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Devils You Know
Miles Watson's hard-hitting debut novel, CAGE LIFE, put him on the map with critics and readers alike. Now he's back with a collection of stories designed to work the head, heart and adrenal glands all at once: DEVILS YOU KNOW. In this anthology you'll find horror and drama, warfare and madness and crime, and even the laughs are of the midnight-black variety. You'll encounter gangsters elbow-deep in the red business of murder, soldiers slogging through physical and moral mud, and supernatural monsters whose pleasures are taken in human blood. You will journey through a dystopian America and a just-liberated Paris, encounter ordinary men descending into madness, and meet a Nazi officer who discovers the hard way that we are all brothers under the skin. Somewhere in these pages you will even meet Satan himself...and discover that sometimes even he can't take the heat. So sit down, buckle up, and get ready to meet your devils. Just don't be surprised if they look familiar...
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2016
21 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Miles Watson
32 books63 followersMiles Watson was born in Evanston, Illinois. The son of a prominent Chicago journalist, he took an early interest in writing and published his first short story at 17. He holds undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and History and served as a law enforcement officer for nearly ten years before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked on television shows like HEROES, CSI: NEW YORK, TRUE BLOOD, THE WALKING DEAD and THE ORVILLE. In 2012 he graduated from Seton Hill University with an Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction, and was the recipient of that program's first-ever Endowed Scholarship. He is the author of the critically-acclaimed CAGE LIFE series of novels, whose first volume was recently named Zealot Script's Best Indie Book of 2016, and won the 2018 Best Indie Book Award in the category of Mystery/Suspense. The sequel, KNUCKLE DOWN, was given an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Awards for Genre Fiction and won the Best Indie Book Award for Suspense in 2019. His short story collection, DEVILS YOU KNOW, is an Eric Hoffer Award Finalist for 2019. "The Numbers Game," his WW2 novella, won the Pinnacle Achievement Award, as did his novelette "Nosferatu." SINNER'S CROSS, his third novel, took the Best Indie Book Award for Historical Fiction, the Literary Titan Gold Medal and the Book Excellence Award. It was also named a Finalist in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 21, 2022
Comprising 13 stories written over 26 years, The Devils You Know is a fun—and at times deeply moving and enlightening—collection of a who’s who of literary monsters, human and otherwise. From vampires to werewolves, mobsters to Nazis, braggadocio writers to Old Nick himself, Miles Watson serves up a cast of memorable villains who at times don’t seem all that different than you or me.
The first story, “Road Trip,” is a ready reminder that the worst of the vampires (aside from the shiny ones) are psychic vampires, which doesn’t mean they won’t also drain your blood. This particular set of fang-bangers are like a modern-era Fitzgerald cast mashing up with bloodsuckers. With names like Victor, Tasha, and Diabolique, dressed in Bohemian clothing and John Lennon sunglasses and zipping around in a convertible, these #firstworldproblems phonies say things like, "I feel the need! The need....TO FEED!" (cue the eye roll). Trust-fund Paris Hiltons, they also travel with a werewolf, which is admittedly progressive of them.
Next is “Nosferatu,” thought to be Romanian for vampire. Most people know it because it was German Expressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau’s workaround title when he couldn’t get the rights to Dracula from Stoker’s widow. This is our introduction to the Nazis. At the opening, we meet a wounded officer named Raus delirious from blood loss. His unit has just had a losing encounter with the Russians. In what is a recurring theme in the volume, Raus intermittently reflects on the past through complementary scenes throughout his timeline that paint a 3D picture of a usually 2D trope. This technique, coupled with Watson’s talent for writing about war, allows him to show these “devils” as almost mundanely human. It’s rare to read or watch a story about a Nazi and find ourselves identifying with them.
Making it to a field hospital, Raus struggles with conflicting feelings as he wonders if he’ll die. As blood transfusions begin, a subtle change to otherworldly horror occurs, although, like with any solid vampire story, the metaphors are layered and complex—including the God-ordained struggle of the Christians to stem the tide of barbarism. For Western Europeans, that means the Eastern Europeans and Germans and for those people, it means Asians. Restless and unwell, Raus leaves his bed and wanders into a field operation that reminds us all that not all Nazis are created equal… some are more evil than others.
Some of the most powerful writing I’ve found in the more than 300 books I’ve read in the past four years has been about a person of faith enduring a loss so great that they enter a place of worship and rant and rail against God—and sometimes at Him (I use the male pronoun purposefully here). “The Adversarial Process” is just such a piece, and it does not disappoint. Embracing Big Questions, such as why the Jews were so quick to forgive Yahweh after 400 years slavery or why Lazarus and Jesus were resurrected, but other folks aren’t, the story dances from these Big Questions to the minutiae of everyday life, such as an umbrella offered with love on a stormy day.
Without saying too much (touches fingers to ear and nose), I know a lot about the Mafia from my childhood in Northern New Jersey, where my father worked in trucking. Between the Godfather films, Scorsese/De Niro/Pesci collaborations, and The Sopranos, it’s clear that people love a good Mafia tale. If you’re one of them, you’ll love “Pleas and Thank Yous.” Why? It takes place in a sound-proofed basement, someone’s tied up and tortured, there’s a feisty mob wife who perceives little slights as big slights, and it has a beautifully cartoony cast of malcontent, wise-cracking characters that would feel at home in films like Suicide Kings, Two Days in the Valley, and Seven Psychopaths. And, if you like a twist to your mob tale, this one’s got a doozy.
“D.S.A.” is an apocalyptic tale of soldiers in America, notable because this is the one story where I clearly saw homages to Stephen King, whom the author acknowledges as having his “fingerprints … on every piece of horror I write.” I mention this because, in most of the horror I review, there are abundant unacknowledged homages to King, which are far more evident than what I encountered in this collection, which is a credit to Watson being able to learn from masters and still have a voice all his own.
The next story, “Shadows and Glory,” returns to Nazis, but with a different tone. Perhaps my favorite in the collection, the story is one of a son whose father is a U-boat captain during World War II. The son, as sons do, deifies his enigmatic father, who’s rarely home. He also emulates him, making fleets of paper boats and joining the Hitler Youth against his mother’s wishes. They have a beautiful moment of bonding, when his father initiates him into his practice of getting drunk and riding his old motorcycle in the rain, knowing they’ll eventually fall. As the story unfolds, familial secrets and accusations abound, the truths of war’s horrors and lack of honor are exposed, and the boy realizes that, in his heart, his father’s true passion is not serving the Reich, but being a photographer and artist. In a literary world where Nazis are reduced to well-dressed, heartless tropes, this story shows that many of them were has fundamentally human as the rest of us.
If there is one thing to which almost anyone these days can relate, it’s the sharpened stress of the 21st century, which is ratcheting up further as I write this (mid March 2022). The Ukraine invasion, the political effects of the pandemic, rising credit card debt (the result of rampant inflation, and its effect on food, fuel, and housing), and an America losing its moral compass (though it never knew Truth North), has a good part of the population choking down ill will and seething anger. “A Fever in the Blood” is a story of a simple incident involving the destruction of a rude person’s cell phone that leads, within hours, to the total deconstruction of society. At least for a time… It’s violent, energized, and covers a lot of territory concerning who is to blame for what in this injustice carnival we call modern life.
Another favorite is “A Story Never Told,” which, without ever naming him, recounts an encounter that Hemingway had with a soldier in Paris shortly after it was liberated during World War II. Hemingway, the larger-than-life novelist, fisherman, journalist, and freedom fighter, traded stories with the best of them, always with a goal to one-up them. The ultimate tragedy that is the end of his life is a testament to his man’s man persona hiding a serious unease. For those interested, his often biting competitiveness is clear in his letters with Thomas Wolfe, F Scott Fitzgerald, and their editor Maxwell Perkins. As he relates his wounding as an ambulance driver and uses boxing metaphors to make his case, Watson gives us a glimpse into the minds of the soldiers to whom he speaks, who have seen serious carnage in their years in Europe, and an ending honoring them and unmasking Hemingway exactly like he had done to others.
There are more stories about mobsters and soldiers before the story “Identity Crisis.” If origin stories of people who become killers fascinate you (think Falling Down with Michael Douglas) then you’ll love this chilling tale of how dominoes fall and darkness overtakes us in an age of avatars and rampant bullying.
As a longtime student of the U.S. Civil War, as a scale-modeler, historical educator, and Chautauquan, I was impressed with the research and authenticity in “The Shroud,” a story of a wounded Southern cavalry officer returning home to his family’s plantation.
The collection ends with “The Devil You Know.” I’ll leave it to you to find out which one.
For those interested in where writers get their inspiration, Watson lists some of his in the Acknowledgements. I wouldn’t be surprised if, after reading this impressive collection of shorts, future writers someday list Watson as an inspiration for the works that they will write.
The first story, “Road Trip,” is a ready reminder that the worst of the vampires (aside from the shiny ones) are psychic vampires, which doesn’t mean they won’t also drain your blood. This particular set of fang-bangers are like a modern-era Fitzgerald cast mashing up with bloodsuckers. With names like Victor, Tasha, and Diabolique, dressed in Bohemian clothing and John Lennon sunglasses and zipping around in a convertible, these #firstworldproblems phonies say things like, "I feel the need! The need....TO FEED!" (cue the eye roll). Trust-fund Paris Hiltons, they also travel with a werewolf, which is admittedly progressive of them.
Next is “Nosferatu,” thought to be Romanian for vampire. Most people know it because it was German Expressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau’s workaround title when he couldn’t get the rights to Dracula from Stoker’s widow. This is our introduction to the Nazis. At the opening, we meet a wounded officer named Raus delirious from blood loss. His unit has just had a losing encounter with the Russians. In what is a recurring theme in the volume, Raus intermittently reflects on the past through complementary scenes throughout his timeline that paint a 3D picture of a usually 2D trope. This technique, coupled with Watson’s talent for writing about war, allows him to show these “devils” as almost mundanely human. It’s rare to read or watch a story about a Nazi and find ourselves identifying with them.
Making it to a field hospital, Raus struggles with conflicting feelings as he wonders if he’ll die. As blood transfusions begin, a subtle change to otherworldly horror occurs, although, like with any solid vampire story, the metaphors are layered and complex—including the God-ordained struggle of the Christians to stem the tide of barbarism. For Western Europeans, that means the Eastern Europeans and Germans and for those people, it means Asians. Restless and unwell, Raus leaves his bed and wanders into a field operation that reminds us all that not all Nazis are created equal… some are more evil than others.
Some of the most powerful writing I’ve found in the more than 300 books I’ve read in the past four years has been about a person of faith enduring a loss so great that they enter a place of worship and rant and rail against God—and sometimes at Him (I use the male pronoun purposefully here). “The Adversarial Process” is just such a piece, and it does not disappoint. Embracing Big Questions, such as why the Jews were so quick to forgive Yahweh after 400 years slavery or why Lazarus and Jesus were resurrected, but other folks aren’t, the story dances from these Big Questions to the minutiae of everyday life, such as an umbrella offered with love on a stormy day.
Without saying too much (touches fingers to ear and nose), I know a lot about the Mafia from my childhood in Northern New Jersey, where my father worked in trucking. Between the Godfather films, Scorsese/De Niro/Pesci collaborations, and The Sopranos, it’s clear that people love a good Mafia tale. If you’re one of them, you’ll love “Pleas and Thank Yous.” Why? It takes place in a sound-proofed basement, someone’s tied up and tortured, there’s a feisty mob wife who perceives little slights as big slights, and it has a beautifully cartoony cast of malcontent, wise-cracking characters that would feel at home in films like Suicide Kings, Two Days in the Valley, and Seven Psychopaths. And, if you like a twist to your mob tale, this one’s got a doozy.
“D.S.A.” is an apocalyptic tale of soldiers in America, notable because this is the one story where I clearly saw homages to Stephen King, whom the author acknowledges as having his “fingerprints … on every piece of horror I write.” I mention this because, in most of the horror I review, there are abundant unacknowledged homages to King, which are far more evident than what I encountered in this collection, which is a credit to Watson being able to learn from masters and still have a voice all his own.
The next story, “Shadows and Glory,” returns to Nazis, but with a different tone. Perhaps my favorite in the collection, the story is one of a son whose father is a U-boat captain during World War II. The son, as sons do, deifies his enigmatic father, who’s rarely home. He also emulates him, making fleets of paper boats and joining the Hitler Youth against his mother’s wishes. They have a beautiful moment of bonding, when his father initiates him into his practice of getting drunk and riding his old motorcycle in the rain, knowing they’ll eventually fall. As the story unfolds, familial secrets and accusations abound, the truths of war’s horrors and lack of honor are exposed, and the boy realizes that, in his heart, his father’s true passion is not serving the Reich, but being a photographer and artist. In a literary world where Nazis are reduced to well-dressed, heartless tropes, this story shows that many of them were has fundamentally human as the rest of us.
If there is one thing to which almost anyone these days can relate, it’s the sharpened stress of the 21st century, which is ratcheting up further as I write this (mid March 2022). The Ukraine invasion, the political effects of the pandemic, rising credit card debt (the result of rampant inflation, and its effect on food, fuel, and housing), and an America losing its moral compass (though it never knew Truth North), has a good part of the population choking down ill will and seething anger. “A Fever in the Blood” is a story of a simple incident involving the destruction of a rude person’s cell phone that leads, within hours, to the total deconstruction of society. At least for a time… It’s violent, energized, and covers a lot of territory concerning who is to blame for what in this injustice carnival we call modern life.
Another favorite is “A Story Never Told,” which, without ever naming him, recounts an encounter that Hemingway had with a soldier in Paris shortly after it was liberated during World War II. Hemingway, the larger-than-life novelist, fisherman, journalist, and freedom fighter, traded stories with the best of them, always with a goal to one-up them. The ultimate tragedy that is the end of his life is a testament to his man’s man persona hiding a serious unease. For those interested, his often biting competitiveness is clear in his letters with Thomas Wolfe, F Scott Fitzgerald, and their editor Maxwell Perkins. As he relates his wounding as an ambulance driver and uses boxing metaphors to make his case, Watson gives us a glimpse into the minds of the soldiers to whom he speaks, who have seen serious carnage in their years in Europe, and an ending honoring them and unmasking Hemingway exactly like he had done to others.
There are more stories about mobsters and soldiers before the story “Identity Crisis.” If origin stories of people who become killers fascinate you (think Falling Down with Michael Douglas) then you’ll love this chilling tale of how dominoes fall and darkness overtakes us in an age of avatars and rampant bullying.
As a longtime student of the U.S. Civil War, as a scale-modeler, historical educator, and Chautauquan, I was impressed with the research and authenticity in “The Shroud,” a story of a wounded Southern cavalry officer returning home to his family’s plantation.
The collection ends with “The Devil You Know.” I’ll leave it to you to find out which one.
For those interested in where writers get their inspiration, Watson lists some of his in the Acknowledgements. I wouldn’t be surprised if, after reading this impressive collection of shorts, future writers someday list Watson as an inspiration for the works that they will write.
October 3, 2019
Don’t read these dark stories all at once. Don’t try to shovel them down, gulping without flinching, as if by doing so you might prove yourself a ‘mensch’. You are not a mensch. Nobody is. Read these strange, intelligent, searching stories slowly, as long as it takes, with life and air in between, take a journey home, appreciate your partner, maybe catch up with someone you haven’t met since you were both greater than you are now. Enjoy a bit of gossip on your cellphone, take a little road trip and a bite to eat, maybe get a bit philosophical about the place of evil in our world. But read these stories in the gaps in between, in small sips, and you will understand, quietly, that you are not a mensch. Nobody is.
Miles Watson is a consummate master of the uncompromising dark. Every one of these uncomfortable stories turned me back upon myself: challenging the things I take for granted, value most, want to believe. He writes with a lightness of touch that is as disturbing as the feel of a fingernail on the spine when you thought you were alone. He has a moral compass – yes, there is moral compass in all these stories – but in every setup, every denouement, the moral compass spins again, unforgiving and elusive.
If you enjoy these dark stories, you have possibly missed the point (or they may be about YOU.) If you don’t, you needn’t feel smug: you read them anyway (and they may be about YOU.)
Miles Watson is a consummate master of the uncompromising dark. Every one of these uncomfortable stories turned me back upon myself: challenging the things I take for granted, value most, want to believe. He writes with a lightness of touch that is as disturbing as the feel of a fingernail on the spine when you thought you were alone. He has a moral compass – yes, there is moral compass in all these stories – but in every setup, every denouement, the moral compass spins again, unforgiving and elusive.
If you enjoy these dark stories, you have possibly missed the point (or they may be about YOU.) If you don’t, you needn’t feel smug: you read them anyway (and they may be about YOU.)
January 26, 2022
Spoilers: There is a familiar saying that it is better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don't. In other words, it is better to engage in conflict with someone because you know their motives and weaknesses rather than someone you don't because they are an unknown entity.
Unfortunately, Miles Watson's anthology, Devils You Know, reveals that known entities can still produce many shocks and unpleasant surprises to say the least.
As he demonstrated with The Numbers Game, Watson shows that he can craft a masterful short work of suspense and tension often with unpleasant characters. The Devils You Know takes that talent to frightening several graphic and chilling short stories with some creepy characters who don't mind inflicting supernatural or human terror and violence on the people around them.
The best stories are:
"Nosferatu"
"The Nazi Vampires" sounds like the plot of a cheesy B horror film. That's not necessarily true. In this case, the story was clearly inspired by classic not at all cheesy A horror films. Since the Nazi Party and the German Expressionism Film Genre were formed during the Weimar Republic, they are often intertwined like some strange twisted destiny that mixes violent prejudicial hatred disguised as politics and art that embraces the dark and shadows.
This story combines those two elements as Hannibal Raus, an artist and SS officer is afflicted with strange fever dreams while recuperating in a hospital. Upon being told he had plenty of blood, his thoughts turn towards the silent films of his past, particularly Nosferatu, the Dracula silent film directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck. The final scene of Raus seeing what he believes is Nosferatu among the Nazi soldiers is eerie. Art and politics combine as it becomes hard to tell the real monsters from the fictional ones.
"The Adversarial Process"
This story is one long extended monologue in which a character rails against God. The Narrator becomes more unhinged as he calls the Deity out for the Biblical inconsistencies and if he could bring Lazarus to life couldn't He do the same to his deceased wife? The Narrator's words become more fierce and angrier as he rails against the silent walls reflecting in his mind an uncaring universe that allows people to die for no reason.
The Narrator's misotheism is present as he is compelled to commit violence to get God's attention and perhaps find significance in a random disconnected world.
"Pleas and Thank Yous"
The theme of showing true villainy being willing to do what the other person won't is present in this anthology but especially in this story.
The Narrator witnesses his fellow gang members torturing a victim. After confessing that he always favored the underdog in cartoons (like Tom in Tom and Jerry or Wile E. Coyote), he insists on letting the victim go despite objections from the others.
What seems to be a simple sympathetic move becomes more complex as The Narrator reveals his own lust for violence and proves that he is no different from, and in many ways, worse than his fellow captors.
"A Fever in the Blood"
It's obvious that there are many nowadays who are sitting on the edge filled with stress and anxiety from everyday living. It doesn't take much for someone to finally fall over the side and give into the rage that had been building up.
That is what happens in this haunting and unfortunately all too realistic story. A man starts a chain reaction of violence when he destroys a woman's cell phone. This moment causes others to lash out towards those around them: friends, even family, complete strangers erupting into a riot. The hatred and violence behaves like a virus that catches everyone around them until they turn into a vengeful mob.
Watson's depersonalization and detachment towards the characters reveal that this is not a justifiable situation, just one that spirals out of control once stress and frustration is unleashed and people give into the anger that they buried.
"The Action"
Similar to "Nosferatu" this story also deals with Nazis, but instead of supernatural horror it veers towards reality. While on duty, an infantry soldier looks after his cousin, Fritz who is at first described as a gentle intellectual.
Among the suspenseful passages describing shootings and military strategies, the real dark heart in the story is how much Fritz changes according to his cousin. In the final chilling sentences, The Narrator sees the detached murderer that Fritz has become. Maybe here, he realizes that among the many horrors that the Nazi Party inflicted, turning people into monsters was one of them.
"Identity Crisis"
In this day and age of finding one's identity and disposable fame, there are some who want to be known no matter what the cost. This story is a strong example of that.
Billy Verecker reflects on his life while standing outside a YMCA prepared to commit violence. He looks at his life, thinking of his various interests and relationships, trying to find his identity and significance in his life. He never feels like a whole person wondering if these outside trappings reveal the real person underneath.
This existential crisis and bitter and jealous rage drive him to do anything to make his name known. He always felt that he was standing outside and never really seen or noticed. Well this time will be different, he vows.
This story is drenched in irony as violence is committed, but Billy fails to get the recognition that he desired. Instead his existence ends up becoming the punchline in a cosmic joke.
"The Devil You Know"
How bad is the world when the Devil himself considers packing it in and giving up? That's the question in this story that is a two person conversation between Luke and The Narrator, one of whom is implied to be The Devil.
Far from an evil soul devouring villain, The Devil is written as weary, cynical, and fed up. He is somehow understanding as he considers humanity to be far worse than he could ever be (and judging by the characters in the other stories, he's not wrong). He leaves saying that "humanity doesn't need (him) anymore" that their greed, selfishness, hatred, and violence have surpassed his need to tempt those to do them. It is a truly biting tale to end this graphic book on but fits the tone and theme of the anthology. We don't need to look for the Devil to steal our souls when we willingly give them away.
Unfortunately, Miles Watson's anthology, Devils You Know, reveals that known entities can still produce many shocks and unpleasant surprises to say the least.
As he demonstrated with The Numbers Game, Watson shows that he can craft a masterful short work of suspense and tension often with unpleasant characters. The Devils You Know takes that talent to frightening several graphic and chilling short stories with some creepy characters who don't mind inflicting supernatural or human terror and violence on the people around them.
The best stories are:
"Nosferatu"
"The Nazi Vampires" sounds like the plot of a cheesy B horror film. That's not necessarily true. In this case, the story was clearly inspired by classic not at all cheesy A horror films. Since the Nazi Party and the German Expressionism Film Genre were formed during the Weimar Republic, they are often intertwined like some strange twisted destiny that mixes violent prejudicial hatred disguised as politics and art that embraces the dark and shadows.
This story combines those two elements as Hannibal Raus, an artist and SS officer is afflicted with strange fever dreams while recuperating in a hospital. Upon being told he had plenty of blood, his thoughts turn towards the silent films of his past, particularly Nosferatu, the Dracula silent film directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck. The final scene of Raus seeing what he believes is Nosferatu among the Nazi soldiers is eerie. Art and politics combine as it becomes hard to tell the real monsters from the fictional ones.
"The Adversarial Process"
This story is one long extended monologue in which a character rails against God. The Narrator becomes more unhinged as he calls the Deity out for the Biblical inconsistencies and if he could bring Lazarus to life couldn't He do the same to his deceased wife? The Narrator's words become more fierce and angrier as he rails against the silent walls reflecting in his mind an uncaring universe that allows people to die for no reason.
The Narrator's misotheism is present as he is compelled to commit violence to get God's attention and perhaps find significance in a random disconnected world.
"Pleas and Thank Yous"
The theme of showing true villainy being willing to do what the other person won't is present in this anthology but especially in this story.
The Narrator witnesses his fellow gang members torturing a victim. After confessing that he always favored the underdog in cartoons (like Tom in Tom and Jerry or Wile E. Coyote), he insists on letting the victim go despite objections from the others.
What seems to be a simple sympathetic move becomes more complex as The Narrator reveals his own lust for violence and proves that he is no different from, and in many ways, worse than his fellow captors.
"A Fever in the Blood"
It's obvious that there are many nowadays who are sitting on the edge filled with stress and anxiety from everyday living. It doesn't take much for someone to finally fall over the side and give into the rage that had been building up.
That is what happens in this haunting and unfortunately all too realistic story. A man starts a chain reaction of violence when he destroys a woman's cell phone. This moment causes others to lash out towards those around them: friends, even family, complete strangers erupting into a riot. The hatred and violence behaves like a virus that catches everyone around them until they turn into a vengeful mob.
Watson's depersonalization and detachment towards the characters reveal that this is not a justifiable situation, just one that spirals out of control once stress and frustration is unleashed and people give into the anger that they buried.
"The Action"
Similar to "Nosferatu" this story also deals with Nazis, but instead of supernatural horror it veers towards reality. While on duty, an infantry soldier looks after his cousin, Fritz who is at first described as a gentle intellectual.
Among the suspenseful passages describing shootings and military strategies, the real dark heart in the story is how much Fritz changes according to his cousin. In the final chilling sentences, The Narrator sees the detached murderer that Fritz has become. Maybe here, he realizes that among the many horrors that the Nazi Party inflicted, turning people into monsters was one of them.
"Identity Crisis"
In this day and age of finding one's identity and disposable fame, there are some who want to be known no matter what the cost. This story is a strong example of that.
Billy Verecker reflects on his life while standing outside a YMCA prepared to commit violence. He looks at his life, thinking of his various interests and relationships, trying to find his identity and significance in his life. He never feels like a whole person wondering if these outside trappings reveal the real person underneath.
This existential crisis and bitter and jealous rage drive him to do anything to make his name known. He always felt that he was standing outside and never really seen or noticed. Well this time will be different, he vows.
This story is drenched in irony as violence is committed, but Billy fails to get the recognition that he desired. Instead his existence ends up becoming the punchline in a cosmic joke.
"The Devil You Know"
How bad is the world when the Devil himself considers packing it in and giving up? That's the question in this story that is a two person conversation between Luke and The Narrator, one of whom is implied to be The Devil.
Far from an evil soul devouring villain, The Devil is written as weary, cynical, and fed up. He is somehow understanding as he considers humanity to be far worse than he could ever be (and judging by the characters in the other stories, he's not wrong). He leaves saying that "humanity doesn't need (him) anymore" that their greed, selfishness, hatred, and violence have surpassed his need to tempt those to do them. It is a truly biting tale to end this graphic book on but fits the tone and theme of the anthology. We don't need to look for the Devil to steal our souls when we willingly give them away.
March 19, 2022
This anthology of 13 stories that range from gory, to supernatural, to creepy, showing us that sometimes it's the devils we know, not the ones we don't👀👀
For the most part I enjoyed this, and honestly I commend anyone that can put a well written story into only a few pages, and make the reader want more from the same story, or leaves them feeling satisfied from what theyve got.
There are a few stories I just didnt really enjoy, I don't think that's down to bad writing, or a shitty story, I just think the idea of those ones were lost on me and I didn't understand them, they weren't bad by any means, and still good reads, I just didn't vibe with them!!
2 of my favourite stories were Nosferatu; a story set in world war two, our main character Raus, has been injured, and on his way to hospital. When he gets there, hes treated, but when hes supposed to be sleeping, that's when things go downhill and he finds something he wished he never. I LOVE a crazy nazi doctor story, yknow those cheap horror films about the nazi doctor who does crazy shit?? It gives me that vibe.
Raus slips in and out of consciousness and sleep throughout, we cant always tell what's real and what isnt, which at first I found confusing, but actually really adds to the idea that were arent always too sure who and what the evil really is.
The Adversarial Process; A guy loses his wife, and tries to reason with God. He finds himself in church often trying to get God to bring his wife back, telling him all the times in the bible where crazier shit has happened. He has a one way argument, in desperate hope God is listening. He takes actions into his own hands, and really drastic ones too, trying to blackmail the guy in the sky. I loved this, because this is one of the kind of mundane scary stories. It's not scary in a BOO way, but in a sense that sometimes we would do absolutely ANYTHING for people we love, including some really extreme measures.
As you can see, two totally opposite kinds of spooky!! Give it a read, you might find a story you love!!
(Thanks to @hrpr.blackthorn for getting me on this tour!! #AD#pr all opinions are my own!!!!)
For the most part I enjoyed this, and honestly I commend anyone that can put a well written story into only a few pages, and make the reader want more from the same story, or leaves them feeling satisfied from what theyve got.
There are a few stories I just didnt really enjoy, I don't think that's down to bad writing, or a shitty story, I just think the idea of those ones were lost on me and I didn't understand them, they weren't bad by any means, and still good reads, I just didn't vibe with them!!
2 of my favourite stories were Nosferatu; a story set in world war two, our main character Raus, has been injured, and on his way to hospital. When he gets there, hes treated, but when hes supposed to be sleeping, that's when things go downhill and he finds something he wished he never. I LOVE a crazy nazi doctor story, yknow those cheap horror films about the nazi doctor who does crazy shit?? It gives me that vibe.
Raus slips in and out of consciousness and sleep throughout, we cant always tell what's real and what isnt, which at first I found confusing, but actually really adds to the idea that were arent always too sure who and what the evil really is.
The Adversarial Process; A guy loses his wife, and tries to reason with God. He finds himself in church often trying to get God to bring his wife back, telling him all the times in the bible where crazier shit has happened. He has a one way argument, in desperate hope God is listening. He takes actions into his own hands, and really drastic ones too, trying to blackmail the guy in the sky. I loved this, because this is one of the kind of mundane scary stories. It's not scary in a BOO way, but in a sense that sometimes we would do absolutely ANYTHING for people we love, including some really extreme measures.
As you can see, two totally opposite kinds of spooky!! Give it a read, you might find a story you love!!
(Thanks to @hrpr.blackthorn for getting me on this tour!! #AD#pr all opinions are my own!!!!)
March 21, 2022
#blogtour day for Devil's you know by Miles Watson ... 5 STARS
@hrpr.blackthorn
About Devils You Know
A collection of 13 stories designed to work the head, heart and adrenal glands all at once.
In this anthology you’ll find horror and drama, warfare and madness and crime, and even the laughs are of the midnight-black variety. You’ll encounter gangsters elbow-deep in the red business of murder, soldiers slogging through physical and moral mud, and supernatural monsters whose pleasures are taken in human blood. You will journey through a dystopian America and a just-liberated Paris, encounter ordinary men descending into madness, and meet a Nazi officer who discovers the hard way that we are all brothers under the skin.
Somewhere in these pages you will even meet Satan himself…and discover that sometimes even he can’t take the heat. So sit down, buckle up, and g.et ready to meet your devils. Just don’t be surprised if they look familiar…
REVIEW BELOW
Blimey!! that kind of sums this book up for me. Deeply disturbing yet curiously addictive. Each of the stories are very hard hitting and my favourite, if you can have a favourite for scary unthinkable stories then, is The Adversarial Process. This was a truly heart-breaking chapter/story that I'm certain many people will identify with.
Despite the rather Horror Genre cover it isn't really a of the horror genre, it was much more akin to that old adage "better the devil you know" yes there are vampires and ghouls a plenty but not in every story and even thosevampire stories do make you really think, what if that really was me? would I fight the over whelming need for blood or would I just accept my fate. Accepting our fate is strong throughout the book and it is certainly thought provoking.
If you like a great book that totally turns you on your head that leaves you forever questioning then this is the short stories book for you.
#review #books #bibliophile #devilsyouknow #mileswatson #avidreader #bookstagram
@hrpr.blackthorn
About Devils You Know
A collection of 13 stories designed to work the head, heart and adrenal glands all at once.
In this anthology you’ll find horror and drama, warfare and madness and crime, and even the laughs are of the midnight-black variety. You’ll encounter gangsters elbow-deep in the red business of murder, soldiers slogging through physical and moral mud, and supernatural monsters whose pleasures are taken in human blood. You will journey through a dystopian America and a just-liberated Paris, encounter ordinary men descending into madness, and meet a Nazi officer who discovers the hard way that we are all brothers under the skin.
Somewhere in these pages you will even meet Satan himself…and discover that sometimes even he can’t take the heat. So sit down, buckle up, and g.et ready to meet your devils. Just don’t be surprised if they look familiar…
REVIEW BELOW
Blimey!! that kind of sums this book up for me. Deeply disturbing yet curiously addictive. Each of the stories are very hard hitting and my favourite, if you can have a favourite for scary unthinkable stories then, is The Adversarial Process. This was a truly heart-breaking chapter/story that I'm certain many people will identify with.
Despite the rather Horror Genre cover it isn't really a of the horror genre, it was much more akin to that old adage "better the devil you know" yes there are vampires and ghouls a plenty but not in every story and even thosevampire stories do make you really think, what if that really was me? would I fight the over whelming need for blood or would I just accept my fate. Accepting our fate is strong throughout the book and it is certainly thought provoking.
If you like a great book that totally turns you on your head that leaves you forever questioning then this is the short stories book for you.
#review #books #bibliophile #devilsyouknow #mileswatson #avidreader #bookstagram
March 21, 2022
Quite a dark and dramatic anthology.
What a grandly dark collection of stories in Devils You Know by Miles Watson. This is the first time I've read this author's works, and it won't be the last time. This anthology of all these greatly, dark, evil, criminal and murderous stories, fits this title perfectly. I have just become a fan of this author. One of my favorite stories was Nosferautu (what could be darker than Nazis), and it was extremely interesting. I liked all of the stories, and this author can certainly write. This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. Each story was both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. I hope to read more books by this author. It was an honor to read this collection. Devils You Know collection of dark stories is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
What a grandly dark collection of stories in Devils You Know by Miles Watson. This is the first time I've read this author's works, and it won't be the last time. This anthology of all these greatly, dark, evil, criminal and murderous stories, fits this title perfectly. I have just become a fan of this author. One of my favorite stories was Nosferautu (what could be darker than Nazis), and it was extremely interesting. I liked all of the stories, and this author can certainly write. This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. Each story was both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. I hope to read more books by this author. It was an honor to read this collection. Devils You Know collection of dark stories is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
March 21, 2022
I received a gifted copy of ‘Devils You Know’ by Miles Watson in return for my honest review.
This book is a collection of short stories some of which are about Nazi soldiers, and others about shocking fictional events happening in life.
The different stories are:
ROADTRIP – A group of friends take a road trip with an unexpected twist.
NOSFERATU – A wounded soldier recovers in a hospital, is everything as it seems?
THE ADVERSARIAL PROCESS – A story of a man’s grief and how he questions his faith.
PLEAS AND THANK YOUS – A story of torture and revenge.
D.S.A – Soldiers on an unplanned mission for food.
SHADOWS AND GLORY – A story of a son and his soldier father.
A FEVER IN BLOOD – One small moment escalates; how far will it go?
A STORY NEVER TOLD – A soldier’s story is told.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Will closure be found?
THE ACTION – A story of soldiers in action
IDENTITY CRISIS – A devastating story of a man trying to find his place in the world.
THE SHROUD – A soldier trying to get home.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW – A bar conversation with the devil, what will have to say?
I must admit I don’t read a lot of books about war and combat, so although they were brilliantly written these soldier stories weren’t really for me.
The others though were shocking and the amount of description the author provides in his stories leaves nothing to the imagination.
Most Shocking Story – A Fever in Blood
Most gory story – Please and Thank Yous
Overall, a descriptive and brilliantly written collection of short horror/war action stories.
This book is a collection of short stories some of which are about Nazi soldiers, and others about shocking fictional events happening in life.
The different stories are:
ROADTRIP – A group of friends take a road trip with an unexpected twist.
NOSFERATU – A wounded soldier recovers in a hospital, is everything as it seems?
THE ADVERSARIAL PROCESS – A story of a man’s grief and how he questions his faith.
PLEAS AND THANK YOUS – A story of torture and revenge.
D.S.A – Soldiers on an unplanned mission for food.
SHADOWS AND GLORY – A story of a son and his soldier father.
A FEVER IN BLOOD – One small moment escalates; how far will it go?
A STORY NEVER TOLD – A soldier’s story is told.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Will closure be found?
THE ACTION – A story of soldiers in action
IDENTITY CRISIS – A devastating story of a man trying to find his place in the world.
THE SHROUD – A soldier trying to get home.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW – A bar conversation with the devil, what will have to say?
I must admit I don’t read a lot of books about war and combat, so although they were brilliantly written these soldier stories weren’t really for me.
The others though were shocking and the amount of description the author provides in his stories leaves nothing to the imagination.
Most Shocking Story – A Fever in Blood
Most gory story – Please and Thank Yous
Overall, a descriptive and brilliantly written collection of short horror/war action stories.
March 12, 2022
This is a book full of short stories that have a creepy undertone to them. For the most part they’re good, they’re different enough from each other to keep it interesting. There are a few that drag and I feel are longer than they needed to be but generally they’re great.
These are all medium paced. This isn’t a fast paced group of short stories that you’ll fly through - they’re ones that’ll leave you thinking.
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - not bad, but I do prefer my short stories to be fast paced.
These are all medium paced. This isn’t a fast paced group of short stories that you’ll fly through - they’re ones that’ll leave you thinking.
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - not bad, but I do prefer my short stories to be fast paced.
March 19, 2022
This collections of short stories I had to read a little at a time. Some I had to cringe at but then it’s a collections of those type of stores. So know going in what to expect by the trigger warning
I rated it 3.5 but there no 1/2 a star on goodreads 😊
I rated it 3.5 but there no 1/2 a star on goodreads 😊
July 10, 2017
I have won the book through Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you Goodreads and Mr. Miles Watson.
The book is a collection of 13 short stories of horror, unthinkable, fear and warfare. I read these stories like I am enjoying a good cup of coffee - dark and intense - so I can "savor' the essence of those story telling about human nature that we all have inside us, including our own devils. It is up to ourselves to take charge of our lives or other wise our devils will. It is an interesting goodread for those who like horrors and mysteries.
The book is a collection of 13 short stories of horror, unthinkable, fear and warfare. I read these stories like I am enjoying a good cup of coffee - dark and intense - so I can "savor' the essence of those story telling about human nature that we all have inside us, including our own devils. It is up to ourselves to take charge of our lives or other wise our devils will. It is an interesting goodread for those who like horrors and mysteries.
July 24, 2022
Book Review
Title: Devils You Know by Miles Watson
Genre: Anthology
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Since this is an anthology I will be separating the review into each individual story before summing up the collection as a whole. I was sure what to expect from the collection but I was hoping it ran a little darker as I seem to enjoy horror or thriller anthologies more than other types.
Roadtrip
In Roadtrip we are introduced to a group of friends consisting of Victor, Bobby, Natasha and Diabolique who are heading to Vista Verde on the recommendation of their friend, Roth. Along the way they are stopped by the police for speeding and Natasha ends up shooting the cop which was excited enough but then we learn that each one is supernatural in some way with Natasha being a vampire along with potentially Victor and Diabolique while Bobby is a werewolf. Roadtrip was short and definitely packed a hell of a surprise that I wasn’t expecting and it made me really excited for the rest of the collection.
Nosferatu
Obviously the word Nosferatu is often associated with vampires so I thought this story would centre around that and I was wrong it seems. We are introduced to Hannibal Raus, an SS officer in the Second World War who has been injured. He is taken to a hospital and put under the care of a doctor called Mingra, during this time Raus slips in and out of delirium where he dreams of Lucie, the woman he would have married but never had the chance. During his time at the hospital he learns that the doctors are murdering children in order to harvest things like blood and plasma from them which Raus doesn’t like at all but there is nothing he can do about it as he doesn’t hold a high enough rank. In the end they ship him out of the hospital and there he meets a vampire who bites him but it is impossible to tell whether it actually happened or whether he is imagining the whole thing so I didn’t really enjoy this story.
The Adversarial Process
The Adversarial Process was a heart-breaking look at grief and what it can do to a person. We are following a husband whose wife is killed when a driver runs a red light and he goes to church to speak with God. Here he explains why God was wrong is taking her and how he broke his own established patterns to do this, while we know he isn’t really talking to God he is just venting his pain and frustration at something intangible. After the man gets no response he decides to take drastic measures in order to make God notice him and hear what he wants and sets fire to the church which he promises is only the beginning. Again this was really short but packed a huge punch and I loved how the author wasn’t afraid to show that even in the most devout sometimes religion isn’t enough to fill the void a person leaves behind in our lives.
Pleas and Thank Yous
Pleas and Thank Yous is something straight out of Wrong Turn or Saw as we witness a group of men seemingly working for something like the mafia torturing a man. The men are Joe Gori, Tommy Reilly, Paddy and an unknown man who is the protagonist. They are torturing him purely because the man took the parking space of Joe’s wife, Angela and insulted her. However, the unknown man turns the tables on the other men when he brutally kills them and frees the captured man purely because he prefers to cheer on the underdog. This story was gory and dark and really appealed to me as a lover of horror, especially body horror.
D.S.A.
D.S.A. was a story that was interesting but it didn’t have enough information in it for me to really understand what was going on. We are following a group of soldiers paying close attention to Masterson and MacAfee. These are the remainder of one force after a war, although we don’t know why the war occurred or who it was between but this leaves the U.S.A. a desolate wasteland that they are navigating. The majority of the story is MacAfee looking for food in abandoned home and hitting the jackpot and in the house he finds the remains of a dead man and his diary, then the story ends. With a little more substance this could have been great but it just left me confused.
Shadows and Glory
Shadows and Glory was another story set around the Second World War, this time following Karl, the son of a German sailor during this time. Karl initially believes his father to be a hero referring to him only as The Captain and how his father inspired him to join the Hitler Youth as a boy and because it angered his mother. When the war begins his father is called upon and then the lives of Karl and his mother become a black hole, waiting for news. His father does become a hero and returns home with medals but watching his father falling apart and eventually weeping at his desk makes Karl realises what the price of war is and how it has to paid in blood. Karl as a man telling the tale understands now who is father was and how his role weighed heavily on him and how it made Karl change his life for the better.
A Fever in the Blood
A Fever in the Blood was an interesting story as it doesn’t appear to be doing anything at first until a young man breaks the cell phone of a woman annoying him with her gossip and this sparks riots. His actions sparks something in the people around him as they begin taking the law into the own hands starting with a lawyer who defends a man for the rape of a child and got him free. They cut of his hands and roast him alive in an oven which was brutal to read and he is only the beginning. The young man reflects on what his actions caused and seems very happy with the result.
A Story Never Told
A Story Never Told was another one centred around war but this time it is a war correspondent and a bunch of soldiers sharing drinks and stories in a bar. While everyone seems to be having a good time there is one soldier who doesn’t see the funny side of the tales having lived through them himself and he makes his displeasure known to the correspondent. When he does something interesting happens as the war correspondent takes note of his stories and listens in complete silence giving the men lost their respect rather than telling tales about them.
Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business was a great story and might have worked well as a longer novella or full length novel. We are following Johnny and an unnamed man who are both part of a gang known as The Family. The other man vouched for Johnny and got him in only for Johnny to rat them out to the police because he felt that destroying the Family might be a way for him to atone for his sins. Johnny realises however, it isn’t finished and he hurt his friend badly with his actions so he creates a plan. Johnny’s plan is to let everyone know he is back in town and coming for them but secretly to let his friend kill him so that he can reclaim his position within the family and Johnny is provided with a easy death at the hand of his friend.
The Action
The Action was one of the best stories in the collection so far as it centres around a group of German soldiers in the Warsaw Ghetto looking for move the people for “resettling”. These include an unnamed solider and his cousin, Fritz, the unnamed young man believe Fritz is too innocent for this kind of fighting and we see through his eyes as the fighting and the war begin to change the boy he grew up with. It was dark, haunting and more than a little heart-breaking and I wanted more.
Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis is the story Billy Verecker and the struggles he has had throughout his life trying to find a place he belonged. Throughout his school life and early working career he never found it until he met Kirsty and his identity became about her until she left him several years later putting him back to square one. Billy then finds the gym and for months he seems to be settling at last but it finally clicks when he meets Jennifer. Jennifer has a boyfriend but Billy doesn’t pay much attention to him until he beats Billy up for the gold bracelet he gave Jennifer for her birthday. Humiliated Billy decides he is going to go to the gym and shoot everyone inside making the necessary preparation using his military training but ends up shooting himself and dying the explosion he had rigged on his car leaving the authorities unable to identify him and he is now only known as John Doe.
The Shroud
This is another story about war but this time the American Civil War and we are following a man named Bonventre. The South is losing the war and they know it so Bonventre is heading for him despite being shot and when he gets near enough on his own doorstep he is cornered by the enemy. There he is shot again but he still hangs on thinking about everything that led him to where he is now and the cotton shroud awaiting him when he dies and his last act is the tell the men who shot him to make his shroud wool rather than cotton.
The Devil You Know
The Devil You Know was an interesting story about the human condition as we are following Luke who seems to be the Devil in human form. He is talking to man at a bar and tells him that humans can’t distinguish between want and need anymore so he doesn’t serve a purpose anymore. After the bar closes, Luke heads to the nearest church where he disappears leaving behind only his clothes and ring which the other man takes with him before heading out into the night.
Overall, The Devil You Know was an interesting collection, while it did have some horror stories most revolved around war and what it does to people. While this was interesting to read it wasn’t really my thing but I was definitely worth the read considering it is so short as well.
Title: Devils You Know by Miles Watson
Genre: Anthology
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Since this is an anthology I will be separating the review into each individual story before summing up the collection as a whole. I was sure what to expect from the collection but I was hoping it ran a little darker as I seem to enjoy horror or thriller anthologies more than other types.
Roadtrip
In Roadtrip we are introduced to a group of friends consisting of Victor, Bobby, Natasha and Diabolique who are heading to Vista Verde on the recommendation of their friend, Roth. Along the way they are stopped by the police for speeding and Natasha ends up shooting the cop which was excited enough but then we learn that each one is supernatural in some way with Natasha being a vampire along with potentially Victor and Diabolique while Bobby is a werewolf. Roadtrip was short and definitely packed a hell of a surprise that I wasn’t expecting and it made me really excited for the rest of the collection.
Nosferatu
Obviously the word Nosferatu is often associated with vampires so I thought this story would centre around that and I was wrong it seems. We are introduced to Hannibal Raus, an SS officer in the Second World War who has been injured. He is taken to a hospital and put under the care of a doctor called Mingra, during this time Raus slips in and out of delirium where he dreams of Lucie, the woman he would have married but never had the chance. During his time at the hospital he learns that the doctors are murdering children in order to harvest things like blood and plasma from them which Raus doesn’t like at all but there is nothing he can do about it as he doesn’t hold a high enough rank. In the end they ship him out of the hospital and there he meets a vampire who bites him but it is impossible to tell whether it actually happened or whether he is imagining the whole thing so I didn’t really enjoy this story.
The Adversarial Process
The Adversarial Process was a heart-breaking look at grief and what it can do to a person. We are following a husband whose wife is killed when a driver runs a red light and he goes to church to speak with God. Here he explains why God was wrong is taking her and how he broke his own established patterns to do this, while we know he isn’t really talking to God he is just venting his pain and frustration at something intangible. After the man gets no response he decides to take drastic measures in order to make God notice him and hear what he wants and sets fire to the church which he promises is only the beginning. Again this was really short but packed a huge punch and I loved how the author wasn’t afraid to show that even in the most devout sometimes religion isn’t enough to fill the void a person leaves behind in our lives.
Pleas and Thank Yous
Pleas and Thank Yous is something straight out of Wrong Turn or Saw as we witness a group of men seemingly working for something like the mafia torturing a man. The men are Joe Gori, Tommy Reilly, Paddy and an unknown man who is the protagonist. They are torturing him purely because the man took the parking space of Joe’s wife, Angela and insulted her. However, the unknown man turns the tables on the other men when he brutally kills them and frees the captured man purely because he prefers to cheer on the underdog. This story was gory and dark and really appealed to me as a lover of horror, especially body horror.
D.S.A.
D.S.A. was a story that was interesting but it didn’t have enough information in it for me to really understand what was going on. We are following a group of soldiers paying close attention to Masterson and MacAfee. These are the remainder of one force after a war, although we don’t know why the war occurred or who it was between but this leaves the U.S.A. a desolate wasteland that they are navigating. The majority of the story is MacAfee looking for food in abandoned home and hitting the jackpot and in the house he finds the remains of a dead man and his diary, then the story ends. With a little more substance this could have been great but it just left me confused.
Shadows and Glory
Shadows and Glory was another story set around the Second World War, this time following Karl, the son of a German sailor during this time. Karl initially believes his father to be a hero referring to him only as The Captain and how his father inspired him to join the Hitler Youth as a boy and because it angered his mother. When the war begins his father is called upon and then the lives of Karl and his mother become a black hole, waiting for news. His father does become a hero and returns home with medals but watching his father falling apart and eventually weeping at his desk makes Karl realises what the price of war is and how it has to paid in blood. Karl as a man telling the tale understands now who is father was and how his role weighed heavily on him and how it made Karl change his life for the better.
A Fever in the Blood
A Fever in the Blood was an interesting story as it doesn’t appear to be doing anything at first until a young man breaks the cell phone of a woman annoying him with her gossip and this sparks riots. His actions sparks something in the people around him as they begin taking the law into the own hands starting with a lawyer who defends a man for the rape of a child and got him free. They cut of his hands and roast him alive in an oven which was brutal to read and he is only the beginning. The young man reflects on what his actions caused and seems very happy with the result.
A Story Never Told
A Story Never Told was another one centred around war but this time it is a war correspondent and a bunch of soldiers sharing drinks and stories in a bar. While everyone seems to be having a good time there is one soldier who doesn’t see the funny side of the tales having lived through them himself and he makes his displeasure known to the correspondent. When he does something interesting happens as the war correspondent takes note of his stories and listens in complete silence giving the men lost their respect rather than telling tales about them.
Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business was a great story and might have worked well as a longer novella or full length novel. We are following Johnny and an unnamed man who are both part of a gang known as The Family. The other man vouched for Johnny and got him in only for Johnny to rat them out to the police because he felt that destroying the Family might be a way for him to atone for his sins. Johnny realises however, it isn’t finished and he hurt his friend badly with his actions so he creates a plan. Johnny’s plan is to let everyone know he is back in town and coming for them but secretly to let his friend kill him so that he can reclaim his position within the family and Johnny is provided with a easy death at the hand of his friend.
The Action
The Action was one of the best stories in the collection so far as it centres around a group of German soldiers in the Warsaw Ghetto looking for move the people for “resettling”. These include an unnamed solider and his cousin, Fritz, the unnamed young man believe Fritz is too innocent for this kind of fighting and we see through his eyes as the fighting and the war begin to change the boy he grew up with. It was dark, haunting and more than a little heart-breaking and I wanted more.
Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis is the story Billy Verecker and the struggles he has had throughout his life trying to find a place he belonged. Throughout his school life and early working career he never found it until he met Kirsty and his identity became about her until she left him several years later putting him back to square one. Billy then finds the gym and for months he seems to be settling at last but it finally clicks when he meets Jennifer. Jennifer has a boyfriend but Billy doesn’t pay much attention to him until he beats Billy up for the gold bracelet he gave Jennifer for her birthday. Humiliated Billy decides he is going to go to the gym and shoot everyone inside making the necessary preparation using his military training but ends up shooting himself and dying the explosion he had rigged on his car leaving the authorities unable to identify him and he is now only known as John Doe.
The Shroud
This is another story about war but this time the American Civil War and we are following a man named Bonventre. The South is losing the war and they know it so Bonventre is heading for him despite being shot and when he gets near enough on his own doorstep he is cornered by the enemy. There he is shot again but he still hangs on thinking about everything that led him to where he is now and the cotton shroud awaiting him when he dies and his last act is the tell the men who shot him to make his shroud wool rather than cotton.
The Devil You Know
The Devil You Know was an interesting story about the human condition as we are following Luke who seems to be the Devil in human form. He is talking to man at a bar and tells him that humans can’t distinguish between want and need anymore so he doesn’t serve a purpose anymore. After the bar closes, Luke heads to the nearest church where he disappears leaving behind only his clothes and ring which the other man takes with him before heading out into the night.
Overall, The Devil You Know was an interesting collection, while it did have some horror stories most revolved around war and what it does to people. While this was interesting to read it wasn’t really my thing but I was definitely worth the read considering it is so short as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2018
The devils you think you don't know may surprise you. The collection of stories will introduce you to devils you may have never thought of existing. It's a fascinating mix of stories. I found myself reading them one at a time. I would think and contemplate each story after I read it. Yes, the stories go under the subject horror fiction. It's amazing what excellent stories he has written. Read it!
March 23, 2022
The Devils You Know is a collection of extremely well written dark, compelling, yet fascinating short stories. Watson does a great job at entertaining you, while at the same time bringing up some rather thought-provoking questions and/or topics. While six of the stories have war settings, they and the rest of the stories are each dark and disturbing in their own way, telling a completely different story than all the rest, yet perhaps touching on some of the same aspects.
Both the settings and the plots of Watson's stories are deeply and vividly set in out imaginations. The descriptions of the surrounding and what is happening at each moment are so extremely well written and excruciatingly graphic that I felt like I was right there on the sidelines watching in horror as they happened.
I will admit that I am much more familiar with the authors who go into great depth to let you know the character, almost personally and to where you sometimes have a hard time saying goodbye when the story has come to an end. Yet, I must say that I found it to be almost a refreshing change of pace to not be personally introduced to the characters and also to not be so invested in them at the ending. It's as if Watson just jumps in, tells his story, and then jumps right back out. This seemed very fitting for these types of dark fiction short stories.
Some of the subjects that are touched upon in the stories are war, death, torture, revenge, consequences, desperation, gang-life, grief, crime, and punishment. A few of these subjects are touched upon and revisited in more than one story, yet in drastically different ways. For instance, I feel like choices and consequences play a rather big part in the following four stories: Please and Thank You, A Fever in the Blood, Unfinished Business, and The Action.
In Please and Thank You, we witness a man being put thru pure agonizing torture at the hands of Joe and his team, because he had parked in Joe's woman's parking spot. But are these heinous acts of violence that he's being forced to endure considered suitable punishment for simply taking another's parking space? They are when the wrong person(s) decide to take the law into their own hands and enforce their own type of punishment. But wait, this story doesn't end here, trust me! There's yet another self proclaimed man of law who chooses to dole out his own punishment for whatever he sees fit.
Unfinished Business also touches upon the consequences of one's actions. Here we meet Johnnie just before his friend vouches for him, thus allowing him to become a member of his friends gang, known as The Family. Johnnie must be a real tough guy to join a gang, eh? Well, perhaps not as tough as he originally thought, because he soon commits a dastardly act that I believed would surely come with some harrowing consequences, and I was right. But I didn't have it all figured out for long. The author definitely threw me for a loop with his twist of an ending. And it was pure genius in my eyes.
Without telling at least a little of each story, I am not doing this collection justice, and I do apologize. I am, however, going to mention a few other keys aspects that I think are important. As I mentioned, about half of these stories are set in the middle of, around, or after war-time. Watson does a spectacular job at opening out eyes to abhorrent effects and aftereffects of war on those both directly and indirectly affected. I really feel like I now have a bit better of a sense at the true price of war. I realize these short stories are written as horror-filled, dark fiction, but I also see a whole lot of truth in it.
Being that this is my first experience with Miles Watson's writing. and I surprisingly, really rather liked it a lot, I will certainly be looking into reading more of his work. I would recommend this to those liking short stories, dark, graphic fiction with some definite horror aspects, and those who don't have a lot of time to invest in a entire novel.
I would like to thank both Miles Watson and Blackthorn Book Tours for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book. My review is voluntary and all thoughts and wording are my own.
~Raven
Both the settings and the plots of Watson's stories are deeply and vividly set in out imaginations. The descriptions of the surrounding and what is happening at each moment are so extremely well written and excruciatingly graphic that I felt like I was right there on the sidelines watching in horror as they happened.
I will admit that I am much more familiar with the authors who go into great depth to let you know the character, almost personally and to where you sometimes have a hard time saying goodbye when the story has come to an end. Yet, I must say that I found it to be almost a refreshing change of pace to not be personally introduced to the characters and also to not be so invested in them at the ending. It's as if Watson just jumps in, tells his story, and then jumps right back out. This seemed very fitting for these types of dark fiction short stories.
Some of the subjects that are touched upon in the stories are war, death, torture, revenge, consequences, desperation, gang-life, grief, crime, and punishment. A few of these subjects are touched upon and revisited in more than one story, yet in drastically different ways. For instance, I feel like choices and consequences play a rather big part in the following four stories: Please and Thank You, A Fever in the Blood, Unfinished Business, and The Action.
In Please and Thank You, we witness a man being put thru pure agonizing torture at the hands of Joe and his team, because he had parked in Joe's woman's parking spot. But are these heinous acts of violence that he's being forced to endure considered suitable punishment for simply taking another's parking space? They are when the wrong person(s) decide to take the law into their own hands and enforce their own type of punishment. But wait, this story doesn't end here, trust me! There's yet another self proclaimed man of law who chooses to dole out his own punishment for whatever he sees fit.
Unfinished Business also touches upon the consequences of one's actions. Here we meet Johnnie just before his friend vouches for him, thus allowing him to become a member of his friends gang, known as The Family. Johnnie must be a real tough guy to join a gang, eh? Well, perhaps not as tough as he originally thought, because he soon commits a dastardly act that I believed would surely come with some harrowing consequences, and I was right. But I didn't have it all figured out for long. The author definitely threw me for a loop with his twist of an ending. And it was pure genius in my eyes.
Without telling at least a little of each story, I am not doing this collection justice, and I do apologize. I am, however, going to mention a few other keys aspects that I think are important. As I mentioned, about half of these stories are set in the middle of, around, or after war-time. Watson does a spectacular job at opening out eyes to abhorrent effects and aftereffects of war on those both directly and indirectly affected. I really feel like I now have a bit better of a sense at the true price of war. I realize these short stories are written as horror-filled, dark fiction, but I also see a whole lot of truth in it.
Being that this is my first experience with Miles Watson's writing. and I surprisingly, really rather liked it a lot, I will certainly be looking into reading more of his work. I would recommend this to those liking short stories, dark, graphic fiction with some definite horror aspects, and those who don't have a lot of time to invest in a entire novel.
I would like to thank both Miles Watson and Blackthorn Book Tours for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book. My review is voluntary and all thoughts and wording are my own.
~Raven
March 21, 2022
This was one of the most interesting and captivating collections I have read in a very long time. I chose this from the Blackthorn Book Tour folks and once again, our tastes in literature come together in perfect unison.
This anthology is a mysterious kind of collection all in itself. There are stories of all types of dark and sinister themes. While the entire collection would not really be considered horror, a great number of these tales bring the darker and less palatable horrors of actual reality out in the open. I would personally classify this collection as more of a dramatic thriller anthology than horror.
What we read for entertainment is an entirely personal choice. I happen to enjoy reading work that stimulates my brain. Just like any other muscle, the brain needs to be exercised to stay strong and healthy. Use it or lose it, as they always say. This group of stories is by far one of the most thought-provoking anthologies I have ever come across. Typically we apply personal experience and knowledge to what we read, watch, hear, etc. The most unique characteristic of this author’s writing is that it often takes on a point of view that is not what the average reader might have originally thought of or might have never experienced for themselves. This is a clever and intriguing way of really getting into the heart and mind of the reader. If the story is being told from a point of view we are not used to seeing or hearing it gives the reader an opportunity to open their minds and expand their capacity for empathy and understanding. We often only see things from our own side and it’s beneficial and valuable that we get the chance to learn about a different view.
The actual content of each story was great and the plots were thrilling. My only issue was that there are quite a few places where a small word is missing (such as ‘a’, ‘whole’, ‘the’, etc.) or the wrong word is typed, like ‘hours’ instead of ‘ours’. It seems quite possible from the minor grammatical errors that this book was dictated in a voice-to-text program and not typed up by hand. Which is completely fine. The finished product could benefit though from a final spellcheck and grammar check, and maybe even a final physical read-through.
The one thing that did make certain parts a little harder to read was that a great portion of the writing uses a run-on sentence structure. The sentences are four or five lines long and as little as three sentences can take up over a third of a page while creating a paragraph. Now, this isn’t necessarily negative as it comes across as it would if someone were verbally telling you the story. That’s kind of cool. It gives it a more personal feel. On the flip side, the long sentences have a lot of information in them. This is a lot to absorb in one sentence and I often had to go back and read the whole sentence a second time to get everything the author was trying to convey. Again, if this were a person telling this story verbally, none of that would matter. You would have the tone of voice and various pauses and inflections to convey that material. But, when reading, it might be easier to break the long sentences up and utilize more commas and semicolons to get the right effect.
Still, there are a few stories in this collection that weeks after reading are still in my mind. So this writing absolutely has an impact on the reader. This will be a collection I remember for quite some time.
RATINGS
5/5 Stars
This anthology is a mysterious kind of collection all in itself. There are stories of all types of dark and sinister themes. While the entire collection would not really be considered horror, a great number of these tales bring the darker and less palatable horrors of actual reality out in the open. I would personally classify this collection as more of a dramatic thriller anthology than horror.
What we read for entertainment is an entirely personal choice. I happen to enjoy reading work that stimulates my brain. Just like any other muscle, the brain needs to be exercised to stay strong and healthy. Use it or lose it, as they always say. This group of stories is by far one of the most thought-provoking anthologies I have ever come across. Typically we apply personal experience and knowledge to what we read, watch, hear, etc. The most unique characteristic of this author’s writing is that it often takes on a point of view that is not what the average reader might have originally thought of or might have never experienced for themselves. This is a clever and intriguing way of really getting into the heart and mind of the reader. If the story is being told from a point of view we are not used to seeing or hearing it gives the reader an opportunity to open their minds and expand their capacity for empathy and understanding. We often only see things from our own side and it’s beneficial and valuable that we get the chance to learn about a different view.
The actual content of each story was great and the plots were thrilling. My only issue was that there are quite a few places where a small word is missing (such as ‘a’, ‘whole’, ‘the’, etc.) or the wrong word is typed, like ‘hours’ instead of ‘ours’. It seems quite possible from the minor grammatical errors that this book was dictated in a voice-to-text program and not typed up by hand. Which is completely fine. The finished product could benefit though from a final spellcheck and grammar check, and maybe even a final physical read-through.
The one thing that did make certain parts a little harder to read was that a great portion of the writing uses a run-on sentence structure. The sentences are four or five lines long and as little as three sentences can take up over a third of a page while creating a paragraph. Now, this isn’t necessarily negative as it comes across as it would if someone were verbally telling you the story. That’s kind of cool. It gives it a more personal feel. On the flip side, the long sentences have a lot of information in them. This is a lot to absorb in one sentence and I often had to go back and read the whole sentence a second time to get everything the author was trying to convey. Again, if this were a person telling this story verbally, none of that would matter. You would have the tone of voice and various pauses and inflections to convey that material. But, when reading, it might be easier to break the long sentences up and utilize more commas and semicolons to get the right effect.
Still, there are a few stories in this collection that weeks after reading are still in my mind. So this writing absolutely has an impact on the reader. This will be a collection I remember for quite some time.
RATINGS
5/5 Stars
March 19, 2022
TW: Torture, war
If you’re looking for light, humorous stories to help you relax, then keep moving. These are not the stories you are looking for.
If you want complicated narrators, vivid settings, and thought-provoking dialogue, then you’re in the right place. Devils You Know by Miles Watson delivers with this series of short stories written over a twenty-six year period.
I do not usually read war stories. I’m not a big fan of vampire or werewolf stories. Watson’s short stories and novellas are a welcome exception to that rule. Watson was inspired by Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Shaara, and other talented artists. It’s easy to see why I couldn’t breeze through these stories. Each was a unique gem that generated strong thoughts and feelings that demanded my attention even after I was done reading.
Half of those stories take place during civil or world wars, providing unique snapshots capturing war’s erosion of humanity. Other stories were even more horrific as they showed the brutality of individuals and their explosive reactions to seemingly minor moments.
Devils You Know is a literary roller coaster. It starts out with a night for supernatural creatures, then the stories drop, twist, and turn from there. Soldiers get wounded, scavenge, and see relationships changed by war. Acts of violence are triggered by trauma, seemingly innocuous actions, and keeping bad company. Current events make stories even more unsettling. By the time the Devil shows up, it’s disturbing how easy it is to buy into his drinking buddy’s arguments.
This book is not breezy entertainment. The stories are provocative and thought-provoking. They’re well-written and fascinating. Call me a Miles Watson groupie, because he makes it easy for me to leave my comfort zone with his powerful storytelling.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for a copy of this book.
If you’re looking for light, humorous stories to help you relax, then keep moving. These are not the stories you are looking for.
If you want complicated narrators, vivid settings, and thought-provoking dialogue, then you’re in the right place. Devils You Know by Miles Watson delivers with this series of short stories written over a twenty-six year period.
I do not usually read war stories. I’m not a big fan of vampire or werewolf stories. Watson’s short stories and novellas are a welcome exception to that rule. Watson was inspired by Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Shaara, and other talented artists. It’s easy to see why I couldn’t breeze through these stories. Each was a unique gem that generated strong thoughts and feelings that demanded my attention even after I was done reading.
Half of those stories take place during civil or world wars, providing unique snapshots capturing war’s erosion of humanity. Other stories were even more horrific as they showed the brutality of individuals and their explosive reactions to seemingly minor moments.
Devils You Know is a literary roller coaster. It starts out with a night for supernatural creatures, then the stories drop, twist, and turn from there. Soldiers get wounded, scavenge, and see relationships changed by war. Acts of violence are triggered by trauma, seemingly innocuous actions, and keeping bad company. Current events make stories even more unsettling. By the time the Devil shows up, it’s disturbing how easy it is to buy into his drinking buddy’s arguments.
This book is not breezy entertainment. The stories are provocative and thought-provoking. They’re well-written and fascinating. Call me a Miles Watson groupie, because he makes it easy for me to leave my comfort zone with his powerful storytelling.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for a copy of this book.
March 21, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5
I received a free book from Blackthorn Book Tours. Thank you for this opportunity!
I definitely think I’m a fan of Miles Watson now. I’ve read two of his other short stories and really enjoyed them. So I was especially looking forward to this collection of 13 shorts.
And let me just say, these did not disappoint. While I didn’t necessarily love them all, I truly enjoy Watson’s writing style. Watson doesn’t shy away from the grim reality that is the darkness.
Each of these shorts are all unique and unapologetically gruesome. This is not for the faint of heart. We see mentally unstable individuals, stories of war, and the darker side of the supernatural. This collection is simply filled with darkness. And I’m here for all of it! A few of my top favorites were Roadtrip, D.S.A., and The Devil You Know.
This is a perfect short story collection for any fan of horror.
I received a free book from Blackthorn Book Tours. Thank you for this opportunity!
I definitely think I’m a fan of Miles Watson now. I’ve read two of his other short stories and really enjoyed them. So I was especially looking forward to this collection of 13 shorts.
And let me just say, these did not disappoint. While I didn’t necessarily love them all, I truly enjoy Watson’s writing style. Watson doesn’t shy away from the grim reality that is the darkness.
Each of these shorts are all unique and unapologetically gruesome. This is not for the faint of heart. We see mentally unstable individuals, stories of war, and the darker side of the supernatural. This collection is simply filled with darkness. And I’m here for all of it! A few of my top favorites were Roadtrip, D.S.A., and The Devil You Know.
This is a perfect short story collection for any fan of horror.
March 23, 2022
Great collection of short stories. Horror and drama, murder and mystery all the required ingredients and more for the reader to indulge their mind.
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