The Web

by Robin Knabel, Tinamarie Cox, Mathilde Glass

When the internet wormed its way into our world, it changed our lives forever.

So much of our day plays out on a working, gathering information, entertaining ourselves, even finding and building relationships.

But—who or what is hiding behind the screen?

What happens when someone on the information superhighway decides to take a detour into darkness? Will you become their prey, languishing in a web of deceit and danger?

Let us show you what’s lurking on the dark web.

Are you ready to get connected?

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Robin Knabel is the owner of Inky Bones Press and a horror author who covers her eyes during scary movies. She’s a member of the Chicago HWA chapter, and her stories can be found in numerous anthologies and online magazines. She enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee & taking photographs. You can usually find her reading on her couch while being weighed down by a cat (or two).

Reviews

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great anthology by Inky Bones Press! Containing seven short stories about or around the internet, this Dark Decades anthology (the fifth entry in the series) combines wonderfully an atmosphere of dread and creepiness with the sinister anonymity of the web, the apparent freedom it provides, and the moral flexibility of digital media.

There are no hits and misses in this volume: the stories are engrossing, well-written, and quite original. My favorite, showcasing all three features to an excellent degree, was Caitlin A. Quinn's "Auction": the premise is stunning in its simplicity (selling your soul online), the execution incredibly well-crafted (chat and e-mail transcripts), the development unpredictable (not even the seller herself realizes the very real implications of what she's doing) - and that ending!!! I would enjoy reading this story again and again, and I recommend it to everyone who's intrigued by internet horror! Equally well-done was Tinamarie Cox's “As Advertised,” though its moral ambiguities (not to mention its plausibility) might have been more extensively explored; still, its shortness packs a punch and might easily provoke worthwhile discussion in a moral philosophy seminar. Last but not least, two stories worth reading for showing how internet technology, however tenuously, may not only impact one's profession but also allow for some radical upsetting of the internal moral order, were Robin Knabel's "Live Feed” and Jeremy Russell's “A Shambles”. Knabel's story is short but, as an autopsy story (actually an autopsy transmitted through a necropsy feed), it exhibits a terrific grasp of the options technology provides the psychopathic personality, as well as what it can keep hidden from view; "Shambles," about a computer programmer ending up working in a slaughterhouse, displays a rather deep understanding of one's dissatisfaction with the everyday, and the consequences when the everyday decides to hit back.

In sum, this Dark Decades Anthology collection merits wide attention for the superb storytelling skills of its authors, its intriguing theme (the occasionally terrifying implications of internet comnectivity), and the sheer delight and entertainment it offers whether you're an internet horror fan or not. I unreservedly recommend it!

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up from 4.5 stars

This is book #5 in the Dark Decades Anthologies series. This collection is based on the age of the internet. I really enjoyed the short stories in this book.

My favorite was "Mademethinkofyou.bmp" by Matilda Glass. For something to register on the spooky scale it has to be relatable to me. Let's face it, who hasn't at some point in there life jumped onto their bed so that the thing living under there can't grab you by the ankles?

The only reason I deducted half a star is that this is the first book out of this series that I felt deviated from the topic. The stories in the other anthologies all directly stemmed from the main topic (old theater, radio, TV, video, etc.). I felt like some of the stories embraced the topic of the internet very loosely instead of the action in the story being centered around it. I fully enjoyed them all. I just didn't feel they all suited this particular collection.

Thank you to Robin Knabel and Inky Bones Press. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Release date 9/3/24

[Megan Diedericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inky Bones Press is at it with another ‘Dark Decades’ anthology, this time set in the 2000s, and Y2K wasn't ready for what these authors unearthed! (Neither was I...)

My thoughts on each story:
• “As Advertised” by Tinamarie Cox
I adore how descriptive this story is – it feels as though I'm right there and witnessing the events unfold. What I had in mind after finishing it was: ‘It was always going to end this way,’ which was both saddening and comforting. Haunting story, in more ways than one!
• “Mademethinkofyou.bmp” by Mathilde Glass
First of all, creative title (at first glance, anyway. After reading the story it takes on a whole new meaning – genius!)
I was also struck hard by the stentence: ‘What love song didn't sound obsessive and romanticize stalking?’ BECAUSE, THAT'S LITERALLY SO TRUE!!!
This story read like an urban legend that we all fear happening to us at some point in time. I loved it!
• “We Are Changing Your Electric Meter” by Katherine Kerestman
JAW. ON. THE. FLOOR. I definitely wasn't expecting that ending. Amazing, saddening and also a little thought-provoking in regards to the world (digital or otherwise) we live in!
• “Live Feed” by Robin Knabel
Absolutely terrifying! Who doesn't love a good autopsy story? I know I do – and I also love the morbid feel that remains throughout the whole story. All else I'll say is: there's something to be said for people who see everything, but nothing at all... 👀
• “Finn and Morris” by Corinne Pollard
This story took me through a whole range of emotions – from ‘awww’ to ‘AHHH!’ The storytelling is incredible!
• “Auction” by Caitlin A. Quinn
The format of this story is so insanely creative. It reminded me of a couple of technology horror movies, as this story takes place mainly over email!! It felt like I was unearthing the evidence myself as I was reading it – like I had found a secondhand laptop that hadn't been erased. Horrifying and absolutely haunting!!!
• “A Shambles” by Jeremy Russell
Despite it being first-person narration, to me the story really felt like it was more Wendie's. ‘Good for her’ vibes in the same way Florence Pugh's character had it in Midsommar – she didn't really win and everything comes at a cost. Which is to say: this is an amazing story!!!

I love the concept of technology going wrong or, the much more real possibility, there being something evil on the other side (or even inside!)

Because stories like “Mademethinkofyou.bpm” and “A Shambles” contain events that could very well happen, maybe you even heard of something similar on the news (or read a post on a very obscure Scary Stories Instagram account...)

Point is – it is so horrifying because these are devices and things we all come into contact with every day, and the very real feelings of fear and paranoia are perfectly captured in this anthology.

“The Web” will be credited in my laptop's goodbye-note.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology series and I'm so happy to say that I have the first 6 books to review over the next month - you may have seen my review of books 1, 2, 3 and 4 - There's No Escape, Who's Listening?, Who's Watching? and Captured - recently.

I'm back now with book 5 which dedicates it's short story collection to all things internet and online and we take a trip around the 2000's.

I actually found this one even more scary than the others - just because we're all still a little apprehensive of this era and all the developments in technology.
So much changing, so quickly and as I'm getting older, it's definitely getting more daunting trying to keep up with it all!
So, some of the events here feel totally realistic and believable - and that definitely spooks me out more!

Being a sucker for this genre though, I loved the ideas brought to us through this collection and once again raced through this quick read, loving that tense and on edge feeling I got.

Such a diverse collection of writers and styles, but each one evoking memories and emotions to make this a great read.
Looking forward to book 6 reading over the next few days.....

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 5 of the Inky Bones Dark Decades Anthology series.

This time is the turn of the internet where horror reigns true.. if you know where to look.

In this collection, we have 7 stories from an array of authors all attempting to horrify us with tales of The Web and the very first story does that.

As Advertised follows Rebecca as she looks for help with an illness... it's a story where you feel pity to Rebecca and a strange overall feeling as I can actually believe a service like this exists given how crazy the world is!

Once again Robin has chosen stories that showcase the deepest and darkest parts of a horror writers mind, all while wrapping around real life ik such a way that you honestly can see these stories being true.

This is another dark and twisty collection but with a chilling nod The Web... perfect for Spooky Season!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology features seven short stories relating to the Internet. Each story is original and creepy. My favourites had to be As Advertised which really gave me the feels and made me realise that the dark Web isn't all sinister. Live Feed was my other favourite, autopsies with a difference!

This collection highlights some of the worst of technology and the paranoia and fear we experience when using it. Definitely recommend.

[Pauline Render · Rating 4 out of 5]

So can you really trust the internet? In this anthology you might just get an answer.
If you’re like me, and quite suspicious of the online world, this collection of short stories will definitely make you wonder just who or what you can trust. A couple of the tales could be classed as quite cautionary, but my favourite was As Advertised by Tinamarie Cox, which I found very thought provoking.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start these reviews by saying I was absolutely hooked on this series from the start. So much so that before I finished the first one I purchased them all on kindle, one to support the authors, and two because I knew I would be rereading them. These collections are fantastic since you can read them during breaks, on commutes or safe at home. They are also fantastic because of the different types of horror we get. For a horror fan they are a must read but I think even those stepping into the world of dark fiction and horror would enjoy these.

The Web was another hit by Inky Bones. I’ve really enjoyed the nostalgia of the other collections but this one seemed all the more creepy because it’s very present. Again each story is fantastic but I loved the opening one. As Advertised it was not only written well but I loved the pacing and premise. My other favourite was Auction. It was such a unique medium of storytelling and I was instantly intrigued and hooked. You really got a sense of anonymity with it that the Web can bring. These are perfect for spooky season and I can’t recommend them enough for horror fans.


It’s safe to say I have loved the Dark Decades collection by Inky Bones Press. I really hope we get more collections or works in the future because these are some top tier short horror and dark fiction stories. A must read for horror fans.

As always thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours for the copies to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Web by Robin Knabel

This is an intriguing short story anthology centered around the internet. It’s a quick read, I read it inside a day. I found the stories interesting and very different from each other. Since the inception of the internet, it has overtaken our lives quite a bit. It brought new jobs to train for, computer courses at college, computers in schools, workplaces transferring from paper environments to computer based work and people buying their own computers to have at home. Desktop based computers became laptops for convenience as well as other internet based devices. The stories are creepy but well written and thought out. They have been well devised with the reader in mind and I found this to be a shorter book than Captured. There is also a section that introduces you to the writers which I think is a nice touch.

Blurb :

When the internet wormed its way into our world, it changed our lives forever.
So much of our day plays out on a device: working, gathering information, entertaining ourselves, even finding and building relationships.
But—who or what is hiding behind the screen?
What happens when someone on the information superhighway decides to take a detour into darkness? Will you become their prey, languishing in a web of deceit and danger?
Let us show you what’s lurking on the dark web.
Are you ready to get connected?

[Claire Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world wide web is the topic of this fifth Dark Decades short story anthology (although it does deviate somewhat), and it's my favourite so far! Beginning with the brilliant As Advertised, the tales seem designed to make you examine whether you can trust face value. I particularly enjoyed Live Feed from this collection; it was so visceral in its description!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Robin Knabel and Zoé from Zooloo's Book Tours for providing an eARC and organising. This is my unbiased review.

[Luc Dantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Web' is an anthology which is part of the Dark Decades series published by Inky Bones Press and edited by Robin Knabel. Knabel, who is also a contributing author, has done a magnificent job in collecting and editing a diverse array of horror stories for each book. 'The Web', as the name indicates, primarily focuses on the dark side of the internet, especially when it first came into being. When not everyone knew how it all worked and those that did were able to commit atrocities.