Five Stars – Home Grown Horror

[Book Review] Dust- Chris Miller

Reviewer’s Note: This book is part of the Splatter Western series being published by Death’s Head Press. These books all share a common theme, but are NOT a connected series. Though each book has a series number attached, they do not need to be read in any particular order and are not all within the same world. The book covers are all gorgeously illustrated by the talented Justin T. Coons. You can find more of his work on Instagram @justintcoons.

Chris Miller enters the splatter western scene with a bloody bang. Set in Texas in the year 1879, Dust, the third book in Death’s Head Press’ Splatter Western series tells the tale of a mysterious stranger hell-bent on finding an elusive town called Dust. James Dee will stop at nothing to find this town and stop the cosmic evil lurking there from spreading across the world. With such high stakes, Dee is willing to do the unthinkable in order to save the world.

Miller gets the blood flowing right off the bat. With several over-the-top, bloody and explosive deaths all within the first chapter, Miller wastes no time demonstrating exactly what “splatter western” means. This story is full of violence, blood-spewing mayhem, guts and glory. While some of it is a bit exaggerated, isn’t that the point? The overall tone of Dust is pretty serious, but the ultraviolence adds a fun flair to the dark narrative. It isn’t quite the most disgustingly bloody narrative I’ve ever read, but it’s got its fair share of gore. I think you’ll be able to enjoy it even if you’re just a bit squeamish, but if gore is an absolute deal-breaker for you, you’ll likely need to pass.

As with other stories I’ve read by Miller, the tone and voice of the narrative really fit the story. This is the third novel I’ve read from this author, and each one has had such an incredibly unique voice. Miller has slipped with ease from writing through the eyes of young kids (The Damned Place) to religious nuts and psycho killers (The Damned Ones) and now onto the rough-and-tumble characters in Dust. I’ve never read a western before, but Miller truly captures the tone of a rough and unforgiving frontier in all its gunslinging glory.

The two main players here are James Dee and Gear Dreary. James Dee is our troubled hero. Though he has a pure goal in his heart, the realities of the world force him to do evil things in order to save it. This internal struggle between having a pure heart and being a good man is one of the major themes of the novel. Dust isn’t just some blood-soaked cosmic western. It’s also an introspective look at what it means to be a good person, and on the consequences of doing bad things with good intentions. Contrarily, we have Gear Dreary- a bad dude with a cool name. Dreary is on a quest that parallels Dee’s; he wants to find Dust as well. His intentions, however, are much different. Dreary wants to find Dust in order to help bring a terrible cosmic evil into the world.

Speaking of evil in the world, Miller does not shy away from the terrible realities of this period of American history. Along his way to Dust, James Dee encounters a man named Denarius King. Denarius is a black man, in a time that treated black men and women with incredible cruelty. Miller does not glaze over this. The characters in Dust are pretty much all racist. Denarius is constantly insulted, treated as less-than-human, and called some horrible slurs. If this sort of portrayal would stop you from reading a book, I think it’s only fair to warn you now. But it’s important to note that Miller is not glorifying or siding with these racists. Too often, people misinterpret an author’s use of such unacceptable themes as supporting them or as a projection of the author’s own personal beliefs. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Miller paints a brutally honest picture of the way people acted in this time period. On the bright side, our hero James Dee isn’t exactly from around this part of the world, and absolutely does not stand for the mistreatment of his new friend Denarius. Watching Mr. Dee violently defend his pal Denarius’ honor is pretty cool.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Dust is its connection to Miller’s other work. If you’ve read The Damned Place or The Damned Ones, you will be pleasantly surprised reading Dust. I won’t let on what the connection is, but as the book went on and I started to guess the connection being hinted at, I absolutely loved it. If you’ve read those other works, this story will have an additional depth to it. But if you haven’t read them, fear not. They aren’t necessary to understand the plot. However, I’ll warn that there are some minor spoilers in Dust for The Damned Place and The Damned Ones. I highly recommend reading those two books first, so that you fully appreciate the story.

One last thing I’ll cover is the cosmic horror aspect of Dust. The story follows the pretty traditional theme of some bad dudes trying to bring an ancient, cosmic evil into the world. Nothing too revolutionary there, though Miller does it fairly well and in his own way. I did particularly enjoy the concept of the town of Dust itself and the role that it plays. In addition to this Big Bad Cosmic Horror, there are smaller terrors that are particularly brutal and cool. These lesser horrors were reminiscent of monsters from a Resident Evil game, in my opinion. Pretty killer stuff.

