Customer Reviews

The Shadowkiller: A Novel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the Pacific Northwest people are vanishing with the only clue left behind being giant odd looking footsteps. Authorities are concerned as these disappearances are too many with the seemingly same modus operendi. Unknown to law enforcement is that a patriarchal Bigfoot came home to find his family dead from an inferno set by the uncaring humans; outraged he is on a mission of vengeance.

Sheriff Office detective Mac Schneider found the initial evidence that these abductions were not by Homo sapiens, but that of a large intelligent and angry beast. Two other men seek the creature. Ty Greenwood sees the happenings as a chance to prove his claim to have sighted Bigfoot that led to ridicule and his ruin. Native American Chief Ben Eagleclaw has a spiritual link to the Bigfoot. These three humans with differing reasons to "hunt" the berserker Bigfoot compete more than they team up to capture, kill or free the creature depending on their perspectives.

Fans who appreciate a vividly grisly Bigfoot thriller with little on the social, cultural or science of the species will appreciate this action-packed tale. The story line is fast-paced never pausing for a nanosecond as in graphic detail Bigfoot goes on a rampage that makes the Hulk look like a two year old. Clearly targeting the red meat crowd, readers who demand non-stop adventures will want to join the hunt for Bigfoot; those in the audience who want to know more of the Bigfoot culture should pass.

Harriet Klausner

This is a story of the North American ape-man Bigfoot. This particular merciless, eleven foot, fourteen hundred pound creature is on a mission. A mission of revenge. Humans (keepers of the fire)allowed the fire to escape killing Bigfoot's entire tribe including his mate and cub. His travels take him to the forests of the Pacific Northwest where his reign of terror begins.
Ty Greenwood is employed by the National Forest Service. As a former software exec, Ty had become a very wealthy man and has tried to prove the existence of BF only to made out a fool and laughed at by his friends and the media. They cannot believe his story of BF chasing him three years ago in Idaho while on a camping trip. His wife, Ronnie, loves him very much but his obsession with this creature has got to end if their marriage is to last.
Mac Schneider, a police detective at the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department is another main character in the story. Mac came to this area after living and working as a detective in Los Angeles. He is paired with Det. Karl Carillo, a rough and tough former Marine. At the scene where two lawyers went missing, Mac discovers the largest footprint he has ever seen. Carillo thinks it is a hoax. Mac is not so sure but both agree to keep it quiet for a time.
Another character is Chief Ben Eagleclaw (a.k.a. Ben Campbell). Ben is seventy-nine years old and has been a movie star since returning from the South Pacific in 1946. Ben leaves the set of a movie in L.A. after a disturbing dream, one he has had many times over the years and heads home on a gut feeling. He feels this creature is out there and needs to finally confront it.
As people disappear with no clues left behind, the Sheriff's Office is baffled to say the least. Since Ty, Mac and Ben have all been chased by this monster and were lucky to have lived, they have a clue as to what is happening with those missing souls but who would believe them. They eventually team up and go hunting.
I picked this book up at the library but wasn't sure I would get to read it. After reading Chapter One, I could not put it down. I read the "afterword" section first since I knew next to nothing about Bigfoot. It's chilling to discover that these creatures possibly exist. Although many are said to be shy creatures, the one in this story is out for revenge and is merciless. The murder scenes are gory but well-written as is the remainder of the book. Chills ran down my spine when unsuspecting victims wandered into the woods unaware of the fate that awaited them. The author also allows us into the mind of this intelligent monster and see things from his perspective. Mr. Hansen's fictional debut has done it's job. I will think twice before I take a walk in a forest.

Wonder if you were in the woods, camping and ran across Bigfoot. Also wonder if no one believed your story. This is exactly what happened to Tyler "Ty" Greenwood. Ty isn't just anyone either. He's respected, successful--making a fortune in the software industry. Problem is no one on the camping trip saw the creature and Ty like to pull stunts on his co-workers.

To prove he's not insane, Ty embarks on a mission to find this creature exists, which turns into an obsession. Not only is he not successful, the media has crucified him, making him look like a nutcase. Through all of this, his wife has stuck by him.

In time, Ty appears to have put this obsession behind him. He's only hidden it well, that is until the creature returns and the disappearances begin to mount. Ty quits his job to dedicate all of his time to finding this elusive creature, but his wife isn't prepared to go through this again.

Ty's wife might not believe, but he teams up with two who do. Ben Campbell, a native American Indian, who also had an encounter with the creature in his youth and Mac Schneider, who works for the county sheriff's office. He stumbles across evidence that makes him believe this killer isn't human.

Though a bit stereotypical, the cast of characters are life-like and engaging--even the reporter, Kris Walker. I found myself glued to my iPhone listening to the audio version of this book. William Dufris, a phenomenal narrator, added passion to an already gripping story.

I highly recommend this book for fans of the thriller genre who can stand a bit of gore with their action. It's the perfect Halloween read for adults.

I loved how the writer brought you inside the monster's mind.Book 2 of the Wild Series, Wild Justice

I could write a lengthy review of Hansen's novel detailing all of its good points and bad points, but to save us both the time, I'll just boil it down to four words: good premise, lousy execution.

I bought this book keen to read a rip-roaring, "Predator"-style action/horror novel about a maneating bigfoot on the rampage, but the incredibly obnoxious characters and endless stretches of literally NOTHING HAPPENING really sunk this one for me. When I finished it, I was so disappointed that I didn't even bother putting it up on my bookshelf, I just immediately gave it away to charity.

If it's bigfoot horror you're looking for, try Jay Kumar's "Dark Woods" instead. It's FAR more suspenseful, intelligent and interesting, with a story that, mercifully, DOESN'T crawl along like a sedated snail. Unfortunately, Hansen's book is at the other end of the quality scale: amateur hour, with prose that reads like a college freshman trying to emulate Stephen King. Don't waste your time.

I just couldn't resist a thriller about Bigfoot and I was not disappointed. I have, of course, heard of our neighbor the Yowie for years, but Bigfoot has always held a special fascination for me. Shadowkiller has a lot of interesting characters (of which Bigfoot is a primary one), and even the minor ones are well executed. I thoroughly enjoyed Shadowkiller -- the writing is layered, intelligent, and humourous at times. The ending is particularly frantic and satisfying. A great, fun read!

THE SHADOWKILLER is just okay. It reminded me a great deal of those horror movies I used to watch as a kid. You have a monster that is killing people in the forest. A lot of characters are introduced as victims, then are quickly disposed of. A group of people eventually team up to try to destroy the monster. In the interim, you have an inordinate number of graphic sex scenes. If you've seen a lot of horror films, much of this book is pretty predictable.

The major downside of THE SHADOWKILLER is the remarkably cardboard characterization. In particular, I disliked the female reporter character, who was almost ridiculously evil and promiscuous. She came across as more of a cartoon character than a real person. She is an easy character to hate, but she is not even remotely believable.

I also felt there were too many characters in this book, which prevented me from identifying with anyone in particular. Most of the protagonists in this book are highly flawed (one of them, for example, is depressed and suicidal despite his enormous wealth and loving family).

Still, this book is fast-paced and has some pretty decent action scenes, so I will give it a mild recommendation. If you like monster books, though, my advice is to instead try books like Dean Koontz' PHANTOMS or Steve Alten's MEG, which are far superior to this.

I have to admit two things ...

First, I'm a media guy and recently interviewed the author. But I don't think I'm biased. I'm pretty selective as to who I put on my radio show. This book seemed like one that would catch my listener's attention and talking to Scott was both enjoyable and interesting.

Secondly, I'm a sucker for these type of books. "The Shadowkiller" is fast-paced, easy to follow, well plotted and well written. And all of that is not as easy to put together as it may seem. This would be a great book on a plane trip, a vacation - anytime you want a book to keep your attention from beginning to end. And, like all good things, it leaves you wanting more. The good news is Matt said he is definitely working on a next book and I'm certain there will be more after that.

If you want to be entertained and a bit creeped out with a novel that has a wide-eyed kid's heart beating in its adult chest, "The Shadowkiller" might be for you. The next thing I want to do is get the audio version, wait for a weekend night when the wind is blowing and I'm all alone ... and try not to think too much about the noises I hear.

The ones right outside the door ...

Highly recommended.

The existence of a large, human-like creature in the American N.W. has always seemed highly unlikely to me. However, after reading "Shadow Killer," the possiblity seems much more likely based on author Matthew Scott Hansen's very believeable monster. From now on those noises one hears in the middle of the night when camping in the wilderness will not always seem so innocent and explainable.
This is a real page-turner for those who like Stephen King. The characters in this fast paced thriller, both human and not quite human, are drawn well and the reader is anxious to discover what their fate will be.
I'll be looking forward to Mr. Hansen's next novel when I want to have that chill-up-the-spine reading experience.

Well, I liked this book. Yes, the subject matter is a bit silly: a 1400 pound, 11 foot sasquatch (with an intelligent, but limited, mind) running all over the place killing people for revenge. Kinda goofy, I agree. But the author wove a pretty good story and developed the characters pretty well. There were lots of characters in the book to keep up with but they all came together to make the story flow. I was really disappointed in one character, Ben. He's an old Indian who has the ability to "communicate" with the creature mentally. He could have added much to the story if this telepathy concept had been fully developed. But sadly, it wasn't. That was disappointing. But the rest of the book was okay. The dust cover says it will make you think twice before going camping again. Hardly.

I think this is Matthew Scott Hansens first novel. He certainly has potential. He wove a good story.