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The Black Crow Book of Best New Horror Volume 1
- GenresHorror
249 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Olivie Blake
46 books17.6k followersOlivie Blake is the pseudonym of Alexene Farol Follmuth, a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.
Olivie has penned several indie SFF projects, including the webtoon Clara and the Devil with illustrator Little Chmura and the viral Atlas series. As Follmuth, her young adult rom-com My Mechanical Romance releases May 2022.
Olivie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and new baby, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.
Olivie has penned several indie SFF projects, including the webtoon Clara and the Devil with illustrator Little Chmura and the viral Atlas series. As Follmuth, her young adult rom-com My Mechanical Romance releases May 2022.
Olivie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and new baby, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 25, 2026
A good anthology of horror stories. I enjoyed most of them. My favourites were It Gets Everywhere by Lisa Tuttle, Drop Shock by Ally Wilkes, The Butcher of Puckley Village by V Castro, The Compensation by Ramsey Campbell, The Other Brother by Rian Hughes and Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lebbon. I look forward to volume 2!
May 20, 2026
This is a solid collection with just enough darkness to please any contemporary horror fan. It is a short collection, just thirteen stories, but all are newly published here, and of those thirteen there wasn’t a dud in the bunch. For my personal preferences three were okay, and the rest were good or really good. None absolutely blew me out of the water, but a few came close, and I enjoyed my time with every story. The stories are relatively tame, but the collection has a darkness that doesn’t require graphic violence or gore. The anthology isn’t themed in any way yet the stories feel of a piece, even as the stories range from contemporary folk horror (V Castro, Ramsey Campbell, TL Huchu) to social commentary wrapped in a ghost story (Adrian Tchaikovsky) to toxic-fandom thriller (Olivie Blake) to body horror (Susi Holliday, Tim Lebbon) and more.
The collection feels balanced in terms of content and tone and was a dark delight to read. I am an unapologetic Adrian Tchaikovsky fan and had a blast with his story but was also really impressed by the stories by Lily Kade (her debut short story, at that!), Olivie Blake, Lindy Ryan, and Clay McLeod Chapman. Those five stood out from the pack but as I already said there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch and I am definitely glad I had the chance to pick this anthology up.
(Rounded from 3.5)
The collection feels balanced in terms of content and tone and was a dark delight to read. I am an unapologetic Adrian Tchaikovsky fan and had a blast with his story but was also really impressed by the stories by Lily Kade (her debut short story, at that!), Olivie Blake, Lindy Ryan, and Clay McLeod Chapman. Those five stood out from the pack but as I already said there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch and I am definitely glad I had the chance to pick this anthology up.
(Rounded from 3.5)
Read
May 10, 202613 incredible authors, horror stories with a wide range on the creep factor scale and a beautiful feeling book in the hand. This is one where you'll want to own a physical trophy to sit along side of the finest horror books on your self . My fav story is Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lebow!
Black Crow Books is killing every edition they put out and this being Volume 1 means more will be coming. Yes please!
Black Crow Books is killing every edition they put out and this being Volume 1 means more will be coming. Yes please!
May 4, 2026
Bow Knee Lake - Tim Lebbon
I absolutely devoured it! A short creepy morsel of blood curdling horror. 🩸
We have a creepy old man living on the river, something about the river isn’t right (nor the creepy old guy).
Terribly gripping for such a short read, I wanted more!
If you love Horror, Anthologies and stunning books then you need to add this one to your TBR!
I absolutely devoured it! A short creepy morsel of blood curdling horror. 🩸
We have a creepy old man living on the river, something about the river isn’t right (nor the creepy old guy).
Terribly gripping for such a short read, I wanted more!
If you love Horror, Anthologies and stunning books then you need to add this one to your TBR!
December 3, 2025
As soon as it was possible to do so, I had this book on pre-order. The table of contents reads like a who's who of modern horror, and I have eagerly followed Black Crow PR, and engaged on blogtours and cover reveals with them over the years. For them to expand into publishing, is brilliant news for readers and writers alike and this anthology not only cements them as premier attractors of the biggest names, the cover, the end papers and design is bespoke and gorgeous (designed by contributer Rian Hughes!).
The contents are-
It Gets Everywhere' by Lisa Tuttle-You will never unplug a drain, plug hole or feel something in your mouth, again, without thinking of this story of love, loss and regret. But mostly hair.
'Drop Shock' by Ally Wilkes
Good LORD does this get dark! Think of the viral threads post the 'Women Going Into Space' debacle, crossed with reality TV and isolation on an island. How far will you go to win?
'Muses' by Lily Kade-Possibly my favourite in the anthology-if I was held at gunpoint to choose,but please don't !-male authors and their fascination with youth keeping their ideas young and fresh,is given a nasty twist with vengeance being sweet and to be savoured.
'Ghost Hunt' by Adrian Tchaikovsky
A ghost experience which lingers far beyond this world, this takes the paranormal beyond our realm, but also brings something back with it. Privilege and class have rarely been skewered so neatly and viciously.
'The Midnight Burn' by T.L Huchu
The migrant experience is given a completely new look courtesy of ancient, own voices terror and rituals . Superb and haunting.
'The Butchers Of Puckley Village' by V.Castro
English folk horror with extra splatter, few do it better than V!
'Tell Me I'm Scrumptious' by Olivie Blake
Fan service taken to the nth level, obssession and validation are seen through the eyes of an obsessed fan meeting her childhood crushnas an adult, and just how far delusion will take you to get what you want , and need, to own .
'The Compensation' by Ramsey Campbell
When a holiday goes horribly wrong, and you end up far from where you are supposed to, a half built hotel becomes the least of your worries, in this folkloric lay over from horror's grand maester.
'The Other Brother' by Rian Hughes
Memory and wanting to hold onto the feeling something gave you are explored to chilling effect in this tale of a book, half remembered, that takes the trope of being read to, as a child, to a chilling conclusion.
'Stay In Touch' by Lindy Ryan
A Southern grande dame at the end of her days plans her funeral with her fellow nursing home residents. Short, sweet and satisfying as all hell!
'Mr Perfect' by Susi Holiday
First person narration from a male perspective as a man who felt he could never pull the girl of his dreams, changes beyond all recognition to accommodate his beloved.
'Bow Knee Lake' by Tim Lebbon
A neo noir horror tale about being careful on nature hikes, enclosed within a tale of eco horror, I absolutely loved Tim's contribution to the anthology!
'Back Sliding' by Clay McLeod Chapman
A child's perspective of how mental illness is changing her mother, or is it possession? A moving meditation on what whether her family are doing to contain her is symptomatic of patriarchal ownership, and acceptance of bodily change eg the menopause or whther possession by evil is the inevitable answer.
What I enjoyed so much about this anthology is the representation of non white, cis male authors and an even spread of people who identify themselves as women.
The way they stories flow into each other shows that a lot of care has been taken with how the rhythm of the story flows into the next one. They aren't all on the same theme, all were commissioned for this anthology and will not have been read anywhere else.
This is a book made by true lovers of the genre and publishing as well, and I love it, roll on Book 2!!!
The contents are-
It Gets Everywhere' by Lisa Tuttle-You will never unplug a drain, plug hole or feel something in your mouth, again, without thinking of this story of love, loss and regret. But mostly hair.
'Drop Shock' by Ally Wilkes
Good LORD does this get dark! Think of the viral threads post the 'Women Going Into Space' debacle, crossed with reality TV and isolation on an island. How far will you go to win?
'Muses' by Lily Kade-Possibly my favourite in the anthology-if I was held at gunpoint to choose,but please don't !-male authors and their fascination with youth keeping their ideas young and fresh,is given a nasty twist with vengeance being sweet and to be savoured.
'Ghost Hunt' by Adrian Tchaikovsky
A ghost experience which lingers far beyond this world, this takes the paranormal beyond our realm, but also brings something back with it. Privilege and class have rarely been skewered so neatly and viciously.
'The Midnight Burn' by T.L Huchu
The migrant experience is given a completely new look courtesy of ancient, own voices terror and rituals . Superb and haunting.
'The Butchers Of Puckley Village' by V.Castro
English folk horror with extra splatter, few do it better than V!
'Tell Me I'm Scrumptious' by Olivie Blake
Fan service taken to the nth level, obssession and validation are seen through the eyes of an obsessed fan meeting her childhood crushnas an adult, and just how far delusion will take you to get what you want , and need, to own .
'The Compensation' by Ramsey Campbell
When a holiday goes horribly wrong, and you end up far from where you are supposed to, a half built hotel becomes the least of your worries, in this folkloric lay over from horror's grand maester.
'The Other Brother' by Rian Hughes
Memory and wanting to hold onto the feeling something gave you are explored to chilling effect in this tale of a book, half remembered, that takes the trope of being read to, as a child, to a chilling conclusion.
'Stay In Touch' by Lindy Ryan
A Southern grande dame at the end of her days plans her funeral with her fellow nursing home residents. Short, sweet and satisfying as all hell!
'Mr Perfect' by Susi Holiday
First person narration from a male perspective as a man who felt he could never pull the girl of his dreams, changes beyond all recognition to accommodate his beloved.
'Bow Knee Lake' by Tim Lebbon
A neo noir horror tale about being careful on nature hikes, enclosed within a tale of eco horror, I absolutely loved Tim's contribution to the anthology!
'Back Sliding' by Clay McLeod Chapman
A child's perspective of how mental illness is changing her mother, or is it possession? A moving meditation on what whether her family are doing to contain her is symptomatic of patriarchal ownership, and acceptance of bodily change eg the menopause or whther possession by evil is the inevitable answer.
What I enjoyed so much about this anthology is the representation of non white, cis male authors and an even spread of people who identify themselves as women.
The way they stories flow into each other shows that a lot of care has been taken with how the rhythm of the story flows into the next one. They aren't all on the same theme, all were commissioned for this anthology and will not have been read anywhere else.
This is a book made by true lovers of the genre and publishing as well, and I love it, roll on Book 2!!!
Review of advance copy
Black Crow Books, for those you with your heads buried deep into the sand, have been smashing it out of the park with their gorgeous special editions. Including King Sorrow and Coffin Moon, it’s clear that what they are offering is key for horror book collectors.
So, I was very happy when I saw that they were publishing an anthology in the vein of Ellen Datlow’s collections, called BEST NEW HORROR VOLUME 1. Filled with original stories from speculative fictions top short story writers, each story collected within is unique, varied, and most importantly, fun to read! Some can be horrible, some are gory, and some have deep, lingering moral questions, but Black Crow has put together a truly entertaining collection of great bite-sized horror gems.
For this being the debut collection from the book group is impressive. Yes, the artists, editors, authors and other crew behind this are all professionals with years and years of experience (so it’s not a surprise), but it’s still so exciting to see a new and hopefully long-lasting series of anthologies be brought to life here. The dust jacket has a striking deep-crimson hue, the same with its sprayed edges and naked hardcover, which also has additional gold foiling, so even the physical package feels premium.
But the stories themselves – which, I’m sure, is what you actually want to hear about – are all brilliant. The standouts for me are Drop Shock by Ally Wilkes (a Survivor style show goes very wrong), It Gets Everywhere by Lisa Tuttle (this one made me feel ill), The Butcher of Puckley Village by V. Castro (a folkloric, village slash-‘em-up), Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lebbon (this one could easily be expanded into a full novel, there’s just so much story depth to this), and Backsliding by Clay McLeod Chapman (sad and terrifying in equal measures).
I am super excited for what Black Crow Books does next from their publishing side of things. This anthology shows just how much promise they have for future projects, and I hope that Best New Horror Volume 2 is just as good (I have no doubt it will be)!
So, I was very happy when I saw that they were publishing an anthology in the vein of Ellen Datlow’s collections, called BEST NEW HORROR VOLUME 1. Filled with original stories from speculative fictions top short story writers, each story collected within is unique, varied, and most importantly, fun to read! Some can be horrible, some are gory, and some have deep, lingering moral questions, but Black Crow has put together a truly entertaining collection of great bite-sized horror gems.
For this being the debut collection from the book group is impressive. Yes, the artists, editors, authors and other crew behind this are all professionals with years and years of experience (so it’s not a surprise), but it’s still so exciting to see a new and hopefully long-lasting series of anthologies be brought to life here. The dust jacket has a striking deep-crimson hue, the same with its sprayed edges and naked hardcover, which also has additional gold foiling, so even the physical package feels premium.
But the stories themselves – which, I’m sure, is what you actually want to hear about – are all brilliant. The standouts for me are Drop Shock by Ally Wilkes (a Survivor style show goes very wrong), It Gets Everywhere by Lisa Tuttle (this one made me feel ill), The Butcher of Puckley Village by V. Castro (a folkloric, village slash-‘em-up), Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lebbon (this one could easily be expanded into a full novel, there’s just so much story depth to this), and Backsliding by Clay McLeod Chapman (sad and terrifying in equal measures).
I am super excited for what Black Crow Books does next from their publishing side of things. This anthology shows just how much promise they have for future projects, and I hope that Best New Horror Volume 2 is just as good (I have no doubt it will be)!
June 30, 2026
I bought this book primarily for Adrian Tchaikovsky and TL Huchu. Their stories are fine; not bad but nothing special. The rest of this book is just awful. The absolute worst offender in this book is Olivie Blake's story - utter garbage. The only saving grace in this whole anthology is the fact that they waste so much page space between stories. It goes really fast. Not fast enough, though.
July 1, 2026
Every story in this collection was great!
July 4, 2026
It Gets Everywhere by Lisa Tuttle: 3/5 Stars
Drop Shock by Ally Wilkes: 4/5 Stars
Muses by Lily Kade: 3/5 Stars
Ghost Hunt by Adrian Tchaikovsky: 3/5 Stars
The Midnight Burn by TL Huchu: 2/5 Stars
The Butcher of Puckley Village by V Castro: 5/5 Stars
Tell Me I’m Scrumptious by Olivie Blake: 3/5 Stars
The Compensation by Ramsey Campbell: 3/5 Stars
The Other Brother by Rian Hughes: 3/5 Stars
Stay In Touch by Lindy Ryan: 4/5 Stars
Mr. Perfect by Susi Holliday: 2/5 Stars
Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lennon: 4/5 Stars
Backsliding by Clay McLeod Chapman: 5/5 Stars
As per usual this short story collection was a mixed bag. There were a few stories I really liked, some that were just okay and a few that I just didn’t vibe with at all. I had a good time with the collection altogether though. I would recommend it if you like a good horror short story. A 3 star is still a pretty good rating overall.
Drop Shock by Ally Wilkes: 4/5 Stars
Muses by Lily Kade: 3/5 Stars
Ghost Hunt by Adrian Tchaikovsky: 3/5 Stars
The Midnight Burn by TL Huchu: 2/5 Stars
The Butcher of Puckley Village by V Castro: 5/5 Stars
Tell Me I’m Scrumptious by Olivie Blake: 3/5 Stars
The Compensation by Ramsey Campbell: 3/5 Stars
The Other Brother by Rian Hughes: 3/5 Stars
Stay In Touch by Lindy Ryan: 4/5 Stars
Mr. Perfect by Susi Holliday: 2/5 Stars
Bow Knee Lake by Tim Lennon: 4/5 Stars
Backsliding by Clay McLeod Chapman: 5/5 Stars
As per usual this short story collection was a mixed bag. There were a few stories I really liked, some that were just okay and a few that I just didn’t vibe with at all. I had a good time with the collection altogether though. I would recommend it if you like a good horror short story. A 3 star is still a pretty good rating overall.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews