Frog Belly Beans: 14 Deliciously Twisted Short Stories

by Max Gore, Mike Lukas

Hello, sicko, Max Gore here.Enough small talk.
Any day now I’ll be pushing up daisies.
So I’m dying to get these deliciously twisted stories out of my rotting brain.
Get ready to meet some true oddballs and broken souls.
They’ll cling to your palate long after you put the book down.
Careful, friend, it’s addictive.
You’ve been warned.
Max

"This was an amazing book! Kind of like the Twilight Zone meets Steven King or Dean Koontz. I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, and this is definitely a book I would have picked up myself. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, horror, or anything else on the creepy side, definitely read this book! It’s a super quick read, only took a couple of hours all together. The stories all have twisted endings you just don’t see coming!" - Amanda W. CONTENTS Crocodile Tears: Zoo co-workers co-mingle amidst an in-house crisis caused by the deadliest game of lust imaginable.Need a Hiram, a disgruntled but capable neighbor, is willing to go to dangerous lengths to keep up with the Fortuna’s.The Gift: When two drunken lovers in a Chicago dive bar show off their impressive 'gift,' an ancient journeyman with his own 'gift' teaches them the ultimate lesson.City While Clay, a friendly city worker, is trying to do his job, he is forced to face off with a furious homeowner who mistakes him for an unlikely and deadly enemy.Anything for a Treat: Whenever Pixie dog dives, she gets a treat, but the one day her handler fails to reward her, the confused beast must go to twisted lengths to get her meat.Last Can of Tuna: After military veteran Herbert makes a gruesome discovery, he goes carelessly searching for 'spoils of victory' that could end his financial woes.Special Latte When coffee-addicted Charles discovers his barista’s deadly secret, the two face off in a twisted way that leaves him with a smile.The Suicidal A suicidal Union soldier who’s endured an unsuccessful quest to end his own life finally meets an unlikely hero to do the nasty job for him.Boring When a sexy beach stranger asks for sunscreen help, Ricardo’s vacation gets interesting after her angry boyfriend returns and sees his excitement.Stop Whenever Aylmer K. Dorsey drops too far down in the dumps, his method of raising his spirits tends to get him in big trouble.Only Seven A homeless vendor hustles to pay for a place to sleep, but her past and present violently collide as she finds permanent shelter.Pair of When Artie calls out the shifty newcomer at his poker game for cheating, it doesn’t exactly go the way he figured it would.Plenty for An elderly couple are still madly in love but childless and poor, so they must find their own twisted way to enjoy the holidays.Frog Belly When a Chisolm Trail cattle drive turns deadly, three camp hounds and their abused handler get caught up in the crossfire.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2024

Reviews

[Kristy Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deliciously Twisted" – there's just no better way to say it. These stories are the ones I want to recommend to everyone, but hesitate because they'll all know what a weirdo I am at heart. But I do it anyway.

Mike Lukas knows how to pack a strong punch in a concise format. The book contains 14 stories that are quick and easy to read/listen to, but the characters and storylines are better developed than stories ten times their length.

These tales bring out the darkest humor from the hidden part of my brain and make me feel alive. I want to listen to them again and again, but not in the car because my kids will freak out and be afraid of me.

It's difficult to choose any one favorite among the 14 stories. However, when you listen to the story of Pixie the dog in "Anything for a Treat," you'll hear the one that sticks with me the most. (I’ll never again look at my Golden Retriever, Stella, the same way.)

I initially bought this book in audio format and loved listening to the author read his own stories. Then I bought the physical book so I could keep it forever. Nobody gave it to me for free in exchange for this review - I paid for it. Twice. And I'd do it again.

If you call yourself a fan of dark humor, and you don't own this book, you need to rethink your existence.

[Danielle Hennessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I was onto a winner with this book when it opened with the story Crocodile tears. What a great and twisted story.

I picked this book as the subject matter appealed to me, I didn't expect to feel such a range of emotions while reading. Throughout the book, I laughed, I cringed, I felt tense (particularly with city worker) and I even felt sadness (anything for a treat - I'm looking at you in particular).

I didn't enjoy The Gift as much. It was a good story, it just didn't grab me and I felt like Boring Vacation was missing something.

Overall though, it was a solid book that I really enjoyed!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! Kind of like the Twilight Zone meets Steven King or Dean Koontz. I was given an ARC from the author in lieu of an honest review, and this is definitely a book I would have picked up myself. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, horror, or anything else on the creepy side, definitely read this book! It’s a super quick read, only took a couple of hours all together. The stories all have twisted endings you just don’t see coming!