LOGAN VS. DEAR CONNIE

Logan read an ARC of Robin Becker’s Dear Connie, but is this study on the demons we hide inside ourselves worth exposing?

TITLE: Dear Connie

AUTHOR: Robin Becker

GENRE: Psychological/Supernatural

PAGES: 280

FORMAT: E-book/Paperback/Audiobook

PRICE: $19.99 paperback preorder, $.99 e-book preorder, $12.79 audiobook preorder.

Have you ever thought you had something inside of you? Something evil but…not like another side, or a Mr. Hyde, but literally something else locked away within you. Something with a mind of its own, whims of its own that go far beyond your meager control. A being so beyond yourself that they have not just their own wants but needs.

This is what Connie was born with. Something, a demon perhaps, that she calls Kali. This is where we are dropped in the novel Dear Connie, by Robin Becker. Everything seems normal at first, until you are introduced to Kali, who may or may not be our narrator for most of the book.

This is quite honestly the most unique version of the possession trope I have ever read. Kali is not something that showed up and took over Connie. She seems to have been part of Connie even in the womb, they are inseparable. Even Connie’s Twin agrees as he helps her run a murder for hire business. Because of Kali they don’t have to do anything. She does the killings and makes them seem like accidents.

We are placed at a point where Kali has seemingly fallen in love with Connie’s boyfriend. And thus, the plot begins, creating a whirlwind of a tale that you can’t keep up with because it is so otherworldly, while also being grounded in our very world.

I won’t spoil anything, but what I really enjoyed about the writing is how most of it is written from the point of view of Kali. It gives the prose an almost uncanny feeling. It makes you wonder if it is Kali, or Connie who is really the narrator. While at the same time you have this feeling that you cannot trust a thing they say.

Their exploits with their murder business get them into a wee bit of trouble, add Kali acting out on top of it, and you have a fast-paced story that you cannot easily predict. With an ending that you may not see coming. This is a must read for this year.

It is a well-rounded, easy to read tale. The combination of the unique premise, and the exploration of identity permeate through the story, leave you wondering how you would feel if you had something living inside you, that wasn’t truly you.

Thank you to Cemetery Dance Publishing for providing me with an Advanced reader copy of this book. It may be one of my favorites of the year. The book releases November 17th everywhere books are found. Grab this one, you won’t regret it.

Logan Patrick has earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association, and author of The Disappearing of Three Forks, and has been included in the Horrorzine. As well as a collection, Marked: Tales of S.T.A.N.G.E., Logan has a background in theater, from acting to directing. As well as a play that is still in development.

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, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.