4-Star Book Review of The Litter by Kevin Doyle | #Horror #Mystery @GoddessFish @KevinDoyleFiction
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
The Litter by Kevin R. Doyle Published by Night to Dawn Magazine & Books on 01/05/2015
Genres: Fiction, Horror
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 294
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsKaren Bannister is coming off a really bad year. Estranged from her father and her fiancé dead, she finds solace in her work with the city’s indigent, destitute, and lost.
Then something, something savage and brutal, appears and begins preying on those she works to save.
Now, from the depths of her own personal tragedy, Karen has to find the strength to lift herself up and, with the help of an unexpected ally, fight back against the darkness that threatens to overwhelm those too weak to save themselves.
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Excerpt from The Litter
A car came squealing around the corner, someone leaning out and throwing an empty bottle in the kid’s direction. He ducked, glass shattering on the wall behind him, and the car continued on its way, drunken curses floating on the night.
The kid stood still for a moment, face reddening and fists clenching. But he knew it wasn’t anything personal. The morons hadn’t been attacking him, just anyone small and defenseless who they happened to come upon.
He’d spent his whole life small and defenseless.
He cinched the zipper of the ski vest a little bit tighter, jerking the collar upright so that it would partially cover his ears, and headed off down the street.
He had no clue where he was heading or when he would eat or sleep next, but he’d been on his own for years now and had come to learn the way of the streets. He figured nothing could come up that he hadn’t encountered before, and he managed to stuff way deep down into an obscure corner of his mind the longing memories of the warmth and comfort the shelter had offered the night before.
He was a survivor, always had been, and as he wandered down the nearly deserted street in the early morning hours of the Zone, he had no doubt that he would continue to survive.
And that was the last that anyone ever saw of him.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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If my review of The Litter entices you, here are the purchase links!
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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Book Review of The Litter
In a realm shrouded by shadows, Kevin Doyle’s “The Litter” unveils a spine-chilling narrative that takes readers on a journey through the gritty underbelly of a city where malevolence thrives unnoticed. Doyle’s intricate storytelling prowess shines through as he introduces us to a world where the hunted are the nameless and the protectors are the enigmatic. With an engaging premise, well-crafted characters, and an artful blend of horror and humanity, “The Litter” captivates readers until the final page.
Doyle masterfully constructs a tale of suspense that centers around Karen Bannister, a woman grappling with the aftermath of a tumultuous year. Haunted by estrangement from her father and the tragic loss of her fiancé, Karen finds solace in aiding the downtrodden within the city. However, a sinister force emerges, preying on those she strives to save. The novel’s strength lies in Karen’s resilience as she rises from her personal tribulations, bolstered by an unexpected alliance, to confront the encroaching darkness that threatens the city’s most vulnerable.
The narrative deftly navigates sensitive topics, delving into the lives of sex workers, drug addicts, dealers, and the murder of homeless individuals. Doyle’s approach is commendable, providing a gritty realism without sensationalizing or exploiting these themes. The fast-paced and consistently evolving plot ensures readers remain on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries hidden within the city’s depths.
What truly sets “The Litter” apart is its cast of characters. Each individual is layered with complexity, making their choices and actions resonate deeply with readers. Karen’s journey is one of empowerment and growth, and the unexpected ally who aids her adds further depth to the story’s emotional landscape. Doyle’s ability to infuse humanity into his characters while maintaining the dark ambiance of the narrative is truly impressive.
The horror elements in “The Litter” are skillfully balanced, never veering into gratuitous territory. Doyle’s portrayal of the malevolent force is chilling and unnerving, creating an atmosphere that keeps readers hooked. The author’s prose is well-written and evocative, immersing readers into a world teetering on the edge of despair and hope.
Doyle’s seamless transitions between scenes and chapters create an addictive reading experience. The story flows effortlessly, compelling readers to linger a little longer with every page. This narrative dexterity, coupled with the well-timed reveals and twists, ensures that “The Litter” is a novel that demands to be devoured in a single sitting.
As the story concludes, some questions remain unanswered, hinting at the possibility of a sequel. While this might leave some readers curious, it also speaks to the depth of the world Doyle has created, leaving room for further exploration and expansion.
Conclusion
In “The Litter,” Kevin Doyle has crafted a tale that balances the horrors of the unknown with the strength of the human spirit. The novel captures the essence of suspenseful storytelling with its well-drawn characters, evocative writing, and a plot that never relents. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where darkness threatens to consume, but the light of resilience and determination fights valiantly back.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Kevin R. Doyle
A high-school teacher, former college instructor, and fiction writer, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written three crime thrillers, The Group, When You Have to Go There, and And the Devil Walks Away, and one horror novel, The Litter.
In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton private eye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel. The second book, Heel Turn, was released in March of 2021, while the third in the series, Double Frame, came out in March of 2022.
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Purchase The Litter online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
The author will award a randomly drawn winner a $10 Amazon/BN gift card.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for The Litter
Full Tour Schedule:
September 4: The Faerie Review
September 4: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
September 4: Gina Rae Mitchell
September 11: A Wonderful World of Words
September 11: The Eclectic Review
September 18: Carey PW LGBTQIA Romance Author
September 18: Novels Alive
September 25: The Avid Reader
September 25: FUONLYKNEW
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How do you balance your personal life and your writing career?
Tracie,
That’s a rather complicated answer. For the longest, time, worrying about balance wasn’t that big of a deal as all I wrote were short stories for magazines. I did this all the way through ten years of night school and the first several years of my teaching career. While short stories can be hard to crank out and take some time, they’re not as all consuming as novels can be.
For the last ten years or so, my output has been mainly novel-length, and this did present challenges. Not so much with personal life (I’m a lifelong bachelor and intentionally never had children), but with my work life. As lots of people can attest, K-12 teaching is a labor-intensive job. During the school year, I often put in 55 – 60 hours weeks once you factor in grading and lesson prep.
When it comes down to it, I’m not quite sure how I balanced it for all those years. Obviously, summer vacation helped, as I would write somewhat steadily during the school year and really crank it out during the summer. Also, and this isn’t ideal, but just as I became inundated with projects, working on two or three books at a time, Covid hit. Wasn’t an ideal situation, but when our district ended up shutting down for the last quarter of the year, I had more time freed up there as well.
The downside to that is when we went back into session the following year, with all the various protocols to follow, that 60-hour work week suddenly zoomed upwards quite a bit.
I’m kind of rattling on here, but the bottom line is that I usually set myself a small goal, like a page or two a night, and did my best to keep at that. Somehow or other, it all kind of evened out. Now, of course, having pulled the plug and retired at the end of last May, it’s not hard at all to find that balance.
Do you have a favorite space to do your writing?
Tracie,
All done sitting at my desk with my desktop computer. I’m not fond of laptops or chrome books, so everything done at my desk.
Thanks so much for your insight into your writing process, love to learn more about how different writers go from the book concept to finished book! Much success to you Kevin Doyle!
I really like the cover!
Jessica,
Can’t take any credit for that, as the cover came entirely from the publisher’s artist. But I agree it’s pretty darned good.
What subjects did you teach in high school and college?
Nancy,
Quite a range. Primarily English, but I also taught communications. speech, Spanish and, for one semester, Intro to Film.
Thanks for asking.
This sounds like a good read.
Good morning Gina. Glad you enjoyed the book and thanks for your comments. I’ll check in periodically throughout the next few days for any comments.
Thank you for hosting today!