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The Spread #1
The Hill
An ancient land breeds a new threat…
The Scottish Highlands; a sparse, mountainous region some say was carved by the gods themselves. Few places are as untouched as this harsh, prehistoric landscape. It is no place for man.
But nestled deep within the wilderness lies a cottage, and behind that cottage is a hill…
When a group of friends travel up from Manchester and hire the cottage for a weekend of boozy fun, they discover a threat far greater than the harsh landscape and unwelcoming weather.
Something deadly lies upon the hill.
And it’s spreading.
The Scottish Highlands; a sparse, mountainous region some say was carved by the gods themselves. Few places are as untouched as this harsh, prehistoric landscape. It is no place for man.
But nestled deep within the wilderness lies a cottage, and behind that cottage is a hill…
When a group of friends travel up from Manchester and hire the cottage for a weekend of boozy fun, they discover a threat far greater than the harsh landscape and unwelcoming weather.
Something deadly lies upon the hill.
And it’s spreading.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2020
1769 people are currently reading
3311 people want to read
About the author
Iain Rob Wright
163 books1,813 followersOne of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than forty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
October 25, 2025
Straight forward and yet fun :) Once again I am able to identify with this book at a personal level which is always a huge plus. Having said that it may be geared more towards guys.
Ryan is about to be married and has some hesitancy about that but who wouldn't? He kind of plans his own stag and it is in a remote area of England. Ryan invites his friends he hung around with during his teens and that's a no brainer. His entourage kind of reminded me of mine at that age and I was able to identify with the thoughts they shared and the dialogue as well. The characters rang true to me including the friend who is a bit too belligerent when he has to much alcohol and in this case drugs are thrown into that mix. It is this character who like a past friend reminds me of that guy you kind of have to dance around and placate or else all hell would break loose. Again I just identified with this core group of friends. Note that this was a buddy read with a UK friend of mine (Gareth) who thought I may have difficulty with the so much of the British slang that is used. I have to admit that though it was often cumbersome I didn't need to look anything up as you get a good idea of what the slang is about due to all the surrounding words. It was kind of neat in a way that I was able to kind of enjoy that aspect as it was so different. I read many British authors and have never read a book so full of British slang like this one.
So the rented cottage where this group is staying is near a hill. Very early on in their stay they experience what they feel may be an earthquake. They go and investigate the surrounding area and come upon a large corkscrew looking item embedded into the ground. Our bad boy Sean approaches it and climbs it. Not much happens initially but man does that set in motion a spiraling of events. Such a simple act born out of curiosity but remember what they say about curiosity. A normal act to a degree but it just happens to set off a chain of very crazy events.
Again, I can honestly say that you can kind of see everything coming and like a typical horror movie our cast of friends are just a little slow in catching on to things. In a way this novel reminded me of David Koepps Cold Storage. The prologue to Cold Storage could have virtually fit for this novel but I really liked Cold Storage and I really liked this novel too.
There are parts of this book which just made me laugh. Ryan talks about how he met his wife Sophie and it evolves around a story of a Canadian goose attack upon him - she came to his aid. Being Canadian I see way too much of these vile birds. They are protected by law but I have seen them attack and they are always in large numbers. They are not small either, each near 20lbs or so if not bigger. A little smaller than the average dog. I can honestly see these vile birds killing a person. I have seen their attacks in person and more so on the internet. I have seen one battle a bald eagle and survive. Attacks on business people outside a Chicago high rise. I use this as an example for when I say a book becomes personal for me. Clearly I am not the only one who changes direction when I walk towards such a foul (pun intended?) bird, lol. They are so beloved by many but not by me! Ok, I'll admit it - they kind of scare me to be honest :) This is an example where 98% of the people would say wtf is this crap about but to me it rings so true, lol.
This is a short read. It is only 175 pages or so. If you like horror/thriller types this quick read is the first salvo in a three part series referred to as The Spread. It seems so appropriately titled and a part of me seems to think there may also be a page out of World War Z in the forthcoming sequels and though I have the book in my downstairs library I have not gotten round to it yet but it is one of my favourite Zombie movies.
So this is my first read by Iain Wright and I really liked it. To me this trilogy holds a lot of promise for me. It is right down my alley so to speak. Having said that it is just a little too straight forward and predictable to be a five star read. A solid four star rating for sure. Highly recommended, just a lot of fun overall!! Enjoy :)
Ryan is about to be married and has some hesitancy about that but who wouldn't? He kind of plans his own stag and it is in a remote area of England. Ryan invites his friends he hung around with during his teens and that's a no brainer. His entourage kind of reminded me of mine at that age and I was able to identify with the thoughts they shared and the dialogue as well. The characters rang true to me including the friend who is a bit too belligerent when he has to much alcohol and in this case drugs are thrown into that mix. It is this character who like a past friend reminds me of that guy you kind of have to dance around and placate or else all hell would break loose. Again I just identified with this core group of friends. Note that this was a buddy read with a UK friend of mine (Gareth) who thought I may have difficulty with the so much of the British slang that is used. I have to admit that though it was often cumbersome I didn't need to look anything up as you get a good idea of what the slang is about due to all the surrounding words. It was kind of neat in a way that I was able to kind of enjoy that aspect as it was so different. I read many British authors and have never read a book so full of British slang like this one.
So the rented cottage where this group is staying is near a hill. Very early on in their stay they experience what they feel may be an earthquake. They go and investigate the surrounding area and come upon a large corkscrew looking item embedded into the ground. Our bad boy Sean approaches it and climbs it. Not much happens initially but man does that set in motion a spiraling of events. Such a simple act born out of curiosity but remember what they say about curiosity. A normal act to a degree but it just happens to set off a chain of very crazy events.
Again, I can honestly say that you can kind of see everything coming and like a typical horror movie our cast of friends are just a little slow in catching on to things. In a way this novel reminded me of David Koepps Cold Storage. The prologue to Cold Storage could have virtually fit for this novel but I really liked Cold Storage and I really liked this novel too.
There are parts of this book which just made me laugh. Ryan talks about how he met his wife Sophie and it evolves around a story of a Canadian goose attack upon him - she came to his aid. Being Canadian I see way too much of these vile birds. They are protected by law but I have seen them attack and they are always in large numbers. They are not small either, each near 20lbs or so if not bigger. A little smaller than the average dog. I can honestly see these vile birds killing a person. I have seen their attacks in person and more so on the internet. I have seen one battle a bald eagle and survive. Attacks on business people outside a Chicago high rise. I use this as an example for when I say a book becomes personal for me. Clearly I am not the only one who changes direction when I walk towards such a foul (pun intended?) bird, lol. They are so beloved by many but not by me! Ok, I'll admit it - they kind of scare me to be honest :) This is an example where 98% of the people would say wtf is this crap about but to me it rings so true, lol.
This is a short read. It is only 175 pages or so. If you like horror/thriller types this quick read is the first salvo in a three part series referred to as The Spread. It seems so appropriately titled and a part of me seems to think there may also be a page out of World War Z in the forthcoming sequels and though I have the book in my downstairs library I have not gotten round to it yet but it is one of my favourite Zombie movies.
So this is my first read by Iain Wright and I really liked it. To me this trilogy holds a lot of promise for me. It is right down my alley so to speak. Having said that it is just a little too straight forward and predictable to be a five star read. A solid four star rating for sure. Highly recommended, just a lot of fun overall!! Enjoy :)
March 28, 2023
A fast-paced and action-packed campy horror romp.
' There had been only darkness, but then came the light. Dim at first, but slowly spreading wide and bright like the petals of a tulip, it cut through the shadows and illuminated metal edges and splintered wood.'
I began reading this thinking it would just be a cheap version of The Ritual and in some ways, I was right but also had elements I had not expected, I'll let you find these out yourselves!
This novella had characters I could relate to both in the dynamics of their relationships with each other and their personal backgrounds. It maybe helped being a British set story from a British author.
I found the plot itself and the actions of the main characters at times laughable and predictable. Why do these characters always do the most inappropriate things and then end up in even more danger than they were in initially? There was one moment where the characters stopped for a chat in the middle of a fight.
I must say that regardless of the negatives I have stated, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read which was well-paced and had an exciting concoction of horrors and most famous tropes all mixed into one storyline.
'Because we’re blokes, and blokes don’t nag each other. Blokes don’t tell each when they have drug problems or relationship issues. They don’t tell each other they have cancer. We stick it out on our own, alone and terrified.'
I liked this enough to already have downloaded the second book in the series.
' There had been only darkness, but then came the light. Dim at first, but slowly spreading wide and bright like the petals of a tulip, it cut through the shadows and illuminated metal edges and splintered wood.'
I began reading this thinking it would just be a cheap version of The Ritual and in some ways, I was right but also had elements I had not expected, I'll let you find these out yourselves!
This novella had characters I could relate to both in the dynamics of their relationships with each other and their personal backgrounds. It maybe helped being a British set story from a British author.
I found the plot itself and the actions of the main characters at times laughable and predictable. Why do these characters always do the most inappropriate things and then end up in even more danger than they were in initially? There was one moment where the characters stopped for a chat in the middle of a fight.
I must say that regardless of the negatives I have stated, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read which was well-paced and had an exciting concoction of horrors and most famous tropes all mixed into one storyline.
'Because we’re blokes, and blokes don’t nag each other. Blokes don’t tell each when they have drug problems or relationship issues. They don’t tell each other they have cancer. We stick it out on our own, alone and terrified.'
I liked this enough to already have downloaded the second book in the series.
February 25, 2021
The Hill
The Spread, Book 1
By: Iain Rob Wright
Narrated by: Aubrey Parsons
This is one creepy book! A group of friends travel together up to a cottage in the country to celebrate one of the guys getting married. They were close at one time but they mostly have drifted apart with jobs and families. This would give them a chance to reconnect. While they are there, something happens. Then they find the cause. Then that becomes something they never would have dreamed of. A nightmare that is after them all!
This is so creepy and with a terrifying plot and memorable characters. Unpredictable and strange, my kind of crazy good story!
The only downside to me was the cliffhanger. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.
The narrator had a thick accent for this Midwest USA gal and at first it was difficult to understand some words. It did get better or I got accustomed to it!
I received this from freeaudiblecodes.
The Spread, Book 1
By: Iain Rob Wright
Narrated by: Aubrey Parsons
This is one creepy book! A group of friends travel together up to a cottage in the country to celebrate one of the guys getting married. They were close at one time but they mostly have drifted apart with jobs and families. This would give them a chance to reconnect. While they are there, something happens. Then they find the cause. Then that becomes something they never would have dreamed of. A nightmare that is after them all!
This is so creepy and with a terrifying plot and memorable characters. Unpredictable and strange, my kind of crazy good story!
The only downside to me was the cliffhanger. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.
The narrator had a thick accent for this Midwest USA gal and at first it was difficult to understand some words. It did get better or I got accustomed to it!
I received this from freeaudiblecodes.
September 29, 2020
I absolutely love Iain Rob's Wrighting (see what i did there 🤣)
Literally in the flick of a wrist he has created another new world of horrors!
I am completely gripped and absolutely loved this first chapter.
"This is gonna be legendary. No women. No work. No worries."
Oh how wrong they were 😬
Great story reminiscent of The Last Of Us which will always be a winner.
Brilliant characters!
Loved every second.
Literally in the flick of a wrist he has created another new world of horrors!
I am completely gripped and absolutely loved this first chapter.
"This is gonna be legendary. No women. No work. No worries."
Oh how wrong they were 😬
Great story reminiscent of The Last Of Us which will always be a winner.
Brilliant characters!
Loved every second.
February 26, 2021
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It often makes me cringe when authors try and portray 'lad-ish' UK culture, but Wright actually does it well. The writing is good too, and the story kept me guessing. I'll be reading the next one in the series for sure.
October 10, 2020
It’s spreeeeeaaaaaddddding
Iain Rob Wright is one of my favorite authors. I rave about him in all my book reviews. He is an artist when it comes down to creating unique characters and interesting plot lines. I have to say though that is one was just okay. Maybe
I have very high standards as I adored ‘The House Beneath the Bridge’, ‘The Final Winter’, ‘The Gates (whole series)’, ‘The Housemates’, and I can go on and on.
There was nothing wrong with this story, per se, but I just wasn’t crazy about the main character Ryan and friends. I am going to read ‘The Spread’ because I can count on Iain to weave a great yarn but, so far, I’m sort of waiting for this story to take off.
I’ll let you know after Part Deux.
Iain Rob Wright is one of my favorite authors. I rave about him in all my book reviews. He is an artist when it comes down to creating unique characters and interesting plot lines. I have to say though that is one was just okay. Maybe
I have very high standards as I adored ‘The House Beneath the Bridge’, ‘The Final Winter’, ‘The Gates (whole series)’, ‘The Housemates’, and I can go on and on.
There was nothing wrong with this story, per se, but I just wasn’t crazy about the main character Ryan and friends. I am going to read ‘The Spread’ because I can count on Iain to weave a great yarn but, so far, I’m sort of waiting for this story to take off.
I’ll let you know after Part Deux.
April 8, 2021
I'm afraid this is the worst book I've read in a while. It started out well, setting the scene, meeting the characters and such. It seemed to be written by a novice or an immature writer. I don't know if that is the case but I found the story to lack depth and also reality. If this kind of thing happened in real life you would absolutely leg it.
Basically a group of lads meet up at a cabin near a hill, for a stag weekend. The earth moves, they climb a hill and see a weird object. One of them touches it and becomes unwell.
The concept is OK, very poorly executed. Felt like I was reading a school kids essay, all very silly and pointless. Annoying characters, all deserve to die quite frankly.
Basically a group of lads meet up at a cabin near a hill, for a stag weekend. The earth moves, they climb a hill and see a weird object. One of them touches it and becomes unwell.
The concept is OK, very poorly executed. Felt like I was reading a school kids essay, all very silly and pointless. Annoying characters, all deserve to die quite frankly.
October 31, 2022
This was nearly impossible to put down. I’ve read so much this year I wanted something different then a haunted house or slasher when I ordered my next haul of books and this delivered heavily.
Part virus, part zombie, part alien attack. It’s gross and terrifying yet the author does an incredible job with character development all in under 200 pages. I’m hooked - ordered book 2 before I even finished the last chapter. I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Incredibly impressed.
Part virus, part zombie, part alien attack. It’s gross and terrifying yet the author does an incredible job with character development all in under 200 pages. I’m hooked - ordered book 2 before I even finished the last chapter. I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Incredibly impressed.
September 30, 2023
The Hill is like The hulk on Crack, like all the crack. Like if he went to crack mountain consumed all the crack and came back again then you would have The Hill book 1 in The Spread series.
The Hill is book 1 in The Spread series of books by notorious British horror author, Iain Rob Wright. Now, I’d been meaning to get to these books for some time and with spooky season almost upon us, I thought I’d grab the bull by the horns and dig in. One thing I loved about this first instalment was the character development. The idea of a bunch of mates having an almost reunion for a stag do becoming unstuck by the finding of a mysterious green goo kept me entertained throughout.
Iain Rob Wright’s writing was flawless and has the ability to create a terrifying story that still had heart and a slight sprinkling of hope. He seamlessly knitted together the stories of past and present together. This can be tricky to get right especially when you have the added complication of the apocalypse taking root.
“Attack of the Fuzzy Green Zombies,”
The strength of the book lies in its characters and the examination of the human condition. How do people act in times of stress. How many times can you knock on the door of death before they finally come to claim you? A group of friends travel to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate the impending marriage of one of their friends. It’s just meant to be a fun weekend with drinking, relaxing and reminiscing, what they don’t anticipate finding is a green gunk that has the ability of turning them into furry green monsters. Kind of like the hulk on crack.
The Hill is book 1 in The Spread series of books by notorious British horror author, Iain Rob Wright. Now, I’d been meaning to get to these books for some time and with spooky season almost upon us, I thought I’d grab the bull by the horns and dig in. One thing I loved about this first instalment was the character development. The idea of a bunch of mates having an almost reunion for a stag do becoming unstuck by the finding of a mysterious green goo kept me entertained throughout.
