Dying is Easy is a comic book series by Joe Hill that I found quite enjoyable. It tells the story of Syd Homes, a former cop who became a stand-up comDying is Easy is a comic book series by Joe Hill that I found quite enjoyable. It tells the story of Syd Homes, a former cop who became a stand-up comedian after a traumatic incident. He gets into trouble when he is accused of killing another comedian who was notorious for stealing jokes from others. The comic has a lot of suspense and mystery, as Syd tries to clear his name and find out who the real killer is. Along the way, he encounters some interesting characters and situations and delivers some humorous lines that made me chuckle. However, not all of his jokes were funny, and some of them felt forced or inappropriate. The comic also features the artwork of Martin Simmonds, who uses a lot of abstract and distorted shapes and colours. I did not like his style very much, because it made it difficult to recognize the characters and their expressions. I think a more realistic and clear art style would have suited the story better....more
Another fun and well-presented instalment in The Cape series.
This edition doesn't quite reach the heights of the previous two instalments. Mainly due Another fun and well-presented instalment in The Cape series.
This edition doesn't quite reach the heights of the previous two instalments. Mainly due to the story being rather limited in its scope. In this edition, we fill in some gaps in the timeline from the original The Cape graphic novel. The story is based around Eric visiting a remote cabin where he and his father visited for a vacation before his father was deployed to Vietnam. Here he encounters an old acquaintance from school which then opens up some old wounds and then leads to Eric going on a rampage. As with all the other editions, this is beautifully illustrated and is packed to the brim with action and violence. Not the best but it's still a fun read....more
Set in the Vietnam War this story follows Eric's dad when he is captured during the aforementioned war and theThe prequel or origin story of The Cape.
Set in the Vietnam War this story follows Eric's dad when he is captured during the aforementioned war and the mysterious being he then encounters. From here events unfold and lead us into the original story.
Although this was as enjoyable and as beautifully presented as The Cape I felt this lacked a little when compared to the original. I also felt that it didn't provide any insight into the true origin of what powers the Cape. Regardless of these points, this was still an exceptional graphic novel and one which works well as a companion piece...more
If Carlsberg made graphic novels! Joe Hill, Jason Ciaramella et al have worked their magic with this enjoyable, captivating and stunningly illustrated If Carlsberg made graphic novels! Joe Hill, Jason Ciaramella et al have worked their magic with this enjoyable, captivating and stunningly illustrated work. A fast-paced story of anti-heroes, superhuman powers, greed, and envy at its heart.
But The Cape is more than just a thrilling adventure. It is also a dark and twisted exploration of childhood trauma, lost dreams, and the corruption of power. The main character, Eric, is a flawed and complex protagonist who will make you question your own morality and empathy. The Cape is a graphic novel that will haunt you long after reading it. It is a masterpiece of storytelling that deserves to be on every comic fan's shelf....more
A reasonable edition to this continuing series but felt rather samey and at no point add any huge revelations to the storyline. With that said I do lovA reasonable edition to this continuing series but felt rather samey and at no point add any huge revelations to the storyline. With that said I do love the presentation of this series, it's presented more as an illustrated book rather than a standard comic or graphic novel....more
3.5 stars. A compelling and original thriller/mystery that kept me hooked from the first page. 'The ties that bind, she realised, did not always bind t3.5 stars. A compelling and original thriller/mystery that kept me hooked from the first page. 'The ties that bind, she realised, did not always bind tight enough. He had slipped from her grasp. And in doing so, he had taught her a lesson, a harsh and immutable truth: that nothing is permanent. Everything can change. A life can alter beyond recognition in the time it takes to simply let go of someone’s hand.'
The author does a great job of creating suspense and tension throughout the story, as well as developing the characters and their relationships. The main drawback for me was the ending which felt a little rushed and didn't resonate with me. I wish there was more explanation and closure for some of the plot points and questions that were raised. Overall, a well-written and interesting book that I would recommend to fans of the genre....more
I loved reading Basketful of Heads. It was such a fun and gorgeous graphic novel.
Heads will roll.... The plot had me on the edge of my seat, with surpI loved reading Basketful of Heads. It was such a fun and gorgeous graphic novel.
Heads will roll.... The plot had me on the edge of my seat, with surprises and laughs along the way. The characters felt real and likeable, and the art was amazing. The colours were bright and the faces were expressive, showing the feelings and mood of each moment. Bloody, funny, sleek, sexy and action-packed to boot. Joe Hill is a master storyteller. I have enjoyed all of his works so far, and this one was no different. He created a unique and captivating story that I couldn't put down. If you like horror, mystery, or just great stories, you should read Basketful of Heads. It's awesome!...more
Well, I can happily say that this was a very interesting read. 'How bizarre to meet a woman I didn't want to murder immediately. Is that love?' This isWell, I can happily say that this was a very interesting read. 'How bizarre to meet a woman I didn't want to murder immediately. Is that love?' This is one of those books where you think that you have everything figured out and know exactly where things are heading but all of a sudden it all turns upside down, The novel follows Sherman, a struggling writer who kills an editor in a fit of rage and then tries to cover up his crime. Along the way, he meets Heather, a mysterious woman who seems to share his passion for writing and murder. The story is told from Sherman's point of view, which gives us a rare insight into his twisted, convoluted and complex psyche. He's not a reliable narrator, but he's an entertaining one. He had me hooked from the first page to the last. The author does a great job of creating a dark and suspenseful atmosphere that draws you into the story. The characters are well-developed and complex, especially Sherman, who is both sympathetic and terrifying. The writing style is engaging and fast-paced, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue. The novel also explores themes such as creativity, madness, and morality in an original and provocative way.
This is a book that defies expectations and conventions. It's original, fun and compelling. I highly recommend it but don't blame me if you disagree with my opinion....more
I just finished reading The Secret Lives of Married Women by Elissa Wald and I have to say it was a wild ride. 'Each city block held something lovely I just finished reading The Secret Lives of Married Women by Elissa Wald and I have to say it was a wild ride. 'Each city block held something lovely to look at: green tendrils twining along a barbed wire fence, a red embroidered mitten dropped on the sidewalk, jeweled pastries in a bakery window. The world was brimming over with beauty and she could see it everywhere..'
The book follows two sisters, Leda and Marta, who are both lawyers and both unhappy in their marriages. They each embark on a dangerous affair that threatens to destroy their lives and their families. The book is full of twists and turns, sex and violence, secrets and lies. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a thrilling and erotic read, you might enjoy this one. Wald writes with a sharp and witty style that kept me engrossed for the most part. I liked how she explored the dark side of human nature and the consequences of our choices. The book is not perfect, though. Some parts felt unrealistic or rushed, and some characters were a little underdeveloped or stereotypical. Overall, this lacked a little punch and was my least favourite of the Hard Case Crime books so far, but it was still a fun, captivating, and fast-paced read....more
If you're looking for a collection of stories to keep you up at night, then look no further than The Wide Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous GeographIf you're looking for a collection of stories to keep you up at night, then look no further than The Wide Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies.
'There’s something to the old saw about horror and humor being flip sides of the same coin. An idiot takes his arm off with his chainsaw trying to play hero—I grant you it’s pretty grim fodder for laughs, but you make do with what’s to hand—so to speak.'
This book was an absolute feast of horror, blending Langan's immense literary skill with imaginative twists on classic tropes. Langan takes you from the battlefields of Iraq to the haunted woods of New England, from the cosmic horrors of Lovecraft to the personal terrors of Poe. His stories are rich in character, atmosphere and suspense, leaving you breathless and disturbed. Whether it's vampires, werewolves, zombies or something more sinister, this collection of short stories should have something for everyone. Some of the stand-out stories for me were as follows, the opening story titled 'Kids' which was a very short but bloody and humourous take on zombie fiction, 'The Wide, Carnivorous Sky' a terrifying and thrilling tale of a group of veterans who encounter a monstrous creature that hunts them from the sky. And lastly 'Mother of Stone'. This chilling tale follows a teacher who is researching electronic legends for his book. He stumbles upon a terrifying mystery that will haunt him forever. This story was praised by Paul Tremblay in the notes of 'A Headful of Ghosts', and for me, this story was the highlight of this collection.
'Every detail of the nest, he was aware, owed itself to some physiological necessity, evolutionary advantage, but he’d found it difficult to shake the impression that he was observing the result of an alien intelligence, an alien aesthetics, at work.'
The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies is a must-read for horror and dark fiction fans. It's one of the best collections I've read of late....more
One of, if not the strangest collection of stories that I have read to date. I was expecting a lot from Zombie Sharks with Metal Teeth by Stephen GrahaOne of, if not the strangest collection of stories that I have read to date. I was expecting a lot from Zombie Sharks with Metal Teeth by Stephen Graham Jones, but I was left mostly disappointed by this book. The premise sounded promising, but the execution was lacking for the most part. The stories felt rushed, hollow and predictable. Although not anywhere near to being the worst reading experience in my life this felt so devoid of any real substance or atmosphere. There were a handful of standout stories but for me, the rest were completely throw-away for me. I won't let this put me off of read more Stephen Graham Jones, short stories tend to be notoriously hit and miss....more
A Head Full of Ghosts is a brilliant, terrifying and emotional horror novel that explores the depths of the human mind.
I often have at least some ideaA Head Full of Ghosts is a brilliant, terrifying and emotional horror novel that explores the depths of the human mind.
I often have at least some idea of what I am going to write when I start writing a review but this book has me so twisted that I am just going to put down what initially comes to mind, and then I can come back and edit when I feel the need.
“Are you good at keeping secrets, Merry?” “I’m better than some.” I pause, then add, “More often than not, they keep me,”
A Head Full of Ghosts tells the story of a family torn apart by a mysterious and horrifying event involving their teenage daughter, who may or may not be possessed by a demon.
'Her hyperactive pitch was layered and schizophrenic, imploding down into a singularity, then going big bang, expanding and exploding all over everything.'
This is one of a rare number of books that after the reading has left me pondering what really happened, is the narrator hugely unreliable or could these events be as they have been portrayed? The novel is cleverly narrated from different perspectives, including the younger sister, a horror blogger, and a reality TV show. It explores themes of mental illness, media, memory and challenges the reader to question what is real and what is fiction. The media aspect of this story left me deeply troubled by the damage which it causes to the family and others around them and also made me think about this from the aspect of modern social media and the damage it could and does cause to users. The characters are exceptionally well-developed and realistic, and I thought the writing style was incredibly engaging and witty. For me, Merry's account of the events was priceless and perfectly fits a character of her age. Merry's perspective was both innocent and unreliable but remains wholly relatable to me. I was once that imaginative, observant and often strong-headed child.
“Ideas. I’m possessed by ideas. Ideas that are as old as humanity, maybe older, right? Maybe those ideas were out there just floating around before us, just waiting to be thought up. Maybe we don’t think them, we pluck them out from another dimension or another mind.”
This book will no doubt haunt me and leave me questioning its events for some time. It had me in fits of laughter, had me terrified at points, and also left me an emotional wreck on occasion. A must-read for fans of horror and suspense, and it will leave you with a head full of questions and chills. Highly recommended!!!...more
Stitchface is a thrilling horror novel by Stuart Knott that follows Jenny Carpenter, a survivor of a brutal attack by a pickaxe killer named Mr StitchStitchface is a thrilling horror novel by Stuart Knott that follows Jenny Carpenter, a survivor of a brutal attack by a pickaxe killer named Mr Stitchface. The story is fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. The characters are realistic and relatable, and the writing is engaging and descriptive. Sadly I felt this novella was let down a little by its ending which neither made sense nor resonated with me. You'll love this book if you’re a fan of classic slasher movies or 80s horror nostalgia. This would be a perfect read for Halloween or whenever you want to get spooked....more
This is a novella that weaves together different stories that explore death, nature, and love from unusual angles, such as insects or birds.
'Her lipsThis is a novella that weaves together different stories that explore death, nature, and love from unusual angles, such as insects or birds.
'Her lips were our velvet cushions, luxurious pillows where we could sleep and dream until our next feeding. Her pried-open, ever-vigilant eyes—our relaxing sauna, far more preferable and far more tepid than any mountain spring.'
The author creates a strange and haunting mood with his different perspectives. The stories are brief but powerful, and they make the reader wonder about their role in the world. The writing is colourful and poetic, but also shocking and graphic at times. Unfortunately, I did not connect with this book very much. It seemed to me that the prose was lacking emotion or was too focused on the author's agenda to then resonate with me. This is not a book for the squeamish, but for those who like dark and unconventional fiction.
'The wind whispers all around me, as if it were the voice of an immortal deity—as if he were telling me that he would protect me and my children no matter what.'
This book was just shy of the mark for me but has convinced me to try more of Eric LaRocca's work....more
Another top-quality piece of pulp crime fiction. '"There are usually some pretty simple motives for murder, Mr. Blake. Money is one of them. There’s jeAnother top-quality piece of pulp crime fiction. '"There are usually some pretty simple motives for murder, Mr. Blake. Money is one of them. There’s jealousy, love, injured pride, rage, to mention a few of them."'
Firstly I need to state that I love pulp crime novels, they may not adhere to modern-day levels of political correctness concerning sexism and gender roles, but quite frankly I do not care. I like what I like.
'Sometimes you can’t go back. Not with the memory fresh on your mind and body. The memory is so keen, so poignant, that everything following it is dull and commonplace in comparison. It might be that way with Cam, and I hoped it wouldn’t.'
This story follows Blake, a partner in a literary agency. The story begins with Blake entering his partner's office to discover his partner murdered beside an open safe. From here the story follows Blake while he tries to investigate what had happened to his partner. The rest is for you to find out for yourself. Typically for a book of this genre, there are plenty of beautiful women throughout and the occasional steamy encounter, not to mention a murder or three and some larger-than-life characters to boot.
In all, this was a well-written and briskly paced novel, which had all the ingredients that you would expect from the Hard Case Crime imprint. McBain's writing drew me in from the very beginning and help me to picture the locations and events with great clarity. Ultimately this all adds up to an extremely enjoyable reading experience.
'How do you distinguish the significant things from those that are unimportant, especially when the unimportant ones look significant? Life has no rules. Neither does murder.'
ts hard to believe this was written in the 1950s but it sure did an amazing job of transporting me there....more
This is a collection of three interconnected halloween based short stories which would be perfect as a quick Halloween read. Regardless of only givingThis is a collection of three interconnected halloween based short stories which would be perfect as a quick Halloween read. Regardless of only giving this two stars, it was a fun and simple read....more
'Beyond the rim of the hollowed-out buildings, he could see the sun rising in the east, pink and swollen andA good quality ocean-based horror novella.
'Beyond the rim of the hollowed-out buildings, he could see the sun rising in the east, pink and swollen and wrathful, urging him onward, promising him that, ready or not, the new day was coming.'
A Family fishing trip goes wrong in some extremely bizarre circumstances. That is the crux of this whole story and there isn't much else to it. Although this was well written and I didn't find anything in particular wrong with this, there wasn't anything new or particularly original to capture my attention. I felt this was rather simplistic and predictable throughout. I guess the setting doesn't offer much freedom regarding what can happen, and I have never really been a fan of water-based horror which doesn't help the situation. With all that said I did enjoy reading this and there was just enough to make me want to attempt reading other works by this author.
'The dust motes floated gracefully toward his touch. He watched, fascinated, as they migrated—as one—toward the palm of his hand on the other side of the plastic. He watched as they clumped, could almost feel the weight of them, pushing against the bag, reaching for his skin.'
As graphic novels go, this wasn't bad. I feel I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't previously read the original Stephen & Owen King novel of the saAs graphic novels go, this wasn't bad. I feel I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't previously read the original Stephen & Owen King novel of the same name. The characters I had formed in my mind from reading the original were very different to those portrayed in the graphic novel and I found it challenging to overwrite these initial impressions I had formed. As an adaption, it accurately depicted the original story's events. The artwork was good, although not exceptional. I can let those negatives fly I suppose. Overall I enjoyed reading this conclusion to the two-part series....more
A reasonably entertaining collection of short horror stories. “Don’t you realise everyone is dying? From the very first moment you are conceived, FerguA reasonably entertaining collection of short horror stories. “Don’t you realise everyone is dying? From the very first moment you are conceived, Fergus, you are dying."
These stories are set over a time span of one hundred years. All the stories were well written and explored multiple themes but all had one major thing in common, these strange twisted creatures called the Sharded. You will have to read this to find out about these wicked beasts. Some of these stories were fairly graphic and bloody, which is no bad thing for me. The only reason for me awarding so few stars was this book's inability truly draw me into its world. I just didn't connect on any level. It simply comes down to a matter of taste. 'Watch how rapidly his flesh transforms into so much more, a sharded thing of beauty.'
So, in all this was quite a fun read and may well be worth you checking out. Especially if you're a fan of short horror stories and odd creatures....more
An enjoyable collection of short horror stories. 'I am tethered by a speck of dust. It is a speck whittled away from a rock which was part of the origiAn enjoyable collection of short horror stories. 'I am tethered by a speck of dust. It is a speck whittled away from a rock which was part of the original matter that exploded from the instantaneous point of perfect, unstable near-nothing that preceded our universe’s creation.'
For the most part, This was a reasonably good collection of short stories, which tackle many different themes and occasionally cross into other genres. My only real issue with this book was that there was only one real stand-out piece and it happened to be the penultimate and shortest of the bunch, titled 'The Creature'. This was the only story which managed to engage my emotions and move me in any kind of way. Quite an achievement for just a few pages of writing.
'A hole in the universe in the shape of a girl through which I could see the paper on which we all are drawn, the pen strokes crawling up her form like scratches on an old film.'
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