Portero, Texas. A fine community filled with all sorts of upstanding citizens. Take Melissa, for example. She’s pregnant, full bellied and wanting to feed her unborn child. Unfortunately, she’s also dead. And possessing local townsfolk. And, Melissa is a serial killer. Because she has to feed the baby. Neighbors: they’re what’s for dinner!

In BLEEDING VIOLET, Dia Reeves (pictured) concocts a healthy dose of insanity in her debut novel. Portero is a city full of portals to beastly dimensions. And, the beasts like to come to town to visit and enjoy the fine cuisine. How about an impregnated teen (very much alive) with some hungry little nasties growing inside her? Mom: she’s what’s for dinner!

Our heroine is Hanna, a schizophrenic, manic-depressive type who occasionally doesn’t take her medicine. (Did I say occasionally? Maybe a bit more than that.) She reminded me of Lisbeth in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, except Hanna is not a tomboy, but sort of the opposite—a girly girl who won’t be stopped. Hell, she’ll even take on monsters in her homemade dress and heels.

Hanna has been in and out of the loony bin since the passing of her father. Of course, his death doesn’t stop her from talking with him. Poppa is there for her, even from beyond the grave. Living with her aunt, the final straw is a $5,000 credit card bill for purple (I didn’t realize how many types of purple there are, but Hanna wears all of them!) material. Aunt Ulla tries to get her committed permanently, so Hanna cracks open Ulla’s skull and is off to find her mystery mom who lives in Portero.

One might surmise that Reeves has experience with matters of insanity. Hanna’s descriptions of meds, doctors, diagnoses and the nut house are dead on accurate. But reading her bio, I see that the author is a suburban dwelling librarian. Oh well, so much for my fantasy date…

I like babies. Another Portero resident is a fellow with a need for bones. Not just any bones, but those relating to a special family. Hell, let’s rape one of the girls and get her pregnant so there’s a baby with some extra bones as backup! Baby bones: they’re what’s for dinner! Well, actually not; they are for carving. Damn, wanted one more dinner jab.

Beyond being a lady after my own heart (literally!), Reeves has crafted an exceptional tale. If you are looking for some cool insanity, grab this book. It was thoroughly kick ass! SLICE OF CHERRY, Reeves’ next novel that’s also set in Portero, stars two wonderful sisters. Daughters of the Bonesaw Serial Killer, they definitely take after their old man. Sign me up!

 

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