Title: Rotten Tommy

Author: David Sodergren

Release date: May 6th, 2024

“Let’s go back,

To Rumplejack,

We’ve been away too long.”

I think each of us has a childhood show we used to watch that scared the ever-living-crap out of us. I distinctly remember how much the movie ‘The Monster Squad’ traumatized me at an early age, and because we watched it for the first time (and usually each year after) at Christmas, I always thought of it as a Christmas-Horror movie, which is funny to think that now. But, while that show traumatized me, it didn’t hold a candle to another show I only saw two episodes of and then it disappeared into the ether, but never left my brain.

As a young kid, most Saturday mornings meant I’d wake up and immediately run down the street, and go to my grandparents place that was only five houses down. They had satellite TV, which meant cartoons and channels I never even dreamed existed. At some point, I caught these two episodes of this show and then never saw it again. It could be that they actively changed the channel when it came on, spurred by the nightmares I had for weeks. I never knew the name and for many, many years, all I could think about was this crazy show involving kids, puppets, a giant, islands and a portal. It actually wasn’t until YESTERDAY (March 28th, 2024) while messaging with David about this novel, that I did a deeper dive and FOUND THE SHOW. For those wondering, it was called ‘Blizzard Island.’ You can read about it here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Island – and watch part one of episode one here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUlOru5IIY.

So, how does this relate to Sodergren’s forthcoming masterpiece? Well, I wasn’t completely sure if this kids show that scared me to my core was actually a real show. I thought it was, but with no concrete evidence that it actually existed, I always questioned myself that it did.

Which brings us to ‘Rotten Tommy.’ What if a kids show was made that was so cursed that almost everyone involved died? Think Tutankhamen Tomb’s curse. An urban legend. A creepypasta of sorts.

It was maybe two years ago that David had messaged me with the early inklings of this story, about the concepts and where he wanted to go, and I can confidently say that while those early bits were amazing, they don’t hold a candle to what he delivered.

What I liked: The novel follows Becky, an screenwriter in her early 40’s who has been diagnosed with autism on recently. To her, it explains a lot. Her mannerisms, her quirks and her love of her stuffed penguin, Grumpus. To her husband, John, it drives a wedge between the woman he married and the ‘weirdo’ he now lived with. Becky’s mother was an actress, but she disappeared forty-years ago and is presumed dead. Her father is now in a long-term care home suffering from dementia, and her sister Flora is self-centered and uncaring.

While some home renovations are happening, the workers alert Becky that they’ve found something in the wall. What they’ve found are three old video cassette tapes, marked ‘Rumplejack,’ and it’s from that point on that Sodergren takes us on an absolutely astounding ride. On the tapes are the forgotten episodes of the pilot for ‘Rumplejack,’ a show set in a small, ocean-side town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named ‘Stickemup,’ and a hand puppet king, known as ‘King Sausage.’ And as soon as you watch the episode, Tommy awakens, and he won’t stop until he finds you.

The character of Tommy was a perfect mix of Jason and Michael Myers. This massive, disfigured brute who speaks little, but swings a big club and is seemingly impervious to pain. Becky begins seeing him, and Tommy begins to let her know he’s near. People die. Horribly. And not until she partners up with a cop who always watched the video, does she feel like she have an ally, someone who believes her and who doesn’t judge her for her mannerisms.

A surprising element to this was the light, humorous moments. Often based around Jason Statham (you’ll understand once you read it), David perfectly placed these moments, and I say this as someone who generally doesn’t like humor in my horror.

Of course, all roads lead to this mythical town of ‘Rumplejack,’ and its here that the novel really shines. In fact, one scene was so masterful I messaged David to let him know he’d written something that made me question why I even write.

The story itself is a perfect blend of the joy we got while watching our kids shows with through the eyes of our youthful innocence, while not understanding some of the horribly dark content that was being glossed over by the use of hand puppets and shiny music.

The ending was perfect and David uses a phenomenal tie-in with the video itself, which had me so very happy, and it does leave the potential for further stories set within the same universe, especially when it relates to a mysterious corporation that is introduced.

What I didn’t like: Honestly, my only quibble was that a minor character within – a guy who transfers video’s and owns an emporium – didn’t factor in more at that time. He had an internet series that was spot on for the ‘Rumplejack’ tapes and I was hoping he’d play a slightly bigger role, but overall it didn’t change the story at all. I was just hoping to see some exciting meta moments from him, even relating to David’s other works.

Why you should buy this: When David released ‘The Haar,’ I didn’t know how he could top that. All of his work leading up to that novel was steadily growing in scope, conceptual execution and emotional development. It did everything people wished ‘The Shape of Water’ wanted to do. But with ‘Rotten Tommy’ he’s outdone even ‘The Haar.’ Tommy is a character that should please current fans of his work and invite in a whole new world of readers (and Trevor Henderson’s amazing cover art will grab even more folks’ attention), and the world and town of ‘Rumplejack’ is simply Jim Henson level brilliant. This is a novel that I’ll forever be upset about that I wasn’t able to write it. It ticks every single box in a story that I love about horror mixed with fantastical elements and the use of the missing TV show aspect was pristine.

Sodergren has created a legion of fans and has readers from every corner of the globe – but I often still see him as criminally overlooked when it comes to lists and ravings etc. etc. I think ‘Rotten Tommy’ just might be his all-time masterpiece. His ‘IT’ or his ‘Dracula’ or his ‘The Demonologist.’ The novel that blows the world away and raises him to that next level of author-ship. The one that he so deserves. Fingers crossed he just remembers my name in a few years!

‘Rotten Tommy’ is one of the best books I’ve ever read from one of the best authors out there and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Becky and visit ‘Rumplejack.’ Just lock the door.

“Your friends await,

So don’t be late,

To help them sing this song.”

5/5