Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Review: Menagerie in the Dark: Stories by Chris Kauzlarich


 

Genre: Short Story Collection/Speculative Fiction

Description:

“In Menagerie in the Dark, Chris Kauzlarich immerses us in a speculative journey that explores the darker aspects of the human condition before bringing us back to the surface with the light of a new day. Through fourteen stories, this menagerie of characters faces trials of sorrow, death, loneliness, regret, deception, murder, delight, wonderment, and bliss, revealing what will either strengthen them enough to survive or plunge them to their demise. A boy’s home burns down, forcing him to confront a terrifying new world. A man enters a door where he witnesses his wife’s death, leaving him devastated; yet, he cannot stop returning to the scene, convinced he can save her. A nurse’s patients continue to perish under her care, but she harbors a dark secret—an administered cocktail for nefarious purposes.

These and other stories will stretch the limits of your emotions, from heartbreak to horror, leaving you yearning for more.”

Author:

Chris Kauzlarich lives with his husband and daughter, splitting their time between Chicago and Naples, Florida or traveling in their RV. He’s also written a horror novel called Lazarus.

Appraisal:

These were stories that were entertaining, thought provoking. While the characters often go through difficult things I still found myself amused and laughing at some of the stories, at least when they resolved in an unexpected and good way.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Some mildly adult-ish content.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

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