Keith Minnion | Musings of the Monster Librarian

Book Review: The Bone Worms: The Expanded and Revised Edition by Keith Minnion

The Bone Worms: The Expanded and Revised Edition by Keith Minnion

Cemetery Dance Press, 2022

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1587678547

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition ( Cemetery Dance | Amazon..com )

The Bone Worms is one of the best horror novels of the past decade. That’s high praise, but well-earned. Keith Minnion has long been a force in the horror genre, both as an author and artist. He made his name as an illustrator for several magazines and publishers, most notably and recently for the Stephen King/Richard Chizmar novels Gwendy’s Button Box and Gwendy’s Magic Feather. His short stories have been making the rounds since 1979, and his two collections have garnered high praise.

This expanded and updated edition of Minnion’s earlier book The Bone Worms is immensely readable and well-written. It tears into ground that feels untrodden and fresh. These days, finding something that is both new and successful in execution is tough. This novel nails it on both counts. It is easily one of the strongest entries in the genre in the past ten years, a very strong time for dark novels. Just dive into the story with as little advance knowledge as possible

The sky holds secrets that man has yet to figure out: the boneyard exists somewhere above the clouds. To explain the bone worms and their lair would be akin to spilling the secrets of a macabre Santa.

Back in 1921, a six-year old is taken for a biplane ride for his birthday party. Something terrible happens up in the sky, in the boneyard, that will scar the boy and his friend for life. Many years later, in 1983, the boys, now senior citizens, hole up in an apartment together, one trying to keep the other safe from what’s been seeking them for decades.

Detective Frank Lomax searches Philadelphia for the killer who’s been flaying victims open all over town. Left behind are gruesome crime scenes– yet no bones. Fresh off a breakdown, he knows this case could make him, or shatter his psyche for good. The deeper he plunges into the world of the bone worms, the stranger the case becomes, and the edges of reality fray with each clue uncovered.

Part horror novel, part police procedural, part thriller, The Bone Worms will rattle readers’ bones, at least while they’re still inside the body. Easily one of the best reads of this year.

This gorgeous edition includes extras and artwork. Minnion also created the dazzling cover.

Recommended reading for fans of great storytelling.

Book Review: Down There & Others by Keith Minnion

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