Goth-Ick Tales: Vol.1: 101 Damnations Paperback – November 19, 2018

I've never read anything quite like this book. I've never read such a page-turner, I quite literally couldn't stop my finger from advancing my kindle to "...just one more!"These brilliantly dark tales are itty bitty gems of polished horror that the author Ciofki sets before you like a demonic jeweler. You'll be entranced, you'll be mesmerized, you'll be unable to stop yourself from looking at just one more.The closest thing I've read to 101 Damnations would be perhaps Stephen King's Night Shift, but even Stephen gave himself the latitude to flesh out a story, to indulge himself. But Ciofki uses words with the precision of a jeweler...or a surgeon...an evil surgeon you wouldn't want within 20 feet of you.A masterpiece of dark, creepy, compelling stories that could fit on postage stamps! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy. Just read it with the lights on and preferably a large comforting guard dog nearby.--Anna E. Bendewald

There's always a need for that dark, sick humor that pokes fun of eating human body parts and minds that like to torture. For example, Edgar Allen Poe? Edward Gorey? Twilight Zone? Outer Limits? Jordan Peel's latest horror flicks? Sweeney Todd?So if you're that kid that always enjoyed reading Short Stories to Read in the Dark at the slumber parties (while others hid under the covers) and now you've grown up this is YOUR book. Definitely, the person who laughs at inappropriate moments, sees the humor in death and murder, and loved Vincent Price will enjoy this tidy little volume.A selection of delicious gore, each one page, repellent short story will fascinate the wicked and put a smile on your face as you ponder the depravity of humanity. So take the warning seriously as these tales are not for children. You may not want to read all at one setting. Pace yourself as they can be intense. Take a breather so you can enjoy the sly dark humor all the better.It's like Edward Gorey and his world of famous of illustrations depicted in The Gashlycrumb Tinies, the relentless tragedies of Lemony Snicket in A Series Unfortunate Events, and True Crime all rolled into one.Reading through this book you'll also find a strain of melancholy, the tale of the loner, the abused, the unwanted. From there you will find a thread of truth to these stories which gave me a sense of sadness in the end: the unwanted who all met very desperate and mostly horrible endings or inflict it upon others.This volume (and the next) would make an excellent present at Halloween for that special horror lover in your life.

I am a big fan of flash fiction and this collection does not disappoint. Brutal, mysterious, and wicked, there's something in here for every black heart.

Very impressed with the creativeness of these short stories. A very interesting read for sure. Can not wait for other novels from this author

Very enjoyable flash stories. Succinct writing, well-chosen words and verbs to bring story to a great ending. Excellent quick read without having to plod through grandiose prose. Write more!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A compilation of bite size horror stories, it reminds me of Scary Stories to tell in the dark but, more for adults. The stories are fantastic and create killer images in the mind of the reader. I highly recommend this book to ANYONE who loves short short stories, little snippets of entertainment from cover to cover. Made me a huge fan!