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Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol. 3
Even more terrorizing tales from nine horror authors across the world, coming together for one deliciously dreadful anthology that will have you sleeping with the lights on.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2024
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Alice J. Taylor
6 books6 followersAlice J. Taylor is the horror pen name of Emily S Hurricane.
Emily hails from rural Nova Scotia, curled up on a tree stump with a bubblegum pink notebook and a steaming mug of french roast coffee. She's a thirtysomething mom of two humans and a furbaby. Her lumbersexual husband doesn’t actually work in lumber anymore, but he still wears the plaid and the beard.
She's an established self-published author, freelance editor, and ghostwriter. Her books range in genre from Romance and Erotica to Horror and Science Fiction, and everything in between.
When she's not writing and/or momming, she's sipping espresso, crocheting, and listening to audiobooks.
Emily hails from rural Nova Scotia, curled up on a tree stump with a bubblegum pink notebook and a steaming mug of french roast coffee. She's a thirtysomething mom of two humans and a furbaby. Her lumbersexual husband doesn’t actually work in lumber anymore, but he still wears the plaid and the beard.
She's an established self-published author, freelance editor, and ghostwriter. Her books range in genre from Romance and Erotica to Horror and Science Fiction, and everything in between.
When she's not writing and/or momming, she's sipping espresso, crocheting, and listening to audiobooks.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 8, 2024
Confession: I did read this book after dark. And it was marvelous, as the quiet and solitude of the night magnifies the creepiness of scary stories. And I was delighted to have discovered this absolute gem of an anthology to read in the dark, it’s also great to know this is the third anthology published in this series, so I can go back and read the first two, plus anticipate others to come. The range of these stories was insane – from ghost revenges, to cosmic hot dog eaters, to corn gods, to eerie slasher crushes to dystopic world building – there’s something for every kind of horror fan here, so highly recommended from my end.
My highlights;
Corn Worm by Berengaria Di Rossi
I don’t think I am being biased in my review, but I have been told that if I review a writing of someone I know, I should state that, so here we go. B. is a Goodreads friend of mine with whom I like discussing books, but that didn’t affect my reception of this story, which takes us to a sort of alternate South America. Indigenous people are being visited by gods but things go unexpectedly and turn sour for especially the narrator, who was given a special role by these gods. The story, in the tiny space it occupies, plays with big concepts like colonialism or motherhood, and I would actually like to read this written out as a book.
Marshmallows by Dee Rasha
Veeery very scary plot of a girl finding a certain someone at her home and a scene developing in which she oscillates between sympathy, flirty and terrified. I can imagine watching this as a short film, that would work really well.
Parted by Joey Huff
“Are you ok? Is there any change? Describe what you’re feeling now.”
Bitch, my skin is rotting right in front of your face.
I love it when a story starts off as something but turns into something completely different, completely bigger than the initial situation itself. Here we start with a mystery illness, and go to how the medical and social system cope with it, turning into a dystopic story about our exploitative nature. Love how quirky this is and the idea behind it.
Apartment 2A by Paola F. Caravasso
I'm all about the kind of thriller/crime that revolves around people serially (and cleverly) killing their spouses and the solving of that mystery. This is the story of an insidious little murderer getting what’s coming at him, in an extremely satisfactory way.
I received an advanced review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Berengaria and Emily S Hurricane!
My highlights;
Corn Worm by Berengaria Di Rossi
I don’t think I am being biased in my review, but I have been told that if I review a writing of someone I know, I should state that, so here we go. B. is a Goodreads friend of mine with whom I like discussing books, but that didn’t affect my reception of this story, which takes us to a sort of alternate South America. Indigenous people are being visited by gods but things go unexpectedly and turn sour for especially the narrator, who was given a special role by these gods. The story, in the tiny space it occupies, plays with big concepts like colonialism or motherhood, and I would actually like to read this written out as a book.
Marshmallows by Dee Rasha
Veeery very scary plot of a girl finding a certain someone at her home and a scene developing in which she oscillates between sympathy, flirty and terrified. I can imagine watching this as a short film, that would work really well.
Parted by Joey Huff
“Are you ok? Is there any change? Describe what you’re feeling now.”
Bitch, my skin is rotting right in front of your face.
I love it when a story starts off as something but turns into something completely different, completely bigger than the initial situation itself. Here we start with a mystery illness, and go to how the medical and social system cope with it, turning into a dystopic story about our exploitative nature. Love how quirky this is and the idea behind it.
Apartment 2A by Paola F. Caravasso
I'm all about the kind of thriller/crime that revolves around people serially (and cleverly) killing their spouses and the solving of that mystery. This is the story of an insidious little murderer getting what’s coming at him, in an extremely satisfactory way.
I received an advanced review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Berengaria and Emily S Hurricane!
July 23, 2024
At Least Leave the Lights On
Review of the Kindle eBook edition (May 7, 2024).
A terrific anthology of horror and fantasy with several Canadian authors included. The 5-stars for me were more historical fiction related, adding that additional element to the standard shocks and chills. Full disclosure: I am GR Friends with the author of #2 Berengaria Di Rossi, although I think even with a blind read I would have still given Corn Worm a high rating.
The following summaries provide story setups without reveals or spoilers so I have not spoiler blocked them. Additional links have been listed for those authors who provided website addresses in their bios or for whom I have the information.
[3.5 average rating for the 19 stories, rounded up to a GR 4]
1. Hot Dog Man **** by Jude Mire (CAN). A homeless man can tell the future as long as he is fed a hot dog. One person gets too curious about how it is done. Read further about Jude Mire at https://judemire.ca
2. Corn Worm ***** by Berengaria Di Rossi (GER) Set in 1640, conquistadors in South America are received as gods by an indigenous tribe who worship a Corn Goddess. Berengaria Di Rossi has one novella listed on Goodreads at Distantly Falling Stars which you can read for free on Wattpad along with other works at https://www.wattpad.com/user/Di_Rossi. You don't necessarily have to join Wattpad in order to read free works.
3. Succubus *** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A murderous female psychopath draws an unwitting lawyer under her spell. Alice J. Taylor is the penname of author / editor / publisher Emily S. Hurricane and you can read further at www.emilyshurricane.com
4. Marshmallows *** by Dee Rasha (CZ). A woman comes home to find a stranger asleep on the couch and her roommate apparently asleep in her bed.
5. Lumberers ** by Jude Mire (CAN). Drugged up squatters are attacked by group of drugged up vigilantes armed with wooden sticks.
6. Parted **** by Joey Huff (USA). A doctor who is suffering from a seemingly incurable disease is suddenly revitalized by a new method of cure, until he discovers its diabolical source.
7. Monster *** by Bridget Eilis (CAN ). A twist on the old ‘monster under the bed’ story. Bridget Eilis is the penname of Emerald Baynton and you can read further at www.emeraldscreations.org
8. Apartment 2A *** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A man tries to escape his dead wife but to no avail.
9. Zoom **** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A man experiences hallucinations about cars and colours.
10. Regarding Security *** by Jude Mire (CAN). While clearing the area before a meeting of crime cartels, a dog sniffs out a suspicious manhole.
11. The Book ** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A writer has a fateful encounter with an enchanted black book.
12. Eater of Dread ***** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A woman is sent into the forest to discover why the men of her tribe never return from there.
13. Room 696 *** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A maintenance worker encounters a haunted room in a student dormitory.
14. Into The Dark ** by Richard Simonds (USA). A fantasy about writing.
15. The Oubliette ***** by Elaine March (USA). The Lady of Longsdale Castle is having ancient corpses removed from a newly discovered secret dungeon.
16. Margaret Street **** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). Someone is stuck inside a sort of ‘Bermuda Triangle’ on a city street.
17. Paralysis **** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A haunted house claims its victims through a dream paralysis.
18. Milk and Cookies *** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A very different kind of Santa makes an appearance at a house where the family cat is missing.
19. Squishfoot Dummy **** by Jude Mire (CAN). Two men who are out catching nightcrawlers for use as fishing bait encounter a different kind of worm.
Statistics
For my month end and year end statistics this book will be counted as Canadian 🍁 due to a majority of the stories (10 out 19) being from Canadian authors. I am not going to start counting fractions such as 1/19 Czech or 1/19 Germany etc. 😅
Review of the Kindle eBook edition (May 7, 2024).
A terrific anthology of horror and fantasy with several Canadian authors included. The 5-stars for me were more historical fiction related, adding that additional element to the standard shocks and chills. Full disclosure: I am GR Friends with the author of #2 Berengaria Di Rossi, although I think even with a blind read I would have still given Corn Worm a high rating.
The following summaries provide story setups without reveals or spoilers so I have not spoiler blocked them. Additional links have been listed for those authors who provided website addresses in their bios or for whom I have the information.
[3.5 average rating for the 19 stories, rounded up to a GR 4]
1. Hot Dog Man **** by Jude Mire (CAN). A homeless man can tell the future as long as he is fed a hot dog. One person gets too curious about how it is done. Read further about Jude Mire at https://judemire.ca
2. Corn Worm ***** by Berengaria Di Rossi (GER) Set in 1640, conquistadors in South America are received as gods by an indigenous tribe who worship a Corn Goddess. Berengaria Di Rossi has one novella listed on Goodreads at Distantly Falling Stars which you can read for free on Wattpad along with other works at https://www.wattpad.com/user/Di_Rossi. You don't necessarily have to join Wattpad in order to read free works.
3. Succubus *** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A murderous female psychopath draws an unwitting lawyer under her spell. Alice J. Taylor is the penname of author / editor / publisher Emily S. Hurricane and you can read further at www.emilyshurricane.com
4. Marshmallows *** by Dee Rasha (CZ). A woman comes home to find a stranger asleep on the couch and her roommate apparently asleep in her bed.
5. Lumberers ** by Jude Mire (CAN). Drugged up squatters are attacked by group of drugged up vigilantes armed with wooden sticks.
6. Parted **** by Joey Huff (USA). A doctor who is suffering from a seemingly incurable disease is suddenly revitalized by a new method of cure, until he discovers its diabolical source.
7. Monster *** by Bridget Eilis (CAN ). A twist on the old ‘monster under the bed’ story. Bridget Eilis is the penname of Emerald Baynton and you can read further at www.emeraldscreations.org
8. Apartment 2A *** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A man tries to escape his dead wife but to no avail.
9. Zoom **** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A man experiences hallucinations about cars and colours.
10. Regarding Security *** by Jude Mire (CAN). While clearing the area before a meeting of crime cartels, a dog sniffs out a suspicious manhole.
11. The Book ** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A writer has a fateful encounter with an enchanted black book.
12. Eater of Dread ***** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A woman is sent into the forest to discover why the men of her tribe never return from there.
13. Room 696 *** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A maintenance worker encounters a haunted room in a student dormitory.
14. Into The Dark ** by Richard Simonds (USA). A fantasy about writing.
15. The Oubliette ***** by Elaine March (USA). The Lady of Longsdale Castle is having ancient corpses removed from a newly discovered secret dungeon.
16. Margaret Street **** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). Someone is stuck inside a sort of ‘Bermuda Triangle’ on a city street.
17. Paralysis **** by Paola F. Caravasso (VNZ). A haunted house claims its victims through a dream paralysis.
18. Milk and Cookies *** by Alice J. Taylor (CAN). A very different kind of Santa makes an appearance at a house where the family cat is missing.
19. Squishfoot Dummy **** by Jude Mire (CAN). Two men who are out catching nightcrawlers for use as fishing bait encounter a different kind of worm.
Statistics
For my month end and year end statistics this book will be counted as Canadian 🍁 due to a majority of the stories (10 out 19) being from Canadian authors. I am not going to start counting fractions such as 1/19 Czech or 1/19 Germany etc. 😅
April 22, 2024
Great short and creepy stories. Fantastic for anyone who likes horror and thriller but doesnt have time for lengthy novels. Some stories were graphic and creepy where as others were intense and chilling. Great collection with a wide variety of horror.
April 22, 2024
LOVE IT!!!
"Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." is a chilling anthology that compiles a haunting array of horror stories from a diverse range of talented authors. Each tale in this collection possesses its own unique brand of terror, showcasing the breadth and depth of horror writing styles within its pages.
From the eerie atmospheres to the heart-stopping plot twists, "Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." plunges readers into the depths of fear and refuses to release its grip. What distinguishes this anthology is the wide spectrum of horror subgenres explored, catering to the varied tastes of horror enthusiasts. Whether you crave psychological torment, supernatural encounters, or visceral gore, you'll find it all within these spine-chilling stories.
In summary, "Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." is an essential addition to any horror aficionado's library. With its gripping storytelling, diverse array of scares, and unforgettable characters, this anthology promises to keep readers up at night, unable to shake the chilling tales contained within its pages. Dare to delve into its depths, but beware—the darkness within may consume you.
"Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." is a chilling anthology that compiles a haunting array of horror stories from a diverse range of talented authors. Each tale in this collection possesses its own unique brand of terror, showcasing the breadth and depth of horror writing styles within its pages.
From the eerie atmospheres to the heart-stopping plot twists, "Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." plunges readers into the depths of fear and refuses to release its grip. What distinguishes this anthology is the wide spectrum of horror subgenres explored, catering to the varied tastes of horror enthusiasts. Whether you crave psychological torment, supernatural encounters, or visceral gore, you'll find it all within these spine-chilling stories.
In summary, "Don't Read This Book After Dark Vol 3." is an essential addition to any horror aficionado's library. With its gripping storytelling, diverse array of scares, and unforgettable characters, this anthology promises to keep readers up at night, unable to shake the chilling tales contained within its pages. Dare to delve into its depths, but beware—the darkness within may consume you.
December 4, 2025
Great collection including especially my flash “Into the Dark.”
April 22, 2024
Prepare to embark on a heart-pounding journey into the realm of the macabre. This spine-tingling anthology, curated by nine horror maestros from around the globe, delivers an electrifying fusion of terror that will leave you spellbound. With each meticulously crafted tale, the authors expertly weave a web of suspense and horror, inviting readers to confront their deepest fears in the darkest corners of their imagination.
From ancient curses to modern-day nightmares, "Don't Read This Book After Dark" offers a tantalizing array of horrors guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Each story is a testament to the diversity and ingenuity of its contributors, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old genre of horror. Whether you're a seasoned reader or a newcomer to the world of fright (like me!), this anthology promises to deliver an unforgettable reading experience that will linger long after the final page is turned.
From ancient curses to modern-day nightmares, "Don't Read This Book After Dark" offers a tantalizing array of horrors guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Each story is a testament to the diversity and ingenuity of its contributors, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old genre of horror. Whether you're a seasoned reader or a newcomer to the world of fright (like me!), this anthology promises to deliver an unforgettable reading experience that will linger long after the final page is turned.
June 3, 2024
The victims in this horror anthology steered well clear of the tool shed, the basement, the cemetery and the usual hunting grounds they flock to when being chased by a psycho or some creepy being. These short stories were classier and more focused on situational horror than pursuit scenes. Most stories ended with either some kind of twist or an alteration of perspective.
I’ll start with my favourite short story then a few noteworthy others:
Corn Worm by Berengaria di Rossi (5 stars)
What a cool and disgusting title: it hooked me like a worm. Of the anthology, this story stood out as the best at world-building (set in South America, 1640). It was historic, atmospheric. It was clever in the way it captured a historical moment in time and yet there was some uncanny divergence, leaning into the horror element. What happens when the two worlds collide? And how quickly things can change when it comes to being pitied mwahaha. Especially where the Corn Worm is involved…
Succubus by Alice J Taylor (5 stars)
A look inside the mind of a deviant. Clever, imaginative, gets you thinking. Firstly, I loved the crafty language that implied sex without resorting to setting up a tripod and telling us blow by blow, as is often the case. Eg, “ruined sheets”. The angle of dehumanisation and the lack of taking responsibility was top notch.
Marshmallows by Dee Rasha (5 stars)
This one was like watching a lamb stumble into a predator’s den. Good tension. I hope I am right in saying that the writer was going for something different than the surprise twist, as it was obvious from the get-go. They could have gone with the greedy option, the surprise behind the curtain, but instead they took a compelling angle. A great scenario involving letting your politeness override your instinct for danger.
Squishfoot Dummy by Jude Mire (5 stars)
This story made me squirm. If this had happened to me, I would have screamed in the worst panic of my life. I was totally satisfied with the ending, could not get enough of it. The suffering would almost have been worth it.
I’m going to deviate from my usual rating system since this one is an anthology (and I have little else to compare the genre with). As with most anthologies, some stories will be better than others, so it seems wasteful to average it out. I don’t like all the songs by my favourite band, but when I go and see them live, I still have the best time. So, I am treating this anthology in the same way. The overall feeling. And for that, I am giving it 5 stars. The anthology scores highly in originality, cohesiveness, the range of horror styles, imagination, and grossness.
A great anthology for those who like situational horror more than the cut and rip style.
I received an advanced review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ll start with my favourite short story then a few noteworthy others:
Corn Worm by Berengaria di Rossi (5 stars)
What a cool and disgusting title: it hooked me like a worm. Of the anthology, this story stood out as the best at world-building (set in South America, 1640). It was historic, atmospheric. It was clever in the way it captured a historical moment in time and yet there was some uncanny divergence, leaning into the horror element. What happens when the two worlds collide? And how quickly things can change when it comes to being pitied mwahaha. Especially where the Corn Worm is involved…
Succubus by Alice J Taylor (5 stars)
A look inside the mind of a deviant. Clever, imaginative, gets you thinking. Firstly, I loved the crafty language that implied sex without resorting to setting up a tripod and telling us blow by blow, as is often the case. Eg, “ruined sheets”. The angle of dehumanisation and the lack of taking responsibility was top notch.
Marshmallows by Dee Rasha (5 stars)
This one was like watching a lamb stumble into a predator’s den. Good tension. I hope I am right in saying that the writer was going for something different than the surprise twist, as it was obvious from the get-go. They could have gone with the greedy option, the surprise behind the curtain, but instead they took a compelling angle. A great scenario involving letting your politeness override your instinct for danger.
Squishfoot Dummy by Jude Mire (5 stars)
This story made me squirm. If this had happened to me, I would have screamed in the worst panic of my life. I was totally satisfied with the ending, could not get enough of it. The suffering would almost have been worth it.
I’m going to deviate from my usual rating system since this one is an anthology (and I have little else to compare the genre with). As with most anthologies, some stories will be better than others, so it seems wasteful to average it out. I don’t like all the songs by my favourite band, but when I go and see them live, I still have the best time. So, I am treating this anthology in the same way. The overall feeling. And for that, I am giving it 5 stars. The anthology scores highly in originality, cohesiveness, the range of horror styles, imagination, and grossness.
A great anthology for those who like situational horror more than the cut and rip style.
I received an advanced review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews