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Stanley Cooper was an ordinary guy, until a construction-site accident left him clinically dead for three minutes. Now he sees ghosts, unquiet spirits, and the energy created by all living things. The city of Pittsburgh is under siege from a string of bizarre robberies, horrific murders, and mysterious disappearances. A panicked telephone call from a stranger throws Stanley into a world of nightmares and chaos. With the help of a skeptical detective and his best friend who is a practicing witch, the reluctant clairvoyant must somehow figure out the cause and save the city, if he can survive.
346 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2010
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19 people want to read
About the author
Scott A. Johnson
28 books48 followersScott A. Johnson is the author of ten novels, three true ghost guides, a chapbook, and a short story collection, all in the horror genre. He currently lives somewhere near Austin, Texas, with his wife, daughter, four cats, a pug, a chihuahua, and a corn snake. He is an avid martial artist, rides a motorcycle, and enjoys watching hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 28, 2010
This is a fantastic beginning to what I hope will be a fantastic series. It's a fast paced, edge of your seat kind of read with colorful characters and great development. It's a hard book to put down and I wish there were more of it. This is probably Scott A. Johnson's best novel thus far. I can't wait for book two!
July 27, 2018
“Hotels are horrible places for people like me. Stephen King has written some classic horror stories about hotels, and I can't even count the number of horror flicks I've seen where restless spirits in a room go tormenting some unlucky traveler. In addition, there are the other types of horror stories, the ones in which the cleaning staff isn't as diligent as they'd like everyone to believe and the sheets are only washed for every other guest. To me, a hotel is the equivalent of using a port-o-potty at a three-day rock concert. You never know just how bad it can be.”
Stanley Cooper died and came back to life changed. He can communicate with the dead and he uses his sensitivity to the supernatural to help people with their otherworldly issues. Shannon, a student, believes her house is haunted and her roommates possessed. When Stanley investigates, he discovers her problems go much deeper than she thought.
VERMIN, the first book in the Stanley Cooper Chronicles, introduces Stanley and his witch sidekick Maggie. The characters are unique and fascinating, exactly the type of story people that are perfect for a multi book series. Stanley may have action hero aspirations, but he’s the type of average Joe, with a magical bonus, that’s easy to identify with. He suffers from the same foibles as most, but his heart is in the right place. Helping people is in his blood. And he’s willing to shed some to protect people from evil.
The story is packed with humor and magick. Johnson’s encyclopedic knowledge of the supernatural and the way he brings the Pittsburgh setting to life add a richness to the tale. I cannot wait to see what new trouble Stanley gets into as the series progresses.
Stanley Cooper died and came back to life changed. He can communicate with the dead and he uses his sensitivity to the supernatural to help people with their otherworldly issues. Shannon, a student, believes her house is haunted and her roommates possessed. When Stanley investigates, he discovers her problems go much deeper than she thought.
VERMIN, the first book in the Stanley Cooper Chronicles, introduces Stanley and his witch sidekick Maggie. The characters are unique and fascinating, exactly the type of story people that are perfect for a multi book series. Stanley may have action hero aspirations, but he’s the type of average Joe, with a magical bonus, that’s easy to identify with. He suffers from the same foibles as most, but his heart is in the right place. Helping people is in his blood. And he’s willing to shed some to protect people from evil.
The story is packed with humor and magick. Johnson’s encyclopedic knowledge of the supernatural and the way he brings the Pittsburgh setting to life add a richness to the tale. I cannot wait to see what new trouble Stanley gets into as the series progresses.
June 23, 2012
(3.5 stars) Stanley Cooper is an average guy with average looks. He is a little pudgy and he works at a wholesale warehouse but what is most unique about Stanley is that he can see dead people. A few years ago Stanley died after falling from a building. When he was resuscitated, he began seeing the dead. He manages to lived in an apartment that he purchased in the lawsuit; however, he must work to buy food and other normal everyday things.
Stanley receives a phone call from a college student, Shannon requesting his help. They meet at the library and she explains that something strange is happening at her house and with her roommates. When Stanley goes there to investigate, he realizes that there are no 'scats' or residual creatures hanging around and that just does not happen. Also, the roommates he meets all seem to be in some sort of drugged out stupor.
Before he can investigate further, Shannon tells him she no longer needs his help. He is not about to let this stop him and he goes to his witch friend, Maggie for assistance.
Maggie warns Stanley to stay away from the house and from Shannon. He of course refuses. Shannon calls again, this time finding herself in her pajamas alone in the freezing cold of the local park. Stanley retrieves her and takes her to the hospital where they find nothing wrong with her. Before he has a chance to take her to safety, she runs from the hospital. The next day, Stanley is visited by the police who are investigating her murder. Of course, he is shocked but he wants to find out what happened to her. Then, various merchant's shops are being rob leaving behind a big hole in the ground and rat droppings.
More people are attack and die including all of the tenants in Stanley's building. Together with Maggie, Detective Taylor and one of Shannon's roommates they will begin the biggest fight of their lives as well as for the safety of the city they love.
This is a rare and unique story. For once an author writes about a character that is just plain average and is not handsome, with special powers and kick ass. Stanley is just a nice guy who wants to help others. Additionally, plot is unique and chocked full of mystery and intrigue. I loved the idea of utilizing a myth from a South American country as a backdrop. The cast of characters are eclectic and fun. I just wish the humor had not been so dry.
At this point, I plan to investigate the other books in the Chronicle to see if they will include some of the same characters and if we will see some relationships grow. Before you ask, there is no romance involved in this book; so, if that bothers you this is probably not the book for you. However, who knows what the other books will bring.
Stanley receives a phone call from a college student, Shannon requesting his help. They meet at the library and she explains that something strange is happening at her house and with her roommates. When Stanley goes there to investigate, he realizes that there are no 'scats' or residual creatures hanging around and that just does not happen. Also, the roommates he meets all seem to be in some sort of drugged out stupor.
Before he can investigate further, Shannon tells him she no longer needs his help. He is not about to let this stop him and he goes to his witch friend, Maggie for assistance.
Maggie warns Stanley to stay away from the house and from Shannon. He of course refuses. Shannon calls again, this time finding herself in her pajamas alone in the freezing cold of the local park. Stanley retrieves her and takes her to the hospital where they find nothing wrong with her. Before he has a chance to take her to safety, she runs from the hospital. The next day, Stanley is visited by the police who are investigating her murder. Of course, he is shocked but he wants to find out what happened to her. Then, various merchant's shops are being rob leaving behind a big hole in the ground and rat droppings.
More people are attack and die including all of the tenants in Stanley's building. Together with Maggie, Detective Taylor and one of Shannon's roommates they will begin the biggest fight of their lives as well as for the safety of the city they love.
This is a rare and unique story. For once an author writes about a character that is just plain average and is not handsome, with special powers and kick ass. Stanley is just a nice guy who wants to help others. Additionally, plot is unique and chocked full of mystery and intrigue. I loved the idea of utilizing a myth from a South American country as a backdrop. The cast of characters are eclectic and fun. I just wish the humor had not been so dry.
At this point, I plan to investigate the other books in the Chronicle to see if they will include some of the same characters and if we will see some relationships grow. Before you ask, there is no romance involved in this book; so, if that bothers you this is probably not the book for you. However, who knows what the other books will bring.
July 27, 2012
This series falls somewhere between horror and urban fantasy on the paranormal continuum. I'll give the nod to uf because each book in the series follows typical mystery structure. There's also a magic shop, which I like. But it thankfully departs from uf in that this world is not chock-a-block with every species of mythical, mystical and fae creature in the known/unknown universe. I find that refreshing. It's getting so hard to tell one uf world from another. Here, there are demons and renegade practitioners of the black arts and that's about it. Johnson also takes a pass on the obligatory `smart alec private eye' humor one finds in every uf series. There is some humor, but it doesn't distract from the reality and gravity of the situation like it does in so many other series. The books reminded me a bit of some of the `black magic' novels of Dennis Wheatley and Peter Saxon I read in the `60s.
For the most part, the primary characters are everyday relatable people--no ex-navy SEALS or defrocked priests. VERMIN assembles the team and gets them started, PAGES (my favorite) cements the relationships, and ECTOSTORM sets them off in pursuit of the latest Big Bad.
For the most part, the primary characters are everyday relatable people--no ex-navy SEALS or defrocked priests. VERMIN assembles the team and gets them started, PAGES (my favorite) cements the relationships, and ECTOSTORM sets them off in pursuit of the latest Big Bad.
January 10, 2015
Vermin is full of non-stop action with a pace that never let's up. Supernatural stories are not what I usually read, but my wife gave me this as a Christmas gift and the author is someone we know. (Hi Scott!) This is a tale of a clairvoyant who finds himself in the middle of a demonic invasion taking place in Pittsburgh. There are many scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat, and once you start you'll race to the end.
January 16, 2012
Got scats? Places that don't are absolutely suspect. Stanley Cooper has a mystery in the middle of Pittsburgh, and oh yeah...now he sees dead people. This story is a great adventure wrapped up in a bloody bow. Pull the ribbon, you'll find vermin and a whole hell of a lot more!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews