Small Problems: 17 Twisted Tales of the Macabre and Existential Dread

by J.D. Haakenson

Seventeen tales of the macabre, paranoia, and existential dread -- with a twisted sense of humor.
From romantic entanglements to nuclear holocaust, from a jungle refuge for the rich to the back alleys of desperate city-dwellers, no human pickle goes unexplored in Small Problems.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2025

Reviews

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of Booksprout for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: What do threats of nuclear annihilation, malfunctioning technology, and potential past lives have in common? They are all part of a horror anthology written by Mr. Haakenson. How do the stories work for us? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Well, you can see how Mr. Haakenson feels about men, specifically American men.

Likes: The malfunctioning jet pack story was a little bit funny.

Conclusion: This book wasn't for me. If you like dark fiction that seems to have a feminist bent to it, then this book may be for you. Enjoy the read.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories deliver on exactly what is promised. Bizarre, off-the-wall stories that are by turns funny, a bit scary at times, definitely twisted (not to mention ending with strange twists a lot of the time which I guess is the same as twisted, yet feels different to me). Even the introduction has a twist which you might catch early on, or possibly not until the end. Just when you think you’ve figured out where a story is going, you’ll usually discover how wrong you were. Or were you?

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **