While this was a good novel, it didn't pack as much of a punch for me and it could have. Not because of the novel itself but because I read the short story "Out There In The Darkness" which was the basis for this book. The short story is roughly forty pages and covers the same plot and the same twist at the ending. The book is 393 pages with much more characterizations, more events and a more satisfying but not as spooky ending. Bill, Curtis, Neil and Aaron are four friends that get together once a week to play poker. Their game is interrupted by an attempted burglary which goes awry as the friends accidentally kill one of the burglars. Due to a vigilante streak where they were going to torture the burglar, they all decide to not call the cops. Unfortunately this gets used against them by the burglar's partner who is now out for revenge. Other than an occasional mumble on my part of "Just call the cops already.", I didn't have any problems with the book. I kind of wish that I hadn't read the short story so that I could enjoy the novel more, but then I would have wished the same about the novel so that I could have enjoyed the short story. Either way I would recommend reading the book. ( )