There’s a place in Texas the locals avoid at all cost, where the lost go missing and the damned reside. You won’t find it on any map, there are no road signs to guide you, and once there, may God have mercy on your soul. For when the scarecrow awakens, the harvest of the living begins.
Welcome to Donn, TX Gateway to Hell
1952 On the back roads of Texas, Debbie grows ill and her husband, Jerry, stops at the only motel they’ve seen for miles. He hopes a little rest will help calm her stomach, but in Donn, TX, there can be no rest once the harvest begins.
I'm an indie Horror writer who lives deep in the heart of Texas. When I'm not writing novels and stories for anthologies, I'm doing the bidding of 3 adorable huskies. I've been married for over 20 years and have a teenager in the house, so I won't be running out of horror material for quite some time.
tonight or tomorrow during your lunch or tea time, to download this FREE, 15 page golden nugget of a short story. When you read it, you will forget to eat and drink, so be prepared and keep hydrated. If you are a slow reader, bring your catheter to work.
When you are done, you are going to think: Wow, Mort, thank you for bringing that story into my life! Where do you come up with these gems?
Well, you don’t have to thank me, the author deserves all the praise and a few reviews to share the joy. And I, so selflessly, share it with you because you are my friend. But, if you are not my friend, you really don’t have to thank me, either – I prefer pounds, but will take dollars…
But before you do that, go and get the next story, right here:
It is FREE on Kindle Unlimited – so stop jumping up and down with joy and let your fingers do the walking…
Mr. Eric Butler – the covers are amazing. They are on par to be movie posters for a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. Please share the name of the artist, I am quite positive some of your independent author friends will want to use him/her… And then you thank said artist, because those covers are gonna bring you a fuck-ton of business.
Well done on the story, giving the first one away for free is brilliant marketing, because I want to read more!!
Wow, what a perfect little horror short story! It wasn’t even that gory but… the suggestion of it was perfectly done. I’m really enjoying horror shorts this year. I think it’s the perfect genre for a short story where you can have a real impact in a few pages.
You can read this over a cup of coffee or a quick drink and it won’t even freak you out too much. I thought it was cleverly done. So thanks Mort for bringing it to my attention. It is available for free on the author’s website.
Jerry and his wife, Debbie stop off at a wayward motel as Debbie has been very ill through their road trip but things are not what they seem in Donn Texas as it is harvest time and sacrificing must begin!
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory so if you want to know more then go read this short story!
Thoughts:
Another great story in the Donn TX series by this author. Though this story is super short but Butler delivers a horror punch that will pull you into his world! Giving this book four "Spooky Scarecrow" stars!
I love the premise of this series … Donn, a place the locals avoid around harvest time. When the scarecrow awakens, the bloody fun and games begin.
Definitely want to know more and see where Butler takes us on this journey into the darkness of Texas. Butler is a pro with his storytelling and I really enjoy his style of writing.
I've only read this one and another, but this series is growing on me. There's enough mystery to pique my interest as to what the larger story is that unravels with each story. A couple of weary travelers get more than they bargain for when they make a pit stop at a motel in Donn Texas. And oh yeah, there will be blood. I'm not a huge fan of supernatural or whatnot, but it's very tastefully done in this one. 5 bright stars. Highly recommended
Have you ever been sick while on a road trip? I sure have, and it’s miserable!!! Debbie becomes increasingly ill and her husband decides to stop for the night and allow her to recuperate in relative comfort. They see a little motel out of the way, off the beaten path, out in God’s country… or is it? Something is very wrong in Donn, TX and I can’t wait to find out what it is!!!
A fantastic beginning to a very promising series of short stories!!! I’m already going onto the next! 🌽
The beginning of a fantastic series! You'll want to continue the series after reading this one, the ending will leave you wanting more. I'm curious where this is going to go. I need answers!
This first installment… man, oh man. I hate birds. Like, legit go insane if they are near and I am petrified of scarecrows. This has both. And both are even worse than my nightmares. A couple traveling and some insane shenanigans. It is gritty, depressing, and only makes you feel more depressed as it goes on. That’s all I can tell you. It’s super short and available on his website. Even though it reinforced my hatred of birds and scarecrows, this is still a absolute must read.
I love Butler's writing and this does not disappoint. Creepy, highway horror that lacks for nothing. Except more. Im looking forward to the rest of the series.
I am surprised how much this story creeped me out!
Normally, I prefer to have Alexa read to me, or even the TTS in the Kindle Fire I have is pretty good - compared to my last Kindle anyway. My point being... I'm used to Alexa, and my older, British mom type reading me my extreme horror when necessary. In most of the audio books I've tried, the narrator pulls me out if the story, if I'm ever able to get there in the first place. That is not the case here. The woman doing the audio for Donn, TX made the story! I'm going to have to come back to edit her name in I think. I can only remember Micha. Just so you know, my fingers are crossed, and I'm hoping she comes back to narrate 'every year' ;) In 1952 we are traveling with a young couple on a road trip to see her parents, and the 'her' is very, very pregnant. She is having a hard go of things, puking every few miles, and it's time to take a rest for the night. In Donn, Texas. donn donn DONNNNN Head to Eric Butler's website to get the lay if the land, and find out what happens during the couple's siesta - you can download a copy of the written book, or listen to the audio free on the page. I am really excited to find out ALL the evils of Donn, TX!
"Welcome weary traveler. Your journey nears its end."
Vibes like Texas Chainsaw Massacre with a dash of Twilight Zone, this was one dark, creepy, fast read. I was kind of expecting more Harold from Scary Stories I guess because of the scarecrow, but no sir/ma'am, this shit was dark and twisted. I should have known better, it is Eric Butler.
The suspense was intense, and such wonderful atmosphere! I felt like I was in the skin-searing heat of Texas. While this is a start to a series, there is a finality to it which I appreciate, no cliff-hangers, just a really messed up conclusion!
This was a brilliant short story, I am so excited to read the rest of the series.
Eric Butler has written some very interesting, thought provoking books. Donn, TX 1952 is a very short story about a couple en route to a family function. It's difficult to review this without spoilers, so I'll simply end with this...give Butler a few minutes, and enjoy.
Jerry and Debbie stop at a motel for the night hoping for some rest. Unfortunately, the town has other plans for them. A quick and creepy read that already has me wanting to know more about this town. On to the next one!
A short story but long on terror. Small town, blink and your through, but break down and you’re screwed, especially if it’s harvest time. There’s a reason the locals avoid Donn, Texas. Heed their warnings, follow their lead.
Eric Butler is a very talented independent horror author that, in my humble opinion, any horror fan should be paying attention to. Eric has written several works such as The Shadow Within, The Pope Lick Massacre, Sins of the Past, and now the Donn, TX series. Between my lovely wife, Brandy Carroll, and myself we have read his entire works to date. Butler is a very humble, talented, and extremely gifted author that really deserves more attention. He is an author that if you haven’t been reading his books you should rectify that immediately. You will not be disappointed!
I would highly suggest purchasing The Donn, TX Collection Volume 1. The reason being that once you start the journey into Donn, TX it is almost impossible to put the book down. The collection spans the first four entries for the Donn series. Beginning with 1952 and ending with 1926. However, there are more and more to come I believe. If you would prefer to purchase them separately the Kindle versions are available, and most are on Kindle Unlimited if you are a subscriber. Without more rambling let’s jump into the first entry!
Donn, TX 1952 by Eric Butler is such a perfect starting point for the series. Butler lays a snare that will leave you craving more. As Jerry and his wife Debbie are on a road trip Debbie falls ill, and Jerry pulls into a small motel in the middle of nowhere. In a small town just a dot on the map. An unknown place in the state of Texas called Donn. As Jerry attempts to quickly acquire a room for the night before setting out in the morning Debbie waits for a chance at a bit of comfort. However, the town of Donn, TX holds many secrets that the couple surely will be wishing they had kept on driving.
1952 is such a fantastic fifty’s entry. It is fast paced, sets the tone, and the foundation of Eric’s unique realm. 1952 left me wanting to know what happens next, and wanting to dive right into the next entry. The ominous town grows on you, and 1952 plants the seed. It gives the reader a small taste, and the desire to continue on further into Donn, TX.
I must give Donn, TX 1952 four crows out of a five crow murder. I simply deducted one crow because this entry leaves you wanting more! It is superbly written, and there is no fluff here. That isn’t to say that Butler doesn’t entrap the reader into feeling for the characters. It is a must read, and then read on!