Two great stories by Daemon Manx! Piece By Piece follows Bobby's life after he receives a message from Mac through a Ouija Board that he will die in 2022. I really enjoyed the story and the completely unexpected ending. The Widower is a shorter story, but it doesn't mean I enjoyed it any less. After David's wife passes away, and he's living in his partially renovated home, he's on the hunt for what he assumes are raccoons that have managed to get into the house. What he finds is much more terrifying than a raccoon!

I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Daemon's work!

Three girls are riding bicycles past Bobby, an year old boy. The girls invitee Bobby to play a game with them. Their game is on an ouijia board. They end up talking to a spirit that calls Bobby Mac. Why? He finds out the year that he will die. Bobby doesn’t like it so he rejects it though he never forgets that date. Bobby grows up, has a family and realizes that he can’t forget the death date he was told. After you finish this story, you will find “The Widower.” It is a short story. The story is grief combined with horror and a “creature feature.”

The “Piece by Piece “ is a mystery with unexpected twists. I liked how the author wrote the story dealing with the person’s death date. It was amazing. In the second story,, the author writes about fears and diseases in how they may impact one (people). Both stories are creepy and chillers. They are very well written.

I’m destroyed. Piece by Piece…what an amazing story. Daemon Manx is an incredible writer. This supernatural tale had me so engrossed with the storyline and the main character, Bobby, that I was just floored when everything came together. It was beautiful and horrific and I just wanted to start it over again as soon as I finished it.
Bobby was eleven when he was told what year he would die. Would you believe? Would you behave differently?
Okay seriously, go read this book. It’s short and it’s sweet.
“Sometimes, all it takes is perspective to appreciate the simple things, or a little extra concern for the frailty of the present moment to fully understand what makes life worth living.”

There was a second short(er) marvelous story at the end of the book called The Widower. Cancer is a bitch, and it’s always hungry.

I think I found another insta-buy author.

I love that it's different from most ouija stories. The characters grew on me very fast and it had me very curious as to how it'd play out.

Love the twist at the end. Short and hooked up read. Grab if you are short of time but want to read some good stuff.

Piece by Piece captivated me from the very beginning with its compelling storyline and engaging characters. I found myself constantly trying to figure out what would happen next. The ending caught me by surprise with its bittersweet twist, and it left a lasting impression.

I'm grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to experience this unique and unforgettable novella.

4.25 / 5

Ok, so ...

Daemon Manx writes some really great short horror stories. 

The first thing I read of his was last month; and that was the incredible Abigail. These two stories were my second and third ventures onto his dark terrain. 

I'm happy to report that I enjoyed every moment spent there. 

I enjoyed and appreciated both Piece by Piece and The Widower just as much as Abigail. 

His writing shows such a great talent. He packs a lot into a little, with no wasted words. I appreciate that. He quickly sets the scene, puts us into the heads of observant characters so we can take everything in ourselves without "expo dumping" ... and just when you've got your footing , he starts turning up the creepy. 

Daemon Manx writes his horror with heart, and I love my horror with a big, bloody, beating heart ... there's an authenticity and poignancy to these two stories, especially being paired up.

I'm rather selective when it comes to horror shorts, both collections and anthologies, but these stories are like refreshing palate cleansers ... Leaving you wanting more. 

These are also the types of horror stories that I could see pulling people out of readings slumps. 

I know Piece by Piece just pulled me out of mine. 

Now excuse me while I go purchase some more of his horrors. 

I'll definitely be recommending.

This novella shook my entire being. So well written, this story can contend with the biggest and best.

The bonus story, The Widower, was creepy and odd and so well-done.

A vivid exploration of love, mystery, and the unknown.

Piece by Piece follows the life of Bobby Canfield who is told that he must Save Them, after the year of his own death is revealed to him through a Ouija board. The mysterious and cryptic message is nearly impossible for Bobby to fathom at 11 years old, but as the years pass by, and the reality of that fateful night begins to make itself apparent, Bobby realizes that every thing the board foretold, will come true.

This short story manages to capture the essence of life’s complexities through a brief yet vivid narrative. The brisk timeline doesn’t hinder its depth; rather, it intensifies it, providing a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences condensed into a compelling read.

The story follows Bobby, a character whose journey through life is rendered with such detailed richness that readers can easily slip into his world. From the intricate descriptions of his work with fixer-uppers to the touching moments shared with his daughter Jessica, Bobby’s life is portrayed with authenticity and warmth. The patience and love Bobby shows for Jessica are depicted with such beauty that it becomes a central pillar of the narrative, making their interactions heartwarming and genuine.

Bobby’s paranormal experiences are not just spooky occurrences but are woven into the fabric of his life in a way that keeps readers questioning and anticipating what will happen next. The author excels at creating an atmosphere where the supernatural elements feel both intriguing and unsettling, leading to a suspenseful race to unravel the mystery alongside Bobby. The story keeps readers on edge, leaving them pondering the significance of each event long after the page is turned.

Ultimately, is a beautifully crafted story that blends personal growth with an exploration of life’s mysteries and horrors. It celebrates the richness of human experience, from the mundane to the extraordinary, while also leaving room for the thrill of the unknown.

As usual, Daemon keeps you involved in his book.
He will keep you guessing with every word.
Twists and turns, and plenty of wows!

This short (54 pages) book consists of two horror stories, the title tale and “The Widower.” In the first, Bobby, age eleven plays with an Ouija board with three neighbors, Samantha, Naomi and Fiona (for some reason the synopsis gets some of these facts wrong.). The session reveals the fate of his life.

In the second story, following the death of his wife a man begins having bad dreams, dreams that may be coming through to real life. The first story, while it contains horror elements, was actually quite dear, and I like it a lot. The second was pretty run of the mill horror. So, strong first story, mediocre second. Still worth a look.

Piece by Piece' is a gripping supernatural thriller that hooks you right from the start. It follows Bobby, who as a kid brushes off a spooky prophecy from a Ouija board, only to find it haunting him into adulthood. Weird stuff keeps happening to Bobby. Each clue he uncovers seems to confirm his dark fate, pushing him closer to a chilling conclusion.
Manx spins a tale that's part ghost story, part psychological thriller, keeping you guessing until the end. Bobby's journey makes you ponder fate versus free will and what you'd do for your loved ones. The story's creepy vibe makes it hard to put down.

This is the kind of story that got me started reading horror. We fall immediately into the story, and there aren't any bad guys, but there is mystery and the supernatural and a little bit of horror. I cared about the family so much, and this short story was so satisfying.
Then when the story is over, there's a very short story that's pure horror. So much fun! I'll be reading a lot more by this guy. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

This was good, cheesy fun. Like Goosebumps for adults. If you like goofy, classic horror movies, and you want to read something that feels like Halloween, this is definitely for you. Is it particularly high in quality as a piece of literature? No, but like many horror movies, I don't think that's the point.

Very quick read! I enjoyed how the writing made it seem like I was reading a movie. I loved the early creepiness it gave but soon after a bitter sweet ending.

Bobby Canfield’s mysterious memories of his youth transpired on the night of June 26th 1988. At a young age he encounters little girls playing a strange type of board game. One that is decorated with letters, numbers, signs and words. One that allows spirits to contact the living. One that has relayed a very discouraging message to Bobby.

Piece By Piece by Daemon Manx is a short story centered around an ancient ouija board. This Splatterpunk award nominee writer takes the reader on an eerie journey where cryptic messages are not only disturbing but also reveals the frailty of life, family and business. Told in an inauspicious setting of spiritual foreboding, this author’s stained teardrop planchette controls ominous warnings and speculative truths that will literally send icy chills up the spine. The lesson has been told…appreciate the simple things in life, before it’s too late.

As an extra bonus, when you purchase Piece By Piece, you receive an additional short story of intense darkness dwelling under the floor beams, concealing itself inside the crawl space of an occupied home. If both of these conceptions of unsettling suspense sounds appealing to you, then hold your planchette delicately with fingertips and let the spirits guide you to YES.