Bedtime Stories For The Monster In Your Closet

by C.D. Thorne

"You're here because you like horror. You enjoy the strange and macabre. I can help with that," says author C.D. Thorne. In his book Bedtime Stories For The Monster In Your Closet, he presents eleven short stories in the true spirit of horror anthologies. Thorne's work explores human nature through relatable experiences such as love, desperation, and ambition, all wrapped in a thick blanket of fear.

In "Once They Appear"; a man waits for the inevitable, as mysterious figures appear worldwide. When an infomercial promises a desperate insomniac relief, he discovers some deals are too good to be true in "Special TV Offer". A boy named Stevie must help care for an elderly man chained in his family's attic, in "Grandfather". All is not what it seems in this family. A divorcee reluctantly goes on a date with someone she met online and the results are far worse than she could ever have imagined in "Swipe Left".

These original tales of horror and more, in a book that will have you questioning if things do go bump in the night. Enjoy your new nighty tales in Bedtime Stories For The Monster In Your Closet.

Genres: Horror

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2025

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a bit bizarre; growing older and watching new trends come back that were popular in our childhood. Some things we've long forgotten and when we remember, it's like a lightning shock down memory lane. (Fruitopia, anyone?)

Other times it's more of a soft ache for things that were that you wish your own kids could experience for themselves.

This, this was that for me.

For anyone who has spent the last fifteen years pining for the nostalgia that Shel Silverstein delivered, you've found it. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" meets our current times- this book of short stories transported me back in time while simultaneously bringing renewed vigor to the past.

My teens got a kick out of reading a few a day together- "Internment" being a morbid favorite! We all loved the humor, with small jabs here and there about the current state of affairs (without being political whatsoever)

I'm thoroughly pleased with this collection of short stories- and frankly, I'd even watch the short film adaptations should they come to pass. Thank you for the memories!

[Wendy Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely creepy and spooky! This is a book of short, scary stories that did not disappoint!! There’s a little bit of everything for everyone (witches, bug infestations, and a possessed pillow!!). A must read for any fan of horror and the scary!

[Cammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a solid 3.75 stars for me! I want to preface this review by saying that horror is not my typical genre. With that being said, this was such a fun read for Spooky season. The stories were perfect for someone dipping their toes into the genre and the spookiness builds with each story.

I am obsessed with the imagery throughout this collection! The author has a way of drawing you into the world as if you’re standing in the middle of the plot.

There were a few grammatical errors, but it didn’t take away from the interesting storytelling. I will never sleep on my pillow the same again!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me into a dark, strange and unsettling world that was very addictive to read. I have always been a fan of horror and imaginative stories and this book does not disappoint. Each tale is different and you can really tell that CD Thorne did his research on the Virginia folklore surrounding some of the stories. It is obvious from reading these stories that these were ideas inside of his mind that were carefully crafted. You can always tell when an author is truly passionate about his work and this book does not disappoint. Just like the great authors pour there interests into their novels, such as Hp lovecrafts interest in astronomy and architecture there is some true facts mixed in with deep unsettling mythology and mystery. I really loved it and look forward to more.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bedtime Stories for the Monster in Your Closet is exactly what horror fans crave! These stories are creepy, clever, and full of unsettling twists. Thorne delivers eleven short stories that dig into the darker corners of human nature, and I was hooked from the start. My favorites were “Special TV Offer,” which was eerie and SO creative and the jack-o’-lantern story (so haunting and now I know why we carve faces into pumpkins!). Each tale has its own flavor of fear and the writing is sharp. The stories stick with you long after you’ve finished. If you love horror anthologies this one’s a MUST read. Just maybe don’t read it right before bed, like I did.

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bedtime Stories For The Monster In Your Closet, 12 short stories of fun. Most of the stories were enjoyable to read. Internment got me good. Special TV Offer had no reason to melt part of my wicked heart. Infomercial gone wrong? Or right? Swipe Left had me mad. Cause like, why? What would have happened if that date had gone further? And why do they have an interest? Once They Appear, the first story gives the book a great start in page turning suspense. Enjoyable short stories.

[Debbie Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally somebody who likes thrillers and scary stories, so when I find something that I can actually consume without it altering my brain chemistry in a very bad way for a while, I find it intriguing. This collection of stories had me feeling so many things. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed it because it had me hooked and there were a couple of stories with twists that I absolutely did not expect to happen.

[Donna Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has a 5+++++ star rating from me! It has that nostalgic feel that Baby Boomers liked and still love. "Thrills and chills!"

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s funny how much I hate horror, and here I am enjoying a horror anthology. It sure kept me reading even though I was feeling sick with every story.

[Mountainmommareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quick spooky book to read, you need to check out Bedtime Stories for the Monster on your Closet by C.D. Thorne. A West Virginia Author, Thorne's book is a collection of short, spooky stories that are perfect to read while being curled up under your favorite blanket with a cup of hot tea in your hand.

I really enjoyed the stories and was pleasantly surprised at the twists these stories took. I would LOVE it if Thorne took a couple of the stories and made them into books of their own. My favorite was Grandfather and Once They Appear. Definitely go check it out! It's available on Amazon's KU and in paperback.