Dolls in the Attic

by Caleb J. Pecue (Editor), Scott Urban, Jackson Robinson

Lady Adelaide Rosemary Hawthorne has died. When her estranged children return to Hawthorne Manor to settle her estate, they expect cold formality, distant memories, and the promise of a generous inheritance. What they don’t expect is the attic—sealed away for years—filled with a collection of porcelain dolls, each eerily watching, their painted eyes glinting with secrets.

It is Julia, the youngest daughter, who first senses something unsettling about them. There is something in the way they seem to watch, something in the hush of the attic air that makes her hesitate. But sentimentality has no place in this home—the dolls are to be sold at auction, a condition they must accept if they want their share of the estate.
But these dolls have stories. Tales that whisper from the past, murmur through the present, and linger into the unknown future. Some stories are of love and longing, others of betrayal and blood. Some of them began long before the Hawthornes arrived, while others are only just beginning.

One by one, the dolls leave the attic, are sold at the auction, and bound off to meet their new family.

Dolls in the Attic is an eerie and evocative anthology, weaving together ghostly whispers, dark family secrets, and the chilling realization that some things—once disturbed—will never rest again.

Up, tucked away in an attic,
found upon an inheritance,
aristocratic,
were several porcelain dolls,
their stories untold,
but within these walls,
carried away by auctioneer,
each one with a haunting,
evil sneer



PRELUDE

Before the Auction
Madame by Scott Urban
Harlen Glass’s Long Confession by Jackson Robinson
Bitter Water by R. E. Dyer
Eye of the Beholder by AudraKate Gonzalez

INTERLUDE

After the Auction
The Playthings of Dolltown by Nadine Stewart
3344 Degrees by Vanessa Leonardo
You Want to See by Jesse D. Lockhart
Our Lady of Anguish by Aleco Julius
The Back Patio Smokers by Adam Cagley
Look-alike by Greta T. Bates

POSTLUDE

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection of stories which were centered around a porcelain doll from Lady Hawthorne’s estate.
These were the stories I enjoyed the most:
The back patio smokers (this story was my favorite)
Madame
Harlan glass’s long confession
Eye of the beholder
The playthings of dolltown
3344 degrees
Look-Alike

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had that horror element that I was hoping for and enjoyed about this type of book. It uses the concept and enjoyed the stories in this collection. I was invested in what was going on and was hooked from the first story. Dolls are creepy to begin with and was glad it uses that concept to it's advantage.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melanie (TBR and Beyond) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[natalielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

”(And someday I’ll find that gross old lady) All the tears. (and I’ll buy that doll off her) She couldn’t fight them any longer. (and I’ll throw it right back in the ocean where it belongs.)”

When I first heard about this book coming out I was so stoked because creepy dolls are always a scary topic👀 I really enjoyed each and every story, some more than others because of the level of creepiness. But I really liked how well each story captured creepy dolls whether it was murderous or connected to a sad story, the story telling was perfect. And even though every story was different, I liked how it all connects together from the beginning to the end.

[Donna Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of very creepy stories all centred around a group of porcelain dolls,each story is different but they all tie together would highly recommend will look for more by these I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vintage Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't creeped out by old, porcelain dolls. But, now, I am! Honestly, I'm not sure what I was expecting from Dolls In The Attic, but this book exceeded my expectations and I could NOT put it down. It was written in short stories, and three main parts, that all tie together for a creepy, well-written, thrilling, and unique story. I'm impressed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written! Early on, it seems like different short stories combined into one book, but soon enough you figure out that every story is linked through the dolls.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It's haunting, exciting, interesting and impressive. There was not a single story that didn't capture my attention. The descriptions were very well written and I could easily visualize the scene. Amazing

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love and collect dolls, so i instantly knew I had to read this book. It was great. The mystery and intensity kept me turning those pages as fast as I could. I enjoyed continuance of the stories brought together. This book is highly recommended!!

[Allyssa Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re into creepy doll stories, I’d highly recommend this anthology! As a kid, I watched Dead Silence and was absolutely horrified by the dolls. Some of the stories in this book reminded me of that lol. These stories add to and subvert the “creepy doll” horror trope. My favorite stories were “The Playthings of Dolltown” and “3344 Degrees” but all of the stories are fantastic.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a woman's passing her family sells her collection of things. One collection is a group of dolls isn't as innocent as you would think. These dolls are special and possibly dangerous.

[Katie Brunecz · Rating 4 out of 5]

So...everyone agrees that dolls are creepy, right? Dolls in the Attic takes full advantage of that uncanny valley weirdness and has a great time with it.

This anthology is a fun read, featuring 10 quick and varied takes on haunted, possessed and otherwise murderous dolls. You'll never want to take your eyes off them again!

Special shout-out to 'The Back Patio Smokers' by Adam Cagley for both the highly unexpected set up, AND making me laugh out loud!

*I received an Advanced Review Copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[John Bitsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of stories. It was super creepy. I liked the way all the stories are bound together. Definitely recommended!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it, and it was everything I hoped it would be.

DOLLS IN THE ATTIC is an anthology of exploring a collection of dolls left after the death of a family matriarch.

The framing device of this anthology is brilliant, weaving each story together with a common theme that freaked me out more and more as I read more of the book.

Each story was very well written, with different writing styling shining throughout each story. A few standouts include The Playthings of Dolltown by Nadine Stewart and 3344 Degrees by Vanessa Leonardo.

[Andrea Gleason-Maresca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. If you think dolls are creepy, this is definitely the book for you. Even if you don't, these stories may change your mind. Masterfully crafted to tie all of the stories together, this anthology takes you through a collection of dolls and their horrifying stories. Each tale stands on its own, but they are woven together beautifully, and you will want to read from beginning to end. Some stories were odd, some were creepy, and a few were downright terrifying. A truly enjoyable read for the macabre fan!

[Dawn J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hard to follow. First time I've had to read a book with no interruptions or background noise. I'd get lost, and had to re-read pages. Story line I thought was very interesting. Book did not flow.

[AMBER CLARK]

This is a collection of several very creepy stories involving very creepy dolls. Everyone's nightmare, right? You'll definitely sleep with one eye open after reading these tales.