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Coralesque and Other Tales to Disturb and Distract by Rebecca Fraser

IFWG Publishing Australia, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781925956702

Available: Pre-order: paperback, Kindle edition

Coralesque and Other Tales to Disturb and Distract includes 25 stories and poems of Australian horror by Rebecca Fraser, set in the harsh terrain of the Outback, the mysterious depths of the Pacific Ocean, and the wilds of Tasmania. This collection has so many good stories in its pages. I want to write this review about all of them. However, just to give you a sample of what Fraser brings to horror, I will highlight some of the best ones.

In the titular story, “Coralesque,” we meet Brett and Saxon, two surfers who head out for some epic waves after a massive storm. Saxon ends up with a severe head injury. After a trip to the hospital, the wound doesn’t heal and something in the wound starts growing. “Don’t Hate Me ‘Cause I’m Beautiful” is a Bradbury-esque story of a woman wanting the recent model of the iMaid. The problem is the iMaid takes care of the household too well. “Never Falls Far” is a particularly effective tale of the Stockton family who grows the sweetest apples in their orchard. Boys Kyle and Mitchell soon find out why over a campfire tale told by one of the Stockton descendants. In “Casting Nets,” Delice and Tino are in love, but are of two different worlds. Tino, sick of being exiled from Delice, talks with someone who works in hexes about obtaining a means of passage into her family’s well-guarded house without her overbearing father knowing, but discovers too late that the cost is too high. In “The Skylar Solution,” Mayor Regina Carter and her team meet with Verne Hoffman, who has discovered a permanent solution to the “problem” of the increasing homeless population, with an unexpected consequence.

“The Little One” is the longest piece in the book. Sable witnesses the rape of her sister Carmine by the prince of the realm. Carmine later becomes pregnant, which the Queen discovers as he is attempting a second rape. Lizbette, Carmine’s lover, threatens the prince. Sable witnesses the Queen murder Lizbette, then the prince murders Carmine. Sable searches for the Flay Sisters and their witchcraft to enact revenge for the deaths of two of her closest companions. This is an incredibly effective rape revenge story.

This collection makes me want to pick up more work by Fraser. There are so many stories that are short, yet provide some spine tingling, thought-provoking horror. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to read international horror.

Contains: body horror, sexual assault, sexual content

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker