14 Vicious Valentines

by Rosalind M. Greenberg (Editor), Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), Charles G. Waugh (Editor)

An anthology of short horror fiction including stories written by Bill Crider, Migon Eberhart, Rick Hautala, Edward D. Hoch, and other with an introduction by Isaac Asimov.

Contents:

The Jabberwock Valentine by Talmage Powell
Valentine from a Vampire by Daniel Ransom
True by John Maclay
Two Floor Generals and the Sweetheart Dance by J.N. Williamson
Be Mine by Steve Rasnic Tem
Die, Clown, Die! by William F. Nolan
From Parts Unknown by Edward Wellen
Recipe for a Happy Marriage by Nedra Tyre
My Heart Cries for You by Bill Crider
Colt .24 by Rick Hautala
Fine Chocolates by Jeannette M. Hopper
The Virgins of Valentine by Edward D. Hoch
Home for the Holiday by Susan Casper
No Hearts, No Flowers by Barry N. Malzberg

Genres: Horror, Anthologies

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1988

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an anthology of stories celebrating the darker side of February 14th edited by Greenberg and his wife along with occasional collaborator Waugh. (And it has an improbable introduction from Isaac Asimov.) The spine lists it as belonging to the horror genre (as the cute cover also indicates), but despite the inclusion of such horror writer stalwarts as J.N. Williamson, Rick Hautala, Steve Rasnic Tem, and William F. Nolan, I thought the focus could be defined as more along the lines of noir-ish mystery or dark fantasy. All but one of the stories was original to the book; the cute Recipe For A Happy Marriage by Nedra Tyre was reprinted from a 1971 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. I remember enjoying Susan Casper's story, too, but the placement of Barry N. Malzberg's story in the closing roll was poor. Just like a box of chocolates, some good ones and some I didn't like at all.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one actually would be rated a 3.5 based on how I rated each individually story as I went, but since I can't give but whole numbers I rated it down since the last story of the book completely bored me.

[David Veith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a book of short stories, one point though is that your 1st and last story should be good ones. The last one here was just lame!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of horror and crime stories, all centered around Valentine's Day. My favorites are "Valentine from a Vampire" by Daniel Ransom (a pseudonym of Ed Gorman) and "Die, Clown, Die!" (a sort of tribute, though I am not sure tribute is the right word, to Batman) by William F. Nolan. But each story packs a bunch in its own way. There's not a weak one in the collection.

[Craig Rettig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag -- some good, some less so.