magpie_666's review against another edition
2.0
DNF.
I've probably been a bit harsh and not given this book much of a chance, but I don't have as much time as I'd like to read, and so if I'm not enjoying it by page 50, or 25% then I move on to a different book.
I'll admit that my sense of humour is somewhat lacking and so I find it difficult to get into a book where the writing has a comedy tone to it. The scene with the police officer at the beginning had a strange comedic tone to it, which I just couldn't get into.
I gave up when I decided that I didn't care enough to wade through this book to find out who or what the Beast was.
If you have more of a sense of humour then you may enjoy this book.
I've probably been a bit harsh and not given this book much of a chance, but I don't have as much time as I'd like to read, and so if I'm not enjoying it by page 50, or 25% then I move on to a different book.
I'll admit that my sense of humour is somewhat lacking and so I find it difficult to get into a book where the writing has a comedy tone to it. The scene with the police officer at the beginning had a strange comedic tone to it, which I just couldn't get into.
I gave up when I decided that I didn't care enough to wade through this book to find out who or what the Beast was.
If you have more of a sense of humour then you may enjoy this book.
hectaizani's review against another edition
4.0
Before you move into a new neighborhood you should really check out the neighbors first. That's a lesson that Ben McKelvie learns to his own chagrin. His neighbor Madeline is crazy, and not a good crazy, she is singlehandedly turning her property into a toxic waste dump. First she leaves food out for pigeons, and when rats come to eat the pigeon food, she feeds them too. Poor Ben, this is not what he expected when he moved into Barcroft.
But things get worse, first his dog gets eaten by a mountain lion. Or was it a mountain lion? He's not really sure, it looked like one, but the eyes were strange and haunting. The policewoman who takes his statement doesn't seem to care. Neither does the town council. What's a guy to do? Team up with a big cat curator from the National Zoo. At least she believes that there's a big cat stalking the neighborhood. Or is it a big cat? Something fishy happens with evidence collected from the scene that leads them to team up with a cryptozoologist and a Native American shaman to root out the source of the evil that's stalking Barcroft.
This book was a real page-turner. The action came on fast and the suspense didn't quit. The characters were interesting and likable. I also really liked that when one of the characters turned out to be gay it was incorporated naturally into the story. I think fans of Stephen King and Bentley Little will really enjoy this book.
But things get worse, first his dog gets eaten by a mountain lion. Or was it a mountain lion? He's not really sure, it looked like one, but the eyes were strange and haunting. The policewoman who takes his statement doesn't seem to care. Neither does the town council. What's a guy to do? Team up with a big cat curator from the National Zoo. At least she believes that there's a big cat stalking the neighborhood. Or is it a big cat? Something fishy happens with evidence collected from the scene that leads them to team up with a cryptozoologist and a Native American shaman to root out the source of the evil that's stalking Barcroft.
This book was a real page-turner. The action came on fast and the suspense didn't quit. The characters were interesting and likable. I also really liked that when one of the characters turned out to be gay it was incorporated naturally into the story. I think fans of Stephen King and Bentley Little will really enjoy this book.
mzzmia's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. It was just what I wanted to read this Halloween. A good old fashioned horror story. The main characters are very likeable and relatable. There is no overanalyzing of what and why, not drawn out protestations of "but that's not possible." Just regular folk trying to keep each other alive. I'm queuing up the next one.
kristendv's review against another edition
3.0
I received a advanced copy through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review:
I liked the basic progress of the plot and how the characters discovered themselves amidst the turmoil of the story. I also enjoyed the references to the Jersey Devil. Having grown up in New Jersey with that urban legend and later moving to California where no one understands, it was refreshing to find an author who had actually heard of it and used it in a book.
I liked the basic progress of the plot and how the characters discovered themselves amidst the turmoil of the story. I also enjoyed the references to the Jersey Devil. Having grown up in New Jersey with that urban legend and later moving to California where no one understands, it was refreshing to find an author who had actually heard of it and used it in a book.
longtimereader's review against another edition
4.0
This book was quite an adventure. A creature is killing people and pets. Is it a large cat, or a wolf, or is this beast something far more deadly? I liked this book for its settings and it's animal oriented characters. I felt for Ben with all he had been through, and what he had to deal with next. Does every neighborhood have the neighbor with rats or something bonkers? "Apparently I now live at the corner of Rat Road and Bobact Boulevard." With this we start to get a feel for Ben's plight, but that is only a red-eyed glimmer of what is coming.
I found this to be well written, with a good solid ending as well. My copy came from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
I found this to be well written, with a good solid ending as well. My copy came from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
wellwortharead's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent!
When I first read the description I thought this just may be a little too crazy... even for me. I mean a zoologist? a cryptozoologist? not my usual cup of tea but the comparison to Bentley Little made it a must read for me and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book. Plus I can totally relate to having horrible neighbors that attract all manner of filth and vermin so I felt bad for Ben straight off before I even realized that my neighbor infesting us with fleas was nothing compared to what's hanging around Ben's neighborhood. I am so looking forward to the sequel "Northwoods" that will be coming out next year.
I received a free copy for review
When I first read the description I thought this just may be a little too crazy... even for me. I mean a zoologist? a cryptozoologist? not my usual cup of tea but the comparison to Bentley Little made it a must read for me and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book. Plus I can totally relate to having horrible neighbors that attract all manner of filth and vermin so I felt bad for Ben straight off before I even realized that my neighbor infesting us with fleas was nothing compared to what's hanging around Ben's neighborhood. I am so looking forward to the sequel "Northwoods" that will be coming out next year.
I received a free copy for review
bryceoc's review against another edition
4.0
I received an uncorrected proof of this book through NetGalley.
If you enjoy well-written, engaging mystery/thriller adventures, The Beast of Barcroft is a great choice. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does it well. It's suspenseful and a little creepy, with some great characters and writing. There's a plot hole here and there, a line of dialogue that doesn't quite work, a twist that feels a bit too over the top. But I can honestly say that none of those things made the story any less fun.
It's fairly short (but not too short), cheap, and easy to get invested in. If the premise sounds interesting to you, I have a good feeling you won't be disappointed.
If you enjoy well-written, engaging mystery/thriller adventures, The Beast of Barcroft is a great choice. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does it well. It's suspenseful and a little creepy, with some great characters and writing. There's a plot hole here and there, a line of dialogue that doesn't quite work, a twist that feels a bit too over the top. But I can honestly say that none of those things made the story any less fun.
It's fairly short (but not too short), cheap, and easy to get invested in. If the premise sounds interesting to you, I have a good feeling you won't be disappointed.
electricbloom's review against another edition
5.0
I got this ARC ebook from NetGalley.
HOLY CRAP. THIS WAS FANTASTIC.
Crazy deaths. Concerned neighborhood. Supernatural entities. This book was a whirlwind. Grasped you from the first chapter and didn't stop until the last page. SO amazing.
Incredibly well written. The story just pulled you in. I love that when you think you had it figured out, things turned and you were left questioning again. You kept trying to figure out what was causing all this trouble and it just kept you guessing! It moved fast; but no so fast it felt rushed. I think the superb writing quality, along with magnificent story telling just made this an all around wonderful story. Also, through the horror, chills, and thrills - there were even parts that made me chuckle. Just very well rounded.
The characters were so genuine and all very believable. They were easily likable. You got attached to them; when something happened you rooted for them. You really wanted everything to go well for them! You just felt like you were right there with them; you felt what they felt.
I really loved the supernatural aspect. I love that eerie, "things in the dark" spookiness. I also love cryptozoology and that played a huge part in this story. It was really awesome that a crytpozoologist was included in the cast of characters.
I also love that it was set in Arlington and D.C. - went there two years ago and I could just see the neighborhoods and the scenery and it brought back really great memories.
So, yeah. I LOVED this book. It was spooky, fun and just a non-stop thrill. I highly recommend it. I cannot wait to read the followup! Great job, Mr. Schweigart!
HOLY CRAP. THIS WAS FANTASTIC.
Crazy deaths. Concerned neighborhood. Supernatural entities. This book was a whirlwind. Grasped you from the first chapter and didn't stop until the last page. SO amazing.
Incredibly well written. The story just pulled you in. I love that when you think you had it figured out, things turned and you were left questioning again. You kept trying to figure out what was causing all this trouble and it just kept you guessing! It moved fast; but no so fast it felt rushed. I think the superb writing quality, along with magnificent story telling just made this an all around wonderful story. Also, through the horror, chills, and thrills - there were even parts that made me chuckle. Just very well rounded.
The characters were so genuine and all very believable. They were easily likable. You got attached to them; when something happened you rooted for them. You really wanted everything to go well for them! You just felt like you were right there with them; you felt what they felt.
I really loved the supernatural aspect. I love that eerie, "things in the dark" spookiness. I also love cryptozoology and that played a huge part in this story. It was really awesome that a crytpozoologist was included in the cast of characters.
I also love that it was set in Arlington and D.C. - went there two years ago and I could just see the neighborhoods and the scenery and it brought back really great memories.
So, yeah. I LOVED this book. It was spooky, fun and just a non-stop thrill. I highly recommend it. I cannot wait to read the followup! Great job, Mr. Schweigart!
barbtrek's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very entertaining audiobook. It flowed well, I liked the characters, and it was a good story.
One thing is bugging me though. It has nothing at all to do with the story but, I always thought fencers said "touche'" (with two syllables) when they landed a good jab. The writer/narrator said "touch" with one syllable. I know nothing about fencing so I'll assume the author/narrator are correct, just sounded weird to me.
One thing is bugging me though. It has nothing at all to do with the story but, I always thought fencers said "touche'" (with two syllables) when they landed a good jab. The writer/narrator said "touch" with one syllable. I know nothing about fencing so I'll assume the author/narrator are correct, just sounded weird to me.
nick_borrelli's review against another edition
4.0
The Beast of Barcroft is a ripping-yarn that I would classify in the supernatural thriller genre. At 200 pages, it is a fairly quick and fun read that I knocked out in two days. The gist of the story centers around the small neighborhood of Barcroft, just outside of Alexandria, Virginia. Strange things have been happening in the once-quiet colonial-era neighborhood lately. A local eccentric resident, Madeleine Roux has been slipping deeper and deeper into depression and has allowed her home to become a magnet for vermin and feral cats, to the dismay of the other residents. Not only that, her home is in extreme disrepair. Madeleine's new next door neighbor Ben McKelvie isn't exactly pleased about all of this, frequently complaining to the local animal-control board and authorities. Then one cool November evening, while letting his dog out in the backyard, Ben hears an inhuman growl coming from the nearby woods that couldn't possibly be coming from his faithful pal Bucky. What Ben encounters that night can only be described as otherworldly in nature. A beast that he knows can't possibly exist in modern-day Barcroft has taken up residence and begun feasting on the local residents. What connection, if any, does Madeleine Roux have in the bizarre creature's appearance? It is at this point that Ben enlists the help of a curator from the Simthsonian's National Zoo to help him try to uncover the secret of Barcroft's past and the possible origin of the creature that is on the loose and hungry for blood.
I found this book to be very entertaining and something akin to Blake Crouch in its excitement level. The mystery behind the Beast of Barcroft is handled extremely well and the payoff is worth the ride. The characters are well crafted and even though the story is relatively short, I still felt I had a good grasp of each character's backstory. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller involving mythical creatures.
I found this book to be very entertaining and something akin to Blake Crouch in its excitement level. The mystery behind the Beast of Barcroft is handled extremely well and the payoff is worth the ride. The characters are well crafted and even though the story is relatively short, I still felt I had a good grasp of each character's backstory. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller involving mythical creatures.