R. Patrick Gates

In truth, this book is a wicked work of art that would make the Brothers Grimm shivver with fear.

Early on in this novel, it becomes apparent that Gates took painstaking care to create a novel that operates on many levels. He crafts in Elenore Grimm a villian who is rumored to be a descendant of the Grimm brothers from whom the story takes it's name. As such, she's always been gifted with the storytelling creativity that her ancestors were known for. A former crematoritum operator who seeks show more eternal life through the dark arts, Elenore possesses a paranormal abilty referred to as "The Machine", which she uses to read the minds of others, toying with their perceptions and bending their wills to do her bidding. The hallucinations of the victims take the form of viciously distorted fairy tales.

Consider yourself warned. This is not a novel for the squeamish or faint of heart. This is extreme horror at it's most intense. The pages are splattered full of canibalism, torture, and darker things than most minds could imagine. At the same time, Gates has created a world full of characters who you will feel as if you know, which makes their demise all the more frightening.

Amusingly, each chapter of this book begins with a quote from a fairy tale, which manages to sum up that chapter's contents in some way, shape or form - an effort that must have taken much of the writers time, but adds an excellent touch.

This novel may have elements that are familiar to fans of Stephen King, but will definitely appeal to afficcionados of more extreme writers such as Edward Lee or Jack Ketchum. My guarantee is that once you finish this novel, you'll want to start immediately on the sequel, Grimm Reapings, and will then begin to beg for the rumored third book. show less

Grimm Memorials by R. Patrick Gates has been one of my favorite horror reads to-date. The author has followed it up with Grimm Reapings, which serves as a worthy follow-up, although one that is vastly different from it's predecessor.

The majority of the novel's plot deals with the struggle taking place in the mind of 13-year-old Steve Nailer, who is slowly coming to terms with the events that unfolded at the time of his birth. Possessed by the weakened spirit of Elenore Grimm, Steve fights show more to hold her at bay. However, the increasing sexual thoughts and feelings of this pubescent child are causing his mental guard to drop, strengthening Elenore and providing the exact opportunity she needs to take control of his mind and body, using him to carry out the plans she began 13 years earlier.

This book is very well written. Its pages are populated with a cast of well-fleshed-out characters and horror aplenty. Surprisingly enough, however, much of the extreme gore that stood out in Grimm Memorials is replaced in this book by horrifying sexual encounters. Coitus has officially replaced cannibalism, which may not appeal quite as much to some readers.

This book differs from the first in many regards. The allusions to Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes are all but gone (explained away by Elenore having lost touch with her talents in her dormant state). The body count is greatly lessened. The sexual overtones are extremely hightened. The events that unfold are more psychological than physical (though very well-written I might add), and the story envelopes far fewer characters than the first book introduced.

Do not take the above remarks as complaints. This book comes highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first venture in the Grimm saga. Gates not-so-subtly hints at a third Grimm novel, and I'd kill for a taste of what he has in store. show less

Tim Saget is a screw-up whose lifetime of evading responsibility is about to catch up with him. In a last ditch effort to gain control of his life, he accepts a job as a guard at The New Rome Correctional Institute, also known as "The Hill". But "The Hill" wasn't always a prison. In the years gone by, it was an insane asylum with a horrible secret that destroyed all who lived there.
R. Patrick Gates' book bursts out of the gate with intense and unsettling imagery and rockets to an amazing show more climax that left me breathless. And the last paragraph is a haunting, satisfying conclusion, not to be missed.
THE PRISON is one of the most frightening books I've ever read, my first read by R. Patrick Gates, but definitely not my last. Run, don't walk, to buy this book! Then, curl up in an easy chair and savor the read. But be prepared to sleep with the light ON! show less

Yes, this book is very disturbing and graphic...but it's also phenomenal! I loved the immense use of imagination Gates uses to incorporate all the nursery rhymes and how he turns them evil. Clearly a lot of people aren't probably going to like this book because of the gore and sometimes perverse scenes but if you are willing to get past that, you'll love it!