Diabolical Plots #116, October 2024

“The Gaunt Strikes Again” by Rich Larson

“Bone Talker, Bone Eater” by D. S. Ravenhurst

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Appropriate to the season, this issue offers two dark tales.

Set in a fantasy world with touches of steampunk, “The Gaunt Strikes Again” by Rich Larson features a cast of characters known only by their titles; the Duke, the Corporal, and so forth. At a party, they receive the news that the Gaunt, an infamous murderer and master of disguise, plans to arrive. The mutual suspicions of the guests lead to an ironic ending.

Despite some gruesome descriptions of previous killings by the Gaunt, this brief tale has its tongue firmly in its cheek, with a conclusion that turns it into a grim joke. The abstract, archetypical characters limit the degree to which one can empathize with them. Thus, the story appeals more to the intellect than the emotions, particularly for readers who appreciate black comedy.

The narrator of “Bone Talker, Bone Eater” by D. S. Ravenhurst hears the voices of the bones of the dead. This makes her an outcast among her fellow villagers, who associate her with a feared being known as the Bone Eater. After her mother dies, the villagers lock her up in the crypt that holds the bones of the deceased, leading to a disturbing encounter and a difficult decision.

In contrast to the previous story, this one is completely serious, with a melancholy mood throughout and strong emotional appeal. The narrator has a choice of fates, but both are horrible. Some readers may find the conclusion predictable as well as overly depressing.

Victoria Silverwolf is currently reading The Coming by Joe Haldeman.