Robin's Review

Robin's Review of Cousin Calls
by Zeb Haradon
A college student reluctantly attends a family chili cookout that turns into a never ending nightmare. A man desperate for job skills uses a brain implant to help him learn, but it malfunctions and leaves him sexually attracted to shadows. A private investigator is hired to discover who keeps befouling the walls of convenience store bathrooms. Two deer engaged in combat find that they are unable to unlock from one another’s antlers after the fight is over. A single mother spends 2020 battling an evil landlord, a fascist neighbor, national political chaos, and a global pandemic. These are the strange stories told by regulars at the local bar on Christmas Eve, stories which each began with a phone call from someone who announced “you don’t know me, but we’re cousins.”

Robin's Review: These short stories were well written, witty and entertaining. I loved how original they are, and the endings were jaw dropping. I giggled through the stories even though they were unusual. Well done Zeb Haradon. I highly recommend this author and his books. I am going to read some of his other book this was that good.

Here are five freakishly weird and creepy stories all centering around a “cousin’s call”.

It is Christmas Eve and Harold gets a “cousin call” where he is to meet Ninkilita, his cousin at the Coffin Bar for drinks. Not realizing that the few regulars there have gone through similar calls. Annie, Ward, Gordon, Alex, and Jane tell their strange and embarrassing accounts
with their own “cousin calls.”

Cousin Call Stories:

World’s Greatest Chili

The Shadow Thief

The Mysterious Case of Who Was Wiping Sh&t All Over the Bathroom Walls

The Lucky Bucks

The True Story of Douchebag Dave

Famous Last Words:

“She just said she wants to meet up for a drink,” Harold said, somewhat defensively, “she said she knew my dad and felt bad about missing the funeral.” “Sure,” the woman said, “but it will lead to something.”

“You should never take a cousin call. It’s always bad news.”

It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of these entertaining stories.


#humorous #humour #alieninvasion #sciencefiction

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