- Recommended Age Range: 14 and up
- Formats: E-Book
- Approx. Length: 11,522 Words
A weird boy becomes very twisted while growing up and conducts Frankensteinish experiments on those around him. Chills, suspense, obsession and dark humor await in this novelette by Lori R. Lopez.
Dwayne Mumsby doesn’t want to be normal. He sees himself as a monster and wants to do odd things. One portentous Halloween night, he invites the woman he secretly loves to his creepy Victorian house, where things get even stranger. In fact, some things are better left in the closet. Told with poetic prose, this is a horror tale you won’t be able to put down. Except to check that your doors and windows are locked. And there’s nothing under the bed. Just forget about the closet! And the next time you see a dentist . . . do not open wide! WARNING: Some content may be disturbing to sensitive readers.
Look for the author’s horror collection Unhallowed, containing Monstrosities!
Samples
“Dwayne’s parents obliterated whatever good he had been born with. His peers warped what remained into an unrecognizable travesty, disfigured on the inside.”
Dwayne’s parents obliterated whatever good he had been born with. His peers warped what remained into an unrecognizable travesty, disfigured on the inside. Trampled was the innocent child who hopped on autumn leaves for the crackle. Traced Smileys upon foggy windows with a finger. Captured snowflakes to melt on his tongue.
~ from Monstrosities
One had rung the bell while his accomplices cowered on a flight of steps. Normally these daunted youths avoided the Mummy House. Tonight they had goaded themselves into a reckless albeit bold exploit.
~ from Monstrosities
When Dwayne Mumsby was a little boy, he wanted to be an astronaut. One day his father took him onto the roof and taught him about gravity by flinging him off. Unfortunately, the house was a double-story Victorian. As he lay contused on the grass, his left leg shattered, his dad made a speech that Dwayne would hear repeated at various intervals of his life: “The sky’s the limit for people like us and the sooner you accept your limitations, the smarter you’ll be. Only a fool dreams awake, and I don’t intend to raise a halfwit son!”
Because his parents neglected to take him to a doctor till he was near death from infection, Dwayne lost the leg that broke his fall and had to wear a cheap prosthetic replacement from the knee down. His father said it was Dwayne’s fault for having “airs of grandeur”. His mother said nothing as usual, afraid of her husband’s disapproval.
Dwayne would be called a lot of names like Gimp and Stubby and Stump and Pegleg Pete. The boy would be chased and beaten up, unable to outrun his tormentors, then come home to face the worst bully of all.
Himself.
Praise
“This is the darkest story Lori has written and I love it.
I recommend this to all fans of horror or suspense.”
“I have no idea what the author was thinking when she wrote this. Even in my worst nightmares in high school — when I felt insecure, shamed or put upon — I never dreamed of resorting to the kinds of monstrosities she subjects Dwayne Mumsby to. And then to bring another tortured soul into the situation… Honestly, has this author no conscience?
If you choose to read this — and I suggest you do — be careful. The dark places you’ll go do not yield easily to light. And when they do, you will wish you hadn’t looked deeper.”
Steven Ramirez, “Author and Screenwriter”
Amazon Review
♥
“Once again Lori Lopez has used her words to take my imagination to its limits.
When I first started reading this novelette I was no where near prepared for the amazement and horror that lies within.
Dewayne’s father had no idea of the monster he was creating with his hate and abuse. The wrath that Dewayne inflicted on not only his parents but on anyone he can get his claws on.
When Dewayne decides he is ready to take a bride the story takes a drastic change. This you will have to read for yourself.
This is the darkest story Lori has written and I love it.
I recommend this to all fans of horror or suspense.”
Jennifer Thomas
Amazon Review
♥
“Lori R. Lopez has written a book of monstrous proportions, entering Jack Ketchum territory with the confidence of a skilled writer.
*****
Lori Channels Jack Ketchum with Remarkable Success . . . Speak of the devil. The dark narrator that Lori softened for Cereal Box Surprise is in full force here in Monstrosities. She explores the nature/nurture effect of evil inherent in the environment as opposed to being born with a dark side. The opening lines are possibly the most horrific I’ve read in some time: “When Dwayne Mumsby was a little boy, he wanted to be an astronaut. One day his father took him onto the roof and taught him about gravity by flinging him off [the two-story Victorian House].” Young Dwayne loses a leg, and his mind. And so the story begins. Lori has written her darkest piece to date. As entertaining, for horror fans, as it is morbidly fascinating. May I add to the caution to sensitive readers: Not for the squeamish.”
Anthony Servante
SERVANTE OF DARKNESS; Amazon Review
♥
“This was a great read. Horror fans will love this gory and amusing tale. There’s a bit of everything here, revenge, experiments, blood and love. It has a fine twist, Lori Lopez caught me with that one. You will not be disappointed with this read.”
Jackie G Williams
Amazon Review
♥
“The horror films of old follow a canon of circumstances. This story also complies with the old school horror story. Very much worth a read!”
