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The First One You Expect
When he's not holding down a dead-end job or lurking in his mother's basement, Tony Anastos spends his time shooting ultra-low-budget horror flicks. After meeting his sexy fame-hungry coworker Anna, he sees an opportunity to launch his career into cult stardom. But when Tony's plan to jolt their next film's Kickstarter into overdrive calls for real blood, he will sacrifice the last bit of his humanity for a shot at recognition. But it makes sense. Look at him. The stuff he makes, I mean, he's the first one you expect.
90 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2014
17 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Adam Cesare
65 books2,589 followersAdam Cesare is a New Yorker who lives in Philadelphia. His books include Clown in a Cornfield, Video Night, The Summer Job, and Zero Lives Remaining. He’s an avid fan of horror cinema and runs Project: Black T-Shirt, a YouTube review show where he takes horror films and pairs them with reading suggestions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 2, 2019
I'm a bit deconfuckulated after reading this...which is strange for me.
No, no, don't misunderstand - I know I'm strange and I've made peace with that a long time ago.
I usually know what I like and what don't, or, rather, why I like or don't like something.
This novella had a nice theme, flowed well, had fairly good editing and was fun to read. The ending - oh, man, I have to tell you, this is exactly the way my mind works, and I thought it was great, even though I called it (or rather, strongly suspected and hoped for it) about a third of the way through.
So, in all honesty, I can't figure out why I'm not feeling blown away by this.
This book gives you exactly what you want and expect from the blurb, but I'm pushing myself to give this a 3.5 to 4 star rating simply because I don't feel the writer did anything wrong...for once, I actually mean it when I say:
"It's me, not you..."
Recommend to the slasher and B-movie horror fans.
No, no, don't misunderstand - I know I'm strange and I've made peace with that a long time ago.
I usually know what I like and what don't, or, rather, why I like or don't like something.
This novella had a nice theme, flowed well, had fairly good editing and was fun to read. The ending - oh, man, I have to tell you, this is exactly the way my mind works, and I thought it was great, even though I called it (or rather, strongly suspected and hoped for it) about a third of the way through.
So, in all honesty, I can't figure out why I'm not feeling blown away by this.
This book gives you exactly what you want and expect from the blurb, but I'm pushing myself to give this a 3.5 to 4 star rating simply because I don't feel the writer did anything wrong...for once, I actually mean it when I say:
"It's me, not you..."
Recommend to the slasher and B-movie horror fans.
March 26, 2025
This story jumps right in from the first page. Anna is one sick puppy. The character was nothing necessarily unique, and mirrored similar fare with the hot, murderous, mysterious girl leading an unsuspecting dullard into a dangerous world. And while it’s not a groundbreaking concept, it’s always fun to experience, which is why so many films and books have it as a plot point. Now I was automatically yanked into this, being a fairly avid fan of cheap, tawdry horror films. And you get to see some of the behind the scenes struggles and efforts of indie horror movie producers/directors. The book was very short, clocking in at just under a hundred pages, and that was my main critique here. I felt like with such a quick pace, the author missed some opportunities to expand on both of our main characters. So I finished the story and just wanted more from it. Nothing specific comes to mind, but everything just needed some room to breathe and develop organically, as opposed to just rushing from one instance to the next. But I enjoyed much more of this reading experience than I disliked, and am curious to see some more of Adam Cesare’s works.
March 28, 2016
Oh, no, this is not gonna end well. You know it as soon as Anna gets a hold of that knife. Nicholas, Nicholas, what are you thinking? The girl calls herself Cat Killer! Get away from her if you still can...
No animals were harmed during the reading of this book. But my fingernails are ragged. This was my first novel by Adam Cesare, and far from the last.
No animals were harmed during the reading of this book. But my fingernails are ragged. This was my first novel by Adam Cesare, and far from the last.
November 9, 2018
Hot damn, Horror fans! Don't you love a quickie? This book is short and sweet. Adam Cesare doesn't waste a single word. Page one, you get a real sense of direction--this story is going somewhere and it starts NOW.
Tony Anastos is this seedy guy that makes these very low budget horror movies starring his co-worker Burt (The Debaser).
There is nothing likable about either of these losers or their dirty hobby. One day, Tony meets Anna--a new employee at the store where Burt and Tony work. She finds out about the dark, basement pastime they share and seems to be pretty interested in it--to the point of possibly starring in one of their films. This seems weird to Tony because up until this point, nobody as attractive or seemingly "put together" as Anna has ever been interested in what they do. It seems pretty weird to us readers too because, "EW". We know Tony and he's scummy.
From here--the story goes bananas in the best possible way.
I could not turn the pages fast enough. My favorite thing about Adam's writing is how relevant and accessible it is for people who exist right now in the horror industry. The references to pop culture, social media, Kickstarter, follower counts--it's clear that Cesare has his finger on the pulse of horror. Being immersed in the genre and the community myself, this reads like it was swiped off of a BuzzFeed article or something-the believability is off the charts. I was laughing and shaking my head at the plausibility of it all; entertaining AS HELL! Not to mention the ending is totally unexpected and so much fun. Yes, yes, a thousand "Yeses".
This is horror for our time (I would love to see a movie of this, actually). Horror fans: BUY THIS BOOK and then let's all buy the rest of Adam's back catalog because every time I mention this guy's name on Twitter, like a dozen people recommend more of his books to me. Gotta have them all!
Tony Anastos is this seedy guy that makes these very low budget horror movies starring his co-worker Burt (The Debaser).
There is nothing likable about either of these losers or their dirty hobby. One day, Tony meets Anna--a new employee at the store where Burt and Tony work. She finds out about the dark, basement pastime they share and seems to be pretty interested in it--to the point of possibly starring in one of their films. This seems weird to Tony because up until this point, nobody as attractive or seemingly "put together" as Anna has ever been interested in what they do. It seems pretty weird to us readers too because, "EW". We know Tony and he's scummy.
From here--the story goes bananas in the best possible way.
I could not turn the pages fast enough. My favorite thing about Adam's writing is how relevant and accessible it is for people who exist right now in the horror industry. The references to pop culture, social media, Kickstarter, follower counts--it's clear that Cesare has his finger on the pulse of horror. Being immersed in the genre and the community myself, this reads like it was swiped off of a BuzzFeed article or something-the believability is off the charts. I was laughing and shaking my head at the plausibility of it all; entertaining AS HELL! Not to mention the ending is totally unexpected and so much fun. Yes, yes, a thousand "Yeses".
This is horror for our time (I would love to see a movie of this, actually). Horror fans: BUY THIS BOOK and then let's all buy the rest of Adam's back catalog because every time I mention this guy's name on Twitter, like a dozen people recommend more of his books to me. Gotta have them all!
December 24, 2018
So this is a situation I've found myself in too many times to count. My good friend Sadie will read a book and then gush about it and tell me that I need it. I will then buy the book, read it, and totally agree with her. Rinse and repeat. Sadie knows me, and she knows exactly what kinds of books will resonate with me. Essentially because we love the same books and think alike to the point that we are practically the same person.
The First One you Expect is a firecracker of a horror novella that just continues to pick up momentum until the ending. That ending! But first, how we get there. Tony is a low-budget horror film maker. Actually he's probably whatever level is one below low-budget. He makes slasher flicks with his alcoholic buddy Burt in Burt's skeezy basement when the pair aren't working at the local grocery store. Both of them are totally unlikable losers who hire desperate women off of Craigslist to star as topless victims in their movies. Did I mention that Tony still lives in his parent's basement? You get the idea.
One day a gorgeous and wholesome looking girl named Anna shows up as a new cashier at the grocery, and weirdly she's into Tony's work. This is where the red flags start going off. She wants to star in Tony's next movie, and she has all the details planned out, something that Tony isn't used to at all, but he's willing to relinquish that power for his sexy new villain. At least initially.
If I say anymore I'm headed into spoiler territory, and I never want to do that. This is a short novella with a whole lot of story packed between the pages. Once Anna shows up the story seems to take on a life of its own, and the reader just gets swept up in it. The rest is a totally unexpected horror lover's delight. So this is the part where I tell you. You need this one.
The First One you Expect is a firecracker of a horror novella that just continues to pick up momentum until the ending. That ending! But first, how we get there. Tony is a low-budget horror film maker. Actually he's probably whatever level is one below low-budget. He makes slasher flicks with his alcoholic buddy Burt in Burt's skeezy basement when the pair aren't working at the local grocery store. Both of them are totally unlikable losers who hire desperate women off of Craigslist to star as topless victims in their movies. Did I mention that Tony still lives in his parent's basement? You get the idea.
One day a gorgeous and wholesome looking girl named Anna shows up as a new cashier at the grocery, and weirdly she's into Tony's work. This is where the red flags start going off. She wants to star in Tony's next movie, and she has all the details planned out, something that Tony isn't used to at all, but he's willing to relinquish that power for his sexy new villain. At least initially.
If I say anymore I'm headed into spoiler territory, and I never want to do that. This is a short novella with a whole lot of story packed between the pages. Once Anna shows up the story seems to take on a life of its own, and the reader just gets swept up in it. The rest is a totally unexpected horror lover's delight. So this is the part where I tell you. You need this one.
September 26, 2018
4.0 Stars
This was an incredibly dark novella narrated by a vulgar young man with a distinctive voice on the page. As a low budget film director, he has a passion for films that are much gritter and subversive than the mainstream horror films I watch. I had previously read some of the author's other stories like Video Night and Zero Lives Remaining, which are very different than this one. Cesare shows excellent range in his work and I would certainly recommend this stories to serious horror readers.
This was an incredibly dark novella narrated by a vulgar young man with a distinctive voice on the page. As a low budget film director, he has a passion for films that are much gritter and subversive than the mainstream horror films I watch. I had previously read some of the author's other stories like Video Night and Zero Lives Remaining, which are very different than this one. Cesare shows excellent range in his work and I would certainly recommend this stories to serious horror readers.
November 23, 2018
Look at me. The stuff I buy, the shit I've made. I'm the first one you expect.
First off, this is a really tough rating to give and one of those titles that makes me DESPERATELY wish Goodreads would implement a half-star rating system, because this is a 3.5-star read if I've ever seen one. It's too much fun to be a 3-star read, but I had too many issues with the narrator for it to quite make it to 4.
The First One You Expect follows Tony, an independent filmmaker who wants to make it big in the league of horror flicks, but hasn't quite caught his big break yet. When he meets the new girl at the local grocery store he works at and she expresses an interest in being his next film protagonist, he thinks he's struck gold, but something isn't quite right with her and things become messy very quickly.
It's a really fun, intriguing story that I think every horror film lover can appreciate. You can tell that Cesare knows his horror films, and he throws in all of these fun little references and remarks that are terribly enjoyable to sift through.
Unfortunately, I just really couldn't stand the narrator. He's awful, crude, and his attitude towards everyone around him is just gross. I get that he's intended to be this walking cliche of sorts—at least, I assume it's intentional—but it was too over the top and cringe-y for me. If it hadn't been for that, and the fact that the ending felt weird and anticlimactic to me, I think this would have received much higher marks from me.
That said, The First One You Expect is still a damn good time and I will happily be checking out more of Adam Cesare's work in the future!
April 23, 2015
Somewhat ironically given the title, I had little idea of what to expect from The First One You Expect. I only knew it was available as part of my latest run of Kindle Unlimited downloads, so I snatched it up without even reading a synopsis, because it was written by an author I've very much come to enjoy, Adam Cesare.
The short version of this 77 page novella is that it's an exceedingly well-written and engaging tale about the writer-director of a bunch of zero-budget, gore-based horror films meeting someone who effectively changes the way he does business. Cesare has either done his research, made these types of films, or hung around people who have, because he really nails the nuances of some of the aspects attached to this type of work. I should know: I've made a couple of terrible, zero budget films. (Though they weren't horror as much as they were generic Tarantino/urban crime thriller knock-offs. Did I mention they were terrible?)
Anyway, this would have been a fantastic novella were it not for a major plot point mid-way through I had trouble believing - but will not divulge for fear of spoiling something that is nevertheless very interesting - and the fact that this is quite similar to another of Cesare's works, Tribesmen. The latter I can forgive as the sub-genres Cesare is playing with are so different, but the former issue really did stick in my craw.
Still, if you can get past this element, there's a clever story to be found within the pages of The First One You Expect that mixes themes of obsession and greed to good effect. It also has a killer final line that really hammers everything home.
3.5 to 4 Directors yelling "CUT!" for The First One You Expect.
The short version of this 77 page novella is that it's an exceedingly well-written and engaging tale about the writer-director of a bunch of zero-budget, gore-based horror films meeting someone who effectively changes the way he does business. Cesare has either done his research, made these types of films, or hung around people who have, because he really nails the nuances of some of the aspects attached to this type of work. I should know: I've made a couple of terrible, zero budget films. (Though they weren't horror as much as they were generic Tarantino/urban crime thriller knock-offs. Did I mention they were terrible?)
Anyway, this would have been a fantastic novella were it not for a major plot point mid-way through I had trouble believing - but will not divulge for fear of spoiling something that is nevertheless very interesting - and the fact that this is quite similar to another of Cesare's works, Tribesmen. The latter I can forgive as the sub-genres Cesare is playing with are so different, but the former issue really did stick in my craw.
Still, if you can get past this element, there's a clever story to be found within the pages of The First One You Expect that mixes themes of obsession and greed to good effect. It also has a killer final line that really hammers everything home.
3.5 to 4 Directors yelling "CUT!" for The First One You Expect.
February 24, 2015
My first experience with this author was Tribesmen and I thought it was great. One of those rules for authors is to write what you know - This dude knows film. He knows horror. He melds the two nicely in his writing. This is my second read from him and, unfortunately, it was remarkably similar to the first. I still give kudos to "write what you know" but this novella seemed like a different version of the same idea.
In both of these books, the premise is basically the same. I can't tell if this is spoiler or summary for either book but:
The author brought me into it when I read the first book. It was a little crazy but it was also campy, fun, and witty. Right now, I feel like I just read a different version of the same thing. The particular thing that killed me at the 40%ish area regarding our protagonist is that (HUGE FUCKING SPOILER)
We didn't even get a deux ex whateveryoucallit.
This ruined it for me. Video Night was next on my list but the title alone suggests I may end up reading the same thing for a third time. I haven't made a call on that one yet. Tribesmen was a blast. I'm somewhere in the middle on this one.
In both of these books, the premise is basically the same. I can't tell if this is spoiler or summary for either book but:
The author brought me into it when I read the first book. It was a little crazy but it was also campy, fun, and witty. Right now, I feel like I just read a different version of the same thing. The particular thing that killed me at the 40%ish area regarding our protagonist is that (HUGE FUCKING SPOILER)
We didn't even get a deux ex whateveryoucallit.
This ruined it for me. Video Night was next on my list but the title alone suggests I may end up reading the same thing for a third time. I haven't made a call on that one yet. Tribesmen was a blast. I'm somewhere in the middle on this one.
August 19, 2014
Tony films micro budget horror films in his best friends’ basement. When Tony and Burt meet Anna, she may be perfect to star in their new film and get them all the recognition they deserve. Move over Debaser, there is a new slasher in town, and her name is The Cat Killer, a beautiful, sexy and deadly new murderess on the scene. Roll camera.
This one seemed a little different from the other works I previously read from Mr. Cesare - Told in the first person narrative with a tongue-in-cheek story line that reminded me a little of Jeff Strand without the biting comedic commentary. Still, it was a fast paced and entertaining short novella, with some very interesting characters that I would have liked to get to know a bit more, perhaps, in a slightly longer format. I am looking forward to reading more from Adam and will remedy that very soon.
This one seemed a little different from the other works I previously read from Mr. Cesare - Told in the first person narrative with a tongue-in-cheek story line that reminded me a little of Jeff Strand without the biting comedic commentary. Still, it was a fast paced and entertaining short novella, with some very interesting characters that I would have liked to get to know a bit more, perhaps, in a slightly longer format. I am looking forward to reading more from Adam and will remedy that very soon.
