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The Demonic Compendium #0
The Box and The Bird
Samantha was comfortable with her life of habit and routine.
Until her workaholic husband, Richard, came home cradling a mysterious box like a precious treasure. But his curious new behavior didn’t stop there. His once loving demeanor was replaced by an icy indifference to everyone and everything... except for that box.
Worried for her marriage, Samantha followed Richard into the basement, where she caught him whispering with the mysterious artifact. Shocked and terrified, she tried to run, only to be captured by the being that’s assumed her husband’s form.
Now, the fight for her life has begun. Can she escape the creature holding her hostage? Or will she join Richard as a haunting shell of her former self?
Until her workaholic husband, Richard, came home cradling a mysterious box like a precious treasure. But his curious new behavior didn’t stop there. His once loving demeanor was replaced by an icy indifference to everyone and everything... except for that box.
Worried for her marriage, Samantha followed Richard into the basement, where she caught him whispering with the mysterious artifact. Shocked and terrified, she tried to run, only to be captured by the being that’s assumed her husband’s form.
Now, the fight for her life has begun. Can she escape the creature holding her hostage? Or will she join Richard as a haunting shell of her former self?
Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
David Viergutz
29 books185 followersDavid Viergutz is a disabled Army veteran, a law enforcement veteran, a husband and a proud father. He's also a storyteller, an author of thrillers and horror novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 29, 2020
This book had me on the edge of my seat! I would definitely recommend you read this book, if you want a page tuner.
May 2, 2020
Truly brilliant story, extremely well written !
The first time I read it, I went from ‘oh, nice’, to ‘slightly worried’ to ‘pure terror’ in a matter of pages.
The second time I devoured it, it was just as terrifying as the first time.
Seriously, compared to ‘Not-Really-Richard’, my cheating ex is a real sweetheart ;)
And this time I have ‘ The Demonic Compendium’ waiting for me! Yay! :)
The first time I read it, I went from ‘oh, nice’, to ‘slightly worried’ to ‘pure terror’ in a matter of pages.
The second time I devoured it, it was just as terrifying as the first time.
Seriously, compared to ‘Not-Really-Richard’, my cheating ex is a real sweetheart ;)
And this time I have ‘ The Demonic Compendium’ waiting for me! Yay! :)
August 26, 2020
Thumbs-up
Its a good book it jumps right in to some action keeps u turning pages just to read what else is going to happen...I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in horror stories,
I finished this book in one sitting couldn't put it down had to find out what was the end going to be like 🙃
Its a good book it jumps right in to some action keeps u turning pages just to read what else is going to happen...I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in horror stories,
I finished this book in one sitting couldn't put it down had to find out what was the end going to be like 🙃
January 19, 2021
This short story does a great job of describing the characters and scaring the dickens out of you. Definitely more horror than I was expecting! I highly recommend this prequel and plan to read more from the author, David Viergutz.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
February 18, 2021
I got this novel for free in exchange for an honest review. This novel is fast paced for a short prequel. There's a lot of action packed into the few pages. The creep factor is pretty high in this novel and it keeps you reading until the end. You want to know more and are left with more questions than answers. This is a great debut to a what hopes to be a great series!
April 27, 2021
That said, I don’t know what I expected. It was a quick read for me a bit under an hour. It book has me wanting to know more about the strange book that Richard brought home. The magpie raises questions as well. The green and black snake fire that was pretty cool. I may have to read the demonic compendium to get answers.. lol great story
January 25, 2021
Another 5 star review fkr this author! A scary yet can't put down novel that again is not your typical fantasy read. A great off shoot to the Demonic Conpendium series....watch out for what your partner brings home and what takes over your basement folks!!
March 25, 2023
Will the creature in your home allow you to escape unharmed? Read this book in one sitting late at night (not recommended). It was creepy but intriguing and definitely not a "put down and finish later book" because you just want to know how it turns out.
April 18, 2021
Good Short Story
September 10, 2021
Didn't finish it.
October 14, 2021
No plot summary will do this book justice and the mystery is more than enough to keep the reader planted and keep reading.
April 25, 2021
This was a well written story, but it dropped me into a nightmare that I didn't need. The marriage is slowly drifting away then all hell breaks loose. No thanks.
November 14, 2021
I found this a little confusing but entertaining nonetheless.
July 12, 2020
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** The author of this short story did ask me to write an honest review, including any faults that I found in the story, which I did.
Samantha is married to Richard and their marriage is falling apart. Richard is a workaholic who's on frequent business trips, becoming distant, and has a drinking problem. Samantha feels neglected, isolated, and angry. One night Richard returns home clutching a strange book. He carries this book everywhere, becoming threatening. Samantha finds him in the basement and discovers the book, now glowing, has exerted an evil influence on him, changing him into a monster. Samantha tries to flee the house, chased by her husband who keeps telling her that the book belong to him and that she should not read it. Eventually Samantha gets the book and (of course), reads it. The books gives her a spell which destroys her husband. On her patio she sees a black bird with too many eyes, watching her. The book tells her how to escape, that her husband wasn't worthy, and to ignore the bird.
I enjoyed the story, which encourages me to read the book, The Demonic Compendium, which this story is a side story. A black bird with three eyes? If her husband wasn't worthy, is Samantha worthy (of what?), and what will Samantha become? I gave the story four out of five stars. I felt that the pace slowed down unnecessarily during a chase through the house due to too many details of the physical surroundings of the house itself. Additional editing would keep the tension high and the action fast. However, I would still recommend this story.
Samantha is married to Richard and their marriage is falling apart. Richard is a workaholic who's on frequent business trips, becoming distant, and has a drinking problem. Samantha feels neglected, isolated, and angry. One night Richard returns home clutching a strange book. He carries this book everywhere, becoming threatening. Samantha finds him in the basement and discovers the book, now glowing, has exerted an evil influence on him, changing him into a monster. Samantha tries to flee the house, chased by her husband who keeps telling her that the book belong to him and that she should not read it. Eventually Samantha gets the book and (of course), reads it. The books gives her a spell which destroys her husband. On her patio she sees a black bird with too many eyes, watching her. The book tells her how to escape, that her husband wasn't worthy, and to ignore the bird.
I enjoyed the story, which encourages me to read the book, The Demonic Compendium, which this story is a side story. A black bird with three eyes? If her husband wasn't worthy, is Samantha worthy (of what?), and what will Samantha become? I gave the story four out of five stars. I felt that the pace slowed down unnecessarily during a chase through the house due to too many details of the physical surroundings of the house itself. Additional editing would keep the tension high and the action fast. However, I would still recommend this story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews