runner

On first reading this appears to be no more than a story about a 10 year old boy Josh and the cuddly teddy bear "Edgar" that his stepfather Michael presents him with. However do not be mislead this is an extremely clever story about violence within a domestic setting, control, and the victimization of one very small and frightened little boy.

Josh finds the companionship of the "the bear" unsettling and feels evil whenever he is in its presence and so with his good friend Sean he sets about to destroy "The Bear Who Wouldn't Leave" I particularly enjoyed the interplay and dialogue between Josh and his good friend Sean two young friends out on an adventure to destroy the big bad wolf (or in this case bear!) Sean has a great and comical language for most situations...."Your stepfather is one scary-a** monkey-weasel"....."Holy monkey a** co*k knocker!"

The author expertly compares and shows the innocence of the boys and the evil prevalent in both the bear Edgar and stepfather Michael. Josh loved his late father and often imagines that he is still guiding him if only his mum could recognize the control and abuse that his happening to both her and her beloved son Josh

This is an excellent thought provoking short story with a quirky and very satisfying conclusion. My thanks to the good people of Samhain Publishing for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.