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Dean Rasmussen grew up in a small Minnesota town and began writing stories at the age of ten, driven by his fascination with the Star Wars hero's journey. He continued writing short stories and attempted a few novels through his early twenties until he stopped to focus on his computer animation ambitions. He studied English at a Minnesota college during that time.
He learned the art of computer animation and went on to work on twenty feature films, a television show, and a AAA video game as a visual effects artist over thirteen years. He currently teaches animation for visual effects in Orlando, Florida.
Inspired by his favorite authors, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, and H.P. Lovecraft, Dean began writing novels and short stories again in 2018 to thrill and delight a new generation of horror fans.
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Stone Hill by Dean Rasmussen is Book 1 of the Shadows Rising Supernatural Thriller Series. Michael is falling into bad ways after losing his father and his mother sends him to Stone Hill to stay with his grandparents. But things have changed beyond all recognition. Pastor John has taken over the town and has control over most of the people. He is known for performing strange miracles and his ‘disciples’ dress all in white. The streets are patrolled by day and, by night, there are phantoms roaming the woods. People and animals disappear and Michael really wants to leave. But then his grandfather and his friend’s mother have disappeared. Rebecca and Michael have no choice – they must venture into the tunnels beneath the church, an ancient labyrinth that holds many secrets and horrors. The tunnels hold the answers to the so-called miracles, to all the disappearances, and to the evil that has a hold on the entire town. Michael, Rebecca, and Joey will face much evil and many fears below ground but can they stay alive long enough to save their families? And what is the evil that lives in the tunnels?
Move over Stephen King, James Herbert, and Dean Koontz, there is serious competition in town. With Stone Hill, Dean Rasmussen has placed himself firmly amongst the very best horror writers with an absolute masterpiece. Stone Hill will sink its hooks into you on the first page and it won't let you go until you finish it – and then you’ll be disappointed. Not at the ending but because we now have to wait for the sequel. This is an exciting story with a fantastic plot. There is suspense at every turn and plenty of horror quite graphically described in places but totally in keeping with the story. The characters are developed well and I hope that we learn more about them in the next book. There has to be a next book after a stunning, jaw-dropping ending like that! This is definitely an author to keep an eye on and I, for one, cannot wait for the sequel.
