Chopping Spree, by Angela Sylvaine

20 Aug 2024

The Book

Chopping Spree
Pages: 132
Age Group: Adult
Published on 24 Sept 2024
Publisher: Dark Matter INK
Genres:
Horror
Available on:

Synopsis:

Eden Hills, Minnesota is famous for two things: its lucrative, ‘80s-inspired fashion mall, and a missing-persons epidemic that has plagued the town’s youth and confounded officials for years. High school junior, Penny, has grown skeptical of the town’s official stance on the disappearances, but has so far kept that to herself. See, she just started her first-ever job at one of the mall’s trendiest stores and doesn’t want to sound like a conspiracy nut to her cool friends and the popular guy who might just help her get over the girl who broke her heart. But when a late-night party in the mall turns deadly, Penny won’t have the luxury of playing it cool. A killer is on the loose, and the dark history of Eden Hills is about to be revealed.

From Angela Sylvaine, author of Frost Bite and The Dead Spot: Stories of Lost Girls, comes the killer re-release of her very first novella, now with added chapters and scenes. This one is certain to please slasher fans young and old. Cover art by Dan Fris.  

My Review

Chopping Spree is a slasher horror novella, written by Angela Sylvaine, and which will be published by Dark Matter INK. Eden Hills is famous for two things: its 80s-inspired mall, and how many young people disappear each year, with difficult to believe explanations by the officials; our main character, Penny, just started her first job in one of the mall stores. She's not too fond of the explanations given to the missing people, but wants to be part of the group, so she keeps it to herself.

But when Penny and a group of other workers that have stayed late discover dead bodies, Penny's theories will be proven true while they are persecuted by a mysterious killer with a wolf mask; and trust me, the wolf killer won't be the worst thing that would be discovered by Penny in the middle of the chaos.

In a really fast-paced novella, we can appreciate how full of twists it is, paying an homage to 80s horror, including secret societies, and the isolated towns where everybody is into the business (if you know, you know). There aren't dull moments, quickly jumping into the action, in a mad frenzy. Personally, some things are too convenient, but that's a gripe that I have many times with slasher horror.

Said that, Chopping Spree is a super fan proposal, a delicious novella for those that are looking for a bite sized portion of slasher horror; a great title by Angela Sylvaine.

The Author/s

Angela Sylvaine

Angela Sylvaine

Angela Sylvaine is a self-proclaimed cheerful goth who still believes in monsters. Her debut novel, FROST BITE, is out now, and her debut short story collection THE DEAD SPOT: STORIES OF LOST GIRLS will be available May 2024 from Dark Matter INK. Her short fiction and poetry have been appeared in over 50 magazines, anthologies, and podcasts, including Apex Magazine, Southwest Review, and The No Sleep Podcast.

She grew up in North Dakota and holds degrees in psychology, religion, and philosophy from the University of North Dakota. After marrying her high school sweetheart, they moved to Colorado, and now live on the front range of the Rockies with their three creepy cats.

Angela is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Denver Horror Collective, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and Pikes Peak Writers.