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Book Review: Haunted Nights edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton

Haunted Nights edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton

Blumhouse Books, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-1101973837

Available:  Paperback, Kindle ebook, Audible, and audio CD

Haunted Nights collects sixteen previously unpublished tales of Halloween. It is co-edited by Ellen Datlow, a highly respected genre editor, and Lisa Morton, an authority on Halloween. Haunted Nights presents stories of related holidays as well (e.g. All Souls’ Day and Día de los Muertos).

While I enjoyed all of the stories in Haunted Nights, a few stood out from the others. In “With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds,” Seanan McGuire weaves a great haunted house story that switches perspective between the dead and the living. Mary can’t abide the teenagers who disturb her house, especially on her birthday, but she knows how to take care of her house, and the intruders. Stephen Graham Jones presents a tale of familial loss and a disturbing return in “Dirtmouth.” Jonathan Maberry’s “A Small Taste of the Old Country,” set in 1948, proves revenge can be served warm and comforting. Garth Nix always delivers an excellent story, and his entry in this collection does not disappoint. In his tale, “The Seventeen Year Itch,” the new hospital administrator disregards all of the warnings from staff about patient Broward and the incessant itch he feels compelled to scratch every Halloween. “A Kingdom of Sugar Skulls and Marigolds” by Eric J. Guignard is set during Día de Muertos rather than Halloween. A misspelling on a sugar skull leads to an eventful night for a man in mourning. Paul Kane’s “The Turn” takes the perspective of multiple characters, and is surprisingly well done in such a short story. Tom Nolan has never gone out on Halloween, but the urgent call from the hospital about his dying grandmother drives him outdoors on the most haunted night of the year.

This collection belongs on the bookshelves of readers who love Halloween and other ghost-related holidays. Other authors in this anthology include Joanna Parypinski, Kate Jonez, Jeffrey Ford, Kelley Armstrong, S.P Miskowski, Brian Evenson, Elise Forier Edie, Pat Cadigan, John Lanagan, and John R. Little.

Contains: blood, bullying, homophobia, rape, sexual content

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Book Review: C.H.U.D. Lives! A Tribute Anthology edited by Joe Mynhardt, compiled by Eric S. Brown

C.H.U.D. Lives!: A Tribute Anthology edited by Joe Mynhardt, compiled by Eric S. Brown

Crystal Lake Publishing, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1642550337

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

C.H.U.D., or “Contamination Hazard Urban Disposal,”  more commonly termed by people on the streets as “Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers,” is a cult classic horror film, featuring flesh-eating monsters that call the sewers below New York home. New York police officer Bosch, and Reverend, the manager of a homeless shelter, join forces to investigate the disappearances of the homeless population only to discover cannibalistic monsters devouring anything that moves and mutating those who try to stop them.

This anthology expands the story of the movie with tales of humanity dealing with, or, let’s be honest, being consumed by, these underground dwellers. We are reintroduced to familiar characters like Bosch, the Reverend, and others, as well as meeting a new cast of hapless or up-to-no-good characters. Between those who desperately attempt to get the word out about the danger to the place they call home, and the suits and top brass who are involved in the great governmental cover-up, what’s a city to do?

C.H.U.D Lives! is full of amazing stories. I’ll only highlight my favorites in this review, but I recommend giving this a read to get the full effect of the anthology. “Dog Walker”, by Robert E. Waters, centers on Captain Martin Bosch’s wife, Flora, who is unhappy in her marriage. With a fella on the side, she’s feeling guilty, but not enough to tell her overworked cop husband. She decides to ignore his warnings and takes their dog, Bull, out at night for walkies. What’s the harm in taking little Bull out tonight, just for a bit? She finds out when she gets too close to a manhole. What struck me is that this is actually the opening scene of the film, and the perfect opening to this anthology.

Nick Cato’s “The Dwellers” introduces us to a new hardcore band, The Dwellers, who are playing their first official gig. Tommy couldn’t be more excited, but he faces two problems. The first is his father, who, less than enthused that his son thinks he’s a rock star, needs him to do a job at the warehouse moving some pretty hefty barrels. The other problem is what’s in the barrels. Tommy doesn’t feel so good when he gets on stage later that night. Soon, the packed crowd won’t fare any better.

“Date Night”, by David Robbins, centers on schoolteacher Angela Swinton, who teaches the special needs homeless children in the neighborhood. She braves the street to get to the Anything Goes nightclub to engage in some less than scholarly activities. She picks up Lance, an outwardly brave man who makes it all the way to Angela’s “home away from home” to spend the night with the attractive, yet matronly, teacher. Lance doesn’t know that he is on the syllabus.

Dr. Varlerius Alexkavich discovers new cult activity in Christopher Fulbright and Angeline Hawkes’ “Strange Gods.” The good doctor talks with his student, Karen, who has been attending worship services with a group who revere the strange gods Gog and Magog. When he accepts her invitation to witness her “Purification of the Soul” ceremony, he discovers more than he expected…much more.

In “Step Ate”, by Chad Lutzke, Harlan and Darlena used to be together, but heroin and poor life choices drove them to different lives. Harlan is wracked with guilt for the pain he put her through; she’s still a junkie working the streets for her next fix, while he’s cleaned up and working a regular job. When she turns into a raging, frothing, beast, he may have found a way to make his amends.

“You Will Never Leave Harlan Alive”, by Jonathan Maberry and Eugene Johnson, focuses on the newly minted Sheriff Bosch, working a case in the middle of nowhere. With Deputy Singer at his side, he ventures out to Senator Alvin Joseph’s cabin. There, they meet Lynch, a man claiming to be the senator’s bodyguard, and encounter a gruesome crime scene: the mutilated body of the senator’s driver. Who, or what, did this, and where is that shrill scream coming from? This one is set in 1989, sometime after the end of the film. It’s comforting to know someone made Bosch a sheriff after the ordeal he went through at the end of the movie, but it’s not comforting to know the whole thing had been called “the incident” and all of the evidence was burned and hidden from the public. This is definitely one of the strongest of the stories in this anthology. The authors capture Bosch to the letter, and the tension between the new sheriff and Lynch is palpable.

Other authors who contributed to this incredible anthology include Ryan C. Thomas, Greg Mitchell, Alex Laybourne, Michael H. Hanson, Ben Fisher, Tim Waggoner, Jason White, Mort Castle, David Bernstein, Martin Powell, JG Faherty, and Ross Baxter. There are also interviews with Parnell Hall, C.H.U.D.‘s screenwriter, and the late Andrew Bonime, the film’s producer. The book is dedicated in loving memory to Andrew Bonime, who died before the completion of this project.

Anyone who loves cult classic horror, especially C.H.U.D., will enjoy this book. For readers who haven’t come across this cult classic, check out the trailer from IMDB here (https://tinyurl.com/y8lgohcy).

 

Contains: blood, cannibalism (please don’t tell me you’re surprised), gore, some body horror

Highly recommended (for die-hard C.H.U.D. fans especially)

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Book Review: The Dark North by Martin Dunelind, illustrated by Peter Bergting, Henrik Pettersson, Joakim Ericcson, Magnus Olsson, and Lukas Thelin

The Dark North by Martin Dunelind, art by Peter Bergting, Henrik Pettersson, Joakim Ericsson, Magnus Olsson, and Lukas Thelin; forward by Clive Barker

Dark Horse, 2017

ISBN:  9781506704678

Available: print, Kindle or comiXology ebook

The Dark North is a prose art book that contains five unique stories written by Martin Dunelind,with illustrations showcasing the work of five Scandinavian illustrators and artists. Each of the stories has a different feel and is set in a different time period. Three of the five stories really stood out from the rest: “E18 West,” “Archon,” and “The Daughters of the End.”

“E18 West” is told in 19 short parts, with the narrator telling of her past, present, and future. A road trip in her trusty Oldsmobile leads her to a wraith who has a vendetta against her family. Bergting’s artwork for this piece is perfect for the tone of the story. A few of the panels are represented as photographs in a scrapbook and sketches. The wraith appears in several stages of the road trip before it is even mentioned. The artist also makes use of light and shadow in truly beautiful ways. One of the most effective pieces is an image of the narrator, armed with her shotgun, standing under a streetlight. She is illuminated in the shadows, with a look of defiance on her face. It’s truly beautiful.

“Archon” is set in the distant future. Saul is searching for his wife and child on a planet full of the Clergy’s brainwashing, corruption, and contempt. When he learns the Clergy has used their “indoctrination protocols” on his daughter, his search becomes more pressing, and the hunt for the Architect begins. The artwork for this story is incredibly detailed and fits the story amazingly well. The vast landscapes, futuristic tech, and muted colors all add to the atmosphere of Dunelind’s story. Joakim Ericcson’s art would fit well into the Warhammer 40K universe.

“Daughters of the End” presents a pantheon of sorts. Henrik Pettersson’s beautiful artwork accompanies the short text provided by Martin Dunelind. While the verses are short, they are as powerful as the artwork. The depictions and representations of Wrath and Hunger are particularly impressive.

“The Rest-Red Rooster”  is the story of a man visiting a childhood haunt with his sister; he discovers why their mother never went back after an accident, what hides within himself, and his destiny.  Both this story and the last, “The Way of All Things,” a dark tale of the tragedies of man, are fantastic, with equally great artwork. However, the first three stories are where the bulk of the greatness of this tome lies.

I do hope Dunelind continues to produce this kind of anthology. It’s beautiful and terrifying, with gripping stories worthy of a gallery showroom. Recommended.

Contains: brief nudity

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker