
Mike Thorn reviewed Niall Howell’s debut novel Only Pretty Damned for FreeFall Magazine (volume 29, no. 2).
Author | Critic

Mike Thorn reviewed Niall Howell’s debut novel Only Pretty Damned for FreeFall Magazine (volume 29, no. 2).

My upcoming short story duology, Dreams of Lake Drukka & Exhumation, is now listed on Goodreads! The book will be released on September 27 through Demain Publishing‘s Short Sharp Shocks series. This is my first standalone publication since Darkest Hours, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
These stories both depict characters who unearth horrific, long-buried family secrets.
It was only in retrospect that I could see the connections between the two pieces. When I revisited them for publication, it struck me that they work well as companion pieces. Both plots depict unfulfilled pacts with supernatural undercurrents, both include journeys to uncover unresolved familial trauma, and both pivot around the revelation of repressed memories. I wanted to explore the relationship between setting and atmosphere in these pieces, and to depict horror within internal and physical ‘sites of trauma.’ The characters are grappling with painful memories / experiences that have held them back, consciously or unconsciously. One story focuses on a character who is the agent of her own revelations, whereas the other story sees someone whose agency is quickly and brutally taken away.

“As with much of the author’s haunting poetry, this book reaches into the territory of fairy tales and the Gothic, but it simultaneously (and predominantly) grounds itself in contemporary realism. Advice for Taxidermists and Amateur Beekeepers demonstrates this kind of dual function in tonal terms, too: while it strays into morbid territory, it is punctuated throughout by surprising levity and humour.”

On September 27, Demain Publishing will release an e-book including two new Mike Thorn stories, “Dreams of Lake Drukka” and “Exhumation,” as part of their Short Sharp Shocks series. The e-book is now available for pre-order. Please reach out if you’re interested in a digital copy for review!
The stories are companion pieces: both depict unfulfilled pacts with supernatural undercurrents, both include journeys to uncover unresolved familial trauma, and both pivot around the revelation of repressed memories. I wanted to explore the relationship between setting and atmosphere in these pieces, and to depict horror within internal and physical ‘sites of trauma.’ The characters are grappling with painful memories / experiences that have held them back, consciously or unconsciously. One story focuses on a character who is the agent of her own revelations, whereas the other story sees someone whose agency is quickly and brutally taken away.

Join Niall Howell (author of Only Pretty Damned) and Mike Thorn at New Level Brewing Co. on August 21 from 7-9 pm. New Level is offering a special Damned-theme Clown Alley Porter for this event.

Stephanie of That’s What She Read includes Darkest Hours in her list of horror book recommendations on Kindle Unlimited (also included: books by Claire C. Holland, Christa Carmen, CV Hunt and many others).

Hey Little Thrifter reviews Darkest Hours in her June reading wrap-up. Also included: reviews of books by Adam Neville, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Jack Ketchum and others.

Today on Night Worms, Mike Thorn shares his 100 favorite horror films.

Niall and I first met as undergrads at Mount Royal University. From what I remember, we first connected through our mutual love of film, either through a course or a club of some kind. It wasn’t long before I learned that Niall was also a fiction writer, and we started exchanging excerpts from our works-in-progress. Niall’s rare, formidable talent was immediately evident to me—I saw in all his work a unique sense of humour and a mastery of pacing, plot and voice. After reading his phenomenal debut novel Only Pretty Damned (available now through NeWest Press), I reached out asking if he’d like to do a Q&A. He kindly agreed, and the dialogue below is the result of our email exchanges.
Read the full interview on Kendall Reviews.

Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann reached out and asked if I’d like to share my list of 100 favorite books on Night Worms, and I was happy to do so.