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Captured: An Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology
The 1980s inspire nostalgia, even for those who weren’t there. One of the hallmarks from that time was renting videos. Blockbuster stores dotted a corner in every town. People wandered mazes of movie titles like zombies, hands reaching forward to grasp the latest flicks before someone else did. Excitement flowed through patrons handing membership cards to the clerks. Anticipation built as they grabbed stacks of plastic video cases loaded with cinematic delights to binge.
Sure, renting videos brought thrills—especially if you opted for horror. Some took it to the next level, though, capturing their own memories and homemade documentaries with camcorders. Others went in a different direction, titillated by the danger and risk of pirating movies. And some broke the golden not rewinding, an unkind act that begged for strict repercussions.
What if the creatures and villains in those films didn’t stay on the TV screen? What if employees of those popular video rental chains weren’t trustworthy? What nefarious deeds were being plotted behind the scenes? Did anyone unleash an unspeakable evil hiding on those tapes that did—or didn’t—want to be found?
The authors in this collection want to show you the terrors that await unsuspecting viewers.
Are you afraid, or will you press play?
Sure, renting videos brought thrills—especially if you opted for horror. Some took it to the next level, though, capturing their own memories and homemade documentaries with camcorders. Others went in a different direction, titillated by the danger and risk of pirating movies. And some broke the golden not rewinding, an unkind act that begged for strict repercussions.
What if the creatures and villains in those films didn’t stay on the TV screen? What if employees of those popular video rental chains weren’t trustworthy? What nefarious deeds were being plotted behind the scenes? Did anyone unleash an unspeakable evil hiding on those tapes that did—or didn’t—want to be found?
The authors in this collection want to show you the terrors that await unsuspecting viewers.
Are you afraid, or will you press play?
143 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2024
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Robin Knabel
19 books45 followersRobin 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).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 27, 2024
Right off the bat, I L O V E the introduction. I mean: “Did anyone unleash an unspeakable evil hiding on those tapes that did—or didn’t—want to be found?” – WOW!
My thoughts on each story:
• “Video Nasty” by Joseph J. Dowling
The 80s and slasher film vibes are strong with this one. It also, oddly enough, reminded me of the few Alex Delaware novels by Jonathan Kellerman I've read. Incredible story, and seeing my own name was one of the bigger jumpscares (just kidding!)
• “Skin Flicks” by gaast
Oh. My. God. Words cannot describe how absolutely perfect the title is. This story is so visceral and horrifying, but at its core it felt like a love story (or maybe that's just me. All I know is I LOVED it.)
• “An Expert in Slasher Film” by David Hagertry
I can't say too much in fear of revealing the whole story... But DAMN. Excellent storytelling!!
• “The Bucket List” by Robin Knabel
A whirlwind of emotions in this one, and the title is so fitting in several ways. Robin's first-person narration is always masterful!!!
• “Raising Hell at Blockbuster” by Phoenix McDonald
BONE-CHILLING!!!! I loved the isolated feel of this story, and the ensuing madness – just, WOW! Also, I need a sequel (this may or may not be a reference to the story, and also a very real need 😭)
• “Vehicular Crash Report” by Jonathan Reddoch
This story is so karmic and I'm HERE for it!! Once again, a fitting title, and when the reason for it clicked... I was in awe. AND – the ending sentence was perfect!
• “Cinema Vérité” by Marc Sorondo
The concept of this story is absolute genius and so perfectly executed. I can imagine this as a horror film, or maybe even a series!!
• “Sirens” by Matthew Wignall
The grief in this story is very corporeal – the ominous and horrifying feel of it is no different. I was absolutely enthralled!
So many of these stories stood out to me, but the final two are definitely among my favourites.
The flow of this collection is also excellent, which is something I always love to see when it comes anthologies.
Insanely scary and I would definitely recommend this to a fellow horror fan!
P.S. A few of these stories made me think of the “Mark me down as scared AND horny!”-meme (if that's of import to anybody 😂)
My thoughts on each story:
• “Video Nasty” by Joseph J. Dowling
The 80s and slasher film vibes are strong with this one. It also, oddly enough, reminded me of the few Alex Delaware novels by Jonathan Kellerman I've read. Incredible story, and seeing my own name was one of the bigger jumpscares (just kidding!)
• “Skin Flicks” by gaast
Oh. My. God. Words cannot describe how absolutely perfect the title is. This story is so visceral and horrifying, but at its core it felt like a love story (or maybe that's just me. All I know is I LOVED it.)
• “An Expert in Slasher Film” by David Hagertry
I can't say too much in fear of revealing the whole story... But DAMN. Excellent storytelling!!
• “The Bucket List” by Robin Knabel
A whirlwind of emotions in this one, and the title is so fitting in several ways. Robin's first-person narration is always masterful!!!
• “Raising Hell at Blockbuster” by Phoenix McDonald
BONE-CHILLING!!!! I loved the isolated feel of this story, and the ensuing madness – just, WOW! Also, I need a sequel (this may or may not be a reference to the story, and also a very real need 😭)
• “Vehicular Crash Report” by Jonathan Reddoch
This story is so karmic and I'm HERE for it!! Once again, a fitting title, and when the reason for it clicked... I was in awe. AND – the ending sentence was perfect!
• “Cinema Vérité” by Marc Sorondo
The concept of this story is absolute genius and so perfectly executed. I can imagine this as a horror film, or maybe even a series!!
• “Sirens” by Matthew Wignall
The grief in this story is very corporeal – the ominous and horrifying feel of it is no different. I was absolutely enthralled!
So many of these stories stood out to me, but the final two are definitely among my favourites.
The flow of this collection is also excellent, which is something I always love to see when it comes anthologies.
Insanely scary and I would definitely recommend this to a fellow horror fan!
P.S. A few of these stories made me think of the “Mark me down as scared AND horny!”-meme (if that's of import to anybody 😂)
November 2, 2024
What a collection this is! Set in the 1980s when video tapes were popular, this made me quite nostalgic (even though I was born in 89)
I loved the first story Video Nasty. Remember when people would return a video but wouldn't rewind it? Yep well theyd quickly rewind after reading this story!
We'll be here all day if I go into each story but they were all fantastic for different reasons and there's something in here for everyone. Highly recommend.
I loved the first story Video Nasty. Remember when people would return a video but wouldn't rewind it? Yep well theyd quickly rewind after reading this story!
We'll be here all day if I go into each story but they were all fantastic for different reasons and there's something in here for everyone. Highly recommend.
August 19, 2024
Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthologies keep going strong, and this time, with "Captured", the series focuses on the 1980s. The stories revolve around the video rental stores, home videos, VHS and Betamax tapes, rewind penalty fees, and the slasher film craziness of that decade. Horror movies, video nasties, the urban legend of snuff films, and the very idea of employment in a video rental store also come up with some welcome frequency. Still, the stories differ widely from each other, some of them darkly humorous, others rather disturbing, all of them decent and unique attempts to express the 1980s nostalgia for the hallowed days of Blockbuster and VHS tapes.
The opening story, "Video Nasty” by Joseph J. Dowling, is the perfect introduction to the video renting craziness of that decade: it takes the video rental store as the setting for a wild adventure through snuff, "please be kind rewind", bizarre VHS tapes, and police movies of the 1980s. Dowling's style, however, gradually approaches the modern kind of storytelling, attacking many different fronts at once and trying to pick the best twist with which to close the story; the ending suffers as a result, or so it felt to me. This approach to storytelling goes double for the second story, gaast's “Skin Flicks”: an excellent tale of queer horror that did not convey the 1980s mood convincingly to me. It felt more like a 2000s tale, with concerns prevalent in that decade. That said, the ending was amazing and I loved gaast's story for it. The third story, "An Expert in Slasher Film” by David Hagerty, was a really good attempt to bring out the rumors of snuff films that were going around in the 1980s video stores. I would have liked it more if the characterization and the dialogue sounded more natural. “The Bucket List” by Robin Knabel, the volume's editor, is the best story in the anthology in my opinion, though it's not entirely easy to see how it connects with the 1980s theme: mentioning Shark Week documentaries and Jaws, and the securing of footage of interactions with sharks up close, was enjoyable but ultimately not compelling. Perhaps the point of the story is summed up by the fact that it ends with a nod to the Faces of Death movie. “Raising Hell at Blockbuster" by Phoenix McDonald reads as a video nasty-slash-Hellraiser spoof; “Vehicular Crash Report” by Jonathan Reddoch is a nicely done ghost story; Marc Sorondo's “Cinema Vérité” was a terrific tale of the "cursed object" trope: a reality-bending camcorder destroys a woman's life - though the premise could be said to work equally well for any recording device. “Sirens” by Matthew Wignall was a rather obscure ghost(?) tale, whose central idea was wonderfully creepy but whose point I did not get at all.
In sum, as you can probably tell, I was a bit underwhelmed by the anthology: the stories are interesting and well-written, but other than the authors covering all the proper bases per the requirements of the anthology's theme, they seldom hit the nail on the head in reference to the 1980s mood; the stories simply did not feel immersive enough. Still, they all stand quite well on their own - there's definitely at least one story in there that every horror fan will enjoy and love.
The opening story, "Video Nasty” by Joseph J. Dowling, is the perfect introduction to the video renting craziness of that decade: it takes the video rental store as the setting for a wild adventure through snuff, "please be kind rewind", bizarre VHS tapes, and police movies of the 1980s. Dowling's style, however, gradually approaches the modern kind of storytelling, attacking many different fronts at once and trying to pick the best twist with which to close the story; the ending suffers as a result, or so it felt to me. This approach to storytelling goes double for the second story, gaast's “Skin Flicks”: an excellent tale of queer horror that did not convey the 1980s mood convincingly to me. It felt more like a 2000s tale, with concerns prevalent in that decade. That said, the ending was amazing and I loved gaast's story for it. The third story, "An Expert in Slasher Film” by David Hagerty, was a really good attempt to bring out the rumors of snuff films that were going around in the 1980s video stores. I would have liked it more if the characterization and the dialogue sounded more natural. “The Bucket List” by Robin Knabel, the volume's editor, is the best story in the anthology in my opinion, though it's not entirely easy to see how it connects with the 1980s theme: mentioning Shark Week documentaries and Jaws, and the securing of footage of interactions with sharks up close, was enjoyable but ultimately not compelling. Perhaps the point of the story is summed up by the fact that it ends with a nod to the Faces of Death movie. “Raising Hell at Blockbuster" by Phoenix McDonald reads as a video nasty-slash-Hellraiser spoof; “Vehicular Crash Report” by Jonathan Reddoch is a nicely done ghost story; Marc Sorondo's “Cinema Vérité” was a terrific tale of the "cursed object" trope: a reality-bending camcorder destroys a woman's life - though the premise could be said to work equally well for any recording device. “Sirens” by Matthew Wignall was a rather obscure ghost(?) tale, whose central idea was wonderfully creepy but whose point I did not get at all.
In sum, as you can probably tell, I was a bit underwhelmed by the anthology: the stories are interesting and well-written, but other than the authors covering all the proper bases per the requirements of the anthology's theme, they seldom hit the nail on the head in reference to the 1980s mood; the stories simply did not feel immersive enough. Still, they all stand quite well on their own - there's definitely at least one story in there that every horror fan will enjoy and love.
April 5, 2025
'Captured' is a wonderful collection of short stories, edited by one of my new favourite editors, Robin Knabel.
I loved reading 'Captured' because it transported me to one of the best times of my life; a time when VHS reigned supreme!
Watching films used to be a much more physical experience than what it is today. I loved going to the local video shop and seeing all the cool posters and covers of each film. Often, I'd browse for longer than necessary. I'll never forget the pictures of Chucky, Hellraiser, Lake Placid, South Park, Pokémon and more! Looking at each empty box on the shelf was almost like watching a film in and of itself.
'Captured' doesn't only feel nostalgic, but thrills and chills as well. Each story is unique, well-paced, and exciting. So whether or not you love VHS, if you like horror and short stories, you're going to love this too!
P.S. I actually worked for two shops myself, but by that time DVD had taken over.
I loved reading 'Captured' because it transported me to one of the best times of my life; a time when VHS reigned supreme!
Watching films used to be a much more physical experience than what it is today. I loved going to the local video shop and seeing all the cool posters and covers of each film. Often, I'd browse for longer than necessary. I'll never forget the pictures of Chucky, Hellraiser, Lake Placid, South Park, Pokémon and more! Looking at each empty box on the shelf was almost like watching a film in and of itself.
'Captured' doesn't only feel nostalgic, but thrills and chills as well. Each story is unique, well-paced, and exciting. So whether or not you love VHS, if you like horror and short stories, you're going to love this too!
P.S. I actually worked for two shops myself, but by that time DVD had taken over.
August 22, 2024
Rounding up from 4.5 stars
So far this was my favorite out of this series of anthologies. This collection revolves around the VHS video age of the 80's. Having been born in 1982, I very much remember renting videos from Blockbuster and the need to always rewind! I loved the references to horror movies from that era as I am also a 70's and 80's horror junky. My favorite story from this collection was Video Nasty by Joseph J Dowling, although I can honestly say there wasn't really a dud among them.
So far this was my favorite out of this series of anthologies. This collection revolves around the VHS video age of the 80's. Having been born in 1982, I very much remember renting videos from Blockbuster and the need to always rewind! I loved the references to horror movies from that era as I am also a 70's and 80's horror junky. My favorite story from this collection was Video Nasty by Joseph J Dowling, although I can honestly say there wasn't really a dud among them.
March 29, 2025
As someone old enough to have owned a metal cased VCR, this book strikes a great balance between horror and nostalgia. The book starts with Video Nasty, which is a strong opener that could easily be made in to a movie. I enjoyed the maintenance of the VCR theme throughout the book and several characters’ annoyance at tapes not being rewinded. Overall, this is a solid anthology that I recommend to any horror reader over the age of 30.
For fun, when I was done the book I went back to page one before closing it. Can’t be too careful.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
For fun, when I was done the book I went back to page one before closing it. Can’t be too careful.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
August 31, 2025
“The 1980s inspire nostalgia, even for those who weren't there.”
Among the six volumes in the Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology Collection, this particular book stands out as a favorite. Its narrative, centered on movies, video tapes, and establishments like Blockbuster, is skillfully intertwined. Each of the six stories boasts expertly crafted narratives that captivate the reader.
Among the six volumes in the Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology Collection, this particular book stands out as a favorite. Its narrative, centered on movies, video tapes, and establishments like Blockbuster, is skillfully intertwined. Each of the six stories boasts expertly crafted narratives that captivate the reader.
November 5, 2024
This is the fourth 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 and 3 - There's No Escape, Who's Listening? and Who's Watching? - a couple of weeks ago.
This book was my favourite so far (although I may well say this again...) as the short stories here were based around the 1980's and the joy of video cassettes and camcorders.
Growing up in the 80's meant that these stories really brought back some amazing memories - even though these were all "a little spookier" than the real life 80's were for me.
This was such a period of change and my dad, along with so many others, was obsessed with his camcorder and capturing literally every memory on this thing!...and then of course, watching it back.
Also among these stories we see memories of the old video rental stores and some of the classic movies that we all obsessed over.
I remember my brother sneaking out those petrifying horrors to watch in a Friday night - the beginning of my love for this genre!
I loved each of these stories and have to admit to racing through the whole book in one sitting!
Really looking forward to diving straight into book 5 now .....
This book was my favourite so far (although I may well say this again...) as the short stories here were based around the 1980's and the joy of video cassettes and camcorders.
Growing up in the 80's meant that these stories really brought back some amazing memories - even though these were all "a little spookier" than the real life 80's were for me.
This was such a period of change and my dad, along with so many others, was obsessed with his camcorder and capturing literally every memory on this thing!...and then of course, watching it back.
Also among these stories we see memories of the old video rental stores and some of the classic movies that we all obsessed over.
I remember my brother sneaking out those petrifying horrors to watch in a Friday night - the beginning of my love for this genre!
I loved each of these stories and have to admit to racing through the whole book in one sitting!
Really looking forward to diving straight into book 5 now .....
October 31, 2024
This is Book 4 of the Inky Bones Dark Decades Anthology series.
This time is the turn of the 80s where video stores were king! Ahh, the good old days!
In this collection, we have 8 short stories that reflect a creepy movie theme, and I mean.... story 1 is straight into some good old-fashiomed video store murd3r fun!
One again, Robin has selected an intriguing mix of stories that focus on a different part of the 80s, and there are also a few horror film references in there.
Considering it is Halloween today, this particular collection of stories from authors would be a fantastic anthology to binge today - horror in book form!
Once again, these are incredibly dark and twisty, and I LOVED every horrific moment reading them!
It's utterly perfect for some bite-sized horror!
This time is the turn of the 80s where video stores were king! Ahh, the good old days!
In this collection, we have 8 short stories that reflect a creepy movie theme, and I mean.... story 1 is straight into some good old-fashiomed video store murd3r fun!
One again, Robin has selected an intriguing mix of stories that focus on a different part of the 80s, and there are also a few horror film references in there.
Considering it is Halloween today, this particular collection of stories from authors would be a fantastic anthology to binge today - horror in book form!
Once again, these are incredibly dark and twisty, and I LOVED every horrific moment reading them!
It's utterly perfect for some bite-sized horror!
October 30, 2024
This anthology of short stories set in the 80’s really took me back to the decade of my youth, especially as I used to work in a video store.
Some of the tales were unsettling, whilst others, creepy, and a couple of them really had me thinking back to when I watched videos behind the safety of a cushion. One of my favourites though has to be Raising Hell at Blockbuster by Phoenix McDonald, which references one of my favourite movies. These bite size tales are great for a short scare just before you go to, or try to, sleep.
Some of the tales were unsettling, whilst others, creepy, and a couple of them really had me thinking back to when I watched videos behind the safety of a cushion. One of my favourites though has to be Raising Hell at Blockbuster by Phoenix McDonald, which references one of my favourite movies. These bite size tales are great for a short scare just before you go to, or try to, sleep.
May 6, 2025
Captured, edited by Robin Knabel, isn’t just a horror anthology—it’s a love letter to a very specific form of nostalgia: the flickering light of a VHS tape, the maze of video rental shelves, and that sacred ritual of choosing the perfect Friday night movie. But it’s also a warning. These stories ask: what if the horror didn’t remain on the screen?
As someone who didn’t grow up in the ‘80s but still feels oddly attached to it through the pop culture it left behind, this collection really resonated with me. The stories here are soaked in that analog dread—the kind you can almost smell (tape sleeves, stale popcorn, and something else you can’t quite place). But what makes this anthology work isn’t just its setting. It’s how the authors use that nostalgic backdrop to explore deeper fears—about memory, karma, media, and the things we try to rewind but can’t.
Two stories stood out the most for me: Robin Knabel’s “The Bucket List” and Jonathan Reddoch’s “Vehicular Crash Report.” These weren’t just good horror stories—they lingered, long after I closed the book.
Robin’s story reads almost like a meditation on obsession, danger, and our relationship with media. It has this quiet, creeping dread, and the shark imagery brought me back to Jaws in the best way. It doesn’t scream “80s” in an obvious way, but it captures that era’s fascination with the line between real and recorded—especially when it comes to death. There’s a subtle nod to Faces of Death that ties it all together, and by the end, I felt like I’d just surfaced from deep water.
Jonathan’s “Vehicular Crash Report” takes a totally different tone—dry, darkly funny, and ultimately chilling. The format is clever, but it’s the story beneath that structure that really grabbed me. It’s a classic tale of karmic justice, but with enough originality and bite to make it feel fresh. That last line was so sharp it made me stop and reread it—one of those endings that just clicks.
Of course, the rest of the anthology has plenty to offer. Some stories lean more into traditional scares (“Raising Hell at Blockbuster” is pure rental-era chaos), while others dig into more psychological horror. “Cinema Vérité” brings cursed-object horror into the camcorder era, and “Skin Flicks” walks a fascinating line between gore and intimacy. The overall flow of the book is smooth, with each piece building on the atmosphere of the last.
What I appreciated most is that this isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder of how powerful stories—and the devices we use to tell them—can be. In the ‘80s, horror didn’t just live in theaters. It crept into living rooms, with the whir of a VCR, in the fuzzy image of a dubbed tape passed between friends. Captured taps into that fear and makes it feel immediate again.
If you’re someone who loves horror, especially the kind that makes you a little paranoid about the blinking light on your old electronics, this anthology is worth your time. It’s nostalgic, yes—but it’s also deeply unsettling in the best way.
The real question is: Are you afraid, or will you press play?
Favorite Quotes:
“The cage rubs against the boat with an orchestra of metallic screeches.”
(“Bucketlist”)
“And a few other appendages I won’t name.” (“Vehicular Report”)
As someone who didn’t grow up in the ‘80s but still feels oddly attached to it through the pop culture it left behind, this collection really resonated with me. The stories here are soaked in that analog dread—the kind you can almost smell (tape sleeves, stale popcorn, and something else you can’t quite place). But what makes this anthology work isn’t just its setting. It’s how the authors use that nostalgic backdrop to explore deeper fears—about memory, karma, media, and the things we try to rewind but can’t.
Two stories stood out the most for me: Robin Knabel’s “The Bucket List” and Jonathan Reddoch’s “Vehicular Crash Report.” These weren’t just good horror stories—they lingered, long after I closed the book.
Robin’s story reads almost like a meditation on obsession, danger, and our relationship with media. It has this quiet, creeping dread, and the shark imagery brought me back to Jaws in the best way. It doesn’t scream “80s” in an obvious way, but it captures that era’s fascination with the line between real and recorded—especially when it comes to death. There’s a subtle nod to Faces of Death that ties it all together, and by the end, I felt like I’d just surfaced from deep water.
Jonathan’s “Vehicular Crash Report” takes a totally different tone—dry, darkly funny, and ultimately chilling. The format is clever, but it’s the story beneath that structure that really grabbed me. It’s a classic tale of karmic justice, but with enough originality and bite to make it feel fresh. That last line was so sharp it made me stop and reread it—one of those endings that just clicks.
Of course, the rest of the anthology has plenty to offer. Some stories lean more into traditional scares (“Raising Hell at Blockbuster” is pure rental-era chaos), while others dig into more psychological horror. “Cinema Vérité” brings cursed-object horror into the camcorder era, and “Skin Flicks” walks a fascinating line between gore and intimacy. The overall flow of the book is smooth, with each piece building on the atmosphere of the last.
What I appreciated most is that this isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder of how powerful stories—and the devices we use to tell them—can be. In the ‘80s, horror didn’t just live in theaters. It crept into living rooms, with the whir of a VCR, in the fuzzy image of a dubbed tape passed between friends. Captured taps into that fear and makes it feel immediate again.
If you’re someone who loves horror, especially the kind that makes you a little paranoid about the blinking light on your old electronics, this anthology is worth your time. It’s nostalgic, yes—but it’s also deeply unsettling in the best way.
The real question is: Are you afraid, or will you press play?
Favorite Quotes:
“The cage rubs against the boat with an orchestra of metallic screeches.”
(“Bucketlist”)
“And a few other appendages I won’t name.” (“Vehicular Report”)
January 3, 2025
Here is my review for Captured by Robin Knabel and several other authors
This is a truly good horror anthology of short story compilations which use films on video or camcorders or any type of film as the basis for the story. It’s brilliantly written and the imagination of the authors is just excellent. They have excelled themselves with their storytelling and their storylines. The stories are creepy and full of horror with lots of blood in one or two of them. It does bring back memories of going to the video store and selecting a video for the weekend or just the night. A good horror would do and some of these stories would make great horror films if they were to be made!
Blurb :
The 1980s inspire nostalgia, even for those who weren’t there. One of the hallmarks from that time was renting videos. Blockbuster stores dotted a corner in every town. People wandered mazes of movie titles like zombies, hands reaching forward to grasp the latest flicks before someone else did. Excitement flowed through patrons handing membership cards to the clerks. Anticipation built as they grabbed stacks of plastic video cases loaded with cinematic delights to binge.
Sure, renting videos brought thrills—especially if you opted for horror. Some took it to the next level, though, capturing their own memories and homemade documentaries with camcorders. Others went in a different direction, titillated by the danger and risk of pirating movies. And some broke the golden rule: not rewinding, an unkind act that begged for strict repercussions.
What if the creatures and villains in those films didn’t stay on the TV screen? What if employees of those popular video rental chains weren’t trustworthy? What nefarious deeds were being plotted behind the scenes? Did anyone unleash an unspeakable evil hiding on those tapes that did—or didn’t—want to be found?
The authors in this collection want to show you the terrors that await unsuspecting viewers.
Are you afraid, or will you press play?
This is a truly good horror anthology of short story compilations which use films on video or camcorders or any type of film as the basis for the story. It’s brilliantly written and the imagination of the authors is just excellent. They have excelled themselves with their storytelling and their storylines. The stories are creepy and full of horror with lots of blood in one or two of them. It does bring back memories of going to the video store and selecting a video for the weekend or just the night. A good horror would do and some of these stories would make great horror films if they were to be made!
Blurb :
The 1980s inspire nostalgia, even for those who weren’t there. One of the hallmarks from that time was renting videos. Blockbuster stores dotted a corner in every town. People wandered mazes of movie titles like zombies, hands reaching forward to grasp the latest flicks before someone else did. Excitement flowed through patrons handing membership cards to the clerks. Anticipation built as they grabbed stacks of plastic video cases loaded with cinematic delights to binge.
Sure, renting videos brought thrills—especially if you opted for horror. Some took it to the next level, though, capturing their own memories and homemade documentaries with camcorders. Others went in a different direction, titillated by the danger and risk of pirating movies. And some broke the golden rule: not rewinding, an unkind act that begged for strict repercussions.
What if the creatures and villains in those films didn’t stay on the TV screen? What if employees of those popular video rental chains weren’t trustworthy? What nefarious deeds were being plotted behind the scenes? Did anyone unleash an unspeakable evil hiding on those tapes that did—or didn’t—want to be found?
The authors in this collection want to show you the terrors that await unsuspecting viewers.
Are you afraid, or will you press play?
November 1, 2024
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 an horror fan they are a must read but I think even those stepping into the world of dark fiction and horror would enjoy these.
Capture was probably one of my favourites. In part for the nostalgia but also for the creepiness of some of the tales. As always each tale and author brings their own style and flair for stories. I loved them all but I do have to say An Expert in Slasher Film and Sirens were my absolute favourites. There is so much fun to be had in these stories. Which sounds weird when talking about horror but what I mean is each collection shows how one theme can be used in so many different and unique ways. But if you are looking for a bloody, twisted and brilliant read with a touch of nostalgia you should look at Captured. It’s like a love letter to 80s horror but so much more as well!
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.
Capture was probably one of my favourites. In part for the nostalgia but also for the creepiness of some of the tales. As always each tale and author brings their own style and flair for stories. I loved them all but I do have to say An Expert in Slasher Film and Sirens were my absolute favourites. There is so much fun to be had in these stories. Which sounds weird when talking about horror but what I mean is each collection shows how one theme can be used in so many different and unique ways. But if you are looking for a bloody, twisted and brilliant read with a touch of nostalgia you should look at Captured. It’s like a love letter to 80s horror but so much more as well!
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.
October 28, 2024
This fourth collection in the Inky Bones Press Dark Decades series contains eight gruesome yet gripping tales that capture the nostalgia of the '80s video stores. From the downright terror of opener Video Nasty, through to closer Sirens, each examines a different situation sure to leave the reader hanging on every word, yet too scared to press play on video for the foreseeable future. If Blockbuster was still a thing, I'd be too scared to step inside after reading these shorts!
February 2, 2025
Full disclosure, I won this book through a contest. However, I loved this anthology that so perfectly "captured" modern horror writing with an 80s flair.
I have vivid memories of the old blocky camcorders and many of these stories "captured" the feelings had when you held one of those video cameras in your hands.
I have vivid memories of the old blocky camcorders and many of these stories "captured" the feelings had when you held one of those video cameras in your hands.
May 19, 2025
A fun romp through the 80s with stories for everyone.
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