DJ is Writing: Halloween Reading

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Halloween Reading

Some might read the title above and say to themselves, when is this blog not about Halloween appropriate reading? A fair enough dig, and also, how dare I post a Halloween book review only days before Halloween! Again, you're right. And I'm sorry. But since the majority of books that I review are horror themed, I guess it doesn't really matter.

I was going to post a review for Demonic Indemnity by Craig McLay, a fun read if you prefer your horror with fantasy elements and a dose of humor. There is an entire series about supernatural insurance investigator Tim Lovecraft, and I'm betting they are all fun reads. But while I was at work (yes, indie authors usually have to make a living from things other than writing), my boss asked for book recommendations for her grandson, and I had to suggest Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, illustrated by S. D. Schindler.

My kids loved Big Pumpkin, about a witch who plants a pumpkin seed that grows into a pumpkin so big that she can't get it off the vine in time to make pumpkin pie for Halloween. Drat! Literally! Others who are bigger and stronger than her offer to try, including a vampire and a mummy, and a little bat who gets laughed at for suggesting it is big enough and strong enough to get it done. But the bat has a plan. A very good one. This is a great read to introduce your kids to Halloween monsters that aren't really that scary, and it teaches a great and simple lesson about what happens with a little bit of teamwork.

Check out this link to find Big Pumpkin. BIG PUMPKIN

Check out this one for Demonic Indemnity. DEMONIC INDEMNITY

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The Latest Book -- Perfect Sacrifices -- The Kirkus Review

This third installment of Johnson’s Perfect Prophet supernatural thriller series finds family and friends caught in a cult’s web of rituals and retribution. Devil worshipping death-metal guitarist Alec Lowell left all that behind to become a faith healer. In the same vein, his Satanist half-brother, Lucas, lives a quiet life in a Wisconsin cemetery after leaving a cult. But now cult members want Lucas as a sacrifice for “the Dark One.” When they snatch Ally Reeves, an innocent teen girl, Lucas is convinced it’s to draw him into the open. He rushes to help her, but she isn’t the only person these vicious people have their sights on: It’s not long before others in the half-brothers’ orbit are in jeopardy, including Alec’s ex-wife, Belinda, and their son, Jake, as well as Jake’s girlfriend, Maggie. Lucas isn’t on the best of terms with everyone—as a member of the cult, he once kidnapped Jake “with some deranged notion to repent for his sins.” Nevertheless, they’ll need to rely on one another to stand against a group of merciless killers. As in the series’ previous installments, the story is bleak and violent, sometimes graphically so (“Shein’s abductor pried open his jaw while the female assistant grabbed hold of the tongue with a spring clamp…”). The narrative moves at a blistering pace, dishing out copious twists throughout rather than saving them for the final act. This sequel nudges the spotlight away from the half-brothers and allows the outstanding supporting cast to shine, especially Belinda and Maggie. The supernatural elements are understated; magic is in play but no single character is all powerful (that doesn’t make the villains any less horrifying as they seemingly come out of nowhere). The author deftly integrates pre-existing subplots and character relationships, but readers may want to check out the preceding books first to avoid spoilers. While a fourth installment is possible, this one concludes on a satisfying note. A somber, kinetically charged, character-driven sequel. -- Kirkus Reviews https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/diane-m-johnson/perfect-sacrifices/