Bone Harvest by James Brogden

 

Struggling with the effects of early-onset dementia, Dennie Keeling now leads a quiet life. Her husband is dead, her children are grown, and her best friend, Sarah, was convicted of murdering her abusive husband. After Sarah's tragic death in prison, Dennie has found solace in her allotment, and all she wants is to be left to tend it in peace. Life remains quiet for twelve years, until three strangers take on a nearby plot and Dennie starts to notice unnatural things. Shadowy figures prowl at night; plants flower well before their time. And then Sarah appears, bringing dire warnings and vanishing after daubing symbols on the walls in Dennie's own blood. Dennie soon realises that she is face to face with an ancient evil - but with her dementia steadily growing worse, who is going to believe her?

This book sat in my kindle for a bit, and when I got around to starting it, I first thought I must have the wrong book. I read a little, then put it down and read the synopsis again.  I wondered what in the world orgies with dead bodies, cannibalism and deserters from the war could possibly have to do with a woman suffering early onset dementia all on her own with her husband and children gone....so I left this book alone for a while. Eventually I picked it back up  even though it did not seem to be my type. At last I made it to Dennie and her allotment. The three strangers who show up to take on the neighboring allotment are from a religious cult, and they are here to resurrect their ancient god, leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake. Everyone seems easily swayed by these charismatic newcomers, all except for Dennie and her dog who are the first to suspect all is not as it appears to be. Before long it seems that Dennie will have to be the one to save the day, for even as the dementia begins to claim her, she still has the ability to see what others can't. By this time I was deeply invested in the story and it's characters, and was glad I did not give up on the story during it's unexpected beginning. There is lots of gore and bloodshed in this supernatural horror but also a lot of heart as one character grapples with what he may be willing to sacrifice to save his child.

4 out of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy for review. 

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About the author

James Brogden is a writer of horror and dark fantasy. A part-time Australian who grew up in Tasmania and the Cumbrian Borders, he has since escaped to suburbia and now lives with his wife and two daughters in the Midlands, where he teaches English. When not writing or teaching he can usually be found up a hill, poking around stone circles and burial mounds. He also owns more lego than is strictly necessary.

His short stories have appeared in various anthologies and periodicals ranging from The Big Issue to the BFS Award-Winning Alchemy Press. His most recent novel, ‘The Plague Stones’ was published by Titan Books in March 2019, and his new novel ‘Bone Harvest’ is due in November 2020. Blogging occurs infrequently at jamesbrogden.blogspot.co.uk, and tweeting at @skippybe

Twelve Days Of Christmas Horror by Rick Wood

 

From a sadistic secret Santa gift, to a murderous telekinetic fairy, to a nativity full of the undead… you’ll find a horror treat for all twelve days of Christmas!

This collection of 12 short stories was frightfully festive. While not all were my cup of eggnog I did particularly enjoy Track Santa and the clever way it was spread over 3 installments through out the book. The Christmas Card Trap was also chilling fun, as was learning what poor scrooge went through in A Christmas Carol: The Aftermath. I have just learned there is a second volume of Christmas horror stories from this author and I'm very likely to buy it as well. 
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includes the following twelve stories:

The F**ked Up Fairy

Twas the Night Before Murder

The Nativity of the Living Dead

The Christmas Card Trap

Secret Santa for the Sadistic

Track Santa parts 1, 2 and 3

Elf on a Shelf

The Mince Pie

The Christmas Cannibal

A Christmas Carol: The Aftermath

The Half That You See Edited by Rebecca Rowland

 

“Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.”
-The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether by Edgar Allan Poe (1845)

Poe’s classic tale told of a state of the art hospital boasting a curiously experimental treatment, but things were not as they seemed. In The Half That You See, twenty-six writers from around the globe share their literary optical illusions in never before seen stories of portentous visions and haunting memories, altered consciousness and virulent nightmares, disordered thinking and descents into madness. Take a walk down the paths of perception that these dark fiction raconteurs have tunneled for you, but keep a tight grip on your flashlight: the course twists and turns, and once you’re on route to your destination, there is no turning back. That which creeps about in the poorly lit corners of the human mind has teeth, and it’s waiting for you.

Well crafted stories of grief and loss, love and heartbreak, marital discord, freak accidents, murderers and more. All of the stories veer off what appears to be their expected path to morph into something dark and unusual. If The Twilight Zone and Tales of the Unexpected had a baby then The Half That You See would be their offspring. There are so many wondrous tales inside but I will just touch on a few of my favorites.

 Winnebago Indian Motorhome By Tonka written by Eddie Generous In which a man replaces a much beloved childhood toy that had been lost to a fire. Of course this replacement is not quite as innocent as the one he possessed all those years ago.

Prisoner by T.M. Starnes Finds poor Virginia, kidnapped and imprisoned below ground with no food or water as the approaching wolves howl ever closer.

Falling Asleep In The Rain by Robert P. Ottone is a sad and twisted tale of the memories that haunt poor lonely Clay who is always alone, even in a crowd.

Imaginary Friends by Nicole Wolverton I've just always had a thing for stories that involve creepy little kids. Kids are scary anyway aren't they? 

Safe as Houses by Alex Giannini Gets extra points from me for starting on an  unseasonably warm Halloween afternoon as Carrie and Will's marriage begins to crumble.

Cauterization by Mack Moyer is a story of sex and drugs and regret that is both heartbreaking and horrifying.

Elsewhere By Bill Davidson  is a story about a man who would just like some peace and quiet and alone time. Wouldn't we all? Colin may have found his bliss.. elsewhere

Old Times by Mark Towse is a story of overcoming addiction... and being overcome by addiction.

Raven O' Clock by Holly Cornetto Reminds me of the old adage you sleep in the bed you make. Poor Jeff has lost his way and is seeking comfort he may not be worthy of. Sometimes you need to accept your consequences, learn from them and be a better person... or else.

Officer Baby Boy Blue by Douglas Ford was a creepy story that begins when a boy is in the emergency room and makes the acquaintance of a less than comforting police officer.

There are many more stories contained in this book. These are but a few of my favorites. I would recommend this anthology to all lovers of horror and dark fiction.

I received an advance copy for review.

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Wormwood by Chad Lutzke and Tim Meyer

 

For some kids, Long Lake, Georgia is home. But for fourteen-year-old Baker Gray, it’s just another stop, another town in another state. Because of his mother’s nomadic lifestyle, he’s never had a best friend, never kissed a girl, and he’s certainly never met anyone like Cassandra Larsson--the enigmatic, older girl whose idea of fun blurs the line between right and wrong. Being hopelessly led by emotions he’s never felt, Baker finds himself plodding along dark paths paved by the girl he thinks he may love--a road to self-destruction, where vigilante justice is encouraged and bloodshed is an art form.

 Baker is the new kid in school, as he has almost always been. Dragged behind his single mom from job to job and town  to town, never staying long enough to settle in. He has never seen a point in making friends since they just end up left behind when it's time to move on. It seems like this time may be different for him when he meets Seb and they hit it off, but then they meet Cass who takes an interest in both of them. Teenage hormones make them an easy target for an older girl with a charismatic personality and an evil intent. Cass is pretty, smart, and dangerously manipulative. If you are on her good side there isn't anything she won't do for you, and I do mean anything, no matter how sick. If you are on her bad side....well that is a terrifying place to be. This coming of age tale leads down a dark and deadly tension filled path and I loved it.

5 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy for review

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About the authors

Tim Meyer dwells in a dark cave near the Jersey Shore. He's an author, husband, father, podcast host, blogger, coffee connoisseur, beer enthusiast, and explorer of worlds. He writes horror, mysteries, science fiction, and thrillers, although he prefers to blur genres and let the story fall where it may.
You can follow Tim at https://timmeyerwrites.com
Or like his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/authortimmeyer

Chad Lutzke has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue, Cemetery Dance, and Scream magazine. He's had dozens of short stories published, and some of his books include: OF FOSTER HOMES & FLIES, STIRRING THE SHEETS, SKULLFACE BOY, THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU, THE PALE WHITE, THE NEON OWL and OUT BEHIND THE BARN co-written with John Boden. Lutzke's work has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, Richard Chizmar, Joe Lansdale, Stephen Graham Jones, Elizabeth Massie and his own mother.

He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com