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R. a. Evans

Autor de Asylum Lake

3 Obras 125 Miembros 5 Reseñas

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Incluye el nombre: R. A. Evans

Obras de R. a. Evans

Etiquetado

Conocimiento común

Género
male

Miembros

Reseñas

I really enjoyed this book. It had enough twists to keep me looking forward to the next chapter
 
Denunciada
SA_Jane | 4 reseñas más. | Feb 18, 2017 |
I don't recall how I initially stumbled upon this title, but I remember the fact that it was set in my home state of Michigan intrigued me. As a native Michigander, there was just so much "oh, my god, that's exactly what it's like there!" that I even suggested a friend writing a book set in Michigan read "Asylum Lake" to get a better feel for the culture.

Now, the story...

This is one of those tales that draws you in and doesn't let you go. Bedlam Falls, a small Michigan town, holds some dark history. In the 1950's, under mysterious and bloody circumstances, the insane asylum on the shores of its lake suddenly closes without explanation. And though the doors are sealed, something sinister still is able to stick around. The spirits of the dead still demand vengeance, and that bodes ill for three generations of the Tanner family.

"Asylum Lake" takes place primarily in the modern day through the eyes of Brady Tanner, a recent widower still recovering from the tragic death of his pregnant wife. Taking some time to recover by retreating back to the sleepy little town, Brady soon finds himself on the spirit's hit list, and they'll stop at nothing to get to him. Brady, however, isn't about to lay down and die quiet. With flashbacks to the 1950's and 1970's, both Brady and the reader begin to understand the horror of what lies buried in the lake, and to make the cause of spirits, there own.

My only complaint about this book was that it left me desperately wanting more. There's a sequel on the horizon, and I can hardly wait to read it. In the meantime, I suggest "Asylum Lake" to anyone who loves a good blood-curdling mystery.
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Denunciada
killianmcrae | 4 reseñas más. | Dec 27, 2011 |
I saw glimmers of greatness in this book, though they were overshadowed by some not so great stuff.

What I liked: The characters are each unique and the dialogue is handled well. The plot is engaging and kept me involved. I enjoyed the writing style. Evans is able to show a scene vividly without an overabundance of words. The story moves at a good pace, never dragging or getting weighed down with too many facts.

What I didn't like: The story jumps from the 1970s, to present day, back to the '70s and even further back to those characters' memories. It's difficult to get a foothold in the story, and the eras and characters don't connect until midway through. I often felt like I was reading various short stories, rather than a novel. There is no real main character to connect with. The ending felt totally anticlimactic, particularly after the huge build-up leading us there.

The final thing that bothered me is something I rarely comment on - editing. This book is riddled with problems that are impossible to ignore. A good edit would make a world of difference.
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Denunciada
Darcia | 4 reseñas más. | Nov 18, 2011 |
In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess I was originally drawn to this book for two reasons: it is set in Michigan, the place where I born and grew up and it's horror. Little did I know, I'd discover another connection, that to Seattle, where I now reside. If this wasn't enough to give me a shiver, the story of Asylum Lake certainly was! Beware, you might not want to read right before turning off the lights and going to bed. Too scary? Not for me! This is exactly the kind of mysterious paranormal horror I love to read. The characters attract tragedy and death. At first, they seem like a very unfortunate lineage, but as this mysterious thriller unfolds you will be enlightened to the purpose behind the events. For those from the 'mitt' you will like the authentic setting and subtle humor. I had to chuckle at the Up North House. Any true Michigander goes up north for vacation because south would lead to Chicago. I can not think of a better setting for this tale to take place than on a secluded lake in northern Michigan, whether it is on a hot, muggy summer night or a cool, breezy fall day, viewing an abandoned state asylum would be enough to scare even the toughest Mid-Westerner.

Another interesting aspect, and I'm certain this is the case with many small towns, is our fascination with old crime stories. I appreciate how influential cases are sited by the author (whether they are real or not) and work to draw a connection from past to present. This grounds the paranormal making it believable, which in my opinion is a key element to escalating the horror level. Getting a reader to imagine that an event truly could or did happen is essential. Old crimes and cases don't die in places like Bedlam Falls. One thing you can count on is people will certainly remember what happened but might forget the details. By making use of this human tendency, Evans creates a creepy mystery. Circumstances similar to the one surrounding the characters of Asylum Lake become legends in towns like Bedlam. Stories permanently attach to the land, they seep in and hibernate until the next thaw. Brady brings the thaw, but why and how? Well, I'm not going to give that away! I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about what happened to Lionel and Dr. Clovis!
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Denunciada
ccourtland | 4 reseñas más. | Jan 28, 2011 |

Estadísticas

Obras
3
Miembros
125
Popularidad
#160,151
Valoración
½ 3.4
Reseñas
5
ISBNs
2

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