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Wrathbone and Other Stories
Terror follows those who let it into their hearts.
Wrathbone
Guests of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris attend a showing of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. On that fateful night, a great man falls, but he is not alone. For Henry and Clara, the night is only the beginning of lives wrought with jealousy, madness, and horror.
The Only Good Lawyer
Bradley is a savvy defense attorney with no scruples. Under his representation, many a guilty man has gone free. But when a voodoo priest takes the stand, Bradley soon discovers that he, too, is on trial, and the punishment for guilt may be more than he could bear.
Dorian's Mirror
Dorian loves himself, and why wouldn't he? Every guy wants to be him, and every girl wants to be with him. He would trade all he has to make his looks last forever, but bargaining with the devil may leave him short a soul.
For the Birds
Nev's best friend is his parrot. In fact, it's his only friend… and his only ally when his home is invaded.
Revenge is a Dish
Maurice has landed a dream job, chef for a rich couple on their yacht. The wife has carnal desires for him. Maurice has some carnal desires of his own.
"From the eerie opening tale to the grisly closer, and all of the wonderfully mean-spirited tales in-between, Wrathbone is a winner!" --Jeff Strand, author of Dead Clown Barbeque
"This is horror of the mind at it's very best . . . Very dark, very atmospheric, very powerful writing. Excellent stuff . . . Only the second time ever that I have given every story in a collection five stars. This one is going to be hard to beat." --Nev Murray at Confessions of a Reviewer and Scream Magazine
"Wrathbone and Other Stories is a hard-hitting collection that you can completely immerse yourself in. The title story is a beautifully written period tale of love and tragedy." --Mercedes M. Yardley, author of the Bram Stoker Award winner Little Dead Red.
"Jason Parent channels the darkness. Wrathbone and Other Stories offers a glimpse into the twisted mind of a gifted storyteller, whose characters are every bit as vivid as the demons that haunt them. Parent's definitely an author to watch!" --Michael McBride, author of Subterrestrial and Burial Ground
"An elegantly written novella of madness, murder, and demons, Jason Parent's Wrathbone reads like Edgar Allan Poe's take on 'Jacob's Ladder.'" --Adam Howe, author of Tijuana Donkey Showdown, Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet, and Black Cat Mojo
Wrathbone
Guests of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris attend a showing of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. On that fateful night, a great man falls, but he is not alone. For Henry and Clara, the night is only the beginning of lives wrought with jealousy, madness, and horror.
The Only Good Lawyer
Bradley is a savvy defense attorney with no scruples. Under his representation, many a guilty man has gone free. But when a voodoo priest takes the stand, Bradley soon discovers that he, too, is on trial, and the punishment for guilt may be more than he could bear.
Dorian's Mirror
Dorian loves himself, and why wouldn't he? Every guy wants to be him, and every girl wants to be with him. He would trade all he has to make his looks last forever, but bargaining with the devil may leave him short a soul.
For the Birds
Nev's best friend is his parrot. In fact, it's his only friend… and his only ally when his home is invaded.
Revenge is a Dish
Maurice has landed a dream job, chef for a rich couple on their yacht. The wife has carnal desires for him. Maurice has some carnal desires of his own.
"From the eerie opening tale to the grisly closer, and all of the wonderfully mean-spirited tales in-between, Wrathbone is a winner!" --Jeff Strand, author of Dead Clown Barbeque
"This is horror of the mind at it's very best . . . Very dark, very atmospheric, very powerful writing. Excellent stuff . . . Only the second time ever that I have given every story in a collection five stars. This one is going to be hard to beat." --Nev Murray at Confessions of a Reviewer and Scream Magazine
"Wrathbone and Other Stories is a hard-hitting collection that you can completely immerse yourself in. The title story is a beautifully written period tale of love and tragedy." --Mercedes M. Yardley, author of the Bram Stoker Award winner Little Dead Red.
"Jason Parent channels the darkness. Wrathbone and Other Stories offers a glimpse into the twisted mind of a gifted storyteller, whose characters are every bit as vivid as the demons that haunt them. Parent's definitely an author to watch!" --Michael McBride, author of Subterrestrial and Burial Ground
"An elegantly written novella of madness, murder, and demons, Jason Parent's Wrathbone reads like Edgar Allan Poe's take on 'Jacob's Ladder.'" --Adam Howe, author of Tijuana Donkey Showdown, Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet, and Black Cat Mojo
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2016
6 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books690 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 12, 2016
Wrathbone is a story collection which rivals the best out there! Every single tale delivers, and that's such a rare thing, at least for me.
My favorite among the bunch, (and believe me, it was HARD to choose!), had to be:
Revenge Is A Dish A tasty little tale, (forgive the pun, you'll understand when you read it), about a master chef aboard a private yacht until... he's not. He's tossed overboard, with only one of those lame rings on which to float. Alone, he finds himself bobbing on the ocean like a cork, with no land or other boats in sight, and with unseen things brushing against him below. And then..., you'll have to read it and see.
As I said above, every single tale packed a real punch, but almost tied for first place was the story The Only Good Lawyer . Voodoo dolls and medicine men are a favorite horror trope of mine and this one is a doozy; it brings on ALL THE CREEPY. Plus, the lowlife lawyer, (this guy's really bad), gets his due in this one, so what's not to like?
For the Birds I thought in an earlier story one of the characters might have been named for the son of someone I know, but in this tale, I'm almost positive I know who the main character was named after. That said, I think it was hilarious what then happened to him and couldn't help but laugh at the man's truly horrible fate. Yep, that's the kind of gal I am. If this situation happens to you, you know what you can expect from me and it isn't help, it's laughter.
I'm happy and confident in saying that this will make my best reads of the year list. I think you should give it a chance to make it onto yours.
Highly recommended for fans of short fiction! You can purchase your copy here: Wrathbone and Other Stories
*I was given a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it. In addition, I *know* this author, (online only), and consider him to be a friend. In no way did this affect the content of this review.*
My favorite among the bunch, (and believe me, it was HARD to choose!), had to be:
Revenge Is A Dish A tasty little tale, (forgive the pun, you'll understand when you read it), about a master chef aboard a private yacht until... he's not. He's tossed overboard, with only one of those lame rings on which to float. Alone, he finds himself bobbing on the ocean like a cork, with no land or other boats in sight, and with unseen things brushing against him below. And then..., you'll have to read it and see.
As I said above, every single tale packed a real punch, but almost tied for first place was the story The Only Good Lawyer . Voodoo dolls and medicine men are a favorite horror trope of mine and this one is a doozy; it brings on ALL THE CREEPY. Plus, the lowlife lawyer, (this guy's really bad), gets his due in this one, so what's not to like?
For the Birds I thought in an earlier story one of the characters might have been named for the son of someone I know, but in this tale, I'm almost positive I know who the main character was named after. That said, I think it was hilarious what then happened to him and couldn't help but laugh at the man's truly horrible fate. Yep, that's the kind of gal I am. If this situation happens to you, you know what you can expect from me and it isn't help, it's laughter.
I'm happy and confident in saying that this will make my best reads of the year list. I think you should give it a chance to make it onto yours.
Highly recommended for fans of short fiction! You can purchase your copy here: Wrathbone and Other Stories
*I was given a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it. In addition, I *know* this author, (online only), and consider him to be a friend. In no way did this affect the content of this review.*
July 5, 2017
WRATHBONE and Other Stories, by Jason Parent, is a collection of one novella and four additional tales showcasing the author’s versatility and mastery of the writing craft. The book begins with an impressive introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke, followed by the titled novella, WRATHBONE.
“I am not a good man.”
This begins the gothic-style tale of Major Henry Rathbone and his life after President Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. Rathbone and his betrothed, Clara Harris, were in the box with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln as the fatal shot was fired. The novella is told as Rathbone’s narrative, and his point of view stems from this main, distraught, self-belief: “. . . my failure cost a great man his life . . . “
This was a hauntingly beautiful work, reminiscent of some of the early masters of horror. We progress from that pinnacle historical moment and follow Major Rathbone and his family as time goes on. The reader is thrust into the narrator’s mind, seeing the demons and brief, peaceful respites, that progress throughout his years. Are these demons a product of a guilt-racked mind in decline, or did the Major get a glimpse of something . . . other . . . that broke through the veil into our reality? An elegant work of historical fiction that will leave you wondering exactly what went through Rathbone’s consciousness after that fateful date.
The second story, “The Only Good Lawyer”, had me mentally at the edge of my seat the entire time. A crooked defense attorney becomes uncertain of his own success when he meets the disfigured father of a brutally murdered girl, whose killer he is defending. A fantastic conclusion that surpassed my own expectations!
In “Dorian’s Mirror”, Parent pays homage to Oscar Wilde’s classic, “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”. Here we have a modern day, self-proclaimed Adonis, who depends upon his looks for his livelihood. When the image he sees in his bathroom mirror begins to betray him, it isn’t long before his biggest fear faces him in every reflective surface. When you make a wish, be very careful that the outcome is one you can live with . . .
“For the Birds” is one story that will come back to haunt me every time I make a roast beef sandwich! Nev is a man living alone, with only his pet Scarlet Macaw for company. His bond with his avian roommate reminded me of a happily-married couple. When reading about a rash of murders and petty burglaries in his area, Nev quickly assures his beloved bird that “I’d never let them get to you, girl. . .” , despite her–peculiar–tastes. However, what happens when the aforementioned scenario becomes a reality?
The last story in this collection, “Revenge is a Dish”, is one that I thought I had figured out right from the beginning. Parent’s descriptions and the bleak situation our main character, Maurice, finds himself in were so vividly portrayed that I could easily picture his every pain–both physical and mental. In fact, I was so engrossed in his predicament that when things began to change from my own expectations, it took a while for it to register. Ultimately, this was Parent’s story, and he turned it into something so much more than I was expecting.
In most story collections, I’ll have a clear list of favorites. Even alongside the stand-out novella, Wrathbone, I can honestly say that every story here was a five-star read for me. Jason Parent gives us a collection that effectively showcases his diverse range of writing ability and creativity. Wrathbone is a top contender for my number one collection of 2016.
Highly recommended!
***Re-read: July 2017: No changes in my original opinion. This entire collection remains a solid five-star read, in my opinion. :) ***
“I am not a good man.”
This begins the gothic-style tale of Major Henry Rathbone and his life after President Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. Rathbone and his betrothed, Clara Harris, were in the box with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln as the fatal shot was fired. The novella is told as Rathbone’s narrative, and his point of view stems from this main, distraught, self-belief: “. . . my failure cost a great man his life . . . “
This was a hauntingly beautiful work, reminiscent of some of the early masters of horror. We progress from that pinnacle historical moment and follow Major Rathbone and his family as time goes on. The reader is thrust into the narrator’s mind, seeing the demons and brief, peaceful respites, that progress throughout his years. Are these demons a product of a guilt-racked mind in decline, or did the Major get a glimpse of something . . . other . . . that broke through the veil into our reality? An elegant work of historical fiction that will leave you wondering exactly what went through Rathbone’s consciousness after that fateful date.
The second story, “The Only Good Lawyer”, had me mentally at the edge of my seat the entire time. A crooked defense attorney becomes uncertain of his own success when he meets the disfigured father of a brutally murdered girl, whose killer he is defending. A fantastic conclusion that surpassed my own expectations!
In “Dorian’s Mirror”, Parent pays homage to Oscar Wilde’s classic, “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”. Here we have a modern day, self-proclaimed Adonis, who depends upon his looks for his livelihood. When the image he sees in his bathroom mirror begins to betray him, it isn’t long before his biggest fear faces him in every reflective surface. When you make a wish, be very careful that the outcome is one you can live with . . .
“For the Birds” is one story that will come back to haunt me every time I make a roast beef sandwich! Nev is a man living alone, with only his pet Scarlet Macaw for company. His bond with his avian roommate reminded me of a happily-married couple. When reading about a rash of murders and petty burglaries in his area, Nev quickly assures his beloved bird that “I’d never let them get to you, girl. . .” , despite her–peculiar–tastes. However, what happens when the aforementioned scenario becomes a reality?
The last story in this collection, “Revenge is a Dish”, is one that I thought I had figured out right from the beginning. Parent’s descriptions and the bleak situation our main character, Maurice, finds himself in were so vividly portrayed that I could easily picture his every pain–both physical and mental. In fact, I was so engrossed in his predicament that when things began to change from my own expectations, it took a while for it to register. Ultimately, this was Parent’s story, and he turned it into something so much more than I was expecting.
In most story collections, I’ll have a clear list of favorites. Even alongside the stand-out novella, Wrathbone, I can honestly say that every story here was a five-star read for me. Jason Parent gives us a collection that effectively showcases his diverse range of writing ability and creativity. Wrathbone is a top contender for my number one collection of 2016.
Highly recommended!
***Re-read: July 2017: No changes in my original opinion. This entire collection remains a solid five-star read, in my opinion. :) ***
February 7, 2017
An outstanding collection from Jason Parent, which includes a novella and four full-length short stories. The titular novella is stuffed with enough stellar prose and madness to make Poe himself proud, and fans of literary horror with a historical twist should find much to enjoy with this one.
THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER and DORIAN'S MIRROR are sharply drawn tales that would make classic TWILIGHT ZONE scripts, while FOR THE BIRDS and REVENGE IS A DISH take a decidedly (and delightfully) nasty turn. For me, each story in this quintet was truly better than the one before.
WRATHBONE is a stellar package that deserves a spot in every horror fan's library and represents another step forward for Jason Parent, an author whose novels also shouldn't be missed.
P.S. Kudos to the publisher for an easy-to-read layout.
THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER and DORIAN'S MIRROR are sharply drawn tales that would make classic TWILIGHT ZONE scripts, while FOR THE BIRDS and REVENGE IS A DISH take a decidedly (and delightfully) nasty turn. For me, each story in this quintet was truly better than the one before.
WRATHBONE is a stellar package that deserves a spot in every horror fan's library and represents another step forward for Jason Parent, an author whose novels also shouldn't be missed.
P.S. Kudos to the publisher for an easy-to-read layout.
July 31, 2017
Wrathbone and Other Stories by Jason Parent is a solid selection of short fiction offerings, where each story uses nicely descriptive prose in painting a vivid picture for the reader. There are some genuinely original ideas that have gone into producing this book, although the majority of the characters are somewhat lightly drawn.
My marks are as follows:
Wrathbone is the title story in the collection, and it is based around real historical fact. It paints a powerful image of one man's slide toward insanity - or perhaps toward Hell, it is left to the reader to decide.
4 stars
The Only Good Lawyer is a gem of a tale. Bradley Walsh is a law practicing scumbag. Being English, it was difficult to read this one without picturing 'our' Bradley dressed up in courtroom pins! :)
Nevertheless, this Bradley is a scumbag and a rogue, willing to play the system in any way necessary to secure the right result for his client(s).
And you just know it isn't going to end well for our guy in the suit!
This was the best story in the collection. The protagonist is an unpleasant self-obsessed rogue, and to be honest that is a common theme throughout all of these stories. None of the leading characters have redeeming features, but in this instance it suited the plot magnificently.
5 stars
Dorian's Mirror: The title alone offers more than a hint of what is to come. I enjoyed this one the least. Perhaps deeper insight into Dorian's super-self-obsession would have given this more depth, as it was I didn't much care for Dorian or how this one turned out.
3 stars
For The Birds: Ha! What can I say? (Other than I wish it'd been longer!) You know how those animal lovers among us like to think Fido (or in this case Polly) has our back?
Well, take a closer look at your furry/feathered/scaly friend in the corner.
You've been warned!
5 stars
Revenge Is A Dish is a bit of a strange one. It deserves a decent rating because it delivers an OK 'slice' of horror. This being said, I almost feel inclined to rate it lower purely because the main character is so despicable a sociopath. Maurice is a whinging, poor-excuse for a human being, who is not in the wrong even when banging someone else's wife. Literally, with this buffoon everything (and I do mean everything!) is some other poor sods fault.
I think rogues and villains (and certainly protagonists!) work best when there is some enticing feature makes them resonate with the reader. You don't have to like them, but if they are a main player it helps to be drawn to some aspect of their character.
But Maurice was a whinging cry-baby from start to finish. I felt like drowning the bastard, myself!
3 stars
I make that an average of 4 stars for Wrathbone and Other Stories.
My marks are as follows:
Wrathbone is the title story in the collection, and it is based around real historical fact. It paints a powerful image of one man's slide toward insanity - or perhaps toward Hell, it is left to the reader to decide.
4 stars
The Only Good Lawyer is a gem of a tale. Bradley Walsh is a law practicing scumbag. Being English, it was difficult to read this one without picturing 'our' Bradley dressed up in courtroom pins! :)
Nevertheless, this Bradley is a scumbag and a rogue, willing to play the system in any way necessary to secure the right result for his client(s).
And you just know it isn't going to end well for our guy in the suit!
This was the best story in the collection. The protagonist is an unpleasant self-obsessed rogue, and to be honest that is a common theme throughout all of these stories. None of the leading characters have redeeming features, but in this instance it suited the plot magnificently.
5 stars
Dorian's Mirror: The title alone offers more than a hint of what is to come. I enjoyed this one the least. Perhaps deeper insight into Dorian's super-self-obsession would have given this more depth, as it was I didn't much care for Dorian or how this one turned out.
3 stars
For The Birds: Ha! What can I say? (Other than I wish it'd been longer!) You know how those animal lovers among us like to think Fido (or in this case Polly) has our back?
Well, take a closer look at your furry/feathered/scaly friend in the corner.
You've been warned!
5 stars
Revenge Is A Dish is a bit of a strange one. It deserves a decent rating because it delivers an OK 'slice' of horror. This being said, I almost feel inclined to rate it lower purely because the main character is so despicable a sociopath. Maurice is a whinging, poor-excuse for a human being, who is not in the wrong even when banging someone else's wife. Literally, with this buffoon everything (and I do mean everything!) is some other poor sods fault.
I think rogues and villains (and certainly protagonists!) work best when there is some enticing feature makes them resonate with the reader. You don't have to like them, but if they are a main player it helps to be drawn to some aspect of their character.
But Maurice was a whinging cry-baby from start to finish. I felt like drowning the bastard, myself!
3 stars
I make that an average of 4 stars for Wrathbone and Other Stories.
October 15, 2016
Read this on a flight between Dallas and LAX.
Really, really liked the title story,Wrathbone. The reader is really left to decide if Major Rathbone is suffering from some sort of PTSD after seeing President Lincoln assassinated right next him, failing to stop John Wilkes Booth when he had the chance, or if he is really experiencing a demonic possession and event. Either way, it's a tragic story.
The other stories were pretty good, too, if quite gruesome, especially the story, "For the Birds".
Really, really liked the title story,Wrathbone. The reader is really left to decide if Major Rathbone is suffering from some sort of PTSD after seeing President Lincoln assassinated right next him, failing to stop John Wilkes Booth when he had the chance, or if he is really experiencing a demonic possession and event. Either way, it's a tragic story.
The other stories were pretty good, too, if quite gruesome, especially the story, "For the Birds".
October 21, 2016
I just finished reading the last story in this collection and I am still having trouble finding words to describe just how much I am in awe of Wrathbone, the story that the collection is named after. I loved every single story in this book, but Wrathbone was by far my favorite. Jason Parent is an author that I have always liked but who I am ashamed to admit I have not read too much from--that is going to change.
Wrathbone: Beautiful, haunting, horrifying...1865. Abraham Lincoln was murdered. Is there a demon that Major Henry Rathbone is unable to stop, or is his haunting a reflection of his madness? Is a lifetime of torment enough or only a taste of what's to come? The writing alone would have had me but Parent has crafted a story to match and both are soul-achingly brilliant.
The Only Good Lawyer: An oxymoron? The epitome of lawyerly loathing, Bradley Walsh will stop at nothing to win a case. Without a bunch of pesky 'morals' getting in his way, there is nothing to lose, right?
Dorian's Mirror: Dorian loves nothing more than Dorian. Dorian's entire world centers around his looks. Putting most teenage girls to shame, Dorian himself is shameless and...flawless? Perhaps not... A quite satisfying spin on an old favorite.
For the Birds: Nev's one and only friend is his pet parrot. He loves his pet parrot and his parrot loves him. Oh yes...
Revenge is a Dish: Maurice gets to travel the world doing what he loves best, working as a chef and exercising his job 'perks'--at least until his boss finds out about his wife's private cooking lessons... cast out and with plenty of time to stew, Maurice plans his revenge and revenge isn't always sweet, sometimes it's salty...
An amazing collection, Wrathbone is one that you don't want to miss. Jason has accomplished in one story collection, one story in particular, what many authors will never do in their lifetime and as impressed as I am, I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us. I am in love with this book and will be paying a lot closer attention to Mr. Parent in the future.
Wrathbone: Beautiful, haunting, horrifying...1865. Abraham Lincoln was murdered. Is there a demon that Major Henry Rathbone is unable to stop, or is his haunting a reflection of his madness? Is a lifetime of torment enough or only a taste of what's to come? The writing alone would have had me but Parent has crafted a story to match and both are soul-achingly brilliant.
The Only Good Lawyer: An oxymoron? The epitome of lawyerly loathing, Bradley Walsh will stop at nothing to win a case. Without a bunch of pesky 'morals' getting in his way, there is nothing to lose, right?
Dorian's Mirror: Dorian loves nothing more than Dorian. Dorian's entire world centers around his looks. Putting most teenage girls to shame, Dorian himself is shameless and...flawless? Perhaps not... A quite satisfying spin on an old favorite.
For the Birds: Nev's one and only friend is his pet parrot. He loves his pet parrot and his parrot loves him. Oh yes...
Revenge is a Dish: Maurice gets to travel the world doing what he loves best, working as a chef and exercising his job 'perks'--at least until his boss finds out about his wife's private cooking lessons... cast out and with plenty of time to stew, Maurice plans his revenge and revenge isn't always sweet, sometimes it's salty...
An amazing collection, Wrathbone is one that you don't want to miss. Jason has accomplished in one story collection, one story in particular, what many authors will never do in their lifetime and as impressed as I am, I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us. I am in love with this book and will be paying a lot closer attention to Mr. Parent in the future.
October 12, 2016
Review copy
Jason Parent's new collection, Wrathbone and Other Stories, includes some wonderfully original tales of horror. There may be only 5 stories in this collection, totaling 160 pages, but each tale is deserving of your attention and if you have yet to discover Jason's work, this book will serve as a worthy introduction.
Wrathbone - The collection begins with the novella length story of Lincoln's assassination, told as never before, in the voice of Poe or perhaps Lovecraft. The author truly captures the writing style of the old masters. "Terror ate at my sanity like mealworms through bread." A great way to start this compilation of tales.
The Only Good Lawyer - Here the author breaths new life into the voodoo doll story with a narrative of a lawyer having a very bad day.
Dorian's Mirror - Dorian Clarke is a good looking guy, a model, and a part-time bartender. The reader will quickly discover the author choose this character's name for a reason. "He owed his sub-par appearance to hallucinations spawned by a long night of drinking, drugging, and sex with a girl whose name he'd never forget."
For The Birds - Nev loved his parrot, Joli, a bird which has developed some unusual eating habits over the years. Habits, Nev was all too happy to indulge. This particular tale didn't quite go the way I expected and was all the better for it.
Revenge Is a Dish - Maurice is a top-notch chef who takes a job aboard a rich Doctor's yacht on a trip around the world. Ostensibly to cook, but also to bone the Doc's much younger wife every chance he gets. Things don't exactly go as planned in this cold-hearted conclusion to a superb collection.
Wrathbone and Other Stories gets my highest recommendation and is available in both paperback and e-book formats from Comet Press.
From the author's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
Jason Parent's new collection, Wrathbone and Other Stories, includes some wonderfully original tales of horror. There may be only 5 stories in this collection, totaling 160 pages, but each tale is deserving of your attention and if you have yet to discover Jason's work, this book will serve as a worthy introduction.
Wrathbone - The collection begins with the novella length story of Lincoln's assassination, told as never before, in the voice of Poe or perhaps Lovecraft. The author truly captures the writing style of the old masters. "Terror ate at my sanity like mealworms through bread." A great way to start this compilation of tales.
The Only Good Lawyer - Here the author breaths new life into the voodoo doll story with a narrative of a lawyer having a very bad day.
Dorian's Mirror - Dorian Clarke is a good looking guy, a model, and a part-time bartender. The reader will quickly discover the author choose this character's name for a reason. "He owed his sub-par appearance to hallucinations spawned by a long night of drinking, drugging, and sex with a girl whose name he'd never forget."
For The Birds - Nev loved his parrot, Joli, a bird which has developed some unusual eating habits over the years. Habits, Nev was all too happy to indulge. This particular tale didn't quite go the way I expected and was all the better for it.
Revenge Is a Dish - Maurice is a top-notch chef who takes a job aboard a rich Doctor's yacht on a trip around the world. Ostensibly to cook, but also to bone the Doc's much younger wife every chance he gets. Things don't exactly go as planned in this cold-hearted conclusion to a superb collection.
Wrathbone and Other Stories gets my highest recommendation and is available in both paperback and e-book formats from Comet Press.
From the author's bio - In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
July 4, 2017
This is my third experience with the author, first being an audio book and second a novella. Neither were either particularly awesome or particularly otherwise and his freebies seems to find his way on my Kindle, so I thought I'd check him out in a short form. Seems to be more of the same quality wise. Parent might not be the best of the best, but he's terrifically consistent at coming in just above average for genre unknown to lesser known authors. I enjoy his imagination and originality, though I think his characterizations need work, lots of it. There's an insistently one dimensional quality to his fictional protagonists in every story. The eponymous novella taking up the bulk of this slender volume was a somewhat one note ode to PTSD. The rest were short nasty slices of life gone off the rails as it were, relying more on dark psychology than supernatural, but with a nice variety to it. Sort of an author's take on the deadly sins, wrath, pride, lust, gluttony, greed, etc. Plenty of scares for genre fans and occasionally humorous to boot. Stories were slightly gorier than my current preference settings, very entertaining and good for a quick fun read. Thanks Netgalley.
October 20, 2016
This is my second read of Jason's and this one is a short story collection. Without further ado, here we go:
Wrathbone-
The "title track" of this collection and it's an eerie display of watching a man sink deeper and deeper into madness. What makes this story even more unsettling is that it's based of true historical facts. Henry Rathbone was indeed a major in the Union army. He, and his wife Clara, were the guests of President Lincoln and his wife attending the play at the Ford theater where Lincoln was fatally shot. Rathbone did suffer from extreme guilt and eventually went mad from not being able to prevent the assassination of the president. This is Parent's imagining of what went on in Rathbone's mind after that fateful night. Impressive.
4 out of 5 stars
The Only Good Lawyer -
Bradley is a scum bag lawyer. A damn good one and he defends other scum bags for obscene amounts of money with no conscience hampering his ability to defend these lowlives. He gets a taste of his own medicine when a victim's father takes the stand. A fun ride that you know where it is leading, but still love the ride.
5 out of 5 stars
Dorian's Mirror -
What if your looks were what made you a success and defined you? What if every mirror you now gazed in reflected you as hideous and aging more every time you looked into it? For Dorian, the mirror was his best friend. Now it is his enemy.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
For The Birds -
Nev's parrot has a peculiar craving. One warped story that is guaranteed to make you cringe!
4 out of 5 stars
Revenge is a Dish -
Maurice is hired to be a chef aboard a private yacht. Everything was going great until Maurice gets caught sampling the owner's wife's goodies. Oops. So what do you do with a guy when you're out in the middle of a vast ocean and days away from any land? Well, for Maurice, he gets tossed in the drink wearing nothing but his skivvies in shark infested waters. Needless to say, Maurice isn't in good mood after he's been floating on life ring for days fighting for his life. The only thing that keeps him going is his burning desire to enact revenge. Pass the salt, please.
5 out of 5 stars
Parent keeps getting better and better. There were 3 absolute gems out of this collection and, overall, there wasn't a clunker in the batch. That's saying a lot. His writing style is fluid and easy to read with an impressive vocabulary without being pretentious. I'm a reader and I read many books. It's been a month since I finished Wrathbone and these stories are still clearly tattooed in my brain. That's the sign of a good writer.
Overall - 4 1/2 President's Friends with Blood on their Clothes out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Wrathbone-
The "title track" of this collection and it's an eerie display of watching a man sink deeper and deeper into madness. What makes this story even more unsettling is that it's based of true historical facts. Henry Rathbone was indeed a major in the Union army. He, and his wife Clara, were the guests of President Lincoln and his wife attending the play at the Ford theater where Lincoln was fatally shot. Rathbone did suffer from extreme guilt and eventually went mad from not being able to prevent the assassination of the president. This is Parent's imagining of what went on in Rathbone's mind after that fateful night. Impressive.
4 out of 5 stars
The Only Good Lawyer -
Bradley is a scum bag lawyer. A damn good one and he defends other scum bags for obscene amounts of money with no conscience hampering his ability to defend these lowlives. He gets a taste of his own medicine when a victim's father takes the stand. A fun ride that you know where it is leading, but still love the ride.
5 out of 5 stars
Dorian's Mirror -
What if your looks were what made you a success and defined you? What if every mirror you now gazed in reflected you as hideous and aging more every time you looked into it? For Dorian, the mirror was his best friend. Now it is his enemy.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
For The Birds -
Nev's parrot has a peculiar craving. One warped story that is guaranteed to make you cringe!
4 out of 5 stars
Revenge is a Dish -
Maurice is hired to be a chef aboard a private yacht. Everything was going great until Maurice gets caught sampling the owner's wife's goodies. Oops. So what do you do with a guy when you're out in the middle of a vast ocean and days away from any land? Well, for Maurice, he gets tossed in the drink wearing nothing but his skivvies in shark infested waters. Needless to say, Maurice isn't in good mood after he's been floating on life ring for days fighting for his life. The only thing that keeps him going is his burning desire to enact revenge. Pass the salt, please.
5 out of 5 stars
Parent keeps getting better and better. There were 3 absolute gems out of this collection and, overall, there wasn't a clunker in the batch. That's saying a lot. His writing style is fluid and easy to read with an impressive vocabulary without being pretentious. I'm a reader and I read many books. It's been a month since I finished Wrathbone and these stories are still clearly tattooed in my brain. That's the sign of a good writer.
Overall - 4 1/2 President's Friends with Blood on their Clothes out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
October 14, 2016
I am usually wary about reading short stories even from authors I enjoy because short stories seem to be a lost art (to me anyway). I had high hopes when I started reading "Wrathbone and Other Stories" as I had read a previous novel by Jason Parent that was outstanding. Needless to say, I was definitely not disappointed but found myself enjoying these tales even more than "Seeing Evil". I made sure to read one story a night to make it last and my only regret is that I did not wait until Halloween to read it although this is a collection of tales that I will be reading again.
Wrathbone - The collection begins with a bang (pun intended) with the effect the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln has on guests who were sitting with the President when the unthinkable happened. The atmosphere and sense of growing horror in this first novella is reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe and M.R. James and is easily my favorite of all the stories.
The Only Good Lawyer - A stereotypical nasty lawyer with no morals meets his match with a voodoo doll. This one was a fun and creepy read because the lawyer was not someone I could empathize with as he is so despicable that I found myself actually rooting for the voodoo doll which was a first for me.
Dorian's Mirror - A very vain man (think Narcissus) is completely in love with himself and is convinced everyone else is but mirrors seem to tell him otherwise. I enjoyed this story very much. The arrogance and conceit of the main character made his fall all the more horrific.
For the Birds - Some people's best friends are their dogs or cats but Nev's best friend is his parrot who has an appetite for raw meat. The bloodier the better. When burglars enter his home, Nev finds out that sometimes friends are not really friends at all. I really had chills reading this short story because I did have pet birds at one time and I couldn't help but think what if?
Revenge is a Dish - Maurice has the perfect job as a chef on a rich couple's yacht. Even better, the wife has the hots for Maurice. When Maurice is found out and set adrift, his dreams of revenge become reality when they all meet up again on a not so deserted island. Even better, Maurice is able to learn some new recipes to the horror of the other survivors.
I think what impressed me the most was the style of writing. Wrathbone and other stories are so very different from "Seeing Evil" that it is like they were written by a different person. Jason Parent was able to pull off a very different style of writing that changed from suspense to gothic and sheer horror. This is definitely one that is a must read for fans of horror fiction.
Wrathbone - The collection begins with a bang (pun intended) with the effect the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln has on guests who were sitting with the President when the unthinkable happened. The atmosphere and sense of growing horror in this first novella is reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe and M.R. James and is easily my favorite of all the stories.
The Only Good Lawyer - A stereotypical nasty lawyer with no morals meets his match with a voodoo doll. This one was a fun and creepy read because the lawyer was not someone I could empathize with as he is so despicable that I found myself actually rooting for the voodoo doll which was a first for me.
Dorian's Mirror - A very vain man (think Narcissus) is completely in love with himself and is convinced everyone else is but mirrors seem to tell him otherwise. I enjoyed this story very much. The arrogance and conceit of the main character made his fall all the more horrific.
For the Birds - Some people's best friends are their dogs or cats but Nev's best friend is his parrot who has an appetite for raw meat. The bloodier the better. When burglars enter his home, Nev finds out that sometimes friends are not really friends at all. I really had chills reading this short story because I did have pet birds at one time and I couldn't help but think what if?
Revenge is a Dish - Maurice has the perfect job as a chef on a rich couple's yacht. Even better, the wife has the hots for Maurice. When Maurice is found out and set adrift, his dreams of revenge become reality when they all meet up again on a not so deserted island. Even better, Maurice is able to learn some new recipes to the horror of the other survivors.
I think what impressed me the most was the style of writing. Wrathbone and other stories are so very different from "Seeing Evil" that it is like they were written by a different person. Jason Parent was able to pull off a very different style of writing that changed from suspense to gothic and sheer horror. This is definitely one that is a must read for fans of horror fiction.
August 4, 2017
This collection of five tales by Jason Parent were all devilishly good.
Wrathbone was the longest of the stories and started out a bit slower than the others but gradually built to a feverish pitch of horror.
"Wings like those of a bat's reached from his back to the walls, scraping along them, wilting the paint and rotting the wood."
My absolute favorite was "The Only Good Lawyer"
Bradley is a slick and sleazy defense attorney who has made his living representing guilty clients. Justice may finally be served when his latest client murders the daughter of a voodoo priest. It reminded me of a twilight zone episode that I dearly loved when another shyster was cursed to tell the truth. I loved hating Bradley! The ending could not have been more perfect.
Dorian's Mirror was a new twist on the picture of Dorian Gray, this time as a young, full of himself bartender sees his reflection rapidly aging in the mirror.
For the Birds left me so sad for poor Nev who lives all alone with his parrot. A polite parrot with strange tastes that is. He knows there's been so many break ins going on but he is not at all prepared when it happens to him.
Revenge is a Dish was terrifying!
Maurice the chef is stranded in the ocean with all manner of creepy biting yucky sea life (can you tell I hate biting yucky sea life?) He is plotting revenge on those who left him behind. The end was quite surprising!
A creepy collection that I would highly recommend to all horror lovers.
5 out of 5 frightening stars from me.
I received an advance copy for review.
Wrathbone was the longest of the stories and started out a bit slower than the others but gradually built to a feverish pitch of horror.
"Wings like those of a bat's reached from his back to the walls, scraping along them, wilting the paint and rotting the wood."
My absolute favorite was "The Only Good Lawyer"
Bradley is a slick and sleazy defense attorney who has made his living representing guilty clients. Justice may finally be served when his latest client murders the daughter of a voodoo priest. It reminded me of a twilight zone episode that I dearly loved when another shyster was cursed to tell the truth. I loved hating Bradley! The ending could not have been more perfect.
Dorian's Mirror was a new twist on the picture of Dorian Gray, this time as a young, full of himself bartender sees his reflection rapidly aging in the mirror.
For the Birds left me so sad for poor Nev who lives all alone with his parrot. A polite parrot with strange tastes that is. He knows there's been so many break ins going on but he is not at all prepared when it happens to him.
Revenge is a Dish was terrifying!
Maurice the chef is stranded in the ocean with all manner of creepy biting yucky sea life (can you tell I hate biting yucky sea life?) He is plotting revenge on those who left him behind. The end was quite surprising!
A creepy collection that I would highly recommend to all horror lovers.
5 out of 5 frightening stars from me.
I received an advance copy for review.
July 9, 2017
Jason Parent is good. I like his style. He tells a mighty fine story. Stories, I should say. I have read several of his works and have enjoyed them all.
Wrathbone and Other Stories is a solid collection of dark fiction tales. Each with their own voice and not a bad one among them. Well done.
Wrathbone and Other Stories is a solid collection of dark fiction tales. Each with their own voice and not a bad one among them. Well done.
July 8, 2017
Wow! What a great collection of stories. They were all good for me, but my favorites were The Only Good Lawyer, For the Birds and Revenge is a Dish. They all had a creep factor that I loved! The Only Good Lawyer and Revenge is a Dish had some great karma - watch how you treat people everyone! For the Birds had my saying "Wtf? Who thinks of that?!"
This was a new author for me and I will definitely be checking out his other work. I am interested in reading more. I read this in a group read that he participated in, answering questions and giving his insights which really enhanced the book for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a new author for me and I will definitely be checking out his other work. I am interested in reading more. I read this in a group read that he participated in, answering questions and giving his insights which really enhanced the book for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 18, 2016
Review: WRATHBONE AND OTHER STORIES by Jason Parent
A compelling introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke sets the stage in this collection by Jason Parent. The eponymous story, "Wrathbone," offers a stunning, terrifying perceptive, view of insanity--and it is insanity suffered by Henry Rathbone for forty-five years. Whether the visions are simply miscues of his own fouled and disordered mind, brought about by an onset of PTSD at the assassination of President Lincoln, or the events truly are supernatural in origin, Rathbone is certifiably "around the bend," as his first-person narrative bears witness.
All the stories in this exceptional collection demonstrate a fine range of talent. Jason Parent delivers unforgettable literary horror, painting with a finely-tuned brush. Certainly the reader would not wish to be in the position of these protagonists. Equally certain is that the stories are a delight of creativity.
A compelling introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke sets the stage in this collection by Jason Parent. The eponymous story, "Wrathbone," offers a stunning, terrifying perceptive, view of insanity--and it is insanity suffered by Henry Rathbone for forty-five years. Whether the visions are simply miscues of his own fouled and disordered mind, brought about by an onset of PTSD at the assassination of President Lincoln, or the events truly are supernatural in origin, Rathbone is certifiably "around the bend," as his first-person narrative bears witness.
All the stories in this exceptional collection demonstrate a fine range of talent. Jason Parent delivers unforgettable literary horror, painting with a finely-tuned brush. Certainly the reader would not wish to be in the position of these protagonists. Equally certain is that the stories are a delight of creativity.
October 4, 2016
"Another constant throughout this collection is the strength of the writing. Jason Parent is a master of controlling how you perceive the characters and the events in these stories, making sure you read it exactly how he wants you to read it."
See here for the full review:
Wrathbone
See here for the full review:
Wrathbone
July 15, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable collection from the always enjoyable Parent. Loved it.
December 30, 2016
There's nothing quite like a book of really great short stories. And, to be honest, horror short stories are really the only short stories I read. I'm not really a fan of the medium. However, the horror genre just seems to fit with short stories. For those of us who love the genre, the horror short story is like being deliciously frightened, over and over again.
Parent does not disappoint with this collection. Each story plays on an aspect of human nature and that person's demise, or downfall, at the hand of it.
Wrathbone - a story surrounding Abe Lincoln? I'm so there! In his introduction, Kealan Patrick Burke mentions the writing in Wrathbone having similarities to Poe. I couldn't agree more. The slow descent of Wrathbone into madness because of guilt and what can only be described as personal demons brought on by that guilt was truly masterful. I kept thinking of The Tell-Tale Heart as I was reading. Excellent.
The Only Good Lawyer - this story has greed and arrogance at its heart. A lawyer so motivated by the two that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a case. He meets his match when voodoo comes into play. Chilling.
Dorian's Mirror - Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my favorites and this story is a unique play on that tale. At the heart of this one...pride and vanity. A model wishes that the mirror would age, but not him. He gets more than he asked for. Be careful about focusing too much on looks. A creepy, cautionary tale.
For the Birds - Okay, this one is more centered on a stupid human mistake, rather than a facet of human nature. Some birds aren't meant to eat meat. I'll leave it at that. Bloody disgusting, yet horrificly satisfying.
Revenge is a Dish - you guessed it. At the heart of this one...the desire for revenge is human nature, perhaps at its worst. Maurice is thrown overboard...in the ocean. My stomach dropped because I just knew the sharks were coming (shark phobia alert). Nope. It didn't go there, sort of. This one is a little tricky becasue technically the outcome is in Maurice's favor. But is it really? You'll see what I mean.
This is a perfect read for the Halloween season, or really any time of year for horror fans. I'm very impressed with Parent's writing. Very well put together and paced, the stories keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to quickly proceed to the next story to see what's in store. Highly recommended.
Parent does not disappoint with this collection. Each story plays on an aspect of human nature and that person's demise, or downfall, at the hand of it.
Wrathbone - a story surrounding Abe Lincoln? I'm so there! In his introduction, Kealan Patrick Burke mentions the writing in Wrathbone having similarities to Poe. I couldn't agree more. The slow descent of Wrathbone into madness because of guilt and what can only be described as personal demons brought on by that guilt was truly masterful. I kept thinking of The Tell-Tale Heart as I was reading. Excellent.
The Only Good Lawyer - this story has greed and arrogance at its heart. A lawyer so motivated by the two that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a case. He meets his match when voodoo comes into play. Chilling.
Dorian's Mirror - Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my favorites and this story is a unique play on that tale. At the heart of this one...pride and vanity. A model wishes that the mirror would age, but not him. He gets more than he asked for. Be careful about focusing too much on looks. A creepy, cautionary tale.
For the Birds - Okay, this one is more centered on a stupid human mistake, rather than a facet of human nature. Some birds aren't meant to eat meat. I'll leave it at that. Bloody disgusting, yet horrificly satisfying.
Revenge is a Dish - you guessed it. At the heart of this one...the desire for revenge is human nature, perhaps at its worst. Maurice is thrown overboard...in the ocean. My stomach dropped because I just knew the sharks were coming (shark phobia alert). Nope. It didn't go there, sort of. This one is a little tricky becasue technically the outcome is in Maurice's favor. But is it really? You'll see what I mean.
This is a perfect read for the Halloween season, or really any time of year for horror fans. I'm very impressed with Parent's writing. Very well put together and paced, the stories keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to quickly proceed to the next story to see what's in store. Highly recommended.
January 16, 2017
My thanks to the author for a copy of this collection of short stories which I chose to review and provide an honest opinion on.
Set in various locations in the US as well as time periods, I might add, this collection of short stories sees the reader faced with how our minds can really mess with us if we allow our demons to take hold. It is almost a journey into madness with the end question being – will you come out the other side unscathed? ….ummm….No!
I won’t go over each story individually as you can get the gyst from the synopsis above. What I liked about this collection was the eery, haunting and horrific feel that each story portrayed. The language used, really gives the reader the feel of the character’s plights and the angst and anguish of what torments them.
Two of the stories really stood out for me. Wrathbone – being the longest in the collection is a period piece and hauntingly beautiful – if you can say that! By this I mean it is one man’s torment, clearly losing his mind – but also a love story. The main character is battling his demons which totally consume him – the end was brilliantly written and the story itself was evenly paced.
I also really enjoyed The Only Good Lawyer. Revenge, fear and justice all played a role in this cleverly written story which sees a defense lawyer turn on himself. I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it, but it had me laughing and cringing at the same time!
For horror fans and dare I say, even crime fiction fans, this is a great little collection that will keep you on your toes. Do I recommend this book? Hell Yeah! Head to amazon and delve into the darkness if you dare!
Set in various locations in the US as well as time periods, I might add, this collection of short stories sees the reader faced with how our minds can really mess with us if we allow our demons to take hold. It is almost a journey into madness with the end question being – will you come out the other side unscathed? ….ummm….No!
I won’t go over each story individually as you can get the gyst from the synopsis above. What I liked about this collection was the eery, haunting and horrific feel that each story portrayed. The language used, really gives the reader the feel of the character’s plights and the angst and anguish of what torments them.
Two of the stories really stood out for me. Wrathbone – being the longest in the collection is a period piece and hauntingly beautiful – if you can say that! By this I mean it is one man’s torment, clearly losing his mind – but also a love story. The main character is battling his demons which totally consume him – the end was brilliantly written and the story itself was evenly paced.
I also really enjoyed The Only Good Lawyer. Revenge, fear and justice all played a role in this cleverly written story which sees a defense lawyer turn on himself. I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it, but it had me laughing and cringing at the same time!
For horror fans and dare I say, even crime fiction fans, this is a great little collection that will keep you on your toes. Do I recommend this book? Hell Yeah! Head to amazon and delve into the darkness if you dare!
April 17, 2017
After reading Kealon Patrick Burke’s rousing recommendation and knowing from previous Jason Parent works, I’m eager to read this collection of short stories. The writing is top notch, the evil ever present and the suspense…well you won’t forget these stories any time soon.
I will start with a review of the entire collection, and afterwords, give you a little taste of what’s to come.
I pictured the scenes as a movie unwinding in my mind’s eye, making me wonder, “How in the hell do you dream this stuff up, Jason?” Are you stoned on something?
Some of the horror is the subtle kind, others more blatant, but make no mistake, the terror takes the mind into insanity, and a thirst for blood.
One of the best horror anthologies I have ever read. Tension filled, upchucking moments, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this to you, but I couldn’t help but smile at a job well done.
To see more visit fundimentalt
I will start with a review of the entire collection, and afterwords, give you a little taste of what’s to come.
I pictured the scenes as a movie unwinding in my mind’s eye, making me wonder, “How in the hell do you dream this stuff up, Jason?” Are you stoned on something?
Some of the horror is the subtle kind, others more blatant, but make no mistake, the terror takes the mind into insanity, and a thirst for blood.
One of the best horror anthologies I have ever read. Tension filled, upchucking moments, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this to you, but I couldn’t help but smile at a job well done.
To see more visit fundimentalt
October 4, 2016
As soon as I started to read the first story - the novella, Wrathbone - I was reminded of the dark, Gothic atmospheric writing of M.R. James and Susan Hill (Woman in Black and others). This hooked me. The first story also combined my favourite elements - history and horror. The intriguing story of Major Rathbone and Clara Harris - guests of President Lincoln and his wife on that fateful night in 1865 - is a winner. The four short stories are dark, twisted in all the right places and don't hold back on the horror. All in all, this is a collection that showcases the talent of a weaver of complex, macabre tales. I read it at one sitting on a day when the rain was lashing down the windows and the sky had turned an ominous charcoal. Thunder loomed and a flash of lightning lit up the landscape. A perfect match.
October 10, 2016
Wrathbone and Other Stories is a collection of short stories that you don't want to miss! All of these stories would have gotten at least a four star rating on it's own put them together and you get a phenomenal anthology. The stories range from the a historical look at a man who is haunted by the tragic events at Ford's Theater to an updated version of The Picture of Dorian Gray . Revenge Is A Dish, which makes a beach side bar-b-que stomach turning, The Only Good Lawyer, where a dirty lawyer learns that there's a price for defending criminals, and For The Birds, which has a bird with unusual dietary habits, were my three favorite tales. These short treasures are sure to disturb and delight horror fans whether you like your scares to be atmospheric or gruesome. I highly recommend this 5 star collection.
July 15, 2017
A very good collection of creepy stories. My favorite is the only good lawyer.
October 16, 2016
"Wrathbone"
Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were invited by President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln to attend the showing of American Cousin at the Ford Theater. President Lincoln, was shot and killed that night. Rathbone felt very guilty, because he could do anything to stop the assassination. The guilt would haunt him for the rest of his life. The Demons told him, that he failed the President and that he killed him.
" Dorian Mirror"
All the women wanted to be with Dorian. He was a model and in between gigs, he was a bartender at Michelangelo's. When he first arrived, he poured himself a drink and then another. When Dorian turned around, he saw his reflection in the mirror. What he saw was an old man with a wrinkled faces and yellow teeth. Dorian is only 28 years old and that could not be him. Dorian would trade his soul to the devil, to keep his looks forever.
"The Only Good Lawyer"
Bradley is a defense lawyer, who has set free many guilty people. But when the father of a murder girl takes the stand, his case begins to fall apart. All of a sudden he is the one on trial and the verdict could put him away for a long time.
"Revenge is a Dish"
Maurice landed the perfect job, he would be a chief for this rich couple aboard their yacht. When the husband caught him with his wife, he was toss him over the side into the ocean. One of the crew members, threw him a life saver, so that could float. As he floated in the ocean, Maurice only had one thing on his mind and that was revenge. He swore, that if he ever reach land, he would hunt down all the people on the boat and kill them.
"For The Birds"
Nev's best friend and his only friend, was a fourteen year old parrot. When the parrot squawks meat, Nev feeds her pieces of rare roast beef. Nev has noticed, that there a number of murders and home invasion in his area. Nev make a promise to the parrot, that he would never let anyone get her. This story, has very unusual ending.
The book starts off, with a very good introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke. The tales in this book, are Jason Parent at his best. I highly recommend this book.
Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were invited by President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln to attend the showing of American Cousin at the Ford Theater. President Lincoln, was shot and killed that night. Rathbone felt very guilty, because he could do anything to stop the assassination. The guilt would haunt him for the rest of his life. The Demons told him, that he failed the President and that he killed him.
" Dorian Mirror"
All the women wanted to be with Dorian. He was a model and in between gigs, he was a bartender at Michelangelo's. When he first arrived, he poured himself a drink and then another. When Dorian turned around, he saw his reflection in the mirror. What he saw was an old man with a wrinkled faces and yellow teeth. Dorian is only 28 years old and that could not be him. Dorian would trade his soul to the devil, to keep his looks forever.
"The Only Good Lawyer"
Bradley is a defense lawyer, who has set free many guilty people. But when the father of a murder girl takes the stand, his case begins to fall apart. All of a sudden he is the one on trial and the verdict could put him away for a long time.
"Revenge is a Dish"
Maurice landed the perfect job, he would be a chief for this rich couple aboard their yacht. When the husband caught him with his wife, he was toss him over the side into the ocean. One of the crew members, threw him a life saver, so that could float. As he floated in the ocean, Maurice only had one thing on his mind and that was revenge. He swore, that if he ever reach land, he would hunt down all the people on the boat and kill them.
"For The Birds"
Nev's best friend and his only friend, was a fourteen year old parrot. When the parrot squawks meat, Nev feeds her pieces of rare roast beef. Nev has noticed, that there a number of murders and home invasion in his area. Nev make a promise to the parrot, that he would never let anyone get her. This story, has very unusual ending.
The book starts off, with a very good introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke. The tales in this book, are Jason Parent at his best. I highly recommend this book.
November 4, 2016
Late October evenings beckon for the enjoyment of dark fiction. Don’t get me wrong, horror is a year round thirst. But it’s when the nights start to get longer and take on a bit of a chill that the yearning turns into a need. Enter Jason Parent with a collection of top shelf horror to fit the bill. Sit back, relax, and allow Mr. Parent to pour you five fingers of superb, at moments exceptional, terror.
Wrathbone and Other Stories, five tales of the good stuff kicks off with a fantastic piece. A man haunted by him mind, or perhaps something else, ignited by the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It is such a vivid and captivating read that it sets the bar awful high for the rest of the collection to follow. Hell, horror for the rest of the year.
The follow-up tales have fine moments in their own right: A lawyer has his Devil’s Advocacy challenged, a human god sees a monster in the mirror, a bird with a particular craving, a gourmet chef begins serving sin & revenge. While not quite attaining the level of Wrathbone they are far from filler.
Jason is a great storyteller with a knack for solid characters, nerve wracking tension, and memorable scenes. And while all five of the tales in Wrathbone and Other Stories are great, it’s the opening piece, the title cut, that will stick with me for a long time to come. A standout in the genre, and in fiction as a whole. Mr. Parent, always a pleasure, sir.
Overall score: 4.5/ 5
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
https://zdubbzattmom.wordpress.com/
**Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and/ or publisher and I am reviewing it voluntarily. These are my honest, unbiased feelings. I did not receive any sort of compensation.
Wrathbone and Other Stories, five tales of the good stuff kicks off with a fantastic piece. A man haunted by him mind, or perhaps something else, ignited by the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It is such a vivid and captivating read that it sets the bar awful high for the rest of the collection to follow. Hell, horror for the rest of the year.
The follow-up tales have fine moments in their own right: A lawyer has his Devil’s Advocacy challenged, a human god sees a monster in the mirror, a bird with a particular craving, a gourmet chef begins serving sin & revenge. While not quite attaining the level of Wrathbone they are far from filler.
Jason is a great storyteller with a knack for solid characters, nerve wracking tension, and memorable scenes. And while all five of the tales in Wrathbone and Other Stories are great, it’s the opening piece, the title cut, that will stick with me for a long time to come. A standout in the genre, and in fiction as a whole. Mr. Parent, always a pleasure, sir.
Overall score: 4.5/ 5
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
https://zdubbzattmom.wordpress.com/
**Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and/ or publisher and I am reviewing it voluntarily. These are my honest, unbiased feelings. I did not receive any sort of compensation.
July 21, 2017
4/5 Highly recommended. One of the best horror collections I've ever read. It's rare to enjoy all of the stories in a collection but all 5 of these were great.
I won't add a synopsis for each of the stories, as the description when you click on the book does it better than I could.
The title story, WRATHBONE, is the longest story in the collection. I enjoy classic books but sometimes it feels more like I'm enduring them because of the writing style. As much as I like them I mind it hard to settle in with the style of writing. Not in this case though. The style is more classic due to the historical story line but it's modern enough to hook me and drag me in. It was really interesting, enough to make me read up on the actual events when I'd finished the collection.
The writing style of the other four stories is more modern and is of a high standard.
My favourite story was THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER. Walsh seemed so realistic (unfortunately) and I really wanted him to get what he deserved. Despite it being a short story the characters were well developed enough to make me "Oh no" or "YES!" out loud a few times. And that ending! Fantastic.
The other 3 stories are all really great. Very different, some gorier, some funnier but all really great.
I don't really buy horror books for my Kindle as it's a real minefield. So many poorly written books, but I can definitely say this collection is definitely one NOT to avoid.
I won't add a synopsis for each of the stories, as the description when you click on the book does it better than I could.
The title story, WRATHBONE, is the longest story in the collection. I enjoy classic books but sometimes it feels more like I'm enduring them because of the writing style. As much as I like them I mind it hard to settle in with the style of writing. Not in this case though. The style is more classic due to the historical story line but it's modern enough to hook me and drag me in. It was really interesting, enough to make me read up on the actual events when I'd finished the collection.
The writing style of the other four stories is more modern and is of a high standard.
My favourite story was THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER. Walsh seemed so realistic (unfortunately) and I really wanted him to get what he deserved. Despite it being a short story the characters were well developed enough to make me "Oh no" or "YES!" out loud a few times. And that ending! Fantastic.
The other 3 stories are all really great. Very different, some gorier, some funnier but all really great.
I don't really buy horror books for my Kindle as it's a real minefield. So many poorly written books, but I can definitely say this collection is definitely one NOT to avoid.
October 9, 2016
I must admit that I was a bit wary going into this. I very rarely read collections of short stories. In fact, I can't remember the last time I read one! I'm so happy I gave it a chance. Each story is masterfully written, nerve-racking, and intense. And yes, very creepy. At times disgusting. And I loved it. I even jumped at one point when interrupted. I decided to take a short break after each story to digest them but read the whole book in the same night. Now it's two in the morning and my brain is filled with disturbing things!
Each story is incredibly different. The first involves the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The remaining are all contemporary and feature a variety of interesting characters and situations: an incredibly vain model, a crooked lawyer, a recluse whose only friend is a parrot, and a chef with an insatiable appetite all feature. I'm not sure I can pick a favorite, as each story was as dark and disturbing as the last. I'd follow the advice of Kealan Patrick Burke (who penned the introduction) and make sure you're not snacking while reading For the Birds... and maybe the next one, as well. An excellent read for October or any time you're in the mood for something that'll give you chills.
Each story is incredibly different. The first involves the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The remaining are all contemporary and feature a variety of interesting characters and situations: an incredibly vain model, a crooked lawyer, a recluse whose only friend is a parrot, and a chef with an insatiable appetite all feature. I'm not sure I can pick a favorite, as each story was as dark and disturbing as the last. I'd follow the advice of Kealan Patrick Burke (who penned the introduction) and make sure you're not snacking while reading For the Birds... and maybe the next one, as well. An excellent read for October or any time you're in the mood for something that'll give you chills.
June 30, 2017
This collection includes five short stories:
Wrathbone - This story was scary because there really was no supernatural aspects per say, but just the story of a man falling slowly into a madness that ultimately consumes him.
The Only Good Lawyer:Although a predictable story-line, I felt compelled to find out how the story ends.
Dorian's Mirror: A great take on the story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray.." But like the first story, was all the terror in the narrators head?
For the Birds: My least favorite of the collection. I saw how this one was going to end right from the beginning.
Revenge is a Dish: This one was my favorite story because it could have gone in so many different directions.
Wrathbone - This story was scary because there really was no supernatural aspects per say, but just the story of a man falling slowly into a madness that ultimately consumes him.
The Only Good Lawyer:Although a predictable story-line, I felt compelled to find out how the story ends.
Dorian's Mirror: A great take on the story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray.." But like the first story, was all the terror in the narrators head?
For the Birds: My least favorite of the collection. I saw how this one was going to end right from the beginning.
Revenge is a Dish: This one was my favorite story because it could have gone in so many different directions.
June 1, 2017
This is a great collection of short stories. It doesn't disappoint. I won't go into too many details, but each story is different in style and technique. I highly recommend it to horror fans.
July 15, 2017
I really liked this book. My favorite stories by order were:
Revenge is a dish
For the birds
Wrathbone
Dorian's mirror
And the only good lawyer
Revenge is a dish
For the birds
Wrathbone
Dorian's mirror
And the only good lawyer
July 18, 2017
So I purchased Wrathbone and Other Stories from the Kindle store on Amazon. The book I purchased says Wrathbone and Other Stories on the cover and as the running header. Yet, as I turn the final page of Wrathbone expecting to find the titular Other Stories, I instead find just the one called About the Author. And though I appreciated Jason Parent's effort to make said About the Author more entertaining than most, I can't help but feel I would have appreciated the Other Stories more. What happened to them, I guess I will never know, but it does seem a trifle inappropriate to advertise one thing and supply something less than that.
Wrathbone, for the record, is a decent enough spin on historical horror which may or may not be psychological depending how you read it. It took a long time to set the scene, but once the pieces were in place, it clipped along at a steady pace, with Parent writing from the limited first person perspective in a believable way.
I'll leave my final grade as a 3 star, but I was tempted to be more savage based on only getting half of what I paid for.
3 Invitations to the Theatre for Wrathbone But Not Other Stories.
P.S. Comet Press, this might be a good thing to sort out, don't you think?
Wrathbone, for the record, is a decent enough spin on historical horror which may or may not be psychological depending how you read it. It took a long time to set the scene, but once the pieces were in place, it clipped along at a steady pace, with Parent writing from the limited first person perspective in a believable way.
I'll leave my final grade as a 3 star, but I was tempted to be more savage based on only getting half of what I paid for.
3 Invitations to the Theatre for Wrathbone But Not Other Stories.
P.S. Comet Press, this might be a good thing to sort out, don't you think?
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