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Despicable
She survived genocide as a child, but as Kalisa now struggles to make a life in Middle America, a horrific creature from that unimaginably evil time has returned to finish the job.
- GenresHorror
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
4 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 14, 2022
I've thoroughly enjoyed each Timothy Bryan novel I"ve read. His newest. DESPICABLE [March 15 Release] is a compelling and often painful accounting of how far the ugly past reaches into the present--especially when Ancient Evil is involved. From a frightening beginning on the World War I killing fields of France, to a contemporary life in Reno, with a Feckless heroine, survivor of the horrendous genocide in Rwanda, now a single parent of a son, a casino security guard, a gambling addict. Yet even as she tries to ascend her past trauma and present difficulties, something from her past, a supreme predator, stalks her through those who surround her.
March 13, 2022
Pretty good read. If it wasn't for the fact that the first few chapters confused me a bit causing me a bit of trouble understanding exactly what was going on, this would have been a five-star rating. It was also less gory than I thought it was going to be. I honestly was thinking it would be a lot more blood and gore killing going on. Other than that, it kept me intrigued until the end. Totally unexpected ending than what I had been imagining which doesn't happen very often. Very pleasant surprise. Well written and descriptive. I could imagine the characters in my mind's eye which I love being able to do when I read a book. I am definitely going to check this author's other books out.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review**
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review**
February 28, 2022
Darryl: "It's not paranoia if it's true". Truer words were never spoken.
Timothy Bryan has done it again. Last year I read, The Huntsman of Corvinus last year and really enjoyed it. So, when I saw this was up for an ARC I knew I had to check it out and I was not disappointed.
Kalisa Kinigi is a refugee from a genocide in her home country of Rwanda. Surviving by hiding in a hidden cellar as she watched her mother and brother slaughtered. She survives and lands in Reno, Nevada of all places. She is a security guard at a local casino. She is also a gambling addict, a drunk and a single mom. She trying to rebuild her life after her horrific childhood, unfortunately she's failing, miserably. She is currently split from her husband, after she had an affair with a cop.
Something is amiss in her little neck of the woods. People around her start disappearing, which is starting to make her paranoid, especially after she discovers she's being followed. Her lover, her teenage neighbor, a co-worker, and a tourist where she works. A savage creature is stalking her. Kalisa starts to investigate and enlists her estranged father to help her. They decide to leave town for a few days in the hopes that she can defeat the evil once and for all. Kalisa must mend her relationships and overcome her past to save her future.
I really enjoyed this story. Sad and yet exciting, Timothy Bryan writes in a way where you can't wait to turn the page to see what happens next. The story starts out slow but as you get to the climax of the story, all hell breaks loose. The only issue I had was the first chapter. I was a little confused as to how it connects with the rest of the story but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Timothy Bryan has done it again. Last year I read, The Huntsman of Corvinus last year and really enjoyed it. So, when I saw this was up for an ARC I knew I had to check it out and I was not disappointed.
Kalisa Kinigi is a refugee from a genocide in her home country of Rwanda. Surviving by hiding in a hidden cellar as she watched her mother and brother slaughtered. She survives and lands in Reno, Nevada of all places. She is a security guard at a local casino. She is also a gambling addict, a drunk and a single mom. She trying to rebuild her life after her horrific childhood, unfortunately she's failing, miserably. She is currently split from her husband, after she had an affair with a cop.
Something is amiss in her little neck of the woods. People around her start disappearing, which is starting to make her paranoid, especially after she discovers she's being followed. Her lover, her teenage neighbor, a co-worker, and a tourist where she works. A savage creature is stalking her. Kalisa starts to investigate and enlists her estranged father to help her. They decide to leave town for a few days in the hopes that she can defeat the evil once and for all. Kalisa must mend her relationships and overcome her past to save her future.
I really enjoyed this story. Sad and yet exciting, Timothy Bryan writes in a way where you can't wait to turn the page to see what happens next. The story starts out slow but as you get to the climax of the story, all hell breaks loose. The only issue I had was the first chapter. I was a little confused as to how it connects with the rest of the story but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
March 21, 2022
Despicable is wonderfully creative, unique, and creepy as hell. I was hooked from the very beginning until the twist at the end which I did not see coming. Wow. Kalisa witnessed a horrible event that wounded her and killed her mother and brother but who knew that the past would be relevant to her future. People around Kalisa come up missing and everything seems to center around her and know she fears for her and her son's life. Timothy Bryan again surprises me with a unique view of horror with an intense creep factor. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to horror fans. Jonathan Waters did a phenomenal job as narrator with his voices he brought the characters and story to life. This is my honest unbiased review that I will stand by and I am voluntarily leaving of my own volition.
March 17, 2022
I enjoyed Timothy Bryan's 'Dispicable'. It had lots of thrilling moments, reaching out and grabbing you to get you to pay attention to what's next. It was getting to learn your new friend. Kalisa had been through trama when she was young in Rowanda, being estranged from her father and her marriage was falling apart. Now what or who is the monster that seems to be walking in her footsteps and people are disappearing.
I would read more of this Authors books and I would recommend this book to friends.
I received this book as an ARC from the Author.
I would read more of this Authors books and I would recommend this book to friends.
I received this book as an ARC from the Author.
July 18, 2022
audibel:This was a really good story! A monster is drawn to savagery for decades.When people start disappearing in Calisas life she has no idea why. I found the ending way too short.There needs to be more to this story.Jonathan Waters was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 21, 2022
Genocide
This was a riveting tale the sadness of her family's loss when she was young in her home country then the creatures that seem to have followed will they make it out
This was a riveting tale the sadness of her family's loss when she was young in her home country then the creatures that seem to have followed will they make it out
March 25, 2022
Alluring and mysterious! I listened to the audiobook.
Despicable is another captivating story by Timothy Bryan. As I listened to the audiobook, superbly read by Jonathan Waters, I was immediately captivated by the main character, Kalisa—a refugee from a genocide, located in the country Rwanda. Her childhood backstory instantly tore at my heart. Not wanting to give away too much of the story, Kalisa finds herself relocating to Reno, where she is a security guard at a casino. With a gambling addiction and a bit of a drinking problem, she is struggling to raise her child, after her husband leaves her due to her unfaithfulness.
As the story builds and starts to unfold, more interesting characters are introduced, leaving you wondering where this is heading. But then… it takes a complete turn. Now there are supernatural creatures (YAY!) involved, and they are savagely killing people who all seem to be involved in Kalisa’s life. To find out what happens, and believe me, it becomes a mystery with intense scenes that will leave you on edge, you’ll have to get the audiobook for yourself. If you enjoy a great thriller with mystery and horror or plain good writing, this is definitely one you won’t regret.
Despicable is another captivating story by Timothy Bryan. As I listened to the audiobook, superbly read by Jonathan Waters, I was immediately captivated by the main character, Kalisa—a refugee from a genocide, located in the country Rwanda. Her childhood backstory instantly tore at my heart. Not wanting to give away too much of the story, Kalisa finds herself relocating to Reno, where she is a security guard at a casino. With a gambling addiction and a bit of a drinking problem, she is struggling to raise her child, after her husband leaves her due to her unfaithfulness.
As the story builds and starts to unfold, more interesting characters are introduced, leaving you wondering where this is heading. But then… it takes a complete turn. Now there are supernatural creatures (YAY!) involved, and they are savagely killing people who all seem to be involved in Kalisa’s life. To find out what happens, and believe me, it becomes a mystery with intense scenes that will leave you on edge, you’ll have to get the audiobook for yourself. If you enjoy a great thriller with mystery and horror or plain good writing, this is definitely one you won’t regret.
January 14, 2026
If you have read one of this blokes book then you have read them all! They all have EXACTLY the same premise/setup/characters etc. It is beyond a joke, he uses old ideas from other books (fair enough), and then churns out the same drivel over and over.
I have read this, Chindi and Their Cold Fingers, I can't speak for his other books as I got so bored of the exact same story half way through Despicable I deleted it off my Kindle
I can't beleive his publisher would put up with the same story over and over, yeah it is in a different setting/time period, but it is EXACTLY the same over all 3 books.
Oh and the amount of spelling mistakes! (not the American spelling, we are used to that pathetic nonsense in the rest of the world), but the actual spelling and grammar mistakes were terrible!
I have read this, Chindi and Their Cold Fingers, I can't speak for his other books as I got so bored of the exact same story half way through Despicable I deleted it off my Kindle
I can't beleive his publisher would put up with the same story over and over, yeah it is in a different setting/time period, but it is EXACTLY the same over all 3 books.
Oh and the amount of spelling mistakes! (not the American spelling, we are used to that pathetic nonsense in the rest of the world), but the actual spelling and grammar mistakes were terrible!
May 18, 2022
💙🤔😰Mysterious and surprising.
France 1916:
On the war front, the dead are numerous, the fighting is raging.
Nevada today:
Kalisa Kinigi plays in a casino. She is addicted to gambling and will lose, once again...
--------------
I confess to not having understood very well the beginning of the novel, chapter one.
Then, we follow the story of Kalisa who suffered the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide in her childhood.
The novel then becomes very mysterious.
It's a quick and surprising read.
To discover.
France 1916:
On the war front, the dead are numerous, the fighting is raging.
Nevada today:
Kalisa Kinigi plays in a casino. She is addicted to gambling and will lose, once again...
--------------
I confess to not having understood very well the beginning of the novel, chapter one.
Then, we follow the story of Kalisa who suffered the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide in her childhood.
The novel then becomes very mysterious.
It's a quick and surprising read.
To discover.
March 16, 2022
Great storyline, fast paced and great character development. Kalisa was a very relatable character and the author did a great job depicting the lasting effects of surviving genocide. The twist at the ending was a surprise as well which I love. Overall, a quick great read for thriller/horror lovers. I received an advanced readers copy of this novel from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2022
Thriller that is listed as horror, but didn't seam exceptionally gorry. This had a good middle, but the beginning and end didn't really start and finish, for me. The words described very deep feelings and thoughts. Overall it was good, but kind of wish there was more actual plot. Thank you Timothy Bryan for a good read!
February 28, 2022
This is a well written and engaging novel. I found it a little slow and disjointed to start but it did pick up and is worth persevering with. An enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2022
The Creep Factor Grows Exponentially
I just finished this book and it's amazing. It's very original, plucks at the heartstrings, and is heart-in-the-throat scary!
I've never read fiction that related to the Rwandan genocide. Timothy Bryan adeptly brought an additional element to his story that incorporated the PTSD of a massacre survivor with a real world threat. It worked well and kept me guessing until the explosive climax.
Thank you to the author and to Hidden Gems for the free gift of an advance reader's copy of the book. I'm freely gifting them with this review, not out of obligation, but because it's an excellent read.
I just finished this book and it's amazing. It's very original, plucks at the heartstrings, and is heart-in-the-throat scary!
I've never read fiction that related to the Rwandan genocide. Timothy Bryan adeptly brought an additional element to his story that incorporated the PTSD of a massacre survivor with a real world threat. It worked well and kept me guessing until the explosive climax.
Thank you to the author and to Hidden Gems for the free gift of an advance reader's copy of the book. I'm freely gifting them with this review, not out of obligation, but because it's an excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews