After losing his mother to a brain tumour, Trevor King feels totally alone in the world. Someone needs to pay for her death and Dr Mellick, Trevor’s work colleague and family GP, is the man he holds responsible. Trevor’s yearning for vengeance leads him to concoct a vicious plot to frame the doctor for multiple murders. Trevor skins the corpses, turning them into elaborate art pieces after being … being inspired by a mysterious textbook. But as the skins of the flayed victims come to life and continue the killings for him, Trevor wonders whether he is in too deep.When Dr Mellick goes missing Trevor becomes convinced the doctor is planning a similar scheme to bring him down.But as Trevor discovers the truth of his mother’s death and his own life, this murderous path becomes more of a calling.
more
This story starts off right in the middle of a dismemberment and skinning! And the gore doesn’t go away! The author goes into great detail regarding the skinning of victims and it’s in chapter 3 that the main character sees that the skin suit is alive or so he believes!
It is fascinating to read about the character’s descent into madness! The author gives us glimpses of King’s reality throughout this story but leaves just enough out for the reader to question what is really going on here! This is a one of a kind and I really enjoyed it!
An Army of Skin made me think of a Criminal Minds or very dark Bones episode, a psychopath plotting revenge, but how many innocents must die before he accomplishes his goal, and, if you look closely at the cover, you will get a glimpse inside the deranged mind of a monster…all the while I had a feeling, but Morgan K Tanner kept that niggle of doubt in my mind alive.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of An Army of Skin by Morgan K Tanner.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
I received an e-book copy of An Army of Skin, authored by Morgan K. Tanner, with cover art by M. R. Tapia, for review consideration. What follows below is my honest review, freely given.
I rated this novella 4.5 stars. The cover gives off an erotic charge while highlighting gross anatomy. The Venuses (anatomical models), specifically the wax figurines from the 1700-1800’s came to mind when I saw this novella cover. They famously used real hair and eyelashes to frame seductive facial expressions gracing intricately detailed female anatomic models that were used to teach physicians and surgeons; now they are preserved in museums.
Trevor is learning from an interesting book, he refers to it as a textbook; our opening act is one post violence. I have always been fascinated by the books within books that authors create; younger me tried to look them up to read, not understanding. Older me wishes they were readable, because the glimpses of these imagined books that authors hint at in their works are curious creatures; how much must be borne to complete their task for the authors need? I would love to know, though I imagine the answer is different for each.
Trevor is also someone I pitied, violence aside; I couldn’t tell if he was fully responsible for his apparent moral decline. This novella does not give a straight path, the story winds along, around and into itself almost like the folds of a brain; beautiful to behold, but hard to decipher first glance. Having gone to work smelling like booze, I have to wonder how Trevor did not get called out for smelling far worse at least once, but that falls into what is the reality of it all question doesn’t it? I have read the novella thrice so far and I am no closer to certainty than before and that is how you write horror my friend. If you want something to remain confusing, bugger off you will never understand it my friend. Love this little mind torture novella.
Was this left open ended for a sequel? I hope I read it right, but readers often place that pressure and desire on the author and story with good intentions, but are wrong. So I end with this; unique read, tried to review spoiler free, check it out if you love horror, I don’t think you will be disappointed.