What do you think?
Rate this book
Just so You Know I'm not Dead
JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD contains three previously published shorts: "Triangulation" about an unusual love triangle gone very wrong, "2,984,000 Pounds of Pressure" about the best or worst day in the life of a gas company employee (you be the judge) who discovers a missing child, and "Dreaming Deep," a tribute to horror master H. P. Lovecraft set on a tugboat in Long Beach, California and featuring a sidetrip to Atascadero, the real-life penal asylum for the criminally insane.
TRIANGULATION
was chosen by editor Nick Mamatas to launch THE BIG CLICK magazine in March 2012 alongside crime-fiction greats Ken Bruen and Tom Piccirilli. Design by Jeremy Tolbert.
2,984,000 POUNDS OF PRESSURE
appeared in Crime Factory's first anthology THE FIRST SHIFT published by New Pulp Press; Keith Rawson, Cameron Ashley and Jimmy Callaway, editors. Duane Swierczynski, the author of FUN AND GAMES called the book, "audacious, innovative and downright twisted..."
DREAMING DEEP
belongs to the "weird fiction" and "cosmic horror" subgenres pioneered by H.P. Lovecraft who is highly regarded among the most influential horror writers of the 20th century. He died in poverty. This story is a tribute to Mr. Lovecraft and his Cthulhu mythos. Dreaming Deep was first published in HORROR FACTORY, A Crime factory Special Edition; Liam José, Jimmy Callaway and Cameron Ashley, editors; Nathanael Scott, illustrations; Matthew C. Funk is credited as "Helpful Spirit."
TRIANGULATION
was chosen by editor Nick Mamatas to launch THE BIG CLICK magazine in March 2012 alongside crime-fiction greats Ken Bruen and Tom Piccirilli. Design by Jeremy Tolbert.
2,984,000 POUNDS OF PRESSURE
appeared in Crime Factory's first anthology THE FIRST SHIFT published by New Pulp Press; Keith Rawson, Cameron Ashley and Jimmy Callaway, editors. Duane Swierczynski, the author of FUN AND GAMES called the book, "audacious, innovative and downright twisted..."
DREAMING DEEP
belongs to the "weird fiction" and "cosmic horror" subgenres pioneered by H.P. Lovecraft who is highly regarded among the most influential horror writers of the 20th century. He died in poverty. This story is a tribute to Mr. Lovecraft and his Cthulhu mythos. Dreaming Deep was first published in HORROR FACTORY, A Crime factory Special Edition; Liam José, Jimmy Callaway and Cameron Ashley, editors; Nathanael Scott, illustrations; Matthew C. Funk is credited as "Helpful Spirit."
- GenresHorror
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2014
5 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Anonymous-9
11 books65 followersHARD BITE and BITE HARDER are coming home. For years now, the e-books and the paperbacks have been split between publishers in UK and the US. Now, I'm proud that the whole family will be with Down & Out Books, helmed by Eric Campbell.
The name "Anonymous-9" came about because I wasn't sure if my experimental stories would be accepted. But they were. Tragic, comic and hardboiled are words that apply to my work. Uncanny Books released my Lovecraftian tribute of action, adventure and horror called DREAMING DEEP. In 2014 I self-published CRASHING THROUGH MIRRORS, a hardboiled novelette set in the music biz of Los Angeles. It was named a Top Crime Read of 2014 alongside Joe Lansdale, Karin Slaughter and Matthew McBride by Just a Guy Who likes to Read book review blog.
HARD BITEl features a paraplegic serial killer who targets hit and run drivers in Los Angeles with the aid of a helper monkey named Sid. It was named one of the Top 5 Debut Novels of 2013 by MYSTERY PEOPLE. The follow-up was BITE HARDER which won a 2014 Readers' Choice Award for Best Indie Novel (Down & Out Books) from The House of Crime and Mystery, Canada.
I live in Los Angeles, party in Texas and love to hear from Goodreads people who like the same books I do.
The name "Anonymous-9" came about because I wasn't sure if my experimental stories would be accepted. But they were. Tragic, comic and hardboiled are words that apply to my work. Uncanny Books released my Lovecraftian tribute of action, adventure and horror called DREAMING DEEP. In 2014 I self-published CRASHING THROUGH MIRRORS, a hardboiled novelette set in the music biz of Los Angeles. It was named a Top Crime Read of 2014 alongside Joe Lansdale, Karin Slaughter and Matthew McBride by Just a Guy Who likes to Read book review blog.
