Weep and Howl

by Asher Allen

They say I have murdered six women.

I say I have slain six monsters.

Let us find common ground and say I have killed six females.

Nobody has yet heard my side of the story, but now they will. You will, reader, if you give me a chance.

My "victims" were not the beautiful, spotless lambs the media has shown you. They were wolves in woolen coats, ugly as sin on the inside.

I have done my work in good conscience. I have committed crimes, and now I will confess.

To steal what Herman Melville said of his magnum opus, "I have written a wicked book, and feel spotless as the lamb."

132 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2026

About the author

Asher Allen is a lifelong teller of tales, both the fanciful and the factual. He studied journalism at the Defense Information School, and traveled the world chronicling true stories during his time as a military journalist. Now a dedicated fictionist, he writes in a variety of genres, with a focus on the fantastical.

In addition to works written under his own name, Allen has used various pseudonyms and has also worked as a ghostwriter.

Reviews

[Asher Allen]

I won't go so far as to claim that this book is metal, but I do want to note that each chapter title is taken from a relevant Skillet song. Hopefully, listening to the associated song before or after reading each chapter will result in a more dynamic experience for some readers.

[Levi W. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing. Daring. Devastating. A thrilling account told by a narrator who is possibly not so unreliable as he seems.


"I guess the only time people think about injustice is when it happens to them." - Charles Bukowski

[Ileana · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

It took me some time to decide what I wanted to say in this review. As with every other story I have read by Asher Allen, this story was well-written with an intriguing plot and convincing characters. It was one of the most compellingly complex stories I have read in a long time, which is why I have taken longer to review it than I have with past stories.

I enjoyed reading this story, but it wasn’t a joyous story. It is not the kind of story written to make people happy—it’s written to make them think. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that I found it gave voice to an internal wrestling with which I think many people can identify—though hopefully manifested in different ways than this story—and it came with a soundtrack too! The internal wrestling I’m speaking of is feeling misunderstood. Most of us do our best to live right and do good in this world, yet despite our best efforts, many would deem us enemies no matter where we land in this increasingly polarized world.

But we know our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts, right? Do we really, though? Can we be sure we really know all of our thoughts, even the subconscious ones, and every single intention of our hearts? Or is it possible that we’re crazy? That maybe we’re just monsters? In this world where what used to be wrong is now called right and what used to be right is now called wrong, and it continues to change from one generation to the next, how can any of us be sure?

I don’t think any of us can be sure on our own. We need someone who knows better. Someone who knows all and sees all and is unchanging to show us the Way and to show us the Truth. Someone who is the Way and the Truth (John 14:6).

So with that, I want to say thank you to author Asher Allen. You so frequently paint a picture—create a world—with your writing that gives a voice to deep ponderings and sentiments I couldn’t begin to express on my own.

Giving 4.5 out 5 stars because it did make me feel a little crazy at times reading this story, and that’s not my favorite feeling to give it a 5 out of 5, but I still thoroughly appreciated this book and think it’s worth the read.