Down There & Others by Keith Minnion
White Noise Press, August, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1549570919
Available: Paperback, Kindle edition
 

Sometimes, people are blessed with excelling in multiple creative fields, such as Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Clive Barker, and the author of this collection, Keith Minnion. Those familiar with the iconic magazine Cemetery Dance will recognize his name, as the most innovative illustrator in each issue. Those who picked up the Stephen King/Richard Chizmar bestseller of last year, Gwendy’s Button Box, might notice the illustrations in that book look familiar, as well.

In this book, though, Minnion’s writing is the star attraction, and although each is accompanied by a very cool illustration, it’s the story that matters here. The stories are just as intense and well-written as in the author’s first collection, It’s For You. His writing style lends itself to fast reads, but upon rereading, his work reveals deeper, darker secrets. He will never be accused of overwriting, yet each story feels rich and imagined.

Down There & Others begins with an introduction by Tony Tremblay and contains 16 stories, as well as the beginnings of a new novel. While some stories have been previously published, many here are available for the first time.  They run the gamut from frightening to suspenseful to just outright weird (I’m looking at you,”The Blue Cat!”), Not a word is wasted. Other outstanding tales that will creep down your spine long after you finish them include “Old Bones; “The Wampyr”; the title story, published originally in Cemetery Dance magazine; and the best, hands down, “Little Sister.” The standout, though, is the inclusion of the first act of Minnion’s forthcoming novel, Dog Star. The reaction to that story will be intense, and might even blow away his first novel, the stellar The Boneyard. Recommended.

Reviewed by Dave Simms