Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The First One You Expect | 2014 | Adam Cesare | Buy |
| 2 | Jackpot | 2014 | Adam Cesare | Buy |
| 3 | Bottom Feeders | 2015 | Adam Cesare | Buy |
| 4 | Zero Lives Remaining | 2016 | Adam Cesare | Buy |
Adam Cesare published four standalone novellas and short stories between 2014 and 2016, during a period when he was most active in the small-press horror scene. These shorter works let him explore different horror concepts without the commitment of a full novel.
The First One You Expect is a crime-tinged horror story, while Jackpot and Bottom Feeders take different approaches to the genre. Zero Lives Remaining, set in a haunted arcade, is probably the best known of the group and shows Cesare’s skill at combining nostalgia with genuine scares. Each of these was published through independent horror presses that specialize in shorter-form fiction.
These novellas are good starting points for readers who want to try Cesare’s work before committing to a full novel. They are quick reads that demonstrate his range within horror fiction and his ability to create effective atmosphere in a limited page count.