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The Monster Librarian Presents:

Reviews of Horror Anthologies and Collected Works 

 

Sometimes some of the best horror writing can be found in anthologies and collections of short stories.  Anthologies or collected works that have a common theme such as zombies, vampires, or werewolves will be found under those specific horror fiction sections.  The works reviewed here tend to be collections of stories that touch upon a variety of themes and don't neatly fit under any other categories.

 

Despairs & Delights by Lincoln Crisler *New Review

Arctic Wolf Publishing, 2008

ISBN: 978-0980219722

Available: New and Used

    Lincoln Crisler’s first anthology consists of ten short stories. Many contain paranormal elements and some are written as human horror, but all of them are worth reading. I found each story to be easy to read, allowing readers of all levels to enjoy this collection. “Easy to read” doesn’t mean this is a book for minors, because it is definitely not. Included within the pages of Despairs & Delights are mentions of gore, incest, and necrophilia, so it’s definitely NOT aimed at young adult. Not to name all of the stories in this book, but three in particular stood out to me.

“Lane Feeds the Multitude” is the first one I shall mention. It focuses on a “soup kitchen” that is having trouble funding their project in order to keep everyone well fed. One of the workers, Lane, gets an idea that will help everyone out, and takes it upon himself to “track down” some food.

“The Hitchhiker” was probably my favorite story out of this collection. It is about a hitchhiking werewolf, Jason, who is headed towards what he feels is his “destiny”. Most people would expect a very different destiny for a werewolf, but Jason feels strongly about his decision and has given up everything to make it happen.

“Victory Feast” is yet another fine piece by Crisler. In this story, a son is willing to make one of life’s greatest sacrifices in order to keep his secret from getting out. What is the secret and what is the great sacrifice? The answer is found within the pages of Crisler’s Despairs & Delights.

I would recommend this collection to all horror fans and especially those looking to get into horror without worrying about picking up a book containing extremely graphic sex and gore. Lincoln’s stories skirt around the graphic scenes and get right to the point. Despairs & Delights would be a welcome addition to any library collection.

Contains: Adult Situations, Adult Language

Review by Rhonda Wilson

Note: Despairs & Delights are included here due to a werewolf short story contained within as part of Werewolf month.

 

 

 

Intimate Strangers by Stanley Wiater *New Review

Voices in my Head Productions

ISBN: N/A

Available: New

Format: Audio CD
    I was surprised by this CD. When I was younger I had found memories of A dramatic take on Stephen King's The mist adapted with all full cast and something Simon and Shuster claimed was 3D sound. I also heard a few Barker stories and done this way but this cool method of horror story telling is hardly ever used. Too bad it's kinda fun and something that i hope libraries will support.
    I was ready to dislike the project, the first story "The Toucher" was told in second person by a actor playing a young girl. Speaking in many over the top southern hick-isms. It got old really fast. I didn't enjoy the second story either which was a short creepy piece told in second person as well. So I was prepared to write off the CD altogether.
    Good thing I didn't. I did however enjoy the production and most importantly the story of the third story "The end of the line." This story builds perfectly to a neat surprise. The fourth is a longer Lovecraftian inspired tale called mystery of the word. Both of the these stories are good classic horror that deliver.  This is a a project that is perfect for libraries, a cool thing that most people most think to buy but my check out from the library.

Review by David Agranoff

 

Strange Vegetables by G.O. Clark*New Review

Dark Regions Press, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1888993677

Available: New

           In this poetry collection, you will find everything from robot poets to creationist theories, with a smattering of little alien goodies, a sure sign of a speculative poet. The poetry in Strange Vegetables is simultaneously fun, lyrical, entertaining and thought-provoking. At first pass through, G.O. Clark’s poetry sparks with witty repartee. He writes as though he’s had some crazy dreams that had to be put to paper immediately upon waking. The reader who goes back through a second or even third time, will see deeper meanings.

            Poetry is often a hard sell for me, but I fell in love with Strange Vegetables almost immediately. Clark has such an incredible way with words; he is direct and to the point, and evokes an enormous array of emotions from the reader. One poem will elicit a surprising laugh, while the next will cause one to pause, reflect, and feel a sense of culpability. The poetry contained within Strange Vegetables is captivating and provocative and immediately quotable for ready listeners.
  Strange Vegetables would be right at home in a public library, but would be a better fit with readers of science fiction, rather than horror.

Review by Kelly Fann

 

 

Double Visions by Bruce Boston*New Review

Dark Regions Press, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1888993660

Available: New

        The poems collected in Double Visions range not only in form and meter, but in subject matter and content. Bruce Boston has chosen a fantastic group of poets with whom to collaborate to create some amazingly beautiful poetry. Several of the poems contained in Double Visions have been published elsewhere, with many of these having been nominated for the Rhysling Award (a science fiction poetry award). One particular poem, “Return to the Mutant Rain Forest”, won the Odyssey Poetry Award in 1988 and Locus Online Poetry Poll in 2006. This particular poem can also be found in the Year’s Best Horror XVIII and the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror III, both published in 1990. Double Visions also includes three original poems appearing for the first time.

          J.L. Comeau provides a lyrical and beautiful introduction for Double Visions, which captures the essence of the forthcoming poetry. However, it is rather lengthy when compared to the actual length of the book, and one particular paragraph discussing President Obama’s inauguration seems forced and out of context with the rest of the introduction. Twenty-one poems written by Boston in collaboration with other poets appear following the introduction. The poetry contained in Double Visions is haunting with hints of the bizarre, the fantastical, and the horrific, with mayhem and madness ensuing. Each reader will find their own individual hidden meanings within the poetry as it speaks to the human condition through humor, sadness, wit, and remorse. Topics range from All Hallows Eve to post-apocalyptic wastelands, and the further into the book you read, the darker and scarier the poetry becomes.

 Double Visions includes author profiles at the end of the book, a nice (and welcome) addition. The profiles are brief, only a paragraph each, but provide avenues to explore the poets’ works further, and display the breadth of experience contained within the pages of the book.

            Double Visions would make a nice addition to both a horror collection and a poetry collection in a public library.

Review by Kelly Fann

 

 

Demons and Other Inconveniences by Dan Dillard*New Review

CreateSpace 2010
ISBN 978-1452826110

Available: New

           Demons, vampires, and things that go bump in the night.  What scares you?  Is something the future may hold?  Is it a murderer of innocent children?  What about the old woman living alone down the street?  All of these and more can be found in the short stories contained in Demons and Other Inconveniences.  Dan Dillard has quite the imagination and has some great stories here.
           Some of my favorite stories in the collection include “Amber Alert”, about a child that’s gone missing in a small town, and the horrifying realization of who is actually responsible; “Unlucky in Death”, about a newly-turned vampire who faints at the sight of blood; “Never Judge a Book”, about Jack who runs into some pretty scary creatures on his walk home—this is a funny one; and “My Mind’s Eye”, about what goes through the mind of a potential killer.
           Other notable stories include “The Trash Menagerie”, which takes an interesting look at hoarding; “Pig Man”, about what a little girl sees in the middle of the night—quite terrifying; “The Demon of Walker’s Woods”, about the imaginations of a group of small-town children one summer; and “Anticipation” about someone just waiting to die at the hands of others—and the surprise of “who” it is.

There isn’t a bad story in the collection.  I look forward to reading more from Dan Dillard in the future.  I definitely recommend this one.

Contains: Mild language and violence
Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

 

 

Scattered Ashes by Scott Nicholson

Dark Regions Press,2008

ISBN: 978-1888993646

Available: New and Used 

    In Scattered Ashes, Scott Nicholson presents a collection of Appalachian tales that invokes the spirit of Manly Wade Wellman. Nicholson has a lyrical quality to his prose that sets the reader on edge. His command of language and nuance is positively delicious. Through Nicholson’s mastery of pacing and carefully crafted rhythm, the reader experiences a roller coaster of emotions, culminating in a sense of cosmic dread, visceral and in-your-face, and the sort of nervous release at tale’s end that leaves you clamoring to devour more. Nicholson is at the top of his game in this exciting and spine-tingling collection. A must read. Highly Recommended

Review by Bob Freeman 

 

 

Gleefully Macabre Tales By Jeff StrandDark Regions Press, 2009

ISBN-13: 978-1888993769

Available: New

            I have very mixed feelings about this book. Let me state at the beginning, I think this is a worthwhile short story collection that should be on the shelves of any library that is serious about having a horror collection. Do you sense a a big BUT coming? I was not a huge fan of the book myself. That being said, I see clearly that Strand has put together a collection of stories will have appeal to a wide audience.
            Gleefully Macabre Tales features over 30 pieces of Jeff Strand's unique combination of horror and comedy. Comic horror is not unheard of in the horror genre: most authors lighten up their collections with one or two entirely comedic tales. This book, however, is 95% comedic horror

            I should say that I have enjoyed Strand's work before. I liked his Bram Stoker award nominated novel Pressure and I really enjoyed The Haunted Forest Tour (a novel he co-wrote). However, I generally like very, very dark books, so I chose to review this one to see if Strand's style of horror and comedy could crack my black soul. Unfortunately, I can't say this book worked for me.
            I had two favorite stories that I thought were effective horror fiction and made me laugh. Those stories were “Everything has a Purpose”, and the brutal, cringe-inducing story of testicular horror, “Mister Sensitive.” It was while reading the latter than I had the biggest belly laugh and also cringed at the pain of the main character.

            I liked that many of the stories were short, and Strand did a great job of doing many things in a short word count, which takes serious skill. Yet, there were still things that bothered me. First, Strand often chooses mean-spirited narrators for his stories, and after reading a dozen or so of these you begin to feel like you're on a Greyhound bus trip. After awhile it becomes unpleasant. Second, I don't find Strand's subject matter to be very creative. I enjoy reading stories when I am impressed by the idea behind it being out of left field and interesting. Many of the ideas in these stories seemed pedestrian- I didn't sit back in my chair and marvel “How did he think of that?” I like to read a book and be astonished that that the author's mind created this story and this universe. I really didn't get that from this book.

            I think that Gleefully Macabre Tales has a place in any library collection that is interested in having a complete horror collection. Strand is a effective writer, and despite my personal dislike for the book I can still see its appeal to other readers.

Contains: Sex, violence, sadism, drug use. 

Review by David Agranoff

 

Voices From The Dark by Gary William Crawford*New Review

Dark Regions Press, 2009

ISBN:13-978-1-888993-75-2

Available: New

            Voices From The Dark is a collection of Gary William Crawford's poetry over the last thirty years. The poems are divided into four sections: "Voices from the Divided Self", "Voices from the Shadow City", "Voices from the Phantom World", and "Voices of Death and Loss".
            The first section, "Voices from the Divided Self", is the least tied together. However, the poems are vividly written, and conjure up images of things that are often better left unimagined. There is a real darkness, a fear of madness, that runs throughout this section.

            The second section, "Voices from the Shadow City", was my favorite. Each poem is a small part of a greater story, slowly giving the reader a look into the heart of the Shadow City. The City is a dystopian world, where art, love and anything good and bright is quashed by the lawmen and the high priests. There is a Lovecraftian feel to the verses here; a hint of the dreamworlds and their denizens. Very dark and very good.

            Section three, "Voices from the Phantom World", is the most positive of the sections. Although the Phantom World is a world of ghosts, it is also a world of love and light. I don't believe it is heaven, but a bit heaven-like in it's depiction. The narrator's spirit guides us through the Phantom World as well as connecting worlds. There is a spectral beauty to be found here; a stark contrast to the Shadow City.

            The fourth and final section is "Voices Of Death And Loss". In the afterward, the author explains that these poems were inspired by the death of his lover. Sad slices of grief, these verses tug at the heart, quite powerfully. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one will no doubt recognize something of themselves in many of the pages here.

            In each poem, the poetry flows easily from one verse to the next. This is a fantastic collection of poetry that  has something for any fan of dark verse. I highly recommend it for any library or private collection.

Contains: dark imagery.

Reviewed by Erik Smith

 

 

Vectors by Charlee Jacob & Marge Simon*New Review

Dark Regions Press, 2007

ISBN:13-978-1-888993-53-0

Available: New

            The subtitle for this poetry collection is "A Week in the Death of a Planet", and that's an apt description.  The reader follows a plague that destroys life on Earth in seven days. It starts on July 1, and covers each day of the plague through July 7.
            Some of the poems are by Ms. Jacob, some by Ms. Simon, and some written by both. Some of the poems carry the story forward, showing us the trajectory of the plague that is destroying the world, while some of the poems simply show us slice of life pictures; bits of the overall devastation. As the plague sweeps across the globe, and people become more frightened and desperate, the poetry gets darker and more terrifying.

            Personally, I found Simon's style cleaner and easier to read than Jacob's. Ms. Jacob seems to take a more "esoteric" route in her writing here. Not a bad thing, just a different style of poetry. In the poems they wrote together, no single style overshadows the other; it almost seems as if a third writer has joined in. While there were a few poems that felt like filler, the majority worked quite well at depicting a world sliding into a ruin. It is a horrifying prospect, humanity destroying humanity in one short week, and the authors pull no punches.

Vectors is not a perfect collection, but it is a collection worth reading, and worthy of library and private collections.

Contains: dark images

Reviewed by Erik Smith

 

 

When Darkness Loves Us by Elizabeth Engstrom*New Review

Apex Publications, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9821596-6-8

Available: Used and New

            When Darkness Loves Us consists of two novellas by Elizabeth Engstrom, the first being the same title as the book itself and the other called Beauty Is, which is actually the longer of the two stories.

            The first novella, When Darkness Loves Us, tells the story of farm girl Sally Ann Hixson, who is recently married. While roaming the farm, she accidentally falls down into an underground area that had been sealed off. Sally Ann is trapped underground, her whereabouts unknown. As she adjusts to the darkness of the tunnels and creates a new way to live, Sally Ann realizes she is pregnant with child. How will she ever be able to survive down in the darkness, much less give birth to and raise a child there?

            Beauty Is tells the story of Martha Mannes, and how she is coping with her life since the death of both of her parents. Martha isn't your typical girl, as she was born with a deformity- she has no nose- and everyone in town treats her as if she is retarded. The story has flashbacks to Martha's birth and childhood, and even her parents' life prior to her birth As the story continues, Martha finds the kindness in a few townsfolk and in doing so, gains more confidence in herself. The story starts to unravel a bit at this point, as Martha starts remembering more and more about her past and how it relates to her present.

            When Darkness Loves Us and Beauty Is are both vivid in detail and beautifully written. I find myself at a loss in determining which story I actually enjoyed more as they were both so entertaining. Engstrom has a way of making readers really get to know the characters, and it almost puts you into the story as one of the extras. Wanting to know what was going to happen to the main heroine of each story made me feel compelled to turn page after page until I knew how things were to end. Strong in both characterization and dialogue, When Darkness Loves Us is a fabulous two-story collection that shouldn't be missed by any reader. It is a book that not only horror fans will enjoy, but readers from other genres as well, if they were to give it a chance. Definitely a great addition to any library collection out there!

Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex, Violence

Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

The Shadows Of Kingston Mills by David B. Silva*New Review

Dark Regions Press, 2009

ISBN:13-978-1-888993-70-7

Available: New

            Kingston Mills. A small town slice of Americana. Everyone knows everyone, doors are left unlocked, visitors are welcome. But stay out of the shadows, and try to be inside after the sun goes down. Kingston Mills is a beautiful town, with some dark, dark secrets.

            David Silva gives us twelve snapshots of life in Kingston Mills. The stories are reminiscent of the original "Twilight Zone", or the Bradbury classic Something Wicked This Way Comes. Coming of age in a small town is a theme in many horror novels, and is represented here as well. There are many recognizable tropes of the genre here: parallel dimensions, magicians, monsters, and stories about disappearances, but there are also twists here that are quite surprising. The quiet beginnings do not prepare you for the horrific turns taken by a number of the tales in this collection. Silva writes with a master's touch, and takes these old ideas in new directions.
            This is subtle horror, with a touch of blood. There are not many happy endings here. The shadows of Kingston Mills have teeth. Some of those teeth are the human kind, like the all too human monster in "Darkness and Light"; while plenty of the teeth belong to true monsters, such as those in "The Most Painful Companion of Death" and "Love Never Lost".

One of my favorite stories in this collection is "Circle of Death", a great look at cause and effect, as we follow one person after another through the day and from life to death.

For those looking for old-fashioned horror with a modern touch, The Shadows of Kingston Mills is a fine addition to library and personal collections.

Contains: some gore, language, sexual situations.

Reviewed by Erik Smith

 

 

Resurrection House by James Chambers
Dark Regions Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1888993691

Available: New

 

            Book three in Dark Regions Press’ New Voices of Horror series is Resurrection House by James Chambers.  In this collection of ten short stories, Chambers manages to turn the ordinary into something creepy, conspiracy into something scary, and history into Hell.  The cover art and interior illustrations by Jason Whitley are dark and vague and fit the mood perfectly.

            My favorite story, no surprise since I’m a raging zombie fan, is "Resurrection House", about a house that brings back the dead if they are left on the property.  A new owner brings a writer around looking to unlock the secret of the house.  What they both find is not what either one expected.   It’s a nice twist on the zombie story, with a little religious cultism thrown in for more creepiness.

            Other stand-outs include "Trick", about an old man who believes children are evil—and will leave you wondering if he was right; FIVE POINTS, about the ghosts of history and the demons that use them in the old New York immigrant neighborhood; "Vicious Swimmers", about sharks, secret government experiments, and what can really go wrong; and "The Feeding Things", an erotic tale answering the age-old question “where do baby demons come from?”

            "The Last Stand of Black Danny O'Barry" was an okay story about the California Gold Rush and ancient Chinese beliefs about the dead that I thought maybe could’ve been a bit shorter.  "Gray Gulls Gyre" was a decent story about a man afraid to die and the girl who comes to help him, but I would have liked more insight into the girl and the tattoos that gave her the ‘power’ to help him in the first place.  Overall, though, I enjoyed the book and do recommend it.

Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

Resurrection House by James Chambers
178 pages
Dark Regions Press
New Voices of Horror #3

I got the feeling while reading this collection of short stories that James Chambers is a big deal. Librarians, and readers as well, need to start buying his books. I know for a fact he is not devoting the time needed to bring his brand of horror out to the mainstream, but he deserves to be read.

 

I really loved this book. Chambers is a very balanced and creative wordsmith. In his opening stories, he captures the feeling of old school Ray Bradbury literary horror. Later, he stretches his muscles for a brutal, erotically charged Lovecraftian tale, “The Feeding Things”. There are Westerns, crime stories and more in this short but powerfully packed to the brim collection.

 

Chambers has a skill for evoking emotions needed in the horror field. He has fantastically intense and creative ideas, but without the balance and understanding of human emotion and motivation, that would be meaningless. James Chambers has that balance down to  a science. The title story was my personal favorite.  It is about a house that is a magnet for zombies, and the man who decides to call it home. The opening story, “Mooncat Jack”, captures childhood fear in the form of a boogeyman who stalks a neighborhood. Perhaps most effective for me was “Gray Gulls Gyre.”  The main character in that story, Jennifer Truth, is a compelling character with an interesting back story. Chambers is working on developing a novel about her, and one of the main reasons to get this collection is a chance to be ahead of the curve and read the first published short story about a character who I think has a great chance to become a popular character in dark fiction.

 

Avid horror readers will enjoy this collection. Libraries who are serious about stocking the new talent of the next generation of horror masters should find a good spot for this one.

Review by David Agranoff

 

 

 

 

The First by Scott Nicholson*New Review

Ghostwriter Publications, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1907190056

Available: Kindle only

 

           The First is a short story collection by Scott Nicholson, containing stories written in the first ten years of his writing career.  There are stories of the weird and fantastic and stories of how the mind can play tricks on us—or how maybe the mind knows more than we think it does.  There are stories of a future dystopian world, where the universe is controlled from afar by a totalitarian committee that has banished religion in the name of science.  All of the stories are well-written and will leave you wanting more, so check out Scott Nicholson’s other two collections.

            Easily my favorite stories are the four Areopagan tales.  In a future world reminiscent of 1984, Blade Runner, and Farenheit 451 Nicholson introduces us to a society controlled by a distant group of autocrats, where time is a commodity that has replaced money, and religion has been outlawed in favor of all things scientific.  Space flight is routine and other worlds have fallen for the good of the “whole”.  "Tellers" is about how time has become a form of payment and emotion a drug to get high from.  "Angelorum Orbis" tells about the dominant role of science in this society, which seeks to assimilate all peoples and their knowledge while eliminating any hint of spirituality.  "The Shaping" tells of an "Akademeia" where children learn the performing arts but are destroyed if their work is not considered perfection.  Finally, in "Socketful of Blather",poetry and beauty have been banned, but even the machines are starting to rebel against the elimination of what makes us human. 

            Other stories include "Beggar's Velvet", about a young woman who sees her nightmare manifesting itself out of the dust bunnies under the bed; "Heal Thyself", about past life regression therapy; "Dumb Luck", which looks at what really happens when you ignore those chain letters in the mail; "When You Wear These Shoes", which tells about a unique pair of shoes bought in a thrift store; and "Must See to Appreciate" about a man trying to sell a house that is haunted, but with an amazing twist.  There is also some great bonus material here, including an essay on writing and a short story, "The Shifting Sands of Memory".  This is a great collection from Scott Nicholson that I would recommend to anyone, along with Ashes and Flowers.

Contains: Minor Violence 

Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

Flowers by Scott Nicholson*New Review

Haunted Computer Books, 2010

ISBN: N/A

Available: Kindle only

 

            Flowers is the e-book re-release of Scott Nicholson's short story collection Thank You For the Flowers.  Scott Nicholson writes beautifully about the paranormal, the dead, and the bizarre, and the people who come in contact with it all.  There are ghost stories that aren’t just creepy, but sad as well.  There are twisted little stories about aspiring writers and the stories they tell.  There are even stories that will make you wonder about nature and how it really works. 

            First among my favorites is "Skin". In this story, Roger, badly burned in a fire, complains that everyone wants something from him—usually money—including his doctors.  Through an old wives' tale from his grandmother, Roger learns what it really means to have something that someone else wants.  Another favorite is "Do You Know Me Yet?", about a man in an institution who believes that the ideas for all horror novels comes from him and others are stealing his ideas telepathically.  "Homecoming" is a sad story of an old farming couple who lost their only child to an accident some years earlier.  Ghosts visit the woman every night and she hopes they will take her to see her dead son.  "Haunted"  is the story of a couple and their daughter in 1960’s suburbia who seem to be plagued by ghosts on a nightly basis, but there’s a twist.

            Other stories include "The Vampire Shortstop", about a vampire boy who plays Little League baseball and the man who is his coach; "Dead Air", the story of an overnight radio DJ who gets a call one night from a woman who may have killed someone; "The Three Dollar Corpse," which takes place among the horrors of the Civil War prison at Andersonville (and the flip side to "The Endless Bivouac", which appears in the collection Scattered Ashes); and "The Boy Who Saw Fire", about a sickly boy who dreams about the world ending in fire, only to find out there’s a very good explanation for this.  Once again, Scott Nicholson writes wonderfully creepy tales of love and loss and things we’d rather not know about.  There is also bonus material, including the first short story Scott ever wrote called "Everything Equals Nothing", and chapter one of his first novel The Red Church.

Also available in print as Thank You For the Flowers.

Contains: Minor Violence

Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

 

 

Ashes by Scott Nicholson*New Review

Haunted Computer Books, 2010

ISBN: N/A

Available: Kindle only

            Ashes is the e-book edition of Scott Nicholson’s short story collection Scattered Ashes.  In nearly every story, the spectre of death is there in all of its creepy, and sometimes paranormal, forms.  From a Civil War soldier at Andersonville prison, to a German soldier during WWII, zombies, and the pets we love and that love us unconditionally, you will get chills reading these stories.

            One of my favorite stories, probably because of my love of muscle cars, is "Timing Chains of the Heart", in which J.D. hits and kills a girl in his 1969 Camaro, late one night on an empty stretch of road; he places the girl’s body in the trunk of his car, and the girl’s body seems to become possessed by the soul of the Camaro.  Another favorite of mine is "The Meek", about sheep-zombies in frontier Australia that feed on people, and what the people who have survived are doing to continue their survival.  "The Weight of Silence" is a disturbing story about a couple who lost their daughter to what seemed to be Sudden Infant Death Syndrome—the baby’s father looks suspicious to the grieving mother, but appearances are deceiving.  "The Hounds of Love" tells the story of Dexter, a boy who is abused by his mother.  He tortures small animals and is determined never to love anyone or anything; through an odd occurrence one Halloween night, Dexter learns the meaning of unconditional love.  One more favorite of mine is "The Night is an Ally", that tells of a small unit of German reserve police that are ordered to round up and exterminate Jews in a Polish ghetto.  While there is a small paranormal element, what happens to the Jews is horror enough.

            Other notable stories include "Watermelon", about a man whose life seems to eerily mimic that of a man who murders his wife; "Murdermouth". about a zombie who perceives his hunger for flesh as love; "Last Writes", about a writer who takes a job as a lighthouse keeper for a year and meets someone who becomes the subject of his writings; "Dog Person", which tells the story of a man who loves his dying dog so much he can’t live without her; and "Penance", an apocalyptic story about a disease with no cure, and the President, who is trying to keep what’s left of society together.  There is a great introduction written by Jonathan Maberry, and the author’s own explanation for these stories and why he did the collection, titled "From the Ashes".

            Scott Nicholson has a way of telling a story so thoroughly that you’d think he experienced it all himself!  He is a wonderful storyteller and this is an excellent collection, which I highly recommend to horror fans of all ages.

Note: Also available in print as Scattered Ashes, published by Dark Regions Press.

Contains: mild violence. 

Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

Skull Full of Kisses by Michael West*New Review
Graveside Tales, 2010
ISBN:  978-0980133882
Available:  Used and New

        Skull Full of Kisses collects a wide range of horror stories written by Michael West.  Many are re-issues of stories printed in magazines and other anthologies, but there are a few new surprises in store as well.  I hadn't had the pleasure of reading anything by West prior to this, so I was introduced to the wide array of his talents.  Each story is a new adventure, and West pulls in many outside influences.  One example of this is in the story "Jiki", where West's love of Asian horror is expressed in the way he twists the methods of the mob.  Another favorite of mine within this anthology was "God Like Me", where a man is unhappy with his life, but soon realizes he has some amazing powers that prove very useful to him.  Both of the above mentioned stories, as well as the others in this collection, contain drama, terror, and depth.  The stories are easy reads, but they make you think, and some even touch close to home.  One story that personally touched me was the final segment of this book, "Goodnight".  In this story a young boy has lost his mother, and the spirit of his great-grandfather pays him a visit in order to explain to him about death.  "Goodnight" is extremely touching, and, though I'm not a seven-year-old boy like the one in this tale, it made me think more about death and how to face it, as I recently lost someone close to me.  West has proven he can bring forth emotions of the reader and to me, that is a sign of a great author!  I will definitely be reading more by West in the future and would recommend that all horror fans give him a try.  This collection would be a great addition to the horror section of all libraries, as with such a variety of stories included, anyone that picks up this book should find something they enjoy.

Contents:
Disappearing Act (Introduction by Gary Braunbeck)
Jiki
The Bridge
Dogs of War
Trolling
Einstein's Slingshot
God Like Me
To Know How to See
For Her
Sanctuary
Goodnight

Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex
Review by Rhonda Wilson
 

 

 

When the Night Comes Down edited by Bill Breedlove
Dark Arts Books, 2010
ISBN:  978-0977968657
Available:  New

Sixth in the Dark Arts Books anthology series, When the Night Comes Down allows readers to take a peek into the writing styles of four talented authors:  Joseph D'Lacey; Bev Vincent; Robert E. Weinberg; and Nate Kenyon.  Within the collected stories, any horror reader should find at least one they truly enjoy, and many will find several.  I had at least one favorite by each of the included authors.  Joseph D'Lacey's "The Unwrapping of Alastair Perry" details a time in Alastair's life during which he peels off the layers of his skin in order to morph into other lifeforms and experience things that these other beings (whether a person of the opposite sex, reptilian creature, etc...) would experience.  In "Knock 'Em Dead", Bev Vincent takes readers into the life of an author that feels his booksignings must be cursed, as, at each one, someone ends up dying.  Another great Vincent story in this collection is "Something In Store", where a bookstore manages to "come to life" as it expands due to the owners' desires.  Robert E. Weinberg's "Elevator Girls" makes convention attendees think twice about entering an elevator with an attractive looking girl, as his "elevator girls" have a bit more going for them beyond good looks and seductive appeal.  Nate Kenyon puts a new twist on the tiresome zombie stories in "Gravedigger".  A couple of young guys have found that dead bodies are a good way to smuggle drugs; however, they hadn't expected that the drugs might have some ill-wanted effects on the corpses they had used.  These are just a handful of the great stories that I enjoyed in When the Night Comes Down,and based on what kinds of subgenres readers enjoy, many will have differing favorites.  This collection, along with all of the Dark Arts Books anthologies, is a great way for readers to discover new voices in the horror industry.  Many anthologies only allow readers to get a glimpse of an author, with only one story by each author, or are collected works of a particular author. Unlike these anthologies, each author gets his own section to showcase several offerings. What John Everson and Bill Breedlove have created with this publishing company is a much different approach, giving each author an opportunity to shine as they introduce readers to their various writing styles through the inclusion of multiple stories.  I would recommend this collection as well as any of the other books in Dark Arts' line of books to all horror fans and feel they would make a great addition to all libraries.


Contents:

Bill Breedlove -
Powered By Brains (introduction)

Joseph D'Lacey -
The Unwrapping of Alastair Perry
Etoile's Tree
Introscopy
Morag's Fungus
The Quiet Ones

Bev Vincent -
Silvery Moon
Knock 'Em Dead
Something In Store
Purgatory Noir

Robert E. Weinberg -
Elebator Girls
The One Answer That Really Matters
Maze

Nate Kenyon -
Breeding the Demons
Gravedigger
One With the Music
The Buzz of a Thousand Wings

Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Mild Gore, Violence

Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

In Concert: The Collected Speculative Fiction of Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem by Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem

Centipede Press, 2010

ISBN: 9781933618562

Available: Pre-order(July, 2010)

        I had read interviews with Melanie Tem before reading this collection but went into it completely blind. The Tems are a married couple who have racked up Bram Stoker awards and various fantasy nominations and awards on their own, so it stands to reason that a collection of their short fiction co-authored together would be high quality. It is high quality.

        The subtitle on the book leads one to believe that the stories are going to be weighted towards science fiction, but the majority are firmly in the horror genre. The stories appear in the collection in chronological order, by date of publication. Each one is tightly crafted, so it is clear that the Tems were in full command of their combined talent early on.

        To me the best story of the collection is "More Than Should be Asked". This story about a "bad penny" child takes creepy to a disturbing peak. Other interesting stories include the vampire story "The Tenth Scholar", the opening story "Prosthesis", and "Lost", a very interesting tale set in the West.

        This is a fantastic collection of dark fiction. Libraries that are serious about horror and science fiction will do their members a favor by having this book and putting it out where it can be seen. The only drawback I can see is the $65 price tag, since you could get five genre books for that price in trade paperback, many of equal quality. That being said, I think this book is an important entry in the genre of dark fiction. Highly Recommended.

Contains: Violence, sexuality and drugs

Review by David Agranoff

 

The Anthology of Dark Wisdom edited by William Jones

Elder Signs Press,2009

ISBN: 9781934501146

Available: New

        The short story market for young horror writers is pretty bad. One of the few magazines over the last decade that has consistently published quality shorts that give a boost to young writers as well as big names in the field has been the "Dark Wisdom". It is too bad, but the print magazine appears to have ceased publication. It will continue online and become a series of annual anthologies, starting with this volume. A few of the stories are reprints. This is fine, since each and every one is high quality.
        Elder Signs Press is off to a great start. They have launched the book with a bizarre and effective character story, "Woman in the Dark", by Tom Piccirilli, author of the southern Gothic classic Choir of Ill Children. The book contains some of the biggest names in the genre- Peter Straub, John Shirley, and Alan Dean Foster- but it also contains work from new and upcoming writers such as Tim Curran, David Niall Wilson and Gene O'Neill.
        "Dark Wisdom" started as a magazine of Lovecraftian fiction and has a focus on darker science fiction. The strongest tales of the book were "Technotriptych", written by John Shirley, and "Please Stand By", a story with a "Twilight Zone" feel, by Tim Curran . Shirley's brutal and effective science fiction story is a fantastic political commentary on the potential negative impact technology could have on our lives. David Niall Wilson and Patricia Lee Macomber have an interesting tale about Edgar Allen Poe. I also loved Gene O'Neill's paranoid tale "G".
         Elder Signs Press has already published some very strong anthologies, including Hardboiled Cthulu and and the Horrors Beyond books. It is a press with a fine sense of dark literature, and any library would do itself a favor to order deep from their catalog and follow their releases. This book is a great starting point.

Contains:
Review by David Agranoff

 

In the Closet, Under the Bed by Lee Thomas
Dark Scribe Press, 2009
ISBN:  978-0-9818632-1-4
Available:  New and Used
        

    Lee Thomas' latest horror anthology, In the Closet, Under the Bed, contains fifteen short stories. Six had been printed before, but were new to me.  As David Thomas Lord mentions in the foreward of this collection, the title plays a bit on two things... one, the "monster in the closet", or "boogeyman" as many people call it and two, the fact that many people keep certain aspects of themselves hidden in the closet.  The most obvious example of this is dealing with one's sexuality, as some people are afraid to "come out of the closet" due to the fear of how they will be accepted in society, and especially by their own family and friends.  Thomas provides us with numerous examples of this, as well as many other horrors that everyday people face.  Several stories in this collection stood out to me- they were all extremely dark and lyrical, and deeply meaningful.  "All the Faces Change" tells the tale of Tim, who runs into an old high school buddy, who he once shared a kiss with.  Tim has hidden this fact and his feelings regarding it, and moved on with his life.  However, after this "chance meeting" with his old friend, he now realizes that as much as he tries to hide his true self due to fear, it will always be a part of him.  "The Good and Gone" provides us with a glimpse into the hospitalized Max Evans, who is not allowed to get out of bed.  While lying in the hospital bored, he decides to play a childhood game his grandma taught him called 'The Good and Gone'.  The game allows him to shut his eyes and while concentrating, allows him to "leave his body" and go visit other areas.  In doing so, he manages to follow a Mr. Gohling back to his house and gets trapped inside only to discover the horrors going on within said house.  Thomas mixes in also several stories tied to internet dating.  My favorite of these titles was "Crack Smokin' Grandpa", not only for a  catchy title, but also because it explores how hard it is to know whether you are actually meeting the person one says they are at the other end of the computer or if said person is actually taking on another's identity.  This seems to be one of the scariest things out there in today's society. I've only mentioned a few choice stories from this collection, but all were enjoyable for one reason or another, and will truly make the reader think deeply while immersed in each story.  I highly recommend this book to any library collection as it is a great addition, especially for those that are trying to expand their gay fiction as this would be included within the sub-genre, gay horror fiction.

Contents:
    * Foreword by David Thomas Lord
    * All the Faces Change
    * An Apiary of White Bees
    * Healer
    * Dislocation
    * They Would Say She Danced
    * Shelter
    * The Good and Gone
    * Appetite of the Cyber Tribes
    * Crack Smokin’ Grandpa
    * Anthem of the Estranged
    * I Know You’re There
    * Down to Sleep
    * I’m Your Violence
    * Tears to Rust
    * The Tattered Boy
    * Afterword by Michael Rowe


Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Violence, Gay Themes
Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

 

Hopeful Monsters by Jenny Ashford
Createspace, 2009

ISBN: 9781449508104

Available: New

 

        Jenny Ashford's collection of 17 short stories hits on everything horror. Death cults; vengeful, sex-crazed ghosts; human-like creatures with an agenda; wives who undergo metamorphosis; husbands who dream of murder; justice-seeking Egyptian gods; and physically and emotionally tortured vampires. You name it, Ashford has thought of it, twisted it, darkened it, and written it down.
        Hopeful Monsters contains elements of all the classic horror tales, but Ashford takes theses classic themes, cuts them all up, mixes in some warped thoughts of her own and makes them truly unique. She pushes her readers down many dark roads at an amazing clip and sets the mind spinning. As can be said for most horror short stories, there is a lot of action and violence packed into just a few short pages. The constricted length of the tales effectively creates some very intense environments.
        Hopeful Monsters is perfect for uncertain readers who are new to horror, or for horror fans looking for something a bit different.
Contains: Strong sexual content, sexual violence, adult situations.
Review by Kelly Fann
 

 

 

 

 

The Bleeding Edge edited by William F Nolan and Jason V. Brock
Cycatrix Press and Dark Discoveries Publications, 2010
ISBN: N/A

Available: New

    It only takes a short conversation with this book's editing team Jason V. Brock (of Dark Discoveries magazine) and William F. Nolan (Logan's Run and Dark Universe) to know they put a ton of work into this anthology. It's been a long time since an anthology had such a treasure trove of authors involved. Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson (both father and son), Joe R. Lansdale, Dan O' Bannon, and Gary Braunbeck are all contributors. More importantly for me, The Bleeding Edge includes personal favorites John Shirley, Lisa Morton and Cody Goodfellow. In the horror underground, rumors of well-known authors in the field being turned down and rigorous editing cuts only helped to create a buzz for this release.
    As I opened this beautifully laid-out and packaged limited-edition book I was worried it could not live up to the hype. The sheer presence of Ray Bradbury and Richard Matheson raises eyebrows. These are not reprints, so the excitement level is justified. One reason the editors were able to collect works from names of this high stature was that they did not limit the collection to prose. The book also includes screenplays (an excerpt from O'Bannon's Omnivore), plays (Matheson's Mardi-gall), teleplays from George Clayton Johnson and Norman Cowin, and an essay by Frank M. Robinson. The diversity in form is interesting and I enjoyed it.
    I'll be honest with you, the Bradbury story is to me the weakest story in the book. I know how hard it is to believe, but although this story may be unpublished, it is not exactly a new story. "Some of My Best Friends are Martians" is a politically charged piece about interracial dating that he wrote in the 50's. At this point, the story's only value is as a relic showing how far we have come. I know Bradbury is one of the greatest living legends in the field, but as opener it didn't do much for me.
    Luckily, the following story, "Just a Suggestion", by John Shirley (author of Demons and Bleak History) is a fantastic ghost story about a haunting at a Costco. John Shirley is my favorite author and it is no surprise that his story is at the top of my list. Next behind it for best of the collection would be Joe R. Lansdale's short but effective "The Boy who Became Invisible", which is both disturbing and evocative in only a few pages. Some of the shortest stories are the most effective- a case in point is co-editor William F. Nolan's short but touching piece.
    There are many stories I consider highlights. Ironically, these are written mainly by the younger voices. Nancy Kilpatrick's Goth erotica tale "Hope and the Maiden", Lisa Morton's "Silk City", and Cody Goodfellow's super bizarro "At the Riding School." were among my favorites. 
    The Bleeding Edge does live up to its hype. It has the kind of high quality that doesn't happen every day in our field. It presents a cross section of styles and forms, and best of all, its authors stretch through several generations of horror writing. Packaged with beautiful art, and laid-out with a reader friendly system of pictures and bios at the end of the stories, this book is not to be missed. It is a great job by Brock and Nolan, and I can't wait for the follow-up they have already promised.

Review by David Agranoff

 

Coach's Midnight Diner #1: Jesus vs. Cthulu Edition edited by Coach Culbertson

ccPublishing NFP, 2007
ISBN:978-0979228445

Available: New

 

Coach's Midnight Diner #2: Back from the Dead edited by Coach Culbertson

ccPublishing NFP, 2009
ISBN: 978-0979228421

 Available: New

 

    Coach’s Midnight Diner, volumes 1 and 2, are anthologies of Christian horror fiction. The books are large in size, meaning they are even longer than the page count makes it look.

Although some people think the idea of Christian horror is strange, I don’t have a problem with it. A lot of the biggest names in horror are Christians. Even Stephen King has written Christian-themed novels. My point is, I could have liked this book.

    Unfortunately, I can't say that I do. Volume one of Coach's Midnight Diner has huge structural problems. The diner theme is a dead horse that gets beaten, and beaten. As a militant vegan I hate that analogy, but I have to stress it here. Every space in the book free of a story has a ridiculous use of diner lingo, from the back cover to the author and editor bios. I actually could have started off this review with “Editor Coach Culbertson serves 17 hot steaming cups of prose coffee with a side of Christian commentary served a la carte”.

There is also a problem with the theme of the first volume of Coach’s Midnight Diner, Jesus vs. Cthulu.  The problem here is that all the writers are on the J-team. I think Chris Mikesell's story “In R'lyeh, Jesus walks” was supposed to be funny but I was just yawning. For a book with that theme to be interesting to me you would have to have just as many writers who love and hate Jesus, writers who follow him and those who don't believe.

    Third, the majority of the writers in the first volume do not have experience in writing in the horror genre, and in subtle ways that inexperience with the genre flows through most of the stories. Only two stories in collection really rose above the pile for me, and sure enough, when I read the bios at the end, they had been written by the two authors with the most horror experience.

    Many of the stories are just a bit too long.. Even stories like “Bavel” by Jen Rushing that are interesting at first, drag on. The stories also come off as preachy. Some Christians of course may enjoy this. I myself am fundamentalist on a different issue, Veganism. I understand the desire to push the message. I have worked hard with my own fiction to make any (if there is one) political message subtle. It is better to do it with subtext. On the cover of the second volume, it says this is fiction with a Christian slant. I think that is an understatement.

    Kevin Lucia's tale “Way Station” was the editor's choice as favorite story, and with good reason. While still a few pages too long, it is a great story that involves a down on his luck sci-fi writer, Jesus, and Cthulhu. My favorite in the collection was Neil A. Riebe's horror western tale “Work and Worship”, which takes place on a wagon train.

The second volume is an improvement, no doubt. The diner analogies are toned down in this volume, and this time the book is filled with stories by authors who have credibility in the horror genre. It’s not that “name authors” are necessary to make a collection, I just want to read stories by authors familiar with the field. The highlights in my opinion are “Running Towards Eden” by Jason Brannon and “Fields of Blood” by Kim Paffenroth. All around, the second edition is a better package.

    I think libraries serving a large Christian population would see these collections as a must. For most libraries, though, it is a matter of how complete you want your horror collection to be.

 

 

Teatro Grottesco by Thomas Ligotti

Virgin Books Ltd. 2008

ISBN 10: 0-7535-1374-9

Available: New

 

             Teatro Grottesco is a short story collection from horror author Thomas Ligotti.  It is arranged in three different sections, encompassing stories portraying dark and bleak locales, with strange and disturbed characters.  These are Thomas Ligotti’s visions of torment, helplessness, and doom.  Reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe, there are no happy endings here.

            My favorite story in the collection is "The Bungalow House", about a library employee that visits a hole-in-the-wall art gallery on his daily lunch break, and one day finds a performance-art audiotape that greatly appeals to him.  He wants to own the tape and know everything he can about the artist who shares his vision of “the icy bleakness of things”.  Subsequent tapes arrive that seem to mirror our character’s views of life, and he becomes obsessed with finding out who the artist is and owning the tapes. 

            Another favorite of mine is called "Severini", about an artist who has heard about a man that seems to be influencing other artists; he wishes to know more about the man, but doesn’t want to actually meet him until he is invited to an art show at this man Severini’s shack in the woods.  The story takes a weird turn to the schizophrenic, with hints of murder and therapy.  Both stories are in the last section of the book, titled "The Damaged and the Diseased".   One other standout for me was the story "The Clown Puppet", in the first section, "Derangements".  It tells the story of a man who experiences regular visits from a puppet, for no apparent reason.  It was an extremely creepy story.  Lastly, I liked "The Red Tower", in the same section, about a factory that churned out increasingly grotesque toys, of a sort.   Two stories that showed promise were "My Case for Retributive Action" and "Our Temporary Supervisor". These revolve around the same place, same company, and similar circumstances, where everyone seems to be stuck.  I think the stories make an excellent point about the rampant use of pharmaceuticals, but they were far too repetitive in their telling. Other stories, including "The Shadow", "The Darkness", "Sideshow, and Other Stories", "Teatro Grottesco", and "Gas Station Carnival", had really good elements to them, but were repetitive and sometimes confusing. Overall, Teatro Grottesco is a good, if uneven, collection.

Review by Colleen Wanglund

 

 

 

Vile Things: Extreme Deviations of Horror edited by Cheryl Mullenax

Comet Press, 2009

ISBN:9780982097915

Available: New

 

    Vile Things is one of the stronger horror anthologies I have come across in some time, its theme literally appears to be centered around creatures, topics, or situations that are so vile it would send a shiver down your spine. It includes stories from both established and newer horror authors, and some of the stories are more extreme than the usual fare.  The standout story of the collection is Tim Curran’s "The Maggots", the tragic tale of a soldier during Napoleon's disastrous attempt to invade Russia.   While there are a variety of stories, a few seem to have a the common theme along the theme of something taking over or taking control from within, in particular "The Fungoid", "The Maggots", and "The Worm".  Most frustrating of the collection was C. Dennis Moore’s "The Caterpillar", in which a distant, out-of-work cousin finds himself living with a young gir deformed by thalidomide. Moore sucked me into his story but left me wanting more at the end.   There is a story for almost everyone’s tastes, from a Lovecraftian tale by C.J. Henderson to Z.F. Kilgore’s take on The Jersey Devil.  Finally, the "The Worm" that just didn’t do anything for me and actually found not to be horrifying in anyway just plain repulsive.             
    Librarians may want to note that the cover art and title may turn off potential readers that might otherwise enjoy some stories within.   Regular horror genre readers won't have a problem picking up Vile Things but casual browsers would probably take a pass which is a shame because there is some wonderful writing within.   I would say that while there are definitely some stronger and gorier stories in this collection than in other horror anthologies, Vile Things offers some excellent horror tales and is highly recommended for public libraries.
Table of Contents:

The Fisherman by Brian Rosenberger

Fungoid by Randy Chandler

Tenant's Rights by Sean Logan

Again by Ramsey Campbell

Maggots by Tim Curran

Going Green by Stefan Pearson

Coquettrice by Angel Leigh McCoy

The Fear in the Waiting by C.J. Henderson

 The Worm by John Bruni

 Sepsis by Graham Masterton

 What You Wish For by Garry Bushell

 The Devil Lives in Jersey by Z.F. Kilgore

 Rat King by Jeffrey Thomas

 The Caterpillar by C. Dennis Moore

 Poor Brother Ed or The Man Who Visited by Ralph Greco, Jr.

 

Contains: Incest, gore, cannibalism, violence.

 

 

 

The Death Panel: Murder, Mayhem, And Madness edited by Cheryl Mullenax

Comet Press, 2009

ISBN:978-0-9820979-9-1

Available: New

 

    Not all of the stories in The Death Panel are horror, but they are all good. This is more of a hard boiled crime anthology, with some hard boiled horror thrown in the mix. I happen to be a fan of both genres, so I enjoyed the mix of private eyes, dirty cops, gangsters and the occasional monster. With a mix of favorite authors and those who are new to me, the stories range from straight up noir to supernatural crime. Favorites include: "Blood Sacrifices & The Catatonic Kid" by Tom Piccirilli, in which two residents break out of a mental hospital, with violent results. "The Neighbor" by Brandon Ford, asks "What happens when a lonely "trailer" wife thinks her neighbor is a serial killer? Do you really want to know?" In Fred Venturini's story "Detail", an ex-cop runs a discreet auto detailing business, and keeps secret files on his customers. When he meets a beautiful woman in trouble, his life gets out of control. John Everson's "The Mouth" is the story of a sadistic sex freak, always looking for a new thrill, who is pointed towards a girl known only as "The Mouth". This one is not for the easily offended. "Nine Cops Killed For A Goldfish Cracker" by David James Keaton is difficult to describe. It's a bizarre story of a man who needs to pay the rent, a goldfish with a thousand dollars in it's stomach, and all the cops who get in the way. I could go on and on, talking about Tim Curran, Kelly M. Hudson, Simon Wood, and the rest, but you should read these gems for yourself. If you are a horror fan who wants to expand your horizons, I highly recommend picking up The Death Panel.

 

Contains: Sex, Violence, Strong Language and Gore

 

Table Of Contents:

Lipstick Swastika by Randy Chandler

Blood Sacrifices & The Catatonic Kid by Tom Piccirilli

What Makes An Angel Cry by Kelly M. Hudson

The Neighbor by Brandon Ford

The Name Game by Scott Nicholson

Fly By Night by Tim Curran

Detail by Fred Venturini

Parental Guidance by Simon Wood

Rindelstein's Monsters by David Tallerman

The Hooker In The Back Seat by Erik Williams

The Mouth by John Everson

Nine Cops Killed For A Goldfish Cracker by David James Keaton

Board The House Up by Zach Sherwood

Review by Erik Smith

 

Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars by Cody Goodfellow
Swallowdown Press, 2009

ISBN: 9781933929026 

Available: New

 

    Goodfellow's fiction has the otherworld -ness of Lovecraft, the sarcasm of Joe R. Lansdale, and the mojo of a Motley Crue tell-all. Best of all, it's wrapped together with prose that would satisfy fans of high literature in horror. The cult of Cody is mostly in the horror underground but if you're a hip librarian, put this in your collection. It's one of the best horror releases of the year.

 Contains:Violence, Drug-use, sexuality

Review by David Agranoff

 

Harlan County Horrors edited by Mari Adkins

Apex Publications LLC, 2009

ISBN:978-0-9821596-51

Available: New

 

     The history of Harlan County, Kentucky is a history full of blood and violence. From union disputes to mining disasters, there is a dark aspect to this beautiful area of the country. Twelve of today’s brightest voices in horror look directly into that darkness and bring back stories both lovely and haunting. After reading these tales, you will feel as if you have seen the mountains and forests of the county for yourself. You will feel sympathy for some residents, and disgust for others.

 

Highlights include:

 

"The Power Of Moonlight" by Debbie Kuhn, a tale of love, loss and what one young woman does to see her lover one last time.

"Yellow Warblers" by Jason Sizemore. What happens when an isolated community is invaded by the outside world?  Sizemore tells us. And it ain't pretty.

"The Thing At The Side Of The Road" by Ronald Kelly. Straight up monster fun.

"The Witch Of Black Mountain" by Alethea Kontis, a perfect bookend to Debbie Kuhn's story: a tale of love, loss and what one young woman does for revenge.

 

    I could go on and on, raving about the stories by Geoffrey Girard, Jeremy C. Shipp, Robby Sparks, Maurice Broaddus, and the rest, but you should pick up the book and discover the wonders and terrors for yourself. The only story that doesn't quite fit is "Hiding Mountain:Our Future In Apples" by Earl P. Dean, a fine tale that just seems a little too "bizarro" for this collection.

 

Overall, Harlan County Horrors is a delightful collection of miners and monsters, lovers and losers, majestic scenery and dark, dangerous holes boring into the ground and into the unknown. Highly recommended for all collections.

 

Table of contents:

"Introduction" by Mari Adkins

"The Power Of Moonlight" by Debbie Kuhn

"Hiding Mountain:Our Future In Apples" by Earl P. Dean

"Psychomachia" byGeoffery Girard

"Yellow Warblers" by Jason Sizemore

"Kingdom Come" y Jeremy C. Shipp

"Trouble Among The yearlings" by Maurice Broaddus

"Spirit Fire by Robby Sparks

"The Thing At The ide Of The Road" by Ronald Kelly

"Inheritance" by Stephanie Lenz

"Greater Of Two Evils" by Steven L. Shrewsbury

"Harlan Moon" by TL Trevaskis

"The Witch Of Black Mountain" by Alethea Kontis

"A History Of Harlan,KY" by Preston Halcomb

 

Contains: Violence, gore, sex and strong language.

Review by Erik Smith

 

Smells Like Fish by Trever Palmer

Snuff Books, 2009

ISBN:978-0-9818967-3-1

New

 

    Have you ever finished a meal and, though you are full, you aren't quite satisfied? That is the feeling I had after finishing Smells Like Fish. The six stories of hardcore horror certainly deliver the blood, guts and perversion, but left me thinking that something is missing. While there are plenty of misogynists, racists, and sexual deviants, there aren't too many characters that are relatable, or even likable. I like to see a scumbag get what's coming to him as much as the next reader, but I need a character or two that I can connect with.

 

    One of the standout stories is "TCB" which, without giving too much away, features an aging rock star and a president who is jealous of said star’s success. This is the lightest and least graphic of the tales.

 

    The last two stories, "The Spaceman's Cockpit" and "Smells Like Fish" are loosely connected, taking place in the same town. The disappearance of a character in the former story is mentioned in the latter. Yet, some characters that would initially appear to be the same in both stories have different backgrounds, leaving me to assume that they are not the same. It's a bit confusing.

 

    The title story, "Smells Like Fish" is (I assume) an homage to Edward Lee. Most of the characters are Lee-esque, and the last chapter, which is VERY similar to the last chapter in Lee's Family Tradition, even has a character named Lee Edwards. This story also has two of the few likable (if perverted) characters.

 

    Trever Palmer's writing is clear, if not outstanding. There were a couple things I found disconcerting. All of the characters who smoke, with the exception of one, smoke unfiltered Pall Malls. Maybe It's a regional thing. And, three stories in a row described a woman’s clothing as being the color of pool table felt. Read over a period of time, this may not be noticeable, but reading them one after the other, I found it distracting.

 

    Overall, Smells Like Fish isn't a bad collection. Palmer is certainly imaginative when it comes to sex, blood and guts. This is very hardcore fiction, but it isn't a standout work. It entertains, but may have you looking for something with a little more substance.

 

Cautiously recommended.

 

Contains EXTREME violence, sex, language, rape and gore.

 

Review by Erik Smith

 

 

Bare Bone #6 edited by Kevin, L Donihe

Raw Dog Screaming Press, 2004

ISBN: 0974503185

Available: New and used

 

 

                Bare Bone #6 is a solid collection of horror tales and poetry, all well written and entertaining to the point where it's hard to pick standout stories. Inside, readers will find subtle and dark tales of unexpected killers, unspoken of traditions that befall children, as well as two holiday tales, “Daddy Didn't Forget” by Mollie Burleson that mirrors The Nutcracker and “Don Huavaca's Dia De Los Muertos” by Kendall Evans which offers a tongue-in-cheek, but dark look at the tradition of honoring the dead. Between the former story and “Momma's Lesson” by Tanya Twombly there's a delightful variety in cultural point of views as well.

                Bare Bone #6 would make an excellent addition to private and public collections, and between the variety, solid writing and slim, but not skinny size it makes for an easy, enjoyable read.

 

Review by Michele Lee

 

Dark Jesters edited by Nick Cato and L.L. Soares
Novello Publishers, 2009
ISBN:  N/A
Available:  New

 

    Dark Jesters is a compilation of ten hilariously funny horror tales by ten different authors.  The stories range from cavemen zombies to possessions by James Brown to a horror author getting kidnapped and tossed in a shed with a bunch of other hacks.  Each turn of the page of Dark Jesters will bring a thrill to readers. What one person may not laugh at, I believe another will.  There wasn't a single story in this collection that I did not enjoy, but there were a few that specifically stuck out in my mind as highlights in this book. 

    “Deadneck Woman” by Mark Justice is one of those. It's a follow-up story to Deadneck Hootenanny, also by Justice, published by Novello.  Readers are taken back to Possum Hollow to visit some of their old redneck zombie "friends" again and also get to meet a new gal that comes to town.  Readers that missed out on Justice's previous “Deadneck” stories will still enjoy this, however, as it can be read as a standalone. 

    Jerrod Balzer's “Wolf Plugs” is yet another story that stands out as a classic bit of humor within this book.  A small town has gathered in a courthouse and is trying to figure out what to do about the werewolves that are attacking their town.  A werewolf hunter shows up at the door bearing the solution to all their problems.  I don't want to tell you what that solution is though as that will ruin the surprise! 

    The last story I'm going to mention literally had me in tears while reading.  The story is “Curse of the Blind Eel” by James Roy Daley.  It is the story of two brothers who are on a mission to stake a vampire before he rises from his casket.  Unfortunately, one brother's got a bit of a problem and is in major need of a bathroom.  Let me just say... I never realized there were as many ways of saying "poop" and "taking a dump" as Daley put into this one short story!  I don't know what it is about bathroom humor that is so funny, but this story had me in stitches!    

    Every story within Dark Jesters is a masterpiece in some way.  Nick Cato and L.L. Soares did a fantastic job pulling together a variety of humorous stories from across the board.  This book is a must for anyone who enjoys comic horror.  Highly recommended!

Collection Includes:

- FOSSILIZED BRAAAINS by William A. Veselik
- THE PLAGUE OF GENTLEMEN by Matthew Fryer
- TONGS AND THE ROACH by David T. Wilbanks
- BLESS THE BEASTLY CHILDREN by Laura Cooney
- WOLF PLUGS by Jerrod Balzer
- HACKS by Sam Battrick
- PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG by Robert Guffey
- CURSE OF THE BLIND EEL by James Roy Daley
- RETIREMENT by Rob Brooks
- DEADNECK WOMAN by Mark Justice

Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Bathroom Humor
Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

 

Creeping Shadows by Alan Draven, Brandon Ford and Jessica Lynne Gardner

Pixie Dust Press, 2009

ISBN:978-0-9810213-1-7

Available: New

 

    Creeping Shadows contains three dark tales, by three authors who each have their own unique style.

 

    “Vengeance Is Mine” by Alan Draven is the story of Jack The Ripper, the detective who is trying to catch him, and a dead hooker who decides to take revenge. It's Jack the Ripper. What else do you need to know? Draven has a smooth style that doesn't get bogged down by being overly descriptive. He manages to set the scene with just a few sentences. The characters are fully fleshed; we even know who The Ripper is. Short scenes of the main players’ private lives help to bring everyone to life. This is one of the most entertaining tales I have read about Jack, and the addition of a supernatural menace certainly brings something new to the table.

 

    “Merciless” by Brandon Ford, inspired by a true story, tells of two high school girls who are kidnapped by a psychopath, their night of terror and what they do to survive. Kyra Mitchell and Claire Martin don't know each other, but they both end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. An unnamed madman kidnaps the girls and begins the most horrifying night of their young lives.

Ford takes his time with this story. At least the first quarter of the tale is taken up with character development. It works well, giving us the opportunity to get to know the girls as well as their tormentor. Because of this, we are more invested in what happens to the victims and, if you are like me, you can't wait to see the bad guy get what's coming to him. It’s a great tale of survival, all the more amazing because, for the most part, it really happened.

 

    “Sugar Skull”, by Jessica Lynne Gardner, is about an ancient Aztec curse and Annabel Perez, the woman attempting to stop the curse and save the lives of herself and others. After the death of her father, Annabel finds a strange looking sugar skull amongst his possessions. Soon, she is having nightmarish visions and thinking that her father's death may not have been all that natural. Enlisting the aid of toxicology expert Saul Giordano, Annabel investigates and finds herself confronted by a horror from the past that is killing in the present.

 

    Gardner's piece was my least favorite, of the three. The story itself was engrossing; the mix of ancient Aztec and the modern day worked well. The characters were fine, with Saul Giordano being my favorite. There is tension and terror. BUT, I found the writing to be clunky. Several times I had to go back and make sure I had read a sentence correctly. This tends to break up the flow of the story. It’s basically a good story, but lacking in delivery.

 

    Overall, Creeping Shadows is a strong collection. Even the weakest story is pretty good, and the stronger stories are, alone, each worth the price of admission. Recommended for any library’s horror collection.

 

Contains: Explicit violence, gore, sex, rape and strong language.

Review by Erik Smith

 

 

 

Magick & Misery by Lincoln Crisler
A Black Bed Sheet/Diverse Media Book, 2009
ISBN:  978-0-9822530-4-5
Available:  New

 

    Lincoln Crisler has assembled a vast array of short stories in his latest collection, Magick & Misery.  There are ten stories included. Three of are fairly lengthy, and the other seven are much shorter; however all are equally enjoyable.  Four stories in particular stuck out in my mind after finishing the collection above all others:  "Pete Does What Needs To Be Done" is about a 16-year-old boy dealing with his parents’ struggling marriage; "The Seven O'Clock Man" in which a mother makes up a story about a monster known as the Seven O'Clock Man in order to scare her son into behaving; "Seizing Deliverance" where a man finds out that his mother is dying; and "Discarded Refuse" a story about a garbage man who takes out a little extra garbage when he discovers his wife is cheating on him.  Crisler's eclectic collection is something horror fans won't want to miss.  Lincoln Crisler is a brilliant short story writer and is an author to keep an eye on.  Highly Recommended!

Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations
Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

 

Hellbound Hearts edited by Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan

Pocket Books, 2009

ISBN: 9781439140901

Available: New

 

    Hellbound Hearts is an anthology of short stories that are based on Clive Barker’s Hellraiser mythos.   The Hellraiser mythos is based on a novella titled The Hellbound Heart that became the basis for the movie Hellraiser, which developed enough of a following for seven sequels.  In this mythos a puzzle box opens the doorway for creatures known as Cenobites to cross into our realm.  The Cenobites seek to claim whoever opens the puzzle box for an eternity of pleasure and pain.    There are 21 stories within Hellbound Hearts, many by prominent horror authors, including Simon Clark and Steve Niles..  Amazingly enough, despite the number of different voices that the authors provide to the book, most of the stories stay true to the spirit of the Hellraiser mythos, without being a repeat of the movies.  Only “Mechanisms”, by Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, while an excellent story doesn’t seem to fit with the mythos well. One of the more enjoyable titles is “However…”by Gary Braunbeck and Lucy Snyder, which is about some tormented teens imprisoned in a cabin who are so desperate for help they summon the Cenobites.  In Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean’s short illustrated story “Wordsworth”, the story works well, but many illustrations are too dark and the images too distorted, distracting the reader instead of complementing the narrative. Hellbound Hearts is an excellent anthology for the Hellraiser mythos. It’s quite easily the equivalent of some of the best anthologies based on Lovecraft’s Cthulu mythos. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Hellraiser.  

Contains: Violence, depictions of self-mutilation, murder, torture, explicit sexual content.

 

 

 

 

Taste of Tenderloin by Gene O'Neill

Apex Publishing,2009

ISBN: 9780981639000

Available: New

 

 

    I have walked through the Tenderloin in San Francisco a couple times. Now I wish I had paid more attention to this small and interesting neighborhood. I also wish I had paid attention to Gene O'Neill, the author of this thin and intense collection of themed horror stories.

The stories themselves are varied and diverse. The thread that holds tightly together is the setting of the Tenderloin neighborhood. The Tenderloin Business Association probably won’t endorse this book, but I certainly will. O'Neill is a a talented writer who drilled almost every single one of these stories straight out of the park.

 

    Apex Publishing has a hit with its second excellent collection in one year (the other is Mama’s Boy by Fran Friel). The strongest story of this collection “The Magic Words”, which captures the tone of a Twilight Zone episode better than any short story I've read in some time. The opening story is quite strong as well, and touches on a recurring theme- the Tenderloin's military veterans, be they from Vietnam, Desert Storm or Afghanistan. The Bram Stoker award-nominated story “Balance” is the strongest of these stories and is an important piece of socio-political horror. Taste of Tenderloin is a strong work that should be in every library collection.

 

Contains: adult themes, drug issue, sexuality and violence/

Review by David Agranoff.

 

For Taste of Tenderloin we have a second look review by Rhonda Wilson for her take on the book.

 

Taste of Tenderloin by Gene O'Neill

Apex Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-981-63900-0

Available: New

Taste of Tenderloin is comprised of eight unique stories based on life in the underbelly of San Francisco. All of the stories are connected, as they take place in the same neighborhood, and a recurring character pops up throughout to help show this connection. The language that O'Neill writes in is rich and vivid, showing he is a strong storyteller, but there was something about the stories in this particular collection that didn't grab me. All of the stories seem to end in doom and gloom and left me saddened after reading them. I guess maybe I just needed a happy ending while reading this book and was disappointed over and over again. This is definitely not a good book to be reading on an already gloomy day.

Contains: Violence, Adult Language, Adult Situations

Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

 

Bare Bone #11 by Kevin L. Donihe

Raw Dog Screaming Press, 2009

ISBN: 9781933929323

Available: New

    Included within the pages of Bare Bone #11 are 18 short tales of horror and 10 dark poems. The majority of the stories are around 5 pages long, and the text is tightly packed so there is a lot of story within each of those pages. The stories range from little boys daring each other to taunt a serial killer, to insurance reps killing (and having their way with) their customers to prevent a claim. Some of these tales are fantastic, others are fairly weak. With the wide variety of authors from all across both the US and UK, there is probably something here to suit most horror fans. I found there to be more misses than hits, however the hits were well worth the read. Some of my personal favorites were “NM” and “Chupacabra.” If you like gore, many of these tales have it, if you like violent sex, that’s here too. Profanity abounds in some of these tales so be warned if you are a sensitive reader. Most of what’s in the book is ‘in your face’ horror. What it lacked was a quiet, brooding, creepy tale.

Contains: gore, violence, sex, rape, profanity.

Review by KDP
 

 

Midnight Walk edited by Lisa Morton

Dark House Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 9780578021621

Available: New

 

    I have said more than a few times that Lisa Morton is the best short story author currently working in the field. Her command of the short form reminds me of two other greats from her home town:  Dennis Etchison and Richard Christian Matheson. I was excited to get this book in the mail. I was expecting a great collection edited by one of the best. Dennis Etchison, for his part, was also a great editor.

Morton shows she has a keen eye, putting together a great collection featuring almost entirely authors from the City of Angels, where she is a native This book features fourteen authors who might not considered A-list writers, but should be in library collections, because it showcases talent that will rise to the top someday..

 

Highlight stories include “Late Night Check-in” by Vince Churchill, “Alley Oops” by Del Howison, and “Eddie G. At the Gates of Hell” by RB P. The quality of the writing is quite strong and it is likely that your list of favorite may be different from mine. If you are looking for a short story collection of traditional horror that spins its yarns in literate and exciting directions take a Midnight Walk. It's a top notch collection.

 

Contains: violence, language and adult themes

Review by David Agranoff

 

Feminine Wiles by John Grover

Blu Phi'er, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9823845-1-0
Available: New

 

    Feminine Wiles is a collection of sixteen short stories by John Grover.  Instead of stereotypical male protagonists, Grover casts a woman as the villain of each story.  The various villains range from witches and crones to dolls and even Medusa herself, so the reader gets a bit of variety.  Highlights of the book were "Eden Revisited", a story about the Garden of Eden with a bit of a spin, "Blood IS Thicker Than Water", where a woman believes that blood is the latest in skin care products, and "The Bride Wore Red", where the wedding doesn't end up going quite as the groom expects. I was a bit disappointed at the end of several stories, which ended up going a different direction than expected. A few of the stories also felt clichéd. Also troublesome is the editing of the book. I struggled throughout with numerous grammatical errors that could have easily been corrected. It's a great concept for a collection, however, and a little editing would make it a much more enjoyable read.  Grover shows promise, and I'd be willing to try reading something else by him down the road.

Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

 

The Monster Within Idea by R. Thomas Riley

Apex,2009

ISBN: 9780982159613
Available: New

 

    Short story collections tend to be hit or miss. That’s not the case, here, though! R. Thomas Riley has compiled a book of short, wicked tales that are thrilling, exciting, gruesome, terrifying, and above all, well-written.  The stories include vampires, zombies, wishes gone bad, and more. Each is engaging and hooks the reader into feeling the need to devour the next story too, and the next one after that.  You'll find yourself tearing through this book as if your life depended on it.  Among my favorites are "The Run" and "Twin Thieves" both of which are a bit longer then some of the others, but are just flat out FUN reads.  These horrifying tales delve into the dark nature of man. Even the supernatural tales are rooted in our own human shortcomings - the "what ifs" of life.  Greed, remorse, vanity- all of our deadly sins are represented, twisted with the natural ease of a truly gifted storyteller.  Riley is the man you want to have telling the tales around your campfire at night - provided you don't mind lying awake in horror that evening.

 

Rated R - violence, monsters, gore

Review by K.D. P

 

 

Experiments in Human Nature by Monica O’Rourke

Two Backed Books,2008

ISBN: 978-1933293455

Available: New

 

 

Monica O’Rourke writes with confidence and swagger, and this short story collection offers up a wide variety of tales that take the reader on a veritable roller coaster ride of emotions. These stories run the gamut, from the grotesque and perverse to the heart-wrenching and spine tingling, and there are even a few laughs to be had. The darker additions to this compilation are certainly not for the faint of heart, invoking the malefic fiction of writers such as Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. Experiments in Human Nature is an impressive collection that showcases the talents of a master storyteller familiar with the ins and outs of the human condition. Monica O’Rourke has her finger on the pulse of what makes us tick, and deftly uses that knowledge to put the reader through the wringer.

Appropriate for private and public collections.

 

Contains Adult Language and Situations, Extreme (and shocking) Violence.

Review by Bob Freeman

 

 

 

 

Unspeakable Horror ed. by Vince A. Liaguno & Chad Helder

Dark Scribe Press, 2008

ISBN: 978-0-9818632-0-7

Available: New

       

    Unspeakable Horror is a standout anthology with a unique focus on queer-themed horror tales. There's a lot to recommend, from tales where horror takes a back seat to the characters and musing tales of their challenges, to stories starring vampires,

zombies, ghosts, evil faeries, doppelgangers, and more who complicate already conflicted lives. These tales do not isolate or exclude, but rather put readers in the heads of those who feel lost, struggling with ideas of society, sexuality and themselves.

     

  Standout stories include (but are certainly not limited to); “Black Annis” by Joy Marchand, the tale of a true faerie who desperately wants to protects a pair of gay lovers; “Memento Mori” by Elissa Malcohn, about a lover who comes back from the grave for her mate; “I Am the Shadow that Walks There” by Michelle Scalise, a World War II era tale of love and devastating loss; and “Memory Box” by Reesa Brown, a tale whose true darkness hits suddenly and unrelentingly. Unspeakable Horrors is highly recommended for all libraries.

Contains: Sex, Violence, Language

Review by Michele Lee

 

Mama’s Boy and Other Dark Tales by Fran Friel

Apex Publications, 2008

ISBN: 9780981639079

Available: New

 

    Mama’s Boy and Other Dark Tales is a collection of works by Fran Friel. The diversity of the stories within is amazing. Each tale takes the reader down a twisted, dark road that sticks in the mind long after the book has been put down. The stories are varied not only in their telling, but also in length- they range from flash fiction to novella. Each story grasps the reader by the throat and doesn’t let go. One story that really stands out is “The Sea Orphan”, a sad story of a boy who looses both of his parents and finds himself in servitude to an innkeeper, then the plaything of pirates. A story that is certain to send shivers down the reader’s spine is “Close Shave”, a flash fiction piece that is painful to read and hard to forget. The final story, “Mama’s Boy”, is one that will drag the reader, kicking and screaming through the filth of a serial killer’s mind and the sad life that drove him to his horrendous deeds. “Mama’s Boy” doesn’t stop there though. Not only is it a twisted story of psychological terror, but it also blends in horror of the supernatural variety. Mama’s Boy and Other Dark Tales is a well-written, imaginative and well thought out collection of stories that I would highly recommend for both public and private libraries.

Contains: rape, incest, pedophilia and violence

Review by Bret Jordan

 

 

Traumatized by Alexander S. Brown

Xlibris,2008
ISBN: 143637409X

Available: New

    Traumatized is a collection of fifteen tales of horror, and nothing else. The reader is saved from reading an introduction, any sales pitch for additional books, or even author information.  The tales contained within the book range from thrillingly creepy and horrific to mediocre.  There are stories of serial killers, demons, vengeful spirits, psychotic cults, voodoo curses, and even a bigfoot creature.  Brown is in his element when writing about haunted houses, and his writing really shines in his haunted house stories.  The opening tale – “Bloodlines” is one of the two strongest in the book.  It’s a tale of four people called for a “treasure hunt” in a mysterious house learn that there is far more to the treasure than what they bargained for.  Tied with the previous story is “It’s All True”, another haunted house tale that ends is a terrifying and gruesome way. Outside his haunted house stories, “The God Complex” was an interesting tale. I found his murderer tales to be the weakest in the book, specifically “April” which seems to have been written long before the author really hit his writing stride.  It comes across as forced and stilted with problematic dialogue and unbelievable characters.  The final tale in the book, “Zoe’s Swan Song” is both gruesome and familiar. It’s pretty clear how the setup of someone offering to show a vindictive person their “inner beauty” will turn out.   

 

On the whole this collection is well worth the purchase.  Any collection will have stories that are stronger than others, and the percentage of excellent versus weak stories is in the reader’s favor here, with far more good than not.  Recommended for horror fans.

Contains: profanity, gore, sex, rape and murder.

Review by Kristen D P

 

Hot Blood edited by Jeff Gelb and Lonn Friend

Pinnacle, 2004

ISBN: 9780786016433

Available: New and Used

     Hot Blood is the first in a series of erotic horror anthologies and consists of twenty-four stories each written by different authors.  Within this collection Robert R. McCammon's "The Thang" introduces us to a man who makes a wish he soon regrets, Gary Brandner's "Aunt Edith" has a special "test" she puts all of her niece's boyfriends through, Ray Garton's story "Punishments" gives us a run-down on the relationship that a church organist and a teenage boy have together, and Rex Miller lets us find out just who's behind "The Voice" that the radio DJ has been talking to.  In addition to these there are many, many other great stories included within this book.  Hot Blood is a great introduction for readers wanting to branch into the erotic horror sub-genre, giving them a chance to try out various authors. Highly recommended for large public libraries and private collections.

Review by Rhonda Wilson

 

Sheep and Wolves By Jeremy C. Shipp

Raw Dog Screaming Press,2008

ISBN: 9781933293592

Available: New

    There is no moment reading this collection where you feel grounded in reality. I don’t want to give readers the impression that Shipp hasn’t created very real unsettling moments- he has just done it differently than most horror writers.

    Conventional horror wisdom is that you create characters and situations that the reader can relate to and build suspense from there. The horror in this collection doesn’t come from conventional wisdom. Shipp creates a horrific ecosystem of surreal prose that the characters have to inhabit.

    Shipp has written short but sweet tales with no wasted words. He weaves each story together tightly, like a basket. I took the opening story to be an exploration of patriarchy but here is the thing – I am not sure. That is not a slight on Shipp, it’s simply that he has created stories that can be, and probably are, interpreted in various ways.

    My favorite stories in the collection were “Those Below”, “Long Metal Sigh” and “American Sheep.” Recommended for fans of dark surrealist fiction, and recommended for libraries looking to expand their collection to represent young fresh surrealist authors.

Contains: Gore, violence, not for young readers.
 

Review by David Agranoff

Note: This is a second look review, the original review was done by KD P and can be found here

 

Tattered Souls edited by Frank J. Hutton

Cutting Block Press, 2007

ISBN: 9780977826230

Available: New

 

    Tattered Souls is a collection of six stories that are almost novellas in length. Each of the tales brings a new and refreshing aspect of horror to the block. In “The Monkey Skin Cloak”, a couple returning from a safari hunt in Africa accidentally runs over a woman wearing a cloak made of monkey pelts. They load the body up, but it disappears on the road to camp so the wife claims the cloak as her own. In the cloak she finds something primeval and alluring that changes her in ways that her husband and the rest of the camp didn’t think possible. “Other People” is the story of people living in the same apartment complex, interacting without knowing the sickness that exists in their neighbors and in them as they seek unique forms of death so they can ascend into purer beings. “The End of Flesh” was a real treat for the science fiction lover in me as it told the story of a future world where animal life had all but vanished and some men had turned to cannibalism to quench their thirst for flesh. In “Cupped Dirty Wings”, a man gambles away the cash of a mob boss and knows that his time on this earth is short. He meets a woman who claims to be a goddess and wishes to journey with him to his fate. One of the more twisted tales in Tattered Souls was “Drool”, the story of a man who has taken a morbid step out of reality in his pursuit of the love of a young girl.  Finally, “Terminal Condition” is the story of police officer that seems to be a magnet for death.

 

This is an excellent collection of stories with truly unique storylines in most cases. None of the stories, with the possible exception of “The Monkey Skin Cloak”, uses common villains, such as werewolves, vampires, or zombies. Each story attacks the reader with fear from a different direction and each tale paints its own picture of our world in vibrant color. Readers advisory note: this is a good title to recommend to horror readers who are looking for something a little different in the horror genre and to those who enjoy long short stories.   Recommended for horror fiction and short story collections in public and private libraries.   

 Contains: sex, gore, mild pedophilia, violence, self mutilation, torture

Review by Bret Jordan

Note this is a second look review, the original review was done by David Agranoff and can be found here.

 

 

Horror Library III Edited by R.J. Cavender

Cutting Block Press, 2008

ISBN: 9780977826254

Available: New

 

 Horror Library III is an anthology containing 30 horror stories by both well-known and not-so-well- known writers. Within the pages of this volume the reader will find a barn that has the strange and terrifying ability to digest things that get trapped inside. They will stop at a way station where the dead briefly linger before continuing on to the afterlife. The reader will become involved in a poker game where the chips represent time that the gambler has left to live and to win is to gain life, but to lose could mean instant death. They will meet an anorexic woman who knows a disturbing truth that prevents her from eating and a hospital photographer will take a picture that will haunt him for the rest of his life. These are just a few of the stories in this book and it is one of the best anthologies that I have had the pleasure to read all year.

 

Within the pages of Horror Library III the reader will find very few of the canned monsters we all have come to know, such as vampires and werewolves. No, this volume holds several new nightmares that will draw the reader in and keep them wondering until it is too late. I would certainly recommend this 3^rd volume of the Horror Library to anyone who likes well written tales of horror.

 

Contains: Violence, mild pedophilia, gore

Review by Bret Jordan

 

 

Sheep and Wolves By Jeremy C. Shipp

Raw Dog Screaming Press,2008

IBSN: 9781933293592

Available: New

    Sheep and Wolves is an interesting little short story compilation, with thirteen short stories of a very high caliber.  The stories in this particular compilation are all horror stories, with some leaning into the realm of science fiction gone bad.  The writing is concise, yet descriptive.  Each story feels like it is just the right length for the reader's comfort level.  As with all short story collections, some stories are more effective than others. All are horrifying in one aspect or another.  Some thrilled me, others confused me, and some left me perplexed and disturbed.  I consider this to be a fine collection which was both very entertaining and disturbing from beginning to end.

 

My only real criticism for this book is the order of the stories. There are certain horrifying visuals that Mr. Shipp is very fond of and uses over and over again.  They can be very effective. However, the stories that use these common images would have been more effective if they had been broken up instead of having one right after another.  I would also have liked a little more clarification on exactly what I was reading in some of the stories... for example there is a story where a man has something locked up in a VW in his back yard, he feeds this thing and it seems fairly hostile.  At one point in the story I thought I had a grasp of what it was, but by the end I was even more perplexed.  I still enjoyed the story, but would have liked it more if I had been able to close the book knowing what the thing in the VW was. 

 

"Those Below," a tale of life after death in a strange way, was probably my favorite of the stories, with very interesting social implications that could leave the reader pondering about humanity afterward.  “American Sheep” was also a very interesting tale. I would love to see that one expanded to the length of a novella.  On the whole this is a fun little short story book. Recommended..

Review by KD P

 

Lowlife Underdogs by Dustin LaValley

Raw Dog Screaming Press,2008

ISBN: 1933293640

Available:New

 

    Lowlife Underdogs is a short story book in the strictest sense of the word.  Many of these stories are one page, with some only a paragraph long.  There are a total of 32 stories. The title story is the longest, coming in at 23 pages long.    The writing style and tone are reminiscent of something a depressed emo would write while spending a month in the local inpatient “happy house”. There are several stories about suicide, murder, and difficulty having children. There’s no author information, making it difficult to gauge his age, but based on what I read, I would guess the author is relatively young. If he is, we have a lot to look forward to, because his actual writing is very good. 

 

     My main complaint is that the execution in each story actually undoes the terror that it should induce.  Most of these stories are tales we've heard before, urban legends or scenes we've all viewed in various "B" horror movies.  I'm not sure if they were meant to be tributes, but if we all know what is going to happen, then they cease to have the ability to shock and horrify.

 

    This book would be most highly entertaining for the 15-18 year old group.

Contains: Murder, Suicide, Violence, Profanity, Sex, Low level Gore (predominantly aftermath).

Reviewed by KD P

 

 

 

 

Sudden Victims by Dennis Latham
Y.S. Gazelle Books, 2008
ISBN:100979674441
Available: New
   

Sudden Victims contains 18 tales from an alternate reality. The narrator is walking through a train and every time he enters a new car the next story begins. Readers are introduced to the victims before delving into their storylines. Dennis Latham is a Marine and Vietnam veteran whose writing was obviously influenced by the war Every story is different and a creative extension from this man’s past and his imagination. His detailed accounts of living in the field watching the enemy shoot and destroy his fellow marines seem very real. "Party Favors" was a strong story and a fun find within those pages.  Recommended for public libraries.
Contains: War, violence, drug use, gore, suicide.

Review by the Angry Princess 

 

The White Hands and Other Weird Tales by Mark Samuels

Tartarus Press

ISBN: 9781872621890

Available: New

 

Atmospheric and almost lyrical, Mark Samuels’ short story collection, anchored by the surrealistic White Hands, is a testament to a bygone era when eloquent and intelligent prose were at the fore. Samuels’ style harkens back to the haunted writings of the giants of the weird and supernatural as if he were Arthur Machen, reincarnate. For the aspiring writer, Mark Samuels’ literary excellence is nothing short of inspiring, even as you are raked over the coals of his surrealistic visions of the strange and unusual. Though not for everyone, this is wordsmithing at its finest. Sheer unadulterated brilliance, this title is  recommended for all lovers of the weirdly fantastic.

Review by Bob Freeman 

 

Strange Tales edited by Rosalie Parker

Tartarus Press,2003

ISBN: 9781872621807

Available: New

   

    Strange Tales is an anthology that is just that, strange. This eclectic mix of weird horror reminds us that horror does not come neatly packaged with an entrailed bow and wrapping of human flesh. Although Strange Tales collects pieces divergent in style and content, there is a  cohesiveness in the authors’ mutual exploration of and descent into an unsettling and disturbing arena of the bizarre. Guttural terror oozes from Adam Daly’s “The Self Eater” and Nina Allan’s “Terminus” is chaotic and dysfunctional. True horror grips us on a visceral level, and settles in our psyche. Strange Tales accomplishes that effectively. .

Review by Bob Freeman

 

Bound for Evil ed. by Tom English and ill. by Allen Koslowski

Dead Letter Press, 2008

ISBN:  9780979633522

Available: New

            Bound for Evil is an homage to the terrible power of books. The stories and their authors span across time and location, including classic authors H.P. Lovecraft and Nathaniel Hawthorne as well as contemporary writers such as Ramsey Campbell, Angeline Hawkes, and Christopher Fulbright. It’s a nice touch that information about each author is provided before each contribution. Although the stories vary in tone and genre, with humor, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy all making an appearance, the passion of the editor for bibliomania at its most horrifying comes across clearly. Bound for Evil has strong stories and remarkable writing. The book itself is beautiful with effective illustrations by artist Allen Koslowski. Bound for Evil is a limited edition. It would make an excellent gift for the book lover or collector of horror, or an addition to the collection of a horror reader suffering from a serious case of bibliomania. An excellent anthology that will appeal to a wide audience, Bound for Evil is very highly recommended for public library collections.

Reviewed as part of the Halloween Horror Review Project, click here to see other Halloween themed horror book reviews.

 

 

 

 

 

Slivers of Bone by Ray Garton

Cemetery Dance, 2008

ISBN: 9781587670947

Available: New

Slivers of Bone collects thirteen fantastic tales by Ray Garton. Each story in this varied collection grabs the reader by the throat, or, sometimes, by something besides the throat. The story “The Guy down the Street” is about a neighbor that no sane man would care to have around his teenage daughter, but the true horror of the story lies elsewhere. In “The Homeless Couple”, Mr. Garton goes into the ether with a chilling, yet touching, ghost story. “The Picture of Horror” will terrify and repulse the reader with its telling of a loss of innocence, the dire consequences of immorality, and the mistake of dealing with the devil.

The stories from this collection will not only have the reader double checking their doors at night, but also taking a hard look at the window locks while looking around the nearby houses for that odd neighbor or religious fanatic. Slivers of Bone is one of the best story collections I have read and I would certainly recommend it for any collection.

 

Contains: Sex, bondage, pedophilia

Review by Bret Jordan

 

 ...The Dead Will Inherit The Earth... by Thom Olausson

Thom Olausson, 2008

ISBN: 9781847993472

Available: New 

    Author Thom Olausson hails from Sweden and proclaims that "these stories are the ones deemed TOO scary for American readers". If only that were the case. In point of fact, there are very few thrills and chills within this collection's pages. While several stories do show promise, “The Crooked Cross,” in particular, they suffer from abysmal editing (which may be due to English not being the author's native tongue) and more than a few are substandard examinations of clichéd horror tropes. When Mr. Olausson is inspired and writing outside the box, there is a raw energy to his prose that shows a glimmer of potential. One would hope that he continues to grow as an artist, honing his craft for future publications.

Review by Bob Freeman

 

 

Fright House by Lydia Roberson

Publisher: Lydia Roberson,2007

ISBN: 9780615148120

Available: New

    In this ambitious collection of short stories, poems, and biographical notes, Ms. Roberson has attempted to delve into the very heart of psychological fear, to show the monsters that lurk within as much as without. Unfortunately, Fright House fails to fulfill the author’s ambition. Although the themes are very mature, the stories are written in a simple and straightforward manner, a jarring combination of content and style. Additionally, the storytelling is less than compelling. The author chooses time and time again to tell us about the horrors within rather than show us, and there’s no real follow through, focus or linear thought to keep the reader turning pages.  Ms. Roberson’s one true accomplishment is her fervent honesty. She attacks her prose like a true believer in what she’s trying to share with her audience. Fright House has many of the same problems as other self-published books. Atrocious editing hinders this project, with grammatical errors scattered throughout. There is a germ of a great idea here… in fact, there are several.  The book was simply not ready for publication.

Review by Bob Freeman