Island Funeral

by Keith Minnion

"I want to be buried at home. In the family plot. On the mainland."

Promises made. Promises kept. Promises broken...

In this haunting novellette, grieving widower Tim Moser finds that a wedding night vow isn't always easy to keep — especially when his wife's strong-willed father has other ideas. This atmospheric tale of dread explores family secrets and the strange traditions of an isolated community. It's sure to be an instant classic.

"Island Funeral" is a signed Limited Edition color cover chapbook by Cemetery Dance favorite Keith Minnion.

Genres: Horror

39 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Keith Minnion sold his first short story to Asimov's SF Adventure Magazine in 1979. He has sold over two dozen stories, two novelettes, an art book of his best published illustrations, two story collections, and one novel since. Keith was a book designer and illustrator from the early 1990s to the 2010s, and also did extensive graphic design work for the Department of Defense. He is a former schoolteacher, DOD project manager, and officer in the U.S. Navy. He currently lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, pursuing oil and watercolor painting, and sometimes even fiction writing.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah wanted to be buried at home in the family plot on the mainland. On the morning of their honeymoon, Sarah was talking about dying and graveyards. Sarah made Tim promise that he would carry out her wish when the time had come. Sarah and Tim only had four years together. Sarah died from ovarian cancer.Sarah wake was to be held at her grandfather's house in Maine. Tim thought that his wife would be buried on the mainland but grief stricken Arthur had other plans.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novelette by a talented artist. Highly recommended.

[Mike Kazmierczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this chapbook because I had some credit with Cemetery Dance that was about to expire and I had to spend it on something. This story, as well as some ebooks, looked interesting and thus were purchased. And I'm very glad that I did. The story was solid, well-done and interesting. It pulled me in very quickly. The story follows Tim Moser as he completes his wife's wish: to be buried in the family plot. He goes back to her hometown, meeting her family and dealing with a difficult situation. A difficult situation that we immediately feel while reading the chapbook. The mood is set from the very first page and continues the entire time. Minnion does an excellent job of keeping that dread and somber mood going. Even when circumstances change halfway through, that feeling continues. My biggest regret is that the title of the chapbook foreshadows for part of what happens at the end. Not everything but it lets you know where to focus your increasing apprehension. I feel that a different title would have left a larger impact. Either way though, it was a great story. And I look forward to reading Minnion's novel THE BONE WORMS.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A low-key horror story about a man who returns to his late wife's family home to have her buried there. When they were first married, she made him promise she'd be buried on the mainland, rather than on one of the islands, but she never told him why. It's a decent enough story, but I thought it could have had a little more development.

At only 40 pages this chapbook is still rife with the bad typography and editing lapses Cemetery Dance is known for. Certain passages are not differentiated from the main narrative as they should be and are confusing on first read. Phrases are repeated unnecessarily (we are reminded a couple times in as many pages that the wife's grandfather is her only living relative), and I found the author's lack of commas disturbing. A note at the end informs us that the chapbook was created on an iMac; perhaps they should have used a PC. Lovely cover art, though.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this as a chap book via a Cemetry Dance Grab Bag. I must admit I was a bit sceptical, if you have read my reviews before you know I like covers. Well this hardly stood out to me.
After a stressful week I needed something to relax. A short I thought. This was laid within view and as it is only 39 page's long I thought it was ideal.
The book is very easy to read and the plot is not evident from the onset. The main characters have strong personalities which are present throughout. The description throughout the book is pleasing. No gore, no blood but alot of suspense. The twist is at the very end, literally. If you’re looking to test the water in the genre of horror, this book is ideal. A horror, gore and macabre freak? Trust me this is NOT for you.
A nice read never the less, even if it is just for the description and nice twist at the end.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little chapbook dealing with a man who returns to his wife's Maine hometown to put her to rest after she passed away. His wife was always telling him before she passed that she wanted to be buried on the mainland, but never gave a reason why. The story is touching to read, it was well written, and it has a supernatural kick at the end. I enjoyed this story!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant short story. Build up with an adequate resolve. For some reason I was expecting more horror.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and fairly predictable little tale from Keith Minnion. The writing is atmospheric, and strong, I would have liked more from this promising tale.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine novella by Keith Minnion