sooky's review
4.0
Well, this was weird. But true to Will Carver's style it was utterly fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable. Having Evil as the narrator was certainly not something I came across often, so it was not only entertaining but quite unusual as well.
I'm confused about the ending tho..
I'm confused about the ending tho..
munchkim's review
5.0
I'm not really sure what story I just read and have no way to explain it other than to say I struggled to put it down and picked it up every time I had a free moment. On to the next book now!
zukythebookbum's review
Immediately didn’t get on with the writing style. Felt very gimmicky and a bit try-hard.
tommooney's review against another edition
2.0
This initially seemed like an original idea but in the end I found it gimmicky and deeply unpleasant - underneath the cleverness there is just an all too familiar desire for torture porn. Interesting and unique the storytelling may be, but ultimately this is just an excuse to write about abusing pigs, stabbing cats, horrible suicide and killing children.
noveldeelights's review against another edition
5.0
Here are three things what I learnt from reading Will Carver’s books.
Always expect the unexpected.
I do not possess the vocabulary skills required to review his books.
My head WILL hurt!
Where do I even begin? How about the stroke of genius Will Carver had by deciding this story should be narrated by Evil. Evil is a character all on its own, though not in a physical presence. Evil is everywhere but right now, Evil is mostly hanging out in Hinton Hollow like a dark and threatening cloud. It only takes five days but this small town of 5, 120 residents will never be the same again.
Also hanging out in Hinton Hollow, is Detective Sergeant Pace. He has returned to his childhood home, in an attempt to escape the things he’s done in the city. This should be a clue right here that, in my personal opinion, you should most definitely read “Nothing Important Happened Today” before you tackle this one. Not just because of Pace’s background story but also because it’s just really, really good.
Not hanging out in Hinton Hollow is little Henry. He’s on a train ride to a destination that is far, far away from Hinton Hollow. Because something is coming. Something bad. But what is it? Or who? And why? When and where does it begin and how will it end? I wasn’t even going to try and figure it out. After having read Will Carver’s previous books, I know better than that.
I don’t want to say too much because I feel the less you know, the better. As far as crime fiction goes, you won’t find anything more original or unique than the things Will Carver’s brain concoct. It’s wonderfully weird, or weirdly wonderful and just like its predecessors, Hinton Hollow Death Trip is utterly refreshing. Obviously, there are murders and sure, they’ve been done before but Will Carver puts such a spin on things that it feels as if you’ve never read anything like it before. If there are any rules in the world of writing, here’s an author who breaks them in his sleep. And all the while, a spotlight shines on modern society; our way of life, perceptions and judgements, good versus evil. Suddenly you find you are constantly questioning yourself. It’s all immensely thought-provoking in the midst of desperately trying to figure out what the heck is going on in this town. Some things will not make any sense until you’re finally able to see the bigger picture and when that happens, well, if you could you’d stand up and applaud until your hands hurt.
Sprinkled throughout the story are delightful and often insightful nuggets of wisdom, that had me vigorously nodding my head in agreement. Seriously, I could quote this book the whole bloody day, which is why I’m not doing it in this review or there won’t be an end to it. Gems though, each and every one of them. Harsh truths, as well.
My head did hurt. It started quite early on, actually. Mostly I wondered WTF I was reading but then that’s my normal state of mind when reading Carver’s books and I always know that it’ll be worth my while in the end. Dark, disturbing, brilliantly twisty, shocking, … I really don’t know what more I can say. Buy it, read it, be blown away. Experience the uniqueness that is Will Carver. Your life will never be the same either. (Too dramatic?)
Always expect the unexpected.
I do not possess the vocabulary skills required to review his books.
My head WILL hurt!
Where do I even begin? How about the stroke of genius Will Carver had by deciding this story should be narrated by Evil. Evil is a character all on its own, though not in a physical presence. Evil is everywhere but right now, Evil is mostly hanging out in Hinton Hollow like a dark and threatening cloud. It only takes five days but this small town of 5, 120 residents will never be the same again.
Also hanging out in Hinton Hollow, is Detective Sergeant Pace. He has returned to his childhood home, in an attempt to escape the things he’s done in the city. This should be a clue right here that, in my personal opinion, you should most definitely read “Nothing Important Happened Today” before you tackle this one. Not just because of Pace’s background story but also because it’s just really, really good.
Not hanging out in Hinton Hollow is little Henry. He’s on a train ride to a destination that is far, far away from Hinton Hollow. Because something is coming. Something bad. But what is it? Or who? And why? When and where does it begin and how will it end? I wasn’t even going to try and figure it out. After having read Will Carver’s previous books, I know better than that.
I don’t want to say too much because I feel the less you know, the better. As far as crime fiction goes, you won’t find anything more original or unique than the things Will Carver’s brain concoct. It’s wonderfully weird, or weirdly wonderful and just like its predecessors, Hinton Hollow Death Trip is utterly refreshing. Obviously, there are murders and sure, they’ve been done before but Will Carver puts such a spin on things that it feels as if you’ve never read anything like it before. If there are any rules in the world of writing, here’s an author who breaks them in his sleep. And all the while, a spotlight shines on modern society; our way of life, perceptions and judgements, good versus evil. Suddenly you find you are constantly questioning yourself. It’s all immensely thought-provoking in the midst of desperately trying to figure out what the heck is going on in this town. Some things will not make any sense until you’re finally able to see the bigger picture and when that happens, well, if you could you’d stand up and applaud until your hands hurt.
Sprinkled throughout the story are delightful and often insightful nuggets of wisdom, that had me vigorously nodding my head in agreement. Seriously, I could quote this book the whole bloody day, which is why I’m not doing it in this review or there won’t be an end to it. Gems though, each and every one of them. Harsh truths, as well.
My head did hurt. It started quite early on, actually. Mostly I wondered WTF I was reading but then that’s my normal state of mind when reading Carver’s books and I always know that it’ll be worth my while in the end. Dark, disturbing, brilliantly twisty, shocking, … I really don’t know what more I can say. Buy it, read it, be blown away. Experience the uniqueness that is Will Carver. Your life will never be the same either. (Too dramatic?)
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: June 25th 2020
"Everyone is now two people. The physical person. And the online persona. The trouble is that nobody is fully their physical self nor their online alter ego."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
Okay... Where do I even start when describing my reading experience with Hinton Hollow Death Trip?!?! I already knew I was in for reviewing trouble after a mindblowing experience with Good Samaritans earlier this year, but even days after finishing Detective Sergeant Pace number three I'm still lost for words. Please bear with me while I try to make sense of the mess this story left my brain in... Because I can guarantee you one thing: this book will hit you with a sledgehammer.
Shocking. Mindboggling. Mental. Extremely unique. Provoking. Infuriating. This book doesn't follow the rules and isn't afraid to step on more than one toe along the way. Hinton Hollow Death Trip is under no circumstance your regular thriller, and instead delivers us a completely unique story and perspective that will blow your mind regardless of the fact if you actually enjoy reading the story itself. Sure, this book might not be everyone's cup of tea, and I confess that I didn't enjoy it as much as others myself this time around, but you cannot help but feeling intrigued and applaud its sheer originality. Told by Evil itself in person, Hinton Hollow Death Trip is a story about how a whole town is affected by its touch and how multiple lives change forever in a very short time. Talk about an unique perspective and premise!
A little note: the first book of this series, Good Samaritans, still stands out above the rest for me. It might have been because I preferred the serial killer POV and tone in that one (although the next two books were plently deadly too), it might be that I'm just not in the right mindset for his writing right now... I still can't put my finger exactly on the reason behind this feeling, although I do have to say that I still mostly enjoyed my time with Hinton Hollow Death Trip. I'm taking a guess here and say that my main issue with this story probably involved the fact that a few elements rubbed me the wrong way. The innecessary animal cruelty, the cheating, the sexy scenes, the tone in certain parts... I know this story is ment to provoke and anger, but I guess I just wasn't in the right mindset for this kind of read.
That said, both the premise and perspective of Hinton Hollow Death Trip really made this story stand out far above the average thriller. You all might remember a certain popular YA story narrated by Death, but this story is narrated by Evil instead, and boy do you notice the difference. This book is dark, this book is disturbing, this book is twisted... It really shows what evil things humans are capable of with just a little nudge in the 'right' direction. Hinton Hollow Death Trip is narrated by Evil, but we get to know a wide variety of inhabitants of the little town along the way as Evil focuses on them. This change in focus and POV helps enrich the plot further and will have you occupied juggling the different storylines and characters while you wonder just how far out of control things will spin.
The plot itself is brilliantly constructed, and designed to escalate, shock as well as send you on the wrong track. Evil things are happening in Hinton Hollow, and you won't understand the full scope and connections between the different events until it's too late... And those final reveals will most likely make your jaw drop right to the floor. Oh yes, Hinton Hollow Death Trip will leave you absolutely flabbergasted and staring at that final page wondering if you really understood what just happened... Is it true? Is it another trick? I'm still not sure myself, but what I'm sure of is that Will Carver sure knows how to handle that sledgehammer. What a read!
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is an extremely unique, mindboggling as well as infuriating read that will manage to blow you away regardless of the fact if it's really your cup of tea or not. While there were a few elements that just didn't do it for me, I simply applaud the sheer originality and wow factor of this story.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
melaniesreads's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing could have prepared me for reading this and to be honest I’m so naughty that telling me not to read this, like it does in the opening sentence, just made me want to read it even more. Being a naughty girl, you would think after reading this, would make me a target for evil too. But secretly I’m a good girl really, I just love a dark read and the darker the better and fuck me was this dark.
I felt morally judged, dirty and that I am carrying the burden of the sins of all humanity. Hell I eat a liquid diet through a peg and I still felt bad for all the bacon sandwiches I’ve consumed in the past. So if you are thinking of reading this which I wholeheartedly recommend you do as it’s bloody brilliant, don’t do it while eating a bacon sarnie. Like me you have been warned.
The use of evil as narrator was utter genius, though worryingly I did find myself quite endeared to him. I actually agreed with nearly everything he thought. Not sure why I’m assigning a gender to evil but maybe it’s because as I read I pictured it that way in my mind with the voice of Jeremy Irons too.
Some shining lights to come from reading this book of atrocity was that I have come to the conclusion that evil would probably leave me alone and that I have another author to add to my must read file.
Thoroughly original, thought provoking and I’m going to stick my neck out and say probably my book of the year.
I felt morally judged, dirty and that I am carrying the burden of the sins of all humanity. Hell I eat a liquid diet through a peg and I still felt bad for all the bacon sandwiches I’ve consumed in the past. So if you are thinking of reading this which I wholeheartedly recommend you do as it’s bloody brilliant, don’t do it while eating a bacon sarnie. Like me you have been warned.
The use of evil as narrator was utter genius, though worryingly I did find myself quite endeared to him. I actually agreed with nearly everything he thought. Not sure why I’m assigning a gender to evil but maybe it’s because as I read I pictured it that way in my mind with the voice of Jeremy Irons too.
Some shining lights to come from reading this book of atrocity was that I have come to the conclusion that evil would probably leave me alone and that I have another author to add to my must read file.
Thoroughly original, thought provoking and I’m going to stick my neck out and say probably my book of the year.
ljwrites85's review against another edition
4.0
So I read Nothing Important Happened Today last year and I was absolutely blown away by Will Carver’s writing so I was very excited when I got my copy of Hinton Hollow Death Trip.
What I didn’t realise while reading the previous book and this one, it’s actually part of a series but it’s easily read as a standalone.
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is, well, a head trip a half! I mean I can’t think of another novel that’s narrated by evil itself.
The story follows Detective Sergeant Pace as he heads back to his hometown of Hinton Hollow, a small village of just over five thousand people. The story is set over just five days and my goodness what a terrifying ride it was!
Beware before you going into this book, much like the previous book it’s dark and could prove upsetting as there’s some sensitive subjects like suicide, child deaths and animal cruelty covered.
I have to be honest I didn’t find the style of this book a little choppy at times. Plus there were a couple of more minor storylines that I found a little distracting from the main story but of course that’s just my opinion.
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is an original yet shocking read, perfect if you like your thrillers on the darker side.
What I didn’t realise while reading the previous book and this one, it’s actually part of a series but it’s easily read as a standalone.
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is, well, a head trip a half! I mean I can’t think of another novel that’s narrated by evil itself.
The story follows Detective Sergeant Pace as he heads back to his hometown of Hinton Hollow, a small village of just over five thousand people. The story is set over just five days and my goodness what a terrifying ride it was!
Beware before you going into this book, much like the previous book it’s dark and could prove upsetting as there’s some sensitive subjects like suicide, child deaths and animal cruelty covered.
I have to be honest I didn’t find the style of this book a little choppy at times. Plus there were a couple of more minor storylines that I found a little distracting from the main story but of course that’s just my opinion.
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is an original yet shocking read, perfect if you like your thrillers on the darker side.
meghjcollins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0