Posts Tagged ‘review’

Review: “You Like It Darker” by Stephen King

Posted: June 12, 2024 in Review, Scary Stuff
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My copy of You Like It Darker from the library.

I was not a fan of Stephen King’s last collection (you can read my review here). However, I am ever the optimist when it comes to King’s work, and the sound of his latest collection, You Like It Darker, got me excited. I mean, it even had a sequel to Cujo in it! Why wouldn’t I check it out?

And tonight, on the night before it’s due back at the library, I finished it. So, what did I think?

I think this is a much better collection and a finer example of King’s storytelling than If It Bleeds was.

The strongest stories in the collection are four of the novellas. “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” possibly my favorite of the bunch, is a tense thriller about a man’s life unraveling after he has a nightmare and he does a good deed based on that dream. Honestly, it’s hard not to fall in love with the lead and want to find out if things get better for him or go further downhill. “Rattlesnakes,” the sequel to Cujo, starts out slow but quickly becomes a freaky ghost story that I thoroughly enjoyed once it got going. “The Dreamers” feels like an updated version of HP Lovecraft’s “From Beyond,” and I would love to see a movie version of it.

As for the final novella and the final story of the collection, “The Answer Man,” it’s King’s fantastical literary style of storytelling at its finest, and (surprisingly) left me with a warm feeling in my heart.

As for the short stories, “On Slide Inn Road” is a fun tribute to Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (and delivers on the “darker” part of the book’s title), and “The Turbulence Expert” feels fresh while also like classic King. “Laurie,” which I’ve read before, is a fine story about grief and finding new life, and “The Fifth Step” and “Willie the Weirdo,” while not anything amazing, had some fun twists I enjoyed.

Unfortunately, the book has some duds. “Two Talented Bastids,” the opening novella of the collection, was a total letdown for me, which is sad because it had a strong start. The short story “Finn” felt like a crime thriller that never got around to thrilling anyone, and “The Red Screen” felt like it needed a few more pages to deliver on its premise.

However, like I said, You Like It Darker is a much better collection of King stories. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this collection a 4.2. If you don’t mind the duds, you’ll probably enjoy this one, and feel like you’re reading one of King’s older collections again. So, if you haven’t already, go out and grab a copy.

In the meantime, I’ll be picking up my next read from the library tomorrow. It might even be my next review. And from what I’m hearing, it’ll be worth reading…

Review: “The Ballad of Black Tom” by Victor LaValle

Posted: February 18, 2024 in Novella, Review, Scary Stuff
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I’ve been hearing of this novella for years, but for some reason I haven’t gotten around to reading it until recently. However, recently I felt an itch to indulge in some cosmic horror and the audio book was on sale, so I downloaded it and listened to it.

Followers of Fear, why did I wait so long to check this out? It was awesome! I can see why it was nominated for a Stoker award.

Set in 1924 New York and based on “The Horror at Red Hook” by HP Lovecraft, the novella follows Tommy Tester, a black man living in Harlem with his father, trying to get by as best he can. When he’s asked to play guitar at a dinner party for an eccentric gentleman named Robert Suydam, Tommy finds himself plunging headfirst into a world of magic, insanity, and cosmic forces. Such exposure will not only change his life, but the lives of all humanity.

If you’re not familiar with “The Horror at Red Hook,” this story was written when Lovecraft was living in New York, and, because he’s Lovecraft, he characterizes the non-white characters, many of whom live in Red Hook, as criminals and gangsters. This story is sort of a rebuttal of that, showing things mainly through the eyes of one of the people whom Lovecraft would have disdained. This allows for a great examination of cosmic horror versus the horrors of racism as seen through the eyes of Tommy Tester, later known as Black Tom. As he notes, the indifference of cosmic horror cannot compare to the malice and cruelty of racism, though both are equally horrifying in their own rights.

Beside that, it’s just a well-written and compelling story. You really grow to understand Tommy and sympathize with him, and can’t blame him when he makes certain choices later in the book. Not only that, but the emotional power of this story cannot be underestimated. One scene involving Tommy’s father was so heartbreaking, I wanted to pick up the phone and call my own dad just to check on him. That’s strong storytelling right there.

I also liked how part of the novel was shown through the eyes of Malone, the main character in “Horror at Red Hook.” Here’s, he’s written more as a character than just some vehicle for Lovecraft to transmit his purplish prose through, and he’s not unlikeable, though he’s still subject to the same prejudices that a lot of people back then unfortunately had. His role in the story is also more consequential, which is a nice change, and his final fate is a terrifying but welcome change from the original story.

On the whole, I give The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle a straight 5 out of 5. I cannot find anything wrong with this story and I’m so glad I finally experienced it. If you’re at all interested, grab a copy, put on some jazz or blues, and give it a read. Trust me, you won’t regret checking it out.

Also, the audio book has my recommendation. The narrator, Kevin R. Free, does a great job with the various voices and the sharp prose. It’s enough that you’ll want him to narrate something you’ve written. That, ladies and gentlemen, is talent.

Review: “Gone But Not Forgotten” by Iseult Murphy

Posted: December 28, 2023 in Novella, Review, Scary Stuff
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Iseult Murphy has been a friend and Follower of Fear since Rose came out, and I have always enjoyed not just hearing what she thought of my stories, but having conversations with her through blog comments, social media and email. But Iseult is not just a friend or a Follower of Fear. She’s a fellow horror author, and she recently put out a new novella, Gone But Not Forgotten. It sounded interesting and I’m very into authors supporting other authors, so I got a copy.

For someone who has Halloween every day in my soul, this was a good choice.

Taking place on Halloween in Ireland, Gone But Not Forgotten follows widow Mere as she goes to visit her friend and neighbor Bill, a widower who lost his wife Donna about a year ago. Bill has been having a rather rough go of it, as he’s seeing Donna everywhere. As it turns out, Mere can see her, too. And Donna’s not resting peacefully.

What I liked most about Gone But Not Forgotten was that it did not go in the direction I expected. When you’ve been reading horror as long as I have, you get good at guessing plot developments. But I did not see the development that occurred midway through the novella, and which really changed my outlook of the story. I won’t say what it was, because spoilers, but it was worth the read.

I also liked Mere as a protagonist. She’s sweet and a bit naive for her age, but I found her quite endearing as a person and was rooting for her throughout the story.

If there was one thing I would have liked more, I thought there could have been a bit more danger and violence to the story. Things were a bit too calm for my tastes. As it is, the levels of violence and threat put things more in line with cozy horror, which I’m sure many would enjoy. But it just wasn’t enough for me.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I’m going to give Gone But Not Forgotten by Iseult Murphy a 4.5. If you’re looking to feel that Halloween spirit at any time of year, this is a good novella to go with. Have some brack bread and an amaretto sour and pick up a copy today.*

*Irish barmbrack, or just brack, is a type of bread eaten in Ireland around Halloween. People would often put little things like rings or toys in it to tell fortunes. It features in the story, as do amaretto sours, which Mere drinks during the story.

And next Halloween, I’m definitely going to attempt to make a barmbrack bread. The amaretto sour, I’m not so sure. I already have a favorite cocktail.

Review: “All Hallows” by Christopher Golden

Posted: October 21, 2023 in Review, Scary Stuff
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Around this time of year, you want to read something that practically screams jack-o-lanterns and chilly air and people running around in costumes. So, when I heard about All Hallows by Christopher Golden earlier this year, I knew this would be my audio book for October.

Taking place in the mid-1980s in Coventry, Massachusetts, the majority of the story is set on Parmenter Road and in the woods beyond. Here, Halloween is a big thing. The Barbossa’s turn the woods behind their house into a haunted attraction that attracts plenty of people every year; the Koenigs have a huge costume party for the whole neighborhood; and, of course, every kid is excited about trick or treating.

But despite the excitement in the air, there’s a dark undercurrent to it all. Marriages are coming undone, kids are feeling the tensions, teens are in a weird in-between state where they’re not quite kids and not quite adults, and a dozen other things are happening in the background. And then, in the midst of it all, strange children in old costumes are walking up and down Parmenter Road, asking for help. They say they are in trouble, that the Cunning Man is after them, and they need to hide until midnight.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have a new classic in Halloween literature.

All Hallows is so well told. The first several chapters, rather than focusing on anything outright scary like other horror stories, spends its time setting up the characters and their various problems. Tony Barbossa, Vanessa Montez, Barb Sweeney, Rick Barbossa, and many more. We all get to know these characters intimately before Halloween truly gets started, and the telling is so well done, you don’t even mind that nothing scary has occurred yet.

And when the scary stuff does start, it’s almost like the beginning of a storm. At first, it’s only a few drops here and there. Then you get a nice drizzle going on, and then before you know it, there’s an all-out thunderstorm of horror, making the last couple hours of the book quite the read, with violence and great twists and scary imagery.

Also, the audio book narrators, John Butler and January LaVoy, do a great job bringing the characters to life and giving each one a unique voice.

My one gripe is that I felt the mythology behind what we’re seeing could have been explained a bit better. The delivery for some information was delivered weirdly and all at once, and for one character, I felt like not enough was given.

Overall, All Hallows by Christopher Golden is sure to become a staple for this time of year. On a scale of 1 to 5, I’m assigning a 4.7 to the novel. Grab a copy, sit back while wearing a spooky costume, and be sure to give it a read.

Review: “Man, Fuck This House” by Brian Asman

Posted: August 15, 2023 in Novella, Review, Scary Stuff
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So, in case you’re wondering, yes, this is a real book, and this is the actual title. Yes, I know, it’s hard to believe. My own mother sent me a meme featuring the book’s Amazon page and how it was the perfect title, thinking it was a fake page. She was so surprised that it was a real book and there’s a Netflix movie in the works, though she wasn’t too surprised to hear that I knew the author.

Anyway, Man, Fuck This House has been on my TBR list for a while, but I haven’t been able to get to it till recently. And with only 158 pages, it was a quick read. But was it a good one? Well, keep reading and find out.

Man, Fuck This House follows the Haskinses, a stereotypical nuclear family with some friction underneath the surface who move from Columbus, Ohio (yay, my home!) to the quiet neighborhood of Jackson Hill out west and to a beautiful new home. However, the house is more than just a pretty structure of timbers and aluminum siding, and it starts to reach out to the family. To communicate. To even terrify them!

So, this book was really funny. From the first couple of pages, I was laughing at the antics of the Haskins family. Most of it is told from the POV of mom and housewife Sabrina, who fully admits to herself that she’s not entirely satisfied with her life, that her husband Hal is kind of dimwitted, and who is terrified that her son is secretly evil (hence why she named him Damien). Speaking of which, Damien’s pretty funny, too: he’s an intelligent old soul who enjoys messing with his mom, though he does go through some growth in the story as well.

I also loved the narration of the story. The plot’s a mostly stereotypical haunted house story, with some twists and references to other haunted house tales (anyone else remember watching Monster House as a kid?). But it’s told in such a funny fashion, you find yourself laughing and enjoying how the author plays with the tropes and typical structure of such stories.

My one gripe is that the book was maybe too short. I mean, I bought it because I needed something short to read, but I feel the story could have gone on a bit longer and still be as funny. We might have even gotten some more character development from Hal and daughter Michaela that way.

But all told, this was a fun, funny, light horror-comedy. On a scale of 1 to 5, I’m giving Man, Fuck This House by Brian Asman a 4.8 out of 5. If you’re looking for something of the funnier variety in your horror that doesn’t use too-crude humor, this is the book for you.

Just make sure you respect and take care of your own house before, during, and after reading, okay? Your lifespan will thank you for it.

13 Movie Recommendations for Spooky Season This Year

Posted: July 29, 2023 in Review, Scary Stuff
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As you are no doubt aware, we’re less than a hundred days till Halloween. With that in mind, you’re probably doing all sorts of preparations for the spooky season. This obviously includes what scary movies you’ll be watching this year.

Back in 2020, I did a recommendation list of lesser known horror films that many Followers of Fear found helpful. Why I waited three years to do another one, I don’t know, but I came up with a strong list of films you crazy horror fans might enjoy adding to your queue this year.

Keep in mind, I will be focusing mostly on lesser known horror films, as the very well-known ones don’t really need a recommendation. Chances are, you’ve probably seen the well-known ones anyway. So, since we horror nuts love finding new material, let’s get on with it!

Ghostwatch (1992)

A BBC team of journalists investigate a supposedly haunted house on Halloween night, broadcasting it live to the nation. At first, things are calm and there’s even evidence that the hauntings aren’t real. However, as the special continues, supernatural events not only begin to plague the family and journalists in the house, but in the BBC studio and in the homes of viewers.

Or at least, that’s what many people thought was happening. In reality, this special was filmed beforehand and was technically a TV movie. It even listed the name of the movie series it was part of and the name of the writer at the beginning of the special. However, many who caught the special missed this notice, and, possibly because some of the BBC’s most trusted names were part of the “investigation,” believed the events portrayed were real. The thousands of ensuing complaints, plus the death of a young man with intellectual disabilities who believed his home was haunted after watching the special, led to the BBC apologizing and never airing the special again.

That being said, Ghostwatch is available on Blu-Ray and streaming, and it is a fascinating watch. Even if you weren’t around in 1992 or have no idea who these people are, it is amazing to place yourself in the shoes of the audience and see how masterfully they were led to believe that the events portrayed were real. If you can, go check it out. I placed it at the top of this list for a reason.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Portrayed as a documentary, Hell House LLC covers the case of a haunted house attraction that, on opening night in October, resulted in the deaths of numerous guests and most of the staff. As the documentary team tries to piece together what happened from newly discovered footage, they make a terrifying discovery about the site where the tragedy occurred. Namely, not everything is what it seems there.

Honestly, this film is absolutely unsettling. The news report about the tragedy at the beginning of the film gives it a sense of realism, and the numerous strange events in the building give everything this sense of encroaching evil. The scenes with the creepy clown mannequin and the last scene in Paul’s bedroom are among the scariest I’ve seen from a found footage movie in a while, and it’s not surprising that it’s built a following. Highly recommended if you want a good, creepy found footage horror film. You can stream it for free on YouTube.

Also, there are two sequels, but they’re more about explaining things than actually scaring the crap out of you, so I’m avoiding them.

Lake Mungo (2008)

Man, there are a lot of fake documentaries this year. Must be how effective they are at seeming real. Anyway, in this Australian film, a family deals with the mysterious drowning death of their daughter and what they think might be her spirit trying to contact them. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s both a poignant story of a family dealing with grief as well as a surprising ghost story. There are moments I still play over and over when I watch this movie because they’re that good. Definitely don’t miss this one.

The Offering (2023 film)

A new addition to the growing catalog of Jewish horror, this film follows a young Jewish man and his pregnant, non-Jewish wife as they go to reconcile with the former’s heavily religious father. However, the family is being plagued by a dangerous entity, one that seeks to harm the couple’s baby. And not everyone might survive.

While somewhat uneven in scares and storytelling, it is still a tense and scary film with plenty of moments to freak you out. It’s also a very sad story about what it means to be a family and to be a parent, to grieve for loss and to take responsibility for lives other than your own. If you’re not squeamish about children and pregnant women being targeted by evil in a horror story, I highly recommend it.

Candyman (1992 and 2021)

I’m including both films here as one entry, as I think they make a great double feature if you watch them together and they just really compliment each other. Anyway, you know these films: the spirit of an African American painter who was horribly murdered by white men and became a Bloody Mary figure wreaks havoc every time someone says his name five times in the mirror.

The first film follows grad student Helen Lyle as she does research on the urban legend on the Candyman. The reboot/sequel follows a painter who discovers a variation of the legend and brings it into his art. Both lead to carnage and to the evolution of the legend. Both films are amazing pieces that have their own mood and aesthetic that are fascinating to watch. Definitely view them together if you can.

The Innkeepers (2011)

Ti West has made a name for himself as a director of horror films, and this artsy piece is definitely one not to miss. Set at the very real (and allegedly very haunted) Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut, it follows two employees running the hotel and trying to document its alleged hauntings during the hotel’s last weekend of operations.

A slow burn of a horror movie, it has some terrifying imagery and scares that make you want to rewatch the scares just to see how they do it. It also makes you want to find out more about the inn and maybe visit it yourself. Or is that just me? Well, if it is, this is a fun and creepy ghost story that you would probably enjoy as part of your horror movie marathon. Especially if you need a break from the more pee-your-pants horror films.

Terrifier (2016)

Two girls going out for fun on Halloween night come across Art the Clown, a silent, psychotic murderer with a penchant for humor in his torture.

That’s it. That’s the movie. But what a movie it is! A splatterpunk slasher that does not shy away from showing the blood and guts and gore, it’s elevated above a Saw knockoff by Art, whose enigmatic nature and almost humorous approach to life and death make him almost mesmerizing to watch. For people who aren’t into gore and violence for violence sake, I would avoid this one. But if you are at all curious, I would at least check it out. Just don’t blame me if the hacksaw scene turns you off.

Terrifier 2 (2022)

Art’s back, and he’s out for more blood. Only this time, he’s on a collision path with a high schooler who seems to have a strange, almost psychic connection to Art. And when they meet, it’ll be a battle of good vs. evil for the ages.

When this film came out, there were reports of people fainting or throwing up in the theaters during shows of Terrifier 2. Honestly, I can believe it. There are some seriously sick scenes, especially in the first half of the film. However. it’s also a fascinating story of two siblings dealing with grief and growing up, finding themselves and learning to be strong and adults in the face of pure evil. It’s a tough film to get through, but I’m honestly glad I sat down and watched it. And I hope that when Part 3 comes out, I can actually see it in theaters.

Scream VI (2023)

The latest and probably the most brutal entry in the Scream franchise takes us to New York City, where a new Ghostface killer goes after the Carpenter siblings and their friends. And you would think being in a crowded city, rather than in a small town, a college campus or on a movie set would help. But really, no matter where you are, Ghostface is going to come for you.

While I’m not a big fan of the final twist, I thought the film was well done. The action and tension are master class, and the film’s story continues to bring the mystery and guessing game we’ve come to expect from the Scream movies. I say check it out if you’re looking for a good modern slasher.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

Our final fake documentary, The Poughkeepsie Tapes presents itself as a true crime documentary of a serial killer who films his kills on VHS tapes.

And God, does this film feel real! Between not shying away from the violence and psychological terror of its subject matter, as well as its masterful use of amateur actors to play “expert witnesses,” it’s almost too easy to believe in this film. Even if you don’t, it’s one of the scariest films I’ve seen in a while. If you’re going in, good luck. You’re going to need it.

The Uninvited (1944)

Our only classic film on this list, The Uninvited follows two siblings who purchase a seaside house in England, only to find out that ghosts are haunting the house. And that these ghosts have a connection to a local girl named Stella, who is obsessed with the house.

Honestly, it’s a very fun film and has held up very well since its release. While I’m not sure modern audiences would find it spooky, there’s some great storytelling and atmosphere in the movie that makes it very entertaining to watch. If you’re looking to ease yourself or someone else into spooky season and all the horror out there, this is a good film to go with.

The Changeling (1980)

A grieving widower moves into an old house after losing his wife and daughter in a tragic accident. He soon discovers the house is haunted by a powerful entity, and this spirit won’t be held back by a little thing like death.

While some things about this film haven’t aged well, others are just as terrifying as they were in 1980. Anyone who has seen the sequences with the red ball, the séance, or the wheelchair know what I’m talking about. It gets even scarier when you find out the film was based on things the writer supposedly experienced while renting a haunted house a few years prior. Definitely worth including in your spooky season rotation.

Talk to Me (2023)

The only entry on this list that’s still in theaters, it follows several teens who play a game with an embalmed hand trapped in plaster. When you hold it like giving a handshake and say “Talk to me,” it allows you to communicate and even become briefly possessed by the dead. However, one night playing the game takes things to a scary new extreme, and these kids learn what happens when you play with fire.

I wouldn’t call it the scariest film of the year, as others have said, and I did think the second half got slightly predictable and less scary. However, it is an enjoyable horror film, with an emphasis on emotion and storytelling over gore or special effects, and an amazing cast. If you can, get your butts to the theaters and check out Talk to Me.

So, there you go, my Followers of Fear. Thirteen horror movies for your eyeballs to gorge on this spooky season. I hope you enjoy them and let me know what you think, as well as what films you think are necessary viewing this year.

Until next time, my Followers of Fear, good night, pleasant viewing, and even more pleasant nightmares.

The Review That Shook Me

Posted: July 26, 2023 in Novel, Review, Scary Stuff, Writing
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How many of you follow booktubers?

If you don’t know what those are, they’re YouTubers who mostly review books. There’s a whole bunch of them devoted to horror. I’ve been following one for a while now. Pax Panic. She was funny, she was enthusiastic, she loved horror and you could tell that, even though her channel was small, it would grow.

I say “was” because she passed earlier this year. Some time ago, she announced she had cancer and was undergoing treatment. I, and the rest of her following, rallied around her, offered her our support. I think there might have been a fundraiser for medical costs, but I’m not sure. Anyway, she went through treatment, and we hoped that was the end of it. But we soon learned that the treatment didn’t take, and she posted that she only had a few months to live.

Obviously, we were upset. We kept watching her and supporting her.

And then a few months ago, her husband posted that she’d passed. And just writing it, I’m feeling a little teary. I don’t get teary-eyed often, but I feel like crying just typing this. She was an amazing person, and it fucking sucks that she had to die so young.

Anyway, her husband said that she recorded a bunch of videos prior to her treatment and death, and that he would be uploading them in her memory. Which I and her other followers appreciated.

And today, a video was uploaded to her channel, a video with reviews of multiple books. One of the books was The Pure World Comes. My Gothic horror novel.

I’ve posted the video below. If you want to watch just her review, it’s from 3:12 to 5:52.

Followers of Fear, I was not expecting this. I sent her a review copy of The Pure World Comes a while ago, and she left a review on Goodreads, and I thought that was that. I never expected that she would include it in a video, let alone one after her death. And she delivered it full of such love for the story and for the concept and how I played with both the Gothic elements and the Victorian elements and the scientific elements.

I appreciate all my reviews (except for ones like the one from a troll who wanted to make fun of me over something in my biography). But this one had me shook emotionally. It was so sweet and unexpected and it really hit me emotionally. These videos always make me feel a little sad, because Pax is no longer with us, but this one…it just amplified both my sadness and my gratitude. Hands down, one of the best reviews I’ve ever received for one of my stories.

Pax, wherever you are, thank you. This meant so much to me. I miss you, and I hope that right now, you’re reading all the scary stories you can dream of.

If you’re at all interested, I highly recommend checking out Pax’s channel and her other videos. She left a lot of material and there’s probably going to be more in the weeks and months to come. It’ll be heartbreaking, but it’ll be worth watching.

And if you’re at all interested in checking out The Pure World Comes after watching Pax’s review, I’ll include links before. For those unfamiliar, it’s a Gothic horror story about a maid in Victorian England who goes to work for a mad scientist. As Pax said, it’s got Gothic with Frankenstein mixed into it.

And if you like what you read, please leave a review online. Positive or negative, I love reader feedback, and it helps me and other readers as well.

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’m still kind of shook, but I’m taking it in stride. I’ll also be heading to bed soon. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.

The Pure World Comes: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, Goodreads, Audible, Chirp, BingeBooks, LIbro.Fm, Storytel, Palace Marketplace, Hoopla, Vivlio, Smashwords, Thalia, Scribd, Spotify

Review: “Tombs” by Junji Ito

Posted: April 27, 2023 in Review, Scary Stuff
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You know the drill. Junji Ito, currently the biggest name in horror manga right now, released a new collection of short manga in North America. I got my hands on a copy from the library, read it, and now I’m reviewing it.

In Tombs, Ito brings together some old and some new stories to terrify us. From a town where tombstones show up wherever someone dies, to a strange neighbor who calls to a young man at night and a town where everyone appears to be anemic, there’s something for everyone in this collection. And all of it is guaranteed to stick in your mind.

This was probably the most solid collection of Ito’s shorts that I’ve read. Not a bad one among the group. Obviously, Ito’s art is always well-done and extremely evocative, with every line made to scare the ever-living daylights to you. And the ideas of these stories are all very inventive. I often found myself envying some of the ideas he had to come up with these stories, my favorites being the titular story “Tombs,” as well as “The Bloody Story of Shirosuna.” The former story is the one I mentioned where tombstones show up whenever someone dies, while the latter is the one about the town being anemic.

Close runner-ups were “Floaters,” a story where people’s inner thoughts manifest physically as these little hairballs that float in the air and speak your thoughts when you touch them, and “Bronze Statue,” which follows an old woman’s obsession with her youth and commemorating it in bronze.

It was also great to finally read “The Window Next Door,” which I’ve only heard about and have never read (I didn’t want to read it illegally online). That particular story has some of the most disgusting and off-putting art I’ve seen from Ito, all without using blood or gore.

The only issue I really had with the collection was that the story “Clubhouse,” which is a ghost story with a fun and clever concept, ended a bit too abruptly for my tastes. I honestly felt like it could have had a better resolution if it had a few more pages. That being said, the story is still pretty awesome as it is.

All in all, Tombs by Junji Ito is a great collection with some amazing and creepy stories worth reading. On a scale of 1 to 5, I’m going to give it an even 5, a top score. Definitely go out and read a copy if you can get your hands on it. Hell, I might buy myself a copy to own if the opportunity presents itself. It’s that good.

Also, I think “The Bloody Story of Shirosuna” would make a great live-action movie. Can someone please get on it? And yes, please do live action, not anime. I’ve sort of given up on anime adapting Junji Ito well (two series have been really sub-par and the Uzumaki adaptation has been delayed forever, so what does that tell you?). And don’t make an American version of it, I’m sure that would ruin it by adding all the wrong elements to make it more local. But yes, please make a live-action adaptation of it.

Alright, that’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!

Review: “Gothic” by Philip Fracassi

Posted: April 18, 2023 in Novel, Review, Scary Stuff
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I’ve been hearing about Philip Fracassi here and there for a little while now and was curious to try one of his stories. One or two of his books have even made it onto my TBR list. This one became available to me on Audible, so I snapped it up. And today, while cooking dinner, I finished the audio version of Gothic. Obviously, I have to share my thoughts.

Gothic follows Tyson Parks, a middle-aged horror author who was a big seller in the 90s but hasn’t turned out a hit since and needs one to stay afloat. It doesn’t help that he pitched one book to a publisher and turned in something entirely different to his agent. However, when his wife gets him a new writing desk for his birthday, one with a black stone top and lots of terrifying designs in the wood, he finds himself inspired to write something dark and violent. However, this inspiration, and the source of it, turns him dark and violent as well. And that’s because the desk isn’t just a desk. It’s something old and evil. And it has a terrible purpose in mind for Tyson.

I liked Fracassi’s writing style. He goes into the trials and troubles of a writer, especially one with bills, with both realism and a strong sense of humor. Not to mention, the story itself is dark and intriguing, moving along at a steady clip as you watch Tyson’s descent and how those he loves are pulled along for the ride. Honestly, there were some parts that made me cringe when I read them, they were just so brutal.

And the source of the horror, the writing desk, is a pretty cool concept. Yeah, at first glance it sounds like Christine gone silly, but the damn thing’s scary in more than just looks. Especially as it begins to exert a stronger and stronger influence on Tyson. And in the last fifth or so, elements of In the Mouth of Madness are incorporated, which I enjoyed.

That being said, I was disappointed by the ending. I thought it felt rushed, like Fracassi was trying to meet the same deadline as his character, and he just slapped on an ending that wouldn’t require another ten to twenty thousand words. Part of me wonders if the intention is to give this story a sequel where some of the plot threads are wrapped up and the desk’s influence can be further explored, but I don’t know if that was the intention.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I’m giving Gothic by Philip Fracassi an even 4. With plenty of pain and horror, it’s an entertaining read and worth taking a look at.

Just don’t read it near any antique desks. And if you do, make sure you have the desk’s history and you’re sure it’s not dangerous before you do.

Review: “How to Sell a Haunted House” by Grady Hendrix

Posted: March 27, 2023 in Novel, Review, Scary Stuff
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Two posts in one day. My Followers of Fear, you either did something very good in your past life or very bad. Either way, I finished Grady Hendrix’s latest novel on audio book today, so I’m going to review it here.

How to Sell a Haunted House follows Louise Joyner, a mother of a five-year-old who has a complicated relationship with her family. When her parents die unexpectedly, she flies from San Francisco to Charleston to take care of their estate and put them to rest. However, things are complicated by her younger brother Mark, whose lifestyle and choices puts him in conflict with Louise from day one. As the two argue like children and try to get the estate settled, they soon find that something malevolent is alive within their childhood home. And unless they get their shit together, it may claim not just the both of them, but Louise’s little girl.

The amazing thing about Grady Hendrix is that he can take a concept that sounds ridiculous on paper and write a whole novel out of it that’s both darkly comic and quite terrifying. From an IKEA knockoff built on the grounds of a former prison, to a teenage girl becoming possessed in 1980s-saturated Charleston, he just makes it work. And it’s no different here. Honestly, I found myself laughing quite a bit listening to Mark and Louise act like me and my sisters at our worst times ten. And as you get further in and see just how dysfunctional this family is, you find yourself glad you’re not part of the same family.*

And when you figure out who/what is going to be the main antagonist of the story, you find yourself laughing…only to see how terrifying said antagonist is. And as you see episodes from Louise and Mark’s childhoods and adulthoods that formed them as people, you see elements as these moments come back to literally haunt them in their parents’ homes. It’s freaky, and there were actually times I found myself wincing or shuddering as I listened to these moments.

And underneath all the darkness and comedy, you get some great themes about the effects of generational trauma on family and family dynamics, about learning to deal with death (and explain it to children), and what family actually is. It’s heavy stuff.

I do have some problems with the book, however. I did see a certain twist regarding the antagonist very early on, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I also thought the resolution of the climax could have been a bit darker and might have ended too sweetly. And I would have liked to see Mark and Louise explore and resolve their issues a bit more. I feel like during the last third of the book, a lot of stuff was skipped over so the novel could reach its end.

But all in all, How to Sell a Haunted House is another awesome release from Grady Hendrix, whom I’m sure will only continue to grow in stature as a storyteller. On a scale of 1 to 5, I award his latest outing a 4.2 out of 5. It’s funny, creepy, and an all-around thrilling story. Grab a copy, settle down, and get ready to either feel grateful for your own family or feel like you’re reading about your relatives (it’s either one or the other, for better or for worse).

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. Until next time (which will be sometime before the week is done), good night and pleasant nightmares.

*I actually texted my own sisters to let them know how much I loved them and was glad we got along despite our childhood rivalries and disagreements. They were touched, as well as concerned about me because I was sending that text. Anyway, that’s how I reacted to this family’s malfunction.

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