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The Couvade
Martin’s keeping a dangerous secret from his partner. He’s found love with Jerome, and a life happily estranged from the shapeshifting rituals of his past. But some secrets don’t die. As the past comes alive and lures them into a trap, Martin must choose whether to be hunter or prey…
52 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 18, 2020
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
4.5/5
Look at that cover! Look! Look at it!
If that cover doesn’t make you want to read this, I don’t know how else to get your attention. Oh, actually – I do. The story inside is fantastic.
I’ve read, I think now, a dozen of the Demain Publishing Short Sharp Shocks! Series and every single time, cover artist Adrian Baldwin has delivered a stark cover that does the story and theme total justice. When I saw this one announced I was shook. Just a riveting piece of artwork and 1000% jealous that I’ll never have that moon and that furry, clawed hand in front of it on any of my releases.
The story itself is simple. Boyfriends, Martin and Jerome have returned to Martin’s childhood home. Having had the home left to Martin after a family members passing, he’s reluctantly arrived to sort through things and decide if they will keep the mansion or sell it.
The family has history in the small town, large parts of which really reminded me of ‘The Folks’ by Ray Garton – those stolen whispers amongst locals that maybe not all is right behind the closed doors.
Martin does his best to protect Jerome from the truths that he wants to stay buried, but Koch does such a great job of building dread and making you unnerved that you really wish he’d just stop and let Jerome find out what’s going on.
The ending is phenomenal, brutal and devastating. I loved how the folklore reared its fanged head and then was delivered succinctly and efficiently – like the cold killers portrayed within.
This is easily one of my personal favourites so far in the series, a series that really is a must-read for all horror fans!
4.5/5
Look at that cover! Look! Look at it!
If that cover doesn’t make you want to read this, I don’t know how else to get your attention. Oh, actually – I do. The story inside is fantastic.
I’ve read, I think now, a dozen of the Demain Publishing Short Sharp Shocks! Series and every single time, cover artist Adrian Baldwin has delivered a stark cover that does the story and theme total justice. When I saw this one announced I was shook. Just a riveting piece of artwork and 1000% jealous that I’ll never have that moon and that furry, clawed hand in front of it on any of my releases.
The story itself is simple. Boyfriends, Martin and Jerome have returned to Martin’s childhood home. Having had the home left to Martin after a family members passing, he’s reluctantly arrived to sort through things and decide if they will keep the mansion or sell it.
The family has history in the small town, large parts of which really reminded me of ‘The Folks’ by Ray Garton – those stolen whispers amongst locals that maybe not all is right behind the closed doors.
Martin does his best to protect Jerome from the truths that he wants to stay buried, but Koch does such a great job of building dread and making you unnerved that you really wish he’d just stop and let Jerome find out what’s going on.
The ending is phenomenal, brutal and devastating. I loved how the folklore reared its fanged head and then was delivered succinctly and efficiently – like the cold killers portrayed within.
This is easily one of my personal favourites so far in the series, a series that really is a must-read for all horror fans!
March 10, 2022
A brief, unique queer take on ye olde werewolf tale!
July 25, 2020
Married couple Martin and Jerome move into Martin's ancestral home after he inherits it unexpectedly. They plan to stay for a few weeks, fix up the house, and sell it. Martin's family has a dark past, one that Martin would rather forget and one that Jerome doesn't know about.
For a very short novella Koch squeezes in a surprising amount of atmosphere here. The manor house feels grand and daunting. The wine cellar is sprawling and spreads out "like spider legs". You'd imagine by looking at the cover that this is about Werewolves, and you'd be right. But also, you'd be wrong because the shapeshifters in this book aren't quite like anything I've read before.
Honestly, it's a shame that this is so short because I wanted more lore and more family history. However, this short, sharp, shocking story is more than enough to satisfy.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘦 is part of the "Short Sharp Shocks" series from Demain Publishing. While this is my first book from this series, I know it won't be my last as I'm hungry for more like this
For a very short novella Koch squeezes in a surprising amount of atmosphere here. The manor house feels grand and daunting. The wine cellar is sprawling and spreads out "like spider legs". You'd imagine by looking at the cover that this is about Werewolves, and you'd be right. But also, you'd be wrong because the shapeshifters in this book aren't quite like anything I've read before.
Honestly, it's a shame that this is so short because I wanted more lore and more family history. However, this short, sharp, shocking story is more than enough to satisfy.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘦 is part of the "Short Sharp Shocks" series from Demain Publishing. While this is my first book from this series, I know it won't be my last as I'm hungry for more like this
March 13, 2022
This story has everything that I love to read: complex characters, a creepy and memorable setting, weirdness, queer romance, and horror. I mean, who doesn't get instantly interested in reading this book when you hear it's about queer werewolves? I especially loved the beginning for the sweet character moments and the ending for how weird and wild it was. I've enjoyed everything I've read by them, but this story just made me more excited to read whatever Joe writes in the future. It's a short read, and it became an instant favorite!
Read
May 31, 2022DNF @ 60%. The concept is very classic, and one I generally love, but (1) the point of view shifts between the two main characters were pretty confusing, and (2) I didn’t realize this was going to be werewolf-themed. As soon as I read the word “knotting” I was out. :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2022
depth and dread
a great introduction to joe koch. this story is ominous and interesting, and the protagonist is very well written. kind of disturbing but that’s what good horror should be.
a great introduction to joe koch. this story is ominous and interesting, and the protagonist is very well written. kind of disturbing but that’s what good horror should be.
February 7, 2020
*review pending*
September 5, 2023
Joe Koch's awesome prose, queer love, werewolves and dark magic.
October 9, 2021
Joanna Koch has done it again. This story is engrossing; it’s as if you’re in the scenery, watching these horrifying events unfold. You want to call out, give a warning— to Martin, or to Jerome? What’s behind that door?
I strongly encourage you to find Joanna’s many other short stories and follow them at https://horrorsong.blog.
I strongly encourage you to find Joanna’s many other short stories and follow them at https://horrorsong.blog.
March 4, 2022
Some monsters have persisted so long that it seems there is nothing new to them, and yet Joe Koch has dipped his hands into historical and familial flesh and bone to craft us a werewolf mythos unlike any other.
The characters drew me in quickly, Jerome a man of the present while Martin struggles against the past, and together they form a marriage that works.
It's a love story; it's horror. It's about abuse and legacy. We're drawn into the headspace of the past and a morphing reality that feels like a dream both horrifying and beautiful. My head was swimming in emotion by the end. I wish I could pick apart every detail, but the more said, the more spoiled in such a short tale. Follow the strange men to the basement yourself and see what Joe Koch has created.
The characters drew me in quickly, Jerome a man of the present while Martin struggles against the past, and together they form a marriage that works.
It's a love story; it's horror. It's about abuse and legacy. We're drawn into the headspace of the past and a morphing reality that feels like a dream both horrifying and beautiful. My head was swimming in emotion by the end. I wish I could pick apart every detail, but the more said, the more spoiled in such a short tale. Follow the strange men to the basement yourself and see what Joe Koch has created.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews