Afraid

Overview

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? YOU WILL BE . . .


Welcome to Safe Haven, Wisconsin. Miles from everything, with one road in and out, this peaceful town has never needed a full-time police force. Until now . . .


A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom. And each will have this harrowing thought: Maybe death hasn't come to their town by accident . . .

Editorial Reviews

Known for cop thrillers, J.A. Konrath (Fuzzy Navel) debuts his Jack Kilborn pseudonym and reveals some serious horror chops in this carnival of carnage. Five government-sponsored "Red-ops" fighters, psychotic torturers with modified brains and extensive training in killing anyone in their way, have been "accidentally" assigned to a mission in small, sleepy Safe Haven, Wis. Gen. Alton Tope sends in a dozen Green Berets, two other Special Forces teams, navy SEALs and some marines, all of whom may be just about enough to stop the killers. The townies also band together to save their little rural paradise, though several get trampled into red goo along the way. Any attempt to make a point about U.S. support of international terrorism gets a bit lost in the gore fest, but fans of gross-out horror will love it. (Apr.)

Copyright (c) Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Information

Bio of Jack Kilborn

Jack Kilborn is a pen name for award winning thriller author JA Konrath. He's a longtime fan of horror books and movies, and has had dozens of scary short stories published in magazines and anthologies. Jack has this to say about horror: "We love being scared. Whether it is a roller coaster, a haunted house on Halloween, or the latest Hollywood monster movie, there's nothing more fun than the skin-tingly adrenalin jolt of fear. But books have an advantage over all forms of self-inflicted horrific entertainment. Rather than assault our senses, horror novels assault our minds. We all have fears, and the most frightening books prey on those fears, enhanced by our own imaginations. I can't scare you nearly as well as you're able to scare yourself, so my job is to give you just enough room to do just that." A native of Chicago, Jack currently lives in the suburbs with one wife, one child, and two dogs. He encourages you to visit his website, www.JackKilborn.com. Other scary books Mr. Kilborn recommends are Desert Places by Blake Crouch, Pressure by Jeff Strand, Off Season by Jack Ketchum, Midnight's Lair by Richard Laymon, Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris, Stinger by Robert McCammon, and Master of Lies by Graham Masterton. Read at your own risk.

Customer Reviews

• What a thrilling rollercoaster!

  Posted April 14, 2009 by Foipop, Edmonton

  What a rollercoaster ride it was indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - fast-paced, thrilling, cleverly compartmentalized with different, sometimes overlapping scenes or situations, spooky, gory, and so on. The whole plot might be too far-fetched, but so what? Whenever you start reading a certain book, you already know what it is about thereby ready to tackle it - if it's a fantasy, you must first believe in the world and characters and episodes; if it's a crime thriller happening in a small town, you must be assuming one of the lucky towners obsersving the whole story to the end or the detective who chases the killer, or the killer oneself if you prefer.
  
  One of advantages of "reading," instead of watching or listening, you can keep reading it to the end. All the grisly, gory, terrifying details are just in your imagination, not like the crude, rude, repugnant visual you have to endure when watching the actual scenes. As Mr. Kilborn succinctly put it, "Rather than assault our senses, horror novels assault our minds."
  
  Besides, it was only $1.99 in ebook format - what a bargain! After reading it, I felt like having won a lottery. Certainly I'll keep on tracking this author Jack Kilborn, or JA Konrath. 5 out of 5.

• Excellent

  Posted April 18, 2009 by Don, Long Island, NY

  Excellent book. Very well written. I look forward to future books by this author.

• This book is awesome!!

  Posted April 19, 2009 by Ann, North Bay

  Could hardly put it down, a very good book.

• As good as King!

  Posted April 19, 2009 by Suzanne, Las Vegas

  This novel was a real page-turner and I couldn't put it down start to finish. The description sounded interesting and, heck, the price was good so why not? I will definitely keep track of this author. The story line was far-fetched, but that's what fantasy novels are all about anyway so I wasn't disturbed by that. I liked the character development and the way the story went back and forth between viewpoints. A must read.

• I THROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK.

  Posted April 21, 2009 by Michelle Smith, Taylor

  I bought this book because of it's $1.99 special. I am so glad that I did. I read it in about seven hours of not putting the book down. It kept me wondering what was going to happen next and surprised me quite a bit of the way through. I can't wait for more books by this author.

• Too much gore!!

  Posted April 28, 2009 by Phyllis, Fulton

  I like thrillers but I guess I don't like excessive gore. Too much for me. It should be classified as "horror"

• A GREAT book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Posted May 01, 2009 by N Hand, Alamogordo

  Looking forward to more books from Jack Kilborn.

• Sick

  Posted May 02, 2009 by Lawrence Rudner, Chevy Chase, MD USA

  The author is skilled in keeping the reader in suspense. However, he is also skilled in instilling graphic imagines of prolonged gruesome torture and mutilation. Only a sick mind can enjoy this book. After the second torture, I realized there would be a series of additional tortures and quit reading the book.

• I loved it!!

  Posted May 02, 2009 by Amy, Ft Lauderdal

  Great book! Very fasted passed with a couple of twists. I can't wait for another title from Kilborn. Not for the faint of heart though, lots of gore!

• A great read!!

  Posted May 03, 2009 by P. Clark, Chicago, IL

  The story kept you in suspense from beginning to end. Look forward to Kilborn's next novel.

• Would make a good B movie

  Posted May 19, 2009 by Ben, Des Plaines, IL

  This book just didn't do it for me. I like action, I like gore, but it all felt like it was just there for no real reason at all. The plot was lacking and I found the backstories on the characters to be something that must have been imagined up after watching a Lifetime movie. The only positive thing I'll give it is. And at the time of purchase it only cost $2 so I wasn't overly upset. It's definitely far from the worst book I've ever read but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to someone.

• A worthy attempt...

  Posted May 22, 2009 by Satans Puppet, Somewhere Not Here

  So Afraid was held up with such high regard that I thought it was my duty to download it and read it at my leisure, unfortunately the whole thing starts of with a plod and continues on that way. The book even includes a continuity error a page apart as it switches POV.
  
  I liked the idea of switching from the multiple POV's and the blurb promised gore from the outset but what was delivered to begin with was a very non descript person screaming and a pool of blood topped by a 'bloody mass'... not the kind of description you expect from a book that's supposedly gore filled.
  
  Fortunately things don't stay that way for long, as things pick up the pace... The writer earns brownie points for his love for animals, one animal in particular... the one thing that would have affected me the most didn't happen so I was pleased.
  
  The Book is alright but it's nothing special, definitely worth the $1.99 I paid but at it's current price? Wait for the sales :)

• Thrilling!

  Posted May 27, 2009 by Michelle, Ashburn

  This is the first book by this author that I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What a thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down.

• Intriguing Heartstopper

  Posted May 29, 2009 by kates2, Watertown, NY

  Afraid is one of those books that grabs hold of you and makes it virtually impossible to put down until you have finished it. I particularly like the fact that a Vietnam veteran is portrayed in a positive sense for a change. I also liked the fact that there were several characters in this book that had character and were memorable. Each main character had his/her own special contribution to the uniqueness of this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery.

• 5-STAR *MUST READ*

  Posted June 08, 2009 by KATIE JETTON, LAVACA

  This book was absolutely "Awesome"!! I bought the book from the ebook store partly because of the price and partly from the reviews. I don't typically gravitate to this type of book but thought, oh well, I'll get it.
  
  
  Well let me tell you......... The book surprised me. From page 1 to the end, it was filled with all kinds of suprises. It was intense the whole way through. I couldn't believe what I was reading and would think to myself, how on earth did the writer come up with this stuff????
  
  
  If you enjoy suspense- you HAVE to read this book. There's so more in store for you, you'll tell everyone you know that they have to read this book. I really feel that for all those people out there that don't read- this will make you change your mind. The only thing non-readers need is an amazing "first time". This book is just that!! Without a doubt...I guarantee it!

• Sick, twisted...

  Posted June 17, 2009 by FredOak, Kenmore

  And great fast paced reading. You just have to keep reading in the hopes the villan(s) get their due.

• WHOA - Hold on for a Great Ride

  Posted July 12, 2009 by Ila in Maine, Sanford ME

  I had read this was gory, and that I would be tempted to finish it in one setting. They were correct. I LOVED it. Great read for a rainy night, or any night for that matter if you aren't squeamish. It reminded me a little of Watchers by Dean Koontz and I won't explain why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. All around an excellent book, I highly recommend it and hope for more of the same from this most exciting and excellent descriptive author. CHARGE indeed.

• HAS EVERYTHING!!!

  Posted July 17, 2009 by DWR, New Jersey

  Page turning suspense, believable characters, well written. I couldn't put it down!! Have recommended this book to all my friends. Fun in all respects.

• good story could not put it down but a little to much gore

  Posted August 15, 2009 by luis ofarrill, dana point ca

  could not put it down! to much gore but good story loved the ending!

• Fast

  Posted September 25, 2009 by Eddie, Virginia Beach

  Started fast, stayed fast. I thought it was great.

• Wanted to keep reading

  Posted September 27, 2009 by Jen, Indiana

  Very great quick read. I couldn't quit reading it and even discussing it with my husband who had also read it and loved it!

• It was a Hell of a Ride

  Posted October 28, 2009 by Diana, Fort Walton Beach

  I couldn't put it down. It terrified me and now my husband is reading it. I ask him from time to time where he is in the book and every single time I reply, "that ain't gonna be good."
  
  Very well written and graphic. Don't think my heart can take another like that one. Although I am recommending it to all my reading friends.

• Well written, fast paced thriller

  Posted November 02, 2009 by Jay, Wayne, NJ

  Kilburn has managed to put together a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover. The voice and language are great with a story that is put together so intricately it's almost like he was there.
  
  The characters are well defined and the story leaves you wanting more!

• Never A Dull Moment!

  Posted November 17, 2009 by LD, Brockton

  I can't believe how little I had to pay for this ebook!!! But of course, Jack K is just getting our taste buds ready for more. Quite an imagination. For years and years, I couldn't think that there could be anyone with an imagination quite as gruesome as Thomas Harris (Hannibal), but I think I've found him. Yes, I said gruesome. But this writer's imagination leads to a great thriller for the rest of us to read. NEVER, EVER BORING!!!!! Can't wait to read Serial. Thank you Jack, keep 'em coming.

Additional Info

Imprint

Grand Central Publishing

Filesize

1.66 MB

Number of Pages

384

eBook ISBN

9780446543545