Episode 147: Paul Tremblay's Disappearance at Devil's Rock

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The Two Mikes go for a hike. One comes back with Paul Tremblay's Disappearance at Devil's Rock. The other comes back only as a ghostly presence. Can you guess which one?

It's Cocktail Time!

Hardo Cider

• 1 cup of natural apple cider
• 1 shot cinnamon schnapps
• 1 shot of whiskey  

Mix, pour over ice and garnish with an apple slice. Chin, chin.

Episode 146: Paul Tremblay's Head Full of Ghosts

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The Mikes channel their inner bratty little sister to try to make sense of a family falling apart and a teen girl going through some changes. Things get sticky when a reality TV crew shows up.

It's Cocktail Time!

The Great Molasses Flood

Rim a cocktail tumbler with molasses and then dip in demerara sugar (or similar) and lime zest. Fill with ice. Then, in a shaker combine:

• shot of blackstrap rum
• shot of Amaro Montenegro (or similar)
• juice of 1/2 lime

Shake and pour over ice. Fill glass with ginger beer.

Chin, chin!

Episode 145: Sarah Schmidt's See What I Have Done

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The Two Mikes take ONE MORE WACK at Lizzie Borden with Sarah Schmidt's See What I Have Done.  And when they saw what they had done they drank themselves a pint of rum.

It's Cocktail Time!

Bury the Hatchet

1 shot of Aged Rum, like Plantation Barbados 2002

2 teaspoons of Demerara Syrup

Half shot of Elderflower Liquor like Belvoir or other type of Alpine Liquor

Angostura Bitters: 2 dashes

Chocolate Bitters: 2 dashes

Rosemary sprig and orange slice for garnish

Put everything but the bitters in an iced shaker. Shake. Strain into iced lowball glass and splash in the bitters. Garnish.

Episode 144: Cara Robertson's The Trial of Lizzie Borden

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The Mikes are empaneled to hear the trial of Lizzie Borden. They spend time down in the dirty details of the crime and are surprised to learn that they, too, might have let her walk. Who woulda thunk?

It's Cocktail Time!

Like a Hole the Head

Layer in a shot glass:

• Sambuca 
• 2 drops ghost pepper sauce
• vodka

shoot it!

chin.    chin.    thwak.

Episode 143: Elizabeth Engstrom's Lizzie Borden

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The Two Mikes gave the podcast 40 wacks and when they saw what they had done, they gave the podcast 41.  There is no crime like the gothic crime of Lizzie Borden by Elizabeth Engstrom.  

Did The Mikes do it?  How could they? Podcasters are delicate weak creatures and couldn’t harm a flea.

It’s Cocktail Time!

MY NAME IS BRIDGET (Dammit )

1 1/2 shots of Irish Whiskey 

1/2 shot Aperol

Shake with ice and pour ice and all into glass, top with 3 shots of hoppy IPA and a splash of grapefruit soda. Stir and garnish with a small hatchet. 

Chin chin.

Episode 142: John Blackburn's Our Lady of Pain

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We bid a failed farewell to the late John Blackburn, failing to love his quirky, British, weird amalgam of SF, horror, and thriller ingredients.  We'll not be reading any more. But we did read these three.

It's Cocktail Time!

Our Lady of Pain(killer)

In a shaker of ice, mix:

• 4 parts fresh-squeezed pineapple juice
• 1 part fresh-squeezed blood orange juice
• 1 part coconut cream
• 1 (or 4?) parts coconut rum (like Malibu)
• shake or two of cinnamon and/or nutmeg

Strain into tumbler of ice. Garnish with pineapple slice, sprig of mint, and shake of cinnamon. Chin chin!

Episode 141: John Blackburn's Bury Him Darkly

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The Two Mikes join John Blackburn and enter the ancient vault of his 1969 horror novel Bury Him Darkly. We find a heck of a lot of plot but not too much more. Is it because we don't have The Dropsy? Whatever you do, do not touch the orbs, no matter how fun they look, do not touch the orbs!


Cocktail Time?  It Is!

The Holy Grail Full of Sangria

Get a pitcher full of ice and add:

• 1  cup of Burgundy wine
• 2 ounces of mint simple syrup
• 2 ounces of tequila
• 1 cup of cheap Champagne
• 1/2 cup of your favorite lemon/line soda

Stir and garnish with fruit of any sort,  pour into your most holy of beverage glasses.

Chin chin.

Episode 140: John Blackburn's A Scent of New-Mown Hay

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Criminy! The Mikes forage for some insights and witticisms about John Blackburn's first novel, and return home empty handed (and covered with ticks). They wonder about first-novel awkwardness and hope for better in later books.

It's Cocktail Time!

A Fungus among Us

In a shaker, combine

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 table spoons orange juice

• 1/2 teaspoon mushroom powder (such as oyster mushroom)

• 3 tablespoons mescal

• 1 tablespoon triple sec

shake with ice and pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

Episode 139 Michael Talbot's Night Things

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Pack the station wagon, head to the Adirondacks and join The Two Mikes as they vacation with Michael Talbot's  Night Things.  Is that a Fallen Angel under your covers or are you just excited to see us?  Do yourself a favor and head straight to the rental agent and demand better accommodations.

It's Cocktail Time!

The Adirondack Moonrise

2 shots blended Canadian Whiskey

3 Tablespoons maple syrup

1 Tablespoon wild blueberries

1 lemon wedge

Splash of seltzer.

Muddle the berries, lemon and maple syrup in an Old Fashion glass. Fill with ice and pour in the whiskey and seltzer.  Stir well. Garnish with lemon.

Episode 138: Michael Talbot's The Bog

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The Mikes get their hands dirty and moist digging into Michael Talbot's second novel. We learn about what bog tannins can do to human remains (preserve them) and what hanging out with a demon can do to a sorcerer (preserve them). 

It's Cocktail time!

The Bog Body

In a cocktail shaker, combine:

• 1 1/2 shots scotch (something peaty)
• 1 shot Mirto liqueur (myrtle liqueur)
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• sprig of crushed fresh thyme

Shake with ice and pour into a tumbler of ice. 

Fill glass with ginger beer and garnish with lemon slice. 

Episode 137: Michael Talbot's A Delicate Dependency

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Solve all the mysteries with all the Mike's as they bite into The Delicate Dependency.  Something is certainly catching and hopefully it is not an invulnerable virus. Perhaps you'll ride a Dodo bird through the orchid green house or maybe you'll just walk out the door and head on home. Those silly vampires, what they won't do. 

It's Cocktail Time!

Hot House Flower 

One bottle of Kava

Equal parts half cranberry juice and pomegranate juice

Two big glugs of Cointreau 

A healthy splash of Orange Blossom Water

Pour into a large iced pitcher, stir, decant into Champagne flutes and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Chin Chin.

Episode 136: Kathe Koja's Skin

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The Mikes round out their reading of Kathe Koja's first three books by wrestling with art and possession and the perils of hanging around with artists. Especially theatre-types. Do we have piercing insights or merely make cutting remarks? You're the judge.

It's Cocktail Time!

Stud in the Tongue

In a martini shaker with crushed ice, add

• 2 shots good gin
• 1/2 or 1 shot good dry vermouth
• 1, maybe 2, drops Liquid Smoke

Shake and strain into chilled martini glass

garnish with a lemon peel spiked on a 10-penny nail