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The Bitter End
Do you like dark, twisting and suspenseful mystery thrillers? Then you are going to love The Bitter End.
Paul finally has his life back on track. After losing his wife, Helena in a horrific car crash, he has found love with Sally and moves into her country cottage. As a former high-ranking Naval Officer, Paul now works as Head of Security at MI5. Paul has no memories from before he was ten years old. An accident left him in a coma for 9 months. But was it really an accident? Soon Paul starts to have flashes of childhood memories, all involving his childhood friend, Owen. Sally introduces him to her friend, Juliet, the owner of a craft shop. Paul is shocked when he meets Juliet's partner, his old friend Owen. Flashes of memories continue to haunt Paul, particularly the memory of his first wife Helena burning in the car crash. As dark things start to happen, and local people begin dying in horrific accidents, Paul must face his past and will end up fighting for his life.
Paul finally has his life back on track. After losing his wife, Helena in a horrific car crash, he has found love with Sally and moves into her country cottage. As a former high-ranking Naval Officer, Paul now works as Head of Security at MI5. Paul has no memories from before he was ten years old. An accident left him in a coma for 9 months. But was it really an accident? Soon Paul starts to have flashes of childhood memories, all involving his childhood friend, Owen. Sally introduces him to her friend, Juliet, the owner of a craft shop. Paul is shocked when he meets Juliet's partner, his old friend Owen. Flashes of memories continue to haunt Paul, particularly the memory of his first wife Helena burning in the car crash. As dark things start to happen, and local people begin dying in horrific accidents, Paul must face his past and will end up fighting for his life.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2018
152 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Ann Evans
40 books23 followersI write in a range of genres: children's, YA, reluctant teen readers, romance under the name Ann Carroll and crime. My first crime novel, Kill or Die was published in 2017 by Bloodhound Books. My 2nd, co-authored with Robert Tysall came out in 2018, a supernatural thriller, The Bitter End. My most recent romance is Stowaway Bride By Ann Carroll. Altogether I have more than 40 books to my name, traditionally published.
My website: http://www.annevansbooks.co.uk
Book website: www.thebitterend.org.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annevansauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ann-Evans-Books
Blog: http://annsawriter.blogspot.co.uk/
My website: http://www.annevansbooks.co.uk
Book website: www.thebitterend.org.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annevansauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ann-Evans-Books
Blog: http://annsawriter.blogspot.co.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 6, 2018
4 Disturbing Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well now... this book was very dark and very disturbing.... i’d say it almost slipped into the horror genre with some supernatural elements... you really do need to suspend belief for this one, so if that’s not your bag I’d avoid it.... it also had a dark creepy atmosphere that made me a little more afraid of the things that go bump in the night....
Hitler... a cottage in the woods... missing memories... this book really has all the elements of a really freaky movie.... the kind of movie I’d spend hiding behind my popcorn for most of.... this book really is not for the faint of heart! Perfectly paste... well plotted... with something creepy around every corner.... this book will keep you on edge, your brain on overdrive, your heart beating fast, and your palms sweating... when I was done I needed a shower, a cocktail, and a romcom!
Absolutely recommend to fans of a thriller with a supernatural and dark element...
*** many thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this book ***
Well now... this book was very dark and very disturbing.... i’d say it almost slipped into the horror genre with some supernatural elements... you really do need to suspend belief for this one, so if that’s not your bag I’d avoid it.... it also had a dark creepy atmosphere that made me a little more afraid of the things that go bump in the night....
Hitler... a cottage in the woods... missing memories... this book really has all the elements of a really freaky movie.... the kind of movie I’d spend hiding behind my popcorn for most of.... this book really is not for the faint of heart! Perfectly paste... well plotted... with something creepy around every corner.... this book will keep you on edge, your brain on overdrive, your heart beating fast, and your palms sweating... when I was done I needed a shower, a cocktail, and a romcom!
Absolutely recommend to fans of a thriller with a supernatural and dark element...
*** many thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this book ***
July 8, 2018
4☆ A Very Dark Thriller/ Horror
The Bitter End is a very dark psychological thriller that gave me chills!
At times it was a little too dark for me, i had no clue where the book was taking me at times as it crossed over to the horror genre.
To start with the story opens up with a hard hitting scene from a gas chamber.
One mum survives and they think she is a Witch. So Hitler calls on her to become his next shell when he dies. Basically Hitler has been possessed and needs the gypsy to be his new body.
There is lots going on. At times a lil too shocking for My liking.
But what I will say is this book is dark, disturbing, kept me on tender hooks, i didn't want to carry on reading but I was drawn in and couldn't stop turning the pages.
If you love thriller horrors that literally play with your mind, creepy, atmospheric, tense, a lil sadistic then pick up The Bitter End you will love it!
Thank you to Bloodhound Booksfor this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
The Bitter End is a very dark psychological thriller that gave me chills!
At times it was a little too dark for me, i had no clue where the book was taking me at times as it crossed over to the horror genre.
To start with the story opens up with a hard hitting scene from a gas chamber.
One mum survives and they think she is a Witch. So Hitler calls on her to become his next shell when he dies. Basically Hitler has been possessed and needs the gypsy to be his new body.
There is lots going on. At times a lil too shocking for My liking.
But what I will say is this book is dark, disturbing, kept me on tender hooks, i didn't want to carry on reading but I was drawn in and couldn't stop turning the pages.
If you love thriller horrors that literally play with your mind, creepy, atmospheric, tense, a lil sadistic then pick up The Bitter End you will love it!
Thank you to Bloodhound Booksfor this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
June 25, 2018
"The Bitter End" is a dark and disturbing thriller and as most people know I am a sucker for those type of books. I always have been and always will be! It isn't just a straight crime genre read, there are supernatural elements to it too. It's easy-to-follow and get through and the pace is sound. The different threads are tied up neatly to create the conclusion.
It is set in the time Hitler was in power and begins with Paul managing to get his life back on track after a throroughly miserable time. After his wife burned to death in a car crash which Paul was witness to he meets Sally who helps him to move on from the horrific memories of the crash. The setting certainly adds to the creepiness of the book - Sally's cottage in the woods which Paul moves in to. Due to an accident when he was ten years old, Paul has no memories before that time. Then suddenly, he starts to see flashbacks and past memories appear to return and they all include his childhood friend Owen. Was it really an accident or does Owen know more about it than he is letting on? Does he have anything to do with the mounting death toll due to a series of accidents in the local area?
This is one of those novels that if you can manage to suspend your disbelief you will likely enjoy. Those who appreciate a realistic plot may wish to avoid this one. I found it tense and suspenseful enough to hold my interest though. At its heart, this is a revenge tale and includes some interesting and unique elements.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
It is set in the time Hitler was in power and begins with Paul managing to get his life back on track after a throroughly miserable time. After his wife burned to death in a car crash which Paul was witness to he meets Sally who helps him to move on from the horrific memories of the crash. The setting certainly adds to the creepiness of the book - Sally's cottage in the woods which Paul moves in to. Due to an accident when he was ten years old, Paul has no memories before that time. Then suddenly, he starts to see flashbacks and past memories appear to return and they all include his childhood friend Owen. Was it really an accident or does Owen know more about it than he is letting on? Does he have anything to do with the mounting death toll due to a series of accidents in the local area?
This is one of those novels that if you can manage to suspend your disbelief you will likely enjoy. Those who appreciate a realistic plot may wish to avoid this one. I found it tense and suspenseful enough to hold my interest though. At its heart, this is a revenge tale and includes some interesting and unique elements.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2019
For once I’m speechless!! Sometimes you start a book with an expectation of what it will be about, but this book totally stumped me in a good way!!
Without giving anything away I will say this book is dark, chilling and gave me goosebumps whilst reading it.
The supernatural is not my usual genre but this book had me riveted and would make a great horror movie.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Without giving anything away I will say this book is dark, chilling and gave me goosebumps whilst reading it.
The supernatural is not my usual genre but this book had me riveted and would make a great horror movie.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
July 15, 2018
3.5 Stars
It starts with Hitler, a woman who survives the gas ovens, and Hitler's plan for the 'witch woman'.
Paul has no memories of his childhood before the age of 10. An accident left him in a coma for almost a year .. but he's not sure it really was an accident.
He lost his beloved wife in a car accident, but found a second love with Sally. He moves in with her, and starts having flashes of memories from when he was a child. Most of these memories have to do with a childhood friend, Owen. Much to his surprise, when Paul is introduced to one of Sally's friends, her partner is none other than Owen.
Flashes of memories continue to haunt Paul, particularly the memory of his first wife Helena burning in the car crash.
As dark things start to happen, and local people begin dying in horrific accidents, Paul must face his past and will end up fighting for his life.
This is a dark mystery, with many elements of the supernatural. Although this is outside my preferred genre, it kept me intrigued and wanting to see what would happen next. The ending was slightly disappointing, but I enjoyed the journey to get there.
Many thanks to the authors / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
It starts with Hitler, a woman who survives the gas ovens, and Hitler's plan for the 'witch woman'.
Paul has no memories of his childhood before the age of 10. An accident left him in a coma for almost a year .. but he's not sure it really was an accident.
He lost his beloved wife in a car accident, but found a second love with Sally. He moves in with her, and starts having flashes of memories from when he was a child. Most of these memories have to do with a childhood friend, Owen. Much to his surprise, when Paul is introduced to one of Sally's friends, her partner is none other than Owen.
Flashes of memories continue to haunt Paul, particularly the memory of his first wife Helena burning in the car crash.
As dark things start to happen, and local people begin dying in horrific accidents, Paul must face his past and will end up fighting for his life.
This is a dark mystery, with many elements of the supernatural. Although this is outside my preferred genre, it kept me intrigued and wanting to see what would happen next. The ending was slightly disappointing, but I enjoyed the journey to get there.
Many thanks to the authors / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 24, 2018
The Bitter End is very much a supernatural thriller. I loved how it starts off when Hitler is in power. Right from that moment i knew this was going to be a dark read and i wasn't wrong!
Paul has been through quite a bit in his life, mainly the death of his wife which must be an awful event to try and come to terms with. Especially with how it happened and the fact that he saw her die. How does someone get over something like that? Luckily for Paul he meets Sally who gives Paul a new meaning in life.
The setting for the story added to the whole eeriness of this book. A cottage tucked away in the woods, it was like something out of Little red Riding Hood. The fact that it is a small community and it was where Paul lived as a child before his accident, it was intriguing to see Paul remembering things as well as revisiting past haunts of places he played with his childhood friend Owen.
The book did have me reminiscing about my own childhood and am so glad that this is just a work of fiction as otherwise I would be having nightmares! Not that I did some of the things that happens in this story but the knocking on doors and running away was one of them. As children we would have similar thoughts as to Owen and Paul about the little old lady that lived on her own. Child hood imagination is a marvellous thing but it can also scare the heebie jeebies out of you.
The Bitter End whilst definitely being a story of the supernatural kind, would definitely make a great horror film. I was literally pinned to the book, on edge, waiting to see what was going to happen next. It reminded me slightly of The Omen with that over bearing sense of evil throughout. A dark and tense read which had me racing towards the end to see what the outcome was going to be.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Paul has been through quite a bit in his life, mainly the death of his wife which must be an awful event to try and come to terms with. Especially with how it happened and the fact that he saw her die. How does someone get over something like that? Luckily for Paul he meets Sally who gives Paul a new meaning in life.
The setting for the story added to the whole eeriness of this book. A cottage tucked away in the woods, it was like something out of Little red Riding Hood. The fact that it is a small community and it was where Paul lived as a child before his accident, it was intriguing to see Paul remembering things as well as revisiting past haunts of places he played with his childhood friend Owen.
The book did have me reminiscing about my own childhood and am so glad that this is just a work of fiction as otherwise I would be having nightmares! Not that I did some of the things that happens in this story but the knocking on doors and running away was one of them. As children we would have similar thoughts as to Owen and Paul about the little old lady that lived on her own. Child hood imagination is a marvellous thing but it can also scare the heebie jeebies out of you.
The Bitter End whilst definitely being a story of the supernatural kind, would definitely make a great horror film. I was literally pinned to the book, on edge, waiting to see what was going to happen next. It reminded me slightly of The Omen with that over bearing sense of evil throughout. A dark and tense read which had me racing towards the end to see what the outcome was going to be.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
July 5, 2018
This is another one of those books where I’m so happy I signed up for a blog tour. I know that if I’d have heard there was a supernatural thread running through this I’d not have picked it up. However after reading the blurb I signed up for a blog tour and I’m so glad I did because this is a book I’m glad I didn’t miss out on reading.
Paul hasn’t had it easy but his life seems to be getting better after meeting Sally and moving in with her. A strange turn of events has him second guessing every thought he has.
This was a great read. I sat this afternoon in the sun and read it in one sitting. Although it took me a while to adjust to the supernatural aspect I thought it was a well written story. It was certainly a page turner as I found myself glued wondering what was going to happen next.
Gotta mention all the birds that decided to join me in the garden today while I was reading this. I’ve never heard them so vocal. The crow was quite noisy while reading parts of this story. Now as I’m sitting here writing this review there’s no birds to be heard. Strange or what !!!!
Paul hasn’t had it easy but his life seems to be getting better after meeting Sally and moving in with her. A strange turn of events has him second guessing every thought he has.
This was a great read. I sat this afternoon in the sun and read it in one sitting. Although it took me a while to adjust to the supernatural aspect I thought it was a well written story. It was certainly a page turner as I found myself glued wondering what was going to happen next.
Gotta mention all the birds that decided to join me in the garden today while I was reading this. I’ve never heard them so vocal. The crow was quite noisy while reading parts of this story. Now as I’m sitting here writing this review there’s no birds to be heard. Strange or what !!!!
June 26, 2018
The Bitter End was a great thriller. It deals with the supernatural and for once, I did not roll my eyes in disbelief.
Paul wakes up after 9 months in a coma. He does not have too many memories of that time. He spent his tenth birthday hooked up with wires. After many decades, Paul is now with the MI6 after a successful career in the navy. He has seen a lot, and a very personal tragedy later he is a broken man. After a few years, he finds love and moves back to the little village where he spent his childhood, the time before his coma. This triggers memories and as each memory brings with it more questions, Paul is forced to find answers.
This book, The Bitter End, does not disappoint. All the mystery, the questions and answers, everything ties up nicely in the end. Everything about this book worked well, the plot, the pace, the writing. May not be a hit with those who do not read the supernatural genre, but it was worth a one time read.
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
Paul wakes up after 9 months in a coma. He does not have too many memories of that time. He spent his tenth birthday hooked up with wires. After many decades, Paul is now with the MI6 after a successful career in the navy. He has seen a lot, and a very personal tragedy later he is a broken man. After a few years, he finds love and moves back to the little village where he spent his childhood, the time before his coma. This triggers memories and as each memory brings with it more questions, Paul is forced to find answers.
This book, The Bitter End, does not disappoint. All the mystery, the questions and answers, everything ties up nicely in the end. Everything about this book worked well, the plot, the pace, the writing. May not be a hit with those who do not read the supernatural genre, but it was worth a one time read.
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
August 11, 2018
I loved the way this story began, there was no easing into just how powerful this demonic presence was, it had in its present form already almost destroyed a whole nation and other cultures that would take years to rebuild. It was 1944 and as the all consuming entity transferred into a new victim it left its former shell to face the carnage of the previous years. Oh wow I just sat back and thought up some of the vilest rulers that I could bring to mind through history then wondered where this now female form would end up. The story then jumps a few years down the line and to two more than mischievous young boys.
This part brought back memories of my childhood as I think it would some other readers too because most streets had that little old cat lady that just seemed really strange, the one that burst balls if they went in her garden and just seemed to hate kids. Well that was like a red flag to a bull, with dares of knock and run. Gee’s how I cringe now. Well two boys go one step further because one of this wild duo has a cruel streak and the other is easily lead, the price that has to be paid comes in the form of an ever-increasing body count in present day, years after the young boys have grown up!
This author duo really are on the same wave length as the writing runs in perfect harmony with each following the other effortlessly sentence after sentence. It felt like I was watching a movie as the story unfolded, one of those edge of your seats films where I wanted to shout out ‘stay away from her’, but of course I knew more than the characters did so I read with apprehension not knowing what was going to happen just that something terrible would. The story controlled the pace that I read and had more than its fair share of OMG moments. There is some animal cruelty in the story so if this makes it too hard to read I am just forewarning you that it is part of the story.
A very well planned and executed story. A stand alone novel that really stands out!
This part brought back memories of my childhood as I think it would some other readers too because most streets had that little old cat lady that just seemed really strange, the one that burst balls if they went in her garden and just seemed to hate kids. Well that was like a red flag to a bull, with dares of knock and run. Gee’s how I cringe now. Well two boys go one step further because one of this wild duo has a cruel streak and the other is easily lead, the price that has to be paid comes in the form of an ever-increasing body count in present day, years after the young boys have grown up!
This author duo really are on the same wave length as the writing runs in perfect harmony with each following the other effortlessly sentence after sentence. It felt like I was watching a movie as the story unfolded, one of those edge of your seats films where I wanted to shout out ‘stay away from her’, but of course I knew more than the characters did so I read with apprehension not knowing what was going to happen just that something terrible would. The story controlled the pace that I read and had more than its fair share of OMG moments. There is some animal cruelty in the story so if this makes it too hard to read I am just forewarning you that it is part of the story.
A very well planned and executed story. A stand alone novel that really stands out!
June 21, 2018
This book was given to me on Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This is not a genre I read very often. But I did enjoy this tale with a bit of mystery. But it's a tale of revenge and closure in the most twisted way.
Is simply written and is an easy read.
And it workes really nicely, it's entertaining with a touch of weird and crazy things happening.
If you enjoy a light mystery in the woods with a touch of wildness, animals, witches, romance, and drama. And of course the demonic Lamia.
This book will be a good snack with some twists.
This is not a genre I read very often. But I did enjoy this tale with a bit of mystery. But it's a tale of revenge and closure in the most twisted way.
Is simply written and is an easy read.
And it workes really nicely, it's entertaining with a touch of weird and crazy things happening.
If you enjoy a light mystery in the woods with a touch of wildness, animals, witches, romance, and drama. And of course the demonic Lamia.
This book will be a good snack with some twists.
June 12, 2018
This book was really addictive. I read it in a day, in fact I couldn’t put it down!!
It’s a very different type of book and very enjoyable. I do think that there’s a lot that we don’t understand, especially in other worlds and I know from other people about demonic possessions and things that happen. You only have to read Caroline Mitchell’s paranormal intruder to see what can happen to ordinary people.
I must say, however, that the ending was a bit lame, but on the whole it was a very gripping read.
My thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC.
It’s a very different type of book and very enjoyable. I do think that there’s a lot that we don’t understand, especially in other worlds and I know from other people about demonic possessions and things that happen. You only have to read Caroline Mitchell’s paranormal intruder to see what can happen to ordinary people.
I must say, however, that the ending was a bit lame, but on the whole it was a very gripping read.
My thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC.
June 27, 2018
First, I'd like to thank Netgalley, Bloodhound Books, Ann Evans and Robert D Tysall (the authors) for allowing me to have his ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
**Spoilers**
The Bitter End starts in Auschwitz and with a woman named Petronella, who survives the gas chamber. The soldiers call her a witch and Hitler immediately asks to see her. We find out through their meeting that he is possessed by a demon that will stop at nothing to break the human race. The demon transfers from Hitler into Petronella and the story begins.
The story fast-forwards to the 80s where we meet Paul and Owen. Owen is the instigator and Paul is often pressured into doing things he doesn't want to do (like knocking on Petronella's door and running from her). Owen and Paul believe Petronella is a witch and capable of evil. One fateful day comes and they end up doing something that isn't forgivable by the "witch", Petronella. She chases the boys through the woods until she catches up with Paul. The events that transpire on that fateful day cause Paul to be in a coma for 9 months with no recollection of what happened.
Fast forward again to a much older Paul and he suffers a major loss in his life that leaves him reeling. 8 years later, he meets Sally who turns everything around for him. He begins smiling more and even moves back to the town he grew up in...and then things being to take a sinister turn. People wind up dead, pain and misfortune is at every corner and nobody can escape the darkness. Paul sets out on a quest to end the evil once and for all.
The Bitter End was fast paced, dread inducing and a very dark suspense novel. The characters develop quickly and the story doesn't miss a beat. Any readers interested in the darker side of the supernatural genre should give this book a read...if you dare!
**Spoilers**
The Bitter End starts in Auschwitz and with a woman named Petronella, who survives the gas chamber. The soldiers call her a witch and Hitler immediately asks to see her. We find out through their meeting that he is possessed by a demon that will stop at nothing to break the human race. The demon transfers from Hitler into Petronella and the story begins.
The story fast-forwards to the 80s where we meet Paul and Owen. Owen is the instigator and Paul is often pressured into doing things he doesn't want to do (like knocking on Petronella's door and running from her). Owen and Paul believe Petronella is a witch and capable of evil. One fateful day comes and they end up doing something that isn't forgivable by the "witch", Petronella. She chases the boys through the woods until she catches up with Paul. The events that transpire on that fateful day cause Paul to be in a coma for 9 months with no recollection of what happened.
Fast forward again to a much older Paul and he suffers a major loss in his life that leaves him reeling. 8 years later, he meets Sally who turns everything around for him. He begins smiling more and even moves back to the town he grew up in...and then things being to take a sinister turn. People wind up dead, pain and misfortune is at every corner and nobody can escape the darkness. Paul sets out on a quest to end the evil once and for all.
The Bitter End was fast paced, dread inducing and a very dark suspense novel. The characters develop quickly and the story doesn't miss a beat. Any readers interested in the darker side of the supernatural genre should give this book a read...if you dare!
August 24, 2018
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for providing me with a copy of this book.
I am a HUGE fan of the supernatural and I love a dark thriller so I immediately thought this would be a win for me. I'm not going to lie, I really didn't care much for this book.
I found I was initially drawn into the demonic possession aspect of this story and the historical references got me excited to continue. Unfortunately, the creepy factor didn't outweigh the pace of the story and it lost me.
I found the story moved quite slow for my taste and I had a really hard time trying to connect with the characters which made this very hard for me to enjoy. The dialogue was also a bit dry and I think that how easily all the characters accepted witchcraft as an answer was a little more unrealistic than I would have liked.
Although this book wasn't for me, I would highly recommend The Bitter End to readers who are looking for a creepy late night read that will make them want to turn on the lights.
Side note: I think this would make a great demonic horror movie!
I am a HUGE fan of the supernatural and I love a dark thriller so I immediately thought this would be a win for me. I'm not going to lie, I really didn't care much for this book.
I found I was initially drawn into the demonic possession aspect of this story and the historical references got me excited to continue. Unfortunately, the creepy factor didn't outweigh the pace of the story and it lost me.
I found the story moved quite slow for my taste and I had a really hard time trying to connect with the characters which made this very hard for me to enjoy. The dialogue was also a bit dry and I think that how easily all the characters accepted witchcraft as an answer was a little more unrealistic than I would have liked.
Although this book wasn't for me, I would highly recommend The Bitter End to readers who are looking for a creepy late night read that will make them want to turn on the lights.
Side note: I think this would make a great demonic horror movie!
July 4, 2018
Happy publication day to Ann and Robert ♥
I do not think I will be able to sleep again! If I could swear through this whole post I would too! I think I spent most of that book so anxious about what was going to happen next, even in the lighter scenes with Paul and Sally happily in love. I even made the mistake of reading it in the dark, so obviously my imagination went wild, I kept thinking if I looked away from the Kindle light I will see the witches face next to me. I can confess I freaked myself out when I read this book! Credit to both authors for creating such a creepy suspenseful book and well that front cover just did not help me!!!
We start the story in a concentration camp, where Hitler is, as widely speculated, dealing with the occult in such he is possessed by Lamia, a demonic entity. This entity then passes to a woman, the sole survivor of her family now trapped in her own body. We jump some years and see our main protagonist as a young boy, Paul Christian with his best friend Owen. Regularly, and reluctantly on Paul's part, playing knock up ginger on the "old witch"' house. I mean it is such an innocent game because let us be honest we have all probably done it at some point, but not to the devasting end of when Paul was nine and a half. Fast forward a few years and we watch another devasting act in Pauls life, witnessing the death of his wife, I mean seriously give this guy a break!
Then present day! Paul has found love again with Sally. He is moving in with her, to his old town! Hmmm....nothing is going to happen, is it...WRONG!! They move into her quaint cottage, which sounded so beautiful, in the middle of nowhere!!!!!! He then sees the old outhouse and there is an axe hanging on the wall, my nerves really could not take it anymore by then! He finds a passion for carving wood, and somehow it absolutely brilliant at it as if someone is guiding him along, to the right wood and instruments. Any scene with that bloody axe just had me on tenterhooks! As you can imagine things begin to escalate.
It just all gets so creepy and dark and intense and downright scary, apparitions, familiars, more deaths and shocking events. Even at the end of the book I really did not, and still DO NOT, feel like I can relax! The ending is semi-wrapped up, but I feel there is more to the story and I really do hope there is a second book. I really did not want to put this book down the first night I picked it up, and I kept picturing scenes from the book when trying to sleep - well that was not helpful! This book has stayed with me! I can't look at crows the same way now, and I will be staying away from knitting needles - I urge you to do the same!!
The writing just flows in this book, every word counted, nothing was added in to fill in. Every word had me hooked, every page I was dreading the end of the story. Yet at the same time hoping for a relief that it was the end. I could imagine this being on the big screen, I think I would be holding my breath all over again if I watched it.
What a fantastic debut for Robert and a fab 31st book to Ann!! I will definitely be picking up more by them.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me there is a second book. I need to unwind......
I do not think I will be able to sleep again! If I could swear through this whole post I would too! I think I spent most of that book so anxious about what was going to happen next, even in the lighter scenes with Paul and Sally happily in love. I even made the mistake of reading it in the dark, so obviously my imagination went wild, I kept thinking if I looked away from the Kindle light I will see the witches face next to me. I can confess I freaked myself out when I read this book! Credit to both authors for creating such a creepy suspenseful book and well that front cover just did not help me!!!
We start the story in a concentration camp, where Hitler is, as widely speculated, dealing with the occult in such he is possessed by Lamia, a demonic entity. This entity then passes to a woman, the sole survivor of her family now trapped in her own body. We jump some years and see our main protagonist as a young boy, Paul Christian with his best friend Owen. Regularly, and reluctantly on Paul's part, playing knock up ginger on the "old witch"' house. I mean it is such an innocent game because let us be honest we have all probably done it at some point, but not to the devasting end of when Paul was nine and a half. Fast forward a few years and we watch another devasting act in Pauls life, witnessing the death of his wife, I mean seriously give this guy a break!
Then present day! Paul has found love again with Sally. He is moving in with her, to his old town! Hmmm....nothing is going to happen, is it...WRONG!! They move into her quaint cottage, which sounded so beautiful, in the middle of nowhere!!!!!! He then sees the old outhouse and there is an axe hanging on the wall, my nerves really could not take it anymore by then! He finds a passion for carving wood, and somehow it absolutely brilliant at it as if someone is guiding him along, to the right wood and instruments. Any scene with that bloody axe just had me on tenterhooks! As you can imagine things begin to escalate.
It just all gets so creepy and dark and intense and downright scary, apparitions, familiars, more deaths and shocking events. Even at the end of the book I really did not, and still DO NOT, feel like I can relax! The ending is semi-wrapped up, but I feel there is more to the story and I really do hope there is a second book. I really did not want to put this book down the first night I picked it up, and I kept picturing scenes from the book when trying to sleep - well that was not helpful! This book has stayed with me! I can't look at crows the same way now, and I will be staying away from knitting needles - I urge you to do the same!!
The writing just flows in this book, every word counted, nothing was added in to fill in. Every word had me hooked, every page I was dreading the end of the story. Yet at the same time hoping for a relief that it was the end. I could imagine this being on the big screen, I think I would be holding my breath all over again if I watched it.
What a fantastic debut for Robert and a fab 31st book to Ann!! I will definitely be picking up more by them.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me there is a second book. I need to unwind......
July 6, 2018
Well, this was a far creepier book that I was expecting from the blurb. I thought it was going to be a tense psychological thriller but though certainly not short on tension, The Bitter End is actually a dark supernatural story that has very definite horror elements to it. The prologue takes place in 1944 and it very quickly becomes apparent that malevolent forces are at play which have been active in manipulating the lives of humans for many years.
The book then fast forwards to 1980 with two young boys, Paul and Owen playing in the woods. Owen is the more dominant of the pair, even bordering on bullying Paul as he urges him to carry out acts ranging from animal cruelty to the malicious harassment of an old woman who lives in a cottage in the woods, who they suspect is a witch. A tragic accident results in Paul ending up in a coma for 9 months but it later transpires that the events of that day had even longer repercussions than a head injury. As the timeline moves forward again to 2012 we learn that though Paul survives his childhood accident, he is destined to face yet more horror when he witnesses a terrible crash which kills his wife, Helena. As readers we are not given any time to know Helena but it's obvious that they shared a deep love and he was left utterly bereft by her death.
Most of the action in the book takes place in 2018; Paul has found love again and the story sees him returning to the village he grew up in as he moves in with Sally. At this point in the proceedings I could really picture The Bitter End as a horror film. The suspense builds gradually with just the odd hint at first that things aren't quite right. Paul and Sally seem to have an almost idyllic relationship but even though there are plenty of scenes which underline their love and desire for one another, there is always a feeling that things are not as perfect as they may seem. Even at this stage in the novel, there's an ominous sense of foreboding; we know something terrible is going to happen but we don't know how or when. It's almost a relief when the first death does occur although it's a short-lived respite as Paul gradually begins to understand that though he has years of experience dealing with dictators and terrorists, he now facing a far more dangerous enemy.
The story is mostly told in the third person from Paul's perspective but there are occasional snippets from the evil being which help to ratchet up the fear factor that bit more as we realise long before that characters that they are considered to be little more than puppets, ready to do the bidding of other forces. I liked Paul, he's not perfect but as a young boy and as the man he grows in to, he is obviously principled and prepared to stand up to those stronger than he is when necessary. There's something enjoyably macabre about wondering which of the other characters will fall victim to the supernatural terror because not everybody will make it to the end of the book...
The pace of the story increases towards the end with the concurrent escalation of tension meaning I almost needed to read through my fingers. The Bitter End is a spine-chilling and unsettling novel with a clever plot which I can easily see being expanded further in subsequent novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this rather scary read and look forward to being unnerved in the future by Ann Evans and Robert D. Tysall.
The book then fast forwards to 1980 with two young boys, Paul and Owen playing in the woods. Owen is the more dominant of the pair, even bordering on bullying Paul as he urges him to carry out acts ranging from animal cruelty to the malicious harassment of an old woman who lives in a cottage in the woods, who they suspect is a witch. A tragic accident results in Paul ending up in a coma for 9 months but it later transpires that the events of that day had even longer repercussions than a head injury. As the timeline moves forward again to 2012 we learn that though Paul survives his childhood accident, he is destined to face yet more horror when he witnesses a terrible crash which kills his wife, Helena. As readers we are not given any time to know Helena but it's obvious that they shared a deep love and he was left utterly bereft by her death.
Most of the action in the book takes place in 2018; Paul has found love again and the story sees him returning to the village he grew up in as he moves in with Sally. At this point in the proceedings I could really picture The Bitter End as a horror film. The suspense builds gradually with just the odd hint at first that things aren't quite right. Paul and Sally seem to have an almost idyllic relationship but even though there are plenty of scenes which underline their love and desire for one another, there is always a feeling that things are not as perfect as they may seem. Even at this stage in the novel, there's an ominous sense of foreboding; we know something terrible is going to happen but we don't know how or when. It's almost a relief when the first death does occur although it's a short-lived respite as Paul gradually begins to understand that though he has years of experience dealing with dictators and terrorists, he now facing a far more dangerous enemy.
The story is mostly told in the third person from Paul's perspective but there are occasional snippets from the evil being which help to ratchet up the fear factor that bit more as we realise long before that characters that they are considered to be little more than puppets, ready to do the bidding of other forces. I liked Paul, he's not perfect but as a young boy and as the man he grows in to, he is obviously principled and prepared to stand up to those stronger than he is when necessary. There's something enjoyably macabre about wondering which of the other characters will fall victim to the supernatural terror because not everybody will make it to the end of the book...
The pace of the story increases towards the end with the concurrent escalation of tension meaning I almost needed to read through my fingers. The Bitter End is a spine-chilling and unsettling novel with a clever plot which I can easily see being expanded further in subsequent novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this rather scary read and look forward to being unnerved in the future by Ann Evans and Robert D. Tysall.
July 7, 2018
The Bitter End begins at a shocking moment; the gassing of a group of Jews in a death chamber at Auschwitz. Incredibly, when the Nazi guards open the chamber to remove the bodies, one woman is still alive. Immediately proclaimed as a witch, she is taken to the Fuhrer himself, where the demonic spirit possessing Hitler, called ‘Lamia’, decides to jump ship to a more powerful and useful host.
From there, the story jumps forward several decades, to two young boys fascinated by the ‘witch’ who lives in the English woods near their home, and then to the present day and the protagonist Paul (one of those young boys, now grown up) as he moves back to the village where he lived as a child and finds strange memories resurging as odd things begin to happen around him.
There is a lot of completely unexplained ‘witchcraft’ in the book, and since the reader is pretty much only given Paul’s perspective and Paul really never has any idea what is going on, it feels pretty frustrating. We get very brief glimpses into the mind of Lamia, but never enough to explain just how or why many of the odd incidents occur. There were any number of things which didn’t make sense, including why the Lamia hadn’t left her aging and near-immobile host decades before for a younger, stronger one. Most frustratingly of all, the book ends with literally nothing being resolved. I have no idea if the author intends to write a sequel - I daresay it’s possible this is the first of a series - but even so, ending it with the witch having moved on with her objectives apparently achieved and the protagonists completely clueless as to what to do next is definitely suboptimal.
I read the book in one session and it was about twenty minutes after I finished reading when I finally connected the dots and realised just what it was that bothered me so much (apart from the unresolved ending). Having the Lamia be in possession of Hitler from the day he became Chancellor until the day of his suicide basically excuses all the terrible events of the Holocaust and WWII because he ‘was not himself’, but essentially in service to a demon. It excuses the evil done by men, and men have never needed an excuse to make war and do terrible things to other people. With a Jewish woman’s identity being stolen and used as a synonym for the ‘evil entity’ throughout the rest of the book only adds anti-Semitic insult to injury.
I’m not Jewish, or Romani, or Russian or Polish or any of the other ethnic and racial identities so cruelly victimized by the Nazis. I can only imagine how insulting anyone who IS one of those people would find this book, however, and be glad I’m the one who read it so I can warn them to avoid it.
This seriously needed a sensitivity reader, and a content editor to help the writer give it an ending! For the Nazi-excusing, anti-Semitic undertones, however, I am forced to give it one star and put this writer on my Do Not Read Ever Again list. Avoid at all costs.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
From there, the story jumps forward several decades, to two young boys fascinated by the ‘witch’ who lives in the English woods near their home, and then to the present day and the protagonist Paul (one of those young boys, now grown up) as he moves back to the village where he lived as a child and finds strange memories resurging as odd things begin to happen around him.
There is a lot of completely unexplained ‘witchcraft’ in the book, and since the reader is pretty much only given Paul’s perspective and Paul really never has any idea what is going on, it feels pretty frustrating. We get very brief glimpses into the mind of Lamia, but never enough to explain just how or why many of the odd incidents occur. There were any number of things which didn’t make sense, including why the Lamia hadn’t left her aging and near-immobile host decades before for a younger, stronger one. Most frustratingly of all, the book ends with literally nothing being resolved. I have no idea if the author intends to write a sequel - I daresay it’s possible this is the first of a series - but even so, ending it with the witch having moved on with her objectives apparently achieved and the protagonists completely clueless as to what to do next is definitely suboptimal.
I read the book in one session and it was about twenty minutes after I finished reading when I finally connected the dots and realised just what it was that bothered me so much (apart from the unresolved ending). Having the Lamia be in possession of Hitler from the day he became Chancellor until the day of his suicide basically excuses all the terrible events of the Holocaust and WWII because he ‘was not himself’, but essentially in service to a demon. It excuses the evil done by men, and men have never needed an excuse to make war and do terrible things to other people. With a Jewish woman’s identity being stolen and used as a synonym for the ‘evil entity’ throughout the rest of the book only adds anti-Semitic insult to injury.
I’m not Jewish, or Romani, or Russian or Polish or any of the other ethnic and racial identities so cruelly victimized by the Nazis. I can only imagine how insulting anyone who IS one of those people would find this book, however, and be glad I’m the one who read it so I can warn them to avoid it.
This seriously needed a sensitivity reader, and a content editor to help the writer give it an ending! For the Nazi-excusing, anti-Semitic undertones, however, I am forced to give it one star and put this writer on my Do Not Read Ever Again list. Avoid at all costs.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
July 10, 2018
This was different type of book for me I don’t usually go for a supernatural/mystery book but I enjoyed this book. It held my interest and was quick read only because I wanted to know what would happen next! Sometimes the past is best left in the past is one thing I picked up from this book! Four out of five stars for me!
June 24, 2018
The title "The Bitter end" might give you an inkling how the story is going to end but all through the book I was hoping evil would not be the winner.
Thanks through NetGalley and Bloodhound Books I got to read an advance copy prior to the publishing date. I can highly recommend reading this book.
It's an easy read but full of mysteries. Touches on some of the beliefs in Christianity and even uses the name "Lamia" out of Greek Mythology to represent the evil spirit. Through all that it even brings up some historical and current political possibilities. It all ties up together nicely in this book.
Thanks through NetGalley and Bloodhound Books I got to read an advance copy prior to the publishing date. I can highly recommend reading this book.
It's an easy read but full of mysteries. Touches on some of the beliefs in Christianity and even uses the name "Lamia" out of Greek Mythology to represent the evil spirit. Through all that it even brings up some historical and current political possibilities. It all ties up together nicely in this book.
June 12, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books, and the authors Ann Evens and Robert D Thrall for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Bitter End.
Wow! What a book! From the very beginning of the story, the reader is immersed in all the action. The storyline was well thought out and fast paced.. You cannot do anything but keep turning the pages until you reach the stunning conclusion. This is not a book you can pick up, read a few pages and put it down again. A book of this calibre needs to be read in one sitting.
I habe no hesitation in recommending this novel, and cannot wait to read more from the authors. Hopefully, that won't be too long!
Wow! What a book! From the very beginning of the story, the reader is immersed in all the action. The storyline was well thought out and fast paced.. You cannot do anything but keep turning the pages until you reach the stunning conclusion. This is not a book you can pick up, read a few pages and put it down again. A book of this calibre needs to be read in one sitting.
I habe no hesitation in recommending this novel, and cannot wait to read more from the authors. Hopefully, that won't be too long!
July 24, 2018
I opted to review this book based on the blurb, and quickly discovered all was not as it seemed. The Bitter End is a supernatural thriller about modern-day witchcraft/demonic possession and how it's affected one man, who, as a child with an older, bullying sort of friend, harassed an aging witch. To be honest, if I had known, I may not have picked it up. But I did, and here we are ...
The Bitter End begins on a dark note - a woman surviving a Nazi gas chamber, Hitler and demonic possession. Throw in a couple of stupid kids who like to knock on the door of an old woman in the woods and you just know you're in for some super creepy reading.
We're soon introduced to our main protagonist, Paul. The hits just keep coming for this poor guy. His beloved wife, Helena, was killed in a tragic accident years before. As Paul moves on with his life and moves into an area that is all too familiar to him with his new partner Sally, strange things begin happening. Paul meets an old friend from his childhood who forces memories to the surface of what exactly happened to Paul when he was a ten-year-old boy and unexplained events and deaths begin happening in the village.
There is plenty of weirdness to go around here, with a mostly fleshed out cast of characters. The writing is very English. So English that even my member-of-the-Commonwealth brain had to go back and re-read some lines. It shouldn't be too much of an issue for your average non-Englishman though, as the themes are pretty universal.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the middle slowed down, almost losing my interest. I also felt the ending was rushed, requiring the suspension of some belief. It did set the scene for a sequel though, so that's something.
If you're okay with supernatural thrillers, The Bitter End is one you should pick up. Or even if, like me, you're generally not. It is a quick, enjoyable read.
The Bitter End begins on a dark note - a woman surviving a Nazi gas chamber, Hitler and demonic possession. Throw in a couple of stupid kids who like to knock on the door of an old woman in the woods and you just know you're in for some super creepy reading.
We're soon introduced to our main protagonist, Paul. The hits just keep coming for this poor guy. His beloved wife, Helena, was killed in a tragic accident years before. As Paul moves on with his life and moves into an area that is all too familiar to him with his new partner Sally, strange things begin happening. Paul meets an old friend from his childhood who forces memories to the surface of what exactly happened to Paul when he was a ten-year-old boy and unexplained events and deaths begin happening in the village.
There is plenty of weirdness to go around here, with a mostly fleshed out cast of characters. The writing is very English. So English that even my member-of-the-Commonwealth brain had to go back and re-read some lines. It shouldn't be too much of an issue for your average non-Englishman though, as the themes are pretty universal.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the middle slowed down, almost losing my interest. I also felt the ending was rushed, requiring the suspension of some belief. It did set the scene for a sequel though, so that's something.
If you're okay with supernatural thrillers, The Bitter End is one you should pick up. Or even if, like me, you're generally not. It is a quick, enjoyable read.
July 11, 2018
This is an interesting tale of the power of witches and consequences.
Sally and Paul take their relationship to the next level when Paul moves into Sally's rural cottage outside of London. Amazingly it is the village where Paul spent the first 10 years of his life. A time that he has little memory of.
Sally's house is charming, and a lovely space for her to work. She designs and makes handbags, selling to high-end shops as well as local ones. Paul is a civil servant, working in MI5, looking after the security of dignitaries. His first wife Helene died in an accident years before and he never felt that happiness would happen again. A barn that is outside their house was once used by a carpenter and all the tools are still there. Paul discovers that he has a love of carving and creating wooden items as a way of relaxing. Some of his work is good enough for Sally to show her friend Juliet, gift shop owner. They began to sell like hotcakes.
His childhood friend, Owen, still lives locally and they are delighted to see each other. His girlfriend happens to be Juliet. Paul had an accident just before moving away, that left him in a coma for 9 months. His memory is very sketchy around the accident but he begins to recall what happened. Strange things begin to happen, freak accidents, death, and possession. You will not view the power of evil in the same light again.
I found the characters very real and well described, and it was not difficult to picture them.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Sally and Paul take their relationship to the next level when Paul moves into Sally's rural cottage outside of London. Amazingly it is the village where Paul spent the first 10 years of his life. A time that he has little memory of.
Sally's house is charming, and a lovely space for her to work. She designs and makes handbags, selling to high-end shops as well as local ones. Paul is a civil servant, working in MI5, looking after the security of dignitaries. His first wife Helene died in an accident years before and he never felt that happiness would happen again. A barn that is outside their house was once used by a carpenter and all the tools are still there. Paul discovers that he has a love of carving and creating wooden items as a way of relaxing. Some of his work is good enough for Sally to show her friend Juliet, gift shop owner. They began to sell like hotcakes.
His childhood friend, Owen, still lives locally and they are delighted to see each other. His girlfriend happens to be Juliet. Paul had an accident just before moving away, that left him in a coma for 9 months. His memory is very sketchy around the accident but he begins to recall what happened. Strange things begin to happen, freak accidents, death, and possession. You will not view the power of evil in the same light again.
I found the characters very real and well described, and it was not difficult to picture them.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
July 10, 2018
I was that weird child that loved reading Greek myths/legends and horror stories, I’ve never been sensitive to gore and scary stuff so as soon as I read the Blurb for The Bitter End I knew it was my kind of book. This is definitely a supernatural horror story rather than a mystery thriller.
The Bitter End opens in Auschwitz where a young woman called Petronella survives the gas chambers and is summoned to see Hitler. Hitler is actually possessed by a daemon called Lamia (in ancient Greek mythology Lamia was often described as a bogeyman; a night-haunting daemon which preyed on children) who has been using his body to enact horrors on the world for her personal amusement. Lamia is all about destruction and revenge!!
After this transfer the story skips to the 1980’s where we become acquainted with Paul and Owen, two young boys who are best friends and get up to the kind of mischief you’d expect at their age. One of their favourite games is knock-a-door-run and one of their favourite victims for this is the local cat lady/rumoured witch who just happens to be Petronella/Lamia. On this occasion their game goes seriously wrong leading to nothing but pain and trauma that will haunt Paul for the rest of his life. As I mentioned before, Lamia lives for revenge!
I really enjoyed the horror/supernatural elements of this story and it definitely gave me the chills as I read under my duvet. I live in the countryside and was avoiding looking out of my window onto the nearby woods as I neared the end. I finished this book in one sitting I was so engrossed in the story. If you’re looking to give yourself the heebie-jeebies go buy The Bitter End!
The Bitter End opens in Auschwitz where a young woman called Petronella survives the gas chambers and is summoned to see Hitler. Hitler is actually possessed by a daemon called Lamia (in ancient Greek mythology Lamia was often described as a bogeyman; a night-haunting daemon which preyed on children) who has been using his body to enact horrors on the world for her personal amusement. Lamia is all about destruction and revenge!!
After this transfer the story skips to the 1980’s where we become acquainted with Paul and Owen, two young boys who are best friends and get up to the kind of mischief you’d expect at their age. One of their favourite games is knock-a-door-run and one of their favourite victims for this is the local cat lady/rumoured witch who just happens to be Petronella/Lamia. On this occasion their game goes seriously wrong leading to nothing but pain and trauma that will haunt Paul for the rest of his life. As I mentioned before, Lamia lives for revenge!
I really enjoyed the horror/supernatural elements of this story and it definitely gave me the chills as I read under my duvet. I live in the countryside and was avoiding looking out of my window onto the nearby woods as I neared the end. I finished this book in one sitting I was so engrossed in the story. If you’re looking to give yourself the heebie-jeebies go buy The Bitter End!
July 9, 2018
The Bitter End, does leave a slightly sour taste in your mouth when finished.
I always wonder how two authors can come together and write a novel, with their own ideas, personalities, and how easy is it to work together? The Bitter End, is slick and seamless, you wouldn’t know or be aware of who wrote which passages/characters or if it was a mix of both.
I did slightly reminisce with Paul and his friend, when they were playing. I used to play knock-door-bunk as a child, it is what you did in the 80’s – luckily without the consequences that happened, although once a friend did lose one of her shoes and we were chased, and too scared to go back for it. We did have to run!
Paul’s flashbacks do not always bring him the answers he seeks and the story has a slight fairy-tale feel to it, with the cottage in the woods and a dark malevolent undertone.
I found the book well plotted, extremely easy and quick to read and I was drawn in, it was subtle with its horror and we hear the events through Paul’s eyes and experiences mostly.
A very difficult book to box in to one genre, as it ticks a few, but it is an enticing twisty read, a supernatural thriller that will leave you slightly haunted.
I always wonder how two authors can come together and write a novel, with their own ideas, personalities, and how easy is it to work together? The Bitter End, is slick and seamless, you wouldn’t know or be aware of who wrote which passages/characters or if it was a mix of both.
I did slightly reminisce with Paul and his friend, when they were playing. I used to play knock-door-bunk as a child, it is what you did in the 80’s – luckily without the consequences that happened, although once a friend did lose one of her shoes and we were chased, and too scared to go back for it. We did have to run!
Paul’s flashbacks do not always bring him the answers he seeks and the story has a slight fairy-tale feel to it, with the cottage in the woods and a dark malevolent undertone.
I found the book well plotted, extremely easy and quick to read and I was drawn in, it was subtle with its horror and we hear the events through Paul’s eyes and experiences mostly.
A very difficult book to box in to one genre, as it ticks a few, but it is an enticing twisty read, a supernatural thriller that will leave you slightly haunted.
November 13, 2018
Characters and plot are undeveloped.
Spoiler Alert: It does not explain why “lamia” is so upset over a boy killing its cat that it pursues and focuses on this individual into adulthood. Why would a demonic entity, with no regard for life, be so furious over the death of a single, seemly insignificant, mortal being?
It lives in a human host but can travel through animals and other humans. Why inhabit a single host until their death when it can travel through anyone at any time?
It inhabited the green eyed girl to seduce Owen. What was the point of seducing Owen? How does that tie into anything? It couldn’t completely take over the green eyed girl until the old woman, who was hosting Lamia, made physical contact? But it could take her over previously, without physical contact, just to seduce Owen?
There are two many inconsistencies. This reads like someone who had a really great idea but completely rushed the writing, without plotting out the book beforehand.
Spoiler Alert: It does not explain why “lamia” is so upset over a boy killing its cat that it pursues and focuses on this individual into adulthood. Why would a demonic entity, with no regard for life, be so furious over the death of a single, seemly insignificant, mortal being?
It lives in a human host but can travel through animals and other humans. Why inhabit a single host until their death when it can travel through anyone at any time?
It inhabited the green eyed girl to seduce Owen. What was the point of seducing Owen? How does that tie into anything? It couldn’t completely take over the green eyed girl until the old woman, who was hosting Lamia, made physical contact? But it could take her over previously, without physical contact, just to seduce Owen?
There are two many inconsistencies. This reads like someone who had a really great idea but completely rushed the writing, without plotting out the book beforehand.
June 25, 2018
I would never normally read a supernatural book but it had a great story, well written and an incredibly fast pace. Crime, mystery and a bit of witchcraft thrown into the mix. I didn't know what to expect and certainly don't know if I'd read another in a hurry - I guess it's the literary alternative to horror films!
I think this book will be with me for a while!
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read it.
I think this book will be with me for a while!
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read it.
July 18, 2018
Horror is not my normal genre because I scare easily - and this scared the living daylights out of me! But it is an extremely fast-paced and exciting book. I was late to work for a few days because I just had to read the next chapter and then the next. Its a fabulous premise and the story is very well told - and some of the events are, well, just horrible. Recommended.
December 5, 2018
Loved it👍👍
This is a great book right up my street. The horror aspect was done brilliant. Puts me.in mind of the old fashioned horrors I used to read from Authors like John Saul etc. but more modern. I would definitely recommend. Witchcraft is a scary prospect. Thanks Ann for a brilliant read📕👹
This is a great book right up my street. The horror aspect was done brilliant. Puts me.in mind of the old fashioned horrors I used to read from Authors like John Saul etc. but more modern. I would definitely recommend. Witchcraft is a scary prospect. Thanks Ann for a brilliant read📕👹
August 2, 2018
I thought I was reading a thriller/suspense - not a paranormal horror. Nothing in the description indicates the horror aspect, therefore I’m reducing my rating by a star. I would have appreciated a heads up. That being said, it was thrilling (although despicable at times) and kept my attention.
September 4, 2018
An original well-written story
A dark, imaginative read, not for the faint-hearted, with lots of twists and turns to the plot. The plot was gripping and very different to anything I've read before, with a diverse cast of characters including the evil witch Lamia. Held my interest to the end.
A dark, imaginative read, not for the faint-hearted, with lots of twists and turns to the plot. The plot was gripping and very different to anything I've read before, with a diverse cast of characters including the evil witch Lamia. Held my interest to the end.
December 18, 2025
Bought this from the author at a book bonanza in Coventry.
Not my preferred genre, but I really enjoyed the premise of the story.
Other aspects were not to my taste, but on the whole, it was a good read.
Not my preferred genre, but I really enjoyed the premise of the story.
Other aspects were not to my taste, but on the whole, it was a good read.
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