69: A Short Novel of Cosmic Horror

by Tim Meyer

“Everything is sixty-nine.”

It happened suddenly. Overnight. Inside Spring Lakes Assisted Living, seven residents - sixty-nine years of age - died mysterious deaths. Only... they aren’t really dead. Their bodies remain still, their staring eyes void of life; yet their hearts continue to beat, their lungs fight for oxygen, and somewhere within their petrified bodies their souls cling to life.

No one has a rational explanation for what’s happening. Three investigators from the CDC are dispatched to the facility in hopes of finding answers, but what they discover is far beyond human comprehension. Something terrifying has come to town. An unseen entity that leeches off the living, the dead, and everything in between.

69 is a brand new short novel of cosmic horror from Tim Meyer, author of The Switch House and Kill Hill Carnage.

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Mystery

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2019

About the author

Tim Meyer dwells in a dark cave near the Jersey Shore. He's an author, husband, father, podcast host, blogger, coffee connoisseur, beer enthusiast, and explorer of worlds. He writes horror, mysteries, science fiction, and thrillers, although he prefers to blur genres and let the story fall where it may.

You can follow Tim at https://timmeyerwrites.com

OR like his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/authortimmeyer

Reviews

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual things are happening to the sixty-nine year olds in an assisted living home. Alive yet showing no signs of awareness or movement, the condition of these residents warrant a visit from three members of the CDC. Thus begins the search for the cause of the mysterious condition afflicting the affected guests. Scientific explanations turn into mysteries, and logical research is turned upside down when menacing visions and disappearing images take precedence. The three members of the CDC are well fleshed out in this fast-paced and suspenseful novel. Their horror and personal experiences with the forces that they encounter are genuine, and, as the reader, I was equally as disarmed and shocked by the events that occur. This is a tense and engaging novel that will please any fan of horror.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everything is 69"

Except this doesn't mean what you think it means. Tim Meyer, asked if I'd review his latest book and dropped the cover on me--I'll admit, my face was like, "What the __?"
But then I read the synopsis and saw this was cosmic horror...is there any sub-genre of horror Meyer can't flex in? My answer is a firm, No.
Indeed, 69 is cosmic horror and I enjoyed every, single page of this story. I especially loved the protagonist, Amanda Guerrero, who has this Dana Scully thing going on.
In fact, right away I got this X-Files episode vibe off the story and the way Meyer sets it up. This CDC crew shows up on the scene of some bizarre activity in an assisted living home called SPRING LAKES. Several of the residents are exhibiting unusual behavior and the director, Kim calls in reinforcements (and her lawyers).
As Amanda and her crew begin to study the "Sixty-Niners" they realize that the residents of the Spring Lakes facility might not be the ones in danger.
Listen, if you're reading this review you need to know that Tim Meyer is an insta-buy author for me. Everything I have read has been pretty damn great. Short story collection? Yes. Camp Slasher? Yes. Bizarro-Horror? Yes. Psychological thriller/Haunted House Horror? Yes.
And now this, Cosmic Horror.
Of which, I wholeheartedly enjoyed it. I especially loved how dark & sinister this one got, but to talk further about this subject would be to spoil some reader discovery so I won't. I shouldn't.
Mother Horror recommends this book to those of you who enjoy the business of unexplained phenomenon, cosmic horror, folks being haunted by their past, unlikely, brave protagonists, strong female characters, cringe-worthy backstories and a well-developed plot with a fast, purposeful pace.
Tim Meyer is a storyteller I show up for time and time again.

[exorcismemily · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Petrified faces. Open mouths. Unheard screams. Stiff limbs."

Tim Meyer is one of my favorite horror authors, and he always had creative plots. 69 grabbed my attention at the beginning, and I was very interested in seeing where it was going to go.

I'm not the biggest fan of virus / post-apocalyptic stories. This book isn't post-apocalyptic, but it has the same vibes with the characters trying to figure it what's going on. It felt like nothing happened for extended periods of 69 while they were sorting out what was going on. I understand why this was necessary, but I was intrigued by the creepiness of what was actually happening, and so much of the book was them trying to make sense of it instead of actually experiencing it.

I'm going to give a trigger warning for pedophilia / sexual assault / incest flashbacks. It's a very repetitive part of the story, so there's really no escaping it. Past trauma was important to this story, but this felt like overkill, and it was exhausting to read over at times.

I didn't love the resolution, and I sort of felt dissatisfied. Tim Meyer writes well, and always has some good creepy scenes, so there were some parts I enjoyed. This definitely isn't a bad book, but I just didn't click with it overall.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Wood you believe it!’

Three medical researchers are called into a care home after some of the residents, all being 69 years old, have locked into seizure and effectively have become living statues. Is the cause behind this natural or supernatural, and what exactly is the significance of the number 69? One thing is for certain, this rescue team is determined to get answers.

This proved to be a good old fashioned traditional creepy horror story complete with monsters, evil vibes, mystery and intrigue. Although a little silly and corny at times, the storyline was very clever and it’s well-paced, smooth and natural delivery made it a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Lovers of classic late 20th century horror movies are sure to enjoy, and, on a final note (being an ex math teacher myself) the secret of 69 is....

Rating: 3.8 wooden earthly stars.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know, something about dementia and a sentient field and 69 and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

[Matt (TeamRedmon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've shared on my Instagram account that for years, I've struggled with depression. Until about a year and a half ago, I had been in a reading slump, rut, dark bottomless pit that had lasted for years. I didn't get enjoyment from reading like I once did. This was frustrating because I've been a voracious reader for most of my life. I knew that I enjoyed reading, KNEW it, but I couldn't make myself love it anymore. I'd go through spurts where'd I'd try and fail to feel what I once did. Finally, about the time my son was born (being awake for late-night feedings), I started to read horror. One of the books that I read then, and one of the five books that I credit with pulling me out of my reading slump, was SWITCH HOUSE by Tim Meyer. If you haven't checked that one out, you definitely should. I tell you all that to say that Tim Meyer's books hold a special place in my dark, dead heart. He is among the authors that made me love reading again. I'll always be grateful for that.

Anyway. 69.

Something is amiss at the Spring Lake Assisted Living facility. All of the residents aged 69 appear dead. But the Sixty-Niners aren't dead; their vital signs are perfect. They aren't moving, frozen in place overnight, and have a look of fright on their faces. Suspecting some unknown contagious disease, the CDC sends a team to investigate. What they uncover will push their medical knowledge and their sanity to the brink. You can probably guess by the subtitle "A Short Novel of Cosmic Terror" that the Sixty-Niners aren't being affected by an unknown parasite but by something not of this world. Describing the plot further would require spoilers, and I’m not going to do that to you.

Tim Meyer is a horror magician. Every book he writes is like pulling a strange rabbit out of a hat. He writes like he's trying to win a bet.

“Hey, Tim. I bet you can’t write about a house swap reality show”,

“I bet you can’t write about a time-traveling jewel thief.”

“I bet you can’t write about a retail employee that crushes on amputees.”

“I bet you can’t write about wild demon monsters attacking a summer camp.”

“I bet you can’t write a horror story about the number 69.”

Well, guess what? He can. There’s no containing Tim Meyer; he can do it all. While I can say that this was not my favorite Tim Meyer story, it is still excellent. The nature of the cosmic horror necessitates some explain-y bits in the middle as characters try and make sense of what’s happening. Those periods of the book drag a little, but they don’t last very long. The rest of the book hums along quite briskly. The situation at Spring Lake Assisted Living is a very original tale involving an unexplainable force colliding with very relatable characters. I rate this as 4 stars out of 5 and highly recommend it to anyone that's down for a bit of cosmic weirdness.

[Kim Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC was a gift by the author and this review is my own.

Something is happening to the 69 year old patients at a nursing home and the CDC is called into an investigation that will turn into something they never expected! No spoilers or big review as the book hasn’t been released yet. Just know Mr. Meyer never disappoints as his return to horror creature feature is classic! You will want this on your TBR!

[Aiden Merchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review premiered on KendallReviews.com)
Spring Lakes Assisted Living is home to something bizarre and unnatural. A group of 69-year-olds have just become something like catatonic, but worse. According to their vitals, they seem to be alive. However, by appearance and touch, you would think them dead. In response, three investigators from the CDC arrive to uncover the source of distress, only to discover something disturbingly beyond explanation.

This short novel will certainly make my Top 10 of 2019. It’s suspenseful, adrenaline-fueled, creepy, and emotionally horrifying. Though I had to break it up over several days due to multiple projects and work, it’s the kind of story you devour in one exhilarating shot if given the ability. The haunting-like atmosphere is truly captivating – one that Meyer accompanies with terrifying visuals every step of the way – and the characters are made more valuable by the memories that haunt them (they’re quite terrible, and likely to produce a shudder).

69 is one of those books that reads like a movie, the way it plays out in your head. With the right team to adapt it, this story would make an unbelievable freaky and enjoyable movie.

It’s hard to rave about this story without dropping spoilers in the process, so I’ll just wrap this up with my ultimate recommendation. If you enjoy horror in the least, then 69 should be on your radar. It’s too fucking fun to ignore.

[Wayne Fenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I was gripped from the start.
Brilliant writing and storytelling.
And no... It's not about what you think it is.

Five stars. No question.

[Ferry Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Meyer is the literary grandson of H.P. lovecraft. '69' is another proof of that for me. This page turner is not only thrilling cosmological horror, but in my experience it also has a layering, which makes it belong to the horror classics.
The writing style is visual, so that the reader sees the story as a film. This, combined with the chronological structure of the story, makes it an exciting must-read that will appeal to many readers.
In addition, I associated '69' with the philosophy of Sören Kierkegaard. In his book Fear and Trembling (1843), the Danish philosopher explores fear. With regard to this subject, he makes a distinction between people who live in hope and people who live in memory. How traumatic memories affect the main characters made me think of this. I think interesting comparisons can be made between Kierkegaard's ideas and Meyer's macabre creativity.
'69' is a novel about connectedness and duality. On the one hand, it shows how people can be connected through trauma and by confronting their fears together that can overcome. On the other hand, it also shows how the heroes who work in healthcare are actually patients themselves because of their traumas. This theme is further elaborated in a very refined and consistent manner.

Furthermore, the fear symbolism in the story is perfect. Ontologically and cosmologically, the author brings fear together in this upcoming classic in a very strong visual way.
Ontologically, the image of the elderly in a suspended state is strong. This illustrates the fear of being consciously trapped in a body. That is reminiscent of the story 'Out of the Aeons' H.P. Lovecraft, only Meyer goes a step further.
The cosmological fear symbolism makes this page turner one of the best I've read (so far) by this author. This is strongly supported by the motif of the field, the meaning of which in physics is a physical quantity represented by a number (69). Combined with the ironic interpretation of the color white, the antagonist in this story is brilliant!
So with '69, Tim Meyer proves himself once again as the literary grandson of H.P. lovecraft. The links with Kierkegaard's philosophy and the consistent way in which the ontological and cosmological are linked together make this page turner an upcoming classic! #timmeyer #evilepochpress

[LordTBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

7.0/10

Thanks to the author for an audio copy of 69 for review consideration.

While this wasn’t my favorite of Meyer’s dealings, 69 is a solid short novel that delivers on the premise’s expectations and feels like the long lost episode of The X-Files we have all been craving. Seriously, I believe Tim could’ve taken this premise in a million different directions, and maybe one day he will revisit with a mutation that flips 69 on its backside.

Much like The Switch House, I was more interested in the horror aspect than the characters and wanted to see how it played out to the end.

One thing you can always expect from a Tim Meyer story: you’ll have never seen it before and it’s something worth checking out.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

69 by Tim Meyer is a fun mashup of a thriller involving CDC agents and a full on horror story with a very scary monster. This is a short novel but the author packs a lot of action and tension in there. The main character’s back stories were very upsetting and interesting and were melded into the story quite well. The story moved along at a good pace and kept me interested throughout. I really loved the ending which possibly opens up room for a sequel though I felt this was a complete story. As is the case with all of the books I’ve read by the author I read through this quickly and enjoyed it immensely.

[Aiden Merchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn! Review coming soon to Kendallreviews.com

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So these "assisted living" folks are going stiff, barely alive and weighing ten times more than normal and losing their memory.

Hmm. Much like me, and my family after our family Christmas party.

Well that's the plot essentially. A few federal agents are sent to investigate this mystery at the nursing home, and very reminiscent of X files or Grimm, they discover weird discoverings in the local forest. Ooooo...creeeepy! (Not). Tim Meyer's writing style is pretty good, but the interest level for me, was pretty low for the first 50% of the book. It became a lot better in the last half. The biggest failure was the antagonist. I think a clear explanation and description of the bad guy is the key to anchoring the reader's interest. And we wanna see that bad guy get stomped on or blown to bits in the end. I didn't get that here. It's some sort of airy-fairy multiple of different "beings". And equally vague references to their origins and their raison d'etre. Ho hum.

Two and a half stars.

[Jesse Bollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great mix of cosmic horror and gore. I really enjoyed it. This is another book that I would love to see in movie form. I think there is some really great imagery that would transfer to the screen very well.

[WORDS ON PAPER · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters I have never consumed a book this fast in my life. I’m generally a slower reader, but Tim Meyer has a writing style that I absolutely love and can really get into.
That being said “69” was a good read.... haha get it “good read”? (Lame I know) lol

I really enjoyed the unique storyline and the cosmic horror elements that so often frequent his books. I also like the way Tim uses the characters as fuel for the story. They almost become the plot themselves if that makes sense. Lol I was expecting a Lil more in the way of “The Field”. However Tim also gets an extra half star when he mentioned my hometown of Sacramento.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocked my socks!

I devoured this book. It was gripping, suspenseful, chilling, spooky, fresh and original. Meyer is such a talent--a wonderful storyteller and a damn good writer. Some of the descriptions in this book were really unsettling and will definitely stick with me. And the curious case of sixty-nine was so riveting, I was glued. Loved this book and definitely recommend it.

[Neon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yup, it's 69 alright. Read until the end.

Gripping horror story with a unique plot that sort of reminds me of the television show 'Stranger Things', just with how I found myself envisioning the main monster. I well enjoyed it.

[Broken Bones Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite Meyer release so far. Wonderfully strange and cosmic! I was hooked from beginning to end.

[Rob Errera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Meyer’s 69 is a well-paced, chillingly atmospheric horror novella set in a New Jersey assisted living facility. Amanda is sent to investigate why all of the 69-year-old residents of Sping Lakes have slipped into “living dead” comas, complete with rigor mortis. They're alive, barely, but possessed by something. The evil baddie of 69 eats memories, and uses your worst ones against you. While cosmic horror is at the root (pun intended ) of the residents’ problems, the underlying terror of 69 is the real-life horror of losing a loved one to the slow mental decline of Alzheimer’s disease. Meyer’s storytelling skills are top-notch.

[Brian Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

69 is a riveting and unique tale of cosmic horror, full of well-delivered dread. A fascinating premise leads us to quite a series of unsettling moments, some more mundane horrors and others that shatter comprehension. With the characters fully fleshed out and a plot this intriguing, you can burn through this entertaining short novel in a few hours. Meyer excels at making you fear for his characters, and in 69 there’s a good chance no one is getting out of this with their sanity intact.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, creepy book that I've been meaning to read for a while and I'm glad I finally got around to it. Loved the set up here with the old people (although they seemed more like 80 year Olds than 69 year olds...but that's not really important). The premise was interesting and the visuals created by this writing, for me, were amazing. Not overly gory or exteme...but just right to creep a person out.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good

I tell you what. This thing was one scary book. Once it hit the pedal it didn't let up. The ending kind of threw Me and was probably the main reason I didn't give it a five which I rarely give any book.

[Lindsey Hawkins Gould · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

This book fell flat for me. I found it boring and skimmed a lot of paragraphs. There was no sense of suspense as in most horror or suspense stories. There were only 200 pages, so it was over quickly.

[M.J. Edington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice take on horror. A good romp of a story, but one that never really explained the significance of 69 in a context I found satisfying. The primary characters are nicely developed as is their good and not so good points. I liked the book, and believe most readers of this genre will enjoy it too.

[Janina s. Asselin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Initially I thought that the story was a little too long, but have changed my mind. Good creepy story with a kick at the end. Recommend.

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book needed to be way lewder.

[Ire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Stéphane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok. How they guess what’s actually going on an hunch is a bit hard to swallow. Characters and story are ok.

[Guido · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*