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Writer's pictureChristina Pfeiffer

8-11-24 Christina Critiques

Happy Sunday, friends! Only three? I promise if you keep reading you will know why. We will be checking in on my favorite killer for hire, Alex Cole, taking a gander at twenty-two short stories begging you to put on the soundtrack to Deliverance, and finish up with a trip to an amusement park.


Do I take care of you or what?


Let’s get into them.


 

SICK FUCK 4: Go Forth and Conquer

By Ash Ericmore


Besides Von and Greg (IYKYK), Alex Cole is the only other killer that can get my blood pumping quicker. And I have been waiting for the newest installment to release and I was NOT disappointed (which how could I be with an Ericmore story?!)


Alex Cole is on the case. Actually two cases. One is delivering a young girl, named Lucy, to a house in the middle of BFE and the other is keeping Jade safe from the evil that goes bump in the night. But what happens when Alex bumps into Frank (in more than one way) and has to make decisions that could end his life?


I cackled from the beginning to the end. And what made me even happier was Ericmore pulled in other characters from his other stories. Do you have to read anything else to be caught up? Nope. But are we, the readers of most of his works rewarded with little Easter eggs? Yes.


I thought SICK FUCK 1 was amazing but honestly, they just keep getting better. Each one somehow outdoes the last one. It’s a quick, bloody, hilarious read.


An easy 5/5.



 

HOOTENANNY HORRORSHOW

Edited by RJ Roles


There are twenty-two stories in this anthology and I’m going to talk about each one. Why? Because there isn’t a story under 4 stars and most are 10/5 stars. So let’s just jump in.


The Dark of the Cave by Josh Reynolds - Always have extra food to be neighborly. (10/5)


Trust by Joshua Ginsberg - When a man gives you a note… be sure to read the whole thing. (10/5)


Stinking Creek by Stephan Bernard - Kids nowadays just don’t listen, educated or not. (10/5)


In the Pines by Pamela Morris - Don’t make a deal with the devil and you won’t have to breastfeed… wait… what? (10/5)


Buck and Gunner, Country Fried Cryptid Killer: Hair-Raisin’ Ass Whoopin by M. Betterelli - Two rednecks cryptid hunters + dead animals = absolute mayhem. (10/5)


A Night in the Backwoods by Z. Martin - Laura and Bill go camping. Guess what. They aren’t alone. (10/5)


The Old Timer’s Well by David D. West - Being a Good Samaritan can also be seen as being a nosy Nelly.


Snipe Hunt by Dylan Wells - If you heard your missing friend’s voice, would you follow and try to save them?


Ozark Mist by Jyl Glenn - A good man is hard to find but a mentally stable one is even more difficult. (10/5)


No Miracles Here by Kimberly Rei - Oh, those City Slickers. What could possibly go wrong for twins and a genertional curse?


Fucking’ Floyd by Eric Butler - Three friends get up to no good and get lost until they find a cabin. (10/5)


Cultist Stole my Catalytic Converter by Jonah Buck - Sometimes the thrill of the hunt turns one in to the hunted.


Mountain Momma by RJ Roles - Brent and Brienne need some time away from the city. This three day vacation outta do it. (10/5)


Jerkwater by Meredith Kurtz - Lucas and LuAnne go visit the fair but when their Pa finds out they’re gone, hell will be paid.


Maytag Mable by Rachel Coffman - Mable has a bit of a mouth on her and will never learn her lesson, but others will. (10/5)


The Big Fat Bigfoot Tour by Mark Szasz - Briony and her friends read rave reviews for this tour so of course nothing could go wrong.


Another one by Amanda Leanne - A man appears on Katie’s parent’s porch bloody and needing the cops. He is in for one hell of a night.


The Hoot-n-Woo by London Blue - A family camping trip in the backwoods turns life of death for kids who don’t listen.


Hill and Lake and Love by Donna J.W. Munro - Angela influencer is taken to see real hillbillies but somethings seem too familiar to her assistant .


Kin by Chip DePew - Rick goes looking for his missing sister, that sweet, free spirit but finds more than her.


Uncut Grass by Megan and Derek Stockton - Door to door salesman are a lost art and this story may be why.


Black Veil Hollow by Lee Clark Zumpe - Caleb and his guide go in search of the Black Veil Hollow.


This is THE best anthology I have read in my forty-two years on this planet. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this on the Splatterpunk Awards nominee list next year.


An unbelievable 10/5.



 

DARK RIDE Vol. 3

By Joshua Williamson


Continuing in the search for Autumn, Sam must not only fight the Danny’s but fight his father. Halloween must deal with an obsessed fan and the need to get approval from her dad. The problem is… daddy may have sold something(s) to the devil that weren’t his to sell and now there is the aftermath to deal with.


Through out this series, the blood, kills, and characters have stayed constantly great. The kills make sense, the characters grown and learn while killing, and the blood only gets bloodier.


A stellar series from Issue #1 - #12.


A HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/5


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