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click to listenThe Two Mikes reunite for the holidays and bring along a Linda! We talk over Joe Hill's new short story and then spend a stupid amount of energy reimagining it as a Hallmark Christmas movie.It's Cocktail Time!The ShotgunIn a rocks glass with ice mix:two shots rye1 shot Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur)dash orange bittersstir and garnish with twist of orange.Chin chin! 

 Click to listenJoin the Two Mikes and a little  Linda as they investigate the supernatural in F. G. Cottam's The Fourth Haunting. Is that a ghost in your in your pocket or are you just trying to get me to join a super evil, dark magic, sinister sex cult?  It is Cocktail Time! GHOST GIN ( and tonic) 2  shots Blue GinTonicGet a tall glass, ice  ... come on, you know how to make a G & T.

 click to listenAnd so the Two Mikes finish their sixteen+ year journey to read scary books together and try to come up with intelligent and fun things to say about them. And make cocktails. We had a great time. Thanks to all who listened along! And thanks to all who've engaged with the site and with us. And thanks especially to all the authors. So many great books.We'll keep the site alive, so no worries there. Feel free to reach out to our email or leave comments on individual episodes. We're still here, and—who knows?—maybe we'll drop a new episode once in a while.Now what should we do with this one?It's Cocktail Time, Blast from the Past edition! The Frisky Witch1 part VodkaI part SambucaMix LogisticsPour into shaker of ice, shake, strain and enjoy.

 click to listenWe two Mikes tackle, for our penultimate episode, Lisa Tuttle's first horror novel. We struggle to recall the details (as we are getting on in years) and eventually things start to get more familiar. It's Cocktail Time!Cocktails with Mr. LunchIn a shaker with ice, pour1 shot Cointreau1 shot lime juice1 shot gin1 shot ChartreuseShake and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wheel and cherryChin chin!

 click to listenThe Mikes belt out some wolf whistles and learn about men's accessories. And Nazis.It's cocktail time!Three Shots to the HeadLine up three shot glasses. In order, fill them with:JägermeisterBärenjägerWilliam Wolf pecan whiskeyShoot them!

 Click to listenLet's tonsure our hair, put on the scratchy robes and make the vows with The Two Mikes and Matthew Lewis in The Monk.  Celibacy is not all that is cracked up to be, so throw in a little Lucifer, a smidge of witchcraft and a pinch of lust and you got yourself one hell of a gothic tale.   It's Cocktail Time!The Bleeding NunYou are going to layer these liquors.  Hint: Put the bottle of booze in the fridge before you attempt this.In a shot glass, pour in a half shot of Kahlua and on the back of a spoon pour in a half shot of Rumchata and then a trickle of Kinky Red.  Shoot it!Chin Chin.  

 click to listenThe Mikes' book group reads a book about a book group. This won't end well.It's cocktail time!Shelby, Drink Your Juice!In a champagne flute pour:1/2 shot of Southern Comfortorange juice to about halfway fill the glasstop with club soda

 No Picture Today Click to listen Two Mikes learn all about Adult Vampring in Clare Kohda's Woman, Eating.   Sometimes you gotta pay your dues and sometimes you  just gotta drain the blood out of your intern supervisor.It's Cocktail Time!Hallucinogenic Milk1 shot PernodJuice of 1/2 lemonA teaspoon of powdered sugar, or sugar substituteShake with ice, pour into a glass, ice and all, and top with club soda.Chin, chin.     

click to listenIn which the Mikes realize they're reading the same book at the same time and decide to record their thoughts, with no regard to what they're really supposed to be reading, which is Claire Kohda's Woman, Eating. It's Cocktail Time!The Black Death2 oz black vodka3 oz limoncello1 oz club sodastir with ice and garnish with a lemon (or a dead rat)

                                                                          Click to ListenPack up you belongings and quickly relocate with the Two Mikes and William Hallahan and his 70s horror novel The Search For Joseph Tully.   Maybe you'll find a new apartment or maybe you'll just loose your head.  That's one way to enforce rent control.    It's Cocktail TimeThe Wrecking BallIn a shaker of ice pour:1 ounce Gin1 ounce Rum1 ounce Tequila1 ounce Triple Sec1 ounce VodkaShake for longer than you'd think and pour into a martini glass or serve over ice. Garnish with lemon or orange peel.  Stay home for the evening. 

 click to listenWherein the Two Mikes look upon creation and find that it is good enough.It's Cocktail Time!Black SunriseMake coffee ice cubesWhen ready, place in shaker.Add:    1 shot espresso    1 shot Kahlua    1 shot blackstrap rumShake and pour entire into tumbler.Go to work.

 click to listenThe Two Mikes hop into the Misery Machine to solve a mystery, along with some damaged kids and a precocious Weimeraner. What they discover is a man in a mask behind a mask behind some tentacles, in a mine, behind a mask.It's Cocktail Time!Essential SaltsA day before you make this cocktail, prepare tomato water ice cubes.roughly blend four large tomatoes, a hot pepper, a selection of herbs, and a tbsp of balsamic vinegarpour into fine sieve lined with cheesecloth and let drip into container. Do not press: you want a clear orange liquidmake ice cubes out of liquid (save the solids for chili or something)When ready, rim margarita glasses with a mixture of salts: we recommend Hawaiian salt, smoked salt, and seasoned salt. Just run a lime or lemon wedge around rim, and dredge through salt mixture. Set aside.In blender pour 1.5 shot of Cuervo Gold tequila and 1.5 shot of sage liqueur per serving you plan to make. Add in four ice cubes per serving. Blend and pour into glasses. Garnish with lime and cilantro or a fried sage leaf. 

         Click to listen Are you there God? It is us, The Two Mikes and Christopher Buehlman's Between Two Fires.  Listen as we journey through a plague ridden world devoid of compassion, and goodness and replete with superstition and horror. Here is where the leaders are most likely the actual spawn of hell.  No, it does not take place in 2022.It's Cocktail Time!Arrow in the TongueFor 15 minutes, gently warm a quarter cup of cream or half and half, with either a Ghost Pepper or a Scotch Bonnett.  Let this cool.In a rocks glass filled with ice combine:1  shot of the infused cream1 shot of Kahlua1 shot of Cream de CacaoStir and garnish with a sliver of the hot pepper skewered by a cocktail sword.Chin Chin.

click to listenIn a town that is not Salem's Lot, comes a man who is not John Rambo to fight a vampire who is really a vampire. What should we title it? Not First Blood. How about Night Blood! Yeah, that's good.It's Cocktail Time!The Hoosier Hot ShotPerk some crappy hospital coffee (not the goods stuff).Pour into a diner-style mug, leave an inch of spaceFloat shot of James Dickel bourbona shot or two of half-and-halfshot of Kahlua 

    Click to listen.  Listen to the Mikes as they nibble that oh so tempting cheese in Stephen Gilbert's Ratmen's Notebooks. It is that time of the year the critters come in from the cold; Why not contemplate some petty revenge?                                            It's Cocktail Time. RAT POISON Recipe: A splash of Vermouth2 ounces Gin1 Tbs of Cornichon  Brine      Place everything in a shaker of ice and shake well, Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a Cornichon.                                      

 click to listenThe Mikes pack their gear and head into the woods for some up-close encounters with nature. Worms are nature, right?It's Cocktail Time!As the Worm TurnsIn a shaker mix2 oz mezcal1/2 oz fresh lime juice1/2 oz ginger juice1 oz agave nectarstrain into ice-filled glass and top with sparkling water. Garnish with worm from bottle.

 Click to listenContinue your studies abroad with the Mikes and Simon Raven's Doctors Wear Scarlet.  Will you graduate Summa Cum Laude? You will if you're a nasty young chap who get's his kicks from having his neck gnawed on.   Cocktail Time!Tbe Dick Fountain Cocktail1 ounce anise flavored liquor1/2  ounce simple syrup1/2 ounce fresh lemon juiceone egg white Put everything in a shaker of ice, sans egg white. Shake well.  Now add the egg white and shake well. Pour into glass with the ice or strain into a martini glass. Chin chin.

 click to listenThe Mikes have a confession to make: we read and have thinkings about another Thomas Disch novel. We marvel and cringe at the what goes underneath those cassocks. It's Cocktail Time!No one Drinks the Spanish InquisitionIn a shaker with ice, mix1/2 shot Cointreau1/2 shot calvadosPour into coupe glass (for up) or rocks glass (for on the rocks). Fill glass with cava and top with a shake or two of bay leaf bitters.Chin Chin!

   Click to listenJoin The Two Mikes but quietly tip toe backwards as they come upon a herd of ghostly elk in Stephan Graham Jones's horror novel  The Only Good Indians.  You can run but the Elk Head Woman will find you and she's going to want to play a mean game of H-O-R-S-E.It's Cocktail Time!The Elks Club  ( yes, there is no apostrophe)1/4 ounce dry vermouth2  ounces SoCoDash bittersMaraschino Cherry to garnish.Directions: Shack in an ice filled shaker.  Pour into a high ball glass or strain into a martini glass.  

click to listenThe two Mikes visit old haunts in Chicago and Madison, as they learn the ropes of vampirism and the club scene with new creature of the night.It's Cocktail Time!Kroba1 shot calvados1 shot vodka1/2 shot kirsch1/2 shot maple syrupshake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Enjoy with herring. Lots and lots of herring.

 ListenThe Mikes trip on hippie brownies and head into the 1960s and Chicago's Westside in Emil Ferrris's My Favorite Thing is Monsters.  Are monsters real?  Take a look in a reflective storefront window and find out for your damn self.It Is Cocktail Time!Monster MashTake fruits that can represent monsters. For example:Kiwi= The Wolf ManStrawberry = DraculaBlueberry = BooberryLime = FrankensteinMuddle fruits with a little sugar in the bottom of a glass. Add ice and pour in as much corn mash whiskey as needed  and top with soda water. Stir and enjoy. Chin Chin.

 click to listenTwo Mikes and a Linda put on their dancing shoes and head to a party, where all, it seems, is not well. We try to solve the mystery of the crime solvers, learn to say "yes" to the dress (and hear what it has to say in return), and finally pull the ribbon on the whole thing.It's Cocktail Time!Difficult at Parties PunchFreeze ice in a ring, like in a Bundt pan.Slice a blood orange for garnish.Then, in a punch bowl, mix:    3 cups sweet vermouth    3 cups campari    Add 1 cup assorted fruit (like Buddah's hand, duryan, ugli, … kidding: just some berries and such)Pour in 2-3/4 cups prosecco. Stir gently.Settle ice ring in bowl.Ladle into those fancy punch cups your grandma left you; garnish with blood orange slice. Commence party.    

Click to listenThe Two Mikes travel to the Deep South with Flannery O'Connor and her short story "Good Country People. Bless their hearts, it isn't all fried chicken and sweet tea.It's Cocktail Time!Hooch in the Bible1 shot Campari1 shot good Bourbon1 shot ginger liqueurPlace in a tumbler of ice, shake and decant into a martini glass. Garnish with a shaving of ginger. Chin Chin.

click to listenThe Two Mikes go for a drive and end up in an awkward new relationship with their car. It's hard to explain.It's Cocktail Time!Bodily Fluids1/2 shot each of Irish CreamAmarettoKirschGallianoPour together into a double shot glass, but don't stir. Toss across the dash of your car and lick it off. Eww.

Click to listenThe Two Mikes don't lose their heads or any other parts, but still enjoy Brian Evenson's Last Days.  The hero gets out mostly intact but the Mikes will remain Zeroes thank you very much.Cocktail Time! 🍸The Self-CauterizerGet a pint beer glass and fill half way with a dark beer like a Stout or a Porter.  Take 150 Proof Rum and float on the top by pouring on the back of the spoon. Ignite the rum, at your own peril, and when tired of the fire, extinguish by filling up the rest of pint glass with more dark beer.Yes, this is a lazy drink. Chin Chin.

click to listenThe Two Mikes finish their reading of Paul Tremblay's breakout books with a trip to the woods. There are grasshoppers and a messages from "God" and bunch of decent people at brutal cross purposes. Kinda like driving the family to the lake on a Sunday in July.It's Cocktail Time!Seven GrasshoppersIn a mason jar, combine6 oz crème de menthe6 oz crème de cacao3 oz heavy cremeiceshake and strain into seven chilled cocktail glasses.Chin chin!

Click to listenThe 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 Cider1 cup of natural apple cider1 shot cinnamon schnapps1 shot of whiskey  Mix, pour over ice and garnish with an apple slice. Chin, chin.

click to listenThe 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 FloodRim 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 rumshot of Amaro Montenegro (or similar)juice of 1/2 limeShake and pour over ice. Fill glass with ginger beer.Chin, chin!

Click to listenThe 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 Hatchet1 shot of Aged Rum, like Plantation Barbados 20022 teaspoons of Demerara SyrupHalf shot of Elderflower Liquor like Belvoir or other type of Alpine LiquorAngostura Bitters: 2 dashesChocolate Bitters: 2 dashesRosemary sprig and orange slice for garnishPut everything but the bitters in an iced shaker. Shake. Strain into iced lowball glass and splash in the bitters. Garnish.

click here to listenThe 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 HeadLayer in a shot glass:Sambuca 2 drops ghost pepper saucevodkashoot it!chin.    chin.    thwak.

Click to listenThe 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 AperolShake 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.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px}

click to listenWe 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 juice1 part fresh-squeezed blood orange juice1 part coconut cream1 (or 4?) parts coconut rum (like Malibu)shake or two of cinnamon and/or nutmegStrain into tumbler of ice. Garnish with pineapple slice, sprig of mint, and shake of cinnamon. Chin chin!