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Eye of the Beholder
In the middle of a psychic session with Madame Petri, David hears a ghostly voice calling his name. But he is not sure if it’s the elderly fortuneteller exaggerating the reading or bizarre grumblings coming from a mysterious old man in a painting hanging in the psychic’s foyer.
When Madame Petri disappears in a ball of flames, David rushes home, terrified. From that moment on, David and his policeman boyfriend, Zane, find themselves trying to solve the series of murders and mayhem that begin to haunt David.
Word Count: 41900 (Novella).
Warning: suicidal ideation, past trauma.
When Madame Petri disappears in a ball of flames, David rushes home, terrified. From that moment on, David and his policeman boyfriend, Zane, find themselves trying to solve the series of murders and mayhem that begin to haunt David.
Word Count: 41900 (Novella).
Warning: suicidal ideation, past trauma.
- GenresDarkParanormal
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2020
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Grant Bruso
29 books241 followersThomas Grant Bruso knew he wanted to be a writer at an early age. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since childhood.
His literary inspirations are Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Jim Grimsley, Karin Fossum, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Bruso loves animals, reading books, and writing fiction, and prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.
In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he won the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes and publishes fiction and reviews books for his hometown newspaper, The Press-Republican.
He lives in upstate New York.
His literary inspirations are Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Jim Grimsley, Karin Fossum, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Bruso loves animals, reading books, and writing fiction, and prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.
In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he won the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes and publishes fiction and reviews books for his hometown newspaper, The Press-Republican.
He lives in upstate New York.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 10, 2021
Thought I'd try this short paranormal horror/thriller for the Halloween season. From get-go a non-stop relentless spook-fest of malevolent attacks on MC David and others with inevitable gore and death. Thank God this was a short read or I'd have DNF'd; I don't think this author is for me. 1.5 stars.
December 8, 2020
I enjoyed this book, but I think it had all the ingredients of being a fantastic story. There was darkness, fear and danger throughout the story.
The story world was vivid and well described to the reader. But I found it difficult to fully connect to the characters. Yes, we felt the fear that David was suffering, but we did not really get to know him as a person other than he had suffered with mental illness in the past. Likewise, with his partner Zane, we got to know that he was a cop, and a very loyal and protective partner. But who was he apart from that?
The plot was solid, though I felt that it was a little rushed, poor David seems to run into one scary incident after another. Though each scare was very well written, and you felt the fear, you just did not have time to recover before David walked into the next incident.
I would have liked to see a different ending too, but that’s just my personal choice.
Now do not get me wrong I enjoyed the book, but I can see so much more potential for the story and characters. I would love to see the author revisit the story and characters sometime in the future, with a little more depth to who the characters are, what makes them tick as individuals and a couple.
The story world was vivid and well described to the reader. But I found it difficult to fully connect to the characters. Yes, we felt the fear that David was suffering, but we did not really get to know him as a person other than he had suffered with mental illness in the past. Likewise, with his partner Zane, we got to know that he was a cop, and a very loyal and protective partner. But who was he apart from that?
The plot was solid, though I felt that it was a little rushed, poor David seems to run into one scary incident after another. Though each scare was very well written, and you felt the fear, you just did not have time to recover before David walked into the next incident.
I would have liked to see a different ending too, but that’s just my personal choice.
Now do not get me wrong I enjoyed the book, but I can see so much more potential for the story and characters. I would love to see the author revisit the story and characters sometime in the future, with a little more depth to who the characters are, what makes them tick as individuals and a couple.
December 5, 2020
This book is an easy five-stars for me. I love Horror stories. A queer horror story is even better. A queer horror story with a long-term relationship and no graphic sex on page? Per-fec-tion!
I loved this book! There was an amazing suspense in that book - it reminded me so much of a mix between American Horror Story and Insidious and I love both of these films/series.
Zane was an absolute sweetheart. I loved his relationship with David so much. The end nearly killed me. It was not at all what I expected, but it was a very satisfying end. I don't think this story would have done well with a "Happy End", so I really enjoyed it.
I felt so sorry for David; I was hoping it would turn out alright at the end, but at some point, I accepted the ending I was going to get.
The relationship between the two was so pure and honest; I loved it. It was a nice refreshing turn in comparison to the books I had normally read, so I enjoyed it. I am excited for the author's next book and hope it will turn out to be as good as this one.
I received a free copy by Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book! There was an amazing suspense in that book - it reminded me so much of a mix between American Horror Story and Insidious and I love both of these films/series.
Zane was an absolute sweetheart. I loved his relationship with David so much. The end nearly killed me. It was not at all what I expected, but it was a very satisfying end. I don't think this story would have done well with a "Happy End", so I really enjoyed it.
I felt so sorry for David; I was hoping it would turn out alright at the end, but at some point, I accepted the ending I was going to get.
The relationship between the two was so pure and honest; I loved it. It was a nice refreshing turn in comparison to the books I had normally read, so I enjoyed it. I am excited for the author's next book and hope it will turn out to be as good as this one.
I received a free copy by Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2020
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Eye of the Beholder" is short terrifying horror novel and I managed to devour it two sittings because I was desperate to know what would happen.
The story revolves around David, a sweet and gentle man with a painful past, and his partner Zane, a police officer, and how their life changes after a chilling sitting with a psychic. I won't say anything else about the plot because it's much better going into it if you don't know what to expect, like I did.
I really loved both of the main characters and I loved how their relationship was already established from the start. You can feel how much they love each other.
The nightmarish atmosphere is definitely realistic and chilling and it left me with a sense of anxiety and dread.
I'll admit I was hoping for a different kind of ending (I'm a sucker for a HEA) but it fits in with the whole vibe of the book.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for a chilling and quick read.
"Eye of the Beholder" is short terrifying horror novel and I managed to devour it two sittings because I was desperate to know what would happen.
The story revolves around David, a sweet and gentle man with a painful past, and his partner Zane, a police officer, and how their life changes after a chilling sitting with a psychic. I won't say anything else about the plot because it's much better going into it if you don't know what to expect, like I did.
I really loved both of the main characters and I loved how their relationship was already established from the start. You can feel how much they love each other.
The nightmarish atmosphere is definitely realistic and chilling and it left me with a sense of anxiety and dread.
I'll admit I was hoping for a different kind of ending (I'm a sucker for a HEA) but it fits in with the whole vibe of the book.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for a chilling and quick read.
November 23, 2020
The Eye of the Beholder is a vividly told story that had me on the edge of my seat with each page I turned. The tension that the characters feel builds naturally throughout the novel and is further amplified by the varied sentence structures used by the author, ones that can either prolong the inevitable or bring it to you in a flash.
One of the most impressive parts of this book was the beginning! It really hooked me in with its enticing, mysterious, and suspenseful beginning. It really set the tone and the story in a perfect way! I also especially loved the relationship between the main characters, David and Zane—their relationship feels so authentic, and they are both undeniably human.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind book that I wish I could read again and again. It was shocking and terrifying at the same time, and left me walking the line between fiction and reality.
One of the most impressive parts of this book was the beginning! It really hooked me in with its enticing, mysterious, and suspenseful beginning. It really set the tone and the story in a perfect way! I also especially loved the relationship between the main characters, David and Zane—their relationship feels so authentic, and they are both undeniably human.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind book that I wish I could read again and again. It was shocking and terrifying at the same time, and left me walking the line between fiction and reality.
December 3, 2020
This is a well-crafted horror story, one that will definitely stick with me for a while. A lot of its power comes from the atmosphere, which the author creates and maintains through a barrage of sensory imagery— not just sights and sounds but smells and temperatures and feelings. It’s overwhelming, and works to great dramatic effect, building tension then tapering off only to build it again. There’s also a distinctly chilling psychological component, as the reader, along with David, isn’t entirely sure what is happening and/or how real it is at first. David is a sympathetic character, as is Zane, to the point that I was more invested in their fates than I should have been, given the genre of their tale.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
November 23, 2020
There were many things I did like about Eye of the Beholder. Art was used in a very effective way to add a chilling creepiness to the story. Poor David being sure that what he's seeing and experiencing is real and then questioning himself and telling himself it is not real, over and over again. Zane not seeing or smelling what David sees and smells, but still believing, David to a point.
I found myself rushing a bit through the long bits of conversation and memories. Some of those paragraphs went on a bit too long. My favorite character was the creepy man in the art. How delightfully dark he was painted into my imagination.
#netgalley #EyeOfTheBeholder
I found myself rushing a bit through the long bits of conversation and memories. Some of those paragraphs went on a bit too long. My favorite character was the creepy man in the art. How delightfully dark he was painted into my imagination.
#netgalley #EyeOfTheBeholder
November 25, 2020
David has a perfect and happy life with his partner Zane until one day he decided to see a fortuneteller, and after this visit, everything in his life takes a turn for the worse.
As an avid mystery and thriller reader, however, I was disappointed with what I read.
The story failed to present its readers with the awe factor that we all wish to experience while reading such a genre. The theme of the book is interesting. However, the way the story unfolded itself left much to be desired.
The author had all the perfect ingredients to tell a gripping story but ended up using the wrong combination of spices.
As an avid mystery and thriller reader, however, I was disappointed with what I read.
The story failed to present its readers with the awe factor that we all wish to experience while reading such a genre. The theme of the book is interesting. However, the way the story unfolded itself left much to be desired.
The author had all the perfect ingredients to tell a gripping story but ended up using the wrong combination of spices.
January 13, 2021
When Fear Controls You
David leaves his art gallery to visit his favorite psychic, Madame Petri. After a creepy session, he’s still bothered and tries to talk to his partner about it, but Zane doesn’t believe in atheism supernatural. Until the reasons for his boyfriend’s panic attacks include a mounting body count. Davis’s horrific past catches up with him in this suspenseful novel of what happens when one man’s greatest fears come to life. Don’t read this late at night! The storytelling is masterful and I love the colorful cast of characters. This author knows how to build suspense and draw it out until you think you’ll go mad if you don’t find out what happens next.
David leaves his art gallery to visit his favorite psychic, Madame Petri. After a creepy session, he’s still bothered and tries to talk to his partner about it, but Zane doesn’t believe in atheism supernatural. Until the reasons for his boyfriend’s panic attacks include a mounting body count. Davis’s horrific past catches up with him in this suspenseful novel of what happens when one man’s greatest fears come to life. Don’t read this late at night! The storytelling is masterful and I love the colorful cast of characters. This author knows how to build suspense and draw it out until you think you’ll go mad if you don’t find out what happens next.
December 11, 2020
This was a dark, mysterious thriller with paranormal elements.
It was borderlying horror and the story had a creepy vibe to it which I loved.
This was a short novella and was a pretty quick read. But enjoyable and entertaining nonetheless.
The descriptions are vivid and the writing is compelling.
If you enjoy a short queer horror novella with an edge of mystery be sure to check this out.
It was borderlying horror and the story had a creepy vibe to it which I loved.
This was a short novella and was a pretty quick read. But enjoyable and entertaining nonetheless.
The descriptions are vivid and the writing is compelling.
If you enjoy a short queer horror novella with an edge of mystery be sure to check this out.
November 17, 2020
Eye of the Beholder is chilling. Wow what an opening! My heart was racing, and I was on the edge of my seat right from the start. David and Zane are just perfect together, even if the circumstances they find themselves thrust into are less so. I positively had chills reading this, and if you're looking for a good thrill, read this on a dark, stormy night.
November 20, 2020
This was such a good book! I was hooked from the first chapter, I have read so many books that start off slow and take chapters to really get into it. Not this it kept me on the edge of my head the entire time I have never read a book like this before, thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
January 9, 2021
This genre is most definitely not my cup of tea and I would usually never touch it, but I really like this author so I decided to give it a go . . . . Bloody Heck!! I read it in the day time but it still freaked the shit out of me. Creepy, suspenseful and so thoroughly heartbreaking, but so well written.
January 29, 2021
Sorry to say, this didn't work for me. I disliked the main character from the start which made it impossible for me to get into the story. There was also no chemistry between David and Zane other than one questioning the others behaviour. I don't know what went wrong exactly, this just wasn't the right book for me even though all the ingredients seemed right.
December 8, 2020
I thought I would love this book because I really like the blurb, it's intriguing (I'm a fan of the thriller/horror genre) and it's not a bad book at all but first, it's not what I was expecting and second, it didn't really worked for me ! Sorry Mr. Bruso :(
November 27, 2020
Enjoyable read. Definitely looking forward to reading more from the author.
January 29, 2021
The wind was blowing, the dark skies thrust sheets of rain against my home. It was the PERFECT TIME to read Thomas Grant Bruso's Eye of the Beholder.
Be ready for a wild ride with this one! 🙂
Be ready for a wild ride with this one! 🙂
October 18, 2022
WOW
I started reading this book before I went to bed and that was a really bad idea because it was very scary. I was so sad at the ending though. It broke my heart.
I started reading this book before I went to bed and that was a really bad idea because it was very scary. I was so sad at the ending though. It broke my heart.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews