Rachel Harrison continues to impress me, and the fact that I enjoyed Bad Dolls so much says a lot! Short fiction isn’t typically my format of choice, but after the great time I had with both the author’s novels The Return and Cackle, I thought it worthwhile to give her horror story collection a try when I was offered an early listening copy from Penguin Audio. And I’m so glad I did.
Reply Hazy, Try Again
This first story follows an indecisive young woman who impulsively buys a Magic 8 ball from a flea market. At first, our protagonist treats the whole thing like a joke, posing random advice-seeking questions to the toy just to see the replies she’ll get. Soon though, the ball appears to take on a mind of its own, one that impossibly seems to know more than it should.
As creepy as this all sounds, the story is actually quite light on horror and more focused on human drama, touching upon subjects like work, life, and relationships. The idea behind it is very unique though, and I liked that there was a strong paranormal or uncanny element.
Bachelorette
This was perhaps my favorite story of the collection. “If I’d been told in advance about the blood sacrifice, I would have made up an excuse not to attend the bachelorette party.” Best first line ever! Our main character Natalie is invited to the bachelorette party of her childhood best friend, Haley. The two women have always been close, but ever since Haley moved away for college and made new friends, Natalie has started worrying about them drifting apart. So when one of Haley’s sorority sisters rents a beautiful rustic cottage for the bachelorette weekend, Natalie makes a valiant effort to participate in all the activities and pretend she is enjoying herself for Haley’s sake, even though she feels like an outsider the entire time. Still, even best friends have their limits, and there are definitely lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
Many of Rachel Harrison’s stories are centered on female friendships, and this tale was no exception, looking at the evolution of relationships and how people’s lives change over time. Lots of complex feelings explored in this one too, especially the main character’s insecurities and personal fears. Plenty of humor was involved, and the relatability of Natalie’s voice also made this story very easy to get into, helped by the amazing performance of the audiobook narrator.
Goblin
A woman and her friend decide to try out a trendy new app that claims to be able to help them with their dieting goals, except our main character is someone who has recently recovered from an eating disorder. Supposedly, this app works by summoning an adorable little goblin-like mascot to give you encouragement anytime you need a bit of motivation or moral support. Our protagonist thinks there must be something seriously wrong with her app though, since her goblin turns out to be a nasty piece of work.
I struggled a bit with this one, trying to wrap my head around the basic concept. In the end, I liked it, but it’s also the perfect example of a short story that could have greatly benefited from being longer, just so the ideas and the world and the characters could have been more fleshed out.
Bad Dolls
In this story, a woman returns to her hometown following the death of her little sister to be closer to her family. After going through and tidying up the things in the room that she is renting, she finds a mysterious old porcelain doll which no one seems to know to whom it belonged or where it came from.
Out of the offerings in this collection, this tale had the closest feel to a traditional horror story. Dolls have always creeped me out, so this one definitely gave me chills. Like “Goblin”, I think “Bad Dolls” could have been longer, simply because there’s enough content here beyond the horror aspects to warrant a full-length novel, such as the depth of themes involved like family, grief, and sacrifice.
All told though, I highly recommend this collection, whether you’re an existing fan of Rachel Harrison or are completely new to her work. Normally, I wouldn’t suggest starting with an author’s short stories but I’m making an exception with this book because, short as they are, the tales within are a very good reflection of Harrison’s knack for storytelling and her fun twists on horror. Everything she writes is now a must-read for me.
Rachel Harrison continues to impress me, and the fact that I enjoyed Bad Dolls so much says a lot! Short fiction isn’t typically my format of choice, but after the great time I had with both the author’s novels The Return and Cackle, I thought it worthwhile to give her horror story collection a try when I was offered an early listening copy from Penguin Audio. And I’m so glad I did.
Reply Hazy, Try Again
This first story follows an indecisive young woman who impulsively buys a Magic 8 ball from a flea market. At first, our protagonist treats the whole thing like a joke, posing random advice-seeking questions to the toy just to see the replies she’ll get. Soon though, the ball appears to take on a mind of its own, one that impossibly seems to know more than it should.
As creepy as this all sounds, the story is actually quite light on horror and more focused on human drama, touching upon subjects like work, life, and relationships. The idea behind it is very unique though, and I liked that there was a strong paranormal or uncanny element.
Bachelorette
This was perhaps my favorite story of the collection. “If I’d been told in advance about the blood sacrifice, I would have made up an excuse not to attend the bachelorette party.” Best first line ever! Our main character Natalie is invited to the bachelorette party of her childhood best friend, Haley. The two women have always been close, but ever since Haley moved away for college and made new friends, Natalie has started worrying about them drifting apart. So when one of Haley’s sorority sisters rents a beautiful rustic cottage for the bachelorette weekend, Natalie makes a valiant effort to participate in all the activities and pretend she is enjoying herself for Haley’s sake, even though she feels like an outsider the entire time. Still, even best friends have their limits, and there are definitely lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
Many of Rachel Harrison’s stories are centered on female friendships, and this tale was no exception, looking at the evolution of relationships and how people’s lives change over time. Lots of complex feelings explored in this one too, especially the main character’s insecurities and personal fears. Plenty of humor was involved, and the relatability of Natalie’s voice also made this story very easy to get into, helped by the amazing performance of the audiobook narrator.
