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Desolation
A group of strangers find themselves stranded at a highway rest stop in the worst winter storm any of them have ever seen. Travellers are missing, there may be a serial killer amongst them and now something supernatural is stalking them relentlessly. Before this night is over, this group of people will realize there may be nothing random about their chance encounter and this spirit stalking them will stop at nothing until it has gotten what it has come for. The answers behind this night will be more horrifying than any of them could have ever imagined. From the author of "Ryerson" comes a gory, blood soaked, supernatural thriller that will leave you breathless.
- GenresHorror
389 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2014
19 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 19, 2021
What a mysterious story. Different strangers stranded in a rest stop somewhere USA. Outside it's snowing like hell. Suddenly some people are missing. Where have they gone in the snow? Or better, what danger lurking outside? One of the stranded people seems to be a typical insurance sales man. But behind his smiling face is a terrible secret. The book kept me on the edge of the seat. Very compelling, carefully crafted characters and a slow building up of tension. We even meet Dr Thomas Raines here! Highly recommended. This will give you the creeps. Even in summer.
October 8, 2021
Chilling in more than one way
A series of apparently random events sees a group of people trapped in a travellers’ rest stop during a fierce snow storm. They are separated from their travelling partner/spouse/employer, and as events unfold, deaths start to occur. Someone is responsible, but it appears, the hunter becomes the hunted, although some ‘collateral damage’ occurs.
We are then given the back story of why the vengeance is wreaked upon people, and one in particular, and I have to say, she let him off lightly. Another back story is explained, as to how and why the people are there, and it’s all a bit Hotel California, in which they can check out any time they like, but they can never leave.
This supernatural/thriller/locked room/bit of physics style story would appeal to fans of Stephen King - in fact, as reading it, it reminded me of the copy fragrances I’d see in stores - Channel No 5, that sort of thing. So I’d call this a Steven King book. It was certainly readable, although I did lose interest about three quarters through, another dead body, vengeful spirit again etc etc.
Trigger warning for sexual assault and violence, supernatural.
A series of apparently random events sees a group of people trapped in a travellers’ rest stop during a fierce snow storm. They are separated from their travelling partner/spouse/employer, and as events unfold, deaths start to occur. Someone is responsible, but it appears, the hunter becomes the hunted, although some ‘collateral damage’ occurs.
We are then given the back story of why the vengeance is wreaked upon people, and one in particular, and I have to say, she let him off lightly. Another back story is explained, as to how and why the people are there, and it’s all a bit Hotel California, in which they can check out any time they like, but they can never leave.
This supernatural/thriller/locked room/bit of physics style story would appeal to fans of Stephen King - in fact, as reading it, it reminded me of the copy fragrances I’d see in stores - Channel No 5, that sort of thing. So I’d call this a Steven King book. It was certainly readable, although I did lose interest about three quarters through, another dead body, vengeful spirit again etc etc.
Trigger warning for sexual assault and violence, supernatural.
May 15, 2014
“...silence, the harsh scream of nature. She is white and pure, and yet dark and twisted in her soul. This is the heart of the storm.” It is difficult to think of a more compelling opening line, especially for a horror tale, and these words, spoken over the radio, also prove to have great poignancy later on in the tale. And so, from the very beginning, we are drawn into Rob Duder’s excellent horror tale Desolation.
The novel opens with the main protagonist, Mark Harrison; a middle-aged New Jersey law enforcement officer driving through a blinding, impassable blizzard whilst a malfunctioning GPS attempts to lead him astray as a wind threatens to turn his SUV over. All the while his thoughts dwell on ‘The King County Killer,’ a serial murderer responsible for the death of seven women over two months.
The novel relies on a multiple cast and very quickly the characters their respective back stories are introduced, the author spending just long enough to create entirely believable individuals with whom we can empathise. As each one finds themselves prisoners of the storm and unable to travel far from Big Mike’s diner the growing sense of claustrophobia reaches it apotheosis. The storm now becomes a character within its own right, brutal, oppressive and lethal.
One must mention here that this is not a wholly original premise and the phones that refuse to work and the clocks that simply stop as time loses meaning do border on cliché, yet despite this Duder succeeds in making this tale entirely his own.
Without giving too much away the novel is in essence a sophisticated and skilful blending of human evil, supernatural revenge and manipulative science creating a story arc that is never predictable, no matter how many murders we witness. A casual reader might be tempted halfway through to assume this is mainly a supernatural horror tale of a vengeful spirit but such an assumption would be grossly premature.
There is much to commend this novel but to points in particular are worthy of mention. Characterisation stands out first and foremost (with the exception being perhaps a couple of scientists who shall remain nameless). Mark, Mike, Ethan, Peter and Hannah for example are all fully realised individuals whom we can relate to or revile. Mood and tone also plays an enormous part in the reading enjoyment. Dark, menacing, terrifying and above all claustrophobic one cannot but help become engrossed. The action started a little late for my personal taste yet the multiple story threads and the palpable atmosphere always keeps it entertaining read.
Above all Desolation is a highly enjoyable read and one wholly recommended to horror fans, in particular those who enjoy the works of Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
The novel opens with the main protagonist, Mark Harrison; a middle-aged New Jersey law enforcement officer driving through a blinding, impassable blizzard whilst a malfunctioning GPS attempts to lead him astray as a wind threatens to turn his SUV over. All the while his thoughts dwell on ‘The King County Killer,’ a serial murderer responsible for the death of seven women over two months.
The novel relies on a multiple cast and very quickly the characters their respective back stories are introduced, the author spending just long enough to create entirely believable individuals with whom we can empathise. As each one finds themselves prisoners of the storm and unable to travel far from Big Mike’s diner the growing sense of claustrophobia reaches it apotheosis. The storm now becomes a character within its own right, brutal, oppressive and lethal.
One must mention here that this is not a wholly original premise and the phones that refuse to work and the clocks that simply stop as time loses meaning do border on cliché, yet despite this Duder succeeds in making this tale entirely his own.
Without giving too much away the novel is in essence a sophisticated and skilful blending of human evil, supernatural revenge and manipulative science creating a story arc that is never predictable, no matter how many murders we witness. A casual reader might be tempted halfway through to assume this is mainly a supernatural horror tale of a vengeful spirit but such an assumption would be grossly premature.
There is much to commend this novel but to points in particular are worthy of mention. Characterisation stands out first and foremost (with the exception being perhaps a couple of scientists who shall remain nameless). Mark, Mike, Ethan, Peter and Hannah for example are all fully realised individuals whom we can relate to or revile. Mood and tone also plays an enormous part in the reading enjoyment. Dark, menacing, terrifying and above all claustrophobic one cannot but help become engrossed. The action started a little late for my personal taste yet the multiple story threads and the palpable atmosphere always keeps it entertaining read.
Above all Desolation is a highly enjoyable read and one wholly recommended to horror fans, in particular those who enjoy the works of Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
July 26, 2016
I liked most of this book, it was creepy and got better as the story went on. I didn't like the ending though. No spoilers here....just didn't like the ending. I feel it could have ended better. But the types of endings I like in horror books may not be what another person likes....all in all a good book. It started off pretty interesting, didn't find too many lulls in the book where I got bored...in fact I was pretty drawn into the storyline from the beginning. A good read from an author I have never read before....I decided to read this book based on other reviews on Goodreads! :)
October 25, 2025
Desolation was one of those reads that quietly pulls you in until you suddenly realize you’re completely immersed in its world. While it took me a few chapters to really connect, it still started strong, setting the tone for the dark and emotional journey ahead. The pacing felt deliberate in the best way—it gave me time to get to know the characters and their histories before the chaos truly began, which made every later event hit harder.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the author handled the characters. We’re given enough background early on to understand many of their motivations, yet some remain a mystery until the exact moment we need to know more. That balance between clarity and intrigue kept me engaged and constantly wanting to learn more. Each reveal felt earned, and the gradual uncovering of secrets made the world feel alive and unpredictable.
The writing itself was another highlight. It’s immersive without being overly heavy, and it captures both the emotional weight of the characters’ struggles and the tension of the unfolding events. There’s a vividness to the way scenes are described that made it easy to picture everything as it happened. By the middle of the book, I found myself fully invested—not just in the plot, but in the emotional arcs of the characters and the dynamics between them.
I also really enjoyed how Desolation managed to balance its worldbuilding with its story. It never felt bogged down by exposition; instead, details about the world and its rules are revealed naturally through the characters’ experiences. That made the reading experience feel fluid and kept the story moving forward at a strong, steady pace.
Overall, Desolation was a deeply engaging start that left me eager for more. It delivered on both emotion and mystery, with a storyline that builds momentum and characters that linger in your mind long after finishing. I’m beyond excited to continue with Isolation to see how everything concludes and what happens to both halves of the cast—it feels like the perfect setup for something even bigger and more intense to come.
September 10, 2024
Wow! What a ride!
May 23, 2014
Wow, What a good book. I won this book on goodreads.com and I loved it. It kept my interest from beginning to the end. I didn't want to put it down. It was just the right amount of scary, I kept wanting to close my eyes. =) I would recomend this book to anyone who likes scary books. Thank you very much to the author who put it on goodreads.com so I could win it.
April 5, 2015
This was a pretty cool story. It's part 'The Grude' and part 'Identity' in a way. Tense atmosphere, great character development, and pretty suspenseful book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews