Darkness Beckons

by Mark Morris (Editor)

An incredible fourth book in the horror anthology series which Booklist called "Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one."

Darkness Beckons is the fourth volume in the non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window. A terrifying cocktail of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging.

Previous titles in the series, all still in print are After Sundown , Beyond the Veil and Close to Midnight.

Contents

SAINT BARBARA by Nina Allan

HARE MOON by H.V. Patterson

UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Stephen Volk

DUSK by Angela Slatter

A FACE LEAVING NO TRACES by Brian Evenson

GOOD BONES by Sarah Read

FACTS CONCERNING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ORLOFF SIX by Alyssa C. Greene

HE WASN’T THERE AGAIN TODAY by Peter Atkins

DODGER by Carly Holmes

FROM THE MAN-SEAT by Reggie Oliver

THE SERVICE by Ally Wilkes

THE LATE MRS. APPLEGARTH by Mark Gatiss

THE FIG TREE by Lucie McKnight Hardy

IF YOUR SOUL WERE A PITCHFORK I’D DESPISE YOU by Eric LaRocca

HEEBIE JEEBIES by Amanda Cecelia Lang

KILLING BONES by Simon Clark

IL CREPUSCOLO by Helen Marshall

REMEMBER ME by Ronald Malfi

WITCH’S CLUTCH by Simon Strantzas

CAMP NEVER by J.S. Breukelaar

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.

His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.

His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.

Reviews

[Rebecca Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic anthology, I enjoyed most of the stories in this collection. My favourites were Hare Moon by H.V. Patterson, Good Bones by Sarah Read, Dodger by Carly Holmes, From the Man-Seat by Reggie Oliver, The Service by Ally Wilkes and The Fig Tree by Lucie McKnight Hardy. A lot of these authors I had never read before and I look forward to reading more from them. I will definitely be reading more of the Flame Tree Press anthologies in the future!

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favourite stories from this anthology:

‘Saint Barbara’ by Nina Allan. You knew I was going to say this – but it’s genuinely my favourite of hers in years, a story I wanted to read again as soon as I’d finished it (and putting it first in the book is a bold move because it sets the bar high). Two women meet at a book signing, become unlikely friends, and encourage one another in their dreams of revenge. And then there are all the details: Deb’s love of the writer Olena Pohorska, and her own writerly aspirations; her assessment of Barbara’s appearance, and how that first impression evolves; the imagined stories, the imagined art. Deb’s descriptions of Pohorska’s work feed, playfully, into Allan’s fictional universe like an ouroboros – as though Allan is speaking to her dedicated reader, or maybe that’s just how I felt, but it fits so neatly with the story that I couldn’t stop thinking it. Like all the best short stories, ‘Saint Barbara’ feels like a whole world in miniature.

‘Under Cover of Darkness’ by Stephen Volk. While it’s essentially a fictionalised version of real events, this is a narrative Volk makes his own, adding a twist scarcely more horrible than the true story.

‘Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six’ by Alyssa C. Greene. A plausible urban legend, smartly told, full of foreboding.

‘The Service’ by Ally Wilkes. A Spanish waitress in a run-down English seaside town, a shabby 1970s hotel, a missing girl... I’m really looking forward to reading a collection of short stories by Wilkes one day as she is stunningly good at capturing atmosphere and mood succinctly.

‘The Fig Tree’ by Lucie McKnight Hardy. An excellent example of the family drama/folk horror combination that is becoming this author’s trademark.

Of the rest, I liked Ronald Malfi’s ‘Remember Me’, which nails the atmosphere of Halloween (a surprisingly rare thing), and Carly Holmes’ uncomfortable and deeply terrifying ‘Dodger’.

There are 20 stories in this book, which in my opinion is a few too many; I prefer my anthologies more tightly edited and selective. It also (broadly speaking) leans away from the ghostly, strange and ambiguous and more towards the supernatural, animate and gory, so most of it just isn’t in line with my tastes. I admit I was starstruck by Allan’s name (and the generally impressive list of contributors!) and didn’t pause to think about whether the concept was likely to appeal. Every stripe of horror is represented here – no doubt a plus for lots of readers, but this is not the best anthology to pick up if you have strong ideas about which subgenres you love and hate.

I received an advance review copy of Darkness Beckons from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Darkness Beckons,’ published by Flame Tree Press, is the fourth entry in the horror anthology series edited by Mark Morris, containing twenty new horror stories, wide-ranging, all enjoyable, all high quality tales by skilled writers. Look at those names: Ronald Malfi, Brian Evenson, Eric LaRocca, Simon Clark, Nina Allan, Sarah Read, Reggie Oliver, Stephen Volk, Angela Slatter, Simon Strantzas, ... Expectations are justifiably high, and, indeed, the book delivers aplenty. Malfi’s, Evenson’s, and Clark’s contributions are worth the price alone. "Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six" by Alyssa C. Greene was a nice surprise, worth reading just for the terrific ending. There are ghost stories, body horror, folk horror, sci-fi horror, some stories ending on a very nasty note, others chilling the heart with cruel tales of motherhood and dark family histories. Check this one out and then go read the other three books in the series: they’re all excellent reads and cudos to the editor for an impressive job!

Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for an advanced copy.

[Lisa Grønsund]

I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.

RTC

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect companion for spooky season, this is Mark Morris’s fourth horror anthology. Featuring works by twenty authors this is a wide and eclectic collection. It has everything! Interestingly this collection has more female writers than male, suggesting that women are definitely making more of an impact in today’s horror market.

This is a book I left on my bedside table to dip in and out of. And as the nights drew in and the candles were lit I found myself more and more entranced by these different worlds.

There is something for everyone within this book. A cult which worships animals in Hare Moon (HV Patterson). A hotel run by vampires in The Service (Ally Wilkes). The presence of the dead amongst the truck or treaters in Remember Me (Ronald Malfi), and my favourite, folk horror involving wasps, in The Fig Tree by Lucie McKnight Hardy.

There will be always usually something in a collection that you don’t rate, but surprisingly this is a superbly well edited modern anthology of horror. It curled my toes and chilled me to the bone. 🕷️🕷️🕷️

[Malin Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darkness Beckons, includes 20 short stories from both previously established authors as well as some you’ve never heard of. There is definitely a story for everyone in this anthology, as they all vary a lot from one another.

Like most anthologies, there were some I liked better than others. There were none that I hated, but most were just fine, and a very few special ones that really caught my eye. My personal favorite was Facts concerning the disappearance of the Orloff Six By Alyssa C. Greene.

I recommend this to lovers of horror anthologies and especially readers new to horror as genre, if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, this collection of short stories is a great place to start, as you get a taste of a little bit of everything.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Flame Tree Press, and the editor Mark Morris for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this Anthology.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! All of the stories were great but my favorites are Good Bones by Sarah Read, Facts Concerning The Disappearance of The Orloff Six by Alyssa C. Greene, and Remember Me by Ronald Malfi. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Mark Morris, Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology is a mixed bag. The stories rated from 0 to 5. Many of the stories were 3 and 4 stars for me. There are a couple of first-rate authors but I had only heard of a few of them. Nothing stands out that I will remember in the long run. A mediocre anthology.

1. Saint Barbara by Nina Allan - A woman meets another woman named Barbara at a poet's reading. She becomes enamoured of her. An interesting story of female rage with a fun outcome. (3/5)

2. Hare Moon by HV Patterson - It is the Hare Moon and a hare has been nailed to Jana's family's home. A church ritual has begun. I like this type of story and this one was a winner. Tension kept mounting which kept me interested. (4/5)

3. Under Cover of Darkness by Stephen Volk - A man tells of how he and others destroy a statue of a fallen paedophile entertainer. I don't get the ending. (2/5)

4. Dusk by Angela Slatter - A woman starts nursing an elderly patient for nefarious reasons. Pretty straightforward story which didn't do anything for me. (2/5)

5. A Face Leaving No Traces by Brian Evenson - A man wakes up in the night with tingling on his neck as if he'd been bitten but nothing was there. This was ok but actually quite boring. (2/5)

6. Good Bones by Sarah Read - A man goes to an older woman's house to do handiwork. He finds cobwebs all over and pretty soon finds out why the house has good bones. I liked this. Very squirmy imagery. Fun. (4/5)

7. Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six by Alyssa C Greene - Six hikers once vanished while out on a 3-week hike. The narrator, a cousin to one of them, describes her group's retracing their footsteps. This was so unique. You just know something weird is going to happen but will never guess what. (4/5)

8. He Wasn't There Again Today by Peter Atkins - A man asks his occult detective friend to help his niece who is being haunted. This was a fun entertaining story but it felt like the end was missing. (3/5)

9. Dodger by Carly Holmes - A woman has no recollection of her three-year-old son. She goes through the motions hating his presence. This was awful, in a good way. As a mother it made me feel dreadful and tense the whole time. I'll remember this story. (5/5)

10. From the Man-Seat by Reggie Oliver - A man goes with his wife clothes shopping and has a harrowing experience. A fun tale with a spooky ending. Felt a little cosmic. Enjoyed this. (4/5)

11. The Service by Ally Wilkes - A woman works as a waitress at an old hotel and is given the job of waiting on the strange ancient owners in a private room. A little bit longer than the others this story goes deeper into details for a well-rounded tale. Enjoyable and entertaining. (4/5)

12. The Late Mrs Applegarth by Mark Gatiss - This is just a couple of pages long. It was hardly worth reading. (0/5)

13. The Fig Tree by Lucy McKnight Hardy - A story of a spooky cultish small village. This was excellent. Some foreshadowing but an unexpected ending. (5/5)

14. If Your Soul Were A Pitchfork, I'd Despise You by Eric LaRocca - I can't give a description as it would be a spoiler but basically, a man writes in a journal about something that is happening to him. I mostly love LaRocca but this was just ok. The story gripped me mostly because of the writing but I didn't particularly like the story. (3/5)

15. Heebie Jeebies by Amanda Cecelia Lang - A woman and her son go to her mother's big house to escape their abusive husband/father. The grandmother teaches Charlie how to get rid of the Heebie Jeebies which make him nervous and scared. A fun story. Well well-written and a feel-good ending. (4/5)

16. Killing Bones by Simon Clark - A woman throws herself in front of a speeding car and then demands the occupants help her save her boyfriend from a monster. A fun read with a doomed ending. Characterization was sufficient for a short story and the characters were each unique. (3/5)

17. Il Crepuscolo by Helen Marshall - An engineer leaves for a Mars space station where he will work on terraforming the planet. I think this is the first sci-fi story. Well written and reflective. A dark gloomy tale. (4/5)

18. Remember Me by Ronald Malfi - A favourite author for me who doesn't disappoint. A ghost follows a group of teenagers who are telling a couple of stories about deaths on the street on Halloween night. Creepy and lets information be known at just the right moments. (5/5)

19. Witch's Clutch by Simon Strantzas - A researcher takes off for a small village where a Witch's Clutch has been sighted. He's been looking for one all his life. A slowly ominous folk tale which was mildly entertaining. (3/5)

20. Camp Never by JS Breukelaar - The last story is quite a bit longer than the others. It"s a tale of the Queen of the Dead who kills bad men and how a 16-year-old girl is influenced by her. This is a frightening story when you try to understand what is happening to the girl. Characters are real and the ending is bittersweet. (5/5)

[Stephen Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Beckons is the fourth annual horror anthology edited by Mark Morris and published by Flame Tree Press. Like its predecessors, this one is filled with an excellent array of dark tales, written by some of the best practitioners of short fiction working today. As Morris states in his engaging introduction, this book marks the first time that one of his anthologies has contained more female authors than males. I only mention this because it’s important to note that the genre is in constant evolution – not just with regards to gender parity or an emergence of writers from different social backgrounds – but also in terms of thematic tone and subject matter – and it’s certainly refreshing to see so many editors keen to bring new voices and viewpoints to a wider readership.

The stories in Darkness Beckon cover a wide range of what constitutes the horror genre; from folk horror to the more traditional ghost story, from the darkest heart of humanity to the weird tale’s outright macabre. There must be something here to satisfy the majority of horror fans.

As with every anthology or short story collection, every entry stands alone and, as such, each reader will find different favourites within the pages of the book. The standouts for me were the contributions I’ll mention here, but it’s important to state that I think the overall quality is of such a high standard, there wasn’t really any of them that I didn’t enjoy. In Dodger by Carly Holmes motherhood is painted in nightmarish terms, made even more unsettling by the thread of skewed truth discernable in its prose. The brilliance of He Wasn’t There Again Today by Peter Atkins is driven by a narrator with a strong voice; this one is quirky and fun. Reading Good Bones by Sarah Read actually induced a nightmare of bones and cobwebs in my bed, such is its power, where we find Jim visiting the home of elderly Mrs Kelsey in order to do some odd-jobs around her dilapidated house. The sinister subject of Stephen Volk’s Under Cover of Darkness is a recognisable character, and Volk’s story depicts what feels like an approximation of one of the grisly real-life events surrounding him, complemented by the author’s masterful prose. The Fig Tree by Lucie McKnight Hardy shows what happens when a couple and their two young children spend a weekend away in a Welsh cottage; this one has elements of folk horror and references elements of grossness that might just put you off figs for life.

They keep saying that the short story market is done, that nobody reads this stuff any more. But the quality of writing in these Flame Tree Press anthologies suggest that there’s a thriving industry in short horror fiction that should not be ignored. There are still wonderfully skilled writers willing to work at this length, honing their craft and developing ideas that speak about the very fears we have in the modern world. The Flame Tree Press anthologies in particular are important, because although each book includes commissioned contributions from seasoned writers, the publisher also allows emerging writers to submit original stories during an advertised submission window, which keeps the books feeling fresh and relevant. This one, like the other three before it, comes highly recommended.

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had great fun reading this horror anthology, there's a real mix of stories in here so I'd imagine everyone is going to have their favourites.

Stand out tales for me were;

Under the Cover of Darkness by Stephen Volk. This tale was absolutely terrifying as most if it is based around real events of a well known tv presenter with a terrible secret that rocked a nation. There's such a building sense of foreboding and dread. It's been a long time since I've read something so chilling!

The Service by Ally Wilkes

I think this has to be my favourite tale from the anthology and possibly one of the best short stories I've ever read. Set in a small seaside town, a Spanish waitress gets a job in a run down hotel but feel terribly homesick.

Remember Me by Ronald Malfi

I really loved this tale based on the usual shenanigans that take place on Halloween. This tale was really unexpected and the ending is so poignant.

Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six by Alyssa C Greene

After a group of six hikers mysteriously vanish without a trace, one of the missing's cousin goes follows their trail to find out what happened. I really loved this adventure tale with a lashings of horror.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many excellent short stories in one anthology! I appreciate the diversity of voices and the range of tropes and storytelling approaches. Each piece stood on its own merits, and I enjoyed them all except for one or two entries. From ghost stories and chilling mysteries to hauntings, cults, and body horror - this collection touches all corners of the genre.

Of particular note was ‘The Service’ by Ally Wilkes. A lonely waitress in a spooky tourist town must attend to a creepy family at private dinners. As she learns about the missing girls and co-workers who have come before her, she decides to take action, leading to ghoulish consequences.

Other breakout names in new horror include Lucie McKnight Hardy, Eric LaRocca, Stephen Volk, and Alyssa C. Greene.

I recommend this anthology to horror readers looking to break out of a slump or try some new writers.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as an ARC from Netgalley:

A really interesting and eclectic short story collection that harkens back to the era of Shadows. The tones all vary pretty dramatically but are consistently intriguing.

There was only one story in the collection that I was a bit iffy on, but overall I had a great time with a few new authors to explore in the future.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read short story collections or anthologies, I tend to pick stories I like the sound of to read first rather than starting at the beginning and working my way through. To choose where to start with Darkness Beckons I read through the biographies of each of the authors and there was one that jumped out at me. Stephen Volk created the paranormal drama series Afterlife and wrote the screenplay for The Awakening, both of which I loved, so I started with his story Under Cover of Darkness.

This story really took my breath away. To begin with I was really surprised with the subject matter - it wasn't what I had been expecting at all, but despite that it was a timely topic and an effective focus on the dark side of human nature. Then out of nowhere came the gut punch - so brilliant, so clever and unexpected. I highly recommend sticking with this one to the end!

The next story I want to highlight is from a favourite horror author of mine - Ronald Malfi with the story Remember Me. It was everything I have grown to love and expect from the author. It was so atmospheric, the perfect ghost story to read on a dark autumn night, and the added bonus of a Halloween theme too.

I am a huge fan of fictionalised true crime so I really loved the story Facts Concerning The Disappearance Of The Orloff Six by Alyssa C. Greene. The story follows the cousin of one of six missing students in their late teens/early 20s. She begins work on a documentary in an attempt to address the facts of the incident, as most people had made their minds up about her cousin's guilt in the matter. A really interesting idea with so much scope - I think this would make a brilliant full-length novel or series.

Coming from Wales I have to mention the Welsh author Carly Holmes and her story Dodger. Not an author I had heard of before reading this but I will definitely be following from now on. This story was so dark and could be interpreted in so many different ways, it was claustrophobic and almost uncomfortable to read. The intent was there all the way through, the tension of just waiting for something to happen and not knowing what the outcome would be - absolutely brilliant.

Overall, this was a fantastic and varied selection of horror short stories with some really unusual entries. I love the fact that there were some well-known authors in the mix which is what brought the book to my attention, but then there were some surprises from authors I don't know but I will now be looking into their backlist titles or future releases and most definitely adding several to my TBR.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a go-to collection for me, I always get excited when I see Mark put his call out for submissions as this is a gold standard anthology series which showcases the best in horror fiction.

This volume differs from previous ones with a higher percentage of women writers, and this really affects the tone of it in a very positive fashion.

When you read a mostly male anthology , as I have done recently going back through my old Pan Books Of Horror, there is a very different energy present which does affect the overall taste, kind of like a secret ingredient which elevates the overall dish.

Mark acknowledges this in his introduction-and let's not forget he is a superb writer, as well as editor!-and then leads off with Nina Allan's Saint Barbara , a tale of female infatuation and fascination which is a strong start and a very hard act to follow. She never fails to deliver not matter which field she writes in and this is no exception.

I will be honest, several times I had to stop reading and process the tales before moving on, this is not a race to get through the book, rather a slow, languid , delicious repast worth savouring.

There is literally something for everyone here, and it is difficult to pick a stand out or two, even a week after finishing the anthology.

Stephen Volk presses far too many buttons in his shudder inducing tale, for those of us in the UK his central figure is an all too recognisable public figure's fall from grace. With a horrific twist which is saying something...He is honestly, for my money, one of the most consistent and fear inducing writer working in the field today. Please look up his books, particularly , 'Whitstable' which is an all time favourite of mine.

Eric LaRocca, I don't want to say is dependeable as I think he would probably consider that an insult, what I should clarify is that seeing his name and his always fantastic story/book titles gets me excited for which manner he will eviscerate my feelings this time around. His story of love and monsters is truly phenomenal and for anyone who hasn't encountered him before, you will be wanting more.

Folk Horror from Lucie McKnight Hardy and H.VC Patterson slot in beautifully beside urban horror and hauntings , longer stories next to small shivers such as Mark Gatiss' dinner date gone wrong.

Carly Holmes 'Dodger' is uncomfortable, real and horrofic and this is a new writer to me, but I absolutely will be looking for more.

The October vibe is captured by Ronald Malfi in his Halloween set story, he makes a setting quite unlike anyone else I have read with a sadness and regret which underpins the haunting horror or family love that extends beyond the grave. It manages the trick of feeling old and new all at the same time.

Alyssa C Green's tale of an expedition gone wrong is a perfect mirroring of the modern obsession of 'solving' mysteries of the Don't Fuck With Cats kind, given even more nuance by recent cases where social media *inbvestigators* have hampered with, and even ruined missing people/murder cases in the UK.

The title is 'Darkness Beckons' and it really does, whether that is the sleep you fight going into as you don't know what's waiting thee, the monster in the shadows lurking round the corner or the inevitability of death and worse, not leaving your trace on the world as if you never existed. Whilst these anthologies have no central 'theme' , what they do is peel apart the skin of reality and poke around underneath , reporting back to us readers in their own, inimitable style.

I can't pick a favourite so don't make me, each is lined up against the other like a beautiful smorgasbord of body/gothic/haunting/folk horror. I hope I have piqued your interest and you pick up this, or another volume in the series and look out for next year's volume, 'Fever Dreams'

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the Close to Midnight anthology in 2022, I jumped at the chance to read and review this year’s addition to Mark Morris/Flame Tree’s New Short Horror Stories series, Darkness Beckons.

This collection more than lived up to my expectations. Each of the 20 stories is engaging, memorable, and intriguing, and by far the majority of them have satisfying pay-offs.

After just a few stories, my wishlist had grown substantially, as I’d added so many books by new-to-me authors I just have to get to know better!

As the blurb suggests, Darkness Beckons covers all sorts of ground, encompassing timeless-feeling folk horror, dark academia, perception-altering illnesses, mythical entities, creepy crawlies, horrors yet to come, and various types of haunting.

Further variety might have been achieved, though, by looking beyond the UK, the US, and Australia, where all of the contributors are from, and almost all of the stories are set.

As mentioned above, this is a strong collection where all the stories captured my imagination, as I wanted to know where each one was going. However, as with any anthology, I had favourites that particularly appealed to my tastes and left a lasting impression.

One of these was the very first story in the book, Saint Barbara by Nina Allan, where a lonely, unfulfilled young woman forms a relationship with an unconventional older one. Among other things, I loved this story’s brilliantly-observed, vivid descriptions of people and places, references to folklore and legends, and blazing finale.

Another standout for me was Dusk by Angela Slatter. With a mansion that’s filled with stuff but low on people; a troubled young woman narrator who is, for all intents and purposes, isolated and friendless; and an elderly woman whose fantasies insulate her against a tragic past, this story gave me much-appreciated Shirley Jackson vibes.

I also especially liked Remember Me, by Ronald Malfi; He Wasn’t There Again Today, by Peter Atkins; and Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six, by Alyssa C. Greene.

I group these together partly because of their classically North American settings (college campuses, a Maine hiking trail, a suburban street on Halloween), but also because each reminded me of what drew me to spooky/mysterious stories as a young reader.

Remember Me is told from the perspective of a ghost who’s using Halloween night to surface the story of his death in people’s minds, thus keeping it in circulation a little longer. Poignant and melancholy, this contribution put me in mind of Casper the Friendly Ghost and Dyan Sheldon’s Ghost Twins series – my two formative encounters with ghosts.

Similarly, in He Wasn’t There Again Today, the ghostly apparition of a college professor in a stairwell, and rationale behind it, gave me a thrill I’ve rarely experienced since I first started reading ghost stories as a child.

Facts Concerning…, meanwhile, attracted me with the characters’ attempt to solve the disappearance of a group of hikers some years before, as well as the possibility of clues surfacing from “beyond the grave” – elements that have drawn me to many books over the past 25+ years!

Darkness Beckons is a stellar collection of engaging, intriguing, and memorable horror stories.

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘DARKNESS BECKONS is the fourth volume in the non-themed horror series of [twenty] entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris . . . .’

The Following Are My Favorites:


SAINT BARBARA – by Nina Allan

HARE MOON – by H.V. Patterson – That Was Creepy Good!

UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS – by Stephen Volk – Creepy!

DUSK – by Angela Slatter – Love The End!

GOOD BONES – by Sarah Read – Love This One!

FACTS CONCERNING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ORLOFF SIX – by Alyssa C. Greene

HE WASN’T THERE AGAIN TODAY – by Peter Atkins – Love The Writing, Love The Story! The following made me laugh:

‘It had been built in 1928 – “As old as the talkies,” the renting agent had said with the rhythm of a joke, though Andrea’d had to Google it – and it didn’t look like Southern California at all, looked instead like it had got lost on its way to Greenwich Village or the Bowery. It was built from bricks, for a start – try getting that past contemporary LA’s earthquake codes and zoning restrictions – and had a fire escape zigzagging down the streetside exterior wall like it was waiting for an impromptu performance of West Side f*cking Story to break out.’

THE LATE MRS. APPLEGARTH – by Mark Gatiss – My Heart!

THE FIG TREE – by Lucie McKnight Hardy – Creepy Good!

HEEBIE JEEBIES – by Amanda Cecelia Lang – Love This One!

KILLING BONES – by Simon Clark – That Was Good!

REMEMBER ME – by Ronald Malfi – My Heart! Love This One!

Thank you, NetGalley and Flames Tree Press, for providing me with an eBook of DARKNESS BECKONS at the request of an honest review.

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I don't read much in the way of horror and I've been trying to remedy that this year because I do love a classic horror film and I've been trying to find books that give off that feel. And I have to admit that what sold this anthology to me was it having a story written by Mark Gatiss in it, as after watching his A History of Horror series I know he's a lover of the kind of horror I enjoy so I had high hopes of getting that classic horror feel. I definitely got a very eerie feeling from his story, which was really impressive because it's probably one of the shorter stories in the book(it's just two pages long) but it left me with a little shiver down my spine.
I really enjoyed dipping in and out of this one, though I could see myself happily sitting down and reading it in one sitting because you get a variety of different types of horror and you switch between them throughout the book, it's been cleverly edited so you don't have two similar threads of horror one after the other.
It was nice to see that the vast majority of the stories were written by women, I know I haven't read much horror(yet) but when it comes to thinking of well-known horror writers you mostly think of male writers, but this has given me a list of people whose work I need to now check out. And I think I'll be looking back at the other anthologies that Mark Morris has put together, it's been nice to try out different types of horror writing.
All in all a good book to delve into this spooky season.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m starting to think Morris’ anthologies are the only quality books Flame Tree Press puts out anymore. Or at least, for me. My idea of quality genre fiction is subtle and literary. And what is precisely what this anthology delivers, story after story.
Then foreword strikes an almost-apologetic, hyper woke note both from the editor and industry itself for absence of proper representation and inclusion for so long. Which yes, sucks, but also that’s just the state of the world, especially the past. Morris rectifies this the best he can, by amping up female representation, featuring lesser and more well-known women authors all over this collection. It’s a solid effort for equality, kudos to the editor.
I’m all about equality. But for me as a reader, authors genders are less important than the quality of their work. This collection shined brightly because the quality of the stories was so good. Definitely a worthy read for a thinking/discerning genre fan. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

[Lauren Gebhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology was slow for me at first. I had a difficult time following the first few stories, but that might be because it seems many of the authors are English and used terms I wasn’t familiar with. Once I got going into the book I experienced some incredible stories I will not soon forget. There is definitely a little bit of everything for everyone in this carefully tailored collection. There was some great body horror, cosmic horror, sci-fi, ghost stories and creature features. What I found most amazing about this book was how unique the stories were. Many of these will live rent free in my mind for a long time. Some of my favorites were: Heebie Jeebies by Amanda Cecelia Lang (so beautiful and heartbreaking), Killing Bones by Simon Clark (such a crazy unique ride with an unforgettable ending and amazing descriptions), Dodger by Carly Holmes (Holy real life horrors and unreliable narrator ! Whew!), and Remember Me by Ronald Malfi (an incredible ghost story). This is a great spooky season read and comes out to today!

Thank you to @netgalley and @flametreepress for this ARC!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkness Beckons anthology has some real heavy hitters such as Ed LaRocca and Ronald Melfi but they also had riders that were unknown to me like Amanda C Lang and Simon Clark mr. LaRocca even shows us his poetic side with If Your Soul Were a Pitchfork, I’d Despise You trust me when I say whether you’ve heard of the author or not the stories are really good ones usually in an anthology or short story collection there will be a few that seems like filler but everyone reads like a legitimate horror story my favorite story in the book is the last story Camp Nowhere although I did love the story about the fig tree in the vacation holiday house I could go on and on they had so many great stories this really is a great buy for any horror fan it’s a book I definitely recommend I want to thank flame tree press and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is spooky season and what better way to get in the mood than to have wee shorties of horror to trickle into the horror mood, ready for Halloween.
I loved that this collections of shorts was not themed. It was nice to dove in knowing there was a selection, from a wide variety of themes of the genre. It also meant that each story was vastly different from the next, keeping you guessing from one to the next beauty of tale. I thoroughly loved the level of detail the stories were able to reach, whilst still being short speed reads. I was able to dove into a new one each day, even with what little time I had each day, for myself. It was so enjoyable and honestly I needed to spooky reads to really get me in the mood for one of my favourite seasons.
Overall, I was very impressed and will definitely be both on the lookout for the new collections and be going back to buy the previous collections.

[Ristretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Beckons has a little bit of everything I enjoy in a horror anthology. The dark, the mysterious, the unsettling, and the short and sweet. You will find it all here.

It’s hard to pick favorites because the quality and diversity of the selection was so good. For holiday vibes Hare Moon a folk horror Ostara cult tale and Remember Me which is a perfect Halloween night read will really set the mood. Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six had true crime horror elements and was giving Junji Ito vibes. Il Crespuscolo was beautiful, dark and haunting. Killing Bones was serving eldritch horror and was such a fun read.

A must read for horror fans looking for a good variety of horror genres. I’m really looking forward the the next anthology!

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Beckons by Mark Morris is a horror short anthology which brings to you some creepy tales from the dark. I have already read many books by Mark Morris, so had high hopes for the book. The stories are not which are going to give you jump scares but they are basically silent horror. The book slowly engulfs you in the darkness. Some of the stories lacked the charm, but all the others were good. Also, the stories are by some of the famous horror authors.

The characters have been portrayed dark and secretive to boost the plot. The book is a perfect read for the Halloween. The book deserves 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horror is my favourite genre, and having read novels, and short stories and watched plenty of horror movies and television, it's really getting trickier to find new ideas. Collections of short stories generally have a lot of options and different ideas, and yet many of these felt familiar to me. My favourite stories here were the ones that felt more fresh to me, like He Wasn't There Again Today, and Dodger which felt all too real. Remember me feels more familiar, and yet I liked this one a lot too because of how it ends. There were a few stories here that I struggled with, but that's the thing with short stories, is that they don't take too long before you're onto something new. Overall a good collection, just not amongst my favourite.

Thanks to the authors and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
A horror anthology that includes stories from Ronald Malfi and SImon Clark was enough to gain my interest in reading this book. And both of their contributions alone made it worth reading. But aside from two stories that I found I just couldn't finish, pretty much all the remaining entries ranged from reasonably enjoyable to really great. Among my other favorites were "Dusk" by Angela Slatter, "Good Bones" by Sarah Read, the YellowBrickRoad/Blair Witch-esque "Facts Concerning the Disappearance of the Orloff Six" by Alyssa C. Greene, and "Heebie Jeebies" by Amanda Cecelia Long. The stories range all over the place, but any horror fan should find something to like in this anthology.

[Kyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eerily, disgustingly decadent smorgasbord of horrors of varying flavors and degrees. From maddening psychological terrors to downright hellish tales of pure evil and every creeping, crawling thing in-between.This collection of dark tales is the cornucopia of terror we horror conniseur's weren't aware we needed. A few of my favorites from these dread inducing pages are Saint Barbara by Nina Allan, Good Bones by Sarah Read, If your Soul Were A Pitchfork, I'd Despise You by Eric LaRocca, Il Crepuscolo by Helen Marshall, and Camp Never by J.S. Breukelaar.

[Brian Stabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for an advanced copy. The publisher is not one I've come across before, but they, and editor Mark Morris, have put together an impressive anthology. Darkness Beckons is a diverse collection that contains within its pages horror in its many guises: tragic hauntings, the horrors of motherhood, the inhumanity of mankind, in-your-face blood and guts, pagan religions and so much more. Did they all hit home for me? No, but that's the nature of an anthology. I'm sure that what didn't work for me will find its audience.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think there's a sort of horror renaissance and a new generation of authors is becoming famous. I requested this arc because i love Malfi and was curious about Gatiss and other authors.
I enjoyed it as there's all type of horror and most of the story are very creepy and kept me on the edge.
An excellent read for Halloween.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to preview this! I asked to see it because I love horror and I love short stories. Not everyone loves short stories, and I didn't love everything here. But what I loved I really loved, and this is a great collection. There are some real greats here, like Ronald Malfi, Simon Clark, and Brian Evenson. I hope I can track down the other books in this collection. It was just the right size, and great, creepy stories.

[Marcus Blacksmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think reading a collection of short stories is a great way to get a taster for the work of different authors. Authors you wouldn't necessarily get to discovering otherwise. Ghosts, hauntings, witches and zombies are only some of the themes covered here. There are twenty in this diverse collection that Mark Morris has put together and an almost 50/50 split in female to male authors. I confess most were new to me, but that's the joy of discovery. I will seek out more of my favourite's work from this anthology in future.

As you would expect in an anthology like this, not all the tales hit the mark for me personally, that would be a big ask for any collection. The genre encompasses so many sub-genres that it would be impossible to like everything in it.

My own favourites were, Saint Barbara - by Nina Allan; Dusk - by Angela Slatter; Good Bones - by Sarah Reade; Witch's Clutch - by Simon Strantzas and Camp Never - by J.S. Breukelaar.

When I get time I will look out for the other collections Mark Morris has put together.