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Black Rock
We all possess secrets. We lock them away. We bury them into the deep recesses of our mind. We go about our day and pretend they aren't there.
That's exactly what Thomas Loggins was doing. Going about his days. The head pastor of a small church in a small town. A family man, with a loving wife and a wonderful daughter.
Until one day, that all changed. It began as a typical meeting with a new member of the congregation. But Thomas soon realized this was anything but typical. This man knew things. Things that nobody should know. And he was making impossible demands.
Thomas’s simple life in the quaint town of Black Rock crashes into life or death when the stranger utters, "I know your secrets, pastor, and it’s time to pay the price…"
That's exactly what Thomas Loggins was doing. Going about his days. The head pastor of a small church in a small town. A family man, with a loving wife and a wonderful daughter.
Until one day, that all changed. It began as a typical meeting with a new member of the congregation. But Thomas soon realized this was anything but typical. This man knew things. Things that nobody should know. And he was making impossible demands.
Thomas’s simple life in the quaint town of Black Rock crashes into life or death when the stranger utters, "I know your secrets, pastor, and it’s time to pay the price…"
- GenresHorrorSupernatural
229 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2022
72 people are currently reading
2176 people want to read
About the author
David Odle
4 books33 followersI discovered my love for writing at the age of thirteen after reading a little gem called Cujo. I engulfed it and from that point on, reading became my passion. At the same time, I started to dabble in writing short stories, often spending great swaths of time alone at my desk writing as fast as my newly-learned cursive would allow.
I wrote a plethora of stories while growing up in Warren County, Indiana. Some scary, some not. Most of the time trying to sound just like Stephen King, or Edgar Allen Poe, or Richard Matheson. One thing I knew for sure - I'd found my love. My Passion. My dark-skinned brunette from across the room offering the blue pill to see how far down the rabbit hole goes.
Maybe that's a little over-dramatic.
But after seven years in the military and over twelve years as an IT consultant living in Austin, Texas, I now reside right back in Indiana with my wife and five children where I'm currently finalizing my next novel.
This little hobby of mine never died. I hope you enjoy my stories and I hope we get a chance to meet someday. We can discuss the land of make-believe.
Take care, my reader. There's more to come.
I wrote a plethora of stories while growing up in Warren County, Indiana. Some scary, some not. Most of the time trying to sound just like Stephen King, or Edgar Allen Poe, or Richard Matheson. One thing I knew for sure - I'd found my love. My Passion. My dark-skinned brunette from across the room offering the blue pill to see how far down the rabbit hole goes.
Maybe that's a little over-dramatic.
But after seven years in the military and over twelve years as an IT consultant living in Austin, Texas, I now reside right back in Indiana with my wife and five children where I'm currently finalizing my next novel.
This little hobby of mine never died. I hope you enjoy my stories and I hope we get a chance to meet someday. We can discuss the land of make-believe.
Take care, my reader. There's more to come.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 19, 2022
I read this via an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Book Review Team. The fact that it was free has not affected this honest review.
The story starts in a classic fashion for this sort of tale - a family en route to somewhere else turns off the road to find a toilet and anything that might ease their journey on a dark and lonely night. The scene is filled with foreboding, and sets the stage nicely for what comes next.
A curious fellow called Benjamin Clark is threatening the town's Pastor Thomas Loggins - he knows a secret from Loggins' past, and will reveal it unless the Pastor pays a terrible price. Thing is, Clark has done this before. More than once. Going back many years...
Some don't agree with my theory that writing talent is something you need to be born with - you can hone it, develop it or ignore it, but if the talent is not innate, you will have a hard time delivering a story in such a way that makes people want to keep turning the pages. Which is what it's all about. David Odle certainly has this talent - the suspense worked so well, and I was totally invested in the story. Just two aspects let it down, for me, was that it wasn't very well edited. I felt it could have done with another draft or two, and a more eagle-eyed proofreader. The other disappointment was the lack of resolution about Benjamin. It's hard to explain this without giving the plot away, but I needed to know more about his history and motivation than I was told.
All in all, though, it's a good book, and I'd recommend it for the storytelling quality alone.
The story starts in a classic fashion for this sort of tale - a family en route to somewhere else turns off the road to find a toilet and anything that might ease their journey on a dark and lonely night. The scene is filled with foreboding, and sets the stage nicely for what comes next.
A curious fellow called Benjamin Clark is threatening the town's Pastor Thomas Loggins - he knows a secret from Loggins' past, and will reveal it unless the Pastor pays a terrible price. Thing is, Clark has done this before. More than once. Going back many years...
Some don't agree with my theory that writing talent is something you need to be born with - you can hone it, develop it or ignore it, but if the talent is not innate, you will have a hard time delivering a story in such a way that makes people want to keep turning the pages. Which is what it's all about. David Odle certainly has this talent - the suspense worked so well, and I was totally invested in the story. Just two aspects let it down, for me, was that it wasn't very well edited. I felt it could have done with another draft or two, and a more eagle-eyed proofreader. The other disappointment was the lack of resolution about Benjamin. It's hard to explain this without giving the plot away, but I needed to know more about his history and motivation than I was told.
All in all, though, it's a good book, and I'd recommend it for the storytelling quality alone.
May 31, 2022
I have been leaping from one genre to another in my reading choices recently having gone from science fiction to clean romance and now onto horror.
I chose to read Black Rock as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author but this does not change my review in any way.
Black Rock launches you into the action right from the start with a family on a road trip needing to find a rest area and unfortunately choosing the small town of Black Rock. One Officer Jack Snider is introduced at this point. Fifteen years later he is Sheriff Jack Snider and as the story starts to unfold, he slowly realises the events of fifteen years before are starting to repeat themselves.
Pastor Thomas Loggins meets with Benjamin Clark believing him to be someone in need of spiritual help but is left not knowing what Benjamin is, or how he knows the things he does. Thomas is also given a terrible decision to make. A decision that someone in the town has had to make before.
Black Rock is atmospheric, gripping and very well written. It also has terrifically well-drawn characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and highly recommend it to all who like the darker stuff and don’t mind a bit of gore.
I chose to read Black Rock as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author but this does not change my review in any way.
Black Rock launches you into the action right from the start with a family on a road trip needing to find a rest area and unfortunately choosing the small town of Black Rock. One Officer Jack Snider is introduced at this point. Fifteen years later he is Sheriff Jack Snider and as the story starts to unfold, he slowly realises the events of fifteen years before are starting to repeat themselves.
Pastor Thomas Loggins meets with Benjamin Clark believing him to be someone in need of spiritual help but is left not knowing what Benjamin is, or how he knows the things he does. Thomas is also given a terrible decision to make. A decision that someone in the town has had to make before.
Black Rock is atmospheric, gripping and very well written. It also has terrifically well-drawn characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and highly recommend it to all who like the darker stuff and don’t mind a bit of gore.
July 7, 2022
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
This book has it all. Thrills, suspense, mystery, horror and a touch of the paranormal all rolled into one. I will definitely read more of David Odle's books!
This book has it all. Thrills, suspense, mystery, horror and a touch of the paranormal all rolled into one. I will definitely read more of David Odle's books!
March 13, 2022
Overall Rating = 4.58
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 3.75
Thomas Loggins wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and teenage daughter as a pastor in a small Indiana town. But a secret from his past is unearthed by a mysterious man, Benjamin Clark, who demands that Thomas make an impossible choice. Clark burns a trail of terror and death through the town of Black Rock in his misguided effort to seek absolution.
David Odle has, once again, written a brilliant horror novel with a touch of the supernatural. He has a talent for finding the perfect balance of heart-pounding thriller, suspense, horror, and paranormal. Black Rock has it all. The reader is drawn into the thoughts and emotions of the characters to the point where it’s impossible to turn away. We need to know what will happen next. Even the unrealistic is believable in the hands of this author. Because the horror aspect is not over the top, this novel would appeal to those who normally shy away from the genre yet love a good mystery or thriller. But, when you finally close the book and turn off the light, you will pull the covers a little tighter. A highly recommended read. Hopefully, a sequel is in the works.
Sublime Line: “Black Rock is another fantastic novel from David Odle, making this a must-read for horror, thriller, suspense, and paranormal readers alike.”
