Dave Higgins's Blog, page 27

Good Is in the Heart

Local, national, and world news was—as oft—less than perfect this morning, which left me with a momentary ponder about campaigning for a better world is wasted effort. However, serendipitously, I recieved a question about the vampire LARP I’m helping to organise, which will be run in a hall owned by Quakers, which in turn reminded … Continue reading Good Is in the Heart

Deal or No Deal: A Case from the Midnight Eye Files by William Meikle

Meikle crafts a tale of a detective with a love of mundane spirits finding himself facing the supernatural kind. There’s nothing unusual about private eyes being asked to find people. However, rather than the usual tale of a missing family member, Derek Adams’ latest client shares a tale of university friends selling their souls for … Continue reading Deal or No Deal: A Case from the Midnight Eye Files by William Meikle

Mocking the Devil

The rather knowledgeable and decidedly spiffy Yvonne Aburrow has issued a challenge to write an Occult Clerihew. In remembrance of the first conversation I had with her, I have chosen to respond with a whimsy upon the founder of the Church of Satan: The purveyor of ethical evil LaVey Liked his faith with a bit … Continue reading Mocking the Devil

Elva of the Seas by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth reverses the fantasy trope of a commoner rising to become the monarch, instead following an heir who is replaced. Combined with fast-paced action and an interesting world, this creates an engaging variation on the standard tale. This is the third book in Elizabeth’s Serpent Riders series. Possible spoilers ahead. Elva spent most of her … Continue reading Elva of the Seas by Jordan Elizabeth

Introducing “The Obfuscator”!

Are you one of those people who looks good in hats? If not, read on. I have always struggled with hats. Occasionally wearing a hat works, but many hats don’t look good on me, cause my head to overheat, or have some other issue—sometimes even a hat that worked won’t the next time. My relationship … Continue reading Introducing “The Obfuscator”!

Wake the Dead by Baileigh Higgins

Higgins delivers another highly plausible tale of post-apocalyptic struggle that shows the biggest threat to life can be the absence of the infrastructure that Western society assumes will exist. Note: while the author is blessed with a spiffing surname we are unrelated by blood or marriage. This novel is the third in Higgins’ Heroes of … Continue reading Wake the Dead by Baileigh Higgins

Emma and the Box of Wonder by Matthew S. Cox

Cox skilfully balances the simpler perspective of the young with the underlying complexity of realistic worlds, creating a fast-paced fantasy adventure that is accessible without sacrificing depth. This is the sixth volume in Cox’s Tales of Widowswood series. Potential spoilers for prior volumes ahead. Emma and her sister Kimber expect spending the day with their … Continue reading Emma and the Box of Wonder by Matthew S. Cox

Neither Dead Nor Lying

WordPress tell me that I have been blogging for a decade; which is more impressive than not. So, I decided to take a look back to see what was happening when I started. Unfortunately, it turns out to be sex scandals, domestic abuse, and a bunch of other things that aren’t really someone about which … Continue reading Neither Dead Nor Lying

Ink For Blood by Kevin Weir

Weir blends a strong gothic aesthetic with fast-paced visceral fights and creepy mysteries, creating a baroque nightmare of addict-assassins fighting existential horrors with distilled angel blood and arcane machinery. A century ago, the Great Machine appeared on the English coast, offering a way to fight back against the mindless parasitic sludge called the Mire. Now … Continue reading Ink For Blood by Kevin Weir

Wiser Elephant

There has been some debate on the internet over the correct way to make a cup of tea. While the question of whether the “seawater plunge” method of steeping erodes the very soul of a nation has been answered, the question of when to add milk to a cup appears to still vex people. However, … Continue reading Wiser Elephant