Marketing Macabre has put together a summer reading list that will warp your mind and make your eyes bleed and make any book club immediate burst into flames. Now that we have your attention, please enjoy the works of Steve Barton, Mark Allen, Eva Pilch, Domenic Migliore, Antoinette Corvo, Grace Patterson, and Anthony M. Caro.
A Comedy of Tragedies by Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton
Steve Barton, co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Dread Central, stands as a trailblazer in horror journalism, marking his place as one of the internet’s first genre influencers. His autobiography transcends mere industry insights, offering a poignant journey through peaks and valleys with unfiltered emotional honesty. From grappling with the stark realities of 9/11 to being mentored by icons like George A. Romero and Sid Haig, and ultimately playing a pivotal role in the success of the Terrifier film franchise.
A Comedy of Tragedies | Bookstore
https://www.encyclopocalypse.com/product/a-comedy-of-tragedies/433?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1IQ2Bu41-PtAa35f_2pAN6tzwub7vN46mteAx7G7I0KO4ypTxnZmDNOSc_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Just Before Dawn by Mark Allen
It has been five years since the events of NOCTURNAL, and life has settled back to normal. The Vampire continues his quiet existence and visits his beloved granddaughter, Lottie. Reggie Downing is now Lead Detective, and Nick Castle is his lieutenant after Morris Horn’s retirement. Reggie is Nick’s most trusted confidant.
But a twisted killer stalks San Diego’s Vampire Goth club scene, leaving kills that mimic vampirism. Desperate to stop this evil, Reggie asks for his ancestor’s help once again. Reluctant to involve himself in “the affairs of man” and yet deeply offended by the killer’s methods, the Vampire uneasily agrees.
Just Before Dawn | Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJQJYXMG?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1iI3kcWZhN3etaMLVfIvppUiiWGhs6713AClGZooslB-v1Sd1QSipdigQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Nightmares by Eva Pilch
Grace spent her life priding herself as being the good girl despite all the things she has been through. She suffers from nightmares and finally snaps when she finds out she has a rare fatal disease. Living her new bad girl life to the fullest, she learns a lot about the dark side of life and why bad things happen to good people. Grace experiences intoxication, promiscuity, and starts hanging out with a bad crowd. This leads to heists and murder. With her friend Emily, a paranormal investigator, they conquer fears and the entities that are influencing Grace to be bad.
Nightmares | Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Nightmares-Eva-Pilch/dp/1728301475?nodl=1&dplnkId=b13abf24-ffe9-49a5-8147-f7b35f35f8e6&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1jH5hYMeIyyQ0Otjeakwl4ENOAamieSWduOgPSq3ZYI_OhLOWsH53J5jI_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Frame Story by Domenic Migliore
Domenic Migliore has no interest in making you feel better. Entering his world comes with risks. But, then again, so does living in ours. His writing is a cracked rock bouncing down a grungy hill: the speed of the descent leads to blur; the accumulation of nasty debris is unavoidable. In one tale, a father tells his son, “You don’t go fudging around with the factory presets.” In Migliore’s storyworlds, the presets are as unreliable as experimentation with them is. In either case, things fall apart. You’re likely to laugh at some stories, cringe at others, and skip some passages that are too uncomfortable to imagine. But you’re unlikely to forget the experience of meeting artist and filmmaker Migliore’s cast of weary, ill-fated souls. They ought to be in movies. And probably will. – Bill Obesrt Jr. (from Rob Zombie’s 3 FROM HELL, TV’s THE ROOKIE: FEDS and Criminal Minds)
Frame Story | Bookstore
https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/products/frame-story?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2_krFf7B5mUidv-RvcO7v1qYd7Z4dBMBQaSjRpfZR6NObjiOtYc6VwYCs_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Dirges In The Dark by Antoinette Corvo
When actress Cassidy May lands the lead in the story of Hellen Grimaldi’s life, she believes it could be the boost her career needs. However, the more she looks into the past of Hellen and the shocking events which led to her death, the more fearful Cassidy becomes about taking the role. Did Hellen truly summon demons during that fateful performance? Was Cassidy about to unleash the same hell that Hellen had? What dark forces were really at play behind the curtain?
Dirges In The Dark | Bookstore
https://corvoantoinette.com/product/dirges-in-the-dark/
Blood Red Moon by Mark Allen
A series of gruesome murders in towns and cities around the Puget Sound has the public on the verge of panic. Grotesque details of half-eaten bodies are splashed all over the news. The police are baffled. The forensics don’t make any sense, and the evidence points to something dangerous and malevolent than anything they have ever encountered.
Blood Red Moon | Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/BLOOD-RED-MOON-MARK-ALLEN-ebook/dp/B09GRGZC4Y/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=1cZNC&content-id=amzn1.sym.f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_p=f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_r=140-0401457-0506031&pd_rd_wg=G2aSb&pd_rd_r=792281c4-5a6d-4453-bb10-aad9ca06e0b8&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk
Dreaded Invocations by Anthony M. Caro
Dreaded Invocations presents transgressive spins on pulp-style short story horror fiction. Read the garish tales of those too terrified to speak about their dark experiences.
What troubles plague a man who seeks chat app-based therapy from the confines of a secret prison cell? Are those menacing calls to a babysitter really coming from inside the house? Does a vast treasure or mysterious fate await a double-crossing diver inside a sunken ship? Will a steampunk experiment’s artificially constructed man meet a friend or foe inside a mysterious cave? What vengeance does a self-exiled silent movie star have in store for former colleagues against whom he holds a grudge?
Dreaded Invocations | Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dreaded-Invocations-Terrifying-Horror-Hushed-ebook/dp/B0D3QQ6ZSZ/
Am I Perfect Yet? by Grace Patterson
Am I Perfect Yet? is a compelling memoir that delves into the journey of Grace Patterson, as she confronts the demons of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Grace’s story takes readers through the highs and lows of her life, from her time as a college cheerleader to her experiences as a semi-pro and professional cheerleader, where the pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards intensified her struggles. But it doesn’t end there. Grace’s decision to move to the city of Los Angeles becomes a turning point in her life as she embarks on a path of self-discovery and healing. Immersed in the world of on-screen acting, she finds purpose unearthing a new found sense of identity. With raw honesty, Grace shares her triumphs and setbacks. Through her story, readers are reminded of the power of perseverance and the beauty of embracing our flaws. Finding happiness in who we are, not in who the world wants us to be.
Am I Perfect Yet? | Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Am-Perfect-Yet-Fullness-Authentic/dp/1647381037
The Cat That Caught The Canary by Antoinette Corvo
The Cat That Caught The Canary – a hard-hitting drama. When an unloved child loses her only friend, she finds the courage to leave home and reinvent herself as Pearl Lancaster. Innocent and naïve, Pearl’s quest to become a theatre star puts her at the mercy of abusive teachers and predatory cult members. This is the story of one girl’s rise to fame and the desperate lengths she will go to in order to stay in the spotlight. Blood will be shed, tears will fall, but the show must go on.
The Cat That Caught The Canary | Bookstore
https://corvoantoinette.com/product/the-cat-that-caught-the-canary/
Tragedy Man by Anthony M. Caro
Five actors. Five auditions. Five tragic tales of terror! Improv auditions at a rundown theater prove unnerving for those answering the casting call. The tragic performances organized by a mysterious theater manager take the actors to a harrowing place that may or may not be make-believe. The tradition of classic horror anthologies rises again to inspire this dark collection!
How far will a down-on-his-luck actor/musician go to get a pawned scooter back? What is the secret behind the living vines stalking a former film star in a flower shop? Why does a train-traveling comic’s audience go to enormous lengths to hide their identity? Can a reluctant and exploited performer’s murderous rampage clean up Times Square? Is a chance at theatrical stardom worth a game show host’s soul?
Tragedy Man | Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Man-Anthology-Anthony-Caro-ebook/dp/B0CCWV152B/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ac5M6&content-id=amzn1.sym.f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_p=f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_r=140-0401457-0506031&pd_rd_wg=9SnYG&pd_rd_r=244a3119-05bb-4840-ad35-4f61e1de9684&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk