Tag Archives: horror books

Gothic by Philip Fracassi Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A struggling horror writer descends into madness when he begins using an ancient writing desk that begins to transform his personality in author Philip Fracassi’s “Gothic”. 

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The Synopsis

On his 59th birthday, Tyson Parks—a famous, but struggling, horror writer—receives an antique desk from his partner, Sarah, in the hopes it will rekindle his creative juices. Perhaps inspire him to write another best-selling novel and prove his best years aren’t behind him.

A continent away, a mysterious woman makes inquiries with her sources around the world, seeking the whereabouts of a certain artifact her family has been hunting for centuries. With the help of a New York City private detective, she finally finds what she’s been looking for.

It’s in the home of Tyson Parks.-

Meanwhile, as Tyson begins to use his new desk, he begins acting… strange. Violent. His writing more disturbing than anything he’s done before. But publishers are paying top dollar, convinced his new work will be a hit, and Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound success. Even if it means the destruction of the ones he loves.

Even if it means his own sanity.

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The Review

This was such a visceral and powerful horror read. The author did a remarkable job of touching upon the pressure of the writing industry and the pitfalls of fame and success while infusing the rigid horrors of the mythos the author crafted in a natural way into the narrative. The dynamic imagery the author utilizes in their writing really emphasized the terrors and spine-chilling nature of the threat that is brought into the lives of this cast of characters, making each scene feel steeped in terror. 

What really drove me into the pages of this novel were the engaging character arcs and the rich mythology the author developed for this novel. The draw of this ancient artifact and the hunt to stop its bloody reign of terror sets up the reader for an adventure like no other early on, but it is the haunting nature of this protagonist driven to the brink of madness and beyond by this powerful force of nature, and the way the horror elevates as this thing sinks its teeth more and more into the protagonist’s mind and begins to affect his relationships with the other characters that made this such a huge draw for me as a horror fan.

The Verdict

Haunting, captivating, and thrilling, author Philip Fracassi’s “Gothic” is a must-read horror novel of 2023. The chilling imagery and the buildup of tension in the narrative immediately made the book feel like a mashup of Stephen King’s The Shining and The Dark Half meets The Amityville Horror, and the shocking twists and turns in the narrative will keep readers hooked as the story progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Philip Fracassi is an award-winning author and screenwriter living in Los Angeles.

His debut collection of short horror, BEHOLD THE VOID, won “Story Collection of the Year” award from both This Is Horror and Strange Aeons Magazine.

His new collection, BENEATH A PALE SKY, arrives June, 2021, and his debut novel, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, comes out on Halloween day, 2021.

His stories have been printed in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Black Static, Cemetery Dance, and Nightmare Magazine. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, LOCUS Magazine, Rue Morgue and many others.

His screenplays include the Lifetime thriller Girl Missing and Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, from Disney. Both are available as VOD.

Follow Philip on Facebook and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or visit his website at http://pfracassi.com

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Vlada: Tales of the Damned Anthology

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Six authors come together to explore the dark mythos of the Vlada universe in the new anthology “Vlada: Tales of the Damned”.

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The Synopsis

Vlada Tales of the Damned is a 6 author anthology book about the various characters from the Vlada Universe. Art by Tim Vigil, Chandra Akerblom, Don PAresi, and more. Authors included in the book are Christopher Denmead, Jenna Moqin, Don PAresi Chandra Akerblom, and more.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

The Review

This was a powerful and captivating collection of short stories. The authors not only captured the tone and atmosphere of the original Vlada story perfectly but honed in on the gothic setting and tone of the original so well. The vIsceral horror and gritty imagery the authors utilized helped bring an almost cinematic quality to the style of writing in each story, and the haunting tone of these tales kept the reader invested in these narratives. 

To me, the beauty of this series lies in both the gender-bent aspect of the twists on these iconic stories and the homages to the original mythos that the authors kept in place to add to the wealth of new storytelling that occurred. The earliest stories held great callbacks to characters like Renfield and Van Helsing, while the origins of Vlada herself were great and compelling to read, and the spine-chilling nature of the vampire lore was captured in these stories so perfectly that the authors were able to expand on the vampire mythos much more and keep the reader invested as they did so.

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and entertaining, the anthology hit gothic horror series “Vlada: Tales of the Damned” is a must-read collection. The twists on these iconic characters and the quick pace of the stories allowed the reader to really connect to this universe in a powerful way and leaves the reader eager for more stories within the growing Vlada universe. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Arcranium™ by Mark Towse and Daemon Manx Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Four authors enter a new form of technology that brings their creations to life in a virtual space and compete to determine who is the scariest of them all in authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx’s “Arcranium™”. 

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The Synopsis

Four horror authors with four vulnerable egos, square off against one another, in the virtual world, to find out who is the scariest. Welcome to Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author’s mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative. It’s all in good fun, but with so much pride at stake, things are bound to get a little bumpy once the gloves come off. So, strap your headset on and don’t forget the safe word. The future of literature is about to get an upgrade. The future is … Arcranium™

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The Review

This was such a chilling and captivating read. The perfect blend of modern horror and haunting psychological thrills, the authors did a wonderful job of bringing a shocking and visceral story to life on the page. The imagery and tension that layered this writing allowed the fictional worlds the main characters conjured up to come to life in such perfect detail, and the scares that occurred as a result felt natural and paid off from the developing narrative.

For me, the draw of this book came from both the stories within a story concept and the powerful themes that helped draw out the horrors of the genre into this novel. The way the narrative honed in on each character or author’s story and allowed those worlds to flourish not only moved the story forward but allowed the authors of this novel to showcase and flex their own creative work in a unique way. Yet it was the themes of the dangers of technology, the downfall of the ego, and the idea of playing god as a writer that really made the terrors of this fictional world tear into our own deep-seated fears, making this a wonderful read.

The Verdict

Haunting, captivating, and entertaining, authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx’s “Arcranium™” is a must-read horror novel meets psychological thriller and anthology novel. The short yet powerful read immediately strikes readers with its commentary on the state of writing (and subsequently entertainment as a whole) while also delivering potent scares and thrills that will keep readers wide awake at night. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Mark Towse is an Englishman living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Novellas to date include: Nana, Crows, The Bucket List, Hope Wharf, 3:33, One Last Shindig, Nature’s Perfume, and Arcranium.

‘Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.’

Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press

https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75

https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres…

Daemon Manx is an award-winning American author who writes horror, suspense, supernatural, and speculative fiction.

He was born on January 16, 1967, shortly after the very first Super Bowl, but never played the game and never had a favorite team.

Daemon has recently been nominated for the 2021 Splatterpunk awards for his debut, Abigail in the best short story category.

In 2021 he received a HAG award for his story The Dead Girl.

He is a member of the Horror Authors Guild (HAG) and has been featured in magazines in both the U.S. and the U.K. 

In 1999 Daemon was a contestant on the television game show Wheel of Fortune where he made it to the bonus round and walked away with a fully loaded Chevy Tahoe…pretty amazing, right?

On another unbelievable note, in 1991 Daemon was involved in a motor vehicle accident with Ronald Reagan’s motorcade. He accidentally crashed into the former president’s limousine on a New York City Street shortly after Ron and Nancy had stepped out of the vehicle. No one was injured, except for maybe the pride of the secret security agent who was directing traffic.

Most recently, Daemon has opened his own publishing company and works with fellow authors, Diana Olney and Jack Wells, as well as business associate, Romol Chiossi.

Daemon lives with his sister, author Danielle Manx and their narcoleptic cat, Sydney where the patiently prepare for the apocalypse. There is a good chance they will runout of coffee far too soon.

https://www.daemonmanx.com/

The Seething by Ben Monroe Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A family’s relocation becomes anything but relaxing when an ancient evil awakens and the people of their new town begin to disappear in author Ben Monroe’s “The Seething”. 

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The Synopsis

A family’s relocation looked like a chance to relax and regroup—but as they settle into their new home, teenage Kimmie Barnes’ special senses make her the target of something primordial, evil, and utterly malign.

Darkness…

Golden Oaks, California is a sleepy town on the shores of Oro Lake, and the residents have no idea what horrors lurk below the glittering waters.

Beneath the waves…

One by one, as people begin to disappear, the once quiet town is soon in the grips of a waking nightmare. An unimaginable horror consuming everything before it.

Hungry…

All while echoes of an ancient evil spread out like malignant spider webs, like dead hands reaching, grasping…

SEETHING…

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The Review

This book was so atmospheric and held a powerful hold on the reader as the narrative progressed. The action and horror pick up immediately, taking readers into an emotional and well-developed character arc that instantly gets torn asunder. The imagery played well into the author’s writing to not only bring the terror of the novel to life, but the rich setting as well, bringing this beautiful and serene Northern California locale to life on the page and serving as the perfect juxtaposition to this ugly, chaotic monstrosity lurking underneath the town itself.

The terror of the novel comes to life perfectly by having the right balance of world-building and dynamic character development. The connection this small family has together and the tight-knit community of the town play against the alienating nature of this evil seeping out into the lives of these people, and the mythos behind this monstrous energy and its seething hatred for the people within the town helped elevate the horrors that slowly began to crawl their way onto the page.

The Verdict

Harrowing, gripping, and entertaining, author Ben Monroe’s “The Seething” is a must-read horror thriller. The book felt like a Lovecraftian horror novel meets Dean Koontz’s “Phantoms” meets Stephen King’s It. The twists and turns in the narrative and the explosive final chapters will have the reader’s hearts pumping and serves as the perfect jumping-off point in the horror genre to send readers into spring. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy by preordering today or pick up your copy on March 23rd, 2023!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ben Monroe has spent most of his life in Northern California, where he lives in the East Bay Area with his wife and two children. He is the author of In the Belly of the Beast and Other Tales of Cthulhu Wars, the Seething, the graphic novel Planet Apocalypse, and short stories in several anthologies. 

You can find more information about him and his work at www.benmonroe.com

Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by K.C. Grifant Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A monster-hunting gunslinger must traverse the Old West and stop an army of soul-devouring monsters arrive on Earth in author K.C. Grifant’s “Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger”.

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The Synopsis

In an Old West overrun by monsters, a stoic gunslinger must embark on a dangerous quest to save her friends and stop a supernatural war.

Sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, has encountered more than her share of supernatural creatures after a monster infection killed her mother. Now, Melinda and her charismatic partner, Lance, offer their exterminating services to desperate towns, fighting everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. But when they accidentally release a demon, they must track a dangerous outlaw across treacherous lands and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring monsters descend on Earth.

The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde in a re-imagined Old West full of diverse characters, desolate landscapes, and fast-paced adventure.

The Review

I love this book. The author does an incredible job of finding the balance needed to connect this horror and supernatural plot with the Western setting. The imagery the author utilizes in their writing comes into play brilliantly when setting the stage of gritty old-west drama and the visceral and haunting creatures that the protagonist comes up against. The balance of tone was great to see as well, as the author was able to bring camaraderie and lightheartedness in some sections of the narrative while also providing a depth and emotional connection that keeps the reader invested in these characters.

The driving force of this narrative was not only the action and suspense that comes with these supernatural threats but the well-developed characters that inhabit this world. The immediate heroism and complexity of Melinda, as well as her leadership alongside Lance, was great to see, and her evolution as a protagonist when coming up against these larger and larger threats was mesmerizing to behold as a fan of these genres.

The Verdict

Haunting, chilling, and entertaining, author K.C. Grifant’s “Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger” is a must-read western horror novel of 2023! The story felt like a natural blend of The Witcher, the cult classic video game Darkwatch, and a mind-bending Lovecraftian story. The twists and turns in the narrative and the powerful draw of the protagonist will have readers enthralled with this brand-new saga that introduces a hero worthy of the reader’s attention. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on February 2nd, 2023!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

KC Grifant is a Southern Californian author who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories for podcasts, anthologies and magazines.

Her writings have appeared in magazines and podcasts including: Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (cover story for issue #70), Unnerving Magazine, Aurealis Magazine, Fission Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Sley House Podcasts, and many others.

In addition to a Weird West horror novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Feb 2023), she has also written stories for dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice; Musings of the Muse; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear: Year One; Shadowy Natures; Beyond the Infinite: Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror.

In addition, she is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), as well as the co-founder of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter, an organization that helps to connect writers and fans of horror literature.

This Cold Night by Erica Schaef Review 

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman must face both psychological and physical horrors in one night in order to keep her family together in author Erica Schaef’s “This Cold Night”.

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The Synopsis

Following the death of a loved one, Rachelle Collins visits Ferguson Estate, an expansive country mansion that holds many fond memories, and one sinister secret, within its walls. Throughout the course of a single, terrifying night, Rachelle must confront horrors, both psychological and tangible, to prove just how far she is willing to go to keep her family together.

The Review

This was a short yet powerful horror read. The author took an iconic story trope like the haunted house horror genre and flipped it upside down, crafting a chilling atmosphere and haunting setting that kept the reader glued to the page as the story unfolded. The grim imagery the author employed was balanced well with the emotional weight of the protagonist’s journey.

Yet for this story, it was the narrative and character growth that really held this novel together. The backstory of how the protagonist and her best friend came together as a family and the emotional weight of their shared loss was so profoundly moving, and yet the jarring experience of the horrors they face in this story will leave readers breathless. The mythos the author builds upon for this setting really puts an interesting spin on the haunted house tale and keeps readers invested as the story progresses.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, terrifying, and entertaining, author Erica Schaef’s “This Cold Night” is a must-read novel to end the year. The twists and turns in the narrative and the haunting tone the story sets will keep readers hanging off of the author’s every word, and will keep them wanting more from the author in the future. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Pizza Deliveryman’s Tale by Ronan Barbour Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An aspiring actor and part-time pizza deliveryman working in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood discover mysterious and sometimes dangerous voices hijacking his GPS, and soon learns a deadly threat looms behind one of the doors of this wealthy community in author Ronan Barbour’s “The Pizza Deliveryman’s Tale”.

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The Synopsis

Can a phone be haunted? That is the question for Dylan Murray, an aspiring actor who gets a part-time job as pizza delivery driver in the beautiful affluent Los Angeles neighborhood of Grantwood. All seems easy sailing until mysterious voices on his smartphone begin to interrupt his GPS, one of which, ‘The Demon Voice, ‘ deliberately misdirects him away from his route and into areas of danger. As his encounters with the quirky and sometimes bizarre residents of Grantwood continue, a mysterious thief known only as The Cat Burglar makes nationwide headlines for a string of high-end estate robberies in the area. Is it a matter of time before the malevolent voice interrupting his GPS leads him to the wrong place at the wrong time? One thing is certain: behind one of these doors awaits Vampire Santa, and you will not like his presence. .

The Review

The first thing that stood out to me was the absolute mastery the author has over imagery through their writing. The entire story felt very cinematic and jumped off the page. The vibrant atmosphere of the Los Angeles/Hollywood setting clashed beautifully with the horrors hiding underneath the city. This was illustrated perfectly by the neighborhood of Grantwood itself, which seems beautiful on the outside but held great terrors behind closed doors. 

The heart of this narrative was the rich character dynamics the author established early on and the haunting tone the story set throughout the entirety of the novel. The protagonist highlights and represents the unique backstory of many aspiring actors, working difficult and almost impossible jobs to help until they realize their dreams, only to meet loss after loss in the process. The wide variety of characters the protagonist comes across in his line of work, as well as his coworkers and even his best friend and comedy writer roommate, reflected the setting of Los Angeles and those who often call it home perfectly. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful in its approach, haunting and chilling to the core, and thoroughly entertaining, author Ronan Barbour’s “The Pizza Deliveryman’s Tale” is a fun and twisted horror read. A perfect twist in the story adds the perfect holiday element to sink your teeth into as a horror fan this holiday season, and the dynamic storytelling the author employs here makes this one novel you won’t be able to get enough of from a stellar up-and-coming horror author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ronan Barbour is an Irish-Canadian actor and writer based in Los Angeles, California. He most recently co-starred in the award-winning shorts MOJAVE SHADOWS and THE McHENRY TRIAL–DON’T JUDGE A KID BY THEIR HOODIE directed by Jaime Torres and Ken Sagoes of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LZ7SPP1/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F55835719-the-pizza-deliveryman-s-tale%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3DCMo2eWkY08%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Extinction Hymns by Eric Raglin Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Eric Raglin takes readers on a perilous journey through 18 short stories that explore the depths of humanity and the horrors of our world (and the next) in the collection “Extinction Hymns”.

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The Synopsis

A vengeful owl haunts the man who poached her. A desperate entrepreneur holds a ghost hostage for profit. An addict finds hope and terror in an imprisoned angel. A father and son search their dying world for something to eat other than human flesh. Eric Raglin, author of Nightmare Yearnings, returns with his second collection of horror and weird fiction. Strange, terrifying, and tender, these eighteen stories explore what happens when extinction comes for us all.

The Review

This is both an emotional and frightening collection of stories. The author does an incredible job of capturing the grief and emotional weight of these characters and their circumstances, all without shying away from the terrifying and haunting atmosphere these stories instill in the reader. The equally haunting imagery that these tales conjure up captures the chilling nature of these stories and reflects the horrors of humanity and our world in general, from grief and loss to addiction and greed. 

The heart of all of the author’s stories has to be the world-building and character development that these stories brought to life. Whether it was the injured workman using the ghost in his home to bring him much-needed money, or the man desperate to understand his husband’s tragic loss, the decisions made in desperation and grief added depth to the author’s plunge into horror. The variety of supernatural occurrences made this an equally entertaining and chilling collection as much as it was poignant. 

The Verdict

Haunting, thrilling, and engaging, author Eric Raglin’s “Extinction Hymns” is a must-read horror short story collection. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and characters throughout these stories added more layers to this growing collection and kept the collection more relatable and engaging for readers overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Eric Raglin (he/him) is a Nebraska-based speculative fiction writer. He frequently writes about queer issues, the terrors of capitalism, and body horror. His debut short story collection is NIGHTMARE YEARNINGS. He hosts the Cursed Morsels Podcast and is the editor of SHREDDED and ANTIFA SPLATTERPUNK. Find him at ericraglin.com or on Twitter @ericraglin1992.

South Side Alchemy by J.M. Sawyer Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A man seeking a temporary escape from the responsibilities of life finds intrigue and mystery surrounding him as he escapes to the circus for a night, only to find himself immersed in dangers that threaten his future and force him to confront his past in author J.M. Sawyer’s “South Side Alchemy”.

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The Synopsis

Jordan Peele’s Get Out meets Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Henry Lewis needed a temporary escape from his life. His job, home, and family have become the shackles that bind him in the prison of his mind. He longs to be free of it. . . for at least a little while. When Henry learns the circus has arrived in his Bronzeville neighborhood, he sneaks away in the night, hoping to find a brief escape from his troubles. With a world of distractions all around him, he finally feels free. But the circus paints a bright facade over a dark past, and the freer he feels, the more bound he becomes. He needs to break away. But before he can save his future, he’ll have to discover the sinister truth about his past. The stakes are high, and time is running out.

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving story. The blend of suspense and horror with edge-of-your-seat thriller and a hint of magic made this novel flow and kept me engaged throughout the story. The rich settings of this story, set in a particular historical period that gave readers a unique point of view that is rarely explored, were brought to life through powerfully vivid imagery and made the atmosphere feel thicker with tension.

For me, the psychologically and emotionally complex social and historical themes that were brought to life through dynamic character development made this a one-of-a-kind read. The protagonist’s journey and everything he endured were pushed to reflect the haunting history of the Black community and the chilling realities that very few people will ever know or understand. The dynamics between his interactions with the circus folks and the “real-world” people he interacted with not only mirrored the themes of segregation and social dynamics but the powerful effects that the events of the narrative began to have on his own psyche. 

The Verdict

Powerful, engaging, and thought-provoking, author J.M. Sawyer’s “South Side Alchemy” is a must-read suspense and horror thriller you won’t want to miss. The twists and turns in this story feel like a Jordan Peele movie bleeding into historical fiction and magical surrealism novel with a few elements of It’s a Wonderful Life thrown in for good measure, making this one novel that readers won’t want to miss this year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

J. M. Sawyer is an author of adult suspense and horror novels. He received his B.A., summa cum laude, in Political Science from Seton Hall University and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Formerly a criminal defense attorney, his road to publication was anything but conventional. It was during trial preparation that he learned his true calling was that of a storyteller and his true talent was plotting complex, multi-layered narratives that will keep readers turning pages until the very end. Those are the stories that shaped his love of books, so those are the stories he endeavors to tell. A New Jersey native, he now lives in Michigan with his wife, Nora, and his two sons, Jesse and Alexander.

https://www.jmsawyerbooks.com/

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