The Darkest Night: 22 Winter Horror Stories - Edited by Lindy Ryan

 

From some of the biggest names in horror comes an Advent calendar of short stories perfect for the darkest nights of the year. Edited by award-winning author and anthologist Lindy Ryan, this horrific anthology will chill you to the bone. From New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box Josh Malerman, a story of a dark Christmas past in “Children Aren’t The Only Ones Who Know Where the Presents Are Hidden.” From national bestselling author Rachel Harrison, “Thaw,” in which a couple spends their first Christmas together in a cabin—but are they alone, or does something else watch them from the tree line? New York Times bestselling authors, Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon’s “Wintry Blue” sets an innocent child on the road with a strange and monstrous creature. Bram Stoker Award®-winning screenwriter of Netflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor and The Fall of the House of Usher, in Jamie Flanagan’s “Bruiser,” something sinister stalks the chilling hallways of a nursing home at night. Author of Such a Pretty Smile, Kristi DeMeester, tells a tale of “Eggnog” a Christmas party, an over-friendly female coworker, and an angry wife are the recipe for a deadly cocktail party. Plus stories by Nat Cassidy, Darcy Coates, Clay McLeod Chapman, Tim Waggoner, and many more, with an introduction by George C. Romero and art by renowned British horror artist Mister Sam Shearon.

These 22 wintery horror stories are a great way to wave goodbye to the heat of summer and kick off the start of spooky season.

I enjoyed the thrills, chills and a bit of dark humor. 

A girl seeks out the help of a witch to heal her brother's failing heart.

A teenager on the cusp of adulthood learns that his final childhood gift from Santa will be a lump of coal. Is there time to get on the nice list before Christmas Eve is over? His attempts are gruesome and hilarious.

A very good boy learns from an elf that working conditions are unbearable at the North Pole. It would be so much easier at Santa's workshop if the naughty list was longer. Of course any good child would want to help make that happen, with bloody and horrific results.

An exhausted new mother is made to feel like a frumpy house frau by the office flirt at her husband's work party. Revenge is not a dish served cold, but a festive glass of Christmas cheer.

A woman who blames herself for a Christmas tragedy gets a chance for a do-over.

A romantic weekend in a cozy cabin complete with festive decorations and a snowman in the yard doesn't go quite as planned as a woman starts to notice some traits of toxic masculinity... and hey is that snowman coming closer?

A good Samaritan stops his car on an icy mountain road to help an injured woman, and puts himself and his daughter at risk. 

An empty box mysteriously appears on the porch and there is no way to be rid of it until it gets what it wants.

The Darkest Night is 322 pages of delightfully deadly fun.

5 out of 5 stars

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books

Available for Pre-order