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Spectral Books of Horror Stories #1
The Spectral Book of Horror Stories
19 BRAND NEW TALES TO CHILL YOUR BLOOD AND HAUNT YOUR DREAMS!
“The figure crouched over his mother was… taking something from her, sliding some spidery thing that struggled and screamed soundlessly out of her side and into his leathery dark bag…”
– THE NIGHT DOCTOR by Steve Rasnic Tem
“I saw her skin turn black and erupt in blisters and pustules as in one last mute appeal she stretched her hand towards me over the flames…”
– THE BOOK AND THE RING by Reggie Oliver
“There wasn’t much of a struggle even when Tomas lashed him, limb by limb, to the stakes, although he had plenty to say to Tomas’s back as he walked away.
It was when Tomas reappeared, leading the shaggy, horned thing from the barn, that Mr Sunshine really started to squeal…”
– CURES FOR A SICKENED WORLD by Brian Hodge
Also featuring stories from Ramsey Campbell, Alison Littlewood, Helen Marshall, Gary McMahon, Michael Marshall Smith, Lisa Tuttle, Stephen Volk, Conrad Williams, Tom Fletcher, John Llewellyn Probert, Nicholas Royle, Rio Youers, Alison Moore, Angela Slatter, Stephen Laws, and Robert Shearman,
“The figure crouched over his mother was… taking something from her, sliding some spidery thing that struggled and screamed soundlessly out of her side and into his leathery dark bag…”
– THE NIGHT DOCTOR by Steve Rasnic Tem
“I saw her skin turn black and erupt in blisters and pustules as in one last mute appeal she stretched her hand towards me over the flames…”
– THE BOOK AND THE RING by Reggie Oliver
“There wasn’t much of a struggle even when Tomas lashed him, limb by limb, to the stakes, although he had plenty to say to Tomas’s back as he walked away.
It was when Tomas reappeared, leading the shaggy, horned thing from the barn, that Mr Sunshine really started to squeal…”
– CURES FOR A SICKENED WORLD by Brian Hodge
Also featuring stories from Ramsey Campbell, Alison Littlewood, Helen Marshall, Gary McMahon, Michael Marshall Smith, Lisa Tuttle, Stephen Volk, Conrad Williams, Tom Fletcher, John Llewellyn Probert, Nicholas Royle, Rio Youers, Alison Moore, Angela Slatter, Stephen Laws, and Robert Shearman,
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2014
21 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Mark Morris
133 books239 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2017
My enjoyment of the stories in this collection was... sporadic, but it served to clarify something: the horror genre isn't really for me. This might seem like an odd statement for someone who never shuts up about ghost stories, but what I realised when reading The Spectral Book of Horror Stories that they are very distinct genres (or subgenres) with very different qualities. My recurring problems with the tales here were: a) I found them silly and/or implausible; and b) I found parts of them (usually the climax or the ending) too gory and explicit.
I suppose it was a bit idiotic of me to expect the stories in this book to be more geared towards the uncanny than the fantastic. I'm so used to the subtle, slow build of ghost stories that the horror in this collection often felt 'too obvious' to me. Too bold, too ridiculous. I feel, perhaps unfairly, that it's easy to end a story with something disgusting and horrifying that will make the reader gasp or cringe. To create effective tension and atmosphere without blunt scares seems (and again maybe this is an unfair bias on my part) more skilful. Unsurprisingly, then, my favourites were those tales that held back from descending into outright gruesomeness and instead concentrated on character and mood.
Curiously, the worst stories mostly seem to be lumped together in the first half of the book, and it went up in my estimations the further I read. In particular, Stephen Volk's 'Newspaper Heart', Rio Youers' 'Outside Heavenly', Lisa Tuttle's 'Something Sinister in Sunlight', Alison Moore's 'Eastmouth', and Brian Hodge's 'Cures for a Sickened World' are worth reading.
The following mini-reviews of each story were published as status updates while I was reading the book, but here they all are together for convenience.
---
On the Tour by Ramsey Campbell
An ageing rocker with a tenuous claim to fame is obsessively delighted to find himself featured on a Beatles bus tour. I found this confusing and poorly edited on first read; then I read it again and liked it a lot more. Good basis for a story, but wasn't keen on some of the structure and the way dialogue was rendered.
The Dog's Home by Alison Littlewood
A man visits his dying aunt and is compelled to realise her last wish: to see her beloved dog for a final time. Quite effective (and certainly indicative of the fact that this is a horror collection, not a ghost story one) but I found the ending too cheaply gruesome.
Funeral Rites by Helen Marshall
A Canadian scholar finds lodgings in Oxford, but is increasingly unnerved by her odd landlady. Better than the previous two, this impressed me with a strong portrayal of the protagonist, Nora, who quickly became a character I cared about. Again, not so sure about the ending, though.
Slape by Tom Fletcher
A really good sense of place and atmosphere in this one, about a milkman spooked by a slippery path, but a grisly ending I skipped over while cringing. My thought at the time was: I hope the rest of these are going to be more ghostly than gory.
The Night Doctor by Steve Rasnic Tem
An elderly couple fight bad health, with the husband, Sam, remembering a childhood story his mother told him about the 'night doctor' making him better while he slept. It's perhaps a bit silly, and loses its subtlety towards the end, but I enjoyed this.
Dull Fire by Gary McMahon
A man attempts to embark on a new romance while haunted by his late father. Didn't think much of this. The dialogue was terrible and the story inconclusive.
The Book and the Ring by Reggie Oliver
Excellent beginning and good idea for a story, more believable/less silly than the ones before it. (Or maybe just more ghost-story-esque...) A scholar finds the testament of an Elizabethan priest and composer, and discovers it to be a confession of dark sins. Unfortunately the majority of the story is written in a faux 'ye olde' style which grates and is often unintentionally (?) funny.
Eastmouth by Alison Moore
A young woman travels to her boyfriend's home town and is disconcerted by his overbearing mother and the peculiar locals. Excellent atmosphere, a nice dash of dark humour, though the ending is a little abrupt - I'd love to read more about this setting. I loved Moore's story in Poor Souls' Light, too, so not surprised that I enjoyed this. One of the best in the book.
Carry Within Some Small Sliver of Me by Robert Shearman
A girl finds out she's adopted when sent a letter about her real father's death, and becomes curious about her biological mother. The first half of this has a great build of tension, and felt very compelling; however, yet again I found the ending stupid.
The Devil's Interval by Conrad Williams
By this point in the book, I'd started feeling that if one of the stories didn't end in gory ridiculousness, that was unusual enough to make it stand out and seem superior. So it was with this tale of a middle-aged wannabe guitar god. One of the highlights.
Stolen Kisses by Michael Marshall Smith
One of the shortest stories in the collection. Good portrait of a character you're probably supposed to hate (but I loved) with a vicious kick at the end.
Cures for a Sickened World by Brian Hodge
Another music story (what's with that recurring theme?!) about a heavy metal musician who takes revenge on a vicious critic. Unusually, this one does have disgusting and sickening stuff in it but it doesn't focus on that in detail; the worst trials of the antagonist (?) happen 'off-screen'. The use of a detached narrator helps to make it feel more balanced. Some elements of the style reminded me of F.G. Cottam. Very good.
The October Widow by Angela Slatter
At Halloween, a woman who calls herself Mrs Morgan correctly assumes herself 'hunted'. She seduces a young boy to fulfil an ancient rite; meanwhile, the father of one of her past victims stalks her. Strong sense of character and a pleasing resolution. At this point, this book started going up in my estimations.
The Slista by Stephen Laws
Written in an annoying, deliberately misspelt faux-language. Very little to it other than that element of novelty. Shrug.
Outside Heavenly by Rio Youers
A very well-constructed story with numerous characteristics typical of Southern Gothic. It opens with the townsfolk of Heavenly observing a fire: 'they prayed for the girls but not the man'. A savage murder leads to a woman's confession about the terrible life she and her teenage daughter have endured at the hands of her abusive father. Again, it all gets a bit daft at the end as the horror really kicks in, but it's executed pretty perfectly. Overall, excellent.
The Life Inspector by John Llewellyn Probert
The patriarch of a privileged, materialistic family is visited by an officious individual from 'HM Life Inspection Department'. Naturally, things quickly take a very sinister turn. Very entertaining, although the final lines lack punch.
Something Sinister in Sunlight by Lisa Tuttle
An English actor in LA is homesick and consumed with fear that he's been permanently typecast as a pantomime villain after his one successful role (as a serial killer in a popular TV series). He makes the ill-advised decision to go for dinner with a woman who appears to be a slightly obsessive fan of the character... And things unfold as disastrously as you might imagine, although not exactly as you might expect them to. Really, really good.
This Video Does Not Exist by Nicholas Royle
This was probably my most-anticipated story of the lot, because of a) Nicholas Royle - I loved First Novel , and b) that title, since it sounds like it's basically going to be a creepypasta. In actual fact, the 'video does not exist' part doesn't come into it until the end. Before that, it's the readable but somewhat mundane tale of a middle-aged man who finds something amiss with his reflection. Disappointingly mediocre.
Newspaper Heart by Stephen Volk
At fifty pages, this is the longest story in the collection, and the best has arguably been saved for last. It's Bonfire Night sometime in the 1970s, and Kelvin and his mum, Iris, are making a guy. This is the story of a dysfunctional family, an unhappy wife and a lonely son as much as it is a horror tale: with more room for exposition, it establishes the characters more effectively than many of the others, and also creates a sense of tension very well. Character, setting and encroaching horror are all evoked skilfully in a setup that leads to an effective conclusion. A powerful way to end the book.
I suppose it was a bit idiotic of me to expect the stories in this book to be more geared towards the uncanny than the fantastic. I'm so used to the subtle, slow build of ghost stories that the horror in this collection often felt 'too obvious' to me. Too bold, too ridiculous. I feel, perhaps unfairly, that it's easy to end a story with something disgusting and horrifying that will make the reader gasp or cringe. To create effective tension and atmosphere without blunt scares seems (and again maybe this is an unfair bias on my part) more skilful. Unsurprisingly, then, my favourites were those tales that held back from descending into outright gruesomeness and instead concentrated on character and mood.
Curiously, the worst stories mostly seem to be lumped together in the first half of the book, and it went up in my estimations the further I read. In particular, Stephen Volk's 'Newspaper Heart', Rio Youers' 'Outside Heavenly', Lisa Tuttle's 'Something Sinister in Sunlight', Alison Moore's 'Eastmouth', and Brian Hodge's 'Cures for a Sickened World' are worth reading.
The following mini-reviews of each story were published as status updates while I was reading the book, but here they all are together for convenience.
---
On the Tour by Ramsey Campbell
An ageing rocker with a tenuous claim to fame is obsessively delighted to find himself featured on a Beatles bus tour. I found this confusing and poorly edited on first read; then I read it again and liked it a lot more. Good basis for a story, but wasn't keen on some of the structure and the way dialogue was rendered.
The Dog's Home by Alison Littlewood
A man visits his dying aunt and is compelled to realise her last wish: to see her beloved dog for a final time. Quite effective (and certainly indicative of the fact that this is a horror collection, not a ghost story one) but I found the ending too cheaply gruesome.
Funeral Rites by Helen Marshall
A Canadian scholar finds lodgings in Oxford, but is increasingly unnerved by her odd landlady. Better than the previous two, this impressed me with a strong portrayal of the protagonist, Nora, who quickly became a character I cared about. Again, not so sure about the ending, though.
Slape by Tom Fletcher
A really good sense of place and atmosphere in this one, about a milkman spooked by a slippery path, but a grisly ending I skipped over while cringing. My thought at the time was: I hope the rest of these are going to be more ghostly than gory.
The Night Doctor by Steve Rasnic Tem
An elderly couple fight bad health, with the husband, Sam, remembering a childhood story his mother told him about the 'night doctor' making him better while he slept. It's perhaps a bit silly, and loses its subtlety towards the end, but I enjoyed this.
Dull Fire by Gary McMahon
A man attempts to embark on a new romance while haunted by his late father. Didn't think much of this. The dialogue was terrible and the story inconclusive.
The Book and the Ring by Reggie Oliver
Excellent beginning and good idea for a story, more believable/less silly than the ones before it. (Or maybe just more ghost-story-esque...) A scholar finds the testament of an Elizabethan priest and composer, and discovers it to be a confession of dark sins. Unfortunately the majority of the story is written in a faux 'ye olde' style which grates and is often unintentionally (?) funny.
Eastmouth by Alison Moore
A young woman travels to her boyfriend's home town and is disconcerted by his overbearing mother and the peculiar locals. Excellent atmosphere, a nice dash of dark humour, though the ending is a little abrupt - I'd love to read more about this setting. I loved Moore's story in Poor Souls' Light, too, so not surprised that I enjoyed this. One of the best in the book.
Carry Within Some Small Sliver of Me by Robert Shearman
A girl finds out she's adopted when sent a letter about her real father's death, and becomes curious about her biological mother. The first half of this has a great build of tension, and felt very compelling; however, yet again I found the ending stupid.
The Devil's Interval by Conrad Williams
By this point in the book, I'd started feeling that if one of the stories didn't end in gory ridiculousness, that was unusual enough to make it stand out and seem superior. So it was with this tale of a middle-aged wannabe guitar god. One of the highlights.
Stolen Kisses by Michael Marshall Smith
One of the shortest stories in the collection. Good portrait of a character you're probably supposed to hate (but I loved) with a vicious kick at the end.
Cures for a Sickened World by Brian Hodge
Another music story (what's with that recurring theme?!) about a heavy metal musician who takes revenge on a vicious critic. Unusually, this one does have disgusting and sickening stuff in it but it doesn't focus on that in detail; the worst trials of the antagonist (?) happen 'off-screen'. The use of a detached narrator helps to make it feel more balanced. Some elements of the style reminded me of F.G. Cottam. Very good.
The October Widow by Angela Slatter
At Halloween, a woman who calls herself Mrs Morgan correctly assumes herself 'hunted'. She seduces a young boy to fulfil an ancient rite; meanwhile, the father of one of her past victims stalks her. Strong sense of character and a pleasing resolution. At this point, this book started going up in my estimations.
The Slista by Stephen Laws
Written in an annoying, deliberately misspelt faux-language. Very little to it other than that element of novelty. Shrug.
Outside Heavenly by Rio Youers
A very well-constructed story with numerous characteristics typical of Southern Gothic. It opens with the townsfolk of Heavenly observing a fire: 'they prayed for the girls but not the man'. A savage murder leads to a woman's confession about the terrible life she and her teenage daughter have endured at the hands of her abusive father. Again, it all gets a bit daft at the end as the horror really kicks in, but it's executed pretty perfectly. Overall, excellent.
The Life Inspector by John Llewellyn Probert
The patriarch of a privileged, materialistic family is visited by an officious individual from 'HM Life Inspection Department'. Naturally, things quickly take a very sinister turn. Very entertaining, although the final lines lack punch.
Something Sinister in Sunlight by Lisa Tuttle
An English actor in LA is homesick and consumed with fear that he's been permanently typecast as a pantomime villain after his one successful role (as a serial killer in a popular TV series). He makes the ill-advised decision to go for dinner with a woman who appears to be a slightly obsessive fan of the character... And things unfold as disastrously as you might imagine, although not exactly as you might expect them to. Really, really good.
This Video Does Not Exist by Nicholas Royle
This was probably my most-anticipated story of the lot, because of a) Nicholas Royle - I loved First Novel , and b) that title, since it sounds like it's basically going to be a creepypasta. In actual fact, the 'video does not exist' part doesn't come into it until the end. Before that, it's the readable but somewhat mundane tale of a middle-aged man who finds something amiss with his reflection. Disappointingly mediocre.
Newspaper Heart by Stephen Volk
At fifty pages, this is the longest story in the collection, and the best has arguably been saved for last. It's Bonfire Night sometime in the 1970s, and Kelvin and his mum, Iris, are making a guy. This is the story of a dysfunctional family, an unhappy wife and a lonely son as much as it is a horror tale: with more room for exposition, it establishes the characters more effectively than many of the others, and also creates a sense of tension very well. Character, setting and encroaching horror are all evoked skilfully in a setup that leads to an effective conclusion. A powerful way to end the book.
November 16, 2014
It's pretty much the gospel now that if you want some quality horror fiction from the U.K., you had better look up Spectral Press.
And when it comes to kicking off a horror anthology, it's hard to think of a better way to do it than with one of the grand effin' poobahs of the genre, Ramsey Campbell. "On the Tour" may belie more overt expectations of horror stories, even brooding gothic tales, but it builds itself into a haunting end that feels very right for Campbell and for this anthology.
Music pops ups again in Brian Hodge's "Cures for a Sickened World," but that is about as close to a theme as your going to get, as Campbell's entry isn't nearly so delightfully foul-mouthed as Hodge's entry. The anthology as a whole relies more on simply providing an eclectic assemblage of stories that range from the grim to the grotesque. Now, avoiding the popular themes that you see so often with anthologies may be a bit tricky, particularly when not boasting the book as a collection of the year's best in the genre, as is the other popular theme of anthologies, but with Morris' keen eye for a haunting yarn there is nothing to worry about.
A welcome bit of levity to walk hand-in-hand with the horror appeared too, specifically with John Llewellyn Probert's "The Life Inspector." Given the less-than-stellar approval ratings of current governments, some humor pointed towards it is well met. And then there are the stories that just traipse into the disquieting, just enough to keep you off-balance throughout, like Nicholas Royle's "The Video Does Not Exist."
From there, we're off and running into a mosaic of disturbing little gems. A couple of them fit in the "new in town" variety with each story featuring a woman moving into a small town, though each offers entirely different motives. "Funeral Rites" by Helen Marshall and "The October Widow" by Angela Slatter varied in tone and motivations of their main characters, but each were standouts in the book and shared in captivating quality.
The main course at the end is provided by a fifty-page-or-so tale from Stephen Volk called "Newspaper Heart." There was a bit of a Stephen King-y vibe, but slight and outshined by Volk's evocative style. I think it's just the deftness in capturing boyhood and loneliness and a parent's worry when an outsider, even an inanimate one, exerts an influence on their son.
Honestly, this is just one of those books that is pitch perfect for any lover of horror fiction, and may very well be a new watermark for Spectral Press. And that's a tall order considering they have put out some bloody good stuff in the past, most notably Stephen Volk's award-winning novella, and one of my personal favorites, Whitstable. If you have a chance to get it, get it. I doubt you'll walk away disappointed.
And when it comes to kicking off a horror anthology, it's hard to think of a better way to do it than with one of the grand effin' poobahs of the genre, Ramsey Campbell. "On the Tour" may belie more overt expectations of horror stories, even brooding gothic tales, but it builds itself into a haunting end that feels very right for Campbell and for this anthology.
Music pops ups again in Brian Hodge's "Cures for a Sickened World," but that is about as close to a theme as your going to get, as Campbell's entry isn't nearly so delightfully foul-mouthed as Hodge's entry. The anthology as a whole relies more on simply providing an eclectic assemblage of stories that range from the grim to the grotesque. Now, avoiding the popular themes that you see so often with anthologies may be a bit tricky, particularly when not boasting the book as a collection of the year's best in the genre, as is the other popular theme of anthologies, but with Morris' keen eye for a haunting yarn there is nothing to worry about.
A welcome bit of levity to walk hand-in-hand with the horror appeared too, specifically with John Llewellyn Probert's "The Life Inspector." Given the less-than-stellar approval ratings of current governments, some humor pointed towards it is well met. And then there are the stories that just traipse into the disquieting, just enough to keep you off-balance throughout, like Nicholas Royle's "The Video Does Not Exist."
From there, we're off and running into a mosaic of disturbing little gems. A couple of them fit in the "new in town" variety with each story featuring a woman moving into a small town, though each offers entirely different motives. "Funeral Rites" by Helen Marshall and "The October Widow" by Angela Slatter varied in tone and motivations of their main characters, but each were standouts in the book and shared in captivating quality.
The main course at the end is provided by a fifty-page-or-so tale from Stephen Volk called "Newspaper Heart." There was a bit of a Stephen King-y vibe, but slight and outshined by Volk's evocative style. I think it's just the deftness in capturing boyhood and loneliness and a parent's worry when an outsider, even an inanimate one, exerts an influence on their son.
Honestly, this is just one of those books that is pitch perfect for any lover of horror fiction, and may very well be a new watermark for Spectral Press. And that's a tall order considering they have put out some bloody good stuff in the past, most notably Stephen Volk's award-winning novella, and one of my personal favorites, Whitstable. If you have a chance to get it, get it. I doubt you'll walk away disappointed.
February 18, 2015
This is a solid, well curated collection of original horror short stories and for that reason alone it deserves praise, but Stephen Volk's Newspaper Heart is something else entirely. Without a word of hyperbole it is one of the best pieces of short horror fiction I have read in years and I have no doubt it will haunt my thoughts for months ahead.
January 6, 2020
Again a decent compilation of horror stories.
Most of them were of just the right length and also featured quite good growing tension of the story.
Won't spoil any of them, but the stories get better towards the end, with the last one being a blast.
Most of them were of just the right length and also featured quite good growing tension of the story.
Won't spoil any of them, but the stories get better towards the end, with the last one being a blast.
February 14, 2017
Another anthology, another mixed bag.
The stories I enjoyed were Alison Littlewood's The Dog's Home, which switches genres to great effect; Alison Moore's Eastmouth, cleverly skirting horror almost completely; and Michael Marshall Smith's very short, and better for it, Stolen Kisses.
My favourite story, by some margin, was Rio Youer's dark Southern Gothic Outside Heavenly, a very evocative and absorbing tale.
The stories I enjoyed were Alison Littlewood's The Dog's Home, which switches genres to great effect; Alison Moore's Eastmouth, cleverly skirting horror almost completely; and Michael Marshall Smith's very short, and better for it, Stolen Kisses.
My favourite story, by some margin, was Rio Youer's dark Southern Gothic Outside Heavenly, a very evocative and absorbing tale.
July 26, 2017
This anthology was absolutely outstanding. A true old school book of horror stories just like the ones I used to scare myself silly with as a kid. The quality of writing and the variety of yarn is top notch. I can't recommend this one highly enough.
December 30, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, I love horror stories, and some of them are great. The problem? I hate it when authors don't know the difference between "leaving it to your imagination" and "unresolved", which happens a lot in this book.
September 28, 2014
Review coming soon.
April 7, 2015
Great collection of short stories. Personal favourites included pieces from Stephen Volk, Alison Littlewood and Gary McMahon.
November 29, 2021
Mixed bag, of course, like all anthologies, but of a noticeably higher quality than many if not most: ie, there are no godawful stories here. A 3.5 sounds about right.
These are the stories I liked to varying degrees, not to say some of the other stories weren’t worth reading once:
The Dog’s Home
Funeral Rites
The Book and the Ring (modern MR James tale, the Olde English isn’t too over the top to prevent you enjoying it, not scary and hilarious at times, but a good read)
Carry Within Some Small Sliver of Me
Stolen Kisses (very Tell Tale Heart)
Cures for a Sickened World
The Life Inspector
Something Sinister in Sunlight
This Video Does Not Exist
Two of the stories I didn’t bother finishing because I could tell they weren’t my cup of tea: The October Widow and, most memorably, The Slista (I’m not all about fiction written in bizarre dialects. It hurts my eyes. It reminds me of Cloud Atlas, worst of all.)
I wish I found Newspaper Heart as thrilling as some people have. Maybe if I had been alive in the time and location in which the story takes place I would have enjoyed it more; since I wasn’t, I didn’t. In theory I love all the details: what was on tv, what songs were popular on the radio, what was in the news, etc, but the amount of it bogged the story down. And many of the references plain sailed over my head. If that was My Era I probably would have loved it, to be fair.
Oh, and here’s another Ramsey Campbell story that did nothing for me.
These are the stories I liked to varying degrees, not to say some of the other stories weren’t worth reading once:
The Dog’s Home
Funeral Rites
The Book and the Ring (modern MR James tale, the Olde English isn’t too over the top to prevent you enjoying it, not scary and hilarious at times, but a good read)
Carry Within Some Small Sliver of Me
Stolen Kisses (very Tell Tale Heart)
Cures for a Sickened World
The Life Inspector
Something Sinister in Sunlight
This Video Does Not Exist
Two of the stories I didn’t bother finishing because I could tell they weren’t my cup of tea: The October Widow and, most memorably, The Slista (I’m not all about fiction written in bizarre dialects. It hurts my eyes. It reminds me of Cloud Atlas, worst of all.)
I wish I found Newspaper Heart as thrilling as some people have. Maybe if I had been alive in the time and location in which the story takes place I would have enjoyed it more; since I wasn’t, I didn’t. In theory I love all the details: what was on tv, what songs were popular on the radio, what was in the news, etc, but the amount of it bogged the story down. And many of the references plain sailed over my head. If that was My Era I probably would have loved it, to be fair.
Oh, and here’s another Ramsey Campbell story that did nothing for me.
January 5, 2018
Terrible
I really wanted to like this book, I even started reading it twice, but it was difficult. I wouldn't call it horror at all, out of all the stories in it there are only 3-4 that are any good. Most of them are rubbish, as I read through this I was trying to review each one as I went with progress updates but it go so bad I couldn't be bothered.
One of them a woman is told she's part of a family, she isn't, an old woman in a train a station tells her she is. The end.
Another a bloke can't see his head in the mirror, then he watches a snuff video and then he can. The end.
Maybe I'm missing something, maybe this is like a modern art version of horror stories where nothing is meant to make sense, or even be a horror story. 90% of these stories just end, its terrible.
The only reason I didn't give it one star is that there are a about 2 good stories and 2 OK ones. The rest were rubbish. I don't know if its the editor or what because most of them suffered the same non-horror story leading to a huge anti climax.
Either way I will not be reading the next book in a hurry. If you're looking for vague, uninteresting tales read this ! If you're looking four horror short stories , your in the wrong place.
I really wanted to like this book, I even started reading it twice, but it was difficult. I wouldn't call it horror at all, out of all the stories in it there are only 3-4 that are any good. Most of them are rubbish, as I read through this I was trying to review each one as I went with progress updates but it go so bad I couldn't be bothered.
One of them a woman is told she's part of a family, she isn't, an old woman in a train a station tells her she is. The end.
Another a bloke can't see his head in the mirror, then he watches a snuff video and then he can. The end.
Maybe I'm missing something, maybe this is like a modern art version of horror stories where nothing is meant to make sense, or even be a horror story. 90% of these stories just end, its terrible.
The only reason I didn't give it one star is that there are a about 2 good stories and 2 OK ones. The rest were rubbish. I don't know if its the editor or what because most of them suffered the same non-horror story leading to a huge anti climax.
Either way I will not be reading the next book in a hurry. If you're looking for vague, uninteresting tales read this ! If you're looking four horror short stories , your in the wrong place.
October 6, 2022
This was a really decent collection of new horror stories from established writers. Some were better than others, of course, making the book overall quite hard to rate. The second of the three music-themed stories, The Devil's Interval, was mediocre and unfocused, as was the peculiar Carry Within Some Small Sliver Of Me, and the second story in the collection, The Dog's Home by Alison Littlewood, was just nasty, mean-spirited, and upsetting - but the final story, Newspaper Heart, was really something fantastic. I was deeply moved by it.
On balance I think I did prefer the other horror anthology series edited by Mark Morris - New Fears, from Titan Books - but this was a satisfying read, enjoyable almost throughout, and ending with a real treasure.
On balance I think I did prefer the other horror anthology series edited by Mark Morris - New Fears, from Titan Books - but this was a satisfying read, enjoyable almost throughout, and ending with a real treasure.
June 13, 2020
An excellent anthology of top-tier horror writers. I’ll buy anything if it features Reggie Oliver and Stephen Volk. Introduced me to Rio Youers, whose work I will now seek.
September 1, 2014
There’s something about horror that really works in short story format. Don’t get me wrong, I do like a good horror novel especially at this time of year when the nights are drawing in the temperature slowly creeping down. I think I prefer, in general, horror in short format especially when there’s an interesting twist in the tale. I remember as a kid reading ghost story collections and though my love of sci fi took over, it has always been there.
Spectral Press are an independent publishing house who have had works nominated for British Fantasy Awards. They have published a number of novelettes and collections and this is their first anthology. Does it hold its own against the collections that boast much bigger names?
Most of these tales are dark and twisted, quite reminiscent of the 1980s TV series Tales of the Unexpected rather than M.R. James yet they also have a classic and timeless feel about them too. However, I can’t imagine some of these plots ever being commissioned on that show back then. It’s curious and I can’t quite put my finger on why the theme works so well, but work it does and if you like large volumes of short stories then you will almost certainly enjoy this. Some of the subject matter is a bit out there, some of it quite abstract and some of it more about shocks than scares, twisted rather than terrifying. It’s not so much a lazy Bank Holiday read as one you need a quiet, dark room with the lights dimmed – for concentration as much as atmosphere!
There are 19 stories here which are varied an interesting. From a nostalgic tour of The Beatles’ Liverpool, a dying woman who desperately wants to see the dog she gave away to her nephew, a woman who desperate needs a place to live rents a room for one week in a house full of weird old women, they present fairly simple premises and that is what is often so engaging about this style of horror. Sadly, I didn’t think all of these stories worked and a handful were not my sort of thing at all. Nothing really stood out as particularly great but none of them stood out as particularly bad either. I would say that my two favourites were The Book and the Ring and Eastmouth(which both had an MR James feel).
Most of my complaints are of personal taste, so I give this 4 stars rather than 3 stars.
See more book reviews at my blog
Spectral Press are an independent publishing house who have had works nominated for British Fantasy Awards. They have published a number of novelettes and collections and this is their first anthology. Does it hold its own against the collections that boast much bigger names?
Most of these tales are dark and twisted, quite reminiscent of the 1980s TV series Tales of the Unexpected rather than M.R. James yet they also have a classic and timeless feel about them too. However, I can’t imagine some of these plots ever being commissioned on that show back then. It’s curious and I can’t quite put my finger on why the theme works so well, but work it does and if you like large volumes of short stories then you will almost certainly enjoy this. Some of the subject matter is a bit out there, some of it quite abstract and some of it more about shocks than scares, twisted rather than terrifying. It’s not so much a lazy Bank Holiday read as one you need a quiet, dark room with the lights dimmed – for concentration as much as atmosphere!
There are 19 stories here which are varied an interesting. From a nostalgic tour of The Beatles’ Liverpool, a dying woman who desperately wants to see the dog she gave away to her nephew, a woman who desperate needs a place to live rents a room for one week in a house full of weird old women, they present fairly simple premises and that is what is often so engaging about this style of horror. Sadly, I didn’t think all of these stories worked and a handful were not my sort of thing at all. Nothing really stood out as particularly great but none of them stood out as particularly bad either. I would say that my two favourites were The Book and the Ring and Eastmouth(which both had an MR James feel).
Most of my complaints are of personal taste, so I give this 4 stars rather than 3 stars.
See more book reviews at my blog
July 22, 2015
This is an excellent collection of genuinely creepy horror stories.
As with all short story collections, some stories are better than others but they all have merit, and are deservedly included in this outstanding anthology.
It is the last - and the longest story: NEWSPAPER HEART by Stephen Volk - that left the deepest impression on me. Set in the early 1970s it tells the story of a lonely young boy, Kelvin. Concerned about her son's isolation, Kelvin's mother Iris helps him to make a guy, as Bonfire Night approaches. But Kelvin becomes overly attached to the guy, talking to it, bringing it to the dinner table, even taking it to bed with him. It's hard to say much more about this story without giving away the shocking ending, but suffice to say it's one of those stories that leaves you cold. That gives you that 'oh, shit' moment when you, as a reader, realise what's happening. And it stays with you for a long time after you've finished reading it. Possibly giving you nightmares.
This is a highly recommended collection of horror stories for those who like their horror dark and disturbing. But probably not a good idea for bedtime reading, as the stories will keep you awake at night.
As with all short story collections, some stories are better than others but they all have merit, and are deservedly included in this outstanding anthology.
It is the last - and the longest story: NEWSPAPER HEART by Stephen Volk - that left the deepest impression on me. Set in the early 1970s it tells the story of a lonely young boy, Kelvin. Concerned about her son's isolation, Kelvin's mother Iris helps him to make a guy, as Bonfire Night approaches. But Kelvin becomes overly attached to the guy, talking to it, bringing it to the dinner table, even taking it to bed with him. It's hard to say much more about this story without giving away the shocking ending, but suffice to say it's one of those stories that leaves you cold. That gives you that 'oh, shit' moment when you, as a reader, realise what's happening. And it stays with you for a long time after you've finished reading it. Possibly giving you nightmares.
This is a highly recommended collection of horror stories for those who like their horror dark and disturbing. But probably not a good idea for bedtime reading, as the stories will keep you awake at night.
Currently reading
May 24, 2024"This Video Does Not Exist" by Nicholas Royle - The protagonist cannot see his head in his reflection. He hears a broadcast about a severed head found in a bag in London and thinks if he can get a look at it maybe it might be his. After watching a terrorist beheading video on the internet his ability to see himself in his reflection is restored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2015
Like other reviewers on here I wanted uncanny rather than silly. Most of these stories were silly horror stories that didn't really mean anything or give you a sense of horror/uncanny. Dog's Home was the worst story for me, an effort to finish because it was so boring.
November 2, 2016
Not scary at all, most of the stories were boring and without any sort of capturing the reader feature. Want to read some interesting stories? Read "exurb1a"'s book, there you will find a story that makes you shiver.
Very disappointed of this book.
Very disappointed of this book.
July 5, 2016
An underwhelming collection of stories that failed to impress me at all
March 24, 2017
What a great collection! Every story is utterly unsettling in its own unique way. These tales don't go for gory or in-your-face horror; they prefer the creeping, crawling, catatonic cacophony that is the slow burn. Some of them sneak up on you and in effect take a few minutes after reading them to process exactly WHY you feel so disturbed. Others are scary as hell right from the start, although once again not in the way of the modern horror movie. You will not find the commonplace, blase scares that one has come to expect, that much is assured. Mister Morris has put together a killer collection, one that is so good it makes me wonder how he could possibly follow it up.
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