in a small town called Amber Hollow where everyone knows everyone. The town is cozy and embraces Halloween preparations.
This book is gory! There are beheadings, detached limbs and lots of blood. Once the story gets off the ground it is full speed ahead till the end. Red Harvest definitely put me in the mood for the rest of the season. If you are a slasher loving 80’s horror fan then this will hit the spot.
The book has several plot lines and characters. I thought the author did a good job at tying it all in at the end. Two of the characters stood out to me. First, Everett seemed to be a cross between Michel Myers and Sam. He is an adult with an intense love of Halloween, including blood and death.
Second is Ruth, who has found religion and feels it is her Godly duty to, by any means necessary, put an end to the Satanic rituals of Halloween. There are so many characters and I could go on and on about but I would much rather you read the book for yourself.
4 🌟
October 17, 2018
I wanted to read Red Harvest around this time of year, because what better time of year to read a horror, Halloween novel than now? The concept of this one is really compelling, and is what had me wanting to read this one.
One thing I really enjoyed about this novel was the town, Ember Hollow. It’s a small town with a dark, pagan history behind it. With the small town-like traditions, and small town people, it was set up really well, and it felt familiar. Everyone thinks they know everyone’s business, but they don’t really know what’s actually happening.
There are very interesting characters, but one of the downsides was the amount of characters. Sometimes this works, other times it just gets confusing. I feel like there were stand out characters and then characters that weren’t detailed out completely.
The horror is done well though, and I was kept on the edge of my seat. This was a fun Halloween read and I would read the rest of the series. I recommend this one if you’re looking for a spooky read this month.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
One thing I really enjoyed about this novel was the town, Ember Hollow. It’s a small town with a dark, pagan history behind it. With the small town-like traditions, and small town people, it was set up really well, and it felt familiar. Everyone thinks they know everyone’s business, but they don’t really know what’s actually happening.
There are very interesting characters, but one of the downsides was the amount of characters. Sometimes this works, other times it just gets confusing. I feel like there were stand out characters and then characters that weren’t detailed out completely.
The horror is done well though, and I was kept on the edge of my seat. This was a fun Halloween read and I would read the rest of the series. I recommend this one if you’re looking for a spooky read this month.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
July 20, 2018
The idea of this read had me excited to check it out, but unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. Some of the characters are well crafted, but because there are so many of them, there are more than a few that are flat and cookie-cutter like. Also, with so many "heads in the game", it was near impossible to keep them all straight, often leaving me feeling as though I missed a big reveal or story punchline, thus losing story impact.
There was one plotline I was extremely interested in (Everette and his family) and to be honest it was the only reason I kept reading as far as I did. I made it to the half-way mark before I decided to throw in the towel--regretfully, the rest of the story, although somewhat interesting, just couldn't hold my attention.
I am curious if there was a disconnect from reader to story due to some formatting issues and missing sentences. (I received a digital ARC from the publisher/Netgalley) There are several instances with quotation marks with no quote, making the character reactions odd and out of place.
There was one plotline I was extremely interested in (Everette and his family) and to be honest it was the only reason I kept reading as far as I did. I made it to the half-way mark before I decided to throw in the towel--regretfully, the rest of the story, although somewhat interesting, just couldn't hold my attention.
I am curious if there was a disconnect from reader to story due to some formatting issues and missing sentences. (I received a digital ARC from the publisher/Netgalley) There are several instances with quotation marks with no quote, making the character reactions odd and out of place.
March 26, 2019
Calling it quits on this one.
I really wanted to like it as it had everything I like in small town horror. Characters from the normal to the weird, a sense of community in a place where there's history, everyone's known each other a local Halloween tradition, a family with a creepy secret. It's clear something is going to go very wrong very quickly.
I'm losing patience with the story, there's too many characters to keep track of and it seems like too much going on. My other major problem with this book is how poorly it's edited. Random words are missing from sentences or in some instances entire sentences are missing and while with most you can get the idea of what's going on, it's annoying and jars you out of the narrative. I've had enough, DNF. Not for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the review copy.
I really wanted to like it as it had everything I like in small town horror. Characters from the normal to the weird, a sense of community in a place where there's history, everyone's known each other a local Halloween tradition, a family with a creepy secret. It's clear something is going to go very wrong very quickly.
I'm losing patience with the story, there's too many characters to keep track of and it seems like too much going on. My other major problem with this book is how poorly it's edited. Random words are missing from sentences or in some instances entire sentences are missing and while with most you can get the idea of what's going on, it's annoying and jars you out of the narrative. I've had enough, DNF. Not for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the review copy.
February 22, 2021
I love almost any book that's set during Halloween season, so Red Harvest was near perfect for me. The only reason I say "near perfect" (and thus earning a 4 ranking instead of a 5) hinges on my own bias. I'm not really a fan of slasher horror; I'm more of a Twilight Zone kind of guy with a preference for "slow-burn", creepy, atmosphere-building kinds of stories with angst-driven characters, but Patrick C Greene pushed me out of my comfort zone with this fast-paced, blood-spattered, horror set in a small-town Halloween festival. It was really a fun read!
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