Jason Parent

I received a paperback copy of Unseemly, authored by Jason Parent, cover art by Tenebrae Studios, and published by Corpus Press, for review consideration. What follows below is my honest consideration, freely given.

I rated this novelette 5 stars. A perfect story for me: paced well; the information given (needed outside the main plot) revealed just enough without bogging down the flow. Characters were what I call “recognizable as human”; there were all sorts represented in a natural feel show more for the genre of the novelette. The creatures/cryptids I could, terrifyingly, see existing, and that’s the type of thing to keep you up at night.

Novella and novelette formats are just so freaking impressive to me when the story comes together right, as here with Unseemly. There is no room for error, to circle back and expand on an idea or round out a characters flaws and give them a couple hundred pages to figure themselves out. The fat is trimmed, gone my friend.

I liked that the reader’s introduction to Peter and his intent in Scotland was coupled with, partially understood and mentioned in bits of conversations, an established past relationship with his ‘co-workers’ for this adventure. He set the tone; showing he respected us enough to keep up with a swift pace from out the gate.

The title is a play on a word I think, a term used for one type of what they think they are searching for on this beach. Very clever. I’m not saying more because no spoilers. Sorry.

We have all been amazed by nature’s ability to betray our eyes, yes? Flowers that look like little naked men, caterpillars that resemble a snakes head, or even a spider that perfectly mimics a blob of bird poop. Sometimes it calls to prey, appears beguilingly to attract a specific target. I don’t like to think about why they look like they do on the cover of this novelette, but I get it.

I also felt that the author let the story go where it needed to go, didn’t try to lessen any blows or alter the reality of the situation; I love when I get to read a story that goes where it should. In short, a perfect read. show less

4.5
Book source ~ Won in Goodreads giveaway

Something weird and dangerous is going on in the apartment building where Jaden Sanders lives. When the woman across the hall from him commits suicide Detective Royo is assigned the case with a rookie police officer. The scene doesn’t look right, but they can’t place their finger on what’s wrong. So the coroner rules it a suicide and they all move on with their lives. Until three guys break into Jaden’s apartment forcing him to defend show more himself. Jaden’s mental health, always precarious, takes a horrible turn for the worse and now he’s being tried for murder. Royo doesn’t believe Jaden did anything wrong defending himself, but he feels as if something else is going on. It bugs him. So he starts digging. And what he uncovers surprises him.

Wow. This is one hell of a book. Poor Jaden. This is a guy who just can’t catch a break. Just when he’s getting a handle on his mental health something comes along to derail him. His struggles seem very real. I was beginning to doubt what was going on. It’s like dropping down a rabbit hole. I really like the characters, especially Detective Royo and his rookie officer, Megan Costa, who don’t take the easy road when it’s offered to them. This whole book upset me, especially the ending. WTF?! It’s disturbing and horrifying and a totally awesome read. I highly recommend it. show less

It has been eight years since Chester moved into Victoria’s head. How’s that for creepy?

Victoria can be read as a stand alone novel, but I love Jason Parent’s wicked mind and do recommend What Hides Within, where I met Victoria for the first time.

“It’s wonderful to be back with Chester and Victoria,” I say facetiously.

I DO NOT LIKE SPIDERS…but I love reading about them for that very reason.

At times I felt terrible for Victoria, at other times she had me cracking up as she show more talked, sarcastically, to Chester.

And…when Chester tried to turn on the computer, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Jason Parent does an excellent job of seamlessly weaving horror and humor and of scaring the bejesus out of me while planting a mystery in my head. What is Chester’s ulterior motive? I’m sure he’s not hanging around for shits and giggles and to tour the world.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Victoria by Jason Parent.

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You know, I'm just unclear about why people insist on camping and enjoying "the great" outdoors. If they read the kind of books I read, they wouldn't do that. THEY FEED is one of those books.

I'm going to keep this short because there are plenty of reviews already out there. If terrible people getting chased and eaten by creatures that resemble moving pieces of poo sounds like your idea of fun, this book is for you! And I'm not talking fun or humorous pieces of poo, like Mr. Hankey here:


I'm show more talking fast moving pieces of poo with teeth. Pieces that talk to each other, commune, if you will, to gang up on their victims.

There are some interesting characters here, none of whom comes of the woods in the same condition in which they went in. Which brings me full circle, back to the woods. Just don't go in there! Don't do it!

Highly recommended for horror fans, most especially fans of creature features! Hidey Ho!

*I was provided a free e-book in exchange for my honest review. This is it. Further, I consider Jason Parent to be a friend, both online and off, but that did not affect the content of my review.* show less