Delirium Books offers another great disturbing novella with James Newman’s “Olden.” This can easily be read in one sitting and that is recommended to get the full effect of its powerful narrative structure.

An unexplained phenomenon has transformed the elderly into virile insane killers. Those who have been neglected and abused are empowered with the ability for murderous revenge.

The forward moving main story is told in vivid, fast paced present tense. Six victims are locked in a room–on the other side are the crazed senior citizens. This narrative is offered in parallel with first person accounts of how the six victims got there, which also provide insight into the unfolding of the still unexplained event.

The ending is dark and wicked. This is one hell of wild ride. It serves as a great one-time story but also Newman could easily continue with other installments.

Highly recommended, as are just about all Delirium novellas I have read.

– George Wilhite