Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First off, I am NOT a writer, nor would I even try. I know I couldn't write a novel... So, I read them. I really dislike writing poor reviews, but then, I dislike reading poorly written novels too. It's not that I think the book is bad, it just grated on my nerves as I read through. The best part of the book was the way the author handled and controlled the suspense and tension. Sometimes the build up is much better than the actual actions taken. For the first 120 pages or so, I was kind of creeping around the next page or chapter or paragraph, hoping that one or both brothers weren't going to spring out and start a confrontation. I love to watch horror movies and read horror books, but where some welcome the violence and gore, I always feel too much for the character when they are attacked, so I'm always hoping they'll avoid the inevitable. Keeping me creeped-out, with a rather generic, "been-there-done-that" story, earns the two stars in my review. This is where my love for the book ends. I realize that this is Jeff Menapace's first full novel, and it's self published. Plus, I guess I can sort of understand all of the 5 star reviews, but just being scary with a bunch of gore and tension didn't do it for me. I was distracted WAY too much by the dialog. How many times did I have to read, just how "Sexy" Amy was, and what a great father and husband Patrick is. I understood this in the first couple of chapters and didn't need to be reminded for 125 pages, over and over again. The couples insistent sexual banter was borderline ridiculous and corny. Then, there are those children...On and on I read, just how cute Carrie and Caleb are and what a great father Patrick is to the kids and how much Amy loved him. I understand that the writer must establish some relationship between characters and the reader, and give us reason to feel emotions when this wonderful family gets terrorized, but this went on far too long, too many times. And I won't go into detail about the villainous brothers that are the creators of all the horror in this book, other than I thought they were ridiculously silly. Yeah, I know that these two psychos are bat-poop crazy but, come on! Some of their dialog and whopping around was down right embarrassing. Jeff, if you read this review, I'm not being harsh. Just honest, with my taste in reading. You can't please everyone...but I do wish you the BEST of luck in your writing career and as long as other people keep up with the good reviews, I'll no doubt be keeping an eye on them, and you for that classic you may someday write.