[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 112: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4668: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4670: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4671: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4672: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) Horror World • View topic - The Biting Press Novella Series
I went into my ‘to be read pile today’ and picked up the three novellas’ that were recently issued by Biting Dog Publications. I have to tell you guys, I enjoyed the hell out of these books and devoured them all in short time.
The books themselves are pretty weird, all three have the same cover with the only exception being the authors name and the title of the book. Plus, there is no mention of Biting Dog Press anywhere on the front or back cover. If you had all three books lined up on a book shelf, the quickest way to tell them apart would be a little square on the bottom of the spine with a 1,2, or 3 in it! There is no description on the back cover informing the reader of the books contents, instead there are only blurbs from some horror media reviewers, some praise from mid level authors, and one from the great James A. Moore. Just looking at these books gives you the impression you are going to be reading something that is exceptional.
The first book in the series is called Midlisters and it is by Kealan Patrick Burke. I’ve don’t recall ever reading anything by him before, but I know others here (Thad for one) really enjoys this authors work so I was really looking forward to reading this one. Burke did not disappoint me. He managed to write an entertaining story about being a horror writer and the inevitable problems that go with it.
You know what problems he’s talking about…those same old chestnuts that we’ve all talked so much about here on the boards: being in Stephen King’s shadow, how poor horror writers are, how they always compare their work to others, rejection notices, signings, and so forth. Burke's plot lets us in on how one horror writer suffers and copes with this kind of stuff while wrapping it around a murder story. He writes so well you get sucked into this horror writers life from the start, and you get so involved with his story you hadn’t a clue to where Burke was taking you by the time you finish. While I was reading, I kept thinking that Burke wrote this story to impress other horror writers, it seems it worked because Jack Ketchum wrote a great introduction to the piece.
The third book in the series (I know, I'm going out of order) is called Monkey Love, by John Paul Allen, and I must admit it was my favorite of the three books. This story had me by the balls, and not only that, it had me thinking that I was one step ahead of the author the whole way. I was actually smiling while I was reading this book thinking I knew where it was going and imagining what was to come. I have to tell you, when I read the ending I was stunned, I had to stop a minute and think. And after a bit, I realized that just like Tom Piccirilli had done to me in All You Despise, Allen did the same thing to me in Monkey Love. The writing in this book is superb and I can’t recommend this story enough to anyone, even non horror fans. There was also a bonus story in the book, I thought it was o.k., but it should have been left out in my opinion. It detracted from the impact of Monkey Love.
The second book in the series is called Disposal and was written by Jeff Strand. It was the last of the three I read, and I was glad for it, because if I read it first, I may not have rushed to read the other two books. It is a humorous horror story, and I hate to say it, but the funniest part of the book was the first introduction written by an author named J.S. Konrath. He was so funny in that introduction that I’m still laughing thinking about it. Notice I said the first introduction, there are 10 of them. Brian Keene weighs in, James A. Moore contributes something, Christopher Golden has a few words, so does Rick Hautala, as well as a few others who I’ve never heard of. And Strand himself has a three word summation at the end of the introductions.
The novella is the story of a simple minded crook who finds himself talked into committing a murder; his payment …sex with a beautiful woman, the victims wife. The story on the whole is enjoyable and occasionally laugh out loud funny, but for me, the humor got to be a little forced as the story went on. It also began to get a little repetitive and predictable (the humor, not the plot). As for the plot, I thought it was great, and perfect for this type of humor. If your tastes do run towards the weird and comical side of horror fiction, you won’t go wrong purchasing Disposal.
(By the way, the only other thing I have read by Strand is his collaboration with Moore on The Haunted Forest Tour, which I thought was a masterpiece of horror and humor, and I would highly recommend that book to any horror fan.)
After having said all of the above about these books, I would advise you to save your dollars and purchase every book in the series, all three of them. As a whole, they are that good. But if you could only afford to purchase one, I would steer you towards Monkey Love. Man that story was great....
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:07 pm Posts: 1886 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ttzuma, you really do need to read some more Kealan Patrick Burke, (mostly small press), and you definitely-definitely-defin-fucking-itely need to read J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels series (available in mass market paperback).
And Strand rocks. There'll be an interview with Jeff and a brand new story in Cemetery Dance issue #60, when ever that comes out.
_________________ FLASH VIRUS: EPISODE ONE (always free)
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:07 pm Posts: 1886 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
JA Konrath (start with Whiskey Sour)
Kealan Patrick Burke / (go to the free fiction and download The Hides and Turtle Boy - both collectors items and damned hard to find in actual book-form)
_________________ FLASH VIRUS: EPISODE ONE (always free)
I am headed right off topic with Steve Vernon. I am not much for mysteries. But............ I read SUCKERS by Jeff Strand and J. A. Konrath. I fell off my chair. So funny. I started reading these Konrath books and they are great. I recommend them to anyone. Lots of gore. He did not take his editor's advice and tone them down. So if you can deal with a male author having a female main character who has constant boyfriend problems while chasing killer/rapist-torturers and obsesses about fashion...wait, I am making this sound sucky. It ain't! It's really funny. Get some.
I'm glad that you dug your first foray into Burke's writing, Tt. It makes me feel a little better about my recommendation of reading his stuff. A recommendation that now seems to sport the Vernon Seal Of Approval.
Allen is the author who I knew the least about, so thanks for the review.
And while I haven't had the chance to read any Konrath yet, Mom likes the Jack Daniels series.
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:13 am Posts: 545 Location: New Jersey
Nice review Ttzuma. I also enjoyed the whole series and think It's worth a look. But I thought Strand was a riot, probably my favorite. With Burke you can't go wrong...give 'The Turtle Boy' a read. And 'Monkey Love' really grew on me, especially at the end. I also thought I had it figured out.
Thanks sdkdmd. After reading your reply, I got to wondering what would have happened if I did read Strand's story first. I wonder if I may have judged it unfairly after reading the two serious stories that blew me away. Maybe my expectations were not reasonable.
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:07 pm Posts: 1886 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Strand has a book coming out from Leisure up the road called PRESSURE, that will absolutely blow folks away. I read PRESSURE back when it was a small press novel, and I was amazed. Very dark, very serious, absolutely thrilling.
_________________ FLASH VIRUS: EPISODE ONE (always free)
I wondered about that Clark-Lebbon collaboration. I was thinking it hadn't sold well so they were giving it away. It made me wonder if it was any good.
They were doing the same with the two Cedar Hill Volumes of books by Braunbeck. I knew those were great and wondered why no one was buying them.
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm Posts: 6411 Location: The Back of Beyond.
I plan on getting to Exorcising Angels maybe tonight. I'll be sure to let you know.
I think you can't beat a free book. At Amazon you get free shipping on any order $25 or more, but I'd rather have the free book. I hope it's something Horror Mall keeps doing.
_________________ "There's no law, no law anymore - I wanna steal from the rich and give to the poor." ~The Ramones~
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 42 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum