Book review by - Steve Mezo

In May of 2011 I was contacted by a writer E. L. Dawson about his first novel called CHAT, and asked if I would like to review it. I said yes and he had mailed me a copy which I enjoyed greatly.

Mr. Dawson introduces us to this Indiana town along the same style that Stephen King has introduced us to the towns in the state of Maine. Where he makes us familiar with the characters and surroundings by using landmarks that could be found in about any suburb.This helps with submersing yourself in the story and finding yourself walking the same streets.

Most people that have described the book as "A serial killer finding victims on a Chat Room". Now if it were only that, it would pretty much be a Slasher Film in print form.

But E. L. has taken the roles of the usual cast list and rearranged them to where who would normally be the focus of the story are the secondaries and the secondary is the main. The smart self reliant female character that finds the strength to fight the killer is no longer the means of the end, but more of a plot driver from the beginning and guides the story.

The main Focus is the killer Jeff/Shags and his evolution from being a mentally and physically abused but intelligent young boy, to a young man that's completed his first kill and not taking it from anyone anymore, to a point where he was saved and turned human for a while but turned back into a predatory killer driven only by hate. E. L. had brought so much to this character (Where others just do a Cliff's Notes introduction) that you actually feel pity for him and almost forget about the brutal acts he commits.

The story is fast paced and (At the risk of sounding cliche') a real page turner.

Mr. Dawson is currently making appearances and signings in support of CHAT at upcoming Horror Conventions. Mr. Dawson's table will have it at the ready for purchase and signing. Check Mr. Dawson's website link below periodically for appearance dates, locations and times.

Author E. L. Dawson

And make sure to tell him I sent you!

Book Review: “Chat”

By Tim Gross

Yeah, yeah, I read books… Anyhow I just finished reading this new book “Chat” soon to be available in June by E. L. Dawson. For me its tough at times to sit and really get into a book since most of my time is taken up by watching and reviewing any horror film I can get my grubby hands on. But every once in awhile a book comes along that I can really get into and the novel “Chat” just happens to be a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

“Chat” is about several intriguing characters that live near or in Indianapolis, Indiana area that all happen to cross paths at some point in their lives. Most of the characters don’t understand it until its too late but most of them who happen to be apart of a chat room named, “Indy Chat” is soon to die and they know their killer. The murders take place over several months of time so the characters never really know its coming. But Dawson just doesn’t make them cookie cutout characters for your usual thriller novel but very in-depth personalities that you care about as you read through the book. The Katie character in the book is a teenager I believe most of us have most likely known or someone like her in high school. As the bodies begin to pile up, the murderer gets nicknamed ‘The Chatroom Killer’ by the media and authorities are having a lot of trouble trying to track down this killer. Soon it becomes apparent to the Katie character it’s up too her to end this horrific ordeal.

The book plays out a lot more like a thriller than a horror story and is an easy read for people like myself that have tough times choosing books to read when they have limited time to read them. Its fun, exciting, and interesting, things I that keep me interested while reading a book, plus it does not go over the top. But also it would be a good book for horror movie fans as there are several references and winks to horror films that I believe readers of thrillers and horror books would enjoy. I give the book three out of four stars and look for it this June to purchase so you can pick it up for your summer reading!