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Shredders
Lorenzo was a quiet Michigan town, known for its beautiful lake and resorts. Summer has arrived and water activities are abundant. It was one of the reasons Officer Royce Dashnaw took the job in the small town. Being a single dad, he wanted to live a quiet life where his daughter could enjoy the beauty of nature.
Unfortunately, nature also has a dark side.
The peaceful serenity of Lorenzo has been disrupted by a series of strange events. A woman flees from the water with strange bites on her legs; bodies are found in the shallows, stripped to the bone; and the local population of fish have mysteriously disappeared.
As the body count rises, Royce learns the truth. Genetically enhanced fish have been dumped into the lake. With scissor-like jaws, they can reduce a full-grown adult to a mere skeleton in under a minute. A race against time ensues, as Royce and his partner struggle to evacuate the very large and busy lake before too many fall victim to the shredders.
Unfortunately, nature also has a dark side.
The peaceful serenity of Lorenzo has been disrupted by a series of strange events. A woman flees from the water with strange bites on her legs; bodies are found in the shallows, stripped to the bone; and the local population of fish have mysteriously disappeared.
As the body count rises, Royce learns the truth. Genetically enhanced fish have been dumped into the lake. With scissor-like jaws, they can reduce a full-grown adult to a mere skeleton in under a minute. A race against time ensues, as Royce and his partner struggle to evacuate the very large and busy lake before too many fall victim to the shredders.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2021
85 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Cole
40 books118 followersMichael R. Cole is an author of creature horror and science fiction. He was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in lower Michigan. He has a profound love for monster movies and book as well as the action genre. In addition to writing, his hobbies include martial arts and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 12, 2022
What happens when you mix biological engineered fish together with a populated lake for the summer? A lot of dead bodies...well, I should say fresh skeletons. If you thought Jaws was terrifying, wait until this read sinks its teeth into you. I think I will skip lake swimming this summer. Recommend long as it does not involve swimming in open fresh water.
March 31, 2022
A pretty good creature feature, the characters could be worked on but it was a funny book.
January 26, 2023
My expectations for this book were spot on and I am not surprised. As a fan of almost anything horror, I have a particular love for B grade horror movies that are so bad they are good. This book could easily be a film on Syfy and really followed a generic script. However the story itself was good from start to finish and once the carnage starts up, there's no end in sight. With a very stereotypical opening (think Jaws), two young adults meet up at the lake for a tryst but are then unfortunately eaten alive-this then sets the stage for the entire book. Though be warned it does take to about 20% for more mayhem and chaos to start as the fish get hungrier!!! The first quarter works to give background on the characters and immerse you into the small town life that is about to be forever changed. Personally I'm not one to nitpick details (especially science) so I let all the mumbo jumbo about splicing and genetics out the window because really I'm only here for the carnage and chaos. The book is a super quick read but is very gory, in case the title and cover didn't make that clear lol. Perfect beach read if you ask me 😈😈😈😈😈😈
October 26, 2024
DNF at 80 %
I love a good creature feature and killer monster novels. This ain't that!
First book I have ever DNF`d in my life. Why you may ask? I many reasons: (might be some spoilers. just save some time and avoid the book)
-Mainly the right wing view points that seeps through the entire story. At times this feels like someone threw a book about killer fish in a blender with a weeks worth of transcripts from Fox news, then published the result.
- the police force is OK with torturing suspects for information. But refuses to trespass on private property to save hundreds of lives.
- the entire police force talk in public about a former actress nude scenes. I don't know, that seems rather unprofessional.
- the nine year old daughter of the main character has a lot of viewpoints and opinions that is usually found in 17 year old incels.
- one of the good guys use "soy boy" as an insult(which is just embarrassing, just weird)
- alpha male used ironically.
- the villains are animal rights protesters that seem rather OK with killing off entire Eco-system in the lake. They are also just embarrassingly badly written.
- weird focus on one of the police officers being of White\Asian decent.
