Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
A World Fantasy Award Finalist: Masterful and macabre short fiction from the New York Times –bestselling author of Swan Song . Father John has lived his whole life without knowing a woman's touch. Hard at first, his self-denial grew easier over time, as he learned to master his urges with a regimen of prayer, cold showers, and jigsaw puzzles. That changed the day that Debra Rocks entered his confessional. A rough-talking adult film actress, she has come to ask him to pray for a murdered costar. Her cinnamon perfume infects Father John, and after she departs he becomes obsessed. Around the corner from his church is a neon-lit alley of sin. He goes there hoping to save her life before he damns himself. That is "Blue World," the novella that anchors this collection of chilling stories by Robert R. McCammon. Although monsters, demons, and murderers fill these pages, in McCammon's world the most terrifying landscape of all is the barren wasteland of a lost man's soul.
Blue World: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This dark short story collection features adult themes including sexual obsession, violence, murder, and psychological horror. The title story follows a priest's descent into obsession with an adult film actress, exploring moral collapse and temptation with mature content throughout.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, moderate sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include murder, addiction, and death (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adults will appreciate McCammon's masterful exploration of human darkness and moral dilemmas in these chilling tales.