Imagine yourself in a cemetery. Void of all light at the base of a tree. But it's no ordinary tree. This tree abounds with the dead. Now envision that each tree limb is a short story with its own vision, its own length of words, and its own insanity.With that said, beware of the widow makers and the strange foreboding dwelling beneath. Remember, nothing's heavenly in Cemetery Riots. Cemetery Riots is a new collection of dark cautionary tales edited by T. C. Bennett and Tracy L. Carbone. With great pride we introduce you to our stories and their authors... THE WAITING DEAD by Ray Garton, ABUSED by Richard Christian Matheson, CHILDREN'S HOUR by Hal Bodner, CARMICHAEL MOTEL by Kathryn E. McGee, THAT STILL, BLEEDING OBJECT OF DESIRE by Chet Williamson, LUNCH AT MOM'S by Tracy L. Carbone, FATHER AND SON by Jack Ketchum, THE DEMON OF SPITALFIELDS by Karen and Roxanne E. Dent, ERASURE by Lisa Morton, THE WINDOWS by T. C. Bennett, CERTAIN SIGHTS OF AN AFFLICATED WOMAN by Eric J. Guignard, THE MAN WHO KNEW WHAT TIME IT WAS by Dennis Etchison, THE RE-POSSESSED by James Dorr, CLOWN ON BLACK VELVET by Michael Sebastian, THE CELLAR by Kelly Kurtzhals, ETERNAL VALLEY by John Palisano, BLOOD by Taylor Grant, AMONG THE TIGERS by William F. Nolan, ALL OUR HEARTS ARE GHOSTS by Peter Atkins, THE ITCH by Michael D. Nye, and DRIVING HER HOME by John Everson
The gorgeous cover of Cemetery Riots says that it is "a collection of dark cautionary tales."
I'm not sure why, because a scant few of the stories are cautionary tales, and the multiple authors would make it an anthology.
Several stories revolve around the dead. Ghosts circulate throughout the book both in and outside of the cemetery. I did enjoy it even though it did not stick to the theme I was expecting. The majority of these stories would rate 3 or 4 stars from me but I would like to name the few that I found to be the best.
One of the more exceptional stories, The Cellar by Kelly Kurtzhals also happened to be one of the few cautionary tales. A young couple moves into an apartment with a "bonus space" that they have been warned against using. But the loud neighbors and cramped living quarters make it impossible to resist the quiet spacious cellar underneath the trapdoor. Horrific consequences ensue.
Driving Her Home by John Everson is a hard one for me to say anything about without spoiling it. I could describe it in 2 words but every horror lover would instantly know the ending if I did. Still, it is a much beloved horror trope and was very well written.
Lunch At Mom's by Tracy L. Carbone was another of my favorites. It wasn't horror but a beautifully poignant ghost story full of love and loss as a man grieves over his mother's passing and comes to terms with the knowledge that his children are very much like his cold-hearted greedy wife.
In a twisty offering by Kathryn E McGee A heartbroken woman flees her apartment after a break-up and stops to rest at the Carmichael Motel. There she will reflect on her past failed relationships.
Blood by Taylor Grant is written as a letter from a divorced father to his child. It is a confession, a promise and a chilling vow to always be there when needed.
These for me were the 5-star stories and my absolute favorites, Yours may be different but I'm sure you'll find at least a few to love.
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