Shadows of the Woods

by Duncan Thompson

[zooloo1983]

Well, when you read a book that reminds you of your two favourite ever horror authors you know you are on to a winner. With the traits I love of Jonathan Janz and Richard Laymon we take a trip to the woods. Today we go camping and join a stag party. You would think things would get out of control, they do….but not how you would think!

When I was not sitting with my jaw dropped, I was sitting there with my lips curled with the utter grimness of it all. Things escalate at such a rapid pace it is literally a nightmare and it’s one which will want you to keep the lights on and avoid the shadows….especially at night and in a wood!

But no alas the story doesn’t end there! Nope! It travels to the police station where hell is trying to break loose in an Aliens/Species kind of way! What I did love, the names of the police! Curtis, Carpenter, Campbell, Englund, Craven, Raimi what a nod of respect! Just epic! I did have a chuckle with excitement seeing these names!

This is the first book I have read by Thompson and if all his books are this bat-s**t crazy well he can count me as a fan! Thankfully I didn’t have goosebumps this time, but I was unnerved at times which is a good sign. I do love a book that can unsettle me, I mean as I type, I have a feeling of something behind me, but I won’t turn around. I have the prickly sensation at the back of my head, but nope not looking…now we know there is nothing there…but you see the fear that Thompson has put there! Pure ecstasy of a thrill! Yes, I think I am broken!

It is not for the faint-hearted but it’s a heart-thumping adventure. The crackling of the woods, the screams of the shadows. If this was a movie, my mum and I would be straight in the cinema. With opening scenes that would remind me of Blair Witch, hearing noises but not seeing, with demons that resemble the Slenderman, and the pure silence and isolation of the woods. Yup, I would watch that in the daylight, on a hot sunny day!

I look forward to my next adventure with Thompson, it’s a no brainer that I will read something else by him. He has a way of unsettling you, grossing you out and will use your fears against you. Epic!