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Panacea: A Novella of Horror
Decades of marriage haven’t tarnished Rob’s affection towards his dear wife Molly one bit. He’s not about to let cancer snatch her away, no matter the cost. But every medication has its side effects, some more than others...
(Originally published in the anthology DEAD ROSES: FIVE TALES OF TWISTED LOVE.)
(Originally published in the anthology DEAD ROSES: FIVE TALES OF TWISTED LOVE.)
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2016
26 people want to read
About the author
Adam Light
20 books270 followersAdam Light resides in northeast Florida with his beautiful wife and daughter, and their two fur sons, Walker and Aspen.
For years, he's peeked out at you from your slightly open closet door, or grasped at the little toes you carelessly left uncovered. His stories have been published in horror anthologies such as Doorbells at Dusk, the Bad Apples: Halloween Horror series, and Dead Roses: Five Dark Tales of Twisted Love, to name a few.
Now, you can find all of his work under one gorgeous cover in Dreams for the Dying, the definitive collection of Adam Light's tantalizing tales. Be sure to pick it up now, before it's too late.
Click here for your copy of Dreams for the Dying
For years, he's peeked out at you from your slightly open closet door, or grasped at the little toes you carelessly left uncovered. His stories have been published in horror anthologies such as Doorbells at Dusk, the Bad Apples: Halloween Horror series, and Dead Roses: Five Dark Tales of Twisted Love, to name a few.
Now, you can find all of his work under one gorgeous cover in Dreams for the Dying, the definitive collection of Adam Light's tantalizing tales. Be sure to pick it up now, before it's too late.
Click here for your copy of Dreams for the Dying
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 1, 2016
My favorite story in the Dead Roses anthology, I was glad to see Panacea by Adam Light thriving on its own in the wild. This is also undoubtedly my favorite story by Adam to date.
Rob Arnold and his wife Molly are what every married couple strives for, with a love that far outweighs the years they have been together. The only thing in life that could ever tear them apart is Molly's cancer which every day brings Rob closer to losing the one thing he cares about. Willing to go to any lengths to stop this from happening, Rob desperately latches onto the first thing that he comes across promising a cure. Unfortunately nothing comes without a price and sometimes that price is far higher than you bargained for...
I'm not always a fan of short stories. If I like them I usually end up feeling cheated by the shortness of them and otherwise often they just sort of feel like an afterthought-- almost stories that want to be more... but aren't. That said, some of the best stories I've read have been shorts. I think it shows exceptional talent in a writer who can pull off a short story and not leave you wanting and Panacea is that story.
Rob Arnold and his wife Molly are what every married couple strives for, with a love that far outweighs the years they have been together. The only thing in life that could ever tear them apart is Molly's cancer which every day brings Rob closer to losing the one thing he cares about. Willing to go to any lengths to stop this from happening, Rob desperately latches onto the first thing that he comes across promising a cure. Unfortunately nothing comes without a price and sometimes that price is far higher than you bargained for...
I'm not always a fan of short stories. If I like them I usually end up feeling cheated by the shortness of them and otherwise often they just sort of feel like an afterthought-- almost stories that want to be more... but aren't. That said, some of the best stories I've read have been shorts. I think it shows exceptional talent in a writer who can pull off a short story and not leave you wanting and Panacea is that story.
May 19, 2016
What would you do to save the life of your true love?
Rob Arnold, an elderly man embittered by the inability to enjoy his golden years with his loving wife, Molly, who is on her deathbed, sees a commercial for a "cure-all" elixir. Desperate, Rob purchases the wonder drug, praying that it will "beat the pants off cancer," as claimed. Molly is fading fast and this drug is her last hope. He administers the strange medication to Molly and....
Curious to know more? You should be! This short story has an intriguing premise, is well-written and is greatly engrossing. Short stories can be tricky at times, but Adam Light does not disappoint.
Rob Arnold, an elderly man embittered by the inability to enjoy his golden years with his loving wife, Molly, who is on her deathbed, sees a commercial for a "cure-all" elixir. Desperate, Rob purchases the wonder drug, praying that it will "beat the pants off cancer," as claimed. Molly is fading fast and this drug is her last hope. He administers the strange medication to Molly and....
Curious to know more? You should be! This short story has an intriguing premise, is well-written and is greatly engrossing. Short stories can be tricky at times, but Adam Light does not disappoint.
Read
May 21, 2016Outstanding.
May 5, 2016
Enjoyable shot of well written horror I am not the greatest lover of short stories, possibly because most authors somehow fail to get the balance of the "hit" just right. A short story has certain advantages for the reader; you are straight into the action; there are few if any wasted words; if you don't like the author's style then thankfully the torture will not last long.
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
August 9, 2016
Everyone has been in love. From the master wordsmith, Adam Light, PANACEA is a depraved love story that horror fans are sure to appreciate. This one will grab you by the heart and hold you through 'til the end ... and perhaps even beyond. You certainly won't be let down. I read it twice.
March 19, 2016
Great stuff
May 5, 2016
Great premise for a story, and Light takes it to the extreme here in Panacea. Nice blend of character, story, and gore.
May 5, 2016
I am not the greatest lover of short stories, possibly because most authors somehow fail to get the balance of the "hit" just right. A short story has certain advantages for the reader; you are straight into the action; there are few if any wasted words; if you don't like the author's style then thankfully the torture will not last long.
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
Merged review:
I am not the greatest lover of short stories, possibly because most authors somehow fail to get the balance of the "hit" just right. A short story has certain advantages for the reader; you are straight into the action; there are few if any wasted words; if you don't like the author's style then thankfully the torture will not last long.
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
Merged review:
I am not the greatest lover of short stories, possibly because most authors somehow fail to get the balance of the "hit" just right. A short story has certain advantages for the reader; you are straight into the action; there are few if any wasted words; if you don't like the author's style then thankfully the torture will not last long.
Adam Light succeeds where so many others fail and tells a "Faustian" tale (abandoning spiritual or moral principles in order to obtain wealth or other benefits) with great confidence and panache! Rob Arnold's wife of many many years is dying of cancer and there appears no hope of recovery until one night, whilst watching his favourite baseball team The Atlanta Braves,he is confronted by a commercial for a miracle drug "Panacea".."Tonight only, I am offering my revolutionary cure-all, Panacea, to the general public. The elixir that beat the pants of cancer can now be yours. Don't hesitate, friend. Pick up that telephone and dial the toll-free number on your screen, now, and you can say you were the one that saved them. Panacea is the answer. Call now and get back those years together you deserve."
Needless to say Rob is intrigued by such bold statements, what has he to lose his beloved Molly has only months to remain alive. The results of the drug are instant and what follows is intriguing, funny, and sad in equal measures with a conclusion that is totally unexpected, original and very satisfying. So if you need a quick shot of horror before the midnight hour have a taste of Panacea but be prepared for the consequences!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews