So, I’m posting this much later than I had anticipated, but I’m happy to say I did finish my personal challenge of reading 31 books for Halloween, wrapping up #31 in the early morning hours of November 1.
Much has happened these past few days, and I am still wrapping my head around everything. But one thing that I have decided on is keeping this blog going until it is no longer an option.
So here is the final stretch of reviews for my Halloween reads…
What I’ve Been Reading
House of Justice by VIncent Bivona — 3 out of 5 stars
(H 20/31) Short story. A quick, creepy read about a family that puts on a haunted house every year, one that is known for it’s realistic special effects. But are they really fake? I liked this one, it reminded me of some of the found footage horror movies I’ve seen recently.
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix — 4 out of 5 stars
(H 21/31) Novel. Siblings Louise and Mark have just lost their parents in a tragic accident, and now they must try to get along in order to settle the estate. There’s one big problem though: their mom’s extensive puppet collection seems to have their own ideas and are taking matters into their little felted hands. You really can’t go wrong with a story about weird puppets and murderous taxidermy squirrels. I love how Grady Hendrix can mix his dark humor with some creepy characters. I recommend this one if you’re looking for some scary fun reading.
Clown Eater: A Scary Short Story — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars
(H 22/31) Short story. A lot of people are afraid of clowns, but what are clowns afraid of? Told from the viewpoint of a bodyguard hired to protect a clown, I did find out what sends fear down clown’s spines. That part of the story is pretty creepy and cool, but the rest of the story falters. My only thought after finishing this was “That’s it??” Good concept, just not the greatest delivery.
Bob the Zombie by Jaime Johnesee — 3.5 out of 5 stars
(H 23/31) Short story. A light-hearted take on the zombie trope, we meet Bob, a self-proclaimed loser who is just trying to live his best zombie life. Some very funny moments, and a great choice if you’re looking for a zombie tale without all the blood and gore.
The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew Sullivan — 2.5 out of 5 stars
(H 24/31) Novel. The Saban family moves into a new house in a new development and immediately things start to fall apart, from the house itself to their grips on reality. I’ve been on a reading kick with stories involving haunted/creepy houses so I really wanted to like this one as it sounded promising. I tried, but I absolutely hated every character in this book. I’m not talking about “love to hate,” I’m talking I could not stand them and just wanted them all to die and the story be done. And it didn’t help that Cutter added his usual dose of animal torture, once again involving a turtle. Seriously, Nick, what the hell did a turtle do to you that you keep targeting and torturing them??! I usually like both of these authors’ work, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
Coup de Grace by Sofia Ajram — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
(H 25/31) Novella. I added this one to my list at the last minute. It’s not your “typical” story you might think of for Halloween, but sometimes dark psychological tales can be just as creepy as those about ghosts and vampires. It is difficult to describe without giving the whole story away, but I did find myself comparing it to House of Leaves, only more readable and accessible. This does focus on suicide, so read with caution if this is a trigger.
Circus of the Dead by Seth Blackburn — 2.5 out of 5 stars
(H 26/31) Short story. The zombie apocalypse has happened, and survivors are few and far between. When a traveling circus shows up at a remote desert community, the residents are given a rare opportunity to see a real zombie (contained, of course). What could go wrong??! I was hooked for the first half of this short story, then the second half happened. After the extensive details at the beginning, the second half felt like the author was on a word limit, suddenly realized it, and just threw together an ending to call it good.
It’s the Apocalypse, Dave, Try to Have Fun by A. R. Wise — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
(H 27/31) Novella. Imagine just being an ordinary dude, recently fired from an ordinary job, then finding yourself in the middle of a not-so-ordinary apocalypse involving tentacled squid/jellyfish type creatures hell-bent on killing all of mankind. That’s how Dave’s day is going in this entertaining novella. The humor is pure no-shits-given snark and I loved it. Once all of the characters were assembled, I almost felt like I was reading an episode of Scooby Doo Meets the Apocalypse.
All the Fiends of Hell by Adam Nevill — 4 out of 5 stars
(H 28/31) Novel. And speaking of the apocalypse complete with other-worldly creatures, All the Fiends of Hell takes us to Great Britain where we meet Karl, another ordinary guy finding himself in extraordinary times. After taking two orphaned kids under his wing, the story continues with their frantic search for safety and their fight for survival. I’m a fan of Nevill’s storytelling skills, and I couldn’t put this one down. A good place to start if you’re new to his writing.
Blood Covenant by Alan Baxter — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
(H 29/31) Novel. After a bank robbery goes horribly wrong, James and his crew flee, finding themselves at a seemingly abandoned hotel in the middle of a vast Australian forest. But the hotel owners are there, as well as some other, more sinister, occupants… A great mix of dark thriller and the chilling paranormal. Alan Baxter’s tales are always fast-paced and entertaining, and this one is no exception.
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker — 4 out of 5 stars
(H 30/31) Novella. I saw the original Hellraiser movie for the first time about a year ago, so this year I just knew I had to read the story that inspired a whole series of films. I have to say, the movie did do justice to the book (there were certain scenes that, while reading, I could totally picture the film equivalent). I did appreciate the extra back-story found in the novella, which was more explanatory than the bits in the movie. Great read and a true modern classic from Barker.
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister — 4.5 out of 5 stars
(H 31/31) Novel. A haunting, atmospheric southern gothic tale of five siblings trying to carry on a family legacy. This beautifully written story combines folk horror, folk tales, and family dysfunction. I found myself totally immersed in the Haddesley family’s tale, and I found myself embracing all of them. Highly recommend.
Please stay safe out there.