THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY by John Everson_Review

The House by the Cemetery by John Everson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY by John Everson

Outstanding. I can seldom resist the Feckless Hero, which is certainly what we have here in Protagonist Mike, a young carpenter in Cook County, Illinois. I liked Mike (to a point), but he and a whole lot of others would have benefited if he had just--matured. Developed personal integrity. Got a life. {Sigh} Guess my opinion of him didn't rank as high as I thought.

Nevertheless, the story is outstanding. Quite extreme, but given the context of the plot, not over the top. I particularly admired author John Everson' s gift with characterization, which I fondly remember from his novel FAMILY TREE. He delineates his characters quite fully but subtly, without telegraphing in advance, but letting readers' realization gradually unfold. This was a one-session reading for me, as I was so absorbed in both plot and characters. I adored the setting, too, and Mr. Everson delivers suspense and revelation in perfect doses for a tale of haunted locales and haunted character.

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DUAL DEPRAVITY 2 by Dani Brown and David Owain Hughes_Review

Dual Depravity by Dani Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: DUAL DEPRAVITY 2 by Dani Brown and David Owain Hughes

Two novellas from each of two extreme horror authors form the framework: stories to widen your eyes, capture your breath, and hopefully, expand your Imagination (and keep you watching over your shoulder).

"The Previous Plastic Surgeon" by Dani Brown:

This story may be very triggering to some. Jerusalem is an unemployed (probably unemployable) "amateur" plastic surgeon (in his own mind) with permanent Mother issues. Considering himself "a gift from the gods," he is compelled to "transform" those he deems "uglies." The man is a total egotist, and believes he has reincarnated through many lifetimes, always in some way attached to the woman who is Mother in this life, always practicing his "transformations."

"Warfare" by David Owain Hughes:

Starting out, this story appears to be simply a narrative of criminal gangs in Cardiff, Wales and environs, accompanied by, of course, a lot of fighting and violence, because this is, after all, a David Owain Hughes production {wink}. For the same reason, a lot of bad guys get their just desserts, and some innocents are unfortunately also dispatched in distasteful fashion. So far, nothing seems new. However, this multifaceted author had surprises in store, and surprise me he did. I soon found myself devouring pages as fast as I could turn them! And then--that ending ...Go on, see for yourself.


"God's Fleshlight" by Dani Brown:

Even in my worst nightmares I could never imagine a Dystopia as disturbing as this. The really scary aspect is that alien incursion and rampant monkey overwhelm aside, the political and cultural overtones could actually be eventually possible. Just imagine a pornographic transformation of George Orwell' s 1984, with the overlords being telepathic Health and Safety bureaucrats, and control of populace and the appearance of good deeds concealing a failed democracy.

"Skid Row" by David Owain Hughes:

This is my favourite of the 4, and I really liked it. Mr. Hughes' ability to provide more than a simple gore-fest or sex-obsessed tale is showcased here, in a story I could happily reread. The protagonist I very much empathised with, and constantly cheered on. I liked, even admired, the not-really-secondary character nicknamed "Wrestler," a young man with manners, not just hormones, who, like Timex watches of the 1950s, "takes a licking and keeps on ticking." There is character evolution! There are hints of, and hopes for, a happy conclusion. Mr. Hughes takes on a protagonist whose thoughts and emotions, because of the rare situation, surely must have been difficult to compose. Yes, of course there is gore, and sex; but all in all, the story made me glad to have read it, and I am sure it plans to linger in pleasurable memory.




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THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS_Review

The Shawcross Letters: My Journey Into The Mind Of Evil by John Paul Fay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review: THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS by John Paul Fay

Years ago I read a poignant description in a novel that I've never forgotten. The title and author I don't remember, but this sentence is indelible. It describes a patient, in an asylum or care home: "Only her eyes were alive, and they burned like those of someone who looked frequently into Hell." I firmly visualized, and still do; today, reading THE SHAWCROSS LETTERS, I feel it. I feel I've opened a book and I feel I've peered directly into Hades. Reader, if you've ever wondered if evil exists, if in human form there are those beyond the pale, wonder no longer. Remember: not all the dangerous ones are imprisoned. Out there are those whose thought processes don't even enter the same universe as us. We humans are fodder--just fodder.

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