A review by minimicropup
The Clown Brigade by Stephen Graham Jones

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Meticulous, distraught, serious. 

We follow our MC as they plan to surprise the new love of their life while trying to forget their previous relationship. In the process they notice an increase in judgement everywhere they go. 
? Set in hotels, homes, and online exercise classes. 
 
🎙️ Narration was up there with Imogen Church. Adds to the narrative instead of stifling it. The emotion in the narrators voice make this the perfect candidate for an audiobook. I felt the thoughts. 
 
🐺Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags🐕 
😃 I really loved this and it's hard for me to explain why. I looked forward to listening to it every time to point that I was protective of when I listened to it. I saved it for when I could 100% focus like my dental cleaning or sitting in  traffic (TMI).It was slowly encroaching creeps. 

🤡 I loved the ending. It is a suggestive/insinuated horror that suddenly becomes full horror scenario and it stuck with me. Same with how the symbolism of clowns evolves throughout the story. 

Mood Reading Match Up: 
-Creepy clown trope
-Hopeless romantic or hopelessly unhinged?
-Deep in mind + watching it all unfold narratives
-Suggestive horror + no plot just vibes 
 
Content Heads-Up: Obsession/stalking. Mental illness. Exercise addiction. Gun violence. Misogyny. 
 
Format: Scribd Audio

🤓 This was one of my most captivating reads of 2023

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