Welcome to the Lair!

Exploring dark alleys. Discovering new nightmares. Revisiting the masters.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Too Much Talking | AstraDaemon

A NECESSARY PROCEDURE and BRINGING HELL by Joshua Scribner are two pieces of flash fiction with too much dialogue and not any suspense or action.

I've read well over a hundred of Scribner's stories...most I've enjoyed, and some (like this one) are diappointing. However, I encourage readers to keep digging through his titles because Scribner has written some real gems: FANTOS, 3 POWERS, and GRANDMA'S ECHO just to name a few. (Hint: Scribner's 2019 releases are some of his best creations.)

As always,
AstraDaemon


Tuesday, March 30, 2021

LGBTQ+ in Horror [INTERVIEW] | AstraDaemon


The other week I read a horror novel which takes place at a Pride festival, with LGBTQ+ characters leading the story...something not often seen. The fright formula is still a familiar one, but with a perspective which invites readers to get out of their heads and into someone else's. I asked Brady Phoenix to spend some time in the Lair and discuss his efforts to expand the genre...




How did you become interested in a genre which doesn’t have many LGBTQ+ main characters? Are you deliberately encouraging a change or simply creating characters and storylines you can relate to?


What draws me towards the horror genre are the qualities of the main character/final girl. The grit and determination when faced with adversity that draws me into the genre, which is something that members of the LGBTQ+ community can relate to. Any queer person has faced some type of challenge where their willingness to thrive gets challenged. I love even in horror movies that there are these extremes of character archetypes (geek, jock, fool, leader, promiscuous, etc.) that are spun uniquely in different ways to entertain the viewer, which I want to challenge adding LGBTQ+ ingredients to the recipe. There is also a quality within horror that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is a campy quality that brings you out of the “spook factor” that I enjoy and try to bring into my work. Plus, queer people deserved to get scared too!

The fact that there aren't a vast number of LGBTQ+ characters in horror fiction is something that gets concerning. In a lot of stories, it just feels like at times that there is no acknowledgement of the existence of queer people. If you look in everyday life, you don’t just see straight, cis, white people. There are more people than just them, and I am trying to encourage readers to look beyond the scope of what they think they see in everyday life and put themselves in the mindset of somebody who isn't the same as who they see themselves as or the people they are used to in their everyday lives. My hope is that people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ can look at the qualities of the characters I create and see a similarity or two that they can relate to, lessening this visible divide between the two groups so that they can treat us with the decency and dignities that we all deserve just like everybody else.

In addition, the characters that do include LGBT+ characters are often perceived as an exaggeration or a caricature, or they are killed off early as the “token character”. There are not many direct influences that the younger queer generation can relate to, so it has been a motivation for me to create these stories that have characters that aren’t viewed as just “gay characters”, which can easily end up placing them into a certain box and should instead be viewed as a “character, who happens to be gay”.

My stories are not necessarily made for myself to relate to, since these characters experience events or encounters that are based on what I’ve lived through and witnessed. I want younger people like me that can look beyond the premise of a masked serial killer and see the similarities and struggles that these people have and relate to them, not feeling like they are not alone and their struggle will end. It won’t be easy, but it will end.

Do you have a specific audience in mind, or are you writing for all horror fans?

I’m writing for new adults as my main target audience, since the moments were inspired by my twenties, but it isn’t exclusive to them since horror is for everybody. I also try to keep a balance to entertain the LGBTQ+ audience while provoking the minds of the straight audiences. My goal is to take the qualities that we all love in 80s and 90s slasher movies and give the reader the experience of watching a movie, just adding a little more diversity. LGBTQ+ audiences will appreciate that they are finally being included in a genre that is loved and underrepresented. And my hope is that anybody who isn’t a part of our community will be entertained by a fresh, new-ish take on the genre that they love.

It is a challenging task to balance. I don’t want to lose my mission to inspire a younger LGBTQ+ generation to feel inspired by my group of “Final girls and boys”. I also don’t want to go too much to the point where non-community members feel like “I am shoving our agenda down their throat.” (side note: I hate it when people say that! They have been shoving their agenda down our throat for decades!). I just hate the fact that there has been an non-inclusive divide in many aspects of society where we just aren’t looked at as normal as they see themselves. And its even worse for queer people of color! I don’t want to turn off the straight audience by overdoing it and crossing over their society built standards.

How do you feel about novels being lumped together under LGBTQ+ instead of simply being placed among their corresponding genres? Do you think it does more harm than good as far as normalizing fiction with LGBTQ+ characters?

This is a double-edged sword. There is a benefit to placing novels in an LGBTQ+ category so that members of our community don’t have to sift through a list of books in hopes that they find what they are looking for, if they desire a good queer read. On the flip side, its divisive and non-members have a list that they can filter out because they don’t want anything to do with queer people or their struggles reflected in literature. It is doing more harm especially now that the divide has gotten worse between the two extremes.

Luckily, there is a middle ground where there are people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ who have an open mind to give our stories a try without any preconceived judgments or assumptions. Those people are to be recognized and thanked as those numbers continue to grow as the years pass. The LGBTQ+ community needs to keep remaining patient as we have been for many years, and the middle (ally) community needs to keep advocating for us in all aspects. I’m not saying they have to march/rally. They just need to advocate in the face of indifference and educate in the sight of ignorance. I have faith that this will get better and easier for queer books, and I will do everything in my writing career to make stories that will help transition those minds.

Which authors have influenced and/or inspired you and what is it you enjoy about their stories?

I have to of course recognize Stephen King for being a huge pioneer for the horror community. His stories are so out there and they make your spine tingle! I appreciate Clive Barker for doing the same thing! R.L. Stein gave me nightmares as a kid, so I appreciate them as a core foundation for my love of horror and LGBTQ+ stories.

I also love Riley Sager, for the reason that his books are what got my passion for reading and writing stronger. His work gives me the experience of watching a horror movie without turning the television on. I stopped writing for 15 years and gave up on the idea that I could make writing as a career. It was his books that made me passionate for the horror/suspense genre. I owe so much to him!

What are your plans for 2021? Any more titles being released this year?

My goals for 2021 is to keep being safe and healthy both in body and mind. I hope to do my part to keep spreading my message of love and acceptance and bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ people and non members, and also encouraging any person who is outside of the societal norm to express themselves creatively so that their perspective is heard. I want to keep expanding my author platform to as many readers as I can, and even connect with them. I am also in the process of writing my second novel of this series which I hope to release this fall! I won’t spoil anything at this moment, but I am very excited to keep going with what was just a ‘bucket list’ item, and making it bigger than I ever dreamt of it to become!



Thanks to Phoenix for stopping by!

If you haven't read CARDINAL RULES yet, I highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of 80s slasher movies.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Monday, March 29, 2021

Sean's Odyssey

After Sean graduates from college, he is ready to begin his life. Silly him for assuming he will have one. Word gets out that humanity is doomed: a giant meteorite has been headed toward the Earth for decades, and the government is ill-equipped to stop it. On the final day of human life, Sean must decide who to spend his precious time with. When he opts to hit the road and reunite with a lost love, he encounters a mad society that is rapidly shredding the trappings of civilization.

IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY by Eric Shapiro is an excellent end-of-the-world novella. I read Strawberry Man by the same author a couple of months ago, and I wasn't impressed. I kept wondering why so many readers speak so highly of  Shapiro. I gave this story a chance, and now I understand.

Sean is the narrator, and he moves back and forth between his past and present, giving depth to his relationships in just a few pages. His actions reveal how much insight he has gained when faced with his own mortality. Much like a modern version of Homer's Odyssey, Sean is often side-tracked on his way to reunite with the love of his life.

Unlike many other apocalyptic stories, where the emphasis is placed on how horrific people can be to one another, Shapiro shows the beautiful side of people...the ones who choose to live until their last breath.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Toxic Therapy | AstraDaemon

CURTIS by Syon Das absolutely needs to be made into a movie. Even though I correctly guessed where the author would take this short, I still enjoyed every page. I don't understand why Das felt the need to include an explanation, pointing out this is horror fiction...this is not supporting or glorifying violence in any way. This is simply a careful-what-you-wish-for situation, written in the dark style Das wields as a master of terror.

I also highly recommend WORKHORSE by Das, written in a similar vein.

As always,
AstraDaemon


Saturday, March 27, 2021

Needs More | AstraDaemon

All Kira Mather wanted was to buy the perfect birthday gift for her husband. When her sister-in-law takes her to the old North Boston Calvinist Church, currently being demolished to make room for a condominium project, she had no idea her husband was a descendent of Cotton Mather, the fabled witch trial crusader from the mid 1600s. When the demolition contractor presents an ancient, chain-locked trunk discovered during demolition, the ladies decide this would be the perfect gift for Kira's husband, Professor Aldo Mather, a lover of antiquity and a huge fan of mystery. Prof. Mather, an avowed Athiest, disbelieves Kira's assertion that something dangerous lives within the centuries old box. He presents the box to his university class in an effort to once again disprove the existence of a spiritual realm. What happens next will forever altar his perceptions.

THE BIRTHDAY BOX by Thomas Holladay is pretty much all setup, ending as soon as the action begins. Imagine the movie, The Possesion, with the dybbuk box, rolling the credits as soon as the box begins to open. I am so disappointed the author decided to end the story this way.

I think Holladay has a great idea, with some intriguiging characters (the family history with Cotton Mathers is a fantastic hook), but he chose the wrong format. This plot deserves a full-length novel, instead of a being reduced to a short story.

As always,
AstraDaemon


Friday, March 26, 2021

Loch, Stock and Two Bloody Storylines | AstraDaemon

 

LOCH NESS HORROR by Eric S. Brown is a novella which mixes Nessie folklore and undead horror with Psionic elements, creating a frightening apocalyptic encounter with a terrifying leviathan. Anyone expecting this to simply be another twist on the famous cryptid is obviously not familiar with the author's writing style. Brown once again reminds readers, a terrible situation can always be made worse, especially when there's more than one monster to battle for survival.

In this case, the nightmare unfolds through two storylines, exposing how a plan to save the world from a necro-virus has fallen apart. One group attempts to make contact with an ancient creature for a cure, while the other group is overrun in their fortress. When the two POVs finally merge, characters are slaughtered on every page.

I also recommend Brown's novella THE CAVE for another dystopian-thriller.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Nature Is Scary | AstraDaemon

Tommy Summers is an aspiring author in Lake Worth, Texas. As he searches for inspiration one snowy winter morning, Stan Whitley, a neighbor and ill-tempered hermit, pounds desperately at Tommy's door. It seems that Stan has caught something very peculiar in a bear trap, and before Tommy knows it, he is dealing with a demonic creature of legend!

THE HERMIT'S CREEPY PET by Terry M. West is a great short story and a perfect example of the author's dark humor. The creature is one I haven't heard of before, so I googled it, and apparently this is a well-known cryptid. The ending is fantastic, but I can't help wondering if West might be confessing to something...

I also recommend THE DEVIL'S LIST by Terry M. West.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

What About The CAT?! | AstraDaemon

HOW I ENDED MY MARRIAGE by Victor Vilestone is a flash fiction story about a husband who has a very literal interpretation of his marriage vow. I enjoy how the author shoves the ugliness of people into the reader's face, but I think Vilestone's characters deserve more pages. (I also want to know what the narrator did with his cat.)

For a longer story, I recommend his novella THE JINXED JUNIPER TREE.

As always,
AstraDaemon


Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Great Wide Open | AstraDaemon

GO OUTSIDE by Adam Vine is a brief piece of science fiction centered on a man's journey into space with another species. Very descriptive and held my interest, but I would have preferred more physical interactions, or a secondary POV from the Hosts.

GENE CATCHER is still my favorite sci-fi Vine story.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Monday, March 22, 2021

Supernatural Predators | AstraDaemon

NAKED IN MY BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES and FOLLOW THE CROWS by Joshua Scribner are two flash fiction stories which will be making my Best Fiction 2021 list. They are both told through the POVs of predators, with a supernatural element. The first one has a dark folklore theme, while the second is a mix of crime drama and classical horror. I highly recommend this double-feature to all readers.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Familiar Formula | AstraDaemon

CARDINAL RULES by Brady Phoenix is reminiscent of an 80s slasher film, with the killer wanting revenge for some perceived wrong-doing. However, I would describe this novel more as a crime-thriller, with intense relationship drama playing out in two different timelines. The mystery surrounding the Cardinal killer kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I think many horror fans would enjoy this story.

Unfortunately, I think some are going to pass this up just because the characters are LGBTQ+, which is ridiculous. First of all, this is not erotica, nor are there any overtly sexual scenes, so no one can use that as an excuse to skip this one. Second, this is basically the same formula as most thrillers: a bunch of young people (which includes several typical characters such as the nice guy and the major AH) are trying to have a good time, but someone is killing them off. Last but not least, the characters are dealing with personal issues that many of us could relate to, such as friends who don't get along with each other, domestic abuse and personal tragedies.

With all that said, I would have preferred more action scenes and a little less dialogue...I will admit I was expecting a more brutal horror plot. However, I'm still recommending this book because I like seeing more variety in the groups of people portrayed in fiction, whether it's horror or other genres.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Friday, March 19, 2021

Watch Out for the Carnies | AstraDaemon

HALLOWEEN LAND: A COMING OF AGE NOVELLA by Kevin J. Kennedy is so entertaining, he should've written a full-length novel. I love the concept of an evil carnival which travels through time and space, moving from one reality to another, claiming victims with every stop. Zak and Wendy are believable characters, and their interactions flow well throughout the story. Their third wheel is intriguing, and I wish the author had offered up more backstory for their unusual companion.

While this story could pass as YA horror fiction, I think readers of all ages would appreciate the terror within these pages.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Thursday, March 18, 2021

NOT Stolen!! | AstraDaemon


THE HOUSE ON FISHER STREET by Amy Cross is an original suspense-thriller. Now, as a general rule, I don't usually concern myself with other reviewers, but I need to address something I read in the Amazon review section. Someone stated this novella is a rip-off of the movie Don't Breathe, and went so far as to say the plot is the exact same. THIS IS A HUGE LIE!!

I have watched the movie several times, and read this book completely from beginning to end. The only similar element is three people breaking into a place, which is a common trope in the horror genre. Nothing else is the same. The characters are different. The setting is different. There are several twists in the book which are not in the movie, and there are twists in the movie which are not in this book. Either the other reviewer didn't read the book past the first chapter, or the person is deliberately slandering Amy Cross. Now on to a TRUTHFUL review...

Three young people attempt to break into a huge house surrounded by more than one security measure. They find what they think is a flaw in the design, and use this flaw to gain access into the house. Soon, they realize they misjudged the situation. The owner is not as predictable as they thought, and there is an unusual reason he lives there. The ending has more than one surprise, and the epilogue is the icing on the cake.

With that said, as much as I enjoyed this story, this is not as frightening as many other books by Cross. She spent too much time on the trio plotting the heist, and not enough time on the action within the house, particularly the scenes in the basement. The potential to be truly horrifying wasn't well-met. Cross should've have given the owner a better backstory. To be fair, I expected something supernatural to be revealed.

This is one of those rare occasions I'm recommending the book, even though it's not one of my favorites by Cross, because I'm disgusted by the false review. There are authors and Hollywood writers who plagiarize each other, but this is simply not the case here.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Visceral Violence | AstraDaemon

HOBBOMOCK by Ryan C. Thomas is extremely well-written horror. Everything from the setup with the prologue and the character relationships to the graphic action scenes and the backstory folklore increases the terror in this gut-ripping demonic siege.

Four friends plan a fun overnight when they find out they have a place to themselves in the woods, but their plans are brutally eviscerated by what appears to be a psychotic old lady. The group of teens soon realize they are dealing with a supernatural force and have no idea how to defend themselves. Eventually the author reveals how past events tie into the current bloodbath, offering a sliver of hope.

If this were ever made into a movie, I believe the Hobbomock could become the next iconic monster.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

A Different Kind of Loitering | AstraDaemon

SCRAPS OF LIFE by Joshua Scribner is an extremely dark flash fiction story about the energy signatures life and death leave behind. When a homeless man reveals what happened in a hotel parking lot, the effect on the employees is devastating.

Scribner gives his readers a lot to think about with this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Monday, March 15, 2021

No Rest for the Wicked | AstraDaemon

THE GREENWOOD SERIAL KILLER by K.B. Knight is the third book in this series. Jasmine has survived all kinds of unbelievable insanity in her little town, only to have more people die around her yet again. Many believe she purposefully brings the evil down onto herself and others. As if the transition from teen to adult isn't difficult enough, Jasmine must find her way with a trail of blood and corpses.

The author doesn't even try to be subtle with this one. Knight throws his readers into the arms of the killer early on, while slaughtering his characters as quickly as he creates them. If Jasmine had any sense, she'd find a way to wipe the town of the face of the earth instead of risking her life yet again.

Greenwood is very much like a gas-station restroom at this point: one hell of a mess. Can't wait to see what Knight does in the fourth book.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Book Videos | AstraDaemon

Just a reminder: the Lair has a YouTube channel with book videos highlighting the best stories from each month...



February's video will be posted in the next few days. Thanks for your patience.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Saturday, March 13, 2021

The Message | AstraDaemon

THE SWELL by Adam Vine is a strange flash fiction piece about a large number of children who go missing overnight at a pier. Not really a horror story as much as a cautionary tale with a supernatural element.

Not crazy about this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Friday, March 12, 2021

Surprise Gone Wrong | AstraDaemon

BIRTHDAY PICS by Adam Vine is a flash fiction piece centered on a couple who are given a link to a disturbing website. They try to dismiss what they find as some sort of sick prank...until they hear a young girl sobbing in the room next door.

The suspense is pretty good, although this is not as entertaining as Vine's other short stories. The ending also left me with unanswered questions, which is a little frustrating.

If this story isn't your cup of tea, I recommend reading Vine's short story, THE LICH.

As always,
AstraDaemon


Thursday, March 11, 2021

Beach Bodies | AstraDaemon

SPRING OUTBREAK by Calvin Demmer is a short story about a young woman trying to get over a breakup by vacationing with a friend. The author spends a lot of time in the character's head, which is completely unnecessary. This story would've been better as flash fiction, especially if more emphasis had been placed on the action. Unfortunately, the best scenes are limited to only a few pages. What could've been a great outbreak story is more like a bad breakup with some zombies tossed in.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Iron and Fire | AstraDaemon

Amanda Warrick is on the run. Fleeing from the clutches of Spencer Daniels and his cult of personality, Amanda is living in a stolen identity in the tiny mountain town of Darkwater. What Amanda doesn't realise however is that Darkwater has its own secrets, and not all cults are created equal...

LORD OF PLAYGROUNDS by Brett O'Reilly is essentially cult versus cult, scam artists versus true believers. The POV jumps back and forth, as Amanda recalls her time within Spencer's twisted circle, while she navigates her new life as a school teacher...with a stolen identity. Unfortunately for Amanda, she soon finds herself caught up in a terrifying hell made of iron, with the flames of her past licking at her back.

I am recommending this one to all readers. This is a great combination of crime drama, cult horror and the supernatural. I sincerely hope O'Reilly writes more stories like this one. In the meantime, LORD OF THE PLAYGROUNDS will be making my Best Fiction of 2021 list.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Failure | AstraDaemon

Ryan Dansfield had known Josea Cunningham since they were freshmen in high school. For four long years, Josea had tormented him for no apparent reason. No one else seemed to care about Ryan's pain, or even notice what a jerk Josea was. Much to Ryan's dismay, he realized that he would be attending the same university as his high school bully. Ryan cringed at the thought of having to spend another four years looking at Josea's face. Once college started, he couldn't stand the constant academic and athletic praise the idiot seemed to get. Things always seemed to get better for Josea Cunningham. But then... something happened. Something that shocked the campus, Josea's friends, and the wrestling coach. People were heartbroken about the event that had transpired. But not Ryan. No, Ryan Dansfield had been waiting for an opportunity like this all along. He had wished for a chance to disrespect, and mock Josea...and now he had it. What Ryan forgot, however, is that everything comes with a price.

HIGHER LEARNING by Syon Das is told through the POV of a bullied student planning his revenge. I have to say, I think his plan is incredibly stupid. However, the characters are intriguing and the end is a shocker.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Monday, March 8, 2021

Proceed With Caution | AstraDaemon

Shane Murphy is enjoying a canoe trip with a small group of family and friends when he is thrust into a nightmare more terrifying than anything he could have imagined.

THE HIM by Rocky Alexander makes Deliverance look like a fun vacation. This should come with multiple trigger warnings, as the violence is quite graphic. Although this short is well-written, the ending is anti-climactic, reducing this story to mere torture porn.

The one element which could have set this apart from the overdone sub-genre of killer rednecks is barely touched upon by the author. Disappointing.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Don't Pick At It | AstraDaemon

A young couple is traveling on their long-awaited vacation. But things are developing differently than expected. What starts as a promise turns into a nightmare. A short story about how a triviality ends in an obsession.

SUBCUTIS by Tobias Jakubetz is a short story with a pandemic setting and a bizarre format. Basically, a guy gets obsessed over a sunburn and loses his mind.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Religious Zealot | AstraDaemon

THE DEVIL FINDS A HOME by Jonathan Grisham is the second short story I've read by this author, and I'm thinking he needs to work with a longer format. Flash fiction does not offer much opportunity to build up suspense or develop characters, which is exactly why this story reads like a rough draft.

MY BABY is a slightly better Grisham story.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Friday, March 5, 2021

Why Tho | AstraDaemon

THE GOLD HUNTERS by Vanessa Perry is poorly written. Not only that, the story is flash fiction and most of the file is an intro-promo to something else the author wrote.

This is the second time I've read something by Perry, only to discover a flash fiction disappointment, followed by an obnoxiously long promo.

I don't know how the author expects to tempt readers into reading a full-length novel when Perry doesn't put much effort into the shorter stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Thursday, March 4, 2021

The Unexpected Guest | AstraDaemon

IN THE HOUSE ON THE LANE by Emily Gray centers on a woman living in a secluded area. She discovers one of her neighbors outside in a winter storm. Assuming the elderly lady has had a stroke, the younger woman attempts to get help from the only other neighbor in the area. All she finds is blood and terror.

Great suspense, but the ending is weak compared to the rest of the story.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The Bluest Balls | AstraDaemon

Love can make a man vulnerable. It can make him weak. But for Troy, the consequences are much worse. Every time he sleeps with a woman, a horrific price must be paid. Something haunts him and won't go away.

WAKING UP TO IT by Joshua Scribner is a short story which made my non-existent nut sack hurt. While the mystery held me in a crushing grip from beginning to end, the reveal is all kinds of weird.

I don't think this is even close to the level of storytelling Scribner is capable of. He's been doing a lot of see-sawing this year for some reason. I recommend his story CIRCLE OF DEATH instead.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Tunnel of Love | AstraDaemon

A series of interviews between a young, clean-cut journalist and an alternative, independent pichal pairi turns into an unexpected romance. But their relationship is tested when the entire world around them shuts down.

#SPRING LOVE, #PICHAL PAIRI by Usman T. Malik is a mix of South Asian folklore and the 2020 pandemic. While interesting, there isn't anything terrifying about it, and I'm wondering why this came up during a horror search on Amazon.

This is pretty much a relationship short, and not a very exciting one. Also, the story format is strange and jolting, giving the story a cold feeling, rather than the romance I expected based on the description.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Monday, March 1, 2021

Blood Tax | AstraDaemon

Two fisherman hit the Chesapeake Bay in the midst of a season long crab shortage in order to save their business. If they don't bring in a haul and pay off their loan to Otis Bailey, the King of the Old Bay, they're as good as dead. Unfortunately for them, Otis is the least of their worries.

OLD BAY KING by Donnie Goodman is a flash fiction piece disguising a creature feature as a crime drama. A couple of business partners decide to go crab hunting in an area they were warned about, but their risk pays off in more ways than one. However, the tax on their find requires more than money...it will cost them a pound of flesh and more.

I'd like to see this one made into a SyFy movie, and I'll definitely be keeping this author on my radar.

As always,
AstraDaemon