A dark, but occasionally erotic and humorous psychological thriller.
Indelibly scarred by childhood trauma,
ill-treatment and distrust, the main character (Jamie Allen) seeking refuge and solace,loses himself in the capital city. Forced by circumstances to grow up fast, he begins to build a new life for himself, gaining confidence, although still battling his inner demons. He lives a solitary life until fate intervenes and a chance meeting in a local bar suddenly turns his life upside down. He is charmed by her beauty and enthralled by her mystique. She soon becomes an all consuming obsession. After a brief but intimate relationship, the woman in question (Nikki Chandler) is followed home and strangled on her doorstep. When her body is discovered it echoes the unsolved murders of three other local women. Is he innocent or does his mind hold a dark and terrible secret?
PROLOGUE...(excerpt)
The sunlight was just begining to dim as I was led along the dark woooded pathway and through the endless tangle of trees and bushes. Overhanging branches and thorned shrubs snagged at my clothing as I walked. I inhaled slowly, deeply, taking in the day's remaining heat as a droplet of sweat broke free from my hairline. I now found myself surrounded on all sides by
the gang whose cries both delicious and cruel, were suffused with the rich scent of doom and echoed through the woodland as we strode. As I stumbled forward, through the grove of trees, crackling leaves underfoot, a shiver shot straight through me and I felt distinct unease. I was finding it difficult to acclimitize to my new surroundings and was feeling distinctly unnerved by the gang's words which sounded like wolves howling in the night, their baying cacophony competing for space in my head...
Excerpt
Extract from my debut novel ’Redemption’
(by Wayne Sharrocks)
Category: Writing and Poetry
Chapter 1
I awoke trembling and sweating, the sheets soaking wet beneath me as my mind recalled the visions from the nightmare that had violently ripped me from my sleep. The recollections were sadly all too vivid as I had been fighting them all night, a battle I was destined to lose.
Damn, twenty years on and still the memory of those events would not fade. I felt the maelstrom of reproach and morbid regrets as every night seemed to rekindle old memories that I wished to leave behind and to deny the existance of. Sometimes I found myself closing my eyes and hiding away in the dark. I knew that there was a lot to be ashamed of in my life, but I just did not understand why these dark spectres from my past, kept invading my mind of late, now almost on a nightly basis. I always felt exhausted upon waking due to the upsetting dreams and unwelcome presences disrupting my slumber and I was now sick of continually waking up in cold sweats. I had always hoped that my mind would bury the experience if my will was strong enough, but alas it was not to be, as the scar tissue had peeled away, leaving me raw.
My temple was beginning to throb so I rolled over in bed, opened my eyes and looked across into the semi darkness at the illuminated face of the now buzzing alarm clock, which sat perched precariously upon the bedside table. It was pleading with me to arise. I looked at it for a few seconds, whilst attempting to focus my eyes and clear my head, before turning off its infernal din. I reluctantly slipped out from beneath the covers and headed towards the bathroom. Pulling on the cord to the light, I then recoiled at the vision that confronted me from the bathroom mirror. The fact that I'd had a restless night was etched into every pore and crevice of my milk white skin whilst my eyes were bloodshot and drowned in themselves.
I looked like Bela Lugosi, which was not necessarily so bad in itself, except for the fact that he'd been dead since 1956. I ran the taps, filling the wash basin, and splashed water onto my face in a vain effort to revive myself. My mouth was dry, filled with a sour taste, my teeth stained red...
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ISBN: 1843862549
Author: Wayne Sharrocks
'Redemption' is the debut novel but there are two more books already in the pipeline for future release.
A dark, gritty psychological thriller.
Professional Reviews
Taken from...' topix.net'
This is a terrific thriller with real emotion. Perceptive, convincing and quietly compelling-after the shocks of the plot have receded, the characters linger in the memory.
Taken from... ' Gothintra.net'
This touching psychological tale is a taut, sensual dark thriller that grips the reader from the very first page.
A tasty confection of love lost, betrayal and vendettas.
The author exhibits a unique blend of dark horror, a sharp wit and flawless storytelling.
Taken from 'Kelkoo.co.uk'
Redemption is no-holds-barred breathless tangle of a thriller. The novel has incident to burn, a crisp, clean, witty, pacy style and a conclusion that will blindside the reader. This dark psychological thriller will appeal to fans of both the thriller and horror genres...
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Reviews for "Redemption by Wayne Sharrocks"
Reviewed by Judith Wield
6/15/2009
This is a book I read in one sitting as I just could not put it down.
It was a tense, dark and at times disturbing read as you followed the lead character battling with his own emotional demons and those being forced upon him as he became ensnared within a corrupt police investigation.
The dark prose was tempered by some nice touches of observational humour that lifted the gloom and made for a stimulating and thought-provoking read.
Contained some great descriptive text that really immersed you into the authors world and kept you there until the final page.
All in all a very impressive and unique tale.
SURGICALLY RE-WRITTEN and CONDENSED Feb-May 2013... A MONUMENTAL JOURNEY is an adventure mystery historical fiction novel that follows a young mans journey (with friends) to find Truth, happiness, purpose, and a long lost Norse tribe.
