Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 1/1/2021 + 1221 more book reviews

I read Morrell's sequel to this book, SCAVENGER, a couple of years ago and remember that for me it was only mildly entertaining. I was also kind of mixed about CREEPERS. I thought the concept of the novel was very interesting; about a group of people who search through old buildings as a kind of modern-day explorer or archaeologist. This activity is considered illegal because the people who do it trespass on private property and may get injured during their activities. In the novel, the group sets out to explore an old abandoned hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The hotel was built by an eccentric millionaire in the early twentieth century who was afflicted by hemophilia (the bleeding disease) which made him isolated because any injury could cause incontrollable bleeding and death. He built the hotel in the style of a Mayan pyramid with a penthouse at the top where he lived and spied on the hotel guests. This was all a very good setup for the novel and kept me turning the pages. But then the group encounters some other intruders who want to get all they can from the abandoned building and don't care who they injure or kill in doing so. But that's not all! There is also another presence in the building that seems to be following them and is also a serial killer. But who is he and why is he in the hotel?

As I've said, I thought the premise of this novel was very good and had a lot of potential. But then it sort of devolved into a bloody thriller/horror story that was way too coincidental and far-fetched. I would recommend the first part of the novel but I struggled with the last half and overall just a very mild recommendation. However, I have read some of Morrell's other novels and for the most part would highly recommend them. I especially enjoyed his Thomas De Quincey trilogy among others.

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