billnienaber 's review for:

The Secret of Ventriloquism by Jon Padgett

5.0

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This is one of the creepiest and most brilliantly executed books I've read in a while! It consists of a diverse collection of pieces, including a guided meditation, several related short stories, a guide to becoming not only a ventriloquist, but a Greater Ventriloquist, and a one-act play. All the pieces are tied together by the over-arching theme of taking place in a surreal and frightening mill town that harbors a dreadful and terrifying secret that is gradually exposed from story to story. With one key character recurring throughout several stories, a solid supporting cast of mostly confused and frightened characters, and a dark and foreboding tone throughout, this amazing book kept me fascinated and guessing from beginning to end. Also many of the short pieces really gave me the shivers! Highly recommended.