MBS 2023 Fraterfest Readathon - #2023FraterfestRAT

 This is being hosted again by Caffeinated Reviewer.

The rules are fairly easy:
Between Midnight October 12th and ending at 11:59 pm October 16th; read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly or serial killer novels and novellas.

This time frame seems shorter than previous years. I estimate I might get in 15 hours listening time and a little bit of ebook time.

8 books (5TBR and 3 current) completed for FRATERFEST 2018
10 TBR titles for FRATERFEST 2019
6 books (2TBR and 4 current) for FRATERFEST 2020
10 books (7TBR and 3 current year) for FRATERFEST 2021
7 books (6TBR and 1 current year) for FRATERFEST 2022

I am going to try to stick to TBR books except for one of the NetGalley titles. I am going to try to stick to TBR books except for one of the NetGalley titles.
I've listed some books I can choose from. Those highlighted are favored.

eBooks:

The Messiest Monster on Mill Street by Sarah Sparks (NG2023)
Ghosts of Chernobyl (Tales from the Spirit World Book 3) 17pgs 5/2011
The Tutor: A Ghost Story 27p 2/2019
The Experience Machine 39pgs 10/2019
The Bell by Steve Lockley 87pgs
Behold the Child by Harry Shannon 88
Freddy’s House 92pgs 10/2013
Come to the Cemetery 105pgs 1/2017
Caged View 108pgs 5/2012
Sixtus--A Suspense Thriller 108pgs 6/2012
Outage (Boxed Set) book 1 154pg 2/2016

Audios:

The Horror of the Heights by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 0h 44m (ATBR ABC)
Deep Dark Joe Ledger Book 1.3 by John Maberry 50m (ATBR)
Material Witness Joe Ledger Book 1.2 by John Maberry 1h 16m (ATBR)
The Roommate The Cormac Reilly Series, Book 0.7 by Dervla McTiernan 2h 23m (ATBR)
Second Skin, Audible Original Novella by Christian White 2h 28m (ATBR)
An Open Spook, A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Book 4.5 by E.J. Copperman 2h 32m (A2023)
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark By: Stephanie K. Smith 3h 8m (ATBR)
Eli Carter and the Ghost Hackers Books 1-3 Series Boxed Set by Angela Pepper Book 2 (ATBR Chirp)
Limbus Inc., Three Guys walk Into A Bar by Jonathan Maberry 3h 20m (ATBR ABC)
The Original by Brandon Sanderson 3h 30m (ATBR ABC)
The Snow, #1 of Whiteout by Flint Maxwell 4h 13m (ATBR ABC)
The Cuckoo's Cry An Audible Original Novella 4h 43m (ATBR)
A Death at Eastwick by L.C. Warman 5h 4m (ATBR Chirp)
Last Ones Left Alive A Novel by Sarah Davis-Goff 5h 34m (ATBR Chirp)
Cut 1/2986, Book 1 by Annelie Wendeberg 6h 4m (ATBR Chirp)
The Ghost Hunter Next Door Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries, Book 1 by Danielle Garrett 6h 22m (ATBR)
The Darkwater Bride: An Audible Original Drama by Marty Ross 6h 45m (ATBR)
Trick or Treat Murder #3 of Lucy Stone by Leslie Meier 7h 17m (ATBR ABC)

CODE: ATBR - Audible TBR

             ABC - Audiobooks.com
             Chirp - audio on Chirp
Strike through xxx - I read them between 10/11 to 10/16

MBS 2022 FRATERFEST READATHON #FraterfestRAT

This readathon is hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and lasts from 10/14-10/24/2022.

The rules are fairly easy (follow the link above):
Between Midnight October 14th and ending at 11:59 pm October 24th; read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly or serial killer novels and novellas.

I estimate I might get in 25 hours listening time and a little bit of ebook time.

•   8 books (5TBR and 3 current) completed for FRATERFEST 2018
• 10 TBR titles for FRATERFEST 2019
•   6 books (2TBR and 4 current) for FRATERFEST 2020
• 10 books (7TBR and 3 current year) for FRATERFEST 2021

I am going to try to stick to TBR books although I may do an Audiobook.com club for mysteries in October which would be 2022 titles. We’ll see. Here are some of the titles I may pick from to read or listen to for 2022 Fraterfest:
eBooks:

NetGalley TBR: My Dead Friend Sarah by Peter Rosch

Audio Books:

The Horror of the Heights by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 0h 44m (ATBR ABC)
The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry 1h 42m (ATBR)
The Roommate The Cormac Reilly Series, Book 0.7 2h 23m (ATBR)
Second Skin, Audible Original Novella by Christian White 2h 28m (ATBR)
The Book of Riley #2: A Zombie Tale 2h 47m (2022 ABC)
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark By: Stephanie K. Smith 3h 8m (ATBR)
Eli Carter and the Ghost Hackers Books 1-3 Series Boxed Set by Angela Pepper – Book 1 3h 10m (ATBR Chirp)
Limbus Inc., Three Guys walk Into A Bar by Jonathan Maberry 3h 20m (ATBR ABC)
The Original by Brandon Sanderson 3h 30m (ATBR ABC)
Night Shift Witch by Cate Lawley 3h 31m (ATBR Chirp)
The Cuckoo's Cry An Audible Original Novella 4h 43m (ATBR)
A Death at Eastwick 5h 4m Chirp2020 (ATBR)
Last Ones Left Alive A Novel by Sarah Davis-Goff 5h 34m (ATBR Chirp)
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes 5h 39m (ATBR ABC)
Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls 5h 52m (ATBR ABC)
Cut 1/2986, Book 1 by Annelie Wendeberg 6h 4m (ATBR Chirp)
The Darkwater Bride: An Audible Original Drama 6h 45m (ATBR)
Dusty's Diary by Bobby Adair 7h 44m (ATBR)
Monster Hunt NYC: The Monster Hunt NYC, Book 1 by Harmon Cooper 7h 53m (ATBR Chirp)
A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry 7h 57m (ATBR ABC)
Moonshine & Magic by Bella Falls 7h 59m (ATBR ABC)

I have another list of longer books (not good for Fraterfest) available for October reading -- this year or in the future. :-)

Image found at But Why Tho?

#FraterfestRat (book 1) Audio Book Review: America Falls Episodes 1-2 by Scott Medbury

I enjoyed the beginning of this post-apocalyptic series.

America Falls Episodes 1-2
Written by Scott Medbury
Read by Adam Barr

Series: America Falls
Run Time 11h 12min
Release Date: November 28, 2020
Publisher: Scott Medbury
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
No Maze. No Zombies. No games.
After a surprise biological attack, America, the most powerful nation on Earth, quickly succumbs, with over 99.5% of the adult population killed. As society unravels and a ground invasion of his country begins, loner Isaac Race must form a connection with a ragtag group of survivors and elude not only the invaders, but other dangers and chaos unleashed in Post-America.
These are the first two action packed episodes of the bestselling AMERICA FALLS, a compelling series about who we are and who we have to become in order to survive.
This audio duet includes: Hell Week and On The Run

Review:
Book 1, Hell Week, introduces the protagonist, Isaac, who isn’t even sixteen yet. He has had a rough childhood with many losses – first his parents and later a good foster father. Now all the adults around him have died from a pandemic unleashed by enemy forces. The children struggle to survive as the enemy forces invade America and round them up to use as a local slave force. Isaac has avoided capture and joined with other young people who are in hiding. One of the girls they rescue tells of a refuge she heard of to the north. Initially Isaac is put in position of the leader of his handful of friends until they meet another group with an older, more experienced leader, Sonny.

While dodging the foreign enemy, Isaac and his friends have to scavenge supplies and avoid the competing gangs who rape and kill rather than share. With some unexpected aid, Sonny’s group decides to make a daring escape to try to get to the refuge in the mountains. When friends are killed and Sonny is injured, Isaac is once again forced to lead, and he feels the responsibility of making hard decisions.

Book 1 moves right into Book 2, On the Run. Isaac and the group are running with the truck they have, but they are being chased by a gang that they angered. While trying to escape the gang, Isaac and company see an enemy outpost directly ahead. They manage to lead the gang into the hands of the enemy but now Isaac is being chased by two angry enemies, the foreigners and the gang leader. If they can get to the rumored place of refuge before being killed, will they really find help?

I like Isaac as a troubled but determined young man. He quickly discovers that he must do what has to be done to stay alive and keep his friends alive. His companions are an interesting mix, including a brainy classmate and beautiful young girl they rescued. The author provides plenty of excitement with numerous ‘last minute’ escapes. I am glad I had books one and two together and now I want to continue with book 3. This isn’t high level literature, but it has nice relationships and engaging action.

Audio Notes: Adam Barr does a good job with the narration. He provided sufficiently distinct voices and portrayed the emotional angst of the situations. I am glad I had this on audio.

Source: 2/21/21 Purchase at Chirp $1.99. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal and Book 1 was finished as the last book of my 2021 #FraterfestRat.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

I liked this Prequel and the Joe Ledger character.

Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Joe Ledger, Book 0.5
Length 19m
Release date: 07-14-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Horror, Suspense, Zombie
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
“I didn’t plan to kill anyone. I wasn’t totally against the idea, either. Sometimes things just fall that way, and either you roll with it or it rolls over you. Letting the bad guys win isn’t how I roll.”
Meet Joe Ledger, Baltimore PD, attached to a Homeland task force … who’s about to get a serious promotion.
©2008 Jonathan Maberry (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Joe Ledger is a hardcore Baltimore detective who has a reputation for taking bad guys down with his steely nerves and skilled shooting. His is pulled into a task force that steps into a situation to shut down a terrorist operation and stop the release of a unknown deadly bioweapon. While Joe and a close friend on the team are dodging bullets, Joe notices a locked box which turns out to have a man in it. During the melee the man gets loose and stumbles out. The drugged looking man isn’t armed so initially Joe ignores him. But after bouncing off a kick, the man lunges at one of Joe’s teammates like a snarling dog. When the biting man gets in the way of eliminating shooters, Joe takes him out of the way.

Joe’s actions, taking out a multitude of hostiles, catches the attention of Mr. Church, the commander of a black-ops organization, the Department of Military Sciences (DMS). Will Joe be recruited by the DMS?

I have been eyeing this zombie series for a while even though (or maybe because) the first book, Patient Zero, has a rather gruesome-looking cover. I like the ‘super-hero’ nature of Joe’s character, including what appears to be a snarky attitude. I am glad to have had the opportunity to listen to this quick book and will likely try the series. There is limited zombie action in this short audio, but I do recommend this introduction to fans of the zombie genre.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a wonderful narrator, and his performance enhances the story for me. He portrays the hardcore nature of the prime character and also delivers the fast paced action. I always enjoy listening to Porter’s deliverance.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and #FraterfestRat goals.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1 by Harper Fox

This is a good, short start to a mystery series..

Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1
By: Harper Fox
Narrated by: Tim Gilbert

Series: Tyack & Frayne, Book
Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 12-04-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: LGBTQ, Mystery, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Gideon Frayne has spent his whole working life as a policeman in the village of Dark on Bodmin Moor. It's not life in the fast lane, but he takes it very seriously, and his first missing-child case is eating him alive. When his own boss sends in a psychic to help with the case, he's gutted - he's a level-headed copper who doesn't believe in such things, and he can't help but think that the arrival of clairvoyant Lee Tyack is a comment on his failure to find the little girl.
But Lee is hard to hate, no matter how Gideon tries. At first Lee's insights into the case make no sense, but he seems to have a window straight into Gideon's heart. Son of a Methodist minister, raised in a tiny Cornish village, Gideon has hidden his sexuality for years. It's cost him one lover, and he can't believe it when this green-eyed newcomer stirs up old feelings and starts to exert a powerful force of attraction.
Gideon and Lee begin to work together on the case. But there are malignant forces at work in the sleepy little village of Dark, and not only human ones - Gideon is starting to wonder, against all common sense, if there might be some truth in the terrifying legend of the Bodmin Beast after all. As a misty Halloween night consumes the moor, Gideon must race against time to save not only the lost child but the man who's begun to restore his faith in his own heart.
©2013 Harper Fox (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gideon Frayne is a policeman in his home village on the edge of the Cornish moors. He is frustrated as the days pass, and he hasn’t located a missing young girl. Gideon is a bit surprised, and annoyed, when his superior indicates that a psychic has been called in. Gideon is set against the idea and then he meets Lee Tyack.

Circumstances leave Lee without a reservation, so he ends up staying with Gideon. At first Gideon is very skeptical about Lee’s not so clear visionary clues. But soon he realizes that the clues make sense once they get the right interpretation. A little romance develops between Gideon and Lee as they get closer to finding the missing girl. Soon Gideon realizes that Lee is in danger too. On a dark, foggy Halloween night, Gideon sets off into the dark moors and the caves there in hopes he can save the girl and his new friend.

I am very impressed by the writing in this short mystery which has a beautiful tone even with the darkness of the settings and issues. The mystery isn’t terribly deep, but the dangerous creature and the physic element adds to the plot. Gideon and Lee are two distinct and different characters, but they work well together. The relationship between Gideon and Lee is tastefully handled. I might be inclined to read more in the series.

Audio Notes: Tim Gilbert does a wonderful narration. His accent fits the story and he enhances the haunting tone while portraying clear characters. I would listen to more narration from Gilbert.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and #FraterfestRat goals.

#FraterfestRat Audio Book Review: Gustav Gloom and the People Taker by Adam-Troy Castro

I enjoyed this story that combines darkneAdam-Troy Castross with sweet friendship.
Gustav Gloom and the People Taker
Written by
Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky

Run Time 4h 42min
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Children's, Paranormal, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
Enter an exciting new world of shadows from Hugo Award nominee Adam-Troy Castro. Meet Gustav Gloom.
Fernie What finds herself lost in the Gloom mansion after her cat appears to have been chased there by its own shadow. Fernie discovers a library full of every book that was never written, a gallery of statues that are just plain awkward, and finds herself at dinner watching her own shadow take part in the feast!
Along the way Fernie is chased by the People Taker who is determined to take her to the Shadow Country. It’s up to Fernie and Gustav to stop the People Taker before he takes Fernie’s family.

Review:
The community of Sunnyside Terrace view Gustav Gloom as the saddest boy they have ever seen. He seems to live alone in the dark Gloom mansion. When ‘helpful’ people go to the house to see what they can do, they either are never seen again or come out less than the whole person that went in. So they neighbors have learned to stay away.

Fernie What and her father and sister have just moved in next door to the Gloom mansion. The young sisters, especially Fernie, have a fascination with monsters and dark, scary stories. Fernie wants to visit the Gloom mansion even though she sees the dark shadows in the yard and has already seen a strange event with a neighbor dog. The first night in their new house, Fernie’s cat escapes and Fernie follows her to Gloom mansion. Fernie’s reluctance to enter the dark building is overcome by her desire to protect her cat.

As Fernie looks in the different rooms for her cat, she comes upon a huge library. A strange man explains to Fernie that the empty looking books are every book that has never been written. Soon Fernie finds herself under attack by a looming beast and a dark, evil looking man. Gustav snatches her from the attack and the two race off only steps ahead of danger as Gustav tries to get Fernie out of the building before she is caught by the People Taker. Gustav tries to explain the many dangers of the house as they rush through other strange rooms, sharing a little about themselves and becoming friends.

Fernie’s father and sister come looking for her when they find she is missing. They are met by a supposedly friendly ‘neighbor’ who lures them into the mansion. Can Gustav save his new friend and her family from the monsters in his home?

This is another dark but cute story that is good for younger audiences…as well as adults. The author has created rather unique monsters and situations in the dark and gloom that surrounds Gustav and his home. The scary adventure is softened by the sweet characters and their developing friendship. I notice that the ebook has some cute images that children would enjoy. I liked the audio version which seemed to soften the darkness a little for me. I do recommend this to middle grade students and their parents who will enjoy reading or listening with them.

Audio Notes: Jesse Vilinsky does a lovely job with the narration. The pronunciation is clear and distinct and conveys the somber tone of the setting while also sharing the emotions of the children. I expect that I will get more in the series and I would chose the audio version.

Source: November 2020 Chirp Purchase $0.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat (#6) goals.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance by Tommy Krappweis

This is a fun listen with some minor issues.

Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance
By: Tommy Krappweis
Narrated by: Michael Braun, Marc Vietor, Jay Snyder, Dina Pearlman, Cynthia Darlow, Stephen Bel Davies, James Fouhey, Jeena Yi, Jessie Cannizzaro, Kevin T. Collins, Mateo D'Amato

Series: Ghostsitter, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
A whole-family listen for fans of Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family.
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money...and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time "ghostsitter".
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
©2015 Tommy Krappweis (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tom is a young teen who has been raised by his lively grandmother. Tom is surprised to learn that he has inherited ten million dollars from an uncle he never met. Another stranger, Welf, arrives to take Tom and his grandmother to meet with a strange lawyer. The lawyer explains that Tom has to run his uncle’s antique travelling carnival ghost train in order to receive the inheritance. Before Tom has a chance to register everything a man in a cape with a red clad female companion push into the room. He offers Tom a significant cash price for the tour train. As Tom hesitates, a brawl ensues.

In another day, Welf takes Tom off to see the train. Tom is a bit dismayed when he sees what appears to be a dilapidated train which he thinks wouldn’t attract anyone. Tom soon learns there is more involved in the ride when he meets the unique team of unusual characters that work together to make the ride successful. This group includes a vampire, a zombie, a mummy, a ghost girl and of course werewolf Welf.

Tom is a little uncomfortable moving into his uncle’s very dusty caravan home and he worries he will not be able to fulfill his job as a “ghostsitter”. When the group is attacked by demon killing angels, Tom quickly learns that each member of the team, and that includes him, contributes to protect each other and keep the train going.

This is a fun story that has a little "Scooby Doo" vibe to it. The creatures are fun, rather than scary. It is an issue that the enemy are a type of angel but I don't think that has to ruin the story as Tom shows by pushing them to show mercy and love to other creatures. There are sound effects that add to the story and there is a quirky little song between sections that is surely designed for the kids to enjoy. I found it cute but after a couple of times I did fast forward to the next section. I plan to share this with my grandchildren because I do think they will enjoy it, but adults can enjoy it too.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast whose energetic delivery enhances the entertaining story. I would like to listen to more in the series.

Source: 6/20/2020 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat goals.

#FraterfestRat #NetGalley Book Review: The Secret Halloween Costume by Sophie Vaillancourt

This is a nice Halloween story promoting fun rather than scary costumes.
The Secret Halloween Costume
by Sophie Vaillancourt

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CrackBoom! Books; New edition (September 21, 2021)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 24 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 2898022454
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2
Genre: Children, Halloween, Holiday
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

A Halloween story for little ones!
Charlotte is a young witch. For Halloween, her family insists she must wear her darkest clothes and scariest makeup. After all, a witch must be spooky! But Charlotte doesn't want to follow tradition - she wants to wear something that reflects who she is. She asks her grandmother to sew her a secret costume... But what will it be?
An adorable Halloween story about an enthusiastic little witch who follows her heart and inspires others to do the same!

Review:
Charlotte has been told that it is tradition for a young witch to wear a scary witch costume at Halloween. Charlotte just doesn’t want to be scary. She asks her friends but when they search the costumes in the attic, they find scary costumes. Fortunately, Charlotte has a Granny who is a bit of free thinker and helps her create a costume she is happy with.

I found the illustrations delightful. The story is okay and nice for the halloween holiday. However, I think it could be made clearer that Charlotte wasn’t going behind her mother’s back to be disrespectful. A parent might have to explain the choices between tradition and new ideas and consider better ways to handle the situation than possibly setting one family member against another. I recommend this to families where parents help their children understand tradition, while allowing them creativity.

Source: NetGalley 2021. #FraterfestRat #4. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goal.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Dead Acre by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

This is a quick listen with a demon hunting "hand of God".

Dead Acre
By: Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle
Narrated by: Roger Clark

Series: Black Badge Series, Book 0.5
Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Fantasy, Supernatural, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
The Witcher meets the The Dresden Files in this Weird Western tale by the Audible number-one bestselling duo, performed by Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur Morgan).
James Crowley met his mortal end in a hail of gunfire. Now, he finds himself in purgatory, serving the White Throne to avoid falling to hell. Not quite undead, though not alive either, the best he can hope for is to work off his servitude and fade away.
His not-so-sacred duty as a Hand of God? Use his new abilities to hunt down demonic beings that have infiltrated the mortal realm.
This time, the White Throne has sent him to the middle of nowhere: a western town called Dead Acre with a saloon, a moldy church, and little else worth talking about. There isn’t even a sheriff. But the local cobbler has gone missing at the same time as a number of graves were desecrated.
Crowley must follow the clues, all while dealing with a cutthroat gang which treats Dead Acre like they own it, an extraordinary woman who makes it hard to focus, and locals not keen on strangers.
Life isn’t simple for a Hand of God.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Audible Originals LLC

Review:
James Crowley was a rough cowboy outlaw… but he was still a good guy who tried to save a woman and child. That is how he died. But he didn’t go to heaven or hell. Instead, he was given a ‘second chance’ to avoid hell. He is asked to be a Hand of God to fight evil and unholy enemies of a demonic nature. Crowley has a strained relationship with his supervisor angel. This is partially the result of Crowley being sent to a location with only limited knowledge. He just knows he will face trouble, without knowing who the bad guys or demons are.

Crowley has been sent to a town called Dead Acres. The name fits the tone of the town, and few people welcome the man they perceive as a lawman. Crowley soon learns that a husband of a beautiful woman has gone missing. While he wonders if this is his assignment, Crowley quickly makes enemies of the local gang when he interrupts them when they begin to harass the lady. Then his angel tells him that Dead Acres borders demonic territory and there is more danger to expect.

Crowley’s investigation takes him to a dilapidated church and a cowering preacher who is doing nothing to help protect the community. Crowley may find the missing husband, but before he can complete his assignment, he will face creatures he hasn’t faced before.

I liked Crowley’s character and the tough western setting. I also enjoyed the clear writing and first-person view. I look forward to more in this series. I recommend this to fans of western and fantasy.

Audio Notes: Roger Clark does a good job of narration. He captures and portrays the dark nature of the characters and story. I totally enjoyed this audible experience.

Source: December 2020 free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals. This is my second listen for #FraterfestRat.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Black Virus by Bobby Adair

It is a quick listen with young protagonists in a messed-up, infected world.
Black Virus: Black Rust, Book 1
By: Bobby Adair
Narrated by: Tristan Morris

Series: Black Rust, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Virus. Chaos. Survival. Alienated in a world where he doesn't fit in, Christian Black survives because he's different. Then the virus came, and made the world turn different, too. Now people are dying by the million. Food supplies are short. Riots are blazing through the streets, and Christian's only goal is to keep his family alive. But safety lies far from the city, and just getting out will be tougher than anyone knows.
©2016 Bobby L. Adair (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Christian Black has been dubbed “different” by his parents, teachers, counselors, and doctors. He is always pushing the edge of acceptable behavior and has little emotional response to punishment. Yet, he is deeply loyal to his family, his ill parents and his older brother. They have already lost his younger twin brothers, his father is almost in a vegetative state, and his mother is becoming more confused every day. The virus that has struck the community kills some outright, but leaves others in various stages of ‘degeneration’, slowly losing cognitive and physical abilities. Alone the infected degenerates may be docile, but together they become loud and violent with social controls abandoned.

Rations have diminished and Christian sets out to the city to get supplies that are needed for his family. He stumbles upon a group of attackers and steps in to help save some apparent survivors. When the dust settles, Christian has to struggle to escape with a father and his teen daughter, Abby. Things aren’t good when they get back to Christian’s home. How are they to move forward in this wicked, sick world?

In this short story, the author provides reasonably developed characters and a twist on a virus that doesn’t quite result in zombies. I liked Christian even though he is presented as a dark youth. There is violence and suspense as the young protagonists try to move away from the danger and move forward. It is sufficiently entertaining if not gripping. It may be a while before I use a credit on book 2. I recommend this to fans of the zombie or virus post-apocalyptic genres.

Audio Notes: Tristan Morris does a good job with distinct voices for both the male and female characters. I am glad I had this as a free audiobook.

Source: August 2020 free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goal. This was my first listen for #FraterfestRat.

Fraterfest Read-a-thon October 2018

I am going to join Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer for this creepy type read-a-thon.

I went through my huge kindle library and found several horror, ghost and supernatural choices for this event. I plan to read titles towards my eBook TBR and Alphabet challenges.

The rules are fairly easy (follow the link above).

Between Midnight October 11th and ending at 11:59 pm October 16th; read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly or serial killer novels and novellas.