Sometimes, short and sweet is the best way. Much like revenge is sweet. And bloody.

Morris’s novella Nova: The Executioner of Justice is a collection of stories, divided into four tales of individuals. Their stories all start off unassuming, getting a glimpse into who that person is at that moment before they meet our exacting executioner, Nova.

The first story gives us Beverly, broken down on the side of the road. Nova just happens to appear, a helping hand in the dark, as Beverly warms up to this stranger. We all know by now that a stranger conveniently coming to help, in the middle of nowhere at night, no less, is never just a good Samaritan. Beverly quickly learns this is too good to be true. We know through a direct Nova that Beverly is no true damsel in distress. Beverly has a dark secret that she thought no one would ever find out, but Nova is not just some mere mortal. Our Nova is a supernatural being that knows you better than you know yourself. You can see Nova as Death, but she is more of a cosmic horror creature than that. When she reveals her true self to Beverly, she meets her end as Nova consumes Beverly’s soul (and other, more squishy bits) through means of her own Black Hole that comes forth when Nova opens her mouth. The void takes it all, feeding Nova. Until her next assigned “client”, as she calls the people we encounter in these stories.

The next stories feature a rideshare driver named Henry who turns out to be a rapist and murderer, a philandering husband named Roger who is not even Nova’s typical assignment, but a favor was called in, and the last person of interest named Frank. Frank’s story is perfect as the last to be shared, as the stories are all connected.

Frank’s story begins with a warning to his live-in girlfriend, Kim, to stay away from his basement. A warning that goes unheeded as her curiosity gets the better of her and she finds herself in a very damning position. A climax is reached with this story as Nova shows up at just the right time, saving an increasingly frustrating Kim. Even as Nova aims to save Kim from a grisly end at the hands of her ex-medical examiner boyfriend, who enjoys mutilation and experiments on the dead victims of his brother, Henry (who has his own chapter), Kim refuses to allow Nova to exact her justice. She cites that Nova would be no better than those she had punished, to which Nova reminds her: those mortal rules have no hold on her. Nova is not of this world, and her justice is swift and final!

Although it is a short read, it is satisfying if you enjoy your vengeance with a side of minimal gore and a splash of supernatural thrills. Nova is an interesting character because she is Death, but not in the way we typically think. She works alongside Karma (who has her own list of “clients” as well) and has no feelings or time for the wicked. If you’ve done something heinous, you will get dealt with, and she will make certain of it. She is an “eye for an eye” executioner, and she leaves evidence of your passing.

Nova: The Executioner of Justice is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Google Play Books, just to name a few. You can find Latrell R. Morris at her website, Latrell R. Morris, to get more of her works.