Tyler Barton

The stories in this collection are inhabited by the kind of people you want to read about. Odd, quirky people and even entire families on the edge of weird, or often over the edge in the gulf of weird. “Once Nothing, Twice Shatter” is the story that brought me to this book. A cult forms at a demolition derby track, with the owner as leader. The life of the narrator, Todd, is on a permanent collision course of its own.

“Watchperson” in which an off-kilter self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer goes way too far is another standout. “Spit if You Call it Fear” features crazy (or are they?) preppers. “Seven Corners, Pennsylvania” is a town so small everyone has the same therapist, who they of course become obsessed with.

Humanity, humor and some scintillating writing are the hallmarks of this fine collection.… (meer)