All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

Paraffin Lamp by Alex Sinclair

Few writers expose darkness as well as Alex Sinclaire. And he certainly cast a light on and in a human being utterly destroyed by life in Paraffin Lamp. 

“Packy” should not be on the streets. He is violent and rotten to the vanishing point of his soul. And yet he is “one of us”–which makes him obscene and strangely beautiful.

It comes with a Warning, but if you are having Goose for the holiday it may be an ironic advisory.

Paraffin Lamp by Alex Sinclair – Warning – strong language and content that some readers will find upsetting

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou

4 thoughts on “Paraffin Lamp by Alex Sinclair”

  1. We have a number of dark things in LS Towers but I think in a scramble this one is going to find its way up there very near the top if not on the pinnacle. Brutal, viscious, bloody and altogether stunning. Great writing, absolutely great. dd

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  2. ’Horror adjacent’ as I’m told the kids today might say! Visceral to the point of bile in the mouth inducing but also brilliantly written in a way that can’t help but invoke some feelings of empathy – and not just for that poor goose!

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  3. Hi Alex,

    You are one of my favourite writers on the site.

    The darkness in your writing brightens my day!!

    I don’t think anyone can write the way that you do.

    It is an absolute pleasure to read your work!!!!

    All the very best to you and yours over the holidays.

    Hugh

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