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In The Dark Here
One man sits at home. Another decides to travel.
One soldier plays Bach. Another explains survival.
Two men lived through genocides. Two more try to run.
One fellow delivers hate. Another holds a gun.
A committee struggles, annoying a writer.
And in a warehouse, the new guy flicks a lighter.
In the Dark Here is a collection of dark fiction short stories by the author of Interdiction, To Kill a Nightingale, and Good Ship Gould.
One soldier plays Bach. Another explains survival.
Two men lived through genocides. Two more try to run.
One fellow delivers hate. Another holds a gun.
A committee struggles, annoying a writer.
And in a warehouse, the new guy flicks a lighter.
In the Dark Here is a collection of dark fiction short stories by the author of Interdiction, To Kill a Nightingale, and Good Ship Gould.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
4 people want to read
About the author
Matt Hardman
8 books9 followersMatt Hardman is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who currently works as a marine engineering consultant to the Navy’s DDG 51 Shipbuilding Program Office. While on active duty, he served onboard a submarine, two aircraft carriers, two amphibious transports, one submarine tender, and one destroyer. During his final tour of duty, he served as the Engineering Department Chief, or “Top Snipe,” for the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). He holds a bachelor’s in Intelligence Studies and Counterintelligence from American Military University and a Master’s in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Matt Hardman is also a husband and father of six children and currently resides in Calvert County, Maryland.
Matt Hardman is also a husband and father of six children and currently resides in Calvert County, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 9, 2023
In the Dark Here is an anthology of dark stories as well as some true Stephen King like horror vibe stories. Each story very different and each one just as exhilarating as the last. Several of the stories had me on the edge of my seat.
What a true divergence for Hardman as he is known for his military thrillers and his naval parody. This book is a true classic of dark stories and horror.
This was a fast and easy read, but it will have you asking yourself from time to time “what the h*ll?” I suggest you don’t read at night before you go to bed…these stories stick with you long after you’ve gone on to the next!
What a true divergence for Hardman as he is known for his military thrillers and his naval parody. This book is a true classic of dark stories and horror.
This was a fast and easy read, but it will have you asking yourself from time to time “what the h*ll?” I suggest you don’t read at night before you go to bed…these stories stick with you long after you’ve gone on to the next!
August 25, 2023
First things first, I found this short story collection to be phenomenal.
I usually don’t read shorts and I’m generally not interested in the genre/topical nature of the pieces found in this collection. I’ve been convinced to reevaluate my choices going forward.
Mr. Hardman is a high caliber author.
The collection spans the realms of fascinating, macabre, thought provoking, humorous and heart wrenching. This read was more than mere entertainment, it was an experience.
With each story I found my self immersed in the tale. I was part of a one sided conversation with a WWII vet, visited the inner thoughts & workings of a writer and his struggles, a spy on the run, a man inexplicably held captive, a man waiting for the other shoe to drop, a man deciding on how he is going to meet death and more.
Matt’s introduction in the opening pages sets up the collection’s commonalities for the reader: “Stress and trauma change the person, any person in any walk of life.”
Each of the stories delve into this and I found levels of introspection I might have missed without the introduction.
Matt continues with a heartfelt message regarding the seriousness and reality of those battling through their changes and the all too frequent final choice of suicide.
In Matt’s words:
“So, check on your buddies. Check on your family and friends and loved ones.
Have their six.
Call or text 988 if you need an assist, for yourself or someone else.”
BSFReads
I usually don’t read shorts and I’m generally not interested in the genre/topical nature of the pieces found in this collection. I’ve been convinced to reevaluate my choices going forward.
Mr. Hardman is a high caliber author.
The collection spans the realms of fascinating, macabre, thought provoking, humorous and heart wrenching. This read was more than mere entertainment, it was an experience.
With each story I found my self immersed in the tale. I was part of a one sided conversation with a WWII vet, visited the inner thoughts & workings of a writer and his struggles, a spy on the run, a man inexplicably held captive, a man waiting for the other shoe to drop, a man deciding on how he is going to meet death and more.
Matt’s introduction in the opening pages sets up the collection’s commonalities for the reader: “Stress and trauma change the person, any person in any walk of life.”
Each of the stories delve into this and I found levels of introspection I might have missed without the introduction.
Matt continues with a heartfelt message regarding the seriousness and reality of those battling through their changes and the all too frequent final choice of suicide.
In Matt’s words:
“So, check on your buddies. Check on your family and friends and loved ones.
Have their six.
Call or text 988 if you need an assist, for yourself or someone else.”
BSFReads
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews