Interesting horror novella set in 1960s Detroit - the author does a great job of creating time and place, without falling too heavily into description. It's a well paced story, with mounting dread and a creative approach to the haunted item trope. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, but did struggle with the use of slurs/terms that were commonly used in that era - casual racism and homophobia would have been common then, but are jarring to me as a reader.

4 stars

Last Case at a Baggage Auction is a very engrossing mystery/horror novella in the 'haunted object' sub-genre. In this tale the object in question is an antique gramophone accompanied by records of unknown content; the story follows Charlie, an eager vintage collector, and the outlandish effects this object has on the tenants within his hotel-converted apartment building.

Think Japanese horror film 'Ringu' crosses with Indiana Jones—the novels takes its time staging the artifact's disease-like influence with characters' small behavioral peculiarities, until it reaches its sinister climax in the book's last act, which is expertly executed by Eric J. Guignard with his cinematic, out-of-this-world vision. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the revelation of actual historical figure/fact, which grounds the story to reality, and intensifies the horror (also brought me down a rabbit hole Googling more on this subject matter afterward).

At 8 short chapters, I wish we have gotten a little bit more story, particularly between Ch.7 and Ch.8, where the outcome of several characters (and location) remains unresolved. Also due to the condensed novella format, some plot points seem overly convenient: such as the protagonist getting all the useful information through a single resource. Lastly, while the story clearly states it took place in the 60s, during reading it constantly felt like it's set in earlier decades, closer to the 30s-40s. Perhaps this is due to the immediate issue at hand and the prime location (the gramophone and the hotel) being remnants from the earlier time, but I do wonder if there are ways to further solidifies its 1960s time period.

In the end, Last Case at a Baggage Auction was a blast, with an imaginative fact-based hook, and a cast of well-rounded classic mystery characters.

***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***

I absolutely love the premise of this book! What could be more intriguing than attending an auction for "prizes unknown"? Yet, what one buyer ends up with is a nightmare he and his friends could have had no way of anticipated. It's a unique story line, and there's no problem at all with losing sleep; it's easy to do with this novel. Highly recommended!

*This book was provided to me as an ARC, and at no charge from the author or publisher, purely in exchange for my honest review.*

"Last Cast at a Baggage Auction" was not quite what I was expecting. A slow start with a satisfying ending though.

Somehow in all of my genre reading never heard of Eric J. Guignard until now. And he’s a properly accomplished author, editor, publisher, with all sorts of awards and accolades to his name, including two Bram Stockers. So I’m definitely very glad to have found this story on Netgalley to discover a terrific, new (to me) author. I didn’t actually read much of a summary, the book had me at haunted gramophone and pleasingly economic page count, all the awesomeness after that was just a cherry on top and on that metaphor, this turned out to be a proper cherry tree in season. Behold the tale of Charlie Stewart, an average sort of guy hustling to get by in 1963 Detroit. The money making scheme of his choice (he also writes articles to supplement his income) is baggage claim auctions, buying up luggage people left behind and reselling it for profit. Actually, I’ve never heard of that? Is that still a thing nowadays? Anyway, it isn’t always lucrative, but it makes like Christmas morning every time Charlie and his buddy (also, conveniently a neighbor) get to open the cases they win and find out what treasures might be hiding within. And then one day Charlie’s buddy wins a gramophone and a bunch of strange records, on them either Gregorian chants or something much much darker. Knowing the genre you’re in…it’s obviously the latter option. Now Charlie’s buddy, Charlie’s building, Charlie’s life is in dire danger of a dark power that comes calling through time, through the very boundaries between life and death. Can he fight it? Can he resist it? Is it a save the day or just save yourself scenario? Read and find out. Charlie’s only got his wits, his research (preInternet, folks, the man actually had to read a book to get intel) and a strikingly (almost unbelievably, really) supportive lady friend with killer curves and saintly patience (a proper noir dame, good girl edition) to assist him. I can’t sing all of the book’s praises without giving away some plot details, so I won’t, but suffice it to say these wicked melodies hit some notes of personal interest for me, elevating the plot all the more. But aside from all that, this was just…excellent. Very noir style wise, great writing, effective, succinct, thoroughly engaging. Terrific characters. Superbly atmospheric writing as the plot got progressively darker and darker and spiraled into madness. Strikingly vivid imagery. This book’ll play in your mind like a movie. And on top of that, there’s art too, great black and white drawings for each chapter to both fire up and supplement your imaginings. Such a great read. And one you can get through in one sitting quite easily. I liked it so much. It was exactly right for my mood. Such a fun entertaining read. An absolute must for any fan of dark fiction. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Charlie Stewart is a chancer. Along with his friend Joey he’s a common sight at the weekly baggage auctions taking place in Detroit in 1963. Charlie and Joey have uncovered all sorts of treasure (and junk) in the discarded baggage they bid on. But one day things start to get weird after Joey picks up an antique gramophone that only plays an eerie chanting that starts to feel just a...little....bit....hypnotic....

While Charlie tries to solve the mystery of the gramophone this novella turns into a full on fever dream. The writing is sharp and darkly comic at times keeping those pages turning. Each character is vividly painted but none more so than Charlie himself, I really enjoyed spending time with him. He’s a chancer but he’s a charming one and I was rooting for him the whole time as he strove to get to the bottom of what was going on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this noiresque wee book, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a slice of weird horror to keep you on your toes. It’s enhanced further by some great illustrations by Steve Lines. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from the author.

This is a throwback novel. It has a feel of a turn of the century mystery. I loved it, I highly recommend reading