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Slow Burn on Riverside
“Taking my mind for granted became my biggest regret.”
When 18-year-old Jex moves into a new apartment, his roommate’s descent into drugs paves the way for mental illness, while Jex deals with their sexually assertive landlady. But when her teenage son shows up, things take a very dark turn.
When 18-year-old Jex moves into a new apartment, his roommate’s descent into drugs paves the way for mental illness, while Jex deals with their sexually assertive landlady. But when her teenage son shows up, things take a very dark turn.
Unknown Binding
First published March 19, 2021
11 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Chad Lutzke
89 books742 followersChad has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue, Cemetery Dance, and Scream magazine. He's had dozens of short stories published, and some of his books include: OF FOSTER HOMES & FLIES, STIRRING THE SHEETS, SKULLFACE BOY, THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU, THE PALE WHITE, THE NEON OWL and OUT BEHIND THE BARN co-written with John Boden. Lutzke's work has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, Richard Chizmar, Joe R. Lansdale, Stephen Graham Jones, Tim Waggoner and his own mother.
He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com
He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 13, 2021
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
Chad Lutzke is a great storyteller. He deserves all the praise he gets.
If you haven’t read him before, I will try to explain why you should remedy the situation as soon as possible.
Lutzke’s words has a direct link to your E-spot.
No, the E is for Emotions, don’t perv out on me, man. With very few words, he pulls you in and makes you care. One moment you think he won’t be able to get you emotionally invested in a character and the next he’s plucking your heart strings like he’s part of the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain. (Sorry, I had to Google that because I don’t know any famous ukelele players and, odds are, most of you won’t either.)
SLOW BURN ON THE RIVERSIDE is a prequel to a novella which came out in 2019, called THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU. With the introduction, the author assures you that this one works as a standalone. Since I haven’t read the latter, I can vouch for it – this is a story in and off itself.
We meet Jex, an eighteen year old slouch with no job and no real motivation to get his life going. He lives with roommates because he can’t afford rent on his own, plays in a band and is into heavy metal.
The story starts as they get evicted from one place and find a much better apartment in a better neighbourhood than they can afford. Of course, they are at a time in their lives where they should discover themselves, and as the drugs and alcohol flows, roommates will come and go.
Soon Jex finds himself in a situation he can’t control, especially when his landlady starts using him as a boy toy. When Jex decides to try and sort out his life, the landlady’s son turns up and things turn dark...
The author does not rely on blood and gore, but rather the internal horror people experience in their everyday lives. He is the thinking man’s horror writer – and sometimes I wish we had more of those.
Lutzke has an incredible ability to capture little wisdoms which describes the human psyche so well, especially when it is something you can relate to or have experienced yourself. In one of the lines of this book he says something which comes down to: You’ll never feel as alone as when you have good news and nobody to share it with.
I’ve been there. It is absolutely true.
Finally, I always want a twist that will knock me on my ass. Well, look at me sitting on that floor.
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
Chad Lutzke is a great storyteller. He deserves all the praise he gets.
If you haven’t read him before, I will try to explain why you should remedy the situation as soon as possible.
Lutzke’s words has a direct link to your E-spot.
No, the E is for Emotions, don’t perv out on me, man. With very few words, he pulls you in and makes you care. One moment you think he won’t be able to get you emotionally invested in a character and the next he’s plucking your heart strings like he’s part of the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain. (Sorry, I had to Google that because I don’t know any famous ukelele players and, odds are, most of you won’t either.)
SLOW BURN ON THE RIVERSIDE is a prequel to a novella which came out in 2019, called THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU. With the introduction, the author assures you that this one works as a standalone. Since I haven’t read the latter, I can vouch for it – this is a story in and off itself.
We meet Jex, an eighteen year old slouch with no job and no real motivation to get his life going. He lives with roommates because he can’t afford rent on his own, plays in a band and is into heavy metal.
The story starts as they get evicted from one place and find a much better apartment in a better neighbourhood than they can afford. Of course, they are at a time in their lives where they should discover themselves, and as the drugs and alcohol flows, roommates will come and go.
Soon Jex finds himself in a situation he can’t control, especially when his landlady starts using him as a boy toy. When Jex decides to try and sort out his life, the landlady’s son turns up and things turn dark...
The author does not rely on blood and gore, but rather the internal horror people experience in their everyday lives. He is the thinking man’s horror writer – and sometimes I wish we had more of those.
Lutzke has an incredible ability to capture little wisdoms which describes the human psyche so well, especially when it is something you can relate to or have experienced yourself. In one of the lines of this book he says something which comes down to: You’ll never feel as alone as when you have good news and nobody to share it with.
I’ve been there. It is absolutely true.
Finally, I always want a twist that will knock me on my ass. Well, look at me sitting on that floor.
February 7, 2025
So this was a gnarly read, highlighting the myriad of mental diarrhea in the head of adolescents, combined with drug and alcohol abuse. Lutzke wrote this in a much different way than his other stories. It almost feels like your reading Alice’s internal dialogue from Alice in Wonderland, in that it’s so noisy, obtrusive, and disorienting. And everything is done based on immediate impulse, with a lack of concern for repercussions. But the writing being laid out like that was really the main point here. Lutzke wanted you to feel like you were in the mind of Jex. And while you don’t like any of the characters, you are curious what is actually happening versus what is imagined, or brought upon by narcotics. Also what the end result will be. So be prepared for a trippy experience. There is, of course, a bit of a twist finale, too, that will leave your mind blown, too.
March 18, 2021
Serving as a prequel of sorts to his 2019 coming of age novella, ‘The Same Deep Water As You’, Chad Lutzke’s latest revisits the world of love, drugs and skateboards in this nostalgic 90s set dark drama.
Jex is living with two of his best friends but, when one moves away unexpectedly, he is forced to look for somewhere else to stay. Young, broke and unambitious, an unexpected stroke of luck finds Jex sharing an apartment in the picturesque Riverside, a place normally well outside of his means.
A string of roommates and some poor choices begin to lead Jex down a dangerous path. Passing the time with drinking, drugs and a string of unfulfilling sexual encounters, his mental health begins to deteriorate and when he meets Chris, his life takes a dark turn that he may no longer have the strength to turn away from.
Having grown up in the mid-90s/early 2000s this book really ticked a lot of nostalgia boxes for me. Jex’s lifestyle very much captured that period of time and I found a lot of the characters to be very relatable. Until I didn’t. After all, this is a Chad Lutzke book and what you think he has in store for you is not typically what you are going to get.
