'Apostle Rising' - Is Richard Godwin The Next Stephen King?

Author Richard Godwin's debut novel, 'Apostle Rising' has drawn comparisons to Stephen King. The book is a dark tale about a psychopathic serial killer who crucifies politicians

Author and playwright Richard Godwin has announced the release of his new dark fiction novel 'Apostle Rising'. The book is a compelling psychological thriller about a psychopathic serial killer who crucifies politicians. Godwin's writing style has been compared to Ken Bruen's and John Connolly's. Godwin himself has been compared to Stephen King.

"Being compared to Stephen King," stated Godwin, "is an honor.That word is often used loosely but not here. 'The Dark Half 'changed my life literally. It is the great Jekyll and Hyde novel, an exploration of a basic split within the human psyche that King manages with genius. I have read all of his works. Time and again he produces works of immeasurable genius with a deftness of approach and a consistency of purpose that places him up there with the likes of Dickens and all the greats. He is also a great short story teller, so having my debut novel 'Apostle Rising' compared to Stephen King's 'Children Of The Corn' by fellow horror writer Jodi Mac Arthur is an honor. Stephen King writes electric prose. Each story and novel is crafted to perfection and contains the quintessential Stephen King kick. They also make you think, they make you think about the motivations in our souls. And that is what I tried to do in writing 'Apostle Rising', as my novel digs deep into the mind of a psychopathic killer."

In 'Apostle Rising', Detective Chief Inspector Frank Castle never caught the Woodlands Killer and it almost destroyed him. Now many years later and still suffering from nightmares, he is faced with a copycat killer with detailed inside knowledge of the original case. Someone is crucifying politicians, and Castle and his partner DI Jacki Stone enter a labyrinth. At its center is the man Castle believes was responsible for the first killings. He’s running a sinister cult and playing mind games with the police. And the ritualistic killer keeps raising the stakes and slipping through their hands. The body count is rising. Castle employs a brilliant psychologist to help him solve the case, and he begins to dig into the killer’s psyche. But some psychopaths are cleverer than others.

"I wrote Apostle Rising," stated Godwin, "for every reader of crime and horror fiction out there. I wrote it for anyone who likes a guessing game. I wrote it for anyone who is interested in why crimes occur, and for anyone who likes a good novel, strong characters, a dramatic story and is interested in psychology."

Jodi MacArthur said that "Apostle Rising is akin to Stephen King's 'Children of the Corn'. Only with noir. Whiskey. Knives. Politicians. And a hell of gore. It is a maze through a psychopath's mind, only you get to solve the puzzle with Detectives Castle and Stone as they try to hold their own personal lives together while the killer(s?) tease and taunt through horrific killings and rituals. My favorite character in the book is poetic, mentally disturbed and has an obsession with King Henry VIII and the first wife whose head he chopped. The ending is a fast paced rollercoaster ride."

Vincent Zandri, author of 'As Catch Can' and 'The Remains' stated that 'Apostle Rising' is a "noir tour-de-force that will leave you breathless and teary-eyed". Scott Phillips, bestselling author of 'The Ice Harvest' said, "Richard Godwin's 'Apostle Rising' is a police procedural and psychological thriller of the first order. If you love Ken Bruen and John Connolly, Godwin's the man you'll be following next." Crime Time Magazine said that "The blood-soaked scenes he describes . . . recall the films of Dario Argento. An arresting and cleverly plotted police procedural married to gothic horror and the aesthetics of the slasher genre Apostle Rising is an unusual and memorable crime story. " Bruce Grossman of Bookgasm said "For a debut crime novel, it makes a great introduction to Godwin’s style and talent for prose. Be on the lookout for hopefully many more."

Mr. Godwin is available for media interview and can be reached using the information below or by email at stanzazone@gmail.com. A recent radio interview on The Authors Show is available at his website. The book trailer for Apostle Rising can be viewed at YouTube.com. More information is available at the site at www.RichardGodwin.net.

Profile:

Richard Godwin is a crime and horror writer as well as a produced playwright. He was born in London and obtained a BA and MA in English and American Literature from King’s College London. He has travelled extensively and lectured, and worked in property. Many of his stories have appeared in magazines. His works in print include ‘Chemical’, published in the Anthology Back in 5 Minutes (Little Episodes Publishing 2010), ‘Doll’, published in Howl: Tales of the Feral And Infernal (Lame Goat Press 2010), 'Face off' in CrimeFactory Issue #5 (CreateSpace 2010), 'Pike N Flytrap' in Needle Magazine (Lulu 2010) and 'Mother' in Tainted Tea (Lulu 2011). His Chin Wags At the Slaughterhouse are interviews he has conducted with writers and can be found at his blog on his website where you can also find a full list of his works and a video ad for his new book. He divides his time between London and the US.

Contact:

Richard Godwin
Email: stanzazone@gmail.com
Web: www.RichardGodwin.net
Black Jackal Books: sales@blackjackalbooks.com
910-842-9248