Tag: Horror

IF YOU WANT A READING EXPERIENCE THAT’LL KEEP YOU ENGAGED FOR THE ENTIRE BOOK, I RECOMMEND “DARK ROOTS” BY SHELDON HIGDON! PLOT TWISTS, MURDER, AND MAYHEM ABOUND

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Book Review: DARK ROOTS

by Brian James Lewis | Apr 25, 2026 | Book Reviews, Hellnotes Reviews, Horror Authors / Books, Horror Movies, Horror News, Publisher News | 0 comments

DARK ROOTS
Sheldon Higdon
JournalStone Publishing (November 14, 2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello, Horror Fans! Today’s review subject is Dark Roots by Sheldon Higdon; a powerful combination of constantly twisting mystery and chilling horror that holds readers in its werewolf fangs and never lets go. Never.

Ben is a college professor who’s got a lot going on in his life. Some things are good, like his beautiful girlfriend Aisha who really wants him to put a ring on it. Other things are downright terrible, like the shocking death of his father who suddenly commits suicide at 83 after popping by Ben’s apartment for dinner. Sure, he was getting older, but left in a good mood with muscles that a man half his age would’ve been happy to have, so what the hell?

This leads to Ben tearfully driving back to his dad’s farm at 2 a.m. to meet up with his Uncle George, who lives just down the road from his dad. He gives Ben the keys to his dad’s place and surprisingly, an offer to take it off his hands. What’s a city boy need with a farm anyway? Might be best…George has the money and Ben agrees to think about it. But he wants to check out the old homeplace and reconnect with his roots before making any major decisions.

Turns out that it might’ve been easier to just take the money and run. As Ben pokes around the old house and barn, ghosts start talking to him. Correction: they start screaming at him. While that’s creepy and unsettling, the weird part is that Ben feels like he’s heard their words before. But how could that be? He hasn’t lived there or even visited for a long time and his childhood memories are vague at best. The one thing he does recall is a lot of negative energy, which is why Ben relocated his life elsewhere.

Things progress to downright terrifying when Ben discovers a hidden trapdoor in the barn and finds a bunch of dead bodies stacked up inside. Yikes! Not only that, but a search of his dad’s house reveals most of their identities and why they’re on his father’s farm. None of the information is good, especially the discovery of what Dad’s baseball card collection really is. Ben is horrified and disgusted by his findings. His dad was a salt of the earth, working the land, and repairing things when they broke kind of guy whose only pleasure in life was collecting baseball cards. Well, at least that’s what most people in their small town thought. What the hell is all this other shit? Everything sends Ben’s mind and body reeling until he’s teetering on the brink of sanity.

So Ben does what most people would do, he calls the cops. Except that out in the middle of nowhere, he doesn’t get a whole team of forensics experts; there’s just the sheriff and his not particularly bright deputy. Great. While they poke around and try to make sense of things, Ben calls his girlfriend, hoping for a sympathetic ear and some good vibes to balance out all the badness. Instead, he ends up trying to comfort her. Darren, her son and the light of her life, has been kidnapped.

From here, the book, which was already perking right along, picks up speed. The horrible discoveries continue while Ben and Aisha try to figure things out with both the country police and some detectives from the city who are also trying to rescue Darren. As the heat builds, masks start to slip until the line between good and bad becomes invisible. Everything becomes a question instead of a fact. Did Ben’s dad actually kill himself, or did he have unwanted help? Why is Uncle George so interested in keeping his brother’s farm? Why doesn’t Ben remember his mom, and why did she leave them? How can he and Aisha get Darren back? A standoff situation develops at the farm, pushing Ben past his breaking point. He responds by taking matters into his own hands with some very permanent solutions. Will his gamble work, or is he too late? Available at your favorite bookseller now!

I rate Dark Roots a serious 5 Stars. JournalStone and author Sheldon Higdon have once again delivered a real gripper of a novel with more twists in it than a spiral staircase. Highly recommended! The whodunnit part of Dark Roots is powerful and will keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning, and it’s entirely worth it. I lost count of how many times I “figured everything out” and knew exactly who the bad guy was. “Wrong again, Watson!” Well played, Higdon! Dark Roots is a book that never lets up, not even at the end. It has teeth and they are very sharp.

Trigger warning: This book contains scenes of child abduction and violence that might be upsetting to some readers. The author does a great job of keeping anything graphic minimal, using a few brief scenes to establish an undercurrent of evil that drives the story forward. Being a person with PTSD, I just wanted to give readers a heads up so they’re not surprised.

Thank you for taking a few minutes check out this review and your interest in independent horror writers and publishers!

For more information about Sheldon Higdon and his other books, head on over to: www.sheldonhigdon.com

For more information about JournalStone Publishing and their many, many awesome releases, please visit their website: www.journalstone.com

For more information about Brian James Lewis, pop on over to his website: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A FAST AND FURIOUSLY TERRIFYING READ, SCARLETT R. ALGEE’S NOVELLA “AND CAST IT FROM YOU” IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. JUST STAY OUT OF THE SHED!

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And Cast It From You
Scarlett R. Algee
Cold War Radio Press (October 1, 2024)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Ever heard the saying, “small but mighty”? It usually refers to someone or something who may not appear to be much of a threat, but when they get going, look out! The something in this case is Scarlett R. Algee’s novella And Cast It From You. Not only does the book appear deceptively brief, but the evil inside waiting for readers is tiny and not the sort of thing that strikes fear into the hearts of anyone except maybe neat freaks. Intrigued? Then let’s check it out!

Our narrator, Kris Winters, has inherited her late grandmother’s house—a place full of fond memories, country goodness, and love. Not too many people can say that about their first home! Everything is great, except for one small problem: the shed is NOT fine.” Readers will soon discover just how much of an understatement that is.

Even so, how dangerous could a small shed full of odds and ends be? I mean, sure, there’s two decades worth of heavy yellow dust on everything, which certainly could be a hazard to a person with allergies. Kris doesn’t say she has a history of allergies and seems unconcerned when she approaches the clean up job, but something in that shed turns what should be a joyful experience into relentless creeping horror that makes you want to scream. Alone in the middle of nowhere with her options narrowing fast, Kris has to make an emergency decision and stop the misery while she still can. Or is she already too late?

Wow! This reviewer gives And Cast It From You by Scarlett R. Algee a hearty 5 Star Rating! At the time of this review, this excellent novella is available on Amazon Kindle for just $2.99 (sale price) or as a paperback for $6.95. A true case of small but mighty, this story will stay stuck in your head long after you read it. Big monsters may be loud and scary, but it’s the tiny ones that’ll take you down and drive you mad while doing it. So, if you happen to be house hunting, just tell your realtor to take any houses with small rustic sheds out back right off your viewing list. Better safe than sorry!

Scarlett R. Algee’s work has appeared in many places, including Bards and Sages Quarterly, Body Parts Magazine, and The Wicked Library. She’s also the author of Bleedthrough and Other Small Horrors. You can find Scarlett on Reddit as u/Cold_War_Radio Thanks for stopping by and keep reading independent horror

Brian James Lewis is a disabled writer, poet, and book reviewer with PTSD whose work has appeared in Trajectory Journal, Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer

Thanks for stopping by and remember: keep reading independent horror!

IF YOUR IDEA OF HAPPY HOLIDAYS INCLUDES READING SOME GOOD HORROR STORIES, “THE RACK II” DELIVERS!

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Book Review: THE RACK II

by Brian James Lewis | Dec 22, 2025 | Book Reviews, Hellnotes Reviews, Horror Authors / Books, Horror News | 0 comments

THE RACK II: More Stories Inspired By Vintage Paperbacks
Tom Deady, ed.
Greymore Publishing (October 14, 2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello horror fans! I’ve got a special treat to talk about this week: The Rack II is a smoking cool anthology of short horror stories inspired by the vintage horror and mystery paperbacks of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. These were the books that appeared on creaky, wobbling racks everywhere from gas stations to airport gift shops. You’d just be minding your own business when: “Whoa! Is that a giant snake exploding out of that guy’s chest?” They were luridly colored, terrifying, and sometimes pretty dang sexy. Pulling you in, making you want to take them home and soak in every word. The main thing is that these books were our gateway drug, what pulled us in the direction of wanting to be writers ourselves. We wanted to make somebody shiver under the blankets and not want to leave their bed because something might be hiding in the dark, just waiting for a nice, tasty foot…

Some younger writers today are bummed that they missed those predigital times, that first nibble delivered to their eyes by whispering paper that sometimes smelled a little bit funky as that barbed hook penetrated their flesh. Fortunately, Tom Deady and a crew of really cool writers, along with ace artist Lynne Hansen, put together The Rack, which is a true monster of a book. A Whitman’s sampler of short horror (minus the gross downer flavors) that gave readers that same tug and reeled them into our world. The stories were vintage inspired but stepped away from inappropriate stereotypes, cut the racism and sexism and just kicked ass. If you have not yet read The Rack, I encourage you to treat yourself to a good time and get it.

I was a firm believer that nobody was going to top that great work until I got a review copy of The Rack II. Introduction by Mother Horror herself, Sadie Hartman, a great poem by Maxwell I. Gold to kick things off, and more stellar stories by the creepy crew of stalwarts, including Lee Murray, Christa Carmen, and Larry Hinkle, along with all-star contributors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Maberry, and Poppy Z. Brite. Basically a shit ton of great writers with the aim of terrifying readers. Holy Hades, Batman, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore! Let’s go take a look at what we’re in for…

The Laffin’ Man by Poppy Z. Brite is about a peculiar 70’s and 80’s item that was hung on the wall of many a bar and pizza shop. The one I was familiar with spit water on you when you pulled his tie and then laughed with a voice that’s best described as a “demented old man doing creepy things behind a tall shelf in a porn shop”. The characters in Brite’s story meet a whole wall full of these creepy freaks at a shopping mall tobacco shop and one of them falls in love, most likely because his teenaged life is so devoid of happiness. The narrator is repulsed. Something about these battery-operated novelties is very unsettling, almost as if they’re the harbingers of evil. But he likes seeing his friend happy and buys a Laffin’ Man for him. It’s just a toy, right? Right?

Lee Murray’s story The Mall also uses a similar backdrop of the huge indoor retail acreage with restaurants and a movie theater for her slow-building tale of terror. This one takes a more adult angle of infidelity in a marriage that’s having dire consequences on the one person who’s not guilty of anything. He’s just a kid named Matty with a broken arm caused by his father’s attention to anything female. But today, Dad promised to behave himself so that Mom can do some covert Christmas shopping. I wonder if he’ll be able to hold up his end of the deal?

Christa Carmen always brings her A game, and her story Comeback Kid is no exception. Nan is an Olympic level gymnast who is planning to be a trainer. Unfortunately, to do so, she must work with her former trainers, and things get weird fast. Why are they working her out so hard if she’s just going to be a coach? Who is the other gymnast working in a hidden gym? A lot of unsettling things are often swept under the rug in professional sports, with the victims shoved off into obscurity. This time there’s a lot more at stake than winning a piece of metal to strap around one’s neck.

Greed motivates a lot of people, and Chandler Pratt is no exception. A college professor who marries the daughter of a very rich man in effort to gain his riches, Pratt despises his wife and considers her gross and unattractive. But when you’re a Head Hunter you do what needs to be done until you get what you want. B.D. Prince gives us a great story that juxtaposes horror with humor. An exploding cigar, the father-in-law’s hatred of Pratt’s manbun, and the younger man’s plan that’s hatched in a shop full of dark magic antiques. He practically has the front door key in his pocket when he arrives back at the mansion with a perfect birthday gift for the cranky old bird. What could possibly go wrong?

Joe R. Lansdale stays with the quiet, suspenseful feel of The Rack II with his contribution By the Hair of the Head, which draws readers in dangerously close. A young writer, fresh from college, takes unique lodging in an old lighthouse still inhabited by its keeper even though its time of use has passed. Initially things seem almost idyllic, but as time passes the young writer begins having vivid nightmares. Some nights after too many brandies the lighthouse keeper tells intriguing tales that include a beautiful witch, a magician, and a daughter. But when our narrator asks pointed questions, the lighthouse keeper clams up. What is the old fellow trying to hide? Why doesn’t the lighthouse feel like a safe haven anymore? All will be revealed in time and the answer is as plain as The Hair of the Head.

You’ve probably already guessed, but my rating of The Rack II is a hearty 5 STARS! Every single story inside is fantastic, and I would have loved to cover each of them in great detail, but my goal here is to give you a review that sharpens your appetite and doesn’t flog all the fun into the ground. There is so much more to explore for yourself, such as creepy houses that call your name, a virtual pet that may have a strong connection to the real world, and one day finding out that your marriage is over because of ancient codes your partner must follow, or else. Go on now, take a walk down that dark hallway, so that YOU can enjoy the thrill of being hooked!

Want more information about both editions of The Rack (I seriously encourage you to buy both, because they really are that good) and Stoker Award winning author Tom Deady? Then head on over to https://www.tomdeady.com/ or find him over on Facebook at https://facebook.com/tomdeady.

Interested in getting some awesome artwork or a cool cover for your upcoming release? Then get in touch with Lynne Hansen at www.LynneHansenArt.com.

About Brian James Lewis

Brian James Lewis is a disabled writer and poet with PTSD whose work has recently appeared in Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and in multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer He has been reviewing books for Hellnotes since 2016.

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! I’VE RETURNED TO HELLNOTES AND HERE’S MY LATEST REVIEW WITH THEM!

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Book Review: THE ZAPHNURR PHASE

by Brian James Lewis | Nov 17, 2025 | Book Reviews, Hellnotes Reviews, Horror Authors / Books, Horror News | 0 comments

The Zaphnurr Phase
Brick Marlin
Seventh Star Press (July 1, 2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

 Hey there, fans of horror and science fiction! It’s been a while, but I’m glad to be back on your screen giving you the scoop on new books and some classics too. Today’s exciting new read is The Zaphnurr Phase by HWA member Brick Marlin. This novel is a great mix of dystopian worlds with both psychological horror and some truly terrifying scenes. Let’s take a quick peek inside!

The world as we currently know it has ceased to exist, but there is still life in the colonies, city-sized worlds that seem to float above the desolate earth. Sarah is tired of the increasingly dangerous and restrictive colony that she and her boyfriend, Kentil, exist in. But before they can escape, he disappears, leaving her alone and pregnant in a place that is governed by a corporate entity called M-Corp that enforces its laws through the Nazi-like Demi agents who are as evil as they look. Sarah goes through a major shitstorm of bad events until she finally gets a chance to leave Perrill with her baby. Once the Demi realize what’s going on, they do everything in their power to put the blocks to her. Lethal force is authorized, but Sarah is a strong woman who fights until she loses consciousness.

After a pretty entertaining interaction with an alien transport vehicle, Sarah makes it to another colony called Gorph, where everything seems to be much better than it was in her old life. Whew! Now if she can only find Kentil and start fresh… But it’s no small task to find her boyfriend in the huge city where there is just as much virtual reality as there is concrete. Plus, despite the good pay and nice living space, her job is kind of funky. She’s also never truly alone, because a microprocessor has been installed into her brain as part of this “new and improved” world. Nothing seems permanent except her AI assistant, Vodburrk, whom she doesn’t entirely trust. Will Sarah find her missing boyfriend? Will she finally settle in Gorph? Will she ever feel safe in this new colony or go on the run again? I could tell you, but where’s the fun in that? Gleemer says that your best course of action is to get a copy of The Zaphnurr Phase and enjoy all the thrills and chills firsthand. You’ll also find out who or what Gleemer is. It’s currently available in both digital and paper formats from your favorite bookseller today.

I rate The Zaphnurr Phase by Brick Marlin a hearty 5 STARS! It’s a great mix of horror, science fiction, and Marlin’s unique sense of humor which provides some much-needed bright spots in a dark world. All of this is wrapped in a dash of hope, along with some well executed plot twists that’ll keep you turning pages until the dynamic end. Although I have a feeling that the conclusion of The Zaphnurr Phase might just be delivering us to the beginning of Marlin’s next novel, which is currently in progress.

One of the easiest ways to find out more about Brick Marlin is to head on over the Seventh Star Press website at: www.seventhstarpress.com/books/brick-marlin There you’ll find links to Marlin’s Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and Patreon accounts, as well as what other titles are currently available.

Brian James Lewis is a disabled writer and poet with PTSD whose work has recently appeared in Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and in multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer  He has been reviewing books since 2016

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY TO DANIEL BRAUM AND HIS NEW RELEASE “PHANTOM CONSTELLATIONS” NOW AVAILABLE FROM CEMETERY DANCE!

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Hey guys and gals! It’s your old pal Skull sharing the good news of Daniel Braum’s new release Strange Constellations! Published by Cemetery Dance, this great collection of stories is already making waves in the Amazon book category rankings and getting positive reviews. The stories I’ve read so far are amazing and I’ll have a review up soon on Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer, Hellnotes, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook. Until then, stay cool and keep reading independent horror!

WHAT’S EVERYBODY READING THIS WEEK? YOUR OLD PAL SKULL IS TUCKING INTO SOME GOOD STUFF (AND CATCHING UP ON REVIEWS)

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Hiya Gang! It’s your old pal Skull, freshly resurrected, yanked from the grave if you will, by my mortal host Brian James Lewis in the magical time that straddles Halloween and Dios Los Muertos. After I got done cursing him out in as many languages as I could come up with, he sat me down in the reviewer’s chair and set me loose on his TBR pile. Let me tell ya, it looks like your old pal Skull has plenty of job security in this joint!

Anyway, on to the good stuff. James Carlson’s Gloom House Press has returned with a THIRD annual LGBTQ+ charity anthology featuring many awesome writers including Rebecca Rowland, James Carlson, Leo X Robertson, and…that’s all I can tell you right now because Axle the dog ate our copy of this book. No BS, the damn dog really ate the book! This has never happened before at the Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer office, but we will purchase a fresh copy when we can to finish the actual review. Aren’t you glad I’m back? This place went right down the crapper without me!

What I can tell you is that WE’LL ALWAYS BE HERE celebrates the wonderful diversity of everyone who makes up the Horror Community by standing proud and shouting loud that we love ALL our writers and are unwilling to accept any discrimination or trash talk about these fine folks who put their hearts on the page when they create. The stories I did read were fantastic, and I look forward to reading the rest soon-thanks again, Axle! and providing a full review. But there’s no need to wait for me. you can get your own copy of WE’LL ALWAYS BE HERE from your favorite bookseller. Mine came from Amazon, but I know that Godless also carries Gloom House books and isn’t run by billionaires, so you might enjoy supporting them instead. Just be careful, because there is something about this book that’s yummy to dogs. Probably best to put it on a high shelf.

FANS OF HORROR CINEMA AND LIT WILL FIND A LOT TO LOVE IN “DEMO REELS AND ARTHOUSE MADNESS” A COLLECTION OF DARK VERSE BY AWARD-WINNING WRITER VINCE A. LIAGUNO

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DEMO REELS and ARTHOUSE MADNESS
Vince A. Liaguno
2/25/2025
Raw Dog Screaming Press
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hey there horror fans, it’s your old pal Skull returning from the grave to clue you in about a most excellent collection of dark verse from Bram Stoker Award winner, Vince A. Liaguno! Just released by Raw Dog Screaming Press, Demo Reels and Arthouse Madness is a rollercoaster that’s ready to take readers on a wild ride through the dark side. So, buckle up buttercup, and hang on tight!

This a great collection of diverse dark verse that delivers a funky movie house vibe with its fan letter to horror flicks. “Summer Camp, Parts I and II” is a great example of this with playful verse about all the crazy goings on at camps we’re familiar with through the magic of cinema. “Epoch Rewound” transmits images of the 1980’s into our heads, the ones now referred to as “Pop Culture” but to those of us who were there, we were just walking though the endless malls, using lots of hair spray, and playing Trivial Pursuit. Many of the poems in Demo Reels and Arthouse Madness are about deep topics, but Liaguno presents them artfully, mixing in clips of pretty things to camouflage the horror chattering across dusty screens in musty abandoned theaters.

“Chatroom Hustler” opens the show by launching us into the dark side of online sex. “Ghosts of the Disco” transports us to the 1980’s dance clubs of NYC pumping with the sparkling, simmering, sexy intoxication of being out in a safe space. Unfortunately, the hot sweaty sex gives way to paralyzing fear and chilling terror in the 90’s. There’s a killer on the loose that’s silent and deadly. It doesn’t discriminate, but many neighbors do. This poem is followed by the sad and sweet, “Awaiting You” where a lover waits for their missing partner as the place they’re waiting is slowly revealed.

“Maternity Ward” is a poem that hit me like a well-aimed kidney punch and I’m pretty sure there are many readers like me who will read it and feel a sharp “click!” as it locks into place. Liaguno achieves the perfect blend of abstract and specific, so that he can be telling your story, too, of a parent you wanted to love and feel loved by. Instead, we ended up tossed along the wayside, only to be greedily snatched back up again by someone who refused to let us go and be ourselves. They often said, “I’m only trying to help/protect you!” but didn’t know how or were twisted by previous life experiences and maimed us instead.

Did you ever play the license plate game as a kid? Your family’s on a road trip and the adults tried to keep us busy by having us look for plates from each of the 50 states. New York and Pennsylvania are pretty easy, Louisiana a lot harder, and whoever sees an Alaska plate gets a candy bar! Liaguno plays a similar but much darker game with us in his poem “Missing Adults” where every license plate is a clue along with the back of a milk carton description. Winning this game is not for the faint of heart because connecting the clues brings about a chilling conclusion you can’t unsee once it’s in your head.

So, there is your peek into the darkness, my friends! Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer’s rating of Demo Reels and Arthouse Madness-a collection of dark verse by Vince A. Liaguno is a blazing FIVE STARS. This is a fabulously cool collection that showcases Liaguno’s ability to mix big handfuls of pop icon imagery into his work without it seeming forced. You come upon it as you’re reading along, feeling that tingle of recognition, but not seeing the whole picture yet. So, we continue walking down that dark city street until everything hits us with the fizzing pop of celluloid burning and a brilliant flash of the marquee lights, changing everything forever.

To purchase Demo Reels and Arthouse Madness, please visit Raw Dog Screaming Press at: www.RawDogScreaming.com They have a lot of excellent titles available, including: Fever Dreams of a Parasite by Pedro Iniguez, and Beyond The Bounds of Infinity a diverse Lovecraftian horror anthology edited by Vaughn A. Jackson and Stephanie Pearre, which is amazing. Check out my review!

To learn more about award-winning poet, writer, anthologist and editor Vince A. Liaguno, please check out his site: www.vinceliaguno.com and be sure to dig the mind-blowing book trailer featured there! Vince is also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vinceliaguno , Instagram@vinceliaguno, Goodreads, and Twitter/X

About your reviewer:

When darkness falls Brian James Lewis transforms into his undead alter ego, Skull, and burns the midnight oil reading and reviewing recent arrivals to his lair, the Skullcave. You can catch up with him on social media at: https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer where he’d really appreciate some follows to get more exposure for Indy horror writers and presses!

You can also find him on: X/Twitter@skullsnflames76

And we’re also on Goodreads and leave reviews on Amazon under the mortal’s name Brian James Lewis

Until next time, be well, stay safe, and keep reading independent horror!

Vince A. Liaguno

DO YOU LIKE STORIES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL THAT CREEPING SENSE OF UNEASE YOU CAN’T QUITE PUT YOUR FINGER ON? IF SO, “MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AIR” BY ERIC SCHALLER IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

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Meet Me In The Middle of The Air
Eric Schaller
Lethe Press
7/1/2024
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Howdy horror fans, it’s your old pal Skull with a collection of strange miracles and dark comedies from Eric Schaller. Meet Me in The Middle of The Air is an intense book that requires readers to accept a certain level of unease to really enjoy the stories within. Things come at you hard and fast once you open the gate. Case in point, the first story Schaller presents to us, The Assistant to Doctor Jacob pulls us into a lovely hothouse full of exotic flowers curated by a young boy’s neighbor. It all seems quite innocent with the doctor’s encouragement of the boy’s interest in gardening, everything tucked away into the happy memories file of the brain, until the police come knocking on the now adult boy’s door with some very strange pictures and a lot of questions.

While The Parasite sounds like a truly terrifying title, it’s actually a pretty entertaining short story. When the snoring of a husband brings an unbidden guest into his body, not all the changes it causes are bad. Whilethat’s sort of a relief, some strange things do happen in the dark of night that will make sure that this urban neighborhood will keep on changing. Snoring sleepers beware!

What if all the angry words we said took up physical space and embodied their meanings? That’s what happens in Voices Carry where two couples argue about infidelity that has occurred between some of their members. As their angry words take on the forms of dangerous flying shapes that fill the room, it seems like it would be best if they could stop the flow, but will they? A great story to show readers the impact of bad deeds and refusal to accept blame or find a solution.

Crystal Vision is a melancholy but interesting tale about a group of addicts living solely for the crystal meth made by a fella named David. It all starts in a fun sort of party atmosphere, but things devolve rather quickly. Socially acceptable behaviors and hygiene go first. Valuable possessions follow until the few remaining people turn into a bunch of starving naked truth seekers who are ready to crack. This one hits home because so many neighborhoods are dealing with ice houses these days, ours included.

Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Meet Me in the Middle of the Air by Eric Schaller a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It is an intriguing tapestry of the uncanny and unusual that sometimes runs off the rails with a high degree of intensity. Luckily, there is a wide variety of material here that provides something for everybody to enjoy, even if the whole may be a bit too much for many readers to digest entirely. This is a collection of stories that will stick in your head whether you want it to or not and actually led to your old pal Skull having some nightmares, which is rare. Schaller’s work is based on many real places, people, and creatures which means that he is a master of the thin blurred line between worlds. So, if you’re looking for adventure, you’re in the right place. Meet Me in the Middle of the Air.

Thanks for stopping by the Skullcave and digging this week’s review! For more information about Lethe Press’ catalog of great books, artists, and the chance to save a little green, head on over to: www.lethepressbooks.com There you’ll also find more information about their authors, Eric Schaller included. To follow Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer, please visit: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com Until next time, be well and keep reading independent horror!

About your reviewer:

When darkness falls Brian James Lewis becomes his alter ego, Skull, and burns the midnight oil, reading and reviewing recent arrivals to his lair, the Skullcave! You can catch up with him on social media at: https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer where he’d really appreciate some follows to get more exposure for Indy horror writers and presses!

You can also find him on: X/Twitter@skullsnflames76

And we’re also on Goodreads and share reviews on Amazon under the mortal’s name: Brian James Lewis

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE READING EXPERIENCE THAT PACKS A PUNCH, CHECK OUT REBECCA GRANSDEN’S LATEST COLLECTION OF WEIRD SHORT HORROR STORIES “HAPPY BUNNY AND OTHER MISCHIEFS”

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HAPPY BUNNY AND OTHER MISCHIEFS
Rebecca Gransden
October 30, 2024
Cardboard Wall Empire
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello again, all you horror fiends! It’s your old pal Skull with Happy Bunny and other Mischiefs, a new short story collection from Rebecca Gransden. Behind the grainy security camera footage cover readers will find themselves immersed in a Bizarro universe made up of fourteen stories that strike like an angry scorpion on LSD that’s been hiding in your sleeping bag. Gransden has the uncanny ability of turning the everyday into something terrifying in just a few short pages. So, if you’re looking for weird, follow me into the darkness…

Things kick of with, Turducken: Confirm Humanity. If you’re not familiar with what a turducken is, look it up for the best understanding of what this feisty little tale is trying to illustrate. When this multi-layered creature escapes a transport, it decides to do its best to fit in and create a delightful feast of what it finds in the wild. The guests are certainly in for a surprise!

In Canon Fodder we meet a person who enjoys inducing riots by shooting money out of a confetti canon in busy public spaces. She enjoys the injuries, violence, and deaths caused by the frantic scrabble for cash. But when a rival gang decides that she’s just a little too good at what she does, they come up with a grisly final assignment.

As a former professional driver of 18-wheelers and delivery vans, I’m not a big fan of sharing the road with self-driving cars. They may be presented to the media as the next great thing, but brothers Yuri and Dimos find out how terrifying these vehicles are (and who’s really in control) in the story Slug Slick.

Not even municipal street cleaners are safe in their noble but filthy profession. They have to be alert for the dangers of Disco Rice! Most of the workers just do their time, clock out, and leave the grossness behind. But a few twisted individuals have formed The Disco Rice Club and taken obsession to a whole new level of strange.

In Sparrow Eyes, two couples and a friend head out to a holiday camp where they plan to party hearty and maybe do a little swinging. But something in the woods is waiting for them. It has needs, too, and if the group doesn’t do what it wants, this could be their last trip.

Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs is a unique collection of stories that refuses to be pigeon-holed into a single category, and I think that’s a good thing. Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Rebecca Gransden’s latest collection 4.5 Stars! Be prepared for sudden plunges directly into the action and some entertaining names for characters such as “Gary Hotdog”, “Tall Jim”, and “Fuck It Cat”. These stories may shock you, and some speak out against important topics like child abuse and social media overload, but you sure as hell won’t be bored. Dare to think for yourself and get yourself a copy of Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs! You’ll be glad you did.

Cardboard Wall Empire is an independent press that has published a large amount of Rebecca Gransden’s books. My favorite so far is Creepy Sheen, which you can read my review of at www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com . There are also some selections from Leo X. Robertson available. You can purchase Cardboard Wall Empire books from Amazon.com or your favorite bookseller. New projects are in the works, so stay tuned!

 About your reviewer:

When darkness falls. Brian James Lewis becomes his alter ego, Skull, and burns the midnight oil reading and reviewing recent arrivals to his lair, the Skullcave! You can catch up with him on social media at: https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer where he’d really appreciate some follows to get more exposure for Indy horror writers and presses!

You can also find him on: X/Twitter@skullsnflames76

And we’re also on Goodreads and leave reviews on Amazon under the mortal’s name Brian James Lewis

To follow Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer, please visit: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com Thanks!

Until next time, be well, stay safe, and keep reading independent horror!

photo credit: “Fallout Shelter-No Days Off” Brian James Lewis

LOVE LOVECRAFTIAN HORROR BUT DISLIKE DISCRIMINATION AND FEELING EXCLUDED? THEN “BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF INFINITY” FROM RAW DOG SCREAMING PRESS DELIVERS DIVERSE COSMIC HORROR AND WEIRD FICTION FOR THE MODERN WORLD

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BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF INFINITY
Edited by Vaughn A. Jackson & Stephanie Pearre
July 10, 2024
Raw Dog Screaming Press
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Greetings Horror Fiends! It’s your old pal Skull with a great new collection from Raw Dog Screaming Press. Lovecraftian horror is a cool mashup of fantasy, dream worlds, and elder gods that have existed since the beginning of time itself. H.P. Lovecraft and his contemporaries came up with some really unique story concepts, but their beauty was marred by the narrow white lens it was pushed through. People of color, working class folks, and women were not respected and treated as equals. Those that were physically or mentally disabled were usually portrayed as ignorant freaks. This was because the majority of publishers and writers were white males. Fortunately, Beyond the Bounds of Infinity is here to showcase a diverse cast of authors and put a new spin on weird fiction and cosmic horror. It’s a great step towards eliminating boundaries and giving readers a kaleidoscopic view of the weirdness that draws us into these types of stories. Speaking of great views, how about that awesome book cover by Lynne Hansen? I’m really becoming a fan! Let’s take a peek within at the horrors that await us…

In Effigies of Monstrous Things, Pedro Iniguez uses the too familiar backdrop of crummy apartments and low income living that Latin Americans are forced to endure in their quest to make it. At first it just seems like Mario is dealing with another cheese bag white slumlord in a janky neighborhood, but a trip into the vast basement of the ancient, mold-ridden apartment complex reveals something much bigger and more terrifying that wants more.

Fractures of Her Reflection by Amanda Headlee tackles the general public’s lack of interest in taking mental health issues seriously. Everyone tells Dava that her tapping rituals are useless and a waste of time, making her feel small and stupid. They’re more concerned about how they feel uncomfortable and weirded out by her behavior. But as this short story reaches its conclusion, something appears on the horizon and the last thing it wants is to be stuck under the rug.

S.A. Cosby takes us out into the woods for 24 Points. It’s hunting season for a trio of men who arrive in the forest with the plan of harvesting the largest deer they can find to get their family through the cold winter ahead. But there’s a line between taking what you need and being greedy. Mother nature is the governess of those laws and when Uncle Ricky oversteps her boundaries, she requires a payment. If it is not forthcoming, the entire fabric of the cosmos opens wide to correct the wrongs. Great balance of the familiar and the terrifying with social commentary.

In Live Free or Die, Danny Brzozowski opens up the cute curtains of a small Connecticut (state motto: Live Free or Die) town to show the rot hidden inside. Many people consider the northeastern states to be safe territory for more liberal thinkers. Unfortunately, I can say from my own personal experiences in a small upstate New York town, that is not always the case. Don’t be doing different loud and proud there unless you want to meet a lot of scary people who masquerade as good ones. When a trans teacher gets fired from a school for teaching both sides of reality in a particularly privileged community, something horrible awakens beneath the hilly ground. Is it a savior or is it a killer? Seeking to make their escape, the teacher comes across a scene that reveals just how deep that evil runs in Briarbrook and prays that they won’t have to follow the latter part of the state motto.

Other great stories in this anthology include Cracks by Mary SanGiovanni, Like Ants We March by Jorja Osha, Six Underground by Vicky Velvet, and You Have Joined the Livestream by Jessica McHugh. Every story inside Beyond the Bounds of Infinity is excellent. You won’t find any filler or pieces you can coast through, here! Like a flourless chocolate torte, this collection is super rich, delightfully dark, and very satisfying.  Raw Dog Screaming Press crushes that narrow white lens and hands readers a kaleidoscope to view cosmic horror and weird fiction with. Because when limits are removed, possibilities open wide, and that’s what it’s all about. Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Beyond the Bounds of Infinity FIVE STARS! If you think that Lovecraft’s work is old and stuffy, this book is for you. Raw Dog Screaming Press brings weird fiction and cosmic horror into the present day and makes it relevant to readers right now.  

For more information about Raw Dog Screaming Press, please visit them at: www.RawDogScreaming.com

For more information about Pedro Iniguez, check out www.pedroiniguezauthor.com

To find out more about Amanda Headlee, go to: www.amandaheadlee.com

To follow Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer, please visit: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com Thanks!

About your reviewer:

When darkness falls Brian James Lewis becomes his alter ego, Skull, and burns the midnight oil reading and reviewing recent arrivals to his lair, the Skullcave! You can catch up with him on social media at: https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer where he’d really appreciate some follows to get more exposure for Indy horror writers and presses!

You can also find him on: X/Twitter@skullsnflames76

And we’re also on Goodreads and leave reviews on Amazon under the mortal’s name Brian James Lewis

Until next time, be well, stay safe, and keep reading independent horror!