I Loved the Mothman and Other Stories

by Cari Dubiel

Monsters, legends, love, and loss. Immerse yourself in the world of cryptids.

From the author of HOW TO REMEMBER and THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO LIBRARIES comes a collection of short stories featuring the monsters of legend that have captivated us for centuries. Each short story investigates a different cryptid, illuminating their unique characteristics and relationships within our mundane world. Let these creatures spark your imagination and explore what might be lurking in the dark around you. I LOVED THE MOTHMAN AND OTHER STORIES features a reporter traveling to West Virginia and finding herself falling for Mothman, a mother longing to escape the cult she's been forced into and finding refuge in an unlikely heroine, a couple getting more than they bargained for from their lawn service, and more. Each story takes you further into exploring the depth of the human spirit and the lengths we go to transform ourselves.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Hello, Goodreads! I'm a librarian, avid reader, and writer in Ohio.

I am represented by Lynnette Novak of the Seymour Agency. Although I do not have a debut novel yet, you can find my short works on Amazon and in various other places on the web. You can also subscribe to my newsletter for an exclusive four-part serial story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rrbwyzd8mj

A note about my reviews: I review advanced reader copies for publishers and LibraryReads, and some of my reviews are published in Booklist. I leave five-star reviews for most of the books I read, because I don't finish books that I don't care for, and it means a lot to me to leave positive reviews. As an author myself, I know how hard it is to work on a book and then get bad reviews. I do give critical feedback to publishers when I feel it is appropriate, and if I'm assigned a title I can't review, I turn it down.

**NEW: I am also assigning "Alex ratings" to each book. My coworker reads a lot of my reviews, so I like to give her a heads up on whether or not I think she will like it**

Reviews

[Amanda Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read! A collection of short stories about cryptids. Some were lighthearted and amusing, like Sassy and Clearance Hampster. Some hit me in my feels, especially Curves. I found the creepiest one to be Greg from Accounting, I think of it anytime I open my desk drawer. My favorite was Devil Thirteen, I have so many questions and need more of this story. 

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection contains thirteen stories featuring well-known cryptids from legend.

Here, you will read about Mothman, his long-suffering wife, Fresno Night Crawlers, Melonheads, Jackalope, Sasquatch, and many more.

The stories are all told well, and many will leave you feeling for the "monsters". The cryptids blend into the reality within these stories extremely well... dare you open your eyes to see them?

My favourite stories from the collection were: 'Sassy', 'Clearance Hamster', 'Curves', and 'Melonheads'.

*I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*

[Emily Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reporter falls for the Mothman. A lawn service gives more than the consumer expected.,And other stories of change.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a fun cryptid short story collection including all sorts of different monsters, mothman, melon heads and the Fresno night walkers (oh my!) among others. Not all the stories were to my preference, but others were great. My favorite short story was "Clearance Hamster" and I probably would have read an entire book about the titular clearance hamster, it was so fun and a little silly. In all reality, I would have given this short story collection a 3.5, but Goodreads doesn't allow that so I rounded up.

[Joe Koudelka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique approach to stories about cryptids. Instead of focusing on the heebee jeebees that they induce in humans, Cari Dubiel approaches the mothman etc. from a fresh perspective. For example, while despite being the shortest story, “Mothwoman” takes a look at what it would be like to have the Mothman as a significant other. Someone needs to take care of the house and tend the kids while Mothman is off galavanting. Not something you usually think about.

[Maddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the stories in this book. Great writing style & if you love cryptids; you'll love this book
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tori Schneller · Rating 1 out of 5]

i love cryptids and this book had so much potential but was executed so poorly. it was literally random ass stories that had a hint of cryptids in it.

[Elliel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I requested and received this book from book sirens for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Review

I Loved the Mothman and Other Stories by Cari Dubiel was not my favorite book I've read this year. But it was an entertaining read and I enjoyed several of the stories. My favorites were "Clearance Hamster", "Curves", "Devil Thirteen", "Mothwoman", and "Melonheads". Each of these stories had an aspect that just pulled me in and I loved them.

I also enjoyed the way Cari Dubiel writes. She is wonderful at creating fun images and moving stories. My favorite example of this happens in the story "The Little Monster" in which someone ends up not looking quite right. But in a funny way. Its difficult to write about this book because my favorite parts of the stories are not spoiler free.

So I will leave you with this. If you like cryptids, fun characters, and new takes on old stories you should read this book. I won't promise that you will like every story because that rarely happens with any short story collection. But you will have fun reading an entertaining book and finding new characters to fall in love with.