DAEMON MANX AND LAST WALTZ PUBLISHING BRING READERS A SPECULATIVE OUIJA BOARD MYSTERY WHERE CLUES ARE REVEALED “PIECE BY PIECE”

March 20, 2022Leave a comment

Piece By Piece
Daemon Manx
Last Waltz Publishing
February 14, 2022
Reviewed by: Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello dear readers, it’s your old pal Skull! Today’s featured author is the one and only Daemon Manx. In 2021, he wowed us with Abigail, a great speculative novella about raising a unique child, coming to grips with one’s identity, and the healing of power of love. Not only did the surprise ending touch many readers deeply, but the story shone positive light on the LGTBQ community. It puts you in the shoes of a gay man who’s looking for real love after a difficult early life of discrimination. The author makes us feel the pain, fear, and longing for a solid partner in a very relatable way. If you haven’t yet read Abigail, I heartily encourage you to do so! And now in 2022, we have a new novella to enjoy from the man who writes with his heart. Piece By Piece, is even more gripping than its predecessor and delivers a huge emotional payoff to readers at its conclusion. It begins by totally mystifying readers, then slowly revealing small clues to the mystery as the story unfolds. Check it out.

Bobby Canfield is zooming along on his too cool for school Mongoose BMX bike and enjoying the summer of 1988 when three sisters in their pajamas encourage him to join them for a Ouija reading. Initially he resists but ends up sitting with them It doesn’t take him long to regret his choice though. A spirit named “Mac” informs Bobby that he will die an early death, gives him the exact date even. Not only that, but he’s supposed to save some people before he eats a dirt sandwich. Whoa…this is big stuff to put on an 11year old’s plate!

Manx then makes us a fly on the wall for important moments in Bobby’s life, dropping subtle clues along the way. For the most part, Bobby Canfield has a pretty sweet life, but as the years roll by, he realizes that time is growing short. Who is he supposed to save? He’s got to find out soon or risk leaving without fulfilling his destiny! Mac, the spirit of the girls’ grandfather steers the ship now and then, but Bobby’s still not exactly sure until the night of the fire. The word Now appears on the Ouija board and Bobby rockets into action. Daemon Manx writes a mighty gripping fire scene that you’re going to want to read for yourself. Nor am I going to reveal the way the story wraps up at the end. Oh, and it’ll be up to you to decide if this conclusion is an end or possibly…something else.

Damaged Skull Writer & Reviewer gives Piece by Piece a hearty 5 STAR RATING! Get this book from your favorite bookseller now, then get ready for a most excellent ride. Fans of Richard Matheson’s work will find a lot to enjoy here. If you’ve ever doubted the power of a properly connected Ouija board, the existence of spirits, and the whole Time-Space Continuum, wonder no more! This great novella from Daemon Manx and Last Waltz Publishing should set you straight. But don’t leave the party yet, horror fans. There’s a bonus story included in this fine publication. The Widower is a whole different kettle of spiders that will chill you to the bone. This is the “Holy Crap” story and the one you won’t want to go to sleep after reading because there might be something big and hairy coming up from the basement to touch your skin. Why? Because it loves you. Thanks for visiting the Skullcave again. It’s been a pleasure having you here, but now you must leave because I’m getting very…hungry. For more information about Daemon Manx and Last Waltz Publishing dig the following links below:
www.daemonmanx.com
Daemon Manx/Facebook
author@daemonmanx.com
www.lastwaltzpublishing.com
As always, I’m your old pal, Skull and I look forward to seeing you again very soon…

SOMETHING NEW THIS WAY COMES FROM DAEMON MANX AND LAST WALTZ PUBLISHING!

February 6, 2022Leave a comment

Hello fans of speculative fiction, it’s your old pal Skull with a cool new release from Last Waltz Publishing! For many of us, the Ouija Board was our first connection the spirit world. Often it’s just a bit of harmless fun in which the other people at the table move the planchette around while pretending to be ghosts. But the unknown world is real and their messages shouldn’t be taken lightly…

“Piece by Piece” will be the second work from Daemon Manx reviewed by yours truly, and I’m definitely looking forward to it. Stay tuned to find out more

LOOKING FOR A GREAT SPECULATIVE READ AS HALLOWEEN APPROACHES? THEN CHECK OUT “ABIGAIL” FROM DAEMON MANX AND TERROR TRACT PUBLISHING

October 16, 2021Leave a comment

ABIGAIL
Daemon Manx
July 24, 2021
Terror Tract
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello frequent readers, it’s your old pal Skull with a great FIVE STAR read that I’m just dying to tell you about! Of course, that’s going to be one hell of a nifty trick, since I’m already a member of the undead community, but I think you get where I’m coming from. Abigail written by the one and only Daemon Manx is a beautiful shape-shifting novella that calls the speculative fiction genre home. Readers will feel the full range of emotions as they peruse this big little book that seems tiny on the outside but is bursting with so much energy on the inside. Terror Tract made a most excellent choice in publishing this baby!

Abigail opens at the Del Monico where Adrian is sitting at the bar feeling bummed out because his date is a no show. His ex-boyfriend and bartender, Gabe tries to cheer him up to no avail. Then Michael shows up and…zowie! The sparks do indeed fly. After a wonderful evening, Adrian floats home to something unusual on his front stoop. It’s scary, horrible, and…kind of cute? Abigail has arrived.

Suddenly bachelor Adrian is in charge of a baby and it’s not an easy job in the least. Manx has a great eye for detail and puts in the perfect mix of humor and fear. And there definitely is fear because Abigail is different from her skin to her eyeballs, and are those horns? Oh my! But nothing is going to stop him from taking the very best care of Abigail. Adrian isn’t sure why, but he loves this child.

What about that handsome date he had? Doctor Michael seemed so perfect. Still, Adrian can’t let anyone see Abigail, not even a pediatrician. Nope, nopity, nope. He’s only too aware of what happens to people that are different. Growing up gay in the deep south was a horrible experience that scarred Adrian for life. It wasn’t his fault that he was different! Their violence wasn’t necessary, and Adrian vows to protect Abigail to the death if need be.

His commitment to her is wonderful. But after some odd experiences and definite difficulties, Adrian realizes that book learning and the internet only take you so far. Sooner or later great, expert help is required. In fact, Adrian knows a great pediatrician. Calling Dr. Mike! But will the doctor agree to see him after being ignored for months? What will he think of Abigail? Is there a chance that Adrian will have to give her up? Find out the whole story when you pick up a copy of Abigail by Daemon Manx from your favorite bookseller! If you’re an Amazon shopper, the paperback is currently listed for a great price, and the kindle version is even less expensive.

As I said in the beginning, Damaged Skull Reviewer rates Abigail a BIG FIVE STARS! This book is downright magical for its ability to tackle topics some might not agree with and to show that love does not discriminate. Rod Serling would enjoy reading this story because of the journey Adrian takes through Abigail. We readers go with him and learn some things, too. What constitutes “normal” and why do people think it’s such a good thing? Seems to me that those who are unique can open our eyes to new worlds, but only if we let them. I really enjoyed all of Daemon Manx’s little touches in the book, such as creating fictional names for places and things. A few examples of that are the “Fritz Carlson”, packages arriving from “Feral Express” and using the dating site “Cinder.” Clever!

I could ramble on all night about this novella, but now it’s your turn to enjoy this great read from Daemon Manx and Terror Tract. For more information about the publisher, go to: https://terrortract.net or visit them on Twitter @terrortract. For more information about Daemon Manx go to: daemonmanx@yahoo.com or visit him on Twitter @daemonmanx He also uses the handle Daemon Manx on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for checking out another review from your old pal, Skull. See you soon!