cpw1952
"Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian author we're going to hear more about ... very soon!"
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Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian author we're going to hear more about ... very soon!
-
Dec 28, 2010
- by cpw1952
- posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More
Rating:
Cheryl Kaye Tardif's SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET is nothing like Henry James' classic, THE TURN OF THE SCREW.
+5
Here's a prediction you can take to the bank! Years from now there will NOT be book clubs filled with pretentious literary scholars and horror aficionados debating over the ambiguities of the underlying moral themes of Tardif's short stories. Nobody will be penning brilliantly researched literary essays attempting to unravel the potential interpretations of a mystical ending shrouded in fog and impenetrable atmosphere. And, thank goodness for that! SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET is a thoroughly entertaining and unabashedly Canadian collection of horror shorts - a straightforward, in-your-face, goosebump raising, skin crawling creep fest with brilliantly conceived endings that, while crystal clear in their intent and meaning, typically arrive out of a shockingly distant and unforeseen left field.
Two years ago, I reviewed a brief story entitled PICTURE PERFECT when it was first published as a stand-alone Amazon short. I asked:
"Who among us couldn't identify with young Caroline? Is there even a single reader with a brother or sister who hasn't at some time or another, in a fit of intense sibling anger or jealousy, wished that his brother or sister would simply go away ... forever? Cheryl Kaye Tardif combines a unique little piece of Canadian history, the well know folk superstition about photographs stealing a person's soul and sibling rivalry into an open-ended bit of horror that turns a mirror onto every reader and causes them to shudder as they recognize themselves and their petty jealousies."
Having vowed that I would read more from this obviously talented Canadian author, I was thrilled when I discovered this collection of short stories that included my first savory sampling.
SEPARATION ANXIETY tells a tragic story of the grief of losing a child to an untimely accident and reminds us that revenge is a dish that is sometimes best never served at all! DEADLY REUNION is a chilling little tale of long lost teenage acquaintances that starts with stories of teenage angst and the cruely of bullying ending with paranormal visions and questions about fate and destiny. If a reader was as twisted as Cheryl Kaye Tardif, one might say that her endearing story, OUIJA, is about a gift that keeps on giving! There are several other stories and I was also thrilled to discover that, unlike so many other collections of this type, there is not a single piece of dead wood in the entire anthology.
I can't wait to try some of Tardif's full length novels. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
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cherylktardif
December 29, 2010
Paul, I stumbled across your review of Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories and I'm so honoured by your words. Thank you. Even more, I'm very glad you enjoyed this collection of shorts. It's been a long time in the making. I would love to quote some of your review on my blog and website. Please email me via my website (link below) to let me know if I have your permission to do so. I'll also link here to the full review. P.S. I highly suspect you will enjoy THE RIVER, my bestselling techno-thriller. :-) Happy holidays and all the best in 2011. Cheryl Kaye Tardif http://www.cherylktardif.com
cpw1952
December 29, 2010
I'm so glad you enjoyed the review, Cheryl. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I sent you a separate response via e-mail thru your website as requested. For everyone else on Lunch, I'll re-iterate the recommendation and let you all know that I've already purchased the Kindle edition of THE RIVER. I'm looking forward to it.
cherylktardif
December 29, 2010
I look forward to hearing what you think of THE RIVER. I think you'll enjoy the setting. The "Bermuda Triangle of Canada" area. I had no idea we even had one or where it was--until I did the research. Happy reading!
cpw1952
December 29, 2010
I've been a lifelong lover of canoeing but I'm not sure that my whitewater skills would be up to a challenge like the Nahanni River. But I certainly enjoy reading about about it.
cherylktardif
December 29, 2010
During my research, I contacted the Nahanni River Adventures company (www.nahanni.com). Neil Hartling was able to fill in some blanks for me, as I am nowhere near brave enough to tackle a trip like that. lol He even sent me the guide's cookbook. :-)
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A collection of thoroughly enjoyable horror short stories with a uniquely Canadian atmosphere. At $.99 for a Kindle download, you can hardly go wrong. This very talented author definitely deserves a higher profile.
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About the reviewer
Paul Weiss (cpw1952)
Ranked #4
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A modern day dilettante with widely varied eclectic interests. A dabbler in muchbut grandmaster of none - wilderness camping in all four seasons, hiking, canoeing, world travel,philately, … more
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About this product
Thirteen stories take you from one hold-your-breath chapter to the next.
Stories include:
A Grave Error
The Death of an Old Cow
Maid of Dishonor
Atrophy
Picture Perfect
Sweet Dreams
Separation Anxiety
The Car
Deadly Reunion
Remote Control
Ouija
Caller Unknown
Skeletons in the Closet
If you are a fan of Stephen King's short story collections, you'll enjoy this creepy collection by bestselling suspense author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.
BOOKLIST calls Cheryl Kaye Tardif "a name to reckon with south of the border."
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Stories include:
A Grave Error
The Death of an Old Cow
Maid of Dishonor
Atrophy
Picture Perfect
Sweet Dreams
Separation Anxiety
The Car
Deadly Reunion
Remote Control
Ouija
Caller Unknown
Skeletons in the Closet
If you are a fan of Stephen King's short story collections, you'll enjoy this creepy collection by bestselling suspense author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.
BOOKLIST calls Cheryl Kaye Tardif "a name to reckon with south of the border."
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