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Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories
From the twisted imagination behind The Exorcist’s House, Mean Spirited, and Anathema, come eleven new tales of terror guaranteed to haunt the mind.
Travel along a backcountry road as two bickering siblings encounter a sadistic masked menace. Watch from a couple’s window as a mysterious figure lurks through the darkness of the vacant house next door. Witness a malevolent presence threaten to unravel a man’s sanity decades after testing an urban legend.
From ventriloquist dummies to stuffed pandas, ancient vampires to human experimentation, this collection feeds on your fears of the supernatural and the horrors of real life. Abandon the light and become Nocturnal by Nature.
Travel along a backcountry road as two bickering siblings encounter a sadistic masked menace. Watch from a couple’s window as a mysterious figure lurks through the darkness of the vacant house next door. Witness a malevolent presence threaten to unravel a man’s sanity decades after testing an urban legend.
From ventriloquist dummies to stuffed pandas, ancient vampires to human experimentation, this collection feeds on your fears of the supernatural and the horrors of real life. Abandon the light and become Nocturnal by Nature.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
83 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Nick Roberts
31 books2,360 followersNick Roberts is a native West Virginian and a doctoral graduate of Marshall University. He is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Horror Authors Guild. His works include Anathema, The Exorcist's House, It Haunts the Mind & Other Stories, and Mean Spirited. He currently resides in South Carolina with his family and is an advocate for people in recovery from substance use disorder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 7, 2025
“Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts is a fantastic collection of horror short stories. I’ve been a massive fan of his work ever since I first read “The Exorcist’s House,” which is a 5/5 horror novel masterpiece for me. Anything he writes, I’ve always enjoyed, and this was no exception.
Before I dive into my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs
- Drug addiction
- Violence against animals
- Death of animals
- Suicide
- Drug overdose
- Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this short story collection. Moving along, I love the intro by Felix Blackwell, which sets the tone and reminds everyone why we all love reading horror. Immediately after Blackwell’s introduction, that first story, “Nocturnal by Nature,” was phenomenal. My goodness, that’s how you start a collection like this!
Speaking of which, here’s a list of the short stories that stood out the most to me and completely blew me away…
- Nocturnal by Nature
- The Copper Thieves
- Devil in the Snow
- Slinky
- Ode to October
- The Panda
There’s a bit of something for everyone in “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories,” which makes for some thrilling, diverse horror. Several short stories had an excellent amount of horror, especially if you also enjoy visceral gore and creepy moments. Reading this reminded me of when I was a kid watching the “Tales From the Crypt” TV show or the legendary “CREEPSHOW” movies.
I felt that these stories could very well be episodes for either one, and even though a few didn’t hit as much as I would have liked, I enjoyed reading this in stride. If I had to pick my favorite short story, it would easily be “Devil in the Snow.”
This was incredible and hit home for me, as my younger brother is a member of the United States Marine Corps. It was a beautiful story with an astonishingly horrific twist that was truly wild. I was also shocked at the ending because I didn’t see that coming at all. Simply phenomenal, and to think, the others I listed above were also terrific.
I give “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts a 4/5, as it is a superb short story horror collection that hits the mark on the majority of its stories. Some entries didn’t click with me, but that’s okay, as most did. Great characters, solid plot twists, and, above all else, some creepy horror that will make you create weird faces while reading. I guarantee you’ll freak out a bit when reading “Ode to October.” It’s so short, sweet, and to the point that you will remember it once Halloween is here for us all. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Before I dive into my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs
- Drug addiction
- Violence against animals
- Death of animals
- Suicide
- Drug overdose
- Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this short story collection. Moving along, I love the intro by Felix Blackwell, which sets the tone and reminds everyone why we all love reading horror. Immediately after Blackwell’s introduction, that first story, “Nocturnal by Nature,” was phenomenal. My goodness, that’s how you start a collection like this!
Speaking of which, here’s a list of the short stories that stood out the most to me and completely blew me away…
- Nocturnal by Nature
- The Copper Thieves
- Devil in the Snow
- Slinky
- Ode to October
- The Panda
There’s a bit of something for everyone in “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories,” which makes for some thrilling, diverse horror. Several short stories had an excellent amount of horror, especially if you also enjoy visceral gore and creepy moments. Reading this reminded me of when I was a kid watching the “Tales From the Crypt” TV show or the legendary “CREEPSHOW” movies.
I felt that these stories could very well be episodes for either one, and even though a few didn’t hit as much as I would have liked, I enjoyed reading this in stride. If I had to pick my favorite short story, it would easily be “Devil in the Snow.”
This was incredible and hit home for me, as my younger brother is a member of the United States Marine Corps. It was a beautiful story with an astonishingly horrific twist that was truly wild. I was also shocked at the ending because I didn’t see that coming at all. Simply phenomenal, and to think, the others I listed above were also terrific.
I give “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts a 4/5, as it is a superb short story horror collection that hits the mark on the majority of its stories. Some entries didn’t click with me, but that’s okay, as most did. Great characters, solid plot twists, and, above all else, some creepy horror that will make you create weird faces while reading. I guarantee you’ll freak out a bit when reading “Ode to October.” It’s so short, sweet, and to the point that you will remember it once Halloween is here for us all. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
March 29, 2025
WOW! If you want a great horror book full of short stories to read, this one is it! I was both horrified and disturbed by these stories! They are creepy, twisty, unique, unpredictable, gruesome, brutal and terrifying. The book also came with a dash of humor! These short stories not only scared the sh*t out of me, they also gave me some nostalgia feels- the goosebumps books, a slinky, VHS tapes, a mood ring- just to name a few! I give this “Nocturnal by Nature and other short stories” a 5 out of 5 horrifying stars!
The first book that I read by Nick Roberts was Dead End Tunnel and I absolutely loved it! You can tell that he puts a lot of time, thought and work into his writing. I will be reading more of his books!
The first book that I read by Nick Roberts was Dead End Tunnel and I absolutely loved it! You can tell that he puts a lot of time, thought and work into his writing. I will be reading more of his books!
July 5, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded down for Goodreads.
Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories is a collection of horror short stories that will surely chill to your core.
Usually, with anthologies, there's always a story or two that you end up forgetting because they weren't that memorable. However, I am pleased to report that each of these stories will remain with me for a while to come. Ranging from the slasher sub-genre to urban legends, creature features, and so much more, I was rooted to the pages of this book. There really is something here for everyone.
Each story is well crafted and carefully constructed. I also loved that I connected with the characters in each story. Which made this one even more enjoyable for me. That in itself shows just how good of an author Nick is. Creating stand-out characters in just a few short pages. Final praise is that I loved him telling us at the end how he came up with each story. This leads me to my next point, I'm gonna NEED a full-length novel for "Ode to October."
Long story short, read this book.
Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories is a collection of horror short stories that will surely chill to your core.
Usually, with anthologies, there's always a story or two that you end up forgetting because they weren't that memorable. However, I am pleased to report that each of these stories will remain with me for a while to come. Ranging from the slasher sub-genre to urban legends, creature features, and so much more, I was rooted to the pages of this book. There really is something here for everyone.
Each story is well crafted and carefully constructed. I also loved that I connected with the characters in each story. Which made this one even more enjoyable for me. That in itself shows just how good of an author Nick is. Creating stand-out characters in just a few short pages. Final praise is that I loved him telling us at the end how he came up with each story. This leads me to my next point, I'm gonna NEED a full-length novel for "Ode to October."
Long story short, read this book.
August 3, 2025
Yeah, this one deserves 5 stars. There were some good ones in here. Then there were some really good ones I enjoyed in here even more. I wasn't bored in the slightest reading any of these. Which is something bc Im reading about 5 books right now. And I've gotten into bored spots with them. The Copper Thieves story? Yikes. That one freaked me out a little. loved it. Slinky was another favorite. The image of grandma.... 😳. Love that, too. This is one of my top favorites to read for short stories.
May 16, 2025
This is why I keep saying Nick roberts is GOAT! I've just finished this, and i am beyond words!
How Nick can turn a simple thought, a simple view, a simple picture into something so amazing is what I call TALENT.
When recommending a novel made up of short stories, it's always such a hard choice to make when it comes to picking my favourites. But if it all came down to the wire, and I had to, hands down, it would be:
Nocturnal by nature 💥💥💥💥💥
Copper theives 💥💥💥💥💥
Red all over 💥💥💥💥💥
Devil in the snow 💥💥💥💥💥💥
Knocks 💥💥💥💥💥
You girls and your gore 💥💥💥💥💥
The panda 💥💥💥💥💥
The rest range from 4.5💥 to 5💥because Nick has NEVER written a bad book ever.
Thanks again, Nick, for letting me read this ARC! You keep WRITING them, I'll keep RECOMMENDING them.
Now i can literally go back to everyday life... until Nick releases another book 📖 🙌
How Nick can turn a simple thought, a simple view, a simple picture into something so amazing is what I call TALENT.
When recommending a novel made up of short stories, it's always such a hard choice to make when it comes to picking my favourites. But if it all came down to the wire, and I had to, hands down, it would be:
Nocturnal by nature 💥💥💥💥💥
Copper theives 💥💥💥💥💥
Red all over 💥💥💥💥💥
Devil in the snow 💥💥💥💥💥💥
Knocks 💥💥💥💥💥
You girls and your gore 💥💥💥💥💥
The panda 💥💥💥💥💥
The rest range from 4.5💥 to 5💥because Nick has NEVER written a bad book ever.
Thanks again, Nick, for letting me read this ARC! You keep WRITING them, I'll keep RECOMMENDING them.
Now i can literally go back to everyday life... until Nick releases another book 📖 🙌
February 1, 2025
Thank you, Nick, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Nick Roberts hits it out of the park once again with this collection of eleven frightening stories curated to fuel your nightmares. Each one of these stories shines on its own, but when you put them all together, you really see the range of Nick's work. Yes, they're all horror, but a wide variety within the genre. From human to monster to sci-fi to vampire to paranormal, there's a little something for everyone. The title and amazing cover design definitely give off the same feeling of picking up the newest Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark but for adults. Some of my favorites were:
The Copper Thieves: Three thieves get more than they bargained for when they go late-night lurking in a cemetery.
Knocks: An urban legend spanning decades that leaves you wondering what's real and what's not.
Slinky: A classic feel-good Christmas story about a family enjoying the evening decorating the Christmas tree.
You Girls and Your Gore: A parent's worst nightmare when their kid develops an interest in horror.
The Panda: This one ended up tugging at my heartstrings, and not because of the cute panda.
Although it's not a story in this book, I also enjoyed Felix Blackwell's forward. He skillfully introduces this collection and Nick to the reader in only a way Felix can. I'd highly encourage anyone to pick up a copy of this book, turn the lights down, and surrender to the nocturnal.
Nick Roberts hits it out of the park once again with this collection of eleven frightening stories curated to fuel your nightmares. Each one of these stories shines on its own, but when you put them all together, you really see the range of Nick's work. Yes, they're all horror, but a wide variety within the genre. From human to monster to sci-fi to vampire to paranormal, there's a little something for everyone. The title and amazing cover design definitely give off the same feeling of picking up the newest Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark but for adults. Some of my favorites were:
The Copper Thieves: Three thieves get more than they bargained for when they go late-night lurking in a cemetery.
Knocks: An urban legend spanning decades that leaves you wondering what's real and what's not.
Slinky: A classic feel-good Christmas story about a family enjoying the evening decorating the Christmas tree.
You Girls and Your Gore: A parent's worst nightmare when their kid develops an interest in horror.
The Panda: This one ended up tugging at my heartstrings, and not because of the cute panda.
Although it's not a story in this book, I also enjoyed Felix Blackwell's forward. He skillfully introduces this collection and Nick to the reader in only a way Felix can. I'd highly encourage anyone to pick up a copy of this book, turn the lights down, and surrender to the nocturnal.
April 22, 2025
Nocturnal by Nature and Other Stories proves Robert’s range, giving us unsettling tales that creep into the deepest, darkest corners of the human mind. Surreal, psychological, and utterly chilling, each story sticks with you like a bad dream you can’t shake.
June 13, 2025
Roberts continues to knock them out of the park. A really fantastic mix of horror tropes among these stories. Standout for me was the title story. Roberts starts the collection with what is surely his darkest and most depraved story yet. Not a dud among the bunch though. Highly recommend.
5 portapottys out of 5.
5 portapottys out of 5.
February 11, 2025
From the opening page (specifically Felix’s foreword) this book is dripping with liquid/verbal gold… and then almost immediately dripping with other liquids.
I believe my exact words were: “what-the-burly-masked-man-clerk-fuck. 💩” …. Which might not mean anything to you yet, but it will. Oh, it will.
I love Nick’s writing because he has so much range… and I know we’ve only grazed the very tip of the iceberg. His stories terrify us, disgust us, make us ponder life and the human experience. Sometimes they tug at our hearts…but most importantly, they keep us coming back for more.
This collection started with a BANG… it was dark, it was brutal, it had me wondering what the hell I was getting myself into… and then it surprised me again and again when each story turned out to be completely different and unique from the one before it. At times I was left in awe of the beauty of the mind, other times I was taking parenting notes, soaking up nostalgic moments, or mentally applauding creative choices/risks. Bravo. 👏🏻
Standout stories for me:
Nocturnal By Nature
Devil in the Snow
Ode to October
You Girls and Your Gore
The Panda
Release Date: 3/28
I believe my exact words were: “what-the-burly-masked-man-clerk-fuck. 💩” …. Which might not mean anything to you yet, but it will. Oh, it will.
I love Nick’s writing because he has so much range… and I know we’ve only grazed the very tip of the iceberg. His stories terrify us, disgust us, make us ponder life and the human experience. Sometimes they tug at our hearts…but most importantly, they keep us coming back for more.
This collection started with a BANG… it was dark, it was brutal, it had me wondering what the hell I was getting myself into… and then it surprised me again and again when each story turned out to be completely different and unique from the one before it. At times I was left in awe of the beauty of the mind, other times I was taking parenting notes, soaking up nostalgic moments, or mentally applauding creative choices/risks. Bravo. 👏🏻
Standout stories for me:
Nocturnal By Nature
Devil in the Snow
Ode to October
You Girls and Your Gore
The Panda
Release Date: 3/28
January 25, 2025
I will never not read a book by Nick. It’s always an adventure. I was hooked after the first story and each story got better and better. Love that there is meaning behind the stories and he shares them. Don’t wait and preorder!
February 15, 2025
Another Brilliant Read from Nick Roberts!
I grew up on short horror stories, whether in books, TV shows, or later, the internet. As a kid, I devoured Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Goosebumps, and Fear Street by Christopher Pike, eventually branching into random horror short story collections from legends like Stephen King. On screen, I was hooked on Tales from the Crypt, Creepshow, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and, of course, Goosebumps. That early obsession with short horror stories evolved into a love for all things horror—movies, novels, you name it.
But short stories? I hadn’t really gone back down that rabbit hole in a while. That’s why getting my hands this novel by Nick Roberts was such a welcome change of pace. This collection quickly reminded me why I fell in love with short stories in the first place.
I enjoyed every story, but a few stood out as top contenders for my favorites. They had that nostalgic Tales from the Crypt, Goosebumps, and Are You Afraid of the Dark? vibe—just with the darker, adult edge I crave.
“The Copper Thieves” – This one felt like it was made for Creepshow or tales from the crypt. The storytelling was so well done, and that ending? Absolute chef’s kiss.
“Devil in the Snow” – A fresh spin on a concept that’s been done a hundred times—but never like this. I don’t usually gravitate toward this type of story, but this one? It took things to a whole new level. The way the “Devil in the snow” was described? Absolutely Fantastic, I can still see it when I close my eyes.
“You Girls and Your Gore” – Some of this felt way too familiar—like those late-night horror marathons with my girlfriends, except mine always started with a trip to the video store. (They definitely knew me there.) BUT… we need to talk about Harold. Turns out, Slappy did a number on me as a kid, and apparently, that fear was just lurking beneath the surface. Haha… thanks for awakening that.
“Ode to October” – Short but fantastic. It felt like a teaser for something bigger, and I’m so here for it. Nick, please give us more like this—your writing style would absolutely thrive in this horror trope.
All in all, this collection gets a full 5 stars. A killer read from start to finish.
Bravo, Nick Roberts—you’ve done it again!
I grew up on short horror stories, whether in books, TV shows, or later, the internet. As a kid, I devoured Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Goosebumps, and Fear Street by Christopher Pike, eventually branching into random horror short story collections from legends like Stephen King. On screen, I was hooked on Tales from the Crypt, Creepshow, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and, of course, Goosebumps. That early obsession with short horror stories evolved into a love for all things horror—movies, novels, you name it.
But short stories? I hadn’t really gone back down that rabbit hole in a while. That’s why getting my hands this novel by Nick Roberts was such a welcome change of pace. This collection quickly reminded me why I fell in love with short stories in the first place.
I enjoyed every story, but a few stood out as top contenders for my favorites. They had that nostalgic Tales from the Crypt, Goosebumps, and Are You Afraid of the Dark? vibe—just with the darker, adult edge I crave.
“The Copper Thieves” – This one felt like it was made for Creepshow or tales from the crypt. The storytelling was so well done, and that ending? Absolute chef’s kiss.
“Devil in the Snow” – A fresh spin on a concept that’s been done a hundred times—but never like this. I don’t usually gravitate toward this type of story, but this one? It took things to a whole new level. The way the “Devil in the snow” was described? Absolutely Fantastic, I can still see it when I close my eyes.
“You Girls and Your Gore” – Some of this felt way too familiar—like those late-night horror marathons with my girlfriends, except mine always started with a trip to the video store. (They definitely knew me there.) BUT… we need to talk about Harold. Turns out, Slappy did a number on me as a kid, and apparently, that fear was just lurking beneath the surface. Haha… thanks for awakening that.
“Ode to October” – Short but fantastic. It felt like a teaser for something bigger, and I’m so here for it. Nick, please give us more like this—your writing style would absolutely thrive in this horror trope.
All in all, this collection gets a full 5 stars. A killer read from start to finish.
Bravo, Nick Roberts—you’ve done it again!
January 27, 2025
𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆.
This is a stunning collection of short horror fiction with stories that are both bound together by common themes, yet each one was wholly individual and unique. In a way, I guess that's a description of the genre itself, with inspiration being found everywhere: in seemingly innocuous objects, at the bottom of a bottle, in the relentless binds of grief, and in the folklore of our youth. The collection includes the following titles:
"Nocturnal by Nature" finds siblings Joan and Jonathan driving to their father's funeral. Resentment is a third passenger in the car, and things come to a head when the siblings stop at a deserted gas station where a cruel joke quickly spins into something far more menacing.
"Neighbor" is about Lindsey and Trent seeing their feuding neighbors depart and becoming curious about the new inhabitant next door. Good fences make good neighbors definitely came to mind while reading this, and as someone whose home is her castle, this one was one of my top picks. Chilling and disturbing.
"The Copper Thieves" involves the horror of Oxycontin and graverobbing. No wonder Shakespeare had that warning etched on his tombstone.
"Red All Over" was a powerful story of feminine rage and triumph. 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚--𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍...𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒉*𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. Another favorite.
"Devil in the Snow" Probably my favorite from the collection because I knew what inspired it even before I read the author's notes. Two brothers and their bond sharing the perfect day. Whatever happens after that doesn't matter.
"On a Later Day" messed with my head. You will definitely want to read every word of the Terms and Conditions for everything from now on. If you've ever wondered about all the infinite realities each day holds--how would my day be different if I didn't do this, or if I made this choice instead--you will love this story.
"Knocks" was every slumber party I ever went to, every game of Bloody Mary I ever played, and that one unfortunate incident with a Ouija board came to mind. The ending was a kick in the teeth.
"Slinky" was Christmas horror at its finest, inspired by a horrific drawing of a little girl with horror in her heart.
"Ode to October" is a super short yet chilling homage to Halloween. There are no fun and games here.
"You Girls and Your Gore" sounds like something my mom would have said at my sleepovers when she noticed my friends and I weren't watching John Hughes movies; we were watching slashers. The Goosebumps vibes, the nostalgia, and the horrific addition of the dummy moved this one to yet another favorite.
"The Panda" closes out the collection on a disconcerting note. Tony is trying his best to parent Adrian, his son who has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) while his absent wife struggles with heroin. Tony is doing a grand job until a fateful trip to the carnival changes the trajectory of their lives.
Thank you so much to the author for having me on his ARC team and providing an early copy for review. This collection will be available March 28, 2025, or you can pre-order a signed hardback or paperback on his website, www.nickrobertsauthor.com
This is a stunning collection of short horror fiction with stories that are both bound together by common themes, yet each one was wholly individual and unique. In a way, I guess that's a description of the genre itself, with inspiration being found everywhere: in seemingly innocuous objects, at the bottom of a bottle, in the relentless binds of grief, and in the folklore of our youth. The collection includes the following titles:
"Nocturnal by Nature" finds siblings Joan and Jonathan driving to their father's funeral. Resentment is a third passenger in the car, and things come to a head when the siblings stop at a deserted gas station where a cruel joke quickly spins into something far more menacing.
"Neighbor" is about Lindsey and Trent seeing their feuding neighbors depart and becoming curious about the new inhabitant next door. Good fences make good neighbors definitely came to mind while reading this, and as someone whose home is her castle, this one was one of my top picks. Chilling and disturbing.
"The Copper Thieves" involves the horror of Oxycontin and graverobbing. No wonder Shakespeare had that warning etched on his tombstone.
"Red All Over" was a powerful story of feminine rage and triumph. 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚--𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍...𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒉*𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. Another favorite.
"Devil in the Snow" Probably my favorite from the collection because I knew what inspired it even before I read the author's notes. Two brothers and their bond sharing the perfect day. Whatever happens after that doesn't matter.
"On a Later Day" messed with my head. You will definitely want to read every word of the Terms and Conditions for everything from now on. If you've ever wondered about all the infinite realities each day holds--how would my day be different if I didn't do this, or if I made this choice instead--you will love this story.
"Knocks" was every slumber party I ever went to, every game of Bloody Mary I ever played, and that one unfortunate incident with a Ouija board came to mind. The ending was a kick in the teeth.
"Slinky" was Christmas horror at its finest, inspired by a horrific drawing of a little girl with horror in her heart.
"Ode to October" is a super short yet chilling homage to Halloween. There are no fun and games here.
"You Girls and Your Gore" sounds like something my mom would have said at my sleepovers when she noticed my friends and I weren't watching John Hughes movies; we were watching slashers. The Goosebumps vibes, the nostalgia, and the horrific addition of the dummy moved this one to yet another favorite.
"The Panda" closes out the collection on a disconcerting note. Tony is trying his best to parent Adrian, his son who has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) while his absent wife struggles with heroin. Tony is doing a grand job until a fateful trip to the carnival changes the trajectory of their lives.
Thank you so much to the author for having me on his ARC team and providing an early copy for review. This collection will be available March 28, 2025, or you can pre-order a signed hardback or paperback on his website, www.nickrobertsauthor.com
February 6, 2025
Well.
I was one of the lucky recipients of the ARC for this beauty of a collection by Nick. I usually burn through his books because I’m desperate to get to the end of his novels and find out what’s going to happen. But this one was different.
I’m a huge fan of anthologies, I really enjoy the format of several short stories that tend to reveal the real talent of authors as they have the opportunity to cover a variety of topics and focal points. That is exactly what happened here. Nick is an expert storyteller, and each story has such a succinct and beautiful flow and tone so as to evoke emotion; whether it be fear, dread, connection, curiosity, disgust or wonder. I ended up really taking my time with this collection, soaking up each story and then taking a little break before diving into the next one. I wanted to savour each one, but also lengthen the time I got to spend in this world of stories. That’s how you know it’s the real good shit. The need for it not to end overrides the need to find out what happens next.
With some collected works books, it’s easy to end up a little bored with the repetition of themes or styles and it ends up being a slog to the end. This is the absolute opposite. I 100% recommend this book to anyone and everyone who enjoys short stories, and would similarly recommend it to anyone looking to dip their toes into the anthology world.
But, beware.
This is one of Roberts’ darkest books yet, in my opinion. You must be willing to also become nocturnal by nature, because you might never turn the light off ever again.
I was one of the lucky recipients of the ARC for this beauty of a collection by Nick. I usually burn through his books because I’m desperate to get to the end of his novels and find out what’s going to happen. But this one was different.
I’m a huge fan of anthologies, I really enjoy the format of several short stories that tend to reveal the real talent of authors as they have the opportunity to cover a variety of topics and focal points. That is exactly what happened here. Nick is an expert storyteller, and each story has such a succinct and beautiful flow and tone so as to evoke emotion; whether it be fear, dread, connection, curiosity, disgust or wonder. I ended up really taking my time with this collection, soaking up each story and then taking a little break before diving into the next one. I wanted to savour each one, but also lengthen the time I got to spend in this world of stories. That’s how you know it’s the real good shit. The need for it not to end overrides the need to find out what happens next.
With some collected works books, it’s easy to end up a little bored with the repetition of themes or styles and it ends up being a slog to the end. This is the absolute opposite. I 100% recommend this book to anyone and everyone who enjoys short stories, and would similarly recommend it to anyone looking to dip their toes into the anthology world.
But, beware.
This is one of Roberts’ darkest books yet, in my opinion. You must be willing to also become nocturnal by nature, because you might never turn the light off ever again.
February 9, 2025
As always, I devoured this Roberts title every free moment I had. This collection of stories was intense. These are hard-hitting and unnerving and entirely too realistic for the level of horror they possess. While all of them are super memorable, the ones that really stood out for me were KNOCKS, THE PANDA, YOU GIRLS AND YOUR GORE, and DEVIL IN THE SNOW.
February 14, 2025
This has got to be my favorite collection ever!!!!!!!! Each story only got gorier than the last. And I’m so glad I read it. The stories that stood out to me the most were Nocturnal by Nature, Neighbor, The Copper Thieves, Slinky, You Girls and Your Gore, and the Panda. Some of these short stories I will say could actually be made into novels as they were that good!
January 28, 2025
An Outstanding Collection of Horror
Nocturnal by Nature by Nick Roberts is a masterfully crafted collection of short stories that run the gamut from gruesome and creepy to surprisingly emotional. From the very first story, which hooked me instantly and hit the ground running, it’s clear Roberts knows how to draw readers in and keep them captivated.
The writing is skillful, with vivid descriptions that make the monsters genuinely terrifying. Each story feels meticulously crafted, showcasing Roberts’ knack for creating horror that’s as chilling as it is engaging. What makes this collection even more special is Roberts’ connection to his community. The way he incorporated his fans into this book adds a personal and heartfelt touch that truly sets it apart.
At the end of the book, Roberts shares insights into his writing process for each story, offering a fascinating glimpse into how his imagination comes to life. This thoughtful inclusion enhanced my appreciation for the collection and deepened the experience.
Simply put, Nick Roberts never writes a bad story, and Nocturnal by Nature is no exception. With its blend of scares and heart, this is an absolute five-star read for horror fans. A HUGE THANK YOU to Nick Roberts for the opportunity to read the ARC for this amazing book!
Nocturnal by Nature by Nick Roberts is a masterfully crafted collection of short stories that run the gamut from gruesome and creepy to surprisingly emotional. From the very first story, which hooked me instantly and hit the ground running, it’s clear Roberts knows how to draw readers in and keep them captivated.
The writing is skillful, with vivid descriptions that make the monsters genuinely terrifying. Each story feels meticulously crafted, showcasing Roberts’ knack for creating horror that’s as chilling as it is engaging. What makes this collection even more special is Roberts’ connection to his community. The way he incorporated his fans into this book adds a personal and heartfelt touch that truly sets it apart.
At the end of the book, Roberts shares insights into his writing process for each story, offering a fascinating glimpse into how his imagination comes to life. This thoughtful inclusion enhanced my appreciation for the collection and deepened the experience.
Simply put, Nick Roberts never writes a bad story, and Nocturnal by Nature is no exception. With its blend of scares and heart, this is an absolute five-star read for horror fans. A HUGE THANK YOU to Nick Roberts for the opportunity to read the ARC for this amazing book!
January 26, 2025
Man, I just got done with the ARC by Nick Roberts, and that was such an amazing read! It even had me tearing up a bit on the last story because it hit close to home! Highly recommended!
February 1, 2025
Another home run by Nick Roberts!
This collection of short stories ticks every box, every story is captivating and doesn’t overstay its welcome, you just can’t put the book down. Being a kid that grew up on horror with shows such as Are You Afraid of The Dark, Tales From The Crypt, The Outer Limits, and Goosebumps…this shirt story collection was a dream come true!
While I enjoyed every story in this collection I did have a few favorites.
“Devil in the Snow” - A fantastic monster story, aside from a select few books, this isn’t normally a monster I read about. However, Nick brought the monster to life in a way that only he can. I was easily able to see the Devil in the Snow as I read and it was a terrifying beast.
“You Girls and Your Gore” - This is something straight out of my nightmares! Growing up my mom had a Mrs. Beasley doll and it scared the crap out of me. The fact that Harold reminded me of Slappy from Goosebumps didn’t help either! The twist at the end though…it left me uncomfortable, very well done. A terrifying tale!
“Ode to October” - Short, not so sweet, and something I need more of. This is the first time we’ve received a first person serial killer story from Nick…please…please give us more!
“Knocks” - This story creeped me out. It had an urban legend vibe to it and that’s something I’ve always been interested in. Every town has their secrets and legends…what happens when you tempt fate and see if the legends are true? Every knock or bump on the night made me uneasy as I read this…especially when I went into the bathroom and my oldest son knocked on the door!
“The Panda” - I really enjoyed this story. It’s a book about a father’s love for his son and it focuses on a condition called ODD (oppositional defiance disorder). It’s something that can make you have outbursts of absolute rage. It’s not something you hear about often and it is definitely overlooked. My wife is a teacher and has dealt with ODD before. So for a story to touch on this really hit home for me. Excellent read.
Overall this is a phenomenal short story collection. Nick brings his A+ game to each story and they all stick with you. A solid read and another 5-Star read from Nick!
This collection of short stories ticks every box, every story is captivating and doesn’t overstay its welcome, you just can’t put the book down. Being a kid that grew up on horror with shows such as Are You Afraid of The Dark, Tales From The Crypt, The Outer Limits, and Goosebumps…this shirt story collection was a dream come true!
While I enjoyed every story in this collection I did have a few favorites.
“Devil in the Snow” - A fantastic monster story, aside from a select few books, this isn’t normally a monster I read about. However, Nick brought the monster to life in a way that only he can. I was easily able to see the Devil in the Snow as I read and it was a terrifying beast.
“You Girls and Your Gore” - This is something straight out of my nightmares! Growing up my mom had a Mrs. Beasley doll and it scared the crap out of me. The fact that Harold reminded me of Slappy from Goosebumps didn’t help either! The twist at the end though…it left me uncomfortable, very well done. A terrifying tale!
“Ode to October” - Short, not so sweet, and something I need more of. This is the first time we’ve received a first person serial killer story from Nick…please…please give us more!
“Knocks” - This story creeped me out. It had an urban legend vibe to it and that’s something I’ve always been interested in. Every town has their secrets and legends…what happens when you tempt fate and see if the legends are true? Every knock or bump on the night made me uneasy as I read this…especially when I went into the bathroom and my oldest son knocked on the door!
“The Panda” - I really enjoyed this story. It’s a book about a father’s love for his son and it focuses on a condition called ODD (oppositional defiance disorder). It’s something that can make you have outbursts of absolute rage. It’s not something you hear about often and it is definitely overlooked. My wife is a teacher and has dealt with ODD before. So for a story to touch on this really hit home for me. Excellent read.
Overall this is a phenomenal short story collection. Nick brings his A+ game to each story and they all stick with you. A solid read and another 5-Star read from Nick!
February 11, 2025
Huge thank you to Nick Roberts for allowing me to be apart of the ARC group for this book.
Now as for my review I gave it five stars because I thoroughly enjoyed each story in this book.
From beginning to end his writing grips you and doesn’t ease up! If I wasn’t preoccupied with life I feel I would’ve devoured the entire book in one sitting! I looked forward to any free time I had to be able to sit down and continue reading until the very last page. Now that I’ve finished it, I’m able to sit with my thoughts and I applaud Nick for his creativity and brilliant mind. This collection of stories has a bit of everything so readers will definitely find something that they’ll enjoy. The story notes at the end go more into detail about some of the stories and the thinking behind them. Loved getting to read about his thinking process and it just solidified my emotions I had while reading the book.
I must say even though I loved every story, there were those that stood out more to me from this collection.
Nocturnal by Nature, Devil in the Snow, Knocks, You Girls and Your Gore and Panda.
Again there’s a bit of everything for everyone within this collection and I’m so happy to have been able to read this before its official release date. Get your hands on a copy you won’t regret it!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now as for my review I gave it five stars because I thoroughly enjoyed each story in this book.
From beginning to end his writing grips you and doesn’t ease up! If I wasn’t preoccupied with life I feel I would’ve devoured the entire book in one sitting! I looked forward to any free time I had to be able to sit down and continue reading until the very last page. Now that I’ve finished it, I’m able to sit with my thoughts and I applaud Nick for his creativity and brilliant mind. This collection of stories has a bit of everything so readers will definitely find something that they’ll enjoy. The story notes at the end go more into detail about some of the stories and the thinking behind them. Loved getting to read about his thinking process and it just solidified my emotions I had while reading the book.
I must say even though I loved every story, there were those that stood out more to me from this collection.
Nocturnal by Nature, Devil in the Snow, Knocks, You Girls and Your Gore and Panda.
Again there’s a bit of everything for everyone within this collection and I’m so happy to have been able to read this before its official release date. Get your hands on a copy you won’t regret it!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 27, 2025
Nocturnal by Nature and Other Stories is a collection of 11 terrifying horror stories from the mind of Nick Roberts. This collection of horror short stories grabs you from the first story and holds you so tight that it doesn’t let go until the very end. The horror genre is well-represented in this collection, with stories featuring slashers, possessed objects, vampires, creepy neighbors, and more. The story notes offer additional insights into some of the stories and the process behind them
I've read several books by Nick, and I'm constantly impressed by his ability to craft a tense atmosphere and his vivid descriptions, which make his work truly outstanding. He is an auto-buy author for me. I love his work and will continue to purchase any book he publishes
Some of my favorite stories in this collection were "Nocturnal by Nature", "Neighbor", "The Copper Thieves", and "Devil in the Snow", just to name a few.
I've read several books by Nick, and I'm constantly impressed by his ability to craft a tense atmosphere and his vivid descriptions, which make his work truly outstanding. He is an auto-buy author for me. I love his work and will continue to purchase any book he publishes
Some of my favorite stories in this collection were "Nocturnal by Nature", "Neighbor", "The Copper Thieves", and "Devil in the Snow", just to name a few.
February 18, 2025
This collection seems darker and more anxiety making than other works by this author. Absolutely love it!
April 19, 2025
I read the whole thing in Nick’s voice 😅
October 31, 2025
Great short stories to wrap up spooky season! My favorites were “red all over,” “on a later day,” and “you girls and your gore” (well up until the end of that one…)
April 2, 2025
Buy this book but don't take this book to the bathroom with you. IYKYK.
I was lucky enough to participate in an ARC group for this collection of short stories. Buckle up! The first story will smack you in the face. And each story thereafter threads different themes together. I genuinely enjoyed every story in this book and am sorry the first read is over. A very cool feature of this book is the author's notes at the back of the book. Nick gives you insight to the prompts and inspiration for each story. That's a vulnerable thing for an author to do, and as a fan and reader I appreciated having the insight. It's a more immersive experience. Speaking of vulnerability... oh my gosh the foreword by Felix Blackwell speaks with such profound, raw and powerful respect for the vulnerability authors bring to their prose. It is hands down one of the best forewards I've ever read and probably will ever read. The respect these two authors have for one another is palpable. All of the above elevates how truly raw, entertaining, and scary this book is. It brings all the feels. I also LOL'd a couple times. Read it. You won't be disappointed. Get on the bus before Nick blows up! He's gonna. 💫💫💫💫💫
I was lucky enough to participate in an ARC group for this collection of short stories. Buckle up! The first story will smack you in the face. And each story thereafter threads different themes together. I genuinely enjoyed every story in this book and am sorry the first read is over. A very cool feature of this book is the author's notes at the back of the book. Nick gives you insight to the prompts and inspiration for each story. That's a vulnerable thing for an author to do, and as a fan and reader I appreciated having the insight. It's a more immersive experience. Speaking of vulnerability... oh my gosh the foreword by Felix Blackwell speaks with such profound, raw and powerful respect for the vulnerability authors bring to their prose. It is hands down one of the best forewards I've ever read and probably will ever read. The respect these two authors have for one another is palpable. All of the above elevates how truly raw, entertaining, and scary this book is. It brings all the feels. I also LOL'd a couple times. Read it. You won't be disappointed. Get on the bus before Nick blows up! He's gonna. 💫💫💫💫💫
March 14, 2025
a dark short story collection of 11 tales that grow increasingly more disturbing.
My Reading Experience: I absolutely loved this short story collection. From supernatural to slashers this collection had it all. The stories were long enough to develop depth and terror but can easily be read in short bursts ( but trust me you won’t be able to put it down) one story in particular left me horribly uncomfortable, another was so delightful because In our horror community space ( Books of Horror ) I remember the day a mom posted some creepy pictures her daughter drew, Nick wrote a story based off the drawing to encourage her love of horror and it delivered!
Final Recommendation: Nick is one of those auto buy authors for me, I absolutely love his work and if you enjoy it as well you will absolutely devour this delightfully disturbing book!
( full review on Instagram @Booslittlehausofhorror)
My Reading Experience: I absolutely loved this short story collection. From supernatural to slashers this collection had it all. The stories were long enough to develop depth and terror but can easily be read in short bursts ( but trust me you won’t be able to put it down) one story in particular left me horribly uncomfortable, another was so delightful because In our horror community space ( Books of Horror ) I remember the day a mom posted some creepy pictures her daughter drew, Nick wrote a story based off the drawing to encourage her love of horror and it delivered!
Final Recommendation: Nick is one of those auto buy authors for me, I absolutely love his work and if you enjoy it as well you will absolutely devour this delightfully disturbing book!
( full review on Instagram @Booslittlehausofhorror)
March 1, 2025
Wow, what a collection Nick has created yet again, this has something for any fan of the genre that blends horror and the consequences of our actions perfectly with this feeling of dread throughout. From stories of creature features to serial killers turned horrific spirits, Nick shows his range as a storyteller in this! With stories like “You Girls and Your Gore” really turn an already unsettling premise(dummy’s and dolls freak me out) into a horrific ending that had me in tears, while “Knocks” gives a terrifying reminder that small actions can have sinister future consequences. The Copper Thieves and Devil in the snow really feel like they can be turned into standalone novels. The story building and rich mythology on those two alone are just phenomenal in my opinion. Some of these stories felt like they could be In rural parts of Alabama In my own backyard which terrifies me.
What really got me the most was the emotions this book had me feeling, from the foreword to the final page. I found myself laughing, rooting for characters, feeling empathy, being terrified of course and even tearing up. He has such an incredible talent for creating tense atmospheres and it’s undeniable. How the hell does he do that every time? So far, his writing has always exceeded my expectations, and this one certainly did! It kept me so uneasy that I had to turn on Stepbrothers late into the night to finish it the next morning 😂 The Foreward written by Felix Blackwell alone sets the tone for the stories you’re about to embark on and the hell thats about to be unleashed. *chefs kiss! Check it out, see what Nick cooks up in that demented head of his, you won’t regret it!
February 15, 2025
I am a Novel guy, i like to get into a book and stay there for a couple days. So short story collections for the most part dont interest me, unless they are written by certain authors. I could probably name less than 10 story collections that i have read front to back, and they would all be from Lansdale, Fracassi, Tyler Jones, Nick Roberts and one Stephen King collection. I do own a ton of anthologies and story collections from authors i enjoy reading, but alot of times they go on the shelves mostly unread except for a story or two from the authors i really follow.
Now this is the second short story collection that i have read from Nick Roberts, and it may be my favorite story collection yet! there are no slow or "filler" stories in this collection at all, they are all great. it starts out with the Title story, Nocturnal by Nature to get the ball rolling and let me tell you it does not let up. "You Girls and Your Gore" is one that will stay with me for quite some time, i thought this was going to be a revenge ghost story, but man did it turn into something different entirely, and that ending....OMG disturbing to say the least. "The Panda" "Neighbor" "Devil in the Snow" "Knocks" "Slinky", i could name them all and say they are my favorite, they are all that good.
Now this is the second short story collection that i have read from Nick Roberts, and it may be my favorite story collection yet! there are no slow or "filler" stories in this collection at all, they are all great. it starts out with the Title story, Nocturnal by Nature to get the ball rolling and let me tell you it does not let up. "You Girls and Your Gore" is one that will stay with me for quite some time, i thought this was going to be a revenge ghost story, but man did it turn into something different entirely, and that ending....OMG disturbing to say the least. "The Panda" "Neighbor" "Devil in the Snow" "Knocks" "Slinky", i could name them all and say they are my favorite, they are all that good.
February 17, 2025
Nocturnal by Nature and Other Stories is a superb collection of short stories. Normally, short stories are not my favorite. By nature, they are just too short to capture my attention and lack the detail needed to be truly scary. Not so with this collection.
Nick Roberts writes like he is 10 different authors. He is a master of his craft. He never fails to demand my attention and keep me hanging on until the last word. These stories go from thriller to horror to suspense to splatter punk to sci-fi to paranormal and back again
I felt disgusted, mystified, confused and definitely scared.
How do you do it Nick?
I try to sit and think about what kind of mind can come up with such beautiful, terrifying, different and powerful stories and I can’t comprehend.
He is a 10/10.
This book gave me a whole different view of Nick Roberts. I knew he was a masterful craftsman at writing horror novels. But now I appreciate him for the brilliant, all encompassing writer that this book showcases.
Well done, Mr. Robert’s. Well done.
Nick Roberts writes like he is 10 different authors. He is a master of his craft. He never fails to demand my attention and keep me hanging on until the last word. These stories go from thriller to horror to suspense to splatter punk to sci-fi to paranormal and back again
I felt disgusted, mystified, confused and definitely scared.
How do you do it Nick?
I try to sit and think about what kind of mind can come up with such beautiful, terrifying, different and powerful stories and I can’t comprehend.
He is a 10/10.
This book gave me a whole different view of Nick Roberts. I knew he was a masterful craftsman at writing horror novels. But now I appreciate him for the brilliant, all encompassing writer that this book showcases.
Well done, Mr. Robert’s. Well done.
January 30, 2025
This book is a work of a genius. The question most commonly asked in a horror group is "What is the scariest book you've all read?", to which the answer is usually "What scares you?"
And here comes Nocturnal by nature and other stories. Whatever you are into, this book got you covered! There are 11 tales, and there is something for everyone. Do you like psychological horror? Supernatural? Slasher style gorefest? Creature feature? Unexpected twists? Worry not, you'll find your new nightmare inducing horror story in this collection, for sure!
Despite their completely different settings, there are lots of similarities between these stories too. They are all extremely atmospheric, with realistic, relatable characters from all different walks of life.
They are all original, creepy, and well written. They are all designed to make you sleep with your lights on.
A huge thanks to Nick Roberts for the opportunity to read the ARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
And here comes Nocturnal by nature and other stories. Whatever you are into, this book got you covered! There are 11 tales, and there is something for everyone. Do you like psychological horror? Supernatural? Slasher style gorefest? Creature feature? Unexpected twists? Worry not, you'll find your new nightmare inducing horror story in this collection, for sure!
Despite their completely different settings, there are lots of similarities between these stories too. They are all extremely atmospheric, with realistic, relatable characters from all different walks of life.
They are all original, creepy, and well written. They are all designed to make you sleep with your lights on.
A huge thanks to Nick Roberts for the opportunity to read the ARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2025
What a wild ride of short stories. In this collection, I assure you there is something for everyone. The first story starts off with a real shitty situation, and just spirals from there.
From vampires to creepy stuffed pandas, haunted possessions, ghosts and crazed masked men, the noises you hear and question if you really heard them or if it’s just your imagination, and more … This collection has it all.
Knocks and Devil in the Snow were particularly my favorites, but I loved every single story. Nick knows how to get under your skin and creep you out. Reading one of his books in the dark and you hear noises in the house, making you question what you really heard, or having to turn a light on and close your closet door, he’ll even have you side-eyeing your kids’ stuffies.
He horrified me with outright disgust (make sure you have eaten breakfast and it settled before diving in), and then later goes on to write about a teen with free reign of her parent’s credit card — which is another absolute real-life horror.
But seriously, if you’re looking to get the heebie geebies, paranoid about the sounds you hear, to question the stuffed animals in your house, this is for you. So get cozy, leave the lights on, and buckle up. Because by the end of it, you may not be able to sleep.
Releases 03/28/2025.
Thank you to Nick Roberts and Crystal Lake Publishing for the ARC copy I received in exchange for an honest review. It’s always a pleasure and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read any of Nick’s work early!
From vampires to creepy stuffed pandas, haunted possessions, ghosts and crazed masked men, the noises you hear and question if you really heard them or if it’s just your imagination, and more … This collection has it all.
Knocks and Devil in the Snow were particularly my favorites, but I loved every single story. Nick knows how to get under your skin and creep you out. Reading one of his books in the dark and you hear noises in the house, making you question what you really heard, or having to turn a light on and close your closet door, he’ll even have you side-eyeing your kids’ stuffies.
He horrified me with outright disgust (make sure you have eaten breakfast and it settled before diving in), and then later goes on to write about a teen with free reign of her parent’s credit card — which is another absolute real-life horror.
But seriously, if you’re looking to get the heebie geebies, paranoid about the sounds you hear, to question the stuffed animals in your house, this is for you. So get cozy, leave the lights on, and buckle up. Because by the end of it, you may not be able to sleep.
Releases 03/28/2025.
Thank you to Nick Roberts and Crystal Lake Publishing for the ARC copy I received in exchange for an honest review. It’s always a pleasure and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read any of Nick’s work early!
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