Dirt Maul

by James D. Mabe

Misanthropy. Monstrosity. Morons.

The end of the world came suddenly and without warning, ruining an otherwise pleasant day off for billions of people. An incomprehensible, voracious evil has invaded the aisles of Duke’s Flea Market, spelling doom for the whole of humanity. But, as luck would have it, not even the apocalypse can go off without a hitch.

Thanks to a random act of accidental sabotage, mankind has been given a slim chance of survival. Unfortunately, the only people left standing against a weakened, but ever-growing eldritch horror also happen to be unreliable drunks. Still, intoxicated or not, they’re self-motivated small business owners, and there’s nothing more single-minded or obnoxious.

Will their bitter determination be enough to overcome an abomination from beyond time and space? Probably not. It’s basically a god, after all. But they can certainly annoy the hell out of it.

Genres: Horror

253 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2023

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost]

Absolutely delightful. This one was weird, irreverent and funny and I haven't stopped talking about it since I finished it last week. Cosmic horror with an all drunk cast featuring banter that actually works and characters that are oddly endearing, 10/10 would recommend.

[David K.]

Dirt Maul By James Mabe
5/5

I feel like I've had a blessed run of five star books, but I guess some people are just lucky.

Imagine it's 1994 and you're fifteen years old. You're at the video store and you're finally at the age where your parents just let you watch anything.

This isn't blockbuster video either, it's one of those independently run video stores that gets in those weird low budget movies and still has the odd video nasty with a photocopied cover.

You've picked your sweets and just need to pick a film in five minutes or your parents are leaving without you. The problem is, you've seen everything this place has to offer. Then, something magical happens.

You spot Dirt Maul.

You don't know it yet, but this film will become your bible for the next five years. You'll rent it so many times that they eventually must give you the damn thing, and you watch it until the tape breaks.

Enough of this fantasy.

Dirt Maul is a book that took me back to my teenage years when I would have worshipped this live action horror beavis and butthead, this Jay and silent bobs zombie apocalypse.

Its not an exaggeration to say this is the most FUN I've had with a horror novel to date. Fans of The Haunted Forest Tour will no doubt love this book.

Endlessly inventive, laugh out load funny, full of Evil Dead level insane gore and just effing excellent. Full of nods, winks and gestures to the kind of pop culture that made me long for my own glory days.

More of this please Mr Mabe.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading]

What a perfect mix of cosmic horror and comedy! You’ll simultaneously laugh out loud and shiver with fear.

I loved the silly little quips and humorous additions amongst the thrilling and horrifying material. It’s also a fairly goopy and gory story, so hold onto your gag reflex!

“Inside, Potty Time Elmo’s motor wound down into silence. Its remaining eye stared into the void, indifferent to the suffering of man.”

I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Amanda Ruzsa]

The sudden and unforeseen arrival of the apocalypse disrupted what would have otherwise been a pleasant day off for billions of individuals. Duke's Flea Market, once a bustling bargain stop, now finds itself invaded by an incomprehensible and insatiable evil. A bit of ‘accidental sabotage’ has granted mankind a possibility of surviving. Unfortunately, the only persons left to stand against the eldritch horror are self-absorbed drunks. Nevertheless, blitzed or not, these folks are driven by their own self-interest as small business owners, possessing an unwavering focus and an irritating persistence such persons often do. Will their tenacious resolve prove sufficient to conquer a malevolent entity that transcends the boundaries of time and space? This is a quick-to-the-punch, vividly described and action packed tale of well-written darkly comedic horror. Definitely recommend!

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers]

I don’t usually read sci-fi but I was gifted this book for a review so I read it. This is the first cosmic horror book I have read and I truly enjoyed it. The description of the monster was so detailed that I could see it as I read. Our main characters were great! A bunch of drunk men who had no idea what was going on or how to help end it. The book made me laugh and it made me fearful for the characters.

[Emily Haynes]

Survive

It was an ordinary day at Duke's flea market until something went horribly wrong. The world has a slim chance of survival.

[Jennifer Fischer]

° DIRT MAUL°•°
•°•James D Mabe
°•°Evil Cookie Publishing
•°• 236 pgs

WHEN a group of day drinking humans get trapped in a flea market, they are tasked with saving the world from a heavily irritated...well, I won't spoil the surprise for you.:)

James D Mabe nails the narration and dialogue, elevating Dirt Maul from just a standard horror to THE Standard for Horror.

I've never laughed reading a book so much, truly ☆

THINGS that set it apart ;
Character interaction, narration , body horror, Redneckatron

THINGS I WANTED;
More old Asian lady, a cool little map of the flea market

This is not extreme horror. It's darkly funny cosmic-y body horror.
Easy 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

[Erin]

So, I used to have a booth at the flea market that this book used as its setting. I absolutely loved this novel. I think if you're a fan of Clive Barker you'll probably like this books. It's like Books of Blood collection meets the old Dawn of the Dead movie.

[Rebecca]

Hard to describe….

If you like extreme and cosmic weirdness, and… heroes?….that are basically annoying but lucky idiots, this book might be just for you. Gory, bizarre, drunken romp through a flea market where alcoholism just might be a lifesaver.

[Mia Malic]

marvel ass dialogue but the concept was cool

[Kimberly Nicole]

I absolutely loved this book! It made me laugh, grossed me out, drew me in with the main characters’ characteristics and witty banter, and kept me on my toes with its gruesome twists and turns. Highly recommend you give this one a try, if you haven’t already! It even improved my vocabulary a bit. 😅

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stephanie]

Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.

Dirt Maul is like a redneck Evil Dead, but somehow way, way worse. There are some pretty distressing monsters inside that flea market. It's also pretty funny, with some good action scenes. I did feel it ran a little long and got bogged down somewhat in the last half. Nevertheless, it was a fun read. 4 stars

[Brooke Hodges]

It was a good story but the ending felt rushed to me and left me a little confused.

[Early Russell]

Dirt Maul is an amazing story, full of horror and hilarity, most of which occur simultaneously! The characters are well written, and very relatable. Very suspenseful, and very vivid. If you, like me, have ever been to a flea market, then you will be pleased at the spot on depiction. Absolutely wonderfully written, there's grotesque humor throughout! Well done by the author James Maybe! 10 for 10 would recommend!

[Jon Skillman]

What a fun fucking ride! Dirt Maul is the perfect mix of horror/comedy and I could not stop reading it. I was already sold on the premise before I started reading but the banter between Coop and Mark going on while hell is literally being released all around them was too great. Not to mention the array of absurd supporting characters along the way. Also, that ending was just perfect. I could honestly read a whole series of these. Highly recommend!!

[Morgan Hayes]

Dripping with horrific fun, among various other fluids! A funny, solid, and well-paced horror-comedy-action nightmare. A great cast of characters faces off a seemingly endless series of inventive flesh monstrosities. Mabe knows how to structure the book to keep you turning pages. A good time all-around, highly recommended.

[Sammi Dyer]

Dirty Maul
Written by James D. Mabe
I don’t even have words for this one, other than ‘Apocalyptic Mayham’. My sides are hurting from laughing so hard. What the hell did I just read, and please let there be more and soon. Let the chaos ensue.