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The Doom That Came To Mellonville
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 12, 2026
I purchased a copy of this book from the publisher Filthy Loot. If you haven’t had the opportunity, give yourself a treat, and browse their catalog of chap books. All views and opinions are my own.
Ah yes, that small town life, quiet, minimal drama, everybody knows everybody and probably has their nose in each others business. That’s the Norman Rockwell, Thomas Kincaid fiction that, to this day is a common presence in popular culture. The folk of Mellonville like their quiet, for no one to make waves and are immediately suspicious of those that go against the grain.
The Doom That Came to Mellonville starts off with that brief moment of quiet, that snapshot of a town holds up their banality, like a badge of pride. McSweeney makes short work of the denizens of Mellonville, over the span of a day (and night). Each one of them disregarding their masks of civility and forced to bear the weight of their own drama and baggage. Probably the most terrible experience of their lives.
You see, that’s the funny thing about any small community of people, the almost preternatural ability to selectively ignore the quirks and faults of others, if they otherwise stay within the norm. Small massed communities, riddled with faults and problematic histories love a good scapegoat. It’s like a free pass to dump everything on that one person or that family. Nothing says small town living shunning the outsiders. How Wholesome! It’s made all the easier when the focus of a communities ire spends his life digging into the grisly corners of life, and steeping himself in the unseen world of Magick.
This is a fast read, not due to brevity. McSweeney comes at you with terror and humor like a maniac with an industrial nail gun, a grudge and quota to hit before their time is up. Each chapter, each page turn carries the urgency and desperation of Lawrence and his late son Isaac as they seek to repair the damage created in the wake of Isaac’s death, confront that which lingers in Melonville and hopefully find closure.
Through laughter and grief, terror and absurdity, McSweeney has a written a meditation on the subtle yet impactful difference between the things we leave behind and those things held onto by those who remain after we are gone. No matter if they are the objects we collect in our lives, or the emotional and psychological connections we form, be they good or bad. Either way, you can’t take any of it with you.
Ah yes, that small town life, quiet, minimal drama, everybody knows everybody and probably has their nose in each others business. That’s the Norman Rockwell, Thomas Kincaid fiction that, to this day is a common presence in popular culture. The folk of Mellonville like their quiet, for no one to make waves and are immediately suspicious of those that go against the grain.
The Doom That Came to Mellonville starts off with that brief moment of quiet, that snapshot of a town holds up their banality, like a badge of pride. McSweeney makes short work of the denizens of Mellonville, over the span of a day (and night). Each one of them disregarding their masks of civility and forced to bear the weight of their own drama and baggage. Probably the most terrible experience of their lives.
You see, that’s the funny thing about any small community of people, the almost preternatural ability to selectively ignore the quirks and faults of others, if they otherwise stay within the norm. Small massed communities, riddled with faults and problematic histories love a good scapegoat. It’s like a free pass to dump everything on that one person or that family. Nothing says small town living shunning the outsiders. How Wholesome! It’s made all the easier when the focus of a communities ire spends his life digging into the grisly corners of life, and steeping himself in the unseen world of Magick.
This is a fast read, not due to brevity. McSweeney comes at you with terror and humor like a maniac with an industrial nail gun, a grudge and quota to hit before their time is up. Each chapter, each page turn carries the urgency and desperation of Lawrence and his late son Isaac as they seek to repair the damage created in the wake of Isaac’s death, confront that which lingers in Melonville and hopefully find closure.
Through laughter and grief, terror and absurdity, McSweeney has a written a meditation on the subtle yet impactful difference between the things we leave behind and those things held onto by those who remain after we are gone. No matter if they are the objects we collect in our lives, or the emotional and psychological connections we form, be they good or bad. Either way, you can’t take any of it with you.
April 19, 2022
This tiny book is a quirky blend of offbeat horror with just as offbeat humor, and was an utter delight from the first page to the last.
August 24, 2026
cute n slightly spooks! trying to read more canadian lit <3
October 1, 2024
Kicked off October with this little book! It’s quick, quirky, and funny. Great start to Halloween month. While this may be nitpicky of me, my biggest gripe is that there were several typos in the text that took me out of the story when reading. Despite that, it was a fun little read.
September 22, 2026
This was a very silly and unserious book in all the best ways. It was camp, and as good camp does, it did not overstay its welcome. This was short and to the point and didn’t bother lingering on the details of the plot and the how of everything. If this were supposed to be more serious, I would have hated it. This is fun, and worth the quick read.
August 31, 2022
Delightful and silly and weird. Great humour, nice touch of sentimentality and the horror elements did not overshadow the emotional core of the story.
September 5, 2024
Incredibly fun, quick little dark magic/small town horrors Novella. More, please.
November 12, 2025
this was such an odd little gem that basically felt like the christmas night portion of nightmare mixed with some edward gorey vibes. love.
February 1, 2026
A delightful bite-size horror
February 17, 2026
Fun little story. Well written.
March 23, 2026
4.25 stars
December 17, 2024
Very short fun book! Story reminded me a lot of Neil gaiman’s “The ocean at the end of the lane” but actually liked it alot better. Strange quirky characters and loved the relationships.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews