Isolation is about a family that is looking for a quiet getaway, but ends up getting trapped in a mansion that hides many secrets, some of which are definitely scary and unwelcome.

As other reviewers have posted here, this is one of those books that you read at night at your own peril. Although the book does not contain any outright gratuitous horror, the hints at evil deeds gone by and threats both real and imagined in the present are more than enough kindling for anyone with an imagination.

As Thrasher points out in the acknowledgments, he is a huge Stephen King fan, and Isolation will surely please fans of The Shining. I enjoyed Isolation, and read it in two sittings, as many sections of it are in the not-put-downable category. It will make you stay up later than you want, and regret it because now you're alone in the dark.

but it never did. I continued reading because I was curious as to what would happen, but the ending was cheesy to me. The missionaries and the whole spiritual warfare idea was interesting at first, but it was just too much and took away from the "scariness" of the book. There was too much focus on God and faith. Reviewers comparing this story to Stephen King are crazy.

With Isolation multi-genre author Travis Thrasher turns his pen to horror, having written romance, drama and suspense novels in the past. While he acknowledges Stephen King as one of his literary heroes (many have drawn comparisons between Isolation and The Shining), Thrasher's work is unique in its seamless weaving together of faith and fear, resulting in Christian horror - though I wasn't sure how such a combination could possibly work. Isolation has shown me that a scary story can be made even more so through the incorporation of powerful spiritual truths.

Having left the horror genre relatively untouched throughout my reading career I cannot speak to any similarities between King's work and Thrasher's. I can say that Isolation terrified me; I simply cannot remember a time when any other book I've read has left my heart pounding so hard in my chest. The true beauty of this novel is that the scares don't rely upon graphically depicted gore or violence but upon inferred events, shadows of meaning, and the horrific possibility that the scenario is entirely possible. I must applaud Thrasher for his ability to maintain the standards commonly associated with Christian fiction - clean language and avoidance of scenes of graphic violence or sexual acts - while still producing one scary ride.

Isolation develops a surprising degree of depth throughout the course of the novel, proving itself to be far more than a cheap thrill. Though Thrasher doesn't consider himself a Christian novelist, Isolation's plot is faith driven from start to finish. Jim and Stephanie's struggles with their faith are authentic. Stephanie in particular is a vivid portrait of a wounded woman - flawed, floundering, and realistic, I deeply empathized with her. In addition to pairing these imperfect individuals with spiritual truths, Thrasher drives the fear home through the faith elements, contributing to the novel rather than detracting from it, or seeming tacked on. While there is light and hope to be found and an eventual end to the interminable isolation, there is a long dark night of the soul that must be passed through while the forces of light and darkness battle against each other.

I was advised not to read Isolation at night. Disregarding that excellent wisdom I found myself trembling in the dark as I paged through this novel as quickly as eyes, mind, and fingers can fly. The spiritual message will attract readers from outside of the thriller genre with the potential to speak wisdom into their lives, and through some mysterious synchronicity the fear will dig it in deeper. With Ghostwriter releasing in 2009 it seems that Thrasher won't be leaving the domain of darkness anytime soon in his writing, a scary development indeed.

Wow. I just finished this book about an hour ago in my car at the local park when I noticed that it was dark outside. It gave me the creeps so much that I couldn't get home fast enough.

The Miller family is staying at a "lodge" of 40,000 sf in the secluded mountains of North Carolina in the dead of winter. Trapped in a mansion during a major snowstorm with an evil presence lurking all around. Jim and Stephanie are both fighting a spiritual battle that appears to be beating them down until the innocent faith of their son brings them back to God and rebuilds their own faithful beliefs. Travis Thrasher has done an excellent job weaving this scary story with several twists. Not to be read by the those who easily frightened or else you will be sleeping with your lights on tonight.

Isolation was the first book of Thrasher's I've read, and now I want to read all his books. An admitted Stephen King disciple, Thrasher has obviously been a good student. Exemplary prodigy, in fact. His prose is sharp and impactful. The story is strongly character driven, with real human faulted multi-dimensional characters. There are other reviews posted here with plot synopsis included, so I won't be redundant. I also relate to Thrasher because I myself am a Christian who likes to write novels that do not fit in the pigeonhole of "Christian book" genre exclusively. Isolation can be read and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their faith or spiritual practice. It's got all the great elements of a butt-clenching tongue-biting thriller with the added bonus of inspirational spiritual messages. It's just a darn good book. Five stars, Travis, and you have a new fan.