whaydengilbert's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly breezy novel with occasional, surprising eloquence. Considering this is Ketchum, the lack of visceral intensity was a bit unexpected, but the story is simple and heartfelt.
deadhighwaybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hick's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
auntietrae's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn’t even make it 50% (47). This seems like it was written by an old man who’s trying to convince himself that it’s cool to be old.
thaydra's review against another edition
3.0
Not his best work, but okay. I felt that everyone was just kind of going a little overboard, and not thinking things through, but then again I think that may have been part of the point.
bosermoki's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Don't pay attention to any of the reviews that complain about the prose of this novel. This story and language is par for the course with Ketchum. The prose is direct and straightforward and does a good job of conveying the scene. The pacing perfectly fits the length and the characters are done well, although the protagonist gets most of the time for characterization while the rest are more sketches that move the plot. Excellent sleepy small town feel.
If you enjoy Jack Ketchum's ability to be graphic and to create horror and disgust without ever invoking the eldritch, the supernatural, or the quantifiably evil, this book will go overwell. Lower stakes than much of his other works, but as far as a revenge plot story goes, it's well done. I just found myself not particularly engaging with it at least as far as the revenge plot goes, but the book is ably written and enjoyable. If you've never read Ketchum before, I wouldn't start with this one but if you like his work but one something a bit less brutal than his other books, this story about an old man and vengeance for his doggo will go over well.
If you enjoy Jack Ketchum's ability to be graphic and to create horror and disgust without ever invoking the eldritch, the supernatural, or the quantifiably evil, this book will go overwell. Lower stakes than much of his other works, but as far as a revenge plot story goes, it's well done. I just found myself not particularly engaging with it at least as far as the revenge plot goes, but the book is ably written and enjoyable. If you've never read Ketchum before, I wouldn't start with this one but if you like his work but one something a bit less brutal than his other books, this story about an old man and vengeance for his doggo will go over well.
sunshineandstories's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
verkisto's review against another edition
3.0
Ketchum's books aren't for the casual reader, this one more so, I think, because it deals with animal abuse. The graphic gore is rather subdued here, for a Ketchum novel, but the idea of someone losing a dog to a mindless act of violence touches a lot of people in a way other violence doesn't. There's nothing prolonged here, or overly graphic, but the main premise of the story is enough to keep most readers away.
The main character, Avery, is fishing with his dog when a group of teenagers with more time and money than sense come up on him and try to rob him. When he doesn't have what they want, they kill his dog, and from that point forward Avery seeks revenge on the teens. The story spins out from that one point, and takes us through his legal and illegal attempts to exact some sort of justice from these kids, and like any Ketchum novel, it races along from scene to scene with the finesse of a chef's blade.
Red doesn't feel as finely honed as his previous novels, but it's a far cry better than She Wakes or Ladies' Night. You can probably finish it within a couple of hours. I know I did; I had intended just to read the very start of the book to start off, but I wound up finishing it all in one sitting.
This is another gripping, compelling read, even if it lacks some of the thematic heft that Ketchum's previous novels have had. It stutters just a bit in the third act, and the story doesn't have the seamless flow that The Girl Next Door has, but anyone who has read and enjoyed Ketchum's work in the past will find a lot to like about this story.
The main character, Avery, is fishing with his dog when a group of teenagers with more time and money than sense come up on him and try to rob him. When he doesn't have what they want, they kill his dog, and from that point forward Avery seeks revenge on the teens. The story spins out from that one point, and takes us through his legal and illegal attempts to exact some sort of justice from these kids, and like any Ketchum novel, it races along from scene to scene with the finesse of a chef's blade.
Red doesn't feel as finely honed as his previous novels, but it's a far cry better than She Wakes or Ladies' Night. You can probably finish it within a couple of hours. I know I did; I had intended just to read the very start of the book to start off, but I wound up finishing it all in one sitting.
This is another gripping, compelling read, even if it lacks some of the thematic heft that Ketchum's previous novels have had. It stutters just a bit in the third act, and the story doesn't have the seamless flow that The Girl Next Door has, but anyone who has read and enjoyed Ketchum's work in the past will find a lot to like about this story.
satomi's review against another edition
4.0
There were two stories in one book, which I did not know! I was expecting longer story and was a little disappointed that the first story ended so soon.
I was expecting much gore, but this was more like a revenge story. I quite liked it. Only the reporter and the main character did not need to get close like this.
I read this with kindle unlimited “read and listen free”!
I was expecting much gore, but this was more like a revenge story. I quite liked it. Only the reporter and the main character did not need to get close like this.
I read this with kindle unlimited “read and listen free”!