I Scream Man

by Robert McCammon, Bronson Pinchot (Reading)

“I Scream Man,” a story by Robert McCammon, was originally published in the Winter 1984 edition of The Horror Show.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Science Fiction

MP3 CD

Published July 5, 2016

About the author

Pseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon

Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.

His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.

McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a post apocalyptic setting a man and his family play a game of Scrabbles. Why is the I Scream Man (did you ever refer to the Icecream man in that way) calling to bring out the dead? Who died and what about the radiation referred to? A very grim and dark tale about family values in uncertain times. Highly recommended!

[Steven Francis]

Audio version from “Blue World.”

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Point Five stars
Apocalyptical, creepy short story
A game of Scrabbles on a hot night seems like the perfect way to spend time. Scary dark short read. Enjoyed the narration.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert McCammon is the master of the short story. Here is a story that starts pretty innocently with a family playing Scrabble as they hear the "I Scream man" moving closer to their block. This is a childhood memory I think most of us in the U.S. have.
But we know something is off, something is wrong with the whole scene and when it's revealed it is beyond disturbing.
What a horror story should be, 10 pages or 300. Scare me and hit it fast.
Recommended

[Mark Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

First short by the author I have read. I thought it was pretty good.

[Andreas Acevedo Dunlop Strom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genuinely creepy story
Short, but great

[Bassboss · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Geoff Foss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sufficiently creepy but the Scrabble game felt a little artificial.