A Book by Dan. B. Fierce
For this review I wanted to highlight a talented Kansas City-based horror writer that specializes in short stories named Dan. B. Fierce. I like horror, but largely stay away from it due to tropes that I’m not a fan of (especially in some modern horror films), so it really takes something special and/or different to catch my eye and Roadkill King fit the bill. This short story is Dan’s debut story, and if it’s indicative of other things he has written in compilations and anthologies, I will need to check out more of his work. This is part of a series called Cabin 187, that so far appears to only have this one story, but I will have to keep checking back in from time to time if it’s become a franchise.
“Everyone needs a hobby, but not everyone’s hobby involves blood, entrails, and… roadkill. Tatum Johnson didn’t mean to hit the dog. His ex-girlfriend Jessica can attest to that. But that didn’t stop the hunger. Now, he hunts along the back roads, running down animals for sport. But on a night as pitch black as his soul, fate puts Tatum on a different road where new horrors await. On this night, Justice is served.”
This book tells the story of Tatum Johnson, a man whose life takes a dark and twisted turn after a bad breakup. The trigger for his descent into madness begins when he accidentally hits a Golden Retriever on the way home with his fiancée. His subsequent actions scare his would-be wife, prompting her to leave him. Devastated and enraged, Tatum embarks on a horrifying path that most people would never consider. Tatum’s anger becomes fixated on animals he encounters on the roads, a gruesome activity he refers to as “hunting.”
Initially, he starts by killing small animals like squirrels and cats. However, his psychotic rage quickly escalates. Tatum begins modifying his car to withstand encounters with larger animals, turning it into a deadly weapon. He outfits his rig with night vision goggles, reinforcement cages, armored panels, and disables safety features, all to inflict maximum damage on the creatures he blames for his failed relationship. As his obsession grows, Tatum’s actions become more calculated and methodical, showcasing his complete psychological unraveling. This chilling narrative explores the depths of his madness, revealing the horrifying consequences of a man consumed by vengeance and fury, and eventually his own undoing.
Fierce has conceived of an idea that I can’t say I’ve ever even considered, and it’s interesting to peer into the mind of a man that seems to be unraveling into a murderous rage. One could imagine that if left in this state (which fate thankfully stops, but I’ll leave how up to you readers to read) he would likely have escalated to killing people, potentially even his former fling. The structure and plot of this honestly reminded me a LOT of the sort of nighttime horror anthony TV shows I used to watch as a kid, shows like Friday the 13th: The Series and Tales from the Darkside. This would honestly make for a pretty awesome short film in it’s own right.
If you want a quick little burst of the macabre, perhaps for a short car ride or on vacation, check out Roadkill King. It’s not your typical horror story that you often see getting released nowadays, and I can’t wait to see what the writer has up his sleeve in the future. If you live in or around the Kansas City area, DEFINITELY check Dan B. Fierce out, I am all for supporting local artists and writers, and let’s show him some love here. Stay tuned because I will likely try to review something else in the future!
Dan B. Fierce can be found on his website, which has all the links to his socials and sales pages you need to find. He also tours around the areas writing and horror conventions, so keep an eye out in the future.