Going Down

by Tom G.H. Adams

Bram Johnstone likes to think he's a good person. But does a 'nice guy' stalk the girl of his dreams? Does he follow her to the library, to university lectures - in fact everywhere - simply to glimpse her shapely curves? To what lengths would he go just to engineer a situation where he's in close proximity to the fair Maddie - even if only for a couple of precious minutes?As luck would have it, such an opportunity arises. One evening, Bram finds himself in the same lift as Maddie. On the way up he gets to observe her, smell her perfume, even talks to her. There are a few flies in the ointment of this gift scenario, however. The object of his affections is accompanied by a friend. To add to Bram's irritation, the most available babe-magnet on campus muscles in on the lift threesome and imposes his well-honed chat-up lines on Maddie. Funny how your dreams can turn sour in an instant.But dreams can turn from sour to putrid. The lift malfunctions and becomes stranded between two floors of the eighty storey student block - and something very large lands on the lift roof. Something that slobbers and snarls. Something that eats students. Whatever it is, the thing isn't operating alone. Over the emergency intercom, a tormentor makes himself known, someone who directs and orchestrates the murderous intents of the thing that's made planetfall on the students' little world.As the minutes tick by on a countdown that can only end with them becoming meat for this murderous pair, Bram discovers that when it comes to stalking - he's just an amateur.From the author of 'The Psychonaut' trilogy and 'Mycophoria', comes a novella of breath-taking intensity. Just when you thought the lift was ascending, it ends up plunging further down into your deepest nightmare.After reading this book you'll probably want to take the stairs.

154 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2019

About the author

Tom Adams is an imaginer drifting between lands of fantasy, horror and bizarro. When he strays back into the realm called reality he finds himself in Middleland; a geologically beautiful gamut of scenery in the north west of England. The forces that drive him shift their shapes with sharp needles of inspiration, but at present include the art of Zdzislaw Beksinski, the music and words of Ronnie James Dio and a frankenstein amalgam of word-scriptors such as Vonnegut, Tolkien, Clevenger, Leonard and Bradbury.
He occupies niches in cyberspace at https://mosquitoinyourwhisky.wordpres... and https://www.facebook.com/tomghadams/

Reviews

[Jessica Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going Down written by Tom G. H. Adams, is a dark psychological ride that explores the very depths of human nature. The reader is not only presented with an array of common fears voiced by well written characters, but also offers an introduction to a sadistic and unique creature. One that dwells within the shadows of a lift, desperate for human flesh. Tom G. H. Adams has a true gift with creating intense situations, moments in which the reader will question their own instincts. Going Down is one of those reads that not only stays with you, but plays on core fears that anyone could be watching. Just waiting for the right moment to feed hungers that can never truly be satisfied.

[Kelvin Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Going Down" (2019, 2021) by Tom G.H. Adams is a terrific, old-fashioned horror novella about four college students fighting for their lives in a suspended elevator. A huge, ravenous monster is at the top of the elevator, repeatedly struggling to squeeze through the escape hatch. The monster’s master is a murderous psychopath who wants to terrorize the students and kill them…slowly. Plenty of backstory for all the main characters. Tom Adams’ narration is brilliant. Not for the squeamish. Highly recommended. At my request, I was given this free audiobook and have voluntarily left this review.

[Sharon Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing

Although I enjoyed the read and it was in-depth. I felt it dragged on a little too long. The views of each person at the end seemed too much and hindered the story. But I loved Buggerlugs and how he was written about, with him and his brothers relationship. But it was a good read read. This of course is only my personal opinion and am more into the extreme side of horror. But if still give a recommendation if just for nightclubs and how well the story was described.

[RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly simple horror story, not bad but nothing to rave about. Our male student-lead Bram had a crush on female student Maddie. He tried many ways to get noticed and or get closer to Maddie. This compulsion may be the death of him. Maddie’s girlfriend Belinda is caught up in the terrifying situation along with another male student named Jamie. Jamie, as it turns out, plays a cameo role. Cranston and his brother, who is lovingly called Bugalug, are the antagonists. The horror you are presented with is an interesting read but I wouldn’t go so far as saying it is of a breath-taking intensity. Three.point.five. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* Regrettably, I did not fully enjoy this book. I wanted to, but I knew going in that the premise would be made or broken by the character-building within the story and it never jelled for me. The narration was pretty good. It was the thing that kept me involved in the story. The writing was not bad, but the plot had some weird holes in it and the actual characters were just begging to be murdered in some horrendous way. Well, maybe I was begging for that... either way. This was not for me, but it will be for other horror fans.

This book was given to me on request for my unbiased opinion.

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried,I just couldn't wrap my brain around this one.I tried several times.Narration by Tom Adams was good.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.