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The Trick
In his follow-up to Little Lugosi (A Love Story) , Douglas Ford reveals a new trick up his an occult odyssey of weird magic, dark fate, and macabre use of human skin. When Adam attends a magic show, he has no idea that he will leave with something inked into his hand, a tattoo with origins that extend back thousands of years, as well as a destiny in a swamp on the borderland of Vissaria County. Behold the chains of the ink! “The Trick opens with magic and ends with a fever-dream of ritualistic chaos. This is a story so unbridled and visceral, it can only come from the mind of Douglas Ford. Strange and incredibly immersive, it will keep you guessing until the last page.” —Holly Rae Garcia, author of Parachute
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2023
30 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Ford
24 books59 followersDouglas Ford's short fiction has appeared in a variety of anthologies, magazines, and podcasts, as well as two collections, Ape in the Ring and Other Tales of the Macabre and Uncanny and The Infection Party and Other Stories of Dis-Ease. His longer works include The Beasts of Vissaria County, Little Lugosi (A Love Story), and The Trick, his newest from Madness Heart Press. He lives on the west coast of Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 12, 2023
Adam is an unhappily married man who along with his wife attends what is supposed to be a comedy show. Instead what they see is a mediocre magician.
Suddenly Adam finds himself coerced onto the stage for one hell of a grand finale trick and his life will never be the same.
This was my second trip to Vissaria County and I must say it is still not a nice place to visit nor would I want to live there. Reading about it is a different matter entirely and is quite entertaining as long as it can be done from the safety of my cozy recliner, where the weird goings on and supernatural horror can't hurt me. Unfortunately for Adam and those who wish to help him, no such safety is guaranteed. The Trick is a fast-paced journey into the occult.
Suddenly Adam finds himself coerced onto the stage for one hell of a grand finale trick and his life will never be the same.
This was my second trip to Vissaria County and I must say it is still not a nice place to visit nor would I want to live there. Reading about it is a different matter entirely and is quite entertaining as long as it can be done from the safety of my cozy recliner, where the weird goings on and supernatural horror can't hurt me. Unfortunately for Adam and those who wish to help him, no such safety is guaranteed. The Trick is a fast-paced journey into the occult.
May 12, 2024
A wild and weird story that offers up horrific surprises at every turn. Ford is such a fun writer.
December 29, 2023
The Trick is a haunting and intriguing story about an unfortunate character who inherits a rather interesting tattoo after a magic trick "seems" to go awry.
His quest for answers leads him through a nail-biting journey, including "problems with the in-laws" occultism, and man oh man--the origins of that ink! --finally climaxing in the town of Arcanum, an eerie and alluring setting that leaves the reader wanting even more from this mysterious place.
This tale will leave you guessing right up until the very last--utterly shocking word.
I highly recommend this book!
His quest for answers leads him through a nail-biting journey, including "problems with the in-laws" occultism, and man oh man--the origins of that ink! --finally climaxing in the town of Arcanum, an eerie and alluring setting that leaves the reader wanting even more from this mysterious place.
This tale will leave you guessing right up until the very last--utterly shocking word.
I highly recommend this book!
May 14, 2023
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
The Trick by Douglas Ford
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
While attending a night club with his wife, Adam becomes the focus of an amateur magician. After being singled out and taking the stage, he reluctantly agrees to be a volunteer for a magic trick involving tattooed flesh. Little does Adam know his world is going to be turned upside down and inside out…literally.
Douglas Ford pulls back the curtains to reveal immortal and wicked mysteries in his latest book The Trick. Occult traditions and worshipped deities allow multiple levels of unearthly and unholy factors. Depictions of these evil symbolisms, goat-headed figures and End Times are all just a dark black stone’s throw away from a frightening reality.
Ford’s surreal style of writing makes him the modern day Grimm’s fairy tale storyteller. The reason I say this is not only the disturbing plots and the modern day twists, but the classic folklore vibe exuding elements of universal fears and desires.
The Trick by Douglas Ford embodies strange incantations of the heart, mind and spirit. As is above so is below…Douglas Ford brings it all together in a taboo ceremony of fantastical fiction. A five pointed star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
The Trick by Douglas Ford
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
While attending a night club with his wife, Adam becomes the focus of an amateur magician. After being singled out and taking the stage, he reluctantly agrees to be a volunteer for a magic trick involving tattooed flesh. Little does Adam know his world is going to be turned upside down and inside out…literally.
Douglas Ford pulls back the curtains to reveal immortal and wicked mysteries in his latest book The Trick. Occult traditions and worshipped deities allow multiple levels of unearthly and unholy factors. Depictions of these evil symbolisms, goat-headed figures and End Times are all just a dark black stone’s throw away from a frightening reality.
Ford’s surreal style of writing makes him the modern day Grimm’s fairy tale storyteller. The reason I say this is not only the disturbing plots and the modern day twists, but the classic folklore vibe exuding elements of universal fears and desires.
The Trick by Douglas Ford embodies strange incantations of the heart, mind and spirit. As is above so is below…Douglas Ford brings it all together in a taboo ceremony of fantastical fiction. A five pointed star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
May 16, 2023
Would like to preface this with, I’m not good at this whole book review thing… that being said-
The Trick was a wild ride. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this one, and after I did, I had no idea where it would end up. This was a creepy and unsettling story, with a cast of unique characters, and plenty of imagery that will absolutely haunt my nightmares. The things I’ve seen cannot be unseen!
After reading this one, I can honestly say I have never been so thankful to not have a tattoo as I am in this moment.
The Trick was a wild ride. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this one, and after I did, I had no idea where it would end up. This was a creepy and unsettling story, with a cast of unique characters, and plenty of imagery that will absolutely haunt my nightmares. The things I’ve seen cannot be unseen!
After reading this one, I can honestly say I have never been so thankful to not have a tattoo as I am in this moment.
May 6, 2023
Doug Ford has done it again with another creepy tail centered in Vissaria County.
Adam and his wife are out to enjoy a show together, and Adam ends up being the volunteer for a magic trick. The magic trick results in Adam with another person’s skin, including an occult tattoo, on his hand.
Adam rushes to a tattoo shop to see what can be done, but then horrible things start happening around him and he’s seeing shadows.
The only answers for Adam lie within the strange and terrifying Vissaria County. Apprehensively he goes, but it’s going to cost him a lot more than he could have ever imagined.
I loved The Trick. Doug Ford can do no wrong in my opinion, and I can’t wait for more work from him. The Trick will be published next week.
Adam and his wife are out to enjoy a show together, and Adam ends up being the volunteer for a magic trick. The magic trick results in Adam with another person’s skin, including an occult tattoo, on his hand.
Adam rushes to a tattoo shop to see what can be done, but then horrible things start happening around him and he’s seeing shadows.
The only answers for Adam lie within the strange and terrifying Vissaria County. Apprehensively he goes, but it’s going to cost him a lot more than he could have ever imagined.
I loved The Trick. Doug Ford can do no wrong in my opinion, and I can’t wait for more work from him. The Trick will be published next week.
August 1, 2023
The story is a surreal mixture of reality and speculation that will entice you from the beginning to the end. The author did a great job with the storyline that will take you on an offbeat journey into the world of magic, interesting characters, and a creepy tattoo full of despair. I enjoy reading it very much.
May 11, 2023
Brief synopsis: In The Trick, Adam attends a weird magic show with his wife. After being pulled on the stage (which he dreads, like the rest of us introverts), he leaves with a tattoo he didn't have before he arrived. Adam's world is turned upside down as he's drawn into a dark path of mystery and creepy occult rituals!
Yet another spectacular book from Douglas Ford! The master of fresh stories and unique characters. The premise is interesting and the story went in weird directions that I loved. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I had no idea where the story was going, and there were some awesome jaw-droppinf twists.
One thing I particularly love about the Ford books I've read is that he gives you wild and gruesome horror, but it never seems to go too far. It's on the verge in some scenes, and it makes you squirm just enough to get the heebie jeebies but not feel absolutely disgusted. (This is my own personal preference as someone who doesn't read extreme horror).
Another aside is how well-edited this is. Some indie books struggle with typos, grammar, being overwritten, etc, but this book felt professionally edited.
I highly recommend The Trick to fans of edge-of-your seat horror! Especially if you like themes of the occult, liminality, dark underbellies, cool tattoos, and Florida gothics!
Yet another spectacular book from Douglas Ford! The master of fresh stories and unique characters. The premise is interesting and the story went in weird directions that I loved. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I had no idea where the story was going, and there were some awesome jaw-droppinf twists.
One thing I particularly love about the Ford books I've read is that he gives you wild and gruesome horror, but it never seems to go too far. It's on the verge in some scenes, and it makes you squirm just enough to get the heebie jeebies but not feel absolutely disgusted. (This is my own personal preference as someone who doesn't read extreme horror).
Another aside is how well-edited this is. Some indie books struggle with typos, grammar, being overwritten, etc, but this book felt professionally edited.
I highly recommend The Trick to fans of edge-of-your seat horror! Especially if you like themes of the occult, liminality, dark underbellies, cool tattoos, and Florida gothics!
August 25, 2023
About a year ago I put out a review of Little Lugosi by Douglas Ford. So I think it is highly appropriate that I put out a review of The Trick which takes place in the same world as Little Lugosi.
Adam and his wife, Nataliya get a little more than they bargained for while attending a magic show. Nataliya is foreign born and comes from a family steeped in old ways, folk tales and traditions. Adam is a typical hard working laborer who does not believe in all of that mumbo jumbo. After the “magic” happens at the show, he is dumbfounded and has to find a way to take the “magic” off.
This leads them on an adventure to find the person that can undo what was done. They meet some friends along the way and together they venture to face what they have no idea is waiting for them!
I really enjoyed reading this story! Ford has created his own world full of twists and turns and with such vivid imagery that it is very easy to feel like the reader is there watching everything unfold. I cannot wait to read more from this sick and twisted little hamlet of Ford’s mind!
Adam and his wife, Nataliya get a little more than they bargained for while attending a magic show. Nataliya is foreign born and comes from a family steeped in old ways, folk tales and traditions. Adam is a typical hard working laborer who does not believe in all of that mumbo jumbo. After the “magic” happens at the show, he is dumbfounded and has to find a way to take the “magic” off.
This leads them on an adventure to find the person that can undo what was done. They meet some friends along the way and together they venture to face what they have no idea is waiting for them!
I really enjoyed reading this story! Ford has created his own world full of twists and turns and with such vivid imagery that it is very easy to feel like the reader is there watching everything unfold. I cannot wait to read more from this sick and twisted little hamlet of Ford’s mind!
June 11, 2023
I can honestly say, The Trick might have one of the most engaging openings I’ve read in years; by the time I was on page 30, I was cursing when I had to pause my reading and genuinely looked forward to picking it back up at next chance.
In The Trick, Adam attends a magic show only to walk away with the most unusual of souvenirs: a tattoo on his hand, a marking that takes him on a journey all the way to the dark bayous of Florida and beyond. I actually had to check myself at the end of this book, suspecting that Ford may have painted the pages with a high octane hallucinogen, as the climax is such a frightful fever dream.
This is storytelling at its best.
In The Trick, Adam attends a magic show only to walk away with the most unusual of souvenirs: a tattoo on his hand, a marking that takes him on a journey all the way to the dark bayous of Florida and beyond. I actually had to check myself at the end of this book, suspecting that Ford may have painted the pages with a high octane hallucinogen, as the climax is such a frightful fever dream.
This is storytelling at its best.
September 1, 2023
A fast-paced and unsettling read!!
When a magician’s dirty trick transfers a Satanic tattoo onto the reluctant protagonist’s hand, what follows is a wild ride of murder, mayhem, and the macabre. The Trick is a fast-paced and unsettling read that takes the reader on an unholy journey through the seedy underworld of the occult. If you’re looking for something original, terrifying, and bizarre, this is for you!!
When a magician’s dirty trick transfers a Satanic tattoo onto the reluctant protagonist’s hand, what follows is a wild ride of murder, mayhem, and the macabre. The Trick is a fast-paced and unsettling read that takes the reader on an unholy journey through the seedy underworld of the occult. If you’re looking for something original, terrifying, and bizarre, this is for you!!
June 26, 2023
The Trick opens with magic and ends with a fever-dream of ritualistic chaos. This is a story so unbridled and visceral, it can only come from the mind of Douglas Ford. Strange and incredibly immersive, it will keep you guessing until the last page.
October 19, 2025
2.5 rounded up
December 18, 2023
I’d read some of Ford’s short stories before, but this was my first of his novels and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. His story telling is swift without sacrificing wonderfully quirky and amusing detail. The story itself weaves together components of folk and supernatural horror through the use of magic tricks, occult tattoos and an ancient ceremony that reaches a wild crescendo under the flaps of a tent made of human flesh where a goat-headed deity awaits the hapless protagonist. The real trick, though? How Ford brings together all these pieces in his book with the precision of a tattoo artist connecting the lines of a pentagram on the canvass of a human body.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews