Sue Cook, Author at The MockingOwl Roost

March 12, 2026

Black and red book cover reading "The Night Library of Sternendach" by Jessica Levai - TEXT of image: Book Review, Sue Cook

Published by Sue Cook at March 12, 2026

Categories

Book Reviews - Fiction

The Night Library at Sternendach — A Vampire Opera Novel Review

The Night Library of Sternendach reads as a mixture of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera — revolving around the library at Castle Sternendach, the Graf’s home. The dance of words played in my mind’s eye with each new verse. All I needed was Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the music. I’ve already cast the show for him, if he’ll but ask.

December 23, 2025

Dark red background with Christmas foods like Christmas pudding, yule logs, turkey, shrimp, berries, pies, and cookies scattered about background. Enjoy the first day of Christmas! -- and all the rest. TEXT: Parody Song - Lyrics by Terry Mulcahy, Improv performance by Sue Cook, The Twelve Foods of Christmas

Published by Sue Cook at December 23, 2025

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The Twelve Foods of Christmas

On the First Day of Christmas, my stomach asked of me: a baked ham inside a turkey…

December 22, 2025

Cobalt blue background with gold flecks, stars, snowflakes, and ornaments. A small black lab puppy looks up at the camera. The pup is wearing a green Santa hat with white trim and ball. TEXT: Mother Knows Best - a Black Orb Story for Christmas - Sue Cook

Published by Sue Cook at December 22, 2025

Categories

Mother Knows Best

“I just wanted to drop this package off for Mr. Gar. He will know what to do with it.” The man tapped his nose, winked, and began to walk out of the store. Before he left, he turned and smiled radiantly. “I do believe I feel the warmth of this store returning. It’s been too cold for too long.”

October 30, 2025

Woman standing against a wrinkled black background. Her mouth is covered with thick tape to silence her. - TEXT: Written by Amanda Valerie Judd, Performed by Sue Cook, Poetry Reading - I Said Nothing

Published by Sue Cook at October 30, 2025

Categories

I Said Nothing

**Trigger warning: Sexual assault** “I Said Nothing”. Poem by Amanda Valerie Judd. Performed by Sue Cook. Directed and Edited by Rita Mock-Pike for the MockingOwl Roost. […]

October 30, 2025

Roses in faded black background, a faded silhouette of a man and woman dancing - TEXT: Sue Cook, Poetry, Death Dance

Published by Sue Cook at October 30, 2025

Categories

Death Dance

Boney fingers reach to clutch heart and hands. A gasp of surprise, and then gone! As he whirls them into the ether.

October 28, 2025

A ghostly ship at sunset behind clouds in the distance - TEXT: The Flying Dutchman - Written by Sue Cook, Performed by Issac Stephens - Poetry Reading

Published by Sue Cook at October 28, 2025

Categories

The Flying Dutchman

The skies are our seas now, with no grasp of Earth that we canna plunder. Shudder in your bed ye landlubbers! You call us pirates, but we are ghosts, ghouls, bodysnatchers, aliens.

October 25, 2025

Statue of Nyx, the the goddess, in a black dress, holding a torch. In the bottom corner, a young black lab rests in a frame. - TEXT: Nyx, Poetry, Sue Cook

Published by Sue Cook at October 25, 2025

Categories

Nyx

I cried to the moon goddess, Nyx, as the night began to wane. “Goddess can you hear me? The night is cold, and I need a guide — One who will fill the path with light and power.”

October 24, 2025

Warped zoom in of Poetry book cover for A Bountiful Silence & Other Poems by John Muro - TEXT: Poetry Book Review, Sue Cook

Published by Sue Cook at October 24, 2025

Categories

Poetry Book Review

Book Review: A Bountiful Silence

A Bountiful Silence enables the reader to become deeply involved with Muro’s poetry to the point where, regardless of the trials of their day, the vibrant intensity of his words helps them to focus on the beauty around them. God knows we need that right now!

October 22, 2025

Published by Sue Cook at October 22, 2025

Categories

The Spa

“Haunted!” she cried as she ran to her car. The sound of your laughter echoing in the empty building.

September 12, 2025

Woman with crimson makeup on looking boldly into the camera, her hands expressing interest and assertiveness by placement on face - Three shades of red make up the background - TEXT: Crimson Moxie, protest poetry reading, Written by Rita Mock-Pike, performed by Sue Cook - anti- pink tax and domination of women protest

Published by Sue Cook at September 12, 2025

Categories

Crimson Moxie – A Protest Poetry Reading

We're told to hide away, don't discuss, never show, never acknowledge. Except alone, in hidden corridors, secret passageways where only "our kind" might tread.

June 2, 2025

Published by Sue Cook at June 2, 2025

Categories

Hell Town -The Untold Story Of A Serial Killer On Cape Cod: A Book Review

The most startling portions of Hell Town are true. Let that sink in. I am not easily made nauseous by true crime, but this was brutal. Casey Sherman’s writing style, and description of the events are both brilliant, and nightmare-ish.

May 12, 2025

Published by Sue Cook at May 12, 2025

Categories

Book Reviews - Fiction

The Gold Persimmon, a Book Review

The Gold Persimmon by Lindsay Merbaum is riveting and surreal. At times, I found myself so caught up in the characters' actions that it actually took my breath away, and had me yelling at my Kindle. This book was not what I was expecting from its title.