Jon Richter's Disturbing Works (Volume Two)

Another compendium of delightfully macabre stories by Jon Richter, author of Deadly Burial and Never Rest. Jon's first short fiction collection was described as 'Black Mirror meets Tales Of The Unexpected', and here he brings you another chilling assortment of twisted tales encompassing killer creatures, terrifying technology, and scientific experiments gone horribly wrong... These dark fables are perfect for anyone who likes their reads short, shocking, and laced with a dash of black humour.


The first thing I have to say about Disturbing Works volume 2 is that after reading it I need to get my hands on Volume one. These 10 short stories both shock and horrify as we are plunged into what feels like a realistic nightmare. I was hooked from the first story where something as believable as a garbage strike springboards into a tale of corruption, murder and monsters.
There are stories of mythical creatures, medical breakthroughs that go horribly wrong, which I suppose is to be expected when one has the option to be injected with animal DNA to address human weaknesses or aging. The scariest factor for me was my belief that in reality if such medical treatment became available there would be people willing to try it. Have you ever watched any of those Urban Exploration videos online or maybe even considered exploring an abandoned place on your own? I have watched a few and often thought it might be exciting to join in but the story Urbex cured me of that desire. Sometimes abandoned places are best left to decay in peace. Jon Richter's writing is smooth and expressive, making me feel as if I did not merely read these stories but experienced them.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

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About the author

Jon Richter writes dark fiction, including his two gripping crime thrillers, Deadly Burial and Never Rest, and his two collections of short horror fiction, volumes one and two of Jon Richter's Disturbing Works.

Jon lives in Elephant & Castle and is a self-confessed nerd who loves books, films and video games – basically any way to tell a great story.  He writes whenever he can, and hopes to bring you more macabre tales in the very near future, including his upcoming cyberpunk noir thriller, London 2039: Auxiliary.  He also co-hosts the Dark Natter podcast, a fortnightly dissection of the greatest works of dark fiction, available wherever you get your podcast fix.

If you want to chat to him about any of this, you can find him on Twitter @RichterWrites or Instagram @jonrichterwrites.

His website haunts the internet at www.jon-richter.com, and you can find his books at Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2OXXRVP.

The Deep by Alma Katsu

From the acclaimed and award-winning author of The Hunger comes an eerie, psychological twist on one of the world’s most renowned tragedies, the sinking of the Titanic and the ill-fated sail of its sister ship, the Britannic.

Someone, or something, is haunting the ship. Between mysterious disappearances and sudden deaths, the guests of the Titanic have found themselves suspended in an eerie, unsettling twilight zone from the moment they set sail. Several of them, including maid Annie Hebley, guest Mark Fletcher, and millionaires Madeleine Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim, are convinced there’s something sinister—almost otherwordly—afoot. But before they can locate the source of the danger, as the world knows, disaster strikes.

Years later, Annie, having survived that fateful night, has attempted to put her life back together. Working as a nurse on the sixth voyage of the Titanic’s sister ship, the Britannic, newly refitted as a hospital ship, she happens across an unconscious Mark, now a soldier fighting in World War I. At first, Annie is thrilled and relieved to learn that he too survived the sinking, but soon, Mark’s presence awakens deep-buried feelings and secrets, forcing her to reckon with the demons of her past—as they both discover that the terror may not yet be over.

Brilliantly combining the supernatural with the height of historical disaster, The Deep is an exploration of love and destiny, desire and innocence, and, above all, a quest to understand how our choices can lead us inexorably toward our doom.

 I was most fascinated with the character Annie, who we follow on more than one time line. When first we meet her, Annie is in an insane asylum, although she is not mad. She had been found unconscious behind a pub some time after her ordeal on the Titanic and brought to the asylum where she remained. It is not clear what else Annie has suffered at this point but it is clear that her father has been searching for her and that Annie has a reason for not wanting to go home. When she leaves the asylum to take a job on a hospital ship with another Titanic survivor she discovers someone else from her time on the Titanic.
As the story goes back and forth between the past on the Titanic and the present time on the hospital ship it begins to weave together a paranormal element that connects both time lines.
While I did enjoy this story as a fan of historical fiction, it was not exactly what I was expecting since it was listed under horror. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction and all who love anything to do with the Titanic since it seems quite well researched, but I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a scare.
4 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy for review.
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About the author
Alma Katsu is the author of  The Hunger, The Taker, The Reckoning, and The Descent. She has been a signature reviewer for Publishers Weekly and a contributor to The Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the master’s writing program at the Johns Hopkins University and received her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. Prior to the publication of her first novel, Katsu had a long career as a senior intelligence analyst for several U.S. agencies. She lives outside of Washington, D.C., with her husband.

Red Hail by Jamie Killen

Professor Colin Ayres has spent years researching the strange story of Galina, Arizona, a sleepy border town ripped apart by violence and paranoia after the outbreak of a mysterious illness in 1960. Colin is certain the Galina Incident was simply a case of mass hysteria. But when his partner, Alonzo, starts exhibiting strange symptoms, Colin is shocked to realize they are the same as those that emerged in Galina decades ago. As Alonzo’s condition worsens, Colin scrambles to piece together what really happened during that terrible summer in the past. He uncovers a story of murder, corruption, and fanaticism. The deeper he digs, the more he becomes convinced that what happened in Galina wasn’t mass hysteria after all. When others start to develop the same eerie symptoms, Colin must confront the possibility that someone—or something—is driving the plague. Guided by rumors of a person who found a way to stop the plague in the sixties, Colin races to find answers before the disease destroys Alonzo and everyone else it touches.

Told on 2 timelines, 1960 and the present day this is a tale that straddles the line between horror and scifi.
It was 1960 when the Red Hail fell in Galina and the town was forever changed. Men, women, children, and animals were soon afflicted with  mysterious and frightening symptoms. Racists and religious fanatics alike were quick to cast blame on everything from the Devil to the Mexicans, leading to dire consequences. Three brave souls dared to seek the truth behind this blight on the town and were able to put an end to it, but only for 60 years.
Now it's begun again. This time not in Galina but to those whose grandparents were the first stricken with symptoms there. Again it falls to 3 unlikely heroes to uncover the mystery of this terrifying ailment.
I'm not normally much of a scifi fan but this story had so many great horror elements to it and a great mix of characters that I couldn't help but enjoy it.
4 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.

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About the author
I'm a reader, writer, podcaster, feminist, and owner of two adorable yet spoiled dogs. I've published a couple dozen horror/SFF short stories and novellas over the years. At the moment, I'm the writer and producer of SPINES, MIRRORS, and THE SIX DISAPPEARANCES OF ELLA MCCRAY, all dark audio drama podcasts. You can check out my audiodrama work at https://spinespodcast.com/ or at https://www.mirrorspodcast.com/

ENANTIODROMIA: collected stories

Turning of the Bones - A lost spirit in Madagascar seeks to guide his descendants to his body so he can finally be free.
The First and Last Drink of Ilona Odd - A recovering alcoholic waits at a tavern in order to pay off a hit man. But there are more spirits around than just those behind the bar.
You Might Get It - A drunk and grieving widower has his wish fulfilled when his recently deceased wife knocks on the front door.
Tuesdays with Moran’d’arth - Sandy Kavanaugh is a world-renowned horror author with millions of dollars and a loving family. So why is he so miserable? Is it the ageless demon in his barn?
Peta Babkama Luruba - A Babylonian slave recounts the events that led to her emancipation over 4,000 years ago.


Well first off I learned a new word. 
Enantiodromia-the tendency of things to change into their opposites, especially as a supposed governing principle of natural cycles and of psychological development.

"the remorseless enantiodromia between good luck and bad"

Then, I was treated to a quick and creepy journey through 5 dark tales of loss, regret, despair, and revenge. First up is a trip into the past where a restless spirit can find no peace until his remains are are found. The longer it takes the more dangerous he becomes. Next one marriage dissolves in a violent way, followed by another marriage that continues beyond the grave. My absolute favorite story was Tuesdays with Moran’d’arth in which an aging horror writer finds the price of his fame and fortune to be harder to deal with and tougher to pay... Last but not least a slave discovers a mystical portal that may hold the key to freedom. This was a most satisfying collection of grim and gruesome tales.
5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

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About the author
Mike X Welch was born in Wilson, NY, and has always dreamed of being a writer. Despite indications to the contrary, he does not have enough cats...and he resents the accusation.