Short Story Sunday: Killer Kitteh Khristmas
Killer Kitteh Khristmas
Author: Sian B. Claven
Published: November 15, 2018
26 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 27, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Short Story Description:
This is not a Christmas story.
This is not a cute story.
This story features demons, cats and some strange occurrences.
Prepare to take the same journey as Toni as she navigates her way around a new rescue cat and the problems arise when you don’t actually know where your pet comes from.
Jessica’s Review:
In some ways I read this short story at the wrong time, but I also read it at the right time: A stray kitten showed up at my husband’s job and he brought it home and now we have three cats! We are going through an adjustment period now, and then I picked up this short story… It’s about Toni who brings home a rescue cat from the shelter she frequents….
This is not a Christmas story, though it does take place at the Christmas time of year. Do not think this is a happy story as it isn’t. It makes you think about your rescue animals and what they might have experienced and been through and that we will never know.
And the rescue kitten from my husband’s job… She is Maine coon, like Snuggles in this short story…. I just hope my Shiva is not like Snuggles!
I plan to read more written by Sian B. Claven!
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
We Have Always Live in the Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
Published: September 21, 1962
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.
Kim’s Review:
I decided to roll with my Shirley Jackson kick. I listened to this on audio and the narrator definitely did the story justice. Jackson has this way of setting a scene filled with tension and discomfort and questions. This story is rife with it all. Constance and Merrikat are the weirdos that urban legends are made of. Their family was murdered, Constance was the prime suspect, but acquitted, and now they live in their old family home alone with their Uncle Julian who spent the last decade of their lives trying to write a history of murders. The townspeople jeer and stare at Merrikat whenever she goes into town, but Constance will barely leave the house to go into the garden. Everything about this story is disturbing, but its very subtle.
I spent the whole book wondering about Merrikat. Is she mentally ill? Developmentally disabled? Who killed the family? And then the one scene where my blood boiled . . . But that’s a spoiler so I can’t say it. This is such a great example of Jackson’s iconic style and I think everybody should read it! Awesome story!!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Short Story Sunday: Still Born by The Behrg
Still Born
Author: The Behrg
Published: October 13, 2014
38 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 11, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Short Story Description:
A grieving couple coping with the unimaginable loss of their child being stillborn discover a disturbing anomaly. They can hear their deceased daughter through a baby monitor.
But is it really their daughter they are listening to?
And if so, who are the other voices coming through on the monitor?
As this couple is about to discover, not all second chances are meant to be taken.
Jessica’s Review:
**I must first say anyone who has experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or lost an infant child should not read this short story.**
This short story is true psychological horror as it would be every parent’s worst nightmare. Sam and Joel’s heartache over their loss feels 100% real. Then they start hearing things through the baby monitor they don’t need anymore. This includes a crying baby. Thus begins a descent into despair, confusion, and more.
This one is free on Amazon for those in the USA if you wish to pick it up (99p in the UK).
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK