As the subtitle for this book states, it is, indeed, a horror story. It is not for the squeamish or faint of heart or those whose stomach might churn at graphic descriptions of the goriest gore imaginable. If you are up for that, then this is a pretty entertaining book of this genre. I don't think the writing is wonderful, but it seems to have gotten better towards the end of the book. In fact, I think the the best writing in the book took place in the finale, as it built up to a grand crescendo, or as us gamers would call it, "the boss fight". In the final few chapters of the book, I thought the writing might even border on poetical; that type of poetry that I don't understand and so tend to avoid and possibly not even recognize.

The story centers around a canal. The canal truly is the central character of this book. Not just any canal, but a vile, toxic sludge filled canal that gives off an abysmal miasma. A canal in which the Toxic Avenger would have felt at home. The "other" main cast of characters consists of two cops--two absolutely, completely 100% opposite human beings. Joe, who is a bona fide expert at solving all murder cases and crimes that are connected to the canal; and Alan, who though lower down the ranks than Joe, fancies himself taking top spot. Joe comes across as a very filthy, ungroomed, and downright disgusting version of the bumbling Columbo style. Alan is the very epitome of OCD. Everything about him is sparkling clean and smells fresh. He can't abide the filthiness and disgusting aura of Joe and aims to get him off the force. To that effect, he wants to discover Joe's secrets to canal crime solving. What he doesn't know is that Joe has secrets of his own. Those secrets hold the key to Joe's intimate connection to the lethal canal.

A string of murders have taken place and they are truly horrific, gory cases. The bodies have been found dangling from bridges over the canal or alongside the canal. With Joe pushed aside, Alan soon discovers he is in way over his head and sinking fast. As things start to unravel, Joe and Alan are propelled towards each other and Alan finds out his own survival, and his family's survival depend on Joe. ( )

I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was a basic detective story when I started reading with a very odd detective as the main character, but it soon turned into a creepy horror book. The characters were all a bit odd and the story was as well, but it is a fast engrossing read. ( )

I received this free ebook from Daniel Morris on LibraryThing's Member Giveaway.

It's a good read with interesting twists, but not for the faint of heart. Daniel Morris has a talent for describing gore that makes you feel like you need to take a step back. ( )

The Canal
By Daniel Morris

This free e-book was received from the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for a review.

This book is really one heck of a good horror story. It starts with a bang and has a very twisted ending that you never expect.

The author, Daniel Morris certainly has an excellent capacity to describe all the gory details to the point you can smell and taste your surroundings.

Alan D’Angelo works as a detective in Brooklyn, NY and is the vision epitome of the “Mr. Clean” and of course…partners with Joe Lombardi, “Pigsty Incarnate”. Alan is envious of Joe’s record of always solving any crime that involves The Canal (a cess pool).

When a skinned body is found hanging from a bridge over the canal, Alan vows to solve the murder before Joe does. And the journey begins with Alan trying to beat Joe to the punch at every corner.
Daniel Morris does an excellent job of drawing us into the two characters with all their faults.

This fast paced thriller has the additional benefit of horror thrown in to really make your body twitch as you read along. Pick up the book if you like a frightening and menacing yarn from a twisted mind. ( )

The main characters Paul, Joe and Alan are all affected by the canal, each in his own way. The contrast between dirty, stinky Joe and sparkling clean Alan is interesting. The writing is very descriptive and vivid. You really feel the filth of the canal by the time the book is finished. Enjoyed it anyway. Good murder/mystery/horror mix, I found to be somewhat like Dean Koontz. ( )