John R. Little (1) (1955–)

These stories do revolve around Halloween but they are more than just horror. They are tales of grief, of love and loss, spirits with unfinished business, all surrounding the most otherworldly night of the year. They can be savored slowly to help you get into the spirit of Halloween or devoured quickly for a rush of spooky fun any time. I read them over a particularly hot week in July while I was away from my home and my air conditioner. I was almost able to convince myself that I could hear rustling leaves and a cool October wind. All were good, but for me the most notable in the bunch were...

Strange Candy- A story about a grieving man who finds peace after consuming an odd confection brought home in his child's trick or treat bag.

#MakeHalloweenScaryAgain -in which a writer who wishes to draw some interest and attention to his work stirs up a serial killer with his simple hashtag.

The Rage Of Achilles - A priest hears a haunting confession on Halloween from a man who has suffered a tragedy.

Highly recommended to all lovers of horror and Halloween.

I received an advance copy for review.… (mehr)

This book is a Russian nesting doll of a novel. We open one story and learn of another, then another, all dealing with lives torn apart by an unimaginable horror. All of this is framed in a pitch perfect time travel structure utilized to maximum effect.

Memories are like branches of a tree, sprouting off the events and people of our life. Sometimes our memories are accurate, sometimes not. Sometimes they need the perspective that comes from years to see how they fit in with the bigger structure of our lives. Until that perspective comes, we only see the branches and have no real understanding. I am not exaggerating when I say that when you finish the last page of this novel, when you finally are able to step back see the whole story you will be devastated and filled with admiration for this gifted novelist who has tackled one of the most difficult subjects imaginable.… (mehr)

John Little writes very powerful, short novels that are short in format but will stay in the memory for a very long time. Little writes about longing, loss, fate, sorrow, and what we sometimes must do to attempt to avoid fate and to reclaim what we have lost.

Charlie Parkinson, a talented photographer, has a gift, or perhaps a curse. The gift is that he has precognition---he is aware of horrific events before they occur. This allows him to be present with his camera to capture photos at the very instant of horror. Photos like few have ever seen.

The curse is that his precognition is not accurate. Yes, he knows the time and place, but his visions are often not accurate at all as to the events that occur or the people involved. But he does know that horrific events will occur----and that he will be powerless to stop them. Not even when he dreams that he will murder his own wife....

Little is a very good writer. I would also recommend "The Memory Tree" which was a powerful and courageous book.… (mehr)