The Grass Monkey and Other Dark Tales

by Scott Langrel

Welcome to Shallow Springs, Virginia. It's not a nice place to visit, and an even worse place to live. Evil dwells in the mountains and lakes surrounding the town. Creatures more ancient than the Appalachian Mountains themselves lurk in the shadows and prey on the unsuspecting.

Consisting of three short stories and a novella, The Grass Monkey and Other Dark Tales takes the reader on a terrifying tour of Shallow Springs:

A family moves to the Springs from the city, only to discover that their new, peaceful surroundings are nothing but a deception...

A telephone lineman, out in a bitter winter storm, must fight demons--both his own, and the ones stalking him in the snowy woods...

A group of loggers set out to harass a tree-hugging environmentalist and instead find an ancient horror...

A paranormal "handler" returns home to Shallow Springs to help a woman who is being stalked by a creature as intelligent as it is evil...

Welcome to Shallow Springs. Sit back. Stay a while. But you might want to be on your way before the sun sets.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal, Short Stories, Anthologies, Supernatural, Fiction

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2012

About the author

I was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, a town nestled in the mountains of Appalachia. Which, by the way, is pronounced "apple-atcha", not "a-puh-lay-shua". My favorite TV shows as a kid were "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" and "Night Gallery" with Rod Serling. I was also drawn to books with larger-than-life heroes such as Doc Savage and Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane. I was (and still am) a big X-files fan, along with Lost, Supernatural, and The Walking Dead.
I prefer horror and thrillers where there is a real, supernatural villain as opposed to psychological horror, and I try to incorporate such characters into my stories.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. On its surface, it's a series of four modern haint stories linked by place, and it works very well on that level. Langrel's access to Appalachian language and daily life allows him to create strong characters, and it's really those characters--and not the haints--that carry these stories. Each works on its own, but read together, a larger theme becomes apparent. These stories are also about masculinity in a particular place and time. The stories are ordered in such a way that they create a larger story arc; one of loss, despair, and recovery. The first story, Grass Monkey, is a particularly lovely and intimate look at masculinity, rurality, and fatherhood. The women in these stories, when they are even present, don't come off so well... but this is, in part, a book about men who are loosing or who have lost their women, and so that's to be expected. Of course, fans of paranormal literature are going to read this much differently than I did. If you're reading it for the boogie men... well, they are there, too.

(Disclaimer: I knew the author when we were teenagers. But not well enough to have to pretend I liked his book if I didn't, or to be obligated to read it by friendship. So, there you go.)

[Andy Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short stories, they are creepy and build the tension nicely throughout.
The fourth story is novella in length and therefore is the most involved. It introduces Finn McCoy, a paranormal handler, who is the main character that also appears in the follow-up novel.
I like this authors style and find it a very easy read.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories set in the FInn McCoy world. Explore some of the backgrounds that have been touched on in the Finn McCoy series. The novella featuring the famed paranormal investigator was actually a lot of fun, and I feel that this is a good jumping on for those who have not read any of the full-length adventures.

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found these stories fun, scary but fun. I'm not sure if , on my next visit to the mountains, if I will stick out on my own in the late afternoon.
The stories all happen around one mountain and all have to same outcome. Someone dies or disappears forever.
Still well written and interesting.

[Nyarlathotep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start

I read this book to get an intro into the Finn McCoy world and this author's writing. Both are fantastic. I love Mr. Langrel's style & pacing. All the stories in this anthology are superb. They really grab you and won't let you go until you finish them.

The setting, Shallow Springs, seems like a place you'd find yourself in only if you took a few very unfortunate wrong turns. Reminds me of Derry, Maine, and other chilling towns.

Again, it's a fantastic read. I can't wait to see what else Finn will have to face.

[Linda Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

As all his books are excellent this book is too. The short stories were awesome, but about half the book was excerpts from two of his books and I have already read those, so I skipped them making the book a very fast read. It is still a good book. I love all his books.

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of stories.

This was a collection of short horror/supernatural stories that were nicely written. Not overly gory but gory enough. Several featured recurring character Finn McCoy, a man with "gifts" that allow him to sense things most people can't. His profession - handler. He handles paranormal problems. Overall, this was a satisfying read.

[Alan Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appalachian Horror

Combine that setting with that genre and Scott Langrel has turned out some masterpieces. With the stories somewhat connected and revolving around the fictitious town of Shallow Springs, there are some real chillers in the bunch.

I ok forward to reading more of this author’s work, especially the adventures of Finn McCoy.

[karen laflamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last book

I read this one last, should have been the first one I read in the Finn MacCoy series, all of these books kept me reading, couldn't put it down, just bought another with wolf Donavan, who was in these series. Can't wait to start it, it is called the blight

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when an author can bring out a story in language. This story speaks volumes, like the author truly knew, experienced the things they wrote. I also love when a collection of short stories are all linked in one way or another. Very well written, creative and unique and of course haunting.

[Michelle Lynn Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling Stories

These stories were some of the best I have ever read. Each one more chilling than the last. I love how all the stories connect to one town. I'm pretty sure these stories will stay with me for awhile. If you love chilling stories, then this is the book for you.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short stories

I love short stories because I can read them and then go to sleep. With this set of short stories, I didn’t sleep so well! They were worth it. Keep them and Finn McCoy coming!

[Monte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good stories, well told.

Even if you've never heard of Finn McCoy, it's a good read. The short stories are well though out and well told. I quite enjoyed it.

[Diane Arcand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got goosebumps.

Reminded me of stories told around the campfire. Creepy yet lots of fun. A good read but not before bed.

[Coreen Marroquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Entertaining

Good old-fashioned ghostly, demonic, and scary stories -- fun and very entertaining. Most definitely worth the read. Sit back and enjoy!!

[Debra Barstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of short horror stories some better than others but all connected in one way or another.

[Djrmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful atmospheric setups, interesting characters, promising stories. They all lack the tightness necessary to short form horror, however. There's some great writing ahead from this writer, I suspect.

[Corrie Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Langrel has a way of transforming language into an incredible vision within the reader's mind. The Grass Monkey, specifically, is undoubtedly one of my favorite short stories to date! This work is a must read!

[Beverly Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, I liked it

Found this on my Kindle. Normally read the top sellers. Liked the guy's picture on the cover and decided to try it. I'm hooked. Can't second guess how it will end.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of horror stories! I will definitely be recommending The Grass Monkey and Other Dark Tales by Scott Langrel to friends and look forward to reading more from this author. I really enjoyed The Otter King and will to read more Finn McCoy novels.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the novella and short stories. I plan to read more from this author

I would recommend to those who enjoy paranormal thrillers. It was a great way, through short stories, to experience this writer.

[edithe walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was pretty good

Although I think I have read some grass monkey story that was a bit more detailed. I read so much I can't keep up with the writers anymore. If you like short stories y p u will love this book

[Jana Mae]

Liked it.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fin McCoy paranormal series prequel and short stories.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories that surface from Shallow Springs are creepy and magnificent in their ultimate design. You know every story will end in creepy disaster and it lends so much fun to the stories.
I happily looked on as creepy trees adopted malformed faces of real people and creepy grass dolls keep away creepy monsters that scream in the night.

I’m being a bit excessive but I want to get my point across. This is a cleverly blended collection of experiences all based around one toxically haunted area, and I was all about it.