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What Is Left Behind: A literary horror collection
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Expected 10 Jun 26131 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 30, 2026
I went into this open minded, and without thinking much of what I was about to expect.
Wow.
With so many short stories, I enjoyed some more than I enjoyed others. There's definitely stronger works in here than others, but the way everything is written is entirely hooking.
Even in saying that, the premises of all the stories in this book are all very wonderful, that even if you happen to find one less enjoyable, you'll still enjoy it.
That said; the vast majority of the thrilling tales in here are absolutely wonderful! Though nary a happy ending, I found myself entirely so engaged that I had to read from start to finish all in one day.
Shelley Crowley has a wonderful way with writing that engages you and draws you in. I found myself wanting more from many of these tales!
Below I'll discuss spoilers of some of the books contents.
The opening piece, "Just the two of us", was in my opinion, a perfect entry work into the book.
Followed by "this was never ours", the way that the setting honed in on that familiar yet just as dystopian feeling many felt during the height of the covid pandemic, this take on a rather different circumstance was very interesting, and even refreshing, to read. The visuals are clear, and this is a note that was present in all of these pieces.
Absolutely beautiful visuals from each word.
In my personal opinion, I found "Trees don't eat people" to be one of the weaker of the lot. The premise and the visuals are once again gorgeous, very clear and detailed, but I found the one instance that depicted rape within this work to be oddly out of place. I tried to then view it as an allegory of how all consuming coming out from such a trauma can be, and perhaps it's just me that struggled with the connection of it there, as otherwise it was also one of the strongest for visualisation.
Following through, all of the violence, the true nature of people - primarily men - and the terror and horror that is rooted so much in reality. It's terrifying because it's realistic, even when there's elements of pure fiction weaved into it. It both emphasises the horrors in stronger, meaningful ways through symbolism, and offers that degree of separation that may soften such terrors if not read with an understanding eye to it already.
Ending on "Smile" was absolutely a beautiful, tragic, amazing kick in the gut. From navigating the distant feeling around others, coping with traumas, seeing those who caused them and then getting to seek revenge, only to still feel that it has not made all that much change to your own psyche due to the pains of it all? You root for the revenge, yet feel awful, relatable pity and sadness at the punch of feeling once again left as the victim in a way. I truly believe ending on this one is the perfect way to close up "What Is Left Behind".
I entirely plan to read this again, and have never been so glad for fate to bring me to the chance to be an advance reader for this gorgeous piece of art.
4.5 stars would be my exact rating, but it very much deserves the 5 star rating here.
**** I received this advance review copy for free, this review is entirely honest and of my own desire. I intend to purchase my own physical copy on official release! Always support your authors!
Wow.
With so many short stories, I enjoyed some more than I enjoyed others. There's definitely stronger works in here than others, but the way everything is written is entirely hooking.
Even in saying that, the premises of all the stories in this book are all very wonderful, that even if you happen to find one less enjoyable, you'll still enjoy it.
That said; the vast majority of the thrilling tales in here are absolutely wonderful! Though nary a happy ending, I found myself entirely so engaged that I had to read from start to finish all in one day.
Shelley Crowley has a wonderful way with writing that engages you and draws you in. I found myself wanting more from many of these tales!
Below I'll discuss spoilers of some of the books contents.
The opening piece, "Just the two of us", was in my opinion, a perfect entry work into the book.
Followed by "this was never ours", the way that the setting honed in on that familiar yet just as dystopian feeling many felt during the height of the covid pandemic, this take on a rather different circumstance was very interesting, and even refreshing, to read. The visuals are clear, and this is a note that was present in all of these pieces.
Absolutely beautiful visuals from each word.
In my personal opinion, I found "Trees don't eat people" to be one of the weaker of the lot. The premise and the visuals are once again gorgeous, very clear and detailed, but I found the one instance that depicted rape within this work to be oddly out of place. I tried to then view it as an allegory of how all consuming coming out from such a trauma can be, and perhaps it's just me that struggled with the connection of it there, as otherwise it was also one of the strongest for visualisation.
Following through, all of the violence, the true nature of people - primarily men - and the terror and horror that is rooted so much in reality. It's terrifying because it's realistic, even when there's elements of pure fiction weaved into it. It both emphasises the horrors in stronger, meaningful ways through symbolism, and offers that degree of separation that may soften such terrors if not read with an understanding eye to it already.
Ending on "Smile" was absolutely a beautiful, tragic, amazing kick in the gut. From navigating the distant feeling around others, coping with traumas, seeing those who caused them and then getting to seek revenge, only to still feel that it has not made all that much change to your own psyche due to the pains of it all? You root for the revenge, yet feel awful, relatable pity and sadness at the punch of feeling once again left as the victim in a way. I truly believe ending on this one is the perfect way to close up "What Is Left Behind".
I entirely plan to read this again, and have never been so glad for fate to bring me to the chance to be an advance reader for this gorgeous piece of art.
4.5 stars would be my exact rating, but it very much deserves the 5 star rating here.
**** I received this advance review copy for free, this review is entirely honest and of my own desire. I intend to purchase my own physical copy on official release! Always support your authors!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could hardly put the book down
Minor spoilers!!
***
When I started reading the book the first story started with a scene from a typical horror movie which although generic immediately hooked me. As the story went on I kept expecting something to happen and I wasn't able to stop thinking about it even when I put the book down. This went on until I'd suddenly read a whole life story.
I liked this one in particular because of its symbolism relating to real life. As in, even though it is fiction it is relatable for people with illness in their family that might feel exactly as you described. "A knife hanging above your head, waiting for it to fall."
I often hear people say they avoid reading short stories because it's hard to keep getting into a story but each of the characters in this book are so developed and have such a distinct voice that after a page I'm already used to it. This also allowed me to attach a different voice for each of them in my head which isn't often the case.
Because of their development some of the characters felt so much like real people that it felt like it could happen in real life and I could be the one on the opposite end of the knife which made it a different kind of terrifying (e.g. The road to Chicago).
My favorite story was definitely The Best Jest (in All the West!). I read it on the train and my jaw literally dropped reading the ending and I hope nobody was looking at me.
There were some stories I liked less but the writing was good enough to allow a few lesser ones (and of course it depends on personal preference).
While you could say the stories had an undertone of misandry, it's still something a man with basic intelligence could enjoy while providing some comfort to women which I think more literature should do.
Overall, I'd rate it 4.5* and I want to read more!
Minor spoilers!!
***
When I started reading the book the first story started with a scene from a typical horror movie which although generic immediately hooked me. As the story went on I kept expecting something to happen and I wasn't able to stop thinking about it even when I put the book down. This went on until I'd suddenly read a whole life story.
I liked this one in particular because of its symbolism relating to real life. As in, even though it is fiction it is relatable for people with illness in their family that might feel exactly as you described. "A knife hanging above your head, waiting for it to fall."
I often hear people say they avoid reading short stories because it's hard to keep getting into a story but each of the characters in this book are so developed and have such a distinct voice that after a page I'm already used to it. This also allowed me to attach a different voice for each of them in my head which isn't often the case.
Because of their development some of the characters felt so much like real people that it felt like it could happen in real life and I could be the one on the opposite end of the knife which made it a different kind of terrifying (e.g. The road to Chicago).
My favorite story was definitely The Best Jest (in All the West!). I read it on the train and my jaw literally dropped reading the ending and I hope nobody was looking at me.
There were some stories I liked less but the writing was good enough to allow a few lesser ones (and of course it depends on personal preference).
While you could say the stories had an undertone of misandry, it's still something a man with basic intelligence could enjoy while providing some comfort to women which I think more literature should do.
Overall, I'd rate it 4.5* and I want to read more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so beautifully written, all of them were so different and had such different moods and not all of them felt horrific. I had some thoughts while I was reading and made some notes, some of them are silly but here they are:
Story 1: I thought I was going to be terrified of this story and instead I cried in the back of a taxi. This was so beautiful. This one was my favourite story.
Story 2: I have now got a fear of the dry skin I occasionally get on my elbows.
Story 3: Very atmospheric, all of them feel very different from each other so far.
Story 4: I was far too much of a nerd in school to feel sorry for any of these characters since they sound like people I couldn't stand.
Story 5: These are all so melancholy for horror stories, they always leave me a little sad.
Story 6: This one made me feel beautifully uneasy.
Story 7: Oh!
Story 8: Oh! He's mad.
Story 9: I thought this was supposed to be a horror, this was mean.
Story 10: Average Jack mindset.
Story 11: Always here to support women's rights and women's wrongs, especially this one's.
Story 1: I thought I was going to be terrified of this story and instead I cried in the back of a taxi. This was so beautiful. This one was my favourite story.
Story 2: I have now got a fear of the dry skin I occasionally get on my elbows.
Story 3: Very atmospheric, all of them feel very different from each other so far.
Story 4: I was far too much of a nerd in school to feel sorry for any of these characters since they sound like people I couldn't stand.
Story 5: These are all so melancholy for horror stories, they always leave me a little sad.
Story 6: This one made me feel beautifully uneasy.
Story 7: Oh!
Story 8: Oh! He's mad.
Story 9: I thought this was supposed to be a horror, this was mean.
Story 10: Average Jack mindset.
Story 11: Always here to support women's rights and women's wrongs, especially this one's.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was very surprised by this collection, I went into this with no expectations if I'm honest. This is my first read of Shelley Crowley, yet I found myself crying at some of these stories. This is more literary than horror in places but still manages to be both creepy and poetic in a way I really like. My favourite stories were Just the Two of Us and Trees Don't Eat People. The former of these stories is very touching and emotional, this was the story I cried at. Whereas, I found myself cringing (positively) during Trees Don't Eat People so there truly is something in here for everyone.
The only point of criticism that I have is a couple of the stories were very very short and so felt more like concepts/ideas than full formed stories, there was nothing particularly wrong with them but a little too short for my taste.
Overall, a lovely collection and I will definitely be picking up other books by Shelley Crowley in the future.
I was very surprised by this collection, I went into this with no expectations if I'm honest. This is my first read of Shelley Crowley, yet I found myself crying at some of these stories. This is more literary than horror in places but still manages to be both creepy and poetic in a way I really like. My favourite stories were Just the Two of Us and Trees Don't Eat People. The former of these stories is very touching and emotional, this was the story I cried at. Whereas, I found myself cringing (positively) during Trees Don't Eat People so there truly is something in here for everyone.
The only point of criticism that I have is a couple of the stories were very very short and so felt more like concepts/ideas than full formed stories, there was nothing particularly wrong with them but a little too short for my taste.
Overall, a lovely collection and I will definitely be picking up other books by Shelley Crowley in the future.
Review of advance copy
This book is a collection of stories, and many of them deal with heavy and sometimes disturbing topics, so I think readers should be prepared for that. The writing style is easy to follow. The first story, "Just the Two of Us," starts like a horror story, with a very tense and scary situation, but slowly it becomes something much more emotional and meaningful. I liked how the relationship between the main character and the mysterious man changes over time. It was strange, sad, and also kind of beautiful in a way. The main character goes from being scared and stuck in life to actually building something for herself, facing her past and trying to live better. But, some parts felt a bit slow, especially when the story focuses more on daily life. Also, the tone can feel very heavy throughout, so it might not be for readers who want something light or fast paced.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 4, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5⭐️
This short story collection by Shelly Crowley was amazing! They were beautifully written and crafted in a way that I find is missing in short story collections, as I was hooked with how creepy and it was and slightly unhinged which is my cup of tea.
My favourite stories were Trees Don’t Eat People, Sapling and Road to Chicago! I gave those 5 stars whilst everything else got a very high four, as I genuinely was pleased with them all.
I am extremely excited to read more from this author, and highly recommend this short story collection as it really left an impact!
4.5⭐️
This short story collection by Shelly Crowley was amazing! They were beautifully written and crafted in a way that I find is missing in short story collections, as I was hooked with how creepy and it was and slightly unhinged which is my cup of tea.
My favourite stories were Trees Don’t Eat People, Sapling and Road to Chicago! I gave those 5 stars whilst everything else got a very high four, as I genuinely was pleased with them all.
I am extremely excited to read more from this author, and highly recommend this short story collection as it really left an impact!
Review of advance copy
The perfect mix of well written prose that's still easy to read. Chilling and suspenseful, this was a great read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A selection of emotional/horror stories that will move you. The main story is thoughtful and emotional, dealing with loss and learning to move all. Something we can all relate to.
A good read.
A good read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews