The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a planeThe book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
The second I started this short, I was reminded of ‘The Body Snatcher’ staring the inimitable Boris Karloff. I looked it up, and to my surprise, it isThe second I started this short, I was reminded of ‘The Body Snatcher’ staring the inimitable Boris Karloff. I looked it up, and to my surprise, it is indeed loosely based on the book. Exciting!
|| "You can't begin and then stop. If you begin, you must keep on beginning: that's the truth. No rest for the wicked."
Written in 1884, this is a tale that will chill the bones! Basically, a group of friends are having a few drinks with a doctor in a local pub. One of the friends recognizes the local health services purveyor and, funny enough, worked with him in medical school. The friend, Fettes, used to ahem ‘run the logistical side’ of providing the doctor with bodies so he could run tests on them. Unethical or progressing science at the time? You’ll have to decide.
As these things go, conscience starts to play a big role, certain people in-the-know are beckoned to keep silent about the doctor's procurements, and evidence is tampered with. There is one curiosity, though. What happens when the body evidence you thought you destroyed comes back to haunt you? Creepy, indeed.
|| "The more things are wrong the more we must act as if all were right."
This was a fun and interesting little haunt of a story. I did have a hard time (at points) following this one for some reason. The flow of the writing was sort of disjointed to an extent, but the insults cast between the characters were so much fun and dignified. There is always a certain charm to these types of books. The scientist or doctor is always attempting to ‘finish their work’, but meddlesome family, colleagues, and friends ultimately thwart their progress, leaving them no choice but to ramp up the timeline, which leads to some sort of catastrophic mistake(s).
So, the next time your professor asks you to obtain a corpse, it’s probably time to go to the registrar and change your course.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was a fun and exciting take on a classic horror tale that is definitely not foreshadowed on the cover or short storI enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was a fun and exciting take on a classic horror tale that is definitely not foreshadowed on the cover or short story title.
Plot: || Rachel, Sam, and their two kids live in a rural area that is serene and quiet. That is, until they start to get hounded by a few predators, both inside the house as well as on the outside. How will the family cope throughout the night?
This short was the last I read in the creature feature collection. It was a brisk read that held my attention and delivered on building tension. The characters back stories were strong, and I appreciated the level of depth that was taken to flesh them out, especially in a story under 60 some-odd-pages. Even though the material may be familiar, I think it has enough to make it stand out in the collection.
The book shines when it focuses on the kids. They are fairly resourceful, cunning, and curious, which makes the semi-twist ending stand out.
Overall, this was a fun collection to sift through. Best of Luck was still my favorite, but each had its own high and low points. Hopefully, in the future, we will get a full-on horror comedy. That would be fantastic.
Series Rating: 1. Best of Luck 2. It Waits in the Woods 3. In Bloom 4. Big Bad 5. The Pram 6. Ankle Snatcher
“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” – RWE
I really enjoyed "Best of Luck" by Jason Mott. It’s an elevated horror short that is relatab“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” – RWE
I really enjoyed "Best of Luck" by Jason Mott. It’s an elevated horror short that is relatable, exciting, terrifying, and fun.
Plot: | Will and Barry are friends who both have something they need to get off their chests. (quite literally) One accuses the other of stealing the luck out of their lives, which leaves the pair in a precarious situation. Tensions rise as the pair’s conversations take a turn for the worst.
What type of otherworldly creature could spawn from this envious confrontation? Well, you will have to dive into this fresh, exciting story that is far and away my favorite of this series. Give it a go, but if you have bad luck with it, you might just want to check your person for creepy crawlies. ...more
I remember my grandmother reading me James Howe's "There's a Monster Under My Bed" as a youngster, and for whatever reason, the blurb on of this book I remember my grandmother reading me James Howe's "There's a Monster Under My Bed" as a youngster, and for whatever reason, the blurb on of this book immediately made me think that it was going to be a more "adult" version of that short.
This is a short, short, story about a young man who grew up believing his mother was murdered by a boogeyman that lives beneath the bed because his father told him so.
I was on board for the first page or two, but soon fell out with the quick relationship banter, gross-out attempts, and the boogeyman-under-the-bed bit. There might be something to the story if it was fleshed out a bit more, but there was just not enough inherent backstory to really play up that fear of a monster under the bed.
I enjoyed this short creature feature story by Josh Malerman. It had a simple yet effective narrative that blended quite a few familiar horror tropes I enjoyed this short creature feature story by Josh Malerman. It had a simple yet effective narrative that blended quite a few familiar horror tropes into a small page count.
Amanda disappears in the woods one evening, and the town believes a creature out of an urban legend has taken her. Amanda’s body was never found, so after three years, her sister, Brenda, takes a trek out into the forest to search for her.
I would give this a 1 out of 5 in terms of scares, but a 4 out of 5 in terms of tension building. It reminds me of a good X-files or Twilight Zone episode. It does not linger for too long and flips the classic phone concept on its head. Most stories like these have to showcase how the main character’s phone breaks right before any type of peril takes place, but this book embraces the technology and makes it part of the story. Bravo!
Have you ever wondered what the ghost lurking in the corridor is thinking? Then pick up Oscar Wild’s rip-roaring, hilarious tale of a ghost whose soleHave you ever wondered what the ghost lurking in the corridor is thinking? Then pick up Oscar Wild’s rip-roaring, hilarious tale of a ghost whose sole purpose is to send shivers down the spines of Canterville Chase. You will not find a macabre tale here. Sir Simon de Canterville is a dignified ghost. One who sets a time schedule and deploys tried-and-true scare patterns to get a rise out of its guests.
But what if the new owners do not believe in ghosts?
|| "They were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena."
Poor old Sir Simon tries everything to get a rise out of the entire family. Scraping heavy chains along the floor, moving items, and even leaving blood stains on the carpets to no avail. The family offers the ghost ‘Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator’ to end the cacophony of chain sounds that echo throughout the night. This angers the ghost quite a bit. The small children add to the ghost’s misery by setting up traps a-la Home Alone, such as trip wires, water buckets, and peashooters to humiliate him.
The hijinks are funny, but what about the ghosts’ feelings? The Canterville ghost has not slept in over three hundred years and had lost his beloved Lady Eleanor de Canterville years prior. Does anyone offer a helping hand and conjure up some sympathy for the master of terror? Find out by checking out this fun classic.
But remember, the next time you see a ghost, try not to lash out, scream, or go running from them in haste. They have feelings too!
|| "Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of Death's house, for Love is always with you, and Love is stronger than Death is."
Two buddies take a fishing trip in a remote area of Ireland near an old decrepit house. While exploring, they come across an old manuscript filled witTwo buddies take a fishing trip in a remote area of Ireland near an old decrepit house. While exploring, they come across an old manuscript filled with unimaginable horrors.
Cosmic horror is the central theme running throughout this pulse-raising book. The manuscript that the two feverously read features an old recluse who spins fantastical stories about his time at the house. Some interactions with things that go bump in the night are familiar within the genre, while others are quite innovative for the time and are brought to a fever pitch: exploring cellars with a lantern, visiting the moors at night, and gloomy caverns that descend into chasms.
|| "It was not Halloween. If I were telling a story for amusement's sake, I should probably place it on that night of nights; but this is a true record of my own experiences, and I would not put pen to paper to amuse anyone."
I felt I was walking the unlit corridors with the recluse and pepper (his dog), twisting around corridors and pondering what evil lay ahead. There is a keen sense of foreboding the author implies, which just amplifies the subtle scares and magnifies the twists and turns. Overall, I just think it is so ahead of its time! Do you like Gothic elements? It has it. Do you like other worldly creatures crashing the party? Call the Ghostbusters. Do you like decaying mansions and those who lift trap doors to find out what’s beyond? Yep, this has it.
Oh, and the cosmic horror elements just put it over the top! I do not want to give much away, but it has the most ingenious visual of variable space and time. Very Lovecraftian.
Add it to your Halloween repertoire. You will not be disappointed.
|| "Then, at least, I should have known my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a whole night, picturing all kinds of unknown devilment, was to jeopardize one's sanity."
Iain Reid has a knack for writing slow-burning, low-key books that come across as relatively simp|| "As passions decrease, character is revealed."
Iain Reid has a knack for writing slow-burning, low-key books that come across as relatively simple ideas on the surface yet have deep, complex threads that peel away in layers. If you have read “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” I think you will like this one as well.
Penny, an artist and introvert, is an elderly lady who lives alone and must be escorted to a long-term patient care facility after she falls from a stool and injures her head. It was the wish of her deceased partner that she be transferred to this long-term health unit when she was unable to care for herself. Penny immediately ingratiates herself with the new facility, meets the staff and the residents, and finds her accommodations pleasing, which have a view of a forest.
Not everything is rosy and wonderful. As you can expect, the center is home to some very dark secrets. Why are certain places off-limits? Why does the staff seem to want to maintain her hair and nails constantly? And why are there no privacy locks on any of the doors?
|| "We can’t hold onto feelings forever."
One thing is certain: psychological torment happens to both Penny and the reader. It pin-points our innermost fears, such as aging, and hones its heavy literary guise on regret with a larghetto tempo.
|| " At what cost am I being protected from my age."
I should probably mention that the events that happen herein are open to interpretation. That is why I think the book is great. You will certainly have quite a bit of contemplation after you flip the last page.
A couple moves out to a farmhouse and has some interesting dealings with something sinister after the husband brings his groceries home in a loaner baA couple moves out to a farmhouse and has some interesting dealings with something sinister after the husband brings his groceries home in a loaner baby stroller.
This story hangs its hat on previous horror stories and uses it's built in language to try and graft together an interesting story. The only problem is that it does not have that extra gear of creativity or added ingredient to help make it stand out.
How do I even begin to review this book? First off, this is an extreme zombie book. It’s dark, grimy, gritty, uncouth, and not politically correct in How do I even begin to review this book? First off, this is an extreme zombie book. It’s dark, grimy, gritty, uncouth, and not politically correct in any shape or form. Secondly, if you have a trigger warning of any kind, chances are this book has it. There are some genuinely fun and exciting moments in the book that I will touch on that really add to the zombie lore as a whole, but if you do think about reading it, just know that I personally do not agree with any of the hateful sentiments, extreme stereotypes, or really any other behaviors these morally corrupt characters portray. This is the Walking Dead if it was written by Rob Zombie on an extended bender.
With that said, let me set the stage for you.
A world-wide pandemic has hit, and those lucky enough to survive have to wade off the undead. Things get interesting, however. These are not your run-of-the-mill zombies. These demons or creatures are not the sluggish, brain-dead type you often see in movies. They can interact, drive vehicles, and spout off one-liners from your favorite 'dad joke' book.
Animals are not immune to this disease either. Zombie deer, rats, birds, bunnies, and their brethren are all on the hunt to varying hilarious effects. But they do not crave brains; oh no, they want to keep the body intact so that they can become hosts. In this book, the zombies take over the body in a symbiotic manner. After the bond takes hold, the person’s knowledge is transferred to the undead. It's an interesting twist on the genre, for sure.
|| "But if they're demons, shouldn't we be able to throw holy water on them or exorcise them or something?"
The main plot centers around a construction worker by the name of Jim. He is a divorcee who very much wanted to be in his son’s life, but the new family moved a few states over, and he rarely gets to see his boy anymore. Jim’s son finds a hiding place in the attic and calls his father for help. He tells him that the zombies are attacking the house, so Jim vows to race across a few states to save him. It is a flimsy narrative, but one that keeps you fairly engaged.
We also follow a lady-of-the-night who is on the run from some unsavory individuals, an up-beat priest who encourages everyone that there is a plan in place and they will be saved, and a gung-ho military unit who basically captures citizens and uses them for shields, pleasure, and the like.
As you can imagine, no matter what each group does to avoid these zombie creatures, they will eventually have to engage with them. Nobody is safe, which I can appreciate. Even though some of the lesser characters are used for fodder, other, more central characters are put into some hairy situations.
|| "How are they re-animating? And do you think we will see more and more as time goes by?" ~~ Says the guy who is a self-proclaimed zombie movie watcher. He might have missed a few. ...more
Environmental horror with a fun story and a tad bit of nostalgia. Sign me up!
Heidi is a Cape Cod journalist who is writing a story about a recent uptiEnvironmental horror with a fun story and a tad bit of nostalgia. Sign me up!
Heidi is a Cape Cod journalist who is writing a story about a recent uptick in algae blooms in the area. A local named Jimmy has a story to tell Heidi that may seem too fantastical to believe. Back in the 80’s, Jimmy witnessed something horrific at a baseball game that has haunted him for decades. Will Heidi believe what he has to say and publish the story? She may not have the opportunity to do so.
This short story was pretty exciting, but I really enjoy old monster movies such as The Blob, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Stuff, etc. All the campy stories where an experiment goes wrong and is released to the populous. I was surprised at how much nostalgia and backstory the author was able to pack into this short and where it ultimately ended up. The creature is multi-faceted and causes a unique array of ailments on its victims.
I enjoy how varied the creature feature collection is, and this one was a fun standout.
Ratings so far: 1. Best of Luck 2. It Waits in the Woods 3. In Bloom 4. The Pram 5. Ankle Snatcher
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