Master of Rods and Strings

by Jason Harris

FBT review:

Embark on a chilling journey into the dark world of occult puppetry with "Master of Rods and Strings" by Jason Marc Harris. This supernatural horror novella weaves a tale of obsession, revenge, and the macabre, drawing readers into a suspenseful narrative set against the backdrop of France. With expert prose and vivid sensory detail reminiscent of Patrick Suskind's "Perfume," Harris delivers a masterful work that explores the descent of innocence into evil in the name of retribution. Perfect for fans of weird fiction and dark fantasy, this novella offers a captivating and haunting read that lingers long after the final page is turned. Discover the allure of occult puppetry and the price of vengeance in this unforgettable narrative proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

Publisher Description:

Jason Marc Harris weaves a tale of dark enchantment and vengeful obsession in this Supernatural Horror.

“Jason Marc Harris’s Master of Rods and Strings is a masterful work the likes of which I have not read in many years. In captivating and expert prose Master of Rods and Strings brings to life a world where the enchantment of puppetry inexorably descends into a magical perdition.”—Thomas Ligotti

Elias, tormented by visions of his sister's suffering and jealous of the adulation her puppetry skills command, is drawn into the shadowy world of occult puppetry. Under the tutelage of the enigmatic Uncle Pavan, Elias seeks to master this arcane craft, but the price of knowledge is steep, and the path to vengeance is fraught with unspeakable horrors.

Set against the rich backdrop of France, Harris's novella is a masterclass in suspense and dark fantasy. Critics hail it as a "masterful work" that brings to life a world where the art of puppetry descends into magical damnation. With captivating and expert prose, this story pulls readers through a fever dream of loyalty, artistic passion, and the ultimate cost of revenge.

Comparisons have been drawn to Patrick Suskind’s Perfume for its vivid sensory detail and the portrayal of an obsessive protagonist. Master of Rods and Strings stands out for its "boundlessly unique and charmingly strange" narrative, ensnaring readers in its crackling compulsion.

Joining the ranks of modern masters of weird fiction, Harris delivers a morbidly fascinating journey that begins as a quiet horror novella and crescendos into an apocalyptic climax. The novella is a chilling exploration of the transformation from innocence to a capacity for great evil, all in the name of retribution.

At its core, Master of Rods and Strings is a classic revenge story, a testament to the mastery of a craft, and a cautionary tale of ambition's potential to corrupt the noblest of intentions. In just ninety-two pages, Harris crafts a world teeming with depth, where every scene is laden with both the tangible and the spectral.

For those who find a thrill in the menace of the inhuman, from antique dolls to emotionless automatons, this dark fiction novella is a chilling new entry into the canon. Master of Rods and Strings is a novella to be devoured in one sitting, but its haunting essence will linger long after the final page is turned. Discover the dark allure of occult puppetry and the lengths one will go to for revenge in this unforgettable narrative.

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.