HARD BITEl features a paraplegic serial killer who targets hit and run drivers in Los Angeles with the aid of a helper monkey named Sid. It was named one of the Top 5 Debut Novels of 2013 by MYSTERY PEOPLE. The follow-up was BITE HARDER which won a 2014 Readers' Choice Award for Best Indie Novel (Down & Out Books) from The House of Crime and Mystery, Canada.
I live in Los Angeles, party in Texas and love to hear from Goodreads people who like the same books I do.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 17, 2016
Anonymous-9 is a catchy pen name. The "n's" give it a groove. The author claims to use a pen name in case her writing is unsuccessful. I don't think she has anything to worry about. This book of short stories is like a teaser, inspiring this reader to search out more of A-9's addictive fiction. These three stories grabbed my attention immediately. The characters have secrets to tell, and the narration flows believably. The first two stories take noir twists, while the third is inspired by "a kook named Lovecraft, some guy who wrote about monsters dreaming under the earth." Whether you are a fan of noir, horror, or edgy fiction, Anonymous-9 deserves your attention.
June 24, 2014
Recommended to fans of edge-of-your seat suspense tales.
Short and shocking.
Any of these stories could have been published in one of those old 1960s Alfred Hitchock Presents... paperback anthologies.
Impossible to overpraise this.
Anonymous-9's writing is outstanding.
Gets in, gets out, and leaves the reader breathless.
February 25, 2014
3 Fantastic stories from one of my favorite writers! 3 Completely unrelated gems that need to be read by all. If you have read any of her short fiction in the past, you are going to love these beauties. I can't get enough of her stuff. Highly recommended.
June 29, 2014
My introduction to stories by Anonymous-9. Short, fast and sharp. I'll be adding her to my list of writers to follow.
March 2, 2014
i don't usually read too many short story collections, but Anonymous-9 is an author to watch. these 3 stories were very short, but very very good. i want to know about what happens to these characters next! the first 2 stories and characters have great potential for full length stories. and the last one is a great homage to the types of stories that Lovecraft would pen. write faster! :)
June 19, 2014
Not read any of Anonymous-9's short fiction before, only her novel HARD BITE, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Three stories in this brief package, two crime stories and a bit of horror reminiscent of H. P. Lovecraft(he's even mentioned in the tale).
Liked them a lot.
Three stories in this brief package, two crime stories and a bit of horror reminiscent of H. P. Lovecraft(he's even mentioned in the tale).
Liked them a lot.
October 15, 2015
This short collection of stories combines noir and horror Each tale has a kicker at the end. I particularly enjoyed "Dreaming Deep." I've read a long story from the author that covers most of these elements and more, but even so this one struck a nerve. It's a well crafted Lovecraftian tale.
March 20, 2014
JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is a short collection of three stories that is highly entertaining and also serves as a great introduction to Anonymous-9's writing. Incredibly, this is the first time I've had the pleasure of reading this author's work but I can tell you now, very soon I shall be placing her other works near the top of the Reading List.
I came across this collection while searching for "weird" fiction to read for my "Year In Weird" feature. I knew Anonymous-9 as an acclaimed writer of mystery and noir fiction but the closing story here, "Dreaming Deep", is an homage to the old master himself, H.P. Lovecraft.
"Dreaming Deep" is a moody story that I feel nicely captures the atmosphere Lovecraftian fiction ought to have; a story where something dark and incomprehensible is happening off stage, yet still manages to permeate the action going on right before our eyes. What really happened to the young boy lost at sea? The local folk believe it to be the work of a serial killer but the boy's father knows the truth...and he is locked away in an asylum. It would be awesome if 9 decided to continue this story elsewhere, or at least write more in this genre; she is as adept here as she is in her noir fiction.
And speaking of which, let's talk about "Triangulation". I did predict the outcome of the story but still had a blast getting there. For being such a short piece, 9 still manages to build tension as she goes, and before you know it, sadly for we the readers, the story is over. I felt the way 9 has written here very cinematic and I could easily see this piece at home in a Tarantino movie.
"2,984,000 Pounds of Pressure" is the middle story in the collection and again, the suspense ratchets tighter and tighter as someone from the protagonist's past stumbles back into his life and he realizes whichever decision he is about to make will change his life forever. To say more would spoil the story but I have to say, I loved the final choice that the character makes.
JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is a wonderful little gift that Anonymous-9 has given to us; as a thank you, as an introduction, as a reminder that she is someone to watch out for. Preferably over your shoulder, of course.
Happy reading!
I came across this collection while searching for "weird" fiction to read for my "Year In Weird" feature. I knew Anonymous-9 as an acclaimed writer of mystery and noir fiction but the closing story here, "Dreaming Deep", is an homage to the old master himself, H.P. Lovecraft.
"Dreaming Deep" is a moody story that I feel nicely captures the atmosphere Lovecraftian fiction ought to have; a story where something dark and incomprehensible is happening off stage, yet still manages to permeate the action going on right before our eyes. What really happened to the young boy lost at sea? The local folk believe it to be the work of a serial killer but the boy's father knows the truth...and he is locked away in an asylum. It would be awesome if 9 decided to continue this story elsewhere, or at least write more in this genre; she is as adept here as she is in her noir fiction.
And speaking of which, let's talk about "Triangulation". I did predict the outcome of the story but still had a blast getting there. For being such a short piece, 9 still manages to build tension as she goes, and before you know it, sadly for we the readers, the story is over. I felt the way 9 has written here very cinematic and I could easily see this piece at home in a Tarantino movie.
"2,984,000 Pounds of Pressure" is the middle story in the collection and again, the suspense ratchets tighter and tighter as someone from the protagonist's past stumbles back into his life and he realizes whichever decision he is about to make will change his life forever. To say more would spoil the story but I have to say, I loved the final choice that the character makes.
JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is a wonderful little gift that Anonymous-9 has given to us; as a thank you, as an introduction, as a reminder that she is someone to watch out for. Preferably over your shoulder, of course.
Happy reading!
March 7, 2014
I know Anonymous-9 from HARD BITE, her thoroughly compelling revenge novel about a killer paraplegic and his murderous monkey, but I had never read any of her short stories. JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is my introduction to Anonymous' shorts and wow, what an introduction!
The first two stories are gloriously, perfectly noir and are almost as short as they are powerful. I think 9 was showing off a little bit here, telling two stories that were so blazingly fast, yet hammer-to-the-forehead impactful.
The third is her love song to Lovecraft and manages to be creepy and evocative, a departure from the classic noir of the first two but in no way inferior.
I am kicking myself for not seeking our 9's short fiction before, but I am glad to have (finally) been introduced.
Recommended!
The first two stories are gloriously, perfectly noir and are almost as short as they are powerful. I think 9 was showing off a little bit here, telling two stories that were so blazingly fast, yet hammer-to-the-forehead impactful.
The third is her love song to Lovecraft and manages to be creepy and evocative, a departure from the classic noir of the first two but in no way inferior.
I am kicking myself for not seeking our 9's short fiction before, but I am glad to have (finally) been introduced.
Recommended!
February 26, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed these 3 little gems. I don't know what it is about Anonymous-9's writing that just clicks with me.
Each story sucks you in immediately and in a just a few paragraphs the events unfold from start to satisfying finish.
A homely best friend, a gas company man, a boat crew - these disparate characters are realistically described by the author in such a way as to make you believe there must be some underlying germ of truth to their stories. I wonder how these ideas came about?
Once again a very creative mind is on display, proving "Hard Bite" was no fluke.
This collection compares favorably with Michael Connelly's "Mulholland Dive".
Each story sucks you in immediately and in a just a few paragraphs the events unfold from start to satisfying finish.
A homely best friend, a gas company man, a boat crew - these disparate characters are realistically described by the author in such a way as to make you believe there must be some underlying germ of truth to their stories. I wonder how these ideas came about?
Once again a very creative mind is on display, proving "Hard Bite" was no fluke.
This collection compares favorably with Michael Connelly's "Mulholland Dive".
August 4, 2016
You'll find three well-crafted short stories here, and since I'm a sucker for monster tales, the last one was my favorite. If you're looking for a change of pace in between two other longer works, this will do very nicely.
March 5, 2014
She sure isn't dead; far, far from it. Anonymous-9 continues to be at the top of her and everyone else's game. My full review is on Lurid-lit.com.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews