Inanimate Things: Volume Two

by Stephen Rhoades, Cory Brock

What Happens When Inanimate Things Come Alive...Again? Living Puppets, Animated Houses, Creepy Cars, Hard Candy, Stoned Scarecrows, Exterior Illumination, Cardboard Maniacs, and More Mannequins. These are a few of the things that will devour your soul and invade your dreams. Digest these tales and try to be kind to the things you see. Just because you don't think they're conscious, doesn't mean they aren't.

Stories by acclaimed horror authors Jason Fischer, John Adam Gosham, Sandra Henriques, Patrick Herald, Michael Lawrence, Colin Adams-Toomey, Cory Brock, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Truman Ramsey, Mark Peters, Anne Wilkins, Carter Aldridge, Jimmy Pudge, Paul Lonardo, Richard Thackston, Stuart Conover, Damon Nomad, Kay Hanifen, and Stephen Rhoades. The second in an ongoing series.

Genres: Horror

Unknown Binding

About the author

Born in 1977, Stephen Rhoades loves to write stories. He loves writing horror, but he also writes in other genres such as fantasy, young adult, and anything else that tickles his fancy.

Mr. Rhoades has several published (or soon to be published) novels, including THE CALIFORNIA BUTCHER, THE PARANORMAL AND NORMAL INVESTIGATORS, and RAT DROPPINGS. He also edited the horror anthology, INANIMATE THINGS: VOLUME ONE and VOLUME TWO.

He currently lives in the darkest parts of Alabama with his wife and family.

Reviews

[Cory Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I have a story featured in this anthology, so feel free to take my review with a grain of salt.

This is a solid entry in the Inanimate Things anthology series (hoping we'll get a third volume soon). Much like in the first volume, these stories center around inanimate objects from a horror perspective. There's a fair amount of variety here, it's not just creepy dolls and mannequins, and you can tell the authors were having fun with the theme. Overall a solid anthology which I'm happy to be included in.

[Elizabeth Bottoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: although the majority of my review is positive, I feel the need to mention one story in particular for less than positive reasons. The story “Dead Mall” features sexually explicit language and imagery involving/directed at a minor. The language includes (but is not limited to) descriptions of nudity, an abusive relationship, and BDSM practices. If you are uncomfortable with that kind of content, I highly recommend you skip that story (I wish that I could have skipped it myself). Otherwise, read on! While I was disturbed by that story (in the bad way), I always think that you should read for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

This is certainly an interesting collection of stories! The broad theme of “inanimate objects” gives the authors a lot of room to write some truly compelling stories. While some of the stories herein come across as unpolished, others have quickly become some of my absolute favorites in the entire horror genre.
In particular, “Love You Real” had me on the edge of my seat, clinging desperately to every word. “Picture of the Maniac” and “That High Lonesome Sound” highlight the way that music and movies can haunt you in unexpected ways. And of course, “Pulling Your Strings” felt like a perfect grown-up evolution of an R.L. Stein story. Finally, “Good Bones” gave me goosebumps with its unique take on what I would call a ‘haunted house’.
I highly recommend you give it a read for yourself.

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fantastically scary book, the stories in this one will fit right in there.

Cursed objects, possessed things, everyday items become something macabre and gruesome are in this anthology.

The brilliant-and wonderfully twisted- authors in this book have all given us something to be scared of which, normally, wouldn't get much of a glance. Mannequins, Halloween decorations, candy, scarecrows, a hand puppet, and even a postcard are all included. It takes a great imagination to make candy thing to fear!

Just like with the first volume, these tales run the gamut from bloody to psychologically terrifying. There's something in here for fans of all types of horror and together they make for a horrifically good anthology. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a decent collection of short stories. Stand outs for me include Collector’s Edition, Pulling Your Strings, Love You Real, Bad Candy, Silent Servants, and That High Lonesome Sound (this one is written by my husband Cory Brock so I know that can be biased, but it is one of my favorites). Get Me Booty, the Moaning Fart and the Cannabis Scarecrows were bizarre but entertaining. As other reviews pointed out, the underage BDSM scene in Dead Mall was unnecessary- I think the story would’ve done just fine without that part in it.

[Madalena Feliciano Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like horror stories about things coming alive, this is your book. I feel like I keep repeating myself when I review books with short stories by different authors, but it is true: you will find stories that you love and stories that you don't like as much, because they are so different from one another, despite sharing this common theme. The book opens with «Forever House», which was honestly one of my absolute favourites. It reminded me a little bit of Doctor Sleep in the way they eat the screams (if you know, you know), and I always love a story about a house that is alive. «Picture of the Maniac» was another favourite, especially because I was not expecting how that ended! (and now my Swiftie brain cannot imagine anything else when I listen to Death by a Thousand Cuts). «All I Have to Send You is This Postcard», another favourite, and let's just say that it was one of those where you are never sure about what is happening, your brain explodes in the end when you think about what is happening, and you cannot forget it. I also loved «Pulling your strings», very very interesting mix of perspectives and personalities. «Bad Candy» was a very creative one and has one of those endings where you just know it is going to get even worse for the characters. «Get me Booty» was very funny to read while in Ireland, and a very unexpected one. In «The Space Beneath the Seat» I loved the descriptions and imagery that it creates, and how the story is told and how it is centred in only one character, but it feels a lot bigger. I really enjoyed the last two, «The Cannabis Scarecrows» and «That High Lonesome Sound» and I feel like we all should give a round of applause for «The Moaning Fart» because, even though it was not one of my favourites, it was definitely one of the funniest ones and a story that I was not at all expecting to read here.
Thank you so much for the copy!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology has a very wide range of stories. Some are silly, and some are very serious and creepy. My favorites were Good Bones, Bad Candy and Keep the Light Out. Overall I was very entertained and it didn't take me very long to get through the whole book. I would recommend it to other fans of the horror genre.

Just one note that I have- there is one story included in this anthology that involves a BDSM related situation in which an underage girl is placed in a scary situation where she cannot move her body. I understand that this is a horror anthology but there was no reason for the character to be underage. Obviously authors can write what they want. But a lot of readers are not open to reading this kind of thing about an underage person. I was actually very surprised to find this content randomly in the anthology, I did not expect it due to the types of stories that came before it.

There were also a few other minor instances in this anthology of stories written by men, in which a female character is written in a very stereotypical way, to the point where she doesn’t act like a typical woman would act in that situation. This did not happen often, but it was noticed.

My recommendation would be for the publisher to involve sensitivity readers before publication for situations like the above.

[Martha Hartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an early copy! Recommending this Anthology “Inanimate Things, Volume 2” If you’ve ever wondered about the possibility of latent evil in everyday objects, pick up this anthology today. There’s something for everyone here.

You’ll read about a lonely, abandoned house that sends terrifying messages in Morse code. There’s a twist in the story about killer mannequins seeking revenge on teenagers in an abandoned mall.

My favorite was “Pulling Your Strings” where an evil puppet takes over the life of a meek grade school teacher. Well written, with just the right amount of believability. Even if you’ve never faced a class of unruly 2nd graders, you will find yourself turning the pages, eagerly awaiting the ending here. Another favorite featured terrifying scarecrows that consume everything on a cannabis farm. The scarecrows have turned the tables on the owners in a desolate location.

I was chilled to the bone!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have, once again, discovered a healthy suspicion and wariness for inanimate objects thanks to Stephen Rhoades and his anthologies.

This volume of inanimate object horror was interesting, but some of the stories were really reminiscent of stories from the first volume. They didn't shock me as much as maybe they were intended to because I almost felt like I'd already read them (or something similar) before. But let's talk standouts!

Paul Lonardo's "Dead Mall" was super creepy! There's something about abandoned or dying malls that give me a chill, and then you add murder mannequins, and I'm done for. I absolutely despise mannequins (thanks, Doctor Who), so that added another layer to this story.

"Pulling Your Strings" by Anne Wilkins was so masterfully done. Puppets like Mr. Adams also mildly creep me out, and then the idea of it growing to your hand and strings curling under your skin is horrible!

"Keep the Light Out" by Carter Aldridge and "Love You Real" by Kay Hanifen made me really sad. While they were definitely horror stories, at their heart, the characters in both stories just wanted a friend, though they way they went about getting said friend was fairly scary. I couldn't help but feel bad for both Teddy and Lux in both situations.

This was a solid collection of stories, and if Stephen ever releases a volume 3, I'll be happily in line to give it a read!

[Blake Kourik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat collection of stories from independent authors. I really enjoyed reading this anthology and found the variety of stories entertaining. I appreciated the concepts of the stories “Picture of the Maniac,” “Pulling Your Strings,” and “Bad Candy”. These three stories had fun, wacky concepts that I really enjoyed revolving around the theme of ‘Inanimate Things’. “Bad Candy” had the most satisfying ending of all the stories for me, as I’m a huge fan of the ‘gotcha’ endings, wherein, the story doesn’t end there. Those are my favorites; stories similar to “Tales from the Crypt”. Clever hook, line, and sinker stories. Overall, a fun read featuring blossoming authors getting their work out there. I admire this anthology the most for serving as a platform for authors to have their stories shared.

[Nathan Poole Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this excellent anthology recently. The seemingly innocuous objects that become nefarious are, by times, sinister, shocking, chilling and even funny... one of the standout tales is Anne Wilkins' Pulling Your Strings. It features a devilish puppet named Mr. Adams that is a new, refreshing kind of horror object/monster- like Chucky, but less cartoonish. The deliberately slow build to the first story, Forever House by Jason Fischer, sets a dreadful tone that finishes wonderfully. And my personal favorite story from the anthology, All I Have To Send You Is This Postcard, by Sandra Henriques, was wonderfully realized and very unsettling in the best way.
As well, there's a well-loved teddy bear that starts the apocalypse in Love You Real by Kate Hanifen and evil mannequins (kind of!) in Paul Lonardo's Dead Mall. Giant pot-smoking scarecrows thrash and caper in Stephen Rhoades' The Cannabis Scarecrows too. These stories take a different path but are equally creepy!
There's a really good balance of storytelling styles in Inanimate Things: Volume Two. I'm really glad that I had a chance to read it- definitely a recommended read!

[Rita Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming into this anthology, not having read the first volume I didn't know what to expect.

I was already a fan of Sandra Henriques and she was on it, so I knew I was in for a good time.

However I was not ready, I KID.YOU.NOT for some wacky, I mean truly bonkers concepts as I found in the stories by John Adam Gosham, Truman Ramsey, Michael Lawrence or Stephen Rhoades. Even if I didn’t exactly love all of them, I commend them for the creativity.

My favourites were, no surprise there, All I have to send you is this postcard, which I found to be the most unsettling of the bunch. As a woman I could relate mentally and physically to what was being described, which makes it all the more uncomfortable. I hate puppets and everything related to them, but Anne Wilkins made me get past it and root for Shelly. I was on edge at the turn of every page. Love you real hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't know if I should feel scared or scarred. Probably both as my heart was with Teddy even on his destructive journey. Loneliness, man. Keep the Light Out and The High Lonesome Road were other personal highlights for me. They kind of deal with the same subjects but the tone and execution couldn't have been more different. Really inspired. Highly recommend!

[K. Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this anthology from the publishers. Thank you!

A mixed bag, like a lot of anthologies. It tends towards the silly a bit too much for my tastes, with some stories being downright juvenile (though if you have more of a sense of humor than me you'll probably enjoy them). Lots of haunted dolls and houses, so I enjoyed the stories that veered away from those things. My favorite in the collection was "Love You Real" by Kay Hanifen, maybe because of my own weird affinity for stuffed animals but I also just really enjoyed the worldbuilding. Other highlights for me were "The Wax Boy" by Ira Thackson and "That High Lonesome Sound" by Cory Brock.

[James Bodden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bizarro horror anthology laced with dread and dark humor, Inanimate Things Volume Two brings seemingly harmless knick-knacks to sinister life. After reading, you'll never look at Barbie dolls, ventriloquist dummies, or leprechaun garden statues the same way again.