Vicki Hendricks

Florida Gothic Stories Vicki Hendricks

Gothic, in the sense of Southern Gothic, these eleven stories emphasize the "grotesque" and take place in various Florida environments. Some involve crime and violence, most involve sex; and animals are often central to the plot. "Stormy, Mon Amour" is about a woman who has given birth to a mermaid and seeks to reunite with her dolphin lover. "ReBecca" is the story of conjoined twins and their first sexual experience. "Boozanne, Lemme Be," from the viewpoint of a petty thief, focuses on his secret life in a couple's home when they are at work. "Must Bite!" is a grizzly tale of greed, murder, and ape behavior. Eight other stories contain similarly original plots and off-kilter characters. Megan Abbott provides the Introduction and Michael Connelly the Afterword.