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Ambush: A Creature Feature Novel
Peak season is approaching and Paul Chisholm, local park ranger and grumpy overseer of the five interconnected lakes in the region, has his work cut out for him. With a natural tendency toward laziness and a penchant for reminding people of the park rules, Paul spends his days patrolling the wilderness areas and ensuring that safety is paramount and hazards minimal. In charge of his own schedule, he has plenty of time while he's parked up in the serenity of the woods for long coffee breaks and for pondering ways to encourage Daisy from the Homestead Diner to accept his offer of a date.
However, Paul's comfortable life and the small-town peacefulness of nearby Brookfield are rudely disrupted when a spate of unexplained disappearances start to occur. One or two missing persons could possibly be explained away as drowning deaths, but this is different. There's an underlying strangeness about these disappearances that hints that a far bigger problem may be afoot, although the root of that problem is proving to be elusive and difficult for both Paul and the local police department to pin down.
However, Paul's comfortable life and the small-town peacefulness of nearby Brookfield are rudely disrupted when a spate of unexplained disappearances start to occur. One or two missing persons could possibly be explained away as drowning deaths, but this is different. There's an underlying strangeness about these disappearances that hints that a far bigger problem may be afoot, although the root of that problem is proving to be elusive and difficult for both Paul and the local police department to pin down.
- GenresHorror
155 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2022
About the author
Cherie Mitchell
165 books84 followersCherie Mitchell is an Amazon bestselling author with a number of short story prizes, book awards, and literary commendations to her name. Her biggest prize to date was a complimentary trip across the world when her book The House At Sailor's Bay was ranked as a finalist in the Litnet Small Towns, Big Stories Contest.
Cherie is staunchly cross-genre and has written books in the categories of suspense, mystery, romance, women's fiction, non-fiction, thriller, YA, and drama. She enjoys creating the types of characters and scenarios that readers can relate to, cheer for, or recognize.
Books to note include The Life Thief, The Knowing series, The Dare, and The Apartment.
Cherie is staunchly cross-genre and has written books in the categories of suspense, mystery, romance, women's fiction, non-fiction, thriller, YA, and drama. She enjoys creating the types of characters and scenarios that readers can relate to, cheer for, or recognize.
Books to note include The Life Thief, The Knowing series, The Dare, and The Apartment.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 15, 2022
This was a good book, full of mystery and suspense! I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
July 5, 2022
Sharks don't have anything on these creatures
This is one of those books that I love with great characters and just the right amount of creature to make it intriguing. I have already started the 2nd book and it has the small town vibe which I love so much. I have read many of this author's books and have enjoyed all of them.
This is one of those books that I love with great characters and just the right amount of creature to make it intriguing. I have already started the 2nd book and it has the small town vibe which I love so much. I have read many of this author's books and have enjoyed all of them.
May 16, 2022
So far so good. Characters are well written and I can see a satisfyingly creature story developing, it’s just not there quite yet. I wish there was a little bit more before the story was cut off. I hope it’s not too long to wait for the next instalment.
December 29, 2022
Ambush is the first in a trilogy of books that actually make up a single volume. I have to wonder at the strategy of putting out three pieces of a whole. That being said, luckily I did get all three so I can learn the full story.
The writing was outstanding with solid third-person, past-tense and no noticeable head-hopping. The narrative wasn’t always as brisk as it could be but the chapters and scenes were short and the story slow leaks out. There was just enough real action to keep me engaged seeing as how the author had to parse it out over three books.
This first volume, Ambush just sort of ended. There’s a prequel to the next one at the very end. I can’t say it was a satisfying conclusion because it wasn’t one. Then again, this is still good creature feature icky bug and as a female writer, maybe she can avoid some of the usual cliches, like the first (or all) of the women that have sex die horribly. We’ll see.
The body count was pretty high for a first installment, so things progressed. I’m now into the second book and I must say I’m enjoying it, especially considering the outstanding writing. Recommended.
The writing was outstanding with solid third-person, past-tense and no noticeable head-hopping. The narrative wasn’t always as brisk as it could be but the chapters and scenes were short and the story slow leaks out. There was just enough real action to keep me engaged seeing as how the author had to parse it out over three books.
This first volume, Ambush just sort of ended. There’s a prequel to the next one at the very end. I can’t say it was a satisfying conclusion because it wasn’t one. Then again, this is still good creature feature icky bug and as a female writer, maybe she can avoid some of the usual cliches, like the first (or all) of the women that have sex die horribly. We’ll see.
The body count was pretty high for a first installment, so things progressed. I’m now into the second book and I must say I’m enjoying it, especially considering the outstanding writing. Recommended.
January 2, 2023
It was a fast read for sure
I kind of felt ripped off reading this book. The idea seemed to have possibilities and the characters were okay but this "book" is short and only part one of what should have been one book. In fact, as a stand alone, this book goes nowhere. The main character is Paul. He's certainly not a hero and the author goes to great lengths to show that Paul isn't really someone that could be counted on in an emergency. The story moved right along and in typical Sci-fi channel fashion featured...oops. no spoilers, but it featured a situation originated by an outside force that never developed. The book wasn't terrible but the three part thing was just an insult.
I kind of felt ripped off reading this book. The idea seemed to have possibilities and the characters were okay but this "book" is short and only part one of what should have been one book. In fact, as a stand alone, this book goes nowhere. The main character is Paul. He's certainly not a hero and the author goes to great lengths to show that Paul isn't really someone that could be counted on in an emergency. The story moved right along and in typical Sci-fi channel fashion featured...oops. no spoilers, but it featured a situation originated by an outside force that never developed. The book wasn't terrible but the three part thing was just an insult.
August 28, 2022
When I read a book, even part of a series, I want a complete story. This is essentially just a portion of one large story - there is no conclusion. It just ends on a random chapter that could easily be a 1/3 of the way through a larger book. I know it's part of a series, but each book should have a clear ending and a teaser to attract you to the next book.
Beyond that, the character who is being built up to be the hero is pretty awful - the kind of person I could not stand in person.
Beyond that, the character who is being built up to be the hero is pretty awful - the kind of person I could not stand in person.
October 7, 2022
Enjoyable read that readers can get their teeth into
Very nice story with interesting characters. There is even a park ranger who is not real handsome and muscle bound. Refreshing protagonist; though the reader does feel sorry for him. Beware this is part of a series, so it is a cliffhanger!! I got all 3 books at once.
Very nice story with interesting characters. There is even a park ranger who is not real handsome and muscle bound. Refreshing protagonist; though the reader does feel sorry for him. Beware this is part of a series, so it is a cliffhanger!! I got all 3 books at once.
July 13, 2022
The story did not connect with me. Essentially it was a lot of non-essential story telling and eventually vignettes of people encountering the Monster fish. Maybe the next book is more interesting.
October 21, 2022
Excellent creature feature horror novel. Recommended.
January 26, 2023
Very Intriguing
The characters are pretty spot on how real people can be.
I didn't expect it to end the way it did. I really need to continue to find out what happens.
The characters are pretty spot on how real people can be.
I didn't expect it to end the way it did. I really need to continue to find out what happens.
October 5, 2023
This wasn’t a bad read but not overly exciting as of yet. You can tell it was set up to carry over more than one novella but if you like 80s creature features is worth it. It features around a park ranger named Paul and how he is going to have a very bad few days.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews