David Jester

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Patrick Ryan has lived in Evergreen his entire life and is considered a pillar in this small community. Losing his father at an early age then his mother’s subsequent abandonment, Aidan McCleary spent his days looking after Patrick. Now there’s a serial killer lurking in their community. While others are suggesting they call the police, Patrick refuses and is convinced it’s one of their own. Will he be able to find the killer before it’s too late? What happens when secrets are revealed?

Although this novella was only 100 pages, it certainly is gripping. The book kept me engrossed until the very end. The scary part that took me aback was the brutality of the townspeople. This is a novel is one you don’t want to read in the dark. Evergreen is one of the best horror stories I’ve read in a very long time.
… (mere)

Charming, dark, and not at all typical

Through school years of turbulence, relations far and wide with drugs and demons, through the good times and the bad--Jester's accounts remind us just how deep life's well goes. We all have our neurological quirks (albeit dystonia goes beyond), and we've all been in the pits after reaching the peaks. But David Jester has a way of recounting it, which is simply unique. Witticisms, truth, satire, and absurdity combine to create a tale that is both entertainingly dark (post-South Park Tourettes) and downright funny. The author's treatment of a serious and provocative lifeline avoids the typical depressive pitfalls of similar works in the genre. In Jester, we are clearly dealing with a sharp and seasoned writer.… (mere)

Malcolm, Eddie, Darren. Three teenagers growing up practically in the streets. Three teenagers who are petty thieves, with no good future in store for them.

After one particular robbery where they risked being caught netted them nothing but some cheap jewelry, Eddie tells the others about a clinic for the rich miles away from anything. They all think hard and long about what the rich people may have with them. Maybe they'd all be set for life.

Unfortunately the clinic is really a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. And the writer gives new meaning to the inmates who are running the asylum.

The middle of the book reminds me of the old slice-and-dice movies of the 70s. Lots of violence, graphic violence. Dead bodies and body parts everywhere you turn. The walls and floors so saturated with blood, the copper scent assails you even as you sit in your favorite reading chair.

But what's even worse is when the boys hear the sound of boots on the floor ... and knowing they are coming to continue playing a game.

The ending was explosive ... never saw it coming. Those pages made it worthwhile to read the entire book.

This is a new author to me and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good horror story.

Many thanks to the author / Skyhorse Publishing / Edelweiss for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unsolicited, unbiased and entirely my own.… (mere)