"The Store" by Bentley Little is a horror novel that explores the sinister takeover of a small Arizona town by a malevolent retail chain store, reminiscent of Walmart. The story delves into the impact of corporate greed on local businesses and the manipulation of the community by The Store, leading to mysterious disappearances and a sense of impending doom. Little weaves a tale of suspense and horror, drawing parallels to real-world issues of consumerism and the erosion of small-town values, while maintaining a sense of eerie plausibility in the face of supernatural elements.

Little's writing style in "The Store" is praised for its inventive juxtaposition of horror elements with political concerns like retail incentives and the consequences of corporate dominance. Readers appreciate the way Little creates a chilling atmosphere through his storytelling, even though some parts of the narrative may feel rushed. Overall, the book is commended for its fresh take on the theme of evil corporations threatening personal liberties, with a narrative that keeps readers engaged and unsettled.

Characters:

The characters tend to be underdeveloped and bland, with the primary focus being on the plot's themes rather than character depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is simple and straightforward, which can be engaging, but it also struggles between effective storytelling and excessive shock tactics.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a malevolent corporate store that overtakes a small town, leading to economic decline and supernatural occurrences. However, it suffers from a disappointing conclusion that leaves many plot threads unresolved.

Setting:

The setting is a small town in Arizona that becomes dominated by a malevolent corporate store, creating an atmosphere of suburban horror.

Pacing:

Pacing begins slowly, allowing for suspense to build, but falters in the second half, leading to a rushed and unsatisfactory conclusion.

Bill Davis quietly closed the front door of the house behind him as he stepped outside. He walked off the porch and stood for a moment at the head of the drive, doing knee bends and breathing deeply, ...

Notes:

The Store by Bentley Little has a mixed reception from readers.

Many readers found the ending disappointing and unresolved.

The story is a horror satire on corporate chain stores, particularly resembling Walmart.

The book features supernatural elements, including 'Night Managers' that work for the Store.

It explores the effects of big businesses on small towns and local economies.

Initial chapters were found enjoyable and suspenseful before losing momentum later on.

Readers noted that it draws parallel with Stephen King's style, often in character development.

Some found the gore and shocking scenes excessive and sometimes gratuitous.

The Store is built on sinister and supernatural roots, with a creepy atmosphere.

The suggestion that the Store is evil raised comparisons to real-life corporate practices.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings for graphic violence and disturbing themes, including sexual violence and supernatural horror.

From The Publisher:

A malevolent presence has come to a small desert town, and the customers of this "superstore" may get more than they realized, in this bloodcurdling entry from horror expert Bentley Little.

Juniper, Arizona, is an off-the-map desert town the retail giant called The Store has chosen for its new location. Now everything you could possibly want is under one roof, at unbelievable prices. But you'd better be careful what you wish for. This place demands something of its customers that goes beyond brand loyalty. At The Store, one-stop shopping has become last-stop shopping.

Bill Davis is the only one in town who senses the evil lurking within The Store. But he can't stop his two teenage daughters from taking jobs there and falling under the frightening influence of its sadistic manager. When Bill finally takes a stand, he will get much more than he bargained for. . . .

Ratings (5)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (8):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (1)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

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About the Author:

Bentley Little is the author of numerous novels, short stories, articles, essays, and reviews. After earning a BA in communications and an MA in English, Little sold his soul and abandoned all artistic integrity, working for eight years as a bureaucrat…

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The Store

Bentley Little