Status
Checked out
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Vanguard Press (2006), Edition: 1, 400 pages
Description
On a cold October night, five people gather in a run-down motel on the Jersey shore and begin preparations to break into the Paragon Hotel. Built in the glory days of Asbury Park by a reclusive millionaire, the magnificent structure--which foreshadowed the beauties of art deco architecture--is now boarded up and marked for demolition. The five people are "creepers," the slang term for urban explorers: city archaeologists with a passion for investigating abandoned buildings and their dying secrets. On this evening, they are joined by a reporter who wants to profile them--anonymously, as this is highly illegal activity--for a New York Times article. Frank Balenger, a sandy-haired, broad-shouldered reporter with a decided air of mystery about him, isn't looking for just a story, however. And after the group enters the rat-infested tunnel leading to the hotel, it becomes clear that he will get much more than he bargained for. Danger, terror, and death await the creepers in a place ravaged by time and redolent of evil.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MSWallack
Based on the flyleaf, I was convinced that I would not like Creepers and only read it because it was by David Morrell (one of my favorite authors, despite some of my reviews his other recent books). I was glad that I did read Creepers. Morrell, as always, does a superb job of building suspense.
Show More
Also, he was able to surprise me several times, which is always a nice ... um ... surprise. My principal criticism of Creepers is that I never felt that I really understood the layout of the interior of the hotel where virtually the entire novel takes place. This is an instance where a map would have been very helpful to the reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member AlmondJoy
Reporter Frank Ballenger joins a team of urban explorers called "creepers" who investigate abandoned buildings to write a feature story about an old hotel, The Paragon. You won't be able to put this one down. Fast-paced, exciting, and has movie blockbuster written all over it. Highly recommend.
LibraryThing member TadAD
I've read three or four of Morrell's books in the past and always found them fair...nothing I'd recommend to anyone other than a hard-core thriller fan, but they passed the time. Unfortunately, this one did not reach that level for me; I disliked it.
Up front, let me say that I apportion some of the
That said, even in print the story wouldn't really have appealed to me. First, the whole plot felt like it was constructed out of clichés. Without spoilers, think of "horror-type" thriller movies out there and you'll be able to put together a lot of the elements of this one—the scarred-by-the-past psychopath, the "don't leave the group!" moments, the "don't go in there!" scenes. Second, it felt rather contrived...you know, the violent lightning storm breaking out just when the characters need their cell phones type of thing? Third, Mr. Morrell needed to heed Chekhov's advice and tighten up the loose strands of the plot. There were too many plot elements introduced that went nowhere, such as the love quadrangle that was observed repeatedly in the beginning but ended up being irrelevant and largely forgotten by the end of the story.
However, the real cause of my reaction is mostly due to the constant use of two techniques I absolutely hate. First, everyone speaking in dangling sentences to create "tension":
We've got to..."
No.
But, if we don't, he'll...
It was endless. It drove me crazy.
The second was the constant "As you know, Bob" moments of the first half of the book. Put in a darn prologue if you want to info-dump and stop making people sound like characters in CSI: Miami.
Up front, let me say that I apportion some of the
Show More
blame for this on Patrick Lawlor. This was an audio book for my commute and my usual fare for this purpose is read by some of the really good readers out there: Patrick Tull, Nadia May, Frederick Davidson, etc. I found Mr. Lawlor's reading kept getting in the way of the story as my attention would be caught by him, rather than the tale. That's a cardinal no-no and I'll avoid his presentations in the future.That said, even in print the story wouldn't really have appealed to me. First, the whole plot felt like it was constructed out of clichés. Without spoilers, think of "horror-type" thriller movies out there and you'll be able to put together a lot of the elements of this one—the scarred-by-the-past psychopath, the "don't leave the group!" moments, the "don't go in there!" scenes. Second, it felt rather contrived...you know, the violent lightning storm breaking out just when the characters need their cell phones type of thing? Third, Mr. Morrell needed to heed Chekhov's advice and tighten up the loose strands of the plot. There were too many plot elements introduced that went nowhere, such as the love quadrangle that was observed repeatedly in the beginning but ended up being irrelevant and largely forgotten by the end of the story.
However, the real cause of my reaction is mostly due to the constant use of two techniques I absolutely hate. First, everyone speaking in dangling sentences to create "tension":
We've got to..."
No.
But, if we don't, he'll...
It was endless. It drove me crazy.
The second was the constant "As you know, Bob" moments of the first half of the book. Put in a darn prologue if you want to info-dump and stop making people sound like characters in CSI: Miami.
Show Less
LibraryThing member John5918
A readable combination of horror and suspense. "Creepers" are people whose hobby is exploring disused buildings. As they explore an old hotel they find unexpected secrets.
LibraryThing member LisaLynne
I picked this up because there was really nothing else that struck my fancy on the library audiobook shelf. I have a certain fascination with abandoned buildings and the idea of "creepers" who "infiltrate" historic old buildings is a definite interest - I would sign up in a heartbeat. Sadly, this
Show More
book did not hold the same level of interest. The plot is truly far-fetched and improbable. The dialogue is stilted and unrealistic. (Tough guy New Jersey thugs don't suddenly start yelling "Lord, help us!" when they're attacked. They yell something you can't post on a family website.) Like any good horror movie, it doesn't matter how many flights someone falls or how many bullets they take, you should never assume they're dead. If I wasn't waiting for a special order to come in to the library, I doubt I would have finished it. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookWhisperer
Half of this book is believed to be a ghost story, until it becomes more clear that this is more of a suspenseful mystery book. It was interesting, but a little slow in places. Definitely has you on the edge of your seat for most of the book.
LibraryThing member emigre
I totally didn't mean to read this book, I somehow thought this was not something that'd be my cup of tea. I flipped open the book and randomly read the first few pages and was hooked, just like one of the enthusaistic reviews said you would. The idea was intriguing -- urban explorers (people who
Finished it in three days.
Show More
break into sealed-up and abandoned buildings for thrills) caught in a creepy old hotel with no way out. Morrell blends so many genres in this one; I often thought the plot would go one way, but then a twist in the story leads the reader down another path. I was kept guessing 'til the end, and the finale was like something from a Holywood action movie -- I could almost see the closing shot. Finished it in three days.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pawswithclaws
It was okay. Good concept, but the writing was rather shallow. Found myself re-reading pages to try to find sentences I thought I missed, but they just weren't there. Would make an entertaining movie, but there was no depth to any of the characters other than Balenger, and even his wasn't all that
Show More
well defined. Show Less
LibraryThing member Craphead
A creepy old hotel, a creepier hotel owner and a butt-kicking villain. What more could you ask for? This is an excellent novel and one of David Morrell's very best (if not the best). It's on the same lecel as his earlier FIRST BLOOD and TESTEMENT. This one kept my up well past midnight.
LibraryThing member hredwards
Pretty Good. Kinda dark. Not exactly what I expected but I would read more.
LibraryThing member Sean191
Certainly didn't create the suspense that I would have expected from the writer of "Jaws." The storyline seemed like a version of "Psycho" but gave this book's version of a Norman Bates a bigger arsenal. Storyline seemed a little thin overall.
LibraryThing member wispywillow
I've always had a fascination with old, abandoned buildings, so when I picked up this book at random, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is about "urban explorers: city archaeologists with a passion for investigating abandoned buildings and their dying secrets" (back cover info).
The story
The characters didn't seem well-developed and were quite cliche: the knowledgeable professor; the handsome young man; the handsome young man's beautiful wife; the wife's ex-boyfriend who isn't quite over losing his girlfriend to the guy she's now married to; and the protagonist--a new-comer to the group.
The professor and the protagonist are at least a little bit developed--not much--but the other two men are very flat and Cora, the woman, is pathetic. It seems like the two women in this story are just there to be pretty, scream at rats, and be victims. Cora even falls into a state of catatonic psychosis that Ophelia from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" would be envious of.
In some places, the dialogue sounds like it's being recited from an encyclopedia, such as when the characters start discussing the Art Deco period. The villains, like Rick and Vinny, are poorly developed.
The story
Show More
had a lot of potential but fell short.The characters didn't seem well-developed and were quite cliche: the knowledgeable professor; the handsome young man; the handsome young man's beautiful wife; the wife's ex-boyfriend who isn't quite over losing his girlfriend to the guy she's now married to; and the protagonist--a new-comer to the group.
The professor and the protagonist are at least a little bit developed--not much--but the other two men are very flat and Cora, the woman, is pathetic. It seems like the two women in this story are just there to be pretty, scream at rats, and be victims. Cora even falls into a state of catatonic psychosis that Ophelia from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" would be envious of.
In some places, the dialogue sounds like it's being recited from an encyclopedia, such as when the characters start discussing the Art Deco period. The villains, like Rick and Vinny, are poorly developed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member israfel13
A decent horror/suspense, the book was fun but not quite as interesting as the idea of urban archaeology as a whole.
LibraryThing member nikkiquitepikki
Probably has one of the best opening chapters I've ever read. Had me geared up for anything! But I was very disappointed in the outcome. Morrell could have gone anywhere he wanted to with this, but he chose to have a "normal" murder mystery. I was expecting supernatural events! All the makings of a
Show More
good book, plot stunk. Show Less
LibraryThing member Oogod
What a great book about people going into places they have no business going into. A few twist and turns on the main character kept me guessing and the whole urban exploration peaked my curiosity enough to go check out some of the web pages.
LibraryThing member camarie
This was a good read. A group of adults explore old, abandoned buildings for historical reference. Trouble follows on what might be their last outing. This book was very exciting, I admit I couldn't put it down. However, the characters weren't likeable and the plot wasn't what kept my attention. I
Show More
recommend this book but don't expect it to be your number one favorite. Show Less
LibraryThing member ulfhjorr
This was my first time reading Morrell, and I'm hooked.
Morrell crafts an excellent adventure, peppered quite liberally with good description of the surroundings that enhances, rather than diminishes, the action. The pacing and writing pulled me in and had me turning pages as fast as I could.
As
Morrell crafts an excellent adventure, peppered quite liberally with good description of the surroundings that enhances, rather than diminishes, the action. The pacing and writing pulled me in and had me turning pages as fast as I could.
As
Show More
others have mentioned, the characters could stand a bit more of depth (though the reviewer who complained of the encyclopedic dialog must never have engaged academics in conversation about their pet areas). However, I don't think this detracts from the book as it is an action-, not character-, driven plot. Show Less
LibraryThing member kainlane
For me, Creepers started as a book I absolutely could not put down. I think a big part of it is that I like urban exploration of abandoned places and Morrell's descriptive writing put me right there with the characters in the Paragon Hotel. Toward the middle, however, when the three hooligans show
Show More
up it started to turn to a more typical thriller. Then when they were suddenly no longer the baddest guys in the room, it got almost worse. Not to say the book was bad, because it wasn't. It was just rather mediocre after a while. There were some interesting bits and I think what the other reviews say is true, the characterization was a little on the weak side. The plot was engaging enough and it ended fine, though I wish the beginning didn't start with the end. It would have started fine with the meeting at the motel. Either way, I rate this book 4/4 though it isn't likely I will read it again. Show Less
LibraryThing member Prop2gether
More thriller than horror, more angst and action than plot, this was nonetheless a fast and mostly entertaining read. Perfectly satisfactory for a chill fall night's reading.
LibraryThing member EvilynJ
Reporter Frank Ballenger joins a team of urban explorers called `creepers` who investigate abandoned buildings to write a feature story about an old hotel, The Paragon.
You won't be able to put this one down. Fast-paced, exciting, and has movie blockbuster written all over it. Highly recommend
You won't be able to put this one down. Fast-paced, exciting, and has movie blockbuster written all over it. Highly recommend
LibraryThing member Bridgey
I bought this book after reading the back and thinking that the idea of a bunch of people creeping around in empty houses sounded exciting....
The book starts off well enough with an introduction to the underground world of 'creepers' and the main characyers of the book.
There are many many twists
The book starts off well enough with an introduction to the underground world of 'creepers' and the main characyers of the book.
There are many many twists
Show More
and turns during the novel, and for me the first 4/5's of the book were brilliantly put together with some genuine creepy moments. The ending for me was quite a disappointment and seemed a bit pathetic in comparrison to rest of the book, but that's just my opinion, I'm sure others will have loved it.... Show Less
LibraryThing member klarsenmd
I loved the setting of this book, an abandoned hotel full of history and secrets. What I didn't love was the patchy way the plot was thrown together. Several times during the story I got the sense of things being tacked on to keep the action running. I felt like it was all too contrived and not
Show More
realistic. The characters lacked depth and believability. Show Less
LibraryThing member andreablythe
Creepers is a slang term for urban explorers, those who sneak into abandoned and derelict building to look into the past. Urban exploration is the jumping off point for this story, with a small group of creepers entering the sealed off Paragon Hotel in Asbury Park and it's a part of what drew me
I love thriller and horror stories that work this way: put the characters in an already dangerous situation (such entering a deathtrap hotel full of rotting floors and other life threatening risks), then intensify with something worse.
From page one, the story unsettled, a general eerie feeling. As the story progressed, I found myself increasingly sucked into the story and to a point of near anxiety. I don't remember the last time I've been this close to being genuinely frightened by a horror tale. Though the fear went a way as the story moved into more well-trodden territory storyline-wise and the action sequences took over. Still, I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. It was a fast, enjoyable read.
Show More
immediately in. I've been fascinated with the idea of urban exploration for a long time, though I would never try it myself, as it's highly dangerous and illegal. I love thriller and horror stories that work this way: put the characters in an already dangerous situation (such entering a deathtrap hotel full of rotting floors and other life threatening risks), then intensify with something worse.
From page one, the story unsettled, a general eerie feeling. As the story progressed, I found myself increasingly sucked into the story and to a point of near anxiety. I don't remember the last time I've been this close to being genuinely frightened by a horror tale. Though the fear went a way as the story moved into more well-trodden territory storyline-wise and the action sequences took over. Still, I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. It was a fast, enjoyable read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jwarner6
Author does well in rolling out the suspenseful elements of this book. Apparently disjointed elements brought together at the end. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Definitely movie material.
LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
If anyone has ever given in to curiousity and walked through an old, abandoned building you will understand where the suspense in this book comes from. The "creepers" are a group of people who routinely explore these buildings. While exploring an old abandoned hotel scheduled for demolition they
Show More
encounter slightly more than they bargained for. Show Less
Awards
Bram Stoker Award (Nominee — Novel — 2005)
Lovey Award (Thriller — 2006)
Gumshoe Award (Nominee — Thriller — 2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
400 p.; 6.88 inches
ISBN
1593153570 / 9781593153571