Siete Para La Morgue

by Doug Lamoreux, Rocio (Translator)

Es casi medianoche, y un vecino fisgón encuentra a sus vecinos, muertos. Armado de coraje, decide llamar al servicio de emergencias. A pesar de la tormenta torrencial que azota la noche, la Policía, el Departamento de Bomberos y una ambulancia responden enseguida el llamado.


Sin embargo, hay poco que puedan hacer. Las víctimas llevan muertas un largo tiempo. El fisgón invita a los trabajadores de emergencias a reunirse en su cochera, a salvo de la lluvia, mientras esperan la llegaba del Forense y, luego, del personal de la Casa Funeraria que retirará los cuerpos.


Los relámpagos iluminan la noche y los truenos hacen temblar el suelo. La situación inspira a los policías, los bomberos y los paramédicos a pasar el rato contando historias de terror escalofriantes... y tú estás invitado a acompañarlos.


Doug Lamoreux, escritor premiado del género de terror, mezcla siete cuentos espeluznantes en esta pócima atrapante. Como anuncia el poema popular escocés: "Señor, líbranos de fantasmas y demonios, de bestias de patas largas, y de todo lo que hace ruidos por la noche".

Genres: Horror

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2016

About the author

Doug is a writer, actor, and horror film historian. His newest novel, 'Saucy Jacky: The Whitechapel Murders as told by Jack the Ripper' is now available on Amazon from Creativia Publishing.

The first-ever Igor Award winner from The Horror Society, a former Pushcart Prize and Rondo Award nominee, Doug is the author of When the Tik-Tik Sings, the Amazon #1 best selling Apparition Lake, Obsidian Tears, The Devil's Bed, the Amazon #1 best selling Dracula's Demeter (2012 Lord Ruthven Award nominee), The Melting Dead, the Amazon #1 best selling Corpses Say the Darndest Things: A Nod Blake Mystery, Red Herrings Can't Swim: A Nod Blake Mystery, and Seven for the Slab: A Horror Portmanteau. He contributed to the Rondo nominee Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies, the Rondo winning follow-up Hidden Horror, Animals Attack, and the up-coming Vampires Suck.

He appeared in the horror films The Thirsting (aka Lilith) with Mickey Rooney and Tina Krause, and Hag with Ari Lehman. He starred in Peter O'Keefe's film, Infidel. His novel, Dracula's Demeter is being adapted as a feature by ThunderBall Films.

Doug drinks too much coffee. Come and tell him so on Facebook and Twitter!

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several types of Kindle freebies out there. The majority tend to be either book 1 in some series meant to entice you in or amateurish crap no one in the right mind would pay for. And then there are actual books, properly written, edited and published books that are just available on a promo that day. This was definitely the latter. A very entertaining collection of short stories told campfire style at a crime scene and nestled into an overall structure of a scary story. It has creepy undertakers, aliens and so on, a variety of natural and supernatural evils and things that go Boo in the night. The entire thing is a fun quick nicely written read, there are some very enjoyable darkly humorous elements too. So it serves as a perfect introduction to the author. The only inexplicable thing is the subtitle. Why and how is this a portmanteau? It’s neither a suitcase nor a verbal composite. If you had to ascribe some shape to the title (and you really don’t…ever) it’s more along the lines of a nesting doll and even that is a maybe. Aside from that mystery, all the other ones in the book, including the main one of how the quiet twin librarians got dead, are all solved so there’s that. All in all a quick fun read. I was plenty entertained, glad to have found this one.

[Edgar Quinones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Y con esta novelita llego a mi meta de leer 72 libros este año.

Fantasmas, zombies, extraterrestres y alguno que otro psicópata. Una novela con todos los elementos de una película de horror antológica que aunque la mayoría de las historias carecen de fuerza e intensidad resulta entretenida y muy bien escrita.

Un grupo de personajes, cuyos nombres son irrelevantes pues no tienen un desarrollo común y corriente debido a la fórmula de esta novela, comienzan a contar historias de terror en la escena de un supuesto crimen mientras esperan a que lleguen sus superiores a hacerse cargo de la situación. Luego de que la primera historia es contada, los ahí reunidos dijeron que debían hacerlas no muy realistas, añadirle elementos sobrenaturales para hacerlas más entretenidas. Es curioso pues esa primera historia es la mejor de todas. Sin mostrarnos ningún elemento sobrenatural el escritor logró atraparnos con esa historia tan tétrica y cruda. Pero claro, hay que añadir lo que el público quiere por lo que a partir de ahí la novela empieza a decaer. Las historias que cuentan, en su mayoría carecen de fuerza e intensidad y ni siquiera resultan entretenidas. Las últimas historias tenían más potencial pero quedaron en nada, solo espíritus y posesiones demoniacas. Si nos ponemos a pensar en la premisa, ciertas personas en una escena de un crimen contando historias escalofriantes, podemos creer que nos dará al menos algo de miedo pero aquí no pasa. Un muy buen comienzo, demasiados altibajos en su desarrollo y un final con un plot twist predecible. Nos entretiene y está muy bien escrita pero no es una obra maestra. Solo sirve para pasar el rato, nada más.

La prosa está muy bien. El autor utiliza un vocabulario adecuado que sabe describirnos estupendamente las escenas que leemos. Es una lástima que se fuera por lo fácil y comenzara a contar historias de zombies y extraterrestres sin aportarnos nada nuevo con ellos. Además hubo muchas escenas que carecieron de intensidad cuando la necesitaban bastante.
Es una novela corta, antológica y algo divertida. Lo que la salva y hace que no sea tan mala es la manera que tiene el escritor de escribir y describirnos las escenas y adentrarnos en su mundo.

[Sahara Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug Lamoreux is becoming one of my favorite authors, so when I saw he had a new book released for Halloween, I just had to buy it. I was not disappointed. I’m not a fan of anthologies as it’s hard to rate the book. What if some of the short stories are great, but the rest aren’t? I need not fear in this case. Doug took seven short stories and interlaced them within a whole.

The main plot is the discovery of a dead couple, long overripe, their stink permeating the neighborhood, and a late night call to Herb Flay from his boss to bring the van for the reclamation of the decomposing bodies. Just as we become immersed In the main story, who are the dead people?, how did they die?, Doug jerks us into one of the spooky stories the First Responders are telling each other as they await the arrival of Herb and the van. Between each short story, we’re feed a little more about Herb, and the two people lying dead in their home. Just enough to peak our interest, then back into another short story we go. I thought the whole lay out of this book was beautifully done. It kept me reading, wanting to know more.

Doug is a master story-teller, and I felt I was right there with the First Responders, in that cold, damp garage, wanting to see what lay In the house, but also afraid of what they would find. I enjoyed this book very much, and I will NEVER, EVER let someone sit next to me on the city bus again. EVER!

If you are a fan of the unusual, and things that go bump in the night, you will love this book. I highly recommend it and give it 5 ghouls.

[Nuria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lo he terminado porque no eran muchas páginas; pero se me ha hecho largo y pesado.
Lo peor de todo es que la idea es buena; intercalar historias de terror (para mí no lo eran, pero a cada uno le dan miedo unas u otras cosas) narradas por los personajes de la trama principal, en la que aparecen unos cadáveres en avanzado estado de descomposición en una casona, en mitad de una endiablada tormenta.
Sin embargo, el desarrollo de la historia, el contenido de las historias y el desenlace han sido malos.

En resumen, un quiero y no puedo.
Malo, malo, malo.

[Angela Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this novella. I did not receive any form of compensation for my review.

Reading Seven For The Slab is like sitting around a campfire telling spooky stories, the only thing missing is the S'mores. Some of the stories are filled with creatures from our nightmares and some feature a more human villain, all of them will send shivers of fear up your spine. Reminiscent of Tales From The Crypt and Creepshow this novella has an old school horror vibe that I love. A fast and fun 5 star read that's perfect for Halloween! Highly recommended!!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is genius! True genius!

At the two residents of found long dead in their home, firetrucks, ambulances and police all still up two different police departments that is state and city. There’s a bad storm starts the brew a nosy neighbor offers the first responders his shed to see or from the storm and make a command post while they wait for their superintendence to arrive. Let me just say this is an anthology wrapped inside of a A double suspicious death investigation. This is genius you’re being entertained while waiting to be entertained. I don’t know Doug but Doug you are a freaking genius. I love this book 7 for the slab is amazing just when you think it’s all about the responder stories as they say in commercials just wait there’s more I won’t say but read the title. Did I say I love this book I love this book! It deserves five stars five stars and five more stars. This is genius! By the way no I don’t know the author. I just love his book!

[Robin Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this story is intertwined with the telling of "scary" tales amongst the main plot. A very well written narrative of an "odd" (to say the least) mortician who jumps with glee of learning there were two dead bodies found. Amongst the team of service workers waiting for his arrival at the crime scene, an evening of scary stories ensue, each one trying to outdo the other. My favorite...the lady of the evening. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a bit of humor, horror, mystery, suspense, and the perfect ending! You name it, this book has it.

[J. McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of stories made me laugh, a couple chilled me, and several freaked me out. What more can you ask?

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, we visit Cedartown where 2 bodies have been found inside a house. Alerted by a neighbor, emergency personnel check on the occupants. When the bodies are found, the neighbor allows the emergency workers to use his garage as their command center. While waiting for the undertakers to arrive and move the bodies, they decide to swap horror stories. What follows is a series of wonderful, scary and weird, but not gory tales. I found this book to be very well-written and hard to put down. My favorite tale involved a man named Eric Landor who was living in a dive motel when he had an encounter with a lady of the night. I plan on reading more of this author's work in the future.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug Lamoreux certainly knows how to weave a tale & in this collection of horror he has created some chillingly brilliant stories. From funeral homes to zombies, to an obsession with removing body parts, the chapters are both entertaining & creepy, everything you could possibly want from this master of the macabre. This would be a great book to read over Halloween as it delivers the sinister in bucketloads.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story, For The Slab

This is an intriguing book, love the format and the setting up of the stories within the story. And absolutely love the ending...

[Ron Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read! Don't miss it!!!!

[Angela Verdenius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suspected the ending, but enjoyed the ride meanwhile ;-) Good selection of different kinds of horror stories, and stories within a story was new to me. Good read!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEVEN FOR THE SLAB - 5/5
By Doug Lamoreux

This was a fantastic read! This was read in one sitting and although only 120 odd pages long was super entertaining!

What starts off as a call for welfare by a nosy neighbour soon turns into a gathering of emergency services, who have nothing to do but tell scary stories to one another whilst they wait for the funeral home staff to arrive.

What follows is a clever little novella which entertains and leaves you thinking about it for a while after.

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven novellas told within another story...a great premise. These are great - gruesome, creepy and fun - everything I look for in the horror genre. Short, but definitely a worthwhile read.

[Livia Lima · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gosto muito de ler livros de terror em outubro e achei que essa leitura ia ser bem legal, ainda mais por conta das vááárias críticas favoráveis. Mas no fim foi bem MEH. As 7 histórias foram bem bobas, não fiquei tensa nem nervosa, muito menos enojada com os detalhes (de qualquer maneira eu não queria me sentir assim hahaha). Fiz a leitura meio arrastada e sme muita vontade de terminar. Dou 2 estrelas só por causa do finalzinho que eu achei interessante a jogada que o escritor fez. Mas é isto, livro de terror mais sem graça.

[Eva Tendero · Rating 2 out of 5]

¿Qué quieres que te diga? Pues que es una lástima. Leí su recomendación en un artículo de opinión de novelas de terror y decidí echarle un vistazo. Una lástima porque es previsible y los personajes están cargados de clichés, preponderancia y machismo. Un grupo de profesionales, mientras hacen tiempo para que llegue el de la funeraria, en una noche tormentosa, deciden pasar el rato contando historias de terror. Historias, dejémoslo ahí porque ya veis la nota y no digo más.
Se recomienda no leer si no es absolutamente necesario.
Su nota final es de 3.

[Cudeyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un libro que intercala relatos de terror con el levantamiento de dos cadáveres. Y es que qué mejor momento para intercambiar cuentos de miedo entre colegas de profesión que cuando estás en la escena de un posible crimen con dos muertos putrefactos delante.
El libro para mí ha sido un bluf. La situación era tan absurda que no me convenció, los relatos de miedo poco, y el final previsible.

[Arymura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tá aí um livro que me surpreendeu.
É como uma reunião em volta da fogueira para contar histórias de terror. Cada personagem relata um caso em uma disputa, o que deixa o livro dinâmico e o desfecho do enredo central é bem interessante.

[Bruce Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for a dark and rainy evening... But not if you are alone.

Well written and wonderfully woven stories that will keep you turning pages... I will definitely be looking for more of Mr. Lamoreux's work.

[Leandro Cordobez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desparejo. El final está bien logrado. Para pasar un rato.

[LeticiaNiv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intenta ser una especie de Decamerón del terror, pero las historias son muy flojas.

[Ximena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfecto para esta temporada en la que estoy con muy poco tiempo. En sí es un libro entretenido, con un cuantos relatos, que a pesar de ser un poco flojos están interesantes.
Puntuación: 3.5

[Charna Gilfeather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read

I thought the stories would be more believable but it was enjoyable. Sort of a twist at the end and a quick read.

[Artist_carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed not what I thought it was going to be like but still pretty good

[Nicole Aroca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some curious stories that in a sense scared me, I'm not much of a storyteller but they are very well written and leave you with a very disturbing feeling.

[CruzASeiya]

This book is the best I have ever read.

[Guiomar Escobar Rituerto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tétrico y lúgubre son palabras que definen el libro. Te mantiene en tensión, pero el final me pareció predecible.