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Of Beasts & Bones
Creatures. Grotesqueries. Aliens. Cryptids. Ghosts. These are just a few of the anomalies we’ve unearthed.
Join us as we pursue monstrosities, unwittingly stumble upon unspeakable horrors, and bring terrifying abominations to life. They’re all waiting for you—the monsters from your nightmares, the noises you ignored as a child, the shadows hiding atrocities you can’t fathom. They’re all there—creeping in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.
Allow us to lure you in. Let us captivate and tantalize you with the unknown. But beware, you might not be ready for what you find. Or what finds you.
Join us as we pursue monstrosities, unwittingly stumble upon unspeakable horrors, and bring terrifying abominations to life. They’re all waiting for you—the monsters from your nightmares, the noises you ignored as a child, the shadows hiding atrocities you can’t fathom. They’re all there—creeping in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.
Allow us to lure you in. Let us captivate and tantalize you with the unknown. But beware, you might not be ready for what you find. Or what finds you.
- GenresHorrorAnthologies
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Robin Knabel
17 books51 followersRobin Knabel is the owner of Inky Bones Press and a horror author who covers her eyes during scary movies. She’s a member of the Chicago HWA chapter, and her stories can be found in numerous anthologies and online magazines. She enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee & taking photographs. You can usually find her reading on her couch while being weighed down by a cat (or two).
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Each of these stories describes a new unimagined horror! If you think you have read every creature horror story, think again. All of these authors are ridiculously talented, and I was blown away by each one. I think my favorite story was Courting the Cadaver by Jessica Gleason. I think I particularly enjoyed that one because I have been obsessed with mummies since I was a young child, maybe just not to the same extent as the main character..Overall, this collection is perfect for all horror fans who want to experience unique thrills!
May 2, 2026
A very hefty anthology so you'll get your money's worth if you're hoping for a lot of shorts in this volume. Great mix of authors and stories.
May 11, 2026
Ok, so, I'm no stranger to Robin's works and having read six other collections over the years, I was excited to see this new anthology.
Despite recognising the name, I'm pretty sure that I'd have picked this book up anyway, given the title and the absolutely glorious front cover image!
A little much for some? Maybe - but I've been slowing creeping back to my first love of horror and couldn't wait to add this to my tbr.
This is a wonderful collection of 43 short stories, by different authors, ranging in length and content but with the common theme of beasts and bones running through each and every one.
Now, as you'll imagine, this theme has so much scope and as such, we see such a diverse set of stories, settings and characters throughout the book.
Being short stories meant that I took my time with this one and read a couple of stories as and when I could, but over a longer period, which fitted in-between other reads and it was so easy to pick up and put down, without losing momentum along the way.
This also meant I could read them through breakfast and lunch times and not leave myself creeped out at bedtime!
I absolutely loved all of the stories for different reasons and couldn't pick a favourite - but they all gave me a different feeling whilst reading.
Some intrigued me, some had me cringing. Most of them had me on edge and felt so atmospheric at times that I raced through not even blinking - especially those that were so vivid they felt like a film playing out in front of me.
I absolutely love the work Robin does to select these collections and that this gives me the opportunity to discover lots of new authors who I probably wouldn't come across naturally.
The writing styles differ lots, but I really enjoyed every single one and would definitely read more from them all.
This was exactly what I needed right now - mixed in there with my fun and flirty summer romances - a nice bit of heart-pounding horror.
I can't wait to see Robin's next collection.
Despite recognising the name, I'm pretty sure that I'd have picked this book up anyway, given the title and the absolutely glorious front cover image!
A little much for some? Maybe - but I've been slowing creeping back to my first love of horror and couldn't wait to add this to my tbr.
This is a wonderful collection of 43 short stories, by different authors, ranging in length and content but with the common theme of beasts and bones running through each and every one.
Now, as you'll imagine, this theme has so much scope and as such, we see such a diverse set of stories, settings and characters throughout the book.
Being short stories meant that I took my time with this one and read a couple of stories as and when I could, but over a longer period, which fitted in-between other reads and it was so easy to pick up and put down, without losing momentum along the way.
This also meant I could read them through breakfast and lunch times and not leave myself creeped out at bedtime!
I absolutely loved all of the stories for different reasons and couldn't pick a favourite - but they all gave me a different feeling whilst reading.
Some intrigued me, some had me cringing. Most of them had me on edge and felt so atmospheric at times that I raced through not even blinking - especially those that were so vivid they felt like a film playing out in front of me.
I absolutely love the work Robin does to select these collections and that this gives me the opportunity to discover lots of new authors who I probably wouldn't come across naturally.
