Comment from cupa tea

Excellent

Another good one! Nicely done, very entertaining and enjoyable to read. Good Luck...there are many good choices for this contest

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2015

Yes, many exceptional entries in this contest. You're absolutely right, cupa tea.
Thank you for taking the time to read and review my entry.
~Dean

Comment from Neonewman

Exceptional

Well now! This brings a new aspect to charred remains! Mannequins are creepy enough without having come back to life and become murderous fiends. Masterfully crafted entry Dean! A shoe in for the win! I thought about taking a stab at this one, but I haven't had the time. I am off today, but not sure I have the enough time to create, edit, create, edit, create, edit, tear up and start over creating and editing lol!
God bless and best of luck my friend.
Steve

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2015

Thanks so much, for checking in to The Mulberry, Steve, I appreciate the read & review. I'm really pleased to know that you enjoyed it, and I'm very grateful for the six star rating, my friend.
Merry Christmas to you & your family.
~Dean :}

reply by Neonewman on 29-Dec-2015

Certainly my pleasure Dean. I have been unable to be on sight here of late due to work. Hopefully I can get caught up today lol!'

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

I liked this story a lot until, to be honest, I got to the last line. I'm not sure it's clear what is happening. The first person narrative is a bit confusing for me.

 Comment Written 11-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2015

The key and clue to the entire story--what makes it all click--is very subtle, Bill, but it's there, I assure you. I would encourage you to read some of the reviews others who have picked up on these clues have given, and the correlating responses. It will all come to you.
Thanks so much for reading.
~Dean

Comment from bard owl

Exceptional

Well, your Christmas story filled with crispy critters and awakened mannequins is really spooky. By the way, that picture of the mannequins is mesmerizing. And you relate the story as if it is non-fiction. I was hooked from the beginning to see where and how this horror story might end. Clarity of imagery fueled this. You very competentantly explored the dark side of Christmas.
Best of luck in the contest.

Dare I say "Merry Christmas"?
Blessings to you,
Linda

 Comment Written 11-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 11-Dec-2015

Sure you may, Linda, or Scary Christmas might be more appropriate in my case, lol.
I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the realism of this story. I'm also glad to know that it held your interest.
There's more to Charlie than meets the eye in this story, and I chose his last name for a reason--a subtle "clue" if you will, as to what's really been going on with the fires and this very disgruntled employee.
Thanks for the exceptional rating. I very much appreciate your thoughtful review.
Scary Christmas, Linda, to you and your entire family...
~Dean :}

Comment from Acquired Taste

Exceptional

Another terrific holiday tale for the little ones. Ummm, crispy critters from an Easy Bake Oven - great visual and leaves a lasting impression in one's mind. This is well done and I wondered if Charlie Munchausen is at the bottom of all the horror. He might have been a mannequin last year or better yet is about to become one. I like the question that lingers in my mind. AT=/

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

I've always said that you were very perceptive, AT/, and there was indeed a reason for me choosing Charlie's last name as I did. I think you've solved the riddle. I'm sure you've heard of Munchausen's by proxy? It was featured prominently in the M Night Shyamalan film, The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis.
I'm glad you enjoyed the imagery and story. I hadn't written a short story in quite some time, and I felt Gareth's contest was as good a place to start up again as any. Thanks, too, for the generous six star rating. Those are always appreciated.
Thanks so much again, and Merry Christmas to you & yours.
~Spooky ;)

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

Those mannequins, led by Charlie, of course. need to march directly to the celebratory banquet. Once there, he can demand a proper Christmas bonus for assembling the damn things and teaching them to sing 'We wish you a Merry Christmas.' If his request is refused, it won't be a Happy New Year for the wealthy big wigs who ignore the little guy.

:) e

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

You got THAT right, Ellen! It'll be a pretty heated holiday for all involved, I'm afraid, lol. Old Charlie won't be affected, though. He's made a hobby out of setting fires it seems. Someone should warn him that if you play with fire, you'll eventually get burned.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting on this latest Tiny Tale of Terror. I'm still waiting for you to write your own. An early Christmas gift to me, perhaps?
~Dean ;}

reply by barkingdog on 10-Dec-2015

I guess that I could try to write one. How do I put it in the book?

reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

Just go to any chapter of the book from my portfolio page. Click the tab below the post you've chosen labeled "Add Chapter", then post it as you would any other.
If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to ask.
~Dean

reply by barkingdog on 10-Dec-2015

Thank you. Now, to write something ...

reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

I wish me a Scary Christmas,
I wish me a Scary Christmas,
I wish me a Scary Christmas,
and a bloody New Year!

Heh-heh-heh... I can't wait to see what you come up with, Ellen. ;)
~Dean

Comment from bookishfabler

Exceptional

More'n a hundred people were fried to a crackly crunch--crispy critters for Christmas.
cute line. Very visual.
Christmas Eve lookin' like some reject from an Easy-Bake Oven.
And yet another fun metaphor.
You are quite funny in a macabre sort of way. Very well done.
I haven't read anything even slightly ghoulish in a long time.Thank you.
Merry Christmas
Heidi

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

Thank you for taking the chance and for deciding to give the story a whirl, Heidi. I've been fortunate enough to make a fairly decent living at writing horror stories and dark poetry--something I dearly love to do. I've also always been of the mindset that horror and comedy, while strange bedfellows, indeed, make an excellent pairing. Everyone needs a bit of comedic relief once in a while. Even me!
I deeply appreciate your exceptional rating, and for you taking such an interest in my work. You're very kind, and I truly appreciate that.
Until next we met...
~Dean :}

reply by bookishfabler on 11-Dec-2015

you are welcome. I love Horror, but my attempts at were no great. Maybe I creep myself out. LOL

reply by the author on 11-Dec-2015

I creep myself out all of the time, Heidi. In fact, I know if it's scaring me while I write a story or poem, then chances are it'll scare others too. My poem I wrote for Halloween titled Happy Helloween had me looking over my shoulder pperiodically while writing it. I wrote the poem by candlelight to get in the "mood", so to speak. Here's the link if you're interested in reading it sometime:

Happy Helloween

~Dean :}

Comment from sharonmealler

Excellent

this was a very good suspenseful story. I liked the character very much, he was very believable. The reader was drawn in and then left in suspense. Good job

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Dec-2015

Thanks for reading and commenting, Sharon.
Much appreciated.
~Dean ;}

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

Yep, you sure have a way with putting your own spin on things. Happy Howling Holidays and Burning Blisters Batman, proves that it isn't always what we say, as the ways we choose to say things. Thanks for another fine read. :-)

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 09-Dec-2015

Thank you for another fine review, Ric.
I do appreciate your feedback, as always.
~Dean

Comment from Writingfundimension

Exceptional

Though this story gave me the queezies, it's your usual superb writing, Dean. You left a nice clue with the Munchhausen name. The 'cop' knows a lot of intimate details about the previous fire. I'm thinking he's about to get what's due him. So horribl...y good!

Should be a shoe-in to win the prize. Good luck.

Happy Holidays,

Bev

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2015

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reply by the author on 09-Dec-2015

Thanks so much for taking a look at the story for me, Bev, and for your very generous six star rating as well. Whenever I'm fortunate enough to receive such a high rating from a fellow Fanstorian who also happens to be a premiere author of horror and thrillers themselves, it makes it all the more special.
More than winning the contest, the sixes or anything else, I'm just really happy to know that you enjoyed it.
Thanks again, my friend.
~Dean :}

reply by Writingfundimension on 09-Dec-2015

You're very welcome, Dean. Thanks for the compliment, it's extra special coming from you.

:) Bev

reply by the author on 09-Dec-2015

I meant every word. :)