Grandpappy by Patrick C. Harrison IIIMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“There isn’t profanity foul enough for this situation. I want to exclaim a curse that simply does not exist.”
Charles is asked to look after his aging grandfather while his parents head off to the tropics for a couple of weeks. Grandpappy is not your typical grandpa, but what harm can he do, he’s receiving hospice care, after all. Yet, he gives Charles the creeps nevertheless. Then strange things begin happening. A dog shows up who looks a lot like Grandpappy’s dog, Gretel. Only, dogs don’t quite live that long. The nursing staff comes to provide basic care and nourishment for Grandpappy, though Charles is told that he must roll him often to prevent bed sores. Charles isn’t the most attentive grandchild and inevitably a bed sore does materialize. By this point, Charles is thoroughly unsettled by everything he has witnessed in the old house. But things are going to go from bad to much, much worse.
The story starts off a bit slow-paced but the author (PC3) does a great job creating atmospheric tension that increasingly mounts to a maddening unease. What Charles experiences is truly nightmarish. From having vivid hallucinations to taking a ‘fantastic voyage’ of sorts, Charles’ life unravels in the most grotesque ways. PC3 has a wonderfully warped and demented imagination. Many scenes were utterly repulsive but a few of them truly obliterated the boundaries of propriety and were outrageously abhorrent. This book has been called “exceedingly depraved.” That’s putting it mildly!
4.5 stars, rounded up, because I was left with some questions! I hate loose ends.
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100% Match by Patrick C. Harrison IIIMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I have trouble getting to sleep, so I stick my finger in my butt and count to fifty.”
Ooo-kay! Well, most people count sheep but I guess if that works, too...! 😂
Bartholomew Bartley is a fry cook at a fast food restaurant, searching for love—his perfect match. After performing a kind deed, he thinks he may have finally found the one person with whom he can share his life. Sara is perfect in every way. You might even say she’s too good to be true....
This book is a total trip! I spent half the time laughing and the other half contorting my face in disgust! It was a tad bit predictable by the end, but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this little gem.
92% of people who read this book will enjoy it.
5% of those people are real sickos. (Shh...I’m one of them...!).
Seriously, this is a fun little story that can be read in one sitting. With or without your finger in your butt...! 😂
Sorry, apparently part of my brain didn’t fully develop and is still quite juvenile! I’m looking forward to reading more of the author’s work, especially Grandpappy, which promises to be “exceedingly depraved”—right up my alley!
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Dead Women Tell Tales by Rajeev SinghMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“What was time anyway when the glut of pleasure was as endless as an ocean would appear to a swimmer?”
Leon Besselman discovers a yellowed piece of paper in an old bookstore which leads him to a mysterious place called Death Lovers. There he meets Morana, the enigmatic seductress who proceeds to fulfill his darkest fantasies. It is one thing to encroach upon someone’s life, but to invade the sanctity of their death? Leon is no mere voyeur but a lecherous intruder adulterating the final gasps of life for his own perverse enjoyment. Yet, not all of his exploits will be gratifying. Leon, who callously indignifies death will find that some indignities come at a steep cost. Hungry to satisfy his own desires, Leon is bound to get his just desserts.
I can always rely on Singh for a compelling, astonishing story. His writing is always exceptional and his storytelling is never short of superb. He takes me on a journey far beyond the reaches of my imagination with his unique and creative books. I appreciate that Singh isn’t afraid to explore the complexities of deviant human sexuality and depravity. This story was truly exhilarating. I was blown away by the twist at the end. I did not see it coming and it was absolutely brilliant!
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Scissors by Simon McHardyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
An awesome, quick read!
He’s a he but wants to be a she. What’s a girl to do? Hmm..dangly man bits plus a pair of scissors.... That ought to do the trick, right? Oh, but those best laid plans! The “big head” has one idea, but the “little head” has plans of its own. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
I won’t lie, this is a crazy, sick and twisted story and I seriously enjoyed every minute of it! It is well-written and there are some totally nasty and disturbing scenes. One nearly had me gagging. I can imagine this story might be especially uncomfortable for male readers, though there is equal opportunity squirming once the main character’s anatomy has been “altered.” I won’t go into details, but wow—just so delightfully revolting! Suspension of disbelief is required but it’s that type of story, after all. I recommend this quick read to all lovers of vile and extreme horror.
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Mise en Place by Jeffrey CastonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Caston serves up yet another appetizing installment to his Food series, which takes place in a grim, futuristic society. In Mise En Place, a new cast of characters join the familiar crew from Pacifica to ensure that the royal family is well-fed and happy. A happy king allows for a safe kingdom (at least for some). A hungry king can land even a seemingly indispensable character’s head on the chopping block. The queen is even worse given her taste for rarer delicacies. People from other countries who live in fear and oppression risk life and limb to find their way into Pacifica. But will they get the freedom they so desperately seek or are they merely getting out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Years ago when I read Caston’s debut novel, Immunity, I immediately recognized his talent as a superb storyteller. Through the years, I have witnessed him honing his writing skills. He is well on his way to gaining legendary status as an author. His brilliant imagination and meticulous character development ensure that readers are treated to an immersive, unforgettable story. For me, what sets successful authors apart is not just their ability to draft an entertaining story, but their creation of characters whom readers can connect with on some level. Caston’s characters—whether you love them or hate them—have depth and backstories that enable readers to fully understand who they are. His masterly writing evokes a range of emotion. There is one scene involving characters known as servitans that did not contain any sort of gore but was highly unsettling nonetheless. In my opinion, it was a defining moment in the story. Additionally, Caston has incorporated characters from his other books, which makes the story even more intriguing. It seems as though trouble will soon be brewing in the Kingdom of Pacifica. I can’t wait to see what’s on the menu next!
The South African Vigilante Chronicles by Henk WesterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
First, take a look at the dedication. Go on, take a look! Yep, it mentions lil ol’ me! I am so honored that Wester has mentioned me in the dedication of this awesome book. I read it several weeks ago and hope that he will forgive this tardy review. So yes, I have the pleasure of calling Wester a friend. But make no mistake about it, my review is an honest and unbiased one.
Wester begins by offering some historical information regarding former Zimbabwean leader-turned-tyrant, Robert Mugabe. I actually researched Mugabe and regions in South Africa and I can completely understand the author’s frustrations and how such real-life horrors served to inspire this book.
The story starts out with a grisly homicide scene and introduces readers to Investigator Adolf Reinecke. The murder appears to be the work of the SASS (South African Super Slayer), a vigilante serial killer. The victim is a former serial rapist. One may think it’s no big loss to society, but investigator Reinecke vows to find the SASS and bring him to justice.
As the story continues, a family of thugs boast of their heinous crimes until the vigilante shows up to settle the score. One smirks and says, “I’ll be out of jail in no time.” The vigilante’s response? “Who ever said anything about jail?” There is no trial for these villains. The vigilante is their judge, jury and executioner. Nor is death delivered swiftly. This vigilante wants to make these scumbags pay dearly—physically, mentally and emotionally.
This book is certainly extreme and contains plenty of gore, violence, depravity and carnage. Wester has an incredibly twisted imagination and will surely quench any hardcore horror-lover’s thirst for bloodshed and butchery. This book truly contained some of the sickest scenes I have read to date, which is saying a lot because I read plenty of extreme horror stories. It’s not always easy to craft original scenes of torture but Wester achieves this in abundance.
Some may say think that the vigilante acted inappropriately—not just in taking matters into his own hands but by doing so in such a cruel manner—almost as if to satisfy his own perverse desires. I’ll admit, there was one scene that did have me raising my eyebrow and questioning if the SASS was acting more like a criminal himself than one who is meting out justice. But therein lies the beauty of this story. It is not merely wildly entertaining, but also thought-provoking.
To be honest, I completely understand vigilante justice and sympathize with many of those who take matters into their own hand when the justice system fails them. Sometimes, even in America (this land of brotherly love and all 🙄), it seems that criminals get more rights and protection than the victims. So yes, if I were a member of the jury for the trial of a vigilante who had good reason for savagely mutilating the animal who senselessly killed their child, spouse, sibling, parent, etc., I would NEVER vote to convict. Sometimes justice needs a helping hand. With that said, you can probably guess which character I was rooting for!
My only issue with this book is that it ended so abruptly and left readers hanging. I want to know what happens! Please Wester, don’t leave me waiting too long!!!
Please note, I highly recommend this book, but if you are looking for a less extreme story by this author, I suggest The Cosmic Anomaly. It is a highly-imaginative, creative and brilliant story!
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Chouette by Claire OshetskyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Each of us knows from experience that birthing any child is the start of a lifelong terrorization by the very child we love, and yet we mothers are able to bear it because we love our children more than we love our own lives, even as our children blithely seek to destroy us.”
Tiny is convinced that she has mated with a great owl and is now carrying its baby. Her husband thinks she just has “jitters” but when the baby is born, it’s apparent that she is very different. Tiny loves her baby unconditionally but her husband does everything he can to change who she is, to make her fit his notion of an acceptable, ideal child. It is not easy raising Chouette, the owl-baby.
“Is this what it means to be a mother, then? To be in constant, irrational conflict with one’s own child? To be constantly challenged by the stubborn will of a creature who doesn’t respond to logic or reason, and who always wins?”
Tiny tries her best to help Chouette to adapt while preserving her true nature. She would do anything for her child, even the most difficult thing...letting go.
This book fascinated me from the very beginning. It is so beautifully written and incredibly engrossing. It evoked so many emotions. I could relate to Tiny’s love for her child and her steadfast need to protect her at all costs. It is not just a story of deep parental devotion but also one of acceptance and personal growth. It is unique and imaginative, wonderfully descriptive and simply spellbinding. This story took me on a journey fraught with wonder, anger, frustration, compassion and heartbreak. It is a journey I invite you all to take. You will never forget Chouette.
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