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Dead Reflections
One novel, five short stories, two poems, this collection holds a looking glass that unhinges reality in the wee hours; roads that hold with needful, unloving arms; the miasma of damp, autumnal leaves that cling to your heels and follow you home, promising the whisper of darker things still yet to come as your eyes begin to close.
Yes, this is horror, the creeping kind, the kind that lingers and sticks like tombstone mosses, promising cold, dark, ethereal depths. You will face your darkest reflections in the stories bound between these pages. May you delight in the shivers. Don't forget to look over your shoulder; while you do, you won't be watching the shadows to your periphery, or what waits just ahead in the nebulous dim, its teeth sharp, its intention deadly.
Yes, this is horror, the creeping kind, the kind that lingers and sticks like tombstone mosses, promising cold, dark, ethereal depths. You will face your darkest reflections in the stories bound between these pages. May you delight in the shivers. Don't forget to look over your shoulder; while you do, you won't be watching the shadows to your periphery, or what waits just ahead in the nebulous dim, its teeth sharp, its intention deadly.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2013
331 people want to read
About the author
Carol Weekes
14 books25 followersWriter of primarily dark fiction in the horror, dark fantasy, science-fiction and crime genres, as well as screenplays. Published first in 1995 and since then has released three novels: 'Walter's Crossing' in 2007 through NSP Books, 'Ouroboros' (co-written with Michael Kelly) in 2009 and first published as a hardcover through Bloodletting Press, then as a softcover in 2010 through Dark Regions Press.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 18, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Horror anthology
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of horror
Trigger Warnings: death of children, spouses
My Thoughts: This is the real thing, people. This is horror the way horror is supposed to be done. By reading this anthology, you will develop new and interesting phobias, as well as have old ones enforced. Fear of mirrors, carnivals (and carnies), stormy nights, old wells. There are also a couple very interesting poems about autopsies and dead bodies. This is the perfect book to put you in the mood for Halloween this year. I'm actually quite amused that this book was released in February. As the author says in the afterword, she has a very bent sense of humor. And so do I.
If you like horror—and I mean real horror—and are looking for something appropriate for the season, this book will give you the thrills, chills and creeps for which you are searching. Really enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from JournalStone via the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: One novel, five short stories, two poems, this collection holds a looking glass that unhinges reality in the wee hours; roads that hold with needful, unloving arms; the miasma of damp, autumnal leaves that cling to your heels and follow you home, promising the whisper of darker things still yet to come as your eyes begin to close.
Yes, this is horror, the creeping kind, the kind that lingers and sticks like tombstone mosses, promising cold, dark, ethereal depths. You will face your darkest reflections in the stories bound between these pages. May you delight in the shivers. Don't forget to look over your shoulder; while you do, you won't be watching the shadows to your periphery, or what waits just ahead in the nebulous dim, its teeth sharp, its intention deadly.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of horror
Trigger Warnings: death of children, spouses
My Thoughts: This is the real thing, people. This is horror the way horror is supposed to be done. By reading this anthology, you will develop new and interesting phobias, as well as have old ones enforced. Fear of mirrors, carnivals (and carnies), stormy nights, old wells. There are also a couple very interesting poems about autopsies and dead bodies. This is the perfect book to put you in the mood for Halloween this year. I'm actually quite amused that this book was released in February. As the author says in the afterword, she has a very bent sense of humor. And so do I.
If you like horror—and I mean real horror—and are looking for something appropriate for the season, this book will give you the thrills, chills and creeps for which you are searching. Really enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from JournalStone via the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: One novel, five short stories, two poems, this collection holds a looking glass that unhinges reality in the wee hours; roads that hold with needful, unloving arms; the miasma of damp, autumnal leaves that cling to your heels and follow you home, promising the whisper of darker things still yet to come as your eyes begin to close.
Yes, this is horror, the creeping kind, the kind that lingers and sticks like tombstone mosses, promising cold, dark, ethereal depths. You will face your darkest reflections in the stories bound between these pages. May you delight in the shivers. Don't forget to look over your shoulder; while you do, you won't be watching the shadows to your periphery, or what waits just ahead in the nebulous dim, its teeth sharp, its intention deadly.
February 17, 2013
If I could give Dead Reflections more than 5 stars I would. These stories reminded me so much of earlier Stephen King or Dean Koontz when what they wrote really scared you. When you can picture in your mind what is going on. In Dead Reflections I thought twice before looking into a mirror especially in the middle of the night in the dark. I think the one story that really got to me was Smoke and Leaves. Had dreams about this story before I even finished it. If you like horror and like me are disappointed in so many books that you just don't want to buy another one, do yourself a favor and get this one. I promise you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of Carol Weekes work and I hope they continue to give me chills. I won this from LibraryThing Early Review and I highly recommend this book.
January 5, 2013
This interesting and very readable collection of a short novel (Dead Reflections), several short stories and two poems was not something I would normally pick up and read but I'm sort of glad I did. Carol Weekes' descriptions and dialogue are very well done and the atmosphere of all the pieces has just enough creepy weird things going on to make you look over your shoulder on dark nights. The title story "Dead Reflections" will have me looking more closely at old mirrors and "Smoke and Leaves" makes me want to avoid traveling carnivals.
For some reason a small detail in "Weather System" bothers me. The hydro goes out but the father keeps checking the time on the stove clock. It would make more sense if he checked it on his cell phone, but as I said it's a small detail.
We have all had experiences where a storm, a house, a stranger on the road has given us the creeps but they usually are just that, a bad feeling. In this collection the bad feelings are followed by some very bad things happening.
For some reason a small detail in "Weather System" bothers me. The hydro goes out but the father keeps checking the time on the stove clock. It would make more sense if he checked it on his cell phone, but as I said it's a small detail.
We have all had experiences where a storm, a house, a stranger on the road has given us the creeps but they usually are just that, a bad feeling. In this collection the bad feelings are followed by some very bad things happening.
March 9, 2013
Dead Reflections. A book that contains a short novel, five very scary short stories, and two poems. I must say that I am not much of a fan of poetry, but these poems seemed to keep my interest. I really enjoyed the short novel and have to say That Carol Weekes does a fine job of bringing you into what seems like an ordinary situation and showing you the creepy side of the story. Weekes does a good job of developing the characters so that you feel like you know them; a feeling that you know them or they might just be your neighbors. This book had me chilled and creeped out. All of the short stories were very entertaining. I can't say that I had dreams about the stories, but they sure make you think! Overall this is a good read. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a little fright in their life!
February 15, 2013
I won this from Early Reviewers. Let me just say this first, I absolutely love short stories! That being said, this book did not disappoint! There were six stories and two poems. The poems were useless to me and I didn't like them at all. Let me review each story on their own:
Dead Reflections - The biggest story in the book. Stories about haunted houses always freaked me out and this one was the scariest for me to read. Basically a family moves into an old house and the youngest boy finds something strange with the old mirror in the bathroom which leads to ghosts and other things. I liked the story. It was definitely a sad one but it will make me think twice about mirrors!
For the rest of the review, visit my book blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.co...
Dead Reflections - The biggest story in the book. Stories about haunted houses always freaked me out and this one was the scariest for me to read. Basically a family moves into an old house and the youngest boy finds something strange with the old mirror in the bathroom which leads to ghosts and other things. I liked the story. It was definitely a sad one but it will make me think twice about mirrors!
For the rest of the review, visit my book blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.co...
January 23, 2013
Dead Reflections by Carol Weeks is a collection of five short stories and two poems. These horror stories, written in an easy to read style, build suspense as the story unfolds. The characters are believable as they find themselves in frightening circumstances that could easily occur for anyone – a new house, a storm, a carnival.
Weeks has provided a setting where the reader can easily identify with the common events that play out with unexpected results. If you don't mind the occasional bump in the night, these stories provide a scary read for a rainy evening.
Weeks has provided a setting where the reader can easily identify with the common events that play out with unexpected results. If you don't mind the occasional bump in the night, these stories provide a scary read for a rainy evening.
February 13, 2013
Nice collection of short horror stories; nicely spooky, the stories definitely gave me a chill.
I very much enjoy reading horror or spooky stories; Weekes' stories are spooky but not filled with gore, which is the type of story I prefer. Though some stories are slightly predictable, on the whole I thought they were good and contained some original finds.
Weekes also includes two poems; I didn't really like the poems, I didn't think they were very good and didn't feel they really added anything to the collection.
On the whole a good read though, nice for a quiet evening at home...
I very much enjoy reading horror or spooky stories; Weekes' stories are spooky but not filled with gore, which is the type of story I prefer. Though some stories are slightly predictable, on the whole I thought they were good and contained some original finds.
Weekes also includes two poems; I didn't really like the poems, I didn't think they were very good and didn't feel they really added anything to the collection.
On the whole a good read though, nice for a quiet evening at home...
January 12, 2013
This is quite a good eerie horror story. Will say the author is a master in my opinion and has done a great job building the suspense. The first chapter was a little slow in my opinion though. Glad I didn't put it down. Very bad things happen in this book right after very eerie things. I personally wasn't as interested in the short stories as the main one. Will watch out for carnies from now on.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
February 7, 2013
I was chosen to read this book in a giveaway, and in exchange write a review on the book.
This book was good, I read it rather quickly, it had me pulled in from the first few pages. Love stories about haunted houses, (always makes you think about ghosts and if they really exist). So, for me it's a good short novel, mabye ended a little bit abruptly, but again, it was good.
I didn't browse through the short stories as much or the poems however.
This book was good, I read it rather quickly, it had me pulled in from the first few pages. Love stories about haunted houses, (always makes you think about ghosts and if they really exist). So, for me it's a good short novel, mabye ended a little bit abruptly, but again, it was good.
I didn't browse through the short stories as much or the poems however.
May 5, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC on February 28, 2013. This book is amazing and haunting. I cannot tell you how many times I woke up during the night frightened of what may be waiting for me at the end of my bed. The cover enough is just fantastic and draws you in. If you're a fan of R.L Stine and Stephen King this book is a must read. Also, Happy nightmares that follow! :)
May 11, 2013
Dead Reflections
By Carol Weekes
Publisher: Journalstone
Published In: San Francisco, CA
Date: 2013
Pgs: 256
Summary:
Dead Reflections(DR): They live in a house just like yours. It’s right next door, but you can’t see it. You can’t walk up their driveway and knock on the door. But you can come visit. Just reach out and you’ll find it...or they’ll find you.
Autopsy - poem
Smoke and Leaves(S&L) - short story
When the fall carnival comes to town, what comes with it.
Weather System(WS)
A storm blows in, hungry, and eyeing the folk in their vacation homes along the Great Lakes.
Cadaver Extremis - poem
Black Limousine(BL)
What does the big black limousine want in the small town of Tayside where it sticks out like a sore thumb?
The Wishing Well (TWW)
The water in the old well is sour. It comes up tainted with iron. Iron stinking, red from the cistern with fleshy bits.
The Umbrella Man(TUM)
Don’t slow down for the hitchhiker with the umbrella on a rainy evening. Don’t startle him. Don’t fall under his eye.
Genre:
horror, ghost, monster, things that go bump in the night, death
Favorite Character:
DR: Don’t really have a favorite character in the novel length story, Dead Reflections.
S&L: Gore is a fully imagined villain. Great character.
BL: The narrator.
TWW: Emily, the former owner of the property.
TUM: The Umbrella Man could almost be one of the Cenobites. He’s awesome. Wish this was a longer story.
Least Favorite Character:
DR: Hawkins. He knew and did nothing.
S&L: Mr. Arthur is much more trusting that I could imagine being.
BL: I wanted to say Kenny here. But who can blame him. The poor man lost his nerve.
TWW: Terry is a desperate idiot.
Favorite Scene:
DR: When Robbie dealt with it. Though I wished the denouement would have held a bit longer.
S&L: The binocular/ferris wheel scene.
BL: The climax at Kenny’s house.
TWW: When Terry drove his truck down to the well, to check out what was causing the water to have fleshy bits in it...and got his surprise.
TUM: When The Umbrella Man finds the missing piece.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
DR: Robbie knew that something wasn’t right and failed to respect his instincts. Maybe not OOC or a plot hole, but it was annoying. Seems like the cops would have been crawling all over that neighborhood with as many “unexplained” deaths keep happening.
Last Page Sound:
S&L: Dammit.
WS: Really?
BL: Woof! The limo comes for us all.
Author Assessment:
I really enjoyed Dead Reflections. Smoke and Leaves was a good short. After finishing Weather System, I’m beginning to wonder if the author knows what that horror can have a happy ending occasionally. Limo might be the best story in the book. The Wishing Well is reminiscent of King’s Pet Sematary in tone and feel. The story mirrors some elements from Dead Reflection. In a longer form, I feel that it would have wandered further afield and the similarities to DR wouldn’t have seemed as pronounced. The Umbrella Man is excellent.
Disposition of Book:
e-Book.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
Dead Reflections could make excellent low budget horror. Heck, it would work as a season of American Horror Story. Smoke and Leaves could make a movie. Weather System is such short form that it might be able to be an episode of a television series or a bit in an anthology series like Night Gallery or Twilight Zone. Black Limousine could be a low budget Syfy/Chiller/Fearnet movie. The Umbrella Man could make a movie.
Casting call:
DR: As I read the story, I couldn’t help but picture the actor who played Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Richard O’Brien, as Jeffrey. Or I could see the actor who played Niles Crane on Frazier as Jeffrey. Have him do the same voice only with a slower cadence. Put him in a bald wig with stringy white fringe hair. Yeah...I could see it.
I can see Leonard played by Paul Guilfoyle of CSI or Elias Koteas from Shutter Island.
S&L: Someone like Angus Scrimm should play John Gore, the carny man, in Smoke and Leaves. Though I think Angus would be too tall. Gore needs to be scrawny and reed thin.
BL: Kevin Costner or Mark Harmon could be the narrator.
TWW: Danny Devito as Duane. Visions of him standing on the brink of the well covered in dirt, mud, and blood.
TUM: I know he’s one of my go-to guys but I could totally see a partially CGI Angus Scrimm as The Umbrella Man.
By Carol Weekes
Publisher: Journalstone
Published In: San Francisco, CA
Date: 2013
Pgs: 256
Summary:
Dead Reflections(DR): They live in a house just like yours. It’s right next door, but you can’t see it. You can’t walk up their driveway and knock on the door. But you can come visit. Just reach out and you’ll find it...or they’ll find you.
Autopsy - poem
Smoke and Leaves(S&L) - short story
When the fall carnival comes to town, what comes with it.
Weather System(WS)
A storm blows in, hungry, and eyeing the folk in their vacation homes along the Great Lakes.
Cadaver Extremis - poem
Black Limousine(BL)
What does the big black limousine want in the small town of Tayside where it sticks out like a sore thumb?
The Wishing Well (TWW)
The water in the old well is sour. It comes up tainted with iron. Iron stinking, red from the cistern with fleshy bits.
The Umbrella Man(TUM)
Don’t slow down for the hitchhiker with the umbrella on a rainy evening. Don’t startle him. Don’t fall under his eye.
Genre:
horror, ghost, monster, things that go bump in the night, death
Favorite Character:
DR: Don’t really have a favorite character in the novel length story, Dead Reflections.
S&L: Gore is a fully imagined villain. Great character.
BL: The narrator.
TWW: Emily, the former owner of the property.
TUM: The Umbrella Man could almost be one of the Cenobites. He’s awesome. Wish this was a longer story.
Least Favorite Character:
DR: Hawkins. He knew and did nothing.
S&L: Mr. Arthur is much more trusting that I could imagine being.
BL: I wanted to say Kenny here. But who can blame him. The poor man lost his nerve.
TWW: Terry is a desperate idiot.
Favorite Scene:
DR: When Robbie dealt with it. Though I wished the denouement would have held a bit longer.
S&L: The binocular/ferris wheel scene.
BL: The climax at Kenny’s house.
TWW: When Terry drove his truck down to the well, to check out what was causing the water to have fleshy bits in it...and got his surprise.
TUM: When The Umbrella Man finds the missing piece.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
DR: Robbie knew that something wasn’t right and failed to respect his instincts. Maybe not OOC or a plot hole, but it was annoying. Seems like the cops would have been crawling all over that neighborhood with as many “unexplained” deaths keep happening.
Last Page Sound:
S&L: Dammit.
WS: Really?
BL: Woof! The limo comes for us all.
Author Assessment:
I really enjoyed Dead Reflections. Smoke and Leaves was a good short. After finishing Weather System, I’m beginning to wonder if the author knows what that horror can have a happy ending occasionally. Limo might be the best story in the book. The Wishing Well is reminiscent of King’s Pet Sematary in tone and feel. The story mirrors some elements from Dead Reflection. In a longer form, I feel that it would have wandered further afield and the similarities to DR wouldn’t have seemed as pronounced. The Umbrella Man is excellent.
Disposition of Book:
e-Book.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
Dead Reflections could make excellent low budget horror. Heck, it would work as a season of American Horror Story. Smoke and Leaves could make a movie. Weather System is such short form that it might be able to be an episode of a television series or a bit in an anthology series like Night Gallery or Twilight Zone. Black Limousine could be a low budget Syfy/Chiller/Fearnet movie. The Umbrella Man could make a movie.
Casting call:
DR: As I read the story, I couldn’t help but picture the actor who played Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Richard O’Brien, as Jeffrey. Or I could see the actor who played Niles Crane on Frazier as Jeffrey. Have him do the same voice only with a slower cadence. Put him in a bald wig with stringy white fringe hair. Yeah...I could see it.
I can see Leonard played by Paul Guilfoyle of CSI or Elias Koteas from Shutter Island.
S&L: Someone like Angus Scrimm should play John Gore, the carny man, in Smoke and Leaves. Though I think Angus would be too tall. Gore needs to be scrawny and reed thin.
BL: Kevin Costner or Mark Harmon could be the narrator.
TWW: Danny Devito as Duane. Visions of him standing on the brink of the well covered in dirt, mud, and blood.
TUM: I know he’s one of my go-to guys but I could totally see a partially CGI Angus Scrimm as The Umbrella Man.
November 14, 2013
I received "Dead Reflections" by Carol Weekes through Library Thing early reviewers.
"Dead Reflections" is a collection of one novel, five short stories and two poems. The first story "Dead Reflections" is about the Parker family and what happens to them when they buy an old house for a cheap price. Turns out there was a very good reason why the house went for cheap price. The beautiful old house has a violent past and it's past (dead) owners don't want to leave. The evil owners have a very unique way of holding on to their old house and using the new inhabitants to their advantage.
The first story, Dead Reflections is about a family who moves into an old house. I enjoyed this story very much. Even though it frightened me to death. I identify with the wife in the story. I love large, old houses. I would definitely move into a house like the one in the story, if the price was right.
"Autopsy" is an extremely detailed and gory poem about autopsies. This poem actually made me feel sad.
"Smoke and Leaves" is about a father and his young son who go to a carnival and meet a very creepy, evil carny man. After reading this story I will never let my children go to a carnival!
"Weather System" is about a father and son watching as a severe thunderstorm invades their lake house. The little boy is frightened of the storm. The father is also worried and scared. This is because his wife and daughter are caught in the storm.
"Cadaver Extremis" is a poem about cadavers and how frightening they can be, especially when they come and find you in the dead of night.
"Black Limousine" is about the town of Tayside and what happens when a black limousine comes to town. When it appears in front of a building, someone ends up dying.
"The Wishing Well" is about a family that finds a cistern on the property of their old farmhouse. When the father sees something,or someone frightening come out of the cistern, he knows it is evil He calls the real estate agent to learn about the past of his farmhouse. When the former owner comes to talk, he learns about her evil husband. He learns the reason why the cistern is a morbid version of a wishing well.
"The Umbrella Man" is about the evil that can lurk in the rain and what kind of chaos it can cause.
I enjoyed reading "Dead Reflections"
The novel "Dead Reflections" was by far my favorite of the book. I love reading stories about spooky old houses. This story had an interesting new twist.
This book overall has a great selection of macabre and old fashioned horror stories.
"Dead Reflections" is a collection of one novel, five short stories and two poems. The first story "Dead Reflections" is about the Parker family and what happens to them when they buy an old house for a cheap price. Turns out there was a very good reason why the house went for cheap price. The beautiful old house has a violent past and it's past (dead) owners don't want to leave. The evil owners have a very unique way of holding on to their old house and using the new inhabitants to their advantage.
The first story, Dead Reflections is about a family who moves into an old house. I enjoyed this story very much. Even though it frightened me to death. I identify with the wife in the story. I love large, old houses. I would definitely move into a house like the one in the story, if the price was right.
"Autopsy" is an extremely detailed and gory poem about autopsies. This poem actually made me feel sad.
"Smoke and Leaves" is about a father and his young son who go to a carnival and meet a very creepy, evil carny man. After reading this story I will never let my children go to a carnival!
"Weather System" is about a father and son watching as a severe thunderstorm invades their lake house. The little boy is frightened of the storm. The father is also worried and scared. This is because his wife and daughter are caught in the storm.
"Cadaver Extremis" is a poem about cadavers and how frightening they can be, especially when they come and find you in the dead of night.
"Black Limousine" is about the town of Tayside and what happens when a black limousine comes to town. When it appears in front of a building, someone ends up dying.
"The Wishing Well" is about a family that finds a cistern on the property of their old farmhouse. When the father sees something,or someone frightening come out of the cistern, he knows it is evil He calls the real estate agent to learn about the past of his farmhouse. When the former owner comes to talk, he learns about her evil husband. He learns the reason why the cistern is a morbid version of a wishing well.
"The Umbrella Man" is about the evil that can lurk in the rain and what kind of chaos it can cause.
I enjoyed reading "Dead Reflections"
The novel "Dead Reflections" was by far my favorite of the book. I love reading stories about spooky old houses. This story had an interesting new twist.
This book overall has a great selection of macabre and old fashioned horror stories.
March 13, 2013
Dead Reflections, by Carol Weekes, is a collection of one novel, five short stories and two poems all dealing with the macabre. She does not believe in happy endings.
Weekes knows how to create an atmosphere and she does alright with dialogue. The poems are simply there. Do what you want with them. The short stories are all entertaining. They are like mini Steven King novels. And that’s enough to say about those.
Now let’s go to the novel that lends the title to the book. By the time things start picking up in Chapter Ten you’ll already be wondering if it will ever end. That’s not to say that it’s bad. It just drags and drags. Much of this is due to the regrettable literary devices prevalent in this genre of 1) the character that knows things but doesn’t talk and 2) when deciding to, is not believed.
In this case the character in question is a child. Allow a digression here. Leave it to Beaver is a classic sitcom but sometimes the character played by Jerry Mathers simply acts too dumb for his age. Such is the case here. Young Cory enters the world of the supernatural via a mirror. When he comes back he doesn’t say a word in explanation to his parents about his disappearance for a long time. This is when the book becomes tediously slow.
Once he does talk, it makes it even harder to imagine that he ever could have shut up about it. Of course, the parents, especially the mother, chalk his tale up to being in a strange place. The father begins to suspect things but he’s awfully slow to take manly action. Perhaps this is reflected in his name – Robbie. Robbie??? Oh, puh-leeaze!!!
And what self-respecting horror story would have the magic mirror placed above a bathroom counter where its victims have to be sucked in over the sink? Definitely, a full-length looking glass in a hallway is needed.
Despite these gripes, the book is worth reading if you have patience and will undoubtedly make a great movie.
Weekes knows how to create an atmosphere and she does alright with dialogue. The poems are simply there. Do what you want with them. The short stories are all entertaining. They are like mini Steven King novels. And that’s enough to say about those.
Now let’s go to the novel that lends the title to the book. By the time things start picking up in Chapter Ten you’ll already be wondering if it will ever end. That’s not to say that it’s bad. It just drags and drags. Much of this is due to the regrettable literary devices prevalent in this genre of 1) the character that knows things but doesn’t talk and 2) when deciding to, is not believed.
In this case the character in question is a child. Allow a digression here. Leave it to Beaver is a classic sitcom but sometimes the character played by Jerry Mathers simply acts too dumb for his age. Such is the case here. Young Cory enters the world of the supernatural via a mirror. When he comes back he doesn’t say a word in explanation to his parents about his disappearance for a long time. This is when the book becomes tediously slow.
Once he does talk, it makes it even harder to imagine that he ever could have shut up about it. Of course, the parents, especially the mother, chalk his tale up to being in a strange place. The father begins to suspect things but he’s awfully slow to take manly action. Perhaps this is reflected in his name – Robbie. Robbie??? Oh, puh-leeaze!!!
And what self-respecting horror story would have the magic mirror placed above a bathroom counter where its victims have to be sucked in over the sink? Definitely, a full-length looking glass in a hallway is needed.
Despite these gripes, the book is worth reading if you have patience and will undoubtedly make a great movie.
August 4, 2014
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I was rather looking forward to reading this collection. With the promise of a longer "main" story, and an assortment of short stories and poems, this seemed like something I, as a horror fan, would really enjoy. However I was severly disappointed.
The main story, Dead Reflections, had a lot of promise. I felt, by the end of it though, that it either should have been relegated to short story status, or expanded further. There were several characters who really needed to be fleshed out, no pun intended, or just dropped. The poems were fine, and the short stories were worth reading, but the reason I gave this book only 2 stars was because of something I noticed after finishing it. Almost all of the material here, poems excluded, followed a very similar pattern. I shall keep it spoiler free, but characters in Ms. Weekes' fiction, who have a specific relation to the main protagonist, are not going to fare so well.
I do recommend reading this collection. I enjoyed several of the author's stories in the collection. This is a "curl up on a rainy or spooky day" kinda book. My advice would be to not read it in an extended session, as the similar themes may distract you from the overall enjoyment of the book, as they did for me.
I was rather looking forward to reading this collection. With the promise of a longer "main" story, and an assortment of short stories and poems, this seemed like something I, as a horror fan, would really enjoy. However I was severly disappointed.
The main story, Dead Reflections, had a lot of promise. I felt, by the end of it though, that it either should have been relegated to short story status, or expanded further. There were several characters who really needed to be fleshed out, no pun intended, or just dropped. The poems were fine, and the short stories were worth reading, but the reason I gave this book only 2 stars was because of something I noticed after finishing it. Almost all of the material here, poems excluded, followed a very similar pattern. I shall keep it spoiler free, but characters in Ms. Weekes' fiction, who have a specific relation to the main protagonist, are not going to fare so well.
I do recommend reading this collection. I enjoyed several of the author's stories in the collection. This is a "curl up on a rainy or spooky day" kinda book. My advice would be to not read it in an extended session, as the similar themes may distract you from the overall enjoyment of the book, as they did for me.
January 31, 2016
This is a collection of one horror novel, five short stories and two poems.
The main story, Dead Reflections did not really work for me, it started out creepy and suspenseful but the longer it went on the less and less creepy it became until it felt, well like a normal story, for lack of better words. Overall it was very unsatisfying and a struggle for me to finish. The two poems also left me cold but I have a love/hate, mostly hate relationship with poetry so those who are more into it may come away with a better feel for them.
Now the short stories. Oh my the short stories! They are what I was expecting and looking for. Creepy, atmospheric and unsettling they take you to that half step out of reality where all the nightmares can exist. I love how the author would use a short description of a sense, of smell, sound, touch, the feeling of something moving in the air against your skin, something in the atmosphere, to create an off balance feeling that puts you into the right state of mind and evokes what the characters are experiencing because we 19ve smelled these smelled or sensed these things but perhaps we didn 19t know why they were unsettling before. The short stories alone were definitely worth getting the book for.
The main story, Dead Reflections did not really work for me, it started out creepy and suspenseful but the longer it went on the less and less creepy it became until it felt, well like a normal story, for lack of better words. Overall it was very unsatisfying and a struggle for me to finish. The two poems also left me cold but I have a love/hate, mostly hate relationship with poetry so those who are more into it may come away with a better feel for them.
Now the short stories. Oh my the short stories! They are what I was expecting and looking for. Creepy, atmospheric and unsettling they take you to that half step out of reality where all the nightmares can exist. I love how the author would use a short description of a sense, of smell, sound, touch, the feeling of something moving in the air against your skin, something in the atmosphere, to create an off balance feeling that puts you into the right state of mind and evokes what the characters are experiencing because we 19ve smelled these smelled or sensed these things but perhaps we didn 19t know why they were unsettling before. The short stories alone were definitely worth getting the book for.
February 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this collection of horror stories. Technically, this book contains one short novel, five short stories, and two poems. All of these were very well-written and drew me in immediately.
The collection starts off with the novel, Dead Reflections, which is a creepy story of an old house with a very mysterious mirror. The whole atmosphere is so foreboding and chilling that I couldn't help but want to know what happened next. I found myself rushing through the novel to find out the ending. My only qualm was that the main character was a child, and I'm usually not a fan of books centered around kids.
The short stories were all very different from each other, but they were all extremely interesting and some of them were very haunting. One thing I quickly realized is that Carol Weekes doesn't believe in happy endings. They all set up an atmosphere of fear and mystery, and I really enjoyed reading all of them.
Another successful book by Journalstone. Carol Weekes is a great new addition to the horror genre.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
The collection starts off with the novel, Dead Reflections, which is a creepy story of an old house with a very mysterious mirror. The whole atmosphere is so foreboding and chilling that I couldn't help but want to know what happened next. I found myself rushing through the novel to find out the ending. My only qualm was that the main character was a child, and I'm usually not a fan of books centered around kids.
The short stories were all very different from each other, but they were all extremely interesting and some of them were very haunting. One thing I quickly realized is that Carol Weekes doesn't believe in happy endings. They all set up an atmosphere of fear and mystery, and I really enjoyed reading all of them.
Another successful book by Journalstone. Carol Weekes is a great new addition to the horror genre.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
March 15, 2013
I received several JournalStone books from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I have been impressed overall by this publisher. This book by Carol Weekes was a very good read. It consisted of one long story and several shorter stories and some poems. The main story Dead Reflections was an excellent haunted house type story. It had very vivid descriptions and I found myself drawn into the story early on. I am a big fan of horror novels and Carol delivers in this story. The story flows nicely and it is a quick read. As for the short stories they were good but not like Dead Reflections. I will look for books by Carol Weekes in the future. Very solid over all book!
March 17, 2013
Horror Stories I like. Short stories and poems are not my favourite I have to admit. I always feel robbed by short stories as I think there could have been made more from the story being told.
And this is the case from this book as well. I loved the tension and the spookiness behind each story and, to be honest, more than once I had a few goose bumps when I was reading it at night. But I always felt that each story ended with a "if only this was a bit longer". Which is good.....especially if the plan ever comes about to extend some of these stories to full blown books. I'll be then at the front of the queue!
And this is the case from this book as well. I loved the tension and the spookiness behind each story and, to be honest, more than once I had a few goose bumps when I was reading it at night. But I always felt that each story ended with a "if only this was a bit longer". Which is good.....especially if the plan ever comes about to extend some of these stories to full blown books. I'll be then at the front of the queue!
March 6, 2013
Disappointing collection. I found the writing style hard to persevere with and the stories would just be getting interesting and they would be wrapped up. There is a lot of first-person narrative that rings false (children thinking at adult maturity, convenient and sudden insights that explain story mechanics, etc.) as well. Author shows promise with good ideas...just needs to hone their writing skills some more.
November 3, 2013
Wow! This is what horror writing is all about! This is what Stephen King used to be like. Dead reflections is an anthology of 5 short stories just oozing with creep.
If you're looking for violence or gore, you won't find it here, this is the frights that live in your head and get under your skin. Especially dead reflections and smoke and leaves. Haunted houses and dark carnivals. Deliciously evil.
A great October read.
If you're looking for violence or gore, you won't find it here, this is the frights that live in your head and get under your skin. Especially dead reflections and smoke and leaves. Haunted houses and dark carnivals. Deliciously evil.
A great October read.
August 23, 2014
A great collection of horror stories. The poems were okay, but to be honest I'm not that much into poetry. The stories got better and better as I progressed through the book.
~I received this book via goodreads first reads~
~I received this book via goodreads first reads~
July 5, 2016
I received this book free from LibraryThing for an honest review.
I really liked dead reflections. It is a collection of tales, each as good as the others. My favorite is the main story "Dead Reflections".
I really liked dead reflections. It is a collection of tales, each as good as the others. My favorite is the main story "Dead Reflections".
March 7, 2013
The stories are supposed to be horror but while I enjoyed the writing style, the stories did not evoke any feelings of horror in me.
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