Title: Depraved
Author: Bryan Smith
First published January 1, 2009
324 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780843962925 (ISBN10: 0843962925)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Step into the eerie confines of Hopkins Bend, a small town in Tennessee with a sinister reputation. The Kincher clan, a family of depraved and mutated individuals, holds a dark secret that the locals would rather keep hidden.
Grim tales of cannibals and sex-trafficking rings have been whispered among the townsfolk, and unwary travelers who wander into Hopkins Bend are often ensnared in the town’s twisted web. Those who are captured face unspeakable horrors, from torture to even more gruesome fates.
Will you dare to explore the secrets of Hopkins Bend?
About the Author
Meet Bryan Smith, an award-winning author who has written over thirty horror and crime books. Some of his notable works include 68 Kill, Depraved, The Killing Kind, Slowly We Rot, and The Freakshow.
Brian Keene, a bestselling horror author, praised Slowly We Rot as “The best zombie novel I’ve ever read.”
Bryan’s book, 68 Kill, was adapted into a movie directed by Trent Haaga and featured Matthew Gray Gubler from the CBS series Criminal Minds. The movie won the Midnighters Award at the SXSW film festival in 2017 and received positive reviews from The New York Times and Bloody Disgusting.
Apart from writing books, Bryan also co-scripted an original story for the House of Horrors anthology from DC Comics featuring Harley Quinn. He has worked with renowned horror publishing companies such as Leisure Books, Samhain Publishing, Grindhouse Press, and Death’s Head Press.
His books are available worldwide, with select titles also available in German and Italian.
Editoral Review
Depraved by Bryan Smith is a gripping horror novel that will keep its readers hooked from the first page until the very end. Bryan Smith is well known for his works in the horror genre and Depraved is no exception.
The book was first published on January 1, 2009, and has been a favorite among horror fans ever since. The story of Depraved takes place in a small town, where strange things begin to happen.
A single father named Ray Garton moves with his daughter to the town to start a new life. However, things take a dark turn when Ray discovers that the town is filled with people who indulge in depraved behavior.
He soon finds himself in the middle of a war between the townspeople and a group of bikers who are trying to take over the town. As the war escalates, Ray must navigate his way through the violence and try to keep his daughter safe.
Depraved is a classic horror novel that delves into the dark underbelly of society. The book is filled with violence, gore, and intense action scenes.
Bryan Smith’s writing style is crisp and engaging, which keeps the pacing of the book fast and thrilling. The setting of the book is well portrayed, and the characters are well developed.
The protagonist, Ray Garton, is a relatable character who is easy to root for. The book also explores themes of morality, loss, and survival, which make it much more than just a simple horror novel.
One of the strengths of Depraved is its ability to create a terrifying atmosphere that keeps the readers on edge. Bryan Smith has done an exceptional job of building suspense and tension throughout the book.
The action scenes are well crafted and will have readers at the edge of their seats. The book also has a good balance between the horror elements and the emotional beats, which makes it a well-rounded read.
However, one of the flaws of the book is the way some of the secondary characters are treated. While the main characters are well developed, some of the side characters feel like they were added just for the sake of moving the plot forward.
Additionally, the ending of the book may feel unsatisfying to some readers. Overall, Depraved is a fantastic horror novel that will thrill its readers.
It has all of the elements that make for an engaging horror story, including well-developed characters, a thrilling plot, and a great setting. Fans of the horror genre should definitely give this book a read.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Fans of horror novels, readers looking for a thrill ride, and those who enjoy stories that explore the darker side of humanity.
