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Mr. Macabre: A Short Story
It was in the thick of this final rush that a femme fatale with dark lipstick and a tall pointed hat presented herself at the counter, with two or three of those rubbish bestsellers that are always clogging the charts in Irish bookshops. We exchanged the usual small-talk as I silently judged her awful taste in literature; then I, looking distractedly into the till as I counted out her change, asked:
‘Would you like a bag for all that?’
To which she replied:
‘I’m going to replace you with a changeling.’
Simon Macabre narrates the events of an autumn long ago, when his life was temporarily destroyed by a mysterious woman.
Roughly 7,000 words.
‘Would you like a bag for all that?’
To which she replied:
‘I’m going to replace you with a changeling.’
Simon Macabre narrates the events of an autumn long ago, when his life was temporarily destroyed by a mysterious woman.
Roughly 7,000 words.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
933 people want to read
About the author
Eric Jason Casey
3 books22 followersEric Jason Casey is an Irish writer from Dublin City. He feels odd writing about himself in third person, but has it on the best authority that there is no other way to write his author bio.
He writes fantasy, fairy tales, poetry, and book reviews. His greatest literary influence is Charles Dickens. If he had to recommend one story (that he didn't write) it would be The Pickwick Papers. Eric loves The Hobbit and hates The Lord of the Rings.
Be sure to have a look at his work, and let him know what you think. He's always working on something new, so follow him for updates.
He writes fantasy, fairy tales, poetry, and book reviews. His greatest literary influence is Charles Dickens. If he had to recommend one story (that he didn't write) it would be The Pickwick Papers. Eric loves The Hobbit and hates The Lord of the Rings.
Be sure to have a look at his work, and let him know what you think. He's always working on something new, so follow him for updates.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 16, 2025
A fun surprise
I was expecting a completely different book. I’ve actually been sitting on this one for a while after I won it on Goodreads. I think I played telephone in my own head telling myself that this was a collection of short stories in a novel. I opened it up realized it was a short story 24 pages! 😆
And there I was ready to get scared and freaked out and upset by a scary story, turned out to be a funny action packed comedy. It actually feels like reading a YouTube comedy sketch with goodish production.
So while it wasn’t what I expected, I still had a great time. Had I known what I was in for I would’ve read it much sooner.
I was expecting a completely different book. I’ve actually been sitting on this one for a while after I won it on Goodreads. I think I played telephone in my own head telling myself that this was a collection of short stories in a novel. I opened it up realized it was a short story 24 pages! 😆
And there I was ready to get scared and freaked out and upset by a scary story, turned out to be a funny action packed comedy. It actually feels like reading a YouTube comedy sketch with goodish production.
So while it wasn’t what I expected, I still had a great time. Had I known what I was in for I would’ve read it much sooner.
March 23, 2025
I won a free copy of this story in a giveaway!
I have to say that I really did enjoy this short story. It was a very quick and easy read, but I didn't want to put it down once I started. I was able to read the whole thing during my break at work, so it's a REALLY short read. That did not make it less enjoyable at all, however. In fact, I think the shortness of it was good for the story that was being told. I also very much enjoyed the author's writing style, as I found it sarcastic and easy to read, which is exactly how I like a lot of narratives to be in light-hearted stories
Though I share a lot of different views than the main character (Eoin was really relatable lol), I found myself really enjoying Simon. His views aren't pushed at all, but they definitely play a part in the story. I did enjoy his personality (I read it as a pretty lackluster kind of personality towards the beginning of the book, which is something I do enjoy. I loved the eccentric way he described the people around him, as all of the side characters seemed to be the ones who brought the color to the story. The changeling and how different in personality to Simon he was was very funny. I would love to see more behind-the-scenes parts including them, or perhaps see more of Simon's view of him as well.
I have to say that I really did enjoy this short story. It was a very quick and easy read, but I didn't want to put it down once I started. I was able to read the whole thing during my break at work, so it's a REALLY short read. That did not make it less enjoyable at all, however. In fact, I think the shortness of it was good for the story that was being told. I also very much enjoyed the author's writing style, as I found it sarcastic and easy to read, which is exactly how I like a lot of narratives to be in light-hearted stories
Though I share a lot of different views than the main character (Eoin was really relatable lol), I found myself really enjoying Simon. His views aren't pushed at all, but they definitely play a part in the story. I did enjoy his personality (I read it as a pretty lackluster kind of personality towards the beginning of the book, which is something I do enjoy. I loved the eccentric way he described the people around him, as all of the side characters seemed to be the ones who brought the color to the story. The changeling and how different in personality to Simon he was was very funny. I would love to see more behind-the-scenes parts including them, or perhaps see more of Simon's view of him as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
I’m not normally a short story fan but enjoyed this one. Simon is a relatable character and the story is quick while still providing details.
At first wanted to give it 4 stars but it would have been because it is a short story and I did not want to say goodbye to Simon and his two lovable co-workers.
At first wanted to give it 4 stars but it would have been because it is a short story and I did not want to say goodbye to Simon and his two lovable co-workers.
May 7, 2025
This was a Goodreads Giveaway book and I just couldn’t get into it. The writing style consists of long sentences requiring multiple commas. It became monotonous very quickly. There was a redundancy of description which didn’t actually enhance the character building or storyline. This felt like a rough draft and not a final edit.
August 12, 2025
I found this story reminiscent of the 80s TV show Tales from the Darkside. A little creepy, but in a funny (darkly humourous) way. It is super short so it can be read in one sitting, and would be a fun read around Halloween. Thanks to Goodreads and the author for the chance to read!
June 5, 2024
When I was in college, I went through a dark and depressing period of time. Between a mountain of exams and assignments that I had left to the last minute, as well as various personal struggles, hardly a day went by where I felt like things would actually be ok.
Usually, after a long day of reading, writing and lamenting, I would turn to one of three shows to lift my spirits. Those shows were: "Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku", " Hitori Bocchi" and "Recovery of an MMO Junkie." The three shows don't have much in common, except for the fact that they are all nice and wholesome, which was just what I needed to get through that unpleasant stage in life.
Mr. Macabre is as different from those shows as they are from each other. Maybe more so. It's not particularly wholesome. But it shares one characteristic with the previously mentioned titles: it's the kind of story you can turn to in dark times for a good laugh. Just like those wholesome shows I used to watch on repeat, I know that I'll be able to read Mr. Macabre again and again to lift my spirits without growing tired of it.
Without giving anything away about the story, I'll tell you what you can expect:
1) The characters are incredibly vivid and distinct. Writers sit alone in dark rooms, pulling their hair out and chewing the ends of their pencils into pulp while agonizing over how to give their characters as much life and personality as Mr. Casey has given his.
2) You won't be able to stop laughing. The situation the main character, Simon, finds himself in is almost as ridiculous as his response to the situation. And it doesn't disappoint for a second.
Mr. Macabre is the kind of story most readers would like to see as part of a larger story. I highly recommend reading it.
Usually, after a long day of reading, writing and lamenting, I would turn to one of three shows to lift my spirits. Those shows were: "Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku", " Hitori Bocchi" and "Recovery of an MMO Junkie." The three shows don't have much in common, except for the fact that they are all nice and wholesome, which was just what I needed to get through that unpleasant stage in life.
Mr. Macabre is as different from those shows as they are from each other. Maybe more so. It's not particularly wholesome. But it shares one characteristic with the previously mentioned titles: it's the kind of story you can turn to in dark times for a good laugh. Just like those wholesome shows I used to watch on repeat, I know that I'll be able to read Mr. Macabre again and again to lift my spirits without growing tired of it.
Without giving anything away about the story, I'll tell you what you can expect:
1) The characters are incredibly vivid and distinct. Writers sit alone in dark rooms, pulling their hair out and chewing the ends of their pencils into pulp while agonizing over how to give their characters as much life and personality as Mr. Casey has given his.
2) You won't be able to stop laughing. The situation the main character, Simon, finds himself in is almost as ridiculous as his response to the situation. And it doesn't disappoint for a second.
Mr. Macabre is the kind of story most readers would like to see as part of a larger story. I highly recommend reading it.
November 25, 2023
The imaginings of this author show that even the most mundane of lives can be interrupted by the abstract and whimsical to make us wonder if there is more to it than the mere trudgery of earning a living. If presented with such interruption, do we embrace the unknown or simply return to where we came from and continue as before. Thought provoking...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews