REVIEW: The Black Fog

 The Black Fog
Author: Newton Webb

I love it when I discover a new-to-me horror writer! I found a story by Newton Webb on one of those lovely indy writer genre giveaways. The stories are sometimes hit or miss, but most stories I've downloaded have been very enjoyable reads.

The Black Fog. This is definitely a short story that packs a lot of atmosphere into a few pages. There's just something inherently creepy about a bank of thick fog rolling in at night. It doesn't totally obscure, but distorts normal landscapes to look sinister. But the fog in this story is different. It's black and blocks out everything. Even light can't penetrate the fog. And it doesn't make things appear evil -- it brings evil with it. It's 1958 and there's nothing to do in Grimsdyke. Ted is dating Sue, and just trying to survive and help his dad. Then the fog rolls in......

When Ted and Sue wished that their lives were more exciting in Grimsdyke, I don't think this is what they had in mind.

Very entertaining story! It's available on Amazon (Kindle Unlimited) or on Newton Webb's website (https://www.newtonwebb.com/). I listened to Newton reading his story as part of his podcast Newton's Macabre Tales. The podcast has 22 episodes. I found it on Apple Podcasts but you can also find links on the author's website. The Black Fog was an enjoyable 20 minute listen. I look forward to reading more by this author!!

REVIEW: Locke & Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

 Locke & Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
Author: Joe Hill

Well, first off, I have to admit that I sort of bent my reading rules. I usually have a cast in stone personal rule that before I watch an adaptation of a story that started as a book/comic/graphic novel that I have to read the original version first. I've been wanting to read and watch Netflix's adaptation of this comic/graphic novel series for a long time, but never got around to it. Then I got an email this week that season 3 of the show was available to watch.

Season 3.

It was time to finally jump into this story. So, not wanting to totally just disregard my usual rule, I actually read the graphic novel on my PC and watched season 1 of the show at the same time (thank you Hoopla for the lovely ability to magnify comic pages). When the show catches up, I will check out the next volume and do the same.

I was a bit afraid when I first started reading that I might be disappointed. In the past I have waited years to enjoy a story and it hasn't lived up to the personal hype / anticipation I created for myself. But this time, I was pleasantly surprised. The artwork is gloriously dark and foreboding. The plot and art is Lovecraft level bloody, gloomy, and creepy. But I sort of knew it would be -- Joe Hill never disappoints me. And I have a deep appreciation for Gabriel Rodriguez' art.  I was loving my ability to zoom in and look at the characters, things in the background, and all aspects of the art on each page. I love physical copies of graphic novels, but in this case, the digital version was awesome-sauce as well. I saw a lot more of the nuances in the art than I would have reading my physical copy.

So, I only bent my rules as I did finish the ebook of this graphic novel before I got very far into the show. There are some differences between the show and the book, of course. Television builds suspense and horror nuances a lot differently than a person's mind does while reading a book. I didn't have a problem with any of the changes in the first episodes of the show. I didn't understand why they changed a few things and added some others.....but it wasn't anything so severe as to annoy me too badly.

I will let the show catch up to the comic.....and then get the next Volume on Hoopla.

Excellent so far!!

REVIEW: I Want You to Haunt Me

 I Want You to Haunt Me
Author: Ellen Riggs

I just made a long distance move and started a new job in June. After many hours of training and a lot of stress, I needed something fun to read. Nothing heavy. Nothing complex. Just something to relax. Saw this book in my kindle library, and knew it was just the right thing! I needed a cozy mystery!

This cute start to Ellen Riggs' Mystic Mutt Mysteries series is a short, entertaining read. Janelle has been hiding out for awhile at her grandmother's gated retirement community. Her relationships at home are strained a bit, and she's been avoiding the issue. Just as she decides it's time to head back home and deal with things, life at her gran's gets a bit.....complicated. Well, not just a bit complicated but...dead body and she was the last person to see the person alive level of complicated. Janelle's amateur sleuthing turns up ghosts, witchcraft and murderous intentions!

Cute story with a cute dog! Enjoyed every word! I'm definitely going to read this series. I like the characters and the concept.

This is a prequel story for the series, so it's only 11 chapters. A fun, quick read!

REVIEW: Quicksilver

 Quicksilver
Author: Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is usually hit or miss for me. This story was largely a miss. Interesting at first....but the story rambled on so long and took ages to get to the point. By the time it did, I really didn't care anymore. Interesting premise...very very interesting premise. Weird execution. I stuck with this from start to finish so I could give a complete opinion....I wish I had DNF'd it and moved on.

Why didn't I like this book? Weird rambling dialogue between characters. Strange long-winded descriptions that seemed like story padding. A plot that is pretty much a recycling of earlier stories.

Quinn Quicksilver was abandoned as an infant and raised in an orphanage. His life was pretty mundane until the day some strange force compelled him to find a rare coin...then he finds himself pursued by government agents and strange monsters. He meets up with Bridget who is like him and traveling with her grandfather. Add in a dog they find along the way and a formidable foe. It's pretty much formula Koontz.

This story could have been told better. Fewer pages. Less philosophical ramblings that didn't move the plot. More action. Less rambling.

I didn't enjoy this story. Not every book is for every reader. The last few Koontz novels I have tried have just not been for me. Maybe it's time for me to just move on to other writers? I keep trying to re-connect as I loved some of Koontz' earlier novels. His formula has stayed pretty much the same, but his writing style has changed. I want horror that keeps me engaged, keeps me interested. Scary stories should scare me. This wasn't scary.....it was just a long, rambling mess.

REVIEW: Bolder Blindsided

 Bolder Blindsided
Author: Janice Tremayne

Problems are mounting in an Australian ghost town. Tourists flock to Walhalla to see the old gold mine. The dark, often dangerous, mining tunnels and the old buildings in town are a big draw, especially because almost every building in Walhalla is reportedly haunted. But, something else....something much more sinister lurks in the old mine. When two tourists disappear and a strange symbol is found, Detective Wellock calls in a friend -- Zack Bolder. Bolder is a priest who tackles cases involving supernatural forces. If anyone can get to the bottom of what's going on in Walhalla, it's Zack Bolder.....

What a creepy story! I enjoyed every word of it! I was in the mood for a supernatural horror story, and this book scratched that itch perfectly! Ghosts, demons, and murder....all in an old Australian mining town. It made the story even more interesting when I discovered that Walhalla and the Long Tunnel Mine are real places! Demon free, I hope!

A quick, very entertaining, creepy read! There are three books in the Zack Bolder series, with a fourth coming out soon! I have all three ebooks....so binge reading this series before the new book comes out! This is the first book by Janice Tremayne that I've read, and I'm definitely reading more of her writing! I've had a couple of her books and a short story on my ebook TBR for months....glad I finally started actually reading them!!

I love the cover art for this series! Definitely eye catching!

On to book 2 - Bolder Cursed!

REVIEW: An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

 An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed
Author: Helene Tursten

The tales of Maud, an elderly lady who takes matters into her own hands when necessary, continue in this second book in the series by Helene Tursten. My online book club picked these two books as our July reads. I'm so glad they did!

This is my first time reading anything by Helene Tursten. Several of her detective novels have been translated into English. I'm definitely going to be reading them! I enjoyed the stories about Maud so much! I'm sure I will also enjoy Tursten's regular detective stories as well.

The audio book is just shy of 5 hours long and is narrated by Anne Richardson. Richardson does an excellent job of reading. She has a pleasant voice, reads at a nice pace, and does a wonderful job of voice acting. Thoroughly enjoyed both books in this quirky series about an elderly woman who has a unique style of problem solving. :)

I will definitely be reading more by Helene Tursten!

REVIEW: An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good

 An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good
Author: Helene Tursten

I checked this book out from the library with no idea what to expect. I'd never read a book by Helen Tursten before and wouldn't have know this story existed if it hadn't been chosen by my book club for July's read.

OMG! I loved this book!! I absolutely love it when an author surprises me -- and this collection of stories about a little old lady definitely surprised me. I started the audio book and by the time the first story was over I was staring open mouthed at my phone in total surprise. Maud is 89 years old. For the past 70+ years she's lived rent free in her apartment...the only thing that passed down to her from her parents. Most of the stories are told from Maud's point of view, with one being from a neighbor's perspective.  Maud is not your typical elderly spinster lady. She's definitely no Jane Marple. Quite the opposite in fact!

The audiobook is a short listen at just over 3 hours. Suzanne Toren is an excellent narrator. Her performance brings the stories to life.

Loved this book! Immediately checked out the second book on audio. Loved it too! And we definitely had a very lively book club discussion!

Several of Tursten's detective novels have also been translated into English.I'm definitely reading more by this author!