A Dark Autumn

by Kristopher Rufty

Some vengeance cries for blood!

He’s a writer seeking solitude. They are four women on vacation looking for fun and relaxation. But when they meet they will find only terror. An appalling crime will lead to an unthinkable, gruesome revenge. In the deep woods of Mountain Rock, no one will hear the screams, the agony, the mayhem.

No one will hear them die.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Novella

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Kristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels, including ALL WILL DIE, THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD, DESOLATION, THE LURKERS and PILLOWFACE. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food.

His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.

He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm...maybe 3.5 STARS...

Okay, so the basic concept was to take something like I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and turn it upside down. I get that.
But how realistic is it?

I readily admit that I am a guy - happily married and smart enough to know that I basically know NOTHING about the way a female mind works.

If you know Jeff Allen's WIFE CODE, you will understand what gospel I'm trying to live by. If not, check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTYp...

There - that is it.

So, in the afterward, the author mentioned getting e-mails from women who were turned on by this. And, right there, that exact moment, I knew that I'm back to square one and know NOTHING about women.

There story was good, not great, don't know who I should recommend it to.

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very close to a 4.5 star rating. I really had a good time with this book. It was unexpectedly filthy and violent. And by filthy, I mean sexually filthy, by the by. I didn't really read much about this before jumping in, but it was a fast paced, unique horror experience. Now there is a fairly lengthy rape scene, however it's not what you would expect. I won't spoil anything, but it's very different from anything else I've seen over the years. And what I assumed would happen after that pivotal scene caught me totally off-guard, too. My only critique here was in the very beginning, it felt like an information dump about the characters. Just a ton a rapid fire statements with no time to let it all simmer a bit with the reader. But once I got past that small portion, the rest was a smooth, well executed ride into debauchery and chaos. I haven't read much of Kristopher Rufty at all, but need to put it on my reading priority list.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "A Dark Autumn" is Kristopher Rufty's take on a cabin in the woods tale, with a twist. The story revolves around what some term "revenge horror".

The aspect of "A Dark Autumn" that is unique is it's roll reversal. The aggressors are a group of four agressive, sex starved women spending the weekend in a cabin by a lake consuming large quantities of alcohol.

A nearby cabin is occupied by a male romance author who hs had tremendous success writing under a pseudonym.

They happen to meet at a campsite where years earlier the girls had participated in an orgy with a group of other campers.

The big difference here is that the pseudonymous writer is gay.

This story is quite reminiscent in style and story telling technique of a Richard Laymon story, and that is a good thing. Mr. Rufty's writing style is crisp and exciting. He moves the story forward with fast pacing. The premise an intriguing twist.

I should caution that this story is not for the squeamish or those of a sensitive nature as it is of a hardcore horror nature.

This is copy V of 36 signed numbered copies signed by Kristopher Rufty.

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Kristopher Rufty read and i was not dissapointed. I am definitely a fan. This story was depraved. It led into the mind of a sick and twisted woman and her pathetic and weak friends; a look into what became one woman's idea of uninhibited fun and into another's worst nightmare. It was fast, it was entertaining, and shocking all wrapped up into a nice little package. You don't want to miss this!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure about this book, I found all the characters annoying (Especially Helen!! My God She Was The Bitch From Hell😈) she was far too overpowering and the others sat back and just seemed to agree with her without thinking for themselves!🙄
The story line was extremely weak and a little disappointing.
OK...It was violent and a nasty brutal revenge horror...but it just didn't tick all the boxes for me!
The ending was not what I was expecting...I don't really know how I was expecting it all to end to be honest.
Only 2.5/3 Unhappy 😒😒😒"⭐⭐⭐"😒😒😒stars.

[Becki 🤎 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dark Autumn 🍂

Thank you so much to Rufty for sending me the code for this. I went in blind so I wasn’t sure what to expect, well actually I expected it to be the other way around as that’s what I have experienced with revenge stories! But this had me thinking and feeling from a whole new perspective!

A last minute girls trip was just what Michelle needed! What was meant to be a romantic trip turned into a long overdue reunion with the girls, they all need the break without the rubbish men in their lives.

They’re all ready & raring to go. When these girls get together, it’s anything goes…and I mean anything 👀

Ricky has retreated to an isolated cabin in the woods, he really needs to get some work done, on a strict deadline with his book it’s a no distractions place & though it may be a lonely one, it’s quiet & that’s just what he needs.

When Ricky hears screaming from the girls he does what any man would, checks to makesure they’re safe….big mistake….these girls see him as fresh meat, they’re tipsy & won’t take no for an answer 🫣

Poor Ricky didn’t stand a chance with these women, but revenge is sweet!!

This was so well written, I think this is one of the first books of this genre that I have read with the roles reversed & it being the man that’s abused. I felt so sad for Ricky, especially with the ending! Not only was he gay & not interested in the women in the slightest but he had also had an abusive past too 😭

It really was a brilliant read! I’m so grateful that Kristopher sent me a lot of his books over on Audible to check out, I now have plenty to get through & super excited to read more from him! Thank you again 🫶🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ check your triggers before this one! More so for the SA element 🤎

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, brutal and disturbing novella that reminds a "rape and revenge" 70ies grindhouse horror flick with a twist: 4 women's seduction attempt of a gay author in the woods is going out of hand for good... Like other Rufty's tales this too is written in a Richard Laymon style with a very good character building and full of twists and shocking graphic scenes. A great quick autumn horror reading, absolutely not for the feint of heart.

[Allison | crazypageturner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down

Four women decide to vacation at a cabin to catch up. A neighbor stumbles upon them at their campsite and the girls decide to have a little fun with him. A little too much fun…..Things get out of hand, too much alcohol is involved and numerous crimes are committed. These women soon realize that they have crossed a line that they can’t come back from.

Michelle, Lucy, Amanda and Helen. All it takes is a drunken idea to come out of Helen’s mouth and soon everybody is committing a horrible crime involving their cabin neighbor Ricky. This goes to show how people in groups can be sheep and just go along with things they know are wrong but are too afraid to speak up or offer a differing opinion.

The way this situation gets out of hand is crazy. I felt so bad for Ricky and was getting uncomfortable just reading the groups interactions with him. There is sexual assault and gang violence all wrapped up with a side of murder.

I enjoyed the writing and the varying characters. The ending had me really shocked as well. Solid story that I enjoyed but I also kinda had a hard time in spots just due to the vulgarity of what was happening to Ricky. If you’re looking for a quick slasher read then give this one a go!

[Escapereality4now · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Autumn”, by Kristopher Rufty, is a ride.

Four women reconnect in the woods and return to a cabin that they stayed at years earlier. A nearby cabin is occupied by a male romance author who has had tremendous success writing. These people meet and the story goes off the rails at a quick pace with unexpected twists and turns. Rufty keeps the reader engaged for the entire novella.

Rufty pushes the envelope with Dark Autumn and it pays off. There were scenes of violence and depravity that impacted the story was evident but it never seemed overdone.

It is a fantastic in-one-sitting story. Believe me! You will not be able to put it down. 5 ⭐️

Trigger warning: Sexual Assault

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book that packs a big punch!

This reminded me a lot of “I Spit on Your Grave”. I was surprised with the amount of story that was packed in less than 150 pages.

Quick note: this is my first Kristopher Rufty book. I heard he was like a modern day Richard Laymon so I had to give him a shot. In the end, very glad I did!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, brutal and disturbing. I didn't know what it was about going into it and I think I enjoyed it more because of that.

[Jason Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this one blind and was not expecting it to go the route it did. Rufty puts a role reversal twist on a horror trope and throws in a few surprises along the way. Really enjoyed this one.

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one of those horror books that has absolutely nothing to offer other than a light distraction. Violent smut featuring no likable characters or originality, not to mention the most tediously annoying female quartet since sex in the city. Readable, but utterly flat and uninspired. At least it was a quick one.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good novella from Kristopher Rufty. A reunion between four old school friends at a remote cabin gets a wee out of hand.

[David Veith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.33 Talk about things escalating quickly! Very quick pace to this book, the ending almost too fast. Well written, has a lot of depravity and violence.

Spoilers below

So, 4 women are reconnecting in the woods and meet a nice guy. He is an author and is gay. That does not stop them from drugging him and having their way with him! Did not see that coming. From there it keeps going! Turns out he has a split personality (he is a writer, and his pen name is actually another identity, his female side). He (or I guess she at this point) takes an axe and makes quick work of the women. The last one (the main character) is running for her life and finds her boyfriend has decided to come up and surprise her. He ends up surprising her with his truck and boom done. I was very surprised at how fast it ended once the killing starts, lots of build up to that point and then sort of done. Could have added more to it I think at the end. Overall, a very twisted tale for sure.

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to say, this was a difficult read during some parts. But when I started reading, I couldn't stop. I've read several books by Rufty and not one of them effected me the way this one did.
A revenge/slasher/psychological horror that'll make your jaw drop. It starts off at a nice pace, getting you familiar with the characters, but then, well then it turns into a brutal story of assault and revenge.
I was hoping for more brutal revenge, but in the end I really enjoyed this book.

[Pyropatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backwards

Great story about four horny women who rape one guy. Lots of twists, great orgy scene and revenge. Apparently size does matter.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dark Autumn is a brutal novella that puts a unique twist on a typical revenge horror story. It's graphic and unrelenting. A solid 4 star read!

[Elizabeth Gonzalez-Collazo IG - Shereadswithcoffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a (partially) unsatisfying ending! I understand the message, trust me, but come on...Justice for Ricky for heaven's sake.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up.

[Rajeev Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting for about 60% of it, riding on the unique titillation-potential of a reverse gangbang, a beautiful countryside-backdrop, some fine prose, a decent character-development - despite the author being on a short leash - but going downhill thence onward. Revenge is such a fertile field, just waiting to be tilled for a rich produce of gore; sadly under-used here. Extreme horror should push limits, instead of the usual reliance on head-chopping, which I’m not sure is even possible with one blow of an axe unless the wielder is a real beefcake.

My version of one scene: What if Helen hadn’t lost her head so easily but had it dangling halfway-sliced, the blow spraying slivers of blood, bone and cartilage in Michelle’s face, a bone-shard getting in her eye, peeping out like a cigarette waiting to be lit? Or better still, if the author insists on the head being detached, the head-missile hitting Michelle with a stunning thud, bringing her to the floor like a gal being sandbagged. When Michelle comes to, she finds her friend’s head sitting atop her chest, leaking slowly-cooling blood down her cleavage, staring at her with a perpetual gasp, as if shocked out of her wits (and her life) by Michelle’s new hair-colour that includes streaks of blood.

The world would never run out of messed-up people with unhappy childhoods, the evidence not just here but in the next book I’ve switched to, a serial-killer memoir by Tim Miller, looking promising by the woman bathing in blood on the cover. I sincerely feel I could have used some more blood in A Dark Autumn too, and better murder weapons than just an axe. This comes a few days after watching the 2013 Texas Chainsaw movie, with Alexandra Daddario’s 34Ds spilling out of a torn shirt while a humming, buzzing chainsaw was held in her face. A Dark Autumn provides a bevy of hot women with a variety of physiques, thus taking care of the Daddario-factor, but loses out on the gore.

Still, the long scene with the four women taking turns on Ricky would stay imprinted on my mind for a long time - much like that fan who wrote to the writer, praising it. It was just too hot, so much better than a porno. Kudos to Kristopher Rufty for penning it and giving the great piece of writing advice at the end – Don’t question it and just write it as if you’re the only one who is ever going to read it.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little novella. Once it got going I couldn't put this down. A reversal of the sexes 'I Spit On Your Grave', but with a deep twist, and well developed characters.

[Noigeloverlord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great twisted read! Fantastic novella that you never know where it's going

[RatedHforHorror · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to hate some of the characters in this book.
It's a bout one of our main characters who is going to a cabin in the woods with her high school friends. You quickly find out that when they are together no good can come out of it. You also meet our other main character that you follow that is a writer and rented out a cabin to finish his new book coming out. Things take a turn for the absolute worst and just keep going until it is done. There is SA in this so be weary of that. I dreaded certain parts and was rooting for things to happen at other parts, in the end I had so many mixed emotions of everything happening.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extreme and explicit horror novella thats a sort of reverse rape/revenge story. This is a quick read and as such doesnt go in depth with its characters. I would have liked to get to know them all a little better. As it stands i felt no sympathy for any of the characters so there was no point of identification for me - however, the setting is very well realised and once the revenge section gets going it becomes very exciting. I did feel that the end was a bit rushed though. One of the rare cases where a book could have benefitted from being longer!

[John Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and savage.

Bleak, unflinching, brutal. Dry, almost bored descriptions of violence and depravity. An ending that perfectly caps off the story. Richard Laymon would have loved this story...his fingerprints and others' are all over this baby, but it is still Rufty's baby. He approaches the story with a respectful eye. And then splashes gallons of blood into that eye. Great stuff!

[Jonathan Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride!! As Rufty said himself, don’t party with these people! I loved it. The book didn’t go the way I thought it would and even after that I had another twist up it’s sleeve. I really loved how the story progressed. It’s definitely a dark autumn!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't give too Much away. This is a crazy revenge slasher Novella. Rufty is so similar to Laymon it's awesome. I absolutely love Rufty.

[Patrick R. McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus. Christ.

That was intense.