8:59:29 By Polly Schattel  A Horror Book Review by Jim Mcleod 

There aren’t many books out there that make me go “holy shit! but 8:59:29 had me shouting it out at the top of my voice.   

8:59:29 By Polly Schattel  A Horror Book Review by Jim Mcleod 

Many people believe that working in academia is vastly different from working in the “real world.” However, the same mundane frustrations exist within those esteemed halls of learning. Disgruntled employees, uninterested managers or senior lecturers, and the monotony of seeing the same familiar faces every day. Contribute to a dull work environment, slowly eroding any desire for creativity. You may try to stay under the radar and simply get through the day, but occasionally, you find yourself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. What do you do then? Do you buckle down and strive to climb the corporate ladder, sacrificing pieces of your soul along the way? Or do you forge a partnership with someone and attempt to improve your situation by invoking an infamous film from the grasp of a demonic force?

This is the dilemma that Hetta faces.

Thankfully, she chooses the latter option, Otherwise this novella by Polly Schattel would tell a much different. And significantly less entertaining, story about the consequences of taking shortcuts in life.

Schattel’s “8:59:29” takes its time building to the horror element of the story.

This is not a criticism; the initial portion of the novella offers a finely crafted look at the banality of being stuck in an unwanted job. The observations are sharp, clever, and deeply nuanced, all underpinned by a dark sense of humor. We have all worked with a boss like that and have fantasized about taking revenge for their failure to recognize our worth. Schattel creates a relatable world, making the characters feel familiar and recognizable.

She excels at character development. Particularly with the main character, Hetta, who is downtrodden and disheartened, her creative drive stifled by her job. This results in a protagonist that readers will inherently root for, even when her choices lead to chaotic consequences.

If I have one critique of the book, it would be the speed at which Hetta is drawn to the dark side and begins her quest for demonic revenge. However, this is a minor complaint, especially considering the constraints of the novella format.

When you take into account that this pacing allows the supernatural chaos to unfold in a more engaging way, it becomes easier to overlook. Once Hetta teams up with Tanner, things quickly take a strange turn. And the humor of the novel begins to shine through. I particularly enjoyed their discussions about the type of film they should make, which feels relatable to countless aspiring filmmakers.

Settling on the easier option of a horror film is all too real. And while it may not be laugh-out-loud funny for a horror reviewer, the humor is sure to entertain.

My favorite character is undoubtedly the demon lord, a pompous and self-righteous entity whose opening monologue is a delight to read. It appears that the hierarchy of work in Hell mirrors that of our own world.

“8:59:29” is filled with powerful critiques of modern society. Proving to be profoundly entertaining and written with razor-sharp commentary on contemporary issues. The engaging critique culminates in a finale that, if this were an episode of “The Twilight Zone,” would likely be ranked as one of the best episodes ever.

8:59:29 By Polly Schattel 

When a disgruntled adjunct faculty teacher decides to get revenge on the head of her department, she begins a dark (and darkly comic) journey into the cracks between modern society and the secret depravity that lies underneath. She has to navigate the demons of technology, creativity, and Hell itself, but soon she must face the deepest, darkest horror of them all: her own personal failures.

“Polly Schattel’s 8:59:29 is an expertly rendered fable of moral conflict. Threaded into the high-velocity plot is a playful but exacting study of obsolete forces leaving residue on the contemporary world. It’s a tale of demons and hexes, of class and education, and of technology’s pernicious expansion as a governing social force. Wicked, sardonic, intelligent horror fiction.” —Mike Thorn, author of Peel Back and See

“…this wry, wicked send-up of artistic and academic frustration has a bizarre charm.” –Publishers Weekly

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