Chris Miller’s Dust is a solid offering in both the cosmic horror and the splatter western genres. The old west setting is fun, and Miller clearly enjoyed the world he built. The characters are all very well done, and their actions and dialogue fit the setting perfectly. If you’re looking for an introduction to splatter westerns, this is a great start. Fans of cosmic horror will love this one for sure, as will splatterpunk fans. If you don’t like ultraviolence, you probably won’t enjoy this one too much, and should avoid any subgenre with the word “splatter” in it anyway. Also, if you’re looking for more psychological, slow burn horror, this isn’t the one. Dust is a fast paced, action packed cosmic horror blood bath, and an absolute must-read.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $4.99 (Kindle) or $11.99 (Paperback). Also available free with Kindle Unlimited.

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About the Author

Chris Miller is a native Texan who has been writing from an early age. He began publishing in 2017 with his first novel, A Murder of Saints, and since then he has published several novels–including the Amazon bestselling Splatter Western, Dust–and has also been inducted into many anthologies. When not writing, Chris enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and reading. He is first and foremost a family man and is happily married to the love of his life (and best friend) Aliana. They have three beautiful children and live in Winnsboro, TX.

Check out his website here.

_{Photo and text from Chris Miller’s Amazon Author Page- https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Miller/e/B0764K9YH3?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000}

[Book Review] Fear the Gods- Mike Duke

The Duke of Horror’s latest release is another foray into the world of cosmic horror. When her brother Adam goes missing, investigative journalist Morgan is determined to find him. Her only lead is his personal journal which paints a picture of a slow descent into cult-ish madness. Afraid that her brother has gotten mixed up with some very bad people, Morgan is willing to do whatever it takes to infiltrate the cult and save her brother.

As with any short work, it is hard to say too much in a review if you want to stay spoiler-free (which I do). For that reason, I’m gonna have to keep it pretty vague here. If you’ve read Mike Duke’s Where the Gods Sleep then you’re familiar with his use of the found-footage/journal framework of storytelling. If you haven’t read it, I highly suggest you check out my review here, and then head on over to grab a copy here. Anywho, Duke once again utilizes a journal to tell a story in small, incomplete glimpses. This method is highly effective largely because of what is left unsaid. We witness Adam’s initial skepticism to the cult, followed by a slippery descent into insanity becoming ever more obvious in his journal entries. As his sister reads these entries, she becomes more and more afraid and unsettled.

That unsettling and incomplete picture painted by the journal sets the perfect stage for the second act of this little novella. Here we find Morgan having spent a very long time trying to find her brother, finally about to make a big break. She’s got an in, and she’s gonna try to get close to the cult, no matter what it demands of her. The closer she gets, the more she begins to realize what she’s up against. In this final act we also see a return of a character type that Duke seems to really enjoy writing: the cool, ass-kicking female lead. Morgan has done some serious preparation during her investigation. You won’t find a damsel in distress here. This is where the story turns from unsettling to purely badass. Duke once again showcases his creative ability to dream up twisted and powerful ancient terrors. In this second half, the story takes off at a dead sprint and doesn’t let up until the story is over and the body parts are left cooling on the floor.

Mike Duke’s Fear the Gods is a very quick read, at just under 70 pages. Honestly, that’s the only really negative thing I have to say about it. After the worldbuilding, terrifying monsters and awesome revelations, I simply wanted more. I wanted a full length novel set in this twisted universe and when I got my supply chopped off at 67 pages, I suffered from a bit of withdrawals. I actually had to pick up another cosmic horror book (Chris Miller’s Dust, review coming soon!) to satiate my cosmic-horror-lust induced by this story. If you are a fan of cosmic horror, you’ve gotta check this out. If you aren’t so sure about cosmic horror and want to give it a shot, this quick read is a great introduction to the genre. Mike Duke might be a relatively new name, but he’s earning a great reputation in both the cosmic horror niche as well as the overall horror community.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $2.99 (Kindle) or $7.99 (paperback). Also available free with Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author

Mike was a cop for almost 12 years, but the last 14 years he’s been teaching Military, Law Enforcement and Bodyguards high speed, tactical and off-road driving as well as hand to hand Combatives and Blade tactics. He enjoys martial arts and has been a practitioner since 1989 of various styles. Filipino blade arts are his favorite. Since he was a teenager, he’s loved reading, writing, and watching movies, particularly in the horror and sci-fi genre. He’s also been a prolific reader of theology and has dabbled in philosophy as well.

He has a beautiful, smart wife who is amazingly supportive and a son and daughter who are both graduated. His babies now are a German Shepherd named Ziva, a Daddy’s girl who loves to play… even when he’s writing, and a Border Collie mix named Joey “The Bandit” who will steal anything and everything he can, even the toys right out of Ziva’s mouth. Mike is a lover of music, as well, and it is an integral part of his writing ritual.

Check out his Amazon page here, or feel free to connect with him on Facebook.

_{Photo and text courtesy of author Mike Duke}

[Book Review] Highway Twenty- Michael J. Moore

Michael J. Moore’s Highway Twenty introduces us to Conor Mitchell and his sleepy hometown of Sedrow Wooley, Washington. Conor is just about as normal as you can get. He’s got an average job working as a mechanic, a regular girlfriend and a decent place to live. But his average life and quiet town are being turned upside-down. Slowly, the people of Sedrow Wooley start to vanish. A few days later, they return. But they’re different. Those who return are changed; they’re hungry monsters masquerading as human. As more and more of the town is slowly changed, Conor has to figure out just what in the hell is going on and hope he can do it in time to save his town.

Right off the bat, I’ve gotta say that Highway Twenty sort of defies categorization. It’s definitely horror, but a weird mix of subgenres. It’s got elements of cosmic horror and creature feature. It’s something of a fast-paced thriller, but with deeply psychological elements with quite a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure. And it’s definitely a little bizzaro. Simply put, Highway Twenty is a story that refuses to be placed neatly into a little box. Moore has woven a fascinating and unique tale unlike any I’ve read before. This crazy mix made for some seriously enthralling reading. There were certainly moments in which the story got a bit bizarre, but it absolutely kept me hooked.

One strong point of Moore’s work is in his everyman hero, Conor Mitchell. The everyman is a classic literary archetype, so Conor isn’t necessarily breaking new ground here. However, despite the commonality of this character type, I still think that Moore did a simply amazing job with Conor. He is the epitome of the average dude, making him very relatable. He is certainly no hero, but is met with extraordinary circumstances. Like any great everyman, Conor has to rise to the occasion when he realizes what’s on the line. I think that what makes Conor such a great character is the skillful way in which Moore has crafted Conor’s flaws. He is far from perfect, and throughout the story we see him fighting against his own inner turmoil as well as the external threat. Being inside Conor’s head as his world slowly crumbles is a deeply emotional experience. As things go from bad to worse, Conor continually has to make tough choices and sacrifices if he has any hope to survive. Despite this being a horror novel, some scenes were absolutely emotionally gut-wrenching.

In addition to the top-notch protagonist, Moore’s antagonistic force of evil is 100% pure badass. I can’t say too much about the big baddies, cause the fun comes in slowly realizing what Conor is up against. Moore keeps you on your feet and guessing as you, alongside Conor, try to figure out what in the world is going on in Sedrow Wooley. Along with the killer creatures that Moore has devised comes an overbearing sense of inevitable doom. The worse things get, the more and more it looks like Conor has no chance to survive himself, let alone save the world from this threat. Despite that exponentially growing sense of futility and doom, Conor keeps fighting and you keep reading.

Highway Twenty is a masterful combination of awesome monsters, lightning-paced action and genuine, emotional characters. You’ll laugh, your heart will pound, and you might even shed a tear. Good horror always evokes emotion, and Moore does so in spades. Fans of cosmic horror or creature features will love this one; as will fans of psychological horror and emotional, character-driven story lines. If you’re looking for something totally fresh and unlike anything you’ve read before, that will draw you in and really get you thinking, give Michael J. Moore’s Highway Twenty a shot.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $4.99 (Kindle), $17.46 (Audible) or $14.99 (paperback). Also available free with Kindle Unlimited.

About The Author

I have worked as a personal trainer in the Seattle area for years. My spare time is spent searching the darkest corners of my mind for whatever horrors, oddities, or fascinations may have found their way in, begging expression in my unique literary voice.

Also, I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. I love engaging with the projects I work on, diving headfirst into the research, investigation, and production of stories I feel are worth writing about. I am a curious and proactive Author.

Check out his website here.

^{Photo and text from https://michaeljmoorewriti.wixsite.com/website}

[Book Review] Hooker- Ian Thompson

Reviewer’s Note: This is one of a series of short horror tales by author Ian Thompson. They are quick, gripping reads. You can purchase them individually, or in one of several omnibuses. Check out Ian Thompson’s Amazon Page for more. To see reviews of Thompson’s other work, click here.

Ian Thompson’s Hooker tells the tragic tale of the worst day of Nigel Fawson’s life. He’s lost his job, found his wife cheating on him, and discovered that his kid isn’t even his. All he wants to do is drink himself into oblivion. In a shady part of town, the drunken Nigel is propositioned by the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. As uncharacteristic as it is for him, he decided to take her up on the offer and buy a night of fun. Before long, his night of fun turns into a night of terror when the woman isn’t what she seems.

As is par for Thompson’s Short Horror Tales series, Hooker lays the groundwork with likable and relatable characters before ruthlessly punishing them. There is just enough set-up so that the reader is invested in Nigel and his troubles. This can be a tricky line to balance in a short story. Too much exposition and the reader is bored; too little and the reader just doesn’t care. Once again, Thompson walks that tightrope with expertise.

When the blood starts to splatter, Nigel’s day gets really rough. Thompson has devised a brilliantly brutal creature to sic on his leading man. Creative and twisted, the monster is a total terror. This seems to be one of Thompson’s strongest points; an ability to think up unique, awful monstrosities.

Short and to the point, Hooker is an absolutely insane, blood-pumping ride. With just enough characterization and set up to bring Nigel fully to life, Thompson wastes no time getting to the horror. And once the horror starts to flow, it explodes like a firehose, utterly drenching poor Nigel till the last page. With a wicked cool monster and a page-turning climax, this is one Creature Feature you won’t want to miss out on.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $1.50 (Kindle) or $6.00 (paperback). Also available as part of the Book Bundle 1, coupled with two other Short Horror Tales for $2.99 (Kindle) or $7.99 (paperback).

About The Author

I was born in Liverpool, England, but I have lived most of my life in a small town in Cheshire. I pursued a career in textiles, including laboratory testing and quality control. Give me some fibres from a carpet, item of clothing or curtain, plus a microscope and some chemicals, and I’ll quickly tell you all about them!

Throughout my life, I have loved good tales – whether in the form of novels and short stories, TV shows, movies, comics or video games. I like fast-paced adventures, strong and unusual characters, gritty action and twists I wasn’t expecting. Being taken away into the realm of someone’s imagination has always appealed to me and has driven me to create realms of my own.

Check out his website here.

^{Photo and text from https://ianthompson1701.wixsite.com/authorsite}

[Book Review] Shepherd’s Warning- Cailyn Lloyd

On the surface, Cailyn Lloyd’s debut novel Shepherd’s Warning seems like a classic haunted house story, but there is far more to it than that. When Lucas MacKenzie’s mother passes away, he and his wife Laura inherit a mysterious country home. The home is mysterious largely because Lucas’ mother never once spoke of it to her family, and the inheritance came as a complete surprise. Still reeling from the death of Lucas’ mother and some other personal losses, the MacKenzie family is hoping to be able to make a fresh start in this unexpected new place. Unfortunately, before long it starts to become clear why the home was abandoned for so long. As things get weirder and darker, Laura has to come to terms with what she is up against if she has any hope of saving her family.

From page one, Lloyd demonstrates an uncanny ability to pump tension into seemingly innocuous situations. There is something about her writing that really draws in the reader. The book is a slow burn, but despite the pacing I stayed incredibly engrossed in the story. I think that a large factor in that is the way that Lloyd writes the protagonist, Laura MacKenzie. Laura is a strong woman, but plagued with doubts and anxiety. At every turn, she is constantly fighting against herself. Despite these internal struggles, she keeps going for her family. I think that being privy to Laura’s fears and anxieties really added palpable tension and kept me racing along. The plot might have crawled along, but Laura’s thoughts and fears and questions raced at a mile a minute.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Shepherd’s Warning is the reason behind the haunting. As I mentioned, this seems like a cookie-cutter haunted house story, but it’s not. Lloyd manages to craft her own spin on the haunted house tale that’s not quite like anything I’ve read before. I don’t do spoilers, so you’ll just have to read it and find out exactly what I’m talking about. But I will say that the dark force at work here is cool as hell and quite a refreshing take.

Speaking of things that are cool as hell, let’s talk about the namesake of the book. Kenric Shepherd is the dude who gives the titular Warning. I really enjoyed this character. Shepherd is a professor of Medieval Studies, specializing in early English languages; the best in the field. He’s probably the best because he was there when these languages were originally spoken. Sort of an unfair advantage, you might say. See, Shepherd is a mystic, part of an age-old loosely organized group of shamans and magic-workers called the Elders. Shepard has been alive and honing his magical craft since sometime in the eighth century. Not really sure what’s kept him alive for so long, Shepherd moves around every so often to avoid suspicion. All of that is pretty cool to begin with, but to top it all off, Shepherd has learned a new, modern form of magic. In his free time, he is a skilled computer hacker. Overall, Shepherd is a pretty awesome character, and I wish that he had a larger role in the story.

Shepherd’s Warning is a powerfully riveting, yet slow-burning new take on the haunted house story. Lloyd crafts interesting and intricate characters. Laura is strong but flawed; Shepherd is mysterious and intriguing. The plot has a lot of the dressings of a classic haunting, but presented in an entirely new way. Fans of hauntings, magic, and mysterious will love this one. If you’re looking for a lightning-paced thrill ride, this is certainly not the book for you. However, if you’re interested in tense, character-driven stories with interesting twists and fresh ideas, you’ll be right at home with Shepherd’s Warning.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $0.99 (Kindle), $12.45 (Paperback). Also available free with Kindle Unlimited, and available on Audible.

About the Author

_{Photo and text from https://www.cailynlloyd.net/}

A lifelong writer, Cailyn Lloyd, spent three years living in a truly haunted house and experienced firsthand the nuances of strange and eerie places. Quinlan’s Secret is her second novel, the highly anticipated sequel to Shepherd’s Warning and the second in The Elders trilogy.

In addition to writing, Cailyn is an accomplished weather photographer. Her work has appeared in newspapers, textbooks and publications including Life Magazine. She is also a composer and musician with three album releases to her credit. Cailyn lives near the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin and when she’s not writing spooky stories, loves hiking with her dogs and hanging with her grandchildren.

Check out her website here.

[Book Review] The Damned Ones- Chris Miller

Reviewer’s Note: The Damned Ones is the second book in Chris Miller’s cosmic horror series. See my review of the first book, The Damned Place here.

In The Damned Ones, Chris Miller returns us to Winnsboro, Texas and reacquaints us with the surviving heroes of The Damned Place. Twenty-six years after the horrific events that nearly resulted in the end of the world, Jim, Freddie, Ryan and Honey are all grown up. They’ve spent most of their lives trying to forget what happened out at that damned house. Unfortunately for them, something huge is coming and they might have to save the world again.

One thing that is apparent when reading The Damned Ones is just how much Miller has come into his own as an author since The Damned Place. That isn’t to say that The Damned Place wasn’t a damned good story; well-written with excellent characters and plot. It’s just that in the first book of the series, Miller’s influences were clear. The undertones of Stephen King and Stranger Things were undeniable and evident. With The Damned Ones, Miller has completely come into his own. The story is wholly original and 100% Miller, and it’s great.

Rather than the main plot thread being the conflict between kids and their bullies, The Damned Ones sees a grown Jim Dalton as the Chief of Police trying to solve a string of brutal murders. The two major points of view here are Jim’s and Norman’s. If the name Norman sounds familiar, it’s because Norman Reese is the younger brother of Jake Reese, the head bully from book one. A small side character in the first book, Norman takes the stage front and center in The Damned Ones. Just like in the first book, a Reese boy is the main human antagonist. I absolutely loved Norman as the big baddie. All his life, he has been convinced by his mother to believe that he is God’s chosen, and will play a pivotal role in bringing His word to all of creation. To keep this spoiler-free, I’ll just say that she was not entirely wrong.

Quite possibly the most successful aspect of The Damned Ones is Miller’s horrifying portrayal of absolute religious mania. The Reese family is nuts. Norman’s mother Cherry is convinced beyond all doubt that her loving boy has been called upon by God Almighty to fulfil a Great Purpose. That core, unshakable belief is what drives her every move, and what shaped Norman into who he had to be in order for this story to take off. Being inside both of their heads is surreal. The absolute delusion, the ridiculous mental gymnastics of justification are genuinely terrifying. Miller managed to get inside the head of this perfect storm of delusion, narcissism and grandeur. The scariest part is that it all seemed so real. People like this could actually exist. Religion has been behind some atrocious acts throughout history, and that level of realism really hit home with Norman and Cherry.

When it comes to blood-guts-and-gore, The Damned Ones is in a whole different league than its predecessor. Obviously with the plot being a grisly string of murders, there’s gonna be some blood. Miller writes these violent gore-fests with grace, balancing beauty and blood, passion and pain. The murder scenes were easily my favorite scenes in the novel (except maybe the climactic finale). Miller gives just enough background on each victim so that you can really put yourself in their shoes before he brutally chops you down while you’re there. The murder scenes were somehow both fun and haunting and actually scary all at once.

When it comes time for the final showdown, Miller cranks it up and just lets it fly. The final few chapters get progressively more brutal and wild and unpredictable. By the time the end came, I was flying through pages at 3 AM, practically inhaling the story. In my opinion, the way Miller chose to end the book is damn near perfect. This ending hit heavy. This is no story where the heroes hold hands and use the power of love to come through unscathed. Miller uses your heart as a punching bag, just letting you have it. Maybe I’m a softy, or maybe it’s cause I’ve got my first kid on the way. But the epilogue moved me damn near to tears.

The Damned Ones is a beautiful, violent, wild ride. Like returning to your hometown after years abroad, the setting and characters are comfortably familiar, but time has had its effect. Being back with the characters we know and love from The Damned Place really adds a punch to this one, but it would be a solid work even without reading the first novel. Miller has stepped up his game in the bloodshed department while managing to keep the story character-centric. Fans of slashers, cosmic horror and religious mania will absolutely love it. No doubts about it, you need to read Chris Miller’s The Damned Ones.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $5.99 (Kindle) or $15.98 (paperback).

[Book Review] Doorways to the Deadeye- Eric J. Guignard

In Doorways to the Deadeye, Eric J. Guignard tells the tall tales of Crossbuck Luke Thacker, a rail-riding hobo in Depression-era America. The stories are told within the framework of a reporter recording tales told by a fellow ‘bo who knew Luke firsthand. These tales are somewhat episodic, telling of various important moments in Luke’s life, but with an overarching storyline. Luke lives his life on the rails following the Hobo Code, a series of symbols that help guide wayward vagrants like himself. One day, the Code leads him through a hidden doorway to a realm where the dead live on as memories. Here he meets famous people from history, cavorting with everyone from Harriet Tubman to John Dillinger.

Guignard has created a fun and unique concept with the Deadeye, or Athanasia, as it’s citizens call it. Athanasia is something of a shadow world, existing right alongside the world of the living. The more widely known and remembered a person was in their life, the stronger they are in the Deadeye, and the longer they will persist. But once a person fades from the collective human memory, they fade from Athanasia as well. Guignard uses Athanasia to explore the concepts of life and death, of creating a personal legacy, and of how we are shaped by the way we are remembered.

Doorways to the Deadeye was selected as a finalist for the 2019 Horror Writers Association Bram Stoker Awards® for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. I have some mixed feelings about this nomination. I absolutely loved this book, but I’m not entirely sure how squarely it falls into the category of horror. There are a few dark concepts, and a bit of violence. I don’t think I would classify it as horror myself though. That being said, Doorways to the Deadeye is a phenomenal novel that certainly deserves recognition. Luke’s tall tales are whimsical and fantastic. The worlds that Guignard builds are wondrous and immersive and full of magic. This one really defies being put into a genre box, with elements of fantasy and adventure and historical fiction, with a little darkness mixed in as well.

My absolute favorite aspect of Guignard’s work is the overall tone. As I mentioned, all of the stories found within the novel are being relayed by King Shaw, a homeless man on his deathbed, to a reporter in 1985. As he spins his yarns, Shaw talks to Daniel about the importance of storytelling and how to captivate an audience. The tone is reminiscent of stories told around a campfire, colorful and lighthearted. Guignard truly captures the spirit of the American tall tale, and that is the real draw of Doorways to the Deadeye.

This is a book that I believe will stick with me for a long time. The love poured into this work is evident. Though not strictly or classically horror, I still strongly recommend reading Doorways to the Deadeye. It is a novel that will make you think and feel, and that is perhaps one of the more important metrics of a good piece of writing. I don’t often reread books, but I get the feeling that this will make another appearance on my nightstand down the line.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $7.95 (Kindle) or $13.39 (Paperback).

[Book Review] The Forever House- Tim Waggoner

Bram Stoker Award winner Tim Waggoner’s newest release The Forever House tells the story of an ancient evil descending upon the quiet, unsuspecting town of Rockridge, Ohio. The Eldreds are a group of sinister, mysterious entities who feed on dark human emotions. They spend their days drifting from place to place, satisfying their hunger. The Eldreds set up shop someplace and lure the nearby humans into their home for a night of psychological and physical torture. When the humans are drained and nothing is left, the satiated creatures move on.

Waggoner’s story focuses on a group of nine neighbors who are set to be the Eldred’s newest victims. Each household has its own particular brand of dysfunction. From gambling addiction to sexual abuse and everything in between, these people have issues. The fact that every character’s relationships are so strained was initially a bit off-putting. It gave the novel a sort of “reality TV” vibe, with all these wild conflicts and no well adjusted, happy relationships. Further into the novel, I realized that this is intentional. The Eldred are drawn to negative human emotion, and picked a place whose inhabitants would feed them well. After making this realization, I became much happier with the characters’ friction.

When it comes to the characters’ personal issues, Waggoner explores some sensitive topics. We see a husband coming to terms with the revelation that his partner is bisexual. We see the strains that financial burdens and selfish decisions can place on a family. The worst of the bunch, however, deals while the sexual abuse of a child. Waggoner does not shy away from this topic. He describes the actions and thoughts of these characters in chilling detail. The graphic portrayal of sexual abuse is something that I feel should be mentioned in this review. Consider that when making a decision about reading this book. Let me be clear, it is not painted in a positive light or glorified at all. It is intrinsic to the plot of the story, and provides additional emotional layers to many scenes.

On the topic of characters, Waggoner displays some fine work. As I mentioned, all of his characters are quite flawed. They each have negative traits and conflicting behaviors. Through his weaving of their stories, Waggoner still manages to make us care for these people. He thoroughly paints them as people. Flawed, maybe even broken, but still generally good. Waggoner’s characterization and character development truly add depth to his story, especially in the final act.

Despite his amazing character work, the true feather in the cap of The Forever House comes in the form of the terrifying antagonists. The Eldreds are downright scary. They are mysterious, powerful, and seem impossible to beat. They’ve been around forever, and have no plans of being defeated anytime soon. The concepts behind their creation, the source of their power, and how they manipulate reality are incredibly unique. Waggoner’s antagonists are just plain cool. In addition to the bad-ass Eldreds themselves, Waggoner showcases amazing imagination in the horrors conjured up for his mostly-innocent victims. The house of horrors is filled with monstrosities of all varieties. You’re never sure just what the rules are, or what will show up next.

The stage and tone are set well in the first act, and the weirdness is dialled up a notch in act two. In the final act, the narrative takes off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t relent until literally the last page. Waggoner’s disturbingly imaginative antagonists and creative cruelties make The Forever House an absolute must for anyone who appreciates psychological horror. Fans of cosmic horror will certainly love the Eldred, though I wouldn’t quite categorize this as cosmic horror itself. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Forever House and dive into a world of nightmarish survival.

You can purchase a copy from Flame Tree Press for $24.95 (hardback), $14.95 (paperback) $6.99 (eBook). Also available through Amazon

[Book Review] Pop the Clutch: Thrilling Tales of Rockabilly, Monsters. And Hot Rod Horror- Edited by Eric J. Guignard

Eric J. Guignard brings us Pop the Clutch, a high octane anthology chock full of fast cars, greasers and movie monsters. Guignard has assembled 18 stories by some truly talented authors. This is such a fun collection. We’ve got movie monsters, rockabilly stars, drag races and so much more. Each story brings to life the classic feel of the 50s and mixes in a unique brand of weird horror magic. While there isn’t much in the way of truly scary material, you’re guaranteed to love this rockin’ anthology. Out of the 18 included stories, I liked half of them and absolutely loved the other half. There was not a single story here that just didn’t do it for me. Narrowing down this selection was not an easy task, but I’ve highlighted my top three stories.

Before I get into the top three, I have to say a few words about the illustrations. Each story is illustrated with an ink drawing by artist Steve Chanks. These illustrations really brought home the anthology. I truly believe the tone wouldn’t have been as successful as it was if not for Chanks’ work. Plus, they just look bad-ass. I’ve included the illustrations for my top three stories below. They were each created and are owned by Steve Chanks. Check out his website here.

My Top Three

I’m with the Band- Steve Perry: The abusive lead singer of a greaser rock band meets a shocking end in this quick, but devious story. Told from the perspective of Cecil, the underappreciated roadie, Perry’s story is wonderfully clever.

Mystery Train: An Arcane Investigation- Max Allan Collins & Matthew V. Clemens: When the inexplicable occurs deep within the Florida Everglades, we are introduced to a mysterious team of investigators who take the case. The premise and setup behind this story are intriguing, and beg to be further explored. Collins and Clemens leave you wanting more of this strange team of supernatural investigators.

I Was a Teenage Shroom Fiend- Brian Hodge: Hodge takes us to the end of an era, where we meet Maddox, the last greaser in a town full of hippies. In an attempt to break into a new drug dealing market, Maddox discovers a very rare mushroom growing in an unusual place. When he gives out the shrooms across town, the unbelievable happens. Hodge captures the fading glory of the 50s through the lense of the last clinger-on to the lifestyle. The cherry on top is Hodge’s nod in his closing paragraphs to Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Honorable Mentions

Outlawed Ink- Jason Starr: Ray is the outcast of his family, mostly because he’s not an amoral psychopath. Then the death of his father reunites him with his long-estranged brother. The two decide to get tattoos at a special tattoo parlor, and things take a peculiar turn.

The Starlite Drive-In- John M. Floyd: A small town sheriff is investigating a series of grisly murders. His investigation leads him to the old abandoned Starlite Drive-In. Obviously, things get weird. Floyd’s story reads like a love letter to classic creature features.

Dr. Morbismo’s InsaniTERRORium Horror Show- Lisa Morton: Welcome to Dr. Moribismo’s Morbismo’s InsaniTERRORium Horror Show, where you’ll see all manner of things supernatural and spooky! But, of course it’s all just a show… right? Morton crafts a fun, thematic tale with an emotional climax and an unexpected ending.

Though I’ve picked a few favorites, this entire collection deserves accolades. There’s not a single dud to be found here. Guignard has expertly chosen and arranged these tales to be varied and keep things fresh. It’s clear that every author included poured pure passion into writing their stories. Hopefully, they had as much fun writing them as I did reading them.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $7.19 (Kindle), or $17.95 (paperback).

[Book Review] Ashley’s Tale- Mike Duke

Reviewer’s Note: Ashley’s Tale is part one of the Ashley’s Tale Trilogy. I’ll be reviewing each part separately. Check back later for my review of Book 2: Making Jake and Book 3: The Initiation.

In the first and namesake book of the Ashley’s Tale trilogy, we are thrust right into the action with the abduction of Ashley Wendell. Immediately you can tell that the abductor isn’t a run-of-the-mill criminal. The way he talks and things he says are different. The man takes Ashley to a remote location where he begins submitting her to a series of brutal events.

The plot of Ashley’s Tale is certainly not what I expected. Rather than the classic revenge tale that I was expecting, Duke takes the story in a whole different direction. In such a short novella, it’s hard to discuss much without giving away key elements of the plot. But I can certainly say that this story was far from what I was expecting, in a very good way. Perhaps the most captivating and different aspect of Ashley’s Tale is the overarching theme. Many horror stories are tales of normal people struggling through a terrible situation and barely surviving, often by luck. Ashley’s Tale is a story of personal growth, strength, and overcoming adversity. While the situation is incredibly dark, the themes portrayed are those of hope, persistence, and inner strength.

Another markedly interesting aspect is the inclusion of a lot of self-defense, fighting and survival knowledge. Without making the story seem like an instruction manual, Duke displays his extensive knowledge on the subjects. It adds a depth of realism to the narrative.

Ashley’s Tale is a quick read with no lulls or wasted space. Every scene advances the story and adds valuably to the narrative. With an expert balancing of adrenaline-pumping action and character development, Duke has crafted an intense experience. With an ending that leaves you craving more, I can’t wait to check out the next two books in the series.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon for $4.99 (Kindle) or $5.99 (Paperback). Also available free with Kindle Unlimited.