- A woman discovers her fiancee have been cheating on her. Thinking of taking revenge she entertains the idea on having sex with another man, but then decides against it because her father would not like the idea on another man using her that way. I threw up in my mouth there.
- used the words "marijuana joint" feels rather redundant, like pork bacon. gave me serious Reefer Madness vibes
- Character complained that the MCU is rather preachy, spends the entire book being entitled and preachy themselves.
- comment about the astronomical object "brown dwarf" turns into racist joke about Mideastern little persons.
- mexico mentioned, of course its in regard of cartels and crime.
positive note:
Listened to it on audio book, the narrator was really good.
Some of the kills were good
I have the opinion that one should finish a book before giving a honest review, but I can't with this one. Just dissapointed.
I cannot be bothered with writing more. Life is to short.
I love a good creature feature and killer monster novels. This ain't that!
First book I have ever DNF`d in my life. Why you may ask? I many reasons: (might be some spoilers. just save some time and avoid the book)
-Mainly the right wing view points that seeps through the entire story. At times this feels like someone threw a book about killer fish in a blender with a weeks worth of transcripts from Fox news, then published the result.
- the police force is OK with torturing suspects for information. But refuses to trespass on private property to save hundreds of lives.
- the entire police force talk in public about a former actress nude scenes. I don't know, that seems rather unprofessional.
- the nine year old daughter of the main character has a lot of viewpoints and opinions that is usually found in 17 year old incels.
- one of the good guys use "soy boy" as an insult(which is just embarrassing, just weird)
- alpha male used ironically.
- the villains are animal rights protesters that seem rather OK with killing off entire Eco-system in the lake. They are also just embarrassingly badly written.
- weird focus on one of the police officers being of White\Asian decent.
- A woman discovers her fiancee have been cheating on her. Thinking of taking revenge she entertains the idea on having sex with another man, but then decides against it because her father would not like the idea on another man using her that way. I threw up in my mouth there.
- used the words "marijuana joint" feels rather redundant, like pork bacon. gave me serious Reefer Madness vibes
- Character complained that the MCU is rather preachy, spends the entire book being entitled and preachy themselves.
- comment about the astronomical object "brown dwarf" turns into racist joke about Mideastern little persons.
- mexico mentioned, of course its in regard of cartels and crime.
positive note:
Listened to it on audio book, the narrator was really good.
Some of the kills were good
I have the opinion that one should finish a book before giving a honest review, but I can't with this one. Just dissapointed.
I cannot be bothered with writing more. Life is to short.
March 2, 2022
I picked this up expecting a B movie book version about piranhas, and that's exactly what I got. Every now and again I feel the need to read a creature horror style novel in between more serious books, and this author gives me that despite the fact that he more or less reuses the same plot in every single novel. If you've read Michael Cole before you know what to expect - genetically engineered monsters that get loose, plenty of gory death scenes, a hero cop saving the day, and the bad guy meeting an ironic end. Even though I've read it all before, its still strangely entertaining.
Of course to go alongside that there's all the usual plot holes this genre of books have, including piranhas being transported via dump truck to a lake. and having a main character who is only 9 years old but seems to be smarter then everyone else in the book, and can handle a shotgun to boot without even flinching. Oh and whereas anyone else the piranhas touch seems to lose a limb or half their face, she just shrugs them off when they bite her with no problem.
Regardless, this was an entertaining way to kill a couple of hours. If you liked the Piranha movies series, you'll probably enjoy this
Of course to go alongside that there's all the usual plot holes this genre of books have, including piranhas being transported via dump truck to a lake. and having a main character who is only 9 years old but seems to be smarter then everyone else in the book, and can handle a shotgun to boot without even flinching. Oh and whereas anyone else the piranhas touch seems to lose a limb or half their face, she just shrugs them off when they bite her with no problem.
Regardless, this was an entertaining way to kill a couple of hours. If you liked the Piranha movies series, you'll probably enjoy this
September 18, 2022
Piranha (The Fox News edition).
So something I enjoy with creature features is the suspense of whether or not my favorite characters will make it out alive or not. The main characters in this novel however are all loathsome MAGAs and as a result I really didn't care if they stopped the piranhas or not; part of me even wishing for their grisly deaths that I knew probably wouldn't come.
My intention was two give the book 2 stars because it's written fairly well, sans the characters being unlikable, the only other issue I have being the occasional unintentionally(???) racist analogy popping up here and there - a naked guy being compared to a Native American, majority minority cities being compared to war zones, etc. I ended up giving it only one star however because two stars say "it was ok" which it was not due to the horrible characters. Thankfully it was a short read or I probably would not have finished it.
Do yourself a favor and just watch the movie piranha (and its sequel and two remakes if you have time) instead of reading this right-wing drivel.
This was my first novel by Michael Cole and I will not be reading any more.
So something I enjoy with creature features is the suspense of whether or not my favorite characters will make it out alive or not. The main characters in this novel however are all loathsome MAGAs and as a result I really didn't care if they stopped the piranhas or not; part of me even wishing for their grisly deaths that I knew probably wouldn't come.
My intention was two give the book 2 stars because it's written fairly well, sans the characters being unlikable, the only other issue I have being the occasional unintentionally(???) racist analogy popping up here and there - a naked guy being compared to a Native American, majority minority cities being compared to war zones, etc. I ended up giving it only one star however because two stars say "it was ok" which it was not due to the horrible characters. Thankfully it was a short read or I probably would not have finished it.
Do yourself a favor and just watch the movie piranha (and its sequel and two remakes if you have time) instead of reading this right-wing drivel.
This was my first novel by Michael Cole and I will not be reading any more.
September 7, 2024
I am a sucker for creature features that remind me of my 10 year old self watching sci-fi.
June 16, 2023
I absolutely love a good piranha story and this one did not disappoint. It was gorey in the best way possible by not being overpowering but enough to be disgusted. I love that Cole included genetically modified fish in his story because I love when science goes wrong and create a monster kind of story. Quick, fun read!
June 21, 2022
This is a Syfy creature feature in a book. So much fun as a change of pace and well done. 4 stars
February 5, 2022
What can I say? This was a Michael Cole production and as a result it was entertaining, gory, frightening, descriptive, disturbing, full of intrigue, suspense, and danger. What happens when environmental activism is taken to the extreme? A horror movie of epic proportions.
Mr. Cole is excellent at ramping up the tension to an unbearable level. Don't get too attached to any of the characters. Just when you develop feelings your heart literally gets ripped out of your chest.
The tension is relentless. The subplots kept your interest. The characters pull at your emotions you like them now some annoy you while others are downright villainous. This was a fun read!
Mr. Cole is excellent at ramping up the tension to an unbearable level. Don't get too attached to any of the characters. Just when you develop feelings your heart literally gets ripped out of your chest.
The tension is relentless. The subplots kept your interest. The characters pull at your emotions you like them now some annoy you while others are downright villainous. This was a fun read!
August 23, 2022
If I wanted to hear about how snowflake millennials are ruining our country with their woke culture, I’d watch Fox News. Obviously MC is no F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I enjoy his creature feature books as brain candy. However, in this one he managed to create three of the least likable characters I’ve ever come across, including an overwhelmingly obnoxious child I’d happily punt into a lake full of piranhas. No one cares that you think the MCU has gone downhill bc of liberal pandering, so save it for twitter.
January 22, 2022
loved Schroeder’s
This book moves so fast that when you reach the end you are surprised. I read this book in one sitting. It is fast paced and action packed. Read it, if you dare.
This book moves so fast that when you reach the end you are surprised. I read this book in one sitting. It is fast paced and action packed. Read it, if you dare.
February 13, 2022
Great read! it had a little of everything, even the title is great! this book had graphic horror, action and some humor! if your into horror stories this book is for you!
February 24, 2022
Another action packed creature feature from Cole! It was a lot of fun to read. I definitely recommend for pure entertainment.
April 6, 2024
Giant piranha that been genetically engineered wreck havoc on a redneck town in Michigan…..The story starts out great, but the dialogue between men and women is awful and weird. Particularly, Royce and Pam. Their Banter is contrived and basic. The narrator is okay but for some strange reason breaks out in the southern accent for some of the characters. They are in Michigan, so what is happening? There are no black or brown people in this book but there is a weird mention of a person who is biracial a (Japanese and white). It’s obvious that a white man wrote this story. Whew…😒 The story spirals into a B movie. The characters are all underdeveloped one note stereotypes. The cops in the story are assholes, but the story isn’t self aware so they’re actually supposed to be “hero’s”. The whole cops versus environmental activists story makes zero sense. There’s no development or reasoning behind the activist and their work.
At one point, during all of the chaos, when the giant piranha are attacking everyone, the story actually describes a scene as looking like “inner city riots.” What the fuck is that supposed to mean? The dog whistle/ casual racism makes the whole story trash.
At one point, during all of the chaos, when the giant piranha are attacking everyone, the story actually describes a scene as looking like “inner city riots.” What the fuck is that supposed to mean? The dog whistle/ casual racism makes the whole story trash.
August 26, 2022
Very preachy, and I've never said that before. I read books from along the whole spectrum, and everyone gets their allotted paragraph to go on a small tangent, but Cole spends a lot of time writing how protesters are all cowards and how the MCU is woke shit and how decent folk fish and watch Predator. I don't mind a little bias in passing, but this is nearly constantly repeated or mentioned. It's very distracting, extremely unsubtle, and kind of sad.
March 3, 2022
Amazing nonstop action
I couldn't lay this book down. I loved characters, they was very entertaining. Environmentalists can be scary. Suspense will keep you up late into the night.
I couldn't lay this book down. I loved characters, they was very entertaining. Environmentalists can be scary. Suspense will keep you up late into the night.
June 6, 2022
Simply amazing
Embraces the actual struggle of endangered species
Way more blood than the actual movie Piranha (both original and remake)
Definitely recommend
Embraces the actual struggle of endangered species
Way more blood than the actual movie Piranha (both original and remake)
Definitely recommend
July 11, 2022
Man, now we are talking! Straight up B-movie vibes. Get some popcorn and get ready for a bonkers ride!
I am a HUGE sucker for creature feature, and sea creature specifically , stories. Shredders was 100% up my alley. This author is always such a joy to read. He totally nails the aesthetic of the 70s / 80s hey day creature novels. He gives us exactly what you want in a story like this- heroes, killer fish, and plenty of canon fodder blood and guts! Just the right amount of depth (of character) and carnage.
The narrator is alright. He has a nice voice but some of the men sounded a little too similar. He does a decent job at age though, really nailing the attitude of kids and teenagers. Also does a decent job with female voices.
I did have one small… not really a complaint, but “problem” with Shredders… I know it is fiction and not to be taken too serious, blah blah blah… but it left a little bit of a bad taste (??) in my mouth at how the plot revolved around evil animal rights people vs the good guys- conservative cops. :/ Not sure how to describe it! I know that every side can have bad people and good people, so, *shrug* I just didn’t exactly love it.
Shredders is an exciting, fast paced ride through a murder fish infested lake. Lots of action, lots of carnage. The plot is a little predictable, but it doesn’t really matter. The story is still highly enjoyable. Kept me HOOKED! Loved the over all vibe. Like B-movies? Like sea creatures? Want a wild ride of a story? Check out Shredders.
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
I am a HUGE sucker for creature feature, and sea creature specifically , stories. Shredders was 100% up my alley. This author is always such a joy to read. He totally nails the aesthetic of the 70s / 80s hey day creature novels. He gives us exactly what you want in a story like this- heroes, killer fish, and plenty of canon fodder blood and guts! Just the right amount of depth (of character) and carnage.
The narrator is alright. He has a nice voice but some of the men sounded a little too similar. He does a decent job at age though, really nailing the attitude of kids and teenagers. Also does a decent job with female voices.
I did have one small… not really a complaint, but “problem” with Shredders… I know it is fiction and not to be taken too serious, blah blah blah… but it left a little bit of a bad taste (??) in my mouth at how the plot revolved around evil animal rights people vs the good guys- conservative cops. :/ Not sure how to describe it! I know that every side can have bad people and good people, so, *shrug* I just didn’t exactly love it.
Shredders is an exciting, fast paced ride through a murder fish infested lake. Lots of action, lots of carnage. The plot is a little predictable, but it doesn’t really matter. The story is still highly enjoyable. Kept me HOOKED! Loved the over all vibe. Like B-movies? Like sea creatures? Want a wild ride of a story? Check out Shredders.
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
January 26, 2023
Трябва да кажа, че Shredders е най-ефективната критика на политкоректността в литературен формат, на която съм попадал. Коул внимателно изгражда много силни героини както в лицето на Пам, така и в по-голяма степен с образа на Елън, дъщерята на Ройс и през техните уста прави на бъз и коприва съвременните тенденции в политиката и културата. Сатирата обаче прераства в ужас, когато става ясно какво точно е направила водачката на екоактивистите, провалена актриса, дотолкова зарибила се по каузата си, че вече е готова да прекрачи всички граници. Пираните са сред най-бруталните чудовища, които Коул е създавал, хибридизирани мутанти, поразяващи всичко, което докопат по брутален начин, напомнящ класическите романи от Джеймс Хърбърт и Шон Хътсън, а историята драматургично е подредена така, че всяка следваща глава надгражда предишната. Финалната третина от романа е френетична, но финалът е изключително удовлетворителен, макар и предвидим. Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/shredders/
https://citadelata.com/shredders/
September 11, 2024
It's not awful
It's classic B movie horror, which is normally right up my alley. But every character seems to be a stereotype of some sort. We have the cop who thinks the city cops are too soft on people, and his daughter, who is Not Like Other Girls. Which comes across pretty weird since the kid in question is 9. We also have the environmentalists who are total stereotypes, chanting about saving the fish in a small lake town that seems to be in Northern Michigan. They obnoxiously vegan and almost cartoon like. The horror seems to be doing just fine, it's more like I find it hard to suspend disbelief when the 9 year old kid sounds like a Facebook Stereotype.
It's classic B movie horror, which is normally right up my alley. But every character seems to be a stereotype of some sort. We have the cop who thinks the city cops are too soft on people, and his daughter, who is Not Like Other Girls. Which comes across pretty weird since the kid in question is 9. We also have the environmentalists who are total stereotypes, chanting about saving the fish in a small lake town that seems to be in Northern Michigan. They obnoxiously vegan and almost cartoon like. The horror seems to be doing just fine, it's more like I find it hard to suspend disbelief when the 9 year old kid sounds like a Facebook Stereotype.
November 29, 2022
Shredders like most of Michael Coles books is another great dive into the world of genetically altered creatures. As far as the overall plot it was really good with great pacing. The story was very engaging. I really enjoyed all of the humor and banter between the characters. If I was to describe this story in a nutshell. I would say it is a better version of the Piranhas movies. The narrator did a phenomenal job at telling the story and giving each character their own voice. All in all I would recommend Shredders to anyone who likes these kind of books or likes a good horror thriller.
February 20, 2024
Review of this book .
A real thriller! I may never go swimming in a lake again. Give me a nice clear pool.Even with nice clear water I would check it out carefully. The author rode a fine line with the subject the book was written about. Turned it into a wonderful book. Excellent plot with several twists and turns along the way. I would gladly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys this genre and loves action, suspense and drama. There was also a lot of humor to balance the story out.
A real thriller! I may never go swimming in a lake again. Give me a nice clear pool.Even with nice clear water I would check it out carefully. The author rode a fine line with the subject the book was written about. Turned it into a wonderful book. Excellent plot with several twists and turns along the way. I would gladly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys this genre and loves action, suspense and drama. There was also a lot of humor to balance the story out.
August 17, 2022
Awesome ride!
Loved the story and characters, as always. I also love Michael's political views and how he works them into the story and characters. For those who disagree, well, the truth hurts, doesn't it? The ending was telegraphed too obviously, but regardless, the best part was getting to the ending. Michael has a real gift for imaginative plots, great characters, and great pacing. I love his books and this one did not disappoint.
Loved the story and characters, as always. I also love Michael's political views and how he works them into the story and characters. For those who disagree, well, the truth hurts, doesn't it? The ending was telegraphed too obviously, but regardless, the best part was getting to the ending. Michael has a real gift for imaginative plots, great characters, and great pacing. I love his books and this one did not disappoint.
November 24, 2022
social, political comments strike again
I really liked the other books by this author, but it was painful getting through the social political jabs in the book. For me, it killed a good story. Everyone certainly has the right to their own opinions, but reading sci-if is an escape from the day to day for me. I didn’t feel that escape in this book. That said, if all of that was removed, it is great story and it would have been a 4 or 5 star instead
I really liked the other books by this author, but it was painful getting through the social political jabs in the book. For me, it killed a good story. Everyone certainly has the right to their own opinions, but reading sci-if is an escape from the day to day for me. I didn’t feel that escape in this book. That said, if all of that was removed, it is great story and it would have been a 4 or 5 star instead
September 12, 2024
Tedious, derivative, right wing. Full of references to the MCU that will age like Milk. Spent the entire duration of this hoping for some character development or a plot twist but it never came. If you enjoy little girls written like they have the personality, interests and opinions of 70 year old men, or cops written like they have never done police work before then this book will be for you. It was not for me. The audio book was free, but that's 7 hours of my life I wont get back.
March 1, 2022
Fun easy read
Although this book has a slow start, spending a lot of time with the characters just chatting, it was nonstop gory action once it got moving and never stopped. This is not hard hard book to read and is really just a fun book to pass a rainy weekend, but that makes it worth the read.
Although this book has a slow start, spending a lot of time with the characters just chatting, it was nonstop gory action once it got moving and never stopped. This is not hard hard book to read and is really just a fun book to pass a rainy weekend, but that makes it worth the read.
March 4, 2022
I enjoyed this one
It was like the piranha movies, except it focused more on the people than on the shock value straight up gore brings. The impossibility of a piranha/blue gill cross made for an entertaining read. I enjoy this author and have read quite a few of his books. I'll definitely be reading more by him.
It was like the piranha movies, except it focused more on the people than on the shock value straight up gore brings. The impossibility of a piranha/blue gill cross made for an entertaining read. I enjoy this author and have read quite a few of his books. I'll definitely be reading more by him.
April 9, 2022
Gullible environmentalists, who have been led astray by a strong leader, pour genetically modified piranha fish into a pristine lake. The demented reasoning behind it leads to lots of gore, but the hero cop saving the day. Couldn't give it a 5-star rating, because even though it's very enjoyable, it is still very derivative. On the other hand, if a plot works, there's no reason to change it.
May 16, 2022
Another quick,fun Cole
Michael Cole's books are quick,fun and enjoyable jaunts.
If you're a fan of B monster movies you'll enjoy this and any other Cole book. There's a bit of wit a bit of weird and a lot of fun if not taken seriously. He stands above the rest in this genre for sure!
Michael Cole's books are quick,fun and enjoyable jaunts.
If you're a fan of B monster movies you'll enjoy this and any other Cole book. There's a bit of wit a bit of weird and a lot of fun if not taken seriously. He stands above the rest in this genre for sure!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews