The All-Soul’s Faire Review Page

Here you will find the reviews for The All-Soul’s Faire – Feel free to comment on this page if you would like to add your personal review of the book.

HORROR WATCH.COM BOOK REVIEW

Detective Cole Bryant is called to a murder scene. When he gets there, he’s greeted with a goat’s head staring back at him from within the bowels of the victim. This sets forth a string of unnatural deaths among the teenagers that live in the shadow of the cursed North Mountain.

As he tries to solve the case, Cole comes closer to the dark side where temptation, sex and sinful ways lure him into the world of a family whose backwoods morals aren’t a symptom of a forgotten age in time but the consequence of a centuries old pact made with the devil himself.

Written in the first person perspective, the story follows Cole trying to solve this murder in a town where everything seems to be covered up.

The author Kristy Tallman is from Virginia and she captures the small, backwater town mentality perfectly. In these area, people have their own method of doing things, their own way of life, and things are shrouded in secrecy. It’s no different in this book.

A good portion of the book focuses on his personal life and his crush for the local ME. We also share in his frustration with all of the dead ends that he receives in the case. While it seems that the case will never get solved, we eventually learn of all the secrets that the family is hiding. We also learn the price for those secrets.

I thought that this started a little slow. This is primarily due to character development and plot supposition, but once this was out of the way the book really started to pick up. The author does a really good job at portraying real people, and that character interaction is what makes this book good.

What makes the book great is the descriptions of the debauchery. Reading this book is like walking down a path in the forest. It starts out sunny and clear, but as you go walk farther it gets darker and darker. The book’s sex scenes are very erotic and very well written that they pull you right in and almost have you wanting more.

While there’s a lot of good, the only bad that I can think of is that there are some minor punctuation errors a few typos. Fortunately this can be overlooked easily.

This book would make a really good movie. It also covers themes ranging from Satanism, incest, lust, greed, and necrophilia (sort of). There are parts that get really bizarre, but make you want to read more.

With both subtlety and sheer force, this book seduced me….

“Once you enter in, there is no escaping from the world of Kristy Tallman. The horror genre, to my mind, has been devoid of truly inspiring work for a long time. Once a place where mood and emotion were the driving forces of a story, the dark playground of Poe, or Lovecraft, or Machen, it has become something of an abattoir; a place where the central achievement of the writer appears to be a goal of shock or disgust for the reader. Not so with The All-Souls Faire.

Tallman is a poet, and the tired formula of modern horror comes back alive in her hands. Successful horror must be about something; not simply a clever show of death and frights. It must connect to an intense psychological concept, one that runs deep enough in the soul and spirit for readers to be carried on an inward journey. For me, this book was about one thing: the fear of desire.

Desire does not merely run deep in the soul. It is the fire that burns in all of us. For all our ability to seek for an understanding of our minds and hearts, desire still cannot be cornered or ordered. In time, it breaks out of any constraint. It is glorious, delirious…and frightening. With The All-Soul’s Faire, Tallman performs an astonishing seduction. For page after page, we see not only horrible images, but alluring ones. Her protagonist, Cole Bryant, is on the surface a policeman looking for answers to a string of deaths – but more than that he is a troubled swimmer in a sea of desire. His movements through the story are punctuated by sensuality, and not just in the form of sexual desire, though that is powerfully portrayed. Slow down a moment as you read the chapters of this book, and you will feel a sensuous undercurrent everywhere: the taste of food, the visions of beauty in the landscape of the Virginia mountains. Many of these pleasures are touched on with easy grace, but it is when desire approaches the boundaries of what is considered right and wrong that the story pushes into its most challenging ground.

Rogue desire. The lust for sexual abandon, freedom from death, intoxication, the release from inhibition. All of these grow in their power over the characters, and the reader, as the tale unfolds. It is not accident on Tallman’s part that the central epiphanies of the story come to characters who literally approach and scale a wall high on the slopes of North Mountain, and then plunge over (usually to their deaths, but not without strange raptures on the way).

With both subtlety and sheer force, this book seduced me. Tallman’s poetic gifts, coupled with her narrative skill as a novelist, are more than a soul can resist. You shouldn’t even try. Approach the wall with her, breathe deep, close your eyes, and let yourself fall.” Malcolm Deeley ~ Author of Canons of Atheist Gods – October, 2006

Sin, sex, backwoods morals and the supernatural all come together in a strange brew of a novel called The All-Soul’s Faire, a chilling mystery with elements of dark magick that will keep you guessing until the end.

Tallman combines descriptive scenes with solid dialog and intrigue that moves the story to the stunning, unexpected conclusion. The sex scenes are on-the-edge, and the supernatural underpinnings make this one spooky novel that will haunt you. But it’s the spell of the characters that most draw you into this story of sin and evil and the dark side of desire. You might even find yourself, when the story is over, asking that all-important question: What would you do?
Originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book at www.curledup.com. © Marie D. Jones, 2007

Author Kristy Tallman writes about the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountain country of Virginia with skill, and so she should, having lived there and fallen prey to the mountain mystique. In The All-Soul’s Faire, she deftly combines horror and crime suspense with some truly shocking elements involving deep dark secrets held by the enigmatic Hicks family, a family associated with the Devil himself.

Detective Cole Bryant is the likeable protagonist saddled with the job of discovering who is behind a series of brutal, ritualistic murders of young people in the North Mountain area, a region said to be cursed and full of legend and lore. Bryant hooks up with a lovely medical examiner named Janice, but before their love can blossom, he finds himself drawn closer to a magnetic backwoods man and his two beautiful daughters who are not what they seem to be on the surface.

“She exhibits the talents of a young writer with a heart driven to make you afraid.”

“First, before you read any further, allow me to divert you towards my first review of Kristy Tallman’s works, aka Rainey Moon, by clicking here. (He takes you to his first review he ever did for me)

Now we can proceed…….

And what have we here, but a novel-length version of her short novella I enjoyed so much! Tallman’s Detective Cole is like a fish out of water in a backwoods

mountain town immersed in what on the surface seems to be an unnaturally mysterious CSI-type investigation…….though with a swig or two of specially-concocted North Mountain moonshine given to him by a surreal hillbilly-man with seductive young daughters and all hell to hand out, Cole finds himself digging deeper into the murders surrounding a rural area where the supernatural dwells and death itself hosts an otherwise very festive ghostly event called The All Soul’s Faire.

Very respectfully, I’d like to coin Kristy’s first official novel as a Tall-tale, if you will, (Tallman—-get it?) because essentially that’s what it is, though its focus is not on a hero like you’d think at first (Cole) but on Cecil Hicks, a despicably dark villain whose moonshine and inevitable invitation to the Faire forces Cole to face his innermost dark desires. If not for the help of a kindly old lady intimately involved with it all, will Cole face eternal damnation?

I was right when I determined early on that Kristy had enough literary talent to eventually become great by my assessment of her poetry books alone. She’s advancing, and her storytelling skills combined with her drive to succeed in this field astonishes me.

The All-Soul’s Fair is thoroughly and ultimately a read worth a weekend’s devotion, and you’ll find that although the tale’s simplistic at the start, it takes you into darker and more complicated places like digging into the caverns of a deep dark cave and finding riches that become more abundant the deeper you go, like in Cole’s journey, both outward and inward, and like Kristy’s mind itself……

………like the mind of a storyteller who will one day soon have us all swimming in a moonshine sea concocted by a talented bestselling name.” Nicholas Grabowsky, Horror Fiction Author

Kristy Tallman is the next Clive Barker!

“Kristy Tallman is the kind of author I have been waiting for as a fan of true horror. The All-Soul’s Faire is a high-impact, genuinely rare page-turner. Once I started reading, I absolutely COULD NOT put it down! I ended up reading the entire book in about six hours. The story is darkly mesmerizing, and twistedly enthralling, drawing the reader into the intimately pleasing, yet devilish plot. The characters are crisp and vivid, unlike other novels, which boast only two-dimensional, cardboard-stand-ups. This is the best book I’ve read since Mark Frost’s The List of 7.

Following the discovery of a ritualistically murdered girl, into whose stomach has been carved a pentagram, with a severed goat’s head protruding from it, Detective Cole Bryant is taken on a journey into dark fantasy and sinful desire where he will learn more about himself and the underworld than he ever imagined possible.

The All-Soul’s Faire is extremely creative, wickedly original, and is definitely not predictable. It would appear as if I have found a new favorite author. The All-Soul’s Faire is a force to be reckoned with! I recommend it as highly as I can possibly recommend anything!” -J. Pinkerton, Blood Banquet Studios (Indie production house specializing in horror, cult, and b-movies)

Don’t wait to buy this book, read it, share its charm with your friends and help them find their way to the all souls fair…

“Normally, I go into things expecting the worst, hoping for the best; I began reading the book with anticipation of a good read, I was not disappointed. From the very begging you’re thrust into a time and place that is, as out of place as anything on the other side of the looking glass. And to my pleasure and horror I was drawn into the story, without a sip of the shine being offered. In retrospect this may be the greatest part of the horror of the story, you go willingly into every vice and sin without a second thought to what you’re doing. I found not once but 5 times I had to stop reading just to get my bearings, to get my feet back under me, so I could continue… I had too. The story is so compelling and disturbing that you will find yourselves reading it over and over again… even now as I sit here writing this I glance over at the book and want to open it again, just one more sip will do and everything will be fine…

Tallman’s writing style is fresh and bold, her fearless use of taboo in telling the all souls fair, is both riveting and horrifying; not only because of the story she tells but because you want to read it, not once, not twice but as many times as it takes to get completely drunk with in the words…..” L.A. Nantz

“New to a small town, underneath the cursed North Mountain, Detective Cole begins an investigation of a terrifying murder. Found in the woods with a goats head protruding from within her middle, a teenage girl left in the holler.

Throughout a week full of riddles and questions, our detective discovers the madness…beginning with one not so normal family… as no small town has secrets…for long. Cole slowly figures the cause of the gruesome scene and soon learns his destiny in all its wickedness…and he likes it.

I love this book. Normally I don’t read books that are 300+pages but this one has been worth it! I actually read it through today give or take a break for an errand or two. I couldn’t put it down, because I had to know more. The ideas are excellent! Makes me wonder what else is going on in that head of yours, Kristy!” Nicole Wronek Author of Decaying Roots

Only truly demented authors can write stories that go beyond simply losing ones inhibitions, to completely succumbing to their inner sinful dark side . .

“The All-Soul’s Faire by Kristy Tallman, reads like a wickedly wonderful ghost story that keeps you enthralled to the very end. I found the story delightfully disturbing, yet I also found myself moved by the actions of the intriguing well-written characters.

Detective Cole is a seemingly innocent bystander in the sinful happenings on North Mountain. After meeting the strange backwoods Hicks Family, he finds himself with more questions than answers about the murders on the mountain.

The ever-sweet Ms. Ryder reminds me of my own grandmother. When she states, “We all have some inner sins we contend with.” I read a bit deeper into this tale of horror and wondered if all humans didn’t suppress some inner sins that only pure evil could bring out. Were we faced with our sinful secrets could we still suppress them even if they were served to us on a silver platter? Would Detective Cole’s own sinful desires cause him to forget everything and succumb to the mountain’s spell?
Only truly demented authors can write stories that go beyond simply losing ones inhibitions, to completely succumbing to their inner sinful dark side . . .Tallman is just such an author. Tallman’s talent in writing shows in her ability to captivate the reader to the very end. I loved that the ending wasn’t what I expected. It left me wanting more and hopeful of a sequel.” Rowan Lore, Author of Fall On Me & Orange

One hell (just about literally) of a tale….

“I received my copy of Kristy Tallman’s, The All – Souls Faire, a few days ago. Unfortunately ~ just at the time my life gets hectic for a few days. Thankfully that time has now passed and I had the fortunate chance to sit back for a few hours and delve into this book. I couldn’t be happier that I had the time to finish this in a sitting!!

Welcome to a small town where the locals don’t take kindly to strangers peering into their town business. To be a local in a small town it takes something that goes way beyond just residing there – something of which Detective Cole Bryant is about to learn the hard way. Investigating murder takes a bit of puzzle solving and more than that when all the people in town don’t want the towns dirty laundry aired and leave you with only partial whisperings of town legends. Toss in a cursed mountain, cops that go by their own code, an eccentrically sadistic family, a goats head in a corpse, and an intriguing medical examiner (just to throw a couple of kinks in Cole’s way of course) and you have one hell (just about literally) of a tale.

So my suggestion would be to pick up your copy during this wonderful autumn time, curl up in your favorite reading chair and sit back for a tale you may chose to use in the future to scare your children with details of the Hick’s family.

Enjoy this horror tale that will keep you thinking about it, especially late at night…”Issy Paradox – Reader in Lititz, PA

Remember When You Used To Check Under The Bed At Night…?

What small town doesn’t have homespun rumors and superstitions about its own dark, seedy underbelly? Uncovered layers of secrets masking sinister acts the likes of which would lead one to question the very existence of God – for how could He truly exist if such vile, pure evil is allowed to run wild and unchecked? Staring at the severed head of a goat placed snugly within the bowels of a petrified teenage corpse, Detective Cole Bryant begins to wonder the exact same thing…

And that’s just the beginning.

The seemingly ritualistic murder of young Lisa Hicks sets off a series of increasingly bizarre events in the small town of Clifton Forge, each one threatening to unravel the web of lies and deceit within which the town’s legacy rests. As more and more corpses are found, their deaths make less and less sense to Cole, who’s left to wonder why, for some strange reason, everyone seems to know more than they’re willing to say. Ultimately, his unflinching determination to know more leads him to the fabled North Mountain, source of the town’s diabolical mystique, where the fate of countless lives hang in the balance – including that of Cole himself.

The All-Soul’s Faire is a disturbingly compelling tale that reads much like a snuff film: despite how guilty it makes you feel to watch it, each new turn of the page fills you with a strangely satisfying curiosity. A master at framing the visual with words, Tallman’s jarring depictions of ghouls and apparitions are so vivid that – despite your wishes to the contrary – you’ll find them lingering with you long after you’ve put the book down. In fact, they’ll haunt you to the point where, when you’re all alone late at night, you’ll remember all those old ghost stories told over S’mores on campfire-lit nights and wish you had never heard them.

No matter how searing the imagery she employs, though, the true power of Tallman’s mind-bending tale lies in leaving you to wonder about the very nature of sin itself: when confronted with unmitigated temptation, do our base desires force us to act – or do they simply free us to do so? In keeping with that theme, Cole’s quest for truth is actually a metaphor for the “missions” that fill our own everyday lives: despite our burning desire to know more, that very desire often leaves us unprepared to handle the truth about the very things we seek to find.

As thrilling as Koontz or Barker, and as suspenseful as Hitchcock at his best, The All-Soul’s Faire is a delicious soliloquy to the world of horror that begs an encore. – Apex Reviews

I was looking forward to reading The All-Soul’s Faire because even though I have read more than my fair share of horror novels, I can’t remember reading one dealing with the elements of dark magic. I am glad this was the first as I now have something to measure the others against.

Detective Cole Bryant finds himself immersed in his first homicide since becoming a detective for the Alleghany Sheriff’s Department. It is not the fact that he has a homicide to deal with that bothers Cole, but the manner in which the body is found – partially petrified with a goat’s head staring at him from within her bowels.

Lisa Hicks murder would be the first in a string of unusual homicides – homicides which would lead Cole down a path he never expected, more bodies that were found in the same location and in a similar state but even though they were obviously homicides the ME on the case wrote them off as suicides.

Not only do the homicides bother him, so does the reaction of the townspeople. They seem to go on as if nothing unusual has happened and no one is willing to talk about it – questions about it are avoided at all costs. The only thing that Cole hears are rumors surrounding the Hicks family and their bizarre lifestyle – a lifestyle he gains firsthand knowledge of and even though he knows better has a hard time letting go of.

Let me first say that Kristy Tallman has hit a chord in me that not too many authors do. I literally let the wash sit and the dishes go…if I didn’t have 2 little ones I would not have put this down until it was finished. Look out world, the face of horror has a new name and I for one look forward to anything this bright young author brings my way.

Thanks again Kristy for allowing my group to review your book! - Upon Further Review; Review by Tracee Gleichner

The Devil went up to Alleghany…

If you enjoy the psychological thrill ride of a Dean Koontz novel and the dark & disturbing images evoked by a Stephen King novel, then you must read “The All-Soul’s Faire” by local author Kristy Tallman. Already an accomplished writer, artist & photographer, “The All-Soul’s Faire” is her first novel published in 2006 by Realm of Insanity Press. It is well crafted and fast paced. Page one immediately immerses you and the rest doesn’t let you come up to breathe until the last sentence. You will want more. Lucky for us a sequel for this novel is planned for 2008. Kristy has been touring to
promote TASF as well as her soon to be released second novel “Crows on the Cross” scheduled for release in 2008. - By Michele Moseley

The All-Soul’s Faire is an exquisite journey into ones deepest, darkest abyss. Not for the faint of heart or the shy, this psychological thriller dwells into the psyche of the human mind and will test what you are made of. Tallman’s excellent attention to detail and crafted storytelling will have you wondering, no, searching your soul, if maybe you could be the next Cole. Her descriptive writings will have you desiring the next scene, and she delivers page after page, until you are in a cold sweat come the end, and saying to yourself “I want more!” You won’t want to put this one down until you finish, or it finishes you. One of the best books I have read in a long time, I know I want more…..Keith Desbois ~ US Marine Corps Public Affairs Chief, ret.

My hat is off to the author on this one. Is it true that poets make the best novelist? I think Kristy Tallman proves the answer is yes. Because of the author’s rhythmic flow and great metrical harmony I found myself deeply rapped in this story. Her style gently painted images in my head that I will never forget.

Watching Cole wade his way through the darkness cast by North Mountain was both exciting and erotic. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good fast paced thriller that is full of great imagery and greater emotions that the author presents in a fine fashion. Nice work, and I am looking forward to reading more from Kristy. - Mike Wall, Author.

Thanks for coming to Covington last weekend. Sorry it’s taken a while to write, my computer died and I had to get a new one. It was very nice to meet you at the Bookkeeper. That was the first book signing I have ever been too. I saw the ad in the paper and thought it looked like a good book. I am so glad I got it. I started it last Sunday after I got home from Roanoke. I just intended on reading a little before I went to bed, and I ended up reading the whole book. Once I started there was no way I could put it down. I can’t wait to read your next book. I hope you make this into a series. I think you left just enough loose ends that you could have a couple more books. Thanks again for talking, and for a wonderful book. By the way, you were right. Chapter 28, very hot. — Reader, Joe Sparks, Covington Area, VA

I bought your book at the Tattoo convention in Richmond Va. Wow this book was Spine tingling and dark. I had to work a 12 hour day read your book in 10 hrs of that shift. Could not put the book down. I’m from the area you wrote about so it was very interesting to have those area’s so dark and sinister sounding. Makes you not want to drink Moonshine anytime soon. LOL!!!! Hope there will be more wonderful macabe works of writing to come soon. I look forward too it. – Reader, Kimberly Hamilton

Just finished The All-Soul’s Faire. I can’t believe that evil could come from a pixie like you (don’t hit me). Am I going to plug it? Hell yeah.

One of the best things about being a writer is that you meet other writers and you tend to swap stuff. That was the case a couple of times in Toronto. I was partying on . . . not sure what night, but I do recall a beer bottle sticking out of the front of my pants (my way of transporting alcohol from one party to another) and sitting on the floor trading books with Kristy Tallman (she was on a chair).

Anywho – I like fun people (Kristy is) and I also like fun books. What the heck does that mean? For me, when it comes to horror, it’s got to creep me out a little. It should also have a story I can follow and an ending that sort of surprises me (I’m good at guessing outcomes). This is a fun book. ~John Paul Allen is the Author of Gifted Trust

The backwoods of the Virginian mountains are not as peaceful as they seem. Kristy Tallman’s “The All Soul’s Faire” follows the investigation of the brutal and bizarre murders at North mountain and Det. Bryant discovers that an ancient evil lives, not only in these backwoods but within himself as well. With a sense of mystery reminiscent of Lovecraft and the exploration of our own dark desires like Barker,Tallman has written one of the best new horror books I have read in the past few years. – Review from Dan Carmichael – Richmond, VA

Kristy Tallman has created a unique genre of her own with her tale THE ALL SOULS FAIRE!

More reminiscent of a spine tingling yarn being spun by one’s Great Grandmother on a dark Summer Night!

She creatively blends age old Rural Folklore into the daily lives of contemporary Appalachian people, having them examine their own beliefs, fears, and desires!

Tallman’s endearing characters (good and evil) and uniquely believable story will have you SOAR through each page yearning for more! Set a night aside, you will not put this book down !!! – Jay Butler – Reader, Richmond, Va.

Finally read All-Souls Faire and have to say I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and couldn’t wait to turn the pages!! Most definitely awesome!! Can’t wait for the new books. Thanx for such a great read!! Wish there were more pages. - Bobby C – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I’ve got two favorite horror books that I’m keeping with me till the day I die, “The Hellbound Heart” by Clive Barker and your book “The All-Soul’s Faire”. I haven’t read a book that I liked so much in a long time. You’ve got a fan for life now, Ms. Kristy. – Brian Hunsaker, Richmond VA Reader.

From its gripping opening paragraph to its shocking conclusion, The All-Soul’s Faire is a deliciously frightening tale. Fast, powerful, and completely seductive, it’s a gripping combination of a morality tale and supernatural detective story. Kristy’s elegant writing has given us an unsettling glimpse into human desire that will leave you panting for more and praying for your soul. The future of horror has a new name, its name is Kristy Tallman.–Dave Jensen Author of The Conjuring

Kristy Tallman is off the chain with her terrifying tale All-Soul’s Faire. She grabs the reader’s attention from beginning to the end. With an unpredictable mysterious, seductive, horrifying journey into the unexpected! I found myself scared but unable to put the book down! The best kind of thriller novel. Kristy Tallman did an incredible job with All-Soul’s Faire. I found the story haunting me days after I had finished the book! Would love to read a sequel. Kristy I give you two thumbs up and a snap in a “Z” formation!!!!!! –Insatiable Jewel

I was so excited when i received Kristy’s book, “The all souls fair” in the mail, i had heard and read so much about it. i started reading it right away once i started i couldn’t stop, i finished reading it in a mater of hrs. it was a “grawsome” read, the best i have read in a while. Kristy is a great author! it takes a special talent or mind to write a story this good,i like her style of writing ,she takes you through the dark twisted corridors of her mind and leaves you begging for more. cant wait to read “crows on a cross” – Denise Fenwick, Reader in Kentucky