Book Review: A Boy Possessed by Jon Athan

Posted on 02/02/2023 by Lenn

Title: A Boy Possessed

Author: Jon Athan

Publication Date: August9, 2018

Number of Pages: 199

Format: Ebook

Publisher: Createspace

Genre: Horror

Synopsis:

The life of Jamie Cruz, a single father, begins to crumble when his eleven-year-old son, Casey, begins to exhibit signs of mental illness. At first, he turns to a doctor for help. To his dismay, Casey’s behavior inexplicably worsens as the boy becomes more aggressive—more violent. When Casey’s actions begin to challenge the laws of nature, their once-peaceful home becomes a house of unimaginable terror. Jamie is forced to question everything he knows. He tackles every possibility—psychological and supernatural—and enlists the aid of doctors, a parapsychologist, and a priest to help him save his son.

But, what are they fighting? And is it too late to save Casey?

Jon Athan, the author of Her Suffering and Madness at Madison Mall, brings you a battle between good and evil, mind and soul, and father and son in this supernatural horror story.

Please note: This novel is a remake of a previously-released book titled In the Name of the Devil: A Horror Novel. The book has been completely re-written from beginning to end and features a new chapter as well as over 10,000 words of new content. This is not your average re-release.
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Book Review: Woom by Duncan Ralston

Posted on 01/31/2023 by Lenn

Title: Woom

Author: Duncan Ralston

Publication Date: August 6, 2016

Number of Pages: 131

Publisher: Shadow Work Publishing

Format: Ebook

Genre: Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk

Synopsis:

“I believe pain lingers,” Angel said. “Do I believe in spirits? In the supernatural? Probably not.”

The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets… and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all.

Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He’s researched its history. Today he’s come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all.

Shyla, a plus-sized prostitute, thinks the stories Angel tells her can’t be true. Secrets so vile, you won’t want to let them inside you.

But the Lonely Motel doesn’t forget. It doesn’t forgive. And it always claims its victim.
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Book Review: American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashower

Posted on 01/25/2023 by Lenn

Title: American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper

Author: Daniel Stashower

Publication Date: September 6, 2022

Number of Pages: 368

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Non-fiction, True Crime

Synopsis:

Boston had its Strangler. California had the Zodiac Killer. And in the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland had the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run.

On September 5th, 1934, a young beachcomber made a gruesome discovery on the shores of Cleveland’s Lake Erie: the lower half of a female torso, neatly severed at the waist. The victim, dubbed “The Lady of the Lake,” was only the first of a butcher’s dozen. Over the next four years, twelve more bodies would be scattered across the city. The bodies were dismembered with surgical precision and drained of blood. Some were beheaded while still alive.

Terror gripped the city. Amid the growing uproar, Cleveland’s besieged mayor turned to his newly-appointed director of public safety: Eliot Ness. Ness had come to Cleveland fresh from his headline-grabbing exploits in Chicago, where he and his band of “Untouchables” led the frontline assault on Al Capone’s bootlegging empire. Now he would confront a case that would redefine his storied career.

Award-winning author Daniel Stashower shines a fresh light on one of the most notorious puzzles in the annals of crime, and uncovers the gripping story of Ness’s hunt for a sadistic killer who was as brilliant as he was cool and composed, a mastermind who was able to hide in plain sight. American Demon reconstructs this ultimate battle of wits between a hero and a madman.
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Book Review: Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke

Posted on 01/23/2023 by Lenn

Title: Sour Candy

Author: Kealan Patrick Burke

Publication Date: November 13, 2015

Number of Pages: 107

Publisher: Independent

Format: Ebook

Genre: Horror, ThrillerBoo

Synopsis:

At first glance, Phil Pendleton and his son Adam are just an ordinary father and son, no different from any other. They take walks in the park together, visit county fairs, museums, and zoos, and eat together overlooking the lake. Some might say the father is a little too accommodating given the lack of discipline when the child loses his temper in public. Some might say he spoils his son by allowing him to set his own bedtimes and eat candy whenever he wants. Some might say that such leniency is starting to take its toll on the father, given how his health has declined.

What no one knows is that Phil is a prisoner, and that up until a few weeks ago and a chance encounter at a grocery store, he had never seen the child before in his life.

But you’ll also learn about me — and the worst thing I’ve ever done.
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Book Review: I’m a Therapist and My Patient is In Love With a Pedophile

Posted on 01/21/2023 by Lenn

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Title: I’m a Therapist and My Patient is In Love With a Pedophile

Publication Date: July 15, 2019

Number of Pages: 177

Publisher: –

Format: Ebook

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Psychology

Synopsis:

The highly anticipated sequel to I’m a Therapist, and My Patient is Going to be the Next School Shooter

I’ve counseled the most chilling criminals… A young inmate who fell in love with a pedophile. A man who intentionally infected strangers with HIV. A patient with an extremely unusual addiction. A sociopath who wanted to have a conscience. A conspiracy theorist who harassed victims of a terrorist attack.

And the patient who still haunts my dreams: A boy sold into human trafficking.

In these files, you’ll learn about the the psychology behind the world’s most dangerous criminals.

But you’ll also learn about me — and the worst thing I’ve ever done.
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Book Review: The Ex by Alafair Burke

Posted on 01/20/2023 by Lenn

Title: The Ex

Author: Alafair Burke

Publication Date: January 26, 2016

Number of Pages: 384

Publisher: Faber Faber

Format: Paperback

Genre: Crime, Legal Thriller

Synopsis:

Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.

Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.

Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?

For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him?
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Book Review: Melvina’s Therapy by A. Rasen

Posted on 01/19/2023 by Lenn

Title: Melvina’s Therapy

Author: A. Rasen

Publication Date: May 4, 2017

Number of Pages: 81

Publisher: LINE Webtoon

Format: Ebook

Genre: Horror, Manhwa, Webtoon

Synopsis:

Anxiety, loneliness, depression… with a regular therapy you can deal with these issues, but Melvina’s Therapy is about something deeper: creepy secrets remaining in the darkest space of your mind, waiting for you…
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Book Review: The New Year’s Party by Daniel Hurst

Posted on 01/06/2023 by Lenn

Title: The New Year’s Party

Author: Daniel Hurst

Format: E-book

Publication Date: December 26, 2022

Number of Pages: 51

Publisher: –

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Synopsis:

Would you share your New Year’s resolution with a stranger?

When Carrie and Andy attend a high-class New Year’s Eve Party, they’re looking forward to closing out the year in style. But then they meet Martin and Michaela, a couple who haven’t just come out for champagne and fireworks. They have a New Year’s resolution, and it’s very unusual.

After sharing their own resolutions, Carrie and Andy receive a shocking but tempting offer, one that leaves them unsure of how to proceed. But whatever they decide to do, one thing is certain – this will be a New Year’s Eve they will never forget.
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Book Review: I’m a Therapist, and My Patient is Going to be the Next School Shooter (Dr. Harper Therapy, #1) by Dr. Harper

Posted on 01/04/2023 by Lenn

Title: I’m a Therapist, and My Patient is Going to be the Next School Shooter (Dr. Harper Therapy, #1)

Author: Dr. Harper

Format: E-book

Publication Date: January 27, 2019

Number of Pages: 120

Publisher:

Genre: Thriller, Horror, Crime

Synopsis:

I’m a therapist, and I work with the most dangerous patients.

I’ve seen it all… A boy who planned to be the next school shooter. A patient with OCD whose loved ones really did suffer every time he missed a ritual. A choir boy who claimed he was being molested — not by a priest — but by God Himself. A patient with PTSD who gave me nightmares. A husband and wife who accused each other of abuse, and only one of them was telling the truth.

And how could I ever forget, Patient #220.

The problem is, my patients have a habit of dying. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the common denominator. Or maybe that’s just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients.

Either way, I’ll never stop trying to help.
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Author Feature: 8 Authors I Discovered in 2022

Posted on 12/29/2022 by Lenn

Hi, everyone! It’s been a while since I last updated this corner of the blog. I’ve been meaning to talk about another one of my favorite authors of all time, but I always end up with a blank page simply because I’m afraid that I might not give him justice with the things that I’m going to say about him and his works.

But today, since it’s almost the end of the year, I’m featuring 8 authors that I’ve discovered in 2022 and loved. Take note that these authors have yet to make it to my favorite authors list, but I am featuring them in this section of my blog because I deeply enjoyed reading one or two of their books this year. So without further ado, let’s jump right in: Continue reading →

Lenn of Spades ♠

Category Archives: Books