Peter Labrow's paranormal suspense novel is one of those books. I can't remember exactly where I first made contact with Peter Labrow -- I assume it was twitter or facebook -- but as soon as I read the blurb for his book, I knew I wanted to read it.
'The Well' centres around the main character, Becca Richards, and her boyfriend (and potential step-brother) falling to the bottom of an ancient well. Their parents are away for the weekend and no one is going to even know they're missing for at least a couple of days.
I can't really review this book without giving a slight spoiler, but it does happen near the start of the book, so I don't think I'm giving away too much. If you don't want to know, just go and buy the book now and find out for yourself. Otherwise, keep reading...
The step-brother is badly hurt in the fall and soon passes away, leaving Becca trapped at the bottom of the well with the decaying body of the boy she'd thought she'd come to love. On top of that, there is someone else down there. A ghostly woman who doesn't want Becca to leave.
There are a number of other side characters to the novel; the parents, still away, but increasingly worried when the can't get hold of the kids. There's a lesbian couple whose past is tied to the woman in the well, and their psychic daughter, Samantha. And, if that wasn't enough, the local paedophile also has his eye on Becca but, after her disappearance, turns his attention to Becca's best friend, Hannah.
Though there are a number of other characters, it's really the scenes of Becca trapped in the well and her efforts to both escape and survive that really had me gripped. Towards the end of the book, I literally was holding my breath with her. Though the other smaller plot lines pulled the book together at the end, I honestly would have been happy reading about Becca for the whole of the novel, though I guess this would have been a tough storyline for the author to stretch into a full length book!
The only characters I weren't keen on were the lesbian couple. I didn't fully believe in their motives and felt they were a little too easily accepted. What they'd decided to do was pretty horrific really, but it was almost decided without much of an argument.
However, this is a small point. Overall, I loved the book and I very much hope Peter Labrow is penning another. I'll be first in line for a copy! If you want a well-written, action packed, highly suspenseful paranormal novel, you can't go wrong with 'The Well.'
Five stars!!!
'The Well' can be bought from Amazon for only $2.99.
5 comments:
Having access to so many indie books via our ereaders has been an awesome experience for me. That and they are all so much more affordable than those produced by the Big Six. Great review.
I totally agree, Michael. I'm thrilled with all the excellent authors I've discovered recently. Many of the books have been just as good as those written by the big name authors from the big six publishers! And as you've pointed out, they can be bought at a fraction of the price. What's not to love?
Awesome. You know just the other day I was thinking that'd be a good idea for a book... The Well ... about another world on the other side of the well. How ironic.
Hey, Marissa! Thanks for the review of Peter's book. I try not to add too many books to the TBR pile, since I don't have that much time to read, but I definietly will add this one. Peter is a great guy and I wish him every success.
-Jimmy
Hi Marissa! Great review. I might pick this one up just to see how Peter maintains narrative momentum with someone trapped in such an enclosed space. Sounds great.
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