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Cauldron Gristle
From the author of "The Missing Boatman" and "The Bear That Fell From The Stars," comes a novella of short horror fiction. Four tales best read at night, during a storm, and all alone in the house.
Eat––A hotdog eating contest where the ultimate prize is life.
Expansion––An alien invasion the way it will really happen.
Ye Old Fishing Hole–– In a remote wilderness, a father attempts to land the biggest catch of them all.
The Hospital––After a zombie holocaust, one man scrounges for supplies in a local city hospital and experiences terror the likes he's never encountered before.
Cauldron Gristle is a horror/dark fiction novella consisting of 4 short stories. Approx. 34k words, or 113 pages.
Eat––A hotdog eating contest where the ultimate prize is life.
Expansion––An alien invasion the way it will really happen.
Ye Old Fishing Hole–– In a remote wilderness, a father attempts to land the biggest catch of them all.
The Hospital––After a zombie holocaust, one man scrounges for supplies in a local city hospital and experiences terror the likes he's never encountered before.
Cauldron Gristle is a horror/dark fiction novella consisting of 4 short stories. Approx. 34k words, or 113 pages.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
113 pages, Nook
First published June 9, 2011
11 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Keith C. Blackmore
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 15, 2012
If you are a Stephen King fan, you will definitely enjoy Cauldron Gristle. The book consists of 4 short stories that brought me back to my childhood; listening to Stephen King books on tape during the long drive out to BC. Keith Blackmore captures the spirit of approachable horror in an entertaining and creative way.
The is an air of whimsy in many of the horror stories, and although I usually stick to zombies, it was nice to take a short break and expand my horror horizons. The reason I stick to zombies is because I usually get annoyed with other genres (purely personal taste). I was thoroughly entertained by Cauldron Gristle, the stories are all well paced, well written, and have that nostalgic horror feel for me.
My personal favourite was the zombie installation (surprised?), but for those of you who are familiar with Mr. Blackmore's work, this is where we meet Gus of Mountain Man. The other stories, a macabre eating contest, alien invasion with hints of environmentalist commentary, and the most horrifying fishing trip ever, are all well worth the read.
The is an air of whimsy in many of the horror stories, and although I usually stick to zombies, it was nice to take a short break and expand my horror horizons. The reason I stick to zombies is because I usually get annoyed with other genres (purely personal taste). I was thoroughly entertained by Cauldron Gristle, the stories are all well paced, well written, and have that nostalgic horror feel for me.
My personal favourite was the zombie installation (surprised?), but for those of you who are familiar with Mr. Blackmore's work, this is where we meet Gus of Mountain Man. The other stories, a macabre eating contest, alien invasion with hints of environmentalist commentary, and the most horrifying fishing trip ever, are all well worth the read.
November 1, 2024
Eat 5/5 fan fricken tastic! And I didn't say frickin.
Expansion 5/5
Ye Old Fishing Hole 5/5
Expansion 5/5
Ye Old Fishing Hole 5/5
January 4, 2015
Four multi-faceted short stories
I have been enjoying Keith Blackmore's other books and was glad I ran across this collection of short stories. A good short story, I believe, is harder to write than a novel. Blackmore, in my opinion, does a great job on both. There aren't too many short stories I will read because I am usually disappointed. It's darn hard to stuff beginning, middle and a good ending into a small amount of words. Blackmore comes through, especially with knock-em-dead endings.
1. EAT - Gluttony is one of the cardinal sins and EAT explores what happens to a group of professional eaters during a private eating contest. Probably my least favorite of the four stories but still a strong story.
2. EXPANSION - What happens in Wolfville, Nova Scotia when an EMP hits and the earth movers move in? Character development/study done well even for a short story as the author explores an TEOTWAWKI scenario.
3. YE OLDE FISHING HOLE - I love fishing and this story brings a whole new light to lake fishing. I loved the concept and the way the author shows the father/son relationship also.
4. THE HOSPITAL - I liked this story the best because I just finished reading "Mountain Man" and "Safari (Mountain Man Book Two)." This short story with Gus Berry and deadly nurse Alice answered questions brought up in MOUNTAIN MAN. Actually, I would recommend reading this story before reading the novels. Loved it just like I loved the books.
I have been enjoying Keith Blackmore's other books and was glad I ran across this collection of short stories. A good short story, I believe, is harder to write than a novel. Blackmore, in my opinion, does a great job on both. There aren't too many short stories I will read because I am usually disappointed. It's darn hard to stuff beginning, middle and a good ending into a small amount of words. Blackmore comes through, especially with knock-em-dead endings.
1. EAT - Gluttony is one of the cardinal sins and EAT explores what happens to a group of professional eaters during a private eating contest. Probably my least favorite of the four stories but still a strong story.
2. EXPANSION - What happens in Wolfville, Nova Scotia when an EMP hits and the earth movers move in? Character development/study done well even for a short story as the author explores an TEOTWAWKI scenario.
3. YE OLDE FISHING HOLE - I love fishing and this story brings a whole new light to lake fishing. I loved the concept and the way the author shows the father/son relationship also.
4. THE HOSPITAL - I liked this story the best because I just finished reading "Mountain Man" and "Safari (Mountain Man Book Two)." This short story with Gus Berry and deadly nurse Alice answered questions brought up in MOUNTAIN MAN. Actually, I would recommend reading this story before reading the novels. Loved it just like I loved the books.
June 4, 2012
This is a very enjoyable collection of four horror tales that will probably scare your pants off! They certainly did mine! Blackmore knows how to craft a well-written tale and his work showcases some of the best uses of the closing lines of a story that I have ever seen.
And if you are a fan of Blackmore’s Mountain Man series, you won’t want to miss the zombie story staring Gus, the MM series’ lead character. That story alone was worth purchasing the book for.
These stories are definitely NOT for the squeamish! And no matter what anyone says, don’t read them at night, during a storm, or when you are alone in the house. Trust me on this. Just don’t. You’ll thank me later….
And if you are a fan of Blackmore’s Mountain Man series, you won’t want to miss the zombie story staring Gus, the MM series’ lead character. That story alone was worth purchasing the book for.
These stories are definitely NOT for the squeamish! And no matter what anyone says, don’t read them at night, during a storm, or when you are alone in the house. Trust me on this. Just don’t. You’ll thank me later….
June 16, 2012
Four short stories. Very good.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews