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Blink
Meet dentist Brian Mallory. He's always considered himself a grounded man. A rational man. A reasonable man. But what he finds in the mouth of nineteen year old Amy Gladwell one afternoon during a routine cleaning makes him begin to question his own sanity. It's amazing how quickly everything can change in the blink of an eye. From the author of the Pandora's Children collection of short stories, the novellas Dogs of War and King of the Merge, and the short story Last Dance of a Black Widow, comes Blink, a chilling, 3,500 word short story about a simple day gone horribly wrong.
13 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2011
About the author
Bradley Convissar
30 books105 followersI am a dentist by day, a writer of dark fiction at night, and a father, husband, and not-so-proud pet owner when time permits.
I am the author of several dozen short stories, four novellas, and will be releasing my first novel, Blood, Smoke and Ashes, a supernatural thriller, in early 2013.
I was born in Georgia, but moved to southern New Jersey before I could be forced to be an Atlanta Braves fan. I spent my formative years living outside of Philadelphia where I latched on to the Philly sports teams and was promptly disappointed for almost twenty years. I spent my college years in New Orleans where I learned his bachelor's degree in evolutionary biology at Tulane University, then relocated to lovely Newark New Jersey, where I earned his DMD.
After eight years of bouncing around, I finally settled down back in south Jersey, only miles from the house I grew up in. I am happily married and the proud father of two children. I am also "dad' to a diabetic, half-blind eight-year-old daschund named Friday who is little more than a lump on the couch most of the time.
When not filling cavities or performing root canals or extracting teeth or fabricating dentures, or writing, I spend my time playing with my kids, playing video games, reading comic books, reading non-illustrated books, and impotently rooting on my beloved Philadelphia Phillies and less than beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
My favorite authors are, but not limited to, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and Jeffery Deaver. I like to think that I learned something of the art of writing from each of these authors.
To this day, I wonder how the TV show LOST got so bad, so quickly. The wasted potential of the first three seasons still haunts me.
I am the author of several dozen short stories, four novellas, and will be releasing my first novel, Blood, Smoke and Ashes, a supernatural thriller, in early 2013.
I was born in Georgia, but moved to southern New Jersey before I could be forced to be an Atlanta Braves fan. I spent my formative years living outside of Philadelphia where I latched on to the Philly sports teams and was promptly disappointed for almost twenty years. I spent my college years in New Orleans where I learned his bachelor's degree in evolutionary biology at Tulane University, then relocated to lovely Newark New Jersey, where I earned his DMD.
After eight years of bouncing around, I finally settled down back in south Jersey, only miles from the house I grew up in. I am happily married and the proud father of two children. I am also "dad' to a diabetic, half-blind eight-year-old daschund named Friday who is little more than a lump on the couch most of the time.
When not filling cavities or performing root canals or extracting teeth or fabricating dentures, or writing, I spend my time playing with my kids, playing video games, reading comic books, reading non-illustrated books, and impotently rooting on my beloved Philadelphia Phillies and less than beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
My favorite authors are, but not limited to, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and Jeffery Deaver. I like to think that I learned something of the art of writing from each of these authors.
To this day, I wonder how the TV show LOST got so bad, so quickly. The wasted potential of the first three seasons still haunts me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 22, 2020
Creepy AF!
I LOVED this! Seriously, I read a lot of short stories, and this one was the very best in a while. It was disturbing without being too in scary, and was very well written and crafted.
I highly recommend it for my fellow short horror fans!
I LOVED this! Seriously, I read a lot of short stories, and this one was the very best in a while. It was disturbing without being too in scary, and was very well written and crafted.
I highly recommend it for my fellow short horror fans!
June 12, 2024
Intriguing
The story was too short, in my opinion. I want to know so much more. I would enjoy a full novel with the events that lead up to this and what happened going forward. For a short story, the main character had a lot of depth. Four stars for a short story that is interesting enough on its own but also leaves me wanting more.
The story was too short, in my opinion. I want to know so much more. I would enjoy a full novel with the events that lead up to this and what happened going forward. For a short story, the main character had a lot of depth. Four stars for a short story that is interesting enough on its own but also leaves me wanting more.
November 26, 2011
This was the first thing I read on my new Kindle. I had gone prowling through the free downloads, clicking on everything that looked interesting, and the giant eye caught my, um, eye. I also co-authored a screenplay once titled "Blink" so the name stuck out for me.
This is a fast read. I finished it in about half an hour and set it down feeling unsettled and curious -- exactly the response you want for a horror story.
Overall, the best part of "Blink" is the suggestion of a world beyond the confines of the page. The best short stories leave a lot lurking around the edge of the story, so the reader has lots to think about later, and this definitely succeeds. It's also refreshing to see "old-school" unsettling horror in a world pretty obsessed with splatterpunk and vampires.
Unfortunately, the story runs a bit long. It would have been excellent as a flash fiction piece. As it stands, it runs about three times as long as it needs to, and you don't get much from the extra details. The story also could have greatly benefited from a copy-editor, as I think most self-published stories could: It had its fair share of typos and mis-placed punctuation that could have easily been fixed by a once-over.
The story is definitely worth the few minutes it takes to read it, if you've already downloaded it. I was curious enough afterward to find the author online and follow his blog. I've definitely not written him off yet, and would read more of his fiction in the future...but I doubt I'd run out and recommend "Blink" to everyone I know.
This is a fast read. I finished it in about half an hour and set it down feeling unsettled and curious -- exactly the response you want for a horror story.
Overall, the best part of "Blink" is the suggestion of a world beyond the confines of the page. The best short stories leave a lot lurking around the edge of the story, so the reader has lots to think about later, and this definitely succeeds. It's also refreshing to see "old-school" unsettling horror in a world pretty obsessed with splatterpunk and vampires.
Unfortunately, the story runs a bit long. It would have been excellent as a flash fiction piece. As it stands, it runs about three times as long as it needs to, and you don't get much from the extra details. The story also could have greatly benefited from a copy-editor, as I think most self-published stories could: It had its fair share of typos and mis-placed punctuation that could have easily been fixed by a once-over.
The story is definitely worth the few minutes it takes to read it, if you've already downloaded it. I was curious enough afterward to find the author online and follow his blog. I've definitely not written him off yet, and would read more of his fiction in the future...but I doubt I'd run out and recommend "Blink" to everyone I know.
November 24, 2011
A short, simple short story. If you are looking for in-your-face gore or violence, don't waste your time. If you don't like horror or sci-fi, don't waste your time. If you enjoy creepy, Twilight Zone-ish stories that make you go hmmmm, and you have ten minutes to spare, go for it.
March 6, 2014
Another very quick read from Bradley Convissar. The twist with this one is intriguing: the author is a dentist in "real life", and the story is about a dentist. Makes me wonder if he came up with this short story while one of his patients was sitting in the examination chair...
October 18, 2015
I hated this book.It was way to short and made no sense at all to me.I was lost from the beginning to the end.Don't read it at all.
December 29, 2017
Just like any other day at the dentist office, or is it. The Dr. finds something unthinkable in the mouth of the most recent check up ... now he wonders if he needs to talk to someone about what he saw.
Short read about a wild day in the dentist office. Makes you think, what next in this crazy world of ours, this might not be so out there.
Short read about a wild day in the dentist office. Makes you think, what next in this crazy world of ours, this might not be so out there.
July 8, 2019
Weird short story.
February 11, 2022
Nah
I like the concept but for a short story takes to long getting the point across of the tale. I skipped to the ending.
I like the concept but for a short story takes to long getting the point across of the tale. I skipped to the ending.
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May 1, 2024Clever Short Horror
I love this story. It is not heavy handed and held my attention the whole time. I am looking at my next dentist appointment with new eyes ;D.
I love this story. It is not heavy handed and held my attention the whole time. I am looking at my next dentist appointment with new eyes ;D.
October 14, 2024
Captivating short story
It is a wholesome scary story that I can share with my niece that's a teenager. Loved and was captivated from the first word to the last.
It is a wholesome scary story that I can share with my niece that's a teenager. Loved and was captivated from the first word to the last.
November 8, 2017
This short story was incredibly dumb, I’m not even sure why I finished it. Maybe I was hoping it would get better. Save yourself, it’s not worth the half hour it takes to read it.
December 8, 2011
I found this flash fiction for free in the Kindle store and it caught my eye based on a few reviews stating how shocking and horrific the big plot twist is. I read the premise and found myself wanting to discover just what these reviewers were talking about. Plus, I had the time to read something only 3,500 words long, and had the money to buy something free—just barely.
But, I gotta say, the big scary reveal that is supposed to freak me out really didn't. As the main character realizes he's seeing something really bizarre in the tongue ring of his female dental patient, he feels disturbed. He examines it a little more closely, and I had an idea of what I thought it most likely was. Then, he finds out exactly what the weird thing in her mouth is, and it ends up being exactly what I figured. Not much of a surprise for me. Had it been something I never saw coming, then I would have been shocked, of course.
So, while this story was very well-written and held my full attention from beginning to end, it just didn't 'wow' me the way I expected it to. Still, it was good. I'm not sure there is a sequel, so don't expect the story to continue elsewhere, even though it seems like it ought to, judging by how it ends. But, read the story and see, when you find out what the tongue ring really is, if it surprises you, or not.
My score: 3.5 stars out of 5. (I liked it.)
But, I gotta say, the big scary reveal that is supposed to freak me out really didn't. As the main character realizes he's seeing something really bizarre in the tongue ring of his female dental patient, he feels disturbed. He examines it a little more closely, and I had an idea of what I thought it most likely was. Then, he finds out exactly what the weird thing in her mouth is, and it ends up being exactly what I figured. Not much of a surprise for me. Had it been something I never saw coming, then I would have been shocked, of course.
So, while this story was very well-written and held my full attention from beginning to end, it just didn't 'wow' me the way I expected it to. Still, it was good. I'm not sure there is a sequel, so don't expect the story to continue elsewhere, even though it seems like it ought to, judging by how it ends. But, read the story and see, when you find out what the tongue ring really is, if it surprises you, or not.
My score: 3.5 stars out of 5. (I liked it.)
December 29, 2012
I picked this up for free via Barnes & Noble for my Nook. When I grabbed it, I didn't realize it was a short story, although the cover pic certainly states it. It was free and it looked kind of creepy, and that worked for me. I loved that it was a short story. We need more short stories. I actually forgot it was on my Nook until standing in a long line at the post office. This was the perfect read for that line.
It was a quick science fiction type story. I liked how the story flowed without really knowing what was going on until the very last bit. Having once worked in a dental office, I liked the idea of a little thriller in that setting. The doc was the perfect pic of dentists I worked with in the past. The ones who work with the young really do develop kind of like a caring uncle thing. They see these kids grow up. Dr. Mallory was like that. He is picking up the slack in the office and filling in for the hygienist when one of his long time patients, Amy comes in. Things go from every day to not so much. I do not want to spoil anything here soooo stop reading now.
Or continue...I kind of wish Amy was completely unaware. I would have liked that better. It was a good story though, and I will definitely look for more from the author.
It was a quick science fiction type story. I liked how the story flowed without really knowing what was going on until the very last bit. Having once worked in a dental office, I liked the idea of a little thriller in that setting. The doc was the perfect pic of dentists I worked with in the past. The ones who work with the young really do develop kind of like a caring uncle thing. They see these kids grow up. Dr. Mallory was like that. He is picking up the slack in the office and filling in for the hygienist when one of his long time patients, Amy comes in. Things go from every day to not so much. I do not want to spoil anything here soooo stop reading now.
Or continue...I kind of wish Amy was completely unaware. I would have liked that better. It was a good story though, and I will definitely look for more from the author.
February 13, 2017
Creepy short story about a local dentist who sees more than he bargained
for during a routine cleaning.
for during a routine cleaning.
October 9, 2019
This story is more science fiction than horror, though it does have a slight creepy factor to it. Brian goes through a routine checkup and cleaning on a patient that he's had since she was a little girl, but this checkup is a bit more strange than routine.
I'm not going to spoil what happened in this short story, but I will say that I wasn't as entertained as I had anticipated after reading the other reviews. It would have helped if there was more information about the science fiction part of the story, but I understand that maybe the author is just trying to catch your attention with this short version and all will be explained in a full-length novel. I just think it was too short, and most of the story focused on his history with the patient and regular dentistry, while only the ending was scifi-related.
I'm not going to spoil what happened in this short story, but I will say that I wasn't as entertained as I had anticipated after reading the other reviews. It would have helped if there was more information about the science fiction part of the story, but I understand that maybe the author is just trying to catch your attention with this short version and all will be explained in a full-length novel. I just think it was too short, and most of the story focused on his history with the patient and regular dentistry, while only the ending was scifi-related.
May 14, 2014
I thought it was a good, short read. I got this e-book for free from amazon.com. I don't think I can't get into any details without giving things away due to the length of the story. However, I think I can say it does a good job of showing what goes on in a dentist's head as he is peering into someone's mouth or waiting on the next appointment. It helps that the author is a dentist in real life. Also, I think someone mentioned it already but it does have a "Twilight Zone" feel. It does not have a clear ending but gives something for the reader to think about. On that note, if you have a little time to spare, I would just give this short story a try. It is still free from last I checked.
May 23, 2012
This was a very well-told and imaginative short story. The author does a fine job of ballancing his proffessional knowledge of the protagonist's dentistry skills with the actual amount of information the reader cares to hear about, leaving the prose informed without becoming mechanical or boring. The ending is great, building to a chilling stop and leaving the reader wondering what the future holds for Dr. Brian. My only real complaint is that I found the story's dialog forced and unconvincing at times. Definitely worth a read.
December 15, 2014
What the heck. I just started enjoying this and poof it's over! This was a really good short story. Super short story. As soon as I found myself hooked into it it ended. I think this could have been extended into a longer story but it was really good for what it was.
This story made me want to do two things. One- possibly floss more and two- I kind of want my tongue ring back. HA!
I enjoyed how Convissar explained the seemingly irrational fear the dentist had. For me it was quick, to the point, and enjoyable.
This story made me want to do two things. One- possibly floss more and two- I kind of want my tongue ring back. HA!
I enjoyed how Convissar explained the seemingly irrational fear the dentist had. For me it was quick, to the point, and enjoyable.
November 17, 2011
This was a short, and quite good little story. I didn't really know what to expect. I saw it for free download on amazon for my kindle and I took advantage of that. Read it in about an hour and I was a little sleepy while I read it until I got about 75% through it. I won't spoil it for anyone but I sat straight up in my chair and was very intent on finished after that. If you have the chance to get this I say go for it. You won't be disappointed.
November 22, 2011
I had expected a demon or vampire story, thinking that it would be amusing if one of those creatures would actually go to a dentist and then fang out on his poor white-coated unsuspecting ass.
It wasn't what I was expecting at all. Not all piercings are what they appear to be. A short horror tale which had me remembering the shadowy fate of Ambassador Londo Mollari from Centauri Prime (Babylon 5 television series) and which was reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein's "The Puppet Masters."
It wasn't what I was expecting at all. Not all piercings are what they appear to be. A short horror tale which had me remembering the shadowy fate of Ambassador Londo Mollari from Centauri Prime (Babylon 5 television series) and which was reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein's "The Puppet Masters."
January 20, 2013
This didn't turn out at all like I was expecting!!! How interesting, I really liked it - the dentist was great. I liked reading the dental terms for the magnifying glasses that dentists wear, I found that interesting. :) Now I want to know what that thing was, and if it was trying to take over the world... all I can say is, I hope there's a longer version in the future.
April 16, 2013
BLINK was a quick creepy story. This is the 2nd short story I have read by this author and I must say I like his style.
In Blink a dentist does a routine check-up/cleaning on a patient. As he is doing his work inside her mouth something strange happens......
I reccomend this to readers that like short spooky stories!
In Blink a dentist does a routine check-up/cleaning on a patient. As he is doing his work inside her mouth something strange happens......
I reccomend this to readers that like short spooky stories!
June 1, 2012
Eh. Glad it was free. I don't think it was terrible, but really the story just got interesting as it ended. The tongue ring is using the young adults as hosts? Okay fine. Now expand on that! That is the best part of the story idea here. Too bad the story ended before it went into it.
July 29, 2016
Probably my favorite BC short story. This thing was just downright creepy, yet cool at the same time. I have read several short stories of his and this one also seemed "most realistic"(yep, I said it!) and flowed the best.
November 27, 2011
I'm surprised I liked it. It was a really entertaining short story that had me WTF-ing for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure readers shared the same thoughts as the dentist which really amuses me :)
November 28, 2011
This short story will leave you wanting more from this author. Perfectly creepy.
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December 2, 2011I thought it was rather creepy and I didn't enjoy it that much. Not suggestive or inappropriate, just didn't like it too much.
December 5, 2011
Not a story I would want to read again.
December 1, 2014
I wish I hadn't read this. Creepy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews