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Dead and Breakfast
When Eddie gets a flat in the middle of nowhere, the last thing on his mind is death. Then as darkness falls and the storm worsens, he's forced to seek shelter alongside his significant other, Banksy. Big mistake.Bed and Breakfast, the sign said, but there are no eggs and bacon on the menu here. Instead, their host serves up four tales of terror with a little murder on the side. And as the other residents of the mansion gradually reveal themselves, Eddie and Banksy begin to wonder if they'll ever check out alive.
Book 11 in the Rewind-or-Die series: imagine your local movie rental store back in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, remember all those fantastic covers. Remember taking those movies home and watching in awe as the stories unfolded in nasty rainbows of gore, remember the atmosphere and textures. Remember the blood.
Book 11 in the Rewind-or-Die series: imagine your local movie rental store back in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, remember all those fantastic covers. Remember taking those movies home and watching in awe as the stories unfolded in nasty rainbows of gore, remember the atmosphere and textures. Remember the blood.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2020
6 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 28, 2020
What I love about Gary Buller and his work is that you never know what you’re going to get. Each journey into his fabulously crafted stories and deranged mind, bring with it apprehension and dread, that the words you are going to read will taint you in some way, and for me, that is the mark of a great horror and dark fiction writer, to be able to put the reader on edge just by the mention of the writers name… and Dead and Breakfast is no exception.
What I really enjoyed about Dead and Breakfast was the structure, the way he grounded his collection within an ongoing story and narrative that is on its own scary as hell – two people on their way to a party, find themselves lost and their car has broken down, they eventually seek sanctuary in an old hotel to rest and recover,and where their host begins to entertain them with her own creative writing (these are our short stories), whilst they sit and warm themselves by the fire and wait for their rooms to be prepared.
Edgar Allan Poe’s poem springs to mind here ‘All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream.‘ – but with Dead and Breakfast we find ourselves in a nightmare within a dream, and we soon discover that things are not quite what they seem, but there is no waking from this nightmare that our protagonists have entered – the only way to escape is to read until the very end.
Due to this being a short story collection I will only touch on the stories that are held within as to speak too much at length would contain too many spoilers and this is a collection that deserves your attention and time – we have many themes and genres on show in Dead and Breakfast ranging from the Toxic Masculinity of The Brace, the dystopian horror fest that is Cords, the sci-fi infused The Weight of Nostalgia and the haunting and unnerving story of The Greyfriars Transcript.
Cords starts with a sci-fi element that soon reveals that we are in a dystopian future – we soon learn through our protagonist that there has been an invasion where these worm like creatures have populated the planet and we are enslaved to their cravings. The cords are delivered and the recipient has to answer them, like Alison’s family before her, her time was fast approaching, you see once you have reached your forty-fifth birthday you are duty bound to present yourself or be taken by the cords to the fissure, and from which you are never to return. This story is dripping with the menace of H.P. Lovecraft, the imagination of Philip K Dick and the sci-fi meld of Frank Herbert’s Dune – a stunning story to start this most beguilingly horror laced collection, and sets the benchmark for what is to come.
I have recently finished my own collection (a Novella-In-Flash called Tethered) that centres around a father and son and deals heavily with the themes of toxic masculinity, and it’s something that is very personal to me, so when I started reading The Brace, I was astounded by Buller’s brutal portrayal of this theme, it was thick with it, you could almost feel its suffocating embrace and how it destroys life and love and childhoods, moulding a child into something abhorrent and wasting. It focuses on a father and son on a hunting trip (what could go wrong I hear you cry), the son wants desperately to belong, to not disappoint his father, to be a son, but there is a secret history here and Buller masterfully unravels this with time and it builds to a disturbing vision or terror and vengeance, a story not to be missed.
The Weight of Nostalgia was a funny story, as whilst I was reading it, I kept on thinking about the visuals that Buller throws into the mix, I could imagine myself there, my own nostalgia coming to the surface, he mad me feel warm and fuzzy and reminiscent of a bygone time, and then he smashed it completely, a devastatingly brutal story that goes wherever the hell it will. This story is heavily influenced by the Twilight Zone, science fiction and I’d say Quantum Leap (nostalgic I know!) but it’s all held together by an exoskeleton of horror, I bloody loved it!
The Greyfriars Transcript was a haunting tale that set me on edge from the opening passages, a fabulously woven story full of the uncanny – my only gripe here would be that I wanted more from this story – it’s the shortest story of the collection, but I just wanted more of Buller’s words and this story. It was reminiscent of Sylvia Plath’s ‘Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom‘ but told in that no nonsense way that Buller writes in, heavy on the horror and dread.
But there is the ongoing narrative of which I alluded to at the start and after this final story we head back to the ensuing nightmare that our cast of characters find themselves in, and there is no hope, no holding back as Buller takes us by the scruff of the neck through to the stories conclusion, you want to look away but Buller’s hand is firmly on your skull and he makes you see the nightmares.
Dead and Breakfast is a feast of horrific delights, if you’ve not discovered Buller’s magic before, this is a great place to start!
June 27, 2020
“She considered how a real hummingbird might perceive them, how slow and deliberate the universe was when your heart pulsed seventy times a second. At that moment, Alison envied the creature. It had all the time in the world, but hers was coming to an end.”
Punk Rock music lovers Eddie and Banksy get a flat tire on their way to a party in Manchester. Instead of a spare, Eddie only finds a “donut-shaped void” so they decide to spend the night at a creepy bed and breakfast. They’re greeted by a creepy old woman who offers them tea and to share some stories she’s written. The four frightening tales that follow along with myriad other clues make the pair realize that the tea bags aren’t the only things in hot water.
DEAD AND BREAKFAST is a cornucopia of goodness in that the reader gets five stories instead of one. My favorite piece of dialogue is as follows: “...What sort of oddball reads fiction to random strangers?” The story nicely answers this question. The main tale of Eddie and Banksy anchors the other four, which came across to me as a homage to horror legends Thomas Ligotti and Clive Barker. The stories follow a woman given an expiration date as a 45th birthday gift, an abused boy forced to hunt with his father, a time traveler with a grim agenda, and a doomed train ride.
I found the writing beautiful and the stories gripping. Every time I finish the most recent installments of Unnerving’s delightful Rewind Or Die series, I crave more of these addictive novellas. Glad I only have to wait until next month.
Punk Rock music lovers Eddie and Banksy get a flat tire on their way to a party in Manchester. Instead of a spare, Eddie only finds a “donut-shaped void” so they decide to spend the night at a creepy bed and breakfast. They’re greeted by a creepy old woman who offers them tea and to share some stories she’s written. The four frightening tales that follow along with myriad other clues make the pair realize that the tea bags aren’t the only things in hot water.
DEAD AND BREAKFAST is a cornucopia of goodness in that the reader gets five stories instead of one. My favorite piece of dialogue is as follows: “...What sort of oddball reads fiction to random strangers?” The story nicely answers this question. The main tale of Eddie and Banksy anchors the other four, which came across to me as a homage to horror legends Thomas Ligotti and Clive Barker. The stories follow a woman given an expiration date as a 45th birthday gift, an abused boy forced to hunt with his father, a time traveler with a grim agenda, and a doomed train ride.
I found the writing beautiful and the stories gripping. Every time I finish the most recent installments of Unnerving’s delightful Rewind Or Die series, I crave more of these addictive novellas. Glad I only have to wait until next month.
August 26, 2022
Book 11 of The Rewind or Die Series by Unnerving Press
At 172 pages, this is a novella, but it is also a intro and outro story with 4 short, short stories inside.
At 172 pages, this is a novella, but it is also a intro and outro story with 4 short, short stories inside.
July 13, 2020
I really enjoyed Dead and Breakfast by Gary Buller from beginning to end. It's a short story collection within a novella, not something I've come across before. I loved how these amazing short stories featured within another story of 80's punk rocker Eddie and his girlfriend Banksy getting lost on the moors after a car accident. They have no choice but to stop at a desolate Bed and Breakfast for the night as a violent storm kicks in taking them hostage.
The big questions is, will they survive long enough to get breakfast in the morning?
Over the years I've read a lot of Gary Buller, I really enjoyed his latest collection, Last Meal in Osaka from Demain Publishing and his story story collection; Mechanisms of Despair. His stories, apart from being really scary, are also deeply evocative, you really feel like you are living in his tales. And even once you've stopped reading them you're still haunted by them!
This is a collection that starts off fast and doesn't let go, if the short stories aren't enough to scare you there's also dealing with Eddie and Banksy's fate when they prepare to depart the doomed guesthouse.
There are four stories included in Dead and Breakfast; Cords, The Brace, The Weight of Nostalgia and The Greyfriars Transcript. I liked how each short story was vividly different from the other but they all worked really well together.
Cords
After an unknown invasion from another world people are only allowed to live until the age of 45 until they must present themselves to the fissure on the outskirts of town. This is the only way to keep the peace between the humans and their conquerors. In this tale we are introduced to Allison who is about to approach her 45th birthday but can't bear to leave her family behind. A really intense tale that grips you from the very beginning.
The Brace
A young boy struggles to live up to his father's vision of how a young boy should be. To prove his pending manhood he is taken hunting by his father early one morning where his life will change forever. I loved this story of revenge from beyond the grave!
The Weight of Nostalgia
This tale is where we see Gary Buller's amazing ability to transport you as a reader into his dark world. I really felt I was in this tale which makes it even more scary. This tale really got to me, it starts off as a sweet tale of a man going back to his youth but soon in descends into a nightmare!
The Greyfriars Transcript
I loved this creepy ghost tale where a young man has to take a dreaded train journey up to Scotland for work. He's warned against taking the trip, but does he listen?
The big questions is, will they survive long enough to get breakfast in the morning?
Over the years I've read a lot of Gary Buller, I really enjoyed his latest collection, Last Meal in Osaka from Demain Publishing and his story story collection; Mechanisms of Despair. His stories, apart from being really scary, are also deeply evocative, you really feel like you are living in his tales. And even once you've stopped reading them you're still haunted by them!
This is a collection that starts off fast and doesn't let go, if the short stories aren't enough to scare you there's also dealing with Eddie and Banksy's fate when they prepare to depart the doomed guesthouse.
There are four stories included in Dead and Breakfast; Cords, The Brace, The Weight of Nostalgia and The Greyfriars Transcript. I liked how each short story was vividly different from the other but they all worked really well together.
Cords
After an unknown invasion from another world people are only allowed to live until the age of 45 until they must present themselves to the fissure on the outskirts of town. This is the only way to keep the peace between the humans and their conquerors. In this tale we are introduced to Allison who is about to approach her 45th birthday but can't bear to leave her family behind. A really intense tale that grips you from the very beginning.
The Brace
A young boy struggles to live up to his father's vision of how a young boy should be. To prove his pending manhood he is taken hunting by his father early one morning where his life will change forever. I loved this story of revenge from beyond the grave!
The Weight of Nostalgia
This tale is where we see Gary Buller's amazing ability to transport you as a reader into his dark world. I really felt I was in this tale which makes it even more scary. This tale really got to me, it starts off as a sweet tale of a man going back to his youth but soon in descends into a nightmare!
The Greyfriars Transcript
I loved this creepy ghost tale where a young man has to take a dreaded train journey up to Scotland for work. He's warned against taking the trip, but does he listen?
April 28, 2021
A clever, gruesome collection, organized like an anthology film with a four individual stories connected by a wrap around segment. Dead and Breakfast reminded me of the old Amicus horror anthologies in tone, although it’s quite a bit gorier than they were. This is the eleventh entry in Unnerving’s Rewind or Die series, and it’s really hard to go wrong with these books. So far, I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve read.
The first story here, “Cords,” is a brief but fascinating look into a dystopian future, where humanity has made an uneasy bargain with invading aliens. The aliens allow humanity to survive in exchange for every human sacrificing themselves to the aliens on their 45th birthdays.
The second story, “The Brace,” involved animal death which I always find upsetting and concerns a boy forced to go hunting with his abusive father.
“The Weight of Nostalgia” is a heartbreaking tale of time travel. A man revisits his youth with a purpose, and although this one was beautifully written, I thought the mechanics of the time travel involved were a little fuzzy.
The final story, “The Greyfriars Transcript,” is a delightfully gooey tale of a cursed train and its undead inhabitants. It’s a bit predictable, but that doesn’t spoil the fun.
My favorite part, however, was the wraparound. Two punks are stranded on the side of the road during a late night storm and seek shelter in a strange bed and breakfast. The odd proprietress regales them with the aforementioned stories, but as it gets later, the travelers begin to realize something sinister is afoot. This was the goriest of the bunch and the most entertaining. I got a kick out of the twist, and the conclusion really cemented my enjoyment of the book overall.
The first story here, “Cords,” is a brief but fascinating look into a dystopian future, where humanity has made an uneasy bargain with invading aliens. The aliens allow humanity to survive in exchange for every human sacrificing themselves to the aliens on their 45th birthdays.
The second story, “The Brace,” involved animal death which I always find upsetting and concerns a boy forced to go hunting with his abusive father.
“The Weight of Nostalgia” is a heartbreaking tale of time travel. A man revisits his youth with a purpose, and although this one was beautifully written, I thought the mechanics of the time travel involved were a little fuzzy.
The final story, “The Greyfriars Transcript,” is a delightfully gooey tale of a cursed train and its undead inhabitants. It’s a bit predictable, but that doesn’t spoil the fun.
My favorite part, however, was the wraparound. Two punks are stranded on the side of the road during a late night storm and seek shelter in a strange bed and breakfast. The odd proprietress regales them with the aforementioned stories, but as it gets later, the travelers begin to realize something sinister is afoot. This was the goriest of the bunch and the most entertaining. I got a kick out of the twist, and the conclusion really cemented my enjoyment of the book overall.
August 2, 2020
It’s great when a short story collection presents itself incognito. Chuck Palahniuk’s Haunted is one such example. This collection of tales from Gary Buller was a superb take on this style of storytelling, and worked really well.
Things start off with a kind of horror cliché; a couple – Eddie and Banksy – with a flat tyre in the pouring rain in the middle of nowhere. They notice a light on in a creepy old house that advertises itself as a Bed & Breakfast. They have no other option, though; they need to get to that party. So they decide to knock on the door and see if they have a phone.
It seems too good to be true, but these two are punks so are more than able to take care of themselves, right?
After being invited inside by the old and unnerving lady owner, they dry off in the reception area (wait, there’s one of those in a B&B? Hmm, weird). Obviously the proprietor has no phone but what she does have is a book of short stories that she insists on reading to them while they wait.
What then follows is four tales read to the couple by this weird woman. After each the narrative returns to Eddie and Banksy as they discuss the story and survey their circumstances; their current situation becoming increasingly creepy.
So what about the stories then? Well, the first, Cords, was my absolute favourite. Cosmic sci-fi horror is always a winner with me, and is a style I don’t think I’ve read from Buller before. But he delivered it brutally and brilliantly.
Following an invasion of earth by some mysterious and malevolent alien race, a pact is made between them and the humans in which the denizens of this planet only have until their 45th birthday to live. When their fateful day arrives they are visited by strange alien-insect type bastards who attach themselves to their wrists and drag them through the streets towards ‘the fissure’, a giant chasm in the world that transports them to, well, somewhere they’d rather not be visiting.
A shocking, dystopian nightmare; what a way to start!
After a brief chat about Eddie and Banksy’s party they probably won’t be attending, we’re/they’re treated to The Brace. Here a father takes his son hunting, so he can finally ‘be a man’. But this kid doesn’t want to kill defenceless creatures, he just misses his mom. The dad’s plan backfires terribly, and the son soon realises exactly what happened to his mom. I shouldn’t really say anymore, just read it.
The Weight of Nostalgia will bring back childhood memories for many, especially with all the talk of sweet shops! What if you could relive your past with the knowledge of how life would ultimately unfold, would you change anything? It’s quite a deep concept when you really think about it but in this tale a dude really does have this choice.
What will he do? Would you do the same? The writing here magically takes you back to your youthful days (depending on your age I suppose), and hits deep once you realise what is about to unfold.
Back in the B&B it appears these punks may be in grave danger. But wait, there’s another story to tell.
In The Greyfriars Transcript a guy boards a train to Scotland. He’s warned to not take the trip but does he listen? Erm, no. What follows is a journey played out like an inescapable nightmare. Surely he could just wake up? Well he can’t. Rotting food, corpses, claustrophobic train carriages; do you need more?
The collection ultimately ends with the goings on in the B&B, but I’ll let you find out the details for yourself. All I will say is that it’s not disappointing.
One may argue that reading a story within a story takes away from the horrors described. The thing is you never get this impression as the stories are so good, and knowing that a depraved mind wrote them (I mean the old lady, not Mr Buller – although who knows, he may very well be depraved himself), it adds to the whole creepy vibe.
So check in at this Dead & Breakfast (sorry did I say ‘dead’? I meant ‘bed’), and engulf yourself in these scary stories of terror and woe.
Things start off with a kind of horror cliché; a couple – Eddie and Banksy – with a flat tyre in the pouring rain in the middle of nowhere. They notice a light on in a creepy old house that advertises itself as a Bed & Breakfast. They have no other option, though; they need to get to that party. So they decide to knock on the door and see if they have a phone.
It seems too good to be true, but these two are punks so are more than able to take care of themselves, right?
After being invited inside by the old and unnerving lady owner, they dry off in the reception area (wait, there’s one of those in a B&B? Hmm, weird). Obviously the proprietor has no phone but what she does have is a book of short stories that she insists on reading to them while they wait.
What then follows is four tales read to the couple by this weird woman. After each the narrative returns to Eddie and Banksy as they discuss the story and survey their circumstances; their current situation becoming increasingly creepy.
So what about the stories then? Well, the first, Cords, was my absolute favourite. Cosmic sci-fi horror is always a winner with me, and is a style I don’t think I’ve read from Buller before. But he delivered it brutally and brilliantly.
Following an invasion of earth by some mysterious and malevolent alien race, a pact is made between them and the humans in which the denizens of this planet only have until their 45th birthday to live. When their fateful day arrives they are visited by strange alien-insect type bastards who attach themselves to their wrists and drag them through the streets towards ‘the fissure’, a giant chasm in the world that transports them to, well, somewhere they’d rather not be visiting.
A shocking, dystopian nightmare; what a way to start!
After a brief chat about Eddie and Banksy’s party they probably won’t be attending, we’re/they’re treated to The Brace. Here a father takes his son hunting, so he can finally ‘be a man’. But this kid doesn’t want to kill defenceless creatures, he just misses his mom. The dad’s plan backfires terribly, and the son soon realises exactly what happened to his mom. I shouldn’t really say anymore, just read it.
The Weight of Nostalgia will bring back childhood memories for many, especially with all the talk of sweet shops! What if you could relive your past with the knowledge of how life would ultimately unfold, would you change anything? It’s quite a deep concept when you really think about it but in this tale a dude really does have this choice.
What will he do? Would you do the same? The writing here magically takes you back to your youthful days (depending on your age I suppose), and hits deep once you realise what is about to unfold.
Back in the B&B it appears these punks may be in grave danger. But wait, there’s another story to tell.
In The Greyfriars Transcript a guy boards a train to Scotland. He’s warned to not take the trip but does he listen? Erm, no. What follows is a journey played out like an inescapable nightmare. Surely he could just wake up? Well he can’t. Rotting food, corpses, claustrophobic train carriages; do you need more?
The collection ultimately ends with the goings on in the B&B, but I’ll let you find out the details for yourself. All I will say is that it’s not disappointing.
One may argue that reading a story within a story takes away from the horrors described. The thing is you never get this impression as the stories are so good, and knowing that a depraved mind wrote them (I mean the old lady, not Mr Buller – although who knows, he may very well be depraved himself), it adds to the whole creepy vibe.
So check in at this Dead & Breakfast (sorry did I say ‘dead’? I meant ‘bed’), and engulf yourself in these scary stories of terror and woe.
June 30, 2020
I really enjoyed the way this one was written, I’ve read Gary’s work before and enjoyed it so I knew I couldn’t go far wrong with this one, which I was lucky enough to get a pre-release copy of in order to get this ready for you all today!
The book is actually set up a bit like Tales from The Crypt, by which I mean that there are four short stories within a story so you get a really great introduction to each story with a bit of commentary in between and a wrap up at the end. Something nostalgic for those of us who remember, and no doubt an interesting change for anybody who isn’t old enough to get what I mean.
All of these were great, but I particularly enjoyed the imagery of the first story “Cords”, having some similarities in imagery to an event featured in one of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies. Worth checking out for any horror fan and an interesting concept for the story.
I also particularly enjoyed “The Weight of Nostalgia” which is brilliantly portrayed as we follow our main character down memory lane with some bleak results.
This collection is definitely the kind of book that will keep me coming back to Buller’s work, it’s fun, freaky and on the dark side which is just what I like.
It’s not a long book, it’s one of those that will keep you turning pages, because unlike a lot of collections, when one story ends it doesn’t just stop until you pick up from the next one. There’s that all important commentary in between the stories. So, whilst you could take a break in between… you might not want to.
A fantastic release from Mr Buller which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!
The book is actually set up a bit like Tales from The Crypt, by which I mean that there are four short stories within a story so you get a really great introduction to each story with a bit of commentary in between and a wrap up at the end. Something nostalgic for those of us who remember, and no doubt an interesting change for anybody who isn’t old enough to get what I mean.
All of these were great, but I particularly enjoyed the imagery of the first story “Cords”, having some similarities in imagery to an event featured in one of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies. Worth checking out for any horror fan and an interesting concept for the story.
I also particularly enjoyed “The Weight of Nostalgia” which is brilliantly portrayed as we follow our main character down memory lane with some bleak results.
This collection is definitely the kind of book that will keep me coming back to Buller’s work, it’s fun, freaky and on the dark side which is just what I like.
It’s not a long book, it’s one of those that will keep you turning pages, because unlike a lot of collections, when one story ends it doesn’t just stop until you pick up from the next one. There’s that all important commentary in between the stories. So, whilst you could take a break in between… you might not want to.
A fantastic release from Mr Buller which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!
March 18, 2025
What is good to know about this book is that it’s basically four short stories with very different themes and settings, and a wrap around story that deals with the titular Dead and Breakfast.
I liked the way the author writes, the fact that it’s set in the UK because approximately 95% of what I read is set in the US and I like some variety once in a while, and the short stories were all really good.
But the wrap around story‘s ending didn’t really work for me, so in the end I settled on three stars, although it’s probably closer to 3.5 stars.
I liked the way the author writes, the fact that it’s set in the UK because approximately 95% of what I read is set in the US and I like some variety once in a while, and the short stories were all really good.
But the wrap around story‘s ending didn’t really work for me, so in the end I settled on three stars, although it’s probably closer to 3.5 stars.
July 25, 2020
Dead and Breakfast is the second book I've read in the Rewind or Die series and I am more eager than ever to continue reading them.
I actually had no idea this one was an anthology book until I started reading and I was very excited to see it was following the framework of the classic Tales from the Crypt episodes. Standing in for the Cryptkeeper we have Sally, the elderly proprietor of a Bed and Breakfast who reads stories to our protagonists, punk rockers Banksy and Eddie, as they wait for their room to be ready. The two decide to humour her and find themselves more and more disturbed (and intrigued) as the stories continue.
There are four stories, plus the wraparound of the events happening at the bed and breakfast. It's rare to say this about an anthology but I don't think there's a weak link in the bunch. You get horror, sci-fi, tragedy and dark humour. It's all here! I did think the first story, Cords, was the strongest but I enjoyed watching each one unfold. Each story is roughly 20 pages so the only real knock I have against them is that in a couple cases I was left wanting more.
This is a fun and fast read that lends itself well to short sessions but I'm pretty confident once you get going, this will become a one-sit read like it did for me.
I actually had no idea this one was an anthology book until I started reading and I was very excited to see it was following the framework of the classic Tales from the Crypt episodes. Standing in for the Cryptkeeper we have Sally, the elderly proprietor of a Bed and Breakfast who reads stories to our protagonists, punk rockers Banksy and Eddie, as they wait for their room to be ready. The two decide to humour her and find themselves more and more disturbed (and intrigued) as the stories continue.
There are four stories, plus the wraparound of the events happening at the bed and breakfast. It's rare to say this about an anthology but I don't think there's a weak link in the bunch. You get horror, sci-fi, tragedy and dark humour. It's all here! I did think the first story, Cords, was the strongest but I enjoyed watching each one unfold. Each story is roughly 20 pages so the only real knock I have against them is that in a couple cases I was left wanting more.
This is a fun and fast read that lends itself well to short sessions but I'm pretty confident once you get going, this will become a one-sit read like it did for me.
May 7, 2021
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
Dead and Breakfast is a collection of 5 short stories, but they are not disjointed. I won't say how Gary's connects them, but I will say it's twisted...morbid...and creepy AF!
No matter if you are reading Cords, The Brace, The Weight of Nostalgia, or The Greyfriars, you'll discover something in each of these tales that'll cause you to make the eww, grossed-out face. Case in point, in The Greyfriars, there were BIG, FAT MAGGOTS. I found them equally or more disturbing than the phantoms/ghosts/spirits. Yeah, I hate insects that much.
Don't get me started on all the various other haunting creatures...
Without a doubt, Gary's mind is as twisted as Stephen King's. One day, I hope to see Gary's workings brought to life on the big screen. Of course, I'll be watching the movie through parted fingers.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
January 30, 2023
DEAD and BREAKFAST
Gary Buller
June 19, 2020
Unnerving
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis
Hello again you wicked whackdoodles, it’s your old pal Skull with another cool title from independent speculative fiction publisher Unnerving! Dead and Breakfast by Gary Buller is book number 11 of Unnerving’s REWIND OR DIE series, and a most excellent choice of reading material. What we get is one of my favorite approaches to a book: stories within a larger story, which is perfect for modern times, short attention spans, reading on the train and anywhere else. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Punk rockers Eddie and Banksy are on their way to a party which is going to be one hell of a good time. Unfortunately, they get massively offtrack and find themselves in the middle of nowhere with a tire that’s way beyond flat. If that’s not enough, a frigid rain chases them to the only shelter available, an ancient stone cottage straight out of a horror flick. But any warmth and shelter is better than none, right? Eddie feels a bit unsure as he hands over payment for the night’s lodgings at Sally’s Dead and Breakfast, wondering if he heard her right. No matter how creepy she is, a warm fire blazes in the lounge beckoning the soaked travelers. While the kettle is on, Sally regales them with a tale called Cords about a village that operates somewhat on the scale of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery except in Sally’s story the sacrifices are everyone who hits their 35th birthday. They must go to the fissure and if they don’t, evil things make sure they do. Cool mix of futuristic in a derelict almost Victorian landscape.
After that creepy story, there’s at least some tea and possibly a telephone to get the hell out of this crusty inn. But tea’s not ready yet and “sorry dearies, no phone”. There are more stories though. The Brace is a terrifying tale of domestic abuse and the power of ghosts to help a young boy in a time of desperate need. Sally is quite the weird wordsmith and trots out her story The Weight of Nostalgia for her captive audience. Eddie and Banksy don’t want to hear anymore but where can they go? This speculative tale starts with an unseen narrator following a young boy who appears to be enjoying a day at the local sweet shop. Warm waves of nostalgia abound among the penny candies, original formula Coca-Cola, and ice-lollies, but something is amiss here in the land of almost reality. A strange government program that enables test subjects to recreate the past and a family cursed with cancer make us wonder if all life is just a trap that leads to suffering.
Finally, Sally brings tea to the now weary and bewildered travelers who hope this means an end to the horrors she’s been heaping upon them. But she’s got one tale left and it’s a doozy called The Greyfriars Transcripts. A caller to a radio show is looking for some advice about a very grim situation he’s stuck in. His day started normally enough until the baker making his breakfast told him a strange story about the train he planned on boarding. “They say the Greyfriars route is cursed” But the narrator just rolls his eyes and heads off to the train station. Whether that was a good choice or not is something you’ll need to grab a copy of Dead and Breakfast to find out, along with the fates of Eddie and Banksy. Your old pal Skull says it’s a winner!
Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Dead and Breakfast a very scary FIVE STARS. I’ve been fortunate to know Gary Buller for many years and have enjoyed his ability to make readers both chuckle and scream with his decidedly English writing style. Bottom line, his stories hold up with a timeless quality to them that keeps you turning the pages and feeling a bit sad when you’ve finished. Combine that with Eddie Generous’ vision for Unnerving-an inclusive, anti-hater press and person, who knows how to scare the hell out of readers and make them think. Anybody can jump scare someone at least once, but to have something more to say afterwards AND be a supportive member of the diverse community that horror writers are, you have to be someone special. Maybe just a bit crazy too, but aren’t we all if we’re honest about it?
For more information about Gary Buller, visit him on Twitter @garybuller
For more information about UNNERVING go to: @UnnervingBooks on Twitter
And don’t forget to follow me, your old pal Skull, at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com It’s a great way to help your favorite independent authors, poets, and publishers. Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer is an inclusive blog where everyone is valued, except for haters who are heartily encouraged to climb into the nearest industrial trash compactor and press start. My human host, Brian James Lewis is a disabled poet and writer with PTSD who has 3 new Beat Generation style poems in Trajectory Journal issue 23, available now! As is issue 22 which contains his terrifying short story Following My Destiny about misguided mass shooter Chance McCandless. We’re also on Twitter @skullsnflames76 and Goodreads. See you soon!
Gary Buller
June 19, 2020
Unnerving
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis
Hello again you wicked whackdoodles, it’s your old pal Skull with another cool title from independent speculative fiction publisher Unnerving! Dead and Breakfast by Gary Buller is book number 11 of Unnerving’s REWIND OR DIE series, and a most excellent choice of reading material. What we get is one of my favorite approaches to a book: stories within a larger story, which is perfect for modern times, short attention spans, reading on the train and anywhere else. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Punk rockers Eddie and Banksy are on their way to a party which is going to be one hell of a good time. Unfortunately, they get massively offtrack and find themselves in the middle of nowhere with a tire that’s way beyond flat. If that’s not enough, a frigid rain chases them to the only shelter available, an ancient stone cottage straight out of a horror flick. But any warmth and shelter is better than none, right? Eddie feels a bit unsure as he hands over payment for the night’s lodgings at Sally’s Dead and Breakfast, wondering if he heard her right. No matter how creepy she is, a warm fire blazes in the lounge beckoning the soaked travelers. While the kettle is on, Sally regales them with a tale called Cords about a village that operates somewhat on the scale of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery except in Sally’s story the sacrifices are everyone who hits their 35th birthday. They must go to the fissure and if they don’t, evil things make sure they do. Cool mix of futuristic in a derelict almost Victorian landscape.
After that creepy story, there’s at least some tea and possibly a telephone to get the hell out of this crusty inn. But tea’s not ready yet and “sorry dearies, no phone”. There are more stories though. The Brace is a terrifying tale of domestic abuse and the power of ghosts to help a young boy in a time of desperate need. Sally is quite the weird wordsmith and trots out her story The Weight of Nostalgia for her captive audience. Eddie and Banksy don’t want to hear anymore but where can they go? This speculative tale starts with an unseen narrator following a young boy who appears to be enjoying a day at the local sweet shop. Warm waves of nostalgia abound among the penny candies, original formula Coca-Cola, and ice-lollies, but something is amiss here in the land of almost reality. A strange government program that enables test subjects to recreate the past and a family cursed with cancer make us wonder if all life is just a trap that leads to suffering.
Finally, Sally brings tea to the now weary and bewildered travelers who hope this means an end to the horrors she’s been heaping upon them. But she’s got one tale left and it’s a doozy called The Greyfriars Transcripts. A caller to a radio show is looking for some advice about a very grim situation he’s stuck in. His day started normally enough until the baker making his breakfast told him a strange story about the train he planned on boarding. “They say the Greyfriars route is cursed” But the narrator just rolls his eyes and heads off to the train station. Whether that was a good choice or not is something you’ll need to grab a copy of Dead and Breakfast to find out, along with the fates of Eddie and Banksy. Your old pal Skull says it’s a winner!
Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Dead and Breakfast a very scary FIVE STARS. I’ve been fortunate to know Gary Buller for many years and have enjoyed his ability to make readers both chuckle and scream with his decidedly English writing style. Bottom line, his stories hold up with a timeless quality to them that keeps you turning the pages and feeling a bit sad when you’ve finished. Combine that with Eddie Generous’ vision for Unnerving-an inclusive, anti-hater press and person, who knows how to scare the hell out of readers and make them think. Anybody can jump scare someone at least once, but to have something more to say afterwards AND be a supportive member of the diverse community that horror writers are, you have to be someone special. Maybe just a bit crazy too, but aren’t we all if we’re honest about it?
For more information about Gary Buller, visit him on Twitter @garybuller
For more information about UNNERVING go to: @UnnervingBooks on Twitter
And don’t forget to follow me, your old pal Skull, at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com It’s a great way to help your favorite independent authors, poets, and publishers. Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer is an inclusive blog where everyone is valued, except for haters who are heartily encouraged to climb into the nearest industrial trash compactor and press start. My human host, Brian James Lewis is a disabled poet and writer with PTSD who has 3 new Beat Generation style poems in Trajectory Journal issue 23, available now! As is issue 22 which contains his terrifying short story Following My Destiny about misguided mass shooter Chance McCandless. We’re also on Twitter @skullsnflames76 and Goodreads. See you soon!
December 29, 2020
Calling back to the first entry in the Rewind or Die series, The Midnight Exhibit Vol. 1, Dead and Breakfast is a short story collection hiding within a novella. Eddie and Banksy arrive at a Bed and Breakfast after getting a flat tire, where everything seems just a bit...off. The proprietor entices them with a series of strange and increasingly more terrifying stories.
The strength in this quartet of stories is the range they span. The first story, “Cords”, is a tale that could fit neatly into Science Fiction, telling the tale of a dystopian future. “The Brace” uses a bit of surrealism to distort an abusive father-son relationship. An emotionally complex story that might be the strongest in the collection.
“The Weight of Nostalgia” sets up an unsettling feeling, keeping the reader a bit off kilter. It succeeds in the Twilight Zone-esque atmosphere, but didn’t work for me. “The Greyfriars Transcript” is another favorite from the collection, heavier with an atmosphere of dread than any other. It’s creepy and makes great use of sensory description.
Rather than a thin thread that links these stories, the overlying narrative gives us an intro, a few pages between each story, and a truly creepy culmination. Eddie and Banksy, who we check in on periodically, have their stories properly wrapped up rather than just being casual observers to the stories being told to the readers. This wasn’t my favorite entry in this series, but credit where credit is due. It took a concept, ran with it, and had some fun with it.
The strength in this quartet of stories is the range they span. The first story, “Cords”, is a tale that could fit neatly into Science Fiction, telling the tale of a dystopian future. “The Brace” uses a bit of surrealism to distort an abusive father-son relationship. An emotionally complex story that might be the strongest in the collection.
“The Weight of Nostalgia” sets up an unsettling feeling, keeping the reader a bit off kilter. It succeeds in the Twilight Zone-esque atmosphere, but didn’t work for me. “The Greyfriars Transcript” is another favorite from the collection, heavier with an atmosphere of dread than any other. It’s creepy and makes great use of sensory description.
Rather than a thin thread that links these stories, the overlying narrative gives us an intro, a few pages between each story, and a truly creepy culmination. Eddie and Banksy, who we check in on periodically, have their stories properly wrapped up rather than just being casual observers to the stories being told to the readers. This wasn’t my favorite entry in this series, but credit where credit is due. It took a concept, ran with it, and had some fun with it.
January 6, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
Honestly, I enjoyed the short stories within the story more than the main storyline. I'd be quite happy to see Cords turned into a full-length novel. That one was simply fantastic.
That being said, while Buller does do more editing than most of the authors in RoD, there were certain glaring issues that really took away my enjoyment from the story. He half-assed the spell check. So, plant names are weirdly capitalized and instead of correcting "mohawk," Buller corrected it to "Mohican." Let me tell you, that threw me out of the story so hard my head spun every time it came up, and it comes up rather frequently when you're not in the short stories. Took far longer than it should have to try to figure out what the hell Buller had done, and the answer was "botched the spell check." Still, that's more effort than most of the Rewind or Die authors put in, so I can't give him too much hell for it. I genuinely hope that Buller writes more in the future (gimmie a longer Cords please :P) and I hope that in the future, he's able to catch these errors.
Honestly, I enjoyed the short stories within the story more than the main storyline. I'd be quite happy to see Cords turned into a full-length novel. That one was simply fantastic.
That being said, while Buller does do more editing than most of the authors in RoD, there were certain glaring issues that really took away my enjoyment from the story. He half-assed the spell check. So, plant names are weirdly capitalized and instead of correcting "mohawk," Buller corrected it to "Mohican." Let me tell you, that threw me out of the story so hard my head spun every time it came up, and it comes up rather frequently when you're not in the short stories. Took far longer than it should have to try to figure out what the hell Buller had done, and the answer was "botched the spell check." Still, that's more effort than most of the Rewind or Die authors put in, so I can't give him too much hell for it. I genuinely hope that Buller writes more in the future (gimmie a longer Cords please :P) and I hope that in the future, he's able to catch these errors.
April 8, 2021
Eddie and his girlfriend end up stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. A nearby bed and breakfast is their only option for a place to stay overnight.
The woman running the place decides to share 4 of her very own horror tales while they wait for their room to be cleaned.
This was a fun read that was a bit similar to the very first book in the series with some short horror stories added in.
The Greyfriars Transcript was my favorite and the ending to the main story was really good as well.
April 20, 2021
In general, the book was well written and had a good atmosphere. However, this book was filled with twists I wasn’t expecting, but I didn’t really care for. Also filled with cliches and the usual ‘stranded’ horror tropes, I just found it kinda redundant after the midnight exhibit? The short stories within the main were okay, I just find myself craving more at this point in the Rewind or Die series, and this just didn’t do it for me.
February 19, 2024
This is a collection of four stories surrounded by a fifth story in which the stories are being told. Eddie and Banksy have a flat tire and stumble upon an old bed and breakfast house. The creepy caretaker sets them up in the lounge and tells them four unrelated stories she's written.
This was ok. The stories were all good. The premise, however, does not tell you this is a short story collection so I was disappointed in not having a novel like I'd expected.
This was ok. The stories were all good. The premise, however, does not tell you this is a short story collection so I was disappointed in not having a novel like I'd expected.
August 18, 2021
A much more.intersring framing story is undone by a series of uninteresting tales.
September 21, 2021
4.25 stars
February 2, 2021
I love the Rewind or Die series - I've been buying everything they have been putting out. It's a series that publishes indie authors horror stories. All of them stand on their own and aren't connected to any others in the series, so don't let that put you off reading.
Dead and Breakfast just didn't work at all for me. I loved the premise and I loved the idea of the wrap-around story. It's a couple that stops at some old Bed and Breakfast for the night and the old lady that runs the place starts telling them scary stories. That is a great, classic premise but the stories didn't really work for me and the wrap-around wasn't a big enough pay off.
I have nothing bad to say about this one, it's short so if you think it sounds good then still give it a try.
Dead and Breakfast just didn't work at all for me. I loved the premise and I loved the idea of the wrap-around story. It's a couple that stops at some old Bed and Breakfast for the night and the old lady that runs the place starts telling them scary stories. That is a great, classic premise but the stories didn't really work for me and the wrap-around wasn't a big enough pay off.
I have nothing bad to say about this one, it's short so if you think it sounds good then still give it a try.
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