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An Hour Before Dark
Strange things are afoot on the Eris Ridge Trail.
The barriers between worlds are breaking down.
People, planes, an entire military base—all have gone missing, transported to an ever-changing cosmic kaleidoscope where they’re hunted, haunted, recruited, and cursed, trapped in time and terrorized by forces they can’t comprehend.
A man afraid of flying boards a never-ending flight. An online paranormal show’s investigation takes a bloody detour. A woman on the run is recruited by a mysterious corporation with nefarious plans. An army guard fights for his life when the military opens a doorway they can’t close.
In An Hour Before Dark, Larry Hinkle returns to the Trail with ten interconnected tales that deepen the mystery while expanding the mythos.
Watch your step on the Trail. It will be dark soon.
The barriers between worlds are breaking down.
People, planes, an entire military base—all have gone missing, transported to an ever-changing cosmic kaleidoscope where they’re hunted, haunted, recruited, and cursed, trapped in time and terrorized by forces they can’t comprehend.
A man afraid of flying boards a never-ending flight. An online paranormal show’s investigation takes a bloody detour. A woman on the run is recruited by a mysterious corporation with nefarious plans. An army guard fights for his life when the military opens a doorway they can’t close.
In An Hour Before Dark, Larry Hinkle returns to the Trail with ten interconnected tales that deepen the mystery while expanding the mythos.
Watch your step on the Trail. It will be dark soon.
- GenresHorror
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
Larry Hinkle
34 books32 followersLarry Hinkle is still probably the least famous writer you’ve never heard of. A copywriter living with his wife and two doggos somewhere in America, when he's not writing stories that scare people into peeing their pants, he writes ads that scare people into buying adult diapers, so they’re not caught peeing their pants.
His newest collection, An Hour Before Dark, comes out in February, 2026. His cosmic horror novella, The Eris Ridge Trail, was released to great reviews in March 2025, while his debut collection, The Space Between, was published in February 2024. His short stories made the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards (horror’s highest honor) in 2020 and 2022. His stories have also appeared in The Rack: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks; The Rack II: More Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks; October Screams: A Halloween Anthology; and multiple times on The NoSleep Podcast, among others.
He's an active member of the HWA; a graduate of Fright Club and Crystal Lake’s Author’s Journey short story and novella programs; an HWA mentee; and a survivor of the Borderlands Writers Bootcamp.
Stop by and visit him at thatscarylarry.com or stalk him on the socials at @thatscarylarry.
His newest collection, An Hour Before Dark, comes out in February, 2026. His cosmic horror novella, The Eris Ridge Trail, was released to great reviews in March 2025, while his debut collection, The Space Between, was published in February 2024. His short stories made the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards (horror’s highest honor) in 2020 and 2022. His stories have also appeared in The Rack: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks; The Rack II: More Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks; October Screams: A Halloween Anthology; and multiple times on The NoSleep Podcast, among others.
He's an active member of the HWA; a graduate of Fright Club and Crystal Lake’s Author’s Journey short story and novella programs; an HWA mentee; and a survivor of the Borderlands Writers Bootcamp.
Stop by and visit him at thatscarylarry.com or stalk him on the socials at @thatscarylarry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 5, 2026
Well, I’ve got some thoughts on this one. Let’s address the elephant in the room first: the Copyright Page. Can’t say I’m a fan of what is written there, a disclaimer that pretty much shames artists using AI tools in their artistic process, labeling it as plagiarism and not real writing, gate keeping the whole expression of art. Not cool!
The reality is that nothing comes from nothing. Our brains are essentially trained on every myth, picture, book, movie, and media or information we’ve ever consumed. We like to think we’re 100% original, but we’re all pulling from a collective training set (spanning over centuries). This irony becomes even clearer as you read the collection; while the stories are creepy and good, you can definitely spot the DNA of other myths, TV shows, and video games.
Irony aside, if you’re looking for a book that will make your skin crawl, this hits the mark. These stories are masterclasses in claustrophobic horror and cosmic dread.
They do exactly what they’re supposed to do:
- Give you the chills
- Make you feel genuinely anxious
- Force you to question reality
Plus, if you're a fan of the Eris Ridge Trail universe, the tie-ins here are seamless. ’Guarding the Infinite’ and ’What the President Knew’ offer the most blatant and satisfying references for those keeping track of the lore.
The opening story, ’You Are Now Free To Move About’, is a fantastic hook, and ’Strange Moon Rising’ was a very close second for my favorite of the bunch. Additionally they all tie to the Eris Ridge Trail universe perfectly; more precise and blatant references are in the stories ’Guarding the Infinite’ and ‘What the President Knew’.
However, the clear winner for me was ‘The Woods, Dark and Deep’. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for anything involving deadly woods, a full moon, and bloody fangs. It felt like it was written specifically for my interests, and that ending was absolutely perfect.
Despite the gatekeeping in the intro, ’An hour before dark’ is a collection of stories that are objectively good. It’s a solid read for any horror fan, especially those who enjoy the unsettling feeling of being trapped in a scene that feels just a little bit familiar.
Many, many thanks to Larry Hinkle, RDS Publishing | Four Winds Bar Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
The reality is that nothing comes from nothing. Our brains are essentially trained on every myth, picture, book, movie, and media or information we’ve ever consumed. We like to think we’re 100% original, but we’re all pulling from a collective training set (spanning over centuries). This irony becomes even clearer as you read the collection; while the stories are creepy and good, you can definitely spot the DNA of other myths, TV shows, and video games.
Irony aside, if you’re looking for a book that will make your skin crawl, this hits the mark. These stories are masterclasses in claustrophobic horror and cosmic dread.
They do exactly what they’re supposed to do:
- Give you the chills
- Make you feel genuinely anxious
- Force you to question reality
Plus, if you're a fan of the Eris Ridge Trail universe, the tie-ins here are seamless. ’Guarding the Infinite’ and ’What the President Knew’ offer the most blatant and satisfying references for those keeping track of the lore.
The opening story, ’You Are Now Free To Move About’, is a fantastic hook, and ’Strange Moon Rising’ was a very close second for my favorite of the bunch. Additionally they all tie to the Eris Ridge Trail universe perfectly; more precise and blatant references are in the stories ’Guarding the Infinite’ and ‘What the President Knew’.
However, the clear winner for me was ‘The Woods, Dark and Deep’. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for anything involving deadly woods, a full moon, and bloody fangs. It felt like it was written specifically for my interests, and that ending was absolutely perfect.
Despite the gatekeeping in the intro, ’An hour before dark’ is a collection of stories that are objectively good. It’s a solid read for any horror fan, especially those who enjoy the unsettling feeling of being trapped in a scene that feels just a little bit familiar.
Many, many thanks to Larry Hinkle, RDS Publishing | Four Winds Bar Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
February 8, 2026
An Hour Before Dark is an unsettling return to The Eris Ridge Trail, a previously published book by Larry Hinkle. His horror feels disorienting and inevitable. Across ten interconnected stories, Hinkle dismantles any illusion of safety, showing how easily the familiar can fracture into something vast and unknowable. The collection thrives on it's deep sense of dread. Planes vanish mid-flight, investigations spiral into bloodshed, and entire institutions collapse under the weight of forces that are incomprehensible. Hinkle's characters are not heroes as much as they are witnesses. Just ordinary people thrown into extraordinary terror and struggling to understand rules that shift one moment to the next. Time bends, reality shifts, and survival comes at a terrible cost. What makes An Hour Before Dark especially effective is it's cohesion. Each story stands on its own, yet together they deepen the Eris Trail's mythology, layering menace and mystery until the landscape itself feels sentient. Hinkle balances the cosmic with human fear and anchors his kaleidoscopic horrors in anxiety, guilt, and desperation. Inventive and relentless, An Hour Before Dark invites readers to step onto the Trail, fully aware that once the light fades, there may be no way out. As a note, I have not read The Eris Trail yet but that will change soon, as I have since purchased that book. Thank you to Larry for sending me an ARC. Horror fans you can pick this up when it publishes February 24, 2026!
April 10, 2026
I absolutely loved Larry Hinkle’s, An Hour Before Dark. This is a chilling and ambitious return to the nightmare of Eris Ridge Trail, expanding its mythology in ways that feel both disorienting and addictive. Across ten interconnected stories, Hinkle blends cosmic horror, time distortion, and raw human fear into a collection that rarely lets you breathe.
Each tale stands strong on its own. Whether it’s a never-ending flight or a doomed investigation. Together they form something far more menacing, a world where reality fractures without warning.
What makes this collection hit so hard is its balance between the incomprehensible and the deeply personal; these aren’t heroes, just ordinary people caught in something vast and uncaring. And the cover is fantastic, just like the previous novel. Whether you’ve read The Eris Ridge Trail or not, this is a haunting, cohesive, and unforgettable descent into cosmic terror 4.5
Thank you Larry for a copy of the book. I cannot wait to enter this world again!
Each tale stands strong on its own. Whether it’s a never-ending flight or a doomed investigation. Together they form something far more menacing, a world where reality fractures without warning.
What makes this collection hit so hard is its balance between the incomprehensible and the deeply personal; these aren’t heroes, just ordinary people caught in something vast and uncaring. And the cover is fantastic, just like the previous novel. Whether you’ve read The Eris Ridge Trail or not, this is a haunting, cohesive, and unforgettable descent into cosmic terror 4.5
Thank you Larry for a copy of the book. I cannot wait to enter this world again!
April 13, 2026
4.5 stars
An Hour Before Dark by Larry Hinkle is an anthology of short horror/science fiction stories which connect to one another.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher RDS Publishing, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Okay, overall, this was a good collection of horror/sci-fi. The short stories all connected in one way or another, and all had to do with the Eris Ridge Trail. Whether in the air or on the ground, this trail messes with people. Those that enter the trail don't get out. Time travel and strange forces keep them locked in, (not to mention some strange creatures), Some visitors to the trail seem to be repeating their journey endlessly.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed these short stories, and will have to get my hands on the book to which they all relate - The Eris Ridge Trail. I probably should have read that first. I can't wait to know more about this world the author has so diligently created.
All of these stories are entwined, although sometimes "the how" isn't evident at first. The writing is good, and it is an easy and entertaining read. I may not have heard of this author before, but this will not be the last book I read by him.
Anyway, until next time ....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
An Hour Before Dark by Larry Hinkle is an anthology of short horror/science fiction stories which connect to one another.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher RDS Publishing, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Okay, overall, this was a good collection of horror/sci-fi. The short stories all connected in one way or another, and all had to do with the Eris Ridge Trail. Whether in the air or on the ground, this trail messes with people. Those that enter the trail don't get out. Time travel and strange forces keep them locked in, (not to mention some strange creatures), Some visitors to the trail seem to be repeating their journey endlessly.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed these short stories, and will have to get my hands on the book to which they all relate - The Eris Ridge Trail. I probably should have read that first. I can't wait to know more about this world the author has so diligently created.
All of these stories are entwined, although sometimes "the how" isn't evident at first. The writing is good, and it is an easy and entertaining read. I may not have heard of this author before, but this will not be the last book I read by him.
Anyway, until next time ....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 25, 2026
My god. Thank you NetGalley for providing me an eARC of An Hour Before Dark by Larry Hinkle in exchange for an honest review.
This book is like what I imagine watching the Langoliers for the first time and doing it high feels like. There is this sense of dread and foreboding the entire time you read this. You get progressively more uncomfortable and more frustrated that you can't figure out exactly where the next story is going. I loved it. Exquisite. I will absolutely have to go back and read The Eris Ridge Trail by Larry Hinkle.
My two favorite portions of this were Lake Eris and The Woods, Dark and Deep. Ugh both of those were absolute perfection! Would you get on the boat or go into the woods?
This book is like what I imagine watching the Langoliers for the first time and doing it high feels like. There is this sense of dread and foreboding the entire time you read this. You get progressively more uncomfortable and more frustrated that you can't figure out exactly where the next story is going. I loved it. Exquisite. I will absolutely have to go back and read The Eris Ridge Trail by Larry Hinkle.
My two favorite portions of this were Lake Eris and The Woods, Dark and Deep. Ugh both of those were absolute perfection! Would you get on the boat or go into the woods?
April 19, 2026
Actual Rating of 3.5
This was a fantastic collection of short stories that all wound together. These stories are set in the world of the author's other word - The Eris Ridge Trail. I haven't read that one yet, but after reading this collection, it's going on my list as this collection gave a well-rounded picture of what I can expect from the story.
As with all short story collections, there were a few standouts, one of which is the title track - An Hour Before Dark - a maddening loop that felt suffocating and did an amazing job at really giving you that trapped feeling. I normally struggle with time loops or jumps of any kind, but this collection handled it brilliantly and I actually enjoyed it.
The opening story packed a punch and set the tone of what was to come. A man afraid of flying boards a plane and strange things happen. Another set in an abandoned mall was probably my favourite as it really used the liminal space thing to give such a creepy atmosphere. And my other favourite was one where an investigation team are by a lake interviewing a man who experienced something awful at that exact location.
These stories run the gamut of themes and deal with so many different facets of horror and I was here for all of them. A couple of stories ran a bit to long for my taste, but they were still solid and really added to the atmosphere and the world. I honestly loved how the stories were all connected and you'd see little bits from each story bleeding into others. The writing was good and had a great flow to it as well.
This was a fantastic collection of short stories that all wound together. These stories are set in the world of the author's other word - The Eris Ridge Trail. I haven't read that one yet, but after reading this collection, it's going on my list as this collection gave a well-rounded picture of what I can expect from the story.
As with all short story collections, there were a few standouts, one of which is the title track - An Hour Before Dark - a maddening loop that felt suffocating and did an amazing job at really giving you that trapped feeling. I normally struggle with time loops or jumps of any kind, but this collection handled it brilliantly and I actually enjoyed it.
The opening story packed a punch and set the tone of what was to come. A man afraid of flying boards a plane and strange things happen. Another set in an abandoned mall was probably my favourite as it really used the liminal space thing to give such a creepy atmosphere. And my other favourite was one where an investigation team are by a lake interviewing a man who experienced something awful at that exact location.
These stories run the gamut of themes and deal with so many different facets of horror and I was here for all of them. A couple of stories ran a bit to long for my taste, but they were still solid and really added to the atmosphere and the world. I honestly loved how the stories were all connected and you'd see little bits from each story bleeding into others. The writing was good and had a great flow to it as well.
March 16, 2026
3,75⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Rating anthologies is always tricky because, let’s be honest, not every story hits the same. Some shine, some stumble, and the mix can make it hard to pin down a single number.
That said, An Hour Before Dark delivered enough that I genuinely enjoyed the experience.
Larry Hinkle really knows how to create atmosphere, the tension and mood in certain stories were almost cinematic, pulling me in and keeping me reading past the hour I probably should’ve gone to bed.
Some stories hit harder than others, and a few felt a bit underdeveloped, but the ones I loved more than made up for it.
In the end, I landed on 3.75 stars. It’s not flawless, but there’s enough in here to linger with you after you finish reading!!
For anyone who likes a mix of suspense, reflective moments, and a touch of the unexpected, this anthology is definitely worth a look.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Rating anthologies is always tricky because, let’s be honest, not every story hits the same. Some shine, some stumble, and the mix can make it hard to pin down a single number.
That said, An Hour Before Dark delivered enough that I genuinely enjoyed the experience.
Larry Hinkle really knows how to create atmosphere, the tension and mood in certain stories were almost cinematic, pulling me in and keeping me reading past the hour I probably should’ve gone to bed.
Some stories hit harder than others, and a few felt a bit underdeveloped, but the ones I loved more than made up for it.
In the end, I landed on 3.75 stars. It’s not flawless, but there’s enough in here to linger with you after you finish reading!!
For anyone who likes a mix of suspense, reflective moments, and a touch of the unexpected, this anthology is definitely worth a look.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Larry Hinkle, RDS Publish, Four Winds Bar Publishing and NetGalley for this free copy of An Hour Before Dark. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
Although a collection of short stories, this could have just as easily been a novel as each one takes place in the same universe(s) and there is a central plot thread running throughout.
I thought it was really clever how the author ties everything neatly together. Details and events that might seem strange and at times surreal when first mentioned start to make perfect sense as you progress through the collection.
Given each short story had so few pages, they packed a real punch, ranging from haunting to outright nightmare-inducing.
The author does an incredible job of illustrating the terror that the different characters experience and the descriptions of the monsters they encounter are truly vivid.
I definitely felt that the setting would make for a fantastic cinematic experience. So when is the movie getting made?
Although a collection of short stories, this could have just as easily been a novel as each one takes place in the same universe(s) and there is a central plot thread running throughout.
I thought it was really clever how the author ties everything neatly together. Details and events that might seem strange and at times surreal when first mentioned start to make perfect sense as you progress through the collection.
Given each short story had so few pages, they packed a real punch, ranging from haunting to outright nightmare-inducing.
The author does an incredible job of illustrating the terror that the different characters experience and the descriptions of the monsters they encounter are truly vivid.
I definitely felt that the setting would make for a fantastic cinematic experience. So when is the movie getting made?
February 28, 2026
A very good collection of spooky short stories. I love that all of the stories interplay with each other and you learn more as you read. The world that is being created is a great setting for spooky stories. I did leave the book feeling like it was missing something but I haven't read the other Eris Trail books so that may be why. I would definitely read more Eris stories.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 26, 2026
3.5⭐️
odd. the stories were mostly interesting. the last one was a little boring.
odd. the stories were mostly interesting. the last one was a little boring.
February 7, 2026
I really enjoyed Larry Hinkle’s novella, The Eris Ridge Trail, which came out last year. An Hour Before Dark, his newest collection of stories, is set in the world of The Eris Ridge Trail and features several stories of cosmic weirdness, time loops, and monsters. The opening story asks “what would happen if a plane encountered the weird slippery Eris Ridge Trail?” and it did not disappoint.
If you’re into cosmic horror, then I highly recommend this (and the novella it shares connective tissue with). There are many references to the novella here, including characters, but you don’t need to have read The Eris Ridge Trail to read this collection. Both get a strong recommendation from me!
Thank you to the author for an eARC for review!
If you’re into cosmic horror, then I highly recommend this (and the novella it shares connective tissue with). There are many references to the novella here, including characters, but you don’t need to have read The Eris Ridge Trail to read this collection. Both get a strong recommendation from me!
Thank you to the author for an eARC for review!
March 11, 2026
Strange things are afoot on the Eris Ridge Trail. The barriers between worlds are breaking down.
In 'An Hour Before Dark', Larry Hinkle returns to the Trail with ten interconnected tales that deepen the mystery while expanding the mythos.
This is the first of Larry's works that I've read, but it DEFINITELY won't be the last. Before I even opened the book, I fell in love with the cover artwork. Once I started reading, I was absolutely giddy over the way each story/chapter tied into the next with the smallest of details, giving us a whole new piece of the puzzle at every turn of the page! TOP TIER WORK!
From practically the very first sentence of 'YOU ARE NOW FREE TO MOVE ABOUT', my anxiety launched sky high (pun intended)! I could feel every single emotion - terror, dread, nausea - as if I were actually there experiencing the horrors for myself.
This entire book was spine chilling, dark, and perfectly creepy with just the right atmosphere to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved the nocturnes and other monsters as they were described. 'An Hour Before Dark' was everything I could ever want in a horror/sci-fi book and more! Excellently written with just enough of the unknown to make things extra spooky. The last sentence being tied back to the ending of the very first story... absolute PERFECTION! I LOVED the intensity of this book. I couldn't put it down, and I'm officially OBSESSED with the world of the Eris Ridge Trail! I look forward to tracking down this authors other books!
In 'An Hour Before Dark', Larry Hinkle returns to the Trail with ten interconnected tales that deepen the mystery while expanding the mythos.
This is the first of Larry's works that I've read, but it DEFINITELY won't be the last. Before I even opened the book, I fell in love with the cover artwork. Once I started reading, I was absolutely giddy over the way each story/chapter tied into the next with the smallest of details, giving us a whole new piece of the puzzle at every turn of the page! TOP TIER WORK!
From practically the very first sentence of 'YOU ARE NOW FREE TO MOVE ABOUT', my anxiety launched sky high (pun intended)! I could feel every single emotion - terror, dread, nausea - as if I were actually there experiencing the horrors for myself.
This entire book was spine chilling, dark, and perfectly creepy with just the right atmosphere to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved the nocturnes and other monsters as they were described. 'An Hour Before Dark' was everything I could ever want in a horror/sci-fi book and more! Excellently written with just enough of the unknown to make things extra spooky. The last sentence being tied back to the ending of the very first story... absolute PERFECTION! I LOVED the intensity of this book. I couldn't put it down, and I'm officially OBSESSED with the world of the Eris Ridge Trail! I look forward to tracking down this authors other books!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is pure gold.
The way it’s written is something else.
You start out knowing absolutely nothing about these "shimmering dimensions," and then suddenly you’re at a rest stop that somehow has everything you need. From there, it’s a gamble: do you go back the way you came, or try the left door or the right one?
You could be stuck for five minutes or forever, and the uncertainty is what makes it such a good read.
The world-building is just incredible. The way the characters each have their own back stories and forward drive is great
To the fact that there is a second moon that shows from time to time, or that the sun cannot be trusted due to the game it plays, that's if it decides to show in the first place. That some people or animals can live forever or are they just from a different world/ dimension, are they brought back by something or are they just there? Same with places, objects anything really.
Each chapter is its own character-driven moment, but when you step back, they all weave together into one massive, plot-driven horrific world.
It’s super easy to read and perfect if you need something you can pick up and put down—though, honestly, good luck putting it down.
My 4-Star Breakdown
⭐ For being exactly what it said it would be.
⭐ For writing that's easy to fly through but never feels "dumbed down."
⭐ For world-building that actually connects in a satisfying way.
⭐ For giving every single character a story that feels unique.
The way it’s written is something else.
You start out knowing absolutely nothing about these "shimmering dimensions," and then suddenly you’re at a rest stop that somehow has everything you need. From there, it’s a gamble: do you go back the way you came, or try the left door or the right one?
You could be stuck for five minutes or forever, and the uncertainty is what makes it such a good read.
The world-building is just incredible. The way the characters each have their own back stories and forward drive is great
To the fact that there is a second moon that shows from time to time, or that the sun cannot be trusted due to the game it plays, that's if it decides to show in the first place. That some people or animals can live forever or are they just from a different world/ dimension, are they brought back by something or are they just there? Same with places, objects anything really.
Each chapter is its own character-driven moment, but when you step back, they all weave together into one massive, plot-driven horrific world.
It’s super easy to read and perfect if you need something you can pick up and put down—though, honestly, good luck putting it down.
My 4-Star Breakdown
⭐ For being exactly what it said it would be.
⭐ For writing that's easy to fly through but never feels "dumbed down."
⭐ For world-building that actually connects in a satisfying way.
⭐ For giving every single character a story that feels unique.
March 1, 2026
An Hour Before Dark is a collection of 10 interconnected short stories taking place on the Eris Ridge Trail, a place where the barriers between worlds are breaking down.
This was a fun read! Each of the stories gives us a glimpse into different characters and how they are brought to interact with the trail. Some stories end happier than others. The endings aren’t explicitly spelled out, but enough detail is given that the reader can easily make those connections on their own.
These stories are all fast paced, keeping you reeled in as you get to each one, but it doesn’t detract from the scene descriptions. Hinkle was able to describe the monsters and each scene in a way that had me easily picturing them in my mind throughout the entire book.
I found most of the characters didn’t have a ton of depth - we mostly were focused on the strange things surrounding them and with short stories it’s not uncommon to see this. Many of them fall victim to the common horror tropes - ie “urban legend says not to do something, I’m going to do it anyways”, but Hinkle still found ways to make these stories unique.
Thank you to RDS Publishing for sending an ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read! Each of the stories gives us a glimpse into different characters and how they are brought to interact with the trail. Some stories end happier than others. The endings aren’t explicitly spelled out, but enough detail is given that the reader can easily make those connections on their own.
These stories are all fast paced, keeping you reeled in as you get to each one, but it doesn’t detract from the scene descriptions. Hinkle was able to describe the monsters and each scene in a way that had me easily picturing them in my mind throughout the entire book.
I found most of the characters didn’t have a ton of depth - we mostly were focused on the strange things surrounding them and with short stories it’s not uncommon to see this. Many of them fall victim to the common horror tropes - ie “urban legend says not to do something, I’m going to do it anyways”, but Hinkle still found ways to make these stories unique.
Thank you to RDS Publishing for sending an ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last year I read the short story The Eris Ridge Trail and was floored by it so when when Larry Hinkle reached out to me with the chance to step back onto the trail and the horrors within I jumped at the opportunity.
The book that sets this one up, The Eris Ridge Trail, introduces a mysterious trail that only appears when it wants to. Once your step foot onto it, it leads you to impossible otherworldly scenarios that almost always spell your doom. On the trail, theres liminal spaces, interdimensional beasts, and even an inescapable kaiju monster. In this book, we're treated to 10 interconnected short stories that pull you deeper into the dangerous but fascinating world
While I would recommend reading the first Eris Ridge Trail book before this on, it's not exactly a necessity, more of just an additional recommendation of another great book. Both books are great and The Eris Ridge Trail is such a unique and entertaining environment that is a joy to get sucked into (as a reader, in real life your won't catch me dead steeping foot on a hellscape like this)
The book that sets this one up, The Eris Ridge Trail, introduces a mysterious trail that only appears when it wants to. Once your step foot onto it, it leads you to impossible otherworldly scenarios that almost always spell your doom. On the trail, theres liminal spaces, interdimensional beasts, and even an inescapable kaiju monster. In this book, we're treated to 10 interconnected short stories that pull you deeper into the dangerous but fascinating world
While I would recommend reading the first Eris Ridge Trail book before this on, it's not exactly a necessity, more of just an additional recommendation of another great book. Both books are great and The Eris Ridge Trail is such a unique and entertaining environment that is a joy to get sucked into (as a reader, in real life your won't catch me dead steeping foot on a hellscape like this)
February 9, 2026
A short story collection that focuses in and around the Eris Ridge Trail, a mysterious place that mystifies and terrifies in equal measure and these stories only serve to heighten the intrigue around it.
There are an impressive array of stories that cover the gamut from a never ending flight to a military base where an experiment has gone terribly wrong, to a mysterious forest that appears in an abandoned mall. Every story is inventive and creepy which makes the Eris Ridge Trail and everything associated it, truly a terrifying location.
As part of a universe, these stories can be read without knowing any of the author's previous work but for those that do, they will find some nicely interconnected stories and recurring characters. Though the stories are short, the characters in each are brought to life in a way that makes you feel like you know them which is truly a hard feat to master.
There wasn't a weak story among the ten tales and every page was a joy to read. If you're a fan of the authors previous stories about the Eris Ridge Trail then this is a must read. For everyone else, you'll find yourself wanting to read more which is always a good thing.
There are an impressive array of stories that cover the gamut from a never ending flight to a military base where an experiment has gone terribly wrong, to a mysterious forest that appears in an abandoned mall. Every story is inventive and creepy which makes the Eris Ridge Trail and everything associated it, truly a terrifying location.
As part of a universe, these stories can be read without knowing any of the author's previous work but for those that do, they will find some nicely interconnected stories and recurring characters. Though the stories are short, the characters in each are brought to life in a way that makes you feel like you know them which is truly a hard feat to master.
There wasn't a weak story among the ten tales and every page was a joy to read. If you're a fan of the authors previous stories about the Eris Ridge Trail then this is a must read. For everyone else, you'll find yourself wanting to read more which is always a good thing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've always been fascinated by the idea of parallel universes. This book fed my fascination. Wow! I became completely immersed in the Eris Ridge Trail world! With a mixture of horror SciFi and dark fantasy. The idea that there's an invisible link between parallel worlds/universes and that a lab disasters caused fluctuation in this link causing people to cross between worlds, really peaked my interest.
Reminiscent of the old The Twilight Zones and The Mist by Stephen King, but still unique.
Although I wanted to immediately devour all the stories in one sitting, I instead paced them out to savor them. I am now going to seek out Hinkle's other two books about "The Trail"
I really can't recommend this more!
I received an ARC from the author. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Reminiscent of the old The Twilight Zones and The Mist by Stephen King, but still unique.
Although I wanted to immediately devour all the stories in one sitting, I instead paced them out to savor them. I am now going to seek out Hinkle's other two books about "The Trail"
I really can't recommend this more!
I received an ARC from the author. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2026
I read The Space Between by Larry Hinkle when it was on Booksirens and loved everything about that collection of short stories, so when I saw he had another short story book out I couldn't wait to read it. An Hour Before Dark was just as great as his first book and I read it in about a day and a half. All the stories were intertwined and they were all very good, I haven't read any short stories lately that were as good as this and kept my attention. After reading it I saw that I had missed reading The Erris Ridge Trail which didn't seem to make this book worse although that's the interconnected part of each story, since this was so good I'm reading that book now. Thank you to Larry Hinkle and Booksirens for the free copy and I'll review it because I hope others will choose to read it also.
February 28, 2026
3.5 stars. Thanks for Netgalley for this ARC, which I received in exchange for my opinion. This book by Larry Hinkle is a series of short stories that are all somewhat related. There's a boat that takes passengers to an alternate reality. A plane that never lands, a time-loop near a grotto. These stories will give you chills and make you want to sleep with the lights on. I would definitely recommend this book to horror lovers!
March 6, 2026
I felt like I was in an episode of the twilight zone. Chapter one had me hooked. There are ten short stories that all intertwine together like the roots of giant tree. Creepy monsters, people disappearing, crazy weather and a trail that leads to other worldly places.
Imagine Stargate SG1, the Langoliers and the twilight zone all wrapped up in one beautiful story.
Watch your step on the Trail. It will be dark soon.
Thank you #netgally for the eArc
Imagine Stargate SG1, the Langoliers and the twilight zone all wrapped up in one beautiful story.
Watch your step on the Trail. It will be dark soon.
Thank you #netgally for the eArc
March 9, 2026
Quite an unusual book to read in my opinion but at the same time I did enjoy the book from start to finish, the only problem was that I felt it could of went on just a tiny bit longer but in the end was a brilliant short book.
The books genre was a nice choice for this one.
The characters were all likeable.
Will be keeping my eyes open for more works by this author in the future.
Thank you to netgallery for allowing my to read this book.
The books genre was a nice choice for this one.
The characters were all likeable.
Will be keeping my eyes open for more works by this author in the future.
Thank you to netgallery for allowing my to read this book.
March 27, 2026
received as an arc from Netgalley:
A super interesting and compelling cosmic horror short story collection/novella that really got under my skin for the first few stories.
Overall think these stories are better the shorter they are and the less you understand, but I did still enjoy the longer novella sized story within this that tied all the disparate pieces together.
Will definitely explore more of this authors work in the future.
A super interesting and compelling cosmic horror short story collection/novella that really got under my skin for the first few stories.
Overall think these stories are better the shorter they are and the less you understand, but I did still enjoy the longer novella sized story within this that tied all the disparate pieces together.
Will definitely explore more of this authors work in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Hour Before Dark
By Larry Hinkle
Pub Date: Feb 24 2026
This is a book of short stories. Hinkle is a very good horror writer. These stories are self contained but connect in a way. This is the first book I've read by Larry Hinkle but it won't be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By Larry Hinkle
Pub Date: Feb 24 2026
This is a book of short stories. Hinkle is a very good horror writer. These stories are self contained but connect in a way. This is the first book I've read by Larry Hinkle but it won't be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
March 21, 2026
This was different for me , I know some don’t like the calling out of ai but thank you because we’ve had stories etc for a long time with no ai so I’m a def a fan on that part .
This stories were Erie mysterious , it gave Stephen king vibes from the things I have seen from him , the suspense in each story of how things are gonna end , now I do wish this was a ongoing story because I really may have enjoyed it more . But I would suggest if you want something quick no series kind of vibe my fav may be the one where the president was the one to unleash and watch and play the world like it wasn’t what it exactly was it just reminded me of so many movies & shows & kept me interested to where I had to finish.
This stories were Erie mysterious , it gave Stephen king vibes from the things I have seen from him , the suspense in each story of how things are gonna end , now I do wish this was a ongoing story because I really may have enjoyed it more . But I would suggest if you want something quick no series kind of vibe my fav may be the one where the president was the one to unleash and watch and play the world like it wasn’t what it exactly was it just reminded me of so many movies & shows & kept me interested to where I had to finish.
April 24, 2026
Seemingly ordinary things can hide dark scary places.
March 17, 2026
I really enjoyed this eARC I recieved from NetGalley and Larry Hinkle. The style of writing was phenomenal, especially how he tied all of the short stories together to center around Elis Ridge Trail and the creepy things going on there. All of the shorts end up creating one parallel universe which makes it very fun to read once you realize. It reminds me of a modern day Twilight Zone. Horror and sci-fi all in one. I will definitely be checking out his previous works, as this was the first book I have read by Larry. It is hard to do horror right these days, and he nailed it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An Hour Before Dark: More Tales of the Eris Ridge Trail by Larry Hinkle
Back in early 2025 Larry Hinkle wrote a book called The Eris Ridge Trail. I had read his earlier short story collection, The Space Between, so I knew I was going to enter a world unlike any I had read before. And boy was I right. In this collection, Mr. Hinkle has gone back to the Eris Ridge Trail with more stories from this cursed and wicked place.
There are ten amazing, intense, silly, and horrific stories. All of them involve the Eris Ridge Trail. The range in which Mr. Hinkle can write shows brightly in this collection. It’s time to return to the Eris Ridge Trail…
*Side note: You do not have to read The Eris Ridge Trail to enjoy these stories.
You Are Now Free to Move About: Doug is deathly afraid of flying, so much so he is in therapy. Doug needs to make a work trip, so his therapist thinks that this is the right time to overcome his fears. As he settles into the seat, he becomes overly anxious and it is obvious to his seat mates. They offer advice and help so that he can try to relax. Next thing he knows, he is hallucinating. Is all this a trick? Is he dead? As a person who dislikes flying, I got goosebumps all over my arms and my aerophobia kicked up real fast.
Lake Eris: Alex, Stu, and Jimmy are on a boat on Lake Eris. Years later, Angie is interviewing Alex. They discuss the day he and his buddies experienced something so odd… so out there… it can’t be true. Angie is on scene at Lake Eris, while Alex is at his home, and they are chatting about that fateful day via camera. Then, out of the blue, behind her, a boat appears. This story went nowhere near what I was expecting. I mean… it’s a boat… on a lake… three dudes out on this boat… an interview… and then, well, holy shit!
