Gutter Mouse

by Alexander Ceranich

I used to get the shakes back when I first started. Always seemed to happen the night before. Felt strange. Like a mixture of fear, anxiety, excitement, euphoria, and my own violent intent. I haven’t had ’em in years, but for some reason last night my hand wouldn’t stop trembling.
A job came in today. Ordinary. Boring. It’s some house out in the sticks. A married couple —Jason and Lily Mures — just moved in, so I gotta get there quick before they’re killed. Shouldn’t be a problem, though; should be easy. Usually, the hardest part of house jobs isn’t the job at all, but the questions that come with Is our house haunted? Is it a ghost? A poltergeist? Is it my great-aunt Dorothy haunting us because Grandma cut her out of the will? All wrong, of course, but I don’t bother explaining. Waste of my time.
It’s just that . . . something feels “off” with this one. I don’t understand; everything seems normal, but I feel like I’m heading into a war. I threw an extra gun and knife into my truck. Maybe I’m thinking too much, or maybe it’s the recent rumors getting to me.
It’s probably nothing.

321 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Margaret]

We start out knowing nothing about this story, and it proceeds pretty much like that through the whole story. We don't know what the problem is with the husband and with the wife. They don't seem to know either. Then a truck shows up at their isolated house in the woods with a technician who does seem to know something about, at least the problem with the house. This technician keeps saying that the solution to the problem is easily and quickly done. He has the husband accompany him to the basement to see the tech do his job. Though the husband seems to be a scared wimp of a guy, the tech urges him to come along to what turns out to be another world just through the wall of the basement. It will be easy! And quick!

Doesn't turn out that way! Monsters and mysterious plants and other issues impede the quick and easy solution. Never a mention of the Gutter Mouse. This sci-fi fantasy is intriguing and made me continue reading because the answer to so many questions must be in there somewhere! You will want to follow these two the the end to satisfy your curiosity as I did.

Quite an original story and concepts. I was amazed!

I was given a pre-publishing copy of this book by the author's rep. However I am voluntarily posting an honest review.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes buying an old, creepy house is way more than one bargains for. This story was a thrill ride. From the very first chapter to the end letter: this book was very entertaining. I cannot imagine trying to complete all the missions these two men had. Every dire situation made me cringe with anxiety if they were going to make it through. There was definite enough suspense to keep me reading. I could not imagine having to fight the creatures that existed in this world. Nor would I be able to commit to saving the world. I loved this book.

[Mrscuteness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a surprise and a half.

What started out as feeling like a ghost/haunting story, very quickly turned into so much more than or our protagonist bargained for.

The action, adventure, and peril were wild and the stakes could not be higher than life or death, but they can be when it depends on how you might die and what might kill you.

Thank you to the author for this ARC!

This book was filled with a lot more action than I thought and fantasy.

It was a fun time and the ending was satisfying and also intriguing (if you know, you know)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title and cover, I must admit. Reading the back only perked my curiosity even more.
I just recently started branching out on different genres and man am I glad that I did.
There's definitely room for improvement, I had a suspicion this might be this author's first book. But that being said, if it is their first book....what an AMAZING start.
This truly was a wonderful adventure from start to finish.
If there is a sequel in the future, which I truly hope there is, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

[katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was fantastic!!! thank god they had that chain