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A Variable Darkness
From the award-winning, best-selling author of Hannahwhere and Inflictions , John McIlveen offers his latest collection A Variable Darkness , thirteen tales of his trademark blend of heartache, humor, horror, and a ton of humanity. Inside these pages you will meet a captivating girl who is the embodiment of all female youth and the registrar of broken hearts. You will travel to 1693 Massachusetts, where a suspected witch mentors a teenager. You will meet Ricky Briggs, who wakes up without a spine, join in on the craziest Yankee Swap imaginable, and ride along with a cantankerous old spirit in a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Including an introduction by Tony Tremblay and an afterword by Izzy Lee.
"McIlveen always delivers." --Jeff Kivela - Buttonholed Book Reviews.
Including an introduction by Tony Tremblay and an afterword by Izzy Lee.
"McIlveen always delivers." --Jeff Kivela - Buttonholed Book Reviews.
- GenresHorror
274 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2021
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
John M. McIlveen
37 books151 followersJohn M. McIlveen is the author of GIRL GONE NORTH, nominated for the Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation Award, and the paranormal suspense novel HANNAHWHERE, winner of the Drunken Druid Award (Ireland), and nominated for the Bram Stoker Award (HWA). He has also authored three story collections, A VARIABLE DARKNESS, INFLICTIONS, and JERKS and Other Tales from A Perfect Man.
He works at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and is CEO and editor-in-chief at Haverhill House Publishing.
John lives on the Massachusetts North Shore with his wife, Roberta Colasanti.
http://haverhillhouse.com
https://www.facebook.com/mcilveen
He works at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and is CEO and editor-in-chief at Haverhill House Publishing.
John lives on the Massachusetts North Shore with his wife, Roberta Colasanti.
http://haverhillhouse.com
https://www.facebook.com/mcilveen
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2022
John McIlveen is genuine. He's a nice guy, a publisher, and he's an author. A good one. This is my first experience reading his work, but it won't be my last!
One thing I enjoyed, which is a common thread throughout, is the setting of Massachusetts. Gloucester, Salem and other towns, famous or not, are included. Being that I was born and raised here, I get a kick out of it when I'm familiar with the settings. Anyway, A VARIABLE DARKNESS contains 13 stories, these are the ones I enjoyed the most:
In AGATHA CRAGGIN'S DEFENSE. The town of Gloucester is only a short way from Salem, and in 1693 that was not the greatest place to be, especially if you're a woman.
GOT YOUR BACK. This was my favorite of the collection. Look at that title. Imagine it-literally.
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. Another helluva story! What would you do if a...creature appeared and started climbing up the outside of your house? What if your son was upstairs? So yeah, this was fun!
NOBODY'S DAUGHTER. I don't even know what to say. It was beautifully written, poignant and heartbreaking all at once. I think about the statue in the park sometimes, and bet if you read this, you will think about it too.
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS. This is one of those twisty-turny tales that bends in on itself and then serves up just deserts.
Overall, I enjoyed almost all of these stories, but the ones I loved, I really loved. The takeaway here is that John McIlveen is a talented author with the skills and the chops to please even t, he pickiest of readers. He's been a Bram Stoker Award nominee and I can see why.
If you are looking for a collection of quick, satisfying, and powerful stories A VARIABLE DARKNESS would certainly fit the bill!
Highly recommended!
*Thank you to the publisher/author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
One thing I enjoyed, which is a common thread throughout, is the setting of Massachusetts. Gloucester, Salem and other towns, famous or not, are included. Being that I was born and raised here, I get a kick out of it when I'm familiar with the settings. Anyway, A VARIABLE DARKNESS contains 13 stories, these are the ones I enjoyed the most:
In AGATHA CRAGGIN'S DEFENSE. The town of Gloucester is only a short way from Salem, and in 1693 that was not the greatest place to be, especially if you're a woman.
GOT YOUR BACK. This was my favorite of the collection. Look at that title. Imagine it-literally.
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. Another helluva story! What would you do if a...creature appeared and started climbing up the outside of your house? What if your son was upstairs? So yeah, this was fun!
NOBODY'S DAUGHTER. I don't even know what to say. It was beautifully written, poignant and heartbreaking all at once. I think about the statue in the park sometimes, and bet if you read this, you will think about it too.
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS. This is one of those twisty-turny tales that bends in on itself and then serves up just deserts.
Overall, I enjoyed almost all of these stories, but the ones I loved, I really loved. The takeaway here is that John McIlveen is a talented author with the skills and the chops to please even t, he pickiest of readers. He's been a Bram Stoker Award nominee and I can see why.
If you are looking for a collection of quick, satisfying, and powerful stories A VARIABLE DARKNESS would certainly fit the bill!
Highly recommended!
*Thank you to the publisher/author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
March 28, 2022
Folks, A Variable Darkness: 13 Tales, John McIlveen has penned stories that had literally made me pause after each tale with a shake of my head here, and a shit-eatin' grin there. McIlveen comes up with such a fantastic dark way of getting a different view/opinion across to the reader. After each tale, you just want to jump into the next story. Yes, these tales are that great. So, clear your schedule for a couple hours, I'm just giving you a heads up.
The overall tone, I felt, had fit perfectly in the theme of this collection. From the beginning, with the story titled, Eve, through to the last tale, Triggers, every story is its own variable darkness. Thirteen folks, 13 tales of darkness. Character development and their dialogue brought an evocative atmosphere as in a harbinger warning you of the feelings you will own after reading these tales. One can surely say, McIlveen has his own voice and style.
When I had finished the tale Eye of the Beholder, I wanted to ask McIlveen, how many more of these stories are there? And, my dear audience, after you read the tale, you'll understand that is a very important question to ask ~
Yes, I shook my head slowly and grinned a lot during this collection.
Read my full review at Buttonholed Book Reviews
The overall tone, I felt, had fit perfectly in the theme of this collection. From the beginning, with the story titled, Eve, through to the last tale, Triggers, every story is its own variable darkness. Thirteen folks, 13 tales of darkness. Character development and their dialogue brought an evocative atmosphere as in a harbinger warning you of the feelings you will own after reading these tales. One can surely say, McIlveen has his own voice and style.
When I had finished the tale Eye of the Beholder, I wanted to ask McIlveen, how many more of these stories are there? And, my dear audience, after you read the tale, you'll understand that is a very important question to ask ~
Yes, I shook my head slowly and grinned a lot during this collection.
Read my full review at Buttonholed Book Reviews
October 28, 2021
John and I know each other a bit. I don't generally read dark stories although I do like the dark twist to a story. John is very good at writing from points of view that are well outside his own. I've been reading one of these stories at a time. I really enjoyed this book. There are oodles of short stories out there and compilations I have picked up and never finished. This was a delight to read in the fall and if you are contemplating a bit of spine tingling story telling I suggest these tales.
I will never be a connoisseur of dark stories but I did enjoy this and I hope you will also.
I will never be a connoisseur of dark stories but I did enjoy this and I hope you will also.
April 3, 2021
John McIlveen is a superb writer. He can make you laugh and cry and shake your head in wonder. This is not my first foray into the world of his short fiction. The stories in each collection are as varied as life. A VARIABLE DARKNESS is a continuation of his foray into the human condition. In all honesty, I am not a huge fan of short fiction… I like my reading material tome-like, and even then, I often don't want a book to end. However, I can read McIlveen's short fiction and get much the same satisfaction as I do reading a book. This collection is one to be savored... take your time... ponder... enjoy!
Introduction by Tony Tremblay - When I read a book, particularly a collection or anthology, I make it a point to read everything. Tony Tremblay's introduction introduces John McIlveen, author, and goes on to explain that friends call him Mac. The anecdotal side of the introduction turns the inaccessible figure into the guy with whom you can kick back and have an adult beverage. The introduction goes on to describe each of the thirteen tales in this collection. If you read John McIlveen as I do, some are new, some you've read before, and all are thought provoking reads.
"Eve" is a beautifully written cautionary tale that speaks to the diversity of heartbreak with the voice of the most amazing little girl ever written. I had to read the last line several times to try and figure out the decision made before I realized it wasn't the choice that mattered.
"In Agatha Craggins’s Defense" - You almost know that this will be a tale of witches and witchcraft as soon as you see the name Agatha. More than witches, it is the age old trope of the village fueled by gossip and inuendo. Magic… black or white? It's all about intent.
"Got Your Back" is a McIlveen classic dripping with sarcasm that is both funny and off-putting. It is a morality play for the modern man.
"Eye of the Beholder" - McIlveen writes children like no one else. Never throwaway characters, they come across as the lifeblood of a story. Just who is the compassionate one here… the child or the preacher man?
"A Trunk Story" - A classic car… a manifestation… and karma…
"Nobody’s Daughter" - an accusation served stone cold. This exquisitely written story will stay with you for a very long time.
"The Making of Monsters" - McIlveen displays his remarkable storytelling gift in a twisted tale of infidelity.
"A Perspective" - This very short piece provides impetus for much reflection.
"Yankee Swap" - This party game goes completely off the rails.
"Teacher’s Pet" - If it's too good to be true… beware! As pointed out in the story, "pet is both a noun and a verb.”
"From a Purr to a Roar" - There is a reason why I don't have a cat!
"Frontrunners" - Set in the near future, it shows where the great human divide might take us.
"Triggers" - This foray into depravity of the worst kind will make you think.
Afterword by Izzy Lee - Lee gives an excellent summation of our life and times, alongside the relevance of the horror genre.
Collections and anthologies are hard to review. With a novel, you have one story that is either told well or not. In a collection, although there are many stories, there is a single author where you get to see the range of his (or her) ability. Collections by John M. McIlveen are easy to review because the writing is consistently great and the stories as diverse as humanity.
John M. McIlveen's writing combines horror and heart… humor and heartbreak.
Introduction by Tony Tremblay - When I read a book, particularly a collection or anthology, I make it a point to read everything. Tony Tremblay's introduction introduces John McIlveen, author, and goes on to explain that friends call him Mac. The anecdotal side of the introduction turns the inaccessible figure into the guy with whom you can kick back and have an adult beverage. The introduction goes on to describe each of the thirteen tales in this collection. If you read John McIlveen as I do, some are new, some you've read before, and all are thought provoking reads.
"Eve" is a beautifully written cautionary tale that speaks to the diversity of heartbreak with the voice of the most amazing little girl ever written. I had to read the last line several times to try and figure out the decision made before I realized it wasn't the choice that mattered.
"In Agatha Craggins’s Defense" - You almost know that this will be a tale of witches and witchcraft as soon as you see the name Agatha. More than witches, it is the age old trope of the village fueled by gossip and inuendo. Magic… black or white? It's all about intent.
"Got Your Back" is a McIlveen classic dripping with sarcasm that is both funny and off-putting. It is a morality play for the modern man.
"Eye of the Beholder" - McIlveen writes children like no one else. Never throwaway characters, they come across as the lifeblood of a story. Just who is the compassionate one here… the child or the preacher man?
"A Trunk Story" - A classic car… a manifestation… and karma…
"Nobody’s Daughter" - an accusation served stone cold. This exquisitely written story will stay with you for a very long time.
"The Making of Monsters" - McIlveen displays his remarkable storytelling gift in a twisted tale of infidelity.
"A Perspective" - This very short piece provides impetus for much reflection.
"Yankee Swap" - This party game goes completely off the rails.
"Teacher’s Pet" - If it's too good to be true… beware! As pointed out in the story, "pet is both a noun and a verb.”
"From a Purr to a Roar" - There is a reason why I don't have a cat!
"Frontrunners" - Set in the near future, it shows where the great human divide might take us.
"Triggers" - This foray into depravity of the worst kind will make you think.
Afterword by Izzy Lee - Lee gives an excellent summation of our life and times, alongside the relevance of the horror genre.
Collections and anthologies are hard to review. With a novel, you have one story that is either told well or not. In a collection, although there are many stories, there is a single author where you get to see the range of his (or her) ability. Collections by John M. McIlveen are easy to review because the writing is consistently great and the stories as diverse as humanity.
John M. McIlveen's writing combines horror and heart… humor and heartbreak.
February 20, 2023
Seeing that I am the first 3 star review and lowest star review for this collection so far, here we go.
I liked most of the 13 stories and feel like McIlveen is at his best when the story is a good mixture of humor, supernatural and dialogue. He does these three in conjunction with one another very well. A Trunk Story and From a Purr to a Roar. I really have not qualms with the writing, more with the content.
There are some definite Twilight Zone vibes here which is okay. McIlveen does showcase the ability to write from different points of view and mixes up the types of characters he uses. However, I felt the tone overall was not very menacing or really that dark. I was surprised most of the stories had a message to convey regarding morality. This is where I felt a bit preached at, and that for the most part, the tone of such stories was too common..lacking the complexity to really draw me in.
I think if you are in the mood for some light horror-esque Twilight Zonish stories, this is for you.
I liked most of the 13 stories and feel like McIlveen is at his best when the story is a good mixture of humor, supernatural and dialogue. He does these three in conjunction with one another very well. A Trunk Story and From a Purr to a Roar. I really have not qualms with the writing, more with the content.
There are some definite Twilight Zone vibes here which is okay. McIlveen does showcase the ability to write from different points of view and mixes up the types of characters he uses. However, I felt the tone overall was not very menacing or really that dark. I was surprised most of the stories had a message to convey regarding morality. This is where I felt a bit preached at, and that for the most part, the tone of such stories was too common..lacking the complexity to really draw me in.
I think if you are in the mood for some light horror-esque Twilight Zonish stories, this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews