Underneath: Short Tales of Horror and the Supernatural

by Dan DeWitt

Vengeance...desperation...murder-for-hire...horror in real-time...a healthy dose of zombies...spectrophobia...even a little bit of hope. They all come together in a place underneath the one we know. Ten tales of horror and the supernatural, plus a 17,000 word preview of the upcoming zombie thriller "Orpheus."

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Zombies, Fiction, Anthologies, Ebooks, Paranormal

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2011

Reviews

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid short story collection. Indeed, some of them are very short, which is nice.

I liked a good deal of these shorts with my favorite being "Terror by Text" which was quite original and excellent! That particular story rates 5 stars from me, with the rest coming in at 3-4 stars.
Overall, a pretty good collection! Thanks, Mr. DeWitt!

[Antonio Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved tales from the crypt and this book very much had me hearing the crypt keeper chuckling away between stories. Great emotion swirled in with dark circumstance left me with a big shivering smile.

[Trek Lunden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories seemed to get better the further into the book I read and ended on an extremely high note leaving me craving for more about Orpheus and the island. The zombie apocalypses were excellent and I loved the point of views coming from different characters, providing a deeper look into the chaos unfolding and scenes taking place across multiple short stories.

While light on the horror department, I was entertained.

[Alan Rice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can safely say that it's worth precisely what I paid for it! And I can say with certainty that it wasn't done by AI. But it does raise interesting possibilities. Suppose, for instance, that it was composed by a computer. Would the quality of the work discourage people from using artificial intelligence in place of their own? As a teacher, that would be a real boon. Imagine saying to a student, Well, you're still learning your craft. But at least it's better than Chat-GPT!

[Lizbeth Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories in the book progressively get better as the writer also gets better at his craft. Enjoyable. :)

[Paul Fessak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent collection, if you like zombies

This is a decent collection of horror, alot were zombie-based, some better than others. A good way to pass an afternoon.

[Adrienne Yee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked these short stories

I enjoyed this collection of tales and would read more from this author. The action scenes read like movie scenes which kept me turning the pages.

[Book Lovers Never Go to Bed Alone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like anthologies, short story collections are a strange animal. Unlike novels, the reader only gets a slice of a story before moving on. Short stories are fragmentary, fleeting. But they can be a juicy little ride as well. If a novel doesn’t grab you, you’ve got a long way to go! Dan DeWitt’s collection underneath: Short Tales of Horror and the Supernatural is an eclectic and interesting lot.

There are the traditional zombies and killers in here, but DeWitt also plumbs the depths of psychological horror as well. Strange tales of dogs (who may or may not exist), dark shadows of the mind, and sinister beings lurking in the dark haunt the pages here. DeWitt moves beyond the cliché horror of blood, violence, guts, and gore. Does it always work? No, but the goal is in the attempt because he succeeds far more often. The stories are well-paced and there’s a nice balance between action and suspense. Even the zombie stories feel fresh and that’s tough to do these days with the walking dead! A few standouts include “Cupcakes,” Marriage Counseling,” and “Sick Day.” DeWitt’s strength lies in his ability to take the normal, mundane moments in life and give each a dark and sickly twist. Normal becomes abnormal and slightly sinister. His stories aren’t written to sicken, but to make you look twice before going down those dark cellar steps!

This collection is short. It’s designed a free introduction to DeWitt’s work. I thoroughly enjoyed his style, characters, and dark spin on what is not all that normal. Give it a read and keep delving deeper here. “Orpheus” is a preview of his novel I believe and I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing collection of short horror stories! I didn't want any of them to end! I was like NOOO don't be over! YAAY another one! lol. I didn't finish all of the last story when I realized it was a preview for his novel. I will save that and read the whole novel soon, but I'm not as into zombie stories so I'm putting that one on hold. The rest of the stories were incredible (even the couple of other zombie stories that were mixed in) and it's the first time in a long time a book has actually creeped me out and given me that "oh no, something's behind me" feeling. I can't wait to read more Dan DeWitt stories!!!

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually I find it hard to rate a short story collection because the quality of the stories varies so much. This was an easy, solid 4 star. There are couple I'd rate a 3, a few I'd rate a 5, and the rest are 4 star. These are also "real" short stories at lengths of 1,500 to 4,000 words. I've been running into a lot of "short stories" lately that turned out to be novella length so this collection was very refreshing.

I'm a big monster fan so zombies are right up my alley. If you're not a zombie fan, this book is not for you. If you are a fan, this collection is definitely worth the read.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really into short stories lately and always enjoy good horror, short or otherwise. And this collection is really good. Pretty well written and interesting stories. There is quite a long sneak peek into DeWitt's novel, 'Orpheus', a zombie book that caught my interest. Might have to get that loaded up on the Kindle. Anyway, the rest of the book is a good selection of horror. I liked it. Good Read!

[Simon Jenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently writing a book of short stories in a similar vein to this and so thought it might get the creative juices flowing. I'm a big fan of zombie films but not of zombie stories so those weren't really my cup of tea. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed most of the stories and found them to be well imagined and nicely told. My favourite stories were 'Marriage Counselling' and 'Cupcakes'. I would certainly recommend this to others.

[Crystal Rafuse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, the idea that each of these short stories can be read over the course of a 15 minute breat at work is wonderful. Granted, I am a SAHM now, but the same theory still applies! And I loved each of these stories, as well as the author's introductions of them. It's so nice to have a little insight about a story going in. Also, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of Orpheus now, having read the short piece at the end of this book!

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really stood out, others I've kind of forgotten about. Not really a surprise seeing as most short stories collections are like that for me, so I can't knock it too much. Overall it was a good read. Its actually the first book I've read on my Kindle. *I still love proper books because I'm a traditionalist and whatnot, but the Kindle is very likeable!!*

One piece of advice I've gotten from these stories, well, one in particular - if a neighbour offers you cupcakes, be wary.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

If DeWitt isn't a student at the School of King I'll eat my hat. Nothing bad but nothing remarkable here either. I've already forgotten what the first few stories even were.

It's not my intention to be mean or anything, it's just ... yeah. Nothing really shone.

This collection is available for free on Kindle so you don't have to take my word for it.

[Angie Lisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I snagged this as a freebie on Amazon and found a well-written/edited collection featuring several zombie-stories for fans of the genre. A couple of the stories failed to hook me because the plots/characters felt too familiar but one, Marriage Counseling, was a jolly good read (5-stars, on its own) with an interesting twist at the end (it did not involve zombies).

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan DeWitt has a way with creepiness. I read this weeks ago and I am still haunted by some of the stories-especially the one with the cupcakes. Also Marriage Counselling. The twitter-based one still unnerves me since I'm one of his followers. Read this collection! You won't be disappointed!

[Dessa Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutly yummy! I had a great time reading this and really wanted more, so I read Orpheus, whis I ALSO reccommend. His writting is free and easy. Its refreshing and feels "real". I can totally get into the characters. Just a stalker fan and a "Dewittness"

[Brian Bigelow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the tales are very good, a few aren't as good. Really didn't care much for the story by text message would be the biggest negative in the book. Most of the rest has a touch of brilliance here and there.

[विकास 'अंजान' · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice collection of stories. I liked most of the stories in the collection
Hope 4/5
Dead after dying 2.5/5
Marriage Counselling 3/5
One simple wish 4/5
Father Daughter Dance 4/5
Sick Day 3/5
Tigers 3/5
Cupcakes 3/5
Terror by Text 2.5/5
How many days of Bad luck am i up to, anyway? 4/5

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda Juvenile A rather middle-of-the-road collection with nothing in particular standing out.  Short on brilliance, and not very exciting, these felt (aside from the profanity) almost like stories more suited to kids at a slumber party than anything else.

[Kimberly Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of short stories. There were a few zombie stories in there and they were awesome. All the zombie stories entwinded together. You have to go to amzon and check this book out.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good tales and a few bad ones.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only problem with short stories is as soon as you get into them they are done. I enjoyed this collection.

[J.M. Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing strengthened as the collection grew. The shining moment of the book come with the preview of chapters from Orpheus.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Edmund de Wight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad shorts. A good series of tales to read when you have little time. The included promo for his upcoming tale Orpheus is a rather interesting take on the zombie apocalypse. Worth a read.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 Stars. I wouldn't call these stories "Tales of Horror", but all in all I enjoyed them.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book of short stories by a writer who I think shows real talent. My favourite was "Terror by Text", a genuinely scary story told in the form of Tweets!

[Mikayla]

Loved it..

for short stories and being free, this is not bad I am a fan now! can't wait to download Orpheus.