- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (5 Jan 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007210019
- ISBN-13: 978-0007210015
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,850,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Bad Things
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Product Description
Review
‘Fast-moving, sinister and highly accomplished … This is ferocious storytelling of the highest order, with corkscrew twists and turns that make it deliciously scary as the secrets unfold.’ Daily Mail
‘Marshall’s thrillers get creepier with every book.’ Mirror
Praise for The Intruders:
‘A good, taut thriller, with lots of action and a very gripping ending; Marshall takes the reader with him on the investigation with a great deal of guile and style.’ Guardian
‘Devilishly clever … a tautly crafted page-turner of the highest order.’ Bookpage
‘Bestseller Marshall outdoes his own high standards with this potent blend of suspense, paranoia and just plain creepiness … a provocative and supremely intelligent thriller’ Publishers Weekly
‘Sinister’ Mirror
‘Captures a sense of the menacing inevitable … one of the more bracingly depressing tales of mystery and terror to have been published in recent years’ Time Out
‘Subtle, satisfying – and really scary.’ Kirkus Reviews
Review
Praise for The Intruders HB: 'A good, taut thriller, with lots of action and a very gripping ending; Marshall takes the reader with him on the investigation with a great deal of guile and style.' Guardian 'Devilishly clever ! a tautly crafted page-turner of the highest order.' Bookpage 'Bestseller Marshall outdoes his own high standards with this potent blend of suspense, paranoia and just plain creepiness ! a provocative and supremely intelligent thriller' Publishers Weekly 'Sinister' Mirror 'Captures a sense of the menacing inevitable ! one of the more bracingly depressing tales of mystery and terror to have been published in recent years' Time Out 'Subtle, satisfying -- and really scary.' Kirkus Reviews
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read this thriller in two days flat. One of those books of the 'can't put 'em down' variety.
I like the intelligence of Marshall's writing; the gritty, existential philosophy he brings along with the story; the insights into the character's lives and mentalities. This combined with an intruiging, twisting plot makes for a great read.
My only criticism is that the last third seemed to turn into an action screenplay - it has 'film me' written all over it. And as such a lot of the subtlety, complexity and mystery of the plot began to fall apart, traded in for a shoot 'em up/gangsta finale. I wish the author had put the brakes on that a little and perhaps dissected the supernatural elements of the story better. There was something really sinister in there which wasn't properly developed.
That said it really works as an American super-thriller, reminiscent of the great Thomas Perry.
I like the intelligence of Marshall's writing; the gritty, existential philosophy he brings along with the story; the insights into the character's lives and mentalities. This combined with an intruiging, twisting plot makes for a great read.
My only criticism is that the last third seemed to turn into an action screenplay - it has 'film me' written all over it. And as such a lot of the subtlety, complexity and mystery of the plot began to fall apart, traded in for a shoot 'em up/gangsta finale. I wish the author had put the brakes on that a little and perhaps dissected the supernatural elements of the story better. There was something really sinister in there which wasn't properly developed.
That said it really works as an American super-thriller, reminiscent of the great Thomas Perry.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read all this author's books and enjoyed most.
The style of writing in this one is rather different to previous ones and I thought several times I was reading something by Dean Koontz - hint: male lead character in first person with female in background with a dog. Admittedly some authors can pull this change in style off.
That said the plot did pull well together with enough twists and turns combined with red herrings to keep the plot together and me, the reader, well engaged. After completing the book and thinking it all through I could identify the issues between the lines for the local sheriff who suspected a lot but didn't ahve the proof to take action. It is formulaeic but it has more depth than the Koontz books written in the same style. if read Koontz than you will likely enjoy this one too.
Fiction, to me, is about entertainment and relaxation, and this book fulfills this very well indeed.
The style of writing in this one is rather different to previous ones and I thought several times I was reading something by Dean Koontz - hint: male lead character in first person with female in background with a dog. Admittedly some authors can pull this change in style off.
That said the plot did pull well together with enough twists and turns combined with red herrings to keep the plot together and me, the reader, well engaged. After completing the book and thinking it all through I could identify the issues between the lines for the local sheriff who suspected a lot but didn't ahve the proof to take action. It is formulaeic but it has more depth than the Koontz books written in the same style. if read Koontz than you will likely enjoy this one too.
Fiction, to me, is about entertainment and relaxation, and this book fulfills this very well indeed.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very mediocre book by a writer whose gifts and substantial early promise appear to be deserting him. The characters are preposterous and John Henderson is clearly a piece of authorial wish fulfillment: a non-sexist, honest, decent action hero with a vast source of hidden income who the (good)ladies adore because he is so open about his feelings. Pass the sick bag. I finished it and, to be fair, Marshall shows enough skill here to keep this creaking plot afloat until the bitter end: hence the two stars.
Maybe Marshall is trying to expand his horizons a bit by branching out into more supernatural fiction but on the evidence of this and The Intruders, he should stick to what he is good at.
Finally, what is the cover all about? It has nothing whatsoever to do with this story and I can only assume that it is a shameful attempt to trade on past glories. I know I was fooled.
Maybe Marshall is trying to expand his horizons a bit by branching out into more supernatural fiction but on the evidence of this and The Intruders, he should stick to what he is good at.
Finally, what is the cover all about? It has nothing whatsoever to do with this story and I can only assume that it is a shameful attempt to trade on past glories. I know I was fooled.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another great story by Michael Marshall
I love reading Micheal Marshall's books, whatever version of his name he is using. Few people do creepy the way he does. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Fergus
Definitely not bad!
Have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this. I love the way Michael Marshall writes and this one caught my attention from page one and didn't let go. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Penny Waugh
Bad things? Bad book.
Oh, this is a real stinker. It's not sure where it wants to be. I think the author has thrown a lot of silly ideas into a pot, stirred a little, and come out with this mess. Read more
Published 7 months ago by BTS
Bad book
Very dissapointed with Bad Things. Never judge a book by the title. Bad things rarely happen at all. Characters were forgettable and the ending was poor.
Published 12 months ago by The Bean
Spellbinding-if you're into John Connolly & Mo Hayder then you must...
Stunningly good book. Strange, odd, scary, totally original and crammed full of dark, brooding twists and turns. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Faydra
Another hit book
I've loved all of his previous books and this one didn't disappoint. It is a compelling story that I found totally engrossing and a bit uncomfortable too, in a good way I must add. Read more
Published 16 months ago by ReadingRich
a bit disappointing
Although i did not finish this book as i got bored with it i did find myself genuinley scared, mr marshall does have a talent for creating some really creepy, frightening moments... Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by J. A. Boler
"Bad Things....have happened to this novel"
I agree with most of the other reviewers here, I can't think what's happened to Michael Marshall with this novel. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by book fan
Michael Marshall in Disappointing Book Shocker!
I've been a fan of Michael Marshall right from the beginning, from his early ground-breaking work as Michael Marshall Smith to his present-day incarnation as a writer of slightly... Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by S. L. Carswell
Not his best but still a good read
I'm a big fan of this particular author, his twists-and-turns style of writing usually works well for me, but this time it fell a bit short. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Griffin Peterson
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