Hungry Hill by K.J. Sargeant
5 STARS
Hungry Hill by K. J. Sargeant is a gripping tale about some gruesome goings on at a farm, an odd family, and the police officers investigating. A mix of serial killer thriller and freaky horror, the story is quick, bloody, and draws you in from the start. Just when it feels as though the story has reached its conclusion, everything takes a turn and we’re thrown into a shocking close. Ideal for any fans of serial killer fiction. Buy UK and US
Human Waste by C.M. Saunders
5 STARS
Dan is ready for the zombie apocalypse, and he can’t wait to take out the undead and save the world. Human Waste is a great, fairly short, story, presenting an unusual twist on the zombie genre. Fast-paced, gory, and not quite as it seems, Human Waste is a very entertaining, disturbing, and sometimes humorous read. Buy UK and US
Korean Road by Brian Scutt
5 STARS
Korean Road is a fantastic novella, atmospheric, well written, and engrossing. I read it in one sitting as I needed to know what happened next. Scutt blends subtle horror with an accurate portrayal of a war veteran suffering from PTSD. I very much look forward to reading more from this author, and the consistently great reviews of Korean Road are well justified. Highly recommended. Buy UK and US
Claret by Brian Scutt
5 STARS
This is the second story from Scutt that I have read (the superb Korean Road being the first), and I simply can’t wait to read more. Claret is a short story, so I won’t give away too much, but Scutt creates some genuine characters, with a believable storyline, in a thoroughly absorbing tale which will stay with you after you have finished reading it. Buy UK and US
Cat Lady: A Short Story by Sarah Scutt
4 STARS
Cat Lady is a short story, and the first I have read from this author. Reviewing short stories is difficult without giving too much away, but this is an intriguing, dark tale which had me hooked all the way through. The author successfully mixes elements of humour with a macabre plot, and I will definitely be checking out more of their stories. Buy UK and US
Holmes Vol. 1 by Melvyn Small
5 STARS
I was lucky enough to get to read Holmes recently. Firstly, a confession, I have never read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories but, of course, I am familiar with the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. This reimagining of their adventures brings them into the modern day, in which Doctor Watson is a psychiatrist and meets Holmes through this capacity. The book comprises of six short mysteries, all intertwined. The whole book was a pleasure to read, beautifully written, with clever storylines which kept me guessing throughout. The character of Sherlock was described perfectly, giving the reader a real sense of what kind of man he was. There were several laugh-out-loud moments, usually at points where Sherlock had to interact with a policeman by the name of Lestrade. Overall, it was hugely entertaining, and I look forward to reading Volume 2. Buy UK and US
We Can Order the Same or Taste Each Other’s by Mark Anthony Smith
5 STARS
I went into this novella without knowing anything about it and was pleasantly surprised. We Can Order the Same or Taste Each Other’s is a unique tale, unlike anything I have read before. Smith tells a tale of two people rekindling a friendship and love after not having had contact since their school days. The writing was a delight, creating extremely realistic and relatable situations. The story is emotionally driven and well-crafted, both uplifting and sad in equal measures. Overall, a unique and entertaining read. I look forward to more form this author. Buy UK and US
Something Said by Mark Anthony Smith
5 STARS
I was looking forward to reading the latest release from Mark Anthony Smith – a collection of short fiction and verse. Smith has a unique voice, with each piece of prose quite different to the others. From the heart-warming to the creepy, the sad to the uplifting, Smith has a talent for evoking emotions in a short word count. Personal favourites were The Scrimshaw Pipe, Tower of Strength, and Make Up. Buy here.
Manchester Vice by Jack Strange
4 STARS
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of Jack Strange’s Manchester Vice. It was a really enjoyable thriller, told from the point of view of Brad Sharpe, a journalist turned serial killer. The story was well paced, with short chapters, and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. At one point, I thought I had an upcoming twist figured out but I was wrong, which was a pleasant surprise. The ending was well thought out, and right up to the final chapter I did not know what to expect. Buy UK and US
Red Cape Publishing 