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Smolder
Divorced and about to lose his home to foreclosure, Eric decides to take a late night walk to clear his head. Not thinking about what might be lurking in the shadows, he soon finds out that you are never truly alone in the woods.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2021
17 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Goodwin
26 books124 followersMichael R. Goodwin is the author of THE LIBERTY KEY, a novel of supernatural suspense, SMOLDER, a horror novella, and ROADSIDE FORGOTTEN, a collection of five short stories. His collection of short stories, HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO BURN, was released by Dark Pine Publishing, and he has released several standalone short stories.
His work has been featured in multiple anthologies such as "124 Beloved" by Regulus Press, "Lunatic Lullabies" by Pyke Publishing, "October Blood" by Hawke Haus, "Devil's Rejects" by Dark Pine Publishing, and "The Sacrament" by Dark Lit Press. Aside from writing, he enjoys reading, composing music, and photography.
He lives in Maine with his wife and four children.
His work has been featured in multiple anthologies such as "124 Beloved" by Regulus Press, "Lunatic Lullabies" by Pyke Publishing, "October Blood" by Hawke Haus, "Devil's Rejects" by Dark Pine Publishing, and "The Sacrament" by Dark Lit Press. Aside from writing, he enjoys reading, composing music, and photography.
He lives in Maine with his wife and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
April 28, 2025
It Was Everything and
It Was Nothing...
SMOLDER
by Michael R. Goodwin
No spoilers. 4 stars. While surveying a property line in the woods of Hamilton, ME, a surveyor got lost...
His compass was no help to him...
The needle kept spinning in every direction no matter which way he turned...
Worse yet...
His mobile had no service, and nightfall was coming on. Finally, he located the property marker, then called it quits for the day...
The woods suddenly seemed very dark...
He could actually feel the darkness on his skin. It was thick, heavy, and shadow darkened. It burned painfully...
He could feel himself boiling inside, and an intense white-hot flash filled his brain...
He fell to the ground...
His bones turned to jelly, his body became an oozing puddle, and he lay there dying...
The Smolder finished covering the man. Afterward, when The Nothing took his turn with him, the earth took the rest of the surveyor...
The Nothing...
It was everything, and...
It was Nothing...
It took me a little while to get to this little novella of cosmic horror, but I'm glad I finally read it. It was very good, especially the first half. Most of the book, I was wondering what in the world I was reading, but it all came together nicely in the end.
Warning to some readers: The death of a pregnant doe and her fawn are part of the story as well as domestic violence and abuse.
It Was Nothing...
SMOLDER
by Michael R. Goodwin
No spoilers. 4 stars. While surveying a property line in the woods of Hamilton, ME, a surveyor got lost...
His compass was no help to him...
The needle kept spinning in every direction no matter which way he turned...
Worse yet...
His mobile had no service, and nightfall was coming on. Finally, he located the property marker, then called it quits for the day...
The woods suddenly seemed very dark...
He could actually feel the darkness on his skin. It was thick, heavy, and shadow darkened. It burned painfully...
He could feel himself boiling inside, and an intense white-hot flash filled his brain...
He fell to the ground...
His bones turned to jelly, his body became an oozing puddle, and he lay there dying...
The Smolder finished covering the man. Afterward, when The Nothing took his turn with him, the earth took the rest of the surveyor...
The Nothing...
It was everything, and...
It was Nothing...
It took me a little while to get to this little novella of cosmic horror, but I'm glad I finally read it. It was very good, especially the first half. Most of the book, I was wondering what in the world I was reading, but it all came together nicely in the end.
Warning to some readers: The death of a pregnant doe and her fawn are part of the story as well as domestic violence and abuse.
March 30, 2025
Eric, Monica and Trent, her new boyfriend meet the Nothing in the forest behind their house. Can they fight the Shadow Man? Is there a happy ending for any of the characters? What about the origin of this eerie myth? The author comes up with an extremely well done horror novella that might be a tad too long in the ending. One showdown is enough, not another twist and still another one... nevertheless this nightmare will leave you breathless and cry out for more. Really recommended!
April 24, 2021
I’m a big fan of the ‘Creature Feature’, both in film and literature, and Michael R. Goodwin has crafted a truly unique entry into this well-trod sub-genre with his latest novella, ‘Smolder’.
Eric and Monica have been saving for their dream home for years. A remote ranch-style house with no neighbours for miles around. The purchase of their new house turns out to be bittersweet when Monica leaves Eric for another man, leaving Eric alone in a home he can no longer afford.
When drinking alone on his porch, as the bills continue to pile up and his power has been switched off, he decides to go for an ill-advised late-night walk in the woods. Unbeknownst to him, there is something waiting for him there. Something ancient, evil, and hungry.
While I went in expecting a standard but undeniably entertaining man versus monster showdown, that isn’t quite what I got. Although there is an exciting and action-packed prologue that gives us a taste of what’s to come, there is a great deal of time in the first half of the book spent getting to know the three lead characters. Although there is something of the stereotypical about them (an alcoholic divorcee, abusive new boyfriend and abused former spouse) there is comfort in the familiarity and it did set expectations for the story ahead which were promptly subverted.
Where ‘Smolder’ really shines is in its approach to the book’s antagonist. The creature is a unique concept, incredibly threatening whenever its presence is felt. A large portion of the books second half is made up of a cat and mouse game between Eric and the titular Smolder and Goodwin manages to wring a lot of tension out of the chase. The author doesn’t rely on tension without offering some payoff, however, and there are some genuinely disturbing scenes and unsettling imagery, almost bizarre in its inventive unpleasantness. If you are looking for gore, there isn’t much but what is present is memorable indeed.
The readers ultimate opinion of the book may be swayed by how they feel about the big finale. Things begin to get much bigger, almost cosmic in scale and the final few chapters are surreal and dreamlike, a complete antithesis to the stock characterisations and familiar horror set up in the early sections, and this left turn is all the more effective for the fact that there are certain expectations set by this familiarity that is soundly disregarded for a much more unexpected and unusual ending.
Smolder may leave fans looking for a straight-forward creature feature disappointed with its big concepts and bold ideas that creep in as the story unfolds but if you can go in ready for something truly different then Smolder has a lot to offer outside of the usual fare on the menu when man takes on nature.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
Eric and Monica have been saving for their dream home for years. A remote ranch-style house with no neighbours for miles around. The purchase of their new house turns out to be bittersweet when Monica leaves Eric for another man, leaving Eric alone in a home he can no longer afford.
When drinking alone on his porch, as the bills continue to pile up and his power has been switched off, he decides to go for an ill-advised late-night walk in the woods. Unbeknownst to him, there is something waiting for him there. Something ancient, evil, and hungry.
While I went in expecting a standard but undeniably entertaining man versus monster showdown, that isn’t quite what I got. Although there is an exciting and action-packed prologue that gives us a taste of what’s to come, there is a great deal of time in the first half of the book spent getting to know the three lead characters. Although there is something of the stereotypical about them (an alcoholic divorcee, abusive new boyfriend and abused former spouse) there is comfort in the familiarity and it did set expectations for the story ahead which were promptly subverted.
Where ‘Smolder’ really shines is in its approach to the book’s antagonist. The creature is a unique concept, incredibly threatening whenever its presence is felt. A large portion of the books second half is made up of a cat and mouse game between Eric and the titular Smolder and Goodwin manages to wring a lot of tension out of the chase. The author doesn’t rely on tension without offering some payoff, however, and there are some genuinely disturbing scenes and unsettling imagery, almost bizarre in its inventive unpleasantness. If you are looking for gore, there isn’t much but what is present is memorable indeed.
The readers ultimate opinion of the book may be swayed by how they feel about the big finale. Things begin to get much bigger, almost cosmic in scale and the final few chapters are surreal and dreamlike, a complete antithesis to the stock characterisations and familiar horror set up in the early sections, and this left turn is all the more effective for the fact that there are certain expectations set by this familiarity that is soundly disregarded for a much more unexpected and unusual ending.
Smolder may leave fans looking for a straight-forward creature feature disappointed with its big concepts and bold ideas that creep in as the story unfolds but if you can go in ready for something truly different then Smolder has a lot to offer outside of the usual fare on the menu when man takes on nature.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
August 25, 2023
Let's see if I can sum up my thoughts on Smolder by Michael R. Goodwin. I have the prequel, Scribe, on deck to read. I wanted to start with Smolder to have the underlying story before I started Scribe. I went into Smolder blind, not reading the synopsis. I enjoy letting a story unfold without any expectations.
Within the pages, we're introduced to an entity that lives in the woods behind the main character, Eric's house. This being needs something specific from the people it lures into the woods. Eric has this special something in spades.
There are a couple of additional characters we meet who are entangled in the mess, as well as in conflict with one another. The suspense and drama are richly written. I felt every ounce of "edge of my seat" anticipation I believe I was meant to feel.
This is the second story I've read from Goodwin. There is something beautiful about the raw emotion that he lays out in his stories. Even the gruesome final scenes of the story have a certain beauty that's hard to explain. It's a grounding, natural, raw emotion that is difficult to portray in writing. I've already started reading Scribe and don't know what I'll do when I'm done with it. I need to stock up on my Michael R Goodwin collection!
I'm giving Smolder five solid smoldering stars! You can get it as part of Kindle Unlimited! You won't be disappointed.
Within the pages, we're introduced to an entity that lives in the woods behind the main character, Eric's house. This being needs something specific from the people it lures into the woods. Eric has this special something in spades.
There are a couple of additional characters we meet who are entangled in the mess, as well as in conflict with one another. The suspense and drama are richly written. I felt every ounce of "edge of my seat" anticipation I believe I was meant to feel.
This is the second story I've read from Goodwin. There is something beautiful about the raw emotion that he lays out in his stories. Even the gruesome final scenes of the story have a certain beauty that's hard to explain. It's a grounding, natural, raw emotion that is difficult to portray in writing. I've already started reading Scribe and don't know what I'll do when I'm done with it. I need to stock up on my Michael R Goodwin collection!
I'm giving Smolder five solid smoldering stars! You can get it as part of Kindle Unlimited! You won't be disappointed.
March 31, 2024
I'm so glad it was not a happy ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
Phew! A nightmare? One heck of a nightmare.
This was my first taste with Michaels' writing and I enjoyed it.
I kept hearing about the Deer seen and couldn't wait to dive into it myself and I was not disappointed.
Michael writing had already wrapped this nightmare around my mind well before that scene, which says a lot since it was right at the beginning of the story. I was gripped, that's all I can say.
Michael is a quite guy, I learned this from person experience but man can he ever right a loud story, a story that will say it all.
I look forward to more from his terrifying mind.
Thanks for reading
Nichi
This was my first taste with Michaels' writing and I enjoyed it.
I kept hearing about the Deer seen and couldn't wait to dive into it myself and I was not disappointed.
Michael writing had already wrapped this nightmare around my mind well before that scene, which says a lot since it was right at the beginning of the story. I was gripped, that's all I can say.
Michael is a quite guy, I learned this from person experience but man can he ever right a loud story, a story that will say it all.
I look forward to more from his terrifying mind.
Thanks for reading
Nichi
April 5, 2021
An enjoyable little novella that honestly reminds me of a Tales from the Crypt episode or a Creepshow segment—in tone and style. It features grotesque and scandalous characters thrown in circumstances involving a strange, abstract mutation in the forest that consumes, mutates, and eventually evaporates living things into non existence. Specifically I think this book reminded me most of the “Raft” segment from Creepshow 2. It’s not a deep book but it never sets out to be anything more than a tightly written little thriller. The only real criticisms I have are that the characters are a little too thin, but that only helps enhance the b-movie style of the book in my opinion. I also felt that much of the information regarding the town of Hamilton should have been more interwoven into the narrative rather than opening with it. Other than that I have little complaints on an enjoyable little horror book.
March 9, 2021
I was graciously given an advance copy of Michael Goodwin’s book SMOLDER in exchange for an honest review. It starts out simply enough: a newly divorced, soon to be homeless man goes for a drunken stumble through woods that would continue to be his past the next sunrise were it not for his cheating, douchebag-loving ex-wife’s sudden poor taste in men and happens upon a cancerous black aberration of nature that reminded me of Hexxus from Fern Gully on steroids. And as you can imagine, things go downhill from there.
I think out of everything in its pages what I liked and responded to most was the characters. Harsh as my words were about the ex-wife, Monica, she, much like the man she left her husband for, has many layers. As does the protagonist, Eric, all of which reveal themselves nicely throughout the course of the story and very much carry events from start to finish. They were real, raw, and wholly believable.
In the acknowledgments, the author states that this story was inspired by a nightmare but only part of the story came from the dream itself. I’m not 100% sure I want to know which part that is…but it was totally the bit with the deer, right? Because if that 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 come from an unguarded subconscious, you have issues, sir. Thanks for sharing them with us!
I think out of everything in its pages what I liked and responded to most was the characters. Harsh as my words were about the ex-wife, Monica, she, much like the man she left her husband for, has many layers. As does the protagonist, Eric, all of which reveal themselves nicely throughout the course of the story and very much carry events from start to finish. They were real, raw, and wholly believable.
In the acknowledgments, the author states that this story was inspired by a nightmare but only part of the story came from the dream itself. I’m not 100% sure I want to know which part that is…but it was totally the bit with the deer, right? Because if that 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 come from an unguarded subconscious, you have issues, sir. Thanks for sharing them with us!
October 19, 2025
A solid read here. Great atmosphere and a wild premise. The pacing was too quick, especially in the beginning as we witnessed the issues in Eric and Monica’s marriage, with the introduction of Trent. Needed a lot more layering, early on, to bring the reader into the relationship dynamics and make it all more meaningful, especially as it all unfolded by the midpoint. There was a really cool little transition between chapter 13 into 14 and again later on, which I liked. And I’m glad that the focus shifted around between the three main characters to keep the perspectives fresh. Now, towards the latter portion, we also got a very interesting narrative from The Nothing, which I really, really wished was more predominant throughout. The ending was phenomenal, boasting some really tremendous visuals and otherworldly events. Aside from a bit of a rough opening portion, there was a quick recovery leading into a very enjoyable horror experience.
March 19, 2021
SMOLDER might end up being my most surprising read of 2021.
Let me explain.
I'd seen Goodwin's earlier book, LIBERTY KEY, advertised before, but I'd yet to read it or any of his stories when he announced his upcoming novella, SMOLDER. The fantastic cover design alone was enough for me to try to score an ARC review paperback of this book.
When I finally sat down to start SMOLDER, I was hooked from the first page. I was seeing strong resemblances to Stephen King—don't misunderstand me; I don't mean a pastiche or poor mimic. This was a bonafide storyteller in his own right, showing his first-time reader (me) that he could stack up with the master himself, Grandpa Steve. A story that starts out with the patient description of some mundane Maine quirk like property tax and land survey and then dovetails into intimate character study? You have me hooked, Mr. Goodwin.
I read SMOLDER in one sitting, which, for me, is rare, even at its shorter length. I'm a slow reader, and often I take my damn time. But with this one, I couldn't not keep turning the pages. The characters were engaging, there was some mysterious evil afoot, and I could feel that inexorable gristmill called Fate bringing everything closer and closer to some inevitable precipice. Our protagonist, Eric, is dealing with a divorce and with a foreclosed home; his ex-wife, Monica, is dealing with an abusive, possibly psychopathic, boyfriend. These human stories were the most compelling part for me, which shows the brilliance of Goodwin's writing. The psychology of the characters far outshone any supernatural threat they faced.
But then the real horrors began.
This is where SMOLDER began to take a turn. With a horrific scene involving a pregnant deer whose visceral imagery I will probably never forget, the real-life problems began to swap story importance with the supernatural elements.
Here I was, thinking I was reading a Stephen King–esque character study, only to have the final act hit me with one of the most high-concept, almost metaphysical climaxes I've seen. I'll stray from any spoilers in this review, but suffice it to say that the final act of SMOLDER only verified what Stephen King says in his nonfiction opus DANSE MACABRE about horror being, at its very core, fantasy.
I sat with this book for several days afterward before writing this review, and at the end of the day, that's why I would recommend SMOLDER to all horror readers. The book and the story and its characters will stick with you. You will need time afterward to process what you've read. The final act may have been very different from the rest of the book, but they were still connected by the through-line of Eric's emotion, which is SMOLDER's and Goodwin's greatest strength.
Thank you to Michael Goodwin for an advanced copy of his book in exchange for this honest review.
Let me explain.
I'd seen Goodwin's earlier book, LIBERTY KEY, advertised before, but I'd yet to read it or any of his stories when he announced his upcoming novella, SMOLDER. The fantastic cover design alone was enough for me to try to score an ARC review paperback of this book.
When I finally sat down to start SMOLDER, I was hooked from the first page. I was seeing strong resemblances to Stephen King—don't misunderstand me; I don't mean a pastiche or poor mimic. This was a bonafide storyteller in his own right, showing his first-time reader (me) that he could stack up with the master himself, Grandpa Steve. A story that starts out with the patient description of some mundane Maine quirk like property tax and land survey and then dovetails into intimate character study? You have me hooked, Mr. Goodwin.
I read SMOLDER in one sitting, which, for me, is rare, even at its shorter length. I'm a slow reader, and often I take my damn time. But with this one, I couldn't not keep turning the pages. The characters were engaging, there was some mysterious evil afoot, and I could feel that inexorable gristmill called Fate bringing everything closer and closer to some inevitable precipice. Our protagonist, Eric, is dealing with a divorce and with a foreclosed home; his ex-wife, Monica, is dealing with an abusive, possibly psychopathic, boyfriend. These human stories were the most compelling part for me, which shows the brilliance of Goodwin's writing. The psychology of the characters far outshone any supernatural threat they faced.
But then the real horrors began.
This is where SMOLDER began to take a turn. With a horrific scene involving a pregnant deer whose visceral imagery I will probably never forget, the real-life problems began to swap story importance with the supernatural elements.
Here I was, thinking I was reading a Stephen King–esque character study, only to have the final act hit me with one of the most high-concept, almost metaphysical climaxes I've seen. I'll stray from any spoilers in this review, but suffice it to say that the final act of SMOLDER only verified what Stephen King says in his nonfiction opus DANSE MACABRE about horror being, at its very core, fantasy.
I sat with this book for several days afterward before writing this review, and at the end of the day, that's why I would recommend SMOLDER to all horror readers. The book and the story and its characters will stick with you. You will need time afterward to process what you've read. The final act may have been very different from the rest of the book, but they were still connected by the through-line of Eric's emotion, which is SMOLDER's and Goodwin's greatest strength.
Thank you to Michael Goodwin for an advanced copy of his book in exchange for this honest review.
June 8, 2022
Brief summary: Eric is divorced, drunk, angry, and about to lose his house. He decides to talk a late night walk in the woods, and discovers that there is a darkness there. (A really cool darkness that I don't want to spoil, but seriously it's awesome).
So I actually started this a couple weeks ago and stepped away - there's a scene with a deer near the beginning that is a bit too disturbing for me, so I figured it just isn't for me. That's fine, we all like different things, no big deal. But the thing is, I could *not* get the story out of my head. I decided it was worth it to push through that part and try again, and I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed this story.
Smolder reminds me a bit of Stephen King both in theme and style.
*Thematically, there is a juxtaposition of human and supernatural horror. I'm always vague when discussing novellas so I don't spoil anything, but I thought a lot about Jack Torrance while reading this. I love the question of whether The Overlook turned Jack into something evil, or if it just brought out what was already inside of him, and we have a similar thing going on in parts of Smolder.
*Stylistically, Goodwin fluidly switches up his writing style based on what's going on in the story and the different character POVs. I get the feeling that he has that special talent where he can imagine himself as the reader of his own story and write accordingly, which not all writers have.
I didn't vibe with a few things in the story, and, funny enough, they're the same things I usually don't vibe with in Stephen King stories. I don't like animal death, especially when it's that detailed (but hey, the refrigerator scene didn't ruin the book "It" for me, so there you go). I also don't love how it was implies that the female MC deserved her abuse. Last, a few vital scenes are a bit confusing, but that could be a problem with me. All of these are matters of personal taste.
I'm happy I pushed through the part that made me uncomfortable, because Smolder is a read that will certainly stick with me.
Content warnings ***MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS***:
Graphic gore involving animals, spousal abuse, child abuse (with hints at sexual abuse, though very brief and vague), patricide, alcoholism
So I actually started this a couple weeks ago and stepped away - there's a scene with a deer near the beginning that is a bit too disturbing for me, so I figured it just isn't for me. That's fine, we all like different things, no big deal. But the thing is, I could *not* get the story out of my head. I decided it was worth it to push through that part and try again, and I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed this story.
Smolder reminds me a bit of Stephen King both in theme and style.
*Thematically, there is a juxtaposition of human and supernatural horror. I'm always vague when discussing novellas so I don't spoil anything, but I thought a lot about Jack Torrance while reading this. I love the question of whether The Overlook turned Jack into something evil, or if it just brought out what was already inside of him, and we have a similar thing going on in parts of Smolder.
*Stylistically, Goodwin fluidly switches up his writing style based on what's going on in the story and the different character POVs. I get the feeling that he has that special talent where he can imagine himself as the reader of his own story and write accordingly, which not all writers have.
I didn't vibe with a few things in the story, and, funny enough, they're the same things I usually don't vibe with in Stephen King stories. I don't like animal death, especially when it's that detailed (but hey, the refrigerator scene didn't ruin the book "It" for me, so there you go). I also don't love how it was implies that the female MC deserved her abuse. Last, a few vital scenes are a bit confusing, but that could be a problem with me. All of these are matters of personal taste.
I'm happy I pushed through the part that made me uncomfortable, because Smolder is a read that will certainly stick with me.
Content warnings ***MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS***:
Graphic gore involving animals, spousal abuse, child abuse (with hints at sexual abuse, though very brief and vague), patricide, alcoholism
August 8, 2021
✨💀Book Review - SMOLDER by Michael R. Goodwin ( @michaelrgoodwin )💀✨
This is a story about a relationship that fell apart and deadly woods. That's all you really need to know and should go into it without knowing a thing. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed all the different elements of this book.
There is a good balance of story and gore which I loved and wasn't expecting. The characters felt like real people and the interpersonal dramas were heartbreaking but entertaining. I really liked the different perspectives and was pleasantly surprised by a couple that the reader gets to experience.
There were a few surprising moments for me and unsettling ones (broken bones) but I was too into the story to stop.😅 I liked that this book had more meat to it than just a typical gory horror novella. It touches on topics of dysfunctional relationships, love, grief, abuse and moving on.
I definitely would recommend this of you like cosmic horror and character growth. Really good and enjoyable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
*I also would like to note, this is on audible and was done very well.
*CW just DM me for specifics.
This is a story about a relationship that fell apart and deadly woods. That's all you really need to know and should go into it without knowing a thing. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed all the different elements of this book.
There is a good balance of story and gore which I loved and wasn't expecting. The characters felt like real people and the interpersonal dramas were heartbreaking but entertaining. I really liked the different perspectives and was pleasantly surprised by a couple that the reader gets to experience.
There were a few surprising moments for me and unsettling ones (broken bones) but I was too into the story to stop.😅 I liked that this book had more meat to it than just a typical gory horror novella. It touches on topics of dysfunctional relationships, love, grief, abuse and moving on.
I definitely would recommend this of you like cosmic horror and character growth. Really good and enjoyable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
*I also would like to note, this is on audible and was done very well.
*CW just DM me for specifics.
September 21, 2021
I heard great things about this novella when I started to read Michael R Goodwin's story in the Wild Violence anthology. I recently started an ARC for his new collection and needed more than a story a day from Goodwin. I purposely didn't read anything about this going in and I am so glad that I didn't!
This story starts out with a broken man, divorced, foreclosed house, no hope. In the final days of his residency in his recently repossessed house he decides to take a leisurely stroll through the woods to escape his worries.
This story packs a punch! Domestic violence, infidelity, dark foreboding woods, and some cosmic horror sprinkled throughout and then poured on during the final act. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. There were scenes in this one that were so well described that I almost wish that the author had less talent with words, they were brutal! Gore and body horror that will make you cringe, at least it did to me.
This story starts out with a broken man, divorced, foreclosed house, no hope. In the final days of his residency in his recently repossessed house he decides to take a leisurely stroll through the woods to escape his worries.
This story packs a punch! Domestic violence, infidelity, dark foreboding woods, and some cosmic horror sprinkled throughout and then poured on during the final act. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. There were scenes in this one that were so well described that I almost wish that the author had less talent with words, they were brutal! Gore and body horror that will make you cringe, at least it did to me.
November 8, 2021
“It was everywhere, and in these woods, it was everything and it was Nothing.”
“Smolder” was a combination of cosmic and supernatural horror with psychological elements. With only three characters and the majority of the action taking place in mostly one setting, the novella was well done. For a story that was a little over 100 pages, it packed an emotional punch. The woods gave a sense of dread, hopelessness and sadness.
Eric, the main character, is down on his luck and sits on the porch drinking and decides to go on a walk in the woods behind his house. There is something evil and sinister lurking behind his house. This evil will get what it came for and nothing will stop it. The other two characters in the story have underlying drama and that, coupled with the intensity of the deadly woods, creates a chilling novella. I will not be going into the woods anytime soon.
April 24, 2021
I guess I'm in the minority on this one. I'm pretty disappointed. It's possible my expectations were too high because of all the positive reviews.
The novella started out strong, but slowly fell apart for me. Eric was sympathetic, and I was rooting for him, then his characterization took a left turn. He seemed more hurt by Monica's betrayal than anything, and there were no flashbacks showing anything else about Eric's personality, so the reason the Smolder considered him such a prize didn't make sense.
Trent's characterization was a complete disaster. Why did he get a flashback? It made no sense at all. Plus the shotgun scene made no sense. After reading that scene several times, I still couldn't picture it happening in the way described.
Meh.
The novella started out strong, but slowly fell apart for me. Eric was sympathetic, and I was rooting for him, then his characterization took a left turn. He seemed more hurt by Monica's betrayal than anything, and there were no flashbacks showing anything else about Eric's personality, so the reason the Smolder considered him such a prize didn't make sense.
Trent's characterization was a complete disaster. Why did he get a flashback? It made no sense at all. Plus the shotgun scene made no sense. After reading that scene several times, I still couldn't picture it happening in the way described.
Meh.
May 9, 2022
For a book about Nothing this is truly something
Phenomenal and engrossing tale. Most novellas leave you feeling like you’ve just finished an appetizer, but Michael’s writing and atmospheric world-building made this feel like a full course meal. Smolder is unique, heartfelt, and terrifying.
Phenomenal and engrossing tale. Most novellas leave you feeling like you’ve just finished an appetizer, but Michael’s writing and atmospheric world-building made this feel like a full course meal. Smolder is unique, heartfelt, and terrifying.
February 27, 2025
I'm quite partial to a creature feature, so when a friend suggested this when I asked if she could recommend any short stories I jumped at the chance.
The one thing I loved most about this story was the unique nature of the creature, it's one of those whete everyone will have a slightly different incarnation of the beast in their mind,due to the way that Goodwin describes this creature.
I don't fancy spoiling this short story for anyone, so I won't delve into detail, but I will say this was a fun and well told story and one which has me excited to read it's prequel.
The one thing I loved most about this story was the unique nature of the creature, it's one of those whete everyone will have a slightly different incarnation of the beast in their mind,due to the way that Goodwin describes this creature.
I don't fancy spoiling this short story for anyone, so I won't delve into detail, but I will say this was a fun and well told story and one which has me excited to read it's prequel.
March 4, 2022
One of the best novellas i've ever read. Seriously, buy this book.
.
The small cast (3) gave this a much more intimate feel, and allowed Goodwin to shed more light on their backstories than i'd expected from a novella. Each was interesting in their own ways. Eric, the divorced guy losing his house, turning to alcohol, feeling helpless, i love this kind of character. Monica, his ex, at first i thought we were supposed to hate her, it didn't turn out that way. And her new boyfriend, an absolute prick. These 3 were so well written and entirely believable.
.
Then there's the Nothing. A totally original villain which honestly fascinated me. I'd love to learn more about its origins and history.
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The ending was also very impressive, unexpected and satisyingly abstract, i do love it when things get weird.
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Bravo Michael, you've got yourself a new fan right here, and i look forward to reading more of your work.
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The small cast (3) gave this a much more intimate feel, and allowed Goodwin to shed more light on their backstories than i'd expected from a novella. Each was interesting in their own ways. Eric, the divorced guy losing his house, turning to alcohol, feeling helpless, i love this kind of character. Monica, his ex, at first i thought we were supposed to hate her, it didn't turn out that way. And her new boyfriend, an absolute prick. These 3 were so well written and entirely believable.
.
Then there's the Nothing. A totally original villain which honestly fascinated me. I'd love to learn more about its origins and history.
.
The ending was also very impressive, unexpected and satisyingly abstract, i do love it when things get weird.
.
Bravo Michael, you've got yourself a new fan right here, and i look forward to reading more of your work.
April 8, 2021
“The smolder finished spreading over the man, and when the Nothing was done with him, the dry earth took the rest.”
Eric’s life is not going well. His wife left him for a douchebag, he’s falling behind on mortgage payments for a house that was meant for two, and the booze just aren’t working the way he needs them to. When the stress gets to be too much, Eric takes a walk through the woods. It’s night time and the cool air might ease his worries. Only, there’s more than just cool air in the breeze. There’s something else. An ash. A burn. A smolder. Will Eric make it out of this night alive? Or will the Nothing consume him?
This review is a little different from others because I’m the editor for this terrifying little novella so my opinion is naturally biased. But Michael kindly sent me an ARC in an exchange for a review so I thought it would be fun to give my thoughts as an editor.
After the first chapter, you instantly know what Michael’s about. He’s not here to play or dance around a particularly graphic scene. He’s here to introduce you to impactful characters and make you afraid of loving them because he’s relentless with his scenes and who knows what their fates will be. His imagery is clean and clear so that you feel you’re right there in the woods with Eric fearing for your life. The dialogue is natural and because of that, the characters feel alive, opening the floor for you to love them and then hate them and then love them again. And overall, Michael’s grasp of story structure is solid.
If you’re looking for a quick nightmare ride through the woods with the antagonist being something only possible to fabricate from Hell, this one’s for you. Release is on April 13th and preorders are available now! Go check this dark tale out!
Eric’s life is not going well. His wife left him for a douchebag, he’s falling behind on mortgage payments for a house that was meant for two, and the booze just aren’t working the way he needs them to. When the stress gets to be too much, Eric takes a walk through the woods. It’s night time and the cool air might ease his worries. Only, there’s more than just cool air in the breeze. There’s something else. An ash. A burn. A smolder. Will Eric make it out of this night alive? Or will the Nothing consume him?
This review is a little different from others because I’m the editor for this terrifying little novella so my opinion is naturally biased. But Michael kindly sent me an ARC in an exchange for a review so I thought it would be fun to give my thoughts as an editor.
After the first chapter, you instantly know what Michael’s about. He’s not here to play or dance around a particularly graphic scene. He’s here to introduce you to impactful characters and make you afraid of loving them because he’s relentless with his scenes and who knows what their fates will be. His imagery is clean and clear so that you feel you’re right there in the woods with Eric fearing for your life. The dialogue is natural and because of that, the characters feel alive, opening the floor for you to love them and then hate them and then love them again. And overall, Michael’s grasp of story structure is solid.
If you’re looking for a quick nightmare ride through the woods with the antagonist being something only possible to fabricate from Hell, this one’s for you. Release is on April 13th and preorders are available now! Go check this dark tale out!
April 1, 2021
Smoulder by Michael Goodwin
Smoulder walks the tightrope of being both grounded and fantastical. The former coming in the form of Eric, divorced from his wife after discovering her affair to a younger, douche of a man, he is losing his dream home in the country side complete with a great deal of land on account of not being able to make the payments alone. He aims to spend his last few nights on his property in style by getting drunk and wandering out into the woods. This is where the fantastical creeps into the story in the form of its villain.
While I am a fan of supernatural horror what really captured me with this story is how the character Eric is depicted in wake of his divorce and the knowledge that he is going to lose his dream home. The author writes him with a great deal of respectability were the reader feels empathy for his situation, but never pity. He is a character who does not seem to fall into the petty hatreds that could so easily develop from a person who discovers their partner has lied to them.
My only criticism of this novella is that it could be longer, the reason being there are many sequences were the reader is told things about the characters and the extra length I feel would have provided the opportunity to be shown them. Regardless I was hooked throughout.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Smoulder walks the tightrope of being both grounded and fantastical. The former coming in the form of Eric, divorced from his wife after discovering her affair to a younger, douche of a man, he is losing his dream home in the country side complete with a great deal of land on account of not being able to make the payments alone. He aims to spend his last few nights on his property in style by getting drunk and wandering out into the woods. This is where the fantastical creeps into the story in the form of its villain.
While I am a fan of supernatural horror what really captured me with this story is how the character Eric is depicted in wake of his divorce and the knowledge that he is going to lose his dream home. The author writes him with a great deal of respectability were the reader feels empathy for his situation, but never pity. He is a character who does not seem to fall into the petty hatreds that could so easily develop from a person who discovers their partner has lied to them.
My only criticism of this novella is that it could be longer, the reason being there are many sequences were the reader is told things about the characters and the extra length I feel would have provided the opportunity to be shown them. Regardless I was hooked throughout.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
"He would come to understand that suppressed anger was the most dangerous kind."
I was honored to receive an ARC of Michael R. Goodwin's new novella, SMOLDER. I was thankful for the length and well-matched pacing after reading Stephen Chbosky's Imaginary Friend.
But after I got into this one, I quickly appreciated so much more than the pacing. SMOLDER is a searing and sharp tale that digs its claws into the depths of anger, specifically its fragility and whether we will suffocate it or be consumed by it.
Readers immediately meet the manifestation that lurks in the woods called "Nothing" - an evil, hungry entity that finds the perfect prey in the recently divorced and downtrodden man, Eric.
This book screams suspense with increasingly exposed vulnerability points in each of the characters, not just Eric, that make readers wonder - shit, who is this thing going for.
I recommend SMOLDER to fans of Stephen King's The Outsider or anyone craving some good ole cosmic horror.
One of my favorite reads of 2021!
I was honored to receive an ARC of Michael R. Goodwin's new novella, SMOLDER. I was thankful for the length and well-matched pacing after reading Stephen Chbosky's Imaginary Friend.
But after I got into this one, I quickly appreciated so much more than the pacing. SMOLDER is a searing and sharp tale that digs its claws into the depths of anger, specifically its fragility and whether we will suffocate it or be consumed by it.
Readers immediately meet the manifestation that lurks in the woods called "Nothing" - an evil, hungry entity that finds the perfect prey in the recently divorced and downtrodden man, Eric.
This book screams suspense with increasingly exposed vulnerability points in each of the characters, not just Eric, that make readers wonder - shit, who is this thing going for.
I recommend SMOLDER to fans of Stephen King's The Outsider or anyone craving some good ole cosmic horror.
One of my favorite reads of 2021!
March 29, 2021
I was gifted this copy of Smolder by the author and let me just say, it didn’t disappoint. This book releases on April 13.
Things quickly heat up with protagonist Eric. His wife Monica is cheating on him with some, excuse my language, d-bag and he’s quickly realizing that his world is falling apart. He can’t afford the house they own by himself. So soon he’ll be divorced AND homeless. What’s a man to do right? Why, get inebriated and take a stroll into the woods at night. Nothing could possibly go wrong....until he meets the 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿.
This was a fast paced book and had me hooked from the start. I loved (and hated) the characters. Trey, I’m looking at you. I also really liked the supernatural element of the Smolder. This book was also fairly gory, and I’m probably scarred for life because of the mental image of the deer. Which was also one of my favourite parts.
If you think you might like this one, grab a copy and show your support for Michael!
4 ⭐️
Things quickly heat up with protagonist Eric. His wife Monica is cheating on him with some, excuse my language, d-bag and he’s quickly realizing that his world is falling apart. He can’t afford the house they own by himself. So soon he’ll be divorced AND homeless. What’s a man to do right? Why, get inebriated and take a stroll into the woods at night. Nothing could possibly go wrong....until he meets the 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿.
This was a fast paced book and had me hooked from the start. I loved (and hated) the characters. Trey, I’m looking at you. I also really liked the supernatural element of the Smolder. This book was also fairly gory, and I’m probably scarred for life because of the mental image of the deer. Which was also one of my favourite parts.
If you think you might like this one, grab a copy and show your support for Michael!
4 ⭐️
December 21, 2022
I went into this as blind as I could. I knew it was a creature feature in the woods which is right up my alley and boy did it take turns I never would of guessed!
I finished this in 8hrs. Goodwin has such a talent for bringing to life such complexity in his broken characters. This is my 2nd read of his and I definitely need to pick up more. Encased in this horror in the woods is the story of 3 incredibly broken people who’s lives are woven together.
The ending was a twist I did not see coming but I loved it. Overall this is a really fantastic read.
I finished this in 8hrs. Goodwin has such a talent for bringing to life such complexity in his broken characters. This is my 2nd read of his and I definitely need to pick up more. Encased in this horror in the woods is the story of 3 incredibly broken people who’s lives are woven together.
The ending was a twist I did not see coming but I loved it. Overall this is a really fantastic read.
July 29, 2022
A short, punchy, no nonsense horror novella.
I do enjoy a lost in the woods in the dark horror trope, this was no exception. Being a novella, there was no let up from the tension and I really did like the imagery of the dark bits.
The author says this story was inspired by a nightmare and it certainly reads like any of my looming dread dreams play out.
Four stars, I didn’t care about the characters enough for five stars, it wasn’t a super page turner for me.
I do enjoy a lost in the woods in the dark horror trope, this was no exception. Being a novella, there was no let up from the tension and I really did like the imagery of the dark bits.
The author says this story was inspired by a nightmare and it certainly reads like any of my looming dread dreams play out.
Four stars, I didn’t care about the characters enough for five stars, it wasn’t a super page turner for me.
April 19, 2023
It was alright, my expectations may have been too high because of all the raving reviews. Eric's anger is the reason this is all happening, it would have been nice to have that fleshed out more, I feel like Trevor's anger was more fleshed out than anything else. In the end, I couldn't empathise with his character so I didn't care what happened to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
It took me a while to get this one written, but here it is. Just want to make it clear that it had nothing to do with the book, just my time management.
To begin, let’s exercise our imagination.
Imagine a house, isolated from the city just enough that you can still see its glow on the horizon.
Imagine living there, alone, after life had thrown you a series of curveballs.
Imagine the woods that mark the limit of your property.
And now imagine the horror that inhabits those very same woods.
“It was everywhere, and in these woods, it was everything and it was Nothing.”
Michael R. Goodwin's book is a stunning story about a man, Eric, that has lost everything and about how he somehow discovers himself on what turns out to be a frightful night in the woods.
Yes, there is a monster in those woods, but is the monster the most dangerous part of this story? Or is it just what burns away all the lies and reveals the truth of who we are? Well, at least before it burns your skin off and utterly devours you…
As we follow Eric while he runs away from the monster, we are introduced to Monica and Trent, his estranged ex-wife and not-so-recent lover, who find themselves in the same woods due to some less-than-happy circumstances.
“There was a flash of motion that caught his eye. It was like a storm cloud, black and roiling through the trees. He saw something in the cloud that he didn’t understand, beyond the fact that it absolutely terrified him.”
This is a really great book, well written and with a compelling story, but I have to be honest and say that if you don’t like slow starts the first part of the book may be a little hard to get by. However, the second part makes up for that so don’t give up on it. You will be rewarded for your patience.
I’ll end by saying that there were two moments that for me were amazing, both in terms of writing and story-wise. I won’t tell you which ones so I don’t spoil anything.
But if you want to know just hit me up.
Oh, and make sure to keep an eye out for Michael and his work. I know I will.
To begin, let’s exercise our imagination.
Imagine a house, isolated from the city just enough that you can still see its glow on the horizon.
Imagine living there, alone, after life had thrown you a series of curveballs.
Imagine the woods that mark the limit of your property.
And now imagine the horror that inhabits those very same woods.
“It was everywhere, and in these woods, it was everything and it was Nothing.”
Michael R. Goodwin's book is a stunning story about a man, Eric, that has lost everything and about how he somehow discovers himself on what turns out to be a frightful night in the woods.
Yes, there is a monster in those woods, but is the monster the most dangerous part of this story? Or is it just what burns away all the lies and reveals the truth of who we are? Well, at least before it burns your skin off and utterly devours you…
As we follow Eric while he runs away from the monster, we are introduced to Monica and Trent, his estranged ex-wife and not-so-recent lover, who find themselves in the same woods due to some less-than-happy circumstances.
“There was a flash of motion that caught his eye. It was like a storm cloud, black and roiling through the trees. He saw something in the cloud that he didn’t understand, beyond the fact that it absolutely terrified him.”
This is a really great book, well written and with a compelling story, but I have to be honest and say that if you don’t like slow starts the first part of the book may be a little hard to get by. However, the second part makes up for that so don’t give up on it. You will be rewarded for your patience.
I’ll end by saying that there were two moments that for me were amazing, both in terms of writing and story-wise. I won’t tell you which ones so I don’t spoil anything.
But if you want to know just hit me up.
Oh, and make sure to keep an eye out for Michael and his work. I know I will.
March 31, 2021
Eric had one last night to spend at his house before he has to surrender it to the bank. After his wife Monica, left him for a Neanderthal with a Napoleon complex, Eric couldn’t make the payments. His house was on 140 acres of woodland and Eric wanted to roam his property. He probably shouldn’t have finished all that whiskey, or gone into the woods so close to dark.
For you are never truly alone in the woods and in this cosmic horror novella, death creeps after you, consuming the living and leaving a blackened husk.
“The animals knew something that the man did not. Something was going to happen in the woods tonight and they sis not want to be in the vicinity when it did.”
I read this in one night. Out in the woods, lost, disgraced and soon to be homeless. That is true fear for me. Now throw in a sentient burning force and something ancient that is hungry.
I wish Eric had more backstory but the story creates feelings. Disgust, anger, and irritation, because Monica and Trent are irritating. Mostly what you feel is darkness.
For you are never truly alone in the woods and in this cosmic horror novella, death creeps after you, consuming the living and leaving a blackened husk.
“The animals knew something that the man did not. Something was going to happen in the woods tonight and they sis not want to be in the vicinity when it did.”
I read this in one night. Out in the woods, lost, disgraced and soon to be homeless. That is true fear for me. Now throw in a sentient burning force and something ancient that is hungry.
I wish Eric had more backstory but the story creates feelings. Disgust, anger, and irritation, because Monica and Trent are irritating. Mostly what you feel is darkness.
April 28, 2021
Smolder by Michael Goodwin was surprising. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect from the title, I never even read the synopsis, I went in not knowing anything I was about to get into. And it was so good, y'all!! I was in a bad reading funk, I couldn't find a book that could pull me out of it. This short story did the fucking trick.
Now I debated saying anything about what it's about but it's such a short story, I don't want to give away the hook. I really really liked it. I have so many many questions...that's actually a good thing coming from me. That means it actually held my attention. So yes go and get this book, read it as soon as possible!!
(I haven't had any sleep in the last 2days so forgive me if this doesn't make much sense! 😂)
Now I debated saying anything about what it's about but it's such a short story, I don't want to give away the hook. I really really liked it. I have so many many questions...that's actually a good thing coming from me. That means it actually held my attention. So yes go and get this book, read it as soon as possible!!
(I haven't had any sleep in the last 2days so forgive me if this doesn't make much sense! 😂)
March 6, 2021
Originally posted over at my personal blog site, Night Terror Novels
“The smolder finished spreading over the man, and when the Nothing was done with him, the dry earth took the rest.”
– Michael R. Goodwin, SMOLDER
☠️I received an e-ARC of this story in exchange for a fair review!☠️
I’ve followed author Michael R. Goodwin on Instagram for a little while now, and when I saw that he was seeking ARC readers for this, his latest novella, I was eager to see whether I could get involved. I’m glad that I did so, as this was a very enjoyable, and oftentimes seriously spooky, little read.
SMOLDER (2021) follows Eric, who is forced into a tough situation after his wife of over a decade, Monica, has an affair with a co-worker named Trent. The expensive break-up puts the man on the brink of financial ruin, and during one of his last evenings on their property, he drinks a tad too much, and foolishly ventures out into the nearby woods. What then follows is a hellish night in the oppressive forest, as Eric comes face to face with a mysterious, malignant presence known only as the Nothing.
Without spoiling anything regarding the plot, I really appreciated how the Nothing had a subtext and meaning to it. Although it worked on the basest level of being an unsettling being with a creepy design, it is elevated by its deeper significance to the themes and ideas behind the story.
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but one common theme I’ve noticed in the indie horror scene is the books often have quite small scale settings and cast of characters. SMOLDER definitely fits this bill to a T; there are three characters altogether, and the majority of the action unfolds in one place, the woods on Eric’s property. I really enjoy the intimate, and often quite claustrophobic, aspect to this trend, and it certainly works in the favor of this story.
Because of this contained location and characters, it was quite important for the central trio to be interesting and engaging, and I’d say that Goodwin achieves that. Eric is a likable enough protagonist, but is also not without his flaws, which made him feel real and relatable. Monica and Trent were both very easy to dislike, especially Trent, who is the epitome of a pseudo-macho, posturing moron. But even with these two generally being contemptible sorts, the author still manages to inject some humanity into their characters, and offers believable reasons as to why they act the way they do.
I don’t know who else does this, but I always, always read the author’s fore/afterwords. I think they can often offer a neat insight into the author’s inspirations or thinking when coming up with the content. In his, Goodwin describes how this story was inspired by a nightmare, and I definitely felt that there was a certain nightmarish quality to the narrative. The sequences in which we saw firsthand the gruesome effects of the so-called ‘smolder’ created by the Nothing were very inventive, and the writing effectively conveyed the horror of the process.
This was my first time reading Michael’s stories, but his previous book The Liberty Key (2020), had been on my radar for a while. I really enjoyed SMOLDER, so will be checking that out sometime soon as well, and anticipating whatever the author comes up with next. I’d definitely recommend checking this one out when release day comes around.
VERDICT: This is a creative little story with a neat and novel entity at the center of its narrative. The small scale cast and setting might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it worked superbly well in the context of the story. SMOLDER is an engaging read with creepy moments aplenty.
It’s a ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this reviewer, and a humongous thank you to Michael R. Goodwin for providing the ARC and giving me the chance to read and review it early.
Book Information
Title(s): SMOLDER
Author(s): Michael R. Goodwin
Publisher(s): Self-published
Original Publication Date: 13th April, 2021
Page Count: 91 pages
Format Read: Digital
Advance Review Copy (Y/N): Y
Website(s): https://www.michaelrgoodwin.com/
“The smolder finished spreading over the man, and when the Nothing was done with him, the dry earth took the rest.”
– Michael R. Goodwin, SMOLDER
☠️I received an e-ARC of this story in exchange for a fair review!☠️
I’ve followed author Michael R. Goodwin on Instagram for a little while now, and when I saw that he was seeking ARC readers for this, his latest novella, I was eager to see whether I could get involved. I’m glad that I did so, as this was a very enjoyable, and oftentimes seriously spooky, little read.
SMOLDER (2021) follows Eric, who is forced into a tough situation after his wife of over a decade, Monica, has an affair with a co-worker named Trent. The expensive break-up puts the man on the brink of financial ruin, and during one of his last evenings on their property, he drinks a tad too much, and foolishly ventures out into the nearby woods. What then follows is a hellish night in the oppressive forest, as Eric comes face to face with a mysterious, malignant presence known only as the Nothing.
Without spoiling anything regarding the plot, I really appreciated how the Nothing had a subtext and meaning to it. Although it worked on the basest level of being an unsettling being with a creepy design, it is elevated by its deeper significance to the themes and ideas behind the story.
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but one common theme I’ve noticed in the indie horror scene is the books often have quite small scale settings and cast of characters. SMOLDER definitely fits this bill to a T; there are three characters altogether, and the majority of the action unfolds in one place, the woods on Eric’s property. I really enjoy the intimate, and often quite claustrophobic, aspect to this trend, and it certainly works in the favor of this story.
Because of this contained location and characters, it was quite important for the central trio to be interesting and engaging, and I’d say that Goodwin achieves that. Eric is a likable enough protagonist, but is also not without his flaws, which made him feel real and relatable. Monica and Trent were both very easy to dislike, especially Trent, who is the epitome of a pseudo-macho, posturing moron. But even with these two generally being contemptible sorts, the author still manages to inject some humanity into their characters, and offers believable reasons as to why they act the way they do.
I don’t know who else does this, but I always, always read the author’s fore/afterwords. I think they can often offer a neat insight into the author’s inspirations or thinking when coming up with the content. In his, Goodwin describes how this story was inspired by a nightmare, and I definitely felt that there was a certain nightmarish quality to the narrative. The sequences in which we saw firsthand the gruesome effects of the so-called ‘smolder’ created by the Nothing were very inventive, and the writing effectively conveyed the horror of the process.
This was my first time reading Michael’s stories, but his previous book The Liberty Key (2020), had been on my radar for a while. I really enjoyed SMOLDER, so will be checking that out sometime soon as well, and anticipating whatever the author comes up with next. I’d definitely recommend checking this one out when release day comes around.
VERDICT: This is a creative little story with a neat and novel entity at the center of its narrative. The small scale cast and setting might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it worked superbly well in the context of the story. SMOLDER is an engaging read with creepy moments aplenty.
It’s a ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this reviewer, and a humongous thank you to Michael R. Goodwin for providing the ARC and giving me the chance to read and review it early.
Book Information
Title(s): SMOLDER
Author(s): Michael R. Goodwin
Publisher(s): Self-published
Original Publication Date: 13th April, 2021
Page Count: 91 pages
Format Read: Digital
Advance Review Copy (Y/N): Y
Website(s): https://www.michaelrgoodwin.com/
April 16, 2021
This is my first experience with Goodwin's writing, and boy oh boy, was it an experience. The beginning was both a struggle to get through and a surprise. The writing was the weakest at the introduction of our main character, but I can only say that because the rest of the book was so good! Once I was in the woods, I was captivated. From descriptions to excitement, Goodwin weaved a decent story in so many pages and I'm excited to try out more of his work.
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