The Brimstone Grand Hotel, owned by reclusive former movie star, Delilah Devine, looms high on Hospital Hill, harboring long-buried family secrets that whisper of unimaginable horrors. Horrors that will echo down through generations. When Delilah’s granddaughter, Holly Tremayne, who has seen ghosts for most of her eleven years, first comes to live in the Brimstone Grand in the summer of 1968, she’s delighted by its majestic western beauty - and its chilling history. But as she settles in, making friends and enemies alike, the nightmares begin. Within the walls of the Brimstone Grand, the past has come back to life, and Holly and Delilah are faced with an ancient familial evil that rages just below the old hotel’s serene facade. An evil that won’t rest until it possesses Holly - body, mind, and soul.
Tamara Thorne has collected ghost stories, true and fictional, since she saw her first Twilight Zone as a tot, and continues to this day. In addition to writing novels and stories of the paranormal, she also writes non-fiction and is an active ghost hunter. She makes her home in southern California with her husband and their feline family and when she’s not writing, can be found haunting ghost towns, phantom-filled hotel rooms, and other spooky places. Tamara loves to hear from her readers. Whether you have questions or comments or would like to share your own ghostly experience,come visit her at her website www.tamarathorne.com.
Synopsis Eleven-year-old Holly Tremayne has been able to see ghosts her entire life. When Holly’s mother brings her to stay with her reclusive grandmother, retired actress Delilah Devine, at the Brimstone Grand Hotel, Holly’s excited to be staying at a haunted place. But what she doesn’t realize is that the ghosts are quite aggressive, and that she is personally connected to the most dangerous ghost of all… the Brimstone Beast.
Setting Set in the 1960s, it is clear early on that the author did her research. There are many pop culture references that make this novel authentic and compelling. Tamara Thorne’s works put a heavy emphasis on setting and atmosphere. I’ve noticed this in the other book by Tamara Thorne that I’ve read, Candle Bay, another novel about an inn where the hotel itself seems to be its own character. Brimstone Grand Hotelwas originally a hospital, repurposed by Devine when she decided she wanted to run a hotel in this town. Every word that Thorne uses is carefully selected and serves a purpose, creating a sense of dread and foreboding. While reading the book, I could close my eyes and see the Brimstone Grand Hotel sitting atop a hill, overlooking the town in great detail.
Plot & Characters The pace of this novel is slower, as a lot of emphasis is placed on building atmosphere and character development. Brimstone is written in third person, and the reader follows many different characters. This slows the pace of the book, but increases the depth of the story and the three-dimensionality of the town of Brimstone and the people in it.
Holly makes for an interesting protagonist. She actively seeks adventure. She sees ghosts, and she knows they’re ghosts, yet she’s unafraid. She’s actually eager to meet them. This is a refreshing take that sets this book apart from stories of other child mediums, where they seem to rarely know they’re talking to the dead (“That’s my best friend, Larry!”) or are desperate to avoid seeing them, like in classic movies such as “The Sixth Sense”.
While the protagonist is an eleven-year-old girl, this is not a book for children. It deals with some dark themes, including abuse and pedophilia, and is definitely intended for adult audiences. The book is chock full of ghosts, but, to me, the real horror lay in reality. Some parts of the storyline reminded me of Psycho, one of my favourite Hitchcock films, and the suspense Thorne builds definitely at times feels Hitchcockian (if that’s actually a word).
Everything that happened prior to the events in this book is gradually revealed through awakened memories and conversations between characters. We learn what we need to know as we need to know it, no sooner, which makes for a compelling read.
While the plot of the novel is slow, there is good payoff. There are a few twists that are equally disturbing and surprising, which makes up for the slower pace.
I recommend this book to those looking for an atmospheric story that puts a lot of emphasis on setting and developing characters over a fast-paced plot.
*Thank you to the publisher for the ebook for review*
Think of super-creepy hotels in out of the way places, and The Shining will always come first to mind. But maybe not, if you've already read Brimstone. For, in her own way, Tamara Thorne has created an even creepier place... a former hospital, high up on a crag overlooking a former mining town, where earthquakes and odd deaths go hand-in-hand.
There's a slew of rumors and legends already affixed to the place, including a virtual massacre of staff and patients back when the town's oldest residents were young. There's a retired movie star who lives in the penthouse, and there's a ramshackle haunted house in the grounds.
That's really all the background we need before we join Holly Tremayne, granddaughter of the movie star, as she finds herself half sucked into the hotel's evil past, and half leaping into the mess with both feet, because Holly loves ghosts. So far as she's concerned... at first... the scariest thing in the place is the bellhop and, for a long time, the reader agrees with her.
But then things start to happen. And if the first half of Brimstone is a leisurely stroll around the sites of the town, dabbed with local history, legend and lore, the second is non-stop shocks and scares, and a nurse named Pinching Pearl who lives up to her name with a vengeance, and might well be among the most memorable characters that 21st century horror has yet invented.
And suddenly, the Overlook doesn't seem quite so daunting.
Tamara Thorne has yet to disappoint me. Brimstone, like every other book of hers, has left me in awe of her ability to develop a story that is so unlike anything else I’ve read. At the end of her books, while I’m never really ready to stop reading, I still feel as though the story is complete and I’m satisfied that everything I wanted to know has been revealed. I love that her books are a bit longer than many I come across lately.
Thorne has this ability to write the worst possible characters imaginable. Meeks is a vile, disgusting excuse for a human being. The villains in her books have no redeeming qualities, and Meeks fits that description perfectly. I also can’t stand Holly’s mother, Cherry. She’s just a horrible person.
Holly’s interactions with both the living and the dead are enjoyable or terrifying depending on the situation. I can understand her Grandmother’s apprehension when it comes to Holly as the girl is easy to like, but with Delilah’s history with her own daughter, I can imagine being afraid of becoming close to her.
Each book of Thorne’s reads like a movie in my head. I can hear the thunder as I’m reading, I can almost smell the rain as she describes it. The basement of the hospital appears terrifying in my head as it would to Holly. I’m not sure how she does it, but she’s amazing at it.
This is a great book. It truly is. The mystery and suspense, all tied up with a girl who can see ghosts, a ghost cat, and a whole cast of characters you either love or hate are all worth the time it takes to read it.
What an incredibly engrossing Paranormal/Horror novel is this! Featuring a STRONG middle-grade heroine (Holly is eleven), but not designed for a middle-grade audience, BRIMSTONE encapsulates paranormal and supernatural elements, Native American legendry, ceremonial black magick, an early 20th century hospital, copper mining, and the stunning arid beauty of Arizona, into one finely-wrought and intensely satisfying horror story. I couldn't put it aside. BRIMSTONE is packed full of excitement, tension, terror, and wonderfully designed characters, both "good guys" and "villains." Of the latter are included both present-day (late 20th century) and deceased (who are not stopped at all by the fact of death). I can't recommend it highly enough, and I can't wait to read the author's other novels.
Ever since I first read a Thorne book, I was hooked by this author's writing, and the terrifying stories that come from the pen. Brimstone is no different. I really enjoyed the story, and it was a real page turner. So many times my heart almost beat out of my chest. It's one of those books you can't pull yourself away from. This story hits all the horror marks, secrets, haunting pasts, bed sweating-screaming nightmares, and lingering evil. The characters, both good and evil have a deep dimension, and fit in well. Thorne writes well, and she writes horror impeccably. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This book is very well written. And the heart of the story is about a preteen named Holly. I loved reading about her friends, and family, who loved her very much. And about how they helped her save the town of Brimstone. However not everything and everyone, are good. One in particularly made my stomach clench.
Warning: Read this book only if you are aged 18 or over as there are some themes unsuitable for younger audiences.
~Story~
Set in Brimstone, Arizona (1968), Brimstone is the tale of young Holly Tremayne and her promiscuous mother as they go to visit Holly’s movie star grandmother at her hotel. The story explores the myth of the Brimstone Beast and spirits, with Holly and some of her relatives having gold flecks in their eyes, which are thought to be a sign of someone possessing the sight. Although the Brimstone Beast is said to have been asleep for half a century, strange things begin to occur the moment Holly and her mother (Cherry) arrive in town.
This was an interesting story. It raised a lot of questions in me and I was eager to read on for hours until I got the answers I sought.
~Characters~
This is where my warning comes in. One of the characters (Arthur Meeks) is a sex offender. There are several chapters from his perspective, demonstrating the evils of the world. There were parts that disturbed me, although he does eventually get what he deserves. With this in mind, I’d advise only those of age eighteen or over to read this book.
Arthur made for a terrifying bad guy, because you know there’d be so much to lose if he ever got a hold of Holly. I didn’t want him anywhere near her and found myself wishing I could teleport into the story to protect Holly as the situation felt so real.
~Now, for our other main characters
Holly Tremayne (11 years old) is a brave and naturally inquisitive child with a love of books, particularly spooky stories. Throughout the story, she proves to be more responsible than her own mother, with their mother-daughter roles being reversed. No matter what problems Holly faced, she stood strong and dealt with them in her own way.
Cherry (Holly’s mother) was not a character I warmed to at all. She is an irresponsible mother with a love of alcohol and constant flings. She has a spiteful personality and treated her daughter as an errand girl. I found it hard to sympathise with her because she seemed to lack any empathy or other redeeming qualities.
Delilah Devine (Holly’s grandmother) is a well put together though at times strict woman. A former actress, she first appears quite cold and distant, bitter due to growing older and no longer being cast in glamourous roles. As times passes and she begins to spend more time with Holly, she begins to open up more, dealing with her past demons and becoming more loving and carefree in general.
The Brimstone Hotel is a character in its own right, a former hospital frequented by dark spirits, including that of Holly’s great-great-grandfather, once nicknamed The Brimstone Beast. We learn a lot of dark secrets about Holly’s great ancestor, some which are beyond shocking.
~Writing~
The author makes good use of imagery, creating scenes that were easy for me to see in my mind’s eye. The story sparked my curiosity as it swept me up in the character’s various dramas.
The author does a fantastic job at delivering different points of view, with each character having their own unique perspective, way of talking, acting, etc.
Despite being written in third person, I got a clear sense of the different personalities involved in the story.
~Quotes~
One quote that stuck with me was- ‘You can’t let your fears influence you- your defense is your own power and confidence.’
This is such an important lesson of life. Often, it is our fears that hold us back in life. If we allow them to rule over us, then we’ll never achieve our dreams, but if we try to challenge ourselves and face her fears head-on, then we can become the best versions of ourselves.
~Overall Thoughts~
I loved this story, despite its one unfavourable character. It was different, even a little bit creepy in places, and kept me reading.
My rating: 4 stars. Recommended for lovers of the supernatural.
Again, please only read this if you are aged 12 or over due to the nature of some of the content.
The BRIMSTONE BY TAMARA THORNE, narration by JAMIE LYNN.
All families have hidden secrets,but if you are Holly Tremayne, those family secrets can kill you. Holly and her mother, a washed out porn actress are staying at the the Brimstone . The Brimstone is owned by Holly's grandmother, a once very famous movie star Delilah Devine. What Holly's grandmother does not tell Holly is that she is very unique. Not only unique in her appearance,with a set of eyes that have a hint of gold in them,but unique in the fact she can see ghosts and she has very powerful paranormal talents. The paranormal talents is the reason they want Holly dead.
BRIMSTONE rates about a 8 1/2 out of ten on my creepy story meter. The story starts out a little slow so you have to be very patient with it. Jamie Lynn does a great job with the characterization!
If you are into the good old fashioned ghost stories then take a time to listen to BRIMSTONE BY TAMARA THORNE!
I recieved this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this book! This isn't the first novel by Tamara Thorne that I've read, but this might well be my favorite - so far.
All of the characters were really well developed, but two of them really stood out to me - the main character, and one of the villains. The villain I'm speaking of may well be the most despicable character that I have ever run across in a book. The author did a superb job with him!
Great read, characters are a bit one dimensional, but it doesn't kill the mood. I will be getting more from this author, if the other ones are half as delightful I will be pleased. Grab this one, it's a fun romp through an old hotel!
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I love ghost stories and this book was full of them. It was a book about justice and love. Both need to prevail and find there wway.
I highly enjoyed this read, it is long but well worth the time. It has ghosts, supernatural items and Native American folklore! So much! And I also really loved the character Holly!
Great horror novel. Set in Arizona in the 1960s Full of ghosts and paranormal activity. I recommend this book to anybody who loves a good scare. I absolutely love Tamara Thorne
Reading Tamara Thorne’s Brimstone will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. Holly Tremayne, a precocious eleven-year-old, is visiting her grandmother in a dusty mining town called Brimstone. She loves ghosts, dark places, and mysteries. But finds her fill and more at the old Hotel formerly a hospital. Her mother is a porn star, and poor Holly, much older than her years, is the adult in the family. Her grandmother, Delilah, a former film star of some repute, is a bit standoffish. But soon, Holly melts her cold heart, and the two take the evil that has arisen since Holly’s arrival to task.
My only surprise while reading was that Tamara didn’t ‘kill her darlings.’ Not one of them, and I was so ready to see several lose the fight. I especially thought that Ben and Carrie might give finality to their love story. Otherwise, this book is at the top. Expert writing, fascinating characters, and one of the best ghost stories I’ve read in a long while!
The history of Brimstone and the mining town is filled with evil, but that doesn’t stop Holly from investigating all that’s dark. This is a real page-turner that will haunt your dreams. A horror story that right up there with the Master’s, and I look forward to reading more of Tamara Thorne’s work!