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The Diner: A Novel
Freddy Cougar Sleep
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2021
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 10, 2021
Just how would you react if all your hopes, dreams, and money were invested in a run-down diner, to have the love of your life taken from you prematurely by a drunk driver? Would you go to pieces or would you take decisive action?
It only takes one chapter to be swallowed up by the masterpiece that Robinson has created. The first act of brutality – Bab’s husband being mowed down by a drunken piece of shit had me hooked. We then get a taste for the kind of woman that Babs turns out to be. An interesting character, intriguing background and quite literally living a nightmare. Turn the pages and be prepared to be sucked into extreme violence that is delivered alongside a side of eggs. The plot was seamless, my heart matched my levels of adrenaline and I don’t think it ever slowed, especially with the body count mounting.
The Diner is intelligent as it is ambitious. The plot was freakishly brutal. Bab’s husband's death has a domino effect on her life. If you think that her actions start strange, just keep reading, as you are about to take a walk down psycho street. She’s unhinged, and it's immediately obvious that past events have affected her more than originally thought. I flew through every chapter with vigor and morbid curiosity – Bab’s is a character that grabs your attention by the balls, and then gives you a swift kick. Just when you think you know all she's capable of, then, BOOM, sledgehammer to the head. A woman that seems to always be a step ahead, what will it take to trip her up?
If you thought that this was all in the vain of avenging her dead husband, think again. She develops a taste for ridding the world of “rats” and it becomes obsessive, she needs to see the life drain from the evil beings she chooses for extermination. The characterization was superb and multi-dimensional, this would make a perfect small-screen adaptation. My favourite part of this novel was just how conflicted I ended up feeling. I could get on board with her initial grief and wanting some semblance of revenge but that soon faded when she took it too far. She was bat-shit crazy.
This book is exactly why I am so passionate about indie horror authors. This was a gem in the rough. The cadence of Robinson’s voice and his unique storytelling don’t come around too often. Glourisoly complex and deeply disturbing it was the love child of Clive Barker and Ketchum.
It only takes one chapter to be swallowed up by the masterpiece that Robinson has created. The first act of brutality – Bab’s husband being mowed down by a drunken piece of shit had me hooked. We then get a taste for the kind of woman that Babs turns out to be. An interesting character, intriguing background and quite literally living a nightmare. Turn the pages and be prepared to be sucked into extreme violence that is delivered alongside a side of eggs. The plot was seamless, my heart matched my levels of adrenaline and I don’t think it ever slowed, especially with the body count mounting.
The Diner is intelligent as it is ambitious. The plot was freakishly brutal. Bab’s husband's death has a domino effect on her life. If you think that her actions start strange, just keep reading, as you are about to take a walk down psycho street. She’s unhinged, and it's immediately obvious that past events have affected her more than originally thought. I flew through every chapter with vigor and morbid curiosity – Bab’s is a character that grabs your attention by the balls, and then gives you a swift kick. Just when you think you know all she's capable of, then, BOOM, sledgehammer to the head. A woman that seems to always be a step ahead, what will it take to trip her up?
If you thought that this was all in the vain of avenging her dead husband, think again. She develops a taste for ridding the world of “rats” and it becomes obsessive, she needs to see the life drain from the evil beings she chooses for extermination. The characterization was superb and multi-dimensional, this would make a perfect small-screen adaptation. My favourite part of this novel was just how conflicted I ended up feeling. I could get on board with her initial grief and wanting some semblance of revenge but that soon faded when she took it too far. She was bat-shit crazy.
This book is exactly why I am so passionate about indie horror authors. This was a gem in the rough. The cadence of Robinson’s voice and his unique storytelling don’t come around too often. Glourisoly complex and deeply disturbing it was the love child of Clive Barker and Ketchum.
June 16, 2021
Many years ago, Babs and her husband purchased a diner in hopes of making their dreams come true. Shortly after, her husband is killed by a drunk driver, leaving Babs to run the diner alone. Fast forward to the future, and Babs is now 70 years old and over the years she has rid the world of "rats", when they have entered her beloved diner. These "rats" are the dregs of society who have little to no regard for their negative impact on others. After all these decades of murder and torture, Babs finds herself in an interesting dilemma. What does she do when a good citizen stumbles upon her serial killer life?
This was an extremely fun debut novel. Not for the squeamish or weak-of-heart, but an engaging read none-the-less. What drew me in the most was the pacing of the novel and the characters. The novel was written in a way that kept me wanting more and I found it difficult to put down. The main character (Babs) is someone you love to.... hate? love? understand? feel sorry for? According to Mr. Robinson, there will be another book about Babs, and her Dexter-like lifestyle. I can't wait.
This was an extremely fun debut novel. Not for the squeamish or weak-of-heart, but an engaging read none-the-less. What drew me in the most was the pacing of the novel and the characters. The novel was written in a way that kept me wanting more and I found it difficult to put down. The main character (Babs) is someone you love to.... hate? love? understand? feel sorry for? According to Mr. Robinson, there will be another book about Babs, and her Dexter-like lifestyle. I can't wait.
April 14, 2021
Okay J.C...I see you! THE DINER was such an entertaining read. I laughed way more than I probably should throughout this book.
This is a story about a woman who runs a diner becoming a serial killer. I really enjoyed how her story and experiences were broken up. At first I thought I would get confused but it actually moved the story along nicely and was easy to follow.
May I say, I loved the main character Babs! Even though she's killing all these people you can't help but empathize with her and find her actions almost reasonable 😅 There were so many moments, especially in the first half that made me feel panic along with her and again, I laughed out loud at so many of her punny comments.
I'm normally not the biggest fan of epilogues but J.C. did a creative way to describe events and I loved it. Once I saw the very last line, I was so excited and yeah..can't wait!
THE DINER weirdly reminded me of the Boondock Saints movie (don't ask lol) combined with Misery. It was funny, gory, somewhat relatable and honestly good from beginning to the end.
*Lots of content warnings! Message if you want specifics.
4.5/5 ⭐ (rounded up for GR)
Thank you to the author for an e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a story about a woman who runs a diner becoming a serial killer. I really enjoyed how her story and experiences were broken up. At first I thought I would get confused but it actually moved the story along nicely and was easy to follow.
May I say, I loved the main character Babs! Even though she's killing all these people you can't help but empathize with her and find her actions almost reasonable 😅 There were so many moments, especially in the first half that made me feel panic along with her and again, I laughed out loud at so many of her punny comments.
I'm normally not the biggest fan of epilogues but J.C. did a creative way to describe events and I loved it. Once I saw the very last line, I was so excited and yeah..can't wait!
THE DINER weirdly reminded me of the Boondock Saints movie (don't ask lol) combined with Misery. It was funny, gory, somewhat relatable and honestly good from beginning to the end.
*Lots of content warnings! Message if you want specifics.
4.5/5 ⭐ (rounded up for GR)
Thank you to the author for an e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 27, 2021
This is my first experience with JC Robinson and I hope it won’t be my last. This was a story I couldn’t stop reading. The first few pages caught my interest and it wouldn’t let go. Babs is quite the character,I loved her story. Great debut novel!
June 6, 2021
Honestly baffled by the great reviews. Was like American psycho if you take out the satire...I get that it was meant to be tongue in cheek but it was just...bad?
April 6, 2021
Wonderful, creative gruesome storytelling
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially it's main character, Babs. I hope there is a sequel so I can read what this demented senior citizen does next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially it's main character, Babs. I hope there is a sequel so I can read what this demented senior citizen does next.
April 17, 2021
When Babs finds herself the sole owner and operator of the diner she bought with her husband after he dies in an accident, she makes the best of a bad situation. That situation goes from bad to worse when she encounters a variety unsavory customers who treat her and her diner quite poorly. Babs doesn't take crap from anyone, and she handles it all in stride by exterminating them like the "rats" they are.
Robinson doesn't shy away from delivering loads of gruesome and grisly moments. Babs is a dynamic character who has her genesis in grief and her exodus in straight-up serial killer infamy. Her thirst for blood and vengeance progresses and there is good layered suspense throughout.
I enjoyed the book overall, but did have a few slight issues with it. Nothing that kept me from finishing the story, just minor things that any reader of indie books might notice. Despite that, THE DINER is a recommended read and I will definitely check out the sequel in the works to see what else Babs gets up to.
Robinson doesn't shy away from delivering loads of gruesome and grisly moments. Babs is a dynamic character who has her genesis in grief and her exodus in straight-up serial killer infamy. Her thirst for blood and vengeance progresses and there is good layered suspense throughout.
I enjoyed the book overall, but did have a few slight issues with it. Nothing that kept me from finishing the story, just minor things that any reader of indie books might notice. Despite that, THE DINER is a recommended read and I will definitely check out the sequel in the works to see what else Babs gets up to.
November 9, 2021
Don’t be a rat & remember to tip your waitress:
A deliciously moreish piece of novel-pie. Well written to the point where you forget that Robinson is a fairly new author. The read managed to make me squirm and, oddly enough, crave diner food (possibly because I’m pregnant and easily swayed with food).
I don’t think anyone will leave this book unaffected, and some will struggle with it. That being said, being a person who enjoys classic Splatterpunk, this has almost felt like a trip down memory lane: All the gore, but with way more heart.
A deliciously moreish piece of novel-pie. Well written to the point where you forget that Robinson is a fairly new author. The read managed to make me squirm and, oddly enough, crave diner food (possibly because I’m pregnant and easily swayed with food).
I don’t think anyone will leave this book unaffected, and some will struggle with it. That being said, being a person who enjoys classic Splatterpunk, this has almost felt like a trip down memory lane: All the gore, but with way more heart.
Read
November 28, 2021What starts as a somber look at grief morphs into a crime novel, and eventually extreme horror. The progression is seamless and unsettlingly, and the author creates a richly drawn and sadistic protagonist. This book takes so many unexpected turns, and often to incredibly dark places. A fantastic debut novel!
May 8, 2021
Deliciously Gory
Well written,easy read. Explicit violence, but a great yarn. Recommended if you like your horror in your face. Bloody Brilliant
Well written,easy read. Explicit violence, but a great yarn. Recommended if you like your horror in your face. Bloody Brilliant
September 15, 2021
Pretty good first novel in the horror genre.
September 12, 2021
I enjoyed this a lot. Babs is now one of my most favourite characters ever. Great horror
April 11, 2021
In the Diner, we have what my friend Ross Jeffery would call “Prose Magic.” Right away its written in such a way the flow has you making your way through at a nice steady pace. Our main character Babs runs a Diner off a busy highway, that she originally opened with her husband. After a tragic accident, he’s dead, out of the picture, and she is forced to continue with the Diner in order to survive.
As we move along, she encounters some of the nastiest dreadful lowlife customers in her Diner, until finally something in her brain snaps. Babs herself refer to these customers as “RATS.” And Babs has taken it upon herself to help rid the world of Rats.
The killings start to take place. Each one a bit different from the previous one, and for different reasons. These killings Babs decide to do are also spaced out over a number of years. And just before the book becomes too repetitive with the same killing over and over, it takes a little bit of a turn. The writer comes out and basically tells you how many killings Babs does over the span of a certain amount of years. I enjoyed this because now instead of 300 pages of killings, we will get a new part of the plot. And the Diner delivers on that.
A couple of new characters are introduced, oblivious to the actions of this old hard working Diner owner only known as BABS.
The narrative is remarkable. Outstanding really. Descriptions not unlike those of Ketchum, or Barker.
I will warn you up front, if you are a RAT enthusiast, first of all, why? Secondly, you’re not going to like this books. There are a couple of very squirmy scenes involving RATS, Yes I know they are Rodents, but still, WOW.
We start to see at times where Babs seems to be questioning her own morals. Wondering if she believes what she is doing is the right thing. What would justify these killing’s? She speaks to the ghost of her dead husband and realizes he doesn’t condone her behavior. But it doesn’t stop her from doing what she thinks is the right thing to do. It’s the battle of good and evil within her brain. All moral standards have been thrown out the window at this point. She’s already gone too far to turn back now.
It’s when she eventually has 2 hostages, through a few storytelling flashbacks we find out the reasoning behind some of the previous killings. And at one point, the story turns into a bit of a game, for the hostages to survive. Again, RAT fans, turn away. But I got a bit of a SAW feeling, where the hostages are made to carry out tasks in hopes of being set free.
But as bad as I make Babs sound in this, you will find yourself rooting for her. I did. The writer is able to make you question yourself. As you read it, you may start to wonder what needs to happen to you, what is the snapping point that could make you resolve to taking care of business on your own and start ridding the world of the RAT problem.
Overall the book is dark. It has this undertone of an inner struggle just to survive for our main character, Babs. We feel for her, and at the same time resent the actions of her.
I enjoyed the way the story gets wrapped up through the use of news reports, and our the ending is a bit open ended, leaving plenty of room for this storyline to continue.
I am definitely looking forward to the future of this story, and the future writings of JC Robinson.
As we move along, she encounters some of the nastiest dreadful lowlife customers in her Diner, until finally something in her brain snaps. Babs herself refer to these customers as “RATS.” And Babs has taken it upon herself to help rid the world of Rats.
The killings start to take place. Each one a bit different from the previous one, and for different reasons. These killings Babs decide to do are also spaced out over a number of years. And just before the book becomes too repetitive with the same killing over and over, it takes a little bit of a turn. The writer comes out and basically tells you how many killings Babs does over the span of a certain amount of years. I enjoyed this because now instead of 300 pages of killings, we will get a new part of the plot. And the Diner delivers on that.
A couple of new characters are introduced, oblivious to the actions of this old hard working Diner owner only known as BABS.
The narrative is remarkable. Outstanding really. Descriptions not unlike those of Ketchum, or Barker.
I will warn you up front, if you are a RAT enthusiast, first of all, why? Secondly, you’re not going to like this books. There are a couple of very squirmy scenes involving RATS, Yes I know they are Rodents, but still, WOW.
We start to see at times where Babs seems to be questioning her own morals. Wondering if she believes what she is doing is the right thing. What would justify these killing’s? She speaks to the ghost of her dead husband and realizes he doesn’t condone her behavior. But it doesn’t stop her from doing what she thinks is the right thing to do. It’s the battle of good and evil within her brain. All moral standards have been thrown out the window at this point. She’s already gone too far to turn back now.
It’s when she eventually has 2 hostages, through a few storytelling flashbacks we find out the reasoning behind some of the previous killings. And at one point, the story turns into a bit of a game, for the hostages to survive. Again, RAT fans, turn away. But I got a bit of a SAW feeling, where the hostages are made to carry out tasks in hopes of being set free.
But as bad as I make Babs sound in this, you will find yourself rooting for her. I did. The writer is able to make you question yourself. As you read it, you may start to wonder what needs to happen to you, what is the snapping point that could make you resolve to taking care of business on your own and start ridding the world of the RAT problem.
Overall the book is dark. It has this undertone of an inner struggle just to survive for our main character, Babs. We feel for her, and at the same time resent the actions of her.
I enjoyed the way the story gets wrapped up through the use of news reports, and our the ending is a bit open ended, leaving plenty of room for this storyline to continue.
I am definitely looking forward to the future of this story, and the future writings of JC Robinson.
March 28, 2021
CongRATulations - An outstanding debut
I decided to take a chance on The Diner and boy am I glad I did! This novel is a page turner that I couldn't put down. In Babs, J.C. Robinson has created both a septaugenerian nightmare and a stark warning to not bite the hand that feeds you.
I decided to take a chance on The Diner and boy am I glad I did! This novel is a page turner that I couldn't put down. In Babs, J.C. Robinson has created both a septaugenerian nightmare and a stark warning to not bite the hand that feeds you.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews