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Sinkhole
After the hurricane, Reggie and Betsy discover a portion of their backyard has begun to sink. Fearing the ground will open up and swallow their house sooner rather than later Reggie calls the city to come fix it, but pushback from the local Sheriff slows the process down by a day. Come nightfall the power goes out, the sinkhole opens, and a busload of ghoulish children crawl to the surface for their first meal in fifty-two years.
85 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 15, 2019
Children! Dirty, rambunctious, destructive, calculating, pain-inducing and very, very dead. What could be worse than discovering zombie munchkins emerging from a sinkhole in your back yard? Finding their re-animated bus driver, too! If you have a sinkhole on your property, take it very seriously. You never know what caused it and what it ate. Don't be forced to fight for survival like homeowner Reggie. Have a plan, and a really good machete. This was fun. I learned a lot and am taking precautions. Check out my barbecue pit.
April 22, 2020
A fast, fun, and gory B-movie of a novel that I read in literally one sitting. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Wait, is today Saturday? Well whatever, this book was the tits.
May 31, 2020
This one was fun. At first the build up was slow. Then the action started. And it kept going. And going. And going. Tons of action and blood.
When I married my hubby, he had a sinkhole in his yard. He put cars in it, gravel, trees, etc... The hole would never fill. So sinkholes are already creepy to me... But throwing in a wrecked school bus??? Fun and creepy
When I married my hubby, he had a sinkhole in his yard. He put cars in it, gravel, trees, etc... The hole would never fill. So sinkholes are already creepy to me... But throwing in a wrecked school bus??? Fun and creepy
April 21, 2020
In true John Wayne Communale style, SINKHOLE continues to display the author's range. This one being an extreme slasher/monster romp. Its on the short end of the novella specturm and reads quick with quick jabs and a final punch. Sometimes that works for a story but this one, in my mind, demanded more.
My take on SINKHOLE is Communale wanted to write an extreme horror novel. And he did. The elements are there: lots of blood and guts, gratuitous violence and a face paced plot. The preminse is right there on the cover. There is a sinkhole that gets larger and larger over a few days until it unleashes the horror buried within. Grade A horror concept right there. When the contents spill out, hell ensues. That is the sucess of SINKHOLE.
But in its sucess, it left me with a desire for more. It moved a little too quick. I found myself wanting to know more about the backstory of what was in that hole and how they got to be what they are. SINKHOLE could have gone from a short novella/novelette to a borderline novella/novel with just a little more of what I found myself looking for out of the story. That and there were some conviences thrown in at the climax of the third act that could have been set up just a bit early in the story and not had me say, well how convient that that thing is all of a sudden there. Just some teasing and foreshadowing early would have served the climax at the end.
Don't let my critisisms fool you. This is still a good, straight up monster slasher gore festival. I am positive thats what the book aimed to be and thats what it delivered. However, John Wayne's writing style had me simply wanting more out of the story. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Viva la SINKHOLE!
My take on SINKHOLE is Communale wanted to write an extreme horror novel. And he did. The elements are there: lots of blood and guts, gratuitous violence and a face paced plot. The preminse is right there on the cover. There is a sinkhole that gets larger and larger over a few days until it unleashes the horror buried within. Grade A horror concept right there. When the contents spill out, hell ensues. That is the sucess of SINKHOLE.
But in its sucess, it left me with a desire for more. It moved a little too quick. I found myself wanting to know more about the backstory of what was in that hole and how they got to be what they are. SINKHOLE could have gone from a short novella/novelette to a borderline novella/novel with just a little more of what I found myself looking for out of the story. That and there were some conviences thrown in at the climax of the third act that could have been set up just a bit early in the story and not had me say, well how convient that that thing is all of a sudden there. Just some teasing and foreshadowing early would have served the climax at the end.
Don't let my critisisms fool you. This is still a good, straight up monster slasher gore festival. I am positive thats what the book aimed to be and thats what it delivered. However, John Wayne's writing style had me simply wanting more out of the story. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Viva la SINKHOLE!
July 9, 2021
The sense of humor, and character that Comunale can put into his narrative is unmatched in the horror genre.
I loved this bizarre tale of a couple in Texas who bicker and can't seem to get along. When one day they're monotony is broken up by a sinkhole that opens up in their backyard. Their lives are never the same again.
This is a fun one and probably shouldn't be taken too seriously when reading. It's a blast from beginning to end because of the characters involved. I listened to this one and it was read by the author. He brings a flare and a production to the audiobook that was fresh and fun to listen to.
The story was well written and the action and horror scenes were overall well done. I feel as if I will enjoy his other works more in the future. But overall if you're looking for a good audiobook to listen to while at work this is a good one to pick up.
Overall 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this bizarre tale of a couple in Texas who bicker and can't seem to get along. When one day they're monotony is broken up by a sinkhole that opens up in their backyard. Their lives are never the same again.
This is a fun one and probably shouldn't be taken too seriously when reading. It's a blast from beginning to end because of the characters involved. I listened to this one and it was read by the author. He brings a flare and a production to the audiobook that was fresh and fun to listen to.
The story was well written and the action and horror scenes were overall well done. I feel as if I will enjoy his other works more in the future. But overall if you're looking for a good audiobook to listen to while at work this is a good one to pick up.
Overall 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 1, 2021
I really liked this one!
Sinkhole is a first person narrative about Robbie and a Sinkhole that forms in the man's backyard. There isn't too much I can tell you about the story, but what I can tell you is what I liked about it and disliked.
So let's start off with the positives!
This story was just an atomic blast from beginning to end! Reggie, the narrator, and his obnoxious, know-it-all, cat crazy wife were fun to listen to. The constant back and forth bantering was fun and Reggie's outlook was hilarious! I just had a really, really fun time with this one.
Okay, now let's move on to the negatives...
Really, there weren't too many negative things to talk about. The writing was superb and very interesting and easy to follow along. The only thing I might nitpick at is that the book didn't have any really scary moments in it. Don't get me wrong, there were some great scenes with the creatures and I loved that aspect, but I felt like I was left wanting a little bit more. That's really my only nitpicky complaint. The book was great!
Overall I give this book Four stars. It was a quick, awesome read and J.W.C. knocked it out of the park with his narration!
Sinkhole is a first person narrative about Robbie and a Sinkhole that forms in the man's backyard. There isn't too much I can tell you about the story, but what I can tell you is what I liked about it and disliked.
So let's start off with the positives!
This story was just an atomic blast from beginning to end! Reggie, the narrator, and his obnoxious, know-it-all, cat crazy wife were fun to listen to. The constant back and forth bantering was fun and Reggie's outlook was hilarious! I just had a really, really fun time with this one.
Okay, now let's move on to the negatives...
Really, there weren't too many negative things to talk about. The writing was superb and very interesting and easy to follow along. The only thing I might nitpick at is that the book didn't have any really scary moments in it. Don't get me wrong, there were some great scenes with the creatures and I loved that aspect, but I felt like I was left wanting a little bit more. That's really my only nitpicky complaint. The book was great!
Overall I give this book Four stars. It was a quick, awesome read and J.W.C. knocked it out of the park with his narration!
June 27, 2020
It was a slow build with really annoying characters. I kept thinking 'Get a divorce already' with all the constant bickering between the couple. I like the idea of a sinkhole containing the undead. It reminds me a little bit of Poltergeist.
April 28, 2021
This was a great little novella. The story was well done and the gore was graphic and on point. My only complaint was the beginning. It seemed to draw on much longer than I thought it would, but it did push character development. For being such a short story, I would've liked to see more action.
I listened to the audiobook and John Wayne did a phenomenal job with the narration. His voice was smooth, level and consistent. He added his enthusiasm to the narration was spot on. A solid 4.5 stars on this one.
I listened to the audiobook and John Wayne did a phenomenal job with the narration. His voice was smooth, level and consistent. He added his enthusiasm to the narration was spot on. A solid 4.5 stars on this one.
August 18, 2021
Cool story with interesting characters. I love the premise of undead children crawling out of this sinkhole, but I would've liked a lil more backstory behind it and the whole thing was just too quick for me to truly enjoy. Everything came and went before I could really plant my feet and start immersing myself in the story.
July 25, 2020
Sinkhole!
Sinkhole by JWC is absolutely awesome, a quick and brutal read, like an episode of Creepshow on steroids. Scathing sarcasm and a gnarly gore score sealed the deal for me.
5/5 Skulls
💀💀💀💀💀
Sinkhole by JWC is absolutely awesome, a quick and brutal read, like an episode of Creepshow on steroids. Scathing sarcasm and a gnarly gore score sealed the deal for me.
5/5 Skulls
💀💀💀💀💀
June 29, 2022
Reggie and Betsy are not the happiest married couple around. Constant nagging and bickering. All Reggie wants to do this morning is drink his cup of coffee and read the paper. When Betsy tells Reggie there is something wrong with the backyard, he knows neither are going to happen.
This was a fun fast paced read. Perfect for a Summer day at the beach. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!💀💀💀💀
This was a fun fast paced read. Perfect for a Summer day at the beach. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!💀💀💀💀
August 12, 2019
While at Scares That Care weekend, I went to the "Bizarro Power Hour", which was a late night reading. Six or so authors presented during this hour, and one of them was John Wayne Comunale. Instead of reading from one of his books, he told a real life story, which I found highly entertaining. Because of how animated and hilarious his storytelling was, I sought him out the following day and purchased several of his books. (I also found out that he has a podcast, which I've since listened to and am likely to keep in my regular rotation).
It was tough to choose which book to read first, as the plots all sounded equally entertaining. I ultimately chose to read Sinkhole first, and was not disappointed. This little novella is packed with some truly memorable characters (including a cat named Sandman), laugh-out-loud moments, and some horrific scenes that are burned into my brain. The story was perfectly paced; there was initial tension between the characters of Reggie and his wife, Betsy, and this was only amplified as the sinkhole began to grow and reveal its contents. Comunale also has a flair for figurative language that intensifies the image in the reader's mind. There were several lines I read two or three times because I thought they added so much to the description of the scene.
I won't say more for fear of spoilers. If you're a fan of the bizarro horror genre, or just looking for a short but solid horror story, look no further than this creative tale!
It was tough to choose which book to read first, as the plots all sounded equally entertaining. I ultimately chose to read Sinkhole first, and was not disappointed. This little novella is packed with some truly memorable characters (including a cat named Sandman), laugh-out-loud moments, and some horrific scenes that are burned into my brain. The story was perfectly paced; there was initial tension between the characters of Reggie and his wife, Betsy, and this was only amplified as the sinkhole began to grow and reveal its contents. Comunale also has a flair for figurative language that intensifies the image in the reader's mind. There were several lines I read two or three times because I thought they added so much to the description of the scene.
I won't say more for fear of spoilers. If you're a fan of the bizarro horror genre, or just looking for a short but solid horror story, look no further than this creative tale!
March 29, 2022
Well this was a fun, blood soaked story! I had a great time with this one.
May 29, 2022
Sinkholes are scary. Really enjoyed meeting the author at Phoenix Fan Fusion the other day where we together lamented the fully inevitable and deserved fall of bizarro.
October 10, 2025
My first by Comunale. This is one wild, weird and well written story.
November 18, 2019
When Reggie finds a sinkhole in his backyard, he begins fearing for his house. What he should be fearing for is his life.
Reggie and his wife have a strained relationship, especially seeing as she shows more love for their cat than she does her husband, not to mention more interest in her ex-boyfriend lawman. But while these things irk Reggie, his biggest problem (literally) is the chasm that has opened on his property. The hole itself means big trouble, but what lies inside the hole is even worse.
Decades ago, a terrible storm ravaged this small town in Texas, and one of the things the tornado wind threw around was a bus full of schoolchildren. The bus was never seen again... until now.
With this ghoulish novella, Comunale gives us his signature blend of horror and comedy. One is reminded of films like Dead Alive and Demons 2 as our clumsy protagonist wards off flesh-eating zombie kids with a baseball bat and machete. There's slapstick laughs and a little gore for good measure, but mostly the book relies on zany action, and the result is a quick read bound to put a rictus grin on your face.
Reggie and his wife have a strained relationship, especially seeing as she shows more love for their cat than she does her husband, not to mention more interest in her ex-boyfriend lawman. But while these things irk Reggie, his biggest problem (literally) is the chasm that has opened on his property. The hole itself means big trouble, but what lies inside the hole is even worse.
Decades ago, a terrible storm ravaged this small town in Texas, and one of the things the tornado wind threw around was a bus full of schoolchildren. The bus was never seen again... until now.
With this ghoulish novella, Comunale gives us his signature blend of horror and comedy. One is reminded of films like Dead Alive and Demons 2 as our clumsy protagonist wards off flesh-eating zombie kids with a baseball bat and machete. There's slapstick laughs and a little gore for good measure, but mostly the book relies on zany action, and the result is a quick read bound to put a rictus grin on your face.
August 15, 2020
Wow. What a fun book! I'm impressed.
Sinkhole revolves around Reggie, an East Texas man, who, following a massive hurricane, discovers a sinkhole forming in his backyard. Reggie's argumentative wife, Betsy, and her ex-beau, the local sheriff, dismiss Reggie's concerns about the rapidly widening crevice, forcing him to wait on help from the city. Unfortunately for our characters, the sinkhole isn't empty. A schoolbus full of children has been trapped down there for over fifty years. As night falls, the children are released. And they're hungry.
Comunale's book is fast paced, gory fun, and I could not put it down. The characters are believable, and Reggie makes a good, everyman hero, in way over his head. The decaying children are gruesome and creepy, and the violence is nice and bloody.
Sinkhole is the first book I've read by Comunale, but it definitely won't be the last. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, exciting horror story. You won't be disappointed!
Sinkhole revolves around Reggie, an East Texas man, who, following a massive hurricane, discovers a sinkhole forming in his backyard. Reggie's argumentative wife, Betsy, and her ex-beau, the local sheriff, dismiss Reggie's concerns about the rapidly widening crevice, forcing him to wait on help from the city. Unfortunately for our characters, the sinkhole isn't empty. A schoolbus full of children has been trapped down there for over fifty years. As night falls, the children are released. And they're hungry.
Comunale's book is fast paced, gory fun, and I could not put it down. The characters are believable, and Reggie makes a good, everyman hero, in way over his head. The decaying children are gruesome and creepy, and the violence is nice and bloody.
Sinkhole is the first book I've read by Comunale, but it definitely won't be the last. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, exciting horror story. You won't be disappointed!
July 16, 2019
Gruesome. Violent. Fun.
A sinkhole. A crashed school bus. Dead children return to the surface looking for something to feed on.
A sinkhole. A crashed school bus. Dead children return to the surface looking for something to feed on.
December 1, 2019
Solid book by a solid writer. John Wayne never lets us down.
March 20, 2020
Damn kids.
Highly entertaining, a thumbs up from me!
Highly entertaining, a thumbs up from me!
July 17, 2021
A barebones horror story that has the feel of an 80s scary movie or Creepshow series vibe.
May 19, 2024
'Sinkhole' by John Wayne Comunale is fear for fears sake. Exciting, macabre and funny are the words that describe the reading experience of the story. In addition, in my experience, the story touches on the theme of 'The Pit and the Pendulem'(1842) by Edgar Allan Poe.
In Edgar Allan Poe's stories, the characters from whom the story is told are often lonely. And this is also the case with Reggie, the protagonist of Sinkhole. This gives the reader a picture of Reggie's mental condition and the development he goes through. This awareness process is convincingly shown to the reader. It's eerie.
In addition, both authors each show in their own way what horror is: it is not the pain of dying, but the awareness of dying. Comunale shows this through a macabre cat and mouse game. For me, it makes “Sinkhole” an ideal basis for an episode of “Tales from the Crypt.
A big compliment is due to the author for his interpretation of the symbolism of the bus. The bus generally refers to progress and development. Comunale has used this meaning with macabre irony in her shadow form. Great!
And so “Sinkhole” becomes a story that is fear for fears sake. Macabre and ironic, this mustread by John Wayne Comunale touches on the theme from a classic of Edgar Allan Poe's work. Is it interesting to do a literary analysis of the similarities and differences between the two authors' work? Yes!
In Edgar Allan Poe's stories, the characters from whom the story is told are often lonely. And this is also the case with Reggie, the protagonist of Sinkhole. This gives the reader a picture of Reggie's mental condition and the development he goes through. This awareness process is convincingly shown to the reader. It's eerie.
In addition, both authors each show in their own way what horror is: it is not the pain of dying, but the awareness of dying. Comunale shows this through a macabre cat and mouse game. For me, it makes “Sinkhole” an ideal basis for an episode of “Tales from the Crypt.
A big compliment is due to the author for his interpretation of the symbolism of the bus. The bus generally refers to progress and development. Comunale has used this meaning with macabre irony in her shadow form. Great!
And so “Sinkhole” becomes a story that is fear for fears sake. Macabre and ironic, this mustread by John Wayne Comunale touches on the theme from a classic of Edgar Allan Poe's work. Is it interesting to do a literary analysis of the similarities and differences between the two authors' work? Yes!
September 4, 2020
Sinkhole is 5 Star release from John Wayne Comunale put out by Deaths Head Press.
John Wayne has this way of putting you in the middle of the action. In a way you’re the main character rather it be good or bad, you’re the main event. Here we have Reggie and Betsy 19 years of marriage blitz…lol. Reggie just wants to drink his coffee, but Betsy and here meddling has other plans. Enter a Sinkhole. I have to admire the first person story telling John Wayne offers with this book. It’s a fun quick read and I hell of a ride. This should definitely be on your TBR list, and honestly it’s a perfect summer time read while relaxing in or around the pool. Pick this book up set back and buckle up you’re in for a wild night.
John Wayne has this way of putting you in the middle of the action. In a way you’re the main character rather it be good or bad, you’re the main event. Here we have Reggie and Betsy 19 years of marriage blitz…lol. Reggie just wants to drink his coffee, but Betsy and here meddling has other plans. Enter a Sinkhole. I have to admire the first person story telling John Wayne offers with this book. It’s a fun quick read and I hell of a ride. This should definitely be on your TBR list, and honestly it’s a perfect summer time read while relaxing in or around the pool. Pick this book up set back and buckle up you’re in for a wild night.
February 21, 2023
This book is a fantastic, and slow building story, gory and unrelenting. Betsy and Reggie have been together for years, they know each others' habits as much as they know their own. When Betsy finds a hole in their backyard, Reggie quickly realizes that it is not just a hole. It's a Sinkhole he fears will swallow both him, and Betsy, and also claim their home. Little does he know, what is in the hole is far scarier than being swallowed by one....
Impossible to put down, I read this in one sitting and want to read it again. The characters are well developed and familiar, as if you knew them, or someone like them. This is one not to be missed. I love the style the story is written in and look forward to reading more by John Wayne Comunale and will be recommending this novel.
Impossible to put down, I read this in one sitting and want to read it again. The characters are well developed and familiar, as if you knew them, or someone like them. This is one not to be missed. I love the style the story is written in and look forward to reading more by John Wayne Comunale and will be recommending this novel.
May 20, 2020
Read this in one sitting. It’s short and sweet and very B Movie slop on it’s face. But honestly, it’s a real bleak metaphor. The narrator is afraid of a sinkhole that demon kids crawl out of, sure. But he’s also lamenting the sinkhole that is his loveless marriage, his impossible insurance, his property and random gifts and knick knacks that’s he acquired in his life. The lack of children in his family is apparent as his wife loves their cat like a child. And the scope of the narration literally can’t go past his immediate house and property which gives this manacled feeling of dying and being hunted by this domesticated life. 1950s kids in a school bus. Smh.
July 27, 2022
Oh boy, I think poor Reggie is having a bad day... First he gets his coffee and paper reading time cut short by Betsy, his not so loving wife, complaining about a hole that's not a hole in the back yard. Then the dominoes start falling after that and nothing about the rest of the day is normal as the hole that's not a hole starts to get bigger and bigger. And if that's not enough, wait till you read what happens when night falls...
I really enjoyed this quick, fun little read. It was entertaining and a bit gory towards the end and I would definitely recommend!!
Four skulls in my opinion ☠️☠️☠️☠️
I really enjoyed this quick, fun little read. It was entertaining and a bit gory towards the end and I would definitely recommend!!
Four skulls in my opinion ☠️☠️☠️☠️
November 22, 2020
This was my first read by JWC and I was not disappointed. I’ve heard how bizarre his work was and had to see for myself. I love the out, there unrealistic horror just as much as I love true crime. This story had it all for me, especially when I kept picturing the creatures as the mining aliens from Galaxy Quest. I couldn’t help but laugh through it all once I had them pictured in my head. This literally gives nothing away about the book or even lets you know what the book is about but I can say this, if you want something super out of the norm, bizarre and fun, check sinkhole out.
May 20, 2020
This is a fun, gory, fast-paced novella. It has the feel of one of those wonderful late night movie experiences. What I love about the writing is that Comunale takes a singular event and writes it with great efficiency, not getting bogged down in subplots or pointless details. Because of that, it reads quick and propels you forward to the inevitable conclusion. I'm going to go check the yard now, just in case.
December 15, 2020
I read this book pretty quickly due to the story really grabbing me. No, it literally grabbed me and wouldn’t let go until I read the entire book. Even after I finished reading.....it made me re-read it again to see the portal through which the story came alive. Then I was tossed through that portal into the story itself. I was trapped in that house for what seems like forever waiting to be released only to realize that I was just walking around Walmart.
Man.....this book. 4/5 stars.
Man.....this book. 4/5 stars.
February 25, 2021
Start to finish, this was fun, entertaining, well written and presented.
JWC is not just another southern redneck trying to shock everyone with a poorly written gore fest, he is a talented redneck giving us an absolute gem of a gore fest. Well developed characters lead to a humorous story of Reggie and his plight about a hole opening up in his backyard and what monstrous, violent, creatures come crawling out
JWC is not just another southern redneck trying to shock everyone with a poorly written gore fest, he is a talented redneck giving us an absolute gem of a gore fest. Well developed characters lead to a humorous story of Reggie and his plight about a hole opening up in his backyard and what monstrous, violent, creatures come crawling out
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