November 2, 2015
"This story for me wasn’t just about horror or murder or someone seeking fame and fortune. It was about control and how one person can lose it and another gain it without the other realising it has happened. It’s about manipulation and how it can affect two different people searching for the same thing. It is extremely effective at getting this point across. Lives can change in the blink of an eye. Sometimes when they do, there is simply no going back. Sometimes, even though it isn’t, it just might be The First One You Expect."
See here for the full review:
The First One You Expect
See here for the full review:
The First One You Expect
October 17, 2024
3.5/5
I was enjoying this but then the story just ends.
I was enjoying this but then the story just ends.
February 19, 2018
Tony Anastos is a smug, smarmy, self-involved, low-budget indie horror filmmaker. He and his friend, Burt, make and release low-rent slasher flicks, but when they cross paths with Anna, a sexy minx with dreams of stardom, Tony is struck with a minor epiphany. Anna is his new star, and her glitz and glamour are going to catapult both of them into the big-time. She's his key to creating a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign to fund his next film, which will see Anna wow the gore-hounds as a cinema's new, preeminent, slasher villain.
As is the case with prior books from Adam Cesare, particularly Video Night and Con Season, the author's love and affection for the horror genre in all its many forms bleeds through the page. And as with Con Season, you get an authentic insider's feel for the material as Cesare, a former Boston University film student, guides reader's through the behind-the-scenes process of indie film-making. If you've read any of his prior material, or check in with his YouTube channel with any degree of regularity, then you know first-hand just how much a horror buff Cesare is. He knows his stuff and all the various levels of genre fandom, from the low-budget indie flick scene to the sprawling conventions.
All of this is, of course, on display in The First One You Expect, a quick, down-and-dirty horror novella about film-making and the price one may pay, willfully or otherwise, to reach their dreams. Tony's an odd-duck of a character, one that isn't really likable but who is at least depicted honestly. He's not a good guy, but possesses an unusual amount of self-awareness, even as he brushes aside whatever thin, shallow bits of morality remain. He does stupid things and makes plenty of bad decisions over and over again. While he worries about the long-term repercussions of these actions, it's usually not enough to stop him from dreaming big, even if these dreams only serve to dig him a deeper hole. Tony is really his own big bad in this story.
Anna makes a wonderful foil for Tony and Burt, and by book's end I found myself wishing this title were longer than its novella length simply to see more of Anna in action. Like Tony, I wanted to know more about her and get inside her head (an impossibility, as The First One You Expect is confined only to Tony's POV). You can sense a deep sea's worth of story surrounding Anna, even if the story is strictly about Tony's reactions to her. She's a great character, though, and her and Tony's burgeoning work relationship gives this book an edgy noir flavor that I appreciated.
Fun and compulsively readable, The First One You Expect kept me turning the pages, and Cesare's prose is deceptively easy writing that rapidly moves the story along. The ending caught me a bit off guard with its abruptness, and what I wouldn't give for a few more pages to spend in Tony's cynical and bloody world. This is a good one gang!
As is the case with prior books from Adam Cesare, particularly Video Night and Con Season, the author's love and affection for the horror genre in all its many forms bleeds through the page. And as with Con Season, you get an authentic insider's feel for the material as Cesare, a former Boston University film student, guides reader's through the behind-the-scenes process of indie film-making. If you've read any of his prior material, or check in with his YouTube channel with any degree of regularity, then you know first-hand just how much a horror buff Cesare is. He knows his stuff and all the various levels of genre fandom, from the low-budget indie flick scene to the sprawling conventions.
All of this is, of course, on display in The First One You Expect, a quick, down-and-dirty horror novella about film-making and the price one may pay, willfully or otherwise, to reach their dreams. Tony's an odd-duck of a character, one that isn't really likable but who is at least depicted honestly. He's not a good guy, but possesses an unusual amount of self-awareness, even as he brushes aside whatever thin, shallow bits of morality remain. He does stupid things and makes plenty of bad decisions over and over again. While he worries about the long-term repercussions of these actions, it's usually not enough to stop him from dreaming big, even if these dreams only serve to dig him a deeper hole. Tony is really his own big bad in this story.
Anna makes a wonderful foil for Tony and Burt, and by book's end I found myself wishing this title were longer than its novella length simply to see more of Anna in action. Like Tony, I wanted to know more about her and get inside her head (an impossibility, as The First One You Expect is confined only to Tony's POV). You can sense a deep sea's worth of story surrounding Anna, even if the story is strictly about Tony's reactions to her. She's a great character, though, and her and Tony's burgeoning work relationship gives this book an edgy noir flavor that I appreciated.
Fun and compulsively readable, The First One You Expect kept me turning the pages, and Cesare's prose is deceptively easy writing that rapidly moves the story along. The ending caught me a bit off guard with its abruptness, and what I wouldn't give for a few more pages to spend in Tony's cynical and bloody world. This is a good one gang!
June 7, 2014
I like reading younger writers; Those that are still fine tuning their art and hustling the genre magazines to find an audience. It is in these young authors that we find the real innovators, the ones that aren't afraid to stretch the boundaries. I have always kept my eyes open for the "new thing" in suspense and horror. What that "new thing" is I rarely know exactly but it is usually from the writer that is not afraid to break a few taboo minded eggs along the way. Yet it is also a writer steeped in the tradition and knows that real innovation is built on the foundations of the masters.
Adam Cesare seems to be one of those writers. His barely-a-novella (between 80 to 100 pages) The First One you Expect has the type of grittiness that you might find in a Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine But then there's that plot. The author not only gives us a modern plot steeped in the world of basement budget indie movie-making and Kickstarter campaigning but a plot that might send Mickey Spillane looking for a barf bag.
The plot centers around a wanna-be horror movie directer named Tony who lives with his mom and makes very low-budget, cheap effects films that caters to a small group of blood and gore aficionados. It's the on-the-edge group of movie makers and fans that seem not too far away from confusing fantasy with reality. in other words, "the first ones you expect". The cheapish videos feature his movie-making partner and friend Burt who played a serial killer called The Debaser. They muddle along fairly well between their passion and their day jobs until Tony meets Anna, a fame hungry wanna-be actress that holds a strange attraction to Tony and takes his movie making abilities to areas that he would rather not go. Anna is written with just the right amount of sexiness and craziness that we like her and are ready to see where the writer is taking her...and us. When we get to the middle of the novella, we find out. It may not be totally unexpected but Cesare writes it so wel we can't avoid having our nerves jerked around a bit and maybe seeing if Mickey Spillane left the barf bags in grabbing distance. It's a great scene. But it is so good that the aftermath feels a little tame and drags slightly. Tag on a too sudden ending and I end up thinking I read a fantastic half of a story. However, it is such a fantastic half that it manages to carry the tale and stay in my mind for a while to come.
The First One You Expect is a bit of a hybrid between suspense and horror. It also fits firmly into the splatter-punk sub-genre. Splatter-punk appears to be a niche that the author excels at based on this brief novel. Even with my reservations on the end, this was a fine introduction to an author who has the promise of unnerving readers for a long time in the future.
Adam Cesare seems to be one of those writers. His barely-a-novella (between 80 to 100 pages) The First One you Expect has the type of grittiness that you might find in a Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine But then there's that plot. The author not only gives us a modern plot steeped in the world of basement budget indie movie-making and Kickstarter campaigning but a plot that might send Mickey Spillane looking for a barf bag.
The plot centers around a wanna-be horror movie directer named Tony who lives with his mom and makes very low-budget, cheap effects films that caters to a small group of blood and gore aficionados. It's the on-the-edge group of movie makers and fans that seem not too far away from confusing fantasy with reality. in other words, "the first ones you expect". The cheapish videos feature his movie-making partner and friend Burt who played a serial killer called The Debaser. They muddle along fairly well between their passion and their day jobs until Tony meets Anna, a fame hungry wanna-be actress that holds a strange attraction to Tony and takes his movie making abilities to areas that he would rather not go. Anna is written with just the right amount of sexiness and craziness that we like her and are ready to see where the writer is taking her...and us. When we get to the middle of the novella, we find out. It may not be totally unexpected but Cesare writes it so wel we can't avoid having our nerves jerked around a bit and maybe seeing if Mickey Spillane left the barf bags in grabbing distance. It's a great scene. But it is so good that the aftermath feels a little tame and drags slightly. Tag on a too sudden ending and I end up thinking I read a fantastic half of a story. However, it is such a fantastic half that it manages to carry the tale and stay in my mind for a while to come.
The First One You Expect is a bit of a hybrid between suspense and horror. It also fits firmly into the splatter-punk sub-genre. Splatter-punk appears to be a niche that the author excels at based on this brief novel. Even with my reservations on the end, this was a fine introduction to an author who has the promise of unnerving readers for a long time in the future.
September 7, 2014
You'll occasionally hear one of your male friends complain about his crazy ex-girlfriend. I know I have. Well, it's safe to say that no matter how crazy those gals were, they got nothin' on Anna.
Okay, technically Anna is Tony's new production assistant, but let's not get bogged down in details, all right?
Ya see, Tony is an independent filmmaker, a connoisseur of super-underground, micro-budget, hyper-violent horror movies. As such, he's kind of catering to a niche market. A niche market that's barely heard of him, but that changes when Anna comes on board to help him with the online fundraiser. The fans love her. But as Tony's latest project picks up steam, things get weird. Like, oh my god I hired a psycho kind of weird.
Adam's offering of this psycho-thriller crackles with tension. I'm tempted to call it a roller coaster ride of horror, but it's more like poor Tony fell out of the proverbial tree house of horror and hit every branch on the way down. Despite the supremely bad choices Tony makes, his desire for recognition and validation outweighing instincts of self-preservation, Adam makes him sympathetic to a point, and as for Anna ... well, there is a certain attractive quality to her hidden under all that cray cray.
Okay, technically Anna is Tony's new production assistant, but let's not get bogged down in details, all right?
Ya see, Tony is an independent filmmaker, a connoisseur of super-underground, micro-budget, hyper-violent horror movies. As such, he's kind of catering to a niche market. A niche market that's barely heard of him, but that changes when Anna comes on board to help him with the online fundraiser. The fans love her. But as Tony's latest project picks up steam, things get weird. Like, oh my god I hired a psycho kind of weird.
Adam's offering of this psycho-thriller crackles with tension. I'm tempted to call it a roller coaster ride of horror, but it's more like poor Tony fell out of the proverbial tree house of horror and hit every branch on the way down. Despite the supremely bad choices Tony makes, his desire for recognition and validation outweighing instincts of self-preservation, Adam makes him sympathetic to a point, and as for Anna ... well, there is a certain attractive quality to her hidden under all that cray cray.
March 4, 2018
"Fame at any cost" - the underlying subtext of The First One You Expect (in my opinion).
Some people will do whatever it takes to get their face on TV and some people will go along for the ride, convincing themselves its all in the name of the bigger goal! This sums up the strange relationship between Anna and Tony in this fabulously horrific and tense novella by Adam Cesare.
This was my first Adam Cesare reading experience. I've been following his Youtube channel for a while, soaking up his book and movie reviews. This book popped up on my kindle unlimited recommended reads and so I gave it a shot. I'm now hooked on Cesare! A quick drive-by Cesare book haul on Amazon 2 days later and I now own 4 of his paperbacks that sit eagerly on top of my TBR.
The First One you Expect is classic horror, not just in terms of the gory detail but the horror of the human need to pursue fame at any cost. Something that is very real and present in today's society. Ok, not many people will go on a murdering rampage to achieve fame (though some sadly do) but people will literally do whatever it takes to achieve fame.
Here's my final note, any self-respecting horror fan should check out Adam Cesare and should buy his books. If you're on the fence, pondering the first step into the horror genre, you should check out his YouTube channel, there you will get an education and a fab intro into the genre itself.
Some people will do whatever it takes to get their face on TV and some people will go along for the ride, convincing themselves its all in the name of the bigger goal! This sums up the strange relationship between Anna and Tony in this fabulously horrific and tense novella by Adam Cesare.
This was my first Adam Cesare reading experience. I've been following his Youtube channel for a while, soaking up his book and movie reviews. This book popped up on my kindle unlimited recommended reads and so I gave it a shot. I'm now hooked on Cesare! A quick drive-by Cesare book haul on Amazon 2 days later and I now own 4 of his paperbacks that sit eagerly on top of my TBR.
The First One you Expect is classic horror, not just in terms of the gory detail but the horror of the human need to pursue fame at any cost. Something that is very real and present in today's society. Ok, not many people will go on a murdering rampage to achieve fame (though some sadly do) but people will literally do whatever it takes to achieve fame.
Here's my final note, any self-respecting horror fan should check out Adam Cesare and should buy his books. If you're on the fence, pondering the first step into the horror genre, you should check out his YouTube channel, there you will get an education and a fab intro into the genre itself.
December 11, 2018
This author’s name has been on my radar for a while. But then again I don’t read as much scary these days and my standards for it have come up to make me cautious about a lot of genre’s selections, especially the ones that lean toward the guts and gore. This one was brief enough to merit a sampling and turned out a pleasant (ok, that’s a really wrong word for the sort of story this was) surprise. I mean, yes, there are guts and gore, the book is about someone who makes microbudget slasher flicks with his best friend, finding sleazy girls for the action scenes. The guy also lives in his parents basement and works as a grocery store cashier (a 15 year career no less), subsisting on pizza and porn and gorror. This isn’t an upstanding young man you can cheer for, but then again neither is he a murderous psycho. He’s just the first one you’d expect to be. Which plays out pretty tragically when he actually meets one in real life. But very entertainingly. And the awesome thing about this novella is that the writing is actually good enough to sustain a bunch of morally and ethically challenged and completely unlikeable characters doing terrible things to each other, all presumably in the name of cinematic immortality. So it’s a fun story well done and a very entertaining way to spend 90 or so minutes. Not to mention a great introduction to the author. Recommended for genre fiends.
Want to read
January 28, 2016This is Copy V of 36 signed Numbered copies signed by Adam Cesare.
October 5, 2017
Vicious, clever, and rocket-paced, I raced through this novella in one sitting. Cesare knows the world of underground horror like the back of his hand, but uses it as background dressing for this tale of brutality and paranoia. This is Jim Thompson in an August Underground T-shirt!
September 11, 2020
Pretty enjoyable horror fun to read. I would say there's nothing much wrong with it but maybe there is as I am not fully satisfied. But like we all know nothing is perfect. So apart from that point of view it was really entertaining read for me...
Tony does micro film making job in his best friend's basement, though it was not enough for him to living. But the days go by somehow while all of a sudden he met a beautiful girl named Anna with whom he happened to cast in his horror film. Until the time came and Tony finally get to know the real identity of her...
The beginning was really cool and only because of that starting I found it much interesting to read. Have to say not totally happy with story but the novella ok enough or say fairly enough to entertain you. Recommended? Yes, why not!...
4 from me...
Tony does micro film making job in his best friend's basement, though it was not enough for him to living. But the days go by somehow while all of a sudden he met a beautiful girl named Anna with whom he happened to cast in his horror film. Until the time came and Tony finally get to know the real identity of her...
The beginning was really cool and only because of that starting I found it much interesting to read. Have to say not totally happy with story but the novella ok enough or say fairly enough to entertain you. Recommended? Yes, why not!...
4 from me...
February 4, 2014
Adam Cesare’s THE FIRST ONE YOU EXPECT is a tense slice of noir-infused horror, a microbudget slasher film-fueled dose of tension, anxiety, violence, and wicked consequences.
We follow a young film director and his friend who encounter a beautiful and dangerous girl who sets this story spinning into a nightmarish world that’ll keep you turning those pages until the credits roll. Cesare knows the world of low-budget horror, knows how to pull us into a story that seems to be happening right now, swirling with social media references, detail upon detail, and inner dialogue that sings, makes this book both believable and hard to put down. You'll want to read this one quick, probably won't have much of a choice. It'll haunt you.
If you're a horror fan who is looking for something that dissects and probes the dark side of the production of an extremely low-budget flick--using that as a premise (a damn good one, too), or a crime fiction reader looking for something dark and dirty, Cesare is sure to satisfy. And, the next time you find yourself clicking through some obscurely titled and tagged horror video on Youtube, find yourself watching some particularly gruesome scene, something that looks, feels so real--gets your blood pumping--you might think twice, might find yourself stepping away, turning on the lights, or taking a closer look as you try to wipe the blood from your hands. The blood does look real, yeah? Keep watching.
We follow a young film director and his friend who encounter a beautiful and dangerous girl who sets this story spinning into a nightmarish world that’ll keep you turning those pages until the credits roll. Cesare knows the world of low-budget horror, knows how to pull us into a story that seems to be happening right now, swirling with social media references, detail upon detail, and inner dialogue that sings, makes this book both believable and hard to put down. You'll want to read this one quick, probably won't have much of a choice. It'll haunt you.
If you're a horror fan who is looking for something that dissects and probes the dark side of the production of an extremely low-budget flick--using that as a premise (a damn good one, too), or a crime fiction reader looking for something dark and dirty, Cesare is sure to satisfy. And, the next time you find yourself clicking through some obscurely titled and tagged horror video on Youtube, find yourself watching some particularly gruesome scene, something that looks, feels so real--gets your blood pumping--you might think twice, might find yourself stepping away, turning on the lights, or taking a closer look as you try to wipe the blood from your hands. The blood does look real, yeah? Keep watching.
March 25, 2023
Book Blog | Bookstagram
This was… fine… ish.
First of all, the characters in this all suck. Like, they’re just gross people and the plot they functioned in wasn’t particularly clever enough to support characters this shitty. And the MC takes it even further, being not just unlikeable, but also an idiot.
It’s a short story, clocking in at just 77 pages, but I feel like 20 more pages of character depth could have really helped this be more robust psychologically. Like why would the MC be so cavalier about so much death - of people he knew and was close to no less? And Anna… why? Just, why? It’s like she was written to be the demented hot chick and no other qualities are explored. And the rest are unexplained.
This didn’t seem to have a direction or overall point. The why of it all was never clear to me, and for a horror novella, it was actually pretty light on horror – only one death is ever shown to the reader.
By the time you get to the ending, it felt like the author kind of got tired of writing this. And honestly, I got tired of reading it.
The vibe for this one:
⭐⭐½ | 2/5 stars rounded up
This was… fine… ish.
First of all, the characters in this all suck. Like, they’re just gross people and the plot they functioned in wasn’t particularly clever enough to support characters this shitty. And the MC takes it even further, being not just unlikeable, but also an idiot.
It’s a short story, clocking in at just 77 pages, but I feel like 20 more pages of character depth could have really helped this be more robust psychologically. Like why would the MC be so cavalier about so much death - of people he knew and was close to no less? And Anna… why? Just, why? It’s like she was written to be the demented hot chick and no other qualities are explored. And the rest are unexplained.
This didn’t seem to have a direction or overall point. The why of it all was never clear to me, and for a horror novella, it was actually pretty light on horror – only one death is ever shown to the reader.
By the time you get to the ending, it felt like the author kind of got tired of writing this. And honestly, I got tired of reading it.
The vibe for this one:
⭐⭐½ | 2/5 stars rounded up
September 5, 2016
During a certain shocking scene near the end of this book I muttered "Damn!" out loud. My exclamation surprised me and I looked around the room in embarrassment. Thankfully, none of my family members noticed and I kept reading until I reached the very end where I muttered "Wow!" to myself. No one heard that either.
I had a great time reading this book! It's fun, fast, and energetic. It also has a strange undertone of sadness, especially regarding the main character, and some exploration of assumptions that mainstream people may have regarding serious horror fans. I dug it. Hail Cesare!
I had a great time reading this book! It's fun, fast, and energetic. It also has a strange undertone of sadness, especially regarding the main character, and some exploration of assumptions that mainstream people may have regarding serious horror fans. I dug it. Hail Cesare!
July 28, 2025
2.75 💫
big adam fan but this was just alright.
big adam fan but this was just alright.
July 17, 2014
I didn't know what to expect from The First One You Expect when I started to read it. Turns out it was a really good book that spoke to me in a way. I grew up being a huge horror fan, renting all the good and bad from my local video store. Even in my twenties, my brother and I experimented with short horror films (but mostly stuck to playing heavy metal). And that is exactly who the main character, Tony Anastos, is in this novella. An independent film maker that makes horror movies with his best friend Burt, in Burt's basement. When a new girl starts working at the store Tony works he finds a new leading lady for his movies. Things get weird from there. I don't want to say anymore than that because it's a short book, but believe me, it's brutal.
I was that guy that watched horror movies all the time, and looked at Fright Rags t-shirts, and even went to conventions like the one Tony goes to at the end of the book. I felt like Cesare was telling a story about me or someone I knew. It's a great book that's billed as "weird crime", but I think is more straight up horror if you ask me. There are only human monsters here.
My only negative comment I would make is the ending is slightly disappointing. Basically, the last chapter is a summary of what becomes of the characters. This happened to them, this happened to me, the end. It could have easily been a little longer and dragged out the suspense as to what would become of Tony Anastos, but overall it didn't hurt the book, just left me wanting a bit more. I can't wait to read more from Adam Cesare and I hope to see more from him in the future.
I was that guy that watched horror movies all the time, and looked at Fright Rags t-shirts, and even went to conventions like the one Tony goes to at the end of the book. I felt like Cesare was telling a story about me or someone I knew. It's a great book that's billed as "weird crime", but I think is more straight up horror if you ask me. There are only human monsters here.
My only negative comment I would make is the ending is slightly disappointing. Basically, the last chapter is a summary of what becomes of the characters. This happened to them, this happened to me, the end. It could have easily been a little longer and dragged out the suspense as to what would become of Tony Anastos, but overall it didn't hurt the book, just left me wanting a bit more. I can't wait to read more from Adam Cesare and I hope to see more from him in the future.
March 24, 2019
As if I needed another reason to love the novella along comes this crazy story. I am a firm believer that it takes great talent and a deft hand to say all that needs to be said in 90 pages as opposed to 390 pages. Don't get me wrong, I love a big old novel as much as the next person but if you want a quick jolt, an adrenaline rush, a novella is the way to go. The First One You Expect did not disappoint. Adam Cesare jumped in on the very first page and it was quite evident if you were not ready to go, you were getting left behind.
I'm not going to recap the synopsis for you, in fact, I highly recommend not reading the synopsis beforehand. Go in blind, let this story drag you where it will. This story, oh boy, it had me cringing from page one. It was sleazy, it made my skin crawl at times but it was also funny albeit a dark, slightly demented humor but I chuckled nonetheless (there was a slight jab at our reverence for social media and how we are so quick to assign worth based on follower count. Or maybe I read too much into that part. I still laughed).
I thought Tony was a great protagonist. I hated him yet also kind of loved him. I was rooting for him to come out on top even though I had a nagging feeling that wouldn't be the case. At times I wanted to slap him and shake him out of his stupor but my heart also went out to him and wanted to give him a big hug. After making him take a shower of course because his definition of cleanliness and mine differ greatly.
This was my first foray into the writing and mind of Adam Cesare and I am intrigued. I am here for his wit and humor and horrors. I gotta have it.
I'm not going to recap the synopsis for you, in fact, I highly recommend not reading the synopsis beforehand. Go in blind, let this story drag you where it will. This story, oh boy, it had me cringing from page one. It was sleazy, it made my skin crawl at times but it was also funny albeit a dark, slightly demented humor but I chuckled nonetheless (there was a slight jab at our reverence for social media and how we are so quick to assign worth based on follower count. Or maybe I read too much into that part. I still laughed).
I thought Tony was a great protagonist. I hated him yet also kind of loved him. I was rooting for him to come out on top even though I had a nagging feeling that wouldn't be the case. At times I wanted to slap him and shake him out of his stupor but my heart also went out to him and wanted to give him a big hug. After making him take a shower of course because his definition of cleanliness and mine differ greatly.
This was my first foray into the writing and mind of Adam Cesare and I am intrigued. I am here for his wit and humor and horrors. I gotta have it.
October 1, 2016
This is my first experience reading a Adam Cesare book, and I will definitely be reading more. Although initially the story starts off about an independent micro budget filmmaker and his struggles to continue his hobby of sleazy slasher-type projects, as soon as he meets the character of Anna his world, and our, story kicks into high gear.
The behind the scenes details involving low budget filmmaking is very accurate and clearly the author or his friends has experience in this area. The less the reader knows about the story, the better. It really takes a delightfully dark turn and begins to pay rewarding dividends. The ending, however, felt too abrupt and I could have easily spent more time with these characters. Good horror recommendation for a highly enjoyable novella.
The behind the scenes details involving low budget filmmaking is very accurate and clearly the author or his friends has experience in this area. The less the reader knows about the story, the better. It really takes a delightfully dark turn and begins to pay rewarding dividends. The ending, however, felt too abrupt and I could have easily spent more time with these characters. Good horror recommendation for a highly enjoyable novella.
December 15, 2015
I was totally suckerpunched by this one!
This suspenseful, funny and clever page-turner grabs you from the throat and never lets go; the plot is crafted in a way that will leave you completely dumbfounded in the end.
The First One You Expect is about an independent horror film maker who meets a seemingly inoffensive young woman who will change his life in a way you never expect.
Adam Cesare keeps his novella beautifully paced from start to finish, and weaves very compelling characters that makes the reading experience a thrill ride.
READ
THIS
BOOK!
This suspenseful, funny and clever page-turner grabs you from the throat and never lets go; the plot is crafted in a way that will leave you completely dumbfounded in the end.
The First One You Expect is about an independent horror film maker who meets a seemingly inoffensive young woman who will change his life in a way you never expect.
Adam Cesare keeps his novella beautifully paced from start to finish, and weaves very compelling characters that makes the reading experience a thrill ride.
READ
THIS
BOOK!
April 29, 2014
Another highly enjoyable read for horror movie fans - it ended a little suddenly for me and left me feeling that there was more story in there but I guess we can put that down to me just wanting to spend more time in the world that Cesare's fiction inhabits, the world of the Goonies, Gremlins and Re-Animator. The world of my childhood, in other words :)
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