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The Beast in the Nothing Room
When Detective Sergeant Finley Winterbourne was called to investigate poachers in the southern English countryside, he was caught by a sudden twisting light and found himself trapped in a room of nothingness as he was sexually assaulted. Dumped back where he'd been taken from, he learned he was neither the first man this had happened to, recently, nor would he be the last...unless he put an end to it.
But as Finn investigated the assaults, he found several of the other men this might have happened to were dead, and two more had almost been killed. Not only that, but he now found his entire life had been shifted from being a casually heterosexual male to a gay man with strong feelings for one of his fellow victims...a man who might still be targeted for death.
None of this made any sense, but the more Finn learned, the more he was forced to accept the terrifying reality that something impossible and evil was happening, something that could come and go whenever it pleased and crush whomever it pleased, and he had no idea how to prevent that...or even fight back.
After all...how can you stop a serial killer who kills no one and doesn't even exist?
But as Finn investigated the assaults, he found several of the other men this might have happened to were dead, and two more had almost been killed. Not only that, but he now found his entire life had been shifted from being a casually heterosexual male to a gay man with strong feelings for one of his fellow victims...a man who might still be targeted for death.
None of this made any sense, but the more Finn learned, the more he was forced to accept the terrifying reality that something impossible and evil was happening, something that could come and go whenever it pleased and crush whomever it pleased, and he had no idea how to prevent that...or even fight back.
After all...how can you stop a serial killer who kills no one and doesn't even exist?
234 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2019
5 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Michel Sullivan
32 books104 followersI am a writer and self-involved artist who’s lived in London and Honolulu, and a dozen places in-between. I’ve also traveled around the world, and some of my artwork has been purchased by collectors.
I used to write screenplays and have won numerous awards for them...despite none being produced. That’s how "A Place of Safety" began life—as an idea for one, twenty-five years ago. But it deepened and expanded and changed direction and became the life of an Irish Catholic boy during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I’m currently working on a gothic horror novel dealing with an ancient tale of harpies that live in the caves of the Cliffs of Moher, on Ireland’s far west coast.
In my writing, I’ve tried to build characters as vivid and real as possible and have a lot of fun doing it...mixed with angst, anger, amazement…and sometimes vicious arguments with the characters in each book. I like to think I’ve done well by them.
My books are available through Amazon, B&N, BAM!, Powell’s Books, and your local independent book shop.
I used to write screenplays and have won numerous awards for them...despite none being produced. That’s how "A Place of Safety" began life—as an idea for one, twenty-five years ago. But it deepened and expanded and changed direction and became the life of an Irish Catholic boy during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I’m currently working on a gothic horror novel dealing with an ancient tale of harpies that live in the caves of the Cliffs of Moher, on Ireland’s far west coast.
In my writing, I’ve tried to build characters as vivid and real as possible and have a lot of fun doing it...mixed with angst, anger, amazement…and sometimes vicious arguments with the characters in each book. I like to think I’ve done well by them.
My books are available through Amazon, B&N, BAM!, Powell’s Books, and your local independent book shop.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2020
A clever sci-fi mystery with some of the most tantalizingly dark erotica I’ve read, Kyle Michel Sullivan’s The Beast in the Nothing Room is one wild ride! Between the exceptional opening scene, and the incredible twists and turns this story takes, I recommend you just hang on tight and enjoy.
Mr. Sullivan grabbed my attention straight off with his thoroughly appealing writing style. Flowing smoothly from phrase to phrase, it’s eloquent and engaging. The whole story is beautifully structured, and the momentum builds all the way through to a fantastic climax. The only thing that stopped me reading it cover to cover is how freakin’ scary it gets!
When Finn, a police detective in rural England, is first abducted and seduced, in what he calls the “nothing-room”, he thinks it must be a dream (or a nightmare). Discovering his experience is real, and that it’s happening to others, Finn vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on and put a stop to it.
The sci-fi components of this story are fascinating and I enjoyed watching Finn work through the specifics of what’s happening and why. Between the facts he uncovers, and the folks Finn meets along the way, the powers that drive the events in the nothing-room make an incredible impact on his life.
Each and every encounter in the nothing-room is different, and Kyle Michel Sullivan explores a wide range of responses throughout the story. For Finn, this is his first experience with sexual stimulation from a man and his initial encounter is sensual and erotic. As his subsequent trips to the nothing-room grow more violent and frightening, he finds out why some of the men are completely terrorized by the experience. Realizing how much he enjoys being the aggressor, and performing the darker elements of violent sex with dubious consent is a real eye-opener.
I didn’t expect to be so moved by some of the emotional moments in The Beast in the Nothing Room. The victims form powerful bonds as they come together and support each other. And following Finn’s tale is intense. Finally reaching the point where he can embrace his desires, Finn reaches a level of self-acceptance he never imagined for himself. It’s a powerful journey.
I can’t wait to pick up another book by Kyle Michel Sullivan. This talented author has a wide range of stories, and with writing as fine as in The Beast in the Nothing Room, I can see I’ve got a long list of enjoyable hours to come.
Mr. Sullivan grabbed my attention straight off with his thoroughly appealing writing style. Flowing smoothly from phrase to phrase, it’s eloquent and engaging. The whole story is beautifully structured, and the momentum builds all the way through to a fantastic climax. The only thing that stopped me reading it cover to cover is how freakin’ scary it gets!
When Finn, a police detective in rural England, is first abducted and seduced, in what he calls the “nothing-room”, he thinks it must be a dream (or a nightmare). Discovering his experience is real, and that it’s happening to others, Finn vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on and put a stop to it.
The sci-fi components of this story are fascinating and I enjoyed watching Finn work through the specifics of what’s happening and why. Between the facts he uncovers, and the folks Finn meets along the way, the powers that drive the events in the nothing-room make an incredible impact on his life.
Each and every encounter in the nothing-room is different, and Kyle Michel Sullivan explores a wide range of responses throughout the story. For Finn, this is his first experience with sexual stimulation from a man and his initial encounter is sensual and erotic. As his subsequent trips to the nothing-room grow more violent and frightening, he finds out why some of the men are completely terrorized by the experience. Realizing how much he enjoys being the aggressor, and performing the darker elements of violent sex with dubious consent is a real eye-opener.
I didn’t expect to be so moved by some of the emotional moments in The Beast in the Nothing Room. The victims form powerful bonds as they come together and support each other. And following Finn’s tale is intense. Finally reaching the point where he can embrace his desires, Finn reaches a level of self-acceptance he never imagined for himself. It’s a powerful journey.
I can’t wait to pick up another book by Kyle Michel Sullivan. This talented author has a wide range of stories, and with writing as fine as in The Beast in the Nothing Room, I can see I’ve got a long list of enjoyable hours to come.
March 22, 2020
What a weird and wild ride this book is.
Had to read during the day!
Some parts are real scary. Alien type kink.
That is a new to me aspect. Found it very interesting and twisted.
Found Finn to be someone I could relate to.
His sexuality was affected. This part of the book was real intriguing.
Imagine finding your sexual needs and interests changing.
Also liked the "family" part of this tale.
Modern and future technology concepts are vivid here.
Overall, I really liked the writing style and imagination of Kyle.
Author supplied a copy thru MMRG/DBML program.
Thanks for the decent story.
Had to read during the day!
Some parts are real scary. Alien type kink.
That is a new to me aspect. Found it very interesting and twisted.
Found Finn to be someone I could relate to.
His sexuality was affected. This part of the book was real intriguing.
Imagine finding your sexual needs and interests changing.
Also liked the "family" part of this tale.
Modern and future technology concepts are vivid here.
Overall, I really liked the writing style and imagination of Kyle.
Author supplied a copy thru MMRG/DBML program.
Thanks for the decent story.
June 26, 2025
I was honoured to read this before it came out and I have to say I absolutely loved it.....I think it's by far my favourite of Mr Sullivan's books and I will definitely be re-reading it.....It's a strange concept.....A detective who gets taken to a strange nothing room and what happens there and after...I can't say much without spoiling the book but it will keep you turning the pages...A great read for those who like their books on the darker side x
February 23, 2020
**A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review via the MM Romance Group ‘Don’t Buy My Love’ program.**
HOLY HELL! That was one helluva of wild ride from start to finish. Such a gripping, brilliantly thought out and well executed plot. Had me hooked on right from the start.
I am not even gonna do the usual - 'This is dark fiction. Not for the faint of heart' statement, as I am sure the blurb and the well detailed trigger warnings are more than sufficient to get the drift. For those of you craving good dark fiction with an engaging suspenseful story resting on the elements of well explained sci-fi and horror elements, you are in for such a treat.
The tale starts off with the abduction of Detective Sergeant- Finley, who's looking to score a woman and is headed to a date when he is called in to check on a tip-off. He wakes up shackled in a room that from then on, is referred to as the 'room of Nothing', proceeds to be held down by an invisible force, is sexually assaulted by someone familiar and actually finds the experience very conflicting, like he felt a connection of some sort. He then wakes up to reality, questioning whether he had dreamt of it all, but finds certain clues and uncovers a trail of what has been the doings of the 'beast in the nothing room'. A beast whose powers overwhelm it's victims sense of self control and whose influence is deep and terrifying. From there on, he proceeds to uncover the mystery behind it all, along with the other victims that he realises he shares something common with.
| "Ah, human morality. This is right and that is wrong. What nonsense. When your needs cry to be met, there is no such thing as evil, only satisfying them.”|
The author has done a great job of portraying the emotions that play through the situations - helplessness, intrigue, sense of connect, hope, loss, insecurities from the past and determination in the face of terror. The descriptions contribute to the intensity of the scenes and help create a unique amalgam of fear, eerie/horror vibes and sensuality. I can't say much without spoiling the story ( which in itself tells one about how good the suspense quotient is), but as someone who is currently working in the field that this particular sci-fi element is based upon, I'll say the amount of research that has gone into this is commendable.
The dark elements were mostly of the sort expected from the premise, but I do have to mention there were some really tender moments wherein the author highlights the emotions of the connect between the victims that were so beautifully written, so beautifully in contrast to the assault scenes.
Overall, if you are one like me who enjoys a well written dark read, I highly recommend you give this book a try.
HOLY HELL! That was one helluva of wild ride from start to finish. Such a gripping, brilliantly thought out and well executed plot. Had me hooked on right from the start.
I am not even gonna do the usual - 'This is dark fiction. Not for the faint of heart' statement, as I am sure the blurb and the well detailed trigger warnings are more than sufficient to get the drift. For those of you craving good dark fiction with an engaging suspenseful story resting on the elements of well explained sci-fi and horror elements, you are in for such a treat.
The tale starts off with the abduction of Detective Sergeant- Finley, who's looking to score a woman and is headed to a date when he is called in to check on a tip-off. He wakes up shackled in a room that from then on, is referred to as the 'room of Nothing', proceeds to be held down by an invisible force, is sexually assaulted by someone familiar and actually finds the experience very conflicting, like he felt a connection of some sort. He then wakes up to reality, questioning whether he had dreamt of it all, but finds certain clues and uncovers a trail of what has been the doings of the 'beast in the nothing room'. A beast whose powers overwhelm it's victims sense of self control and whose influence is deep and terrifying. From there on, he proceeds to uncover the mystery behind it all, along with the other victims that he realises he shares something common with.
| "Ah, human morality. This is right and that is wrong. What nonsense. When your needs cry to be met, there is no such thing as evil, only satisfying them.”|
The author has done a great job of portraying the emotions that play through the situations - helplessness, intrigue, sense of connect, hope, loss, insecurities from the past and determination in the face of terror. The descriptions contribute to the intensity of the scenes and help create a unique amalgam of fear, eerie/horror vibes and sensuality. I can't say much without spoiling the story ( which in itself tells one about how good the suspense quotient is), but as someone who is currently working in the field that this particular sci-fi element is based upon, I'll say the amount of research that has gone into this is commendable.
The dark elements were mostly of the sort expected from the premise, but I do have to mention there were some really tender moments wherein the author highlights the emotions of the connect between the victims that were so beautifully written, so beautifully in contrast to the assault scenes.
Overall, if you are one like me who enjoys a well written dark read, I highly recommend you give this book a try.
March 1, 2020
This was so good. Is the first time I read something by the autor, but I can tell it won't be the last. I couldn't stop reading it. I liked the unexpected twists I found every few pages. I liked the writing style and the plot so different to what I'm used to read. The characters were interesting but the reason I didn't give a 5 start to it was that I find it hard to believe they made a good couple. I couldnt get in touch with their emotions as a couple, even if I did in other matters. Overall a great book.
February 23, 2020
Wow!! This book was intense!!
....yeah read the trigger warnings
....yeah read the trigger warnings
March 8, 2020
3.5 of 5 - Good Dark Gay Twist on Abduction by Aliens
[Thanks to the author and Goodreads' MMRG Don't Buy My Love program for a free copy in exchange for an honest review]
I had not read a good gay SF horror in a while, and this filled the bill. The sexual abuse added a dark tone to the mystery, and the gay relationships that developed made it an engaging read.
Kyle Michel Sullivan wove together a well paced tale of futuristic horror visiting the present in a way that (purposely) got my gay and moral hackles up. The sexual assault scenes were vital to the story, being erotically descriptive yet made me cringe, and also contributing to the advancement of the mystery and characters. The mystery itself made sense, with some imaginative SF logic, and progressed in a way that drew me in and had me trying to figure out like the MC how to beat the titular beast. I appreciated learning a bit about that antagonist, instead of being totally hidden as an unknown enemy. And the network of characters/victims were introduced nicely as the mystery played out. They were a likable set of lads, ones to root for and hope that they would all still be around at the end.
Good and bad, this read like a screenplay (I take it it's Sullivan's forte), which led to its not having some of the depth in character and story that I would have wanted. As such, I think there were more non-consensual sex scenes than needed, when time could have been spent instead to develop relationships more (what was there let me emotionally connect, so made me want more so that the ending could have been even more powerful). I especially would have wished to see more of the relationship between Finn and Christian to justify later developments. And it also left the denouement feeling a little like an unemotional tying up of loose ends.
I like how Sullivan had us guessing on what Finn's idea was on how to stop the horror; and I was happy that I figured it out a bit before it actually happened, so I could then see if it headed in that direction. It did indeed, building to a satisfying climax, so to speak.
[Thanks to the author and Goodreads' MMRG Don't Buy My Love program for a free copy in exchange for an honest review]
I had not read a good gay SF horror in a while, and this filled the bill. The sexual abuse added a dark tone to the mystery, and the gay relationships that developed made it an engaging read.
Kyle Michel Sullivan wove together a well paced tale of futuristic horror visiting the present in a way that (purposely) got my gay and moral hackles up. The sexual assault scenes were vital to the story, being erotically descriptive yet made me cringe, and also contributing to the advancement of the mystery and characters. The mystery itself made sense, with some imaginative SF logic, and progressed in a way that drew me in and had me trying to figure out like the MC how to beat the titular beast. I appreciated learning a bit about that antagonist, instead of being totally hidden as an unknown enemy. And the network of characters/victims were introduced nicely as the mystery played out. They were a likable set of lads, ones to root for and hope that they would all still be around at the end.
Good and bad, this read like a screenplay (I take it it's Sullivan's forte), which led to its not having some of the depth in character and story that I would have wanted. As such, I think there were more non-consensual sex scenes than needed, when time could have been spent instead to develop relationships more (what was there let me emotionally connect, so made me want more so that the ending could have been even more powerful). I especially would have wished to see more of the relationship between Finn and Christian to justify later developments. And it also left the denouement feeling a little like an unemotional tying up of loose ends.
I like how Sullivan had us guessing on what Finn's idea was on how to stop the horror; and I was happy that I figured it out a bit before it actually happened, so I could then see if it headed in that direction. It did indeed, building to a satisfying climax, so to speak.
March 28, 2020
It's my book and I think it's one of my best. That sounds arrogant, but comes from me trying something I don't do...tell a man's internal story in third person while maintaining a first person POV. Nothing in this book happens without the MC knowing it or learning about it or experiencing it or recalling it, just as if he was telling the story. I wanted it to be as personal to him as possible.
I know this is a standard for many writers, but I've always been more comfortable writing in first person. I become the character and they lead me through the story as they experience it, themselves. To me, this was more exciting...and also easier to write.
This is only the second book I've written in third person (not counting my short fable, "David Martin"), but "The Alice '65" was far more lightweight and fun, and I'd written it as a script, first, so had the storyline already set; it just needed filling in. "Beast..." lives up (or down) to its title, and it took me to places I never thought I'd go. What's nice is, the feedback has been very positive.
So yes, I'm proud of it. But I also know I can do better so am pushing forward. The next book I come out with, "Dair's Window", will be told from both a first and third person perspective, just to see what I can get away with.
Something else -- writing "Beast..." helped me clear my writer's block on my long-term Irish novel, "A Place of Safety", and I am finally closing in on a first rough draft...told in first person. It's always been that style and I'm not changing it, but it may be the last one I do, like this.
I'm now glad I gave up screenwriting; this is so much more rewarding.
I know this is a standard for many writers, but I've always been more comfortable writing in first person. I become the character and they lead me through the story as they experience it, themselves. To me, this was more exciting...and also easier to write.
This is only the second book I've written in third person (not counting my short fable, "David Martin"), but "The Alice '65" was far more lightweight and fun, and I'd written it as a script, first, so had the storyline already set; it just needed filling in. "Beast..." lives up (or down) to its title, and it took me to places I never thought I'd go. What's nice is, the feedback has been very positive.
So yes, I'm proud of it. But I also know I can do better so am pushing forward. The next book I come out with, "Dair's Window", will be told from both a first and third person perspective, just to see what I can get away with.
Something else -- writing "Beast..." helped me clear my writer's block on my long-term Irish novel, "A Place of Safety", and I am finally closing in on a first rough draft...told in first person. It's always been that style and I'm not changing it, but it may be the last one I do, like this.
I'm now glad I gave up screenwriting; this is so much more rewarding.
March 23, 2020
A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review via the MM Romance Group's Don't Buy My Love read for review program.
This is a well-written dark, sci-fi book. I really enjoyed this one. You can't really comment too much on the plot without giving too much away. There are twists throughout that keep the reader glued to the story to see what happens next. Finn, the MC and a detective, finds his world undone and turned upside down after he encounters the Beast in the Nothing Room. He begins seeking answers and finds he's not the only one whose been there. He finds there's a dark twisted secret about the men who have been there and an even darker secret about the room itself. This is not one for those with hard boundaries. But if you read dub/non con, horror, dark, sci-fi, kink, etc., this one is a real treat and one you should definitely put at the top of your TBR.
This is a well-written dark, sci-fi book. I really enjoyed this one. You can't really comment too much on the plot without giving too much away. There are twists throughout that keep the reader glued to the story to see what happens next. Finn, the MC and a detective, finds his world undone and turned upside down after he encounters the Beast in the Nothing Room. He begins seeking answers and finds he's not the only one whose been there. He finds there's a dark twisted secret about the men who have been there and an even darker secret about the room itself. This is not one for those with hard boundaries. But if you read dub/non con, horror, dark, sci-fi, kink, etc., this one is a real treat and one you should definitely put at the top of your TBR.
February 29, 2020
A copy of this book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
I've read a number of books by Kyle Michael Sullivan now and, each time, I am amazed by this author's imagination. The blurb is easily available so I wont rehash it but I have to say that The Beast in the Nothing Room kept me reading. It was very dark and, although a throw away line early on in the book gave me an idea of what was happening - very quickly confirmed, by the way - I really wondered how the author was going to resolve what happened.
As I said, it is a very dark book and there are trigger warnings which should be noted.
I will continue to read anything that Kyle Michel Sullivan writes.
Definitely recommended.
I've read a number of books by Kyle Michael Sullivan now and, each time, I am amazed by this author's imagination. The blurb is easily available so I wont rehash it but I have to say that The Beast in the Nothing Room kept me reading. It was very dark and, although a throw away line early on in the book gave me an idea of what was happening - very quickly confirmed, by the way - I really wondered how the author was going to resolve what happened.
As I said, it is a very dark book and there are trigger warnings which should be noted.
I will continue to read anything that Kyle Michel Sullivan writes.
Definitely recommended.
January 22, 2025
The constant abbreviations with no translations are annoying as heck. I have no idea what a DI or CID is.
About 30% through the villian announces and explains everything in perfect detail like a Disney villian. Absolutely pathetic. What's the point of calling this a mystery etc?
Starts to drag severely and gets so boring.
The ending? Eye rolling.
About 30% through the villian announces and explains everything in perfect detail like a Disney villian. Absolutely pathetic. What's the point of calling this a mystery etc?
Starts to drag severely and gets so boring.
The ending? Eye rolling.
August 26, 2025
I liked it but also... It was not great 🤣 ya know what I mean? I'm sure you do. 3.5/5
This book is certainly unique and I found it hard to put down. At the same time, the story was a lot of telling instead of showing which made parts of it difficult to understand (there were some complicated happenings). I really loved the characters 🥹🥹 I literally do not know how else to feel about this book.
This book is certainly unique and I found it hard to put down. At the same time, the story was a lot of telling instead of showing which made parts of it difficult to understand (there were some complicated happenings). I really loved the characters 🥹🥹 I literally do not know how else to feel about this book.
February 9, 2024
Well, that was seriously dark, twisted and futuristic. Finn is a cop in England who is on his way for a date when he gets called to check out some strange lights. He is then abducted and taken to the “nothing room”, where is raped. He then embarks on a journey to figure out what is going on as he finds several more victims, several that wind up dead exactly 24 hours later. There is a lot of rape and brutality in this book but it is so good. It is convulsed in the best way. The mystery that surrounds these abductions and rapes? Man it is very creative and cruel and wonderful. The rioting is phenomenal and just a wonderfully dark, taboo, sci-fi read.
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August 14, 2020Where's the Kindle version?
May 23, 2022
Real damn enjoyable! Not as dark as I feared from the blurb (then again, my barometer of dark is admittedly skewed, so…).
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews