Diabolical Plots #25, March 2017

“Bloody Therapy” by Suzan Palumbo

Reviewed by Chuck Rothman

Diabolical Plots’ work of fiction for this month is Suzan Palumbo‘s “Bloody Therapy,” which starts when Ashley returns home crying, scared by her classmates with the story of Bloody Mary, who will appear in a mirror and take her soul. Her mother, who seems to be some sort of therapist, decides to fix matters, so she conjures up Bloody Mary and begins to critique and counsel her. The concept starts out amusingly, but it slowly reveals more, and talking out Mary’s origins gives her insight into her own issues. Quite an impressive story overall.

Chuck Rothman is the author of Staroamer’s Fate and Syron’s Fate and over 50 short stories.