Spooky Frog Horrifying Books Podcast

White Flight (2022), Peter O'Keefe | Horror Book Club Review | S02E05

On this episode of the Spooky Frog Podcast, Jeffy and Sam discuss Peter O'Keefe’s novella White Flight: a haunted-house story where the walls remember violence, a Black teen’s death at the hands of police looms large, and grief and paranoia take over a family’s life.They explore the book’s blend of gothic, grief, and cosmic horror, its confrontation of racism and state violence, and what the story asks about memory, blame, and justice. Trigger warnings include police violence, death of a minor, and psychological distress.

The Lost Boys (1987), Joel Schumacher | Horror Movie Club Review | S02E04

We dig into the 1987 cult classic The Lost Boys — how Joel Schumacher transformed it into MTV-era vampires on leather and motorcycles, the film's iconic soundtrack and gonzo 80s style, the standout scenes, and why it still matters to goth and vampire fans.Along the way we announce podcast changes (book & movie club scheduling), new merch ideas like pins and stickers, upcoming events (Goth Barge, Spooky Frog), and give a playful survival rating if we stumbled into Santa Carla ourselves.

Cursed Images (2023), Kassidy Van Gundy | Horror Book Club Review | S02E03

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy dive into Kassidy Van Gundy’s Cursed Images, a short-story collection of nostalgia-driven, techno-age horror. From Y2K panic and hacked Tamagotchis to eerie Webkinz and after-hours Blockbuster chills, the episode explores how early digital life warps memory and fear.
Along the way they share personal stories — book mail unboxings, vasectomy misadventures, mixtape memories, and prom plans — and explain "pink horror": cute, familiar things twisted into uncanny dread.

The Hunger (1983), Tony Scott | Horror Movie Club Review | S02E02

In this stylish 1983 cult classic, an immortal vampire watches in horror as century-old companion David Bowie begins to age at a terrifying accelerated rate. Desperate for a cure, they draw a brilliant scientist, Susan Sarandon, into a seductive and dangerous web of bloodlust and eternal obsession.A moody, music-driven film blending gothic erotica, medical horror, and an allegory about addiction, featuring striking visuals, a dark synth soundtrack, and ambiguous storytelling that has made it a lasting cult favorite.

Lazarus (2023), Chris Kauzlarich | Horror Book Club Review | S02E01

Season 2 opens with Sam and Jeffy unpacking Lazarus by Chris Kauzlarich, a novella about a miracle drug that reverses aging at the cost of harvesting life from vulnerable teens. The hosts wrestle with corporate cover-ups, whistleblowers, and the brutal moral question: who deserves longer life and who pays?
They also announce a new book-and-movie format for the podcast, share favorite horror films of the year, and reveal The Hunger as the next movie pick. Expect dark ethical debates, movie recommendations, and the hosts’ trademark banter.

Portrait of a Nuclear Family (2022), J.P. Behrens | Horror Book Club Review | S01E20

In this episode hosts Samantha and Jeffy unpack the psychological horror novel Portrait of a Nuclear Family. A holiday-set, domestic nightmare about a mother, family tensions, and the scary edges of parental instinct. They discuss the book’s twists, themes of family trauma, and why it lands as effective psychological horror.
Between book talk the hosts exchange holiday gifts, joke about gorilla Patreon content, celebrate goth community plans (Goth Prom and New Year’s events), and invite listeners to submit indie horror books and join their community.

How The Nazis Stole Christmas (2021), D.M. Gritzmacher | Horror Book Club Review | S01E19 Wild

Dive into a chaotic, hilarious holiday horror romp where four 1980s college kids find a Nazi treasure ship in the Arctic! Complete with were-reindeer, horny yetis, sexy Mrs. Claus, disturbingly detailed monster anatomy, and gingerbread houses with organic frosting. This fast-paced novella blends B-movie creature fun, schlocky gore, and outrageous comedy for a perfect, short palate cleanser.
Hosts Sam and Jeffy banter through behind-the-scenes event talk, book recommendations, and season updates while unpacking why DM Gritzmacher’s The Nazis Stole Christmas is weird, wild, and oddly delightful.

The Dead Weight (2021), Jo Salazar | Horror Book Club Review | S01E18

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy riff on holiday leftovers, sleep struggles, and memoir-style tangents before diving into Jo Salazar’s The Dead Weight. The episode explores the book’s zombie outbreak set in a residential treatment center and the moral questions it raises—who becomes the “dead weight” in survival, how trauma shapes choices, and whether community or immediate survival should prevail.
They also discuss the author’s background, the book’s standalone story (with sequels), and how the novel reframes familiar horror tropes through character-driven drama.

Tender Is the Flesh (2017), Agustina Bazterrica | Horror Book Club Review | S01E17

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy record a Thanksgiving special where they riff on food, family, and the chilling Argentinian novel Tender Is the Flesh — a dystopia of federally sanctioned cannibalism and industrialized human farms. They discuss the books dry, prescient tone and themes of dehumanization, consumerism, and class.
The episode also wanders into holiday tangents: local Krampus and witchcraft events, personal anecdotes about food and health, workplace and labor reflections, and a trigger warning for graphic content. They tease upcoming episodes, ask listeners for favorite books and movies of the year, and promise more holiday horror to come.

The Scald Crow (2023), Grace Daly | Horror Book Club Review | S01E16

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy discuss Grace Daly's The Scald Crow, exploring its Irish folklore, haunted-house mystery, and a protagonist living with chronic pain and medical trauma. They weave in event recaps from Slay the Lake, indie book pickups and anthologies, and humorous tangents about mall food courts and Wisconsin cheese myths.
The episode balances a thoughtful review of dark themes and character depth with lighthearted conversations about book hoarding, author encounters, and personal anecdotes, giving listeners both serious insight and playful banter.