Dead Close

by Mark Robinson

Following a power outage in the dead of night, the residents of a leafy cul-de-sac mysteriously vanish. Amongst the missing are Eve Parker’s aunt and uncle. Desperate for answers, Eve starts digging into the history of Roanoke Road with the help of her friends, who host a true crime podcast series. What they discover could not only put them in harm’s way but also make this their last podcast, ever. . .

Paperback

Published September 28, 2022

Reviews

[Damien Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Affleck was great in Phantoms. Other than that, the one cool thing about Phantoms was the theory centered around Roanoke Island. That part always made me completely interested when I was younger. Mark Robinson took that same little concept and turned it on its head in the slasher genre. Dead Close isn’t just a slasher book though; it’s a book that feels like you’re watching an unreleased episode of Unsolved Mysteries play out in real time. The idea of following along with the podcast about the incident while it’s taking place is a ten out of ten banger and made me feel like I was absorbed in the story on more than one level. Dead Close is also a book filled with creeps that refuses to give up any of its mysteries until the end. Sit down and read this in one sitting. K thx.

[Coy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's remarkable about this novella is that it grips and addicts like the best true crime documentaries and podcasts. Page turner is an understatement. After the creepy setup in part 1 (if you live in a rural area, the scenarios with the darkly hooded stranger outside your house will get under your skin), Dead Close moves into an investigation-style plot, where the central device is a true crime podcast that is looking into the disappearances covered in part 1. A horror-mystery ensues. The story moves and screams like a banshee from there. Wonderful work. The author's skill with inner monologues and motivation really stood out, giving a vivid edge to the characters.

Robinson has exceptional pacing, too, making this a book that you'll binge in 2-3 hours.

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I binge-read this SO FAST. Mark has such an addicting writing style that draws you in like no other. This was such a gripping read that starts off with a bang and never lets up. Fans of true-crime and horror will absolutely devour this one! The characters were depocted perfectly and the story itself was paced well and was extremely immersive.

Dead Close is book one of the Last Podcast series.
A brief synopsis: A true-crime podcast looks into mysterious and unsolved disappearances. As they start to uncover these disappearances they are put directly into harms way.

A truly captivating read that has you on the edge of your seat trying to solve this mystery.

Thank you, Mark for this digital copy! Can’t wait to dive into book two 😈

[Adam Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to go in blind when reading books these days and it certainly paid off with Mark Robinson's debut novella. Robinson was a child of the 80's and it certainly shows through in the tense opening to Dead Close. This book works thanks to the author's ability to write normality extremely well. It's a skill which is often overlooked but Robinson performs it to a really high standard. This allows for the reader to be caught off guard when creepy events begin to bleed into the perfectly described suburban life. Dead Close is more quiet horror than a slasher, but it does contain many of the stronger aspects of the latter. We have an unstoppable antagonist, a variety of colourful characters, and the squeeze of dread throughout. Dead Close kept me intrigued right the way through and I'll certainly be keeping an eye on what Robinson comes up with next.

[Cherry Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing and cliffhangers in the tense scenes had me on the edge of my (train) seat! Such an unusual story, definitely not a predictable outcome. Nice little book you can get through in a couple of sittings. I'll be looking out for the sequel!

[Snookems · Rating 5 out of 5]

So may emotions in this book, another classic thriller form mark robinson. Very well written! almost panic inducing in parts, gripping and left me wanting more defiantly be buying more from him! Keep them coming!

[Mark Towse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of this type of tale, especially after just finishing my own little suburban bloodbath (with Erik Hanson). I loved the opening and how Mark is subtle with his approach to building up dread and suspension. The characters are believable, and the story is great. By the end, I certainly wanted more.

[Terry and dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really intriguing little horror story. I love the Roanoke references and the history about the Randalls. I felt bad about poor Eve, and was hoping it would turn out better for her. It’s quite the tale and makes you wonder if you really know your neighbours.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Close is a fast-paced novella full of creepy, crime-tinged action. The story centers on the mysterious disappearance of several residents on a street. Pulling from Roanoke lore, the author drags you into a web of twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. It's very easy to sit down with this one and not move until you've finished the book.

It's the first in The Last Podcast series and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go in book #2.

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at http://bit.ly/41mW3cN.










One night all the residents of Roanoke Road go missing. A year later and the police are no closer to finding them, although a podcast by a friend of the niece of a resident casts plenty of speculation on what happened. Was it the mob? A sketchy pharmaceutical company? Rival drug dealers? The husband who was having an affair? Or maybe it was the previous land-owner Randal. Whatever the case may be no one is safe in Roanoke.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I love a good murder mystery and each possibility within is discussed, even though we were given the answer within the first few chapters. I was curious to see if what caused all these disappearances would be stopped or if it would continue unhindered. Still, the who done it aspect was resolved during the book and there was some closure, even if all aspects of the book were not tied up tightly. This would give a great jumping off point for another book/story in the future, however.

The only aspect of the book I didn't really like is while we gain more information on Sarah and how her life changed with this ordeal after the initial set-up with Clive he is never mentioned again. We know he is living at his house. We know he leaves for work one day. Then nothing more is mentioned. It just felt like a string I wanted to pluck, even if the answer was likely as mundane as what he hinted at wanting before listening to the podcast.

While this wasn't the longest story it was engaging. The characters were developed and not one dimensional. Typos were infrequent and I have no major qualms with the end result.

[Tasha Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the residents of a small cul-de-sac go missing overnight, including Eve's aunt and uncle. She starts investigating, bringing in friends to assist, including some who are running a podcast related to unsolved mysteries and strange disappearances. Having just started my own podcast, the unique addition of the podcast angle to the plot of Dead Close* is particularly fascinating for me!

Mark does a great job of introducing each household involved in the storyline. Even characters who are present for only a brief period of time are described in great detail, and their relationship dynamics are very clear. It's easy to become invested in some, and easy to dislike the ones that immediately give you bad vibes. Right when you think you've found the heroine of the story, a major twist throws you off balance and you're left looking for solid footing again!

The villain sends chills up your spine when he enters the story, and you can just smell him while reading about him. It isn't clear what's happening to the victims (which absolutely gave me anxiety - but the good kind😂), so you're kept on your toes trying to sort it all out.

The claustrophobia, though very brief in description, definitely lives in my brain rent free now. It's like Mark knew what most of my nightmares contain, since the scenes where someone is trying to stay hidden, or get away without detection, are common themes when it comes to things that scare me.

[Raul Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strong beginning. Loved the podcast aspect of this story. Not much of a slasher more of a story with horror elements. It’s fast paced and easy to get into. The author does a great job at utilizing every trope needed to drive this story home. You can easily finish this in 2-3 sittings. One thing that really stands out about the writing is how you can feel the eeriness on the page. Makes you slightly uncomfortable but you’ll enjoy it