3 April 2022 Update: For background on the sudden demise of Silver Shamrock after announcing a book that sounds pretty damn racist despite claims otherwise, here’s a great recap video:
My thoughts are with the other horror authors whose books won’t be published by the defunct publisher. Many of these authors pulled their books and stories in protest. Other indie publishers are stepping up to help and the horror community is rallying behind these orphaned authors.
Original review below.
In the Scrape by James Newman
(Silver Shamrock Publishing, 2019)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
At 94 pages, In the Scrape by James Newman and Mark Steensland is a quick read, but be warned that the mounting tension might require an occasional break to catch your breath. You’re going to need the oxygen: the final third of the book, when the breathless pace escalates and characters become even more desperate, becomes unputdownable.
Newman and Steensland don’t neglect character building or description even at this rapid pace. From the first page I cared about the two brothers at the center of the story, Jake and Matthew. They’re desperate to escape their awful home life. For some readers (I’m one of them), the subject matter will hit too close to home, but it also deeply invested me in their plight. The scene work that keeps the pace brisk and takes the brothers out of their home and into other settings is incredible. Troubles compound quickly, but it’s the brothers that keep the story grounded and meaningful.
This book was included in the first delivery from Silver Shamrock Publishing’s monthly book box subscription. Three books in, I’m so happy I subscribed!
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