At The Lazy K

by Gene O'Neill

Once a brothel, and later turned into a rehabilitation center, a place called The Lazy K survives a century-spanning curse following the wrongful hanging of an innocent man on the branches of an old California oak. This haunting novella by legend Gene O'Neill is part western, part ghost story, part drug-rehabilitation, and is a literary, multi-genre exploration into the rich cultural history of northern California.

162 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2015

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concerning the strange events that took place at "The Lazy K" are documented here by Gene O'Neill beginning with a hanging of an innocent man then covers three centuries.

The book is profusely illustrated by L. A.Spencer with an attractive cover, with an introduction by Rena Mason.

The book now appears to be marketed as Volume 1 on Amazon, so I hope there is more to look forward to in this setting.

Being a huge fan of Mr. O'Neill, I thoroughly enjoyed this book - which is rather short - and is marketed as a novella. The reason it took me a while to finish is due to the book taking an unscheduled side trip (without me) to California and back.

Also published by Written Backwards is the book "The Library Of The Dead" which I just ordered.

[Eric Guignard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, engaging novella by Gene O'Neill who, as a longtime author of the mysterious and macabre, has consistently written deep, moving, and frightful works in both the short and long forms across multiple fiction genres. “At the Lazy K” is another of O'Neill’s stories that works at several levels: On face-value, it’s the tale of a curse that follows the family ownership of a ranch, which has served multiple purposes, most recently as a drug rehabilitation center. The spirit that haunts the property exacts retribution against those it considers immoral, a reprisal for his own unjust lynching one century ago. But even below the stellar plot, the rich character backgrounds, the unsettling setting, Gene’s voice comes through in each character’s personal struggles, haunted, yet beautifully hopeful.

[Steven Jorgenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

At The Lazy K is an enjoyable, well written book. I thought the ending was rushed or confusing.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

At The Lazy K the story of a bordello, a curse and a century of California history woven into a tapestry of terror peopled with interesting characters. My favorites were Piper Sanchez and Dylan Hendry (I feel like I know him) and who couldn't love someone named Mama Pajama? I highly recommend this outstanding novella by Gene O'Neill.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review forthcoming...