The Bookkeeper

The Bookkeeper presents a gripping trilogy of short stories, each emerging from the shadows to serve as a stark warning for the intrepid reader.

In ‘The Exchange,’ we delve into the life of a hitman longing to leave his lethal career behind. Yet, as he teeters on the brink of retirement, his path crosses with an aspiring investigative journalist—a young college student who inadvertently entangles him back into the perilous world he seeks to escape.

‘Tserof’ unfolds the eerie tale of a brother and sister embarking on what should have been a typical camping trip with their parents. However, their weekend getaway takes a sinister turn, as the familiar turns frighteningly strange and increasingly creepy.

Concluding the collection is ‘Thanksgiving,’ a story that takes a futuristic twist on one of the world’s most traditional holidays. This 21st-century science fiction narrative offers a unique reinterpretation that’s sure to captivate.

Manifesting Memories

What does a memory look like? Often it will appear personal and sacred because we have created it ourselves with every sensual focus we brought to our experience. Then, we sprinkle our thoughts and perspectives on it. A memory will reconnect us to the past for a  reimagining, a review, and a reframing. It will end up looking very much like who we are.

I hope the stories on these pages will entice you to return home to your own memories. Will you be stirred by how your memories have shaped you? Do they help reveal to you how unique you are? How have you chosen to be in life because of your memories? Reflecting on our memories may reveal how we truly belong to ourselves and to one another.

Enjoy the journey,

 Darlene

Building 8

In the heart of a dystopian metropolis, Building 8 stands as a silent witness to the lives and struggles of its inhabitants. Anthony C. Mazzella’s gripping narrative plunges readers into a world where reality bends and the ordinary collides with the surreal. As the central business district is besieged by chaotic flying machines and destruction reigns, the top floor of Building 8 remains a curious sanctuary of calm. Within its walls, two men go about their business, seemingly oblivious to the mayhem below, embodying the eerie contrast between normalcy and chaos that defines the story.

Mazzella’s vivid imagination and keen insights into human nature drive this thought-provoking tale, weaving together elements of science fiction and psychological thriller. As the characters navigate a landscape of fear, uncertainty, and hidden truths, Building 8 challenges readers to question their perceptions of reality and the thin veneer that separates order from disorder. This novel is a powerful exploration of resilience, human connection, and the mysterious forces that shape our lives, making it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and those who enjoy a deep dive into the complexities of the human psyche.