What do you think?
Rate this book
The Skeleton Closet
Not yet published
Expected 31 Oct 26A data entry clerk grapples with an irritating new colleague whose whistling drives him to the edge of madness...
A Chicago neighborhood is terrorized by ghoulish creatures whose lust for violence knows no bounds...
Tourists embark on an adventure to a legendary cave on a remote island, only to find that some myths are more reality than fiction...
With these 13 tales of the macabre, author J.R. Blanes beckons you to look inside a world where normality is twisted, yet terrifyingly recognizable.
Take the keys and open each door...if you dare.
A Chicago neighborhood is terrorized by ghoulish creatures whose lust for violence knows no bounds...
Tourists embark on an adventure to a legendary cave on a remote island, only to find that some myths are more reality than fiction...
With these 13 tales of the macabre, author J.R. Blanes beckons you to look inside a world where normality is twisted, yet terrifyingly recognizable.
Take the keys and open each door...if you dare.
248 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 31, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 6, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this collection of short spooky stories. Each left a creepy feeling. There were some I enjoyed more than others. But each highlighted a common fear in a new and twisted way. The last story was excellent, I hope to read more of that one. It was like staying up late and watching Tales from the Darkside on Sci-Fi. It is definitely perfect for the spooky season coming up. When you read these tales, you find yourself seeing connections between each. Almost as if they are apart of the same literary universe. I would definitely read more from the Skeleton Closet.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is really cool collection of 13 different spooky stories. Easy to dip in and out of and perfect for the lead up to Halloween. Mixture of subgenres within and each tale is differently told which keeps it refreshing. Deffo reccomend for the spooky seasons
Review of advance copy
OVERALL - 3.5 ⭐️
Each of the 13 short stories that make up this collection is completely unique and unexpected. In the past, I've found some collections repetitive and uninspiring to read straight through, but every story kept me on my toes! The variety of tropes, monsters and themes explored in this collection makes for a great introduction to horror.
The Whistler and the Cube - 3 ⭐️
I didn't feel particularly invested in this story, but I was excited that I didn't predict the ending.
Fang of the Sanguisuge - 4 ⭐️
A really refreshing take on your typical vampire story. Genuinely considered if I should give up my current career path and become a mortician.
Illustrations of the Emerging Scar - 3.5 ⭐️
Unique concept, but I didn't feel hugely connected to the characters.
Heart Rot - 5 ⭐️
HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE. This made me feel gripped, sick and mournful all at the same time. I was NOT expecting to feel so much from a story of this length. I honestly had to put the book down and stare at the wall for a bit.
The Strange Yarn of the Strawman - 4 ⭐️
We love a strong female character and icky men getting what they deserve. 🙂↕️
The Last Days of the Villa Sun - 4 ⭐️
Framing the story like a documentary was genius and really well-executed. This and the fast-paced action made it nearly impossible to put down.
Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph - 3.5 ⭐️
HUH??? Another story with a really interesting format - this time a scientific article. Really unpredictable direction!
Mouth of the Cave - 3.5 ⭐️
This felt somewhat similar to The Last Days of the Villa Sun. I sort of wish this had a gorier ending.
There Goes the Neighbourhood - 3 ⭐️
I really wanted to be obsessed with this one, but I just didn't connect the way I did with some of the other stories.
In the Cemetery of the Ice Maiden - 3.5 ⭐️
Another unique concept with an unexpected ending.
Polar Night - 4 ⭐️
I'm starting to think the way to my heart is to make me almost cry. This wasn't as gut-wrenching as Heart Rot, but boy did it hit me in the feels.
A Smile for Your Suffering - 3 ⭐️
Another unique concept with an unexpected ending that I didn't connect to.
The Skeleton Closet - 4 ⭐️
My second favourite in the entire collection. The ever-present sense of doom created by the first delivery set the perfect scene. One of the plot twists I did see coming, but I think the reader is supposed to. The second one, however, I did not expect at all.
Thank you to the author for providing a free advanced copy of this book through BookSirens!
Each of the 13 short stories that make up this collection is completely unique and unexpected. In the past, I've found some collections repetitive and uninspiring to read straight through, but every story kept me on my toes! The variety of tropes, monsters and themes explored in this collection makes for a great introduction to horror.
The Whistler and the Cube - 3 ⭐️
I didn't feel particularly invested in this story, but I was excited that I didn't predict the ending.
Fang of the Sanguisuge - 4 ⭐️
A really refreshing take on your typical vampire story. Genuinely considered if I should give up my current career path and become a mortician.
Illustrations of the Emerging Scar - 3.5 ⭐️
Unique concept, but I didn't feel hugely connected to the characters.
Heart Rot - 5 ⭐️
HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE. This made me feel gripped, sick and mournful all at the same time. I was NOT expecting to feel so much from a story of this length. I honestly had to put the book down and stare at the wall for a bit.
The Strange Yarn of the Strawman - 4 ⭐️
We love a strong female character and icky men getting what they deserve. 🙂↕️
The Last Days of the Villa Sun - 4 ⭐️
Framing the story like a documentary was genius and really well-executed. This and the fast-paced action made it nearly impossible to put down.
Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph - 3.5 ⭐️
HUH??? Another story with a really interesting format - this time a scientific article. Really unpredictable direction!
Mouth of the Cave - 3.5 ⭐️
This felt somewhat similar to The Last Days of the Villa Sun. I sort of wish this had a gorier ending.
There Goes the Neighbourhood - 3 ⭐️
I really wanted to be obsessed with this one, but I just didn't connect the way I did with some of the other stories.
In the Cemetery of the Ice Maiden - 3.5 ⭐️
Another unique concept with an unexpected ending.
Polar Night - 4 ⭐️
I'm starting to think the way to my heart is to make me almost cry. This wasn't as gut-wrenching as Heart Rot, but boy did it hit me in the feels.
A Smile for Your Suffering - 3 ⭐️
Another unique concept with an unexpected ending that I didn't connect to.
The Skeleton Closet - 4 ⭐️
My second favourite in the entire collection. The ever-present sense of doom created by the first delivery set the perfect scene. One of the plot twists I did see coming, but I think the reader is supposed to. The second one, however, I did not expect at all.
Thank you to the author for providing a free advanced copy of this book through BookSirens!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Dark Nest Publishing and author JR Blanes for an ARC version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Alright! Here's the good:
The stories are imaginative as a whole. They're spooky of course and some are downright scary. I love the cover art and the title. The pacing of each of the stories keeps the reader hooked and I will say I was pretty tucked into this compilation after the first short story. I like best, the story of the frozen girl that was unearthed and the deity that tried to claim her back. It reminded me of Steven Spielberg's 'A. I. Artificial intelligence'.
I loved how each story was unique but also shared the same Blanes- Essence.
Here's the bad:
The stories each (maybe not the first one) all need another few rounds of editing. There are tons of errors in not only the grammar but also the characters sometimes got mixed up in what they were saying or doing. In one of the stories the MC name is Timmy and he was called Jimmy at one point. They're small details but enough to take me out of the story a little bit.
Here's a big one however - The TONE. I don't know if it was just the layout of the ARC or the way the book was format but there often was no warning before something insanely important would happen. There would be major plot changes that were just glazed right over that I would have to come back and re-read because I was thinking "wait did that actually happen?"
Overall, I don't recommend this to anyone super super strict about reading but if you're looking for some quick spooky novellas and don't mind grammatical errors, you'd probably enjoy it!
Alright! Here's the good:
The stories are imaginative as a whole. They're spooky of course and some are downright scary. I love the cover art and the title. The pacing of each of the stories keeps the reader hooked and I will say I was pretty tucked into this compilation after the first short story. I like best, the story of the frozen girl that was unearthed and the deity that tried to claim her back. It reminded me of Steven Spielberg's 'A. I. Artificial intelligence'.
I loved how each story was unique but also shared the same Blanes- Essence.
Here's the bad:
The stories each (maybe not the first one) all need another few rounds of editing. There are tons of errors in not only the grammar but also the characters sometimes got mixed up in what they were saying or doing. In one of the stories the MC name is Timmy and he was called Jimmy at one point. They're small details but enough to take me out of the story a little bit.
Here's a big one however - The TONE. I don't know if it was just the layout of the ARC or the way the book was format but there often was no warning before something insanely important would happen. There would be major plot changes that were just glazed right over that I would have to come back and re-read because I was thinking "wait did that actually happen?"
Overall, I don't recommend this to anyone super super strict about reading but if you're looking for some quick spooky novellas and don't mind grammatical errors, you'd probably enjoy it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An enjoyable before-bed read. The stories are short, self-contained, and easy to read whenever you have twenty minutes. You can read several in a row or simply pick it up whenever you’re in the mood for something macabre, like right before you shut your eyes to sleep.
A lot of the more traditional stories have an Edgar Allan Poe-like quality to them, meaning they are mostly gothic, dark, and built around an ominous reveal at the end or left on a surprising note.
I enjoyed the collection much more when it experimented with format. Some stories are structured like news reports or research documents, and those felt much more distinctive.
My favorite was “Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph,” which follows a researcher documenting his study of a captured nymph and the complications that arise. The clinical aspect of the narration made the stranger and darker elements of the story especially effective.
There are creative concepts and some memorable formats here, even if not every story held my attention equally. Several were predictable enough that I could see where they were headed fairly early, which took some of the tension out of the horror. I think this book will appeal most to readers who enjoy classic gothic horror, Poe-inspired storytelling, and short horror they can dip in and out of.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
A lot of the more traditional stories have an Edgar Allan Poe-like quality to them, meaning they are mostly gothic, dark, and built around an ominous reveal at the end or left on a surprising note.
I enjoyed the collection much more when it experimented with format. Some stories are structured like news reports or research documents, and those felt much more distinctive.
My favorite was “Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph,” which follows a researcher documenting his study of a captured nymph and the complications that arise. The clinical aspect of the narration made the stranger and darker elements of the story especially effective.
There are creative concepts and some memorable formats here, even if not every story held my attention equally. Several were predictable enough that I could see where they were headed fairly early, which took some of the tension out of the horror. I think this book will appeal most to readers who enjoy classic gothic horror, Poe-inspired storytelling, and short horror they can dip in and out of.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
“13 Tales of the Weird and Terrible” to chill you this Halloween—and beyond
Thanks to the author for providing an advance reader copy through BookSirens!
Lizard people, neighbors who try to steal your life, ominous scarecrows, and frozen mummies who wake up when thawed are just some of the creepy and strange dangers you’ll encounter in J.R. Blanes’ collection of 13 stories. Some of them put an interesting spin on mundane life, while others reimagine classic monsters like vampires and werewolves, giving them a unique spin. There Goes the Neighborhood was a strong standout to me—while gentrifiers-as-zombies is not a new concept, this version has humor and wit that make it feel fresh. With research and sensitivity, Mouth of the Cave and In the Cemetery of the Ice Maiden take ancient cultures and create from them modern-day horrors. The Last Days of the Villa Sun utilizes a found-footage documentary style that is quite enjoyable to read. The title story closes out the book, treading the line between supernatural and mundane to right past wrongs and deliver retribution to the doorstep, one package at a time. The whole collection is a quick and easy read, with stories long enough to tell their tales, but short enough to consume during a break at work. I recommend this to fans of Edward Gorey, readers of Shirley Jackson, watchers of anthology shows like The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt, and anyone looking for a set of spooky tales to bite into!
Thanks to the author for providing an advance reader copy through BookSirens!
Lizard people, neighbors who try to steal your life, ominous scarecrows, and frozen mummies who wake up when thawed are just some of the creepy and strange dangers you’ll encounter in J.R. Blanes’ collection of 13 stories. Some of them put an interesting spin on mundane life, while others reimagine classic monsters like vampires and werewolves, giving them a unique spin. There Goes the Neighborhood was a strong standout to me—while gentrifiers-as-zombies is not a new concept, this version has humor and wit that make it feel fresh. With research and sensitivity, Mouth of the Cave and In the Cemetery of the Ice Maiden take ancient cultures and create from them modern-day horrors. The Last Days of the Villa Sun utilizes a found-footage documentary style that is quite enjoyable to read. The title story closes out the book, treading the line between supernatural and mundane to right past wrongs and deliver retribution to the doorstep, one package at a time. The whole collection is a quick and easy read, with stories long enough to tell their tales, but short enough to consume during a break at work. I recommend this to fans of Edward Gorey, readers of Shirley Jackson, watchers of anthology shows like The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt, and anyone looking for a set of spooky tales to bite into!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What I liked most about The Skeleton Closet is how much variety there is across the thirteen stories. You get everything from the darkly funny workplace nightmare of “The Whistler & The Cube” to much more disturbing stories involving body horror, supernatural creatures, family trauma, and strange places where something has clearly gone very wrong.
The stories also don't all rely on the same kind of horror. Some are more grotesque, some are unsettling, and others lean into that classic “what exactly is happening here?” feeling. “Heart Rot,” “Mouth of the Cave,” and “Polar Night” were particular standouts for me, but there was something enjoyable in pretty much every story.
It has a very recognizable pulp-horror influence, and if you grew up enjoying things like Tales from the Crypt, you'll probably feel right at home here. The collection isn't afraid to get nasty when it needs to, but it also knows how to have fun with its own horror tropes.
Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a collection of quick, macabre stories rather than one long horror novel. There are thirteen doors here, and thankfully, not all of them lead to the same kind of nightmare.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The stories also don't all rely on the same kind of horror. Some are more grotesque, some are unsettling, and others lean into that classic “what exactly is happening here?” feeling. “Heart Rot,” “Mouth of the Cave,” and “Polar Night” were particular standouts for me, but there was something enjoyable in pretty much every story.
It has a very recognizable pulp-horror influence, and if you grew up enjoying things like Tales from the Crypt, you'll probably feel right at home here. The collection isn't afraid to get nasty when it needs to, but it also knows how to have fun with its own horror tropes.
Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a collection of quick, macabre stories rather than one long horror novel. There are thirteen doors here, and thankfully, not all of them lead to the same kind of nightmare.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 11, 2026
i had the chance to read this one as an arc and honestly… this feels like such a perfect book to start the spooky season with.
the skeleton closet is a collection of short horror stories, and while i definitely liked some stories more than others, i really think there’s something in here for everyone. there were a few that weren’t really for me, but i can absolutely see other readers loving those exact stories.
it’s marketed as old-school horror and i actually think that description fits really well. it has that classic horror feeling without being too difficult or heavy to read, which makes it a great starting point if you’re looking to get into the horror genre.
the book comes out on october 31st, so obviously… a perfect halloween read. but i also think it would work really well after halloween if you wanna keep the spooky vibes going and just read one short story every day.
overall, it was a really easy and enjoyable read for me. not every story was a favourite, but i think that’s kinda the fun of a short story collection — there’s a good chance your favourites will be completely different from mine.
i’d give it around 3–3.5 stars ⭐️
the skeleton closet is a collection of short horror stories, and while i definitely liked some stories more than others, i really think there’s something in here for everyone. there were a few that weren’t really for me, but i can absolutely see other readers loving those exact stories.
it’s marketed as old-school horror and i actually think that description fits really well. it has that classic horror feeling without being too difficult or heavy to read, which makes it a great starting point if you’re looking to get into the horror genre.
the book comes out on october 31st, so obviously… a perfect halloween read. but i also think it would work really well after halloween if you wanna keep the spooky vibes going and just read one short story every day.
overall, it was a really easy and enjoyable read for me. not every story was a favourite, but i think that’s kinda the fun of a short story collection — there’s a good chance your favourites will be completely different from mine.
i’d give it around 3–3.5 stars ⭐️
Review of advance copy
I thought I would try some horror reading to get in the mood for Halloween. This book looked like it would do that for me. I think its might be hard for me to review anthologies as its different tales throughout the book hard to talk about. I found that the first couple of stories to be really interesting. Without the supernatural stuff happen I could imagine some of it really happening. At the middle point of the book the stories kinda of fell off for me. I don’t know if I was just tired that day but they made me sleepy. One of the stories did piss me right off so that was surprising for me. A steady start to a slow pace for reading. This book definitely made me feel a bunch of different things.
A high soild 3 of 5 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A high soild 3 of 5 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Skeleton Closet was an enjoyable collection of horror stories that offered plenty of variety. One of the things I liked most was that I never quite knew what to expect from the next story. Some leaned into creepy atmosphere, others focused more on unsettling concepts, and a few left me thinking about them after I finished. 
As with most collections, some stories worked better for me than others. There were a few that immediately grabbed my attention and a few that didn't connect with me quite as strongly. Still, I appreciated the imagination behind the collection and the willingness to explore different corners of the horror genre. 
Overall, this was a solid horror collection with enough creepy and entertaining moments to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy short horror fiction and like sampling a variety of dark ideas and scenarios, this one is worth checking out.
As with most collections, some stories worked better for me than others. There were a few that immediately grabbed my attention and a few that didn't connect with me quite as strongly. Still, I appreciated the imagination behind the collection and the willingness to explore different corners of the horror genre. 
Overall, this was a solid horror collection with enough creepy and entertaining moments to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy short horror fiction and like sampling a variety of dark ideas and scenarios, this one is worth checking out.
Review of advance copy
The first group of stories reminded me of the classic horror comics of the 1950s and 1960s, with their trademark surprise endings. However, as I continued through the anthology, I felt that something was missing from the stories. It wasn't that the plots weren't interesting enough, but rather that they lacked a certain element that can elevate a good story into a great one.
Overall, this is a solid anthology that will satisfy horror fans.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, this is a solid anthology that will satisfy horror fans.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When it comes to these types of books, there are always stories you will like, and some you won't.
I appreciate the variety in this book: the different horror tropes, the different types of characters, and the unique way of storytelling.
Because of the length of the stories, all of them get straight into action and I think that's really important when it comes to short story collections. There were some that were lacking something, and I was hoping they went all in and gave the readers more. However, it didn't stop me from enjoying all of them.
The ones I really enjoyed reading and stood out to me are: Illustrations of the Emerging Scar, The Last Days of the Villa Sun, Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph, Mouth of the Cave, which I loved because of the way the characters were written, and A Smile For Your Suffering.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciate the variety in this book: the different horror tropes, the different types of characters, and the unique way of storytelling.
Because of the length of the stories, all of them get straight into action and I think that's really important when it comes to short story collections. There were some that were lacking something, and I was hoping they went all in and gave the readers more. However, it didn't stop me from enjoying all of them.
The ones I really enjoyed reading and stood out to me are: Illustrations of the Emerging Scar, The Last Days of the Villa Sun, Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph, Mouth of the Cave, which I loved because of the way the characters were written, and A Smile For Your Suffering.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC!
DNF at 13%
I read through two of the short stories before unfortunately deciding this book just wasn't going to be for me. When I picked this one up, I was looking for something spooky to get me in the Halloween spirit. These stories leaned more towards an almost comical side of horror, and I'm not personally a lover of that. This collection of stories would be perfect for someone who vibes more with that silly/cheesy side of horror!
DNF at 13%
I read through two of the short stories before unfortunately deciding this book just wasn't going to be for me. When I picked this one up, I was looking for something spooky to get me in the Halloween spirit. These stories leaned more towards an almost comical side of horror, and I'm not personally a lover of that. This collection of stories would be perfect for someone who vibes more with that silly/cheesy side of horror!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book !!!
»»——— ᢉ𐭩 ———««
As someone who loved short horror stories and anthologies i immediately had to request this book to read and honestly I expected a little more horror, even though i did read it on sitting and my fav story is the one with the nymph, it was indeed creepy, I just wanted a little more horror, something to send chills down mu spine, overall a decent read to be done with in one go.
»»——— ᢉ𐭩 ———««
As someone who loved short horror stories and anthologies i immediately had to request this book to read and honestly I expected a little more horror, even though i did read it on sitting and my fav story is the one with the nymph, it was indeed creepy, I just wanted a little more horror, something to send chills down mu spine, overall a decent read to be done with in one go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn’t wowed by the collection but I did enjoy Fang of the Sanguisuge and A Smile For Your Suffering. The other stories unfortunately fell flat for me. I felt the pacing was either too fast or too slow and the ending of a few ended up more predictable than I’d like them to be. The notes for each story at the end where J.R. Blanes explained their background was a unique touch that I appreciated.
Thank you NetGalley and Dark Nest Publishing for this early copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Dark Nest Publishing for this early copy.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a great book. The stories were very creepy. Even though they were short stories you still got a good character build to relate to. I will say it was annoying with how many typos or missing words there are, but it was worth it. Very quick read. I love the Story Notes in the back. I always wonder what mindset or experience the author was in that led to crazy stories.
This is a great book. The stories were very creepy. Even though they were short stories you still got a good character build to relate to. I will say it was annoying with how many typos or missing words there are, but it was worth it. Very quick read. I love the Story Notes in the back. I always wonder what mindset or experience the author was in that led to crazy stories.
October 2, 2026
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮
WOoOoOah now I LOVED these short stories.
So well written, so entertained, didn’t guess any of the endings 😂
Standouts were the skeleton key and the story about the clown, such gripping reads. Had some real moments of dread which I loved.
I’ve read a few short story compilations this month which all fell a bit flat. Thankfully this scratched that itch for me.
WOoOoOah now I LOVED these short stories.
So well written, so entertained, didn’t guess any of the endings 😂
Standouts were the skeleton key and the story about the clown, such gripping reads. Had some real moments of dread which I loved.
I’ve read a few short story compilations this month which all fell a bit flat. Thankfully this scratched that itch for me.
Review of advance copy
This fun, chilling collection is perfect for spooky season. The stories are short, fast-paced, easy to read in a single sitting and will definitely creep you out. They're all very different, so there's something for everyone. My favorites are probably "The Last Days of the Villa Sun", "Observations on the Life Cycle of a Nymph" and "Mouth of the Cave". I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2026
I really enjoyed some of the stories in JR Blanes's The Skeleton Closet collection, particularly the title story itself and the one with the clown. They gave me the heebie jeebies!
Some of the other stories, however, didn't really click for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Some of the other stories, however, didn't really click for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Review of advance copy
A mixed bag, the first take came out running, really enjoyed it, it felt tense and gritty and real, the rest of the stories didn't quite match up in my opinion. It's not that they are badly written, they aren't, they just didn't quite big the target for me.
I got a copy of this from BookSirens and this is my honest review
I got a copy of this from BookSirens and this is my honest review
September 30, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for an e-ARC!
I found this to be a middling collection of short stories. There were some grammatical and spelling errors that I noticed, that I’m sure will be fixed once the final is published. My two favorites of the short stories were Fang of the Sanguisuge and Observations on the life cycle of the Nymph!
I found this to be a middling collection of short stories. There were some grammatical and spelling errors that I noticed, that I’m sure will be fixed once the final is published. My two favorites of the short stories were Fang of the Sanguisuge and Observations on the life cycle of the Nymph!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a pretty middle of the road collection for me none of the stories we really bad but nothing really stood out either. I already don't recollect much, I just didn't click with any of the stories.
Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy
Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a dark and spooky collection of horror, thriller stories. Some of them were VERY …creative and visually stimulating. Whereas others were just fun campfire stories. Not a bad mix, worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderfully eclectic mix of stories here, with lots of variety including monsters (my favourite being 'Polar Night'), work-based horror, and creepy neighbours.
My other favourites in the collection (and there are a lot to choose from) were 'Fang of the Sanguisuge', which was very atmospheric and full of dread; 'The Strange Yarn of the Straw Man', a revenge tale with a difference; 'A Smile for Your Suffering', which I also loved when it was on the Creepy Podcast; and last but not least, 'The Skeleton Closet'. With its great build-up, I think it would be my overall favourite.
Highly recommend The Skeleton Closet, and thanks to J. R. Blanes, Dark Nest Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy.
My other favourites in the collection (and there are a lot to choose from) were 'Fang of the Sanguisuge', which was very atmospheric and full of dread; 'The Strange Yarn of the Straw Man', a revenge tale with a difference; 'A Smile for Your Suffering', which I also loved when it was on the Creepy Podcast; and last but not least, 'The Skeleton Closet'. With its great build-up, I think it would be my overall favourite.
Highly recommend The Skeleton Closet, and thanks to J. R. Blanes, Dark Nest Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was given an advance copy of this book by Dark Nest Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This collection of short horror stories encompasses a great many horror genres. So if one isn't to your taste, read on, the next one may be. My favorite was the final story, about a man getting creepy packages on his doorstep. There was quite a few others I liked, but that one really stood out to me. Most of the stories are set in the present, but a couple of them are from the past. Excellent writing that gave me chills! Great for Halloween or a cold winter night.
A warning... if snakes or insects really bother you, theres a few stories you may want to skip.
This collection of short horror stories encompasses a great many horror genres. So if one isn't to your taste, read on, the next one may be. My favorite was the final story, about a man getting creepy packages on his doorstep. There was quite a few others I liked, but that one really stood out to me. Most of the stories are set in the present, but a couple of them are from the past. Excellent writing that gave me chills! Great for Halloween or a cold winter night.
A warning... if snakes or insects really bother you, theres a few stories you may want to skip.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews