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The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge
A MISTAKEN IDENTITY
US Army Veteran, Henry Miller, embarks on a hunt at the edge of the Black Forest. Distracted by a personal matter, he strays from the path and finds himself too close to the East Cascade Mountain Range. Before he can turn around, he spots what he thinks is the biggest bear he's ever laid eyes on. Dreaming of bear stew and a soft bear-skin rug, Henry raises his rifle.
AN ANCIENT TRUCE
Something lurks in the forest on the other side of those mountains. An ancient race of Bigfoot that have kept to themselves for centuries, until one of them defies the alliance and crosses the mountain range. Kellen Tsosie, a member of the Kwakiutl Tribe tasked with keeping the alliance between man and beast, tries to warn both Bigfoot and man. No one will listen.
A TOWN IN TROUBLE
When these two intersect, alliances are broken and events set in motion that will leave residents of the town of Easton Falls, Washington, fighting for their lives.
US Army Veteran, Henry Miller, embarks on a hunt at the edge of the Black Forest. Distracted by a personal matter, he strays from the path and finds himself too close to the East Cascade Mountain Range. Before he can turn around, he spots what he thinks is the biggest bear he's ever laid eyes on. Dreaming of bear stew and a soft bear-skin rug, Henry raises his rifle.
AN ANCIENT TRUCE
Something lurks in the forest on the other side of those mountains. An ancient race of Bigfoot that have kept to themselves for centuries, until one of them defies the alliance and crosses the mountain range. Kellen Tsosie, a member of the Kwakiutl Tribe tasked with keeping the alliance between man and beast, tries to warn both Bigfoot and man. No one will listen.
A TOWN IN TROUBLE
When these two intersect, alliances are broken and events set in motion that will leave residents of the town of Easton Falls, Washington, fighting for their lives.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2020
28 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Holly Rae Garcia
29 books160 followersHolly Rae Garcia is the author of Flesh Communion and Other Stories, Parachute, Come Join the Murder and The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge (co-written with her husband and fellow author, Ryan Prentice Garcia). Her shorter fiction has been published online and in print for various magazines and anthologies. Holly is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She lives on the Texas Coast with her husband, three dogs, and two birds. You can often find her reading, watching horror movies, or playing poker.
More information can be found at www.HollyRaeGarcia.com
She lives on the Texas Coast with her husband, three dogs, and two birds. You can often find her reading, watching horror movies, or playing poker.
More information can be found at www.HollyRaeGarcia.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
January 16, 2025
This was just a solid creature feature. The plot is pretty straightforward and the characters all had their own opportunities to showcase themselves, whether the obnoxious town drunkard, the hero, the jaded female lead, and all of the other assumed major players, too. I felt like Henry’s story was building to something significant, but just stopped short of any closure at the very end. Sort of a large missed opportunity there, but I’m not sure if there are plans to revisit this tale, which is there is ample storyline material to do so. Beyond all that, the pacing and writing were good. It was actually less violent than I figured initially, but there was still plenty of scares and gore. I also really enjoyed the slow burn to the creatures being actually seen in action, and the snippets at the very end, that explained how certain plot points progressed after the story concluded.
October 9, 2023
Many thanks to BookSirens, Close to the Bone, and Holly R. Garcia / R. P. Garcia for a chance to review this book. Every word of this review is solely and completely mine. The writers are very gifted in the narrative that they have constructed. The lyrical language used to describe the setting makes Washington State a place one is desirous of visiting, if not for Bigfoot.
The use of Bigfoot and its mythos add an air of originality and freshness. I have not read very much about Bigfoot, and it kept me interested. The problem lies in the fact that the word Massacre is included in the title and as a hardcore horror fan, I take exception. Most of the horror occurs offstage, secondhand.
The protagonists mostly witness the aftermath of the slaughter, and carnage rather than the actual slaughter. Kudos that the scenario is described well, but the massacre has already happened. Of course, there is a supposed climactic confrontation, but even that fight seemed dull (anti-climactic) and does nothing to further the legend. The novella is a quick read, but I think more rampaging destruction, and HORROR would have served this story better. For a horror story, this was not very scary at all.
The use of Bigfoot and its mythos add an air of originality and freshness. I have not read very much about Bigfoot, and it kept me interested. The problem lies in the fact that the word Massacre is included in the title and as a hardcore horror fan, I take exception. Most of the horror occurs offstage, secondhand.
The protagonists mostly witness the aftermath of the slaughter, and carnage rather than the actual slaughter. Kudos that the scenario is described well, but the massacre has already happened. Of course, there is a supposed climactic confrontation, but even that fight seemed dull (anti-climactic) and does nothing to further the legend. The novella is a quick read, but I think more rampaging destruction, and HORROR would have served this story better. For a horror story, this was not very scary at all.
October 29, 2020
Review to come! So good!
July 28, 2020
Do not be fooled by the size of this book. While under 100 pages, The Easton Fall's Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge is packed with love, grief, & betrayal as well as intense survival instincts for fear of a heinous, gruesome, and painful death.
It's hard to know who to root for in this story. You feel empathy towards the humans and the race of Bigfoot and you are constantly going back and forth. Because the race of Bigfoot *do* exemplify some human behaviors and traits that make them more than just a low IQ hulking beast with a lust for ripping apart people and smashing them into the ground. It would be a lot easier to hate these creatures or to feel like they are 100% the villain.
This novella does a wonderful job at making the reader really think while balancing the terror inflicted by the creatures. I found myself cringing while observing the demise of so many in Easton Falls. To say the creatures are strong and horrifying is an understatement. Definitely recommended for fans of creature features, survival horror, and grief!
It's hard to know who to root for in this story. You feel empathy towards the humans and the race of Bigfoot and you are constantly going back and forth. Because the race of Bigfoot *do* exemplify some human behaviors and traits that make them more than just a low IQ hulking beast with a lust for ripping apart people and smashing them into the ground. It would be a lot easier to hate these creatures or to feel like they are 100% the villain.
This novella does a wonderful job at making the reader really think while balancing the terror inflicted by the creatures. I found myself cringing while observing the demise of so many in Easton Falls. To say the creatures are strong and horrifying is an understatement. Definitely recommended for fans of creature features, survival horror, and grief!
February 3, 2021
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘮."
🌲⛰️🌲
I love a good cryptid story and so I was delighted when @hollyraegarcia offered me a copy of her book 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞: 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞. Sasquatch and a small town in my state? All over it!
I thought it'd be a fun campy story, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the characters well developed and the plot more intricate than expected. This little book had grief, some folklore and strong male friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the little news articles at the end were a nice touch.
Also, the writing was so fluid I forgot it was written by two people! I'm hoping there will be a sequel of some kind🤞🏻
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌲⛰️🌲
I love a good cryptid story and so I was delighted when @hollyraegarcia offered me a copy of her book 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞: 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞. Sasquatch and a small town in my state? All over it!
I thought it'd be a fun campy story, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the characters well developed and the plot more intricate than expected. This little book had grief, some folklore and strong male friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the little news articles at the end were a nice touch.
Also, the writing was so fluid I forgot it was written by two people! I'm hoping there will be a sequel of some kind🤞🏻
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
July 26, 2020
The Easton Falls Massacre was a short, sharp shock to my brain. Sometimes you just come across a book that is inevitably your thing. This is not a book you can define, not a book that you can neatly file away under already established genres. This was a book that deserved to be inhaled, it deserved to be experienced at the rate the events took place. The story is told through the eyes of Henry Miller ex-army veteran. We witness his struggle with civilian street and his frustration at wanting a wholesome life in his hometown. He is the anchor of the story…the humanity.
Henry Miller is now on home soil, he’s rekindled his romance with Kate after ten years apart and has a baby boy on the way, Otis. Pretty regular things, human things, things that define our grip on normality, our legacy. Life as life does, takes a downward spiral. Things don’t go to plan, and Kate and Henry separate. Henry’s way of escapism is to go hunting. To become one with the woods, the sound of birds chirping, gunpowder wafting and a kill at his feet. A kill that doesn’t look much like a bear but more deformed and resolutely larger…unbeknownst to Henry we are experiencing the tailspin that has no end.
The Easton Falls Massacre was devoured in less than an hour. I was completely absorbed in the journey of delusion, anger and fear. I didn’t necessarily expect a happy ending but the brutalness of the prose had me by the throat and wouldn’t let go until I had digested the horrific nature of grief.
The plot examines and makes us question everything we though we knew about the natural world. It delves into our psyche like an Olympic diver. It plays upon our fears about what the woods could potentially keep hidden under the cover of darkness. It’s that knee jerk reaction of checking over your shoulder when you hear a twig cracking. Did you see a shadow or was it a trick of the eye? What if everything we believed was a lie? Henry has no control over the events he inadvertently, set in motion. He has no control over anything. It makes you think about grabbing life by the balls whilst you still have it.
The Easton Falls Massacre was a paralysing analysis of the human condition. The writing left me spellbound. It takes your darkest fear and makes it a horrifically brilliant reality.
Henry Miller is now on home soil, he’s rekindled his romance with Kate after ten years apart and has a baby boy on the way, Otis. Pretty regular things, human things, things that define our grip on normality, our legacy. Life as life does, takes a downward spiral. Things don’t go to plan, and Kate and Henry separate. Henry’s way of escapism is to go hunting. To become one with the woods, the sound of birds chirping, gunpowder wafting and a kill at his feet. A kill that doesn’t look much like a bear but more deformed and resolutely larger…unbeknownst to Henry we are experiencing the tailspin that has no end.
The Easton Falls Massacre was devoured in less than an hour. I was completely absorbed in the journey of delusion, anger and fear. I didn’t necessarily expect a happy ending but the brutalness of the prose had me by the throat and wouldn’t let go until I had digested the horrific nature of grief.
The plot examines and makes us question everything we though we knew about the natural world. It delves into our psyche like an Olympic diver. It plays upon our fears about what the woods could potentially keep hidden under the cover of darkness. It’s that knee jerk reaction of checking over your shoulder when you hear a twig cracking. Did you see a shadow or was it a trick of the eye? What if everything we believed was a lie? Henry has no control over the events he inadvertently, set in motion. He has no control over anything. It makes you think about grabbing life by the balls whilst you still have it.
The Easton Falls Massacre was a paralysing analysis of the human condition. The writing left me spellbound. It takes your darkest fear and makes it a horrifically brilliant reality.
September 17, 2020
If you had told me that I would be reading about Bigfoot's revenge and would love it, I probably would've side eyed you! But you would've been RIGHT! Novellas are such a hit or miss for me and I'm happy to report that this one was obviously an absolute hit for me.
These authors really pack quite a full and fulfilling story in less than 200 pages and I loved every single page. The backstory was brilliant and oh the humanity of it all!! I especially loved the ending and how it was presented... but also now I'm so curious as to what will happen now?! I need answers! Hahaha - but what a fantastic and entertaining read.
This creature feature is the perfect combination of complex relationships, secrets of OH SO MANY kinds and a plethora of rip roaring revenge tactics that have you rooting for Bigfoot the entire time - or at least I did.
These authors really pack quite a full and fulfilling story in less than 200 pages and I loved every single page. The backstory was brilliant and oh the humanity of it all!! I especially loved the ending and how it was presented... but also now I'm so curious as to what will happen now?! I need answers! Hahaha - but what a fantastic and entertaining read.
This creature feature is the perfect combination of complex relationships, secrets of OH SO MANY kinds and a plethora of rip roaring revenge tactics that have you rooting for Bigfoot the entire time - or at least I did.
April 17, 2022
One whale of a Bigfoot book! Great cryptid books standout because of the human characters that are built up amidst terrifying situations. The Easton Falls Massacre is a standout in the genre with a non-stop, brutal last half that will have you praying Bigfoot isn't real.
September 1, 2020
I requested and was sent a copy of the novella "The Easton Falls Massacre" by the authors in exchange for an honest review. I couldn't be happier to tell you that "The Easton Falls Massacre" is an exciting entry into the Bigfoot sub-genre of horror. In terms of action, character development and storytelling it falls somewhere Thomas Page's "The Spirit" and Eric S. Brown's blood-soaked, gore-chunked "Bigfoot War" series. In other words it's a smartly written creature feature that's all fun and games until the Bigfoot show up. Then it's all bloody and gory fun and games! 4 stars.
January 23, 2021
Bigfoot Gone Wild!
With a title like ‘The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge’ and a cover that sports only a bloody footprint and a screaming face, I was expecting something good and lurid with this book and while I was far from disappointed on that front, what I actually got was something even better.
Henry Miller returned home from the war in Iraq to his idyllic home town of Easton Falls. After rekindling his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, and moving into the house of his dreams, he soon gets the news that his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child. Everything is finally coming together for him until some shocking news turns his world upside down.
In the forest of Easton Falls, an uneasy truce has been in place for generations, between a local family and a race of creatures that many would call ‘Bigfoot’. Many don’t believe the legends but when the truce is unwittingly broken, violence erupts in the once peaceful town as the local folk tales become a harrowing reality.
The Easton Falls Massacre is, first and foremost, an unashamedly pulp creature feature. It’s brutal and gory and a hell of a lot of fun. The titular cryptids are imposing and frightening, a force of nature that can’t be stopped. The body count racked up is impressive and the authors do not shy away in the blood and guts department. If you have picked this book up wanting a fun throwback novel then you’re onto a winner here.
What pleasantly surprised me, however, was the quality of the writing and the level of character development that went into what was already a brisk 130-page novella. A great deal of time is spent with Henry, the lead character, and it is a surprisingly long time until the action really kicks into fifth gear. It is time well spent because Henry is a surprisingly complex character for a novel of this kind. The whole book, in fact, lacks the usual caricatures and one-dimensional people fodder that the pulp books of the 70s and 80s that clearly influenced ‘Easton Falls Massacre’ were typically populated with. Had the Bigfoots decided to massacre nobody, I still would have found this a satisfying read just based on the strength of the characters alone.
Luckily, we get the best of both worlds. Beautiful prose, memorable characters and brutal, big scale action all combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. It may not be breaking the mould but there is nothing wrong with taking a familiar premise and doing it exceptionally well.
The Easton Falls Massacre is noted as being ‘Book One in the Easton Falls’ series in my review copy and I, for one, can’t wait to revisit the town to see what sasquatch shenanigans the Garcias have lined up for us in book two.
With a title like ‘The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge’ and a cover that sports only a bloody footprint and a screaming face, I was expecting something good and lurid with this book and while I was far from disappointed on that front, what I actually got was something even better.
Henry Miller returned home from the war in Iraq to his idyllic home town of Easton Falls. After rekindling his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, and moving into the house of his dreams, he soon gets the news that his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child. Everything is finally coming together for him until some shocking news turns his world upside down.
In the forest of Easton Falls, an uneasy truce has been in place for generations, between a local family and a race of creatures that many would call ‘Bigfoot’. Many don’t believe the legends but when the truce is unwittingly broken, violence erupts in the once peaceful town as the local folk tales become a harrowing reality.
The Easton Falls Massacre is, first and foremost, an unashamedly pulp creature feature. It’s brutal and gory and a hell of a lot of fun. The titular cryptids are imposing and frightening, a force of nature that can’t be stopped. The body count racked up is impressive and the authors do not shy away in the blood and guts department. If you have picked this book up wanting a fun throwback novel then you’re onto a winner here.
What pleasantly surprised me, however, was the quality of the writing and the level of character development that went into what was already a brisk 130-page novella. A great deal of time is spent with Henry, the lead character, and it is a surprisingly long time until the action really kicks into fifth gear. It is time well spent because Henry is a surprisingly complex character for a novel of this kind. The whole book, in fact, lacks the usual caricatures and one-dimensional people fodder that the pulp books of the 70s and 80s that clearly influenced ‘Easton Falls Massacre’ were typically populated with. Had the Bigfoots decided to massacre nobody, I still would have found this a satisfying read just based on the strength of the characters alone.
Luckily, we get the best of both worlds. Beautiful prose, memorable characters and brutal, big scale action all combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. It may not be breaking the mould but there is nothing wrong with taking a familiar premise and doing it exceptionally well.
The Easton Falls Massacre is noted as being ‘Book One in the Easton Falls’ series in my review copy and I, for one, can’t wait to revisit the town to see what sasquatch shenanigans the Garcias have lined up for us in book two.
November 11, 2020
I love a good creature feature. Always have. So when one of the authors approached me with an opportunity to review The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge, I was all over it.
Army Vet Henry Miller sets out on a hunting trip in the Black Forest in Easton Falls, Washington. He thinks he may have had one hell of a day and shot the biggest bear that he has ever seen. Upon further inspection, he realizes, he definitely did not shoot a bear. Rather, he shot and killed something else that dwells in the woods that he has a hard time admitting can even be real. There seems to be a mutually agreed upon treaty between the people of Easton Falls and those that dwell in the forest, you stay on your half, we will stay on ours. However, Henry has just violated that agreement in the worst way possible and has now brought bloody hell down upon the people of Easton Falls.
Every time I read a creature feature, I go into it assuming that there will be tons of action, often a bit too over the top, and that it will get sort of goofy at some point. This is completely fine with me, I know it's going to happen before I even read the first page. This book wasn't like that. Yes, there is plenty of Bigfoot exacting his gory revenge however, the majority of the story is building up to that climax in a way that I would not have expected from this subgenre of horror. Most of the story revolves around Henry and a friend or two, coming to terms with what Henry has actually done and how to deal with it. I mean, what DO you do with the carcass of a Bigfoot that you shot on accident? I enjoyed it. The characters actions and reactions were terribly realistic if you could ever imagine yourself in this situation. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was actually invested in Henry's story. I was concerned more with how he was going to manage to keep killing a baby Bigfoot low-key versus when Bigfoot was actually going to show up.
If you can get your hands on a copy of this, I highly recommend it. The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge was released on 10/31. This will be a great fall read for anyone that enjoys their characters well developed and their creatures pissed off and violent as hell.
Thank you to the authors for a copy of this for review!
Army Vet Henry Miller sets out on a hunting trip in the Black Forest in Easton Falls, Washington. He thinks he may have had one hell of a day and shot the biggest bear that he has ever seen. Upon further inspection, he realizes, he definitely did not shoot a bear. Rather, he shot and killed something else that dwells in the woods that he has a hard time admitting can even be real. There seems to be a mutually agreed upon treaty between the people of Easton Falls and those that dwell in the forest, you stay on your half, we will stay on ours. However, Henry has just violated that agreement in the worst way possible and has now brought bloody hell down upon the people of Easton Falls.
Every time I read a creature feature, I go into it assuming that there will be tons of action, often a bit too over the top, and that it will get sort of goofy at some point. This is completely fine with me, I know it's going to happen before I even read the first page. This book wasn't like that. Yes, there is plenty of Bigfoot exacting his gory revenge however, the majority of the story is building up to that climax in a way that I would not have expected from this subgenre of horror. Most of the story revolves around Henry and a friend or two, coming to terms with what Henry has actually done and how to deal with it. I mean, what DO you do with the carcass of a Bigfoot that you shot on accident? I enjoyed it. The characters actions and reactions were terribly realistic if you could ever imagine yourself in this situation. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was actually invested in Henry's story. I was concerned more with how he was going to manage to keep killing a baby Bigfoot low-key versus when Bigfoot was actually going to show up.
If you can get your hands on a copy of this, I highly recommend it. The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge was released on 10/31. This will be a great fall read for anyone that enjoys their characters well developed and their creatures pissed off and violent as hell.
Thank you to the authors for a copy of this for review!
November 28, 2020
Bigfoot fun
The title gives it away. There is a massacre. There is Bigfoot. It’s lots of fun.
I enjoyed this quick read. There is enough character development to keep it interesting. The Bigfoot action is top notch and I loved that.
The title gives it away. There is a massacre. There is Bigfoot. It’s lots of fun.
I enjoyed this quick read. There is enough character development to keep it interesting. The Bigfoot action is top notch and I loved that.
July 27, 2020
I loved this book. The Easton Falls Massacre does a very good job of pulling you in from the very beginning: the writing submerges you entirely in the peaceful and tranquil mountain ambience, rivers, creeks and forests as old as time itself, filled with mystery, enriched by myth. As Henry Miller, the protagonist, goes hunting in the winter forest to clear his head, he finds himself having gone stray from the path and into unknown territory. There he comes face to face with the mythicial being, the very one that plagued his dreams as a little boy, fearful of the stories told by the Native American tribes who lived in the area of a monstrous creature who made the forest its home.
Mistaking the creature for a large, deformed bear, Henry makes the fateful decision that will echo throughout the rest of the story as the tragic chain of events that follow tear through the town of Easton Falls and rips apart everything he always loved. The myth of Bigfoot is handled in a very original way, bringing a new energy to the legend, as the authors give life to the fabled creatures as implacable forces of nature: powerful, relentless and savage, but still capable of profound feelings and complex language, like a dark reflection of humanity.
This is a story of the consequences that can be unleashed by humanity's unwitting encroachment of nature, and how even actions done with the best of intentions can lead to catastrophic results down the line. There are some places where humans were never meant to go, things they were never meant to see. I enjoyed the story very much, and how, in the end, even after the horrific events that follow the initial contact, the true facts about what happened remain unknown to the general population, surrounded by mystery, adding to the rich tradition and legends of Bigfoot.
Mistaking the creature for a large, deformed bear, Henry makes the fateful decision that will echo throughout the rest of the story as the tragic chain of events that follow tear through the town of Easton Falls and rips apart everything he always loved. The myth of Bigfoot is handled in a very original way, bringing a new energy to the legend, as the authors give life to the fabled creatures as implacable forces of nature: powerful, relentless and savage, but still capable of profound feelings and complex language, like a dark reflection of humanity.
This is a story of the consequences that can be unleashed by humanity's unwitting encroachment of nature, and how even actions done with the best of intentions can lead to catastrophic results down the line. There are some places where humans were never meant to go, things they were never meant to see. I enjoyed the story very much, and how, in the end, even after the horrific events that follow the initial contact, the true facts about what happened remain unknown to the general population, surrounded by mystery, adding to the rich tradition and legends of Bigfoot.
August 21, 2020
At just under 130 pages, I was initially concerned that this story would suffer from lack of character and plot development but, I am only too happy to say that this turned out to exceed my expectations in a number of ways.
Bigfoot stories are definitely lacking in the Horror genre. I wish that there were more out there. Holly and Ryan proved that there is great potential in this sub-genre and their story unfolded in a way that left me chuckling and thinking "well...this escalated quickly!"
The characters were masterfully developed in a short amount of time. Each character carried their own real life burdens and idiosyncrasies which in turn made them believable and likable.
Without divulging too much, this is a story about...duh...bigfoot and what would happen if both man and beast crossed paths. Obviously, the end result is not a good one. But who's to blame here? That, my friend, is for you to decide.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say that this gory creature feature will surely impress all readers in the horror community.
Bigfoot stories are definitely lacking in the Horror genre. I wish that there were more out there. Holly and Ryan proved that there is great potential in this sub-genre and their story unfolded in a way that left me chuckling and thinking "well...this escalated quickly!"
The characters were masterfully developed in a short amount of time. Each character carried their own real life burdens and idiosyncrasies which in turn made them believable and likable.
Without divulging too much, this is a story about...duh...bigfoot and what would happen if both man and beast crossed paths. Obviously, the end result is not a good one. But who's to blame here? That, my friend, is for you to decide.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say that this gory creature feature will surely impress all readers in the horror community.
October 30, 2020
An ancient truce has been shattered, Kellen Tsosie is heartbroken by what he is witnessing in the wilderness, it can only lead to a bad end, but he’s unable to stop it.
Henry Miller, home from horror he’s been apart of overseas in the war is discharged and trying to live a quiet life with his girlfriend Kate who stills has wandering feet and can’t commit to marriage ( she’s also pregnant) she tells Henry the child isn’t his and breaks off the relationship. Henry, devastated decides to travel up to a friends hunting lodge to hunt bear.
What he shoots in the Woods is no bear and all hell is about to break loose when two angry creatures come to town looking for it and revenge. No spoilers here. Probably one of the best cryptid novellas of this year.
A different spin on the Bigfoot legend with fantastic character development, fast pace action and plenty of gore. The ending is a spin on its own and I need more. This Novella packs a potent creature feature punch and is highly recommended! 10/30 release! You will want this book for for your Halloween weekend read!
Henry Miller, home from horror he’s been apart of overseas in the war is discharged and trying to live a quiet life with his girlfriend Kate who stills has wandering feet and can’t commit to marriage ( she’s also pregnant) she tells Henry the child isn’t his and breaks off the relationship. Henry, devastated decides to travel up to a friends hunting lodge to hunt bear.
What he shoots in the Woods is no bear and all hell is about to break loose when two angry creatures come to town looking for it and revenge. No spoilers here. Probably one of the best cryptid novellas of this year.
A different spin on the Bigfoot legend with fantastic character development, fast pace action and plenty of gore. The ending is a spin on its own and I need more. This Novella packs a potent creature feature punch and is highly recommended! 10/30 release! You will want this book for for your Halloween weekend read!
May 17, 2022
The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge by Holly Rae Garcia and Ryan Prentice Garcia is a nail-biting tale about a hunting mistake that has huge consequences.
I was so invested in this one! I read it in one sitting. I absolutely could not set it down.
The small town feel was wonderful. I could relate to this so much, especially with the whole not locking your doors and the gossip traveling fast! We had a joke in my tiny hometown off the coast of Maine that when you sneezed up-island, someone down-island was already saying, “Bless you.”
The characters also really came off the page for me as they each seemed like someone I had known at one point or another while growing up in a small town.
Gosh, this one was such a great read!! I could ramble on forever! But I’ll leave the rest of the magic up to you.
A must-read for fans of cryptids and horror that doesn’t shy away from the gore-filled terror!
I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Go pick up a copy today!
*Full review coming soon!*
I was so invested in this one! I read it in one sitting. I absolutely could not set it down.
The small town feel was wonderful. I could relate to this so much, especially with the whole not locking your doors and the gossip traveling fast! We had a joke in my tiny hometown off the coast of Maine that when you sneezed up-island, someone down-island was already saying, “Bless you.”
The characters also really came off the page for me as they each seemed like someone I had known at one point or another while growing up in a small town.
Gosh, this one was such a great read!! I could ramble on forever! But I’ll leave the rest of the magic up to you.
A must-read for fans of cryptids and horror that doesn’t shy away from the gore-filled terror!
I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Go pick up a copy today!
*Full review coming soon!*
December 15, 2020
Set in the beautifully described state of Washington, The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge is a creature feature that also dynamically paints a picture of small town America. The main story is that of an unknown creature, but the authors also weave in story lines of love, friendship and betrayal. It’s also important to note that this book is written by two people, but it feels seamless and you wouldn’t know without them both listed on the cover; there is one clear narrative here.
You can read Charlotte's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Charlotte's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
October 21, 2020
This is a solid adventure story--the main character is a real, complex human (who's had a very sympathy-inducing hard time of it lately, even before his supernatural troubles arise!). I really like how the authors wove the mythological into the genuine flavor of small-town America--it is absolutely believable that it might have gone down this way. And the ending will shock you! Definitely recommend this book.
July 28, 2020
Recent appearances in horror film and literature of the Native American wendigo have paved a welcoming path for The Easton Falls Massacre. Co-written by Holly Rae Garcia and Ryan Prentice Garcia, the tale is a contemporary interpretation of the Dzunukwa, the Kwakiutl legend that also appears in Chinook tradition as Sasquatch. Easton Falls in a good old-fashioned monster story, and it establishes its ominous mood right from the beginning, as the protagonist reminisces about his childhood outings in the woods: “Henry always said he wasn’t afraid of a little green man, but he still stayed close to his dad and grandpa on their hunting trips. The one that really frightened him, the one that kept him up at night, was the Dzunukwa…Bigfoot.” When an adult Henry, now 6’3”, stumbles upon the beast, he at first mistakes the looming creature for a bear. Upon closer inspection, however, he realizes that the massive, hairy frame “dwarfs” him: “if it had been standing, he would have been eye to eye with its belly button, if there was such a thing hiding amongst the dense fur.” It’s an image hard to forget and one that brings to mind Stephen King’s terrifying monster in Cycle of the Werewolf.
What’s most delicious about Easton Falls is its well-crafted employment of the trope that appears in the best classic creature features. A character might have escaped demise by a ferocious creature, but what if that creature is only one of many? And what if the others in its clan come to enact their revenge? Normally, I am not a monster horror fan, but I was already familiar with Holly Rae Garcia’s realistic dark fiction work, and I was curious to see what she would do with this subgenre. Sure enough, as she did in Come Join the Murder, Garcia delivers the goods with true-to-life dialogue and characterization that lends easy believability to her characters and setting. He co-writer, Ryan Prentice Garcia, lists himself as an Army veteran in his biography. The background story of Henry’s Gulf War service rings true and applicable, and it sets up the main character to be both multidimensional and empathetic.
As someone who has penned a novel-length work with a partner before, I know it can be extremely difficult: no matter how closely two authors’ writing styles are or how well their visions align, it is a complicated endeavor to meld separate pieces seamlessly. And yet, the Garcias achieve a singular voice that is tight and strong—there are no rough edges, and it’s clear they crafted this work as a united partnership. I hope this is the first of many collaborations to come. Pick up The Easton Falls Massacre before embarking on your next romantic getaway to a remote cabin or on your family’s next camping trip. You’ll jump at every creak and crackle, and isn’t that the best part about reading a good monster story?
