The Good Husband: A Chilling Halloween Excerpt
Brothers Week at June Lake. Self-Published Science Fiction Contest 4. A terrifying excerpt from Angels in the Mist. Graveside Press launches. Thunderhead. Gideon audiobooks.
Last week marked our second annual Brothers Week™️ at my middle brother's house in June Lake. We closed out the local beer festival, hiked in Yosemite, celebrated my birthday with an amazing meal at the Mono Inn, and finished it off with a day of kayaking around Convict Lake. The weather couldn't have been more perfect—rain included.
Of course, while I was away we received an offer on our house, so I was also madly signing every escrow contract that flooded my inbox during the sometimes brief periods when my phone had a data signal. It's a VA loan which, from what I hear, means they're incredibly picky. Fingers crossed we make it across the finish line. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but it's hard. 🤞
On the book side, I submitted Enigma to the Self-Published Science Fiction Contest (SPSFC) 4 a few months ago. After not hearing a peep from them last year about Holtondome, I went in with zero expectations and promptly forgot about it. Then, the day after my birthday, I found a surprise: One of the judges had read not only the first chapter for the scouting phase of the competition, but the entire book, and had left a full review on Goodreads! He seemed to like it:
5/5: Enigma by Ryan Southwick kept me riveted from start to finish. He has penned over five hundred pages of great characters, plot twists, villains, heroes, antiheroes, some romance, some sex, and lots of suspense.
Wow! Needless to say I've been tippy-toeing on Cloud Nine since then. I have no illusions of winning, since there are many talented authors out there, but it's always nice to see that someone else enjoys my writing. 😁 Thanks, Richard, you made my week!
As a pet project, I'm working on integrating direct ebook sales to my website. The process involves a lot of backend API (Application Programming Interface) calls, but the result should be a smooth checkout and near-instantaneous book delivery, complete with email receipts. It's been fun. I should have it ready by the next newsletter.
And, finally... Halloween is almost here! To celebrate Spooky Month, I've included an excerpt from Angels in the Mist that gives me goosebumps every time I read it—and I've read it a lot. Hope you enjoy.
It would also be irresponsible of me not to remind you that the creepy-yet-heartening novelette Once Upon a Nightwalker is available as a free download from BookFunnel, or for a very small fee from your favorite retailer.
In this newsletter
- The Good Husband – A chilling excerpt from Angels in the Mist
- Book Sales and Events
- Currently Reading
The Good Husband
A chilling excerpt from Angels in the Mist
This is the second scene of a much longer chapter in Angels in the Mist, which takes place just after our protagonist, Anne, and Zima have left Madeline's residence.
"The Good Husband" wasn't even in the first edition, but while re-editing the book for Water Dragon Publishing, I felt the antagonist, William, had been absent for too long during Anne's refuge with Z‑Tech. Betas who had also read the initial version agreed it was a needed addition that reinforced their hatred of William.
Just because we're nearing Halloween doesn't mean this excerpt is for everyone. Here are the content warnings in case you'd like to skip it over. (It isn't graphic or violent, just tense.)
CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild profanity, life-threatening situation, alcohol use
The Good Husband
Madeline Perelli slumped against the front door and sipped her drink, barely tasting the expensive liquor that normally delighted her palate.
So he’s still in town.
Neither that, nor the news that William had finally killed someone, came as a surprise. Every day since discovering his dark secret, Madeline had expected the homicide detectives to come knocking, but she hadn’t expected one of his victims. The experience had left her more concerned for her own safety than ever.
She flipped open the house alarm panel to re-arm it and swore. All the lights were green except for one, indicating she had left the bedroom window open yet again. Madeline smacked the plastic cover shut and marched upstairs. Faded outlines of missing picture frames dotted the wall. She averted her eyes and hurried past, resolving for the hundredth time this week to fill the spaces where her husband’s face had hung for almost a decade.
Ex-husband, she reminded herself.
A cool breeze billowed the bedroom curtains. Madeline stood by the window for several minutes, relishing the crisp air, and the goosebumps it brought, before sliding it closed and hooking the latch.
A familiar scent made her stiffen.
William.
She’d heard no footsteps, nor his breathing, but knew without a doubt that he was in the room.
“This is a violation of the restraining order,” Madeline said to the window, not daring to turn around. “But I guess that doesn’t mean much to you now.”
“Not really.”
His soft, dispassionate words stabbed fear through her heart. To anyone else, he might have sounded relaxed, but Madeline knew better.
William was furious.
“So what do you want?” She kept her voice neutral. Her usual, belligerent tone would only anger him further; showing her fear would evoke something worse.
Soft footsteps padded closer, raising her fear to new heights. Whether he was armed made little difference. William was twice her size and could just as easily strangle her with his bare hands as shoot her.
“It seems like you’ve made some new friends,” he said.
“Friends of yours, you mean. They were looking for you.”
“I’m sure. What did you tell them?”
“Nothing.”
“Smart girl.”
She drained the last of her scotch and held the glass tight to still her trembling hands.
Silence stretched, building her anxiety with every beat of her pounding heart until she was sure the glass would shatter in her grasp. “You tripped the alarm, you know, so if you want to escape before the police arrive, now is a good time.”
“We both know it won’t arm unless all the exits are sealed. You can arm it now, though, if it’ll make you feel better. Or would you rather try for the panic button?”
Madeline glanced at her bedside table across the room, where the panic button was mounted. It might as well have been a mile away.
“I’ll pass.” She took a shuddering breath, eyes fixed on a spot across the street, where she desperately wished she were. “If you’re here to lord over me, fine, consider me intimidated. Otherwise I suggest you spit out the reason you came so we can get on with our evenings.”
“Patience, Maddie. I’d hate to rush when we have so much to catch up on.” Footsteps behind her came closer until he was inches from her ear. “I’m here for you.”
“Well, then, let me make it worth your while.” Though it sickened her, Madeline undid the buttons of her silk pajamas and let her top fall to the floor, exposing herself to anyone who might look up from the street. “Shall we go to the bed, or do you want to take me right here?”
“Like I’d dirty myself with your lawyer’s fucking leftovers. That’s who you left me for, isn’t it?”
“Phillip filled a need you hadn’t in years,” Madeline said in a trembling voice. “So no, he wasn’t the reason I left. You were!”
A frigid touch on her bare back made her gasp. His hand was like ice; his breath winter on her cheek.
“Careful, Madeline. That sharp tongue of yours could make me forget the only two reasons you’re still alive.” An icy finger ran down her neck. She stifled a cry. “Your blood, and your screams.”
“The neighbors will hear,” Madeline said, choking on the words.
She searched the sidewalk, hoping to find someone she might flag for help, but it was empty. Tears dappled her heaving chest.
No one would save her.
Madeline was alone with a murderer.
Book Sales and Events
- Now — Download Once Upon a Nightwalker free. Celebrate Halloween with this creepy, yet uplifting, urban fantasy tale about a reluctant vampire trying to pick up her unlife from where it died five years ago by resuming her old job as a Marketing Director.
- Now – Aug 25, 2025 — Self-Published Science Fiction Contest (SPSFC) 4. "…a contest to pick a winner from hundreds of novels submitted by self-published authors. Founded by the author Hugh Howey in 2021, the SPSFC is an all-volunteer effort." Enigma is assigned to Team 3: Ground Control to Major Tom. Check out their first review (proud author moment 😊). Also, the complete list of submitted books.
- Now — Graveside Press launches and call for submissions. Get your spook on with a variety of tales from Paper Angel Press' new horror imprint. Got a nail-biting story of your own that you've been dying to publish? They're open for submissions.
- October — Haunted Rail Tour. "Step Into the Shadows of Humboldt [County]'s Haunted History this Halloween. The old Samoa rail yard has secrets – dark, spine-tingling secrets that only come alive under the glow of October's harvest moon. This Halloween, dare to uncover the ghosts and ghouls that lurk in the shadows of Humboldt's past as you experience the Haunted Rail Tour." I'm going to try to talk my daughter into going. Wish me luck.
Currently Reading
Thunderhead
I'm halfway through the second book of this trilogy and enjoying it. Shusterman takes Citra and Rowan's opposite paths to the next level, interweaving new characters and plots that keep the pages turning. The anti-hero theme is almost overwhelming, but not unexpected given the end of the last book. Will definitely finish.
Gideon the Ninth (Audiobook)
Having read the book twice already, I couldn't resist getting the audiobook, and I wasn't disappointed. Moira's performance was exceptional. She breathed life into even the growliest characters, of which there were many. Unsurprisingly, her Gideon and Harrow voices were the best, and will forever be how I hear the characters in my head. I will be listening to it again. 5/5 stars.
Harrow the Ninth (Audiobook)
Yep, I bought the second book on audio as well. Despite my dislike for the first reading, a friend warned that the second reading is much more entertaining, so I decided to take a chance. Happy to say that, so far, she's right. Moira's performance continues to delight. Most importantly, though, the disjointed parts don't feel nearly as disjointed since I already know the whole story. I'll definitely finish this, and am already looking forward to listening to Nona.
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