Small Dark Place: A : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Predictable revenge thriller
Review: Derivative of Stephen King's "Carrie", this tale is nevertheless highly readable and entertaining. The story involves a plan gone awry when down-on-their-luck parents hatch a dangerous plot. They set their son up to fall in a mine shaft and hope that the resultant publicity will bring them fame and fortune, and restore their family resources. Unfortunately, their other child is an unintended victim. The first half of the book that describes the family, its decline, and the subsequent accident are quite gripping. Once Andromeda is rescued; however, the book becomes quite predictable and it's only a matter of time before she wreaks the havoc the reader knows is coming. Still, one can't help wondering if the author will let Andromeda "go all the way" and you will just have to read the book to find out for yourself!

Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable book.
Review: I'm not sure how I even got this book - I think maybe it was with some other ones I found at a yard sale. I liked Schenk's writing style and story line so much that as soon as I was finished with his book, I checked Ebay to see what else he had written. I was disappointed to find none.

Rating:
Summary: It's a cliche but...."Didn't want to put it down"
Review: If you are wondering how I read this so early before it was published, it's because Martin is my brother. But, honestly, I would not say I liked this book and wouldn't even want to show my face if it was bad, especially since I've been bragging about it for months.

Martin has a sixth sense that I have been extremely jealous of, and wanting to obtain all my life. He can spot greediness and dishonesty a mile away, but he has always had a soft spot for the forgotten and the misfits in the world.

This story has two people that seem to be forgotten by their town. They were once extremely popular in high school, but when the husband decides to try and make a living from farming organic vegetables and fails, they can't seem to get a break. When they eventually lose their home, the wife comes up with a "Baby Jessica" type scheme, only in this case, it's not an accident, and instead of a girl, they would use their son.The problems start when their daughter mistakenly becomes the victim of their plot. So as not to ruin the story, I will not go further into the particulars, but I will tell you that the characters are so well developed you feel you know them. His descriptions of time and place are so precise at times, I felt as if I was watching the story unfold in front of me.

Quite honestly, I continue to be amazed at my own brothers talent.The dialogue is believable and the language is easy to follow, and I can see now why people are already comparing him to Stephen King. The story grabs you and holds you. You become angry, sad, scared, disgusted, and you like it. You want more, and you are mad when the book is done. This is the first story of his that I have read, and I am thoroughly impressed. Even if he wasn't my brother I would say the same thing -- Martin, write more books that are just as or more interesting than this one!