We Are All Monsters Here

by Kelley Armstrong

From cabins in the woods to post-apocalyptic cities, monsters lurk everywhere. Discover the sinister secret of a traveling carnival, spend a holiday with masked mummers, and visit a small town with unusual traditions and a penchant for gargoyles.

 

We Are All Monsters Here collects nineteen of Kelley Armstrong’s eeriest short stories published over the past two decades. Each tale features a cast of colorful—if at times unsettling—characters, including a physics student haunted by their past, an elderly author plotting a murder mystery, a young boy troubled by the screams of dragons, a reluctant preacher challenged by a stranger who can resurrect the dead, and survivors of the apocalypse searching for a safe place to call home.

 

Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, and other classic creatures are portrayed in refreshingly unique ways. A master of paranormal mystery, Armstrong subverts reader expectations with clever twists and turns; for while a monster is at the heart of every story, not all have claws or fangs or a thirst for blood—the most terrifying are the seemingly average people driven to monstrous acts.

Genres: Horror

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read short stories as a rule because if they are amazing, I get upset that they aren't a complete novel. Maybe even a series with forty books for me to read. So I just stay away from short stories unless they are part of a series I am already reading. However, I made an exception here, as everything Kelley Armstrong has written is amazing.

I think these would be perfect for anyone who loves the tv shows Supernatural, Dark Shadows, Doctor Who or The X Files. As for readers, this is definitely an amazing read for anyone who loves gothic or suspense. I would most definitely recommend this (but that's true of anything Kelley Armstrong writes).

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've mostly read Armstrong's less horror-centric works, so this was a particularly interesting read for me. But even had I not been familiar with her writing, I daresay this would have impressed me. A collection of stories of varying lengths, Armstrong has a flair for a twist ending and an unreliable narrator. While at times those twists can feel like they come out of nowhere, lessening the impact of the story, it's all too easy to forget that narrators are seldom as they appear. In a few cases, there's some question as to whether the narrator truly IS unreliable - perhaps it's the world around them that is playing tricks.

Figuring this out is one of the greatest draws of the book. If you enjoy horror or dark fantasy, it's more than worth picking this up.

[Julia Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Kelley Armstrong is an anthology of stories. You have some ghost stories, terrifying Christmas tales, stories featuring vampires, zombies, wewewolves and monsters of all kinds. There are some really great, unique stories in this collection and while they are short stories I was immediately drawn in and not wanting them to be over. Most of the stories are fast paced and keep you engaged and wondering what's going to happen next. There were quite a few stories that stood out as exceptional. One of them, "Last Stand," was about a group of survivors after a zombie outbreak; the tale twists and you realize the monster may not be who you first thought. These are my favorite types of stories, the ones that make you sit up and question what you thought you knew. Anytime a book can do that I know I'm in for a good read. I also very much enjoy anthologies and short stories, so this was right up my alley.
Some of the other stories I enjoyed were "The Girl in the Carnival Gown" this one featured werewolves in a carnival setting. It also had a kidnapping element and even though it's a monster story, you really have to search to see who the monster actually is. "Tarot in the Town Square," was an intriguing story about making your own fate and fortune. Overall I'm rating this book 4/5 stars, there wasn't a bad story in the bunch. Some I enjoyed more than others but they were all quite good.
I recieved this ARC from netgalley and all opinions are my own

[BookForAHeart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Kelley Armstrong’s short stories is seriously so spooky and enchanting at the same time. Each tale is like a little dark fairy tale—full of mysterious cabins in the woods, creepy carnival secrets, and towns with strange, bewitched traditions. 🏚️🎪✨

The characters are all so vibrant and interesting—there’s a physics student haunted by their past, an old author plotting murder, a kid troubled by dragons’ screams, and even a preacher who can resurrect the dead!📚 Each story twists your expectations and keeps you guessing, with clever surprises that make you go “Wow, I never saw that coming!” The monsters aren’t just your usual vampires or werewolves; Kelley Armstrong makes them so unique and intriguing, showing that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones hiding inside us.

The mood is perfectly eerie but also beautifully written, making it a perfect read for cozy nights when you want to be a little scared but totally captivated. 💀✨ Whether it’s a haunted carnival or a small town with gargoyles, every story feels like stepping into a new, chilling world—and I loved every minute of it! 💖📖

If you love paranormal tales with clever twists, creepy atmospheres, and characters that will stay with you long after you finish, this collection is a must! Kelley Armstrong truly knows how to turn monsters into something both terrifying and oddly relatable. Can’t wait to see what she writes next! 👻🌟

[B.E.Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I found Kelley Armstrong I can't seem to say no to any of her books so when I saw this one I wanted to give it a try even if it's not normally my genre. I don't mind books that are anthologies, it's not my normal pick but it's also something I am adverse to, if the books sounds good I'll read it.

This anthology is filled with all different kinds of short stories from Kelley Armstrong from ghost stories to paranormal stories of all kinds. With all books filled with short stories some you like more than other and that is the case for me with hit book just because some story types just aren't my type of read however some were also amazing. I think my favorite is actually the last story which is the title is named after. I think this is a f un read and a great way to get to see many different styles of Kelley Armstrongs book. I'm teetering between a 3 1/2 and a 4 just because some story genres in this book aren't my style but they weren't written bad. After reading this I am still very happy I got it and I'd still grab the next one I see from this author.

*Thank you Netgalley and Subterranean Press for this ARC

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start by saying short-story anthologies aren’t usually my thing, and if I’d realized this was one, I probably wouldn’t have requested it on NetGalley. That said, Kelley Armstrong hasn’t let me down yet. She has a talent for delivering characters and settings that feel fully formed even in a few pages, and several of these stories really pulled me in.

I especially loved revisiting familiar worlds—anything that takes me back to Cainsville is an automatic win—and I found myself surprised by how attached I got to some of the original pieces as well. A few stories left me wanting a bit more development (I tend to prefer novellas where there’s more room to breathe), but as a collection to dip into on a quiet afternoon, We Are All Monsters Here was a satisfying read. Overall, while anthologies still aren’t my favorite format, fans of Armstrong will find plenty to enjoy here. I’m glad I gave it a chance.

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want every one of these short stories to be a full length novel. Each one was engaging and had me wanting more. I sometimes find anthologies a little difficult to read because just as I am getting into the story they end. This was not the case with this collection. Each story had me hooked from the get go. Every single story had an interesting twist that I tried to figure out and I usually failed. The stories included all things supernatural from ghosts, to vampires, to zombies. There were several stories that focused on dystopian themes while others dealt with horror filled myths. These were dark stories but they were truly fascinating!

Thank you to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Bailey Lamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Thank you NetGalley & Subterranean Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review *

We Are All Monsters Here is a collection of short (and scary) stories by the illustrious Kelley Armstrong.

Admittedly, I don't love short stories, mostly because if I like the story, I always wish it was longer. In this case, I definitely wanted more, and found myself wishing several of the stories were full fledged novels. You'll find ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies and more in this collection, and isn't it terrifying that men are truly the scariest of them all?

I definitely recommend it to any fans of KA and/or short and scary stories. It may leave you wanting more, but you'll be happy nonetheless.

[HappyBookWorm2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 19 short stories in this excellent collection. There is something here for everyone: haunted houses (some with a twist), and other stories with themes that civilization as we know it is shattered by something that no one saw coming - something that governments had no defense against. In many of the stories, the monsters turn the people they attack into monsters also. I wanted to add that I grew up in an area where there were several haunted houses.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it. I received an e-arc from the publisher Subterranean Press via NetGalley and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Monsters Here is a solid, compelling installment in Kelley Armstrong's series. It delivers exactly what fans love: atmospheric tension, intriguing supernatural mysteries, and strong character development.

The pacing is swift and the plot is tightly constructed, keeping you guessing until the end. While the narrative occasionally feels a touch familiar compared to earlier books, it’s a genuinely gripping read that pushes the overall series arc forward effectively.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are All Monsters Here by Kelley Armstrong

This is a collection of twisty, maybe even shocking at times, shorts that all have a darker undertone. Fair warning, you cannot unread these. They are the perfect length for reading between other books when you want to mix things up a bit. Also, they do not have to be read in order. My favorite was going back to Cainsville. How I miss that series. Great collection.

#bookreview #2025 #horrorshorts #netgalley