Disturbed: Clearing Out the Demons by Jesse Peterson, illustrated by Andy Manley

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; First Edition edition (October 25, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1539700399
• ISBN-13: 978-1539700395
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches

About the Book:

In Peterson's first book, he presents the reader with ten stories carefully crafted to send chills up their spines. With Andy Manely creating illustrations that bring Peterson's creatures to life, Disturbed: Clearing Out The Demons will haunt your dreams for weeks.

My Thoughts:

(Full Disclosure: my son is the author of "Disturbed: Clearing Out The Demons", and I served as his editor.)

As a first novel, Peterson's book impressed me.

True, it's a brief compilation of stories geared to creep out the reader.  On that note, success.

And the size of the book is unusual--more the size of a magazine than an actual book.  On that note, seems to be success.

What has me most impressed is the drive Peterson has demonstrated, carefully crafting ten self-contained tales of a variety of things that go bump in the night without becoming campy or reinventing the creepy wheel.

Each story stands on its own merit, with a variety of topic as well as style.  "Ghost" is straight narrative, describing a disturbing but unique transformation of a girl into a creature of the night while ultimately discovering---oops, almost gave something away there!

While "Gnaw" tackles a journal format and re-imagines legendary carnivore extraordinaire Miss Bathory.  Don't know your history?  Might want to brush up, but the tale will give you the grist--I mean, GIST of her history.

Don't be shocked to find some grammatical and even a few spelling errors in this self-published project.  Yes, I served as editor, but a person can only do so much!  (That was a joke) (A not funny joke).  But don't let those few flaws keep you from allowing yourself the experience of "Disturbed: Clearing Out The Demons".

The stories are fresh and some feature some mind-bending twists the reader will not see coming, but make the meat of the story oh, so sweet.  I have my favorites, and one or two didn't hit the mark for me.  Overall, I really enjoyed "Disturbed: Clearing out The Demons" and see great potential for Peterson's craft.

Original poetry from Peterson prefaces each creep-tastic tale.  Original artwork by illustrator Andy Manley brings the characters to horrifying life.  And each tale will lead you to a much larger picture if you just continue along the path Peterson has crafted for you...

...because Peterson is not done being Disturbed.  Oh, no, not by a long shot.  This is a general market fiction title, classified horror, but think more along the lines of R.L Stine with the potential for Stephen King.

Be sure to leave the lights on, if you will.  I'm giving "Disturbed: Clearing Out the Demons" my 'one to watch' award.  I believe greater--and creepier--works are ahead for the team of Peterson and Manley. (and I promise to get him a better editor) (okay, again, a bad joke) (or, is it?)

Until the next book...

Mark Your Place,

Deena