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Purgatory
In the spirit of King, Laymon, Little, and Keene comes a collection of 13 Tales of Horror and the Macabre. One story begins in the name of research when a world-famous horror author spends the night alone in one of the most haunted houses around, "Ritter House", only to discover that reality is much more horrific than fiction. In "Road Trip", a man must travel across state lines to identify his brother's dead body and drive him home in the back of his station wagon to a mortuary run by a dead man. A man has 2 hours to try and prevent a catastrophe in the building that his wife works in. Only, he can't recall how or why, his only clue is the recurring nightmare he had 2 hours earlier, the clock ticks in "Tic Toc." Christmas will never be the same again for a little boy in "Santa Claws", and an old wooden box in a warehouse carries a story all its own in "The Crate”. A trip into “Purgatory” will open the door to these stories and more.
- GenresHorror
Unknown Binding
First published October 25, 2011
About the author
A. Lopez Jr.
31 books76 followersBorn and raised in Texas and now residing in Arizona. I am an avid reader and big Houston Sports Fan. I play chess everyday when I'm not squeezing in a little time for writing. I published my first work Purgatory - 13 Tales of the Macabre and Floor Four - A Novella of Horror, an Amazon Bestseller in Occult Horror. Also completed is Night Dreams, an episodic series in seven parts that can be read separately or in one complete novel. My column, 'Ask AJ', appeared in All Authors Magazine online and I have had short stories published on Dark River Press, The Sirens Call eZine Issue #14 and the anthologies, State of Horror Illinois published by Charon Coin Press and Concordant Vibrancy published by All Authors Publishing. You can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and my website, alopezjr.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 13, 2012
This was a great collection of horror short stories. I really enjoyed the diverse settings and types of characters presented throughout Purgatory. The variety of approaches taken in each story, from character dialogue to inner monologue to storytelling gave me different ways to follow along and kept me switching perspectives.
The use of internal stories within many of the main stories was a great way to create a more complicated plot in a short period of time. There was an array of themes presented and I was glad to get a variety including but not limited to possession, demons/devil, ghosts, fears, and extreme human behavior.
To me each story had different strengths; some stories like Evergreen Road, Purgatory, and Prized Possession excelled at mood and environment which are really crucial to a good horror story. Tic Toc and Don’t Bug Me were more of a suspenseful build. Mind Games and Ritter House were fascinating to me because of the character analysis that takes place and that we get to read the inner dialogues. The Crate was just a weird story with an awesome taste of dark humor. For the most part the writing style shaped a fitting sense of eeriness, eccentricity, and shock value.
I was hoping for a little more mystery in some of the stories. While often times I enjoy horror because you already see it coming and characters do things anyway; sometimes I like to be scared or shocked because I had no idea what was coming. Since I am more of an occasional horror reader I was surprised that the stories seemed a little predictable. In the shorter stories this didn’t bother me because you can only do so much in 10 or 20 pages; plot, characters, suspense, and an ending is all there is time for if you want to do it well. But with some of the longer stories like Floor Four and Strangers I would have liked a few more twists and turns along the way or even just one twist right at the end.
It was a great opportunity to win this book through Goodreads First Reads because it gave me the chance to read a new author and pick up a genre I don’t read often enough. It was a reminder of all the reasons I really like reading both horror and short stories, especially together. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it.
The use of internal stories within many of the main stories was a great way to create a more complicated plot in a short period of time. There was an array of themes presented and I was glad to get a variety including but not limited to possession, demons/devil, ghosts, fears, and extreme human behavior.
To me each story had different strengths; some stories like Evergreen Road, Purgatory, and Prized Possession excelled at mood and environment which are really crucial to a good horror story. Tic Toc and Don’t Bug Me were more of a suspenseful build. Mind Games and Ritter House were fascinating to me because of the character analysis that takes place and that we get to read the inner dialogues. The Crate was just a weird story with an awesome taste of dark humor. For the most part the writing style shaped a fitting sense of eeriness, eccentricity, and shock value.
I was hoping for a little more mystery in some of the stories. While often times I enjoy horror because you already see it coming and characters do things anyway; sometimes I like to be scared or shocked because I had no idea what was coming. Since I am more of an occasional horror reader I was surprised that the stories seemed a little predictable. In the shorter stories this didn’t bother me because you can only do so much in 10 or 20 pages; plot, characters, suspense, and an ending is all there is time for if you want to do it well. But with some of the longer stories like Floor Four and Strangers I would have liked a few more twists and turns along the way or even just one twist right at the end.
It was a great opportunity to win this book through Goodreads First Reads because it gave me the chance to read a new author and pick up a genre I don’t read often enough. It was a reminder of all the reasons I really like reading both horror and short stories, especially together. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it.
December 13, 2022
Do NOT let yourself be intimidated of these 13 tales of disturbance like I was...just crack open this cover and dive right into the mind and skull of Jr. Lopez! You will not be disappointed, but you might have your sleep patterns messed up! Watch out! Is that something out in the yard? Loved this SO much!!
I am so surprised that I am reading short Horror fiction! I have never been a fan of short stories because, well, they are short and I love a good long horror and gore, and scare filled book!, however on that note this book has really got me turning the pages so far......looking forward to getting through it to do a review on my YouTube channel; Nightmares, Anyone? The author had sent me a personalized copy, which was so incredible of him. After reading the book and reviewing it, I had decided to recreate this book cover into a large diamond painted piece of art and send it to him! 'Purgatory' made me look at things in the dark completely different than I had ever done before....and THEN the nightmares came!
In this book of horror tales, this is where you will meet Brandon from Floor Four, you will meet the most kind and timid 9 year old boy who just has to have proof there is a real Santa Claus. Could you just spend one, yes ONE! night in Ritter House; the most haunted ever? And find out what is in the Crate? You will never forget these tales of real nightmares.....only from the mind of A. Lopez Jr.
HIGHLY recomended: 5 👻👻👻👻👻
I am so surprised that I am reading short Horror fiction! I have never been a fan of short stories because, well, they are short and I love a good long horror and gore, and scare filled book!, however on that note this book has really got me turning the pages so far......looking forward to getting through it to do a review on my YouTube channel; Nightmares, Anyone? The author had sent me a personalized copy, which was so incredible of him. After reading the book and reviewing it, I had decided to recreate this book cover into a large diamond painted piece of art and send it to him! 'Purgatory' made me look at things in the dark completely different than I had ever done before....and THEN the nightmares came!
In this book of horror tales, this is where you will meet Brandon from Floor Four, you will meet the most kind and timid 9 year old boy who just has to have proof there is a real Santa Claus. Could you just spend one, yes ONE! night in Ritter House; the most haunted ever? And find out what is in the Crate? You will never forget these tales of real nightmares.....only from the mind of A. Lopez Jr.
HIGHLY recomended: 5 👻👻👻👻👻
April 30, 2018
An ok book, the stories aren't particularly scary but a good book to read say on a Halloween night.
December 13, 2022
When I can read a short story.....and it cause me to look over my shoulder, or grit my teeth; that is a scary story! Highly recommended...but watch out, 'they are watching!'
I fell in love with AJ's writing when I first read his 'Night Dreams' all in one volume, and will never forget it. But BEFORE that came his first collection of horror; 'Purgatory: 13 Tales of the Macabre' and it knocks you for a wallop of horror, nightmares, the undead a fear of bugs and creepy crawlies, the Evergreen Witch, and Santa Claws!! Yes, I spelled that right.
This is also the first introduction to the Fourth Floor. Yes, the first time you meet the staff of Floor Four is here in this scary as hell collection of some of the most terrifying and nightmare inducing characters that i have read in a LONG time and am soon not to forget! As you turn the pages you are thrown right into the scares and creep factor as you experience something that will make you think of 'that time when.....' in your life when you saw what you thought was your first ghost. Or the time you saw or heard something that you have never ever seen again, THAT is how good Lopez writes with a smart yet sick and twisted tool that is dripped in the gore of the darkness, and that is the BEST kind. I have read many of these more than once. Perfect for ANYONE who loves to be scared, or is even looking to be scared for the very first time.
Get ready for 'Purgatory: 13 Tales of The Macabre'
5 Screams
I fell in love with AJ's writing when I first read his 'Night Dreams' all in one volume, and will never forget it. But BEFORE that came his first collection of horror; 'Purgatory: 13 Tales of the Macabre' and it knocks you for a wallop of horror, nightmares, the undead a fear of bugs and creepy crawlies, the Evergreen Witch, and Santa Claws!! Yes, I spelled that right.
This is also the first introduction to the Fourth Floor. Yes, the first time you meet the staff of Floor Four is here in this scary as hell collection of some of the most terrifying and nightmare inducing characters that i have read in a LONG time and am soon not to forget! As you turn the pages you are thrown right into the scares and creep factor as you experience something that will make you think of 'that time when.....' in your life when you saw what you thought was your first ghost. Or the time you saw or heard something that you have never ever seen again, THAT is how good Lopez writes with a smart yet sick and twisted tool that is dripped in the gore of the darkness, and that is the BEST kind. I have read many of these more than once. Perfect for ANYONE who loves to be scared, or is even looking to be scared for the very first time.
Get ready for 'Purgatory: 13 Tales of The Macabre'
5 Screams
January 20, 2012
Purgatory can be defined as the process of purification or temporary punishment before proceeding on to a final destination such as heaven or hell. An inbetween world of uncertainty and A. Lopez Jr. encapsulates that concept well in this collection of 13 sinister tales. The reader of "Purgatory" will experience the horrors of being buried alive hearing your possible rescuers and wondering if they'll make it in time, encounter a mysterious crate that may hold a portal to hell and come across various ghosts each with their own haunting backstory. I particularly enjoyed this writer's use of stories within his stories. This collection is highly recommended to anyone who loves scary short stories!
July 20, 2019
Great stories!
I’ve read everything this author has ever written and he never disappoints. Horror is his genre of choice and I can truly understand why. His writing pulls you into each story. Im amazed at the talent it takes to write horror stories. Patiently waiting for his upcoming releases. Well done on a great collection of stories!
I’ve read everything this author has ever written and he never disappoints. Horror is his genre of choice and I can truly understand why. His writing pulls you into each story. Im amazed at the talent it takes to write horror stories. Patiently waiting for his upcoming releases. Well done on a great collection of stories!
May 18, 2017
This was ok. A variety of different scary topics. Stories were a good length to get a few read in a sitting. A bit too much telling for my taste, I didn't connect with any of the characters at all as I felt I was just reading descriptons or internal dialogue. I probably won't read any more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews