A Night in the Lonesome October - October 2025 Buddy Read > Likes and Comments

Hi All, buddy read for A Night in the Lonesome October.

I just finished chapter 6.

With every reread I notice new references. Earlier today, I started wondering if Jack talking to Snuff was a David Berkowitz reference.

Reading chapter 6 this evening. This is only my second time reading and I sure do love it. I totally get why people return to it year after year, and I look forward to gleaning more from it this time around. Thanks Graeme for inviting me to the party!

J. wrote: "I just finished chapter 6.

With every reread I notice new references. Earlier today, I started wondering if Jack talking to Snuff was a David Berkowitz reference."

I read somewhere that RZ was aiming to fill the story with references.

Apparently, he wrote the story in response to a challenge to write an evil character sympathetically. Hence Jack.

Janette wrote: "Reading chapter 6 this evening. This is only my second time reading and I sure do love it. I totally get why people return to it year after year, and I look forward to gleaning more from it this ti..."

Our pleasure, Janette.

Janette wrote: "Reading chapter 6 this evening. This is only my second time reading and I sure do love it. I totally get why people return to it year after year, and I look forward to gleaning more from it this ti..."

The more, the merrier...

I love the idea of dog characters, but then, I love dogs...

When Snuff, Graymalk, and Nightwing are trading names ... Snuff never mentions the Count and Needle... leaving Nightwing in the dark.

Getting up at 4 am next morning to catch a 6:30 flight. Time for some Snuff before bed time.

October the 6th: Nightwing and Snuff chat, and Nightwing reveals he knows about the Count.

Nightwing also makes a comment that strongly suggests he's been to more than one such event...

October 7…who is the green cloaked, red haired woman referenced in Jack’s scavenger hunting supposed to represent? It’s driving me nutz 🤪

Graeme wrote: "Getting up at 4 am next morning to catch a 6:30 flight. Time for some Snuff before bed time."

Safe journey.

Janette wrote: "October 7…who is the green cloaked, red haired woman referenced in Jack’s scavenger hunting supposed to represent? It’s driving me nutz 🤪"

I'm guessing Catherine Eddowes.

Thanks, J.

J. wrote: "Janette wrote: "October 7…who is the green cloaked, red haired woman referenced in Jack’s scavenger hunting supposed to represent? It’s driving me nutz 🤪"

I'm guessing Catherine Eddowes."

Thank you J. Guess I’m going to have to read up on Jack the Ripper’s victims to get all of the references 😂

October 10th, there have been worse encounters with the Count.

Just read that encounter. I suspect the old vamp was not fooled.

Just got to the 13th.

There's the odd kerfuffle between the familiars... and subtle attacks left and right...

Graeme wrote: "Just read that encounter. I suspect the old vamp was not fooled."

Not if he confers with his familiar. I do miss the brides.

It's strange that this version of Victor is a better man than the original.

Regarding familiars, and noting that Snuff and Jack can chat openly for an hour each midnight, it follows that the other teams can do the same.

So, whatever a familiar discovers, their partners will almost certainly know too.

Up to October the 19th.

... a moment of pure macarbre hilarity at the graveyard...

I'm also sure the some of the familiars (in addition to Snuff) have survived more than one rodeo...

Graeme wrote: "Regarding familiars, and noting that Snuff and Jack can chat openly for an hour each midnight, it follows that the other teams can do the same.

So, whatever a familiar discovers, their partners wi..."

Plus the Count can transform into various beasts, including a bat, if he wants to have a chat.

October 13th:

The Vicar has begun his game. For some reason, in my mind's eye he looks like Jimmy Swaggart. Swaggart shilled Jesus for the dollars of those who really could not afford to be generous. Then he blew that money on hookers and nose candy. When he got caught, he had this much gall.
https://youtube.com/shorts/WNwpZe_YI3...

J. wrote: "October 13th:

The Vicar has begun his game. For some reason, in my mind's eye he looks like Jimmy Swaggart. Swaggart shilled Jesus for the dollars of those who really could not afford to be genero..."

Indeed. I get the same vibe. "He protesth too much, methinks!"

38% Part way through the 20th...

“I hunted rats and ate out of dustbins and saw my kittens killed and was hung by my tail and abused by wicked urchins,” - Graymalk's lament.

October 14th:

"... leaving the corpse in a copse." I guess he couldn't resist.

And the corpse is a cop...

... leaving the cop's corpse in a copse...

The cunning cur concealed the cop's corpse in a copse.

Say that five times, fast.

Smirk!

October the 21st. The Good Dr. and his creation are front and center, along with the machinations of the familiars.

Just hitting October the 22nd at 51% in.

The days are getting longer as more and more happens in each day.

Such is life. The less time we have; the more we have to do.

Subtle, J.