It, Watching by Elizabeth Massie

Createspace, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-1548161590

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

In her first collection in several years, Elizabeth Massie returns with a thrilling collection of short stories. The Bram Stoker-winning author of Sin Eater has put together eighteen tales, several of which will be new to readers, and there is not a clunker in the bunch. For those not familiar with Massie’s work, her range of writing is vast, and effortless to read.

To detail the individual stories here would be to spoil any surprise within the pages. What you will encounter is a voice in Southern Gothic style that is like no other.  Her entries in the horror genre often begin in quiet tones, embracing the reader– right before the darkness strikes. It’s not easy to successfully write humor, but Massie nails the light-hearted with aplomb, usually in a south-of-the-Mason-Dixon manner, until the reader realizes something deeper and darker is afoot. This collection is on par with The Fear Report and Shadow Dreams, as one of Massie’s best collections, and it should be an integral part of any horror fan’s library, or those who simply love great story. One cannot go wrong with reading Massie.  Highly recommended

Reviewed by Dave Simms.