This book will be
avaiable in May from Time/Warner in digital form
The Story:
Welcome to Anderson. It's pretty quiet here and that's the way we like it.
One thing, though. Madge Duffy murdered her husband John last week, or thought she did.
She spent the night in jail but then John walked out of the morgue none the worse for
wear. And there's a bullet hole in Deputy Haws' shirt that he can't explain.
Something's going on in this town of ours. Something that makes your skin crawl and your
teeth grind in the night. I don't know what it is, but I'll tell you this:
It scares me.
Reviews:
From the first paragraph to the last, Risen will hold you by the collar and won't let go.
With an ear for natural dialogue and an eye for the details that make a novel come alive,
Jan Strnad's first published novel is an
impressive debut. Risen is one helluva read. Strnad is a born storyteller with an original
voice. Don't start this book unless you've got an evening free. -- George Beahm,
author of The Stephen King Companion
and Stephen King Collectibles: An Illustrated Price Guide
I don't personally step in for a book or story, as a general rule, but Risen is really a
find, a highly original horror novel, with many clever character and plot twists. Five
stars, way up. -- Merle Kessler (Ian Shoales)
author of Not Wet Yet
Jan Strnad's outstanding debut novel Risen proves that he belongs right up there in the
ranks of the horror masters King and Koontz. While based on a premise creepy enough to
raise goosebumps, Risen's fast paced narrative and realistic characters make this novel
highly appealing to fans of the Suspense/Thriller genre as well. A thoroughly satisfying
read, Risen keeps you riveted from the very beginning and its disturbingly chilling impact
will linger long after the last word is read. -- Nancy Webb
Alfred Hitchcock in "Hitchcock/Truffaut" talks of a story idea he tried and
never adequately mastered. Its premise: what would we do if our dead loved ones returned
to this life? Hitchcock abandoned the idea because he never found a satisfying story
development for it.
Jan Strnad's Risen deals with the same premise and conquers it mightily. What would we do
if our loved ones (and not so loved ones) came back? Strnad's relentless examination is
breathlessly paced, gnawingly thoughtful and populated with an array of characters we can
love, hate, fear - and fear for. To this Americana horror he adds an observant humor that
is as wicked as a paper cut.
The sensuality of his writing is always on the prowl too: The smell of a Methodist church,
the many contortions of dying, the feeling of the Void, the psyche of aimless teens, the
crustiness of aged bodies, the palpable fear of impossible horror grinning you in the
face. Come to the small average town of Anderson and meet the Risen. It will be hard to
get them out of your mind. A must-read. -- John Huff author of DADDY'S BOY
Just finished Risen. An enjoyable read and hard to put down.
Early in the book, I felt I knew the characters intimately. And, I felt as though I was
walking the avenues, visiting the homes, seeing the countryside and experiencing the
emotions (high and low) with each person in the story. And the characters weren't just
people in a story, they were human--so fleshed out that you could swear you have,
yourself, met them at some time, someplace, but you just can't put your finger on where.
High action, intrigue and humor. Delicious descriptions of horror. Great use of metaphors
and similes. Evocative imagery!
A marvelous ride into a world of chaos, where you are never really sure what to believe,
who to trust . . . just a step away from reality . . . and you are there! -- Kathy
Anne Harris author of From the Great Wound
This book will available from Time/Warner
books in May in digital form.
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Last updated on 3-10-2005
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