The Janus Legacy by Lisa von Biela

This is the story of Jeremy. He has inherited his fathers custom organ regeneration and transplant company after he is killed in a tragic air accident. Recently split from his girlfriend and suffering a debilitating and possible fatal disease he has nothing to lose. SomaGene is not all it seems though. Behind the scenes, Jeremy's father has been pushing the boundaries of ethics and creating a much darker project. One that will have lifelong repercussions for Jeremy.

 I was glued to the page from the beginning of this book. I read Lisa's debut novel and this was a fantastic follow up. I am quite a fan of medical thrillers, and I like the idea that sometime in the future, the main focus of SomaGene could become the norm. The story itself started one way and then careened off another way and its conclusion was heart stopping. The pace was relentless and the characters well rounded although one or two of them needed a slap! The ethical questions raised were treated and answered in a sensitive way, and Lisa was brave to confront them. If this is the standard that Lisa is putting out, long may there be more!

Walk in the Park by Jacob Rayne

This is the story of Debbie. She has taken her daughter to the park for an ordinary morning of fun. Unfortunately, it turns out to be anything but after she witnesses a murder. The teenagers she saw committing the atrocity wage a campaign of terror on her and her family, eventually kidnapping her daughter. With the help of her neighbours, can she dig deep and find the reserves she needs to meet their demands and be reunited with her daughter?

This is one of those stories that gives you chills because it COULD happen.  Stories rooted in real life  are always more horrifying I think. Debbies plight moved me, and Frank seemed like such a lovely chap, as he helped her move heaven and earth to get her daughter back. Could I do what she had to? I'm not sure to be honest. The pace belted along and I read the entire novella in about an hour. The twist at the end was totally unexpected and rounded off an already outstanding novella really solidly.

Deadlift by Craig Saunders

This is the story of David Lowe, a weightlifter and giant of a man. He suspects his wife of an affair so he hires a hitman who is an expert in explosives, to blow up the lift that his wife is in with her suspected lover. After the initial explosion he has a change of heart and now he is holding onto the lift by one cable, with a man holding a gun to his head. Add am insane serial killer into the mix and it goes horribly wrong very, very quickly...

This was a most unusual story. On the face of it, it looks like a weightlifting story, but it isn't. It is much more than that, it is a horror story and a love story (sort of!). On the horror side, there were definitely a few gut wrenching moments. The pace belted along, flipping between past and present until it came to it's unexpected ending. The essence of the story was great and the characters were fleshed out. I have read Craig's work before, but this is his debut for DarkFuse. What a debut, is all I can say!

Menace by Gary Fry

This is the story of Jane Marlow, a model. After a short-lived affair with a soap actor she finds herself pregnant. Knowing her commissions will now be limited, Jane takes on all the jobs she can before she begins to show. One such commission is for a book cover for a mysterious unknown author. She sets off for Yorkshire and finds herself in front of a huge and imposing old country house. When she goes inside to get changed for the shoot, she looks outside to see 6 children, all with startling blue eyes. On going back outside they have disappeared. On her return to London, strange things start happening to her, and her ex-lover. In a panic she reaches out to the author of the book. That's when things really start to get strange...

This was a nice easy read with a suitably horrifying ending. The tale built up slowly, and then in the last quarter rocketed to it's horrific ending. The descriptions were vivid, making me feel like I was there in Yorkshire. The characters were solid and I was invested in what happened to them. I read this in one sitting, as I could not put it down. I find myself enjoying Gary's work more and more and I am so glad he has found a home at DarkFuse.

The Reluctant Jesus by Duncan Whitehead

This is the story of Seth Miller.He is happy with his life. He has a good job and is happy leading a carefree lifestyle. All that changes however with a phonecall from his mother inviting him for tea. Everything he knows is ripped asunder when his mother casually informs him he is the new Messiah. When a phone call from God confirms this news, he must eliminate his skepticism and gather a band of disciples in order to perform miracles, and prepare for Armageddon and the fight of his life...

After a bit of a wobbly start where I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this, it turned out to be a laugh a minute comedy fest. The characters were great with some great names alluding to the original Messiah. (Maggie De Lynne and Bill L Z Bubb anyone?) The story romped along and I couldn't put it down. I am really loving this author's work and I hope there is more to follow. 

Broken Sigil by William Meikle

This is the story of Joe Connor. An inspector in Internal Affairs, he not generally liked by his peers. One day he is called to a cop killing - the cop he instantly recognises as his ex-friend and police partner. Now Joe must find out why his ex-partner died and what drew him to the Brownstone where he was found...

This was a great little crime noir story. It was also at its heart a love story and what people will do and how far they will go to hold on to that love. But more than that it was creepy, look over your shoulder at shadows creepy. I was glued to each page and read it in two sittings although it can easily be read in one. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and the characters sang to me. Well done Willie, another goodun!

DarkFuse #1 - DarkFuse Anthology Series

This is an anthology containing six stories. Some are really short, taking ten minutes to read and others take around half an hour. They all have a fairly dark theme running through them.

This is the first anthology to come out of DarkFuse and it doesn't disappoint. Each story is deliciously dark and they are all enjoyable. With anthologies it can be hit or miss as to what you get, but with only six stories there isn't much room to hide. Luckily all of these were of a high standard with two of them standing above the rest. 'Better Heard and Not Seen' and 'Jaws of Life' were my favourites. Both had slight twists in the tale that made for unexpected endings. I recommend this for fans of short stories and anthologies.