Bill Riggs > Recent Status Updates

Yankee Swap - John McIlveen:
If the Saw movie franchise had a Christmas movie. Disturbing, yet darkly humorous.

Honor Thy Mother - Angela Slatter:
Make sure you enjoy visiting your aging parents and don’t considering it your duty, or burden to bear during the holidays. Otherwise, there may be consequences…

It’s a Wonderful Knife - Christopher Golden:
A heartwarming tale of Christmas Eve, a famous Christmas movie…and a knife.

Mistletoe and Holly - James A. Moore:
Be careful what you wish for, especially at Christmas time.

Not Just for Christmas- Sarah Lotz:
A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. You may have second thoughts on gifting a pet after reading this.
Tenets- Josh Malerman:
Too long. Couldn’t get interested in the story.
Good Deeds - Jeff Strand:
Deeply, darkly, hilarious. This is the reason for buying the book as far as I’m concerned. I can’t stop laughing, but I am twisted that way.

Fresh as the New-Fallen Snow- Seanan MccGuire:
A babysitter spins a tale of a Russian snow maiden that watches over children in winter.

Love Me- Thomas Sniegoski:
A thief thinking he has found an easy score instead finds Christmas evil on this holiday night.

Christmas in Barcelona - Scott Smith:
A Christmas vacation from hell. Just when things seem to be going to be Okay, somehow they take a turn for the worse. Will a magical detour through the back alleys of Barcelona turn this traveler’s luck around?

Absinthe & Angels- Kelley Armstrong:
A great spooky start to the collection. I’m not familiar with the mummer tradition and now I definitely do not need the experience.

The Answer Man - an interesting story. What if you could get answers to any question you asked. What would you ask and why? All in all a very melancholy ending to the collection.

The Dreamers - this seemed very reminiscent of those 80’s horror films starring Jeffrey Combs based on Lovecraft tales. Specifically, The Beyond. I wouldn’t doubt that this will soon be optioned for a movie, if not already.

Rattlesnakes- the sequel to Cujo. Probably the reason so many were interested in this collection. It does have some truly creepy moments. However, the references to Cujo seem to be added after the fact as well as the various mentions of Covid. Neither were needed for the story. Honestly it would have been better without either.

Laurie - a grieving man receives a dog and has a very dark encounter. Interesting short story but doesn’t really seem to have a point.

The Turbulence Expert - I’ll be checking out the middle seat off the starboard wing side of the plane next time I’m flying…

Red Screen - a detective’s interview with a man who killed his wife ends up having dark consequences for his own marriage. One random Covid comment seemingly thrown into the story for no reason.

On Slide Inn Road - a shortcut takes a dark turn for a family road trip.

Finn- a story of a kid with bad luck. Not really sure what the point of this one is but at least it’s short. Oh, and one Covid reference for those keeping track. :)

Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream- one of the best so far. Full of tension, mystery and dread. This one sucks you in from the beginning wondering where it’s going to lead and you know it’s going to take you someplace dark. A few Covid mentions throughout seem pointless except to feed King’s obsession. Overall it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Willie the Weirdo - all families have their secrets. Some are darker than others, this family’s is one of the darkest. This one’ll have you guessing where it’s leading as you learn more and more of the family dynamics.

The Fifth Step - here we go! This one is short, quick, and dark! This’ll teach ya to talk to strangers.

Two Talented Bastids- considering the title, I expected the first story in this collection to be much darker (or at least somewhat dark). Nope, no darkness here. What do have is a very interesting tale of a young man discovering his father’s long held secret. Thoughtful and intriguing, it will grip you and have you reading straight to the end. Unfortunately, it is dated with references to Trump and Covid.

So far an excellent investigation into how the chupacabra phenomena began in Puerto Rico and the beginning of the American mystery.

The Hamford Pigs - “I felt myself grow porkier, more bacon-like, and I felt the hunger rise inside me.” A demented, yet strangely hilarious tale of morality, responsibility and duty.

Salvation - a short, strange vegan nightmare?

Mallard’s Maze - I never expected to learn so many bizarre insights in regards to the mating habits of ducks. Not sure if I’m intrigued or disturbed.

The Moon in Her Eyes - a wolf becomes involved in a family’s domestic violence problem. An unlikely bond firms between an old, blind wolf and a young girl with a fairly predictable but satisfying outcome.