There are countless science fiction, mystery, and horror writers in the world, each of whom takes pleasure in coming up with their own versions of the classic demons and monsters that stalk the realm of myth and legend. There are probably just as many nonfiction writers and researchers who make it their life's work to track and document these strange beasts. Burbank author Brian C. Anderson seeks to combine the best of both worlds in his new book, "Cryptic Creatures."
Anderson, author of 2005's "Man-Made Monster," is a self-proclaimed horror addict. In "Cryptic Creatures" he puts this addiction to good use, delivering a strong combination of classical myth and folklore with five of his own original scary stories.
Each story is preceded by a short history lesson wherein Anderson discusses the evolution of specific monsters. As informative as these nonfiction portions are, their real power comes from their ability to build the reader's anticipation toward the stories that follow. Anderson touches on well-known creatures, like Bigfoot and the Jersey Devil, but also mentions more esoteric monsters like Mr. Happy, a strange clown/insect abomination out of Vienna, Va.
