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Hell's Door
Detective Lacy Powers and her partner John Demmings are stalking a sadistic killer down the rainy streets and back alleys of Providence. Together they go undercover into a dark and perverse subculture, where pimps, hookers and sexual deviants gather at an underground nightclub called Hell's Door. There they come face-to-face with their prime suspect, a charismatic and dangerous woman named Ramsay Wolfe.
But Ramsay might be working in concert with a tortured soul who calls himself Gabriel, an elusive drifter who records each detail of the killings, leaving notebook pages spattered with victims' blood as evidence.
As the headless bodies and blood-soaked crime scenes continue to mount, Lacey and John have few leads and minimal evidence. Will they catch the real killer before it's too late…or will they meet their demise at Hell's Door?
But Ramsay might be working in concert with a tortured soul who calls himself Gabriel, an elusive drifter who records each detail of the killings, leaving notebook pages spattered with victims' blood as evidence.
As the headless bodies and blood-soaked crime scenes continue to mount, Lacey and John have few leads and minimal evidence. Will they catch the real killer before it's too late…or will they meet their demise at Hell's Door?
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First published October 1, 2013
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About the author
Sandy DeLuca
105 books38 followersSandy DeLuca has been a painter since 1985. Her worked has been exhibited in college galleries, hair salons, tattoo parlors, bookstores and traditional galleries. Her art has been purchased throughout the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe. In addition, she has painted cover art and interior art for publications which have reached worldwide audiences.
She has been a writer since the late 80’s, penning nonfiction articles and photography for magazines and newsletters--throughout the 90’s. One of her claims to fame is writing under the pen name Autumn Raindancer. Two of her poetic chants were published under that pen in the popular New Age book TO RIDE A SILVER BROOMSTICK (Silver Ravenwolf).
She created GODDESS OF THE BAY publishing in the late 90’s, producing several anthologies and a string of small press magazines. From 2001 to 2003 she edited and owned DECEMBER GIRL PRESS, producing novels and short story collections.
She was a finalist for the BRAM STOKER for poetry award in 2001 and 2014.
At present she is a fulltime writer and painter. She’s written and published five novels, two poetry collections and several novellas. Her most ecent novella HELL'S DOOR, will be released from DARKFUSE in September, 2013. She is assistant curator at NEW HOPE GALLERY, in Cranston, RI and continues to exhibit her art in local venues.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 9, 2013
I sat down last night to tackle this new novella. When I looked up it was after midnight and my world had been rocked.
Hell's Door is a combination of police procedural and mystery, which is very different from Sandy's previous works. This is the story of Lacey, a police detective that has problems following the rules. As a result, she has moved around the country a lot. Now in Providence, Rhode Island, she is partnered up with John to track down a serial killer working out of a club called Hell's Door.
What goes on in Hell's Door? Pretty much everything. It's a combination strip club, drag queen hangout, and all around home to sexual differences and degenerates. The back rooms are dim and filled with people exploring their dark fantasies, no matter what they are.
The scene is set for you. Will Lacey and John discover the identity of this sick and depraved serial killer? You will have to read it and see. If this sounds even remotely interesting to you, go pay your $2.99 right now and buy this novella for your Kindle. You will not be disappointed. This crime noir/mystery/dark fiction story will knock your socks off. Highly recommended!
Hell's Door is a combination of police procedural and mystery, which is very different from Sandy's previous works. This is the story of Lacey, a police detective that has problems following the rules. As a result, she has moved around the country a lot. Now in Providence, Rhode Island, she is partnered up with John to track down a serial killer working out of a club called Hell's Door.
What goes on in Hell's Door? Pretty much everything. It's a combination strip club, drag queen hangout, and all around home to sexual differences and degenerates. The back rooms are dim and filled with people exploring their dark fantasies, no matter what they are.
The scene is set for you. Will Lacey and John discover the identity of this sick and depraved serial killer? You will have to read it and see. If this sounds even remotely interesting to you, go pay your $2.99 right now and buy this novella for your Kindle. You will not be disappointed. This crime noir/mystery/dark fiction story will knock your socks off. Highly recommended!
October 9, 2013
I've had the pleasure of reading some of Sandy DeLuca's other works, but nothing prepared me for what was behind HELL'S DOOR! The atmosphere of this novel pushed the tension up all on its own--even before bringing the main characters into play.
Lacey and John are police detectives on a mission to stop a savage serial killer with sadistic, canabalistic tendencies. Their search takes them to Hell's Door, a nightclub who's owner caters to all kinds of deviant sexual appetites. This incredibly fast-paced novella is one that you won't be able to tear yourself away from. The author has such a "poetic" way with words, that even the most appalling, gruesome scenes will filter into your mind like a well-painted work of art. This book will immerse you completely, from the very first page to the mind-numbing conclusion.
Sandy DeLuca is an author that any fan of horror and dark fiction can NOT afford to miss! Her unique style will have you begging for more....
Highly Recommended!
Lacey and John are police detectives on a mission to stop a savage serial killer with sadistic, canabalistic tendencies. Their search takes them to Hell's Door, a nightclub who's owner caters to all kinds of deviant sexual appetites. This incredibly fast-paced novella is one that you won't be able to tear yourself away from. The author has such a "poetic" way with words, that even the most appalling, gruesome scenes will filter into your mind like a well-painted work of art. This book will immerse you completely, from the very first page to the mind-numbing conclusion.
Sandy DeLuca is an author that any fan of horror and dark fiction can NOT afford to miss! Her unique style will have you begging for more....
Highly Recommended!
September 20, 2013
I wouldn't figure Providence, Rhode Island to be a town to play host to one of the kinkiest and downright dirtiest nightclubs I've ever seen put on the page, but Hell's Door is just such a club and with it Rhode Island just got a helluva lot more interesting in the eyes of this Canadian. In any case, there's a killer on the loose in Providence, and it's up to a pair of detectives to go undercover and hunt down the maniac who's been leaving mutilated bodies in his-or-her wake--not to mention keeping the heads as souvenirs.
Lacey Powers and John Demmings are the two detectives taking the lead on rooting out the killer, and they have their sights set on the owner of Hell's Door, a manipulative and alluring pimp named Ramsay Wolfe. She might be sexy in a kind of Fifty Shades version of Moulin Rouge kind of way, but Lacey and John are seemingly convinced she is a cold-blooded killer. The descent Lacey and John take, as they embody their lascivious personas inside Ramsay's nightclub, is riveting. Between interludes that offer glimpses into the mind of the killer who calls himself Gabriel, a simmering tension--both sexual and professional--builds between the two detectives. John and his wife are separate and his feelings for Lacey intensify almost exponentially as they pose as a couple, and Lacey's obsession over the murders and seeing Ramsay taken down have John and others in the precinct concerned for her well-being.
Despite the backdrop and the gruesome nature of the murders, Hell's Door didn't feel the least bit lurid or exploitative. And it certainly could have gone that way for some cheap thrills. Instead, there's this rising tide kind of vibe as their investigation continues. And the closer they get to obtaining the evidence they need against Ramsay and making the connection between her and Gabriel, the more it feels like they themselves are pulled under, and there's just no way of knowing how it will all play out. And lemme tell ya, if you read this novella to the end and claim of have seen the ending coming a mile away, I will call you a liar.
If the police procedurals I've sampled over the years offered such lyrical style and avoided slavish adherence to investigative minutia, I'd be a fan of the genre, because I loved Hell's Door.
Lacey Powers and John Demmings are the two detectives taking the lead on rooting out the killer, and they have their sights set on the owner of Hell's Door, a manipulative and alluring pimp named Ramsay Wolfe. She might be sexy in a kind of Fifty Shades version of Moulin Rouge kind of way, but Lacey and John are seemingly convinced she is a cold-blooded killer. The descent Lacey and John take, as they embody their lascivious personas inside Ramsay's nightclub, is riveting. Between interludes that offer glimpses into the mind of the killer who calls himself Gabriel, a simmering tension--both sexual and professional--builds between the two detectives. John and his wife are separate and his feelings for Lacey intensify almost exponentially as they pose as a couple, and Lacey's obsession over the murders and seeing Ramsay taken down have John and others in the precinct concerned for her well-being.
Despite the backdrop and the gruesome nature of the murders, Hell's Door didn't feel the least bit lurid or exploitative. And it certainly could have gone that way for some cheap thrills. Instead, there's this rising tide kind of vibe as their investigation continues. And the closer they get to obtaining the evidence they need against Ramsay and making the connection between her and Gabriel, the more it feels like they themselves are pulled under, and there's just no way of knowing how it will all play out. And lemme tell ya, if you read this novella to the end and claim of have seen the ending coming a mile away, I will call you a liar.
If the police procedurals I've sampled over the years offered such lyrical style and avoided slavish adherence to investigative minutia, I'd be a fan of the genre, because I loved Hell's Door.
November 3, 2013
Hell’s Door as nightclub’s go is deviant heaven a place of utter debauchery, drugs, sex it’s all available on tap and the owner is Ramsey Wolfe, a depraved pimp who happens to be a woman who takes whatever she wants.
Set in Providence, Rhode Island the story follows homicide detectives Lacey Powers and her partner John Demmings as they hunt a prolific serial killer, a killer of women who believes he is saving and freeing his victims. We see inside the mind of this killer throughout the book described with a wonderful prose which disengages you from the familiar Police procedure side of the story. Suspicions rest at Hell’s Door and the only way for any closure is for the detectives to infiltrate undercover.
I had sort of guessed where it was going and there were a few clues littered about but it didn’t make it any less shocking, this deserves 4 stars for the ending alone but I felt overly pressed and pushed with reminders on who the chief suspect was when it was always never going to be the case.
Set in Providence, Rhode Island the story follows homicide detectives Lacey Powers and her partner John Demmings as they hunt a prolific serial killer, a killer of women who believes he is saving and freeing his victims. We see inside the mind of this killer throughout the book described with a wonderful prose which disengages you from the familiar Police procedure side of the story. Suspicions rest at Hell’s Door and the only way for any closure is for the detectives to infiltrate undercover.
I had sort of guessed where it was going and there were a few clues littered about but it didn’t make it any less shocking, this deserves 4 stars for the ending alone but I felt overly pressed and pushed with reminders on who the chief suspect was when it was always never going to be the case.
March 9, 2014
There's a killer on the loose and Detective Lacey, a rule-bender, and her sidekick, John, are determined to bring this monster to justice. Bodies are found mutilated and they all seem to suggest Ramsey, the owner of a sexual establishment named Hell's Door.
However, they can't seem to make a case against her. Threatening her tricks with stories of retribution for leaving are hardly a signed confession.
Lacey and John must get their heads in the game because the bodies are piling up and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
Let me start out by saying that I like dark reads and this one seemed to hit the right spot.
There was death and blood and more death, but something seemed to be missing. I'm pretty sure it was the characters that were not altogether fleshed-out. I can't leave out the fact that Lacey and Jon are so focused on one potential suspect that the anticipation that a crime read usually has was almost non-existent.
The best parts of this read were the ruminations of our serial killer. They were dark and intense and I devoured each section.
I hope to read more of Sandy's work.
Check out www.horrorafterdark.com for more reviews.
However, they can't seem to make a case against her. Threatening her tricks with stories of retribution for leaving are hardly a signed confession.
Lacey and John must get their heads in the game because the bodies are piling up and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
Let me start out by saying that I like dark reads and this one seemed to hit the right spot.
There was death and blood and more death, but something seemed to be missing. I'm pretty sure it was the characters that were not altogether fleshed-out. I can't leave out the fact that Lacey and Jon are so focused on one potential suspect that the anticipation that a crime read usually has was almost non-existent.
The best parts of this read were the ruminations of our serial killer. They were dark and intense and I devoured each section.
I hope to read more of Sandy's work.
Check out www.horrorafterdark.com for more reviews.
October 9, 2017
Lacey and John are two detectives on the trail of a sadistic serial killer, they are in a race against time to catch them before they strike again. Hell's Door is the name of the club run by their No 1 suspect but is she all she seems?
This was a great read from Ms Deluca, she takes her readers on a horrific tour of a disturbed mind. The story is seriously twisted and gore soaks into each page as she cranks up the tension in the race to find the killer.
For those who don't like a lot a gore, be warned as it is incredibly graphic with descriptions of torture and mutilation. Without giving too much away I will say that the ending was amazing. Recommended.
October 31, 2013
I think, perhaps, one has to be in a certain frame of mind to fully enjoy a story by Sandy DeLuca. I have read several short stories and novels by her over the last eighteen months or so, and while I can clearly recognize that all the parts of an excellent story are present (mood, characters, mystery, horror, etc.), for some reason they never come together quite right for me. I don't fault Ms. DeLuca for this, I think we are just operating on slightly different wavelengths.
That said, Hell's Door was certainly a fun little story. It's a dark police story, straddling the line between horror and thriller. A serial killer is preying on prostitutes (at least, initially) in Providence. In a nice change of pace (at least, to me, though admittedly I'm not a huge reader of crime thrillers) the reader is offered glimpses into the mind and past of the serial killer. The police investigating the murders have a very clear idea of who they thing is responsible, they just aren't able to find any hard evidence. There are hints about the truth throughout, but there are several pieces of information that fog things up. The big reveal, I feel, was well done.
The actual ending, though, left a bit to be desired. It ended in largely the same way that every Sandy DeLuca story I've read ends. I can't claim to have read everything she's written, but what I have read has always ended in the same general manner. That's not to say it's a bad ending, but it's gotten to the point that when I pick up a novella by DeLuca, I already have a pretty good idea about how things will end, even if the specifics are still a bit fuzzy.
That said, Hell's Door was certainly a fun little story. It's a dark police story, straddling the line between horror and thriller. A serial killer is preying on prostitutes (at least, initially) in Providence. In a nice change of pace (at least, to me, though admittedly I'm not a huge reader of crime thrillers) the reader is offered glimpses into the mind and past of the serial killer. The police investigating the murders have a very clear idea of who they thing is responsible, they just aren't able to find any hard evidence. There are hints about the truth throughout, but there are several pieces of information that fog things up. The big reveal, I feel, was well done.
The actual ending, though, left a bit to be desired. It ended in largely the same way that every Sandy DeLuca story I've read ends. I can't claim to have read everything she's written, but what I have read has always ended in the same general manner. That's not to say it's a bad ending, but it's gotten to the point that when I pick up a novella by DeLuca, I already have a pretty good idea about how things will end, even if the specifics are still a bit fuzzy.
October 9, 2013
This story is about two detectives(Lacey Powers and John Demmings) who are trying to catch a serial killer. Both sometimes like to work outside the rules. There main suspect is a women named Ramsay Wolfe that own a night spot called Hell's Door. Won't go into more detail, need to read the book for that. What I will say is I enjoy the way Sandy writes. The quick pace of the story and the pictures she paints with her words. How she can set a eerie atmosphere without getting to descriptive and slowing the story down. I could have read this book in one sitting, but decided to take my time and enjoy it more. This is the fourth book of Sandy's I have read and enjoyed them all.
I was going to give Hell's Door 4 stars. But after thinking about the way the story ended. I had to bump it up to 4 1/2 stars.
I was going to give Hell's Door 4 stars. But after thinking about the way the story ended. I had to bump it up to 4 1/2 stars.
December 16, 2013
Review can also be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
It's rare for me to be blown away by the outcome of a book. I can honestly say that I am blown away by the ending of Hell's Door. I thought I saw what was coming and I was correct in a sense but the author threw something out there that took me so much by surprise that I had to go back and read the last ten or so pages to make sure I read it correctly. If you are going to read this, avoid all reviews with spoilers. You'll be glad you did.
A sadistic killer is killing women in a sick and twisted way. Body parts are removed while the victims are still alive and horrific things are done to the women up until the killer finally gives them what they are at that point begging for - death. Detectives John Demmings and his partner Lacey Powers go undercover to try to find the killer as victims are piling up at an alarming rate. The bodies are all found without heads and with very little evidence left behind. The killer takes detailed notes of all of his/her killings, taunting the investigators by leaving the notebooks behind.
The prime suspect in the case is a female pimp named Ramsay Wolfe. Ramsay owns a dark nightclub called Hell's Door where sexual deviants are the norm. Both John and Lacey are convinced that Ramsay is the killer but no matter how hard they try, they can not find the evidence. Going undercover as a couple, John and Lacey frequent Hell's Door in hopes of snagging Ramsay and finally bringing the serial killer to justice. Lacey immediately catches Ramsay's eye and the detectives know that it's only a matter of time before they have the evidence they need to take her down.
There is not much I can say about this book without giving too much away. Suffice it to say that the story is twisted. The reader goes into the mind of the killer and what is there is terrifying and sick. The reasoning behind the killings is explained, though it is warped beyond measure. The killings are brutally graphic and the author pulls no punches with laying it all out for the reader to see.
Overall, an outstanding book. It's relatively short (at around 85 pages) but so much is said in so few pages. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. I will definitely be seeking out more by this author.
This book was provided by Dark Fuse via Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Favorite Books of 2013 .
It's rare for me to be blown away by the outcome of a book. I can honestly say that I am blown away by the ending of Hell's Door. I thought I saw what was coming and I was correct in a sense but the author threw something out there that took me so much by surprise that I had to go back and read the last ten or so pages to make sure I read it correctly. If you are going to read this, avoid all reviews with spoilers. You'll be glad you did.
A sadistic killer is killing women in a sick and twisted way. Body parts are removed while the victims are still alive and horrific things are done to the women up until the killer finally gives them what they are at that point begging for - death. Detectives John Demmings and his partner Lacey Powers go undercover to try to find the killer as victims are piling up at an alarming rate. The bodies are all found without heads and with very little evidence left behind. The killer takes detailed notes of all of his/her killings, taunting the investigators by leaving the notebooks behind.
The prime suspect in the case is a female pimp named Ramsay Wolfe. Ramsay owns a dark nightclub called Hell's Door where sexual deviants are the norm. Both John and Lacey are convinced that Ramsay is the killer but no matter how hard they try, they can not find the evidence. Going undercover as a couple, John and Lacey frequent Hell's Door in hopes of snagging Ramsay and finally bringing the serial killer to justice. Lacey immediately catches Ramsay's eye and the detectives know that it's only a matter of time before they have the evidence they need to take her down.
There is not much I can say about this book without giving too much away. Suffice it to say that the story is twisted. The reader goes into the mind of the killer and what is there is terrifying and sick. The reasoning behind the killings is explained, though it is warped beyond measure. The killings are brutally graphic and the author pulls no punches with laying it all out for the reader to see.
Overall, an outstanding book. It's relatively short (at around 85 pages) but so much is said in so few pages. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. I will definitely be seeking out more by this author.
This book was provided by Dark Fuse via Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Favorite Books of 2013 .
January 5, 2014
Authors have hits and misses when it comes to their works (let’s face it, everyone is human) – although to some extent what defines a hit or a miss is often highly correlated with the preferences and tastes of the reader. I am a huge fan of Sandy DeLuca’s horror stories (her recent title Messages from the Dead was a great read). However, I’m sorry to say that her most recent DarkFuse title, Hell’s Door, is a bit of a miss, although sections of the book are creepy as hell.
The plot involves two homicide detectives on the trail of a serial killer who specializes in eating and decapitating his victims – who are all prostitutes. The killer, who goes by Gabriel, makes you squirm. He is a devious creation and his inner dialogue is chilling – both when he is recounting his near and distant past and explaining his current actions. Ms. Deluca does a great job illustrating how the identity of the killer changes with each murder. The creep literally adopts the characteristics and behavioral quirks of the victims. When Gabriel is talking about his “passions”, the story is quite gripping.
I was not enamored with the detectives however. There interactions, emotions, and dialogue rang false. They weren’t believable as characters or even detectives. In fact, the police procedural aspects of the story did not make sense. I am no detective, but after years of watching Law and Order SVU, Criminal Minds, and CSI-NY, I was scratching my head as to why these two were doing what they were doing. I realize that my use of TV police shows as a frame of reference for fictional accuracy is questionable at best. Still, the investigative activities were a little on the lame side.
Finally, while I was commenting positively on the characterization of Gabriel, the descriptions of decapitated heads and vicious murders of women left me a little queasy. Here is where reader preferences come in, I suppose. I like my horror to be more oriented towards the supernatural and less focused on the reliance of gore and violence. For those who love the latter, this could be your cup of tea. All in all, about 3 stars.
The plot involves two homicide detectives on the trail of a serial killer who specializes in eating and decapitating his victims – who are all prostitutes. The killer, who goes by Gabriel, makes you squirm. He is a devious creation and his inner dialogue is chilling – both when he is recounting his near and distant past and explaining his current actions. Ms. Deluca does a great job illustrating how the identity of the killer changes with each murder. The creep literally adopts the characteristics and behavioral quirks of the victims. When Gabriel is talking about his “passions”, the story is quite gripping.
I was not enamored with the detectives however. There interactions, emotions, and dialogue rang false. They weren’t believable as characters or even detectives. In fact, the police procedural aspects of the story did not make sense. I am no detective, but after years of watching Law and Order SVU, Criminal Minds, and CSI-NY, I was scratching my head as to why these two were doing what they were doing. I realize that my use of TV police shows as a frame of reference for fictional accuracy is questionable at best. Still, the investigative activities were a little on the lame side.
Finally, while I was commenting positively on the characterization of Gabriel, the descriptions of decapitated heads and vicious murders of women left me a little queasy. Here is where reader preferences come in, I suppose. I like my horror to be more oriented towards the supernatural and less focused on the reliance of gore and violence. For those who love the latter, this could be your cup of tea. All in all, about 3 stars.
April 10, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Hell’s Door is my kind of book. It’s a twisted mix of Hannibal (think the TV series – I find that even more twisted than the movies) and the worst episode of Criminal Minds or Bones you can think of. That’s a good description of what Hell’s Door is all about.
Detective Lacy Powers and her partner, John Demmings, are chasing a sadistic killer who goes above and beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations. The two of them go undercover in a perverse subculture, and a nightclub called Hells Door, where they meet their prime suspect, Ramsay Wolfe. However, Ramsay may not be the only one doing the killings, and may not even be the real killer. Evidence is scarce, and Lacy and John have to go to their limits and beyond to catch this killer.
Lacy and John are typical detectives – overworked, stressed, barely any time for a life outside the force, haunted by images of the victims, suppressed by guilt for not catching the culprit sooner. John’s marriage is failing, as is typical for detectives, at least so it seems if I have to believe TV and books. Lacy is married to work, obsessed with it, even. There’s underlying sexual tension between the two of them that would be pointless to deny.
But that aside, the characters don’t really matter. At least, neither of them matters as much as the serial killer who we often see glimpses of while he/she (but for the sake of this review, I’ll call the killer a ‘he’) does his sadistic work. Some of the scenes are gruesome, others are chilling, and they’re all sadistic, disturbing, and unsettling. The killer is truly a disturbed individual, but when we see glimpses of his behavior, we slowly uncover glimpses of his psyche as well, of his past, of what made him become this sadist.
This book definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, but I loved it. It was scary, terrifying, and extremely intriguing. For anyone who loves TV series like Hannibal and Criminal Minds, and who doesn’t mind if things put another step further, this book is an absolute must.
Hell’s Door is my kind of book. It’s a twisted mix of Hannibal (think the TV series – I find that even more twisted than the movies) and the worst episode of Criminal Minds or Bones you can think of. That’s a good description of what Hell’s Door is all about.
Detective Lacy Powers and her partner, John Demmings, are chasing a sadistic killer who goes above and beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations. The two of them go undercover in a perverse subculture, and a nightclub called Hells Door, where they meet their prime suspect, Ramsay Wolfe. However, Ramsay may not be the only one doing the killings, and may not even be the real killer. Evidence is scarce, and Lacy and John have to go to their limits and beyond to catch this killer.
Lacy and John are typical detectives – overworked, stressed, barely any time for a life outside the force, haunted by images of the victims, suppressed by guilt for not catching the culprit sooner. John’s marriage is failing, as is typical for detectives, at least so it seems if I have to believe TV and books. Lacy is married to work, obsessed with it, even. There’s underlying sexual tension between the two of them that would be pointless to deny.
But that aside, the characters don’t really matter. At least, neither of them matters as much as the serial killer who we often see glimpses of while he/she (but for the sake of this review, I’ll call the killer a ‘he’) does his sadistic work. Some of the scenes are gruesome, others are chilling, and they’re all sadistic, disturbing, and unsettling. The killer is truly a disturbed individual, but when we see glimpses of his behavior, we slowly uncover glimpses of his psyche as well, of his past, of what made him become this sadist.
This book definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, but I loved it. It was scary, terrifying, and extremely intriguing. For anyone who loves TV series like Hannibal and Criminal Minds, and who doesn’t mind if things put another step further, this book is an absolute must.
October 25, 2013
Another great novella from Darkfuse. I find myself stopping whatever I am reading to read these on the day they are released.
Hells' Door is a dark and horrific painting in a noir frame. DeLuca is a writer and a painter--or a painter who writes? Actually after having read a few of her works, I think there can be no separating the two facets of her talent. She has a painter's eye for detail, color, setting, and composition. Her stories feel complete, organic, and natural. And dark. So very dark. You may find yourself turning away from the pages a few times; but there is beauty on the bloody canvas.
A story of a race against time to capture a horrific murderer before they strike again. Tense. Riveting. Set in and around a steamy club that caters to its client's darkest desires, which in many ways reflects the internal conflict of the detectives investigating the case. How deep can you go into the netherworld of vice and depravity and remain unchanged? Hell's Door is a great detective story, a character study in madness, a horror thriller, and a great work of dark fiction.
Highly recommended.
Hells' Door is a dark and horrific painting in a noir frame. DeLuca is a writer and a painter--or a painter who writes? Actually after having read a few of her works, I think there can be no separating the two facets of her talent. She has a painter's eye for detail, color, setting, and composition. Her stories feel complete, organic, and natural. And dark. So very dark. You may find yourself turning away from the pages a few times; but there is beauty on the bloody canvas.
A story of a race against time to capture a horrific murderer before they strike again. Tense. Riveting. Set in and around a steamy club that caters to its client's darkest desires, which in many ways reflects the internal conflict of the detectives investigating the case. How deep can you go into the netherworld of vice and depravity and remain unchanged? Hell's Door is a great detective story, a character study in madness, a horror thriller, and a great work of dark fiction.
Highly recommended.
January 11, 2014
This is the story of Lacey and John. They are police partners tasked with the capture of a killer indiscriminately killing prostitutes, beheading and mutilating the bodies, and calling himself Gabriel. Lacey and John think it is local female pimp Ramsay, who owns the Hell's Door nightclub, a den of sheer depravity. Unknown to them though, there is far more to this case than initially thought...
This was a fast paced, smack you in the mouth serial killer thriller. I was onto a winner straight away as it is in my favourite genre. I read it in two sitting as it sucked me in totally. The characters were so easy to warm to, and I felt for John when his backstory was revealed. The twist at the end was as shocking as it was unexpected. This is the 2nd book I have read from this author, and I shall be on the lookout for more.
This was a fast paced, smack you in the mouth serial killer thriller. I was onto a winner straight away as it is in my favourite genre. I read it in two sitting as it sucked me in totally. The characters were so easy to warm to, and I felt for John when his backstory was revealed. The twist at the end was as shocking as it was unexpected. This is the 2nd book I have read from this author, and I shall be on the lookout for more.
October 10, 2013
A short and fast read from Sandy DeLuca. I don’t know why this one didn’t completely gel for me. I thought the story line was ok, but there was too much left unsaid to get fully developed. I think this one could have been better served in a longer format to explore the characters deeper. I am a big fan of Sandy's work, but sadly this was not my cup of tea. 2.5*
July 30, 2014
Detectives Lacey and John pair up to find a killer that viciously kills victims and takes their heads. Their search takes them to the bar Hell's Door which has just about every kind of perversion someone could want and then some going on inside. The longer their investigation takes, the more the bodies pile up...
This is my first read by Sandy DeLuca and it was a good one. The story was fast paced, kept my attention and left me saying, "wow" at the end.
This is my first read by Sandy DeLuca and it was a good one. The story was fast paced, kept my attention and left me saying, "wow" at the end.
September 12, 2013
Sandy DeLuca is one of the best horror writers today.
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/hell-s... and follow me on Twitter @josenher.
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/hell-s... and follow me on Twitter @josenher.
September 3, 2022
If you've ever watched one of those really twisted episodes of Criminal Minds and wondered what an extended, uncensored, feature film version might look like, then this is the book for you.
If you've ever enjoyed Silence of the Lambs and came away from either the book or the movie wishing it had been less about Hannibal Lector, and more about Buffalo Bill, then this is the book for you.
If you've ever found that you actually prefer the original book over the movie version of Psycho, precisely because it dragged you deeper inside Norman Bates' psychosis, then this is the book for you.
Just don't expect a happy ending.
Hell's Door may very well be the best, the darkest, and the most perverse serial killer tale or police procedural that I have read in a very long time. What Sandy DeLuca has crafted here is a short novella that works exceedingly well in both genres, taking the first to extremes, while nicely subverting the second, and tying them both together with a twist that I honestly never saw coming.
Let's start with the second of the two - the police procedural. On the surface, this is the most straightforward (almost clichéd) element of the story. Detectives Lacy Powers and John Demmings are tired, jaded, overworked, and overwhelmed by their dogged pursuit of one of the worst serial killers in history. There's the obligatory will-they-won't-they sexual tension between them, with John coming off a failed marriage, and Lacy seemingly married to her job. There's also standard narrative isolation that suggests, no matter how big the case, they're really the only cops in town on the job.
Behind all that, however, there's a whole other layer that DeLuca has deftly subverted. She takes the cliché of the maverick cops who know better than everyone else, who don't need to inconvenience themselves with evidence to solve a case, and almost gleefully demonstrates how wrong they are. We know from the start that they're harassing the wrong suspect, and we're increasingly aware of the fact that more innocent women are dying because of their shared obsession. She also strips both characters to the bone, revealing them to be something other than we'd expect, particularly in the way Lacy presented seems to enjoys the inappropriate attention of their suspect, the devil-worshiping dominatrix, Ramsay Wolfe.
Now, as for the second of the two - the serial killer tale - DeLuca pushes that to the limits and rides the razor's edge of almost-too-extreme. She puts us right inside the mind of her killer, exposing us to thoughts, feeling, fears, and fantasies that are clearly the product of a deeply disturbed mind. Whether it's rape with a broken chair leg, removing a victim's skin, or cutting off heads with a knife, she doesn't hesitate to describe the ugliest details, but she's careful not to sadistically glorify the acts. It's very clear what's being done to the women of Providence, but the focus is clearly on the killer's justification for suffering, not on the suffering itself.
As for the serial killer in question, to say too much would be to spoil the slow reveal of the story, as well as the final twist. There is absolutely a little Buffalo Bill and Norman Bates in our killer, but not necessarily in the ways you would expect. We get glimpses of history, of past events, that help to illuminate the killer's motives and methods, but DeLuca wisely steers clear of revealing too much, or of trying to transform her monster into a sympathetic victim. One thing I will say, however, is that no matter how creepy or unsettling you find the killer to be while reading, nothing can compare to what you'll think after the final twist.
It takes a brave - or possibly troubled - reader to step confidently through Hell's Door, but you won't be disappointed by what you find on the other side. This was a stellar tale, entirely suitable to being read in a single sitting, but I suggest breaking it up over a couple of days, just to give your mind time to process what's going on. Trust me, it's worth it.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
If you've ever enjoyed Silence of the Lambs and came away from either the book or the movie wishing it had been less about Hannibal Lector, and more about Buffalo Bill, then this is the book for you.
If you've ever found that you actually prefer the original book over the movie version of Psycho, precisely because it dragged you deeper inside Norman Bates' psychosis, then this is the book for you.
Just don't expect a happy ending.
Hell's Door may very well be the best, the darkest, and the most perverse serial killer tale or police procedural that I have read in a very long time. What Sandy DeLuca has crafted here is a short novella that works exceedingly well in both genres, taking the first to extremes, while nicely subverting the second, and tying them both together with a twist that I honestly never saw coming.
Let's start with the second of the two - the police procedural. On the surface, this is the most straightforward (almost clichéd) element of the story. Detectives Lacy Powers and John Demmings are tired, jaded, overworked, and overwhelmed by their dogged pursuit of one of the worst serial killers in history. There's the obligatory will-they-won't-they sexual tension between them, with John coming off a failed marriage, and Lacy seemingly married to her job. There's also standard narrative isolation that suggests, no matter how big the case, they're really the only cops in town on the job.
Behind all that, however, there's a whole other layer that DeLuca has deftly subverted. She takes the cliché of the maverick cops who know better than everyone else, who don't need to inconvenience themselves with evidence to solve a case, and almost gleefully demonstrates how wrong they are. We know from the start that they're harassing the wrong suspect, and we're increasingly aware of the fact that more innocent women are dying because of their shared obsession. She also strips both characters to the bone, revealing them to be something other than we'd expect, particularly in the way Lacy presented seems to enjoys the inappropriate attention of their suspect, the devil-worshiping dominatrix, Ramsay Wolfe.
Now, as for the second of the two - the serial killer tale - DeLuca pushes that to the limits and rides the razor's edge of almost-too-extreme. She puts us right inside the mind of her killer, exposing us to thoughts, feeling, fears, and fantasies that are clearly the product of a deeply disturbed mind. Whether it's rape with a broken chair leg, removing a victim's skin, or cutting off heads with a knife, she doesn't hesitate to describe the ugliest details, but she's careful not to sadistically glorify the acts. It's very clear what's being done to the women of Providence, but the focus is clearly on the killer's justification for suffering, not on the suffering itself.
As for the serial killer in question, to say too much would be to spoil the slow reveal of the story, as well as the final twist. There is absolutely a little Buffalo Bill and Norman Bates in our killer, but not necessarily in the ways you would expect. We get glimpses of history, of past events, that help to illuminate the killer's motives and methods, but DeLuca wisely steers clear of revealing too much, or of trying to transform her monster into a sympathetic victim. One thing I will say, however, is that no matter how creepy or unsettling you find the killer to be while reading, nothing can compare to what you'll think after the final twist.
It takes a brave - or possibly troubled - reader to step confidently through Hell's Door, but you won't be disappointed by what you find on the other side. This was a stellar tale, entirely suitable to being read in a single sitting, but I suggest breaking it up over a couple of days, just to give your mind time to process what's going on. Trust me, it's worth it.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
February 16, 2019
This book raised one big question that I always have a hard time answering: when exactly should I give up on a book and just put it down unfinished? I hate giving up on a book but at the same time, if I'm not enjoying the journey, then what's the point? In this case, I did finish the book.
Detective Lacey Powers and John Demmings are partners in Providence. Their current case is to find the sadistic killer roaming the streets and leaving bodies scattered across the city. The top suspect is Ramsay Wolfe, the owner of a nightclub named Hell's Door. The detectives do their best to catch Ramsay in the act but the body count increases until the very end.
One of the problems that I had was that I never connected: with the characters, the story, or the book. It felt very disconnected and disjointed. Nice visuals but not a smooth story. Then the logic made no sense. The detectives had a suspect (Ramsay) but no evidence to make her a suspect. When the detectives found some witnesses who put Ramsay close to the scene of the deaths, they say not enough evidence. No bringing her in for questioning. Just "we have to catch her in the act." To accomplish this, Lacey and John go undercover in the Hell's Door nightclub; a club that has women stripping, hookers turning tricks, blatant and public sex, bikers, drag queens, bored housewives looking for some adventures, and more. I'm not saying I've been all over but no club that I've been has had that much of a mix. Anyway, the detectives personally witness enough sex crimes to consider telling Vice officers but "not until we finish with Ramsay first." Really? Why not arrest Ramsay for the sex crimes and then use the warrants to search for clues to the killings? Those were top-of-head. Other incoherent moments include all the major characters wanted to have sex with Lacey Powers, clues that should be handed over immediately are delayed before passing to Lacey, while other detectives know of the serial killer only Lacey and John are trying to find the killer. At the end of the book, DeLuca has a short bio and mentions that she has written and published some poetry books. This helped explain the book a bit since it did paint pretty images. But as a story that flowed, it failed in my mind.
Detective Lacey Powers and John Demmings are partners in Providence. Their current case is to find the sadistic killer roaming the streets and leaving bodies scattered across the city. The top suspect is Ramsay Wolfe, the owner of a nightclub named Hell's Door. The detectives do their best to catch Ramsay in the act but the body count increases until the very end.
One of the problems that I had was that I never connected: with the characters, the story, or the book. It felt very disconnected and disjointed. Nice visuals but not a smooth story. Then the logic made no sense. The detectives had a suspect (Ramsay) but no evidence to make her a suspect. When the detectives found some witnesses who put Ramsay close to the scene of the deaths, they say not enough evidence. No bringing her in for questioning. Just "we have to catch her in the act." To accomplish this, Lacey and John go undercover in the Hell's Door nightclub; a club that has women stripping, hookers turning tricks, blatant and public sex, bikers, drag queens, bored housewives looking for some adventures, and more. I'm not saying I've been all over but no club that I've been has had that much of a mix. Anyway, the detectives personally witness enough sex crimes to consider telling Vice officers but "not until we finish with Ramsay first." Really? Why not arrest Ramsay for the sex crimes and then use the warrants to search for clues to the killings? Those were top-of-head. Other incoherent moments include all the major characters wanted to have sex with Lacey Powers, clues that should be handed over immediately are delayed before passing to Lacey, while other detectives know of the serial killer only Lacey and John are trying to find the killer. At the end of the book, DeLuca has a short bio and mentions that she has written and published some poetry books. This helped explain the book a bit since it did paint pretty images. But as a story that flowed, it failed in my mind.
March 14, 2017
Engaging and creepy. While I loved the authors writing style, I had a bit of trouble getting into it, but after the first chapter, the story and characters heated up, and I couldn't put this book down. The ending was unexpected, but I love a surprise twist, especially when I'm reading horror. I'll definitely read more by Sandy DeLuca.
March 4, 2014
A serial killer is stalking Providence, killing mostly prostitutes. Detectives Lacey Powers and John Demmings have a pretty good idea who's responsible, but lack evidence to make an arrest. They go undercover to keep a close eye on the proprietor of Hell's Door, Ramsey Wolfe, a notorious pimp who rules her territory with an iron fist.
DeLuca does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing at the truth right to the final pages with an ending I never saw coming.
The mood of the book is dark, the horror is palpable, and the trips inside the killer's mind are nothing short of brilliant.
"Hello Detectives,
I admire the work you do. We all have jobs to do...some more unpleasant than others.
There are so many of you in this city and I've always wondered just who is looking for me. I imagine what you might look like, and what you might think of my work.
I left something special for you, because I knew you'd come. How many times have you asked yourself why I do what I do?
Please understand that I am a savior, taking away pain and loneliness, cutting off all paths to self-destruction. I am good, so much like you, but you can't see it now. And their blood, their flesh--remnants of all those girls...the souls of the ones I become...give me the strength to go on...to save others.
So, see you around, I've got killing to do. I have several names, but for now I am...
--Azrael
Well-written, dark, yet at times lyrical, Hell's Door slowly builds to a crescendo with a climax I dare you to see coming.
Hell' s Door is published by Darkfuse and is available now at Amazon.com. And, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for free through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.
This is horror at its finest. Highly recommended
DeLuca does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing at the truth right to the final pages with an ending I never saw coming.
The mood of the book is dark, the horror is palpable, and the trips inside the killer's mind are nothing short of brilliant.
"Hello Detectives,
I admire the work you do. We all have jobs to do...some more unpleasant than others.
There are so many of you in this city and I've always wondered just who is looking for me. I imagine what you might look like, and what you might think of my work.
I left something special for you, because I knew you'd come. How many times have you asked yourself why I do what I do?
Please understand that I am a savior, taking away pain and loneliness, cutting off all paths to self-destruction. I am good, so much like you, but you can't see it now. And their blood, their flesh--remnants of all those girls...the souls of the ones I become...give me the strength to go on...to save others.
So, see you around, I've got killing to do. I have several names, but for now I am...
--Azrael
Well-written, dark, yet at times lyrical, Hell's Door slowly builds to a crescendo with a climax I dare you to see coming.
Hell' s Door is published by Darkfuse and is available now at Amazon.com. And, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for free through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.
This is horror at its finest. Highly recommended
February 6, 2016
Hell's Door is a fun read, a fast read with an eclectic mix of characters that adds colour and character to a serial killer investigation. A series of of gruesome murders is occurring in Providence Rhode Island. All evidence points to Ramsay Wolfe the flamboyant owner of the Hell's Door members club. In charge of the investigation are Detective Lacey Powers and her partner John Demmings who go undercover at Hell's Door in an attempt to procure evidence against Ramsay and ultimately unmask her as the serial killer. As the story unfolds we are made aware that Detective John Demmings has insurmountable marriage difficulties resulting from the unexpected death of his daughter. In contrast Lacey Powers is a free spirit with a complicated work record and seems somewhat devoid of personal relationships. A private tragedy befalls Demmings, and Powers troubled past is explained and shown in a most unexpected manner. The ending when it occurs, and the unmasking of the killer, draws all elements of the story to a very satisfactory conclusion proving once again that the novella in the hands of a good author makes for a fun and highly readable form of entertainment.
February 13, 2014
Read my full review: http://bit.ly/1bsF7Xp
My opinion: Good lord, Sandy DeLuca is back again and this novella ROCKS! I love me a twisted sister and this book certainly showed that in this author.
Ms. DeLuca writes a story that wows on page one and left me unable to put it down until I finished with it. The characters and settings were so incredibly twisted there were moments I was left with my mouth open. Even those who are the "good guys" such as police detectives, Lacey Powers and John Demmings, come with their own set of issues.
My husband ended up taking over my Nook and loved this book as well. He loved how dark Ms. DeLuca went and I concur.
A serious heads up: THIS BOOK IS GRAPHIC AND GORY. If you don't like this type of book, you more than likely will have a hard time with it.
My opinion: Good lord, Sandy DeLuca is back again and this novella ROCKS! I love me a twisted sister and this book certainly showed that in this author.
Ms. DeLuca writes a story that wows on page one and left me unable to put it down until I finished with it. The characters and settings were so incredibly twisted there were moments I was left with my mouth open. Even those who are the "good guys" such as police detectives, Lacey Powers and John Demmings, come with their own set of issues.
My husband ended up taking over my Nook and loved this book as well. He loved how dark Ms. DeLuca went and I concur.
A serious heads up: THIS BOOK IS GRAPHIC AND GORY. If you don't like this type of book, you more than likely will have a hard time with it.
October 17, 2013
I hate to be nit-picky but this novella had some problems.
The plot at times was unbelievable, the characterization was sketchy and one-dimensional, and the police procedural part of this read was really inaccurate.
And I really disliked each chapter ending with an over-wrought sentence. One such example:
"And they went together, in pursuit of someone without remorse - someone who killed without warning ... So close - too close . . . in a darkened tempest."
Yeah, every chapter ends in a similar manner.
The good - some very creepy moments, some sexy time thrown in, and a completely whack villain.
The great - worth a whole star -- a fantastic ending!
The plot at times was unbelievable, the characterization was sketchy and one-dimensional, and the police procedural part of this read was really inaccurate.
And I really disliked each chapter ending with an over-wrought sentence. One such example:
"And they went together, in pursuit of someone without remorse - someone who killed without warning ... So close - too close . . . in a darkened tempest."
Yeah, every chapter ends in a similar manner.
The good - some very creepy moments, some sexy time thrown in, and a completely whack villain.
The great - worth a whole star -- a fantastic ending!
October 17, 2013
I'm giving Hell's Door three stars because I liked it; however, you may like it more than I did. See, while I'm a fan of Sandy DeLuca, I really don't care much for cop stories. Hell's Door does offer up some nice, disturbing imagery and a surprise twist ending. If you enjoy all types of horror or crime, and most specifically cop tales, then Hell's Door should be right up your dark alley.
November 10, 2013
Excellent story featuring detectives on the trail of a cannibalistic serial killer. Interesting characters and plot. Sandy's fiction rocks. Highly recommended.
December 13, 2013
Nothing special really , every chapter is kind of the same . Mystery was bland and the ending was very predictable and unsatisfying . Also the dialogues were very artificial and unnatural .
February 13, 2014
Loaded with gratuitous violence. Written well enough to keep me interested in spite of a repetitive plot line. Won't read any more horror. Period.
October 25, 2015
Great novella, had me guessing until the end, quick read.
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