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Intoxication
Should you use torture to extract a confession from a coworker trying to poison you? Do you kill those who dismiss your fears and believe you are paranoid? What do you do if you start questioning your own suspicions--and sanity--as you take the law into your hands?
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First published March 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 12, 2018
I really liked this trip into Tim Kizer's imagination. The tales were very weird and twisted. I especially liked The Hitchhiker (what a coincidence that two highway murderers meet) or the story with Zack the murderer talking to Jeremy (find out who Jeremy really is!). There are also two excerpts of longer works by the author to generate appetite. Also the first story with the woman seeing the danger of being poisoned everywhere is very interesting and has some nasty twists. Recommended!
May 28, 2011
These three stories are little jewels. I read them all in one afternoon and I was so entertained! They don't go where you expect them to, something I always admire, creating a fresh idea out of common plots.
The first story, "Intoxication", has a fast-paced and tense atmosphere that works beautifully with the main characters obsessiveness. Her descent into full blown paranoia is nicely done, if a bit too superficial. I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more inner struggle, internal slips of reason.
The second story was quite fun, a great example of creativity and humor. It feels more relaxed than the first one, but still maintains the tension necessary for the plot to succeed. This one was my favorite of the buch.
The last one, a very short story is intersting because it was written in under 1,000 words. That is no easy feat. Yes, it feels a tad bit too hurried, but it gets the point across and it is amusing to read, so I can't complain too much.
The writing itself is correct, no grammatical errors or mispellings, which is nice. It allows the reader to relax and flow into the writers hands without having to take up your red pen every few pages.
Fun three stories, I can recommend it to all lovers of the quirky and just-a-bit-off, and even to the thriller fans out there.
The first story, "Intoxication", has a fast-paced and tense atmosphere that works beautifully with the main characters obsessiveness. Her descent into full blown paranoia is nicely done, if a bit too superficial. I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more inner struggle, internal slips of reason.
The second story was quite fun, a great example of creativity and humor. It feels more relaxed than the first one, but still maintains the tension necessary for the plot to succeed. This one was my favorite of the buch.
The last one, a very short story is intersting because it was written in under 1,000 words. That is no easy feat. Yes, it feels a tad bit too hurried, but it gets the point across and it is amusing to read, so I can't complain too much.
The writing itself is correct, no grammatical errors or mispellings, which is nice. It allows the reader to relax and flow into the writers hands without having to take up your red pen every few pages.
Fun three stories, I can recommend it to all lovers of the quirky and just-a-bit-off, and even to the thriller fans out there.
August 22, 2011
Paranoia and jealousy are the backdrops of this story, where we travel a detailed and slightly crazy path of Leslie as she slowly seems to sink into madness.
In Intoxication by Tim Kizer, we begin with a scene in the office where Leslie’s boyfriend drinks her coffee while she has left the room. He immediately takes ill, and the stage is set. Leslie is now convinced that one of the other workers is trying to poison her. When she confronts the other worker, Leslie is quite sure that even with her denial, that Helen must be guilty. After all, she is the one who delivered the coffee.
Sharing her fears with her boss, he is already aware of her thought process. Helen as gotten to him first and now Leslie is convinced that he thinks she is paranoid. As her decent into this dark void continues, she begins with how she can get back at Helen.
When she finds that Helen actually did not get her coffee but it was another worker, who was on her way to the break room instead, Leslie further descends into that world where strange and maddening things begin to take on perfect sense.
Can she find out who is responsible, or will she begin to realize her thought process has led her into some strangely odd behavior. Is the other worker guilty of trying to poison her, or has Leslie just gone off the deep end?
Kizer has written a creepy piece of work that has some strange and yet just a bit compelling characters. He has done a good job of following the decent into madness evinced by Leslie. The ending is a surprise, and it would have made a bit more sense had I known just a tweak of what caused her to have such a terrifying fall.
I did wonder how Leslie jumped to the conclusion of someone trying to poison her, it seemed a bit over the top, and while I understand the surprise element, it would have been easier to follow what was happening if just a hint had been weaved in earlier. The story is intriguing and it is a great rendition of how guilt and association go hand in hand.
This is a short novella and yet it is full of strangely creepy and compelling voices of the characters that are willing to go to such lengths to make a wrong right in their own mind. Without giving away the story with the author was at pains to protect, I will not spoil the surprise.
If you enjoy suspense, the strange, and just a bit of creepy behavior, you will find this an interesting read. His perception of that decent is well thought out, and at the end, we see that Leslie has finally realized her madness.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
In Intoxication by Tim Kizer, we begin with a scene in the office where Leslie’s boyfriend drinks her coffee while she has left the room. He immediately takes ill, and the stage is set. Leslie is now convinced that one of the other workers is trying to poison her. When she confronts the other worker, Leslie is quite sure that even with her denial, that Helen must be guilty. After all, she is the one who delivered the coffee.
Sharing her fears with her boss, he is already aware of her thought process. Helen as gotten to him first and now Leslie is convinced that he thinks she is paranoid. As her decent into this dark void continues, she begins with how she can get back at Helen.
When she finds that Helen actually did not get her coffee but it was another worker, who was on her way to the break room instead, Leslie further descends into that world where strange and maddening things begin to take on perfect sense.
Can she find out who is responsible, or will she begin to realize her thought process has led her into some strangely odd behavior. Is the other worker guilty of trying to poison her, or has Leslie just gone off the deep end?
Kizer has written a creepy piece of work that has some strange and yet just a bit compelling characters. He has done a good job of following the decent into madness evinced by Leslie. The ending is a surprise, and it would have made a bit more sense had I known just a tweak of what caused her to have such a terrifying fall.
I did wonder how Leslie jumped to the conclusion of someone trying to poison her, it seemed a bit over the top, and while I understand the surprise element, it would have been easier to follow what was happening if just a hint had been weaved in earlier. The story is intriguing and it is a great rendition of how guilt and association go hand in hand.
This is a short novella and yet it is full of strangely creepy and compelling voices of the characters that are willing to go to such lengths to make a wrong right in their own mind. Without giving away the story with the author was at pains to protect, I will not spoil the surprise.
If you enjoy suspense, the strange, and just a bit of creepy behavior, you will find this an interesting read. His perception of that decent is well thought out, and at the end, we see that Leslie has finally realized her madness.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
July 12, 2011
Intoxication by Tim Kizer is a short novella exploring the psychological stability of Leslie who believes a co-worker is trying to poison her. After Rick, her boyfriend, had a close call ingesting the poisoned coffee meant for Leslie's lips, she takes matters into her own hands to investigate and get the answers she demands. Readers follow Leslie's thoughts as she appears to others, including her boss, that she is slipping into a deep paranoia. Readers continue on, patiently waiting for the reveal of the villain all while supressing the nagging thought of 'what has Leslie done to possess someone to poison her?' Refreshingly enough for a suspense thriller, I was neither able to guess the poisoner or their reason for motivation. I consider this a great success and the goal for any author of this genre.
For a short story, it was thick with plot twists and scientifically creative. The beginning few pages were the weakest, but the author found his stride by the middle, taking the reader on a fast and crazy ride until the end. The piece could use a little flare in the diction department as it reflects a very straight forward and basic style of writing. On the other hand some readers may enjoy this quality about his writing the most. At times strong language enhanced the characters' reactions, while other times I found it distracting from the story. However, the plot itself and unique look at Leslie's mental stability with the backdrop of an office thriller is creative enough to warrant a full length novel if the author chose to extend the work. Kizer may just be an author to watch out for as he gains readership and attention. He definitely has the mind and creativity to invent some future work that will hold its own in this genre.
For a short story, it was thick with plot twists and scientifically creative. The beginning few pages were the weakest, but the author found his stride by the middle, taking the reader on a fast and crazy ride until the end. The piece could use a little flare in the diction department as it reflects a very straight forward and basic style of writing. On the other hand some readers may enjoy this quality about his writing the most. At times strong language enhanced the characters' reactions, while other times I found it distracting from the story. However, the plot itself and unique look at Leslie's mental stability with the backdrop of an office thriller is creative enough to warrant a full length novel if the author chose to extend the work. Kizer may just be an author to watch out for as he gains readership and attention. He definitely has the mind and creativity to invent some future work that will hold its own in this genre.
July 9, 2011
Intoxication is a novella containing three short stories, each one having a slightly disturbing element to it and a slight twist in the story too.
The first short story is Intoxication which features a woman who is convinced that someone is trying to poison her. It is a story that is filled with paranoia. It kind of makes me glad I don’t drink coffee. Intoxication was quite a creepy story because it was very real in just how paranoid Leslie is. It’s also very good in that I just had to keep reading to find out exactly what was going to happen. Intoxication keeps you reading because you want to see how events will unfold. I really enjoyed reading Intoxication.
The second story, The Hitchhiker, is a story that seems so unreal but at the same time, it could happen. I liked this one but not as much as Intoxication. The thing I liked the most about The Hitchhiker was that there were little twists that appeared at various points of the story. This one really had you hanging on in that you didn’t really know how the story was going to end and in whose favour it would end in.
The third short story is a very short story called The Bike. It was quite an interesting story as it was quite vague. I read through it really quickly because like the other two stories, you’re unsure of where the story is going until you reach the end. I liked the Bike. I liked its simplicity and just the story itself.
Overall, I really enjoyed Intoxication, the stories were all pretty creepy and definitely worth a read. If you’re a fan of horror, or freaky stories that seem unreal but at the same time could happen, then definitely check out Intoxication.
The first short story is Intoxication which features a woman who is convinced that someone is trying to poison her. It is a story that is filled with paranoia. It kind of makes me glad I don’t drink coffee. Intoxication was quite a creepy story because it was very real in just how paranoid Leslie is. It’s also very good in that I just had to keep reading to find out exactly what was going to happen. Intoxication keeps you reading because you want to see how events will unfold. I really enjoyed reading Intoxication.
The second story, The Hitchhiker, is a story that seems so unreal but at the same time, it could happen. I liked this one but not as much as Intoxication. The thing I liked the most about The Hitchhiker was that there were little twists that appeared at various points of the story. This one really had you hanging on in that you didn’t really know how the story was going to end and in whose favour it would end in.
The third short story is a very short story called The Bike. It was quite an interesting story as it was quite vague. I read through it really quickly because like the other two stories, you’re unsure of where the story is going until you reach the end. I liked the Bike. I liked its simplicity and just the story itself.
Overall, I really enjoyed Intoxication, the stories were all pretty creepy and definitely worth a read. If you’re a fan of horror, or freaky stories that seem unreal but at the same time could happen, then definitely check out Intoxication.
July 6, 2011
This novella consisted of two different dark and twisty tales. I found them very Tales from the Cryptish. There is evil, but there is always something more evil. I can do devious, but there is one out there more devious. The thought of trying to hide something that you did that you know was wrong, but what if I’m never caught. I love the spooky and far-fetched abnormal. That is exactly what these two novelettes are.
Intoxication involves very untypical workplace drama. Leslie’s boyfriend gets violently ill after he drank her cup of coffee, thus someone must be trying to poison her. Leslie has a very active imagination, maybe. Who would want to poison her? Are they trying to kill her or incapacitate her? Does the person trying to poison her have an accomplice? At this point Leslie is appearing a bit paranoid. She goes to her boss, has some video cameras installed on her condo, and then appears outrageously paranoid. Perhaps her coffee was never really poisoned at all. Maybe she was sipping on the crazy sauce? I loved the twists and turns here. I never saw the ending happening the way it did.
Hitchhiker shows how one evil can easily be out done by a greater evil. David a serial killer driving along in the stolen car of his most recent victim decides to pick up a hitchhiker. Ron is hitchhiking along looking for his next victim. After spending some time together they start to notice that all is not as it seems. Survival instincts start to kick in and soon they’re trying to outsmart the other one just to live an evil life one more day.
Intoxication involves very untypical workplace drama. Leslie’s boyfriend gets violently ill after he drank her cup of coffee, thus someone must be trying to poison her. Leslie has a very active imagination, maybe. Who would want to poison her? Are they trying to kill her or incapacitate her? Does the person trying to poison her have an accomplice? At this point Leslie is appearing a bit paranoid. She goes to her boss, has some video cameras installed on her condo, and then appears outrageously paranoid. Perhaps her coffee was never really poisoned at all. Maybe she was sipping on the crazy sauce? I loved the twists and turns here. I never saw the ending happening the way it did.
Hitchhiker shows how one evil can easily be out done by a greater evil. David a serial killer driving along in the stolen car of his most recent victim decides to pick up a hitchhiker. Ron is hitchhiking along looking for his next victim. After spending some time together they start to notice that all is not as it seems. Survival instincts start to kick in and soon they’re trying to outsmart the other one just to live an evil life one more day.
July 12, 2011
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.
Leslie's having a bad day. Someone's poisoned her coffee, and her boyfriend drank it by mistake. Was it revenge from the underling she asked to fetch it? But it was the office coffeepot; it could be anybody. Who has a reason to want her dead, and why does she keep thinking about that night when she was driving and texting?
This was one twisty ride. Keep your seatbelts on, readers, we're barely out of one turn before we're off into another. Just when you think you know where it's headed, it changes direction. It's fast paced, and at a novella length, the hits just keep on coming.
Leslie is a great character. You can feel her descending into madness; the thoughts are bouncing around so fast, you can almost hear the boinging. The deeper she goes, the less rational she becomes, yet she can still justify everything to herself. It's okay to kill people, even if they weren't actually trying to kill you; after all, they could have been.
This is one of those books that you wish you could read faster and slower. You're dying to get to the end, but you have to stop and make sure you just read what you think you did. This is horror in the grand tradition, when the scariest thing you know is yourself.
Bonus: you also get The Hitchhiker, the first novella in the As The Darkness Falls series.
Four paws up!
Leslie's having a bad day. Someone's poisoned her coffee, and her boyfriend drank it by mistake. Was it revenge from the underling she asked to fetch it? But it was the office coffeepot; it could be anybody. Who has a reason to want her dead, and why does she keep thinking about that night when she was driving and texting?
This was one twisty ride. Keep your seatbelts on, readers, we're barely out of one turn before we're off into another. Just when you think you know where it's headed, it changes direction. It's fast paced, and at a novella length, the hits just keep on coming.
Leslie is a great character. You can feel her descending into madness; the thoughts are bouncing around so fast, you can almost hear the boinging. The deeper she goes, the less rational she becomes, yet she can still justify everything to herself. It's okay to kill people, even if they weren't actually trying to kill you; after all, they could have been.
This is one of those books that you wish you could read faster and slower. You're dying to get to the end, but you have to stop and make sure you just read what you think you did. This is horror in the grand tradition, when the scariest thing you know is yourself.
Bonus: you also get The Hitchhiker, the first novella in the As The Darkness Falls series.
Four paws up!
October 8, 2011
There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it. - Chanakya
We don't usually pick up hitchhikers... but I'm-a gonna go with my instincts on this one. - Dumb and Dumber
author Tim Kizer whips up three short stories that touch on man's darker side:
* Intoxication - when Rick drinks the poisoned coffee intended for her, Leslie takes matters into her own hands and vows to find out who wants her dead
* Hitchhiker - after leaving his victim lifeless in the woods, Ron hitches a ride on David's car and their trip together is one neither will forget
* The Ride - Jesse wakes up to find the police at his door accusing him of a crime he does not remember committing
three things are explored here: man's taste for revenge, his cunning and blood lust. Intoxication and The Ride were both good but among the stories, Hitchhiker stands out for its tense dialog, strong characterization and suspenseful development. i loved how scene after scene played out especially the surprise at the end. justice was served but in a twisted kind of way.
overall, i find this collection enjoyable enough and it was a quick read too.
We don't usually pick up hitchhikers... but I'm-a gonna go with my instincts on this one. - Dumb and Dumber
author Tim Kizer whips up three short stories that touch on man's darker side:
* Intoxication - when Rick drinks the poisoned coffee intended for her, Leslie takes matters into her own hands and vows to find out who wants her dead
* Hitchhiker - after leaving his victim lifeless in the woods, Ron hitches a ride on David's car and their trip together is one neither will forget
* The Ride - Jesse wakes up to find the police at his door accusing him of a crime he does not remember committing
three things are explored here: man's taste for revenge, his cunning and blood lust. Intoxication and The Ride were both good but among the stories, Hitchhiker stands out for its tense dialog, strong characterization and suspenseful development. i loved how scene after scene played out especially the surprise at the end. justice was served but in a twisted kind of way.
overall, i find this collection enjoyable enough and it was a quick read too.
July 11, 2011
This a book that demands attention to detail and events in the book or else the reader will not be able to follow. This is a novel where there are many unanswered questions and the reader may be left with the question "What was reality and what was only in the main character's mind?" In the horror genre, this can be the mark of a good author. The reader should not be able to guess the events before they happen and be able to figure out the ending. This is a super fast-paced book, the reader's interest will be captured and held throughout the novel. There are two novelettes in this book, the reader will find both equally fascinating. The main characters are paranoid and tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill. The first tale is more about jumping to conclusions while the second warns that for every evil there is something or someone out there even more evil. The endings are very original and will take the reader by surprise. This novel is recommended for adult readers who enjoy the horror genre.
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June 9, 2012
The version of this ebook I received had two stories. Intoxication, at just over ten thousand words, is long enough to qualify as a novella, and Hitchhiker, a bonus short story of not quite five thousand words. In both cases, the basic story was creative. I especially liked the twist ending of Hitchhiker, which was very clever.
The problem I found is both stories needed a lot more polish to rise to their potential. Part of this is inadequate copy editing and proofing. These stories passed my threshold for the acceptable number of such issues for a novel, in spite of being around a quarter the size of a short novel. Additionally, there were many sentences that read awkwardly and the author fell into the clichéd problem of telling instead of showing. The worst offense in this regard was a clunky narrative in Intoxication explaining what one of the characters had done the night before that didn’t fit with the flow of the story and was clumsy to read, despite describing a critical plot twist.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
The problem I found is both stories needed a lot more polish to rise to their potential. Part of this is inadequate copy editing and proofing. These stories passed my threshold for the acceptable number of such issues for a novel, in spite of being around a quarter the size of a short novel. Additionally, there were many sentences that read awkwardly and the author fell into the clichéd problem of telling instead of showing. The worst offense in this regard was a clunky narrative in Intoxication explaining what one of the characters had done the night before that didn’t fit with the flow of the story and was clumsy to read, despite describing a critical plot twist.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
October 8, 2013
Intoxication / Hitchhiker Intoxication! A short psycho/thriller that keeps you wondering with its twists and turns through unsettling events that will surprise you at the end.
Follow Leslie through her quest to find the person who is trying to poison her at her work place. No one believes her, not even her closest friends. She decides to continue her investigation on her own to protect her own sanity but things don't quite workout the way they should.
Follow Leslie through her quest to find the person who is trying to poison her at her work place. No one believes her, not even her closest friends. She decides to continue her investigation on her own to protect her own sanity but things don't quite workout the way they should.
May 14, 2011
Intoxication is a neat thriller. I absolutely liked it. Tim sent me on a whirlwind chase to find out who spiked the coffee and why? At first I did think that she was crazy!! But as the story pushes on you find out way more then you bargained for. There were many twists and turns that left me scrolling fast to finish this story
May 11, 2011
Intoxication is a quick case of paranoia that is addictive. Add to that the bonus Hitchhiker and Bike.
I had a very hard time putting it down.
Review up this month over at Doubleshotreviews.com
I had a very hard time putting it down.
Review up this month over at Doubleshotreviews.com
July 8, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book, it was funny, ironic, and paranoid. It was just a good read!
November 22, 2017
Humor and horror don't always go together well, as many writers have discovered to their dismay. There's a thin line sometimes between tongue-in-cheek humor that reinforces the creepy mood the author's attempting to create and downright silliness that completely destroys the mood. Tim Kizer attempts this type of dark humor in two of the three stories that make up his collection, Intoxication. Unfortunately, the stories turn into overlong and confusing exercises in juvenile ridiculousness.
For anyone unfamiliar with Kizer's work, this book, like several of his others, is a collection of stories, and there's considerable overlap among his various books in regard to story inclusion. This book contains three stories (the title story actually being a novelette): "Intoxication," "Hitchhiker," and "Sixtus." If you've already read other books by Kizer, be aware of any duplication or crossover. You might be paying for one or more stories you've already read.
The best story in the book, "Hitchhiker," is the shortest, but by far the best. The plot is straight out of Alfred Hitchcock. One man picks up another whos is hitchhiking through a fairly remote area. Soon, both men realize that the other one is actually a serial killer, and the story turns into a duel of wits with each trying to emerge the last man alive. "Hitchhiker" has a solid premise, and Kizer tells it fairly straight, maintaining the creepy mood, generating a fair amount of curious suspense (there's no rooting interest here, since both characters are rather odious), leading to a decent twist at the end. This is one story that could, and probably should, have been longer to let the cat-and-mouse game play out some more.
And that pretty much ends the good things I have to say about this collection. The other two stories are a complete mess. “Sixtus” is the story of a teenage boy named Zack who was born with a rare genetic abnormality, a fully formed sixth finger on one hand. What’s more, the finger is named Jeremy and it talks to Zack, directing him to kill an every growing number of people, most notably his parents (naturally, Zack is the only one who can hear Jeremy when he gives these little encouraging pep talks to Zack). The idea of a young teen serial killer being able to fly under the radar due to his age is intriguing, but author Kizer jettisons that in favor of a number of man-to-finger talks between Zack and Jeremy that resemble something that a bad amateur comic would come up with for open mike night at the local comedy club.
At least, “Sixtus” is fairly easy to follow, something that cannot be said for the title story in the collection, “Intoxication.” It concerns a woman who thinks that her co-workers are trying to poison her so she tries to poison them, plus there’s a kidnapping or two, and other plots (real or imagined) in a story that seems to go on forever. It’s not funny, very difficult to follow, not scary or suspenseful, and the only thing that mildly piqued my interest was how anyone at this company managed to keep his or her job.
In addition to the three main stories, the book contains an extra flash fiction story, "The Bike," about a poker game gone awry, plus a lengthy excerpt from one of the author's novels that takes up the last one-third of the book. "The Bike" does not add much to the book; it's an interesting idea so poorly executed that it's nearly incomprehensible as a story.
As a standalone story, I would have recommended “Hitchhiker,” even though I wish it had been a bit longer. But it’s not a standalone story, and along with it, author Kizer gives readers, “Sixtus,” which is downright silly, and “Intoxication,” which is a complete mess. I am loath to give out one-star reviews to anything that has some merit, so I’m giving “Hitchhiker” two stars and only for someone who has never encountered the first story before. Otherwise, the rest of the book has far too many hitches in it.
For anyone unfamiliar with Kizer's work, this book, like several of his others, is a collection of stories, and there's considerable overlap among his various books in regard to story inclusion. This book contains three stories (the title story actually being a novelette): "Intoxication," "Hitchhiker," and "Sixtus." If you've already read other books by Kizer, be aware of any duplication or crossover. You might be paying for one or more stories you've already read.
The best story in the book, "Hitchhiker," is the shortest, but by far the best. The plot is straight out of Alfred Hitchcock. One man picks up another whos is hitchhiking through a fairly remote area. Soon, both men realize that the other one is actually a serial killer, and the story turns into a duel of wits with each trying to emerge the last man alive. "Hitchhiker" has a solid premise, and Kizer tells it fairly straight, maintaining the creepy mood, generating a fair amount of curious suspense (there's no rooting interest here, since both characters are rather odious), leading to a decent twist at the end. This is one story that could, and probably should, have been longer to let the cat-and-mouse game play out some more.
And that pretty much ends the good things I have to say about this collection. The other two stories are a complete mess. “Sixtus” is the story of a teenage boy named Zack who was born with a rare genetic abnormality, a fully formed sixth finger on one hand. What’s more, the finger is named Jeremy and it talks to Zack, directing him to kill an every growing number of people, most notably his parents (naturally, Zack is the only one who can hear Jeremy when he gives these little encouraging pep talks to Zack). The idea of a young teen serial killer being able to fly under the radar due to his age is intriguing, but author Kizer jettisons that in favor of a number of man-to-finger talks between Zack and Jeremy that resemble something that a bad amateur comic would come up with for open mike night at the local comedy club.
At least, “Sixtus” is fairly easy to follow, something that cannot be said for the title story in the collection, “Intoxication.” It concerns a woman who thinks that her co-workers are trying to poison her so she tries to poison them, plus there’s a kidnapping or two, and other plots (real or imagined) in a story that seems to go on forever. It’s not funny, very difficult to follow, not scary or suspenseful, and the only thing that mildly piqued my interest was how anyone at this company managed to keep his or her job.
In addition to the three main stories, the book contains an extra flash fiction story, "The Bike," about a poker game gone awry, plus a lengthy excerpt from one of the author's novels that takes up the last one-third of the book. "The Bike" does not add much to the book; it's an interesting idea so poorly executed that it's nearly incomprehensible as a story.
As a standalone story, I would have recommended “Hitchhiker,” even though I wish it had been a bit longer. But it’s not a standalone story, and along with it, author Kizer gives readers, “Sixtus,” which is downright silly, and “Intoxication,” which is a complete mess. I am loath to give out one-star reviews to anything that has some merit, so I’m giving “Hitchhiker” two stars and only for someone who has never encountered the first story before. Otherwise, the rest of the book has far too many hitches in it.
December 30, 2017
This is a strange book with three strange stories that captivate you. The first story is about a woman who thinks someone has tried to poison her. You aren't sure as you read the twists and turns who is trying to poison who. The second story involves two serial killers who meet. Both with the same intentions. The final story is about a man charged with a robbery. Is it possible the police have got it all wrong and someone is trying to set him up? These three stories will cause you to sit and ask why? The author is one of my favorite types of authors, they have a creative twisted mind which makes for some of the best stories.
January 15, 2020
Several short reads.
First one, woman thinks someone is trying to poison her. Second, a man picks up a hitchhiker. Turns out, both have the same occupation. Finally, revenge is a dish served cold. Guy is framed for a robbery. The reason why, I so appreciate.
First one, woman thinks someone is trying to poison her. Second, a man picks up a hitchhiker. Turns out, both have the same occupation. Finally, revenge is a dish served cold. Guy is framed for a robbery. The reason why, I so appreciate.
January 3, 2022
Psycho Thrillers
Fast paced collection of some twisted tales. Well written with interesting but terrible twisted characters. Stories that will dive you shivers.
Fast paced collection of some twisted tales. Well written with interesting but terrible twisted characters. Stories that will dive you shivers.
July 24, 2011
Don't normally review novella and this is a first for me. So here it goes -
Intoxication by Tim Kizer
.
Here is the summary for the book:
For the fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz...How do you force a confession out of a coworker trying to poison you? Do you kill those who dismiss your fears and believe you are paranoid? What do you do if you start questioning your own suspicions--and sanity--as you take the law into your hands? In this disturbing tale of derangement, a young psychopathic woman is slipping into madness as she fights an enemy that may exist only in her imagination. She has to resort to desperate measures when she realizes that a gun, security cameras in her apartment, and constant vigilance will not be enough to survive.
Paranoia or delirium can make you do a lot of things. Things which you would regret later in life. And if it is a life threatening close call then you are bound to be paranoid. Now I don't claim to be a book critic and as I have already stated above I'm reviewing a novella for the first time. So i'll try to straighten out my thoughts.
Leslie who works for an accounting company just had a near death miss. Someone from her work place had tried to poison her but luckily it was a friend who got in the way and had a fainting spell due to it. This incident triggers Leslie's senses and she goes investigating for the truth but ends in getting more than she bargained for.
Novellas by description are short novels, i.e., by estimation up to 10,000 words at maximum (may vary). The thing is like in novels where every thing is fully described with long sentences and long paragraphs (again depends) the fact does not work in novella where you have to be short and to the point. And Intoxication has every such quality. It is an easy read.
Apart from Intoxication it also has two more bonus stories - Hitchhiker and The Bike. The three stories in his collection are thriller and expect two-or-three twists is essentially the same. At first the story seemed a bit flat but as we read further the good stuffs come into play. The general plot of this book is intriguing and there are plenty of twists and turns until the surprise ending. Although Intoxication could have been much better as a full fledged novel since the material involved is pretty heavy and a lot of places it felt the plot needed to elaborate more like not enough evidence is shown that Leslie actually had gone made or the fact that she resumed right away that there was poison in the coffee after Rick's fainting fancy.
But overall it was very enjoyable and I commend Kizer for the amount of work he put in it.
Here is the summary for the book:
For the fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz...How do you force a confession out of a coworker trying to poison you? Do you kill those who dismiss your fears and believe you are paranoid? What do you do if you start questioning your own suspicions--and sanity--as you take the law into your hands? In this disturbing tale of derangement, a young psychopathic woman is slipping into madness as she fights an enemy that may exist only in her imagination. She has to resort to desperate measures when she realizes that a gun, security cameras in her apartment, and constant vigilance will not be enough to survive.
Paranoia or delirium can make you do a lot of things. Things which you would regret later in life. And if it is a life threatening close call then you are bound to be paranoid. Now I don't claim to be a book critic and as I have already stated above I'm reviewing a novella for the first time. So i'll try to straighten out my thoughts.
Leslie who works for an accounting company just had a near death miss. Someone from her work place had tried to poison her but luckily it was a friend who got in the way and had a fainting spell due to it. This incident triggers Leslie's senses and she goes investigating for the truth but ends in getting more than she bargained for.
Novellas by description are short novels, i.e., by estimation up to 10,000 words at maximum (may vary). The thing is like in novels where every thing is fully described with long sentences and long paragraphs (again depends) the fact does not work in novella where you have to be short and to the point. And Intoxication has every such quality. It is an easy read.
Apart from Intoxication it also has two more bonus stories - Hitchhiker and The Bike. The three stories in his collection are thriller and expect two-or-three twists is essentially the same. At first the story seemed a bit flat but as we read further the good stuffs come into play. The general plot of this book is intriguing and there are plenty of twists and turns until the surprise ending. Although Intoxication could have been much better as a full fledged novel since the material involved is pretty heavy and a lot of places it felt the plot needed to elaborate more like not enough evidence is shown that Leslie actually had gone made or the fact that she resumed right away that there was poison in the coffee after Rick's fainting fancy.
But overall it was very enjoyable and I commend Kizer for the amount of work he put in it.
July 20, 2011
I have never done a book review on a novelette before ,so this is a first for me.
A novelette is a work of fiction that is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel or novella. So, as fiction goes, the classification runs from shortest to longest: short story, novelette, novella and then novel.
Now that the classification distinction is out of the way, the novelette that I am reviewing is entitled “Intoxication Hitchhiker : As the Darkness Falls Series,” and is approximately 10,000 words.
This novelette is available on Amazon.com and sells for 99 cents. Included in novelette are two separate stories: Intoxication and Hitchhiker.
I will review each of these separately here.
Intoxication is a story that begins with the main character, Leslie inadvertently escaping being poisoned. A cup of coffee was brought to her at work. Instead of Leslie drinking the coffee, a friend of hers drinks it and soon begins to feel the effects of being poisoned. The rest of the story is devoted to Leslie investigating the attempted poisoning.
This story could be considered a fiction thriller. The plot is good. The writing is good. However, at the first of the story the author uses lengthy sentences that would have been better had they been shorter. This tends to straighten out and flow better as the story progresses.
I give this story 2 1/2 stars. Given better sentence structure at the start, I would give it 3 stars.
The next story is Hitchhiker. I loved this story. This had a great, ironic plot about a hitchhiker and the man who picks him up. This story is full of suspense. I would reveal more about the plot but I don’t want to give anything away. I give it 4 stars.
This novelette is written by Tim Kizer. He is obviously a talented writer. I look forward to reading more of his coming work.
Altogether, I assign this novelette 3 ¼ stars.
Note: This novelette was provided to me free of charge by the author in exchange for a review. No promises of a favorable review were made by me.
A novelette is a work of fiction that is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel or novella. So, as fiction goes, the classification runs from shortest to longest: short story, novelette, novella and then novel.
Now that the classification distinction is out of the way, the novelette that I am reviewing is entitled “Intoxication Hitchhiker : As the Darkness Falls Series,” and is approximately 10,000 words.
This novelette is available on Amazon.com and sells for 99 cents. Included in novelette are two separate stories: Intoxication and Hitchhiker.
I will review each of these separately here.
Intoxication is a story that begins with the main character, Leslie inadvertently escaping being poisoned. A cup of coffee was brought to her at work. Instead of Leslie drinking the coffee, a friend of hers drinks it and soon begins to feel the effects of being poisoned. The rest of the story is devoted to Leslie investigating the attempted poisoning.
This story could be considered a fiction thriller. The plot is good. The writing is good. However, at the first of the story the author uses lengthy sentences that would have been better had they been shorter. This tends to straighten out and flow better as the story progresses.
I give this story 2 1/2 stars. Given better sentence structure at the start, I would give it 3 stars.
The next story is Hitchhiker. I loved this story. This had a great, ironic plot about a hitchhiker and the man who picks him up. This story is full of suspense. I would reveal more about the plot but I don’t want to give anything away. I give it 4 stars.
This novelette is written by Tim Kizer. He is obviously a talented writer. I look forward to reading more of his coming work.
Altogether, I assign this novelette 3 ¼ stars.
Note: This novelette was provided to me free of charge by the author in exchange for a review. No promises of a favorable review were made by me.
June 1, 2011
For Hitchhiker: 3 stars
Hitchhiker is the first installment of the As Darkness Falls series, a short novella full of horror and action. It was an interesting twist on the genre, with not just one bad guy, but two, who have met in an unlikely coicidence. There was a bit of a "story within a story" with one of the main characters, Ron, which was told in a very disjointed way, but intentionally so. That disjointed style definately enhanced the feeling of madness within the character and I thought it was a creative technique. As much as I appreciated the technique and the style, it just didn't really grab me as much as I wanted it to. I think maybe in this case, it was just too short. I think having some more back story on the other main character, David, would have filled out the story. I just wanted to know more about him and how he got to where he was. I think this would make a fabulous full size novel.
For Intoxication: 4 stars
Intoxication is the second installment in the series, and my favorite. It was once again filled with madness and horror, complete with twists and turns and an unexpected ending. I really liked the way the author created Leslie. She was always just a little over the top in her behavior, her thoughts, and her actions and that truly developed her as just a bit insane. I liked that she was developed to be right at the edge of her sanity, poised to fall off the edge. It made the book that much more suspenseful and added to the "creepy" factor. I also enjoyed Karen's characters and almost identified with her and her actions. I won't say more on that so as not to give a spoiler! I really enjoyed this novella!
Hitchhiker is the first installment of the As Darkness Falls series, a short novella full of horror and action. It was an interesting twist on the genre, with not just one bad guy, but two, who have met in an unlikely coicidence. There was a bit of a "story within a story" with one of the main characters, Ron, which was told in a very disjointed way, but intentionally so. That disjointed style definately enhanced the feeling of madness within the character and I thought it was a creative technique. As much as I appreciated the technique and the style, it just didn't really grab me as much as I wanted it to. I think maybe in this case, it was just too short. I think having some more back story on the other main character, David, would have filled out the story. I just wanted to know more about him and how he got to where he was. I think this would make a fabulous full size novel.
For Intoxication: 4 stars
Intoxication is the second installment in the series, and my favorite. It was once again filled with madness and horror, complete with twists and turns and an unexpected ending. I really liked the way the author created Leslie. She was always just a little over the top in her behavior, her thoughts, and her actions and that truly developed her as just a bit insane. I liked that she was developed to be right at the edge of her sanity, poised to fall off the edge. It made the book that much more suspenseful and added to the "creepy" factor. I also enjoyed Karen's characters and almost identified with her and her actions. I won't say more on that so as not to give a spoiler! I really enjoyed this novella!
Read
October 11, 2011Paranoia. It’s an insidious thing, feeding upon itself and driving the sufferer ever deeper into its clutches. Office worker Leslie comes to know this all too well in author Tim Kizer’s novella, Intoxication.
When Leslie’s boyfriend becomes seriously ill after drinking coffee that one of her coworkers brought into Leslie’s office, Leslie becomes convinced the coffee was poisoned, and that she was the intended target.
Her boss dismisses Leslie’s accusations as far-fetched and, well, paranoid, so Leslie decides to take matters into her own hands and force a confession. Easier said than done, especially when your mental demons begin to get the better of you.
And while there’s nothing funny about genuine mental illness, there’s definitely a healthy dose of dark humor involved in Leslie’s quest to bring her (imagined?) would-be poisoner to justice.
I’d like to have known more about Leslie’s background in order to give her leaping to the conclusion her coworker was trying to poison her a bit more foundation, and her refusal to go to the police with her suspicions was never explained to my satisfaction, but if you’re willing to jump onboard for the ride and just go with it you’ll find Intoxication to be an entertaining, fast-paced read. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never look at the community coffee pot at work quite the same way again.
Bonus Material: Included with Intoxication is the novelette, Hitchhiker. Billed as the first entry in a planned series, Hitchhiker is the story of a serial killer who hitches a ride with an intended victim only to get more than he bargained for. Very entertaining. A flash fiction piece called “The Bike” is also included.
When Leslie’s boyfriend becomes seriously ill after drinking coffee that one of her coworkers brought into Leslie’s office, Leslie becomes convinced the coffee was poisoned, and that she was the intended target.
Her boss dismisses Leslie’s accusations as far-fetched and, well, paranoid, so Leslie decides to take matters into her own hands and force a confession. Easier said than done, especially when your mental demons begin to get the better of you.
And while there’s nothing funny about genuine mental illness, there’s definitely a healthy dose of dark humor involved in Leslie’s quest to bring her (imagined?) would-be poisoner to justice.
I’d like to have known more about Leslie’s background in order to give her leaping to the conclusion her coworker was trying to poison her a bit more foundation, and her refusal to go to the police with her suspicions was never explained to my satisfaction, but if you’re willing to jump onboard for the ride and just go with it you’ll find Intoxication to be an entertaining, fast-paced read. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never look at the community coffee pot at work quite the same way again.
Bonus Material: Included with Intoxication is the novelette, Hitchhiker. Billed as the first entry in a planned series, Hitchhiker is the story of a serial killer who hitches a ride with an intended victim only to get more than he bargained for. Very entertaining. A flash fiction piece called “The Bike” is also included.
July 1, 2011
Intoxication is a story about Leslie, who, when her boyfriend drinks her coffee one day at the office and becomes sick, decides her secretary was really trying to poison her. The rest of this novelette explores whether or not the character’s suspicions are correct, or if someone else is the true killer. But is she paranoid, as her boss believes, or is there truth to her theory that someone is out to get her?
The general plot of this book is intriguing and there are plenty of twists and turns until the surprise ending. My biggest complaint is that right after Rick falls ill, Leslie assumes the coffee he drank sickened him and that she knew who did it. I would have liked to see more support as to why she immediately jumped to this conclusion. I also didn’t see sufficient evidence to support that Leslie could be crazy. If that aspect of her characterization could have been developed more, I expect it would have added more suspense to the book.
I found some occasional grammar mistakes and typos, and occasionally the dialogue seemed stilted. But overall it was pretty clean. 3 stars
Also included in this book was The Hitchhiker. I actually thought the characters and plot were better developed in this story than in Intoxication. The ending kept me on the edge of my seat. 4 stars.
And finally, the last very short story, The Bike: without sufficient time to develop the characters, the motivation for the plot doesn’t ring true for me. It left me with more questions than answers. 2.5 stars.
The general plot of this book is intriguing and there are plenty of twists and turns until the surprise ending. My biggest complaint is that right after Rick falls ill, Leslie assumes the coffee he drank sickened him and that she knew who did it. I would have liked to see more support as to why she immediately jumped to this conclusion. I also didn’t see sufficient evidence to support that Leslie could be crazy. If that aspect of her characterization could have been developed more, I expect it would have added more suspense to the book.
I found some occasional grammar mistakes and typos, and occasionally the dialogue seemed stilted. But overall it was pretty clean. 3 stars
Also included in this book was The Hitchhiker. I actually thought the characters and plot were better developed in this story than in Intoxication. The ending kept me on the edge of my seat. 4 stars.
And finally, the last very short story, The Bike: without sufficient time to develop the characters, the motivation for the plot doesn’t ring true for me. It left me with more questions than answers. 2.5 stars.
August 7, 2011
Intoxication is a collection of horror/suspense short stories that is said to appeal both Stephen King and Dean Koontz fans. I've read only a bit of Stephen King and nothing of Dean Koontz so I can't really compare.
At first I didn't know what I was getting into. Like usual, I prefer not to read the summary and just go straight into the story just to surprise myself. And it did. The story line for all 3 stories were solid but the writing seemed choppy but I guess that'll be easily fixed with further writing projects from the author himself.
The first of which was called Intoxication, I felt that it was the longest story in this novelette and the one that confused me the most. But I still enjoyed it despite its choppy sentence structure and best of all it was something new for me to read.
My favorite of the 2 would be Hitchhiker. It had an interesting plot even when the story was short. It had its suspense, horror and even some irony tossed in there. As the story goes a long I can't help but notice the style of writing it was different from other authors and again wasn't something but can evolve to something in Kizer's coming books.
Tim Kizer managed to write himself 2 good solid stories in one and it kept me reading but it isn't enough for me to read more. But then again. This isn't my genre but either way. I liked it enough to say it kept me reading from start to finish. 3.5/5 stars!
At first I didn't know what I was getting into. Like usual, I prefer not to read the summary and just go straight into the story just to surprise myself. And it did. The story line for all 3 stories were solid but the writing seemed choppy but I guess that'll be easily fixed with further writing projects from the author himself.
The first of which was called Intoxication, I felt that it was the longest story in this novelette and the one that confused me the most. But I still enjoyed it despite its choppy sentence structure and best of all it was something new for me to read.
My favorite of the 2 would be Hitchhiker. It had an interesting plot even when the story was short. It had its suspense, horror and even some irony tossed in there. As the story goes a long I can't help but notice the style of writing it was different from other authors and again wasn't something but can evolve to something in Kizer's coming books.
Tim Kizer managed to write himself 2 good solid stories in one and it kept me reading but it isn't enough for me to read more. But then again. This isn't my genre but either way. I liked it enough to say it kept me reading from start to finish. 3.5/5 stars!
July 13, 2011
Intoxication is a short story consisting of 31 pages. I am not normally a big fan of short stories, mainly due to there is never enough time to get invested in the story or the characters. I will admit that the first 14 pages felt a bit choppy and disjointed, however by page 15 I really got into the story. The last half flowed nicely and I was very interested to see where the story and characters were going to go. I don't want to give too much away, but I really did connect with these characters and what brought them to the end. It was a good suspenseful read. I would like to see this one made into a longer version.
Rating: 3 stars
The second story included was Hitchhiker. This again was a short story of only 13 pgs. This one I did not enjoy as much as the first one. Again I found the writing to be choppy and disjointed and I really did not find myself connecting with the story all that much. I think there needed to be more to this one to get fully invested in these characters and their story.
Rating: 2.5 stars
The third short story The Bike was way too short and quite frankly just plain silly for me. A man gets framed for a robbery all in an attempt to get back at him for killing his neighbors dog. Not enough substance for me.
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to Tim Kizer for providing me this copy for review.
Rating: 3 stars
The second story included was Hitchhiker. This again was a short story of only 13 pgs. This one I did not enjoy as much as the first one. Again I found the writing to be choppy and disjointed and I really did not find myself connecting with the story all that much. I think there needed to be more to this one to get fully invested in these characters and their story.
Rating: 2.5 stars
The third short story The Bike was way too short and quite frankly just plain silly for me. A man gets framed for a robbery all in an attempt to get back at him for killing his neighbors dog. Not enough substance for me.
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to Tim Kizer for providing me this copy for review.
July 23, 2011
The three stories in this collection are alike only in that they all contain a surprising twist (or two...or three...). As I began reading, I was initially distracted by the flat and somewhat stilted dialogue between the characters. As I read on, however, I became much more engaged in the story. The dialogue didn't get better, but the plot held my attention and I paid less attention to how the characters spoke. The second story, Hitchhiker, was also quite compelling. I found the dialogue equally flat, but the plot almost made up for that. The final story, The Bike, was extremely short and I didn't like it nearly as much as the first two. After two reasonable developed storylines, the last story seemed more like a rough draft waiting to be plumped out, or an unnecessary, last minute add. It had definite potential, but it was a disappointing end to an otherwise engaging collection.
The highlight of this collection is really the crafting of the plot. Written to hold the attention and bring the reader on a thrill ride, the general plot is well-crafted in the first two stories. On the downside, there were some places where some of the events felt a little abrupt, which disrupted the steady flow. There is a bit of a narrator's voice in several places in the stories, and it didn't always feel like it fit.
3.5 /5 stars (Full review @ MotherLode blog http://gracekrispy.com )
The highlight of this collection is really the crafting of the plot. Written to hold the attention and bring the reader on a thrill ride, the general plot is well-crafted in the first two stories. On the downside, there were some places where some of the events felt a little abrupt, which disrupted the steady flow. There is a bit of a narrator's voice in several places in the stories, and it didn't always feel like it fit.
3.5 /5 stars (Full review @ MotherLode blog http://gracekrispy.com )
January 16, 2012
Leslie didn't drink the coffee her secretary brought her, but not because she didn't want it. Her boyfriend decided to make an appearance in her office and drank it first. It was probably the nicest thing he had ever done for her, considering not long after, he collapsed. Leslie is adamant the coffee is poisoned and sets out to prove it.
She's convinced that Helen, her secretary, is poisoning her-- trying to kill her. Leslie decides to up her home security, get a gun, and tries to get Helen fired. But she doesn't know why Helen wants to kill her. But then she is clever and asks Helen to drink her coffee first. If Helen drinks it, she poisons herself. If she doesn't, then maybe Leslie is wrong.
Leslie keeps losing herself, losing time - blacking out. What is real and what is not? Helen, dying in the hospital, tells Leslie it was Kathy who made the coffee. Leslie hires a private investigator. Is she losing her mind or is someone really trying to kill her? And why?
Tim Kizer takes us into the spiralling journey of Leslie's mind. You ask yourself is she crazy or isn't she? Events lead to other events that will leave you shocked and questioning. Top-notch writing that keeps the reader entranced and mystified, Intoxication is a real treat! I'd love to read a full-length novel from this author. Very talented!
She's convinced that Helen, her secretary, is poisoning her-- trying to kill her. Leslie decides to up her home security, get a gun, and tries to get Helen fired. But she doesn't know why Helen wants to kill her. But then she is clever and asks Helen to drink her coffee first. If Helen drinks it, she poisons herself. If she doesn't, then maybe Leslie is wrong.
Leslie keeps losing herself, losing time - blacking out. What is real and what is not? Helen, dying in the hospital, tells Leslie it was Kathy who made the coffee. Leslie hires a private investigator. Is she losing her mind or is someone really trying to kill her? And why?
Tim Kizer takes us into the spiralling journey of Leslie's mind. You ask yourself is she crazy or isn't she? Events lead to other events that will leave you shocked and questioning. Top-notch writing that keeps the reader entranced and mystified, Intoxication is a real treat! I'd love to read a full-length novel from this author. Very talented!
June 30, 2011
This is a freaky story…freaky freaky freaky… I am not a huge horror fan, I enjoy Stephen King and Koontz in limited doses of horror, The Stand and Tick Tock were some of my favorite.
This story is freaky if I haven’t said that enough. What is real and what is just in her head? Psychological thrillers at their best are both and neither at the same time. This is both and wrapped in a pretty short easy to read little package.
This story read fast and kept my interest, I read it in one sitting and it Freaked me out… Did it really happen this way? Was this a consequence of a decision she made in a moment of panic or was it only guilt playing in her mind? This is good and you will enjoy how quick it reads and yet at the same time it won’t let you go. I would suggest this to anyone who wants a quick thriller with a twist.
He also sent Hitchhiker and I can tell you that if the movie Hitcher hadn't cured me of hitchhiking this little book would have. Why are some people so out there and into other peoples pain? Who knows I just don't want to run into them if I can help it. Pick up both and make sure you sleep with someone or the light on or you won't sleep for awhile.
This story is freaky if I haven’t said that enough. What is real and what is just in her head? Psychological thrillers at their best are both and neither at the same time. This is both and wrapped in a pretty short easy to read little package.
This story read fast and kept my interest, I read it in one sitting and it Freaked me out… Did it really happen this way? Was this a consequence of a decision she made in a moment of panic or was it only guilt playing in her mind? This is good and you will enjoy how quick it reads and yet at the same time it won’t let you go. I would suggest this to anyone who wants a quick thriller with a twist.
He also sent Hitchhiker and I can tell you that if the movie Hitcher hadn't cured me of hitchhiking this little book would have. Why are some people so out there and into other peoples pain? Who knows I just don't want to run into them if I can help it. Pick up both and make sure you sleep with someone or the light on or you won't sleep for awhile.
July 21, 2011
A short set of short stories, Tim Kizer’s Intoxication makes for a fascinatingly unsettling read that just might put you off your coffee. After all, it all begins with a poisoned cup and a young man rolling in agony on the floor. If the introduction’s to be believed, it will end in poisonous mayhem just three weeks later. But getting to that ending involves a twisted path through an equally twisted psyche, as plot and counterplot interweave, and glimpses of the truth peek through the leaves. Intoxication is blackly comedic, sharp and paranoid, and fun. Hitchhiker, next in the set, tells of strange coincidence, hitchhiking strangers, murder, secrets and lies. And finally, The Biker, leads police to suspect a man with a perfect alibi, but who's framing him?
Twisted curious tales unwinding to oddly satisfying conclusions; short, not sweet, but certainly fun; Intoxication promises more to come from author Tim Kizer and leaves the reader smiling with an odd picture postcard stuck in the mind.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Twisted curious tales unwinding to oddly satisfying conclusions; short, not sweet, but certainly fun; Intoxication promises more to come from author Tim Kizer and leaves the reader smiling with an odd picture postcard stuck in the mind.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2011
“Intoxication” is a wonderfully paranoid decadent chocolate truffle of a story. Someone is trying to kill the protagonist, Leslie. Or are they? It is not exactly clear what is happening to Leslie – or the people around her – until the bitter end. And even then, it’s entirely possible that there was something else entirely going on all along.
This is a great twisty story – in all the best possible ways. It contains more switchbacks than a Colorado mountain road, and the kind of dark tragic-comedy I associate with classic David Lynch or David Mamet (impressive compliments indeed, if you know me). This is a shortish story with a very large punch. You will alternate between feeling empathy for Leslie and wanting to kill her yourself – again, in all the best possible ways.
All in all, I think this series from Kizer has great potential. He has an easy and engaging writing style and more twists than a bag of cheese curls. I look forward to seeing the next installments!
This is a great twisty story – in all the best possible ways. It contains more switchbacks than a Colorado mountain road, and the kind of dark tragic-comedy I associate with classic David Lynch or David Mamet (impressive compliments indeed, if you know me). This is a shortish story with a very large punch. You will alternate between feeling empathy for Leslie and wanting to kill her yourself – again, in all the best possible ways.
All in all, I think this series from Kizer has great potential. He has an easy and engaging writing style and more twists than a bag of cheese curls. I look forward to seeing the next installments!
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