We may not have our flying cars, mater transmitters, and jet packs, but we can go online to find great deals on flights and hotels without a travel agent. In fact, 60 percent of leisure travelers make their own travel arrangements – generally online.

And, we may not have hoverboards that actually hover, personal force fields, and food replicators, but we do have many electronic gadgets we can take with us on a daily basis to make getting money on the road and keeping in touch so much easier.

Are You Old Enough to Remember the Old Days of Travel?

It wasn’t all that long ago that:

• Calling home while traveling internationally meant a trip to the local central telephone office to make an expensive international call.
• Post restante was the way to pick up mail from home at the local post office in the cities you were visiting. If you changed your itinerary, your letters might still be sitting at a post office in a city that you spontaneously decided not to visit.
• Finding a bank or money changer to cash travelers’ checks wasn’t always easy. And you couldn’t use those travelers’ checks in stores like Americans were accustomed to doing.

But today’s travelers have it much easier. Just consider the following technologies that we can use to make traveling across town, the country, or even the world easier.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) Are Everywhere

You can access your cash pretty much anywhere from an ATM. Even countries that may seem less sophisticated than your home country in other ways have ATM machines all over the place.

And how lucky that you can use both your debit and credit cards all over the world. Just be sure to let your bank know where and when you’ll be traveling on your trip so your cards are accepted.

Credit Cards Make Travel Easier

Edward Bellamy predicted both debit and credit cards back in 1888 with his novel Looking Backward. In his novel, everyone received an equal amount of credit, which hasn’t happened for us. Oh well, but a good thing about them is that they are accepted all over the world, so you can buy that collection of only-available-in-the-UK Doctor Who DVDs you found in a London shop or the classic Solaris poster you found in Moscow.

As with your debit card, make sure to notify your credit card bank where you’ll be traveling and when.

Video Chat Reduces Costs

in his 1911 novel Ralph 124C 41+, Hugo Gernsback predicted, among other things, video chat. Today, we can chat with anyone in the world using a wide variety of software applications and phone apps, including Skype, FaceTime, and Duo. Calling internationally with many of these programs are often far less expensive—sometimes even free—than using a traditional landline or your cell phone service.

Cell Phones Are Handy

It is said that Star Trek’s communicators inspired the flip phone design of a cell phone, and there are several visionaries, including Nicola Tesla, who predicted smartphones. With these now ubiquitous and handy devices, you are always just a phone call away from family and friends for any emergency. International rates on cell phones can be high but hearing a familiar voice can be well worth the cost. And, of course, you can always use one of those video chat apps to reduce the cost of the call.

Laptops Make the World Your Office

Arthur C. Clarke once predicted that we would all be able to communicate around the world instantaneously. This prediction was based on communications technology available in the 1960s that led to the development of cell phones, the Internet, and laptops.

Laptops empower us to carry around all our data and programs in a light portable fully functional computer. And with a portable external hard drive not much bigger than a pack of playing cards, you can have more than enough storage space for data, photos, videos, and whatever else you want to have with you—or record while on your travels.

If you don’t need a fully functional computer, you can take a tablet instead. Those were predicted in Clarke’s classic novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey, written in 1968.

Travel Easier with eBooks

I regularly recommend what I call Travel Reads – books you can take with you on the road and enjoy during downtimes. Although I always prefer to read books made from paper, many people use their tablets, smartphones, and specialized e-readers to read eBooks. The cool thing about taking eBooks with you when you travel is that you don’t have to use valuable luggage space for books, and you can take an entire library with you instead of just one or two titles.

In the past, if you traveled internationally and wanted books in English, you needed to take enough for the whole trip because it wasn’t always easy to find books in English overseas.

Technology solved that.

And if you need to download more, you can do that wherever you have an internet connection – which is just about everywhere.

Traveling Life Is Good

Yes, technology has made it possible for travelers to be actual modern nomads. Many of you reading this are probably not even old enough to realize just how lucky you are to have this technology.

If you’ve been missing the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown, then I’ve got a treat for you! Food & travel writer Allison Robicelli and Insight Editions have teamed up to help you celebrate the food of Hill Valley with Back to the Future: The Official Hill Valley Cookbook.

The Back to the Future trilogy hit screens in 1985, 1989, and 1990, followed by an animated TV series in 1991. There was also a video game and a ride at Universal Studios (I rode is several times!0. And now there is a cookbook.

I believe the team of Matt (recipe developer) and Allison (writer) Robicelli had a lot of fun with this book. It is filled with fun facts, promotional images from the films, and beautiful photography of the foods you can make. The recipes are organized by the years featured in the films:

1985 | 1955 | 2015 | Alternate 1985 | 1885

There are even a few pages that give you suggestions for hosting a Back to the Future movie marathon.

This cookbook makes a fun, flip-through, coffee table book, as well as an interesting down-home cookbook. The book is well-made, with thick pages to showcase its photography. Of course, this can make it a little ungainly in the kitchen. So you need to ask yourself these important questions:

Are you buying this book so you can make Exploding Candy Toaster Tarts or Bulletproof Cast Iron Strawberry Pancakes?

Or are you purchasing it as a conversation starter at your next movie night or to add to your extensive collection of Back to the Future memorabilia?

I think this book is a gotta-buy for any fan of the Back to the Future series. It has fun with the time-bending theme of the films and provides some interesting recipes, too. Read my full review of the cookbook on my food blog, Carma’s Cookery.

The Deets on Back to the Future: The Official Hill Valley Cookbook

Summary of The Wisdom of Picard

Chip Carter has combed through all the Star Trek: The Next Generation television seasons and movies, as well as the Picard series, to find Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s wisest utterings. He organized them into the following categories:

Philosophy and Humanity
“Friendship must date to risk, Counselor, or it’s not friendship.”
From “Conspiracy”, ST:TNG, Season 1, Episode 25

History and Science
“Who is to say that this history is any less proper than the other?”
From “Yesterday’s Enterprise”, ST:TNG, Season 3, Episode 15

Literature and the Arts
“We were once as you are now. To study you is to understand ourselves.”
From “Who Watches the Watchers”, ST: TNG, Season 3, Episode 4

Exploration and Adventure
“A Klingon may not be good at accepting defeat, but he knows all about taking risks.”
From ST: TNG, Season 5, Episode 16

Politics, Leadership, and Diplomacy
“I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.”
From “The High Ground”, ST:TNG, Season 3, Episode 12

And then he packaged it into a full-color, 6″ by 6″ coffee table book filled with images from all of the shows.

What Worked for Me

This book is beautiful and very fun to peruse. I can imagine fans gathering and pulling a random quote from the book and discussing for hours whether Picard was right or wrong. Or, if they are uber-geeks, playing a “Name the Source” game in which a quote is read and the players much accurately name the which show or movie it came from, bonus points for season and number!

What Didn’t Work for Me

Because of the thick paper and hardcover binding, it was really hard to keep it open without both hands. Of course, that’s probably not a problem unless you’re writing about it and pulling some quotes!

Travel-ability

Unlike most coffee table books, The Wisdom of Picard is very easy to take with you in a purse or backpack. When the pandemic ends, why not take it with you for some fun and games while eating delivered pizza in a hotel room?

Conclusion

Love him or leave him, you have to admit that the writers who wrote his dialogue had a lot of fun. And it shows in the quote-worthy quotes from the book. If you are a Next Gen fan, or possibly a new fan from the Picard series, and wish to get a little retrospective from the “life” of Picard, this little book is a cool find.

Score for The Wisdom of Picard: 4 Palm Trees out of 5 Possible

Grab your copy on Amazon today.

NOTE: Although I received this book free to review, that did not affect my opinion of the book. Read past reviews of books I’ve received for free and you’ll know I don’t hold my punches.

Since her first appearance in All Star Comics #8 in October 1941, Wonder Woman has inspired fans of all ages with her unwavering moral compass and commitment to preserving peace on Earth. Now she has inspired writer, creative director, and restauranteur Briana Volk to create a cheerful vegetarian cookbook.

Illustrated with full-color photography by Carla Choy, the book features more than 50 vegetarian recipes for cooks of all skill levels. You can find recipes for

• Battle-Ready Breakfasts,
• Amazonian Appetizers, Sides, and Snacks,
• Mighty Mains, and
• Superhero Sweets

With simple recipe instructions, images of Wonder Woman and her friends (and villains), and even prepared menus for cool superhero–themed parties, this is the perfect cookbook to share with friends, family, and Amazon warriors both big and small.

It is clear that Volk had fun coming up with titles and descriptions for the recipes includes in this cookbook. For example, you can feast on “Goddess Goodies,” “Pallas Athena Popcorn,” and “Olympian Orzo,” then wash it all down with “Mango Lassi of Truth.”

This cookbook makes a fun, flip-through, Coffe Table book, as well as an interesting vegetarian cuisine cookbook. The book is well-made, with thick pages to showcase its photography and graphic art. This makes it a little ungainly in the kitchen, however, are you really buying this so you can make some Paradise Island Pancakes for breakfast?

I think this book is must buy for any Wonder Woman fan. It honors the character and brings a new perspective to it through creative vegetarian recipes. Read my full review of the cookbook on my food blog, Carma’s Cookery.

The Deets on Wonder Woman: The Official Cookbook

That second question was a trick question because neither one is better than the other. Traveling as a tourist is great, and so is hitting the road as a traveler. In this post, I’ll go over what the difference is and provide some tips for making the most of either modality.

Definitions

Genre Traveler

Genre Travelers are there for the journey. The traveling can be as interesting and exciting as the sites seen along the way. Being a genre traveler is more of a mindset: No matter where you are, you’ll notice the “genre-ness” of the location. That’s why I’ll post things like trash cans that look like Daleks and roadside attraction of Paul Bunyon.

Genre Tourist

A Genre Tourist, on the other hand, focuses on the destination. This type of traveler will participate in group travel opportunities – from an organized tour of Harry Potter’s England to a science fiction convention to an immersion experience such as staying in a haunted hotel. The mindset of a Genre Tourist is that the destination matters more than how you got there. I’ve done touristy things and had a great deal of fun!

Time Differences Between the Genre Traveler and Genre Tourist

A Genre Traveler and a Genre Tourist go on a two-week vacation. Here is how they spend their time differently.

The Genre Tourist plans everything in advance – or had someone else, such as a tour group company, do it. Flights, hotels, restaurants, and activities are all planned and put on an agenda for the trip.
Conversely, because the Genre Traveler is more about the journey, those things get planned on the fly. Genre Travelers may end up spending (some would say wasting) time at internet cafés or on their smartphones looking for a hotel or the best way to get to the next stop. They might also spend time wandering around trying to find a restaurant.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Being a Genre Traveler vs. a Genre Tourist

There are benefits to doing things the Genre Traveler way, but there are also benefits to doing things the Genre Tourist way.

All that said, some people enjoy searching for hotels and transport online. Many people like the feeling that the trip will unfold gradually while they’re already on the road. Often times, when my husband and I are on a road trip, we’ll decide where we’re going to stop about midday. Then, while he’s driving, I open an app on my smartphone and book the hotel. It works out great for us.

Do Genre Travelers or Genre Tourists See the Best Sites?

Travelers, in general (genre and otherwise) often say that they don’t want to go to tourist sites – that they want to get ‘off the beaten path.’ However, if the path has been beaten by thousands upon thousands of curious tourists, there must be a good reason to take a look at those sites.

Would you not visit the Forbidden City in Beijing because it was a typical tourist site? Or would you avoid visiting the pyramids in Egypt because you would run into too many tourists?

If you plan to avoid sites that are too ‘touristy’ because you’re a traveler instead of a tourist, you’ll probably miss making some wonderful memories. That is why, in my definitions at the beginning, I emphasized the mindset of a Genre Traveler and Genre Tourist. They can see the same sites, but how they see them may differ.

Conclusion

Just like many things in life, you may not fall into one camp or the other. You may find yourself being a Genre Traveler for one holiday and a Genre Tourist the next. Which style you choose might depend on the length of time you have for your trip, your age, your health – and basically what you’re in the mood for at the time.

So get out and see the world through genre-colored glasses – and enjoy whichever style you choose!

“We are very proud to be working directly with the Lugosi Estate and are excited to highlight Bela Lugosi’s legacy at the Black Monarch,” said owner and designer Adam Zimmerli.

The Legacy of Lugosi’s Dracula

Born in Hungary, Lugosi’s early version of Dracula, which he created on the Broadway stage in 1927, perfected the dark shadowy figure walking among us that now perpetuates vampire lore. The new Black Monarch room will feature a floor to ceiling 15-foot photorealistic mural of Bela Lugosi, as well as licensed Bela Lugosi as Dracula merchandise as decoration, prints of photos from the family archive, and a first-edition copy of the only family-authorized biography of Bela Lugosi as provided by Lynne Lugosi Sparks, Bela Lugosi’s granddaughter and CEO of LUGOSI LLC. The partnership between the Black Monarch and the Lugosi Estate also includes plans for a collaborative merchandise line and a screening of the 1931 film Dracula hosted by Lugosi Sparks at the Black Monarch in 2021.

Further cementing Bela Lugosi’s place in film history, in 1963, his son, Bela G. Lugosi, brought the landmark case against Universal Studios (Lugosi v Universal) for the unauthorized use of his father’s name and likeness on merchandise. This case paved the way for the California Celebrity Rights Act enacted in 1985, making the right to exploit the name and likeness of a celebrity a property right which survives his or her death. Bela G. Lugosi and the Lugosi Estate continue to protect the commercial use of Bela Lugosi’s name and likeness.

“It is an honor to include the Bela Lugosi Dracula room at the Black Monarch under the official license of LUGOSI LLC,” Zimmerli said.

Creating the Bela Lugosi Room

The Bela Lugosi room is part of an extensive list of renovations at the Black Monarch that include detailed painting of the elaborate exterior in a gothic motif, a 30′ x 50′ exterior mural of Nicola Tesla by nationally-recognized mural artist Chad Bolsinger, an atrium room, a restored antique claw foot bathtub, and more themed rooms. To support this one-of-a-kind project, visit the recently-launched Indiegogo campaign.

About The Black Monarch Hotel

The Black Monarch Hotel gained notoriety the moment it opened in May 2019 for its phenomenally dark story: this former brothel, casino, and saloon from the Gold Rush era, allegedly haunted, was renovated to reflect its dark history. The building’s gorgeous character from 1899 was preserved while also painted black and gold to reflect an immersive stay in a decadent opium den. The rooms are themed after serial killers like H.H. Holmes and Elizabeth Bathory and are brimming with taxidermy, naughty Victorian pop-up books, tomes on Satanism, and other oddities and curiosities. The Black Monarch has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, the Daily Mail, the Metro, the Guardian, Refinery29, Inked, and more.

The hotel recently hosted the Haunted Writer’s Retreat in February of 2020; writers attended horror writing workshops led by Josiah Hesse and Erin K. Barnes, experienced walks to the local cemetery, learned about the wild mining town history, and immersed themselves in literary isolation a la The Shining, all in the dead of winter.

Renovations are underway.

The Black Monarch Hotel’s History

In the late 1800s during the town of Victor’s heyday, what was then called the Monarch Hotel served miners and international travelers as the Gold Rush fueled their indiscretions. It played host to uproarious parties, accumulating a Wild West lore unrivaled in pulp novels.

The Monarch fell to tragedy in 1899 after a great fire, and the hotel was rebuilt. After its transformation, however, something was amiss. Those working the hotel bar reported strange sights that they could not explain: a woman’s silhouette in the window when no one was there, gazing upon Victor’s main street. The sounds of women laughing and men yelling in the middle of the night. Perhaps it was the ghost of the miner whose life was cut short. Perhaps it was the spirits of weary madams or ladies of the night who witnessed the vivid spectrum of humanity within its walls. Perhaps it was just the settling of a beautiful old Victorian building. Guests will ultimately judge for themselves.

Modern Amenities at The Black Monarch

With luxe bedding, a full kitchen, a shared bathroom, and modern amenities, the property is the perfect blend of unique and comfortable–with a twist. There’s something for everyone at the Black Monarch, whether you’re looking for a quiet mountain getaway or an unconventional leap into another world. Visit there ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Instagram page to see more.

At least, that’s how the book starts out.

Summary of 36 by Martin Berman-Gorvine

What actually unfolds is a disturbing trek around the world from one ravaged city to another. The earth is covered with hot spots where terrorists have ignited dirty bombs. There is guerilla warfare taking place in the Middle East, South Africa, and even parts of Europe. Travelers never know when their plane might be taken down by surface-to-air missiles or the seeming travel authorities turn out to be members of a guerrilla terrorist group who weeds out the less desirable, shooting them in the head and leaving their bodies to bake in the sun.

If a depressing dystopian novel is your bag, then you’ll want to read 36. The reader is treated to page after page after page of human tragedy and horror. Religious extremism. Rape. Murder. Torture. And one dead tzadik after another. When Lonnrot meets one who he thought was a tzadik but turns out to be one of the terrorist bombers who took out half of London, Applefeld leaves on his own quest.

Applefeld’s Quest

When he was a young boy in Isreal, Applefeld met Liora. A red-headed girl who tutored him in math. He’s carried her picture with him ever since, on some level saving himself for her. He thought she was killed during the exodus from Israel that brought him and his mother to the United States, but learned that there was hope that she had survived. He goes to find her … and find her he does … only to discover her life was more tragic than anything he’d ever heard.

My Thoughts on 36 by Martin Berman-Gorvine

36 is a dark, depressing journey through a future no one would ever want to see happen. Every turn of the page brings the reader another horror, another tragedy. The implication is that things have gotten so dark because there are fewer tzadikim … that God has forsaken the Earth because we couldn’t protect them.

And through all this darkness, your guides are two damaged, broken, self-loathing people searching for a ray of redemption. Although supposedly best friends, they discover they don’t know … or even much like … each other at all. Lonnrot discovers that Applefeld’s past has tormented him more than he realized. And Applefeld discovers that Lonnrot has a dark past from which he desperately wants forgiveness and salvation. Something neither Applefeld nor the tzadikim can provide.

Conclusion

Personally, I could have lived without reading this book. Although well written, 36 is emotionally difficult to read. The bright spots are few and far between and usually set somewhere in the past. The glimmer of hope is tenuous at best, a red herring at worst.

I wouldn’t recommend this novel. However, I do know that some people like to read dark, depressing books. If that’s you, then you can’t do much better than Berman-Gorvine’s 36.

Score for 36 by Martin Berman-Gorvine: 2 Palm Trees out of 5 Possible

Grab your copy on Amazon today.

NOTE: Although I received this book free to review, that did not affect my opinion of the book. Read past reviews of books I’ve received for free and you’ll know I don’t hold my punches.

Believe it or not, it is possible to have a wonderful, sf/f/h-filled staycation in your own local. This is in part because it costs a lot less — no spending on travel, lodging and food (well not as much as you would when staying in a hotel). In addition, by staying in town — or at home — you can avoid the stress of traveling, sleeping in a different bed, and paying too much to eat every meal at a restaurant. Spend that money on more enjoyable activities.

Here are some ideas for enjoying your vacation at home, while indulging your love of science fiction, fantasy and/or horror:

1. Can’t Travel to Your Destination? Bring Your Destination to Your Living Room!

Love the beach? Maybe you can’t travel to a beach, but you can bring the beach to your home. Get out your beach toys, display them around your living room, and watch a bunch of genre-themed beach movies. Here are some suggestions:

• Sharktopus Versus Pteracuda (2014) available on Amazon Prime and Blu-Ray
  An American scientist creates a half-pterodactyl, half-barracuda monster which, of course, escapes, so the half-shark, half octopus creature from Sharktopus (2010) has to stop it. Hey! Why not make it a double feature! And, if you’re up to, it you can throw in Sharktopus Vs. Whalewolf (if you have Amazon Prime).
• Sand Sharks (2012) available on Amazon Prime, DVD and Blu-Ray
  Sharks that have evolved to swim in sand are terrorizing local beaches. Yeah, that could totally happen.
• The Sand (2015) available on Amazon Prime and DVD
  A munch of college grads party on the beach only to discover that the sand is carnivorous!

OK. That’s enough cheese. Perhaps you want something of a little higher quality.

• Jaws (1975) available on Amazon Prime and a variety of other formats
  This Steven Spielberg classic made a lot of people afraid to go to the beach. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley, Roy Scheider stars as a local Sheriff who teams up with a marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and an old fisherman (Robert Shaw) who has to hunt down a killer shark and save the town’s tourist income.
• On the Beach (1959) available on DVD and Blu-Ray
  Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner star in this post-apacalyptic film set in Australia about people coming to terms with the idea that all life will be destroyed in a matter of months.
• The Abyss (1989) available on Amazon Prime and DVD
  This movie takes place more under the water than at the beach, but its close enough. When it first came out, I thought it was a horror film from the trailers and almost didn’t go see it. But it is really a first contact story that has a lot of intriguing science fiction and is supported by a good cast.

You can apply this same basic template to any type of vacation:

1. Decorate your living room to fit the theme
2. Gather a bunch of movies that fit the theme
3. Serve appropriate food while watching your own personal themed movie festival

Other themes might include Pool Party (Earth Girls Are Easy comes to mind), Science Fiction Convention (Galaxy Quest) and New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings trilogy)

2. Can’t Travel to Far-Off Locals? Travel in Your Mind!

Pre-COVID, did you find it hard to keep up with the latest epic fantasy series you were reading? It can be hard to find time to read when you always seem to be busy with work. Why not take advantage of your government-suggested free time and relax with some good books. This is a great time to get some of those books collecting dust in your library read. Before the lockdown, I had purchased a few Doctor Who novelizations. Maybe I should follow my own advice and read them!

Who says travel has to be something you physically do? If you can’t travel to new locations, you can’t travel in your mind. A book is a great way to get there.

3. Spend a Day at the Movies

Depending on your location, there may be a cinema that has re-opened its doors. My husband and I found one in Red Wing, MN, that has been playing older films while they way for the new releases to come out sometime this month or later. In the first two weeks we saw Black Panther (again) and the live-action Beauty and the Beast, which I had missed when it was originally released.

It is pretty clever how they’re maintaining social distancing and keeping things safe. This particular theatre markets off three seats between guest parties and only has every other row open. In addition, they are allowing over an hour between showing for clean-up and disinfecting.

On a really hot summer day, you might even be able to pack in three or more movies on the same day. The real cost is food. Consider watching one movie, then heading out for lunch (if you can find an open restaurant). You’ll be full and satisfied for the next couple of movies.

Genre Travelers Can Have Fun at Home

A staycation can be a better option than going out of town. The sights might be familiar, but you’ll have more money to spend on entertainment if you stay at home. Use your vacation time wisely, get out of the house when you can, and enjoy your time off.

Summary of That’s What They Want You to Think

This book is basically an encyclopedia of conspiracies. It gives a fairly objective overview of 29 conspiracies, both real and possibly imagined (as you can rarely really tell with a conspiracy). They are organized into five groups: assassinations (such as Abraham Lincoln and Princess Diana), military (such as Operation Valkyrie and Pearl Harbor), aliens (such as Roswell and the Bermuda Triangle), secret societies (such as the Freemasons and the Illuminati), and government (such as the moon landings and 9/11).

For each conspiracy, an overview of the event is given, as well as a summary of the more prominent conspiracy theories. If evidence supports or refutes a theory, that is covered, as well. In addition, sources of information are provided for readers who want to dig deeper into the issue.

For those conspiracies that have been used in or made into movies, there is a sidebar that discusses how accurate they are (or how much poetic license was used).

What Worked for Me

If you’re curious about conspiracies, would like to get a grand overview of the most prominent ones or even are a writer who wants to add a little conspiracy flavor to your stories, this book is perfect. It gives you the basics: what history says happened, what conspiracy theories say really happened, and what evidence is currently available to support or refute both (or more) sides of the story.

The way the book is organized helps put the various events and their conspiracies into context. And, when conspiracies overlap (such as the assassinations of JFK and his brother Robert), the ties that connect them are mentioned, as well.

That’s What They Want You To Think is well illustrated with photographs and art that help put faces to the names, as well as locations to the events. Complex ideas are broken down into easy-to-understand terms. The writing style is simple and personable. It is clear that a lot of research went into this book and the information was digested and regurgitated in a way that pretty much anyone can understand.

What Didn’t Work for Me

If you’re a die-hard conspiracy theory follower, this book is probably going to be a little too light reading for you.

Travel-ability

The paperback was a bit too bulky to be a good travel companion, but the Kindle version is perfect (if you have a reader you like that can read Kindle books.

Conclusion

While possibly a bit dry for bedtime reading, That’s What They Want You To Think does make fun plane, train and (someone else is driving) automobile reading. It will also make a nice gift for the budding conspiracy theorist on your list.

Score for That’s What They Want You To Think: 3 Palm Trees out of 5 Possible

Grab your copy on Amazon today.

NOTE: Although I received this book free to review, that did not affect my opinion of the book. Read past reviews of books I’ve received for free and you’ll know I don’t hold my punches.

Summary of Dead of Winter

In the winter of 1870, at a remote fur-trading outpost, people are disappearing. One body is found ripped in half, her body frozen by the shore of the frozen river. Something taller than a grizzly cleaved her body in two and left claw marks on the nearby trees.

There have also been reports of cannibalism, so Tom Hatcher … the man who caught the Cannery Cannibal of Montreal is brought in to find the culprit (or culprits) and unravel the mystery.

But things aren’t all that they seem. This plague of cannibalism is not a physical virus, but a disease of the soul. Even the dogs and goats can catch it. (The scene in which goats feast on their caretaker and then one of there own could keep you up nights.)

Soon, a Catholic exorcist is called in to help. Father Xavier has battled demons for a long time, inspired by the possession of his sister when he was little. He was even called in to exorcise the Cannery Cannibal himself … but failed.

The local Ojibwa and Cree people fear it is the return of the winter wendigo. Father Xavier believes it is demon possession. But what if it is both?

What Worked for Me

Moreland deftly blends Algonquian legend with Catholic belief, creating a spiritual plague and villain that is more chilling than either belief system had created on their own. Wendigos are cannibalistic spirits who can possess a human if he resorts to eating human flesh … even to save his own life. They are ravenous, gaunt, and superhumanly tall. Demon possession often happens when a person is corrupt or spiritually weak.

Blending elements of gothic family curses, remote snowed-in horror, and serial killer suspense, Dead of Winter pulls you in and keeps you guessing at how the many storylines will eventually fit together. No one is completely innocent of sin … even the heroes. It is love and faith that prevail in the end … that, and accepting one’s true nature.

What Didn’t Work for Me

There are several slow sections of the book that you have to wade through to get to the good stuff.

Conclusion

Dead of Winter starts out strong and ends with a gripping, edge-of-your-seat climax. Twists, turns and unexpected affiliations revealed at the end surprise you. Unfortunately, you have to read through a few slow chapters here and there in the middle to get from beginning to end. The eye of the storm lasts a bit longer than it should. But keep reading … you will be rewarded.

Score for Dead of Winter: 4 Palm Trees out of 5 Possible

Grab your copy on Amazon today.

NOTE: Although I received this book free to review, that did not affect my opinion of the book. Read past reviews of books I’ve received for free and you’ll know I don’t hold my punches.