The Death List

By: Thomas R. Clark

Narrated by: Cheryl May

Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Ronnie Dark is having a bad day. Facing rock bottom after losing his job, a sudden divorce, and eviction from his home, he hatches a desperate plan for revenge on his ex-wife. Ronnie intends to take his own life and leave his rotting, stinking corpse behind for her to discover as a final gift.

Meanwhile, the home's former inhabitant Patrick Dermotty, the infamous Balloon Boy Killer, has escaped from the institution holding him. Patrick is a game-show-quoting killing machine, known for crafting balloon animals from the entrails of his victims. He has one goal: to finish what he started 35 years ago and resurrect his ancient, dark deity Saint D'Inana.

Ronnie’s ex-wife, Melissa, and authorities led by the enigmatic Dr. Pennoire rush to save him from the Balloon Boy. But before they can arrive, the body count rises. Now trapped in an infamous murder house, everyone but Ronnie dies, leaving behind a trail of mutilated corpses. Ronnie Dark’s bad day is going to get worse before it gets any better. And he’s about to learn suicide is pointless when you’re facing the avatar of a Death God!

©2020 Thomas R. Clark (P)2021 Thomas R. Clark

"Eddie Van Halen versus Freddy Krueger"

The Death List rocks! A hair metal guitarist faces off against gameshow-obsessed slasher in a luchador mask. Hilariously dark. I've been tearing through Thomas Clark's books, and this is my favorite so far. It's a slasher with all middle-aged characters fighting for their lives.

An Impressive and Original Slasher Novella

In The Death List, Thomas R. Clark takes the baton carried by John Skipp and Craig Spector through the 1980s and runs with it as if he's being pursued by some entity from one of their novels. Rock 'n' roll and exquisitely perverse horror come together with Clark's guidance and wry humor to produce a thrilling experience from the shocking beginning through the blood-soaked conclusion.
Ronnie Dark had it all, but those years were behind him, and it was beginning to look like he was about to lose everything. Bitter and driven by cruel impulses, Ronnie sets his mind on a path he's sure will display all of his spite and condemnation of those he perceives as having wronged him. Unfortunately, Ronnie's plans didn't factor in the previous resident of his mansion making his way back home.
Patrick Dermotty, nurtured on a diet of television game shows and influenced by the dark goddess who inspired the graphic and horrifying murders that earned him the title of the Balloon Boy Killer, has escaped from the institution where he's been all but catatonic for the previous three decades. Dermotty's bloody, violent rampage is far from over, and he's on a collision course with Ronnie Dark, a man with nothing left to lose.
The Death List is heavy metal Halloween, with one of the eeriest and most unsettling killers ever described on page or screen.
The narration provided by Cheryl May is spectacular, especially her delivery of Dermotty's unnerving dialogue following his escape from the asylum. She captures the creep factor of Clark's novella and brings it to an awful but entertaining life.

Balloon Boy Makes An Awesome Killer

This was a great creepy horror story. Reminded me a bit of Michael Meyers, but with a stalker who makes balloon animals out of intestines instead of just stabbing with a large kitchen knife. This included some great death scenes that were graphic, gory, and full of wow moments. The overall story didn’t seem to graphic or scary, but here and there the intensity went from a 3 or 4 to an 8 or 9 real quickly. I wouldn't call this extreme horror at all, but I will also say it isn't for your average listener. So, have to say I enjoyed this thoroughly and once I started I was hooked and couldn’t put my earbuds down.

I didn’t have any real connection to the characters. I liked Patrick Dermotty as the Balloon Boy Killer since I thought he was a unique killer in the slasher genre. Not sure if you can actually make balloon animals out if intestines, but I sure liked the concept. The rest of them I didn’t really care to much about and didn’t feel any emotion over their deaths. Ronnie was the only one I felt sorry for, but only just a little because of how much life seemed to be against him.

I really enjoyed the writing of this story and now need to go listen to Bella’s Boys. Not sure if you can actually make balloon animals out if intestines, but I sure liked the concept. The part that really got me was when Clark described Dermotty blowing through the intestines to clear them out in order to create his artwork. For some reason the way Clark described that process really stuck with me and made a big impression on me.

Cheryl May did a really good job with the narration. I liked her character voices and overall energy she put into her narration. The way she read the story sounded like she was reading with a purpose and projected confidence in what she read which really enhanced the story.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

HORRIFYING!

I really enjoyed it! This book was horrific with a bit of humor! The narration was excellent and kept me entertained! The author did an excellent job with the character builds and plot! This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A winner

I would highly recommend this book and it was so hard to put down! I wish it never would end

Saint D'Inana Returns

I have to admit I enjoyed this short horror with a bit of humor. It was my 1st book by author and it had decent narration. Patrick is a psychopath who killed his family 35 yrs. ago in Ronnie Dark’s home for Saint D'Inana. Just listen it was a fun horror. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

This book was freaking awesome!

Are usually do not like or books read by female narrator’s I don’t know why I just don’t think their voice and horror gel… That is until I heard Miss Cheryl May now reading this or a book. She was freaking so awesome I can’t even explain she is awesome! Now for the book it was crazy out of the box twisted and there were a few things technically that were wrong in the book, but having said that I hope he writes the second one he has to he left it in the cliffhanger. It was so freaking good though! I highly highly recommend it!

Drink the Kool-Aid

This was a ton of fun. Love how all the characters along with the story came together. I’ll never look at a balloon animal, the same again.

Horror!

Tons of blood guts, balloon animal guts, murder and mayham. well thought-out story that will leave you hiding under your cover's.

There's something frightening about this story starting June 11, 2021. 3 days after my next birthday. ooooeeeeeoooo

The narrator does an excellent job. the voices are perfect for each character.

I received a free copy of this audible. I'm thrilled to be able to leave my honest opinion.

The Balloon Boy will steal your guts and heart

Eddie VanHalen VS Mike Myers is the best quick summary for this twisted tale. Thomas Clark does it again with a story about a washed up rockstar who wants to end it all getting an unexpected change of heart when an infamous and creative serial killer returns to his home. With plenty of gory details and a good balance of dark humor, this is a story worth reading more than once.