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Thomas Rydder
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The Clearing Kindle Edition

by Thomas Rydder (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
After twenty years in the Marine Corps, Major Frank Cutlip comes home to the quiet hills of his beloved Pennsylvania to take up a new life as the sheriff of Allegheny County.

Professor Beth Lowe took up a post at Paxton University because she became enamored with western Pennsylvania’s charms, a more enduring love than she thought she would ever feel for a man.

When Beth’s dog is savaged by wolves, their peaceful lives are shattered, and their fates entwined. On the brink of death, the dog not only survives but grows larger… and more vicious. A thousand-year cycle of carnage is reaching its climax once more, and the peaceful wooded hills will soon be smeared with blood.

Sheriff Cutlip leads his community in a hunt for the hidden terror, but then his own brother is bitten, his blood corrupted by the ancient evil. The sheriff must confront terrible choices, and he can’t do so alone.

‘The Clearing’ — a novel of ordinary people thrown together in extraordinary circumstances.
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  1. Print length
    232 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 27, 2013
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BMEVA0W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greyhart Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 27, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 232 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the author

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Thomas Rydder

Thomas Rydder

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I was born in 1957 in a small town in Western Pennsylvania that had - and still has - one traffic light. There wasn't a whole lot to do there, and we had few neighbors, so I learned to play quite a bit of make-believe - soldiers, cowboys and Indians, that kind of thing. At the same time, I loved to read and watch old movies. On Saturdays, my dad played in a country western band, and I stayed up to wait for him. It was during that stretch that I discovered the horror movie. You know the ones I mean. Karloff, Chaney, Lee. The masters, right?

Since then, I've been fascinated with the supernatural, particularly werewolves, and one day, I decided to take a shot at writing about them. So I sat down and found a writing site called Hubpages. Nice little site, and I started getting the basics of writing a little from some of the inhabitants. I wrote a short story, and everyone liked it. So, I wrote another one. Except it kept growing, I kept getting more ideas, and it lengthened to 20 thousand words, then 30, then 40. By the time I sat back, I had the rough draft of my first novel, then called "Werewolves and Flapjacks". I submitted my work to a small press near London, Greyhart Press. The gentleman who runs that fine organization, Mr. Tim Taylor, decided to take a chance on me, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

So. Now my debut novel is called "The Clearing". I don't know where I came up with the idea. Some shred of one of those old delightful movies perhaps, superimposed on modern times. It just came, and I just typed - simple as that. I do know that I modeled the story's location after my little one-lighted home town. And every one of the characters in my book shares either a first or last name from my life in the sleepy burg of Apollo, Pa.

I do hope you decide to pick up my book. And if you do, I hope even more you enjoy it. If you do enjoy it, rejoice, because I'm working on the sequel! Even though I make wise cracks about all of it, this is all like living a dream - and I don't plan on waking up for a very long time.

Thomas Rydder - writer of spooky stuff

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
44 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and appreciate its fresh take on werewolves, with one describing it as an action-packed thriller. They are captivated by the characters.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read.

"I enjoyed this book and like the different view of the werewolf. There was enough thrills to go around...." Read more

"What an fun read! Those of you who enjoyed the classic horror movies featuring the likes of Lon Chaney and Vincent Price, will love this book...." Read more

"Not bad for a quick read" Read more

"Great first book!!!..." Read more

5 customers mention "Suspense"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful elements of the book, particularly its fresh take on werewolves, with one customer describing it as an action-packed thriller in the werewolf world.

"...Clearing to be a vintage roller-coaster ride, a solid, well-told tale of wolves and men, and I look forward to more work from Thomas Rydder." Read more

"I enjoyed this book and like the different view of the werewolf. There was enough thrills to go around...." Read more

"...Wonderful new twist on a great old story! Well done, Mr Rydder, and thank you oh so much! :)" Read more

"...This was a fresh take on werewolves. It was your typical small town where everyone knows everyone and their business...." Read more

3 customers mention "Characterization"3 positive0 negative

Customers are captivated by the characters in the book.

