Termination Is Final

NDA by Fredrick Niles is an obvious jab at a well-known real-life corporation...and not far off from the truth. The author has created a great twist on the concept of revealing insider info. The ending includes a bit of dark humor.

I will definitely be reading more from Niles this year.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Beautiful Ones Rise From The Ashes

THE BATTLE WITHIN by Kody Boye is the final book in THE BEAUTIFUL ONES trilogy. This book begins exactly where the second one ended, with Kelendra joining up with The Southern Saints. The Countess is planning to use nuclear weapons against the North, which will likely trigger a similar response, but the three surviving Beautiful Ones have a plan to give the country back to the people.

The author has created such a detailed dystopian drama featuring eugenics and civil war, readers might be slightly disappointed with the lack of resolution in the ending. However, I would like to remind everyone, this series has always been Kelendra's coming-of-age story. From an unknown country girl to an ambassador of a revolution, from daughter to wife and more, she has discovered something more powerful than beauty: faith.

With faith in her friends, her allies and, most importantly, herself, Kelendra is determined not only to save her people, but she hopes to save the world from nuclear fallout. This young woman's personal battle is a trilogy I can recommend to readers of all ages.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Move Aside, Cujo

THE SUN DOG by Stephen King (originally published in FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT) has all the elements which made me fall in love with the horror genre as a kid, as well as make me a fan of the author's older work: a supernatural entity, terrifying suspense, and characters trapped in a deadly situation.

In this case, King offers up a demonic Polaroid camera featuring a malevolent dog, given to a kid who begins dreaming of the world within the photos, while a rotten old man complicates everything with his greed. Luckily (and contrary to most horror scenarios), Kevin's dad believes what his son tells him, and endeavors to help him rectify the nightmare brought about by the cursed birthday gift.

Not only did I read this story in one sitting, but my teen tried to talk to me at one point, causing me to jump about a foot off the couch because King's story had me so wound up. The ending is what you would expect from the legend, and I recommend this one to all horror fans.

However, after reading this one, I'd ask you to check out all the great indie authors featured here at the Lair...the might not have King's notoriety, but many of them could give the old master a run for his money.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Ode to Zombiephiles

CONTAINED by Shawn Weaver is a short story featuring two guys who are hired to do some work on an old movie set. From the mysterious oil bins to their sinister boss, the job doesn't feel right. When Jim is injured, Mark must make some difficult decisions.

I think zombie fans will enjoy this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon

An Eyeful

After reading Out of the Cave by MacKenzie Publishing, I couldn't wait to read another anthology from the same publisher.

TWO EYES OPEN is sixteen stories from a diverse group of authors:

RAGE by Amanda Crum: a ghost story which ends abruptly

SOUL CAKES by Chantal Boudreau: supernatural family drama

GLASS PUZZLE by Shelly Macaroy: twisted revenge

URSULA by L.S. Engler: hit a little close to home...my first name is Ursula and, well, I had a "Nick" in college

HOUSE CALL by S.D. Hintz: very disturbing dispute

THE FIRST SNOWFALL by Boyd Reynolds: brutal house hunting

SHOW COOKING - CANNIBAL EDITION by Kev Harrison: dark humor

EYES WIDE OPEN by S.T. Himmonds: historical fiction

OPENING YOUR EYES IS THE MOST PAINFUL THING YOU WILL EVER HAVE TO DO by Tom Johnstone: thought-provoking

NO JOB TOO SMALL by R.A. Goli: watch out for those craigslist ads

THE DYING by Leah O'Sullivan: a great twist on the zombie genre

THE BOATS by Robb T. White: hardcore revenge

PAYBACKS by Leslie Muzingo: one of my favorites

FEEDING STRAYS by Monique Yowza: reminds me of Tales from the Dark Side

WOMEN MUST STICK TOGETHER by Cassandra Williams: bizarre dispute with neighbors

SHEEP AND SNAKES by Billy Lyons: another favorite...solid way to end the anthology

If you're looking for something with variety, there are plenty of entertaining stories within. However, the theme of this anthology isn't as clear as OUT OF THE CAVE. As a result, this seems more like a random collection of shorts than anything else. I hope the publisher returns to whatever formula was used in choosing stories in the previous anthology.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Third Time's The Charm

Okay...so...this is the third time I've read Means To An End and The Stupid Train by Stephen A. North (have a look). To his credit, the author has reworked the two stories based on some harsh criticism from yours truly. I have to admit, MEANS TO AN END is much better this time around. I love how Vic didn't realize Mark came first, literally and figuratively.

My issue with THE STUPID TRAIN was always the ending. I always felt Lou deserved better. Not necessarily a happy ending exactly, just something better. I dig the new ending, and I wouldn't say no to another Lou story. Maybe he should meet Tammy? (I would definitely pay to read that encounter.)

FORGOTTEN and NOBODY'S HERO are North's most recent short stories. FORGOTTEN caught me off guard: nothing supernatural. Yet, somehow, the story kept me enthralled from beginning to end. The author has always had a flair for well-developed characters and settings.

NOBODY'S HERO also has a sharp hook with a surprise ending. As much as I enjoy North's horror and sci-fi, his drama has really impressed me this round.

Stephen A. North is one of the few authors who can create something captivating in multiple genres.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Not So Thrilling

THRILLER GAMES by Samantha Coil is a short story centered on a young woman, Eleanor, who struggles with nightmares of a traumatic past. Maria is a girl rescued by the main character, who has also suffered at the hands of a family member. Unfortunately, both seem rather two-dimensional.

A great deal of time is spent on describing the characters, rather than developing the personality of the characters or focusing on their interactions with one another. The long set-up is not what readers expect from a story self-described as "a gripping psychological thriller and crime mystery with a chilling twist filled with suspense." In fact, such a description seems misleading.

The author really needs to scrap all the talk about clothing and teddy bears, and bring the mystery front and center, rather than alluding to "secrets" every other chapter. The ending is a good twist, but Coil's storytelling needs a rework to strengthen this storyline.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Into The Abyss

RETURN TO THE BLACK FARM by Elias Witherow is more character driven than the first book. Nick is threatened by one of the powers-that-be to put things right at The Farm, so he must take his life a second time. Many characters from Nick's previous visit to The Farm cross paths with him again, and no one seems happy to see him. Many want him dead. Essentially, everything which draws breath wants to make Nick suffer and die.

In order to complete his task, and save his loved ones, Nick must join forces with Danny. The enigmatic Suicidal coordinator proves to be a much more complex personality, and I would love a third installment focused solely on The Pig's spokesman. I'd like to think Danny is the key to reforming The Black Farm for Suicidals, as well as the Pig Born.

For some reason, the ending didn't surprise me. I'm good with the way Nick's storyline worked out, but I really don't want the series to end with him. Danny deserves his own book, after everything he went through with Nick.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Kill Or Be Killed...Or Eaten

THE BLACK FARM by Elias Witherow has all the great elements of horror: psychological, gore-filled, cannibalistic, supernatural, monstrous...all oozing with suspense. I've enjoyed everything the author has written, and I was sure Tommy Taffy would be his most terrifying legacy, but Witherow has stared into the abyss, fashioned it into The Pig and given readers a fresh new Hell to fear.

In this creation, Suicidals go to The Barn and must decide if they will Feed The Pig or attempt to survive the abominations populating The Farm. Unlike the others before him, Nick refuses to accept his situation and battles to find Jess, his lost love. The inner voice taunting and tormenting him is almost as entertaining as the agonizing misery he must endure on the island of the damned.

While I am very impressed with the variety of monsters Witherow has released upon his readers in this novel, my favorite part is Nick screwing around with a new arrival. (Do yourself a favor and read The Worst Kind of Monsters, if you haven't already.) I can't wait to read the sequel!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Poisoned Roots

Apple, Massachusetts is rotten to the core.

Every fall, when the orchards ripen and the leaves begin to die, there are murders. We know it, and we accept it. It's the price we pay for living in Apple. Families mourn, but no one is ever caught. Now, there's a body in the woods, and the cycle is starting again. People bruise easily in Apple.

Finding a murdered and mutilated girl plunges Jackson Gill into the middle of a decades-old horror. For Jackson, the newest murders become personal. His mentally ill sister knows far more about the murders than anyone restrained in a basement room should know.

When one by one, her sick, cryptic predictions prove true, Jackson will have to believe the unthinkable and stop what no one has been able to stop in sixty years.

He has no choice. He lives in Bloody Bloody Apple.

BLOODY BLOODY APPLE by Howard Odentz is far darker than I could have imagined. Told through the POV of teenager Jackson, the savage history of Apple is revealed, as well as the twisted secrets each family hides behind closed doors. With the level of dysfunction among so many households, it's no wonder the annual murders are accepted as normal.

This year, the victims are all people connected to Jackson in some way, and his sister seems to know something about the killings, despite being chained up in their basement. However, the crime scenes pale in comparison to his personal life. This novel is a horror story within a mystery-thriller, and Jackson is the only one who might be able to piece the puzzle together, if his family secrets don't break him first.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys psychological horror, but I have to warn readers: there are a LOT of triggers in this book. This story gave me plenty of nightmares.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Flash Fiction Fight

In the blink of eye, the city of New York was thrown into a battle for survival and it was every man and woman for themselves.

YEAR OF THE DEAD by Eric S. Brown is a flash fiction story about a guy who finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak on New Year's Eve. The author provides a lot of action in a just a few pages, but the ending left me wanting more.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Guard Dog

A rumor—roused by a terrible drought, and spread by jealous townsfolk—puts Randal and the Tetleys in the way of a dangerous situation, which could have dire consequences. But, with the mysterious arrival of the Tetleys’ new guard dog, a giant beast of unknown breed lovingly called “Oaf”, Randal, Mr. Tetley, and Mrs. Tetley may just make it through the harrowing event with their lives.

OAF by Samuel Brower is more a small town drama than anything else. Told from the POV of a young voice, readers are teased with suspense as the story unfolds, until the story ends with a rather beautiful, sad moment. Brower does a great job fleshing out the souls of his main characters...especially Oaf.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Easy Way To Read Books

Over the years, I've really struggled to find room for all the books I own. When you read as much as I do, trying to find space is extremely overwhelming. I was reluctant to begin using an e-reader, but my Kindle has helped me in many ways.

Not only is my device a great space-saver, but I can control the size of the font (I hate wearing my reading glasses). Obviously, my Kindle is also an easy way to carry multiple books with me, when I travel.

During the quarantine, I've seen a lot of people complaining on social media about their public libraries being closed, and/or not being able to afford to buy all the title they want to read, both situations limiting their reading time.

If you don't already own an e-reader, you should consider getting one, or, at the very least, download the Kindle app for your PC or your Android. Many Kindle titles are free, many more are sold at a lower price than their physical counterparts, thus saving you money...for more books.

As always,
AstraDaemon



Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

The Cost of Survival

SNOWBOUND by James Loscombe is a devastating short story about a man who survives a deadly pandemic, but everyone else around him has died. After being alone for so long, he begins to question his sanity, especially after he finds fresh footprints in the snow.

As he follows the tracks, his reflections on the outbreak reveal several dark moments in his past, as well as his decisions which continue to haunt him. Now he must choose whether or not to take a life.

I've read three Loscombe stories, and this one is my current favorite.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Alien Adoption

MAN'S BEST FRIEND by Michael A. Abrams is a very unusual alien abduction story. This is definitely more horror than science fiction, and the ending is both sad and terrifying.

The moral of the story: pay attention to your dog's reactions to your surroundings.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Intro to Mini-Series

From Horrors Next Door collection of short Mysterious, Psychological, Suspenseful and Horror stories that will arouse your senses and puzzle your mind. Some of the stories are inspired by true events. Find out which ones inside the scary collection.

THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR by Tom Coleman is part of a mini-series. I thought Horrors Next Door was a collection of individual short stories, based on the description.

This reads more as an intro to a story, rather than a complete installment. Nice hook, but poor presentation and delivery. I really don't understand why the author couldn't release it as one story, instead of breaking it into such small pieces.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Post-Apocalypse Chameleon

Advances in nanotechnology and medical 3-D printing have revolutionized healthcare worldwide, particularly organ transplantation. Until an experimental product line accidentally winds up in the global marketplace. Until people’s organs begin killing them...then bringing them back.

Pockets of humanity fight to subsist in skeletal cities and apocalyptic wastelands. The walking dead are a part of a daily fight for survival and many of the living have gone mad.

Andre and Claire are part of a group struggling to rebuild America’s infrastructure. In their way stand not only the hungry dead, but a conspiracy of various factions determined to retain what power they have. In a saga blending intrigue and deception with survival horror, the last good men and women combat their own extinction.

THE STRANGE DEAD by David Dunwoody is a great story, but it's part of a series, which, had I known, I wouldn't have read it. This novel was published in 2016, and it's not looking like the sequel will ever be written. As if that isn't bad enough, the story ends with one hell of a cliffhanger.

At first, I didn't think the nano-zombies were very original, but the twist with Claire and her secret is genius! The shocker concerning Andre caught me completely off guard...I didn't realize how significant his character truly is. The mystery surrounding the shrike is somewhat irritating, but adds to the overall intensity of Claire's situation. Eli is a real bastard, and, as crazy as the Maestro is, Eli seems far more unstable.

I'd love to see what results Tavia achieves with her confession to her father, the general, but I'd settle for any kind of closure. I hope Dunwoody will release a follow-up someday soon!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Make This A Mini-Series!!

Mike Huddersfield is working for Fear Incorporated, a highly secretive organisation that sends its employees on missions to hotspots all over the world. Each mission is filmed and the footage is shown to the organisations’ members for their pleasure. It’s an extremely dangerous job, and a lot of the employees don’t make it back home. Those who do however are rewarded handsomely.

Mike has just been given his latest assignment. He’s to spend seven days on North Sentinel Island, home to one of the last uncontacted tribes in the world. The members of the tribe are highly aggressive, and any intruder who is caught setting foot on their island is killed. Mike however is confident that he can survive.

FEAR INCORPORATED by Hervey Copeland is a fantastic suspense-thriller, and I sincerely hope the author considers turning this into a mini-series about the various jobs Mike has performed over the years. The character proves to be the perfect narrator for this story, the kind of guy you would listen to, if you ever met him in person.

The best way I can describe this: imagine a combination of The Belko Experiment, Escape Room and The Condemned, written with the flair of Stephen King and the intensity of Tom Clancy. Definitely making my Top 2020 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Make Your Own Coffee

CUP OF JOE by Timothy Arnzen blames Starbucks for a viral outbreak in a not-so-subtle way. At first, I thought the story would be filled with dark humor, but the main character is soon faced (literally and figuratively) with something truly horrific.

Unfortunately, the ending is rushed and Arnzen missed the opportunity to write something extremely terrifying. I hope he revisits his work, and expands on the premise.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Choose Your Own Zombie Adventure

CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE by Joe McKinney, Armand Rosamilia, Tonia Brown, Joe Mynhardt, Aurelio Lopez III, and Alex Laybourne. The beginning introduces Blaze and lays out his situation, which ends with him needing to make an important decision on how he chooses to live in this sinister purgatory. He can fight zombies with his new companions, fight zombies on his own, kill his companions, find new companions a couple of different ways, or take on the Gatherers. I chose to read the endings in this order: Lopez III, Laybourne, Mynhardt, Brown, Rosamilia, and McKinney.

My favorite ending is the one written by Aurelio Lopez III. I felt his piece stood out more from all the others, which surprised me because I've never heard of the author before now. In fact, despite this collaboration being written by some of my favorite zombie authors, the other endings are just okay...well-written, but nothing exciting. I think the overall setting prevented the authors from showcasing their true talents.

However, if you're looking for something different to read, give this a go.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Keep A Barf Bag Nearby

When their car broke down in a dangerous inner-city neighborhood, Kerri and her friends thought they would find shelter inside an old, dark row home. They thought it was abandoned. They thought they would be safe there until help arrived. They were wrong. The residents who live down in the cellar and the tunnels beneath the city are far more dangerous than the streets outside, and they have a very special way of dealing with trespassers. Trapped in a world of darkness, populated by obscene abominations, they will have to fight back if they ever want to see the sun again. Every city has its secrets and urban legends. But nothing can prepare them for when they find out the truth about this horrible house.

URBAN GOTHIC by Brian Keene is an action-packed, claustrophobic nightmare in a hell house full of sickening mutants. The descriptions are so gruesome and gross, I gagged several times throughout this book. This terrifying abomination makes The Hills Have Eyes look like a stroll in the park. The level of terror is off the charts, and the alternating POVs and the cast of characters gives this novel a depth not often found in slasher stories.

Readers are kept guessing about who, if anyone, will survive the night, and the ones who die are slaughtered in a variety of ways. If you're expecting a writing style similar to one of Keene's zombie novels, you might be disappointed, but if you're just looking for some adrenaline-filled entertainment, this is it.

As always,
AstraDaemon

COVID 19 Reveals The Monsters

The world has gone to Hell. A virus has seemingly come from no where, bringing with it a number of conspiracy theories as to its origin. Some of the theories are outlandish whilst some have an eerie ring of possible truth around them. But, as the world goes into lock down with people living in isolation only allowed out of their homes for essential journeys, people soon realise there are greater things to worry about than COVID-19.

THE TAINTED SOULS by Shaun Hutson and Matt Shaw is a dark collaboration filled with graphic violence, mainly taking place in the UK. If you have a weak stomach, don't bother reading this story. While I'm quick to call out authors who use rape and murder purely for shock value, in this case, it's a necessary evil to emphasize the sickness spreading throughout the population. Covid 19 is simply the catalyst to something much worse.

I'll admit, I'm not familiar with Hutson's work, but this novella is typical of Shaw's disturbing writing style. (If you want to curl up with a good book for comfort during your quarantine, you don't curl up with Shaw...especially not sober.) The variety of characters increases the suspense, not knowing how any of them will react to one another. Even within the separate groups, the dynamics are constantly changing, with everyone focused on their own individual survival.

All in all, this is one hell of a thriller, and I'm equally impressed with how quickly the authors put it together. I was hoping the house Adam came across would be the one from Octopus/Full Moon, or Tessa would have a backstory tied into one of Shaw's older stories, but I'm still satisfied with the novella as is. The ending is more frightening than anything else which takes place.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Extreme Graphic Violence

July 2013, Manchester, UK. A murder investigation team, led by DCI Mark Gunn is assigned to probe into the brutal mutilations of four women found dead from various locations around the city centre. The evidence gathered from the scene of the crimes, and the extreme nature of the women's deaths indicate that the team are looking for a dangerous, deranged maniac. As the case unfolds, and the team finds itself buried deep within the seedy, sleazy underworld of the city, characteristics between the murders increase proportionally with the body count. The only thing that the team cannot find is motive.

BOUND by Andrew Lennon and Matt Hickman has extreme graphic violence, and I really wish this novella had come with a warning. I think some readers are going to struggle with the details, particularly in the first gruesome scene. This is not the first time I've read this type of story, but I feel too much emphasis is placed on the torture and not enough on the interactions between the investigative team. The dynamics seem severely off. The ending is abrupt and sloppy.

I've enjoyed Lennon's work in the past, but I've never heard of Hickman until I read this book, so I have no idea what the latter's writing style is usually like. However, this is definitely below Lennon's ability. I'm not sure if this is one author's influence over the other, or a poor collaboration between two authors, but this is not the quality writing I've come to expect from Andrew Lennon.

To be crystal clear, even if the violent scenes were less graphic or removed entirely, the crime drama aspect is not well-written. This is torture porn.

As always,
AstraDaemon

A Deadly Decision

Escaping from the killer was the easy part, surviving the frozen mountain landscape is another story. When a hunter gives her a second chance at life, Emily must decide what she is going to do with it: safety and comfort or vengeance.

THE PRINCESS, THE HUNTSMAN, AND THE MONSTER by Erik Lynd features a subject found in news headlines and twisted into something resembling a fairy tale. I kept expecting a supernatural element, so the ending really caught me off guard. Basically, this is a coming of age story, with Emily discovering who she really is. Very different from Lynd's previous work.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Eye of the Beholder

It’s 1987. Dane Morrison, a middle-aged ad agency sales rep, meets an enigmatic street rose salesman during a hot summer in Houston, Texas. As Dane learns more about the Rose Man, Dane’s dreams and reality become a hellish playground for the unearthly vagabond. And as Dane soon discovers, where love and hope are found, the Rose Man walks...

THE ROSE MAN by Terry M. West is a supernatural short about a man who should've kept his mouth shut. Dane buys a rose from a homeless man on the way home, and thinks nothing more about it, until one of his co-workers is found dead with a rose bouquet. He is warned by the Rose Man to keep his observations to himself, but Dane slips up and share his thoughts with his wife.

There's a saying, “When the devil offers you a rose, its petals are laced with poison,” which seems to sum up this story perfectly. Considering the story began with a kind gesture, the ending will leave you all choked up.

As always,
AstraDaemon

One More For The Road

ALL THAT REMAINS by Joshua Scribner is more bizarro fiction than horror, even with a zombie scene. Pretty sure the main character has lost her mind, but she makes her crazy work for her.

The interesting aspect of this story is the setting. For some reason, I'm not convinced the post-apocalyptic tale takes place on Earth. In fact, this could very well have taken place on Mars, in the past. then again, maybe I'm losing my mind, and my dog will soon be speaking to me as well.

As of today, I've read over 120 Scribner stories, including flash fiction, anthologies and novels. With a few exceptions, I've read just about everything he's written, so here's hoping he writes more stories in 2020.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Motz Nailed It

MELT by Christopher Motz is a mix of sci-fi and horror, and so much better than any version of The Blob movies. Imagine if John Carpenter and H.P. Lovecraft made a film together, and you'll have a pretty good idea what kind of epic nightmare the author has unleashed upon the residents of Ditchburn.

Greg is a fantastic character. If you weren't Greg at some point in your life, you knew someone just like him. As a result, his POV reveals a more personal level to this creature feature. The ending is unpredictable, kind of like falling down a rough hillside and hoping you survive the fall.

As is, I'm fine with this novella as a stand-alone, but I wouldn't say no to a sequel. I hope we see more work from Motz in 2020.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Trail of Spiders

FAINT OF HEART by Jeff Strand reminds me of the movie The Vanishing (1993). In the story, it's a married woman who has to relive her husband's camping trip in hell, in order to find out what happened to him. This is the darkest Strand story I've read yet. Even though the author avoids overly graphic scenes of violence, there are a couple of scenes which are absolutely horrific.

In other words, this is a terrifying thriller I recommend to all horror readers. Fans of Strand should prepare themselves...there's no dark humor in this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Scorned Fury

MARY by Amy Cross is not just a ghost story set in 1962, but rather a mystery-thriller about a woman trapped in a cottage by a malevolent spirit, and a young police officer determined to help Mary Moore. Unfortunately, Sergeant Ben Warner finds himself in the middle of a supernatural battle.

The author uses suspense to grab readers with a death grip, and drags them through the hell which has left Mary's memory fractured. This haunted tale is full of twists, with an ending which leaves me wanting a sequel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

A Bad Memory

NIGHT SHOPPING by Eric S Brown is the first story he published, featuring zombies instead of Sasquatch. This flash fiction piece centers on a group of teenagers who have had their drinking plans disrupted by an undead outbreak. The three young men decide to grab supplies from a store before the place is overrun, but everything goes wrong within minutes.

There's a six week jump in the story, which creates a lot of unanswered questions, specifically about Laura. Based on this story, I would never have guessed what kind of story-teller Brown would become. I am happy to say his more recent work is far better...but we all have to start somewhere.

As always,
AstraDaemon