Daniel Martin has never forgotten his childhood encounters with Frank Watkins, the man who built his family a summer home out of cardboard and plywood. Frank’s gaze was oddly confusing, as if he was attempting to discern the proper way to behave because he didn’t know how to respond in a human manner. Since Frank obviously wasn’t an alien, young Daniel thought maybe the man was crazy. In the end, … end, Daniel would learn the terrifying truth about Frank Watkins. And as an adult, Daniel is about to discover there are more of THEM out there…
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Creepy as hell. I’ll never look at handymen the same way.
This was a great audiobook – a terrific narrator. I hated to stop listening. Mostly I just wanted to know what was Frank’s deal and how did he do it. The end came a bit quickly, I don’t know if I wasn’t completely paying attention or what. But I was surprised how quickly things resolved. Still a great book!
I’m not sure if this is Little’s best book but if it’s not, it’s pretty close. In looking over the titles of other Bentley Little books that I have finished, the various stories are memorable but not always the endings. I’ve had a problem with the endings of Little’s books but not this time. He both broke his normal rhythm for a story and yet kept it at the same time.
Daniel Martin is satisfied with his life as a realtor until one day a couple buying a house through him make a side comment about a “Frank House”. This opens up memories of Frank Watkins, a handyman from Daniel’s childhood. Frank was odd and not quite right. He was also not a good handyman, but no one found that out until too late. Now years later Daniel takes the steps necessary to make right what troubles Frank unleashed years prior.
To my previous comment, Little follows his normal rhythm by building on something very much common in everyday life and then twisting it to the extreme. Pretty much every homeowner has used a handyman of some sort for some odd job that is beyond their abilities. While not fearful of dead animals being used as part of the repair, things breaking shortly after being “fixed” is a common concern. And Little plays on that concern. But then he breaks his Modus Operandi by having his antagonist, Frank, be out of the picture. It is only when Daniel starts hunting him down that Frank starts to become a powerful force. The mysterious screwing-with-someone’s-life that is a staple within a Little book was shown through a different angle. It made the book so much more enjoyable while still staying true to what readers find creepy.
This is the best Bentley Little book that I have read so far. He twists this story and creates so much depth in the horror and supernatural elements that it takes you on a journey through hell and back. The Handyman is one of the most diabolical villains to date. A thoroughly, enjoyable read for any horror fans.