The Slingerman

by Aaron Gudmunson

Summer, 1941. Murdoch, Illinois, in the Corn Belt of Ashford County. With the nation on the verge of a second World War, a young man finds work at the house of the wealthiest family in town. Harold Albright has a simple keep quiet and do as he's told. This decree comes from Alice Tandy, the no-nonsense head of the housekeeping staff. The homeowners, Donald and Hannah Brenton, are urban transplants seeking a quieter lifestyle, who keep their business mysteriously concealed. They are also the proud parents of two Sally, who has recently married, and Lily, who supposedly took ill after the wedding, and has been quarantined to the attic.


When word spreads that three bodies have been found mutilated, Donald offers to help authorities seek the killer. He coaxes Harold into assisting and winds up leading the naive young man and the dutiful Alice into a labyrinth of deceit, madness, and murder. Lingering in the periphery is the shadowy figure of a local legend commonly known as the Slingerman, who some believe is behind the heinous crimes. Harold, who has heard stories of the creature since his cradle days, has his doubts until the ominous figure begins manifesting itself to him. But is a ghoul from beyond the grave truly to blame or could the truth be grounded in a more tangible reality—and one much closer to home?

ebook

Published May 7, 2018

About the author

Aaron Gudmunson lives and writes in the Chicagoland area. His work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. He is the author of the novels Snow Globe, The Slingerman, Farmland, and Emma Tremendous and the collection From the Dusklands. His latest novel, When at Last I Find You, is now available. Follow him on Twitter @ADGudmun.

Reviews

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the life of a young man leading up to World War II. The twist and turns his life takes and he starts out as a nieve god fearing man who cannot even shot a gun. Narrator does a good job with the characters and Storyline.

[Stacey Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review*

I've been a fan of Aaron Gudmunson's writing ever since I read his first novel Snow Globe. Like that novel, The Slingerman keeps the tension tight throughout the work. These are not books you want to read on your own, at night, home alone. Aaron's work not only explores the threat of the supernatural, but exposes the evil men harbor in their hearts and far too often, commit against one another. His characters are well thought out and clearly drawn. You feel as though you know them by the end, and consider a few as friends. His small town settings resonate with honesty and realism, they may be like a hundred other towns you've driven through or even lived in, which makes what happens there all the more frightening. If it could happen to these people, it could happen to us. Highly recommend this book!

[Ara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, fantastic read in which the author expands on the universe he established in his first novel. If anything, it could have been expanded further. I didn't want it to end! And while I'm not typically a fan of historical fiction, the material here is presented in a clear and straightforward fashion that draws the reader in completely. I wasn't 100% sold on the villain here, at least in terms of feeling fear from him (it?) but the main characters *are* and that's what matters. A worthy read.

[Krista Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I’ve read it twice now. I am not great with horror or gore, but I do like to be scared. This had the scare I prefer, the thing around the corner or under the bed. The author has a way with setting the scene, developing the characters, and twisting what is expected. This book would actually make a great series or movie.

[Samantha Françoise Dark Regions Press Proofreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this literary piece and had the pleasure of working on it with Crossroads Press. A must read!

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great narration from Lou Del Bianco, who brings the suspense, action and drama to your ears.

Harold is having a easy life. Enjoying the peace and quiet. He works for a wealthy family in there house. Doing what he is asked by the housekeep Alice.
The new house owners Donald and Hannah Brenton. Who want just to keep their business quiet. One daughter Sally married and the other daughter Lily, is quarantined in the attic due a illness that happened after the wedding of her sister.
Donald helps the authorities when three mutilated bodies are found. Donald askes Harold and Alice into helping. Soon all are pulled into a world of deceit and murder. The man who is supposed to be the murder is the Slingerman. The man Harold, has heard stories since his young days. Is the murder the man from the grave or someone still breathing.

Suspense, triller and drama.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and edge of the seat story. Great character development, very well written. Mystery and murder surround the family for whom Harold works, mysterious goings on and secret passages abound in this great listen. Lou Del Bianco nails the narration with his dramatic presentation. Highly Recommended.