Dave Higgins's Blog, page 36

There are No Monsters by Sebastian Leyendecker

Leyendecker blends the griminess and struggle of realistic espionage stories or noir with a hidden world of supernatural otherness, creating a novel that is both gritty thriller and cosmic horror. Decades ago, the Nocturne Society told Brockmann to stand down, their mission of destroying the monsters that used to plague humanity complete; however, when a … Continue reading There are No Monsters by Sebastian Leyendecker

A Chain of Infinite Length Can Still Be Cut

Today is Anti-Slavery Day in the United Kingdom, a day that is not—as one might hope—a celebration of our victory over the scourge of oppressive servitude but a solemn reminder that slavery remains a close part even of the modern Western world. How you might best oppose slavery will vary depending on where you live … Continue reading A Chain of Infinite Length Can Still Be Cut

Good Cop by Jim Alexander

Alexander weaves the gritty hunt for a brutal killer with portrayals of everyday selfishness and cruelty, creating a thriller that shows the trauma of facing humanity’s darker side without excusing the imperfection of the investigators. This novel is the sequel to GoodCopBadCop. Spoilers ahead. When Detective Inspector Brian Fisher leapt from a tower block onto … Continue reading Good Cop by Jim Alexander

Larry Niven and Ringworld Time

Last month, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Larry Niven for Mythaxis Review. The transcript has just been published on their website. Larry Niven is perhaps best known for Ringworld and The Mote in God’s Eye (co-authored with Jerry Pournelle). Winner of multiple Hugo Awards (for both novels and short stories), the Nebula Award, … Continue reading Larry Niven and Ringworld Time

National Poetry Day: Medusa by Louise Bogan

In celebration of National Poetry Day, a video of me reciting a poem of which I am fond: “Medusa” by Louise Bogan. (Words below for those who wish such) Medusa Louise Bogan I had come to the house, in a cave of trees, Facing a sheer sky. Everything moved,—a bell hung ready to strike, Sun … Continue reading National Poetry Day: Medusa by Louise Bogan

Behind Superficial Mutability

On Saturday, I played through Bit Golem’s Dagon game. As some of you will know, I am a casual player of computer games rather than one who seeks to speed run them or plays into the early hours of the morning; so my having completed the game the same day I started (in fact within … Continue reading Behind Superficial Mutability

Trouble By Any Name by A.T. Butler

Butler weaves his own details around the tropes of classic Westerns, creating an engaging tale of frontier action and clear morals. While dropping off his latest bounty with the authorities, Jacob Payne hears a rumour a man matching the description of a wanted murderer has been seen in nearby San Adrian, Arizona; unfortunately, it also …

Raising a Cup to Melitta Bentz

As I drink my second mug of coffee today, I am reminded of Melitta Bentz and feel a series of small joys. At the start of the Twentieth Century, coffee in Europe was almost always brewed with the grounds loose in the pot. This method has two main issues: the resulting coffee tends to have … Continue reading Raising a Cup to Melitta Bentz

The Peculiar Case of the Luminous Eye: A Paranormal Thriller by S.C. Barrus

Barrus combines the Victorian gentleman scientist with a threat that does not tidily fit into human assumptions about reality, creating a novella that evokes classic tales of paranormal detection and cosmic dread without feeling dry or stilted. Willem has devoted himself to the study of the liminal zone between biology, cryptology, and the aether sciences, … Continue reading The Peculiar Case of the Luminous Eye: A Paranormal Thriller by S.C. Barrus

The Goalkeeper Doesn’t Decide Who Scores

Previously, I set out my theory for why people might have started to see the DMs of roleplaying games as separate from the players. Someone who wishes to remain a nameless spectre of looming contention asked me if it actually matters whether the DM is called a player or not. And, in fairness, a lot … Continue reading The Goalkeeper Doesn’t Decide Who Scores