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Kennet Singleton cremates the dead—and then they speak… “Avenge us!” Nineteen-year-old Kennet Singleton lives with his invalid mother in a personal care facility, but he wants out. He operates the crematory at the local funeral home, where he discovers he can discern the cause of death of those he cremates—by toasting marshmallows over their ashes. He thinks his ability is no big deal since his customers are already dead. But when his perception differs from what’s on the death certificate, he finds himself in the midst of murderers. To save the residents and avenge the dead, Kennet must bring the killers to justice. |
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
The gift of knowing a cause of death without insider information would come in handy for specific jobs — coroner and law enforcement. However, it’s more of a parlor trick for non-detective related occupations—unless you work in a crematory and the dead seek your help for vengeance. Then, it’s absolutely a welcomed gift.
Kennet’s super power, gift, or whatever you want to call it, really came into play during the last 100 or so pages of the story. During this portion, things started to heat up. 😀
The dead wanted vengeance. Kennet wanted vengeance.
Spirits communicated with the living to carry out their plan, and not all the angry souls were rooting for the good guy (Kennet).
While the cover screams horror, in my opinion, I didn’t find Death Perception scary at all. I’m pretty sure I’d be singing a different turn if spirits wanted me dead and if one (or two or more) appeared before me.
Was Death Perception weird? YES.
Was it creepy? Yes!
Seriously, roasting marshmallows over ashes and then eating them is WEIRD and CREEPY!
I only wish we would’ve seen more interactions between the spirits and the living. I wanted more creepiness. More horror. More suspense.
I was pleased by the ending, though. If anyone deserved a HEA, it was Kennet.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
About the author
I write dark fiction: horror, erotic horror, dark fantasy, dark crime, psychological thrillers and suspense. And technical manuals. All terribly horrifying.
Lee Allen Howard has been a technical writer in the software industry since 1985. (Why do fiction writers pretend like they don’t have day jobs? I like to eat just like everyone else!) I also edit fiction and non-fiction projects. I’ve done book layout and publishing consultancy.
A long time ago I earned a BA in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I also received an MA in Biblical Studies from CI School of Theology and an MA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
My publications include, but are not limited to:
- Early poetry and short fiction were published in IUP’s New Growth Arts Revue.
- My first novel, When the Music Stops, was published in 2000 (now out of print).
- I’ve written and published numerous biblical teachings books, which mostly out of print, but check my Lee A. Howard Amazon author page.
- “The Summer House” appeared in Cemetery Sonata anthology.
- I wrote an article in Out Magazine.
- I played editor-for-hire for Tom Venuto’s The Body Fat Solution and Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.
- I contributed “Savoir-Faire,” edited, and published THOU SHALT NOT… anthology (Dark Cloud Press).
- “Your Very First Editor” appeared in Many Genres, One Craft.
- THE SIXTH SEED is available in a variety of formats.
- SEVERED RELATIONS is available for Kindle.
- MAMA SAID is published for Kindle.
- DESPERATE SPIRITS is published for Kindle.
- NIGHT MONSTERS is published for Kindle and Nook.
- DEATH PERCEPTION is available in a variety of formats.
- PERPETUAL NIGHTMARES is available in a variety of formats.
- THE ADAMSON FAMILY is available in a variety of formats.
- TALES OF BLOOD AND SQUALOR is available in a variety of formats.
- THE BEDWETTER is available in a variety of formats from many sites.
I’m also the founder, editor, and publisher at Dark Cloud Press (http://www.darkcloudpress.com), publisher of horror, dark crime, and psychological thrillers.