This entertaining little novella reads like a swell idea rushed out in a hurry and then not edited before publication. Heavy description full of excessive modifiers and weird little metaphors had me shaking my head and asking, "Really, Stephen?" Example: "Her upper lip curled back, revealing snaggle teeth that were yellow with nicotine. I thought of the dusty stuffed animals in her shop, drinking eternally at the mirror that served as their creek." I do love the idea of creepy mist invading a small New England town during summer holidays. And I also appreciate anything set inside the confines of a retail space with the odd cross-section of the community you can smoosh in at one time. Oh and (view spoiler)[ tentacles! (hide spoiler)] The whole story felt like a radio drama, and I'd happily listen. Overall, a light fun October read (with the overwriting being almost as entertaining as the plot).