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The Conservator's Collection: Derelict
Immortal. Undying. The Conservator of Horror…
Hidden within dusty shelves are tomes made of human flesh, Blood-soaked pages reveal tales once thought to be lost but now revealed for the first time by The Conservator. He spent decades collecting and preserving forgotten lore. Now, he’s decided to unveil three of the best legends culled from the darkness. The tone is set with John Durgin’s "Blank Space", a vicious story that introduces Helen Crowe, an entity not easily forgotten. Jay Bower’s "Eyebiters Revenge" follows a group of friends hoping to invoke the spirits of the dead in an abandoned school, only to find something even more sinister. The Conservator ends with John Lynch’s brutal tale, "Expiration of Sentence". The darkness of a prison hides a horrific evil where no one is safe.
Bringing together three nightmares for a special collection, The Conservator awaits your presence.
Hidden within dusty shelves are tomes made of human flesh, Blood-soaked pages reveal tales once thought to be lost but now revealed for the first time by The Conservator. He spent decades collecting and preserving forgotten lore. Now, he’s decided to unveil three of the best legends culled from the darkness. The tone is set with John Durgin’s "Blank Space", a vicious story that introduces Helen Crowe, an entity not easily forgotten. Jay Bower’s "Eyebiters Revenge" follows a group of friends hoping to invoke the spirits of the dead in an abandoned school, only to find something even more sinister. The Conservator ends with John Lynch’s brutal tale, "Expiration of Sentence". The darkness of a prison hides a horrific evil where no one is safe.
Bringing together three nightmares for a special collection, The Conservator awaits your presence.
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Published November 27, 2023
68 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Jay Bower
48 books280 followersJAY BOWER is a horror author living outside St. Louis, MO in the forest of Southern Illinois. He spends his time reading, writing, and convincing his wife the dark stories he writes do not involve her.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 23, 2023
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m not really into collections or anthologies, but when I was sent this ARC from John Durgin, I knew it was going to be something else…I mean, just look at those authors!!
Jumping into this, with the excitement of a kid at Christmas, I was surprised that each of these three stories is long enough to have its own book, and each one carries enough weight to be a masterpiece in its own right. Also with an introduction from ‘The Conservator’ himself.
1. Blank Space - John Durgin
Police are called to a children’s home where everyone, except for one child, Katie Ripley, has been brutally murdered. Three months later, Katie is sent to live with foster carers Faith and Dan Page, and their nine year old daughter Monica…but something evil follows Katie to her new home.
2. Eyebiter’s Revenge - Jay Bower
Pete and his four friends, Avery, Tom, Ray and Doug break into an old abandoned elementary school, one night to see if they can conjure the spirits of the school, believed to be roaming the halls. The evil they find is nothing like “Casper, the friendly ghost” but so much worse.
3. Expiration of Sentence - John Lynch
Inmate, Richard Murphy has just had his “Parole Denied”. Desperate to see his wife and son, and fearing for his life from Jason Reese, the ‘heavy’ of the housing block where Murphy is banged up, an opportunity to escape falls into his lap, during a stint in Segregation.
This trilogy will have you speedily turning each page, anxiously wondering, what’s going to happen next. I can’t recommend it enough, and hope to read more from ‘The Conservator’s Collection’ in the future.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: October 13th 2023
Jumping into this, with the excitement of a kid at Christmas, I was surprised that each of these three stories is long enough to have its own book, and each one carries enough weight to be a masterpiece in its own right. Also with an introduction from ‘The Conservator’ himself.
1. Blank Space - John Durgin
Police are called to a children’s home where everyone, except for one child, Katie Ripley, has been brutally murdered. Three months later, Katie is sent to live with foster carers Faith and Dan Page, and their nine year old daughter Monica…but something evil follows Katie to her new home.
2. Eyebiter’s Revenge - Jay Bower
Pete and his four friends, Avery, Tom, Ray and Doug break into an old abandoned elementary school, one night to see if they can conjure the spirits of the school, believed to be roaming the halls. The evil they find is nothing like “Casper, the friendly ghost” but so much worse.
3. Expiration of Sentence - John Lynch
Inmate, Richard Murphy has just had his “Parole Denied”. Desperate to see his wife and son, and fearing for his life from Jason Reese, the ‘heavy’ of the housing block where Murphy is banged up, an opportunity to escape falls into his lap, during a stint in Segregation.
This trilogy will have you speedily turning each page, anxiously wondering, what’s going to happen next. I can’t recommend it enough, and hope to read more from ‘The Conservator’s Collection’ in the future.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: October 13th 2023
October 13, 2023
Phenomenal collection.
Back w a review soon
Updated review:
The conservators collection is a unique anthology of three titles brought directly to the reader by The Conservator himself. I absolutely loved the opening and meeting the conservator. It gave me tales from the crypt vibes. I would love for this to be an ongoing horror anthology. I want to know what other tales the conservator has to share!
1. Blank Space by John Durgin
This was a great start to the collection! Creepy kids is a horror trope that I will always enjoy, and in this story, we have to question if maybe children aren't so sweet and innocent after all.
Katie is the sole survivor of a brutal slaying in a group home. She is quickly placed into a foster home, but weird things just seem to follow her. The truth is that katie can see ghosts. And not just benign spirits of those like her gran but also the bad lady.
Who exactly is the bad lady you ask?
Is the group home truly haunted? Is the group home harboring buried secrets of murders past and present? Exactly who can and shouldn't be trusted?Well, you just have to read to find out.
2. Eyebiters Revenge by Jay Bower
Story two is equally enthralling. This story grabbed me from its opening and held my eyes captive till the very last page!
When a group of high school seniors decides to visit an abandoned school looking for a supernatural experience, they discover the school is not as vacant as they once thought.
This tale melds the story of a tragic school shooting and the legend of The Eyebiter into one fast-paced and utterly gripping tale. The Eyebiter is said to be a supernatural entity that roamed the streets of Brownsville. Well, before the school was shot up, the children of the town were raised to fear this creepy ass woman who fed on kids. So it's no surprise that some curious high schoolers would break into the abandoned school in search of the truth behind the legends. Unfortunately for them, the truth is deadly.
3. Expiration Of Sentence by John Lynch
So this story was a bit different from the first two, but it was easily my favorite! As a lover of both horror and true crime, the setting and storyline of this was like the perfect marriage. Seriously ,*chefs kiss*.
In this tale, a man is sentenced to rot in prison for a homicide that many would call justified. Scary fact? Shit like this totally happens!
"Evil doesn’t die. It can’t die. It can dissipate, it can move on, you can even take away its strength, but you can’t kill it and its strength always comes back, eventually."
Murphy is in jail after murdering his child's abuser. I don't know about yall, and I'm not typically a violent person, but when it comes to my kids, I think I would be capable of spilling blood. I really rooted for Murphy, and there were multiple times where I thought this just might turn out okay, but Lynch is a bad, bad man! Unfortunately, the choices we make ultimately determine our fates, and poor Murphy makes some poor decisions. 💔
Overall, this is a fantastic anthology. I would be delighted if these gentlemen continue this as a series of anthologies or make it into a larger anthology with even more authors. But if this ends up being the only glance inside The Conservators Collection, I'm just glad to have experienced it. Great job gentlemen, you are all phenomenal storytellers, and I will definitely be looking into your individual works as well!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Back w a review soon
Updated review:
The conservators collection is a unique anthology of three titles brought directly to the reader by The Conservator himself. I absolutely loved the opening and meeting the conservator. It gave me tales from the crypt vibes. I would love for this to be an ongoing horror anthology. I want to know what other tales the conservator has to share!
1. Blank Space by John Durgin
This was a great start to the collection! Creepy kids is a horror trope that I will always enjoy, and in this story, we have to question if maybe children aren't so sweet and innocent after all.
Katie is the sole survivor of a brutal slaying in a group home. She is quickly placed into a foster home, but weird things just seem to follow her. The truth is that katie can see ghosts. And not just benign spirits of those like her gran but also the bad lady.
Who exactly is the bad lady you ask?
Is the group home truly haunted? Is the group home harboring buried secrets of murders past and present? Exactly who can and shouldn't be trusted?Well, you just have to read to find out.
2. Eyebiters Revenge by Jay Bower
Story two is equally enthralling. This story grabbed me from its opening and held my eyes captive till the very last page!
When a group of high school seniors decides to visit an abandoned school looking for a supernatural experience, they discover the school is not as vacant as they once thought.
This tale melds the story of a tragic school shooting and the legend of The Eyebiter into one fast-paced and utterly gripping tale. The Eyebiter is said to be a supernatural entity that roamed the streets of Brownsville. Well, before the school was shot up, the children of the town were raised to fear this creepy ass woman who fed on kids. So it's no surprise that some curious high schoolers would break into the abandoned school in search of the truth behind the legends. Unfortunately for them, the truth is deadly.
3. Expiration Of Sentence by John Lynch
So this story was a bit different from the first two, but it was easily my favorite! As a lover of both horror and true crime, the setting and storyline of this was like the perfect marriage. Seriously ,*chefs kiss*.
In this tale, a man is sentenced to rot in prison for a homicide that many would call justified. Scary fact? Shit like this totally happens!
"Evil doesn’t die. It can’t die. It can dissipate, it can move on, you can even take away its strength, but you can’t kill it and its strength always comes back, eventually."
Murphy is in jail after murdering his child's abuser. I don't know about yall, and I'm not typically a violent person, but when it comes to my kids, I think I would be capable of spilling blood. I really rooted for Murphy, and there were multiple times where I thought this just might turn out okay, but Lynch is a bad, bad man! Unfortunately, the choices we make ultimately determine our fates, and poor Murphy makes some poor decisions. 💔
Overall, this is a fantastic anthology. I would be delighted if these gentlemen continue this as a series of anthologies or make it into a larger anthology with even more authors. But if this ends up being the only glance inside The Conservators Collection, I'm just glad to have experienced it. Great job gentlemen, you are all phenomenal storytellers, and I will definitely be looking into your individual works as well!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2023
I was so excited for this one, pre-ordered it, started reading it on release day but the last story was such a letdown.
The first 2 stories were fantastic, kept me guessing, featured great characters and flawless pacing.
The last one was bloated with toothless social commentary which wasn't woven in the fabric of the story but added in the narration and didn't add anything to the story. So much time is spent trying to convince us that the character is not an asshole it's as if the author himself didn't believe in the idea that readers could care about an incarcerated person and to top it all off the guy's wife is seemingly out of a sudden a delusional mess (is she affected by the prison's bad juju by proxy or something?).
The first 2 stories were fantastic, kept me guessing, featured great characters and flawless pacing.
The last one was bloated with toothless social commentary which wasn't woven in the fabric of the story but added in the narration and didn't add anything to the story. So much time is spent trying to convince us that the character is not an asshole it's as if the author himself didn't believe in the idea that readers could care about an incarcerated person and to top it all off the guy's wife is seemingly out of a sudden a delusional mess (is she affected by the prison's bad juju by proxy or something?).
October 27, 2023
This book consisted of three stories. The stories were really good, they were pretty gory, and had me wanting to read more. The illustrations before each story were bad ass too. This was definitely an awesome read.
October 30, 2023
4.5/5 Anthologies or Collections can be very hit or miss most times but this one is incredible. I love the “Tales from the Crypt” vibe it has at the beginning as ‘The Collector’ introduces the novellas. Very nostalgic for me! The themes here were top notch spooky. I love a monster that goes bump in the night!
Each of these novellas were great! ‘Expiration of Sentence’ comes out on top for me in the bunch. I just think Lynch’s writing style is incredible. The man can do no wrong in my eyes. The characters were complex and deep, the storyline kept me engaged throughout and keeping true to his style, the ending was an utter bloodbath that left me emotionally ruined.
‘Blank Space’ by Durgin was my 2nd favourite. There are moments in this, especially in the first half that are very classic haunted house vibes that just really did it for me. I loved characters and was emotionally invested from front to back. Not generally a fan of happy endings in horror but the ending on this story was perfect.
‘Eyebiter’s Revenge’ by Bower may be my 3rd pick in the three however I enjoyed it very much. This whole story took place in an abandoned school and having attended a historically “haunted” school as a kid I was INSTANTLY transported into the story. The body horror was brutal and the twist at the end was fantastic.
Overall this was a incredible read and I’m mad at myself for not picking it up sooner!
Each of these novellas were great! ‘Expiration of Sentence’ comes out on top for me in the bunch. I just think Lynch’s writing style is incredible. The man can do no wrong in my eyes. The characters were complex and deep, the storyline kept me engaged throughout and keeping true to his style, the ending was an utter bloodbath that left me emotionally ruined.
‘Blank Space’ by Durgin was my 2nd favourite. There are moments in this, especially in the first half that are very classic haunted house vibes that just really did it for me. I loved characters and was emotionally invested from front to back. Not generally a fan of happy endings in horror but the ending on this story was perfect.
‘Eyebiter’s Revenge’ by Bower may be my 3rd pick in the three however I enjoyed it very much. This whole story took place in an abandoned school and having attended a historically “haunted” school as a kid I was INSTANTLY transported into the story. The body horror was brutal and the twist at the end was fantastic.
Overall this was a incredible read and I’m mad at myself for not picking it up sooner!
October 15, 2023
Loved this! Review to come!
October 6, 2023
We open with a figure that elicits thoughts of the crypt keeper, who sets the stage for what’s to come.
John Durgin’s Blank Space starts off with a gut punch and hardly lets up from there. He spins an absolutely engrossing tale of pain, loss and trying to hold a family together through ridiculous circumstances., with some surprises along the way. After the initial shocks, he pulls the story back a bit, building an ever creeping feeling of dread, culminating in a dramatic finish.
Jay Bower’s Eyebiter’s Revenge had a tough act to follow. But that he did, and did well. Bower weaves a creepy tale that sucks you in from the get go. He starts with a setting with a now all too familiar tragic past that draw in inexplicable evil. He paints a picture throughout that makes you feel you are there right alongside the hapless teens at the center of his tale. As his story progresses the creep factor and dread increases, culminating in a few very unexpected turn of events, brining to light more details about the past tragedy. A finally revelation makes the events of both past and present all the more horrifying.
The final segment, John Lynch’s Expiration of Sentence, is a fitting end to this trilogy of terror. Lynch’s tale certainly does not disappoint. The story is a slow burn, with a few surprises along the way. But when it really hits the fan, it hits the fan, making the wait worth it. This last part of the story is intense, vivid and finishes with one last wallop.
Each individual story within its book are all excellent, and would be successful all on it’s own. Together as a whole, this anthology is a most enjoyable and must read.
John Durgin’s Blank Space starts off with a gut punch and hardly lets up from there. He spins an absolutely engrossing tale of pain, loss and trying to hold a family together through ridiculous circumstances., with some surprises along the way. After the initial shocks, he pulls the story back a bit, building an ever creeping feeling of dread, culminating in a dramatic finish.
Jay Bower’s Eyebiter’s Revenge had a tough act to follow. But that he did, and did well. Bower weaves a creepy tale that sucks you in from the get go. He starts with a setting with a now all too familiar tragic past that draw in inexplicable evil. He paints a picture throughout that makes you feel you are there right alongside the hapless teens at the center of his tale. As his story progresses the creep factor and dread increases, culminating in a few very unexpected turn of events, brining to light more details about the past tragedy. A finally revelation makes the events of both past and present all the more horrifying.
The final segment, John Lynch’s Expiration of Sentence, is a fitting end to this trilogy of terror. Lynch’s tale certainly does not disappoint. The story is a slow burn, with a few surprises along the way. But when it really hits the fan, it hits the fan, making the wait worth it. This last part of the story is intense, vivid and finishes with one last wallop.
Each individual story within its book are all excellent, and would be successful all on it’s own. Together as a whole, this anthology is a most enjoyable and must read.
September 22, 2023
“Some call me a sinner. Some an abomination. I prefer to consider myself a conservator of horror. Just call me The Conservator.”
Step into The Conservator’s Lair with these three tales of terror.
From the minds of John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch are three original stories tied together with themes of abandonment and derelict situations.
Durgin’s “Blank Space” was unsettling with a creepy child and an orphanage massacre. I liked that the reader gets a child’s perspective of the situation from Monica. The only “negative” aspect to this tale was that I found it to be a bit too positive with a happy ending. I want brutal bleakness and despair from The Conservator.
With Bower’s “Eyebiter’s Revenge”, you are instantaneously transported into a foreboding abandoned school. There was a massacre spurred by an urban legend years ago and tonight, a group of friends wants to contact the dead at the site of the killings.
I was pretty much terrified throughout this story, it’s not one you want to read in the dark. I would love to get more backstory on the Eyebiter urban legend.
Lastly, John Lynch brings a prison themed supernatural tale to the table, “Expiration of Sentence”. Throughout this story the reader will also encounter horrors and monsters found within a regular prison, but Glenwood Correctional has a truly dark and evil heart. I think this was my favourite story from The Conservator, but there were a few typos/editing errors here and there. If you’re a fan of “Cold Keep Reprisal” by James Lurid, you’ll love this one.
Step into The Conservator’s Lair with these three tales of terror.
From the minds of John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch are three original stories tied together with themes of abandonment and derelict situations.
Durgin’s “Blank Space” was unsettling with a creepy child and an orphanage massacre. I liked that the reader gets a child’s perspective of the situation from Monica. The only “negative” aspect to this tale was that I found it to be a bit too positive with a happy ending. I want brutal bleakness and despair from The Conservator.
With Bower’s “Eyebiter’s Revenge”, you are instantaneously transported into a foreboding abandoned school. There was a massacre spurred by an urban legend years ago and tonight, a group of friends wants to contact the dead at the site of the killings.
I was pretty much terrified throughout this story, it’s not one you want to read in the dark. I would love to get more backstory on the Eyebiter urban legend.
Lastly, John Lynch brings a prison themed supernatural tale to the table, “Expiration of Sentence”. Throughout this story the reader will also encounter horrors and monsters found within a regular prison, but Glenwood Correctional has a truly dark and evil heart. I think this was my favourite story from The Conservator, but there were a few typos/editing errors here and there. If you’re a fan of “Cold Keep Reprisal” by James Lurid, you’ll love this one.
September 10, 2023
Let the Conservator guide you through the darkest part of his archives, where men fear to tread. Be warned these pages contain vengeful revenants, urban legends come to life, and subterranean monsters. Durgin, Bower, and Lynch present a collection of ghastly tales that ring both classic and fresh, that haunt and harrow.
September 21, 2023
These are 3 of my favorite indie horror authors all submitting one story each to this collection. Ghosts are featured in each tale but that’s where the similarities end. They are all unique and fantastic ! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 23, 2023
The Conservator's Collection: Derelict
I first of all want to thank John Durgin for providing me with an ARC for this book in return for an honest review. You're awesome!!!
Blank Space
By John Durgin
This short story was excellent, from start to finish. It had everything I want in a story. The characters were well crafted, and I loved them all. I quickly became attached to the Page family in this short story. This was an original idea that was, quite frankly, unsettling. This was tense and kept my attention throughout. It was super creepy, and I did not want to put it down. I don't want to give away anything, so I'll keep this review short. Hands down 5⭐️!!! This was my favorite of the three short stories.
Eyebiters Revenge
By Jay Bower
Another awesome short story by Jay Bower! This creature feature was creepy, gross, and twisted. The setting of the book was super dark, and that was conveyed well by the author. I did not know where this one was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was perfect, but I didn't want it to end! This was another story I just couldn't put down because I had to know what happened next. This gets a full 5⭐️ rating from me!
Expiration of Sentence
By John Lynch
This one was a little different than the other two, where I didn't care for any of the characters. They were well written, well thought out, and multidimensional, but I just didn't like them. Otherwise, this was great. It was an original idea. There was a lot going on, and it kept with the themes of the other two short stories. The terror was evident in this one. There was the horror of being in prison. Fearing for your life from other humans. Along with supernatural horror. I liked how this one ended. It gets a 4⭐️ rating from me.
Overall, I loved this collection of short stories and highly recommend it with an overall rating of 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ where applicable.
I first of all want to thank John Durgin for providing me with an ARC for this book in return for an honest review. You're awesome!!!
Blank Space
By John Durgin
This short story was excellent, from start to finish. It had everything I want in a story. The characters were well crafted, and I loved them all. I quickly became attached to the Page family in this short story. This was an original idea that was, quite frankly, unsettling. This was tense and kept my attention throughout. It was super creepy, and I did not want to put it down. I don't want to give away anything, so I'll keep this review short. Hands down 5⭐️!!! This was my favorite of the three short stories.
Eyebiters Revenge
By Jay Bower
Another awesome short story by Jay Bower! This creature feature was creepy, gross, and twisted. The setting of the book was super dark, and that was conveyed well by the author. I did not know where this one was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was perfect, but I didn't want it to end! This was another story I just couldn't put down because I had to know what happened next. This gets a full 5⭐️ rating from me!
Expiration of Sentence
By John Lynch
This one was a little different than the other two, where I didn't care for any of the characters. They were well written, well thought out, and multidimensional, but I just didn't like them. Otherwise, this was great. It was an original idea. There was a lot going on, and it kept with the themes of the other two short stories. The terror was evident in this one. There was the horror of being in prison. Fearing for your life from other humans. Along with supernatural horror. I liked how this one ended. It gets a 4⭐️ rating from me.
Overall, I loved this collection of short stories and highly recommend it with an overall rating of 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ where applicable.
September 27, 2023
The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict is available for preorder, and you can purchase it starting Friday, October 13th. This is truly fitting for such an awesome horror collection. I received this as an ARC. I really enjoyed all of the novellas! I give them 5/5 stars!
I love collections and anthologies, and I reread them often. The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict has three novellas written by three amazing writers: John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch. The stories are centered around ghosts in places with horrible pasts. Each story is unique, terrifying, gory, and disturbing. It’s an odd fear, but the supernatural has always made me want to look over my shoulder. These works did their job. They are wonderfully creepy. Also, the illustrations in this book definitely fit The Tales from The Crypt vibe.
The collection opens with an introduction from Conservator, a Crypt Keeper type figure. It really sets the stage for the tales ahead. The first one is Blank Spaces by John Durgin. The first chapter hooked me in. I loved the supernatural mystery as it unfolded, and there were so many unsettling parts. As someone who had been in a foster situation when I was a young teen, it hit me right in the feels too. He created characters that I cared about.
The second one is Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower. It felt like the old stories I heard as a kid in Wisconsin about the Peter Cooper Glue Factory that closed down sometime in the 80s. Pretty much every town has that one haunted, abandoned place where teens go to explore. In Eyebiter’s Revenge, Pete and his friends break into a condemned school. A school shooter killed many students and teachers, including Pete’s father. The shooter blamed his actions on the local legend, Eyebiter. Pete desperately wants to communicate with his dead father. There's nothing formulaic about this story at all. This one went in a completely different direction that I didn’t expect. It is intense, violent, and kept me on edge. I loved every minute of it.
The third one is John Lynch’s Expiration of Sentence. Richard Murphy murdered his son’s molester after deciding the law didn’t do enough to keep a rapist off the street for good. His story poses the question of whether or not it’s better to leave things alone or take them into your own hands, and could you accept the consequences? While in prison, Richard learns about the evil that lurks, especially an entity labeled as the Maniac. This story is slower than the other two, but that isn’t bad. It was necessary to establish everything that Richard and his family were going through and the problems that prison brings. It affects how the rest of the novella develops. I like how Lynch creates a sense of dread, and I really enjoyed his novella's descent into supernatural horror.
I love collections and anthologies, and I reread them often. The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict has three novellas written by three amazing writers: John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch. The stories are centered around ghosts in places with horrible pasts. Each story is unique, terrifying, gory, and disturbing. It’s an odd fear, but the supernatural has always made me want to look over my shoulder. These works did their job. They are wonderfully creepy. Also, the illustrations in this book definitely fit The Tales from The Crypt vibe.
The collection opens with an introduction from Conservator, a Crypt Keeper type figure. It really sets the stage for the tales ahead. The first one is Blank Spaces by John Durgin. The first chapter hooked me in. I loved the supernatural mystery as it unfolded, and there were so many unsettling parts. As someone who had been in a foster situation when I was a young teen, it hit me right in the feels too. He created characters that I cared about.
The second one is Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower. It felt like the old stories I heard as a kid in Wisconsin about the Peter Cooper Glue Factory that closed down sometime in the 80s. Pretty much every town has that one haunted, abandoned place where teens go to explore. In Eyebiter’s Revenge, Pete and his friends break into a condemned school. A school shooter killed many students and teachers, including Pete’s father. The shooter blamed his actions on the local legend, Eyebiter. Pete desperately wants to communicate with his dead father. There's nothing formulaic about this story at all. This one went in a completely different direction that I didn’t expect. It is intense, violent, and kept me on edge. I loved every minute of it.
The third one is John Lynch’s Expiration of Sentence. Richard Murphy murdered his son’s molester after deciding the law didn’t do enough to keep a rapist off the street for good. His story poses the question of whether or not it’s better to leave things alone or take them into your own hands, and could you accept the consequences? While in prison, Richard learns about the evil that lurks, especially an entity labeled as the Maniac. This story is slower than the other two, but that isn’t bad. It was necessary to establish everything that Richard and his family were going through and the problems that prison brings. It affects how the rest of the novella develops. I like how Lynch creates a sense of dread, and I really enjoyed his novella's descent into supernatural horror.
September 19, 2023
When three authors of this calibre announce a forthcoming collaboration, readers take note! John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch offer their own take on Tales of the Crypt, with their creepy and mysterious "Conservator" revealing three of his preserved stories in one go. Illustrations at the beginning of each story set the tone for what's coming: horrifying, but fun, insanely fun, jaunts to the imagination of each author, full of scary, weird, surprising moments and dark, crisp prose!
John Durgin goes for the creepy kid horror trope: "Blank Space" starts very strong, with a massacre in an orphanage, a nine-year-old girl the only survivor, and a foster family willing to take her in; of course, they have no idea what they're getting themselves into, and Durgin has no trouble complicating everything with his great storytelling skills! Jay Bower's "Eyebiter's Revenge" has strong found footage vibes, bringing a local urban legend into the setting of a haunted school to produce a terrific ghosthunting exercise! A group of teenagers go into an abandoned school, the place of an awful school shooting; almost immediately, creepy, horrible, and intriguing situations crop up, the tension escalating, until all is revealed in the typical, unpredictable, Bower style! And then there's the John Lynch story, "Expiration of Sentence": it starts as your typical prison story, touching on male friendship, sexual assault, chock-full of claustrophobia and anxiety; but then it allows hell to creep in, and the story becomes something entirely different.
Overall, a super fun read. The perfect Halloween treat for horror lovers!
John Durgin goes for the creepy kid horror trope: "Blank Space" starts very strong, with a massacre in an orphanage, a nine-year-old girl the only survivor, and a foster family willing to take her in; of course, they have no idea what they're getting themselves into, and Durgin has no trouble complicating everything with his great storytelling skills! Jay Bower's "Eyebiter's Revenge" has strong found footage vibes, bringing a local urban legend into the setting of a haunted school to produce a terrific ghosthunting exercise! A group of teenagers go into an abandoned school, the place of an awful school shooting; almost immediately, creepy, horrible, and intriguing situations crop up, the tension escalating, until all is revealed in the typical, unpredictable, Bower style! And then there's the John Lynch story, "Expiration of Sentence": it starts as your typical prison story, touching on male friendship, sexual assault, chock-full of claustrophobia and anxiety; but then it allows hell to creep in, and the story becomes something entirely different.
Overall, a super fun read. The perfect Halloween treat for horror lovers!
September 10, 2023
This was given as an ARC before release
Blank Space by John Durgin. This story hits you in the gut with the opener, and then keeps on punching. Durgin creates a wonderful sense of urgency with his storytelling, which really builds the tension you feel as the story progresses towards the end. Though there were no big twists or surprises, it's a very enjoyable tale, and the ending is very satisfying. 4.5 stars.
Eyebiter's Revenge by Jay Bower. When you go hunting for the local legend, you better hope you dont find it! Bowers descriptions really bring the scenes to life, and add an extra dimension to his storytelling. The creepiness factor grows over time with this story, and has a really unsettling vibe. Some lovely twists that I didn't see coming too! 4 stars
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch. Though the story is slower paced, Lynch is a very visceral writer, who grabs you by the scruff of the neck and drags you through to the crescendo, weaving a tale of darkness and evil throughout, until it comes to the inevitable end. The story goes into some dark themes, that are addressed well, and does make you wonder what you would do if you faced the same choices. 4 stars
The stories work well together to create this collection, with each individual authors voice very clear too. The artwork representing each story is absolutely beautiful; maybe we need some prints! Overall, I give this collection 4 stars
Blank Space by John Durgin. This story hits you in the gut with the opener, and then keeps on punching. Durgin creates a wonderful sense of urgency with his storytelling, which really builds the tension you feel as the story progresses towards the end. Though there were no big twists or surprises, it's a very enjoyable tale, and the ending is very satisfying. 4.5 stars.
Eyebiter's Revenge by Jay Bower. When you go hunting for the local legend, you better hope you dont find it! Bowers descriptions really bring the scenes to life, and add an extra dimension to his storytelling. The creepiness factor grows over time with this story, and has a really unsettling vibe. Some lovely twists that I didn't see coming too! 4 stars
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch. Though the story is slower paced, Lynch is a very visceral writer, who grabs you by the scruff of the neck and drags you through to the crescendo, weaving a tale of darkness and evil throughout, until it comes to the inevitable end. The story goes into some dark themes, that are addressed well, and does make you wonder what you would do if you faced the same choices. 4 stars
The stories work well together to create this collection, with each individual authors voice very clear too. The artwork representing each story is absolutely beautiful; maybe we need some prints! Overall, I give this collection 4 stars
September 12, 2023
My 100th read of the year and I am so in awe of the amazing collaboration between these three authors. I was already familiar with Durgin's and Bower's work but John Lynch, this was my first encounter with his writing. I absolutely loved all three stories in The Conservator's Collection and I read it without breathing too much. These three stories could not have been more different but they all bring the same sense of dread, horror and tension that will not let you sleep until you finish it all. Absolutely recomend!
October 14, 2023
Conservator
A officer responds to a massacre with one survivor. Something follows them. Something dangerous. It is not done yet. Five friends out to summon ghosts. But they will not like what they find. A man in prison tries to escape, but this prison hides a dark secret. Chilling read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
A officer responds to a massacre with one survivor. Something follows them. Something dangerous. It is not done yet. Five friends out to summon ghosts. But they will not like what they find. A man in prison tries to escape, but this prison hides a dark secret. Chilling read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
November 7, 2023
What can I say...3 horror stories from 3 of my favorite new authors that are just "On Point". All stories linked by an Evil attached to a location or person. Spooky shit just in time for Halloween. Make sure to check it out when it releases.
October 27, 2023
This is a fantastic horror anthology. Three amazing stories from the Conservator.
Blank space by John Durgin was creepy as hell, and it will hook you in on the first line..
"The walls were painted in blood.".. this story will have you leaving the lights on... but be careful of the dark corners. Spectacular story.
The Eyebitters Revenge by Jay Bower.
This was a fast-paced and gory story. When a group of friends enter a haunted old school...what they find is horribly terrifying and not what they thought they would find.
"Have you ever tasted the soul of another?" he asked.
The twist at the end...um what??
Loved this story.. I definitely want more of this.
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch
This story had a little hidden supernatural gem. Murphy thought he was going to have a second chance at life. But nothing ever works out that way. Filled with blood and misery... Evil never dies.
Amazing ending to a spectacular horror book.
Overall, the book was unnerving, gross, spooky, and horrifyingly good. As the Conservator would say, I hope you enjoy these wicked offerings.
Blank space by John Durgin was creepy as hell, and it will hook you in on the first line..
"The walls were painted in blood.".. this story will have you leaving the lights on... but be careful of the dark corners. Spectacular story.
The Eyebitters Revenge by Jay Bower.
This was a fast-paced and gory story. When a group of friends enter a haunted old school...what they find is horribly terrifying and not what they thought they would find.
"Have you ever tasted the soul of another?" he asked.
The twist at the end...um what??
Loved this story.. I definitely want more of this.
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch
This story had a little hidden supernatural gem. Murphy thought he was going to have a second chance at life. But nothing ever works out that way. Filled with blood and misery... Evil never dies.
Amazing ending to a spectacular horror book.
Overall, the book was unnerving, gross, spooky, and horrifyingly good. As the Conservator would say, I hope you enjoy these wicked offerings.
September 17, 2023
Bower, Lynch, and Durgin, is the mashup I’ve been hoping for and they definitely don’t disappoint. Three of the best writers in horror today have teamed up to create The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict, a collection of three stories brought to you by The Conservator, a modern day Crypt Keeper. The three stories on offer here are dark and bleak, with undertones of loneliness and abandonment throughout. Lynch’s story, Expiration of Sentence, was particularly unsettling, as it takes place in one of the scariest places I can imagine: prison. Bower’s story, Eyebiter’s Revenge, had me hesitant to turn the light’s off when I was done and Durgin’s Blank Space was really, really unsettling. This book is perfect for Halloween so be sure to grab a copy.
October 1, 2023
This is a collection of 3 stories with one from each author. Each story does focus on a supernatural type plot which we all know is entirely not my thing in books. When John Lynch gave me an ARC he was fully prepared that I might absolutely hate this. To my surprise, I actually ended up enjoying this and the stories kept me engaged. Paranormal and supernatural stories and books do absolutely nothing for me so the best case scenario is that I am engaged and entertained enough to find out what happens. This did exactly that. All 3 of these authors know how to write. This gave Tales from the Crypt vibes which I loved as well as the little bites of gore sprinkled throughout which occasionally gave me an extreme horror feel (but this is not extreme horror). Well done!
October 18, 2023
I have to say I was intrigued when I saw there were three stories here. I mean, three stories in one book, that sounds like lots of fun. What I didn't know was that each story would be page turners. They each had their own thing whether it was ghosts of a prison, a school that was terrorized, or a ghost of a mad woman. I must say these three dudes killed it, in a good way of course.
If life didn't get in the way I would've finished even sooner. I hope these three team up again. I would read another collection like this!
If life didn't get in the way I would've finished even sooner. I hope these three team up again. I would read another collection like this!
December 21, 2024
I freaking loved the stories in this one. There are three, and I loved each one for different reasons. The first one had me hooked and I could not put it down. And that third one? It really stays with you. Durgin did a great job at being able to infuse the claustrophobic isolated atmosphere with a strong sense of helplessness while still holding onto some hope. These stories had gruesome parts that worked beautifully for the story that they told. I'm so glad that I picked this one up.
September 26, 2023
I highly recommend checking this collection out! Each of the stories are unique and told in the authors’ individual styles. But interwoven through all three are commonalities like loss, grief, and places or people the world would rather forget about. I loved the introduction from “The Conservator” and hope this isn’t the last we hear (read) from him.
October 22, 2023
These were some really creepy stories!
October 28, 2023
Great book!
I enjoyed reading this book. And also how the stories started out really good. Thanks to the author's for writing these stories. I loved the stories!
I enjoyed reading this book. And also how the stories started out really good. Thanks to the author's for writing these stories. I loved the stories!
September 11, 2023
This book is very reminiscent of Tales From the Crypt and Creepshow. A collection of ghastly tales that draw you in and thoroughly entertain. Each story is unique with different kinds of horrors but each is a ghost story that combines the terror of the paranormal, with the evil of humans. I truly enjoyed each and every one of these tales and the authors did a great job with this collection.
September 16, 2023
I loved these 3 creepy supernatural stories! John Durgin's starts in an orphanage, Jay Bower's in an abandoned school, and John Lynch's in a prison. All 3 stories kept me flying through the pages. The artwork is awesome!
I'm not sure how many pages are in the book but each story is the perfect length and they aren't rushed to finish.
Having read all of John Durgin's released books I will definitely be reading more from Jay Bower and John Lynch.
Thank you for the arc!
I'm not sure how many pages are in the book but each story is the perfect length and they aren't rushed to finish.
Having read all of John Durgin's released books I will definitely be reading more from Jay Bower and John Lynch.
Thank you for the arc!
September 16, 2023
The Conservator's Collection: Derelict is a collection of three novellas, each written by a different uber talented indie horror author. Each story is outstanding, and the collection is a perfect combination of stories and styles. The cover and interior art is sensational as well. Here’s a quick note on each story.
Blank Space – Written by John Durgin, starts off with a bloody massacre, transitions into a creepy kid story then seamlessly shifts into a great freakin’ ghost story. 9 year-old Katie is the sole survivor of the initial violent opening death scene and is now in foster care with a family that also has a girl Katie’s age. Once Katie arrives weird things begin to happen. Did I mention that Katie has some special power? I won’t reveal it here so as not to spoil it for you. Anyway, a whole lot of wild shit takes place involving the family and Katie. The story is fast paced; filled with fear and suspense the entire time. Durgin’s wild ride provides a myriad of feelings for the reader. It's fearful, anxious, thrilling and emotional. I absolutely love this story.
If you’re thinking about fostering a child, you might want to think again.
Eyebiter’s Revenge – The title is enough to give one shivers. I’m reading more and more of Jay Bower’s works recently and as is the norm, this novella is intense and visceral. It’s a time tested classic formula; teenagers break into an abandoned building rumored to be haunted and everything goes to hell. However, this isn’t just a slasher story. It is more of an urban legend meets town tragedy meets personal connection meets ghosts type of story. I went crazy with all the stupid decisions the protagonists made, but that’s what happens when teenagers are running for their lives. There is plenty of violence and gore, and yes, bad things do happen to eyeballs, but underneath all that is a complex tale that left me both satisfied and dissatisfied all at once. This is not a negative, I believe this was Bower’s intent (he’s not a guy that believes in happy endings), and he nailed it.
When your friends ask you to join them in summoning spirits, just stay home and play Call of Duty.
Expiration of Sentence – What are you willing to do to right a perceived wrong? That’s the question posed in John Lynch’s stellar contribution to this collection. Richard Murphy decided the system failed him and pursued justice on his terms, and he paid the price dearly. Murphy is in jail for killing the man that molested his son. It’s something I think any parent can understand, however, most would not act on. The author describes the situation better than I can, “Glenwood truly was hell. Human violence, atrocities, ghosts, corpses reanimated by some sort of presence.” When Murphy attempts to escape this hell on earth things only get worse. This was my first read of Lynch’s work, but it won’t be my last.
Revenge is sweet … but there are consequences.
Blank Space – Written by John Durgin, starts off with a bloody massacre, transitions into a creepy kid story then seamlessly shifts into a great freakin’ ghost story. 9 year-old Katie is the sole survivor of the initial violent opening death scene and is now in foster care with a family that also has a girl Katie’s age. Once Katie arrives weird things begin to happen. Did I mention that Katie has some special power? I won’t reveal it here so as not to spoil it for you. Anyway, a whole lot of wild shit takes place involving the family and Katie. The story is fast paced; filled with fear and suspense the entire time. Durgin’s wild ride provides a myriad of feelings for the reader. It's fearful, anxious, thrilling and emotional. I absolutely love this story.
If you’re thinking about fostering a child, you might want to think again.
Eyebiter’s Revenge – The title is enough to give one shivers. I’m reading more and more of Jay Bower’s works recently and as is the norm, this novella is intense and visceral. It’s a time tested classic formula; teenagers break into an abandoned building rumored to be haunted and everything goes to hell. However, this isn’t just a slasher story. It is more of an urban legend meets town tragedy meets personal connection meets ghosts type of story. I went crazy with all the stupid decisions the protagonists made, but that’s what happens when teenagers are running for their lives. There is plenty of violence and gore, and yes, bad things do happen to eyeballs, but underneath all that is a complex tale that left me both satisfied and dissatisfied all at once. This is not a negative, I believe this was Bower’s intent (he’s not a guy that believes in happy endings), and he nailed it.
When your friends ask you to join them in summoning spirits, just stay home and play Call of Duty.
Expiration of Sentence – What are you willing to do to right a perceived wrong? That’s the question posed in John Lynch’s stellar contribution to this collection. Richard Murphy decided the system failed him and pursued justice on his terms, and he paid the price dearly. Murphy is in jail for killing the man that molested his son. It’s something I think any parent can understand, however, most would not act on. The author describes the situation better than I can, “Glenwood truly was hell. Human violence, atrocities, ghosts, corpses reanimated by some sort of presence.” When Murphy attempts to escape this hell on earth things only get worse. This was my first read of Lynch’s work, but it won’t be my last.
Revenge is sweet … but there are consequences.
September 13, 2023
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫.
As an 80s kid and lover of horror, I definitely appreciated the homage to Tales from the Crypt. The collection opens with a letter to the reader that set the creepy, ominous tone for the three stories that would follow. I personally loved the thematic elements that tied the stories together, children and abandonment.
John Durgin's "Blank Space" was a strong opener as I love a creepy kid story. An officer responds to an alarming scene at an orphanage. The inhabitants have been brutally torn apart; there are bodies everywhere that couldn't escape the carnage...all but one little girl who hid from the intruder. Despite the rumors swirling around her that she was responsible, she's taken in by a family to foster. They have no idea the little girl has brought something dark into their home. Ironically, I experienced sleep paralysis for the first time since I was a teenager the Saturday night before reading this book. Maybe I was being prepared somehow? Deliciously creepy with a strong folklore influence.
Jay Bower's "Eyebiter's Revenge" captivated me from the first page. What's not to love about a group of high school seniors breaking into an abandoned school where a deadly school shooting took place? It's also where one of the group members lost his father to the shooter's bullets. The entire story was unsettling and far scarier than I anticipated. As a teacher who has often stayed in my classroom over the summer prepping for the upcoming year, you don't know creepy an empty school can be until you're in one all alone. I would love a full-length novel about Eyebiter as he genuinely scared and fascinated me.
John Lynch's "Expiration of Sentence" closes out this collection with one of my worst fears, being locked away in a prison. Make no mistake, when it comes to someone hurting my kids, I'm going to get my pound of flesh, especially if the system fails me. Our protagonist couldn't stand idly by while his son's abuser enjoyed a slap on the wrist by the courts, so he took action and is reaping the consequences of those actions. Prison horror is probably one of the most visceral kinds of horror, and Lynch explored several in this dark tale. He masterfully gave the reader hope then cruelly snatched it away several times, but will he give our prisoner a happy ending?
The interior artwork was perfectly done, and I immensely enjoyed these three dark tales. Thank you to the authors for my early copy. This collection will publish October 13, 2023.
As an 80s kid and lover of horror, I definitely appreciated the homage to Tales from the Crypt. The collection opens with a letter to the reader that set the creepy, ominous tone for the three stories that would follow. I personally loved the thematic elements that tied the stories together, children and abandonment.
John Durgin's "Blank Space" was a strong opener as I love a creepy kid story. An officer responds to an alarming scene at an orphanage. The inhabitants have been brutally torn apart; there are bodies everywhere that couldn't escape the carnage...all but one little girl who hid from the intruder. Despite the rumors swirling around her that she was responsible, she's taken in by a family to foster. They have no idea the little girl has brought something dark into their home. Ironically, I experienced sleep paralysis for the first time since I was a teenager the Saturday night before reading this book. Maybe I was being prepared somehow? Deliciously creepy with a strong folklore influence.
Jay Bower's "Eyebiter's Revenge" captivated me from the first page. What's not to love about a group of high school seniors breaking into an abandoned school where a deadly school shooting took place? It's also where one of the group members lost his father to the shooter's bullets. The entire story was unsettling and far scarier than I anticipated. As a teacher who has often stayed in my classroom over the summer prepping for the upcoming year, you don't know creepy an empty school can be until you're in one all alone. I would love a full-length novel about Eyebiter as he genuinely scared and fascinated me.
John Lynch's "Expiration of Sentence" closes out this collection with one of my worst fears, being locked away in a prison. Make no mistake, when it comes to someone hurting my kids, I'm going to get my pound of flesh, especially if the system fails me. Our protagonist couldn't stand idly by while his son's abuser enjoyed a slap on the wrist by the courts, so he took action and is reaping the consequences of those actions. Prison horror is probably one of the most visceral kinds of horror, and Lynch explored several in this dark tale. He masterfully gave the reader hope then cruelly snatched it away several times, but will he give our prisoner a happy ending?
The interior artwork was perfectly done, and I immensely enjoyed these three dark tales. Thank you to the authors for my early copy. This collection will publish October 13, 2023.
November 6, 2023
I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear these three were collaborating on a book together! Three of my favorite guys, all in one book. For months they teased us, they showed us awesome art from the stories, a cool and creepy cover by Matt Seff Barnes. I needed this one! Luckily, I finally got a copy! And it was worth the wait. I am really hoping this is a collaborative effort that we see more from. I took the liberty of naming the trio J3 Press, you're welcome boys!
This collection is made up by 3 stories, one by each author. The link between the three is that they are all a part of The Conservator's Collection. The Conservator is an Undead entity cursed with eternal life. He collects books to "conserve" them for prosperity. He comes across manuscripts "written in blood and wrapped in human flesh." You know, as one does. He kindly decides to share these stories with the world. There will be no spoilers here, but I want to talk about each of the stories just a bit.
Blank Space by John Durgin. I was yanked into this story immediately! A nightmarish massacre occurs where the only survivor is a little girl named Katie. A wonderful foster family takes Katie in to help her get her life back on track. But it seems like bringing Katie into their life may end up being their downfall. Blank Space had a fantastic balance of action and heart. The pacing was solid and the climax was timed and executed superbly.
Eyebiter's Revenge by Jay Bower. Five teenagers are breaking into an abandoned elementary school where a shooting took place. Our main character Pete lost his father in the tragedy, and he wants to try and communicate with his spirit before the school is demolished. This had some excellent creepy moments, well placed gore, and a couple of twists that caught me off guard. There was a building dread throughout and I loved every minute.
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch. This was the longest of the three stories, and it gave me major Shawshank/ Prison Break vibes (but make them haunted). Our main character, Richard Murphy, is in prison for committing a revenge murder. Murphy's life in prison is as terrible as one would expect. After attacking a fellow inmate, Murphy is placed in segregation (solitary confinement) for 90 days. While in segregation, he mysteriously finds a copy of the blueprints to the prison. A spooky librarian tells him of an evil that still lurks within the prison's walls. This story is dark, and difficult to read, but it was excellent.
I highly recommend this collection, and I sincerely hope there will be more of The Conservator's Collection available soon.
This collection is made up by 3 stories, one by each author. The link between the three is that they are all a part of The Conservator's Collection. The Conservator is an Undead entity cursed with eternal life. He collects books to "conserve" them for prosperity. He comes across manuscripts "written in blood and wrapped in human flesh." You know, as one does. He kindly decides to share these stories with the world. There will be no spoilers here, but I want to talk about each of the stories just a bit.
Blank Space by John Durgin. I was yanked into this story immediately! A nightmarish massacre occurs where the only survivor is a little girl named Katie. A wonderful foster family takes Katie in to help her get her life back on track. But it seems like bringing Katie into their life may end up being their downfall. Blank Space had a fantastic balance of action and heart. The pacing was solid and the climax was timed and executed superbly.
Eyebiter's Revenge by Jay Bower. Five teenagers are breaking into an abandoned elementary school where a shooting took place. Our main character Pete lost his father in the tragedy, and he wants to try and communicate with his spirit before the school is demolished. This had some excellent creepy moments, well placed gore, and a couple of twists that caught me off guard. There was a building dread throughout and I loved every minute.
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch. This was the longest of the three stories, and it gave me major Shawshank/ Prison Break vibes (but make them haunted). Our main character, Richard Murphy, is in prison for committing a revenge murder. Murphy's life in prison is as terrible as one would expect. After attacking a fellow inmate, Murphy is placed in segregation (solitary confinement) for 90 days. While in segregation, he mysteriously finds a copy of the blueprints to the prison. A spooky librarian tells him of an evil that still lurks within the prison's walls. This story is dark, and difficult to read, but it was excellent.
I highly recommend this collection, and I sincerely hope there will be more of The Conservator's Collection available soon.
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