Charles David Clasman's Blog

Mystery Underground #3: California Creatures (13 Terrifying Tales, A Spooky Short Story Collection)

MYSTERY UNDERGROUND #3

CALIFORNIA CREATURES

13 American Monster Tales

Read a scare … if you dare.



READERS BEWARE!

This book is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Put it away immediately if you are easily frightened. In fact, put it away if you are too young, too old, or too stuck in the middle. If you need to ask or wonder, don’t. Put the book away and leave. Run if you must.

To those courageous few who remain, prepare for chills, thrills, and goose bumps. This book contains thirteen terrifying tales set in the state of California. Within them you will encounter trolls, ghosts, goblins, werewolves, and other mysterious creatures of legend.

But do not expect happy endings. Mystery Underground #3: California Creatures is intended to shock, startle, and surprise. You will not guess its endings until their final pages.

Now, brave readers, we invite you. Read a scare … if you dare.

1: TAR PIT TERROR

LOS ANGELES, CA

Many fossils of prehistoric animals—from dire wolves to mastodons—have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits. When Liam and Charlotte discover a saber-toothed cat’s paw, they soon realize that not all fossils want to be found.

2: WHERE THE WILDFIRES ARE

COLOMA, CA

Thousands of wildfires strike California every year. Some are caused by humans and some by nature. Others still are caused by the unexplained … until now.

3. NO. 13 PENCIL

SAN DIEGO, CA

Jackson is an amazing artist. His drawings of monsters are realistic and terrifying. What happens when they come to life?

4. COYOTE HOLLOWS

DEATH VALLEY, CA

Welcome to bleak and dangerous Death Valley, California. The rugged land deserves its name. Claire and her father are about to find out why.

5. THE MAN IN THE GRAY SUIT

MALIBU BEACH, CA

Surfers Brody and Tristan seek the perfect wave on the perfect day. What they find, however, is the deadly Man in the Gray Suit.

6. THE BOOT

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA

Jase and Lucy’s grandparents claim to be retired monster hunters. The kids don’t believe them, of course. Not really. Not until they encounter monsters of their own.

7. THE RED MOTHER

REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK, CA

Sofia and Kevin hope to find the tallest redwood tree in California. Its location is a carefully guarded secret. So, too, is the existence of the mysterious Red Mother.

8. SUPERSTITIOUS SISTER

ANAHEIM, CA

Donovan thinks Friday the 13th is like any other day. He’s glad it’s the start of the weekend. His sister, though, is the superstitious type. When she challenges him to a series of dares, they both learn the real danger of the day.

9. WHAT MAKES THE EARTH QUAKE

SAN BERNARDINO, CA

As the visitor in town, Anthony wonders what the fuss about California earthquakes is all about. Imagine his shock when the terrifying answer chases him through the streets.

10. TOLL TO THE TROLL

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

From the dizzying heights of Golden Gate Bridge, Billy and his friends can see grim Alcatraz prison on its lonely, rocky isle. They never suspect that the prison isn’t empty and that its ferocious inhabitants stalk the night.

11. TRICK AND TREAT

REDDING, CA

The old Meyer house is supposed to be abandoned. So why are orange lights glowing in the windows on Halloween night? More importantly, what do Harper, Lindsey, and Max find when they peek inside?

12. MOVIE MONSTERS

HOLLYWOOD, CA

What if Hollywood isn’t all special effects and actors? What if some of it is real? Kaylee and Sydney find out when they visit the movie monster zoo.

13. THE RATTLE

BEVERLY HILLS, CA

Today Kendra turns thirteen. She’s excited about becoming a teenager, but her mother is absolutely ecstatic. Exactly what kind of gift does she have waiting for Kendra downstairs?

Purchase the books:

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School Visit: Kennedy Elementary

Today, December 18, 2012, the word of the day is SPIFFY. Why? Because Charlie and I visited Kennedy Elementary in Warren, Michigan and the students showed us the meaning of the word. You see, it’s Spirit Week at Kennedy and today’s theme was dressing for success and looking good. Charlie and I were seriously impressed! We’ve never seen so many kids wearing ties, dresses, and fancy outfits. What’s more, the school rewarded every student who dressed up with a free Heroes A2Z book. Nice!

Thank you to Principal Melissa Pluszczynski for coordinating our visit and for sharing our books with so many deserving readers. Happy holidays!

School Visit: Jackman Road Elementary

Charlie and I traveled south to Temperance, Michigan on Tuesday December 11, 2012. It was basically a straight shot down I-75. We knew we were in for some fun, though, because we passed at least four fireworks shops along the way. Four! Most days we don’t pass any. We should have known it was a sign of things to come. Fireworks are usually reserved for special days–the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, my birthday. Well, add our visits to Jackman Road Elementary to that list. The students and staff at JRE (go Jags!) demonstrated verbal fireworks by cheering and applauding our presentations with gusto. We couldn’t have asked for a more enthusiastic group.

Special thanks to Reading Specialist Janice Gibson and the after school kids who shared their Double Stuff Oreo cookies!

School Visit: Oakwood Elementary

On the morning of Tuesday December 4th, 2012, Charlie and I embarked on a long journey. We drove at least 3 (yes, three) whole miles from his house to visit Oakwood Elementary in Brandon Township, Michigan. Lucky for us Charlie’s car is equipped with a built-in GPS and comfortable seating! We almost had to stop for a red light along the way. Whew!

When we finally arrived, Principal Kristy Spann and over three hundred students gave us a hero’s welcome. What a rowdy bunch (especially Mrs. Spann! :p). Instead of a three mile drive, we felt as if we had traveled three hundred miles on foot through dragon-infested wastelands to reach the school. We thought the school might pin medals to our chests. They seemed that appreciative.

Thanks to everyone at Oakwood Elementary. We’ll drive three miles to see you anytime!

School Visit: Schall Elementary

You can’t have too many friends. Charlie and I were reminded of these words when we visited Schall Elementary in Caro, Michigan on the afternoon of November 30, 2012. We made A LOT of new friends. First, a helpful group of PTO Moms swarmed us with book orders. Those ladies really know how to organize!



Next, Mrs. Chambers, the principal, packed the gym with about 400 students (more new friends!) from third, fourth, and fifth grades. Watch Charlie entertain them with a bit of juggling as they file in and find places to sit.



The fun, of course, didn’t end there. See for yourself. I even managed to capture a portion of the story Charlie tells that describes how he became a writer.





Thank you, Schall Elementary for a terrific afternoon! And to all of our new friends … nice to meet you! Real heroes read!

Mystery Underground #1: Michigan Monsters

Beware, readers, beware. Mystery Underground is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. You should leave now if you are easily frightened.

In fact, leave if you are too young, too old, or too stuck in the middle. If you need to ask or wonder, don’t. Just leave. Close your web browser, shut down your computer, and walk away. Run if you must.

To those courageous few who remain, welcome. Welcome and congratulations. Your bravery is impressive. Your determination admirable. Now let us put them to the test. That is why you are here, correct? To read something different. Something extraordinary. To face danger and stare into its bloodshot eyes.

Mystery Underground will not disappoint.

Why? Because these spooky short stories do not end happily. They are not safe. Mystery Underground is a creepy collection of tales intended to shock, startle, and surprise. You will not guess the endings until the last page.

So, brave reader, we invite you. Read a scare … if you dare.

School Visit: Central Elementary

Friday May 18, 2012 wasn’t the typical school visit for us. Charlie and I arrived at Central Elementary in Vassar, Michigan at 8:30 am. So far, so normal. What we saw when the students arrived for our first presentation, however, delighted us. The kids came in costume! Some clutched shields adorned with the Vassar Vulcan like medieval knights. Many wore crowns or princess hats. See for yourself in the pictures below. What a great group of kids and teachers for putting that together. Nice surprise! But wait, the excitement wasn’t over yet. The students had also decorated the walls of Central with drawings inspired by our Knightscares and Heroes A2Z books. We tried to photograph them all. Hope we got ‘em. Finally, we enjoyed a delicious lunch with Principal Phil Marcy at a local cafe. Good stuff! Thanks to 5th grade teacher Ann Auernhamer and Librarian Pam Aranyos for inviting us!

School Visit: Bovenschen School

On Friday May 11, 2012, Charlie and I returned to Bovenschen School in Warren, Michigan. To those in the know, the school is nicknamed “the Bove.” That’s pretty cool. Much better than “homework central,” “indoor recess,” or “principal’s office.”

Because we visited the Bove just last year, we decided to tweak our program. You know, keep it fresh. So Charlie dusted off his guitar, tuned up the strings, and rocked the house. Awesome! We hadn’t played music at a school in years. Too many kids were thinking of us as musicians, not authors. And that’s a problem when you make a living by selling books. But the Bove is special to us, so we broke the rules this one time.

Thanks to our hosts Melanie Wittner, Assistant Principal Gary Sasek (pictured below), and Principal Denise Jackson for the invitation!

School Visit: Graham Elementary

On Friday April 20, 2012, Charlie and I visited Graham Elementary in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The school is located very close to the Pontiac Silverdome where the Detroit Lions played football for so many years. In honor of that, we gave 110% (what kind of math is that?!) for four quarters. Actually, make that four shows–one with the morning kindergarten, one with the 1st and 2nd graders, one with the afternoon K, and one with third through fifth graders. With the expert coaching of Media Specialist Linda Lindemann, we kept the fans (students) on their feet (seats) whether they were wide-eyed rookies (kindergarten) or crafty veterans (fifth grade). Thank you Graham for being reading champions and for making our visit a blow-out victory!

School Visit: Costello Elementary

Super school visit today, April 17, 2012! Costello Elementary in Troy, Michigan has it all. As soon as we arrived this morning, we were greeted by two super fans holding a Real Heroes Read poster (pictured above). Nice way to start the day. Next Media Specialist Wendy Gustin served as the perfect hostess. She planned a flexible schedule, provided a delicious lunch (Fritos for the win!), and even found Charlie some juggling balls. That’s what we get for giving them all away! Best of all, the students and teachers seemed to really enjoy our presentations (all FOUR of them–whew!). One teacher, who will remain anonymous (because her name sounds like a ferocious critter that lives in the woods), watched our show THREE TIMES! I think we made a reader out of her. Of course that’s no surprise at Costello. The school is filled with reading heroes!