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120 Murders: Dark Fiction Inspired by the Alternative Era
After midnight is as dark as it gets...
Whether thanks to an overnight college radio shift or cable pumping flickering videos into TVs across America, the music of the alternative era was the soundtrack to our lives, and sometimes our deaths. 120 Murders is an anthology of power chord crimes and keyboard horrors--the best noir and dark fantasy, and transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and every electric sound of the alternative era.
Whether thanks to an overnight college radio shift or cable pumping flickering videos into TVs across America, the music of the alternative era was the soundtrack to our lives, and sometimes our deaths. 120 Murders is an anthology of power chord crimes and keyboard horrors--the best noir and dark fantasy, and transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and every electric sound of the alternative era.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
8 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Nick Mamatas
188 books247 followersNick Mamatas is the author of the Lovecraftian Beat road novel Move Under Ground, which was nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, the Civil War ghost story Northern Gothic, also a Stoker nominee, the suburban nighmare novel Under My Roof, and over thirty short stories and hundreds of articles (some of which were collected in 3000 Miles Per Hour in Every Direction at Once). His work has appeared in Razor, Village Voice, Spex, Clamor, In These Times, Polyphony, several Disinformation and Ben Bella Books anthologies, and the books Corpse Blossoms, Poe's Lighthouse, Before & After: Stories from New York, and Short and Sweet.
Nick's forthcoming works include the collection You Might Sleep... (November 2008) and Haunted Legends, an anthology with Ellen Datlow (Tor Books 2009).
A native New Yorker, Nick now lives in the California Bay Area.
Nick's forthcoming works include the collection You Might Sleep... (November 2008) and Haunted Legends, an anthology with Ellen Datlow (Tor Books 2009).
A native New Yorker, Nick now lives in the California Bay Area.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 25, 2025
Being a long-time music enthusiast, when I saw the announcement for this anthology I pre-ordered it from this small press publisher mmediately. The title made it hard to resist.
The synopsis on the back cover sums it up best . . . . .
Whether things to an overnight college radio shift or cable pumping flickering videos into TVs across America, the music of the alternative era was the soundtrack to our lives, and sometimes our deaths. 120 MURDERS is an anthology of power chord crimes and keyboard horrors - - the best noir, dark fantasy and transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synth pop, and every eclectic sound of the alternative era.
If I take a mathematical approach to this anthology, the total of my ratings for 22 stories comes out to 3.34, which is slightly above meeting expectations. However, across 22 stories there are bound to be some that don't resonate with the readers. I rated 7 of these 4 stars (31.8%) and 6 of them at 3.5 stars (27.2%). For me, that makes this a solid collection and definitely worth a read for those higher-rated stories.
Most of the offerings are crime or slice-of-life, with few exceptions. "Superstition" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is dark fantasy and one of the stand-outs in this collection. Other favorites were "Land Of The Glass Pinecones" by Michael Marano, "All My Life" by Meg Gardiner, "Never Let Me Down" by Brian Francis Slattery, "Tornado Mother" by Libby Cudmore, "Do It" by Paul Tremblay, and "The Best In Basement Radio" by Molly Tanzer. These stories all stood out to me for either their inventiveness, the style of storytelling, or because the tale provoked some emotion/reactions in me.
If you'd like to know more specifics about these stories, please read my notes below. As I read the stories, I've been listening to the songs they are based on, trying to imagine the story within the song.
*********** NOTES ***************
HOW SOON IS NOW by Cara Hoffman A very short story. A quirky romantic relationship. Inspired by "How Soon Is Now?" The Smiths. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
EQUATIONS FOR A FALLING BODY by Jeff Chon Detectives arrive at a murder/suicide crime scene and muse on the laws of gravity. Inspired by "Fall On Me" by REM. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
EXTRA MIDNIGHT by Zandra Renwick A adult reviews photos and remembers a teenage punk-rock lifestyle romance. Sad and effective. Based on "Punk Rock Girl" by The Dead Milkmen. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
LITTLE MASCARA by Jason Ridler A eulogy of sorts by an underground DJ and band manager for the deceased lead singer of Lost & Found, also his lover. I felt this story got a little off track. Inspired by "Little Mascara" by the Replacements. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
WENDY, GROWING UP by Veronica Schanoes The challenge and potential abuses facing foster children as seen through the eyes of a young woman comparing her situation to Cinderella and Wendy (Peter Pan) - - and a more decisive outcome. Inspired by "Miss World" by Hole. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
SEE AMERICA by Todd Grimson An intriguing nine-page snapshot of a post-apocalypse world where the only survivors appear to be robot/android/cyborg. The narrator entraps and kidnaps a young punk and takes him/it on a highway journey, kind of a tour of a dilapidated America. Why? The premise of the story is unclear and the author provides no context. It just ends. Inspired by "Slammers" by Cabaret Voltaire. TWO STARS.
WE'VE BEEN HAD by Alex Jennings A rambling reflection on music, playing in a band, childhood friendship, racial prejudice, former slave locations, that suddenly takes a turn into horror near the end. I didn't mind because the writing was powerful and compelling Inspired by "We've Been Had" by The Walkmen, which had a profound effect on the author. As the narrator of the story concludes "The Walkmen were right. Nostalgia is bullshit. We can't comfort ourselves with the past because the past is a lie, It's not just us, it's not just Black people who are trapped by it We are all locked together, wrestling against angels." THREE STARS.
"HIDE AND SEEK" BY SWANN by Josh Malerman Bradford Swann and his mother were abandoned by his father at an early age. Now, when Bradford's rock band gets a break-through hit his father suddenly contacts him and wants a meeting. His mother warns him, so he's cautious but the outcome takes an abrupt twist. Malerman is a born story-teller. I've never read anything by him that I didn't like. Inspired by "Peek-A-Boo" by Siouxsie And The Banshees. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD by William Boyle Crime/slice-of-life in Brooklyn 1991. Gritty and realistic. Great story-telling. A woman working in a bar has to contend with a harassing brother-in-law who was just abandoned by her sister. This has an ending of sorts, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted the story to go on. Inspired by "Just Like Fire Would" by The Saints. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
LAND OF THE GLASS PINECONES by Michael Marano I generally don't like stories written in second person. I like tales where I can empathize with the main (and sometimes secondary) character. When I'm reading something that refers to the reader as "you" it's more difficult when I don't have a single life experience in common with the character. However, the lush imagery and sometimes poetic verse within this story held my attention and kept me reading.
Two friends/former lovers have seen better days. The narrator (you) is a former musician, now a homeless person sleeping under Charles River bridges in Boston. The other is a somewhat famous artist/tatoo maker who is dying in a hospital. This is a remembrance of better days and challenges handled together.
"Your Gulit steps into you, the way a man would step into a long coat held by a someone else." Inspired by "Land of the Glass Pinecones" by Human Sexual Response. FOUR STARS.
ALL MY LIFE by Meg Gardiner A penniless victim of text message crypto-scamming gets retribution after it is too late. Sad and moving. Inspired by "All My Life" by The Foo Fighters. FOUR STARS.
NEVER LET ME DOWN by Brian Francis Slattery A friendship/romance between two school buddies is challenged when they stumble across a ruthless drug gang with family connections. Gritty but satisfying. Inspired by "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode. FOUR STARS.
SACRED MEATS by Jeffrey Ford Saddled with a listless husband, a disgruntled wife takes action in an abrupt fashion. The title provides a grim twist at the end. Inspired by "TV Party" by Black Flag. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
NEVER FORGET by Elena Mauli Shapiro A man awakens in the intensive care unit of a hospital and recalls the events of 9/11, how he survived by inhaled white ash - - followed by his memories of divorce, thoughts on 9/11 jumpers, opinions on 9/11 media coverage, etc. More of a snapshot, slice-of-life, point-of-view than a story with a conclusion, meaning I'm less satisfied with this. Inspired by "4th Of July" by Soundgarden. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
HOUSE MEETING by Chris L. Terry A down-on-his-luck grocery worker becomes the newest renter with six others, all members of an anarchist group. He gets mixed up in a bank robbery but has a surprise of his own to reveal. Starts out as a crime story, and then takes a turn into a different genre. Inspired by "Time Bomb" by Rancid.THREE STARS.
SUPERSTITION by Silvia Moreno-Garcia An enchanting fantasy thriller about an agency that decommissions magical fetishes. Inspired by "I Think I'm Paranoid" by Garbage. FOUR STARS.
TORNADO MOTHER by Libby Cudmore A disturbing and sad tale about moving back home to care for an invalid mother suffering from Alzheimers and learning of a depressing family secret. Inspired by "Talula" by Tori Amos.FOUR STARS
THE SHOW MUST GO ON by Cyan Katz A rock musician believes they are immortal, so why not use drugs to excess and take chances with your car driving, etc? Several resurrections wherein the main character meets famous people, including Timothy Leary (how appropriate). A little too rambling for me, with an inconclusive ending. Inspired by the Filth Pig album by Ministry.TWO STARS
DO IT by Paul Tremblay "It's early March 1993, and Generation X sorely needs an antihero." High schooler Kelly G is plain, introverted, and doesn't seek friendship until the day a cocky burly senior approaches her under the guise of friendship. What he really wants is to pump her for information because he intends to rob the pizza shop that she works at on weekends.
She's wise to him and makes plans in the event that something actually occurs, which it does. In true Paul Tremblay fashion ("I've read much of his work, and have dubbed him the Master of Ambiguity) the story ends at a climatic point, leaving it up to readers to choose what happens next. Still, he's a great story-teller and has an engaging style. Inspired by "Do It' by The Buzzcocks. FOUR STARS.
A SLASHER COZY by Selena Chambers Despite the misleading title, this is one of the few stories in this collection with an element of horror, being a tattered doll possessing a demon and found by two teen girls who compete for access to it - all to detrimental results. Inspired by "He's My Thing" by Babes In Toyland. THREE STARS.
LOVE WILL TEAR ME APART by Maxim Jakubowski A sad crime story involving two lonely people who never meet until they do, but not in optimal conditions. One is a hitman who has a reputation with a specialty in killing women. The other is a recent college graduate who can't find work in her field and has to work as a pole-dancer in order to make the high cost of rent in NYC. She becomes the girlfriend of a ruthless criminal figure. Inspired by "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Joy Division.THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
THE BEST IN BASEMENT RADIO by Molly Tanzer A slice-of-life, true crime story with the author as narrator, based on her college experience where a prank turns deadly. Full of pop culture references, the author admits that "not everything in this story is true." However, she has a knack for enhancing the events to make them seem very realistic, so I'm not sure what is false. Inspired by "Only In Dreams" by Weezer. FOUR STARS.
The synopsis on the back cover sums it up best . . . . .
Whether things to an overnight college radio shift or cable pumping flickering videos into TVs across America, the music of the alternative era was the soundtrack to our lives, and sometimes our deaths. 120 MURDERS is an anthology of power chord crimes and keyboard horrors - - the best noir, dark fantasy and transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synth pop, and every eclectic sound of the alternative era.
If I take a mathematical approach to this anthology, the total of my ratings for 22 stories comes out to 3.34, which is slightly above meeting expectations. However, across 22 stories there are bound to be some that don't resonate with the readers. I rated 7 of these 4 stars (31.8%) and 6 of them at 3.5 stars (27.2%). For me, that makes this a solid collection and definitely worth a read for those higher-rated stories.
Most of the offerings are crime or slice-of-life, with few exceptions. "Superstition" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is dark fantasy and one of the stand-outs in this collection. Other favorites were "Land Of The Glass Pinecones" by Michael Marano, "All My Life" by Meg Gardiner, "Never Let Me Down" by Brian Francis Slattery, "Tornado Mother" by Libby Cudmore, "Do It" by Paul Tremblay, and "The Best In Basement Radio" by Molly Tanzer. These stories all stood out to me for either their inventiveness, the style of storytelling, or because the tale provoked some emotion/reactions in me.
If you'd like to know more specifics about these stories, please read my notes below. As I read the stories, I've been listening to the songs they are based on, trying to imagine the story within the song.
*********** NOTES ***************
HOW SOON IS NOW by Cara Hoffman A very short story. A quirky romantic relationship. Inspired by "How Soon Is Now?" The Smiths. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
EQUATIONS FOR A FALLING BODY by Jeff Chon Detectives arrive at a murder/suicide crime scene and muse on the laws of gravity. Inspired by "Fall On Me" by REM. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
EXTRA MIDNIGHT by Zandra Renwick A adult reviews photos and remembers a teenage punk-rock lifestyle romance. Sad and effective. Based on "Punk Rock Girl" by The Dead Milkmen. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
LITTLE MASCARA by Jason Ridler A eulogy of sorts by an underground DJ and band manager for the deceased lead singer of Lost & Found, also his lover. I felt this story got a little off track. Inspired by "Little Mascara" by the Replacements. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
WENDY, GROWING UP by Veronica Schanoes The challenge and potential abuses facing foster children as seen through the eyes of a young woman comparing her situation to Cinderella and Wendy (Peter Pan) - - and a more decisive outcome. Inspired by "Miss World" by Hole. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
SEE AMERICA by Todd Grimson An intriguing nine-page snapshot of a post-apocalypse world where the only survivors appear to be robot/android/cyborg. The narrator entraps and kidnaps a young punk and takes him/it on a highway journey, kind of a tour of a dilapidated America. Why? The premise of the story is unclear and the author provides no context. It just ends. Inspired by "Slammers" by Cabaret Voltaire. TWO STARS.
WE'VE BEEN HAD by Alex Jennings A rambling reflection on music, playing in a band, childhood friendship, racial prejudice, former slave locations, that suddenly takes a turn into horror near the end. I didn't mind because the writing was powerful and compelling Inspired by "We've Been Had" by The Walkmen, which had a profound effect on the author. As the narrator of the story concludes "The Walkmen were right. Nostalgia is bullshit. We can't comfort ourselves with the past because the past is a lie, It's not just us, it's not just Black people who are trapped by it We are all locked together, wrestling against angels." THREE STARS.
"HIDE AND SEEK" BY SWANN by Josh Malerman Bradford Swann and his mother were abandoned by his father at an early age. Now, when Bradford's rock band gets a break-through hit his father suddenly contacts him and wants a meeting. His mother warns him, so he's cautious but the outcome takes an abrupt twist. Malerman is a born story-teller. I've never read anything by him that I didn't like. Inspired by "Peek-A-Boo" by Siouxsie And The Banshees. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD by William Boyle Crime/slice-of-life in Brooklyn 1991. Gritty and realistic. Great story-telling. A woman working in a bar has to contend with a harassing brother-in-law who was just abandoned by her sister. This has an ending of sorts, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted the story to go on. Inspired by "Just Like Fire Would" by The Saints. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
LAND OF THE GLASS PINECONES by Michael Marano I generally don't like stories written in second person. I like tales where I can empathize with the main (and sometimes secondary) character. When I'm reading something that refers to the reader as "you" it's more difficult when I don't have a single life experience in common with the character. However, the lush imagery and sometimes poetic verse within this story held my attention and kept me reading.
Two friends/former lovers have seen better days. The narrator (you) is a former musician, now a homeless person sleeping under Charles River bridges in Boston. The other is a somewhat famous artist/tatoo maker who is dying in a hospital. This is a remembrance of better days and challenges handled together.
"Your Gulit steps into you, the way a man would step into a long coat held by a someone else." Inspired by "Land of the Glass Pinecones" by Human Sexual Response. FOUR STARS.
ALL MY LIFE by Meg Gardiner A penniless victim of text message crypto-scamming gets retribution after it is too late. Sad and moving. Inspired by "All My Life" by The Foo Fighters. FOUR STARS.
NEVER LET ME DOWN by Brian Francis Slattery A friendship/romance between two school buddies is challenged when they stumble across a ruthless drug gang with family connections. Gritty but satisfying. Inspired by "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode. FOUR STARS.
SACRED MEATS by Jeffrey Ford Saddled with a listless husband, a disgruntled wife takes action in an abrupt fashion. The title provides a grim twist at the end. Inspired by "TV Party" by Black Flag. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
NEVER FORGET by Elena Mauli Shapiro A man awakens in the intensive care unit of a hospital and recalls the events of 9/11, how he survived by inhaled white ash - - followed by his memories of divorce, thoughts on 9/11 jumpers, opinions on 9/11 media coverage, etc. More of a snapshot, slice-of-life, point-of-view than a story with a conclusion, meaning I'm less satisfied with this. Inspired by "4th Of July" by Soundgarden. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
HOUSE MEETING by Chris L. Terry A down-on-his-luck grocery worker becomes the newest renter with six others, all members of an anarchist group. He gets mixed up in a bank robbery but has a surprise of his own to reveal. Starts out as a crime story, and then takes a turn into a different genre. Inspired by "Time Bomb" by Rancid.THREE STARS.
SUPERSTITION by Silvia Moreno-Garcia An enchanting fantasy thriller about an agency that decommissions magical fetishes. Inspired by "I Think I'm Paranoid" by Garbage. FOUR STARS.
TORNADO MOTHER by Libby Cudmore A disturbing and sad tale about moving back home to care for an invalid mother suffering from Alzheimers and learning of a depressing family secret. Inspired by "Talula" by Tori Amos.FOUR STARS
THE SHOW MUST GO ON by Cyan Katz A rock musician believes they are immortal, so why not use drugs to excess and take chances with your car driving, etc? Several resurrections wherein the main character meets famous people, including Timothy Leary (how appropriate). A little too rambling for me, with an inconclusive ending. Inspired by the Filth Pig album by Ministry.TWO STARS
DO IT by Paul Tremblay "It's early March 1993, and Generation X sorely needs an antihero." High schooler Kelly G is plain, introverted, and doesn't seek friendship until the day a cocky burly senior approaches her under the guise of friendship. What he really wants is to pump her for information because he intends to rob the pizza shop that she works at on weekends.
She's wise to him and makes plans in the event that something actually occurs, which it does. In true Paul Tremblay fashion ("I've read much of his work, and have dubbed him the Master of Ambiguity) the story ends at a climatic point, leaving it up to readers to choose what happens next. Still, he's a great story-teller and has an engaging style. Inspired by "Do It' by The Buzzcocks. FOUR STARS.
A SLASHER COZY by Selena Chambers Despite the misleading title, this is one of the few stories in this collection with an element of horror, being a tattered doll possessing a demon and found by two teen girls who compete for access to it - all to detrimental results. Inspired by "He's My Thing" by Babes In Toyland. THREE STARS.
LOVE WILL TEAR ME APART by Maxim Jakubowski A sad crime story involving two lonely people who never meet until they do, but not in optimal conditions. One is a hitman who has a reputation with a specialty in killing women. The other is a recent college graduate who can't find work in her field and has to work as a pole-dancer in order to make the high cost of rent in NYC. She becomes the girlfriend of a ruthless criminal figure. Inspired by "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Joy Division.THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
THE BEST IN BASEMENT RADIO by Molly Tanzer A slice-of-life, true crime story with the author as narrator, based on her college experience where a prank turns deadly. Full of pop culture references, the author admits that "not everything in this story is true." However, she has a knack for enhancing the events to make them seem very realistic, so I'm not sure what is false. Inspired by "Only In Dreams" by Weezer. FOUR STARS.
February 18, 2025
The premise of this anthology is so perfect that I'm legitimately surprised no one has done this much earlier. Each story uses a song (or songs) from the 80s and 90s as its jumping-off point to tell a story of murder. It spans a variety of genres—horror, thriller, dark fantasy, and noir—by authors both well known and emerging.
This is my era of music, objectively the best era, where the social safety net was crumbling enough to make everyone depressed but not enough that you couldn't be a well-educated working class band surviving on social assistance (cf. Mark Fisher), and the stories echo the melancholic, cynical vibe of their inspiration without the gloss of nostalgia. My favourite was Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Superstition," about the disposal of magical fetishes, but "Hide & Seek by Swann" by Josh Malerman and "Never Let Me Down" by Brian Francis Slatterly also live rent-free in my head now. You won't want to miss this one.
This is my era of music, objectively the best era, where the social safety net was crumbling enough to make everyone depressed but not enough that you couldn't be a well-educated working class band surviving on social assistance (cf. Mark Fisher), and the stories echo the melancholic, cynical vibe of their inspiration without the gloss of nostalgia. My favourite was Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Superstition," about the disposal of magical fetishes, but "Hide & Seek by Swann" by Josh Malerman and "Never Let Me Down" by Brian Francis Slatterly also live rent-free in my head now. You won't want to miss this one.
April 9, 2025
A collection of short stories, inspired by the music of the alternative era, from contributors including Josh Malerman, Meg Gardiner & Paul Tremblay.
I like the music of the era (Depeche Mode, Garbage, New Order, The Smiths etc), these short stories based on the music - not so much. The overall title of '120 Murders' seems incongruous to me as I'm not sure there were 120 deaths in the book & not all of them were murders. Whatever the authors were aiming for with this collection, I just did not 'get' it, however, other reviewers really enjoyed them so don't let me put you off.
Standout was 'Superstition' by Silva Moreno-Garcia, & honourable mentions to 'All My Life' by Meg Gardiner & 'Never Let Me Down' by Brian Francis Slattery.
TWs: suicide, animal death, sexual assault, homophobia, infidelity.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Ruadan Books (IBPA), for the opportunity to read an ARC.
I like the music of the era (Depeche Mode, Garbage, New Order, The Smiths etc), these short stories based on the music - not so much. The overall title of '120 Murders' seems incongruous to me as I'm not sure there were 120 deaths in the book & not all of them were murders. Whatever the authors were aiming for with this collection, I just did not 'get' it, however, other reviewers really enjoyed them so don't let me put you off.
Standout was 'Superstition' by Silva Moreno-Garcia, & honourable mentions to 'All My Life' by Meg Gardiner & 'Never Let Me Down' by Brian Francis Slattery.
TWs: suicide, animal death, sexual assault, homophobia, infidelity.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Ruadan Books (IBPA), for the opportunity to read an ARC.
July 2, 2025
This book was well captured in the title alone with the amount of short dark & disturbing stories packed into one epic anthology 👀 — thank you always to NetGalley for supplying my nightmares! 😅
The stories that stood out the most for me were Superstition by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Wendy, Growing Up by Veronica Schanoes, and other disturbing tales from Josh Malerman, Jeffrey Ford and Paul Tremblay were just great treats to experience as well!
If you are a fan of anthologies and love a good collection of thematically written stories around alt music and horrific chaos, this book will be for you... It's just quite the undertaking to read through all those murders 🥲 (and also, be careful with the subject matter inside 🫣⚠️)
The stories that stood out the most for me were Superstition by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Wendy, Growing Up by Veronica Schanoes, and other disturbing tales from Josh Malerman, Jeffrey Ford and Paul Tremblay were just great treats to experience as well!
If you are a fan of anthologies and love a good collection of thematically written stories around alt music and horrific chaos, this book will be for you... It's just quite the undertaking to read through all those murders 🥲 (and also, be careful with the subject matter inside 🫣⚠️)
April 22, 2025
I found the concept brilliant, and having some familiarity with the music of the '80s and the '90s, I expected to find some horror stories along with crime noir and other genres. Nope. I'm not sure there were ANY horror stories in this anthology, but I'll mention Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Superstition" and Jeffrey Ford's "Sacred Meats" as somewhat close to what I had in mind. It would have made it so much easier to appreciate the stories for what they are if the editor had divided them into appropriate sections according to relevance and genre. That said, the writing was so good, the tales slowly began to grow on me, to the point that I kept on going just for the sheer joy of it. So I'll also mention Brian Francis Slattery's "Never Let Me Down" and Meg Gardiner's "All My Life" as personal standouts, and Malerman's and Tremblay's stories as well, though I have to confess that they ultimately left me unsatisfied.
April 6, 2025
"When we both jump who hits bottom first?" - Jeff Chon
Nick Mamatas has created an anthology of power chord crimes horrors. It includes imaginative noir and dark fantasy tales of transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and every electric sound of the alternative era.
This unique way of story telling using the music of his era made this an interesting collection to explore. Each story takes on a song and moulds it into a dark story. Included are the following:
"How soon is Now" - Cara Hoffman
"Equations for a Falling Body" - Jeff Chon
"Extra Midnight" - Zandra Renwick
"Little Mascara" - Jason Ridler
"Wendy, Growing Up" - Veronica Schanoes
"See America" - Todd Grimson
"We've Been Had" - Alex Jennings
"Hide & Seek by Swann" - Josh Malerman
"Just Like Fire Would" - William Boyle
"Land of the Glass Pinecones" - Michael Marano
"All My Life" - Meg Gardiner
"Never Let Me Down" - Brian Francis Slattery
"Sacred Meats" - Jeffrey Ford
"Never Forget" - Elena Mauli Shapiro
"House Meeting" - Chris L. Terry
"Superstition" - Silvia Moreno-Garcia
"Tornado Mother" - Libby Cudmore
"The Show Must Go On" - Cyan Katz
"Do It" - Paul Tremblay
"A Slasher Cozy" - Selena Chambers
"Love Will Tear Me Apart" - Maxim Jakubowski
"The Best In Basement Radio" - Molly Tanzer
Each story has an author's note at the end giving more insight into the inspiration behind what they wrote.
Overall this features many works from authors I had yet to read, it was a snippet into their style of writing. Lots of these stories were dark with a fantasy noir setting. As with many collections some stood out more than others.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @ruadanbooks for a copy of this book.
Nick Mamatas has created an anthology of power chord crimes horrors. It includes imaginative noir and dark fantasy tales of transgressive fiction from writers inspired by grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and every electric sound of the alternative era.
This unique way of story telling using the music of his era made this an interesting collection to explore. Each story takes on a song and moulds it into a dark story. Included are the following:
"How soon is Now" - Cara Hoffman
"Equations for a Falling Body" - Jeff Chon
"Extra Midnight" - Zandra Renwick
"Little Mascara" - Jason Ridler
"Wendy, Growing Up" - Veronica Schanoes
"See America" - Todd Grimson
"We've Been Had" - Alex Jennings
"Hide & Seek by Swann" - Josh Malerman
"Just Like Fire Would" - William Boyle
"Land of the Glass Pinecones" - Michael Marano
"All My Life" - Meg Gardiner
"Never Let Me Down" - Brian Francis Slattery
"Sacred Meats" - Jeffrey Ford
"Never Forget" - Elena Mauli Shapiro
"House Meeting" - Chris L. Terry
"Superstition" - Silvia Moreno-Garcia
"Tornado Mother" - Libby Cudmore
"The Show Must Go On" - Cyan Katz
"Do It" - Paul Tremblay
"A Slasher Cozy" - Selena Chambers
"Love Will Tear Me Apart" - Maxim Jakubowski
"The Best In Basement Radio" - Molly Tanzer
Each story has an author's note at the end giving more insight into the inspiration behind what they wrote.
Overall this features many works from authors I had yet to read, it was a snippet into their style of writing. Lots of these stories were dark with a fantasy noir setting. As with many collections some stood out more than others.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @ruadanbooks for a copy of this book.
April 8, 2025
120 Murders is a gritty, electrifying anthology that slices deep into the heart of the alternative era—where the music was raw, the nights were long, and death always seemed to be just one lyric away. Curated by the ever-provocative Nick Mamatas, this collection of noir, dark fantasy, and transgressive fiction pulses with the chaotic energy of the ‘80s and ‘90s underground soundscape.
Each story in this anthology draws blood from the beats of grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and more, transforming sonic nostalgia into something far darker and more twisted. From late-night college radio confessions to cassette-fueled cults and murders that feel like lost tracks on a cursed mixtape, the tone shifts between eerie and explosive. The characters are as volatile as the music they live by—burnouts, dreamers, loners, and killers all haunted by a cultural moment that never really died.
Mamatas has assembled a killer lineup of writers who understand that behind every power chord and whispered lyric lies a story of obsession, regret, or outright madness. What’s most striking is the way 120 Murders captures the vibe of the alternative era—not just the music, but the cultural alienation, the DIY chaos, and the mythic weight of a time when art and identity were often forged in pain.
Final thoughts:
120 Murders is a brutal, brilliant anthology—part requiem, part rage-fueled scream. It’s for anyone who ever fell in love with a band that no longer exists, for every soul who stayed up too late listening to college radio, and for those who know that sometimes, the soundtrack to your life can also lead you straight into the dark. A must-read for fans of genre-bending fiction and music-fueled mayhem.
Each story in this anthology draws blood from the beats of grunge, goth, ska, synthpop, and more, transforming sonic nostalgia into something far darker and more twisted. From late-night college radio confessions to cassette-fueled cults and murders that feel like lost tracks on a cursed mixtape, the tone shifts between eerie and explosive. The characters are as volatile as the music they live by—burnouts, dreamers, loners, and killers all haunted by a cultural moment that never really died.
Mamatas has assembled a killer lineup of writers who understand that behind every power chord and whispered lyric lies a story of obsession, regret, or outright madness. What’s most striking is the way 120 Murders captures the vibe of the alternative era—not just the music, but the cultural alienation, the DIY chaos, and the mythic weight of a time when art and identity were often forged in pain.
Final thoughts:
120 Murders is a brutal, brilliant anthology—part requiem, part rage-fueled scream. It’s for anyone who ever fell in love with a band that no longer exists, for every soul who stayed up too late listening to college radio, and for those who know that sometimes, the soundtrack to your life can also lead you straight into the dark. A must-read for fans of genre-bending fiction and music-fueled mayhem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
Taking inspiration in it's name from the MTV late night alternative video show, 120 Minutes, Nick Mamatas's edited volume 120 Murders brings the reader 23 stories of alternative era noir. Each of the contributors took inspiration from a particular song or band, and like any anthology results are mixed. Included are contributions from Josh Malerman, Meg Gardner, Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Paul Tremblay.
Overall all the stories exist in dark, gritty locales. Be they small towns, scuzzy music venues and bars or decrepit or run down houses or shared apartments. Not all are contemporary, some exist in fantastical or science fiction worlds, but those tend to be the exception. Most are people down on their luck, seeking revenge, a few harried individuals trying to solve a murder or disappearance while also finding love, looking back on their failures or even a Cinderella retelling.
Extra Midnight by Zandra Renwick is an early stand out for its narrative unfolds from recalled mental snapshots. Sacred Meats by Jeffrey Ford asks the weirdest questions, but doesn't explore them as much as the horror fan in me wishes. But the main reason I requested this book was for Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Superstition and it is a definite highlight. The narrator reflects on their weird 1990s job as a fetish destruction technician. It's great and creative. As is Cyan Katz story, The Show Must Go On which offers a possible answer to how some of the glam rockers managed to survive.
Recommended to readers of more experimental fiction, noir or music influenced fiction.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Overall all the stories exist in dark, gritty locales. Be they small towns, scuzzy music venues and bars or decrepit or run down houses or shared apartments. Not all are contemporary, some exist in fantastical or science fiction worlds, but those tend to be the exception. Most are people down on their luck, seeking revenge, a few harried individuals trying to solve a murder or disappearance while also finding love, looking back on their failures or even a Cinderella retelling.
Extra Midnight by Zandra Renwick is an early stand out for its narrative unfolds from recalled mental snapshots. Sacred Meats by Jeffrey Ford asks the weirdest questions, but doesn't explore them as much as the horror fan in me wishes. But the main reason I requested this book was for Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Superstition and it is a definite highlight. The narrator reflects on their weird 1990s job as a fetish destruction technician. It's great and creative. As is Cyan Katz story, The Show Must Go On which offers a possible answer to how some of the glam rockers managed to survive.
Recommended to readers of more experimental fiction, noir or music influenced fiction.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
April 2, 2025
I feel like whenever I read a short story collection it's always a mixed bag of ones that are good, fine, and bad. 120 Murders is no different in that regard.
The schtick here is that each of these short stories draws inspiration from the alt counterculture of the 80s and 90s. I was born in 2001. I didn't live through this time but my mom was an alt girl back in the day so she has been a great source of what this sort of culture was like while she was growing up (if you're reading this mom, love you!). To keep it short, I didn't live through any of this so maybe I was not the target demographic for this collection. I'm sure someone who is more familiar with it would have a more enjoyable experience with this--like my mom was so excited when I mentioned that an author had thanked The Dead Milkmen lol
Some stories understood the assignment better than others. I think the stand out pieces here are from Cara Hoffman, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Brian Francis Slattery, and Meg Gardiner. And the introduction by Nick Mamatas was beautifully written as well. Each piece offers a very haunting, gritty, and tragic tale that I'm sure that any horror lover will be interested in. And I will say the music choices these authors picked are amazing.
I don't think this collection resonated with me but if it sounds interesting I would say give it a shot.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Ruadan Books for providing me an ARC of this collection*
The schtick here is that each of these short stories draws inspiration from the alt counterculture of the 80s and 90s. I was born in 2001. I didn't live through this time but my mom was an alt girl back in the day so she has been a great source of what this sort of culture was like while she was growing up (if you're reading this mom, love you!). To keep it short, I didn't live through any of this so maybe I was not the target demographic for this collection. I'm sure someone who is more familiar with it would have a more enjoyable experience with this--like my mom was so excited when I mentioned that an author had thanked The Dead Milkmen lol
Some stories understood the assignment better than others. I think the stand out pieces here are from Cara Hoffman, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Brian Francis Slattery, and Meg Gardiner. And the introduction by Nick Mamatas was beautifully written as well. Each piece offers a very haunting, gritty, and tragic tale that I'm sure that any horror lover will be interested in. And I will say the music choices these authors picked are amazing.
I don't think this collection resonated with me but if it sounds interesting I would say give it a shot.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Ruadan Books for providing me an ARC of this collection*
November 8, 2025
I picked this up at WorldCon, expecting that with Nick Mamatas as anthologist (I'd read a previous anthology he'd edited and thought it terrific), this would have a lot of speculative fiction. It had a little but much more of it was straightforward crime fiction. Some of the stories in it were terrific. My favorites:
"Wendy, Growing Up," by Veronica Schanoes for the creative way in which it used the Peter Pan mythos to comment on a gritty coming of age story.
"House Meeting," by Chris L. Terry. A roommate of a terrorist cell gets roped in.
"Do It," by Paul Tremblay--incredible tension introduced in a masterful way, merely by withholding one piece of information and making it patently clear the information is coming.
"A Slasher Cozy," by Selena Chambers--the only horror comedy pieces in here; it did a lot with the demon trope.
Every story was inspired by a song from the Alternative Era--I remember enjoying some of the songs and hadn't heard of others, but most of the stories weren't intimately tied to the songs, so I wouldn't say the theme had much to do with the reading experience.
I appreciated the off-kilter vibe clearly apparent in the story selection. It definitely read as a collection; kudos on the story curation.
I didn't find any of the stories scary, but a few were disturbing.
Overall, a very good collection--well worth reading.
"Wendy, Growing Up," by Veronica Schanoes for the creative way in which it used the Peter Pan mythos to comment on a gritty coming of age story.
"House Meeting," by Chris L. Terry. A roommate of a terrorist cell gets roped in.
"Do It," by Paul Tremblay--incredible tension introduced in a masterful way, merely by withholding one piece of information and making it patently clear the information is coming.
"A Slasher Cozy," by Selena Chambers--the only horror comedy pieces in here; it did a lot with the demon trope.
Every story was inspired by a song from the Alternative Era--I remember enjoying some of the songs and hadn't heard of others, but most of the stories weren't intimately tied to the songs, so I wouldn't say the theme had much to do with the reading experience.
I appreciated the off-kilter vibe clearly apparent in the story selection. It definitely read as a collection; kudos on the story curation.
I didn't find any of the stories scary, but a few were disturbing.
Overall, a very good collection--well worth reading.
March 18, 2025
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
I was drawn to this book mostly because it featured two f my favorite authors, Paul Tremblay and Josh Malerman, and promised dark fiction, including horror, inspired by the 8s and 90s era alternative music. However, almost none of the stories fell under what I know the subgenre of dark fiction to be, and there was only one story that really included any horror elements. Many of them are bleak or depressing, but the only real pervading theme is crime. After being unimpressed with the first three or four tales, I found myself repeatedly uninterested and skipping to the next entry without finishing, especially the real long ones. The only ones that really stood out to me were by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (the only true horror story), Paul Tremblay, Meg Gardiner, Paul Tremblay, and to a lesser degree, Brian Francis Slattery. The rest I could easily live without. A disappointing read me I'll call 2 stars, just because of those few stories.
I was drawn to this book mostly because it featured two f my favorite authors, Paul Tremblay and Josh Malerman, and promised dark fiction, including horror, inspired by the 8s and 90s era alternative music. However, almost none of the stories fell under what I know the subgenre of dark fiction to be, and there was only one story that really included any horror elements. Many of them are bleak or depressing, but the only real pervading theme is crime. After being unimpressed with the first three or four tales, I found myself repeatedly uninterested and skipping to the next entry without finishing, especially the real long ones. The only ones that really stood out to me were by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (the only true horror story), Paul Tremblay, Meg Gardiner, Paul Tremblay, and to a lesser degree, Brian Francis Slattery. The rest I could easily live without. A disappointing read me I'll call 2 stars, just because of those few stories.
June 10, 2025
ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ
120 Murders anthology - various
120 Murders features stories that intertwine the themes and moods of alternative music, mixing elements of noir, dark fantasy, mystery and horror.
If you’re interested in a fusion of alternative music culture and dark fiction, then this anthology is for you, offering a compelling and atmospheric reading experience.
It took me a while to get into, I think reading novel length books and jumping into short stories was a shock to the system with short story after short story penetrating my membrane.
For me personally the stories got better and better as the anthology went on - or perhaps I had just become more accustomed to them.
My top picks were:
We’ve Been Had - Alex Jennings
Hide and Seek by Swann - Josh Malerman
Just Like Fire Would - William Boyle
Love Will Tear Me Apart - Maxim Jakubowski
The Best In Basement Radio - Molly Tanzer
Overall this was a great collection of short stories from a whole variety of authors and I would definitely recommend to any fan of anthologies
120 Murders anthology - various
120 Murders features stories that intertwine the themes and moods of alternative music, mixing elements of noir, dark fantasy, mystery and horror.
If you’re interested in a fusion of alternative music culture and dark fiction, then this anthology is for you, offering a compelling and atmospheric reading experience.
It took me a while to get into, I think reading novel length books and jumping into short stories was a shock to the system with short story after short story penetrating my membrane.
For me personally the stories got better and better as the anthology went on - or perhaps I had just become more accustomed to them.
My top picks were:
We’ve Been Had - Alex Jennings
Hide and Seek by Swann - Josh Malerman
Just Like Fire Would - William Boyle
Love Will Tear Me Apart - Maxim Jakubowski
The Best In Basement Radio - Molly Tanzer
Overall this was a great collection of short stories from a whole variety of authors and I would definitely recommend to any fan of anthologies
March 29, 2025
First a big thank you to Ruadan Books for sending this over to me as an E-ARC to review and share!
120 Murders: Dark Fiction Inspired by the Alternative Era is an anthology of short horror stories that are haunting, tragic or outright weird. Not every story was for me in this collection, but I found plenty here to pique my interest that left me ready to get to each chilling tale. The variety of writing styles is fresh and you can feel the cadence of the music these stories are inspired by in the sentence structure. Some highlights of this collection are The Best in Basement Radio by Molly Tanzer, All My Life by Meg Gardiner, and Never Let Me Down by Brian Francis Slattery. All of these stories are filled with gruesome stories about tragic background or haunting chills. Definitely recommend this for my horror lovers out there that also appreciate 80s-00s alternative music. 3.5⭐️.
120 Murders: Dark Fiction Inspired by the Alternative Era is an anthology of short horror stories that are haunting, tragic or outright weird. Not every story was for me in this collection, but I found plenty here to pique my interest that left me ready to get to each chilling tale. The variety of writing styles is fresh and you can feel the cadence of the music these stories are inspired by in the sentence structure. Some highlights of this collection are The Best in Basement Radio by Molly Tanzer, All My Life by Meg Gardiner, and Never Let Me Down by Brian Francis Slattery. All of these stories are filled with gruesome stories about tragic background or haunting chills. Definitely recommend this for my horror lovers out there that also appreciate 80s-00s alternative music. 3.5⭐️.
April 5, 2025
Okay, so here’s the thing, anthologies are just not my thing. I always go into them hoping I’ll fall in love with every story, but I usually end up vibing with just a handful. That being said, 120 Murders wasn’t any different.
However, even though not every story was for me, the energy and voices throughout the stories are strong. You can tell the writers had fun with this. I love that they included author’s notes after every story explaining what songs or type of music inspired them.
Here are some stories that will stick with me:
🎤Wendy, Growing up - Veronica Shanoes
🎤“HIDE & SEEK” By Swann - Josh Malerman
🎤Superstition - Silvia Moreno Garcia
🎤Tornado Mother - Libby Cudmore
So while anthologies and I don’t always vibe, this one deserves love! There’s definitely something in here for everyone.
Thank you Ruadan books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
However, even though not every story was for me, the energy and voices throughout the stories are strong. You can tell the writers had fun with this. I love that they included author’s notes after every story explaining what songs or type of music inspired them.
Here are some stories that will stick with me:
🎤Wendy, Growing up - Veronica Shanoes
🎤“HIDE & SEEK” By Swann - Josh Malerman
🎤Superstition - Silvia Moreno Garcia
🎤Tornado Mother - Libby Cudmore
So while anthologies and I don’t always vibe, this one deserves love! There’s definitely something in here for everyone.
Thank you Ruadan books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
April 7, 2025
I have not finished reading this book, and I can't say that I will, at least not all the way. There are a few authors' stories I am looking forward to but at the moment I'm just not feeling this book. The eight or ten stories I have read just haven't held my interest. I'm giving three stars because there's nothing inherently wrong with this book, and like I said I will likely return to this collection for the stories I want to read. But the "alternative era" inspired stories motif just isn't gelling with me at this point in time.
Regardless, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Regardless, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2025
First of all I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers, Ruadan Books (IBPA), for the opportunity to read the ARC.
I must be honest and admit that I'm not sure if I was the real target of this collection of short stories, even though I do love a good mistery, this collection did not really resonate with me and apart from some of the stories, which were 'Little Mascara' by J. Ridler, 'Superstition' by S. Moreno-Garcia - author I already follow and was pleasantly surprised to find here! - and 'The Best in Basament Radio' by M. Tanzer.
All in all I liked and I think this book might a little pearl for the lovers of mistery and murder!
I must be honest and admit that I'm not sure if I was the real target of this collection of short stories, even though I do love a good mistery, this collection did not really resonate with me and apart from some of the stories, which were 'Little Mascara' by J. Ridler, 'Superstition' by S. Moreno-Garcia - author I already follow and was pleasantly surprised to find here! - and 'The Best in Basament Radio' by M. Tanzer.
All in all I liked and I think this book might a little pearl for the lovers of mistery and murder!
April 26, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for review.
The stories were a bit hit or miss for me. But I’m not typically into music mixed with horror.
My favorites were:
Hide and Seek By Swan by Josh Malerman
This was the perfect length for a short story and I loved the revenge horror.
Superstition by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I love this author and love this short story. A company that specializes in destroying magic/cursed fetishes and the man tasked with this has to be an unbeliever. “The best antidote against magic is indifference.”
The stories were a bit hit or miss for me. But I’m not typically into music mixed with horror.
My favorites were:
Hide and Seek By Swan by Josh Malerman
This was the perfect length for a short story and I loved the revenge horror.
Superstition by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I love this author and love this short story. A company that specializes in destroying magic/cursed fetishes and the man tasked with this has to be an unbeliever. “The best antidote against magic is indifference.”
June 2, 2025
A brilliant concept for an anthology of short stories. Each takes an alternative rock song from the 80s and 90s and turns it into the basis for a murder story. The stories span genre so there's something for every reader here. As always, some are better than others, but the stories seem to jump from the pages as you hear the soundtrack behind it.
March 29, 2025
120 MURDERS: DARK FICTION INSPIRED BY THE ALTERNATIVE ERA is a phenomenal anthology inspired by music of the alternative era. There are some horror legends in this anthology (Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Silvia Morena-Garcia to name a few) and the stories do not disappoint. The stand-out to me is Malerman’s “HIDE&SEEK” BY SWANN set during the era of Siouxsie and the Banshees and it is eery, creepy, and brilliant. A perfect anthology for music and horror lovers. (Thank you to Ruadán Books for providing me an advance copy. 120 MURDERS publishes on April 8).
March 27, 2025
Each story was unique and darkly gripping. I wasn't disappointed by the storylines or resolutions, but the pacing could have been a bit better. Overall, this was an amazing horror anthology, and I enjoyed it very much.
April 11, 2025
Really enjoyed reading these stories! Disturbing and compelling.
August 1, 2025
I copy-edited this book. 😊 All the stories are really good.
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