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Until the Sun Goes Down
UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN - a terrifying and inventive novel by IKE HAMILL.I tell the old man about what kept me awake when I was a kid. He doesn't laugh when I mention vampires."They're in the cellar," he says.It must be the heat. The old man is delusional. At least that's what I tell myself. Things are different in the middle of the night. When monsters come tapping, it's impossible to dismiss the idea that the Maine woods hold secrets--deadly secrets.A new look at the vampire genre, UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN will draw you into the slow madness that creeps through the night. There's nothing romantic or alluring about the embrace that awaits you. Available in paperback or eBook.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2019
108 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Ike Hamill
54 books189 followersIke Hamill writes fast-paced horror novels with strong, relatable characters. His books have gained a steady following amongst readers who enjoy his blend of sci-fi, paranormal, occult, and suspense. Whether focused on a small family trying to survive the move to a haunted house, or following a band of angry rebels determined to withstand an apocalypse, his stories draw the reader into the lives of real people in crisis. Readers are always sad to leave the characters behind when the book is finished.
Reviewers compare Ike to Dean Koontz and Stephen King—two of his favorite authors. His narrative often jumps between interwoven stories, presenting readers with a fresh perspective and keeping them guessing until the last chapter. Most of Ike’s readers are repeat customers. Pick up one of his books to learn why.
Reviewers compare Ike to Dean Koontz and Stephen King—two of his favorite authors. His narrative often jumps between interwoven stories, presenting readers with a fresh perspective and keeping them guessing until the last chapter. Most of Ike’s readers are repeat customers. Pick up one of his books to learn why.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 21, 2025
Wow. The ending wasn't even close to what I was expecting. Well done, Mr. Hamill.
October 28, 2025
My feelings are very mixed about this one. I loved the beginning and ending, but in the middle there were points where I was dissociating, needing to read one page three times before I finally understood it. Some scenes were dragging, that's what I'm saying.
That being said, I'll probably read other books by this author out of curiosity.
(Bonus points for me seeing a lot of myself in the main character, that was cool)
That being said, I'll probably read other books by this author out of curiosity.
(Bonus points for me seeing a lot of myself in the main character, that was cool)
January 17, 2021
The Vampires... they're in the cellar...
No spoilers:
If you like vampire tales, you'll enjoy this unique spin on that oft told bloodsucker lore...
Our narrator (his name isn't given) has inherited an old farmhouse from his uncle Walt... he looked forward to visiting his uncle during summers when he was a boy...
On his way into town Narrator decides to stop in at his neighbor's house to see if he needs his mail picked up while he's there...
Narrator, being paranoid and antisocial, almost changes his mind but makes himself visit the old man...
The town is in the midst of a heat wave and he pictures his elderly neighbor passed out or worse because the temperature is soaring and the house's windows are closed tight...
Narrator finds the door partially open and goes inside to check on the old man. He enters the sweltering house and sees his neighbor on the floor in the kitchen and calls paramedics...
While giving the old man ice to revive him, Narrator tries to entertain him by telling stories of his childhood days visiting Uncle Walt while they wait for the ambulance...
Narrator tells the man a story Uncle Walt always told him as a boy about the town's train whistle...
...The legend goes that the conductor would blow his whistle when vampires were on the tracks to keep them from being hit by the train...
The old man rouses himself and whispers...
"The vampires... they're in the cellar"...
Narrator looks over his shoulder at the cellar door... it's hook and eye lock is unlatched and the door open a crack...
This was not an ordinary vampire story. I gave it 5 stars for causing me to sleep with the lights on (it takes a lot to scare me). There are some but not many typos. Enjoy!
No spoilers:
If you like vampire tales, you'll enjoy this unique spin on that oft told bloodsucker lore...
Our narrator (his name isn't given) has inherited an old farmhouse from his uncle Walt... he looked forward to visiting his uncle during summers when he was a boy...
On his way into town Narrator decides to stop in at his neighbor's house to see if he needs his mail picked up while he's there...
Narrator, being paranoid and antisocial, almost changes his mind but makes himself visit the old man...
The town is in the midst of a heat wave and he pictures his elderly neighbor passed out or worse because the temperature is soaring and the house's windows are closed tight...
Narrator finds the door partially open and goes inside to check on the old man. He enters the sweltering house and sees his neighbor on the floor in the kitchen and calls paramedics...
While giving the old man ice to revive him, Narrator tries to entertain him by telling stories of his childhood days visiting Uncle Walt while they wait for the ambulance...
Narrator tells the man a story Uncle Walt always told him as a boy about the town's train whistle...
...The legend goes that the conductor would blow his whistle when vampires were on the tracks to keep them from being hit by the train...
The old man rouses himself and whispers...
"The vampires... they're in the cellar"...
Narrator looks over his shoulder at the cellar door... it's hook and eye lock is unlatched and the door open a crack...
This was not an ordinary vampire story. I gave it 5 stars for causing me to sleep with the lights on (it takes a lot to scare me). There are some but not many typos. Enjoy!
September 9, 2020
UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN is the Maine Maestro of Horror not named Stephen King's take on vampires. The dedication is to Uncle Stevie himself, who Ike Hamill thanks for all the scares when he was a kid. UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN is a short novel, but even so, takes a while to get going. It is unusual for Hamill in that there is very little actual dialogue (aside from the unnamed narrator's internal musings and recollections). This is largely because this is basically a one actor play, with only very brief cameos by a couple of other people. It is also unusual in that the narrator is self-described as an asocial loner with enough personality issues and quirks to make him (at least to me) rather unlikeable. In a one-man story, that is an inauspicious start.
The narrator has just inherited an old house on a remote unpaved road in rural Maine (where, like SK, many of Hamill’s novels are placed) from his recently deceased Uncle Walt. He has visited the place many times as a child and young adult and has many fond memories of these summer vacation stays. He intends to clean the place out in preparation for either selling it or moving in. He seems to be a rather itinerant sort, without a real career so moving up there all alone doesn’t bother him at all. In his first week there, on a scorching hot day, he decides (rather against type for an asocial loner I think) to check in on an elderly neighbor that he remembers is the occupant of the only other house on the road to see if he’s OK. He finds the old man, Mr. Engel, prostrate on the floor, feeds him some ice chips and calls for an ambulance. The old man is revived somewhat by the ice and manages to whisper to him something like “…The vampires… are in the cellar”. The narrator then finds a phone book upstairs while waiting for the ambulance and contacts a relative to let them know what has happened.
Despite the fact that the narrator is a logical fellow, he has also seen and been told by his Uncle Walt that there are things that don’t always make sense. So he doesn’t think to much about the vampire thing and goes about his business. A day or so later, the relative calls him back and tells him that Mr. Engel has died and asks him to return to Engel’s house and shut off the power and water. He agrees to do so, but then realizes that the circuit breakers are in the cellar. Only slightly queasy about this, he locks all the windows and descends the stairs to the cellar armed with a flashlight. There he discovers a chest freezer and worries that if he shuts the power off, whatever is in there will definitely spoil. So he opens the lid and…then the real story begins.
Hamill’s take on traditional horror tropes are always original and UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN is no different. The pacing that starts out so slowly becomes faster and faster and the story gets scarier and scarier right up until the end. When I first started the novel, I didn’t think I would like it because the narrator was so unlikeable. Despite having lost his wife and child in a birth gone terribly awry, he somehow didn’t generate any sympathy. But I should have trusted Hamill. This is perhaps the tenth or so of his many novels (the guy is a writing machine) that I have read, and all have been either good or great. Four solid stars.
Recommended.
JM Tepper
(I read this with my Kindle Unlimited subscription)
The narrator has just inherited an old house on a remote unpaved road in rural Maine (where, like SK, many of Hamill’s novels are placed) from his recently deceased Uncle Walt. He has visited the place many times as a child and young adult and has many fond memories of these summer vacation stays. He intends to clean the place out in preparation for either selling it or moving in. He seems to be a rather itinerant sort, without a real career so moving up there all alone doesn’t bother him at all. In his first week there, on a scorching hot day, he decides (rather against type for an asocial loner I think) to check in on an elderly neighbor that he remembers is the occupant of the only other house on the road to see if he’s OK. He finds the old man, Mr. Engel, prostrate on the floor, feeds him some ice chips and calls for an ambulance. The old man is revived somewhat by the ice and manages to whisper to him something like “…The vampires… are in the cellar”. The narrator then finds a phone book upstairs while waiting for the ambulance and contacts a relative to let them know what has happened.
Despite the fact that the narrator is a logical fellow, he has also seen and been told by his Uncle Walt that there are things that don’t always make sense. So he doesn’t think to much about the vampire thing and goes about his business. A day or so later, the relative calls him back and tells him that Mr. Engel has died and asks him to return to Engel’s house and shut off the power and water. He agrees to do so, but then realizes that the circuit breakers are in the cellar. Only slightly queasy about this, he locks all the windows and descends the stairs to the cellar armed with a flashlight. There he discovers a chest freezer and worries that if he shuts the power off, whatever is in there will definitely spoil. So he opens the lid and…then the real story begins.
Hamill’s take on traditional horror tropes are always original and UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN is no different. The pacing that starts out so slowly becomes faster and faster and the story gets scarier and scarier right up until the end. When I first started the novel, I didn’t think I would like it because the narrator was so unlikeable. Despite having lost his wife and child in a birth gone terribly awry, he somehow didn’t generate any sympathy. But I should have trusted Hamill. This is perhaps the tenth or so of his many novels (the guy is a writing machine) that I have read, and all have been either good or great. Four solid stars.
Recommended.
JM Tepper
(I read this with my Kindle Unlimited subscription)
January 2, 2020
This is a very gradual, slow wind-up of a story, and for once I didn’t find that the least bit off-putting or boring or anything like that. It’s a masterwork of a gradual buildup of tension and fear. It’s extremely internal, and we really get to know both the best and worst of our protagonist. There are only a few other characters that show up, but even the police have personality and interest.
One of the things I find interesting about this character is the fact that he doesn’t waste any time telling himself that there’s no such thing as vampires, or denying the evidence of his senses. He pivots swiftly into doing whatever the hell he can to stay alive.
This is a delightful horror read with a nice dose of strangeness–these are no ordinary vampires!
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/01/s...
One of the things I find interesting about this character is the fact that he doesn’t waste any time telling himself that there’s no such thing as vampires, or denying the evidence of his senses. He pivots swiftly into doing whatever the hell he can to stay alive.
This is a delightful horror read with a nice dose of strangeness–these are no ordinary vampires!
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/01/s...
July 8, 2023
Predchadzajuce knihy autora sa mi velmi pacili. Normalni ludia v normalnej situacii zrazu zaziju nieco nenormalne.
Ale v tejto knihe to nefungovalo. Hlavny hrdina zdedi farmu po svojom ujovi na pomerne opustenom mieste. Raz si nieco vsimne u jeho dalekeho suseda a ide ho skontrolovat. Stary pan lezi na zemi a kym cakaju na sanitku, hlavny hrdina ho rozptyluje pribehmi a okrem ineho spomenie aj pribeh o upiroch. Este predtym, ako ho sanitka vezme, mu sused povie, ze ma upira v pivnici.
Ked mu potom zavola neter toho pana, ze zomrel a on sa ponukne, ze pojde vypnut vodu a elektrinu, nevie, do coho sa namoci. V mraznicke v suterene totiz najde bytost s hypnotizujucimi ocami. Ako v sne sa mu podari utiect domov a tam zacne boj o zivot.
Nastastie to bolo kratke. Citat to urcite nebudete, takze za mna taka poznamka, ze kde sa schovavali ostatni upiri, ked toho jedneho nasiel v mrazaku a ako to, ze ten stary pan prezil do 97 rokov a nezabili ho...toto vobec nebolo riesene. Pokracovanie tejto serie citat nebudem, ale od autora si este nieco ine precitam, snad to bude lepsie.
Ale v tejto knihe to nefungovalo. Hlavny hrdina zdedi farmu po svojom ujovi na pomerne opustenom mieste. Raz si nieco vsimne u jeho dalekeho suseda a ide ho skontrolovat. Stary pan lezi na zemi a kym cakaju na sanitku, hlavny hrdina ho rozptyluje pribehmi a okrem ineho spomenie aj pribeh o upiroch. Este predtym, ako ho sanitka vezme, mu sused povie, ze ma upira v pivnici.
Ked mu potom zavola neter toho pana, ze zomrel a on sa ponukne, ze pojde vypnut vodu a elektrinu, nevie, do coho sa namoci. V mraznicke v suterene totiz najde bytost s hypnotizujucimi ocami. Ako v sne sa mu podari utiect domov a tam zacne boj o zivot.
Nastastie to bolo kratke. Citat to urcite nebudete, takze za mna taka poznamka, ze kde sa schovavali ostatni upiri, ked toho jedneho nasiel v mrazaku a ako to, ze ten stary pan prezil do 97 rokov a nezabili ho...toto vobec nebolo riesene. Pokracovanie tejto serie citat nebudem, ale od autora si este nieco ine precitam, snad to bude lepsie.
November 23, 2020
I enjoy a good "horror" story every now and then, but this time I've embarked on a short series of 3 tales. "Until the Sun Goes Down" is book 1, and when I read the summary, I just knew I would want to hear the "whole tale," so I made sure to get all 3 stories, so I could read one after the other, without interruption. After finishing book 1, I am glad I acquired the other two, as I started Book 2 this morning.
The story begins with a young man, who's beloved Uncle Walt, has passed away and left his home and property to his nephew. Planning to clean the place up, and put the property up for sale, he arrives at his Uncle's home, on a lonely country road somewhere in Maine. What begins as a good samaritan effort to help an old and dying neighbors turns into a nightmare tale of monsters unexpected and too unbelievable to explain.
This story was interesting, compelling and totally enjoyable. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The story begins with a young man, who's beloved Uncle Walt, has passed away and left his home and property to his nephew. Planning to clean the place up, and put the property up for sale, he arrives at his Uncle's home, on a lonely country road somewhere in Maine. What begins as a good samaritan effort to help an old and dying neighbors turns into a nightmare tale of monsters unexpected and too unbelievable to explain.
This story was interesting, compelling and totally enjoyable. I can't wait to see what happens next.
March 1, 2022
This was the first vampire book and the first Ike Hamill book I have read and I was not disappointed. The book is told in the first person of a man who has inherited his uncle's house. He checks on an elderly neighbor who warns him that there are vampires in the basement before ambulance comes to take him away. Now that would have been enough to send me on my way but the narrator hangs around to see if there really are vampires in the basement. The book is different in that its told in first person and the narrator is really the only character. Its also different in that the vampires are nothing like what you have seen in typical vampire movies. Lots of action and lots of tension as you try to figure out what is going to happen next. This was a good read.
February 15, 2020
Totally different breed of vampires than I am used to…not that I am used to vampires!!! Still, it is the same scary story that Ike is famous for writing, that just somehow morphs from his imagination to paper--scary. Ike would definitely be an interesting person to invite to a party. Hamill released several new books at the same time. I always find it exciting when one of "my" authors releases a new book...and I immediately add it to my reading queue, but that was just too many. I lost track of what all they were, I'll have to go back and search for them.
August 30, 2020
New take on the Vampire genre. Told in first person. The main character returns to Maine during a particular hot summer, to take over the home of his uncle after his death. While checking on a neighbor during the heat and finds him collapsed and near death, while waiting for paramedics. The neighbor mentions that the "vampires are in the basement". Such begins this man's journey into survival. Not your typical vampire story but action packed and fast paced. Ike Hamill is an author to watch..
November 7, 2019
Ike Hamill always writes really interesting and original stories and this is his take on the vampire mythos. I really enjoyed a different spin on vampires and I really enjoyed the tension of this story. A man does a nice deed: he goes and checks on his elderly neighbor during a heat wave. But not all good deeds have happy consequences.
November 13, 2020
The ultimate question
Spoiler alert! What if you became like the monster you just exhausted yourself by destroying? Would you seek to live or beg to die? This story has you wondering if the main character is insane or if the events are really happening. Solid writing with excellent descriptions. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Spoiler alert! What if you became like the monster you just exhausted yourself by destroying? Would you seek to live or beg to die? This story has you wondering if the main character is insane or if the events are really happening. Solid writing with excellent descriptions. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
May 14, 2021
This was a great quick read, very tense and entertaining writing style. (no spoilers but this book is about vampires). although we get to know the main character and his music references over the course of the story *which I don't hate but some people might feel is redundant* we don't actually know his name until the satisfying end.. Overall I gave this 4 stars.
November 19, 2021
Good Old Fashioned Horror
Vampires! Different authors describe them in their own way, from Brain Striker's Dracula to Stephen King's Salems Lot. Author Ike Hamill brings his version. Told in the first person this is a horrific tale of one mans battle. A great tale with just enough detail to give you the shivers.
Vampires! Different authors describe them in their own way, from Brain Striker's Dracula to Stephen King's Salems Lot. Author Ike Hamill brings his version. Told in the first person this is a horrific tale of one mans battle. A great tale with just enough detail to give you the shivers.
February 21, 2022
Absolutely Wonderful Read
If you like weird stories then you will love this series. The author has written an awesome story which stars a new monster, one that’s scary smart and will have you hating the dark worse than you already do! Loved the series which has 3 books and they will keep you enthralled until the very end.
If you like weird stories then you will love this series. The author has written an awesome story which stars a new monster, one that’s scary smart and will have you hating the dark worse than you already do! Loved the series which has 3 books and they will keep you enthralled until the very end.
May 29, 2020
Great Story!
I couldn't put it down. Not a slow moment in the book. Loved the main character, felt like I knew him personally and was very sad for him, wanted to help him. I enjoyed this book like old Stephen King stories. That good. I will definitely read more from him.
I couldn't put it down. Not a slow moment in the book. Loved the main character, felt like I knew him personally and was very sad for him, wanted to help him. I enjoyed this book like old Stephen King stories. That good. I will definitely read more from him.
July 18, 2020
Please don't waste your time on this book
This was horrible. The only reason I finished it is because I can't not finish a book. It was depressing and I hate that I spent time reading it.
This was horrible. The only reason I finished it is because I can't not finish a book. It was depressing and I hate that I spent time reading it.
September 10, 2020
Now this is the Ike I know and love. Great humor amidst a truly creepy horror story. Nothing like just two houses on a remote road in Maine to set up something scary. A short and entertaining read.
September 15, 2020
A different kind of vampire.
Not your typical vampire. These are tiny, almost alien -like beings, but still bloodthirsty. Stake through the eye, not the heart. I found the variation entertaining. There were a few inconsistencies in the story, but all I all, it was a good read.
Not your typical vampire. These are tiny, almost alien -like beings, but still bloodthirsty. Stake through the eye, not the heart. I found the variation entertaining. There were a few inconsistencies in the story, but all I all, it was a good read.
July 15, 2021
I loved this one!
So many bits of wisdom mixed into this read. It could easily just be a simple scary story, but Ike adds so much depth and background to the main character, it is much deeper than a simple story.
So many bits of wisdom mixed into this read. It could easily just be a simple scary story, but Ike adds so much depth and background to the main character, it is much deeper than a simple story.
July 18, 2021
Sun down!
Ike Hamill is one of the most underrated horror authors in the business. Another fun and scary outing, this time it's Vampires wreaking havoc in Maine. I really enjoyed this book.
Ike Hamill is one of the most underrated horror authors in the business. Another fun and scary outing, this time it's Vampires wreaking havoc in Maine. I really enjoyed this book.
April 9, 2022
Such a fun unusual story!!
I liked the rhythm of the prose. The author is not pretentious or overly full of himself and just tells a new take on a vampire story.
Just a quick engrossing read.
I liked the rhythm of the prose. The author is not pretentious or overly full of himself and just tells a new take on a vampire story.
Just a quick engrossing read.
January 18, 2020
Vampires?
Great story with a new twist on vampires, how they become what they are, and how to get rid of them.
Great story with a new twist on vampires, how they become what they are, and how to get rid of them.
September 11, 2020
Wow
I lived this book. It's a very scary story taking place in an old house on a lovely road. The main character was so real to me that i felt for everything he went through.
I lived this book. It's a very scary story taking place in an old house on a lovely road. The main character was so real to me that i felt for everything he went through.
July 12, 2021
Excellent! Well written, scary, a real page-turner!
July 13, 2021
Nice easy read
..... ... ... .... ... I enjoyed reading this a well written horror story. Tap tap tap tap .. ..
..... ... ... .... ... I enjoyed reading this a well written horror story. Tap tap tap tap .. ..
July 21, 2022
I like reading this author's books. I just wish he had spell check or a proof reader.
October 11, 2022
Couldn't put this down
I read entire book. Scared me in parts too. I made sure my feet weren't hanging off the bed after reading this book.
I read entire book. Scared me in parts too. I made sure my feet weren't hanging off the bed after reading this book.
June 18, 2021
The narrative style in this book didn't work for me... at all. The book should have been horror. To me it was just first-person-annoying. But that's a personal thing not an indictment.
The rambling style of the protagonist, the way he flitted back and forth across time telling stories about the people he loved would probably suit others. The vignettes would serve to fill out the man's character and backstory. His very approachable chatter might endear him to others. But it sent me scampering over paragraphs of text I could care less about.
Like this author. Don't care for this book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews