Bil Richardson

A sleeping evil in a small mining town has awakened after getting a taste of blood. Now the dead don't stay that way and it's up to the sheriff to save his town in this gory and gruesome tale.

This was a totally new experience for me, I have not listened to an audio book in years because back when I did, I was not impressed. I know lots of people enjoy them but for me, it is difficult to pay attention when someone reads to me, especially if I don't like their voice.

However, More Than Evil is nothing like those flat robotic things I tried to listen to a decade ago. It is described as a movie for your ears and I somewhat agree with that but it is more satisfying than trying to listen to a movie with no picture. The rich narration and chilling sound effects remind me more of the old radio shows people listened to before they had tv. Back when there was no picture it was up to the actors and sound effects artists to conjure the images in your imagination. Of course some of the language and more graphic scenes would not have been allowed on the radio in those days, but horror fans of today will likely enjoy this "movie for the ears." I know I did.


I received audio files from the author with no obligation to write a review.… (mehr)

More Than Evil by Bil Richardson is a short read detailing the events that overtake a small mining town after an accident releases an ancient evil. It's up to Sheriff Harlan to try and defeat the risen horror, with the help of his daughter Jessie and her boyfriend Tom.

Richardson certainly has a flair for gore! This was good, cheesy horror fun in the vein of Hunter Shea, with a clever take on genre tropes. I get so bored and irritated with stock monsters like werewolves and vampires. There are plenty of other terrifying beasties in the lore around the world, and more were creatures than just wolves. While never actual labelled as a specific creature, these reminded me of ghouls, or even wendigo a little.

I enjoy the language too. While this is a pretty gore-filled book, there are cool descriptions littered throughout. I loved the comparison of the continuous miner as a hungry dragon. And the opening line of the main story is gold. Definitely a great hook!

'Revenge is a wonderful thing. When you are in pain it is your comfort. When you are alone it is your companion. When you are hopeless it is your reason to live.'

I enjoyed the three main protagonists- Harlan, Jessie, and Tom. I had to warm up to Tom though. He was kinda annoying at first. Understandably sullen, but not handling it well. I tried not to get attached to any characters, knowing that in this subgenre of horror, you aren't even guaranteed that your main character(s) will survive. I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for more by this author.

****Many thanks to the author & publisher for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Blurbed for the Manhattan Book Review.… (mehr)