What’s most delicious about Easton Falls is its well-crafted employment of the trope that appears in the best classic creature features. A character might have escaped demise by a ferocious creature, but what if that creature is only one of many? And what if the others in its clan come to enact their revenge? Normally, I am not a monster horror fan, but I was already familiar with Holly Rae Garcia’s realistic dark fiction work, and I was curious to see what she would do with this subgenre. Sure enough, as she did in Come Join the Murder, Garcia delivers the goods with true-to-life dialogue and characterization that lends easy believability to her characters and setting. He co-writer, Ryan Prentice Garcia, lists himself as an Army veteran in his biography. The background story of Henry’s Gulf War service rings true and applicable, and it sets up the main character to be both multidimensional and empathetic.
As someone who has penned a novel-length work with a partner before, I know it can be extremely difficult: no matter how closely two authors’ writing styles are or how well their visions align, it is a complicated endeavor to meld separate pieces seamlessly. And yet, the Garcias achieve a singular voice that is tight and strong—there are no rough edges, and it’s clear they crafted this work as a united partnership. I hope this is the first of many collaborations to come. Pick up The Easton Falls Massacre before embarking on your next romantic getaway to a remote cabin or on your family’s next camping trip. You’ll jump at every creak and crackle, and isn’t that the best part about reading a good monster story?
September 7, 2020
I received an e-book ARC of The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge by authors Holly Rae and Ryan Prentice Garcia, from publisher Close 2 The Bone in return for my honest review, which follows below. I thank them for this opportunity.
I rated this novella 5 stars.
I was surprised at how little cryptid horror I had personally encountered before this novella, when you think about it, Bigfoot and Nessie both fit alongside Dracula and Cthulhu pretty well. That may be on me though, and how I search horror, not a true representation of the genre. Either way I was pretty stoked to read this novella and see if it would live up to the title’s promise of massacre and revenge, Bigfoot style. (It totally did, pleased to report.)
The reader was not showered with too many facts and an abundant history of the Bigfoot tribe suddenly revealed to us, and I think that was a smart move on the authors’ part. The X-Files episodes that stuck with me, that made me jump at shadows and turn on all the lights to go to the bathroom, gave me just enough information to make me say, “I could see that happening.” How many times have we read about scientists discovering new species in caves or in the ocean, or finding a previously thought extinct species running around? Singing Dogs, anyone? So I am just saying, we don’t know what we don’t know.
I’ll admit I worried that the story was starting to slow and lag a bit in the middle, at least it felt that way to me. I think because the focus was on the main characters personal problems for a bit, instead of, you know, Bigfoot stuff, my attention lagged. Others may not feel that way. If it had stayed the way it was going for me, it would have been a 4 star read, but it rallied! The last part picked up and delivered. There were no pulled punches, the story unfolded the way you would expect something like this to end, if told realistically and without the hallmark ending. I was really impressed, as I always am, when a writer is willing to give an ending that’s raw like that.
To me the heart of this novella centered on one thing, strip everything else away, it’s glaring; loss.
When you sit back and think through everything, what guided everyone. A very base reaction to a strong emotion. Made me wonder how things may have ended differently, if little changes had happened along the way; if reactions had been a little more controlled by everyone involved. Great read, hit me in different ways.
I rated this novella 5 stars.
I was surprised at how little cryptid horror I had personally encountered before this novella, when you think about it, Bigfoot and Nessie both fit alongside Dracula and Cthulhu pretty well. That may be on me though, and how I search horror, not a true representation of the genre. Either way I was pretty stoked to read this novella and see if it would live up to the title’s promise of massacre and revenge, Bigfoot style. (It totally did, pleased to report.)
The reader was not showered with too many facts and an abundant history of the Bigfoot tribe suddenly revealed to us, and I think that was a smart move on the authors’ part. The X-Files episodes that stuck with me, that made me jump at shadows and turn on all the lights to go to the bathroom, gave me just enough information to make me say, “I could see that happening.” How many times have we read about scientists discovering new species in caves or in the ocean, or finding a previously thought extinct species running around? Singing Dogs, anyone? So I am just saying, we don’t know what we don’t know.
I’ll admit I worried that the story was starting to slow and lag a bit in the middle, at least it felt that way to me. I think because the focus was on the main characters personal problems for a bit, instead of, you know, Bigfoot stuff, my attention lagged. Others may not feel that way. If it had stayed the way it was going for me, it would have been a 4 star read, but it rallied! The last part picked up and delivered. There were no pulled punches, the story unfolded the way you would expect something like this to end, if told realistically and without the hallmark ending. I was really impressed, as I always am, when a writer is willing to give an ending that’s raw like that.
To me the heart of this novella centered on one thing, strip everything else away, it’s glaring; loss.
When you sit back and think through everything, what guided everyone. A very base reaction to a strong emotion. Made me wonder how things may have ended differently, if little changes had happened along the way; if reactions had been a little more controlled by everyone involved. Great read, hit me in different ways.
November 27, 2020
Henry Miller's life is falling apart when he shoots something that looks like a huge bear. Unfortunately for him and the town, the creature belongs to an ancient race that lives secretly and now they are out for vengeance.
In this violent and disturbing story where everyone gets their just desserts in one form or another, The Easton Falls Massacre is a quick, entertaining read. It doesn't linger on what's right or wrong just unleashes the consequences of one man's decisions.
I appreciate the story for what it is but I wish we could have spent more time in this world and with these characters.
I received a free ebook from Book Sirens in exchange for a review.
In this violent and disturbing story where everyone gets their just desserts in one form or another, The Easton Falls Massacre is a quick, entertaining read. It doesn't linger on what's right or wrong just unleashes the consequences of one man's decisions.
I appreciate the story for what it is but I wish we could have spent more time in this world and with these characters.
I received a free ebook from Book Sirens in exchange for a review.
November 3, 2020
A straight ahead pulp monster horror with a main character in way over his head and not afraid to let the strain show. This is a book that does what it says in the title, but adds intrigue in a long held truce between the Tsosie family and the Bigfoots(? Bigfeet?).
It's not a flashy book, but does a great job of fleshing out the main character. A former soldier with a hint of PTSD, he struggles to hold it together as events mount on top of him and is kind of a dick really, which I enjoyed for the variation of the usual hero.
Hopefully more to come from this series!
It's not a flashy book, but does a great job of fleshing out the main character. A former soldier with a hint of PTSD, he struggles to hold it together as events mount on top of him and is kind of a dick really, which I enjoyed for the variation of the usual hero.
Hopefully more to come from this series!
December 15, 2020
Originally posted over at my personal blog site, Night Terror Novels
“It couldn’t be the Dzunukwa, or the Bakwas. Sasquatch weren’t real, or Bigfoot, or the million other names people called creatures like that. It had to be a mutant, a one-off. Some sort of birth defect. Because Bigfoot did not exist.”
– Holly Rae Garcia, Ryan Prentice Garcia, The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge
I feel like I should probably start this review with an admission; I love cryptids. I love, love, love them. I will greedily devour any piece of media regarding them: books, documentaries, movies – I just absolutely love it all. The subject has been something of a personal hobby of mine for an awful long time now.
So with that in mind, The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge (2020) from Holly and Ryan Garcia, a novel about a Bigfoot encounter in small-town America, already had a slight advantage going in. Though, it also needs mentioning that I had already experienced Max Brooks’ stellar story of survival, Devolution (2020), earlier this year. Similarly focusing on a man versus Bigfoot narrative, Brooks’ astonishing book had set a lofty bar for stories concerning the lovable (or not so, in these two examples) hairy ape.
I’ll be honest – going into this story, I was a little worried that the incredibly high standard set by Brooks would be a burden. But actually, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this story was, and how much it stood up in its own right. Whilst Brooks’ interpretation of Bigfoot was more scientific, depicting them as animalistic primates driven by primal urges, the Garcia’s offer a more tribal and societal version of the hairy beasts. This distinction, alongside the more human qualities they chose to instil in their apes, completely drew me in.
The characters are terrific, and really well-written. Henry Miller makes for an interesting protagonist, and his relationships and interactions with the other characters feel natural and realistic. The back and forth between Henry and his friend Pete Stewart was great, as was the contentious rivalry between himself and fellow hunting enthusiast Robert Williams. I really loved how the authors set the scene as well – it was very easy to put myself in those deep forests, shadowed by the Cascades mountain range, to feel the temperamental weather of the Pacific Northwest, and to soak in the atmosphere of Easton Falls, a classic all-American town through and through.
At around a hundred pages, this is a brisk experience – I would have perhaps preferred a little more delving into the town itself, and into the people that call it home. I felt like some of the plot points regarding Henry and his (recently ex) partner Kate’s relationship sort of fizzled out, when they could have been developed further, for more emotional resonance. I’d also have been keen to see more from characters like Kellen Tsosie, who was really intriguing. His and his family’s role as peacekeeper between the town and the tribe of Bigfoot is definitely something that could have been expanded further.
I wouldn’t say the plot reinvented the wheel either, but nor did I think it particularly needed to. As a straightforward, sometimes thrilling, and consistently entertaining narrative, there was so much to love here. It is worth noting as well that this story is subtitled ‘Book One’, so if the Garcia’s plan to return to this world, I’ll be more than happy to revisit Easton Falls and its townsfolk. I’d also be eager to learn more about their version of everyone’s favourite elusive primate. The fact that it left me very hungry for more is only ever a good thing, in my opinion.
VERDICT: The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge does what it says on the metaphorical tin: it weaves a simple but endlessly entertaining story of furry vengeance (nothing to do with the awful 2010 ‘comedy’ film of that name, thankfully), with an engaging cast of characters, excellent scene descriptions, and several enjoyable set pieces. It’s a short experience – I’d have happily read more about the town and its residents, prior to things going to hell – but is thoroughly engaging, and easy reading, to coast through over a spare day or two. I would definitely be up for reading more from this pair of authors in the future.
All things considered, it’s a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this reviewer.
Book Information
Title(s): The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge, The Easton Falls Massacre
Author(s): Holly Rae Garcia, Ryan Prentice Garcia
Publisher(s): Close to the Bone
Original Publication Date: 30th October 2020
Page Count: 99 Pages
Format Read: Digital
Advance Review Copy (Y/N): N
Website(s): https://www.hollyraegarcia.com/
https://www.ryanprenticegarcia.com/
https://www.close2thebone.co.uk/wp/
“It couldn’t be the Dzunukwa, or the Bakwas. Sasquatch weren’t real, or Bigfoot, or the million other names people called creatures like that. It had to be a mutant, a one-off. Some sort of birth defect. Because Bigfoot did not exist.”
– Holly Rae Garcia, Ryan Prentice Garcia, The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge
I feel like I should probably start this review with an admission; I love cryptids. I love, love, love them. I will greedily devour any piece of media regarding them: books, documentaries, movies – I just absolutely love it all. The subject has been something of a personal hobby of mine for an awful long time now.
So with that in mind, The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge (2020) from Holly and Ryan Garcia, a novel about a Bigfoot encounter in small-town America, already had a slight advantage going in. Though, it also needs mentioning that I had already experienced Max Brooks’ stellar story of survival, Devolution (2020), earlier this year. Similarly focusing on a man versus Bigfoot narrative, Brooks’ astonishing book had set a lofty bar for stories concerning the lovable (or not so, in these two examples) hairy ape.
I’ll be honest – going into this story, I was a little worried that the incredibly high standard set by Brooks would be a burden. But actually, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this story was, and how much it stood up in its own right. Whilst Brooks’ interpretation of Bigfoot was more scientific, depicting them as animalistic primates driven by primal urges, the Garcia’s offer a more tribal and societal version of the hairy beasts. This distinction, alongside the more human qualities they chose to instil in their apes, completely drew me in.
The characters are terrific, and really well-written. Henry Miller makes for an interesting protagonist, and his relationships and interactions with the other characters feel natural and realistic. The back and forth between Henry and his friend Pete Stewart was great, as was the contentious rivalry between himself and fellow hunting enthusiast Robert Williams. I really loved how the authors set the scene as well – it was very easy to put myself in those deep forests, shadowed by the Cascades mountain range, to feel the temperamental weather of the Pacific Northwest, and to soak in the atmosphere of Easton Falls, a classic all-American town through and through.
At around a hundred pages, this is a brisk experience – I would have perhaps preferred a little more delving into the town itself, and into the people that call it home. I felt like some of the plot points regarding Henry and his (recently ex) partner Kate’s relationship sort of fizzled out, when they could have been developed further, for more emotional resonance. I’d also have been keen to see more from characters like Kellen Tsosie, who was really intriguing. His and his family’s role as peacekeeper between the town and the tribe of Bigfoot is definitely something that could have been expanded further.
I wouldn’t say the plot reinvented the wheel either, but nor did I think it particularly needed to. As a straightforward, sometimes thrilling, and consistently entertaining narrative, there was so much to love here. It is worth noting as well that this story is subtitled ‘Book One’, so if the Garcia’s plan to return to this world, I’ll be more than happy to revisit Easton Falls and its townsfolk. I’d also be eager to learn more about their version of everyone’s favourite elusive primate. The fact that it left me very hungry for more is only ever a good thing, in my opinion.
VERDICT: The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge does what it says on the metaphorical tin: it weaves a simple but endlessly entertaining story of furry vengeance (nothing to do with the awful 2010 ‘comedy’ film of that name, thankfully), with an engaging cast of characters, excellent scene descriptions, and several enjoyable set pieces. It’s a short experience – I’d have happily read more about the town and its residents, prior to things going to hell – but is thoroughly engaging, and easy reading, to coast through over a spare day or two. I would definitely be up for reading more from this pair of authors in the future.
All things considered, it’s a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this reviewer.
Book Information
Title(s): The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge, The Easton Falls Massacre
Author(s): Holly Rae Garcia, Ryan Prentice Garcia
Publisher(s): Close to the Bone
Original Publication Date: 30th October 2020
Page Count: 99 Pages
Format Read: Digital
Advance Review Copy (Y/N): N
Website(s): https://www.hollyraegarcia.com/
https://www.ryanprenticegarcia.com/
https://www.close2thebone.co.uk/wp/
November 15, 2020
This is a story of revenge served cold and it is hard to believe that it was packed so satisfyingly into a novella format. I had very little interest in Bigfoot until my father met a man that actively searches for sasquatches in the Ontario brush… needless to say that spiked my interest in reading more about Bigfoot as both a speculative urban legend and as a creature-feature. This particular novella approaches Bigfoot as being one of a tribe alongside their relationship to Indigenous communities in their area.
Our tie and narrator is an army veteran, Henry Miller, that struggles to grasp the life he wants in his home town. He manages to get a hold of a normal romance with a normal baby no the way and leading toward a very normal future when a wrench is thrown and Henry looks for an escape. So he goes hunting, only to discover that he just killed something he has never seen before. It is a monster like no other. The ensuing events are completely out of his control, and makes you wonder if anything ever was.
The prose creep into your brain like sticks cracking in the woods at dusk. Imploring the reader to ruminate on the human condition, Easton Falls Massacre is more than your average horror story. It takes a trope and brings it into the forefront of your mind, making you beg to be let go.
Thank you so much to the publishers and author for making this advanced reading copy available for me to review. Cheers!
Our tie and narrator is an army veteran, Henry Miller, that struggles to grasp the life he wants in his home town. He manages to get a hold of a normal romance with a normal baby no the way and leading toward a very normal future when a wrench is thrown and Henry looks for an escape. So he goes hunting, only to discover that he just killed something he has never seen before. It is a monster like no other. The ensuing events are completely out of his control, and makes you wonder if anything ever was.
The prose creep into your brain like sticks cracking in the woods at dusk. Imploring the reader to ruminate on the human condition, Easton Falls Massacre is more than your average horror story. It takes a trope and brings it into the forefront of your mind, making you beg to be let go.
Thank you so much to the publishers and author for making this advanced reading copy available for me to review. Cheers!
Read
February 1, 2022Review to follow but if you like cryptids then you should read this.
November 16, 2020
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
Thank you to Holly Rae Garcia and Ryan Prentice Garcia for sending me an eARC of this novella!
Back when I was a kiddo, along with my supernatural and ghost obsession I was also very into cryptids and cryptozoology. I would check out books from my school library about The Loch Ness Monster, The Abominable Snowman, and, of course, Bigfoot. As time went on my fascination with such things waned, but I’m still game to talk about weird cryptic stories if anyone else is (especially if we are talking about my boi Mothman!). I haven’t really dabbled into much creature feature horror in my book repertoire. Enter Holly Rae Garcia reaching out to me asking if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the novella “The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge”, which she wrote with her husband, Ryan Prentice Garcia. I was taken with the description, and said yes, yes I would. It’s been awhile since I last did a stint with some Bigfoot lore.
“The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge” is a bloody, tense, fun horror novella in which humans have to contend with the wrath of Bigfoot, and let me tell you, I had a blast reading it. The authors do a fantastic job of fitting in relationship angst, small town drama, and a sense of foreboding and isolation, all while building up to a gory and unrepentant gore-a-thon where a couple Bigfoots enter a small town’s city limits and fuck shit up. There is a little background given to the area (being the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot Central U.S.A.), as well as hints dropped about how the Indigenous people who had been there before connect to the Bigfoot lore. While I’m always a bit skittish when it comes to Indigenous belief systems and mythology being used in fantasy and/or horror media, I will say that in this book it wasn’t trotted out repeatedly or focused upon too much (that said, as a white woman, I can’t speak for Indigenous People). Along with a solid setting, we have some pretty solid characters too. Our protagonist, Henry, has a tough backstory which gives him a pall of sadness, and there are enough fraught and messy aspects to him and his relationship to his lover Kate that make you connect and feel for both of them. You also get a good sense about the town and how the people function within it, and how their relationships grow, change, and sometimes turn toxic. All of this is accomplished in a short novella, and I was impressed that so much was explored in the number of pages we had to work with.
And now the Bigfoot stuff. Fun as hell. I don’t want to give many spoilers, of course, but just know that the reasons behind the ‘revenge’ aspect that is promised in the title is pretty understandable. While I could sympathize with Henry, and certainly the townspeople that we encountered, ultimately I was here to see Bigfoots take out a bunch of humans, because humans are the WORST. And this book certainly delivers that. The descriptions of the various death scenes, and the aftermaths, are gruesome and over the top, and absolutely feel like they could be those you’d find in a B-schlock horror creature feature from Troma. Which makes the read super entertaining.
Halloween may be just behind us, but if you’re like me and always looking to extend the season by a hair, you should definitely consider picking up “The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge”. And hey, if you live in the Pacific Northwest, just be careful when you wander into the woods. You never know what you could find!
Thank you to Holly Rae Garcia and Ryan Prentice Garcia for sending me an eARC of this novella!
Back when I was a kiddo, along with my supernatural and ghost obsession I was also very into cryptids and cryptozoology. I would check out books from my school library about The Loch Ness Monster, The Abominable Snowman, and, of course, Bigfoot. As time went on my fascination with such things waned, but I’m still game to talk about weird cryptic stories if anyone else is (especially if we are talking about my boi Mothman!). I haven’t really dabbled into much creature feature horror in my book repertoire. Enter Holly Rae Garcia reaching out to me asking if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the novella “The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge”, which she wrote with her husband, Ryan Prentice Garcia. I was taken with the description, and said yes, yes I would. It’s been awhile since I last did a stint with some Bigfoot lore.
“The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge” is a bloody, tense, fun horror novella in which humans have to contend with the wrath of Bigfoot, and let me tell you, I had a blast reading it. The authors do a fantastic job of fitting in relationship angst, small town drama, and a sense of foreboding and isolation, all while building up to a gory and unrepentant gore-a-thon where a couple Bigfoots enter a small town’s city limits and fuck shit up. There is a little background given to the area (being the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot Central U.S.A.), as well as hints dropped about how the Indigenous people who had been there before connect to the Bigfoot lore. While I’m always a bit skittish when it comes to Indigenous belief systems and mythology being used in fantasy and/or horror media, I will say that in this book it wasn’t trotted out repeatedly or focused upon too much (that said, as a white woman, I can’t speak for Indigenous People). Along with a solid setting, we have some pretty solid characters too. Our protagonist, Henry, has a tough backstory which gives him a pall of sadness, and there are enough fraught and messy aspects to him and his relationship to his lover Kate that make you connect and feel for both of them. You also get a good sense about the town and how the people function within it, and how their relationships grow, change, and sometimes turn toxic. All of this is accomplished in a short novella, and I was impressed that so much was explored in the number of pages we had to work with.
And now the Bigfoot stuff. Fun as hell. I don’t want to give many spoilers, of course, but just know that the reasons behind the ‘revenge’ aspect that is promised in the title is pretty understandable. While I could sympathize with Henry, and certainly the townspeople that we encountered, ultimately I was here to see Bigfoots take out a bunch of humans, because humans are the WORST. And this book certainly delivers that. The descriptions of the various death scenes, and the aftermaths, are gruesome and over the top, and absolutely feel like they could be those you’d find in a B-schlock horror creature feature from Troma. Which makes the read super entertaining.
Halloween may be just behind us, but if you’re like me and always looking to extend the season by a hair, you should definitely consider picking up “The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot’s Revenge”. And hey, if you live in the Pacific Northwest, just be careful when you wander into the woods. You never know what you could find!
January 31, 2021
I read Holly Rae Garcia's COME JOIN THE MURDER a few months back and was really impressed with her storytelling and tight prose. It was an absolute joy to read.
I just remember it having a ton of depth running all the way through. If you haven't read it, it's worth seeking out.
After that, and even though I knew it would be completely different, I added THE EASTON FALLS MASSACRE: BIGFOOT'S REVENGE to the top of my TBR pile for February's Women In Horror Month.
Yes, she is that good.
Okay, I started a day early here, but I didn't want to begin another book and not get it finished in time.
Anyway, this one is a collaboration with Ryan Prentice Garcia (Husband?) not that it matters, because boy was it a blast.
I read it in one sitting (around two hours) and not once was I bored. The pages flew by. It's got the tension and gore that you would imagine it to have with a title like that, but it's also really well written with great characters. I loved the setting, the pacing, all the way to the ending. It was just right up my street.
Horror fans will lap this up. It's a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Its available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. The paperback is dirt cheap, too. Don't let it pass you by.
It's a beast of a novella.
And an easy five stars.
I just remember it having a ton of depth running all the way through. If you haven't read it, it's worth seeking out.
After that, and even though I knew it would be completely different, I added THE EASTON FALLS MASSACRE: BIGFOOT'S REVENGE to the top of my TBR pile for February's Women In Horror Month.
Yes, she is that good.
Okay, I started a day early here, but I didn't want to begin another book and not get it finished in time.
Anyway, this one is a collaboration with Ryan Prentice Garcia (Husband?) not that it matters, because boy was it a blast.
I read it in one sitting (around two hours) and not once was I bored. The pages flew by. It's got the tension and gore that you would imagine it to have with a title like that, but it's also really well written with great characters. I loved the setting, the pacing, all the way to the ending. It was just right up my street.
Horror fans will lap this up. It's a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Its available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. The paperback is dirt cheap, too. Don't let it pass you by.
It's a beast of a novella.
And an easy five stars.
October 19, 2020
When people hear the name "Bigfoot" it often gathers a few snickers. Bigfoot is thought for many to be an elusive creature lurking deep in the forest, but always watching from afar. Those who claim to have seen Bigfoot, or signs of the beasts, are often regarded as crazy or accused of fabricating their encounters. Due to this, Bigfoot, a thing of legend, is often looked at as just a fantastic character and little more. But what is Bigfoot were real? What if man and beast collided in the worst of ways?
The authors of 'The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge" bring the residents of a small Pacific Northwestern town face to face with the terrifying beasts, and they are NOTHING to snicker at. When US Army Veteran, Henry, gets some earth-shattering news from his girlfriend, Kate, he retreats to the forest for a hunt that will hopefully clear his mind and ease his broken heart. Henry thinks he has just landed the kill of the century, but he very quickly learns that he has awoken an ancient race of Bigfoot that have hidden away in solitude for centuries, and these Bigfoot are ANGRY!
One thing that I really appreciated about this book was the way Garcia and Garcia wove the story of Henry's personal relationship troubles with the Bigfoot horror. Readers see a man who is grief stricken himself due to suddenly having all of his dreams of a happy life dashed in one evening, but they also see this same man inadvertently passing grief and feelings of loss on to the Bigfoot. As Henry processes and deals with his feelings, so does the Bigfoot by tearing the town's residents limb from limb and head from torso.
This book was full of good story telling, brutal moments, and truly terrifying creatures! Any fans of grief horror, creature features, crypids, and survivialism will find this to be a satisfying novella. I need more Bigfoot horrors!
**Thank you to the authors for providing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.**
The authors of 'The Easton Falls Massacre: Bigfoot's Revenge" bring the residents of a small Pacific Northwestern town face to face with the terrifying beasts, and they are NOTHING to snicker at. When US Army Veteran, Henry, gets some earth-shattering news from his girlfriend, Kate, he retreats to the forest for a hunt that will hopefully clear his mind and ease his broken heart. Henry thinks he has just landed the kill of the century, but he very quickly learns that he has awoken an ancient race of Bigfoot that have hidden away in solitude for centuries, and these Bigfoot are ANGRY!
One thing that I really appreciated about this book was the way Garcia and Garcia wove the story of Henry's personal relationship troubles with the Bigfoot horror. Readers see a man who is grief stricken himself due to suddenly having all of his dreams of a happy life dashed in one evening, but they also see this same man inadvertently passing grief and feelings of loss on to the Bigfoot. As Henry processes and deals with his feelings, so does the Bigfoot by tearing the town's residents limb from limb and head from torso.
This book was full of good story telling, brutal moments, and truly terrifying creatures! Any fans of grief horror, creature features, crypids, and survivialism will find this to be a satisfying novella. I need more Bigfoot horrors!
**Thank you to the authors for providing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.**
September 30, 2020
Wow, what a story!
Henry Miller is an army vet who's seen it all, the good and the bad. Except "all" never included a bigfoot wandering onto a hunting trail, until now.
After ten years apart, Henry gets back together with the love of his life, and they're expecting a baby. He's ready to propose but she has something to tell him, something important that makes them part ways for the second time.
Broken hearted, Henry decides to go hunting for a bear and stumbles onto something else. A poor bigfoot that wandered off. Of course, he didn't see it was a bigfoot, not until it was too late.
The whole town riles up and it's not long before things go south. And why isn't anyone listening to the one guy who can stop the madness?
I love this book, it has everything. From a likable protagonist with a sad back story to gossipy townsfolk and angry bigfoot (bigfeet?) and gore.
I feel so bad for the bigfoot Henry shot but if he didn't then we wouldn't have this awesome story so...he got his justice (some form of it) at the end.
I hated Kate. Yup. How could she do that to him? I really don't know. Henry is just too good for her.
I did like Pete, Connor and Kellen the most, after the bigfoot and Henry.
I love the authors' writing style, it flows well and sucks you in. I didn't want to slow down while reading but at the same time if I read too fast it would be over and I didn't want that either. In the end I decided on a medium pace and I'm still sad there isn't any more to devour (especially after reading the post-ending articles).
Now I'm in the mood to go bigfoot hunting, without actually, you know, hunting them. More like quietly observing them from a safe distance. Perfect spooky read.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Henry Miller is an army vet who's seen it all, the good and the bad. Except "all" never included a bigfoot wandering onto a hunting trail, until now.
After ten years apart, Henry gets back together with the love of his life, and they're expecting a baby. He's ready to propose but she has something to tell him, something important that makes them part ways for the second time.
Broken hearted, Henry decides to go hunting for a bear and stumbles onto something else. A poor bigfoot that wandered off. Of course, he didn't see it was a bigfoot, not until it was too late.
The whole town riles up and it's not long before things go south. And why isn't anyone listening to the one guy who can stop the madness?
I love this book, it has everything. From a likable protagonist with a sad back story to gossipy townsfolk and angry bigfoot (bigfeet?) and gore.
I feel so bad for the bigfoot Henry shot but if he didn't then we wouldn't have this awesome story so...he got his justice (some form of it) at the end.
I hated Kate. Yup. How could she do that to him? I really don't know. Henry is just too good for her.
I did like Pete, Connor and Kellen the most, after the bigfoot and Henry.
I love the authors' writing style, it flows well and sucks you in. I didn't want to slow down while reading but at the same time if I read too fast it would be over and I didn't want that either. In the end I decided on a medium pace and I'm still sad there isn't any more to devour (especially after reading the post-ending articles).
Now I'm in the mood to go bigfoot hunting, without actually, you know, hunting them. More like quietly observing them from a safe distance. Perfect spooky read.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
February 25, 2021
Henry’s world comes crashing down on him. Just when he thinks that nothing else can surprise him, he triggers an attack on the town. He thought it was just a big bear, he was wrong. Now the things parents want revenge.
If this story was extrapolated out it would have made things more interesting. It seemed very cut and dry and so much could have been drawn out
If this story was extrapolated out it would have made things more interesting. It seemed very cut and dry and so much could have been drawn out
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