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The Hatching

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You can’t escape what’s inside you.

Five people are trapped inside a New York nightclub, hunted by an enemy beyond anything in their worst nightmares.

For one of those five people, Dani Pellerino, it was supposed to be the first night of the rest of her life. Now Dani, along with her four companions, must fight against incredible odds to survive a night that no one will ever forget.

A night that will forever be known as ‘the hatching.’

The Hatching is a horror novel inspired by John Carpenter movies, as well as the classic stories of Stephen King and Richard Matheson. If you love taut, fast-paced claustrophobic horror, you’ll love The Hatching.

218 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2021

145 people are currently reading
78 people want to read

About the author

Mark Gillespie

51 books144 followers
These days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.

Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.

Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...

Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...

You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.

Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Louie the Mustache Matos.
1,427 reviews141 followers
July 24, 2024
This is a claustrophobic, apocalyptic, horror novel cloaked in mystery that begins to slowly elucidate not just the main mystery as to a cosmic dust that is affecting the world, but also how it has caused an extinction level event that plays out in a rock venue / club. Although I am unfamiliar with the author, I felt he had a good grasp of the escape room / apocalypse mash-up blend that creates this fascinating and fun dichotomy.

The six main characters are trapped in the New York City nightclub called the Academy when the apocalyptic event occurs. For weeks a cosmic dust has swept across the Earth affecting people in disparate ways. Some have respiratory issues, but most have a redness that is causing heavy peeling and even a cocooning side effect by the most serious cases. Fully a quarter of the world population is undergoing the transformation.

This was supposed to be Dani Pellerino's break out Punk Rock moment, but the world crisis has caused most people to want to stay home, and anyone that was planning on attending is impeded by a worsening situation that causes the bar staff and Dani's support team to stay inside the venue. Of course, at a certain point, the entire plot descends into a zompoc narrative that turns highly gory, and bloody graphic. Being locked into a club also gives a taste of claustrophobia that exacerbates the scares.

The escape room, puzzle aspect also gives a unique tinge to the suspense. Really fun book that I feel happy to have picked as a read.
Profile Image for Kate Victoria RescueandReading.
1,929 reviews113 followers
March 6, 2023
I definitely liked the first half of the book. It was creepy and the strange occurrences happening around the world, as well as the “Cocoons” made for an intriguing plot.

The second half felt like a bit of a letdown.
Destroying the building instead of sheltering in place? Didn’t only 1% of the population survive the Burn? Why leave a secure place with food and water? Also I really disliked the characters, especially Dani. Who decides to take off their sneakers to put on heeled boots to fit monsters? Ugh infuriating.
Profile Image for Gem Violet.
129 reviews24 followers
October 28, 2022
I cannot tell you the joy in finding other Scottish authors that I hadn’t heard of! This was my first read by Mark Gillespie, and I throughly enjoyed it.



The world is in a perilous state, with most of the world’s population in otherworldly cocoons. Those who remain behind are suffering the affects of the “Burn,” the unusual virus that tore its way through earth and infected all its inhabitants. The Hatching follows the story of Dani Pellerino, and tonight was supposed to be the start of the rest of her life. She was due to perform her first gig at The Academy, a New York punk club that has seen better days.

Dani, her sister and the rest of their companions, find themselves trapped inside The Academy. When the cocoons start to hatch, they find themselves hunted by enemies beyond anything in their worst nightmares. The fight to survive is on, and to make it worse..they have to fight the inner voice inside their heads that tells them to peel…

This was a great #Spooktober read. The horror elements kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. My only complaint is that it was a little short which led to a very rushed ending.

I’d love to see this as a longer novel, a series or even a TV show. Gillespie presented the readers with a world of so much chaotic opportunity! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
364 reviews8 followers
February 19, 2021
Dani Pellerino, recently divorced after 15 unhappy years, was ready to start a life-changing career as rock singer “Dani Machete”. She had rented “The Academy”, a New York nightclub, for her debut. The only people in the club as the time drew near were Chiara, Dani’s sister, the club’s sound man, the bartender and the owner. Darryl, Dani’s ex showed up, having decided he really wanted her back and would show her some support in her new endeavor. Chiarra hated Darryl and made no pretense that his presence was welcome.

I really liked the “Loop”, video news reports playing in the background. Mr. Gillespie alternated chapters of the story with chapters containing time-sequenced interviews with scientists and news footage of incidents, to show the progress of the disease and build the suspense and tension. Scientists have speculated about, but have nothing to substantiate, the origin of worldwide dust storms that ravaged the world for several weeks, thinking perhaps a collision of asteroids close to the earth. Shortly thereafter, a strange illness “The Burn” appeared all around the world. It was akin to severe sunburn, possibly linked to the dust, which could have carried pathogens that people breathed in. Millions of people developed a fever and exhibited peeling skin, which turned into a cloudy white gel over their entire body, and formed a cocoon around them. Cocoons became a common sight everywhere.

Suddenly, all the cocoons start hatching. The reborn creatures attack the remaining live humans, to tear out and eat their hearts... Is anyone safe? Will Dani and company find a way to avoid these creatures? Or will they also succumb to “The Burn” and become these strange creatures themselves?

Mr. Gillespie’s stories are always well-written, with strong characters and vivid details to make you see what is happening. While I’m not a big fan of horror stories (I don’t watch horror movies), I am a big fan of Mark’s books. They are easy to read and pull me in to become part of the action. This book was no exception – I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eager to read more of his writing. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I purchased a copy on release to support this deserving author.
74 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2021
*** NO SPOILERS ***

The tease on Amazon said: "If you love taut, fast-paced claustrophobic horror, you’ll love The Hatching." I can't say it better than that. I'm a big fan of his writing and have read a number of different series he's written. This is one of his best.
A worldwide problem with no identifiable cause results in severe health problems for everyone. No identifiable treatment. A troubling and unexpected result. When you think things can't get any worse, everything comes crashing down. This is the story of a few friends and their situation with the "big picture" framing provided by snippets that vignette the situation around the world. These friends find themselves in an unthinkable situation, with things getting exponentially worse by the moment, and no apparent way out. Gillespie, at least for me, is different from most other authors in that his writing puts you there. Most authors make me feel like a 3rd party observer of what is going on as if I'm watching things unfold on the TV. Gillespie plants you right there alongside the characters, seeing, hearing, experiencing what they are. Fear, claustrophobia, panic, hope, success or failure...and you are part of it. His characters are unique, not stereotypical. Flawed like all of us. Their capabilities and flaws all come into play rather than just being a feature stapled to a cardboard cutout. Other authors are like someone you know walking with you and telling you a story. Mark Gillespie is like a dog grabbing a chew toy in his teeth and shaking the daylights out of it. And you are the chew toy.

Anyone already familiar with Mark Gillespie's writings don't need any encouragement to read this. For those who like horror that is well-written and works very well, missing out on this story would be a big mistake.
Profile Image for Chantelle Atkins.
Author 45 books77 followers
March 21, 2021
The Hatching is a fast-paced horror story that takes place inside a music venue. The story starts with 30-something Dani about to get on stage and finally realise her dream of being a performer with her sister Chiara there to support her. However, all is not well with the world outside and it has not been well for some time. The story is peppered with news reports, interviews and witness accounts of a number of strange and disturbing happenings, all of which lead up the dreaded hatching day. There have been life threatening dust storms, followed by a disease known as The Burn, which leaves victims with burnt red skin that they cannot prevent themselves from peeling. I particularly enjoyed these news snippets as they explained what has led up to the day the story is happening in, so we are not left with too many questions about what has been going on previously. Once they have peeled themselves they enter a cocoon state and then something else hatches out...It's a day everyone has been dreading but it's finally here. As the situation quickly worsens, Dani and the other characters inside the music venue are forced to confront what emerges from the cocoons... I've never read anything quite like this before, so it gets a big thumbs up for originality and drama unfolds in a manner that makes it impossible to put the book down. My only complaint is the shortness of the story - I would have loved it to be longer! I wanted a bit more detail, and more time to connect with the characters, but if you are a fan of short, sharp and shocking horror stories, this will tick every box for you and I recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Mc Chanster.
536 reviews
May 1, 2021
Ooo, this was a great read and I pretty much finished it in one sitting!

A worldwide health crisis has broken out and no one has any idea of how it started, how it progresses, or why some are infected while others are deemed “Clean”. All anybody really knows is that the first stage is the Burn, where body temperatures rise and skin peels off in strips. Then comes the cocoons. They litter the streets and buildings, but what comes next? Nobody knows until the night of the Hatching, and unfortunately, Dani Pallerino and her friends (and her jerk of an ex-husband) have a front row seat to the horrors that await them.

I really enjoyed this book! As a huge horror fan, I’ve read my share of creepy crawly novels, and this one was a great introduction to Mark Gillespie. I thought the action scenes were well balanced with slower ones, and I was honestly surprised at how quickly I grew attached to Dani. I loved that descriptions were gory, but not grotesque – sometime a tricky line to draw in particular genre and the alternating chapters between Dani and The Loop were a smart of way of providing information about the Grinners. Fast-paced and adrenaline-filled, The Hatching sucks you in and gets your heart-racing.

Thank you Voracious Readers and Mark Gillespie for my copy!
48 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2021
I was given a copy of this book from Voracious Readers for an honest review.
I enjoyed this twisted horror story immensely. I read it over one night. The book is about a pandemic called ‘Burn’ where people develop almost burnt like skin - they are told to try not to scratch or peel the skin away. When this becomes impossible, people become incased in cocoons & have remained this way for a long time. Those that haven’t got this far or are ‘clean’ (no signs of Burn) have no idea what will happen when these cocoons hatch - hence the name ‘Hatching’. All they know is something is alive inside. This story centres on 5 people who are all in a closed nightclub on the evening of the hatching - along with 2 cocoons. The book is about what they do to try to stay alive. It is a classic horror story, quite short but very fast paced. As a big fan of Stephen King this book reminds me of his earlier work.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,539 reviews24 followers
February 18, 2021
If you are a Mark Gillespie fan, or if you like horror stories, then this is one you want to read. Set in a pandemic atmosphere, The Hatching takes the reader through the experiences of Dani as she prepares for her first solo gig in New York City. I have come to expect certain things from Mr. Gillespie’s stories, plenty of action, really good plot line, and characters who have normal everyday flaws, kind of like those each of us have. The Hatching had each of these and when it comes to the characters, each of them had their own unique flaws that really helped the story build. Like I said, grab a copy, clear a block of 2-3 hours and settle in for a horror story that is sure to entertain you.
Profile Image for Sentinelle23.
2,021 reviews33 followers
February 28, 2021
🎸🎶🎙☠ Excellent ! ❤

On television, a journalist recounts that a man nicknamed "God" was killed in a subway train...

Elsewhere, DANI is getting ready for the next gig.
She will be able to make her comeback on stage.

But since the strange epidemic that has spread on the planet, nothing is as before...

---------------

An incredible, mind-boggling "post apocalyptic dystopia/horror" read, brimming with action and the unexpected.

The story is absolutely fascinating, the character of Dani is captivating, as well as the other characters.

One of the best novels of its kind I’ve read, if not THE best !

EXCELLENT : to discover urgently ❤
Profile Image for Faith Shaffer.
223 reviews16 followers
February 12, 2024
3.5⭐ Gave me the creeps so that's good. I would recommend it to horror lovers who like gory-body horror. I will read more from this author. I will stop here. It is best to go in not knowing anything. If you want more details, you can read other reviews that give you a total rundown, probably with unmarked spoilers though.

352 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2021
Review through Voracious Readers Only

A fast paced read that I got through in one night. It was exciting and gory and freaky and I enjoyed it a lot!!
Mark Gillespie is definately going on my must read list! Fantastic characters! Dani is one very cool chick! I like to imagine being this cool if I was in a similar situation but I have a feeling that I'd be the first to go! 😄
Recommend The Hatching to anyone who likes a good horror read. Such a crazy concept but a well written story that keep me turning the pages! 5 stars
Profile Image for Billie.
5,784 reviews71 followers
February 17, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Sam.
2,559 reviews41 followers
February 19, 2021
I did really enjoy this story! Something a little different this time, but no less for good for the change of direction! Really well written, great ideas, loved the overall theme, great read! Amusing in parts & a nice change to zombies! I do recommend this book & this writer to all that love horror or apocalyptic stories! Brilliant!
Profile Image for Janette .
96 reviews
February 23, 2021
If you don't have time for the slow, tense build up, this one's for you. Horror at a dead run - fast, frantic and full-on! The characters are still vivid and fully-formed. This is an enjoyable splatter-fest from start to finish.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author. This is an honest, independent review.
Profile Image for Beth.
79 reviews
May 8, 2021
Quick but good read

It's been a while since I've seen or read a good horror story. The Hatching may have a bit more scare factor added due to the current pandemic and the perceived nature of the "Burn" in the story, but still, as the story progresses you are compelled to keep reading just to figure out what happens next.
Profile Image for Cherokee - Books With A Chance .
405 reviews39 followers
May 12, 2021
This was actually a pretty neat scifi/horror read.
A little bit of Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Killer Clowns From Outer Space, with its own unique story. It'd probably make a really neat movie/TV series.

The details are a bit gruesome, but on point with the story. I was hoping for no survivors, and wasn't really disappointed.
Profile Image for Manfred.
553 reviews
March 11, 2021
During a pandemic Dani rents a club to bring some entertainment to people and have her first show since she left her husband. Everywhere people have turned into cocoons and start to hatch while she prepares for the show. Nothing will go as planned and events escalate. An entertaining horror novel.
Profile Image for CARLEEN.
178 reviews7 followers
March 12, 2021
THE HATCHING!

This was my first Mark Gillespie read and an enjoyable one. Well- written, not many characters and unpredictable storyline; which I always appreciate.
I would love a sequel; so many more stories can come from this Hatching event.
Profile Image for Stan S..
72 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2021
A good, fast read.

The concept and the story was good, but it felt more like when you are watching a B horror movie and you kind of know what is about to happen next.

Although the news reports did help understand the plot more, they interrupted the flow.
16 reviews3 followers
April 15, 2021
Love gore? Then you will love this...

A good, visceral read! Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good pace, good tension and a main character that is as hard hitting as the story itself! Lovers of here will enjoy this!
Profile Image for lina.
253 reviews15 followers
May 23, 2021
Loved it

Got to say i love this book. I like the idea of this book but I'm not going to description or giving reviews. But I would say if you like it apocalypse book give this book a read. Like they say in Doctor Who spoilers 5 smiling hatchlings out of five
354 reviews4 followers
September 8, 2021
A plot that goes nowhere

What a pointless Novella. I believe the author was going for Horror; but missed it in so many ways. The characters are flat and bland. Scene settings are lacking and repeated in different ways. Don’t waste your time.
Profile Image for Susan.
273 reviews8 followers
September 9, 2021
Fun little quick read. While I did find some of it silly, it was enjoyable and entertaining. This is not one where you get into the characters-at least not for me-but that's not always necessary anyway. I found the premise to be unique and interesting.
209 reviews
July 17, 2022
waste of time

I kept hoping for something special to happen but it never did. Poor storyline and overall just a waste of time. I love horror stories but this was just a bad zombie book.
678 reviews11 followers
February 19, 2021
Dark and dangerous is this book. Great writing, characters and great plot. You will enjoy this book.
494 reviews4 followers
February 23, 2021
Mark Gillespie does it again. Another quick and interesting read by a great author, this time with a touch of horror.
Profile Image for Lauren Fitch.
302 reviews3 followers
March 8, 2021
Really creepy, glad I didn't read this when pandemic got going. Liked it up until the ending. Felt rushed
Profile Image for Donna Sanders.
373 reviews5 followers
March 31, 2021
Mark Gillespie’s books never disappoint and this one is no different. An exciting, fast paced book that hooks you from the first page to the very last.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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