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The Condition
This is an intriguing and remarkably original novel that is both timely and relevant, set as it is during the COVID pandemic. At its core, it is a family drama surrounding a dark and dangerous secret, one based in blood going back hundreds of years. The story shows how far a family is willing to go to hide the truth from the world and one another, using a profoundly unique gift to clear a path on their way to fame and fortune. As the chapters evolve, readers get an intimate glimpse into the characters' motivations and moral boundaries. With the added twist of inexplicable powers, this becomes a slow-burning thriller that feels like a spiral towards disaster - an addictive mix of reality and fiction.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2020
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 6, 2021
An addictive mix of reality and fiction...
The Condition by Bernie Donnelly is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this Occult thriller and suspense, that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this unique and imaginative story will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.
This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of emotional and compelling moments in this page-turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey. The story unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Donnelly pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an eerily compelling and emotional atmosphere that will leave you spellbound.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well-written ‘slow-burning thriller’ with perfect pacing. Highly recommended.
The Condition by Bernie Donnelly is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this Occult thriller and suspense, that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this unique and imaginative story will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.
This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of emotional and compelling moments in this page-turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey. The story unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Donnelly pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an eerily compelling and emotional atmosphere that will leave you spellbound.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well-written ‘slow-burning thriller’ with perfect pacing. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2021
A sinister secret of family occult horror set in a world grappling in the embrace of the Covid pandemic.
Kevin Collins is the head mortician in Dublin, Ireland, during the height of the Covid pandemic. He is a strongly motivated and sympathetic public servant who appears devoted to his job and to his overworked and emotionally overloaded subordinates during this time of crisis. But when a persistent newspaper reporter, all the way from the US, finally manages to penetrate his facade Kevin realizes that he will have to open up to him and trust him only to reveal certain portions of his life and hidden background as a fabulously wealthy celebrity. But behind this apparently innocent past is a sinister and deadly secret that Kevin cannot allow to be revealed to the public. A terrifying occult power of deadly menace at the core of his hidden life and ancient family background. Are Kevin and his mother innocent bystanders to a sinister evil force that protects him and his family from threats against them or are they also active participants and murderers? Playing out against a grim world and society trapped in the throes of a ghastly pandemic, the diabolical plot develops in unexpected and sinister twists that both fascinate and horrify the reader until the final page.
Kevin Collins is the head mortician in Dublin, Ireland, during the height of the Covid pandemic. He is a strongly motivated and sympathetic public servant who appears devoted to his job and to his overworked and emotionally overloaded subordinates during this time of crisis. But when a persistent newspaper reporter, all the way from the US, finally manages to penetrate his facade Kevin realizes that he will have to open up to him and trust him only to reveal certain portions of his life and hidden background as a fabulously wealthy celebrity. But behind this apparently innocent past is a sinister and deadly secret that Kevin cannot allow to be revealed to the public. A terrifying occult power of deadly menace at the core of his hidden life and ancient family background. Are Kevin and his mother innocent bystanders to a sinister evil force that protects him and his family from threats against them or are they also active participants and murderers? Playing out against a grim world and society trapped in the throes of a ghastly pandemic, the diabolical plot develops in unexpected and sinister twists that both fascinate and horrify the reader until the final page.
February 8, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this novel written by American author Bernie Donnelly.
The story is set in Dublin during the COVID pandemic and it reflects in a very real way how we are living during these strange times. The characters are interesting and nicely developed, especially the main one, Kevin Collins. They have a condition which is actually inexplicable powers that they can’t control, so I was always biting my nails and traying to guess who the condition’s next victim would be.
The narrative moves at a steady pace with a good balance of character development and drama. I think that fans of thrillers will enjoy this read and what it has to offer. I hope this is the beginning of a series because I could see this novel expanding!
The story is set in Dublin during the COVID pandemic and it reflects in a very real way how we are living during these strange times. The characters are interesting and nicely developed, especially the main one, Kevin Collins. They have a condition which is actually inexplicable powers that they can’t control, so I was always biting my nails and traying to guess who the condition’s next victim would be.
The narrative moves at a steady pace with a good balance of character development and drama. I think that fans of thrillers will enjoy this read and what it has to offer. I hope this is the beginning of a series because I could see this novel expanding!
February 6, 2021
I had the best time with this book. “The Condition” is an absolutely amazing novel full of dark secrets that kept me guessing what was going on. Also, in a lot of parts I found twists and turns that left me breathless.
This piece of writing is a contemporary read because it is set in the pandemic time. The characters are well-thought because they are very interesting and as long as I continue reading, I could easily get to know them and their lives.
To conclude, I am giving five stars to this book because of the original plot that engaged me as soon as I read the first pages. I highly recommend it!
This piece of writing is a contemporary read because it is set in the pandemic time. The characters are well-thought because they are very interesting and as long as I continue reading, I could easily get to know them and their lives.
To conclude, I am giving five stars to this book because of the original plot that engaged me as soon as I read the first pages. I highly recommend it!
February 9, 2021
An updated horror story
Bernie Donnelly is the author of this horror story called “The Condition”.
What is more attractive about this novel is that it is set during the COVID 19 pandemic. It seems to me that this worldwide issue affected many families in different ways, and the family that plays the major role in this story is not an exception.
The novel is new and fresh, it has just been taken out of the oven. I would say it feels like one of the thousand real life stories that developed as a side effect of the world’s pandemic.
It is lively narrated. The ups and downs that the main character describes kept me reading vigorously.
I recommend it because it is entertaining.
Bernie Donnelly is the author of this horror story called “The Condition”.
What is more attractive about this novel is that it is set during the COVID 19 pandemic. It seems to me that this worldwide issue affected many families in different ways, and the family that plays the major role in this story is not an exception.
The novel is new and fresh, it has just been taken out of the oven. I would say it feels like one of the thousand real life stories that developed as a side effect of the world’s pandemic.
It is lively narrated. The ups and downs that the main character describes kept me reading vigorously.
I recommend it because it is entertaining.
February 13, 2021
I must be honest and say that if it was for the cover, I would not have read the book; apart from not being attractive, it is disturbing. But, the description was so attractive that I picked it up.
I liked the plot because it is related to a situation we live in today: covid pandemic. I also enjoyed how the author managed to uncover each character little by little, so that the readers discover why they do the things they do.
There are many twists that got me reading at the edge of my seat. I would recommend this read. I liked it very much.
I liked the plot because it is related to a situation we live in today: covid pandemic. I also enjoyed how the author managed to uncover each character little by little, so that the readers discover why they do the things they do.
There are many twists that got me reading at the edge of my seat. I would recommend this read. I liked it very much.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews