Canoeing into the Florida wilderness is a near weekend ritual for the Callison family. Even the youngest of their three children at five years old knows how to safely navigate the dangers of the wild. But, what happens when the wilderness they are required to traverse is contained within a man’s soul?
Ben Callison and his family’s latest camping trip takes a strange and sinister twist when they meet a myeterious Indian where they elect to pitch their tent. The Seminole warns Ben he’s camped in a place that evil calls home. Is the error that lurks their a resident of the mound Ben’s camped on or does it reside within him?
Ben must find out if the shapeless dread he faces is from within or without, and if he makes it out alive, does anyone ever really return from A Place No One Should Go?
A thrilling short story, By Reviewer” Lynn” Keana-eno-pa-watchee- is the Indian way of saying “A Place No One Should Go” but do some listen. Ben Callison is an arrogant, self centered, controlling person. One who insisted his family go on weekend camping canoe trips twice a month. It was something his father commanded and like his father he demanded it of his family. Camping on private property owned by his boss there was one camping spot that Bill, one of his co-workers, told him about but to go no further past it. That’s like telling a kid not to do something. Did Ben listen? After Bill had been there it wasn’t long he killed himself… or did he. Is Ben putting his family in danger taking them to a new spot instead of their old stand- by? When an old Indian warms him of the evil that is present at the campground does Ben take it seriously? As the night edges in, is the terror real or is it all in Bens mind? Is what he is seeing real or a figment of his imagination? Will they make it back out alive? Does anyone survive “Keana-eno-pa-watchee”? This short story has a sinister twist to it that is not one that I would call scary but one that leaves the reader wondering right to the very end. This would make a great made for T.V. Movie that would have the viewer looking behind them at the slightest noise. Occasional coarse language and hints at sexual situations.
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REVIEWS:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A THRILLER IN SPADES!
By J Geminion March 25, 2014
Format: Paperback
I bought this book for my husband at the Ft Myers Reading Festival. He enjoys thrillers, and he’s not that easy to please, but he was riveted to this one. After he finished, he told me this book is a MUST READ! He never writes reviews, so I’m just getting the information out there in the interest of being fair to both the author and readers of thrillers. I’m not normally a thriller fan, but he’s determined I should read this. If I do, I’ll follow up.
*****
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything You Need for a Great Scare
By Larry B. Grayon October 8, 2012
Format: Paperback
A family canoe/camping trip, an ancient Indian mound, and a mix of historical facts and you have everything you need for a great scare. D.L. Havlin has put it all together in his novel “A Place No One Should Go.” The excitement begins with page one and never lets up.
The storyline is well developed and easy to follow. It is believable which increases the scare factor. If you like to jump at the bump in the night you will enjoy this read.
I found the main characters very believable. These are people you can meet every day. It is easy to identify with them and follow their story.
I recommend this book for a mature reader.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Spooky Stuff!
By Douglas Dillon on October 30, 2011
Format: Paperback
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Verified Purchase
Don’t read this book UNLESS you are prepared to be freaked out. D.L. Havlin’s frightening tale of a family canoe trip into Florida’s wilderness will make you squirm in your seat.
I write paranormal fiction and nonfiction but Havlin’s story gave me the creeps. The man truly brings you face-to-face with evil and puts you squarely into the midst of the main character’s terror.
I think part of the appeal is also that this author really knows Florida waterways and wildlife. I say that as a Florida resident who has paddled many a canoe on tree shrouded rivers in this state. I’m telling you, Havlin’s descriptions are dead-on. Such clear and engrossing details tend to build up in this book which in turn pull you headlong into the supernatural before you know what’s happened.
A Place No One Should Go is a quick read but one that will stay with you for a long time.
***
4.0 out of 5 stars
a creepy yet suspenseful mix
ByTicTocon September 16, 2011
Format: Paperback
Article first published as Book Review: A Place No One Should Go by D L Havlin on Blog critics.
Is evil a person or a state of mind? Can evil affect the very ground where it resided. Does evil have the power to move at will? In A Place No One Should Go by D.L. Havlin we follow a family into the Florida wilderness for a holiday camping trip and get just a glimpse of that answer, and a bit more.
The father and leader of the expedition is Ben Callison. Not always a nice guy, he nevertheless insists on family time when it comes to their camping outings. Having always gone to the same place, he has heard from another friend of a place just a bit further that might have much better results for fishing. However, he is warned that he probably should not camp there.
His friend has recently died under strange circumstances, and Ben loves a challenge. In fact he thinks he may just know better. The place more than likely has even more treasure and his friend probably just wanted to keep it for himself. As the trip progresses and Ben and his family go further into the wilderness we begin to get an inkling of who Ben really is. He is controlling, and he is not a very nice man. But he will have his way regardless of what the rest of his family wants.
Setting up camp, they find some wonderful fishing and actually begin to have a good time, but when a visitor, an Indian man that suggests that they should move on to somewhere else to camp once they have done fishing, the family is understandably concerned. They are startled, as the man seems to come from nowhere. In his mind, Ben believes he is right and he refuses to move on. He is in fact more convinced than ever. He believes the only reason he is being warned off is so that this man can then move in and enjoy the rewards of the excellent fishing and game.
As evening falls, Ben only now begins to get a glimpse of something not being right. His family in their tents, he is alone at the fire when he begins to see things. These strange and unnatural things make no sense. Fearing he has had too much to drink, he finally calls it a night, but uneasiness follows. Can Ben brush aside the strange things he remembers, and why does he feel so uneasy? Even as he and his family head back home, the uneasiness follows. Is there something following him, what was the real reason behind his friends death?
Ben and his family are somewhat typical as families go. What Havlin has added is just the small amount of inner evil and feeling of superiority to Ben. Just the bit of anger and a little you owe me attitude. He has done a wonderful job of setting the stage for a background to explain the evil that seems to lurk in the wilderness. His stories are strange and unsettling and you can visualize the fear. The family seems to do the best they can, having been around Ben their entire lives they are used to this controlling nature. However, they still feel just a bit of fear around him. He is just not a nice man.
If you enjoy horror and strange happenings in your reading this would be the book for you. It is small and compact but carries a big punch. The fear begins to engage quite early and weaves throughout the story, setting the stage for the bizarre and yet somewhat inevitable ending. This is a book best read during daylight, or if you are an evening reader, turn on the lights and lock the doors, it keeps you uneasy throughout the telling.
This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars
suspenseful
By Donald J. Pooleon September 14, 2011
Format: Paperback
A family camping trip turns bizarre when they select a forbidden Indian mound to spend the weekend upon. Florida’s Indian reservation wilderness provides the setting for this fast-moving story. I enjoyed it very much.
***
4.0 out of 5 stars
A thrilling short story
By Reviewer “Lynn” on July 27, 2011
Format: Paperback
A Place No One Should Go
DL Havlin
Double Edge Press
C. 2011
4 Stars
Keana-eno-pa-watchee- is the Indian way of saying “A Place No One Should Go” but do some listen. Ben Callison is an arrogant self centered controlling person. One who insisted his family go on weekend camping canoe trips twice a month. It was something his father commanded and like his father he demanded it of his family.
Camping on private property owned by his boss there was one camping spot that Bill one of his co- workers told him about but to go no further past it, but that’s like telling a kid not to do something . Did Ben listen? After Bill had been there it wasn’t long that he killed himself… or did he. Is Ben putting his family in danger taking them to a new spot instead of their old stand- by? When an old Indian warms him of the evil that is present at the campground does Ben take it seriously? As the night edges in ,is the terror real or is it all in Bens mind?Is what he is seeing real or a figment of his imagination? Will they make it back out alive? Does anyone survive “Keana-eno-pa-watchee”?
This short story has a sinister twist to it that is not one that I would call scary but one that leaves the reader wondering right to the very end. This would make a great made for T.V. Movie that would have the viewer looking behind them at the slightest noise. Occasional coarse language and hints at sexual situations.
