What do you think?
Rate this book
There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth
‘I want to take readers on a ride, but, in the end, I want to throw them from the carriage.'
There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth' is a collection of my favourite horror journeys, the best of the best I've taken to date. Twenty terrifying tales with something to suit all horror fans, from straight-up dread to signature Towsey weird. You'll never be the same again, and that's a Towsey guarantee. Within these haunted pages, you'll also find my new novella, 'Mother Dearest.'
A word that should summon trust, loyalty, love, and protection. But what if something begins eating away at such security, slowly transforming said Mother into something else entirely?
There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth' is a collection of my favourite horror journeys, the best of the best I've taken to date. Twenty terrifying tales with something to suit all horror fans, from straight-up dread to signature Towsey weird. You'll never be the same again, and that's a Towsey guarantee. Within these haunted pages, you'll also find my new novella, 'Mother Dearest.'
A word that should summon trust, loyalty, love, and protection. But what if something begins eating away at such security, slowly transforming said Mother into something else entirely?
274 pages, Paperback
Published March 23, 2023
144 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Mark Towse
95 books482 followersMark Towse is an English horror writer living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Since then, he's been published in over two hundred journals and anthologies, had his work made into full theatrical productions for shows such as The No Sleep Podcast and Tales to Terrify, and has penned fourteen novellas, including Nana, Gone to the Dogs, 3:33, and Crows. He also has two very well-received story collections, 'There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth,' and 'You Only Live Once.' Chasing The Dragon is his debut novel.
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 22, 2023
Aunty Beth told me to give this five stars. And you don’t argue with Aunty Beth.
February 26, 2025
I had so much fun reading these stories!! A great collection and very original!
March 28, 2023
This is a collection of 20 stories of varying degrees and different genres of horror, there truly is something in this collection for everyone! Dread filled, chilling, haunting, dark, brilliantly written stories, full of twists and turns and with a bit of a misty crack running through them….(read them and you'll understand my air of mystery 😉)
All of these stories are creepy, frightening, edge of your seat, nail biting fiction! I enjoyed every single story, but my favourites were, The Fruits of Labour, An Old Romantic, Long Distance Call, Just a Fly, and my overall favourite was Mother Dearest!!
As always with collections and anthologies, I will write a few words for each story!
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AUNTY BETH (AN ODE TO NANA).... George is at his Aunty Beth's, she's become quite the character since the stroke. She also has a little gift for him, that she wants to give him in person…
Really creepy, with a tense atmosphere.
THE FRUITS OF LABOUR…. After his marriage ends, our MC, an author with writer's block, moves into a big old house all by himself. He wants to revive it to its former glory and the orchard and two trees in particular, become his inspiration. The words start to flow, but there's a very strange price to pay…
Eerie and haunting!
MY NAME IS MARK KELLIS…. Mark isn't the sporty type, more the nerdy type. Words and numbers are his thing and they happen to play a huge role in his life…and maybe his death…
Chillingly clever.
MAMA'S BOY…. Frank finds comfort in the voices in his head, at the beginning, but now he's on his way to the gallows for the sins they caused him to commit…
Dark and disturbing.
AN OLD ROMANTIC…. It's funny how quickly things can change, like the weather for instance. Jeremy is reminiscing on a lost love and at one with the ocean…
A beautifully dark and emotional love story.
MOTHER DEAREST…. Lance is haunted by what he sees in an old house, but not enough to stop him from moving in with his wife and daughter. Amy starts to suffer nightmares, real and imagined, after her mother's pregnancy changes her completely. When Amy meets a boy called Tom in the surrounding woods, he reveals some unnerving truths about the house and the family that once lived there….
Haunting, tense, gripping and horrifying. Will leave you breathless.
MUSIC MAN…. Tom's the new kid in town, which means relenting to peer pressure to fit in. Stealing one single coin from a blind mans busking wont hurt, right? I mean, he won't even see. But the consequences are dire….
Creepy.
BUCKET OF CHICKEN…. Tony has stopped his taxi for a bite to eat, he's off duty and just wants to chill, but he ends up with a passenger anyway, a passenger that has come to collect his dues….
Great chilling twist.
COSY STREET…. All is well at number 6 Cosy Street, at least it is in our MCs world…
Very creepy.
THE UNDERTONES…. John can hear unrelenting noises, and also feel their vibrations, but his wife doesn't seem to hear or feel anything. Is it just a case of tinnitus, something more sinister? Or is it something altogether more alien?
Great creepy twist.
A BAD HARVEST…. Jack and Liz thought it would be a great idea to buy a farmhouse to get them away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but Liz soon gets bored and Jack is left to pick up the pieces. Only, he can't even get that right, until eventually he seems to have some unexpected success with a new crop, but that ends up being a hideous reminder of his past mistakes….
Sinister and chilling.
LONG DISTANCE CALL…. Max is upset watching his Mum suffer, but he is suffering too, and having very vivid, very real nightmares…
Terrifying, heart wrenching and gave me goosebumps!
RETAIL THERAPY…. George and Maud are heading out of their comfort zone after becoming accustomed to online shopping and never having to leave the house during covid. They're a bit nervous but the world is pretty much back to normal now, right? And, they're wearing their masks so what could possibly go wrong….?
Fun, scary and sad.
TIME FOR A CHANGE…. Bec is confronting her abusive ex-boyfriend, the once love of her life. Where did it all go wrong and what is she prepared to do, what changes will she make to make sure it never happens again? A tale of solidarity and the ultimate karma!
Cathartic and satisfying.
MOUNT PLEASANT HOUSE…. A nursing home that isn't anywhere near as pleasant as its name suggests, the nurses are abusive and neglectful, pure evil. Alf is terrified of them, always tense, waiting to see what they might do next. But then he gets a visit from fellow "inmate" Edith, just when he needs her most. Are things about to change?
I love a good revenge story, this was one of them!
JUST A FLY…. Patrick is in love with Jade, smitten in fact, but it's not a normal attraction. He's away with his wife, hoping to rekindle their passion. Their relationship definitely transforms, takes on a true metamorphosis…
Horrifically beautiful 🖤
OLD TIMES…. Paul thinks his wife is cheating, but his friend Jed just wants to help him take his mind off things. By getting wasted, just like old times. And after a confession from Jed, things take a very nasty turn, and a dark twist!
TIME TO REFLECT…. A shortcut home is never the best option! For all his bravado and mickey taking, Will is a little unnerved when he sets off alone on the infamous trail, but he will soon get used to it…
A feeling of fear, dread and trepidation that is creepy and unsettling, join you on this journey.
THE BEDROOM WINDOW…. Eddie misses his brother Tommy. He wishes he could have done more. But Tommy still visits now and then, he just wants to play again, to have his brother back with him. A broken family and a creepy house make for a terrifying read.
MAKE ME SHINE…. James is a reporter, he's at a prison cemetery for his latest scoop. It seems that this is just the beginning for him. He has a unique way of telling others stories, but does he also have a ghostwriter?
Creepy and chilling.
THE CANDLE MAKER…. Seth and Jody are at a craft fair, looking for candles, something different from the usual type. And boy do they find it, these candles seem like they were made just for them, and with nothing but the love of the candlemaker…
A dark and disturbing love story.
All of these stories are creepy, frightening, edge of your seat, nail biting fiction! I enjoyed every single story, but my favourites were, The Fruits of Labour, An Old Romantic, Long Distance Call, Just a Fly, and my overall favourite was Mother Dearest!!
As always with collections and anthologies, I will write a few words for each story!
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AUNTY BETH (AN ODE TO NANA).... George is at his Aunty Beth's, she's become quite the character since the stroke. She also has a little gift for him, that she wants to give him in person…
Really creepy, with a tense atmosphere.
THE FRUITS OF LABOUR…. After his marriage ends, our MC, an author with writer's block, moves into a big old house all by himself. He wants to revive it to its former glory and the orchard and two trees in particular, become his inspiration. The words start to flow, but there's a very strange price to pay…
Eerie and haunting!
MY NAME IS MARK KELLIS…. Mark isn't the sporty type, more the nerdy type. Words and numbers are his thing and they happen to play a huge role in his life…and maybe his death…
Chillingly clever.
MAMA'S BOY…. Frank finds comfort in the voices in his head, at the beginning, but now he's on his way to the gallows for the sins they caused him to commit…
Dark and disturbing.
AN OLD ROMANTIC…. It's funny how quickly things can change, like the weather for instance. Jeremy is reminiscing on a lost love and at one with the ocean…
A beautifully dark and emotional love story.
MOTHER DEAREST…. Lance is haunted by what he sees in an old house, but not enough to stop him from moving in with his wife and daughter. Amy starts to suffer nightmares, real and imagined, after her mother's pregnancy changes her completely. When Amy meets a boy called Tom in the surrounding woods, he reveals some unnerving truths about the house and the family that once lived there….
Haunting, tense, gripping and horrifying. Will leave you breathless.
MUSIC MAN…. Tom's the new kid in town, which means relenting to peer pressure to fit in. Stealing one single coin from a blind mans busking wont hurt, right? I mean, he won't even see. But the consequences are dire….
Creepy.
BUCKET OF CHICKEN…. Tony has stopped his taxi for a bite to eat, he's off duty and just wants to chill, but he ends up with a passenger anyway, a passenger that has come to collect his dues….
Great chilling twist.
COSY STREET…. All is well at number 6 Cosy Street, at least it is in our MCs world…
Very creepy.
THE UNDERTONES…. John can hear unrelenting noises, and also feel their vibrations, but his wife doesn't seem to hear or feel anything. Is it just a case of tinnitus, something more sinister? Or is it something altogether more alien?
Great creepy twist.
A BAD HARVEST…. Jack and Liz thought it would be a great idea to buy a farmhouse to get them away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but Liz soon gets bored and Jack is left to pick up the pieces. Only, he can't even get that right, until eventually he seems to have some unexpected success with a new crop, but that ends up being a hideous reminder of his past mistakes….
Sinister and chilling.
LONG DISTANCE CALL…. Max is upset watching his Mum suffer, but he is suffering too, and having very vivid, very real nightmares…
Terrifying, heart wrenching and gave me goosebumps!
RETAIL THERAPY…. George and Maud are heading out of their comfort zone after becoming accustomed to online shopping and never having to leave the house during covid. They're a bit nervous but the world is pretty much back to normal now, right? And, they're wearing their masks so what could possibly go wrong….?
Fun, scary and sad.
TIME FOR A CHANGE…. Bec is confronting her abusive ex-boyfriend, the once love of her life. Where did it all go wrong and what is she prepared to do, what changes will she make to make sure it never happens again? A tale of solidarity and the ultimate karma!
Cathartic and satisfying.
MOUNT PLEASANT HOUSE…. A nursing home that isn't anywhere near as pleasant as its name suggests, the nurses are abusive and neglectful, pure evil. Alf is terrified of them, always tense, waiting to see what they might do next. But then he gets a visit from fellow "inmate" Edith, just when he needs her most. Are things about to change?
I love a good revenge story, this was one of them!
JUST A FLY…. Patrick is in love with Jade, smitten in fact, but it's not a normal attraction. He's away with his wife, hoping to rekindle their passion. Their relationship definitely transforms, takes on a true metamorphosis…
Horrifically beautiful 🖤
OLD TIMES…. Paul thinks his wife is cheating, but his friend Jed just wants to help him take his mind off things. By getting wasted, just like old times. And after a confession from Jed, things take a very nasty turn, and a dark twist!
TIME TO REFLECT…. A shortcut home is never the best option! For all his bravado and mickey taking, Will is a little unnerved when he sets off alone on the infamous trail, but he will soon get used to it…
A feeling of fear, dread and trepidation that is creepy and unsettling, join you on this journey.
THE BEDROOM WINDOW…. Eddie misses his brother Tommy. He wishes he could have done more. But Tommy still visits now and then, he just wants to play again, to have his brother back with him. A broken family and a creepy house make for a terrifying read.
MAKE ME SHINE…. James is a reporter, he's at a prison cemetery for his latest scoop. It seems that this is just the beginning for him. He has a unique way of telling others stories, but does he also have a ghostwriter?
Creepy and chilling.
THE CANDLE MAKER…. Seth and Jody are at a craft fair, looking for candles, something different from the usual type. And boy do they find it, these candles seem like they were made just for them, and with nothing but the love of the candlemaker…
A dark and disturbing love story.
April 8, 2023
There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth features a collection of 20 short stories and one novella. All of them are written in true Towse style. These short stories offer something for every horror lover. If you like gross, that’s in here. If you like creepy, that’s in here too. Laughing at inappropriate things? Check! A field of horrors, juicy baby fruit, some aggressive and germy retail therapy, fly lust, and best of all, you get to meet Aunty Beth! She’s such a delight!
Most short story collections usually have at least one dud, but that is not the case here. Towse has tossed in a great mix of stuff, and I enjoyed each one of them. My favorites being There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth, The Fruits of Labor, Mother Dearest, A Bad Harvest, and Just a Fly. You’re always in for a treat with Towse’s writing. Don’t keep Aunty Beth waiting! Get it while it’s warm!
"Yeah, you did! You wanted a big ole slice of Aunty Beth's cherry pie."
Most short story collections usually have at least one dud, but that is not the case here. Towse has tossed in a great mix of stuff, and I enjoyed each one of them. My favorites being There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth, The Fruits of Labor, Mother Dearest, A Bad Harvest, and Just a Fly. You’re always in for a treat with Towse’s writing. Don’t keep Aunty Beth waiting! Get it while it’s warm!
"Yeah, you did! You wanted a big ole slice of Aunty Beth's cherry pie."
March 20, 2023
A collection of 20 horror stories. One of them a novella called "Mother Dearest". Solid collection of horror and weird tales that will appeal to horror fans. I enjoyed all of the stories. My top 3 stories were There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth, A Bad Harvest, and An Old Romantic.
May 16, 2023
I'm here to tell you, there IS something WRONG with Aunty Beth, and with a whole lot of other people populating the stories in this collection. Well, they spring from the imagination of Mark Towse--why should I be surprised?
Daytime reading only: do not enjoy a meal, do not read while alone, do not leave doors unlocked nor windows open.
My favorite stories in this collection:
There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth [of course];
The Fruits of Labor [whoa whoa whoa];
My Name is Mark Kellis [again, whoa],
Music Man [speechless]
Bucket of Chicken [A whole lot of Sleepless Nights ahead]
The Undertones [I knew it all along!!]
Cosy Street is WAY TOO SCARY
and Long Distance Call is SAD.
A Bad Harvest. This may be my favorite in the entire collection. Why? It's way saddening, gory, reeks of despair, but man, Poetic Justice.
Retail Therapy: I'm with George. 100% Right On.
Time For A Change: Ah ha, definitely a special favorite among my favorites. Poetic Justice again, and Sisterhood.
Mount Pleasant Home: Painful story, but: Poetic Justice, and Schadenfreude.
Just A Fly: really unexpected, not for the faint of heart; but the protagonist's early views are precious (especially considering his object) and suffused with lyrical imagery.
Time To Reflect: Weeks if not months of sleepless nights will follow. It's all your fault, Mark Towse.
The Bedroom Window: and umpteen more months of sleepless nights!!
Make Me Shine: I begged and begged and begged the story NOT to turn out this way. Shouldn't have cold chills on a sunny
afternoon. No forgiveness, Mr. Towse.
The Candle Maker: YEARS of Sleepless Nights!!!
I'm noticing a couple patterns throughout these stories, and I wonder if these are continuing themes with Mr. Towse:
I
1. A character commits a certain act, out of peer pressure or rage or envy--for whatever reason--expecting a certain limited outcome. But it never works that way: like a stone causing ripp!es in a pond, the consequences are bound to be widespread and drastic.
2. Regret and remorse are useless. You can whine for forgiveness all you want, it's not coming; but retribution sure as Hades is.
3. The Crack in the Ceiling. Never just a crack, it's an always enlarging portal.
Daytime reading only: do not enjoy a meal, do not read while alone, do not leave doors unlocked nor windows open.
My favorite stories in this collection:
There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth [of course];
The Fruits of Labor [whoa whoa whoa];
My Name is Mark Kellis [again, whoa],
Music Man [speechless]
Bucket of Chicken [A whole lot of Sleepless Nights ahead]
The Undertones [I knew it all along!!]
Cosy Street is WAY TOO SCARY
and Long Distance Call is SAD.
A Bad Harvest. This may be my favorite in the entire collection. Why? It's way saddening, gory, reeks of despair, but man, Poetic Justice.
Retail Therapy: I'm with George. 100% Right On.
Time For A Change: Ah ha, definitely a special favorite among my favorites. Poetic Justice again, and Sisterhood.
Mount Pleasant Home: Painful story, but: Poetic Justice, and Schadenfreude.
Just A Fly: really unexpected, not for the faint of heart; but the protagonist's early views are precious (especially considering his object) and suffused with lyrical imagery.
Time To Reflect: Weeks if not months of sleepless nights will follow. It's all your fault, Mark Towse.
The Bedroom Window: and umpteen more months of sleepless nights!!
Make Me Shine: I begged and begged and begged the story NOT to turn out this way. Shouldn't have cold chills on a sunny
afternoon. No forgiveness, Mr. Towse.
The Candle Maker: YEARS of Sleepless Nights!!!
I'm noticing a couple patterns throughout these stories, and I wonder if these are continuing themes with Mr. Towse:
I
1. A character commits a certain act, out of peer pressure or rage or envy--for whatever reason--expecting a certain limited outcome. But it never works that way: like a stone causing ripp!es in a pond, the consequences are bound to be widespread and drastic.
2. Regret and remorse are useless. You can whine for forgiveness all you want, it's not coming; but retribution sure as Hades is.
3. The Crack in the Ceiling. Never just a crack, it's an always enlarging portal.
April 22, 2024
Mark brings together a varied and extensive collection of short stories and a novella. I really enjoyed the different tales, some ranging from creepy to absolutely grotesque (especially the titular “There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth”).
A few really stood out for me, including “The Undertones” which is about a group of people who can hear tones (like the World Hum) others cannot.
This is the perfect charcuterie board of stories for anyone who has enjoyed the author’s other works, or for any newbies who are dipping their toes into Towse’s writing.
Thank you to the author & BookSirens for a copy.
A few really stood out for me, including “The Undertones” which is about a group of people who can hear tones (like the World Hum) others cannot.
This is the perfect charcuterie board of stories for anyone who has enjoyed the author’s other works, or for any newbies who are dipping their toes into Towse’s writing.
Thank you to the author & BookSirens for a copy.
April 8, 2023
This was a fantastic collection of stories. Each one of them was chock-full of wonderful, creepy weirdness, and I loved how atmospheric they all were. My favourite of course was, 'There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth' which was a bit like a love letter to Mark Towse's other book, 'Nana' (another book I highly recommend checking out 😁).
April 21, 2023
An excellent collection
An eclectic and entertaining set of stories that range from the seriously creepy to the bittersweet and the downright bizarre.
Recommended.
An eclectic and entertaining set of stories that range from the seriously creepy to the bittersweet and the downright bizarre.
Recommended.
February 9, 2024
Excellent !
Unexpected story lines, fresh plots, being an avid reader my entire life has me feeling like I have read almost every story, with names changed and a circumstances switched around, but I usually know where a story is heading. Not with this book! ..I couldn't put it down until I finished entire book. Thank you!
Unexpected story lines, fresh plots, being an avid reader my entire life has me feeling like I have read almost every story, with names changed and a circumstances switched around, but I usually know where a story is heading. Not with this book! ..I couldn't put it down until I finished entire book. Thank you!
July 10, 2023
I could tell pretty quickly while reading this that it would become one of my favorite horror anthologies. Beautifully written, dark, unique, and wicked. I could not put this down and honestly can't think of a single downside to this book. Five star ratings are rare for me and are usually only reserved for my favorites. This was such an entertaining read and keep me engaged from the first page to the last.
September 6, 2024
I am so glad I read There’s Something Wrong With Aunty Beth. I was hesitant at first, but it turned out to be an amazing read! This book is a horrifying collection of twenty terrifying tales that offers something unique to satisfy any horror fan. To top it off there’s a brand new novella, Mother Dearest, that adds an extra layer of fear and suspense. If I had to pick a favorite story. It would have to be THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AUNTY BETH (AN ODE TO NANA). This story was my favorite as it was just the right crazy! It left me guessing and wanting more, I also thank God I don’t have an Aunty Beth cause woooow that lady is batshit crazy lol.
November 10, 2023
So, a bit of an omission: I bought this book, after the author reached out to me, mainly because of the title-My kids call their aunt Aunty Beth. But I have to say that I am so glad I did. This is a stellar collection of horror short stories that ranged from the unsettling to the downright squeamish. Mark does a great job hitting the sweet spot of engaging plot and hard-hitting fears. All the stories weaves a bit of supernatural into real life dread, causing the horror to intensify in the best way. Mark gives the reader no chance to recover before throwing us into the arms of another terror, leaving us giddy for the next tale of our worst nightmares. Mother Dearest was my favorite of the lot (it was a novella). The tension and disquiet simmered throughout the story and built to a slam-bang finish for our protagonist.
Not many horror novels can make me squirm like this one did. So many of the story hit just the right nerve to make me pull a face at what unfolded on the pages. I highly recommend this collection for any horror aficionado-it will not disappoint.
Not many horror novels can make me squirm like this one did. So many of the story hit just the right nerve to make me pull a face at what unfolded on the pages. I highly recommend this collection for any horror aficionado-it will not disappoint.
May 22, 2023
This book is amazing and I absolutely love Mark Towse’s writing style. Each story is intriguing and have varying levels of disturbing plots. If you are a lover of the Horror genre, then you will enjoy this book very much and not disappointed in the least!!
July 14, 2023
Incredibly creepy but oh so fun!
While this was my first experience with horror short stories, I was absolutely transfixed with the rollercoaster ride that Mark Towse took me on with each one of these ghastly tales. While a few were just mildly creepy, I’ll be honest that a couple will definitely be sticking with me as they got under my skin and may have me leaving a light on in the near future. I do NOT want to see Aunty Beth in my dreams but I’m afraid I’m going to!
While this was my first experience with horror short stories, I was absolutely transfixed with the rollercoaster ride that Mark Towse took me on with each one of these ghastly tales. While a few were just mildly creepy, I’ll be honest that a couple will definitely be sticking with me as they got under my skin and may have me leaving a light on in the near future. I do NOT want to see Aunty Beth in my dreams but I’m afraid I’m going to!
April 6, 2023
Great collection of shorts, horror, bizarre, weird and wonderful bite size stories!
August 8, 2024
This was absolutely amazing!!!!
August 28, 2023
Mark Towse's short story collection consists of 20 horror tales filled with creepy atmosphere, fantastic prose, and chilling imagery. The writing is really really good, the settings extremely variable, the situations described, though neither transgressive nor grotesque, always convey strong emotion, loss, joy, and beauty. Apparently, Towse's aim in telling each story is usually satisfied when the fictional reality itself collapses: the story gets more and more emotional, the sense of disorientation stronger and stronger, until something is bound to give, and that's almost always the central character's sanity. (Lots of times this is portrayed as a growing crack in the ceiling; this pattern's something familiar, from movies to other cases of literature, but I won't go into it!)
What I found most enticing is how Towse balances the evolving anguish and the psychological turmoil of his characters with a very tight narration: told mostly from a first person point of view, each story always threatening to disintegrate into mere words, it manages, however, to keep its integrity just before the end; sometimes this works wonders (see the brilliant opening story of geriatric horror, "There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth," or "Make Me Shine," about an article writer channelling serial killers), sometimes not ("Long Distance Call" rather overstays its welcome). Some stories stand out for their original ideas: falling in love with a fly, in "Just a Fly," or people hunting you during COVID in the aisles of a supermarket, in "Retail Therapy"; others for their deft deployment of old tropes ("An Old Romantic," a nice take on stalking, or the novella "Mother Dearest," with some amazing scenes of family horror in a haunted house); while others go straight for the chill ("Music Man," about a young guy stealing from the blind on the street, and getting what he deserves (does he though?), or "Bucket of Chicken," about a taxi driver who finally gets home; this one does get precisely what he deserves).
Along with some I've mentioned above ("There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth," "Make Me Shine," "Just a Fly," and "Retail Therapy"), I should also point out the satisfyingly haunting and disturbing story of "Cosy Street" (the kind of love that'd better stay in that closet!) and the story "The Undertones," about the sinister meaning of an apparent case of tinnitus. None of these stories disappoint!
Overall, this is a collection well worth reading. With Towse's second collection coming very soon, this is the perfect occasion to enjoy good writing by a genuinely talented author, who has a keen eye for the horrific!
What I found most enticing is how Towse balances the evolving anguish and the psychological turmoil of his characters with a very tight narration: told mostly from a first person point of view, each story always threatening to disintegrate into mere words, it manages, however, to keep its integrity just before the end; sometimes this works wonders (see the brilliant opening story of geriatric horror, "There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth," or "Make Me Shine," about an article writer channelling serial killers), sometimes not ("Long Distance Call" rather overstays its welcome). Some stories stand out for their original ideas: falling in love with a fly, in "Just a Fly," or people hunting you during COVID in the aisles of a supermarket, in "Retail Therapy"; others for their deft deployment of old tropes ("An Old Romantic," a nice take on stalking, or the novella "Mother Dearest," with some amazing scenes of family horror in a haunted house); while others go straight for the chill ("Music Man," about a young guy stealing from the blind on the street, and getting what he deserves (does he though?), or "Bucket of Chicken," about a taxi driver who finally gets home; this one does get precisely what he deserves).
Along with some I've mentioned above ("There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth," "Make Me Shine," "Just a Fly," and "Retail Therapy"), I should also point out the satisfyingly haunting and disturbing story of "Cosy Street" (the kind of love that'd better stay in that closet!) and the story "The Undertones," about the sinister meaning of an apparent case of tinnitus. None of these stories disappoint!
Overall, this is a collection well worth reading. With Towse's second collection coming very soon, this is the perfect occasion to enjoy good writing by a genuinely talented author, who has a keen eye for the horrific!
July 9, 2024
Full review on Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2023/05/0...
Yet another excellent book from Mark Towse. The title story is delightful (in a truly horrific and disgusting way) if you're a fan of Nana (by the way, if you haven't yet read Nana, you really should). A great eclectic mix of stories, all excellently written. It ranks very highly amongst my other short story collections.
https://happygoathorror.com/2023/05/0...
Yet another excellent book from Mark Towse. The title story is delightful (in a truly horrific and disgusting way) if you're a fan of Nana (by the way, if you haven't yet read Nana, you really should). A great eclectic mix of stories, all excellently written. It ranks very highly amongst my other short story collections.
August 21, 2023
This wasn't a bad short story collection, but it wasn't for me. There were many, many stories in this, but maybe only one I kind of enjoyed. Wasn't for me at all, and I'm a little bummed I spent the money on it. Won't be revisiting it.
June 15, 2024
Great Variety
There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth: A story that makes you feel a little unwell as you read it, the title tale draws together the discomfort of realistic human decay that we can all look forward to one day, as well as the psychological/supernatural collapse of self-control. Short and to the unnerving point.
The Fruits of Labour: I certainly didn’t see the twisted direction in which this story was going. Weird, perverse, yet hauntingly…casual? A good unsettling tale with a calm and easy voice.
My Name Is Mark Kellis: A short and low-impact story, but obviously one that took a lot of thought and planning. More of an entertaining little wordplay tale. Appropriately short for a little mild fun.
Mama’s Boy: A weird story that makes you think a little. Psychological, unusual, unanswering and unanswerable. A story of character and of darkness that lives on mystery and the haunting oddity of its conclusion.
An Old Romantic: A story that shows the variety in the author’s writing capabilities and talents, An Old Romantic is a gentle sigh in the midst of hard-hitting disturbing shock. A tale as sad and forlorn as it is awful, it feels more like the emotional telling of a haunting legend than a simple horror story.
Mother Dearest: A cinematic story with some gruesome imagery and an intense climax. Combining isolation, familial trauma, and something of a coming-of-age tale, the story seamlessly works toward its dark and exhilarating conclusion in a slow, growing burn.
Music Man: A psychological horror that becomes a supernatural one, Music Man is a story of desperation commingled with the terror of one’s anxieties becoming something real, and even worse than imagined.
Bucket of Chicken: Dark and seedy, hitting you with an unnerving sensation throughout and a perverse conclusion. While not the most original story in the collection, it’s the storytelling, detail, and characterization that sell this one to the reader.
Cosy Street: A story of psychological depth. A character study of a perverse nature, but without any real darkness of tone. A reminder that the scariest things in life don’t always wait until night to come out.
The Undertones: A story that feels like the prologue (or revelation) of a novel. It combines psychology in its exploration of paranoia with the supernatural. A story with a message, it feels like it needs to be expanded into something longer.
A Bad Harvest: What seems to start as a tale of ennui and disappointment quickly morphs into a gruesome scene with some awful imagery. Another tale of hidden truths, like Bucket of Chicken. Another shift from the mundane to the awful.
Long Distance Call: The title and first few paragraphs make you think you know what’s going to happen. Instead, the story plunges into a twisted, dreamlike state that is unnerving and makes you feel trapped with no clear way out.
Retail Therapy: One of the more action-based stories, this one highlights both the fear of the unknown and the combination of human selfishness with the inability to mind one’s own business. There are several different ways to read this story. I choose to read it in the most negative light about humanity as a whole.
Time for a Change: A story about waiting for the payoff with a reminder that bad people often can’t change. The end isn’t unexpected, it’s the means of getting there that makes this story strange and unpredictable.
Mount Pleasant House: Evil people and the concept of karma. This one is a reminder that the things you do have consequences and that good can live on. Alongside some necessary elements of horror.
Just a Fly: What begins as psychologically perverse soon turns into monstrous and disgusting. A good twist, not too long, and horrific in nature.
Old Times: Another psychologically-driven story, this one less a tale of terror than one of sickness, paranoia, and doubt. A character study and an exploration of the mind.
Time to Reflect: A lot of haunting imagery in this one, giving off the vibe of the type of creepy story that keeps children up at night. Dark and unrelenting, it has fewer layers than the other stories but is much more direct in its attack on the reader’s senses.
The Bedroom Window: A story of a haunting, both in memory and actuality. The emotions of a child, uncontrolled and unable to be erased. The end is dark. The rest bridges its terrors with unbridled sadness.
Make Me Shine: A reminder to focus on the important things while simultaneously warning of the dangers of engaging with things better left dead. A criticism of the glorification of bad people; a tale of karma. It starts and ends darkly. In the middle, it makes you sigh and shake your head.
The Candle Maker: A story that begins with an ominous promise pays off quickly with gruesome imagery and an intense, action-like pace. Dark and light mixed into one, not pure horror, but an explorations of human desire and obsession.
There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth: A story that makes you feel a little unwell as you read it, the title tale draws together the discomfort of realistic human decay that we can all look forward to one day, as well as the psychological/supernatural collapse of self-control. Short and to the unnerving point.
The Fruits of Labour: I certainly didn’t see the twisted direction in which this story was going. Weird, perverse, yet hauntingly…casual? A good unsettling tale with a calm and easy voice.
My Name Is Mark Kellis: A short and low-impact story, but obviously one that took a lot of thought and planning. More of an entertaining little wordplay tale. Appropriately short for a little mild fun.
Mama’s Boy: A weird story that makes you think a little. Psychological, unusual, unanswering and unanswerable. A story of character and of darkness that lives on mystery and the haunting oddity of its conclusion.
An Old Romantic: A story that shows the variety in the author’s writing capabilities and talents, An Old Romantic is a gentle sigh in the midst of hard-hitting disturbing shock. A tale as sad and forlorn as it is awful, it feels more like the emotional telling of a haunting legend than a simple horror story.
Mother Dearest: A cinematic story with some gruesome imagery and an intense climax. Combining isolation, familial trauma, and something of a coming-of-age tale, the story seamlessly works toward its dark and exhilarating conclusion in a slow, growing burn.
Music Man: A psychological horror that becomes a supernatural one, Music Man is a story of desperation commingled with the terror of one’s anxieties becoming something real, and even worse than imagined.
Bucket of Chicken: Dark and seedy, hitting you with an unnerving sensation throughout and a perverse conclusion. While not the most original story in the collection, it’s the storytelling, detail, and characterization that sell this one to the reader.
Cosy Street: A story of psychological depth. A character study of a perverse nature, but without any real darkness of tone. A reminder that the scariest things in life don’t always wait until night to come out.
The Undertones: A story that feels like the prologue (or revelation) of a novel. It combines psychology in its exploration of paranoia with the supernatural. A story with a message, it feels like it needs to be expanded into something longer.
A Bad Harvest: What seems to start as a tale of ennui and disappointment quickly morphs into a gruesome scene with some awful imagery. Another tale of hidden truths, like Bucket of Chicken. Another shift from the mundane to the awful.
Long Distance Call: The title and first few paragraphs make you think you know what’s going to happen. Instead, the story plunges into a twisted, dreamlike state that is unnerving and makes you feel trapped with no clear way out.
Retail Therapy: One of the more action-based stories, this one highlights both the fear of the unknown and the combination of human selfishness with the inability to mind one’s own business. There are several different ways to read this story. I choose to read it in the most negative light about humanity as a whole.
Time for a Change: A story about waiting for the payoff with a reminder that bad people often can’t change. The end isn’t unexpected, it’s the means of getting there that makes this story strange and unpredictable.
Mount Pleasant House: Evil people and the concept of karma. This one is a reminder that the things you do have consequences and that good can live on. Alongside some necessary elements of horror.
Just a Fly: What begins as psychologically perverse soon turns into monstrous and disgusting. A good twist, not too long, and horrific in nature.
Old Times: Another psychologically-driven story, this one less a tale of terror than one of sickness, paranoia, and doubt. A character study and an exploration of the mind.
Time to Reflect: A lot of haunting imagery in this one, giving off the vibe of the type of creepy story that keeps children up at night. Dark and unrelenting, it has fewer layers than the other stories but is much more direct in its attack on the reader’s senses.
The Bedroom Window: A story of a haunting, both in memory and actuality. The emotions of a child, uncontrolled and unable to be erased. The end is dark. The rest bridges its terrors with unbridled sadness.
Make Me Shine: A reminder to focus on the important things while simultaneously warning of the dangers of engaging with things better left dead. A criticism of the glorification of bad people; a tale of karma. It starts and ends darkly. In the middle, it makes you sigh and shake your head.
The Candle Maker: A story that begins with an ominous promise pays off quickly with gruesome imagery and an intense, action-like pace. Dark and light mixed into one, not pure horror, but an explorations of human desire and obsession.
May 19, 2023
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and scream at the same time, look no further. This book is a collection of 20 short stories and a novella that showcase Towse’s twisted imagination and wicked sense of humor.
You’ll meet Aunty Beth, who used to be a normal and loving aunt until something went horribly wrong with her. You’ll discover the secret behind the delicious and addictive fruits that grow on a remote country house estate. You’ll witness the horrifying consequences of a writer’s obsession with his muse. You’ll encounter a variety of monsters, ghosts, demons, and psychopaths that will haunt your nightmares.
But you’ll also laugh out loud at the absurd situations, witty dialogue, and dark comedy that Towse injects into his stories. You’ll enjoy his clever twists, his unexpected endings, and his signature Towsey weirdness. You’ll appreciate his references to other horror works, such as Nana, Sinister, The Amityville Horror, and more.
There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth is a book that will entertain you, scare you, and make you think. It’s a book that will leave you wanting more from this talented and original author. It’s a book that deserves five stars and a place on your shelf.
But don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself and see if you agree with me. And don’t forget to check out Towse’s other books, such as Nana, Crows, The Bucket List... You won’t regret it.
Just don’t read it at night. Or alone. Or near Aunty Beth.
Absolutely highly recommended. 5⭐️
You’ll meet Aunty Beth, who used to be a normal and loving aunt until something went horribly wrong with her. You’ll discover the secret behind the delicious and addictive fruits that grow on a remote country house estate. You’ll witness the horrifying consequences of a writer’s obsession with his muse. You’ll encounter a variety of monsters, ghosts, demons, and psychopaths that will haunt your nightmares.
But you’ll also laugh out loud at the absurd situations, witty dialogue, and dark comedy that Towse injects into his stories. You’ll enjoy his clever twists, his unexpected endings, and his signature Towsey weirdness. You’ll appreciate his references to other horror works, such as Nana, Sinister, The Amityville Horror, and more.
There’s Something Wrong with Aunty Beth is a book that will entertain you, scare you, and make you think. It’s a book that will leave you wanting more from this talented and original author. It’s a book that deserves five stars and a place on your shelf.
But don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself and see if you agree with me. And don’t forget to check out Towse’s other books, such as Nana, Crows, The Bucket List... You won’t regret it.
Just don’t read it at night. Or alone. Or near Aunty Beth.
Absolutely highly recommended. 5⭐️
January 16, 2025
An odd and entertaining collection of short stories with twists not expected and endings that leave you thinking, What in the heck did I just read? The author has a clever manner of crafting together his stories and enticing readers with his wordplay. I thoroughly enjoyed each story and the writing style, which I find similar to Stephen King.
I have to wonder what the inspiration is behind some of these stories. What was going through the author’s mind? Because I am not going to lie, Retail Therapy and Just A Fly were flat-out hilarious, disturbing in every way but also comedic. I no longer view flies the same way anymore, so thank you.
Either way, each was good in its own way, but my favorites have to be Mother Dearest, Long Distance Call, Retail Therapy, Mount Pleasant House, and The Bedroom Window.
They were so good it would be cool to see them re-created on camera, like those short horror documentaries you see on YouTube.
There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth is perfect for those who like or just want a quick, cozy read...
I have to wonder what the inspiration is behind some of these stories. What was going through the author’s mind? Because I am not going to lie, Retail Therapy and Just A Fly were flat-out hilarious, disturbing in every way but also comedic. I no longer view flies the same way anymore, so thank you.
Either way, each was good in its own way, but my favorites have to be Mother Dearest, Long Distance Call, Retail Therapy, Mount Pleasant House, and The Bedroom Window.
They were so good it would be cool to see them re-created on camera, like those short horror documentaries you see on YouTube.
There's Something Wrong With Aunty Beth is perfect for those who like or just want a quick, cozy read...
May 20, 2023
Mark Towse ows me a new pair of pants and new jaw. ' There is something wrong with Aunty Beth' is one fine collection of jaw dropping and terrifying enough tales to soil your pants.
From evil black fungal growth to gematrian murders and from the strangest fruit to weird motherly love, this collection of horror stories packs superbly written unique gems.
The author has managed once again to craft another sublime bouquet of horrors infused with his unique brand of horror and humor, one I cannot get enough of, even though he's been super busy releasing one great read after the other.
If you've never read one of his works, then this is a prime example to start with and then dive straight into his full catalogue and consider yourself blessed you've just met him.
Simply superb stuff from one of the most promising authors in the horror genre.
From evil black fungal growth to gematrian murders and from the strangest fruit to weird motherly love, this collection of horror stories packs superbly written unique gems.
The author has managed once again to craft another sublime bouquet of horrors infused with his unique brand of horror and humor, one I cannot get enough of, even though he's been super busy releasing one great read after the other.
If you've never read one of his works, then this is a prime example to start with and then dive straight into his full catalogue and consider yourself blessed you've just met him.
Simply superb stuff from one of the most promising authors in the horror genre.
July 22, 2024
Review for Mommy Dearest:
I'll admit, this novella kept me awake at night! It's a quick read, but a very intense one. Creepy, scary, very atmospheric, with a scenario that kept me wondering about what was actually going on, what was real, and wasn't. The author knows the codes, and he used them perfectly. Great reading experience.
The other novellas were sometimes intriguing, sometimes fun, sometimes creepy. Some of them left me longing for more, felt like short prequels, whereas some of them felt like poems. It's a fireworks of short stories that you can enjoy in between books or when you only have 10 minutes of free time, but still need a little electroshock!
I'll admit, this novella kept me awake at night! It's a quick read, but a very intense one. Creepy, scary, very atmospheric, with a scenario that kept me wondering about what was actually going on, what was real, and wasn't. The author knows the codes, and he used them perfectly. Great reading experience.
The other novellas were sometimes intriguing, sometimes fun, sometimes creepy. Some of them left me longing for more, felt like short prequels, whereas some of them felt like poems. It's a fireworks of short stories that you can enjoy in between books or when you only have 10 minutes of free time, but still need a little electroshock!
October 27, 2024
Twenty short stories and one novella; each story was very unique; a lot of variety; I really liked the ones with a psychological aspect; love how he took real life things and twisted them; was uncomfortable a lot (in a good way); a fun read with great writing; favs= My Name is Mark Kellis, Cosy Street, Old Times, and The Bedroom Window.
October 18, 2024
So many great stories in this collection! This is my first read by Mark Towse (it definitely won’t be the last!) and this was my first short story (and a novella) collection. I didn’t think I was much of a short story reader, but that has changed.
This collection offers something for everyone. I love the type of horror writing that makes you think, and so many in this collection are cleverly written.
This collection offers something for everyone. I love the type of horror writing that makes you think, and so many in this collection are cleverly written.
April 18, 2023
Review to come
April 30, 2023
What a fantastic collection of stories! No two were alike, yet they all had a sense of horror and dread. Enjoyed this a lot.
December 22, 2024
Short stories
I enjoyed this book. It was a bunch of different short stories, each one taking you someplace different. This is a mix of thriller, paranormal. There is only one story that left me wanting to know more of what happened.
I enjoyed this book. It was a bunch of different short stories, each one taking you someplace different. This is a mix of thriller, paranormal. There is only one story that left me wanting to know more of what happened.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews