Okay, here’s some all about me stuff…I know, ego, right? Nah, but there’s some talk in different places about my first two Samhain Horror tales, so I thought I’d share them all in one place.
HELLNOTES.COM says: http://hellnotes.com/abrams-bridge-book-review
Abram’s Bridge, the Samhain Horror debut from Glenn Rolfe, is an entertaining, tightly written ghost story that reads like a classic ghost tale with modern sensibilities. The story flows from an innocent, even sweet, ghost story, to a story of father and sons, and finally one of small towns and the secrets they can harbor. Rolfe’s economy of words serves the story well, keeping it moving forward a fast clip. The characters are human and realistic and I found myself invested in their situations.
There are a few instances where the characters’ voices drop out of the dialogue, but it’s not enough to interfere with the flow of the story or make it less enjoyable. The occasions when the dialogue reads like someone wrote it rather than a character said it don’t affect the character’s arcs. Even in this short work, the main characters (five by my count) all evolve from beginning to end. Rolfe’s previous work, the novel The Haunted Halls, is very entertaining and worth reading, especially if you dig a more brutal sort of ghost story.
Abram’s Bridge marks significant growth as a writer, with its tighter story, sharper characterization and consistent pacing through to the explosive climax. I really enjoyed Abram’s Bridge and will continue reading Glenn Rolfe’s work going forward.
Pick this one up for an evening’s read, especially if the idea of a traditional yet modern and character driven ghost story appeals to you.
HORROR AFTER DARK was a little more critical, but still nice enough…http://www.horrorafterdark.com/2015/02/abrams-bridge-glenn-rolfe/
Abram’s Bridge is, at heart, a ghost story and I love ghost stories.
Sweet Kate is lurking underneath Abram’s Bridge when she was discovered by Lil Ron. As their meetings under the bridge continue, Ron realizes that Sweet Kate was murdered and he wants to help discover the killer. With a gritty cast of small town characters this novella has some memorable moments. I liked this premise and I enjoyed the characters. So why only 3 stars you ask? It was the writing.
I believe this is Mr. Rolfe’s first published work and I think he has talent, but the writing needs a little work. I’m not an editor or a publisher, nor do I pass myself off as some kind of writing expert. But when I read an awkward sentence like this one, it takes me out of the story:
” Music is what got him through the mess life had decided to litter his path to adulthood with.”
Despite a few awkward sentences like this one, I truly did enjoy the story. It was intriguing and fast paced and the tale wound everything up very nicely. Overall, I do recommend this story and I will read more of Mr. Rolfe’s work in the future.
HORROR AFTER DARK is also running a giveaway for two E copies. CLICK HERE TO ENTER
If you want to know more about ABRAM’S BRIDGE from me….check out my guest post over on Hunter Shea’s website:
HUNTERSHEA.COM
Last week’s interview with Lucas Mangum was fun, too:
LUCASMANGUM.COM
And last, but not least…
Catherine Cavendish, author of The Pendle Curse, had this to say:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1194654294?book_show_action=false&page=1
“Alan Packard lives in a ramshackle house with his higgledy piggledy Flea Market on the ground floor. His is an unfulfilling life, more of a difficult day to day existence in a town which achieved notoriety among ufologists back in 1979. Now, the town is back in the news. There have been unexplained seismic rumblings, apparent mini earthquakes and a feeling that all is not right with the Wisconsin town. However meaningless Packard’s existence, it didn’t need the invasion of the awful blue slime that took over his house…and more.
Kim and Brady are two pre-pubescent kids. Best friends. Both from homes that have known tragedy and heartbreak. These two will grow up together. Probably date soon. That is until the day Brady discovers the broken pipe and the bubbling blue ooze…
I love horror and I love sci-fi. Put them together in a well-crafted blend and I am a happy reader. Boom Town proved to be just such a blend. I read the story in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened. It contained all the elements of mystery, suspense, scares, cliffhangers and a cast of characters who worked. I believed them. I rooted for them. I feared for them. This is a fast, satisfying read and I highly recommend it.” (5 star review)
All in all, some nice words from folks this week! My stories aren’t perfect, but I hope you enjoy them just the same.
Thanks to Tim, Charlene, Hunter, Lucas, and Catherine for making my week!
