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The Many Deaths of Cole Parker
Cole Parker is murdered repeatedly. Each of his killers are different people, yet they are equally relentless in their desire to end his life. Each time Cole dies, his psyche is somehow transported into a new reality. Sometimes the reality is similar to his previous life, and other times it is shockingly different. And each time, the cycle of cat and mouse begins anew. In one life, Cole finds himself pulled over by a cop...with a dead body in a trunk, or is it? In another he is an escaped convict trying to evade the police, but will face an even greater supernatural justice. In yet another, he is a woman stalked by a serial killer, and must join forces with him to defeat something unimaginably worse. Cole is desperate to break the cycle, piecing together clues as fragmented memories slowly surface. But some truths are better left buried, and when Cole discovers the secrets behind the endless cycle of murder, he finds that his existence is far more complex and terrifying than he could have imagined.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Grant
99 books61 followersTAYLOR GRANT is a two-time Bram Stoker Award Nominated Author, professional screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. His work has been seen on network television, the big screen, the stage, the web, newspapers, comic books, national magazines, anthologies, and heard on the radio.
As an author, he has shared pages with Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Blake Crouch, Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and many of the top writers in speculative fiction. He wrote and produced the hit comic adaptation "Rot & Ruin," based on the New York Times Bestselling series, which became the #1 horror comic for WEBTOON, the largest digital comics publisher in the world, with over 75 million active readers.
His fiction has been published by Random House, Cemetery Dance, National Lampoon, Crystal Lake Publishing, WEBTOON, Moonstone Books, and many more.
As an author, he has shared pages with Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Blake Crouch, Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and many of the top writers in speculative fiction. He wrote and produced the hit comic adaptation "Rot & Ruin," based on the New York Times Bestselling series, which became the #1 horror comic for WEBTOON, the largest digital comics publisher in the world, with over 75 million active readers.
His fiction has been published by Random House, Cemetery Dance, National Lampoon, Crystal Lake Publishing, WEBTOON, Moonstone Books, and many more.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 2, 2020
The thrills didn't stop with Grant's collection of stories. It was a whirlwind, and the title story kept me turning the pages long after I meant to go to sleep.
February 28, 2021
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Taylor Grant. I’ve read just about everything he has put down on paper, and anxiously wait for his announcements of new stories or books. When I heard he had a new anthology coming out, I immediately pre-ordered a copy. While I read it almost after release, I have been lax in my review writing thanks to... well... you know.
I apologize to Taylor that this review is so late - considering I finished it shortly after receiving it.
So here goes:
The title novella is an interesting take on reincarnation. One of the scariest films I remember watching as a kid was Audrey Rose. That movie scared the daylights out of me. However, Taylor takes the thought of coming back to a whole new level. What if you not only come back, but so do others who are involved in your life - and you’re the only one who remembers any of it? This one will stick with you and make you think.
THE DEAD YEARS - Wow! Didn’t see that coming. All I can say is this - what if you saw a doppelgänger of a deceased love? Would you peruse that love again? What if that person was more than just a doppelgänger.
ALONE - This story holds a big place in my heart. When I started putting together my charity anthology Dark Tides: A Charity Horror Anthology, one of the first authors I asked to be a part was Taylor. At first, he politely declined since he truly has a full plate and none of his stories matched the theme. The look of elation on my face when I received an email a few weeks later asking if the offer was still open could have lit up the Manhattan skyline. This was the story he submitted. It’s a beautiful story about a woman who meets her soulmate in the ocean on Virginia Beach.
STATIC - Jack is hired to protect a woman from a threat that he doesn’t take seriously. He soon learns that he probably should have.
A THOUSAND ROOMS OF DARKNESS - Sorry. This is one of those stories that I just can’t say anything about without ruining it. Suffice to say, you’re not crazy.
BLOOD - I’d love to say this was a great “coming of age” story, but it was so much more than that. You’ll discover that blood truly is thicker than water, and a father will do anything for they child.
Taylor is a master of the dark twist. If you’ve never read anything by Taylor, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start. While I still think his story INFECTED from his first collection is one of the best short stories I’ve ever read, there are six gems here that will stick with you well after you close the cover.
I apologize to Taylor that this review is so late - considering I finished it shortly after receiving it.
So here goes:
The title novella is an interesting take on reincarnation. One of the scariest films I remember watching as a kid was Audrey Rose. That movie scared the daylights out of me. However, Taylor takes the thought of coming back to a whole new level. What if you not only come back, but so do others who are involved in your life - and you’re the only one who remembers any of it? This one will stick with you and make you think.
THE DEAD YEARS - Wow! Didn’t see that coming. All I can say is this - what if you saw a doppelgänger of a deceased love? Would you peruse that love again? What if that person was more than just a doppelgänger.
ALONE - This story holds a big place in my heart. When I started putting together my charity anthology Dark Tides: A Charity Horror Anthology, one of the first authors I asked to be a part was Taylor. At first, he politely declined since he truly has a full plate and none of his stories matched the theme. The look of elation on my face when I received an email a few weeks later asking if the offer was still open could have lit up the Manhattan skyline. This was the story he submitted. It’s a beautiful story about a woman who meets her soulmate in the ocean on Virginia Beach.
STATIC - Jack is hired to protect a woman from a threat that he doesn’t take seriously. He soon learns that he probably should have.
A THOUSAND ROOMS OF DARKNESS - Sorry. This is one of those stories that I just can’t say anything about without ruining it. Suffice to say, you’re not crazy.
BLOOD - I’d love to say this was a great “coming of age” story, but it was so much more than that. You’ll discover that blood truly is thicker than water, and a father will do anything for they child.
Taylor is a master of the dark twist. If you’ve never read anything by Taylor, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start. While I still think his story INFECTED from his first collection is one of the best short stories I’ve ever read, there are six gems here that will stick with you well after you close the cover.
October 4, 2021
How is this not a TV series or movie yet? The Many Deaths of Cole Parker is an extremely well-written novella that is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. It asks big questions about the nature of reality, our soul's purpose, reincarnation, karma--and more. But it never forgets to bring the entertainment, the character work....and of course, the horror. This is a sci-fi/horror story with thriller aspects, and I literally could not stop reading it once I started.
Even better, the book also contains 5 other stories that showcase the author's wide range of storytelling--all with delectably dark twists. Highly recommended. And I will be checking out more of Mr. Grant's work for sure.
Even better, the book also contains 5 other stories that showcase the author's wide range of storytelling--all with delectably dark twists. Highly recommended. And I will be checking out more of Mr. Grant's work for sure.
August 6, 2022
The creativity of vision and expertise from which these stories were birthed was astounding. I loved it. Taylor Grant is one of the great horror writers who keeps the flame lit.
' The Many Deaths Of Cole Porter And Other Stories ' is an exceptional masterpiece. Taylor Grant is one of the masters of horror, and one of the best of this century! --get this book NOW.
' The Many Deaths Of Cole Porter And Other Stories ' is an exceptional masterpiece. Taylor Grant is one of the masters of horror, and one of the best of this century! --get this book NOW.
December 24, 2020
Themes of beauty, loss and obsession, and karma wind their way through this collection of dark fiction. Although at times it's a little tropey, Grant is a master of twists, keeping his stories unpredictable and thought-provoking.
May 5, 2021
This book is amazing. I couldn't put it down and to be honest, my daily life suffered a bit. Who needs clean laundry or a hot dinner when you have a book that keeps you turning the page? I've owned it since it was released and have read it about 6 times. Every time it's amazing.
May 14, 2021
The Wonderfully Dark Mind of Taylor Grant
A deliciously dark and imaginative selection of short stories. I can’t wait to dig into more of Grant’s work… with the lights on, of course.
A deliciously dark and imaginative selection of short stories. I can’t wait to dig into more of Grant’s work… with the lights on, of course.
January 3, 2023
THE MANY DEATHS OF COLE PARKER gets intense quickly, and stays entertaining throughout. I've been a fan of Taylor Grant's for a good while, and this book highlights why I dig his work so much. The stories here are an eclectic mix - from the title story, which has a good hint of the metaphysical to it, to the very last story's... I won't say more. Anything I say about just what I loved about any one of these stories would be a spoiler, and I can't stand those. But I will say that there are twists that will surprise you, and that none of these stories will disappoint. A few of the stories are darker, and a couple are a bit more uplifting, but my favorite of the bunch, Blood, has the right measure of both. Great collection!
January 3, 2023
It's as if quantum leap entered a horror movie. Not for the faint of heart. Cole Parker finds himself in some unfriendly situations to say the least as he just keeps coming back from tragic ends. The story keeps you turning pages and it all comes together in a great way at the end.
January 3, 2023
An amazing book. Well written. Each chapter leaves you wondering where he'll be next. If you want to get lost in a story pick this book up.
January 9, 2023
Loved this collection. Really well-written stories with original plots and complex characters. Highly recommend!
January 11, 2023
Another great book from Taylor Grant! I devour everything Taylor Grant writes, and this book is no exception. As usual, his writing blends creative, innovative plots and ideas and characters you can care about, with sincere and strong emotions--all told in a clear, simple, easy-to-read, fast-paced style.
December 20, 2020
If I'm being honest, I didn't much care for Taylor's first collection, THE DARK AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL too much. Not that I thought it was bad, just a little bland. I bought it mostly to support my friend. Having said that, THE MANY DEATHS OF COLE PARKER is a complete 180° from his first book! The stories contained here are creepy, compelling, and totally engrossing! If you're looking for a new read and you've seen this and thought, "Gee, do I really want to buy it?" The answer is, "YES!" You will NOT be disappointed!
January 31, 2021
The title novella was the best story in the book. The other stories were decent, but there was too much telling rather than showing. Overall, a respectable effort.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews