Masques: All New Works of Horror and the Supernatural

by J.N. Williamson

Contents

* Introduction and Acknowledgments by J. N. Williamson
* "Nightcrawlers" by Robert R. McCammon
* "Somebody Like You" by Dennis Etchison
* "Samhain: Full Moon" by Ardath Mayhar
* "I Have Made My Bones Secure" by Ardath Mayhar
* "Third Wind" by Richard Christian Matheson
* "Redbeard" by Gene Wolfe
* "The Turn of Time" by David B. Silva
* "Soft" by F. Paul Wilson
* "House Mothers" by J. N. Williamson
* "Party Time" by Mort Castle
* "Everybody Needs a Little Love" by Robert Bloch
* "Angel’s Exchange" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson
* "Down by the Sea Near the Great Big Rock" by Joe R. Lansdale
* "The First Day of Spring" by David Knoles
* "Czadek" by Ray Russell
* "The Old Men Know" by Charles L. Grant
* "The Substitute" by Gahan Wilson
* "The Alteration" by Dennis Hamilton
* "Trust Not a Man" by William F. Nolan
* "Long After Ecclesiastes" by Ray Bradbury
* "A Short, Incadescent Life" • Ray Russell [biography]
* "My Grandmother’s Japonicas" by Charles Beaumont
* "Charles Beaumont: The Magic Man" • William F. Nolan [article]
* Richard Matheson • J. N. Williamson [interview]

Genres: Horror, Anthologies, Short Stories, Fiction

307 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1984

About the author

Gerald Neal Williamson (April 17, 1932 - December 8, 2005) wrote and edited horror stories under the name J. N. Williamson. He also wrote under the name Julian Shock.

Born in Indianapolis, IN he graduated from Shortridge High School. He studied journalism at Butler University. He published his first novel in 1979 and went on to publish more than 40 novels and 150 short stories. In 2003 he received a lifetime achievement award from the Horror Writers of America. He edited the critically acclaimed How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction (1987) which covered the themes of such writing and cited the writings of such writers as Robert Bloch, Lee Prosser, Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, H. P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, William F. Nolan, and Stephen King. Many important writers in the genre contributed to the book. Williamson edited the popular anthology series, Masques. Some of his novels include The Ritual (1979), Playmates (1982), Noonspell (1991), The Haunt (1999), among others.

He was also a well known Sherlockian and received his investiture (The Illustrious Client) in the Baker Street Irregulars in 1950.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anthology of short stories by some of the top fantasy writers. First time in print, compiled and published in 1984 are works by McCammon, Matheson, Williamson, Bloch,Bradbury, Beaumont and more. Writers who have publishing creds with Playboy, Penthouse, Esquire, Ellery Queen and numbers of anthology collections. Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactia, The A-Team, The Saint and Alfred Hitchcock to name a few.

I am more of a mystery fan than fantasy, but these stories have mystery in them in that you wonder how they happened and if they really could. The first one may make you sleep uneasy at night during stormy weather. "Nightcrawlers" by Robert R. McCammon, is a tale about a Viet Nam vet and his dreams, taking place in a diner in an out of the way area during a raging storm. Is the resulting damage caused by the storm or by ???

Another one to make you think is "Angel's Exchange" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson. A conversation between Death and Sleep and how they feel their existences are similar, different, the good and the bad. A short two pages that sticks with you.

There is also a tribute to Charles Beaumont, one of the masters of the genre who died quite young. Also is the first time printing of an early short story titled "My Grandmother's Japonicas".

There are stories in here that will really haunt your mind. I know they are still chasing around in mine.

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice set of original stories. Best of the bunch include Robert McCammon's "Bightcrawlers", "Soft" by F. Paul Wilson, and "My Grandmother's Japonicas" by CCharles Beaumont. There is also an interview with Richard Matheson.

[Selim Ulug · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of short horror fiction. I enjoyed just about every story in this volume.

[Maxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few good stories in this collection.. 'My Grandmother’s Japonicas' being my favorite but otherwise not much to see here.

[Bill Borre]

"Soft" by F. Paul Wilson - The narrator is a survivor of a plague that dissolves the calcium in bones. Although the lower part of his legs have been effected the rest of his body is fine so he assumes he is immune to any progression of the condition. He thinks his neighbor is likewise immune so he is disappointed when he drags himself across the street and up to the second floor to discover that he is not. He returns home to his daughter and wonders if it is just a matter of time for them both.

"The Turn of Time" by David B. Silva - Daniel's father attempts to warn him that he must wear a pendant to ward off evil but he doesn't believe him and tosses the pendant. The evil the father refers to is a curse that transforms the eldest male of the family into a shrub. When this happens to his father before his eyes Daniel has no choice but to believe and attempts to grab and place the pendant around his neck but not before his foot takes root to the spot.

"The Alteration" by Dennis Hamilton - Harry procures women for a sex trafficker until he encounters a female competitor who conspires to eliminate her competition by drugging him and forcing him to undergo sex reassignment surgery and sold to the trafficker.

"Everybody Needs a Little Love" by Robert Bloch - The narrator relates the story of his friend Curtis who murders his wife and then steals a dummy because he's lonely but the spirit of the dead woman haunts him and eventually kills him through it.

"Party Time" by Mort Castle - The protagonist is kept in the basement by his mother who only brings him out for party time to act like a carnival geek in front of strangers by devouring a live animal.

"Down By the Sea Near the Great Big Rock" by Joe R. Lansdale - A creature disguised as a rock on the beach manipulates the emotions of a family of four until all of them are killed in fits of rage.

"Nightcrawlers" by Robert R. McCammon - A Viet Nam vet who was exposed to chemicals that bring his nightmares to life is knocked out in a diner during a storm and chaos ensues.

"Angel's Exchange" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson - The Angel of Death and the Angel of Sleep are both unhappy with their tasks so they agree to exchange them.

"The Substitute" by Gahan Wilson - A sixth grade class gets a substitute teacher who could've been plucked directly from a Lovecraftian cult.

"Long After Ecclesiastes" by Ray Bradbury - This is a poem the author wrote as a Christmas greeting to his friends.

"Trust Not A Man" by William F. Nolan - A woman picks up a man at a bar to feed her carnivorous plant.

"Czadek" by Ray Russell - A washed-up actor finds himself cursed to be reduced to a height of eight inches.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bunch of short horror stories, some are good, some not so good! You know how that goes...

The last short story has piqued my interest in Charles Beaumont, though, and I will definitely be checking out more of his writing in the future.