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Scavenger Hunt
“I already know all your names. As for me... you can call me Mr. Do-Good.”
Five strangers have woken up in a white room. A room with no doors, no windows.
A room with no hope.
Because these strangers have been kidnapped, drugged... and brought here as the newest contestants in the world’s most high-stakes scavenger hunt. Run by a madman named Mr. Do-Good, the game offers only two options: win or die.
All they have to do to survive is... complete every task... on time... and not break any of Do-Good’s rules.
Playing the game will bring the players to their breaking point and beyond. But play they will, because Do-Good has plans for these strangers, and their only chance to live through the night is to discover what's really behind his Scavenger Hunt.
Five strangers have woken up in a white room. A room with no doors, no windows.
A room with no hope.
Because these strangers have been kidnapped, drugged... and brought here as the newest contestants in the world’s most high-stakes scavenger hunt. Run by a madman named Mr. Do-Good, the game offers only two options: win or die.
All they have to do to survive is... complete every task... on time... and not break any of Do-Good’s rules.
Playing the game will bring the players to their breaking point and beyond. But play they will, because Do-Good has plans for these strangers, and their only chance to live through the night is to discover what's really behind his Scavenger Hunt.
362 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2019
607 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
About the author
Michaelbrent Collings
92 books660 followersOne of the most versatile writers around, Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he has also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
March 20, 2022
Five strangers have woken up in a white room. A room with no doors, no windows.
The mission is simple: survive. Complete every task on time and don't break any of Dr. Do-Good's rules. As you meet the players you discover just why they were chosen and ended up in the clutches of the evil Doctor. Find out how the strangers are connected. Can they uncover how to save themselves before it's game over. Serious Saw vibes reading this book. Excellent read.
☠️☠️☠️☠️
The mission is simple: survive. Complete every task on time and don't break any of Dr. Do-Good's rules. As you meet the players you discover just why they were chosen and ended up in the clutches of the evil Doctor. Find out how the strangers are connected. Can they uncover how to save themselves before it's game over. Serious Saw vibes reading this book. Excellent read.
☠️☠️☠️☠️
November 20, 2019
This story was heavily influenced by the movie SAW - it is a good thing, in case you are wondering - but the scope is much bigger.
Five strangers wake up in a room and...well, the rest is in the blurb.
Bottom line: Survive the night.
Overall it was good, but there was a thing or two that bothered me a bit.
The author lost me in the beginning. Yes, he brings everything together at the end, but in the first, what - 15 pages??- I had no idea where he was going. The thing that bothered me was the vagueness of the characters and the role they would be playing through the story. Personally, I think these "teasers" was a bit unnecessary, and I figured out a fairly large part of the twist when I was just past the halfway mark.
The other thing that bothered me was the repetitiveness of the police reports - I can understand accuracy, but to say exactly the same thing over and over again was a little annoying.
So - my opinion is this:
Take away the interludes and duplication of the police reports, explain everything about the killer in a single chapter after the reveal, and this would have been a five star story for me.
It is worth reading, especially if you liked the SAW movies - the formula is very similar, but perhaps my personal opinion is exactly the opposite of yours, so judge this book on the blurb.
Five strangers wake up in a room and...well, the rest is in the blurb.
Bottom line: Survive the night.
Overall it was good, but there was a thing or two that bothered me a bit.
The author lost me in the beginning. Yes, he brings everything together at the end, but in the first, what - 15 pages??- I had no idea where he was going. The thing that bothered me was the vagueness of the characters and the role they would be playing through the story. Personally, I think these "teasers" was a bit unnecessary, and I figured out a fairly large part of the twist when I was just past the halfway mark.
The other thing that bothered me was the repetitiveness of the police reports - I can understand accuracy, but to say exactly the same thing over and over again was a little annoying.
So - my opinion is this:
Take away the interludes and duplication of the police reports, explain everything about the killer in a single chapter after the reveal, and this would have been a five star story for me.
It is worth reading, especially if you liked the SAW movies - the formula is very similar, but perhaps my personal opinion is exactly the opposite of yours, so judge this book on the blurb.
November 4, 2019
As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read Scavenger Hunt by Michaelbrent Collings. Why I haven’t read any of his work before, I can’t say, but I am glad HE found ME and offered me an ARC.
At first, I was confused and thinking, uh oh, is this one of those books I am going to struggle through. Well, I didn’t have long to wait to find out that I was too quick to judge.
THEN: The bottom dropped out of five lives as they are thrust into a deadly game of Scavenger Hunt and I quickly find out how the bloody smiley face on the cover comes into play.
Bloody, gory happenings as we flip between the past and the present, learning each characters life, exposing the reason for them being chosen to PLAY the game.
The camera is on and it could be watching YOU!
There’s more going on than the Scavenger Hunt. We have Thaddeus…a rich muckety muck and Hope, a young girl haunted by her past.
WOW…WOW…Scavenger Hunt is turning out to be so much more than what I expected. Michaelbrent Collings has a wicked mind. I haven’t read a book quite like this and it took me to a really dark place. I love the DARK.
I wondered how the stories would all come together, why these particular characters were chosen and it took me a while to see the common factor. As each character’s history is revealed, the threads weave together, though the perpetrator continues to elude me
I love the ending, and for all you high and mighty muckety mucks out there who think you are above the law…BEWARE.
You may think the same thing I did when I first began reading, but don’t give up too soon. The story just keeps getting better and better as it unfolds.
Scavenger Hunt’s originality, fast paced action and tension filled pages makes this an unputdownable book. I read it in one day, while at the dentist, at the eye doctor and finished it up while watching my Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Anything that takes my eyes off the game has to be great!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Scavenger Hunt by Michaelbrent Collings.
See more at fundinmental
At first, I was confused and thinking, uh oh, is this one of those books I am going to struggle through. Well, I didn’t have long to wait to find out that I was too quick to judge.
THEN: The bottom dropped out of five lives as they are thrust into a deadly game of Scavenger Hunt and I quickly find out how the bloody smiley face on the cover comes into play.
Bloody, gory happenings as we flip between the past and the present, learning each characters life, exposing the reason for them being chosen to PLAY the game.
The camera is on and it could be watching YOU!
There’s more going on than the Scavenger Hunt. We have Thaddeus…a rich muckety muck and Hope, a young girl haunted by her past.
WOW…WOW…Scavenger Hunt is turning out to be so much more than what I expected. Michaelbrent Collings has a wicked mind. I haven’t read a book quite like this and it took me to a really dark place. I love the DARK.
I wondered how the stories would all come together, why these particular characters were chosen and it took me a while to see the common factor. As each character’s history is revealed, the threads weave together, though the perpetrator continues to elude me
I love the ending, and for all you high and mighty muckety mucks out there who think you are above the law…BEWARE.
You may think the same thing I did when I first began reading, but don’t give up too soon. The story just keeps getting better and better as it unfolds.
Scavenger Hunt’s originality, fast paced action and tension filled pages makes this an unputdownable book. I read it in one day, while at the dentist, at the eye doctor and finished it up while watching my Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Anything that takes my eyes off the game has to be great!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Scavenger Hunt by Michaelbrent Collings.
See more at fundinmental
October 30, 2019
SCAVENGER HUNT is the latest horror novel from author Michaelbrent Collings. I found this to be a great, complex story with many separate threads that eventually collide.
". . . A great many things should be. Few . . . ever are . . ."
After a brief prologue, we are brought into a room with five distinct characters. Each of these is an enigma to the reader; the only thing visibly in common is the "SAW-like" setting they find themselves in. Instead of Jigsaw, we have "Mr. Do-Good"--a smiley face masked person on a wall mounted iPad.
His instructions? The group is to go on a Scavenger Hunt, of his own devise. The main rule being that they must stick together at all times, with further instructions given via a special "watch" attached to each participant's wrist.
". . . stopping a person could be a fine damn thing."
The formatting of this novel keeps the reader on their toes. During the actions currently being conducted, we have interludes in which we learn a bit of the backstory to each of the "players". Some of these didn't surprise me in the least, but at least one had me in complete shock.
". . . Something expected and something hoped for weren't always the same thing."
The characterization for each person here felt "complete", and made me able to view them as a real individual, as opposed to a cardboard cut-out stereotype. The best part, in my opinion, was that events didn't always go as I expected. The unpredictability of a situation is something I love to come across, as a reader.
". . . The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result . . . "
The atmosphere was another factor that worked in this novel's favor. Suitably dark and dangerous, it left the reader not knowing "what" to expect--only that it would be something . . . unpleasant.
". . . he had created a world there, and that made him a god . . . "
The only thing that disappointed me slightly was that I was able to predict a few of the key elements ahead of time. I think that withholding some of the information given--at least until closer to the ending--would have made a difference in regards to this. Still, it did not diminish my enjoyment for the novel as a whole, or cause me to fail to appreciate the way the various lines eventually crossed.
". . . . Hope was the most dangerous of feelings, because it existed in places where you had nothing but hope . . . so it was the only thing that could still be taken away . . . "
Overall, I loved the idea of this novel, combining a "game" (reminiscent of the SAW movies) that individuals had to complete to survive. The complex threads that ran throughout were subtlety woven in, so that the "connections" were revelations that came about only gradually. With the exception of a few parts that I was able to anticipate, this novel kept me on my toes, anxious to know more behind each character's backstory.
"Everything in here was on the verge of breaking . . . Maybe especially him."
A solid novel that highlighted some traits--perhaps all too real--in our society today, with characters of varying oral constraints.
Recommended.
**Available now! https://amzn.to/2Wqew73 **
". . . A great many things should be. Few . . . ever are . . ."
After a brief prologue, we are brought into a room with five distinct characters. Each of these is an enigma to the reader; the only thing visibly in common is the "SAW-like" setting they find themselves in. Instead of Jigsaw, we have "Mr. Do-Good"--a smiley face masked person on a wall mounted iPad.
His instructions? The group is to go on a Scavenger Hunt, of his own devise. The main rule being that they must stick together at all times, with further instructions given via a special "watch" attached to each participant's wrist.
". . . stopping a person could be a fine damn thing."
The formatting of this novel keeps the reader on their toes. During the actions currently being conducted, we have interludes in which we learn a bit of the backstory to each of the "players". Some of these didn't surprise me in the least, but at least one had me in complete shock.
". . . Something expected and something hoped for weren't always the same thing."
The characterization for each person here felt "complete", and made me able to view them as a real individual, as opposed to a cardboard cut-out stereotype. The best part, in my opinion, was that events didn't always go as I expected. The unpredictability of a situation is something I love to come across, as a reader.
". . . The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result . . . "
The atmosphere was another factor that worked in this novel's favor. Suitably dark and dangerous, it left the reader not knowing "what" to expect--only that it would be something . . . unpleasant.
". . . he had created a world there, and that made him a god . . . "
The only thing that disappointed me slightly was that I was able to predict a few of the key elements ahead of time. I think that withholding some of the information given--at least until closer to the ending--would have made a difference in regards to this. Still, it did not diminish my enjoyment for the novel as a whole, or cause me to fail to appreciate the way the various lines eventually crossed.
". . . . Hope was the most dangerous of feelings, because it existed in places where you had nothing but hope . . . so it was the only thing that could still be taken away . . . "
Overall, I loved the idea of this novel, combining a "game" (reminiscent of the SAW movies) that individuals had to complete to survive. The complex threads that ran throughout were subtlety woven in, so that the "connections" were revelations that came about only gradually. With the exception of a few parts that I was able to anticipate, this novel kept me on my toes, anxious to know more behind each character's backstory.
"Everything in here was on the verge of breaking . . . Maybe especially him."
A solid novel that highlighted some traits--perhaps all too real--in our society today, with characters of varying oral constraints.
Recommended.
**Available now! https://amzn.to/2Wqew73 **
November 7, 2019
I’m assuming you read the synopsis. Found it familiar. Was maybe thinking, been there, read that. A mysterious figure somehow kidnaps a groups of strangers. They wake up in a room with no idea where they are or what happened. Then the man behind the smiley mask tells them they must play a game. They play, or die. They follow the rules, or die. And they have to stay together. Let the scavenger hunt begin.
One of the things that made this plot stand out was the character’s stories. Why they were chosen. You can then decide if you care whether they live or die.
Another thing that stands out is the challenges the character’s face. Collings puts them through the wringer. It’s one race after another to complete ever more difficult tasks.
Scavenger Hunt is another thrilling, race to the finish read from this author. I’ve enjoyed many of his books and this one was crazy fun.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
One of the things that made this plot stand out was the character’s stories. Why they were chosen. You can then decide if you care whether they live or die.
Another thing that stands out is the challenges the character’s face. Collings puts them through the wringer. It’s one race after another to complete ever more difficult tasks.
Scavenger Hunt is another thrilling, race to the finish read from this author. I’ve enjoyed many of his books and this one was crazy fun.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
September 29, 2023
I was really excited about this one and couldn't wait to read it. To start with, I struggled to get into it. The story was quite confusing, and a little way into it, it changed to start telling us the backstory of one of the characters. It didn't really seem to make any sense and seemed to have no real connection to what was currently happening. The story continued for a bit, only to then go back and give the backstory of another of the characters. Again, it didn't really make any sense as to why it was needed. By the time we got to the backstory of the third character, things started to click into place and finally started to make a little sense. By the end of the book, everything came together with a pretty cool twist that I hadn't seen coming. I had figured out the twist was related to two of the characters, but I was wrong about how it was going to play out.
I actually ended up really enjoying this one and look forward to reading more from this author, as I have a couple more on my kindle.
I actually ended up really enjoying this one and look forward to reading more from this author, as I have a couple more on my kindle.
February 20, 2022
I’m so bummed but this book was just a big old mess for me and I didn’t really enjoy it. While I expected an exciting and dangerous scavenger hunt game what I really got was a super-smart villain going vigilante in a very Jigsaw type way. The book also lacked such little adventure and only a few intense and exciting scenes. Instead much of the book is spent developing backstory and history on characters that really took away from the present story. Sure parts were needed to work as a trail of breadcrumbs, however for the most part they were unnecessarily long and a waste of time. This book didn’t really hit the horror aspect for me either, more just your standard characters akin to human garbage (monsters I guess) run by greed, power and little to no thoughts of anyone but themselves. It’s a bummer too, that parts of the book were easy to piece together and never even felt like a mystery or even urgent.
June 3, 2020
Five people are taken hostage and wake up in a room with an electric collar around their necks. The kidnapper, Mr Do-Good, is a faceless figure who tells the group that they have to take part in a scavenger hunt if they want to live. If not, they will die in a horrible way.
I was disappointed with this as I thought it would be a thrilling read about a group of people on a lethal scavenger hunt, but a huge chunk of the book is taken up with the backstory of certain characters. I know this is linked to the resolution of the plot, but it takes the pace out of the story. I also didn't connect with any of the characters so I didn't really care about their survival and to make this kind of plot a success, the reader has to connect with at least one.
I was disappointed with this as I thought it would be a thrilling read about a group of people on a lethal scavenger hunt, but a huge chunk of the book is taken up with the backstory of certain characters. I know this is linked to the resolution of the plot, but it takes the pace out of the story. I also didn't connect with any of the characters so I didn't really care about their survival and to make this kind of plot a success, the reader has to connect with at least one.
October 31, 2019
A very enjoyable thriller with a nod toward Saw. Great character development. This was not a "horror" story in that it didn't have a paranormal storyline. It was definitely a suspense/thriller book . It kept me guessing until the end, when the "reveal" came! I was surprised at the twist! I would highly recommend this book!
Thanks to the author for a digital ARC!
Thanks to the author for a digital ARC!
June 16, 2021
Scavenger Hunt by Michaelbrent Collings is a wild tale of five people taking part in a twisted scavenger hunt. The stakes are high; the result of not following the rules or accomplishing the task in time is instant death.
I had a blast reading this! Though I do side eye my Apple watch every now and again, hoping that it doesn’t beep and have a voice give me a task. My reaction to my notifications hits a bit differently now. Phew.
Full disclosure: I was offered a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, as his ebooks were all 99 cents to help give people affected by the pandemic reading material, I bought the copy myself (along with some other books!). Of course, this did not affect my review in any way.
Content Warnings: Child endangerment, drug use, human trafficking, and other related items.
I keep seeing mentions of the Saw movies when this book comes up. I LOVE that this tale has a nod to that series. I would say a few elements were similar, but it was less gory. But don’t get me wrong, this tale has its fair share of gore to be sure! It also has plenty of gut-punch moments and a lot more action and suspense.
If you enjoy horror tales packed to the brim with action, very interesting characters, and that will keep you guessing until the final puzzle piece falls into place… you gotta pick this one up.
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
I had a blast reading this! Though I do side eye my Apple watch every now and again, hoping that it doesn’t beep and have a voice give me a task. My reaction to my notifications hits a bit differently now. Phew.
Full disclosure: I was offered a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, as his ebooks were all 99 cents to help give people affected by the pandemic reading material, I bought the copy myself (along with some other books!). Of course, this did not affect my review in any way.
Content Warnings: Child endangerment, drug use, human trafficking, and other related items.
I keep seeing mentions of the Saw movies when this book comes up. I LOVE that this tale has a nod to that series. I would say a few elements were similar, but it was less gory. But don’t get me wrong, this tale has its fair share of gore to be sure! It also has plenty of gut-punch moments and a lot more action and suspense.
If you enjoy horror tales packed to the brim with action, very interesting characters, and that will keep you guessing until the final puzzle piece falls into place… you gotta pick this one up.
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
November 2, 2019
Five people wake up in a strange white room. Each has an electronic collar attached to his or her neck and a wristband that issues instructions from the mysterious Mr. Do-Good. The ‘contestants’ are told they are to play a game, but the stakes in this adventure are high – make a mistake and your head might explode.
This is the second book I’ve read by Michaelbrent Collings. While it appears completely different in style and tone to the first one (Predators), the writing tells a story that is just as scary and just as troubling. From the outset we have no idea where we’re going or where we might end up. As someone famous once said, ‘an audience would rather be confused than bored’, and this is certainly confusing, but gradually Mr Collings brings things together and of course, all the clues were there if we’d only been smart enough to see them.
Michaelbrent Collings is a highly talented writer who seems to have more ingenious cunning in his little fingers than the rest of us have all together. Scarily good.
This is the second book I’ve read by Michaelbrent Collings. While it appears completely different in style and tone to the first one (Predators), the writing tells a story that is just as scary and just as troubling. From the outset we have no idea where we’re going or where we might end up. As someone famous once said, ‘an audience would rather be confused than bored’, and this is certainly confusing, but gradually Mr Collings brings things together and of course, all the clues were there if we’d only been smart enough to see them.
Michaelbrent Collings is a highly talented writer who seems to have more ingenious cunning in his little fingers than the rest of us have all together. Scarily good.
January 2, 2020
An interesting story idea but it got pretty cringy and silly at the end.
I enjoyed Big Wise's back story but the rest was too much over the top nonsense.
I enjoyed Big Wise's back story but the rest was too much over the top nonsense.
July 13, 2020
Finished this last night and loooved it! Everytime I thought I knew what was coming or how it would end I was wrong and another twist came. This book is a bloody, twisted page-turner and the ending was a total shock and it was just awesome! I highly recommend this one..5/5 skulls💀
January 18, 2021
Good twists and turns. I had guessed some of the end part way through the book but still thoroughly enjoyed the ride!
May 25, 2024
This was an intense read. It reminded me a lot of Saw V (one of my favorites). I loved how we discovered each person's backstory and saw how pieces of their lives all connected in the end.
August 14, 2020
A fantastic little thriller that even though it used some familiar tropes still kept me on my toes!
October 30, 2019
Not that any of Michaelbrent Collings’ novels are timid, but this journey reads as the rawest and grittiest I have seen from him. I think this might mark a change for MbC, a new level of maturity in his work.
Scavenger Hunt tells us of five diverse and unique characters forced into a deadly game similar to Saw or perhaps a nightmarish version of The Amazing Race. Abducted—an event they only vaguely remember—the group wakes in a metal room with no indication of where or when it is. A mysterious Mr. Do-Good invites them to play his game of terrifying choices or die.
Collings seamlessly weaves themes of action versus consequence. The story pits the lure of wealth against the desperation to escape poverty. Fate (and Do-Good) is an aggressive dealer of life choices within the definition of Home and Heritage. These are characters who seek danger to feel safe, and as they do, images of family take new and tenuous forms.
And the clock is always against them.
The pace of this episodic novel tears through an urban landscape, but the characters also take time to come to life with their depth. I cared about each of these people and their fates. What unsettles me most about this is that some of the characters were murders, embezzlers, and human traffickers.
Scavenger Hunt tells us of five diverse and unique characters forced into a deadly game similar to Saw or perhaps a nightmarish version of The Amazing Race. Abducted—an event they only vaguely remember—the group wakes in a metal room with no indication of where or when it is. A mysterious Mr. Do-Good invites them to play his game of terrifying choices or die.
Collings seamlessly weaves themes of action versus consequence. The story pits the lure of wealth against the desperation to escape poverty. Fate (and Do-Good) is an aggressive dealer of life choices within the definition of Home and Heritage. These are characters who seek danger to feel safe, and as they do, images of family take new and tenuous forms.
And the clock is always against them.
The pace of this episodic novel tears through an urban landscape, but the characters also take time to come to life with their depth. I cared about each of these people and their fates. What unsettles me most about this is that some of the characters were murders, embezzlers, and human traffickers.
October 30, 2019
Wow.
Michaelbrent Collings has yet to disappoint me. From the first book of his I took a chance with to this one, I have been entertained, amused, saddend, terrified, horrified and, I'll say it again, entertained.
As far as the book, "Scavenger Hunt", I was hooked in immediately, drawn in by the carefully woven tales of a chaos full of heartbreak, pain, confusion and terror. All at once. Death brough rise to a group of five people brought to some strange place of hospital beds and mannequins to mimic each of the five people, including wearing a very strange collar that matched the same collars these five people also wore. Quickly we, the group of five, plus the reader of this sinister tale, learn what dangers those collars represent. (insert Milla Jovovich saying, "BIG badda-boom!")
Then we're all off and running breathlessly to do what "Mr. Do-Good", the voice behind all this madness, requires in his obscene scavenger hunt. Each point of the hunt reveals something of one of the characters, and soon you begin to figure out that they're all connected in that six degrees of separation. Also by this point, you aren't sure if any of these five people deserve to come out of the game unscathed.
I even figured out who was behind the mask and voice of "Do-Good' ... not that it actually solved the mystery of the Scavenger Hunt itself and the reason for it.
The absolute why was the gut-punch, and the true manipulator of the game revealed and it's like... bang! POOF! it all fits, and you're not sad at what happened to a few, and applaud the "monster" of the tale, at least a little, a brief fist-pump of approval.
For me, it was an extra punch to the gut because I had recently read a true story of the life of a person who had fit the victims in this story. It brought tears to my eyes because of so many truths spoken in those pages. I can't further comment on this without giving away the storyline, but I can say this...
There are real monsters out there, and they could be your neighbor, that person you pass at the grocery store every Saturday, the demure librarian you share brief conversations with from time to time.
This book is not just an excellent read, it's a must-read.
This book will remain on my mind for a long time. I'll be sure to point my friends in the direction of this book.
I think I'll pass on the iWatch for sure now too. :)
Michaelbrent Collings has yet to disappoint me. From the first book of his I took a chance with to this one, I have been entertained, amused, saddend, terrified, horrified and, I'll say it again, entertained.
As far as the book, "Scavenger Hunt", I was hooked in immediately, drawn in by the carefully woven tales of a chaos full of heartbreak, pain, confusion and terror. All at once. Death brough rise to a group of five people brought to some strange place of hospital beds and mannequins to mimic each of the five people, including wearing a very strange collar that matched the same collars these five people also wore. Quickly we, the group of five, plus the reader of this sinister tale, learn what dangers those collars represent. (insert Milla Jovovich saying, "BIG badda-boom!")
Then we're all off and running breathlessly to do what "Mr. Do-Good", the voice behind all this madness, requires in his obscene scavenger hunt. Each point of the hunt reveals something of one of the characters, and soon you begin to figure out that they're all connected in that six degrees of separation. Also by this point, you aren't sure if any of these five people deserve to come out of the game unscathed.
I even figured out who was behind the mask and voice of "Do-Good' ... not that it actually solved the mystery of the Scavenger Hunt itself and the reason for it.
The absolute why was the gut-punch, and the true manipulator of the game revealed and it's like... bang! POOF! it all fits, and you're not sad at what happened to a few, and applaud the "monster" of the tale, at least a little, a brief fist-pump of approval.
For me, it was an extra punch to the gut because I had recently read a true story of the life of a person who had fit the victims in this story. It brought tears to my eyes because of so many truths spoken in those pages. I can't further comment on this without giving away the storyline, but I can say this...
There are real monsters out there, and they could be your neighbor, that person you pass at the grocery store every Saturday, the demure librarian you share brief conversations with from time to time.
This book is not just an excellent read, it's a must-read.
This book will remain on my mind for a long time. I'll be sure to point my friends in the direction of this book.
I think I'll pass on the iWatch for sure now too. :)
October 30, 2019
The cover gives all the warning a person needs: this is a twisted tale of folks forced to work together doing some very nasty things–and some very good things—both against their strongest desires
“Who”, you might wonder, “would do a good thing against their strongest desire?” Huh! Michaelbrent Collings knows just such a person (I dearly hope that doesn't sound like a kinda, "The noble Brutus hath told you'" stab-in-the-back opening )—and he can explain why the good deed is so objectionable, which he does very convincingly in this book!
It is also a tale of despondency; despondency converted to optimism; and of hopes crushed.
The cast of characters is an assortment of individuals, from "meh" to incorrigibly evil. They are forced to act together against their wishes–and sometimes against their best interests, for the sake of the group.
Wicked hard choice, right? Although the hunt lasts only a few hours, in that brief time there will be as much murder and mayhem; heartwarming care; betrayal; robbery; and skin-of-the-teeth escapes as is seen in novels spanning months.
The organization of the book is unusual: interspersed with asides that give background to the characters–almost always distinct from the others in the hunt group, though most of them were connected outside of the scavenger hunt, albeit perhaps unknowingly.
There are also parts that give some insight to activities or reports that are about the hunt’s aftermath–sort of a glimpse into the future, or a snapshot of police or news reports. Collings uses these to gradually expose information about the characters without interrupting the narrative to give backstory information, keeping the flow of the hunt moving smoothly.
Collings has used this framework and the motley group to weave a tale that is both mesmerizing and compelling, and very, very disquieting.
I can’t imagine how he could pull it off, but I dearly hope to see more of these unsettling books very soon!
“Who”, you might wonder, “would do a good thing against their strongest desire?” Huh! Michaelbrent Collings knows just such a person (I dearly hope that doesn't sound like a kinda, "The noble Brutus hath told you'" stab-in-the-back opening )—and he can explain why the good deed is so objectionable, which he does very convincingly in this book!
It is also a tale of despondency; despondency converted to optimism; and of hopes crushed.
The cast of characters is an assortment of individuals, from "meh" to incorrigibly evil. They are forced to act together against their wishes–and sometimes against their best interests, for the sake of the group.
Wicked hard choice, right? Although the hunt lasts only a few hours, in that brief time there will be as much murder and mayhem; heartwarming care; betrayal; robbery; and skin-of-the-teeth escapes as is seen in novels spanning months.
The organization of the book is unusual: interspersed with asides that give background to the characters–almost always distinct from the others in the hunt group, though most of them were connected outside of the scavenger hunt, albeit perhaps unknowingly.
There are also parts that give some insight to activities or reports that are about the hunt’s aftermath–sort of a glimpse into the future, or a snapshot of police or news reports. Collings uses these to gradually expose information about the characters without interrupting the narrative to give backstory information, keeping the flow of the hunt moving smoothly.
Collings has used this framework and the motley group to weave a tale that is both mesmerizing and compelling, and very, very disquieting.
I can’t imagine how he could pull it off, but I dearly hope to see more of these unsettling books very soon!
October 24, 2019
"I already know all your names. As for me... you can call me Mr. Do-Good."
***
Five strangers have woken up in a white room.
Apparently chosen at random, they have been kidnapped, drugged... and chosen to play the world’s most high-stakes scavenger hunt.
Run by Mr. Do-Good, a madman who ides his identity behind a bloodstained smily-face mask, the contestants are given a series of deadly tasks to complete.
All they have to do to survive is...
... complete every task...
... on time..
... and not break any of Do-Good’s rules.
Breaking the rules is forbidden, and failure is not an option. Because Do-Good has plans for these strangers, and refusing to play the game carries the most deadly of consequences...
Just wow!!! Wonderful wonderful twisted mystery/horror novel!!
There should be more stars allowed on this one.
Twistedly wicked with so mnay twists and turns going on.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me gripped from the start.
Loving the characters that have been created and fleshed out so well.
I can't wait to see what the author brings us next!!!!
LOVED LOVED LOVED!!
Highly recommend reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
***
Five strangers have woken up in a white room.
Apparently chosen at random, they have been kidnapped, drugged... and chosen to play the world’s most high-stakes scavenger hunt.
Run by Mr. Do-Good, a madman who ides his identity behind a bloodstained smily-face mask, the contestants are given a series of deadly tasks to complete.
All they have to do to survive is...
... complete every task...
... on time..
... and not break any of Do-Good’s rules.
Breaking the rules is forbidden, and failure is not an option. Because Do-Good has plans for these strangers, and refusing to play the game carries the most deadly of consequences...
Just wow!!! Wonderful wonderful twisted mystery/horror novel!!
There should be more stars allowed on this one.
Twistedly wicked with so mnay twists and turns going on.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me gripped from the start.
Loving the characters that have been created and fleshed out so well.
I can't wait to see what the author brings us next!!!!
LOVED LOVED LOVED!!
Highly recommend reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 24, 2021
All I can say about this book is, wow! I downloaded this book to my kindle yesterday and finished it today (I wanted to stay up all night to finish yesterday but I did need to sleep). This riveting book grabbed me immediately and I needed to to know how the story ended. It begins with five strangers who wake up in a white room with collars around their necks and smartwatches on their wrists. And then the scavenger hunt begins. I loved the characters and the mystery of what was happening as the story slowly unfolds. There were enough clues that I figured some things out, but even then I was surprised by what I hadn't figured out in the end. And it was a very satisfying ending. I highly recommend this book if you enjoyed Michaelbrent Colling's previous book, Terminal. It has the same feel in the beginning, but then becomes its own story. If you haven't read that one, then I recommend that too!
February 22, 2021
Scavenger hunt was a joy to read. Reading it felt like breathing in a gust of fresh air.. if that air was tinted with a fine bloody mist. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the book felt like it was written by a true horror fan (a mighty high compliment in an age where popular horror seems to have lost its once brilliant lustre).
Collings doesn’t try to impress us with intricate literary prose or complex characterization. Instead, he gives us a thrilling tale about revenge and loss where five strangers become trapped in a sadistic fight for survival. Although the story didn’t blow me away, it definitely kept me on my toes while reading. I also loved how the ending wrapped everything up quite nicely! It was well crafted and answered any lingering questions I had regarding the plot and the characters within the novel.
I recommend this one to anyone looking for an enjoyable, easy to read thriller/horror. I had a gory good time reading it!
Collings doesn’t try to impress us with intricate literary prose or complex characterization. Instead, he gives us a thrilling tale about revenge and loss where five strangers become trapped in a sadistic fight for survival. Although the story didn’t blow me away, it definitely kept me on my toes while reading. I also loved how the ending wrapped everything up quite nicely! It was well crafted and answered any lingering questions I had regarding the plot and the characters within the novel.
I recommend this one to anyone looking for an enjoyable, easy to read thriller/horror. I had a gory good time reading it!
Read
October 16, 2019I thought I had it all figured out...
And I did have the Who, but I didn’t have the Why.
For me, the story started out a little slow...but once it picked up momentum, it was like a runaway train.
Five people. From completely different walks of life. Unknown to each other. Waking up in a white room with necklaces of high explosives around their necks. (Sounds like my current employment...but I digress.)
Complete the Scavenger Hunt, walk away. Fail to follow through...well, things tend to get messy if you follow that scenario.
The story was very well-crafted, highly entertaining. A couple of the characters might have come off a little cliche, at first, but the merry chase we follow them on makes up for that pretty quickly.
Looking forward to the next book. (Maybe even a continuation of this one?)
And I did have the Who, but I didn’t have the Why.
For me, the story started out a little slow...but once it picked up momentum, it was like a runaway train.
Five people. From completely different walks of life. Unknown to each other. Waking up in a white room with necklaces of high explosives around their necks. (Sounds like my current employment...but I digress.)
Complete the Scavenger Hunt, walk away. Fail to follow through...well, things tend to get messy if you follow that scenario.
The story was very well-crafted, highly entertaining. A couple of the characters might have come off a little cliche, at first, but the merry chase we follow them on makes up for that pretty quickly.
Looking forward to the next book. (Maybe even a continuation of this one?)
September 27, 2021
DNFed at 18%
Do you get the feeling of trash horror movie?
Well, this is exactly what I feel like.
The story begins with bunch of people waking up in an unfamiliar room with no way out, after being drugged and abducted.
And their responses and behaviour is somewhat unrealistic to me. No one panics.
Wow.
Everyone so rational after being abducted and drugged. Who wasn't, right?
I guess it wasn't the first time for neither of the characters.
Also, somehow they know that this is like the scene from the Saw movie but all refrain from mentioning it. Just hinting about it.
All characters are clichéd.
Frankly, I could not care less about each one's background story, from birth to present.
Just give me the short version, would you.
That for me is irrelevant information and nor does it move the story forward.
Guess there wasn't enough "meat" to the main plot to begin with.
Pass
Do you get the feeling of trash horror movie?
Well, this is exactly what I feel like.
The story begins with bunch of people waking up in an unfamiliar room with no way out, after being drugged and abducted.
And their responses and behaviour is somewhat unrealistic to me. No one panics.
Wow.
Everyone so rational after being abducted and drugged. Who wasn't, right?
I guess it wasn't the first time for neither of the characters.
Also, somehow they know that this is like the scene from the Saw movie but all refrain from mentioning it. Just hinting about it.
All characters are clichéd.
Frankly, I could not care less about each one's background story, from birth to present.
Just give me the short version, would you.
That for me is irrelevant information and nor does it move the story forward.
Guess there wasn't enough "meat" to the main plot to begin with.
Pass
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2019
The story came together so well and had an exceptional twist. Looking forward to reading more by this author!
December 27, 2019
High NPS score and reason for giving it
Does everyone know what NPS is?
The Net Promoter Score is an index ranging from -100 to 100 that measures the willingness of customers to recommend a company's products or services to others. Essentially, it is a system for gauging a customer's overall satisfaction with a product/service and loyalty to the brand.
Why do I bring this up? Because this book and MichaelBrent Collings deserve an NPS of +100. This was AWESOME and I don’t know how the heck I missed this author. I mean, really? AND... the reason I am connecting NPS and this author as I write this review is that I thought the story WAS SO GOOD that I began to retell it to my husband so he could visualize it like a movie (he does not read but he loves good stories, AND this novel should be made into a movie). Now..... if me relating an entire story to another person is not an indicator of my enjoyment of a product, I don’t know what is.
Scavenger Hunt goes back and forth in time. It follows different characters at different moments in their lives. The characters are intriguing and their actions allow the plot to progress. Not only is this story a page-turner, but every detail comes together logically at the end. I had so much fun reading Scavenger Hunt that I can’t wait to read another story by MichaelBrent Collings.
Does everyone know what NPS is?
The Net Promoter Score is an index ranging from -100 to 100 that measures the willingness of customers to recommend a company's products or services to others. Essentially, it is a system for gauging a customer's overall satisfaction with a product/service and loyalty to the brand.
Why do I bring this up? Because this book and MichaelBrent Collings deserve an NPS of +100. This was AWESOME and I don’t know how the heck I missed this author. I mean, really? AND... the reason I am connecting NPS and this author as I write this review is that I thought the story WAS SO GOOD that I began to retell it to my husband so he could visualize it like a movie (he does not read but he loves good stories, AND this novel should be made into a movie). Now..... if me relating an entire story to another person is not an indicator of my enjoyment of a product, I don’t know what is.
Scavenger Hunt goes back and forth in time. It follows different characters at different moments in their lives. The characters are intriguing and their actions allow the plot to progress. Not only is this story a page-turner, but every detail comes together logically at the end. I had so much fun reading Scavenger Hunt that I can’t wait to read another story by MichaelBrent Collings.
March 18, 2024
I just finished reading this book and my life will never be the same; this is story telling at its absolute best.
There is some very strong language so I do not recommend it for children.
I wish there has been some way to write the story without all of the profanity because I want everyone to read this story and remember.
Only one word adequately describes this title, in my mind, “masterpiece.”
Sincerely,
Mark
There is some very strong language so I do not recommend it for children.
I wish there has been some way to write the story without all of the profanity because I want everyone to read this story and remember.
Only one word adequately describes this title, in my mind, “masterpiece.”
Sincerely,
Mark
Read
November 30, 2019A Game - Put Into Action Long Ago
Five 'strangers' brought together to hunt for the answers to questions they didn't even know they had.
I love this book! Solomon's back story sucked me all the way in. I couldn't get enough of Chong, and 'Portobello Road' - (great name, BTW!)
It's gritty, it's dirty, and I couldn't stop reading until everything played out.
Five 'strangers' brought together to hunt for the answers to questions they didn't even know they had.
I love this book! Solomon's back story sucked me all the way in. I couldn't get enough of Chong, and 'Portobello Road' - (great name, BTW!)
It's gritty, it's dirty, and I couldn't stop reading until everything played out.
February 18, 2022
This wasn't a bad book. Fast to read and interesting enough to keep my interest. I do think they could have completely gotten rid of the police files part and maybe just done the police interview at the very end. It was confusing and didn't really add anything to the story. The story in itself was interesting enough. The reason for the little game, Noelle being the daughter of the man who bought the heart, was different enough that it held my interest. Clint being the brother of the girl with the heart was really sad. I just realized the very end was super underwhelming. I need to go back because what happened to Noelle? What did he end up doing? Overall, not too bad. I like spooky stuff like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
This was overall a good thriller and suspense novel. I was able to see what was happening as it went along pretty easily and I appreciated the use of some different methods of writing like a transcription of an interrogation. I definitely would not classify it as horror though.
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