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Sean Doyle #1
Renegades
Immortality - the ultimate secret. David and Laura Callahan, like others before them throughout the ages, will stop at nothing in their perverted quest for it. But for Callahan, a multi-millionaire gun-runner, eternal life has never looked less likely: he is being hunted by two British counter-terrorists. And nobody knows who hired the killers - or why...
In a race against time, a trail of violence and terror leads from a desecrated church in France, to London, and on to strife-torn Ireland where modern terrorism battles against ancient powers and a terrible secret is revealed. A long-forgotten secret that will threaten the lives of those involved. And when the final confrontation comes, the living will envy the dead...
In a race against time, a trail of violence and terror leads from a desecrated church in France, to London, and on to strife-torn Ireland where modern terrorism battles against ancient powers and a terrible secret is revealed. A long-forgotten secret that will threaten the lives of those involved. And when the final confrontation comes, the living will envy the dead...
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Shaun Hutson
118 books477 followersBritish horror novelist, including horror and urban thriller novels.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 19, 2019
Ha sido una lectura un tanto extraña. Toda la (muy extensa) parte relacionada con la labor policial es correcta e incluso intrigante en algunos puntos, aunque el protagonista se pase de frenada a cada paso y siempre sin consecuencias. El elemento sobrenatural, sin embargo, se va posponiendo hasta las últimas páginas y, cuando llega, resulta más bien insulso y poco creíble.
January 9, 2016
-Producto de los gustos, de algunos, en aquel tiempo.-
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El hallazgo de una vidriera inquietante relacionada con Gilles de Rais, las esperanzas sobrenaturales de un traficante de armas y su pareja, las actitudes del antiterrorismo británico contra las facciones más salvajes del IRA y otros asuntos, se terminan entremezclando o sí o sí, porque lo decidió el autor.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El hallazgo de una vidriera inquietante relacionada con Gilles de Rais, las esperanzas sobrenaturales de un traficante de armas y su pareja, las actitudes del antiterrorismo británico contra las facciones más salvajes del IRA y otros asuntos, se terminan entremezclando o sí o sí, porque lo decidió el autor.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....
August 29, 2014
I've been in the 'mood' for horror lately, and after reading some excellent James Herbert, I noticed this on my shelf and thought I'd carry on the theme. This book seemed like a good bet, as the blurb on the back made it sound as if it was just my cup of tea...the trouble was, the characters and events described in the blurb just never seemed to happen!
To be fair, a lot did happen in the first section...there's kids exploring an abandoned church, a press photographer caught up in a savage gun battle, a tough-as-nails police officer that shoots his prisoners, a historian exploring old ruins, a strange couple taking cocaine while watching sex tapes....and every so often a weird, spooky bit that you know has to be important as it's in italics.
BUT NO HORROR. Hints of it maybe, but I got so fed up of little scenes and character introductions, only to have them lead to nothing before changing to something else. Doyle, who I suppose to is to be the 'hero', is just horrible...as are his superiors who do little to control him. I found myself becoming bored - not what I want from a horror story!
So two chapters in to part two, with two characters (who from the blurb on the back are supposed to be the 'baddies', yet have barely featured 100 pages in!) getting hot and heavy over a horrific traffic accident, I decided to give up and find some proper horror to read.
To be fair, a lot did happen in the first section...there's kids exploring an abandoned church, a press photographer caught up in a savage gun battle, a tough-as-nails police officer that shoots his prisoners, a historian exploring old ruins, a strange couple taking cocaine while watching sex tapes....and every so often a weird, spooky bit that you know has to be important as it's in italics.
BUT NO HORROR. Hints of it maybe, but I got so fed up of little scenes and character introductions, only to have them lead to nothing before changing to something else. Doyle, who I suppose to is to be the 'hero', is just horrible...as are his superiors who do little to control him. I found myself becoming bored - not what I want from a horror story!
So two chapters in to part two, with two characters (who from the blurb on the back are supposed to be the 'baddies', yet have barely featured 100 pages in!) getting hot and heavy over a horrific traffic accident, I decided to give up and find some proper horror to read.
September 6, 2017
Dos líneas argumentales que se unen al finalizar:
1. Un chico que lucha contra el IRA. Parte del libro que sobra totalmente.
2. Alguien que encuentra una iglesia abandonada y descubre en ella una extraña cristalera que comienza a investigar. Peor comienza a sucederle cosas que no molan.
La Linea argumental del IRA destroza el libro, puro relleno.
1. Un chico que lucha contra el IRA. Parte del libro que sobra totalmente.
2. Alguien que encuentra una iglesia abandonada y descubre en ella una extraña cristalera que comienza a investigar. Peor comienza a sucederle cosas que no molan.
La Linea argumental del IRA destroza el libro, puro relleno.
June 7, 2012
Ah please... don't get me wrong, I love sex and ultraviolence but this is 24 karat junk.
December 17, 2022
Sí me gustó pero no por las razones que creí.
Este libro es de mi padre,me lo prestó hace años pero jamás lo terminé,recuerdo que se me hizo pesado y lo dejé en el cap 17. Cuando me lo dió me dijo que recordaba algo de una bestia que salía de un vitral y que recordaba que le había provocado un trauma...
Así que podrán imaginar lo que siento al haberlo terminado y saber que la bestia sale muy poco. Es la base de la historia pero la acción la llevan todos los otros personajes.
Hablando de acción,me encantó la capacidad del autor para narrar escenas de pelea,explosiones y tiroteos,es lo que más disfruté. Al parecer el autor es famoso por sus escenas de sexo y gore explícitas,ya puedo decir que no decepciona en este libro. Lo muy detallado que era al describir la violencia y las mutilaciones hacían que todo fuera muy impactante,lo que te mete más a la novela.
Volvería a leer al autor solo para salir oliendo a pólvora.
(Libro terminado durante el leyendo24hrs de Mariana)
Este libro es de mi padre,me lo prestó hace años pero jamás lo terminé,recuerdo que se me hizo pesado y lo dejé en el cap 17. Cuando me lo dió me dijo que recordaba algo de una bestia que salía de un vitral y que recordaba que le había provocado un trauma...
Así que podrán imaginar lo que siento al haberlo terminado y saber que la bestia sale muy poco. Es la base de la historia pero la acción la llevan todos los otros personajes.
Hablando de acción,me encantó la capacidad del autor para narrar escenas de pelea,explosiones y tiroteos,es lo que más disfruté. Al parecer el autor es famoso por sus escenas de sexo y gore explícitas,ya puedo decir que no decepciona en este libro. Lo muy detallado que era al describir la violencia y las mutilaciones hacían que todo fuera muy impactante,lo que te mete más a la novela.
Volvería a leer al autor solo para salir oliendo a pólvora.
(Libro terminado durante el leyendo24hrs de Mariana)
July 24, 2022
I applaud authors that have more than one note to play. When I think Hutson, my mind immediately jumps to 80s/90s over the top pulpy horrors, with scenes of extreme horror before it became its own little niche (felt like bookstore shelves were full of what would now be deemed extreme back in the 90s). Books like Slugs! And Death Day! And Erebus!
But Hutson also has a flare for the gritty crime drama, and often the themes can overlap in his works. For example, Assassins was a really good blend, as was Body Count. Hutson can also 'go straight' with crime novels such as White Ghost, that are a little more grounded in real world events, without a trace of the supernatural or more traditional psychotic/sexual killers.
Renegades tries to do the lot rather than the latter, and hence has a bit of an identity crisis. The supernatural element simmers in the background and doesn't really serve any purpose (except maybe to bring in more characters?). The more realistic internal workings of the IRA is where this book shines and needed the whole stage rather than having to share it with a shoe-horned in demonic entity (and spoiler: This is one of the most disappointing resolutions of such an element I've read in a long time).
But I don't think I can ever dislike a Hutson. As usual, the action is fast and frantic, injuries and deaths are described in almost gleeful detail, and, of course, no one is a genuinely good person in the proceedings, so all are up for the chopping block!
I could have done with less gun talk though. The specs of the guns are obviously very well researched, but drag things down a bit for a reader like myself who isn't all that into the technical details. Gun goes bang, heads go splat, is all the detail I like.
There are much better Hutson offerings out there, but if you've got through most of them, it's like meeting up with an old friend...who has recently taken up collecting weaponry and can't wait to tell you all about it.
But Hutson also has a flare for the gritty crime drama, and often the themes can overlap in his works. For example, Assassins was a really good blend, as was Body Count. Hutson can also 'go straight' with crime novels such as White Ghost, that are a little more grounded in real world events, without a trace of the supernatural or more traditional psychotic/sexual killers.
Renegades tries to do the lot rather than the latter, and hence has a bit of an identity crisis. The supernatural element simmers in the background and doesn't really serve any purpose (except maybe to bring in more characters?). The more realistic internal workings of the IRA is where this book shines and needed the whole stage rather than having to share it with a shoe-horned in demonic entity (and spoiler: This is one of the most disappointing resolutions of such an element I've read in a long time).
But I don't think I can ever dislike a Hutson. As usual, the action is fast and frantic, injuries and deaths are described in almost gleeful detail, and, of course, no one is a genuinely good person in the proceedings, so all are up for the chopping block!
I could have done with less gun talk though. The specs of the guns are obviously very well researched, but drag things down a bit for a reader like myself who isn't all that into the technical details. Gun goes bang, heads go splat, is all the detail I like.
There are much better Hutson offerings out there, but if you've got through most of them, it's like meeting up with an old friend...who has recently taken up collecting weaponry and can't wait to tell you all about it.
March 25, 2022
2.5 stars.
Much like his earlier novel Assassin this was a straight action thriller with a supernatural horror subplot added in, probably for the "Hutson horror" wave of marketing. I don't think Hutson even likes horror. His real interest is in blokey shooting stuff. It was mildly enjoyable for the duration of that core counterterrorist story and then the antclimactic supernatural horror element popped up and left me feeling hollow about it all.
I think this will be my last Hutson.
Much like his earlier novel Assassin this was a straight action thriller with a supernatural horror subplot added in, probably for the "Hutson horror" wave of marketing. I don't think Hutson even likes horror. His real interest is in blokey shooting stuff. It was mildly enjoyable for the duration of that core counterterrorist story and then the antclimactic supernatural horror element popped up and left me feeling hollow about it all.
I think this will be my last Hutson.
July 6, 2013
I am reviewing the novel Renegades by Shaun Hutson which is an excellent horror novel that I bought from a car boot sale. As with all Hutson novels this is quite gruesome but is brilliantly written. I did read before that apparently Shaun read a novel that was poorly written and thought I can do a better novel than that and became an author. Also rather interestingly he refuses to work weekends. The plot is an arms dealer for the IRA in Northern Ireland has travelled to France in search of eternal life. This story was published in 1991 and is set at the time of Stormont and the peace talks in Northern Ireland. Anyway in France there is a church where a hero of the Hundred Years War is rumoured to have found the secret to eternal life and a spate of killings followed. The church was sealed up and left disused for along time until now. There is also a rather strange stained glass window. The arms dealer who realises someone is trying to kill him but isn't sure why is after this secret. He ships the stained glass window back to Ireland. In the meantime there has been a spate of bombings including Stormont & the british police and garda - the irish police - are after him. There is a bit of an unpleasant ending and the central character - the arms dealers - gets his just desserts. It is written in such a way that he isn't very likeable. Quite early on in the story we find that his car which he claims was stolen was used in a bomb attack. I am reviewing the novel Renegades by Shaun Hutson which is an excellent horror novel that I bought from a car boot sale. As with all Hutson novels this is quite gruesome but is brilliantly written. I did read before that apparently Shaun read a novel that was poorly written and thought I can do a better novel than that and became an author. Also rather interestingly he refuses to work weekends. The plot is an arms dealer for the IRA in Northern Ireland has travelled to France in search of eternal life. This story was published in 1991 and is set at the time of Stormont and the peace talks in Northern Ireland. Anyway in France there is a church where a hero of the Hundred Years War is rumoured to have found the secret to eternal life and a spate of killings followed. The church was sealed up and left disused for along time until now. There is also a rather strange stained glass window. The arms dealer who realises someone is trying to kill him but isn't sure why is after this secret. He ships the stained glass window back to Ireland. In the meantime there has been a spate of bombings including Stormont & the british police and garda - the irish police - are after him. There is a bit of an unpleasant ending and the central character - the arms dealers - gets his just desserts. It is written in such a way that he isn't very likeable. Quite early on in the story we find that his car which he claims was stolen was used in a bomb attack.
November 1, 2015
Didn't think i'd like this as i thought it was going to be a departure in style for Hutson (as this story is about terrorism). I was very wrong.
Doyle is a great character. A foul mouthed lovable killer. In his line of work, he tells 90% of his colleagues to fuck off. I liked miserable Channing and unattractive Catherine and the creepy French church. The descriptions of the evil glass window create dread that lingers throughout the book. And david & Laura callahan are interesting people. In one scene Laura "gets off" to watching bodies get pulled out of a car wreckage.
So... Check out Renegades. I'd recommend "Nemesis" instead though. Or "slugs" and it's awesome sequel "Breeding Grounds"
Doyle is a great character. A foul mouthed lovable killer. In his line of work, he tells 90% of his colleagues to fuck off. I liked miserable Channing and unattractive Catherine and the creepy French church. The descriptions of the evil glass window create dread that lingers throughout the book. And david & Laura callahan are interesting people. In one scene Laura "gets off" to watching bodies get pulled out of a car wreckage.
So... Check out Renegades. I'd recommend "Nemesis" instead though. Or "slugs" and it's awesome sequel "Breeding Grounds"
August 14, 2014
I've probably read this book about five times, I could finish the last page and turn straight back to page one.
What I love and respect about Hutson is the way he's not bothered about a happy ending. Just as in life people die in horrible ways and the other characters just have to get on with things as best as they can.
What I love and respect about Hutson is the way he's not bothered about a happy ending. Just as in life people die in horrible ways and the other characters just have to get on with things as best as they can.
September 25, 2016
Pure old school gritty genre literature. A horror tinted action stories that mixes blood soaked shootouts, cara chases and a constantly moving plot to touches of black humor, sex and gore. In summation a blast and well written too
April 11, 2013
Another from Shaun Hutson, in a similar vein to the last I read. I must assume that this is Hutson's genre and others will be similar, a good read which I really enjoyed.
July 11, 2018
Great book
Sean Doyle is the hero you are constantly rooting for in this gripping story about terrorists and the supernatural it was a great read
Sean Doyle is the hero you are constantly rooting for in this gripping story about terrorists and the supernatural it was a great read
July 27, 2021
I'm guessing Shaun is one of the few authors who has written more books than he's read and his wife deals with the bulk of his fanmail.
Lots of loose ends in this, who killed yer man Channing? What happened to the 2 cops on the take? Why do I keep reading this total rubbish?
Lots of loose ends in this, who killed yer man Channing? What happened to the 2 cops on the take? Why do I keep reading this total rubbish?
November 14, 2020
Not a fan 🤷♂️ can't be bothered with review. Got me through 2 nights shifts mind
February 9, 2021
Początek trochę nudny, ale potem akcja nabiera tempa. Nie zrozumiały był dla mnie motyw IRA - bez tej wstawki politycznej typowy horror.
Przeczytałam, ale nie muszę wracać do tej książki.
Ocena 3,5
Przeczytałam, ale nie muszę wracać do tej książki.
Ocena 3,5
March 2, 2024
Ridiculous story and characters. 5 or 6 "it was only a dream" sequences. Poor grammar.
Enjoyable read.
Enjoyable read.
November 1, 2023
La Crueldad De La bestia es una novela de terror que mezcla elementos históricos, religiosos y sobrenaturales. El protagonista es Sean Doyle, un ex policía que se ve involucrado en una trama de asesinatos rituales, traficantes de armas y una antigua maldición que se remonta al siglo XV.
Lo que más me gustó del libro fue la acción y el suspense, que te mantienen enganchado desde el principio hasta el final. El autor sabe crear escenas de tensión y violencia, que no son aptas para los más sensibles. También me gustó el personaje de Sean Doyle, que es un antihéroe duro y sarcástico, pero con un sentido de la justicia.
Lo que menos me gustó del libro fue que a veces se me hizo un poco confuso y repetitivo. El autor usa muchos nombres y lugares diferentes, que a veces se mezclan y se pierden. También creo que algunas partes se podrían haber acortado o eliminado, ya que no aportan mucho a la historia principal.
En conclusión, La Crueldad De La bestia es un libro entretenido para los amantes del terror, que ofrece una trama original y unos personajes interesantes. Sin embargo, no es un libro perfecto, y puede que algunos lectores se aburran o se pierdan con algunos detalles. Le doy un 7 sobre 10.
Lo que más me gustó del libro fue la acción y el suspense, que te mantienen enganchado desde el principio hasta el final. El autor sabe crear escenas de tensión y violencia, que no son aptas para los más sensibles. También me gustó el personaje de Sean Doyle, que es un antihéroe duro y sarcástico, pero con un sentido de la justicia.
Lo que menos me gustó del libro fue que a veces se me hizo un poco confuso y repetitivo. El autor usa muchos nombres y lugares diferentes, que a veces se mezclan y se pierden. También creo que algunas partes se podrían haber acortado o eliminado, ya que no aportan mucho a la historia principal.
En conclusión, La Crueldad De La bestia es un libro entretenido para los amantes del terror, que ofrece una trama original y unos personajes interesantes. Sin embargo, no es un libro perfecto, y puede que algunos lectores se aburran o se pierdan con algunos detalles. Le doy un 7 sobre 10.
September 22, 2014
No me gusto. Tal vez paso que me lo recomendaron tanto que esperaba que fuera un libro que no me dejara dormir o que por lo menos me quitara un sustillo, sin embargo no fue así. Me parece bastante aburrido, y el final es muy muy muy ..... No me gusto nada.
August 29, 2011
Recurdo que me gustó bastante y que el final lo encontré muy bueno.
August 22, 2012
A great book with an original storyline, although some of the imagery and content is a little on the grim side. Even if you don't enjoy the read the story will stay with you for a very long time!
October 5, 2012
This book introduces Sean Doyle CTU agent, brilliant and fast paced book. Excellent read.
September 3, 2015
Did not finish. Over the top violence, not that well done.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews