I’m delighted to be helping to celebrate the launch of The Abattoir of Dreams by Mark Tilbury.
The Abattoir of Dreams was published by Bloodhound on 28th February 2017 and is available for purchase here.
The Abattoir of Dreams
The past is never far away.
Michael Tate has not had an easy life. With his father in prison, and his mother dead, Michael was sent to Woodside Children’s Home.
Now an adult, Michael wakes up in hospital from a coma suffering from amnesia and paralysis. Confused and terrified, he is charged with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, Becky. He also learns he attempted to end his own life.
Detective Inspector John Carver is determined that Michael is sent to prison. With no way of defending himself, Michael is left in his hospital bed awaiting transfer to remand.
But then strange things begin to happen and his childhood comes back to haunt him.
Can Michael ever escape the past?
Will he ever discover the truth about Becky’s murder? And why is DI Carver so eager to make him suffer?
The Abattoir of Dreams is a bitter sweet story of murder, innocence and abuse.
My Review of The Abattoir of Dreams
When Michael Tate wakes in hospital without memory, he finds himself accused of his girlfriend Becky’s murder.
Let me just say, that had I not been asked to be part of the launch celebrations for The Abattoir of Dreams I would never have read it because it’s so far out of my comfort zone even the Hubble telescope wouldn’t be able to find it!
Abattoir of Dreams was so brilliantly written I could hardly bear to read it. Covering terrible themes of sexual, physical, emotional and verbal abuse The Abattoir of Dreams makes for very uncomfortable and sometimes disturbing reading. Having worked in education and inspected child protection, I know just how realistic the scenarios Mark Tilbury presents really are, despite their truly horrific nature. So, regardless of not wanting to read on, I found I couldn’t tear myself away as Mikey’s memories gradually began to reappear.
If you’re easily offended by bad language and disquieting themes then perhaps this isn’t the read for you, but The Abattoir of Dreams was written so effectively and realistically that I found these elements added to the atmosphere and never felt gratuitous. I believe not reading The Abattoir of Dreams would have left me a poorer individual. There’s quite considerable violence too that I found far more affecting than any film I might watch. At times my heart rate was elevated as I read, especially in the denouement which is, ironically, one of the less graphic parts of the story.
The characterisation is so effective. As the layers are peeled back and we find out what happened to put Mikey in hospital, we also understand his background as a child and how he has developed into the young man he is. There are villains aplenty who are startlingly depicted, but it is the victims, like Liam, who impact most on the reader. In fact, one of the characters that appealed to me most was the dog, Oxo.
However, despite the gritty, disturbing and frequently horrifying aspects of Abattoir of Dreams, it is not entirely bleak and unremitting. There is real love and friendship exemplified and the supernatural element gives us all hope too.
I can’t say I enjoyed reading The Abattoir of Dreams because it disturbed me, but it’s a book I won’t forget in a hurry as it engendered a range of emotions in me from rage to horror, sadness to hope and pity to murderous thoughts. I thought it was brilliant.
About Mark Tilbury
Mark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
After serving in the Royal Navy and raising his two daughters after being widowed, Mark finally took the plunge and self-published two books on Amazon, The Revelation Room and The Eyes of the Accused.
When he’s not writing, Mark can be found trying and failing to master blues guitar, and taking walks around the beautiful county of Cumbria.
You can follow Mark on Twitter, visit his website and find him on Facebook.
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Fantastic review! I’m at once scared to read this but super intrigued at the same time. There’s just been so many positive reviews I don’t feel I can let this one pass by
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Thanks Renee! It’s not a book I would have chosen but it is brilliant. I appreciate you taking time to comment. X
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Great review, Linda. This books sounds very intriguing and I am going to read it but only when I am relaxed and on holiday.
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You won’t be relaxed when you read it Robbie! Very disturbing, but excellent.
Thanks for taking time to comment.
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Reblogged this on Mike Thomas.
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Many thanks for sharing this Mike x
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I guess we can never say we “enjoy” this kind of story! I am both glad and frightened by the realism and authenticity the writing gives to the story because it offers the book such a darker edge. I think you need to be prepared and in the mood for this book, but it’s been on my radar and I think I’ll make the jump eventually. Great review, loved it!!
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I agree Donna. It was a book I read in small chunks so that I could cope with the content!
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That’s a great review, the book sounds very interesting, and different!
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Thanks so much for calling by Dawn and commenting.
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Sometimes we can appreciate and even enjoy dusturbing books. I recently read Father of Lies, Beautiful Liar and My Girl, which I found very disturbing and way out of my comfort zone, but I like to force myself now and again.
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Ironically, it’s this book I keep thinking about too! You’re right. Variety is the spice of life!
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