Synopsis/blurb ....
Andy and Bridget like to travel. Their windowless van is their home. Speeding across the Texas countryside they pick up hitchhikers and weary travelers who see the pair as a nice couple showing southern hospitality. However, Andy and Bridget are not what they seem. In their plain-looking van, there is no telling which town they will pass through or who will they pick up next.
Hmm, I debated briefly whether to post on this book or not, but I kind of thought.... well, I've read it so why wouldn't I? I suppose my concern was - does reading a book with a horrible title and some extreme graphic content, by definition make me a horrible person? Did the explicit content in the form of sexual violence and graphic torture excite, titillate or arouse me. No, it didn't. Did it disgust me? Not especially.
There is a part of me that thinks some of the content was unnecessary and could have been left to the reader's (or listener's) imagination, but the author should be free to write what he wants and if this is what Tim Miller wants to write and there is a fanbase for it, crack on then. No one has to read it if they don't want to.
I found the story or plot interesting. A couple of serial killers travel around taking advantage of people and doing horrible things to them, before crossing paths with some bigger and badder predators. I'm not usually a fan of serial killer books as they don't especially interest me. I'd rather read about a robbery or a con than a murder spree.
The writing was smooth enough. The plot moved fast. The characters were divided into predators and prey, no half measures. I was entertained, but not especially thrilled. I was invested enough in the outcome to want to finish the book and the author delivered a few twists and turns along the way. I don't regret reading it, but I'm not in a hurry to delve deeper into the author's back catalogue. It probably ought to come with some kind of warning attached to it and maybe some sort of age limitation on who could read it. 
3 from 5
Read - (listened to) July, 2021
Published - 2016
Page count - 227 (2 hrs 37 mins)
Source - Audible purchase
Format - Audible
* I have heard from a couple of book friends that this author is a 'piece of human garbage' who seemed to think it appropriate forwarding unsolicited videos of himself engaged in private activities.
Please don't support him or his work.
I couldn't agree with you more, Col. Authors need to be free to write what they want to write. People don't have to read what they don't want to read. The same thing (in my opinion) goes for posting. You are free to post exactly what you want to post. As for this book, it's most definitely not my thing. I think I'm going to give this a definite miss, as I don't like graphic scenes, torture, etc.. But that doesn't mean I don't think it should be out there for those who want to read it.
ReplyDeleteMargot, thanks for your thoughts on this one.
DeleteAfter seeing this post, I bought a different book by the same author. The Country Club. I actually thought it was ok until a particular disgusting scene! (I can't deal with horror involving children or animals).
ReplyDeleteI have seen the Hostel films so I was intrigued to read a book with a similar storyline.
It was a decent storyline though.
I skipped those particularly horrific pages but thought the rest was ok.
P.S. I am a middle aged mother of 2 and primary school teacher. ��
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I do think the author can write (despite his personal deficiencies), but despite not being especially squeamish I think he could dial back a bit on the descriptions. Less would be more in my opinion.
DeleteI agree. For the most parts it was well written and a decent story line but as soon as the pregnant girl came on the scene I was sickened. Never heard of this author before so thanks for sharing. 🙂
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I think I've got plenty I can enjoy from the TBR pile without bothering with Mr Miller again.
Delete