Tag: horror books

GUEST POST: SLIGHTLY OFF-KILTER: SONGS FOR CREATING DEMONS BY BARRY MAHER

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Slightly Off-Kilter

Songs for Creating Demons

By Barry Maher

I listen to music when I write. This column for example is being created with the help of—or perhaps in spite of—a piece of music that seems to be an unfortunate blend of God Save the King and The Moldavan National Anthem. But creating my new supernatural thriller, The Great Dick: And The Dysfunctional Demon, a thriller that’s able to laugh at itself, (one reader called it “Horrifying and Delightful!”) required an even more horrifying type of music. Music like: 

Dust by Fleetwood Mac 

Fleetwood Mac? Aren’t they much too pop for horror? Actually Dust was from an early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, with no hits and lots of drug problems, not the later version of the group with lots of hits and even more drug problems. The lyrics to Dust come from a 1909 poem by Rupert Brook, who was no bundle of sunshine.

“When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption
Thrust to still the labor of my breath”


Midnight Mile by the Rolling Stones. 

This haunting tune about a mad day on the road “with a head full of snow,” gets me picturing Keith Richards as the guitar playing, coked-up, walking dead. Perhaps not a huge stretch.


I Put a Spell on You by Screaming Jay Hawkins. Writing about obsession? 

Here’s Screaming Jay screaming that he doesn’t care if you don’t want him. It doesn’t matter to him at all. He’s still yours. A non-returnable gift that threatens to keep on giving.


She’s Not There by the Zombies

This one doesn’t make my list for the name of the group, but for the mood the music evokes. And the lyrics do have a touch of the sinister. In this British song, a mysterious woman is causing untold suffering, Like the singer, we can only wonder about how much she lied, with no way of telling “how many people cried.” I know what you’re thinking. But the song was released in 1965, considerably before Maggie Thatcher ever became Prime Minister.


No Bravery by James Blunt 

I thought this guy wrote love songs, but this one features shallow graves, burning houses, the odor of death, and dying families. I listen to this, then write horror to cheer up. 

Tie a Yellow Ribbon by Tony Orlando. Not a horror classic, just a horrible song. I can’t listen to it without dreaming of tying a yellow ribbon as tightly as possible around Tony Orlando’s neck. And I understand the reasoning of a homicidal demon.

Last and in so many ways least, Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath 

Apparently, Satan, with eyes of fire, is coming after the singer. That might explain the vocal. I think this one is from the Black Sabbath album Blue Skies, Sunny Days and Lollypops, or it may be from Kittens, Puppies and Other Easy Meals. To quote a key phrase, “Please, God help me.”

Take a listen. The singing sounds like a weasel caught in a meat grinder. The question this little ditty raises is more theological than musical. Namely: why would a loving God allow something like this to exist? And to somehow be a hit? When I first heard it on my car radio, I thought my transmission was disintegrating, but it was only humanity’s musical taste.

Check out Barry Maher’s dark humor supernatural thriller, The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon, on Amazon. Contact him and/or sign up for his newsletter at www.barrymaher.com. 


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The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A woman must confront the evil that rocked her childhood and still haunts her street in author Christina Henry’s “The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.”

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The Synopsis

A woman must confront the evil that has been terrorizing her street since she was a child in this gripping haunted house novel from the national bestselling author of The House That Horror Built and Good Girls Don’t Die.

On an otherwise ordinary street in Chicago, there is a house. An abandoned house where, once upon a time, terrible things happened. The children who live on this block are told by their parents to stay away from that house. But of course, children don’t listen. Children think it’s fun to be scared, to dare each other to go inside.

Jessie Campanelli did what many older sisters do and dared her little brother Paul. But unlike all the other kids who went inside that abandoned house, Paul didn’t return. His two friends, Jake and Richie, said that the house ate Paul. Of course adults didn’t believe that. Adults never believe what kids say. They thought someone kidnapped Paul, or otherwise hurt him. They thought Paul had disappeared in a way that was ordinary, explainable.

The disappearance of her little brother broke Jessie’s family apart in ways that would never be repaired. Jessie grew up, had a child of her own, kept living on the same street where the house that ate her brother sat, crouched and waiting. And darkness seemed to spread out from that house, a darkness that was alive—alive and hungry.

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The Review

One of the most chilling and engaging horror reads of 2025, author Christina Henry crafted a narrative that felt both horrifying and thrilling. The cosmic horror tone the story took on as the threat the house represented grew ever stronger, and the haunting imagery of the story itself, especially the grizzly deaths the house brought to life on the page, made it so enthralling and easy to get lost in.

The heart of this narrative lay in its dynamic character development. Much in the vein of Stephen King’s It, Stranger Things, and even a bit of The Haunting of Hill House, the iconic setting of the haunted house and the rich way the city of Chicago, especially this neighborhood, comes to life on the page blended that unsettling atmosphere with otherworldly vibes. Yet it was the relatability of the characters, especially the protagonist, Jessie, from her angsty teen years, that carried those horrific days through to the headstrong and resilient young woman who became a single mother and the only hope against an unstoppable evil. 

The Verdict

Haunting, thrilling, and entertaining, author Christina Henry’s “The Place Where They Buried Your Heart” is a must-read horror novel of 2025. One of the best reads of the year, this story oozes with dread and creates such powerful imagery that the scenes of this book will stay with readers much in the same way Pennywise has for many horror fans around the world, and leaves readers on the edge of their seats the entire novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Christina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON’T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.

Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.

She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

You can visit her on the web at

www.christinahenry.net

Facebook: authorChristinaHenry

Twitter: @C_Henry_Author

Instagram: authorChristinaHenry

Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor

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Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young girl begins questioning the motives of the woman who secretly visits her in author Josh Malerman’s “Incidents Around the House.”

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The Synopsis

To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?”

When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay.

Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel.

But Other Mommy needs an answer.

Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror about a family as haunted as their home.

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The Review

I know this book was released last year, but it has been one of my most anticipated reads in recent years, and I couldn’t think of a better time to review it than now, on Halloween. This was definitely one of the scariest reads that I’ve had the pleasure of reading in years. Not since the first time I read Stephen King’s It have I felt such chills, and what made this book stand out was the perspective from which the story was told —through the eyes of a young child. The protagonist, Bela, is innocent and clearly struggling through a great deal in this story. Readers will instantly connect to her unique viewpoint and desperation to keep her family together and safe, while experiencing the confusion and pain that this situation rightfully causes.

Yet Other Mommy steals the show as one of literature’s newest yet most haunting horror creatures. Not a typical ghost story, this haunted house meets paranormal horror story brings to life a being whose name not only instills dread from the outset, but whose appearance constantly shifts, and for which each subsequent appearance becomes increasingly unsettling. By the time the parents of Bela begin to take notice of Other Mommy, things have taken quite a dark turn. The imagery and atmosphere she conveys in this story send chills down the reader’s spine. The tension builds quickly as the ghost of this story soon becomes a hungry monster, and every tactic the parents try to protect their child leads to more dire consequences.

The Verdict

An emotionally compelling and gripping horror thriller, author Josh Malerman’s “Incidents Around the House” is a must-read for this Halloween. The twists and turns this story takes, the time the author takes to balance the scares out with deep human connection and shocking revelations between the two parents, and the hopeful yet frightful journey Bela takes as Other Mommy’s true purpose comes to life, will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Josh Malerman is a New York Times best selling author and one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung, whose song “The Luck You Got” can be heard as the theme song to the Showtime show “Shameless”. His book Bird Box was made into a Netflix film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich. He has been nominated for 10 Bram Stoker Awards and has written 40 books, many of those (14) prior to the publication of Bird Box, his debut. Incidents Around the House is his 13th published book. He lives in Michigan with his fiancee, the artist/musician Allison Laakko and their many brilliant pets.

Home

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The Pinewood Prowler by Audrey Zeigon Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A woman desperately searches for the identity of a local serial killer as her town is plunged into chaos in author Audrey Zeigon’s “The Pinewood Prowler.”

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The Synopsis

The small town of Pinewood is drowning in fear. Fourteen dead. No suspects. A killer who strikes without leaving a trace.

Nicole Kieth refuses to sit by while her community is torn apart. Determined to unmask the monster hiding in plain sight, she begins to hunt the hunter. But the killer is always one step ahead—calculating, patient, and watching her every move.

As the body count rises, Nicole faces a chilling question: Can she expose the murderer before she becomes the next name on his list?

The Review

A compelling new voice in the horror sphere, author Audrey Zeigon delivers an incredible, fast-paced yet layered and chilling reading experience. The exploration of how a small town and its citizens can be affected by the unknown killer stalking their streets was artfully crafted here, as readers got a personal look at the tension and mistrust the protagonist began to develop toward everyone around her as she sought the killer’s identity. The imagery in the author’s writing was powerful and allowed readers to feel the terror and emotions that ran through the minds of the victims as the killer struck.

The driving force behind this novel was the character development of both the protagonist and the killer. The alternating chapters depicting the protagonist’s investigation and the killer’s final moments with the victims highlighted the drive of both characters so perfectly. The haunting reality of the killer and their motivations remained a mystery for much of the book, lending their actions an almost legendary, mythical quality and making them a local legend in the process.

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The Verdict

Thrilling, entertaining, and haunting, author Audrey Zeigon’s “The Pinewood Prowler” is a 2025 instant horror classic, perfect for the fall and spooky season readers find themselves in. The Pinewood Prowler is an instigating and scary new force to be reckoned with in the serial killer genre, and the twists and turns the investigation takes for the protagonist, along with the horrifying final chapters, will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Audrey Zeigon was born in 2010 in New York City. From an early age, she developed a strong passion for reading and horror. These interests inspired her to write her debut novel, The Pinewood Prowler. Audrey has enjoyed immersing herself in this story and looks forward to sharing it with her readers. 

https://www.instagram.com/thepinewoodprowler/

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Gothic by Philip Fracassi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A struggling horror writer descends into madness when he begins using an ancient writing desk that begins to transform his personality in author Philip Fracassi’s “Gothic”. 

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The Synopsis

On his 59th birthday, Tyson Parks—a famous, but struggling, horror writer—receives an antique desk from his partner, Sarah, in the hopes it will rekindle his creative juices. Perhaps inspire him to write another best-selling novel and prove his best years aren’t behind him.

A continent away, a mysterious woman makes inquiries with her sources around the world, seeking the whereabouts of a certain artifact her family has been hunting for centuries. With the help of a New York City private detective, she finally finds what she’s been looking for.

It’s in the home of Tyson Parks.-

Meanwhile, as Tyson begins to use his new desk, he begins acting… strange. Violent. His writing more disturbing than anything he’s done before. But publishers are paying top dollar, convinced his new work will be a hit, and Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound success. Even if it means the destruction of the ones he loves.

Even if it means his own sanity.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

The Review

This was such a visceral and powerful horror read. The author did a remarkable job of touching upon the pressure of the writing industry and the pitfalls of fame and success while infusing the rigid horrors of the mythos the author crafted in a natural way into the narrative. The dynamic imagery the author utilizes in their writing really emphasized the terrors and spine-chilling nature of the threat that is brought into the lives of this cast of characters, making each scene feel steeped in terror. 

What really drove me into the pages of this novel were the engaging character arcs and the rich mythology the author developed for this novel. The draw of this ancient artifact and the hunt to stop its bloody reign of terror sets up the reader for an adventure like no other early on, but it is the haunting nature of this protagonist driven to the brink of madness and beyond by this powerful force of nature, and the way the horror elevates as this thing sinks its teeth more and more into the protagonist’s mind and begins to affect his relationships with the other characters that made this such a huge draw for me as a horror fan.

The Verdict

Haunting, captivating, and thrilling, author Philip Fracassi’s “Gothic” is a must-read horror novel of 2023. The chilling imagery and the buildup of tension in the narrative immediately made the book feel like a mashup of Stephen King’s The Shining and The Dark Half meets The Amityville Horror, and the shocking twists and turns in the narrative will keep readers hooked as the story progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Philip Fracassi is an award-winning author and screenwriter living in Los Angeles.

His debut collection of short horror, BEHOLD THE VOID, won “Story Collection of the Year” award from both This Is Horror and Strange Aeons Magazine.

His new collection, BENEATH A PALE SKY, arrives June, 2021, and his debut novel, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, comes out on Halloween day, 2021.

His stories have been printed in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Black Static, Cemetery Dance, and Nightmare Magazine. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, LOCUS Magazine, Rue Morgue and many others.

His screenplays include the Lifetime thriller Girl Missing and Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, from Disney. Both are available as VOD.

Follow Philip on Facebook and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or visit his website at http://pfracassi.com. 

https://twitter.com/philipfracassi

Vlada: Tales of the Damned Anthology

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Six authors come together to explore the dark mythos of the Vlada universe in the new anthology “Vlada: Tales of the Damned”.

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The Synopsis

Vlada Tales of the Damned is a 6 author anthology book about the various characters from the Vlada Universe. Art by Tim Vigil, Chandra Akerblom, Don PAresi, and more. Authors included in the book are Christopher Denmead, Jenna Moqin, Don PAresi Chandra Akerblom, and more.

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The Review

This was a powerful and captivating collection of short stories. The authors not only captured the tone and atmosphere of the original Vlada story perfectly but honed in on the gothic setting and tone of the original so well. The vIsceral horror and gritty imagery the authors utilized helped bring an almost cinematic quality to the style of writing in each story, and the haunting tone of these tales kept the reader invested in these narratives. 

To me, the beauty of this series lies in both the gender-bent aspect of the twists on these iconic stories and the homages to the original mythos that the authors kept in place to add to the wealth of new storytelling that occurred. The earliest stories held great callbacks to characters like Renfield and Van Helsing, while the origins of Vlada herself were great and compelling to read, and the spine-chilling nature of the vampire lore was captured in these stories so perfectly that the authors were able to expand on the vampire mythos much more and keep the reader invested as they did so.

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and entertaining, the anthology hit gothic horror series “Vlada: Tales of the Damned” is a must-read collection. The twists on these iconic characters and the quick pace of the stories allowed the reader to really connect to this universe in a powerful way and leaves the reader eager for more stories within the growing Vlada universe. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Arcranium™ by Mark Towse and Daemon Manx Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Four authors enter a new form of technology that brings their creations to life in a virtual space and compete to determine who is the scariest of them all in authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx’s “Arcranium™”. 

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The Synopsis

Four horror authors with four vulnerable egos, square off against one another, in the virtual world, to find out who is the scariest. Welcome to Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author’s mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative. It’s all in good fun, but with so much pride at stake, things are bound to get a little bumpy once the gloves come off. So, strap your headset on and don’t forget the safe word. The future of literature is about to get an upgrade. The future is … Arcranium™

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The Review

This was such a chilling and captivating read. The perfect blend of modern horror and haunting psychological thrills, the authors did a wonderful job of bringing a shocking and visceral story to life on the page. The imagery and tension that layered this writing allowed the fictional worlds the main characters conjured up to come to life in such perfect detail, and the scares that occurred as a result felt natural and paid off from the developing narrative.

For me, the draw of this book came from both the stories within a story concept and the powerful themes that helped draw out the horrors of the genre into this novel. The way the narrative honed in on each character or author’s story and allowed those worlds to flourish not only moved the story forward but allowed the authors of this novel to showcase and flex their own creative work in a unique way. Yet it was the themes of the dangers of technology, the downfall of the ego, and the idea of playing god as a writer that really made the terrors of this fictional world tear into our own deep-seated fears, making this a wonderful read.

The Verdict

Haunting, captivating, and entertaining, authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx’s “Arcranium™” is a must-read horror novel meets psychological thriller and anthology novel. The short yet powerful read immediately strikes readers with its commentary on the state of writing (and subsequently entertainment as a whole) while also delivering potent scares and thrills that will keep readers wide awake at night. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Mark Towse is an Englishman living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Novellas to date include: Nana, Crows, The Bucket List, Hope Wharf, 3:33, One Last Shindig, Nature’s Perfume, and Arcranium.

‘Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.’

Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press

https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12

https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75

https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres…

Daemon Manx is an award-winning American author who writes horror, suspense, supernatural, and speculative fiction.

He was born on January 16, 1967, shortly after the very first Super Bowl, but never played the game and never had a favorite team.

Daemon has recently been nominated for the 2021 Splatterpunk awards for his debut, Abigail in the best short story category.

In 2021 he received a HAG award for his story The Dead Girl.

He is a member of the Horror Authors Guild (HAG) and has been featured in magazines in both the U.S. and the U.K. 

In 1999 Daemon was a contestant on the television game show Wheel of Fortune where he made it to the bonus round and walked away with a fully loaded Chevy Tahoe…pretty amazing, right?

On another unbelievable note, in 1991 Daemon was involved in a motor vehicle accident with Ronald Reagan’s motorcade. He accidentally crashed into the former president’s limousine on a New York City Street shortly after Ron and Nancy had stepped out of the vehicle. No one was injured, except for maybe the pride of the secret security agent who was directing traffic.

Most recently, Daemon has opened his own publishing company and works with fellow authors, Diana Olney and Jack Wells, as well as business associate, Romol Chiossi.

Daemon lives with his sister, author Danielle Manx and their narcoleptic cat, Sydney where the patiently prepare for the apocalypse. There is a good chance they will runout of coffee far too soon.

https://www.daemonmanx.com/

@daemonmanx

Book Mail. Arcranium with Mark Towse and Manxiety. Disturbing horror has arrived. #extremebooks #arcranium #extremehorrorchallenge #horrorreaders #horrorreadersoftiktok #horrortok #splatterpunk #reader #disturbing #disturbingbooks #disturbingbookrecs #marktowse #daemonmanxhorror #daemonmanx manxiety@towseywrites

♬ Eat the Rich – Motörhead

The Seething by Ben Monroe Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A family’s relocation becomes anything but relaxing when an ancient evil awakens and the people of their new town begin to disappear in author Ben Monroe’s “The Seething”. 

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The Synopsis

A family’s relocation looked like a chance to relax and regroup—but as they settle into their new home, teenage Kimmie Barnes’ special senses make her the target of something primordial, evil, and utterly malign.

Darkness…

Golden Oaks, California is a sleepy town on the shores of Oro Lake, and the residents have no idea what horrors lurk below the glittering waters.

Beneath the waves…

One by one, as people begin to disappear, the once quiet town is soon in the grips of a waking nightmare. An unimaginable horror consuming everything before it.

Hungry…

All while echoes of an ancient evil spread out like malignant spider webs, like dead hands reaching, grasping…

SEETHING…

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The Review

This book was so atmospheric and held a powerful hold on the reader as the narrative progressed. The action and horror pick up immediately, taking readers into an emotional and well-developed character arc that instantly gets torn asunder. The imagery played well into the author’s writing to not only bring the terror of the novel to life, but the rich setting as well, bringing this beautiful and serene Northern California locale to life on the page and serving as the perfect juxtaposition to this ugly, chaotic monstrosity lurking underneath the town itself.

The terror of the novel comes to life perfectly by having the right balance of world-building and dynamic character development. The connection this small family has together and the tight-knit community of the town play against the alienating nature of this evil seeping out into the lives of these people, and the mythos behind this monstrous energy and its seething hatred for the people within the town helped elevate the horrors that slowly began to crawl their way onto the page.

The Verdict

Harrowing, gripping, and entertaining, author Ben Monroe’s “The Seething” is a must-read horror thriller. The book felt like a Lovecraftian horror novel meets Dean Koontz’s “Phantoms” meets Stephen King’s It. The twists and turns in the narrative and the explosive final chapters will have the reader’s hearts pumping and serves as the perfect jumping-off point in the horror genre to send readers into spring. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy by preordering today or pick up your copy on March 23rd, 2023!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ben Monroe has spent most of his life in Northern California, where he lives in the East Bay Area with his wife and two children. He is the author of In the Belly of the Beast and Other Tales of Cthulhu Wars, the Seething, the graphic novel Planet Apocalypse, and short stories in several anthologies. 

You can find more information about him and his work at www.benmonroe.com

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Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by K.C. Grifant Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A monster-hunting gunslinger must traverse the Old West and stop an army of soul-devouring monsters arrive on Earth in author K.C. Grifant’s “Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger”.

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The Synopsis

In an Old West overrun by monsters, a stoic gunslinger must embark on a dangerous quest to save her friends and stop a supernatural war.

Sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, has encountered more than her share of supernatural creatures after a monster infection killed her mother. Now, Melinda and her charismatic partner, Lance, offer their exterminating services to desperate towns, fighting everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. But when they accidentally release a demon, they must track a dangerous outlaw across treacherous lands and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring monsters descend on Earth.

The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde in a re-imagined Old West full of diverse characters, desolate landscapes, and fast-paced adventure.

The Review

I love this book. The author does an incredible job of finding the balance needed to connect this horror and supernatural plot with the Western setting. The imagery the author utilizes in their writing comes into play brilliantly when setting the stage of gritty old-west drama and the visceral and haunting creatures that the protagonist comes up against. The balance of tone was great to see as well, as the author was able to bring camaraderie and lightheartedness in some sections of the narrative while also providing a depth and emotional connection that keeps the reader invested in these characters.

The driving force of this narrative was not only the action and suspense that comes with these supernatural threats but the well-developed characters that inhabit this world. The immediate heroism and complexity of Melinda, as well as her leadership alongside Lance, was great to see, and her evolution as a protagonist when coming up against these larger and larger threats was mesmerizing to behold as a fan of these genres.

The Verdict

Haunting, chilling, and entertaining, author K.C. Grifant’s “Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger” is a must-read western horror novel of 2023! The story felt like a natural blend of The Witcher, the cult classic video game Darkwatch, and a mind-bending Lovecraftian story. The twists and turns in the narrative and the powerful draw of the protagonist will have readers enthralled with this brand-new saga that introduces a hero worthy of the reader’s attention. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on February 2nd, 2023!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

KC Grifant is a Southern Californian author who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories for podcasts, anthologies and magazines.

Her writings have appeared in magazines and podcasts including: Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (cover story for issue #70), Unnerving Magazine, Aurealis Magazine, Fission Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Sley House Podcasts, and many others.

In addition to a Weird West horror novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Feb 2023), she has also written stories for dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice; Musings of the Muse; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear: Year One; Shadowy Natures; Beyond the Infinite: Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror.

In addition, she is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), as well as the co-founder of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter, an organization that helps to connect writers and fans of horror literature.

KC Grifant | Author of Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Weird West Stories
https://twitter.com/kcgrifant