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Sinister Mix
A father receives messages from a daughter he thought was dead. A cannibal hunts for food after a plague decimates humanity. A mother loses her son and will do anything to find him. A killer meets the man of her dreams at the tavern where she works. These stories and more are gathered in SINISTER MIX—thirteen tales of terror that will keep you reading long into the night.
- GenresHorror
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2021
5 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 2, 2022
It’s interesting to me how wide the horror landscape is. You can have authors writing in different subgenres who are frequently posted about on one social media platform, but never so much as a peep on others.
Case in point – Brian Bowyer. I see Brian’s writing praised frequently on Twitter as being some of the most extreme stuff out there. I also see it a bit on IG. Very rarely do I see it on FB. That’s not to say there is anything bad about that, but it is to point out that we are currently having an overabundance of dark fiction riches to discover.
Bowyer is also very prolific, churning out a number of releases each year. I actually dove into a different release from him, but found it just wasn’t working for me. So, I took a look at his vast catalog and decided to dive into this collection, and I have to say – this one was a ton of fun.
What I liked: Bowyer’s writing is succinct and to the point. In each story within this collection, we are only really shown the gruesome event, which works to create a chaotic feeling as you go from one story to the next. Not to say we don’t get back story or any build up, we do, but often that is within the story, not before, which I think works really well.
A number of the stories really stuck out for me but I’ll highlight the four I think would be considered my favorite.
First Date – the opening story was also one of the best. It starts with a simple set up – an author goes on a first date, only to find out she’s a fan of his work. After spending the night together, she invites him to come out to see her farm and get some writing done. From here, things go south and Brian delivers a really chilling ending.
Maternal Flame – a horrible story about a boy who is kidnapped while out with his mom and the events that occur after. This one is both extreme but also incredibly sad.
Black Yacht – another story involving a parent and a child, in this case, a heroin junkie mother takes her child to the beach, hoping to score some drugs. While there a strange boat is docked just off shore. Someone offers the mother cash in exchange for the kid coming onto the boat alone for the day. Bowyer adds some X-Files-ish elements to create a really unnerving story.
Casa Fiesta – this one might be the most straight-forward story in the batch, but it follows a woman who goes on vacation by herself and discovers not all strangers have her best interests at heart.
Time and again, Bowyer really gives the story the worst possible moments and readers who like extreme will be really happy.
What I didn’t like: One thing I did find was there was some repetition in story themes and plots, which dampened the impact of those that came after. Case in point – ‘Maternal Flame’ is about a kidnapped child. Shortly after, we get another story involving a child and a similar ending to ‘Maternal Flame.’ Several stories later, ‘Black Yacht’ comes along, another story involving a parent and a child. Some readers may find not even variety to make their way through the darker pieces.
Why you should buy this: Bowyer writes with gusto and joy, you can practically feel his maniacal grin coming off each page when you read brutal passages. You know he had fun writing these extreme slabs of brutality and the reader definitely benefits from it.
If you’re looking for a quick, depraved cross-section of life’s worst moments, look no further, Bowyer has you covered!
Case in point – Brian Bowyer. I see Brian’s writing praised frequently on Twitter as being some of the most extreme stuff out there. I also see it a bit on IG. Very rarely do I see it on FB. That’s not to say there is anything bad about that, but it is to point out that we are currently having an overabundance of dark fiction riches to discover.
Bowyer is also very prolific, churning out a number of releases each year. I actually dove into a different release from him, but found it just wasn’t working for me. So, I took a look at his vast catalog and decided to dive into this collection, and I have to say – this one was a ton of fun.
What I liked: Bowyer’s writing is succinct and to the point. In each story within this collection, we are only really shown the gruesome event, which works to create a chaotic feeling as you go from one story to the next. Not to say we don’t get back story or any build up, we do, but often that is within the story, not before, which I think works really well.
A number of the stories really stuck out for me but I’ll highlight the four I think would be considered my favorite.
First Date – the opening story was also one of the best. It starts with a simple set up – an author goes on a first date, only to find out she’s a fan of his work. After spending the night together, she invites him to come out to see her farm and get some writing done. From here, things go south and Brian delivers a really chilling ending.
Maternal Flame – a horrible story about a boy who is kidnapped while out with his mom and the events that occur after. This one is both extreme but also incredibly sad.
Black Yacht – another story involving a parent and a child, in this case, a heroin junkie mother takes her child to the beach, hoping to score some drugs. While there a strange boat is docked just off shore. Someone offers the mother cash in exchange for the kid coming onto the boat alone for the day. Bowyer adds some X-Files-ish elements to create a really unnerving story.
Casa Fiesta – this one might be the most straight-forward story in the batch, but it follows a woman who goes on vacation by herself and discovers not all strangers have her best interests at heart.
Time and again, Bowyer really gives the story the worst possible moments and readers who like extreme will be really happy.
What I didn’t like: One thing I did find was there was some repetition in story themes and plots, which dampened the impact of those that came after. Case in point – ‘Maternal Flame’ is about a kidnapped child. Shortly after, we get another story involving a child and a similar ending to ‘Maternal Flame.’ Several stories later, ‘Black Yacht’ comes along, another story involving a parent and a child. Some readers may find not even variety to make their way through the darker pieces.
Why you should buy this: Bowyer writes with gusto and joy, you can practically feel his maniacal grin coming off each page when you read brutal passages. You know he had fun writing these extreme slabs of brutality and the reader definitely benefits from it.
If you’re looking for a quick, depraved cross-section of life’s worst moments, look no further, Bowyer has you covered!
October 29, 2022
Brian Bowyer can draw blood from a stone. Want to see the worst? This is your book. I am ready to enter more of this author's nightmares.
December 26, 2021
Bowyer’s prose is some of the most unique and gripping that I have encountered in the realm of horror. There’s an uncompromising honesty in the way he describes the most bizarre peculiarities of life, and the dialogue, even when it felt artificial, always stayed true to the dry and unflinching tone that carries the entire collection.
There is a rhythm to all of these stories that pleasantly surprised me. I have seen most of the reviews describe Bowyer’s writing as addictive, and I have to concur. Even when a story wasn’t particularly impressive or to my liking (there were a couple), there’s no time wasted in this reading experience. Everything is terse, barebones, and almost feels like it emulates the beat-by-beat nature of a casual conversation immaculately, as if these stories are all a printed mode of oral storytelling.
As I said, this style didn’t work for me for certain stories which I felt desperately needed some more fleshed-out details (“Siren’s Song,” “Casa Siesta”), for they were otherwise left as incomplete snippets of something screaming to be bigger and wilder, but which the style was ill-equipped to cover. However, for the most part, even if the world-building or descriptive details are nonexistent, Bowyer always creates an uncomfortably close intimacy with atrocity and depravity, and even within its narrative limitations, the particular scenes and conversations he chooses to convey to us are vivid, screaming with pain and a mean-spirited sensibility, and thrilling in their brief explosions of heavy gore (the rhythm and intimacy reminded me of Jack Ketchum more than once).
These stories are surely not for everyone, but for anyone looking for something dark yet gripping, ugly yet sincere, this short story collection ranks as one of the best independent publications I have ever read.
There is a rhythm to all of these stories that pleasantly surprised me. I have seen most of the reviews describe Bowyer’s writing as addictive, and I have to concur. Even when a story wasn’t particularly impressive or to my liking (there were a couple), there’s no time wasted in this reading experience. Everything is terse, barebones, and almost feels like it emulates the beat-by-beat nature of a casual conversation immaculately, as if these stories are all a printed mode of oral storytelling.
As I said, this style didn’t work for me for certain stories which I felt desperately needed some more fleshed-out details (“Siren’s Song,” “Casa Siesta”), for they were otherwise left as incomplete snippets of something screaming to be bigger and wilder, but which the style was ill-equipped to cover. However, for the most part, even if the world-building or descriptive details are nonexistent, Bowyer always creates an uncomfortably close intimacy with atrocity and depravity, and even within its narrative limitations, the particular scenes and conversations he chooses to convey to us are vivid, screaming with pain and a mean-spirited sensibility, and thrilling in their brief explosions of heavy gore (the rhythm and intimacy reminded me of Jack Ketchum more than once).
These stories are surely not for everyone, but for anyone looking for something dark yet gripping, ugly yet sincere, this short story collection ranks as one of the best independent publications I have ever read.
October 13, 2022
A horror short story collection where you feel a bit weird saying you enjoyed it...but I really did.
Some of the stories are disgusting, some funny, some truly appalling, some odd (some are all of these things) but all well written and intriguing, if a bit too brief/underdeveloped at times - but that is the nature of short stories that I'm gradually coming to terms with!
Recommended for spooky nights 🎃🦇
Some of the stories are disgusting, some funny, some truly appalling, some odd (some are all of these things) but all well written and intriguing, if a bit too brief/underdeveloped at times - but that is the nature of short stories that I'm gradually coming to terms with!
Recommended for spooky nights 🎃🦇
October 26, 2021
A fantastic read
This is the first time I’ve read anything by Brian Bowyer and I was blown away. His short story collection “Sinister Mix” is not one to be missed. His writing is to the point but also well fleshed out so you share in the characters’ pain and misery.
These stories are personal horrors and a mirrored look at every day life at its darkest. I can’t say enough about this collection.
A personal favourite from the collection was “Maternal Flame.” I’ve been reading horror since the 70’s and I don’t think I’ve ever read a story so dark but yet handled so masterfully.
I look forward to reading more from Brian in the future.
This is the first time I’ve read anything by Brian Bowyer and I was blown away. His short story collection “Sinister Mix” is not one to be missed. His writing is to the point but also well fleshed out so you share in the characters’ pain and misery.
These stories are personal horrors and a mirrored look at every day life at its darkest. I can’t say enough about this collection.
A personal favourite from the collection was “Maternal Flame.” I’ve been reading horror since the 70’s and I don’t think I’ve ever read a story so dark but yet handled so masterfully.
I look forward to reading more from Brian in the future.
July 2, 2024
This was the first short story collection I've read of Bowyer's and he did NOT disappoint. Brian's writing is addictive and I get lost in it, every time I read his work. The title for this collection is very fitting. These stories are brutal and chilling as hell. Each story is dark in nature that surrounds loss and grief in general. You will definitely feel all the things while reading this collection. Bowyer continues to set the bar exceedingly high in this genre.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
December 28, 2023
Sinister Mix is an absolute treat of a read for fans of nasty, extreme horror.
As a fan of the author's work, this has to be my favourite so far!
Of the thirteen stories contained within, these are the ones which stood out for me:
-First Date - A crazy nightmare!
-Maternal Flame - Ruthless & heartbreaking!
Go check this one out right now!
As a fan of the author's work, this has to be my favourite so far!
Of the thirteen stories contained within, these are the ones which stood out for me:
-First Date - A crazy nightmare!
-Maternal Flame - Ruthless & heartbreaking!
Go check this one out right now!
September 20, 2021
Sinister Mix has every trigger warning / content warnings under the sun - but that’s to be expected from a master of extreme horror! I just wanted you to know that before you head in… because you might not come out the way you started.
I’ve read four of Brian’s books now and this one, his most recent is my favourite of his, you can see the growth of his writing and although like his other works they’re straight to the point, not flowery prose, this one had some wonderful lines that I wished I’d come up with myself - the imagination behind these stories is dark and twisted and bloody brilliant!
Family Portrait
Wow what a way to start the collection. Here Bowyer treats us to a family in grief after losing their son. Father, mother and daughter do what they can to survive, the dad hits the bottle, the mum resorts to pain medication pills and the daughter - well she’s got her own way of dealing with things, feeding the skeleton in the garden. This is a disturbing tale, but what I found most disturbing is how the parental units have checked out and we see their daughter living in a world where these drink and drug addictions are normalised, that aspect of the story broke me, and the ending, well that was a boot crushing all those pieces of me to dust.
First Date
Bowyer loves to trick the reader, having them think one thing and then when we’re comfortable he just goes right ahead and pulls the rug out from under us. This can be said for First Date, which all the ways through from certain snippets of conversation I thought was heading in the direction of my choosing and then bang, Bowyer thrusts us into an even more macabre situation. This one has the creep factor and one fabulous ending.
Maternal Flame
Wow. A powerhouse of a story, a mother loses her son whilst out shopping. She fears abduction, she enters into denial, she waits, she drinks and the phone doesn’t ring. She craves to have him back with her, yearning with a maternal instinct so strong that even the devil should fear her rage; and then the phone rings. This is a tinderbox of a story and Bowyer delivers it masterfully, gore riddled but utterly compelling.
Yersinia-Z
An alcoholic couple come upon another survivor in the wake of the Yersinia-Z virus, they’re immune because of their alcohol intake, so the worlds survival is in the hands of drunks. It’s a vaccination at the end of a bottle or four, but there is something out there that is more deadly than the Yersinia-Z virus and it stalks them with deadly intent. I enjoyed this apocalyptic vision by Bowyer and again it’s told with his no nonsense prose and urgent storytelling voice.
Degrees of Separation
Reads like a coked up Du Maurier story, if she loved writing about the most depraved and heinous acts, but it’s definitely got the twists one expects from her work. This one is dark. It’s disturbing and bleak, not many writers would go here but Bowyer treads where others fear to go…horrific in all the right places.
The Box
One can’t write a story titled The Box without me thinking of Richard Matheson’s story of the same title, of a choice to be made where others will suffer. This story follows that same premise, but this one is told with Bowyer’s flair for the macabre and depraved. The final third of this story blew me away, the genius of it made me nod my head rigorously in appreciation for the story and Bowyer’s imagination.
Home Invasion
Bowyer does it again, talk about lightening never striking the same place twice. If this keeps up this whole damn book will be scorched by the strikes he keeps hitting. I really enjoyed this one and the mid point sends us a curveball I wasn’t expecting, but it’s a banger, a great little story.
The Black Yacht
Actions have consequences and when a mother decides to sell her daughter for the day, to fuel her heroin habit, when she can’t find a dealer she is soon met by a tall dark stranger who makes her a proposition she can’t turn down. But we soon learn that it’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t, because all bets are off!
Siren Song
I love the Siren lore and described in Bowyer’s hands they are as they should be, nightmarish creatures. This one is short and to the point, the song captivating until it is heard no longer.
Casa Fiesta
This one has the feeling of an Eli Roth script, the set up and the bloody conclusion. The way we know what’s happening or going to happen but are unable to stop the butchery that is coming. The end lines are haunting as we know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s not as original as the other stories but Bowyer makes it damn well memorable!
Long Way Home
A spooky piece of almost flash fiction from Bowyer this time, proving that short fiction and flash are within the man’s fabulous remit for conjuring memorable horror yarns. This one is subtle horror, and a nice change of pace from the breakneck carnage in many of these tales.
Losses and Gains
This ones a trauma porn fest - if you like your sex with a little cutting, a little burning, some eating of body parts and a lot of gratuitous violence, well this one is for you, if none of that hits your spot then I’d say jump to the next story this one goes places I didn’t want to go. A bit much for me, but I got through it, shame I can’t say the same for those involved.
Deliverance
This was a fabulous story and the central theme, which I won’t talk about here was stunning - such an original concept and one that is both chilling and heartbreaking all at once. A father starts to get messages in his mind, and decides to follow their call, wherever that will lead! This one pulled at the heartstrings and also delivered on the shock and awe that we come to know from Bowyer’s work.
Hollywood Ending
Barbaric, brutal, twisting and turning oh and a typewriter! This one is bananas crazy, but I enjoyed it, the way that out two protagonists are so desensitised to what their lives have become is almost comical and Bowyer delivers some cracking lines in the face of such butchery. A fitting way to end this most brutal of collections.
I’ve read four of Brian’s books now and this one, his most recent is my favourite of his, you can see the growth of his writing and although like his other works they’re straight to the point, not flowery prose, this one had some wonderful lines that I wished I’d come up with myself - the imagination behind these stories is dark and twisted and bloody brilliant!
Family Portrait
Wow what a way to start the collection. Here Bowyer treats us to a family in grief after losing their son. Father, mother and daughter do what they can to survive, the dad hits the bottle, the mum resorts to pain medication pills and the daughter - well she’s got her own way of dealing with things, feeding the skeleton in the garden. This is a disturbing tale, but what I found most disturbing is how the parental units have checked out and we see their daughter living in a world where these drink and drug addictions are normalised, that aspect of the story broke me, and the ending, well that was a boot crushing all those pieces of me to dust.
First Date
Bowyer loves to trick the reader, having them think one thing and then when we’re comfortable he just goes right ahead and pulls the rug out from under us. This can be said for First Date, which all the ways through from certain snippets of conversation I thought was heading in the direction of my choosing and then bang, Bowyer thrusts us into an even more macabre situation. This one has the creep factor and one fabulous ending.
Maternal Flame
Wow. A powerhouse of a story, a mother loses her son whilst out shopping. She fears abduction, she enters into denial, she waits, she drinks and the phone doesn’t ring. She craves to have him back with her, yearning with a maternal instinct so strong that even the devil should fear her rage; and then the phone rings. This is a tinderbox of a story and Bowyer delivers it masterfully, gore riddled but utterly compelling.
Yersinia-Z
An alcoholic couple come upon another survivor in the wake of the Yersinia-Z virus, they’re immune because of their alcohol intake, so the worlds survival is in the hands of drunks. It’s a vaccination at the end of a bottle or four, but there is something out there that is more deadly than the Yersinia-Z virus and it stalks them with deadly intent. I enjoyed this apocalyptic vision by Bowyer and again it’s told with his no nonsense prose and urgent storytelling voice.
Degrees of Separation
Reads like a coked up Du Maurier story, if she loved writing about the most depraved and heinous acts, but it’s definitely got the twists one expects from her work. This one is dark. It’s disturbing and bleak, not many writers would go here but Bowyer treads where others fear to go…horrific in all the right places.
The Box
One can’t write a story titled The Box without me thinking of Richard Matheson’s story of the same title, of a choice to be made where others will suffer. This story follows that same premise, but this one is told with Bowyer’s flair for the macabre and depraved. The final third of this story blew me away, the genius of it made me nod my head rigorously in appreciation for the story and Bowyer’s imagination.
Home Invasion
Bowyer does it again, talk about lightening never striking the same place twice. If this keeps up this whole damn book will be scorched by the strikes he keeps hitting. I really enjoyed this one and the mid point sends us a curveball I wasn’t expecting, but it’s a banger, a great little story.
The Black Yacht
Actions have consequences and when a mother decides to sell her daughter for the day, to fuel her heroin habit, when she can’t find a dealer she is soon met by a tall dark stranger who makes her a proposition she can’t turn down. But we soon learn that it’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t, because all bets are off!
Siren Song
I love the Siren lore and described in Bowyer’s hands they are as they should be, nightmarish creatures. This one is short and to the point, the song captivating until it is heard no longer.
Casa Fiesta
This one has the feeling of an Eli Roth script, the set up and the bloody conclusion. The way we know what’s happening or going to happen but are unable to stop the butchery that is coming. The end lines are haunting as we know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s not as original as the other stories but Bowyer makes it damn well memorable!
Long Way Home
A spooky piece of almost flash fiction from Bowyer this time, proving that short fiction and flash are within the man’s fabulous remit for conjuring memorable horror yarns. This one is subtle horror, and a nice change of pace from the breakneck carnage in many of these tales.
Losses and Gains
This ones a trauma porn fest - if you like your sex with a little cutting, a little burning, some eating of body parts and a lot of gratuitous violence, well this one is for you, if none of that hits your spot then I’d say jump to the next story this one goes places I didn’t want to go. A bit much for me, but I got through it, shame I can’t say the same for those involved.
Deliverance
This was a fabulous story and the central theme, which I won’t talk about here was stunning - such an original concept and one that is both chilling and heartbreaking all at once. A father starts to get messages in his mind, and decides to follow their call, wherever that will lead! This one pulled at the heartstrings and also delivered on the shock and awe that we come to know from Bowyer’s work.
Hollywood Ending
Barbaric, brutal, twisting and turning oh and a typewriter! This one is bananas crazy, but I enjoyed it, the way that out two protagonists are so desensitised to what their lives have become is almost comical and Bowyer delivers some cracking lines in the face of such butchery. A fitting way to end this most brutal of collections.
June 14, 2022
Man, the prose is on point, doesn’t miss a beat. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. Short stories will always be my first love and this did not disappoint. I’ll be reading more from this author, for sure.
July 28, 2021
4.5 rounded up to 5 rearranged body parts out of 5.
Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be3Yk...
Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be3Yk...
December 28, 2021
This book wins the award for the most dismembering. Thats a very esteemed award and I dont give it out lightly. Bravo.
April 23, 2021
A great mix of horror stories!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! This is a wonderful collection of dark and macabre takes which, at times, reminded me of some of Stephen King of old. Mr. Bowyer does a masterful job of creating different horror tales and breaths life into them. It's horror at its best and the author enjoys the saying "Anybody can die at any time" so when you read each story, just know that anything can happen and nothing is off limits like being eaten alive by a pig or cannibalism. There's plenty of drug and alcohol abuse in each story in some form, but it's used to show that it can numb you so you don't realize that you're being fed on by some work creature or how it can keep a deadly plague from infecting you. Great read but especially for the spooky season. I highly recommend this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! This is a wonderful collection of dark and macabre takes which, at times, reminded me of some of Stephen King of old. Mr. Bowyer does a masterful job of creating different horror tales and breaths life into them. It's horror at its best and the author enjoys the saying "Anybody can die at any time" so when you read each story, just know that anything can happen and nothing is off limits like being eaten alive by a pig or cannibalism. There's plenty of drug and alcohol abuse in each story in some form, but it's used to show that it can numb you so you don't realize that you're being fed on by some work creature or how it can keep a deadly plague from infecting you. Great read but especially for the spooky season. I highly recommend this one!
April 28, 2021
An horrific mixture!
If you are a fan of all things horror and macrbe, then this book is for you. Each short story has its own twists but some I feel could have went on for a little longer for the effect and storyline.
Bowyer definitely has a little bit of Stephen King hidden within him. Well done.
If you are a fan of all things horror and macrbe, then this book is for you. Each short story has its own twists but some I feel could have went on for a little longer for the effect and storyline.
Bowyer definitely has a little bit of Stephen King hidden within him. Well done.
October 7, 2021
Picture this: You've just watched an extreme horror movie and you're talking to a friend about it. You tell them what happened in short form. If you were to go into detail, they'd more than likely tell you to shut up and get on with it. Hurry up and get to the juicy parts will ya I've got better things to do.
Well, that's what you've pretty much got with Brian Bowyer. He writes super clean and super nasty at the same time. It's the best way I can sum him up. I was actually thinking how unique his style is. I honestly don't think any other writer could get away with telling a story the way he does, and I mean that in the kindest way possible. He seems to break so many rules, yet he does it in a way that goes completely unnoticed. When I'm rating a book, I can drop a star for any number of reasons, but for this, I just can't justify doing so. It's great. His stories, his ideas, the way you don't have to think. The pages just fly. I honestly feel this is five-star worthy and yet I'm still thinking how? It's just so odd. I look at the pages and it's like there are hardly any words there. It's almost like the reader automatically fills in the blanks as he goes. Look, I cant really explain it any better. Just believe me when I say this is crazy good.
Anyway, word of warning, this collection is extremely dark. There is some really brutal stuff in here, but I think most horror fans won't have a problem with it.
There are plenty of standouts in this. To name just a few I'll say MATERNAL FLAME, THE BLACK YACHT, and YERSINIA-Z.
They all had something, though.
5 Stars.
Well, that's what you've pretty much got with Brian Bowyer. He writes super clean and super nasty at the same time. It's the best way I can sum him up. I was actually thinking how unique his style is. I honestly don't think any other writer could get away with telling a story the way he does, and I mean that in the kindest way possible. He seems to break so many rules, yet he does it in a way that goes completely unnoticed. When I'm rating a book, I can drop a star for any number of reasons, but for this, I just can't justify doing so. It's great. His stories, his ideas, the way you don't have to think. The pages just fly. I honestly feel this is five-star worthy and yet I'm still thinking how? It's just so odd. I look at the pages and it's like there are hardly any words there. It's almost like the reader automatically fills in the blanks as he goes. Look, I cant really explain it any better. Just believe me when I say this is crazy good.
Anyway, word of warning, this collection is extremely dark. There is some really brutal stuff in here, but I think most horror fans won't have a problem with it.
There are plenty of standouts in this. To name just a few I'll say MATERNAL FLAME, THE BLACK YACHT, and YERSINIA-Z.
They all had something, though.
5 Stars.
May 24, 2023
It's hard to rate a collection. There were a couple stories I would give four stars to, and Long Way Home was easily a 5-star read, and will stick with me. I can't recall feeling like any more than a couple were 2-star stories, and with those, I had issues with the plausibility of certain character actions, situations, etc. I found with many of the stories, the "twists" were delivered a bit too abruptly in the actual text (rather than timing, ie. Something something bad stuff), but I thought it worked in some places, even though it didn't in others. It did feel like the formula started become a little monotonous by the time I got to the last few stories. All of that being said, Bowyer does have a talent for characters and situations, dialogue, story and scene. The story is never uninteresting, or "feeling like work" to get through. For a self published collection, it is well edited, also. I only thought some of the stories were a bit underdeveloped, and could have been polished a bit more, but I didn't dislike any... It's just that the 3-star stories in this collection made up the majority. I'll keep this book and likely reread one day, and am definitely interested in picking up one of Bowyer's longer works.
June 7, 2022
Bowyer has a rare and unusual talent: he can tell a macabre, chilling story with a quick, light, prose-like style - and make it work. He combines a real talent for setting up characters and scenes with sheer imagination to knock his short stories out of the park.
Sinister Mix provides rapid-fire stories reminiscent of classic sci-fi shows like Night Gallery and Darkroom. Anyone looking for a good variety of short thrillers needs to buy this book.
Sinister Mix provides rapid-fire stories reminiscent of classic sci-fi shows like Night Gallery and Darkroom. Anyone looking for a good variety of short thrillers needs to buy this book.
October 16, 2021
This collection of stories is brutal in just about every way. They are dark, violent and emotional. Many deal with loss, grief and the darker nature of humanity. Bowyer has a straightforward writing style, but it’s also very impactful. You will get an uneasiness in your gut while reading this collection though still very compelled to keep turning the pages. This was my introduction to Bowyer’s work and will not be my last.
July 19, 2023
Brian Bowyer never fails to astonish me with his vision of true horror. You can feel the terror his characters face on each page! This is the definition of excellent splatterpunk prose. Not for the faint of heart but well worth the read!!
May 28, 2021
4 1/2
Brian Bowyer brings us his latest collection of short stories full of drugs, alcohol, murders, and grief, the norm for a Brian Bowyer book. He has carved out his own corner of this niche and set up shop. I’ve read a handful of his books now, so I’m thinking there really isn’t anything he can write that will shock me too much. Still there are times we get close, but Bowyer has good restraint in knowing when to stop and not go over that edge.
Sinister Mix brings us 14 new short stories, the last one is a bit of a nice surprise for those who have read the Apocalypse novel. Or a bit of revisiting for those people. It’s a snippet, or excerpt of one of the side stories in Apocalypse.
For those of you who have read Perpetual Dread, don’t go into this collection thinking it is a continuation of Perpetual Dread. Although it has it’s share of Dread, these stories have a different approach. They seem to cover more ground. The overall feeling as a whole isn’t as dark as Dread.
Bowyer continues his straight to the point “matter of fact” style as we weave in and out of each story. He is able to leave the fluff at the door, and still get his point across, making you tell yourself “Just one more story before calling it a night.”
These stories are all stamped with what I call the Brian Bowyer signature. That signature is BOOZE. He’s able to paint the picture of each story with Alcohol, to show pain, guilt, grief and using it as a numbing mechanism. I think I said it before, we need to get this dude some sort of Whiskey Endorsement.
These stories are dark, and depressing at times, but with the nonchalant flow and fast pace you find yourself making your way through them quickly.
Bowyer gives you just enough character development to make you interested and to get invested. But fair warning, as with most Brian Bowyer books, do not get attached to anyone.
Bowyer has a fresh voice when it comes to dark fiction and horror, giving you a break from some of the over-the-top extreme writers that seem to not know when to stop before going over that edge and losing the purpose. He can be extreme when he needs to be extreme and he can scale it back a bit after taking you to the edge and letting you look down.
None of what I just said should be a surprise to anyone. Bowyer has established himself as one of the top Indie Dark Fiction writers and his work should really find a nice resting place on your bookshelf.
Brian Bowyer brings us his latest collection of short stories full of drugs, alcohol, murders, and grief, the norm for a Brian Bowyer book. He has carved out his own corner of this niche and set up shop. I’ve read a handful of his books now, so I’m thinking there really isn’t anything he can write that will shock me too much. Still there are times we get close, but Bowyer has good restraint in knowing when to stop and not go over that edge.
Sinister Mix brings us 14 new short stories, the last one is a bit of a nice surprise for those who have read the Apocalypse novel. Or a bit of revisiting for those people. It’s a snippet, or excerpt of one of the side stories in Apocalypse.
For those of you who have read Perpetual Dread, don’t go into this collection thinking it is a continuation of Perpetual Dread. Although it has it’s share of Dread, these stories have a different approach. They seem to cover more ground. The overall feeling as a whole isn’t as dark as Dread.
Bowyer continues his straight to the point “matter of fact” style as we weave in and out of each story. He is able to leave the fluff at the door, and still get his point across, making you tell yourself “Just one more story before calling it a night.”
These stories are all stamped with what I call the Brian Bowyer signature. That signature is BOOZE. He’s able to paint the picture of each story with Alcohol, to show pain, guilt, grief and using it as a numbing mechanism. I think I said it before, we need to get this dude some sort of Whiskey Endorsement.
These stories are dark, and depressing at times, but with the nonchalant flow and fast pace you find yourself making your way through them quickly.
Bowyer gives you just enough character development to make you interested and to get invested. But fair warning, as with most Brian Bowyer books, do not get attached to anyone.
Bowyer has a fresh voice when it comes to dark fiction and horror, giving you a break from some of the over-the-top extreme writers that seem to not know when to stop before going over that edge and losing the purpose. He can be extreme when he needs to be extreme and he can scale it back a bit after taking you to the edge and letting you look down.
None of what I just said should be a surprise to anyone. Bowyer has established himself as one of the top Indie Dark Fiction writers and his work should really find a nice resting place on your bookshelf.
January 3, 2022
Early on while reading Brian Bowyer's Sinister Mix, I knew what I would be in for. The stories contained herein are some of the bleakest, most hopeless horror stories I've ever read. But I picked up the book because I find Bowyer's writing to be stripped down to basics without a lot of useless filler. He cuts to the chase, makes the point and delivers on some serious horror. I don't want to sound condescending when I say this, but I've never really read torture porn. Bowyer's starting point seems to be, perhaps, Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door and he just keeps running with that subject. The underlying themes seem to be the worst fears we have of losing loved ones, of them being taken from us and have the worst possible things happen to them. In these stories, to see someone killed mercifully and quickly is considered a blessing. All others suffer various forms of torture, dismemberment, burning and even worst, if you could imagine. But you don't have to imagine because Bowyer has thought of it and written it down. There are a lot of ideas floating around in these stories that tie the characters down to real life; like you or perhaps people you know. The author has no shortage of gruesome and haineous forms of slaughter. Recommended for fans of extreme horror as these are bleak and cold stories that will leave you feeling like your guts are pouring out of you just before you trip over them.
December 31, 2021
An utterly misanthropic, minimalistic read that brings you face to face with brutality without compromise. Even though I love his writing style, this collection is a bit of a mixed bag. For every great, haunting story, there's another 2 or 3 which boil down to "person gets brought to another location by a suspicious character and something fucked up happens". The writing style is so straightforward and hypnotic that even the weaker stories pass through with ease, so I can still easily recommend giving the collection a go.
June 26, 2021
Exceptional Depiction of Characters’ Thoughts and Inner Lives!
I spent the day glued to this addictive collection of horror stories, which captivated me from the first story to the end. Exceptional depiction of characters’ thoughts and inner lives placed me inside these horror stories. I found this book fresh, compelling, and action-driven with psychological thrills. Brian Bowyer masterfully tunneled into characters’ heads and I loved it!
Highest recommendation.
I spent the day glued to this addictive collection of horror stories, which captivated me from the first story to the end. Exceptional depiction of characters’ thoughts and inner lives placed me inside these horror stories. I found this book fresh, compelling, and action-driven with psychological thrills. Brian Bowyer masterfully tunneled into characters’ heads and I loved it!
Highest recommendation.
May 19, 2021
This author has done it again! Know how to make the genre of horror and make it an interesting read. Something I love from this author. How he always makes it interesting until the end! He is amazing with his short stories, and if you are a fan of shorts then this is the book! He has written other books before, and he is someone I recommend for sure!
April 28, 2021
It feels like I'm reading something from Tales From The Crypt. I love it. It's dark, creep and filled with goosebump horror.
June 24, 2024
Bowyer has an amazing ability to write short stories that are tight and to the point. Each one grips you from the first word, ravages your soul, and then spits you out in a ball of flames.
I loved how he provides enough, but not too much, leaving plenty of room for the imagination of the reader to roam.
Once I picked this up, I could NOT put it down. It's easily crushable in a matter of day. Beware - it's addictive.
I loved every story. Here are a few reactions on the ones that gripped me to most.
FIRST DATE
This story is MAXIMUM creepy! When your date reveals that she has a lot of children...but doesn't say anything more about them...you end up on an alcohol doused craaazay messed up ride. Exactly what you can count on when you pick up one of Bowyer's books.
MATERNAL FLAME
Jeeesuuus! A trauma fueled story about what lengths a mother will go to when she loses a child to a human monster who does unspeakable things to an innocent being.
YERSINIA-Z
When there's little left to do except guzzle whiskey! A story infested with disease, murder, cannibalism, and whiskey. The most toxic yet delightful cocktail. This one's simply crazy and fun!
DEGREES OF SEARATION
Woah! When blood is thicker than water... when the brain of a child is rewired and their life path is molded ... this one is dark.
THE BOX
Full of absolutely horrifying twists and turns. Infused with family tragedy, lies, secrets, and then...blood shed to no end.
THE BLACK YACHT
Wow! One of the most creative and out there Bowyer stories I've read yet. The images are embedded in my mind forever. The concept is beyond the realm of normal imagination. A heroine addicted mom, torn by her sickness, one bad decision, and the world is contorted beyond recognition into a horrifying hell on earth.
SIREN SONG
It's a lovely story of the siren....with a new gory spin. The writing is beautiful and will entice you, just like the song of the siren.
I loved how he provides enough, but not too much, leaving plenty of room for the imagination of the reader to roam.
Once I picked this up, I could NOT put it down. It's easily crushable in a matter of day. Beware - it's addictive.
I loved every story. Here are a few reactions on the ones that gripped me to most.
FIRST DATE
This story is MAXIMUM creepy! When your date reveals that she has a lot of children...but doesn't say anything more about them...you end up on an alcohol doused craaazay messed up ride. Exactly what you can count on when you pick up one of Bowyer's books.
MATERNAL FLAME
Jeeesuuus! A trauma fueled story about what lengths a mother will go to when she loses a child to a human monster who does unspeakable things to an innocent being.
YERSINIA-Z
When there's little left to do except guzzle whiskey! A story infested with disease, murder, cannibalism, and whiskey. The most toxic yet delightful cocktail. This one's simply crazy and fun!
DEGREES OF SEARATION
Woah! When blood is thicker than water... when the brain of a child is rewired and their life path is molded ... this one is dark.
THE BOX
Full of absolutely horrifying twists and turns. Infused with family tragedy, lies, secrets, and then...blood shed to no end.
THE BLACK YACHT
Wow! One of the most creative and out there Bowyer stories I've read yet. The images are embedded in my mind forever. The concept is beyond the realm of normal imagination. A heroine addicted mom, torn by her sickness, one bad decision, and the world is contorted beyond recognition into a horrifying hell on earth.
SIREN SONG
It's a lovely story of the siren....with a new gory spin. The writing is beautiful and will entice you, just like the song of the siren.
February 28, 2023
Oh my gosh, this was SO bloody good!
A very dark collection of horrors that impressed me no end.
I loved how bizarre and creepy it was. So much blood and gore!
Favourite stories were The Box, which was real twisted and nasty, and The Black Yacht, which was an amazing body horror tale, with some really disturbing imagery. Yeah, that one’s going to stay with me while…
I will definitely be reading more Brian Bowyer books, as I loved this collection very. 🖤
A very dark collection of horrors that impressed me no end.
I loved how bizarre and creepy it was. So much blood and gore!
Favourite stories were The Box, which was real twisted and nasty, and The Black Yacht, which was an amazing body horror tale, with some really disturbing imagery. Yeah, that one’s going to stay with me while…
I will definitely be reading more Brian Bowyer books, as I loved this collection very. 🖤
May 29, 2023
This was my first Brian Bowyer book and I feel it's been a great introduction to his work. With a variety of horror sub-genres represented in its various stories, "Sinister Mix" absolutely showcases his adept ability to shift into different narrative gears on a dime without missing a beat, delivering prime examples of the types of stories being told with an impressive range of intensity. At times subtle and nuanced, at times bombastic and arguably unhinged, with all manner of noteworthy points along that spectrum on frequent display, there really is something here for almost any type of reader.
I will say that some of the included narratives didn't fully line up with my personal tastes and preferences but I feel that's to be expected given the sheer number of themes and concepts being explored. Moreover, the quality of the writing and the generally-excellent pacing of the storytelling made it easy to breeze through every tale, even on the rare occasions when certain elements didn't fully click or resonate for me.
In short, I've found "Sinister Mix" to be an easy book to recommend, particularly for horror fans or those seeking an introduction to Bowyer's compelling brand of prose. Highly recommended.
I will say that some of the included narratives didn't fully line up with my personal tastes and preferences but I feel that's to be expected given the sheer number of themes and concepts being explored. Moreover, the quality of the writing and the generally-excellent pacing of the storytelling made it easy to breeze through every tale, even on the rare occasions when certain elements didn't fully click or resonate for me.
In short, I've found "Sinister Mix" to be an easy book to recommend, particularly for horror fans or those seeking an introduction to Bowyer's compelling brand of prose. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2023
I enjoy getting scared, and this short story collection delivers on its promises of bleak, violent, and surreal situations that will stay with you. There is a level of depravity in these stories that made me feel unsettled in all the right ways. It's good to be freaked out from time to time.
We get a sense of evil being an inescapable force that corners the characters. I would say the overarching theme is hopelessness. Alcoholism is also a major concept here that serves as a catalyst for some of the conflicts in here as well as a source of relief from plight.
The stories are graphic but not gratuitous, which I appreciate. Still, the moments of gross imagery are raw and creepy.
These stories take place in an ambiguous time period so I imagine these will hold up no matter when they are read. My favorite stories here were Maternal Flame, First Date, Yersinia-Z, and Deliverance.
I highly recommend checking this out! Also, click on the link in my bio to my YouTube channel where I share my thoughts on this book as well as others!
We get a sense of evil being an inescapable force that corners the characters. I would say the overarching theme is hopelessness. Alcoholism is also a major concept here that serves as a catalyst for some of the conflicts in here as well as a source of relief from plight.
The stories are graphic but not gratuitous, which I appreciate. Still, the moments of gross imagery are raw and creepy.
These stories take place in an ambiguous time period so I imagine these will hold up no matter when they are read. My favorite stories here were Maternal Flame, First Date, Yersinia-Z, and Deliverance.
I highly recommend checking this out! Also, click on the link in my bio to my YouTube channel where I share my thoughts on this book as well as others!
September 17, 2025
If H.P. Lovecraft had challenged Hemingway to write a horror story he might have come up with something as gut wrenching as "Family Portrait," the opening short story in Brian Bowyer's "Sinister Mix" collection (a book I quickly decided to only read during daylight hours).
"Family Portrait" is as grim and poignant and insightful a portrayal of grief as I've ever read. It made me shudder, but also caused me to pause and think about the process of grief and how people deal with pain and loss, even when the pain is beyond comprehension. The sense of hopelessness in the story is as harrowing as it is thought provoking. I doubt I'll ever forget it.
For the other stories I'll just say the author has a talent for plot twists and (*pauses to clear throat*) imagery. The line by line narrative is rendered in the starkest terms imaginable. To say that Mr. Bowyer, as an artist, stands out from the ordinary is an understatement.
Transgressive horror is not my usual genre....but I will never regret taking this particular plunge into the truly sinister.
"Family Portrait" is as grim and poignant and insightful a portrayal of grief as I've ever read. It made me shudder, but also caused me to pause and think about the process of grief and how people deal with pain and loss, even when the pain is beyond comprehension. The sense of hopelessness in the story is as harrowing as it is thought provoking. I doubt I'll ever forget it.
For the other stories I'll just say the author has a talent for plot twists and (*pauses to clear throat*) imagery. The line by line narrative is rendered in the starkest terms imaginable. To say that Mr. Bowyer, as an artist, stands out from the ordinary is an understatement.
Transgressive horror is not my usual genre....but I will never regret taking this particular plunge into the truly sinister.
July 3, 2023
Dark and disturbing selection of short stories by one of my favorite writers! Great, solid collection!
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