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High Strangeness
The mayhem continues!
A year has passed since the events of Apartment 239, and Marble Springs has started rebuilding. Unbeknownst to them, a lone survivor flees toward them from another town, bringing with him a long-buried evil… Hunted by an otherworldly entity known as The Grinning Man, teenager Tyler Graves must team up with paranormal real estate agents Serling and Price to stop the arrival of an unfathomable cosmic horror and prevent the destruction of the newly-restored Marble Springs. I won’t lie, their chances are slim…
Welcome back to Marble Springs.
A year has passed since the events of Apartment 239, and Marble Springs has started rebuilding. Unbeknownst to them, a lone survivor flees toward them from another town, bringing with him a long-buried evil… Hunted by an otherworldly entity known as The Grinning Man, teenager Tyler Graves must team up with paranormal real estate agents Serling and Price to stop the arrival of an unfathomable cosmic horror and prevent the destruction of the newly-restored Marble Springs. I won’t lie, their chances are slim…
Welcome back to Marble Springs.
- GenresHorror
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2023
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Elford Alley
21 books85 followersElford Alley is a horror author and disgraced paranormal investigator. His novels include Apartment 239 and In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman. He has two short story collections, Ash and Bone and The Last Night in the Damned House.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 18, 2023
I don't know what it was about this story, but somehow it brought out a seventies vibe in me. There was one point I even said to myself... "F*#king cosmic." I know... I probably shouldn't share stuff like that. You'll be thinking I'm not right in the head or something.
Well... I you'd be right. And I don't care.
Just get on with it, Wayne.
I am. I am.
What sets this series apart (this is a sequel, if you didn't already know) is that it mixes a lot of the horror tropes together really well. It'll please old and new fans of the genre.
It's fun, imaginative, and it hits the sweet spot.
Five stars.
Well... I you'd be right. And I don't care.
Just get on with it, Wayne.
I am. I am.
What sets this series apart (this is a sequel, if you didn't already know) is that it mixes a lot of the horror tropes together really well. It'll please old and new fans of the genre.
It's fun, imaginative, and it hits the sweet spot.
Five stars.
November 23, 2023
Apartment 239 was a book that caught me by surprise in the best possible way. Somehow, Elford Alley has produced a sequel that is even better than its predecessor. Alley is a master of balancing horror and comedy. It's a tricky juggling act, but this writer never drops a thing. High Strangeness is extremely creepy (especially the first 100 pages or so) as Alley builds up an unforgiving landscape that traps our main characters. From here, more gallows humour is poured on in perfect measures. Regarding easter eggs and continuity, High Strangeness is a delight for readers of Apartment 239. However, this book is strong enough to stand alone. The levels of narrative and how Alley makes it all fit are masterful. Characters are like family, and you follow their every move with an emotional bond that keeps you turning the page. It was particularly refreshing to have characters from such a wide age range, and their chemistry is fantastic. The ending is deeply fulfilling and accomplished, especially with so many moving parts. Elford Alley deserves A LOT MORE attention.
December 19, 2023
I had not read the previous book Apartment 239 before this.
But this book could definitely be a stand alone book on its own.
I really enjoyed the characters journeys in this book. You were pushed and pulled and had no idea where it was taking you.
I also enjoyed how everything was described. It made the story that much more intense.
This makes me want to go back and read the characters original introductions in Apartment 239.
Great book!
But this book could definitely be a stand alone book on its own.
I really enjoyed the characters journeys in this book. You were pushed and pulled and had no idea where it was taking you.
I also enjoyed how everything was described. It made the story that much more intense.
This makes me want to go back and read the characters original introductions in Apartment 239.
Great book!
November 23, 2023
High Strangeness is certainly a horror, but also very much a comedy. Alley is a master at witty banter, and this book is loaded with it.
There are many plot lines, ranging across elements such as ancient horrors, haunted houses, and perplexing abductions, all of which are cleverly woven together, boosted along by snappy writing and great pacing.
If you like sinister, mysterious happenings in a small town setting, this one is for you.
Definitely recommend it.
There are many plot lines, ranging across elements such as ancient horrors, haunted houses, and perplexing abductions, all of which are cleverly woven together, boosted along by snappy writing and great pacing.
If you like sinister, mysterious happenings in a small town setting, this one is for you.
Definitely recommend it.
December 8, 2023
Page turner!
A sequel that doesn't disappoint! I absolutely loved this story, the way the world builds and intertwines with the storytellers multiverse is seamless! HIGHly recommend!
A sequel that doesn't disappoint! I absolutely loved this story, the way the world builds and intertwines with the storytellers multiverse is seamless! HIGHly recommend!
February 1, 2024
These people are selling haunted houses. Thats the least surprising thing that will creep up on you in Elford Alley’s Hugh Strangeness. This book is the creepiest sitcom you’re ever going to read. Think the awkward and off the wall dialogue of Seinfeld but presented via cosmic horror. There are points when you think, “oh, this is what this is,” but then the book shifts in your hands and becomes some sort of new crawling chaos that only Elford Alley could create. Lovecraftian Seinfeld. K thx.
February 13, 2025
2.75 star
Didn’t enjoy it as much as the prequel which was really tight and solid story. For me this one had too many characters and tried to force the comedy a bit too much. Still enjoyable enough
Didn’t enjoy it as much as the prequel which was really tight and solid story. For me this one had too many characters and tried to force the comedy a bit too much. Still enjoyable enough
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews