Sweethaven: Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces

by R.J. Clark

There is no escaping once it hooks into you.Darkness shrouds the seaside village of Sweethaven. But for Chase M. Down, Private Eye, it’s just another day—until a mysterious femme fatale ensnares him into a dangerous web. She enlists the broke detective to track down a one-eyed sailor named Popeye.

As Chase dives deeper into the investigation, he spirals into an ocean of madness, uncovering Sweethaven’s terrifying secrets. Nothing in the village is what it seems, where the nights are endless, and an unspeakable evil lurks at every corner.

Can Chase unravel the mysteries of Sweethaven before it’s too late, or will cosmic horrors rise to consume everything?

Sweethaven is a hair-raising retelling of the classic Popeye. This frightening story is part of the Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces collection, featuring classic beloved characters twisted into terrifying nightmares.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

RJ CLARK began his career as a child actor. His was the face of the national US Army “Stay in School” ad campaign. RJ also appeared regularly on daytime television and worked on numerous film and commercial projects before inevitably returning to his first true love, writing.

As a screenwriter, RJ's screenplays won first prize or placed in the top 5 of nearly every major national—and international—competition worth mentioning. His novella, Two for One launched the indie literary magazine “The Instagatorzine,” broken into two parts across the magazine’s first two issues.

A native New Yorker, RJ attended NYU, holds a BFA and an MFA. He has lived in all five boroughs, but now calls historic Asbury Park, NJ home with his wife and dog, an Aussillon named Venus.

While RJ no longer works in the theatre as an actor, he provides accessibility services for deaf patrons at live performances throughout the country. He is passionate about theatre being for all, and enjoys being able to introduce new shows to deaf or hard of hearing patrons.

When not writing, you’re most likely to find RJ either playing guitar along the Jersey Shore, taking photographs of cool dogs and musicians around Asbury Park, voraciously reading new books, working on new music, or traveling the world.

A few of RJ’s most favorite things include black coffee, chocolate, Stephen King, peanut butter, Pringle’s, Truman Capote, tabletop games, the Universal Studios Monsters, horror movies, and David Tennant.

STAYCATION is RJ’s debut novel.

Reviews

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect when starting this, of course I have watched Popeye on Tv before, but I had never read anything involving the character. This is one of those rare instances when I am on the fence with my rating. I feel like this falls between 3 and 4 stars for me. I enjoyed the odd characters and odd town of sweethaven, but I wish I had seen more of Popeye and Olive.

[Kelli Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this book. But I love reading/watching childhood favorites with a dark side. Popeye is a new retelling for me though. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything with him in it. Though I do wish he was in this book a little more. This book is short so it makes for a quick read (even though it took me a few days because of real life stuff). I enjoyed this authors writing style and have already started putting their books on my TBR!

[Pitch Black J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Popeye retelling with witchy and old God vibes. Going into this story I wasn’t expecting a twisted story that made me think outside the box. Detective Chase was sent on a mission to find the one thing and ended up cracking a case open and finding the truth. The oddities of this story and how they got solved was wild. Popeye and his role was important to how we remember him from childhood. Just don’t forget about all the other characters from childhood and how they tie into the story exceptionally well.

[cristie read · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I found it very difficult to get into this rather different spin on the characters of Popeye and Olive. But then I found myself enjoying the unexpected tale. It kind of has a mix up of vibes. I pictured an old seedy black and white detective show at first. Give it a try. It’s definitely not one that you will figure out what is going on before the end.

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short read had me on the edge of my sit from start to finish. The ending was totally unexpected, I didn't see it coming at all. A dark Popeye story that is set in Sweethaven, a strange town with unusual people. It involves sea hags, old gods, two-faced people, and a mystery.

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent twist on the tale of Popeye the Sailorman. A well written horror with mysterious happenings and unusual events. Loved it. I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great retelling of a Popeye story.

[Clive Willcocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought it was a bit long winded, but as I got into it I found myself really enjoying it. Well worth a read.

[Riann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this creepy mashup of noir fiction and cosmic horror! The character names were fun and inventive. This short story oozed atmosphere and visceral imagery. I couldn't put it down!

[Christine Fancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a trip to Sweethaven and walk down the streets being drenched in rain, hearing the call. Do you answer it?
That is what some of the peculiar people of Sweethaven do in this excellent retelling of Popeye!
There are people coming up missing and others coming up dead, and no one really knows or notices what is going on.
A detective is hired to find out if Popeye is among the missing or dead and to get the Raven Claw back on the sea. He is quickly pulled deeper into a much darker almost dreamlike world.
Things are becoming more peculiar in this fun, creepy story!
RJ Clark does such a great job with creating a gripping and descriptive tale that makes me feel like I'm actually walking through the flooded streets among the floundering fish. He had so many neat details and characters, including Popeye and Olive Oyl.
Check out the second story to the Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces published by M4L Publishing.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride this is! A very dark tale of Popeye, with old gods, sea hags, two-faced people, and an enthralling mystery. No one is 'normal' in Sweethaven, including the town itself. Changes are coming that will test the most hardy of folks.
This quick read had my eyebrows climbing my forehead more than once and re-reading descriptions thinking I'd surely read them wrong. (I didn't. They are truly bizarre and just cool to imagine.) you'll laugh (maybe), you'll cry (possibly), you'll definitely be entertained. And yes, Olive Oyl is still annoying.

[Amber Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! RJ Clark really knows how to write an incredible book. This book has a plot even better character development and I love it!! I the twist on Popeye had my eyes peeled and had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next turn or twist

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, is this a retelling of Popeye or what. I was enthralled all the way through to the ending I did see coming, unanswered questions anyone. I loved it, reminded me of the old Raymond Chandler days. What are we going to see next I wonder, cannot wait. Highly recommended.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good, read it in one sitting. The second in a series.
Based around popeye but there just wasn't enough popeye in it, would have liked there to be more of him abs olive.
Regardless it was still a good read

[Diana Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and quick read in this series. I loved that this one was a popeye-esque spun dark fairytale. I would have loved to have had the “love story” of the plot developed more but all in all it was a good read.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase Down is hired to find Popeye, a sailor. Nothing is what it seems in this dark tale. Doppelgangers and evil in the town of Sweethaven.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting much darker retelling of the Popeye the Sailor cartoon. Very well done and definitely deserves a movie adaptation. Well done!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story, easy reading. Loved the characters, especially Popeye. First time I read about Popeye in this kind of setting.