The Woods, Dark and Deep: In a town called Ramsey, nestled in the Appalachian, there lives a young lady who thinks the town of Ramsey is keeping secrets. Parents of this town would tell the children to never go into the woods. Nobody knew what would happen if you did. It is best to listen to the parents, but you know how teenagers can be. Personally, I would have wandered into the forest, but I like finding mushrooms and cool flowers. Although, if I knew before walking into the woods what I know now… like hell I’d be in those woods.
Another Friday Night At The Mall: In an old shopping mall, a blogger and her boyfriend are taking pictures of this eerie place. It’s quiet at first, chairs knocked over and dust collecting. And then, music is heard and they head towards the song. Only there is more than just music. One of them wants to see what else there is, while the other chooses to not go any further. Now, this story may sound familiar… you know the whole bit about finding a haunted place and recording the event… this isn’t that story. Not by a long shot.
Guarding the Infinite: Let me preface this one by saying that this story opens up learning more of the Eris Ridge Trail. Sergeant Calvin Bradshaw is at a guard shack, doing his part in protecting a secret location. In an instant, his life and job are thrown into an unusual situation. Flashes of different places keep happening, returning back to his normal reality. I gotta say, if you’re going to work at a secret research facility, be prepared for the most unexpected situation. Life can change in an instant.
What the President Knew: On a mountain in the middle of a desert, there is a group of scientists whose main goal is to find a way to combat terrorists. The President was looking for ideas, no matter how small or extreme, to help the American people be safe. Then one day, all hell breaks loose. The scientists did technically find a way to combat terrorists. But something tells me it’s not what he was looking for. Haha! I feel like this can be said for all Presidents to some extent.
Strange Moon Rising: Michael Bowen has jumped into a car with a woman he just met. His intentions are leaning toward the frisky kind, the woman also has a great idea on how to spend the evening with each other. The outcome isn’t quite what the reader would expect. This story is another prime example of the range in which Mr. Hinkle writes. It’s direct, it’s short, and it packs one hell of a punch. And under no circumstances do you get into a stranger's car! Gah! Haven’t these characters seen any horror movies??
Midnight At Koko’s: Wendy has been driving all night long and needs a rest. Finally, Koko’s convenience store is just up ahead. She’s exhausted, hungry, and frustrated. Her night has not gone well, no-sir-ee-bob. What a headache it has been. Her temper just couldn’t be tamed. Luckily, the worker at Koko’s knows just what she deserves. This story is all karma with a lovely side of damnation. *Chef’s kiss.
The Blue Bomber: Troy has named his new bike the Blue Bomber. Weeeee! He runs all over the place during summer break from school. He is having a blast, riding through the forest he visits often, when all of a sudden he is flying off his bike and crash lands onto the hard ground. Well, that puts an end to his lovely day. Poor kid. Shoulda named his bike the Crash Lander, imo.
An Hour Before Dark: Kellie is on a trip for some site-seeing. She is told about this really cool place that not many people have heard of. So, of course she is interested, duh. You would be too if you knew where she was headed. Just before dark, an hour before to be precise, she finds it. And wouldn’t you, dear lovely reader, like to know where she is.
Okay, so overall, I freaking love Larry Hinkle’s stories. They are sharp and crisp. A totally unique experience in every story. I can not give him enough praise for his wit and imagination.
Cover by Francois Vaillancourt
Back in early 2025 Larry Hinkle wrote a book called The Eris Ridge Trail. I had read his earlier short story collection, The Space Between, so I knew I was going to enter a world unlike any I had read before. And boy was I right. In this collection, Mr. Hinkle has gone back to the Eris Ridge Trail with more stories from this cursed and wicked place.
There are ten amazing, intense, silly, and horrific stories. All of them involve the Eris Ridge Trail. The range in which Mr. Hinkle can write shows brightly in this collection. It’s time to return to the Eris Ridge Trail…
*Side note: You do not have to read The Eris Ridge Trail to enjoy these stories.
You Are Now Free to Move About: Doug is deathly afraid of flying, so much so he is in therapy. Doug needs to make a work trip, so his therapist thinks that this is the right time to overcome his fears. As he settles into the seat, he becomes overly anxious and it is obvious to his seat mates. They offer advice and help so that he can try to relax. Next thing he knows, he is hallucinating. Is all this a trick? Is he dead? As a person who dislikes flying, I got goosebumps all over my arms and my aerophobia kicked up real fast.
Lake Eris: Alex, Stu, and Jimmy are on a boat on Lake Eris. Years later, Angie is interviewing Alex. They discuss the day he and his buddies experienced something so odd… so out there… it can’t be true. Angie is on scene at Lake Eris, while Alex is at his home, and they are chatting about that fateful day via camera. Then, out of the blue, behind her, a boat appears. This story went nowhere near what I was expecting. I mean… it’s a boat… on a lake… three dudes out on this boat… an interview… and then, well, holy shit!
The Woods, Dark and Deep: In a town called Ramsey, nestled in the Appalachian, there lives a young lady who thinks the town of Ramsey is keeping secrets. Parents of this town would tell the children to never go into the woods. Nobody knew what would happen if you did. It is best to listen to the parents, but you know how teenagers can be. Personally, I would have wandered into the forest, but I like finding mushrooms and cool flowers. Although, if I knew before walking into the woods what I know now… like hell I’d be in those woods.
Another Friday Night At The Mall: In an old shopping mall, a blogger and her boyfriend are taking pictures of this eerie place. It’s quiet at first, chairs knocked over and dust collecting. And then, music is heard and they head towards the song. Only there is more than just music. One of them wants to see what else there is, while the other chooses to not go any further. Now, this story may sound familiar… you know the whole bit about finding a haunted place and recording the event… this isn’t that story. Not by a long shot.
Guarding the Infinite: Let me preface this one by saying that this story opens up learning more of the Eris Ridge Trail. Sergeant Calvin Bradshaw is at a guard shack, doing his part in protecting a secret location. In an instant, his life and job are thrown into an unusual situation. Flashes of different places keep happening, returning back to his normal reality. I gotta say, if you’re going to work at a secret research facility, be prepared for the most unexpected situation. Life can change in an instant.
What the President Knew: On a mountain in the middle of a desert, there is a group of scientists whose main goal is to find a way to combat terrorists. The President was looking for ideas, no matter how small or extreme, to help the American people be safe. Then one day, all hell breaks loose. The scientists did technically find a way to combat terrorists. But something tells me it’s not what he was looking for. Haha! I feel like this can be said for all Presidents to some extent.
Strange Moon Rising: Michael Bowen has jumped into a car with a woman he just met. His intentions are leaning toward the frisky kind, the woman also has a great idea on how to spend the evening with each other. The outcome isn’t quite what the reader would expect. This story is another prime example of the range in which Mr. Hinkle writes. It’s direct, it’s short, and it packs one hell of a punch. And under no circumstances do you get into a stranger's car! Gah! Haven’t these characters seen any horror movies??
Midnight At Koko’s: Wendy has been driving all night long and needs a rest. Finally, Koko’s convenience store is just up ahead. She’s exhausted, hungry, and frustrated. Her night has not gone well, no-sir-ee-bob. What a headache it has been. Her temper just couldn’t be tamed. Luckily, the worker at Koko’s knows just what she deserves. This story is all karma with a lovely side of damnation. *Chef’s kiss.
The Blue Bomber: Troy has named his new bike the Blue Bomber. Weeeee! He runs all over the place during summer break from school. He is having a blast, riding through the forest he visits often, when all of a sudden he is flying off his bike and crash lands onto the hard ground. Well, that puts an end to his lovely day. Poor kid. Shoulda named his bike the Crash Lander, imo.
An Hour Before Dark: Kellie is on a trip for some site-seeing. She is told about this really cool place that not many people have heard of. So, of course she is interested, duh. You would be too if you knew where she was headed. Just before dark, an hour before to be precise, she finds it. And wouldn’t you, dear lovely reader, like to know where she is.
Okay, so overall, I freaking love Larry Hinkle’s stories. They are sharp and crisp. A totally unique experience in every story. I can not give him enough praise for his wit and imagination.
Cover by Francois Vaillancourt
February 24, 2026
An Hour Before Dark
Larry Hinkle
Sci-fi Horror
It's my second foray along the Eris Ridge Trail, would you like to come? Time and space are vastly different here and they're much scarier, too. Bring a flashlight as creatures are lurking about ... ✒️🦇🐲
An Hour Before Dark is a collection of short stories based on Hinkle's earlier work, The Eris Ridge Trail, but can still be enjoyed as a standalone anthology. However, having read TERT, I highly recommend that you read it before this, as it's quite entertaining. 👍
Below are my favorite stories:
Free to Move - a senior pilot develops aerophobia after seeing a documentary about 9/11 and seeks therapy. His therapeutic flight? Straight shot from Omaha to Denver, a straight shot to the Far Beyond.
If I wasn't scared to fly before this one? Hah! Color me scared now, ladies and gentlemen. It is NOT safe to move around THIS cabin. I loved this one, it's got a pilot, Doug, who's so scared of flying he might lose his job. So, with his therapist's support, he boards a short flight, and then just when he starts to relax, what the heck is that in the bright blue sky he sees? Maybe he's hallucinating or having a stroke? I'll never tell. 😄
This story's got humor and wit galore which I'm learning is par for the course of Mr. Hinkle and the writing's tight, descriptive, and, best of all, believable. Great start to this anthology!
Scariest as heck ending ever. 👍❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the Woods, Deep and Dark
In the Appalachian town of Ramsey, children are cautioned "Never go into the woods after dark!" from their earliest memories, but every generation or two, there's always the dare that some dumb kid makes and that another dumb one takes on trying to impress the other kids or the girl/boy they're crushing so hard for. But it never ends well, does it? This time the narrator says it'll be Becky who takes this dare.
This one brought to mind my slumber party days. The time when young prepubescent girls spend nights together in groups and scare each other silly with ghost stories and dares. Our favorite one went like this: go stand in a pitch-black bathroom and hold a lit candle under your chin, look into the mirror, and say three times, "Bloody Mary" to see if a ghostly woman will appear to you. Most girls usually came out fast, grinning or giggling, but swearing they'd seen "Mary." The twist ending of this tall tale (or was it true?) is terrific! ⚠️💀☝️
Another Friday Night at the Mall
Hinkle hits another home run with this story of urban decay explorers who stumbled onto the Eris Ridge Trail in the middle of the mall. I love how easily his writings captured the sense of an abandoned mall while bringing its heyday back to my mind of aimless teens and those great long-ago delicious smells. This story touches on an experience most every American has - the teenage weekends at the mall - while not the scariest story of this book, I did like how well he captured the sadness then the spookiness of the interior. This writing is hard to put down! ✍️
Guarding the Infinite:
If you're planning to read Eris Ridge Trail, skip this story until you do because it contains spoilers. Otherwise, it's a top-notch tale.
What the President Knew:
Another great story. This one is related to the one above and contains spoilers to the Eris Ridge Trail, but OMG, this one scared the poo out of me especially seeing as who we have for a POTUS now. This story is a Koontz + King + your worst nightmare kind of tale that I would hate to see come out of the pages of fiction and into our real lives. *shudders*
Overall, An Hour Before Dark is a great anthology. In each story, the writing is smooth and natural and I liked them all, which, if you read anthologies as much as I have, you know is a rare thing to find in many of them. It's obvious Mr. Hinkle has honed his writing skills to a razor-sharp edge and if you enjoy sci-fi horror I highly recommend you check out his works, lickety and splickety! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#LarryHinkle #timetravel #scififiction #badassstories #theerisridgetrail #horror
This is an ARC review. Thank you Four Winds Bar Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this work. My views are my own.
Larry Hinkle
Sci-fi Horror
It's my second foray along the Eris Ridge Trail, would you like to come? Time and space are vastly different here and they're much scarier, too. Bring a flashlight as creatures are lurking about ... ✒️🦇🐲
An Hour Before Dark is a collection of short stories based on Hinkle's earlier work, The Eris Ridge Trail, but can still be enjoyed as a standalone anthology. However, having read TERT, I highly recommend that you read it before this, as it's quite entertaining. 👍
Below are my favorite stories:
Free to Move - a senior pilot develops aerophobia after seeing a documentary about 9/11 and seeks therapy. His therapeutic flight? Straight shot from Omaha to Denver, a straight shot to the Far Beyond.
If I wasn't scared to fly before this one? Hah! Color me scared now, ladies and gentlemen. It is NOT safe to move around THIS cabin. I loved this one, it's got a pilot, Doug, who's so scared of flying he might lose his job. So, with his therapist's support, he boards a short flight, and then just when he starts to relax, what the heck is that in the bright blue sky he sees? Maybe he's hallucinating or having a stroke? I'll never tell. 😄
This story's got humor and wit galore which I'm learning is par for the course of Mr. Hinkle and the writing's tight, descriptive, and, best of all, believable. Great start to this anthology!
Scariest as heck ending ever. 👍❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the Woods, Deep and Dark
In the Appalachian town of Ramsey, children are cautioned "Never go into the woods after dark!" from their earliest memories, but every generation or two, there's always the dare that some dumb kid makes and that another dumb one takes on trying to impress the other kids or the girl/boy they're crushing so hard for. But it never ends well, does it? This time the narrator says it'll be Becky who takes this dare.
This one brought to mind my slumber party days. The time when young prepubescent girls spend nights together in groups and scare each other silly with ghost stories and dares. Our favorite one went like this: go stand in a pitch-black bathroom and hold a lit candle under your chin, look into the mirror, and say three times, "Bloody Mary" to see if a ghostly woman will appear to you. Most girls usually came out fast, grinning or giggling, but swearing they'd seen "Mary." The twist ending of this tall tale (or was it true?) is terrific! ⚠️💀☝️
Another Friday Night at the Mall
Hinkle hits another home run with this story of urban decay explorers who stumbled onto the Eris Ridge Trail in the middle of the mall. I love how easily his writings captured the sense of an abandoned mall while bringing its heyday back to my mind of aimless teens and those great long-ago delicious smells. This story touches on an experience most every American has - the teenage weekends at the mall - while not the scariest story of this book, I did like how well he captured the sadness then the spookiness of the interior. This writing is hard to put down! ✍️
Guarding the Infinite:
If you're planning to read Eris Ridge Trail, skip this story until you do because it contains spoilers. Otherwise, it's a top-notch tale.
What the President Knew:
Another great story. This one is related to the one above and contains spoilers to the Eris Ridge Trail, but OMG, this one scared the poo out of me especially seeing as who we have for a POTUS now. This story is a Koontz + King + your worst nightmare kind of tale that I would hate to see come out of the pages of fiction and into our real lives. *shudders*
Overall, An Hour Before Dark is a great anthology. In each story, the writing is smooth and natural and I liked them all, which, if you read anthologies as much as I have, you know is a rare thing to find in many of them. It's obvious Mr. Hinkle has honed his writing skills to a razor-sharp edge and if you enjoy sci-fi horror I highly recommend you check out his works, lickety and splickety! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#LarryHinkle #timetravel #scififiction #badassstories #theerisridgetrail #horror
This is an ARC review. Thank you Four Winds Bar Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this work. My views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My latest read was An Hour Before Dark, a cosmic horror collection by Larry Hinkle, due to be released February 24, 2026. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book, but this review is given voluntarily. Back to the Eris Ridge Trail – and a bonus trip to Lake Eris – I go. (Luckily, I made it back home after reading this book, and I really hope it’s my real home and not some alternate one. I’ll know for sure once the moon comes out tonight. If there’s more than one, I’m screwed.)
In this latest collection, we first have, “You Are Now Free To Move About”. This story helped me to realize that my fear of flying doesn’t need to be fixed, as Doug had thought about his fear of flying. I’m fine with it. Nope, no need to fix anything with me. I’ll just drive anywhere I need to go, thank you. In “Lake Eris”, I’ve learned never to go boating when there is a fog over the water…or ever. That’s how much that story frightened me. Next up, “The Woods, Dark and Deep”. Great, now add woods to the list of places I need to stay away from, in addition to airplanes, lakes, and corn fields. It’s a creepy-ass story with an interesting ending that I didn’t see coming. Though I’m not entirely sure I fully understand what happened, I still “enjoyed” it. “Another Friday Night At The Mall” was a great story, just the kind that bothered me the same way the author’s novella, “The Eris Ridge Trail”, bothered me, in a mind-bending kind of way that I can’t quite explain, except to say that I never want to experience what these characters went through. Then we have, “Guarding the Infinite”, probably my favorite, with its many tie-ins to other stories involving the Eris Ridge Trail, and an ending that was a bit less dark than the other stories, in my humble opinion. (Now, if only I could remember more from the previous book/collection to put it all together, that would be awesome.) A slight break in the tension with a bit of humor, “And don’t call me Shirley,” was appreciated. Perfectly placed! Side note, during the next lightning storm we have here, I may just soil myself. If so, I’m sending Mr. Hinkle the cleaning bill.
“What the President Knew” was another good one, ending with what was supposed to be words of comfort, but stirring more terror in me, as a reader. Then we come to, “Strange Moon Rising”. Word of advice, DON’T TRUST ANYONE. That’s all I’ll say about that one. Next up, “Midnight at Koko’s”. I can’t say why this bothered me so much without spoilers, so I’ll just say that this one freaked me out quite a lot. As for “The Blue Bomber”, I just want to ask the author, Why? That one hurt my heart a bit more than the others. And lastly, “An Hour Before Dark”, is dark in a way that I don’t like to experience. Then again, this IS horror, so I guess it’s to be expected. The common concept of being stuck or trapped in a situation or a location is one type of horror that really terrifies me, so this one spooked me good, or bad, depending on how you look at it.
The author did a great job with the way the stories were interconnected, not only with the other stories in this collection, but with his other collection and novella as well. I feel like I’ve read so much about the Eris Ridge Trail, and now the Eris Lake, that I may just be stuck on the trail myself, in a never-ending loop of Erisness. Intentional or not, it’s effective in adding to the horror. How’s that for a twist I didn’t see coming!?! All in all, it was a really good read, though I think I need a break from the trail and all its darkness. Maybe I’ll read a few rom-coms to de-frazzle my nerves. This gets a 4.5 (9 out of 10), rounded up to a 5, from me.
P.S. As always, I love the mentions of Sammie and Koko!
P.P.S. That cover! Terrifyingly awesome.
In this latest collection, we first have, “You Are Now Free To Move About”. This story helped me to realize that my fear of flying doesn’t need to be fixed, as Doug had thought about his fear of flying. I’m fine with it. Nope, no need to fix anything with me. I’ll just drive anywhere I need to go, thank you. In “Lake Eris”, I’ve learned never to go boating when there is a fog over the water…or ever. That’s how much that story frightened me. Next up, “The Woods, Dark and Deep”. Great, now add woods to the list of places I need to stay away from, in addition to airplanes, lakes, and corn fields. It’s a creepy-ass story with an interesting ending that I didn’t see coming. Though I’m not entirely sure I fully understand what happened, I still “enjoyed” it. “Another Friday Night At The Mall” was a great story, just the kind that bothered me the same way the author’s novella, “The Eris Ridge Trail”, bothered me, in a mind-bending kind of way that I can’t quite explain, except to say that I never want to experience what these characters went through. Then we have, “Guarding the Infinite”, probably my favorite, with its many tie-ins to other stories involving the Eris Ridge Trail, and an ending that was a bit less dark than the other stories, in my humble opinion. (Now, if only I could remember more from the previous book/collection to put it all together, that would be awesome.) A slight break in the tension with a bit of humor, “And don’t call me Shirley,” was appreciated. Perfectly placed! Side note, during the next lightning storm we have here, I may just soil myself. If so, I’m sending Mr. Hinkle the cleaning bill.
“What the President Knew” was another good one, ending with what was supposed to be words of comfort, but stirring more terror in me, as a reader. Then we come to, “Strange Moon Rising”. Word of advice, DON’T TRUST ANYONE. That’s all I’ll say about that one. Next up, “Midnight at Koko’s”. I can’t say why this bothered me so much without spoilers, so I’ll just say that this one freaked me out quite a lot. As for “The Blue Bomber”, I just want to ask the author, Why? That one hurt my heart a bit more than the others. And lastly, “An Hour Before Dark”, is dark in a way that I don’t like to experience. Then again, this IS horror, so I guess it’s to be expected. The common concept of being stuck or trapped in a situation or a location is one type of horror that really terrifies me, so this one spooked me good, or bad, depending on how you look at it.
The author did a great job with the way the stories were interconnected, not only with the other stories in this collection, but with his other collection and novella as well. I feel like I’ve read so much about the Eris Ridge Trail, and now the Eris Lake, that I may just be stuck on the trail myself, in a never-ending loop of Erisness. Intentional or not, it’s effective in adding to the horror. How’s that for a twist I didn’t see coming!?! All in all, it was a really good read, though I think I need a break from the trail and all its darkness. Maybe I’ll read a few rom-coms to de-frazzle my nerves. This gets a 4.5 (9 out of 10), rounded up to a 5, from me.
P.S. As always, I love the mentions of Sammie and Koko!
P.P.S. That cover! Terrifyingly awesome.
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