The Handyman by Bentley Little

 

The Handyman by Bentley Little - 334 pages

Daniel Martin has never forgotten his childhood encounters with Frank Watkins, the man who built his family a summer home out of cardboard and plywood. Frank's gaze was oddly confusing, as if he was attempting to discern the proper way to behave because he didn't know how to respond in a human manner. Since Frank obviously wasn't an alien, young Daniel thought maybe the man was crazy. In the end, Daniel would learn the terrifying truth about Frank Watkins. And as an adult, Daniel is about to discover there are more of THEM out there...

This was by far my favorite book by this author.  I really liked the story narrated by Daniel, then the story visits different timelines and different people that were affected by Frank, then back to Daniel.  This Frank fella is a baaaad dude.  Would definitely recommend for horror fans.

Walking Alone: Short Stories by Bentley Little

 

Walking Alone: Short Stories by Bentley Little - 300 pages

From the mind of the man Stephen King calls "a master of the macabre" comes a brilliant new collection of no-punches-pulled horror stories, some never-before-collected and many originals that have never been published anywhere before. Bentley Little can take the innocuous, twist it around, and write a story that will change your way of thinking. Walking Alone: Short Stories is a shining example of his talent to scare you, creep you out, and make you shudder.

This was ok...the stories were interesting but on some the ending fell flat.

The Store by Bentley Little

 

The Store by Bentley Little - 432 pages

Juniper, Arizona, is an off-the-map desert town the retail giant called The Store has chosen for its new location. Now everything you could possibly want is under one roof, at unbelievable prices. But you'd better be careful what you wish for. This place demands something of its customers that goes beyond brand loyalty. At The Store, one-stop shopping has become last-stop shopping.

Bill Davis is the only one in town who senses the evil lurking within The Store. But he can't stop his two teenage daughters from taking jobs there and falling under the frightening influence of its sadistic manager. When Bill finally takes a stand, he will get much more than he bargained for. . . .

I read this one b/c I really enjoyed "The Consultant" by this author and wanted to give this one a go...it didn't go as I expected.  It was a bit of a slog, honestly.  I had a hard time getting through it, but I pushed on b/c I expected it to get better.  It didn't.

The Consultant by Bentley Little

 

The Consultant by Bentley Little - 477 pages

CompWare is in serious trouble after a promised merger falls through, so they do what other businesses have done to bolster their public image: they hire a consulting firm to review and streamline their business practices.

But there's something strange about the firm they hire--more specifically, the quirky gentleman who arrives to supervise the project: Mr. Patoff, tall and thin and wearing a bow tie, and with an odd smile that never quite reaches his eyes.

In his first interactions, the consultant asks a few inappropriate questions, and generally seems a nuisance. Over time, Patoff gains more power, to the point where he seems to be running the whole company. He enacts arbitrary and invasive changes to office protocol. He places cameras all over the building, making workers paranoid; he calls employees at all hours of the night, visits some of their homes and menaces their families.

People who defy the consultant get fired… or worse.

They soon realize they're not just fighting for their jobs: They're fighting for their lives.

The Consultant is a biting workplace satire, with the horrific touches only Bentley Little could provide.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I am hooked!  It is suspenseful from beginning to end.  I loved reading what the consultant came up with and implemented within the company.  I definitely will be reading more of his books!