The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

photo by: authorstevehamilton.com

Released: January 2010

The Lock Artist has won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, and has been on my wish list since its release. I was thrilled the day I finally found a copy, and it wasn't on my bookshelf for too long before I decided to dive into it.

Miracle Boy in prison

The Lock Artist is narrated by Mike, a young man sentenced to life in prison for his role as a boxman, or safe cracker, in a series of heists. Mike has been mute since he was eight years old, when a terrible family tragedy should have resulted in his death. After being unable to open the safe for a robber at his uncle's liquor store, Mike develops an interest in learning how to pick locks. After several years and lots of practice at lock-picking, 17-year-old Mike gets talked into breaking into the home of a local high school jock. After getting caught, Mike must redeem himself by performing odd jobs for Mr. Marsh -- the man whose house Mike broke into.

Slither by Edward Lee

photo by Amazon.com

Released: November 2006

I grabbed Slither from my bookshelf with high hopes of indulging in splatterpunk. This is the first novel I've ever read by Edward Lee, and I'm happy to say I loved it, and I'm looking forward to reading The Golem and Infernal Angel --  both of which are already on standby at Mt. TBR.

Though Slither is plenty violent and terrifying, I was hoping it would be a bit more splatterpunky than it was. But the novel's ending is wholly satisfying and justifies everything...I can't wait to read more of Edward Lee's backlist.

Death Instinct by Bentley Little

amazon.com

Released: 1992

Death Instinct is Bentley Little's third novel, and was originally released under Little's pen name, Phillip Emmons. This novel is superb; it seems as if the horror genre in general was at its peak during the 1990s. If you want to feel horrified, shocked, grossed out, or (insert any other creepy adjective here), I'd suggest stocking up on horror novels by any author during this time period. I originally picked up Death Instinct after having read and enjoyed The Store by Bentley Little.

Wanna play naked horsie?

Death Instinct opens with a disturbing prologue that offers us a glimpse into the childhood of the novel's heroine, Cathy. Throughout Cathy's pre-teen years, her older brother David includes her in his many perverted games, one of which involves forcing her to watch him play naked on a toy horse. The author lets on that Cathy is an innocent young girl being taken advantage of by her sinister older brother.