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Digger
In Digger by Arjay Lewis, readers meet Joshua Bennet, a young reporter grappling with his father’s mysterious and sudden death. Raised on his father’s stories of nocturnal horrors and having witnessed inexplicable events himself, Joshua doubts the official explanation of his father’s demise. Determined to uncover the truth, he sets out to find his father’s old ally, known only as Digger. Armed with nothing but an alias, Joshua’s journalistic skills are put to the test in a quest that proves more daunting than expected.
Throughout the novel, Joshua relies on childhood notes about his father’s escapades as a demon hunter, using his journalism career not only as a means to investigate but also as a disguise to deflect suspicion in the small, tight-knit communities he explores. These settings are vividly portrayed, with residents’ wariness adding a layer of authenticity to each encounter. Joshua’s pretense of researching articles lends him just enough credibility to continue his inquiries, gradually peeling back layers of mystery with each reluctant source he persuades.
Fans of supernatural dramas like “Supernatural” or “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will find Digger a novel take on the demon hunter narrative. Lewis refreshes a familiar genre by shifting the perspective to an outsider, adding a layer of intrigue and novelty. Without revealing too much, the narrative excels in drawing readers into Joshua’s relentless pursuit of the enigmatic Digger. The pacing of the book is deliberate, with early chapters setting a measured tempo that crescendos into a gripping, sleep-defying conclusion.
For those drawn to supernatural thrillers and horror, Digger promises a compelling blend of suspense and the unexplained.
Pages: 412 | ASIN : B0C5TKXXJS
Crime and the Supernatural
A Beast Within follows a normal-looking family with a dark secret who encounters three criminals on the run after a bank robbery. What inspired the setup of your story?
I always wanted to write a story combining both crime and a supernatural element to it. I wondered for a while on how to do this. So when A Beast Within came to me, I felt it was the perfect balance of both crime and the supernatural.
Your characters are well-rounded and offer readers some surprises as they get into the story. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Gosh, thank you so much for the compliment! I’m blushing here. I always try to make every character I write seem as real as possible. I use a method whereby I have different categories in an Excel sheet i.e. name, age, sex, hobbies, likes, dislikes, triggers, etc. By spending time working on the sheet and filling in these categories for each person, this approach helps me to make them into real people.
But to answer your question, I liked writing Natalie, not just because she’s a fellow Irish person, but because I tried to make her as evil as possible while still giving her a sympathetic backstory as to why she is this way. Jeremy was a challenge to write because, not only was he the protagonist and a criminal, but I had to make him a guy who wasn’t afraid to commit a crime if need be, but also show that he had a good side to him. It was also imperative to show readers that he really wanted to change and no longer revert back to crime so this, in itself, was a tough balancing act, coming up with ways that pushed him further back into his old life.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
Ever since I was a kid, the unknown always fascinated me. Also, while growing up, I’ve had a few paranormal encounters so it let me know that it exists. Writing in the horror genre can be tough because you have to thrill people in ways that you can’t do in the fantasy genre. You have to take readers to a dark place and if you’re to fully immerse them into the story, you have to make them scared or feel uncomfortable. Dean Koontz and Stephen King are masters at this, two men I totally respect and admire for their craftsmanship as authors.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
There are a couple of books I am working on at the moment. In August of this year, I’m releasing, Deadly Pursuits – the sequel to The Lost Son (Second Edition). I’m also editing, Lurking Beasts – the final book in my YA horror series, The Hopps Town Series, which will be released in April 2025. Hopefully, two audiobooks based on my novels will be released this year as well.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Fresh out of prison, Jeremy vows to steer clear of a life of crime and clean up his act. But he quickly realizes that to the world, he will always be an ex-con and plunges back into his old ways. The perfect opportunity presents itself in the form of his best friend, Stephen, and his spunky girlfriend, Natalie.
After a failed bank robbery, Jeremy and his accomplices’ identities are made. So, they find refuge in the home of a typical Christian family. Their getaway should have been smooth sailing…after all it was three armed criminals against the wholesome Boyd family.
But the Boyds are hiding dark secrets of their own…
Get the latest pulse-pounding, thrilling novella by Aidan Lucid today!
“A Beast Within” ranked in 16th place in Malevolent Dark Horror Fiction’s December 2023 Top 25 Horror Fiction List.
A Beast Within
A Beast Within by Aidan Lucid intertwines the ordinary and the extraordinary, blending the lives of a quintessentially American family with a group of bank robbers, culminating in a suspenseful encounter with the supernatural. The narrative unfolds from two distinct perspectives, creating a dynamic and engaging storytelling experience. The book opens with a family – Malcolm, Helena, and David – who find themselves in a nightmarish scenario, encountering a werewolf on a desolate road. This traumatic experience serves as the reader’s introduction to the paranormal elements that permeate the story. The narrative then shifts to Jeremy, a character freshly released from prison. Despite his aspirations to leave his criminal past behind, he finds himself drawn back into that world by his friend Stephen and Stephen’s girlfriend, Natalie. This decision leads them to face unexpected and otherworldly consequences.
Lucid excels in pacing, crafting a narrative that is both brisk and captivating, making it an ideal read for those looking to immerse themselves in a story in one sitting. Jeremy, as a character, is particularly well-rendered, embodying a blend of vulnerability and resilience that makes him a compelling protagonist. His moral complexity adds depth to the narrative, presenting him as flawed yet fundamentally decent. The portrayal of trauma and its diverse impacts on individuals is a standout aspect of Lucid’s writing. The characters’ varied responses to their traumatic experiences are depicted with a sense of authenticity. For instance, while Jeremy grapples with lost self-confidence, Natalie turns to adrenaline-fueled activities for solace. These personal struggles inadvertently summon the supernatural forces that thrive on their fears and anxieties. While the novel effectively delves into these psychological themes, it leaves certain areas underexplored. The backstory involving Iraq, for instance, feels like a missed opportunity for deeper character development, particularly for Natalie, whose character at times feels limited in dimensionality. A more thorough exploration of this aspect could have enriched the narrative and offered a more nuanced understanding of her character.
A Beast Within is an engaging read for those who relish a blend of suspense, the supernatural, and psychological depth. Lucid’s storytelling is marked by a compelling plot twist that adds to the book’s overall entertainment value. Recommended for fans of thrillers and supernatural fiction, this novel is a testament to the exciting possibilities of genre blending.
Pages: 116 | ASIN : B0CJP9ND4N
LITERARY TITAN 