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Blood and Rain
The light of a full moon reveals many secrets.
Gilson Creek, Maine. A safe, rural community. Summer is here. School is out and the warm waters of Emerson Lake await. But one man’s terrible secret will unleash a nightmare straight off the silver screen. Under the full moon, a night of terror and death re-awakens horrors long sleeping.
Sheriff Joe Fischer, a man fighting for the safety of his daughter, his sanity and his community, must confront the sins of his past. Can Sheriff Fischer set Gilson Creek free from the beast hiding in its shadows, or will a small town die under a curse it can’t even comprehend?
One night can—and will—change everything.
Gilson Creek, Maine. A safe, rural community. Summer is here. School is out and the warm waters of Emerson Lake await. But one man’s terrible secret will unleash a nightmare straight off the silver screen. Under the full moon, a night of terror and death re-awakens horrors long sleeping.
Sheriff Joe Fischer, a man fighting for the safety of his daughter, his sanity and his community, must confront the sins of his past. Can Sheriff Fischer set Gilson Creek free from the beast hiding in its shadows, or will a small town die under a curse it can’t even comprehend?
One night can—and will—change everything.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2015
About the author
Glenn Rolfe
68 books541 followersGlenn Rolfe is an author, singer, and songwriter from the haunted woods of New England. He studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Jack Ketchum, Richard Laymon, and many others. He has four children, Ruby, Ramona, Axl, and Rivers. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.
He is the author of Nocturnal Pursuits, August's Eyes, Until Summer Comes Around, The Window, Becoming, Blood and Rain, The Haunted Halls, Chasing Ghosts, Boom Town, Abram's Bridge, Things We Fear, Land of Bones, and Slush.
He is hard at work on many more. Stay tuned!
"With slashing claws and blood-soaked fur, Glenn Rolfe's novel will have you howling in terror and delight. A welcome addition to the werewolf mythos and proof that we're in the presence of a rising star in the genre. Highly recommended!" - Ronald Malfi, author of December Park
"(Rolfe) takes his writing cues from Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, with some haunts thrown in via the eerie style of Ronald Malfi." - Oh, For the Hook of a Book
"Glenn Rolfe runs at the front of the pack with the best of today's emerging horror authors." - Terry M. West, author of Heroin in the Magic Now
"Rolfe weaves a wonderful tale of big, bad things happening to a small, good town. A sure winner!" - Hunter Shea, author of The Mantauk Monster - (on Boom Town)
He is the author of Nocturnal Pursuits, August's Eyes, Until Summer Comes Around, The Window, Becoming, Blood and Rain, The Haunted Halls, Chasing Ghosts, Boom Town, Abram's Bridge, Things We Fear, Land of Bones, and Slush.
He is hard at work on many more. Stay tuned!
"With slashing claws and blood-soaked fur, Glenn Rolfe's novel will have you howling in terror and delight. A welcome addition to the werewolf mythos and proof that we're in the presence of a rising star in the genre. Highly recommended!" - Ronald Malfi, author of December Park
"(Rolfe) takes his writing cues from Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, with some haunts thrown in via the eerie style of Ronald Malfi." - Oh, For the Hook of a Book
"Glenn Rolfe runs at the front of the pack with the best of today's emerging horror authors." - Terry M. West, author of Heroin in the Magic Now
"Rolfe weaves a wonderful tale of big, bad things happening to a small, good town. A sure winner!" - Hunter Shea, author of The Mantauk Monster - (on Boom Town)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 24, 2020
4.5 stars
I read this book with my Horror Group, Horror Aficionados! Thank you to my wonderful friends over there for bringing me along for the ride. Thank you to Latasha for letting me borrow the book. I will be buying my own copy.
This book was like the old school werewolf movies and stories! It was bloody, brutal, sexy and hopeful. The characters were dead on and I loved them, the good and the bad. Okay, so the bad peeps can suck it but I digress.....
Recommend to all horror fans!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
I read this book with my Horror Group, Horror Aficionados! Thank you to my wonderful friends over there for bringing me along for the ride. Thank you to Latasha for letting me borrow the book. I will be buying my own copy.
This book was like the old school werewolf movies and stories! It was bloody, brutal, sexy and hopeful. The characters were dead on and I loved them, the good and the bad. Okay, so the bad peeps can suck it but I digress.....
Recommend to all horror fans!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
October 31, 2021
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to rate this a 3 or 4/5. Because of the quality of the writing and complexity of the story, I rounded up for effort. So this was very, very traditional werewolf fare. Nothing new here, and it chose to stay within the already set boundaries of this subgenre. Much like with zombies and vampires, I have grown painfully bored of the same things being done like this. I like to see new concepts and ideas, woven into unique stories and characters. Or at least answer the burning question I have about werewolves…where does all their hair go when they change back into humans?!?! Have you ever read about someone finding a massive mound of wolf hair? Or maybe the human skin regrows, making the hair recede? I need answers! Ok, rant over. So I really tried my best to stick with the story and characters here, but there was way too much being crammed into such a short book. I kept feeling like the author was writing the content for himself and not so much for the reader, and that’s why it was so hard to follow. I kept having to flip back and forth to remember who and what everyone was about, and it greatly affected my reading pace, and subsequent interest. As I’m seeing with more and more authors lately, they are over complicating their books and it’s hurting the quality. Keep the premise simple, with less characters, but really spend your efforts to fully develop those basics! I also felt that certain aspects seemed overly detailed (Like the sex scene with the teenagers), while other, more important portions (Ending) felt very abbreviated. I am not the biggest fan of open endings, however, if done a certain way, can absolutely peak my curiosity to read more from an author. Not the case here. So all in all, while I didn’t totally dislike this book, I also didn’t enjoy much about it either.
July 2, 2023
Yes! I’m giving this five stars!
The town of Gilson Creek has a werewolf problem. Sheriff Joe Fischer and his team of deputies have been working overtime trying to catch the killer.
Is it an animal? What kind of animal? A dog? A wolf? A human?
This werewolf is filled with anger and hatred and it’s on a rampage. The werewolf is having a fantastic time killing and maiming everyone it comes into contact with.
I’m loving it.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The town of Gilson Creek has a werewolf problem. Sheriff Joe Fischer and his team of deputies have been working overtime trying to catch the killer.
Is it an animal? What kind of animal? A dog? A wolf? A human?
This werewolf is filled with anger and hatred and it’s on a rampage. The werewolf is having a fantastic time killing and maiming everyone it comes into contact with.
I’m loving it.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 12, 2023
Second Time Around For This Amazing Book!
Small backstory:
Place: Gilson Creek, Maine
Someone that resides in the town has a horrific secret that they are hiding and when it is unleashed all hell breaks loose! Cannot go into too much detail because of spoilers, so will just give you all my thoughts on the book itself.
Thoughts:
This book takes off from the first chapter as there is some action right away with lots of blood and gore. From the first chapter forward through the rest of the book it is basically non-stop action and bodies being tossed, ripped, and gored!
This was a classic werewolf story and for my second time around with this story the author, Glenn Rolfe keeps the story moving at a very fast pace hardly giving the reader time to breath or take a breath as the "fur action" is constant through much of the book. This book would also make a great movie and it would be cool to see it brought to life on the big screen!
So if you are in the mood for some werewolf action and you are looking for something that will make your pulse pound with your heart racing at a high speed, then look no further than this book as you will find everything you seek within these pages! Keeping this book at five "Rip-Roaring Fur Action" stars!
Note: Read this book for a featured author read over in the Castle Terror group with the author and a few buddies. :)
Small backstory:
Place: Gilson Creek, Maine
Someone that resides in the town has a horrific secret that they are hiding and when it is unleashed all hell breaks loose! Cannot go into too much detail because of spoilers, so will just give you all my thoughts on the book itself.
Thoughts:
This book takes off from the first chapter as there is some action right away with lots of blood and gore. From the first chapter forward through the rest of the book it is basically non-stop action and bodies being tossed, ripped, and gored!
This was a classic werewolf story and for my second time around with this story the author, Glenn Rolfe keeps the story moving at a very fast pace hardly giving the reader time to breath or take a breath as the "fur action" is constant through much of the book. This book would also make a great movie and it would be cool to see it brought to life on the big screen!
So if you are in the mood for some werewolf action and you are looking for something that will make your pulse pound with your heart racing at a high speed, then look no further than this book as you will find everything you seek within these pages! Keeping this book at five "Rip-Roaring Fur Action" stars!
Note: Read this book for a featured author read over in the Castle Terror group with the author and a few buddies. :)
September 21, 2015
3.5 stars!
Who doesn't enjoy a good werewolf tale once in a while? Fall is the perfect time to read this short novel about evil in a small town, under a full moon.
Gilson's Creek was troubled in the past by the Full Moon Killer. Now it's troubled by more crimes. Is this a return of the same killer or something else entirely? You would need to read Blood and Rain to find out!
I found that the pacing was very slow during the first third of the book. After that though, it picked up so much that I read the rest of the book all in the same day. The character development left a little to be desired. At first, I was mixing them up, but it all did become clearer as the story progressed. I felt that the best writing was to be found in the middle-to the end-of the novel where the
This is the second story of Rolfe's that I've read. I think this tale shows improvement: in his descriptions and in the quality of his writing. For those reasons, I will continue to keep Glenn Rolfe on my reading radar. He's coming into his own and I want to be there when he arrives.
Recommended for fans of werewolf tales, and for those who love the "evil in a small town" theme!
*A free copy of this novel was provided to me by Mr. Rolfe, in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
Who doesn't enjoy a good werewolf tale once in a while? Fall is the perfect time to read this short novel about evil in a small town, under a full moon.
Gilson's Creek was troubled in the past by the Full Moon Killer. Now it's troubled by more crimes. Is this a return of the same killer or something else entirely? You would need to read Blood and Rain to find out!
I found that the pacing was very slow during the first third of the book. After that though, it picked up so much that I read the rest of the book all in the same day. The character development left a little to be desired. At first, I was mixing them up, but it all did become clearer as the story progressed. I felt that the best writing was to be found in the middle-to the end-of the novel where the
This is the second story of Rolfe's that I've read. I think this tale shows improvement: in his descriptions and in the quality of his writing. For those reasons, I will continue to keep Glenn Rolfe on my reading radar. He's coming into his own and I want to be there when he arrives.
Recommended for fans of werewolf tales, and for those who love the "evil in a small town" theme!
*A free copy of this novel was provided to me by Mr. Rolfe, in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
June 27, 2020
I love creature features, and as werewolf stories go, this one is excellent. It's action-filled, believable, easy-to-read and filled with great characters. I loved the old-school feel to it, making it feel like a classic tale that's been around for ages. I also loved all the 80's horror and movie references, which made it feel like home. I heard someone say that there may be a sequel at some point in the future, and I'd definitely be grabbing that if so. 4.5/5.0 stars for awesome creature feature fun!
October 20, 2021
What can I say? I loooove creepy crawlies, especially in Spooktober and nowadays, good creature features are rare! This, I'm happy to report, was fantastic!
We are in a small town in Maine (near Bangor so we got plenty of Stephen King references *lol*). Seven years ago, there were a number of gruesome murders that were chalked up to "animal attacks". Well ... part of that is true, I guess. *cackles*
The then sheriff retired, handing responsibility to his then-deputy. Both know what really happened and that they can't just go and tell people. But despite the fact that people would probably want them locked up if they did, the town folks also relish in weird-ass theories as to what could have really killed people.
Now, an out-of-towner has been killed and that is only the start. Because the beast is back and it wants vengeance - which puts the sheriff, his daughter and a host of other people at risk.
The story usually is simple. This one is as well. We also knew almost right away who the werewolf was. But it's not about that. It's about getting to know the town and its inhabitants, liking or hating them, rooting for them or wishing they'd die screaming. There are young ones and old ones, a stereotypical town drunk and more.
What I REALLY enjoyed was that we got to see the fading human side of the werewolf and also its utter depravity. Because pop-culture has made little puppies out of them just like it has made sparkling jokes out of vamps. Not in my town, gringo! No, I like them horrific and depraved and that is what we got from this furry guy.
The writing was fast.paced, full of up-to-date cultural references which made this very relatable, the people were stereotypical but fun, the action was breathtaking and - above all else - there was a delicious amount of blood and gore. Just the way it's supposed to be.
So much fun! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys creature features in atmospheric bad weather during (though not just during) a full moon. *howls*
August 17, 2020
This was the first book that I've read by Glenn Rolfe and it won't be the last!
Blood and Rain is a fun and gory creature feature that felt like it was set in the 80s. It wasn't really set during that time but had the old school vibe of a monster terrorizing a town. I loved watching those types of movies while growing up. They were so much fun and stressful!
Gilson Creek, Maine has had some unusual and tragic deaths over the years. The community of Gilson Creek assume it's either a bear or mountain lion that has ravaged some of the people in the town.
And Sheriff Joe Fischer isn't about to tell them any different.
One night during a full moon, the terror and deaths start all over again and Sheriff Fischer must fight and face this deadly foe again.
Blood and Rain has gory deaths, lots of action and an epic ending of good vs evil under a full and bloody moon.
The beginning of the book has tons of characters and it took me some time to get them all down.
Hang in there because all of the characters of Gilson Creek will come together and you'll know who's who.
Definitely recommend this entertaining creature feature to horror lovers and anyone that loves the supernatural!
Blood and Rain is a fun and gory creature feature that felt like it was set in the 80s. It wasn't really set during that time but had the old school vibe of a monster terrorizing a town. I loved watching those types of movies while growing up. They were so much fun and stressful!
Gilson Creek, Maine has had some unusual and tragic deaths over the years. The community of Gilson Creek assume it's either a bear or mountain lion that has ravaged some of the people in the town.
And Sheriff Joe Fischer isn't about to tell them any different.
One night during a full moon, the terror and deaths start all over again and Sheriff Fischer must fight and face this deadly foe again.
Blood and Rain has gory deaths, lots of action and an epic ending of good vs evil under a full and bloody moon.
The beginning of the book has tons of characters and it took me some time to get them all down.
Hang in there because all of the characters of Gilson Creek will come together and you'll know who's who.
Definitely recommend this entertaining creature feature to horror lovers and anyone that loves the supernatural!
August 10, 2021
I just finished reading Glenn Rolfe’s Blood and Rain and it blew me away. Right from the start it had me hooked. Something is killing off the residents of Gilson Creek, Maine in horrific and graphic ways and always when the moon is full.
A classic werewolf story that will keep you guessing who’s going to get it next. All characters are fair game. I found this book to be a real page turner and look forward to reading more of Glenn’s books in the future.
A classic werewolf story that will keep you guessing who’s going to get it next. All characters are fair game. I found this book to be a real page turner and look forward to reading more of Glenn’s books in the future.
October 21, 2021
Perfect for werewolf fans. Updated, gory, small-town horror, desperate antics. Oh, yeah, and horny teens, beleaguered lawmen, and silver bullets.
It really ticks off all the expected elements, pulls off great pacing, and makes me think of all the other classics of the genre. Stephen King, especially. And it shows. Hello, Bangor, Maine. :)
It was very enjoyable, scratching all those nostalgia hackles, and it made me howl at the moon.
It really ticks off all the expected elements, pulls off great pacing, and makes me think of all the other classics of the genre. Stephen King, especially. And it shows. Hello, Bangor, Maine. :)
It was very enjoyable, scratching all those nostalgia hackles, and it made me howl at the moon.
September 6, 2019
Vote: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Regardless of what Kimball had to say, the three bodies they had found in the last twenty-four hours meant one thing. They had another month before the next ones showed up.
80s werewolf creature-feature meets small town summer horror genre in a brutal (first killing with the monster ripping off a face reminded me a lot the one in Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf) and action-packed homage to both genres, well written and filled with nice pop-culture references and gory scenes.
Sadly there were too many characters lacking fleshing and I really would have liked much more backstory about Sheriff Joe Fisher, Mel and Sonya.
Besides that this is a very good horror tale if you are into bloodthirsty werewolves (stay away from here if you are a fan of supernatural romance love triangles with sparkly vamps, you've be warned), and I liked a lot the creepy atmosphere that I breathed in Gilson Creek (the graveyard scene was a spooky one), just not loved it.
October 20, 2021
(Edit: Highlights finally updates. Thanks to the author for including humor and terror. We like a mix!)
This was very a very well written debut novel, though it didn’t seem like a debut, about a good ole-fashioned werewolf on a killing-spree. There are lots of fun bits in it for horror enthusiasts and fans of the genre. I especially liked how Glenn described the shifter change noting the marked differences in the first shift and later shifts. You could almost feel it. That was very well written.
It’s amazing what you can fail to notice about your own best friend. Also, amazing what you will excuse too, right? Are they really just tired or is something really wrong with them. I’m gonna think twice. There are quite a few characters, but remember you are reading a werewolf book. The good ole fashioned kind that means anyone could get taken out and /or eaten at liberty.
Remember to take your Wolfie Tums after the change.
This was a BR with HA and it was fun. I hope there is another soon.
This was very a very well written debut novel, though it didn’t seem like a debut, about a good ole-fashioned werewolf on a killing-spree. There are lots of fun bits in it for horror enthusiasts and fans of the genre. I especially liked how Glenn described the shifter change noting the marked differences in the first shift and later shifts. You could almost feel it. That was very well written.
It’s amazing what you can fail to notice about your own best friend. Also, amazing what you will excuse too, right? Are they really just tired or is something really wrong with them. I’m gonna think twice. There are quite a few characters, but remember you are reading a werewolf book. The good ole fashioned kind that means anyone could get taken out and /or eaten at liberty.
Remember to take your Wolfie Tums after the change.
This was a BR with HA and it was fun. I hope there is another soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2015
Review copy
Glenn Rolfe is still a relative newcomer to writing horror, but he's definitely a name worthy of your attention. In addition to a number of short stories, Glenn has already had a couple of novella's published, the ghost story Abram's Bridge and a tale of alien slime called, Boom Town.
In Blood and Rain he turns his attention to the classic werewolf story. Rolfe is not breaking any new ground with this story and that's OK, what he does give us is a pure tale of terror in an otherwise quiet Maine town.
The opening for the book sets the readers expectations and then Glenn does a very good job of delivering the goods.
"The light of a full moon reveals many secrets.
Gilson Creek, Maine. A safe, rural community. Summer is here. School is out and the warm waters of Emerson Lake await. But one man’s terrible secret will unleash a nightmare straight off the silver screen.
Under the full moon, a night of terror and death re-awakens horrors long sleeping. Sheriff Joe Fischer, a man fighting for the safety of his daughter, his sanity and his community, must confront the sins of his past. Can Sheriff Fischer set Gilson Creek free from the beast hiding in its shadows, or will a small town die under a curse it can’t even comprehend?
One night can—and will—change everything."
There are a number of well-developed characters in Blood and Rain. One of my favorites is Nick Bruce who works for a rag similar in concept to the old Weekly World News and listens to Art Bell reruns on a local AM radio station. Any horror story that mentions Art Bell automatically scores points with me.
And there are plenty of visceral images, too. For example.
"Crimson covered the dashboard and the police detector gadget attached to it, the stereo console, the steering wheel and the seats. Even the cup holders were filled with pools of dark fluid. The bodies were worse. Only the lower halves of the two people remained inside of the vehicle. The lap bands of the seat belts were engaged, securely holding the bottoms of both bodies in place."
Blood and Rain gives the reader exactly what you would expect from a solid werewolf story and is available now in both paperback and e-book formats from Samhain Horror.
Recommended.
Glenn Rolfe is still a relative newcomer to writing horror, but he's definitely a name worthy of your attention. In addition to a number of short stories, Glenn has already had a couple of novella's published, the ghost story Abram's Bridge and a tale of alien slime called, Boom Town.
In Blood and Rain he turns his attention to the classic werewolf story. Rolfe is not breaking any new ground with this story and that's OK, what he does give us is a pure tale of terror in an otherwise quiet Maine town.
The opening for the book sets the readers expectations and then Glenn does a very good job of delivering the goods.
"The light of a full moon reveals many secrets.
Gilson Creek, Maine. A safe, rural community. Summer is here. School is out and the warm waters of Emerson Lake await. But one man’s terrible secret will unleash a nightmare straight off the silver screen.
Under the full moon, a night of terror and death re-awakens horrors long sleeping. Sheriff Joe Fischer, a man fighting for the safety of his daughter, his sanity and his community, must confront the sins of his past. Can Sheriff Fischer set Gilson Creek free from the beast hiding in its shadows, or will a small town die under a curse it can’t even comprehend?
One night can—and will—change everything."
There are a number of well-developed characters in Blood and Rain. One of my favorites is Nick Bruce who works for a rag similar in concept to the old Weekly World News and listens to Art Bell reruns on a local AM radio station. Any horror story that mentions Art Bell automatically scores points with me.
And there are plenty of visceral images, too. For example.
"Crimson covered the dashboard and the police detector gadget attached to it, the stereo console, the steering wheel and the seats. Even the cup holders were filled with pools of dark fluid. The bodies were worse. Only the lower halves of the two people remained inside of the vehicle. The lap bands of the seat belts were engaged, securely holding the bottoms of both bodies in place."
Blood and Rain gives the reader exactly what you would expect from a solid werewolf story and is available now in both paperback and e-book formats from Samhain Horror.
Recommended.
June 30, 2020
What a read! This book starts off with some bloody action and never lets up. There's something or someone killing the residents of Gilson Creek. But only during the full moon. The sherrif knows what it is but doesn't want to admit it. We get to know many of the people in the town as the next full moon approaches. Will the police be able to stop the monster in time? You will just have to read the book to find out. This book reads like a fun, classic werewolf movie. The writing is great. There's plenty of action and I really did care what happened to these characters.
I read this with a group of people in the group Horror Aficionados on Goodreads. Thank you to everyone who participated in the buddy read. It was so much fun!
I read this with a group of people in the group Horror Aficionados on Goodreads. Thank you to everyone who participated in the buddy read. It was so much fun!
July 28, 2015
Glenn Rolfe must be part human, part machine, because he seems to release a new book every quarter or so. Blood and Rain is the fourth book of his I’ve read in the last 10 months, and the author bibliography section here lists that he has two more coming soon. How he finds the time – given the large family his bio mentions – I do not know.
But I do know what I like; and I like Blood and Rain.
Rolfe again sets his story in small-town America, but he this time unleashes a supernatural fury on said town in the form of a particularly savage werewolf. Sheriff Joe Fischer instantly suspects what is stalking his town as he took one down some eight years previously, so when three brutal slayings disrupt his quiet town on the night of a full moon, he knows he has a month to find the culprit before much worse takes place. During that month, the rest of the town of Gilson Creek is fleshed out, as everyone from the Joe’s daughter to the DJ with vengeance on his mind become point of view characters. Some are fairly stereotypical and may as well have the word FODDER carved into their brow, but others are memorable and even sympathetic. Deputy Randy Hines was one such character for me. He started out as just another name, but by the last quarter of the novel, I found myself hoping he would be more than large dog food.
Which is to say the novel takes its time through these early character-building sections, and in so doing, displays Rolfe’s growth as an author, as most are allowed to live and breathe and become identifiable … before the full horror of the werewolf in their midst is unleashed.
And make no mistake: These werewolves are not interested in beautiful, unavailable women – unless it is to eviscerate them after defiling their bodies. So in this sense, Blood and Rain not only lives up to its title but is a faithful return to the werewolf lore of old. It’s also gory in sections, so expect more than just a passing mention of claw marks or angry welts. Rolfe’s werewolves revel in the damage, death and dismemberment they wreak – an aspect of the novel I very much enjoyed. He also takes the time to chart a regular person turning into a werewolf and details how he transitions from being a decent guy to a bloodthirsty killer. Which is also to say these wolves are not just hunting for food. Instead, they revel in their kills.
Once the final stage is set, the last third of this novel fairly raced by for me. It’s been quite some time since I picked up a book to read in every spare minute, but I did so with Blood and Rain, wanting to know how it all played out and who would survive. And that, for me, is the sign of a quality book.
The long and short of it is Blood and Rain is the best werewolf novel I’ve read since Jeff Strand’s Wolf Hunt. Aside from some overly stereotypical characters, it skillfully weaves the tale of a man who is literally fighting the demons from his past, while said demons decimate the town he is desperately trying to save. Brutal, tension-fuelled and captivating, Blood and Rain is the strongest indicator yet that Rolfe is an author who could one day hold his own with the big names in the horror genre.
4.5 Torn Off Appendages for Blood and Rain.
An eARC was received from the author in an exchange for an honest review - which you have now read.
But I do know what I like; and I like Blood and Rain.
Rolfe again sets his story in small-town America, but he this time unleashes a supernatural fury on said town in the form of a particularly savage werewolf. Sheriff Joe Fischer instantly suspects what is stalking his town as he took one down some eight years previously, so when three brutal slayings disrupt his quiet town on the night of a full moon, he knows he has a month to find the culprit before much worse takes place. During that month, the rest of the town of Gilson Creek is fleshed out, as everyone from the Joe’s daughter to the DJ with vengeance on his mind become point of view characters. Some are fairly stereotypical and may as well have the word FODDER carved into their brow, but others are memorable and even sympathetic. Deputy Randy Hines was one such character for me. He started out as just another name, but by the last quarter of the novel, I found myself hoping he would be more than large dog food.
Which is to say the novel takes its time through these early character-building sections, and in so doing, displays Rolfe’s growth as an author, as most are allowed to live and breathe and become identifiable … before the full horror of the werewolf in their midst is unleashed.
And make no mistake: These werewolves are not interested in beautiful, unavailable women – unless it is to eviscerate them after defiling their bodies. So in this sense, Blood and Rain not only lives up to its title but is a faithful return to the werewolf lore of old. It’s also gory in sections, so expect more than just a passing mention of claw marks or angry welts. Rolfe’s werewolves revel in the damage, death and dismemberment they wreak – an aspect of the novel I very much enjoyed. He also takes the time to chart a regular person turning into a werewolf and details how he transitions from being a decent guy to a bloodthirsty killer. Which is also to say these wolves are not just hunting for food. Instead, they revel in their kills.
Once the final stage is set, the last third of this novel fairly raced by for me. It’s been quite some time since I picked up a book to read in every spare minute, but I did so with Blood and Rain, wanting to know how it all played out and who would survive. And that, for me, is the sign of a quality book.
The long and short of it is Blood and Rain is the best werewolf novel I’ve read since Jeff Strand’s Wolf Hunt. Aside from some overly stereotypical characters, it skillfully weaves the tale of a man who is literally fighting the demons from his past, while said demons decimate the town he is desperately trying to save. Brutal, tension-fuelled and captivating, Blood and Rain is the strongest indicator yet that Rolfe is an author who could one day hold his own with the big names in the horror genre.
4.5 Torn Off Appendages for Blood and Rain.
An eARC was received from the author in an exchange for an honest review - which you have now read.
September 11, 2015
I feel that you need to be prepared properly to enjoy Blood And Rain, the latest offering from the up-and-coming Glenn Rolfe. Glenn is yet another author from Maine to throw his hat into the horror genre ring. Now before you Stephen King purists out there yawn and let out a "Ho Hum", you need to check your ego at the door. While the state of Maine has given us horror addicts King, Ketchum and others, Rolfe proves that there must be something in the New England water that breeds creativity. Blood And Rain is a werewolf tale that is how werewolf tales are meant to be told. Fast, furious, and balls to the wall.
Gilson Creek, Maine is that kind of small town that we all know and love. Its familiar and comfortable, like we've been there before, maybe even lived someplace like it ourselves. It's slow paced, blue-collar and everyone knows each other. But not all has come up roses in this idyllic town's past. In 1997, a set of killings during a full moon cycle caused the residents to check their calendars and lock their doors everytime the moon is full. The sheriff at the time proclaimed it was from a wild animal attack, probably a mountain lion, even though a mountain lion hadn't been witnessed in those parts since 1936. Soon afterwards, he resigned as sheriff and promptly checked hiimself into a mental hospital amidst a breakdown. The deputy at the time, Joe Fischer, is now the new sheriff and a new batch of killings has started up again after all these years and wouldn't you know it - the moon happened to be full. Gilson Creek isn't unlike any other small town. They all have their secrets. But for Gilson Creek, their secret is back and its spilling blood. A lot of it.
Blood And Rain is not Charles Dickens. But Blood And Rain is a wild midnight ride with the lights off, your hair on fire, and the music cranked to 11 and should be viewed as such. Rolfe is new and it shows. This story has some warts - the pacing can be off a touch, you'll change POV without warning, but this book is fun. A real page turner. I flew though it at breakneck speed and its been a while since a book has captured me like this one. The blood is spilled by the gallons and the carnage is brutal. Rolfe's werewolves enjoy ripping limbs off. I've seen blurbs that compare him to Stephen King and Richard Laymon. I'd have to agree and disagree. Rolfe tells a tale that captures your attention like King without all of the wordiness. He also spills the red stuff like Laymon without the rediculous silly characters and dialogue. As you can probably tell, I'm now a fan. I think you will be too.
I received an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.
5 bloody appendages out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
Gilson Creek, Maine is that kind of small town that we all know and love. Its familiar and comfortable, like we've been there before, maybe even lived someplace like it ourselves. It's slow paced, blue-collar and everyone knows each other. But not all has come up roses in this idyllic town's past. In 1997, a set of killings during a full moon cycle caused the residents to check their calendars and lock their doors everytime the moon is full. The sheriff at the time proclaimed it was from a wild animal attack, probably a mountain lion, even though a mountain lion hadn't been witnessed in those parts since 1936. Soon afterwards, he resigned as sheriff and promptly checked hiimself into a mental hospital amidst a breakdown. The deputy at the time, Joe Fischer, is now the new sheriff and a new batch of killings has started up again after all these years and wouldn't you know it - the moon happened to be full. Gilson Creek isn't unlike any other small town. They all have their secrets. But for Gilson Creek, their secret is back and its spilling blood. A lot of it.
Blood And Rain is not Charles Dickens. But Blood And Rain is a wild midnight ride with the lights off, your hair on fire, and the music cranked to 11 and should be viewed as such. Rolfe is new and it shows. This story has some warts - the pacing can be off a touch, you'll change POV without warning, but this book is fun. A real page turner. I flew though it at breakneck speed and its been a while since a book has captured me like this one. The blood is spilled by the gallons and the carnage is brutal. Rolfe's werewolves enjoy ripping limbs off. I've seen blurbs that compare him to Stephen King and Richard Laymon. I'd have to agree and disagree. Rolfe tells a tale that captures your attention like King without all of the wordiness. He also spills the red stuff like Laymon without the rediculous silly characters and dialogue. As you can probably tell, I'm now a fan. I think you will be too.
I received an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.
5 bloody appendages out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
January 26, 2016
Samhain has produced some great horror, so I am always happy to pick up a book from the company. I read this one as part of a buddy read with the great mods over at Horror Aficionados here on Goodreads.
Glenn Rolfe is a fairly new author. I have not read his other works, but this one I enjoyed, and the second half much more than the first half (which is expected when the story kicks into full throttle). I didn't care much for the heroes, except Joe, and just enough for Dwayne and Mel. Sometimes, though, I want to cheer for the villains, and I found it easy to here - if you like seeing people torn to shreds by a malevolent beast, this book is a good choice.
I found Mr. Rolfe's writing flowed better in the lurking and killing scenes, like maybe (an assumption) he was enjoying these parts more while writing and it came across on the page. Faster sentences. Faster action.
My complaints are nit-picky like
I can't say all that without saying the good of which there was plenty! Pacing and the ramp up in the second half - awesome! Some good ol' fashion violence and gore fitting of a vicious animal; Stan Springs - wonderful character; making the beast intelligent, mentally unstable, psychotic - like a super-powered serial killer (a better take on werewolves, I think); crisp, solid plotting.
This is a strong, solid horror novel and a safe pick for the average horror fan. I suspect Mr. Rolfe and Samhain will have more good reads coming our way, and I eagerly look forward to them.
Glenn Rolfe is a fairly new author. I have not read his other works, but this one I enjoyed, and the second half much more than the first half (which is expected when the story kicks into full throttle). I didn't care much for the heroes, except Joe, and just enough for Dwayne and Mel. Sometimes, though, I want to cheer for the villains, and I found it easy to here - if you like seeing people torn to shreds by a malevolent beast, this book is a good choice.
I found Mr. Rolfe's writing flowed better in the lurking and killing scenes, like maybe (an assumption) he was enjoying these parts more while writing and it came across on the page. Faster sentences. Faster action.
My complaints are nit-picky like
I can't say all that without saying the good of which there was plenty! Pacing and the ramp up in the second half - awesome! Some good ol' fashion violence and gore fitting of a vicious animal; Stan Springs - wonderful character; making the beast intelligent, mentally unstable, psychotic - like a super-powered serial killer (a better take on werewolves, I think); crisp, solid plotting.
This is a strong, solid horror novel and a safe pick for the average horror fan. I suspect Mr. Rolfe and Samhain will have more good reads coming our way, and I eagerly look forward to them.
February 9, 2016
A good, traditional take on werewolves! A creature terrorizes a small town, the police chief knows and the requests for silver bullets from this town is not met with the same raised eyebrows as I imagine it would be in other places. Throw in some teenager hot action and we have a very 80's-horror-feeling book. Reminiscent of "American werewolf in London", "Howling", "Cycle of the werewolf" and a few "stalker/slasher" classics - mix films and books as desired!
Well written and surely worth the read. I will be happy to keep this writer on my radar. I'll stand on 3 stars for this one though, because of the short format (which I believe was what caused me to not have some of the characters clearly defined in my head and frequently mixing them up) and the lack of surprises or new takes. Nothing wrong with a traditional horror though! If you frequently re-watch Halloween or any of the aforementioned, this is one for you.
I was kindly given an e-copy of this by the author.
Well written and surely worth the read. I will be happy to keep this writer on my radar. I'll stand on 3 stars for this one though, because of the short format (which I believe was what caused me to not have some of the characters clearly defined in my head and frequently mixing them up) and the lack of surprises or new takes. Nothing wrong with a traditional horror though! If you frequently re-watch Halloween or any of the aforementioned, this is one for you.
I was kindly given an e-copy of this by the author.
September 5, 2015
Years ago, a small town sheriff ended a reign of terror with a bullet and an unmarked grave.
Now, when the full moon rises, something has come to finish the bloodbath with feral ferocity and unspeakable fury.
An engaging addition to the werewolf canon that stumbles a bit pace-wise from a feeling of repetition in the early going, but manages to find it's feet and deliver it's share of lycanthropic lunacy.
Rolfe is coming into his own, with a descriptive style that lingers with you long after you finish reading. Definitely a writer to watch.
I received an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Now, when the full moon rises, something has come to finish the bloodbath with feral ferocity and unspeakable fury.
An engaging addition to the werewolf canon that stumbles a bit pace-wise from a feeling of repetition in the early going, but manages to find it's feet and deliver it's share of lycanthropic lunacy.
Rolfe is coming into his own, with a descriptive style that lingers with you long after you finish reading. Definitely a writer to watch.
I received an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 10, 2020
RATING: 2 1/2 stars
“Under the last full moon of February, rousing from the latest of his nightmares, he heard something that commanded every hair on his body to rise—a single howl rang out through the darkness.”
My teenage-hood was filled reading horror books. It used to be by far my favorite genre, but as I grew older I branched out to include other books, making horror not even the most commonly read genre for me yearly anymore. That’s not to say I don’t still appreciate and genuinely love the genre – I do – but I’ve found as I get older that I grow pickier. Not just with books, but with horror movies, another thing I indulged in almost non-stop.
Blood and Rain has a stellar reputation as an “IT” werewolf book. It’s recommended on most horror lists and most of the friends I have online who read horror wholeheartedly recommend it. If you dig werewolf stories where the furred villain is a monster through and through, if old-fashioned monster type stories are your bag, you’ll probably enjoy this more than I did.
The plot isn’t bad for this type of story - fits a werewolf tormenting a tiny town quite well; blood-splattered pages don’t hold back the violence, body count number, drawn-out deaths, gore level, and these monsters even have a rape mentality. If you like your werewolf violent and pure-bred, Blood and Rain may be a better for you than it was for me. The simplicity of the characters, storyline, villains, and writing are not what push my horror buttons anymore. As I said, I’m pickier now when it comes to this stuff. There are also some grammar errors that didn’t bring it down a star, but it was noticeable.
I prefer villains who have layers in that they’re conflicted, or we see a steady progression to the darker path. This opened where the big-bad was already fully bad, with a backstory already over and explained, telling instead of showing. There is not any remorse with these creatures.
Likewise, the good characters are a bit one-dimensional themselves. Joe as the town sheriff who has battled this particular monster before isn’t that interesting. He’s fine, but most of the good guys sort of blend together, and there is an over-abundance of head hopping. I don’t need to switch between Mel from the diner, each deputy, the villains, the teenagers, the sheriff, and various people so much to get the same effect. Let me stay in the head of someone long enough to actually care more or invest myself into the story before jumping.
I grew confused with some of the town’s history. It’s explained there was a rash of werewolf attacks in 1997, but the relationships characters hold with some of the deceased is a little foggy. Having the backstory connection makes sense to add another layer to the story, but I had a hard time knowing who was truly affected other than Ted’s connection to a brother. Also, it was pretty clear immediately who the villain would be and I’m surprised Joe didn’t figure it out.
One’s thing for sure, no one is safe here – even the best of the characters get munched on. Action isn't an issue, it's almost on superspeed.
“Under the last full moon of February, rousing from the latest of his nightmares, he heard something that commanded every hair on his body to rise—a single howl rang out through the darkness.”
My teenage-hood was filled reading horror books. It used to be by far my favorite genre, but as I grew older I branched out to include other books, making horror not even the most commonly read genre for me yearly anymore. That’s not to say I don’t still appreciate and genuinely love the genre – I do – but I’ve found as I get older that I grow pickier. Not just with books, but with horror movies, another thing I indulged in almost non-stop.
Blood and Rain has a stellar reputation as an “IT” werewolf book. It’s recommended on most horror lists and most of the friends I have online who read horror wholeheartedly recommend it. If you dig werewolf stories where the furred villain is a monster through and through, if old-fashioned monster type stories are your bag, you’ll probably enjoy this more than I did.
The plot isn’t bad for this type of story - fits a werewolf tormenting a tiny town quite well; blood-splattered pages don’t hold back the violence, body count number, drawn-out deaths, gore level, and these monsters even have a rape mentality. If you like your werewolf violent and pure-bred, Blood and Rain may be a better for you than it was for me. The simplicity of the characters, storyline, villains, and writing are not what push my horror buttons anymore. As I said, I’m pickier now when it comes to this stuff. There are also some grammar errors that didn’t bring it down a star, but it was noticeable.
I prefer villains who have layers in that they’re conflicted, or we see a steady progression to the darker path. This opened where the big-bad was already fully bad, with a backstory already over and explained, telling instead of showing. There is not any remorse with these creatures.
Likewise, the good characters are a bit one-dimensional themselves. Joe as the town sheriff who has battled this particular monster before isn’t that interesting. He’s fine, but most of the good guys sort of blend together, and there is an over-abundance of head hopping. I don’t need to switch between Mel from the diner, each deputy, the villains, the teenagers, the sheriff, and various people so much to get the same effect. Let me stay in the head of someone long enough to actually care more or invest myself into the story before jumping.
I grew confused with some of the town’s history. It’s explained there was a rash of werewolf attacks in 1997, but the relationships characters hold with some of the deceased is a little foggy. Having the backstory connection makes sense to add another layer to the story, but I had a hard time knowing who was truly affected other than Ted’s connection to a brother. Also, it was pretty clear immediately who the villain would be and I’m surprised Joe didn’t figure it out.
One’s thing for sure, no one is safe here – even the best of the characters get munched on. Action isn't an issue, it's almost on superspeed.
September 18, 2015
Wow! Easily one of the best werewolf books I've ever read. So much gory fun. It starts off with a bang - or howl - and never lets up. If Six Flags made a werewolf ride, they would have to call it Blood and Rain. Another excellent addition to the growing Glenn Rolfe library.
April 17, 2016
3.5 stars
I have to admit that I have a thing for werewolf stories, so of course it didn't take much thought when I was offered a review copy from the author himself. The story itself is pretty standard for the werewolf lore and that is completely okay and met my expectations. I, for one, have no issues with a classic story done right, no matter how many times it's told.
My biggest critique would be that the book starts out a little slow and it takes a while to pick up. However once it does pick up it's non-stop action and enough outright gore to satisfy even the most hardcore of horror fans. Some points of the story, as other readers have pointed out, like the ease of access to silver bullets seem a little far-fetched for me but aren't deal breakers. The characters are at first a bit hard to distinguish but even that evens out in time. The werewolf wreaking havoc in a small town full of secrets of its own aspect is enough to satisfy my werewolf craving.
Blood and Rain is a classic werewolf tale that is more fun than intellectual, more of a blood bath than a brain teaser, and a good mindless read for those days when you can't rip someone apart yourself and this is the next best thing. I look forward to what else Glenn has in store for us.
I received this copy from the author himself in exchange for a review.
I have to admit that I have a thing for werewolf stories, so of course it didn't take much thought when I was offered a review copy from the author himself. The story itself is pretty standard for the werewolf lore and that is completely okay and met my expectations. I, for one, have no issues with a classic story done right, no matter how many times it's told.
My biggest critique would be that the book starts out a little slow and it takes a while to pick up. However once it does pick up it's non-stop action and enough outright gore to satisfy even the most hardcore of horror fans. Some points of the story, as other readers have pointed out, like the ease of access to silver bullets seem a little far-fetched for me but aren't deal breakers. The characters are at first a bit hard to distinguish but even that evens out in time. The werewolf wreaking havoc in a small town full of secrets of its own aspect is enough to satisfy my werewolf craving.
Blood and Rain is a classic werewolf tale that is more fun than intellectual, more of a blood bath than a brain teaser, and a good mindless read for those days when you can't rip someone apart yourself and this is the next best thing. I look forward to what else Glenn has in store for us.
I received this copy from the author himself in exchange for a review.
October 26, 2015
The witching season is upon us. The ghosts and monsters are close and the veil is pretty thin this time of year. Werewolves howl and Glenn Rolfe has written a damn near lycanthropic masterpiece.
I generally touch on three things in reviews. Character development, atmosphere, and my overall entertainment with a title.
If Glenn Rolfe never writes another book, he can consider his resume quite filled with this one.
The monster is scary and almost as threatening in human form as he is transformed. Let's face it!! In Blood and Rain, the werewolf is the star. But, Glenn did a fantastic job of creating a great supporting cast for his werewolf yarn. (Joe Fischer, the small town sheriff, is particularly well crafted and very fleshed out. The reader can totally feel his regret about past actions.) The characters as a whole create the feel Glenn was obviously aiming for - small town life, where every one knows your business and life quietly goes unnoticed behind white picket fences. Characters who this reader actually felt pretty bad to witness as werewolf fodder.
The atmosphere written into Blood and Rain is something you can cut with a knife. Maine is a big forest and genuinely creepy in this story and the deserted back roads, back roads just like every small town has, make for a most terrifying setting for the carnage that takes place throughout this story. I can actually hear the crickets and feel the warm breath on my neck from the furry death that creeps in the shadows, death that will rend your flesh and remove your appendages.
As far as entertainment, your could do far worse than THIS werewolf story as Halloween approaches. Just the perfect amount of blood and guts, mixed with fear. Add a dash of silver and the perfect Halloween creature feature for your spooky nights sits ready for your indulgence. Glenn Rolfe has created a monster. Two, if you count the werewolf.
Make sure your doors are locked when you sit down to read Blood and Rain. As solid of a werewolf read as you will find.
I generally touch on three things in reviews. Character development, atmosphere, and my overall entertainment with a title.
If Glenn Rolfe never writes another book, he can consider his resume quite filled with this one.
The monster is scary and almost as threatening in human form as he is transformed. Let's face it!! In Blood and Rain, the werewolf is the star. But, Glenn did a fantastic job of creating a great supporting cast for his werewolf yarn. (Joe Fischer, the small town sheriff, is particularly well crafted and very fleshed out. The reader can totally feel his regret about past actions.) The characters as a whole create the feel Glenn was obviously aiming for - small town life, where every one knows your business and life quietly goes unnoticed behind white picket fences. Characters who this reader actually felt pretty bad to witness as werewolf fodder.
The atmosphere written into Blood and Rain is something you can cut with a knife. Maine is a big forest and genuinely creepy in this story and the deserted back roads, back roads just like every small town has, make for a most terrifying setting for the carnage that takes place throughout this story. I can actually hear the crickets and feel the warm breath on my neck from the furry death that creeps in the shadows, death that will rend your flesh and remove your appendages.
As far as entertainment, your could do far worse than THIS werewolf story as Halloween approaches. Just the perfect amount of blood and guts, mixed with fear. Add a dash of silver and the perfect Halloween creature feature for your spooky nights sits ready for your indulgence. Glenn Rolfe has created a monster. Two, if you count the werewolf.
Make sure your doors are locked when you sit down to read Blood and Rain. As solid of a werewolf read as you will find.
August 11, 2016
This was a great little werewolf novel. In depicting bucolic small town New England, Rolfe reminded me of the late, great J.F. Gonzalez. The action was taut and the prose evocative. The title does not lie. There is an awful lot of brutality going down in rainstorms, and Rolfe is skilled at putting the reader right into the action. In lots of stories I couldn't tell you what time of day it was or what the weather was like, but with BLOOD AND RAIN I felt like I was right there as the steam billowed from the werewolf's nose and water sluiced off its matted fur.
My only complaint is that since this novel rotated between a few different perspectives, every time a character is re-introduced it's by their full name, rank, and serial number. By the fourteenth or fifteenth "Deputy Shelly Glesko" I was saying, "All right, got it, Shelly's a freaking sheriff's deputy. I remember her." It's just an irritating tic, but every time it jarred me out of the atmosphere that Rolfe so skillfully painted.
Four stars. If you're a fan of werewolf literature at all, you'll want to sink your fangs into BLOOD AND RAIN.
My only complaint is that since this novel rotated between a few different perspectives, every time a character is re-introduced it's by their full name, rank, and serial number. By the fourteenth or fifteenth "Deputy Shelly Glesko" I was saying, "All right, got it, Shelly's a freaking sheriff's deputy. I remember her." It's just an irritating tic, but every time it jarred me out of the atmosphere that Rolfe so skillfully painted.
Four stars. If you're a fan of werewolf literature at all, you'll want to sink your fangs into BLOOD AND RAIN.
October 6, 2015
"As I said above, with Glenn’s earlier work you could see he was just starting out. The stories were good but could have been more polished. With Blood and Rain there has been a huge leap forward in his writing. It’s much improved, more polished, and much more mature. I knew when I read him a few months ago this boy had a talent for writing. He has just proved to me that if he keeps going at this pace then his books will just keep getting better and better. Glenn Rolfe could be a force to be reckoned with in a few years’ time. You heard it here first!"
See here for the full review:
Blood and Rain
See here for the full review:
Blood and Rain
December 8, 2019
Strange title, but a cracking good story.
There is a werewolf lose in the quiet town of Gilson Creek, Maine. Sheriff Joe Fisher doesn't want to face this. He knows that he killed the werewolf years before.
As with all good horror stories, peripheral characters are killed off first. The tension builds as the monster gets ever closer to the people we care about. And we do care about them. Glenn Rolfe is a skillful craftsman. He introduces us to his people, builds their back stories and lets us follow their current relationships.
I'm not giving anything away when I say that I liked the ending as much as the book. Both were satisfying.
There is a werewolf lose in the quiet town of Gilson Creek, Maine. Sheriff Joe Fisher doesn't want to face this. He knows that he killed the werewolf years before.
As with all good horror stories, peripheral characters are killed off first. The tension builds as the monster gets ever closer to the people we care about. And we do care about them. Glenn Rolfe is a skillful craftsman. He introduces us to his people, builds their back stories and lets us follow their current relationships.
I'm not giving anything away when I say that I liked the ending as much as the book. Both were satisfying.
July 1, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
A throw-back to the 80's/90's horror with a proper werewolf, a small-town sheriff and the usual assortment of small-town characters. I would have liked to have seen the female characters be a bit tougher and less in need of saving from the men-folk, but otherwise a fun action-filled romp, with a Hollywood action-filled and blood soaked climax.
A throw-back to the 80's/90's horror with a proper werewolf, a small-town sheriff and the usual assortment of small-town characters. I would have liked to have seen the female characters be a bit tougher and less in need of saving from the men-folk, but otherwise a fun action-filled romp, with a Hollywood action-filled and blood soaked climax.
June 17, 2023
Enjoyable werewolf story set in a small town. The carnage and gore were sufficiently bloody to appease the horror fan's appetite. However, the plot and characters were a bit bland and could have used some more seasoning. Overall, a nice werewolf book to pass an afternoon's read.
November 3, 2020
A small town in rural Maine, inclement weather, and werewolves! Hells yeah! Although there are some sad scenes and moments, this was the fun-filled ride that I'd hoped it would be. Even the slow parts were enjoyable for me because I liked the little town and its citizens, and I found the ambiance cozy and inviting. That's something I've noticed about all the Glenn Rolfe books I've read: I find them comforting. I'm not sure why, exactly, but I love the atmosphere he creates within the locations of the stories. They're always places I can get lost in. But, anyway, this book does have a nice flow and after the lull, once it gets going again, it really gets going and doesn't let up until the bodies are piled high and the survivors are scarred for life. Yep, I really loved this book. It may not be perfect but, it doesn't try to be anything other than what it is, which is a hell of a good time for a horror reader. If you like old school style American horror that delivers the goods, or early Stephen King, or werewolf novels, definitely check this one out. It's totally worth your time!
January 14, 2019
I can’t resist a good werewolf story and the first thing that was promising about Blood And Rain was the wicked cover art. Next was the setting. Yeah, I like my critter horror to be set in a small town. The beasts can do a lot of damage and the character list is smaller and easier to keep track of. Especially if you’re like me and enjoy a high body count. Glen Rolfe doesn’t disappoint there.
It’s been many years since the last incident and the town hardly remembers the gruesome killings. Until the killings begin again. It’s a full moon and the people of Gilson Creek, Maine learn of several brutal slayings, apparent victims of an animal attack. Yep, the books starts right away with some very nasty business. I settled in for some more mayhem.
I barely had a chance to get comfortable with the characters before the next full moon. I liked Sheriff Joe Fischer. He’d faced the beast many years ago. Killed it. Burned it. And buried it. But it’s happening again. Was it the same beast? Or a new one? He knew most of the town scoffed at the idea of a real werewolf. Some knew better. As he gathered a group to fight what was sure to come, I admired his courage and ingenuity. Those that knew the beast was real manned up. For those that didn’t he had to do some heavy convincing to get them on board. He had to protect the people of Gilson Creek so he learned all he could about the beast. But, something niggled in his brain. What if it was true. Someone had asked him. “How certain are you that this thing can only hunt at night?” Now he was faced with a fear that the creature could kill at will on the full moon. No longer confined to when the moon was visible in the night sky.
This is where it got insane. The sheriff and his officers were strategically patrolling the town, trying to anticipate where the werewolf would attack and stop it. I was swept up in the worry and anticipation of what was coming. They ran out of time and the bodies started piling up. The attack scenes were gory and terrifying. They came from different parts of town and in many different ways. The beast seemed to relish terrifying and toying with it’s victims and also appeared to have certain ones in mind.
I’m used to authors killing off their characters. It’s a given with any good horror story. However, the author caught me by surprise with some he chose to sacrifice to his beast. And I was caught by surprise again and again. Surely he’d let some survive? But I was kept on the edge until the bloody finale. When the dust finally settled there weren’t many left. Add to that some insight into how the beast thinks and a few crafty twists and the suspense kept me flying through the book. I Read it in one sitting.
A bloody good werewolf story that will have you thinking twice about going out during a full moon. Was that a howl you heard in the distance? What was making those rustling noises in the shadows? Don’t turn around and you won’t have to see it coming.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is unbiased and voluntarily given.
It’s been many years since the last incident and the town hardly remembers the gruesome killings. Until the killings begin again. It’s a full moon and the people of Gilson Creek, Maine learn of several brutal slayings, apparent victims of an animal attack. Yep, the books starts right away with some very nasty business. I settled in for some more mayhem.
I barely had a chance to get comfortable with the characters before the next full moon. I liked Sheriff Joe Fischer. He’d faced the beast many years ago. Killed it. Burned it. And buried it. But it’s happening again. Was it the same beast? Or a new one? He knew most of the town scoffed at the idea of a real werewolf. Some knew better. As he gathered a group to fight what was sure to come, I admired his courage and ingenuity. Those that knew the beast was real manned up. For those that didn’t he had to do some heavy convincing to get them on board. He had to protect the people of Gilson Creek so he learned all he could about the beast. But, something niggled in his brain. What if it was true. Someone had asked him. “How certain are you that this thing can only hunt at night?” Now he was faced with a fear that the creature could kill at will on the full moon. No longer confined to when the moon was visible in the night sky.
This is where it got insane. The sheriff and his officers were strategically patrolling the town, trying to anticipate where the werewolf would attack and stop it. I was swept up in the worry and anticipation of what was coming. They ran out of time and the bodies started piling up. The attack scenes were gory and terrifying. They came from different parts of town and in many different ways. The beast seemed to relish terrifying and toying with it’s victims and also appeared to have certain ones in mind.
I’m used to authors killing off their characters. It’s a given with any good horror story. However, the author caught me by surprise with some he chose to sacrifice to his beast. And I was caught by surprise again and again. Surely he’d let some survive? But I was kept on the edge until the bloody finale. When the dust finally settled there weren’t many left. Add to that some insight into how the beast thinks and a few crafty twists and the suspense kept me flying through the book. I Read it in one sitting.
A bloody good werewolf story that will have you thinking twice about going out during a full moon. Was that a howl you heard in the distance? What was making those rustling noises in the shadows? Don’t turn around and you won’t have to see it coming.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is unbiased and voluntarily given.
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