By Sandy Amazeen Jul 31, 2009, 2:04 GMT
A group of six best friends on the cusp of adulthood found themselves lost late one night deep in Philadelphia’s ghettos, then to make matters worse, their car broke down. When approached by a menacing looking gang, the kids run for the dubious shelter of a derelict house at the end of the street. Instead of a phone or assistance Kerri, Tyler, Stephanie, Brett, Heather and Javier are greeted by a mallet-wielding giant who promptly kills two of them. The remaining kids split up and run for cover but soon discover there is no easy way out of the house and the murderous giant is only one of a multitude of inhabitants looking forward to a good hunt followed by dinner.
This is an uncomplicated gore fest with all the murder, mayhem and mutants horror readers could wish for, in other words, classic Keene. The action begins with the very first chapter then plunges into a dark, thoroughly twisted tale lightened by the actions of a downtrodden middle-aged man and the gang who inadvertently caused the kids to bolt. Visceral and disturbing yet ending with a faint ray of hope, Keene has crafted a terrific follow up to Castaways, one can only wonder at the depths he will plumb next.
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