The Forest by Lisa Quigley

 

Everyone in Edgewood believes their annual tithes at the fall festival are what purchase Edgewood’s safety, but as Faye and her husband prepare to take over as town stewards—a long tradition carried out by her family for generations—they learn the terrible truth: in order to guarantee the town’s safety, the forest demands an unthinkable sacrifice.

In the midst of everything, Faye is secretly battling debilitating postpartum anxiety that makes her all the more terrified to leave the safe cocoon of her enchanted town.

When everyone turns against her—including her own husband—Faye is forced to flee with her infant son into the forest. She must face whatever lurks there and, perhaps most frightening of all, the dark torments of her own mind.

The Forest is an adult folk horror novel appealing to fans of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and Bird Box by Josh Malerman, with a hint of The Changeling by Victor LaValle. It is Quigley’s debut novel.

Welcome to Edgewood, A picture perfect town that nobody else can find unless they've been invited. A glorious, safe haven of good luck and fortune where nothing bad can ever happen. This is where Faye has been born and raised. It is where she is meant to spend her entire life and where she and her husband are expected to take over as town stewards now that her parents are retiring from the role. As the time of the ceremony draws near, Faye learns the true cost of living in such a magical place, and the price is not one she is willing to pay. With very little time to plan, she makes her escape from the only life she has ever known. Can she survive the forest?

This is a chilling and suspenseful folk horror with a strong female main character. I loved the whole family dynamic and the stunning way the truth was revealed. This would have been a 5 star read for me if not for some repetition. The tension that was increasing kind of evaporated a few times but the fear factor was kicked up several notches for the ending.

4 out of 5 stars

I read a digital file under no obligation to write a review.

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Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World

“At Last, an Authoritative Compendium to (Fictional) Haunted Buildings for the Delight and Exploration of Reader-Travelers Around the Globe.”

For nearly forty years, renowned paranormal investigator Professor Charlatan Bardot has examined, documented, and acquired stories of haunted buildings around the world. Partnered with leading anthologist Eric J. Guignard, and gifted artists Steve Lines and James Gabb, the greatest of Charlatan’s discoveries are made available now in this comprehensive travel anthology!

From the Philippines’ tragic Ame-Soeur Clothing Factory, to Sweden’s reverent Fish Church; from Tanzania’s vengeful Unguja Restaurant, to Canada’s cursed Crow Island Lighthouse, Charlatan Bardot presents a lifetime of experience and insight into paranormal architecture.

27 feature stories and 36 tiny tales are included of haunted temples, diners, hotels, shops, hospitals, outposts, theaters, and other building types, along with maps, travel notes, illustrations, and more, all designed to provide an immersive experience for veteran travelers and armchair ghost hunters alike!

Enter Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World (2021 edition) and explore the strange and curious locales of the globe and of your imagination.

I'm going to be brief here. The title is a mouthful and the pages are a feast for the eyes and imagination. Illustrations, maps, and travel notes all combine to make fiction feel like reality.

The stories take you on a trip around the world, where you will become acquainted with several haunted places all from the safety of your favorite reading spot. 

Multiple authors with their own distinctive style add a unique flair and flavor to this anthology.

There are hauntings that occur in the usual places, such as the hospital in the chilling story Above Aimi by Thersa Matsuura but also more unusual settings such as the haunted department store in Ramsey Campbell's Still Hungry. These were just two of my favorites in this journey. 

Expect the unexpected on your travels and enjoy the trip.

4 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy under no obligation to write a review.

Available for pre-order

 

The Cannibal Gardener by Joe Pawlowski

 

Edmund has a secret.
Besides working as a gardener at Harbo’s Garden Center, he has a separate existence on the dark web, where he is known as Raoul153. There he flirts with the notion of eating people. This idea comes from his grandmother, who tells him stories about the history of his ancient ancestors, the Cannibal Gardeners of New Guinea.

Surprisingly, many share his dark interest. Some even volunteer to be his main course.
One of the people he encounters on the dark web is someone he one day meets in real life. Her name is Denise and she isn’t one of his volunteers but is a force to be reckoned with. Her Goth sensibilities and morbid interests make her a perfect match for Edmund. Or so he thinks.

She’s not so sure.
And, oh, yes, there is a real cannibal on the loose for them to contend with, and he's bringing along a friend.

The Cannibal Gardener combines chilling, supernatural suspense with a love story and generous doses of humor from a master storyteller.

Edmund spends his time split between working at the garden center and caring for his elderly grandmother. He moved in with her after his parents died, and since she cared for him when he needed her he has chosen to do the same now that she is the one who needs him. He enjoys her company and especially loves to hear her tell the stories of their ancestors. They are descended from cannibals she tells him, and he is fascinated by this. That may be what first sent him to the dark web. While grandma naps he often loses himself in grisly images and message boards for hours at a time.

Denise is a goth girl with morbid interests who happens to meet Edmund in person by accident. Neither of them intended their online personas to ever be revealed offline.

Milo is a serial killer/cannibal who hovers on the periphery of both their worlds and ends up being the catalyst for their meeting.

What ties them all together is a bit of old folklore and that was really my favorite part of the story, as I am a long time fan of folk and fairy tales, not the Disney type but the more gruesome variety. 

This was a quick and gory read with a surprise ending that I was not expecting at all. I loved the old folklore that was tied to this story and coincidentally my computer wallpaper is a picture of Baba Yaga's house. If you like folk horror and Grimms' tales you'll want to read this book.

4 out of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy under no obligation to write a review.

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All Things Deadly: Salem Stories by E.C. Hanson

 

Salem, Massachusetts. A town with a rich history of spirits and witches. It’s a place Adam Frost, a former paranormal investigator, never intended to visit again. But his teenage daughter is troubled and shows early signs of self-harm. Can the trip save their fractured relationship? Only time, and a haunted house, will tell.

All Things Deadly (Salem Stories) is Hanson’s debut horror collection. Surrounding the Frost storyline is a series of tales that utilize the coastal city to ratchet up the chills. Read if you dare.

I try not to compare or contrast authors or their story collections but the foremost thought in my mind after reading this is that it shares a similarity to Goblin by Malerman except that E.C. Hanson didn't forget to connect the stories together at the end.

The main story features a father and his  daughter who barely speaks to him on a road trip to Salem. There they will meet someone who used to be a friend but now seems to be a frenemy. Interspersed are short stories set in or around Salem with a diverse cast of characters, some of who will suffer grisly deaths, or cause the demise of others. There is some dark humor mixed in and some very bizarre situations.  In between these stories we head back to the father/daughter road trip and eventually reach their destination. The reason for this trip is bittersweet and may be what is needed to heal their broken relationship.

This was a quick read, perfect for October or really any time of year you're in the mood to visit Salem.

4 out of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy from the author with no obligation to write a review.

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Beyond the Veil by Mark Morris (Editor)

 

Beyond the Veil is the second volume in an annual, non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window.

I love short horror stories. Anthologies are my addiction and I pick them up whenever I can. I read and enjoyed last year's anthology from Flame Tree Press  (After Sundown) and I was so excited to see that they will continue this annual tradition. This year's offering, Beyond The Veil may be even spookier and darker than the first volume.

The first story The God Bag by Christopher Golden is about a woman near the end of her days, who has managed to keep a secret from her family until now. It raises the bar pretty high for those that have to follow, and yet the majority of these tales managed to keep up the deliciously grim tone that blasts off from the beginning, leading us through a procession of the macabre.  Another story in the same vein was The Care And Feeding of Household Gods by Frank J. Oreto in which a happily married stay at home dad finds a bit of otherworldly help to get through his daily chores. I was holding my breath at the end of this one, afraid of where it was going to take me. Caker's Man by Matthew Holness was downright scary. A neighbor who has never bothered to introduce himself in the year since he's moved in suddenly becomes extremely pushy in very creepy ways. The Dark Bit by Toby Litt is a gruesome work of body horror not for the squeamish. For All The Dead by Angeline B Adams and Remco Van Straten takes place in a small coastal village where the women know that their men may not always return from the sea. This was suspenseful, sad, and spooky all at once. Away Day by Lisa Tuttle is about a woman who is always left out of everything, until at last she finds a place to belong. 

These are just a few of what for me were 5 star reads. If you enjoy short horror stories you are going to want to add this to your collection.

5 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy from Flame Tree Press under no obligation to write a review.

Available for pre-order

Contents List:

THE GOD BAG by Christopher Golden

CAKER’S MAN by Matthew Holness

THE BEECHFIELD MIRACLES by Priya Sharma

CLOCKWORK by Dan Coxon

SOAPSTONE by Aliya Whiteley

THE DARK BIT by Toby Litt

PROVENANCE POND by Josh Malerman

FOR ALL THE DEAD by Angeline B. Adams and Remco van Straten

THE GIRL IN THE POOL by Bracken MacLeod

NURSE VARDEN by Jeremy Dyson
IF, THEN by Lisa L. Hannett

AQUARIUM WARD by Karter Mycroft

A MYSTERY FOR JULIE CHU by Stephen Gallagher

AWAY DAY by Lisa Tuttle

POLAROID AND SEAWEED by Peter Harness

DER GEISTERBAHNHOF by Lynda E. Rucker

ARNIE’S ASHES by John Everson

A BRIEF TOUR OF THE NIGHT by Nathan Ballingrud

THE CARE AND FEEDING OF HOUSEHOLD GODS by Frank J. Oreto

YELLOWBACK by Gemma Files

Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman

Inspired by the McMartin preschool trials and the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s, the critically acclaimed author of The Remaking delivers another pulse pounding, true-crime-based horror novel.

Richard doesn’t have a past. For him, there is only the present: a new marriage to Tamara, a first chance at fatherhood to her son Elijah, and a quiet but pleasant life as an art teacher at Elijah’s elementary school in Danvers, Virginia. Then the body of a rabbit, ritualistically murdered, appears on the school grounds with a birthday card for Richard tucked beneath it. Richard doesn’t have a birthday—but Sean does . . .

Sean is a five-year-old boy who has just moved to Greenfield, Virginia, with his mother. Like most mothers of the 1980s, she’s worried about bills, childcare, putting food on the table . . . and an encroaching threat to American life that can take the face of anyone: a politician, a friendly neighbor, or even a teacher. When Sean’s school sends a letter to the parents revealing that Sean’s favorite teacher is under investigation, a white lie from Sean lights a fire that engulfs the entire nation—and Sean and his mother are left holding the match.

Now, thirty years later, someone is here to remind Richard that they remember what Sean did. And though Sean doesn’t exist anymore, someone needs to pay the price for his lies.

Told on two timelines this story goes back and forth from a child of the 80s who became a media sensation after a psychologist "coached" him to recover memories that never happened, and the man he is today grappling with the guilt and consequences of the lies he told when he was five. 

This book has me trying to put myself in the shoes of younger readers. Would I have enjoyed this book as much if I was not old enough to remember the satanic panic of the 80s? If I were a younger person would I see a connection between the people who so wanted to believe that Satanists were munching on dead babies around every corner and the Qanon cult who believes that people are drinking the blood of children for political gain today? I just don't know the answer to that, because I do remember. I remember the media circus and my mother calling me to the tv to see various talk show hosts cashing in on the never ending parade of "satanic abuse survivors" and I remember we damned near believed it was real at the time. 

I can only give my own opinion, which is that this is a masterfully well written tale that will have you wondering whether guilt has caused Richard to lose his grip on reality or whether someone or something is out to get him.

5 out of 5 stars

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Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

 

Andrew and Eddie did everything together, best friends bonded more deeply than brothers, until Eddie left Andrew behind to start his graduate program at Vanderbilt. Six months later, only days before Andrew was to join him in Nashville, Eddie dies of an apparent suicide. He leaves Andrew a horrible inheritance: a roommate he doesn’t know, friends he never asked for, and a gruesome phantom with bleeding wrists that mutters of revenge.

As Andrew searches for the truth of Eddie’s death, he uncovers the lies and secrets left behind by the person he trusted most, discovering a family history soaked in blood and death. Whirling between the backstabbing academic world where Eddie spent his days and the circle of hot boys, fast cars, and hard drugs that ruled Eddie’s nights, the walls Andrew has built against the world begin to crumble, letting in the phantom that hungers for him.

Andrew is getting ready to join his best friend, when he instead learns of his apparent suicide. Now everything Eddie owned belongs to Andrew except for the knowledge of what really happened. Andrew knew Eddie better than anyone else in the world and he is positive that he never would have killed himself.

It took me a while to get into this story. The pace was slow at first, although I was immediately knocked over by the depth of Andrew's grief at the loss of his friend Eddie. As Andrew moves into what was once Eddie's house and now belongs to him, I didn't really care for his inherited roommate Riley or really any of Eddie's crowd. They grew on me eventually and by the time I realized I was angry with Eddie for having shared what Andrew thought was private, I was pretty heavily invested in Andrew's search for the truth of what really led to Eddie's death and whether he really took his own life. There is a supernatural element involved but it felt secondary to Andrew's grief and repressed sexuality. If you enjoy a slow burn horror this is for you.

4 out of 5 stars

I read an e-copy through Netgalley with no obligation to write a review.

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More Than Evil - Audiobook by Bil Richardson

 

A MOVIE FOR YOUR EARS

New Audiobook of More Than Evil with full 3D sound design. Lots of music, sound effects and fully voiced narration by Sky Soleil. Coming soon!

HOW DO YOU STOP THE UNSTOPPABLE

A supernatural entity that has been imprisoned in the earth for millennia is released in a small town. It quickly spreads, leaving a trail of blood and carnage in its wake. Harlan is the local sheriff and he is in a race against time to save his family, his town and the rest of the world from this horrifying evil.

A sleeping evil in a small mining town has awakened after getting a taste of blood. Now the dead don't stay that way and it's up to the sheriff to save his town in this gory and gruesome tale.

This was a totally new experience for me, I have not listened to an audio book in years because back when I did, I was not impressed. I know lots of people enjoy them but for me, it is difficult to pay attention when someone reads to me, especially if I don't like their voice. 

However, More Than Evil is nothing like those flat robotic things I tried to listen to a decade ago. It is described as a movie for your ears and I somewhat agree with that but it is more satisfying than trying to listen to a movie with no picture. The rich narration and chilling sound effects remind me more of the old radio shows people listened to before they had tv. Back when there was no picture it was up to the actors and sound effects artists to conjure the images in your imagination. Of course some of the language and more graphic scenes would not have been allowed on the radio in those days, but horror fans of today will likely enjoy this "movie for the ears." I know I did.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received audio files from the author with no obligation to write a review.

About the author

Later by Stephen King

 

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

Later is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King's classic novel IT, Later is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.

Later is a coming of age tale, but in Stephen King fashion our young hero Jaimie can see dead people. He sees them whether he wants to or not, and the first sighting when he is just a small tot is truly horrific.

Set in New York beginning just before the recession, we get to grow up with Jaimie, and his mom Tia certainly does some growing up too. Jamie never knew his dad, it's been him and his mom against the world for all of his young life until a romantic interest begins cutting in to their time together. Tia does not believe Jaimie right away when he first tells her what he has seen. Later she makes him promise never to tell anyone, but when it suits her she is the one to let the cat out of the bag, bringing some consequences neither of them bargained for.

The pace moves along at a pretty fast clip, and though it straddles the line between horror and crime, dipping a toe in each, it is most definitely Jamie's narrative that is the star of this book. Stephen King books have been hit or miss with me for the past several years, but I'm counting this among the hits. Watch out for those deadlights.

4 out of 5 stars

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