Nightmares A New Decade of Modern Horror Edited by Ellen Datlow

Description

From horror’s most acclaimed editor comes the most groundbreaking horror of the new millennium. In Nightmares, editor extraordinaire Ellen Datlow has skillfully reprised her classic anthology Darkness: Two Decades of Modern Horror.

In these twenty-four chilling tales, you will find iconic authors—including Richard Kadrey, Garth Nix, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Margo Lanagan, and Gene Wolfe—reminding us that evil will simply not go away. Two inexperienced thieves discover a residence that makes Home Alone seem like a playground romp. Concerned parents struggle with morality while their cruel child courts fairy revenge. The Ash Mouth Man might be just a legend to girls who wish to waste away—but is he worth just one kiss?

First off I adore this cover and applaud the designer. It caught my eye immediately.

This is a large volume of horror at over 400 pages. While I can't say I fell in love with every story, it surely has something for every horror lover. My favorites of the bunch were "Sob In The Silence" which was a story of murder. "Dead Sea Fruit" a very strange tale about the Ash Mouth Man who can make you waste away with a kiss. "Closet Dreams" which was about an escape of sorts from a most vile predator. "Lonegan's Luck" which of course was not really good luck at all. "Was She Wicked? Was She Good?" Is about the aftermath of a little girl who likes to pull the wings off....well you'll see.

"The Shallows" was a strange and fascinating story of a family that I really can't even begin to describe. Now that is not to say the other stories weren't good, these are just the ones that will haunt me for a while.

I received an advance copy for review

Jack-In-The-Box by William W. Johnstone

Description

Angelic Child
She was a beautiful child, a perfect child. With her blonde hair and baby doll prettiness, she was the picture of angelic innocence. Phillip Baxter pushed aside his uneasiness about his strangely self-possessed daughter. She was just an ordinary kid. And, to his relief, she did act like an ordinary kid when he brought home a special present just for her . . .

Devil's Toy
Alone in her room, Nora couldn't wait to open the antique jack-in-the-box. She couldn't wait to watch the hand-carved clown's head bob back and forth, its glass eyes staring at her, its lips drawn back into an insane grin. Any other little girl might have cringed in horror. But as Nora's wide eyes mirrored the grotesque wooden face, her pink lips were curving into the same malicious smile .

 

 

Nora Baxter is not your typical little girl. It's because of Nora that the Baxter family can't hold on to housekeepers or babysitters. Other children don't like her much either. She has no friends, not that she wants any. Things get broken around Nora, accidents happen, property gets damaged and things (and people) tend to die around her too.

Nora's father sees through her lies and manipulative behavior but her mother prefers to bury her head in the sand. Throw in some Nazis, satanic worship, an evil Jack in the box and a priest, and you've got the perfect storm.

 

This is classic 80s horror that is being re-released and I am thrilled to see it find a new home on kindle for a new generation of horror lovers. William W. Johnstone was a force to be reckoned with when it came to horror in the 80s. I do remember reading this book in paperback decades ago and it after re-reading on kindle I can say it stands the test of time.  5 out of 5 stars from me.

I received an advance copy for review

A Time of Torment (A Charlie Parker Thriller) by John Connolly

Description

Dangerous and driven private investigator Charlie Parker returns in the latest gripping thriller of internationally bestselling author John Connolly’s series, in which ungodly fears haunt a strange and isolated community.

Jerome Burnel was once a hero. He intervened to prevent multiple killings, and in doing so destroyed himself. His life was torn apart. He was imprisoned, brutalized.

But in his final days, with the hunters circling, he tells his story to private detective Charlie Parker. He speaks of the girl who was marked for death, but was saved; of the ones who tormented him, and an entity that hides in a ruined stockade.

Parker is not like other men. He died, and was reborn. He is ready to wage war.

Now he will descend upon a strange, isolated community called the Cut, and face down a force of men who rule by terror, intimidation, and murder.

All in the name of the being they serve. All in the name of the Dead King.

 

 

I came into this series totally blind. I received an invitation from the publisher to read it, and the description sounded the type of book I enjoy. I am not sure my review can do it justice considering it is book # 14 in a series and I have not read the first 13. In a way the story stands on it's own. In book 14 Charlie Parker tracks down those who tormented Jerome Burnel, who has just been released from prison. This leads him to a group of seriously creepy people known as the Cut.

John Connelly is an incredible story teller. I loved the suspense and the supernatural aspects. I can just tell there are key points I may be missing out on that must have been addressed earlier in the series.

 I am sure fans of the series will enjoy it, and I plan to look into the earlier books 5 stars from me.

 

I received an advance copy for review

Mirror Image by Michael Scott and Melanie Ruth Rose

Description

"A mirror that feeds on human souls wreaks destruction on those around it in Mirror Image, the new novel from internationally bestselling author Michael Scott and Melanie Ruth Rose.
In an auction house in London, there is a mirror no one will buy. Standing seven feet tall and reaching four feet across, its size makes it unusual. Its horrific powers make it extraordinary. For centuries, the mirror has fed off of the lives of humans, giving them agonizing deaths and sucking their souls into its hellish world.
When Jonathan Frazer, the wealthy owner of a furniture and antiques shop in Los Angeles, buys the mirror at an auction, he believes he is getting the bargain of a lifetime. With its age and size, it is easily worth eight times what he paid for it. At this point, the mirror has sat dormant for years. But within days of Jonathan's purchase, the deaths begin again. One employee is crushed when the mirror falls on top of him. A few days later, the corpse of another is found in front of the mirror, brutally stabbed. A third is burned beyond all recognition. All the while, an enormous man with a scarred face is following Jonathan, demanding that he give him the mirror and killing any police officer that gets in his way.
The police are becoming desperate. As the death toll rises, Jonathan himself becomes a suspect. He knows there is something wrong with the mirror. He knows it's dangerous. But he cannot bring himself to get rid of it. Everyday he becomes more captivated by the mirror.
For the mirror is awakening, and its powers are resurfacing."

Mirrors have played a predominant role in horror movies, books, and nightmares. For as long as mirrors have existed, so have superstitions about them. From 7 years bad luck for breaking a mirror, to stealing your soul. From not reflecting vampires because they have no soul, to being a portal to otherworldly dimensions. I have always been fascinated by such stories and so I jumped at the chance to read Mirror Image. This is the story of an antique mirror and the ancient evil secrets it holds.
Johnathan Frazer, a family man, unhappy in his marriage, just knew he had to have this mirror as soon as he saw it. Perhaps the mirror also knew that it just had to have Johnathan! Oddly, he happens to be the only bidder on this mirror at auction and thinks he is getting a fantastic deal. He no sooner has it delivered when the gruesome and grisly deaths begin. Johnathan knows there is something evil about this mirror but as it begins to exert it's power over him his will to get rid of it grows ever weaker, and the danger to Johnathan and his family heightens as the mirror grows stronger. 5 out of 5 stars from me.

I received an advance copy for review