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Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa
Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa is mired in the shifting landscape
of the long white cloud, and deeply imbued with the myth, culture, and character of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Laced with intrigue, suspense, horror, and even a touch of humour, Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa brings together stories and poems by some of the best homegrown and Kiwi-at-heart voices working in dark ficton today.
Curated by multi-award-winning author-editor Lee Murray, the anthology opens with a foreword by six-time Bram Stoker Awards®-winner and former HWA President Lisa Morton; and includes a brutal, lyrical poem by Kiwi resident Neil Gaiman.
Remains to be Told features stories and poems by Dan Rabarts, Kirsten McKenzie, Celine Murray, Kathryn Burnett, Helena Claudia, Marty Young, Gina Cole, William Cook, Del Gibson, Paul Mannering, Tim Jones, Owen Marshall, Denver Grenell, Bryce Stevens, Debbie Cowens, Lee Murray, Jacqui Greaves, Tracie McBride, and Nikky Lee.
“What a powerful collection of brutal, haunting, visceral stories and poems. But don’t worry, this stellar anthology from down under is not one note – originality, wonder, and curiosity keep you guessing, pleading for these dark fates and unsettling myths to find a different, brighter path.” – Richard Thomas, Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, and Thriller Award finalist
of the long white cloud, and deeply imbued with the myth, culture, and character of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Laced with intrigue, suspense, horror, and even a touch of humour, Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa brings together stories and poems by some of the best homegrown and Kiwi-at-heart voices working in dark ficton today.
Curated by multi-award-winning author-editor Lee Murray, the anthology opens with a foreword by six-time Bram Stoker Awards®-winner and former HWA President Lisa Morton; and includes a brutal, lyrical poem by Kiwi resident Neil Gaiman.
Remains to be Told features stories and poems by Dan Rabarts, Kirsten McKenzie, Celine Murray, Kathryn Burnett, Helena Claudia, Marty Young, Gina Cole, William Cook, Del Gibson, Paul Mannering, Tim Jones, Owen Marshall, Denver Grenell, Bryce Stevens, Debbie Cowens, Lee Murray, Jacqui Greaves, Tracie McBride, and Nikky Lee.
“What a powerful collection of brutal, haunting, visceral stories and poems. But don’t worry, this stellar anthology from down under is not one note – originality, wonder, and curiosity keep you guessing, pleading for these dark fates and unsettling myths to find a different, brighter path.” – Richard Thomas, Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, and Thriller Award finalist
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
250 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 22, 2024
Full transparency: I have a story in this anthology.
I read Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa back in February. It's now June, and I still find myself thinking about the works in here. If I had to describe this anthology in a word it would be: haunting. These stories stick with you long after you finish.
While I loved all the work in here, a few in particular have taken up a permanent residence in my brain. I had to put the book down to process after reading 'Spare the Rod' by Dan Rabarts. Meanwhile, every time I find myself driving through winding mountain roads I now think of 'Redwoods on Te Mata Peak' by Marty Young. I also fell down a Google black hole researching the history of Duke of Malborough Hotel after reading Del Gibson's story 'Buried Secrets' while thinking about Paul Mannering's 'Throatful of Flies' still makes me squirm a little. As for Lee Murray's 'Dead End Town', this equally heartwrenching story deftly—yet unflinchingly—explores the horror of a sexual predator in the home. I stupidly read it late at night before bed, then spent the hour staring sleeplessly up at the ceiling with its story circling around and around in my head.
Many of these stories also feature the wonders of the New Zealand landscape, however, that wonder is frequently dovetailed with caution. Monsters, both myth and man-made, lie in wait in many a shadow.
All in all, if you're looking for a set of truly haunting tales, this is where they're at.
I read Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa back in February. It's now June, and I still find myself thinking about the works in here. If I had to describe this anthology in a word it would be: haunting. These stories stick with you long after you finish.
While I loved all the work in here, a few in particular have taken up a permanent residence in my brain. I had to put the book down to process after reading 'Spare the Rod' by Dan Rabarts. Meanwhile, every time I find myself driving through winding mountain roads I now think of 'Redwoods on Te Mata Peak' by Marty Young. I also fell down a Google black hole researching the history of Duke of Malborough Hotel after reading Del Gibson's story 'Buried Secrets' while thinking about Paul Mannering's 'Throatful of Flies' still makes me squirm a little. As for Lee Murray's 'Dead End Town', this equally heartwrenching story deftly—yet unflinchingly—explores the horror of a sexual predator in the home. I stupidly read it late at night before bed, then spent the hour staring sleeplessly up at the ceiling with its story circling around and around in my head.
Many of these stories also feature the wonders of the New Zealand landscape, however, that wonder is frequently dovetailed with caution. Monsters, both myth and man-made, lie in wait in many a shadow.
All in all, if you're looking for a set of truly haunting tales, this is where they're at.
September 7, 2023
New Zealand’s darkest minds and brightest talents are brilliantly showcased in Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa. Under the guidance of multi-award-winning editor Lee Murray, the collection takes the reader on a journey through with the fierce mythology, stoic character, and unforgiving—yet fascinating—landscape of Aotearoa. While I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories and poems, there were a few standouts that lingered long after I had turned the last page.
“Spare the Rod,” by Dan Rabarts, opens the collection and pulls you in by the heart, then layers on the small horrors of an everyday farm existence.
“A Throatful of Flies,” by Paul Mannering, deserves a shout-out for sheer visceral overwhelm and a delightfully, gruesomely unexpected form of damnation.
“Coming Home in the Dark,” by Owen Marshall, is reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” with two villains who are utterly chilling in their alien amorality and unpredictability, and a family at their mercy in the isolation of New Zealand’s wilderness.
“Dead End Town,” by Lee Murray, was hard enough to read the first time I encountered it in Murray’s Bram Stoker Award-winning collection, Grotesque: Monster Stories. It was no easier this time around but just as heart-rending and horrifying, and a worthy inclusion into this showcase of New Zealand dark fiction.
“Fires of Fate,” by Jacqui Greaves, delivers satisfying justice at the hands of an unforgiving Maori god, and offers an intriguing glimpse of New Zealand mythology.
Nikky Lee’s dark fantasy story illustrates why the author has a swathe of awards to her name. Wonderfully original and beautifully written, “What Bones These Tides Bring” is a fitting final tale in this inspired collection.
Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa is a must-read introduction to some of New Zealand’s finest dark fiction authors and I look forward to more horrors from the land of the long white cloud.
“Spare the Rod,” by Dan Rabarts, opens the collection and pulls you in by the heart, then layers on the small horrors of an everyday farm existence.
“A Throatful of Flies,” by Paul Mannering, deserves a shout-out for sheer visceral overwhelm and a delightfully, gruesomely unexpected form of damnation.
“Coming Home in the Dark,” by Owen Marshall, is reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” with two villains who are utterly chilling in their alien amorality and unpredictability, and a family at their mercy in the isolation of New Zealand’s wilderness.
“Dead End Town,” by Lee Murray, was hard enough to read the first time I encountered it in Murray’s Bram Stoker Award-winning collection, Grotesque: Monster Stories. It was no easier this time around but just as heart-rending and horrifying, and a worthy inclusion into this showcase of New Zealand dark fiction.
“Fires of Fate,” by Jacqui Greaves, delivers satisfying justice at the hands of an unforgiving Maori god, and offers an intriguing glimpse of New Zealand mythology.
Nikky Lee’s dark fantasy story illustrates why the author has a swathe of awards to her name. Wonderfully original and beautifully written, “What Bones These Tides Bring” is a fitting final tale in this inspired collection.
Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa is a must-read introduction to some of New Zealand’s finest dark fiction authors and I look forward to more horrors from the land of the long white cloud.
January 6, 2024
‘I love a good anthology. For a reader, an anthology makes an ideal sampler, a fancy biscuit tin of stories and poems by established and emerging writers, all typically working to a theme.’ (Lee Murray)
I agree with Lee Murray, and I thoroughly enjoyed the twenty short stories and poems contained within this anthology. The stories and poems are by Dan Rabarts, Kirsten McKenzie, Celine Murray, Kathryn Burnett, Helena Claudia, Marty Young, Gina Cole, William Cook, Del Gibson, Paul Mannering, Tim Jones, Owen Marshall, Denver Grenell, Bryce Stevens, Debbie Cowens, Lee Murray, Jacqui Greaves, Tracie McBride, Nikky Lee, and Neil Gaiman.
Yes, there is plenty of suspense and intrigue. Humour, too, sometimes, but be careful. It’s easy to take a wrong turn in the unfamiliar landscape.
‘There’s a moment when you lose your balance on an edge. The heartbeat before you fall. Adrenaline surges and you freeze with shocked certainty that you are going to die.’
Some of these stories are haunting: ‘Spare the Rod’ took me into a very uncomfortable space, while ‘A Throatful of Flies’ had me cringing. ‘Ngahere Gold’ has an unsettling twist, and ‘Coming Home in the Dark’ is terrifying.
Each of these short stories is self-contained. You may wonder what might happen next in some cases and you may wish for different endings. But, inexorably, you are drawn in to each dark situation sensing danger and (or) another form of hell to try to negotiate. I’ve made a note to myself that when I travel to Aotearoa, I will travel in daylight and will try to avoid the wilderness.
A terrific anthology!
I really enjoyed this and offer my thanks to Clan Destine Press for offering me a review copy.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I agree with Lee Murray, and I thoroughly enjoyed the twenty short stories and poems contained within this anthology. The stories and poems are by Dan Rabarts, Kirsten McKenzie, Celine Murray, Kathryn Burnett, Helena Claudia, Marty Young, Gina Cole, William Cook, Del Gibson, Paul Mannering, Tim Jones, Owen Marshall, Denver Grenell, Bryce Stevens, Debbie Cowens, Lee Murray, Jacqui Greaves, Tracie McBride, Nikky Lee, and Neil Gaiman.
Yes, there is plenty of suspense and intrigue. Humour, too, sometimes, but be careful. It’s easy to take a wrong turn in the unfamiliar landscape.
‘There’s a moment when you lose your balance on an edge. The heartbeat before you fall. Adrenaline surges and you freeze with shocked certainty that you are going to die.’
Some of these stories are haunting: ‘Spare the Rod’ took me into a very uncomfortable space, while ‘A Throatful of Flies’ had me cringing. ‘Ngahere Gold’ has an unsettling twist, and ‘Coming Home in the Dark’ is terrifying.
Each of these short stories is self-contained. You may wonder what might happen next in some cases and you may wish for different endings. But, inexorably, you are drawn in to each dark situation sensing danger and (or) another form of hell to try to negotiate. I’ve made a note to myself that when I travel to Aotearoa, I will travel in daylight and will try to avoid the wilderness.
A terrific anthology!
I really enjoyed this and offer my thanks to Clan Destine Press for offering me a review copy.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 15, 2023
An amazing collection of spooky, eerie, confronting stories and poems all set in Aotearoa. There are plenty of Maori myths and legends involved here as well. I loved it!
Lee Murray is the editor of this collection of talented wordsmithing - I have always loved her stories too because of their deep roots in the Aotearoan landscape.
So nice to get to know other authors and their talents in this way. Not normally a fan of short stories but these are very well crafted indeed.
If you are easily offended or scared, this may not be the read for you. For the rest of you, dive in and enjoy!
5 stars - given without reservation.
Lee Murray is the editor of this collection of talented wordsmithing - I have always loved her stories too because of their deep roots in the Aotearoan landscape.
So nice to get to know other authors and their talents in this way. Not normally a fan of short stories but these are very well crafted indeed.
If you are easily offended or scared, this may not be the read for you. For the rest of you, dive in and enjoy!
5 stars - given without reservation.
May 19, 2024
I love a good horror anthology. Unfortunately, this is not one. The only standouts are Owen Marshall (for a story originally published in 1995), co-editor Lee Murray, and Denver Grenell, which makes, on balance, a ratio of roughly 10:1 dross:quality. No shade to Lee Murray, whose own writing is outstanding, and who has clearly put a lot of work into this collection, but her other contributors are, like the local liquorice party pack, a mixed bag.
July 12, 2024
This fantastic collection of 'dark' stories from New Zealand will showcase some dark depths in character development by New Zealand authors. Great hauntings, horrific rituals, mysteries happening in dark native forests. It is all there to be explored by readers who think such dark antics can only be found in the deepest psyche of established British authors. Embrace the new world darkness with this collection.
May 25, 2024
A strong anthology
This antho is curated well, with a good flow between tones and styles. All of the stories are good and a few are great.
This antho is curated well, with a good flow between tones and styles. All of the stories are good and a few are great.
April 13, 2024
"Remains To be Told" is a very strong anthology of dark fantasy stories and poems from Aotearoa - and I'm not just saying that because one of my poems is including in this anthology! Editor Lee Murray has pulled together a group of authors known for their horror and dark fantasy work, including Neil Gaiman, and others better known for work outside the field, most notably Owen Marshall.
Many of the stories focus to be found in rural Aotearoa - this anthology shows that "New Zealand Gothic" is alive and well, yet it also has a strong and welcome focus on indigenous stories and indigenous mythology. If you want to experience what lies under the surface of the tourist promotional photos and Instagram influencers' images of unspoiled nature and carefully curated tourism images, this is the anthology for you.
Many of the stories focus to be found in rural Aotearoa - this anthology shows that "New Zealand Gothic" is alive and well, yet it also has a strong and welcome focus on indigenous stories and indigenous mythology. If you want to experience what lies under the surface of the tourist promotional photos and Instagram influencers' images of unspoiled nature and carefully curated tourism images, this is the anthology for you.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews