The page turner. Anyone who’s ever put pen to paper wants to write one. Jeremy Bates has a formula for pulling it off. His settings are exquisite–the scariest places on earth. With the atmosphere and the history they provide, Bates is off to the races. He give us a strong lead character, a crew of people to care about–and to provide fodder for the killer in their midst. It’s formulaic, it’s predictable, and it’s awesome.
I’ve read two of Bates’ books: The Catacombs and Suicide Forest.
The Catacombs:
Paris, France, is known as the City of Lights, a metropolis renowned for romance and beauty. Beneath the bustling streets and cafés, however, exists The Catacombs, a labyrinth of crumbling tunnels home to six million dead. When a video camera containing mysterious footage is discovered deep within their depths, a group of friends venture into the tunnels to investigate. What starts out as a lighthearted adventure, however, takes a turn for the worse when they reach their destination—and stumble upon the evil lurking there.
And Suicide Forest:
Just outside of Tokyo lies Aokigahara, a vast forest and one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Japan…and also the most infamous spot to commit suicide in the world. Legend has it that the spirits of those many suicides are still roaming, haunting deep in the ancient woods. When bad weather prevents a group of friends from climbing neighboring Mt. Fuji, they decide to spend the night camping in Aokigahara. But they get more than they bargained for when one of them is found hanged in the morning—and they realize there might be some truth to the legends after all.
You might notice–those are pretty similar. And if you read the books, you’ll find they are pretty similar, too. But honestly? It doesn’t matter. When it comes to page-turning thrillers, it’s hard to find better. So check them out and let me know what you think. I bet you’ll be more than satisfied.
Catacombs: 4 Stars
Suicide Forest: 3.5 Stars
Beware The Shadows 