To Hell With Hallmark
Brad Ricks
Unveiling Nightmares Press, 2024
ISBN-13: 979-8345992654
Ebook, 228 ppg.
Say “Hallmark” and people think “movies.” Sure, it used to mean greeting cards once upon a time, but these days, people recognize the Hallmark Channel as a channel that provides a large selection of movies.
Especially during the Christmas season.
And that’s where we horror lovers release a loud, pained groan. “No! Not THOSE movies during Christmas!”
Give us Terrifier 3! Give us Silent Night, Deadly Night!
Or, if you prefer books, then To Hell With Hallmark by Brad Ricks would fit the bill quite nicely.
As a character says in one story, “This place reminds me of the movies.” Okay. Let’s go with that.
But after you get a taste of homicidal gingerbread men and a tow truck driver moonlighting as something else, you’ll start to realize that maybe THIS particular “Hallmark” isn’t exactly what you’ll find in those movies.
And that’s what makes this short story collection of Christmas horror so awesome. Each tale is even better than the last, providing a neverending supply of thrills and chills.
And each story is like the kind of Hallmark movie I am more interested in streaming! I enjoyed all of the horrific antics, surprises, twists and terrifying delights in this book.
I also liked how the stories are all connected. By this, I mean that certain things taking place in one story is mentioned in a later story or things that happen in a previous story (or hinted at happening) get a little bit of a follow-up in a later story. While there’s nothing wrong with open endings in short stories, it’s nice to get a clearer idea of what likely happened or actually happened after we leave those characters in that story.
And these stories have such very interesting characters! None of them were a disappointment. I also liked Ricks’ take of classic Christmas tales, such as with “A Christmas Carol.”
And speaking of the author sharing his own take on a Christmas classic, you won’t want to miss the “gift” readers receive at the very end! I loved it!
To Hell With Hallmark is a scary and horrific collection of stories that would bring some awesome entertainment to fans of horror yearning for something more exciting to read during the Christmas holidays. These stories can actually be enjoyed all year, as they provide a stronger dose of terror and carnage than you would ever find in any Hallmark movie.
Five stars
Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
