His Father's Son

by Bentley Little

“On a par with such greats as Stephen King, Clive Barker and Peter Straub” (Midwest Book Review), Bentley Little brings his unnerving talents to the terrifying story of a dysfunctional family in crisis.Steve Nye writes for an alumni magazine and his long-term relationship is on the steady path to marriage. But his quiet life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a phone call from his mother. His father attacked her and has been committed to a mental asylum. The doctor says he’s suffering from dementia. But Steve’s father seems so calm, clear-eyed, and perfectly lucid when he whispers, “I killed her…”   Is it simply another symptom of delusion and madness? To find the answer, Steve investigates the cryptic message leading him down a terrifying path of his own making—and of his own nightmares....

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Serial Killer, Fantasy, Adult, Audiobook

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Bentley Little is an American author of horror fiction. Publishing an average of a novel a year since 1990, Little avoids publicity and rarely does promotional work or interviews for his writing.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was his father a serial killer or did his son Steve Nye all made up? Is it good to get rid of people by killing people when angered by them? In this intriguing novel you're show how a harmless middle class guy is getting into a world of killings and murder.S teve is a writer too and his short fiction turns into nightmares. Fascinating novel with interesting perspectives and a good twist at the end. You've never read about serial killings this way. Fascinating mixture between straight horror, crime and thriller. Excellent characters and page turning writing makes this one a highly recommended read!

[MadameD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4/5
Narration 5/5

[Angel Gelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

"Some people needed killing."
(Who can argue with that?!?)

Steve Nye gets a call from his mother one day, informing him that his father attempted to kill her. It turns out that he suffered a series of strokes and has dementia. While visiting him in the hospital, his father reveals a dark secret: He killed his first wife.

Steve becomes obsessed with the fact that his father is a killer. He decides to investigate the past and learns that his father may have killed other people, as well. The knowledge that his father was a serial killer intrigues him.

Without giving too much away, I'll just say that Steve becomes his father's son, in more ways than one. Before long, his life takes a disturbing turn down a questionable path with no hope for return or redemption.

I thought this story was a bit slow-paced, but definitely entertaining. Having read several books by Bentley, I know that I can expect some really bizarre and creepy material. While this book didn't offer much in the way of supernatural incidences, it did have its share of weirdness. There are a few chapters that are entirely unrelated to the main story. At times they would throw me off. The story about the giant hand-creature is just crazy! If I'd been given those pages to read and didn't know who wrote them, I'd definitely guess Bentley. Only a 'Bentley brain' could produce such an oddity!

There's a twist towards the end that's great. I didn't see it coming. It really enhanced the story and wrapped things up nicely. Overall, this was a good, satisfying read.

[Mort · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS
This was a little different, but I actually liked it a lot. It turned out to be more of a thriller and I do like a good story that deals with psychology or, to be more precise, abnormal psychology. He sticks to reality and in this case I think any supernatural element would have detracted from the story.
I’ve seen a few posts where people don’t like the ending, but it worked well for me.
Good thriller, well written.

[SSteppenwolFF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best horror writer I have read in a long time . I believe this is the third novel I've read of his and they are all great ! Also like many horror writers he doesn't try to mimic Stephen King like so many do these days . And this guy knows that there doesn't always have to be "monsters" for it to be horror ! Sometimes the best monsters are the ones who don't look like monsters but much more like ourselves . This one is a very Goodread !

[Tracy P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve has just received the shock of his life. His mother phones him at work, which never happens, to tell him that his father tried to kill her. Steve feels as if he's falling down a black hole. How could this happen? His parents aren't the lovey-dovey type but they don't even argue. When Steve realizes that this incident took place the day before, his conflicting emotions begin their disagreement. He can't decide if he is more angry or hurt that his mother didn't think he should have known about this altercation the day it happened. When Steve takes a trip to the hospital where his father is being kept for observation, he soon finds out that everything is not as it seems.

A wonderful thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

[Justin Wiebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just...meh. Though I'm not angry at myself for having read this novel and there were themes I can appreciate (e.g. the desire for/lengths sons will go to win the approval of their fathers), it really didn't stand out and I have some hang-ups about it. First, though the reader can lump Steve's father into the bad husband and dad category, why, as the protagonist's mother exclaims, is he a monster? Did I miss something when I went into zombie reading mode (aside from Pops getting branded a murderer--by the son on only the son, mind you--and that disturbing doll tucked away in his belongings) or did this detail get thrown out there only to fall flat. Second, Steve quickly becomes a mass murderer, even going so far as to kill his own mother (not to mention a child: yeah, sure...the DAD'S the monster), then, come the end of the book, puts it away, like it was just some passing phase, suffering no consequence and passing it off as, "Oh, sorry. My bad. Won't happen again." To me, these issues made it too hard to suspend my disbelief and the work, overall, suffered for it. That's my take: Do with it what you will.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of his.

[Tressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I couldn't wait to get back to it to see just how far Steve would progress in his killings.

Steve Nye is an ordinary joe working in a cubicle of a alumni company. He gets a call one day telling him that his father has tried to kill his mother. His father is in a coma, and during one of Steve's visits his father confesses that "I killed her." Join Steve on a rollercoaster ride as he delves into his father's murderous past and makes assumptions that lead to his own killing spree. And I agree with Steve: some people DO deserve to die.

Little is back on top with His Father's Son. A fun read!

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is quite a bit different from any of Little's other novels, and not just because of the departure from his penchant for one-word titles. For one thing, it's a bit more subtle than his previous works, with less over-the-top wholesale sex and gore. It's a first-person narrative, and virtually all of the characters are completely negative and unlikeable, but eventually it's revealed that that is due to the viewpoint character's problems and perceptions. Some of the plot points hinge a bit too much on unbelieveable circumstances, but it was still an interesting read.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry because I love Bentley Little but this book was painful to read. I was determined to get through it though. Having said that, I must say that it ended exactly how I thought it should and that was a consolation for me. At least I finally was able to sit the book down and I actually had found the last chapter or so rather enjoyable.

[Paul Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, an amazing horror novel which explores the darkness of evil in a father , and a son who becomes just as diabolical. I like how little writes a visceral, blood curdeling psychological thriller. Its different from his other novels, and i would highly recommend it. Hope you will like it too. 5 stars.

[Margery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I have come to expect from Mr. Little. Fantastic and eerie. Both adjectives I use often for his work, but more introspective was this book I stumbled on last week. It has prompted me to re-read a few of his others. I am starting with The Resort. I will be unable to re-read "Revelation," however, for it has a scene that conjured up such unnaturally vile pictures I have imagined. Woah.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely, positively enthralled with this book. I loved it! It's a slow spiral into madness. A triumph of every day evil that will rattle you to your core. And the twist? Well, I promise you won't see it coming. And I promise it will blow you away with sinister delight and honest terror.

[Sarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom, can we have American Psycho?

"No, we have American Psycho at home."

American Psycho at home:

[Scott Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the bleakest, darkest Little books I've read

[Linda Lpp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book made me realise my reading choices have changed over time. This book appealed to me over a dozen years ago when I added it to my book collection, but now wasn't prepared for how the son is referred to his father son.

Didn't take long to realize the relationships among the entire family were far less than ideal. What characteristics will you adopt if raised in this environment? What path will you take?

Once into the book, be prepared to follow the actions of a disordered minded male.
When and how will this come to an end?

No chance will I add any spoilers! My first time reading this author's books. Time will tell if I read more.

[Rebecca Moll · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - second DNF of the year and I never do that. This was all over the place. Not for me. 100 pages in and I didn’t want to pick it up.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this, I couldn’t decide how I felt about it. It’s definitely not a typical Bentley Little novel, yet I really enjoyed it. You won’t find the supernatural/fantasy bend in this horror book - there’s no need for the supernatural when people can be horrific enough on their own.

Right at the beginning, I had this thought of “what if the ending is…” and sure enough, I had it pegged. Normally it annoys me if I figure out a major part of the story before it’s actually revealed, but I knew with this book, I’d have been disappointed if it ended any other way. It was perfect!

There isn’t a lot that can be said about the plot without ruining anything, but the basic premise is a man, Steve Nye, gets a call one day from his mother. She informs him that his father had just tried to kill her, and that he has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Steve immediately runs to take care of both his parents, and soon, he starts learning things about his family that he could have never guessed…

Steve is a journalist and is also working on writing horror stories, so the book often switches to a piece of his writing or a short story. Those were all fantastic, along with that perfect ending. This was an unexpected surprise from an author I finally thought I had a read on - it doesn’t follow his usual formula but I like that, and his phenomenal writing is still there. If someone had told me Stephen King wrote this, I would’ve believed it (that’s one of the highest compliments I can give). Five star worthy, for sure.

[William M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest chiller by Bentley Little is certainly in the top half of his better work, but nowhere near my favorite. It has a great premise and actually manages to pull off most of it very effectively. The steady build keeps you hooked for the entire story. It was a pleasant change to see him working completely in reality instead of his usual supernatural fare. However, I did predict the ending very early on - something I usually do not manage to do. And there were a few threads that were not quite sewn together. Regardless, this book was a lot of fun to read and certainly puts Little back on track to once again earn himself the reputation as one of the top 10 horror novelists working today.

For readers looking for more great work after reading this, may I suggest The Ignored, The Store, The Association, The Policy, and Dispatch - my five favorites from Bentley Little.

[Dan Corley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bentley Little is darker than a raven drowning in a puddle of oil. This novel actually got me wondering what kind of man could make this crap up, and now I know after 3 of his books that Bentley Little is a madman lol. This book appealed to me because it wasn't Little's typical format. Usually he takes something ordinary and puts a sinister twist on it, but here we have a young man with a dying father who tells his son "I killed her" just before death. After his father's death, Steve begins a journey into complete madness to try and follow in his father's "killer" footsteps.
I rated this only 3 stars due to the total blackness of it and the ending. Sometimes Little gives you a light at the end of the tunnel, but not here....just darkness. Another solid Bentley Little book recommended to hardened horror enthusiasts

[Kim Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent read. Steve Nye, the main character gets a phonecall at work from his mother stating that his father tried to kill her. From that moment on, Steve's world is never the same. His father is in the mental ward after having a stroke and isn't coherent for more than a few moments at a time. It is then he tells Steve, "I killed her."

Steve goes to find that his father killed his first wife, and others along the way. This book is a definite page turner that keeps you guessing if Steve's father is really that evil serial killer, or if it's just all in Steve's head. Personally, I thought the end could've been better, but the story was interesting and kept me reading right up to the end.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 5th or so Little novel I've read, and have to agree with other reviews, its very different than most of his novels. Not as much supernatural, but with all the same weirdness and creepiness. Once again, reading his books gives me nightmares. The protagonist starts out normal, but we soon realize he's a sociopath. Its an interesting concept because its all from his point of view, and he feels very justified in his actions. Its kind of cool to read the short stories written by the protagonist within the novel. It all comes from Little, and his mind is so strange. Lots of scary imagery. Especially creepy clowns. Worth the read. Two of my favorites by him are, The Resort and The Association if you're a Bentley Little novice.

[Joshua Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic job, Mr. Little! I have a great love for Bentley Little to begin with, and this book strengthened it to a much higher degree. I was expecting his typical horror satire, scary but clearly meant to jab at some corporate company or everyday annoyance. But this...whew! It was so unlike most of Mr. Little's other work, and yet it still had that uber-creepy flair I've come to love. Enough has been said about the plot already, so I'll just end it by saying that any fan of Mr. Little should eat this one up and, indeed, any fan of horror (especially of the psychological variety) would do well to procure a copy.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY I love Bentley Little! This one was very different from other books I have read by him. His Fathers Son was more demented then most, mostly because he didn't write in a monster or a super natural element... Everything in the book is all a simple remark by dying man misconstrued by his son. The son goes on a all out killing spree because his Dad remarked on an old movie he had seen a million years, and the son thinks "oh hey! If my was dad was cold blooded killer..." hehe meh why not :) What other reason do you need really...

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a bit different from Little's standard playbook in that the characters and premise are rooted in reality rather than an overarching supernatural presence frequently utilized by the author. Overall, a light and entertaining read and for those in need of a fix of Little's fantastical horror constructs he manages to sneak them in between chapters by way of a half dozen short stories that the protagonist (an aspiring writer) writes during the course of this story.

[Maicie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Nye gets a call that his father has been admitted to a psych ward. During a moments of clarity he tells Steve that he has killed. Steve's inquiry into his father's past leads to disturbing consequences.

Not Little's typical horror novel. Much, much better.

[Polly Forns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not being familiar with the works of Bentley Little but knowing. He wrote in the horro genre, I didn't know what to expect. Although I am not a horror fan, this book kept my attention and yes, caused a few bad dreams along the way.

[Jeffrey W Brigham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not my favorite book by Bentley Little. Instead of taking on some deranged concept and making it a reality like in many of his books that I so much enjoy (Mailman, The Walking, The Store,) a deranged character is the focus of the story.