Vincent likes nothing more than rootling round second-hand shops in search of the
interesting and unusual. Items that are lost and forgotten.
Why not? He needs the diversion. Time on his hands and money to burn. His life is affluent and empty. Little on the horizon and memories tinged bittersweet.
That’s all about to change. He’s about to find something that is perhaps better left unfound.
CALL DROPS is a darkly swirling mix of horror and mystery that will stay with you long after the reading is done. It’ll maybe make you think twice about impulse buying, those moments when you simply must have something, even though you don’t need it.
It might cause you to look again at the apparently mundane and everyday …and possibly, just possibly, wonder at what twisted marvels lurk within your mobile phone.
Call Drops is a short (ish) horror story, the first in a series of sinister tales from the Dead Boxes Archive.
Some objects are scary things. Dead Boxes definitely fall into that category.
They can be easily overlooked. They’re ordinary on the surface. At first glance anyway.
If you look a little closer, you’ll see something unique.
You could have one and not know it.
Be careful.
They hold miracle and mystery. Horror and salvation.
None are the same. Except in one regard.
You don’t need one.
You might think you do, but you really don’t.
Believe me.
A Short Horror Story
From the Dead Boxes Archive.
This is one grim, twisty, short story that filled this horror fan’s heart with glee. It’s been a while since I’ve read short stories, and I’d forgotten what a pleasure it can be to immediately get down to the business of storytelling – and this author does it well. He takes the reader by the hand and gradually reveals Vincent’s life, both in present day and through flashbacks. All the while, you just know something sinister might be waiting around the corner. And trust me, it is – you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t expect blood and gore horror – this is more about the dark side of human nature, and what people are capable of doing to each other. The only negative for me, and this is my personal preference, is the cover – if I saw this book on the shelf, it isn’t something that would immediately grab my attention. But the contents inside surely did. Call Drops has a Twilight Zone/Black Mirror feel, and can easily be read in one sitting.
I received a copy of this book from the author through Rosie’s Book Review Team.
Books and Such 
Thank you Teri.
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You’re welcome, Rosie – really enjoyed this one, and I’d love to find time to try his next.
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I agree the cover is one I’d probably gloss over but the contents definitely intrigue me. I’m not much for gore-type horror. I prefer it to be more subtle and induce chills. Twilight-zoneish sounds awesome!
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Sounds like this one is for you, Mae. Yep – the cover isn’t my favorite – it doesn’t complement the story inside.
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This cover is a little disturbing, but the book sounds like a pretty good horror. Excellent review, Teri. 😉
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Thanks, Jenn! You know I love settling in with a good horror tale.
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Sounds pretty cool.
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It is, Craig. Fans of The Twilight Zone would appreciate this one.
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The contents sound awesome. The cover put me off. I’m not an ear-person, I guess.
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I don’t think I am, either, Staci.
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I have heard that ears are like fingerprints; no two are the same. But I still wouldn’t want one on my cover.
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Have to agree with you there, Staci.
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This sounds very intriguing, Teri. Definitely my kind of read. Thanks for the recommendation.
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You’re very welcome, Hugh – hope you enjoy it!
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I’ve downloaded it after reading your review, Terri. I’m sure it will have a ‘thumbs up’ from me. If I like it, I’ll check out some more of the author’s books.
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I really enjoyed this one and also the next one I read by him, A Plague of Pages. I’m more of a novel reader but you’re right. There is something satisfying in reading story without any spare elements. Great review (oh, and Twilight Zone and Hitchcock Presents indeed). 😉
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Thanks, Olga! I’d love to read A Plague of Pages, Olga – I just need more hours in the day, lol.
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Reblogged this on DSM Publications and commented:
Check out the book, Call Drops by John F. Leonard, as featured in this post from the Books and Such blog.
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