WICKED THINGS: a collection of Halloween Horror

by Amanda Ruzsa

“WICKED THINGS” is a haunting collection of Halloween horror that crawls beneath your skin and stays there. Each story peels back the pretty mask of October, revealing the rot, grief, and hunger that thrive beneath those jack-o’-lantern grins. From trick-or-treaters who never make it home, to candy that tastes a little off, a pumpkin patch that grows more than vines, and things unseen but felt. This collection explores Halloween in all its macabre beauty and decay.

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Amanda lives in Minnesota with her husband, three children, a dog and two cats. When she isn’t buried in a spooky book, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family— usually watching creepy movies or playing outrageous board games. In her free time, she enjoys collecting Halloween decor, writing macabre poetry, reorganizing her books and coming up with ways to surprise and amuse her friends and family. It has been a lifelong joke among her friends and family that Amanda is a member of the ‘grammar police.’ Writing and reading have always played a huge part in her life, stemming from growing up idolizing the talents of her Mother: a novelist, artist and journalist. Amanda began creating stories and crafting poems at a young age and never stopped. Now, reading and writing is still a huge part of her everyday life, and she feels blessed to be able to share her love of spooky stories with so many.

Reviews

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of horror tales in verse. Poetry is not my thing, but some of these poems were quite delightful to read aloud to friends and spook them lol!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for Halloween, here is a fantastic collection of Halloween horror delight... poetry style!
Sometimes, you just gotta take a break from the novels and novellas and give some poetry a try. If you haven't read any amazing Halloween poetry, you really need to grab this one.
This would definitely be perfect for those in-between trick or treaters Friday evening. All you need is about five or six minutes for each poem. Totally worth it!!
Also, if you have not read anything by Amanda Ruzsa, there is a whole slew of books to give a try. Go check out her books! Honestly, you'll find a new favorite author.

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're in the mood for some Halloween poetry, then this is the place for you! Amanda gives us a quick short read, poetry style about all the horrors of Halloween. A great piece to just read one at a time and let them simmer. As always, she knocks it out of the park in this fun collection.

[Sharon Marie Provost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not normally one to read much poetry. However, this wonderful dark collection of Halloween-themed poems is a delight, perfect for horror enthusiasts. It is just right to get you into the spooky mood for the season.

[S.E. Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in time for spooky season, Amanda Rusza brings us "Wicked Things: A Collection of Halloween Horror." The poems and prose in its pages conjure up nightmarish visions of trick-or-treating gone horrifically awry, and nostalgic moments of how much fun Halloween can be.

My favorites from the bunch: "Candy Corn," which gives a whole new (and gruesome) take on this much-maligned seasonal staple; "The Rot that Binds Us," in which a grieving couple happens upon a novel way to keep their child alive in their hearts, if not in the flesh; and the titular "Wicked Things," lending a twisted take on what lurks behind a jack o' lantern's grin.

Each selection is a brief but chilling read. Something I've never mentioned before about Ruzsa's work but really like, is the visual structure of her prose. The writing itself has a natural, lyrical rhythm and flow to it, but she typesets it on each page in verses and stanzas that guide your gaze along, pacing things perfectly. I've said it before but it bears repeating: Ruzsa's a gifted poet, and "Wicked Things" is a wonderful collection to get you in the mood for damp, chilly autumn days and the sinister dread found in dark autumn nights.