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Gallows Investigations #2
Fragile
An abomination stalks the streets of Mayfair, snatching children from their homes and leaving in their places dolls, whose shattered porcelain skin and scorched eyes crush the hopes of their grieving families. Maya Gallows, paranormal investigator and psychic, seeks to stop the evil before it can claim another victim. As Maya faces this terrible foe, an even greater darkness stirs within her. Can she save not only the children of Mayfair, but her own fragile soul?
Fragile is the second book in the Gallows Investigations horror series, which began with the bestselling Still Water.
Fragile is the second book in the Gallows Investigations horror series, which began with the bestselling Still Water.
- GenresHorror
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2016
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 29, 2016
Fragile is the next book following the life of Maya Gallows, a paranormal investigator and blogger, as she tries to deal with the fallout of what happened in Stillwater (book one, Stil Water). But even though she's struggling with what happened she moves onto the next case. Young girls are going missing and are being replaced by dolls in a small town, so Maya goes to investigate it with the help of her young friend Taylor.
This is a very well written, and engaging story that becomes more and more of a page turner as you get deeper into the story. There is very little, if any, fluff in Fragile. The story moves along at a healthy and natural pace. The characters are well layered and feel very real, whether it's those who don't get much page time like Alan or main characters like Maya and Taylor, they all have a genuineness to them.
Justin Macumber is really good at setting tones for his stories. I found in this and the first novel in the series, Stil Water, especially that he can give you (the reader) a great idea of where these stories take place without overloading the story with details about how the world looks. He gives just enough to set the imagination free, which I think helps the story move along more smoothly.
The story has some pretty chilling moments in it (obviously) but it also has heart and humour as well. Much of the humour is in the dialogue, which is very strong and adds to the character's personalities. It is a story where I said 'damn' and 'oh shit' out loud a number of times.
A quick note on the cover by Scott Macumber, it freaks me out. In a good way though, in the way that I can't quite take my eyes off it despite the feeling that it's trying to eat my soul.
I've now read five of Justin Macumber's books and it's great seeing him growing as a writer. Each novel feels a little more refined, a little more stronger, and like Macumber is pushing himself harder and not letting himself get comfortable now that he's had a few books published.
Stil Water was my favourite Justin R. Macumber novel, but Fragile has just raced passed it.
This is a very well written, and engaging story that becomes more and more of a page turner as you get deeper into the story. There is very little, if any, fluff in Fragile. The story moves along at a healthy and natural pace. The characters are well layered and feel very real, whether it's those who don't get much page time like Alan or main characters like Maya and Taylor, they all have a genuineness to them.
Justin Macumber is really good at setting tones for his stories. I found in this and the first novel in the series, Stil Water, especially that he can give you (the reader) a great idea of where these stories take place without overloading the story with details about how the world looks. He gives just enough to set the imagination free, which I think helps the story move along more smoothly.
The story has some pretty chilling moments in it (obviously) but it also has heart and humour as well. Much of the humour is in the dialogue, which is very strong and adds to the character's personalities. It is a story where I said 'damn' and 'oh shit' out loud a number of times.
A quick note on the cover by Scott Macumber, it freaks me out. In a good way though, in the way that I can't quite take my eyes off it despite the feeling that it's trying to eat my soul.
I've now read five of Justin Macumber's books and it's great seeing him growing as a writer. Each novel feels a little more refined, a little more stronger, and like Macumber is pushing himself harder and not letting himself get comfortable now that he's had a few books published.
Stil Water was my favourite Justin R. Macumber novel, but Fragile has just raced passed it.
May 24, 2017
It's not a bad read. I read the first book, Stillwater, and am looking forward to what else he has planned for the series although this one seemed empty in places.
April 12, 2021
I didn't really enjoy this book overall. It was alright and the themes from the first book were still there, but it wasn't really exciting or interesting to me for some reason.
January 12, 2017
Justin R. Macumber follows up his novel "Stillwater" with the sequel "Fragile" and it definitely delivers on the chills, visceral (literally) horror and rising tension he established in the first book.
Maya is a survivor of the terrible events which took place in the prior book and is struggling to get back on her feet. Scarred emotionally and physically from the ordeal she is dealing with a number of complexities in her life. Assisted by a handful of other survivors, she quickly becomes embroiled in a case of black magic, demonic possession and Gypsies.
There is a lot to like in this novel.
- Characters are vivid and profoundly flawed, yet striving to do their best in tough situations.
- Incredibly diverse cast of characters, each portrayed as a unique individual - even side characters.
- Vivid, sweeping descriptions and an almost panoramic perspective of writing.
- Surprisingly sympathetic antagonist despite repugnant practices
- Excellent techniques of building tension, raising stakes and making the hero pay for every decision
- The pace was surprisingly brisk with no "saggy" parts in Act II or during exposition. Hard to do.
- Intriguing character arcs are traced and followed to their conclusions.
- Lots of interesting beats and POPS throughout
While there were some typos in the work and more than a few continuity gaps (in one scene, the POV character has dialogue with another; next page is the same dialogue heard by a different POV with different words / conversation) one aspect of the work has left me with a smirk on my face.
I have never read a novel in which the specifics of messy GI issues are explored. ; )
Protags will throw up repeatedly, other characters describe in too much detail their own intestinal distress and resolution and so on. I was not grossed out by the vivid descriptions - but I did...take note of it. Interesting observation, that's all.
As a final comment, it is also interesting to note that many urban fantasy novels will take a turn and dip into conventions of horror. "Fragile" does the opposite, in my opinion. It is a horror novel, complete with high, mortal stakes and a rising sense of dread - yet pivots into a few conventions of urban fantasy. I found that to be something I've not really read before.
"Fragile" is a quick, intriguing and interesting read.
I hope to see Maya in another novel soon.
Maya is a survivor of the terrible events which took place in the prior book and is struggling to get back on her feet. Scarred emotionally and physically from the ordeal she is dealing with a number of complexities in her life. Assisted by a handful of other survivors, she quickly becomes embroiled in a case of black magic, demonic possession and Gypsies.
There is a lot to like in this novel.
- Characters are vivid and profoundly flawed, yet striving to do their best in tough situations.
- Incredibly diverse cast of characters, each portrayed as a unique individual - even side characters.
- Vivid, sweeping descriptions and an almost panoramic perspective of writing.
- Surprisingly sympathetic antagonist despite repugnant practices
- Excellent techniques of building tension, raising stakes and making the hero pay for every decision
- The pace was surprisingly brisk with no "saggy" parts in Act II or during exposition. Hard to do.
- Intriguing character arcs are traced and followed to their conclusions.
- Lots of interesting beats and POPS throughout
While there were some typos in the work and more than a few continuity gaps (in one scene, the POV character has dialogue with another; next page is the same dialogue heard by a different POV with different words / conversation) one aspect of the work has left me with a smirk on my face.
I have never read a novel in which the specifics of messy GI issues are explored. ; )
Protags will throw up repeatedly, other characters describe in too much detail their own intestinal distress and resolution and so on. I was not grossed out by the vivid descriptions - but I did...take note of it. Interesting observation, that's all.
As a final comment, it is also interesting to note that many urban fantasy novels will take a turn and dip into conventions of horror. "Fragile" does the opposite, in my opinion. It is a horror novel, complete with high, mortal stakes and a rising sense of dread - yet pivots into a few conventions of urban fantasy. I found that to be something I've not really read before.
"Fragile" is a quick, intriguing and interesting read.
I hope to see Maya in another novel soon.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews