Death Comes Slow in the Bayou: The Witch, The Bookseller, and The Bride — A Southern Gothic Horror Anthology

by Nick Mendoza

Something lingers in the Louisiana night—watching, waiting. Vengeance seeps through the swamps, and the past refuses to stay buried.

In this chilling Southern Gothic horror anthology, author and screenwriter Nick Mendoza weaves three haunting tales of supernatural terror, psychological dread, and creeping folklore. These are stories of the cursed and the desperate—of those who seek answers in the dark, only to find something staring back.

🕯️ The Witch of Acadiana

When his young son falls gravely ill under unexplainable circumstances, a skeptical father dismisses the whispers of an old woman’s curse. But as the sickness deepens and reason unravels, he’s forced to confront the terrifying possibility that folklore isn’t just legend.

📚 Mirrored Opposition

A distraught young man scours the French Quarter for his missing girlfriend, only to discover her last known whereabouts tied to a reclusive bookseller—rumored to have made a deal with the devil. As he searches for answers, he begins to what if the rumors are true?

💍 Valeria

In the heart of the South, where secrets fester and grudges never die, a charismatic bachelor offers his quiet coworker advice on how to take control in his relationship. But when the bride-to-be finds out—and a series of catastrophic, almost unnatural events unfold—he begins to wonder if she’s coming for revenge… and if anything can stop her.

🎬 Mirrored Opposition was a Nashville Film Festival Semifinalist screenplay, and the full collection has earned accolades from over a dozen domestic and international competitions, including Cinequest, Vail Film Festival, ScreenCraft, and the Manchester Film Festival.

Perfect for fans of:

Gothic horror
Psychological thrillers
Supernatural folklore
Dark folklore

Dripping with dread and steeped in Southern mystery, Death Comes Slow in the Bayou is a chilling journey through whispered legends, buried guilt, and inevitable fates.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of three short stories offers an exquisitely atmospheric exploration of gothic horror—an ideal read for the Halloween season. Each narrative deftly balances elegance and unease, drawing the reader into worlds steeped in decay, melancholy, and quiet terror. The prose is evocative, the settings richly imagined, and the sense of dread unfolds with masterful restraint. It stands out as one of the finer horror anthologies I have encountered in recent years, and I would readily recommend it to readers who appreciate the subtle artistry of gothic fiction.

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology gives you three short stories that are creepy as hell! This might not be a long read, but make no mistake I got the chills reading this and may have left an extra night light on when I went to bed. I loved the Louisiana setting and I think my favorite was Mirrored Opposition!

▫️The Witch of Acadiana: Folklore is just a legend…right?
▫️Mirrored Opposition: Making a deal with a devil is just a rumor…or is it?
▫️Valeria: Secrets fester and grudges never die…is the soon to be bride out for revenge?

✨What To Expect:
💥Short Stories
🩸Southern Gothic Horror
🔮Witches
🔥Folklore Curses
👻Haunted Brides
💀Dark Folklore
☠️Inevitable Fates
⁉️Psychological Unraveling
🧛Vampires with a Folkloric Edge
⚜️Louisiana Setting

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Comes Slow in the Bayou

A short collection of chilling horror like stories. I enjoyed the short little mysteries and suspicious circumstances throughout each story.

My favorite story was the first on The Witch of Acadiana. I enjoyed the twist at the end! Lived that!!

If you’re looking for a quick lunch break chill then check this three story collection out. Just in time for Halloween too!!

“The trees loomed in silent judgement. The wind whispered through the leaves, offering no answer.”

“Put someone alone long enough, and it crushes their sanity when they’re left alone to rot.”

[Robin.Bookish.Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Haunting gothic anthology with 3 short stories showcasing a wide range of paranormal stories with twists and turns, witches, vampires, folklore and psychological frights to help kick off your spooky season right! Some TWs to be weary of are de@ath/grief, illness of child, self-harm/self-unaliving and psychological distress.

The first story follows a family who bought a house that was foreclosed on, in which the previous owner vows vengeance, pain and suffering on the new owners. The second story follows a man who thinks he has stopped a vampire only to learn that due to a medical anomaly, he is sorely outmatched. The third story follows a man whose friend and coworker passes unexpectedly, and whose fiancé is not who she seems.

I am a huge fan of horror/thriller anthologies. These stories are brief, with the whole anthology being 57 pages, making this read quick. The writing is descriptive and easy to imagine the scenes in the minds-eye. However, the stories did seem to have some redundant elements which kind of took me out of the escape that reading provides.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

it hit the exact spooky sweet spot I was craving for October. You know that feeling when you want something eerie but not a full on nightmare fuel marathon? Yeah, that’s what this was. It’s quick, moody, and somehow manages to feel old school and fresh at the same time.

Each story gave off that kind of Southern Gothic tension that feels like humidity itself is judging you all thick atmosphere, secrets, and dread just hanging in the air. And even though they’re short, they pack in some clever twists. I especially liked how Mendoza leans into the psychological side of fear instead of just going for cheap shocks. You can tell he knows how to build tension the way it creeps up on you, not just jumps out.

t’s not a long read, more like something you could finish over coffee or while waiting out a rainstorm but it leaves that unsettled feeling that sticks around after you close the book.

It’s haunting in the best way

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and to RR tours for giving me a physical copy for me to read and review. My rating lands between a 3.5~4 star rating. As always I’ll keep things spoiler free!

Death Comes Slow In The Bayou was a really fun read for spooky season. For a southern gothic horror anthology, it sure does bring the creepy, spooky vibes for the season. If you’ve ever read scary stories or even more scary stories, then you will definitely understand the vibe that these short stories bring. I loved that the setting was in New Orleans as well as that area is known for the gothic spooky vibes. I felt that Nick did an amazing job bringing in just enough horror to make you feel a bit shaken up and unsettled. I feel like these stories can definitely happen in real life which made it feel even more horrific and I’m so happy I got the chance to read this one

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

 This was a spooky collection of short stories, reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock Presents crossed with Tales from the Crypt. While I enjoyed all three stories, they're unique in the horror they present, Valeria is perhaps the most timely. I won't give any spoilers, but it will make you question our reliance on not just our cell phones, but technology in general. The stories were short enough that you could easily read this in one sitting, and it would be perfect for reading out loud on a dark and stormy night with friends. (Think Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark but for grownups). I would have loved for some of these to be a little more fleshed out to enhance the spooky vibes, but overall it was a solid trio of mini horror.

[Red Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You to R&R Book Tours and author for this free book in exchange for my honest review of Death Comes Slow in the Bayou.
Perfect Spooky Read!
This is a Southern Gothic Anthology that has three stories and they will have you hooked from the start. The author wrote this well and it is perfect for spooky season! The book was a quick read with the sense of dread throughout. Take the journey to read this and find out about legends that are whispered, unavoidable fates and more. I love this anthology and would recommend it to any reader, especially to those who love Southern Gothic Horror.

[Indecent Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to R&R Book Tours and the author for the physical copy, all opinions are my own!

I am rating this 3.5 stars.

Death Comes Slow in the Bayou is a short, chilling collection that’s perfect for spooky season. I enjoyed the short stories, easy to just sit down and read it when you get a little time. I really liked the eerie Louisiana setting and the creepy, mysterious vibe that ran through each story. I definitely could feel the spooky, foggy New Orleans vibes. If you’re in the mood for a quick Southern Gothic read, this is a great pick, especially around Halloween!

[nvl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Southern Gothic Horror
• Witches
• Folklore Curses
• Haunted Brides
• Psychological Unraveling
• Vampires with a Folkloric Edge
The perfect horror anthology for the spooky season. It’s a collection of three stories. My favorite was Mirrored Oppositions, which is about a man search for his missing girlfriend who was last seen with a reclusive book seller who may have made a deal with the devil. You would love the spooky vibes with this one.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me all the spooky swamp vibes I wanted Creepy mysterious and atmospheric from page one I loved the haunted Louisiana setting and the chilling supernatural elements throughout

A great pick if you want something dark and eerie for your fall reading

[Jenn Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for Halloween there’s 3 stories in one book and I’ll bet you can finish it by the end of the night

[Hope Balz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 3 short paranormal stories that are perfect for the Halloween season. These are short stories filled with chilling plot twists that totally had me feeling just the slightest bit of creeped out. If you are wanting a short novella to read that is perfect for October spooky vibes this is the one.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three of the stories in this anthology are fantastic! The dread builds and builds and each story ends in such a way that might leave you staring blankly at a wall.
I would be hard pressed to identify a favorite from this collection, but I will say, Valeria left me speechless.
If you like short stories, gothic horror, supernatural folklore and psychological suspense, definitely check this out.
I only wish there was more, because these three are all excellent.
💜Thank you to the author, Nick Mendoza, and R&R Book Tours for having me on this tour and for this beautiful #gifted copy! All thoughts expressed are my own.