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Review of “Bullies” by Damien Krsteski

Plot: For months, Jon has been tracking down the game identities of the boys who have been bullying him in school. He promises them cheatware, which is supposed to enhance the prizes they win. In exchange, they lock him out so their paths with never cross, either in Brutal Assault or any other portals inContinue reading “Review of “Bullies” by Damien Krsteski”

Review of “The Bat Whispers” (1930)

Plot: Master criminal the Bat has the police flummoxed. He steals jewelry and pummels (sometimes kills) owners regardless of the precautions they and law enforcement take, often leaving taunting notes. He even issues warnings ahead of time. What a gentleman. After one especially brutal robbery, the Bat announces his retirement to the country. He’s givingContinue reading “Review of “The Bat Whispers” (1930)”

Review of “Reflections” by Lamont Turner

Plot: Two men, one dressed in black and the other dressed in white, sit on silver chairs at a silver table. The whole room is silver, in fact. Other than the table and chairs, however, there are no furnishings in the room. The man wearing black types on a tablet, looking up occasionally at theContinue reading “Review of “Reflections” by Lamont Turner”

Review of “Bookstore” by Jeremiah Minihan

Plot: The unnamed narrator of this story likes to browse the small independent used bookstore near his work. He’s been there many times before, chatted with the short, gray guy at the front desk. He’s sure Bill—that’s the name of the guy at the counter—has been here for years. He’s always wearing the same fadedContinue reading “Review of “Bookstore” by Jeremiah Minihan”

Review of “Mad Science” by Jo Mularczyk

Plot: Julia finds herself standing in the church she knew in childhood, the successful result of the working of her newly-developed displacement nodule. The device allows a person to be transported anywhere instantaneously. It’s small enough to fit into Julia’s hand and responds to voice commands. Julia is not sure why she’s in the church,Continue reading “Review of “Mad Science” by Jo Mularczyk”

Review of “Teenagers from Outer Space”

Plot: Aliens have come to earth to find a place to graze their dangerous and fast-growing “gargons,” lobster-like critters they use for food. A pesky dog barks at their flying saucer when it lands, so crew member Thor (Bryan Grant—not the god) whips out his ray gun and zaps him. Poor Sparky is left asContinue reading “Review of “Teenagers from Outer Space””

Review of “Elevators and Aliens” by Eddie D. Moore

Plot: Marty is looking over blueprints and sipping bourbon at the bar of the Bayside Hotel on Proxmia b. Most people visit the Bayside for the salty air and a walk on the beach. Humans have been living on Proxmia b for a little less than five hundred years. Communication with earth ceased off afterContinue reading “Review of “Elevators and Aliens” by Eddie D. Moore”

Review of “Snowfall” by Richard Bertram Peterson

Plot: A young child presses her face against the window and sees it’s snowing outside. Snow at Christmas! Excited, she jumps up and down and screams with excitement. Her mother joins her and looks out at the snow. A small tree stands in the corner of the room. “Mommy! Can I go out and playContinue reading “Review of “Snowfall” by Richard Bertram Peterson”

Review of “Dust to Dust” by Tom Howard

Plot: Spy novelist Alex Poe has returned to his home town of Bidderville. He first left Bidderville thirty years earlier when he was eighteen. His last trip back was twenty years before now for his mother’s funeral. Today he’s returned for another funeral and a favor. He’s come to visit his great-aunt Phaedra. Her trailerContinue reading “Review of “Dust to Dust” by Tom Howard”

Review of “Historical Fiction” by Joshua Fagan

Plot: The narrator is a writer, looking for ideas to write about the 2030s. His writer’s desk (he has a writer’s desk? Lucky guy!) is full of sticky notes, all inscribed with reminders to write about this time period. But what? It seems like all the best ideas have been used and beaten to death.Continue reading “Review of “Historical Fiction” by Joshua Fagan”