Threads of Obsession: A Horror Anthology

by J.M. Clary, Tamsin St. James, Lydia E. Penrose

13 Authors. 1 Thread.

Beneath the wide, shadowed canopy of horror, these twisted tales weave their own from dark rituals, cults, and cursed objects, to stalkers, ghosts, and science gone too far — prepare to entangle yourself in stories of love, hate, and the dark fears that haunt us all.

Be warned. Once you start pulling, there’s nothing to stop you from coming undone at the seams.

Featuring Stories By
Tamsin St. James • Lydia E. Penrose
Elizabeth Faye Moxen • Samantha Bryant • J.M.Clary
S.M. Roundtree • Odella Howe • Kate Weize • T.G. Thorne
Zaki Brell • Emily Holman • Luke Geldmacher • Eira Thane

Genres: Horror

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

J. is 50% of the writing duo, JT Tales. When not curating anthologies or rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll probably find her somewhere daydreaming. Please interrupt her. She should be working on her debut novel, What Darkness Makes, instead.

J. lives in North Carolina with her husband (Casey), dog (Dexter), and their three ninja turtles (Ziggy, Indy, & Dewey).

Reviews

[Elizabeth Scozzari · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a collection of short stories to make you feel unsettled and seen—not in the wholesome, healed way, but the stalked way. Check out this anthology!

Overall rating (taking into account each individual story plus the overall theme/organization) ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ✨

ARC review 🖤 🩸

[Vampyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you were so mad you didn’t start much sooner?!

Holy fuckkkk!

Threads of Obsession is a dark and depraved ride through humanity’s obsessions with celebrities, love, fame, popularity, and revenge.

From the very first story by Tamsin St. James’ lesson on why children should listen to their elders with their “Down the Garden Path”, to “The Diablorist’s Desire”, by S.M. Roundtree award-worthy prose, to “The Devil’s Vigil” by Zaki Brell, a poignant vampiric tale that would make Anne Rice proud, and 10 other equally powerful (5* rated) stories…This is THE horror anthology of 2026!

Further notes on this collection:
I Never Saw My Father- Like the Invisible Man reimagined for a new generation.

Please Rewind- Great for those who grew up before the 2000s in the glory days of Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. Also great for fans of The Ring, and VHS. So, be kind, rewind!

My Idol- How far would you go to please your idol?

In The Name Of Love- If feminine rage was disguised as a sorority founded on love…it might come close to this story! Think Heathers X Mean Girls x Black Christmas x The House Bunny.

I Become You- LOL…Because what the fuck?! 🤯 That’s all! Read this one!

The Deep End- How far would you go to go viral?!

We Love You So Much- A wedding from Hell!

I want to thank authors Jessica & Tori for my e-ARC and my physical ARC copies, along with the autographs, thank you card, sticker, and bookmark!

I’m going to be talking about this book all damn year!

[Anna Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror anthologies take me back to when I was a teen reading goosebumps and stories to tell in the dark. This is the grown up version! If you're new to horror or anthologies, this is a great place to start! The stories are easily read and the book isn't too long! Plus all proceeds go to a good cause!

I received the physical book as an ARC and the attention to detail in this book is so good! I love the addition of art for some of the stories! It really helps me visualize the story and was a really nice touch!

Some of my favorite stories included Down the Garden Path, Love Letter, I Never Saw My Father, Please Rewind, In The Name of Love, and The Deep End! All of these had a level of eary that to me makes a really good short story! What happens when you go to far? What if the obsession is with something you don't understand? Do consequences still come? These stories are not only entertaining, but they also make you think!

Where will obsession take you???

[Kristine Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one caught me off guard… in the best way.
Threads of Obsession is one of those rare anthologies where every single story feels completely different, yet somehow still pulls on the same dark, tangled thread.
From page one, I was hooked.
Like… actually excited to pick it up every day (you know that feeling 👀).
It’s eerie, creative, and doesn’t play it safe—each story pushes what horror can be, not just what we expect it to be.
And if you’re looking for a quicker read? This is perfect. Bite-sized, but still hits hard.

[Dean Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A horror collection that is stuffed full of unique storytelling that will delve into your soul and keep it hostage. Fight the fear as you dive deeper and deeper into the horrors that lie within. . From murderous plants to vampiric goddesses, there is something for everyone within. The writing is fantastic throughout, from poetic storytelling to masters of gore description; each talented author will sate your lust for terror.

[SpOOKybOOkwrm · Rating 5 out of 5]

13 authors, lucky 13 that is, and one sick and twisted thread.

This anthology perfectly curated multiple authors and multiple writing styles. Some of these stories had my pulse pounding and flying through the pages. All unique stories stringing the reader along through a hallway of horror. I enjoyed this quick read and absolutely recommend it if you like horror and if you might fancy a little bundle of scary stories.

"Be warned. Once you start pulling, there's nothing to stop you from coming undone."

[Rebecca White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick paced and eclectic anthology. I loved how different all the authors voices were but kept with the theme of obsession. Some were definitely darker than others but they were all unsettling.

Some of my favorites were:

I Never Saw My Father- I loved how quietly dreadful this one was.

Please Rewind- nostalgic yet still so relevant to today.

In The Name of Love- this was my favorite. So perfectly pink and horrific.

The Deep End- anything with water is immediately creep to me.

[Bree_pepperjelly_and_wine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.R.C Read
All bangers

Trigger Warnings vary based on the short story inside the Anthology. There are some doozies in there!

This is the first anthology I've ever read and I'm glad I started with this one. Every single story was fantastic. Some were body based horrors, some purely mental horror, others were calm and eerie. The variety was great.

The art was creepy af and complimented the haunting images already in my head as I read each of these stories. Art credit: Stormy Gail Art.

1. 'Down the Garden Path' by Tamsin St. James
The follies of youth am I right? I don't know what did it the end but there were too many times of me saying "why tf are you doing that?! That's not a good idea" for it to have ended any other way.

2. 'Love Letter' by Lydia E. Penrose
Man that went from weirdly cute to deeply uncomfortable rapidly. The journal was an especially unsettling invasion.

3. 'Through All Things, We Suffer' by Elizabeth Faye Moxen
What a swerve. I sympathized. I felt fear on her behalf. I full halted, confused and a bit uncomfortable. I got a bit grossed out. And finally my sympathy for her fled, faster and faster. What a monster.

4. 'I Never Saw My Father' by Samantha Bryant
Frannie's mom gave Frannie a real gift by taking on the burden of abuse to herself. I really loved this one. It felt crafted in a way I can't really describe.

5. 'Please Rewind' by J.M. Clary
His obsession/addiction combined with the video content was disturbing.

6. 'The Diablorist's Desire' by S.M. Roundtree
What a jealous, talentless POS. My disgust with this character grew and grew. Fantastic.

7. 'My Idol' by Odella Howe
This one got me. Hwan is absolutely unhinged. Masterclass in self delusions. What a great character. At a certain point I went "Oh sh**!" and my eyebrows kept climbing.

8. 'Listen, Laurie' by Kate Weize
This one had a unique feel. I loved the way ghost hunting and paranormal work was addressed. Laurie was chill.

9. 'In the Name of Love' by T.G. Thorne
I love women's rights and women's wrongs. I'd struggle with the lack of black clothing but blood red could become my color no problem. Madison kept me on my toes until the very end.

10. 'The Devil's Vigil' by Zaki Brell
I love a good homoerotic vampire story. 'Will they/won't they' applies equally to love/lust as violence/feeding and that tension lands great for me in this short story. Decaying creatures, power struggles, and "scarousal" aplenty.

11. 'I Become You' by Emily Holman
The things Clara said and did during this entire short story were creepy AF. Some of the vague wording creates the most horrendous imagery in my head. "Once she's finished with what she needs, ..." eww eww eww I know what Clara's doing without being told and it's awful! Such a good short story.

12. 'The Deep End' by Luke Geldmacher
Dane's dumb*** stunt had me chanting "nooo no no no don't do that" along with the chat while my heart rate spiked. Loved the chat bubbles, I could totally pair them to a voice in my head as they "popped up".

13. 'We Love You So Much' by Eira Thane
I have to admit, when I first started reading this one I thought "Oh no, that last one's a dud. Well that sucks to end the anthology that way." I relaxed. I kept reading anyway. And I was gently guided straight to the most horrific reveal and realization that I'd been unwittingly participating in.
Everything I thought was careless in the first half of the story was re-contextualized, none of it was careless, it was meticulous. I'd been lulled. Duped. What a ride of a short story. Bravo Eira Thane. Bravo.

Thank you to all of the authors for a banger intro to reading anthologies!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threads of Obsession
A Horror Anthology
Release Date: June 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This anthology is exactly what the title promises: unsettling, eerie, and packed with stories that crawl under your skin to live in completely different ways. Some are psychological, some lean into body horror, some play on paranoia, but together they create this constant sense of dread that lingers long after you stop reading.

One of the best parts? Proceeds from book sales go to Global Charity, so you can support a good cause while simultaneously traumatizing yourself before bed.

The standout stories for me were:

“I Never Saw My Father” by Samantha Bryant’
This one unlocked the exact same level of discomfort Hollow Man gave me back in the Kevin Bacon era. Absolute heebiejeebies. I couldn’t bear to appreciate Bacon as the God he was for years, given the damage he did to me during that film, and man, this tale brought some of that back. The idea of someone being there while remaining unseen is already horrifying, but adding the father’s scientific background made it even creepier because everyone knew something wasn’t right; they just couldn’t put their finger on it. The tension builds beautifully, and I loved seeing the daughter finally take matters into her own hands after her mother’s death.

“Love Letter” by Lydia E Penrose
This story directly targeted one of my most irrational fears. I’ve watched way too much true crime for my own good, so the idea of someone observing your life this closely? Absolutely not. The kind of close where they know your routines, your home, your habits? Nightmare fuel. The atmosphere in this one was fantastic and genuinely made me side-eye my own house afterward. I’m not saying I checked the attic after reading it… but I’m also not not saying that.

Overall, this anthology does what good horror should do: it makes ordinary things feel threatening afterward. And honestly? That’s the fun of it.

[Twisted Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Threads of Obsession is one of those anthologies that became more impressive the further I got into it.
Made up of 13 stories by different authors, the collection explores obsession from multiple angles, but what surprised me most was how varied those angles were. I expected stories centered around possessiveness, jealousy, stalking, and unhealthy love. While those themes certainly appear, the anthology quickly expands into something much larger.
Across the collection, obsession becomes consumption, surveillance, devotion, power, grief, vengeance, longing, identity erosion, and even collective ideology. Some stories are deeply personal while others explore what happens when obsession becomes part of a larger system, such as a cult, a sisterhood, or a shared belief.
A few personal standouts for me were Love Letter, My Idol, Listen, Laurie, I Become You, and We Love You So Much: The Bride. Each approached obsession from a completely different perspective while still feeling connected to the anthology's larger themes.
What I appreciated most was that many of these stories trusted the reader to sit with ambiguity and draw their own conclusions. Some stories were emotionally devastating, some were intellectually unsettling, and others lingered because of the questions they left behind.
Overall, this is a psychologically rich horror anthology that explores not only obsession itself, but what happens when obsession becomes stronger than identity. If you enjoy horror that is atmospheric, thought-provoking, and focused on psychological themes rather than simple shock value, this anthology is well worth your time.

[Tuesday Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to be a part of this arc, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to take part in! I was already familiar with a couple of the authors who took part, but I’ve found some great new additions to my indie author must buy list!

This collection covers so many different types of obsessive horror – including botanical horror, mad scientists, demonic dealings, obsessive fangirls, sorority rituals, deep pool monsters and more. The variety really makes this anthology special, and each story leaves you feeling spooked and disturbed in the best way. Each story is very well written, and you can tell each author took great care to cultivate a spooky tale.

This anthology is a great way to introduce yourself to the genre and see where your tastes lie. Most of the stories don’t go deep into gruesome horror but just tip the line to make it more eerie and spooky, making it perfect for beginners and hardcore horror fans alike.

I read one short story a day for this arc, and it was a nice way to appreciate each story individually and break up my current reads.

So, if you like any horror, I can guarantee you’ll find at least some of these short stories a wonderful read. And bonus, all profits from this anthology go to the Global Fund for Children! I’ll be getting my physical copy for the bookshelf trophy list!

I received this ARC for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’d like to thank the author for letting me be a part of the ARC team.

[Tallulah Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole this anthology is enjoyable and would be a good gateway into the horror genre for someone who is not well versed. Based on the number of trigger warnings, I was expecting something a little more extreme from these works. What I got instead was, in my opinion, quite mild horror. I don’t mean this as a negative, simply an observation.

There are, of course, upsetting topics and descriptions in the various stories - Threads of Obsession is a horror anthology, after all. I personally found the trigger warnings intriguing, but others may find the long list off-putting. I would have put individual warnings on the stories instead, thus allowing people to pick and choose which ones to read.

Additionally, it was clear to me that these stories were written by authors with a variety of experience levels. Some of them were stronger than others. I think it’s great for anthologies to include authors with a variety of skills and takes on the subject, though, so I don’t really mind. Besides, some of the stories I considered less-than-frightening may be terrifying to another reader.

I would recommend this anthology to anyone interested in getting into horror!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threads of obsession is a unique horror anthology of separate narratives interwoven by thirteen separate authors. I really mean it when I say that it has something for everyone.

Ranging from eerie stories to downright soul tingling, threads of obsession includes a range of stories from various sub genres that will definitely having you looking up the authors to see more of their work.

The opening story by Tamsin St. James was the perfect opener. It set a deliciously gothic tone and I particularly enjoyed her use of structure. Samantha Bryant’s mix of mid century nostalgia and classic science fiction horror was perfect and Odella Howe, Lydia E. Penrose and Emily Holman are all going to be the reason that I check every nook and cranny of my bedroom before going to sleep!

As well as some of the more traditional styles of writing, I was also entranced by the inclusion of modern takes and settings and the inclusion of intertextual and pop-culture references.

Overall, a good time was had reading through this anthology. I can’t wait to dive into the other works of these talented writers!

[Kenny Riot Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing anthology, consisting of 13 vastly different short stories by different authors, is hard to put down no matter how much you want to.
While each author interprets the theme of obsession very differently, they all feel very cohesive together. From unsettling occults to prying on your everyday fears, this anthology is a psychologically unsettling read perfect for dipping your toes into the horror genre.
Some stand-outs for me were

Love Letter - Lydia E. Penrose
This story played on my own personal paranoia of feeling like I’m being watched. It’s been days since I’ve read it and I can’t get it off my mind.

In the Name of Love - T.G. Thorne
Pretty in pink feminine rage with a supernatural twist. Love is about give and take, and balance must be restored.

The Devil’s Vigil - Zaki Brell
I’m a sucker (haha) for vampire stories! I haven’t seen this trope used like this before and it’s easily a story I can see myself coming back to a lot.

Overall this book is a very enjoyable read, perfect for cozying up on a stormy day (like I did) and just devouring it in one sitting.

[Salem Elessar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threads of Obsession’s variety of stories and styles of horror were appealing to me. I enjoy the broader entertainment of the horror genre, but I haven’t spent much time reading horror fiction specifically. This anthology was awesome to dive into. I was able to sample many types of horror and discover sub-genres I didn’t know I needed. The stories with body horror grossed me out in the best way.

The opening story “Down the Garden Path” by Tasmin St. James gives a strong sense of creepy and unknown. Good opening vibes for the rest of the book.

My favorite stories were “The Diablorist’s Desire” by S.M. Roundtree and “Through All Things We Suffer” by Elizabeth Moxen. These had religious settings in unique ways. Not in the expected exorcist motif we see in movies. I didn’t know I needed more religious horror in my life.

Shout out also to “I Never Saw my Father” by Samantha Bryant. I was on the edge of my seat as the story unraveled.

I’d recommend this anthology to anyone getting into horror like myself. Great creepy reads.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threads of Obsession is a great little read, especially for anyone curious about dipping their toes into horror without diving straight into the darkest depths of the genre. Rather than relying on intense fear or disturbing imagery, this collection leans into a subtle gray zone, more creepy and eerie than outright terrifying.
The book features 13 short stories, each with its own tone and style, which keeps the reading experience fresh and engaging. If one story does not quite land for you or feels a bit too unsettling, it is easy to move on to the next without losing momentum. That variety makes it approachable and hard to grow tired of.
Overall, it is a quick, enjoyable read that feels especially fitting as we head toward the Halloween season. A solid choice for readers who want a taste of horror with a lighter, atmospheric touch.

[✨️Alise In Wonderland✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love about anthologies is getting to see each author- in this case, 13 authors- write a completely different story based on the same theme. This theme was obsession.

Including stalkers, haunted video tapes, and the desires to become someone else that go a little too far, Threads of Obsession is just the right amount of unsettling, making this a perfect read for a dark and stormy night (which was exactly when I read this 🤭)

Blood is definitely shed, and some of the stories are a little more creepy than others, but overall I would rate it medium-level scary. Some of my favorites from this collection were:
Please Rewind by J.M Clary
In the Name of Love by T.G Thorne
I Become You by Emily Holman

I definitely recommend picking this one up if you are a fan of spooky stories!

*special thanks to the authors for sending me an ARC for review!

[Ash Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Anthology includes 13 short stories which are all very different, but have one common theme - obsession!

It is an ideal book for readers who would like to dip their toes into the horror genre at the milder end of the scale, with more of a focus on eerie and creepy atmosphere than blood curdling fear.

The stories in the anthology cover a wide variety of horror themes from ghosts and vampires to occult, so plenty of variety to keep the reader engaged.

Overall, some stories definitely worked better for me than others. Love Letter by Lydia E Penrose and The Deep End by Luke Geldmacher were two of my stand out stories. Both were exceptionally well written and created the perfect eerie atmosphere.

A great quick read and all for a great cause.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader copy received by the author!

This is an amazing little anthology featuring 13 short stories of the horror genre.

The anthology has something for everyone. From deranged Kpop fans to vampires, to body horror, to dangerous flora and fauna. The horror even though mild, it can be very disturbing as the authors are so talented and their descriptions vivid. Don’t let the lengthy trigger warning list discourage oh from reading it. It is the perfect read for Summerween, Halloween or if you are looking to dip your toes into horror.

I loved that the book features authors from all levers and experiences. Some of the my fave stories were My Idol, I Never Saw my Father and the Devil’s Vigil.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though there are thirteen short horror esq. novellas it is a quick read.

For me they each had their own unique style; hauntingly poetic maybe a little blood and a deeper meaning. You will be drawn into each novella, giving us an insight into the occult, vampire, ghosts, human psyche and the rest. I can’t explain them; as they are certainly stories you’d have to read yourself to understand the horrors in typeface. Suffice to say I totally enjoyed my foray into this book, the ambiance created through narrative is always something to behold even though I wanted some to be longer, they worked well as is 🫶🏻 …and it is for a good cause 😉

[Thebatandthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of stories. All carefully articulate and all leaving you with a sense of unease.

Though i enjoyed the anthology as a whole. I definitely loved some stories more then others.

The Love Letter was the first nope of the book that left me paranoid and uncomfortable.
Followed by Please Rewind which made me glad Blockbuster closed.
Then came In The Name Of Love and the only thing i didn't condone here was the ungodly amount of pink.
The Devil Vigil made me fall in love with a Vampire "again" . While I Become You made me nope so fast the second time. Ending on the high with We Love You So Much which made me so glad i have only one somewhat sane sister.

[Odella Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm one of the authors featured, so I'll review the other stories, not my own.

Reading the other twelve stories in this anthology brought back all the feelings of reading Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark when I was a kid, but in a darker and more grown-up way (complete with terrifying illustrations!) I'm so humbled to have my work featured among these other authors. I think Down The Garden Path stuck with me most, but it's tough to choose. They're all enticing, well-written, and just gruesomely fun!

Highly recommend.

[Erika Tritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised by several of the stories and their ability to weave such a strong narrative in a short format. While the book as a whole does start off a little slow, many of the works inside were worth getting to. I especially liked S.M. Roundtree’s contribution and found it to be one of my favorites. The added artwork also made for a special read. I wouldn’t call most of the stories particularly scary or gruesome, so if you enjoy a ‘gentler’ flavor of horror, this might be a good match!

[Tanzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threads of Obsession is a collection of thirteen short horror stories, each written by a different author. This book was so fun to read. Each author’s unique writing style infused each story with an exciting sense of adventure/realm you were going into. To add to the experience, the book features beautiful and disturbing illustrations. Some of the stories are so captivating that I found myself compelled to reread them multiple times.

[Mirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy Recieved by Authors

This was an anthology book where the stories had so many twist 😳 endings some that left me feeling some type of way but I loved it. Surprisingly I really enjoyed the change in genre and definately would love to read more. I had a few stories i really liked and some that left me wondering 🤔 💭 how did they come up with such and intruguing story, and some that left me where is the rest of it. 😆

[Brittany Bukowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO NOT read this book in the dark or at night!! It is SCARY!

I truly enjoyed my experience reading this collection of short stories. Many of them left me wanting to know more! It was a fairly quick read and would be perfect for horror/ thriller/ suspense enthusiasts!

There is some tough subject matter, so be aware of the content warning. Overall, though, I thought this was a great collection! I will definitely be reaching for it again during spooky season!

[Stasia Roze · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eclectic mix of horror stories! The talent within this anthology is out of this world! Each story really is a thread in a tapestry made to show how obsession can manifest in different ways. From creepy cults, sorority houses, and 1 on 1 stãlkèrs. There are so many good stories in this, this is without a doubt one of my favourite anthologies.

If you're looking for that skin crawling, edge of your seat uncomfortableness that horror brings, look no further than this anthology!!

[Raven Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

13 stories that leave you with more questions.

Each author wrote amazing dark, twisty and mysterious stories that had me gasping at the end. The writing was great and left mystery and intriguing interpretations of what else could be.

This is great for those who like dark, horror, twisty stories that are not what you would expect.

Would recommend this anthology. Stories read quickly and have all the adrenaline packed in short stories.

[Amira (a.muses_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsettling and eerie.

This book's a collection of short and unique horror stories from different talented authors with amazing voices. Each of their poetic takes and ways of storytelling about humanity's 'obsession' were just magnificently done. Some have darker themes than others but all the same, disturbing and creepy.

I looove anything horror and I definitely have my favourites here but overall, all these stories were rich, atmospheric, and psychologically devastating. Recommended! ✨️

[Jen Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within this anthology is a wide variety of tropes with one common theme....obsession. There are so many good stories here, and I appreciated how some of them took the obsession theme and flipped it on its head to bring us horrors I would have never thought of otherwise! If you are looking to dip your toes into the horror genre or discover a new favorite author, then add this one to your TBR!