We are excited to announce The Tear Collector has just appeared at #27 on Goodreads Most Popular Books published this December 2019.
Here are just a few of the reviews from Speculative Fiction and Indie enthusiasts:
Jill Squire
I was given an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mr. Shawn Burgess’s “The Tear Collector”, for me, proved to be a riveting and fun read regarding coming of age and horror.
Mr. Burgess captured with uncanny certainty the angst of adolescence awkwardness, sharp pain of loss, the need to belong, loyalty born of pre-adulthood and inner strength for teens. He weaves these facets through his beautifully paced and chilling tale of horror & mythos in such a way that the reader can seamlessly harken back to those awkward, uncomfortable times, and yet relate to the main characters so very easily as an adult reader.
I was reminded – a bit – of the movie “Stand by Me” while reading this story.
Mr. Burgess managed to brilliantly pull off a story told from the perspective of young teens, yet write it to be thoroughly enjoyed by adult fans of thrillers & suspense.
I look forward to more from this writer!
Cassondra Walker
Readers of Shawn Burgess’s online work have been eagerly awaiting the release of The Tear Collector, and they will not be disappointed. Technically in the horror genre, The Tear Collector is much more than a tale of terror and gore – although I definitely recommend reading it in the daylight hours. Deft prose combined with thrilling, pell-mell action carry the reader page to page, wild anticipation stronger than the undeniable dread. A band of young boys, brought together by camaraderie in the face of small-town bullying, encounter an ancient evil only to discover that they are its true prey. But why? And how is this possible? Burgess weaves a complex tale of love and loss, betrayal and revenge, that will both terrify and haunt his readers. Although the characters are middle-school children, this is definitely a book for adult readers, who will find Burgess’s work thoroughly engaging. “Love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave:” Can this love, this jealousy ever be buried?
Katelyn
The mystery of Grief Hallow consumes you from the very beginning and takes you on a chilling, suspenseful ride with Brooks and his friends as they try to figure out what is plaguing the quaint town of Harper Pass.
Thrillers and mysteries are my favorite genres and The Tear Collector, Shawn Burgess’ debut novel, did not disappoint. All the twists and turns throughout the story – many of them leaving me with my heart racing and my mouth ajar – kept me wanting more. Along with the strong story line, the descriptions of both the characters and the surroundings make you feel as though you are there trying to solve this town’s disturbance.
This book weaves together friendship, mystery, horror, and intellect. This page turner is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat, mind racing, and hoping it doesn’t end!
Katie
I was fortunate enough to be given an advance copy of Shawn Burgess’s debut novel in exchange for an honest review, and Shawn did not disappoint. Although the horror/science fiction is not my normal “go-to” I enjoyed this book and tore through it in one sitting. The story is fast-paced, tightly plotted, and creepy as hell. As others have mentioned, the plot is reminiscent of Stranger Things and Steven King in that it involves a group of young boys solving a gory mystery of supernatural origins in their tight Tennessee town, so fans of those shows/books should enjoy this wild and graphic ride. Shawn is gifted in his ability craft descriptive scenes of intrigue, tension, and bloodshed. Reader be warned, The Tear Collector is not for the faint of heart. The books opens with a horrific and fatal forest fire and does not slow down from there. I was routing not only for the main protagonist, Brookes, but also a number of secondary characters, including a dedicated but overwhelmed Sheriff and an unlikely hero in need of redemption. Although the boys appear to solve the mystery and exterminate the evil that haunts their town, Shawn leaves several threads hanging and I can’t wait for the sequel!
For more reviews about The Tear Collector on Goodreads, click here.
