book review JL. Andrew Cooper

"Crazy Time: A Strange Struggle Between Darkness and Sacredness" "In Hidden Time" is a contemporary horror romance infused with supernatural elements, crafting a dark and surreal ambiance. Its primary objective is to evoke fear through tense and chilling moments, delving into abstract realms of thought and imagery that defy logic and reality.

This anthology of twenty intriguing tales offers a range of styles and intensities, each striving to leave a distinct, eerie, and lasting impact. It begins with a story titled "Silence," portraying a surreal house where a woman arrives and gradually loses her loved ones through silent gestures. The final short story, "Mandy Schneider Makes Friends," describes the breach of taboo in a community of three psychopaths who subsequently torture a group of tourists and their guides.

This compilation includes twenty captivating stories, each with its own style and intensity, all aiming to evoke a distinct, dark, and lasting impression. It kicks off with a narrative called "Silence," depicting a surreal house where a woman arrives and slowly loses her loved ones through silent gestures. The final short story, titled "Mandy Schneider Makes Friends," explores the breaking of a taboo within a community of three psychopaths who subsequently torture a group of tourists and their guides.

"Burning the Middle Ground" is a dark fantasy tale set in rural America, blending readers' concerns about the country's future with an enthralling storyline that intertwines religious intrigue and supernatural manipulation of the mind. Featuring characters evocative of those found in the works of Stephen King and Bentley Little, this novel caters to both fantasy enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. When Brian MacLeod returns home from school, he is shocked to learn that his ten-year-old sister Fran is the one responsible for their parents' deaths.

Five years later, journalist Ronald Glasner finds out that Brian still lives in the same house in the small town of Kenning, Georgia. With the intention of writing a book about the MacLeod family tragedy, Ronald becomes involved in a conflict between the local Church, led by the enigmatic Father Michael Cox, and the New Church, led by the rebellious Jean Harper. Meanwhile, strange occurrences take place in Kenning - animals exhibit unusual behavior, and the bodies of the deceased are discovered with their eyes gouged out and tongues severed.