Dastardly Bastard

Review:

This is one of Edward Lorn's more outre horror pieces, and I love it! This and TRAILER are my favourites from Mr. Lorn. He juggles a fair number of characters in this story, gently amassing their backstory and drawing each into his story net. Then, of course, is the creatively imagined horror element (new) and its assured implacability. Not to mention, even the righteously dead need to tune in.

A fast and very entertaining read. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Lorn's characterizations: very insightful.

This is not groundbreaking horror, since it follows the classic structure you've read before: introduction to the characters' lives, characters converge in a creepy environment (usually a haunted house, here it's Waverly Chasm, a natural spot where “you can look down and never see the bottom), chaos ensues, red-shirts bite the dust, heroes fight for survival and then it ends – happily or not. Dastardly Bastard follows this formula to the letter, and it is the characters that make a difference. They all have baggage, and they may not be the best version of themselves. Their adventure at the chasm will change them (or kill them). It is well paced, even if I found my interest waning at the end. The dialogs are actually funny (when the characters are not screaming in terror). It is an entertaining novel for horror fans.

A guided trail hike touring the outskirts of Waverly Chasm takes a deadly turn for a small band of hikers. They are a motley crew made up of a jaded overweight photographer, a cranky dwarf, a mother trying to reconnect with her young son, a couple in love, and the guide, Jaleel. Not one of them will return unscathed. Some won’t return at all.

A yawning maw that is the chasm beckons. A pink bunny slipper, an empty pair of pants, something just out of sight cavorting in the shadows. When did hiking turn into such a dangerous enterprise? We hear about it often now. Bears, mountain lions, avalanches, extreme exposure, stepping off into an abyss . . . you name it. My advice? Always stay in your house.

Thank you to Net Galley for furnishing a copy of this in return for a review. This is it.

"Your memories remain. Your memories sustain."

A small group of people take a day hike to see Waverly Chasm: a 500 pound photographer; a midget (he doesn't want to be called a "little" person) who is a bestselling horror author; a recent widow trying to deal with her devastated 12 year-old son; a happy young couple taking some time from camping - and their guide. Strange happenings start fairly quickly as they head down the path to the Chasm and the world, as they know it, will never be the same.

This is a spooky, thought provoking little horror story, almost a novella. But author Lorn packs a lot into each page.

Character development is superb and I appreciated that the author tied up loose details at the end of the story.

NOTE: I received this book from Red Adept Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from the description but having read and enjoyed another book by the author (Life After Dane) I decided to give it a chance.
With an eclectic cast of quirky characters it really held my attention right from the start. I love horror with a dose of humor thrown in and that is exactly what this book delivers. There are some strange and spooky happenings before Justine and Trevor even arrive to tour Waverly Chasm, and Mark had a humorous time getting there. The adventures of this plus sized reporter had just while renting a car had me laughing one minute and gave me goose bumps the next.

Having recently read and enjoyed "Life After Dane" by Edward Lorn, I quickly requested to read and review another of his books. I was definitely not disappointed. In fact, I was drawn in from the first page and devoured the book at night.
A group of diverse people decide to go on a guided tour of Waverly Chasm for various reasons. Little do they know that they are going to have to face their darkest fears in order to escape the horror of Waverly Chasm. Edward Lorn does not throw any punches. He does not slowly introduce the characters and develop the plot but tosses you right in the middle of it from the beginning which is not easy to do but he accomplishes it. The amazing thing is that nothing is lost in the quick start to the book. The characters are explained and well developed as is what these people are facing on this horrific tour.

Having spent my youth reading the likes of Stephen King and James Hebert exclusively, I've since had a reasonably long (coughs) break from the horror genre. I clearly didn't realise what I was missing out on. Edward Lorn's writing pulls you in and things get creepy quite early on. I will definitely be looking to read more by this author.

The cast of characters are all different and fighting their own internal demons. Add to this a chasm in the middle of nowhere and a malevolent entity and you have a very good horror story.

I did find some of the settings difficult to visualise, but I'm not sure if that was down to me being British rather than American or if I was trying to get through it quickly to find out how it ended!!!

I'd like to thank the publisher, Red Adept Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book via Netgalley in return for my honest review