Synopsis:
Each room is its own unique story; each chapter, a room. Complimentary breakfast. Management is not responsible for lost luggage… or souls.
Welcome! We are honoured to have you. Owl Eyes Motel is rich in history. Prior to its transformation, the building was a hospital, erected in 1901. A fire raged through its halls in 1920, leading to the deaths of many patients, as well as staff. After remaining empty for many years, Mr. Milton Petrie acquired the property and transformed the hospital to its present glory. He resides on premises with his wife, and twin boys. With a background in hospitality, Mr. Petrie has made it his mission to treat all guests in a manner that is deserving with rooms catered to their specific needs. Set in 1986, Lovers’ Retreat features more stories out of Owl Eyes Motel and includes a final chapter dedicated to our esteemed owner. There’s always room for the dead.
Review:
This is a collection of related short stories set in The Owl Eyes Motel. Each story is unique; some feature the motel’s guests, some its staff, and the last—which I was looking forward to after reading some of the author’s other books—the history of its proprietor.
The proprietor is Milton Petrie. He’s eccentric, but I suppose that’s no surprise given that he operates a motel dedicated to serving the dead. Hints of his past were given in the previous story collection, Owl Eyes Motel, and a little more in the related novel, Speed Bump, but I think this was the first time the reader actually gets to learn about Milton Petrie’s past. And it wasn’t quite what I had anticipated (in this case, that’s a good thing!)
The main theme of this book was “Lover’s Retreat,” so a number of the stories featured Valentine’s Day. (I realize it’s December and not really the time of year most people read either horror or Valentine’s-related stuff, but if you like both, I encourage you to pick this one up.)
This was a quick read and a satisfying continuation of The Owl Eyes Motel stories.
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