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Pursuit
Once his Pursuit begins, nothing will stop him. And no one will be safe.
When their honeymoon is terrorized by a murderous predator with a machete, will their vows until death come due too soon?
Pine Barrens, New Jersey. Ava Allegretti lives every day as her last. With a heart condition making her brutally aware tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, the new bride is determined to enjoy what time she has with her beloved. But the dreamy trip home from their honeymoon in Atlantic City quickly turns into a nightmare when a vicious maniac on a motorcycle runs their car off the road.
After the stranded couple makes their way in shock to a nearby diner, Ava has a sudden vision of a mysterious girl who shares her face. And when the relentless rider shows up again and slaughters a restaurant full of people, she flees for her life fearing the terror has barely begun�
Will the newlyweds survive their blood-soaked honeymoon?
When their honeymoon is terrorized by a murderous predator with a machete, will their vows until death come due too soon?
Pine Barrens, New Jersey. Ava Allegretti lives every day as her last. With a heart condition making her brutally aware tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, the new bride is determined to enjoy what time she has with her beloved. But the dreamy trip home from their honeymoon in Atlantic City quickly turns into a nightmare when a vicious maniac on a motorcycle runs their car off the road.
After the stranded couple makes their way in shock to a nearby diner, Ava has a sudden vision of a mysterious girl who shares her face. And when the relentless rider shows up again and slaughters a restaurant full of people, she flees for her life fearing the terror has barely begun�
Will the newlyweds survive their blood-soaked honeymoon?
- GenresHorror
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2022
61 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
James Kaine
9books209followersJames Kaine is a bestselling author, publisher and filmmaker born and raised in Trenton, NJ. An active pro member of the Horror Writer’s Association, he brings readers visceral, haunting tales of terror via his Horror House Publishing imprint.
BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly proclaimed his novel, The Dead Children’s Playground, “will chill readers to the bone.� The book, the first in his American Horrors anthology series, has been a #1 bestseller in U.S. Horror on Amazon, a reader selection for the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl and is being translated into multiple languages, bringing James’s cinematic style of scary storytelling to a global audience.
He resides in Hamilton, NJ with his wife, Jessica, their two children and an energetic Boston Terrier. When he isn’t writing he loves to read, travel, cook, watch movies and learn new skills.
Become a Kaineiac and get exclusive stories, first-look news and discounts by joining James’s free VIP Reader club at .
For bookings, media inquiries and any other requests, send an email to [email protected].
BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly proclaimed his novel, The Dead Children’s Playground, “will chill readers to the bone.� The book, the first in his American Horrors anthology series, has been a #1 bestseller in U.S. Horror on Amazon, a reader selection for the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl and is being translated into multiple languages, bringing James’s cinematic style of scary storytelling to a global audience.
He resides in Hamilton, NJ with his wife, Jessica, their two children and an energetic Boston Terrier. When he isn’t writing he loves to read, travel, cook, watch movies and learn new skills.
Become a Kaineiac and get exclusive stories, first-look news and discounts by joining James’s free VIP Reader club at .
For bookings, media inquiries and any other requests, send an email to [email protected].
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 26, 2022
I have never read a book like this before, it reminded me very much of slasher horror movies and made a nice change from my usual reads.
Pursuit follows Ava and Jeremy, a young couple who have just got married. But, on their way back home they encounter a motorcyclist- the Rider. What does he want? Can they escape him?
Although I didn’t find this particularly scary, I did appreciate the Slasher feel to the novel. Some may find it a little gory but I didn’t mind it. Unfortunately, I found the book a little repetitive and lengthy. I was craving a fast pace and more tension. It just turned into a repeated cat and mouse chase, with exactly the same characters, just in different locations. I felt like I was reading the same scene over and over. There also seemed to be a lack of backstory to the Rider, I couldn’t completely follow the motivation. I think it was meant to have a level of mystery but I just felt it lacked depth.
I also really struggled to connect to any of the characters. I did love seeing some representation of chronic health issues and the impact they can have on people’s lives though! I found that some of the scenes in this book really tugged on my heart strings! There was definitely some great and emotional writing woven throughout the last section of the book. Although, that also felt a little repetitive at times. Overall, I felt this was a great read for October and would definitely try more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to fans of slashers and gory horror novels. I want to thank Voracious Readers Only, Book Sirens and James Kaine for sending me a copy of this book so I could give my personal thoughts.
Pursuit follows Ava and Jeremy, a young couple who have just got married. But, on their way back home they encounter a motorcyclist- the Rider. What does he want? Can they escape him?
Although I didn’t find this particularly scary, I did appreciate the Slasher feel to the novel. Some may find it a little gory but I didn’t mind it. Unfortunately, I found the book a little repetitive and lengthy. I was craving a fast pace and more tension. It just turned into a repeated cat and mouse chase, with exactly the same characters, just in different locations. I felt like I was reading the same scene over and over. There also seemed to be a lack of backstory to the Rider, I couldn’t completely follow the motivation. I think it was meant to have a level of mystery but I just felt it lacked depth.
I also really struggled to connect to any of the characters. I did love seeing some representation of chronic health issues and the impact they can have on people’s lives though! I found that some of the scenes in this book really tugged on my heart strings! There was definitely some great and emotional writing woven throughout the last section of the book. Although, that also felt a little repetitive at times. Overall, I felt this was a great read for October and would definitely try more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to fans of slashers and gory horror novels. I want to thank Voracious Readers Only, Book Sirens and James Kaine for sending me a copy of this book so I could give my personal thoughts.
January 13, 2023
This is one for the slasher fans out there! 🔪
'Pursuit' in a nutshell is about a biker who pursues his victims in his Harley and when he gets them he hacks them up with a machete.
There's a backstory to it all, but I never quite understood it. His victims talk to this biker like they know him, but he never replies to these people before dispatching them.
It was a fun read but it could have been edited better, I felt like there was a lot of filler and it rambled on a bit.
A read-once for me.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read the advanced reader's copy.
'Pursuit' in a nutshell is about a biker who pursues his victims in his Harley and when he gets them he hacks them up with a machete.
There's a backstory to it all, but I never quite understood it. His victims talk to this biker like they know him, but he never replies to these people before dispatching them.
It was a fun read but it could have been edited better, I felt like there was a lot of filler and it rambled on a bit.
A read-once for me.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read the advanced reader's copy.
September 24, 2023
This was a bit of an odd experience. In a nutshell, it is sort of an old school type slasher, akin The Hitcher and Halloween. The writing style was a bit disorienting at times, especially when the POV would jump from the Rider back to a more narrator-based view, not with any specific pattern or consistency. And the book did feel very long-winded, with an excessive amount of chase scenes, which all began to blend together after awhile. None of the characters had any depth, which is a shame because Jeremy and especially Ava had a ton to work with, ie parental conflicts, a playful new marriage, etc. And the open ending was completely expected, which I did not care for. None of the characters had any type of arcs or proper progression, making the story just feel very repetitive and stagnant. And even the background to our antagonist, the Rider, was very unclear, too. I didn’t dislike the story but I also feel like it desperately needed the aide of a content editor. It needed to either simplify the story to a possessed biker chasing its faceless victims down to appease some ritual/higher being. Tons of bodies and gore, and keep it all surface-level. Or have a deeper character study of two emotionally brittle, newly married types who are terrorized by this thing, using each experience to evolve themselves and their relationship, coming out stronger at the end, giving a satisfying finale. This couldn’t make up its mind and came across very choppy throughout. Again, not a bad story, but needed to be fine-tuned quite a bit.
December 17, 2024
This is my second book I have read by James Kaine. I was on the edge of my chair as I read each chapter.
I was amazed how the book flowed from chapter to chapter without missing a beat.
The challenges that Ava and Jeremy will encounter will be hard to believe. As with ant great author, the ending will�.
I will not spoil it. Read it soon.
I was amazed how the book flowed from chapter to chapter without missing a beat.
The challenges that Ava and Jeremy will encounter will be hard to believe. As with ant great author, the ending will�.
I will not spoil it. Read it soon.
October 18, 2022
Great fast paced slasher
April 1, 2024
3.5 Surprisingly solid slasher. The trouble with Friday the 13th rip offs is they always feel the need to add some kind of elaborate metaphor, when people don’t want that. They want an old-school, violent action movie. This one kind of reminds me of Cameron Roubique’s Kill River series; unpretentious and focused on action and character. A supernatural zombie biker becomes fixated on a pair of newlyweds and makes their life a living hell with a high body count. The biker details were interesting, the police station scene is memorable, just good fun.
September 25, 2022
I would like to thank James Kaine LLC and BookSirens, who allowed me to read this advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Ava and her boyfriend, Jeremy, decide to go to Atlantic City and have some fun. While there, they get married. They are both very happy and very tired as they start their way home. They haven’t gotten too far on their way before a large man on a Harley starts following them. Thus begins a ride of horror for the newlyweds. I found this story to be very violent, because the biker carries a machete and uses it on his victims. Although there is some Satanic ritual involved, it was difficult to for me to be scared. To me, this seemed like a campfire story. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters � especially Bobby � and couldn’t relate to any of them, so it could be I just didn’t care enough about them to be scared. This was a very quick read, for which I’m grateful.
August 27, 2024
What a terrifying supernatural slasher story this is. It hits the gas from the first page and doesn't let up until the end.
Basically, it's about an undead motorcycle gang member who's hell bent on revenge against those who killed him. But when a normal happy couple cross his path, things are going to take a delightfully bloody turn as the female protagonist is the spitting image of someone from his past. And someone he must sacrifice.
This is a fantastic slasher with a horrific undead antagonistic who seemingly can't be killed and is relentless in his pursuit of revenge. The pacing will make your heart beat faster and the kills are disturbing and visceral... just the way a slasher should be!
The author has said he wants to revisit this world and characters again and I'm definitely looking forward to that. I highly recommend this pulse pounding book.
Basically, it's about an undead motorcycle gang member who's hell bent on revenge against those who killed him. But when a normal happy couple cross his path, things are going to take a delightfully bloody turn as the female protagonist is the spitting image of someone from his past. And someone he must sacrifice.
This is a fantastic slasher with a horrific undead antagonistic who seemingly can't be killed and is relentless in his pursuit of revenge. The pacing will make your heart beat faster and the kills are disturbing and visceral... just the way a slasher should be!
The author has said he wants to revisit this world and characters again and I'm definitely looking forward to that. I highly recommend this pulse pounding book.
October 9, 2022
Awesome book, action-packed, gruesome and brutal at times, yet with fully cinematic writing, great empathy for the characters and an extremely disturbing killer - who can't be killed. It's not your typical slasher, since there are very nicely done supernatural elements. Although not everything is explained (is the resemblance just a coincidence?), the ending pulls off a satisfying conclusion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 28, 2022
Wow, what a time poor Ava and Jeremy endured.
Fast paced, gore galore and the perfect chapter endings that push you to continue.
I enjoyed the vintage slasher story which has been dragged into the 21st century and even included health matters. The idea of Ava having a chronic medical condition was an intelligent addition.
Great fast reading book most horror fans will enjoy.
Thank you voracious readers for my copy and opportunity to enjoy another great read.
Fast paced, gore galore and the perfect chapter endings that push you to continue.
I enjoyed the vintage slasher story which has been dragged into the 21st century and even included health matters. The idea of Ava having a chronic medical condition was an intelligent addition.
Great fast reading book most horror fans will enjoy.
Thank you voracious readers for my copy and opportunity to enjoy another great read.
February 10, 2024
Si te gustan los slashers esta novela podría interesarte.
Mi calificación: ⭐⭐� con posibilidad de ascender a ⭐⭐�.5
Quiero empezar diciendo que encontré Pursuit gratis en la tienda de Kindle, pero es importante mencionar que solamente está en inglés; con respecto a lo anterior, considero que el nivel de dificultad de escritura/lectura es intermedio, pero si ya has leído antes libros en inglés puede ayudarte para expandir tu vocabulario.
Ava y Jeremy se acaban de casar y tras su exprés Luna de Miel en Atlantic City van de regreso a su hogar cuando un accidente con un motociclista toma lugar en la carretera. Lo que al principio parece un caso aislado pronto se vuelve peligroso cuando la pareja se da cuenta que el accidente no fue casualidad y alguien está yendo tras ellos, ¿por qué? Eso lo vamos descubriendo junto con ellos conforme avanzamos en la historia.
Un libro relativamente corto -tiene unas 200 páginas- en el que una vez que la acción comienza ya no para, aunque si estás buscando algo nuevo probablemente te lleves una decepción, porque sigue la fórmula general: alguien que persigue a los protagonistas y no se detendrá hasta acabar con ellos.
En lo personal tengo que admitir que disfruto mucho de este tipo de historias y sentí esta lectura como si estuviese viendo una película, por lo que el libro me gustó en general. Además el autor añade un toque sobrenatural a la trama y a mí también me gustan mucho las historias de fantasmas y ese tipo de cosas.
Pero ajá, lamentablemente la novela no tiene mis cinco estrellas porque la parte importante, el por qué, la resolución de la trama, queda inconclusa, deja uno que otro cabo suelto, en específico, el por qué el asesino seguía a su objetivo, ya que la justificación que usó el autor parecía suficiente al principio pero terminó sin ser justificada y eso hizo que la novela decayera un poco para mí.
Por lo demás Pursuit es entretenida, tiene grandes momentos dignos de un slasher y me dejó con la espinita de saber un poquito más del trabajo de este autor.
Mi calificación: ⭐⭐� con posibilidad de ascender a ⭐⭐�.5
Quiero empezar diciendo que encontré Pursuit gratis en la tienda de Kindle, pero es importante mencionar que solamente está en inglés; con respecto a lo anterior, considero que el nivel de dificultad de escritura/lectura es intermedio, pero si ya has leído antes libros en inglés puede ayudarte para expandir tu vocabulario.
Ava y Jeremy se acaban de casar y tras su exprés Luna de Miel en Atlantic City van de regreso a su hogar cuando un accidente con un motociclista toma lugar en la carretera. Lo que al principio parece un caso aislado pronto se vuelve peligroso cuando la pareja se da cuenta que el accidente no fue casualidad y alguien está yendo tras ellos, ¿por qué? Eso lo vamos descubriendo junto con ellos conforme avanzamos en la historia.
Un libro relativamente corto -tiene unas 200 páginas- en el que una vez que la acción comienza ya no para, aunque si estás buscando algo nuevo probablemente te lleves una decepción, porque sigue la fórmula general: alguien que persigue a los protagonistas y no se detendrá hasta acabar con ellos.
En lo personal tengo que admitir que disfruto mucho de este tipo de historias y sentí esta lectura como si estuviese viendo una película, por lo que el libro me gustó en general. Además el autor añade un toque sobrenatural a la trama y a mí también me gustan mucho las historias de fantasmas y ese tipo de cosas.
Pero ajá, lamentablemente la novela no tiene mis cinco estrellas porque la parte importante, el por qué, la resolución de la trama, queda inconclusa, deja uno que otro cabo suelto, en específico, el por qué el asesino seguía a su objetivo, ya que la justificación que usó el autor parecía suficiente al principio pero terminó sin ser justificada y eso hizo que la novela decayera un poco para mí.
Por lo demás Pursuit es entretenida, tiene grandes momentos dignos de un slasher y me dejó con la espinita de saber un poquito más del trabajo de este autor.
August 30, 2022
Ava and Jeremy are on their honeymoon and they thought the worst thing that would happen is Jeremy‘s dad called angry because they eloped but they had much more in store for them before they got home. While driving home from Atlantic City to New Jersey they were runoff the road by a mysterious guy on a motorcycle. The only identifying symbol was the bloody skull on the back of his jacket they walk through the woods for almost an hour and finally came up on a tow truck and gas station that they thought would be their savior but unfortunately when they mentioned the guy who drove them off the road Eddie the tow truck driver wants nothing to do with them and passes them off to the local diner little did they know they were in for a long night of fighting for survival against a man who was already dead. This book was so good the drama was hi in the book moved along at a fast pace and kept that momentum. This was really a good book and one I highly recommend if you like stories about survival you need to read this story. I received this book from Bok Sirens and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 9, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
***
This one is a fast-paced slasher of a read. I enjoyed the first few chapters which set the scene for two newlyweds with very different backgrounds coming into contact with a violent and mysterious biker.
What follows is a long and violent run from a seemingly indestructible has mad man with a machete. The book is pretty much non-stop action; it's one that was hard to put down. There is blood, gore, violence, death, and tragedy.
Overall, I found this quick read very enjoyable. Stop reading here if you don't want a small spoiler.
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One thing that sort of bugged me was that they sort of freak out they don't have a working phone to call for help, one having been broken and left behind and one with an unpaid bill... But, even if the bill wasn't paid, that phone would have worked to call 911 (as long as they weren't in a dead zone). Small detail, I know, but it may have altered the trajectory of the story.
***
This one is a fast-paced slasher of a read. I enjoyed the first few chapters which set the scene for two newlyweds with very different backgrounds coming into contact with a violent and mysterious biker.
What follows is a long and violent run from a seemingly indestructible has mad man with a machete. The book is pretty much non-stop action; it's one that was hard to put down. There is blood, gore, violence, death, and tragedy.
Overall, I found this quick read very enjoyable. Stop reading here if you don't want a small spoiler.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
One thing that sort of bugged me was that they sort of freak out they don't have a working phone to call for help, one having been broken and left behind and one with an unpaid bill... But, even if the bill wasn't paid, that phone would have worked to call 911 (as long as they weren't in a dead zone). Small detail, I know, but it may have altered the trajectory of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
Picture Jason Voorhees on a motorcycle - if that sounds appealing to you, then it's likely you'll enjoy Pursuit. I always enjoy a good horror story and this book delivers that with a fast paced tale involving just married couple Jeremy and Ava being relentlessly stalked by a mysterious machete-wielding biker. The aforementioned Jason reference is because the rider here shares many similarities - he covers his face, is able to survive seemingly any injury, and carves a bloody path through diners, police stations and hospitals in his quest to annihilate the newlyweds.
There's enough blood, brain matter and body parts splattered around to satisfy the gore hungry. Jeremy and Ava are a sympathetic couple and - especially Ava - surprisingly complex for characters in a horror book. There's some profanity here and there as to be expected, but nothing that bothered me much.
I hate reviews that spoil things, so I'm trying not to say much here but it would have been nice to get a little more background on the killer. Although one character fills in some of the gaps, when you have a villain that doesn't utter a single word in the entirety of the book, a lot of questions remain as to his motives, what exactly he's trying to achieve with Ava, and why it's happening at this time when other events leading up to this occurred decades ago. Not everyone will care, especially those just looking for a quick horror fix, but for me a little more explanation would have gone a long way.
Definitely worth a look if you're looking for a fairly short horror book. Honestly I'd rate it 3.5 if I could, but I'll round up because the writing is solid. After reading this, I'd be interested to see what else the author can come up with
Thanks to the author and Book Sirens for the free advanced review copy. I've given my honest opinion voluntarily
There's enough blood, brain matter and body parts splattered around to satisfy the gore hungry. Jeremy and Ava are a sympathetic couple and - especially Ava - surprisingly complex for characters in a horror book. There's some profanity here and there as to be expected, but nothing that bothered me much.
I hate reviews that spoil things, so I'm trying not to say much here but it would have been nice to get a little more background on the killer. Although one character fills in some of the gaps, when you have a villain that doesn't utter a single word in the entirety of the book, a lot of questions remain as to his motives, what exactly he's trying to achieve with Ava, and why it's happening at this time when other events leading up to this occurred decades ago. Not everyone will care, especially those just looking for a quick horror fix, but for me a little more explanation would have gone a long way.
Definitely worth a look if you're looking for a fairly short horror book. Honestly I'd rate it 3.5 if I could, but I'll round up because the writing is solid. After reading this, I'd be interested to see what else the author can come up with
Thanks to the author and Book Sirens for the free advanced review copy. I've given my honest opinion voluntarily
September 18, 2024
A horror book rarely tugs at my heartstrings as much as this one did! It's a little bit ridiculous as a paranormal horror (which I do not normally like), but the author did such a good job of making her characters feel important to me and to each other, I found the suffering that they experienced to feel real in its own way. I'm not saying this is peak horror, but it meant something to me, and it's one of those books where I'll actually remember the plot down the road.
December 1, 2024
Pursuit By James Kaine Book Review.
I can always tell when it's a James Kaine book as it's spine chilling from the very beginning.The book begins with an air of mystery as a biker is chasing a man. What happens to the man afterwards is unspeakable, but why did he do it, the question remains?
The Menacing, eerie, imposing man who is chasing the newlyweds creates such an atmosphere by just standing and staring at his pray. Tantalising them and leaving them in danger. Will they survive?
Why is Eddie Spooked by Ava? Can Bobby be trusted? and Why is the Biker after Ava? You'll have more questions the more you read, leaving you wanting more as the story unravels.
The emotion that Jeremy shows towards Ava is so strong and it shows true love. It's Heartbreaking to read.
James manages to build so much tension and irony in his books. He has you concerned for characters you just met. That in itself is powerful. To get the reader to feel for a character they have just been introduced to can only be done in the writing of the character. The fear and chill instilled in Grady creates a rapport between him and the reader. As with all James's books they feel immersive like you are really there. Fearing for your life.
Who or what is the Rider?
The ending of this book is Heartbreaking and unexpected events happen.
The twist. I was not expecting that!
We absolutely need a sequel to this book as I need to know what happens next. To say this book ends on a cliffhanger is an understatement!
I can always tell when it's a James Kaine book as it's spine chilling from the very beginning.The book begins with an air of mystery as a biker is chasing a man. What happens to the man afterwards is unspeakable, but why did he do it, the question remains?
The Menacing, eerie, imposing man who is chasing the newlyweds creates such an atmosphere by just standing and staring at his pray. Tantalising them and leaving them in danger. Will they survive?
Why is Eddie Spooked by Ava? Can Bobby be trusted? and Why is the Biker after Ava? You'll have more questions the more you read, leaving you wanting more as the story unravels.
The emotion that Jeremy shows towards Ava is so strong and it shows true love. It's Heartbreaking to read.
James manages to build so much tension and irony in his books. He has you concerned for characters you just met. That in itself is powerful. To get the reader to feel for a character they have just been introduced to can only be done in the writing of the character. The fear and chill instilled in Grady creates a rapport between him and the reader. As with all James's books they feel immersive like you are really there. Fearing for your life.
Who or what is the Rider?
The ending of this book is Heartbreaking and unexpected events happen.
The twist. I was not expecting that!
We absolutely need a sequel to this book as I need to know what happens next. To say this book ends on a cliffhanger is an understatement!
October 15, 2022
A solid read!
Ava and Jeremy have just eloped and are enjoying newly wedded bliss. Yet before they get the chance to really start their life together, they find themselves fighting for their lives. A biker pursues them, following them at every turn, and even when they think they’ve lost him, he comes back. Neither of them know what the Rider wants. All they know is that he is dangerous and he will stop at nothing to get them.
Fast-paced and full of action, it was hard not to get sucked right into it. I quite liked the premise, but I felt the book could have been a bit longer. There seems to be a lot when it comes to the Rider’s background, and the connection between him in and his victims seemed a little glossed over. I thought the action and the author’s overall style was quite well done � just maybe a little more editing the next time when it comes to laying everything out. Still, I’m a horror fan and I quite enjoyed all the bloody gore.
Thank you Voracious Readers and James Kaine for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ava and Jeremy have just eloped and are enjoying newly wedded bliss. Yet before they get the chance to really start their life together, they find themselves fighting for their lives. A biker pursues them, following them at every turn, and even when they think they’ve lost him, he comes back. Neither of them know what the Rider wants. All they know is that he is dangerous and he will stop at nothing to get them.
Fast-paced and full of action, it was hard not to get sucked right into it. I quite liked the premise, but I felt the book could have been a bit longer. There seems to be a lot when it comes to the Rider’s background, and the connection between him in and his victims seemed a little glossed over. I thought the action and the author’s overall style was quite well done � just maybe a little more editing the next time when it comes to laying everything out. Still, I’m a horror fan and I quite enjoyed all the bloody gore.
Thank you Voracious Readers and James Kaine for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 6, 2022
The beginning of this book was moderately interesting, though there were some scenes between Ava and Jeremy that seemed to drag on a bit. However, the novel pretty quickly took a very weird turn. With rituals/chants/symbols, hallucinations or visions, and possibly undead people, this book would be better classified as a paranormal suspense rather than a thriller. The reason that the rider was chasing Jeremy and Ava was a little too outlandish for me, and I never felt invested in the storyline.
I also never really connected with any of the characters. There was so much sadness and death in this book with minimal character development. The main characters suffered tremendously just to have a sad and open-ended ending. The author gave us hope of a better resolution and future for the characters, and I was disappointed with how unsatisfactory the conclusion was.
Overall, this was an unexpectedly weird and sad book. I do not recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
I also never really connected with any of the characters. There was so much sadness and death in this book with minimal character development. The main characters suffered tremendously just to have a sad and open-ended ending. The author gave us hope of a better resolution and future for the characters, and I was disappointed with how unsatisfactory the conclusion was.
Overall, this was an unexpectedly weird and sad book. I do not recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
May 10, 2023
Blurbs and comparisons can be tricky. I’ve been the victim of this myself, being lead to a book based on strong stranger things comparisons and then having my expectations being sorely under met. And sometimes that’s just the readers fault. But I couldn’t help myself from getting excited after receiving my copy that the comparison on the back was “Friday the 13th meets SOA�, a combo I didn’t know existed until then.
Pursuit is well written, engaging, fun, gory, and overall an incredibly good time. The Rider is now a personal favorite slasher villan. Those who are fan of slashers in any capacity would do themselves a favor by picking this up. Like a good slasher movie the book does a great job of pacing the action and giving just a enough back story that makes you connect to the characters but doesn’t bog down the brisk pace it’s aiming for. It’s not very often I am eager for a sequel, but Brian got me with this one.
Pursuit is well written, engaging, fun, gory, and overall an incredibly good time. The Rider is now a personal favorite slasher villan. Those who are fan of slashers in any capacity would do themselves a favor by picking this up. Like a good slasher movie the book does a great job of pacing the action and giving just a enough back story that makes you connect to the characters but doesn’t bog down the brisk pace it’s aiming for. It’s not very often I am eager for a sequel, but Brian got me with this one.
December 26, 2023
The reason im giving this book 2 stars is because it just wasn’t for me. I feel like the whole book was just a large repetitive chase scene of the rider. I don’t mind a bit of gore and blood but god damn that was awful. Bro literally squished someones head when he stamped on them (it was written in great detail and not appreciated) definitely a horror though! I’m mad Jeremy died but like almost everyone dies in horror and thrillers and what not but like COME ON. also i can tell that this was written by a man because of the fact that Ava and Jeremy got married after like 5 months of dating 😭
Also the reactions to such trauma were much calmer than i was expecting?? Girl literally had someones beheaded head land on her lap and she didn’t have a heart attack at that moment?? and also you are telling me that once she got out of hospital after her surgery and then got brutally slashed up she was PRACTICALLY FINE? ☹️
Also the reactions to such trauma were much calmer than i was expecting?? Girl literally had someones beheaded head land on her lap and she didn’t have a heart attack at that moment?? and also you are telling me that once she got out of hospital after her surgery and then got brutally slashed up she was PRACTICALLY FINE? ☹️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Ava and Jeremy are heading home from their honeymoon when a motorbike forces them off the road, causing an accident. Not understanding what's happening, only understanding they need to get away before the biker comes back, they walk through the woods hoping to find safety. What they don't realise is that nowhere is safe.
This was a great slasher, ideal for fans of Friday the 13th and Halloween. Our slasher is a man dressed in black, riding a motorbike and carrying a machete. He's also someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, leaving a trail of carnage behind him. It was fast-paced and had me racing to get through it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but that ending kinda annoyed me. I am a person who likes everything to be all neatly wrapped up with a bow at the end, whether a happy or sad ending. And not knowing what happened at the end is gonna bug me for days on end.
Other than that, it was another brilliant read from this author.
This was a great slasher, ideal for fans of Friday the 13th and Halloween. Our slasher is a man dressed in black, riding a motorbike and carrying a machete. He's also someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, leaving a trail of carnage behind him. It was fast-paced and had me racing to get through it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but that ending kinda annoyed me. I am a person who likes everything to be all neatly wrapped up with a bow at the end, whether a happy or sad ending. And not knowing what happened at the end is gonna bug me for days on end.
Other than that, it was another brilliant read from this author.
September 7, 2022
Pursuit is an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to start reading horror. It’s a staunch thriller with all the classic elements one typically comes across in the genre. For me, though, that is where the problem lies. The plot is a little too predictable, and certain scenes throughout the story are all too familiar, especially if you have seen a few horror films in your life. As a result, it was easy to guess most of the jump scares and the few and far-between twists. Add to that, the origins story of the Rider seemed half-hearted. I would have loved a more in-depth exploration of his character. Having said that, the author writes very well and is descriptive to the point it becomes easy to visualize the words, adding to the intensity of the scares. Eventually, Pursuit is a 3 to 3.5-star read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 25, 2024
Jame Kaine knows how to write a horror story!
A slasher film but 100 times better! Perfectly graphic and not over the top. From the opening page to the last one, James will keep you engaged for this exquisite ride. The characters are believable and relatable, come right off the page.
Ava is stronger than any woman I could ever imagine for having put up with everything she did just to survive for another day. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire motorcycle ride. I could not put this one down.
Pursuit reads like a movie in your head. James builds a great setting for the entire novel and continues to pull you in scene after scene. Just when you think you have room to breathe, you'll be thrown back down the road. I love the writing style and POV changes.
This needs to be turned into a movie!
A slasher film but 100 times better! Perfectly graphic and not over the top. From the opening page to the last one, James will keep you engaged for this exquisite ride. The characters are believable and relatable, come right off the page.
Ava is stronger than any woman I could ever imagine for having put up with everything she did just to survive for another day. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire motorcycle ride. I could not put this one down.
Pursuit reads like a movie in your head. James builds a great setting for the entire novel and continues to pull you in scene after scene. Just when you think you have room to breathe, you'll be thrown back down the road. I love the writing style and POV changes.
This needs to be turned into a movie!
August 28, 2024
Pursuit is a good old fashioned slasher-horror story. Rider aka Caleb is a Ghost Rider/Jason Vorhees antagonist that will not quit killing until he kills Ava. Poor newly married Ava doesn't know why or how she incurred his wrath, only that the Pursuit will not end until she dies.
This is a thrilling, gory story. Shudder should make it into a movie. The pace is breathtaking and the depictions of violence are very graphic. At times the writing is a little amateurish but it doesn't hinder the enjoyment of the story. James Kaine’s talent is quite evident and I'm sure his skill as a storyteller will continue to grow with each work.
I recommend this book for fans of Halloween or Friday the 13th. It's gory good fun and perfect for spooky season.
Do not read alone at night, in a wooded area or by a Harley dealership. You'll thank me for that advice.
This is a thrilling, gory story. Shudder should make it into a movie. The pace is breathtaking and the depictions of violence are very graphic. At times the writing is a little amateurish but it doesn't hinder the enjoyment of the story. James Kaine’s talent is quite evident and I'm sure his skill as a storyteller will continue to grow with each work.
I recommend this book for fans of Halloween or Friday the 13th. It's gory good fun and perfect for spooky season.
Do not read alone at night, in a wooded area or by a Harley dealership. You'll thank me for that advice.
December 31, 2024
This is the second James Kaine book I’ve read and I’m loving his work!
Pursuit is a gory, slasher type horror book where the MCs are newlyweds headed back home from their honeymoon in Atlantic City. On the way back, a mysterious biker antagonizes them and causes them to crash their car. With no usable phones, they trek to the nearest service station miles away from the crash. After making it there, that’s when all hell breaks loose.
I enjoyed every bit of this, from the romantic beginning, to the gory middle, and the seemingly happy ending. Also love his shoutouts to metal bands lol
Kaine does an exceptional job of describing gory scenes. I cringed as I was reading, which just means he nailed it. The twists kept me engaged and I just had to keep reading!
i do recommend reading this one if you’re into the gore. I can’t wait to read more of his work!
Pursuit is a gory, slasher type horror book where the MCs are newlyweds headed back home from their honeymoon in Atlantic City. On the way back, a mysterious biker antagonizes them and causes them to crash their car. With no usable phones, they trek to the nearest service station miles away from the crash. After making it there, that’s when all hell breaks loose.
I enjoyed every bit of this, from the romantic beginning, to the gory middle, and the seemingly happy ending. Also love his shoutouts to metal bands lol
Kaine does an exceptional job of describing gory scenes. I cringed as I was reading, which just means he nailed it. The twists kept me engaged and I just had to keep reading!
i do recommend reading this one if you’re into the gore. I can’t wait to read more of his work!
October 13, 2022
3 1/2 Stars
Pursuit is the type of horror story that runs on pure adrenaline once it gets into the meat of the tale. The main characters, Ava and Jeremy, could not be happier as they celebrate their marriage. Honeymoon over, they begin the drive back home when they find themselves first followed then hunted by a mysterious biker. From here on the tale reminds me somewhat of the movie Jeepers Creepers in the relentless pursuit of the couple and the level of violence and carnage that ensues. Certainly not for those readers who want their gore kept "behind the curtain". Keeps you on the edge of your seat as you ride along with the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
Pursuit is the type of horror story that runs on pure adrenaline once it gets into the meat of the tale. The main characters, Ava and Jeremy, could not be happier as they celebrate their marriage. Honeymoon over, they begin the drive back home when they find themselves first followed then hunted by a mysterious biker. From here on the tale reminds me somewhat of the movie Jeepers Creepers in the relentless pursuit of the couple and the level of violence and carnage that ensues. Certainly not for those readers who want their gore kept "behind the curtain". Keeps you on the edge of your seat as you ride along with the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
September 16, 2022
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is well written, the story was enthralling and unpredictable. The characters were extremely well developed. I am a HUGE fan of Stephen King and this book took me back to his better, early stuff. I will absolutely read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. In the short time I've been reading arcs (advanced reader copies), this is the first book where I haven't been irritated or annoyed with typos or grammatical problems. As a matter of fact, I didn't even remember this was an arc, which is unusual so far. Bravo and thank you! I will read more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. In the short time I've been reading arcs (advanced reader copies), this is the first book where I haven't been irritated or annoyed with typos or grammatical problems. As a matter of fact, I didn't even remember this was an arc, which is unusual so far. Bravo and thank you! I will read more!
October 6, 2022
The first thing I noticed was there are some glaring technical issues throughout the book. For example, early on in the book word Juxtaposition was used incorrectly, there are other such instances thoughtout the book. Similarly, there are parts of the novel where it is clear that the author opted to bigger, fancier words, these sections stick out like a sore thumb.
That being said, despite it being overly wordy I did enjoy Pursuit. I don’t think a book is necessarily the best place for a slasher, but Kaine makes it work. For me the best part as to be the relationship between the two main characters. In this book is from perfect, but is a charming page tuner nonetheless.
That being said, despite it being overly wordy I did enjoy Pursuit. I don’t think a book is necessarily the best place for a slasher, but Kaine makes it work. For me the best part as to be the relationship between the two main characters. In this book is from perfect, but is a charming page tuner nonetheless.
October 18, 2022
I actually really enjoyed this book. If you want a spooky read for the month of October, Pursuit would be a good choice. When Ava and Jeremy are heading home from getting married in Atlantic City, their wedded bliss is cut short (no pun intended) by a man on a Harley who happens to have a machete and is following them. This gave me some major Jason Voorhee's vibes because his face is always hid, you can never seem to kill or hurt him, and he leaves blood, guts and terror wherever he goes. This book had me on the edge of my seat. It's packed full of suspense and horror. Make this your next spooky read today.
September 28, 2022
This one will give you nightmares, it's kind of hard to find words to describe this book, it's full of action from page one. It's the kind of book that grabs you and doesn't let go.
The characters in the story were described well and their backgrounds detailed. There were NOT so many characters that it was confusing. It's full of gory murders. The main characters, Jeremy and Ava are on the run from a crazy biker that is chasing them and he won't let up. I look forward to the next book from this author. You won't be disappointed.
(I received a free digital copy of this book for my review)
The characters in the story were described well and their backgrounds detailed. There were NOT so many characters that it was confusing. It's full of gory murders. The main characters, Jeremy and Ava are on the run from a crazy biker that is chasing them and he won't let up. I look forward to the next book from this author. You won't be disappointed.
(I received a free digital copy of this book for my review)
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