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The Fabulous Miss Fortune
Meet Peggy Lee, a small town midwestern girl from a devout suburban home. When a carnival comes to town, Peggy Lee is enchanted by the glitter and bright lights. Wanting more than her safe controlled life, she joins the troupe as "Miss Fortune." Unfortunately, Peggy Lee is neither creative or worldly enough to be good at the job. Fueled by her first drink of alcohol and an encounter with a sexually gifted clown, Peggy Lee decides the only way to make her predictions come true is to maim and kill her customers. Death will always come if you’re the one wielding it.
Thirty five years later, meet Isabella, Ethan, and Lucas, 10-year olds with a proclivity for killing small animals. As they grow and change, no longer excited by bloody animals, they escalate and decide to team up in killing their first human, an old woman.
Thirty five years later, meet Isabella, Ethan, and Lucas, 10-year olds with a proclivity for killing small animals. As they grow and change, no longer excited by bloody animals, they escalate and decide to team up in killing their first human, an old woman.
111 pages, Paperback
Published June 29, 2023
18 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Gleason
34 books74 followersJessica Gleason finds writing horror therapeutic. So, she puts her nightmares to paper for your enjoyment. As a Hawaiian-Italian, she often draws from her cultural background and lived experience to bring occult-flavored and slasheriffic horror to life. If you look hard enough, you can catch her singing hair metal karaoke somewhere between Chicago and Milwaukee. Her daytime persona is a college professor in the American Midwest. Jessica's recent releases include “Playing Hooky” (Unnerving Books), and “The Dangerous Miss Ventriloquist” (Evil Cookie Publishing). Follow her on Instagram or Threads (@j.g.writes), where she hosts the #WeWriteHorror challenge.
https://jgwrites.carrd.co
https://jgwrites.carrd.co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 18, 2023
I forgot to say I got this for review fron booksirens.
The story was very fun, dark and twisty. It was interesting learning Peggy Lee's progression into the darkness and how it all played out. The kids were evil and creepy. Would be cool if there would be a novella about them when they are older and what sort of craziness they would evolve too.
The story was very fun, dark and twisty. It was interesting learning Peggy Lee's progression into the darkness and how it all played out. The kids were evil and creepy. Would be cool if there would be a novella about them when they are older and what sort of craziness they would evolve too.
August 11, 2024
This was an extremely unique and uncomfortable ride. Peggy Lee, our lead, was a wannabe psychic in a traveling circus, exploring her sexuality and supposed abilities. There were a lot of very awkward sexual situations which the author really nailed (No pun intended) the confusion and uncertainty of a girl learning about her womanhood. But then, the addition of Peggy Lee embracing her own life, for the first time, and forcing success at her trade added a vital and engaging layer to her story. Lots of violence and strange characters that kept things moving along well. Jessica Gleason took her time with Peggy Lee and didn’t take the focus in too many other directions, which was a smart move. Just a very unusual but enjoyable experience. The only portion of this that I didn’t enjoy were the time jumps from the 80s to present day, following the aspiring, sociopath kids. You could tell from the start that their story would converge with Peggy Lee at the end, which it did, but fell completely flat for me. I feel like they could have been left out of the book and not much would have been missed. And their inclusion also took away from Peggy Lee’s eventual finale, too. Even with some misfires, I still had a very good time here and look forward to seeing more from this author.
October 25, 2024
What a bizarre read but good for spooky season! This was a horror novella with a super twisted plot and characters. If you’re looking for something quick for spooky season this is available on kindle unlimited.
October 8, 2024
My "completely objective" review gives this book two thumbs up and/or five gold stars. Maybe check it out?
August 20, 2024
This was my second read by Jessica Gleason and I completely devoured this one!
I made the mistake of reading the sequel, "The Dangerous Miss Ventriloquist" before this one, I didn't realize it was the same series at the time, haha, but it did not take away the experience of this book!
We follow a woman who wants to join a carnival just to feel like she belongs somewhere, but she doesn't realize the dark secrets that reside in this place.
This was written super well, to the point where I refused to put it down! There is plenty of violence, sex, entertaining characters and a story that will grip you from beginning to end!
