The Turtle Boy [Hardcover]

Kealan Patrick Burke (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 97 pages
• Publisher: Necessary Evil Press; 1st edition (2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975363506
• ISBN-13: 978-0975363508
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,738,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in Dungarvan, Ireland, Kealan Patrick Burke is a Bram Stoker Award-winning author described as "a newcomer worth watching" (Publishers Weekly) and "one of the most original authors in contemporary horror" (Booklist).

Some of his works include the novels KIN, MASTER OF THE MOORS, CURRENCY OF SOULS, THE LIVING, and THE HIDES, the novellas THE TURTLE BOY (Bram Stoker Award Winner, 2004), VESSELS, MIDLISTERS, JACK & JILL, and the collections RAVENOUS GHOSTS, THE NUMBER 121 TO PENNSYLVANIA & OTHERS (Bram Stoker Award-Nominee, 2009), and THEATER MACABRE.

Kealan also edited the anthologies: TAVERNS OF THE DEAD (starred review, Publishers Weekly), BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE, QUIETLY NOW (International Horror Guild Award Nominee, 2004), the charity anthology TALES FROM THE GOREZONE, NIGHT VISIONS 12 (starred review, Publishers Weekly, British Fantasy Award & International Horror Guild Award nominee), and DUST & SHADOW.

A movie based on his short story "Peekers", directed by Mark Steensland (DEAD @ 17), and scripted by veteran novelist Rick Hautala (Bedbugs, The Mountain King), is currently available to watch on YouTube.

He recently played the male lead in Greg Lamberson's film SLIME CITY MASSACRE, the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic SLIME CITY. The film is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and is scheduled for limited theatrical release this summer.

He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization.

Visit Kealan on the web at www.kealanpatrickburke.com, or visit his blog at http://kealanpatrick.wordpress.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minor gripes do not effect a great little story!, October 20, 2008

By 

G. Guthrie "fiction book collector" (columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Turtle Boy (Hardcover)

This is an interesting and fun story that tried to cram in a ton of explanations and speculations in the last 15 pages of the book. The story's protagonist is an 11-year old boy named Timmy, who along with his friend encounters a horrific child at a local lake that he ends up calling The Turtle Boy. Timmy has unknowingly come upon a secret involving the boy and his neighborhood, and the story unfolds as Timmy's actions force the secret of the Turtle Boy back into the open.

It's really hard not to give away spoilers here as this is a novella. But the story builds up slowly and then at the end you get slammed with the answers, and even more than you were expecting or needing. I think some of this could have been spread out through the story rather than crammed in at the end. It felt like there was a narrator telling you what just happened, like we really needed all that explanation. *shrug* Regardless, this was a very entertaining story, effortless to read, and left the reader wanting more, which the author helps with by leaving open speculation about his father. This story is easily recommended.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, December 20, 2004

By 

Abigail89 (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Turtle Boy (Hardcover)

I read recently a review in which the reviewer compared THE TURTLE BOY favorably to such classics as Stephen King's "The Body" (from DIFFERENT SEASONS--filmed as STAND BY ME) and Robert R. McCammon's BOYS LIFE. After reading this novella, I have to agree. At turns heartwarming, terrifying and funny, this creepy little story will get under your skin and stay there. It may also serve to remind you of your youth and when you first realized magic can end.

Highly recommended.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Turtle Boy, July 30, 2011

By 

sue mattson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Turtle Boy (Hardcover)

The Turtle Boy meanders like a lazy summer afternoon that soon turns itself inside out. With frightening speed that warm afternoon is ripped away to reveal a night sky, razor shredded by lightening. Images back-lit, sickening and unexpected crawl off the pages and carve their way under your skin like so many demonic chiggers.

This story was awesomely disturbing. The beginning had a bit of a To Kill a Mockingbird/Stand By Me vibe. The pacing was perfect as this creepy little tale whipped itself into a horrifying frenzy. The images jump out, stick there and simmer, brewing `til you try to sleep. Buckle up, Skippy, the nightmares are going to be intense.