Monday 30 August 2021

Dave's Aliens - Scott Bell - A Short Story

Mitchellsville: 
A Short Story
ASIN B07BH2LRKF


I stumbled upon a different story but this author, it was Mitchellsville and it blew me away. I picked up that one because a different book by Scott Bell was in an email blast, Working Stuffs, That story is described as:

“In 2050, the government uses scientifically reanimated corpses to fill menial jobs. Out of work and down on his luck, engineer Joe Warren is coerced by a federal agent into infiltrating an insurgent group — and finds his loyalties tested. A page-turning dystopian read.”

It could not be much different than Mitchellsville, which I loved so much I picked up the other three published short stories. This one is described as:

“Dave is an Alcoholic American with a troubled past and no future. He's known to be a bit of a kook. So when Dave starts seeing aliens, the small town folk ignore his warning and lock him up. Dave is sure he's right, and the town is slowly being possessed by creatures from another world. Is it all in his twisted imagination, or is this time the threat real?”

This was terribly interesting story. The concept is intriguing. The execution masterful. You will find yourself in Dave’s corner, even with his flaws and history. I will be honest the ending took me by surprise, but left me desperately wanting more. The writing is tight. The characters well crafter. The plot surprising. I read an awesome anthology last year, Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories edited by Bokerah Brumley. This story could have fit well in that collection. This story reads a bit like an episode of the Twilight Zone, or Strange Tales.  

The story previously appeared "Person Suit" by Dreaming Big Publications. It is a  great short story. I highly recommend it. 

Books by Scott Bell:
Working Stiffs
MAGA 2020 & Beyond 

Short Stories:
Mr. Scampers' War

Sam Cable Mysteries:
April’s Fool
May Day
June Bug

Able Yeager Series:
Yeager's Law
Yeager's Mission
Yeager's Getaway

Contributed to:
Paradox: The Inner Circle Writers' Group Crime/Mystery/Thriller Anthology 2019
The Dark City Crime & Mystery Magazine: Volume 4, Issue 1
The Dark City Crime & Mystery Magazine: Volume 3, Issue 4
To Be Men: Stories Celebrating Masculinity




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