Audio From the Attic: Underwood and Flinch

     The rhythmic rocking sound of the chair, see-sawed back and forth as the hermit gently pushed up with his "feet" and then allowed the momentum to carry him back down to the ancient porch. He seemed to be smiling beneath a long growth of beard—at least it appeared to be a beard. Something in the way the shadows played with light from the oil lamp as it flickered across his face, made the beard look like...moss. Yes, almost like a fine, Spanish moss. Regardless of what grew on his face, a smile danced beneath it. 

     All around the porch shuffling noises were heard, along with indistinguishable whispers of excitement. Attached to some of the whispers were glimpses of eyes of various shapes and sizes, eerily mirroring the lamp-light. It was an audience, and they were gathering for story time in The Hollow. The hermit ceased rocking for just a moment, closed his eyes, softly croaked, "Let's get started then," and resumed rocking. 

     From the attic, high above the porch, a pair of large shutters slowly swung outwards. The sound of a transistor radio humming to life was followed by jumbled speech as the dials sped forward. The sound came through the opening with a loudness and clarity that was out of character for such model radios. The garble hushed, and was replaced with the tune of a piano accompanied by a haunting violin. Then, a soothing voice followed the melody, "Hello listeners, and welcome to another episode of Underwood and Flinch, a novel written and performed for podcast by Mike Bennett...." 

     I did not grow up in an era of radio drama and have had very little exposure to it. Thanks to the popularity of podcasts, I've realized what I've been missing. Currently, I'm listening to a delightful novel/audio drama by Mike Bennett titled Underwood and Flinch. The novel is a vampire tale of one Daniel Underwood who retains a lineage of servants, the Flinches, and the drama that comes from the interactions between servants of a vampire master as a new generation comes to grips with Underwood's nature; not to mention the side plots which keep you yearning for their own outcomes. I will let you listen for yourself instead of giving any juicy tidbits away, but I don't mind saying that Mr. Bennett accomplishes something that really draws me in to a story—he makes the listener care about the characters. 

     Rather than make this a review and a synopsis of the podcast, I simply want to bring the novel to your attention in hopes that you will enjoy it as much as I have. Perhaps at a later date I could coax Mr. Bennett in to granting me a short interview. 

     I will say that when Mr. Bennett says he performs the novel for podcast, he truly performs. He skillfully delivers the role of each and every character, many of which have a variety of accents ranging from Russian to Spanish, Irish, and more. If you love vampires of the sparkly variety, this podcast novel may not be for you. If a vampire mythos in a style akin to that of Bram Stoker or Anne Rice—but unique in its own right—is more your cup of tea, then please give it a listen. I would like to note, as the author often does, that this podcast is intended for a mature audience. 

     Below is a link to the introduction of Underwood and Flinch which comes from one of Mike Bennett's other podcast series, Hall of Mirrors. I will be sampling Mr. Bennett's other works since finishing Underwood and Flinch (the ending left me very hungry for more) and I'll be happy to let you know what I think. Speaking of which, when you give it a listen, or if you have listened already, won't you let me know what you think in the comments below?

 The Underwood and Flinch Introduction: Night Crossing

Image © Mike Bennett 2012

     Thank you to my new followers Little Gothic Horrors, Mr. Macbre, Ray Lukard, Hook's Haunted Hollow (I do love hollows!), and Rania.

     *NOTE* Mr. Bennett has brought to my attention his indiegogo page where he is hoping to raise enough funds to produce this wonderful novel in print! I will be aiding his cause after my next paycheck and I hope you will consider doing the same. Click HERE to contribute. Thank you!