Goblin
A woman and her friend decide to try out a trendy new app that claims to be able to help them with their dieting goals, except our main character is someone who has recently recovered from an eating disorder. Supposedly, this app works by summoning an adorable little goblin-like mascot to give you encouragement anytime you need a bit of motivation or moral support. Our protagonist thinks there must be something seriously wrong with her app though, since her goblin turns out to be a nasty piece of work.
I struggled a bit with this one, trying to wrap my head around the basic concept. In the end, I liked it, but it’s also the perfect example of a short story that could have greatly benefited from being longer, just so the ideas and the world and the characters could have been more fleshed out.
Bad Dolls
In this story, a woman returns to her hometown following the death of her little sister to be closer to her family. After going through and tidying up the things in the room that she is renting, she finds a mysterious old porcelain doll which no one seems to know to whom it belonged or where it came from.
Out of the offerings in this collection, this tale had the closest feel to a traditional horror story. Dolls have always creeped me out, so this one definitely gave me chills. Like “Goblin”, I think “Bad Dolls” could have been longer, simply because there’s enough content here beyond the horror aspects to warrant a full-length novel, such as the depth of themes involved like family, grief, and sacrifice.
All told though, I highly recommend this collection, whether you’re an existing fan of Rachel Harrison or are completely new to her work. Normally, I wouldn’t suggest starting with an author’s short stories but I’m making an exception with this book because, short as they are, the tales within are a very good reflection of Harrison’s knack for storytelling and her fun twists on horror. Everything she writes is now a must-read for me....more
Although I’m glad I got to finish the Awakened trilogy, it is unfortunate to see the quality go down with each book. To be fair, the authors probably weren’t aiming for anything more than a mindless action-packed thriller, but still, when you compare the first book with Obliteration, the differences between the two are quite telling. Gone is any attempt at creating suspense or atmosphere, as the focus shifts entirely to cramming as much action into as little time possible.
In terms of the plot, Obliteration picks up shortly after the end of The Brink. To get the most out of it, you do have to be caught up with the previous books, so be aware there may be possible spoilers in this review for what came before. As the story begins, our big baddie Albert Van Ness has been stopped and is currently serving time in a high-security prison for his murderous crimes against humanity. It was only thanks to the efforts of Tom Cafferty that millions more did not die in the name of Van Ness’ fanatical crusade against the ancient bloodthirsty creatures that have emerged from their underground nests. The world can finally catch its breath and begin rebuilding, now that it’s safe from both monster attacks and total nuclear annihilation by a madman.
But is it really over? Tom isn’t so sure. He knows there are more creature nests still out there, and he won’t rest until he finds and destroys them all. On his latest mission with his team out in the Nevada desert though, he is shocked to arrive on the scene of a purported creature stronghold to find it completely empty. Realizing too late what it means, Tom races back up to the surface to find the world in chaos. Across the globe, cities are being overrun by the monsters who have emerged from their lairs to launch a coordinated attack all at once, killing everything in their path. Within moments, the United States loses every single one of its major urban centers, including Washington DC. Left with no choice, the President orders Tom to turn to his archnemesis, Albert Van Ness. He may be an evil maniac, but Van Ness has also dedicated his entire life to annihilating these creatures, and if anyone knows what to do now, it would be him.
This was a fun book, perfect for a bit of escapism. And had I not known the authors are capable of so much more, that would have been perfectly fine. Except I have read this series starting from Awakened, and the difference going to this one reminds me of when movies get straight-to-TV sequels. While Obliteration still delivers rapid-fire cinematic action, it does smack of going through the motions. The plot is all flash and no substance, all bloodbath and no subtlety. An army of super-soldiers just appearing out of nowhere? Hey, whatever, it’s not like the audience actually cares about explanations!
Well, except I kind of care. At the very least, I wanted more development of these characters I’ve spent three books following. What we get is pretty shallow at best, though, and it’s even more lacking for the new POVs presented. I’m also disappointed that the atmosphere was a casualty in the trade-off for more action and thrills. Looking back at my review for Awakened, I praised the book for giving me serious flashbacks to the Alien movies, as well as for its claustrophobia-inducing intensity and edge-of-your-seat suspense. That’s all been thrown to the wayside apparently, and it’s actually been happening since The Brink, sad to say.
Overall, I guess there’s something to be said about the entertainment value in a book like Obliteration, but can’t say I really enjoyed myself all that much. That said, I’m glad I saw this series through to the end, even if I can’t it remaining in my memory too long. It’s a shame, because the first book started out quite strong, but unfortunately the rest of the trilogy just wasn’t able to continue the same levels of interest or momentum.
