I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Alan McGill shares a tantalizing collection of short and spooky stories featuring a mysterious shop owner in the book “Big Al The Dream Maker’s Emporium of Curiosities, Oddities, and Strange Things”.
The Synopsis
Shorties of Supernatural Suspense
What is the mysterious Emporium? Who or what is Big Al? Friend or Foe? Demon? Alien? or Mystical Shaman?
To answer those questions, you’ll have to visit the store, if you can find it.
Somewhere, nowhere, and everywhere all at once it appears at the oddest times and strangest places. The neon shines brightly, like a beacon to a troubled mind. The Emporium looks deceptively small from the outside, but once you enter, it is a place beyond reality.
Come inside and have a look, but beware, nothing is for sale, and nothing is free. Don’t be afraid of the Poliger, it won’t bite. And don’t be afraid of Big Al, well, on second thought…he might!
The Review
What a compelling and haunting collection. What made these stories stand out was how each story could stand on its own feet and yet continuously held this connective mythos surrounding Big Al and the mystery behind the seemingly powerful “man” and “store” themselves. The author once again demonstrated a command over imagery in his writing style, with each story feeling like an episode of Twin Peaks or The Twilight Zone on the page.
One of my favorite stories in the book was The Grinning Man, as it took the iconic story and legend of Indrid Cold, a prolific figure in the Mothman case, and intensified the legend surrounding the man/alien (Depending on what you believe). The tension and heavy atmosphere the author brought out in each story, and the way these characters embodied the best and worst aspects of humanity, created an almost “devil deal” scenario that made people question who the true monster was, giving this a thriller element that will stay with readers long after the book ends.
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The Verdict
A masterful work of short horror fiction that weaves three twisted tales of terror, author Alan McGill delivers a fantastic collection to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Stephen King’s Needful Things meets the atmosphere of Twin Peaks; the mystery of not only the Emporium but its chilling properties, Big Al, will have readers eager for more of this fantastic world the author has crafted. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Alan McGill is an American author who lives in an old farmhouse with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents, who grew up during the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who wove humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up listening to these stories of right and wrong and watching fictional heroes–such as the Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America–stand up to bullies and protect those who count not protect themselves. This inspired him to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love of storytelling. He is a multigenre author whose debut novel, A Cry in the Moon’s Light, combines horror, romance, and mystery. As with all his books, A Cry in the Moon’s Light centers on characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The book focuses on the theme of love–a pure and deep love that defeats all evil.
https://www.alanmcgillbooks.com
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