A review by dnemec
Black Canyon by Jeremy Bates

5.0

Brian's parents decide to keep him home from school one Friday and take him camping in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Twenty-five years later, Brian is retelling the tale and he doesn't mince words. On the first page, he tells us that he killed two people to save himself. On the second page, he says: "It was 1990. I was a grade-six student at Dry Creek Elementary School in Englewood, Colorado, and the people I killed were my parents." The majority of the story is from the viewpoint of young Brian. Apparently, his parents are extremely laid back - or just crappy parents depending on your point of view. Brian is allowed to wander as he pleases without having to report home, while his parents drink and get high. His father decides it would be fun to take the family to the canyon for the weekend. As he remembers that fateful weekend, Brian draws us into his family drama. Yes, he killed his family. But things aren't as they appear to be. They're much worse.

I got this for free when I signed up for Jeremy Bates' newsletter. If you are an author and want to give away a free book to reel in unsuspecting readers, this is what you need to give them. Holy shit! I love a story that leaves me gaping, and this did it. It was completely twisted, and totally fantastic. A definite 5 star read.