First Edition (2015)
Rerelease (2020)
First published back in August of 2015, Welsh author David Owain Hughes’ collection ‘Choice Cuts’ delivered fourteen short stories and drabbles, showcasing the author’s versatility as a writer.
The collection was originally published through Burning Willow Press and later reprinted in March 2020 before going out of print. In December of 2021 the collection was reprinted in full within the larger collection ‘In Search Of Madness’ (2021) by Hellbound Books.
Bank Holiday – 7 Pages
When Jane happened upon a particularly secluded spot amongst the trees, she knew it’d make the perfect spot for spending the Bank Holiday at, for relaxing and reading her book. It was just off the playing fields and the Ystrad train station, but because of the trees, the spot was hidden away from view. Furthermore, the river that ran alongside provided the perfect tranquillity for a day of pure relaxation.
However, by midday the peacefulness was broken by a distressed duck being dragged under by something seemingly submerged below the waterline. Seconds later a figure in a horrific, mutilated state erupted from the water. A figure which began to clamber towards Jane…
Oh, this really is a grisly slab of horror. Hughes sets the scene masterfully, effortlessly painting a picturesque vision of idyllic tranquillity. A gorgeous summer’s day, where this young girl can simply relax without a care in the world. It’s almost Laymon-esque in laying down the tranquil setting. You can almost picture Jane there, absorbed in her Jack Ketchum book. And then suddenly, it’s like a scene right out of ‘Zombie Flesh Eaters’ (1979) at complete juxtaposition to the calmness that preceded.
The abruptness of the attack upon Jane is delivered with skill. Then the brutality that ensues is like something out of a nightmare. Horrific and uncompromising horror. That’s the game Hughes plays. An absolute assault on the senses. Well played, good sir. Well played.
One More Night – 4 Pages
Abigail promised herself tonight was the last night. Just one more night, then she’d do something. But not yet. Not now. Since her husband, James, had passed away, she’d not been able to find the motivation to do anything but exist. It was a cold and lonely life without James. Still, she had one more night. One last night before she really had to do something…
Here we have a quiet, unnerving horror that chills you with unease rather than splitting your skull in two with brutality. I’ll be honest, the big reveal of the chilling twist ending was somewhat anticipated. However, that didn’t ruin the coldness of the piece. It’s more in the way Hughes delivers the human element to it. The emotional bond and touching sentiments that cling to this revelation of chilling horror. Utterly captivating and beautifully unsettling.
Term Break – 7 Pages
They were entering their second year studying creative writing at university. For Lisa, however, for the moment her mind wasn’t on her studies, but rather the dilemma in front of her. She’d agreed to meet Carl at the student union bar that evening. It was then that she’d tell him it was over between them. That her heart had been stolen by someone else.
Although, that ‘someone else’ wasn’t aware of Lisa’s plans to leave Carl. In fact, they thought it had gone the other way…and he wasn’t happy about losing Lisa one bit…
This is a relatively simple but nonetheless effective short. Essentially the age-old problems that are inherent within a love-triangle, with the fallout from the broken relationships spiralling out of control. Yeah, it’s not exactly new turf that’s being trodden here. Although the suspense with where Hughes is going with the story successfully carries you along.
Additionally, for those who went to uni, this whole backdrop is so well crafted that it’s difficult not to be sent back to those days. Honestly, I found myself pausing and briefly reminiscing about my time at uni, when I’d pop into the student union bar, more concerned with socialising than with my studies. I guess this is a testament to Hughes’ writing, how he’s captured an atmosphere that connects with the reader so wonderfully.
So yeah, the story works. Perhaps not in a groundbreaking way, but the suspense and the setting make for a read which effortlessly connects with the reader and delivers a solid punch at the end.
The Guardian – 4 Pages
Gary had gotten home from work in time to read a bedtime story to their ten-month old baby boy, James. Cathy had decided to take a bath, so it was prime time for Gary to spend a little time with his son before he drifted off to sleep. Or at least it should have been. However, when Gary approached James’ bedroom door, a faint whispering could be heard emanating from the other side of the door.
Upon opening the door, Gary was presented with a sight beyond comprehension. The once aqua/green walls of the nursey, with their jungle theme border, were now replaced with the real thing! James’ room was no longer a bedroom but instead a thick forest alive with the sounds of life and the distant echo of a tribe…
Well, this is a weird one. Not exactly horror, but more a weird fantasy piece, which perhaps sits more at home in a child’s or YA book. In fact, the closest to a threat, or indeed any escalating danger, is from the stuffed toy of Gary’s young son – a cuddly toy named Alice the Alligator – which comes to life as James’ protector. The ending does wrap the story up to some degree, but maybe in a too friendly way for a Hughes story?! Nevertheless, for a short-fire piece it’s still an intriguing and captivating read.
Date Night – 6 Pages
Vincent was ready to take his relationship with Judith to the next level. He’d almost given up hope on ever finding love, and then Judith arrived into his life. Now he was ready to make that declaration of love which would bring them together forever. He just needed to wash and clean, then he’d meet Judith for their date, during which he’d pop the question. Just a quick soak in the bath and he’d be ready.
The next thing Vincent knows he’s wakes submerged in a bath of cold water. His tiredness had gotten the better of him. He’d fallen asleep and was going to be late for his date. Leaping from the bath, Vincent rushes out of the bathroom to find Judith there, at a table with candles and wine waiting for him. Silently waiting. Not uttering a single word…
Oh man, is this a good one. I’m going to be limited in what I can say about the story without giving away the clever, jaw-dropping twist. What I will say is that it’s delivered to perfection. Properly caught me off guard, sending me pouring back through the pages to find the clues were all there. Yeah, Hughes absolutely nailed it! A spectacular piece of chilling, psychological horror with a sharp and effective twist.
Brain Decay – 5 Pages
Trix had bought a second-hand dream machine from the flea market. The device enabled her to control her dreams and roam wherever her heart desired. It gave her the chance to play out her sick fantasies, to spy on the dying, or visit the insane. She could see anything her depraved mind wished for. However, for Trix, it was now too late to try for good places. She’d decayed her brain a long time ago. She’d made her bed, and now Trix had to rest in it…
For a short stab of horror this is an imaginative one. A device where you get to do what you want in your dreams, with full control. Of course, Hughes takes this idea and brings it to a character who’s fundamentally damaged. She’s suffered in the past and because of that, now only immerses herself in such suffering. The end result isn’t pretty. Actually, it’s psychologically horrific. Although only brief, Hughes manages to capture this psychological self-destruction quite effectively.
Homes From Hell – 9 Pages
It was Archie’s job to go into rented homes and inspect them for any damage or negligence. It was done so the rightful owner could take action in removing bad tenants and hopefully find more appropriate occupants. Archie took his position very seriously, wanting nothing but the best tenants for the owners.
So often he’d find the homes to be in complete disarray. Damage and grime making many of them veritable homes from hell. Not that he didn’t enjoy his job. In fact, he positively thrived on the power it gave him when reporting back on these lowly tenants. And the house he’d just pulled up outside inspect looked to be just that…another home from hell…
I’m not sure Hughes thinks very highly of home inspectors! Ha! Here we have a short which fits somewhere between Graham Greene’s ‘The Destructors’ (1954) and ‘American Psycho’ (1991). It’s a quirky, singular threaded story, with one goal – make the home inspector look like a complete cunt. Job well and truly done, Mr Hughes! It’s not horror per se, but more a black comedy, which feels without any tangible reasoning for the psychotic actions on display. But it’s a fun read.
Hello, You’re Through To Charlie… - 11 Pages
Charlie’s job at the call centre was never meant to be permanent. It had simply been a means to an end while he paid for university. Six years later and he was still there. Still answering the phones and listening to their customers whinge, whine and complain. But now it looked like that was coming to an end. It seemed his misuse of customer details from over the past few years had finally caught up with him. Charlie had even surprised himself with how disturbed he could be. How he’d unwittingly tapped into his dark side and let it run rampant. The meeting with his bosses was scheduled for later on that day. It felt like Charlie’s own personal judgement day…
This is a good one. A fella in a call centre who’s privy to all sorts of personal information about customers, who then uses that information for a variety of psychotic actions. In some ways you can see a link to Hughes’ novel ‘Wind-Up Toy’ (2016), utilising the faceless engagement with a call handler, and the potential repercussions this might lead to. The story here is delivered with a colourful wit, siding with the darkest of comedies to counter the escalation of the heinous crimes committed. The end result is an utterly compelling read, bursting with nastiness and truly dark humour.
Diet – 5 Pages
Greg wanted his fit, slender wife back. The one he’d married five years ago. Since losing her job, Gloria had become a full-time couch potato. Six months and three stone later, Greg had finally had enough. Gloria clearly wasn’t willing to help herself, so it was time for Greg to take actions into his own hands. Gloria would lose weight if it was the last thing she did…
Again, another superb short story! Here we have what I assume is a doctor or pharmacist, who’s fed up with his lethargic wife’s loss of motivation and drive, and her increasing weight. How he deals with this is classic David Owain Hughes stuff. Psychotic and downright disturbing. But delivered in such a cold and practical voice, making the short tale all the more chilling. Brilliant!
Remembrance – 8 Pages
Kathrin looked out of the kitchen window at the roses in the garden and thought of John. He’d had been an exceptional lover. Everything a woman could ever ask for in a man. Things had been perfect. Then they’d lost the baby. A miscarriage. After that, things started to fall to pieces. Then one day John had said he’d had enough. That he was leaving her. It had all come to a terrible, terrible end. That was a year ago. Now Kathrin reflected back upon their time together. No regrets. It was all just the rich tapestry of life. Although, on that day John’s had of course needed to come to an abrupt end. After all, if Kathrin couldn’t have him, then no one would…
What we have here is another dark psychological horror, with a classic plot set up, which soon shifts gears somewhat, to eventually resemble something that’s almost akin to a ‘Tales From The Crypt’ story. It’s one of those shorts that toys around with a calm, tranquil setting for the reminiscing section. This is then at complete juxtaposition with the brutally cold ending of John’s life. This in turn, is then at odds with how the story ends up, in a horror comic-esque style of delivering horror-fuelled comeuppance. It’s good fun!
Signed, Sealed And Delivered – 9 Pages
Jimmy had been a delivery man for Parcel Brigade UK for the last thirty years. Although he loathed the job, he had to admit it had its perks. He’d steal the odd parcel, mess with others, and when he wasn’t doing that, he’d be screwing the wife and daughter of his supervisor.
Now however, he was being accused of tampering with a parcel and purposefully ruining a customer’s expensive football top. Of course he’d play the innocent party. The company’s owner, Mr Clyde, was a walkover. After all, they clearly had no idea of the mayhem Jimmy got up to…
This one’s brilliant! Another absolute psychopath who goes around causing mayhem for the sheer thrill of it. This time it’s a delivery man who likes to mess with customers’ parcels, often in particularly sadistic ways. However, what makes it such an entertaining read is Jimmy’s absolute gift of the gab. How he plays the innocent confused victim so perfectly. But at the same time, we hear his internal dialogue. The stuff this lunatic does for kicks. That and the threesomes he has with his supervisor’s wife and daughter. Oh Yeah, Hughes is at it again.
Another aspect worth mentioned that comes out of the short is the way it links with the other shorts in the collection. Almost like little Easter Eggs, we have a newspaper headline about Archie Dreadbank (from ‘Homes From Hell’), then there’s Charlie (from ‘Hello, You’re Through To Charlie…’) who followed up on a complaint about Jimmy. These links with the other stories are classic Hughes, and will inevitably bring out a smile of recognition on the reader.
Level 13A – 31 Pages
Millie-Jane had fallen asleep on the top floor of the car park. No doubt the effects of a tad too much alcohol. Upon waking she found the carpark deserted, or at least as far as she could see. It was then that she heard the first dull clanging sounds emanating from the level below.
Something was making its way up the levels towards her. Something that from a distance looked strange, disfigured, almost reptilian. In its hands it dragged an axe. Suddenly Millie-Jane was in a very dangerous situation. There was only one way out of this concrete prison. She had to get down to the ground floor which meant working her way through a hell of a lot of levels. It was probably her only chance of making it out alive…
This one feels just like a 1980s horror B-Movie. A sort of combination of ‘Creep’ (2004) mixed with ‘Xtro’ (1982), only with Hughes pushing up the levels of gore. And gore we have-a-plenty! Essentially, we have this Millie-Jane lass desperately trying to work her way down through the carpark levels, but it seems each time she descends another floor, there’s more fucked up shit waiting for her. Additionally, it’s a David Owain Hughes story, so you probably won’t be surprised to learn that her denim shorts don’t stay on her all that long.
Anyway, despite the reasoning for this reptilian lunatic never being fully explained, its still one heck of an entertaining read. It’s basically a lowbrow sci-fi slasher, with Richard Laymon vibes thrown in for good measure. But you know what, that’s all pretty fucking cool if you ask me! Fun times!
Bad Apple – 1 Page
John was after the Golden Apple Award. And he’d do anything to get the prize. In fact, he’d kill for it…
Here we have a quick-fire drabble about the lengths someone will go to win a highly coveted award in cooking. If like me, you’re not much of a botanist, nor indeed a pâtissier, then you might find yourself googling ‘Ho Hos’ along with ‘deadly nightshade’ to fully appreciate the sinister punchline. Hughes – the pastry chef from hell!
Buried Treasure – 1 Page
Martin was onto his next find. Another grave meant another hoard of buried treasure…
A final slice of drabble fun here. Basically, a graverobber who gets the shock of his life when he opens up his next grave. In essence, the swiftest example of the tables turning ever put to paper! A hilarious conclusion to a wacky little drabble.
The collection runs for a total of 117 pages.
© DLS Reviews
