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The 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 Grasshoppers

In a mason jar, combine

shake and strain into seven chilled cocktail glasses.

Chin chin!

Click to listen 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.

click to listen 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!

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

click here to listen 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:Sambucanbsp;2 drops ghost pepper saucevodkashoot it! chin.nbsp; nbsp; chin.nbsp; nbsp; 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 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. 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 listen 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 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!

Click to listen 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?nbsp; It Is! The Holy Grail Full of Sangria Get a pitcher full of ice and add: 1nbsp; cup of Burgundy wine2 ounces of mint simple syrup2 ounces of tequila1 cup of cheap Champagne1/2 cup of your favorite lemon/line soda Stir and garnish with fruit of any sort,nbsp; pour into your most holy of beverage glasses. Chin chin.

click to listen 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 juice2 table spoons orange juice1/2 teaspoon mushroom powder (such as oyster mushroom)3 tablespoons mescal1 tablespoon triple sec shake with ice and pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

Click to listen. 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 Whiskey3 Tablespoons maple syrup1 Tablespoon wild blueberries1 lemon wedgeSplash 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.