Speculative fiction writer, David Fingerman, is back with a series of short stories guaranteed to curl your toes and raise your hair. If you're looking for some quick thrills, let these stories take you on a ride that will bring you two degrees closer to Hell.
If you like stories that make you grimace and shudder, David Fingerman is the guy for you. -Karen Hall, author of the Hannah Morrison Mystery series
If you love shows like The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery or you love short stories by Ray Bradbury, Charles Beaumont or Richard Matheson, then you will love David's stories. -Jason D. Brawn, author of Refuge and Stranded
David Fingerman has returned to his roots in this fabulous creation of new worlds of terror and suspense. Filled with daring twists and hair-raising turns, each one is perfectly sized to fill a morning commute, a midday break, or an entire evening with delightful shivers. -HL Montgomery, author of Skinwalker Moon
David has had over twenty short stories published in magazines and anthologies. "Edging Past Reality" is his first book, a collection speculative fiction and horror stories. He has also published three novels ~ "Spyder," "Silent Kill," and "Playing the Hand She's Dealt"
David presently lives with his wife in Minneapolis."
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Two Degrees Closer to Hell is a collection of eerie short stories perfect for the Halloween season. Some of the stories had a psychological thriller vibe which I quite enjoyed. As in any collection, there were some I liked a lot more than others. These aren't just slasher stories, they will make you think.
Every story is fast-paced, even the longer ones. I know I'm probably a bit twisted, but the ending on a few made me smirk-- one I wouldn't have guessed in a million years! I really liked this collection. Irony, sarcasm, karma it's all in there.
As far as the scariness factor, there wasn't a single story that scared me... though I've been told that I don't scare easily. That's not to say they weren't eerie or chilling. Will they scare you? Only one way to find out!
I know that it's not recommended or customary to start with a conclusion, but for the good name of the stories and maverick as you know I am, I still do it: Two Degrees Closer to Hell is not a horror book according with the general sense, thus even those who doesn’t like the genre still can read it without problems. Many of the reasons that horror is not well received by some readers (such as the gross and full of gore scenes) are not present here. Even more, the horror classification is a tad exaggerated for some stories of this book. Yes, Two Degrees Closer to Hell is not a novel, but a collection of short stories written by the author David Fingerman, which, from my point of view, could be rather characterized as stories with an unexpected ending than simple horror.
Another element that unites the stories, in addition to their denouement, is the irony. But do not fall into the trap of believing that these stories would be funny or would contain some humorous situation. No, the humor is a dark one, thoroughly filtered, a subtle humor that is sprinkled carefully between the lines, just as needed to give flavor to the stories.
An interesting common aspect is how the author builds the action. Based on a framework or a trivial circumstance, a simple fact of everyday life, David Fingerman successfully develops, only in a few pages, a situation that didn’t ever cross your mind. Like a snowball running downhill, his stories accumulate in a very short time: high tension, unforeseen, bizarre, thrill and ... the list goes on.
The result that matters is the reaction you'll have at the end of each story. Albeit there are many stories, I guarantee you that your responses will be quite different and there will not be many stories that will awake in you the same feelings. This is exactly the beauty of this type of work: the Short Story. Without introductions, without detailed description and without great preparation, but only with what the author thinks is necessary to arouse in the reader a response. Response that can be expected or not even by the writer because each of us has a different baggage of knowledge or a higher or lower resistance to stimuli. What is important is the reader to resonate with the subject and its outcome. Beauty resides in diversity, isn’t it? It seems easy at first glance considering that everything is presented in a minimalist key, but it is wrong to have such an attitude regarding this type of works. For there are not many authors who have this ability, to condense the ideas into a creative space so limited, and we must recognize that David Fingerman abundantly possess this feature that, next to a concise and attractive style, is to the benefit of us, the readers. So don’t be reluctant and don’t consider the short stories as the poor relative of the novel. It doesn’t deserve this characterization and you will find a lot of such stories that will satisfy your reading pleasure more than many novels and in a much shorter time. So ... it’s a winning situation.
The characters from Two Degrees Closer to Hell are more or less insipid people, with no trace of the heroes of the kind that you find in action novels and movies. You will love some of them or you'll hate others, you'll sympathize with them or you’ll be revolted by them, but one thing is for sure: they will not leave you indifferent.
Given that one of the stories refers to a famous TV show, The Twilight Zone, I could end up with the opening narration of the series:
„You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.”
But ... because it seems that there is always a but, some stories in this volume could make you think not to The Twilight Zone but to another famous TV series: Tales From the Crypt. In other words, you will not have reason to be disappointed.
this was my first book by David Fingerman, i started it while flying away to a warmer climate and found it giving me chills and thrills on the way there and home. I loved the short story (a few pages each) format. It allowed me to read a story or two and then come back later. Reading Two Degrees Closer to Hell, made me think of the nights watching the Twilight Zone with my dad as a kid, it brought back fun memories of him while curling my toes under my comfy blanket. I will very much pass this book along and recommend it to my friends and family who love this kind of twist and turn writing.
Single-author collections tend to be hit-or miss. Unless the author has sufficient range in style and tone, the stories often end up being too similar to each other. With Two Degrees Closer to Hell, David Fingerman avoids this pitfall in a number of ways.
Derivative as they may be (many of the offerings here are similar to The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits structurally and thematically), the stories feel fresh. Fingerman has a unique voice, and for the most part these stories are clever, thoughtful, and imbued with a wicked sense of humor.
Here you’ll find classic revenge tales (whether the payback is human or karmic in nature), Faustian bargains, tales of magic and tales of obsession and paranoia. Many stories are speculative forays into death and the afterlife.
The longer stories naturally focus more on character development before the pivotal final twist, and in these stories Fingerman lays out more “ground rules” for the fantastic elements. It’s much easier for the reader to both empathize with the characters and suspend disbelief.
The shorter pieces are often vignettes, by turns nasty and utterly bizarre. They work well as a much-appreciated change of pace.
It’s in the mid-length pieces that the collection generally falters. Some of them feel rushed toward the end, the conclusions feeling more muddled than consciously ambiguous.
That said, none of the stories here are flat-out not worth reading, which is an impressive achievement in its own right, given the length of the book. There are a number of genres here, too, ranging from fantasy to horror to noir to sci-fi.
Some standouts include:
Family Reunion, told from the perspective of a man suddenly living in the body of a cat.
Two Degrees Closer to Hell, a well-structured take on the afterlife that echoes Matheson’s What Dreams May Come, with a great ending.
Obsessed, a story of a stalker who gets his just desserts (or possibly not).
Tax Exempt Status, a touching story of two couples, mad science and the lengths to which people will go to protect and save the ones they love.
David Fingerman has a dark and sharp imagination, and showcases a wide array of twisted tales with Two Degrees Closer to Hell. This is a fun collection that works its way into your mind and heart. If you enjoy speculative tales of the uncanny, rest assured you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
This is a book with a story for everyone, there's even one for kids at the end. Some of the stories were great, some not so much. I always expect that with these though. I've never read anything by David Fingerman before but I'll be looking for more. I decided to rate every story as i read them and just mention the ones that stood out to me. Almost a 1 star hotel 3★ Kind of felt bad for the guy, in an I'm laughing at your pain way. After until death do us part 3★ This went in an unexpected way. The park 3★ Hell mouth 4★ Had a great twist that I really didn't see coming. Noise pollution 2★ Camp conifer 4★ I may never look at well behaved kids the same way. Autumnal equinoox 2★ Was confused by the end of this one. Family reunion 4★ Two degrees closer to hell 4★ Loved how this one turned out. The storm 2★ Obsessed 4★ Very creepy. In loving memory 3★ Freak accident 5★ Played on my fear of everytime I try to tow something. Mud 3★ The devil takes a vacation 4★ I found this one hilarious. Tax exempt status 3★ I could actually see the IRS doing this. Mourning a friend 4★ The frozen lake 3★ Cat scratch fever 4★ Pray to eddie winkle 5★ What a twisted kid. The weatherman 3★ Observations 5★ Night shift 5★ I kind of understand where the nurse is coming from. Kind of like that Twilight Zone episode 5★ By far my favorite of them. A cockroach tale 3★
25 stories average rating of 3.6★
Since these are short stories there's not really much I can say on them without giving away something. I suggest if you're fans of Adam and/or Evans Light you check this out.
I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for a honest review through Book Review Buzz. Thank you.
Appetite for horror, think King… In the zone, watch for Serling… Beyond the shadows, profile Hitchcock… Want everything these giant’s gift and more…
Longing for William Sydney Porter’s, better known as O’Henry’s, versatility, characterization, and ironic twist of his greats like Gift of The Magi, etc. …
Desire classic taste with modern world flavoring… The ability to bend the creative mind the way Copperfield spins magic… Want the bond of imagination contained within a finely honed novel… Need the freedom of a play date commitment in a time consuming world…
Two Degrees Closer to Hell, cutting-edge author David Fingerman’s latest book of short stories, is your holy grail. As you move through the tales, glints within the minds of Fingerman’s characters will stimulate your inner Freud.
From Fingerman’s Eddie Winkle, who caresses our Id before bending beyond the realm of our authenticity, to David’s showcase of a pet’s perspective of humanity as our reflection, Two Degrees Closer to Hell will jump start your imagination into a unique pleasure of reality, absurdity and the occasional shiver.
After three successful novels, Silent Kill, Spyder, and Playing the Hand She’s Dealt, David Fingerman returns to the short story format of his first publication, Edging Past Reality.
Two Degrees Closer to Hell celebrates the infinite talent of a long sought after artist, as David Fingerman rekindles a lost one-of-kind artistry which makes using our imagination a lifetime of achievements.
Anyone can write a book, rarity is the presence of a great storyteller…
I received a free copy of Two Degrees Closer to Hell in exchange for an HONEST review as a tour host for Girls *Heart* Books Tours.
Two Degrees Closer to Hell is a single-author anthology of short stories about demons, death, and the unknown where tales ranging from supernatural to science fiction to downright horror fill the pages.
There were a few spelling and grammar errors, but they didn't hinder my reading much.
I would recommend this collection of short stories to lovers of horror as well as fans of spooky campfire stories. Despite some sexual situations and foul language, I feel Two Degrees Closer to Hell would be suitable for older, more mature teens.
Overall, I enjoyed each short story and each glimpse into the author's mind. I'm usually a fan of novels rather than short stories because it's easier for me to connect with the characters. With this collection of shorts however, I found myself at the mercy of my Kindle's page-turning speed, desperate to read more without pause. I made a small list of favorites including Until After Death Do Us Part, Hell Mouth, Camp Conifer, Freak Accident, Tax Exempt Status, and Mourning a Friend. I loved the imagery and twists in those particular stories. Having never heard of David Fingerman prior to signing up for this tour, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I can't wait to pick up more of his works in the near future.
Two Degrees Closer to Hell is a collection of short stories by David Fingerman. It is a single-author anthology that centers on the horror genre and it's one of those books that makes the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up; that make you want to sleep with the light on. Just in time for Halloween!
I have a soft spot for short stories, so I was very eager to get my hands on this one and I have to say I was not disappointed. Each and every story in Two Degrees Closer to Hell is very well laid out and perfectly detailed, so even though you don't have 300+ pages to get to know these characters and worlds Fingerman has created, you are still able to launch right into them and feel like you're right there.
Think Stephen King--if you like him, you're gonna like David, too. Fingerman is a psychological horror writer and I can already promise I am hooked! I can't wait to read more from him in the very near future.
A janitor is offered a curious change of job in one short story, but people keep dying. In another, a child practices his godlike powers to evil effect. And then there are the cockroaches at the end of the universe; actually, they’re a bonus at the end of the book, and you really shouldn’t miss them if they’re in your copy. David Fingerman’s short stories are consistently unsettling and well-told, with stings in tail and claw, and lengths that vary from a novel’s intensity to a single scene’s poignant shock.
Hunt evil on a perfect day, keep away from Hell Mouth, and watch out for the Devil on Vacation. But take this collection on vacation with you and you’ll have plenty of reading to keep you awake at night.
Disclosure: I found a free ecopy and I enjoyed it.
Chaos, deception, secrets, obsession and plenty of crazy, this book was filled with strange and horrifying stories, bringing classic horror back in a big way. From working for the Devil himself to seeing the world from a cat's POV, this was a real mind trip.
The thing that really made this read so terrifying was that, while some of the story were supernatural/horror based fiction, some of them were so close to the madness I see in the news every day, that they were closer to non-fiction.
This book has a story in it that will speak to every type of reader, and once you are caught up in the creepiness of one story, you will want to continue until you have devoured every short story on offer. Thrilling and exciting.
On page two David Fingerman made a disgusting joke about cockroaches and I was hooked.
I found this to be a refreshing read, with everything I want in a collection of short stories. He had quirky characters, original ideas, vivid detail, and good writing. You can really taste the Hell.
Best of all, he can write SURPRISE endings. It was so pleasant for me to read endings I never saw coming, to feel my jaw drop at the last few lines.
For that reason alone, you should pick this one up. And for Eddie Winkle.You've got to meet Eddie Winkle.
Most of the stories were great! There were a couple that I felt the ending was rushed or were just kind of confusing. But overall the stories were entertaining and just the right amount of weird. It's a good book for those that like creepypastas and short macabre type stories.
This is the first time I have read a book from this author. I hope to read more books by him. This book has a story for all. The author has woven twists, turns, as well as horror and suspense but also more. I highly recommend this book if you are short stories.
I love reading scary stories and hoping that it just might scare me and there were a few short stories in this book by David that had me a little freaked out which I just absolutely loved. Another aspect I enjoyed about this book of short stories is I was able to read a few than come back to read more later and not feel lost or have forgotten what I have read. But I would have to say that my favorite part about this book was the memories it brought back when I was a kid just getting into scary movies and enjoying that moment when the thing that scares you has you curling up into the couch with your blanket trying not to look but knowing you want to get scared. So I will definitely be reading more from David in the future. 4/5 Bloody Fangs