30 June 2017

Optical Delusion

Horror
A 2017 Top Rated Read


By Hunter Shea

Print Length 76 pages
Publisher Lyrical Underground (1st Aug 2017)
ASIN B01N3O0UD9

“A lot of splattery fun.” Publishers Weekly





📕My Review

Martin Blackstone tries out his son's cheap comic book x-ray specs for a laugh. He doesn't believe they can possibly work, but to his utter astonishment he can see right through his friends' and neighbours' clothing. He soon becomes addicted and can't leave the darn things alone; but the more he wears them, the greater his pain and discomfort, until one day he discovers he can't physically remove them. It's as though they're welded to his face. The specs increase in sensitivity and Martin begins to see things that no one should ever have to witness.

This novella is part of author Hunter Shea's 'Mail Order Massacre' series. It's a fantastic little story and hugely original. Although very short, it's well worth seeking out. I wouldn't say it's massively scary but it's extremely well written and I personally loved it. 

My thanks to Hunter Shea, NetGalley and Lyrical Underground for providing a copy of this book.

Barnsey's Books Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Other reviews:

📗The Blurb

OPEN YOUR EYES WITH “X-RAY” VISION!

Put on a pair of “X-Ray” glasses and things will never look the same! These almost magical specs will make you the hit of the party! Astonishing three-dimensional X-Ray visions of what your friends—and girls—look like under their clothes! And all for just $1.

THE MORE YOU WEAR THEM . . .

Martin Blackstone punishes his son for wasting his allowance on a pair of flimsy cardboard sunglasses X-ray vision . . . yeah, right. Martin tries them on just for the hell of it—and all they do is give him a headache . . . 

. . . THE DEEPER YOU’LL SEE.

Until he sees things he can’t possibly be seeing. Glimpses of things on the other side of a wall or beneath someone’s clothing. He wants to believe it’s just his overactive imagination but the “X-Ray” specs actually work. Then the fun novelty becomes a waking nightmare when the glasses burn into his face and he starts seeing horrifying apocalyptic visions no mortal man was ever meant to see. Images that alter his very personality—from a husband and father to a bloodthirsty homicidal maniac . . .

Because sometimes you can see too much.

Hunter Shea's website

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