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Cotton Candy & Other Short Stories
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 16, 2026
If dark circus/clown themes are your type then you will love this collection! I couldn’t put it down, each story was better then the last and nothing was to bad if splatterpunk or extreme horror isn’t your thing! After reading this I will definitely be reading more circus themed horror cause this book made me love it!
July 11, 2026
Circus horror is a trope that I find however often it is explored, it is mildly terrifying. If there’s one thing guaranteed to send a shudder down my spine, it is a clown. But you would be absolutely forgiven for thinking we’ve seen it all before.
Enter Brad Thomas, who enters the circus tent with a collection of stories which defy the norm, give the reader a death-defying leap into the terror-fueled jaws of the circus, and fundamentally give us one hell of a show. And I do mean that literally.
From sweet treats that give a poisonous aftertaste, to stilts made of bone, cruel ringmasters and eerie clowns, this collection has it all. Every dark corner of the circus tent is explored, and some of the horrors lurking there will leave you forever haunted by the calliope music.
The Smiling Man and the Bone Walker will live rent free in my mind for quite some time, but there is no singular story that doesn’t feel perfectly crafted by a master of eerie and insidious horror. From cosmic to creature horror, Brad’s voice shines through, forging new paths through a tried and tested sub-genre. Not an easy task, but you’re in the hands of the perfect ringmaster.
Enter Brad Thomas, who enters the circus tent with a collection of stories which defy the norm, give the reader a death-defying leap into the terror-fueled jaws of the circus, and fundamentally give us one hell of a show. And I do mean that literally.
From sweet treats that give a poisonous aftertaste, to stilts made of bone, cruel ringmasters and eerie clowns, this collection has it all. Every dark corner of the circus tent is explored, and some of the horrors lurking there will leave you forever haunted by the calliope music.
The Smiling Man and the Bone Walker will live rent free in my mind for quite some time, but there is no singular story that doesn’t feel perfectly crafted by a master of eerie and insidious horror. From cosmic to creature horror, Brad’s voice shines through, forging new paths through a tried and tested sub-genre. Not an easy task, but you’re in the hands of the perfect ringmaster.
August 1, 2026
I've never actually been to the circus before... and after reading Cotton Candy & Other Short Stories by Brad Thomas, I'm not entirely sure I want to.
If you've ever thought there was something just a little off about the circus, this collection will make sure you never look at the big top the same way again.
I absolutely flew through this collection. Every story carries an underlying sense of creeping unease that builds into something wonderfully sinister, which made it almost impossible to put down. Brad has such a knack for taking something familiar and twisting it into something unsettling, and the circus setting provides the perfect backdrop for these imaginative nightmares.
My favourite story was Cotton Candy, which perfectly captured everything I love about horror - an eerie atmosphere, mounting dread, and that lingering feeling that something is terribly wrong just beneath the surface. It stayed with me long after I'd finished it.
Each story brings something different to the ring. The Clown Who Wasn't Human was a particular highlight too, giving me strong Nightmare on Elm Street vibes - especially once the dreamscape was introduced. That dreamlike blend of reality and nightmare was brilliantly done and had me hooked.
Whether it's The Midnight Menagerie, The Bone Walker, The Smiling Man, or The Last Show at Blackvale Circus, every tale offers its own flavour of horror while remaining tied together by the wonderfully dark circus theme. The variety keeps the collection feeling fresh from beginning to end.
Brad has created a unique and genuinely creepy collection that's packed with atmosphere, imagination, and memorable scares. It's clear how much love and creativity has gone into these stories, and it shines through on every page.
If you're a fan of creepy carnivals, sinister clowns, and horror that leaves you with an uncomfortable smile long after you've finished reading, I'd highly recommend giving Cotton Candy & Other Short Stories a place on your TBR. Just don't expect to visit the circus again without looking over your shoulder...
As for me? As I said before, I've never been to the circus... and thanks to Brad, I'm in no rush to change that!
If you've ever thought there was something just a little off about the circus, this collection will make sure you never look at the big top the same way again.
I absolutely flew through this collection. Every story carries an underlying sense of creeping unease that builds into something wonderfully sinister, which made it almost impossible to put down. Brad has such a knack for taking something familiar and twisting it into something unsettling, and the circus setting provides the perfect backdrop for these imaginative nightmares.
My favourite story was Cotton Candy, which perfectly captured everything I love about horror - an eerie atmosphere, mounting dread, and that lingering feeling that something is terribly wrong just beneath the surface. It stayed with me long after I'd finished it.
Each story brings something different to the ring. The Clown Who Wasn't Human was a particular highlight too, giving me strong Nightmare on Elm Street vibes - especially once the dreamscape was introduced. That dreamlike blend of reality and nightmare was brilliantly done and had me hooked.
Whether it's The Midnight Menagerie, The Bone Walker, The Smiling Man, or The Last Show at Blackvale Circus, every tale offers its own flavour of horror while remaining tied together by the wonderfully dark circus theme. The variety keeps the collection feeling fresh from beginning to end.
Brad has created a unique and genuinely creepy collection that's packed with atmosphere, imagination, and memorable scares. It's clear how much love and creativity has gone into these stories, and it shines through on every page.
If you're a fan of creepy carnivals, sinister clowns, and horror that leaves you with an uncomfortable smile long after you've finished reading, I'd highly recommend giving Cotton Candy & Other Short Stories a place on your TBR. Just don't expect to visit the circus again without looking over your shoulder...
As for me? As I said before, I've never been to the circus... and thanks to Brad, I'm in no rush to change that!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Something Wicked this way comes ... And it isn't Ray Bradbury"
Short story collections are my favorite because they allow me to get a taste of the writing style in short snippets. The new collection by Brad Thomas delivered just that. COTTON CANDY and other short stories is a collection of quiet circus horror that transports the reader to a world filled with a big red and cream top, performers juggling knives and candy apples. Terror lurks in every corner and the dread accumulates until the jaw-dropping end. It was a lot of fun.
As with all short story collections, stories resonate more than others. Some of my favorites included THE CLOWN THAT WASN’T HUMAN, THE SMILING MAN AND THE BONE WALKER. As a seasoned horror reader, this book was a little tame for me.
Check out the collection if you are a fan of circus horror. It might be the perfect palate cleanser between books.
Thank you, Brad Thomas, for my advanced reader copy
Short story collections are my favorite because they allow me to get a taste of the writing style in short snippets. The new collection by Brad Thomas delivered just that. COTTON CANDY and other short stories is a collection of quiet circus horror that transports the reader to a world filled with a big red and cream top, performers juggling knives and candy apples. Terror lurks in every corner and the dread accumulates until the jaw-dropping end. It was a lot of fun.
As with all short story collections, stories resonate more than others. Some of my favorites included THE CLOWN THAT WASN’T HUMAN, THE SMILING MAN AND THE BONE WALKER. As a seasoned horror reader, this book was a little tame for me.
Check out the collection if you are a fan of circus horror. It might be the perfect palate cleanser between books.
Thank you, Brad Thomas, for my advanced reader copy
July 25, 2026
I read Cotton Candy and Other Short Stories by author Brad Thomas.
Circus horror. The circus is creepy to begin with. I’d drive 5 miles out of the way to avoid one. I know the characters in these haunting tales wish they had done the same.
Don’t be fooled by the title fluffy sweet title. This isn’t an 80s clown slasher or a knife juggler running amok. These are deeply dark stories that get to the foundations of who people are. What they try to hide. What they haven’t healed from. Losses, fears. Feeling controlled or without choices.
Though they are all uniquely and effectively atmospheric and disturbing, The Bone Walker is one of the scariest short stories I’ve ever read. I almost wish I hadn’t read it. Almost. I’m a horror fan after all. And getting those visceral feels speaks highly of what this author can do.
Definitely recommend.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Circus horror. The circus is creepy to begin with. I’d drive 5 miles out of the way to avoid one. I know the characters in these haunting tales wish they had done the same.
Don’t be fooled by the title fluffy sweet title. This isn’t an 80s clown slasher or a knife juggler running amok. These are deeply dark stories that get to the foundations of who people are. What they try to hide. What they haven’t healed from. Losses, fears. Feeling controlled or without choices.
Though they are all uniquely and effectively atmospheric and disturbing, The Bone Walker is one of the scariest short stories I’ve ever read. I almost wish I hadn’t read it. Almost. I’m a horror fan after all. And getting those visceral feels speaks highly of what this author can do.
Definitely recommend.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Something wicked this way comes... And it isn't Ray Bradbury.
There's something innately macabre about the circus, about what might be hiding behind the facade of happy families, the scent of candy floss and popcorn, and the ever present clowns.
In COTTON CANDY & OTHER SHORT STORIES, Brad Thomas is our ringmaster and takes us on a journey behind the curtain, to the terror waiting backstage. A fresh take on circus horror that had me at the edge of my seat begging for an encore. A calliope tune of vanishing children, mysterious illnesses, the spectacle of forced honesty, and, of course, unknowable eldritch horrors (I'm looking at YOU 'The Smiling Man').
Brad Thomas has brought something new, unique, and engaging to the age-old, beloved genre of 'circus horror'.
There's something innately macabre about the circus, about what might be hiding behind the facade of happy families, the scent of candy floss and popcorn, and the ever present clowns.
In COTTON CANDY & OTHER SHORT STORIES, Brad Thomas is our ringmaster and takes us on a journey behind the curtain, to the terror waiting backstage. A fresh take on circus horror that had me at the edge of my seat begging for an encore. A calliope tune of vanishing children, mysterious illnesses, the spectacle of forced honesty, and, of course, unknowable eldritch horrors (I'm looking at YOU 'The Smiling Man').
Brad Thomas has brought something new, unique, and engaging to the age-old, beloved genre of 'circus horror'.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review - All opinions are my own.
I tend to avoid clown / circus horror as it's been done to death, excuse the pun, but Brad breathes some freshness into the well trodden genre.
All the presented stories come across as modern folk horror, with the circus theme being a canvas rather than the focus. Take the characters and plots, drop them in different scenarios - the outcome will be the same. So, if you have a similar aversion as me, you have no need to fret here.
Quality shines through in each story but if I were to pick a favourite, it would be The Smiling Man - perfect for expanding into a longer and juicier tale.
If I were to have any criticism, I would prefer the stories to be slightly longer and much more gory!
I tend to avoid clown / circus horror as it's been done to death, excuse the pun, but Brad breathes some freshness into the well trodden genre.
All the presented stories come across as modern folk horror, with the circus theme being a canvas rather than the focus. Take the characters and plots, drop them in different scenarios - the outcome will be the same. So, if you have a similar aversion as me, you have no need to fret here.
Quality shines through in each story but if I were to pick a favourite, it would be The Smiling Man - perfect for expanding into a longer and juicier tale.
If I were to have any criticism, I would prefer the stories to be slightly longer and much more gory!
July 16, 2026
Cotton candy
Really loved this anthology of carnival horrors!! Thank you to Brad as I received as an arc! Truly appreciated!! You should definitely check out this author and his other books as they are so creepy!! Also check out this book as it’s an anthology which is always great!! I specifically loved the bone walker and the smiling man! I have read a lot of horror and splatterpunk and these two shorts actually freaked me the fuck out!! Especially the smiling man! Like what the actual fuckery was that! Would be good to see the authors names with the title of their stories If you could let me know that would be great!! But overall what a fantastic anthology!!! Wasn’t too sure on the last one. It was a bit longer and my autistic ass got a bit confused!
Really loved this anthology of carnival horrors!! Thank you to Brad as I received as an arc! Truly appreciated!! You should definitely check out this author and his other books as they are so creepy!! Also check out this book as it’s an anthology which is always great!! I specifically loved the bone walker and the smiling man! I have read a lot of horror and splatterpunk and these two shorts actually freaked me the fuck out!! Especially the smiling man! Like what the actual fuckery was that! Would be good to see the authors names with the title of their stories If you could let me know that would be great!! But overall what a fantastic anthology!!! Wasn’t too sure on the last one. It was a bit longer and my autistic ass got a bit confused!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cotton Candy is a fun collection of short stories all centered around a spooky traveling circus. My two favorite stories from the collection were Cotton Candy and The Smiling Man. The Smiling Man was especially good, with a creepy villain and a chilling ending. I did think the last story, The Last Show at Blackvale Circus, was pretty weak compared to the rest of the stories. It was way longer than it needed to be. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Definitely a fun enjoyable collection
Review of advance copy received from Author
Roll up, roll up! Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Prepare to be shocked, to be amazed, but mostly allow yourself to be entertained!
I love the mystery that surrounds circuses. The darkness and magic that appears with a convoy of vehicles, almost under the cover of darkness, that constantly move around the country like they don't belong in this world!
Brad grabs all of those things and with his bare hands squeezes out these tales that have real menance and a disturbing edge to them. The Smiling Man is just so damn creepy, and The Clown That Wasn't Human has definite Freddie Kruger vibes to it, and The Bone Walker will have you looking over your shoulder and mumbling incoherently.
These are great stories from missing children and evil creatures to sweet treats that make the audience go bonkers! I love how all the stories are strong on their own but work so well as a collection.
Brad's writing goes from strength to strength and this proves once again that he doesn't know how to write plain and boring, and everything pens grabs you and refuses to let you go!
Now, bring out the clowns...
I love the mystery that surrounds circuses. The darkness and magic that appears with a convoy of vehicles, almost under the cover of darkness, that constantly move around the country like they don't belong in this world!
Brad grabs all of those things and with his bare hands squeezes out these tales that have real menance and a disturbing edge to them. The Smiling Man is just so damn creepy, and The Clown That Wasn't Human has definite Freddie Kruger vibes to it, and The Bone Walker will have you looking over your shoulder and mumbling incoherently.
These are great stories from missing children and evil creatures to sweet treats that make the audience go bonkers! I love how all the stories are strong on their own but work so well as a collection.
Brad's writing goes from strength to strength and this proves once again that he doesn't know how to write plain and boring, and everything pens grabs you and refuses to let you go!
Now, bring out the clowns...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews