Holiday Spirit

Holiday Spirit Book 1 by John DeGuire

Reviewed by Christine Kinori

Holiday Spirit by John DeGuire is probably one of the coolest holiday-themed horror novels I have ever read. John DeGuire takes us to a world where old classic monsters are reimagined. Forget everything you have read about the monsters under your bed. This visceral, bold genre-blending exploration, which sees legendary 19th-century gothic villains such as The Invisible Man, Count Dracula, and Frankenstein’s monster come together, is a must-read! Purchase Here.

The book is set in Killington, a quiet town in Vermont. One Halloween changes everything and awakens an old, vengeful witch. The town falls into paranoia as more strange things continue to happen. As they seek answers, the townsfolk put the blame on innocent monsters. Logic be damned, as the panic escalates once the children start going missing.

This is when three unlikely monsters step to the plate to protect the town from itself and the darkness within. Among them is Saul, Frankenstein’s patchwork EMS captain. Saul is a selfless and kind man who has dedicated his life to saving lives. Then there is Count Dracula, the wise and empathetic leader of the group. DeGuire skillfully reimagines this iconic monster, traditionally viewed as a villain.  In this book, he is the voice of reason, a devoted protector, and husband. Oh, and in this version, he is married to a werewolf, Aoife. She is a fearless alpha werewolf, loyal and cunning when necessary. She is pretty much the glue of the group.

Together, the group tries to bring down Bridgett Bishop. A victim of circumstances, Bishop has suffered a lot of abuse and prejudice from the townspeople because she is a witch. Over time, the grudge festers, turning into the desire for vengeance.  The Halloween prank gone wrong launches her into her villain era. They say hell hath no fury as a woman scorned, but by the end of the book, you will realize that hell hath no fury like a witch scorned!

The coolest thing about this story is that John DeGuire reinterprets classic monsters, humanizes them, and gives them a heroic arc. He expertly executes the subversion of classic tropes, offering a refreshing perspective.

The genre-defying writing style also sticks out in this book. The novel starts with a whimsical warmth as the town prepares for Halloween; however, the tone perfectly shifts as we slowly descend into the adult horror elements of the book.

Thanks to DeGuire’s medical background, the scientific aspects, such as the clinical phobias, feel real and at times gross. He also leans into his medical background to create Saul and Doctor Ralph’s characters. This gives the book a touch of psychological realism and authenticity, which most readers will appreciate.

Readers will also enjoy how DeGuire blends horror with humor and creates the perfect atmosphere for the story. He doesn’t use the environment as a simple background. He seamlessly incorporates it into the story and delves into the emotional weight it brings to the characters.  From the thematic complexities to the theological allegories and his eloquence, DeGuire’s writing style stands out for its intellectual depth.

Ultimately, the real message of the book is not lost on us. It is a book about prejudice and the dangers it brings. It serves as a reminder that the real monsters are not hidden but in plain sight. That the true nature of a human’s heart is deceptive.

It is also a story about the power of found family. The people who see the best in us and remain loyal even when the world turns against us. It is a story of a tight-knit group of outcasts who find it in their hearts to help those who judged them for their outward appearances. Given all the bias and profiling currently going on in the world, the relevance of this book is evident.

Holiday Spirit is a plea for empathy and a bloody reminder that we need to find the holiday spirit every day, and not only on Christmas. It is a mirror challenging society to not let us be defined by our differences and illogical fear of the unknown, but by our unity.

Destroy All Monsters

Holiday Spirit Book Two: Destroy All Monsters by John DeGuire

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Holiday Spirit Book Two: Destroy All Monsters brings us a cast of familiar literary characters brought into the modern world with a new twist. From Frankenstein to Dracula to the Hunchback of Notre Dame, author John DeGuire takes these famous characters and puts his own spin on their personalities and history.  Purchase Here.

The book is fast-paced with short action-packed chapters throughout, making it a quick read that can be hard to put down. With a large cast of characters, we bounce around from one storyline to another until they begin to inevitably intersect. With most of the action of the book taking place in Paris, the reader is treated to a madcap adventure in the City of Lights.

DeGuire has a playful style to his writing, often employing alliteration, words with multiple meanings, and other quirks of language to accentuate passages of frivolity and farce and alleviate the mood in moments of morbidity.

Destroy All Monsters is not for readers looking for a peaceful and PG-rated read. There is plenty of gore, violence, mayhem, and foul language throughout, but the author does a fine job of keeping the book from crossing over to the point where it is overly obscene for a more squeamish reader looking for a book with adult themes.

Beyond telling the story of forces looking to destroy the well-known monsters of literary legend, the book contains many references to the modern world and explores the many problems that face the world today, including climate change, the global rise of authoritarianism, mob mentality, and the pervasive distrust and hatred of people who are different. At times, author John DeGuire addresses these issues head-on, while at other points in the text, they are referenced more subtly.

Holiday Spirit Book Two: Destroy All Monsters is a rollercoaster ride with far more screaming drops than anticipatory climbs. The action never lets up for long as our heroes face one challenge after another in a world that seems determined to destroy all monsters, but can’t seem to properly identify the true monsters that need to be stopped.

 

 

 

 

 

Poison Pill book cover with patient image.

Poison Pill by Anthony Lee

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“Poison Pill” by Anthony Lee is a gripping medical thriller that plunges readers into the murky intersection of modern healthcare, corporate influence, and the greedy human desire for a quick fix. Told through Dr. Mark Lin, who speaks in the first person, it constructs an intelligent narrative that is not only suspenseful fiction but also a sharp critique of systemic failures within contemporary medicine and wellness culture.  Purchase Here.

Dr. Lin, a hospital-based internist at Ivory Memorial, encounters two medical cases that initially appear unrelated but later converge into a single investigative arc. The first involves a twenty-four-year-old male, Hector, who has been diagnosed with severe renal failure, where the arteries going into both kidneys are abnormally narrowed, almost blocked off. The second case involves a thirty-one-year-old male, Robbie, who has progressive respiratory failure. Both cases take Dr. Lin by surprise, not just because of the patients’ relatively young age, but also because neither condition has an immediately clear cause. As he investigates further, he discovers that both patients have a troubling pattern. They have been using weight-loss substances and energy boosters- a herbal supplement in Hector’s case and a pharmaceutical medication in Robbie’s case. What initially appears coincidental gradually evolves into suspicion, then into a clinical concern. Beginning with Hector’s case, his online search initially reveals nothing linking the supplement to renal failure. On the contrary, websites present the supplement as safe and beneficial. This absence of evidence just deepens his concern, pushing him to expand his search to the second case. He, however, is unaware that at this point he is no longer investigating an illness, but that he is approaching a system that will not merely resist exposure, but will respond with force, secrecy, and a craving for blood.

Dr. Lin’s as the narrator and protagonist, serves as the perfect anchor for this medical thriller. What’s most remarkable about him is how his determination is fueled not by hunger for ‘glory’ but by a relentless need to know and to help. His language is professional even when he is emotionally exhausted, and doesn’t overwhelm the reader or his distressed patients. One feels that he is not just eager to treat diseases but also the people, through ways that sometimes blur professional boundaries and place his career at risk. The supporting characters have been well crafted, each contributing in distinct ways to his mission. They include Dr. Carlos Chavez who helps Dr. Lin unfold a system that often treats symptoms, not mysteries, Ethan Harrington and Jennifer Brinks who personify the aggressive marketing machine, Alfonso Romano who offers a surprise, critical plot twist and Harold Lin, Dr. Lin’s father who becomes the protagonist’s emotional catalyst, and whose actions and moral stance propel his son into a visceral, deeply personal crusade.

“Poison Pill” by Anthony Lee is without a doubt a rare medical thriller that transcends genre through its portrayal of an industry where good intentions, financial survival, and greed often become dangerously intertwined. Its title functions as a metaphor, symbolizing toxic substances, poisoned systems, and the often invisible yet dangerously consequential forms of manufactured harm. Undoubtedly, it is a timely read, offered to the world at a time when wellness influencers are dominantly taking over digital spaces, and when the line between ‘well’ and ‘woo’ is getting more blurred by the hour through slick marketing. I believe that its clarion call is loud enough to have readers look twice at what they consume, what they trust, and what they believe.

 

 

 

 

Horror book cover with giant skull.

Monster Hunting in Newtonville by Viktor Csák

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

The postapocalyptic world created by Viktor Csák is vast. Even if you are unaware that Monster Hunting in Newtonville is a follow-up to his novel Welcome to the Silent Zone, it is quickly clear that there is a much bigger story out there than the snapshot we see in this book. At the same time, readers new to the universe can dive right in without feeling lost.  Purchase Here.

Csák does a great job of building suspense throughout the novel, and the end of each chapter makes you eager to start the next. While there is not too much time devoted to character building, the cast of the story is still compelling, and the reader is drawn into their story. Despite not being a direct sequel, Monster Hunting in Newtonville does feature a brief appearance by the main characters of the original novel as they pass through town, hinting that their story will continue to be told in further works.

Throughout the story, the main character, John Debenham, is focused on his plan to earn a ride off the continent so he can find his wife and daughter, who escaped at the beginning of the pandemic. However, it is almost immediately clear that this plan will not go smoothly, and throughout the book, one thing after another goes wrong. One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is how John adapts to these setbacks and continues to find ways to work toward his ultimate goal.

Monster Hunting in Newtonville is more than a horror-thriller. It is also a commentary on our modern world. The story depicts a brutal world that, aside from the horrors of a zombie-like apocalypse, is not unlike our own. Even while North America has fallen to this infection, the world moves on. The tragedy and destruction that have become a part of the everyday lives of the survivors captivate the world for a time, but then other disasters and conflicts elsewhere begin to draw the rest of the world’s attention away. This reflects many of the current wars and conflicts around the world, where support for those suffering through these tragedies begins to falter as new problems arise elsewhere that draw global attention away.

 

Futuristic ray gun on book cover.

Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

The world is full of stories of deadly alien invasions, and there are also many notable examples of fish out of water extraterrestrial visits to our little planet. However, in Extraterrestrial Noir, author Rich Leder decides to see how well these elements play together. Attracted to Earth by an SOS sent out into the night sky from the flashlight of a suburban housewife, a quirky shapeshifting alien makes a visit to Earth to lend a hand. While this may sound like the setup for an offbeat sitcom like Alf, things quickly take a dark turn as this alien has a penchant for noir.  Purchase Here.

Once again, Leder shows off his bleak sense of humor as this twisted take on first contact rapidly devolves into a deadly trip through the hidden criminal underworld that lies beneath an idyllic suburban paradise.

The plotting of Extraterrestrial Noir is superb, keeping the reader engaged and excited to find out what crazy turn the story will take next. The story has a wide range of characters, and each chapter gives us a glimpse into the brain of the person in focus, with our enigmatic alien always being viewed from the outside without getting to peek into their unfathomably complex mind.

While the novel is fairly long, the action-packed pacing and witty wording of the writer keep propelling you over the pages, and you find yourself breezing through the story at a breakneck pace, unable to find a pausing point to put down the book and take a break.

The character development is wonderful, as, aside from the visitor to our planet and our kid genius tasked with protecting her family, most of the other characters are not what they first appear. While they may seem to be fairly normal everyday folks from the suburbs at first glance, once their onion is peeled back, their dark secrets hiding underneath are revealed.

Don’t go into Extraterrestrial Noir expecting the characters to act with reason. The novel is full of the “don’t go in there” kind of moments you see in horror films, where the actions of the characters are clearly going to lead them to their doom. However, that is part of the fun of this story, as Leder is constantly using the narrative to highlight the stupidity of mankind with his typically twistedly comedic charm.

 

Red hand with key, "The Captive" cover.

The Captive by Kit Burgoyne

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“They thought they were the captors. They were wrong.” This single line captures everything that makes “The Captive” by Kit Burgoyne, a wild, intelligent and deeply unsettling ride through power, rebellion and the terrifying idea that the real dangers are never the ones we expect. In the first pages, a kidnapping unfolds with heart-pounding precision on a posh London street. It quickly becomes clear that the pregnant twenty-three-year-old, Adeline Woolsaw, daughter of an ultra-wealthy family, snatched by a group of activists—is not the helpless victim anyone anticipated. She’s composed, calculating, and somehow… strangely eager to be taken. As the group hides out in an abandoned school and tries to hold their operation together, weird and catastrophic events tear the outside world apart: a sudden hailstorm that feels almost apocalyptic, bizarre chemical rain, and a chilling sense that something bigger and more unnatural is happening just beyond reach.  Purchase Here.

These escalating events aren’t just background noise, rather, they press in on the characters, shaping every decision they make, which is an element that makes this novel truly shine. The characters feel strikingly real, especially Luke—the nervous first-timer who’s clearly in way over his head, wrestling with guilt, fear, and a creeping sense of disillusionment; Cam, the hardened leader, who clings stubbornly to the plan even as the world around them starts to twist out of shape; and Rosa, fierce and sharp-edged, who can’t quite hide the cracks in her confidence. But it’s Adeline who quietly steals the show. You can almost feel her eyes on them—watching, calculating, maybe even pulling the strings—in a rare, slow-burning psychological battle that keeps tightening its grip.

What makes the book so powerful is that Burgoyne doesn’t just ask “Will they get caught?”—he asks deeper, more disturbing questions: What happens when the victim doesn’t want to be saved? What if the people fighting for a better world are just as lost as the ones they oppose? And when everything crumbles, who do we become?

Burgoyne’s writing is razor-sharp and intelligent. He captures both the sweaty, claustrophobic fear inside the van during the abduction and the wider, surreal horror of a London seemingly breaking apart. Every chapter ends on a note that demands the reader to turn the page, hungry for answers that only get more complicated the deeper they go. From the very first page, this novel is fast, dark and tense. Readers will appreciate how it weaves in social commentary without feeling preachy. Thoughtout, it keeps the prose tight, vivid, and often darkly funny. The pacing is relentless but never rushed, and there’s a poetic touch to some of the more surreal moments—especially during the violent, dreamlike hailstorm scene. The dialogue feels authentic, as if one is eavesdropping, and even the supporting characters leap off the page, flaws and eccentricities intact.

Ultimately, Kit Burgoyne’s “The Captive” is not simply another clever, tense thriller; it plunges headlong into fanaticism, power, and that uneasy place where you begin to question if the good men and the evil guys are actually all that different. It’s tense, it’s thought-provoking, and once it gets its hooks in you, it doesn’t let go. If you like thrillers that aren’t afraid to get messy—or lean into the strange—you’ll be thinking about this one long after you turn the last page.

Red book cover, "All Hope of Becoming Human".

All Hope of Becoming Human by Lonnie Busch

Book Reviewed by Rahul Gaur

When Ben Jonson first came up with the saying “Curiosity killed the cat,” he probably didn’t imagine that it would continue to be used to describe humans for a long time. We’ve seen this idea in many movies, books, and this story is no different. But what makes it interesting is how he presents this theme in a captivating way.  Purchase Here.

The opening chapter sets a chilling tone as Officer Reggie’s peaceful surroundings clash with the horrifying reality he uncovers. The vivid descriptions and palpable tension create a sense of unease that permeates the entire story. I must say that the opening chapter serves as a fantastic hook for the reader, just like an exciting thriller movie.

As the plot progresses, we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters, each with their motivations and struggles. From Professor Braden’s archaeological expedition to Karen and Lizzy’s fight for survival, the chapters seamlessly intertwine, propelling the narrative forward while leaving breadcrumbs of intrigue along the way. The characters are well-developed. I felt like I got to know them and understand their motivations. The characters’ individual experiences, struggles, and encounters with the extraordinary events happening around them add depth and complexity to the narrative. Each character brings their perspectives, motivations, and reactions, shaping the overall dynamics of the story.

One thing that deserves attention is the pacing of the story. In some places, it felt like the story was moving too quickly, and I didn’t have enough time to get to know the characters or understand what was happening. Some part of the story felt like it was dragging on, and I was eager to get to the next part. However, the plot effectively grabs hold of the reader, generating a sense of intrigue and leaving them excited to uncover the unfolding narrative.

The author skillfully blends elements of horror, suspense, and the supernatural, crafting a gripping tale that defies traditional genre boundaries. The characters and their world are in a state of constant dissonance, which mirrors the unease that permeates the story. It is a testament to the author’s storytelling prowess that even in the most dreamlike moments, a sense of realism summons the reader into the story.

This story stands out by compelling readers to contemplate the duality of humanity and the decisions we make when confronted with extraordinary situations. Given that people continue to live as they do now, the events depicted in this book may come true one day. Some may call my perspective pessimistic, but I see pervasive chaos all around, which makes me wonder when we will develop the ability to coexist harmoniously with nature. What price must we pay to rediscover our humanity? Is there any hope for our collective return to a more humane state, or have we lost that opportunity entirely? The answer lies in the latter portion of the idiom, “but satisfaction brought it back.”

View the Trailer for All Hope of Becoming Human

All Hope of Becoming Human_26 second trailer from Lonnie Busch on Vimeo.

Cutthroat Express book cover with cars.

Cutthroat Express by Bryan Cassiday

Book Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

In Cutthroat Express, Bryan Cassiday takes his zombie epic to the next level. In the aftermath of President Cole going completely off the rails and nuking himself, Chad Halverson and the other survivors at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center are left facing nuclear fallout in addition to the continued threat of the zombie hordes.  Purchase Here.

With the arrival of a stranger promising the existence of a cure, the new president enlists Halverson and a rag-tag group, including four hardened criminals, to go out into the zombie-infested nuclear wasteland and bring back the cure. With threats to Halverson and his team coming from every direction, Cassiday once again aims to show that the most difficult obstacle for society to overcome is most often humanity itself.

With the odds stacked against them, mistrust between the convicts and the rest of the team frequently poses a far greater risk to their survival than any external threat. From start to finish Cutthroat Express is filled with tension. After everything that has happened, it is no surprise that all the characters appear to be at the breaking point. As the challenges faced by Halverson and his team continue to mount, it becomes more and more difficult to believe they will be able to accomplish their seemingly impossible task.

In Cutthroat Express, the characters are constantly jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. As the dangers grow, betrayals begin to mount, and the tension continues to build. Cassiday does a great job of keeping the reader on edge. The harsh and biting dialogue, combined with the constant assault from the undead and dead alike, works to keep the reader from getting too comfortable in this cruel world.

Cutthroat Express keeps the audience engaged. With every new twist and turn it becomes harder and harder to put the book down. This action-packed narrative is a quick read that will keep you turning the pages. Every chapter leaves you curious about the next. Cassiday’s zombie apocalypse series continues to hit the mark in the latest installment. By the end of the novel, you will be eager to discover what comes next for Chad Halverson in this world of the damned.

Skull and forest on book cover design.

The Nosferatu Conspiracy: Book 2 The Sommelier by Brian James Gage

Reviewed by Dianne Woodman

The Sommelier is the second book in The Nosferatu Conspiracy series by Brian James Gage. A synopsis of the first book, The Sleepwalker, provides an excellent framework for readers in this riveting, chilling, and hair-raising tale that is both unsettling and addictive. Purchase Here.

German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, the ruler of the Prussian Empire, is working toward world domination and searching for the bottle of Vlad Dracula’s blood so that he and his mistress can achieve immortality and conceive a superior and untouchable child personified by evil. Augusta, Wilhelm’s wife, has stooped to devious measures in the hopes of stopping the mistress from becoming her successor.

Creatures with supernatural abilities and powers also want to obtain the bottle of blood along with an enchanted sword for their own nefarious reasons. The warlock in possession of the items is on a quest to find and protect Prince Felix Yusupov. Felix and his best friend, Rurik Kozlov, have left Saint Petersburg, Russia, for Bucharest, Romania, to settle a score and keep loathsome individuals, vile creatures, and demonic entities from succeeding in their gruesome activities. They are armed with the necessary equipment and supplies to help protect themselves from physical attacks caused by supernatural means. In their travels, challenges greet them at every step along the way, with their lives constantly in jeopardy. They run across allies who possess magical abilities, which are utilized in facing off against bloodthirsty beings with grotesque appearances and sadistic intentions.

Gage has penned a gut-wrenching thriller packed with heart-pounding twists and non-stop action. It is split into three parts, each with thematically relevant titles that superbly tie the story together. Chapter headings include the date and time relevant to when events take place. Some headings also include excerpts about covert activities involving the top echelon of the Kingdom of Prussia, a clipping about unlawful acts covered in a once publicized Berlin newspaper, and a German fairy tale centered around a witch in the story. The author has created a diverse cast of characters who possess a unique variety of personality traits, special powers, and unforgettable physical characteristics. The depiction of brutal acts of violence and spine-tingling fight sequences fits in well with the characters involved in situations that could have a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

The Sommelier includes vampires, warlocks, witches, werewolves, undead humans, swords imbued with mysterious powers, magical incantations, strong family and friendship bonds, treachery, clandestine meetings, horrifying battles, kidnappings, dark secrets, telepathy, and torture. The story is jam-packed with tension, suspense, and epic twists and turns that keep readers engaged in anticipation of what will happen next.

Gage has written a thriller that will keep readers thoroughly engrossed and give them goosebumps. The English translation is provided for foreign words and phrases. Scattering of profanity throughout the book is used judiciously and suits the characters. At the end of the story, Gage includes a brief overview of what will transpire in The Last Seraph, the conclusion to a blood-curdling series that is not to be missed.

Teaser for The Nosferatu Conspiracy: Book Two, The Sommelier

3 minute featurette for The Nosferatu Conspiracy: Book Two, The Sommelier

Zombie apocalypse book cover with silhouettes.

Horde (Zombie Apocalypse: The Chad : Halverson Book 6) by Bryan Cassidy

Book Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Horde is clearly a product of the times. It’s a zombie apocalypse book written with a heavy influence from the COVID-19 pandemic. With people worried about things like face masks, quarantining, and social distancing, the zombie apocalypse sounds like an event with which we are all too familiar. Purchase Here.

Bryan Cassiday takes on the oft overplayed zombie apocalypse novel. However, he mixes in current events to give the zombie tale a unique twist. He combines everything that this last year brought us. Most of the novel takes place in an encampment in Arizona, where mistrust runs high. The camp is filled with confusion regarding the nature of the plague. There is much debate on whether the zombie plague can be transmitted through spores released through the breath of zombies and if there are symptomless human carriers of the disease.

Horde does not limit its scope of yearly commentary to pandemic-related affairs, however. There is also a president who seems to be losing his grip on reality as he declares himself president for life and begins to nuke cities across the United States in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus. Not to mention, an attempted overthrow of the government by a group of armed vigilantes.

The anger and confusion of people trapped in what feels like a neverending nightmare is very relatable for modern-day readers. Chaos rules in the world created by Cassiday. He shines light upon all of the senseless arguments and endless fighting that occurs in our world with nobody willing to really listen to the point of view of anyone else who disagrees with them. The protagonist, Box, is more confused than anyone. He is taken into the camp after being found out in the desert. He has no memory of who he is or how he got there and is completely shocked to learn of a zombie plague.

The characters in Horde are typically representative of various outspoken groups and portrayed with much exaggeration. While on the surface, it is a zombie apocalypse story, the threat posed by humanity is far more in the forefront than the danger of the plague. The zombies mostly serve as background for a tale about how bad things can get between people when our everyday lives get turned upside down. It serves as a mirror to show us how easily we can all become lost amid the difficulties of the world we live in today.