IAN DOWN-UNDER VS FAT DEATH

Ian dives fang-first into Jeremy Crews’ latest, Fat Death and learns the shadows are hiding more than just bloodsuckers and keywords to get you banned on social media.

TITLE: Fat Death

AUTHOR: Jeremy Crews

GENRE: Horror

PAGES: 150

FORMAT: Paperback

PRICE: $12.00 paperback, eBook NA

G’day all, it’s your Aussie ARC reviewer here who is slowly slipping into hibernation mode as winter begins its slow, inexorable approach. This week, I have my beanie and thirteen layers of clothing on, and a coffee in hand, as I dive into the horror-noir stylings of Jeremy Crews’ Fat Death.

First off, you may notice that there is no ebook version of this book, and that’s for a very good reason. The physical edition includes some fantastic illustrations that simply wouldn’t translate as well to digital. They’re beautifully crafted and immediately signal the high level of care that has gone into this book, something that becomes even more obvious as you sink your fangs into the story.

Set during the Great Depression period of the 1930s, Fat Death is a vampire story with a difference, primarily following the Centunzis, a Sicilian immigrant family who are now located in San Luigi, Missouri. Giuseppe had opened a high-class brothel called the ‘Blue Flower’ a few years before the depression hit, and now the family is doing it tough. The story opens a year after Giuseppe is reported missing, and it’s panic stations because the don of the town, nicknamed the ‘Fat Death’, has been found dead in one of the Blue Flower’s rooms under mysterious circumstances.

Luisa, Giuseppe’s wife who now runs the Blue Flower in Giuseppe’s stead, along with her two sons, Vince and Joe, have to try to find a way to deal with the don’s enormous body and hide his death before all hell breaks loose.

That, however, is only half the problem. The other half? Giuseppe is still around. Dead, yes, but now a deranged vampire who is roaming around the area causing havoc. Louisa, it turns out, is one hell of a powerhouse and deals with both crises like water off a duck’s back, taking on any challenge thrown her way.  

Now I’m not the biggest fan of vampires, they really aren’t my jam as far as monster types go but this book doesn’t just focus on them, a bigger chunk of it focuses on the Centunzi family drama, and the mafia style shady characters orbiting them. So, in effect, you get the manipulative, power hungry and selfish human monsters and the pure, instinct-driven monster of the vampire. Which one is worse? Well, the book makes a compelling case for both contenders.

The writing in this one is superb. It’s smooth, satisfying, and dripping with film noir atmosphere, capturing the feel of the 30s perfectly. As a byproduct of this, there is also period-accurate racism and outdated viewpoints, but they are authentically portrayed. There are multiple viewpoints and timeline shifts woven in, but they’re easy to follow and enrich the story rather than complicate it. The ending is explosive and unexpected, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. And did I mention the fantastic illustrations within its pages? And on the cover, itself? Definitely chef’s kiss worthy.

I give this one 4.7 pints of blood out of 5.

Ian Gielen is a writer of all things spooky and a horror fanatic. Ian embraces his inner geek with pride, his dedication on display in the intimidating collection of horror novels and video games that threaten to take over his living space. He is mad for all things Alien, Star Wars, and cats; his furry companions are always there to keep him company as he scribbles down his latest ideas. With the sheer number of furry and human companions in his life, it’s a wonder he isn’t a little crazier than he already is.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.