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Abominable: A Creature Feature
Two men.
One mountain.
And a monster, a beast of legend.
A telling of an ascent of Everest, and what was found there.
One mountain.
And a monster, a beast of legend.
A telling of an ascent of Everest, and what was found there.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2010
19 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
William Meikle
407 books1,849 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 23, 2019
I've been on a bit of a Willie-binge this month. Not in the weird porno type way (Eww) but in the Meikle short story glutton kind of way.
Anyway....
This is a great book to remind myself why I will never climb Everest, (or any other snow-capped peak), and confirms my strongly held belief that I am not the apex predator on a mountain side. Or in the jungle. Or the ocean. Or anywhere other than my own wee kitchen. Even then the pug and the flying monkeys I spawned tend to overrule me.
A great fun read.
Anyway....
This is a great book to remind myself why I will never climb Everest, (or any other snow-capped peak), and confirms my strongly held belief that I am not the apex predator on a mountain side. Or in the jungle. Or the ocean. Or anywhere other than my own wee kitchen. Even then the pug and the flying monkeys I spawned tend to overrule me.
A great fun read.
March 16, 2023
Entertaining adventure listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 family and friends relationships adventure thriller short story by William Meikle (William Meikle Chapbook Collection book 20 of 53). This is a story about a sealed box 📦 and what is in it. It is left by a man 🚹 who with his friend climbed Mt. Everest. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of British 🏰 relationship adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😀😯🌙
Another will written British 🏰 family and friends relationships adventure thriller short story by William Meikle (William Meikle Chapbook Collection book 20 of 53). This is a story about a sealed box 📦 and what is in it. It is left by a man 🚹 who with his friend climbed Mt. Everest. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of British 🏰 relationship adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😀😯🌙
March 4, 2011
William Meikle is a mighty fine writer and Abominable showcases his talents rather well. His prose is crisp and smooth, his character's real and their voices clear and distinct. From the get go he sucks you down into the pages and effortlessly takes you back and forth between the present and the past.
May 20, 2025
En "Abominable" de William Meikle, un comerciante de Katmandú hereda una caja de hierro que contiene el diario perdido de George Mallory, revelando detalles inéditos de su expedición al Everest en 1924. A través de las anotaciones de Mallory y Sandy Irvine, se narra su audaz ascenso, marcado por condiciones extremas, el abandono de los porteadores sherpas y el encuentro con una misteriosa criatura en las alturas. Las páginas finales, escritas por un moribundo Irvine, describen un enfrentamiento mortal con un ser colosal en la cima del mundo, dejando tras de sí un relato de heroísmo, tragedia y un enigma que podría reescribir la historia del montañismo, acompañado de una cámara Kodak y un hacha ensangrentada que podrían probar la existencia de lo imposible.
Entretenida relato largo, en primera persona y con una estructura epistolar que sumerge todavía más en la historia.
Entretenida relato largo, en primera persona y con una estructura epistolar que sumerge todavía más en la historia.
January 20, 2012
The son and grandson of Sherpas, our hero is a little more enterprising. He'd much rather sell trinkets to tourists in the marketplace. He's about to make a killing with his dying father's gift - the journal, and possibly photos, from an ill-fated climb on Everest in 1924.
He's asking lots of money. It may be worth the price.
The title of this novella may be a hint. Very well-written. Held my interest.
He's asking lots of money. It may be worth the price.
The title of this novella may be a hint. Very well-written. Held my interest.
May 7, 2012
Very short historical horror story about an alternative possibility for the demise of Mallory and Irvine, lost on Everest. It has always been an open speculation as to whether they, or either of them, reached the summit. Meikle's story presumes that they did---and then describes what they found there, or what found them....
Meikle is a good writer and everything he writes is fun to read.
Meikle is a good writer and everything he writes is fun to read.
July 18, 2013
Written in the style of the old gothic horrors, Meikle presents an interesting story about the Abominable Snowman on Everest.
The story itself is well written. The older style of writing is captured really well and lends itself heavily into making the story more realistic and believable. You get a feel for the characters, their hopes and dreams and what drives them. This helps push the story long easily and presents them in a very realistic manner. The setting is done well, and the trials of scaling Everest are presented in a well done manner.
However, when it comes to the Yeti, that's when the story starts to fall apart.
The mystery of this creature is immediately torn away as soon as they see the first spore of the creature, it's tracks. As soon as they say it is a bipedal creature, you already know what it is, and there is no mystery left in the story. Meikle, instead of building suspense in the tale, presents his monster early though the tracks and sightings, and removes that suspension. Yes, it could be said that the book itself flat out states what the creature is, however, giving it all away so early deadens the story.
As the story progresses, all that is left is for the monster to finally make its appearance, and when it suddenly does, it acts nothing more than your standard ape. I thought it odd that the creature would beat its chest to create a loud noise in an area that has already been shown to be fraught with avalanches. It seems like a poor evolutionary trait to not have removed.
In the end, this story was a lot less than what I expected, though it was still interesting and well written, I couldn't help but feel let down with how things played out. If you are into arctic or frozen landscape based horrors, you're better off passing over this one. If you are a lover of monsters, I would also say to leave this story alone as well. However, if you enjoy the good old Gothic style horror, then this will be right up your alley and you should pick it up.
The story itself is well written. The older style of writing is captured really well and lends itself heavily into making the story more realistic and believable. You get a feel for the characters, their hopes and dreams and what drives them. This helps push the story long easily and presents them in a very realistic manner. The setting is done well, and the trials of scaling Everest are presented in a well done manner.
However, when it comes to the Yeti, that's when the story starts to fall apart.
The mystery of this creature is immediately torn away as soon as they see the first spore of the creature, it's tracks. As soon as they say it is a bipedal creature, you already know what it is, and there is no mystery left in the story. Meikle, instead of building suspense in the tale, presents his monster early though the tracks and sightings, and removes that suspension. Yes, it could be said that the book itself flat out states what the creature is, however, giving it all away so early deadens the story.
As the story progresses, all that is left is for the monster to finally make its appearance, and when it suddenly does, it acts nothing more than your standard ape. I thought it odd that the creature would beat its chest to create a loud noise in an area that has already been shown to be fraught with avalanches. It seems like a poor evolutionary trait to not have removed.
In the end, this story was a lot less than what I expected, though it was still interesting and well written, I couldn't help but feel let down with how things played out. If you are into arctic or frozen landscape based horrors, you're better off passing over this one. If you are a lover of monsters, I would also say to leave this story alone as well. However, if you enjoy the good old Gothic style horror, then this will be right up your alley and you should pick it up.
January 19, 2011
This past weekend I was looking for something quick and fun to read. Something of my choosing that I wanted to simply enjoy and not have to worry about writing a review for (and yes, this is a review, but one of my choice, not because I was asked to read the book) or proofing for errors. So as I was browsing Amazon to find something to fit the bill I came across William Meikle’s novelette, ABOMINABLE. After reading the description and glancing at the reviews, I quickly started to read it. And boy, am I glad I decided on this one!
ABOMINABLE recounts the doomed ascent of Mount Everest by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. Set in the 1920s, one man’s desire to be the first to ascend Mount Everest drives him to push himself and his team to the brink. However, as they near their destination, they begin to discover signs that indicate they are not alone in this remote, desolate region of the world. Fear overcomes the camp, and soon they will encounter something that is simply…abominable.
I’m not going to lie: I flat out had fun reading this story. Meikle’s writing is smooth and the story flows nicely throughout. I was sucked in from the first couple of pages and couldn’t stop reading. While Meikle is known as a writer of “pulp,” don’t be fooled. He is a very talented wordsmith and a most-capable storyteller. The formatting was nice in this e-book, with no real issues that I came across. My biggest complaint is the story is too short! It’s the type of story you don’t want to see end and Meikle’s writing keeps the reader wanting more.
ABOMINABLE recounts the doomed ascent of Mount Everest by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. Set in the 1920s, one man’s desire to be the first to ascend Mount Everest drives him to push himself and his team to the brink. However, as they near their destination, they begin to discover signs that indicate they are not alone in this remote, desolate region of the world. Fear overcomes the camp, and soon they will encounter something that is simply…abominable.
I’m not going to lie: I flat out had fun reading this story. Meikle’s writing is smooth and the story flows nicely throughout. I was sucked in from the first couple of pages and couldn’t stop reading. While Meikle is known as a writer of “pulp,” don’t be fooled. He is a very talented wordsmith and a most-capable storyteller. The formatting was nice in this e-book, with no real issues that I came across. My biggest complaint is the story is too short! It’s the type of story you don’t want to see end and Meikle’s writing keeps the reader wanting more.
May 13, 2012
Is the mystery of that ill-fated final ascent by Mallory and Irvine finally revealed . . . ?
Abominable, in its title, leaves nothing to the imagination about what happens to the two climbers on that 1924 attempt to summit Everest, but the twists in this great little read are something you will not expect. How far did the two climbers get? Did they really survive? How much would you pay to find out the truth?
It's a short read, but a good one, and the way Meikle blends journal quotes with the persuasive narrative of a Nepalese Sherpa, makes this story a pleasure to read.
4 stars -- really liked it.
Abominable, in its title, leaves nothing to the imagination about what happens to the two climbers on that 1924 attempt to summit Everest, but the twists in this great little read are something you will not expect. How far did the two climbers get? Did they really survive? How much would you pay to find out the truth?
It's a short read, but a good one, and the way Meikle blends journal quotes with the persuasive narrative of a Nepalese Sherpa, makes this story a pleasure to read.
4 stars -- really liked it.
December 9, 2012
Quite a fun very short story, partly historically based on the 1924 ascent of Mount Everest by Mallory and Irvine. Meikle cleverly plays with some ideas here and gives us an horrific alternative of what might have happened to the climbers when they come face to face with the terrifying Yeti. Brilliant, I loved it and its great for a very short read full of suspense!
February 20, 2011
Very enjoyable fictional account of George Mallory's 1924 attempt to climb Everest.
May 30, 2022
4.5 ⭐s Quick Suspenseful Read
I've been reading novels that feature Bigfoot, Yetis, and similar creatures. It's very interesting how different authors approach the legends, especially how the beasts look, where they live and how they are able to stay hidden for all this time.
This story was a quick, suspenseful read that feature an Abominable Snowman. How this beast impacted the lives of the protagonists. Is this the gist of the story? Was it a menace or a savior? This was an enjoyable read.
I've been reading novels that feature Bigfoot, Yetis, and similar creatures. It's very interesting how different authors approach the legends, especially how the beasts look, where they live and how they are able to stay hidden for all this time.
This story was a quick, suspenseful read that feature an Abominable Snowman. How this beast impacted the lives of the protagonists. Is this the gist of the story? Was it a menace or a savior? This was an enjoyable read.
July 21, 2022
A Different Retelling of Mallory’s Ascent on Everest
A fictional and different view of Mallory’s and Irvine’s fated ascent on Everest where both men disappeared, Meikle introduces a famous cryptic and the role it played in the men’s disappearance. The action is intense and nonstop and one can almost feel the freezing temperature of the mountain in the prose.
A fictional and different view of Mallory’s and Irvine’s fated ascent on Everest where both men disappeared, Meikle introduces a famous cryptic and the role it played in the men’s disappearance. The action is intense and nonstop and one can almost feel the freezing temperature of the mountain in the prose.
November 8, 2023
A short novella about what happens when a couple guys go to climb Everest and run into the Abominable Snowman. Some tension and some somewhat scary parts but it was written through a documented notebook so it wasn't happening real time which took away a little bit of the immediateness that is sometimes good in a thriller. Still, it was worth 30 minutes of my time.
November 27, 2017
The book was well written, but I thought the ending was a little contrived and unnecessarily slanderous.
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March 16, 2025
This was some proper mountain climbing horror (Mount Everest) with Mallory and the encounter with a Yeti. The frame story was about an old box containing the diary of the mountain climber together with a camera... being short you can read through this tale within one sitting. Really recommended!
October 4, 2022
Enjoyable enough historical "found-footage" ("found-journal"?) horror about the monsters of Everest. The only downside is it feels like something of a rushed ending.
July 22, 2023
A surprisingly good little horror novella. It is chock-full of historical info and adds an alternative explanation of the famed Mallory’s end. I really enjoyed it
November 21, 2023
Enjoyable tale...loved it
July 9, 2024
I have no words
March 30, 2014
I personally am not a fan of these very short works offered for sale as they can't possibly espouse much more than an idea. You cannot develop characters or scenarios as a writer given 30 odd pages. This is entertaining for the short space of time that it takes to read it but that's all it is. It is an interesting take on the first Everest summit. To my mind - put something like this in a collection of short stories or novellas but don't try to use it as a 'stand alone'.
November 15, 2012
A fun What if? retelling of the Mallory and Irving Everest expedition. Short sweet and to the point. The author uses setting and viewpoing very effectively to weave an exciting alternate history tale.
February 5, 2017
Not a very engaging read. No suspense.
January 3, 2013
Fantastic story, but WAAAY too short!
November 20, 2014
This fun little story by William Meikle is quick but efficient little mountain horror tale. I'm staying off Everest! But check it out, it's a good little story.
February 21, 2016
The untold story of George Mallory and Mt. Everest.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews