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A Catch In Time: A Macabre Novella & Short Stories: A Macabre Thriller
"A CATCH IN TIME grew so vividly and beautifully absurd…I could not take my eyes off the book for long…C. A. Broadstone has easily convinced me that his writing style is indeed brilliant." –– Oliver Lippert, The Huffington Post
San Antonio Del Tequendama
Cundinamarca, Colombia
November 1938
‘My front door is broken, bleeding guts of shadows...’
‘...how do I find new skin...’
‘...among my desolate bones...’
“But this is nothing, right?” whispered Tatiana. “I’m still alive.”
These were her abstract thoughts as she stared like a saucer-eyed cat confronting a deluge––stared into her emerald green eyes in the large, heart-shaped crest-mirror hanging above the vanity table in her bedroom suite at Hotel “Bochica”, Salto del Tequendama.
Tatiana Marita Ospina has run away from her forced marriage to an aristocratic philanderer, and sought sanctuary at “Bochica”, a retreat for the rich and famous. The last thing she expected, however, was to discover a convoy of Nazi SS soldiers arriving at the hotel under cover of night, led by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess.
In the darkest hours of the morning, Tatiana’s sleep is disrupted by strange, ghostly music and voices, which grip her imagination and compel her to explore the lower levels of “Bochica”, where she stumbles onto the true secret the hotel has been the occult mystery behind the rising Axis powers. Openly confronted by this insurmountable horror, she must decide if she can make the sacrifice necessary to accept her role in the secret history of World War II. But will it be destiny or damnation for Tatiana Marita Ospina, as well as for the rest of the world?
Weaving together psychological horror and alternative history with theater of the absurd, A CATCH IN TIME marks the triumphant and genre-defying return of dark fantasist Christopher Alan Broadstone following last year’s SUICIDE THE HARD AND OTHER TALES OF THE INNERZONE.
A CATCH IN TIME also includes two short stories from SUICIDE THE HARD WAY––SMILEYS' GRAVE and ROSEBLOOD––and also "CHAPTER 19" from the novel PUZZLEMAN.
SMILEYS' GRAVE
Poet Aaron Shelley Wanton has become a lost soul among artists. He's alone, miserable, broke and––worst of all––he's no longer writing. His inability to string together any words-of-worth is driving him closer and closer toward a cliff-edge of madness. Somehow he must reconnect with his muse, the Moon, who has abandoned him. Heartbroken, he once again finds himself lying among the grim stones of Mulls Cemetery, staring up at the lunar orb through the tangle of trees. On this night, however, his burning desire for the Moon's inspiration will invoke far more than he ever bargained for.
ROSEBLOOD
"It's every place I look."
The voices agreed.
The voices also intoned that today would bring something special.
With a dozen roses in hand, Andre––a filthy, bearded flower-seller wearing a prairie coat and ragged cowboy hat––stepped up to the curb before him. There was a mess of merging cars inching down the frontage road, exiting from Interstate 30 into Garland, Texas.
Once again the voices spoke to Andre, insisting that somewhere in this herd of vehicles there would be a sacred man. One who would nod his head yes, roll down his window, and ask how much for a rose––a blossom of God!
“A great man,” muttered Andre, studying the traffic. "A saint."
Evening was approaching, and Andre knew it was going to spiral into a very glorious night.
A Macabre Thriller
Fall into a world of Grumemonsters, where no one is sane down a drain, and down a drain no one is sane. Follow Amanda Zimmerman, Professor John Rainbow, Jeannette Orfèvre, Ben Henfy, and The Legless Man, all seeking retribution and escape from a horror worse than death. They are five disparate lives meticulously woven together over time to play a special part in the Puzzleman’s twisted vision of eternal life. Welcome to truth and eternity. Welcome to the Pipeworld.
San Antonio Del Tequendama
Cundinamarca, Colombia
November 1938
‘My front door is broken, bleeding guts of shadows...’
‘...how do I find new skin...’
‘...among my desolate bones...’
“But this is nothing, right?” whispered Tatiana. “I’m still alive.”
These were her abstract thoughts as she stared like a saucer-eyed cat confronting a deluge––stared into her emerald green eyes in the large, heart-shaped crest-mirror hanging above the vanity table in her bedroom suite at Hotel “Bochica”, Salto del Tequendama.
Tatiana Marita Ospina has run away from her forced marriage to an aristocratic philanderer, and sought sanctuary at “Bochica”, a retreat for the rich and famous. The last thing she expected, however, was to discover a convoy of Nazi SS soldiers arriving at the hotel under cover of night, led by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess.
In the darkest hours of the morning, Tatiana’s sleep is disrupted by strange, ghostly music and voices, which grip her imagination and compel her to explore the lower levels of “Bochica”, where she stumbles onto the true secret the hotel has been the occult mystery behind the rising Axis powers. Openly confronted by this insurmountable horror, she must decide if she can make the sacrifice necessary to accept her role in the secret history of World War II. But will it be destiny or damnation for Tatiana Marita Ospina, as well as for the rest of the world?
Weaving together psychological horror and alternative history with theater of the absurd, A CATCH IN TIME marks the triumphant and genre-defying return of dark fantasist Christopher Alan Broadstone following last year’s SUICIDE THE HARD AND OTHER TALES OF THE INNERZONE.
A CATCH IN TIME also includes two short stories from SUICIDE THE HARD WAY––SMILEYS' GRAVE and ROSEBLOOD––and also "CHAPTER 19" from the novel PUZZLEMAN.
SMILEYS' GRAVE
Poet Aaron Shelley Wanton has become a lost soul among artists. He's alone, miserable, broke and––worst of all––he's no longer writing. His inability to string together any words-of-worth is driving him closer and closer toward a cliff-edge of madness. Somehow he must reconnect with his muse, the Moon, who has abandoned him. Heartbroken, he once again finds himself lying among the grim stones of Mulls Cemetery, staring up at the lunar orb through the tangle of trees. On this night, however, his burning desire for the Moon's inspiration will invoke far more than he ever bargained for.
ROSEBLOOD
"It's every place I look."
The voices agreed.
The voices also intoned that today would bring something special.
With a dozen roses in hand, Andre––a filthy, bearded flower-seller wearing a prairie coat and ragged cowboy hat––stepped up to the curb before him. There was a mess of merging cars inching down the frontage road, exiting from Interstate 30 into Garland, Texas.
Once again the voices spoke to Andre, insisting that somewhere in this herd of vehicles there would be a sacred man. One who would nod his head yes, roll down his window, and ask how much for a rose––a blossom of God!
“A great man,” muttered Andre, studying the traffic. "A saint."
Evening was approaching, and Andre knew it was going to spiral into a very glorious night.
A Macabre Thriller
Fall into a world of Grumemonsters, where no one is sane down a drain, and down a drain no one is sane. Follow Amanda Zimmerman, Professor John Rainbow, Jeannette Orfèvre, Ben Henfy, and The Legless Man, all seeking retribution and escape from a horror worse than death. They are five disparate lives meticulously woven together over time to play a special part in the Puzzleman’s twisted vision of eternal life. Welcome to truth and eternity. Welcome to the Pipeworld.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2016
About the author
Christopher Alan Broadstone
17 books16 followersBorn in Oklahoma City and raised in Dallas, Texas, Christopher Alan Broadstone toured and recorded independent records and CDs (during the 1980s and 90s) with his bands “About 9 Times” and “The Judas Engine”. He is also the author of the macabre-thriller “Puzzleman”; the collection “Suicide The Hard Way: And Other Tales From The Innerzone” (short stories, screenplays, lyrics/poetry); the collection “Notes-To-Self: Accumulated Thoughts, Transferred Into Word Form” (early short stories, screenplay, lyrics/poetry); and the novella “A Catch In Time” (a dark alternative-history thriller), of which the relative short film “A Catch In Time: Chapter One” is available on the “Human No More” (Trash-Can Virus Limited Edition) Blu-ray. His most recent novel, the macabre-thriller “Heather’s Treehouse”, is now available in eBook and Trade Paperback (June 6, 2025). Also, Broadstone has written & directed the feature film “Human No More: A Macabre Thriller” and the feature-length “Human No More: A Making-of Documentary: Reinventing Perspective”. All are available via Amazon and Texas POĒtrope (Books - Films - Music) @ www.poetrope.com
Serving as writer and director, C.A. Broadstone previously produced three award-winning short films: “Scream For Me” (Best Short Film: NYC Horror Film Festival, Best Underground Short: B-Independent.com), “My Skin!” (Best Horror Short: Shriekfest Film Festival [L.A.], Creative Vision Award: International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival [Phoenix, AZ], Best Film/Director: Cinema Edge Awards), and “Human No More” (Best Horror Short: The Indie Gathering Film Festival [OH]). Also, he has completed two feature length screenplays, “Color Of Flame”, an erotic ghost story, and, with actor/writer John Franklin (Isaac from “Children of the Corn”), “R” (Best Horror Feature Screenplay: Shriekfest Film Festival [L.A.]). In total, C.A. Broadstone's films have been showcased on several horror compilation DVDs, have screened at 30 international film festivals, and have won 15 'Best Of' awards. All three films are currently available on the anthology DVD, “3 Dead Girls!” from Texas POĒtrope (Books - Films - Music) @ www.poetrope.com
Serving as writer and director, C.A. Broadstone previously produced three award-winning short films: “Scream For Me” (Best Short Film: NYC Horror Film Festival, Best Underground Short: B-Independent.com), “My Skin!” (Best Horror Short: Shriekfest Film Festival [L.A.], Creative Vision Award: International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival [Phoenix, AZ], Best Film/Director: Cinema Edge Awards), and “Human No More” (Best Horror Short: The Indie Gathering Film Festival [OH]). Also, he has completed two feature length screenplays, “Color Of Flame”, an erotic ghost story, and, with actor/writer John Franklin (Isaac from “Children of the Corn”), “R” (Best Horror Feature Screenplay: Shriekfest Film Festival [L.A.]). In total, C.A. Broadstone's films have been showcased on several horror compilation DVDs, have screened at 30 international film festivals, and have won 15 'Best Of' awards. All three films are currently available on the anthology DVD, “3 Dead Girls!” from Texas POĒtrope (Books - Films - Music) @ www.poetrope.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 28, 2024
3.5 - 4 stars
Beware stepping between the pages for you might not survive.
Horrors of old meets WWII is the flavour but expect the unexpected and then some from Broadstone’s graphic narrative in this Novella. He cleverly weaves genres and gruesome tones and twists them into the unknown. Time in his head must be very interesting or very disturbing but it makes for some good reading if you’re like me and like this sort of thing.
It is an extremely darker than dark tale. It is macabre yet strangely alluring. It is twisted and absurd. It is historical fiction threaded with a touch of fact. It is the rise and fall of the Third Reich with Indiana Jones meets the Germans on steroids in Ark of the Covenant woven with Twilight Zone & Freddie Kruger. Broadstone does it ingeniously and in style. It has a droll style sense of humour.
A Catch In Time hurtles the characters through a series of fates worse than death. But don’t despair that the fun isn’t over with the bonus of two short stories or teasers included. Suicide The Hard Way – Smileys’ Grave tells of one man’s obsession with the moon who soon learns not all is as it seems. You will never look at the moon in the same way.
Suicide The Hard Way – Roseblood is the tale told of one very sick mind the mind of a madman but then again is he really mad? Read to find out.
And lastly chapter 19 taken from Puzzleman which I have previously reviewed so take a peek.
Broadstones work is not everybody’s cup of tea so unless you like things twisted and gruesome best stay away. But if you do jump right in the deep end but you may never be the same.
Beware stepping between the pages for you might not survive.
Horrors of old meets WWII is the flavour but expect the unexpected and then some from Broadstone’s graphic narrative in this Novella. He cleverly weaves genres and gruesome tones and twists them into the unknown. Time in his head must be very interesting or very disturbing but it makes for some good reading if you’re like me and like this sort of thing.
It is an extremely darker than dark tale. It is macabre yet strangely alluring. It is twisted and absurd. It is historical fiction threaded with a touch of fact. It is the rise and fall of the Third Reich with Indiana Jones meets the Germans on steroids in Ark of the Covenant woven with Twilight Zone & Freddie Kruger. Broadstone does it ingeniously and in style. It has a droll style sense of humour.
A Catch In Time hurtles the characters through a series of fates worse than death. But don’t despair that the fun isn’t over with the bonus of two short stories or teasers included. Suicide The Hard Way – Smileys’ Grave tells of one man’s obsession with the moon who soon learns not all is as it seems. You will never look at the moon in the same way.
Suicide The Hard Way – Roseblood is the tale told of one very sick mind the mind of a madman but then again is he really mad? Read to find out.
And lastly chapter 19 taken from Puzzleman which I have previously reviewed so take a peek.
Broadstones work is not everybody’s cup of tea so unless you like things twisted and gruesome best stay away. But if you do jump right in the deep end but you may never be the same.
October 19, 2017
I’m not normally a fan of “horror”, “thriller” or World War II fiction – but I was captivated by this story from the first to last page! The story is just “twisted” enough with the right amount of “creepiest” to satisfy the most rabid “horror” fans, but not too “creepy” to scare away novice horror/thriller readers like myself. The opening chapter sucks you into Tatiana’s world from the very start, then it’s off to the races in a whirlwind ride of page-turning suspense and intrigue. There are even some surprising laugh-out-loud moments! And the chapter where Tatiana turns an upscale dinner party into a showdown with the Nazis is worth the read and price of the book alone! And the reveal of the ultimate villain mid-story is expected, yet highly unexpected at the same time – brilliant! Then it just gets better from there! This book is FUN!
October 31, 2024
"A MACABRE THRILLER For Those Who Love POE, Clive BARKER, and The TWILIGHT ZONE.
" San Antonio Del Tequendama
Cundinamarca, Colombia
November 1938
Tatiana Marita Ospina has run away from her forced marriage to an aristocratic philanderer, and sought sanctuary at “Bochica”, a retreat for the rich and famous. The last thing she expected, however, was to discover a convoy of Nazi SS soldiers arriving at the hotel under cover of night, led by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess. In the darkest hours of the morning, Tatiana’s sleep is disrupted by strange, ghostly music and voices, which grip her imagination and compel her to explore the lower levels of “Bochica”, where she stumbles onto the true secret the hotel has been hiding: the occult mystery behind the rising Axis powers. Openly confronted by this insurmountable horror, she must decide if she can make the sacrifice necessary to accept her role in the secret history of World War II. But will it be destiny or damnation for Tatiana Marita Ospina, as well as for the rest of the world?"
Not my typical book to read but had short stories, this is a book where you would like and not like characters will have to read the book to find out. If you like historical thriller books this is a book for you. I give this book 4 stars.
" San Antonio Del Tequendama
Cundinamarca, Colombia
November 1938
Tatiana Marita Ospina has run away from her forced marriage to an aristocratic philanderer, and sought sanctuary at “Bochica”, a retreat for the rich and famous. The last thing she expected, however, was to discover a convoy of Nazi SS soldiers arriving at the hotel under cover of night, led by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess. In the darkest hours of the morning, Tatiana’s sleep is disrupted by strange, ghostly music and voices, which grip her imagination and compel her to explore the lower levels of “Bochica”, where she stumbles onto the true secret the hotel has been hiding: the occult mystery behind the rising Axis powers. Openly confronted by this insurmountable horror, she must decide if she can make the sacrifice necessary to accept her role in the secret history of World War II. But will it be destiny or damnation for Tatiana Marita Ospina, as well as for the rest of the world?"
Not my typical book to read but had short stories, this is a book where you would like and not like characters will have to read the book to find out. If you like historical thriller books this is a book for you. I give this book 4 stars.
October 28, 2024
3 – 3.5 Stars
A Catch In Time by Christopher Alan Broadstone is a novella length story that I can only describe as a bit of a mash up of history, horror, & thriller- with supernatural/paranormal elements, mystery, humour, and intrigue.
I knew from reading Mr. Broadstone’s ‘Puzzleman’ that this would be a bit of a twisty read- and he certainly delivered. This is a thought provoking, somewhat creepy, macabre, and entirely intriguing series of events that details an ‘alternate’ history- set in the lead-up to WWII.
This book not only contains ‘A Catch In Time”, which takes up just over half the book, but also has 2 other short stories- ‘Smiley’s Grave’, & ‘Roseblood’, as well as an excerpt of Puzzleman for readers to dive into.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Christopher Alan Broadstone!
A Catch In Time by Christopher Alan Broadstone is a novella length story that I can only describe as a bit of a mash up of history, horror, & thriller- with supernatural/paranormal elements, mystery, humour, and intrigue.
I knew from reading Mr. Broadstone’s ‘Puzzleman’ that this would be a bit of a twisty read- and he certainly delivered. This is a thought provoking, somewhat creepy, macabre, and entirely intriguing series of events that details an ‘alternate’ history- set in the lead-up to WWII.
This book not only contains ‘A Catch In Time”, which takes up just over half the book, but also has 2 other short stories- ‘Smiley’s Grave’, & ‘Roseblood’, as well as an excerpt of Puzzleman for readers to dive into.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Christopher Alan Broadstone!
November 9, 2024
A Catch in Time is a historical thriller with some supernatural elements to it. Set in 1930s Columbia, Tatiana finds herself recently out of a bad relationship and on her own. She ends up at Hotel Bochica, where she meets Rudolph Hess, a Nazi Deputy. There is more than meets the eye in this book, when dark paranormal aspects began to emerge. Tatiana finds herself in a battle with her faith and begins questioning everything she knows. This book also has two other short stories as well...Smiley's Grave and Roseblood. Historical fiction is not something I usually read but this one was short and fast paced so it held my attention. If you enjoy history with mixes of paranormal and mystery, this has it all.
December 3, 2024
While this is not my typical type of read, I have to admit it was very well written. I'd call it a historical thriller. I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book, but it was definitely a bit dark and a little creepy, and I can't say I didn't like it. We are taken on a twisty turny adventure with our female mc Tatiana. It's definitely not your typical thriller/horror type story. This one involves not only the occult, but Nazis as well. I highly recommend it if you're looking to be creeped out lol!
A Catch In Time: A Macabre Novella & Short Stories, Christopher Alan Broadstone, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Horror, Thriller
A Catch In Time: A Macabre Novella & Short Stories, Christopher Alan Broadstone, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Horror, Thriller
November 16, 2024
This book honestly took my breath away. I don’t know what I was expecting, but A Catch in Time exceeded all of my expectations. I read this book in one sitting because the beauty and the absurdity was mesmerizing. I was so glued to the pages, Broadstone has such a way with words and tone. What an amazingly perfect spooky season read! I am totally going to look for his other works like Suicide The Hard Way: And Other Tales Of The Innerzone!
November 23, 2024
A creatively gory fiction tale of the heroin Tatiana and her fight against all odds to stand up to “the men” who control her life. She will not be quiet and sit in the corner as expected. Tatiana is the heroin we all cheer for in the horror story that gives us the blood and gore we look for in a horror story. Well written and enjoyable to read! 4/5 stars
November 8, 2024
This was definitely a different read for me! I love historical fictions and what if stories, and this covers both but with a huge twist. There's not much I can say that won't spoil it. It's fast paced and unique, good world building and detail. Definitely an interesting read.
November 20, 2024
This novella is well written with interesting characters, and a dark scary adventure. The horror in each of the short stories included in this book have just enough of the creep factor to not be overwhelming. You'll be entertained for sure.
October 27, 2024
This is my read from Mr Blackstone and it was a good first pick. His writing kept me interested and wanting more. This is not your “typical” thriller by any means. Definitely recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews