PRAISE FOR THE WORKS OF BRIAN JAMES FREEMAN

The Painted Darkness

"Fast-paced, satisfying horror... a compelling read thanks to skillfully composed prose that builds tension and evokes emotional response."
— Publishers Weekly

"Spooky stuff!"
— Richard Matheson, New York Times bestselling author of What Dreams May Come and I Am Legend

"The tone and building dread reminded me of classic Stephen King. Great velocity and impact, and super creepy. Don't go in the basement!"
— Stewart O'Nan, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Country and A Prayer for the Dying

"The Painted Darkness is a dark, terrifying, and deeply moving gem of a novella. Brian James Freeman managed to both scare me and move me to tears."
— Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Keepsake

"Brian James Freeman's evocative tale about the dark corners of an artist's imagination is elegant and haunting. This beautifully designed book with splendid illustrations by Jill Bauman is a pleasure to read and a joy to hold."
— David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author of The Shimmer

"Wonderfully reminiscent of the quiet horror of Charles L. Grant, The Painted Darkness takes readers on a gently chilly walk through the forest of fears both conscious and subconscious. With Straubian lyricism, Brian James Freeman evokes not only the irrational terrors of childhood, but addresses the roots of creativity and the vital importance of art. A very impressive achievement."
— Bentley Little, award-winning author of The House and His Father's Son

"The Painted Darkness delves into territory that fascinates so many of us — the fine lines between beauty and horror, faith and fear, art and the unconscious. Both a wonderful allegory and a gripping read, Brian James Freeman has written a taut, memorable tale."
— Michael Koryta, award-winning author of So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge

"The Painted Darkness is one of the best stories I've read this year... We all have childhood demons of one kind or another and this story really struck a chord with me. Mr. Freeman takes you on a journey that is both dark and uplifting. This story will scare the hell out of you and also bring a tear to your eyes."
— Peter Schwotzer, Famous Monsters Of Filmland

"Freeman has written a memorable tale of how our fears contribute to our creativity and what can happen if we wait too long to confront them. It is a touching and terrifying novel that will make an impression that will definitely last."
— Barry Hunter, The Baryon Review

"Freeman's The Painted Darkness is a hauntingly beautiful tale exploring the thin line between fantasy and reality, which is so often broken in the creative process... Freeman's narrative effortlessly straddles that of a young Henry when he first discovers the power of “painting against the darkness” and older, conflicted Henry, whose demons have finally demanded he face the past. What is real? What isn't? A basement full of monsters? Legions of red-eyed, haunting rabbits? Freeman deftly handles a story which reveals itself in good time, and doesn't leave the reader feeling cheated or hoodwinked at the end... Such a powerful theme Freeman delivers with this work, and perhaps the best answer to anyone who questions the validity and purpose of art and creativity in our daily lives: to combat the darkness and hold it at bay."
—The Midnight Diner

"Quite possibly one of the darkest, most beautifully written books I've seen this year."
— Paperback Horror

"...a stunning example of how a skilled writer can make just a few hours in a character's life and leave readers spellbound... Freeman is a gifted writer. His descriptions vivid, the horror lurking in the shadows he creates unsettling, the novella is carefully crafted like Henry's paintings... This story is not designed to make you jump, the horror here is subtle like the prose of a master like Poe or Hawthorne. It lingers long after you are done reading. Highly recommended, this ranks with some of the best literary thrillers I have read."
— The Horror Review

"This book... is not to be missed. A well-written suspense tale that will frighten and touch."
— Stillwater Public Library Newsletter, August 2010

"His writing oozes with classic Stephen King style. Brian's pacing and storytelling were spot-on, invoking a sense of fear and chills as I read, and in the end he took me by surprise with a refreshing twist."
— Daniel S. Boucher, The Novel Blog

Black Fire by James Kidman

"(a) highly readable horror debut...."
— Publishers Weekly

"(He) very cannily leaves every paranormal event open to interpretation, resulting in a book that can be looked at in one of several lights far into its final act...Overall, his craft is topnotch, using these motifs and themes to keep the book propelled along a very specific, frightening line. Even the setting of Black Hills, a long-dried-up mining town with a single, mostly empty movie theater, is used to accentuate the somber, self-reflective tone of the story."
— Fangoria #236, September 2004

"This debut demonstrates much promise, utilizing an instantly readable and colloquial style—the sort Big Steve King employed with particular success in those golden early years—and artfully incorporating flashbacks and journal entries with present-day narrative."
— The Day, New London, CT

"From the first page to the last, Black Fire is compulsive reading."
— Douglas Clegg, New York Times bestselling author of The Priest of Blood

"Reading Kidman's narrative is like watching that little valve on the top of a pressure-cooker, and wondering when the lid's going to blow. You can sense all the energy and nastiness just barely being contained between the lines of his clean prose. Kidman writes with a sure hand and a grim vision. He has seen the essential pain of childhood and fully realized the horror into which it is transformed. Watch out for this guy..."
— Thomas F. Monteleone, winner of The New York Times Notable Book of the Year Award

"Watch the skies! James Kidman is a bright new star on the horror horizon."
— Al Sarrantonio, award-winning author of Toybox, Skeletons, and Orangefield

"Black Fire is tense, provocative, and burns with intensity!"
— Brian Keene, award-winning author of The Rising, No Rest for the Wicked, and Fear of Gravity

"Black Fire is a lonely, nightmarish journey, a book that will really get under your skin. Kidman never lets you see quite where he's going... until it's too late!"
— Christopher Golden, award-winning author of Strangewood, Straight On 'til Morning, and The Ferryman

"James Kidman is one of the best of the young horror writers working today, and Black Fire should cement his reputation for writing solid, compelling fiction that grabs and holds the reader with cold, ever-tightening hands. Read this book and see what direction horror fiction will be going in this new millennium."
— Rick Hautala, New York Times bestselling author of The Mountain King and Bedbugs

"Kidman manages to create a vivid inferno of terror in Black Fire, one that will sear itself into the soft tissues of your mind. This is a provocative, powerful, and startling portrait of a man on the edge of a nightmare, trapped by a bitter and furious past that refuses to let go."
— Tom Piccirilli, author of The Night Class and A Lower Deep

"A vivid, suspenseful story. Black Fire packs a hell of a punch. James Kidman's accomplished mastery of prose deals out suspense and shocks aplenty."
— Simon Clark, bestselling author of Night of the Triffids and Nailed by the Heart

"James Kidman writes like a pro. His language is rich and descriptive, and its effect seems effortless: he snags you and draws you in. The story is vivid and alive from the very first page—that's not an easy trick to pull off—and the promise is kept as the story develops, grows and becomes something very special. He also plays very effectively with timelines—again, not easy!—and the result is an absolute pleasure to read."
— Tim Lebbon, author of Until She Sleeps and The Nature of Balance

"Dreamlike, suspenseful... with some of the most interesting characters I've come across in quite a while."
— Hugh B. Cave, author of The Dawning and Drums of Revolt

"Visceral and ambitious, James Kidman's debut novel radiates with energy. Kidman is a writer to keep an eye on."
— Del James, author of The Language of Fear

Blue November Storms by Brian Freeman

"It's the depth of the novella I find most compelling. Beneath frenetic action are the underlying themes of sacrifice and destiny, as the author experiments with varying degrees of pressure to force his characters to their breaking-point... The ending will leave you stunned and shocked, but mostly it will make you think. Too few books do that anymore."
— Michael McBride in the July 14, 2005 issue of Hellnotes

"The name of the work is Blue November Storms and it is quite simply the best nature run amok story that I have ever read... Brian's writing style is very reminiscent of King's as he creates very real, very true characters that we can all relate to. We have all known the guys that we share this story with, they are our friends, our family and when they hurt, we hurt and when they are scared, we are scared... I was totally transfixed by this story... I just could not put it down and I had to see how it all worked out."
— Dave Dreher, creature-corner.com

"Slowly, steadily, quietly, Brian Freeman has been sneaking up on the horror fiction genre... As with any Brian Freeman story, there is more to Blue November Storms than any mere rundown of the plot can describe. His fiction ripples with facets and provides the reader with much to contemplate after the pages are turned. They aren't simple stories and the reader always gets more than his or her money's worth. For the last few years, I've predicted that Brian will be one of the genre's biggest talents and Blue November Storms is further evidence of this certainty."
— Mark Sieber, Horror World

The Illustrated Stephen King Trivia Book by Brian Freeman and Bev Vincent

"The Illustrated Stephen King Trivia Book, edited by Brian Freeman and Bev Vincent, offers something that previous King trivia books don't—line drawings by Maine artist Glenn Chadbourne that themselves pose questions."
— Publishers Weekly

"If you like to test your knowledge of King, this is definitely the book to do it with. It covers most parts of King's life and career, so you get a wide spectrum of questions in a wide range of difficulties. It's the ultimate trivia book, if you ask me."
— Lilja's Library

"Fans of Mr. King will fully enjoy this seemingly complete trivia homage that digs as deep anything you can find; for instance asking which Red Sox player had his name misspelled in The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon? The illustrations add eerie depth as well as posing additional trivia questions associated with them. Clearly aimed at Kingophiles like the SKEMERS (Stephen King E-MailERs), whose founder Michelle L. Revelle, provides an afterward, casual fans of the author will also enjoy this fun book. Of course adding to the pleasure, this reviewer trounced her spouse."
— Harriet Klausner, #1 Amazon Reviewer

Reviews and Praise for the other writings of Brian James Freeman

"Brian James Freeman brings more to the table than the simple intent to horrify you... There's clean, sharp prose, there's a compelling, human heart to every tale, fine touches of humor, and an astute understanding of the more powerful emotions in life – terror, sure, but also loss, grief, struggle, endurance."
— Michael Koryta

"There is a great temptation to discuss and describe each one of the astounding tales in Brian James Freeman's latest collection of short stories but to do that would diminish the profound impact each one will have on readers who must discover the hope and the darkness themselves. What I can say is that each will leave you greatly moved and a bit disoriented, as a truth is uncovered, a hope is concealed, a terror is faced, a horror is revealed."
— Ron McLarty

"Brian produces melancholy and chilling stories. Isolation is the constant theme.  Physical and mental isolation. The hardy pulp theme of one man triumphing over great odds works for most writers but doesn't seem to appeal to him. But for all the skill and artistry Brian's work never cheats the reader looking for pure entertainment. I am an enthusiastic admirer of Brian James Freeman's work."
— Ed Gorman

"Mr. Freeman is a master of quiet horror and he is masterful at making the reader feel. Many of his stories will leave you with questions and unease, but this is obviously what the author wants, and it works so well! He takes the reader on the ride, and then jumps out of the car that is careening toward…the readers own conclusions. Many of his stories have left me breathless, fidgety, and yet fully satisfied. I love dwelling in their worlds for hours after I've finished."
— FEARnet.com

"(he) captures the potential fury and bloody destruction of the End Time."
— Library Journal

"The Suicide Diary reminds me of Donna Tartt's The Secret History. Daniel's compulsion to get to the truth becomes the reader's quest as well."
— Stewart O'Nan, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Country and Last Night at the Lobster

"Love the name, the premise, the execution... This is one of the most truly original stories I've read in a long time."
— Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean and Now You See Her

"Brian James Freeman's account of a small town's dark secrets — and of one young man's attempt to free himself from his inner demons—is a riveting tale. At once ghost story and psychological thriller, it will keep readers turning the pages well into the wee hours of the morning."
— Robin Furth, author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Complete Concordance