A queer slasher that exudes 80s/90s movie vibes? SIGN! ME! UP!

CARDINAL RULES by Brady Phoenix was everything I needed right now and didn't even know it.  Those who know me know that I *LOVE* slasher horror - so much that I started a podcast dedicated to the best and worst slasher movies of the 80s this year!  So when I heard about Cardinal Rules I knew I had to have it.  And I could not put it down!

You know how so many 80s/90s horror movies set you up with a mysterious background, some main characters, a basic plot outline, and then take place at a summer camp?  Well, this one does similar things but then takes place during a PRIDE weekend and some of the hotspots stemming from that.  YES!  And once the parties start then the body count begins to rise.  There are some real fun death scenes in this, too!  And a costumed slasher is always fun - like who does not want to read about or see a killer dressed up like a cardinal with razor talons?!

This book begins with a traumatic domestic incident and flashes back to the life/lives impacted by said event throughout the book.  You definitely know someone is not being honest but you do not have a clue who is behind these grizzly murders at this weekend Pride celebration.  As the story goes on, the past is uncovered more, and even more people start to die, everything starts coming full circle and it definitely sent me!  

There are some characters I loved to love... and, well, a few more that I couldn't wait to meet The Cardinal.  On a deeper level, this book does explore some of the bullying, racism, shaming, and toxicity within the LGBTQ+ community (so be ready for that).  In a community longing for equality and acceptance there sure is a lot of tearing others down.  I thought this level of complexity added a whole new meaning behind this book as well and the author was definitely able to execute this effectively.  

In the end, I just had such a blast with Cardinal Rules and definitely recommend it!  4 stars!  Thanks to the author for a review copy!