Review: Revenge is Good for the Souls

Revenge is Good for the Souls by Aaron R. Tyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aaron R. Tyler delivers a dark, horrific and delightful tale with Revenge Is Good For The Souls. He takes the notion of "bad things happening to good people" to another level in this disturbing story about Michael Vickers, a college professor who is just living his life, minding his own business, when a terrible car accident causes him to begin seeing people that no one else sees. These ghosts, or souls as they prefer to be called aren't your "Casper the Friendly Ghost" types ... they suffered horrendous torment when living and they are angry and out for revenge. Vickers has to become their tool, or else he will become their target and be driven insane. A solution of sorts is presented, but everything comes at a price and he has to decide whether the price that is demanded is one he's willing to pay.

While Revenge Is Good For The Souls is a standalone tale, there are connections with The Waifs: From the author of The Twin Tiers Serial Killers trilogy, one of Tyler's previous books. It's not required, but I recommend reading The Waifs first as this new story has some mild spoilers for that earlier book.

This is a wonderful read, although be warned: the story includes graphic descriptions of violence, bullying, sexual grooming and exploitation. The ending was completely unexpected and provided a fantastic twist to a fantastic tale.

Recommended.

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Review: The Waifs: From the author of The Twin Tiers Serial Killers trilogy

The Waifs: From the author of The Twin Tiers Serial Killers trilogy by Aaron R. Tyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In anticipation of the release of Revenge is Good for the Souls by Aaron Tyler (March 1, 2025) I decided to read one of his earlier books - The Waifs - in part because one of the characters makes an appearance in the new story as well. I was NOT disappointed at all.

Set in a small town, the characters in The Waifs are likely familiar to all: the "Losers" (Waifs), the Jocks, the Shop Kids (Greasers) and the parents and teachers around them. Although the Waifs originally band together because no other group would have them, they find acceptance, friendship and support in each other.

The Waifs are bullied throughout their school years but manage to avoid serious harm by keeping to themselves and avoiding run ins with the worst of the trouble makers at school. That seems about to change however when one of The Waifs is falsely believed to have told the school administration who it was that committed an act of vandalism. It doesn't take long for the vandal and his friends to find an opportunity to take revenge upon the Waifs, and with no one to defend them it seems the Waifs' run of luck may be over.

Tyler has delivered a good story here with unexpected twists, plenty of tension, and a more-than-satisfying climax. Fair warning, though. Along with descriptions of bullying the story does contain some fairly graphic violence which may be triggering for some.

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Review: Below

Below by Kev Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Below is a fast-paced horror/thriller by Kev Harrison that follows Nick Jones, Jess & Sofia as they try to uncover what happened to several miners who were trapped and never rescued decades after a 1957 mine collapse. The investigation holds special meaning for Nick since his grandfather and namesake, Nicholas Jones, was one of those trapped inside the mine after saving many of the other miners. After the blocked mine entrance is cleared and additional supports are added to shore up the tunnels, the trio enter and begin their search. They soon find the evidence they'd hoped for of the lost miners...and more.

I would give this story 4.5 stars if I could. My only minor complaints with the story are the apparent lack of concern about unexplained noises within the mine and with an event that causes the mine entrance to become blocked. The ending also felt a bit rushed, but overall this was a great story by a "new to me" author, and I'll be looking for more from him.

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Review: 13 Haunted Houses

13 Haunted Houses by Curtis M. Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So much horror, so many scares, crammed into 200 or so pages as you're taken from one adrenaline rush to another as each short(ish) story unfolds.

All I'll say is that if any of the contributors to this anthology invite you to their house on the coast, or in the city, or anywhere, really... decline as quickly as you can and run the other way while you still can!

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Review: The Man Behind the Mask

The Man Behind the Mask by Richard Chizmar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another great story by Richard Chizmar that will horrify and enthrall readers to the very end. Chizmar does a fantastic job of building suspense, revealing horror after horror in measured doses throughout this short story in a way that causes readers to experience the terror first-hand, right through the final page.

Between the years of 1999 and 2006, The Boogeyman ... kidnapped, tortured and killed at least sixteen young women ranging from the ages of seventeen to twenty-three.
-- The Man Behind The Mask. Richard Chizmar

Jennifer Shea, the only woman to survive The Boogeyman's depravations, hopes to be able to finally put the past behind her by sharing the details of her captivity and torture with the mother of one of his other victims. Her emotions are raw, and her horrors are fresh as she recounts the details of her terrifying ordeal and eventual escape that came at a price almost too terrible to pay.

This is a story you won't soon forget


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Review: AMMIT

AMMIT by Aaron R. Tyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

AMMIT by Aaron R. Tyler is a paranormal mystery/thriller with elements of horror that help this book shine! Given some of the content in the book I would recommend it for older teens and adults ...

The tale begins with a sea voyage to dispose of a mysterious box in the depths of the ocean off the coast of Ireland, and it would be a short story indeed if that was the last we heard of the box. But the box resurfaces many years later off the coast of Florida, to the detriment of the Stipple family: Ron and Valerie, and their 2 children Michael and Charity.

Shortly after the box is recovered and opened, strange but harmless events occur within the Stipple household, but these become more disturbing and violent and even extend to the school the children attend. Police are brought in to investigate and, as events escalate and the family gets more desperate, a team of paranormal investigators are called in.

Tyler builds suspense slowly but surely. You know bad things are going to happen... you can feel it in his writing... but you don't know just how bad they're going to get or how the family is ever going to be free of the menace that has been unleashed.

This is a great read and highly recommended.

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Review: The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Holiday Fantasy

The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Holiday Fantasy by Todd Lockwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Todd Lockwood took the very familiar, perhaps boring to some, "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol and created some stunning artwork to go with it. Each subsequent page and illustration builds on what came before and grown-ups and kids alike will love pouring over the pictures to spot all the animals... Each time you re-read it you're certain to spot something new!

 

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