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SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER: and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor
A dozen eerie and macabre tales . . .
Tessa Thrope and the Unholy Venom: A rogue priest embarks on a bold experiment to build up a tolerance to demonic possession by injecting one drop of blood at a time from a possessed young woman into his veins with quite unexpected results.
The Last Canvas: In a secluded art studio, an arrogant artist picks the wrong muse to mess with.
Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night In 19th century Paris, a boy with hemophilia learns his older brother and sister—who fled the city years ago—have returned with an enigmatic Night Circus. Defying his stern father, the boy sneaks out one night to watch the circus, setting off a chain of events that will change all their lives.
The Night of Blood Perfume: Neighbors find themselves in a desperate fight for survival as a strange fog descends upon their town and, within the fog, comes an unusual "call of the wild" only some can hear.
The Society of the Never Coming Back: A bachelor in 1920s New York responds to an invitation to join an odd social club that changes its name with each new member until one day it becomes The Society of the Never Coming Back.
Sara Sarque and The Demon Executioner: A feisty young junkie reluctantly joins forces with a former seminary student to battle terrifying demons—but these are not the usual sorts of demons and these are definitely not the usual sorts of exorcists.
And many more!
Tessa Thrope and the Unholy Venom: A rogue priest embarks on a bold experiment to build up a tolerance to demonic possession by injecting one drop of blood at a time from a possessed young woman into his veins with quite unexpected results.
The Last Canvas: In a secluded art studio, an arrogant artist picks the wrong muse to mess with.
Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night In 19th century Paris, a boy with hemophilia learns his older brother and sister—who fled the city years ago—have returned with an enigmatic Night Circus. Defying his stern father, the boy sneaks out one night to watch the circus, setting off a chain of events that will change all their lives.
The Night of Blood Perfume: Neighbors find themselves in a desperate fight for survival as a strange fog descends upon their town and, within the fog, comes an unusual "call of the wild" only some can hear.
The Society of the Never Coming Back: A bachelor in 1920s New York responds to an invitation to join an odd social club that changes its name with each new member until one day it becomes The Society of the Never Coming Back.
Sara Sarque and The Demon Executioner: A feisty young junkie reluctantly joins forces with a former seminary student to battle terrifying demons—but these are not the usual sorts of demons and these are definitely not the usual sorts of exorcists.
And many more!
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
271 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2023
About the author
D.C. Mallery
15 books37 followersD C Mallery's novel ARTEMESIA was the Gold Award Winner in the Thriller Classics category in the 2023 Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Awards.
SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER: and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor was the Gold Award Winner as Best Horror Book in the in the 2023 Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Awards
CASSIA won the SILVER MEDAL in the 2022 Readers' Favorite Awards for Medical Thriller and was also short-listed for the 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize.
DARKSIGHT received praise from Kirkus Reviews, The US Review of Books, and many others.
TRESSIA and OTHER STORIES has received praise from Readers' Favorite Reviews and Reader Views Reviews and many others.
His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Lamplight, The Bards and Sages Quarterly, Sanitarium Magazine, Hypnos, Ghostlike Magazine, Dark Horses, and The Mythic Circle.
His screenplay, Emergence, was awarded second place for Feature Screenplay at 2018 VisionFest.
"Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this." —Reader Views Reviews
SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER: and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor was the Gold Award Winner as Best Horror Book in the in the 2023 Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Awards
CASSIA won the SILVER MEDAL in the 2022 Readers' Favorite Awards for Medical Thriller and was also short-listed for the 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize.
DARKSIGHT received praise from Kirkus Reviews, The US Review of Books, and many others.
TRESSIA and OTHER STORIES has received praise from Readers' Favorite Reviews and Reader Views Reviews and many others.
His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Lamplight, The Bards and Sages Quarterly, Sanitarium Magazine, Hypnos, Ghostlike Magazine, Dark Horses, and The Mythic Circle.
His screenplay, Emergence, was awarded second place for Feature Screenplay at 2018 VisionFest.
"Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this." —Reader Views Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 31, 2023
DC Mallery’s “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor” is one of, if not the best short story collection I’ve ever read. While the author’s book sits firmly in the horror genre, the range of these stories varies from mild to downright terrifying.
A dozen wildly different stories make up this short story compilation. Each rips readers into a different mindset. Starting with a preface, Mallery tantalizes the reader with the whiplash that is about to occur, briefly introducing us to each story housed within, before sending us out into the stormy waves.
From “The Trauma Eater” about a man suffering nightmare deaths of different families he’s never had, to “Temples of Fire” about a recently divorced woman determined to travel the world, these tales are eerie, thought-provoking, and disturbing in a manner I never could have imagined. I found that whether the story was a short few pages or the headlining story of one hundred pages, each drew me in with such force I was fully engulfed in the world Mallery created. The sheer talent and depth of each of these fully formed tales was impressively overwhelming, I never imagined writing could sweep me off my feet in the way this collection did. From the late 1700s to seedy bars, high-speed chases, abandoned buildings, or international caves, each is guaranteed to elicit guttural feelings within as you wait to be snapped by the conclusion.
While I typically steer far away from horror movies, preferring a restful night’s sleep to tossing and turning with nightmares, “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner” housed far more terrifying and far more imaginative horror than any movie could ever capture. Whether fully engulfed in “The Woman and The Maze” or engrossed by “Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night,” there was no story within that didn’t capture my attention and transport me directly into the pages and characters within. None of these felt “short,” and each enraptured me in ways full novels never have, showing off the immeasurable talent Mallery has with words, characters, and tales.
Short stories promise a multitude of plots and storylines within the covers of any paperback housing it. But Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this.
A dozen wildly different stories make up this short story compilation. Each rips readers into a different mindset. Starting with a preface, Mallery tantalizes the reader with the whiplash that is about to occur, briefly introducing us to each story housed within, before sending us out into the stormy waves.
From “The Trauma Eater” about a man suffering nightmare deaths of different families he’s never had, to “Temples of Fire” about a recently divorced woman determined to travel the world, these tales are eerie, thought-provoking, and disturbing in a manner I never could have imagined. I found that whether the story was a short few pages or the headlining story of one hundred pages, each drew me in with such force I was fully engulfed in the world Mallery created. The sheer talent and depth of each of these fully formed tales was impressively overwhelming, I never imagined writing could sweep me off my feet in the way this collection did. From the late 1700s to seedy bars, high-speed chases, abandoned buildings, or international caves, each is guaranteed to elicit guttural feelings within as you wait to be snapped by the conclusion.
While I typically steer far away from horror movies, preferring a restful night’s sleep to tossing and turning with nightmares, “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner” housed far more terrifying and far more imaginative horror than any movie could ever capture. Whether fully engulfed in “The Woman and The Maze” or engrossed by “Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night,” there was no story within that didn’t capture my attention and transport me directly into the pages and characters within. None of these felt “short,” and each enraptured me in ways full novels never have, showing off the immeasurable talent Mallery has with words, characters, and tales.
Short stories promise a multitude of plots and storylines within the covers of any paperback housing it. But Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this.
December 12, 2023
I won a free Kindle copy of this book via a GoodReads Giveaway and would like to thank anyone involved in making that happen!
This is a very creative, engaging and fun short story collection. It starts out strong and the first 7 stories are really good. I didn't like the last 5 stories as much but they were still pretty decent! The standout stories for me were "Tessa Thrope And The Unholy Venom", "The Woman And The Maze", "The Night Of Blood Perfume", "Temples Of Fire" and "The Frequency Of Souls" all of which had really satisfying endings!
This is a very creative, engaging and fun short story collection. It starts out strong and the first 7 stories are really good. I didn't like the last 5 stories as much but they were still pretty decent! The standout stories for me were "Tessa Thrope And The Unholy Venom", "The Woman And The Maze", "The Night Of Blood Perfume", "Temples Of Fire" and "The Frequency Of Souls" all of which had really satisfying endings!
October 27, 2023
DC Mallery’s “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor” is one of, if not the best short story collection I’ve ever read. While the author’s book sits firmly in the horror genre, the range of these stories varies from mild to downright terrifying.
A dozen wildly different stories make up this short story compilation. Each rips readers into a different mindset. Starting with a preface, Mallery tantalizes the reader with the whiplash that is about to occur, briefly introducing us to each story housed within, before sending us out into the stormy waves.
From “The Trauma Eater” about a man suffering nightmare deaths of different families he’s never had, to “Temples of Fire” about a recently divorced woman determined to travel the world, these tales are eerie, thought-provoking, and disturbing in a manner I never could have imagined. I found that whether the story was a short few pages or the headlining story of one hundred pages, each drew me in with such force I was fully engulfed in the world Mallery created. The sheer talent and depth of each of these fully formed tales was impressively overwhelming, I never imagined writing could sweep me off my feet in the way this collection did. From the late 1700s to seedy bars, high-speed chases, abandoned buildings, or international caves, each is guaranteed to elicit guttural feelings within as you wait to be snapped by the conclusion.
While I typically steer far away from horror movies, preferring a restful night’s sleep to tossing and turning with nightmares, “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner” housed far more terrifying and far more imaginative horror than any movie could ever capture. Whether fully engulfed in “The Woman and The Maze” or engrossed by “Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night,” there was no story within that didn’t capture my attention and transport me directly into the pages and characters within. None of these felt “short,” and each enraptured me in ways full novels never have, showing off the immeasurable talent Mallery has with words, characters, and tales.
Short stories promise a multitude of plots and storylines within the covers of any paperback housing it. But Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this.
A dozen wildly different stories make up this short story compilation. Each rips readers into a different mindset. Starting with a preface, Mallery tantalizes the reader with the whiplash that is about to occur, briefly introducing us to each story housed within, before sending us out into the stormy waves.
From “The Trauma Eater” about a man suffering nightmare deaths of different families he’s never had, to “Temples of Fire” about a recently divorced woman determined to travel the world, these tales are eerie, thought-provoking, and disturbing in a manner I never could have imagined. I found that whether the story was a short few pages or the headlining story of one hundred pages, each drew me in with such force I was fully engulfed in the world Mallery created. The sheer talent and depth of each of these fully formed tales was impressively overwhelming, I never imagined writing could sweep me off my feet in the way this collection did. From the late 1700s to seedy bars, high-speed chases, abandoned buildings, or international caves, each is guaranteed to elicit guttural feelings within as you wait to be snapped by the conclusion.
While I typically steer far away from horror movies, preferring a restful night’s sleep to tossing and turning with nightmares, “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner” housed far more terrifying and far more imaginative horror than any movie could ever capture. Whether fully engulfed in “The Woman and The Maze” or engrossed by “Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night,” there was no story within that didn’t capture my attention and transport me directly into the pages and characters within. None of these felt “short,” and each enraptured me in ways full novels never have, showing off the immeasurable talent Mallery has with words, characters, and tales.
Short stories promise a multitude of plots and storylines within the covers of any paperback housing it. But Mallery’s stories and talent are so otherworldly and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I may never read a full novel, or collection of short stories, as engrossing and enjoyable as this.
June 25, 2024
DC Mallery’s “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor” is a masterful collection of short stories that span a wide range of horror, from the mildly eerie to the terrifying. The compilation boasts a dozen unique tales, each transporting readers into distinct, vividly crafted worlds. Standout stories like "Tessa Thrope and the Unholy Venom" and "Acts of Absolution in the Circus of the Night" are particularly memorable, showcasing Mallery’s ability to blend intense emotion with supernatural elements.
The collection’s strength lies in its variety and the depth of its storytelling. Mallery’s prose is compelling, drawing readers into each narrative with immersive settings and complex characters. However, the anthology is not without its weaker moments; the latter stories do not always match the high bar set by the opening ones, though they remain engaging and creative.
For fans of horror and the macabre, this collection is a treasure trove of well-crafted stories that will leave you both unsettled and captivated. Despite some variability in story quality, the overall experience is exceptional, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates short fiction in the horror genre.
Thank you
Happy Reading
The collection’s strength lies in its variety and the depth of its storytelling. Mallery’s prose is compelling, drawing readers into each narrative with immersive settings and complex characters. However, the anthology is not without its weaker moments; the latter stories do not always match the high bar set by the opening ones, though they remain engaging and creative.
For fans of horror and the macabre, this collection is a treasure trove of well-crafted stories that will leave you both unsettled and captivated. Despite some variability in story quality, the overall experience is exceptional, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates short fiction in the horror genre.
Thank you
Happy Reading
July 3, 2024
Mallery delivers chills in this eerie collection. Throughout these twelve stories, Mallery explores the darker side of Mother Nature and her natural wonders. In "The Woman and The Maze," a lonely old woman, who loves hedge mazes, mysteriously turns into a maze herself. While she enjoys the company of the children and animals that visit, things take a turn when she begins to crave blood. "The Night of Bloody Perfume," tells of a strange fog that descends on a California town that turns deadly when it begins to kill everything it touches, its victims leaving behind a red perfume-like mist. In "Arabella and the Stone of Tarrenton County," an English sculptor believes he can conjure a finished sculpture from a stone block using an incantation he hears in his dreams, but when the stone begins to carve itself, the result is very unexpected. Mallery's stories are immersive and unique, his powerful storytelling will leave readers on the edge of their seats. A fantastic read for any horror fan.
June 27, 2024
DC Mallery’s “Sara Sarque & the Demon Executioner and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope, and Humor” is a collection of 12 stories, each of them unique and compelling.
The author did a great job with the world-building for each story. Each of the characters is interesting and engaging. The horror elements did not fall flat.
I especially liked "Tessa Thrope and the Unholy Venom." The way she was able to trick all the men in her life to get what she wanted. I also enjoyed "The Woman and the Maze."
DC Mallery did not disappoint with this book, as it is a great read. Lovers of horror will enjoy reading this book.
The author did a great job with the world-building for each story. Each of the characters is interesting and engaging. The horror elements did not fall flat.
I especially liked "Tessa Thrope and the Unholy Venom." The way she was able to trick all the men in her life to get what she wanted. I also enjoyed "The Woman and the Maze."
DC Mallery did not disappoint with this book, as it is a great read. Lovers of horror will enjoy reading this book.
July 3, 2024
Tales that draw you in!
I felt drawn to these stories and each, while different, enable the reader to enter the story. The scenery given in the tales allow you to feel totally immersed, even if the story is somewhat shorter. From the dark streets of the city to the rustic charm of the 1800s, the characters all seem to inhabit a realm that drifts between reality and a haunted zone.
I loved the man struggling with seemingly false memories. The scene in the bar feels like you're there sitting with him. The bond between the man and his love to free her from spiritual bandage felt real and both terrifying and inspiring.
I highly recommend this one!
I felt drawn to these stories and each, while different, enable the reader to enter the story. The scenery given in the tales allow you to feel totally immersed, even if the story is somewhat shorter. From the dark streets of the city to the rustic charm of the 1800s, the characters all seem to inhabit a realm that drifts between reality and a haunted zone.
I loved the man struggling with seemingly false memories. The scene in the bar feels like you're there sitting with him. The bond between the man and his love to free her from spiritual bandage felt real and both terrifying and inspiring.
I highly recommend this one!
July 19, 2024
SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER reminded me of some of my favorite television shows and books as a kid, and I actually forgot how much fun they can be. I enjoyed every one of the short stories, but The Night of Blood Perfume and The Last Canvas were probably my favorites. I enjoyed all of the different themes and even found myself laughing a few times.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes short horror stories that are well-written and different from most of the stories you’ve already read.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes short horror stories that are well-written and different from most of the stories you’ve already read.
June 25, 2024
SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER: and Other Stories of Mystery, Terror, Heartbreak, Hope and Humor by D C Mallery is a collection of 12 stories that engages and entertains the reader throughout. The book has diverse themes including horror, mystery, intrigue, hope and despair.
The author does a wonderful job in narrating the stories, all with its unique plot and characters. He does a good job of keeping the reader engaged throughout. Overall I enjoyed reading the book.
Well done!
The author does a wonderful job in narrating the stories, all with its unique plot and characters. He does a good job of keeping the reader engaged throughout. Overall I enjoyed reading the book.
Well done!
June 29, 2024
I thought all of these short stories were mind bending and intriguing. I was very engrossed as I read. I would love to see more work like this from this author, and I’ll keep an eye out for his other work.
However, some stories were more lackluster than the others, hence the 4 stars. It was just a bit hard to stay engaged with a couple of them after coming off one of the prior super intriguing stories.
However, some stories were more lackluster than the others, hence the 4 stars. It was just a bit hard to stay engaged with a couple of them after coming off one of the prior super intriguing stories.
July 11, 2025
I enjoyed this read
The tales are all different. Some of the endings were a surprise to me. Nice mix of horror and thriller.
The tales are all different. Some of the endings were a surprise to me. Nice mix of horror and thriller.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews