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City of Devils: Hollywood Goes to Hell: 13 Tales of the Uncanny, Unlucky & Unholy
Los Angeles and Lucifer are a lot alike. They both seduce and lure with promises of wealth, fame, beauty or love. But those promises are often empty; and even when they’re not, there’s a price to pay. Come meet the denizens of City of Natasha is an underrated actress who goes to great lengths to win an Oscar in “Based on a true story.”- In “Doom for Rent” a young man takes on a roommate to make ends meet, only to find he’s opened the door to pure evil.- Geneva Hughes is a wealthy celebutant who loves her chihuahua Boo-Boo to death in “Ankle Biters.”- Private dick Max Ryker gets more than he bargained for in “The Case of the Butchered Bombshell.”- Tourist Ethel learns there’s no such thing as “Free Admission.”- Child actor Cosmo Colombo finds out what he’s made of when The Big One hits L.A. in “Richter Mortis.”- Are the paparazzi soulless? Find out in “Remote Trigger.”- A narcissist devours the weak in “Depraved Indifference.”- The meek fight back against a sleazy film producer in “He Was Asking For It.”- Partygoers in “Abracadaver” practice supernatural sleight-of-hand during a séance at The Magic Castle.- A psychic shyster gets his comeuppance in “My Mother the Carcass.”- Malibu surfer Bjorn meets a malicious mermaid in “Tasty Waves.”- Lastly, a lonely lady’s desperation to be thin and beautiful could cost her her life in “Alice on Wonderland.”
City of Devils is an intoxicating mixture of white-knuckle horror and laugh-out-loud gallows humor. – Daniel Love, The Occult
Reader beware, you’re in for a scare! A travelogue through sinister L.A., accompanied by a soundtrack of sinful rock and roll, City of Devils will keep you awake all night. – Abigail Gibson, Haunted Hollywood Tours.
City of Devils is a darkened mirror shoved in front of Los Angeles; shiny, grimy, always well-lit, and covered in lipstick-scribbled desires. –Christian Ackerman, My Favorite Horror Movie
Wilson slices open the black heart of Hollywood, exposing its nastiest demons for our pulse-pounding pleasure. –Lotti Pharriss Knowles, Chastity Bites, & The Showgirls Chronicles
Atmospheric, suspenseful, and unsettling, but also funny, well observed satire. City of Devils is dark and smart, and a hell of a lot of fun. –Jordan Essoe, Bedeviled
From the bestselling author of "So L.A. - A Hollywood Memoir"
Take a look inside the book now!
City of Devils is an intoxicating mixture of white-knuckle horror and laugh-out-loud gallows humor. – Daniel Love, The Occult
Reader beware, you’re in for a scare! A travelogue through sinister L.A., accompanied by a soundtrack of sinful rock and roll, City of Devils will keep you awake all night. – Abigail Gibson, Haunted Hollywood Tours.
City of Devils is a darkened mirror shoved in front of Los Angeles; shiny, grimy, always well-lit, and covered in lipstick-scribbled desires. –Christian Ackerman, My Favorite Horror Movie
Wilson slices open the black heart of Hollywood, exposing its nastiest demons for our pulse-pounding pleasure. –Lotti Pharriss Knowles, Chastity Bites, & The Showgirls Chronicles
Atmospheric, suspenseful, and unsettling, but also funny, well observed satire. City of Devils is dark and smart, and a hell of a lot of fun. –Jordan Essoe, Bedeviled
From the bestselling author of "So L.A. - A Hollywood Memoir"
Take a look inside the book now!
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2018
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Staci Layne Wilson
57 books91 followersStaci Layne Wilson is the bestselling author of over 20 books, including the Rock & Roll Nightmares series (fictional short stories and nonfiction, all set in the world of rock) and the Immortal Confessions dark fantasy series (vampire rock stars). She is also an award-winning filmmaker whose work includes the documentary The Ventures: Stars on Guitars, and a rock & roll sci-fi comedy, The Second Age of Aquarius. In her capacity as a Hollywood historian and rock music authority, Staci Layne Wilson has appeared on MTV, Reelz Channel, CNN, Bravo, and the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 13, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up...
Here's the thing about putting 13 stories in 1 book. Some are better than others. This is one exception where there are more better stories than not.
This book is cleverly named City of Devil's ( opposite of angels) and many would say that could be true for Los Angeles.
There was only 1 story that I didn't click with. It involved a mermaid creature, which isn't really my thing.... Which could be why I didn't really enjoy it. It did make me think of an advert I saw for the upcoming season of AHS.
My favorite story was about a murderer reversing a dr's plastic surgery. Fun with a dash of gore? Yep, right up my alley.
My second favorite was centered around suicide. Not only was it an interesting story, it was full of fun facts about some musicians and their own deaths at the own hands.
This author has a knack from making characters likeable in such few words.
I liked how each story was completely different. There's ghosts, revenge, mean dogs, paparazzi getting their due, and so much more...
Here's the thing about putting 13 stories in 1 book. Some are better than others. This is one exception where there are more better stories than not.
This book is cleverly named City of Devil's ( opposite of angels) and many would say that could be true for Los Angeles.
There was only 1 story that I didn't click with. It involved a mermaid creature, which isn't really my thing.... Which could be why I didn't really enjoy it. It did make me think of an advert I saw for the upcoming season of AHS.
My favorite story was about a murderer reversing a dr's plastic surgery. Fun with a dash of gore? Yep, right up my alley.
My second favorite was centered around suicide. Not only was it an interesting story, it was full of fun facts about some musicians and their own deaths at the own hands.
This author has a knack from making characters likeable in such few words.
I liked how each story was completely different. There's ghosts, revenge, mean dogs, paparazzi getting their due, and so much more...
December 30, 2018
I really, really liked City of Devils. In a thirteen story collection I only found one or two that didn't click with me. I can't say that the cover is great but it does go with one of the stories well. But, quite honestly, if I had been looking online at it I probably would have passed it up due to its cover. I know, I know, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but sometimes I do. Anyways, what are the stories like? Well, let's look:
He Was Asking For It:
Very current and very good. A short and (revenge is) sweet tale. I liked the fleshing out of the main character so that he wasn't just one big walking stereotype. 4*
Based on a True Story:
This was a great read and I could really see someone doing this. Which probably isn't a good thing, I suppose. 4*
Ankle Biters:
This would be the story that the cover goes with. At first I thought it was a little eh but I had more and more fun with it as the story went on. No offense to chihuahua owners but I dislike chihuahuas very much. But how could I not love a bunch of Maximum Overdrive'd chips in dogs? Especially with a pink leader named Boo-Boo. 4*
Tasty Waves:
This wasn't one of the stronger pieces in the book. I was actually a little confused for most of it. 2*
Richter Mortis:
A modern day look at what might happen if The Big One hit today, and wht might crawl out of the depths. I was kind of back and forth on this one. I liked certain aspects of it and then it took a left turn that left me going "what just happened?" I didn't really get the end and I don't want to spoil it so I'll just leave it at that. 3*
Free Admission:
I liked this story. I also like stories about freaky little tourist traps and a sassy mummy is always awesome. It actually made me laugh out loud as well. It was kind I thought the end was a tad unrealistic (especially with airport security these days) but it didn't ruin the story. 3*
Depraved Indifference:
This story was my absolute favorite. Not just of this book but it would rank up there with my favorite short stories ever. I loved all of it. What really caught my attention was the music trivia sprinkled throughout. It was very interesting. I'm not going to say any more but this longish short story is worth buying the book for alone. There was also a phrase I really liked - "whisper sweet everythings" 5*
Remote Trigger:
Another very good one. And something that I'm sure a lot of celebrities would wish upon the paparazzi that stalk their every move. 3*
Doom for Rent:
A pretty good 'roommate from hell' story with a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Although, in my opinion, it could have done without the very last sentence. But that's just my opinion. 3*
My Mother the Carcass:
An interesting story but one that I didn't quite click with. I really wanted to like it but just couldn't get into it. I think other people might like it better, however. It is well written. One of the things I did not like about it specifically (and this is just a peeve on my part) is the image of opioids being used for recreation. 2*
The Case of the Butchered Bombshell:
I loved this story as well. It gave enough of the flair of the era it's set in without going overboard on it. A great story with an interesting twist at the end. 5*
Abracadaver:
I really liked the story but it seemed to wander around a bit before finally settling on a main story. I loved Minerva's costume, it was awesome and if it were warmer here on Halloween I'd be tempted to give it a go. It kind of seems like it was three or four ideas that were jammed together and had an ending tacked on. It also seemed a little unfair but hey that's show business! Er, horror. 3*
Alice on Wonderland:
A strong finisher to the collection of stories. Very good. 4*
I would strongly recommend City of Devils if you're looking for a good collection of short stories. City of Devils has a little bit of everything so I'm sure people will find a story to suit varied tastes.
You can find this and much more at https://www.scifiandscary.com/
Received from the author for review consideration
He Was Asking For It:
Very current and very good. A short and (revenge is) sweet tale. I liked the fleshing out of the main character so that he wasn't just one big walking stereotype. 4*
Based on a True Story:
This was a great read and I could really see someone doing this. Which probably isn't a good thing, I suppose. 4*
Ankle Biters:
This would be the story that the cover goes with. At first I thought it was a little eh but I had more and more fun with it as the story went on. No offense to chihuahua owners but I dislike chihuahuas very much. But how could I not love a bunch of Maximum Overdrive'd chips in dogs? Especially with a pink leader named Boo-Boo. 4*
Tasty Waves:
This wasn't one of the stronger pieces in the book. I was actually a little confused for most of it. 2*
Richter Mortis:
A modern day look at what might happen if The Big One hit today, and wht might crawl out of the depths. I was kind of back and forth on this one. I liked certain aspects of it and then it took a left turn that left me going "what just happened?" I didn't really get the end and I don't want to spoil it so I'll just leave it at that. 3*
Free Admission:
I liked this story. I also like stories about freaky little tourist traps and a sassy mummy is always awesome. It actually made me laugh out loud as well. It was kind I thought the end was a tad unrealistic (especially with airport security these days) but it didn't ruin the story. 3*
Depraved Indifference:
This story was my absolute favorite. Not just of this book but it would rank up there with my favorite short stories ever. I loved all of it. What really caught my attention was the music trivia sprinkled throughout. It was very interesting. I'm not going to say any more but this longish short story is worth buying the book for alone. There was also a phrase I really liked - "whisper sweet everythings" 5*
Remote Trigger:
Another very good one. And something that I'm sure a lot of celebrities would wish upon the paparazzi that stalk their every move. 3*
Doom for Rent:
A pretty good 'roommate from hell' story with a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Although, in my opinion, it could have done without the very last sentence. But that's just my opinion. 3*
My Mother the Carcass:
An interesting story but one that I didn't quite click with. I really wanted to like it but just couldn't get into it. I think other people might like it better, however. It is well written. One of the things I did not like about it specifically (and this is just a peeve on my part) is the image of opioids being used for recreation. 2*
The Case of the Butchered Bombshell:
I loved this story as well. It gave enough of the flair of the era it's set in without going overboard on it. A great story with an interesting twist at the end. 5*
Abracadaver:
I really liked the story but it seemed to wander around a bit before finally settling on a main story. I loved Minerva's costume, it was awesome and if it were warmer here on Halloween I'd be tempted to give it a go. It kind of seems like it was three or four ideas that were jammed together and had an ending tacked on. It also seemed a little unfair but hey that's show business! Er, horror. 3*
Alice on Wonderland:
A strong finisher to the collection of stories. Very good. 4*
I would strongly recommend City of Devils if you're looking for a good collection of short stories. City of Devils has a little bit of everything so I'm sure people will find a story to suit varied tastes.
You can find this and much more at https://www.scifiandscary.com/
Received from the author for review consideration
June 11, 2020
I wasn't sure what to think about this complication when I got it at first as I've been on a bit of a loosing streak with my choices but I was genuinely pleasently surprised and would recommend it to any horror/supernatural fans. Each story is very unique and very well written. Also the narrator of the audiobook is great at modulating his voice to match the character and situations.
I personally loved the 3rd story which the cover is representing (think killer Chihuahuas in Bel Aire). This will definitely be listened to again!
I personally loved the 3rd story which the cover is representing (think killer Chihuahuas in Bel Aire). This will definitely be listened to again!
October 19, 2018
One of my best reads this year
An interesting collection of diverse short stories about the strange and the supernatural. Some were a little scary, others a little funny and some just make you wonder. I recommend this book to people who want to read something different and unsettling.
An interesting collection of diverse short stories about the strange and the supernatural. Some were a little scary, others a little funny and some just make you wonder. I recommend this book to people who want to read something different and unsettling.
May 6, 2019
Quirky, unusual short stories of horror and suspense. Loved it!
March 17, 2021
Loved every story! Fabulous style! Can’t wait to read more from this author!
Yay for women indie horror writers! I’ll be back later with a longer review!
Yay for women indie horror writers! I’ll be back later with a longer review!
November 10, 2020
This collection of horror stories set in L.A. was a fun, quick read. Wilson's a talented writer; her style and tone are perfectly fit for her stories, which never get too dark or gory.
Out of thirteen stories, there's not a single clunker in the whole bunch, but some of the best ones include:
Depraved Indifference One of the collection's longer stories, this one details some days in the life of a sociopath with an interesting job; he works in a secret museum or stolen art and artifacts. When he's not working, he pursues his hobby of seeking out troubled individuals and convincing them to kill themselves. We spend the entire story in the devious murderer's head as he describes his job and waxes poetically about dead musicians, specifically ones who committed suicide.
Doom for Rent Our narrator is an aspiring actor with a major problem: the roommate from hell. Jane is a royal pain in the butt. He doesn't know how to get rid of her, and their other roommate, Chuck, an idle stoner, is no help. Things are not what they seem though.
The Case of the Butchered Bombshell Mike is a soon to be retired private eye in this noir-ish tale set in the 1960's. When his former secretary turns up murdered by a local serial killer, he decides to take one last case and catch her killer. This was probably my favorite story in the entire collection; I'm a sucker for a good hardboiled mystery, so I ate this one up.
These were the best stories (in my opinion), but really they're all good. I highly recommend this collection for people who love (or hate) L.A. and those just looking for a fun, clever horror read.
Out of thirteen stories, there's not a single clunker in the whole bunch, but some of the best ones include:
Depraved Indifference One of the collection's longer stories, this one details some days in the life of a sociopath with an interesting job; he works in a secret museum or stolen art and artifacts. When he's not working, he pursues his hobby of seeking out troubled individuals and convincing them to kill themselves. We spend the entire story in the devious murderer's head as he describes his job and waxes poetically about dead musicians, specifically ones who committed suicide.
Doom for Rent Our narrator is an aspiring actor with a major problem: the roommate from hell. Jane is a royal pain in the butt. He doesn't know how to get rid of her, and their other roommate, Chuck, an idle stoner, is no help. Things are not what they seem though.
The Case of the Butchered Bombshell Mike is a soon to be retired private eye in this noir-ish tale set in the 1960's. When his former secretary turns up murdered by a local serial killer, he decides to take one last case and catch her killer. This was probably my favorite story in the entire collection; I'm a sucker for a good hardboiled mystery, so I ate this one up.
These were the best stories (in my opinion), but really they're all good. I highly recommend this collection for people who love (or hate) L.A. and those just looking for a fun, clever horror read.
June 28, 2018
City of Devils is weird, twisty and funny, I loved it! Each story is scary and a tiny bit crazy in its’ own way.
The imagery of the setting of Los Angeles is just how I imagine it, I could see it as clearly as watching a movie. The descriptions made me feel like I was in LA and Hollywood.
City of Devils is a collection of well-written, weird and humorous horror. It contains a concoction of stories filled with egocentric characters who all experience their own horrendous adventure.
My favourite is ‘Abracadaver’ – An invite to a haunted mansion on Halloween night is something I’ve always dreamed of! The tale twists and turns for the host of invited guests.
‘He Was Asking for It’, scarily reminiscent of real Hollywood stories with a most satisfying ending. ‘Ankle Biters’ was clever and hilarious, while ‘Based on a True Story’ was chilling and gory.
‘Tasty Waves’ is a surreal and beautiful, oceanic story while also being horrific. ‘Depraved Indifference’ was disturbing, one that made me think. ‘My Mother the Carcass’ features trickster Carlson, a supposed psychic who sees more than he expected. Those are only a few of the excellent stories in the collection, each one is unique and impactful.
To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this great collection!
The imagery of the setting of Los Angeles is just how I imagine it, I could see it as clearly as watching a movie. The descriptions made me feel like I was in LA and Hollywood.
City of Devils is a collection of well-written, weird and humorous horror. It contains a concoction of stories filled with egocentric characters who all experience their own horrendous adventure.
My favourite is ‘Abracadaver’ – An invite to a haunted mansion on Halloween night is something I’ve always dreamed of! The tale twists and turns for the host of invited guests.
‘He Was Asking for It’, scarily reminiscent of real Hollywood stories with a most satisfying ending. ‘Ankle Biters’ was clever and hilarious, while ‘Based on a True Story’ was chilling and gory.
‘Tasty Waves’ is a surreal and beautiful, oceanic story while also being horrific. ‘Depraved Indifference’ was disturbing, one that made me think. ‘My Mother the Carcass’ features trickster Carlson, a supposed psychic who sees more than he expected. Those are only a few of the excellent stories in the collection, each one is unique and impactful.
To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this great collection!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews