Customer Reviews

Eat the Dark: A Novel

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

 

 

I was reared, nursed and fed on horror. King, Koontz, Barker and Straub were my Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway. There were years in my youth when I read nothing but horror. Time passes and tastes change, then you pick up a book that takes you right back to the excitement, to that fast fear of pre-adolescence. Joe Schreiber's 2006 zombiethon Chasing the Dead: A Novel was that book, a thrilling piece of classic horror that zips along like an acid trip in a hearse.

Now, Joe Schreiber is back to scare your bowels clean with Eat the Dark. Readers won't find any zombies in this one, but there are plenty of supernatural scares and more than enough twists to keep you going 'til the last page.

The rundown...

On the eve of Tanglewood Memorial's closure, Mike Hughes and a skeleton crew of hospital staff while away the hours of what's supposed to be an uneventful shift. That is until the police roll in psychotic killer Frank Snow for an MRI and things go all dark and bumpy. You see, Snow's no ordinary psycho, and once he's free, all hell breaks loose. And I do mean HELL. Along for the ride are Mike's wife and son, who really picked the wrong night to drop by and say "hi."

In what's fast becoming Schreiber's calling card, the plot careens like an out of control darkride through a razor blade factory. The prose is tight and the read is quick--I read it in two brief sittings, which is perfect for me.

Eat the Dark is old school horror like your Mama used to make. What, not your Moms? Alright. Then, it's at least as creepy as that crappy surprise casserole she baked. So get in there, break the crust and Eat the Dark.

This will sound very weird and some may ask "why is she even writing a review?", but I don't really know how I feel about this book. I mean I must have liked it enough to finish it, right? (Thus the 3 stars). It certainly had many elements of creepiness and atmosphere. The writing was good however a bit erratic at times and the only character I actually connected with was Calhoun. Some plot points implausible even for a work of horror fiction. Sometimes I couldn't wait to be able to pick it back up and sometimes when I did I shook my head in confusion. I totally loved "Chasing the Dead" by Joe Schreiber and maybe my expectations were a bit too high.

Eat the Dark quickly moves you through a night of murder and fear with disturbing imagery (I'll never look at Thomas the Tank Engine the same) that stays with you long after you've closed the book.
It's manageable length is perfect for someone who loves a great story, but doesn't have as much time to read as they'd like.
This is a story that does not disappoint. An A+ read!

This book was simply magnificent. Joe is an excellent plotter and pacer. This book packs a significant psychological wallop. Children in peril, a marriage on the rocks, a seemingly unstoppable villain, and a well placed shocking revelations are all just some of things that make this book a titillating treat.

i have read a lot of horror .. but read a lot of other stuff too .. i think the groping around in the dark in that hospital was something that made the book one that may appeal to 'scared of the dark' type of people.. and i am creeped out by things like that .. i enjoyed the book !!

In my humble opinion, this book was not half as good as Shrieber's debut. The writing veered off at times, slow to start and not nearly as suspensful as Chasing the Dead, which I would recommend to any horror fan out there. The concept is cool but the story lacked a certain someting I guess and I LOVE horror. A surprising let down.

I really enjoyed Chasing the Dead, but was disappointed in this slasher film homage. However it may appeal to fans of the slasher sub-genre.