Deeper Into Darkness

by Russell James

Russell James returns with a second collection of thirteen horrific short stories. A mysterious pinball machine arrives at the mansion of an aging porn king. He finds that this gift has itself a gift to give. Accepting both may be his last mistake. In rural Alabama, Crystal Caverns, an old roadside attraction, gives new meaning to being billed as a family experience. A Central Pacific Railroad executive sets out to San Francisco through newly finished Tunnel Number Six, where an entombing, catastrophic avalanche is just the start of his nightmare. Timmy Wayne, a magnet for good fortune, is living large on a stream of Las Vegas winnings, but it looks like his luck has finally run out. One couple tests the limits of what they'll do to care for their pet dog. Someone is desecrating the graves of World War II veterans as they die, veterans who discovered something unholy outside the gates of Auschwitz. These and seven other tales document Russell's descent Deeper into Darkness.

Genres: Horror

134 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2013

About the author

Russell R. James was raised on Long Island, New York and spent too much time watching Chiller, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and Dark Shadows, despite his parents’ warnings. Bookshelves full of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe didn’t make things better. He graduated from Cornell University and the University of Central Florida.

After a tour flying helicopters with the U.S. Army, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight.

His wife reads what he writes, rolls her eyes, and says “There is something seriously wrong with you.”

He has published the novels DARK INSPIRATION, SACRIFICE, BLACK MAGIC and DARK VENGEANCE, the compilations OUT OF TIME and TALES FROM BEYOND, as well as numerous short stories. He founded the Minnows Literary Group.

He and his wife share their home in sunny Florida with two cats.

Drop by the website to kill some time with some short stories.

Reviews

[Donna Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russell James writes amazing short stories. I mentioned this in my review of James' first collection of short stories - I believe character development in short stories is harder than in a full novel because the author only has a few pages to set the scene and pull the reader into empathy or alienation with the characters. And James does an outstanding job of this. Another thing I love about his short stories is they almost all end with a surprise twist. And a twist that leaves you with "wow, didn't see that coming at all". thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked "Wages of Sin" so much I had to read it out loud to my husband, who also said "I hope you're giving that book a 5 star review"! Do yourself a favor. Read this book, then get yourself a copy of Q Island, my favorite of James' books.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good ideas with the stories but they're way too short. Almost all of them could have used a few more pages to work the story out. Still a quick and easy read like the authors usual work.

[Jacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting horror anthology with many of the stories being unsettling, rather than out and out scary, and often having unique approaches.

[Christopher Carrolli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deeper into Darkness—Thirteen More Tales From Beyond.” is the follow-up to Russell James’ short-story anthology that bears the subtitle. Once again, James displays his undeniable, page-turning talent in this compilation of thirteen short horror stories. “Deeper into Darkness” is fast-paced, enjoyable, and well worthy of its predecessor.

A strange pinball machine makes an aging porn king younger in “Extra Play When Lit.” In “A Long Stay in Number Six,” a group of ghosts get revenge on the man responsible for their deaths. A Russian mobster discovers that revenge is best served hot in a “Table for One.” A deadly and accurate premonition is the focus of “Nora’s Visitor,” an eerie tale previously published by James. “As Luck Would Have It” is the story of a man with unlimited good luck. The story’s ending is a perfect twist, a skill James plies consistently throughout all of the stories.

The book is filled with ghosts, spirits, premonitions, and oddities. Mr. DiAngelo’s secret in “Wages of Sin” is guaranteed to shock the reader in what is yet another stunning ending. James writes a short explanation after each story as to how that idea came about. Afterward, sample chapters of his next two books, “Dark Vengeance” and “Dreamwalker” appear, providing the reader with more of this author’s impeccable talent for writing a horror story like a master.

[Joshua Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read my review of Mr. James's other collection, Tales from Beyond, you'll know that I've been gushing over his short work. This review is no different. As I said in that review, his long work was decent, but it's in the short form that his originality and talent really shine. Deeper into Darkness was, for me, just as delightfully macabre as Tales and every bit as unique as well. I loved every story from start to finish and could tell that Mr. James felt the same way. They're dark, humorous in a twisted sort of way, and just plain fun. Grab this one while you can.

[Brian Mcclain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wealth of creepiness and redemption

I had never read Mr James works before starting this but with my love of horror shorts it was an obvious choice. What I found here wasn't overly gory or scary but more stories of redemption and revenge with supernatural slants. It scratched the itch for horror with meaning and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell James never fails to provide me with great stories, this collection of shorts fell right in line. Most of the stories are ten or so pages and quite a few pack quite a punch. As one of my go to authors, I'm always looking for Russell's next book.