Anomaly Flats by Clayton Smith

[froodle]

Somewhere just off the interstate, in the heart of the American Midwest, there’s a quaint, quirky town where the stars in the sky circle a hypnotic void….where magnetic fields play havoc with time and perception…where metallic rain and plasma rivers and tentacles in the plumbing are simply part of the unsettling charm. Mallory Jenkins is about to experience the unique properties of this place for herself – she’ll have no choice, considering the collapsed bridge that rerouted her urgent and mysterious trip to Saskatchewan, forcing her straight into the heart of town, where her Impala has an inexplicable breakdown. She intends to stay overnight - just until the auto repair shop can make the fix in the morning and send her on her way. But Mallory will soon encounter Dr. Lewis Burnish, a scientist who’s studied the town for a dozen years and knows more about its strangeness than even the locals do. And when she accidentally-on-purpose creates his evil clone, she’ll set off a series of events that could unleash the ultimate evil upon the town and wreak havoc on the world at large.

Life in a small town is like that sometimes.

Welcome to Anomaly Flats. Have some waffles, meet the folks, and enjoy the scenery…and if you happen to be in Walmart, whatever you do, don’t go down aisle 8.

Don’t EVER go down aisle 8.

As a fan of Mr. Smith's previous works, Apocalypticon and Mabel Gray, I couldn't wait to tuck into this book. The twitter feed, videos, posters and other fun bits of media had me chomping at the bit, so last night when I heard that it had finally been released, I promptly downloaded the book to my wife's kindle.

I am not disappointed.

Anomaly Flats is equal parts Twilight Zone, Night Vale and Eerie Indiana, which makes for an incredibly fun ride. Sometimes scary, sometimes hilarious, always entertaining, the people, places and events kept me awake well past my bedtime without me even realizing it.
The language is descriptive without slowing things down, clever without trying so hard that it takes away from the story...
Mr. Smith, this is your best work yet. Congratulations. Everyone else...what are you waiting for?! Download it now and let it's tentacles crawl into your brain...er.. worm it's way into your heart. I think that's how you people say it these days. Don't just take my word for it (or do)...go read the Amazon preview and see if you aren't hooked (tentacled?).

And remember, if someone gives you chalk and asks you to draw a chalk circle for protection...just humor them.

Comments

[deifire]

Me: Well, this certainly looks relevant to my interests!

Amazon: You purchased this item on August 23, 2016.

Me: Huh. Well, thanks past!Me from almost a year ago.

[froodle]

Do you remember what it was like? I mean I just bought it so I guess I'll find out, I'm just interested

[deifire]

Nope, I think it was one of those things that I bought in ebook form, forgot about, and never read.

I do have some travel coming up, so that may be a good time to fix this.

[froodle]

Mike has bagsied the tv tonight for the Skyrim remaster so i think it just got bumped up my list!

[deifire]

Looking back, it appears it was a Kindle freebie and yeah, I have a really bad problem with downloading the ones I think look interesting and then forgetting what they're about and why I wanted to read them

[froodle]

I saw that it was free on Kindle Unlimited - i always think about getting that but if feel compelled to read stuff I wouldn't normally to get my monies worth and that seems counter intuitive

[froodle]

Reading it now:

“It’s the corn,” he explained, patting her hand. “It…has an effect on people. That’s why no one eats it. That’s why it’s left on the stalk to rot. You can’t listen to the corn, it does bad things to you. Do you understand? Don’t ever listen to the corn, Mallory. And don’t ever, ever eat it.”

Definitely relevant to our interests...

[deifire]

*bumping to the top of my "to read" pile*

[froodle]

But Lewis’ soup spell had been broken. He staggered backward into the side aisle, holding his hands up as if in protection against the Walmart employee. “I’m not here for this!” he cried, working to convince himself as much as he wanted to convince her. “You’d like to get me off track, wouldn’t you? You’d like me to lose myself down your plaintive aisles, with your Lionel Richie music and your bright lights and your well-stacked soups! You’d love me to grocery shop instead of saving the town! Stop weaving your magic on me, Walmart!” he shrieked, turning and jogging down the aisle, spear and pistol still in hand. “Stop weaving your horrible black magic!”