The Collector

by Terri Wallace

Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00DYEHELW

When ten year old Junie Rae Campbell wakes up in the parking lot of a seedy motel, and her mother is found dead inside, she has no choice but to go with the social worker who comes to collect her and take her to the tiny, sun-baked Oklahoma town of Crankston’s Landing to live with Granny Enid. But when lies and lechery threaten Junie and the people she has latched onto, secrets are exposed, untapped abilities reemerge…and a weapon for vengeance is born.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Paranormal

16 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

Terri Wallace lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three children, and menagerie of cats. While working on the mythical Great American Novel, she is frequently distracted by ideas for short stories and cravings for vegan chocolate--neither of which can be ignored.

Terri is currently working on a collection of short stories set in the fictional town of Crankston's Landing. Her short story "The Collector" is the first in that series.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was intriguing. Not completely cohesive but sometimes that happens in short stories. I was interested to see the author is currently working on writing this as a novel. It has potential.

[Christy Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic and enjoyable read. My only criticism is that it was too short. I would love to have read this as a full length script, rather than a short story. That being said, I was highly impressed with Wallace’s ability to draw you into the characters so rapidly. Her use of language and tone swiftly stirred emotion; painting a sometimes disturbing world.

The personalities were easy to connect with, both good and bad, and you really got a taste for how the main character, Junie, absorbed the world around her. There were several hair raising moments, which I personally love, as well as tearful winces. The story line is thick with honesty, depth, and a mysterious rhythm you can’t help but crave.

[K.C. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric horror that leaves you with a shiver in your spine!

I received this story from the author in exchange for my review.

This is an excellent short that's well worth the money for a 15 minute coffee table sort of read. I loved the rural setting and the characters' dialogue which really added to the atmosphere of the overall piece. The Collector is creepy and cringey in all the right ways, frightening without being over-graphic or unnecessarily foul. A perfect balance of the scary, grotesque, paranormal and gritty realism genres. A masterful tale.

[Kristy Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Collector and my only complaint is that it's a short story and not a novel! I'd love for Terri Wallace to continue on with Junie Rae whether in more short stories or a novel. Junie's voice is authentic and endearing and the story is unique. I agree with some of the other reviewers- Junie Rae reminds me of Stephen King's Carrie and Jeff Lindsay's Dexter, which is right up my alley!

[Alex Barnhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story with a great, spooky atmosphere. A downside is the length. I know it is a short story but there could be a little more back story. Leaving it up to the imagination is great, but there are several holes that need to be filled by the author. Also, the writing could use a once over. There are numerous mistakes with both grammar and spelling that leave a couple sentences completely nonsensical. However, overall a really good story and I look forward to a novel.

[David Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a young girl's mother dies, she ends up going to live with her granny. She quickly starts to learn there are secrets there, Some secrets need to be kept while others need to be shared.

This was a wild little short story. The concept was original and intriguing. The pace was perfect. I would recommend this story very much. I don't think you will be sorry if you give it a try.

[Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~5 HEARTS~~

Great read. It was pretty short but very interesting. I would've like to read more.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read that had me from the very first page. I would love to see more written with these characters.

[Gary Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good short story with shades of Little Red Riding Hood getting a Stephen King's helping of pain heaped on her little red shoulders. One for Grit Lit/ Southern Gothic fans. There was no trashy stuff and any nastiness there was, was all done skillfully. The narrator's voice is really genuine and the humor is subtle and dark. I would certainly be interested in getting a collection of Wallace's work.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

OMG this was short, short, short!!!

I can't believe I paid .99 cents for several pages. How ridiculous. It was a good short story though but I should have been warned that it was this brief!!!