Hideous Faces, Beautiful Skulls features Mark McLaughlin's darkest tales of horror and the bizarre.
Mark McLaughlin's darkest tales of the bizarre have been compiled in HIDEOUS FACES, BEAUTIFUL SKULLS, a new collection from Wildside Press. Within these pages, you will encounter the hungry undead on a space station. Writhing eye parasites. A lustful living mannequin. The wee iridescent horrors that infest a surreal apartment. A race of slime-coated fish-people. A giant spider from beyond. The most powerful witch in the world. Surreal kaiju. An evil cat-cult. A mystic cockroach god. An insane Egyptian monstrosity and many more grotesque abominations. The collection is available as a trade paperback or Kindle download. The creatures await....
Excerpt
An excerpt from the Lovecraftian horror story, "The Slimy Ones"....
Something hit the window with a wet smack. A hand had emerged from the fog and was now pressed against the glass: a wide hand with long, clawed fingers and veined, scaly webbing.
“This shall be you,” the voice chortled, bubbling with slime.
Michael blinked repeatedly. Yes, his own fingers were very long, but he'd never given it much thought. After all, his mother's fingers were long, and so were his grandmother's on that side of the family ... the side that traced back to the Thraggs….
"We have friends who have been telling us about your..." The voice paused. "...your treachery. We do not like what you have been saying. But there is still time for you to undo your foolishness. Then the way will be cleared for both of you, and we will embrace you when at last you are ready."
"Both? Who else are you talking about?"
"The other Thragg ... the one who speaks to everyone...."
"George Flicker?"
The being on the other side of the window pulled away its hand and chuckled. "Yes. He is older than you, he will be joining us soon. How surprised he will be when his gills open up and his fingerwebs begin to grow … when his skin grows cold and slick...."
Then, just for a moment, the creature pressed its face against the glass. Or rather, it pressed one side of its face; perhaps to get a better look at Michael. And he was shocked by the fact that the face was–
Beautiful.
It was unmistakably the face of a lovely woman, with sculpted cheekbones, a well-shaped patrician nose, an imperious forehead and full, pouting lips. True, the sky-blue eye that ogled against the glass was huge and watery, and thin fleshy whiskers dangled from the top lip, but still, there was no denying that this was a face of ancient, unspeakable beauty....
-- "The Slimy Ones" is one of 30 tales of horror and the bizarre to be found in HIDEOUS FACES, BEAUTIFUL SKULLS by Mark McLaughlin. Available on Amazon as a trade paperback or Kindle download. Kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/Hideous-Faces-Beautiful-Skulls-Bizarre-ebook/dp/B00IVM5X8S/
Professional Reviews
Unpredictable and Horror-ific!
Horror book authors often play it safe. While they may scare us with frightening images of horrendous things, for the most part the outcome is the same as any number of other books. This is not the case with "Hideous Faces, Beautiful Skulls" by Mark McLaughlin.
Things are not safe in his hands. Things are not predictable. They are not sane. While many authors would ask the question "WHY would I put THAT in my story?", Mark simply shrugs his shoulders and says "Why WOULDN'T I put that in my story? Let's see what happens!" And we, the readers, are much better for it.
You may start several tales in this book of shorts with the thought that you know where this is going. You've been there, done that. And then, like my Mother used to do to me when I was acting up as a child, you will get mentally slapped. Hard. I finished stories with the thought "WTF did I just read here?!?" So I re-read them. And finally the A-HA moment materialized. My brain was so set on auto drive I didn't take the time to realize this wasn't going the way I thought.
The authors influences are scattered throughout this book. I sensed a little Lovecraft vibe. Some Poe. And a lot of the Twilight Zone going on!
But don't think these stories are just copy and paste stylings of these other great authors. If Lovecraft and Poe are the foundation on which Mark writes, he is truly the house that stands ON that foundation making it his own.
Not only does Mark McLaughlin. understand the beauty and perverseness of the horror genre, but he also understands the absurdity of the genre as well. This book is full of dark humor that may make you laugh at inappropriate times. In some hands this might make for a very imbalanced presentation. But not here. The gallows humor fits the mood of the characters perfectly. Let's face it. Sometimes it's hard NOT to laugh even if we love the horror field with all of our dark hearts. If you've ever seen "Wrong Turn 3" you'll know what I mean.
I'm not a professional reviewer. I know what I like and try my best to explain to you why I like it. So let me try to put this in terms you can understand. This book is awesome sauce. This book is full of win. This book does not epic fail. I don't understand most of that, but that's what the kids say when something is great!
Wickedly Funny
Hideous Faces, Beautiful Skulls is a wonderful collection of horror and the bizarre that spans the author’s career of original and compelling storytelling.
Among my favorites are “The Final Broadcast of Sugarville’s Channel 7 Action News”, an entertaining take on Global Warming and the destruction of the planet told in its entirety through the station’s final news broadcast; “Drool Tool: The Meltdown Mix” about a band’s weird music that has a catastrophic effect on the people who hear it; “Agatha Says” about the weird changes taking place at a nursing home recently bought by an eccentric resident; “Claws of the Internet Witches” that follows the internet chatroom of a coven of witches out to destroy humanity; and “Soft Bones” about a young man with a debilitating disease and how one woman tries to help him.
There isn’t a bad story in the collection. McLaughlin’s style of writing is weird, quirky, and at times squirm-inducing, making for some very entertaining stories. What I really like about McLaughlin’s writing is his ability to inject dry humor into even the most horrific of tales. If you like your horror weird, bizarre, and funny, then Hideous Faces, Beautiful Faces is right up your alley.
A solid collection that pushes the envelope of fiction.
Hideous Faces, Beautiful Skulls is a powerful collection of short stories that span the author’s twenty year career. Infused in each gem is a voice that is unique and diverse. A by-product of an imagination that takes the reader to horrific and bizarre places. Add his trademark wit and humor, and stir vigorously. There truly is something in here for everyone, and every story stands out like a diamond against a midnight sky. My favorites were:
Adroitly Wrapped: A truly horrifying story of that special age of puberty, and the costs of following your hormones. Careful what you wish for…
Largesse: “Mr. Pash, Mr. Pash. Could anyone be more wonderful than Mr. Pash?” No…no one can be. And that’s a good thing. Here, we see McLaughlin’s imagination—and what makes him stand out from the crowd—in full effect. If you do happen to enter Mr. Pash’s Video Rental Center, remember, it’s kind to rewind.
The Final Broadcast Of Sugarville’s Channel 7 Action News: Will have your sides bursting from laughter as you watch Sugarville’s finest reporters face an apocalyptic threat, which takes a back-seat to their own petty problems. Only on a slow news day…
Hungry For Faces: A simple man tracks down a very eccentric person to help him make someone disappear. But once you scratch that itch…
Soft Bones: A Kafka-esque story that plums the depths of jealousy and desperation. Mix in a little magic with will-power and anything is possible. Poor Jacob. He just can’t get a break. But when he does…
Eye Dew: A hilarious yarn sprinkled with a little J. G. Ballard. Marriage can be a bitch sometimes. So demanding! But is reality truly what we see?
Why The Cathartoleptic Approach Is Now Looked Upon With Disfavor: Did you know that cows kill more people every year than sharks? Peter knows this all too well. So does his doctor, Dr. Matapathamos. At turns horrific, yet sublimely hilarious, McLaughlin’s unique and sordid imagination flexes its muscles again.
Diagnoses And Treatment Of Ocular Parasitism And Associated Mental Disorders: Eye-worms are a not fun! But Dr. Seldag has a cure. Using an esoteric manual, Dr. Seldag waits for the moon to come out, because that’s when you can see them—when they glow. The author moves from horror to sheer terror that will make you squirm just like the worms. Hold still, now. Don’t move. ‘Cause if you do…
The Last Poetry Night At The Saturnalia Coffee House: A heart-warming—and wrenching—tale of young love and the curiosity that comes with it. Everyone has something hidden in their closet or attic. What would you accept to be with The One who completes you?
McLaughlin is a living, breathing encyclopedia of horror and the bizarre. This collection captures every facet of these genres, always presenting the reader with something new, refined.
McLaughlin’s fiction is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and unique twist on horror and the bizarre. He truly has created a genre of his own. And that’s the highest compliment I can give. If you want a breath of fresh air or your imagination cranked to 11—brace for impact! He’s got what you need.
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