A Christmas Ghost Story: A Chilling Tale for Dark Days and Long Nights by Kim Newman

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

I just received this novella, A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim Newman, and I'm eager to read it. I love the title and I love the cover. It's the perfect story for this Halloween season. So, what is the story about? Well, according to the blurb I read:

From the acclaimed author of Anno Dracula, the perfect gift for those who love the dark fantastic imaginations of Neil Gaiman and T. Kingfisher, this is a nightmarish tale of a haunted Christmas set deep in the British countryside not too long ago. Cosy traditions are made twisted and terrifying as a mother and son grapple with their painful past.

Lynda and her teenage son Rust prepare for Christmas, hanging fairy lights and making decorations. The first door of the advent calendar is opened, but the chocolate inside tastes off. Rust receives his first Christmas card, it's unsigned and the message is aggressive rather than festive.

The cards keep coming, one each day and each more sinister than the last, and a frightened Lynda recalls a seasonal TV show from her childhood that featured similar happenings, and while she remembers it vividly, there is no evidence that it was ever broadcast…

As their Christmas cheer is gradually poisoned, with real dead robins replacing plastic ones, the turkey rotting in the freezer and Rust becoming increasingly unwell, Lynda begins to wonder if her childhood Christmases were in fact as joy filled as she remembers…

A terrifying tale of seasonal dread from a master of horror.

Whoa! How creepy does that sound? How is a TV show only Lynda remembers coming true? Who is sending those cards? Why is her son getting sick? Who is determined to scare them to death? What is happening? Yikes! Okay, this sounds like a fun one. And, I can't wait to read it! I'm going to need a cuppa,  a cozy reading spot, and my copy of A Christmas Ghost Story this weekend. Talk about perfect reading plans. 

And now, I'm off to tackle some more books on my TBR list. Hope you are all having a wonderful week. Happy reading!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Elevation: A Novel by Stephen King

about book:

The latest from legendary master storyteller Stephen King, a riveting, extraordinarily eerie, and moving story about a man whose mysterious affliction brings a small town together—a timely, upbeat tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences.

Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.

my thoughts:

Another classic by King.  Loved reading Elevation this afternoon.  It was short, but emotional.  Or at least I got emotional.

Scott Carey is losing weight.  Only, it doesn't look like he is losing weight.  Say what? Yep, his body is still the same, but the scale is saying different. In fact, the scale keeps reading "weight loss" even when Scott is wearing clothes, carrying keys and coins in his pockets, and holding weights in his hands.  Sounds impossible, right? Well, apparently it is very possible.  Or at least it is possible with Scott.  So, he tells his friend, Dr. Bob.  Confounded by this medical marvel that is his friend, Dr. Bob suggests that Scott go to a hospital.  Scott refuses and swears him to secrecy.  And so, the secret begins.  Dr. Bob calls from time to time and asks about his weight. As Scott goes through this strange weight transformation, his world begins to open. 

What a book! I absolutely enjoyed reading all about Scott Carey and his "weight loss".  I wasn't sure what to expect, which I always love when reading King.  His writing is always familiar, smart, and so creative. I found myself easily caught up in the people and town of Castle Rock.  The story was short, but filled with drama, suspense, and emotion.  I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, but I suppose it couldn't have gone any other way.  All in all, another great read by King.

I would happily recommend Elevation to fans of King and anyone looking for their next great read.