Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness

by Mia Dalia

From Mia Dalia, the author of Estate Sale, Haven, and other literary nightmares, comes a uniquely terrifying collection of dark psychological fiction, featuring novelettes and short stories that range from horror to suspense to mystery to coming-of-age to thrillers.

SMILE SO RED - a man finds a strange graffitied house in the woods and a smiling darkness that follows him home.
SPINDEL - a twelve-year-old boy suspects that one of the neighbors on his paper route might be a local serial killer and sets off to investigate.
BLUES FOR THE SOUL- a library worker tries to help a troubled young boy and uncovers a terrible truth about his family.
DEVIL’S CHORD - return to the world of Smile So Red with a meta journey set to the earworm tune of your worst nightmares.
STUMP - a bullied young boy and a downtrodden family man from the same apartment complex unwittingly entrust their secrets to the same remnant of an old tree in the local woods.
FLAMINGOS - two sisters must confront their troubled past when a buried memory is triggered by the seemingly innocuous plastic lawn birds.
THE TRUNK - striving to achieve the American Dream, a first-generation immigrant from a war-torn country buys a new home and finds something in the basement that has other ideas for him.
REDDEST - another return to the world of Smile So Red, albeit from a very different perspective.

Go on. Turn the page. Pick a nightmare. I dare you.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Horror Thriller, Fiction

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2024

About the author

Mia Dalia is an internationally published, Crime Writers Association-nominated author of all things fantastic, thrilling, scary, and strange. Her short stories of horror, noir, science fiction, mystery, crime, humor, and more have been featured in a variety of anthologies, magazines, literary journals, online, and adapted for narrative podcasts.

Featured publications:
Estate Sale (Lethe Press)
Tell Me a Story (Anuci Press)
Discordant (Anuci Press)
Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness (Brigids Gate Press)
Arrakoth (Spaceboy Books)
Haven (CamCat Books)
Do You Know The Muffin Man? (Spaceboy Books)
Alakazam (PS Publishing)

Mia's work has been selected as Tales to Terrify's top ten best stories of 2023, shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association's Daggers Award 2024, and praised by authors and editors such as Michael Marshall Smith - "One of the best novels I've read in years", Stephen Jones - "tour-de-force", Clay McLeod Chapman - "every flip of the page leads its readers deeper into uneasy dream", Neil Sharpson, M.R. Carey, A.C. Wise, Edward Ashton, Christopher Barzak, Ian Rogers, and more.

Mia Dalia is represented by the John Jarrold Literary Agency. https://www.johnjarrold.co.uk/

Find her at
Twitter: @ Dalia_Verse
FB: Mia DaliaVerse
Instagram: daliaverse
https://linktr.ee/daliaverse

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut collection from Mia Dalia? Yes, please! Since I am a huge fan, I had already read a few of these stories, but there were plenty of new tales to fall in love with. Here's a brief, spoiler-free synopsis of each.

Smile So Red- A creepy tale about an unemployed man that comes across a graffiti-tagged, abandoned house in the woods. Occult goodness!

Spindel- Psychological thriller about a 12 year old trying to solve the mystery of a missing girl. Some incredibly dark moments and a pretty big twist.

Blues for the Soul- Grief horror with a blues soundtrack. Creepy kids, man. Gets me every time.

The Devil's Chord- Revisiting the Graffiti house from Smile So Red. Four horror loving friends seek out the creepy house from a novella found in a bookstore written by a local author. Alternative title: Mia Goes META.

Stump- Bleak, dual POV story. We follow Tobey and Finn through their dreary and difficult lives. Their stories intersect in a tragic, straight from the headlines way.

Flamingos- Weird, fun tale following main character, Chrys and her sister Kayla. Chrys is beginning to see strange things happening to the yard decorations in her new home. I loved the relationship between the sisters in this story.

The Trunk- Bogdan and Aimee have bought their first home together and it comes with an antique trunk in the storage unit. What's in the trunk?! My personal favorite of this collection.

Reddist- One more revisit to the graffiti house , well, the graffiti from that house. A man sees a graffiti smile one day and is then haunted by its presence.

An excellent collection Highly recommend!

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A haunting mix of creepy and dread inducing stories. Some were downright nightmare material. Some felt a little too short and not fully explored.

When you grab this book, you’re getting a great collection of horrifying ideas put down on paper from an up and coming author in the genre. Well worth a read and even a re-read of the tales within. I’m keen to check out more of Dalia’s full length works in the future!

I do wish the cover was a bit more professionally done, as some readers may assume (incorrectly) based on this alone that the stories are amateurish (which simply isn’t true). I’m speaking from my own experience as I initially passed by this collection when I saw it mentioned in a few groups and only picked it up as a reviewer on NetGalley. I’m glad I’ve finally gotten into this author’s work and recommend everyone give her a read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Brigids Gate Press for a copy!

[Z. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a red smile in my dreams last night. It whispered to me.

Mia Dalia brings us terrifying tales in this collection. Smile so red and other tales of madness is an outstanding collection of horror and thrillers. Release date 01/19/24.

Smile so red: I’ve reviewed this story before and my opinion still stands. I nightmarish ride into what someone will do to make their wish come true. An unnerving story that will leave you speechless.

Spindle: the second thriller I’ve read from Mia. An artfully penned thrill ride reminiscent of black phone. I thought I knew where the ending was going, but I was sadly mistaken (in a very good way). The spiders web is a tricky one.

Blues for the soul: a soul crushing story that fits well with some good blues music. The atmosphere and story telling places you directly in the characters shoes.

The devils chord: I’m going to have a panic attack the next time I get an earworm.

Stump: a very well done dual POV story. The way Mia intertwined two characters lives in a very unsuspecting way was absolutely magnificent.

Flamingos: a deep dive into what our past hides from us. I also no longer trust lawn ornaments. This story hit so many emotional levels that I wasn’t expecting.

The trunk: my favorite out of the entire collection. Another look into what our past hides from us in this gripping tale.

Reddest: a quick tale that will haunt you and have you seeing red.

If you haven’t picked up a Mia Dalia book yet I highly recommend you go do that. The first story I read by this author was a thriller called tell me a story. Mia creates highly defined characters and settings placing you right into the characters eyes. I can keep complimenting Mia or you can go see for yourself.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection! I got into Mia Dalia with her novel Haven, and this was an interesting look at her backlog. To see my full review, go visit your local abandoned shack in the woods, I left my in-depth thoughts spray-painted in bright red all over the walls.

[☽ Mél · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Thank you Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for the ARC.

Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness is exactly what it says: tales of madness.
In this collection of short horror/thriller stories, you will always be left wondering what’s going to happen next until the story is over, and sometimes even after that.

I really liked the first three stories, and the last two. The others were a bit -not- scary enough for my taste, but I'm sure other readers could feel the exact opposite way, and I like the versatility of this collection: there's a chocolate for everybody in there.

The writing is great. It's well-paced, with a sort of shortness to it that fits perfectly. It's not romantic, it's not dramatic: it’s efficient and just descriptive enough.

The notes at the end were a nice addition.

My personal favorite was probably A Smile So Red because I love the creature haunting the narrative, but Spindel was breathtaking!

I'll definitely be on the lookout for more stories from Mia Dalia!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC copy through NetGalley and could not be more excited about it. Mia Dalia hits on very human fears, insecurities, love, loyalty, and insecurity. I continue to tell my wife about the different stories and how creepy cool they are. She even takes something as innocuous as plastic pink flamingos and makes them a subject of horror. I have already recommended this book to many people and absolutely will be reading this again in October.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Dalia's debut collection of short stories, novellas and novelettes, makes sure that 2024 horror collections start with a bang! Half of the stories have already seen the light of day, but they remain magnificent tales no matter how many times they are read. The ones I hadn't read before, well, let's just say that they left a very deep mark and, in fact, one of them ("Blues For the Soul") topped everything I've read from Dalia. Let's take a look.

"Smile So Red," the opening novella, is a flipping roller coaster of a ride! The original employment of the haunted house/cabin in the woods trope, the calm writing making sure you have no clue what's gonna happen next, and the several creepy moments that start gathering overhead like heavy clouds, they all add up to a brilliant story with a fantastic ending - I only wish it were longer. Happily, the collection has a couple of stories that build on the novella, though they can also be read on their own: "Devil's Chord" and "Reddest." They are entirely different from "Smile So Red," the first about an earworm tune you really don't want to know anything about, the other about graffiti that might as well be magic. Both are about obsession, though they approach it from very different directions. The writing is fabulous as usual and the drama is kept at a minimum. "Blues For The Soul," however, a superb short story that takes the "evil child" horror trope into a new direction, is written with lots of drama and is heavy on emotion. Still, Dalia's precise writing, the tight plot and the well-fleshed out characters, the atmosphere chock-full of suspense, they all take control of the story and produce such a thrilling read I simply couldn't put it down. Dalia's talent shines in this moving story and I for one can't wait to read more stories of hers such as these. The novelette "Stump" did not really excite me (a rather typical portrayal of bullying and marriage and work issues), but then I got to the last paragraph, where the characters are kept unnamed, and wow - simply wow. This story makes you think, makes you feel real. And then you get "Flamingos." Much as "Blues For the Soul," this story reminded of some of King's forays into non-horror fiction, though the horror is there. Both stories are must-reads for their subtlety and imagery. "The Trunk," Dalia's most 'aggressive' horror story, is an entertaining, creepy read with amazing characterization. Most people, I believe, will pick this story as their favorite.

Overall, this collection is undoubtedly a solid 5-star read and deserves to be read and enjoyed widely. Highly, very highly recommended!

[Samantha Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness is a chilling collection of noir short stories that delves into the darker corners of the human psyche. Each story explores the blurred boundaries of morality, where good and evil intermingle and certainty quickly unravels.

The characters are layered and compelling. Deeply flawed and often morally ambiguous, they move through a world of secrets, betrayal, and psychological unrest. Their choices drive the narrative forward in unsettling and unpredictable ways.

This is a tightly written, immersive collection that leans into dread rather than overt horror. Smile So Red doesn’t just entertain—it lingers. Readers looking for psychologically rich, atmospheric storytelling will find plenty to admire here.

[Lachlan Finlayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A friend who really knows her Science Fiction (thank you Sue !) recommended to me ‘Arrokoth’, a recent short-story by Mia Dalia. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot, the characters, the futuristic setting, the moral ambiguity. So I was delighted to receive from NetGalley a collection of short-stories from this author. A collection due to be re-published this month by Brigid’s gate Press, after an initial publication early in 2024 by Annuli Press.

This collection of eight pieces is aptly described by the publisher as:

“ …a uniquely terrifying collection of dark psychological fiction, featuring novelettes and short stories that range from horror to suspense to mystery to coming of age thrillers.”

I’m not usually a reader of the so-called horror genre, but like many readers, I have at times enjoyed the likes of Steven King and Dean Koontz. In such books, the horror merely provides the background, with the readers pleasure coming from the plot and character development and sometimes elements of moral dilemma. This collection of short-stories fits comfortable into such a description.

They are all memorable for one reason or another. Many with a slow building of dread, emanating from sinister or perhaps supernatural entities. The backdrop is utterly normal, humdrum, everyday life. The United States, small towns, larger cities and the daily ebb and flow of life. Work, relationships, family, school, neighbours and so on. Characters in these stories are often faced with a choice, alongside issues of truth, honesty, trust, love and loss. And consequences…

The stories are not directly related to each other although they could be. Is the small town set in the past in one story now part of the encroaching city in other stories ? Are the remote and sinister woods in the title story now the straggly, unkempt city park in another story. Is the nefarious element that inhabits each story, or at least the minds of the protagonists, possible the same ? According to the authors notes, No. The stories, apart from the final piece, are not intended to be directly related. Although I still wonder if subconsciously they just might be…

The main characters are memorable and vividly portrayed, even given the limited space of a short story. They are predominantly young; ordinary children, teens and young adults. Often from difficult backgrounds or dysfunctional families. The stories tend to have a moral decision at some point. And this defines the story ending. Some are upbeat. Others provide closure albeit with sadness. Others are more surprising, unexpected or ambiguous. All are satisfying.

The authors use of language is particularly apt in developing the atmosphere in each story.

“A profound absence of sound. No animals rustling about. No birds. Nothing”

Occasional humour !

“The house snuck up on him. Or rather it stood perfectly still as houses tend to, waiting for him to notice it, and then it said Boo !”

At times a reflection of modernity:

“…people of his generation, when struck with the inexplicable, he photographed it.”

Other times, chilling:

“It was the kind of thing you could not un-see…”

Small descriptions place the stories in time and place. Perhaps in the 80s with cassette tapes, a video store and certain movie references. More recent settings are indicated by mobile phones, Netflix, Facebook. Small but reliable clues.

Amongst the dread, there are some particularly incisive and almost moving descriptions. For example when a lonely young character reflects on books:

“..the way simple words could add up and turn into wonderful adventures like plain bricks making up an impressive building”

Although the background context is sometimes a bit of a cliche (small town America, anonymous big cities) I think they work in lulling the reader (or certain characters ?) into a false sense of normality. How could dreadful things happen in such mundane places and everyday circumstances ? But they do…

I’m not usually a short-story reader, but this collection is great. The characters, plots, and endings. A memorable collection. I wish the author all the very best from this re-publication. Whether it be Science Fiction, Horror or some other genre, I look forward to reading more from her.

[Aimee-Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection that successfully elicits an atmosphere of pervasive dread, rather than aiming for direct scares, Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness presents a series of thoughtful snapshots of the ugliness that can fester in the hearts of ostensibly regular people.

The horror here is definitely of a psychological bent and, more often than not, the most disturbing elements of each story are the depths to which the protagonists themselves might sink.

The Trunk, appearing towards the end of the collection, is an absolute standout. Unpacking themes of guilt and reinvention, this story will definitely leave readers ruminating on the ways in which they succeed or fail in reconciling with their own pasts. This thoughtful exploration of character is a strength across all of the stories in the collection, and it’s clear that Dalia has a real talent for capturing the voice and personality of her characters. The titular novelette, Smile So Red, is another highlight.

Taken as a collection, however, the pacing of this release often felt quite sluggish, with five of the eight stories of novelette length (in this case, between 45-55 pages). A greater variation in length from story to story may have provided much needed peaks and troughs to the reading experience.

On a line level, the writing is spare and direct. However, there is a fair amount of redundancy in the prose, and it is evident that Dalia has a penchant for returning to favoured turns of phrase.

Several of the stories display a distinct lack of confidence in the reader, and Dalia displays a tendency towards directly stating intended themes, rather than allowing the reader to unpack those layers themselves. A greater degree of intentionality in the choice of sensory descriptors, allegory, and ostensible themes may have provided similar guidance to readers, without feeling too on-the-nose.

All that said, Dalia has an undeniable talent for crafting characters which feel flawed in an authentically human way, with the kind of moral ambiguity that keeps the reader on the backfoot, never quite sure who they can safely trust. I'm very interested to see how this translates to her longer fiction.

Marketing this collection simply as ‘horror’ may be setting readers up for disappointment, and despite the occasional supernatural elements, this collection may find more appropriate readership among fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing this digital reviewer copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mark F · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I usually stick to reading novels, I do enjoy a good collection or anthology from time to time. First, anthologies introduce me to various authors whose work I may want to look further into, and perhaps find a new favored author. And with collections you get various stories, and this can be attractive because of the diversity…and the fact that each story is shorter than a full-length novel, thus making for a quicker read.

With Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness, by Mia Dalia, you get a wonderful collection of stories. Each one different, though there’s a strong commonality among them, nature – woods, rivers, peace and tranquility, and the horrors that can sometimes invade these spaces. There are also various relationship dynamics, but that’s not where the horror lies (in this collection anyway).

High on the creep factor, these well-written and well thought out stories kept me turning the pages trying to figure out which way the stories were going to go. Some characters I felt ambivalence towards, while with others I felt myself saying, “No, don’t do that!”, to try to keep them out of harm’s way. That, to me, is a sign of a good book, when you want to interact with the characters, because you feel them rather just think of them as words on a page.

Though I really enjoyed all eight of the stories, the order I would list each one, starting with my most favorite, is Spindel, Smile So Red, Blues for the Soul, Flamingos, The Trunk, Stump, The Devil’s Chord, and Reddest. I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

P.S. I even learned some new words, and decided to start using “somewhen” in conversations now.

[Hannah (DaemonGal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

"Otherworldly beings, Bogdan believed, should have the decency to look otherworldly. For if they should look like us, how can we tell the monsters apart?"

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Themes:
- descent into madness
- mystery
- suspicious basement suitcases

This collection of stories was a joy to read. The opening story, 'A Smile So Red' set the scene well for the rest of the stories, and their common theme of a descent into madness. Each story was well paced and the endings weren't overly predictable, the descriptions felt detailed enough to build a picture but not too heavy handed and the language used was evocative. There was a great variation in the stories with similar themes throughout and some being within the same universe. I enjoyed the final story also linking back to the first.

Some of the endings did, however, feel a little rushed and I would have enjoyed a little more lead up and after the final crescendo of the story.

I'll definitely be looking out for more of this author as it was my first time reading them!

** I would like to advise that I have aphantasia which can make my experience reading certain books different from someone who doesn't! **

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight short stories from the twisted mind of the mistress of the macabre.

Smile so red
A man, distracting himself from his problems, stumbles across an abandoned house covered in graffiti, off an isolated hiking trail and makes a wish.

Spindel
Johnny lives a normal life with his parents and brother, Beau but down the road lives Mr Spindel, every town has a bogeyman and he is theirs.

Blues for the Soul
Martha is just existing, numbed by grief when she meets Dana with her soulful singing voice and a story about angels and demons.

The Devil’s Chord
Horror loving friends take a hiking trip to a house in the woods described in a recently acquired creepy book.

Stump
Tobey sits on the tree stump reading to escape his neglectful home and school bully. Finn is exhausted by life, his job and fatherhood. It doesn’t take much for one of them to break.

Flamingos
Chrys has moved into her new place away from her sister Kayla who has taken care of her since she was a kid. It’s a perfect location but the flamingo garden ornaments freak her out.

The Trunk
Bogdan and Aimee move into a new condo, and all is perfect until Bogdan finds a locked trunk in their storage unit in the basement.

The Reddest
A new arrival in the city is pursued by a smile.

[ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ☠︎︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎱 eight cleverly curated & unsettling stories to devour
⚠️ some contain sensitive subject matter (TW)
👀 just wait for the nightmares to begin

This was my first Mia Dalia experience and I dear say it will NOT be my last! I was absolutely terrified by the creepy child in BLUES FOR THE SOUL and don't even get me started with what goes down in THE TRUNK and STUMP! As someone who suffers from Arachnophobia... I didn't think I needed any more reasons to fear SPIDERS (see SPINDEL) and I was so impressed by the SMILE SO RED meta-verse that was captured in this chilling collection with those few stories (that you revisit within DEVIL'S CHORD and REDDEST.) Also, that beaut of reference in FLAMINGOS (...IYKYK 🦩)

Honestly what a cleverly curated and well-written collection of dark and creepy psychological tales that will add to the depths of your most disturbed nightmares! A big thank-you to Brigids Gate Press & NetGalley for granting me access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Davida De · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're seeking a spine-tingling journey into the darkest recesses of the human soul, look no further than this collection of noir short stories by Mia Dalia. Each tale is a haunting exploration of the hidden depths of the human psyche, where morality becomes blurred and the line between good and evil fades to black.
What sets this collection apart is its masterful use of setting. From the eerie depths of mist-laden woods to the dimly lit corners of forgotten parks and the oppressive atmosphere of damp basements, every location is imbued with a palpable sense of dread. These are not mere backdrops; they are characters in their own right, shaping the actions and motivations of those who inhabit them.
But it's not just the settings that send shivers down your spine; it's the characters themselves. Complex and flawed, they navigate a world where deception and betrayal lurk around every corner. As each story unfolds, we are drawn deeper into their web of secrets and lies, unable to look away even as the darkness threatens to consume us.
From the first page to the last,Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness grips you by the throat and refuses to let go. It's a relentless descent into the heart of darkness, where nothing is as it seems and the only certainty is uncertainty. If you dare to brave its depths, be prepared for a journey that will haunt your dreams long after the final page is turned.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is a well-written collection of horror stories, some set in the same universe and others in different. They all have a contemporary feel to them but the horrors are different in each. There’s no monster just because, instead the scares are slower, with a more psychological buildup to them. The stories are paced well with the horror carefully crafted around the scenario, mundane in some, and slightly more fantastical in others, but all are worth the read.

Some are lighter as well such as ‘Flamingos’ which had an excellent example of a sibling relationship. And ‘Spindel’ leans more thriller which was a lot of fun to read.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors work in the future!

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag! I found myself disinterested in the first few stories, to the point I almost DNF’d. But there were a few stories in the middle, especially the one centered on the Devil’s Chord, that hooked me. The writing was easy to understand and get into, with some flowing better than others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SmileSoRed #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[wiesreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this arc in exchange for my review.
Enjoyable horror anthology with Magnus Archives vibes. My favourite short stories were "Smile so Red" which really creeped me out and "Trunk" which made me so uncomfortable because who doesn't hate basements! I also really enjoyed some of the stories being connected to each other and expanding on "Smile so Red"; that was such a standout element for me.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories do have a very goosebumps feel to them and I did like each one in their own way. Some of them felt like retellings of stories such as smile so red, looking at human greed, desperation and how much a person would sacrifice to get the life they want. Blues for the soul was my favourite, maybe because I can easily find children scary or maybe because it has a little supernatural element.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise for this novella and short stories seemed intriguing however only a few stood out for me as a horror enthusiast.
There were two stories that were a stand out for me and they were Blues For The Soul and The Devils Chord with a captivating plot and a sense of unease and suspense. The rest of the stories didn't quite land for me and have led me to giving the book an average rating as a result.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for an arc of this book.

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut collection of short stories. Smile So Red--being the title one brings us right into the universe of the book and I loved the way Mia comes back to this graffiti house in some of the other stories. All 8 of these tales worked great, but the best and most on the edge of your seat heart pounding one was Spindel. It had that coming of age vibe and the ending just knocks it right out of the park.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this anthology of short stories as an ARC from NetGalley.

The anthology is made up of short stories, of different lengths and genres but all with a common theme - madness or losing the plot.

I would recommend this to certain readers, especially horror readers.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome short story collection! My favorite was Spindel but all the stories are fantastic. I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Mia Dalia, Brigid's Gate Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 3.5 / 5

Trigger Warnings
Grief, mental illness, obsession, self destruction, violence

What I Enjoyed
Mia Dalia has a real talent for atmosphere. She takes ordinary places and lets them breathe with quiet menace. I especially loved the way Smile So Red turned a house into something both familiar and threatening, and how Flamingos made a lawn decoration trigger such disturbing memories. The characters felt real to me even when the reality around them seemed to bend. That is what worked best for me—the way she finds strangeness in the everyday.

What Didn’t Work for Me
Some of the longer stories did not hold my attention as much as the shorter ones. They seemed to circle around an idea rather than drive it forward, and I wished for more intensity in those moments. It was not enough to lose me, but it did slow the experience a little.

The Vibe
This book is for readers who love psychological horror more than gore. It is quiet, eerie, and sometimes uncomfortably personal. If you like the creeping tension of Shirley Jackson or the slow burn unease of small town stories, this will speak to you.

Read this if you liked:
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann

Final Thoughts
Even though it was not perfect for me, I enjoyed this set of stories and would definitely be interested in reading more from Mia Dalia. It felt like stepping into a familiar place that hides something strange just under the surface, and I appreciate that kind of storytelling.

ARC Disclosure
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read it early. These thoughts are my honest opinion

[Danielle Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional prose, well-developed characters, and vivid, atmospheric, subtle-but-creepy supernatural horror. Here are my faves from this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ collection by Mia Dalia:

SMILE SO RED - Our middle-aged MC has lost his job and is having a very hard time finding a new one. Rather than tell his wife, he keeps up his daily routine; only instead of going to work, he spends his days walking in the woods. He finds and frequently visits an isolated, abandoned, graffitied house with a red smile painted above the front door. And then he, and his life, start changing. Be careful what you wish for. What a satisfying ending!

SPINDEL - Coming-of-age quiet horror. Twelve-year-old MC, Johnny, turns investigator to find proof to support his suspicion that one of the townsfolk is a killer. There's also a parallel storyline; the author nailed it depicting the inherent dread and liminality. And there's a twist!

THE TRUNK - I felt empathy for the MC, Bogdan, an immigrant from a war-torn country who becomes a naturalized US citizen. His traumatic past and how he copes figures prominently in this tale about Dan's discovery of an antique steam trunk and its contents.

[J.G. Faherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness, Mia Dalia takes readers on a wild ride through territories both charted and not. While each of these well-crafted tales is different from the others, they share a commonality in that they all take place in seemingly innocuous settings that have multiple layers, which Dalia expertly peels away to reveal the dark and dangerous things that hide in the shadows. My favorites in the collection were Blues for the Soul, The Devil’s Chord, Stump, and most definitely The Trunk, which will send a real shiver down the spine of anyone who’s ever lived in an apartment. This is definitely a collection you will want to place the very top of your ‘to be read’ pile. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful, creepy horror tales.

[Eric Guignard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of horror short fiction! I blurbed and still stand by this praise: “Mia Dalia is an immense talent of the horror short tale, and this collection proves it. Story after story is filled with evocative, heartfelt prose mixed with ghastly chills and growing shadows. A must-read for any fan of dark literature.”

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anton becomes obsessed with walking after finding a house in the woods he finds a new one. A song stuck in your head. What can it hurt? A trunk in a storage room holds something best left alone. These and other suspense filled creepy reads.