The Abattoir of Dreams by Mark Tilbury | @MTilburyAuthor | #relaunch

Author Mark Tilbury is in the middle of rebranding and relaunching his novels and today I’m once again sharing my thoughts on The Abattoir of Dreams. Please note that this review was first posted at the very beginning of my arrival in the book blogging world and it’s utterly cringe-worthy. 😳

Author : Mark Tilbury
Title : The Abattoir of Dreams
Pages : 350
Publisher : Tilbury Publishing
Publication date : November 26, 2020

| ABOUT THE BOOK |

How do you prove your innocence when you can’t remember the past?

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 from a coma in hospital 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 a hospital bed awaiting transfer to remand. But then strange things start to happen, and his childhood comes back to haunt him with a vengeance.

Will Michael ever discover the truth about Becky’s murder?
And why is DI Carver so keen to make him suffer?

| MY THOUGHTS |

I don’t even know where to start with this review. It doesn’t happen often that I’m lost for words but this book has made that happen.

When I started reading, I couldn’t help but think how weird it all was and I was worried the book wouldn’t be for me. However, I kept going. Then, at one point I set aside the supernatural/paranormal vibe (sorry Mister Tilbury) and ended up completely immersed. I’m so glad I kept going because otherwise I would have missed out on something brilliant.

This is one hard-hitting and gripping journey with and incredible plot! It has everything : crime, suspense, supernatural elements, twists and turns. Oddly enough, there’s also a dash of humour and sarcasm. You’d think that shouldn’t work but it does.

Michael’s life in the children’s home makes for some very uncomfortable reading. This is a case of child abuse at its worst and may not appeal to the faint hearted. In fact, I think if this had been a film, I might have turned it off. As it is, some scenes seem to be playing on a loop behind my eyes and it’s highly disturbing.

What to say about DI John Carver? He’s the worst of the worst. I can’t think of a more depraved character. He made my blood boil. Be warned.

That’s all I’ll say. I knew very little about the book when I started reading and I think anyone who picks it up should do the same. Go with the flow, let yourself be immersed. Give it a chance. You won’t regret it.

Dark and cruel but incredibly compelling. I can see this one ending up in my top 10 books of the year and it will probably haunt me for a while yet.

[Totally embarrassing to read this again but years later and after having read hundreds of other books, I still remember this book vividly and that’s saying something, isn’t it?]

Available from Amazon US | Amazon UK

| ABOUT THE AUTHOR |

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 being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and self-published two books on Amazon, The Revelation Room and The Eyes of the Accused.

He’s always had a keen interest in writing, and having had seven books published by an indie publisher, has decided to return to self publishing. After successfully publishing The Last One To See Her, A Prayer For The Broken followed in October 2020.

When he’s not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.

You can follow Mark on Twitter @MTilburyAuthor, visit his website and find him on Facebook.