ALEX SIX is a contemporary horror story that does not have ghosts, vampires, or a crumbling castle somewhere in the Carpathians. What it does have is dark desires, corrupted wealth, and one person’s willingness to destroy life in order to make a new one.

Alexa is a wealthy executive who lives a pleasure-filled life. Everything is roses until her husband, Francis, dies unexpectedly. Francis could never give Alexa the one thing she craved most of all–a child. Lost in the fog of her desires, Alexa finds a former college professor named Vick Miller. Vick is almost a carbon copy of Alexa’s dead husband. Because of this, she offers the modest family man a handsome sum. All Vick has to do is provide his DNA so that Alexa can give birth to a new version of Francis. Sounds simple, right? Well, it turns out that nothing is simple in ALEX SIX. This thriller is not just full of surprises, but also full of disgust. Taplin draws Alexa as a veritable Lilith demon, and as a monster she seems to enjoy destroying Vick’s life. It is indeed shocking just how low Alexa sinks. That said, ALEX SIX is not just a story about a mean girl on steroids. It is a sexy, smart, and addictive thriller that is believable. That is the most frightening aspect of all.

Taplin writes so well. The author certainly enjoys using an outlandish simile or too, such as comparing one person’s reactions to a “a box of chili-flavored tampons.” At times coarse but always hilarious, such sentences add to the flavor and tone of the novel rather than detract. However, there are times when the black comedy is mixed in with far too much snark. These are the moments when Taplin tries to get cute and makes his own genius front-and-center rather than the incredible narrative. Overall, ALEX SIX is the type of novel that demands your attention and keeps you from turning off the lights. Rather than monsters under the bed, this novel proves that the most horrific creature of all is human will.

Vince Taplin’s ALEX SIX is a true page-turner told at lightening fast speed. Chock full of twists and turns, its crazy ride includes insane characters. And as good as the story is, the writing is even better.

~Benjamin Welton for IndieReader