Lutzke has such an unrivalled knack for going places you don’t expect, and while I found a lot of things about Slow Burn on Riverside familiar, I found nothing about it to be predictable. Slow Burn lives up to its name and gradually lifts the veil on Jex’s seemingly laidback lifestyle, revealing a dark undertone of insecurity, vulnerability and self-destruction. When the more shocking events come about, it is out of the blue and without warning, described in a disturbingly passive matter-of-fact manner that makes it all the more jarring and traumatic.
Without spoiling anything, I can also say it is one of those books that is a completely different story once you re-read it. The events of the novella play out in such a way that, once you know what happens, the things that precede it are shown in a very different light and it makes for a very different tale when you go in knowing the outcome. It is rare that a book can pull off such a feat, but Lutzke manages it seemingly effortlessly and it was one of the very few times I’ve wanted to start again from page one as soon as I finished and experience the story in a whole new way.
Lutzke is fast becoming the go-to author for horror with a purpose. Slow Burn on Riverside is just another in an increasingly long line of examples of stories that get under your skin and stay with you, difficult to read and impossible to forget.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at www.myindiemuse.com/category/genre/ho...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
Jex is living with two of his best friends but, when one moves away unexpectedly, he is forced to look for somewhere else to stay. Young, broke and unambitious, an unexpected stroke of luck finds Jex sharing an apartment in the picturesque Riverside, a place normally well outside of his means.
A string of roommates and some poor choices begin to lead Jex down a dangerous path. Passing the time with drinking, drugs and a string of unfulfilling sexual encounters, his mental health begins to deteriorate and when he meets Chris, his life takes a dark turn that he may no longer have the strength to turn away from.
Having grown up in the mid-90s/early 2000s this book really ticked a lot of nostalgia boxes for me. Jex’s lifestyle very much captured that period of time and I found a lot of the characters to be very relatable. Until I didn’t. After all, this is a Chad Lutzke book and what you think he has in store for you is not typically what you are going to get.
Lutzke has such an unrivalled knack for going places you don’t expect, and while I found a lot of things about Slow Burn on Riverside familiar, I found nothing about it to be predictable. Slow Burn lives up to its name and gradually lifts the veil on Jex’s seemingly laidback lifestyle, revealing a dark undertone of insecurity, vulnerability and self-destruction. When the more shocking events come about, it is out of the blue and without warning, described in a disturbingly passive matter-of-fact manner that makes it all the more jarring and traumatic.
Without spoiling anything, I can also say it is one of those books that is a completely different story once you re-read it. The events of the novella play out in such a way that, once you know what happens, the things that precede it are shown in a very different light and it makes for a very different tale when you go in knowing the outcome. It is rare that a book can pull off such a feat, but Lutzke manages it seemingly effortlessly and it was one of the very few times I’ve wanted to start again from page one as soon as I finished and experience the story in a whole new way.
Lutzke is fast becoming the go-to author for horror with a purpose. Slow Burn on Riverside is just another in an increasingly long line of examples of stories that get under your skin and stay with you, difficult to read and impossible to forget.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at www.myindiemuse.com/category/genre/ho...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
June 29, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside by Chad Lutzke is a prequel to his book The Same Deep Water as You but the two of them can be enjoyed in any order as standalone novellas. The main character in both books is a young man named Jex.
Here's a quote from my review of The Same Deep Water as You,
"Lutzke takes a little ball of yarn and unravels it one chapter at a time revealing a little more, and then a little more of what is nestled in the very center of the fuzzy, yarn ball. Young love, bad decisions, tragedy, comedy, hope, fears, lust—all these threads spooling out into a pile at your feet. Then, towards the end, it all comes together—Chad’s message that was there all along. He just needed your participation along the way so that when the message is delivered, you feel it."
Slow Burn on Riverside is similar in that we follow 18-year-old Jex through a series of experiences. This season of life is darker and more out of control. Jex's decision making is largely controlled by his sex drive or under the influence of drugs. As painful as it is to watch Jex participate in things he doesn't really want to do, it's also satisfying to witness this journey into adulthood as he suffers through the consequences of his actions.
The scariest part of this book for me was the scenes with Jex's roommate, Bobby. His story reminds me so much of a few guys I knew who developed substance abuse psychosis; episodes where they have a total breakdown of reality after doing some pretty hard drugs. It's fucking terrifying.
Even though Jex parties with Bobby, there's always this awareness in the back of his mind that he doesn't want to keep going down this road of impulsivity and recklessness; he recognizes the limitations and fragility of his mind.
As a huge fan of Lutzke's work, it was nice to see him flex his darker skillset. With this book and Wormwood under his belt, I would really love to see more of this style from him, but I'll show up for anything.
Here's a quote from my review of The Same Deep Water as You,
"Lutzke takes a little ball of yarn and unravels it one chapter at a time revealing a little more, and then a little more of what is nestled in the very center of the fuzzy, yarn ball. Young love, bad decisions, tragedy, comedy, hope, fears, lust—all these threads spooling out into a pile at your feet. Then, towards the end, it all comes together—Chad’s message that was there all along. He just needed your participation along the way so that when the message is delivered, you feel it."
Slow Burn on Riverside is similar in that we follow 18-year-old Jex through a series of experiences. This season of life is darker and more out of control. Jex's decision making is largely controlled by his sex drive or under the influence of drugs. As painful as it is to watch Jex participate in things he doesn't really want to do, it's also satisfying to witness this journey into adulthood as he suffers through the consequences of his actions.
The scariest part of this book for me was the scenes with Jex's roommate, Bobby. His story reminds me so much of a few guys I knew who developed substance abuse psychosis; episodes where they have a total breakdown of reality after doing some pretty hard drugs. It's fucking terrifying.
Even though Jex parties with Bobby, there's always this awareness in the back of his mind that he doesn't want to keep going down this road of impulsivity and recklessness; he recognizes the limitations and fragility of his mind.
As a huge fan of Lutzke's work, it was nice to see him flex his darker skillset. With this book and Wormwood under his belt, I would really love to see more of this style from him, but I'll show up for anything.
March 19, 2021
Chad's latest novella is an absolute beauty. This one had an ending I didn't see coming, and the more I sit and think about this as a whole, the more I really appreciate how well it was written.
I've said it before, Chad never lets me down. No matter what direction he takes.
Brilliant.
I've said it before, Chad never lets me down. No matter what direction he takes.
Brilliant.
March 23, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside is a beautiful little book that is set in the same universe as The Same Deep Water As You (it's in fact a prequel) which Chad himself said can be enjoyed as a standalone and reading it this way round you will also get to see character development and a fuller picture of what he delivers in this offering and how it relates to The Same Deep Water As You.
Chad Lutzke is one of those writers that I enjoy spending time with, it's a comfort to read his words, if I want to get re-energised about my own writing I disappear into one of his books and the worlds that he masterfully creates and spend some time with the characters that he populates his stories with.
Slow Burn On Riverside is a sprawling story about life, love, drugs and finding your way - our main protagonist and our secondary characters are all around the age of eighteen, they've left the family home and are trying to find themselves, whether that's in hedonism, freedom, sex, jobs and all the other stuff that goes with being eighteen and trying to stand up under the weight of the world, fighting gravity and the pull of the grave with each day.
‘I don’t care who you are, every one of us has fought not to be alone. And when I say alone, I don’t mean that introvertive comfort some of us enjoy. I’m talking about those moments where you-verses-the-world has lost its adventurous appeal, and you’ve got no one to share good news with, no one to hold.’
The cast of characters that Lutzke has at his disposal in this offering are stunning, each one I wanted to know more about (however fleetingly they stay in the stories headlights) - we have Damien, Elliot, Bobby (who is obsessed with self-sabotage), Nicole (girlfriend), Sarah (a cougar of a landlady) and Jex our main protagonist.
What Lutzke is able to do here is channel that feeling of freedom so well, that feeling of being eighteen and free to make your own choices, however bad and destructive they may be, he's nailed that period of time where your young and feel invincible, until your not, and where you don't want to grow up and become carbon copies of what society begs us to be.
Jex is one such character, he's just trying to find his way, he's a broken young man sifting his way through life's wreckage, pawing over the shards of self reflection, hoping to find the sharp pieces that will make him whole again however painful it may be.
What I love about Lutzke's work is that the horror is so subtle, but when it drops it hits hard. I'd liken it to being stamped in a mosh pit, you're bruised and battered, you take stamps to the chest that leave you breathless, your head rings like you've taken a boot or a closed fist to the face and you barely crawl out of the book alive, but you remember the time you had the life stamped out of you, that shit doesn't go away when you close the book. But, the horror, the unease that wriggles through the prose is just done so well, so subtly, a phrase here, a short scene there and you're just left staring at the pages like 'what the hell just happened?'
The tone of this book reminded me of some of my favourite writers, it had elements of them all and I just bloody loved it, we have the brilliance of Bukowski (Women), Dan Fante (Chump Change) and Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream) - it's a testament to how great a writer Lutzke is that these are the writers that spring to mind when reading this book, it's Jex and his exploits and voice that really drive these comparisons home, he reminded me of Bukowski's fictional character Henry Chinaski... Slow Burn On Riverside is just bloody brilliant and you need to pick it up.
There are two scenes in particular that just destroyed me, I won't go into them in too much detail as you need to read them and be moved like I was, but all I'll say is Fire Pit and Video Tapes - damn, when those dropped I was about to throw my Kindle across the room, not in disgust or shock, but more at how brilliant Lutzke is, how masterful his work is and I just wanted to be able to stand up and applaud him.
‘I needed to be done with her, but something held us together. A thin membrane of dying skin, stretched and ready to snap. One of us needed to slice it.’
Again with Lutzke his words are like a tonic, there is prose magic all the way through this story, I've highlighted so much in my Kindle it looks like my assignments from school, all red lines on every page, because this man has a way with words that is unmatched by every author I've ever read - one turn of phrase can be so good that I linger on those words, on the construction of them for far too long, I repeat them in my head and then speak them out loud like a mantra - I long to be this good a writer!
Slow Burn on Riverside is utterly brilliant.
Chad Lutzke is one of those writers that I enjoy spending time with, it's a comfort to read his words, if I want to get re-energised about my own writing I disappear into one of his books and the worlds that he masterfully creates and spend some time with the characters that he populates his stories with.
Slow Burn On Riverside is a sprawling story about life, love, drugs and finding your way - our main protagonist and our secondary characters are all around the age of eighteen, they've left the family home and are trying to find themselves, whether that's in hedonism, freedom, sex, jobs and all the other stuff that goes with being eighteen and trying to stand up under the weight of the world, fighting gravity and the pull of the grave with each day.
‘I don’t care who you are, every one of us has fought not to be alone. And when I say alone, I don’t mean that introvertive comfort some of us enjoy. I’m talking about those moments where you-verses-the-world has lost its adventurous appeal, and you’ve got no one to share good news with, no one to hold.’
The cast of characters that Lutzke has at his disposal in this offering are stunning, each one I wanted to know more about (however fleetingly they stay in the stories headlights) - we have Damien, Elliot, Bobby (who is obsessed with self-sabotage), Nicole (girlfriend), Sarah (a cougar of a landlady) and Jex our main protagonist.
What Lutzke is able to do here is channel that feeling of freedom so well, that feeling of being eighteen and free to make your own choices, however bad and destructive they may be, he's nailed that period of time where your young and feel invincible, until your not, and where you don't want to grow up and become carbon copies of what society begs us to be.
Jex is one such character, he's just trying to find his way, he's a broken young man sifting his way through life's wreckage, pawing over the shards of self reflection, hoping to find the sharp pieces that will make him whole again however painful it may be.
What I love about Lutzke's work is that the horror is so subtle, but when it drops it hits hard. I'd liken it to being stamped in a mosh pit, you're bruised and battered, you take stamps to the chest that leave you breathless, your head rings like you've taken a boot or a closed fist to the face and you barely crawl out of the book alive, but you remember the time you had the life stamped out of you, that shit doesn't go away when you close the book. But, the horror, the unease that wriggles through the prose is just done so well, so subtly, a phrase here, a short scene there and you're just left staring at the pages like 'what the hell just happened?'
The tone of this book reminded me of some of my favourite writers, it had elements of them all and I just bloody loved it, we have the brilliance of Bukowski (Women), Dan Fante (Chump Change) and Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream) - it's a testament to how great a writer Lutzke is that these are the writers that spring to mind when reading this book, it's Jex and his exploits and voice that really drive these comparisons home, he reminded me of Bukowski's fictional character Henry Chinaski... Slow Burn On Riverside is just bloody brilliant and you need to pick it up.
There are two scenes in particular that just destroyed me, I won't go into them in too much detail as you need to read them and be moved like I was, but all I'll say is Fire Pit and Video Tapes - damn, when those dropped I was about to throw my Kindle across the room, not in disgust or shock, but more at how brilliant Lutzke is, how masterful his work is and I just wanted to be able to stand up and applaud him.
‘I needed to be done with her, but something held us together. A thin membrane of dying skin, stretched and ready to snap. One of us needed to slice it.’
Again with Lutzke his words are like a tonic, there is prose magic all the way through this story, I've highlighted so much in my Kindle it looks like my assignments from school, all red lines on every page, because this man has a way with words that is unmatched by every author I've ever read - one turn of phrase can be so good that I linger on those words, on the construction of them for far too long, I repeat them in my head and then speak them out loud like a mantra - I long to be this good a writer!
Slow Burn on Riverside is utterly brilliant.
May 4, 2021
Nobody writes about broken people like Chad Lutzke. Jex and his less than merry band of stoners drift through life, wasting time and getting wasted. Roommates turn into inmates from an asylum (figuratively), cougars devour the young, minds are broken and something utterly horrid happens one wild night. Another excellent read!
March 21, 2021
I’ve been a fan of Chad Lutzke ever since I read his brilliant coming of age story Of Foster Homes and Flies in 2016. Since then I’ve read almost evething he has written and I’ve never once been disappointed.
For me, a new book by Chad is something to celebrate, a definite drop everything and read it event. That being said, I jumped at the chance to read an arc of Slow Burn on Riverside.
It starts off slowly as we get to know the main character, Jex. I didn’t know where the book was going but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The creepy AF payoff at the end made it more than well worth reading. Chad has a way of putting so much emotion into short reads and this book is no exception. His books get under your skin and stay with you for days, sometimes weeks after finishing them
I can definitely recommend this one and all of Chad’s work.
Book was provided by the author for my honest review. Thanks, Chad!
For me, a new book by Chad is something to celebrate, a definite drop everything and read it event. That being said, I jumped at the chance to read an arc of Slow Burn on Riverside.
It starts off slowly as we get to know the main character, Jex. I didn’t know where the book was going but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The creepy AF payoff at the end made it more than well worth reading. Chad has a way of putting so much emotion into short reads and this book is no exception. His books get under your skin and stay with you for days, sometimes weeks after finishing them
I can definitely recommend this one and all of Chad’s work.
Book was provided by the author for my honest review. Thanks, Chad!
December 8, 2021
Another winner from the author. His writing makes you feel like you're in the room with these characters, and you need a shower and a beer afterward. They're human, awful, sad and with some redeeming qualities. Enough to keep you reading. Loved the ending to this story, too!
April 19, 2021
Finished this gem tonight. It was a great story over all. Another one of those that I didn’t quite understand. I wasn’t/and still am not sure, if what was happening was drug related or supernatural. I still enjoyed the storyline. Remember being 18 years old and all the stupid decisions you made? That’s exactly what this book is. It’s poor friend decisions, sex, drugs and unclear life paths. That is until your friend gets killed in a fire and you possibly meet a ghost? That would be enough to get anyone on track. If you enjoy coming of age stories, you can’t go wrong with this one.
April 21, 2021
I received an e-Galley ARC of Slow Burn on Riverside, authored by, cover design by Chad Lutzke, and published by Static Age Books, for review consideration. He was looking for more reviewers for the title on Twitter and I threw my hat in the lot, scored a chance. What follows is my honest review, freely given.
I rated this novella 5 stars. The introduction informs us that it is set in the same world as his title The Same Deep Water As You and could be considered a prequel but is standalone. I have not read TSDWaY at the posting of this review, and that holds. I did however order it and another title of his after finishing this one.
This is very much the coming of age snap shot of unprepared youth stumbling into adulthood. Mine happened in Texas, 1999; different place and time, but parts sounded so similar it was surreal. Jex, our MC, doesn’t mention his parents in this novella at all, which I (probably incorrectly) took to mean that he wasn’t speaking to them; leaving him cut from that relationship for support, financial and emotional. I also took it to mean that he may have had a unhealthy relationship with his parents, because that’s what my situation was like; so many parts feeling so similar made me mirror parts unsaid to my history to fill the blanks. I’m not sure when the last time I have done that with a character, connecting pieces of myself automatically past the pieces that were already fitting; I felt like a much younger reader for a little while.
There are parts unique to each childhood, no matter how many things we may have in common; drugs, you, your friends or both will try and may struggle and/or die from it. Drinking is going to happen for most of us. Sex happens. Money never goes as far as you think it will. I love the reality of this dark fiction, the fragility of the other aspects threaded within; no spoilers, so you will have to read to know more on that.
I think, from my own experience, reading this will bring out your own memories while reading a story the author admits is fiction, but if it resembles anyone, living or dead, or any events, he meant it to. I love that by the way, one of the many reasons I read every part of a book; you think it would say it’s unintentional like every other book right? Not here. It’s pretty much on purpose. Read thoroughly people, every indie book can be filled with little gems.
I rated this novella 5 stars. The introduction informs us that it is set in the same world as his title The Same Deep Water As You and could be considered a prequel but is standalone. I have not read TSDWaY at the posting of this review, and that holds. I did however order it and another title of his after finishing this one.
This is very much the coming of age snap shot of unprepared youth stumbling into adulthood. Mine happened in Texas, 1999; different place and time, but parts sounded so similar it was surreal. Jex, our MC, doesn’t mention his parents in this novella at all, which I (probably incorrectly) took to mean that he wasn’t speaking to them; leaving him cut from that relationship for support, financial and emotional. I also took it to mean that he may have had a unhealthy relationship with his parents, because that’s what my situation was like; so many parts feeling so similar made me mirror parts unsaid to my history to fill the blanks. I’m not sure when the last time I have done that with a character, connecting pieces of myself automatically past the pieces that were already fitting; I felt like a much younger reader for a little while.
There are parts unique to each childhood, no matter how many things we may have in common; drugs, you, your friends or both will try and may struggle and/or die from it. Drinking is going to happen for most of us. Sex happens. Money never goes as far as you think it will. I love the reality of this dark fiction, the fragility of the other aspects threaded within; no spoilers, so you will have to read to know more on that.
I think, from my own experience, reading this will bring out your own memories while reading a story the author admits is fiction, but if it resembles anyone, living or dead, or any events, he meant it to. I love that by the way, one of the many reasons I read every part of a book; you think it would say it’s unintentional like every other book right? Not here. It’s pretty much on purpose. Read thoroughly people, every indie book can be filled with little gems.
May 10, 2021
Chad Lutzke is a master at writing heartfelt stories, especially in the realm of coming-of-age tales. Slow Burn on Riverside is his latest to fit this category.
Technically a prequel to The Same Deep Water as You, this novella provides more background on the character named Jex. If you’re new to Lutzke’s work, I’d recommend reading these in order for the full effect, but it’s not a requirement. They both work as standalone stories too.
Lutzke’s stories are tough to put down, and this was no exception. It’s a quick read, and once I started, I knew I’d finish this in one or two sittings. The wild ride that is Jex’s summer goes by in a blur, but it’s packed full of human struggle and emotion. The story is told from Jex’s point of view, so we see his experiences and his feelings firsthand.
I loved that I found certain parts relatable, despite not sharing the exact same interests and life experience of the main character. The dialogue and the storyline are realistic enough to draw readers into the story and carry them along to the end. This one started out feeling like I was just along for the ride in the characters’ crazy summer, but ended with a creep factor I didn’t see coming. I love that it left me with questions regarding what truly happened.
I’ll say no more for fear of spoilers, but just know that if you’re into stories with heart and authenticity, Chad Lutzke’s writing should be on your shelf.
Technically a prequel to The Same Deep Water as You, this novella provides more background on the character named Jex. If you’re new to Lutzke’s work, I’d recommend reading these in order for the full effect, but it’s not a requirement. They both work as standalone stories too.
Lutzke’s stories are tough to put down, and this was no exception. It’s a quick read, and once I started, I knew I’d finish this in one or two sittings. The wild ride that is Jex’s summer goes by in a blur, but it’s packed full of human struggle and emotion. The story is told from Jex’s point of view, so we see his experiences and his feelings firsthand.
I loved that I found certain parts relatable, despite not sharing the exact same interests and life experience of the main character. The dialogue and the storyline are realistic enough to draw readers into the story and carry them along to the end. This one started out feeling like I was just along for the ride in the characters’ crazy summer, but ended with a creep factor I didn’t see coming. I love that it left me with questions regarding what truly happened.
I’ll say no more for fear of spoilers, but just know that if you’re into stories with heart and authenticity, Chad Lutzke’s writing should be on your shelf.
March 20, 2021
4.5 stars! As always when I find a new Chad Lutzke book has been released it automatically goes to the top of my TBR stack. Another great read by Lutzke, an introspective examination of a young man’s mind. In this story which serves as a prequel of sorts to the author’s “The Same Deep Water As You” (but it’s completely stand alone and can be read first) we meet 18 year old Jex as he scores an apartment in a fairly well to do community. As Jex goes through roommate after roommate and struggles with how to pay rent to his seductively attractive land lady, he experiences emotional turmoil that sends him teetering on the brink. I don’t want to say much more as the story has to be experienced for yourself.
What really resonated with me about this story is how Lutzke once again is able to get to the psychological heart of his protagonists. Jex’s plight as a young adult trying to find his way in the world rings true, he is not so sure of himself yet and it shows. The struggles he faces could be mirrored in anyone that pursues their identity when moving from childhood to adulthood. I highly recommend this novella as well as any other title by Chad Lutzke, he always provides a highly entertaining and thoughtful read.
What really resonated with me about this story is how Lutzke once again is able to get to the psychological heart of his protagonists. Jex’s plight as a young adult trying to find his way in the world rings true, he is not so sure of himself yet and it shows. The struggles he faces could be mirrored in anyone that pursues their identity when moving from childhood to adulthood. I highly recommend this novella as well as any other title by Chad Lutzke, he always provides a highly entertaining and thoughtful read.
March 16, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside: A Murky Journey through Paranoia and the Post-Party Dopamine Crash
I was introduced to Chad Lutzke’s work through the horror community. Though the first book I read by Lutzke was a piece of dark contemporary fiction called The Same Deep Water as You, inspired by The Cure’s masterpiece album Disintegration. Slow Burn on Riverside serves as a prequel to the events in The Same Deep Water as You but works as it’s own standout standalone piece of work. I read two other Lutzke novels that came closer to horror, but his style challenged the genre’s grimness by introducing a greater helping of heart and earnestness. I was excited then to read Slow Burn on Riverside which I am embarrassed to say I initially mistook for Riverside, CA. In this brief read, set in Michigan, I travelled with a familiar set of characters through trashed living rooms and experienced the post-party dopamine crashes and paranoia of our narrator, Jex.
The writing takes a conversational approach, punctuating direct sentences with moments of rich description. This sort of minimalist approach is a personal favorite of mine, and I tend to love books that employ it. Everything felt smooth and accessible while also maintaining a strong atmosphere.
I felt a personal connection with the events in the book. This past year, my girlfriend and I have struggled constantly with our rent and expenses, and though the main character was very young and at times reckless, I still could connect and empathize with the constant anxiety that accompanies financial insecurity. The story served as a form of catharsis. I acknowledge that this connection with the book might not be universal, however I believe that Chad Lutzke expertly captured this element. Additionally there is a scene involving a bad drug trip that was so visceral I start feeling symptoms of panic. I value great art that can invoke strong feelings regardless of what those feelings are.
The atmosphere gave me a mix of gritty skater films like Paranoid Park mixed with the detached nihilism of a Chuck Palahniuk character. Though in spite of this, the book felt as though Jex felt sincere emotional yearning beneath his cynicism.
On a fun side-note, I appreciated the references to punk rock and metal. As a life-long fan of extreme metal, I always appreciate art that can capture the spirit of the genre.
It’s been about two years since I’ve read The Same Deep Water as You, and after reading Slow Burn on Riverside I thought it was time for a reread. I think Slow Burn on Riverside is a powerful and straight to the point work of dark literary fiction that could appeal to fans of contemporary fiction as well as horror readers looking for a change of pace.
Disclaimer: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own
I was introduced to Chad Lutzke’s work through the horror community. Though the first book I read by Lutzke was a piece of dark contemporary fiction called The Same Deep Water as You, inspired by The Cure’s masterpiece album Disintegration. Slow Burn on Riverside serves as a prequel to the events in The Same Deep Water as You but works as it’s own standout standalone piece of work. I read two other Lutzke novels that came closer to horror, but his style challenged the genre’s grimness by introducing a greater helping of heart and earnestness. I was excited then to read Slow Burn on Riverside which I am embarrassed to say I initially mistook for Riverside, CA. In this brief read, set in Michigan, I travelled with a familiar set of characters through trashed living rooms and experienced the post-party dopamine crashes and paranoia of our narrator, Jex.
The writing takes a conversational approach, punctuating direct sentences with moments of rich description. This sort of minimalist approach is a personal favorite of mine, and I tend to love books that employ it. Everything felt smooth and accessible while also maintaining a strong atmosphere.
I felt a personal connection with the events in the book. This past year, my girlfriend and I have struggled constantly with our rent and expenses, and though the main character was very young and at times reckless, I still could connect and empathize with the constant anxiety that accompanies financial insecurity. The story served as a form of catharsis. I acknowledge that this connection with the book might not be universal, however I believe that Chad Lutzke expertly captured this element. Additionally there is a scene involving a bad drug trip that was so visceral I start feeling symptoms of panic. I value great art that can invoke strong feelings regardless of what those feelings are.
The atmosphere gave me a mix of gritty skater films like Paranoid Park mixed with the detached nihilism of a Chuck Palahniuk character. Though in spite of this, the book felt as though Jex felt sincere emotional yearning beneath his cynicism.
On a fun side-note, I appreciated the references to punk rock and metal. As a life-long fan of extreme metal, I always appreciate art that can capture the spirit of the genre.
It’s been about two years since I’ve read The Same Deep Water as You, and after reading Slow Burn on Riverside I thought it was time for a reread. I think Slow Burn on Riverside is a powerful and straight to the point work of dark literary fiction that could appeal to fans of contemporary fiction as well as horror readers looking for a change of pace.
Disclaimer: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own
May 20, 2021
Lutzke never disappoints!
“I don’t care who you are, every one of us has fought not to be alone. And when I say alone, I don’t mean that introvertive comfort some of us enjoy. I’m talking about those moments where you-versus-the-world has lost its adventurous appeal, and you’ve got no one to share good news with, no one to hold.”
“Slow Burn on Riverside” by Chad Lutzke gets 5 out of 5 stars!
Lutzke never disappoints! This coming-of-age, psychological story of Jex is the perfect prequel to “The Same Deep Water as You.”
This story brings more background on Jex as we view his blur of a summer go by filled with drugs, sex and rock n roll. The dialogue and plot are realistic (as well as relatable for some) since he is a young 18 year old kid trying to figure himself while he is also “burning” himself out on addictions. After a tough drug trip, his never ending struggles and emotions bring self realization that he’s in an uphill battle with his own sanity. He learns the serious implications of his actions as well as what needs to change. You’ll get serious creepy, “Fight Club” vibes when you come to the ending of this novella. As any novella, I always want more, but Lutzke left me with just enough questions and intrigue regarding the events of Jex’s summer. If you’ve never experienced Chad Lutzke’s work, you’re definitely missing out!
Please visit my website or GoodReads account for the more reviews! Thank you!
“I don’t care who you are, every one of us has fought not to be alone. And when I say alone, I don’t mean that introvertive comfort some of us enjoy. I’m talking about those moments where you-versus-the-world has lost its adventurous appeal, and you’ve got no one to share good news with, no one to hold.”
“Slow Burn on Riverside” by Chad Lutzke gets 5 out of 5 stars!
Lutzke never disappoints! This coming-of-age, psychological story of Jex is the perfect prequel to “The Same Deep Water as You.”
This story brings more background on Jex as we view his blur of a summer go by filled with drugs, sex and rock n roll. The dialogue and plot are realistic (as well as relatable for some) since he is a young 18 year old kid trying to figure himself while he is also “burning” himself out on addictions. After a tough drug trip, his never ending struggles and emotions bring self realization that he’s in an uphill battle with his own sanity. He learns the serious implications of his actions as well as what needs to change. You’ll get serious creepy, “Fight Club” vibes when you come to the ending of this novella. As any novella, I always want more, but Lutzke left me with just enough questions and intrigue regarding the events of Jex’s summer. If you’ve never experienced Chad Lutzke’s work, you’re definitely missing out!
Please visit my website or GoodReads account for the more reviews! Thank you!
April 20, 2022
I enjoyed this story. I love Chad Lutzke's writing, and this novella was no different. The writing is very good. Very relatable. Drugs are terrifying. I really like the theme of don't take your brain for granted. Not knowing if you are going insane because of something you ingested? Terrifying. When all is revealed, it blew my mind and made me so glad I didn't ever get too far down the path of hallucinogens. I recommend this to anyone who wants to relive their youth or the '90s or good writing.
March 20, 2021
Once again Chad Lutzke does not disappoint. I may have said something similar before, but his range of writing mirrors the great Stephen King. He pulls the reader in different directions, towards different genres, like different streams flowing out into a vast river. Ever expanding and growing, curving and dipping, I for one will take a trip down that river any day because wherever that river ends, I know I��m gunna enjoy the ride.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵-𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭.”
Slow Burn On Riverside is the perfect book to immerse yourself in when you find yourself in a reading slump. It’s real life storytelling at its finest, offering up a surprise or two you were not expecting. The characters were relatable, the era nostalgic, and the writing mesmerizing. Chad has kept his place as one of my all time favorite writers and as usual, I can’t wait for what’s to come next!
I give Slow Burn over Riverside ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵-𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭.”
Slow Burn On Riverside is the perfect book to immerse yourself in when you find yourself in a reading slump. It’s real life storytelling at its finest, offering up a surprise or two you were not expecting. The characters were relatable, the era nostalgic, and the writing mesmerizing. Chad has kept his place as one of my all time favorite writers and as usual, I can’t wait for what’s to come next!
I give Slow Burn over Riverside ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
March 21, 2021
Oh man this book was awesome. I read The Same Deep Water right before this. These 2 novellas were some of the best coming of age stories I've ever read. I felt like I was living in my late teens again with Lutzke writing style. I want more novellas of Jex and his friends. Wow what an ending I never saw coming.
March 20, 2021
Chad Lutzke has a very specific writing style. He gets right to the point, and Slow Burn on Riverside is the most direct, and dread filled novella I have read in a while.
The story centers around the main character Jex, who in this 90's grunge tale, is trying to make it in life, while not really trying to do much of anything beneficial. Through one terrible roommate to the next, and a string of sex and drug & alcohol induced nights, Jex is trying to keep one thing positive in his life; his apartment in Riverside.
The one thing that is buying him more time on his overdue rent is his "Mrs. Robinson" neighbor, who has a voyeuristic need for sex with Jex. Though one might think this is a score for a young adult, Jex has a lot of deep internal struggles. These were my favorite parts of the novella. Jex is conflicted in life, he knows what he should do, and the things that would make him happy, but getting them is another. We often find Jex resorting to the worst decisions he could make, until it starts to come crumbling down in mind-bending ending that you don't see coming.
This "slow burn" descent is reminiscent of the early 2000's movie Thirteen to me. When you have a complex character going through motions that they know will make them unhappy, and they do it anyway, you really develop a sense of urgency for the character. They are self-destructing in front of your eyes, and as the reader, all you can do is go along for the ride, and hope for the best.
I would recommenced this book for fans of dark fiction, suspense, horror, and even the heavier side of coming-of-age.
I was provided an ARC copy of "Slow Burn on Riverside" for an honest review. Thank you Chad!
You can find more of my reviewing here on Goodreads and on ScareTissue: https://www.scaretissue.com/author/th...
The story centers around the main character Jex, who in this 90's grunge tale, is trying to make it in life, while not really trying to do much of anything beneficial. Through one terrible roommate to the next, and a string of sex and drug & alcohol induced nights, Jex is trying to keep one thing positive in his life; his apartment in Riverside.
The one thing that is buying him more time on his overdue rent is his "Mrs. Robinson" neighbor, who has a voyeuristic need for sex with Jex. Though one might think this is a score for a young adult, Jex has a lot of deep internal struggles. These were my favorite parts of the novella. Jex is conflicted in life, he knows what he should do, and the things that would make him happy, but getting them is another. We often find Jex resorting to the worst decisions he could make, until it starts to come crumbling down in mind-bending ending that you don't see coming.
This "slow burn" descent is reminiscent of the early 2000's movie Thirteen to me. When you have a complex character going through motions that they know will make them unhappy, and they do it anyway, you really develop a sense of urgency for the character. They are self-destructing in front of your eyes, and as the reader, all you can do is go along for the ride, and hope for the best.
I would recommenced this book for fans of dark fiction, suspense, horror, and even the heavier side of coming-of-age.
I was provided an ARC copy of "Slow Burn on Riverside" for an honest review. Thank you Chad!
You can find more of my reviewing here on Goodreads and on ScareTissue: https://www.scaretissue.com/author/th...
March 18, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside is the prequel to the excellent, The Same Deep Water as You. You could read it as a standalone, but you'll find characters from TSDWAY in it. (like Maurice's origins ;)
Slow Burn on Riverside is different from TSDWAY, as in the subjects treated. Its way more trashy. It speak about self-sabotage, sanity and life difficulties. That book touched me, because i lived my young men life in those kinds of patterns, consuming, no money... I don't know if Chad Lutzke is sharing bits of his own young men life in this Novella, but it kind of flows a little bit like a personal journal.
And by the way, i didn't know Mr. Luzke had that little touch for describing sexual intercourses with so few words. Find them really effective. An excellent book as usual by Chad Lutzke !
Slow Burn on Riverside is different from TSDWAY, as in the subjects treated. Its way more trashy. It speak about self-sabotage, sanity and life difficulties. That book touched me, because i lived my young men life in those kinds of patterns, consuming, no money... I don't know if Chad Lutzke is sharing bits of his own young men life in this Novella, but it kind of flows a little bit like a personal journal.
And by the way, i didn't know Mr. Luzke had that little touch for describing sexual intercourses with so few words. Find them really effective. An excellent book as usual by Chad Lutzke !
May 25, 2021
Any book that has me flying through it in less than 24 hours deserves five stars. Lutzke is described as a horror writer, but it is not a typical type of horror. He delves into the human mind and soul to wrench at what makes us tick.
Jex is an 18 year old punk rocker drifting through his existence without a job and constantly scrabbling for rent money. He gets kicked out of one place and moves in with somebody who is kind of a friend, but isn't and things slowly unravel from there.
The writing is like a catchy song that you can't help but play on repeat. It's unstoppable in it's crispness and ease. Lutzke feels like a one off in terms of how he writes stories and what they are ultimately about.
Jex is an 18 year old punk rocker drifting through his existence without a job and constantly scrabbling for rent money. He gets kicked out of one place and moves in with somebody who is kind of a friend, but isn't and things slowly unravel from there.
The writing is like a catchy song that you can't help but play on repeat. It's unstoppable in it's crispness and ease. Lutzke feels like a one off in terms of how he writes stories and what they are ultimately about.
February 24, 2022
Lutzke can write. This book promises a slow burn and it delivers. I haven't read Same Deep Water as You but you bet your ass I will after this.
It's a short quick read that you need to read to the very last page. There's a loneliness that is very real and all too relatable.
Highly recommend this to anyone who has experienced a lost and aimless youth.
It's a short quick read that you need to read to the very last page. There's a loneliness that is very real and all too relatable.
Highly recommend this to anyone who has experienced a lost and aimless youth.
May 12, 2021
I worry about losing people I love. I have a hard time trusting anyone, so I put up walls. I didn't want to start putting up walls just because I was afraid they'd die. It sounds like something I'd do.
June 16, 2021
Lutzke is the king of his own niche: the coming of age of the misfits. Great characters and story, with an ending I didn’t see coming. Recommended!
December 20, 2021
This is a prequel to Lutzke's The Same Deep Water as You. And I was hesitant about reading this one cause I had some issues with it. Not that it is a bad book, I just simply didn't connected with anything in there.
And although I didn't connected with the situations in this story I did feel emphaty for Jex this time. And the way Lutzke tells this story is more agile and engaging (at least for me of course) than the sequel. I was ready to give this one a solid 4 stars but the ending... That ending!!!! I never saw it coming and it is perfect.
Wait, are you still reading this? Go and read Slow Burn On Riverside Goddamn it!
And although I didn't connected with the situations in this story I did feel emphaty for Jex this time. And the way Lutzke tells this story is more agile and engaging (at least for me of course) than the sequel. I was ready to give this one a solid 4 stars but the ending... That ending!!!! I never saw it coming and it is perfect.
Wait, are you still reading this? Go and read Slow Burn On Riverside Goddamn it!
March 23, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside is a coming of age story riddled with drugs, sex, and darkness. Often as young adults, we find ourselves struggling with our own unique vices and our peers tend to force us into situations where we make less than stellar choices.
Chad Lutzke's writing is commonly referred to as horror with heart. Slow Burn on Riverside, his latest offering is dark but makes you think. Our main character Jex is a haunted young man, not particularly in a metaphysical aspect but also due to his life choices. At 18 he has already begun attending AA meetings, but he’s Punk Rock and drugs have him hooked as well.
Between his intermittent girlfriend Nicole, his friends also lead to his downfall. He’s constantly battling with himself, choosing to stay sober or leaving Nicole for good. All of these things grow considerably when Bobby introduces “Black Honey”. A dark viscous concoction that Bobby receives after scoring from his dealer after a temporary gig. Now, when Jex turns his container up, the darkness creeps in. The strange mixture is bitter, but the effects are strong. Jex is launched into an insane trip, broken into separate phases, from causing a changed perception of gravity to causing them to crawl around like mice.
Now, I mentioned sex. Jex finds himself at the mercy of his cougar landlord Sarah, she’s just next door, but Jex knew from the start she was after one of them. Sarah is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and she gets it. The strange part is where it happens, the room is weird and it is awkward. Jex is already losing his mind and this doesn’t make it any better.
Jex has had many roommates, but he knows he’s better off living alone and he’s attempting to recapture his sobriety, attending AA meetings once again. During these excursions, he meets Gary, they don’t have much in common but they hit it off. Shortly after they meet, they decide to try being roommates, but as soon as they do this Gary starts acting strange. He doesn’t show up one night, and Jex has been here before, he knows exactly where Gary is headed. To clear his head, Jex goes out to dig a hole, and before he knows it, it is way larger than he could have imagined. Once Gary comes home, Jex throws it out there and they both cave. They set out to get a buzz and have a bonfire. They head out to the store, Gary runs in and grabs a case of beer and a fifth of the hard stuff. Jex on the other hand is waiting in the car and wants to call Nicole, so he heads to the payphone and spots Chris on the phone. He waits his turn and when Chris’s call is done he introduces himself. They seem to have plenty in common by his appearance, from the battle vest and long hair, down to the patches. They invite him to join in their festivities and they head back home.
When they pull into the driveway Chris seems to recognize the apartment building and hurries inside with the rest of them. Up until now, things have been pretty wild, but they’re about to take a turn for the worse. An accident with the fire pit leaves everyone on edge. It definitely picks up and there is so much happening that it is hard to believe that it's such a quick read. I picked this up the moment I received it and blew through it just on my lunch break. I had to force myself to put it down. The latter half of this book will definitely kick you in the chest and keep rolling.
My favorite part of this is the raw emotion that is present on the pages, you begin to feel for Jex. The story reads like a memory of old punk, something so believable it makes you question just how much of it could be fiction. This will be my fifth experience with Lutzke’s writing and I have yet to be disappointed. He skillfully throws these curves at you and you’re taken along for the ride. Hold on, the pedals to the floor.
I'd like to thank Chad for taking a chance and sending me an e-copy for review consideration.
Chad Lutzke's writing is commonly referred to as horror with heart. Slow Burn on Riverside, his latest offering is dark but makes you think. Our main character Jex is a haunted young man, not particularly in a metaphysical aspect but also due to his life choices. At 18 he has already begun attending AA meetings, but he’s Punk Rock and drugs have him hooked as well.
Between his intermittent girlfriend Nicole, his friends also lead to his downfall. He’s constantly battling with himself, choosing to stay sober or leaving Nicole for good. All of these things grow considerably when Bobby introduces “Black Honey”. A dark viscous concoction that Bobby receives after scoring from his dealer after a temporary gig. Now, when Jex turns his container up, the darkness creeps in. The strange mixture is bitter, but the effects are strong. Jex is launched into an insane trip, broken into separate phases, from causing a changed perception of gravity to causing them to crawl around like mice.
Now, I mentioned sex. Jex finds himself at the mercy of his cougar landlord Sarah, she’s just next door, but Jex knew from the start she was after one of them. Sarah is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and she gets it. The strange part is where it happens, the room is weird and it is awkward. Jex is already losing his mind and this doesn’t make it any better.
Jex has had many roommates, but he knows he’s better off living alone and he’s attempting to recapture his sobriety, attending AA meetings once again. During these excursions, he meets Gary, they don’t have much in common but they hit it off. Shortly after they meet, they decide to try being roommates, but as soon as they do this Gary starts acting strange. He doesn’t show up one night, and Jex has been here before, he knows exactly where Gary is headed. To clear his head, Jex goes out to dig a hole, and before he knows it, it is way larger than he could have imagined. Once Gary comes home, Jex throws it out there and they both cave. They set out to get a buzz and have a bonfire. They head out to the store, Gary runs in and grabs a case of beer and a fifth of the hard stuff. Jex on the other hand is waiting in the car and wants to call Nicole, so he heads to the payphone and spots Chris on the phone. He waits his turn and when Chris’s call is done he introduces himself. They seem to have plenty in common by his appearance, from the battle vest and long hair, down to the patches. They invite him to join in their festivities and they head back home.
When they pull into the driveway Chris seems to recognize the apartment building and hurries inside with the rest of them. Up until now, things have been pretty wild, but they’re about to take a turn for the worse. An accident with the fire pit leaves everyone on edge. It definitely picks up and there is so much happening that it is hard to believe that it's such a quick read. I picked this up the moment I received it and blew through it just on my lunch break. I had to force myself to put it down. The latter half of this book will definitely kick you in the chest and keep rolling.
My favorite part of this is the raw emotion that is present on the pages, you begin to feel for Jex. The story reads like a memory of old punk, something so believable it makes you question just how much of it could be fiction. This will be my fifth experience with Lutzke’s writing and I have yet to be disappointed. He skillfully throws these curves at you and you’re taken along for the ride. Hold on, the pedals to the floor.
I'd like to thank Chad for taking a chance and sending me an e-copy for review consideration.
September 27, 2023
I’ve been a fan of Lutzke’s writing for a couple years now and I’ve been looking forward to digging into this one for awhile. It’s a prequel to another piece of his work but can easily be read as a standalone novella which is how I read it. Sadly I didn’t end up loving it as much as his other work I’ve read. It lacked the emotional punch that his other stories had and it left me wanting more. What I’ve come to love about Lutzke’s work is his ability to evoke such strong emotions through horror and while this had the horror aspect down it just fell short on the emotional side. Still a great story though, I’ve just come to expect more from Lutzke.
March 20, 2021
This is a well written book. I think that Lutzke's ability to make a story personal to the point that the reader is emotionally involved is a huge plus unless you don't make that connection. Unfortunately (for me) as with The Same Deep Water As You, I just didn't connect with this story emotionally as I have with many of his other stories. It's undeniably good. It's just not as great for me as some of the others. Definitely worth the read though.
March 23, 2021
Slow Burn on Riverside is a good prequel to The Same Deep Water As You. I really liked getting to see how Jex's journey began. It was a lot of teenagers doing drugs which everyone probably can't relate to, but I had no problem relating to Jex. It was sad yet interesting watching his life disintegrate. I really felt for him and the stuff he was going through while also wanting to give him a good slap upside the head. As usual, Lutzke gives us a good story in a few pages.
March 25, 2021
I quite enjoyed 'Slow Burn on Riverside'. The narrative voice was very authentic, which lended Jex's tale a great deal of realism. About three-fourths of the way through, I was wondering where the 'punch' was going to be made, or if there'd be one --- I wasn't disappointed. The plot twist totally caught me off-guard, which is always a delight. If you're looking for a rather dark midnight snack, 'Slow Burn on Riverside' is a wise choice.
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