Book Review: “Gerald’s Game” by Stephen King

For my second read of the year, I took on Stephen King’s Gerald’s Game.

I read this couplet’s other half (or should that be its other dark half?), Dolores Claiborne, about a decade ago. I adored that book, and—surprise, surprise—I also loved Gerald’s Game.

The setup is fascinating. King sets the novel in a single room with a woman chained to a bed. As a writer, I’d never dare such a novel out of fear of boring the reader. After all, how much can one write about a woman lying in bed? But King is no ordinary writer, and Gerald’s Game grips the reader like anything else to which the man puts his mind.

I am a hardened horror fan, having loved the genre since I was a young boy. Yet, there are moments in Gerald’s Game that made me squirm. Fair warning, it’s not for the weak of stomach!

As I’ve always said since I picked up The Shining at the age of 13—in an almost religious mantra:

King is king.

Book Review: “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers

Becky Chambers’s A Psalm for the Wild-Built has the honour of being my first read of 2023.

And what it read it was.

It had all the beauty and warmth I’ve come to expect of Chambers, with so many quotable moments. I’m sure I drove my wife nuts with the number of times I interrupted her to read something cute aloud. But she knew what she was letting herself in for when she gifted me this for Christmas.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built differs from the type of book where a lot happens. Instead, it’s the type of book that fills your heart with the warmth of a good cup of tea. It’s also the type of book that makes you ponder deep, philosophical questions.

As with everything I’ve read from Chambers, I cannot recommend it enough.

I look forward to checking out A Prayer for the Crown-Shy soon.

‘Footsteps in the Dark: Short Horror & Sci-Fi Stories Volume II’ is out now!

I am thrilled to say my newest book, Footsteps in the Dark: Short Horror & Sci-Fi Stories Volume II is out now!

A woman defends house and husband from the home’s eight-legged inhabitants. Two strangers discuss music’s finer points as cannibals try to break into their car. A gender-reveal party goes off the rails as the true nature of the infant comes to light. Thirteen women gather at night to right the wrongs of society. A mother takes shelter in the family treehouse as the world ends around her. And finally—

Wait. Do you hear that?

Footsteps.

Footsteps in the dark.

Available for purchase now!

Listen to my narration of ‘Astro Naught’

I still can’t quite believe it’s been over two years since I wrote my second Reedsy winner, ‘Astro Naught’.

I recently recorded a narration of the story for the kind folks over at Blue Marble Storytellers. So if you’d like to listen to it, be sure to give them a visit at any of the following links:



For Apple Podcasts, click here.

Footsteps in the Dark: A Sneak Peek!

Footsteps in the Dark is out Tuesday, March 1, 2022!

You can preorder the ebook now — paperbacks and hardbacks will be available soon. If you can’t wait until then, I’ll be posting snippets of each story. So ask yourselves: Where on Earth is this tale going?

If you want to find out, make sure you get your copy of Footsteps in the Dark!

UK
US
DE


Footsteps in the Dark: Short Horror & Sci-Fi Stories Volume II!

I am thrilled to announce my newest book, Footsteps in the Dark: Short Horror & Sci-Fi Stories Volume II!

A woman defends house and husband from the home’s eight-legged inhabitants. Two strangers discuss music’s finer points as cannibals try to break into their car. A gender-reveal party goes off the rails as the true nature of the infant comes to light. Thirteen women gather at night to right the wrongs of society. A mother takes shelter in the family treehouse as the world ends around her. And finally—

Wait. Do you hear that?

Footsteps.

Footsteps in the dark.

Available for preorder now.