Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire

I didn’t want things to turn out this way. I really didn’t.

There have been deaths, and worse. Even if there’s no blood on my hands, not directly, I have to face the consequences of my actions, of what I did do.

Published by Red Eye, an imprint of Stripes Publishing in March 2015

Pages – 325

Summary

I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand. Sam Hunter's neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they're liars too. The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam's determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined - is there anyone he can trust? Uncovering the horror is one thing ...escaping is another.

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I’d been warned! Many of the blogging community had told me what to expect. I brushed them off. I wasn't afraid to venture into a Red Eye book. There was no way it could be that horrific…

Well that will teach me not to listen. I was fooled. Led into a false state of security. As the book began Sam talked about his new neighbours. OK, so there was obviously something not quite right about them. And yes it is a bit weird that everyone has a snotty nose, but surely they weren’t scary. I kept on thinking of the Stepford Wives – the film with Nicole Kidman, not the original, as I am not that old! I was convinced it was all a conspiracy theory, nothing illegal or untoward was going on. How wrong was I? I'm not going to tell you what happened, as that would just spoil it for you. All I can say is, perhaps don’t eat before diving into the latter part of the book. Be prepared for a gory, gruesome journey.

If this book teaches you anything, it should be not to be nosy, as you really don’t need to know what your neighbours are up to when they shut the world out of their homes. Remember, what they say – Curiosity Killed the Cat!

The plot is believable, to the point, where you can't help but worry that somewhere in the world, this might be happening. There is a general feeling of hopelessness that churns away at you as you move deeper into the story. My heart goes out to Sam.

The book reminded me of the good old days, when Stephen King was King and Richard Laymon and James Herbert  were the Crown Princes of Horror. I am very impressed with my first book from the new Red Eye imprint by Stripes and I look forward to reading more… in the daylight, with some kind of protective talisman, surrounded by people!