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Two Minutes with the Devil
It’s the summer of 86, and school is out in the little Gulf Coast town of Harbor Bluff. Maximum Overdrive is at the cinema, Rampage is all the rage at the arcade, and the only rule from parents is to be home in time for supper. Things couldn’t be simpler or better . . . until kids begin disappearing while playing a children’s game called Two Minutes with the Devil.
This is a story that revolves around a group of friends whose lives go from bikes, treehouses, and first crushes to coming face to face with an unimaginable horror.
One part Stand by Me, one part Stranger Things, Two Minutes with the Devil is one helluva fun-yet-heartbreaking thriller, a throwback to when things were good . . . and evil.
“Matt Micheli continues to stake his claim in the horror genre with his latest book, Two Minutes with the Devil. This gripping coming-of-age tale set in the 1980s has all the chills and thrills you could ask for! Equal parts horror and heart, it could very well stand its ground next to classics like King’s It and McCammon’s Boy’s Life.”
Ronald Kelly, author of Fear and The Essential Sick Stuff
This is a story that revolves around a group of friends whose lives go from bikes, treehouses, and first crushes to coming face to face with an unimaginable horror.
One part Stand by Me, one part Stranger Things, Two Minutes with the Devil is one helluva fun-yet-heartbreaking thriller, a throwback to when things were good . . . and evil.
“Matt Micheli continues to stake his claim in the horror genre with his latest book, Two Minutes with the Devil. This gripping coming-of-age tale set in the 1980s has all the chills and thrills you could ask for! Equal parts horror and heart, it could very well stand its ground next to classics like King’s It and McCammon’s Boy’s Life.”
Ronald Kelly, author of Fear and The Essential Sick Stuff
98 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2023
17 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Matt Micheli
21 books115 followersMatt Micheli is an award-winning horror and dark-fiction author out of New Braunfels, TX. He has several fiction and non-fiction pieces featured in various magazines and anthologies and is a multi-contributor to This is Horror, Horror Sleaze Trash, and Horror Tree. A widower (he lost his wife to Cancer) and a loving father to a daughter and husky dogs, he spends his days dabbling in domestication and his nights in Tequila, always searching for the next great story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 27, 2024
As a late Gen X-er who spent the first twelve years of my life (that is, all of the 1980s and then some) on the Gulf Coast, I felt all of the nostalgia while reading this book. Of course, I also recognized the racism and the homophobia and the "don't share drinks with others or you're gonna get AIDS and die" mentality. I lived on the Florida Panhandle and not in Texas, but I'm pretty sure that the two places are interchangeable in a lot of ways.
Nostalgia (and bigotry) aside, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. Well, perhaps "enjoyable" isn't exactly the right word because it's dark and heartbreaking and a dog dies (sob), but it was certainly suspenseful and riveting. I did feel as if there were a few places where some further editing would have been helpful, especially in the first couple of chapters, but the issues weren't overly distracting.
My one real complaint is that the ending was very abrupt. One minute the townsfolk were searching for the missing children, and the next moment the story was just over … kind of. I mean, I guess it's what I should expect from a novella but I would have loved a bit more of a detailed lead-up to the reveal.
But still, this was a decently scary horror story and I look forward to reading the potential sequel. 3.7 stars, rounded up.
Nostalgia (and bigotry) aside, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. Well, perhaps "enjoyable" isn't exactly the right word because it's dark and heartbreaking and a dog dies (sob), but it was certainly suspenseful and riveting. I did feel as if there were a few places where some further editing would have been helpful, especially in the first couple of chapters, but the issues weren't overly distracting.
My one real complaint is that the ending was very abrupt. One minute the townsfolk were searching for the missing children, and the next moment the story was just over … kind of. I mean, I guess it's what I should expect from a novella but I would have loved a bit more of a detailed lead-up to the reveal.
But still, this was a decently scary horror story and I look forward to reading the potential sequel. 3.7 stars, rounded up.
May 27, 2023
I'm sitting here with my jaw dropped. The only word that comes to mind right now is "wow." So please excuse me if this review ends up looking like a bunch of random words strung together in an attempt to somehow appear as rational thought.
First things first, Two Minutes with the Devil is Matt Micheli's latest novella which will be available on Amazon June 2. Within its pages we get to meet a ragtag crew of kids enjoying their summer break in Harbor Bluff, a small town on the Gulf Coast. Oh, another important point, this story takes place in 1986. I'm loving books that take place in the 80s so much right now! The kids in this town have been playing a game that's all the rage, Two Minutes with the Devil. Meanwhile, kids have been disappearing around town. Max and his friends are determined to find out what's been happening to the missing kids.
Here's where I need to stop with the story recap and tell you how great Micheli is with character development. I haven't read a story of his yet where I'm not fully pulled into the story by the characters! The kids in this story reminded me of all my favorite coming of age friendship stories from the 80s. Kids out all day on their bikes, playing in the arcade, making suicide mixes at the soda fountains! It brought back fun memories.
But this book wasn't all fun! It was intense at times. Missing children, gore, and harm to animals are trigger warnings for those who it might affect, shared in the spirit of fair warning. With that said, this is beyond question my favorite release from Matt Micheli yet! I can't wait to read what's next! I'm giving Two Minutes with the Devil all the stars! All of them! Five just aren't enough, but sadly that's all I'm allotted to give on GoodReads.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I'm so happy to say these thoughts are completely my own and I can't wait to send my money away for a signed copy as soon as one's available because I loved this book that much! Happy reading, friends!
First things first, Two Minutes with the Devil is Matt Micheli's latest novella which will be available on Amazon June 2. Within its pages we get to meet a ragtag crew of kids enjoying their summer break in Harbor Bluff, a small town on the Gulf Coast. Oh, another important point, this story takes place in 1986. I'm loving books that take place in the 80s so much right now! The kids in this town have been playing a game that's all the rage, Two Minutes with the Devil. Meanwhile, kids have been disappearing around town. Max and his friends are determined to find out what's been happening to the missing kids.
Here's where I need to stop with the story recap and tell you how great Micheli is with character development. I haven't read a story of his yet where I'm not fully pulled into the story by the characters! The kids in this story reminded me of all my favorite coming of age friendship stories from the 80s. Kids out all day on their bikes, playing in the arcade, making suicide mixes at the soda fountains! It brought back fun memories.
But this book wasn't all fun! It was intense at times. Missing children, gore, and harm to animals are trigger warnings for those who it might affect, shared in the spirit of fair warning. With that said, this is beyond question my favorite release from Matt Micheli yet! I can't wait to read what's next! I'm giving Two Minutes with the Devil all the stars! All of them! Five just aren't enough, but sadly that's all I'm allotted to give on GoodReads.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I'm so happy to say these thoughts are completely my own and I can't wait to send my money away for a signed copy as soon as one's available because I loved this book that much! Happy reading, friends!
June 24, 2023
Full review at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/the...
1986.
I miss the eighties. When I was growing up. When I was discovering things. When I had no idea how the world actually worked.
So what happened in ’86?
A lot of cool shit, that’s what!
Kenny Loggings took us to the danger zone, where fighter jets could fly upside down and you could give the enemy the finger, scaring them away.
Ferris took a day off to help his best friend discover himself, William Dafoe got shot to shit in ‘Nam, Queen contemplated mortality while men fought with swords until they summoned lightning, Jeff Goldblum gave his best performance when he became an insect, Kim Basinger shot to fame for showing some boobs and ass, an Australian made fun of an American knife, three actors misused the word “infamous” to the most hilarious of consequences, Stephen King had an ATM call him an asshole in the movie he directed, Daniel-son made a return, Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines gave a guy grief for not practicing safe sex, and Madonna was in a movie with a Penn.
Eddie Murphy was on the music charts, the movie soundtracks were all over the charts, Falco shot for classical music…kind of, there were bands with names like Scritti Politti and Nu Shooz, Robert Palmer admitted his addictions, Lionel Richie could literally flip the room and we started doing the Walk of Life.
To say this book made me nostalgic might not be a stretch.
It is a coming of age story and it is written well – I think most horror lovers will find something they like about it.
However, the ending…
I love cliffhangers and I love open endings, most of the time. But this time I wanted some kind of conclusion. I am pretty sure there is a follow up coming on this, but until I can see the final battle, I can’t give this one the five stars it probably deserves.
So, pending the continuation, I will rate this 4 stars.
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/the...
1986.
I miss the eighties. When I was growing up. When I was discovering things. When I had no idea how the world actually worked.
So what happened in ’86?
A lot of cool shit, that’s what!
Kenny Loggings took us to the danger zone, where fighter jets could fly upside down and you could give the enemy the finger, scaring them away.
Ferris took a day off to help his best friend discover himself, William Dafoe got shot to shit in ‘Nam, Queen contemplated mortality while men fought with swords until they summoned lightning, Jeff Goldblum gave his best performance when he became an insect, Kim Basinger shot to fame for showing some boobs and ass, an Australian made fun of an American knife, three actors misused the word “infamous” to the most hilarious of consequences, Stephen King had an ATM call him an asshole in the movie he directed, Daniel-son made a return, Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines gave a guy grief for not practicing safe sex, and Madonna was in a movie with a Penn.
Eddie Murphy was on the music charts, the movie soundtracks were all over the charts, Falco shot for classical music…kind of, there were bands with names like Scritti Politti and Nu Shooz, Robert Palmer admitted his addictions, Lionel Richie could literally flip the room and we started doing the Walk of Life.
To say this book made me nostalgic might not be a stretch.
It is a coming of age story and it is written well – I think most horror lovers will find something they like about it.
However, the ending…
I love cliffhangers and I love open endings, most of the time. But this time I wanted some kind of conclusion. I am pretty sure there is a follow up coming on this, but until I can see the final battle, I can’t give this one the five stars it probably deserves.
So, pending the continuation, I will rate this 4 stars.
May 24, 2023
Matt Micheli is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I love his style of writing, and how different each book is, but this one has got to be my most favourite of his, so far.
I’m a sucker for folk horror, but coming-of-age horror based in the 80’s probably just tops it.
Max and his friends, Fred, Michael and Michael’s huge white German Shepherd Hercules, spend their days riding their bikes around the small town of Harbor Bluff, just off the Gulf Coast, or in their old treehouse.
Kids have started to go missing from the small town, and Max feels that, just like ‘The Goonies’, it’s up to he and his friends to try to find them...
This is a great little story, which takes me right back to the 80’s, where kids used to make their own fun, before social media, and cell phones took over...highly recommended.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Matt Micheli, Book Sirens, and D&T Publishing for sending me the ARC, in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
I’m a sucker for folk horror, but coming-of-age horror based in the 80’s probably just tops it.
Max and his friends, Fred, Michael and Michael’s huge white German Shepherd Hercules, spend their days riding their bikes around the small town of Harbor Bluff, just off the Gulf Coast, or in their old treehouse.
Kids have started to go missing from the small town, and Max feels that, just like ‘The Goonies’, it’s up to he and his friends to try to find them...
This is a great little story, which takes me right back to the 80’s, where kids used to make their own fun, before social media, and cell phones took over...highly recommended.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Matt Micheli, Book Sirens, and D&T Publishing for sending me the ARC, in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
May 21, 2023
If I were going to base my star rating on nostalgia alone it would still get 5 stars. As an 80's child the movies, music and fashion mentioned definitely brought me back to my childhood.
As for the story, well it took me over completely and led me into a world with characters you can't help but connect with. This is a horror story that will consume you until you turn the last page. I would reccomend it for adults who don't like too much gore and even older teens.
As for the story, well it took me over completely and led me into a world with characters you can't help but connect with. This is a horror story that will consume you until you turn the last page. I would reccomend it for adults who don't like too much gore and even older teens.
June 15, 2023
There are no words to describe the myriad of emotions that I currently feel, having just finished Two Minutes with the Devil. Matt Micheli has made me laugh, filled me with nostalgia and made me cry, all within 100 pages.
In the vein of Bloody Mary and Candyman, the book centres on the kids of the small coastal Southern town of Harbor Bluff, who whisper about spending Two Minutes with the Devil in the dark. If you open your eyes, the Devil will eat your bones. But it's just a game... Until it isn't. Kids start disappearing. Local boy Max wants to round up his friends Fred and Michael to search for the missing kids. But things are about to get a whole lot worse.
I sat down to read this, a quick, short one to kill some time, and I never expected to become so emotionally invested. I'm in awe of Micheli's raw talent. Having already read some of his work, I knew he was a solid writer, but Two Minutes with the Devil has just elevated him to a whole other level in my view. An amazing, fast-paced read with well rounded and likeable characters that you will want to invest in, and a gut-punch that will leave you distraught, if you haven't picked this one up yet, now is the time to do it. You won't regret it. Matt Micheli is one to watch for sure!
In the vein of Bloody Mary and Candyman, the book centres on the kids of the small coastal Southern town of Harbor Bluff, who whisper about spending Two Minutes with the Devil in the dark. If you open your eyes, the Devil will eat your bones. But it's just a game... Until it isn't. Kids start disappearing. Local boy Max wants to round up his friends Fred and Michael to search for the missing kids. But things are about to get a whole lot worse.
I sat down to read this, a quick, short one to kill some time, and I never expected to become so emotionally invested. I'm in awe of Micheli's raw talent. Having already read some of his work, I knew he was a solid writer, but Two Minutes with the Devil has just elevated him to a whole other level in my view. An amazing, fast-paced read with well rounded and likeable characters that you will want to invest in, and a gut-punch that will leave you distraught, if you haven't picked this one up yet, now is the time to do it. You won't regret it. Matt Micheli is one to watch for sure!
June 16, 2023
3.5
Fun, quick summer read. A very abbreviated blend of It and The Goonies. I was going to round up to 4 for the summer in the 80's nostalgia factor, but rounded down because I found the end abrupt and unsatisfying.
Fun, quick summer read. A very abbreviated blend of It and The Goonies. I was going to round up to 4 for the summer in the 80's nostalgia factor, but rounded down because I found the end abrupt and unsatisfying.
July 2, 2023
4,5*
Keeping it short, this was the first time I was reading Matt Micheli and I have already added all his other works to my list.
This is an example of a well executed idea in novella length. Packed with tension, fear, twists and guts.
This is the story of a small town where the quiet streets become the playground for evil that comes and takes their children.
A great summer horror story about the sweet and awkward feelings that come with growing up mixed together with a greater evil that creeps in when you least expect it.
Perfect for: fans of It by Stephen King and The Black Phone by Joe Hill.
Keeping it short, this was the first time I was reading Matt Micheli and I have already added all his other works to my list.
This is an example of a well executed idea in novella length. Packed with tension, fear, twists and guts.
This is the story of a small town where the quiet streets become the playground for evil that comes and takes their children.
A great summer horror story about the sweet and awkward feelings that come with growing up mixed together with a greater evil that creeps in when you least expect it.
Perfect for: fans of It by Stephen King and The Black Phone by Joe Hill.
June 18, 2023
Two Minutes with the Devil follows a group of friends in the 80s. Bike rides, treehouses, girly magazines and sipping on Mountain Dew. Life is good! I loved stepping back in time with this book. The references Micheli sprinkles throughout the story brought back childhood memories of my own. Such a great time!
I enjoyed so much about this book. The setting and the characters were great. It doesn’t take long to get attached to all the kids in this book. You feel their bond throughout the story and their struggles as well. The author’s mention of this being a mash up of Stand by Me and Strangers Things is pretty accurate. Kids are disappearing and Max feels it’s up to them to find out what is happening. Are kids really missing from playing a game or is there more going on? What they find is far worse than they imagined.
This was a fun read that carries a creepy vibe but isn’t overly gory. It’s thrilling, keeps a good pace and has characters that you won’t forget.
"It's easy. Just keep your eyes closed. If you don't see the Devil, he won't eat you."
I enjoyed so much about this book. The setting and the characters were great. It doesn’t take long to get attached to all the kids in this book. You feel their bond throughout the story and their struggles as well. The author’s mention of this being a mash up of Stand by Me and Strangers Things is pretty accurate. Kids are disappearing and Max feels it’s up to them to find out what is happening. Are kids really missing from playing a game or is there more going on? What they find is far worse than they imagined.
This was a fun read that carries a creepy vibe but isn’t overly gory. It’s thrilling, keeps a good pace and has characters that you won’t forget.
"It's easy. Just keep your eyes closed. If you don't see the Devil, he won't eat you."
May 20, 2023
When I first read Author Matt Micheli's mention of his upcoming newest title, immediately I thought, "No, I DON'T want to spend 2 minutes with the devil!" If only the characters in this story had listened.....something is very badly wrong all of a sudden in tiny little, unassuming, Gulf Coast Harbor Bluff, Texas. Here's a town small enough that despite its class levels, despite newcomers, it's still in a sense one big family; and one of the problems with that is that when a family is big enough, has enough children, some of those children get overlooked. Some get to go their own way. Some, without supervision, get into trouble. Then suddenly, some don't come home. Some disappear, almost into thin air. Some are overlooked, because they lack the native Southern accent. But when enough go missing, people have to notice.
This story tore me apart. I'm not sorry I read it; it's very well done and I do love Coming-of-Age. Mr. Micheli has an exceptional talent for delineating youngsters, small ones, elementary-age, middle-school, as if he has X-ray vision. But the outcome is painful, and I balanced between whether Supernatural evil or Human Evil is worse. Maybe that explains my decades of Horror Consumption: I'm still trying to decide.
Caution: fatalities. Children. Animal. Politics. Some (mostly offstage) Homophobia. Viewpoint of growing boys.
This story tore me apart. I'm not sorry I read it; it's very well done and I do love Coming-of-Age. Mr. Micheli has an exceptional talent for delineating youngsters, small ones, elementary-age, middle-school, as if he has X-ray vision. But the outcome is painful, and I balanced between whether Supernatural evil or Human Evil is worse. Maybe that explains my decades of Horror Consumption: I'm still trying to decide.
Caution: fatalities. Children. Animal. Politics. Some (mostly offstage) Homophobia. Viewpoint of growing boys.
June 5, 2023
Absolutely loved this and I really didn’t want it to end.
It’s bursting at the seams with nostalgia, beautiful descriptive writing, characters you would die for (Michael and Max! I loved them), and an overwhelming sense of dread. My usual night walks will be a little different from now on.
Such a short story, but written well enough that it’s not lacking in tension or explanation, and it draws on our collective childhood “devil games”. I was suddenly 10 playing Bloody Mary, a part of the gang.
I hope to see a Part 2, and I will definitely be reading more from this writer.
If you’re deciding whether this is a read for you, think Stranger Things mixed with IT, in novella format.
EDIT: I had to add a highlighted passage that I just loved.
The bottom of Michael's shorts were wet, and his shoes were probably ruined; he'd be slopping around in wet socks and shoes the rest of the day, but he didn't care. Michael didn't think twice about jumping in and saving his new friend's hat. That's just who he was: brave, generous, and loyal to his friends.
❤️
It’s bursting at the seams with nostalgia, beautiful descriptive writing, characters you would die for (Michael and Max! I loved them), and an overwhelming sense of dread. My usual night walks will be a little different from now on.
Such a short story, but written well enough that it’s not lacking in tension or explanation, and it draws on our collective childhood “devil games”. I was suddenly 10 playing Bloody Mary, a part of the gang.
I hope to see a Part 2, and I will definitely be reading more from this writer.
If you’re deciding whether this is a read for you, think Stranger Things mixed with IT, in novella format.
EDIT: I had to add a highlighted passage that I just loved.
The bottom of Michael's shorts were wet, and his shoes were probably ruined; he'd be slopping around in wet socks and shoes the rest of the day, but he didn't care. Michael didn't think twice about jumping in and saving his new friend's hat. That's just who he was: brave, generous, and loyal to his friends.
❤️
May 31, 2023
Full reviews at https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...
Matt is an instant buy author for me after reading his short story (novella?) THE WHITE. So when he was asked if I wanted to check this one out, I tried to be professional but it ended up being a “fuck yeah”.
Kids are missing and no one knows why. Is it the devil? Is it a serial killer? Max, Fred, Michael, Alice, and Phillip become a part of the evil happenings in the town whether they want to or not.
Matt did it again. He made me a part of this universe with his writing and I was not prepared for the journey. Also, can I talk about something. I don’t give two shits about animals in books. Normally, they are used as a manipulation device and guess what, this bitch can’t be manipulated… until this story. While I didn’t cry, I did say out loud, “you dickbag”. That’s what Micheli does, he makes you forget you are in a story and just watching the events.
I don’t like it one bit. I like it lots of bits, the dickbag. Playing on nostalgia from the 80s, urban legends, and monsters that are not always made up, he has a winner with this one. Fast paced, edge of your seat suspense, and twist after twist makes this a HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/5.
Matt is an instant buy author for me after reading his short story (novella?) THE WHITE. So when he was asked if I wanted to check this one out, I tried to be professional but it ended up being a “fuck yeah”.
Kids are missing and no one knows why. Is it the devil? Is it a serial killer? Max, Fred, Michael, Alice, and Phillip become a part of the evil happenings in the town whether they want to or not.
Matt did it again. He made me a part of this universe with his writing and I was not prepared for the journey. Also, can I talk about something. I don’t give two shits about animals in books. Normally, they are used as a manipulation device and guess what, this bitch can’t be manipulated… until this story. While I didn’t cry, I did say out loud, “you dickbag”. That’s what Micheli does, he makes you forget you are in a story and just watching the events.
I don’t like it one bit. I like it lots of bits, the dickbag. Playing on nostalgia from the 80s, urban legends, and monsters that are not always made up, he has a winner with this one. Fast paced, edge of your seat suspense, and twist after twist makes this a HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/5.
August 24, 2024
I loved it! I didn’t want it to end. It was such a fun read. I was a 90s kid so I definitely was able to picture and relate to a lot of the scenery and stuff. Made it feel pretty real to me. Pretty creepy story. Kids start to go missing, nobody knows what to think or do, and a group of kids set out to find out the truth. I couldn’t stop reading! Well done :)
June 26, 2023
While i enjoyed this novella i felt like it was missing a little something. It is by no means a bad book but up until the last three chapters i wasn't fully engaged in it. I was getting vibes from "IT" and Joe Hill's "the black phone" (for some odd reason). I would recommend this book but before this one i would say go for the full novel of JP WILLIE "blood in the woods" first. 4/5 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2023
Two Minutes with the Devil follows a motley group of young boys that must work together to figure out why local kids are going missing. The author must have channeled the breakfast club for the characters because you’ll find your stereotypical friend group personalities: the nerd, the rich kid, the hero, the pretty girl, and so on. However, the character development is phenomenal and the author does do an excellent job of painting a nostalgic picture of the past, with references to a Casio calculator, E.T., and how people viewed AIDS during the Raegan administration. This book gave me Summer of 84 vibes (the movie), and fans of Stephen King's It and The Goonies movie will thoroughly enjoy this book.
I want to thank book sirens and the author for this advance copy!
I want to thank book sirens and the author for this advance copy!
May 19, 2023
I just got finished with my ARC of Two Minutes with the Devil by Matt Micheli. 5/5 stars. I freaking love this novella, know I can't use the other f word or Im afraid FB will censor me, and y'all have to see this review. This one got me in the mood for summer and craving all the retellings of the spooky urban legends we have down here in the South! Again, 5/5 stars! It gave me Stranger Things meets Stephen King vibes. I'll probably end up reading it several more times because I feel like I'd pick up something different each time I read it. The characters are so relatable, as yours always are, but I can literally imagine myself sitting in the treehouse with the boys, chugging from the Mt. Dew.
***Review provided in exchange for a free ARC***
***Review provided in exchange for a free ARC***
June 2, 2023
"Because the Devil only eats your bones if you open your eyes,” Michael said. “Everybody knows that."
In a world of Huffy's and Mongooses, treehouses and Mountain Dew, a group of young boys in their own Goonies-inspired way, try to figure out the reason behind the missing kids in their neighborhood. What they uncover is a deadly game called Two Minutes with the Devil. Could this be the cause of all the missing kids? Or is it something even more sinister?
We all know I'm a fan of Matt Micheli's work (specifically The White-i will not stop recommending that one) So when he asked me if I'd be interested in checking out a story set in the 80's about a dark children's game, of course I said yes.
This story hits all the nostalgia points, kids on bikes hanging out in treehouses drinking Mountain Dew and looking at nudie magazines with not a care in the world except to be home before dark. Or so they think.
If you like Stranger Things, Stephen King, 80's nostalgia vibes or creepy games then this one's for you. It comes out tomorrow 6/2 but is available for preorder.
In a world of Huffy's and Mongooses, treehouses and Mountain Dew, a group of young boys in their own Goonies-inspired way, try to figure out the reason behind the missing kids in their neighborhood. What they uncover is a deadly game called Two Minutes with the Devil. Could this be the cause of all the missing kids? Or is it something even more sinister?
We all know I'm a fan of Matt Micheli's work (specifically The White-i will not stop recommending that one) So when he asked me if I'd be interested in checking out a story set in the 80's about a dark children's game, of course I said yes.
This story hits all the nostalgia points, kids on bikes hanging out in treehouses drinking Mountain Dew and looking at nudie magazines with not a care in the world except to be home before dark. Or so they think.
If you like Stranger Things, Stephen King, 80's nostalgia vibes or creepy games then this one's for you. It comes out tomorrow 6/2 but is available for preorder.
May 27, 2023
Matt Micheli captures the feeling of a Stephen King horror thriller in this newest novellaOne of my favorite things about Matt Micheli is his ability to fully render his characters and put me deep within their emotional mindset. This story is no different and I loved it!
This story follows the a childhood game that although invented, feels familiar and all the more terrifying. Matt Micheli weaves together multiple plots (with similar skill as he did in Scratched) and the result is a creepy and haunting coming of age adventure. I know for a fact this story is going to stay with me as have all of his books!
Two Minutes with the Devil is the latest and I personally think greatest by Matt Micheli. Check this out and you won't be disappointed!
September 6, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot, it's a fantastic set-up for a larger story, and given that a continuation was teased at the end of this novella, I really hope we get it. There's a lot of potential here, and I'd really love to see that realized!
August 21, 2023
Great nostalgic coming of age story. A creepy spooky tale following a group of kids trying to find the truth about recent disappearances. Anyone wanna play Two Minutes with the Devil?
April 19, 2024
I have had this book on my TBR for almost a year now and finally got around to reading it.
I LOVED it! This was so good. Very creepy premise and the author did a great job building up a sense of dread and anxiety.
But my favorite part of the book was how real the kids felt, how relatable, how grief was handled. I honestly cried at the end of this one. It really hit me hard.
I LOVED it! This was so good. Very creepy premise and the author did a great job building up a sense of dread and anxiety.
But my favorite part of the book was how real the kids felt, how relatable, how grief was handled. I honestly cried at the end of this one. It really hit me hard.
June 25, 2023
Great idea, but it really needs to be fleshed out more….
The beginning felt drawn out compared to the rushed last third of the story. There was no ending….the reader is left with a cliffhanger (or not? I’m not sure as we really never get a solid explanation if this is a person or supernatural predator).
What I would love to see is more detail and sections of the boys “hunting” for whatever is taking the town kids. They get ready to go out, but a traumatic event curtails them. This should spur them on, but instead the book is quickly wrapped up with the police supposedly finding all the evidence and a perp. The surviving teens are just glossed over until the mystery is “solved” and they attend the funerals.
There’s definitely momentum in this story, but it’d really benefit from the author adding more to the second half and giving a solid ending (or at least a more fulfilling close that could segue into a second entry in a series).
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy.
The beginning felt drawn out compared to the rushed last third of the story. There was no ending….the reader is left with a cliffhanger (or not? I’m not sure as we really never get a solid explanation if this is a person or supernatural predator).
What I would love to see is more detail and sections of the boys “hunting” for whatever is taking the town kids. They get ready to go out, but a traumatic event curtails them. This should spur them on, but instead the book is quickly wrapped up with the police supposedly finding all the evidence and a perp. The surviving teens are just glossed over until the mystery is “solved” and they attend the funerals.
There’s definitely momentum in this story, but it’d really benefit from the author adding more to the second half and giving a solid ending (or at least a more fulfilling close that could segue into a second entry in a series).
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy.
May 21, 2023
Two Minutes with the Devil is a nostalgic throwback to 80s coming of age horror. The authors captures the lifestyle and atmosphere of the 80s perfectly, and it was very easy for me to identify with the characters.
The story follows a group of roughly 12 year olds. When missing children cases start building in their sleepy small town, they feel that they must band together and do something about it. But, it may be too little too late.
The book revolves around a "Bloody Mary" type game, Two Minutes with the Devil, a plot that works perfectly with the group of pre-teens. This story was a fun read that harkens back to all the child-centered horror movies we all know and love from the 80s.
The story follows multiple POVs, so its hard to nail down a specific main character. The majority of the story follows friends Fred, Max, and Michael as they go about their normal daily shenanigans around town during the summer. They keep coming up on missing flyers of a younger girl Tiffany, then days later another boy, Jesse. We get the impression that crime is nearly nonexistent in their small town, so the news of the two missing children sends shockwaves through the town, in both adults and kids… and those two cases are just the beginning.
We get a great cast of characters in this story. Fred is the braggy, spoiled rich kid. Max is the brainy honor roll kid. Michael is the ever faithful friend that seems to tie them all together, and even brings along a loyal dog, Hercules, and his first love interest, Alice. We even get a new kid in town, Phillip.
The kids are a bit stereotyped, but completely loveable in that same way. There is no doubt the writer was heavily influenced by 80s horror books and movies, if not influenced from living through those times as a kid himself. Overall, it was a great, fun read; not too heavy, not too light. It's the perfect in-between read for horror fans of the coming of age genre.
The only complaint I have is the jumping of POVs. In some cases, it is warranted and even necessary to progress the plot, but some times it happened within the same chapter, which was a little jarring as to who I was following. Emphasis on only a little jarring. Overall, it wasn't a big deal once I noticed it would be a reoccurring thing and was ready for it.
This is very easily a 4 star read for what it is. Sure, it can be compared to many other books that follow pre-teen or teenager horror plots, but there's a reason those stories are so popular and endearing. Two Minutes with the Devil fits well within that genre. Not the best, but definitely not the worst. It holds its own among more traditionally published works of the same vein, and anyone that love those types of stories is sure to love this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story follows a group of roughly 12 year olds. When missing children cases start building in their sleepy small town, they feel that they must band together and do something about it. But, it may be too little too late.
The book revolves around a "Bloody Mary" type game, Two Minutes with the Devil, a plot that works perfectly with the group of pre-teens. This story was a fun read that harkens back to all the child-centered horror movies we all know and love from the 80s.
The story follows multiple POVs, so its hard to nail down a specific main character. The majority of the story follows friends Fred, Max, and Michael as they go about their normal daily shenanigans around town during the summer. They keep coming up on missing flyers of a younger girl Tiffany, then days later another boy, Jesse. We get the impression that crime is nearly nonexistent in their small town, so the news of the two missing children sends shockwaves through the town, in both adults and kids… and those two cases are just the beginning.
We get a great cast of characters in this story. Fred is the braggy, spoiled rich kid. Max is the brainy honor roll kid. Michael is the ever faithful friend that seems to tie them all together, and even brings along a loyal dog, Hercules, and his first love interest, Alice. We even get a new kid in town, Phillip.
The kids are a bit stereotyped, but completely loveable in that same way. There is no doubt the writer was heavily influenced by 80s horror books and movies, if not influenced from living through those times as a kid himself. Overall, it was a great, fun read; not too heavy, not too light. It's the perfect in-between read for horror fans of the coming of age genre.
The only complaint I have is the jumping of POVs. In some cases, it is warranted and even necessary to progress the plot, but some times it happened within the same chapter, which was a little jarring as to who I was following. Emphasis on only a little jarring. Overall, it wasn't a big deal once I noticed it would be a reoccurring thing and was ready for it.
This is very easily a 4 star read for what it is. Sure, it can be compared to many other books that follow pre-teen or teenager horror plots, but there's a reason those stories are so popular and endearing. Two Minutes with the Devil fits well within that genre. Not the best, but definitely not the worst. It holds its own among more traditionally published works of the same vein, and anyone that love those types of stories is sure to love this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 2, 2024
One day, trio of best friends, Fred, Max and Michael meet up and see a couple putting up flyers for their missing little girl. Max is unable to get the girl out of his mind, but tries telling himself maybe she just ran away - but later, Michael says maybe she didn't - maybe the Devil got her. This Devil from a game the kids are playing, called Two Minutes with the Devil.
They all head to their hangout spot at the treehouse and move on with their day, eventually joined by more friends, Phillip and Alice.
Later that night, Phillip's dad comes to Max's house to ask if they saw him, telling them he never came home. He also tells them his bike is still at the treehouse, but he's not. Over the coming days, more kids go missing and the town imposes a curfew.
Max eventually decides they have to try to find the missing kids, so he gathers supplies and meets up with Fred. They go to get Michael next, but are told he's not home. On their way to check the treehouse, they find his bike in the ditch, along with his Husky, Hercules, torn apart. The two friends know instantly Michael has been taken.
Who took Michael? A flesh and blood, human monster - or the Devil himself?
-------------------
This ended up being way different than I originally thought, because I figured the entire premise would be the three friends playing this game, and I thought we'd get to hear all kinds of details about exactly how to play the game, the legend behind it, basically all kinds of details we were actually never given. I was bummed about that because even though it makes it seem like the whole point of the book, the game itself is really only mentioned once or twice with no details at all.
It was a quick, fun, easy read but I was left wanting so much more. I hope there will be a follow up!
They all head to their hangout spot at the treehouse and move on with their day, eventually joined by more friends, Phillip and Alice.
Later that night, Phillip's dad comes to Max's house to ask if they saw him, telling them he never came home. He also tells them his bike is still at the treehouse, but he's not. Over the coming days, more kids go missing and the town imposes a curfew.
Max eventually decides they have to try to find the missing kids, so he gathers supplies and meets up with Fred. They go to get Michael next, but are told he's not home. On their way to check the treehouse, they find his bike in the ditch, along with his Husky, Hercules, torn apart. The two friends know instantly Michael has been taken.
Who took Michael? A flesh and blood, human monster - or the Devil himself?
-------------------
This ended up being way different than I originally thought, because I figured the entire premise would be the three friends playing this game, and I thought we'd get to hear all kinds of details about exactly how to play the game, the legend behind it, basically all kinds of details we were actually never given. I was bummed about that because even though it makes it seem like the whole point of the book, the game itself is really only mentioned once or twice with no details at all.
It was a quick, fun, easy read but I was left wanting so much more. I hope there will be a follow up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
This book has arcades, Swatch watches, Jordache jeans, treehouses, hair band references, and cruising through the neighborhood on your Huffy (or Mongoose- if you were lucky) in a suspenseful, engaging, and fast-paced story. As someone who grew up in the 80s, I really loved Two Minutes With the Devil. It is an original and well executed classic 1980s small-town horror story. The author loaded this book full of nostalgia that will take you straight back to the summer of 1986. The story follows the path of a group of young boys who set out to help solve the mysterious disappearances of some other children in town and in the process they run straight into evil. If you are a fan of Stranger Things or Stand by Me you should not miss this book!
June 22, 2024
A story about three preteen boys and their days of summer when everything changed. One by one, kids go missing without cause or leads. Is the culprit of this world, or the Devil of their childhood game?
This was the perfect nostalgic summer horror novella. The author sure was able to fit a rich setting (I could taste the marine humidity) and lovable, Goonie-adjacent characters. The unsettling ending was jarring, and left room for a possible sequel, which I very much hope happens.
This was the perfect nostalgic summer horror novella. The author sure was able to fit a rich setting (I could taste the marine humidity) and lovable, Goonie-adjacent characters. The unsettling ending was jarring, and left room for a possible sequel, which I very much hope happens.
June 9, 2023
I had really high hopes for this book going into it. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a fan of some of the events that transpired, and I wasn’t fan of the ending.
The 80’s nostalgia part was so great, but not great enough to make me rate this book any higher. However, I am looking forward to reading Scratched by this author.
The 80’s nostalgia part was so great, but not great enough to make me rate this book any higher. However, I am looking forward to reading Scratched by this author.
June 12, 2023
This is a great coming of age novella. Matt Micheli writes characters that remind you of friends from your childhood. The atmosphere of the story is creepy. The kids in town play a game called Two Minutes With The Devil, and some of the kids start disappearing is the game responsible? If you're in the mood for a coming of age novella with a creepy story check this one out.
May 20, 2023
This needs to be a full length novel! Highly enjoyable and creepy. Hopefully this is only the start. The characters are well written. The descriptions and settings so well formed that I did not question for a second that this was set in the 80s. Very much Stephen King tone but with it's own unique voice. If this remains a short novella then the ending could do with a little tightening . In particular with the sheriff. But I saw this more as a prologue leading into a world of horror that has only just begun. Would love to read more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 26, 2023
Do you love -80’s nostalgia, horror, fast paced books that leave your jaw on the floor? You will love this! I read this in one sitting because I could not put it down.
It was a really fast paced, excellent read that took me on a thrill ride. There were just enough details to have you hooked into a game like no other!
I need more now because I feel like this story isn’t over.
It was a really fast paced, excellent read that took me on a thrill ride. There were just enough details to have you hooked into a game like no other!
I need more now because I feel like this story isn’t over.
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