Michael G. Williams (1)

The first chapter starts with an exciting and hilarious chase that may well be one of the best opening scenes of a book I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.

The realism of his characters (allowing for a suspension of disbelief to accept vampires and the like) is delightful. They are flawed, strong, weak, aware, self-deceiving, amazingly clever yet prone to acts of rash and inexplicable stupidity. They are beautifully human (even when not), and I love them.

Equally pleasurable is the fluidity in genre. This is mystery, thriller, humor and paranormal with just a hint of Southern Gothic. A refreshing read for those who grow weary of genre stereotypes and vampire clichés.… (mehr)

UPDATE 2020 REREAD

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, the author created a podcast called Social Distancing Radio, in which he—at the request of a friend and long-time reader—read this book to create something familiar and safe in a time of stress. As a long-time reader and friend of his, I found this reading tremendously comforting. The unpolished rawness of it made it feel almost as though I were at a live author reading.

(You can find the podcast here: rel="nofollow" target="_top">https://www.robustmcmanlypants.org/socialdistancingradio/)

ORIGINAL REVIEW
Perishables develops tension in a highly effective manner which makes use of its division into three parts (each of which can be considered a story in of itself). It begins with a sort of lighthearted zombie romp with a hint of darkness. I had several moments of laughing out loud and needing to explain myself to others. In part 2, the tone shifts to a balanced blend of equal parts humor and tension. While there was less laughter, there were plenty of smiles and moments of genuine concern for the well-being of the characters. It finishes with the kind of intensity that found me frozen completely upright and holding my breath.

There are many wonderful little details which allowed me to connect with the supernatural universe in this novel. I was somewhat reminded of the way Ridley Scott uses tiny realistic touches to give a sense of concreteness to his fantastic worlds.

I almost hate to say this last bit of praise, because it's a sad statement that it shouldn't be the norm. However, it isn't in most media, and it most certainly isn't typical of this genre. I was thrilled to find myself reading about a woman who was neither a helpless stereotype of femininity nor an idolized and often pornesque heroine("Up on a pedestal or down on her knees, it's all a male fantasy."-Margaret Atwood). She didn't fuss or moan about her hair, clothes or makeup. She didn't wail and worry about her romantic life. She had one, but it was simply a part of her life not her reason for being and not a focal point of the story. She was just a person, and I loved it.

And lest I forget, this author owes me 1.5 hours of sleep I missed because I was too involved in the book.… (mehr)

REREAD
Nothing to add to my original, other than to note the delightful introduction of new historical figures in this one. I love a book that makes me google to learn more! I also truly enjoy the way the book reflects the moral ambiguity of those figures.

ORIGINAL REVIEW
In this energetic follow-up to Through the Doors of Oblivion, we reunite with Emperor Norton I, Madge, and Iria in their battle to save San Francisco from the demon Mammon. Urban fantasy collides with historical fiction to create an exciting paranormal novella that takes you on a breakneck chase through time and alternate dimensions to find the second key. I cannot wait to rejoin this amazing cast of new and reimagined characters in the next book.… (mehr)