Clowns in the Cinema: From Playful Tricks to Horror

Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss, Book Review

Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss, a Book review by Jim Mcleod

What is it with trying to have a leisurely day out in the woods these days? If it’s not Teddy Bears having a picnic and men being horrible. It is bloody clowns lurking around, spoiling an enjoyable day out. Seriously, why are clowns in the woods on earth? They should stick to where they belong, in the circus or my nightmares. Please allow me one safe place to walk without the fear of being chased and dismembered by some freak in white face paint.

Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss takes readers on a family hunting trip that spirals into a nightmare. As Collin joins his wife’s family on what is meant to be a chance for him to bond with the more Redneck side of the family. However, the gibes and taunts from his inlaws quickly transform into sheer terror as the mysterious, dreadful and brutal killer clowns begin their hunt.  

Clowns in the Woods is a quick read.

Harold Hoss’s writing style is lean and mean, focusing on the action, the kills, and the set pieces rather than overdeveloping the characters. This isn’t a critique of the novella, as Clowns in the Woods is a fantastic, nasty little read. Hoss lays enough character groundwork for readers to care about their fate without wasting a single line of text within this thrilling horror novella.  

The balance between sly humour, narrative drive and some glorious kills is perfectly developed. Don’t expect clear-cut answers from this novella, as Hoss isn’t one to provide them. Hoss keeps everything somewhat ambiguous, never fully explaining why the clowns are there or why they want to kill everyone who crosses their path. They come across as a force of nature rather than some human monster, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story.  

Clowns in the Woods is probably a better story because things are not laid out for all to see, giving it a cosmic horror feel that will thrill readers. With some imaginative kills and descriptions of the clowns, Clowns in the Woods is a fun and brutal way to spend an hour.  

Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss

Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss
Clowns in the Woods by Harold Hoss, Book Review

When Collin joins his wife’s family on a hunting trip deep in the unforgiving wilderness. He expects a weekend of camaraderie and adventure. But as night falls and the forest awakens, they encounter something far more sinister.

Three monstrous clowns, grotesque and otherworldly, emerge from the shadows, leaving a trail of terror in their wake. One by one, members of the group meet shocking and horrific ends. Their bodies twisted and broken in ways that defy explanation.

Stripped of reason and plunged into a living nightmare, Collin finds refuge in an old deer blind. Clinging to the hope that it might offer some protection. But it becomes a game of attrition, one Collin is ill-equipped to play. The clowns have the upper hand, and if he is to live, Collin realizes he must deny them their prize.

In a final chilling decision, Collin robs these eldritch horrors of their trophy by choosing slow sacrifice over speedy death.

With every breath, the boundary between sanity and madness blurs. And the haunting passage of the clowns echoes through the dark woods. A constant reminder that the nightmare is never over.

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Author

  • Jim Mcleod

    Jim "The Don" Mcleod has been reading horror for over 35 years, and reviewing horror for over 16 years. When he is not spending his time promoting the horror genre, he is either annoying his family or mucking about with his two dogs Casper and Molly.

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