After his wife walks out on him, Charlie Phoenix tries to lick his wounds by purchasing his dream car: a ‘69 Corvette Stingray. It isn’t long before he realizes that the Stingray has the bizarre ability to replenish itself; every time the fuel needle drops below E, he watches in amazement as it slowly returns to F. But the car does more than just replenish gasoline. After driving in it for months, he realizes that his health problems have vanished, and the relationship with his estranged son mends whenever they go for a drive together.
Hoping to use the car for good, Charlie must come to terms with whether such power was ever meant to be placed in the hands of any one driver. And as his life begins to unravel, it becomes clear there is another, darker side to this Stingray lurking beneath the hood—one that utterly terrifies him.
A tale of jealousy, rage, and human frailty, this is a drive along the dark highways of the human heart. Buckle up.
“I’m not a killer. It was the car’s fault. The ‘69 Stingray.”
That was Charlie Phoenix’s excuse when he is finally captured by Police after a HIGH OCTANE car chase on the Los Angeles freeways in the opening chapter…
He just wishes someone would believe him.
“I tried” he says with regret, to the almost lifeless body in his passenger seat, as he hold up his hands in defeat and exits the vehicle.
Charlie is now on Death row-but how did he get there?
We have to circle back to the beginning when his wife Mara leaves him-and he purchases the ‘69 Corvette Stingray to help ease his pain…and discovers that his dream car has the ability to do much much more than that!
It automatically REPLENISHES its own fuel when the gas tank drops to EMPTY. It seems to REPAIR the ailing bodies that take a ride in it. AND, it appears to RESTORE the relationships of the passengers who choose to converse inside of it.
But, is that what is really happening?
IF it has the POWER to do so much right-how does it all end up going so wrong??
Charlie may be in the driver’s seat-but he definitely isn’t in charge.
I loved the author’s last book Doppelgänger, so when he invited me to read this one-it was an easy YES!
He writes very relatable characters and realistic relationships so it isn’t hard at all to buy into our protagonist buying a “Christine” like car (Stephen King).
Originally written as an 8 page short story, this premise has been expanded into a very entertaining, slightly Supernatural full length novel.
If the author isn’t on your radar yet, he should be!
Pick up a paperback copy now, or download the Kindle version on November 1st!
Thank You to William Michael Davidson for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
I’d categorise this as light horror/thriller. Entertaining and fun, but also unsettling, and surprisingly, emotional and deep. Add in lots of twists and turns, and this was a definite winner that I flew through in a day. Reminiscent of two Stephen King novels - Christine and Pet Sematary.
Replenished is the story of a middle-aged man called Charlie Phoenix. Charlie decides to buy a black ‘69 Corvette Stingray to cope with his wife Mara leaving him. What amazes him is that this car is extraordinary as it keeps replenishing itself. At first, things change really positively for him, which makes him even love it more. However, as soon as the car shows its darker side, Charlie knows that he made a big mistake purchasing it.
This is a thriller with elements of the supernatural and science fiction, and it moves at a breakneck pace. At first, I had the impression that this would be something along the lines of Stephen King's Christine, but in the end, I'm relieved that it was a completely different narrative. The plot has a number of unexpected turns and twists that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The chapters are brief, and the book is broken up into sections, both of which help the reading go by quickly.
I thought it was really cool how the author tied all of the characters together. The plot of the main protagonist and his relationship with Kiki were quite interesting. I was not anticipating the conclusion to be like this at all. When a story manages to surprise you in a positive way, it is always a welcome experience. You should give Replenished a go if you enjoy action-packed thrillers since there is a good chance that you will like it quite a lot.
Many thanks to the author for giving me a free copy of this book.
That was certainly a very different read, I’m not sure what I was expecting but that wasn’t it. I’m not even sure what box to put it in - maybe some sort of speculative fiction? So it’s about a car with a mind of its own. Some readers may draw comparisons with Stephen King’s Christine but while I know of it I haven’t read it so I can’t comment. Also, this particular car - a 1969 black Corvette stingray in mint condition isn’t specifically evil. All it’s interventions are designed to protect its current owner.
It most recently fell into the hands of one Charlie Phoenix. But the book starts with Charlie on death row, about to be executed. Then we go back to how he got there which all started with the car.
After his wife walks out on him Charlie decides to indulge his mid-life crisis and buys the car, one he’s always wanted. He soon notices that this is no normal car. When the fuel runs low it magically replenishes itself. Damage to the exterior - no problem, it is fixed by the next morning! The car also seems to ‘heal’ people’s injuries or illnesses and improve interpersonal relationships. This is how Charlie gets to know his son again, they go for a few drives and - presto, they’re mates again. He decides to use the car for good purposes and help people.
But eventually all this is starting to freak Charlie out, it’s not normal is it? He becomes a little frightened of his car and tries to contact the previous owner but is told he is dead (although that is not necessarily cut and dried either). Then he tries to backtrack and find the car’s original owner which turns out to be quite difficult.
How does it work out for Charlie? You’ll have to read the book to find out. I really enjoyed this story because it’s quite different to anything else I’d read and I applaud the author for daring to go there. I had fun reading this. Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
I received an ARC kindle copy of this book. If you like Stephen King, particularly Christine and Pet Sematary, then buckle up and enjoy. This book is like a combo of the two. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and William Michael Davidson for accepting my request to read and review Replenished.
Author: William Michael Davidson Published: 11/01/22 Genre: General Fiction (Adult) -- Mystery & Thrillers
I'm torn between two ratings. On one hand, Stephen King flashed like a vacancy sign. On the other hand, possibly the author was influenced by King.
Then there is what I know: The story is too long and seems redundant. The energy the car provides loses steam from overuse. I appreciated and noticed, there was no profanity. In addition, I noticed and appreciated, the child was respectful. For these two reasons, I would look for future work by the author.
I liked the main male character, and thought he was well done. The main female character was not as solid for me. The ending took too long to make its point, and the final act I honestly didn't understand.
The story is not over-the-top, it's not bad, and it is an easy read.
If you like fast cars, suspense, and drama, you are going to love this book.
This book is action-packed from chapter one. In this story there is love, loneliness, restoration, and other elements of life weaved by the author over an interesting and creative premise. The result is a very relatable and entertaining book.
There is a short story written by the same author with a similar premise. If you liked that story, you are really going to enjoy this book.
I thank the author of this book William Michael Davidson for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
The opinions in this review are all mine and based on my reading of this book.
The story line had intrigued me and was what prompted me to request the author for an advance copy. It sounded very cliché and having cut my teeth with classic horror novels featuring cars, who can forget Christine. Here the cliché sounded very childish with the sad and the good happening in the protagonist's life being blamed on a metallic beast a Stingray here.
The story definitely revolves around the car but what I as a reader got from it was a vast range, some characters, family, emotions, estrangements, honey traps, divorce, complications that come with a messy divorce case, estrangement and then bonding between father and son. A messy rebound relationship, a good samaritan and the enigma, that is the Stingray.
The story tugs at your heartstrings and comes across more than a pot boiler. This is a full scale assault on the senses and full credit to William for the book. I understood that the title story started off as a short story which now has been expanded to a full length novel. I have not had the pleasure of the short story but can surely vouch for this novel. The book features several clichéd scenes like a drunk boyfriend, drunk surly neighbour, a fan kid who needs mothering, rebellious son, wife with an affair, protagonist with a name that screams out the end, but all these are juxtaposed together into a lovely collage.
Charlie is a well off if miserly middle aged man whose wife decides to split. While divorce proceedings are on, he decides to live his life to the full and fulfill his desires, purchases a Stingray. Within days he finds out that the car seems to have a life of its own, doesn't require refilling, and is the Sematary from Pet Sematary. It revives anyone who sits in the vehicle and kills anyone who covets it. There are murders happening and we have Charlie who sometimes acts a little lame duck (why and where I deducted a Star) in his life dealings like with his nephew, wife, son, GF, etc. Later when he tries to develop some spine he keeps reverting to character and hence meets his end.
The police behave like boors despite no firm evidence but then justice seems more about convictions than doing the right thing.
The court proceedings are a little flimsy with William probably trying to wind of the novel fast. It seems abrupt and for Charlie a man with access to money seems far fetched that he gets an attorney who is his reflection (lame duck). You are being accused of serial homicides and one grievous assault including trying to escape means you get yourself a superstar. No credible evidence is presented in his favor. I don't practice but enough Grisham novels have shown me the flaws where a decent attorney could intercede but why digress from the main topic, the book.
The story gets its punches on target and is highly enjoyable. The end line twist was expected but gladdens the heart. I had not read any of William's (William Michael Davidson ) books but if this is a true sample of his writing then I am definitely going to try some of his other books. The milometer based chapter headings are also a revelation.
Cute is the first word that comes to mind but I would guess that likely is not what the author or potential readers want to see. Enjoyable? Yes. Held my attention? Yes. Entertaining? Yes. These are 3 descriptors that work much better and I hope they encourage people to take on an enjoyable ride. 4 star recommended book.
My thanks to the sponsors of the book’s goodreads giveaway for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
***I received a free Kindle copy via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a honest review. ***
This was a book that sounded interesting when I entered the giveaway, but I genuinely did not have high hopes for it. Maybe it's the cover, maybe the fact that it was a Kindle edition, I really don't know, but when I won it, I wasn't exactly what I would call thrilled.
And apparently I was an idiot because this is definitely one of the better books that I have won. If I am being honest, it's one of the better books that I have read in awhile. This was good.
WMD provided a well-written story. Simple, interesting and not overly time-consuming. It wasn't stuffed with filler but the author didn't leave you feeling like you walked into the wrong theater for the right movie, half way.
I was invested in Charlie's journey with his Stingray. I wanted to know what was gonna happen and definitely how it would play out. I'm slightly mad that I started this on a day that I couldn't finish it in one or two sitting and that it had to be spaced out over a two day period. Honestly, I should be in bed right now, but I needed to finish it and put my first thoughts to screen before I spaced on my initial reactions.
Chuck was my favorite part of the book. Scary at times, but I loved me some randomness that was Chuck. Not much attachment to Adam, the spoiled child or the soon to be ex-wife or even the current GF. They didn't catch my attention the way the car, the cat and Charlie did.
I'm kinda wishing the writer would follow up with a sequel because I would love to know what happens after that last page.
Good story, with very few lulls. The writing was complete, didn't feel choppy. Short sections within chapters within segments. Super easy to get a few pages in at a time. I recommend this, to fans of supernatural-ish "horror" and car fanatics. Or just anyone stepping out of their comfort zone to read something "different". Just go ahead... Slide behind the wheel. What's the worse that could happen?
Title: Replenished Author: William Michael Davidson Publisher: By the Author Genre: (Supernatural) Thriller Pub Date: November 1, 2022 My Rating: 3.4 Stars
I used to be a big Stephen King fan and then switched to psychological thrillers. However, when I saw that this described as a combo of Pet Sematary and Christine two favs ~ I had to give it a try. Plus I love the cover!!
Charlie Phoenix tries to rebound after this wife leaves him with his dream car: a ‘69 Corvette Stingray. This Stingray has the ability to ‘replenish’ itself every time the fuel needle drops below E. Charlie watches as the needle slowly returns to ‘F’. Story starts with a Full Tank! SO get ready to enjoy this ride!
It seems this car has other replenish abilities as Charlie’s health issues have vanished, as well as his estranged relationship with his son seems to be just fine whenever they go for a drive together.
However, as time goes by there seems to be a dark side to this Stingray!
This certainly turned out to be a different read for me!!! I did enjoy it. I know car fans are going to love it!!!
PERSONAL NOTE: The 1984 Stephen King Novel “Thinner’ popped into my head perhaps because the old gypsy was hit by a car and is out to get revenge.
Want to thank Goodreads and William Michael Davidson for this early eGalley. Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 1, 2022
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I had read Doppelganger by the author and liked it, so I was happy to read this book.
This book starts with a man driving with a corpse next to him. He’s running from the police, and he says that it’s the car’s fault. What? Then he begins telling his story from death row…
Charlie’s world falls apart when his wife leaves him after 18 years. Not really because he misses her. He’s just not sure what to do now. So, he buys a classic car, and everything changes. At first, things are better: Charlie gets a girlfriend, his son starts to actually talk to him, and the car can heal people (and his cat) and relationships.
The characters are realistic, and Charlie is well-developed. The others are seen through his eyes so there’s no way to know what they’re feeling or if they’re truthful with him.
Poor Charlie no longer has much control over his life. Once he realizes what is happening with the car, can he get rid of it? Obviously, based on the beginning of the book, he can’t…but there’s more.
If you like horror and/or thrillers, you’ll like Replenished.
Very Stephen King-ish, not written as well but much shorter than most King books. An easy read but farfetched (I'm hoping!). But, believe it or not, I did enjoy it!