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The Horror Collection #14
The Horror Collection: Lost Edition
Book 14 in The Horror Collection series brings you the best in new horror from, Russell James, Mark Towse, Tim Curran, Daemon Manx, Lex H. Jones , J.A. Sullivan, Konn Lavery, C.M. Forest, J.R. McConvey, Judith Sonnet, Mark Allan Gunnells, Edward Lee, John Pelan, Steve Stred, Richard Chizmar, Calvin Demmer, Candace Nola, Brian G. Berry & Matthew V. Brockmeyer.
Edited by Ann Keeran & Kevin J. Kennedy
Edited by Ann Keeran & Kevin J. Kennedy
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2023
154 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Kennedy
140 books325 followersKevin J. Kennedy is a horror author, editor, and anthologist. He is the owner of KJK Publishing and runs the bestselling 'The Horror Collection' series. He is the author of Halloween Land, The Clown and Nothing is Real.
He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.
He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 6, 2023
Bibliophilia Templum review at https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/04/06/the-horror-collection-lost-edition/
The Horror Collection: Lost Edition is book 14 of The Horror Collection series and contains an impressive 18 stories by some of the most outstanding authors in horror. This collection is a spine-chilling journey through dark places, tainted minds, and gruesome horrors. Brace yourself and allow me to take you on a tour.
The anthology kicks off with “A Perfect Match” by Russell James. This well-written, engrossing little tale is surprisingly wrenching in spite of the skillful foreshadowing. It is ultimately not what you expect and left me caught between horrified and heart-broken.
This is followed by the chilling story “Eric’s Tune” by Mark Towse, the suspenseful and haunting “13 Hook Street” by Tim Curran, and the intense Twilight Zone-eque tale “Encounter” by the talented Daemon Manx.
Next is the riveting folklore horror “The Maiden of Underbank” by Lex Jones. I love good folk horror, and this is a great and hard-hitting story with great characterization and dialogue. It is followed by “Excoriation” by J.A. Sullivan, a wholly disturbing and evocative story that lingered in my nightmares. And after that are two unnerving sci-fi horrors: “He” by Konn Lavery, where food delivery driver meets retired scientist, and “Glass Weavers” by C.M. Forest, a space horror story you won’t soon forget … or get over. These are in turn followed by the deep and enigmatic tale “All the Teeming Life with Wings” by J.R. McConvey.
From there, we move on to Judith Sonnet’s icy tale of terror “From a Cold Place.” It has surprisingly moving characters and an ending that leaves you wondering how she comes up with such twisted literary artistry. After that is the beautiful, erotic, and horrifying “Flaming Eros” by Mark Allan Gunnells. This one will gut you. Mark … why, man?
Then there is the brilliant, gruesome, and graphic cosmic horror story “Transcendence” by Edward Lee and John Pelan, the impactful and twisted “Shameless Sam Changes His Life” by Steve Stred, and the creepy tale “The Association” by Richard Chizmar, which is everything you expect it to be. Those are followed by “Heartless,” a deep and horrifying tale of boundless love by Calvin Demmer, and “Frequencies,” an intense and intriguing story of torture and joy by Candace Nola.
Brian G. Berry is next with “Voices from the Abyss,” an incredible modern Lovecraftian story of terror and madness worthy of Lovecraft himself. And finally, Matthew V. Brockmeyer brings the journey to a close with his messed-up and moving story of grief and evil “Bad Ink.”
These stories range from moving to gruesome, dark to extreme, haunting to horrifying, so bring your breadcrumbs to leave a trail for your mind, or you might become lost on this journey into The Horror Collection.
The Horror Collection: Lost Edition is book 14 of The Horror Collection series and contains an impressive 18 stories by some of the most outstanding authors in horror. This collection is a spine-chilling journey through dark places, tainted minds, and gruesome horrors. Brace yourself and allow me to take you on a tour.
The anthology kicks off with “A Perfect Match” by Russell James. This well-written, engrossing little tale is surprisingly wrenching in spite of the skillful foreshadowing. It is ultimately not what you expect and left me caught between horrified and heart-broken.
This is followed by the chilling story “Eric’s Tune” by Mark Towse, the suspenseful and haunting “13 Hook Street” by Tim Curran, and the intense Twilight Zone-eque tale “Encounter” by the talented Daemon Manx.
Next is the riveting folklore horror “The Maiden of Underbank” by Lex Jones. I love good folk horror, and this is a great and hard-hitting story with great characterization and dialogue. It is followed by “Excoriation” by J.A. Sullivan, a wholly disturbing and evocative story that lingered in my nightmares. And after that are two unnerving sci-fi horrors: “He” by Konn Lavery, where food delivery driver meets retired scientist, and “Glass Weavers” by C.M. Forest, a space horror story you won’t soon forget … or get over. These are in turn followed by the deep and enigmatic tale “All the Teeming Life with Wings” by J.R. McConvey.
From there, we move on to Judith Sonnet’s icy tale of terror “From a Cold Place.” It has surprisingly moving characters and an ending that leaves you wondering how she comes up with such twisted literary artistry. After that is the beautiful, erotic, and horrifying “Flaming Eros” by Mark Allan Gunnells. This one will gut you. Mark … why, man?
Then there is the brilliant, gruesome, and graphic cosmic horror story “Transcendence” by Edward Lee and John Pelan, the impactful and twisted “Shameless Sam Changes His Life” by Steve Stred, and the creepy tale “The Association” by Richard Chizmar, which is everything you expect it to be. Those are followed by “Heartless,” a deep and horrifying tale of boundless love by Calvin Demmer, and “Frequencies,” an intense and intriguing story of torture and joy by Candace Nola.
Brian G. Berry is next with “Voices from the Abyss,” an incredible modern Lovecraftian story of terror and madness worthy of Lovecraft himself. And finally, Matthew V. Brockmeyer brings the journey to a close with his messed-up and moving story of grief and evil “Bad Ink.”
These stories range from moving to gruesome, dark to extreme, haunting to horrifying, so bring your breadcrumbs to leave a trail for your mind, or you might become lost on this journey into The Horror Collection.
April 24, 2023
The Horror Collection Lost Edition features eighteen short stories with a very impressive lineup. These are some of my favorites. A Perfect Match, Eric’s Tune, Encounter, From a Colder Place, Heartless and Voices from the Abyss.
Another great anthology put together by KJK Publishing. This might be my favorite one yet. It has a great mix of stories that are dark and creepy and will leave you eager to jump into the next story. A very entertaining collection for fans of horror.
"Carter's face darkened like a storm clouding the horizon, his eyes narrowing down to black graves."
Another great anthology put together by KJK Publishing. This might be my favorite one yet. It has a great mix of stories that are dark and creepy and will leave you eager to jump into the next story. A very entertaining collection for fans of horror.
"Carter's face darkened like a storm clouding the horizon, his eyes narrowing down to black graves."
March 31, 2023
First, of all, huge thanks to the editor for providing me with a digital copy of this anthology. Reviewing such a strong entry in the Horror Collection series (#14, to be exact!), was pure joy. The impressive line-up alone promises an entertaining ride: Ed Lee & John Pelan have a story here, Richard Chizmar, Tim Curran, Mark Allan Gunnells, Judith Sonnet, Mark Towse, Candace Nola, Brian G. Berry, C.M. Forest, Steve Stred, Daemon Manx, and the list goes on and on! ‘The Horror Collection: The Lost Edition’ feels like a real who’s who of top quality horror. There are 18 stories here, all standalones (and look at that Michael Bray cover!) I’d have to say that this is definitely my favorite so far in Kennedy's Horror Collection series: I found all the stories terrific, the writing consistently excellent, and, for me, there wasn’t even a single misfire (since this is a honest review, I’d have to admit that this was not my experience with the previous entry.) The editor has done an amazing job, and this goes beyond gathering all the brand names here: the stories themselves are truly smart horror, cover a wide range of settings, and never forget to keep the reader entertained. I’ll say a few words about my personal standouts, though I recommend reading all the stories. Cream of the crop, a story I thought I’d never read: ‘Transcendence’ by Edward Lee and John Pelan, a very disturbing read reminiscent of the best Lovecraft stories – if Lovecraft channeled Clive Barker! This was, indeed, a Cthulhu meets Hellraiser type of story, and I doubt any horror fan would feel disappointed reading it. This, for me, is worth the Collection alone. Second, ‘The Association’ by Richard Chizmar, a delightful Twilight Zone-type of story, about a couple moving into the neighborhood of their dreams and getting more than they expected. Great writing, great ending, a solid Chizmar story. Third, ‘Bad Ink’ by Mahew V. Brockmeyer – what a story! Deception, revenge, murder, and evil tats! Reminded me a bit of Dan Volpe’s ‘Billy Silver,’ though without the gritty realism. Fourth, ‘Frequencies’ by Candace Nola; a fascinating story about sound as a serial killer’s weapon. This tale was original, well thought-out, and, most of all, shocking. Fourth, ‘Encounter’ by Daemon Manx, absorbingly written, got me twice in the feels, a story about friendship, prison, and betrayal. Fifth, ‘From A Colder Place’ by Judith Sonnet, a pure creature-type of horror story, surprisingly without real gore (Sonnet is the queen of gore, currently!) though with an awesome build-up and an explosive ending. Sixth, ‘13 Hook Street’ by Tim Curran, a haunted house type of story with a twist in the ending. It has great atmosphere, the characterization, for such a brief story, is amazing, and the plot kept me wondering to the end. Last but not least, ‘Eric’s Tune’ by Mark Towse, about a prankster in a supposedly haunted prison, whose prank seriously backfires.
To sum up, this Horror Collection deserves a place in your shelf if horror is your thing. It delivers really good stories, with great plotlines and satisfying endings. Very highly recommended!
To sum up, this Horror Collection deserves a place in your shelf if horror is your thing. It delivers really good stories, with great plotlines and satisfying endings. Very highly recommended!
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April 23, 2023Another fantastic collection of short stories from some exceptional authors. KJK Publishing is one of the best publishers for anthologies. Here is a breakdown of the 18 stories of the Lost Edition.
A Perfect Match by Russell James - Emile Broderick is passing through town and looking to relax and find the comforts of a woman. He ends up whisking her away for a better future. A completely unexpected ending that no one can guess. This story completely surprised me.
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse - A prank has gone horribly wrong at an old abandoned prison. If you have ever visited or plan on visiting an abandoned prison, this is a must read!
13 Hook Street by Tim Curran - If you listen, you can hear a house share its feelings with you. All the dark and horrible secrets it has to share with you. A moody story, fantastic author.
Encounter by Daemon Manx - John is released from prison and picked up by his former bunkmate from prison, when he realizes something is amiss. You think you know someone and then suddenly, their true colors show.
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones - A man with a broken heart calls on a mystical being to help him seek revenge. Impressive story. I enjoyed this one.
Excoriation by J.A. Sullivan - A woman is visiting her ex-mother-in-law at her request and shares the terrible memories of their time together. A good family story.
He by Konn Lavery - A food delivery man delivers to a home and receives a huge tip, ending up walking away with the biggest tip of his life. Has a bit of a fantasy vibe to it, loved this story.
Glass Weavers by C. M. Forest - Jonah is an engineer on a spacecraft, alone, when he finds he needs to fix a coolant control panel. This opens up to another mystery aboard the ship. Excellent author, a kind of science fiction/horror genre.
All The Teeming Life With Wings by J.R. McConvey - A doctor struggles with alcoholism while on a family vacation. Another good family story with a dark ending. I imagine this story is based on what the effects of alcoholism has on a family.
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet - A family is on their way home after a nice holiday break with the family when they run into some trouble during a blizzard. Twisted and evil story by an amazing author.
Flaming Eros by Mark Allen Gunnells - A young man is hired by a well-known writer/artist to help him with evening duties. Never trust an author when they ask for help in their homes!! Great story, I liked this one a lot.
Transcendence by Edward Lee and John Pelan - Using sex and drugs, Grey is working towards transcendence. A weird story, written magically, as if I were high on some drugs. Outstanding writing.
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred - Sam decides he wants a do over for his life and makes it happen, with consequences. Really neat story. I am remiss to admit this is my first Stred story, but I will remedy that. Amazing writing that kept me pulled in.
The Association by Richard Chizmar - Harold and his wife move into a new home, when they start to have issues with the homeowners’ association. I never did like the idea of a homeowners’ association and now I dislike it even more. You can never go wrong with a good Chizmar story.
Heartless by Calvin Demmer - James just wants to know if his wife is as heartless as she seems. Quite literally, a fabulous story. Demmer has a wicked imagination.
Frequencies by Candace Nola - Francis is very sensitive to sounds. He is working on a project that reflects his love of sounds. Great use of descriptors in this story. I enjoyed the writing style.
Voices From The Abyss by Brian G. Berry - Carter has been seeing and hearing things outside an underwater facility. Deep ocean stories are always a hit for me. I loved this one.
Bad Ink by Mattew V. Brockmeyer - In remembrance of his daughter, a father decides to get a tattoo, which leads to more tattoos. A sad and scary story all in one. I’d like to read more by Brockmeyer. He seems like an awesome story teller.
Overall, the stories in this collection are outstanding. The collection shows the vast talent across the horror genre and the amazing strength of these authors with their writing skills. Every author in this collection deserves praise for their gift of storytelling.
A Perfect Match by Russell James - Emile Broderick is passing through town and looking to relax and find the comforts of a woman. He ends up whisking her away for a better future. A completely unexpected ending that no one can guess. This story completely surprised me.
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse - A prank has gone horribly wrong at an old abandoned prison. If you have ever visited or plan on visiting an abandoned prison, this is a must read!
13 Hook Street by Tim Curran - If you listen, you can hear a house share its feelings with you. All the dark and horrible secrets it has to share with you. A moody story, fantastic author.
Encounter by Daemon Manx - John is released from prison and picked up by his former bunkmate from prison, when he realizes something is amiss. You think you know someone and then suddenly, their true colors show.
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones - A man with a broken heart calls on a mystical being to help him seek revenge. Impressive story. I enjoyed this one.
Excoriation by J.A. Sullivan - A woman is visiting her ex-mother-in-law at her request and shares the terrible memories of their time together. A good family story.
He by Konn Lavery - A food delivery man delivers to a home and receives a huge tip, ending up walking away with the biggest tip of his life. Has a bit of a fantasy vibe to it, loved this story.
Glass Weavers by C. M. Forest - Jonah is an engineer on a spacecraft, alone, when he finds he needs to fix a coolant control panel. This opens up to another mystery aboard the ship. Excellent author, a kind of science fiction/horror genre.
All The Teeming Life With Wings by J.R. McConvey - A doctor struggles with alcoholism while on a family vacation. Another good family story with a dark ending. I imagine this story is based on what the effects of alcoholism has on a family.
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet - A family is on their way home after a nice holiday break with the family when they run into some trouble during a blizzard. Twisted and evil story by an amazing author.
Flaming Eros by Mark Allen Gunnells - A young man is hired by a well-known writer/artist to help him with evening duties. Never trust an author when they ask for help in their homes!! Great story, I liked this one a lot.
Transcendence by Edward Lee and John Pelan - Using sex and drugs, Grey is working towards transcendence. A weird story, written magically, as if I were high on some drugs. Outstanding writing.
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred - Sam decides he wants a do over for his life and makes it happen, with consequences. Really neat story. I am remiss to admit this is my first Stred story, but I will remedy that. Amazing writing that kept me pulled in.
The Association by Richard Chizmar - Harold and his wife move into a new home, when they start to have issues with the homeowners’ association. I never did like the idea of a homeowners’ association and now I dislike it even more. You can never go wrong with a good Chizmar story.
Heartless by Calvin Demmer - James just wants to know if his wife is as heartless as she seems. Quite literally, a fabulous story. Demmer has a wicked imagination.
Frequencies by Candace Nola - Francis is very sensitive to sounds. He is working on a project that reflects his love of sounds. Great use of descriptors in this story. I enjoyed the writing style.
Voices From The Abyss by Brian G. Berry - Carter has been seeing and hearing things outside an underwater facility. Deep ocean stories are always a hit for me. I loved this one.
Bad Ink by Mattew V. Brockmeyer - In remembrance of his daughter, a father decides to get a tattoo, which leads to more tattoos. A sad and scary story all in one. I’d like to read more by Brockmeyer. He seems like an awesome story teller.
Overall, the stories in this collection are outstanding. The collection shows the vast talent across the horror genre and the amazing strength of these authors with their writing skills. Every author in this collection deserves praise for their gift of storytelling.
April 4, 2023
Utterly amazing horror short stories collection presented by Kevin J. Kennedy! These stories are truly terrifying and unique!
When I saw the lineup of writers my expectations were so high that I wondered if I was going to be disappointed but I was very wrong!
As this is "The Lost Edition", all the 18 stories are built around this theme. There is the one lost in another dimension, lost inside madness, lost out of reality, lost in search of fulfillment, lost in revenge and so on. The diversity and originality of the stories is really a reflection of the wild imagination and skill of the writers!
Although a few of the stories have left a mark emotionally and in my memory, I can't really say that I have favourites as each of them was beautifully dark and original.
I have devoured this collection and I encourage anyone who loves horror at its best to check it out!
Thank you to Kevin J. Kennedy for the opportunity to read this and this is my honest review.
When I saw the lineup of writers my expectations were so high that I wondered if I was going to be disappointed but I was very wrong!
As this is "The Lost Edition", all the 18 stories are built around this theme. There is the one lost in another dimension, lost inside madness, lost out of reality, lost in search of fulfillment, lost in revenge and so on. The diversity and originality of the stories is really a reflection of the wild imagination and skill of the writers!
Although a few of the stories have left a mark emotionally and in my memory, I can't really say that I have favourites as each of them was beautifully dark and original.
I have devoured this collection and I encourage anyone who loves horror at its best to check it out!
Thank you to Kevin J. Kennedy for the opportunity to read this and this is my honest review.
March 31, 2023
Unexpected...
These stories are not what you have read anywhere else. You think you know where the plot is going, but be prepared for whiplash, better buckle in, you are in for a wicked ride!
I will admit a couple of the stories were a bit too graphic for my taste but the story was so good I had to continue reading...
These stories are not what you have read anywhere else. You think you know where the plot is going, but be prepared for whiplash, better buckle in, you are in for a wicked ride!
I will admit a couple of the stories were a bit too graphic for my taste but the story was so good I had to continue reading...
April 20, 2023
Stories by some of the greatest authors of horror. Only Kevin J. Kennedy could create such a scary masterpiece!
August 27, 2024
KJK has done it again!! Thank you, Kevin for the digital copy, but this masterpiece deserves to be on my shelf … and y’all’s shelf too! I have read several of his collections and they are all fantastic! But, this one is my favorite so far. The author line up is phenomenal and includes many of my favorites, as well as including every creepy corner of the horror genre. Each story comes to an end leaving you with anticipation of which story is next! It’s downright, f*cking epic! This collection includes stories from Candace Nola, Tim Curran, Brian Berry, Judith Sonnet, Mark Towse, Steve Stred, Edward Lee and John Pelan, JA Sullivan, CM Forest and MANY more! The lineup is so brilliantly laid out that you will not be able to put it down and you will want to revisit these amazing stories more than once! You don’t want to miss out on this one, for sure!
April 7, 2023
The Horror Collection: Lost Edition presented by KJK Publishing is the 14th chilling collection in this series. Per usual, I absolutely loved it!
With this line up of authors, I knew we were in for a treat! This is another collection that covers a ton of ground.
My favorites from the collection include:
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse
Encounter by Daemon Manx
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred
The Association by Richard Chizmar
Frequencies by Candace Nola
So many of these tales really nestled their way into my brain! Days after finishing reading, they are still so fresh and pop into my head throughout the day.
This is a collection that I highly recommend picking up.
Check out my full review here:
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/thc-l...
With this line up of authors, I knew we were in for a treat! This is another collection that covers a ton of ground.
My favorites from the collection include:
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse
Encounter by Daemon Manx
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred
The Association by Richard Chizmar
Frequencies by Candace Nola
So many of these tales really nestled their way into my brain! Days after finishing reading, they are still so fresh and pop into my head throughout the day.
This is a collection that I highly recommend picking up.
Check out my full review here:
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/thc-l...
April 3, 2023
Looking for a thrilling read? Look no further than ‘The Horror Collection: The Lost Edition.’ Featuring a curated selection of 18 stories from talented indie horror authors, this book is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. What sets this collection apart is the wide range of plots and writing styles – there's something for everyone here. And don't worry about clunky language or awkward pacing, the writing is smooth and exciting throughout. I found myself completely engrossed in these stories and had a blast reading them. If you're a fan of horror or just looking for an awesome and fun read, I highly recommend giving this collection a try.
April 5, 2023
Definitely different in such an amazing way.
July 3, 2023
Fantastic
These were creepy, disturbing and perfect. I loved reading this book. I look forward to more like this. Loved it
These were creepy, disturbing and perfect. I loved reading this book. I look forward to more like this. Loved it
July 22, 2023
Entertaining collection
This is a pretty entertaining collection of stories. I don't think they're especially scary but they are quite varied and unusual.
This is a pretty entertaining collection of stories. I don't think they're especially scary but they are quite varied and unusual.
July 19, 2023
I had the best situation in which to read an anthology collection - I was in a medical walk-in clinic for almost four hour last week (I'm fine, BTW). That type of a situation, somewhere that you have to just sit and wait, is the best for short stories, and I read a huge chunk while I was there.
To be entirely honest, short story collections are not always my thing. I feel pretty picky about them. "The Horror Collection: The Lost Edition" wasn't too bad, but, personally, very few of the stories grabbed me.
The standouts in the bunch were:
-"Excoriation" by J.A. Sullivan
-"He" by Konn Lavery
-"Frequencies" by Candace Nola
The stories border from the psychologically weird to the grotesque to the bloody-and-disturbing, just for bloody-and-disturbing's sake. Most stories felt like they were lacking a bit of depth, and some felt like they were purposely missing some elements, maybe in a bid to get the reader to check out that author's other work.
I'm not entirely sure I would try this series again, but it would depend on the theme - there is one about pumpkins, apparently, so there's that one!
To be entirely honest, short story collections are not always my thing. I feel pretty picky about them. "The Horror Collection: The Lost Edition" wasn't too bad, but, personally, very few of the stories grabbed me.
The standouts in the bunch were:
-"Excoriation" by J.A. Sullivan
-"He" by Konn Lavery
-"Frequencies" by Candace Nola
The stories border from the psychologically weird to the grotesque to the bloody-and-disturbing, just for bloody-and-disturbing's sake. Most stories felt like they were lacking a bit of depth, and some felt like they were purposely missing some elements, maybe in a bid to get the reader to check out that author's other work.
I'm not entirely sure I would try this series again, but it would depend on the theme - there is one about pumpkins, apparently, so there's that one!
November 3, 2023
not read any of these for a while
Have read several of these collections in the past but hadn’t seen any recently so was excited to come across this one.
A fab little selection of short stories about various subjects
Have read several of these collections in the past but hadn’t seen any recently so was excited to come across this one.
A fab little selection of short stories about various subjects
August 17, 2024
The Lost Edition
Some freaky, screw with your imagination stories in this edition. Two were a no go for me, but maybe for someone else....
Someone has to be seeing a psychiatrist, to write a couple of these stories! If not, hopefully therapy. 🤯🧐
Some freaky, screw with your imagination stories in this edition. Two were a no go for me, but maybe for someone else....
Someone has to be seeing a psychiatrist, to write a couple of these stories! If not, hopefully therapy. 🤯🧐
May 23, 2023
Readers can’t go wrong with a horror collection assembled by Kevin J. Kennedy. He knows scary stories forward and back. The fourteenth in The Horror Collection series delivers even more new horror from some of today’s leading fright writers. Kennedy blends the great work of Richard Chizmar, Mark Towse, Daemon Manx, C.M. Forest, Mark Allan Gunnells, Edward Lee, Candace Nola, and many more.
Which terrifying tales make the skin crawl? They were all good. However, a few of the stories were incredible. Of course, when it comes to the horror Kennedy selects for his collection, they come with an explicit content warning. You’ve been warned - some of these are not for the faint of heart.
“Perfect Match” by Russell James is a well done horror with a complete Western theme. From scene, to dialogue, to situations - the reader is transported to the deadly dusty west. This tale is a twist on Jack the Ripper lore, and the Buffalo Bill character from Silence of Lambs.
“Eric’s Tune” by Mark Towse demonstrates that a joke can go too far. A haunted prison tour turns into and endless nightmare for one prankster.
“13 Hook Street” by Tim Curran reminds readers of Amityville Horror, as this story involves a young couple in a small old house. The telling is filled with visceral, unsettling descriptions.
“Excoriation” by J.A. Sullivan delivers a classic Wickerman setup, with a Lovecraftian human abomination twist at the end. How this abomination never crossed past writers minds is hard to comprehend after watching Sullivan breath life into the creatures so well.
“He” by Konn Lavery mounts the tension with each moment in this taut food delivery tale. An old man performs a ritual, and Lavery ensures the great twist ending doesn’t disappoint.
“Glass Weavers” by C.M. Forest was a bit of a boring sci-fi story with a lot of potential. The main character’s disintegrating mental state reveals the twist ending. The story has promise to be a good cosmic horror but the slow start is a hurdle.
“From a Colder Place” by Judith Sonnet places readers right in the middle of a creepy encounter with a stranger on a snow covered road. The family dealing with the blizzard and the creature show off Sonnet’s character development capabilities.
“Shameless Sam Changes His Life” by Steve Stred was an interesting tale, but there was far too much exposition. The opportunity to utilize deep point of view from inside Sam’s head was missed by the author.
“The Association” by Richard Chizmar is an HOA horror story. Don’t think they exist, search YouTube for a recent Last Week Tonight episode on Home Owner’s Associations. Terrifying! This story is uncanny masterfully executed. Chizmar may remind some readers of a classic X-Files episode in which the HOA is a bit too excessive in upholding the rules of the community. This tale was good but the ending felt rushed, without much climax, and no surprise twist to wrap it up.
“Bad Ink” by Matthew V. Brockmeyer was an enjoyable story about suffering incredible pain, seeking revenge, and what that costs in the end.
Kevin J. Kennedy is the author of Halloween Land, also reviewed here. He is co-author of You Only Get One Shot and Screechers & Stitches. Kennedy released three solo collections of short horror stories and is one of the UK’s most prominent horror anthologists.
Which terrifying tales make the skin crawl? They were all good. However, a few of the stories were incredible. Of course, when it comes to the horror Kennedy selects for his collection, they come with an explicit content warning. You’ve been warned - some of these are not for the faint of heart.
“Perfect Match” by Russell James is a well done horror with a complete Western theme. From scene, to dialogue, to situations - the reader is transported to the deadly dusty west. This tale is a twist on Jack the Ripper lore, and the Buffalo Bill character from Silence of Lambs.
“Eric’s Tune” by Mark Towse demonstrates that a joke can go too far. A haunted prison tour turns into and endless nightmare for one prankster.
“13 Hook Street” by Tim Curran reminds readers of Amityville Horror, as this story involves a young couple in a small old house. The telling is filled with visceral, unsettling descriptions.
“Excoriation” by J.A. Sullivan delivers a classic Wickerman setup, with a Lovecraftian human abomination twist at the end. How this abomination never crossed past writers minds is hard to comprehend after watching Sullivan breath life into the creatures so well.
“He” by Konn Lavery mounts the tension with each moment in this taut food delivery tale. An old man performs a ritual, and Lavery ensures the great twist ending doesn’t disappoint.
“Glass Weavers” by C.M. Forest was a bit of a boring sci-fi story with a lot of potential. The main character’s disintegrating mental state reveals the twist ending. The story has promise to be a good cosmic horror but the slow start is a hurdle.
“From a Colder Place” by Judith Sonnet places readers right in the middle of a creepy encounter with a stranger on a snow covered road. The family dealing with the blizzard and the creature show off Sonnet’s character development capabilities.
“Shameless Sam Changes His Life” by Steve Stred was an interesting tale, but there was far too much exposition. The opportunity to utilize deep point of view from inside Sam’s head was missed by the author.
“The Association” by Richard Chizmar is an HOA horror story. Don’t think they exist, search YouTube for a recent Last Week Tonight episode on Home Owner’s Associations. Terrifying! This story is uncanny masterfully executed. Chizmar may remind some readers of a classic X-Files episode in which the HOA is a bit too excessive in upholding the rules of the community. This tale was good but the ending felt rushed, without much climax, and no surprise twist to wrap it up.
“Bad Ink” by Matthew V. Brockmeyer was an enjoyable story about suffering incredible pain, seeking revenge, and what that costs in the end.
Kevin J. Kennedy is the author of Halloween Land, also reviewed here. He is co-author of You Only Get One Shot and Screechers & Stitches. Kennedy released three solo collections of short horror stories and is one of the UK’s most prominent horror anthologists.
April 22, 2023
Unfortunately I’m unable to share the raving comments of other readers about the latest installment
( number fourteen) in the ongoing series The Horror Collection. To me the majority of the included stories are just ordinary stuff in the eyes of a long time reader of horror fiction. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the stories are poorly written or downright bad, but that they lack originality and get completely forgotten as soon as you turn the page and move to the next one.
Yet there are three stories that I’ve found of a superior quality.
“ A Perfect Match” by Russell James ( the tale which opens the anthology) is a cruel piece effectively depicting the destiny of a hopeful whore trying to change her life forever; “ The Association” by the always dependable Richard Chizmar, a well crafted tale featuring a married couple recently moved in their new house, harassed by a mysterious Neighbor Association; the vivid “ Bad Ink” by Matthew V Brockmeyer revolving around a man planning his vengeance for her daughter’s death and finding the solution in a particular tattoo parlor.
( number fourteen) in the ongoing series The Horror Collection. To me the majority of the included stories are just ordinary stuff in the eyes of a long time reader of horror fiction. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the stories are poorly written or downright bad, but that they lack originality and get completely forgotten as soon as you turn the page and move to the next one.
Yet there are three stories that I’ve found of a superior quality.
“ A Perfect Match” by Russell James ( the tale which opens the anthology) is a cruel piece effectively depicting the destiny of a hopeful whore trying to change her life forever; “ The Association” by the always dependable Richard Chizmar, a well crafted tale featuring a married couple recently moved in their new house, harassed by a mysterious Neighbor Association; the vivid “ Bad Ink” by Matthew V Brockmeyer revolving around a man planning his vengeance for her daughter’s death and finding the solution in a particular tattoo parlor.
July 17, 2023
KJK Publishing's "The Horror Collection: Lost Edition" is the 14th terrifying collection in this series. As is usual, here are my thoughts on each story:
A Perfect Match by Russell James – 5 stars
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse – 5 stars
13 Hook Street by Tim Curran – 4 stars
Encounter by Daemon Manx – 4 stars
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones – 5 stars
Excoriation by J.A. Sullivan – 5 stars
He by Konn Lavery – 4 stars
Glass Weavers by C.M. Forest – 5 stars & my favorite
All The Teeming Life with Wings by J.R. McConvey – 3 stars
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet – 4 stars
Flaming Eros by Mark Allan Gunnells – 1 star
Transcendence by Edward Lee and John Pelan – 2 stars
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred – 4 stars
The Association by Richard Chizmar – 5 stars & my 2nd favorite
Heartless by Calvin Demmer – 4 stars
Frequencies by Candace Nola – 3 stars
Voices From The Abyss by Brian G. Berry – 5 stars
Bad Ink by Matthew V. Brockmeyer – 3 stars
So many of these stories made their way into my head! They are still fresh in my mind days after finishing the book and come into my thinking throughout the day. I definitely recommend ordering this collection.
A Perfect Match by Russell James – 5 stars
Eric’s Tune by Mark Towse – 5 stars
13 Hook Street by Tim Curran – 4 stars
Encounter by Daemon Manx – 4 stars
The Maiden of Underbank by Lex H. Jones – 5 stars
Excoriation by J.A. Sullivan – 5 stars
He by Konn Lavery – 4 stars
Glass Weavers by C.M. Forest – 5 stars & my favorite
All The Teeming Life with Wings by J.R. McConvey – 3 stars
From A Colder Place by Judith Sonnet – 4 stars
Flaming Eros by Mark Allan Gunnells – 1 star
Transcendence by Edward Lee and John Pelan – 2 stars
Shameless Sam Changes His Life by Steve Stred – 4 stars
The Association by Richard Chizmar – 5 stars & my 2nd favorite
Heartless by Calvin Demmer – 4 stars
Frequencies by Candace Nola – 3 stars
Voices From The Abyss by Brian G. Berry – 5 stars
Bad Ink by Matthew V. Brockmeyer – 3 stars
So many of these stories made their way into my head! They are still fresh in my mind days after finishing the book and come into my thinking throughout the day. I definitely recommend ordering this collection.
June 1, 2023
The Horror Collection never disappoints!
I think this is one of the best editions of The Horror Collection that I've read. I've read books and stories from some of these authors, but now all of them. I will be looking them up and checking them out. The Horror Collection never disappoints and I will continue to read them as they are released.
I enjoyed all the stories but I have a few favorites.
A Perfect Match by Russell James
Eric's Tune by Mark Towse
Encounter by Daemon Manx
Glass Weavers by C.M. Forest
Flaming Eros by Mark Allen Gunnells
Frequencies by Candace Nola
I highly recommend this book.
Veronica Smith - author of Chalk Outline and Salvation in the Wasteland
I think this is one of the best editions of The Horror Collection that I've read. I've read books and stories from some of these authors, but now all of them. I will be looking them up and checking them out. The Horror Collection never disappoints and I will continue to read them as they are released.
I enjoyed all the stories but I have a few favorites.
A Perfect Match by Russell James
Eric's Tune by Mark Towse
Encounter by Daemon Manx
Glass Weavers by C.M. Forest
Flaming Eros by Mark Allen Gunnells
Frequencies by Candace Nola
I highly recommend this book.
Veronica Smith - author of Chalk Outline and Salvation in the Wasteland
September 18, 2023
Too many bad endings
Some of the stories were good, but all had terrible endings and left the story feeling rushed and flat. I skipped at least three stories completely
Some of the stories were good, but all had terrible endings and left the story feeling rushed and flat. I skipped at least three stories completely
October 30, 2023
A couple of entertaining tales, but largely an unimpressive collection.
February 3, 2025
Decent short stories
Some are really good, some were ok. Decent read before bed. That's what I like about short stories, quick read for relaxation.
Some are really good, some were ok. Decent read before bed. That's what I like about short stories, quick read for relaxation.
December 23, 2025
Great set of dark short stories some edgier than others but great stories
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