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, Short Stories, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published 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.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of horror short stories. There was only one story in here that was new to me - Time Out (4 stars, great story about karma) - but after reading that I also reread all of the others. There wasn't a single story in here that I didn't enjoy. Most of these are standalone stories, but there are also some Cainsville stories republished here (Nos Galan Gaeaf, The Screams of Dragons).

[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.

[Jade Tatreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the easiest 5 star review I’ve given in a LONG TIME ❤️
I’ve enjoyed Armstrong’s books since I was a teenager, her books captivated from the first page!!
This book was beyond any expectations that I had, a true work of heart that I hope she is SO proud of 😭💕
Each story was better than the last, yet every story was unique and attention grabbing.
I can’t wait to buy a physical copy!!

((Thank you so much to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy))

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I feel compelled to mention that I’m somewhat of a Kelley Armstrong fangirl. This is the 21st book of hers that I have read; she is a really good author and storyteller. As a big fan of her Rockton, Haven’s Rock, and Rip Through Time series, I’ve got to enjoy her ability to create some really great characters as well as her amazing storytelling skills. I’ve also read several of her fantasy/paranormal/supernatural stories and I love Armstrong’s penchant for weird and bizarre monsters; in whatever form she chooses to present them. So, a collection of 19 of her chosen “monster” stories sounded like an intriguing book.

As a character driven reader, I typically don’t read a lot of short stories because they often have little to no real character development and this was the case in most of the short stories. However, something that wasn’t lacking was exactly the reason why I chose to read the book; most of the stories were just so weird and bizarre. I LOVE weird and bizarre stories! Sitting here now and thinking about the ones I liked the best is kind of hard.

The character development for most of the stories was kind of thin, but as is the case for most short stories, the pacing for most of them was fast paced. The storylines were all weird and bizarre which gets high marks from me who loves that kind of stuff. The writing was classic Armstrong, especially the stories from her paranormal series Cainsville. I’m looking at an overall rating 3.9 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Subterranean Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #SubterraneanPress #WeAreAllMonstersHere

[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! 👻🌟

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Monsters Here
by Kelley Armstrong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for allowing me access to this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will preface this review by admitting that I am an absolute coward when it comes to horror. Three minutes into the first story — while sitting in my son’s room waiting for him to fall asleep — I was already scared and wishing it wasn’t winter and snowing outside. At least I don’t live somewhere remote.

I did my best to keep going, and I actually made it through the collection. Every single story managed to unsettle me in its own way. Armstrong wastes no time building atmosphere, and the tension hits fast and hard. I was definitely scared with each and every one of the stories, and as always, I didn’t predict a single ending. She’s brilliant at twists, dread, and that creeping sense of “oh no” that sticks with you.

Even though this collection gave me nightmares, I can still appreciate how well‑crafted it is. The variety of monsters — both supernatural and human — kept things interesting, and Armstrong’s writing is as sharp and immersive as ever. She knows how to make even the shortest story feel complete.

I’m giving it 4 stars, and honestly the only reason it’s not 5 is because of the nightmares. I will happily continue to read everything Kelley Armstrong writes… even if I have to do it with all the lights on.

[Stephanie Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not particularly a horror or a short story fan but I am a fan of Kelley Armstrong and so far, across all genres, she has not written anything I have been disappointed in so I was willing to try her collection of horror shorts. I will admit the very first story, Absinthe & Angels, almost had me changing my mind. It is incredibly creepy with a disquieting ending. Luckily the second story, A Haunted House of Her Own, changed my mind with its rather Twilight Zone form of justice. Two of the stories are set in Ms Armstrong’s Cainsville world, Nos Galan Gaeaf and The Scream of Dragons, which though they are set years apart have some overlapping characters and ones familiar from the series. Both hold the solutions those familiar with the series would expect but are just as, not creepy but satisfying to those who have not read any of the Cainsville series. Sprinkled through the others we have werewolves meting out justice, a sprinkling of ghosts, characters just trying to survive in a dystopian future, and a really, really creepy resurrection story in Suffer the Children along with several twists where the “monster” is not who we would suspect. All in all I really enjoyed, maybe that is not quite the right word, I really found myself drawn into each story and found myself by turns surprised at who the true villain was and feeling satisfied with each story’s conclusion.... except the first one, that one really creeped me out. Highly recommended

[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

[Amelia Suedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Subterranean press for a eARC of this book of short stories in exchange for my review.

This short story book was fun and surprising. This was my first time reading anything from this author and I was impressed! I love anything with a plot twist that can actually surprise me and many of these stories did. I feel like it is really difficult to write a plot twist that both makes sense and that you did not see coming. Even after finishing this book I think about the stories often and that is the hallmark of a great book.

Overall, I really enjoyed it, but there were a few stories that were duds for me. I am not much for apocalypse books and I found the ties to pandemics to be overdone as I feel like I personally am so incredibly over that topic and the narrative surrounding vaccines. Also, a couple of the stories I found confusing or I did not understand as they had to do with Gaelic traditions or cultures. However, I am sure that those stories appeal to others and that it would be impossible to have a book of short stories in which every short story was 100% the favorite.

[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.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received advance copy from Net Galley.

This collection of short stories was masterfully crafted, with incredibly engaging stories that left me in awe of the authors creativity. One of my favorites was Suffered the children. Absolutely heart wrenching and so so clever with its story and execution.

However, two stories did give me pause. Last Stand and New Chicago were both stories about how vaccines turned people into monsters. In times like these, that kind of rhetoric is very harmful and irresponsible. I hope that wasn’t the intention, subconscious or not, by the author. This is what keeps me from giving the book a full five stars.

Otherwise, I absolutely could not stop reading this anthology, which I typically have issue with when reading staccato short stories. However, these stories were written in a style I really gelled with and were so immersive. Also the kind of horror that shell shocks you into silence. Super well-done!

[Kcaroth1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally don’t read short stories, but this is a collection by Kelley Armstrong so of course I’m going to read it. As always, her writing is quick paced and highly engaging. I really enjoy the way that she does horror—scary but not terribly too gory, less jump scare and more slow dread. Still, there is plenty of action.
Admittedly I didn’t enjoy the pandemic related stories as much but that could be because I don’t really want to think about that time any more. I preferred the ones with more of a touch of paranormal like the ones that take place in Cainsville, and I particularly liked the first Christmas story.
There are a good variety of different types of stories from ghosts, shifters and other paranormal creatures, a take on zombies, dystopian, and more.
This is definitely recommended for Armstrong fans or those who love horror short stories.
Thank you to Net Galley and Subterranean Press for the eARC.

[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.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to start this book before bed. The first story was so creepy, I didn't pick the book up again for 2 days.
I consider that an amazing start.
Not all the stories are scary, not all are creepy, but every one is disturbing on some level. Armstrong is a genius when it comes to subtlety and letting a readers imagination fill in the blanks. She is one of my favorite authors, and I enjoy her books in more than one genre.
This is a book of short stories, a few of them had characters I recognized from some of her series, but most are just that, short stories about a variety of topics.
I wish this book was an October release, I will personally be rereading it in October to get me in the mood for spooky season.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I'm sharing my review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love short stories that contain suspense, give you a gothic feel, or just plain creep you out, this is this anthology for you!

Kelley Armstrong always delivers on the chills and thrills, but some of these stories were downright terrifying. Don’t get attached to the characters, and don’t assume you know who the monsters are…
Because some of these stories will fool you, even if you are expecting a twist!

Very well done, as expected from this author. I think my favorite stories were the very last story titled as the book, and one near the beginning about a zombie apocalypse called Last Stand.

Needless to say, there are many disturbing events happening in this collection of short stories. Mostly gore, violence, and murder, but there are a couple of stories that also include forced intimate actions including rape (actions off page).

I want to thank NetGalley for the free ebook advance read.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nineteen short stories from Armstrong exploring the themes of monsters, plagues, horror and fantasy woven into a creepy glimpse of what humans can do to each other.

Why I started this book: Requested the ARC before realizing that this was a horror collection...

Why I finished it: Love Armstrong's Bitten series but I'm too chicken hearted to follow her gleefully as she explores the horror genre... I'm sure others will be thrilled with her stories as she has a creative twist to add to many tales. Lots of pandemic stories, as she reacted to and reimagined our circumstances from the past six years.

[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.

[books_or_bedtime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always loved scary stories and my husband and I have passed the enjoyment of horror on to our kids. Many nights’ story time included picking one or two short ghost stories from one of the many anthologies we own. Unfortunately, several of them have repeat stories, and we’ve been looking for more unique stories to add to the collection since reading these stories is still a family tradition - even though the kiddos are now “too cool for story time” teenagers. I can always count on a few minutes of family time for a scary story. This anthology of unique short stories is just the thing we need to add to our collection.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of my favorite authors, I will read anything Armstrong writes so the second I saw she had a collection of short stories coming out, I had to request it.
This is such a great collection! Ranging from horror to dystopian to the paranormal we have stories with vampires, zombies, ghosts and so much more. I enjoyed almost all of them but “A Haunted House of Her Own”, “Last Stand” and “We Are All Monsters Here” were a few of my favorites!

If you like short stories that are twisty, dark and eerie, you should definitely pick this up!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberley Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a broken record at this point- If Kelley Armstrong writes it, I’m reading it. That means a lot this time as I’m generally not a huge fan of short stories, and super scary ones to boot. I usually read at night but I had to switch to daytime reading to finish this book as it is NSFBR (not safe for bedtime reading) 🤣 👻
Each of these stories was uniquely scary in their own way. The twists and turns got me every time. I should know to just read the stories and not even bother trying to guess what’s going to happen!! I must say that I especially enjoyed returning to Cainsville!
*Thanks to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for the free copy

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy short stories, collections of short stories, short stories by Kelley Armstrong... this was great fun. I've read most of these stories before but not all in one place and that's the beauty of a collection - all the stories in ONE place! Thanks for letting me read them all together - the re-visited ones and the new-to-me ones !

From "Absinthe & Angels" I read in Hark! The Herald Angels Scream, to "Drunk Physics" which I hadn't read, all 19 were fun examples of Kelley's stories. Now if we could just convince her to collect "Death Dealer"...

[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

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelley Armstrong has such a fantastic ability to tell a twisty and surprising story - and even when I know up front that this is what to expect, I am still always surprised at the outcome! This was a very very dark collection a very very creepy stories. It was definitely not one to read at night, but her cleverness with language and ability to cut to the chase were definitely on exhibit in this collection!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kelley and will read anything she writes. A collection of all the short stories she has written in one spot is incredible. I had a great time, some were just okay, a lot of them were incredible. I LOVED the cainsville ones especially. Being back in that world was so good. The story it opened with was spooky as all heck and really set the tone going forward. I loved it! So grateful to have gotten this arc!

[Alyssa Ramroop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every story brings their own eerie and unique vibe to this collection, and it is helping me with my own project. A few fave stories from here include “A Haunted House of Her Own” (nice allusion to Virginia Woolf), “The Girl in the Carnival Gown”, “Invitation to the Game”, and “Shadow Sight”. In their own pace, it doesn’t feel like the story is being rushed or too much information is being thrown in the reader’s face. Sometimes a story doesn’t need to answer every question it presents.

[JJ Cornette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful compilation of horror short stories! There was just the perfect amount of chills, twists and gasps. I had read a couple of them before, as some of these have been published in various anthologies before. I loved that two Cainsville short stories made the list, as that is one of my favorite series of Kelley. If you're looking for a little scare or a snackful of something to make you second guess yourself, this collection is perfect!