"...The characters were really believable. Hope there will be a sequel to this book. Good job." Read more

"...The characters were awesome. I especially liked Beth and Frank. The book kept me turning the pages. It had danger, suspense, intrigue and love...." Read more

"Kindle Edition: Instantly, I was captivated by the characters, then Thomas Rydder hit hard with twists, intrigue, suspense, love and blood...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Armand M. Inezian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like an old fashioned roller-coaster ride.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The Clearing of Thomas Rydder's novel is the place of battle. A stretch of Pennsylvania backwoods where a group of determined men squares off with a pack of savage, supernatural wolves. It's a proving ground of sorts that epitomizes a the plot of the novel, a blend of tactical combat and a chess match played out between the sturdy Sheriff Frank Cutlip and the monstrous leader of the wolf pack.

    And there's a lot at stake. The Sheriff stands to lose his brother and possibly watch his home town descend into chaos. The wolves, on the other hand, are pressed for time. They must complete a sinister, primal ritual or face losing their powers. The struggle between man and wolf can only become lethal.

    There are many shades of lethal however, and The Clearing's has an old fashioned, thrill ride sensibility to it, like climbing onto one if those iconic wooden roller coasters from the early 1900's and holding on tight while your teeth rattle .

    In fact, the entire book has an old-fashioned sensibility to it. It is colored with an undertone of Americana and nostalgia, part John Wayne/ John Ford and part Norman Rockwell magazine cover, it evinces a strong feeling of a more innocent past.

    The men of The Clearing - to a man- display valor and honor. They are gritty, handy with guns, and gentle to women. This might be one small downside to the novel, they're all cut from the same cloth, and I kept hoping at least one of them would be a jerk or a coward. Or maybe even a cowardly jerk. The women are resourceful and super helpful. Romance falls decidedly into the sphere of the chaste. In terms of horror, it reminds me more of the horror novels of the 1960's, novels that used suspense and tight plotting to scare. And while there is violence and blood, The Clearing is refreshingly free of the post-90's preoccupation with micro-reporting pain, torture and cruelty. Nor does The Clearing exhibit the kind of smarmy, sarcastic tone of so many horror stories about teenagers.

    Overall, I found The Clearing to be a vintage roller-coaster ride, a solid, well-told tale of wolves and men, and I look forward to more work from Thomas Rydder.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Susan OLoughlin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great first book!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2013
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    Although I am not usually into werewolf stories, this book kept my interest throughout the whole book. The characters were really believable. Hope there will be a sequel to this book. Good job.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. J. Duran
    3.0 out of 5 stars Werewolves and mayhem!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2013
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    I enjoyed this book and like the different view of the werewolf. There was enough thrills to go around. I have a slight issue with Beth who is raising her dead sister's child and working as an Etymologist at a local school. She seems very independent and sure of herself and toward the book she turns into a dependent suzy homemaker. Over all i enjoyed the story and would recommend it. I want to read the next book to see if Beth regains her self assurance and what happens further with the werewolves.
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  • S. Tilghman Hawthorne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping! A Fun Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    What an fun read!
    Those of you who enjoyed the classic horror movies featuring the likes of Lon Chaney and Vincent Price, will love this book. I sure enjoyed it!
    A sleepy little town, a Sheriff, a woman who needs his help and a pack of really scarey wolves that are menacing the whole town all combine to create a frightening scenario that will have the hairs on your neck standing at attention.
    Don't miss this book if you love the feel and tone of the old horror classic.
    Wonderful new twist on a great old story! Well done, Mr Rydder, and thank you oh so much! :)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Count
    1.0 out of 5 stars Eh, I'll Pass
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2013
    I tried to get into this book, but I just couldn't. The pace was ultra slow, and there was so much fluff it was boring and confusing at times. If I can't get into a book after reading 100 pages, then that's usually a bad sign, so I had to pull out. Sorry Tommy!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Catherine Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Fresh Take on werewolves!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, An action packed thriller in the werewolf world! This was a fresh take on werewolves. It was your typical small town where everyone knows everyone and their business. An ordinary innocent thing such as a pet adoption turns into an extraordinary thing. The characters were awesome. I especially liked Beth and Frank. The book kept me turning the pages. It had danger, suspense, intrigue and love. Yes, there was also love between Sheriff Frank Cutlip and a teacher named Beth Lowe.The story was captivating with a great plot. I loved it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Morongo Molly
    4.0 out of 5 stars An intelligently written Scarey Book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I saw this on Goodreads today, downloaded it and read it in a sitting. It is not my usual kind of book. but the sample drew me in. I am not into horror stories, (I write historical fiction) and I have a thing about werewolves, but this one was so well crafted that I confess to having enjoyed it. From the first few pages, I was as caught up in the story as Frank and Beth were. I would have given it a five, but I have a 'thing' about books that leave the storline dangling. This book almost but not quite stands alone. As to this debut, I found no flaws. I will look for many other books from ThomasRydder in my Kindle Library. I especially thank the author for telling a gripping story without having to put Liz at risk. The story was tense enough without it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • O. G. Tomes
    5.0 out of 5 stars A recommended experience of the 5 star variety!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2013
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    Kindle Edition:
    Instantly, I was captivated by the characters, then Thomas Rydder hit hard with twists, intrigue, suspense, love and blood. A straight to the point ride from every direction. His scenes play out before your eyes and as sharp as the fangs of the werewolves he creates in this 'monstrous' tale woven with his own unique take on this ancient lore. I would love to see this as a film and do the whole 'drive-in nostalgia' thing on a hot summer night with a full moon shining in a clear night sky, of course.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Simon
    5.0 out of 5 stars a great debut with bite
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The Clearing by Thomas Rydder is an excellent horror novel by this first-time author. He has deftly re-invented the tired old werewolf genre giving it a new twist - whatever the wolves leave alive after an attack will become a werewolf or werecreature might be a better word. The small rural Pennsylvania town of Hemingway is the setting for this exciting tale and Thomas has lovingly described the area with deep affection. Every scene is vivid, almost like a movie and this book would make one hell of a movie. The two main characters, Frank the Sheriff and Beth the local entomologist are believable and make a great team as they investigate the strange events - missing pet - slaughtered cattle - missing human - that lead to the incident at the Clearing. I actually had that cosy feeling I get when I read a Stephen King novel that sends me to a small town under siege from supernatural creatures. Thomas is most adept at keeping the pace rattling along and knows when to slow down for us to catch breath.
    This is a FIVE STAR HORROR and would not look out of place next to any Stephen King novel, so all I can recommend is get off your butts and download it now.
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  • HAL9000
    4.0 out of 5 stars A quick fun read
    Reviewed in India on March 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A swiftly paced story with interesting moments. An excellent take on the werewolf genre. The character development was a bit lacking but this is still a solid read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I would not consider myself comprehensive of werewolf fiction, but i have read a few novels. Most of the stories feature the common theme when it comes to applying the bane to.the beast.

    The exception here is the equivalent quandry of trying to stop the man of steel without kryptonite. That certainly kept things Interesting here.

    I found the main characters quite likeable although not contrasting in personality, but in all honesty that wouldn't have done the setting of the story any favours.

    i couldn't help but question the total lack of common sense of Elizabeth, when faced with a pet growing abnormal from day to day. That one is difficult to work around.

    I will certainly be keeping an eye out for the follow up.
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  • Anne
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2013
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    I am an avid book worm, I read the expert for the beginning of this book and just had to finish reading it... I couldn't put it down, it held my attention the whole way through. Thomas has done a great job on this first book of the series and I can not wait to read the next book... If you are into Werewolves and the likes then this book is most definitely for you...
    Thomas I can't wait for your next book. Keep writing
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  • Techno Hippy
    4.0 out of 5 stars A howling good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    It's been a while since I last read a werewolf story and this was a good one. I was pleased to see that it didn't try and explain the existence of werewolves, it just got on with the story. Although it did provide some historical context which helped reinforce the ancient evil.

    Another aspect I liked was that the characters just got on with it. In that regard it reminded me of Dog Soldiers (one of my favourite werewolf films). They freaked out (as you would), but got on with the job.

    The writing is good and the story is well paced, pulling you along until the last page.

    There is apparently a sequel on its way, which is good news as this was an excellent read.
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