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Mickey and Mo
Mickey and Mo make meth in the backwoods of eastern Maryland. They want to end their addiction, but it is not as easy as they think. They are distributing goods for a man who is considered the most ruthless and cruel in the entire state. When Mo's friend Laurel leaves her son in their care, things begin to get complicated.
What happens when they become involved in something even more deadly, dangerous, and addicting than speed?
Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny present the shocking and terrifying story of Mickey and Mo, which is a warning against a devastating and deadly addiction.
"This international collaboration is certain to establish Czarny and Essig high on the list of extreme horror writers" -- Ed Lee, author of The Television and The Bighead
What happens when they become involved in something even more deadly, dangerous, and addicting than speed?
Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny present the shocking and terrifying story of Mickey and Mo, which is a warning against a devastating and deadly addiction.
"This international collaboration is certain to establish Czarny and Essig high on the list of extreme horror writers" -- Ed Lee, author of The Television and The Bighead
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
58 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2024
38 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Robert Essig
92 books278 followersRobert Essig is the author of 30 books such as Baby Fights, Disco Rice, and Master of Bodies, which was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. He has published over 130 short stories and edited three anthologies. Robert lives with his family in east Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 5, 2025
I really enjoyed the concept and the experiences of Mo and Mickey. The authors really shined when they focused on the addiction and depravities that were involved. Things quickly got disjointed after the initial portion, trying desperately to work in elements of extreme horror. Some were tolerable, while others just felt very unnecessary and forced. Things followed that path until the ending just sort of happened. I was waiting for some big, shocking finale or whatever else, but it never happened. The story concluded and left me very unsatisfied. I feel like if the writers kept the focus on the basic premise, where it excelled, and didn’t try to make it more than that, this would’ve been a much better experience.
September 7, 2024
Rob & Tomasz come in swinging heavy with their new extreme novella.
Right off the bat there is horrifying drug use, brutal violence, and pretty depressing circumstances for the majority of characters.
Some of what I was reading totally shocked me- and I would say I’m a pretty seasoned splatter reader. The whole chicken part- yikes!!!
The ending felt so abrupt, hopefully there will be a followup story to at least give some closure on what happens next for the deranged Mickey & Mo.
Right off the bat there is horrifying drug use, brutal violence, and pretty depressing circumstances for the majority of characters.
Some of what I was reading totally shocked me- and I would say I’m a pretty seasoned splatter reader. The whole chicken part- yikes!!!
The ending felt so abrupt, hopefully there will be a followup story to at least give some closure on what happens next for the deranged Mickey & Mo.
October 14, 2024
I'll never look at roast chicken the same
May 5, 2025
We meet Mickey and Mo—a couple so perfectly, terribly matched that you can’t not root for them in a very weird way. Addiction, drugs, destruction—it’s all here, and they’ve been through every awful thing you can imagine together. But let’s be clear: they’re not good people inside or outside the relationship. And yet… somehow, they just work.
We follow their daily lives as they spiral deeper, watching meaning slip away and the mundane rot into something darker. And just when you think it’s about to explode—boom, the story cuts off. That cliffhanger? Absolutely filthy. Loved it.
Also, fellas, here’s your new pickup line: “You could suck the letters off a license plate.” You’re welcome.
September 29, 2024
This is a short, brutal read, but it has heart too, in its own sick, twisted kinda way. I found it quite sad, it actually made me feel sorry for the main characters and the horrific and crazy predicament they find themselves in! It's nasty from the off, and the horrors just keep escalating. And escalating! With lots of trippy twists and turns, it keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat the whole way and it does not go where you think it's going to go! At all! It will shock, horrify, and leave you reeling in discomfort, it will also tug at your little black heart strings, you just see if it doesn't. Oh, and it gives a whole new meaning to ‘baby gravy’....
Mickey & Mo are quite the characters! Tweakers! Meth and speed addicts. Heck, they're pretty much addicted to anything that's going. They live in complete squalour, seriously, the descriptions will make your stomach churn, and the couple will do pretty much anything for a bit of drug money. And when there's a new drug in town, one that is extremely powerful and addictive, they can be found at the front of the queue.
They are both as equally addicted to the drugs as they are sex! But both things quickly get out of control, they become consumed by the addiction, it becomes everything to them, more important than eating, sleeping and hygiene, it's all encompassing! They both know they are bad for each other, lead each other astray, but they genuinely love each other all the same. Even when Mickey gets out of hand because of jealousy, and Mo has to fight back.
They've hit rock bottom. They’re wasting away, rotting in their pit of a home, things surely can't get any worse, right? Full of regrets, they want to quit, but they're just so tired….
And that's when Mickey spots the worms. Paranoia kicks in, and to calm himself down, he and Mo decide to drop some acid, what could possibly go wrong, right?
That's when they find yet another new drug, another new addiction, and it takes over them so quickly and terrifyingly. Empowering them and making them feel that anything at all is possible. And that's also when things take a particularly nasty turn, where there is absolutely no going back for the damaged pair.
And talk about leaving you hanging…. I NEED MORE!!!!!! 🖤
Mickey & Mo are quite the characters! Tweakers! Meth and speed addicts. Heck, they're pretty much addicted to anything that's going. They live in complete squalour, seriously, the descriptions will make your stomach churn, and the couple will do pretty much anything for a bit of drug money. And when there's a new drug in town, one that is extremely powerful and addictive, they can be found at the front of the queue.
They are both as equally addicted to the drugs as they are sex! But both things quickly get out of control, they become consumed by the addiction, it becomes everything to them, more important than eating, sleeping and hygiene, it's all encompassing! They both know they are bad for each other, lead each other astray, but they genuinely love each other all the same. Even when Mickey gets out of hand because of jealousy, and Mo has to fight back.
They've hit rock bottom. They’re wasting away, rotting in their pit of a home, things surely can't get any worse, right? Full of regrets, they want to quit, but they're just so tired….
And that's when Mickey spots the worms. Paranoia kicks in, and to calm himself down, he and Mo decide to drop some acid, what could possibly go wrong, right?
That's when they find yet another new drug, another new addiction, and it takes over them so quickly and terrifyingly. Empowering them and making them feel that anything at all is possible. And that's also when things take a particularly nasty turn, where there is absolutely no going back for the damaged pair.
And talk about leaving you hanging…. I NEED MORE!!!!!! 🖤
April 12, 2025
I have no idea where I thought this was going, but it wasn't that 💀
While the main event of the story was WILD, the rest I felt was just okay. It didn't particularly drag me in, or keep me wanting more. 3 stars because the crazy parts were crazy as hoped, but the bits either side didn't hit for me.
While the main event of the story was WILD, the rest I felt was just okay. It didn't particularly drag me in, or keep me wanting more. 3 stars because the crazy parts were crazy as hoped, but the bits either side didn't hit for me.
August 5, 2024
It's become customary for extreme horror books to issue a warning to the reader about the graphic scenes contained therein. Although I don't consider this absolutely necessary, I think that, in the case of Essig and Czarny's brutal novelette, "Mickey & Mo," most people are bound to find a couple of VERY STRONG warnings very useful.
The theme is the drug epidemic in America, with no-holds-barred descriptions of a couple of users (the eponymous duo of the title, Mickey and Monica) not only doing drugs (meth, heroin, crack, what have you), but also cooking them in an illegal meth lab and selling them. The disastrous impact of daily meth use to a person's life is vividly displayed in stark detail; the couple's relationship suffering in so many ways that their attachment to each other becomes very fast a sad affair of mutual abuse and nauseating moral corruption. There are lots of rather uncomfortable sex scenes, which, though not pushing any real boundaries for veterans of the genre, do manage to convey quite effectively the couples' spiral to mutual debasement and degradation. However, there's also some serious love buried deep in there somewhere, and despite the short length of the book, the characters of Mickey and Mo shine through, not as "still good people" (that'd be a fantasy), nor as some sort of driven-to-insanity junkies (that'd be unfair to everyone) - but as people, real people who've lost their way and will never, ever, get it (or themselves) back.
Yet that's just two thirds of this short book. The last third is extremely hardcore, and inspired my remarks above about the need for strong warnings. After taking the reader through the couples' miserable daily life, showcasing the unhealthy consequences of both their addiction to drugs and to each other, the authors go even further: Mickey and Mo's drug-induced choices escalate into pure evil. The couple's actions are either monstrous or sublime (in the sense of leaving humanity behind). It's up to seasoned readers of the genre to decide which way to take the ending - and to them I recommend this story wholeheartedly!
The theme is the drug epidemic in America, with no-holds-barred descriptions of a couple of users (the eponymous duo of the title, Mickey and Monica) not only doing drugs (meth, heroin, crack, what have you), but also cooking them in an illegal meth lab and selling them. The disastrous impact of daily meth use to a person's life is vividly displayed in stark detail; the couple's relationship suffering in so many ways that their attachment to each other becomes very fast a sad affair of mutual abuse and nauseating moral corruption. There are lots of rather uncomfortable sex scenes, which, though not pushing any real boundaries for veterans of the genre, do manage to convey quite effectively the couples' spiral to mutual debasement and degradation. However, there's also some serious love buried deep in there somewhere, and despite the short length of the book, the characters of Mickey and Mo shine through, not as "still good people" (that'd be a fantasy), nor as some sort of driven-to-insanity junkies (that'd be unfair to everyone) - but as people, real people who've lost their way and will never, ever, get it (or themselves) back.
Yet that's just two thirds of this short book. The last third is extremely hardcore, and inspired my remarks above about the need for strong warnings. After taking the reader through the couples' miserable daily life, showcasing the unhealthy consequences of both their addiction to drugs and to each other, the authors go even further: Mickey and Mo's drug-induced choices escalate into pure evil. The couple's actions are either monstrous or sublime (in the sense of leaving humanity behind). It's up to seasoned readers of the genre to decide which way to take the ending - and to them I recommend this story wholeheartedly!
September 1, 2024
Outside of drug addiction, I wasn’t really sure what to expect with Mickey and Mo. The first 3/4 of the book went quickly, and set a scene for what was one of the craziest last 1/4 of a book I’ve read in a minute haha. It is definitely an extreme horror read, but definitely worth checking out. The authors make you feel like you’re out in the woods with Mickey, Mo and the gang.
August 23, 2024
Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/23/mickey-and-mo/
Mickey & Mo is a profound, dark, and gruesome story about addiction and desperation, written by Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny. This is an Extreme Horror read with unnerving content and grisly scenes. But the story itself is as impactful as it is horrifying.
The authors delve into the ugly world of drug addiction, where desperation and haunting thoughts lead to a downward spiral into debasement and despair. The realistic bleakness conveyed creates its own horror, building on the tension and depravities and brutal horrors that occur along the way. And the graphic desperation and sex and brutality herein is only the beginning.
The story builds in a gut-twisting fashion to a ghastly twist that will have you gasping out loud. Absolutely not for sensitive readers. From there, it break-necks to a profoundly thought-provoking conclusion.
This hardcore and poignant tale stays with you long after the last word is read. The obvious realities, those both evocative and disturbing, lend an impactful level of dread to the possibility that those things in the story you don’t want to ever be real just may be realistic too.
A highly recommended read for Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk aficionados.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/23/mickey-and-mo/
Mickey & Mo is a profound, dark, and gruesome story about addiction and desperation, written by Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny. This is an Extreme Horror read with unnerving content and grisly scenes. But the story itself is as impactful as it is horrifying.
The authors delve into the ugly world of drug addiction, where desperation and haunting thoughts lead to a downward spiral into debasement and despair. The realistic bleakness conveyed creates its own horror, building on the tension and depravities and brutal horrors that occur along the way. And the graphic desperation and sex and brutality herein is only the beginning.
The story builds in a gut-twisting fashion to a ghastly twist that will have you gasping out loud. Absolutely not for sensitive readers. From there, it break-necks to a profoundly thought-provoking conclusion.
This hardcore and poignant tale stays with you long after the last word is read. The obvious realities, those both evocative and disturbing, lend an impactful level of dread to the possibility that those things in the story you don’t want to ever be real just may be realistic too.
A highly recommended read for Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk aficionados.
March 12, 2025
muszę to przetrawić, mam rozwaloną banię
edit: nadal mam rozwaloną psychikę, to jest za mocne na mój łeb. tak wiem na okładce było napisane 18+ aaale… to straszne jak narkotyki niszczą ludzi:( niemniej jednak bardzo dobrze mi się ją czytało, język przystępny choć dość wulgarny. żwawa akcja bez ociągania się. odejmuję jedną gwiazdkę za to, że była tak krótka ;(((
edit: nadal mam rozwaloną psychikę, to jest za mocne na mój łeb. tak wiem na okładce było napisane 18+ aaale… to straszne jak narkotyki niszczą ludzi:( niemniej jednak bardzo dobrze mi się ją czytało, język przystępny choć dość wulgarny. żwawa akcja bez ociągania się. odejmuję jedną gwiazdkę za to, że była tak krótka ;(((
August 31, 2024
Całkiem niezła nowela z kategorii horroru ekstremalnego.
White trash + gotowanie mety + dużo seksu oraz narkotyków.
Mieszanka wybuchowa.
White trash + gotowanie mety + dużo seksu oraz narkotyków.
Mieszanka wybuchowa.
November 6, 2024
"Better than Sauerkraut"
August 6, 2024
Mickey had a good childhood until his parents got a divorce when he was young. He started to act out, drink, and use drugs. He became a dealer of some pretty scary men. The downfall of Mickey really started to happen when he started dipping into the merchandise. He started to become something he never thought he would be.
Mo has come from a shitty childhood. Her mother was a user who didn't care about her and her dad was a drug dealer who took advantage of her any chance he can get. She went down a path of sex and drugs. She also started cooking it and that's when she met Mickey. They had a connection and they both ended up going down a spiral path full of drugs together. They normally stuck to the not so heavy stuff, but one night they decide to go all out and it leads to a bloody time.
Both these authors nailed the addiction. Them spiraling and the self hatred was all there. If you've ever been an addict or have people in your life who are addicts, then this will call to you. The sadness, loneliness, and pain that drugs cause was so well written. The gore and brutality there was towards the end was chefs kiss. I believe if someone is THAT fucked up, it's an action that could happen! If you're not in your 5 senses, anything can happen. A hell of a read and I'm left wanting a lot more! Highly recommend!
Mo has come from a shitty childhood. Her mother was a user who didn't care about her and her dad was a drug dealer who took advantage of her any chance he can get. She went down a path of sex and drugs. She also started cooking it and that's when she met Mickey. They had a connection and they both ended up going down a spiral path full of drugs together. They normally stuck to the not so heavy stuff, but one night they decide to go all out and it leads to a bloody time.
Both these authors nailed the addiction. Them spiraling and the self hatred was all there. If you've ever been an addict or have people in your life who are addicts, then this will call to you. The sadness, loneliness, and pain that drugs cause was so well written. The gore and brutality there was towards the end was chefs kiss. I believe if someone is THAT fucked up, it's an action that could happen! If you're not in your 5 senses, anything can happen. A hell of a read and I'm left wanting a lot more! Highly recommend!
August 6, 2024
Happy Release Day! I had the privilege of reading this novella and it was great! Mickey & Mo is a 4⭐ read for me! A short novella that ends with a very good chance of more to come, two people are deep in addiction together and can't escape it! when an old friend comes by and asks a favor, they stumble upon a darker, more twisted addiction than drugs. This book is not for the faint of heart and is definitely Extreme Horror. Check your trigger warnings. one small part had me squirming and not ok. Robert Essig always does an excellent job, and I love his work.
I reiterate checking the trigger warnings, especially for extreme horror. The first half isn't extreme horror but dives deep into the description of addiction and a lot of sex. The last part is for sure extreme horror and will not be suited for just anyone! There is a large audience is going to love this novella!
I look forward to more from Mickey & Mo!
I reiterate checking the trigger warnings, especially for extreme horror. The first half isn't extreme horror but dives deep into the description of addiction and a lot of sex. The last part is for sure extreme horror and will not be suited for just anyone! There is a large audience is going to love this novella!
I look forward to more from Mickey & Mo!
March 23, 2025
I actually went into this blind. I had no idea what it was about, and I hadn't read anything by either author before.. wow, was I shocked.
Mickey & Mo have the most toxic relationship, fueled by a multitude of drugs and sex. Mo will do anything with anyone to get her fix, and Mickey is more than happy to allow it.. even encourage it. They're both completely addicted to meth and each other and when they decide to experience a different high, things get fucked up, especially as they're currently babysitting for a friends infant son..
As horrific and gross-out as this short story was, it also touches on how addiction shapes a person and how badly they fall as a result. It's sad, painful and utterly heart wrenching. Spiralling into such harrowing self hatred and despair must be unspeakably frightening and lonely.
I really enjoyed this. It was nasty and gory and has my interest piqued for a sequel!
[ This is EXTREME extreme horror. Trigger for 👶💀 and 💩 ]
Mickey & Mo have the most toxic relationship, fueled by a multitude of drugs and sex. Mo will do anything with anyone to get her fix, and Mickey is more than happy to allow it.. even encourage it. They're both completely addicted to meth and each other and when they decide to experience a different high, things get fucked up, especially as they're currently babysitting for a friends infant son..
As horrific and gross-out as this short story was, it also touches on how addiction shapes a person and how badly they fall as a result. It's sad, painful and utterly heart wrenching. Spiralling into such harrowing self hatred and despair must be unspeakably frightening and lonely.
I really enjoyed this. It was nasty and gory and has my interest piqued for a sequel!
[ This is EXTREME extreme horror. Trigger for 👶💀 and 💩 ]
November 24, 2025
This book started off not too badly, but by the end it became quite twisted. It follows the everyday life of a couple who cook meth, struggle with addiction, and have an unhealthy relationship with each other, as they spiral further out of control. There are a few uncomfortable scenes early on, but in the final third the couple does something truly disturbing, and the story takes an even darker turn. I wish the ending hadn’t felt so abrupt, and we knew what they did next.
August 31, 2024
Well... that was certainly something. 😬
Have you ever read something and been like.."No, they aren't going to go there..." And then they, in fact, go there? Yeah, Mickey and Mo went there. The gasp I gasped when I got to a certain scene, I didn't know if I wanted to vomit or cry.
This book is about the lowest of the low in society and their absolute trainwreck of a life. Mickey and Mo are methheads. And they make meth in the backwoods of Maryland. They are considering getting out, but this isn't a lifestyle that just let's you go. Unfortunately for them, addiction is going to be both devastating and deadly.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever read something and been like.."No, they aren't going to go there..." And then they, in fact, go there? Yeah, Mickey and Mo went there. The gasp I gasped when I got to a certain scene, I didn't know if I wanted to vomit or cry.
This book is about the lowest of the low in society and their absolute trainwreck of a life. Mickey and Mo are methheads. And they make meth in the backwoods of Maryland. They are considering getting out, but this isn't a lifestyle that just let's you go. Unfortunately for them, addiction is going to be both devastating and deadly.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2024
3.5 stars
Mickey and Mo is a very fast-paced novella about two drug dealers and their path to depravity. These two like a little bit of everything, and the more they take, the more paranoid they get. Everything takes a turn, though, when they're asked to watch their friend's baby, and they do a little acid to soothe the nerves....
This didn't read nearly as extreme as I was anticipating. Honestly, I thought this book was more sad than anything. Robert and Tomasz did a really good job of showing how much the body and mind degrade from hard drug use, how desperate someone can get for their next fix, and the increasing amounts that they need to chase that high. They put into perspective how warped someone can get once they cross the line into hard using, and it was really sad to see what Mickey and Mo had been reduced to.
Now, that's not to say there weren't any horrifying parts (see aforementioned decision to trip while watching the friend's baby), I just thought cold sad reality superceded the actual horror.
The ending was super rushed for me, but I'm hoping that means the authors will turn this into a series of novellas. I'm curious where Mickey and Mo will end up, if they'll turn their lives around at all, or if Skull will catch up to them and make them pay.
Mickey and Mo is a very fast-paced novella about two drug dealers and their path to depravity. These two like a little bit of everything, and the more they take, the more paranoid they get. Everything takes a turn, though, when they're asked to watch their friend's baby, and they do a little acid to soothe the nerves....
This didn't read nearly as extreme as I was anticipating. Honestly, I thought this book was more sad than anything. Robert and Tomasz did a really good job of showing how much the body and mind degrade from hard drug use, how desperate someone can get for their next fix, and the increasing amounts that they need to chase that high. They put into perspective how warped someone can get once they cross the line into hard using, and it was really sad to see what Mickey and Mo had been reduced to.
Now, that's not to say there weren't any horrifying parts (see aforementioned decision to trip while watching the friend's baby), I just thought cold sad reality superceded the actual horror.
The ending was super rushed for me, but I'm hoping that means the authors will turn this into a series of novellas. I'm curious where Mickey and Mo will end up, if they'll turn their lives around at all, or if Skull will catch up to them and make them pay.
June 27, 2025
i wish this was longer ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 i feel like it could really be great if there was more to it. however … props for making my jaw drop unexpectedly at one point. this was fine. it was enjoyable but again … can it be longer?!
November 26, 2025
I feel like this book had no point, just a bunch of crackheads being nasty. And the ending was ass
August 29, 2024
I rate this one extremely highly. We follow Mickey and Monica (Mo) who are drug addicts. They not only take meth, crack, heroin etc but also make and deal it. We follow their journey on how addiction takes hold but also what it’s like to be a dealer. This is a short one at 60 pages but it does pack a lot of emotions in it. Times I felt bad for them, concerned for them, pissed at them for what they do on acid. The cliffhanger we are left with is infuriating as I badly want to know what happens next!! The character development was top notch and I felt like I truly knew what they were like. To make this worse it makes me truly FEEL as there are people out there in this state 😩
August 9, 2024
Oh, man! Where to start with this one? There’s so much going on in Mickey and Mo’s messed-up lives. They are caught up in drugs. Making, selling and using. They feel like they want to break away from addiction, but it’s a struggle. The first half of the book really focuses on their dysfunctional relationship, bad habits and their addiction. The authors did a brilliant job portraying all of this. You really get a feel for how low their addiction has taken them and the questionable things it makes them do.
The second half of the book. Brace yourself. Seriously. One particular scene in this had me floored. I was like this isn’t going where I think it is. Nooo. Then it clicked, and the brain was like this is absolutely happening! It is so grisly! You know what you are seeing, but you just can’t make yourself believe it. I was honestly stunned. An absolute WTF moment for me.
I’m familiar with Essig’s work, which is great, but in reading this he’s stepped it up a notch. Not at all what I would expect from him, but I absolutely loved it! It won’t be for everyone, but it’s definitely something for extreme horror fans. If that is your thing, it is 100% worth checking out. I don’t know if there will be more writing like this or even more of Mickey and Mo in the future, but I hope so. Exceptionally brutal!
The second half of the book. Brace yourself. Seriously. One particular scene in this had me floored. I was like this isn’t going where I think it is. Nooo. Then it clicked, and the brain was like this is absolutely happening! It is so grisly! You know what you are seeing, but you just can’t make yourself believe it. I was honestly stunned. An absolute WTF moment for me.
I’m familiar with Essig’s work, which is great, but in reading this he’s stepped it up a notch. Not at all what I would expect from him, but I absolutely loved it! It won’t be for everyone, but it’s definitely something for extreme horror fans. If that is your thing, it is 100% worth checking out. I don’t know if there will be more writing like this or even more of Mickey and Mo in the future, but I hope so. Exceptionally brutal!
April 12, 2025
…well i was enjoying it but it just kinda ended. i realize this is a novella, but i expected a little more from the ending. brutal and nasty read showing how bad drug addiction can be. some parts were genuinely hard to get through but in a way that feels real and intentional. overall, it was just okay. not bad, but not something i’d rush to recommend.
September 23, 2025
It wasn’t bad but boring and didn’t get the plot but cooking and eating a baby was a no for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
No.. just no.
August 21, 2025
Title: Mickey and Mo
Genre: Extreme Horror
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Gore level: 💀💀
Trauma level: 🤢🤢🤢
Mickey and Mo are drug dealers and addicts; their life is hard, horrible, and traumatic. Their life is miserable because the addiction reached that point where death can be the sweet solution they need.
Mickey and Mo is a collab between Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny. They wrote a very disgusting book, which is what you're going to expect since this is an extreme horror novella.
I'm going to be honest, I got this book because I saw a booksta post about it, and the simple (yet traumatic) way the person described the book got me interested. It's a good novella, starting right where it needs to, giving you an infamous tour through their lives. Mickey started using substances when his parents got divorced, and that broke him. Mo, on the other hand, had a terrible life since she was a little girl, coming from a family of addicts; it's like her destiny was written, and there's nothing she could do to change it.
Even if the novella is good and gives you some great extreme horror elements, I think it flops when you reach the end of the story. The highlight here is that DISGUSTING event with the baby, but after that the book goes down, and not in an interesting way. I was hoping for more. That even with the baby, it had some strong effect on Mickey, igniting something deep inside him, and I was hoping to see more of this new "awakening." The end of the book felt rushed, and I'm not sure if this is a cliffhanger and we'll get more of this in the future or if this is it.
I had a good time reading the novella. I think I threw up a little in my mouth, but hey! This is extreme horror; you won't feel butterflies while reading it, right?
Genre: Extreme Horror
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Gore level: 💀💀
Trauma level: 🤢🤢🤢
Mickey and Mo are drug dealers and addicts; their life is hard, horrible, and traumatic. Their life is miserable because the addiction reached that point where death can be the sweet solution they need.
Mickey and Mo is a collab between Robert Essig and Tomasz Czarny. They wrote a very disgusting book, which is what you're going to expect since this is an extreme horror novella.
I'm going to be honest, I got this book because I saw a booksta post about it, and the simple (yet traumatic) way the person described the book got me interested. It's a good novella, starting right where it needs to, giving you an infamous tour through their lives. Mickey started using substances when his parents got divorced, and that broke him. Mo, on the other hand, had a terrible life since she was a little girl, coming from a family of addicts; it's like her destiny was written, and there's nothing she could do to change it.
Even if the novella is good and gives you some great extreme horror elements, I think it flops when you reach the end of the story. The highlight here is that DISGUSTING event with the baby, but after that the book goes down, and not in an interesting way. I was hoping for more. That even with the baby, it had some strong effect on Mickey, igniting something deep inside him, and I was hoping to see more of this new "awakening." The end of the book felt rushed, and I'm not sure if this is a cliffhanger and we'll get more of this in the future or if this is it.
I had a good time reading the novella. I think I threw up a little in my mouth, but hey! This is extreme horror; you won't feel butterflies while reading it, right?
October 14, 2025
This book was baby-cooking crazy
Actual rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Like my mama always said, there's nothing like starting off spooky month with some crackheads in the woods.
Enter Mickey and Mo, a sort of Romeo and Juliet (but with more meth and set the scene in the Virginia backwoods). These lovebirds are cooking meth in a shack, clinging to each other for dear life, and showing absolutely no care for who they hack apart along the way. Mickey’s addiction has him completely strung out, and it's making his boss nervous. And Mo's so deep that when her friend shows up looking for a babysitter, she can’t say no (even when we're *praying* she does). A few homicides and a little cannibalism later and Mickey & Mo are in trouble.
The book overall is fairly well written. The story is incredibly memorable, but I didn't find the dialogue realistic at all. Some of the choices made are a little questionable, but overall, I enjoyed it for a quick afternoon read.
If you're wanting to check out my full review + all the raunchy words, you can read it on https://www.readbydaylight.com/mickey...
Actual rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Like my mama always said, there's nothing like starting off spooky month with some crackheads in the woods.
Enter Mickey and Mo, a sort of Romeo and Juliet (but with more meth and set the scene in the Virginia backwoods). These lovebirds are cooking meth in a shack, clinging to each other for dear life, and showing absolutely no care for who they hack apart along the way. Mickey’s addiction has him completely strung out, and it's making his boss nervous. And Mo's so deep that when her friend shows up looking for a babysitter, she can’t say no (even when we're *praying* she does). A few homicides and a little cannibalism later and Mickey & Mo are in trouble.
The book overall is fairly well written. The story is incredibly memorable, but I didn't find the dialogue realistic at all. Some of the choices made are a little questionable, but overall, I enjoyed it for a quick afternoon read.
If you're wanting to check out my full review + all the raunchy words, you can read it on https://www.readbydaylight.com/mickey...
January 3, 2026
I feel weird ratting this to be honest. Extreme horror/ Splatter punk isn't my usual genre. I've only read one other book in this genre and had the same issues I have with this. I think its safe to say I am not the target audience.
I am giving this 2 stars which is what I think j gave the other one as well because I think the concept is interesting. The twist with the roast chicken was not something I would have ever guessed would happen and it had me absolutely shocked. But only that specific part was interesting to me. The beginning is gross. The scenes didn't really add anything to the story either for how graphic they were. They were just gross for the sake of being gross. It also was kinda jumpy and all over the place. It didn't really flow together. The ending also abrupt. What happened to mickey and mo? I knew this was going to be short but I feel like even a couple more pages with their POVs would have been enough to wrap this up
This is honestly something I should have DNFd. I don't think I will be picking up anything from this genre again
I am giving this 2 stars which is what I think j gave the other one as well because I think the concept is interesting. The twist with the roast chicken was not something I would have ever guessed would happen and it had me absolutely shocked. But only that specific part was interesting to me. The beginning is gross. The scenes didn't really add anything to the story either for how graphic they were. They were just gross for the sake of being gross. It also was kinda jumpy and all over the place. It didn't really flow together. The ending also abrupt. What happened to mickey and mo? I knew this was going to be short but I feel like even a couple more pages with their POVs would have been enough to wrap this up
This is honestly something I should have DNFd. I don't think I will be picking up anything from this genre again
October 14, 2025
Gritty and gross, just as I hoped it would be
I think this is my fourth or fifth book from Robert Essig (the first from Tomasz Czarny), and he has yet to disappoint. Micky and Mo and match made in (meth) heaven, two lost souls barely hanging on to reality as they are constantly chasing their next high. When Mickeys paranoia starts getting the better if him, things go more than a little sideways and WHAM!!!; in comes the extreme carnage out of nowhere. A fun, fast read to be sure, and although there's not a lot of extreme gore, what's there is super brutal and potentially triggering for some. Still, if you pick this up, you know what you're in for. Excellent work lads, I'll most definitely be back for more.
4/5 crack pipes.
I think this is my fourth or fifth book from Robert Essig (the first from Tomasz Czarny), and he has yet to disappoint. Micky and Mo and match made in (meth) heaven, two lost souls barely hanging on to reality as they are constantly chasing their next high. When Mickeys paranoia starts getting the better if him, things go more than a little sideways and WHAM!!!; in comes the extreme carnage out of nowhere. A fun, fast read to be sure, and although there's not a lot of extreme gore, what's there is super brutal and potentially triggering for some. Still, if you pick this up, you know what you're in for. Excellent work lads, I'll most definitely be back for more.
4/5 crack pipes.
August 7, 2024
I read this short story in one blinding, overwhelming sitting. The description of the drug abuse and drug abusers was unvarnished, harsh and disturbingly realistic. This on its own was horrifying enough and then it gets more and more depraved. If there was ever a way to stop kids getting into drugs, let them read this.
I had a physical reaction once I’d finished this story. I just sat and stared at nothing just feeling like I was in shock.
It had the same traumatising effect that that one scene from Trainspotting had. If you’ve watched it you will know which one I mean.
I will take away a few images from this story that I will not be able to remove from my soul.
I had a physical reaction once I’d finished this story. I just sat and stared at nothing just feeling like I was in shock.
It had the same traumatising effect that that one scene from Trainspotting had. If you’ve watched it you will know which one I mean.
I will take away a few images from this story that I will not be able to remove from my soul.
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