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Fear: Author's Preferred Edition
It was a legend in Fear County…a hideous creature—part snake, part earthbound demon—that feasted on the blood of innocent children in the cold black heart of the Tennessee backwoods.
But ten-year-old Jeb Sweeny knows the horrible stories are not simply tall-tales, but true. Several children in the town of Pikesville, as well as his girlfriend, Mandy, have been abducted in the dead of night and taken to the Snake-Critter's lair. Jeb knows that no one has ever had the courage to go after the monster and put an end to its raging, bestial hunger.
That is, until now.
But Evil is well guarded. And for young Jeb, who is about to cross over into the forbidden land of Fear County and unknown territory, passage through the gates of Hell comes with a terrible price.
Unbearable and everlasting…FEAR!
This special Author's Preferred Edition of Ronald Kelly's magnum opus, Fear, contains the original novel, an introduction by author Brian Keene, a Fear testimonial section, two bonus novellas, and an afterword by the author.
But ten-year-old Jeb Sweeny knows the horrible stories are not simply tall-tales, but true. Several children in the town of Pikesville, as well as his girlfriend, Mandy, have been abducted in the dead of night and taken to the Snake-Critter's lair. Jeb knows that no one has ever had the courage to go after the monster and put an end to its raging, bestial hunger.
That is, until now.
But Evil is well guarded. And for young Jeb, who is about to cross over into the forbidden land of Fear County and unknown territory, passage through the gates of Hell comes with a terrible price.
Unbearable and everlasting…FEAR!
This special Author's Preferred Edition of Ronald Kelly's magnum opus, Fear, contains the original novel, an introduction by author Brian Keene, a Fear testimonial section, two bonus novellas, and an afterword by the author.
547 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1994
39 people are currently reading
1299 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Kelly
96 books405 followersRonald Kelly was born and raised in the hills and hollows of Middle Tennessee. He became interested in horror as a child, watching the local "Creature Feature" on Saturday nights and "The Big Show"---a Nashville-based TV show that presented every old monster movie ever made ---in the afternoons after school. In high school, his interest turned to horror literature and he read such writers as Poe, Lovecraft, Matheson, and King. He originally had dreams of becoming a comic book artist and created many of his own superheroes. But during his junior year, the writing bug bit him and he focused his attention on penning short stories and full-length novels. To date, he has had thirteen novels and twelve short fiction collections published. In 2021, his extreme horror collection, THE ESSENTIAL SICK STUFF, won a Splatterpunk Award for Best Collection.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
March 14, 2019
4.5/5*
FEAR was a crazy mixture of: creature feature/coming of age/evil in a small town horror. It just doesn't get much more fun than that!
In the backwoods of Tennessee, young Jeb Sweeney is fighting for his family. His farmer father has been turned into a simpleton, thanks to a war injury. His mother is gone and his grandmother is gravely ill. There are bullies around their small town and on top of that, some kind of creature has arrived and it's killing anything it can get its hands on. What is a young man supposed to do about all this? You'll have to read FEAR to find out!
I have to admit that this book brought me back to the old days when I first started reading horror. (For me, those old days are in the late 70's, early 80's.) Back then, there were a lot of tales like this and they were beefy ones too-500 pages or more. You really would settle in with a book and it would go everywhere with you until you finished it. Coming of age tales were especially popular during that time, but not all of them were great. FEAR was though and I'll tell you why.
We have a family we can care for, more than one antagonist, a compelling setting, and best of all? A creature that can only be described as....SCARY. Sprinkle in some older women busy working their mojo, a traveling blues-man and an entire county of scary creatures, and you have the recipe for F-U-N!
This tale did start out slowly as we got to know everyone, the town, and the stories surrounding Fear County. Around about the halfway point, things ramped up and then the pace flew through the second half- I had a very hard time putting it down. I suspect that these days, an editor would have cut down the word count a bit, and even though I enjoyed the slower pace of the beginning, I can't deny that a few words could have been cut without hurting the book overall. For that I deducted half a star.
FEAR is exactly the type of book that inspired in me a love of horror fiction and dark fiction in general. We have a dirt poor family, a young man to root for, a setting of the small town, and nearby? A place so haunted and scary that no one ever goes there. I mean, really, for a horror fan-what's not to like? I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of coming of age horror and creature features.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2F7eSYa
*I purchased my copy with my hard earned cash back in 2014. I'm so glad I finally read this book!*
**Ronald Kelly was kind enough to join the Horror Aficionados Group for a group read of this story. Thank you, Mr. Kelly! I had a great time!**
FEAR was a crazy mixture of: creature feature/coming of age/evil in a small town horror. It just doesn't get much more fun than that!
In the backwoods of Tennessee, young Jeb Sweeney is fighting for his family. His farmer father has been turned into a simpleton, thanks to a war injury. His mother is gone and his grandmother is gravely ill. There are bullies around their small town and on top of that, some kind of creature has arrived and it's killing anything it can get its hands on. What is a young man supposed to do about all this? You'll have to read FEAR to find out!
I have to admit that this book brought me back to the old days when I first started reading horror. (For me, those old days are in the late 70's, early 80's.) Back then, there were a lot of tales like this and they were beefy ones too-500 pages or more. You really would settle in with a book and it would go everywhere with you until you finished it. Coming of age tales were especially popular during that time, but not all of them were great. FEAR was though and I'll tell you why.
We have a family we can care for, more than one antagonist, a compelling setting, and best of all? A creature that can only be described as....SCARY. Sprinkle in some older women busy working their mojo, a traveling blues-man and an entire county of scary creatures, and you have the recipe for F-U-N!
This tale did start out slowly as we got to know everyone, the town, and the stories surrounding Fear County. Around about the halfway point, things ramped up and then the pace flew through the second half- I had a very hard time putting it down. I suspect that these days, an editor would have cut down the word count a bit, and even though I enjoyed the slower pace of the beginning, I can't deny that a few words could have been cut without hurting the book overall. For that I deducted half a star.
FEAR is exactly the type of book that inspired in me a love of horror fiction and dark fiction in general. We have a dirt poor family, a young man to root for, a setting of the small town, and nearby? A place so haunted and scary that no one ever goes there. I mean, really, for a horror fan-what's not to like? I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of coming of age horror and creature features.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2F7eSYa
*I purchased my copy with my hard earned cash back in 2014. I'm so glad I finally read this book!*
**Ronald Kelly was kind enough to join the Horror Aficionados Group for a group read of this story. Thank you, Mr. Kelly! I had a great time!**
July 16, 2023
Welcome to Fear County!
A backstory without giving away spoilers:
Fear county is home to a creature that goes on a feasting fest that sends the citizens of the county running in "fear" for their lives. Ten year old Jeb Sweeney finally realizes that all the rumors and legends of what resides in Fear county is really true as events start happening that make him a believer when animals and people start disappearing.
Jeb decides to take it upon himself to finding out how he can stop the creature which he ends up meeting some friends along the way to help him on his journey which leads him to an old woman who might be able to whip up a potion that takes out the creature.
What is the creature? Where did it come from? Does Jeb have what it takes to stop the creature? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
My second reread of this story was just as great as the first time I read it!
The story takes off right away in the first chapter with some creature action and from there is a slow build up of momentum of the story progressing along with introducing the characters that take part in this book.
It is more or less considered a coming of age story for the character Jeb Sweeney with the story going deep into his family life and how he ends up coping with learning what he needs to do to not only take care of his family but all the citizens that need help battling this creature. Keeping this book at five "Slithering Snake Creature" stars!
For images of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
A backstory without giving away spoilers:
Fear county is home to a creature that goes on a feasting fest that sends the citizens of the county running in "fear" for their lives. Ten year old Jeb Sweeney finally realizes that all the rumors and legends of what resides in Fear county is really true as events start happening that make him a believer when animals and people start disappearing.
Jeb decides to take it upon himself to finding out how he can stop the creature which he ends up meeting some friends along the way to help him on his journey which leads him to an old woman who might be able to whip up a potion that takes out the creature.
What is the creature? Where did it come from? Does Jeb have what it takes to stop the creature? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
My second reread of this story was just as great as the first time I read it!
The story takes off right away in the first chapter with some creature action and from there is a slow build up of momentum of the story progressing along with introducing the characters that take part in this book.
It is more or less considered a coming of age story for the character Jeb Sweeney with the story going deep into his family life and how he ends up coping with learning what he needs to do to not only take care of his family but all the citizens that need help battling this creature. Keeping this book at five "Slithering Snake Creature" stars!
For images of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
March 10, 2019
Very chilling scenes all around.
Re-read finished (probably 4.5 stars). Great southern-style horror with amazing atmosphere and the innocence and courage of a boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Ronald Kelly has a style that's very easy to get drawn into; it stealthily creeps up on you, until you've realized you haven't budged in over 300 pages!
For those that like their horror a little "nastier", try his collection, "THE SICK STUFF" ;) .
**Another re-read March 2019: Definitely 4.5 stars! The characters were so impressive--I really enjoyed my visit back to "Fear County"!**
Re-read finished (probably 4.5 stars). Great southern-style horror with amazing atmosphere and the innocence and courage of a boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Ronald Kelly has a style that's very easy to get drawn into; it stealthily creeps up on you, until you've realized you haven't budged in over 300 pages!
For those that like their horror a little "nastier", try his collection, "THE SICK STUFF" ;) .
**Another re-read March 2019: Definitely 4.5 stars! The characters were so impressive--I really enjoyed my visit back to "Fear County"!**
March 26, 2019
When you read as much as I do, you tend to sift through a lot of trash in search of the rare gems. They don't come often. I also tend to think that I know quite a bit about the world of horror. Every once in a while, I get humbled. When they both happen with the same book, that's lightning in a bottle, folks, and I just captured it.You know who else captured it? Ronald Kelly. He even gave it a name. FEAR.
FEAR was everything I love in horror story. It's a period piece set in the 1940s. I love that era. The setting was in rural TN. Not a place I know much about, but it's small town and I find that they make the best settings for horror. It's a coming-of-age story, reminding me very often of Boy's Life and The Body. What more can I say about Boy's Life that I haven't already crowed about? My favorite book - EVER! It's got monsters, real and make believe, and the main one is full of piss and vinegar, just the way I like 'em. It's more than 30,000 words. Don't get me wrong. Some stories simply need to stay around that length, but damn it, let's not be afraid to stretch our legs a little, okay, a lot. If you're good, you're good. When I want a story to keep going and never end, when I want to find out what happened next for Jeb after I've reached the last page, when I want to keep feeling what I'm feeling the whole time I'm reading FEAR, that's not the characteristics of a good story, but a great story. When I read the dialogue of the characters in FEAR, I can hear and picture my grandparents speaking like this in a time that they lived as children.That gives me the warm fuzzies. The descriptions of rural Tennessee settings, I can feel the hot concrete on my bare feet, the cool river refreshing me, the taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper from a glass bottle on my lips. Kelly pulls me, mind and body, out of my recliner and sets me smack dab in the middle of Pikesville. Now, is there a wart or two in FEAR? Sure. Sometimes, it takes a little bit to believe in all of the happenings here and sometimes it seems like there may have been one or two scenes that could've been deleted, but that's also some of FEAR's charm. There is some excess. There is a little over the top, but you don't care because it's so damn good. Do you know how I know? Because, I've been done with FEAR for a few days now, yet I'm still reliving Jeb's exploits in my head. That's the mark of a great story - when you carry it with you long after you've closed the book.
Ron can flat out write and it breaks my heart that he basically shut it down for a decade or more since Zebra books collapsed. I get it. Life happens for people and Ron is no exception. But, if he was this good when he wrote FEAR, I selfishly think about how many more of his great stories I could be enjoying, if he had never stopped writing. I hope that, someday soon, he's able to find the time to put pen to paper again. If he does, I hope he's able to find that the magic inside of him still burns hot, like the time it did when he wrote FEAR. And, I hope he finds that he still loves doing it and all the people in his life will whole-heartedly support that creativity. Because, like I said, I've read a lot and rarely do I come across an author with this much talent, and it would be a shame to see it go to waste.
5 Black Diamond-Plated Scales out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
FEAR was everything I love in horror story. It's a period piece set in the 1940s. I love that era. The setting was in rural TN. Not a place I know much about, but it's small town and I find that they make the best settings for horror. It's a coming-of-age story, reminding me very often of Boy's Life and The Body. What more can I say about Boy's Life that I haven't already crowed about? My favorite book - EVER! It's got monsters, real and make believe, and the main one is full of piss and vinegar, just the way I like 'em. It's more than 30,000 words. Don't get me wrong. Some stories simply need to stay around that length, but damn it, let's not be afraid to stretch our legs a little, okay, a lot. If you're good, you're good. When I want a story to keep going and never end, when I want to find out what happened next for Jeb after I've reached the last page, when I want to keep feeling what I'm feeling the whole time I'm reading FEAR, that's not the characteristics of a good story, but a great story. When I read the dialogue of the characters in FEAR, I can hear and picture my grandparents speaking like this in a time that they lived as children.That gives me the warm fuzzies. The descriptions of rural Tennessee settings, I can feel the hot concrete on my bare feet, the cool river refreshing me, the taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper from a glass bottle on my lips. Kelly pulls me, mind and body, out of my recliner and sets me smack dab in the middle of Pikesville. Now, is there a wart or two in FEAR? Sure. Sometimes, it takes a little bit to believe in all of the happenings here and sometimes it seems like there may have been one or two scenes that could've been deleted, but that's also some of FEAR's charm. There is some excess. There is a little over the top, but you don't care because it's so damn good. Do you know how I know? Because, I've been done with FEAR for a few days now, yet I'm still reliving Jeb's exploits in my head. That's the mark of a great story - when you carry it with you long after you've closed the book.
Ron can flat out write and it breaks my heart that he basically shut it down for a decade or more since Zebra books collapsed. I get it. Life happens for people and Ron is no exception. But, if he was this good when he wrote FEAR, I selfishly think about how many more of his great stories I could be enjoying, if he had never stopped writing. I hope that, someday soon, he's able to find the time to put pen to paper again. If he does, I hope he's able to find that the magic inside of him still burns hot, like the time it did when he wrote FEAR. And, I hope he finds that he still loves doing it and all the people in his life will whole-heartedly support that creativity. Because, like I said, I've read a lot and rarely do I come across an author with this much talent, and it would be a shame to see it go to waste.
5 Black Diamond-Plated Scales out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
March 7, 2019
This book was so good! i loved the characters so much! The journey they go on is pure magic. The story Ronald weaves is wonderful. It wasn't scary (to me) but you love these guys so much, it just doesn't matter. This was my first book by Ronald Kelly but will not be my last.
April 3, 2019
Awesome!
This story was awesome. I grew attached to the characters because of the good writing of the author. It hurt when two of the main characters died( not giving away spoilers.) I have no clue on what that negative review was talking about. The heroic character Sam was a veteran that suffered shell shock and what we called today PTSD. The miracle that happens to Sam was so heartwarming. Another heroic character was Roscoe. Roscoe’s death was horrific. There were so many other good characters like Grandma, Jeb, and more. The good characters outweigh the bad. Yes, folks have different tastes. The way this book is written is a reminder of the struggles of veterans during that time period. Who cannot have respect for that?
This story was just not horror but also a reminder of the wonders of life both good and bad. The cover is creepy. It the eyes of the creatures on the cover that are creepy. All of these reasons are why it gives 5 stars. I will be reading this book again. I recommend this book to all those love horror books and movies. 🇺🇸🐾
This story was awesome. I grew attached to the characters because of the good writing of the author. It hurt when two of the main characters died( not giving away spoilers.) I have no clue on what that negative review was talking about. The heroic character Sam was a veteran that suffered shell shock and what we called today PTSD. The miracle that happens to Sam was so heartwarming. Another heroic character was Roscoe. Roscoe’s death was horrific. There were so many other good characters like Grandma, Jeb, and more. The good characters outweigh the bad. Yes, folks have different tastes. The way this book is written is a reminder of the struggles of veterans during that time period. Who cannot have respect for that?
This story was just not horror but also a reminder of the wonders of life both good and bad. The cover is creepy. It the eyes of the creatures on the cover that are creepy. All of these reasons are why it gives 5 stars. I will be reading this book again. I recommend this book to all those love horror books and movies. 🇺🇸🐾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
A rather neat, but decidedly odd, read by Kelly, and one that is very hard to categorize. Our main protagonist, Jeb, is a 10 yo boy in a small town in Tennessee, but a boy facing some serious problems. First, his granny is dying of cancer and his father came back from WWII with brain damage, and now is like a 5 yo boy who does not even remember Jeb is his son. Once his granny dies, Jeb fears his daddy will be put in some asylum and he put up for adoption. That is not the only problem, however, as there is some sort of dog/lizard thing roaming around town that first kills a number of animals (including Jeb's prize winning pig) and then starts kidnapping kids to fed off their blood.
Without anyone to talk to about the monster (the sheriff did not believe a word of Jeb's when he went to him), Jeb turns to an old bluesman called Roscoe Ledbetter (who has to be a proxy for old Leadbelly); together, they concoct a scheme to go to Fear County and seek out an old witch for help...
This was billed as a horror novel, and yeah, I can see why, but really it is more of a fantasy coming of age novel set in the early 1950s. Jeb, along with Sam (his dad), Roscoe and Jeb's coondog set out on a major adventure across the county like into the evil Fear County, encountering all kinds of tribulations. Kelly's almost trademark smooth prose laced with 'down home' adages and phrases makes for an engaging read to be sure. So, can Jeb overcome his own fear and find a way to kill the dog/lizard monster (and free up his first crush, how is held captive by the beast) along with a means to save his granny? If he fails, the farm will be foreclosed upon and he faces a really uncertain future to say the least.
So, not really a horror novel, but a fantasy coming of age story that just happens to be set in a mythical town in Tennessee. Coming of age fantasy is not really my bag, but Kelly makes it work-- he really is a gifted storyteller. Kelly's books are a little hard to come by, but well worth seeking them out. 4 fun stars!!
Without anyone to talk to about the monster (the sheriff did not believe a word of Jeb's when he went to him), Jeb turns to an old bluesman called Roscoe Ledbetter (who has to be a proxy for old Leadbelly); together, they concoct a scheme to go to Fear County and seek out an old witch for help...
This was billed as a horror novel, and yeah, I can see why, but really it is more of a fantasy coming of age novel set in the early 1950s. Jeb, along with Sam (his dad), Roscoe and Jeb's coondog set out on a major adventure across the county like into the evil Fear County, encountering all kinds of tribulations. Kelly's almost trademark smooth prose laced with 'down home' adages and phrases makes for an engaging read to be sure. So, can Jeb overcome his own fear and find a way to kill the dog/lizard monster (and free up his first crush, how is held captive by the beast) along with a means to save his granny? If he fails, the farm will be foreclosed upon and he faces a really uncertain future to say the least.
So, not really a horror novel, but a fantasy coming of age story that just happens to be set in a mythical town in Tennessee. Coming of age fantasy is not really my bag, but Kelly makes it work-- he really is a gifted storyteller. Kelly's books are a little hard to come by, but well worth seeking them out. 4 fun stars!!
August 7, 2023
Fear County Conundrum! Witch Child Goes AWOL! "Well, all I wanted to do was raise a family in peace. I just don't get why everyone got so upset. I only took hardly a handful of young uns and a few stragglers from the herd. I was just making Mangrum county a better place. Jeez - talk about harsh!" - Snake-Critter - The Fear County Chronicle.
Interesting how the story has a show-bag of monsters. In lesser hands it could've been a disaster with a loss of focus, but Ron pulls it off well. Kinda reminds me of the early years of the 'Supernatural,' tv show but with more run & evade tactics.... I'm also getting a Stephen King 'Maine,' vibe with Tennessee flavour.
In many ways this is a coming of age story for Jeb, a 10 year old who finds himself having to rise to the occasion against terrible foes. An entertaining tale throughout.
Recommended. 5 'Boy With the Right Stuff,' stars
Interesting how the story has a show-bag of monsters. In lesser hands it could've been a disaster with a loss of focus, but Ron pulls it off well. Kinda reminds me of the early years of the 'Supernatural,' tv show but with more run & evade tactics.... I'm also getting a Stephen King 'Maine,' vibe with Tennessee flavour.
In many ways this is a coming of age story for Jeb, a 10 year old who finds himself having to rise to the occasion against terrible foes. An entertaining tale throughout.
Recommended. 5 'Boy With the Right Stuff,' stars
December 29, 2020
One thing I’ve come to realize when you take the time and energy to review books regularly, is that some books will come your way in the oddest of circumstances. Take ‘Fear’ from Ronald Kelly. This came onto my radar after a Twitter tither erupted when Mr. Kelly tweeted that from a veteran horror writer it appeared harder to find people to review their work. I personally didn’t understand what the issue was (and I’m not trying to rehash or reopen any arguments) but I took a look at Mr. Kelly’s Goodreads page and was immediately intrigued. I snagged 4 or 5 of his works almost immediately. But as my TBR always leans at angles beyond what even gravity says is possible (in actuality I read on a Kindle!) it took me a bit to get to ‘Fear.’
What I liked: I’d previously read some of Ronald’s short stories in anthologies and loved the way he wrote. His characters and settings live and breathe and bring the reader to that time and place. So, knowing that I was excited to dive into ‘Fear.’
While reading this, I thought of an essay Ronald had posted on Facebook. One of the things mentioned was that he found new books to often push past character development and plot setup in order to dive into the action and get right to the point. I can honestly say my own writing has done just that before, and he makes a valid point. It’s also one of the reasons we see older books typically 2-3x longer than new releases. I’m not going to consider novellas as part of this equation as the very nature of novellas is short and sweet.
Saying all of that was for a point. ‘Fear’ follows our young main character Jeb Sweeny, who lives in Mangum County. This is one county over from Fear County, where the laws of nature and man are different. Initially we get two plot points that start the story off. Jeb’s father Sam is slowwitted. He fought in WWII and suffered a brain injury which has resulted in a form of amnesia where he can’t remember anything. Jeb and Sam live with Jeb’s grandmother, a woman who is doing her best to care for her son and grandson, even as she is slowly felled by Cancer.
All of this comes to a head when a snake-like creature makes its way into the county and begins to slaughter animals and kidnap children.
From here, Kelly takes Jeb, Sam and an African American male named Roscoe into the heart of Fear County to try and fix the three issues in Jeb’s life.
While this book was released in 1994 originally, it is all too topical with the looks at race that are portrayed and Kelly has crafted some fantastic characters. As for the snake creature, these scenes themselves play out as some of the most frightening scenes I’ve ever read. It may be partly my life long obsession with snakes, but man did Kelly deliver when describing the events and the creature itself.
The foray into Fear County was fantastic and seeing the oddities that they encounter was fantastic and was a great look at the underbelly of the South. The language used is not PC in the least which elevated the tension and the truthness of the story. Without the specific uses of certain words, some of the scenes would’ve felt canned and flat.
One thing I will note – Kelly’s crafting of the characters and their back stories really made for some emotional kicks later on when bad things inevitably happened and there was a few times I felt myself getting close to tears.
What I didn’t like: Two minor things. I was a bit annoyed at how long the trip into Fear County took in terms of book real estate. The entire time I was thinking ‘GET BACK FASTER!’ You knew things were happening and that the snake creature was on the prowl. Just get back! Haha! The second thing was the continual gullibility of Jeb. He frequently walked into back situations and while at first it was just a character thing where he’s a young trusting kid, but by the 2nd and 3rd times you really began to want to give him a smack!
Why you should buy this: This novel was pretty close to perfection. We get solid back story, story arcs for each of the three main characters and resolution for all three of the narratives that we get introduced too. Along the way, we meet some great secondary characters and the events that occur all worked to ramp up each and every part of the story.
Ronald Kelly is truly a master at the craft and shows why he’s been in the game for as long as he has. He seems to have found a new gear as of late with his output, which bodes well for long time fans as well as those like myself who’ve just finally made the plunge.
What I liked: I’d previously read some of Ronald’s short stories in anthologies and loved the way he wrote. His characters and settings live and breathe and bring the reader to that time and place. So, knowing that I was excited to dive into ‘Fear.’
While reading this, I thought of an essay Ronald had posted on Facebook. One of the things mentioned was that he found new books to often push past character development and plot setup in order to dive into the action and get right to the point. I can honestly say my own writing has done just that before, and he makes a valid point. It’s also one of the reasons we see older books typically 2-3x longer than new releases. I’m not going to consider novellas as part of this equation as the very nature of novellas is short and sweet.
Saying all of that was for a point. ‘Fear’ follows our young main character Jeb Sweeny, who lives in Mangum County. This is one county over from Fear County, where the laws of nature and man are different. Initially we get two plot points that start the story off. Jeb’s father Sam is slowwitted. He fought in WWII and suffered a brain injury which has resulted in a form of amnesia where he can’t remember anything. Jeb and Sam live with Jeb’s grandmother, a woman who is doing her best to care for her son and grandson, even as she is slowly felled by Cancer.
All of this comes to a head when a snake-like creature makes its way into the county and begins to slaughter animals and kidnap children.
From here, Kelly takes Jeb, Sam and an African American male named Roscoe into the heart of Fear County to try and fix the three issues in Jeb’s life.
While this book was released in 1994 originally, it is all too topical with the looks at race that are portrayed and Kelly has crafted some fantastic characters. As for the snake creature, these scenes themselves play out as some of the most frightening scenes I’ve ever read. It may be partly my life long obsession with snakes, but man did Kelly deliver when describing the events and the creature itself.
The foray into Fear County was fantastic and seeing the oddities that they encounter was fantastic and was a great look at the underbelly of the South. The language used is not PC in the least which elevated the tension and the truthness of the story. Without the specific uses of certain words, some of the scenes would’ve felt canned and flat.
One thing I will note – Kelly’s crafting of the characters and their back stories really made for some emotional kicks later on when bad things inevitably happened and there was a few times I felt myself getting close to tears.
What I didn’t like: Two minor things. I was a bit annoyed at how long the trip into Fear County took in terms of book real estate. The entire time I was thinking ‘GET BACK FASTER!’ You knew things were happening and that the snake creature was on the prowl. Just get back! Haha! The second thing was the continual gullibility of Jeb. He frequently walked into back situations and while at first it was just a character thing where he’s a young trusting kid, but by the 2nd and 3rd times you really began to want to give him a smack!
Why you should buy this: This novel was pretty close to perfection. We get solid back story, story arcs for each of the three main characters and resolution for all three of the narratives that we get introduced too. Along the way, we meet some great secondary characters and the events that occur all worked to ramp up each and every part of the story.
Ronald Kelly is truly a master at the craft and shows why he’s been in the game for as long as he has. He seems to have found a new gear as of late with his output, which bodes well for long time fans as well as those like myself who’ve just finally made the plunge.
March 20, 2019
For 10 year old Jeb Sweeney, life in the backwoods town of Pikesville, Tennessee in 1946 is bittersweet.
Growing up without a mom, a father left "simple minded" by shell shock, and a sick grandmother...becoming an adult too early can be a trial.
But he has his friends, his first love.....
And then, he doesn't.
Something horrific has descended upon Jeb's life....a legendary creature from the dark place they call Fear County....it's come to feed, and it has taken his girl, his friends and his dog.
Jeb is about to journey down a dark path....to a place angels fear to tread...to find the witch woman who holds the secret to stopping the terror ripping through his world. Accompanied by his father and a legendary bluesman, Jeb is heading into the heart of a nightmare....welcome to Fear County.
A pitch perfect coming of age/small town horror novel, Kelly's writing brings the people, the time and the place alive with a style of Southern storytelling only he can do. And offer up a monster, and a place, that will rent space in your nightmares for a long time coming.
Highly recommended, FEAR has earned a place on my shelves alongside BOY'S LIFE, SUMMER OF NIGHT, and MIDNIGHT RAIN.
Go get some FEAR for yourself....and grab everything else Ron Kelly has ever written. You'll thank me sooner than later...
Growing up without a mom, a father left "simple minded" by shell shock, and a sick grandmother...becoming an adult too early can be a trial.
But he has his friends, his first love.....
And then, he doesn't.
Something horrific has descended upon Jeb's life....a legendary creature from the dark place they call Fear County....it's come to feed, and it has taken his girl, his friends and his dog.
Jeb is about to journey down a dark path....to a place angels fear to tread...to find the witch woman who holds the secret to stopping the terror ripping through his world. Accompanied by his father and a legendary bluesman, Jeb is heading into the heart of a nightmare....welcome to Fear County.
A pitch perfect coming of age/small town horror novel, Kelly's writing brings the people, the time and the place alive with a style of Southern storytelling only he can do. And offer up a monster, and a place, that will rent space in your nightmares for a long time coming.
Highly recommended, FEAR has earned a place on my shelves alongside BOY'S LIFE, SUMMER OF NIGHT, and MIDNIGHT RAIN.
Go get some FEAR for yourself....and grab everything else Ron Kelly has ever written. You'll thank me sooner than later...
April 19, 2021
Wow! What an absolutely brilliant coming of age story!! The writing flowed beautifully, and the story completely hooks you, making it a very enjoyable read. It had horror, and adventure in equal measure, and I may have shed a tear or two as well, but don't tell anyone. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! 🖤🐍
own-tbr
February 27, 2019Just .99 cents for the Kindle! Join us, along with author Ronald Kelly, for our group chat at Horror Aficionados !
February 13, 2016
Mesmerizing coming of age story What a most unusual and wonderful tale this has proved to be. Having never read anything by Ronald Kelly before I was attracted to this book by the horrific and gruesome paperback cover depicting a snake like evil entity. Naturally I was expecting the story to take me on a macabre journey where most of the residents of Pikesville, located in the middle of Mangrum County, would be devoured by this ravenous monster! This book however is so much more than that; it is the story of 10 year old Jeb Sweeney as he begins to make the painful transition from the innocence of childhood to the challenges of adulthood. I loved the randomness of the story from the quiet opening with all the smells and sounds of downtown Pikesville, from the repartee and banter of Mr Drewer’s barbershop to the almost “wizard of oz” feel of the perilous journey into Fear County.
The snake-critter “some sort of half –dog, half-snake with big yellow-green eyes, long fangs, and a shiny coat of black scales” is terrorizing the citizens of Pikesville draining their blood and holding them hostage in his lair, a cave on the south bank of the Cumberland river. Jeb knows the only way to defeat this demon is to travel to the house of the Granny Woman for a magical potion to destroy it. On that journey he will be accompanied by legendary bluesman Roscoe Ledbetter and his father Sam who is mentally handicapped having been wounded in the 2WW.
The story moves at a frenetic pace and every chapter is littered with breathtaking adventure and wonderful characters. We meet the snake queen, Ezelical Gallow, the Kudzu, Buckshot and we travel to Paradise Hollow, Adder Swamp, Lynching Springs. Jed’s adventures take place in the evil and adjacent Fear County “it had been named Fear a hundred years or so ago because that was the emotion the dark and desolate country conjured the most”
This novel is part thriller, part fantasy, part horror and it will make you laugh, cry, and contemplate in equal measure. It portrays through the eyes of Jeb the type of world we live in, both the good and bad, and how the decisions that we take effect those we love the most. It is a story of family, want, need, it is at times sad but ultimately it shows how the power of friendship, kin and understanding are the most vital characteristics of the human condition.
The snake-critter “some sort of half –dog, half-snake with big yellow-green eyes, long fangs, and a shiny coat of black scales” is terrorizing the citizens of Pikesville draining their blood and holding them hostage in his lair, a cave on the south bank of the Cumberland river. Jeb knows the only way to defeat this demon is to travel to the house of the Granny Woman for a magical potion to destroy it. On that journey he will be accompanied by legendary bluesman Roscoe Ledbetter and his father Sam who is mentally handicapped having been wounded in the 2WW.
The story moves at a frenetic pace and every chapter is littered with breathtaking adventure and wonderful characters. We meet the snake queen, Ezelical Gallow, the Kudzu, Buckshot and we travel to Paradise Hollow, Adder Swamp, Lynching Springs. Jed’s adventures take place in the evil and adjacent Fear County “it had been named Fear a hundred years or so ago because that was the emotion the dark and desolate country conjured the most”
This novel is part thriller, part fantasy, part horror and it will make you laugh, cry, and contemplate in equal measure. It portrays through the eyes of Jeb the type of world we live in, both the good and bad, and how the decisions that we take effect those we love the most. It is a story of family, want, need, it is at times sad but ultimately it shows how the power of friendship, kin and understanding are the most vital characteristics of the human condition.
December 19, 2021
A classic, COA story with a little bit of everything. This book has the traditional bully, a unique monster, deep emotional content and a touch of magic. There's a reason Ronald Kelly has been around the horror world for years and this book goes to show it. A great read for any fan of horror.
January 6, 2022
This book is superb!!!
September 11, 2025
This was a great read! In a small Tennessee town, 10 years old Jeb lives with his grandmother and simple-minded father. The farm animals are being slaughtered, and children are going missing. Legends are spoken of in the town surrounding the neighboring county called Fear Town. Creatures, witches, and death is what it's known for. No one who enters Fear County ever returns. With the disappearances mounting and the law turning a blind eye, it's up to Jeb to do something....
This is part creature feature, part post apocalypse adventure, part fantasy, and full of horror. It was a mash up of lots of different genres, but it works so well. Kelly's characters, especially Jeb and his father, are fantastic, which allows the tension built to envelop the reader. Its imagery, especially in Fear County, is horrific, and the creature is disgusting and awesome.
If you want to read something a little different from the norm, I highly recommend this one. 4.5 stars from me.
This is part creature feature, part post apocalypse adventure, part fantasy, and full of horror. It was a mash up of lots of different genres, but it works so well. Kelly's characters, especially Jeb and his father, are fantastic, which allows the tension built to envelop the reader. Its imagery, especially in Fear County, is horrific, and the creature is disgusting and awesome.
If you want to read something a little different from the norm, I highly recommend this one. 4.5 stars from me.
January 12, 2022
I’m in a heap of tears at the moment so I’ll be leaving a proper review at a later date…. For now, I’ll just say… I FREAKIN LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! 😫
It gets ALL THE STARS and it’s now on my “TOP TEN MOST FAVORITE BOOKS” List!!!!
It gets ALL THE STARS and it’s now on my “TOP TEN MOST FAVORITE BOOKS” List!!!!
November 15, 2014
My third book I have read by Ronald Kelly. By far the best so far.
The year is 1946 in Pikesville, Tennessee. Jeb Sweeny lives with his very ill Grandma and his father Sam. Sam is "simple-minded" as the locals call him because he suffers from shell shock after the war and can't remember anything. He can't even remember Jeb is his son. Livestock in the county starts to mysteriously be butchered and rumour has it that there is a half dog half snake demon on the loose. Jeb witnesses the demon himself when his prized hog is dragged away in front of his eyes.
Noone, including the sheriff believes Jeb and when kids his own age, including his sweatheart Mandy start to disappear, Jeb knows he is the only one that is going to be able to stop it. With the help of Roscoe Ledbetter, a blues playing vagrant, Jeb and Sam set off on a journey to Fear County to track down the Granny Woman and seek her help in defeating the demon. Roscoe knows the way and the dangers they will come across. Jeb knows he is going to ask the Granny Woman for help with his own Grandma and his father. Sam knows nothing other than they are going on a journey. And what a journey.
Putting it simply, this is one of the greatest stories I have ever read. It's a classic and one that I would urge any of my friends to add to their collection because you will not regret it. The early story is told in an absolutely beautiful way. It reminded me of McCammon's Boys Life the way the story builds around Jeb and his family. You get a definite feeling of the times. The atmosphere is pure magic and sucks you in to the point you can see everything very vividly in your mind as you're reading it. The characters are wonderful. They each have their own individual traits that make each one special in their own way. Scenes where people are stood gassing in the local barbers shop just give you that feeling of being in the south in the 40's. It's just superb.
I could go on and on and on about this book all night so I'll try to break it down: this book will scare the bejesus out of you, this book will make you laugh, this book will make you read with a huge big grin on your face, this book will make you cry. You must buy it. This is a serious, serious contender for my book of the year.
You also have the added bonus of a short story about Fear County called The Seedling at the end.
Never any doubt in my mind of this book getting any less than 5 stars!!
The year is 1946 in Pikesville, Tennessee. Jeb Sweeny lives with his very ill Grandma and his father Sam. Sam is "simple-minded" as the locals call him because he suffers from shell shock after the war and can't remember anything. He can't even remember Jeb is his son. Livestock in the county starts to mysteriously be butchered and rumour has it that there is a half dog half snake demon on the loose. Jeb witnesses the demon himself when his prized hog is dragged away in front of his eyes.
Noone, including the sheriff believes Jeb and when kids his own age, including his sweatheart Mandy start to disappear, Jeb knows he is the only one that is going to be able to stop it. With the help of Roscoe Ledbetter, a blues playing vagrant, Jeb and Sam set off on a journey to Fear County to track down the Granny Woman and seek her help in defeating the demon. Roscoe knows the way and the dangers they will come across. Jeb knows he is going to ask the Granny Woman for help with his own Grandma and his father. Sam knows nothing other than they are going on a journey. And what a journey.
Putting it simply, this is one of the greatest stories I have ever read. It's a classic and one that I would urge any of my friends to add to their collection because you will not regret it. The early story is told in an absolutely beautiful way. It reminded me of McCammon's Boys Life the way the story builds around Jeb and his family. You get a definite feeling of the times. The atmosphere is pure magic and sucks you in to the point you can see everything very vividly in your mind as you're reading it. The characters are wonderful. They each have their own individual traits that make each one special in their own way. Scenes where people are stood gassing in the local barbers shop just give you that feeling of being in the south in the 40's. It's just superb.
I could go on and on and on about this book all night so I'll try to break it down: this book will scare the bejesus out of you, this book will make you laugh, this book will make you read with a huge big grin on your face, this book will make you cry. You must buy it. This is a serious, serious contender for my book of the year.
You also have the added bonus of a short story about Fear County called The Seedling at the end.
Never any doubt in my mind of this book getting any less than 5 stars!!
April 13, 2021
What an amazing read! I absolutely loved everything about this book and it's going on my favorites list, for sure. It's everything I want in a good coming-of-age horror and I feel as though I just went on an epic journey reading this. Our main character, Jeb is one of the most authentic, likeable characters I've ever come across. Likewise with his old friend Roscoe. This is a must-read for not only horror readers, but all readers. Easily 5/5 Fear County skulls 💀
April 6, 2021
I don’t feel like any words could describe what an amazing wonderful book this is. Its a coming of age story with a very unique storyline. It’s one of those books that you are so sad when it ends and leaves you wanting more. It took me on an emotional ride with all the feels and is a truly magical, beautiful story with amazing characters. This has definitely moved into my top 5 of all time! If you haven’t read it, you need to, you won’t be disappointed.
April 15, 2022
I used to think that Robert McCammon's Boy's Life had no equal in terms of coming of age horror stories. I was wrong. Fear was so effective, it made me nostalgic for a time and place that I have never experienced. An absolute gem of a read and one that I will go back to time and time again.
March 12, 2019
Excellent
An excellent and well told story. My first read from this author. I will definatly be reading more of his work. The character development is very good and the atmosphere draws you in.
An excellent and well told story. My first read from this author. I will definatly be reading more of his work. The character development is very good and the atmosphere draws you in.
December 31, 2023
I have had this book on my shelves for quite a while. I kept wanting to start it because I just knew I would love it but it wasn’t the right time yet. I’m so glad to have finally been in the right mindset to enjoy this one. It completely sucked me in and I was so invested in the characters
April 10, 2021
This book moved me to tears! It goes above and beyond a horror book. What defines an epic tale in my opinion? A book that can weave characters that you feel are so real. Characters that you love. Characters that you hate. A book that can make you feel a stir of emotions. A book that covers several genres and takes you on a memorable journey. Such a book exists. It's called Fear by Ronald Kelly.
This book takes place during the late 1940's in a small town in Tennessee. The main character Jeb is a 10 year old boy who is being raised by his paternal grandmother. His father has served in World War 2 and hasn't been the same since he returned. He doesn't remember his son. Jeb takes care of his father and dreams of the day his father remembers him. Jeb's grandmother has a terminal diagnosis of cancer. In addition to all the adversities Jeb is experiencing, there is an evil lurking in this small town. A snake creature is on the loose. Children have gone missing. Will Jeb be able to conquer this evil as he embarks on a journey to a sinister place called Fear County to get answers from a local witch? You will have to read the book!
This is a coming of age tale that is also part creature feature, as well as small town horror. I am not only adding this as one of my favorite reads this year, but also one of my favorite books of all time. 5 out 5 glowing stars!
This book takes place during the late 1940's in a small town in Tennessee. The main character Jeb is a 10 year old boy who is being raised by his paternal grandmother. His father has served in World War 2 and hasn't been the same since he returned. He doesn't remember his son. Jeb takes care of his father and dreams of the day his father remembers him. Jeb's grandmother has a terminal diagnosis of cancer. In addition to all the adversities Jeb is experiencing, there is an evil lurking in this small town. A snake creature is on the loose. Children have gone missing. Will Jeb be able to conquer this evil as he embarks on a journey to a sinister place called Fear County to get answers from a local witch? You will have to read the book!
This is a coming of age tale that is also part creature feature, as well as small town horror. I am not only adding this as one of my favorite reads this year, but also one of my favorite books of all time. 5 out 5 glowing stars!
September 23, 2021
I listened to this on audiobook and it was astounding!
A brilliant book, and a great introduction for me into Kelly’s work… more will be bought and read!
A brilliant book, and a great introduction for me into Kelly’s work… more will be bought and read!
September 29, 2021
Coming-of-age, barefoot by way of Where the Red Fern Grows, steeped in wonder and menace. Touching at times.
December 4, 2025
We unpacked this book on an episode of Unburying the Dead. Check it out here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Fear marks the first novel I’ve read from Ronald Kelly, and though I’ve enjoyed his short fiction immensely, there’s something bigger, something more that this man can do when he has 500 pages at his disposal. A lot of that is down to the voice. Kelly’s tagline is he writes southern-fried horror, and though I’ve lived above the Mason-Dixon line all my life, even a yankee can recognize the inclusion of distinctly southern aspects present in this coming-of-age story. Although truth be told, I needed some of the more subtle ones pointed out through the sage wisdom of Well Read Beard.
I mentioned Fear as coming-of-age, and I’d wager it’s the best horror coming-of-age you’ve never read. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with It, Boy’s Life, The Body, and any other giant you care to throw. It’s that good. We get to know Jeb Sweeney through his trials and tribulations, which I won’t detail here, but suffice it to say, this kid has a lot on his back. The characters jump off the page, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t specifically mention Roscoe Ledbetter, a great character in his own right who aids greatly in making Jeb the part of the story, and also allows Kelly to directly address the issue of racism in the 1940’s south, though I expect not as much has changed since then as we might hope.
From the word go, the reader knows they’re eventually heading to Fear County, TN, where the worst of the worst reside, and no earthly explanation exists for the inherent evil. It’s just a bad place. Here’s the thing though. We don’t cross that county line for almost 300 pages, and it’s fine. The reader isn’t squirming in their seat asking ‘when we’re going to get to the fireworks factory!”. Kelly lets us get to know Jeb and his supporting cast, understand them, and invest in them. We believe this character, and when stuff gets weird, we believe that too because Kelly has us roped in.
When the reader does eventually cross that county line, Kelly’s imagination shines. He leads through a series of obstacles and unsettling events, some fully explored, others leaving the reader to the deepest throes of their imagination. Kelly makes our skin crawl while we hold up our empty bowl and ask for more. The embodiment of good living deep in the heart of Fear County is liable to draw comparisons to King’s The Stand, but in my oh so humble opinion (don’t hate me) the way Kelly uses this character is considerably more satisfying.
Look, I could take you through the journey out of Fear County, but just trust me when I tell you that even though it can feel a bit rushed at times, it’s the most harrowing part of the book. Every single set piece will stick in your head long after you finish. I’m hard-pressed to name another book that both pushes 500 pages and made me wish it was at least another 200 and I’m not talking about just not wanting to leave the world. I need more stories set in and around Fear County, and with the inclusion of one such story in his 2020 collection Seasons Creepings, I’d guess Mr. Kelly’s not quite finished there yet.
I’m dragging on here, so if you skipped to the end, Fear is a classic the world just hasn’t quite caught on to yet. It’s everything you need in a tome and if it’s not taking up real estate on your shelf, I’d recommend rectifying that immediately.
Fear marks the first novel I’ve read from Ronald Kelly, and though I’ve enjoyed his short fiction immensely, there’s something bigger, something more that this man can do when he has 500 pages at his disposal. A lot of that is down to the voice. Kelly’s tagline is he writes southern-fried horror, and though I’ve lived above the Mason-Dixon line all my life, even a yankee can recognize the inclusion of distinctly southern aspects present in this coming-of-age story. Although truth be told, I needed some of the more subtle ones pointed out through the sage wisdom of Well Read Beard.
I mentioned Fear as coming-of-age, and I’d wager it’s the best horror coming-of-age you’ve never read. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with It, Boy’s Life, The Body, and any other giant you care to throw. It’s that good. We get to know Jeb Sweeney through his trials and tribulations, which I won’t detail here, but suffice it to say, this kid has a lot on his back. The characters jump off the page, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t specifically mention Roscoe Ledbetter, a great character in his own right who aids greatly in making Jeb the part of the story, and also allows Kelly to directly address the issue of racism in the 1940’s south, though I expect not as much has changed since then as we might hope.
From the word go, the reader knows they’re eventually heading to Fear County, TN, where the worst of the worst reside, and no earthly explanation exists for the inherent evil. It’s just a bad place. Here’s the thing though. We don’t cross that county line for almost 300 pages, and it’s fine. The reader isn’t squirming in their seat asking ‘when we’re going to get to the fireworks factory!”. Kelly lets us get to know Jeb and his supporting cast, understand them, and invest in them. We believe this character, and when stuff gets weird, we believe that too because Kelly has us roped in.
When the reader does eventually cross that county line, Kelly’s imagination shines. He leads through a series of obstacles and unsettling events, some fully explored, others leaving the reader to the deepest throes of their imagination. Kelly makes our skin crawl while we hold up our empty bowl and ask for more. The embodiment of good living deep in the heart of Fear County is liable to draw comparisons to King’s The Stand, but in my oh so humble opinion (don’t hate me) the way Kelly uses this character is considerably more satisfying.
Look, I could take you through the journey out of Fear County, but just trust me when I tell you that even though it can feel a bit rushed at times, it’s the most harrowing part of the book. Every single set piece will stick in your head long after you finish. I’m hard-pressed to name another book that both pushes 500 pages and made me wish it was at least another 200 and I’m not talking about just not wanting to leave the world. I need more stories set in and around Fear County, and with the inclusion of one such story in his 2020 collection Seasons Creepings, I’d guess Mr. Kelly’s not quite finished there yet.
I’m dragging on here, so if you skipped to the end, Fear is a classic the world just hasn’t quite caught on to yet. It’s everything you need in a tome and if it’s not taking up real estate on your shelf, I’d recommend rectifying that immediately.
January 9, 2024
This coming of age tale was a really good read.
October 30, 2020
Fear is one of those rare books which leaves you in awe and wonder. It is a beautiful coming of age story but it is so much more. There are horrific villains of all sorts, amazing adventures that are a mix of horror and fantasy and a truly horrifying monster. But what I loved most about Fear are the characters that I cared deeply for. With Fear Ronald Kelly has created a story unlike any other and it has instantly become my favourite book of all time. I adored the main character, 10 year old Jeb Sweeney and what he goes through to help those he loves and cares for. I went through so many emotions and feelings reading this novel, from laughter to nail biting anticipation to heartbreaking tears. It is a story about the power of good over evil, the power of love, friendship and loyalty, and the power of faith and commitment. This novel far surpassed every expectation I had. The story will continue to stay with me and is one I will treasure forever. It is easily one of the best, if not the best, horror novels I've ever read!
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