Lindsey Goddard writes spooky fiction and dark poetry. Sometimes, she paints things or glues them together and calls it art. She craves fierce honesty, gothic romance, and warm smiles over hot coffee. Her passion for storytelling started as a small child, and at the age of fifteen, her fiction was published in a small-press magazine. Her work has circulated the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres ever since. Discover more at LindseyBethGoddard.com.
Quick Fix is a short collection featuring five chilling stories that thrust the reader into the world of Lindsey Beth Goddard. It all kicks off with "Hair of the Dog", which is my personal favourite. It's a gripping tale about an alcoholic woman and a night drive through the Arizona desert. This beautifully crafted tale offers a warning about dangers both all-too-real and completely unreal. Then we have two monster yarns that create a sense of terror the reader can not only feel but also taste and smell, followed by two tales that are quirkier and more discreet in nature but ultimately as terrifying as the others. This is a delightfully scary collection, although a bit on the short side with only five pieces, and makes for a fine sample of Lindsey's talent and vivid imagination.
Lindsey Beth Goddard has a wonderful gift for storytelling and each short story did not disappoint. This book really is a Quick Fix. One that will surely delight and quench your thirst for darkness.
The title of this book says it all, as this is a collection of five short stories. Each story is roughly ten pages long and varies from science-fiction to supernatural. Most of the stories rely on the fear of the unknown, while one story focuses on the fear of insects and critters. Each story is not only a new setting and fear, but each new story is told through the eyes of a different type of narrator. Goddard demonstrates a wonderful ability changing writing styles to suit the narrator’s age. She also has a knack for writing detailed scenes that will turn readers’ stomachs and leave them cringing. Most of these stories have a science-fiction twist to a regular everyday fear, however each of the endings are there to make the readers’ imaginations wreak further havoc on their nerves. The first story “Hair of the Dog” is the weakest one, in the sense of plot development. Two of the five stories could have used a few more pages to develop the horror. “The Moonlight Swamp Monster” was by far the best story in this book, followed by “Product 9″. This book allows for readers to get to know Goddard’s writing style in a quick and easy read. Fans of books that develop an intangible fear of the unknown, will want to check out this book. Though the book is marketed as a horror book, I didn’t necessarily feel scared while reading this book. I felt grossed out at the disgusting details that hooked me in, but what good terror book isn’t filled with those scents and sights that make your mouth curl and your stomach flip? There is a sulfur-like smell that is described in the swamp monster story that will forever be burned into my brain. ...
Notes: The author provided me a copy of this book to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website. http://www.lindseybethgoddard.com
Being a writer, I appreciate when someone takes a step away from the norm and writes stories that aren't all fluff and that doesn't rely on gore or sex to get the message across. I also appreciate when the writer doesn't try to be like other writers, and tells stories their own way, which is exactly what Lindsey Beth Goddard does.
In Quick Fix, A Taste of Terror, the title tells it all. The stories--all five of them--are short pieces that you can read in one sitting. From a Thinner-esque tale (Hair of the Dog) to a little sci-fi piece (The Lengths) to a touch of fantasy/horror (A Fairy Scary Night), Goddard shows her ability to switch gears, yet maintain her unique voice.
As a reader, I look at the story content and, in this case, the content is solid. The writing style is simple and easy to read. I also asks myself a few questions when I get done with a book. Did I enjoy the read? Did I like what I read? (Yes, they are two different questions) Did the story/book deliver what I thought it would? For me, the answer to all three of those questions is, simply, yes.
My only real gripe about the collection is that, even though it lived up to its name (Quick Fix), a couple of the stories could have been longer, including Product 9, which in my opinion, could be a novel (It was also my favorite in the collection). But that is just my opinion.
If you're looking for a fast read, pick up Quick Fix. The stories are engaging and short enough to hold even the smallest attention span. Sit back with your beverage of choice, prop your feet up and enjoy the read.
Lindsey Beth Goddard's 'Quick Fix: A Taste of Terror' is an amazing collection of dark and chilling tales.
Within pages, you'll find Lindsey's words quickly craft distinct and specific images in your head. She has a real gift for imagery and creating pictures with her words that heighten the already 'Twilight Zone' style of each of the stories. As weird tales go, this is a great standard set by a talented and skilled voice.
If you're looking for creepy chills, 'Quick Fix: A Taste of Terror' will capture your mind's eye with weird candy that you will not regret eating.
Five quick, engaging short stories that blend horror with other genres with surprising grace. You can't go wrong at under 20 cents a piece. You will devour this little book.