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DE McCluskey
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CRACK: A disturbing psychological horror Kindle Edition

by D E McCluskey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 121 ratings
ADDICTION IS AN AFFLICTION!

You crave!
You endure!
There are ice cold sweats, hot flushes, and irritability.
There are sleepless nights.
Your health suffers.
Your job suffers.
Your family suffer.

It affects every aspect of your life.

Yet you need it, you HAVE to have that fix.

Joe O’Hara is having a bad day, and it’s only going to get worse.

A traffic accident sends him down a path, a road to an addiction like no other.
CRACK is the only thing offering the relief he needs. It is the only thing that can release him his living hell.

He needs the CRACK, but it's a far cry from the drug you might think it is.

CRACK is a disturbing psychological thriller, a dark horror from the mind of DE McCluskey, author of The Twelve, In The Mood For Murder, Zola, and The Boyfriend.
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  1. Print length
    339 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2018
  5. Reading age
    15 - 18 years
  6. File size
    759 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07BQR6292
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dammaged Productions
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 759 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 339 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 15 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 121 ratings

About the author

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DE McCluskey

DE McCluskey

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D E McCluskey was born in 1973, in Liverpool, England. He is the author of novels, graphic novels and comics. He lives with his daughter (an author in her own right (at the age of 8) with her children's adventure The Hangry Hamster), his partner, her daughter, and a sausage dog called Ted.

He began writing in 2011, creating his first comic publication entitled Interesting Tymes, an anthology of short horror stories written in rhyme for children and adults. This was quickly followed by the second in the series, along with a spin off. Dave then moved on to more adult related fiction, releasing a number of one-shot comics, followed by his first, full length book, the graphic novel, Doppelgänger.

More graphic novels and comics ensued, including a collaboration with artist Joe Matthews to produce a retelling of the classic Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol, only this time rewritten completely in rhyme.

Dave then turned his sights onto writing novels. His debut novel The Twelve was released in 2017 to great reviews. This was followed by a collaboration with a local, Liverpool music historian, to produce a historical thriller called In The Mood… For Murder, based in Liverpool in 1946.

Dave likes to work mostly in dark, or mainstream horror, although he has cross genres into extreme horror, comedy, thrillers, romantic drama, and children's books.

He is also working with a number of other authors/comic creators, in collaborations in their works.

Comics:

Interesting Tymes

Interesting Tymes x 2

Edward D'Ammage Presents: The Wedding

Wooden Heart

Three Days in the City

The Adventures of Mace Masoch: Hard Times on Planet L'Bido

Short Sharp Shocks

The Few

Sick B*stards (with Matt Shaw)

Eleven (with Matt Shaw)

Graphic Novels:

Doppelgänger

Olf

A Christmas Carol (with Joe Matthews)

DeathDay Presents

DreamCatcher

Novels:

The Twelve

In The Mood for Murder (with Tony Bolland)

CRACK

Z: A Love Story

The Contract (with C. William Giles)

Butterflies

TimeRipper

Mutant Superhero Zombie Killing Disco Cheerleaders from Outer Space (with Uzis)

Glimmer (book 1 in the Glimmer Saga)

The City of the Fireflies (book 2 in the Glimmer Saga)

The Throne of Glimm (book 3 in the Glimmer Saga)

A Seagull's Tale

Guardian (this is NOT poetry)

The Boyfriend

All Of These People Are Going To Die 3: All Of These Kids Are Going To Die

Sing Sing For Murder

Olf: Santa's Naughtiest Reindeer

Novellas:

CRAVINGS

Zola

The Grinkle Nonk

The Special Stuff

The Stinky Stump

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
121 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well written and consider it a great read. The suspenseful story receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as dark and disturbing.

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4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read, with one mentioning it's better to listen to than read, while another describes it as lively.

"...The book was detailed, well written, and a really great read. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Seriously, it's a book better to listen to than reading...." Read more

"...Audible Narration: Loved the narrator, lively and performative without distracting from the core material!..." Read more

"...The novel is very well written and an excellent read, one just may need to follow my example of skimming through certain parts...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one mentioning they couldn't stop reading it.

"...The book was detailed, well written, and a really great read. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...The novel is very well written and an excellent read, one just may need to follow my example of skimming through certain parts...." Read more

"...The story is dark and disturbing but well written and keeps the pages turning. Fans of horror will enjoy this book." Read more

"...Flew through this book because you can’t stop reading. The pages turn themselves. It will leave you breathless. Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" Read more

5 customers mention "Suspenseful story"3 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the suspenseful story of the book, with some finding it dark and disturbing, while others express mixed feelings.

"...Lol. just playing. This is one unique story...." Read more

"...The story is dark and disturbing but well written and keeps the pages turning. Fans of horror will enjoy this book." Read more

"...First and foremost, the story had me glued all the way through...." Read more

"Addiction/PTSD/Extreme Horror, What's Not To Love?!..." Read more

Phenomenally well written
5 out of 5 stars
Phenomenally well written
Crack: DE McCluskey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 This book is like nothing I have ever read and honestly nothing I would have expected from McCluskey. Last book I read was Zola and as much as I loved it for what it was and the grotesqueness of it, this takes psychological to a different level. I was intrigued, coerced, hyped, turning the pages faster then I could process, and will never look at addiction the same way again. This book took it to a completely different level and I couldn’t get enough of it. This broughtfht addiction to such an extreme level that it was painful. The re release is well worth the hype! I plan on snagging this one as soon as it’s available.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • tamra alger
    5.0 out of 5 stars One Hell Of A Ride
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    D E McCluskey does it again with CRACK. Although when I first opened this book on my Kindle I was expecting 150 pages or less for some reason, I was suprised to see almost 350. Most splatter books I've read are straight to the point, short, and quick. This one was a steady burn and since Joe's "addiction" was one certain thing I was trying to figure out how DE was going to rework it multiple ways but he pulled it off. A sad story IMO from beginning to end but honestly? I never expect a splatter book to end like fairy tales so here we go. The book was detailed, well written, and a really great read. Highly recommend!
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  • SEAC
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Full disclosure. I love this narrator's voice. I stumbled across him on ACx and he gave me a free promo code. I'm odd so this book piqued my interest. The crack this book speaks of is not the the drug.. not even close. It's much better. I can still hear him say CRACK repeatedly and maybe I should go for a drive!!! Lol. just playing.
    This is one unique story. I'm usually not a big fan of stories that follow the life of the cops/ detectives, but this one did it right. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Seriously, it's a book better to listen to than reading. The 1st part, intro, prologue, whatever was weird. don't let that stop you from reading or listening to this story
    2 people found this helpful
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  • DabOfDarkness
    3.0 out of 5 stars More horror than plot or character development
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2020
    This wasn’t the book I was expecting. It’s firmly in the Horror genre but parts of it read like a snuff film. I was expecting more psychological thriller and less sexual violence over all. The book does open with a scene that portends what the rest of the story will be like; had this not been a for-review book, I would have put it down there. It’s just not my cup of tea.

    The main character, Joe, snapped at some point prior to where this story starts. Life pushed him too hard and he couldn’t take it and all that internal rage cracked out into this unhealthy need to kill. Cracking skulls is the only thing that gives Joe a few days of peace these days. The story shows how his need escalates from killing animals to killing women. There’s a fair amount of description spent on Joe’s orgasms, which occur with each cracked skull. It definitely adds to the ick factor that is Joe’s life.

    The story goes from one victim to the next: animals, Joe beating up his wife, the women he kills, his therapist who he fantasizes about, etc. Joe doesn’t have much of a personality throughout the story. At first, it’s a little interesting because Joe has this imaginary friend he talks to, but the interest quickly faded for me because Joe remains a one-dimensional character throughout. Though, there at the very end, the plot tries to humanize him.

    The ladies are victims and romantic interests throughout. All the male characters, not just Joe, refer to the women as girls throughout the story, failing to make the distinction between actual girls and grown women. If it was just Joe doing that, I would say it’s part of his character, but the other men do it too. The ladies had small roles. Even Paula, the police detective, is sexualized and made a victim throughout. One of the victims even gets her hands undone from Joe’s restraints and then, conveniently, gives up and lets the end come. So I was pretty disappointed in the use of the female characters all around.

    For me, the end was unsatisfactory. There is no real justice. 2.5/5 stars.

    The Narration: Tim Welch had an odd cadence to his narration. He put extra emphasis on a few words each sentence, like he was trying to add excitement or anticipation to each and every sentence. It was part old-time radio drama and part sports announcer. I got used to it and for some scenes, like the gory murder scenes, it made sense. I did like his voice over all for Joe. Welch tried to give each character their own voice, but they often blended together if 2 or more characters were talking together. His female voices could use more femininity. There were no technical issues with the recording. 3/5 stars.

    I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
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  • Michael
    5.0 out of 5 stars CRRRAAAAAACK!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Audible & Kindle Versions:

    First and foremost, the story had me glued all the way through. I like to go into books blind when I can, and this one let me know what it was about immediately, but still managed to surprise the hell out of me! I genuinely appreciated the way the author managed to draw me into the frantic energy and desperate depravity of the main character, and kept me guessing as to how he was going to attempt to circumvent his destiny or concede.

    Audible Narration:
    Loved the narrator, lively and performative without distracting from the core material! I'm guessing he may be a fresh face to the industry as there was some noticeable background noise, awkward pausing, and poor edits in the adaptation. That being said, these are hardly dealbreakers when it comes to audio narration. His fresh and enthusiastic presentation make his name one that I will keep an eye out for!
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  • MissReadsALot'
    2.0 out of 5 stars Crack
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Crack- The sound the main character hears but seems like I just read that word a few thousand times over- Mistakes, typos, and editing issues throughout the whole book- Completely unrealistic as well- Overall happy to be on to another book and have this one finished-
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  • Robin O.
    5.0 out of 5 stars CRACK....WHAT A RIDE
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    When I first started this book I wasn't sure I was going to finish it. I thought it was a little slow and mundane. Since I paid for it I thought well let me trudge through. OMG I am so glad I did. It got so interesting and I really wanted Ian to find out the truth. Never in a million years did I think Joe would finish what he started with Paula.
    CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK.....NOT THE TYPICAL ADDICTION!
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  • Angela Hagerty
    4.0 out of 5 stars Addiction/PTSD/Extreme Horror, What's Not To Love?!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A gruesome, gripping, and at times grueling psychological (extreme) horror. Joe is involved in a horrific accident that morphs him from loving and caring to a deranged monster who will stop at nothing to get his next "fix". Paula is a young, beautiful detective with a beautiful life ahead of her who will stop at nothing to find the sick and twisted individual targeting prostitutes. What will unfurl if their paths should cross...

    Warning: as with most extreme horror novels, there are graphic details including animal cruelty. The novel is very well written and an excellent read, one just may need to follow my example of skimming through certain parts. Once you've read this, and I highly encourage you to do so, you'll understand how this was vital to the storyline progression.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Corrina Morse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cracking!! 🖤
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've seen great things about this book, and I'm a huge fan of McCluskey anyway, so why have I had a signed copy of this waiting on my bedside table for about 2 years!?!🤦
    Well, at least I can say it was worth the wait! It's also now my favorite non-extreme book by DE! This story will make your head explode, a psychological mind mess that is as gripping as it is horrifying! It will appeal to horror, psychological thriller, and splatterpunk/extreme lovers alike! 🖤

    A story of addiction, despair, and deeply dark and terrifying realisations….

    I was hooked in immediately with the intriguing, bloody and very chilling opener, and totally addicted until the very end. If I didn't have to adult, I would have sat and read the entire thing in one sitting, I really didn't want to put it down!

    Joe is a night security guard at a construction site. After a nasty accident involving a motorcycle on the way home one morning, he suffers increasingly vivid nightmares, and a progressive case of PTSD, which ultimately sees him begin to lose his sanity, and we become unwilling witnesses to his sad decline. His psyche cracks after one thing sticks with him more than any other after the crash, it grows with him, inside him, turning into an addiction he just can't seem to ‘crack’.

    He discovers that the only thing that can keep him feeling himself and keep the horrific dreams at bay, is a soothing sound, born from nightmarish actions. Actions that quickly increase in barbarity, but he knows exactly what he must do if he wants to get a decent night's sleep. But, as with any addiction, it's never going to be enough, it can always be bigger, better, more!! The dose needs to keep increasing, dampening the cravings for a brief period, until the next time. And there are more victims than just him along the way, as always, it's never just the addict that suffers….

    Joe's life deteriorates at a scarily rapid and terrifying rate, spiraling crazily out of control, his mind and his body both, and things take horrendous twists and turns until one particular victim makes Joe rethink everything. It brings to light just exactly what he had been doing, opens his eyes to how bad things had really gotten while his mind was collapsing from his addiction.

    The Crack in this story is not at all what you would expect, but it is just as powerful and will get into your mind just the same. It may even stay awhile.. and it'll definitely show you how drastically life can change in just the blink of an eye, or in the time it takes to say ‘Crack!’

    With short, gripping chapters, it'll keep those pages turning at top speed, a completely addictive storyline full of suspense and tension, with crystal clear imagery affecting all the senses, especially, for me, the hearing! It's utterly chilling and horrifying, it gave me goosebumps in parts and left me with vivid, heart stopping nightmares (nightmares are always a bonus for me! 😁) It'll get right in your head and mess with your mind, it'll have you seeing things out of the corner of your eye, and you'll for sure be hearing this one resonate for a long time to come. Powerful, raw and emotional! McCluskey, you bloody cracked it!! 🖤🖤
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  • Adam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome author that can write anything
    Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Crack!! Crack !! What's everyone crack?? What a great psychological horror page turner. It had me in my feels in a couple places and all the characters are relatable. Definitely recommend. Favorite part is the way he ended this book.
    Customer image
    Adam
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Awesome author that can write anything

    Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2022
    Crack!! Crack !! What's everyone crack?? What a great psychological horror page turner. It had me in my feels in a couple places and all the characters are relatable. Definitely recommend. Favorite part is the way he ended this book.
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  • Shazza
    4.0 out of 5 stars Long read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is quite tame to the usual books I read. But it wasn't a bad read. A little long winded but it was full of action as Joe the main character embarked on his life journey after an accident. Joe is a happily married family man, whom has nothing but love for his wife and children. Then things begin to alter within him and he changes. The Crack is addictive, especially for Joe. A good read with some descent characters. Recommended for those whom like a long read.
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  • Yvonne
    5.0 out of 5 stars OMG
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Joe O’Hara was a normal family guy. Working the night shift as a security guard, all he wanted to do was to provide for his family. That was until he was involved on a fatal accident with a biker, then all he wanted to was to feed his addiction.
    As you are reading this story, you are following Joe as he struggles to come to terms with the accident. Unable to sleep and the images playing through his mind, most people would go and see a counsellor and talk through his issues , Joe has an usual way of revolving his issues.
    This is a dark read, and there is tension throughout. As you are reading this story, you feel that you are there, watching Joe getting his fix and it had a similar feel to when you drive past an accident and instinctively you have to look what happened. “Crack”, that was your warning and you knew what was coming. There are not many books that make me grimace when I am reading it but this is one of them.
    The involvement of Detective Paula Ashton and her fiancé Officer Ian Locke makes this story more feel real, as you follow them whilst they are preparing to get married. There were times where I had to stop and compose myself as I could not believe where this story was going. This book has its own addiction as you want to see if Joe is linked to the events.
    I have read Twelve by this author and this is nothing like it. This is savage, it will shock you and you will be gripped. A psychological horror that when you hear the noise “Crack”, you will think of this book.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Well if you want to have nightmares this is the book for you ;) Another great read by this Author who I'm enjoying working my way through his books. Not for the fainthearted.
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