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Mark Trollinger was born in Victorville, CA, grew up in Yellow Springs, OH, and currently lives in Phoenix, AZ. He teaches business management classes at the university level and is currently finishing his dissertation in higher education administration. In his spare time he loves to travel, run half marathons, watch cryptozoology shows, and drink craft beer. His first book, "The Chupacabra & the Bat Rastard," introduces readers to a team of cryptozoology investigators who happen to love craft beer.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Chupacabra & the Bat Rastard by Mark Trollinger is a beguiling story that is beautifully written with a unique culture, a short story about a drunk who meets an old pal and begins a new adventure. Carson Quinn used to be a science teacher, but that was before. Now he hops from bar to bar, drinking. And then he meets an old friend and an old love for cryptozoology is rekindled. Now, they are set for a boisterous adventure, but could this new experience mend his miserable life?
There is a lot to enjoy in this short story. First, it has a very unusual plot, and from the beginning the reader may not feel anything dramatic taking place, but the great writing can’t be ignored. I have read many books lately and it feels like every writer strives to create great conversation, but Mark Trollinger has a gift fort descriptive prose and he is not afraid to use it. The author doesn’t try too hard to create dialogues and, when he does, he keeps them to the minimum. However, his prose is filled with powerful imagery and it captures great and subtle emotions in a fascinating manner.
I enjoyed the compelling cast of characters — Carson, Fred, Eric, Tyson, Tegan — and the beautiful setting. The idea of craft beer was completely new to me and I enjoyed it. The author weaves the themes of friendship, adventure, personal development and inner freedom beautifully into the story. The Chupacabra & the Bat Rastard is a tightly-written story with a huge potential for entertainment. Great plot, awesome characters, and enticing prose combine to create an enjoyable reading experience.
