Casket For Sale (Only Used Once) is the third book in Jeff Strand's Andrew Mayhem series, in which he mixes horror and comedy.

In an effort to become a more responsible person and a better father, the main character, Andrew Mayhem decides never to accept any more strange jobs from strange women in coffee shops, because the results are usually catastrophic. After refusing such an offer, he goes for a camping trip with his family and two friends. Then he decides not to ignore the warning of an old man, and they find themselves face to face with a group of psychopathic killers. They have no other option than to run for their lives and to fight if needed.

This is a twisted story with a lot of action, where the funny and the scary parts follow each other. The author is mixing genres, and the beginning of the story is a bit too light, considering the occasional excessive gore or the action movie-like parts that come later.

Strand creates some really likeable characters (Andrew, his wife Helen, the two kids, and the other couple), so you read through the whole book, rooting for them, hoping they will survive the trip. Casket For Sale (Only Used Once) is also enjoyable without knowing the previous books in the series Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary) and Single White Psychopath Seeks Same.

Casket For Sale (Only Used Once) contains torture, murder and excessive gore at places, so it is not recommended for everybody. However, it is a hilarious book for those who like their reading sick.

Reviewed By Ilona Hegedus
© June 2007