Iain Rob Wright’s writing was flawless and has the ability to create a terrifying story that still had heart and a slight sprinkling of hope. He seamlessly knitted together the stories of past and present together. This can be tricky to get right especially when you have the added complication of the apocalypse taking root.
“Attack of the Fuzzy Green Zombies,”
The strength of the book lies in its characters and the examination of the human condition. How do people act in times of stress. How many times can you knock on the door of death before they finally come to claim you? A group of friends travel to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate the impending marriage of one of their friends. It’s just meant to be a fun weekend with drinking, relaxing and reminiscing, what they don’t anticipate finding is a green gunk that has the ability of turning them into furry green monsters. Kind of like the hulk on crack.
September 20, 2020
The Spread: Book 1 (The Hill)
By Iain Rob Wright
Genre - Horror/First Contact/Series/British
Publication Information - Independently Published, August 19, 2020, ISBN-13 : 979-8676836559
Format - Print (Softcover)
Pages - 158
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I really enjoy when an author that I really like and have read their entire library starts a new series. I have been a fan of Iain Rob Wright ever since I read my first novel of his “The Picture Frame” back in 2015. I have now read and own his entire catalogue; and haven’t missed a book release since that time.
As I said earlier, this is a new series. I’m always anxious to see where Iain is going to take his readers next. He is undoubtedly a master storyteller, and is at the top of his game in the Horror and Suspense genres. Iain always seems to come up with great characters along with interesting and unique story-lines. He certainly did not disappoint with this release. It leaves you wondering, what that strange corkscrew-esque structure is and where did it come from?. But before you can figure that out, you must figure out what that green fuzzy substance is and where did those 4-legged insect-like creatures come from. Yes, Iain gave us a real treat this time with lots of unanswered questions and no idea what the future holds for this Scottish mountainside town, not to mention the rest of the United Kingdom and indeed the entire world. I’m sure the answers lie ahead in the next episode of this very entertaining and exciting series “The Spread: Book 2 (The Village)”. (Due for release October 6, 2020 and the Kindle edition is available for pre-order on Amazon now). If you like Stephen King - you would most certainly enjoy Iain Rob Wright!
From the back cover - An ancient land breeds a new threat…
The Scottish Highlands; a sparse, mountainous region some say was carved by the gods themselves. Few places are as untouched as this harsh, prehistoric landscape. It is no place for man.
But nestled deep within the wilderness lies a cottage, and behind that cottage is a hill…
When a group of friends travel up from Manchester and hire the cottage for a weekend of boozy fun, they discover a threat far greater than the harsh landscape and unwelcoming weather.
Something deadly lies upon the hill.
And it’s spreading.
“If you love claustrophobic horror with a dashing of body-horror then 'The Spread' will knock your socks off.”
About the Author - One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles. With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
Other books by Iain Rob Wright - ‘Escape!’, ‘Dark Ride’, ‘12 Steps’, ‘The Room Upstairs’, ‘Animal Kingdom’, ‘A to Z of Horror’, ‘Sam’, ‘ASBO’, ‘The Final Winter’, ‘The Housemates’, ‘Sea Sick’, ‘Ravage’, ‘Savage’, ‘The Picture Frame’, ‘Wings of Sorrow’, ‘TAR’, ‘House Beneath the Bridge’, ‘The Peeling’, ‘Blood on the Bar’,’2389’, ‘Holes in the Ground’, ‘Straight Up’, ‘Hot Zone’, ‘End Play’, and the Hell on Earth Series which includes: The Gates, Legion, Extraction, Defiance, Resurgence & Rebirth.
By Iain Rob Wright
Genre - Horror/First Contact/Series/British
Publication Information - Independently Published, August 19, 2020, ISBN-13 : 979-8676836559
Format - Print (Softcover)
Pages - 158
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I really enjoy when an author that I really like and have read their entire library starts a new series. I have been a fan of Iain Rob Wright ever since I read my first novel of his “The Picture Frame” back in 2015. I have now read and own his entire catalogue; and haven’t missed a book release since that time.
As I said earlier, this is a new series. I’m always anxious to see where Iain is going to take his readers next. He is undoubtedly a master storyteller, and is at the top of his game in the Horror and Suspense genres. Iain always seems to come up with great characters along with interesting and unique story-lines. He certainly did not disappoint with this release. It leaves you wondering, what that strange corkscrew-esque structure is and where did it come from?. But before you can figure that out, you must figure out what that green fuzzy substance is and where did those 4-legged insect-like creatures come from. Yes, Iain gave us a real treat this time with lots of unanswered questions and no idea what the future holds for this Scottish mountainside town, not to mention the rest of the United Kingdom and indeed the entire world. I’m sure the answers lie ahead in the next episode of this very entertaining and exciting series “The Spread: Book 2 (The Village)”. (Due for release October 6, 2020 and the Kindle edition is available for pre-order on Amazon now). If you like Stephen King - you would most certainly enjoy Iain Rob Wright!
From the back cover - An ancient land breeds a new threat…
The Scottish Highlands; a sparse, mountainous region some say was carved by the gods themselves. Few places are as untouched as this harsh, prehistoric landscape. It is no place for man.
But nestled deep within the wilderness lies a cottage, and behind that cottage is a hill…
When a group of friends travel up from Manchester and hire the cottage for a weekend of boozy fun, they discover a threat far greater than the harsh landscape and unwelcoming weather.
Something deadly lies upon the hill.
And it’s spreading.
“If you love claustrophobic horror with a dashing of body-horror then 'The Spread' will knock your socks off.”
About the Author - One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles. With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
Other books by Iain Rob Wright - ‘Escape!’, ‘Dark Ride’, ‘12 Steps’, ‘The Room Upstairs’, ‘Animal Kingdom’, ‘A to Z of Horror’, ‘Sam’, ‘ASBO’, ‘The Final Winter’, ‘The Housemates’, ‘Sea Sick’, ‘Ravage’, ‘Savage’, ‘The Picture Frame’, ‘Wings of Sorrow’, ‘TAR’, ‘House Beneath the Bridge’, ‘The Peeling’, ‘Blood on the Bar’,’2389’, ‘Holes in the Ground’, ‘Straight Up’, ‘Hot Zone’, ‘End Play’, and the Hell on Earth Series which includes: The Gates, Legion, Extraction, Defiance, Resurgence & Rebirth.
October 17, 2020
How does The Spread have such high reviews?? That is the real mystery here.
Incredibly disappointing. The first few chapters lack any amount of story development - nothing but juvenile dialogue among guys at a bachelor party weekend. There's some drama among them. Only one of them wants to party. One of them reveals some shocking news. More juvenile dialogue. I hung in there hoping for plot.
There's what appears to be an earthquake so the group goes outside to explore and check it out. What they find is a mysterious giant object stuck in the ground at the top of a hill. Okay, could be interesting. Nope, everytime it seems we are going to have some action we go back to more dialogue and drama.
No electronics are working including the car so they can't leave. Continue the ridiculous fighting/group drama.
I never do this but skipped to the end. More poorly written dialogue and drama.
Also to find out what happens you will have to get the next book.
Incredibly disappointing. The first few chapters lack any amount of story development - nothing but juvenile dialogue among guys at a bachelor party weekend. There's some drama among them. Only one of them wants to party. One of them reveals some shocking news. More juvenile dialogue. I hung in there hoping for plot.
There's what appears to be an earthquake so the group goes outside to explore and check it out. What they find is a mysterious giant object stuck in the ground at the top of a hill. Okay, could be interesting. Nope, everytime it seems we are going to have some action we go back to more dialogue and drama.
No electronics are working including the car so they can't leave. Continue the ridiculous fighting/group drama.
I never do this but skipped to the end. More poorly written dialogue and drama.
Also to find out what happens you will have to get the next book.
January 2, 2024
This is definitely my kind of horror novel!
We have a group of friends that go on a weekend in the woods and want to keep in touch with their lives and party like in the old days. But they encounter some strange things going on and before you know it, some of them are beginning to transform in some of the most unearthly creatures that I`ve read about.
The plot is quite straightforward, but overall I loved the evolution of the story, the creeepiness of it and their adventures so far.
And the ending was in tone with what I was hoping for to happen, so, a very good start for a horror series!
We have a group of friends that go on a weekend in the woods and want to keep in touch with their lives and party like in the old days. But they encounter some strange things going on and before you know it, some of them are beginning to transform in some of the most unearthly creatures that I`ve read about.
The plot is quite straightforward, but overall I loved the evolution of the story, the creeepiness of it and their adventures so far.
And the ending was in tone with what I was hoping for to happen, so, a very good start for a horror series!
February 18, 2021
Campy horror. Something on the order of the movie, The Cabin in the Woods—only not as good. I gave it one point because it cost me only $2.99 and another point because of all the great British slang I learned.
December 5, 2020
More than two and less than ten guys get together for a party in the woods. I don't know how many guys there were. I know one of them is a kid, one of them is getting married and another is fat and has cancer. The author is very concerned that readers may forget that this fat cancer guy is fat and has cancer, so he reminds us constantly. The things he does and thinks, he does because he is either fat or has cancer. When other characters think of him, they think about his weight and his sickness.
There is no primer. The horror gets going on page one when the dialogue begins. It's awful. A few pages pass by and you're starting to really wish the actual horror begins, when it does. It comes in the form of the worst attempt at argumentative dialogue that has ever been written.
The argument is started by a friend who really isn't a friend. This guy is painted in ludicrously toxic strokes. Cocaine is involved. The author knows nothing about cocaine.
Finally, an earthquake interrupts everything. Thank God!
They run out and go to investigate. It's something. I don't know. A ship or some shit. I can't tell because they're talking to each other throughout the whole little outing and the dialogue is too terrible to pay attention to the plot. One of the guys gets injured. The coke guy gets some goop on him.
They get back to the cabin. The coke guy makes the fat cancer guy clean him. The goop stains cannot be washed off. They have this idiotic discussion where they conclude that no substance can stain the skin permanently, despite the fact that one of the guys is a veterinarian who would know that there are hundreds of natural and synthetic substances that would do that.
ANOTHER, EVEN MORE IDIOTIC, ARGUMENT ERUPTS. COCAINE GUY RIPS SOMEBODY'S EAR OFF. IN THE MELEE, HE IS TACKLED AND KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS.
Everybody is super bummed and pissed. Cocaine guy wakes up, is remorseful, collapses, and starts foaming at the mouth. The rest of the guys are worried and decide to take him to the hospital, but they realize that the car is dead and so is everybody's phones. Fat cancer guy makes the worst car troubleshooting attempt in history. The engine is dead. Not the battery! The engine is dead.
Everybody goes back inside to sleep it off. Fat cancer guy volunteers for cocaine guy babysitting duty. Cocaine guy is super badly hurt. Everybody, INCLUDING THE VETERINARIAN, decides that fat cancer guy will wake him up every hour, so if he dies, fat cancer guy would find out about it within 60 minutes of it happening.
I actually abandoned the book at that point, but now that I've written all of this, I find myself eager to see how this shitshow turns out!
There is no primer. The horror gets going on page one when the dialogue begins. It's awful. A few pages pass by and you're starting to really wish the actual horror begins, when it does. It comes in the form of the worst attempt at argumentative dialogue that has ever been written.
The argument is started by a friend who really isn't a friend. This guy is painted in ludicrously toxic strokes. Cocaine is involved. The author knows nothing about cocaine.
Finally, an earthquake interrupts everything. Thank God!
They run out and go to investigate. It's something. I don't know. A ship or some shit. I can't tell because they're talking to each other throughout the whole little outing and the dialogue is too terrible to pay attention to the plot. One of the guys gets injured. The coke guy gets some goop on him.
They get back to the cabin. The coke guy makes the fat cancer guy clean him. The goop stains cannot be washed off. They have this idiotic discussion where they conclude that no substance can stain the skin permanently, despite the fact that one of the guys is a veterinarian who would know that there are hundreds of natural and synthetic substances that would do that.
ANOTHER, EVEN MORE IDIOTIC, ARGUMENT ERUPTS. COCAINE GUY RIPS SOMEBODY'S EAR OFF. IN THE MELEE, HE IS TACKLED AND KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS.
Everybody is super bummed and pissed. Cocaine guy wakes up, is remorseful, collapses, and starts foaming at the mouth. The rest of the guys are worried and decide to take him to the hospital, but they realize that the car is dead and so is everybody's phones. Fat cancer guy makes the worst car troubleshooting attempt in history. The engine is dead. Not the battery! The engine is dead.
Everybody goes back inside to sleep it off. Fat cancer guy volunteers for cocaine guy babysitting duty. Cocaine guy is super badly hurt. Everybody, INCLUDING THE VETERINARIAN, decides that fat cancer guy will wake him up every hour, so if he dies, fat cancer guy would find out about it within 60 minutes of it happening.
I actually abandoned the book at that point, but now that I've written all of this, I find myself eager to see how this shitshow turns out!
September 16, 2025
Love this so much! Definitely different and original, expect only the best from Mr. Wright. Love how quickly the story escalated when the details were worked out, then, unexpectedly, new details emerged. Searching for the next book, because I can't wait to see how this series ends.
March 8, 2022
This story is so good! Can’t wait to read the next one up!
June 20, 2023
I really liked this book. I'm fortunate enough to have friends that are from Wales and Scotland so they were able to interpret some of the slang in the book. Which was quite funny because both of their moms were here in the states to visit to see their great grandbaby and they thought it was quite funny that I was basically wanting to know what different dirty words meant.
Although at the very first it started slightly slow it really did pick up and what I call slow was probably more him just letting you know the characters of the different guys in the story. I really enjoyed his take on a almost zombie type of book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Once the story took off it really took off. There were many times in the story I thought to myself "wow that was really gross, cool".
Story: 4
Creepy factor: 3.75
Although at the very first it started slightly slow it really did pick up and what I call slow was probably more him just letting you know the characters of the different guys in the story. I really enjoyed his take on a almost zombie type of book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Once the story took off it really took off. There were many times in the story I thought to myself "wow that was really gross, cool".
Story: 4
Creepy factor: 3.75
July 16, 2023
I have this book for a while and mad i took so long to read it because I loved every moment of it. Plus i have a weakness for horror books written in a location so close to home. A group
of guys getting a cabin for a bachelor party weekend and things gooowell no how any one expected. I didn't expect the book to take the approach it did, but i enjoyed every moment I fell in love with the characters of this book and i
dont get that often in horror books, as its not always the focus. It wasnt over the top character building or took anything away from story but each personality really showed. The
unique plot was just perfect! Some bits got so intense, i felt my heart pounding and was shimmying about in my seat. This sci-fi horror is definitely up there on my top reads, Immediately
added the 2nd one to my kindle, I highly
recommend this book.
of guys getting a cabin for a bachelor party weekend and things gooowell no how any one expected. I didn't expect the book to take the approach it did, but i enjoyed every moment I fell in love with the characters of this book and i
dont get that often in horror books, as its not always the focus. It wasnt over the top character building or took anything away from story but each personality really showed. The
unique plot was just perfect! Some bits got so intense, i felt my heart pounding and was shimmying about in my seat. This sci-fi horror is definitely up there on my top reads, Immediately
added the 2nd one to my kindle, I highly
recommend this book.
February 5, 2021
Time for book two of the series.
October 31, 2020
Icky
This was quite a fun read. I liked the idea of the corkscrew thing speared into the Scottish Highlands causing an unknown fungal/slug/bug fest. It was intriguing because we have no clue where it comes from in this book and it causes the most dreadful things to happen. I also liked the idea of a group of lads heading off for a stag do before they finally have to face the fact they are growing up and growing apart. You don't have your cliched scream and run around half naked woman who falls over in the woods and gets eaten or killed by something hideous. So it was a refreshing take on things. Fair enough, the characters are a bit of a mixed bag and some of them have issues, but I enjoyed the fact they were all male. I thought the descriptions of the fungus and the bugs and the attempts by the characters to figure out what it was were quite analytical. I'd probably think the same way if I was in that position. I'd not say this was an overly gripping piece, but it had its moments, certainly enough to keep the pages turning. It was also pretty short, coming in under 200 pages. There is a part 2, that I will read, although I can't help but think this a might have worked better as a single volume.
This was quite a fun read. I liked the idea of the corkscrew thing speared into the Scottish Highlands causing an unknown fungal/slug/bug fest. It was intriguing because we have no clue where it comes from in this book and it causes the most dreadful things to happen. I also liked the idea of a group of lads heading off for a stag do before they finally have to face the fact they are growing up and growing apart. You don't have your cliched scream and run around half naked woman who falls over in the woods and gets eaten or killed by something hideous. So it was a refreshing take on things. Fair enough, the characters are a bit of a mixed bag and some of them have issues, but I enjoyed the fact they were all male. I thought the descriptions of the fungus and the bugs and the attempts by the characters to figure out what it was were quite analytical. I'd probably think the same way if I was in that position. I'd not say this was an overly gripping piece, but it had its moments, certainly enough to keep the pages turning. It was also pretty short, coming in under 200 pages. There is a part 2, that I will read, although I can't help but think this a might have worked better as a single volume.
September 19, 2021
"The Hill" is a fun, action-filled start to a new horror series by indy author Iain Rob Wright. It's the story of the beginning of some type of invasion - alien? domestic? - involving strange corkscrews from beyond, creepy four-legged bugs and their green oily secretions, green fuzzy mold, and crazed chitinous mutated creatures. The setting involves a group of young Manchester men drinking the weekend away in the Scottish boonies, and ends in a gruesome discovery that involves lots of blood, bodily fluids, and body parts sliding around. Oh, and there may or may not be an EMP involved.
"The Hill" is crazy good fun and reminds me of one of those old fashioned Creature Feature movies hosted by Dr. Paul Bearer, back in the good ol' days of campy horror movies. Recommended for like-minded creatures.
"The Hill" is crazy good fun and reminds me of one of those old fashioned Creature Feature movies hosted by Dr. Paul Bearer, back in the good ol' days of campy horror movies. Recommended for like-minded creatures.
September 24, 2020
Fun and fast read. Some old friends head out to the woods to celebrate one of them getting married soon. While having fun, the guys feel the ground quake, so they climb a hill to figure out what’s going on. Maybe they should’ve just stuck to partying in the cabin.
It’s weird how quick this book reads and at the same time make you actually care about (in different ways as well) the main characters. I kinda got a Stand By Me buddies for life vibe mixed with a different tale from the beginning of The Last of Us video game.
Cant wait for the next book!
It’s weird how quick this book reads and at the same time make you actually care about (in different ways as well) the main characters. I kinda got a Stand By Me buddies for life vibe mixed with a different tale from the beginning of The Last of Us video game.
Cant wait for the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
The Spread was well written with a tight plot. I find no fault with the author's writing, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
For those who love horror mixing gore, supernatural and aliens; you will love this series.
For those who love horror mixing gore, supernatural and aliens; you will love this series.
August 17, 2022
Horror with infection and not violence
June 25, 2021
This is my first time reading something by this author, and I had a good time!
In a nutshell, affianced Ryan and his friends go to a remote location in the Scottish Highlands to have a bachelor party (stag do). But soon after they arrive they discover something sinister that threatens all of their lives, something that's spreading.
I love horror novels, and while this wasn't perfect it was very entertaining. This was probably more of a 3.75 for me, but I don't give quarter stars so I'm rounding it up.
Integral to the story were Ryan and his friends. I think all of the characters were executed pretty well. They weren't the most original I've ever seen, but they had enough depth and history observed through their interactions to make things interesting. I will say, the slang used in their dialogue was a little jarring at first (Midwest guy here), but I got used to it and it stopped slowing me down after a while.
The plot typically draws me in with horror books, and this book is no exception. From the cover I was expecting something viral or fungal as the monster, and I was pleasantly surprised by how original the concept was. I love fast-paced stories, and this definitely fits the bill. There was tons of action and a good, tense build up to keep me on my toes throughout. I also really enjoyed the ending.
I did think from time to time some of the characters did very trope-y things, like too much dialogue in action heavy spots where it really isn't time for a chat, or the occasional questionable logic, again in an action scene, but it wasn't an ever present issue.
Given everything I've said this was a fun, short horror novel with plenty of thrills to keep your blood pumping. I highly recommend giving this a chance, and I've decided to continue on with the series. Can't wait to see what happens next!
In a nutshell, affianced Ryan and his friends go to a remote location in the Scottish Highlands to have a bachelor party (stag do). But soon after they arrive they discover something sinister that threatens all of their lives, something that's spreading.
I love horror novels, and while this wasn't perfect it was very entertaining. This was probably more of a 3.75 for me, but I don't give quarter stars so I'm rounding it up.
Integral to the story were Ryan and his friends. I think all of the characters were executed pretty well. They weren't the most original I've ever seen, but they had enough depth and history observed through their interactions to make things interesting. I will say, the slang used in their dialogue was a little jarring at first (Midwest guy here), but I got used to it and it stopped slowing me down after a while.
The plot typically draws me in with horror books, and this book is no exception. From the cover I was expecting something viral or fungal as the monster, and I was pleasantly surprised by how original the concept was. I love fast-paced stories, and this definitely fits the bill. There was tons of action and a good, tense build up to keep me on my toes throughout. I also really enjoyed the ending.
I did think from time to time some of the characters did very trope-y things, like too much dialogue in action heavy spots where it really isn't time for a chat, or the occasional questionable logic, again in an action scene, but it wasn't an ever present issue.
Given everything I've said this was a fun, short horror novel with plenty of thrills to keep your blood pumping. I highly recommend giving this a chance, and I've decided to continue on with the series. Can't wait to see what happens next!
November 3, 2024
I got this book for my Kindle in the summer and have not got around to reading it. I have seen this author's books on various platforms and decided to give this one a go.
A bachelor party in a remote part of Scotland should be a chance to celebrate friendships and get back together again to share stories, drink a lot and have a laugh. After a long drive, the five friends arrive at the cottage that sits within the shadow of a hill. It is during their first night that they hear a sound like a thump and decide to investigate. Climbing the hill in the dark and while drunk is not the best idea, tempers are frayed and then there is the object.
Sean is the most daring, annoying and gobby one of the bunch, it is he who decides to see what this object is, he doesn't see what the bother is about or what the item could be. it is not until he gets back to the cottage that he discovers there is some sort of green fungi on his hands. And so it begins...
This is a great start to a series that I believe is currently standing at 6 books. This first one is a quickish read, well it is only 162 pages. I decided to read just a couple of chapters before going to bed, Big, Big Mistake! I rad it in one go as I could not put it down.
This is a book that looks at the relationships that have changed over a few years, but it is the introduction to the series and it is a good starting point.
As I write this review, this book is on Kindle Unlimited and I have just got the 2nd book and will be reading it next.
This is a good one for fans of mystery, science fiction, dystopian and otherworldly genres. I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it.
A bachelor party in a remote part of Scotland should be a chance to celebrate friendships and get back together again to share stories, drink a lot and have a laugh. After a long drive, the five friends arrive at the cottage that sits within the shadow of a hill. It is during their first night that they hear a sound like a thump and decide to investigate. Climbing the hill in the dark and while drunk is not the best idea, tempers are frayed and then there is the object.
Sean is the most daring, annoying and gobby one of the bunch, it is he who decides to see what this object is, he doesn't see what the bother is about or what the item could be. it is not until he gets back to the cottage that he discovers there is some sort of green fungi on his hands. And so it begins...
This is a great start to a series that I believe is currently standing at 6 books. This first one is a quickish read, well it is only 162 pages. I decided to read just a couple of chapters before going to bed, Big, Big Mistake! I rad it in one go as I could not put it down.
This is a book that looks at the relationships that have changed over a few years, but it is the introduction to the series and it is a good starting point.
As I write this review, this book is on Kindle Unlimited and I have just got the 2nd book and will be reading it next.
This is a good one for fans of mystery, science fiction, dystopian and otherworldly genres. I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it.
April 25, 2023
4.5 stars
A bachelor party in the Scottish highlands is a perfect chance for Ryan, his brother and their pals to let off steam and have a full on weekend that will be the perfect send off for the non-married life but the greenery all around them isn't going to be the green that will have the biggest impact on their weekend.
When a green fungus begins to appear and starts to spread the friends can't imagine that this is just the start and as zombie like beings begin to appear things are not looking great but surely this'll pass?
This is a truly excellent piece of horror writing that has a couple of edits that take the small amount off the score but this is a story that draws you in and sees you looking like a zombie due to you refusing to put the book down when you should be sleeping. This is a great book and comes highly recommended.
A bachelor party in the Scottish highlands is a perfect chance for Ryan, his brother and their pals to let off steam and have a full on weekend that will be the perfect send off for the non-married life but the greenery all around them isn't going to be the green that will have the biggest impact on their weekend.
When a green fungus begins to appear and starts to spread the friends can't imagine that this is just the start and as zombie like beings begin to appear things are not looking great but surely this'll pass?
This is a truly excellent piece of horror writing that has a couple of edits that take the small amount off the score but this is a story that draws you in and sees you looking like a zombie due to you refusing to put the book down when you should be sleeping. This is a great book and comes highly recommended.
August 24, 2020
There is a stag party going on in a desolate cabin in Scotland. Plenty of drinking and drugs, things going fine until a large bang that shakes the cabin occurs. Climbing a hill behind the cabin reveals a large corkscrew object stuck in the ground. One of the guys climbs all over it, getting some kind of liquid on him in the process. Later, we find that a green film is growing on him and changing him in a bad way. People get hurt, things get pretty gory and only a few make it back down to the village. They are happy to get there in one piece, until they discover more of the corkscrew objects. And this is were we discover that if we want to keep on with the adventure we have to buy the next book.
August 16, 2025
This is a book that you simply can't read in isolation, the whole series really must be tackled in one fell swoop.
The story starts small, isolated in one area akin to the first Alien movie- Intimate, contained, a matter of survival.
By the end of the series it's a worldwide epidemic with aliens and sci-fi creatures. Yet the escalation never feels sudden, due to the gradual introduction of each element.
Is it a perfect series? Of course not, nothing is. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. No character is safe, stakes are constantly high, and the story keeps the pace from start to finish.
I applaud the author for this series. It remains consistent, true to itself, never jumps the shark, and is bloody good fun.
The story starts small, isolated in one area akin to the first Alien movie- Intimate, contained, a matter of survival.
By the end of the series it's a worldwide epidemic with aliens and sci-fi creatures. Yet the escalation never feels sudden, due to the gradual introduction of each element.
Is it a perfect series? Of course not, nothing is. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. No character is safe, stakes are constantly high, and the story keeps the pace from start to finish.
I applaud the author for this series. It remains consistent, true to itself, never jumps the shark, and is bloody good fun.
May 15, 2025
First book of six. Scotland. Five men and a teenager from Manchester show up at a remote Highlands cabin to have a weekend bachelor party. Lots of bromance until there's a huge rattling like an earthquake. It's night. They go to investigate. They climb the hill. Things literally and figuratively go down hill from there.
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