A gripping short story
4.5 out of 5 stars
I like short stories, novelettes, and novellas. I love when an author specifically tries to fit as much as they can into such a small story. It takes real skill as a writer to write a good short story. That’s exactly what John W. Dennehy has done with Ice Storm.
A town is thrown into darkness as a storm rolls in. The heat is the first to go, and once it does Robert starts to notice changes in his wife Eliza but quickly writes it off as issues from being cold.
The story was full of detail in the short sub-50 pages. Dennehy definitely knew what he was writing and you can tell that it was all leading towards that last chapter. Even the last page or two. And he does it flawlessly.
This could have easily been drawn out into a long and unnecessarily detailed novel. But, I’m glad it wasn’t. The story fits perfectly into the small mold that Dennehy made for it, and I thought it came out pretty flawless.
Like most horror, the reader will spend most of the book trying to figure out what is going to happen. And once you figure out it, it’s too late.
Being from Buffalo, I know the cold. A lot of times authors try to describe cold without ever living through it. I’ve lived through a blackout during a snowstorm. It sucked, and I’ll tell you what. After reading this — I’ll be checking behind me more and more the next time it happens.
Book Description:
Ice Storm by John W. Dennehy
on December 6, 2016
Genres: Horror, Short Story
Pages: 43
Format: Kindle
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A storm hits rural New England and blankets a small town in snow and ice. Robert and Eliza have been refurbishing a farm house, while dealing with empty-nest syndrome and vicissitudes in their long-term marriage. During renovations, Robert discovered a peculiar find in the basement. Now, they struggle with the winter elements after a power outage, and cope with sudden changes overcoming Eliza after losing heat. Will their relationship survive the storm?
Also by this author: Jurassic WarAbout the Author:
John W. Dennehy is a writer of Horror & Suspense, and Thrillers. His novel Clockwork Universe is out, and he has two novels planned for release in early 2017.
His stories have appeared in SNAFU: Wolves at the Door (Cohesion Press), Winter Shivers, SQ Mag, Disturbed Digest, Sanitarium Magazine, Voluted Dreams Magazine, Beyond Science Fiction, Calliope, The J.J. Outre’ Review, Typehouse Literary Magazine, The Literary Hatchet, The Haunted Traveler Vols. I and 2, Bones III, Dark Monsters, The Stray Branch, Dual Coast Magazine, Shotgun Honey, and MicroHorror.
John grew up in a small cottage on a lake in New Hampshire, which he attributes to his creativity. After graduating from Pinkerton Academy, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines, serving with MALS-26 Patriots. Then he earned a degree in English/Creative Writing at UNC Wilmington. He lives in New England.
He can be found at: www.johnwdennehy.com
