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Dark Hallows: 10 Halloween Haunts
Halloween just got a whole lot darker...DARK 10 Halloween Haunts is a wonderfully chilling collection of creepy tales that will have readers up late into the night--but only if they leave a light on!This new offering from Scarlet Galleon Publications and Editor Mark Parker, includes stories from industry luminaries and new voices Brian James Freeman, Al Sarrantonio, Robert Morrish, Norman Partridge, Ronald Malfi, Aaron Dries, Adam Cesare, Mark Parker, and Lisa Morton. And features a never-before-published tale from Cemetery Dance founder and publisher, Richard Chizmar!Each story is beautifully accompanied by original artwork from Aaron Dries, making this a must-have for book lovers and collectors everywhere. It’s one frightful ride readers won’t want to miss. Exploring the chilling haunts of Dark Hallows, is to take a journey into the very heart of Halloween, where readers are reconnected with the best, and hopefully worst, the 'dark holiday' has to offer.
170 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2015
34 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Richard Chizmar
252 books3,452 followersRichard Chizmar is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author.
He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.
Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.
Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.
His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.
Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.
He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.
Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.
Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.
His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.
Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 25, 2019
This was a very fine and creepy Halloween horror collection of 10 stories. With 'Mister Parker' you come to know about the dark secret in this popular teacher's past. 'The Maze', one of my favourites, warns you not to get lost in a cornfield maze. 'Monster Night' features the Pumpkin Eater (nice twist at the end). 'Johnny Halloween' describes what a police captain tries to hide (very well done story). In 'All Souls' Day' you see Samhain himself send a hawk to gather three souls. 'Starting Early', the most macabre and frightening story here, shows missing children boxed up for Halloween. 'Freight Train Tommy' explains how Miss Melanome (what a name) tries to be reunited with her dead son. 'There Are Corners In The World Where Lost Things Gather' has a close look at a family with a hoardy syndrome. 'Under The Tutelage Of Mr Trueheart' you'll see how a young outsider is manipulated by a deranged old man. 'The Darkest Night Of The Years' brings us to Roselyn and her fear of Halloween. If you want to get in the mood for Halloween you should definitely take a look at this book. Recommended!
October 26, 2017
DARK HALLOWS: 10 Halloween Haunts, edited by Mark Parker, consists of ten short stories by various authors, only connected by the central theme of Halloween. There were several stories in this anthology that I had already read elsewhere, but for the most part, those that I had were well worth re-reading.
Personal favorites of mine included:
--"There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather", by Robert Morrish. This is one of my top two favorites! While the story started out on a "gentle" note, with an older brother who always took along his younger brother--even including the younger on some "dates"--you could sense that a natural shift would be coming, as the older moved on to other interests. That is what made this tale so "unexpected" in the end. Fabulous characterization, emotions, and very detailed atmosphere at every turn, makes Robert Morrish one of the authors I must look up more from! ". . . Everything is changing constantly, we are changing . . . Come tomorrow, none of us will be the same . . . " You have to read this for yourselves to truly appreciate the horrors in it.
--"Freight Train Tommy", by Aaron Dries. I love what I've read from this author in the past, ands this new-to-me story is the other one tied for my favorite in this anthology. This involves bullying towards those of all ages, and a secret known to a cancer-scarred librarian that can help certain people "in need" . . . ". . . Kids' creativity . . . was a thing of awe when it wasn't so damn hurtful . . . "
--"Johnny Halloween", by Norman Prentiss. Although I've read this one previously, it remains a favorite. This tale is equal parts emotion, horror, and secrets better left unstated. ". . . You think you're making the decisions, but mostly life is making them for you . . . "
--"The Maze", by Lisa Morton. So few know about the ancient Celts, and the true meaning of Halloween--aside from the old woman running a cornstalk maze on All Hallows Eve.
--"Mr. Parker", by Richard Chizmar. This is another story I'd read previously that deserves recognition. No matter how often I read it, this tale has the power to evoke deep emotions from me. A slightly different kind of horror that you won't soon forget.
Overall, this anthology contains some well above average tales for Halloween. This would make a great addition to any horror enthusiast's shelves.
Highly recommended!
Personal favorites of mine included:
--"There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather", by Robert Morrish. This is one of my top two favorites! While the story started out on a "gentle" note, with an older brother who always took along his younger brother--even including the younger on some "dates"--you could sense that a natural shift would be coming, as the older moved on to other interests. That is what made this tale so "unexpected" in the end. Fabulous characterization, emotions, and very detailed atmosphere at every turn, makes Robert Morrish one of the authors I must look up more from! ". . . Everything is changing constantly, we are changing . . . Come tomorrow, none of us will be the same . . . " You have to read this for yourselves to truly appreciate the horrors in it.
--"Freight Train Tommy", by Aaron Dries. I love what I've read from this author in the past, ands this new-to-me story is the other one tied for my favorite in this anthology. This involves bullying towards those of all ages, and a secret known to a cancer-scarred librarian that can help certain people "in need" . . . ". . . Kids' creativity . . . was a thing of awe when it wasn't so damn hurtful . . . "
--"Johnny Halloween", by Norman Prentiss. Although I've read this one previously, it remains a favorite. This tale is equal parts emotion, horror, and secrets better left unstated. ". . . You think you're making the decisions, but mostly life is making them for you . . . "
--"The Maze", by Lisa Morton. So few know about the ancient Celts, and the true meaning of Halloween--aside from the old woman running a cornstalk maze on All Hallows Eve.
--"Mr. Parker", by Richard Chizmar. This is another story I'd read previously that deserves recognition. No matter how often I read it, this tale has the power to evoke deep emotions from me. A slightly different kind of horror that you won't soon forget.
Overall, this anthology contains some well above average tales for Halloween. This would make a great addition to any horror enthusiast's shelves.
Highly recommended!
Read
December 31, 2022A good Halloween read!
I enjoyed the stories. These tales are perfect for getting in the spirit of Halloween. The stand-out for me was Adam Cesare's "Starting Early."
I enjoyed the stories. These tales are perfect for getting in the spirit of Halloween. The stand-out for me was Adam Cesare's "Starting Early."
October 26, 2015
Any fan of horror literature will probably agree that Halloween is an exciting time of year. There are always going to be a number of special releases for readers to feast their eyes upon. Why not opt for a fantastic short story collection with a Halloween theme?This new collection is one for readers who love short, chilling stories.
The book is a collection of ten dark tales from authors that are well established, and more than capable of giving the reader a fright. If, like me, you enjoy Halloween this is the perfect book for you to help you get in that mood.
I would really recommend this book to anyone. It has everything that a good collection needs; Dark twists, macabre characters and scares galore. The fantastic cover immediately grabs your attention and each story is presented with a unique image relating to the tale.
The stories;
Mister Parker – A story about Benjamin Parker. A man that lived a simple life; he has no wife, no kids, he is a teacher at the local school. He has two things in life that he loves – books and astronomy. He absolutely hates Halloween because of a previous incident involving his father. He arrives home on Halloween evening feeling unwell, he goes to bed with a book. He is awoken when someone rings the doorbell. Is it the local juvenile’s playing pranks, or something more sinister?
The Maze – Four friends visit a local attraction, a corn maze run by the mysterious Miss Mackenzie. Follow Dozelle, Adam, Sean and Ashley in their journey through the corn. Ancient Celts believed that the evil ‘Sidh’ return for sacrifice during Samhain. This is an incredibly tense, creepy story.
Monster Night – Jonathan’s mom takes pride every year in making his Halloween costume. His mom’s friend tells him the story of the ‘pumpkin eater.’ Not a man that likes to consume pumpkins, somewhat the opposite.
Johnny Halloween – The sheriff of a small town comes across a convenience store where the clerk has been murdered. Two eye witnesses claim that they saw the killer – a man in a mask. He begins to recall his first shooting as the story unfolds with a fantastic twist.
All Souls Day – A unique, dark tale about the town of Orangefield as viewed from the perspective of a hawk. Three lives must be given in a tribute to the dark one every Halloween, taken by the hawk. But what happens when someone kills the bird?
Starting Early – The story of a woman - Miss Maggie. A woman who is preparing for Halloween. She must get the preparation done early along with the help of her little friend Cecily and her trusty iphone. Upon returning home one night she thinks that she has been burgled. Watch for another superb twist.
Freight Train Tommy – A horror story set in rural Austrialia about a boy – Luke. Luke visits the local librarian after being bullied at school by Sammy because of his super hero costume. She gives him a blank page from a book to read when, claiming that he will know when it is the right time to read. As the freight train thunders into town, so does Tommy. A very creepy little number.
There Are Corners In The World Where Lost Things Gather – Possibly my favourite story of the collection. A story about two brothers growing through life together, gaining the interest of girls and experimenting with things that they shouldn’t be. Its Halloween, they decide begrudgingly to try trick or treating. Bored, they decide to up the ante by heading to the Draeger House. A fantastic story - Imagine Stand By Me, mixed with The Frighteners.
The Under the Tutelage of Mr Trueheart – Ten year old schoolboy Warren Enck strikes up an unlikely friendship with an elderly gentleman; Mr Trueheart, after helping him out through the cubs. Mr Trueheart has a gift. A gift to see people as they really are. Its Halloween, Warren is on the way to the old man’s house, his face painted in white greasepaint. Between themselves they are on a mission to save the world, Mr Truehart is to entrust Warren with two items of great value.
The Darkest Night Of The Year – Roeselyn Saunders awakes early one morning, its nearly dawn. She shudders as she remembers that tomorrow is Halloween. She hates what her Mother refers to as ‘the dark holiday’ following a fright that she suffered at a young age - the result of a cruel prank. She wakes the next morning feeling shaky from a bad dream. She decides to head out and run some chores. She looks forward to getting home and locking herself away in her bedroom with a good book. When she gets back she has a shock when she finds a makeshift grave, complete with headstone in for front garden. Shaking with dread she runs to bed, a few hours later she hears a knock at her door. When she looks out of her window to investigate, what she sees makes her pass out with fear.
The book is a collection of ten dark tales from authors that are well established, and more than capable of giving the reader a fright. If, like me, you enjoy Halloween this is the perfect book for you to help you get in that mood.
I would really recommend this book to anyone. It has everything that a good collection needs; Dark twists, macabre characters and scares galore. The fantastic cover immediately grabs your attention and each story is presented with a unique image relating to the tale.
The stories;
Mister Parker – A story about Benjamin Parker. A man that lived a simple life; he has no wife, no kids, he is a teacher at the local school. He has two things in life that he loves – books and astronomy. He absolutely hates Halloween because of a previous incident involving his father. He arrives home on Halloween evening feeling unwell, he goes to bed with a book. He is awoken when someone rings the doorbell. Is it the local juvenile’s playing pranks, or something more sinister?
The Maze – Four friends visit a local attraction, a corn maze run by the mysterious Miss Mackenzie. Follow Dozelle, Adam, Sean and Ashley in their journey through the corn. Ancient Celts believed that the evil ‘Sidh’ return for sacrifice during Samhain. This is an incredibly tense, creepy story.
Monster Night – Jonathan’s mom takes pride every year in making his Halloween costume. His mom’s friend tells him the story of the ‘pumpkin eater.’ Not a man that likes to consume pumpkins, somewhat the opposite.
Johnny Halloween – The sheriff of a small town comes across a convenience store where the clerk has been murdered. Two eye witnesses claim that they saw the killer – a man in a mask. He begins to recall his first shooting as the story unfolds with a fantastic twist.
All Souls Day – A unique, dark tale about the town of Orangefield as viewed from the perspective of a hawk. Three lives must be given in a tribute to the dark one every Halloween, taken by the hawk. But what happens when someone kills the bird?
Starting Early – The story of a woman - Miss Maggie. A woman who is preparing for Halloween. She must get the preparation done early along with the help of her little friend Cecily and her trusty iphone. Upon returning home one night she thinks that she has been burgled. Watch for another superb twist.
Freight Train Tommy – A horror story set in rural Austrialia about a boy – Luke. Luke visits the local librarian after being bullied at school by Sammy because of his super hero costume. She gives him a blank page from a book to read when, claiming that he will know when it is the right time to read. As the freight train thunders into town, so does Tommy. A very creepy little number.
There Are Corners In The World Where Lost Things Gather – Possibly my favourite story of the collection. A story about two brothers growing through life together, gaining the interest of girls and experimenting with things that they shouldn’t be. Its Halloween, they decide begrudgingly to try trick or treating. Bored, they decide to up the ante by heading to the Draeger House. A fantastic story - Imagine Stand By Me, mixed with The Frighteners.
The Under the Tutelage of Mr Trueheart – Ten year old schoolboy Warren Enck strikes up an unlikely friendship with an elderly gentleman; Mr Trueheart, after helping him out through the cubs. Mr Trueheart has a gift. A gift to see people as they really are. Its Halloween, Warren is on the way to the old man’s house, his face painted in white greasepaint. Between themselves they are on a mission to save the world, Mr Truehart is to entrust Warren with two items of great value.
The Darkest Night Of The Year – Roeselyn Saunders awakes early one morning, its nearly dawn. She shudders as she remembers that tomorrow is Halloween. She hates what her Mother refers to as ‘the dark holiday’ following a fright that she suffered at a young age - the result of a cruel prank. She wakes the next morning feeling shaky from a bad dream. She decides to head out and run some chores. She looks forward to getting home and locking herself away in her bedroom with a good book. When she gets back she has a shock when she finds a makeshift grave, complete with headstone in for front garden. Shaking with dread she runs to bed, a few hours later she hears a knock at her door. When she looks out of her window to investigate, what she sees makes her pass out with fear.
October 27, 2015
A spine-chilling and instant classic collection of dark, atmospheric tales just in time for Halloween! These 10 stories, while each unique and equally terrifying, flow together seamlessly. This is an instant classic in the world of horror and suspense - perfect for Halloween (or, if you're like me, perfect for every day of the year!). This will definitely be a collection that people return to, year after year, and read aloud with their friends.
I read this book slowly, carefully, taking in each word, each story, and appreciating the wide range of writing styles. Mark Parker wrote a brilliant and engulfing introduction, and then Richard Chizmar instantly sucked me in from the very first paragraph of his story that followed! I found myself immersed in a world of terror and suspense...the world of Halloween!
I curled up on the couch, nothing to light the room but the dim, iridescent glow of my Kindle. I wrapped the blanket tightly around my shoulders so the monsters couldn't reach me. And I lost myself. I lost myself to the world of magnificent storytelling. Soon, I wasn't sitting on the couch reading the stories. In fact, I wasn't reading the stories at all. I was part of them - part of their world. Short, sharp, and suspenseful. I drifted from one world to the next with a ravenous hunger matched by no other. I craved more and more as I tore through the pages, forgetting to breath, eyes widening, and my mind racing to unveil what plot twist I would uncover next!
I urge you to embark on one wild ride through the mysterious and dark minds of Richard Chizmar, Lisa Morton, Brian James Freeman, Norman Partridge, Al Sarrantonio, Adam Cesare, Aaron Dries, Robert Morrish, Ronald Malfi, and Mark Parker! They bring to you to epic, new tales of horror. These are stories that will haunt you all year long!
I read this book slowly, carefully, taking in each word, each story, and appreciating the wide range of writing styles. Mark Parker wrote a brilliant and engulfing introduction, and then Richard Chizmar instantly sucked me in from the very first paragraph of his story that followed! I found myself immersed in a world of terror and suspense...the world of Halloween!
I curled up on the couch, nothing to light the room but the dim, iridescent glow of my Kindle. I wrapped the blanket tightly around my shoulders so the monsters couldn't reach me. And I lost myself. I lost myself to the world of magnificent storytelling. Soon, I wasn't sitting on the couch reading the stories. In fact, I wasn't reading the stories at all. I was part of them - part of their world. Short, sharp, and suspenseful. I drifted from one world to the next with a ravenous hunger matched by no other. I craved more and more as I tore through the pages, forgetting to breath, eyes widening, and my mind racing to unveil what plot twist I would uncover next!
I urge you to embark on one wild ride through the mysterious and dark minds of Richard Chizmar, Lisa Morton, Brian James Freeman, Norman Partridge, Al Sarrantonio, Adam Cesare, Aaron Dries, Robert Morrish, Ronald Malfi, and Mark Parker! They bring to you to epic, new tales of horror. These are stories that will haunt you all year long!
October 14, 2021
Pretty good!
My fav story was Lisa Morton's The Maze.
My fav story was Lisa Morton's The Maze.
February 23, 2016
Richard Chizmar, Lisa Morton, and Brian James Freeman (among others) - all in one anthology revolving around Halloween? I'll take "Things Worth Reading" for $400 Alex! Wait, WHAT? It's signed by Richard and Brian? I'll take "OH HELL YEAH!" for $800!
Scarlet Galleon Publications put together this little anthology, edited by Mark Parker, with some of the best writers in the genre. I've been a huge fan of Richard, and Brian - both from Cemetery Dance Publications - and thanks to them was afforded the opportunity to read the writings of Lisa Morton; the premier expert on all things Halloween.
This book has something for everyone - from the creepy, to the downright frightening.
Let's begin:
Mister Parker – Richard Chizmar: OK, so the grumpy old curmudgeon who hates Halloween has been done before. Heck, one of my favorite episodes of Tales From the Darkside was "Halloween Candy" where nasty old Mr Killup uses Halloween to taunt kids. But there is something about the way Richard reworks the story that makes it that much creepier.
The Maze - Lisa Morton: If you have read my reviews and still haven't picked up something that this lady has written, then I have no use for you. If you like the horror genre, she needs to be added to your library. After reading this story, not only will I never, EVER, go into a corn maze again, I may just skip Halloween all together this year. If you don't heed my warning, and still venture into one, make sure you leave breadcrumbs - and a will.
Monster Night – Brian James Freeman: Adults suck. No, we do. We lie to our kids about things like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. While they are harmless legends, it's still a lie. But some adults take perverse pleasure in telling kids stories about monsters that will harm them - like Krampus, or in the case of Monster Night, the Pumpkin Eater. Add to that mom's sadistic ex-boyfriend and you have one scarred little boy. Beware the Pumpkin Eater.
Johnny Halloween – Norman Partridge: Have you ever read a story, and at the end go, "What the hell did I just read? I didn't expect that!" We've all been there. It's a wonderful feeling, in my opinion, and the sign of a good storyteller. Well, Johnny Halloween is such a story. A sheriff arrives on the scene of a robbery, only to find out that the suspect is someone he's had a run in with before - Johnny Halloween - when the sheriff worked at a convenience store. Unfortunately, that robbery caused him to shoot his brother, who was an accomplice. Find out what happens when he crosses paths with Johnny again.
All Souls’ Day – Al Sarrantonio: It's bound to happen in an anthology - a story that you just don't mesh with. This is that story for me. Samhain needs to collect three souls for The Dark One - and uses a crow to do it. I felt the story was a little flat.
Starting Early – Adam Cesare: I am so glad I don't live in an apartment; you never know what your neighbor has across the hall. This is one of those stories that made my skin crawl, in a good way. A little girl befriends her neighbor and helps her put up the Halloween decorations early.
Freight Train Tommy – Aaron Dries: I truly don't know what to make of this story - and I don't mean that in a bad way. Luke has no friends, save a librarian the kids nicknamed "Miss Melanoma". She tells Luke about Freight Train Tommy who punishes bad children, like Sammy - the bully that taunts Luke. Who is Tommy and what does he ask of Luke? Read the invisible paper in full dark - all will be revealed. But don't eat the note when you are finished.
There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather – Robert Morrish: Another chilling read. Every neighborhood has their "haunted house", the one that the old people live in, or worse, nobody has lived in. This is the longest story of the book - it tells of two brothers, a girlfriend, drugs, and the exploration of such a house. To quote Rocky Horror - "There's a light... over at the Frankenstein place" Or is there?
Under the Tutelage of Mr. Trueheart – Ronald Malfi: This story was odd. Take a delusional old man, a young, bullied boy, and tales of humans being "body snatched". It goes to show how frail young minds are and what it takes to get them to snap.
The Darkest Night of the Year – Mark Parker: And finally, one more story about scaring a child for life. What happens when you put a pumpkin on your head, light it on fire, and chase kids up and down the block? You have one messed up adult in the future. Especially when she moves out on her own to a little farm community.
The problem with writing reviews for anthologies, especially horror ones, is that you risk giving away too much since they are all short stories. I've tried to give you a feel, but if you have an opportunity to pick this book up, I highly recommend it.
Scarlet Galleon Publications put together this little anthology, edited by Mark Parker, with some of the best writers in the genre. I've been a huge fan of Richard, and Brian - both from Cemetery Dance Publications - and thanks to them was afforded the opportunity to read the writings of Lisa Morton; the premier expert on all things Halloween.
This book has something for everyone - from the creepy, to the downright frightening.
Let's begin:
Mister Parker – Richard Chizmar: OK, so the grumpy old curmudgeon who hates Halloween has been done before. Heck, one of my favorite episodes of Tales From the Darkside was "Halloween Candy" where nasty old Mr Killup uses Halloween to taunt kids. But there is something about the way Richard reworks the story that makes it that much creepier.
The Maze - Lisa Morton: If you have read my reviews and still haven't picked up something that this lady has written, then I have no use for you. If you like the horror genre, she needs to be added to your library. After reading this story, not only will I never, EVER, go into a corn maze again, I may just skip Halloween all together this year. If you don't heed my warning, and still venture into one, make sure you leave breadcrumbs - and a will.
Monster Night – Brian James Freeman: Adults suck. No, we do. We lie to our kids about things like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. While they are harmless legends, it's still a lie. But some adults take perverse pleasure in telling kids stories about monsters that will harm them - like Krampus, or in the case of Monster Night, the Pumpkin Eater. Add to that mom's sadistic ex-boyfriend and you have one scarred little boy. Beware the Pumpkin Eater.
Johnny Halloween – Norman Partridge: Have you ever read a story, and at the end go, "What the hell did I just read? I didn't expect that!" We've all been there. It's a wonderful feeling, in my opinion, and the sign of a good storyteller. Well, Johnny Halloween is such a story. A sheriff arrives on the scene of a robbery, only to find out that the suspect is someone he's had a run in with before - Johnny Halloween - when the sheriff worked at a convenience store. Unfortunately, that robbery caused him to shoot his brother, who was an accomplice. Find out what happens when he crosses paths with Johnny again.
All Souls’ Day – Al Sarrantonio: It's bound to happen in an anthology - a story that you just don't mesh with. This is that story for me. Samhain needs to collect three souls for The Dark One - and uses a crow to do it. I felt the story was a little flat.
Starting Early – Adam Cesare: I am so glad I don't live in an apartment; you never know what your neighbor has across the hall. This is one of those stories that made my skin crawl, in a good way. A little girl befriends her neighbor and helps her put up the Halloween decorations early.
Freight Train Tommy – Aaron Dries: I truly don't know what to make of this story - and I don't mean that in a bad way. Luke has no friends, save a librarian the kids nicknamed "Miss Melanoma". She tells Luke about Freight Train Tommy who punishes bad children, like Sammy - the bully that taunts Luke. Who is Tommy and what does he ask of Luke? Read the invisible paper in full dark - all will be revealed. But don't eat the note when you are finished.
There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather – Robert Morrish: Another chilling read. Every neighborhood has their "haunted house", the one that the old people live in, or worse, nobody has lived in. This is the longest story of the book - it tells of two brothers, a girlfriend, drugs, and the exploration of such a house. To quote Rocky Horror - "There's a light... over at the Frankenstein place" Or is there?
Under the Tutelage of Mr. Trueheart – Ronald Malfi: This story was odd. Take a delusional old man, a young, bullied boy, and tales of humans being "body snatched". It goes to show how frail young minds are and what it takes to get them to snap.
The Darkest Night of the Year – Mark Parker: And finally, one more story about scaring a child for life. What happens when you put a pumpkin on your head, light it on fire, and chase kids up and down the block? You have one messed up adult in the future. Especially when she moves out on her own to a little farm community.
The problem with writing reviews for anthologies, especially horror ones, is that you risk giving away too much since they are all short stories. I've tried to give you a feel, but if you have an opportunity to pick this book up, I highly recommend it.
November 2, 2015
Dark Hallows is a top-rate horror antho. This book contains 10 amazing stories by some real heavy hitters (haunters) in the horror genre. These stories are themed around Halloween, but they’re so damn good they can be enjoyed anytime.
Mark Parker did a great job as editor of the antho, and he also has a delightfully disturbing story included within. As a horror author myself, I would like to go a step further and give kudos to Scarlet Galleon Press for such an artfully and meticulously produced antho. It has great cover art and contains original art work for each story.
If you say you’re a horror fan and do not have this antho, something is wrong with you. No, REALLY wrong.
Mark Parker did a great job as editor of the antho, and he also has a delightfully disturbing story included within. As a horror author myself, I would like to go a step further and give kudos to Scarlet Galleon Press for such an artfully and meticulously produced antho. It has great cover art and contains original art work for each story.
If you say you’re a horror fan and do not have this antho, something is wrong with you. No, REALLY wrong.
July 17, 2016
I'm a sucker for all things Halloween. As the title suggests, this short yet delectable collection contains ten tales of terror to haunt you this Halloween, some of which are reprints but all of which should be savored by fans of the holiday.
February 20, 2017
Some solid stories by Richard Chizmar,Lisa Morton and Others but the centerpiece in my mind is by Robert Morrish. A lot of fun which has you wishing for October.
April 2, 2017
No review needed. Just check out the authors. You'll read it every Halloween! This may contain the best Cesare and Malfi short stories I've read yet.
October 18, 2019
I'm always stoked to read Halloween books, particularly Halloween short story anthologies even though they're often uneven in quality. I was misled, thinking Cemetery Dance's Chizmar was the editor (instead it's Mark Parker who I haven't heard of), but it features one of his stories.
"Mister Parker" by Richard Chizmar
I swear I've read this in another anthology, and unfortunately it's not one of the highlights. The story follows the title character, a reclusive teacher who suffers a prank gone wrong while dealign with his own Halloween trauma. There were interesting ideas here, but it felt more like an early draft that needed expansion from the chunks of backstory. 2/5
"The Maze" by Lisa Morton
Some teenagers decided to check out a local woman's corn maze on Halloween. Needless to say with the obvious foreshadowing, it doesn't end well for them. It was a fun, campy story despite the predictable ending. 3/5
"Monster Night" by Brian James Freeman
A little boy has to overcome his fear of the Pumpkin Eater (a monster his mother's boyfriend tells him about). I enjoyed this one. It had that childlike quality, mixing the imaginary and realistic horrors. 4/5
"Johnny Halloween" by Norman Partridge
A Sheriff encounters the criminal who has plagued his past one Halloween night. This probably felt like the most well-written piece, and I liked the ambiguous ending. However, the stereotypical tough guy sheriff narrator did have some racist and homophobic attitudes. 3/5
"All Souls' Day" by Al Sarrantonio
I think Sarrantonio wrote about Orangefield in certain Halloween themed novels I haven't read and this felt more like an excerpt. There's a supernatural entity sending out a hawk to kill three people for sacrifices on Halloween night. It's a cool idea, but seemed like it could use more fleshing out and context. 3/5
"Starting Early" by Adam Cesare
The story follows a Halloween fanatic who lives alone, and cherishes the holiday with her ceramic Halloween village display with this little girl who lives in the same apartment building. For a Halloween store and decoration lover, this story brings out that sense of excitement and wonder. There's a darker ending which I wish I knew more about, but otherwise it was one of the highlights in this anthology. 4/5
"Freight Train Tommy" by Aaron Dries
A librarian helps a boy from being bullied as long as he keeps a secret. I wished I knew more about the supernatural element, but this had good atmosphere, and I always like it when bullies get what they deserve. It was also interesting to have the setting in Australia. 3/5
"There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather" by Robert Morrish
I think the longer length helped this story. It's about a man looking back at the last Halloween of his childhood with his brother and brother's girlfriend where they do drugs, go trick-or-treating, and visit the infamous Draeger House. I love this coming of age pieces, and haunted house stories, so this one was definitely one to fill you up with those nostalgic and creepy Halloween feelings. 4/5
"Under the Tutelage of Mr. Trueheart" by Ronald Malfi
Okay, Mr. Trueheart was weird, and I liked the idea of two outcasts in an old man and ostracized boy becoming friends. It explores the idea of identity, disguise, and us being monsters. It's an interesting theme, yet I was struggling to suspend my disbelief and how our young protagonist willingly believes Mr. Trueheart. 3/5
"The Darkest Night of the Year" by Mark Parker
A young woman moves into a rural home, but she's haunted by the trauma of her mother's boyfriend scaring her on Halloween. Unfortunately, the editor's story seems to mirror Chizmar's in that we get two characters who hate the holiday, but we're only told that rather than feeling it. Nonetheless, this had good atmosphere, and a ghostly ending, but it seems to lack a sense of cohesiveness. 2/5
Overall: 3.1 stars
"Mister Parker" by Richard Chizmar
I swear I've read this in another anthology, and unfortunately it's not one of the highlights. The story follows the title character, a reclusive teacher who suffers a prank gone wrong while dealign with his own Halloween trauma. There were interesting ideas here, but it felt more like an early draft that needed expansion from the chunks of backstory. 2/5
"The Maze" by Lisa Morton
Some teenagers decided to check out a local woman's corn maze on Halloween. Needless to say with the obvious foreshadowing, it doesn't end well for them. It was a fun, campy story despite the predictable ending. 3/5
"Monster Night" by Brian James Freeman
A little boy has to overcome his fear of the Pumpkin Eater (a monster his mother's boyfriend tells him about). I enjoyed this one. It had that childlike quality, mixing the imaginary and realistic horrors. 4/5
"Johnny Halloween" by Norman Partridge
A Sheriff encounters the criminal who has plagued his past one Halloween night. This probably felt like the most well-written piece, and I liked the ambiguous ending. However, the stereotypical tough guy sheriff narrator did have some racist and homophobic attitudes. 3/5
"All Souls' Day" by Al Sarrantonio
I think Sarrantonio wrote about Orangefield in certain Halloween themed novels I haven't read and this felt more like an excerpt. There's a supernatural entity sending out a hawk to kill three people for sacrifices on Halloween night. It's a cool idea, but seemed like it could use more fleshing out and context. 3/5
"Starting Early" by Adam Cesare
The story follows a Halloween fanatic who lives alone, and cherishes the holiday with her ceramic Halloween village display with this little girl who lives in the same apartment building. For a Halloween store and decoration lover, this story brings out that sense of excitement and wonder. There's a darker ending which I wish I knew more about, but otherwise it was one of the highlights in this anthology. 4/5
"Freight Train Tommy" by Aaron Dries
A librarian helps a boy from being bullied as long as he keeps a secret. I wished I knew more about the supernatural element, but this had good atmosphere, and I always like it when bullies get what they deserve. It was also interesting to have the setting in Australia. 3/5
"There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather" by Robert Morrish
I think the longer length helped this story. It's about a man looking back at the last Halloween of his childhood with his brother and brother's girlfriend where they do drugs, go trick-or-treating, and visit the infamous Draeger House. I love this coming of age pieces, and haunted house stories, so this one was definitely one to fill you up with those nostalgic and creepy Halloween feelings. 4/5
"Under the Tutelage of Mr. Trueheart" by Ronald Malfi
Okay, Mr. Trueheart was weird, and I liked the idea of two outcasts in an old man and ostracized boy becoming friends. It explores the idea of identity, disguise, and us being monsters. It's an interesting theme, yet I was struggling to suspend my disbelief and how our young protagonist willingly believes Mr. Trueheart. 3/5
"The Darkest Night of the Year" by Mark Parker
A young woman moves into a rural home, but she's haunted by the trauma of her mother's boyfriend scaring her on Halloween. Unfortunately, the editor's story seems to mirror Chizmar's in that we get two characters who hate the holiday, but we're only told that rather than feeling it. Nonetheless, this had good atmosphere, and a ghostly ending, but it seems to lack a sense of cohesiveness. 2/5
Overall: 3.1 stars
October 26, 2024
6,5/10 as per usual with short stories collections, some are better, some are worse, but generally all are imbued with the spirit of the season and make a fun reading during the spooky months.
And a word of warning... do not read the first story, by Richard Chizmar, if you feel depressed. It's probably one of the saddest things I've read for a long while. The guy knows his craft, that's for sure.
And a word of warning... do not read the first story, by Richard Chizmar, if you feel depressed. It's probably one of the saddest things I've read for a long while. The guy knows his craft, that's for sure.
October 17, 2017
Halloween story anthologies vary in quality- I've read some masterpieces like "October Dreams," and some that just don't quite stick the landing. This one is in between, with some very good stories and some forgettable ones. Twist endings are common, and some, like "Under the Tutelage of Mr. Trueheart," stick the landing, while others like "The Longest Night of the Year" and "Starting Early" don't QUITE come off as strongly. Still, for a Halloween chapbook to polish off in a night or two, this one gets the feeling right.
June 6, 2019
Whether creating elaborate costumes, transforming your house into a spooky spectacle, gorging on chocolate or waiting in the bushes to ruin a child’s dreams, everyone has rituals. Mine usually involves burying myself in books, comics and movies regarding our sacred Halloween evening. Whenever a new anthology comes out with even a slight whiff of autumnal celebration, it’s an automatic get. So, you can imagine my excitement when I learned of editor Mark Parker’s Dark Hallows: 10 Halloween Haunts, out now from Scarlet Galleons Publications.
Formed around the acquisition of a sinister and unpublished story, "Mr. Parker", from Cemetery Dance founder/author, Richard Chizmar, it might have been easier to just package it with familiar older works to support a book worthy of release. Instead we have six new stories, four very necessary reprints and all seem carefully chosen not unlike ripe apples. You know the kind...dark, crisp and concealing a big fucking razor blade.
You can read Jonathan's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Formed around the acquisition of a sinister and unpublished story, "Mr. Parker", from Cemetery Dance founder/author, Richard Chizmar, it might have been easier to just package it with familiar older works to support a book worthy of release. Instead we have six new stories, four very necessary reprints and all seem carefully chosen not unlike ripe apples. You know the kind...dark, crisp and concealing a big fucking razor blade.
You can read Jonathan's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
September 26, 2024
3.5 rounded up
These are short stories that all take place on Halloween, as promised by the title. I think most horror readers and Halloween lovers will find at least a couple of stories to enjoy here. More than a few of them, for me, were mediocre, but Adam Cesare's "Starting Early" was a real standout, five-star story that I can see adding to my annual October short story rotation. Most of the entries also do a good job of evoking that special time of year that is autumn and Halloween, so for that, I'm rounding up.
These are short stories that all take place on Halloween, as promised by the title. I think most horror readers and Halloween lovers will find at least a couple of stories to enjoy here. More than a few of them, for me, were mediocre, but Adam Cesare's "Starting Early" was a real standout, five-star story that I can see adding to my annual October short story rotation. Most of the entries also do a good job of evoking that special time of year that is autumn and Halloween, so for that, I'm rounding up.
November 3, 2017
Decent collection. Some were better than others, which is typically what you get in anthologies. I️ didn’t like the last story. The way the dialogue was written, the typos and it just didn’t go anywhere really. Kind of a disappointing way to end.
Some of my favorites were Johnny Halloween and Freight Train Tommy.
Some of my favorites were Johnny Halloween and Freight Train Tommy.
November 1, 2020
These short stories were quick reads, and somewhat entertaining. I found a few editing flaws, and some seemed rushed or like the story was part of a larger book but cut way down. It was hard to connect to any particular character when the stories seemed to jerk one direction then another. Overall it good for a quick read on Halloween night with the lights off.
September 14, 2019
Easy read, decent, but not great. Half of the stories are only tangentially related to Halloween. Plot are interesting, if not completely thought out in a smooth way. Worth a read, but not annually.
November 9, 2022
Put away a few Halloween-centric books this year, and this was one I enjoyed quite a bit. Only one or two that didn't do it for me, the rest were excellent. I'm not gonna name names on them, because your mileage may vary, but I'd definitely put this on the RECOMMEND stack.
November 2, 2021
A fine collection of Halloween tales. Accomplished writers all. Not a dud in the lot. Well worth the read.
April 4, 2022
It's fine. Some stories are great. Others are a little tedious and uninteresting. Every story is well-written and sets a great Halloween mood. Overall recommended.
November 21, 2023
They were ok
I expected more out of this than I actually got. A couple diamonds in the rough, but many I felt I had to pull myself through.
I expected more out of this than I actually got. A couple diamonds in the rough, but many I felt I had to pull myself through.
October 1, 2024
A pretty average collection. Nothing that really stood out to me.
May 3, 2025
Overall, this is a decent collection of short stories set around Halloween, although none were scary.
November 30, 2015
Dark Hallows: 10 Halloween Haunts is a book you’ll love all year long and cherish each Halloween. Kicking off this anthology of horror stories is a gorgeous Halloween cover that precedes interior artwork for each story. The quality of the artwork was a big bonus for the book and is simply a treasure to hold in print format. Following that visual landscape the anthology has a fantastic author lineup and a brilliant Forward by Editor Mark Parker. I can tell you Halloween pumps in this man’s heart. Mark portrayed in the Forward the idea of “stepping into a season of secrets” and that line was a masterful move that not only invoked the mysticism of Halloween but immediately shrouded the book in dark ambience, and that set the mood.
What I enjoyed most about the book was reflecting on how distinctive each story had been written with their own unique monsters and dark twists. But the one story that stood out for me was Robert Morrish’s: There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather. This story not only builds on the characters, but the tension and horror that await those characters in the Draeger House is nail-biting.
Dark Hallows was a quick read over a few nights, and I have to admit I was dying for a few more stories at the end only because I wanted the book to last longer; a Halloween high. But I guess that tells you how much I enjoyed reading the stories. So, hat-tip to Richard Chizmar, Lisa Morton, Brian James Freeman, Norman Partridge, Al Sarrantonio, Adam Cesare, Aaron Dries, Robert Morrish, Ronald Malfi, and Mark Parker for putting together a devilish collection of scary stories.
Dark Hallows definitely embodies the Halloween spirit and this book has impressed on me a tradition of terror. And so, like Linus sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin each year, I now wait for the next Halloween book from Scarlet Galleon Publication.
What I enjoyed most about the book was reflecting on how distinctive each story had been written with their own unique monsters and dark twists. But the one story that stood out for me was Robert Morrish’s: There Are Corners in the World Where Lost Things Gather. This story not only builds on the characters, but the tension and horror that await those characters in the Draeger House is nail-biting.
Dark Hallows was a quick read over a few nights, and I have to admit I was dying for a few more stories at the end only because I wanted the book to last longer; a Halloween high. But I guess that tells you how much I enjoyed reading the stories. So, hat-tip to Richard Chizmar, Lisa Morton, Brian James Freeman, Norman Partridge, Al Sarrantonio, Adam Cesare, Aaron Dries, Robert Morrish, Ronald Malfi, and Mark Parker for putting together a devilish collection of scary stories.
Dark Hallows definitely embodies the Halloween spirit and this book has impressed on me a tradition of terror. And so, like Linus sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin each year, I now wait for the next Halloween book from Scarlet Galleon Publication.
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