It is spooky season. Ghosts, goblins, and even the scariest thing of all - politicians! At least this is an off year so we can just enjoy the holiday with a little less speeches and yard signs.
Unfortunately, that big red specter of commercial doom insists one dominating everything for months. Some times if you can't beat em, you just have to join them.
So what better way to enjoy both holidays than the latest book from my favorite horror/comedy writer.
Picture that generic hallmark Christmas town - celebrating their annual festival (It is even named Holiday Lake). We have all seen this movie so many times (or at least the constant ads for romantic holiday comedies that seem to flood the airwaves. Now just add an army of fishmen attacking the unsuspecting towns folk, and we have a truly festive holiday!
Earl Frost (the perfect name) happens to hate Christmas (and he has good reason to). Of course that attitude doesn't make him popular in a town centered around Yule time. When he finds a couple of buddies willing to hang out with him if he only puts on robe and works towards the end of the world - well what is the harm in a few beers with friendly cultists?
Earl Frost (the perfect name) happens to hate Christmas (and he has good reason to). Of course that attitude doesn't make him popular in a town centered around Yule time. When he finds a couple of buddies willing to hang out with him if he only puts on robe and works towards the end of the world - well what is the harm in a few beers with friendly cultists?
Of course hijinks ensue. But not everything is bad, at least it gives Earl a chance to talk to Holly, who he has longed for, well as long as he can remember. But what is with all the grandma's buying ammunition?
Not for the faint of heart, as there is plenty of blood and guts, and a lot of the red upon the ground is not for the holiday celebration. Is Earl going to save the holiday he hates, become the hero of the town, and get the girl? Or just become more chum in the streets for the rampaging fishmen. And how does Bucky and his doomsday cult trying to bring back the sleeping Cthulhu and the end of the world have to do with it all?
The balance between the monsters eviscerating helpless townsfolk, the budding romance and the humor of what is a frighteningly ridiculous situation is balanced perfectly.
One of my favorite bits is a great running joke that truly only works in print. It takes a spark of genius to hit something that perfectly. (As an aside, I know the person that this is based off of (ok, making fun of) and plan to give him a hard time about from now on). If you are at all curious as to how a book like this comes about, then definitely read the book sausage at the end for all the meaty details.
This is also one of the most cinematic of all the authors works - it was almost like watching a "B" movie late Saturday night - though much better written.
While I love continuing series, it is also nice to get an occasional one-shot with entirely new characters and situations as a way to cleanse your reading palate.
The book is actually released on November 10, 2025 on Amazon and other places, you can also get it directly from the author, or if you can't wait, join her patreon (where I got it early).
Because it is all fun and games . . .
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