🩸 Horror Fiction

Brimstone, An Acquired Smell

✍️ Wendy Baylis
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$6.63
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A satirical look at demonic workplace politics and mentorship.

The narrative focuses on the professional struggles of Greed, who must balance his destructive duties with the constant pressure from Principality. His role as a teacher to Lust introduces a layer of camaraderie amidst the chaos. The plot hinges on a pivotal summons that challenges his current existence. Baylis uses this premise to explore themes of loyalty, fear, and the absurdity of eternal punishment. The story does not shy away from the mundane aspects of demon life, such as making excuses and dealing with difficult superiors. This approach humanizes the supernatural elements, making them relatable through their bureaucratic nature. The ending leaves questions about redemption and purpose open for the reader to ponder.

Key Themes
demonic hierarchy destructive mayhem eternal punishment
Literary Context

The book draws on traditional Christian demonology, specifically the seven deadly sins and the concept of the Pit. It is published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform in 2011. The work fits within the modern trend of humorous horror fiction that reimagines classic supernatural tropes for contemporary audiences.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series · Neil Gaiman's American Gods · Shirley Jackson's dark humor · Stephen King's supernatural satire
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2011 📖 150 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781466288348

📝 Description: Brimstone, An Acquired Smell

Wendy Baylis presents a darkly humorous novella centered on Greed, a Level Two demon who takes pleasure in destroying humans. His work is complicated by Principality, his nemesis, who constantly threatens to send him to the Pit to herd lost souls for eternity. This threat hangs over Greed whenever he offers lame excuses for his failures. The narrative shifts when Greed becomes a mentor to Lust, an eager Level Four demon. He finds joy in teaching her how to apply endless destructive mayhem to others. A summons arrives, offering him a choice that could redefine his existence. The story asks if Greed will accept this offer and whether his life will gain new meaning or lose its current joy. Baylis writes with a tone that balances horror with wit, inviting readers to consider the phrase 'the Devil made me do it' in a fresh light. This book suits those who appreciate supernatural fiction mixed with satire. It may not appeal to readers seeking serious theological discourse or traditional gothic terror without irony. The novella structure allows for a focused exploration of demonic hierarchy and workplace dynamics within hell.

💎 Our verdict on Brimstone, An Acquired Smell

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Wendy Baylis crafts a darkly humorous novella that humanizes demons through their bureaucratic struggles. By focusing on Greed’s professional life, the author transforms eternal punishment into a relatable workplace drama filled with lame excuses and difficult superiors. The mentorship dynamic with Lust adds camaraderie to the chaos, balancing horror with wit effectively. This approach makes the supernatural accessible and ironic rather than terrifying. The story explores themes of loyalty and purpose without offering easy answers, leaving readers to ponder redemption. It is best suited for those who appreciate supernatural fiction mixed with satire. The novella structure allows for a focused exploration of demonic dynamics, making it an ideal read for fans of dark comedy who enjoy seeing the Devil’s domain through a lens of mundane absurdity.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy horror blended with sharp wit will find this novella particularly engaging. It offers a fresh perspective on the classic 'Devil made me do it' excuse by grounding supernatural elements in mundane office struggles. Those fascinated by demonic hierarchy and workplace politics will appreciate the humorous take on eternal punishment. The book suits fans of dark comedy who prefer irony over traditional gothic terror. It provides a relatable look at fear, loyalty, and purpose through the lens of bureaucratic absurdity. If you seek serious theological discourse, this may not be your choice, but for those wanting a lighthearted yet eerie exploration of evil's mundane aspects, it delivers a unique and entertaining experience that redefines the genre.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Wendy Baylis crafts a darkly humorous novella that humanizes demons through their bureaucratic struggles. By focusing on Greed’s professional life, the author transforms eternal punishment into a relatable workplace drama filled with lame excuses and difficult superiors. The mentorship dynamic with Lust adds camaraderie to the chaos, balancing horror with wit effectively. This approach makes the supernatural accessible and ironic rather than terrifying. The story explores themes of loyalty and purpose without offering easy answers, leaving readers to ponder redemption. It is best suited for those who appreciate supernatural fiction mixed with satire. The novella structure allows for a focused exploration of demonic dynamics, making it an ideal read for fans of dark comedy who enjoy seeing the Devil’s domain through a lens of mundane absurdity.

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