Dead Cats of Civilization

by Douglas Ford

From the author of The Beasts of Vissaria County and The Infection Party comes a novelette about natural disasters and the unspeakable things they awaken from the ocean’s depths. When a hurricane strikes his hometown, a young man rushes away from his new life so he can help with the recovery effort. He finds his old neighborhood dealing with the storm’s aftermath in some macabre ways, including the construction of a strange totem. Even worse, nothing can prepare him for the twisted horror that awaits him inside the walls of what he once called home.

53 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Douglas Ford's short fiction has appeared in a variety of anthologies, magazines, and podcasts, as well as two collections, Ape in the Ring and Other Tales of the Macabre and Uncanny and The Infection Party and Other Stories of Dis-Ease. His longer works include The Beasts of Vissaria County, Little Lugosi (A Love Story), and The Trick, his newest from Madness Heart Press. He lives on the west coast of Florida.

Reviews

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild and weird short story about the aftermath of a hurricane.
A young man drives for hours to get to his parents home after a storm ravages their neighborhood.

The damage is still being assessed when he arrives so he is happy to see that his parents are among the living. However, they are not as happy to see him as he expected and they don't seem to want his help with repairs. In fact, they are reluctant to even let him in the house at all. I wondered what they were hiding in there but even my wildest guess could not have come close to what's been going on in there.

This is not my usual type of read. I go for the scary over the stomach-churning, but it's a well written story if you can handle it. Be warned, it's pretty gross in their bathroom and it's not just from the flood waters or the stench of fish.

4 out of 5 stars

My thanks to Douglas Ford for the Kindle copy.

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the title of this one, saw the cover and thought oh I’m not sure this is a book for me……….. I was wrong! I picked it up and read straight through I didn’t want to put it down, I really had to know where the story was going, it’s not quite bizarro horror but it is a strange horror short that keeps you glued until the very end! You never know what the hurricane is gonna wash up!

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one! Lots of mystery and strange happenings are going on in an area ravaged by a hurricane. There is much more going on than just storm damage though. The main character comes back to his hometown to assist his parents with the recovery. Simple enough, right? Well, that is until the bathroom scene hits you. I’ll just say it’s unforgettable and leave it at that. The entire book is just strange. Ford provides the perfect amount of mystery to keep your curiosity piqued throughout the entire book and finishes everything with a great ending. If you’re a fan of weird horror, this super quick read should be on your list.

“At that moment a light rain began to fall, starting the dull process of cleansing everything and washing away the gore.”

[Pan | Book Reviews and Recommendations · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear reader, in the terrible year of our lord 2022, Douglas Ford managed to create a phenomenal story of love, leeches and blood (Little Lugosi).

Then, in the first few days of 2023, another terrifying year, he produced a fantastic and terrifically weird collection of horrors 'The Infection Party and other Stories of Dis-Ease'.

Now, before the end of another full spin around the sun, he gave birth to another wonderful oddity of a story, in the form of 'Dead Cats of Civilization'.

This fantastic novelette is about natural disasters and the unspeakable things they awaken from the ocean’s depths.

When a hurricane strikes his hometown, a young man rushes away from his new life to help his parents recover from the disaster.

Instead, what he finds, is his old neighborhood dealing with the storm’s aftermath in some macabre ways, including the construction of a strange totem.

But, nothing can prepare him for the twisted horror that awaits him inside the walls of what he once called home.

And nothing can prepare you dear reader from the dread you'll have to confront within the pages of this story.

I've read a lot of wonderful stories lately but Douglas has managed to produce one of unique horror and infect it with his deliciously fun brand of weirdness.

Imagine this one as if David Cronenberg directed an H.P Lovecraft tale of aquatic terror. It pins you right on your reading spot and never let's you go. Especially some.. ehem.. scenes of errrr.. erotic nature.

Short and sweet and straight to the point horror, that will mess with your head and you'll love every bit of it.

Douglas Ford is definitely an author you have to keep an eye on in 2024.

[Shandi York · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only ever been through one hurricane (🤬🖕🏻Harvey) and it was enough to never want to go through one again… it was most certainly in the top 3 of the hardest things I have ever been through. Now if I had been through an aftermath like what Dead Cats of Civilization left behind, I know I wouldn’t have survived 🤢🤮 Doug Ford is so good at writing creature features you can’t pull yourself away from and this one was another where I found myself thinking “wtf” but also enjoying it! I’ll read anything Ford puts out into the world, he’s a favorite of mine! Thanks to Doug for kindly sending me an eARC. Dead Cats of Civilization is out now and is well worth the read!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! Read this in basically a day (maybe an hour or so). Loved the gore and the mystery. Wouldn’t mind delving deeper into this world.

[Derik Cavignano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this creepy, fun read about a man coming home to check on his parents in the aftermath of a hurricane, only to find something that something is not quite right with his parents and his neighbors. At 47 pages, this was the perfect length to read in one sitting, and the story oozes with atmospheric dread. If you're into good-old fashioned Twilight Zone creep factor, then this story is definitely for you! I highly recommend it!!

[Holly Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Douglas Ford. His writing is smart, at times funny, and always wonderfully weird. This novelette was no exception - I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm familiar with Hurricane-ravaged places and fish washing up in strange spots, and he nailed it all. Warning, there is a bathtub scene that will haunt you. :)

[Joe Scipione · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, one-sitting read that packs a punch. If you’re a fan of weird horror check this book (and Little Lugosi also by Douglas Ford) he has the strange, weird fiction vibe down to a science.