Tales from Beyond the Closet by Dalton Primeaux

 

THESE DARK TALES CELEBRATE LGBTQIA+ CULTURE, HORROR AND UNFORGIVABLE CARNAGE WHILE ADDRESSING SOCIETAL TERRORS.

Each story introduces a highly relatable cast of characters, along with imaginative plot lines that occasionally tip into the realm of the absurd. From haunted coffee tables to a menacing seven-year-old and ravenous plants, every tale is saturated with blood, gore, and sly social commentary. While often infused with humor, these books consistently induce nightmares, ensuring that they will linger in your thoughts well into the night and perhaps prompt a call to your therapist the next morning.

Killer plants, alien invasions, and a cursed coffee table... oh my! 

These short stories have clever plots and well-defined characters with larger-than-life personalities. This is horror that doesn't take itself too seriously so expect some humor and wild situations. 

The only thing I didn't like was the heavy use of adjectives and adverbs, especially in the first couple of stories. A few go a long way but using too many can be overpowering.

My favorite story involved the escapades of a psychotic child. I've always loved creepy kids ever since The Bad Seed. There's a serial killer on the loose, and when little Sophia witnesses him in action, she can't wait to join in the fun. "Wet" is a gory good time that also takes a look at shady business practices that put profit over safety, and those who think essential oils are a cure-all. 

I would recommend this for anyone who likes a dose of humor and social commentary to spice up their murder and mayhem.

My thanks to Dalton Primeaux

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These Things That Walk Behind Me by David Surface

 

I normally wait until there is a Goodreads page with a synopsis available before I post about a book, but you are going to want this one and it is available for preorder right now.

This is a collection of 14 dark tales.

Some were familiar to me from previous publications. Most were new to me.

Fear and apprehension collide with suspense in these grim little slices of perfection.

A few of my favorites were Give Me Back My Name, about a man who has built a new life for himself, but his happily ever after is starting to unravel and his past is catching up.

Lost River Boys, in which the parents of some missing boys find a way to ease their grief by leaving gifts for their lost children.

Little Gods To Live In Them, is about some unbearably loud construction noises that rattle a neighborhood, but what are they really building?

The Devil Will Be At The Door, I can't say too much about this one, or maybe I'm just afraid to. We all have those stories of abandoned houses we were warned to stay away from, that we dared each other to enter. This is why you don't talk about it. This is why you stay away!

How The World Works, High School buddies are separated when one suffers financial hard times and disappears for a while. When he reappears with very little explanation of where he's been or his current situation, his friend is at first impressed and then terrified.

These were just a few of my favorites, but truly, I loved them all.

Disturbing customs, otherworldly beings, grief, loss, revenge, and ghosts of the past fill the pages and make for a chilling good time.

These unique stories hold a wondrous mix of anticipation and dread.

My thanks to David Surface for the advance copy.

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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

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Nightmare Abbey 6 Edited by Tom English

6th mammoth volume of this critically-acclaimed horror magazine/book.

FEAR THE UNKNOWN!

ALL NEW STORIES and ARTICLES

11 terrifying tales by today's top writers

New Ian Rogers' Black Lands story

History of American Horror Comics, Part 3

Cinema Crypt movie review: Night of the Demon aka Curse of the Demon

Matt Cowan's Horror Delve: High Seas Horrors

Heavily illustrated with movie and comics photos,

Plus art by World Fantasy Award-winner Allen Koszowski.

Plus, the horrible fate of Dear Abbey since the last issue!

When volume one of Nightmare Abbey was published I remember saying that I hoped it was the first of many. I still feel that same level of enthusiasm after reading volume six. Nightmare Abbey consistently delivers top-notch horror fiction, entertaining articles, and amazing artwork.

This installment continues the history of American horror comics, and also has some great photos from one of my all time favorite classic horror movies, Night of the Demon.

A few of my favorite stories in this volume were And On That Farm by Ray Cluley in which a little girl proclaims to her step-brother that there's a monster in the barn. Nobody believes her at first but could it be true? And is there more than one kind of monster? 

Black Square by Gary McMahon combines grief with terror when a child disappears under mysterious circumstances and her parents learn of similar disappearances that occurred after the victims had viewed a video from an unknown sender.

A young woman is desperate to abandon the drudgery of motherhood and everyday life for a chance at a modeling career in X For Jennifer Ann by Steve Duffy. 

Report Of Animals by Helen Grant is a harrowing tale of bickering friends on a road trip gone wrong. Why are the streets so deserted?  Is a car enough protection from what they will encounter in their travels?

 And My Burden Is Light by David Surface finds the new pastor feeling unwelcome by his congregation. His wish for a way to ingratiate himself comes true at a terrible cost.

The Stroll by Steve Rasnic Tem is sad, scary, upsetting, and has me wondering how I can be so freaked out by the thought of taking a walk in my own neighborhood.

Highly recommended to all fans of horror, dark fiction, and tales that run towards the unhappily ever after.

My thanks to Dead Letter Press.

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