Audiobook Comments: To his credit, James “Murr” Murray once again did a great job narrating his own book. He’s clearly experienced from his TV work, and being intimately familiar with the story and characters also helped. While I wasn’t too crazy about the book itself, I thought the narration and audio production values were well done.
Although I’m glad I got to finish the Awakened trilogy, it is unfortunate to see the quality go down with each book. To be fair, the authors probably weren’t aiming for anything more than a mindless action-packed thriller, but still, when you compare the first book with Obliteration, the differences between the two are quite telling. Gone is any attempt at creating suspense or atmosphere, as the focus shifts entirely to cramming as much action into as little time possible.
In terms of the plot, Obliteration picks up shortly after the end of The Brink. To get the most out of it, you do have to be caught up with the previous books, so be aware there may be possible spoilers in this review for what came before. As the story begins, our big baddie Albert Van Ness has been stopped and is currently serving time in a high-security prison for his murderous crimes against humanity. It was only thanks to the efforts of Tom Cafferty that millions more did not die in the name of Van Ness’ fanatical crusade against the ancient bloodthirsty creatures that have emerged from their underground nests. The world can finally catch its breath and begin rebuilding, now that it’s safe from both monster attacks and total nuclear annihilation by a madman.
But is it really over? Tom isn’t so sure. He knows there are more creature nests still out there, and he won’t rest until he finds and destroys them all. On his latest mission with his team out in the Nevada desert though, he is shocked to arrive on the scene of a purported creature stronghold to find it completely empty. Realizing too late what it means, Tom races back up to the surface to find the world in chaos. Across the globe, cities are being overrun by the monsters who have emerged from their lairs to launch a coordinated attack all at once, killing everything in their path. Within moments, the United States loses every single one of its major urban centers, including Washington DC. Left with no choice, the President orders Tom to turn to his archnemesis, Albert Van Ness. He may be an evil maniac, but Van Ness has also dedicated his entire life to annihilating these creatures, and if anyone knows what to do now, it would be him.
This was a fun book, perfect for a bit of escapism. And had I not known the authors are capable of so much more, that would have been perfectly fine. Except I have read this series starting from Awakened, and the difference going to this one reminds me of when movies get straight-to-TV sequels. While Obliteration still delivers rapid-fire cinematic action, it does smack of going through the motions. The plot is all flash and no substance, all bloodbath and no subtlety. An army of super-soldiers just appearing out of nowhere? Hey, whatever, it’s not like the audience actually cares about explanations!
Well, except I kind of care. At the very least, I wanted more development of these characters I’ve spent three books following. What we get is pretty shallow at best, though, and it’s even more lacking for the new POVs presented. I’m also disappointed that the atmosphere was a casualty in the trade-off for more action and thrills. Looking back at my review for Awakened, I praised the book for giving me serious flashbacks to the Alien movies, as well as for its claustrophobia-inducing intensity and edge-of-your-seat suspense. That’s all been thrown to the wayside apparently, and it’s actually been happening since The Brink, sad to say.
Overall, I guess there’s something to be said about the entertainment value in a book like Obliteration, but can’t say I really enjoyed myself all that much. That said, I’m glad I saw this series through to the end, even if I can’t it remaining in my memory too long. It’s a shame, because the first book started out quite strong, but unfortunately the rest of the trilogy just wasn’t able to continue the same levels of interest or momentum.
Audiobook Comments: To his credit, James “Murr” Murray once again did a great job narrating his own book. He’s clearly experienced from his TV work, and being intimately familiar with the story and characters also helped. While I wasn’t too crazy about the book itself, I thought the narration and audio production values were well done....more
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson follows a talented but inexperienced fashion designer named Dez Lane who is struggling to find a job. And so, even though she loathes Patrick Ruskin and thinks he’s an arrogant sleazebag with too much money and not enough brains, she agrees to go on a date with him. Her reason? Patrick is the son of Marie Caulfield-Ruskin, the powerful editor-in-chief of the haute couture magazine Nouveau. Dez is not above using sex to get ahead in the world, and if it means having to endure Patrick’s clumsy advances in exchange for a chance to meet his mother and get her foot in the door of the fashion industry, well then so be it.
After only a few dates, Dez’s gamble pays off. Patrick has plans to travel to his family’s island mansion for the annual Ruskin Easter reunion, and she manipulates him into letting her tag along. Once they arrive, Dez is both awed and disgusted by the display of decadence and excess. Yet, despite the island’s well-appointed amenities and its army of pink-clad staff, the welcome she receives is cold and reproachful. After the NDAs are signed and her cell phone confiscated, Dez realizes she has left herself at the mercy of Patrick and his creepy family. She reminds herself that she only needs an introduction with Marie—ten minutes to convince the magazine mogul to give her the big break she needs–-but when things suddenly take a sinister turn, Dez begins to question if it is all worth it.
The plot of this book leans heavily into the “Eat the Rich” trope, and it is NOT subtle about it. The typical criticisms abound—class disparity, exploitation and oppression, white privilege, male privilege, the moral bankruptcy of wealth, and so on and so forth. Then, of course, at the end of this excoriation comes the bit about revenge and retribution. Problem is, the delivery feels incredibly heavy-handed and overly simplistic, perhaps by design, but this lack of nuance also caused the story fall short of being anything meaningful and made it much harder to take seriously.
Nevertheless, it had its moments. Guillotine was a fun read, despite the protagonist being almost as repulsive and unlikeable as the people she’s railing against. Kind of rich of her to sneer at Patrick when she herself comes across just as shameless and morally bankrupt (and also DUMB) but hey, I can and do often appreciate a book filled with characters you love to hate. Plus, once Dez gets on the island, the weirdness surrounding the Ruskin family pulls you in, not to mention the mysterious behaviors displayed by their staff.
Unfortunately, that’s as good as it gets. First of all, it’s important to note that, at least to me, Guillotine didn’t start off openly as satirical, though it sure was veering towards that direction near the end. The first half also gave no indication that the second was going to turn into such a bloodbath, but here we are. Next, the ending was simply a hot mess—rushed and disorganized with no real thought to plot, character development, or even logic—just plenty of sadistic violence which I generally have no objection to in my horror fiction, but then I also tend to prefer all the gore and bloodshed to be accompanied with, you know, actual tension and a reason to be shocked.
Overall, while the concept behind Guillotine was decently solid and entertaining, the ending sadly felt like a lot of wasted potential. Rather than a satisfying conclusion, we get what feels more like a formality, with little depth or impact. Still, even though I’ve read better books by Delilah S. Dawson, I didn’t regret reading this one. Despite the disappointing ending, the story was twisted enough to be interesting and thankfully short enough that it was over before its flaws could drag it down....more
From the queen of chick-lit horror, So Thirsty was one of my most anticipated releases this fall, but compared to her previous novels, it didn’t quite reach the heights of, say, Black Sheep or Such Sharp Teeth. Still, I’m firmly of the mind that it’s impossible for an author like Rachel Harrison to write a bad book. While this one was not her strongest, it nonetheless delivered an enjoyable read.
The story follows Sloane Parker, a thirty-something food industry manager who is facing the dreaded prospect of another birthday feeling lost, sad, and unfulfilled. Her husband Joel’s idea of a celebration is to send her off with her best friend Naomi to a posh resort in the Finger Lakes, ostensibly for a girls’ weekend of wine tasting and spa treatments. But Sloane knows the truth. She suspects that Joel is having an affair, and that the trip was his way to get her out of the picture. After all, she’s caught him cheating before.
Perhaps sensing Sloane’s distress, Naomi attempts to play the part of supportive BFF, though the two women are polar opposites, and have been since they first met in junior high. Sloane, having had a negative experience in college, prefers to play it safe, choosing stability and caution over risk and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Naomi has always been the wild one, the social butterfly, world traveler, and party girl. Her idea of a good time is to be as unpredictable as possible, and she’s determined to bring Sloane out of her funk.
Despite Sloane’s protestations, Naomi accepts an invitation from a handsome stranger she met at the bar to attend a posh shindig at a glitzy mansion with a group of his friends. However, their hosts turn out to be vampires, and when a fatal mishap occurs, Sloane and Naomi must agree to become vampires themselves. Sloane gradually finds herself drawn to Henry, the enigmatic leader of the group, who, despite being an undead immortal, introduces her to a whole new perspective on living.
Rachel Harrison is no stranger to writing about the paranormal and her stories often feature supernatural creatures, so it’s no surprise that she has chosen to explore the world of vampires in her latest novel. But given her track record of taking familiar ideas and doing fresh new things with them, I was a little disappointed with how frequently So Thirsty seemed to fall back on well-trodden territory when it comes to vampires, such as the moody, broody love interest or the fact that the lore surrounding them doesn’t quite break new ground. The romance aspect also leans heavily on established tropes, which, while enjoyable, feels somewhat predictable for the author.
One of the key themes of the book, like in so many of Harrison’s novels, is also the idea of female friendship. However, Sloane and Naomi’s relationship sometimes rubbed me the wrong way, with an undercurrent of toxicity that made it less appealing. As a result, the bond between them didn’t feel as authentic as the emotionally rewarding friendships featured in the author’s previous works, lacking the sympathetic, meaningful, and touching qualities I’ve come to expect, nor did it give off the same warmth.
That said, what really resonated with me was Sloane’s character, even though many of her internal struggles were heavily overplayed to the point of feeling corny or clichéd. Still, there’s no denying that many of her worries and insecurities reflect some of the quiet battles that average people face daily. It made her a relatable and endearing protagonist, and so it was also incredibly easy to fall right into the story.
At the end of the day, while So Thirsty isn’t making it onto my list of favorite Rachel Harrison novels, that doesn’t make it a bad book or unworthy of picking up. It’s still a great read if you’re a fan of the author’s work, especially if you’re in the mood for a vampire story that offers a solid dose of her signature style.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas, especially given some of the mixed reviews I’ve seen. Ultimately, however, I found that my interest in the book’s subject matters made it a compelling read for me.
An atmospheric mystery that combines elements of horror and the paranormal, The Paleontologist follows Simon Nealy, the recently hired curator of Hawthorne Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur exhibit. How he ended up there though, is no coincidence. Twenty years ago, his little sister Morgan disappeared in the very same place, while she was under his care, and was never seen again. Returning to his hometown and applying for a job at the museum was a way for Simon to find closure, or so he hopes. After all these years, perhaps there may still be clues as to what happened to Morgan.
But soon, Simon discovers that the museum is no longer as he remembers, a shift that comes with both positive and negative aspects. Visitors and funding have decreased over the years, leaving the building and its displays in poor condition, and as this story takes place in the middle of the pandemic, COVID has not helped matters. While the bad memories are harder to get to him here, there are also rumors of strange happenings like eerie sounds and sightings of ghostly apparitions wandering through the halls of fossils. In the middle of preparing for a new Ceratosaurus exhibit that the museum’s board of directors are hoping will transform the Hawthorne and put it back on the map, Simon comes across the research journals left behind by his predecessor, who had been working on a mysterious project. Could his fevered writings possibly reveal anything related to Morgan? And why is he facing so much resistance, every time he believes he is getting closer to uncovering the truth?
Immediately, I found myself immersed in The Paleontologist, allowing it to sweep me away. The ease with which I fell into the story can be attributed to the protagonist, who is a complex character and highly sympathetic. Learning about his guilt and grief over losing his sister was a gut punch that never really goes away, especially as his mother never lets him forget it. I also related strongly to his love of science as well as his fascination with the study of paleontology, which is why I think I enjoyed reading this book so much, as it tapped into that geeky side of me. Moreover, I have a soft spot for unreliable narrators in horror and thriller fiction. Simon’s character, with his traumatic past riddled with bad memories, mental health struggles, and experience with substance abuse, makes it difficult at times to discern if what he perceives is the reality. It’s a vagueness that works, and which I appreciate.
Then, there’s the setting. As a fan of haunted house stories, I thought the concept of a haunted museum was a great twist. I spent a bulk of my college years studying, volunteering, and working in museums, both in the public areas and behind the scenes where specimens are stored and kept. There’s a certain enchantment to a museum once all the visitors are gone and the lights go off. The silence, heavy with the weight of history, can be both humbling and awe-inspiring, but also has the capacity to become downright creepy. I felt that Dumas captured this quality and atmosphere well, especially in late-night scenes where Simon stays behind alone to investigate or do his work.
Are the nighttime hauntings and visions real or just a figment of our protagonist’s overactive imagination brought on by stress and obsession? There are certainly things that happen which can’t be explained, leaving a lingering uncertainty. If you like definitive answers, you won’t find them easily in this book, though the ending did manage to resolve the central mystery (but some might argue a bit too tidily, considering we didn’t direct experience the final showdown). It’s also not the happiest of endings, presenting revelations that were both chilling and disturbing. The answers, unveiled in all their horrifying glory, were at times so shocking that I almost couldn’t believe what I was reading. Still, the closure Simon sought was achieved, and in that respect, I found a level of satisfaction.
All in all, I enjoyed The Paleontologist. Suspenseful and well-paced, it would appeal to fans of stories that have a cold-case murder mystery at its core but tinged with a bit of supernatural horror. If you’re in search of an unconventional, haunting ghost story, it would also qualify. This novel pleasantly surprised me and stands out as of my year’s hidden gems.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas, especially given some of the mixed reviews I’ve seen. Ultimately, however, I found that my interest in the book’s subject matters made it a compelling read for me.
An atmospheric mystery that combines elements of horror and the paranormal, The Paleontologist follows Simon Nealy, the recently hired curator of Hawthorne Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur exhibit. How he ended up there though, is no coincidence. Twenty years ago, his little sister Morgan disappeared in the very same place, while she was under his care, and was never seen again. Returning to his hometown and applying for a job at the museum was a way for Simon to find closure, or so he hopes. After all these years, perhaps there may still be clues as to what happened to Morgan.
But soon, Simon discovers that the museum is no longer as he remembers, a shift that comes with both positive and negative aspects. Visitors and funding have decreased over the years, leaving the building and its displays in poor condition, and as this story takes place in the middle of the pandemic, COVID has not helped matters. While the bad memories are harder to get to him here, there are also rumors of strange happenings like eerie sounds and sightings of ghostly apparitions wandering through the halls of fossils. In the middle of preparing for a new Ceratosaurus exhibit that the museum’s board of directors are hoping will transform the Hawthorne and put it back on the map, Simon comes across the research journals left behind by his predecessor, who had been working on a mysterious project. Could his fevered writings possibly reveal anything related to Morgan? And why is he facing so much resistance, every time he believes he is getting closer to uncovering the truth?
Immediately, I found myself immersed in The Paleontologist, allowing it to sweep me away. The ease with which I fell into the story can be attributed to the protagonist, who is a complex character and highly sympathetic. Learning about his guilt and grief over losing his sister was a gut punch that never really goes away, especially as his mother never lets him forget it. I also related strongly to his love of science as well as his fascination with the study of paleontology, which is why I think I enjoyed reading this book so much, as it tapped into that geeky side of me. Moreover, I have a soft spot for unreliable narrators in horror and thriller fiction. Simon’s character, with his traumatic past riddled with bad memories, mental health struggles, and experience with substance abuse, makes it difficult at times to discern if what he perceives is the reality. It’s a vagueness that works, and which I appreciate.
Then, there’s the setting. As a fan of haunted house stories, I thought the concept of a haunted museum was a great twist. I spent a bulk of my college years studying, volunteering, and working in museums, both in the public areas and behind the scenes where specimens are stored and kept. There’s a certain enchantment to a museum once all the visitors are gone and the lights go off. The silence, heavy with the weight of history, can be both humbling and awe-inspiring, but also has the capacity to become downright creepy. I felt that Dumas captured this quality and atmosphere well, especially in late-night scenes where Simon stays behind alone to investigate or do his work.
Are the nighttime hauntings and visions real or just a figment of our protagonist’s overactive imagination brought on by stress and obsession? There are certainly things that happen which can’t be explained, leaving a lingering uncertainty. If you like definitive answers, you won’t find them easily in this book, though the ending did manage to resolve the central mystery (but some might argue a bit too tidily, considering we didn’t direct experience the final showdown). It’s also not the happiest of endings, presenting revelations that were both chilling and disturbing. The answers, unveiled in all their horrifying glory, were at times so shocking that I almost couldn’t believe what I was reading. Still, the closure Simon sought was achieved, and in that respect, I found a level of satisfaction.
All in all, I enjoyed The Paleontologist. Suspenseful and well-paced, it would appeal to fans of stories that have a cold-case murder mystery at its core but tinged with a bit of supernatural horror. If you’re in search of an unconventional, haunting ghost story, it would also qualify. This novel pleasantly surprised me and stands out as of my year’s hidden gems....more
I’m always excited every time Josh Malerman puts out a new book because of his unique blend of psychological horror and suspense, and there’s almost always a cool, spine-tingling twist. Playing on the monster-under-the-bed trope, Incidents Around the House did not disappoint, putting the spotlight on childhood fears and amplifying them to new heights that will scare the young and old alike.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Bela, a precocious eight-year-old who reveals she has an imaginary friend she calls “Other Mommy” who lives in her closet and comes out only after her parents tuck her in and say good night. But is Other Mommy truly imaginary? And is she really only confined to little Bela’s room? At first, Other Mommy is nice and wants to be Bela’s friend, but then she starts asking uncomfortable questions, questions like “Can I go into your heart?” which doesn’t sound like something someone friendly would say.
At first, Bela’s parents Ursula and Russ—Mommy and Daddo to our young protagonist—are unconcerned, believing Other Mommy to be a product of their daughter’s active imagination. But then Ursula, hiding a terrible secret and wracked with her own private guilt, thinks she catches a glimpse of something lurking in Bela’s room. Soon after, an accident in the park involving Bela has Mommy and Daddo rushing to the hospital, realizing something is very wrong. The entity known as Other Mommy is becoming more brazen, more powerful. It talks to Bela about reincarnation, and of taking her place. Soon, her parents are forced to confront the awful reality—there is something haunting their daughter, and to save her, they must act quickly to drive it out of their home, which may involve delving into their own fears and secrets.
That all these horrors are experienced from a child’s point of view is perhaps the most notable aspect of this novel. In some ways, having Bela as the narrator makes this story even more sinister and disturbing because it adds a layer of innocence and vulnerability to the terror. Not only did Bela’s naïve interpretations of strange events lead me to wonder at her reliability, but it also made her trust in the safety of her parents feel even more heartbreaking. As readers, we recognize Ursula and Russ’s desperation and their helplessness, made worse by Bela’s limited understanding of the truth behind Other Mommy, and this shattering of an idyllic childhood by a malevolent force can be felt like a punch in the gut.
Malerman also has a knack for creating atmospheric tension, especially when he is poking at deep-seated fears, like a parent’s worst nightmare of not being able to protect their child (see Bird Box and Malorie, for example). This tension is perfectly on display in Incidents Around the House and is infused completely into the plot as Other Mommy’s presence grows ever more encompassing, and Bela’s parents become frantic in trying to understand and fight this supernatural threat. In the second half of the book, this urgency rises to a fever pitch to give the reader a sense that every decision will have crucial consequences.
Of course, certain plot elements may feel familiar to horror fans, as the author is riffing on quite a few genre clichés. Still, the unique POV goes a long way to make up for this, as do some of the themes that come with it, such as the concept of lost innocence—the moment a child realizes that her parents are not infallible, for instance, and that they can’t in fact protect her from every danger lurking in the shadows. Then, of course, there is the worst revelation of all, which is that adult relationships are confusing and complicated, and the love between Mommy and Daddo isn’t as simple and solid as they’ve made Bela believe.
Overall, Incidents Around the House was a great read, providing a chilling and thought-provoking experience. I enjoyed the blending of familiar tropes with the exploration of familial relationships, especially from the perspective of a little girl which Josh Malerman manages very convincingly, earning a well-deserved recommendation from me if you are looking for an immersive dive into the eerie unknown....more
I had high hopes for Two Sides to Every Murder, brought to us by Danielle Valentine, the same author who blew my mind with Delicate Condition which was one of my favorite books of last year. But this time she’s returning to the Young Adult genre with an off-the-wall thriller about two teenage girls drawn back to the site of a gruesome triple homicide many years ago. Needless to say, it was very different, and to fully appreciate it, I had to look at it in a whole different light.
Willow Creek used to be a friendly place where everyone felt safe. The town’s claim to fame was Camp Lost Lake, a picture-perfect slice of nature where children spent their summers swimming, hiking, and making lifelong memories. However, everything changed one night when the body of one of the local teen counselors was found pierced by an arrow used by the camp’s archery program. Before the night was over, two more deaths would be reported, and the murderer would escape. In the panic of the unfolding horror, the pregnant camp owner and director suddenly went into early labor. And that was how Olivia was born.
Seventeen years later, Olivia has no reason to question the unusual circumstances around her birth during the massacre, which has become infamous. But when a DNA test comes back showing that the man who raised her is not her biological dad as she has always thought, the search for answers leads her back to Camp Lost Lake, which is finally reopening again after all these years. Meanwhile, after a lifetime on the run, a seventeen-year-old girl named Reagan has also found her way back to Willow Creek, but the reasons she has come here cannot be any more different than Olivia’s. Reagan and her mother, Lori Knight, who was found guilty in absentia for the murders, had been lying low ever since. But Reagan has never believed the official narrative. Convinced that her mom is innocent, she is determined to find the evidence she needs to clear her name at Camp Lost Lake.
This is YA horror/thriller at its wildest and most overblown, but so help me, I enjoyed it despite myself. So much of this novel reminds me of the 90s teenage horror series I used to read a la R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike in that ludicrously campy and gruesome way, but which still evokes the heady vibe of nostalgia. Teenage drama mixed with unadulterated terror? Check. The backdrop of a seemingly idyllic town with dark secrets? Check. Characters with convoluted histories? Check.
In fact, let’s underline that last point. I highly recommend taking notes and drawing diagrams while reading so you can get all the characters straight! Without going into too much detail because I’m afraid of spoiling a major plot point which the entire premise of this novel hinges upon, not only do our two protagonists Olivia and Reagan each have their own POVs, but the author also uses dual timelines, creating an intricate and frequently confusing web of relationships that spans the lives of two generations. I was getting a headache simply trying to figure out how everyone was related.
But then one of the hallmarks of campy horror is its ability not to take itself too seriously, and Two Sides to Every Murder fits right into this tradition with tropes riffing on everything from The Parent Trap to slasher flicks like Scream. Much like the outrageous twists and melodrama found in the Fear Street series of yesteryear, Danielle Valentin’s story revels in its own chaos and absurdity, resulting in a book that is as much about fun as it is about horror. This is a nod to the approach of classic YA horror, where dramatic flair meets thrills and chills to create a nostalgically entertaining experience. ...more
Jen Williams is an author who first came to my attention with her fantasy novels, but I have to say I’m thoroughly enjoying her recent foray into horror-tinged crime thrillers. The Hungry Dark is her latest work which once more serves as a testament to her versatility.
The book begins with an introduction to protagonist Ashley Whitelam, not your typical dodgy psychic. Sure, she may be a part of a family of con artists running sham seances, relying on an earpiece and her brother Aidan doing social media research to whisper details in her ear when performing her readings for the audience. But Ashley also has a secret. When she was a young girl, she could see shadowy “people” in the world around her that no one else knew were there. Calling them the Heedful Ones, Ashley learned to keep these visions a secret, especially after a traumatic event altered her family life forever. The ghostly figures stopped appearing, and Ashley kept a low profile in order to play her part in her father’s scams.
Eventually though, Ashley begins to chafe at the role, especially as the schemes become increasingly more questionable and ambitious. To drum up more publicity for their psychic business, Ashley’s father has volunteered her services to the local police, who are investigating a string of brutal killings dubbed the “Gingerbread House” murders due to the fact that all the victims are children found to have been generously fed with delicious treats before their deaths. Nothing was supposed to come out of it; the police were desperate enough and Ashley was simply running through the motions. But on her ride-along with the officers, Ashley catches sight of the Heedful Ones for the first time in years, which leads her to a discovery which blows up the case, landing her in the public eye.
Like it or not, Ashley has now become involved in the murder investigation, attracting both admiration and suspicion. She has also drawn the attention of an American podcaster, Freddie Miller, who tracks her down with an offer to team up on a true crime show about the Gingerbread House murders. As Ashley wrestles with how much she should reveal to Freddie, terrible memories begin to resurface, of an idyllic time spent in the mountains abruptly cut short by a deadly incident.
There is a lot happening here—one could even say too much, which might be this novel’s only drawback. Breaking the plot down into its major parts, we have no less than half a dozen threads to follow. First, we have the main storyline in the present, which focuses on Ashley and her family’s part of an active but tightknit group of charlatans running the psychic grift. Next, we have the Gingerbread House murders and the investigation. Then an element of romance is introduced once Freddie enters the picture. All the while, we also have Ashley’s struggles with her overbearing father, an issue which frequently comes in conflict with her obligation to her family as well as her desire to achieve more independence. Flashbacks are used to fill out her backstory at Red Rigg House, where Ashley spent some time as a child in their underprivileged charity program, which ended in disaster. And then of course, there is the mystery of the Heedful Ones.
Once all these elements are thrown together, the result is a tense thriller full of twists. But in getting there, we encounter some pacing and balance issues. Each thread vies for the reader’s attention, and in the process, we have a few ideas that are left feeling incomplete or underdeveloped. The tension builds, but occasionally, it feels like we’re juggling too many balls at once. For instance, the atmosphere is great, but the setting isn’t quite as immersive as it could be. Similarly, character development falls short of its full potential from the crowded narrative. I loved Ashley’s journey, but her motivations felt elusive at times, and her interactions with family members often had a baffling quality.
Still, I found The Hungry Dark a compulsive and entertaining read—everything I could ever ask for in a thriller. Several times the book’s ambition would cause it to stumble under the weight of its own complexity, but the suspense and intrigue makes up for it. The tensions are palpable, and I loved the blending of mystery, horror, and supernatural elements. If you enjoy dark thrillers, this is a journey worth exploring....more
Ooooof! How could this happen, you ask? I’m still trying to figure that myself. How coming off from the brilliant Indian Lake trilogy, Stephen Graham Jones could follow it up with another horror novel that just crashed and burned so hard for me?
I do have some guesses, but first, a brief rundown of the plot of I Was a Teenage Slasher. Basically, the story features the memoir of a seventeen-year-old who looks back upon his past experiences, reflecting on how they started him on his path of becoming the quintessential teen horror movie killer. Tolly Driver was not what you would call popular, existing on the fringes of high school social circles. Yet he was still just your average kid in the summer of 1989 when he and his friend Amber decide to drop in on a wild house party. Things take a dark turn when Tolly falls victim to a cruel prank and ends up almost dying when someone slips a peanut into his drink, triggering a severe allergic reaction.
The experience is lifechanging, but in the most unexpected way. Tolly wakes up the next day to a new reality, one in which he has become the antagonist of a modern slasher flick, complete with a revenge plot. The stage is set, the outsider has been cast as the hunter, and once this train is set in motion, there’s no stopping it. As Tolly begins his bloody murder spree, his horror-geek friend Amber has to explain to him the ins-and-outs of a teenage slasher movie and help him understand why he has been suddenly overcome with the urge to kill.
Clearly, horror films are a passion for the author, as evidenced by the numerous nods and references to the genre in his Indian Lake trilogy. That said, what worked well there kind of fell flat here. For one, the satirical take and attempts to create nostalgia felt overdone and somewhat forced. While I loved the uniqueness of the idea, which was presumably intended to make us feel sympathy for the murderous Tolly and his fatalistic urges, I found myself numb to his character’s plight. Unfortunately, there was a lack of substance to him in part due to the book’s concept since he was supposed to feel more like a caricature than a real person, but even the story’s subplot involving his crush on Amber and the backstory involving his father (which the cynic in me thinks was built up as a push to add more depth to Tolly’s character) did not help.
But the kicker was the narrative style. Tolly’s incessant stream-of-consciousness narration was more than I could take, often leaving me with a headache and a growing resentment for the character. If you have read SGJ’s Night of the Mannequins you might recognize the very similar narrative style characterized by an unreliable flood of memories, thoughts, and observations, but once more, a device which seemed entirely appropriate for that book felt more like a misstep here. Whereas Night of the Mannequins was a shorter book where the narrative style was a jarring but curious affectation, here it was simply exhausting. Perhaps I would I been more patient if this had been a novella.
All in all, as much as it breaks my heart to say, I Was a Teenage Slasher was just not my cup of tea. In fact, if it hadn’t been by Stephen Graham Jones, who I count among my favorite horror writers, it probably would have been a DNF. However, given the author’s penchant for creative stories and the fascination I held for this novel’s premise, I knew I had to see it through, though ultimately, not even the high points and interesting ideas scattered throughout could compensate for the bigger overarching issues I had with the book....more
Loading...