The writing styles differ lots, but I really enjoyed every single one and would definitely read more from them all.
This was exactly what I needed right now - mixed in there with my fun and flirty summer romances - a nice bit of heart-pounding horror.
I can't wait to see Robin's next collection.
May 3, 2026
This is an incredible collection of short stories, I couldn’t put it down, each one was featured a horror everything you could think of that would terrify you was here.
I know I will be reading these again the writing was top notch the authors of each one did an exceptional job of building suspense mystery and fear in only a few pages, such creativity in each tale.
I will be shouting about this to anyone who will listen.
Plus that cover! 😳 incredible 🖤
I know I will be reading these again the writing was top notch the authors of each one did an exceptional job of building suspense mystery and fear in only a few pages, such creativity in each tale.
I will be shouting about this to anyone who will listen.
Plus that cover! 😳 incredible 🖤
May 4, 2026
"𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚞𝚐𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚕𝚕."
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚢𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝙹. 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚑
I have never read a more gripping foreword than the one Deborah Sheldon wrote for 𝐎𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 & 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬. It absolutely mesmerized me and made me even more intrigued to dive into these creature horror tales. The monsters whispered my name among the trees and I can still hear their voices. Hear their voices so I can tell about this fascinating journey I went through while stepping into these short stories.
I highly recommend this anthology to all horror readers! ♡
𝙼𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.
🦴 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🦴
As someone who always been in love with Egyptian history, pyramids, pharaohs and mummies. I absolutely loved this beautifully haunting love story. The writing style was flawless and I would love to have a full length novel of this short story. Ohh and how much I loved The Mummy reference and I agree, Imhotep was always my favorite too! 🥹
"1999 Brendan Fraser classic, The Mummy. She'd always hated the squealing over Fraser's classically handsome looks. Imhotep, shambling around with his desiccated flesh, was the real prize."
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫
Wow, this was such a chilling story. I absolutely loved every second of it and I would love to read a full length novel of this story. I want to learn more about the Whistler, Peter and about Carson's childhood. This short story played out in my head like a movie. 😍
🍵 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐲𝐮 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 🍵
This was the most mesmerizing story I have ever read. Callum's writing style was flawless and I want to find out more about this tale. How I wish this would be only the beginning to a novel or even movie!
🌙 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐨𝐨? 𝐛𝐲 𝐉.𝐃. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 🌙
I need more of this brilliant tale! It was so eerie and atmospheric, I absolutely loved the writing style.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚢𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝙹. 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚑
I have never read a more gripping foreword than the one Deborah Sheldon wrote for 𝐎𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 & 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬. It absolutely mesmerized me and made me even more intrigued to dive into these creature horror tales. The monsters whispered my name among the trees and I can still hear their voices. Hear their voices so I can tell about this fascinating journey I went through while stepping into these short stories.
I highly recommend this anthology to all horror readers! ♡
𝙼𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.
🦴 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🦴
As someone who always been in love with Egyptian history, pyramids, pharaohs and mummies. I absolutely loved this beautifully haunting love story. The writing style was flawless and I would love to have a full length novel of this short story. Ohh and how much I loved The Mummy reference and I agree, Imhotep was always my favorite too! 🥹
"1999 Brendan Fraser classic, The Mummy. She'd always hated the squealing over Fraser's classically handsome looks. Imhotep, shambling around with his desiccated flesh, was the real prize."
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫
Wow, this was such a chilling story. I absolutely loved every second of it and I would love to read a full length novel of this story. I want to learn more about the Whistler, Peter and about Carson's childhood. This short story played out in my head like a movie. 😍
🍵 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐲𝐮 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 🍵
This was the most mesmerizing story I have ever read. Callum's writing style was flawless and I want to find out more about this tale. How I wish this would be only the beginning to a novel or even movie!
🌙 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐨𝐨? 𝐛𝐲 𝐉.𝐃. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 🌙
I need more of this brilliant tale! It was so eerie and atmospheric, I absolutely loved the writing style.
April 26, 2026
Fair warning that I have a story herein, but I will shamelessly gush about this collection because I’m proud to be included in the insane talent and the horrific fun to be had in Of Beasts & Bones.
When you hear the word “monster,” what pops in your head? Claws and fangs? Fur matted with blood? Scales, carapaces, tentacles, or uncomfortably human abominations? Things that lurk in the deep ocean, shudder in the closet, stalk forests and fables, scavenge in space, resurrect from the earth and from the dead, hungry for blood and bones?
You’ll find all that and more than you could possibly imagine in the pages of this anthology. Just as varied as the idea of a monster can be, such is the limitless menagerie of terrific creatures you’ll find in this collection. Even as a contributor, I was blown away by the creativity and talent I found myself among. Monsters I never would have thought of, monsters I’d never been wary of before, cryptids I’d never been introduced to, and fresh approaches to the tried and true made this such a fun read.
Robin Knabel has done an extraordinary job compiling a monstrous array, weaving together a cohesive and flowing collection that keeps readers on their toes. Pulling from the subgenres of sci-fi, folklore, global cryptids, cosmic, some classics with new twists, and some new creations beyond and in between, there’s a monster for anyone no matter their taste, tolerance, or fear. There’s also wide range of styles and moods, including dark comedy, quiet dread, gory, weird, epistolary, emotionally wrenching, and all-out action drenched in sweat and screams.
Read if you dare, or rather, put this book down if you dare. Because the monsters are closer than you think, and you’ll wish you had prepared. You can’t say we didn’t warn you.
When you hear the word “monster,” what pops in your head? Claws and fangs? Fur matted with blood? Scales, carapaces, tentacles, or uncomfortably human abominations? Things that lurk in the deep ocean, shudder in the closet, stalk forests and fables, scavenge in space, resurrect from the earth and from the dead, hungry for blood and bones?
You’ll find all that and more than you could possibly imagine in the pages of this anthology. Just as varied as the idea of a monster can be, such is the limitless menagerie of terrific creatures you’ll find in this collection. Even as a contributor, I was blown away by the creativity and talent I found myself among. Monsters I never would have thought of, monsters I’d never been wary of before, cryptids I’d never been introduced to, and fresh approaches to the tried and true made this such a fun read.
Robin Knabel has done an extraordinary job compiling a monstrous array, weaving together a cohesive and flowing collection that keeps readers on their toes. Pulling from the subgenres of sci-fi, folklore, global cryptids, cosmic, some classics with new twists, and some new creations beyond and in between, there’s a monster for anyone no matter their taste, tolerance, or fear. There’s also wide range of styles and moods, including dark comedy, quiet dread, gory, weird, epistolary, emotionally wrenching, and all-out action drenched in sweat and screams.
Read if you dare, or rather, put this book down if you dare. Because the monsters are closer than you think, and you’ll wish you had prepared. You can’t say we didn’t warn you.
May 7, 2026
Of Beasts and Bones, edited by Robin Knabel, is more or less what it says on the tin: every story has at least one beast of some size and degree of visibility, from our planet or beyond, and bones also feature a fair bit.
With a whopping 43 stories, this is probably an anthology to dip in and out of as the mood takes you, and the pieces and themes that stood out to me might not even overlap with those of another reader!
Some of the stories have such an element of surprise, I wanted to applaud their authors. In Snug, by J. L. Royce, alien organisms picked up by a spacecraft unexpectedly find optimal conditions to interact with a pair of oblivious astronauts; in Local Guide, by Clint Collins, the shallow-seeming receptionist at a hotel hosting a cryptid festival reveals hidden depths; and in A Little Outside the Norm, by Daniel Fox, an unusual find affects an Edwardian palaeontologist in strange ways, with a brilliantly telling closing line.
Without giving too much away, these selections also relate to another of my standout themes: transformation. Other examples that particularly stayed with me were Hutam’s Lament, by Camellia Paul, and I Am Not Alone, by Alex Goldberg. The latter especially chilled me, as a sentient magnetic field takes over people’s minds – I’m a sucker for spooky stories involving mysterious transmissions!
On the flipside, I was captivated by a couple of stories where, rather than being changed themselves, characters find themselves transported to different – and dangerous – settings. This is exemplified by The Collector, by Corinne Pollard, and Swept Downstream, by David Jón Fuller.
In Fuller’s story, the unsuspecting protagonist encounters ants of abnormal size and intelligence, bringing me to my final standout theme: rogue bugs. Colony, by Sarah Chamberlain, also features ants, but these ones arrive from space, learn to (or already can) mimic spiders and wasps – and are hungry.
Meanwhile, another of my favourite stories from this collection, You Were Never Here, by Rachel Delaney Craft, stars bristle worms who have gorged themselves to outlandish sizes, and aren’t about to turn down extra helpings. While the nuclear accident that sets up this story isn’t directly responsible for the worms’ growth, it nonetheless tapped into a current interest of mine!
Of Beasts and Bones is a kaleidoscopic horror collection that’s full of surprises.
*I received a free copy of this book from ZooLoo's Book Tours in return for an honest review.*
With a whopping 43 stories, this is probably an anthology to dip in and out of as the mood takes you, and the pieces and themes that stood out to me might not even overlap with those of another reader!
Some of the stories have such an element of surprise, I wanted to applaud their authors. In Snug, by J. L. Royce, alien organisms picked up by a spacecraft unexpectedly find optimal conditions to interact with a pair of oblivious astronauts; in Local Guide, by Clint Collins, the shallow-seeming receptionist at a hotel hosting a cryptid festival reveals hidden depths; and in A Little Outside the Norm, by Daniel Fox, an unusual find affects an Edwardian palaeontologist in strange ways, with a brilliantly telling closing line.
Without giving too much away, these selections also relate to another of my standout themes: transformation. Other examples that particularly stayed with me were Hutam’s Lament, by Camellia Paul, and I Am Not Alone, by Alex Goldberg. The latter especially chilled me, as a sentient magnetic field takes over people’s minds – I’m a sucker for spooky stories involving mysterious transmissions!
On the flipside, I was captivated by a couple of stories where, rather than being changed themselves, characters find themselves transported to different – and dangerous – settings. This is exemplified by The Collector, by Corinne Pollard, and Swept Downstream, by David Jón Fuller.
In Fuller’s story, the unsuspecting protagonist encounters ants of abnormal size and intelligence, bringing me to my final standout theme: rogue bugs. Colony, by Sarah Chamberlain, also features ants, but these ones arrive from space, learn to (or already can) mimic spiders and wasps – and are hungry.
Meanwhile, another of my favourite stories from this collection, You Were Never Here, by Rachel Delaney Craft, stars bristle worms who have gorged themselves to outlandish sizes, and aren’t about to turn down extra helpings. While the nuclear accident that sets up this story isn’t directly responsible for the worms’ growth, it nonetheless tapped into a current interest of mine!
Of Beasts and Bones is a kaleidoscopic horror collection that’s full of surprises.
*I received a free copy of this book from ZooLoo's Book Tours in return for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The moment I finished the superb story opening the volume, Tim W. Burke's "Whale Song," I knew there were gonna be plenty of amazing stories in this huge cryptid anthology! And I was not at all disappointed: of the 43(!) tales, more than half were right up my alley: cool ideas, compelling characters, unique and clever takes on the oversaturated cryptid scenario - and the variety! Creatures in the woods, closet monsters, mutant cats, vampiric children, kaiju, exotic goddesses, lots of maritime horror, ancient bugs and giant centipedes, worms and even more worms! I had lots of fun with creatures I'd never heard of before, from aboriginal legendary beings to creatures of European lore, unfrozen fossils and ancient pests - and things go horrifically pear-shaped quickly in these stories, so I was always entertained by some horrific twist or a darkly humorous story turn (check the ending of the last story, for example). The writing style also varies: there's the standard short story but also epistolary horror, podcast transcripts, and so on. Robin Knabel, the editor, nailed it once again!
It's obviously not possible to mention all the stories I liked, so I'll just say a few words about four I had the most fun with. First and foremost, the Burke story I mentioned, a kaiju tale with fantastic imagery and a brilliant (and appropriately bleak) ending. Secondly, Jen Mierisch's "Food Baby," vacation horror comedy, was the funniest story in the book. Third, "A Classic Case" by Alex Tucker, almost a sequel to (a version of) Lindqvist's "Let the Right One In," kept me on my toes from start to finish. Finally, J.D. Sanderson's "Are You Lost, Too?", a deceptively undemanding story about a girl who's just moved and feels lonely, really gave me the chills and then warmed my heart with its ambiguous ending.
Overall, most stories were hits for me: detailed enough to creep me out, short and sweet to hit the right notes very quickly - but to be honest, I'd consider them all worth a read. Recommend!
It's obviously not possible to mention all the stories I liked, so I'll just say a few words about four I had the most fun with. First and foremost, the Burke story I mentioned, a kaiju tale with fantastic imagery and a brilliant (and appropriately bleak) ending. Secondly, Jen Mierisch's "Food Baby," vacation horror comedy, was the funniest story in the book. Third, "A Classic Case" by Alex Tucker, almost a sequel to (a version of) Lindqvist's "Let the Right One In," kept me on my toes from start to finish. Finally, J.D. Sanderson's "Are You Lost, Too?", a deceptively undemanding story about a girl who's just moved and feels lonely, really gave me the chills and then warmed my heart with its ambiguous ending.
Overall, most stories were hits for me: detailed enough to creep me out, short and sweet to hit the right notes very quickly - but to be honest, I'd consider them all worth a read. Recommend!
May 8, 2026
Here is my review for Of Beasts And Bones by Robin Knabel
I absolutely loved this anthology of horror short stories by these brilliant authors which have all been brought together into this book by the superb Robin Knabel, a terrific horror writer herself. Each story was excellently written, very detailed with superb descriptive writing and totally different to the one before it. I love horror and these are some of the best short stories I have read in that category. Plus, the book cover for this book is totally brilliant and I love the design of it. The cover alone would pull me to look at the book.
Blurb :
Creatures. Grotesqueries. Aliens. Cryptids. Ghosts. These are just a few of the anomalies we’ve unearthed.
Join us as we pursue monstrosities, unwittingly stumble upon unspeakable horrors, and bring terrifying abominations to life. They’re all waiting for you—the monsters from your nightmares, the noises you ignored as a child, the shadows hiding atrocities you can’t fathom. They’re all there—creeping in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.
Allow us to lure you in. Let us captivate and tantalize you with the unknown. But beware, you might not be ready for what you find. Or what finds you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Foreword by Deborah Sheldon
Contributing Authors:
Charles Barouch, Jesse Bethea, S.R. Bevilacqua, Rachel Bregnard, Thomas William Brewer, Tim W. Burke, Morgan Chalfant, Sarah Chamberlain, Clint Collins, Rachel Delaney Craft, Craig Crawford, Megan Diedericks, Corey Farrenkopf, Alyson Faye, Harrison Foreman, Daniel Fox, David Jón Fuller, Jessica Gleason, Alex Goldberg, Callum Haire, Kay Hanifen, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Brad Kelechava, Robin Knabel, Leonardo Lamanna, Nicholas Manzolillo, Jen Mierisch, Daniel Mowery, Cindy O'Quinn, Camellia Paul, Kevin Eric Paul, Michael Picco, Corinne Pollard, J. L. Royce, Jeremy Russell, J.D. Sanderson, Paul Sheldon, Kathy Sherwood, Marc Sorondo, Jake Stein, Karamia Subocz, Alex Tucker, Tyler J. Welch, Pauline Yates
I absolutely loved this anthology of horror short stories by these brilliant authors which have all been brought together into this book by the superb Robin Knabel, a terrific horror writer herself. Each story was excellently written, very detailed with superb descriptive writing and totally different to the one before it. I love horror and these are some of the best short stories I have read in that category. Plus, the book cover for this book is totally brilliant and I love the design of it. The cover alone would pull me to look at the book.
Blurb :
Creatures. Grotesqueries. Aliens. Cryptids. Ghosts. These are just a few of the anomalies we’ve unearthed.
Join us as we pursue monstrosities, unwittingly stumble upon unspeakable horrors, and bring terrifying abominations to life. They’re all waiting for you—the monsters from your nightmares, the noises you ignored as a child, the shadows hiding atrocities you can’t fathom. They’re all there—creeping in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.
Allow us to lure you in. Let us captivate and tantalize you with the unknown. But beware, you might not be ready for what you find. Or what finds you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Foreword by Deborah Sheldon
Contributing Authors:
Charles Barouch, Jesse Bethea, S.R. Bevilacqua, Rachel Bregnard, Thomas William Brewer, Tim W. Burke, Morgan Chalfant, Sarah Chamberlain, Clint Collins, Rachel Delaney Craft, Craig Crawford, Megan Diedericks, Corey Farrenkopf, Alyson Faye, Harrison Foreman, Daniel Fox, David Jón Fuller, Jessica Gleason, Alex Goldberg, Callum Haire, Kay Hanifen, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Brad Kelechava, Robin Knabel, Leonardo Lamanna, Nicholas Manzolillo, Jen Mierisch, Daniel Mowery, Cindy O'Quinn, Camellia Paul, Kevin Eric Paul, Michael Picco, Corinne Pollard, J. L. Royce, Jeremy Russell, J.D. Sanderson, Paul Sheldon, Kathy Sherwood, Marc Sorondo, Jake Stein, Karamia Subocz, Alex Tucker, Tyler J. Welch, Pauline Yates
May 6, 2026
🦴 A cabinet of nightmares, beautifully unhinged 🦴
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Some things don’t chase you. They wait for you to realise you were never alone.”
This horror anthology delivers exactly what it promises—teeth, shadow, and scares . Rather than merely flirting with fear, it sinks its claws in and holds on tight.
Collections can be uneven beasts, but this one feels curated with a wicked kind of care. The standouts for me hit hard and refuse to let go: Whale Song is haunting in a way that echoes long after the final line; You Were Never Here slips under the skin with quiet devastation; and The Ice Creature Vs Final Girl, Certificate 15 is sharp, clever, and viciously self-aware. The Whistler of the Woods and The Glade lean into that primal, folkloric dread, while The Warmth and The Bear of Bad News deliver horror that feels uncomfortably close to home. And Local Guide is unsettling in that mundane, modern way that makes you double-check your surroundings. The Serpent’s Lair by editor Robin Knabel coils neatly—but deadly—at the end. Fittingly sinister, it's a final whisper in the dark.
This is a collection that understands horror isn’t just about monsters—it’s about the bleak spaces they inhabit, the stretched silence before they strike, and the human hearts that beat a little too fast in the dark.
Verdict: A feral, flickering anthology that claws at your nerves and doesn’t apologise for the damage. Don’t read this with the light off—unless you want something to crawl out of the dark and find you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Some things don’t chase you. They wait for you to realise you were never alone.”
This horror anthology delivers exactly what it promises—teeth, shadow, and scares . Rather than merely flirting with fear, it sinks its claws in and holds on tight.
Collections can be uneven beasts, but this one feels curated with a wicked kind of care. The standouts for me hit hard and refuse to let go: Whale Song is haunting in a way that echoes long after the final line; You Were Never Here slips under the skin with quiet devastation; and The Ice Creature Vs Final Girl, Certificate 15 is sharp, clever, and viciously self-aware. The Whistler of the Woods and The Glade lean into that primal, folkloric dread, while The Warmth and The Bear of Bad News deliver horror that feels uncomfortably close to home. And Local Guide is unsettling in that mundane, modern way that makes you double-check your surroundings. The Serpent’s Lair by editor Robin Knabel coils neatly—but deadly—at the end. Fittingly sinister, it's a final whisper in the dark.
This is a collection that understands horror isn’t just about monsters—it’s about the bleak spaces they inhabit, the stretched silence before they strike, and the human hearts that beat a little too fast in the dark.
Verdict: A feral, flickering anthology that claws at your nerves and doesn’t apologise for the damage. Don’t read this with the light off—unless you want something to crawl out of the dark and find you!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This anthology completely pulled me in and refused to let go.
Of Beast & Bones is one of those rare collections where almost every story delivers. The horror feels sharp, intimate, and deeply unsettling in a way that sticks with you long after you finish a piece. The imagery is vivid and raw, creating an overall atmosphere that I loved.
The collection has a real emotional depth baked in as well. Themes of grief, loneliness, desperation, and loss give the horror a foundation that makes it land much harder. These stories all carry a type of weight that manages to give a lot of stake to each piece, which is impressive given the length of each story.
Anthologies often have a few standout pieces surrounded by weaker entries. That was not my experience here. The quality stays remarkably consistent, and even the quieter stories contribute to the oppressive mood and thematic cohesion. The book feels carefully curated and delivers fresh ideas while maintaining a mood throughout.
If you enjoy horror that is visceral, and emotionally grounded, this collection is an easy recommendation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Of Beast & Bones is one of those rare collections where almost every story delivers. The horror feels sharp, intimate, and deeply unsettling in a way that sticks with you long after you finish a piece. The imagery is vivid and raw, creating an overall atmosphere that I loved.
The collection has a real emotional depth baked in as well. Themes of grief, loneliness, desperation, and loss give the horror a foundation that makes it land much harder. These stories all carry a type of weight that manages to give a lot of stake to each piece, which is impressive given the length of each story.
Anthologies often have a few standout pieces surrounded by weaker entries. That was not my experience here. The quality stays remarkably consistent, and even the quieter stories contribute to the oppressive mood and thematic cohesion. The book feels carefully curated and delivers fresh ideas while maintaining a mood throughout.
If you enjoy horror that is visceral, and emotionally grounded, this collection is an easy recommendation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was thrilled to receive a copy of this book ahead of release to give an honest opinion about it. What struck me as I waded into the maelstrom of monsters was the sheer variety and imagination the authors here conjured. There were comedic stories, stories with twists and turns, tripping you up at the end, still others which went for dread inducing terror, and a few which were so gross I had to take a minute after finishing before diving into the next tale.
The editor did a great job here of creating a playlist which ebbed and flowed between those more intense stories and those which were a little lighter in mood. This helped me to have the courage to press on to the next story, and also meant there were so many surprising and innovative ways of presenting a creature, which popped up when I least expected them.
Oh, and I should have heeded Deborah Sheldon's warning about the worms in the introduction. Some of those ones were deeply disturbing.
Overall, a great collection of monstrous tales. There's something here for every kind of horror lover.
The editor did a great job here of creating a playlist which ebbed and flowed between those more intense stories and those which were a little lighter in mood. This helped me to have the courage to press on to the next story, and also meant there were so many surprising and innovative ways of presenting a creature, which popped up when I least expected them.
Oh, and I should have heeded Deborah Sheldon's warning about the worms in the introduction. Some of those ones were deeply disturbing.
Overall, a great collection of monstrous tales. There's something here for every kind of horror lover.
May 5, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
This is an anthology of short horror stories, and generally a type of book that I find myself drawn to. There are some really interesting stories here. As someone who has always been interested in Ancient Egypt, one of the stories that stood out to me was “Courting The Cadaver”. There was something about “Waygu Beef” that unsettled me; I think that had something to do with the narrator. I also found “Are You Lost Too?” quite a chilling story; there was something about the question itself and the author's use of repetition.
Some of these stories were gruesome, some were chilling, and some had a sci-fi or dystopian vibe. The good thing about a book like this is that you can read one story or several, depending on how you feel, and you don't have to commit to one long read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours and to the author for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is an anthology of short horror stories, and generally a type of book that I find myself drawn to. There are some really interesting stories here. As someone who has always been interested in Ancient Egypt, one of the stories that stood out to me was “Courting The Cadaver”. There was something about “Waygu Beef” that unsettled me; I think that had something to do with the narrator. I also found “Are You Lost Too?” quite a chilling story; there was something about the question itself and the author's use of repetition.
Some of these stories were gruesome, some were chilling, and some had a sci-fi or dystopian vibe. The good thing about a book like this is that you can read one story or several, depending on how you feel, and you don't have to commit to one long read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours and to the author for the opportunity to read and review this.
May 28, 2026
Delicious collection of horror shorts. The focus here is generally on creepy crawlies, cryptids, and other horrors that walk around and latch onto your skin. There's plenty of body horror to go around (one of my favourites) and quite a few are pleasantly gruesome and nasty. Many of the stories also have a good dash of psychological horror sprinkled in with troubled protagonists, family drama, and other nice flavouring.
A couple of the tales had similar beasties to the others, but overall it's quite the variety pack of tales. There's also a few quieter moments, and I don't want to call them lulls, but since I was reading it in bite sized pieces (a couple stories a night) not every night was packed with as much punch as the others. Though, if you're the type to binge or just go through larger chunks you probably wouldn't even notice.
Overall, a good (and quite hefty) collection of monster stories. The world needs more of these.
A couple of the tales had similar beasties to the others, but overall it's quite the variety pack of tales. There's also a few quieter moments, and I don't want to call them lulls, but since I was reading it in bite sized pieces (a couple stories a night) not every night was packed with as much punch as the others. Though, if you're the type to binge or just go through larger chunks you probably wouldn't even notice.
Overall, a good (and quite hefty) collection of monster stories. The world needs more of these.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a monster lover’s dream, and a reminder that creature horror is far from exhausted. Across 43 stories, the book delivers relentless imagination: towering beasts, maritime nightmares, ancient legends, urban terrors, and things far stranger than anything lurking in familiar folklore. Such a great variety in terms of tone, too - sharp bursts of dread, a dollop of comedy, and some with real emotional clout. A handful of the stories shine, including the first story, Whale Song, also Courting the Cadaver and Food Baby. There were very few misses for me. On the whole, the collection feels bold, inventive, and mostly unpredictable. If you’re convinced you’ve seen every version of creature horror before, this book is here to prove you wrong. Recommended.
April 28, 2026
Horror is perfect for anthologies, and this one has been carefully curated. There’s something for everyone, but if you like cryptids, you have to read it. Lots of great stories to savor in small doses. Horrific, sad, terrifying, surprising. Some make you think, others stay with you... longer than they should, which, when it comes to horror, is a tremendous compliment. Monstrous monsters—and sometimes humans who are even more monstrous. Morally gray, poison black. A must-read.
I received an ARC copy from the editor, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC copy from the editor, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Monsters are everywhere. Some created. Some existing. Some coming from places unseen. They wait. From the quiet unsettling stories to the fights for survival, from searching for the unknown to wandering into its path, these stories offer tales of horror and dread to wonder and exploration. A book full of 43 stories, everyone is sure to find a few they love. And a few that will haunt them forever.
May 10, 2026
I’ve really loved the other Inky Bones anthologies but I have to say I think Of Beasts & Bones is my favourite to date. Why, you may ask? Well for starters I can’t really pick a favourite from the collection. If I had to, it would be The Bear of Bad News. But honestly it is so hard to pick since each story is fantastic in its own way. From plots, storytelling and writing it was impossible to find a miss for me. If you love creatures, beasts, cryptids and more you can’t go wrong here.
May 14, 2026
For anyone who loves the Dark and Gothic vibes then this is definitely the book for you! A real page turner. The cover grabbed me but the story was incredible. Excited to see what else this author comes up with. Definitely giving 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another fantastic anthology from Inky Bones Press!!!! So much variety in the stories. Something for everyone who enjoys horror. I love short stories, and I enjoyed taking this book around with me and reading it while waiting for appointments. A perfect way to pass the time and be entertained.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The foreword is a beautiful tribute and in contrast of the literacy journey I am about to embark on, ha. I especially love the tease into Robin’s mind that gives us insight into her writing.
Now we get to the book…I love the formatting, the short stories are perfect for quick readers and those that say, one more chapter. I can easily just keep going much to the dismay of my need for sleep. Each story is short yet powerful, able to quickly draw you in and then scare the hell out of you.
These stories are a compilation of what nightmares are made of, bringing childhood fears to life in HD. I love the sharp turns some of the stories take, leading you down a dark, twisty path.
The stories themselves ask you tough questions like how far would you go for a loved one? What does Karma look like to you?
Who can you trust?
Now we get to the book…I love the formatting, the short stories are perfect for quick readers and those that say, one more chapter. I can easily just keep going much to the dismay of my need for sleep. Each story is short yet powerful, able to quickly draw you in and then scare the hell out of you.
These stories are a compilation of what nightmares are made of, bringing childhood fears to life in HD. I love the sharp turns some of the stories take, leading you down a dark, twisty path.
The stories themselves ask you tough questions like how far would you go for a loved one? What does Karma look like to you?
Who can you trust?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a good mix of authors and types of horror, great for horror fans that enjoy shorts!
Review of advance copy
I do have a short story inside, but it's one amongst 43 (forty-three!!!) others, so I'd be remiss if I didn't gush about how amazing this book is just a little.
Of Beasts & Bones is absolutely fantastic! I can't tell how you many times I finished reading a story, only to realize I'd once again broken out in goosebumps.
"Horrifying" isn't the only word you can use to describe this book though, as there's a lot of heart and love in some of these stories!
This collection also has a wide range of characters—I think any reader will find at least a little part of themselves inside.
The creatures are just as all-encompassing, from Sci-Fi to Fantasy under the Horror-umbrella: you are very likely to find your next favorite cryptid inside!
Beautiful, scary, perfect!
Of Beasts & Bones is absolutely fantastic! I can't tell how you many times I finished reading a story, only to realize I'd once again broken out in goosebumps.
"Horrifying" isn't the only word you can use to describe this book though, as there's a lot of heart and love in some of these stories!
This collection also has a wide range of characters—I think any reader will find at least a little part of themselves inside.
The creatures are just as all-encompassing, from Sci-Fi to Fantasy under the Horror-umbrella: you are very likely to find your next favorite cryptid inside!
Beautiful, scary, perfect!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Of Beast and Bones, curated by Robin Knabel is the best work of art that Inky Bones Press as produced, and that's saying a lot because they have several great anthologies.
Spolier free, here are SOME of my favourites:
Courting The Cadaver by Jessica Gleason
Ancient Egypt meets suburbia.
Swept Downstream by David Jon Fuller
Lingustics, Africa and horror—was this written for me?
Colony by Sarah Chamberlain
I hate ants—like, seriously. This creeped me out like you wouldn't believe.
Then of course there's three other contributing authors that I know and love that deserve to be mentioned for their amazing contributions and overall greatness.
They are Robin Knabel herself, Megan Diedericks and Corinne Pollard. These writers know how to keep you on the edge of your seat and make you consider sleeping with a night-light again.
This is a must read for any horror fans, because it has something for everyone in the most natural way.
Spolier free, here are SOME of my favourites:
Courting The Cadaver by Jessica Gleason
Ancient Egypt meets suburbia.
Swept Downstream by David Jon Fuller
Lingustics, Africa and horror—was this written for me?
Colony by Sarah Chamberlain
I hate ants—like, seriously. This creeped me out like you wouldn't believe.
Then of course there's three other contributing authors that I know and love that deserve to be mentioned for their amazing contributions and overall greatness.
They are Robin Knabel herself, Megan Diedericks and Corinne Pollard. These writers know how to keep you on the edge of your seat and make you consider sleeping with a night-light again.
This is a must read for any horror fans, because it has something for everyone in the most natural way.
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