Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York, NY : Kensington Pub. Corp., c2002.
Description
A tale of unrelenting terror that showcases the dark, fertile imagination and unique voice of newcomer Scott Nicholson. Scott Nicholson's debut novel is the haunting, richly-layered story of a former minister of an abandoned church -- a murderous demon who has taken human form -- who returns...ready to begin a new killing spree.
User reviews
LibraryThing member spvaughan
The Red Church by Scott Nicholson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As most of my friends know, I am not a fan of the 'horror' genre. So why the heck would I read this one? I've been following Scott Nicholson's Kindle tour and as I read his postings, I found I liked them. While some were very lengthy, I didn't
I had just finished my last book and thought I would see what I had gotten for 99 cents. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have to finish it.
Next think I knew, it was time to go to bed. I had met 2 brothers, who while walking home from school had to pass the old red church (which like most from it's time, had a grave yard beside it). The younger brother (not knowing all the history of the church or ghost stories) saw something that drew his attention (a 'girly' magazine) and called his reluctant brother over to see the findings. Next thing you know, an almost dead person grab an ankle with causes much screaming as the ankle get unhooked and the boys race home to tell their parents of the gruesome happening!
The parents meanwhile are at home fighting. It seems a evangelical preacher from the area had left several years ago for California with the wife and a few other woman to start the Church of the Two Suns. The husband had 'rescued' her from them and brought her back to the mountains. But the preacher was back and the wife seemed to have come 'under his spell' again.
Two more strange deaths occur.
The church bell rings but how....there is no bell cord.
Yep. I was hooked. I finished it this morning.
There are ghosts and monsters terrible happenings but maybe because it is primarily told through the 13 year old big brother, it is not a gory as it might have been.
But I think my friends who lean that way will enjoy it as much as I did. 'Definitely right for this time of year~
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As most of my friends know, I am not a fan of the 'horror' genre. So why the heck would I read this one? I've been following Scott Nicholson's Kindle tour and as I read his postings, I found I liked them. While some were very lengthy, I didn't
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mind reading them because of the way he wrote. And then he wanted his fans to push his ebook sale of "The Red Church" up to the 100 mark. Well, I have Kindle on my Mac and 99 cents was a good price to help a friend....yes, I went to Amazon and got it.I had just finished my last book and thought I would see what I had gotten for 99 cents. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have to finish it.
Next think I knew, it was time to go to bed. I had met 2 brothers, who while walking home from school had to pass the old red church (which like most from it's time, had a grave yard beside it). The younger brother (not knowing all the history of the church or ghost stories) saw something that drew his attention (a 'girly' magazine) and called his reluctant brother over to see the findings. Next thing you know, an almost dead person grab an ankle with causes much screaming as the ankle get unhooked and the boys race home to tell their parents of the gruesome happening!
The parents meanwhile are at home fighting. It seems a evangelical preacher from the area had left several years ago for California with the wife and a few other woman to start the Church of the Two Suns. The husband had 'rescued' her from them and brought her back to the mountains. But the preacher was back and the wife seemed to have come 'under his spell' again.
Two more strange deaths occur.
The church bell rings but how....there is no bell cord.
Yep. I was hooked. I finished it this morning.
There are ghosts and monsters terrible happenings but maybe because it is primarily told through the 13 year old big brother, it is not a gory as it might have been.
But I think my friends who lean that way will enjoy it as much as I did. 'Definitely right for this time of year~
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LibraryThing member ccourtland
The Red Church is everything a scary story should be! The characters believe with conviction what they see is real and never waver despite the implausibility. Their trust is contagious and because of this, the reader can rely on the accounts. The 'good' vs. 'evil' element is at the forefront, but
This is more than just good vs. evil, but also ventures into the psychology behind influencing groups of people. Most people when they learn of a cult or occult group wonder how people become followers. It seems illogical and for the most part, crazy. The Red Church presents just how confusing recognizing right from wrong and good from bad really can be. When doubt creeps in, alternative answers are sought and honestly, an idea that might seem ridiculous suddenly becomes convincing. There were points in the story where I thought, "Huh, what if that guy is really right?" The nonsensical made sense and I realized how a person could choose an alternative.
Coincidentally, I happened to watch the ID special on the American Occult and came across an episode that featured Jeffrey Don Lundgren, a man who claimed to be a prophet. Eerily, The Red Church cast are similar to the real life happenings that occurred in Ohio.
Recommend to those who are interested in psychological horror and the American occult.
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what makes this theme unique is how it is presented. Is Jesus really the bad guy? Seems ridiculous to consider given America's deeply rooted Christian culture, but Nicholson is able to craft a story that inspires doubt. This in turn illuminates the frailness of belief, or does it?This is more than just good vs. evil, but also ventures into the psychology behind influencing groups of people. Most people when they learn of a cult or occult group wonder how people become followers. It seems illogical and for the most part, crazy. The Red Church presents just how confusing recognizing right from wrong and good from bad really can be. When doubt creeps in, alternative answers are sought and honestly, an idea that might seem ridiculous suddenly becomes convincing. There were points in the story where I thought, "Huh, what if that guy is really right?" The nonsensical made sense and I realized how a person could choose an alternative.
Coincidentally, I happened to watch the ID special on the American Occult and came across an episode that featured Jeffrey Don Lundgren, a man who claimed to be a prophet. Eerily, The Red Church cast are similar to the real life happenings that occurred in Ohio.
Recommend to those who are interested in psychological horror and the American occult.
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LibraryThing member rsplenda477
One of the best newer horror books I've read. Dealing with the ultimate horror (God vs. Satan), it brings audiences into a severely flawed world that is in danger of ultimate ruin.
LibraryThing member revslick
A decent back woods, country horror novel ruined by the authors inability to look up basic, baptist theology.
LibraryThing member lesindy
This was a very good novel. It was a bit hilarious how religious hysteria swept the town. As an Atheist I didn't mind the cult or Baptists bits. The evil was obviously very real, as was the boy's faith of Jesus.
LibraryThing member arlenadean
Title: The Red Church
Author: Scott Nicholson
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Series: Sheriff Frank Littlefield # 1]
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Red Church" by Scott Nicholson
My Thoughts....
I will say this isn't my favorite genre but I took it on and after a few chapters I will say
Author: Scott Nicholson
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Series: Sheriff Frank Littlefield # 1]
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Red Church" by Scott Nicholson
My Thoughts....
I will say this isn't my favorite genre but I took it on and after a few chapters I will say
Show More
this was a interesting horror story with some deep fantasy /paranormal and some suspenseful mystery. I was even kept reading because it seemed like a compelling story in this small town that will definitely keep your attention all the way till the end following who had been murdered and what was going to happen next. Be ready for a disturbing read, filled with the story of evil that is on loose in 'Whispering Pines,' scary to creepy. Along with all of that their were some very interesting characters that will give the reader some read. So, if you are looking for a novel of mystery, suspense along with a lot of scary things going on...then you have come to the right place because this author will give it to you and more. Show Less
LibraryThing member williemeikle
Scott Nicholson's The Red Church is fast paced, scary, and damn good fun... everything a good horror novel should be. It's also more than that. It's insightful, thoughtful and sometimes downright poetic. The tale of a search for meaning, and the meaning of faith resonated with this lapsed Church of
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Scotland reader, and got me thinking about things I hadn't considered since my own teenage years. Scott's skillful use of several viewpoint characters, each with their own take on what is happening, only tightens the tension. I read this on the Kindle version, but I need to seek out a hard copy. This one's a keepe Show Less
LibraryThing member Charrlygirl
I originally rated this 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3.
his is one of those generational tales where the family in the present has to pay for the sins of the family in the past. The character development was excellent, I thought. The plot was engaging and there is no doubt Mr. Nicholson has an
The only thing that bothered me about this one is the fact that I think it got a little "churchy" at the end. A little more "churchy" and Christian themed than I normally would enjoy. But hey, what else did I expect from a book with the title of The Red Church, right?
All in all, I did enjoy this novel and I have found that I've been thinking on it and turning it over in my mind since I finished and that's the reason I revised my original rating up to 4 stars. Recommended!
his is one of those generational tales where the family in the present has to pay for the sins of the family in the past. The character development was excellent, I thought. The plot was engaging and there is no doubt Mr. Nicholson has an
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excellent imagination.The only thing that bothered me about this one is the fact that I think it got a little "churchy" at the end. A little more "churchy" and Christian themed than I normally would enjoy. But hey, what else did I expect from a book with the title of The Red Church, right?
All in all, I did enjoy this novel and I have found that I've been thinking on it and turning it over in my mind since I finished and that's the reason I revised my original rating up to 4 stars. Recommended!
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LibraryThing member JReynolds1959
Archer McFall has grown up believing that he is the second child of God. His brother Jesus has the human race believing that there is a Heaven and you have to be good and allow him in your heart.
Archer has purchased the Red Church, with all of its hauntings and deaths that occured around it.
Ronnie
There are those who want to see the retribution of the hanging of Wendell McFall back in the day. He was the preacher at the church and was having people believe in the second son of God.
This book has religious undertones throughout. Good argument about a second son and how things could be as the preacher preaches. You are taken through both sides of the argument and they really both make sense.
Archer has purchased the Red Church, with all of its hauntings and deaths that occured around it.
Ronnie
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Day has heard all the rumours and fears even looking at the church in passing it. Frank Littlefield is the sheriff of Whispering Pines and deals with the death of his younger brother Samuel at the church. There are those who want to see the retribution of the hanging of Wendell McFall back in the day. He was the preacher at the church and was having people believe in the second son of God.
This book has religious undertones throughout. Good argument about a second son and how things could be as the preacher preaches. You are taken through both sides of the argument and they really both make sense.
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Awards
Bram Stoker Award (Nominee — First Novel — 2002)
IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award (Finalist — 2003)
Locus Recommended Reading (First Novel — 2002)
Language
Original publication date
2002
Physical description
349 p.; 18 inches
ISBN
0739425862 / 9780739425862