Inconsolable is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Before I received my copy in the mail, author Shaheed Shabazz warned me that the book was “graphic and twisted” and I smirked to myself, thinking “He doesn’t know me very well, graphic and twisted is what I do“. I was not prepared in the least for the gore-filled, horrifying ride that calls itself Inconsolable.

There were times, while reading this revenge tale full of drugs, torture and mind tricks, that I couldn’t put the book down–there were other times when I was so horrified by the images Shabazz so skillfully painted that I had to put the book down to give myself a break from the intensity. The story starts out calmly enough, introducing the reader to Sean Stiles, a character who at once seems unassuming and noble. Shortly after we meet him, he meets a group of meth heads and loses his life. The story picks up down the line, where our meth addicted murderers have sworn each other to secrecy, gotten clean and moved on. Or so they thought.

Although they were sure no one would “miss” Sean Stiles it becomes clear that someone did, and that someone is intent on ripping apart their lives, and their bodies. With scenes straight out of a Japanese horror flick, Shabazz throws us into a world that is run by the Blue Giant, where justice is carried out slice by slice, slowly but surely, and where no one is off-limits. The book will leave you shaken, terrified to close your eyes, and regretting every wrong you have ever committed in your life. It’s a great read–if you’re brave enough.

See what Shaheed Shabazz had to say to Geek Crafts after the jump.

Reading the story, it is obvious that drugs play a large part in the characters’ lives and motivations–what gave you the idea to write a book that centered so much on heavy drugs and why did you choose meth?

Let’s just say that I’ve “been around” folks in that crowd, before my military days, of course. I’ve known people who’s lives went to shit on meth and other drugs. 4 and 5 kids that they can’t take care of, living in filth, maggots crawling in the carpet, etc. So, I wanted to showcase a couple guys that go from being the lowest of the low, so much so that they could commit such a heinous act as a multiple stabbing, then get sober and completely turn their lives around. This way, when
they get knocked back down, further than they could ever imagine, it makes the emotional roller coaster that much more dramatic for both the characters, and the reader.

This is a geek website, so I have to ask–what is the gadget you couldn’t do without?

I’m one of those guys who kind of fights the urge to get the latest and greatest gadgets, however, since my wife bought me my iPhone last year, I can’t live without it, and I would be devastated if that thing got lost or broken. I actually did a lot of the back and forth with the publishers and editors for Inconsolable over my iPhone. I sent the whole manuscript back and forth a couple times, and the artwork as well over my iPhone, because I was all around the country doing exercises to get ready for my deployment. It would have taken me considerably longer to get my book published without the iPhone. There’s a free advertisement if I ever heard one, huh.

What do you think the geekiest thing about being a helo-pilot turned horror writer is? The coolest thing?

The geekiest thing has to be going around my town doing book signings when everyone knows I’m a helo pilot, and trying to get them to take me seriously as a horror writer. I think they probably think I’m full of crap, and that I’m not going to make it as a writer. To that I say, I’ve already made it. Ha! The coolest thing is when people finish the book and tell me they couldn’t put it down for two days straight and that they loved it. They can’t wait for the movie, and the next book. I’m all over it guys. I can’t wait either. I’m blessed to have found my true passion, and I’ll pursue my next big goal of watching Inconsolable on the big screen with the ferocity of a rabid dog.

Anything new in the works? If so, what? If not–when can we look forward to hearing more from you?

Right now, like I said, I’m singularly focused on getting the script sold and a movie in the works. Once that is on it’s way I’ll start my next project which is going to be another thriller, with another creepy ass character you guys will love. The only thing I’m wrestling with is the question of which to write first, the screenplay, or the novel. After that I have a prequel to “Inconsolable” that I have planned, called “Blue Giant”, so keep your eyes peeled. Big things are about to happen!Look out for the “Inconsolable” trailer on YouTube in the near future, then go to www.ShaheedshabazZ.net and pick up a copy of the novel! Till next time…

• Inconsolable By Shaheed Shabazz