{"id":9176,"date":"2022-05-01T21:49:56","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T01:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterlibrarian.com\/TheCirculationDesk\/?p=9176"},"modified":"2022-05-01T21:49:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T01:49:56","slug":"book-review-night-shoot-by-david-sodergren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monsterlibrarian.com\/TheCirculationDesk\/book-review-night-shoot-by-david-sodergren\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: Night Shoot by David Sodergren"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Night Shoot, <\/i><\/span>by David Sodergren<\/span><\/p>\n

Paperbacks and Pugs, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

ISBN: 9781718170278<\/span><\/p>\n

Available: paperback, Kindle\u00a0\u00a0(\u00a0Amazon.com<\/a> )<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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For readers who want excitement, action, <\/span>blood and organs splashed around the pages (where appropriate, of course), and some occasional humor to keep the story from total darkness, Sodergren is a must read: both this book, and his outstanding debut, 2018’s <\/span>The Forgotten Island.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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The story centers around a group of mediocre film students who gather in an old, Gothic-style mansion on the cliffs of Scotland to make a horror film. \u00a0The mansion belongs to the director’s uncle, who always leaves and locks it at 8PM, not returning till morning. Filming is a disaster, so the foolish students, forced to leave at the 8PM deadline, break back in to attempt to complete the filming in a lengthy overnight shoot. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, there is a reason they were not supposed to be in the house, and they soon find out why, in a suitably bloody fashion. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Although the basic plot (last person standing) is common enough, it still works when the author knows how to write in an exciting, fast-paced fashion, and that’s something Sodergren does <\/span>extremely<\/i><\/span> well. \u00a0His writing style is what’s been referred to as “tight but loose”, with well-written prose, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.\u00a0 There is always room for pop culture asides and dark humor in the writing, but it doesn’t detract from the story, or turn it into a comedy. \u00a0Think early Stephen King, and you get the idea. \u00a0In this case, the humor is in how the author portrays the film crew. \u00a0They regard themselves as true artists, but he portrays them as buffoons. \u00a0Considering that a lot of people do regard Hollywood and actors in general as foolish,\u00a0 that’s a narrative a lot of people will relate to and enjoy.\u00a0 The dialogue works perfectly: just what is needed for the story, with no wasted time on lengthy pontifications. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Of course, this IS a horror novel, and it throws in plenty of creative, gore-drenched events, but it never goes over the top. \u00a0The blood and guts is just part of the story, not the overall focus of the story. This isn’t quite hardcore splat, although it’s getting into the neighborhood.\u00a0 One selling point of his books is the endings: very satisfying, but NOT what you expect. \u00a0Final note: bonus points to the author for using Coldplay as the butt of one of the jokes in the book. \u00a0No band deserves it more. \u00a0Recommended. (the book, not Coldplay!)<\/span><\/p>\n

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