Charles Suor

Writer and cultural scholar specializing in gender, horror & cult films, and rock & alternative music like metal, punk, and emo. Host of the film review series, Cinema Crypt.

[charlessuor]

I made this page to house written reviews for Cinema Crypt, a series where I review films and sometimes also books. If you'd like to learn more about my work or catch me on other social media platforms, I encourage you to check out my website here. All of the reviews I post here are actually embedded there so seeing this post is like finding a hidden door. Cheers.

If you're coming from my website, I use the tags on post to identify genre, medium, etc. so explore that at your leisure.

Stay weird and I'll see you at the movies.

[charlessuor]

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker

Published January 7, 2025 Genre: horror & mystery/thriller - murder mystery, supernatural horror, social horror, ghost story

In New York City at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cora Zeng watches her sister get pushed in front of a subway train. Months later the case has gone cold, with the killer never found. Now Asian women are being found mutilated with bats in their throats and no one is doing anything about it. Well...no one alive.

A great horror story that balances real and supernatural terrors. The violence is described in delicious gory detail and implementation of Chinese folklore is masterfully done. Baker continues to keep you hooked throughout by incorporating new aspects of the mystery. She also handled the setting of the pandemic very well, letting it be an important aspect of the story without having it become a sort of character itself. The book takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is not about COVID-19. My biggest issue is with the protagonist. For being the titular character, Cora is incredibly passive. I find myself more interested in her friends or Auntie Zeng. I highly recommend this book.

4 stars: I highly recommend this book

Perfect for fans of: Hereditary, Se7en, Saccharine

[charlessuor]

Dead & Breakfast by Kat Hillis & Rosiee Thor

Published October 14, 2025 Genre: mystery/thriller - murder mystery, cozy mystery

In a world where the paranormal live among us, married vamps Arthur and Sal run a B&B in the idyllic town of Trident Falls, Oregon. The catch? Their small town is already too small minded to accept paranormal creatures, and the mayor was just found drained of blood in their garden. Now it's up to this odd couple to play detective and clear their names. This book is incredibly charming. While Trident Falls is full of colorful characters, as one would hope of any cozy town, Arthur and Sal steal your heart in the first couple of pages. Their dynamic is perfectly balanced between reserved and dramatic, making them a hilarious yet realistically grounded queer couple. The murder mystery is compelling, and the challenges the characters face reflect the realities of being different. The highlight of the book for me was the humor, the witty writing literally had me laughing out loud. I am ecstatic that they're making a sequel.

5 stars: I highly recommend this book, a must read for fans of gay vampires.

Perfect for fans of: My Best Friend is a Vampire, Twin Peaks, Halloweentown