Seven Slightly Sadistic Stories: or Fables for the Sick and Twisted

by J Malcolm Stewart:

If your idea of a great Friday night is being curled up with a book that describes in loving detail the though processes of serial killers, spree murders, kidnappers and other monsters, then not only are you vicariously living life in my shoes, you’ll love Jeremiah Cress’s Seven Slightly Sadistic Stories or Fables for the Sick and Twisted, currently available on Amazon.

This breezy read features seven stories set in the minds of killer and/or their victims as the gruesome deeds go down. Cress pulls back the curtain to give us an unflinching look-see on what makes a killer’s world go ’round. Think of spending a day with Dexter, without the nice guy mannerisms and you’ll be in the right ballpark.

Surprisingly literate (each tale begins with a thought provoking quote from various figures in philosophy and literature), well paced and fairly restrained (there’s no unnecessary gore or over-the-top exploitative violence), Cress raises the tension bar by making us see through the veil as we walk in the characters footsteps, seeing and feeling what they do on their twisted little journey to darkness.

Some highlight of the collection are “Hide and Seek” which describes the desperation of a potential victim trying to hide from a rampaging maniac by being very, very quiet, “Just Say No,” a little ditty about why you really need to stop smoking and “Zen,” a brilliant b-side to “Hide and Seek” which puts us into the shoes of the would-be killer of the first story.

At its best, Seven Sadistic Stories gives us the quickly but deadly punch of King and Barker in their heyday. The first person narratives do wear a little as the book goes on, but at 112 e-book pages, you’ll soon find yourself moving something else if your attention wanders.

Crack the cover on this one and you’ll find a sharp, edgy and clever way to burn through your Friday night.

J. Malcolm Stewart is a Northern California-based public relations/marketing professional. He holds degrees in Political Science and Comparative Religion, but can have a conversation someone without starting a small war. Long interested in suspense, thrillers and horror, he writes and reviews on the subject for websites far and wide. When he’s not writing, reviewing or reading, you can find J. Malcolm riding around Northern CA with something radioactive in his trunk.

Follow  J. Malcolm on Twitter: @sabbathsoldier, and learn more about him at http://about.me/jaymal.