Will-O'-The-Wisp

by E.L. Giles

Genres: Horror

Unknown Binding

First published December 31, 2023

About the author

Eric Labrie Giles is a Canadian author of horror and science fiction. Since 2018, Eric has published over fifty short stories, drabbles, novellas, and novels. His latest horror novel, Benighted, was released in 2023 and is the first part of a series. Eric is currently working on the second book.

Eric is a member of the Horror Writers Association


www.elgilesauthor.com www.facebook.com/elgilesauthor
Instagram: e.l.giles_author

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grab this short story if you’re looking for a thrilling horror. Grief is complicated, and can bring out the worst in some people. Loss and loneliness can blind a person from realities and truths until they become lost within their delusions. Amongst these pages a family mourns the death of their matriarch, and it’s just the beginning of their nightmare.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and chock-full of grief and loss, atmospheric and fast-paced, this short horror story impresses with its subtle descriptions of a man's falling into the clutches of a sinister spectre - the ghost of his own, late wife, who's hungry for the souls of her family, her spirit having transformed into an insane menace straight from the afterlife. In such a short space, the author manages to offer a compelling story of how a father's handling of grief turns into the darkest of developments. And there's a sequel as well! Great work!

[Megan Wintrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this creepy read!

A grief strucken husband inside his own head, confused with rage, emotion and sadness. What will he do to have his wife back? Now a single father of two boys, John needs to get out of his own head and be there for his children..but can he do that? Or will things go from bad to worse and he deteriorates mentally?

I really enjoyed this!

[Alix Kampen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a short story, and my first, I didn't honestly know what to expect. The shortness most definitely made no difference in the quality of the read at all. The descriptions of the scenes and emotions spoke a thousand words almost every sentence. How the author depicts a side of grief really draws you in. Based on the events of the story it had an Amityville House vibe to me. I really wanted more once it was over, however I've been told by a very reliable source . That it will indeed be continued in 2024. I recommend!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars...this was a really good, really short, creepy read. I enjoyed it and was sucked into the story...but...not sure I would ever read it again? I love grief horror and this was very atmospheric but it was SO short that it didn't have much of an impact on me. It was clear where it was going and it wasn't long enough for me to build up that sense of dread...that attachment to the characters that could have made it more impactful. Glad I read this and would recommend to anyone looking for super short, atmospheric grief horror.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and chock-full of grief and loss, atmospheric and fast-paced, this short horror story impresses with its subtle descriptions of a man's falling into the clutches of a sinister spectre - the ghost of his own, late wife, who's hungry for the souls of her family, her spirit having transformed into an insane menace straight from the afterlife. In such a short space, the author manages to offer a compelling story of how a father's handling of grief turns into the darkest of developments. And there's a sequel as well! Great work!

[Derek Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This haunting, desperate and tragic short blew me away. The prose is beautiful and perfectly pulled me in to the grief, the loneliness, the despair, and the regret felt when your entire world is demolished by losing the person that means everything to you.
It is not often a short story can impact me with all the feels that I felt in this one. My words in this review cannot do it justice. Just read the story.

[Craig Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this story was one I found fairly predictable, it was a captivating read, and the author's prose is wonderful. In these few pages lurks some incredibly evocative imagery, and more than a couple of passages that will stick with me for a while.

Overall I thought this was a very effective short story, and one that has inspired me to read more of EL Giles' work. If a novel can manage to hit me in a similar way to this, I'm sure I'll end up adoring it.

[Mickey Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great short story about a man who is grieving from his wife's death. Is she still there, or is his mind tormenting him?

Really good story about regret, loss, pain, torment, despair and eternal love.

[The Bibliovile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark short is gripping, raw and real. In only a few pages, E.L Giles vividly paints the picture of grief stricken madness flawlessly; setting the stage for his new novella ‘Their Hearses’. I definitely recommend this for a quick punch in the gut read!

[Indie Horror Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although short, this story’s prose pulls you in, and paints an engrossing portrayal of one man’s personal horror. Well done!

[Leighah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a good short story. It has a nice even mix of story and character emotions.