Sparrows

by Michael R. Goodwin

The village healer places her secrets in the bodies of sparrows and ties them to the branches of a tree with black thread. When she tells her husband the truth about what she does, he realizes he must find a way to set the sparrows free, even
if it costs him everything.

Read on as author Michael R. Goodwin brings you back to the village where all live in fear of the red forest, not knowing that they should also fear one of their own...

Genres: Horror

49 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2022

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparrows by Michael R. Goodwin is a horror short story with a taste of folk horror woven in. A small village has a healer who places secrets in the bodies of sparrows. Her husband is a loving man who is afraid to learn her secrets. But even the best-kept secrets often come to light eventually.

This was a wonderful story to read between the longer, very intense books I've been reading lately. I loved the relationship between Samuel and Lorena. He is a very loving husband who does whatever is needed to keep his wife comfortable and happy. Even if a part of what he sees in his wife scares him. I enjoyed the way Goodwin brought Lorena's truth to light gradually as we learned and saw everything through Samuel's loving eyes.

This was a horror story, yes. But it was also a love story. The horror wasn't over-the-top. I could easily recommend this to many of my non-horror-reading friends. I give Sparrows five out of five fine feathered stars.

[Dave Musson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The atmosphere in this is terrific - a slow burn of dread that explodes to an exciting finale. I’m not normally big on folk horror, but when Michael writes it I really enjoy it plenty.

[Kiera ☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read The Ritual & The Ritual ll, I had expressed to Goodwin how absolutely obsessed I was with the world he had created in those stories. That I wished deeply that there was more. To my delight he lead me in the direction of more of his short stories that shared in the same world.

Sparrows is the first I’ve picked up since discovering this amazing news and it did not disappoint. This universe he’s created here is so interesting, I want to know all of its lure. I’m captivated by the witch in this story and what she was doing with these sparrows.

Michael R Goodwin is my definition of ‘comfy horror’ & the atmosphere he creates in this specific world he writes about is fantastic. I need more. If you’re looking for folklore horror, look no further than Goodwin. I cannot wait to read more.

[Alenna Burleson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a man takes care of his wife he tries to dig deeper into her secrets, She is the town healer, but he starts to think that she might not be everything she says she is.

This was a really good short story and I really think this could be a really good novella!!

[(the.darkandmoody.reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 - to say I’m giddy this short story is another piece to The Red Forest puzzle is an understatement. The Ritual, and Leaves shaped Mary’s story, and this one helped give a bit of shape to Eleanor’s.

This world is so cool and macabre. I’d read a full length novel about The Red Forest.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I dare to be different, I totally read everything out of order. I already knew some bits about the red forest from The Ritual 1/2. Loved the description of the sparrow tree--it was so easy to picture in my mind and wonderfully spooky. A great short read.

*Clear out my kindle challenge 2024*

[W Hearsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Short story from the incredible Michael R Goodwin. Beautifully written, this folk horror sets another piece of The Red Forest puzzle in place. A husband, takes good care of his healer wife. But her strange powers frighten him. Although he loves her dearly, he does not want to know what she truly is and is afraid to ask. But deep in his heart, he knows her collecting living Sparrows and placing something inside each one, before tying the helpless creatures to a tree isn"t right. And he has to stop her, even if it means losing his life.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another weird story set in the Red Forest. This time we see Lorena and Samuel. She is the town healer, isn't she? You'll find the woman doing strange rituals and her husband finding out some truths behind. This tale was a bit too off ground for my liking. Nevertheless really recommended for fans of the series!