Personal Effects: Dark Art [With Birth Certificate, Drivers License, Credit Card...]

I had a chance to read an advanced copy of Personal Effects: Dark Art. This novel succeeds admirably in being creepy and scary, but the book does much more than that. For one, it paints the main characters, especially the tightly knit support system of the protagonist, in a realistic and sympathetic light. You care about these people, you want to be their friends. The action is detailed and, at times, gruesome, the kind that makes you want to cover one eye while the other eye keeps reading because you just can't stop. The plot and characterization doesn't stop with the novel, though. The personal effects that come with the book allow you to learn more about the mysteries inside, and if you follow the websites and phone numbers, you will get more information about the goings on of the novel than the characters themselves got. This book grabbed me, pulled me in, and didn't let go. Hutchins' narrative voice is fun to read; he makes you feel like you're sliding effortlessly into the plot. Expect more awesome from this author in the future. For now, buy this book.

Not only will what's between the covers of this novel change how you feel about the dark, it will change how you want to be entertained. No longer a passive participant in the story, you now become part of the story with the realistic 'personal effects', websites, phone numbers and other great interactive surprises. On it's own the book tells a powerful, unreal but believable story that pulls you in from the very first page, but coupled with the included clues and breadcrumb trails to follow, the story leaps out of the page and vibrates with it's own deadly pulse. What I love about this story is that there are so many levels to the plot, so many clues to pick up each time you read it, flip through the personal effects, or visit a website connected with the novel. This is the type of book you will want to read over and over just to rediscover the brilliant storytelling on every page. Writers from this point on will have to live up to the high standards J.C. Hutchins has now put forth. The game has changed. We wanted more, and he delivered.

This is hands down one of the most entertaining and immensely satisfying experiences I have ever had with literature. The cover has a quote from the producer of CSI that says, "this is the future of story telling." Then I heard that there were "artifacts" with the book. Ok - I have to be honest - in my head, I'm thinking GIMMICK. Not so. This is enhanced story telling at a level that I can't quite describe. If you let yourself get into this story, it will take over your thoughts. When I stepped away from it (which wasn't often), I found myself thinking about it. Then I would go back and look over the artifacts and I'd find something new and then dive back in. I can't quite explain this book because there's nothing else like it. I'm sure this sounds like either a crazed fanboy or the author's mom but I assure you I am neither. This is an intense, fast-paced story with characters that resonate and a plot that smacks you upside the head. Good God somebody tell me there's a sequel...

I'm enjoying reading Personal Effects: Dark Art, the story winds the reader in as the protagonist gets deeper into the history of the serial killer. Cool stuff also happens OUTSIDE the book. A character blogs, for real! The phone numbers are real and you can call them. Clues are tangible and the world intrudes on the fiction, or vice versa. Either way, the fun goes on. Be part of an exciting experiment, buy this book.

Probably the best book I've read in the horror genre in a long time. Personal Effects: Dark Art combines the classic elements of horror, thriller and dark plot with the "edge of your seat" gripping "page-turning" experience you'd get from a feature film. What I love most about Personal Effects is that it's not JUST words on a page, it's an experience. The book is set up to give the reader visual clues, concepts and personality through the pictures and items within the novel. Even the way the text is set on the page speaks volumes to the mood, tone and feel of this book. This is a full immersion experience. If you're one of those folks who can't sit through a novel - this is the one to try. From page one I was sucked into the story, the characters and the mystery. And I think you will be too.