A Dish Best Served Cold

by Cornelius Harker, John McMenamin (Illustrator)

"I've done something ... terrible."

In the pre-dawn hours Michael's phone call to his best friend instigates a chain of events that propels them into uncharted avenues of despair.

Detailing the consequences of delving too deeply into the unknown, 'A Dish Best Served Cold' is a supernatural novella that explores the darker side of human nature and the beyond.

Genres: Horror

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2011

About the author

Writing primarily within the fantasy/horror genre, Cornelius Harker explores the darker side of storytelling. Sometimes utilising a more baroque form of narrative in contrast to the modern day approach, Harker writes for readers who enjoy grandiose story arcs and who also possess a penchant for feeling unconditionally scared.

Reviews

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very convoluted story, this is at once a tale of the Supernatural, an onion-layered suspense, and a recollection of human greed, envy, and arrogance. I honestly did not expect any of the various twists and turns, except for one possibility; however, the author rendered my assumption of that wrong as well by providing a much more appalling and terrifying consequence. I read this story straight through in one sitting, caught up as I was in the plotting, setting, and characterization. The author superbly brings forth the aura of suspense, danger, fear, and terror, the otherworldly overtones-which come to rule a major part of the story-and elicits, if not quite empathy for the characters, at minimum comprehension, and the reader’s desire to learn what has happened, and what will occur to put this situation to its final conclusion.

[Jud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

Once again Cornelius Harker delivers. Having previously read (and loved) Words to the Wise and Words To The Wise: Book Two I was excited about getting stuck in to this story from the same author.

The style of this story is completely different to the Words to the Wise series but is equally as brilliant. As I was reading I could feel my heartbeat rising with the anticipation of what was going to happen next. Of course, I never saw the ending coming until it was upon me. A very cleverly written story.

A must read!

[Pearl Barley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Roger gets an anguished phone call in the middle of the night from his close friend in desperate need, he doesn't hesitate to race to his side - the only clue being that something terrible has happened, but he has no idea what horror he is about to witness, nor has he any idea that he is about to take the most fearful journey of his life.

This tale was spooky and suspenseful from the beginning, and the author sucks you in with vividly well-written description that is deliciously unsettling, and each page-turn has your heart racing. As the story unfolds you realise that all is not as it seems, and it is to the author's credit that you're kept guessing throughout until the unexpected conclusion.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rather creepy story is a departure from Cornelius Harker's usual Gothic style. I am familar with (and absolutely adore) his Words to the Wise Saga but this novella is set in the present day. The time scale is short so the tension is wound up tight. We feel the chill and horror of the cellar scene with Roger and take on some of his fear as his friend seems to be falling apart.

The story is recognisably by Cornelius Harker. His use of language is superb.

The ending of this book came as a total surprise to me. I doubt if anyone could guess it though all the elements were in place. A really good read for all fans of supernatual and horror stories.

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dish Best Served Cold is a novella by Cornelius Harker.
Roger is woken by a telephone call in the early hours of the morning by his lifetime friend who is desperate for his help.In the course of the next few very dark hours, Roger does his best to cope with his friend's demands. The Author draws us in with increasing menace. I really shared Roger's breathing difficulties as he became more and more frightened in the basement.
A thoroughly gripping read with the storyline not always taking the course you think it will. A very good, dark, chilling thriller.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writer has a way of creating a sinister atmosphere, so much so you can almost taste the fear on your tongue. Reading this novella was like watching a horror movie and shouting out to the screen, no don't go in the basement. The reader becomes completely enthralled by the scene that has been set, which makes the unexpected twists and turns even more of a surprise. Enjoyable read.

[Desley (Cat fosterer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend needing help in the early hours of the morning. A very intriguing, spooky tale that has a fantastic twist at the end.

This is the first book I have read from Cornelius Harker, and he is very good at drawing you in, then putting in a few twists that you didn’t see coming. I would definitely read more.

[Fiona (Titch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, what a story. I never saw the twists and turns coming in this book. Cornelius Harker is a great author who made a short story turn into something I never wanted to finish reading BUT never wanted to read at bedtime lol.