Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi

Mike Boyd, having lost his job with the Department of Agriculture, returns home to small-town Richland, Ohio, where his father and stepmother give him a rather lukewarm welcome. Richland, a fictional town in Darke County, where the author lives, is struggling because a large corporation is taking over the town’s largest employer, Bradson Foods, and plans to close it down. He reconnects with Dave, the only police officer left in town, and meets Andi, who is organizing a Monster Mash festival.

If you haven’t read award-winning author Scalzi’s often humorous science fiction books, this might not sound like a fun read, but it is. There are a few kinds of monsters in this book, including the corporate kind, yet it’s safe to read after dark. Something very strange happens to some of the residents of Richland. There is a little gore and horror, but no real violence. Some pets go missing, but they are all found in the end. Why monsters are appearing in Richland makes for a very entertaining story, but to reveal more would spoil the fun.

This book will be published on November 3; I read a digital review copy. Starter Villain, When the Moon Hits Your Eye, and Kaiju Preservation Society are other fun books by Scalzi if you need something light and snarky sooner.

Brenda