Bringing Work Home | Short Story Review

COLD BREATH by JT Lawrence is a perfectly executed short horror story. The author drops a significant detail here and there, but not so obvious as to give away what's really going on, while the narrator presses on with his POV.

Too difficult to discuss this one without giving away any spoilers, but I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy spine-chilling suspense.

I've read over a dozen stories by Lawrence, and COLD BREATH is my absolute favorite, although STAY THE NIGHT is a close second.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Reading Impaired | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

COMET by JT Lawrence is more about the husband Grant than the dog Comet. I never know what to expect from this author. I prefer her darker stories such as STAY THE NIGHT or HONEY TRAP.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 7 of 7 | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

STAY THE NIGHT by JT Lawrence is a sinister short story. Linda's idea for her next book is a great hook, and the ending is shocking. I felt like having a drink with Andrew, after the epiphany about Granny Hodge.

If you enjoy this one, I also recommend THE HONEY TRAP by Lawrence.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 6 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

AN EYE FOR AN EYE by JT Lawrence is definitely one of the author's darker stories. It's not too hard to guess what is happening, but the question of why remains until the main character is finally honest about who he really is.

For some reason, I thought of the music video for One by Metallica.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 5 of 7 | Fantasy Review | AstraDaemon

THE BARON by JT Lawrence is radically different from most everything I read these days, as well as being quite a departure from what I've come to expect from the author. However, this short fantasy story is an absolute delight, and highlights what a versatile story-teller Lawrence is.

If you enjoy authors such as Ursula K Le Guin or Terry Pratchett, you should make time for this tale by JT Lawrence.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 4 of 7 | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

THE PATRON SAINT OF CHILDREN by JT Lawrence touches on a real-life horror which continues to this day. I didn't know if I would be able to read through this flash fiction piece, but the author does not exploit any children for shock value, which is a welcome relief.

Even though I had an idea how the story would end, Lawrence captured the final moments perfectly. I recommend this one to everyone who is sick of apathy in the face of cruelty.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 3 of 7 | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

THE FERTILITY CAVE by JT Lawrence is an adaption of a memoir the author wrote about struggling to conceive. I really wish this had been in the description. I expected something supernatural and was given an angry vagina instead.

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 2 of 7 | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

THE LITTLE SPARROW of JT Lawrence is an unusual story, which is hard to discuss without giving away spoilers. Gives new meaning to the word "retirement."

As always,

AstraDaemon

JT Lawrence Day 1 of 7 | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

HONEY TRAP by JT Lawrence is an excellent short story about deception and desperation. The Hello Kitty flash drive is a fantastic hook. I had no idea what to expect at any point. Even when we reach the end of the rabbit hole, the ending shocked me as much as the journey.

I'm recommending this one to all readers.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Missing Proper Ending | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

RED SCRIBBLE by JT Lawrence is a fantastic and tragic paranormal story, but the ending is too abrupt, even for a flash fiction piece.

This could've been the author's best work, if only the story continued a little longer.

As always,

AstraDemon

Nuclear Revenge | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

LUCKY STRIKE by JT Lawrence is a flash fiction story which could've benefitted from a longer format. The narrator remains a mystery from beginning to end, with hints of multiple identities. We never really learn the true nature of her relationship. The only thing which is obvious is how determined she is to get revenge for what she considers an offense, but there's no telling if she is truthful to even herself.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Hunger Pang | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

THE CHILDREN IN THE WALLS by JT Lawrence is a dark short story. I had an idea what the author had planned, but the ending still gut-punched me.

It's been a few years since I've read anything by this author, but Lawrence still has a talent for blending suspense and personal drama.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Feeling Wrecked

A mother becomes suspicious of her daughter’s preschool teacher.

Is Teacher Dalton who she appears to be, or is something more sinister afoot?

Astrid by JT Lawrence is an excellent short story drama about mother who starts to question everything about her daughter's preschool. I knew the author had something painful in store for readers when the husband also seems distraught, but the ending still caught me off guard.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good suspense-drama.

As always,
AstraDaemon

He Said, She Said

Whose body lands up being unzipped by fish on the ocean floor?

Court, Marry, Kill by JT Lawrence is a story about an abusive relationship, told from alternating POVs between the abuser and the victim. It is fascinating to see how differently the two characters view all their interactions. It is also upsetting to see how Curtis is able to get away with isolating and hurting Monica. The ending reminded me of the movie Enough.

As always,
AstraDaemon