Review of Maniacs, Monsters and a Bump in the Night
Posted: 22 Apr 2024, 10:26
[Following is a volunteer review of "Maniacs, Monsters and a Bump in the Night" by G. Richard Evans.]
Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night by G. Richard Evans is a collection of short stories that delves into various themes and settings. However, the prevailing mood of the book is somber, with many of the stories depicting scenes that inspire sadness. Themes explored include cultism, crime, the paranormal, love, family dynamics, revenge, the effects of war, substance use, and technology. Each story possesses its own tone and style, making the book a diverse collection.
The collection comprises twelve unique and standalone short stories. It begins with "Bump in the Night," which recounts Mike Costanza's breakup with his girlfriend, Carol, after she reveals her involvement in witchcraft, leading him to encounter a life-threatening agent of the devil. In "Loser," Eustace Crowley, newly sentenced to imprisonment, plans to use his carefully rehearsed telepathic powers to escape. "Doodle" follows the story of a street man named Doodle, whose peace is disrupted when teenage hunters provoke a dramatic and tragic conflict by hunting rats who are his ‘‘friends’’. "Ghost of a Chance" explores the humiliations suffered by Timmy Hotchkiss as he endures continuous bullying by Melvin Burton. Other stories in the collection include "Covers," "You Bet Your Wife," "Dream unto Death," "Devil’s Breath," "Ask Your Daughter," and "Scream it’s Dark." Each story offers a unique narrative with surprising endings, often delving into the spiritual and supernatural realms.
Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night delivers a chilling experience for readers, with stories that are both outlandish and horrifying yet somehow relatable. The author adeptly weaves them together, resulting in a natural and coherent collection. Stories like Courtney Banning's ordeal at the hands of Cecil Starke and Bo Carleson's haunting dreams are particularly gripping. The straightforward language used throughout the narratives enhances readability, while the varied settings add to the book's intrigue. Notably, the author addresses sensitive themes such as substance use, crime, and revenge with clarity.
With minimal errors across the twelve stories, the book maintains a smooth flow, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience. Its format of independent short stories allows readers to easily pick up and put down the book at their convenience. Consequently, Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night earns a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. This collection, with its overarching mood of sadness, is recommended for mature readers of all backgrounds who enjoy crime, mystery, horror, and action narratives.
******
Maniacs, Monsters and a Bump in the Night
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night by G. Richard Evans is a collection of short stories that delves into various themes and settings. However, the prevailing mood of the book is somber, with many of the stories depicting scenes that inspire sadness. Themes explored include cultism, crime, the paranormal, love, family dynamics, revenge, the effects of war, substance use, and technology. Each story possesses its own tone and style, making the book a diverse collection.
The collection comprises twelve unique and standalone short stories. It begins with "Bump in the Night," which recounts Mike Costanza's breakup with his girlfriend, Carol, after she reveals her involvement in witchcraft, leading him to encounter a life-threatening agent of the devil. In "Loser," Eustace Crowley, newly sentenced to imprisonment, plans to use his carefully rehearsed telepathic powers to escape. "Doodle" follows the story of a street man named Doodle, whose peace is disrupted when teenage hunters provoke a dramatic and tragic conflict by hunting rats who are his ‘‘friends’’. "Ghost of a Chance" explores the humiliations suffered by Timmy Hotchkiss as he endures continuous bullying by Melvin Burton. Other stories in the collection include "Covers," "You Bet Your Wife," "Dream unto Death," "Devil’s Breath," "Ask Your Daughter," and "Scream it’s Dark." Each story offers a unique narrative with surprising endings, often delving into the spiritual and supernatural realms.
Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night delivers a chilling experience for readers, with stories that are both outlandish and horrifying yet somehow relatable. The author adeptly weaves them together, resulting in a natural and coherent collection. Stories like Courtney Banning's ordeal at the hands of Cecil Starke and Bo Carleson's haunting dreams are particularly gripping. The straightforward language used throughout the narratives enhances readability, while the varied settings add to the book's intrigue. Notably, the author addresses sensitive themes such as substance use, crime, and revenge with clarity.
With minimal errors across the twelve stories, the book maintains a smooth flow, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience. Its format of independent short stories allows readers to easily pick up and put down the book at their convenience. Consequently, Maniacs, Monsters, and Bump in the Night earns a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. This collection, with its overarching mood of sadness, is recommended for mature readers of all backgrounds who enjoy crime, mystery, horror, and action narratives.
******
Maniacs, Monsters and a Bump in the Night
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon