Of Foster Homes and Flies - by Chad Lutzke - One very trying week in the life of a sixth grader

5 of 5 Stars     Review copy

Meet Denny Christopher Newman, a sixth grader at Maguire Elementary School.  Pretty much neglected, a latchkey kid, and a terrific speller.

There is an amazing amount of detail in this novella length story. Things that add just the right amount of color to the canvas that is the writer's narrative.

Our small house acts as an oven in the summer and an old A/C still hangs from the living room window, though it hasn't worked for years.

I've read a number of coming of age tales this year, it's one of my favorite sub-genres.  Of Foster Homes and Flies is the darkest among them.  On par with Robert McCammon's Boys life  or Steven King's The Body.

When Denny's Mom dies unexpectedly, he has no idea what to do, he only knows he wants more than anything to compete in the sixth grade spelling bee the following Wednesday. Lutzke's story is about how he gets there and it's at once compelling, heartbreaking, witty, and charming.

Of Foster Homes and Flies, published by Scary Carpet, is available in e-book, paperback, and audible formats,  If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the authors bio - Chad Lutzke lives in Battle Creek, MI. with his wife and children where he works as a medical language specialist. Chad loves music, rain, sarcasm, dry humor, and cheese. He has a strong disdain for dishonesty and hard-boiled eggs. He has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue and Scream magazine. He is a regular contributor to Horror Novel Reviews.

My Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2016

Once again I was fortunate enough to read somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 books in the last calendar year.  At this time I'd like to present my favorite reads of 2016.  The first 9 books on the list are in alphabetical order and then, at the end, I'll give you my favorite read in four categories.

Dark Matter - Blake Crouch

I was immediately taken in by the author's writing style.  Clear, concise, narrative.  Fully realized characters.  And a thrilling story to boot. Dark Matter is an amazing journey that is wildly imaginative yet totally believable.

The actual quantum physics involved are a bit over my head, but simplified to the point where even I could follow along.

There are several unexpected twists along the way and underneath all the science and mystery is a love story for the ages.

I Will Rot Without You - Danger Slater 

I Will Rot Without You is not a book I would have sought out on my own.  I've never read anything by the author, other than some of the reviews he's written on Goodreads.  I've never read anything from the small press responsible for its publication, although I have read a number of short stories from John Skipp, the owner of Fungasm Press.

I Will Rot Without You is gonzo or bizarro writing with a bit of beautiful prose mixed in.  At times surreal and totally off-the-wall, yet the underlying story is charming.  Its so much more than in-your-face splatterpunk, it truly defies description.

Mongrels - by Stephen Graham Jones

Mongrels is a completely different kind of werewolf story, told from the point of view of a teenage werewolf who has yet to shift for the first time.  In addition to facing the same issues teens everywhere must deal with, this one faces the uncertainty of when, or even if, he will ever change.

Good literary horror is something to be appreciated, and when you combine that with werewolves, it's time to relax in your favorite reading chair and dig in.

Robert Bloch's Psycho: Sanitarium - by Chet Williamson

If you've never read Robert Bloch's 1959 novel Psycho, not to worry, Chet Williamson provides an excellent synopsis to get the reader up to speed on the events which precede Psycho: Sanitarium.  The story itself succeeds on many levels.  The depiction of life in the asylum rings true with patients running the gamut from calm to violent and a professional staff of both caring individuals and a few that should be committed themselves.  The tone and pacing of the story matches up well with Robert Bloch's original work.  All of the characters are well developed, and the story features a number of delicious twists, all within the realm of possibility.

The Night Parade - by Ronald Malfi 

It's an amazing feeling when you start a new book by a capable writer. one who gently takes you by the hand and guides you on your journey.  Ronald Malfi is such a writer.

Malfi is a master at giving the reader just enough to draw you into his world and then slowly reveals bits and pieces until it all comes together.  Much like painter creating a work of art by adding layer after layer until the piece is just right.

There is a new plague in the land. Wanderer's Folly, which results in nosebleeds, hallucinations, and ultimately death.

Odd Adventures with Your Other Father - by Norman Prentiss

Odd Adventures with Your Other Father is a genre-bending novel, blending fantasy, horror, and a love story that transcends the ordinary.

Celia, had two fathers, one of them passed away when she was four.  Her Father, Shawn, tells her a series of "odd" stories about her other Father, Jack.

It was so easy to become lost in the story-telling.  Somewhat like sitting around a campfire listening to an experienced counselor tell his best tale and then clamoring for one more before crawling into your sleeping bag for the night.

The Rib from Which I Remake the World - by Ed Kurtz

The Rib from Which I Remake the World  is one of those books which doesn't fit neatly into any category.  Is it Noir? Horror? Psychological Thriller? Occult? The list could go on, but truthfully, what Ed Kurtz's latest is, is a heluva read.

A Road Show comes to town with film to play at the Palace Theatre Motherhood Too Soon. It's scandalous, purporting to show an actual childbirth at the end of the motion picture.

Then there's a mysterious, invitation only, midnight show which accompanies the main feature   This is where Kurtz's tale goes from being a crime story to something more. Before long it warps into something completely metaphysical and becomes an unrelenting nightmare for those still alive.

They Say A Girl Died Here Once - by Sarah Pinborough

Four stages of womanhood stuck together by life, but with nothing in common.

I found They Say a Girl Died Here Once to be quietly disturbing, yet beautifully written, spellbinding, powerful stuff  It's not a "fun" read, but it is a potent story which builds to a pulse-pounding climax.

In my modest opinion They Say a Girl Died Here Once is as close to a perfect horror story as you'll find.

Tijuana Donkey Showdown - by Adam Howe 

No need to get into plot details, they don't really matter, what does matter is that reading Tijuana Donkey Showdown is a chance to kick back and relax with a totally fun read.    It's a story filled with OMG moments, just one outrageous surprise after another.


Make no mistake, Tijuana Donkey Showdown, is certainly for adults and even some of those may find the material offensive, but if that's you and you're looking for something to take your mind off the world we live in.  Look no further.



And now my favorite reads of 2016

American Nocturne - by Hank Schwaeble - Favorite Collection  

There are so many talented writers working in the fields of horror and speculative fiction that I'm constantly discovering authors I've not read before who immediately leave me wanting to read more of their work.  Case in point, Hank Schwaeble.  Prior to being sent a copy of this new collection I'd never even heard of him.  Maybe I just need to get out more or stay in and read more.


Jonathan Maberry, an author I have read and greatly respect, has penned an excellent introduction to Hank Schwaeble in general and specifically to American Nocturne.  In essence, he says Hank is the real deal, and that's good enough for me.

After reading this collection this is one I can seriously recommend.

Wicked Witches - An Anthology of the New England Horror Writers - ed. by Scott Goudsward, David Price, & Daniel Keohane - Favorite Anthology

I found the stories in Wicked Witches to be diverse, engrossing, and totally enjoyable. This may seem like a narrow theme for such a large anthology, but each story had it's own unique vision keeping the collection fresh from start to finish.


Halloween may be past, but good horror can be appreciated all year long.

Odd Man Out - by James Newman - Favorite Novella

It's been a few years since The Boy Scouts of America changed their policy to allow gay members. In Newman's Odd Man Out a conservative Christian Church is struggling with allowing the scouts to continue using their building as a meeting place.

What follows is the story of of what happened during a trial run of the Black Mountain Camp for Boys in the Summer of 1989.

Although the campers in Odd Man Out were wonderfully diverse, there was one in their midst who was decidedly different. Wesley Westmore.

By now, I think you might have a pretty good sense of where Newman's tale is headed. There are monsters in Odd Man Out, but they are not the monsters of fiction.  Here the monsters are real.  Just as real as you and I.


I give Odd Man Out my highest recommendation.

Children of the Dark -  by Jonathan Janz  - Favorite Novel

Children of the Dark is one of the most talked about horror books of 2016.  I just had to see what the fuss was about for myself.  Wow.  This is one time where all of the hype was dead on.

In its heart, this book is cryptid horror at it most effective.  A masterpiece of terror. Tenacious in its pacing, and just when you think things can't get any worse...frying pan, meet fire.

When I was finished reading Children of the Dark I was left feeling emotionally drained.  This is what happens when a reader is fully invested in a story.  It's a sign of great writing and regardless of genre this book is definitely great writing.


Feel free to let me know what books you loved this year in the comments section below

Did You Forget About Me? - by Andrew Cull - A short story that's long on atmosphere

5 of 5 Stars     Review copy

I recently read and greatly enjoyed an anthology of Christmas themed horror written by members of the Australian Horror Writers Association.  That book was Hell's Bells and one of the stories within was Old Man Christmas, written by filmmaker/writer Andrew Cull.  When Andrew reached out to me with a request to read and review his new short story, Did You Forget About Me? I jumped at the opportunity.

Cam Miller is a struggling actor and at age thirty he has yet to make his mark.  When his long estranged father dies and leaves Cam his childhood home he contacts his sister and makes plans to visit the property.  The trip brings back unpleasant memories and more.

I don't want to get into he nitty-gritty here.  After all, this is just a short story and it's secrets should be discovered by the reader.  I will say I enjoyed the experience and that Cull makes effective use of his filmmaker's eye for detail.

I pulled the curtain aside.  I could feel the cold pressing against the glass outside, wanting in.

Although this is only a short story, Did You Forget About Me? had something that's been missing in a lot of books I've been reading recently and that's "atmosphere." 

Recommended.

Self-Published and currently available only for the Kindle.  If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the author's bio - Andrew Cull is both a writer and director. His first novel, Remains, is set for release in 2017.

Devils in Dark Houses - by B.E. Scully - Four intertwined novellas of murder and mayhem in the Pacific Northwest

5 of 5 Stars     Review copy

Having never read anything from B.E. Scully before, I had no idea what to expect.  Truthfully, I didn't anticipate being entertained as completely as I was.

Devils in Dark Houses is a set of four equally powerful novellas set in the author's home state of Oregon.  The stories are all connected through a pair of homicide detectives assigned to the individual cases.

Before the tales, the author shares a pretty dark quote from Teddy Roosevelt - There is not one among us in whom a devil does not dwell; at some time, on some point, that devil masters each of us.... It is not having been in the Dark House, but having left it, that counts.

The Eye That Blinds - Ross Devlin, Tyler Wickett, and Brooke Merrill, call themselves the Three Muskateers. College friends, each with their own set of delusions.  Ross believes he's been selected for a new reality show called "The Eye,"  Tyler is obsessed with monitoring and controlling Brooke's life, and Brooke has self-diagnosed MS.  Scully delivers a captivating read which will leave detectives Monte Martinez and Cassie Shirdon trying to figure out a brutal, twisted puzzle, the kind we see on TV and just end up shaking our collective heads.

Each Castle Has Its King - A story that asks, "Can a house be evil?" Calvin Goodman and his wife, Rachel, and their dog, Jackson, move to the country.  ...leaving Los Angeles for a "more peaceful, sane place." like Oregon.  There was no question about the peaceful part. But Rachel wasn't at all convinced about the "more sane" part of the bargain.   Their neighbor on the one side, Roy Crampton, was less than friendly.  The Dell sisters, Mary and Mabel, lived on the other side of their property and were disturbing in their own way.

Nostri -  This was my favorite of the four novellas is the collection.  Disenfranchised teens and a story that asks some hard questions.  Thought provoking and frightening.  What starts with a fascination with the teachings of a Roman philosopher and taking a stand on some social issues, in an unusual way, takes a decidedly dark turn and ends in murder.  Once again, Martinez and Shirdon are on the case.  Without a doubt this was one of the most powerful narratives I've read this year. Chilling in its ramifications.

Devils in Dark Houses - Another story about ethics, addressing the issue in an entertaining, dark fiction sort of way. Good cops, not so good cops, DB Cooper, and an itinerant schizophrenic that refers to himself as the Hound.  What's not to love. Plus, the Hound knows something about the past in the very police department where Martinez and Shirdon still work homicide.  Given what they have to work with, getting to the truth will be anything but easy.

B.E. Scully has a very comfortable writing style which made reading this quartet of novellas a joy and I look forward to reading her work again, soon.

Definitely recommended.

Devils in Dark Houses is available from DarkFuse in both paperback and e-book formats.   If you subscribe to the Kindle Unlimited program you can read this book at no additional charge.  Also, if you're an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE through the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the author's bio - B.E. Scully lives in a haunted red house that lacks a foundation in the misty woods of Oregon with a variety of human and animal companions.  Scully is the author of the gothic thriller Verland: the Transformation, the short story collection The Knife and the Wound It Deals, and numerous other short stories, poems, and articles.

Where the Dead Go to Die - A story of loss, love, and zombies

5 of 5 Stars     Review copy

Been a while since I've read a great opening line, but this one drew me right in...

The dead roam those halls.

Emily Samuels is starting new job and the protesters were out in force, complete with signs reading, "LIFE IS 4 THE LIVING","BRING OUT UR DED",  'NO TOLERRENCE FOR BONE EATERS", "LET' FINISH THE JOB".

Where the Dead Go to Die is a decidedly different take on the zombie apocalypse...

"No, no, no! We don't say zombie here.  Nor do we refer to our guests as 'smilers', or 'bone eaters' or whatever else it is you hear over there in the Russian quarter, it won't fly here, Emily.  There's a reason those offensive B movies and trashy novels about the infected have been withdrawn from circulation and banned."

In the world created by authors Dries and Gunnells, once infected it can take years before the "dead' become hungry.  As a result the ministry has established long-term care facilities where they can stay until they absolutely need to be terminated. It's not brains these zombies cry for.  Here, the infected crave sugar, fats, and with time, marrow.

Where the Dead Go to Die is a captivating story, powerful in the way its told.  In some ways a comment on elder care as much as it is a story about zombies.  A story with a great deal of humanity, yet filled with gore and...hope.  At one point I was actually moved to tears.

There are several illustrations interspersed throughout the the book.  Each character was rich with authenticity and the storytelling is a cut above...

The pigeon rolled trying to flap itself right again.  Only it was too late.  It entangled itself in the barbed wire lining the lunch area fence.  Meta thorns pierced the bird's fragile hulk, and the more it tried to fight the stronger that hold became.  The pigeon screamed until the pain became too much, and the cooed itself into stunned resignation.

Using a zombie tale to tell a story of the turbulent times we live in seems nothing short of inspired

Not sure whose idea it was to use instructions on creating an origami crane to open each of the Interludes in the story, but that was really inspired.

Wholeheartedly recommended.

Where the Dead Go to Die is published by Crystal Lake Publishing and is available in both paperback and for the Kindle.  If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the authors' bios...

Aaron Dries was raised in a small New South Wales town in Australia.  Among his many jobs is a stint as an aged-care nurse, experience which came in handy in creating the backdrop for Where the Dead Go to Die.  Aaron graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in creative writing and video production. As a filmmaker, he won a number of awards for his short films.  When he is not writing, Aaron is thinking about writing, or upcoming film projects. He is also an avid traveler.

Mark Allan Gunnells loves to tell stories. He has since he was a kid, penning one-page tales that were Twilight Zone knockoffs. He likes to think he has gotten a little better since then. He loves reader feedback, and above all he loves telling stories. He lives in Greer, SC, with his husband Craig.

Children of the Dark - Jonathan Janz - Well-crafted creature horror

5 of 5 Stars

Children of the Dark is one of the most talked about horror books of 2016.  I just had to see what the fuss was about for myself.  Wow.  This is one time where all of the hype was dead on.

How's this for an opening line?  The week I saw seventeen people die didn't begin with blood, monsters, or a sadistic serial killer.  And things just got better from there.

Will, Chris, and Barley.  Best friends for life. Chiildren of the Dark begins like a typical coming of age novel. Teenage boys discovering teenage girls. Bullies making life difficult.  But, there comes a point when things turn dreadfully dark. Nearly everyone I talked to that night wound up dead anyway.

In its heart, this book is cryptid horror at it most effective.  A masterpiece of terror. Tenacious in its pacing, and just when you think things can't get any worse...frying pan, meet fire.

One of the things that makes Children of the Dark so effective was the contrast between having to deal with the somewhat normal circumstances of growing up, no matter how difficult they may be, and then having that turn into an unrelenting nightmare.  The beginning of the story is filled with charming moments, young love, the anecdote about how Barley got his nickname was nothing short of brilliant, and then BAM!

When I was finished reading Children of the Dark I was left feeling emotionally drained.  This is what happens when a reader is fully invested in a story.  It's a sign of great writing and regardless of genre this book is definitely great writing.

Available in both paperback and e-book formats, Children of the Dark, is published by Sinister Grin Press.

From the author's bio - Jonathan Janz grew up between a dark forest and a graveyard, which explains everything. Brian Keene named his debut novel The Sorrows "the best horror novel of 2012." The Library Journal deemed his follow-up, House of Skin, "reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Peter Straub's Ghost Story."

His primary interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children, and though he realizes that every author's wife and children are wonderful and amazing, in this case the cliché happens to be true.

Hell's Bells - edited by a commitee of the Australian Horror Writers Association- An anthology of festive fear

4 of 5 Stars     Review copy

Hell's Bells happens to be one of my favorite tracks from Back In Black arguably the best album from the Australian rock band AC/DC and fits well as the title for this new anthology. Much like the in-your-face rock 'n' roll AC/DC is known for, Hell's Bells, a collection of 40 flash stories of 500 words or less, will leave you rocking.

I've been aware of Australia as a hotbed of horror for a few years now, and this anthology just solidifies that view.  In the mix are author's I've read a lot, some I've read a bit, and many I've just read for the first time.  While not every story hit the high notes, enough of them did to make this collection worth your time.

There are all kinds of Christmas horror stories among these tales, but my favorites are the Christmas ghost stories, of which there are several.  There truly is something for every fan of dark fiction in Hell's Bells.  It's not easy to write a complete story in under 500 words, but for the most part that's just what the writers accomplish in this compilation.

As I write this review, it's nearly Summer in the land of Oz and here I was reading these stories in the bitterly cold Northeast United States. So I just imagined myself relaxing out on the deck while me mate grills a thick juicy steak on the barbie.  Let me tell ya, that just warmed the cockles of me heart.

Hell's Bells is published by the Australian Horror Writers Association and is currently available for the Kindle. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.