A Nice Place to Live: A Tale of a Damsel in Serious Distress

Name: A Nice Place to Live: A Tale of a Damsel in Serious Distress
Price: 20.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780595431366

✍️ Alex Tamsula

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$20.95

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A drought reveals a body, triggering a rescue mission into a hellish alternate dimension.

The novel follows Jody Tamartine as he confronts the past after his friend Carmine warns him that a secret from their youth is exposed by a drought. Vivian Lazzaro, a muscular widow and black arts practitioner, kidnaps Delilah Duncan to lure Jody into Brown Hell. Jody teams up with bikers to save her, only to find that death does not mean rest in this evil realm.

Key Themes

supernatural revenge alternate universe horror mob widow vengeance

Literary Context

The story is set in Fuming, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 2002. It blends small-town crime with gothic supernatural elements, drawing on traditions of black magic and hellish underworlds within a contemporary American setting.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker's dark fantasy worlds · Dean Koontz's supernatural thrillers · H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror settings

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Horror Fiction

🏛 iUniverse 📅 2009 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780595431366

📝 Description: A Nice Place to Live: A Tale of a Damsel in Serious Distress

Alex Tamsula presents a narrative set in Fuming, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 2002. The story begins with an unusual drought that reveals the remains of Vinnie Lazzaro, a drug peddler and informant, in a farm pond. This discovery triggers anxiety for Carmine Cappuccio, who fears a secret buried by him and his friend Jody Tamartine will surface. Jody, an intelligence agent residing in California, receives this troubling news from his old acquaintance. The plot escalates when Vivian Lazzaro, Vinnie’s mother and a practitioner of the black arts, learns the location of her son’s body. She kidnaps Delilah Duncan, Jody’s former love, and transports her to a terrifying alternate dimension known as Brown Hell. Vivian intends to use Delilah as bait to draw Jody into a trap. Jody recruits a local biker gang to aid in the rescue mission, but they quickly realize that the horrors of this realm are very much alive. The narrative explores themes of revenge, supernatural horror, and the consequences of past crimes. It appeals to readers who enjoy dark fiction involving mob elements and otherworldly settings. Those seeking lighthearted tales or strictly realistic crime dramas may find the supernatural aspects jarring. The book concludes with the characters facing the ultimate price for their involvement in Vinnie’s death.

💎 Our verdict on A Nice Place to Live: A Tale of a Damsel in Serious Distress

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Tamsula delivers a tense narrative where personal history collides with supernatural horror. The integration of a drought revealing a body serves as an effective catalyst for the ensuing chaos. Vivian Lazzaro stands out as a formidable antagonist, utilizing black arts to manipulate the living. The depiction of Brown Hell offers a distinct setting that avoids generic ghost story clichés. While the premise relies on familiar tropes of revenge and hidden secrets, the execution provides sufficient dread. This book suits readers who appreciate dark fantasy mixed with crime elements. It is not for those preferring realistic dramas or comedic horror. The pacing ensures that the threat feels immediate and visceral throughout the ordeal.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the collision of mob intrigue and otherworldly terror will find this narrative compelling. The story offers a unique premise where a mundane drought uncovers a supernatural trap, appealing to those who like high-stakes rescue missions in hellish landscapes. It is ideal for fans of dark fiction that does not shy away from black arts practitioners and alternate dimensions. Those seeking lighthearted tales should look elsewhere, as the tone is serious and menacing. The book provides a thrilling experience for audiences interested in the consequences of past crimes manifesting through evil realms.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Tamsula delivers a tense narrative where personal history collides with supernatural horror. The integration of a drought revealing a body serves as an effective catalyst for the ensuing chaos. Vivian Lazzaro stands out as a formidable antagonist, utilizing black arts to manipulate the living. The depiction of Brown Hell offers a distinct setting that avoids generic ghost story clichés. While the premise relies on familiar tropes of revenge and hidden secrets, the execution provides sufficient dread. This book suits readers who appreciate dark fantasy mixed with crime elements. It is not for those preferring realistic dramas or comedic horror. The pacing ensures that the threat feels immediate and visceral throughout the ordeal.