“I knew an impending corpse when I saw one.” ~ Dilly
If you’d told me several months ago that I’d be endorsing a horror novella, I’d have shaken my head in disbelief. Even though my parents enjoyed a bit of Don Knotts Horror-Comedy with us kids, such as: “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” and “Private Eyes,” these films were never given the horror label. They were “funny” and “family friendly.” Two labels that seem incompatible with what horror as a larger genre is known for. Pair this with the general stigma horror carries in conservative Christian circles for the bulk of its demonic possession and violent “slasher” content, and you’ve got someone who has no interest in touching horror with a ten foot pole.
Yet, here I am. I agreed to read “She Had Glass Eyes” because I knew the author personally, and after reading Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” wanted to explore more horror containing Christian themes.
I found “She Had Glass Eyes” to be both funny and family friendly enough that its content didn’t surpass a PG-13 level. While not classifiable as horror comedy, this novella’s protagonist has a perspective that is quirky and macabre. And she had me chuckling.
Our story begins in London, circa 1864 when our cynical and withdrawn undertaker, Deliverance Edvane, Dilly for short, goes to see the marvelous talking automaton invented by Dr. Joseph Faber.
The mechanical wonder that mimics human speech horrifies general audiences and becomes Dilly’s obsession. The story’s intrigue is helped by Dilly being an unreliable narrator as she plots to steal “Euphonia” from Dr. Faber, speaking to the automaton as if it were sentient. And hearing Euphonia respond.
Dilly fixates on how lifelike Euphonia is: her hair, her glass eyes, her voice, and how she deserves to be free.
Conversely, Dr. Faber develops a romantic obsession that shift his loyalties from his mechanical invention to desiring a fully life of joy and family with Dilly. And the more apparent his love for her becomes, the more Dilly despises him for forsaking Euphonia and the more she reminds us that she prefers the company of the dead.
The writing style is delectable and every sentence is effective. It took me back to my readings of Edgar Allen Poe in High School Literature and left me thinking. If you’re looking for a quick chill, you can read this one in around three hours. It’s perfect for Autumn evenings by candlelight with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
“She Had Glass Eyes” releases October 20th, 2025 through Twenty Hills Publishing and is available for purchase in paperback and ebook directly from C S Schiavone at www.audio-epic.com.
*Purchase links provided is in no way affiliated and I do not receive any compensation for providing it.
Something unique about protagonist, Dilly, is her unusually deep and raspy voice. Not only is her trait paired with her deceptive narrating, but is relates to Euphonia’s imitation of human vocal sounds.
Though the spine of this book may be small, it deserves a space on your bookshelf and I will always remember it fondly.
Laurisa Brandt writes speculative fiction with a dash of romance. Her award winning Birthright of Scars duology has appeared in the Susquehanna Style magazine.
When not writing emotional, thought provoking, high-action stories with deep spiritual themes, Laurisa can usually be found baking scrumptious sourdough bread or enjoying the outdoors.
She resides in south central Pennsylvania with her husband, her 1930’s Remington typewriter, and her adopted Timneh African Grey parrot, Hercules.
