13 Octobers

by Alexander S. Brown

In this mixed bag of treats … and tricks, readers will return to older times. Back when oral tradition warned of grisly things that lurked about on Autumn nights. A bygone era when people heeded superstitions and lore, and few dared to brave the forbidden.

Readers will encounter thirteen chilling stories presented in four decades of vintage life. These horrors ghosts, unlucky animals, murderers, creatures, and the devil himself.<

13 Octobers was first published as The Night the Jack-o'-Lantern Went Out in 2014. Since it went out of print, this release is Brown’s preferred edition.

251 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2024

Reviews

[Russell Holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Alexander Brown and it was a wonderful experience! This is an excellent book of short stories centered around the Halloween season in the decades of 1930 to 1960. The author uses slang and terminology from each decade giving each story a true feeling of authenticity. But, my favorite aspect of this anthology is the style in which the stories are told. It really has that old-school, campfire story telling style and feel. As a fan of the author's BookTube channel, Bookworm of the Damned, I could hear the author's voice relating each tale as I read along. I loved every story, some more than others, but each one in it's own way. I feel that this is a very strong short story collection and I highly reccommend it to all fans of creepy, Halloween horror stories! I enjoyed it so much that I was actually sad when it came to an end. Excellent!

[Blake Kelly (The Boo Bear) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that Halloween is an important time to me. I have so many fond October memories from both my childhood and life as an adult. In addition to a cornucopia of fond memories, October and Halloween helped to develop my love for all things spooky.

Rarely, do I read an anthology and walk away enjoying every story and that goes double for Halloween anthologies. That was not the case here! This anthology is the perfect Halloween read! It is a great book to sit on your couch and lose yourself in while snuggly wrapped up in your favorite Halloween throw blanket and sipping some pumpkin spice latte or cinnamon tea.

What I especially love about Alexander Brown’s book is the feeling of cozy nostalgia it gives me, even when what I am reading is a horror book. There is something oddly comforting about each and every story. As I mentioned, every story is wonderful. My personal favorites were: Outhouse, Faceless, Fire Watchers and Owls.

If you are a lover of the Halloween season and enjoy reading a book that embodies the entire spirit of the season, do yourself a favor and read this. You won’t be disappointed!

[Kevin Maze · Rating 5 out of 5]

“By the time the fire got a good crackle goin’, I heard an owl screechin’, crickets chirpin’, and the wind ahowlin’. Above us, there was a sickle moon that peeked out from behind stormy clouds, and from across the field, we heard a roll of thunder.
Yep, I thought, feels like Halloween.”

You will be hard-pressed to find another great collection of creepy Halloween stories than this collection. Alexander S. Brown crafts 13 stories spanning four decades all involving that wondrous, mysterious holiday of the fall. The stories are as diverse as the decades the tales are set, yet they all have something to do with the one day the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. And what a collection it is: tales of the supernatural, the paranormal, of threats otherworldly and all too human. With Halloween fast approaching now is the perfect time to pick up this book and welcome the spooky season!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect storm of homespun short stories to enjoy on the long dark nights of the spooky season!!! Each story has a flavor of southern life all it's own, while harkening back to the cultures that created, and built the south! This book celebrates the folklore and culture of the south, while spinning the undercurrent of the supernatural! This is a fantastic collection that should be on everyone's list this spooky season!

[April Richie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved this book. Every story was amazing. I enjoyed each of the stories very much. I would definitely recommend this book.