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Enter the Dark: A Stunning, Fast-Paced Thriller
“Hurtle[s] full speed into the eye-opening world of the deep/dark web . . . Stomach clenchingly gruesome, Enter the Dark is a modern chiller thriller.” —The Book MagnetAn anonymous website, a few clicks, and Joe Henderson’s life is changed forever.The Red Room is the only place where the failings of a weak justice system are righted and where the line between good and evil becomes blurred. When the lights go up, viewers bid, criminals are punished, and the Brotherhood of the Righteous broadcasts a show like no other.The room has remained hidden until now, when a video arrives in the inbox of the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit. But outclassed, outplayed, and torn apart by corruption, is there anything Detective Pete Harris and his team can do except watch?Their only lead may be the room’s latest bidder, Joe Henderson. Because when Joe found the Red Room, it found him too, and now the Brotherhood are watching through the wires, willing to do wrong for a righteous cause.As they pull Joe deeper into the dark web, will he find any mercy or a way out? And could he be the Red Room’s next volunteer?“This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before and it’s absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant! It is genius, unique, highly original and incredibly captivating! . . . This is a brilliantly executed plot which had me glued to the pages throughout. Utterly gripping, compelling and absorbing.” —Novel Deelights
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2017
131 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 26, 2017
I will just start by telling you how much I loved this book. I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Right from the very first page I knew that I was really going to enjoy this novel and I wasn’t wrong.
The Red Room is somewhere that you hope to goodness you never find yourself. If you do, it’s going to be painful and you certainly have no hope of ever coming out of there alive. To a certain extent to start with I actually liked the logic behind the brotherhood and what they were doing. As a reader it certainly thrilled me but as a human being the further I got into it I wasn’t so sure whether I truly agreed with what they were doing, but to be honest who cares as this is fiction, which meant I could enjoy every moment for what it was.
The story reminded me slightly of The Running Man, apart from there is nothing that the prisoners can do to get out of the position that they find themselves. Don’t get me wrong, the crimes that these people have committed are truly horrible ones and in a way I didn’t want to read about what was happening to them but then on the other hand I did as I wanted to see them suffer. Obviously for the police, they can’t see people taking the law into their own hands so they need to find out who is behind it all and put a stop to it.
Enter The Dark is a brilliantly dark and disturbing read. It’s one that will have you well and truly hooked from beginning to end. It has quite a futuristic feel to it though it is very much set in the here and now. Not quite sure if there is going to be a follow up to this book as there easily could be. I’m really hoping there is as detective Pete Harris is someone that I would like to see again. Brilliant book and highly recommended.
Right from the very first page I knew that I was really going to enjoy this novel and I wasn’t wrong.
The Red Room is somewhere that you hope to goodness you never find yourself. If you do, it’s going to be painful and you certainly have no hope of ever coming out of there alive. To a certain extent to start with I actually liked the logic behind the brotherhood and what they were doing. As a reader it certainly thrilled me but as a human being the further I got into it I wasn’t so sure whether I truly agreed with what they were doing, but to be honest who cares as this is fiction, which meant I could enjoy every moment for what it was.
The story reminded me slightly of The Running Man, apart from there is nothing that the prisoners can do to get out of the position that they find themselves. Don’t get me wrong, the crimes that these people have committed are truly horrible ones and in a way I didn’t want to read about what was happening to them but then on the other hand I did as I wanted to see them suffer. Obviously for the police, they can’t see people taking the law into their own hands so they need to find out who is behind it all and put a stop to it.
Enter The Dark is a brilliantly dark and disturbing read. It’s one that will have you well and truly hooked from beginning to end. It has quite a futuristic feel to it though it is very much set in the here and now. Not quite sure if there is going to be a follow up to this book as there easily could be. I’m really hoping there is as detective Pete Harris is someone that I would like to see again. Brilliant book and highly recommended.
July 1, 2017
Bloody hell! Wait, let me do that again. BLOODY HELL!!!!!!
This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before and it’s absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant! It is genius, unique, highly original and incredibly captivating! I can’t find the words to describe the awesomeness here, people, but I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Enter the Dark as soon as you possibly can!
When Joe is introduced to a whole different side of the internet by his friend, Billy, he has no idea what he’s getting himself in for. For the web is dark and full of terrors. Never thought I’d be able to use an almost exact quote from Game of Thrones in a book review. Thank you Melisandre!
Anyway!
In the dark corners of the dark web lurks the Brotherhood of the Righteous who have turned punishing criminals, who they feel have gotten off too lightly, into a freaky quiz show. I should probably warn you that this is not for the faint-hearted reader. This Brotherhood is the cruelest of the cruel and some scenes are quite disturbing and stomach-churning. Yet, it’s also immensely thought-provoking as you ponder who the bad guys really are. In case you wondered, I loved every second of this super intense ride!
There are multiple threads, one of which I failed to see the significance of until the reveal near the end, which was fabulously done! This is a brilliantly executed plot which had me glued to the pages throughout. Utterly gripping, compelling and absorbing. I don’t really know how Chris Thomas will be able to beat this one (no pressure!) but I’ll be first in line to find out!
This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before and it’s absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant! It is genius, unique, highly original and incredibly captivating! I can’t find the words to describe the awesomeness here, people, but I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Enter the Dark as soon as you possibly can!
When Joe is introduced to a whole different side of the internet by his friend, Billy, he has no idea what he’s getting himself in for. For the web is dark and full of terrors. Never thought I’d be able to use an almost exact quote from Game of Thrones in a book review. Thank you Melisandre!
Anyway!
In the dark corners of the dark web lurks the Brotherhood of the Righteous who have turned punishing criminals, who they feel have gotten off too lightly, into a freaky quiz show. I should probably warn you that this is not for the faint-hearted reader. This Brotherhood is the cruelest of the cruel and some scenes are quite disturbing and stomach-churning. Yet, it’s also immensely thought-provoking as you ponder who the bad guys really are. In case you wondered, I loved every second of this super intense ride!
There are multiple threads, one of which I failed to see the significance of until the reveal near the end, which was fabulously done! This is a brilliantly executed plot which had me glued to the pages throughout. Utterly gripping, compelling and absorbing. I don’t really know how Chris Thomas will be able to beat this one (no pressure!) but I’ll be first in line to find out!
June 19, 2018
I’m a big fan of cyber crime type books so I was looking forward to reading Enter The Dark. Dealing with the seedier side of the internet, the dark web, and those that dwell there made it a promising read.
Imagine if you could decide how to punish people who have committed heinous crimes, and watch the punishment being meted out on a live stream. Well in Enter The Dark, The Brotherhood of The Righteous will let you, but for a price. With Bitcoin being an untraceable way to pay, these vigilantes will take your money in return for letting you watch people being tortured.
At times gruesome (it doesn’t bother me, but it can be graphic), Enter The Dark is a good addition to the cyber crime genre. It has some horrible characters, an interesting plot, and is quite current in terms of the technology used.
I enjoyed this one. A quick read, and a decent opener for a series, but possibly not for the faint of heart.
Recommended!
Imagine if you could decide how to punish people who have committed heinous crimes, and watch the punishment being meted out on a live stream. Well in Enter The Dark, The Brotherhood of The Righteous will let you, but for a price. With Bitcoin being an untraceable way to pay, these vigilantes will take your money in return for letting you watch people being tortured.
At times gruesome (it doesn’t bother me, but it can be graphic), Enter The Dark is a good addition to the cyber crime genre. It has some horrible characters, an interesting plot, and is quite current in terms of the technology used.
I enjoyed this one. A quick read, and a decent opener for a series, but possibly not for the faint of heart.
Recommended!
June 30, 2017
I made the mistake of thinking I would have a quick look at this book when I downloaded it one morning and just read the first half page before snapping it shut. I was so excited. This wasn’t a book for daytime but one for the night. It was show time!
When the justice system has become a mockery because it has it’s hands tied or if there is a slip up, some of the most vile people seem to get away with the most horrendous crimes and justice is simply not served. Well it wasn’t until now, but you could say there is a new sheriff in town, well a clown actually so if you have been bad you can try to hide but this spot light will find you but this clown won’t make you laugh.
Joe Henderson was curious, yep he had dabbled in the murky waters when his girlfriend thought he was just ‘surfing the net’ but this time was different, one click and he was in, well along with a few hundred quid as well for the privilege of course. It is one thing getting in but another thing getting out …………………
This is a frighteningly good read because I knew that while I am writing this review up my fingers, if not my bank balance, have the ability to access almost anything I want from anywhere in the world. Chris Thomas brings it all very much to life and made this story one that I wanted to read in the dark evening rather than day time, but I was unable to put it down so stayed up most of the night to complete it. There isn’t a lull, this is page after page of constant tension and edgy full on entertainment.
This book will play with your mind as to who are really the good guys and bad guys. I hope that there is more and that this can be made into a series. A brilliant new author to me that I want to get to know better
When the justice system has become a mockery because it has it’s hands tied or if there is a slip up, some of the most vile people seem to get away with the most horrendous crimes and justice is simply not served. Well it wasn’t until now, but you could say there is a new sheriff in town, well a clown actually so if you have been bad you can try to hide but this spot light will find you but this clown won’t make you laugh.
Joe Henderson was curious, yep he had dabbled in the murky waters when his girlfriend thought he was just ‘surfing the net’ but this time was different, one click and he was in, well along with a few hundred quid as well for the privilege of course. It is one thing getting in but another thing getting out …………………
This is a frighteningly good read because I knew that while I am writing this review up my fingers, if not my bank balance, have the ability to access almost anything I want from anywhere in the world. Chris Thomas brings it all very much to life and made this story one that I wanted to read in the dark evening rather than day time, but I was unable to put it down so stayed up most of the night to complete it. There isn’t a lull, this is page after page of constant tension and edgy full on entertainment.
This book will play with your mind as to who are really the good guys and bad guys. I hope that there is more and that this can be made into a series. A brilliant new author to me that I want to get to know better
July 4, 2017
My rating 5 out of 5 stars
This is the first book I have by Chris Thomas but not the first with the Deep/Dark Web as the storyline. Vigilantes, corruption, revenge… this book has it all. The reader is thrown straight into the ‘game’ that is the Red Room and so begins a rough ride through all the emotions a book can throw at you. This book has graphic violence so is probably not for the faint hearted but for those of us that love a real ‘no holds barred’ gory adrenaline pumping psychological thriller this book has it all definitely worth the 5 stars.
The Deep (or Dark) Web is the dark side of the internet where great steps are taken to ensure that all traces lead to nowhere it is where criminals do there worst in the belief they are untouchable.
Joe is just an every day Joe Bloggs looking for a bit of fun and excitement in his life when he is introduced to the Deep Web. What starts as curiosity grows into something much bigger, and more dangerous, than Joe is able to handle. Will he be able to escape the clutches of the organisers of The Red Room?
Pete Harris has just returned to his police duties after some time out recovering from an event that turned his world upside down. When a video of the Red Room is received by the police department it is all hands on deck to try to track down the people dishing out vigilante justice in the form of a game show where punishment is decided by the highest bidder.
It is a very gripping book that keeps you reading well into the night and causes you to wonder whose side you are on. In my head I have to admit that I don’t believe the punishment fits the crime in many cases but neither do I believe that inflicting violence as punishment for violence is right either. 2 wrongs can never make a right but I can relate to the characters in this book.
A very gripping and thought provoking read with many twists and turns and some really shocking curve balls thrown in to the mix. I am looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy.
This is the first book I have by Chris Thomas but not the first with the Deep/Dark Web as the storyline. Vigilantes, corruption, revenge… this book has it all. The reader is thrown straight into the ‘game’ that is the Red Room and so begins a rough ride through all the emotions a book can throw at you. This book has graphic violence so is probably not for the faint hearted but for those of us that love a real ‘no holds barred’ gory adrenaline pumping psychological thriller this book has it all definitely worth the 5 stars.
The Deep (or Dark) Web is the dark side of the internet where great steps are taken to ensure that all traces lead to nowhere it is where criminals do there worst in the belief they are untouchable.
Joe is just an every day Joe Bloggs looking for a bit of fun and excitement in his life when he is introduced to the Deep Web. What starts as curiosity grows into something much bigger, and more dangerous, than Joe is able to handle. Will he be able to escape the clutches of the organisers of The Red Room?
Pete Harris has just returned to his police duties after some time out recovering from an event that turned his world upside down. When a video of the Red Room is received by the police department it is all hands on deck to try to track down the people dishing out vigilante justice in the form of a game show where punishment is decided by the highest bidder.
It is a very gripping book that keeps you reading well into the night and causes you to wonder whose side you are on. In my head I have to admit that I don’t believe the punishment fits the crime in many cases but neither do I believe that inflicting violence as punishment for violence is right either. 2 wrongs can never make a right but I can relate to the characters in this book.
A very gripping and thought provoking read with many twists and turns and some really shocking curve balls thrown in to the mix. I am looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy.
July 3, 2017
Actual rating 4.5*
When I read the synopsis for Enter The Dark, I knew this was something I had to read. There was something that bit different about the story.
The underlying theme of the story is justice. The Brotherhood of the Righteous “right the wrongs” of the justice system. They punish those criminals they deem to have got off lightly in court but there’s the twist. They broadcast the whole thing on the web. Not your Joe Public internet – on the dark web, hidden from prying eyes and from the justice system itself. But someone wants to expose this group!
This book really captured my imagination! The whole concept is ingenious! Yes there have been books about vengeance and retribution but this one took it to a whole new level.
The author’s writing is brilliant. I wanted to read faster but also wanted to savour every page. It’s packed with twists and turns, right up to the last page! I hope there is more to come from this debut author if Enter The Dark is anything to go by!
Huge thanks to Bloodhound Books and Chris Thomas for my copy of Enter The Dark.
When I read the synopsis for Enter The Dark, I knew this was something I had to read. There was something that bit different about the story.
The underlying theme of the story is justice. The Brotherhood of the Righteous “right the wrongs” of the justice system. They punish those criminals they deem to have got off lightly in court but there’s the twist. They broadcast the whole thing on the web. Not your Joe Public internet – on the dark web, hidden from prying eyes and from the justice system itself. But someone wants to expose this group!
This book really captured my imagination! The whole concept is ingenious! Yes there have been books about vengeance and retribution but this one took it to a whole new level.
The author’s writing is brilliant. I wanted to read faster but also wanted to savour every page. It’s packed with twists and turns, right up to the last page! I hope there is more to come from this debut author if Enter The Dark is anything to go by!
Huge thanks to Bloodhound Books and Chris Thomas for my copy of Enter The Dark.
September 8, 2018
Brilliant. This was a deliciously dark English thriller about a group of pretty bad people calling themselves the Brotherhood of the Righteous, who kidnap and torture even worse people, who they feel have escaped sufficient justice, and broadcast this as entertainment live on the dark web. I don't normally like reading about cruelty and torture, but it turns out that when it's happening to evil scumbags, it's all good - I do have a weakness for vigilante storylines. This was another situation where I had received the next book in a series from NetGalley, then decided I needed to read them in order, and serendipitously heard that it was free. I had held off though, thinking it might be TOO dark for me, but luckily was nudged by the NG deadline to get on with it, so glad I did.
This starts by introducing a lot of characters, and it is initially unclear how they all connect, from the obnoxious Joe, who dives in to the sordid mysteries of the dark web in search of thrills, to the arrogant psychopath Saeed, who fathered children with an English girl just to stay in the country, where his business includes drugs and sex trafficking. DI Harris, a single father just returning to work in the cyber crimes unit, following the death of his pregnant wife, is charged with tracking down the brotherhood, but they are always one step ahead. And then there's Daisy, a teenage victim of Saeed's, trying to escape from drugs and prostitution, with everything stacked against her.
The beauty of this was the tension between wanting the police to succeed, but not actually wanting the brotherhood to stop, at least until all the worst baddies have been dealt with. It's pretty gruesome, and it was depressing to think that all this sordidness is going on out there. It's a fast read, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and was both satisfyingly wrapped up, but with enough for a sequel that I can't wait to read. I am also happy to report that there is no animal cruelty, and it's written in traditional third person past tense. 5 stars from me.
This starts by introducing a lot of characters, and it is initially unclear how they all connect, from the obnoxious Joe, who dives in to the sordid mysteries of the dark web in search of thrills, to the arrogant psychopath Saeed, who fathered children with an English girl just to stay in the country, where his business includes drugs and sex trafficking. DI Harris, a single father just returning to work in the cyber crimes unit, following the death of his pregnant wife, is charged with tracking down the brotherhood, but they are always one step ahead. And then there's Daisy, a teenage victim of Saeed's, trying to escape from drugs and prostitution, with everything stacked against her.
The beauty of this was the tension between wanting the police to succeed, but not actually wanting the brotherhood to stop, at least until all the worst baddies have been dealt with. It's pretty gruesome, and it was depressing to think that all this sordidness is going on out there. It's a fast read, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and was both satisfyingly wrapped up, but with enough for a sequel that I can't wait to read. I am also happy to report that there is no animal cruelty, and it's written in traditional third person past tense. 5 stars from me.
July 2, 2017
The Brothers of Righteousness put on a show in the deep recesses of the internet (the Dark Net), taking justice into their own hands in the Red Room. Those who have committed atrocious crimes with little punishment from our justice department, are put on display and retried for their crime. People anonymously bid on their punishment and inevitable death. Access, questions asked and form of punishment from anonymous bidders cost them quite a bit - bitcoins to be exact (over 600 pounds per one bitcoin in case you were wondering).
Pete Harris with the Metropolitan Cyber Crime Unit receives a video that puts him on the case to try and find this Red Room and stop the torture to the not so innocent victims. He enlists Joe for some help - a bystander who, introduced to the Dark Net for the first time, makes amateur moves putting him on the Brothers' wrong side and now he must decide which side to take as the Brothers are watching him at ALL times.
What a surprising book! With the opening of it taking us right into the Red Room and their first victim, I was hooked from the get go. The author takes us through multiple view points and builds a pretty messed up world. Completely plausible in this day and age with the only monsters being human ones, he saturates our minds with people's own justifications. Aren't all the decisions you make for a reason that makes sense to you ... and sometimes you alone? If our justice system doesn't punish those who deserve it to the fullest extent that they deserve, should we take that into our own hands? Some scenes may be a bit too squeamish for some readers - a bit of torture porn if you will, but luckily I'm not too much a squeamish person. Thomas even had me rooting for the Brothers of Righteousness and I was NOT expecting that final reveal. Nice work, Thomas, nice work.
Pete Harris with the Metropolitan Cyber Crime Unit receives a video that puts him on the case to try and find this Red Room and stop the torture to the not so innocent victims. He enlists Joe for some help - a bystander who, introduced to the Dark Net for the first time, makes amateur moves putting him on the Brothers' wrong side and now he must decide which side to take as the Brothers are watching him at ALL times.
What a surprising book! With the opening of it taking us right into the Red Room and their first victim, I was hooked from the get go. The author takes us through multiple view points and builds a pretty messed up world. Completely plausible in this day and age with the only monsters being human ones, he saturates our minds with people's own justifications. Aren't all the decisions you make for a reason that makes sense to you ... and sometimes you alone? If our justice system doesn't punish those who deserve it to the fullest extent that they deserve, should we take that into our own hands? Some scenes may be a bit too squeamish for some readers - a bit of torture porn if you will, but luckily I'm not too much a squeamish person. Thomas even had me rooting for the Brothers of Righteousness and I was NOT expecting that final reveal. Nice work, Thomas, nice work.
July 9, 2017
Another debut novelist from Bloodhound Books, and one who shows he has a flare for the dark, macabre and twisted. Chris has written a unique tale of justice and revenge that I flew through and thoroughly enjoyed.
Hidden in the Dark Web is a show where justice is hammered, sliced and stabbed into 'volunteers' who have escaped justice from the police/courts. Whilst knowing seeking your own revenge isn't the right thing to do, those on the receiving end of this type of justice really do deserve what is coming to them, and I could see why The Brotherhood did what they did.
This is indeed a dark book. It's violent, graphic (the hand was really inventive though,) and doesn't shy away from why the volunteers were chosen to take part. It made me wonder how many people would choose to watch and pay for such a show if it were real - and I think the answer would be many.
I highly recommend this book who is looking for a unique twist to their crime fiction, and to those who enjoy their fiction on the dark side. It's going to take a lot to knock this book off my top read of the year spot.
Hidden in the Dark Web is a show where justice is hammered, sliced and stabbed into 'volunteers' who have escaped justice from the police/courts. Whilst knowing seeking your own revenge isn't the right thing to do, those on the receiving end of this type of justice really do deserve what is coming to them, and I could see why The Brotherhood did what they did.
This is indeed a dark book. It's violent, graphic (the hand was really inventive though,) and doesn't shy away from why the volunteers were chosen to take part. It made me wonder how many people would choose to watch and pay for such a show if it were real - and I think the answer would be many.
I highly recommend this book who is looking for a unique twist to their crime fiction, and to those who enjoy their fiction on the dark side. It's going to take a lot to knock this book off my top read of the year spot.
July 4, 2017
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Oh my goodness, I loved this book!! I loved the story and I thought that the plot was great, very complex and clearly a lot of research went it to writing the book! As soon as I started reading it, I initially thought that the Brotherhood was along the same lines as the 1980s classic film that my husband loves - The Running Man - but getting slightly further in to the book it quite quickly became obvious that they were so much more than that. It is a very dark book, and it won't be for everyone, but I personally loved it - it was disturbing and quite graphic in places but I think that is what really made the story and it is very in keeping with the book overall. I made the rookie mistake of thinking I would just read a few chapters and pick it up the following day, but found myself reading late in to the night as I wanted to see how it would end, I wasn't disappointed - definitely a 5 star read for me and very highly recommended!!
Oh my goodness, I loved this book!! I loved the story and I thought that the plot was great, very complex and clearly a lot of research went it to writing the book! As soon as I started reading it, I initially thought that the Brotherhood was along the same lines as the 1980s classic film that my husband loves - The Running Man - but getting slightly further in to the book it quite quickly became obvious that they were so much more than that. It is a very dark book, and it won't be for everyone, but I personally loved it - it was disturbing and quite graphic in places but I think that is what really made the story and it is very in keeping with the book overall. I made the rookie mistake of thinking I would just read a few chapters and pick it up the following day, but found myself reading late in to the night as I wanted to see how it would end, I wasn't disappointed - definitely a 5 star read for me and very highly recommended!!
August 19, 2018
wow suspenseful fastpaced and gets you thinking... what more do you want?
November 25, 2017
We are given a number of scenes running in parallel, of instances of drug trafficking, sex slavery, child prostitution – nasty people doing abusive things. Joe, introduced to the Dark Web by a friend, becomes drawn in to a paying site called The Red Room, which costs him more than money. Harris, a detective newly back on duty after losing his wife, is chasing it up and connecting the dots.
This is a gripping thriller and covers a wide range of issues. The writing was a touch clunky in places and I didn’t buy the main premise that Joe, a man due to marry in a few months, would have paid over £600 to enter a site which was, at that stage, anonymous. He had no idea what would be behind the façade. Once I persuaded myself to swallow that, the story had a great impetus and came to an exciting conclusion. Well worth a read.
This is a gripping thriller and covers a wide range of issues. The writing was a touch clunky in places and I didn’t buy the main premise that Joe, a man due to marry in a few months, would have paid over £600 to enter a site which was, at that stage, anonymous. He had no idea what would be behind the façade. Once I persuaded myself to swallow that, the story had a great impetus and came to an exciting conclusion. Well worth a read.
January 4, 2018
I'm seeing references to the dark web creeping into novels these days but there's no such creeping in Enter the Dark as we hurtle full speed into the eye-opening world of the deep/dark web. I'm so pleased that I was resting my kindle on my lap as I could have easily dropped it during some episodes of 'The Red Room' as I instinctively threw my hands up in horror. So what's Enter the Dark all about? Read on...if you dare.
Joe is just a normal guy, spending time with his friends, running his family business and looking forward to marrying his girlfriend, Ellie. On a night out with the guys, Billy, one of Joe's friends introduces him to the dark web. It was only meant to be a bit of fun but once Joe has tasted the forbidden fruit he wants more. Intrigued by an anonymous site that costs well over £600, being 1 Bitcoin, just to enter it, Joe convinces Billy to show him how Bitcoins work. Once the guys are in, they find a holding page from The Brotherhood inviting them to an event which costs 2 Bitcoins to view. Billy walks away but Joe is caught in the web of temptation and is soon drawn deeper into The Red Room until he can't help himself playing a more active role in proceedings. Joe thinks he's safe behind his screen and he has no idea what has he got himself tangled up in.
The Brotherhood of the Righteous is an online group of vigilantes who dole out punishment to criminals who, in their eyes, have not been punished enough. They search out convicted criminals with new identities, living their life when their victims are unable to do so and the viewers of the show compete to be the highest bidder who can select their punishment. The police get involved when one such criminal, living under a new identity complete with an electronic tag, goes missing leaving her tag behind. As the police race to discover the location of The Red Room, Joe's virtual world and real world collide as the Brotherhood come to collect his debt.
Stomach clenchingly gruesome, Enter the Dark is a modern chiller thriller that will turn even the most cast-iron of stomachs. I gritted my teeth and clenched my stomach on each episode of The Red Room as the various methods of punishment were described in bone crunching detail. The punishments reminded me a bit of the film, Saw, in the way that you don't want to watch but you can't help it. Like Joe, I thought what harm can it do, it's not real, right?
It's an absolutely superb debut from Chris Thomas and I was powerless to tear my eyes away from the page, even though sometimes I wanted to hide behind the sofa. Dark by name and dark by nature, Enter the Dark is a recommended read for all thriller fans who like something a little bit darker.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Joe is just a normal guy, spending time with his friends, running his family business and looking forward to marrying his girlfriend, Ellie. On a night out with the guys, Billy, one of Joe's friends introduces him to the dark web. It was only meant to be a bit of fun but once Joe has tasted the forbidden fruit he wants more. Intrigued by an anonymous site that costs well over £600, being 1 Bitcoin, just to enter it, Joe convinces Billy to show him how Bitcoins work. Once the guys are in, they find a holding page from The Brotherhood inviting them to an event which costs 2 Bitcoins to view. Billy walks away but Joe is caught in the web of temptation and is soon drawn deeper into The Red Room until he can't help himself playing a more active role in proceedings. Joe thinks he's safe behind his screen and he has no idea what has he got himself tangled up in.
The Brotherhood of the Righteous is an online group of vigilantes who dole out punishment to criminals who, in their eyes, have not been punished enough. They search out convicted criminals with new identities, living their life when their victims are unable to do so and the viewers of the show compete to be the highest bidder who can select their punishment. The police get involved when one such criminal, living under a new identity complete with an electronic tag, goes missing leaving her tag behind. As the police race to discover the location of The Red Room, Joe's virtual world and real world collide as the Brotherhood come to collect his debt.
Stomach clenchingly gruesome, Enter the Dark is a modern chiller thriller that will turn even the most cast-iron of stomachs. I gritted my teeth and clenched my stomach on each episode of The Red Room as the various methods of punishment were described in bone crunching detail. The punishments reminded me a bit of the film, Saw, in the way that you don't want to watch but you can't help it. Like Joe, I thought what harm can it do, it's not real, right?
It's an absolutely superb debut from Chris Thomas and I was powerless to tear my eyes away from the page, even though sometimes I wanted to hide behind the sofa. Dark by name and dark by nature, Enter the Dark is a recommended read for all thriller fans who like something a little bit darker.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 5, 2017
Aka The Red Room - 3.5 stars.
I'd like to think this was an entertaining but somewhat dark story, that these things are just in the realm of fiction. But then I've never surfed the deep web, let alone the dark web. You hear things and read things about it though...
Joe is out with three friends one night and after a few too many drinks lets Billy show him how to get into the deeper recesses of the web. Joe is intrigued and becomes quite taken with the sheer diversity of uncensored content. He takes up an invitation to 'enter the dark' and is hooked. There is a shadowy group of people meting out vigilante justice and people are paying to watch and to determine the punishments.
As Joe gets more into it and starts to participate an unfortunate mistake with his payment brings him to the attention of this group and what they want him to do is almost too much to bear. How can he extricate himself?
This was a pretty good thriller but there is room for improvement. The book seems to mark a change in direction for the author (I'm guessing here) but it may be worth keeping an eye out for future offerings.
I'd like to think this was an entertaining but somewhat dark story, that these things are just in the realm of fiction. But then I've never surfed the deep web, let alone the dark web. You hear things and read things about it though...
Joe is out with three friends one night and after a few too many drinks lets Billy show him how to get into the deeper recesses of the web. Joe is intrigued and becomes quite taken with the sheer diversity of uncensored content. He takes up an invitation to 'enter the dark' and is hooked. There is a shadowy group of people meting out vigilante justice and people are paying to watch and to determine the punishments.
As Joe gets more into it and starts to participate an unfortunate mistake with his payment brings him to the attention of this group and what they want him to do is almost too much to bear. How can he extricate himself?
This was a pretty good thriller but there is room for improvement. The book seems to mark a change in direction for the author (I'm guessing here) but it may be worth keeping an eye out for future offerings.
September 10, 2017
Wow. I really had my eyes opened with this thrilling read. Joe Henderson got more than he bargained for when he entered "The Red Room" on the Dark Web. Once I got into this book I could not put it down as I had to know the outcome!
June 21, 2017
I am grateful to Bloodhound Books for sending me an advance copy of Enter The Dark in exchange for a fair and honest review. Chris Thomas is a new writer to me and, once again, Bloodhound have uncovered a real talent. This is very much a modern contemporary thriller, focusing as it does on the deep/dark web and the idea of being able to subscribe to a broadcaster which metes out justice as it sees fit. Pete Harris is the cop leading investigations into cyber crime and it is his job to locate the powers behind this violent enterprise. The story is fast-moving, a thoroughly enjoyable read with many unexpected plot developments.
August 3, 2017
Eeek!!!
In this techno controlled and obsessed world that we live in this book did over into the dark see of the web, somewhere where most would fear to tread and those who do will either find more than the bargained for or just what they were looking for.
A scarcely on point thriller x
In this techno controlled and obsessed world that we live in this book did over into the dark see of the web, somewhere where most would fear to tread and those who do will either find more than the bargained for or just what they were looking for.
A scarcely on point thriller x
June 29, 2017
Joe Henderson is with some friends when he is introduced to The Red Room. A place on the dark net where a group called The Brotherhood of the Righteous punish those that have not adequately been punished. Joe is instantly drawn to this website and finds himself deeper and deeper until he catches the wrong person's attention. Then The Red Room is brought to the attention of Detective Pete Harris and the Police Cyber Crime Unit. But they almost have their hands tied with what they can do. Will they be able to shut The Red Room down in time or will they be forced to watch the brutal murders?
Joe Henderson just wanted to have fun with some friends but ends up getting sucked deeper and deeper into The Red Room. It’s sad to watch a person enjoy watching this stuff but it really shows how people can be fascinated by brutality but think that they are never part of it because they are behind a keyboard or in a group of people.
Sadly I know that there really is a dark internet. It does exist and if you have the money you can get anything your little heart desires from it. It’s all kinds of sad and scary at the same time and I’m sure that this book just dips its toes into the truth.
I loved Enter the Dark. It draws you in, scares the crap out of you, and leaves you breathless and wanting more from Chris Thomas. A while ago I reviewed a book similar to this one called The Schwarzschild Radius, you can find my review here. This is a great and gory story but I can’t wait to see what else Chris Thomas comes up with.
I received Enter the Dark from Bloodhound Books for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
Joe Henderson just wanted to have fun with some friends but ends up getting sucked deeper and deeper into The Red Room. It’s sad to watch a person enjoy watching this stuff but it really shows how people can be fascinated by brutality but think that they are never part of it because they are behind a keyboard or in a group of people.
Sadly I know that there really is a dark internet. It does exist and if you have the money you can get anything your little heart desires from it. It’s all kinds of sad and scary at the same time and I’m sure that this book just dips its toes into the truth.
I loved Enter the Dark. It draws you in, scares the crap out of you, and leaves you breathless and wanting more from Chris Thomas. A while ago I reviewed a book similar to this one called The Schwarzschild Radius, you can find my review here. This is a great and gory story but I can’t wait to see what else Chris Thomas comes up with.
I received Enter the Dark from Bloodhound Books for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
July 4, 2017
This book should come with a warning not to even start reading it if you are slightly squeamish as the very first chapter starts a person being filmed torturing a man for bit coins on the dark Web and then the next chapter is about a couple of men talking of the dark Web and exploring it at home.
The book is very dark but grabs you from the off and doesn't let go until the conclusion. I thought the storyline was gripping and flowed really well once you get used to Chris's writing style of introducing everyone first and different chapters being different people's perspectives.
The main characters were described and introduced very well and made me feel sorry for Joe who clearly didn't realise what he was getting himself into and made me think it could happen to any unfortunate person who is easily led.
I also liked how the story gave the 'villains' of the piece a voice and allowed us to see everything from their point of view. This allowed the reader to see how their thought processes worked about why they felt they had to do the things they did as the justice system was failing in key parts. After reading newspapers it is very easy to believe that people in real life could have these thoughts as well.
Overall I thought the story flowed really well and made me want to read more of Chris's books.
The book is very dark but grabs you from the off and doesn't let go until the conclusion. I thought the storyline was gripping and flowed really well once you get used to Chris's writing style of introducing everyone first and different chapters being different people's perspectives.
The main characters were described and introduced very well and made me feel sorry for Joe who clearly didn't realise what he was getting himself into and made me think it could happen to any unfortunate person who is easily led.
I also liked how the story gave the 'villains' of the piece a voice and allowed us to see everything from their point of view. This allowed the reader to see how their thought processes worked about why they felt they had to do the things they did as the justice system was failing in key parts. After reading newspapers it is very easy to believe that people in real life could have these thoughts as well.
Overall I thought the story flowed really well and made me want to read more of Chris's books.
September 24, 2021
The idea behind this book was really good, but that’s it, for real, the development was not good. All the characters were so flat, so shallow, I didn’t care for anyone, except for the guys from the Brotherhood… maybe. There were a lot of head hopping, one time you were reading from one pov, then in the next paragraph you were knowing the thoughts and feelings of the other characters. The character of Joe was the most pathetic dude ever, his relationship with his “fiancée” was pathetic, she was literally a drunk immature brat, a perfect fit for him nonetheless. And who is over 18 years old and still calls their friend “dickhead”? The investigation part was the most foolish part, completely amateurish, Harris didn’t convince me, and his drama with his daughter… was it supposed to give his character depth? It didn’t work. And another point how someone like joe (and his pathetic dickhead friend Billy) could find such “hidden” red room so quickly? In the second trying to explore the whole deep web? *SPOILER* Saeed’s death was good, tho. And I kinda liked the ending with Daisy and the guys. But overall, the book was pretty bad. I hate when characters are just empty vessels used to tell a story. Maybe because I’m very “character driven narrative” type of person. If I can’t bond with them, the story doesn’t impact me that much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2017
So I’ve read at least three of these ‘vigilante justice’ themed novels in the past six months but what I love is when an author takes a tired old idea and makes it their own, and this is the case with Enter the Dark.
It was one of those rare novels that once I started I just didn’t want to put it down.
There’s a fantastic array of characters from the naive Joe to the evil Saeed Anwar to the steadfast Detective Pete Harris.
It also has multiple POV’s, something I’m not usually a fan of but it really works for this story.
There are some great twists and turns within the story and stay tuned for the last one it’s a doozy!
My only issue, I’ll try to not give away any spoilers here, is that early on we find out that Detective Harris has been off for a significant amount of time and then that he is a single dad. It doesn’t really explain what happened to his wife until near the end and in my opinion should have really been brought up sooner to making the ending that bit more plausible.
I’d recommend this to fans of James Patterson, Tony Parsons or just anyone who enjoys a good edge of your seat thriller.
It was one of those rare novels that once I started I just didn’t want to put it down.
There’s a fantastic array of characters from the naive Joe to the evil Saeed Anwar to the steadfast Detective Pete Harris.
It also has multiple POV’s, something I’m not usually a fan of but it really works for this story.
There are some great twists and turns within the story and stay tuned for the last one it’s a doozy!
My only issue, I’ll try to not give away any spoilers here, is that early on we find out that Detective Harris has been off for a significant amount of time and then that he is a single dad. It doesn’t really explain what happened to his wife until near the end and in my opinion should have really been brought up sooner to making the ending that bit more plausible.
I’d recommend this to fans of James Patterson, Tony Parsons or just anyone who enjoys a good edge of your seat thriller.
July 21, 2017
Potentially Interesting Concept, Immature Execution
You get the feeling while reading this that it got published solely because of its somewhat novel subject-matter . My 2-star (as opposed to 1-star) rating is due to the fact that I did learn a little bit more about TOR and BITCOIN. I did, however, have to give up on the book when I was about 60% through it. The plot just came off as amatuerish - a toe testing the waters of the "underworld". I knew I'd read enough when I became overly irritated by the author's narrative carelessness in which he tells us in one sentence that a mother has been sitting at her comatose son's bedside for 36 hours, and then 3 or 4 sentences later, he indicates the coma-inducing incident had occured the prior afternoon. Not only is a 36-hour interval technically not possible, but the events occuring in the story prior to this are not consistent with a 36-hour coma. I do hope, at least, that the "technological info" I think I gained from this book was not so "tainted" - otherwise, rating would have been a 1.
You get the feeling while reading this that it got published solely because of its somewhat novel subject-matter . My 2-star (as opposed to 1-star) rating is due to the fact that I did learn a little bit more about TOR and BITCOIN. I did, however, have to give up on the book when I was about 60% through it. The plot just came off as amatuerish - a toe testing the waters of the "underworld". I knew I'd read enough when I became overly irritated by the author's narrative carelessness in which he tells us in one sentence that a mother has been sitting at her comatose son's bedside for 36 hours, and then 3 or 4 sentences later, he indicates the coma-inducing incident had occured the prior afternoon. Not only is a 36-hour interval technically not possible, but the events occuring in the story prior to this are not consistent with a 36-hour coma. I do hope, at least, that the "technological info" I think I gained from this book was not so "tainted" - otherwise, rating would have been a 1.
June 30, 2017
I loved this read, from beginning to end... just simply compelling and one of the best reads this year. Once you get started you are so drawn in and I really didn't want to put it down. A very strong novel indeed.
You know about the internet and web, but what is lurking underneath within the bowels of the deep web, is somewhere I do not want to enter, apart from in captivating storylines and this has it in spades!
It is a pacey, riveting and absorbing read. there really was a tangled woven tale of deceit and within it I was questioning the morality of a take on strengthening a justice system
Working out who to believe was captivating and the storylines are deliciously dark and edgy.
The cast ofcharacters were fascinating, especially Joe Henderson, and how his inquisitiveness led him into a criminal underworld he hadn't previously known existed.
This is an exciting read with layers of intrigue and unrest. and where stumbling in to the dark web may not be the wisest move for Joe, but he does lead us to one exciting action paced read.
An author that I shall be looking out for! A book I shall be shouting about for a long time and telling my family and friends to read!
You know about the internet and web, but what is lurking underneath within the bowels of the deep web, is somewhere I do not want to enter, apart from in captivating storylines and this has it in spades!
It is a pacey, riveting and absorbing read. there really was a tangled woven tale of deceit and within it I was questioning the morality of a take on strengthening a justice system
Working out who to believe was captivating and the storylines are deliciously dark and edgy.
The cast ofcharacters were fascinating, especially Joe Henderson, and how his inquisitiveness led him into a criminal underworld he hadn't previously known existed.
This is an exciting read with layers of intrigue and unrest. and where stumbling in to the dark web may not be the wisest move for Joe, but he does lead us to one exciting action paced read.
An author that I shall be looking out for! A book I shall be shouting about for a long time and telling my family and friends to read!
June 29, 2017
When I read the blurb, I was very excited. I find cyber crime a thrilling topic, so I was really looking forward to diving in.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and it did take a while to get into because of this. It seemed that each point of view had nothing to do with the next, and each chapter was taken with a different character's viewpoint. The two main characters are Joe Henderson, who unwittingly becomes involved in the Dark Web, and Detective Pete Harris, from the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit.
This is a very violent book - it did not appear to be at first, but due to the nature of the Dark Web it did become a little too gory for me.
There were several twists and turns, but I was left slightly disappointed by the ending. However, I enjoyed the author's style and would try another book by him.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and it did take a while to get into because of this. It seemed that each point of view had nothing to do with the next, and each chapter was taken with a different character's viewpoint. The two main characters are Joe Henderson, who unwittingly becomes involved in the Dark Web, and Detective Pete Harris, from the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit.
This is a very violent book - it did not appear to be at first, but due to the nature of the Dark Web it did become a little too gory for me.
There were several twists and turns, but I was left slightly disappointed by the ending. However, I enjoyed the author's style and would try another book by him.
August 30, 2017
Brilliant. One of the very best crime thrillers I've read in a long time. A small group of individuals who are disillusioned with the justice system abduct truly appalling criminals who got off too lightly - child killers, for example - and then torture and kill them online.
The dialogue was very realistic and extremely funny at times, and all the characters were well rounded. Some of the set pieces were also very amusing in their own way. The torture suffered by the bad guys - and they were bad - made for uncomfortable reading at times but nothing I haven't read before in a Chris Carter book for example (another big favourite of mine).
And I didn't dislike The Brotherhood of the Righteous as they called themselves. In fact, I almost warmed to them. But were they good guys or bad guys as well?
Don't care - I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The dialogue was very realistic and extremely funny at times, and all the characters were well rounded. Some of the set pieces were also very amusing in their own way. The torture suffered by the bad guys - and they were bad - made for uncomfortable reading at times but nothing I haven't read before in a Chris Carter book for example (another big favourite of mine).
And I didn't dislike The Brotherhood of the Righteous as they called themselves. In fact, I almost warmed to them. But were they good guys or bad guys as well?
Don't care - I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
July 23, 2017
An edge of your seat read ...Clever and brilliant
Detective Pete Harris ,loving father, whiz at computer technology returns to work after a two year leave of absence. ..but things have changed on the internet... There are places you can enter at your own risk..is the risk worth the challenge? For some people yes ...these people want justice...some want more ...this is where the brotherhood of the righteous come in...An organisation so...prepared so rich... They believe nothing can touch them.....Pete Harris is clever he knows when he is being played....Or does he? This is a terrifying edge of seat thriller ...A Clever brilliant read...
Detective Pete Harris ,loving father, whiz at computer technology returns to work after a two year leave of absence. ..but things have changed on the internet... There are places you can enter at your own risk..is the risk worth the challenge? For some people yes ...these people want justice...some want more ...this is where the brotherhood of the righteous come in...An organisation so...prepared so rich... They believe nothing can touch them.....Pete Harris is clever he knows when he is being played....Or does he? This is a terrifying edge of seat thriller ...A Clever brilliant read...
August 24, 2017
Wow what a different read, this story is quite unique, it's gruesome but it has to be to make it work. Some people with the help of clever barristers have got away with heinous crimes with little or no punishment but this is all going to change with the help of the dark web. I loved this book and hope to read more from this author.
August 3, 2017
Couldn't put it down lots of twists and turns i would recommend this book
I couldn't put this book down gripped from first page lots of twists will be looking out for more books by this author
I couldn't put this book down gripped from first page lots of twists will be looking out for more books by this author
August 8, 2017
Thrilling read
If you like a good read this is it. Ticks all the boxes, thrilling and gruesome with a touch of sadness. The reality of the dark web is very haunting and the end was very unexpected.
If you like a good read this is it. Ticks all the boxes, thrilling and gruesome with a touch of sadness. The reality of the dark web is very haunting and the end was very unexpected.
March 23, 2018
Perfectly enjoyable
I thought that this book was an entertaining read. It was quite fast paced and well thought through if not a little obvious as to what was what but worth a go. Probably worth 3 and a half stars. I'd try his books again ☺
I thought that this book was an entertaining read. It was quite fast paced and well thought through if not a little obvious as to what was what but worth a go. Probably worth 3 and a half stars. I'd try his books again ☺
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