Blood is Thicker Than Water: Strange Tales from Wales

by Michael Christopher Carter

A sacred well that's anything but holy...A village gone murderously mad...A family in danger..."Still reeling from the twists..."

"True horror fans will enjoy the horror, gore, twists and turns that this novel delivers!!"

"Kept me thinking long after I'd finished reading..."

"The epitome of a great writer.."

"This is the second book I've read from Michael Christopher Carter within 24 hours. I can't get enough of his writing style"

When the vicar of a small Welsh seaside community disappears after two little girls are murdered, Reverend Bertie Brimble steps into the breach.Whilst Bertie is wildly enthusiastic about moving his family to the idyllic West Wales coast, his wife is horrified at the danger he's putting their own daughter in. Especially as she looks startlingly like the other victims.Of course, they do everything possible to keep her safe, but then Bertie himself begins behaving peculiarly and battling the worst possible desires.And he's not the only one...

A terrible fate awaits anyone who drinks from Goreston's Holy well, transforming the mildest mannered into the most sickening of evil.Can Bertie uncover the truth about what's in the water and save his daughter?

"Totally awesome, gripping, and shockingly gruesome with a riveting cringe factor!"

"The squeamish be warned..."

Blood is Thicker Than Water is a remarkable thought-provoking horror tale from Wales's master of the supernatural from his Strange Tales from Wales anthology"The way Carter starts weaving a tale has you hooked from the first page..."

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347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2018

About the author

I grew up in the Home Counties of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. I always felt I wanted to be somewhere else and dreamed of sunny beaches and shady woods. I imagined a move abroad would be the answer but when I visited Pembrokeshire to visit my then fiance's family, I succumbed to the 'Pembrokeshire Pull' and have lived in the National Park ever since.
I have always wanted to be a writer and flirted with the idea, buying a word processor and beginning a number of manuscripts, with very little idea how to actually write a book. When I turned forty something polarised within me, or I just stumbled upon the right advice, and I found the whole thing immensely enjoyable. In fact, I would say I'm only truly happy when I'm writing (I have just completed my fourth book since beginning writing mid-way through 2013!)
Prior to writing I was a dreaded double glazing salesman. I ended up running my own conservatory design and build company for a number of years before the ill-health of a family member meant moving away from the industry.
Opportunities can be found in adversity. It began with studying Welsh language and then Psychology. Then I found my confidence in my own life experiences to know I had plenty to give as an author. I am now able to focus on my writing where the long working hours of my past life never would have allowed.
I live and write in South-West Wales, with my wife, four children and dog!
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Reviews

[Jeni Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review... and boy, am I glad I did. At the start I was a little leery and felt I was going to have to force myself to read it but after the first couple chapters, I was hooked and very caught up in finding out who the killer was and why the town was going insane. There were some character introductions that felt forced and made me wonder why they were needed but in the end it all made sense. Surprising twists and a few unbelievable moments but overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone needing a good, quick and interesting read. I will add that although there are religious aspects to the book it does not feel forced down your throat as you read and it does play a major role in the book, but does not feel preachy as you read.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. The description of this book intrigued and sounded like it was right up my alley. It took me a while to get into it and I did almost put it down a few times but I kept going because I did want to know what the reason behind the crazy events and what an ending! Well-written characters and interesting storyline.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this copy as a ARC read for a honest review. This certainly was a good read for the Halloween time of year. The storyline certainly was an original one and I have never read anything quite like this one. It was a quick easy read, and so totally far fetched yet I really enjoyed it.

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabel Brimble is exhausted. At 8+ months pregnant, she’s about at her wits’ end. Discontented and bitter, she mulls her abysmal life choices. Her father, while not denigrating her choice, isn’t fond of her husband, and has NEVER said he was proud of Annabel. Stuck in a tiny two room flat with her husband and 10 daughter Charlotte, Annabel is at the breaking point. Where, or where, will the baby go? There’s no room!
Reverend Bertie Brimble is a jocular fellow; too bad he’s ineffectual. His parish in Hartcliffe consists of barely a handful of parishioners, and he doesn’t feel that his sermons are making any difference in the lives of those who hear them. Crime is on the rise, and Reverend Brimble is desperate to protect his growing family. When Reverend Brimble hears of a sudden opening in Goreston, he’s ecstatic and quickly accepts the position, despite the recent horrific murders committed there. Reverend Brimble is confident he can and will protect his family.
Unsettling events occur almost immediately after the Brimbles move into the vicarage. A strange man is skulking about, terrifying Annabel and Charlotte. There’s whispers about the disappearance of Reverend Jones, who Reverend Brimble is replacing, and questions about the man arrested for the murders of the two young girls: he’s disappeared into thin air. Annabel is terrified something might happen to her own daughter, Charlotte, who resembles the two murdered children; almost eerily so. And then there’s her husband, Bertie: he’s acting so strange; moody and aggressive…. Where has her Bertie gone? This isn’t the man she married! His temper has become hair trigger, and the THINGS he does sickens her…
Reverend Brimble is confused and frightened; he’s suffering from extremely erratic mood swings and waking nightmares. The atrocities that he commits in those dreams horrifies him to his soul… but what if…. What if these aren’t nightmares, but rather visions? Could he… would he….?
This story starts slow, but in an insidiously subtle fashion it picks up speed until it’s caroming wildly from scene to scene. Hang onto your hats, because this is one wild ride! The mind-bending ending left me wondering… what if… could this happen? Or perhaps the question should be…. Has this happened?

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for Halloween. I'm not usually a fan of the paranormal but Michael Christopher Carter has changed my mind. I thoroughly enjoyed Blood is Thicker Than Water (Paranormal Tales From Wales).
The story of Reverend Bertie Brimble and the water from the Goreston's Holy Well was scary. The deaths of the girls that resemble his daughter was a good touch to this story. If you're a fan of the paranormal this is the book for you.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryanne Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great creepy horror!

I’ve never been disappointed by this author. His books dig deep emotionally, delving into the human psyche. Never has this been more true than with “Blood is Thicker Than Water.” There are several cringe worthy moments, especially knowing that there are people who are really like THIS in the world. Enjoy!

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a creepy page turner! I thought it was really good!

[Louise Scholl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. It was soooo good. I was engrossed from the very beginning. I had to know what happened and why.

[Tiggyleee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, but quick read. I received this copy as an AR copy. It was very enjoyable.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary at it best. Murder, and a town going insane. What could be better than that for a story to keep you up. Fantastic

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a hard time getting into this book at the beginning, but ended up not be able to put it down! Very creepy, will make you think twice about old churches.

[Kelly M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and fun read that I would have given 4 stars for. However, it needs proofreading and editing as there were too many errors for me to give a higher score than 3 stars, unfortunately.