paced reading horror and thrillers discussion

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For some reason I can't tag the book to the thread.

Managed to get it on for you.

Thanks! Must be my phone, or maybe just the browser I am using, it sometimes has trouble with certain things.

I'm at 20% and even though I still have no clue what is happening it is starting to get good.

I just got it from amazon unlimited. I will read a little tonight.

Ok, I read quite a bit tonight because I was going to try to get through it and start ravage with you, I will check where I'm at in the morning (My morning I mean, I'm a third shifter) and let you know, then wait so you can catch up. We can still read ravage afterwords if you want.

Oooh, I've been wantiqqng to read this. I Read and enjoyed the opening bar scene months ago. I will join you guys.

I can read some tonight but the bulk tomorrow. then I can read ravage with you too. I am up with reading all of them.

I'm about 40% just let me know when you both get there and I will read something else until then.

I'll start tonight.

okay, I will tell you when I get there. I had a harsh day at work so reading tonight might just be what I need to relax (and sleep). :)

I didn't get to read much but I'm currently at 23%. I will get more in tomorrow. I just have been shattered, really long work days today was a 16 hour day. :(

Justin, I totally get what you are saying at 20% you don't know what's going on, yet but things are starting to happen.

In chapter 14 (31%)
(view spoiler)[ Jess --> "Thank God we found it," she said. "I don't think I can get much colder. My nipples could cut cake."

lol, I hate that feeling. That is one heck of a mighty cold feeling. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16,

(view spoiler)[Things are finally really moving along. Poor Peter, he was really beaten up by the “Skrzdlaty Diabel.” I’m happy he said that meant winged demon, so I didn’t have to google it. I figured something devil since diablo means devil in Spanish. That use to be one of my favorite beers when I was 21, over a decade ago.

I’m very curious to know who the sinner is? Also, I wouldn’t want to see Freddie Krueger on acid. Well, I would but not in person. ;) (hide spoiler)]

I’m only at 37% but I’m getting there Justin. I plan on finishing it today. That’s my reading goal for the day.

I'm right around that spot, still don't know what's going on but I have a feeling we will soon. So who do you think the sinner is? I forget names because it's been a couple days since I have read it but I think it is the drunk that the story started with and his mysterious star shaped scar that he got while hurting someone. Maybe sold his soul for revenge against whoever killed his family and now Satan's come to collect? I will get back to it at work tomorrow night.

I don't know who the sinner. I know Nigel is because he has claimed to be but I think all of them are somewhat guilty and can claim the title.

I'm sure we will find out more since things have picked up and people are being flung around and banged up pretty badly.

All I really know is this is an apocalyptic style story.

Okay Justin I've read more, I'm at the 55% mark (Chapter 24). Here are my thoughts about things unfolding.

Chapter 17,
(view spoiler)[When I answered you when you asked who do I think is the sinner I didn't read chapter 17 yet, if I did, I would for sure have said I was right about Nigel. I just didn't know how messed up this rapist serial killer is. I didn't know he was a rapist serial killer! He isn't just a rapist serial killer he is a hedonist sadistic serial killer.

I was surprised to read about the rape and the killing of the Amsterdam girl the prior week. He loved her screams and it made him erect from that that. He was smiling. For sure he is the sinner. If there is someone more warped than that, they'd be number one on the list for the sinner. With that said, doesn't seem to convenient to list him as the winner on the sinner?

It's pretty bad that he keeps the ring with the dolphin insignia. It's a trophy of his first victim, the 12 year old girl. I wonder when he started killing? Poor Steph, she has no idea how bad Nigel is. I hope he doesn't rape her.

Damien is the drug dealer and perfect scapegoat to keep the heat off of Nigel. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18,
(view spoiler)[Interesting that Harry lied about Peter’s injuries when Lucas asked “You ever seen anyone in such a s state before?” I thought why is he lying and what horrible thing did he do, then I remembered the death of his family. I bet it was his family.

I felt so bad for poor Old Graham getting hit by the dustbin. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19,
(view spoiler)[I wonder what Peter saw for his warning to Jess. Time will tell. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20,
(view spoiler)[Oh my goodness! I’d be speechless if I saw what Damien and Harry saw outside. It was kind of neat because I with listening to The Smith, Bigmouth Strikes Again. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21,
(view spoiler)[Yay Jess! She got a good one at Miss racist. Here am I reading about people being burnt to death on huge crucifixes and their skin peeling off but then Kath is being racist I gasp.

So, where did the fire go? Is this all in a mind trick?

Poor Harry about seeing his family members by the DJ Booth. I have to say that he is actually a pretty strong guy (psychologically). I’ve only been reading how shattered of a man he was but if he was that shattered he wouldn’t get away from the demons or malicious creatures posing to be his family members. He was able to figure out they weren’t his family members. He impressed me. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22,
(view spoiler)[I’m relieved to know that Damien really did lie about seeing outside with the fire and giant crucifixes. He wasn’t as bad as he makes himself be. I don’t think he earns the title of the biggest sinner. That still goes to Nigel. This is from learning about Damien’s background.

Poor Steph, Nigel is a major creep. It would so suck to be stuck with a rapist in some apocalyptic storm. I’m so happy someone knocked Nigel out before he had a chance to rape her. I wonder who? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23,
(view spoiler)[Yay! She didn’t get raped. I thought it was Harry that saved her but it was Damien. I really like both those guys but too bad Damien was knocked out. I’m sure it will all come clear later on of what is going on.

Poor Jerry, I didn’t see that coming, Peter and Jerry best friends and half-brothers. (hide spoiler)]

I will read more later. How is your reading coming along? How far did you get?

I will pick it back up tonight, I'm on third shift so my night is just starting.

I totally understand. Tomorrow is a 17 hour shift for me and I will be able to read more. I will wait until you get to where I'm at then continue on so we may be on the same page. ;)

Sounds good. What kind of job do you do? I work in material handling driving parts around with a fork truck or tugger but I get plenty of time between parts to read, I worked twelve hour shifts last week monday thru Saturday.

I work four different jobs. I work for my local school district in special education, my second job is in caregiving, my third job is also in caregiving (to get me hours the second sometimes doesn't give me), then the fourth job is I am a nursery director for a church (I'm atheist, lol). So, I work a lot. Tomorrow is the school and after that a hospice case were she sleeps a lot, so I'm there until midnight and I get to read a lot or watch TV is a choose to.

Ahh, you get to play with big toys!

Wow four jobs has got to be rough, the most I have had was two plus a little bit of under the counter work on a farm whenever I had a little free time back when I first got married. The two jobs worked around each other for awhile but after a few months they where less accommodating and I had to give one up. Luckily I got into gm shortly after that and I get a bunch of overtime here.

I have double benefits, which is nice but I do end up working 60 hour weeks. It is rough but I think it's only temporary. I told myself I will do this until the end of December. Since the school is considered a seasonal job because we work from September to mid June, I need something for the summer time. That's why I have job number two but they didn't give me enough hours this last summer so I went to job number 3. I've had job 4 for 13 years and it's really easy money so I can't justify myself for quitting it so I keep it, even if I have to get up every Sunday morning.

Chapter 21,(view spoiler)[
[Yay Jess! She got a good one at Miss racist. Here am I reading about people being burnt to death on huge crucifixes and their skin peeling off but then Kath is being racist I gasp.

So, where did the fire go? Is this all in a mind trick?

Poor Harry about seeing his family members by the DJ Booth. I have to say that he is actually a pretty strong guy (psychologically). I’ve only been reading how shattered of a man he was but if he was that shattered he wouldn’t get away from the demons or malicious creatures posing to be his family members. He was able to figure out they weren’t his family members. He impressed me. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)

I'm starting to think that the message to send out the sinner was just a trick to get them to turn on each other, the book says right in the title it is an apocalyptic tale and we know it is snowing over the entire world so I just don't think that whatever is going on has anything to do with a single person in the bar. They are all sinners and I think whatever is after them wants them all. I don't know what they are but I think when Damian showed him the fire it wasn't really him but one of those things which means I can't trust anything that any of the characters do or say from here on out if I am right. Kath getting hit with a glass is definitely my favorite part so far, she is worse than a racist, she is the kind of person who hates everyone and uses whatever she can including their race to say mean hateful things and hurt them. I don't know what is going on but I bet it is based on some tale from the bible and if I was a Christian I might have figured it out by now. (hide spoiler)]

lol, I'm not Christian either. I don't know what is going on other than they are just turning on each other. Kind of reminds of the movie, This is the End, just less funny.

I can see that demons are taking over them like Damian showing the fire. It was wise of Harry to see the differences of his dead family and the demon. I'm thinking whenever the some how come back to life, it isn't a good thing.

There for sure is going to be a lot of mind games involved and now there is going to be lots of violent acts because we are now at the half way point.

It doesn't take much to be a sinner for the Christian views. I took the Dante's Inferno Test and was in a pretty high level. You should take and see what level you are.

I love the T/F question "A pimp is a good thing to be."

I took the test a few times over the 12 years I've known about it. I keep getting the 7th level. There are only 9 levels and Purgatory.

The wretched King Minos has decided your fate. His tale wraps around his body 7 times.

The sweet light no longer strikes against your eyes. Your shade has been banished to... the Seventh Level of Hell! Seventh Level of Hell

"Guarded by the Minotaur, who snarls in fury, and encircled within the river Phlegethon, filled with boiling blood, is the Seventh Level of Hell. The violent, the assasins, the tyrants, and the war-mongers lament their pitiless mischiefs in the river, while centaurs armed with bows and arrows shoot those who try to escape their punishment. The stench here is overpowering. This level is also home to the wood of the suicides- stunted and gnarled trees with twisting branches and poisoned fruit. At the time of final judgement, their bodies will hang from their branches. In those branches the Harpies, foul birdlike creatures with human faces, make their nests. Beyond the wood is scorching sand where those who committed violence against God and nature are showered with flakes of fire that rain down against their naked bodies. Blasphemers and sodomites writhe in pain, their tongues more loosed to lamentation, and out of their eyes gushes forth their woe. Usurers, who followed neither nature nor art, also share company in the Seventh Level."

The wretched King Minos has decided your fate. His tale wraps around his body 6 times.

The sweet light no longer strikes against your eyes. Your shade has been banished to... the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!

Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis
You approach Satan's wretched city where you behold a wide plain surrounded by iron walls. Before you are fields full of distress and torment terrible. Burning tombs are littered about the landscape. Inside these flaming sepulchers suffer the heretics, failing to believe in God and the afterlife, who make themselves audible by doleful sighs. You will join the wicked that lie here, and will be offered no respite. The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell.

Chapter 22 and 23. (view spoiler)[Well I was wrong about it not actually being Damian who showed him that but yea he definitely isn't as bad as he first seemed. Guess we don't need to question what is real and what isn't when it comes to the living characters since only dead characters have appeared in the visions or whatever they are. (Unless the guy who killed harrys family is still alive but I think he killed him though). I'm glad Steph is ok but it sucks that damian will probably get the blame for it and nigel will be free. While reading Damian's back story I thought maybe his dad is the devil since one thing I know about the bible is that the son of Satans name is damian. That wouldn't make any sense though, I'm just looking for any religious references I might know and his dad is definitely a bad guy. I wonder what he was planning to do tonight behind his dad's back? Well back to it! (hide spoiler)]

I'm still plugging away at maybe 30%. I think the plot is kind of dorky (B-horror movie), but I'm actually really enjoying it. Agree that to this point I have no idea what is going on.

I've got some reading time today, so hopefully I'll get to a point where I can read some of your posts.

Oops I should have spoiler tagged my comments. Sorry andy

Ok,.I spoiler tagged my newest ones, once you get to about 40% you should be good.

I have read more but have limited Internet access. I will post either tonight or tomorrow night.

Ok, I'm at chapter 25 but I'm going to switch to a different group read I have going for tonight and give andy a chance to catch up since he isn't far behind. Also I need to catch up to that group read.

Okay. Sounds good. I'm at 87% and really enjoying it so far. It's picked up especially at 60% and onward. It's explains a lot so our questions will be answered. :)

Probably won't get much reading done tonight at work either, I was just about sleeping when my cousin called and told me he hit a deer and asked if I wanted it. I needed to get it dressed and skinned so it wouldn't go bad and by the time I went and picked it up and got all that done I ended up getting a little under 3 hours of sleep before waking up and coming back to work. I'm about dead right now and will probably occupy my free time with mindless one click games on my phone for the night. Maybe I will get a nap at lunch and read some afterwords but no promises. If you want to finish it that's alright we will just discuss when I'm done also.

I'm all caught up now. For the most part, I agree that they are probably all sinners in some way, although it sounds like Harry is perhaps being unfairly judged, maybe judging himself.

The demon must be interested in one particular person, since the carved letters said "send out the sinner", not sinners. Nigel and Kath are the early favorites. At least they have beer.

Keep going. It explains all. I finished the book a few days ago. Sorry Andy, I thought you fizzed out. :P

I know I feel so bad for Harry he does seem like he his judging himself a lot. I like how Justin pointed out about the star on his hand from the beginning.

Nigel, oh Nigel.

I'm at about 65% now. (view spoiler)[ I can't believe how many thwacks to the head it took to take Nigel down and definitely didn't see Peter coming back to take hime out. It sounds like Harry is the "sinner" the hellions are after, but I'm pretty convinced that Lucas knows more and is more involved than he is letting on. I wonder if Lucas didn't somehow frame Harry or if he wasn't somehow involved in what happened to Harry's family.

This is a fun book, a horror mystery. (hide spoiler)]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Keep going. It explains all. I finished the book a few days ago. Sorry Andy, I thought you fizzed out. :P

I know I feel so bad for Harry he does seem like he his judging himself a lot. I like ..."

To be honest, I have fizzled on several recent books due to huge amounts of work.

It is a fun Horror Mystery like you said. I was like oh, poor Damien when Harry beaned him.

I totally understand about fizzing out. I'm reading War and Peace and wanting to fizz right out.

I fizzed out really bad on House of Leaves.

I'm reading that now.

Ok, 65% now. Funny how Harry didn't notice lucas use his last name earlier in the book but is questioning it now right after the guy in the cloak said his full name while naming him as the sinner. I think Lucas is not there by coincidence but I don't think he is a bad guy, with a book like this I'm still waiting for the epic good vs evil battle that they all seem to have and I think Lucas is possibly the good guy sent to protect Harry. I'm just not sure why. Also if this is just about Harry then why so apocalyptic rather than just this town. A few comments have made me think of the movie legion which I absolutely hated, if the ending is similar to that I will not be happy.

Sorry Justin (for getting off topic) but I have to ask Andy about why he fizzed out on House of Leaves. The introduction was great. I'm only on chapter 2. I found chapter 1 very slow and boring.

@Justin, I know, I picked up the the last night of Harry too. There are a few other hints as well. Keep reading, all your answers will be answered! I don't think I watched Legion, so I'm not sure if it's similar or not.

69% (view spoiler)[ Lucas just told him they are angels which is exactly what I ment when I said that I'm not going to be happy if the ending is something like the movie legion. I'm not religious so it's not that I'm offended by murderous angels or anything like that, I just think it is incredibly stupid. I guess that means Lucas is the bad guy? (hide spoiler)]

i have been debating reading house of leaves forever now, the thing that always gets me is the price tag in comparison to the ebooks i can buy for the same amount. so no worrys, i would love to know why andy gave up on it as well. i completed the novel at 80% and the rest is just bonus stuff. did you get the edition with the short stories? you must have since we have all been on the same page when discussing what percent we are on, i will wait for andy to finish to discuss the ending and all that.

I still plan to finish House of Leaves, but I don't love it. I'm more than half way through and it has had its moments, but there is a lot of boring drivel in between. As it has continued on, I found some things to be a bit repetitive.

The most impressive thing about House of Leaves is the depth of madness and paranoia interwoven throughout. I definitely appreciate what the book does, its just that reading it can be a chore at times.

Some people absolutely loved it.

Justin, I'll send you House of Leaves in our next beer exchange.

thanks for getting back to us about that.

Andy wrote: "Justin, I'll send you House of Leaves in our next beer exchange."

groovy! im getting a good batch for you, i have one bottle of skeeter pee left that i am saving since you said you liked it, i also have a berry skeeter pee, applejack, both versions of the two hearted clone, i made a graff tonight that is pretty dark and smelled awesome, lots of chocolate and coffee in the aroma. it will be awhile before the wines get bottled but probably the following beer trade if we keep doing this you will get a rasberry melomel, a cyser, a grape wine, and another applewine. not to get off topic though, thanks a lot for the house of leaves offer, i can send it back in the next trade after that.