Showcase Saturday

Showcase Saturday

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Title ~ Bay's End

Author ~ Edward Lorn

Publisher ~ Red Adept 

Published ~ 28 January 2012

Genre ~ YA | Horror | Suspense

Pages ~ 290

My Rating ~ 4 bites

Trey Franklin is exorcising his past. Reflecting back on the summer he was twelve when he met the new kid across the street. Eddy quickly became his best friend. However, there is some serious shit going on his town, shit he never even suspected. And always oozing nearby is the evil specter of Office Mack Larson.

This story drags a bit with the everyday things a twelve-year-old boy can get into with his new best friend. There is a lot of swearing. Not that I particularly mind swearing unless it’s coming fast and furious from a kid’s mouth. I just prefer it from adults instead. Anyway, as the story moves along, some disturbing things about the people Trey knows come to light. It’s not pretty and made me cringe. And then there’s Officer Mack. That man is just plain evil. Ooooh, how I wanted to kick his ass. Many times. What did it for me in this story was the suspense. I knew something was coming, something I wasn’t going to like and I was on edge waiting for it. And, boy, does it deliver. Yowzers. All-in-all a pretty good read.

*Book source ~ Free on Amazon

Title ~ Full Moon Over Cedar Hill

Author ~ Edward Lorn

Publisher ~ Edward Lorn

Published ~ 20 June 2014

Genre ~ Horror | Short

Pages ~ 15

My Rating ~ 3 bites and a nibble

Peter Hoskins had a stroke and is paralyzed. Spending the last three years at Cedar Hill Rehab Center has been nothing short of torture for the once active man. He spends his days reflecting on the fact his family has abandoned him to his fate. One evening during his sponge bath a scream cuts across the usual evening noises. The nurse bathing him stops to listen, talking to him as if he can answer. When there are more screams she leaves him and escapes out the window. Not able to move, he reflects on his life while he hears patients and staff being killed all around him. Afraid, yet resigned he faces the monsters that have taken over the night.

Well-written and poignant, this story about a man abandoned by his family due to a health problem will wring at your heart. Peter’s reflections give me an insight into what type of person he is and how mad he is at his family. So why the lower rating? Other than I thought it was just a bit too short with not enough answers, I’m not completely sure why this didn’t jazz me more. Maybe because I didn’t really care for Peter. I don’t know. But it did make my hair stand on end. Anyway, if you like short, well-written, horror stories then give this one a try.