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Behold the Child
This novella first appeared in the Cemetery Dance anthology "Brimstone Turnpike."
Sam Kenzie is an LAPD cop who can't escape his obsession with a serial killer due to demons of his own.
Sam Kenzie is an LAPD cop who can't escape his obsession with a serial killer due to demons of his own.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2010
65 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Harry Shannon
68 books134 followersALL WORKS NOW ON KINDLE AND NOOK!
Harry Shannon has been an actor, a singer, an Emmy-nominated songwriter, a recording artist in Europe, a music publisher, a film studio executive and worked as a free-lance Music Supervisor on films such as “Basic Instinct” and “Universal Soldier.” He is author of the horror novels “Night of the Beast” and “Night of the Werewolf” in addition to “Daemon” (formerly “Night of the Daemon”). Harry also wrote the Mick Callahan suspense novels “Memorial Day,” (2005) “Eye of the Burning Man,” (2006) and “One of the Wicked” (Nov. 2008), as well as the acclaimed thriller “The Pressure of Darkness” (2006). His novel "Dead and Gone" (August 2008) has a movie version, screenplay by Shannon, and it is now on DVD via LionsGate. All of his early novels are now available via Amazon.com on Kindle, and some via Smashwords. His collection "A Host of Shadows" and the novella "PAIN" were recently published by Dark Regions Press. "CLAN" and "The Hungry" (co-written with Steven W, Booth) are also on Kindke and Nook. "The Dead Man: Kill Them All" we be released by Amazon.com via their new publishing company Thomas and Mercer. Harry can be contacted via his web site www.harryshannon.com. He is also a member of Top Suspense Group www.topsuspensegroup.com
Harry Shannon has been an actor, a singer, an Emmy-nominated songwriter, a recording artist in Europe, a music publisher, a film studio executive and worked as a free-lance Music Supervisor on films such as “Basic Instinct” and “Universal Soldier.” He is author of the horror novels “Night of the Beast” and “Night of the Werewolf” in addition to “Daemon” (formerly “Night of the Daemon”). Harry also wrote the Mick Callahan suspense novels “Memorial Day,” (2005) “Eye of the Burning Man,” (2006) and “One of the Wicked” (Nov. 2008), as well as the acclaimed thriller “The Pressure of Darkness” (2006). His novel "Dead and Gone" (August 2008) has a movie version, screenplay by Shannon, and it is now on DVD via LionsGate. All of his early novels are now available via Amazon.com on Kindle, and some via Smashwords. His collection "A Host of Shadows" and the novella "PAIN" were recently published by Dark Regions Press. "CLAN" and "The Hungry" (co-written with Steven W, Booth) are also on Kindke and Nook. "The Dead Man: Kill Them All" we be released by Amazon.com via their new publishing company Thomas and Mercer. Harry can be contacted via his web site www.harryshannon.com. He is also a member of Top Suspense Group www.topsuspensegroup.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 3, 2013
Darkness dwells where
there is no light.
Can darkness be determined
if you're wrong or right?
Can the shadows recede
in a heart unhardened?
Or must you beg for mercy
as your life leaks away.
Can your prayers then hold sway?
For what you did in the dark
looks unforgiving in the light.
Your darkness laid bare for all within sight.
by Nikki
The writing itself was solid but the story was just dull. It didn't have enough Oomph. Also, you need to be able to like a character and I didn't care for the main character or his wife who put up with him when he got fired, was drinkin' 'em up, was cheating, did not want their unborn child, when they had to move, and he cheated again.
I just wasn't feeling it~
there is no light.
Can darkness be determined
if you're wrong or right?
Can the shadows recede
in a heart unhardened?
Or must you beg for mercy
as your life leaks away.
Can your prayers then hold sway?
For what you did in the dark
looks unforgiving in the light.
Your darkness laid bare for all within sight.
by Nikki
The writing itself was solid but the story was just dull. It didn't have enough Oomph. Also, you need to be able to like a character and I didn't care for the main character or his wife who put up with him when he got fired, was drinkin' 'em up, was cheating, did not want their unborn child, when they had to move, and he cheated again.
I just wasn't feeling it~
January 2, 2026
I searched for short stories on Apple books for a reading challenge I was doing and this came up first, so I took a chance and went in blind.
The MC is Detective Sam Kenzie. He is a macho LA cop who likes to break rules. He ends up moving back to his hometown in Nevada to become the Sheriff after getting fired when a case goes wrong. It’s not long though before he seemingly finds connections to the case he was working on in LA.
It was an interesting mix of crime & thriller with horror vibes. It had a shocking twist that I wasn’t expecting and some tense scenes. So for only 88 pages it did pack in a lot and was worth the read.
I didn’t particularly enjoy how macho Kenzie was and all his bravado. He was intentionally written that way as he has issues he needs to work through, so the author did a great job at portraying that but he wasn’t for me.
Overall this was 3 ⭐️. I enjoyed the suspense and twists but I wasn’t a fan of the main character.
The MC is Detective Sam Kenzie. He is a macho LA cop who likes to break rules. He ends up moving back to his hometown in Nevada to become the Sheriff after getting fired when a case goes wrong. It’s not long though before he seemingly finds connections to the case he was working on in LA.
It was an interesting mix of crime & thriller with horror vibes. It had a shocking twist that I wasn’t expecting and some tense scenes. So for only 88 pages it did pack in a lot and was worth the read.
I didn’t particularly enjoy how macho Kenzie was and all his bravado. He was intentionally written that way as he has issues he needs to work through, so the author did a great job at portraying that but he wasn’t for me.
Overall this was 3 ⭐️. I enjoyed the suspense and twists but I wasn’t a fan of the main character.
February 11, 2012
A majorly creepy horror novel, this story follows Sam Kenzie from LA, where he solved a closed child-murder case and was fired, to Nevada, where he is hired as sheriff of his old home town. At first idyllic, his life starts to become complicated again when he and his wife start receiving strange phone calls, and finally a boy is murdered. It is hard to describe the book without providing too many spoilers, so I'll just say that people who like horror and dark suspense will love this book! It is true horror, so keep that in mind!
October 25, 2011
'Behold The Child' embodies the small town police procedural feel of Victor Gischler's 'The Deputy' while tapping into the tormented world of some of the finer horror writers to deliver a chilling and uncompromising novella of sacrifice, emotion, and dread. Sam Kenzie is an LAPD cowboy cop who shot a hostage while bringing down a prominent gang member with linkages to a satanic cult responsible for child abduction and all manner of heinous wrongful deeds. Having been forced to retire, he returns to his hometown to exorcise his demons and live the simple life. However, the ghosts of his past continue to haunt him and soon, Kenzie obsession with his former case is justified. 'Behold The Child' is loaded with iconic scenes and crucial moments which would be hard pressed to be replicated amongst other full length counter parts - the scene in the desert amongst a sand storm comes to mind. Perhaps one of the most explosive endings concluded with the finest last sentence to a story I've ever read. Vivid, atmospheric, suspenseful and horrific all at the same time. 'Behold The Child' is my first foray into the mind of Harry Shannon and I suspect not my last. 4 stars
February 11, 2012
This novella boasts quite the punch. You never really know where it's going to take you. Kenzie is a good cop who has rogue tendencies. Every bad choice he makes in his cop life is done because he ants to see justice done. He wants all the bad guys removed from the planet. He wants this so badly that he can't wait for others and throws the rule book out the window. Unfortunately, these decisions can have terrible consequences.
As much as the first few chapters were a little difficult to follow, it all makes sense as the other chapters materialize. Kenzie is a like able screwball with the best of intentions. All of the secondary characters play important roles that make you understand Kenzie a little bit more. This includes his wife Laura, Doc the veterinarian, and the old man at the diner in the middle of nowhere. I have to admit though, I'm not really sure where the title falls into play. And it's not the best cover I've ever seen. However, I'm quickly learning to not judge a book by it's cover.
As much as the first few chapters were a little difficult to follow, it all makes sense as the other chapters materialize. Kenzie is a like able screwball with the best of intentions. All of the secondary characters play important roles that make you understand Kenzie a little bit more. This includes his wife Laura, Doc the veterinarian, and the old man at the diner in the middle of nowhere. I have to admit though, I'm not really sure where the title falls into play. And it's not the best cover I've ever seen. However, I'm quickly learning to not judge a book by it's cover.
March 18, 2011
Harry Shannon never disappoints! "Behold the Child" grabs you by the seat of the pants, and doesn't let go! Just when you think you have the story figured out, there is a plot twist that tells you otherwise. Kenzie is a almost rebel-type , LAPD Detective battling personal demons, in his own personal Hell, while trying to solve a case.
A perfect length Novella, well worth the money. Buy it! Read it! If you love Action, Mystery and Horror, then you won't be disappointed!
You may also want to check out some of his others you may like;
Memorial Day: A Mick Callahan Novel
One of the Wicked: A Mick Callahan Novel
Eye of the Burning Man: A Mick Callahan Novel
A Host of Shadows
The Pressure of Darkness
A perfect length Novella, well worth the money. Buy it! Read it! If you love Action, Mystery and Horror, then you won't be disappointed!
You may also want to check out some of his others you may like;
Memorial Day: A Mick Callahan Novel
One of the Wicked: A Mick Callahan Novel
Eye of the Burning Man: A Mick Callahan Novel
A Host of Shadows
The Pressure of Darkness
March 11, 2011
First appeared in the Cemetery Dance Anthology:
Author Harry Shannon tells the tale of Sam Kenzie, a LAPD cop haunted by a child killer case. He’s a good cop but a ‘cowboy’ too much in the media’s eye. It’s suggested he circulate his resume, maybe take early retirement. He returns to the desert town of his boyhood, Twin Forks, Nevada to take over as The Law and battle his demons.
Harry Shannon expertly draws the picture of a burned-out and haunted cop on a road to follow his destiny in this dark fiction.
Author Harry Shannon tells the tale of Sam Kenzie, a LAPD cop haunted by a child killer case. He’s a good cop but a ‘cowboy’ too much in the media’s eye. It’s suggested he circulate his resume, maybe take early retirement. He returns to the desert town of his boyhood, Twin Forks, Nevada to take over as The Law and battle his demons.
Harry Shannon expertly draws the picture of a burned-out and haunted cop on a road to follow his destiny in this dark fiction.
September 24, 2012
Beautifully written with a fantastic plot, your eyes race across the words and your mind amps up to break-neck speed. The twists and turns are astounding. Shannon seems to have thrown everything in but the kitchen sink. Actually, when you finish, you might believe he threw the sink in, too. A damn fine story from a damn fine writer. Check this one out. Everything I've read by him is terrific.
August 29, 2010
Behold the Child is a tough-cop thriller that turns into a real horror tale. Definitely not for the squeamish and, luckily, it's short enough to read in one sitting if you have a bit more leisure time than I've had lately. Once you pick it up, you'll want to read straight through to the end!
March 7, 2012
A novella with no real identity, plot, and an unlikeable main character.
April 3, 2012
I've been lucky enough to read some great books recently, and this is one of them. Great ending I didn't see coming.
October 23, 2017
I wanted more. What happens next? It's like you built me up and left me hanging. I need the ending. Great read, but no ending .
I need the ending. This story was a don't put down yet. I will always wonder what happened next .
I need the ending. This story was a don't put down yet. I will always wonder what happened next .
November 28, 2018
Ended too soon!
A well put together story with the suspense building to the end. I was attracted by the cover art - somewhat spooky. I would recommend this piece to anyone who enjoys a thrilling read without a long commitment.
A well put together story with the suspense building to the end. I was attracted by the cover art - somewhat spooky. I would recommend this piece to anyone who enjoys a thrilling read without a long commitment.
February 27, 2018
Love-love-loved this short. Excellent writing. Fantastic characters. Superb voice. Lots of suspense, mystery and chill.
June 13, 2018
This novella was not what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a read.
September 7, 2023
A quick jolt of horror in this tight novella. 3 3/4 stars out of 5!
September 17, 2024
I thought this was okay, but the story never really drew me in.
February 9, 2017
Awesome story! Kept my interest and curiosity right up to the end.
February 28, 2012
Detective Sam Kenzie is a cop's cop. Think Riggs in the Lethal Weapon franchise.
Harry Shannon's writing gives "Behold the Child" plenty of grit and makes the action seem real. There is a clear vision here and Shannon wastes few words. One of the things I most enjoyed about the story was the way the novella started with a burst of action, with Kenzie having to make a life and death decision right at the start.
In the long run, that decision leads to an early retirement and we find Kenzie heading from L.A. to become Sheriff in the town where he grew up. Twin Forks is out there in the Nevada desert and there's a bit of strangeness as he gets lost along the way and meets an old man on the BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE. Just when it seems Kenzie is settling into a routine in Twin Forks the case that lead to his "retirement" shows up in the quiet Nevada town. Leading to an ending that's precisely what one might expect from the mind of Harry Shannon.
Overall a top notch thriller/horror story with an ending I dare you to see coming. The only reason I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is the abrupt end. It left too much to my limited imagination, but don't let that stop you from picking up and enjoying "Behold the Child."
Note, as of the writing of this review, you can get the Kindle version for free at Amazon.com.
Harry Shannon's writing gives "Behold the Child" plenty of grit and makes the action seem real. There is a clear vision here and Shannon wastes few words. One of the things I most enjoyed about the story was the way the novella started with a burst of action, with Kenzie having to make a life and death decision right at the start.
In the long run, that decision leads to an early retirement and we find Kenzie heading from L.A. to become Sheriff in the town where he grew up. Twin Forks is out there in the Nevada desert and there's a bit of strangeness as he gets lost along the way and meets an old man on the BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE. Just when it seems Kenzie is settling into a routine in Twin Forks the case that lead to his "retirement" shows up in the quiet Nevada town. Leading to an ending that's precisely what one might expect from the mind of Harry Shannon.
Overall a top notch thriller/horror story with an ending I dare you to see coming. The only reason I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is the abrupt end. It left too much to my limited imagination, but don't let that stop you from picking up and enjoying "Behold the Child."
Note, as of the writing of this review, you can get the Kindle version for free at Amazon.com.
May 11, 2014
Behold the Child was a one-sitting very quick read. How could it not be, it was an 88 page fast paced adventure. This novel took off from with action from the very first paragraph. I will admit that Sam {the main character} was not a likeable fellow on any level, the way he did his job, the way he treated his wife was to me deplorable. And honestly, you would think his attitude would change considering the events that took place-it really didn't.
The only problem I found myself having was that because it is a short novella, and that so much had to be told in order for the story to make sense, there were some pretty big jumps in time at the beginning. I had a difficult time realizing how much time, for example one minute severely injured in a hospital bed to sitting on a couch healing the next.
Over-all the short story was well-told, had the mystery down to the last few pages, so it kept you guessing the whole way. The ending was something that I was NOT expecting, but finished the story easily. As you finish all the clues and pieces begin to fall into place, and you will think back about things from earlier in the book to realize how the story was foretold.
I would recommend this to anyone that like a quick morsel of horror and mystery before bed. Be prepared for quite a bit of swearing, but this really does build the character of Sam and those he deals with.
The only problem I found myself having was that because it is a short novella, and that so much had to be told in order for the story to make sense, there were some pretty big jumps in time at the beginning. I had a difficult time realizing how much time, for example one minute severely injured in a hospital bed to sitting on a couch healing the next.
Over-all the short story was well-told, had the mystery down to the last few pages, so it kept you guessing the whole way. The ending was something that I was NOT expecting, but finished the story easily. As you finish all the clues and pieces begin to fall into place, and you will think back about things from earlier in the book to realize how the story was foretold.
I would recommend this to anyone that like a quick morsel of horror and mystery before bed. Be prepared for quite a bit of swearing, but this really does build the character of Sam and those he deals with.
May 25, 2015
Ambivalent. Sums up how I feel about this book and much of the book itself.
It's always difficult when the lead character is someone you would like to punch in the mouth. Hard. And I really wanted to throttle the protagonist several times.
It's actually well written, and manages to keep you reading but never really moved past idle curiosity for me. The story didn't really fall flat, it was more like watching a slow leaking balloon.
The most disappointing thing was how much was left undeveloped that could have turned this into a truly breathtaking thriller. The bad guy is kind of tossed in at the end, almost as an afterthought. The 'magic' also appears right at the end and so loses its potential fright factor, unless you are one of those that finds the very idea of satanic rituals creepy.
I got the impression this was two stories that got slammed together to make one, though not neatly.
The wife's character really needed to be fleshed out more.
Despite all of this, I read it and it wasn't horrible. Personally I didn't find it to be much of a horror, more of a murder mystery gone astray, but I'm tough to scare.
I will read more of this author, but I probably won't go out of my way for it.
It's always difficult when the lead character is someone you would like to punch in the mouth. Hard. And I really wanted to throttle the protagonist several times.
It's actually well written, and manages to keep you reading but never really moved past idle curiosity for me. The story didn't really fall flat, it was more like watching a slow leaking balloon.
The most disappointing thing was how much was left undeveloped that could have turned this into a truly breathtaking thriller. The bad guy is kind of tossed in at the end, almost as an afterthought. The 'magic' also appears right at the end and so loses its potential fright factor, unless you are one of those that finds the very idea of satanic rituals creepy.
I got the impression this was two stories that got slammed together to make one, though not neatly.
The wife's character really needed to be fleshed out more.
Despite all of this, I read it and it wasn't horrible. Personally I didn't find it to be much of a horror, more of a murder mystery gone astray, but I'm tough to scare.
I will read more of this author, but I probably won't go out of my way for it.
January 28, 2013
After reading this I felt I'd been played--but by a master. To a certain degree (not totally, but too much in my opinion) the mid-section of this novella served mostly as a ruse to establish some breathing room and a lulling rhythm between the slam-bang police-procedural-on-reds beginning and the shock-upon-shock ending. I liked every segment on its own--but reading them together, the middle seemed "meh" and underconnected to the ending. But hey, so much for kvetching: Shannon got me caring about his nowhere-near-noble-enough hero, his long-suffering wife, the put-upon L.A. street cops they leave behind, and the high-desert townsfolk who become pawns of something that none of them can anticipate.
August 18, 2015
Most of the story wasn’t quite horror as much as a disgraced detective mystery thriller with hints of possible ritualistic meaning behind the disappearances of children. McKenzie is not a very likable character and has very few redeeming qualities but you do want to stick with him and see what comes next from his fall from detective to taking a small town sheriff job. When you do reach the climax of the story it does take a bit of a turn into an area I wasn’t expecting which was good and bad. Good because I usually appreciate the unexpected (in this instance I did) but once we got there I was wishing we would have seen more of this sprinkled throughout which I think would have elevated this to a true horror story. Will definitely be seeking out other works by this author in the future.
February 19, 2014
Behold the Child is spectacular. It's beautifully written with fully drawn characters, all of whom are flawed in some way and very believable. The plot is amazing. The story reads easy, but the very best part....The End. It was totally unexpected, full of suspense, and absolutely perfect! I read Behold the Child in one uninterrupted setting and can't imagine reading it in any other way. So often I read suspense novels only to be disappointed in the ending, not this time!
Highly recommended - 5 stars all the way!
Highly recommended - 5 stars all the way!
December 5, 2016
Liked this one
Just the right amount of suspense and action, plus a definite creep factor with a dollop of the supernatural to round it out. I would love to read the other stories connected with this one. Johnny Divine, who or what are you?
I give it 4 1/2 stars, half a star taken for typos and grammatical errors, and Kenzie's wife, who was too much of a doormat for my taste. Well done, Mr. Harris.
Just the right amount of suspense and action, plus a definite creep factor with a dollop of the supernatural to round it out. I would love to read the other stories connected with this one. Johnny Divine, who or what are you?
I give it 4 1/2 stars, half a star taken for typos and grammatical errors, and Kenzie's wife, who was too much of a doormat for my taste. Well done, Mr. Harris.
April 17, 2013
I really liked this short novel by Harry Shannon, the first work I've read by him. I found the characters to be real and interesting, and the situation very believable. And in the end, I was impressed by what was really happening, and what happens to the characters. I will definitely read more of Shannon's works.
November 16, 2012
This was an impulse purchase read. It was pretty good, but im still trying to figure out the ending. It was kind of "up in the air" sort of like there was a chapter missing. But all in all, it was a decent read, interesting story and entertaining.
December 5, 2014
U left me hanging.......I was Sooooo hooked:(
U left me hanging......I was Sooooo hooked:( is there a sequel? Let me know as soon as possible,please. I need to know what happened to the sheriff and town.
U left me hanging......I was Sooooo hooked:( is there a sequel? Let me know as soon as possible,please. I need to know what happened to the sheriff and town.
February 27, 2015
In Behold the Child, Harry Shannon has packed a lot of creepy into a tightly packed space. This is not a book to be read by the faint of heart or even the strong hearted on a dark night alone. There is plenty of room for a sequel here and I hope Mr. Shannon honors us with one.
July 27, 2015
Gripping
This story had me stuck on it until the very end. I enjoyed the raw grimyness of the characters and the realness of the story line. The sad events that unfolded along with the intense need to figure out what is really going on. This story was a good quick read. Thank you.
This story had me stuck on it until the very end. I enjoyed the raw grimyness of the characters and the realness of the story line. The sad events that unfolded along with the intense need to figure out what is really going on. This story was a good quick read. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews