Fuzzy

by Roni Stinger

Peace, seclusion, wildlife… the provincial park offers that and more.

Acting as park warden, Jamie Mathers needs that peace and seclusion, needs the soothing perfection of the wild. Needs it all so much she’s willing to overlook those bloody bits floating in the hot spring, willing to let visitors sacrifice themselves to the strange and deadly danger.

Covered in blue-green algae, Fuzzy travels with the geothermal water through cracks and fissures, elongating and contracting, thickening and thinning as it seeks out food.
Fuzzy is ravenous and Fuzzy will feast, the only mystery left is who will be next on the menu?

Book 34 in the Rewind-or-Die series: imagine your local movie rental store back in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, remember all those fantastic covers. Remember taking those movies home and watching in awe as the stories unfolded in nasty rainbows of gore, remember the atmosphere and textures. Remember the blood.

Genres: Horror

125 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Roni Stinger lives in the Pacific Northwest, USA with her life partner and two cats. When not writing strange, dark things, she is often wandering the forests, beaches, and streets in search of shiny objects and creative sparks. Her work has been published or is forthcoming from MetaStellar, Dark Matter Magazine, and Unnerving, among others. You can find her at www.stingerstories.com.

Reviews

[DA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Interesting take on a cryptid story. I liked how the author kept adding layers to the main characters. I enjoyed it enough to finish, but I did find it a bit slow.

[Rachael Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but the story packed quite a punch! The main character was drawn so well and really left me wondering for a bit whether I should root for her, which was perfect (I love a good unreliable narrator). Both the setting and creatures were described in such a way I could imagine them very clearly. While trying not to give spoilers, one thing I would've liked to have known a teeny bit more about, was the "why" behind the main side character's actions. But I still had plenty enough information to keep me reading on, eager to find out what would happen next. There are definitely some gorey deaths in this story, too, so for those who don't like that kind of thing, beware. But if you're in the mood for a really creepy creature feature with slow build suspense, this is a book you'll want to read.

[Suz Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Mathers, the warden in charge of a provincial park forest will do whatever it takes to keep using the therapeutic hot springs which relieves her rheumatism symptoms.

I liked that Jamie was a senior citizen. The dynamic between Jamie and Aaron, her crypid obsessed coworker, played out wonderfully. The creatures were creepy, fun and oh so fuzzy.

The Rewind or Die books are a blood-splattered oasis in these turbulent times. I am a huge fan of the series, which invokes the spirit of horror movies watched on videotape.

[Marc Ruvolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super-fun creature feature with plenty of delightful gore and some great plot developments that keep the story moving along. The monsters are quite original, so most of the characters don't even see them coming before they're turned into bloody mush. If you enjoy horror, this is definitely a quick, enjoyable read!

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and strange creature feature to say the least.

The MC was actually really well written with quite a few layers to her.

The story itself was fast paced with minimal fluff since it was a shorter story. It definitely left me wondering what the heck was going on throughout the story.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the Rewind or Die series, and Fuzzy is a great addition. Fast-paced and gory with nods to classic monster narratives and a surprising twist ending, this was such a fun read! Perfect for fans of old school VHS horror:)

[Erick Mertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror How You Like It — Fun & Freaky

Sharp writing, vivid visuals, strong sense of setting. This was a fun read, bringing back memories of well-cribbed paperbacks, passed around VHS tapes, and stories told in the dark.

Bravo.

[Richard Leis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had certain expectations about how the plot and hero's journey might unfold, and I'm happy to say Fuzzy was so much cooler than that!

A park warden deals with annoying teenagers, a sexist sheriff, and a hungry creature in the hot springs. What she chooses to do next kept surprising me.

[Christina Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full reviews at https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...

FUZZY by Roni Stinger

I have never read anything like this and I have to have more!

Jamie is a forest/park ranger who just wants to preserve the hot springs in the park. Aaron is her assistant and resident handyman. When bodies start piling up from the pool inside the cave, more than one secret is at risk of being exposed. 

Guys, guys. Stop reading this and go get it, read it, THEN finish this review. (I know you won’t, you little scamps, but you should). I hate the water to begin with and stories like this just solidify why I refuse to even dip my toes in. It’s an ecological, body, botanical, organic horror. I’m saying all four. And there’s gore and a body count. And secrets. And oh my God. It’s perfect! 

I need more from Roni. I’m about to go on a binge so go pick this one up. A HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND 10/5

[Jendia Gammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A freaky, unnerving, disturbing, and fast-paced book, perfect for spooky season and beyond! Definitely one for cryptid and swamp creature fans!