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Suburban Monsters
The house at the end of the block with the overgrown lawn. The darkened store window in a forgotten corner of the shopping mall. The colorful characters of a children's TV show. What dark secrets do they hide?
From award-winning author Christopher Hawkins come thirteen tales of the horrors lurking right next door.
A shut-in sets out to make a new life for himself by losing weight at the point of a scalpel. A store clerk with a mannequin obsession hides a macabre and tragic secret. A master thief tries for one last score in a house that doesn't want him to leave. Two friends learn the hard way that having superpowers doesn't always make you a hero. It might just make you a monster. A lonely painter finds freedom with the help of something lurking beneath the ocean waves.At turns whimsical and somber but always unsettling, this debut collection of short horror stories is essential reading from a rising voice in dark literary fiction.
190 pages
First published March 15, 2023
221 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Hawkins
19 books175 followersBorn and raised near the shores of Lake Michigan, Christopher Hawkins has been writing and telling stories for as long as he can remember. A dyed-in-the-wool geek, he is an avid collector of books, roleplaying games and curiosities. When he's not writing, he spends his time exploring old cemeteries, lurking in museums, and searching for a decent cup of tea.
Christopher is an award-winning author and the former editor of the One Buck Horror anthology series. His works of short fiction have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Cosmic Horror Monthly, Fusion Fragment, Underland Arcana and The Big Book of New Short Horror. He is a member of the Chicago Writers Association and the Chicagoland chapter of the Horror Writers Association.
An expatriate Hoosier, Christopher currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife and two sons.
Christopher is an award-winning author and the former editor of the One Buck Horror anthology series. His works of short fiction have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Cosmic Horror Monthly, Fusion Fragment, Underland Arcana and The Big Book of New Short Horror. He is a member of the Chicago Writers Association and the Chicagoland chapter of the Horror Writers Association.
An expatriate Hoosier, Christopher currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
March 16, 2024
A Neat Collection!
I’ve been seeing this book going around Good Reads, lately. So I had to read it, too.
The author is new to me, so I get to learn some of his reading style by reading this Bakers Dozen of short stories.
I give a few of the stories 3 stars and a few 5 stars, but most of them are 4 stars, so the book average is 4 stars.
I placed a list of the books below. Enjoy the horror:
1. Green Eyes- a little girl helps her beloved mother change into something.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
2. Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas.-a woman takes
a fateful swim one summer night. But she isn’t alone. Three stars 💫💫💫
3. Storms of the Present-a man takes drastic measures to get rid of his body fat.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Origin Story-two nerdy men who love comic books are curious about what
makes a superhero a superhero. Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
5. Poppy-a woman is talking with her friend about the strange behavior of her
former employee. Two stars. 💫💫
6. Interlude-a husband and wife are helpless and can only watch as their son
changes into something. Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. The Stumblybum Imperative-a woman with depression tries to stay calm and
alert for her daughter. Three stars. ✨✨✨
8. Shadowman-a little boy who is being bullied learns that his shadow can be
his friend. Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
9. Carpenter’s Thumb-a man who was cheated on by his girlfriend is also being
bullied by his thumb. Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Swallow-the narrator and his friends may have finally went too far with
their hateful prank against a younger friend. Two stars. ✨✨
11. Ten and Gone-a man spends a night learning that burglary is not the career for
him. Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
12. Notice-a man sees something so bizarre and strange at work that he quits
his job. Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
13. A Candle for the Birthday Boy-a man has a birthday party for his son and
gets the surprise of his life. Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
I hope this will help you maneuver through your journey of reading these stories.
For the book, four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been seeing this book going around Good Reads, lately. So I had to read it, too.
The author is new to me, so I get to learn some of his reading style by reading this Bakers Dozen of short stories.
I give a few of the stories 3 stars and a few 5 stars, but most of them are 4 stars, so the book average is 4 stars.
I placed a list of the books below. Enjoy the horror:
1. Green Eyes- a little girl helps her beloved mother change into something.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
2. Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas.-a woman takes
a fateful swim one summer night. But she isn’t alone. Three stars 💫💫💫
3. Storms of the Present-a man takes drastic measures to get rid of his body fat.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Origin Story-two nerdy men who love comic books are curious about what
makes a superhero a superhero. Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
5. Poppy-a woman is talking with her friend about the strange behavior of her
former employee. Two stars. 💫💫
6. Interlude-a husband and wife are helpless and can only watch as their son
changes into something. Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. The Stumblybum Imperative-a woman with depression tries to stay calm and
alert for her daughter. Three stars. ✨✨✨
8. Shadowman-a little boy who is being bullied learns that his shadow can be
his friend. Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
9. Carpenter’s Thumb-a man who was cheated on by his girlfriend is also being
bullied by his thumb. Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Swallow-the narrator and his friends may have finally went too far with
their hateful prank against a younger friend. Two stars. ✨✨
11. Ten and Gone-a man spends a night learning that burglary is not the career for
him. Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
12. Notice-a man sees something so bizarre and strange at work that he quits
his job. Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
13. A Candle for the Birthday Boy-a man has a birthday party for his son and
gets the surprise of his life. Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
I hope this will help you maneuver through your journey of reading these stories.
For the book, four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 13, 2023
I'm kind of torn as to how to rate this one. On the one hand, the author definitely has writing chops, and tells a good story. I enjoyed reading each of these thirteen spooky tales. On the other hand, it hasn't even been a week since I finished the book, and I can't remember a single one of the stories; not a one made enough of an impression to stick in my mind. But . . . I'll assign four stars based on the writer's talent, and the promise of hopefully more memorable works to come.
Thanks to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for sharing this title in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thanks to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for sharing this title in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 5, 2023
A collection of shorts by a new-to-me author, Christopher Hawkins. Let’s dive right in:
Green Eyes - Mama is always there, even when the police show up. A fun POV of a little girl that doesn’t like school much.
3.5 stars out of 5
Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas - An artist follows her drunk, abusive husband down to the beach, and hope washes in on the surf. Solid writing. You can feel her sorrow.
4.5 stars out of 5
Storms Of The Present - Body horror tale that I could feel in my belly.
5 stars out of 5
Origin Story - Every comic book fan wants to be a superhero. A story that had the potential to be much better. There were many grammatical errors throughout and rushed the ending. It could’ve benefitted with another pass from an editor.
3 stars out of 5
Poppy - She had a way of posing the store’s mannequins. Poppy was one of a kind. The first person narrative is perfect for this chilling story. Best one so far.
5 starts out of 5
Interude - Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and I will tell you where our performers REALLY come from. Silly, but a decent story.
3.5 stars out of 5
The Stumblyum Imperative - When a husband abandons his wife, it sends her spiraling down into the depths of depression, drugs, and an odd children’s show that her daughter binge watches. What first seems like an odd story becomes as strangely addictive as the pills she takes.
4.5 stars out of 5
Shadowman - Everyone remembers what it was like to be bullied as a kid. This one goes out to all of us. It put a smile on my face, and I think it will for you too.
5 stars out of 5
Carpenter’s Thumb - We’ve all smacked our thumb with a hammer and we all have an ex we’d like to smack with the same hammer. A fun story that we all can relate to.
4.5 stars out of 5
Swallow - Lovecraft-ian flavored tale of a lonely college student taking a joke too literal.
3 stars out of 5
Ten and Gone - A burglar learns that not all houses are what they appear to be.
4 stars out of 5
Notice - A resignation letter like no other. A modern ode to Lovecraft which I totally dug.
5 stars out of 5
A Candle for the Birthday Boy - A birthday celebration turns into a horrific guessing game as the dad tries to figure out what his unstable girlfriend left as a parting gift.
3.5 stars out of 5
First, can we talk about this cover? I love the blood dripping out of the lawnmower. Simple, but so effective. So much so, I’m jealous it wasn’t one of my covers.
This collection was a pleasant surprise. Most of the time, you try to sift a couple of gems out of a bucket of clunkers. Not so with Suburban Monsters. Hawkins has a smart and smooth delivery that makes for perfect pacing. His characters are familiar and likeable. Another must for an effective story, but can be difficult to achieve in shorts. He had a couple of nods towards Lovecraft, which is always a big hit for me. All in all, an enjoyable and talented voice to be paying attention to in horror.
Total for Suburban Monsters = 4.15 stars out 5
Green Eyes - Mama is always there, even when the police show up. A fun POV of a little girl that doesn’t like school much.
3.5 stars out of 5
Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas - An artist follows her drunk, abusive husband down to the beach, and hope washes in on the surf. Solid writing. You can feel her sorrow.
4.5 stars out of 5
Storms Of The Present - Body horror tale that I could feel in my belly.
5 stars out of 5
Origin Story - Every comic book fan wants to be a superhero. A story that had the potential to be much better. There were many grammatical errors throughout and rushed the ending. It could’ve benefitted with another pass from an editor.
3 stars out of 5
Poppy - She had a way of posing the store’s mannequins. Poppy was one of a kind. The first person narrative is perfect for this chilling story. Best one so far.
5 starts out of 5
Interude - Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and I will tell you where our performers REALLY come from. Silly, but a decent story.
3.5 stars out of 5
The Stumblyum Imperative - When a husband abandons his wife, it sends her spiraling down into the depths of depression, drugs, and an odd children’s show that her daughter binge watches. What first seems like an odd story becomes as strangely addictive as the pills she takes.
4.5 stars out of 5
Shadowman - Everyone remembers what it was like to be bullied as a kid. This one goes out to all of us. It put a smile on my face, and I think it will for you too.
5 stars out of 5
Carpenter’s Thumb - We’ve all smacked our thumb with a hammer and we all have an ex we’d like to smack with the same hammer. A fun story that we all can relate to.
4.5 stars out of 5
Swallow - Lovecraft-ian flavored tale of a lonely college student taking a joke too literal.
3 stars out of 5
Ten and Gone - A burglar learns that not all houses are what they appear to be.
4 stars out of 5
Notice - A resignation letter like no other. A modern ode to Lovecraft which I totally dug.
5 stars out of 5
A Candle for the Birthday Boy - A birthday celebration turns into a horrific guessing game as the dad tries to figure out what his unstable girlfriend left as a parting gift.
3.5 stars out of 5
First, can we talk about this cover? I love the blood dripping out of the lawnmower. Simple, but so effective. So much so, I’m jealous it wasn’t one of my covers.
This collection was a pleasant surprise. Most of the time, you try to sift a couple of gems out of a bucket of clunkers. Not so with Suburban Monsters. Hawkins has a smart and smooth delivery that makes for perfect pacing. His characters are familiar and likeable. Another must for an effective story, but can be difficult to achieve in shorts. He had a couple of nods towards Lovecraft, which is always a big hit for me. All in all, an enjoyable and talented voice to be paying attention to in horror.
Total for Suburban Monsters = 4.15 stars out 5
December 2, 2022
I’d never read this author before, so an anthology of stories seemed to be a great place to start. I wasn’t disappointed by the selection here…I’m not sure if this is my usual style, but the writing…wow. I’m impressed and wouldn’t be opposed to trying more!
“Green Eyes”
Well, that was a quick and interesting start. I’m excited to see what else we have! 3/5
“Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas”
This writing is so poetic - the story was okay, but the writing…wow! 3.5/5
“Storms of the Present”
Losing weight isn’t easy, but I think this person made it harder than it had to be… 4/5
“Origin Story”
A superpower invention, gone wrong…or right? 3/5
“Poppy”
Mannequin stories are always so creepy, and this was no exception. 4/5
“Interlude”
Another one written so poetically, but I just didn’t feel it. 2.5/5
“The Stumblyum Imperative”
Only if this was about Teletubbies would it be more creepy. So far, the best in the book! 5/5
“Shadowman”
Another great one, this is about a boy with… shadowy…powers? I can’t explain it, it’s just good. 4/5
“Carpenter’s Thumb”
This is the biggest compliment I can give an author: I thought I was reading a Stephen King short story. I don’t think I’m comparing it to “The Moving Finger”, because they’re nothing alike, but they both have a fantastic idea. 5/5
“Swallow”
Another one that reminded me of Stephen King! This felt like the “Survivor Type”, I suppose because of the autocannibalism - great story! 5/5
“Ten and Gone”
This was a strange story about a burglar finding more than he bargained for… 3/5
“Notice”
One person’s resignation letter - can’t say I blame them! 3/5
“A Candle for the Birthday Boy”
A child’s birthday party doesn’t turn out quite as planned… 4/5
Overall, as I mentioned, I’m not sure if the author and I have a similar style or similar taste, but I must say that the writing is phenomenal. The first few stories were underwhelming, but then they started to get better and I got used to the feel. Many of the stories weren’t really my style, but the writing made up for it a lot of the time, raising my rating of 3.5 to a solid four.
(Thank you to Coronis Publishing, Christopher Hawkins, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
“Green Eyes”
Well, that was a quick and interesting start. I’m excited to see what else we have! 3/5
“Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas”
This writing is so poetic - the story was okay, but the writing…wow! 3.5/5
“Storms of the Present”
Losing weight isn’t easy, but I think this person made it harder than it had to be… 4/5
“Origin Story”
A superpower invention, gone wrong…or right? 3/5
“Poppy”
Mannequin stories are always so creepy, and this was no exception. 4/5
“Interlude”
Another one written so poetically, but I just didn’t feel it. 2.5/5
“The Stumblyum Imperative”
Only if this was about Teletubbies would it be more creepy. So far, the best in the book! 5/5
“Shadowman”
Another great one, this is about a boy with… shadowy…powers? I can’t explain it, it’s just good. 4/5
“Carpenter’s Thumb”
This is the biggest compliment I can give an author: I thought I was reading a Stephen King short story. I don’t think I’m comparing it to “The Moving Finger”, because they’re nothing alike, but they both have a fantastic idea. 5/5
“Swallow”
Another one that reminded me of Stephen King! This felt like the “Survivor Type”, I suppose because of the autocannibalism - great story! 5/5
“Ten and Gone”
This was a strange story about a burglar finding more than he bargained for… 3/5
“Notice”
One person’s resignation letter - can’t say I blame them! 3/5
“A Candle for the Birthday Boy”
A child’s birthday party doesn’t turn out quite as planned… 4/5
Overall, as I mentioned, I’m not sure if the author and I have a similar style or similar taste, but I must say that the writing is phenomenal. The first few stories were underwhelming, but then they started to get better and I got used to the feel. Many of the stories weren’t really my style, but the writing made up for it a lot of the time, raising my rating of 3.5 to a solid four.
(Thank you to Coronis Publishing, Christopher Hawkins, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
March 22, 2023
i found this horror short story collection on netgalley and thought i’d give it a try and it was fine! i expected the stories to be more horrific than they actually were and a few stories were much better than the others, also some of the ideas i’ve seen done before, but i still had a good time.
i felt like 2/2 of the book was better for me enjoyment-wise. most of the stories from the first half of the book didn’t work out for me since i felt underwhelmed after reading them. i don’t have a 5 star story out of this book, but i definitely really loved Swallow and A Candle for the Birthday Boy.
i do recommend reading this if you want a quick collection of weird/creepy stories, but don’t expect it to be terrifying or gory going into it. 😂
i felt like 2/2 of the book was better for me enjoyment-wise. most of the stories from the first half of the book didn’t work out for me since i felt underwhelmed after reading them. i don’t have a 5 star story out of this book, but i definitely really loved Swallow and A Candle for the Birthday Boy.
i do recommend reading this if you want a quick collection of weird/creepy stories, but don’t expect it to be terrifying or gory going into it. 😂
March 3, 2023
Unfortunately, this authors writing style is not for me. I didn't enjoy any of the stories in this collection.
December 2, 2022
Suburban Monsters is Hawkins’ collection of thirteen terrifyingly twisted tales. He digs through the shrubbery of dull suburban life and offers us a collection of gems.
Green Eyes, the first tale, is told in a child’s voice about pushing another kid down because he said mean things about mama. But, there’s a twist and Hawkins takes the reader on a journey into places they didn’t think they were going. The child narrator is so misleadingly innocent.
From there, we get a story of a Moonrise and a frightened and desperate mistress.
Then comes the third story, a little fable about a delivery and a shut-in who is desperate to perform an operation, not realizing where it would lead or indeed how freaky the story would get.
The fourth short story is Origin Story and it’s all about the origins of two superheroes which two geeky guys running a comic book store theorize about. Of course, Hawkins takes the tale and gives it a little twist.
Poppy is about another store and the goth sales clerk who shows up and charms everyone.
Story six, Interude, is again about a child and parents who couldn’t help him with his condition.
The Stumblybum Imperative may make you think twice about what your kids are watching and make you wonder how doped up those suburban moms really are.
Shadow man, the eighth tale, begins with a poetic line about them “coming at him out of the setting Sun like fighter planes, riding low over the handlebars, legs pumping the pedals like little propellers.” schoolyards are dangerous places in this suburbia.
Carpenter’s Thumb is merely a tale about working on a roof and being “all thumbs.”
Swallow is a taste of what happens when you put ideas in people’s heads.
Ten and Gone is a residential burglary gone wrong in just so many ways.
Story twelve, Notice, might give you second thoughts about giving your employer notice.
Finally, A Candle For the Birthday Boy, tells you about kid’s birthday parties and scorned women.
Each of these takes is so seemingly innocent on the surface, but then do twisted with magic or monstrosities. Not a clunker in the bunch.
Green Eyes, the first tale, is told in a child’s voice about pushing another kid down because he said mean things about mama. But, there’s a twist and Hawkins takes the reader on a journey into places they didn’t think they were going. The child narrator is so misleadingly innocent.
From there, we get a story of a Moonrise and a frightened and desperate mistress.
Then comes the third story, a little fable about a delivery and a shut-in who is desperate to perform an operation, not realizing where it would lead or indeed how freaky the story would get.
The fourth short story is Origin Story and it’s all about the origins of two superheroes which two geeky guys running a comic book store theorize about. Of course, Hawkins takes the tale and gives it a little twist.
Poppy is about another store and the goth sales clerk who shows up and charms everyone.
Story six, Interude, is again about a child and parents who couldn’t help him with his condition.
The Stumblybum Imperative may make you think twice about what your kids are watching and make you wonder how doped up those suburban moms really are.
Shadow man, the eighth tale, begins with a poetic line about them “coming at him out of the setting Sun like fighter planes, riding low over the handlebars, legs pumping the pedals like little propellers.” schoolyards are dangerous places in this suburbia.
Carpenter’s Thumb is merely a tale about working on a roof and being “all thumbs.”
Swallow is a taste of what happens when you put ideas in people’s heads.
Ten and Gone is a residential burglary gone wrong in just so many ways.
Story twelve, Notice, might give you second thoughts about giving your employer notice.
Finally, A Candle For the Birthday Boy, tells you about kid’s birthday parties and scorned women.
Each of these takes is so seemingly innocent on the surface, but then do twisted with magic or monstrosities. Not a clunker in the bunch.
April 16, 2023
Horror Bookworm Reviews
Suburban Monsters by Christopher Hawkins
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
- With a piñata, childhood friends and a delicious punch bowl, a father’s son is turning six and is in full birthday party mode. However when fear and dread take over the festivities, a horrific aftermath of devastation becomes an unsettling reality.
- A husband and wife settle in for a good time on a moonlight beach where calm waves meet the quiet shore. Nevertheless, the romantic setting is nothing but a facade for an abusive relationship where the opportunity for freedom is just an ocean wave away.
- Equipped with lock pick and flashlight, a thief is preparing for a valuable score within the walls of a stranger’s house. Instead of finding a jewelry box or safe, an encounter with something not of this earth provides the burglar with a frightening valuable life lesson.
Suburban Monsters by Christopher Hawkins is thirteen tales of terror glued together with the worse kind of sick. Feeding on apprehensive phobias, Hawkins conceives new ways to expose the reader to an ultimate creepiness. The sensation of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other linger between the pages and throughout each story. Beware: these horrific morsels are intensely similar to a parasite that feeds on fear and anxiety.
Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room shall we…The Stumblyum Imperative. A little girl is enamored with a children’s television show. A production that features fuzzy plush costumed characters with oversized hands and shady values. As Stumblybum, Tink-A-Bink, Mudgett and Ringmaster Reggie prepare for the arrival of The Toyman, an uneasiness of an apocalyptic Book Of Revelations of sorts approaches. If M. Night Shyamalan directed an episode of The Teletubbies, you would have the twistedness that exists within this disturbing short story. Not only is this worth the price of admission, it should be a full blown novel.
Author Christopher Hawkins has something to show you. Mannequins, phantoms and powers that dwell within the shadows. Take his hand and follow, you won’t ever be the same again. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
Suburban Monsters by Christopher Hawkins
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
- With a piñata, childhood friends and a delicious punch bowl, a father’s son is turning six and is in full birthday party mode. However when fear and dread take over the festivities, a horrific aftermath of devastation becomes an unsettling reality.
- A husband and wife settle in for a good time on a moonlight beach where calm waves meet the quiet shore. Nevertheless, the romantic setting is nothing but a facade for an abusive relationship where the opportunity for freedom is just an ocean wave away.
- Equipped with lock pick and flashlight, a thief is preparing for a valuable score within the walls of a stranger’s house. Instead of finding a jewelry box or safe, an encounter with something not of this earth provides the burglar with a frightening valuable life lesson.
Suburban Monsters by Christopher Hawkins is thirteen tales of terror glued together with the worse kind of sick. Feeding on apprehensive phobias, Hawkins conceives new ways to expose the reader to an ultimate creepiness. The sensation of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other linger between the pages and throughout each story. Beware: these horrific morsels are intensely similar to a parasite that feeds on fear and anxiety.
Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room shall we…The Stumblyum Imperative. A little girl is enamored with a children’s television show. A production that features fuzzy plush costumed characters with oversized hands and shady values. As Stumblybum, Tink-A-Bink, Mudgett and Ringmaster Reggie prepare for the arrival of The Toyman, an uneasiness of an apocalyptic Book Of Revelations of sorts approaches. If M. Night Shyamalan directed an episode of The Teletubbies, you would have the twistedness that exists within this disturbing short story. Not only is this worth the price of admission, it should be a full blown novel.
Author Christopher Hawkins has something to show you. Mannequins, phantoms and powers that dwell within the shadows. Take his hand and follow, you won’t ever be the same again. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
March 20, 2023
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this collection of short horror stories! They each had me so invested that I felt like right when I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next, it would end and I’d have to switch gears and start all over with a new story! They were all so perfect and original that I didn’t mind in the slightest, only that there weren’t a few more once I came to the last story! I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes short horror stories, as these are perfect to read in completion before bed every night.
I really enjoyed this collection of short horror stories! They each had me so invested that I felt like right when I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next, it would end and I’d have to switch gears and start all over with a new story! They were all so perfect and original that I didn’t mind in the slightest, only that there weren’t a few more once I came to the last story! I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes short horror stories, as these are perfect to read in completion before bed every night.
November 15, 2022
Having been blown away by Christopher Hawkins's stories before, the moment I saw his horror collection I snatched it up immediately. I am so happy I did! Reading it was pure joy: any horror fan will appreciate the subtlety of Hawkins's use of language, but it is the seamless engagement of the horrific and the realistic, most of all, that will leave an impression. Fantastic stories, combining all kinds of horror with deeply disturbing and haunting imagery; yet it is the deceptive familiarity of the urban territory that kept me turning the pages. The collection is aptly titled: it's chock full of that urban mood, most of the stories taking place in suburban settings, such as a neighborhood birthday party, a comic shop, a new house. Even before I was done reading, I had picked a few favorite stories already.
There are 13 stories in the collection. Although I liked them all, in the following I'll write a few words on those I loved.
Storms of the Present:
An overweight woman, who has learned to live with her mother's scorn, decides to take matters in her own hands (pun intended.) Very effective body horror, the honesty of the unnamed first point of view adding to the creepiness of the story. By the time you realize what is going on, what the deliveries are for, the story has won you over.
Origin Story
Two guys guessing at the superpowers they'd like to have. Yep, a superhero kind of story. Very clever, brimming with nasty humor. Totally unexpected ending.
Poppy
One of my favorite stories: a second-hand store, mannequins, a beautiful goth and thieving kids - what can go wrong? Well, you'd never guess.
Interude
Such a good story! Parents watching their kids transitioning into... Ok, no spoilers. Short and sweet. A feat of subtle writing.
The Stumblyum Imperative
Another favorite: Candle Cove in the suburbs. The mysterious TV show destroys both mother and daughter, and doesn't stop there. A very cruel story on motherhood, addiction, and the vagaries of TV control. This is a must read; the kind of story I personally prefer.
Swallow
Another body horror story. Have you ever tasted yourself? Well, if you have (and who hasn't?), you'll sympathize a lot with the protagonists of this story.
Ten and Gone
My absolute favorite: everything that is good in this collection can be found here in one package. A brilliant tale about a thief who tries to make a quick score out of a house in the suburbs, thinking it's empty. But it's not - not exactly. A great story: suspenseful, full of uncertainty, terrific imagery, true anxiety-inducing horror.
To sum up, all the stories in Hawkins's collection are worth reading. None disappoints. Some of them, however, once read, cannot be forgotten. They have all the markings of horror classics and should be appreciated as such.
Huge thanks to the author and the publisher, for an advanced digital copy of this collection, courtesy of Netgalley.
There are 13 stories in the collection. Although I liked them all, in the following I'll write a few words on those I loved.
Storms of the Present:
An overweight woman, who has learned to live with her mother's scorn, decides to take matters in her own hands (pun intended.) Very effective body horror, the honesty of the unnamed first point of view adding to the creepiness of the story. By the time you realize what is going on, what the deliveries are for, the story has won you over.
Origin Story
Two guys guessing at the superpowers they'd like to have. Yep, a superhero kind of story. Very clever, brimming with nasty humor. Totally unexpected ending.
Poppy
One of my favorite stories: a second-hand store, mannequins, a beautiful goth and thieving kids - what can go wrong? Well, you'd never guess.
Interude
Such a good story! Parents watching their kids transitioning into... Ok, no spoilers. Short and sweet. A feat of subtle writing.
The Stumblyum Imperative
Another favorite: Candle Cove in the suburbs. The mysterious TV show destroys both mother and daughter, and doesn't stop there. A very cruel story on motherhood, addiction, and the vagaries of TV control. This is a must read; the kind of story I personally prefer.
Swallow
Another body horror story. Have you ever tasted yourself? Well, if you have (and who hasn't?), you'll sympathize a lot with the protagonists of this story.
Ten and Gone
My absolute favorite: everything that is good in this collection can be found here in one package. A brilliant tale about a thief who tries to make a quick score out of a house in the suburbs, thinking it's empty. But it's not - not exactly. A great story: suspenseful, full of uncertainty, terrific imagery, true anxiety-inducing horror.
To sum up, all the stories in Hawkins's collection are worth reading. None disappoints. Some of them, however, once read, cannot be forgotten. They have all the markings of horror classics and should be appreciated as such.
Huge thanks to the author and the publisher, for an advanced digital copy of this collection, courtesy of Netgalley.
November 13, 2022
I’ve been on a short story kick for over a month now and I snatched this gem up as soon as I saw it and I’m not even a little bit disappointed. Hawkins did an amazing job with this collection of stories.
Moonrise Over Water:
A story that shows what a neglected and abused wife might do when given the opportunity. Very Rah Rah Woman! One of my favorites in this lot.
Storms of the Present:
As someone who always struggled with body image growing up, this story was absolutely horrifying and I couldn’t have been happier with it.
Poppy:
Right off the bat, mannequins scare the life out of me. As soon as it was brought up in this story, I was ready to huddle under my safety blanket for the night. However, reading through this, I found it quite sad and found myself sympathetic to the dang things. Still doesn’t mean I need to run into any at night.
A Candle for the Birthday Boy:
The twist… Read it.
If you like your thrills in all different styles, pick this up to read!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of the book.
Moonrise Over Water:
A story that shows what a neglected and abused wife might do when given the opportunity. Very Rah Rah Woman! One of my favorites in this lot.
Storms of the Present:
As someone who always struggled with body image growing up, this story was absolutely horrifying and I couldn’t have been happier with it.
Poppy:
Right off the bat, mannequins scare the life out of me. As soon as it was brought up in this story, I was ready to huddle under my safety blanket for the night. However, reading through this, I found it quite sad and found myself sympathetic to the dang things. Still doesn’t mean I need to run into any at night.
A Candle for the Birthday Boy:
The twist… Read it.
If you like your thrills in all different styles, pick this up to read!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of the book.
March 20, 2023
This is a nice little mix of horror stories. For the most part, they are pretty short. There are some definite stand-outs to me - Origin Story, Green Eyes, The Stumblybum Imperative. There were a few that I would have loved more of a story as I'd been left a little confused. Many were dark, a few were brutal, and they were all gross or gory in fabulous and unique ways. I really liked this mix of stories. I'll look for more from this author.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 24, 2023
This short story anthology was a roller coaster. At the beginning of every single story, I was lulled into a false sense of security even though I knew insanity was about to ensue.
I loved how every single section was written in a different style, and every character had a distinct voice. For instance, Poppy was written as a confession spoken to another character, and Notice was written as a job resignation letter. In Green Eyes, we hear the voice of a child navigating loss, and in A Candle for the Birthday Boy we are let into the mind of a father just trying to do the best for his son.
Another thing I liked about this book was how the titles tied into each story. Some of the titles made sense right away, but sometimes I did not understand the full implication of the title right away, and after finishing the story and reading the title again it added yet another layer of uneasiness.
The art of writing in this short story selection is so good!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I loved how every single section was written in a different style, and every character had a distinct voice. For instance, Poppy was written as a confession spoken to another character, and Notice was written as a job resignation letter. In Green Eyes, we hear the voice of a child navigating loss, and in A Candle for the Birthday Boy we are let into the mind of a father just trying to do the best for his son.
Another thing I liked about this book was how the titles tied into each story. Some of the titles made sense right away, but sometimes I did not understand the full implication of the title right away, and after finishing the story and reading the title again it added yet another layer of uneasiness.
The art of writing in this short story selection is so good!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 30, 2023
This is 13 tales of great tales. Each story has its own little thing to get your anxiety going. If you like reading short story collections then you will definitely enjoy this one!
March 19, 2023
3.75/5 stars.
I haven’t found a good format for rating story collections yet. So this is what you get!
Overall the quality was consistent, there wasn’t a story that dramatically lacked in comparison to the others. The vibe is creepy, confusing, suspenseful, and just generally WTF?! Everyday aspects of life turn into twisted tales: birthday parties, watching TV, working, etc.
•Green Eyes (3.5/5): liked the child like POV, mysterious but not necessarily creepy
•Moonrise Over Water (4/5): loved the vibes, Callie Stan account
•Storms of the Present (4/5): Really enjoyed reading this one. It made me super uncomfy and felt socially relevant.
•Origin Story (3.25/5): suspenseful, nice to mix in a super hero aspect.
•Poppy (3.5/5): PEAK mental illness, liked the POV.
•Interude (3.5/5): This made me uncomfortable in a way I don’t even understand but I’m pretty sure it has to do with clowns?!?!
•The Stumblybum Imperative (4/5): This could easily be made into a horror movie. This might’ve been my favorite, I loved the conspiracy aspect.
•Shadowman (4/5): Villain origin story vibes except everyone got what they deserved for being little shits. Yasha stan account.
•Carpenter’s Thumb (3/5): Seek help? Is it your thumb that’s crazy or maybe it’s just you bro.
•Swallow (5/5): SUPER ominous and also what the fuck?!
•Ten and Gone (3/5): Made me think of the other mothers house in Coraline. Crazy how you have to almost be killed by some house baby monster to realize you want to be with your gf and baby???
•Notice (5/5): Loved that this was a letter. Creeeeepy. Lots to unpack.
•A Candle for the Birthday Boy (4/5): okay this bitch CRAZY?! Also why was everyone able to move past that incident????
Thanks to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for gifting me a digital copy of this book!
I haven’t found a good format for rating story collections yet. So this is what you get!
Overall the quality was consistent, there wasn’t a story that dramatically lacked in comparison to the others. The vibe is creepy, confusing, suspenseful, and just generally WTF?! Everyday aspects of life turn into twisted tales: birthday parties, watching TV, working, etc.
•Green Eyes (3.5/5): liked the child like POV, mysterious but not necessarily creepy
•Moonrise Over Water (4/5): loved the vibes, Callie Stan account
•Storms of the Present (4/5): Really enjoyed reading this one. It made me super uncomfy and felt socially relevant.
•Origin Story (3.25/5): suspenseful, nice to mix in a super hero aspect.
•Poppy (3.5/5): PEAK mental illness, liked the POV.
•Interude (3.5/5): This made me uncomfortable in a way I don’t even understand but I’m pretty sure it has to do with clowns?!?!
•The Stumblybum Imperative (4/5): This could easily be made into a horror movie. This might’ve been my favorite, I loved the conspiracy aspect.
•Shadowman (4/5): Villain origin story vibes except everyone got what they deserved for being little shits. Yasha stan account.
•Carpenter’s Thumb (3/5): Seek help? Is it your thumb that’s crazy or maybe it’s just you bro.
•Swallow (5/5): SUPER ominous and also what the fuck?!
•Ten and Gone (3/5): Made me think of the other mothers house in Coraline. Crazy how you have to almost be killed by some house baby monster to realize you want to be with your gf and baby???
•Notice (5/5): Loved that this was a letter. Creeeeepy. Lots to unpack.
•A Candle for the Birthday Boy (4/5): okay this bitch CRAZY?! Also why was everyone able to move past that incident????
Thanks to NetGalley and Coronis Publishing for gifting me a digital copy of this book!
April 9, 2023
I’d never read this author before, but the description sounded interesting and it’s only 228 pages, so I thought I give it a go.
I’m so glad I did, I loved it!
My Favourite was A Candle for the Birthday Boy, about a missing birthday boy, this story has a 'that can't be good' feelings about it.
The writing is smooth and easy to read, and the stories were so compelling I found it hard to put down, there is a good mix of creepy and unsettling stories.
I’ve already pick up more of Christopher Hawkins short stories.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.*
I’m so glad I did, I loved it!
My Favourite was A Candle for the Birthday Boy, about a missing birthday boy, this story has a 'that can't be good' feelings about it.
The writing is smooth and easy to read, and the stories were so compelling I found it hard to put down, there is a good mix of creepy and unsettling stories.
I’ve already pick up more of Christopher Hawkins short stories.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.*
July 6, 2024
Suburban Monsters by Christopher Hawkins: 3*
This is a horror short story collection that I picked up at a convention. I often struggle getting into short stories compared to full-length novels, but overall, these stories were pretty good. I will post the ratings and brief thoughts on each story below. Broadly, however, I will say the voices between short stories often felt same-y, and some stories just came across as vague horror concepts rather than a fully realized narrative. Also, no story featured a lawn mower! False advertising!
1. "Green Eyes": 3.5*. A little girl avoids school to remain with her bedridden mother. I enjoyed the witchy aspects of this story, and the little girl narrator was not super annoying or unbelievable, which is hard to do. The plot itself wasn't too gripping, though.
2. "Moonrise Over Water with Sargassum, 2022. Oil on Canvas": 2.5*. A woman reflects on her relationship with her husband as he clamors around drunk by the ocean. I don't know what bothered me about this one, but it didn't really feel like horror. It was a sort of surface-level story that had a supernatural element tacked on at the end that didn't feel organic.
3. "Storms of the Present": 3.5*. A man conscious of his weight takes up a scalpel, but his body fights back. This one was probably the strongest in terms of horror. There were moments I was genuinely disgusted with what was going on. Good amount of gore, but I lost some interest in the plot by the end.
4. "Origin Story": 3*. Two comic store employees discuss their hypothetical superpowers, or are they really hypothetical? The tension leading up to the climax was pretty stunted because of how predictable it was. The protagonist acknowledges how predictable it was, too, but that didn't really help matters. The ending did get me to chuckle, though.
5. "Poppy": 3*. A woman tells the story of a strange employee who has an obsession with mannequins to her ex-partner. A personal pet peeve of mine is when the narrator constantly says things like "Little did I know what would happen next" or "If I had known what would happen later, I would have done it differently." The narrator here definitely does that a lot, and I just didn't care about her. The mannequin stuff could have definitely gone further.
6. "Interlude": 3.5*. Two parents grow concerned over their son, who seems to be changing into a clown. At first, I thought this was awful, but when I realized it was supposed to be funny, it all clicked into place. I really was laughing as soon as I figured out what was happening. At least... I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be funny.
7. "The Stumblybum Imperative": 4*. A mother becomes obsessed with the TV show her daughter is always watching while coping with her husband leaving them. This was my favorite. I love horror that has to do with children's TV shows, lost media, or ARGs. The Stumblybums were genuinely very creepy, and I actually cared about the characters, as they were given enough personality to be relatable. The ending was a bit underwhelming, which is why it's a 4* rather than a 5*.
8. "Shadowman": 3*. A boy realizes he has control over his shadow. It was okay. It kind of felt like a mash-up of "Green Eyes" and "Origin Story," and so it didn't feel very original by the time I got to it. Liked the ending, though!
9. "Carpenter's Thumb": 3*. A man hits his thumb with a hammer at work, and the wound starts influencing him. It was pretty decent. My complaint is similar to other stories--it could have gone further! Alas, the nature of short stories...
10. "Swallow": 2.5*. A college student makes a joke to a friend that sends him into a spiral of insanity. This was my least favorite, I'm sorry. The first three pages are setting up this joke that the entire plot hinges upon. The joke is hyped up so much. Other characters are preemptively giggling, the main character proclaims he's about to deliver the punchline and--the joke was awful! Like genuinely confusing. I didn't even know what the humorous part was supposed to be, and the lead up was so long! It was all I could think about! The rest of the story after that was predictable. It's a 2.5* because Hawkins's writing style is generally pretty good.
11. "Ten and Gone": 3.5*. A burglar encounters the unexpected in a house he's trying to steal from. I liked the "reveal" quite a lot. The story developed tension well, especially with the countdown, and was able to elicit empathy for the protagonist in a short amount of time.
12. "Notice": 3*. A man writes a notice to his boss through email and explains how the strange events of the last few weeks have led him to quitting his job. I liked the concept of this one, but I feel like there was a lot of wasted potential with the formatting. It did not read like an email at all, and the protagonist had the same voice as almost every other story in the collection. There was some good tension with the factory setting, though. The ending didn't leave me feeling anything.
13. "A Candle for the Birthday Boy": 3*. A man hosts a birthday party for his son while speculating about the absence of his girlfriend. On page 2, I had a prediction for how this story was gonna go. It felt so obvious. Granted, Hawkins did subvert those expectations at the end, but the whole middle portion felt like a slog because you think you know how it'll end. The pacing was just way too slow. I appreciated the ending, though, as it was quite brutal and did surprise me.
That is all. I think Hawkins is a really solid writer, and I can see a lot of people loving this collection. My lukewarm sentiments can be partly explained by my inexperience with reading short stories. I'd read from Hawkins again, especially if it's longer form!
This is a horror short story collection that I picked up at a convention. I often struggle getting into short stories compared to full-length novels, but overall, these stories were pretty good. I will post the ratings and brief thoughts on each story below. Broadly, however, I will say the voices between short stories often felt same-y, and some stories just came across as vague horror concepts rather than a fully realized narrative. Also, no story featured a lawn mower! False advertising!
1. "Green Eyes": 3.5*. A little girl avoids school to remain with her bedridden mother. I enjoyed the witchy aspects of this story, and the little girl narrator was not super annoying or unbelievable, which is hard to do. The plot itself wasn't too gripping, though.
2. "Moonrise Over Water with Sargassum, 2022. Oil on Canvas": 2.5*. A woman reflects on her relationship with her husband as he clamors around drunk by the ocean. I don't know what bothered me about this one, but it didn't really feel like horror. It was a sort of surface-level story that had a supernatural element tacked on at the end that didn't feel organic.
3. "Storms of the Present": 3.5*. A man conscious of his weight takes up a scalpel, but his body fights back. This one was probably the strongest in terms of horror. There were moments I was genuinely disgusted with what was going on. Good amount of gore, but I lost some interest in the plot by the end.
4. "Origin Story": 3*. Two comic store employees discuss their hypothetical superpowers, or are they really hypothetical? The tension leading up to the climax was pretty stunted because of how predictable it was. The protagonist acknowledges how predictable it was, too, but that didn't really help matters. The ending did get me to chuckle, though.
5. "Poppy": 3*. A woman tells the story of a strange employee who has an obsession with mannequins to her ex-partner. A personal pet peeve of mine is when the narrator constantly says things like "Little did I know what would happen next" or "If I had known what would happen later, I would have done it differently." The narrator here definitely does that a lot, and I just didn't care about her. The mannequin stuff could have definitely gone further.
6. "Interlude": 3.5*. Two parents grow concerned over their son, who seems to be changing into a clown. At first, I thought this was awful, but when I realized it was supposed to be funny, it all clicked into place. I really was laughing as soon as I figured out what was happening. At least... I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be funny.
7. "The Stumblybum Imperative": 4*. A mother becomes obsessed with the TV show her daughter is always watching while coping with her husband leaving them. This was my favorite. I love horror that has to do with children's TV shows, lost media, or ARGs. The Stumblybums were genuinely very creepy, and I actually cared about the characters, as they were given enough personality to be relatable. The ending was a bit underwhelming, which is why it's a 4* rather than a 5*.
8. "Shadowman": 3*. A boy realizes he has control over his shadow. It was okay. It kind of felt like a mash-up of "Green Eyes" and "Origin Story," and so it didn't feel very original by the time I got to it. Liked the ending, though!
9. "Carpenter's Thumb": 3*. A man hits his thumb with a hammer at work, and the wound starts influencing him. It was pretty decent. My complaint is similar to other stories--it could have gone further! Alas, the nature of short stories...
10. "Swallow": 2.5*. A college student makes a joke to a friend that sends him into a spiral of insanity. This was my least favorite, I'm sorry. The first three pages are setting up this joke that the entire plot hinges upon. The joke is hyped up so much. Other characters are preemptively giggling, the main character proclaims he's about to deliver the punchline and--the joke was awful! Like genuinely confusing. I didn't even know what the humorous part was supposed to be, and the lead up was so long! It was all I could think about! The rest of the story after that was predictable. It's a 2.5* because Hawkins's writing style is generally pretty good.
11. "Ten and Gone": 3.5*. A burglar encounters the unexpected in a house he's trying to steal from. I liked the "reveal" quite a lot. The story developed tension well, especially with the countdown, and was able to elicit empathy for the protagonist in a short amount of time.
12. "Notice": 3*. A man writes a notice to his boss through email and explains how the strange events of the last few weeks have led him to quitting his job. I liked the concept of this one, but I feel like there was a lot of wasted potential with the formatting. It did not read like an email at all, and the protagonist had the same voice as almost every other story in the collection. There was some good tension with the factory setting, though. The ending didn't leave me feeling anything.
13. "A Candle for the Birthday Boy": 3*. A man hosts a birthday party for his son while speculating about the absence of his girlfriend. On page 2, I had a prediction for how this story was gonna go. It felt so obvious. Granted, Hawkins did subvert those expectations at the end, but the whole middle portion felt like a slog because you think you know how it'll end. The pacing was just way too slow. I appreciated the ending, though, as it was quite brutal and did surprise me.
That is all. I think Hawkins is a really solid writer, and I can see a lot of people loving this collection. My lukewarm sentiments can be partly explained by my inexperience with reading short stories. I'd read from Hawkins again, especially if it's longer form!
March 21, 2023
thank you netgalley for sending me an ARC of christopher hawkin's "suburban monsters" anthology. as a horror lover, when i came across this on NG i had to give it a try!! however, at 64% i decided to DNF. despite me really wanting to enjoy this short story collection, i couldn't. i'm not sure if it was hawkins' writing style or the very lackluster and unoriginal plots for the stories, but it was very unenjoyable for me to read. i was hoping that it would get better or that there would be a story i would truly click with but alas, that was not the case. HOWEVER! i did write mini reviews for the stories that i did read.
green eyes: 2.5/5 - well that was just outright depressing. it kind of reminded me of the movie "antlers" with the whole neglected child, single parent with supernatural issue vibe. i noticed "leaves" was consistently spelled as "leafs", and i'm curious if that was deliberate or not due to the narrator being a young girl. everything else was spelled correctly though, so i'm not sure.
moonrise over water: 3/5 - honestly was unsure how i wanted to rate this one. i took a liking to the artistic elements, though i felt like there was no passion in the story, if that makes sense. it felt like a filler in-between other stories in this collection (little did i know... the ENTIRE collection was going to feel like filler)
storms of the present: DNF - i had to skip through this one because it truly did not sit well with me. MAJOR trigger warning for self harm, eating disorders. and body dysmorphia. definitely not a fan of this story by any means.
origin story: 1/5 - wasn't impressed. very predictable, with boring and unlikable characters.
poppy: 4/5 - this was a step up from the other stories in the collection!! it was honestly really interesting and kept me entertained.
interude: 1/5 - talk about corny... the concept as a story was not executed effectively; however, it may have been better if it were in the form of a short film!
the stumblybums: 2/5 - idk i feel like this concept has been used and recycled so many times before that it didn't have an effect on me. maybe i'm just overly critical... who knows
green eyes: 2.5/5 - well that was just outright depressing. it kind of reminded me of the movie "antlers" with the whole neglected child, single parent with supernatural issue vibe. i noticed "leaves" was consistently spelled as "leafs", and i'm curious if that was deliberate or not due to the narrator being a young girl. everything else was spelled correctly though, so i'm not sure.
moonrise over water: 3/5 - honestly was unsure how i wanted to rate this one. i took a liking to the artistic elements, though i felt like there was no passion in the story, if that makes sense. it felt like a filler in-between other stories in this collection (little did i know... the ENTIRE collection was going to feel like filler)
storms of the present: DNF - i had to skip through this one because it truly did not sit well with me. MAJOR trigger warning for self harm, eating disorders. and body dysmorphia. definitely not a fan of this story by any means.
origin story: 1/5 - wasn't impressed. very predictable, with boring and unlikable characters.
poppy: 4/5 - this was a step up from the other stories in the collection!! it was honestly really interesting and kept me entertained.
interude: 1/5 - talk about corny... the concept as a story was not executed effectively; however, it may have been better if it were in the form of a short film!
the stumblybums: 2/5 - idk i feel like this concept has been used and recycled so many times before that it didn't have an effect on me. maybe i'm just overly critical... who knows
December 9, 2022
This was my first time reading this author and I'm always up for an anthology of horror stories. They were well written and really interesting. Some were clearly supernatural, others were implied supernatural, and some were just natural (not sure if that's the right term for non-supernatural, but let's go with it).
The author was most successful with the ones that didn't have a clear supernatural element. The stories with the mannequins, the one on the beach, and the final story were my favorites. The last story with the birthday party had me on the edge of my seat and is one I won't soon forget. I just looked at the chapter list and realized I blocked out the cannibalism story and now regret remembering it :)
In the supernatural realm - the thief in the house was a great one. The thief says he can get in and out of a house in 10 minutes and the story is told counting down from 10 in what would approximate 1 minute increments. It was very creatively done. Interlude was awesome. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on and then I laughed and laughed and hid under my covers.
For some of his supernatural stories, I found myself left with questions at the end. There was a pattern of getting to the climax and then that's the end. It's not my favorite storytelling technique since I'm someone who wants to know "why" (even though most of the time the answer with horror is "because"). For the resignation letter and shadow ones, I wanted a little more.
This is a solid collection of stories and I would recommend them to anyone who's looking for a combo of supernatural and non-supernatural horror stories that are high on the creep factor.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.
The author was most successful with the ones that didn't have a clear supernatural element. The stories with the mannequins, the one on the beach, and the final story were my favorites. The last story with the birthday party had me on the edge of my seat and is one I won't soon forget. I just looked at the chapter list and realized I blocked out the cannibalism story and now regret remembering it :)
In the supernatural realm - the thief in the house was a great one. The thief says he can get in and out of a house in 10 minutes and the story is told counting down from 10 in what would approximate 1 minute increments. It was very creatively done. Interlude was awesome. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on and then I laughed and laughed and hid under my covers.
For some of his supernatural stories, I found myself left with questions at the end. There was a pattern of getting to the climax and then that's the end. It's not my favorite storytelling technique since I'm someone who wants to know "why" (even though most of the time the answer with horror is "because"). For the resignation letter and shadow ones, I wanted a little more.
This is a solid collection of stories and I would recommend them to anyone who's looking for a combo of supernatural and non-supernatural horror stories that are high on the creep factor.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.
July 19, 2023
One of my reading goals is to tackle some short story collections, but sadly this collection didn’t do anything to make me like short stories more than I do!
First, all the stories did not take place in the Suburbs, minor detail, but still left me head scratching at the title. Far worse, Hawkins does not know how to end a story, so very few of these had any actual satisfying resolution. And lastly, there just wasn’t much originality or cleverness to most of these stories. They all had a little bit of a “been there, done that” feel to them.
On the plus side, the story entitled, “The Stumblym Imperative,” is excellent and worth checking out. If your library has this book, get it, read this story and then return the book. This one would make a great hour long movie.
First, all the stories did not take place in the Suburbs, minor detail, but still left me head scratching at the title. Far worse, Hawkins does not know how to end a story, so very few of these had any actual satisfying resolution. And lastly, there just wasn’t much originality or cleverness to most of these stories. They all had a little bit of a “been there, done that” feel to them.
On the plus side, the story entitled, “The Stumblym Imperative,” is excellent and worth checking out. If your library has this book, get it, read this story and then return the book. This one would make a great hour long movie.
March 8, 2023
The 13 stories in this collection expertly build a tense atmosphere in every single tale. There were strong Weird Tales vibes in every story. I am pretty accustomed to reading horror type stories, but still, I got chills when I read the last lines of "Notice." That story was my favorite of the collection, but all were equally well written. Christopher Hawkins is going to be a, must read author, for me after this collection.
Thank you to Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this spine tingling collection.
Thank you to Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this spine tingling collection.
June 6, 2023
Thank you to Coronis Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC of Suburban Monsters in exchange for an honest review!
Suburban Monsters is definitely a collection to check out. Some of these stories are so weird & I loved how some of these turned out. Most of these stories felt so incredibly unique and I can't wait to see what else Christopher Hawkins has to offer!
Suburban Monsters is definitely a collection to check out. Some of these stories are so weird & I loved how some of these turned out. Most of these stories felt so incredibly unique and I can't wait to see what else Christopher Hawkins has to offer!
January 18, 2023
4/5⭐️
Transformation seems to be a common thread in these thirteen twisted (and twisty) tales. Most are creepy, some just really weird, but all grabbed my attention from each start! Themes of loneliness, depression, revenge, bullying, addiction, and more show up in homes, at the beach, birthday parties, and in a creepy af kids' television show.
This collection will take you down rabbit holes and make you give every mannequin you ever see for the rest of your life a hard second look!
Transformation seems to be a common thread in these thirteen twisted (and twisty) tales. Most are creepy, some just really weird, but all grabbed my attention from each start! Themes of loneliness, depression, revenge, bullying, addiction, and more show up in homes, at the beach, birthday parties, and in a creepy af kids' television show.
This collection will take you down rabbit holes and make you give every mannequin you ever see for the rest of your life a hard second look!
June 9, 2024
An imaginative and creepy collection full of well-written stories.
March 5, 2023
Suburban Monsters
By Christopher Hawkins
5/5
This short story collection focuses on the sad, scary and evil right in your own neighborhood.
Every story in the bunch had a unique voice that grabbed me in a different way. I find that very impressive when each story feels so very different. I digested this in small doses and loved it. My favorite was the very first story: Green Eyes.
Perfect for when you only have 15-30 min to read and every story left my horror loving self satisfied. I can’t wait to read more from Christopher!
Thank you Coronis Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of the book to review!
By Christopher Hawkins
5/5
This short story collection focuses on the sad, scary and evil right in your own neighborhood.
Every story in the bunch had a unique voice that grabbed me in a different way. I find that very impressive when each story feels so very different. I digested this in small doses and loved it. My favorite was the very first story: Green Eyes.
Perfect for when you only have 15-30 min to read and every story left my horror loving self satisfied. I can’t wait to read more from Christopher!
Thank you Coronis Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of the book to review!
December 4, 2022
Some good scares in this collection. I loved a candle for the birthday boy.
January 5, 2023
This is the first time I've read Christopher Hawkins' work, but after this short horror story collection, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for future works. As I read through these stories, it became clear that Hawkins has a knack for vivid descriptions that help to set the scene/tone without being too wordy, which my short attention span appreciated! I also really appreciated that each story felt different - I think there'll be something for everyone here, whether you like intense horror or more of a fantastical story. From here on, I'll keep the details short and sharp because, with short stories like these, I think it's best to go in blind.
"Green Eyes": About a neglected little girl and her Mama. This was a nice start to the book, and Hawkins really managed to nail writing in the voice of an innocent child. It was a little more sad than scary once I realised what was going on, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5/5
"Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas": A woman is pushed to her limit by her awful husband. I agree with other reviews here that the language Hawkins used in the story was wonderfully poetic - quite fitting given that the story's protagonist is an artist. The story itself was a little lacklustre compared to others in this collection, but the beautiful descriptions and writing kept me engaged. 3/5
"Storms of the Present": An overweight reclusive person decides to do some DIY weight-loss surgery. This one was tense, bloody, gory and disgusting - exactly my kind of horror! Hawkins' brilliantly vivid descriptions really added to the body horror in this one. 4/5
*Slight content warning for this story as it discussed disordered eating.
"Origin Story": We think of people with superpowers as heroes, but they can be villains too. The characterisation was strong in this story, and I felt that I understood who Phil and Darryl were as people. There was a nice sinister quality to this one too, and I felt so terrible for 4/5
"Poppy": A new employee is a little too obsessed with mannequins. Wow. This one kept me guessing right from the beginning, and I didn't see that ending coming at all. This was another one that was more sad than scary (although I find mannequins pretty creepy), but I still really enjoyed it. 4/5
"Interlude": A young boy's parents struggle to help their son with his strange condition. This one was a bit unusual. Hawkins' high-quality writing shines throughout, but the story itself just wasn't my cup of tea. 2/5
"The Stumblybum Imperative": An absent mother falls into the conspiracy rabbit hole of her daughter's favourite (and surprisingly violent) kids tv show. This one was deliciously, unnervingly creepy, but the ending felt a tad too rushed to be satisfying. 4.5/5
"Shadowman": A young boy discovers something about himself and gets back at his bullies. A nice little revenge story - not bad, but not my thing. 3/5
"Carpenter's Thumb": A carpenter accidentally hammers his thumb - twice - and the thumb has had enough. This one was excellent - tense and exciting, and interesting throughout. One of my favourites in the collection. 5/5
"Swallow": Have you ever bit your tongue? You might not think about it the same way after reading this one. This was another short story that fit my exact kind of horror - gory and bloody and quite gross to think about. Another one of my favourites. 5/5
"Ten and Gone": A ten-minute burglary goes wrong. Like, really wrong. This one was so creative, chilling, and bizarre, and the descriptions/imagery of the house were so vivid. Yet another favourite of mine. 5/5
"Notice": An employee's letter of notice. This one was creepy but wasn't a stand-out for me compared to the past few stories. 3.5/5
"A Candle for the Birthday Boy": A little boy's birthday party. What could go wrong? All I'll say is, wow, this collection ended with a bang! 5/5
Thank you to Christopher Hawkins, Coronis Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
"Green Eyes": About a neglected little girl and her Mama. This was a nice start to the book, and Hawkins really managed to nail writing in the voice of an innocent child. It was a little more sad than scary once I realised what was going on, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5/5
"Moonrise Over Water With Sargassum, 2022. Oil On Canvas": A woman is pushed to her limit by her awful husband. I agree with other reviews here that the language Hawkins used in the story was wonderfully poetic - quite fitting given that the story's protagonist is an artist. The story itself was a little lacklustre compared to others in this collection, but the beautiful descriptions and writing kept me engaged. 3/5
"Storms of the Present": An overweight reclusive person decides to do some DIY weight-loss surgery. This one was tense, bloody, gory and disgusting - exactly my kind of horror! Hawkins' brilliantly vivid descriptions really added to the body horror in this one. 4/5
*Slight content warning for this story as it discussed disordered eating.
"Origin Story": We think of people with superpowers as heroes, but they can be villains too. The characterisation was strong in this story, and I felt that I understood who Phil and Darryl were as people. There was a nice sinister quality to this one too, and I felt so terrible for 4/5
"Poppy": A new employee is a little too obsessed with mannequins. Wow. This one kept me guessing right from the beginning, and I didn't see that ending coming at all. This was another one that was more sad than scary (although I find mannequins pretty creepy), but I still really enjoyed it. 4/5
"Interlude": A young boy's parents struggle to help their son with his strange condition. This one was a bit unusual. Hawkins' high-quality writing shines throughout, but the story itself just wasn't my cup of tea. 2/5
"The Stumblybum Imperative": An absent mother falls into the conspiracy rabbit hole of her daughter's favourite (and surprisingly violent) kids tv show. This one was deliciously, unnervingly creepy, but the ending felt a tad too rushed to be satisfying. 4.5/5
"Shadowman": A young boy discovers something about himself and gets back at his bullies. A nice little revenge story - not bad, but not my thing. 3/5
"Carpenter's Thumb": A carpenter accidentally hammers his thumb - twice - and the thumb has had enough. This one was excellent - tense and exciting, and interesting throughout. One of my favourites in the collection. 5/5
"Swallow": Have you ever bit your tongue? You might not think about it the same way after reading this one. This was another short story that fit my exact kind of horror - gory and bloody and quite gross to think about. Another one of my favourites. 5/5
"Ten and Gone": A ten-minute burglary goes wrong. Like, really wrong. This one was so creative, chilling, and bizarre, and the descriptions/imagery of the house were so vivid. Yet another favourite of mine. 5/5
"Notice": An employee's letter of notice. This one was creepy but wasn't a stand-out for me compared to the past few stories. 3.5/5
"A Candle for the Birthday Boy": A little boy's birthday party. What could go wrong? All I'll say is, wow, this collection ended with a bang! 5/5
Thank you to Christopher Hawkins, Coronis Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2022
This is my first book from Christopher Hawkins, and I was able to read it early through NetGalley if I provided an honest review. First of all, short horror stories are my favourite type of book, and these 13 stories are all enjoyable. My favourites are the ones that felt almost real in some aspect. Poppy because I worked in retail and dealt with rotten teens. Carpenter's Thumb because we've all hit our thumb with a hammer, but thankfully it doesn't go this far. The Stumblyum Imperative had a very real feeling relationship between a struggling mother and child. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and absolutely would recommend this to horror or short story fans.
November 25, 2022
Suburban Monsters, a collection of short horror stories, has more than a dozen unique tales for horror lovers to enjoy. The stories were hit or miss for me, but when they hit…they HIT! Shadowman and A Candle For The Birthday Boy are my favorites in this collection because of how unique and terrifying they were. My heart was pounding reading the latter! If a story was a miss for me it was simply because I’m not a huge fan of body horror. Overall I have to say Christopher Hawkins was able to paint a vivid and horrifying picture by being an extremely talented and imaginative writer. I’m so glad I discovered this hidden gem.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
My thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 9, 2022
A fun collection of creepy and twisted tales. Some were beautiful, others were sad, eerie, disturbing, or a combination of everything.
Each story is unique and makes you stop and think about the characters and their situations.
I think my favourite tale was Green Eyes, it made me feel melancholy, but at the same time, the rebirth of the mother was magical.
Definitely pick this one up asap as there are thirteen stories to delve into!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Coronis Publishing for a copy!
Each story is unique and makes you stop and think about the characters and their situations.
I think my favourite tale was Green Eyes, it made me feel melancholy, but at the same time, the rebirth of the mother was magical.
Definitely pick this one up asap as there are thirteen stories to delve into!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Coronis Publishing for a copy!
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