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 3.75
Thomas Loggins wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and teenage daughter as a pastor in a small Indiana town. But a secret from his past is unearthed by a mysterious man, Benjamin Clark, who demands that Thomas make an impossible choice. Clark burns a trail of terror and death through the town of Black Rock in his misguided effort to seek absolution.
David Odle has, once again, written a brilliant horror novel with a touch of the supernatural. He has a talent for finding the perfect balance of heart-pounding thriller, suspense, horror, and paranormal. Black Rock has it all. The reader is drawn into the thoughts and emotions of the characters to the point where it’s impossible to turn away. We need to know what will happen next. Even the unrealistic is believable in the hands of this author. Because the horror aspect is not over the top, this novel would appeal to those who normally shy away from the genre yet love a good mystery or thriller. But, when you finally close the book and turn off the light, you will pull the covers a little tighter. A highly recommended read. Hopefully, a sequel is in the works.
Sublime Line: “Black Rock is another fantastic novel from David Odle, making this a must-read for horror, thriller, suspense, and paranormal readers alike.”
February 10, 2024
Boring. Way too preachy and ultra-christian BS. I thought it would be a good thriller sort of read, but after about 4 chapters, I began to think if you had half a brain you wouldn't bother to finish. I have more than half a brain, so I followed my own thoughts and quit. The story really demands you have the ultra conservative bible belt sort of ignorance and blind faith that makes the entire god fantasy your particular reality. My problem with that sort of nonsense is that people who can think their way through a problem never seem to get bogged down in the ultra denial concept that "god" exists. Nope."god" is a theory. "god" is a construct. "god" is not something or someone other than a belief system of delusion.
This book is preachy, determined to shove religion down the throat of anyone gullible enough to keep reading after a few chapters. If it did have a conclusion that made sense, I couldn't find it.
The characters are poorly drawn, the story improbable and the setting just rural and hokey.
From the point of view of an unknown story teller, it is off putting and illogical.
The other issue I had with this work is there are just some awful misspellings, typos, poor grammar (unrelated to the hillbilly-type of dialect used) and the run on sentences might cause you to go blind trying to sort words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into chapters. It is just difficult to try to be your own editor and a reader of content at the same time. It could have used the talents of a really proficient proof reader and a publisher who is adept at chopping down the verbiage into comprehensive text and eliminating the word count overflow.
I am a person of science and medicine. I refect the fantastical and the unlikely concept that there is a divinity of any sort, so I had to quit reading this and move on to something realistic and entertaining.
BLACK ROCK is not for anyone who doesn't adore the entire christian or nothing concept. There's nothing here for the literary bent.
Not recommended.
This book is preachy, determined to shove religion down the throat of anyone gullible enough to keep reading after a few chapters. If it did have a conclusion that made sense, I couldn't find it.
The characters are poorly drawn, the story improbable and the setting just rural and hokey.
From the point of view of an unknown story teller, it is off putting and illogical.
The other issue I had with this work is there are just some awful misspellings, typos, poor grammar (unrelated to the hillbilly-type of dialect used) and the run on sentences might cause you to go blind trying to sort words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into chapters. It is just difficult to try to be your own editor and a reader of content at the same time. It could have used the talents of a really proficient proof reader and a publisher who is adept at chopping down the verbiage into comprehensive text and eliminating the word count overflow.
I am a person of science and medicine. I refect the fantastical and the unlikely concept that there is a divinity of any sort, so I had to quit reading this and move on to something realistic and entertaining.
BLACK ROCK is not for anyone who doesn't adore the entire christian or nothing concept. There's nothing here for the literary bent.
Not recommended.
August 14, 2023
I want to rate this one higher. I enjoyed the novel overall, and liked the author's writing style. The premise of it was intriguing and unique, and I was eager to see how it all unfolded.
However, two things stop me from giving this a higher rating:
1) The main character is a rapist. That, in itself, is not the issue- two of my favorite books, Clockwork Orange and American Psycho, have main characters that are obviously less than savory. I don't necessarily need a main character that is right and good and someone I can empathize with.
The issue lies in the fact that he never takes accountability or expresses remorse. The wrong of what he's done is all focused on him and how it affected his life. There's a myriad of excuses and never any responsibility. This holds true through the end where he seems to he supposedly redeemed. He's not even redeemed through his own actions, but the actions of another. Big yikes.
2) The second issue I had is that I wanted to know more about the antagonist. I don't always need to know every minute detail of everything, and sometimes mystery and vagueness is very effective. In this case, however, many hints are dropped about Benjamin's past and why he's focused on rapists in particular. It's clear that it connects back to Black Rock's history in some way, but never made obvious what that exact connection is. I feel like knowing this would have fleshed things out more.
Despite these two flaws, I did enjoy this in general and would be willing to give this author another chance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
However, two things stop me from giving this a higher rating:
1) The main character is a rapist. That, in itself, is not the issue- two of my favorite books, Clockwork Orange and American Psycho, have main characters that are obviously less than savory. I don't necessarily need a main character that is right and good and someone I can empathize with.
The issue lies in the fact that he never takes accountability or expresses remorse. The wrong of what he's done is all focused on him and how it affected his life. There's a myriad of excuses and never any responsibility. This holds true through the end where he seems to he supposedly redeemed. He's not even redeemed through his own actions, but the actions of another. Big yikes.
2) The second issue I had is that I wanted to know more about the antagonist. I don't always need to know every minute detail of everything, and sometimes mystery and vagueness is very effective. In this case, however, many hints are dropped about Benjamin's past and why he's focused on rapists in particular. It's clear that it connects back to Black Rock's history in some way, but never made obvious what that exact connection is. I feel like knowing this would have fleshed things out more.
Despite these two flaws, I did enjoy this in general and would be willing to give this author another chance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 30, 2022Do you have a secret that yo never told anyone? Pastor Thomas Loggins has a wife and daughter that he loves very much. One day he gets a phone calls asking for an appointment to see the pastor. The pastor is meeting with a potential new member of his church for breakfast. When he meets the stranger, they chat amicably then the “stranger” gives him information about a secret no one knows not even his wife. E tells Pastor Thomas that it’s time to pay up—to choose himself or his daughter — if he doesn’t want to die. He gives him a week decide. He leaves the restaurant. Thomas is crying but doesn’t realize it. His waitress asks him f he is okay.
The horror novel is dark. It has rage and violence. There are surprises. In joyed this novel as I am a fan of horror. I was amazed by what happened and didn’t happen. It’s a story you might want to read during daylight. I will be checking out his other novels and future novels. This novel is a refreshing horror story.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions are strictly my own.
The horror novel is dark. It has rage and violence. There are surprises. In joyed this novel as I am a fan of horror. I was amazed by what happened and didn’t happen. It’s a story you might want to read during daylight. I will be checking out his other novels and future novels. This novel is a refreshing horror story.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions are strictly my own.
April 16, 2022
No one is without sin. All of us have hurt others during our lifetime and most of us feel remorse for the hurt we’ve caused. Remorse isn’t enough if you’re unlucky enough to live in Black Rock. A strange man may call on you and tell you that it is time to pay. This man, Benjamin or Michael or whatever he calls himself today is in Black Rock to give you absolution,….at a price. You must make an impossible, unbelievable and deadly choice. You have a few days to ponder your choice. Pastor Thomas is given this choice and decides to must be a way to fight back. Take this scenario, add in a pack of mad dogs and you have Hell in Black Rock.
This book starts like a horrific scream and shudders all the way through to the end. Excellent storytelling and characterization with some foreshadowing that made me want to reach into the pages and warn one character in particular. Note to travelers: don’t turn off at Black Rock. Beware of dogs. Just keep,driving.
Thank you #netgalley and #BlackRoseWriting for the #BlackRock ARC.
This book starts like a horrific scream and shudders all the way through to the end. Excellent storytelling and characterization with some foreshadowing that made me want to reach into the pages and warn one character in particular. Note to travelers: don’t turn off at Black Rock. Beware of dogs. Just keep,driving.
Thank you #netgalley and #BlackRoseWriting for the #BlackRock ARC.
May 3, 2022
This book is the third I have read from this author, and I think it may be my favorite. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like the way the story was told as it seemed to jump back and forth in time, but by chapter two I was hooked, and this book became my guilty pleasure after the kids had gone to bed. The toughest part was putting the book down at night as I knew I had to get up early for work. I really enjoyed the fact that I couldn’t tell where the story was going to lead me and found it quite refreshing. The way the book closes really brought the style and ending together in a way that brought the earlier time jumps one of best parts of the book and brought it full circle. I think this book was a great read and hard to put down as wanted to know what was going to happen next. It really built up as the story progresses and at the end gives a sense of closure with hopefully a hint of more to come.
December 21, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
Thomas Loggins, a small-town pastor, is a family man, with a loving wife and daughter. But all that changes after he meets new congregate Benjamin Clark. He knows a terrible secret from Thomas' past. Now Thomas has to choose between saving himself or his daughter...
This book was not for me. I had a hard time finishing it. I found the protagonists to be unlikeable. To the point that I found myself actively rooting for the antagonist.
Thomas Loggins, a small-town pastor, is a family man, with a loving wife and daughter. But all that changes after he meets new congregate Benjamin Clark. He knows a terrible secret from Thomas' past. Now Thomas has to choose between saving himself or his daughter...
This book was not for me. I had a hard time finishing it. I found the protagonists to be unlikeable. To the point that I found myself actively rooting for the antagonist.
May 10, 2025
This was weird and wasn't for me. I really don't feel like I "got it" like other readers who gave it high marks. I'm just creeped out and very confused. Plus the tones of this book were just interesting. Check for triggers before reading.
Moving on...
Reading Challenge 2025
May: Color in Title
Moving on...
Reading Challenge 2025
May: Color in Title
April 9, 2022
I usually only leave a star rating for books but I thoroughly enjoyed my journey so much that I had to leave a review. Great storytelling and I read the book in pretty much one sitting. I will keeping my eyes and ears out for any new books
May 10, 2022
Very entertaining!
The storyline is unique and well told but I really wish we had more information on what Benjamin/Michael really was and how he knew the things he did. I do recommend this book to fans of horror and thrillers.
The storyline is unique and well told but I really wish we had more information on what Benjamin/Michael really was and how he knew the things he did. I do recommend this book to fans of horror and thrillers.
January 12, 2023
Black Rock
This story caught my interest from start to finish. No hokey, made up, ending just to wrap things up. This one was good and left an opening for another story. Very well written. Like the author’s style.
This story caught my interest from start to finish. No hokey, made up, ending just to wrap things up. This one was good and left an opening for another story. Very well written. Like the author’s style.
January 22, 2023
Intense
Interesting book. For the most part I enjoyed it, and read it in about three hours. The story builds and gets more involved the deeper you get into it. I would read more by this author.
Interesting book. For the most part I enjoyed it, and read it in about three hours. The story builds and gets more involved the deeper you get into it. I would read more by this author.
April 30, 2022
Really enjoyed this book!
May 2, 2022
Wow!
That was slick! From the beginning to the end was a ride. The plot was fantastic. I haven't read anything by this author before but I'll keep an eye out for more from him.
That was slick! From the beginning to the end was a ride. The plot was fantastic. I haven't read anything by this author before but I'll keep an eye out for more from him.
May 28, 2022
riveting
I loved this book. I could not put it down and then I hated when it was over. The author’s work reminds me of Stephen King’s. Great storyline .
I loved this book. I could not put it down and then I hated when it was over. The author’s work reminds me of Stephen King’s. Great storyline .
July 6, 2022
Interesting read
I liked the story line and the plot. Characters are well developed. Occasionally the shift between characters was a little awkward. Overall a book worth reading.
I liked the story line and the plot. Characters are well developed. Occasionally the shift between characters was a little awkward. Overall a book worth reading.
September 9, 2022
Intriguing!
Interesting storyline with a cast of very interesting characters. You will get sucked in and won’t want to stop reading.
Interesting storyline with a cast of very interesting characters. You will get sucked in and won’t want to stop reading.
November 5, 2022
Hints of Stephen King
After getting a few chapters in, it reminded me of Stephen King stories. That inner dialogue that twists around the soul.
After getting a few chapters in, it reminded me of Stephen King stories. That inner dialogue that twists around the soul.
July 24, 2023
What a ride!
Unlike some books that drone on and on, this one grips you by the throat (and other places) and won't let go until the last page. Every one should be this good!
Unlike some books that drone on and on, this one grips you by the throat (and other places) and won't let go until the last page. Every one should be this good!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews