I’ve been really behind with book reviews. I mean. really behind. Here’s a case in point. I read The Exercise last year. Can’t even remember when last year, but I don’t think it was long after it was released, which was in March. Even so, it stuck in my mind, and there are several reasons for that – some of which I won’t reveal because they’re spoilers.

What I can say about this novella is that it doesn’t neatly fit into a genre. Which is a good thing, in my view. It can make it hard to market, but when a reader gets to it, the chances are they’re going to find something that little bit different – which is reward in itself.

In this instance, the exercise in question is a training exercise taking place in the countryside during WWII. But things take a turn that surprises, even though the more astute purchaser will have already noted the book is classified as horror on Amazon. Because there’s horror, and then there’s horror.

I’ve already said there are no spoilers here, so I can only tell you to enjoy the anticipation as the tension gradually builds up ahead of the reveal. I’ve enjoyed several of Mark West’s books, and this one took us into new realms very effectively. Since I read The Exercise, I’ve read a couple more of his, both full-length novels, in a different genre. The writing in those and this one is clear and effective. I will be reading more.

If I’ve piqued your interest and you want to know more, click on the image to find it on Amazon.