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Nana
Nana: a term of endearment used in some countries for one’s Grandma. Some say the title is derived from the Italian word for Grandmother, Nonna. Another theory is that it stems from the word Nanny; i.e., someone who takes care of children.
Meet Olly’s nana, Ivy. It takes more than clean dentures, brandy, and bingo night to keep this one happy! Nana Ivy lives in Newhaven Crescent, where most of the other residents are past their expiry date and all kinds of batshit crazy, the kind of place where you hang your sanity up at the door.
Being the matriarchal type, Ivy cares for the other residents as though they were kin, so of course, it’s of enormous concern when their veins begin to blacken and they start shedding skin, not to mention the glistening things crawling out of their hair.
They’re pushing their luck, and Nana Ivy knows it.
Did I mention she has a dark secret?
Young Olly doesn’t know what to make of it when he comes to visit, but he’s about to find out there’s more to his nana than cough drops and slippers. Oh yes, he’s in for a long night.
Meet Olly’s nana, Ivy. It takes more than clean dentures, brandy, and bingo night to keep this one happy! Nana Ivy lives in Newhaven Crescent, where most of the other residents are past their expiry date and all kinds of batshit crazy, the kind of place where you hang your sanity up at the door.
Being the matriarchal type, Ivy cares for the other residents as though they were kin, so of course, it’s of enormous concern when their veins begin to blacken and they start shedding skin, not to mention the glistening things crawling out of their hair.
They’re pushing their luck, and Nana Ivy knows it.
Did I mention she has a dark secret?
Young Olly doesn’t know what to make of it when he comes to visit, but he’s about to find out there’s more to his nana than cough drops and slippers. Oh yes, he’s in for a long night.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2021
66 people are currently reading
1254 people want to read
About the author
Mark Towse
93 books479 followersMark Towse is an English horror writer living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Since then, he's been published in over two hundred journals and anthologies, had his work made into full theatrical productions for shows such as The No Sleep Podcast and Tales to Terrify, and has penned fourteen novellas, including Nana, Gone to the Dogs, 3:33, and Crows. He also has two very well-received story collections, 'There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth,' and 'You Only Live Once.' Chasing The Dragon is his debut novel.
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
January 19, 2025
Wow, wow, wow! I was taken by complete surprise by this one! The story was very original, entertaining and stunningly horrific. The entire first portion of the book, I’m questioning all of the creepiness from Edith, Janet, Benjamin and the whole crew of sadistic inhabitants of New Haven Crescent. Poor Alex had to go through so much here! The dialogue from the seniors was just a perfect balance of creepy and scary, especially putting yourself in a young child’s position. I must admit that Harry’s initial introduction with Alex had me laughing quite a bit though. And as you’re trying to figure out where everything is headed, the story just progresses and things become worse and worse, ending up being something much bigger than I could have imagined. But I loved the premise, how everything flowed, the characters, the gross details, and just all of it, topped off with an awesome writing style. From one horror author to another…bravo!!
October 31, 2021
4.5 stars
This was my Halloween read😬. Horror is not my usual genre but once I started this novella I couldn’t put it down.
It was a good creepy story.
Told mostly in Ollys pov,it takes him down a path to the point where he doesn’t know who to trust when it comes to his own family.
One minute he’s spending the night with his Nana at the seniors centre and the next minute he’s living his worst nightmare.
Not to mention what happened to Alex and his Mums boyfriend.
Definitely a very twisted spooky story which had my attention from beginning to end.
If an author can do that then the story was worth reading.
This was my Halloween read😬. Horror is not my usual genre but once I started this novella I couldn’t put it down.
It was a good creepy story.
Told mostly in Ollys pov,it takes him down a path to the point where he doesn’t know who to trust when it comes to his own family.
One minute he’s spending the night with his Nana at the seniors centre and the next minute he’s living his worst nightmare.
Not to mention what happened to Alex and his Mums boyfriend.
Definitely a very twisted spooky story which had my attention from beginning to end.
If an author can do that then the story was worth reading.
March 27, 2021
Olly is visiting his grandmother overnight, not what the twelve-year-old would prefer to be doing. But spending a wild evening with a cast of senior weirdos provides much more excitement and, ultimately, dread than Ollie had expected. Alcohol, nudity, nasty gas, bad jokes and a horned shadow in the background bring the night to a bloody crescendo. This is a fast-paced novella that delivers chills and queasy hints of foreboding to a very bizarre party of gore.
September 14, 2021
'Naughty Nana goes nuts!'
A great little horror story containing plenty of chillingly tactile moments which entertained from start to finish.
Young Olly is packed off for an overnight stay with Nana Ivy while his parents spend the evening trying to patch up their marital problems. Unknown to Olly, his Nana has an action-packed evening planned for him which involves a talent show starring all the old folk from Newhaven Crescent plus one or two 'live' extra bonus acts which could possibly turn out to be dark, black and downright nasty. All is not as it seems, but will Olly and paperboy Alex survive the night and live to see the light...of dawn?
Yes, plenty of creepy, sinister vibes in this highly unusual tale, and not even a zombie in sight!
What I need now is a nice big slice of cherry pie to celebrate - and to also thank all the old folks for their warm welcome which made the evening, and ultimately this read, such a great success.
Most definitely a night to remember!
Rating: 4.2 bright stars, born from the world of yesteryear (maybe).
A great little horror story containing plenty of chillingly tactile moments which entertained from start to finish.
Young Olly is packed off for an overnight stay with Nana Ivy while his parents spend the evening trying to patch up their marital problems. Unknown to Olly, his Nana has an action-packed evening planned for him which involves a talent show starring all the old folk from Newhaven Crescent plus one or two 'live' extra bonus acts which could possibly turn out to be dark, black and downright nasty. All is not as it seems, but will Olly and paperboy Alex survive the night and live to see the light...of dawn?
Yes, plenty of creepy, sinister vibes in this highly unusual tale, and not even a zombie in sight!
What I need now is a nice big slice of cherry pie to celebrate - and to also thank all the old folks for their warm welcome which made the evening, and ultimately this read, such a great success.
Most definitely a night to remember!
Rating: 4.2 bright stars, born from the world of yesteryear (maybe).
August 10, 2021
Horror Bookworm Reviews
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Olly is preparing for a visit to his Nana’s home. Although the weird smells and bizarre behavior make it the usual awkward visit, the young boy’s parents insist so they can work on their problematic marriage. Newhaven Crescent is a lovely little community where everyone is welcome and social gatherings are a common occurrence. Its close-knit elderly populace is one where everybody knows each other’s name and neighbors look out for each other. However, at closer look this “Stepford” community seems to manifest a slightly ominous presence. It possesses a surreal appearance, partakes in strange endeavors and has an unusual connection to a list of missing persons.
Author Mark Towse offers up a disturbing novella encircled with an aroma of rotting flesh and perfume. His book, Nana, is heavy on leaky skin freaks, uncomfortable offbeat humor and enough uneasy moments to fill a ritual scene from the movie Midsommar. With a combination of skin crawling storylines and outlandish imagery, uneasiness ebbs and flows throughout each chapter. These blood-stained pages unfold with a perfect balance of sore infested storytelling and drug induced surrealism. Youth and vigor clash with the weak and fragile making this book a gut-turning kaleidoscope of a good time.
Nana’s famous fresh baked cherry pie is the grist for the gossip mill, it professes to be available at all times and always promises something special inside each and every delicious bite. After all…Nana knows what’s best for you…me…and the reader. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Book Recommendation.
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Olly is preparing for a visit to his Nana’s home. Although the weird smells and bizarre behavior make it the usual awkward visit, the young boy’s parents insist so they can work on their problematic marriage. Newhaven Crescent is a lovely little community where everyone is welcome and social gatherings are a common occurrence. Its close-knit elderly populace is one where everybody knows each other’s name and neighbors look out for each other. However, at closer look this “Stepford” community seems to manifest a slightly ominous presence. It possesses a surreal appearance, partakes in strange endeavors and has an unusual connection to a list of missing persons.
Author Mark Towse offers up a disturbing novella encircled with an aroma of rotting flesh and perfume. His book, Nana, is heavy on leaky skin freaks, uncomfortable offbeat humor and enough uneasy moments to fill a ritual scene from the movie Midsommar. With a combination of skin crawling storylines and outlandish imagery, uneasiness ebbs and flows throughout each chapter. These blood-stained pages unfold with a perfect balance of sore infested storytelling and drug induced surrealism. Youth and vigor clash with the weak and fragile making this book a gut-turning kaleidoscope of a good time.
Nana’s famous fresh baked cherry pie is the grist for the gossip mill, it professes to be available at all times and always promises something special inside each and every delicious bite. After all…Nana knows what’s best for you…me…and the reader. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Book Recommendation.
September 28, 2021
Hmm....
Ok, so this was a different take on senior citizens! No beloved senior citizens in this book! Only seniors from hell, literally!! All in all, a good read
Ok, so this was a different take on senior citizens! No beloved senior citizens in this book! Only seniors from hell, literally!! All in all, a good read
April 1, 2021
Wow, what a truly disturbing read. This was a great debut from a talented author. Mark Towse sets the stage from the beginning that something just isn't right. The further this story goes, the stranger it becomes, until the end when all hell breaks loose. Olly's Nana seems a little off, as do the rest of the old folks in the community, but Towse does a great job to string the reader along. The end of this story is wild, but definitive. A great debut novella.
June 10, 2022
Omg! Omgggg! This was not what I expected.. at all!!
Think.. Suspiria & Grandma Lois (IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW) had a child.. cause BABYYYY listen!! Holy shit.. such a quick creepy read.. I could not put this down..
Read 👏🏼 this 👏🏼
Think.. Suspiria & Grandma Lois (IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW) had a child.. cause BABYYYY listen!! Holy shit.. such a quick creepy read.. I could not put this down..
Read 👏🏼 this 👏🏼
November 14, 2021
“𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹 - 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁.”
Mark was kind enough to send me a digital copy of his book 𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗔.
IMMEDIATELY, my first thought was what the eff did I get myself into?!?
There’s two things that creep me right out in horror: creepy kids and creepy old people. Think the old lady in IT Chapter Two…. That alone is enough to give you nightmares for days.
𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗔 begins innocently enough with a young boy delivering papers to an elderly community. Except, every time a new character is introduced, I felt bile rising in my throat. How about a little “wee” dripping down that leg? I’ll raise you skin that looks like it’s melting off and black boils 🤢
Without giving too much away, this book took a turn that I didn’t see coming. The fricken talent show, are you kidding me? I didn’t know whether to laugh or gag for some of it. The toe nail guy, he gets a special shout-out.
Hey Mark, you’ve scarred me for life and I will never be able to look at a population of older people the same. Ever. Again.
This book was really fun and really vile. Mostly, that’s how I like my books. Because we all know 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁.
5⭐️
Mark was kind enough to send me a digital copy of his book 𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗔.
IMMEDIATELY, my first thought was what the eff did I get myself into?!?
There’s two things that creep me right out in horror: creepy kids and creepy old people. Think the old lady in IT Chapter Two…. That alone is enough to give you nightmares for days.
𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗔 begins innocently enough with a young boy delivering papers to an elderly community. Except, every time a new character is introduced, I felt bile rising in my throat. How about a little “wee” dripping down that leg? I’ll raise you skin that looks like it’s melting off and black boils 🤢
Without giving too much away, this book took a turn that I didn’t see coming. The fricken talent show, are you kidding me? I didn’t know whether to laugh or gag for some of it. The toe nail guy, he gets a special shout-out.
Hey Mark, you’ve scarred me for life and I will never be able to look at a population of older people the same. Ever. Again.
This book was really fun and really vile. Mostly, that’s how I like my books. Because we all know 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁.
5⭐️
Read
November 2, 2021When I was pregnant, my mother requested to be called Nana instead of Grandma. It helps her feel a bit gentler in her role and less aged I guess. So when I saw Mark Towse had written a piece of horror by the same name, I chuckled a bit. How scary can a grandma be? OMG! Towse’s 100-page horror novella is absolutely insane. It’s a heavy dose of everything people love about horror...shock, gore, barbarity. It will turn your stomach and raise your eyebrows. Towse writes scenes that you can’t unsee. The unease is intense. Nana is unlike any grandmother you have met, and my ability to eat cherry pie ever again without remembering this book remains highly unlikely.
Thank you to the author for complimentary access to the ebook in exchange for review.
Thank you to the author for complimentary access to the ebook in exchange for review.
September 1, 2022
I have changed my rating not because I have spoken to Mark but because I have slept on this and whilst I seemed to have a sensitive stomach reaction to some of the content, that initial rating did not take into account the author's writing ability. Mark's writing was so good that it kept me going to the end. He really is an exceptional writer !
June 8, 2021
wth did I just read. actually, I listened to it. I used 1.4 speed which is much slower than my usual 1.6-1.7.
anyways, I guess to children, old people can be creepy. just imagine if old people creepiness was real!!! lol. this story is equal parts humor and entertainment
anyways, I guess to children, old people can be creepy. just imagine if old people creepiness was real!!! lol. this story is equal parts humor and entertainment
March 26, 2021
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Cool concept and great story.
October 3, 2024
—— 𝟹 ✰ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ. 👵🏻🥧
✎﹏ How does one go about rating a book that is simultaneously extremely vile, entertaining, & has a very satisfying ending?
❝ 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐚: 𝐀 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚. 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲, 𝐢.𝐞., 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧��� 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧. ❞
✎﹏ How does one go about rating a book that is simultaneously extremely vile, entertaining, & has a very satisfying ending?
❝𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥 - 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭.❞
March 28, 2021
This was trippy, creepy, good fun. My first by this author, but not my last.
February 27, 2022
Jesus Christ this was a crazy one!
We follow Olly as he gets to spend a night at his grandmothers house and, well, it gets crazy from there!
I will say when I first started reading this the writing felt stiff but as it went on it started to loosen up. I was not expecting the story to take such a crazy turn. The author does a great job at showing how disturbing? crazy? unkempt? old people can be. They do such a great job at making you uncomfortable with their descriptions of all the old people. They also give each of the elderly a little something that makes them each different and this attention to detail is great.
Such a genuinely horrifying book I would highly suggest it to any horror fan! It definitely made me quite uncomfortable and queasy at parts!
We follow Olly as he gets to spend a night at his grandmothers house and, well, it gets crazy from there!
I will say when I first started reading this the writing felt stiff but as it went on it started to loosen up. I was not expecting the story to take such a crazy turn. The author does a great job at showing how disturbing? crazy? unkempt? old people can be. They do such a great job at making you uncomfortable with their descriptions of all the old people. They also give each of the elderly a little something that makes them each different and this attention to detail is great.
Such a genuinely horrifying book I would highly suggest it to any horror fan! It definitely made me quite uncomfortable and queasy at parts!
February 22, 2022
Nana is the debut novella of Mark Towse and it will make you screw your face up at how gross it gets, make you have to get tweezers to get your eyebrows out of your hairline when things get sideways and generally make you fear getting old.
I enjoyed the hell out if it, though. Do I regret starting it right before making dinner? YES. Mark Towse is too good with his descriptions. Too good. *cringes in remembrance* To sum it up as simply as possible as to avoid spoilers, the author takes the typical fear kids/young teens have of old folks (the saggy skin, hair in the wrong places, their smell) - harnesses it - cranks up the knob on the intensity dial and lets this story go. There was absolutely no way to know where it was going, but you literally can't help but to keep going to see.
Characters - remember when I said how good Mark Towse was with descriptions? It was of all the characters that he worked his magic (unfortunately? lol) Even with this being a novella and having a metric ton of characters, he managed to give them all their own personalities and described them in a way that made them stand out apart from one another.
Atmosphere - Man, I tell you, I could see the street where these folks lived and the little newspaper boy delivering papers and having these little small talk conversations. I also keep thinking I was getting a wiff of these geezers...but that could have been my dog's breath because he's been on a turd-eating kick lately and it's just been awful. I digress.
If you enjoy horror, especially horror that takes something you likely suffered at a kid by being a little leery and scared of old folks, you might would like this book too. I tell you though, if you weren't afraid of aging....you will be after this one!
I enjoyed the hell out if it, though. Do I regret starting it right before making dinner? YES. Mark Towse is too good with his descriptions. Too good. *cringes in remembrance* To sum it up as simply as possible as to avoid spoilers, the author takes the typical fear kids/young teens have of old folks (the saggy skin, hair in the wrong places, their smell) - harnesses it - cranks up the knob on the intensity dial and lets this story go. There was absolutely no way to know where it was going, but you literally can't help but to keep going to see.
Characters - remember when I said how good Mark Towse was with descriptions? It was of all the characters that he worked his magic (unfortunately? lol) Even with this being a novella and having a metric ton of characters, he managed to give them all their own personalities and described them in a way that made them stand out apart from one another.
Atmosphere - Man, I tell you, I could see the street where these folks lived and the little newspaper boy delivering papers and having these little small talk conversations. I also keep thinking I was getting a wiff of these geezers...but that could have been my dog's breath because he's been on a turd-eating kick lately and it's just been awful. I digress.
If you enjoy horror, especially horror that takes something you likely suffered at a kid by being a little leery and scared of old folks, you might would like this book too. I tell you though, if you weren't afraid of aging....you will be after this one!
September 16, 2021
When Olly has to spend the night at grandma Nana's place he doesn't want to, but has no choice. At least Nana always makes Olly his favorite fresh Cherry Pie. Nana lives at Newhaven Crescent with a bunch of other old residents who are all a bunch of weird gross freaky people. Olly wasn't sure what Nana had planned for entertainment, but it ends up being some creepy talent show that everyone has to perform in. By the end of the night, things take a bizarre scary turn for the worst, and has Olly wondering if he and Alex the paperboy will survive the night or is it all part of the show? Horrors abound in this one!
March 30, 2021
Remember the time when you as a kid slept over at nana's place? Played cards, ate to many cookies & slowly turned her world globe map caught up in fantasy adventures?
Then stop reading any further, this book is not for you. Lay back instead, have a piece of delicious pie and let her decide what to do next.
Have no fear...Nana knows best.
Then stop reading any further, this book is not for you. Lay back instead, have a piece of delicious pie and let her decide what to do next.
Have no fear...Nana knows best.
August 25, 2021
This was a creepy and fun read. I think it would have been even better if it had been told from one perspective (Olly, the MC) instead of multiple perspectives, that’s why I’m giving it 4 stars instead of five. Otherwise I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
July 25, 2022
I have very quickly come to love this author work and Nana is no exception!
I had never heard the term 'geriatric horror', but now I'm well versed in its disgusting grossness.
Nana is strange and twisted... but I could not put it down.
I had never heard the term 'geriatric horror', but now I'm well versed in its disgusting grossness.
Nana is strange and twisted... but I could not put it down.
February 11, 2023
Absolutely brilliant. Just the right amount of dark humour and toe curling imagery.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 21, 2023
Olly's nana is unlike other grandparents. She lives in a community with other elderly residents that are not quite...right. They have sores, and a stench. And they have a secret they share...
This book is ... unique. It's a relatively short story that includes twists and turns that made me think what on earth.
This book is ... unique. It's a relatively short story that includes twists and turns that made me think what on earth.
June 26, 2022
Well.....that was disturbing! This is a short a story about Olly's nana....and she is no ordinary nana. This story was dark, humourous and...vivid to say the least. What a wonderfully twisted story! Mark Towse is one sick puppy!
September 26, 2025
Well... Olly, had a macabre experience... for those who like cults, mature people, subtle and realistic descriptions of the characters... I liked the writing... story about taboo, implicit desires... interesting!
October 21, 2022
"Old people freak him out in a big way, make him feel unbearably uncomfortable. They're like an alien species to him, full of weird ways - and the smell - well, it's like someone has taken a bag of scented candy and pissed all over it."
Welp... I don't think I'll be making eye contact with my grandparents ever again.
You know when you read a book and just keep thinking 'is the author okay?' Or 'what's wrong with this author'? Well this is one of those times. But as we all know, those authors usually tell the best stories. And then when we enjoy those books we think 'what's wrong with me'?
I went into reading this completely blind. I read the synopsis ages ago and just thought: creepy old people; sounds like my kinda read. Well I really wasn't prepared for any of this book to be honest.
I won't lie, I'd kind of guessed early on what direction we were heading in. Kind of. Because while I was right, the story took some right weird turns to get there.
I really did enjoy this one and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Welp... I don't think I'll be making eye contact with my grandparents ever again.
You know when you read a book and just keep thinking 'is the author okay?' Or 'what's wrong with this author'? Well this is one of those times. But as we all know, those authors usually tell the best stories. And then when we enjoy those books we think 'what's wrong with me'?
I went into reading this completely blind. I read the synopsis ages ago and just thought: creepy old people; sounds like my kinda read. Well I really wasn't prepared for any of this book to be honest.
I won't lie, I'd kind of guessed early on what direction we were heading in. Kind of. Because while I was right, the story took some right weird turns to get there.
I really did enjoy this one and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
November 8, 2021
Well that was a wild ride! Mark sent me a copy in exchange for a review and it didn't disappoint! I was howling with laughter. Such a great story. A more in depth review to come on my blog at peaceandloveandveggies.com
October 26, 2024
It's very hard to believe this is a debut novella. It's a masterpiece of the absurd, the grotesque, the creepy and the horrific. Lesser writers would spend three hundred pages to achieve what Towse pulls off in just a hundred. Characterization, atmosphere, and pacing are impeccable, but it is the imagery, a true gallery of old people body horror, that's going to stay in memory. The story goes to unparalleled extremes, though the author never loses sight of the demands of good storytelling. I cannot praise Towse highly enough! *UPDATE* a sort of follow-up to "Nana" can be found in Towse's "Aunty Beth" short story collection! *UPDATE#2* A prequel story can be found in his "Poison Ivy" collection!
December 31, 2022
*Paperback
What the hell did I just read!? It’s a cross between a fever dream and Black Mirror. In fact, Black Mirror should make this an episode.
The story starts off with poor Alex, the 12 year old paperboy and his strange encounters with his customers along the paper route. Clearly something is going off about the people in his neighborhood.
There’s hyper sexual Harry and Alex’s encounter with Harry is so cringeworthy that I couldn’t help but laugh bc I was so uncomfortable reading it. Then just when I think Harry was the worst of the creepy neighbors…they just keep coming (but not in the way Harry would describe 🤣😂🤣).
Theres a neighbor who wants you to “guess how many” guess how many what you ask? Toenails…in a lunchbox. 🤮 Then the neighbor proceeds to say “they aren’t my toenails, that would be weird….” So many questions…but I don’t really want to know either lol. Despite “not wanting” to find out…I kept going. What in the…🤯
Some parts of the book were so insane that I was cracking up trying to read it aloud to my husband…his response “you read some weird sh!t.”
There was a lot packed into these 88 pages. If you wanna read some weird sh!t and/or you like Grady Hendrix but you wanna amp it up a bit…you should absolutely check this out.
What the hell did I just read!? It’s a cross between a fever dream and Black Mirror. In fact, Black Mirror should make this an episode.
The story starts off with poor Alex, the 12 year old paperboy and his strange encounters with his customers along the paper route. Clearly something is going off about the people in his neighborhood.
There’s hyper sexual Harry and Alex’s encounter with Harry is so cringeworthy that I couldn’t help but laugh bc I was so uncomfortable reading it. Then just when I think Harry was the worst of the creepy neighbors…they just keep coming (but not in the way Harry would describe 🤣😂🤣).
Theres a neighbor who wants you to “guess how many” guess how many what you ask? Toenails…in a lunchbox. 🤮 Then the neighbor proceeds to say “they aren’t my toenails, that would be weird….” So many questions…but I don’t really want to know either lol. Despite “not wanting” to find out…I kept going. What in the…🤯
Some parts of the book were so insane that I was cracking up trying to read it aloud to my husband…his response “you read some weird sh!t.”
There was a lot packed into these 88 pages. If you wanna read some weird sh!t and/or you like Grady Hendrix but you wanna amp it up a bit…you should absolutely check this out.
April 14, 2023
Those final scenes were just gnarly as hell! A slow building horror that explodes at the end with a flurry of gross, bloody and hellish imagery. Good to know that a prequel is in the works.
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