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The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale
The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed is a haunting tale by critically-acclaimed horror author, Terry M. West. Baker Johnson is a flawed parapsychologist in the year 1925. After the death of Richard Johnson, Baker inherits his uncle's estate and moves into the legendary psychical researcher's home. But he soon discovers that the Black Room of the property, the place where haunted items are safely contained, has been emptied. This is a brand new and never before published short story.
Included is a lengthy preview of a brand new Baker Johnson story, SERVANT OF THE RED QUILL, which is coming soon!
Included is a lengthy preview of a brand new Baker Johnson story, SERVANT OF THE RED QUILL, which is coming soon!
- GenresHorror
19 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2014
About the author
Terry M. West
198 books136 followersTerry M. West is an American horror author. His best known works: What Price Gory, Car Nex, Dreg and his Night Things series. He was a finalist for 2 International Horror Guild Awards and he was featured on the TV Guide Sci-Fi hot list for his YA graphic novel series, Confessions of a Teenage Vampire. Terry was born in Texas, lived in New York for two decades and he currently hangs his hat in California.
www.terrymwest.com
www.terrymwest.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 27, 2021
This was a interesting short novella!
A small backstory:
Baker Johnson inherits his uncle's estate along with all his worldly possessions. His uncle was a renowned psychical researcher and he would gather artifacts from around the world that were haunted or cursed. There is a room in the mansion called the "Black Room" to house all the artifacts but Baker is horrified when he finds out the room is empty and learns from the caretaker of the property that Baker's uncle wanted the artifacts given away in a yard sale. Baker decides to hopefully try to track them down if at all possible.
That is about all I can give on a short backdrop without giving away spoilers.
Thoughts:
This was a very short reading romp as there are five books in this series and it seems they all continue on one right after the other with Baker and his search of the artifacts. I own all the books so I will be continuing on with the series to see what Baker discovers on his journey to track them all down. Giving this book four Artifact Hunting stars!
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
A small backstory:
Baker Johnson inherits his uncle's estate along with all his worldly possessions. His uncle was a renowned psychical researcher and he would gather artifacts from around the world that were haunted or cursed. There is a room in the mansion called the "Black Room" to house all the artifacts but Baker is horrified when he finds out the room is empty and learns from the caretaker of the property that Baker's uncle wanted the artifacts given away in a yard sale. Baker decides to hopefully try to track them down if at all possible.
That is about all I can give on a short backdrop without giving away spoilers.
Thoughts:
This was a very short reading romp as there are five books in this series and it seems they all continue on one right after the other with Baker and his search of the artifacts. I own all the books so I will be continuing on with the series to see what Baker discovers on his journey to track them all down. Giving this book four Artifact Hunting stars!
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
July 9, 2014
This is a horror story, yes, but the horror lies not in the events that are occurring during the narrative, but in the possibility of untold terrors to come. This dark tale is beautifully written and its true power lies in the brilliant descriptive powers of Mr. West. It is an elegiac tale of love and loss and comes with my highest recommendation.
October 3, 2023
Entertaining horror listening 🎶🔰
This is a free novella e-book from Amazon. Oh how I love 💘 those free books 📚!I
Baker Johnson is moving into a new apartment building. He settles with the landlord and moves in. It becomes night 🌙 and the truth about the apartment comes to life.
I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒👻🏡
This is a free novella e-book from Amazon. Oh how I love 💘 those free books 📚!I
Baker Johnson is moving into a new apartment building. He settles with the landlord and moves in. It becomes night 🌙 and the truth about the apartment comes to life.
I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒👻🏡
August 30, 2026
This is an intriguing introduction to Baker Johnson, a parapsychologist who's haunted by the past and reluctant to engage in the future. Not much happens in this story, but it does establish the character effectively and is successful in making me want to see where the next book leads.
May 24, 2020
Audible:Excellent short story and intro to next book!Narrated nicely by Jason Mills.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
July 10, 2014
"But I thought myself more of a Longfellow than a Poe"
"The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed" is another in a long line of wonderful single shots from Mr. Terry M. West, soft as silk, quiet like a breath.
Baker Johnson has just entered the newly acquired estate of his late uncle to find a particular room that should be housing a collection of dark items, vacant.
The subject of cursed items, weather it be inhabited by a human or inhuman spirit, has always fascinated me, and Mr. West has crafted a deft yarn here. Smooth and subtle, built upon a framework of detailed, harrowing and heart wrenching imagery. The dread creeps in like a fog, cold, damp and tangible. Settling into your bones before realizing that it has also permeated your psyche.
A fantastic read. Check it out.
The Mouths Of Madness Podcast
"The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed" is another in a long line of wonderful single shots from Mr. Terry M. West, soft as silk, quiet like a breath.
Baker Johnson has just entered the newly acquired estate of his late uncle to find a particular room that should be housing a collection of dark items, vacant.
The subject of cursed items, weather it be inhabited by a human or inhuman spirit, has always fascinated me, and Mr. West has crafted a deft yarn here. Smooth and subtle, built upon a framework of detailed, harrowing and heart wrenching imagery. The dread creeps in like a fog, cold, damp and tangible. Settling into your bones before realizing that it has also permeated your psyche.
A fantastic read. Check it out.
The Mouths Of Madness Podcast
November 9, 2014
The Johnson's are keepers of cursed objects. Baker and his uncle are like Sam & Dean Winchester, hunting down these rare pieces to keep the world safe from evil.
After his uncles death he arrives at the deceased's apartment; what he finds when he gets there chills him to the core.
The Giving of Things Cold & Cursedis the most recent short story that I've read by Terry M. West, and they all have managed to turn the creep-o-meter up to an eleven so far.
After his uncles death he arrives at the deceased's apartment; what he finds when he gets there chills him to the core.
The Giving of Things Cold & Cursedis the most recent short story that I've read by Terry M. West, and they all have managed to turn the creep-o-meter up to an eleven so far.
September 3, 2022
The Baker Johnson Tales is an ongoing series of short stories by Terry M. West, all of them dealing with Baker Johnson, the Black Room inherited from his grandfather, and their shared legacy of darkness.
The year is 1925, the science of parapsychologist is just beginning to read its height of popularity, and detective fiction has just entered its golden age. Enter one Baker Johnson, part flawed parapsychologist, part hard-boiled detective, and part grieving widower and parent. The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed is really more of a character study than a short story, but it's extraordinarily effective in introducing the premise, establishing the character, and hooking the reader with a cold, clever twist at the end.
Without giving too much away, Richard Johnson (Baker's grandfather) was a parapsychologist who investigated paranormal phenomena, collected the haunted objects at their center, and safely stored them away from the world in his Black Room. The problem is, Richard became rather senile and unstable in his later years, and his last act of coherent thought was to order that those same objects be given away freely, returning their darkness into an unsuspecting world. Baker has been called in to settle his grandfather's affairs, and isn't particularly pleased to discover the fabled Black Room empty - for reasons that become all the more chilling upon the final reveal of that cold, clever twist.
The atmosphere here is perfect for this kind of a tale, and Baker is a fascinating character. He's arrogant and cold, almost to the point of abrupt rudeness, but he knows how to read and observe people. He worked alongside his grandfather in collecting those haunted objects, and their absence haunts him almost as deeply as the loss of his family.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
The year is 1925, the science of parapsychologist is just beginning to read its height of popularity, and detective fiction has just entered its golden age. Enter one Baker Johnson, part flawed parapsychologist, part hard-boiled detective, and part grieving widower and parent. The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed is really more of a character study than a short story, but it's extraordinarily effective in introducing the premise, establishing the character, and hooking the reader with a cold, clever twist at the end.
Without giving too much away, Richard Johnson (Baker's grandfather) was a parapsychologist who investigated paranormal phenomena, collected the haunted objects at their center, and safely stored them away from the world in his Black Room. The problem is, Richard became rather senile and unstable in his later years, and his last act of coherent thought was to order that those same objects be given away freely, returning their darkness into an unsuspecting world. Baker has been called in to settle his grandfather's affairs, and isn't particularly pleased to discover the fabled Black Room empty - for reasons that become all the more chilling upon the final reveal of that cold, clever twist.
The atmosphere here is perfect for this kind of a tale, and Baker is a fascinating character. He's arrogant and cold, almost to the point of abrupt rudeness, but he knows how to read and observe people. He worked alongside his grandfather in collecting those haunted objects, and their absence haunts him almost as deeply as the loss of his family.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
April 10, 2020
I received this book for free at my request but the opinion is of my own. An uncle dies leaving behind his estate, but is there more than a few physical things? A room of mystery suddenly emptied what was in there?
October 15, 2022
Baker Johnson is a parapsychologist. He has just inherited his uncle's estate. Before his death, due to dementia, his uncle gave away most of his cursed objects. Has evil been unleashed and will Baker have to contain it? A riveting short story.
September 30, 2018
I guess I'll read more books by this author. I liked the writing style.
December 29, 2018
A very quick read. A man decides to get rid of his room full of haunted objects, without considering the effect on the receivers.
January 3, 2019
Nice take
A quick creepy little tale about possessed items. I really liked it . Recommend this quick read. Very well written.
A quick creepy little tale about possessed items. I really liked it . Recommend this quick read. Very well written.
January 8, 2019
Loved the book
It maybe a short story but it was beautifully done. I loved how the characters were described and the ending perfect.
It maybe a short story but it was beautifully done. I loved how the characters were described and the ending perfect.
May 22, 2019
This is a great introductory tale, I’m definitely going to look for the rest in this series, I’m very intrigued.
March 18, 2020
I think I would like this more if I read more of the Baker Johnson stories. It was good but seemed like filler in an overall story. I am completely open to reading more of these so that is a plus.
September 21, 2020
Good Little Short Story
This short story by Terry M. West suck's you in from the first page or so, I am going to check out some of Terry's other work.
This short story by Terry M. West suck's you in from the first page or so, I am going to check out some of Terry's other work.
September 21, 2023
slow burn for a short story
Wish this was longer and have more back ground . And more following . Fast read ! Easy to get through
Wish this was longer and have more back ground . And more following . Fast read ! Easy to get through
November 26, 2014
**I was given a review copy of this story for a honest review.**
Period pieces and myself usually do not get along well. It's not the writing's fault. Really it's mine. as I find it hard to grasp the language and nuances of the time. Coming into "The Giving of Things Cold and Cursed" I knew it would be good because the author hasn't let me down with his previous offerings. But I was afraid I would let the story down by not giving it my all; blocked by my usual barriers with period pieces.
My fears were unfounded as the author's subject matter eased me into the story. I was hooked. As the sharp barbs of prose tore through my skin, I was pulled deeper into life of Baker Johnson and the 'Black Room' that my barrier collapsed. I was enthralled with the tale; told with such a stylish and authentic tint that I was briefly transported back to nineteen-fifty two.
what really excites me about this story, is that there will be more to come giving readers like myself another opportunity to step into the shoes of Baker Johnson.
Without a doubt, the author has created a story well worth 'Five Skulls'
Period pieces and myself usually do not get along well. It's not the writing's fault. Really it's mine. as I find it hard to grasp the language and nuances of the time. Coming into "The Giving of Things Cold and Cursed" I knew it would be good because the author hasn't let me down with his previous offerings. But I was afraid I would let the story down by not giving it my all; blocked by my usual barriers with period pieces.
My fears were unfounded as the author's subject matter eased me into the story. I was hooked. As the sharp barbs of prose tore through my skin, I was pulled deeper into life of Baker Johnson and the 'Black Room' that my barrier collapsed. I was enthralled with the tale; told with such a stylish and authentic tint that I was briefly transported back to nineteen-fifty two.
what really excites me about this story, is that there will be more to come giving readers like myself another opportunity to step into the shoes of Baker Johnson.
Without a doubt, the author has created a story well worth 'Five Skulls'
August 28, 2014
The year is 1925 and Baker Johnson has just inherited his uncle’s home. His Uncle was an odd man who kept a room full of cursed objects. Baker and his uncle are not like other people, they study the supernatural, collect strange objects and try to prove if spiritualists are charlatans or not.
Even though The Giving Of Things Cold And Cursed by Terry M. West is a short story I got the impression that Terry did his homework. The character of Baker made me think of Houdini who also was into proving spiritualists weren't what they said they were. In 1925 spiritualists were common place and preyed on people who had lost someone. I enjoyed hearing about how the objects taken from the room effected the people’s lives that took them. In particular I liked how the man who wrote humorous poetry started writing dark poetry like Poe when he got a cursed object. This is a well told horror story that reminded me of something you would see on the show Tales From The Darkside.
Even though The Giving Of Things Cold And Cursed by Terry M. West is a short story I got the impression that Terry did his homework. The character of Baker made me think of Houdini who also was into proving spiritualists weren't what they said they were. In 1925 spiritualists were common place and preyed on people who had lost someone. I enjoyed hearing about how the objects taken from the room effected the people’s lives that took them. In particular I liked how the man who wrote humorous poetry started writing dark poetry like Poe when he got a cursed object. This is a well told horror story that reminded me of something you would see on the show Tales From The Darkside.
September 19, 2015
I've read much of West's work, and while I'm a fan of it all, I believe he has a real strength writing in this era and with these characters. What he's created with Baker Johnson is something that shouldn't stop. This short is just enough to make you want to read another 300 pages of Baker Johnson tales as the man takes on the spiritual world. West's prose is excellent here and should be an example handed out to those who want to create good atmosphere and believable dialogue without boring the reader. Though I prefer this story over its sequel (which is also very good), it would be quite unfair to have this character within this setting die out. Here's to hoping West brings us more Baker Johnson tales in the future.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews