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TEARSTONE
Two brothers scarred by a dark family secret. A deputy consumed by the decade old disappearance of her cousin. An old man summoned to the humble town of Washington Heights by the discovery of an ancient artifact. The haphazard unearthing of this stone relic, hidden from history, strips the townsfolk of their daily facade and forces them to confront their secret lives. As one brother searches for answers to his father's suicide and the other searches for relief from a decade of guilt, the deputy begins to draw lines connecting them both to her own obsession. And all the while, the birth of an ancient evil looms just on the horizon. This is how the end begins, not with politicians and soldiers, but with the quiet destruction of a little town in Southeastern Ohio. This is the second coming, but it's not Jesus returning, and no one's getting saved.
- GenresHorror
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2013
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447 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 17, 2013
Review of Tearstone by David L. Day
5 stars
This is how Horror should approach us: less like turning over stones to see the insects crawling underneath, more like pacing down a staircase into the Underworld, a staircase that spirals and presents new horrors at every turn. I wouldn’t want to be a witness to the inside of this author’s nightmares, but what a wonderful story they have produced. On the surface, a simple prodigal-son-returns-to-home-town-at-parent’s-death; but that’s the surface, that’s not the story.
Tom left Washington Heights, Ohio, long ago, and it’s not till really late in the story that we come to understand the exact nature of his departure. Left behind are disgruntled and continually bitter younger brother Kyle, and father Lewis, a severely alcoholic parent with serious psychological and spiritual issues. On the home acreage sits the family house, the pole barn where Lewis takes his own life, and the Lodge, the gathering point for the assembly of men, which has Masonic overtones but which harbours much more than just the usual men’s fraternal get-togethers.
This is a debut novel, but is so riveting that I anticipate the next offering from new author David L. Day. Readers who are faint of heart, ready your oxygen mask and your antacid pills before attempting this scrumptious story.
5 stars
This is how Horror should approach us: less like turning over stones to see the insects crawling underneath, more like pacing down a staircase into the Underworld, a staircase that spirals and presents new horrors at every turn. I wouldn’t want to be a witness to the inside of this author’s nightmares, but what a wonderful story they have produced. On the surface, a simple prodigal-son-returns-to-home-town-at-parent’s-death; but that’s the surface, that’s not the story.
Tom left Washington Heights, Ohio, long ago, and it’s not till really late in the story that we come to understand the exact nature of his departure. Left behind are disgruntled and continually bitter younger brother Kyle, and father Lewis, a severely alcoholic parent with serious psychological and spiritual issues. On the home acreage sits the family house, the pole barn where Lewis takes his own life, and the Lodge, the gathering point for the assembly of men, which has Masonic overtones but which harbours much more than just the usual men’s fraternal get-togethers.
This is a debut novel, but is so riveting that I anticipate the next offering from new author David L. Day. Readers who are faint of heart, ready your oxygen mask and your antacid pills before attempting this scrumptious story.
July 22, 2013
First of a planned trilogy involving the tearstone, an ancient relic of mysterious power. The story builds gradually, weaving separate threads into a horrific tapestry. The strong characterization, small-town setting, finely crafted prose are evocative of Stephen King and TEARSTONE should appeal to fans of his work.
November 5, 2023
Tom returns home after his father's suicide. He is given two objects a rock and a journal. People who see the rock act strange. What is this town hiding? Full of twists and surprises.
September 14, 2023
A riveting debut novel, reprinted in its 10th anniversary. No wnoder it gets reprinted: it's a riveting read, disturbing, with sharp dialogue but perhaps too much bitterness. The plot gets very complex after the first half, but the writing also reaches new heights and it proved impossible to stop reading. I had to remove one star because of the ending: too much is left unanswered, but 'Tearstone' engaged my attention, I enjoyed it, I appreciated the numerous characters and the imaginative kills. Recommended!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 24, 2013
Tearstone is a disturbing tale of what I'd consider small town America. David Day constructs truly interesting characters that are identifiable and play perfectly off of the story's plot. I found the book to be a fascinating read and got through it in only a couple of days. Entertaining from beginning to end. Keep this book on your 'best of' shelf and make your friends jealous. Trust me on this one.
December 16, 2013
Very often when reading popular genre fiction a reader can encounter an entertaining story but be left with very little afterward. TEARSTONE is engaging and contains characters that you want to know more about as the story progresses. For my money, that's what will keep me returning to Mr. Day's work. Recommended!
August 29, 2014
Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review
David L. Day's debut novel Tearstone is a tricky one to easily summarize in the context of a review. Rather than focus most of his attention on a single character, Day writes from numerous characters' point of view. There is Tom, who returns home to Washington Heights shortly after the suicide of his father. Elana, the town's elderly librarian who is driven largely by her faith. Shane, a disturbed child who becomes a force of evil later in the novel. Kyle, Tom's brother who tries to drown his guilt from a dark family secret with copious bottles of booze and flings with random women who remind him of his ex, Alissa. Cassy Fielding, a deputy in the Washington Heights police force who is consumed with finding out the truth behind her cousin Alissa's disappearance many years ago. Dorthea, a pregnant woman who seems out-of-place at first, but later becomes a central focal point of the novel after her back story is revealed. Not only do these characters drive the narrative of the present, but Day fleshes out the novel's back story with flashbacks from Tom and Kyle's father Lewis, the first person to encounter the mysterious stone.
I liked that Day took a chance with the structure of his novel, abandoning a linear plot in favor of a more fluid approach. The story jumps between past and present and changes viewpoints frequently, which adds a layer of suspense to some of the novel's central mysteries such as what happened to Alissa, why Tom fled his home years ago and the importance of Dorthea's pregnancy. However, while this approach helped strengthen certain plot points, it hindered others. The history behind the stone and the identity of the mysterious old man who appears not long after Tom gains possession of the stone fall apart as the novel progresses. The stone is meant to be mysterious, but without much of its background explained, its presence does not feel quite as ominous as it should. Why did it appear in Washington Heights, a small town in Ohio, of all places? What is its overall purpose?
While the unanswered aspects of Tearstone hinder the novel, it is still a very entertaining story overall. I love that Day chose a small town setting and focused on the darkness contained within its residents. I am as big a fan of supernatural forces as anyone, but there is something even more unsettling about the force itself not really displaying itself as an all-powerful entity. Instead, the stone manipulates people to reveal their darkest thoughts and desires and turns them slightly crazy. The novel starts off kind of slow, but when the stone makes its appearance in town, the horror is off the charts. The residents begin committing horrific crimes, strange shadows appear in the local diner and there are a string of mysterious miscarriages. These events prove that something sinister is happening in Washington Heights and it all seems connected to the stone Tom inherited from his father.
Despite a few missteps, Tearstone is an entertaining debut and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of Day's work in the future (which hopefully includes more stories set in the Tearstone universe!)
David L. Day's debut novel Tearstone is a tricky one to easily summarize in the context of a review. Rather than focus most of his attention on a single character, Day writes from numerous characters' point of view. There is Tom, who returns home to Washington Heights shortly after the suicide of his father. Elana, the town's elderly librarian who is driven largely by her faith. Shane, a disturbed child who becomes a force of evil later in the novel. Kyle, Tom's brother who tries to drown his guilt from a dark family secret with copious bottles of booze and flings with random women who remind him of his ex, Alissa. Cassy Fielding, a deputy in the Washington Heights police force who is consumed with finding out the truth behind her cousin Alissa's disappearance many years ago. Dorthea, a pregnant woman who seems out-of-place at first, but later becomes a central focal point of the novel after her back story is revealed. Not only do these characters drive the narrative of the present, but Day fleshes out the novel's back story with flashbacks from Tom and Kyle's father Lewis, the first person to encounter the mysterious stone.
I liked that Day took a chance with the structure of his novel, abandoning a linear plot in favor of a more fluid approach. The story jumps between past and present and changes viewpoints frequently, which adds a layer of suspense to some of the novel's central mysteries such as what happened to Alissa, why Tom fled his home years ago and the importance of Dorthea's pregnancy. However, while this approach helped strengthen certain plot points, it hindered others. The history behind the stone and the identity of the mysterious old man who appears not long after Tom gains possession of the stone fall apart as the novel progresses. The stone is meant to be mysterious, but without much of its background explained, its presence does not feel quite as ominous as it should. Why did it appear in Washington Heights, a small town in Ohio, of all places? What is its overall purpose?
While the unanswered aspects of Tearstone hinder the novel, it is still a very entertaining story overall. I love that Day chose a small town setting and focused on the darkness contained within its residents. I am as big a fan of supernatural forces as anyone, but there is something even more unsettling about the force itself not really displaying itself as an all-powerful entity. Instead, the stone manipulates people to reveal their darkest thoughts and desires and turns them slightly crazy. The novel starts off kind of slow, but when the stone makes its appearance in town, the horror is off the charts. The residents begin committing horrific crimes, strange shadows appear in the local diner and there are a string of mysterious miscarriages. These events prove that something sinister is happening in Washington Heights and it all seems connected to the stone Tom inherited from his father.
Despite a few missteps, Tearstone is an entertaining debut and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of Day's work in the future (which hopefully includes more stories set in the Tearstone universe!)
October 14, 2013
A stone relic is unearthed in a small town stripping the citizens of their inhibitions, revealing the truth they hide behind their everyday masks. an old man is summoned upon the town as an old evil is about to be reborn. Can two brothers reunite after the death of their father, or will they be among the victims of the relic.
Tom Burton returns home for his father's funeral with hope of reuniting with his brother Kyle. Their relationship ragged and raw from Tom's departure after a tragedy involving the two. Kyle decides to sell their father's house without consulting Tom, which widens the gap between the brothers. In search of a reasoning behind his father's suicide, Tom finds a diary and a stone left behind by his father.
The stone is nothing but trouble. People who come around it begin to act in strange and horrid ways resulting in some fantastic scenes of craziness.
The author's imaginative kills and the characters make this a great read for any horror fan. With this being the first in a trilogy, I eagerly await the next installment.
via: www.thegeekdomofgore.blogspot.com
Tom Burton returns home for his father's funeral with hope of reuniting with his brother Kyle. Their relationship ragged and raw from Tom's departure after a tragedy involving the two. Kyle decides to sell their father's house without consulting Tom, which widens the gap between the brothers. In search of a reasoning behind his father's suicide, Tom finds a diary and a stone left behind by his father.
The stone is nothing but trouble. People who come around it begin to act in strange and horrid ways resulting in some fantastic scenes of craziness.
The author's imaginative kills and the characters make this a great read for any horror fan. With this being the first in a trilogy, I eagerly await the next installment.
via: www.thegeekdomofgore.blogspot.com
July 22, 2023
This is an extremely creepy first novel that explores dysfunctional family, dark secrets, and an artifact that makes people do unthinkable and horrific things.
When a man returns to his hometown after the suicide of his father he's not really met with open arms. He and his brother are at each others throats and his father left him a strange journal and an even stranger stone like object.
This multi character novel leaves you breathless as the people in town become ever more violent and commit heinous crimes against each other. At the center of it seems to be this stone artifact. But there are very deep, terrifying secrets in the family and the revelation of these through the novel will tell a tale of blood, murder, sacrifice, and more.
The ending left me with many questions unanswered but I understand there is a sequel in the works and I'm very excited to dive back into this world again.
Overall, this is a dark, brutal, and moving story that will force you to pay attention so you don't miss a thing. I highly recommend it.
When a man returns to his hometown after the suicide of his father he's not really met with open arms. He and his brother are at each others throats and his father left him a strange journal and an even stranger stone like object.
This multi character novel leaves you breathless as the people in town become ever more violent and commit heinous crimes against each other. At the center of it seems to be this stone artifact. But there are very deep, terrifying secrets in the family and the revelation of these through the novel will tell a tale of blood, murder, sacrifice, and more.
The ending left me with many questions unanswered but I understand there is a sequel in the works and I'm very excited to dive back into this world again.
Overall, this is a dark, brutal, and moving story that will force you to pay attention so you don't miss a thing. I highly recommend it.
December 24, 2013
I loved the book. It was well written enough to keep me interested in it. Yes jumping around from character to character at first was confusing, but after the third or fourth time of reading about one you start to understand the character a little better. The depth of the horror and uncomfortable feelings each had, you could feel with them. I will admit I was freaked out by the little demon boy.
The only bad thing I can say is I wish it would have described his time with the shaman a little better. Was he protected because of the talisman? Or because it was another religion and his belief protected him? I was a little confused with that part. He visited a shaman and comes back with a talisman. End of story.
I did love the suspense with the random "Old Man". I could tell he was going to be someone important but as to who he actually was...
To sum it up.. I loved it. Are you writing another? :)
The only bad thing I can say is I wish it would have described his time with the shaman a little better. Was he protected because of the talisman? Or because it was another religion and his belief protected him? I was a little confused with that part. He visited a shaman and comes back with a talisman. End of story.
I did love the suspense with the random "Old Man". I could tell he was going to be someone important but as to who he actually was...
To sum it up.. I loved it. Are you writing another? :)
October 27, 2013
I'm one of those persons who, when they read a horror story, keep thinking 'scare me, scare me'. Well, this one scared me, in fact, some parts of it down right horrified me.
It had the classic slow build to a feeling of creepiness and then on to full-blown horror. You are fed the story bit by bit, person by person, incident by incident and then it starts to all tie together. The final culmination is big but you are left on a very eerie note. Very well done!
A cast of quirky characters with lots of secrets living in a small town, reminding me of Stephen King's Castle Rock books and that's a compliment. I look forward to more from this author.
This book was won in a FirstReads giveaway.
It had the classic slow build to a feeling of creepiness and then on to full-blown horror. You are fed the story bit by bit, person by person, incident by incident and then it starts to all tie together. The final culmination is big but you are left on a very eerie note. Very well done!
A cast of quirky characters with lots of secrets living in a small town, reminding me of Stephen King's Castle Rock books and that's a compliment. I look forward to more from this author.
This book was won in a FirstReads giveaway.
January 9, 2014
2.5 STARS
A decent horror story. It definitely had the disturbing factor going for it. There were lots of sinister things going on in this small town and some of it was down right creepy. The downside for me was the multiple POV's (and by multiple, I mean at least 10 or so) and the bouncing around in the story/plot. I don't mind viewpoints from a few different characters but this was a bit too much for my preference. I would have also liked a little more back-story on the origins of the stone. It was all a bit vague to me. But, overall, an okay read that kept me interested enough to finish.
A decent horror story. It definitely had the disturbing factor going for it. There were lots of sinister things going on in this small town and some of it was down right creepy. The downside for me was the multiple POV's (and by multiple, I mean at least 10 or so) and the bouncing around in the story/plot. I don't mind viewpoints from a few different characters but this was a bit too much for my preference. I would have also liked a little more back-story on the origins of the stone. It was all a bit vague to me. But, overall, an okay read that kept me interested enough to finish.
September 17, 2023
Gripping and suspenseful supernatural thriller that is difficult to put down and will leave your heart racing. I love how the story is told from different perspectives throughout the book while keeping you on edge as the events unfold into chaos at unpredictable moments. I'm hopeful there will be a sequel to continue the story and answer lingering questions. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 22, 2013
I won a copy of this book in a first reads giveaway.
Wow! What a good frickin book! Nothing I can say will give this book the justice it deserves. Very well written, it's hard to believe this is Mr. Day's first novel. Wow! Just go get a copy and read it and then you'll see what I mean. Can't wait for the next book from Mr. David L. Day!!!
Wow! What a good frickin book! Nothing I can say will give this book the justice it deserves. Very well written, it's hard to believe this is Mr. Day's first novel. Wow! Just go get a copy and read it and then you'll see what I mean. Can't wait for the next book from Mr. David L. Day!!!
June 25, 2013
Tearstone is an unique, well - written, and gripping novel. I felt a real connection with the characters. How the novel unfolds is surprising and terrifying.
This is not the genre I normally read but this novel has me reconsidering. I would definitely read more from this author!
This is not the genre I normally read but this novel has me reconsidering. I would definitely read more from this author!
July 24, 2013
I love horror books. Especially ones set in contemporary settings. David's description of the town and the characters really helps setup the feeling of foreboding and despair that some of the characters experience. His style reminded me of both Cormac McCarthy and Stephen King.
November 23, 2013
Following his father's suicide, Tom returns home after a ten year absence. His father left him a stone with mysterious properties affecting human nature. The book bounces in past and present telling the stories of several characters. This was a free advance reading copy. Autographed copy.
September 15, 2023
I was really into this book. I wanted to keep reading to know what came next, then it ended and I felt like I was left hanging. There was so much going on and I feel like I got lost somewhere.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2013
Tearstone is a gripping page turner that grabs you from the get go and keeps you hooked until the final page. Looking forward to future works by Mr. Day.
April 25, 2013
Captivating, enthralling, something about this book...I just didn't want to put it down.
July 20, 2023
The description for this book should include a warning for triggers of violence and rape. At a minimum, a listing that the book should be for the 18+ crowd. I was mistaken that this was a story about solving a cold case - a deputy whose family has a missing teen and a second family with a secret that has driven their children away. I was waiting for a great mystery, but the time jumping and huge cast of characters bogged the story down to the point I was waiting for it to end. Then the supernatural components are thrown in; it's like two tales running towards the same ending. This was the author's first book perhaps the second book in this series will be smoother.
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
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March 1, 2022Tearstone, by David L. Day, is a tale of evil unleashed in small town Ohio, and the consequences that resonate for all of the citizens of Washington Heights. Although Day deftly uses multiple points of view to give readers the most complete picture of the story, the major narrative revolves around brothers Tom and Kyle. Tom, having left town many years ago, has returned upon the death of his father. He has unfinished business, and it seems that Washington Heights is not yet done with him. The story unfolds in different periods of time, with Day filling in past events as they become relevant to the plot. This structure worked well in giving the reader all of the necessary information, while maximizing tension and suspense. Through this structure, we are able to see the dark secrets and skeletons in the closets of all the residents of Washington Heights.
Read full review at Dark Recesses Press: https://darkrecessespress.com/2022/01...
Read full review at Dark Recesses Press: https://darkrecessespress.com/2022/01...
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