Washoe Moon, Dorian, Symbiotic

Purple Mist: Strange Novelette Trilogies, Volume 1

By: R. Manolakas

Narrated by: Paul J. McSorley

This fresh release is the first book in the series Purple Mist - sci-fi/horror novelette trilogies written specifically for audiobooks and e-books, and for binge listening. You'll enjoy a spine tingling, Outer Limits feeling, and a quicker dramatic payoff than with standard-sized novels. Each is a third the size of a full-length novel, and is divided into three parts at memorable plot points, for convenient pauses. They're told in present tense - for immediacy of experience. This unique, entertaining structure is ideal for busy, multitasking lifestyles and Audible app-enabled smartphones or Kindles.

Our first short novel involves a present-day family and their Thanksgiving retreat near Lake Tahoe, Nevada; instead of a warm and fuzzy, they have a rather bizarre and harrowing experience.

Our second story concerns a brilliant young IT man - 40 years in the future - who clicks on a hypertext that none of us would want to click on.

Our last features a young, beautiful doctor who practices in a small town in 1919; her cures could be much worse than the disease.

With modern practices of listening to books on convenient devices, it is essential to consider both story and structure/format going forward for maximum listener enjoyment, and this book does.

©2017 R. Manolakas (P)2017 R. Manolakas

2 out of 3

The first novella, Washoe Moon, was reminiscent of Tales of the Crypt. The second two, Dorian and Symbiotic, were more like episodes of The Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. These two were much more original, and much more interesting. The stories were well narrated. I look forward to the next Trilogy..

Novelettes give food for thought.

Purple Mist is the first collection of novelettes in a planned series, with the second collection being forthcoming. The first story, Washoe Moon, is set in the present day but recalls real-life events from the infamous Donner party story. Dorian, the second story, takes place in the future, where robots and AI systems are ubiquitous. But have these tech creations become too entangled with humans to be kept under control? The final story, Symbiotic, steps back into the early 20th century, where telephones and vaccines are still new technologies. A journalist wonders whether the arrival of a new doctor into his small town is related to two meteors that recently fell near town. He also suspects the new doctor of being complicit in several suspicious deaths. The author has included an afterward that offers points to consider regarding each story.

This was an enjoyable set of longer length short stories, each containing concepts that gave me some food for thought. Paul J. McSorley performs well as narrator. I can appreciate this author's thought behind creating an intelligent collection of short stories that fill time while commuting, cleaning house, or other such activities. I would very much enjoy hearing the collections he has planned for the future.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge. This review is unbiased and the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Good episodic stories

Three entertaining stories, each would make a good bizarro TV show. The narrator was terrific. Will definitely check out the next book in the series when it comes out. Recommended.

Three scary short stories!

What more can you want? These are excellent! My favorite was Purple Mist. Beware of strange visitors.

Entertaining stories!

I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review. 3 excellent stories with top notch narration that are kind of like the outer limits show.

Reminescent of the Surprise Twilight Zone Twists

What made the experience of listening to Washoe Moon, Dorian, Symbiotic the most enjoyable?

The stories flowed and each one was unique in its own way. Depicted true human dilemmas in the modern world.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The second story was most interesting to me. It's set in NYC and gives a simple, but chilling view, of the future that we all could experience.

Have you listened to any of Paul J. McSorley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Actually, I have listened to one other of his audios by chance and both were great. He really helps yo live through the experience and keeps the characters alive.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nail biting suspense.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to another trilogy.

Washoe

I really liked this trilogy of stories of the weird and spooky.The first was my favorite.A young mom rents a cabin that has history with her family.History CAN repeat iself!The next one gives a lot to consider as a possible Hitler type man comes to grips with his inner thoughts.The last is about a new vaccine for the flu. Paul J. McSorely was a good narrator.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Great stories

I would recommend this to everyone. The narration was very good. Looking forward to listening to more books by the author.

fantastic anthology

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was so darn entertaining and well narrated. It is set up to be like mini episodes. That actually made it flow pretty well for a sci fi anthology. The narration was fantastic and really made for an enjoyable experience. I would highly recommend this if you like shows like the outer limits, black mirror, etc.

Short Stories to blow your mind

Purple mist is a compilation of three novellas that comes across as a homage to old tv shows like the Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, and the Outer Limits. They definately have a Serlingesque quality to them. wo of the tales are more sci-fi, and the other is a horror story. Each stands alone, an island unconnected to the others, other than their"strange" flavor. R. Manolakas doesa great job crafting these tales, and you can tell he really put his heart into them. His thinking cap must have a +5 to intelligence, because the stories are brilliantly concieved, and hit every button they aim to push.

This is the second time I've listened to Paul J. McSorley, and he proves that he is a master narrator once more. He brings an intensity and an animus to the stories, knowing how to let tension build or action fly. He continues to impress me, and I can't wait to hear more from him.

I'd have a hard time picking a favorite story, Dorian was great, but then so were Symbiotic and Washoe Moon. SO, I'll just have to say this has become a favorite Book of mine, instead. Coming clean, I did get a code to do a review for this book, but I have stated honestly everything I have felt from this this book. If there had been a burr or a pitfall, I'd have said so. So, go enjoy this book!!