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The Exercise Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

August 1943. Forced to seek medical attention, Corporal Ray Ward and his squad are warmly welcomed at Sinclair House, a rehabilitation unit dealing with solders suffering from shell-shock. But Sinclair House isn’t what it appears to be. Out in the orchards, blood-chilling screams can be heard from the locked Nissen huts and the sheer volume of armed, clearly agitated military personnel around the property seems excessive. Ward and his men know something very wrong is happening at this isolated country estate and soon find themselves caught up in the middle of terrifying events…

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XBY9XZ3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ PenMan Press; 1st edition (22 Mar. 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 273 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 68 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Mark West
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Dad, husband, son, brother - I write fiction, I read, I watch films, I walk a lot and I'm a crack shot with a Nerf gun. Newly converted park runner...

A KILLER AMONGST US is his fifth thriller from The Book Folks following the best-selling DON'T GO BACK, ONLY WATCHING YOU, THE HUNTER'S QUARRY and STILL WATERS RUN.

He can be contacted through his website at www.markwest.org.uk, on Facebook at MarkWestWrites and is also on Twitter as @MarkEWest

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
21 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2022
    I read The Exercise last year. Can't even remember exactly when, 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. 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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2021
    The Exercise by Mark West is a perfect example of why the novella length is so suited to horror tales. The additional space allows for greater characterisation than might be possible in a short story which enables us to grow to like the protagonists and thus creates greater suspense when they are put in peril. West puts together a lovable bunch of rogues and chancers in his company of Home Guard soldiers and when they chance upon a secluded military hospital where all is not as it first appears the fun really begins. The author is a dab hand at horror both subtle and visceral and he spoils us here with plenty of both. Great fun and highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2021
    I read this in a couple of sittings. It zips along at a fast pace. It's the story of a group of 5 soldiers on an excercise in the Fens in 1943. When one of the soldiers is injured they have to take a refuge at a facility treating soldiers suffering from PTSD, but some of their treatments have somewhat shocking effects.
    It's a well=plotted piece, with clues given as to what's going on which builds to a chaotic ending. Despite all of the characters being somewhat similar (as they're all soldiers, they have to be to some extent) West gives each their own personality, and the relationships between the men are important from the start. Lots to like about this one.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2021
    I live in the fens, so this was a must - especially as I've read and enjoyed Mark's work before. It's a great example of a novella, with plot twists and characterisation packed into this demanding format. It could never have happened, of course. Or could it? If you go out in the fens today, you might get a big surprise...
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2022
    I loved the traumatic sudden unexpected turn that we all dread could happen.
    The ignorance of decisions we make and the consequences we incur impact us in the most direct ways.
    This was a great thriller.
    Strange things happen in war.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • C. Clark
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 April 2021
    I think this is a perfect example of how well utilitarian storytelling can work, and why the novella is such a great vehicle for horror. Just long enough to make your time worthwhile but short enough that it isn’t too much of a commitment. West does a great job setting up this story with some creepy atmosphere and fantastic description. And while I’d be lying if I didn’t say I would have liked it to be longer - I think that’s just a sign of how well executed this was. He gets to the heart of this and does a masterful job with the tools that are on the table. Really entertaining.

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