Bloody Walls, A Horrific Dollhouse & A Book Review

Welly, well, well fellow ghouls, it’s been a rather long week of final edits, conversions and postings, writing blurbs and requesting reviews for my new book, Bloody Walls – A Collection from a Fractured Mind, a collection of prior published pieces with two unpublished pieces tossed in. It is also the only place to get the complete Interview with a Monster series (Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, Phantom, Witch), a series of interviews treating each as actual living people.

There are eleven tales total, a how to for the zombie intent on having a family picnic, two in depth essays surrounding the reasoning for the wooden stake and silver bullet, a piece discussing the true origins of a few beloved Disney characters and more than a few holiday tales that are certain to scar.

Overall, at 236 pages and less than a buck, it’s a bargain that will have you cringing and chuckling, maybe at the same time. So far, two reviewers have committed (more on that later), and am hoping and suspecting more will follow. Thick skin, don’t fail me now!

And, besides updating the Thomas Scopel website, I’m once again knee deep in this Staying Scared blog. However, prior, flying by the seat of my pants, this blog often flew off on tangents, lacked focus, format and consistency, and that’s about to change. Yes, veins are being slashed wide open to refine the Staying Scared blog and although not yet fully fleshed out (ideas are welcome), graves are being dug and the cemetery is slowly taking shape.



The Staying Scared Blog has been recognized  and is now listed as one of the Top 100 Horror Blogs & Websites for Horror Fans by Feedspot.

The Horror Dollhouse Begins…

For some time now, and probably for some time to come, I have been constructing a dollhouse, but this is not the pristine and pure type…no no no, this is a demented, fully electrical dollhouse having specific rooms. Although I’m not telling all just yet, I will mention that the kitchen will make Hannibal proud and the bathroom will compare to SAW.

And so, with this project needing a home, Staying Scared is going to have a dedicated section with each posting. I have hundreds of pictures taken along the way and will explain and discuss various techniques and designs. But, instead of jumping in mid-build, I’m going to start at the very beginning, discuss along the way. Sure, the beginning won’t be all that scary, but it is a necessary evil in order to get to the gruesome aspects. Stay tuned my creeps, the tools are about to turn red.

Bentley Little is a writer the Stephen King say’s scares him, yet many, at least the ones I’ve spoken with, are surprisingly unfamiliar with his works. He has an uncanny knack of taking something perfectly normal and twisting it into something frightening. Below is my review of The Store, a tale that will immediately have you drawing comparisons to a specific big-box retailer.

The Store by Bentley Little

Off the beaten path, Juniper, Arizona, a quaint and quiet, close knit town has numerous mom and pop stores. Although most needs are met, not everything is available and, on occasion, shopping excursions to distant metropolises are essential.

Built on what was once the most scenic location in town, bland and windowless, The Store, due to its ability to offer nearly everything including jobs, is welcomed by most everyone, except Bill Davis, who views the venture as a despicable invasion.

On an evening jogging excursion past The Store, Bill peers in through the glass double door entrance and spies the almost robot-like evening stockers busy going about with the chore. However, these workers, with their black robes and pale white faces are anything but normal. Convinced of wickedness and to no avail, he addresses the city council, who, on every front, side with The Store.

At his rebuke, his two teenaged daughters obtain jobs at The Store anyway and before long, his eldest has deeply fallen under the influence of Mr. Lamb, The Store’s sadistic manager.

Unable to compete, the smaller shops begin closing as The Store indigenously streamlines products and offers buyouts to those remaining. Those who oppose mysteriously disappear and before long, The Store is the only merchant in town.

However, The Store has no intentions of stopping there and soon begins to employ the public servants, the city workers and the council too. At wits end, Bill takes drastic measures and embarks on a letter writing campaign aimed at the chain’s owner Newman King.

When King personally invites Bill to corporate headquarters, all expenses paid, Bill, intent on change, accepts. However, Bill is in for a demented and horrifying surprise. For The Store’s influence is strong; change is in order; and The Store is seeking a new manager.

The mail just ran and I'm suddenly booked for the rest of the day.

And so fellow fiends, lurk & creep & always remember fear is a good thing.

Stay Scared,

Thomas aka Wee Willie Wicked