The Reach of Children by Tim Lebbon

Description

"He spoke into the box … but then, the box spoke back.

Daniel Powell is ten years old when his sickly mother passes away. Her young death leaves Daniel with only his father too soon. Distraught, his father starts to fall apart. Daniel also is unable to let her go.

After the funeral, Daniel notices his father secretly talking to a large coffin-like box that has appeared underneath his bed. His father orders him not to enter his room.

Intrigued and confused by what it is doing there, Daniel cannot help but wonder what lies inside.

Then one day his father goes out. Daniel is left alone in the house with the mysterious box. He taps the box and the box taps back. When he scrapes his nails along it, he hears the same sound.

He convinces himself that it must be an echo. But when Daniel whispers to the box of his troubles, the box answers back...

It is a voice that he does not recognize, yet this voice knows so much.

Tim Lebbon’s The Reach of Children is a chilling horror tale, which will leave you spooked and moved in one sitting. "

 

From the description I was expecting a horror story, but that is not what I got.

Daniel Powell is a young boy who has recently lost his mom. He has watched her getting sicker and weaker but held on to hope as only a child can, that she may someday get well. Sadly that is not the case and she does not recover. Grief stricken Daniel is now left alone with his dad, who struggles to cope with the loss of his wife. He spends most times drinking and can offer very little comfort to poor Daniel who is lost without his mom.  Enter mysterious coffin shaped box hiding under dad's bed and a creepy story about an old man who kept a girl in a box.. that Daniels mom had promised to tell him about when he was old enough. 

This was a quick read at under 100 pages. It is more a story of grief than of horror, but was well written and held my interest. 4 out of 5 stars from me.

I received a complimentary copy for review  

 

 

Rockinghorse by William W. Johnstone

Description

It came in the dead of night—a rhythmic creaking sound that only the children could hear.
Jackie and Johnny tried not to listen. But it called to them, whispering of evil, luring them
into the darkness of the attic.

With its brightly colored saddle and painted-on eyes, it was the most beautiful rocking horse Jackie and Johnny had ever seen. But as they took turns riding it, they didn't see its tail twitch or its lips curve into a terrifying grin. They couldn't hear the faint whicker that echoed among the shadows.

They couldn't know that their own innocent eyes had taken on a strange new gleam . . .

I have to say first that this description seems a bit off to me, Jackie and Johnny did not take turns riding the horse... nor were the they only ones who could hear it. Anyway on with the review.

Lucas and Tracy Bowers, a not so happily married couple have been arguing, mainly over the success of Tracy's career. They decide to pack up their kids Jackie and Johnny and take a road trip to Bowers House for the summer. Bowers House is a mansion in Georgia that belonged to Lucas's grandparents before their deaths. He has not been to see it in years, and has been unable to sell it. Right before they leave, Jackie and Johnny both have strange dreams about a rocking horse.

"They's them that say the place is haunted"

When they arrive, there is of course a strange cast of characters, including a caretaker who tells them the house doesn't want to be sold. There are rumors of devil worship going on in the woods and before discovering an old rocking horse they do indeed hear hoof beats and whinnying.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but after that it all began to get a bit too crazy, even for me.

3 and a half out of 5 stars from me

I received an advance copy for review


 

 

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