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High Voltage: There's No Way Out in this West Virginia Thriller.
He had a couple of weeks to kill.
When Strider, an unassuming hiker fresh off the Appalachian Trail, needs extra cash, a curio shop owner suggests Winter's Farm, a popular stop for hikers looking for day work. What seems like a lucky break turns into a series of horrors as one by one his fellow hikers disappear, including his fiancee.
A cast of colorful characters complicates his quest to find her, and after stumbling on the dark truth his search turns to a desperate escape from the farm's kooky owner.
But a foreboding electric fence stymies his chance of freedom, in High Voltage , part of A. B. Gibson's Appalachian Trail Murder Mysteries .
When Strider, an unassuming hiker fresh off the Appalachian Trail, needs extra cash, a curio shop owner suggests Winter's Farm, a popular stop for hikers looking for day work. What seems like a lucky break turns into a series of horrors as one by one his fellow hikers disappear, including his fiancee.
A cast of colorful characters complicates his quest to find her, and after stumbling on the dark truth his search turns to a desperate escape from the farm's kooky owner.
But a foreboding electric fence stymies his chance of freedom, in High Voltage , part of A. B. Gibson's Appalachian Trail Murder Mysteries .
- GenresMystery Thriller
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2018
5 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 21, 2018
The author opened the storyline with a seemingly innocent hike along the Appalachian Trail by thirty-five-year-old Strider. Off to a fast start, the chance meeting of a young woman, Daisy, on the trail would eventually lead to romance and possibly marriage. Things were moving along at the speed of light. However, it was from this point forward that the well-written storyline took some devious twists and turns that time would never be able to erase. With destiny cast in stone, unknowingly, the unsuspecting couple was doomed from the start.
Learning of a farm that hired day workers, the couple decided to give it a whirl. They were in need of some extra bucks. The pay was quite a bit more than they had expected. From the outset, it just sounded too good to be true. Unfortunately, as bad luck would have it, nightmarish events were in the forecast.
Mysteriously, Daisy went missing. Suspicious of foul play, Strider set out to find his missing lover only to discover that a sinister presence was at work. Finding himself trapped, he might be next to vanish. Against all odds, he would do everything in his power to try and stay alive and rescue the damsel in distress. Time was running out. Perched on the edge of my chair, I was totally unprepared for the electrifying ending.
I send my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Learning of a farm that hired day workers, the couple decided to give it a whirl. They were in need of some extra bucks. The pay was quite a bit more than they had expected. From the outset, it just sounded too good to be true. Unfortunately, as bad luck would have it, nightmarish events were in the forecast.
Mysteriously, Daisy went missing. Suspicious of foul play, Strider set out to find his missing lover only to discover that a sinister presence was at work. Finding himself trapped, he might be next to vanish. Against all odds, he would do everything in his power to try and stay alive and rescue the damsel in distress. Time was running out. Perched on the edge of my chair, I was totally unprepared for the electrifying ending.
I send my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 24, 2019
A fast-paced thriller that builds around a man hiking the Appalachian Trail. "Strider',using his hiking name, has a few weeks before starting a new job and when a friend suggests he hike he enjoys the idea. The characters he meet are interesting, and there are some frequent conversations that have different meanings!
The tension builds when the girl he has met seems to be coming too attached to Strider, too quickly!! They need some cash and are directed to a farm where the owner pays hikers for work and lets them camp right on the grounds.
It all seems okay,but strange things happen,then people seem to leave unexpectedly...Strider decides to go back to town to purchase a ring his new girl,Daisy, liked. Several problems arise and he can't get back to the farm until the next day, only to find their things gone and Daisy missing!! What the heck is going on!!
The characters are different and believable, the plot turns to horror and fear!!
A very enjoyable mystery/horror story from a place where many are loners and social outcasts...
A great first read from me by this author, my thanks to Netgalley for the introduction!!
The tension builds when the girl he has met seems to be coming too attached to Strider, too quickly!! They need some cash and are directed to a farm where the owner pays hikers for work and lets them camp right on the grounds.
It all seems okay,but strange things happen,then people seem to leave unexpectedly...Strider decides to go back to town to purchase a ring his new girl,Daisy, liked. Several problems arise and he can't get back to the farm until the next day, only to find their things gone and Daisy missing!! What the heck is going on!!
The characters are different and believable, the plot turns to horror and fear!!
A very enjoyable mystery/horror story from a place where many are loners and social outcasts...
A great first read from me by this author, my thanks to Netgalley for the introduction!!
February 1, 2019
As someone who has thru hiked the Appalachian Trail, I found this story terrifying. I had dreams about this type of thing before and during the hike. It's a hikers worst case scenario. Way too real. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2019
Unlucky in love, Strider decides to take on a challenge of a different kind, hike the Appalachian Trail. Little did he know, he would find himself trapped at an otherwise unassuming farm where hikers seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate. Did they really just take off as the eccentric owner suggests or is something far more nefarious going on? Will Strider get out unscathed or will his past catch up to him, leaving him prey to an electrifying ending?
A.B. Gibson’s HIGH VOLTAGE is THAT book that should become a movie, the kind that will leave one afraid to turn off the lights or step off the beaten path/sidewalk! Entertaining, kind of quirky at times and filled with a cast of mostly strange characters, horror lovers will get their share of gore and a healthy respect for things that go bump in the woods.
I received a complimentary copy from BooksGoSocial!
Publisher: Story Merchant Books (November 29, 2018)
Publication Date: November 29, 2018
Genre: Murder Thriller
Print Length: 222 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A.B. Gibson’s HIGH VOLTAGE is THAT book that should become a movie, the kind that will leave one afraid to turn off the lights or step off the beaten path/sidewalk! Entertaining, kind of quirky at times and filled with a cast of mostly strange characters, horror lovers will get their share of gore and a healthy respect for things that go bump in the woods.
I received a complimentary copy from BooksGoSocial!
Publisher: Story Merchant Books (November 29, 2018)
Publication Date: November 29, 2018
Genre: Murder Thriller
Print Length: 222 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 6, 2019
I zipped thru this and enjoyed how the pace picked up as the story progressed. Good unexpected twists too. I love it when I don't get bored with a plot or the characters. Recommended.
I appreciate the ARC for review!
I appreciate the ARC for review!
December 24, 2018
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is considered by many as one of nature's greatest challenges. It is a great way to break from the daily grind of modern life, or so thought Strider. He had a few weeks before starting a new job and decided to hike a portion of the Trail. When he meets an attractive young woman along the Trail and finds work on a farm that caters to hikers, Strider believes that life is really going his way. His perspective changes quickly, however, when hikers began to disappear from the farm and the owner seems strangely unconcerned. It isn't until he finds a stash of hikers' gear in an abandoned house nearby that he realizes the farm owner has secrets she intends to keep at any cost.
High Voltage by A.B. Gibson is an entertaining and fast-paced novel. This is the first novel I’ve read by Gibson and I was not disappointed. The characters are engaging and fully believable and the plot has just enough realism to make one believe that it could happen. There are many remote areas along the Appalachian Trail and there are people in these areas who rarely interact with modern society. Gibson has created a novel that is right on the line between a mystery and horror novel. I fully recommend this book to everyone and give it 4/5 stars.
*A copy of the ebook is the only compensation I received in exchange for this review.*
High Voltage by A.B. Gibson is an entertaining and fast-paced novel. This is the first novel I’ve read by Gibson and I was not disappointed. The characters are engaging and fully believable and the plot has just enough realism to make one believe that it could happen. There are many remote areas along the Appalachian Trail and there are people in these areas who rarely interact with modern society. Gibson has created a novel that is right on the line between a mystery and horror novel. I fully recommend this book to everyone and give it 4/5 stars.
*A copy of the ebook is the only compensation I received in exchange for this review.*
January 3, 2019
Using the hiking name of "Strider", he attempts his first hike since he was a kid. Strider meets Daisy almost at the start. She is much too quick to become a couple yet Strider falls for her. By the end of the hike they are almost engaged! Out of money until his job transfer comes through, Strider (and Daisy) go to work at Winter's farm - a well-known place for hikers to pick up some cash for daily work. There, they meet the owner, "Ma" and also some fellow hikers. Since they are able to stay in their tents there, it seem like a win-win situation. (at $100/day - why not?)
Something seems "off" about the place and people begin to disappear. Ma is nonchalant about most of the things Strider complains about -and then Daisy goes missing. Strider enlists the help of other hikers to find Daisy. Rachel seems to be always there to help find Daisy. Eventually, Rachel and Strider have an affair.
Many strange things occur. Objects are found at the farm. So is High Voltage...
And this is just the start...
Many thanks to BooksGoSocial and netGalley for a fast-paced read!
Something seems "off" about the place and people begin to disappear. Ma is nonchalant about most of the things Strider complains about -and then Daisy goes missing. Strider enlists the help of other hikers to find Daisy. Rachel seems to be always there to help find Daisy. Eventually, Rachel and Strider have an affair.
Many strange things occur. Objects are found at the farm. So is High Voltage...
And this is just the start...
Many thanks to BooksGoSocial and netGalley for a fast-paced read!
December 29, 2018
I received this arc from Netgalley.
An engrossing read. A fast paced book that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I wish the ending had been different.
An engrossing read. A fast paced book that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I wish the ending had been different.
March 1, 2019
Would make a decent teen horror flick. Lots going on and in true horror movie fashion has a cast of some of the dumbest individuals who don't know their arse from their elbow when it comes down to it. Well worth a chuckle though.
February 22, 2019
Relevant and frighteningly real, High Voltage is an infectiously good read. Be prepared to lose sleep.
Thanks netgalllery
Thanks netgalllery
February 20, 2019
This book feels like this will happen if I walked the appalchian Trail. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2019
High Voltage is slow-building thriller that involves missing hikers, dark secrets, and plenty of "shocks." For me, the book was a nice read, something to entertain myself with and without having to get too invested in the characters and plot.
What I liked about the story was its dialogue... Conversations were interesting and revealed a lot of the secrets. I also enjoyed the characters. While there wasn't much depth to them, I did like their personalities as they each were different in their own right-- some were outright wacky.
The thing I didn't like about this read was its predictability. I found that I could easily tell where the story was going and what the secrets were. The majority of guesses I made were right so nothing really surprised me. I felt the book could have been much grittier and darker than it was and that was a let down for me (although a personal preference that may not bother other readers)
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a little escape into a decent thriller. Sure, it isn't spectacular, but it is entertaining enough to enjoy.
This was an ARC provided by Netgalley. Thank you for the read.
What I liked about the story was its dialogue... Conversations were interesting and revealed a lot of the secrets. I also enjoyed the characters. While there wasn't much depth to them, I did like their personalities as they each were different in their own right-- some were outright wacky.
The thing I didn't like about this read was its predictability. I found that I could easily tell where the story was going and what the secrets were. The majority of guesses I made were right so nothing really surprised me. I felt the book could have been much grittier and darker than it was and that was a let down for me (although a personal preference that may not bother other readers)
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a little escape into a decent thriller. Sure, it isn't spectacular, but it is entertaining enough to enjoy.
This was an ARC provided by Netgalley. Thank you for the read.
March 14, 2019
Thrilling
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read. Striker is out hiking when he meets Daisy who becomes his hiking girlfriend. They run low on funds and agree to work for money at a nearby farm. What follows is a series of disappearances and a horrific secret. The Author does a great job building the suspense and fleshing out the characters. It's a bit slow in the beginning but it definitely picks up at the farm.
An enjoyable, scary story.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read. Striker is out hiking when he meets Daisy who becomes his hiking girlfriend. They run low on funds and agree to work for money at a nearby farm. What follows is a series of disappearances and a horrific secret. The Author does a great job building the suspense and fleshing out the characters. It's a bit slow in the beginning but it definitely picks up at the farm.
An enjoyable, scary story.
March 20, 2019
This book is not only a high voltage story but am extremely high voltage read. Set in a tight community, the very claustrophobia helps the tension build to an explosive and unexpected finish. With a disparate cast of characters, all different, yet all real, I found myself warming to them and being scared of them at various times in the book. Gibson is a,gifted writer who uses every word to good effect. I literally felt my heart pounding and it was difficult to breath. An electric novel which I can highly recommend
December 13, 2020
WOW. This was really fast-paced, but I'm not sure it could be anything else. A farm where creepy things happen and people disappear? Sounds like the perfect setup for a horror movie, right? You'll definitely be on the edge of your seat holding your breath at times while reading this, and I have to admit I had chills running down my spine more than once.
March 23, 2020
Such a unique and creative horror idea! I was at the edge of my seat the whole time! A quick read that leaves you looking over your shoulder long after you've finished it.
May 25, 2021
The descriptions are so vivid and real that High Voltage keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Well written. and captivating. A must read!
Well written. and captivating. A must read!
November 17, 2023
DNF'd fifteen pages in, very misogynistic writing including having an introverted computer programmer maintaining vegetable garden beds for work whereas the wilderness expert native has to can in the kitchen (where it's made a point that she's very bad at it and didn't know what the jars were for. Cmon now.) This was definitely written for the male gaze so do not read this if you support women's rights.
April 11, 2019
The basis of this story is excellent. Strider, a young man between jobs, is hiking the Appalachian Trail. He meets a young woman and they team up to hike together. When they soon run out of money, they are directed to Winter’s Farm, where they would find day work.
The book goes downhill from there. The writing is juvenile, the characters are weak, the story jumps from one weird scene to another, it is easy to predict what’s coming next, and Strider falls in love with every young woman he spends more than an hour with. There is just no depth to the book, it’s like a series of thoughts written down with little direction or continuity. I just can’t recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for offering me a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
The book goes downhill from there. The writing is juvenile, the characters are weak, the story jumps from one weird scene to another, it is easy to predict what’s coming next, and Strider falls in love with every young woman he spends more than an hour with. There is just no depth to the book, it’s like a series of thoughts written down with little direction or continuity. I just can’t recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for offering me a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
July 1, 2021
If you like horror, then you might like this one. I can see this being made into a B rated horror film. Not really my genre but I did give it a shot. I think a younger audience that likes horror would enjoy this book or the people that live locally since it was inspired by a local orchard. The author has a pretty wild imagination. Good thing I can't make those long hikes on trails around here, I would give it a second thought before stopping at someone's house. I think I'd be checking under the bed.
March 21, 2019
This book was fast paced which I really liked!! It will definitely keep you in the edge of your seat. It's a page turner for sure!! I really enjoy reading HIGH VOLTAGE and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick yet really enjoyable read!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews