The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
domoore007's review against another edition
3.0
My first book from Scott Nicholson which I enjoyed, will be reading more.
yatosuz's review against another edition
3.0
While I didn't find this story to be particularly scary, the plot was intriguing, and the build-up of "suspense" was nicely done. However, the ending fell flat. At least for me.
redheadtreefrog's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
digerbop's review against another edition
2.0
This book didn't pull me in with its unique storyline or well-rounded characters. I had a hard time relating with the characters because there was little going for any of them. Even the ones with the greatest potential ultimately fell flat for one simple reason--the main "evil" in this book is too evil. Once it comes in contact with any given character they are helplessly swayed regardless of personal conviction or desire and become faceless, brainless zombie-like characters. There are the select few that somehow escape such infection, but it seems a bit lackluster. Only one character had the supposed "faith" that makes him nit effected the same way, but there are other characters that aren't effected and don't have the same faith system.
Ultimately it is another story with lots of gross things and some religion undertones to bring in the "horror" elements. What makes a "horror" book good is the psychological turmoil that the evil has on the characters and the hard choices they are forced to make because of it. The Red Church is lacking in this crucial area.
Though the religious undertones and well thought out and work better than in many books, nothung else really hits home. There is enough depth in the religious plot to not just book the book down after chapter one, but not enough of anything else to really draw in or stick with the reader.
Ultimately it is another story with lots of gross things and some religion undertones to bring in the "horror" elements. What makes a "horror" book good is the psychological turmoil that the evil has on the characters and the hard choices they are forced to make because of it. The Red Church is lacking in this crucial area.
Though the religious undertones and well thought out and work better than in many books, nothung else really hits home. There is enough depth in the religious plot to not just book the book down after chapter one, but not enough of anything else to really draw in or stick with the reader.
thereadingknitter's review against another edition
1.0
"Hold onto your pants, because Nicholson is about to scare them off."--J.A. Konrath, Origin
For 13-year-old Ronnie Day, life is full of problems: Mom and Dad have separated, his brother Tim is a constant pest, Melanie Ward either loves him or hates him, and Jesus Christ won't stay in his heart. Plus he has to walk past the red church every day, where the Bell Monster hides with its wings and claws and livers for eyes. But the biggest problem is that Archer McFall is the new preacher at the church, and Mom wants Ronnie to attend midnight services with her.
Sheriff Frank Littlefield hates the red church for a different reason. His little brother died in a freak accident at the church twenty years ago, and now Frank is starting to see his brother's ghost. And the ghost keeps demanding, "Free me." People are dying in Whispering Pines, and the murders coincide with McFall's return.
The Days, the Littlefields, and the McFalls are descendants of the original families that settled the rural Appalachian community. Those old families share a secret of betrayal and guilt, and McFall wants his congregation to prove its faith. Because he believes he is the Second Son of God, and that the cleansing of sin must be done in blood.
"Sacrifice is the currency of God," McFall preaches, and unless Frank and Ronnie stop him, everybody pays.
-------
Professionally formatted by Dellaster Design. A Stoker Award finalist and alternate selection of The Mystery Guild Book Club, my spiritual thriller "The Red Church" explores a boy's struggle with faith when his mother attends a haunted church. Inspired by real-life legends in the Southern Appalachian Mountains where I live, the novel mirrors my own search for faith, love, and deeper mysteries. I hope you'll try my other novels DRUMMER BOY, THE SKULL RING, and SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD. I invite you to contact me at or at Amazon Central. Thanks for sharing this journey with me.
My Review - I gave up on this book...I mean I started it on March 9th and was only 75 pages into it by March 16th. So I gave it up, don't usually do that on books but couldn't get into it.
For 13-year-old Ronnie Day, life is full of problems: Mom and Dad have separated, his brother Tim is a constant pest, Melanie Ward either loves him or hates him, and Jesus Christ won't stay in his heart. Plus he has to walk past the red church every day, where the Bell Monster hides with its wings and claws and livers for eyes. But the biggest problem is that Archer McFall is the new preacher at the church, and Mom wants Ronnie to attend midnight services with her.
Sheriff Frank Littlefield hates the red church for a different reason. His little brother died in a freak accident at the church twenty years ago, and now Frank is starting to see his brother's ghost. And the ghost keeps demanding, "Free me." People are dying in Whispering Pines, and the murders coincide with McFall's return.
The Days, the Littlefields, and the McFalls are descendants of the original families that settled the rural Appalachian community. Those old families share a secret of betrayal and guilt, and McFall wants his congregation to prove its faith. Because he believes he is the Second Son of God, and that the cleansing of sin must be done in blood.
"Sacrifice is the currency of God," McFall preaches, and unless Frank and Ronnie stop him, everybody pays.
-------
Professionally formatted by Dellaster Design. A Stoker Award finalist and alternate selection of The Mystery Guild Book Club, my spiritual thriller "The Red Church" explores a boy's struggle with faith when his mother attends a haunted church. Inspired by real-life legends in the Southern Appalachian Mountains where I live, the novel mirrors my own search for faith, love, and deeper mysteries. I hope you'll try my other novels DRUMMER BOY, THE SKULL RING, and SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD. I invite you to contact me at or at Amazon Central. Thanks for sharing this journey with me.
My Review - I gave up on this book...I mean I started it on March 9th and was only 75 pages into it by March 16th. So I gave it up, don't usually do that on books but couldn't get into it.
williemeikle's review against another edition
5.0
Scott Nicholson's The Red Church is fast paced, scary, and damn good fun... everything a good horror novel should be. It's also more than that. It's insightful, thoughtful and sometimes downright poetic. The tale of a search for meaning, and the meaning of faith resonated with this lapsed Church of Scotland reader, and got me thinking about things I hadn't considered since my own teenage years. Scott's skillful use of several viewpoint characters, each with their own take on what is happening, only tightens the tension. I read this on the Kindle version, but I need to seek out a hard copy. This one's a keeper
sewcialist_librarian's review against another edition
2.0
This is both thriller and horror...neither done exceptionally well. This story falls flat, smothered by the religious overtones that clash with the cardboard characters.