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Road Narrows
A famous novelist and the obsessed fan who stalks her. A traveling musician haunted by the ghosts of his family. A mentally-ill woman and the two killers who rescue her from a deranged psychiatrist’s basement. A jilted lover who murders her ex-girlfriend for sleeping with other women. When these worlds collide in the outer darkness of Los Angeles, can any of them possibly survive? Fans of dark, transgressive fiction will love this harrowing novella.
- GenresHorror
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 15, 2022
Killing is their business and their business is their life. In this road movie like novel we see a cast of characters with one thing in common: killing other people. What made them do it? Pain, education, lust... you'll find many gory scenes here, depraved acts of cannibalism, incest and murder. What about the famous author? What about the piano man? Everyone has a dark shadow and a pre-history. Liked the prose, the descriptions, the philosophical allusions, the tragedy like composition. Very gifted author. Remarkable but very violent read. Bit depressing though. Highly recommended!
January 28, 2022
Just when you think Brian Bowyer has reached his peak of morally-depraved characters, here comes a new batch in ROAD NARROWS. Highly recommended for fans of extreme horror — especially if you like your extremity with a dash of poetry. As one expects from Bowyer, the writing is extremely tight, the characters complicated and mostly irredeemable, and the body count is high — and human monsters hide in plain sight. I blasted through this in a day because, frankly, I couldn’t put it down.
November 6, 2023
Another wacky story from Brian. Love the pulp nature of the writing, the quirky characters, the blunt sentences and on-going jokes. Everything about the books works for me. Really hope there's another one with these characters
January 13, 2023
4.5 stars? Maybe? Either way, this was one hell of a ride and I do believe next to the definition of 'Chaos Incarnate' is a photo of this book. Hell, maybe even a photo of Brian Bowyer because he is the mind that produces such chaos.
The best way I can describe this book is gorefest with a spoonful of extreme civility. The characters were all so.... polite. Definitely excited to read Autumn Gothic now.
The best way I can describe this book is gorefest with a spoonful of extreme civility. The characters were all so.... polite. Definitely excited to read Autumn Gothic now.
January 10, 2022
“ Death is simply the price we pay for everything, for the privilege of being alive. It’s no big deal.”
It was a total blast spending more time with Jinx, Leo, Victor and Tina! I started each chapter wondering who was going to be the next character to die a horrible, bloody death. If you like extreme horror and you haven’t read Brian Bowyer’s work yet this would be a great place to start. I really enjoyed the hell out of it!
It was a total blast spending more time with Jinx, Leo, Victor and Tina! I started each chapter wondering who was going to be the next character to die a horrible, bloody death. If you like extreme horror and you haven’t read Brian Bowyer’s work yet this would be a great place to start. I really enjoyed the hell out of it!
April 6, 2024
another five star story
I have been loving everything I’ve read by Mr. Bowyer, and this book did not disappoint. I look forward to tracking his journey as an author, and will continue to support him throughout.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have been loving everything I’ve read by Mr. Bowyer, and this book did not disappoint. I look forward to tracking his journey as an author, and will continue to support him throughout.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 18, 2023
Another Bowyer book brilliantly done! I wish I'd read this before 'Autumn Gothic' and 'Kill Factor' since there are a lot of common elements and plotlines, but it doesn't matter either way, since all three books thrive on providing much more than the reader's bargaining for. The books may share locations, the emphasis on alcohol and drugs, they may revolve around the same character-types, but each one develops very different themes and horror tropes, while emphasizing the rot of the human condition in its own unique way. In fact, this one unlike the others has some extensive melodramatic monologues based on layman's science, and a bit of sick humor (e.g., a cannibal serial killer, having just picked his young victim, gets a phone call and has to forego killing in order to go urgently to work!) Again, the reader has to slowly peel the layers and find the monster living in each central character, the pathology, the grief, but also the distinctive poetry of Bowyer's laconic, sharp, witty writing. If there's any message here, it probably is that life owes you nothing, even after having brought you on your knees once or twice in the past.
February 13, 2022
With Brian Bowyer's short and sharp style you could easily read his books in one sitting, but I prefer reading his work in small bursts. It just seems to go hand in hand. So much happens in so little time.
I'm not saying his stories should slow down any. I just prefer taking my time because I appreciate what he does. He cuts away them words like he cuts away the people. Don't get yourself attached. Just go with it. Brian's extreme horror is always fun.
Giving this one a solid 4 stars
I'm not saying his stories should slow down any. I just prefer taking my time because I appreciate what he does. He cuts away them words like he cuts away the people. Don't get yourself attached. Just go with it. Brian's extreme horror is always fun.
Giving this one a solid 4 stars
May 21, 2022
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again… Bowyer is the ultimate palate cleanser for me! Road Narrows is the follow up to Road Harvest and Bowyer takes little time in introducing us back into that world, within the first few pages the body count reaches five in breakneck speed and brutality. By the stories conclusion the body count is probably higher than a slashers franchise combined - but it’s not all blood and guts.
Bowyer, who I’ve read a lot of, has developed his craft over the books I’ve read and has the ability to makes me deeply care for a character and their plight in a few passages, only for something even more shocking and damaging to happen in the turn of a page, cutting my heart wide open.
This is hardcore horror - Splatterpunk stuff - there was one scene that made me think ‘oh damn’ - but it’s Bowyers slick characters - often bathed in blood - that keep the pages turning and the chaos rolling!
Another worthy edition to add to my Bowyer collection!
Bowyer, who I’ve read a lot of, has developed his craft over the books I’ve read and has the ability to makes me deeply care for a character and their plight in a few passages, only for something even more shocking and damaging to happen in the turn of a page, cutting my heart wide open.
This is hardcore horror - Splatterpunk stuff - there was one scene that made me think ‘oh damn’ - but it’s Bowyers slick characters - often bathed in blood - that keep the pages turning and the chaos rolling!
Another worthy edition to add to my Bowyer collection!
April 10, 2024
LOVED this one! Beautifully written and absolutely mesmerizing. Another stellar 5 star read from Bowyer.
March 2, 2022
Another couldn’t-put-it-down read by Brian Bowyer!
Drugs, sex, delusions, blood and gore, subplots, twisted characters, but none more than Zolkris. There’s even a new twist or two in the killings that I found shocking, especially near the end. I read this bloody gem in one day—another couldn’t-put-it-down read by Brian Bowyer. As with my other two reads from the author, his writing is precise, tight, well-planned, gory as heck, and philosophical. Kudos to the cover artist on a fab cover. Highest recomendation.
Drugs, sex, delusions, blood and gore, subplots, twisted characters, but none more than Zolkris. There’s even a new twist or two in the killings that I found shocking, especially near the end. I read this bloody gem in one day—another couldn’t-put-it-down read by Brian Bowyer. As with my other two reads from the author, his writing is precise, tight, well-planned, gory as heck, and philosophical. Kudos to the cover artist on a fab cover. Highest recomendation.
January 28, 2022
A twisted tale
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story is one that takes all forms of trauma and substance abuse and sees them neatly woven together as a murderous cross country trip ends up on the west coast. Each character is twisted in their own way, but none more than Zolkris. A sick man that murders and cannibalizes his victims and keeps a young girl as his prisoner.
A great example of how fate guides people, bringing them together from different walks of life. I highly recommend this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story is one that takes all forms of trauma and substance abuse and sees them neatly woven together as a murderous cross country trip ends up on the west coast. Each character is twisted in their own way, but none more than Zolkris. A sick man that murders and cannibalizes his victims and keeps a young girl as his prisoner.
A great example of how fate guides people, bringing them together from different walks of life. I highly recommend this one!
March 17, 2022
Aye yi yi!
Not since my first viewing of Troma Entertainment's Terror Firmer (1999) dir. Lloyd Kaufman, have I ventured across this level of ultraviolence.
Narrows wastes no time in bringing fresh blood to this road journey from hell as you quickly realise that maybe all this time you were afraid of the wrong characters!
This no limits sequel also adds as much flesh to itself as it takes away from its body count, as the author approaches the action with the same directness, but with a little more meat on the bones this time around.
If you thought Road Harvest was any kind of preparation for this follow-up, I can say with complete confidence that you thought wrong. Dead wrong!
Not since my first viewing of Troma Entertainment's Terror Firmer (1999) dir. Lloyd Kaufman, have I ventured across this level of ultraviolence.
Narrows wastes no time in bringing fresh blood to this road journey from hell as you quickly realise that maybe all this time you were afraid of the wrong characters!
This no limits sequel also adds as much flesh to itself as it takes away from its body count, as the author approaches the action with the same directness, but with a little more meat on the bones this time around.
If you thought Road Harvest was any kind of preparation for this follow-up, I can say with complete confidence that you thought wrong. Dead wrong!
February 19, 2022
What in the world did I just read? It's fun. I'll give it that. In the beginning, I couldn't help but think about how much I loved some of these characters, even while I wasn't actually reading it. I love storylines about authors, but she was probably my least fave plotline in this book. She was so nonchalant and laid back, especially at the end. On a whole, it's a solid read
January 20, 2024
Great horror book,
Great horror wish to turn into a series and a movie want more horror and more splatter punk love it is included in my Prime readers can read for free money is tight but this author is worth buying
Great horror wish to turn into a series and a movie want more horror and more splatter punk love it is included in my Prime readers can read for free money is tight but this author is worth buying
June 19, 2022
Video Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrbK...
Road Narrows is the continuation of the “Road” series Brian has going on, whether he realized from the start or not, he has created this series that needs to keep going and going. So we have Road Narrows picking up where Road Harvest left off.
Leo and Jinx return for a new adventure, and with them they bring a whole new cast of characters. Well, that’s because most of the people die in each of Brian’s books. No blood is spared, so of course they need to encounter a new group of people to share more depravity.
This time we are introduced to Zolkris. And this character is on a different level. Bowyer teeters on bringing in some sort of black magic voodoo type situations giving us a different look on his imagination.
But don’t worry, as with every Bowyer book, there is plenty of blood, and drugs, and booze. Because after all the reoccurring theme is “Let me hit that Whiskey.” Whiskey companies are missing out on an opportunity for a great sponsorship.
These are things we have come to expect when reading Brian Bowyer. And these are things that we would be pissed if we didn’t get from any of his books. So I don’t need to go into much detail about the book, the plot, the characters. You know what you are getting. It’s safe and reliable. Like a safety blanket, you can expect plenty of gore, splattering blood, sexual assault, illicit drug use, underage drinking.
This is the Brian Bowyer world he has created and the world we have become accustomed to when we pick up one of his books.
No surprise here, the characters tell the story through their dialogue. I’ve mentioned it before, this is one of the things I enjoy most about Brian’s style of writing. It’s not over complicated, using ten dollar words. It’s an ice-bath to the face brutality without taking detours. And he lets the characters do the storytelling. Not much need for added narrative.
And with this style that he’s been doing for years now, the stories flow quick. Road Narrows is another fast paced, pedal to the floor pace that ends before you realize how much you’ve reads.
As if I really need to tell you, this is extreme horror, so prepare yourself. This is the extreme horror I like, the kind I can take. I feel like I’m repeating myself, because I’ve mentioned extreme horror for me has to have a reason. The extreme parts need to be crucial to the story. And this is what Brian does, but at the same time, he knows how to pull it back just a bit so you are not utterly repulsed. Well, some parts you may be.
This is Road Narrows, from Brian Bowyer, continuing the “Road” series. We want more now. I think the next one is called “Road Head.” I’m kidding. Or am I?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrbK...
Road Narrows is the continuation of the “Road” series Brian has going on, whether he realized from the start or not, he has created this series that needs to keep going and going. So we have Road Narrows picking up where Road Harvest left off.
Leo and Jinx return for a new adventure, and with them they bring a whole new cast of characters. Well, that’s because most of the people die in each of Brian’s books. No blood is spared, so of course they need to encounter a new group of people to share more depravity.
This time we are introduced to Zolkris. And this character is on a different level. Bowyer teeters on bringing in some sort of black magic voodoo type situations giving us a different look on his imagination.
But don’t worry, as with every Bowyer book, there is plenty of blood, and drugs, and booze. Because after all the reoccurring theme is “Let me hit that Whiskey.” Whiskey companies are missing out on an opportunity for a great sponsorship.
These are things we have come to expect when reading Brian Bowyer. And these are things that we would be pissed if we didn’t get from any of his books. So I don’t need to go into much detail about the book, the plot, the characters. You know what you are getting. It’s safe and reliable. Like a safety blanket, you can expect plenty of gore, splattering blood, sexual assault, illicit drug use, underage drinking.
This is the Brian Bowyer world he has created and the world we have become accustomed to when we pick up one of his books.
No surprise here, the characters tell the story through their dialogue. I’ve mentioned it before, this is one of the things I enjoy most about Brian’s style of writing. It’s not over complicated, using ten dollar words. It’s an ice-bath to the face brutality without taking detours. And he lets the characters do the storytelling. Not much need for added narrative.
And with this style that he’s been doing for years now, the stories flow quick. Road Narrows is another fast paced, pedal to the floor pace that ends before you realize how much you’ve reads.
As if I really need to tell you, this is extreme horror, so prepare yourself. This is the extreme horror I like, the kind I can take. I feel like I’m repeating myself, because I’ve mentioned extreme horror for me has to have a reason. The extreme parts need to be crucial to the story. And this is what Brian does, but at the same time, he knows how to pull it back just a bit so you are not utterly repulsed. Well, some parts you may be.
This is Road Narrows, from Brian Bowyer, continuing the “Road” series. We want more now. I think the next one is called “Road Head.” I’m kidding. Or am I?
February 6, 2025
My Review and Thoughts:
What makes a good tale. Story yes. Characters yes. Situations yes. But most all the storyteller themselves. Road Narrows is that concept. A storyteller that knows what they want in the plot and what to give the reader and also allowing the reader to take away from that plot. That is what Road Narrows does. Brian Bowyer gives you the reader a constant pleasure of mixed emotional sensory in reading this book. Your taken on a trip that at times lingers and is uncertain in what and how it wants to shape your mind. For Road Narrows has a complexity. It makes you the reader think and most of all feel deeply about the plot and it's ultimate conclusion.
I must confess this is my first time reading Bowyer's work. So I went into this not really knowing his style or execution as a storyteller. But what I came out of this with is a new writer I am glad to say is a storyteller with his form of passion, guts and most of all the wonderful realities of imagination that he completes through his understanding of what he wished to detail. Road Narrows at times is a wonderful gut punch of adrenaline.
This is a violent and intense clarity of death, murder and blood. The main killers who are characters of a savage nature and extreme in execution bleed of the pages. If you like violence and simple in plot, with that violence being the main purpose and subject of a book than Road Narrows is that little extreme gory horror that you are seeking.
I had fun with this book. It was to the point and makes a perfect example of extreme horror in all its glorious realities. It held my attention, brought me imagery of demented happenings and have me brutally honest personas of darkened characters.
This book is bloody, gory and most of all a no holds bar of violent wonderment with interesting brutal characters of, should I say aloud, enjoyable personalities even though these people are clearly demented, but that also makes for the grin, enjoyable nature to the story.
Brain Bowyer is a fun, brutal storyteller of complex ideas of right and wrong and an interesting creation of personas in all there brutality.
Would I Return to it Again: I would the characters.
Would I Recommend: To horror fans and those who love gory reads.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Final Words: Brutally simple. Vibrant Personalities.
What makes a good tale. Story yes. Characters yes. Situations yes. But most all the storyteller themselves. Road Narrows is that concept. A storyteller that knows what they want in the plot and what to give the reader and also allowing the reader to take away from that plot. That is what Road Narrows does. Brian Bowyer gives you the reader a constant pleasure of mixed emotional sensory in reading this book. Your taken on a trip that at times lingers and is uncertain in what and how it wants to shape your mind. For Road Narrows has a complexity. It makes you the reader think and most of all feel deeply about the plot and it's ultimate conclusion.
I must confess this is my first time reading Bowyer's work. So I went into this not really knowing his style or execution as a storyteller. But what I came out of this with is a new writer I am glad to say is a storyteller with his form of passion, guts and most of all the wonderful realities of imagination that he completes through his understanding of what he wished to detail. Road Narrows at times is a wonderful gut punch of adrenaline.
This is a violent and intense clarity of death, murder and blood. The main killers who are characters of a savage nature and extreme in execution bleed of the pages. If you like violence and simple in plot, with that violence being the main purpose and subject of a book than Road Narrows is that little extreme gory horror that you are seeking.
I had fun with this book. It was to the point and makes a perfect example of extreme horror in all its glorious realities. It held my attention, brought me imagery of demented happenings and have me brutally honest personas of darkened characters.
This book is bloody, gory and most of all a no holds bar of violent wonderment with interesting brutal characters of, should I say aloud, enjoyable personalities even though these people are clearly demented, but that also makes for the grin, enjoyable nature to the story.
Brain Bowyer is a fun, brutal storyteller of complex ideas of right and wrong and an interesting creation of personas in all there brutality.
Would I Return to it Again: I would the characters.
Would I Recommend: To horror fans and those who love gory reads.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Final Words: Brutally simple. Vibrant Personalities.
October 30, 2024
ROAD NARROWS marks the eighth book I have read from author Bowyer, and I would say it is one of his best and most entertaining. It is written with his usual tight prose and pacing and flies right by as it works up a high body count. There is immorality on every page and the story has a character named Zolkris, who is a cannibal and may be the worst and most disturbing ever created by Bowyer. He replaces Ivan the midget from GRINDING ROAD as my new favorite. Fans of the splatter genre should have a blast with this one.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews