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A review by zraitor
Last Case at a Baggage Auction by Eric J. Guignard, Steve Lines
5.0
–>I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.<–
Two men addicted to baggage auctions, yeah I didn't know that was a thing either, come across a suitcase with a gramophone in it that plays strange music...
So right off the bat, I was intrigued by the baggage auction stuff. At the same time, I find it to be so cool and yet so sad. Hoping to find something valuable in these cases people bid on them only to usually find worthless junk. Although in the case of this story we find a cursed music player. Gambling, man.
What comes about from this seems to be a much darker version of the author's other work, Doorways to the Deadeye. The idea that people linger on after death but of course here it is not through memories but black magic and evil. That was quite a moment when that certain someone just pops up randomly and is revealed.
Now, this could all be cartoonish and silly but thanks to the strong characterizations and writing the story pulls through it all and is very enjoyable. Charlie Stewart is a great main character and through him the story is grounded with his thoughts on a wasted gambler's life, wanting better with his girlfriend, etc. He may not be the most likable to some but his inner struggle makes him seem to be a real person and very relatable.
For the rest, we have the great setting brought to life, the creepiness of the music turning people into slaves, and the wonderful drawings found in the book which is always one of those little touches I appreciate.
Two men addicted to baggage auctions, yeah I didn't know that was a thing either, come across a suitcase with a gramophone in it that plays strange music...
So right off the bat, I was intrigued by the baggage auction stuff. At the same time, I find it to be so cool and yet so sad. Hoping to find something valuable in these cases people bid on them only to usually find worthless junk. Although in the case of this story we find a cursed music player. Gambling, man.
What comes about from this seems to be a much darker version of the author's other work, Doorways to the Deadeye. The idea that people linger on after death but of course here it is not through memories but black magic and evil. That was quite a moment when that certain someone just pops up randomly and is revealed.
Now, this could all be cartoonish and silly but thanks to the strong characterizations and writing the story pulls through it all and is very enjoyable. Charlie Stewart is a great main character and through him the story is grounded with his thoughts on a wasted gambler's life, wanting better with his girlfriend, etc. He may not be the most likable to some but his inner struggle makes him seem to be a real person and very relatable.
For the rest, we have the great setting brought to life, the creepiness of the music turning people into slaves, and the wonderful drawings found in the book which is always one of those little touches I appreciate.