Salt Water Tears

By: Brian A. Hopkins

Narrated by: Joshua Saxon

Salt Water Tears delivers 11 stories from Bram Stoker Award winning author Brian A. Hopkins. These stories share a common theme, the oceans that cover seven-tenths of our world, but each is as unique and emotionally-charged as you've come to expect from this talented, seasoned, if not-heard-from-often-enough author. Submerge yourself in the worlds of this gifted storyteller, and you'll not want to come up for air.

"...his stories carry things often forgotten or left behind in both horror and science fiction - poetry, emotion, and heart.... If you haven't met Brian A. Hopkins, this could be the introduction you need." (William D. Gagliani)

"...another excellent collection of Brian's work.... I found it impossible to put this book down.... Fabulous!" (Lesley Mazey, The Eternal Night)

"Over the course of the last year or so we've sold more trade paperbacks by Brian Hopkins than we have any other writer.... [Brian] seems to be the kind of writer that appeals to our patrons. I like to think that that kind of writer is literate, emphatic, unusual and lyrical.... Better check this Hopkins guy out." (Mark Ziesing, bookseller and publisher)

"Hopkins displays a fascination with damaged protagonists...that is almost as strong as the fascination with the ocean and cetaceans...that is the titular focus of this book. From the distant play of orcas in 'North' to the rotting dolphin corpses center stage in 'Wrinkles at Twilight', this theme of the pelagic mysteries weaves a fascinating metaphor for the decidedly land-based life led by most of Hopkins' readership.... These are not emotionally satisfying, morally secure stories - they are challenging, sometimes difficult, and always at least a bit slantwise of the reader's expectation and experience." (Jay Lake, from a review in Tangent)

"The sea is the birthplace of all life. It has inspired some of the greatest minds in literature: Homer, Melville, Conrad, Hemingway...and Brian A. Hopkins.... Hopkins dives deep into the mysteries of inner space and returns with a chest full of literary gems. Submerge yourself in his word. You may never wish to come ashore again." (Garrett Peck, from a review in Cemetery Dance)

"Brian Hopkins writes of the ocean as if he were a part of it. His empathy with whales - in particular - is phenomenal, and the subtle blend of intense research and intuitive talent is - at times - unnerving. Unforgettable fiction." (David Niall Wilson, author of This Is My Blood)

"When I examine my obsession with Fitzgerald and Tolstoy, for Dickens and Dostoevsky, I realize that what keeps me coming back to Gatsby and Anna and the rest is the music I hear when I am with them. That, and my absolute conviction that there is nothing there that I would have had them do differently. So it is with BAH's work. He doesn't simply write; he composes. Long after the reading is done, the melody lingers on." (Janet Berliner, Bram Stoker Award Winning author of Rite of the Dragon)

©2018 Brian A. Hopkins (P)2021 David N. Wilson

Brian A. Hopkins is the most underrated author of 21st century weird fiction

In Early 2021, a new Horror anthology featuring some of the best names in modern Weird Fiction & Cosmic Horror was released, “Voices in the Darkness,” (edited by David Niall Wilson).

While only featuring six stories from as many authors, (Nadia Bulkin, Kathe Koja, Elizabeth Massie, Cassandra Khaw, Nick Mamatas, and Brian A. Hopkins), that collection is one of the most potent assortment of weird tales I’d read in a while. I mean, not a single page in a single story drags — which is quite a statement if you’re familiar with each of those author’s distinct styles…

The only author I wasn’t familiar with when I read that anthology was Brian A. Hopkins. (Yes, we’re almost at the part where I discuss THIS collection of stories, hang on…). The novella that Brian A. Hopkins penned for, “Voices in the Darkness,” was judiciously assigned as the collection’s closer — and to put it mildly: it left an impression on me. Hopkins’s “La Belle Époque” is a whopping 60% of that anthology’s total page count, and yet I repeat: not a single page in that book was anything less than amazing.

So, you’ve just finished reading an amazing new anthology, and the final entry was written by an author you’ve never read before & also happened to be kind of impossible to stop thinking about for days after reading it; what do you do?

Well. In my case, you search for any/all Brian A. Hopkins short story collections immediately & begin reading the first one you purchase. Then you take your take. Reading (almost) every story two times before moving on to the next one, (because they are legitimately THAT entertaining). And when you’re done reading this collection, “Salt Water Tears,” you make sure to write a review that captures the overwhelming excitement that one feels after discovering a writer for the first time & are eager to get back to reading the next book on the list.

So if you don’t know — now you know. Better late than never to the Brian A. Hopkins party, (what? Everyone’s saying it…)

GREAT COLLECTION!

This was a great collection, full of suspenseful stories! The narration was great and kept me entertained! The author did a great job with the characters and plot! This was a great introduction of this author for me because I got to enjoy 11 stories in one book! I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Impressed and OBSESSED!!

“There was something about * being a survivor *… something instinctual… something that said ‘pass on your genes, quick’. And, what better celebration of life, than sex. What better way to say, “I’m still here, goddamn it!”, than screaming your rage in orgasmic release.”

Wow! So, this is my first time reading/listening to Brian A Hopkins, and the thing that drew me to the collection was
1.) Ocean stories, which I’m a huge sucker for!! And 2.) It’s narrated by one of my most favorite voice actors, Joshua Saxon.
I already knew the narration was going to be superb, but as far as this collection goes, I didn’t know what to expect.

Well…. It was absolutely Ahhhhmazing!!
A TOP NOTCH Collection, fo sho! And the narration by Joshua Saxon was *chef’s kiss” immaculate! He just solidified his place in my “Top Ten Favorite Narrators” List. He does an incredible job illustrating emotions, especially dread!!! He can go from absolutely chipper to utter despair in an instant! He’s just phenomenal, and I will listen to anything this man narrates!

This collection of salty stories has elements of horror & fantasy. Hopkins ability to capture emotion through his words is exceptional. There were moments that pulled at my heartstrings & moments where I felt a terrible uneasiness.
I loved every single story in this collection! Every single one, but…if I had to choose faves it would be:
* Diving the Coolidge
* North
* The Promised Hour l & ll
* Crocodile Gods
* Wisteria
* The Baited Night
* Wrinkles At Twilight

Now that I’ve discovered Brian A.Hopkins, I’m ready to devour everything he’s written. Seriously!! I am impressed and obsessed! So much so, that I reached out to Mr. Hopkins hoping to buy a signed edition of Salt Water Tears. I’m delighted to inform you that I have a signed copy coming my way!!! 🥰

5+ Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕♾️

A little aquatic horror to brighten your day

I received a copy of the audio from the narrator in exchange for an honest review. And here it is...

I must be honest, I'd never heard of Brian Hopkins before the day I was offered an audio arc (or whatever it's called). Anyone who regularly listens to audiobooks knows that if Joshua Saxon has put his voice to it, it's going to be good. This anthology certainly fits that bill. It's a collection of water-related horror stories that range from folklore to hints of Cthulhu mythos and, while some are better than others, they are all worth listening to. Crocodile Gods was probably my favourite, but all are worth your time.

Phenomenal collection of oceanic tales

It’s pretty hard for me
To give collections a rating of five stars as there are usually a few stories that fall flat for me. That is soooooo not the case here. Every one of these tales was absolutely enthralling. I loved them all and relished listening to them. I hope you decide to get this and give it a chance. The fact that at least one of these stories is based on actual events is truly horrifying and can only leave one very very afraid of getting in the water. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Safe to go back in the water?

Saltwater Crocidiles, haunted shipwrecks, and Lovecraftian nighmares.

This was a creepy collection of maritime short fiction penned by Brian A. Hopkins and narrated by the talented Joshua Saxon.
I enjoyed the stories and Joshua Saxon is quickly becoming one of my favorite Audible readers.

I'd recommend this to any fans of short horror as well as those who love and/or fear the ocean.

I received a free copy for an unbiased review of this audio book.

Great listen-to.

Overall this was a great collection!

Joshua Saxon has a great voice for narrating. With the water theme and how the flow of the ocean is peaceful and calm and tranquil (away from the shore), his voice went nicely with this collection.


Diving the Coolidge 4/5

North 5/5
The idea of orca whales evolving from regular wolves was interesting.
Since Joey was a little kid when his eyeballs were removed, meaning he wasn't likely to remember what it was like to see, why would he have seen doctors as monsters or killers unless his parents only spoke negatively about them?

The Promised Hours 4/5
I liked this story, and while I loved learning about history, I felt like there was too much "history" in this story as opposed to the actual story.

Crocodile Gods 5/5
While the author did a great job with descriptions and the little details in most of the stories, I think this one had the best imagery. My only question was in regard to how she had been able to crawl with the dead weight of her husband's body on land?

Wisteria 5/5

Flotsam 5/5
This story stood out to me mainly because we got to hear the narrator do a French accent. Of course, none of his fans would be surprised that he did it beautifully.

The Baited Night 5/5

Sand King 5/5
I wish there would have been more to this story.

Wind and Sea and Time 1/5
This story was way too short. As in, there was no way for a reader to "get into it" because when as it started, it was already done.

Wrinkles at Twilight 5/5
I wish this one would have been longer because I'm curious what Darcy would have done now that she was on her own and couldn't drive the truck.

Gramps Goes Fishing 1/5
It was too short.

Not what I was expecting… So much better!

They have many reasons why you should read this short story collection 11 to be exact. From wisteria, so the bated knife to grants go fishing and many others this is a short story collection worth having. I couldn’t believe all the stories were written by the same person. Usually when you get a short story Collection two or three of the stories read like filler just something to put in to complete the book, but not in the case of salt water tears. Everything about the book is great from the narrator Joshua Sexting to the stories there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it. I highly highly recommend it!

Great Stories

Great stories. Very well written and eclectic tales in several genres. The characters are all well drawn.
Fantastic voice artist.

1ST AUDIOBOOK

Loved, exciting, great story, good story to listen to and never a boring moment