My favorite aspect of this book was the transition of our main character, it was intriguing to see how she changes and I loved it!
All throughout the story, it changes POVs between our leading woman to three very disturbed kids, who want nothing more but to cause chaos! This was very interesting to the story and what it leads to.
After reading both books, this is a series I extremely hope the author will continue. It's very unique and incredible! I can't wait to see what happens next!
4/5
I received this copy through BookSirens, and I will always appreciate the opportunity to review for them and the author!
I made the mistake of reading the sequel, "The Dangerous Miss Ventriloquist" before this one, I didn't realize it was the same series at the time, haha, but it did not take away the experience of this book!
We follow a woman who wants to join a carnival just to feel like she belongs somewhere, but she doesn't realize the dark secrets that reside in this place.
This was written super well, to the point where I refused to put it down! There is plenty of violence, sex, entertaining characters and a story that will grip you from beginning to end!
My favorite aspect of this book was the transition of our main character, it was intriguing to see how she changes and I loved it!
All throughout the story, it changes POVs between our leading woman to three very disturbed kids, who want nothing more but to cause chaos! This was very interesting to the story and what it leads to.
After reading both books, this is a series I extremely hope the author will continue. It's very unique and incredible! I can't wait to see what happens next!
4/5
I received this copy through BookSirens, and I will always appreciate the opportunity to review for them and the author!
November 7, 2023
This was a fun and twisted carnival based story that centres around a crazy fortune teller who, over time, in this book gets darker and darker.
I really loved the descent into darkness in this story. It was creatively written and got very creepy, which I enjoyed.
Thanks to Booksirens for the review copy.
I really loved the descent into darkness in this story. It was creatively written and got very creepy, which I enjoyed.
Thanks to Booksirens for the review copy.
July 27, 2023
What a wild ride this little book takes you on, and I must say it was very enjoyable. This is a horror story, and I will just leave it at that because it spans a couple of sub-genres in that category, and trying to get into that would be needlessly confusing. Also, there are some surprises that I don’t want to give away. I will say there are two different storyline lines going on in this book, which is impressive since this book is novella length, so there are a lot of things going on. The author did a great job keeping the story moving and there’s a surprise twist that brings everything together, so the story didn’t leave you feeling like you are lost in minutia but neither did it leave you feeling cheated. It’s just a fun quick read that I really enjoyed.
September 7, 2023
A dark and amazing read that had me reading with my fingers splayed across my face at times with my stomach in knots.
The way the author bounces between past and present storylines and characters is done masterfully, weaving them together into a single story that tells the story of a fortune teller who finally finds her way.
Definitely mind the trigger warnings, and be ready for something a bit twisted to kick off your spooky season readings.
I received an ARC for free, and I happily and voluntarily leave this review in hopes of other people making room on their To Be Read pile to move this to the top.
The way the author bounces between past and present storylines and characters is done masterfully, weaving them together into a single story that tells the story of a fortune teller who finally finds her way.
Definitely mind the trigger warnings, and be ready for something a bit twisted to kick off your spooky season readings.
I received an ARC for free, and I happily and voluntarily leave this review in hopes of other people making room on their To Be Read pile to move this to the top.
November 25, 2023
Loved loved loved this book. Was such a great and easy read.
November 24, 2023
A very enjoyable book, we follow Peggy Lee as she runs from her Prim upbringing in an midwestern town to join a circus as their fortune teller, unfortunately she isn't very good so turns to violence in order to keep her job
There's lots of blood, murder, sex and a very sad clown. Its a very fast paced read that I didn't want to put down. The circus feels very well drawn and while we only focus on a couple of members of the troupe, there's enough detail to make everyone there seem real
There's lots of blood, murder, sex and a very sad clown. Its a very fast paced read that I didn't want to put down. The circus feels very well drawn and while we only focus on a couple of members of the troupe, there's enough detail to make everyone there seem real
February 8, 2024
This is a wild ride from start to finish. The characters are like a circus of craziness (pun intended) – each one more creative and outlandish than the last.
Fast, exciting, and full of surprises. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, bam! You'll be left gasping for air and flipping pages like a maniac.
Now, the ending – it's good, don't get me wrong. But it's that kind of good where you're like, "Wait, I want more.". The author leaves you hanging in a way that has you craving a sequel or at least a bonus chapter (which there is, and I WILL be reading!).
In a nutshell, "The Fabulous Miss Fortune" is a crazy, creative, and unpredictable joyride. If you're into characters that are a circus on paper, a plot that moves at the speed of light, and endings that leave you wanting just a bit more, dive in, and enjoy the fabulous chaos!
Fast, exciting, and full of surprises. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, bam! You'll be left gasping for air and flipping pages like a maniac.
Now, the ending – it's good, don't get me wrong. But it's that kind of good where you're like, "Wait, I want more.". The author leaves you hanging in a way that has you craving a sequel or at least a bonus chapter (which there is, and I WILL be reading!).
In a nutshell, "The Fabulous Miss Fortune" is a crazy, creative, and unpredictable joyride. If you're into characters that are a circus on paper, a plot that moves at the speed of light, and endings that leave you wanting just a bit more, dive in, and enjoy the fabulous chaos!
September 13, 2023
Thank you, BookSiren, for the ARC, and thank you to the writer and publishers for all your hard work. This review is voluntary and happily left!
This is definitely a book you can finish in one sitting. It's quirky and strange. Full of murder and death. Murder and some gore it doesn't go into too much detail, so that's good if you're not into that. This does mention sexual acts quite a bit, but doesn't go into too much detail.
What I did enjoy was the fact you're going between two timeliness. You're learning about the past and the future. I enjoyed the mysteriousness of the ringmaster and just learning about the different types of deaths as they happened.
The only real complaint I have about this book is that it did get kinda repetitive with the killings. Even so, I still enjoyed reading this book.
The Fabulous Miss Fortune is definitely interesting and quirky.
This is definitely a book you can finish in one sitting. It's quirky and strange. Full of murder and death. Murder and some gore it doesn't go into too much detail, so that's good if you're not into that. This does mention sexual acts quite a bit, but doesn't go into too much detail.
What I did enjoy was the fact you're going between two timeliness. You're learning about the past and the future. I enjoyed the mysteriousness of the ringmaster and just learning about the different types of deaths as they happened.
The only real complaint I have about this book is that it did get kinda repetitive with the killings. Even so, I still enjoyed reading this book.
The Fabulous Miss Fortune is definitely interesting and quirky.
December 2, 2023
While I picked up on the “surprise” early on, what an exciting quick read!
October 21, 2023
Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC, I enjoyed reading this weird, little story. This review is voluntary.
If I had to compare The Fabulous Miss Fortune to anything, I’d say it was a fillet mignon; a tender, lean cut of meat with almost no fat on it. In other words, it packs a very serious punch of flavor in a very short amount of time without having to waste time in trimming through the excess crap.
However, being the gluttonous wolf that I am, I enjoy a bit of fat because it helps develop the thing I’m consuming, making me understand the story better, which, in turn, satiates that hunger. Regardless, that hunger was satiated on many levels. The violence, the gore, the sex. It’s DIRTY. And I love dirty, almost as much as I love weird, which this story certainly is as well. Some of the things that happen made me be like, “whaaaaat?!” I love that! Unfortunately, though, for me, the story isn’t very fluid and ends up being repetitive. Whether I wanted something more to happen or something different to happen, I don’t know. Maybe both? But, being a fan of carnivals and the traditional “Freak Show” atmosphere, I would have liked a better view into that world, especially the performers and the lifestyle they live with the rigorous monotony of being on the road, or dealing with asshole consumers, etc.
All in all, I loved the premise, and felt the writing was well done, I just wanted more in character development because I think the story would have benefited from that. Then again, that’s probably not the point. A lot of writers/readers really dig fast-paced style storytelling, primarily focusing on the meat and potatoes, and I appreciate and respect that. With that said, I also think a lot of people will really enjoy The Fabulous Miss Fortune.
Thank you to Jessica Gleason for writing it, I will definitely be checking out more of her work! Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
If I had to compare The Fabulous Miss Fortune to anything, I’d say it was a fillet mignon; a tender, lean cut of meat with almost no fat on it. In other words, it packs a very serious punch of flavor in a very short amount of time without having to waste time in trimming through the excess crap.
However, being the gluttonous wolf that I am, I enjoy a bit of fat because it helps develop the thing I’m consuming, making me understand the story better, which, in turn, satiates that hunger. Regardless, that hunger was satiated on many levels. The violence, the gore, the sex. It’s DIRTY. And I love dirty, almost as much as I love weird, which this story certainly is as well. Some of the things that happen made me be like, “whaaaaat?!” I love that! Unfortunately, though, for me, the story isn’t very fluid and ends up being repetitive. Whether I wanted something more to happen or something different to happen, I don’t know. Maybe both? But, being a fan of carnivals and the traditional “Freak Show” atmosphere, I would have liked a better view into that world, especially the performers and the lifestyle they live with the rigorous monotony of being on the road, or dealing with asshole consumers, etc.
All in all, I loved the premise, and felt the writing was well done, I just wanted more in character development because I think the story would have benefited from that. Then again, that’s probably not the point. A lot of writers/readers really dig fast-paced style storytelling, primarily focusing on the meat and potatoes, and I appreciate and respect that. With that said, I also think a lot of people will really enjoy The Fabulous Miss Fortune.
Thank you to Jessica Gleason for writing it, I will definitely be checking out more of her work! Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
August 29, 2023
Just as nuts as the description promises. I chose this as a break between books with heavier tones. While Miss Fortune is plenty dark and twisted, its absurdity creates levity. The animal violence did made me squirm, so I'll give a heads up that it gets explicit. Pretty much every central character is grimy and gross to the nth degree. The novella length was perfect for this story. Gleason wraps it up in a satisfying way while still leaving me wanting to divine the characters' futures.
Thank you to Gleason for the opportunity to read this book for free! I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Thank you to Gleason for the opportunity to read this book for free! I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
August 24, 2023
Deliciously Devious with some Devastating Gore!
The Fabulous Miss Fortune is exactly that - fabulous! This story follows our "heroine" Peggy as she begins to explore her passions and begins to give into some of her darker tendencies. Flash forward 30+ years and throw in some kids exploring some of those darker ideologies. As these storylines begin to weave together and you get an idea of the upcoming finale, it's a whirlwind of gore, death, and more!
This quickly paced novel sucked me in from an early start. I found myself reading faster and faster because I needed to figure out exactly what was going to happen - but let me tell you - I didn't expect the ending that happened. There were enough twists and turns that I couldn't exactly how this story was going to end.
However, go check this out gruesome thriller!
The Fabulous Miss Fortune is exactly that - fabulous! This story follows our "heroine" Peggy as she begins to explore her passions and begins to give into some of her darker tendencies. Flash forward 30+ years and throw in some kids exploring some of those darker ideologies. As these storylines begin to weave together and you get an idea of the upcoming finale, it's a whirlwind of gore, death, and more!
This quickly paced novel sucked me in from an early start. I found myself reading faster and faster because I needed to figure out exactly what was going to happen - but let me tell you - I didn't expect the ending that happened. There were enough twists and turns that I couldn't exactly how this story was going to end.
However, go check this out gruesome thriller!
November 9, 2023
3.5 Stars
Was alittle surprised about how it bounced between timelines, at first I didn't see the correlation between and why it seemed like it was two different stories at first.
The story was alittle gritty and rough round the edges, good girl turned bad mentality happened quickly. It happened overly fast.
Some of the scenes were alittle shall we say riske and overly messy, but it'd be hard to put this in anything other than debauchery.
Wasn't overly impressed with it in the long run, but I would recommend reading it, especially if you like this type of book or author.
Was alittle surprised about how it bounced between timelines, at first I didn't see the correlation between and why it seemed like it was two different stories at first.
The story was alittle gritty and rough round the edges, good girl turned bad mentality happened quickly. It happened overly fast.
Some of the scenes were alittle shall we say riske and overly messy, but it'd be hard to put this in anything other than debauchery.
Wasn't overly impressed with it in the long run, but I would recommend reading it, especially if you like this type of book or author.
October 8, 2024
Is this fucking weird? Yes. Did I have a great time? I absolutely did!
This is for the girlies that like creepy, fucked up, weird stories. Blood, gore, sex and clowns all in one book? SOLD! It provided exactly what I hoped for from a book like this, I highly recommend this for your spooky season reading list👻
This is for the girlies that like creepy, fucked up, weird stories. Blood, gore, sex and clowns all in one book? SOLD! It provided exactly what I hoped for from a book like this, I highly recommend this for your spooky season reading list👻
November 10, 2024
This was on my October tbr.. basically a wild fever dream 🤣 a bizarre story but I enjoyed the quick semi-decent read
October 17, 2023
This was really fun, dark, and weird! I really enjoyed following the evolution of Peggy Lee and her twisted mind. Although we don't see much of the other characters, the carnival atmosphere is present and adds a colorful layer over the horrors that occur.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 21, 2023
A spooky, mesmerizing read.
I’ve always found the idea of supernatural traveling circuses interesting. The first time I was introduced to that idea I was still in middle school. Years later whenever I read a book or watch a show with that trope I’m instantly pulled into the story.
Peggy starts as an unsure young adult just trying to survive in this world. At first she’s a total failure as a fortune teller but with practice and determination she becomes quite successful. Her decent into evil and the friendships she makes in her new pursuits prove vastly different from the prude woman she describes herself when she was younger.
This book leaves you wondering if perhaps some people are just born evil or if it’s something that always requires nurturing. I recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t need a hero, a happy ending, and enjoys books on the dark and spooky side.
I’ve always found the idea of supernatural traveling circuses interesting. The first time I was introduced to that idea I was still in middle school. Years later whenever I read a book or watch a show with that trope I’m instantly pulled into the story.
Peggy starts as an unsure young adult just trying to survive in this world. At first she’s a total failure as a fortune teller but with practice and determination she becomes quite successful. Her decent into evil and the friendships she makes in her new pursuits prove vastly different from the prude woman she describes herself when she was younger.
This book leaves you wondering if perhaps some people are just born evil or if it’s something that always requires nurturing. I recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t need a hero, a happy ending, and enjoys books on the dark and spooky side.
February 24, 2024
Can you read others' fortunes? Is it something that can be learned? Nature vs. nurture. An amusing and disturbing quick read about a girl who ran away and joined the circus as a predictor of fate.
May 6, 2024
I had to jump on the bandwagon the moment I saw this available as an arc. Gory splatterpunk and Tarot all in the same book? Yes, yes, yes!
Having a fascination with carnivals and all things Tarot, I enjoyed the storyline involving Miss Fortune and the carnival characters. As far as splatterpunk goes, this would be a nice introduction to the genre, as it isn’t as extreme as some of the books promoted on social media. Sexual content was handled in a manner that was respectful, and I appreciated how the author left a little to the imagination. I think it makes for a better reading experience, and I’d be interested in seeing what else the author writes in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Having a fascination with carnivals and all things Tarot, I enjoyed the storyline involving Miss Fortune and the carnival characters. As far as splatterpunk goes, this would be a nice introduction to the genre, as it isn’t as extreme as some of the books promoted on social media. Sexual content was handled in a manner that was respectful, and I appreciated how the author left a little to the imagination. I think it makes for a better reading experience, and I’d be interested in seeing what else the author writes in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2023
There were a couple small typos (only like, two). The story was fun and interesting, and I didn’t see the ending coming, even though I probably should’ve of. Over all it was a fun read, gorrier than I expected, but that’s not a bad thing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 1, 2024
Firstly, what an excellent read!
This story is based on a runaway who finds herself part of the carnival. As the story progresses we see the development of her character from a very prudish and innocent woman into a devious fortune teller. Intertwined are the story of 3 young children and at first although I was interested I was unsure how they linked. In the end all is revealed in a wonderful way. This was a fantastic offering from the author and left me keen to turn the pages. Highly recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story is based on a runaway who finds herself part of the carnival. As the story progresses we see the development of her character from a very prudish and innocent woman into a devious fortune teller. Intertwined are the story of 3 young children and at first although I was interested I was unsure how they linked. In the end all is revealed in a wonderful way. This was a fantastic offering from the author and left me keen to turn the pages. Highly recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2023
The Fabulous Miss Fortune follows a small town Peggy Lee into her descent into darkness as the murderous carnival fortune teller, Miss Fortune. Told from multiple perspectives and timelines, the story is dark, twisted, and fast paced. There is some sexual content, but not of an overly spicy nature. This story thrives in the dark, with some circus music playing in the background. The dark circus story gives all the American Horror Freakshow vibes. This nothing short of a bloody good time.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
December 22, 2023
If you think you'd enjoy reading about the brutal, violent murder of people and animals; casual dirty sex; dangerous obsessions; and fake glamour in a seedy carnival world, then this dark read is the book for you. The dual timeline works well. Although I anticipated the twist quite early one, it worked well and the actual ending was a satisfying one for the story.
However, please take notice of the trigger warnings because I struggled with the animal cruelty.
However, please take notice of the trigger warnings because I struggled with the animal cruelty.
August 31, 2023
I found this, a little middle of the road for a splatterpunk book, I’d have liked more of Peggy Lee and less of the children, since using half of the book to further an ending felt a little overkill…
Overall it was entertaining enough but it’s not my favourite horror/splatter read of the year.
Overall it was entertaining enough but it’s not my favourite horror/splatter read of the year.
September 26, 2024
The Fabulous Miss Fortune is a horror novella from The Evil Cookie Publishing, written by Jessica Gleason. It comes in at about 120 pages and features plenty of sex, splatter, and lurid behavior throughout. Trigger warnings for animal violence.
The story is split into two narratives, one starting in the mid 1980s, following the young and innocent Peggy Lee after she joins a traveling carnival as their new fortune teller, taking on the apt nickname, Miss Fortune. These chapters alternate with those set in 2022 where we spend time with a trio of depraved, unattended children who spend much of their time torturing small animals to death. I preferred the Peggy Lee story, but the chapters with the kids were brief and helped lengthen and break up the narrative.
The Carnival, run by the mysterious, aloof and, in Peggy Lee’s eyes, smolderingly sexy Ringmaster, employs a wide variety of vendors and performers, many of whom spend their after work hours playing strip poker, drinking, having sex and generally carrying on like college kids. This holds no appeal to Peggy Lee at first, but eventually she dips her toe into the lake of sin and takes the drunken clown, Bobo, as a lover. To her surprise, the deeper she gets into the salacious heart of the carnival, the better a worker she becomes, snagging more and more customers to her tent. Though she has no clairvoyant abilities, she has an idea about how she can make some of her predictions far more accurate.
I thought this was a fun story that kept the pace up and had basic but enjoyable characters. Peggy Lee is fun to be around, and watching her transformation is enjoyable. I’d class this one as exploitation, though not extreme. There’s blood and sex here, but it doesn’t repulse, and kind of read to me like Goosebumps for horny adults.
I think Gleason has a good knack for making pleasant and sympathetic characters, even as they do depraved things. Bobo, especially, has a fun but sad arc, and he’s relatively endearing for a sloppy drunk, horny clown. That said, I wasn’t crazy about the rotten kids. I know they’re important to the story here, and I’m not supposed to like them, but I wouldn;t have minded a story that focused entirely on Peggy Lee and the carnival. They’re fleshed out decently enough, though they feel a little cookie cutter at times. I guess there’s not a whole lot of wiggle room with the sociopathic child cliche.
In all, this was an enjoyable read, and I was able to get through it pretty quickly. The chapters are mostly short and quick, and though it may not break any earth shattering new ground, it does what it does well. Gleason delivers a novella that I think a broad spectrum could enjoy, it’s not too extreme for people who want fun, and it doesn;t pull punches if you’re looking for something more gruesome.
The story is split into two narratives, one starting in the mid 1980s, following the young and innocent Peggy Lee after she joins a traveling carnival as their new fortune teller, taking on the apt nickname, Miss Fortune. These chapters alternate with those set in 2022 where we spend time with a trio of depraved, unattended children who spend much of their time torturing small animals to death. I preferred the Peggy Lee story, but the chapters with the kids were brief and helped lengthen and break up the narrative.
The Carnival, run by the mysterious, aloof and, in Peggy Lee’s eyes, smolderingly sexy Ringmaster, employs a wide variety of vendors and performers, many of whom spend their after work hours playing strip poker, drinking, having sex and generally carrying on like college kids. This holds no appeal to Peggy Lee at first, but eventually she dips her toe into the lake of sin and takes the drunken clown, Bobo, as a lover. To her surprise, the deeper she gets into the salacious heart of the carnival, the better a worker she becomes, snagging more and more customers to her tent. Though she has no clairvoyant abilities, she has an idea about how she can make some of her predictions far more accurate.
I thought this was a fun story that kept the pace up and had basic but enjoyable characters. Peggy Lee is fun to be around, and watching her transformation is enjoyable. I’d class this one as exploitation, though not extreme. There’s blood and sex here, but it doesn’t repulse, and kind of read to me like Goosebumps for horny adults.
I think Gleason has a good knack for making pleasant and sympathetic characters, even as they do depraved things. Bobo, especially, has a fun but sad arc, and he’s relatively endearing for a sloppy drunk, horny clown. That said, I wasn’t crazy about the rotten kids. I know they’re important to the story here, and I’m not supposed to like them, but I wouldn;t have minded a story that focused entirely on Peggy Lee and the carnival. They’re fleshed out decently enough, though they feel a little cookie cutter at times. I guess there’s not a whole lot of wiggle room with the sociopathic child cliche.
In all, this was an enjoyable read, and I was able to get through it pretty quickly. The chapters are mostly short and quick, and though it may not break any earth shattering new ground, it does what it does well. Gleason delivers a novella that I think a broad spectrum could enjoy, it’s not too extreme for people who want fun, and it doesn;t pull punches if you’re looking for something more gruesome.
September 16, 2023
Thank you, BookSirens, for the early read!
The Fabulous Miss Fortune felt disjointed to me. The kids in 2022 really didn't seem to fit with Peggy Lee's story, and skipping between the two timelines didn't create a cohesive story. As soon as I was gaining momentum in Peggy Lee's story, it would swap over to the kids who just weren't that interesting. And their final act happened way too soon. It threw me off that there was still more flashback story after that when it felt like things were wrapped up. It cheapened the big reveal in her timeline.
The kids themselves felt flat. I wasn't really told much about them to round out their characters, and they were fairly one note across the board. For as much time that was spent on them, at least half the book, I really didn't care about them one bit. I really wanted to know more about the characters in Peggy Lee's story. The carnival cast were so fun, but they weren't explored nearly as much as I felt they could've been.
This was an alright horror story. It read quick and had a fun premise. Could it have been executed better? Sure, but if you're looking for an easy read with a somewhat unexpected reveal, then this may be right up your alley.
The Fabulous Miss Fortune felt disjointed to me. The kids in 2022 really didn't seem to fit with Peggy Lee's story, and skipping between the two timelines didn't create a cohesive story. As soon as I was gaining momentum in Peggy Lee's story, it would swap over to the kids who just weren't that interesting. And their final act happened way too soon. It threw me off that there was still more flashback story after that when it felt like things were wrapped up. It cheapened the big reveal in her timeline.
The kids themselves felt flat. I wasn't really told much about them to round out their characters, and they were fairly one note across the board. For as much time that was spent on them, at least half the book, I really didn't care about them one bit. I really wanted to know more about the characters in Peggy Lee's story. The carnival cast were so fun, but they weren't explored nearly as much as I felt they could've been.
This was an alright horror story. It read quick and had a fun premise. Could it have been executed better? Sure, but if you're looking for an easy read with a somewhat unexpected reveal, then this may be right up your alley.
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