Night Freight

by Bill Pronzini

A horrifying collection of twenty-six chilling horror stories spanning nearly three decades in the author's award-winning career, includes several tales of horror and suspense that have never before been published in book form. Original.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Westerns, Mystery

343 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Mystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink

Married to author Marcia Muller.

Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon

Reviews

[Nancy]

I have way too many books at home and have started the process of clearing my shelves. It’s tough to decide which books to keep and which should go. The ones I am able to let go of easily are the older paperbacks with tiny print. Some titles I bought 15 or more years ago and I’m no longer interested in reading them. Other books I’ve already read or have Kindle versions. I still have way too many books. While cleaning off a top shelf of one of my four bookcases, a Leisure Horror title from 2000 fell on top of my head. So, I dusted it off and started reading.

This is a collection of short stories by Bill Pronzini published between 1967 and 2000 that fall solidly into the horror category, but also overlap mystery and thriller. These stories contain no gore, yet they are clever, riveting, and so much fun to read. Each of these satisfying, character-driven tales contains a twisty little surprise that will elicit a shiver or two.

I thoroughly enjoyed these stories.

[Bandit]

I seldom reread books and, when I do, most of the time I don't seem to enjoy them as much as I did the first time around (the you can't go home again axiom approach). Which makes Pronzini's collection of short stories a real standout, genuinely satisfying revisit and a lovely exception to the aforementioned rule, which makes it perfectly appropriate for a Thanksgiving read. I was strangely in the mood for it, something like dark suspense, something that can technically pass for horror (and was published as such by leisure back in the day) and yet relies almost exclusively on exploring the nightmarish aspects of human psyche instead of resorting to gore and guts. These tales were fun to read, putting one in mind of Matheson (high compliment), lean, fast, twisted in both senses of the word, ending twists are usually a prerequisite with such fiction and Pronzini does it justice. These stories speed by, just over three hours and a time well spent. Very enjoyable read. Recommended.

[Michael]

Excellent collection of horror and crime stories. 26 stories, and not one story less than 4 stars. Will be reading more of this authors work.

[Brett]

Horror

[محمد قرط الجزمي]

Very awesome stories. I like them very much.

[Eliana]

Old style detective series with excellent writing, plots and characters throughout