In Ash Ericmore's Five Card Stud: Extreme Horror (Sick Fck)*, private investigator Alex Cole finds himself in a desperate situation. After a crime forces him to flee to the Isle of Wight, he becomes embroiled in a brutal murder he didn't commit. Instead of arrest, the local police confine him to a hotel with the other suspects, forcing him to solve the case. This darkly comedic extreme horror novel, part of the Alex Cole series, throws Cole into a nightmarish scenario filled with shocking twists and gruesome details. Prepare for a wild ride of violence, humor, and relentless suspense – a trigger warning is issued for sensitive readers. This is not for the faint of heart.
Review Five Card Stud
Let me tell you, folks, I absolutely devoured Five Card Stud: Extreme Horror (Sick Fck)*! From the very first page, I was hooked. This book is everything I love about the Alex Cole series and more. Ash Ericmore has once again crafted a wild, hilarious, and genuinely terrifying ride, perfectly blending extreme horror with laugh-out-loud comedy. It’s the kind of book that leaves you simultaneously gasping in horror and chuckling uncontrollably.
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a good whodunit, and usually I spend the entire novel desperately trying to guess the killer. This time, though? I completely abandoned that game. Alex's antics, his completely inappropriate responses to horrifying situations, and his general chaos were so compelling, I barely registered the mystery itself. It was all about Alex, and honestly, that's what made it so much fun. The mystery was a brilliantly woven backdrop to the main event – watching Alex somehow, against all odds, stumble his way through another impossible situation. The sheer absurdity of it all is utterly brilliant.
I’ll admit, I got the ending completely wrong. I was so far off the mark that it had me shaking my head in a mixture of awe and disbelief. The killer's identity was a complete surprise, perfectly unexpected yet satisfyingly plausible within the chaotic context of the story. It’s a testament to Ericmore's clever plotting and ability to keep you guessing, even when you think you have it all figured out.
Alex, as always, is the heart and soul of the book. He's crude, reckless, completely inappropriate, and utterly brilliant in his own chaotic way. He's the kind of character you both love and cringe at in equal measure. His dialogue is snappy, his reactions are unpredictable, and he never fails to deliver a punchline at the most inopportune moments – a perfect blend of dark humor and genuine danger. Watching him navigate this latest crisis, thrust unexpectedly into the role of a detective, is pure entertainment. The supporting characters are just as well-developed, creating a richly textured world filled with suspects you'll love to hate and some truly memorable moments.
The book doesn't shy away from the extreme aspects of its horror elements, living up to its title. But that's part of its charm. It embraces the dark and grotesque with a darkly comedic flair, never taking itself too seriously. The gore is described vividly, but it's always balanced by Alex's ridiculously inappropriate commentary, preventing it from becoming overly gratuitous. It’s a delicate balance, and Ericmore manages it flawlessly.
If you're looking for a book that's both shocking and hilarious, full of thrilling twists and turns, and features a protagonist who's simultaneously a lovable idiot and a surprisingly effective detective, then you absolutely have to read Five Card Stud. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books in the Alex Cole series, and a must-read for fans of extreme horror with a comedic twist. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Information
- Dimensions: 5 x 0.27 x 8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 106
- Publication date: 2025
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