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Fear the Reaper
A psychologist unearths America’s darkest secret through the terrors of an asylum in 1933 Virginia, where the elite aim to eliminate millions of "unfit" citizens.
The truths that have been erased from history come to life in this thriller about the nation's ugly and forgotten chapter.
Still haunted by the death of this wife and son during childbirth, psychologist and WWI vet Samuel Taylor accepts a position at Western Valley Hospital. Superintendent Joseph Dejarnette leads the movement to purify humanity by exterminating anyone the Society, led by the kings of industry, deemed to be "defective" or "unfit". Sam discovers that his testing often condemns patients simply for being less than the new "American" ideal, yet he learns he cannot quit his job. Dejarnette desires Sam to be his right hand at the asylum but warns him that Sam’s deaf brother and new immigrant girlfriend have already been labeled as unfit by the new masterminds of eugenics.
Sam begins to question his sanity as the mysteries of the area emerge from the shadows, compelling him to dig deeper into the horrors of the movement, realizing how complicit he is in the deaths around him. Experiments beyond his worst nightmares occur daily, as citizens from neighboring towns begin disappearing at a frightening rate. Sam devises a bold plan to escape and unleash the truth, but learns that Dejarnette’s tendrils reach into every major American city. The proof he ultimately uncovers may doom everyone he holds close while influencing the world's most heinous act in history.
***
"A riveting imagined world so real you wonder if it was imagined. And, guess what, it wasn’t. It’s based on a true story — one that will scare the crap out of you." - Steve Berry, New York Times and Internationally Bestselling Author
"Fascinating, frightening, thrilling, and thought-provoking. Filled with rich characters and stark history, this novel will reel you in - and keep you hooked. A truly unique story - a very special book." - Heather Graham, New York Times Best-selling Author
The truths that have been erased from history come to life in this thriller about the nation's ugly and forgotten chapter.
Still haunted by the death of this wife and son during childbirth, psychologist and WWI vet Samuel Taylor accepts a position at Western Valley Hospital. Superintendent Joseph Dejarnette leads the movement to purify humanity by exterminating anyone the Society, led by the kings of industry, deemed to be "defective" or "unfit". Sam discovers that his testing often condemns patients simply for being less than the new "American" ideal, yet he learns he cannot quit his job. Dejarnette desires Sam to be his right hand at the asylum but warns him that Sam’s deaf brother and new immigrant girlfriend have already been labeled as unfit by the new masterminds of eugenics.
Sam begins to question his sanity as the mysteries of the area emerge from the shadows, compelling him to dig deeper into the horrors of the movement, realizing how complicit he is in the deaths around him. Experiments beyond his worst nightmares occur daily, as citizens from neighboring towns begin disappearing at a frightening rate. Sam devises a bold plan to escape and unleash the truth, but learns that Dejarnette’s tendrils reach into every major American city. The proof he ultimately uncovers may doom everyone he holds close while influencing the world's most heinous act in history.
***
"A riveting imagined world so real you wonder if it was imagined. And, guess what, it wasn’t. It’s based on a true story — one that will scare the crap out of you." - Steve Berry, New York Times and Internationally Bestselling Author
"Fascinating, frightening, thrilling, and thought-provoking. Filled with rich characters and stark history, this novel will reel you in - and keep you hooked. A truly unique story - a very special book." - Heather Graham, New York Times Best-selling Author
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2018
21 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 19, 2019
I bought the book following an author talk in Staunton, where Western State Hospital still stands on a partially refurbished campus. I had heard that the eugenics movement that inspired Hitler's extermination in Europe began in the U.S., but wasn't aware that it had been bankrolled by the Carnegie & Rockefeller fortunes. I didn't expect a literary masterpiece, but it was painful to read. The main character was not likeable or believable, and the supernatural element didn't work at all, nor did the "romance" (cringe-worthy sex scenes.)
The book really needed a scrupulous editor, as the storyline held promise, the only reason I kept reading. I will check out the resources included in the Afterward.
The book really needed a scrupulous editor, as the storyline held promise, the only reason I kept reading. I will check out the resources included in the Afterward.
May 22, 2019
This is an excellent read, and scary as hell, especially since about 90% of it is based on real history! Blew me away at the end, but I will not give any reveals. You MUST read this; find out the truth about the U.S. and it's dirty dealings from long ago, which I'm certain are still festering like cancerous tumors today. I worked in the mental health field for some years, and it is not all healing and happy thoughts, maybe not as horrific as in this book, at least not on the surface.
The setting details in this book of the valley town and the mountains all around are descriptively beautiful, juxtaposed with the grim horrors of the asylum and what's going on in the shadows of the town--great work! And the characters are all very distinct from one another, all with voices of their own. This is an example of some really great writing. Get your copy today. You won't be disappointed.
The setting details in this book of the valley town and the mountains all around are descriptively beautiful, juxtaposed with the grim horrors of the asylum and what's going on in the shadows of the town--great work! And the characters are all very distinct from one another, all with voices of their own. This is an example of some really great writing. Get your copy today. You won't be disappointed.
March 18, 2023
As a Staunton local this was fun to read, and of course the true history of Western State is terrifying. But man, this book is something else. At least the terrible writing is consistent. There’s a metaphor in almost every sentence, unexplained and constant italicized sections (kind of when people are having ~thoughts~, but not consistently), and really big dropped plot points (sometimes the deaf/mute brother can hear things like knocking and the sound of a man being thrown into an underground river but sometimes he can’t hear things? And also sometimes he can speak because when he’s scared his “voice” sounded rattled? And also sometimes he’s adopted but sometimes they’re half brothers?). There’s misplaced, unsupported, and sometimes just wrong sports history. Also then used as metaphor. Some threads are never fully explained (is the blue ice boy dead or not? did Sam read the Hitler correspondence or not? did Ruby go to Mary Baldwin College or not?). There’s ghost sex three times in the first 30 pages. The valley is described as a bosom/boobs at least five times. What’s with the Belsnickels!!? Sam seems confused that they help get him to the train but they’re the ones who (with no explanation?!!!?!!) got inside Western State to release him for the torture box? Why couldn’t they get in to save Rowe? Why is there a weird fetishization of “mountain people?” “I hear their kind exist all the way to PA?!”
There’s just A LOT happening here. A strong editor could have done so much to help this book. It was easy to read and fun and I’ll totally recommend it to other locals but it’s not good.
There’s just A LOT happening here. A strong editor could have done so much to help this book. It was easy to read and fun and I’ll totally recommend it to other locals but it’s not good.
October 3, 2024
I just want to start by saying that.. there should really be a ZERO star review.
Oh, Fear the Reaper by David Simms. Where do I even begin with this disaster? Maybe with the fact that this book should come with a warning label: *Proceed with Caution – May Cause Extreme Boredom and Frustration*. Simms has managed to produce one of the most tedious, lifeless excuses for a thriller in recent memory. If you're looking for suspense, compelling characters, or any semblance of an engaging plot, let me save you the trouble: they're all conspicuously absent.
Let’s start with the story itself, which moves slower than a dial-up internet connection from the ‘90s. The premise promises an eerie ride through a mental asylum in the 1940s, but what you actually get is a plodding, unfocused mess that doesn’t know if it wants to be historical fiction, horror, or a bad melodrama. The pacing is horrendous; it feels like Simms took the long, meandering road to nowhere just to torture his readers. By the time you slog your way through the first few chapters, you’ll wonder if you've been subjected to some form of literary waterboarding.
And the characters? Don’t get me started. They’re flatter than the paper they’re printed on. We’re supposed to care about the protagonist, but he’s so underdeveloped and cliché that you’ll make absolutely no connection towards him. The supporting cast is equally uninspired—cookie-cutter stock characters that could have been plucked from any bad horror movie from the ‘80s. The "romance" was hardly thought out and left me wondering why I had to read something so unnecessary and scrappily written. There’s zero depth, zero intrigue, and frankly, zero reason to care about any of them. Every dialogue exchange feels like it was ripped from a rejected soap opera script.
Now, let’s talk about the writing. Simms appears to be under the delusion that he’s crafting deep, poetic prose, but it reads more like a high school creative writing project gone wrong. His attempts at atmospheric descriptions fall flat, leaving you with bland settings that evoke about as much emotion as an IKEA catalog. The book is littered with clunky sentences that trip over themselves in an effort to sound profound but end up sounding like a pretentious thesaurus explosion.
As for the horror elements, if you think this book is going to keep you up at night, think again. The scariest thing about Fear the Reaper is how much time you’ll waste reading it. Simms throws in some half-hearted attempts at creepy scenes, but none of them land. The tension is non-existent, and any attempt at building suspense fizzles out before it even begins. It’s like watching a magician who forgets how to do the trick halfway through and just shrugs.
Even the historical backdrop, which could have added some much-needed intrigue, is handled with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The setting is a wasted opportunity—Simms somehow manages to make the 1940s and a psychiatric hospital seem dull, which is an achievement in itself. Historical accuracy? You won’t find much of that here. It feels like Simms skimmed a Wikipedia article on the time period and Eugenics then called it a day.
To top it all off, the book drags on for far too long. It’s like Simms couldn’t decide where to end the story, so he just kept going...and going...and going. By the time the anticlimactic ending rolls around, you’ll be too checked out to even care. You won’t feel relief, just a vague sense of irritation that you stuck with it this long.
In short, Fear the Reaper is a masterclass in how not to write a thriller. With its laughably bad pacing, shallow characters, uninspired writing, and lackluster horror, this book is an exercise in frustration. Save yourself the headache and fear the reaper of wasted time—because that’s all this book offers.
Oh, Fear the Reaper by David Simms. Where do I even begin with this disaster? Maybe with the fact that this book should come with a warning label: *Proceed with Caution – May Cause Extreme Boredom and Frustration*. Simms has managed to produce one of the most tedious, lifeless excuses for a thriller in recent memory. If you're looking for suspense, compelling characters, or any semblance of an engaging plot, let me save you the trouble: they're all conspicuously absent.
Let’s start with the story itself, which moves slower than a dial-up internet connection from the ‘90s. The premise promises an eerie ride through a mental asylum in the 1940s, but what you actually get is a plodding, unfocused mess that doesn’t know if it wants to be historical fiction, horror, or a bad melodrama. The pacing is horrendous; it feels like Simms took the long, meandering road to nowhere just to torture his readers. By the time you slog your way through the first few chapters, you’ll wonder if you've been subjected to some form of literary waterboarding.
And the characters? Don’t get me started. They’re flatter than the paper they’re printed on. We’re supposed to care about the protagonist, but he’s so underdeveloped and cliché that you’ll make absolutely no connection towards him. The supporting cast is equally uninspired—cookie-cutter stock characters that could have been plucked from any bad horror movie from the ‘80s. The "romance" was hardly thought out and left me wondering why I had to read something so unnecessary and scrappily written. There’s zero depth, zero intrigue, and frankly, zero reason to care about any of them. Every dialogue exchange feels like it was ripped from a rejected soap opera script.
Now, let’s talk about the writing. Simms appears to be under the delusion that he’s crafting deep, poetic prose, but it reads more like a high school creative writing project gone wrong. His attempts at atmospheric descriptions fall flat, leaving you with bland settings that evoke about as much emotion as an IKEA catalog. The book is littered with clunky sentences that trip over themselves in an effort to sound profound but end up sounding like a pretentious thesaurus explosion.
As for the horror elements, if you think this book is going to keep you up at night, think again. The scariest thing about Fear the Reaper is how much time you’ll waste reading it. Simms throws in some half-hearted attempts at creepy scenes, but none of them land. The tension is non-existent, and any attempt at building suspense fizzles out before it even begins. It’s like watching a magician who forgets how to do the trick halfway through and just shrugs.
Even the historical backdrop, which could have added some much-needed intrigue, is handled with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The setting is a wasted opportunity—Simms somehow manages to make the 1940s and a psychiatric hospital seem dull, which is an achievement in itself. Historical accuracy? You won’t find much of that here. It feels like Simms skimmed a Wikipedia article on the time period and Eugenics then called it a day.
To top it all off, the book drags on for far too long. It’s like Simms couldn’t decide where to end the story, so he just kept going...and going...and going. By the time the anticlimactic ending rolls around, you’ll be too checked out to even care. You won’t feel relief, just a vague sense of irritation that you stuck with it this long.
In short, Fear the Reaper is a masterclass in how not to write a thriller. With its laughably bad pacing, shallow characters, uninspired writing, and lackluster horror, this book is an exercise in frustration. Save yourself the headache and fear the reaper of wasted time—because that’s all this book offers.
January 14, 2019
I once took a class in grad school that tackled this dark chapter of American history - yes, it's ALL true.
I read an article online about the author and the town where he lives. Some people are truly upset that the truth is now in print and their dirty laundry has been aired - not realizing the story is about an evil man and the movement to rid the country of the "defectives" and "unfit" - something that inspired Hitler - all still true material.
Funny how the one negative review here is from someone who has ties to the town. Those in Nazi Germany did the same but eventually owned the ugliness.
As for the story, it's complex but accessible. The research involved is astounding but the writing keeps things relatable to the typical reviewer. At its heart, Fear The Reaper is a thriller, with strong historical ties. It's not a "historical fiction" novel per se as it's not obtuse and drowning in details that hide the story.
The protagonist is severely flawed, but fighting for what's right. Every character within has been broken but aches to live despite a national movement to erase them.
Again, wow. A great read and wonderful town to visit!
I read an article online about the author and the town where he lives. Some people are truly upset that the truth is now in print and their dirty laundry has been aired - not realizing the story is about an evil man and the movement to rid the country of the "defectives" and "unfit" - something that inspired Hitler - all still true material.
Funny how the one negative review here is from someone who has ties to the town. Those in Nazi Germany did the same but eventually owned the ugliness.
As for the story, it's complex but accessible. The research involved is astounding but the writing keeps things relatable to the typical reviewer. At its heart, Fear The Reaper is a thriller, with strong historical ties. It's not a "historical fiction" novel per se as it's not obtuse and drowning in details that hide the story.
The protagonist is severely flawed, but fighting for what's right. Every character within has been broken but aches to live despite a national movement to erase them.
Again, wow. A great read and wonderful town to visit!
November 8, 2021
After recently attending a Ghosts of Staunton tour with my girlfriend and hearing the guide, the author of this book, mention it I had to find it and read it. Mr. Simms is very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter of the book and aslyums of the past as well. From the beginning of the book it draws you in and keeps you reading - - there are deep back stories for the subject matter and characters and it keeps things interesting. Even though it's a fictional account of a dark chapter in America's history, there's enough facts within to make you see how terrible it was for those involved. An added bonus is having visited the town of Staunton and now seeing it through the lense of an account dating back well before our visits.
August 7, 2024
Simms explores a little-known secret in Virginia and American history in his terrifying suspense novel, FEAR THE REAPER. The eugenics movement that grew between the world wars promised to rid the world of "defectives" and "unfit" citizens. This dark historical novel rushes into the conflict when a doctor takes a job at an asylum, seemingly without complete knowledge of what was happening. When his family could be deemed "unfit," he plots to escape and expose the leaders of the movement. Well researched, Simms addresses the source of the money behind the movement as well as its connection with Adolph Hitler, who used the American experiment as the foundation of his own plan. Chilling. Haunting. A great story that, alas, is true. Worse, it's not taught in schools. It could happen again.
March 17, 2025
I was thoroughly interested in this story. I thought the author did a great job describing the characters and the environment. The main character is certainly flawed - he has a lot of anger issues and sometimes makes decisions that don't make sense to me. But that's also life. I did not quite understand the concept of his ghost-wife, other than his past kept haunting him. The sex scenes with the ghost were also strange - I am not sure what that added to the story. There were some plot points I felt were dropped/left unanswered. Overall, I'd recommend it if you're interested in some history of eugenics.
March 25, 2024
Wow! This is an emotional story that takes the reader through a very dark time period in American history. The history of treating mental illness in our country is a sad story. It calls into question our morales and ethical principles as to how mental illness comes into people’s lives. But these are people! The story shows how society standards created by those with money used to influence societal standards…or still does?!
July 29, 2018
This book is a great read for those interested in local lore about Western State Mental Hospital in Staunton. It’s a fast paced historical thriller and a lot of fun!
October 24, 2018
I moved to Virginia a few years back. I’ve fallen in love with the history. This is a wonderful book!! Historical adventure!
November 2, 2019
A great read. Characters were interesting and relatable. Exposed some of America’s darker history. As a resident of Staunton, VA and the Shenandoah Valley, the story’s setting is very familiar.
December 4, 2022
best piece of english literature since 50 shades of grey
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews