Customer Reviews

Blood Works

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Good short story anthologies are hard to come by. Most writers who put together such anthologis often fail to deliver the goods and usually only half of the stories are of any interest. This isn't the case of Mr. Boyle's first book, BLOOD WORKS, a collection of nine chilling tales. There is not a dud here, folks. None of the climaxes are forced left-field endings. David has a gift for taking familiar situations and drenching them in an atmosphere of dread.

He sets up the scenes with the skillful hand of a veteran writer and develops his characters surprisingly well (something that isn't easy to do in the short story format). These dark tales explore the human condition and shy away from supernatural creatures and occurrences (only two stories vaguely hint at the supernatural). This is one of the reasons his stories work so well, I think; man is the most terrifying monster of them all and David does a great job at showing you what goes on in a psychopath's head.

Included in this book are:
-Bad Connection
-Blink of an Eye
-Dead End
-Deadly Secret
-No One Survives the Holidays
-Skinned Alive
-Beyond the Dark Glass
-Mind Plays Tricks?
-Death Do Us Part

My personal favorites are "Blink of an Eye" and "Dead End". I know for a fact that David has enough stories to fill up at least two more books. Let's hope this becomes a yearly tradition. If you're looking for some hard-hitting horror, look no more; David Boyle has arrived.

Alan Draven,
Author of BITTERNEST

I have always enjoyed thrillers whether it be reading or watching them. To be honest, I wasn't sure how well I would enjoy the short stories aspect of this book. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. I was hooked from the very first story which also turned out to be one of my favorites. Unable to put Blood Works down, I finished this book in just under 3 hours. My only criticism is that I wanted more. Hopefully, the author will take note and won't make us wait too long for his next book.

Bloodworks is not just another collection of intriguing/interesting horror tales. Oh no. It's much more darker and disturbing. I frequently had to fight the urge to race through it because I couldn't tolerate the suspense. But the ending, while alleviating the dreadful anticipation, supplanted it with the realization of just how terrifying life can be. Bloodworks left me actually feeling scared. David Boyle reaches in, grabs your heart and mind, and immerses you in the terror. Terrors that have inevitably crossed your mind. Terrors that could actually happen to you. Don't read it at night alone.

As you read each story it takes you for a thrill ride. It has the suspense you need to want to read more. You can't wait to see how it ends. What a great way it brings the characters to life when reading these stories. Everyone who gets a chance to read this book will be in for the most enjoyable thrill of their lives.

Since I don't have alot of time to read a whole novel, I purchased this book with the intention of reading one story at a time whenever I had an opportunity. However, I found each story to be so well written and suspenseful that I couldn't put it down and ended up reading the entire 268 pages in one night. My only complaint is that the book would have benefited from an index, listing the names of each story and their length.Blood Works

David Boyle is a friend of mine and for some time I have read his short fiction online, stories which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have also been encouraging him to publish because I know the public will enjoy reading his work as much as I.

Now, Mr. Boyle has unleashed his Blood Works onto the world. I look forward to getting my own copy so I can enjoy his work again and again, and I encourage anyone who enjoys reading stories where the tension slowly builds, and evil manifests itself from beneath different masks, to pick up a copy of Blood Works as soon as possible...you won't be disappointed. Tell everyone you know who enjoys a good story to grab a copy of David's book and read.

Frank E. Bittinger
author of:
Into the Mirror Black
and
Angels of the Seventh Dawn

The great reviews I read before ordering this book propelled me to buy it, and unfortunately I regret it. The stories are unmemorable and mediocre. The suspense that apparently gripped other readers, didn't grab me. The stories were trite, one dimensional and flimsy. The writing was competent, which is why I gave the book 2 stars. If the stories had more depth, the characters more life, and if the endings were more unexpected, I could give this book a better review.