Shady Palms

By: Allen Dusk

Narrated by: Rose Caraway

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

A sleazy motel, burrowed on the edge of town, is haunted by rumors of dead hookers found between mattresses and peep holes drilled through walls. When Special Agent Daniels targets the motel during an investigation, the nefarious owner, Sanjay, must scramble to conceal evidence of his own dark deeds. Just when he believes things can't get any worse, motel guests begin to vanish without a trace.

Can Sanjay discover the truth behind the phenomena threatening his motel before the Feds get suspicious, or does he risk exposing his own sordid enterprises to seek help from the outside?

Why don't you book a room for the night and find out? At these bargain rates you'll be lucky if you only find dirty sheets and a few skeletons in the closet. Welcome to the Shady Palms Motel. Check out is at 11, if you live that long...

©2012 Carnal Morgue Press (P)2013 Allen Dusk

Okay.

There was a little too much explicit gore and sex in this story for me to really enjoy it. Apart from that the book was quite good, but too much of the afore-mentioned things for me to give it a higher rating.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Shady Palms: come for the night, become pink goo!!

Would you listen to Shady Palms again? Why?

Yes, the story and flow are great! Dusk doesn't hold back! He has masterfully made me afraid of shity hotels.

What did you like best about this story?

Dusk has truly wrote a description and narrative of the destitute and dark side of damn near any city- especially El Cajon. He has done so as if the whole time staring out the window of one of the rooms. As for favorite part I'd say anytime he gives a glimpse into Sanjays soul!

Which character – as performed by Rose Caraway – was your favorite?

I felt her performance was good, just a little thin with respects to accents. Not that it hurt the story or mental picture. Just that if you ever walked into a "kwiki mart" or have ever ordered a late nite burrito you know the true accent of these characters.

If you could take any character from Shady Palms out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Candy!! No not really I'd say either Daniels or professor Cruz, either would make for insightful conversation.

Any additional comments?

Thank you so much Sr. Dusk and please continue to write with the same vigor and passion. I truly feel you are a bit sick and contorted but are blessed in the ability to artfully write it out so we can all share. Also in the story there was a brief mention of a demented Dr. Phobia- is there a possible John Daniels story arch there?? Thank you again!!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not for the timid - delicious graphic content!

Alan Dusk's skill as a writer really comes through in this performance of Shady Palms. I am not a fan of thriller or horror novels, and the storyline certainly follows the intensity of those genres. However, it was written in a way that kept me listening. It helps that Rose Caraway was the narrator, as she was clearly engaged in the story and giving life to the characters. The graphic sexual scenarios also helped keep my attention, portraying a grimy world of lust, power exchange, danger, and heat.

Some of the scenarios start off predictably, but there are skillful twists that pay off. Some of the characters are squarely revealed in stereotypical fashion, but not so much that they are unbelievable. I'll admit that stereotypes exist because there are some people who have the qualities that spark them.

Shady Palms is a well executed escape. If you are a fan of explicit erotica, give this a try for an edgier thrill. If you are a fan of horror and crime novels, spice up the intensity with some sensual heat.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Sexy and scary

What did you love best about Shady Palms?

Wonderful pacing and good depth of characters. Even people who are in the tale briefly are given some dimension. Rose Carroway brings Dusk's vision to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shady Palms?

The send of wrongness and something lurking in the dark that surrounds the hotel.

Which scene was your favorite?

Candy's death scene.

Who was the most memorable character of Shady Palms and why?

Sanje. Very creepy fellow.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

What a fun ride!

If you could sum up Shady Palms in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Fast-Paced, and Gory

What other book might you compare Shady Palms to and why?

I can't think of a book that I've read that is like this. I'd say this a little like those classic creature feature movies. Except waayyyy more hardcore and gory.

Which character – as performed by Rose Caraway – was your favorite?

OH that's easy, Sanjay! What interesting character, I'd love another book with this guy. You can't help but love him even though you're supposed hate him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't want to give it away, but the scene with the mom was very cringe-worthy. That really got me uptight, which is exactly what you're looking for in a book like this.

Any additional comments?

Rose introduced me to Allen Dusk on her podcast and I've loved everything he's done to this point. She's got a knack for finding these underground talents and introducing them to us. Great job Allen and Rose!

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Sexy, Suspenseful, Shocking, Sinful, Stupendous

What did you love best about Shady Palms?

Set some time aside, relax, be ready to be taken to an addictive seedy world of sex, corruption, intrigue, action, and very expressive descriptive characters. Having this experience without living it is what I love most about this book. :D

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shady Palms?

Don't want to give anything away.

Have you listened to any of Rose Caraway’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have also enjoyed Rose's performances... and this is one of her best.

Who was the most memorable character of Shady Palms and why?

Sanjay... oily creepy guy. lol

Any additional comments?

Some scenes can be gory but otherwise if this is your genre... You'll love it.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Wow! I feel like I just got off a roller coaster!

I got hooked on this story when Rose Caraway serialized the first 30 or so chapters on her "Kiss Me Quicks" podcast. I had to hear the rest of the story, and bought it from Audible. This was one wild ride, You had a plot worthy of "Homeland" superimposed over a 1950s style radiation induced monster story. From chapter to chapter you really couldn't predict what would happen next. I got chills every time those bedbugs came out.

I usually listen to audiobooks while I'm driving, and several times I had trouble shutting off the car when I got where I was going. I just had to hear what happened next.

Superb narration by Rose Caraway, and a great story by Allen Dusk. In future, I will stick to Marriott and Hilton, and stay far clear from ever checking into anything resembling the "Shady Palms Motel."

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

A very fun on the edge of your seat,Gory good time

What did you love best about Shady Palms?

I loved the suspense of what will happen next. Enjoyed the graphic in depth description of the gore. And found the narration by Rose to be fantastic. Was very amusing hearing her very sweet voice describing such gore filled instances.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed Sanjay and Consuela. Don't really want to spoil anything with a reason why.

What does Rose Caraway bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Rose did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. I could close my eyes and see the story unfolding.

Who was the most memorable character of Shady Palms and why?

Sanjay.

Any additional comments?

This isn't my usual genre. But so glad I got this. Enjoyed every minute of it. Would definitely recommend picking this up. Not a dull moment in the story. Allen Dusk wrote s great story and Rose Caraway did an amazing job bringing it to life!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I actually was cringing as I listened.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

sure. I like most books.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The bugs.

What aspect of Rose Caraway’s performance would you have changed?

none

Did Shady Palms inspire you to do anything?

Look closely at hotel sheets!

Any additional comments?

IF you like gross and creepy, this book is for you!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

One word: Sharknado

What would have made Shady Palms better?

It started out so good... but then a low budget Sci Fi channel executive must have taken over the story line.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful