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Crow Shine
The dark fantasy collection features 19 stories, including the Australian Shadows Award-winning "Shadows of the Lonely Dead"; and original title story "Crow Shine" in addition to two other never before published stories.
298 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2016
16 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Alan Baxter
135 books527 followersMy book rating system:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 8, 2019
I'm no stranger to the work of Alan Baxter. Last year, I read DEVOURING DARK and MANIFEST RECALL, enjoying both of them immensely. Both stories had a gothic, urban, crime-noir vibe to them with supernatural elements that made for fast-paced cocktails readers could pound down in one swig.
After reviewing both books, readers kept mentioning this collection of short stories called, CROW SHINE which was a departure from the gritty mayhem of the aforementioned books and contained stories with more magical realism, dark fantasy style.
Of course this was all the prompting I needed!
CROW SHINE delivers on the promise. In these pages are nineteen stories, each bringing to the table their own, unique brand of magic and fantasy.
I'd love to highlight some of these stories because I have lots of notes here that I wrote down as I was reading:
CROW SHINE- the title story is the perfect introduction for readers to know what to expect in the rest of the collection. Creative stories with three-dimensional characters, compelling, suspenseful drama and some kind of bite to it--either at the end or throughout the tale. Wonderful!
THE BEAT OF A PALE WING- was a delight to this reader who first encountered Baxter through some urban/horror/crime thriller novellas. This was a wicked little take on the "woman scorned" idea.
TINY LIVES- Sweet, endearing, emotional and magical.
OLD PROMISE, NEW BLOOD-- a disturbing tale of the sins of the father being passed down to his sons.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER--another disturbing tale this one was pretty horrifying. A tale of a wolf in sheep's clothing; actually more like a wolf in Shepherd's clothing.
THE DARKEST SHADE OF GREY- I was the most excited to read this one because my friend and colleague, Frank Errington loved this story and recommended it to me in a DM after I finished DEVOURING DARK. I loved it as much as he said I would.
I pretty much loved every story collected here and it makes me all the more eager to read Alan's newest collection, SERVED COLD which I have heard nothing short of glowing praise.
Alan Baxter has proven himself to be among the best in the business and a favorite author of mine.
After reviewing both books, readers kept mentioning this collection of short stories called, CROW SHINE which was a departure from the gritty mayhem of the aforementioned books and contained stories with more magical realism, dark fantasy style.
Of course this was all the prompting I needed!
CROW SHINE delivers on the promise. In these pages are nineteen stories, each bringing to the table their own, unique brand of magic and fantasy.
I'd love to highlight some of these stories because I have lots of notes here that I wrote down as I was reading:
CROW SHINE- the title story is the perfect introduction for readers to know what to expect in the rest of the collection. Creative stories with three-dimensional characters, compelling, suspenseful drama and some kind of bite to it--either at the end or throughout the tale. Wonderful!
THE BEAT OF A PALE WING- was a delight to this reader who first encountered Baxter through some urban/horror/crime thriller novellas. This was a wicked little take on the "woman scorned" idea.
TINY LIVES- Sweet, endearing, emotional and magical.
OLD PROMISE, NEW BLOOD-- a disturbing tale of the sins of the father being passed down to his sons.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER--another disturbing tale this one was pretty horrifying. A tale of a wolf in sheep's clothing; actually more like a wolf in Shepherd's clothing.
THE DARKEST SHADE OF GREY- I was the most excited to read this one because my friend and colleague, Frank Errington loved this story and recommended it to me in a DM after I finished DEVOURING DARK. I loved it as much as he said I would.
I pretty much loved every story collected here and it makes me all the more eager to read Alan's newest collection, SERVED COLD which I have heard nothing short of glowing praise.
Alan Baxter has proven himself to be among the best in the business and a favorite author of mine.
February 6, 2017
Review copy
The first short story I ever read by Alan Baxter was "In Vaulted Halls Entombed" which featured a group of soldiers chasing terrorists into a cave in Afghanistan only to see them trapped by something their training never prepared them for. Since that time, I always get excited when I see his name attached to an anthology.
With Crow Shine, I don't have to wait for his next short story, I merely need to turn the page. Nineteen wondrous, magical shorts. Some new for this collection, but many published before. They were all new to me, making this work all the more enjoyable.
Crow Shine - The title story is that of a legendary bluesman, his special shine, and his grandson who takes it all in. Great storytelling.
The Beat of a Pale Wing - A chilling story of the mob...and magic.
Tiny Lives - A charmingly original tale of an old man who can breath life into clockwork animals...at a price.
Role the Bones - Luck and Chance, what's the difference? And are you willing to roll the bones?
Old Promise, New Blood - The age old story of what happens when a deal with the devil comes due.
All the Wealth In the World - How cool would it be it you could buy time?
In the Name of the Father - A sensational story of a young Priest in the Outback, although he's not exactly what he seems.
Fear Is the Sin - A beautiful, lyrical story of a theatre troupe and their controversial sensual performance.
The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner - This is the result of a mashup between a swashbuckling tale of piracy on the high seas and H.P. Lovecraft.
The Darkest Shade of Grey - My favorite story in the collection and one of the best shorts I've read in recent memory. "He was supposed to be the rough, tough, take no shit reporter, getting to the bottom of everything. All he ever got to the bottom of lately was a bottle, and then he started right over at the top of the next one." This was one of the longer stories in the collection and when it was over, I still wanted more.
A Strong Urge to Fly - A clever tale I found to be both charming and creepy. Could easily be subtitled Mrs. Oates' House of Cats and Contradictions.
Reaching for Ruins - What can you do when the plants run amok?
Shadows of the Lonely Dead - Intelligent horror and another terrific tale.
Punishment of the Sun - As a reader, I never quite learned what was going on in this story, but that didn't make it any less creepy.
The Fathomed Wreck to See - The tale of a siren and choices.
Not the Worst of Sins - If there's a moral to be found in this story of vengeance in the wild, wild west, it's never trust a ghost.
The Old Magic - The perils of an extraordinarily long life.
Mephisto - A short yet powerful story of a legendary magician.
The Darkness In Clara - When Michelle's lover commits suicide, she returns to the town where Clara was raised, looking for answers. A wonderful story to finish this collection.
All of the stories contained in this body of work are inventive, original, and above all entertaining. Each tale has it's own unique voice. If I didn't know they were all written by Alan Baxter I would think this was an anthology instead of a collection.
Totally recommended,
Crow Shine is available from Ticonderoga Publications in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
From the author's bio - Alan Baxter is a British-Australian author who writes dark fantasy, horror and sci-fi, rides a motorcycle and loves his dog. He also teaches Kung Fu. Alan lives among dairy paddocks on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, with his wife, son, dog and cat.
The first short story I ever read by Alan Baxter was "In Vaulted Halls Entombed" which featured a group of soldiers chasing terrorists into a cave in Afghanistan only to see them trapped by something their training never prepared them for. Since that time, I always get excited when I see his name attached to an anthology.
With Crow Shine, I don't have to wait for his next short story, I merely need to turn the page. Nineteen wondrous, magical shorts. Some new for this collection, but many published before. They were all new to me, making this work all the more enjoyable.
Crow Shine - The title story is that of a legendary bluesman, his special shine, and his grandson who takes it all in. Great storytelling.
The Beat of a Pale Wing - A chilling story of the mob...and magic.
Tiny Lives - A charmingly original tale of an old man who can breath life into clockwork animals...at a price.
Role the Bones - Luck and Chance, what's the difference? And are you willing to roll the bones?
Old Promise, New Blood - The age old story of what happens when a deal with the devil comes due.
All the Wealth In the World - How cool would it be it you could buy time?
In the Name of the Father - A sensational story of a young Priest in the Outback, although he's not exactly what he seems.
Fear Is the Sin - A beautiful, lyrical story of a theatre troupe and their controversial sensual performance.
The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner - This is the result of a mashup between a swashbuckling tale of piracy on the high seas and H.P. Lovecraft.
The Darkest Shade of Grey - My favorite story in the collection and one of the best shorts I've read in recent memory. "He was supposed to be the rough, tough, take no shit reporter, getting to the bottom of everything. All he ever got to the bottom of lately was a bottle, and then he started right over at the top of the next one." This was one of the longer stories in the collection and when it was over, I still wanted more.
A Strong Urge to Fly - A clever tale I found to be both charming and creepy. Could easily be subtitled Mrs. Oates' House of Cats and Contradictions.
Reaching for Ruins - What can you do when the plants run amok?
Shadows of the Lonely Dead - Intelligent horror and another terrific tale.
Punishment of the Sun - As a reader, I never quite learned what was going on in this story, but that didn't make it any less creepy.
The Fathomed Wreck to See - The tale of a siren and choices.
Not the Worst of Sins - If there's a moral to be found in this story of vengeance in the wild, wild west, it's never trust a ghost.
The Old Magic - The perils of an extraordinarily long life.
Mephisto - A short yet powerful story of a legendary magician.
The Darkness In Clara - When Michelle's lover commits suicide, she returns to the town where Clara was raised, looking for answers. A wonderful story to finish this collection.
All of the stories contained in this body of work are inventive, original, and above all entertaining. Each tale has it's own unique voice. If I didn't know they were all written by Alan Baxter I would think this was an anthology instead of a collection.
Totally recommended,
Crow Shine is available from Ticonderoga Publications in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
From the author's bio - Alan Baxter is a British-Australian author who writes dark fantasy, horror and sci-fi, rides a motorcycle and loves his dog. He also teaches Kung Fu. Alan lives among dairy paddocks on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, with his wife, son, dog and cat.
November 18, 2016
Writing this review was hard. Damn hard.
Not because Crow Shine is a bad book. Rather, it was hard because it was so damn good. I've been a fan of Alan Baxter's work for a number of years now. I adored his Alex Caine series, and I've consumed most of his short fiction work with gusto and glee. So when I heard he was releasing a short fiction collection that included some new and original stories I was beside myself with excitement and anticipation.
Fast forward a few months, and after turning the last page of Crow Shine I found myself sitting and pondering the immensity and power of what I had just read.
I was still there thinking an hour later.
Crow Shine is an amazing ensemble of rich and powerful dark fiction that, to put it simply, blew me away. The book opens with the title story "Crow Shine", an intoxicating and heady tale of magical brews, dark choices and soulful music. I adored the imagery in this story, and its exploration of whether or not we are fully in control of our choices was enthralling. The next story, "The Beat of a Pale Wing" was also brilliant, with Baxter injecting dark and ritualistic magic into a story about disposing bodies, revenge, and gangsters. He follows up this brutal and dark story with a short that damn near broke me. "Tiny Lives" is a powerful and heartbreaking account of a toymaker who creates clockwork miracles for customers in order to raise money for his sick daughter. A tale of a father's ultimate sacrifice and love for their child, I openly wept after reading the ending. Baxter continued to tear at my mind and soul with "Old Promise, New Blood", a story about family, pacts, and blood magic, and "In the Name of the Father", a creepy account of a priest whose ministry leaves a path of victims in his wake. This pattern continued as Baxter explored the concepts of justice and death in "Shadows of the Lonely Dead". "The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner" then took me to the depths of madness in what was an incredible tale of pirates and cosmic horror, and "The Old Magic" broke my heart all over again as a witch watches her loved ones die around her as her longevity comes back to bite her. A truly poignant and gut wrenching tale that left me staring at a wall and pondering my own mortality for ages afterwards.
All in all I couldn't find one weak story in this collection. I savoured reading it, and will read it all over again soon. Baxter is a masterful storyteller whose ability to pull apart the membrane of reality and explore the voids in-between marks him as one of the best dark fiction writers in the world today. His work has breadth, scope, and intensity, and it prompts readers to ask questions of themselves and of life itself. It delves into places that are uncomfortable and terrifying, and it delights in the shades that form the basis of our lives and the decisions we make.
The human condition lies at the beating heart of this book, and it's a testament to Baxter's skill as a writer that he handles this with both subtlety and power. Crow Shine is raw, and it is incredibly emotional. It is dark, and at times it is even darker still. There is, more often than not, very little light at the end of the tunnel. And it is, most of all, truthful and honest about our existence. Sometimes, as Baxter writes in his afterward, the dragons do win.
Hands down one of the best collections I've ever read, and a book that will take pride of place on my shelves. Formidable storytelling.
Get in people.
5 out of 5 stars.
Not because Crow Shine is a bad book. Rather, it was hard because it was so damn good. I've been a fan of Alan Baxter's work for a number of years now. I adored his Alex Caine series, and I've consumed most of his short fiction work with gusto and glee. So when I heard he was releasing a short fiction collection that included some new and original stories I was beside myself with excitement and anticipation.
Fast forward a few months, and after turning the last page of Crow Shine I found myself sitting and pondering the immensity and power of what I had just read.
I was still there thinking an hour later.
Crow Shine is an amazing ensemble of rich and powerful dark fiction that, to put it simply, blew me away. The book opens with the title story "Crow Shine", an intoxicating and heady tale of magical brews, dark choices and soulful music. I adored the imagery in this story, and its exploration of whether or not we are fully in control of our choices was enthralling. The next story, "The Beat of a Pale Wing" was also brilliant, with Baxter injecting dark and ritualistic magic into a story about disposing bodies, revenge, and gangsters. He follows up this brutal and dark story with a short that damn near broke me. "Tiny Lives" is a powerful and heartbreaking account of a toymaker who creates clockwork miracles for customers in order to raise money for his sick daughter. A tale of a father's ultimate sacrifice and love for their child, I openly wept after reading the ending. Baxter continued to tear at my mind and soul with "Old Promise, New Blood", a story about family, pacts, and blood magic, and "In the Name of the Father", a creepy account of a priest whose ministry leaves a path of victims in his wake. This pattern continued as Baxter explored the concepts of justice and death in "Shadows of the Lonely Dead". "The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner" then took me to the depths of madness in what was an incredible tale of pirates and cosmic horror, and "The Old Magic" broke my heart all over again as a witch watches her loved ones die around her as her longevity comes back to bite her. A truly poignant and gut wrenching tale that left me staring at a wall and pondering my own mortality for ages afterwards.
All in all I couldn't find one weak story in this collection. I savoured reading it, and will read it all over again soon. Baxter is a masterful storyteller whose ability to pull apart the membrane of reality and explore the voids in-between marks him as one of the best dark fiction writers in the world today. His work has breadth, scope, and intensity, and it prompts readers to ask questions of themselves and of life itself. It delves into places that are uncomfortable and terrifying, and it delights in the shades that form the basis of our lives and the decisions we make.
The human condition lies at the beating heart of this book, and it's a testament to Baxter's skill as a writer that he handles this with both subtlety and power. Crow Shine is raw, and it is incredibly emotional. It is dark, and at times it is even darker still. There is, more often than not, very little light at the end of the tunnel. And it is, most of all, truthful and honest about our existence. Sometimes, as Baxter writes in his afterward, the dragons do win.
Hands down one of the best collections I've ever read, and a book that will take pride of place on my shelves. Formidable storytelling.
Get in people.
5 out of 5 stars.
December 27, 2020
This is not my first Alan Baxter experience, nor will it be my last. I began with Devouring Dark last year and was an instant Baxter fan!
I was actually unaware of Crow Shine being a collection of short stories (which I love) so I contacted Alan for more information and he kindly sent me a copy of the book!
The book's title comes from story one of nineteen called Crow Shine, a story involving hypnotic music, plenty of moon shine, and a hard-hearted crow. Crow Shine was most positively one of my favourite stories, I'm still reeling over the ending!
Baxter has written nineteen stories so simple to absorb. The characters are all so profound with such depth. Even the shortest of stories were intoxicating and passionate.
As much as I don't like to pick favourites I'll tell you a few I just adored.
Tiny Lives- an old man that can bring tiny clockwork toys to life with just one breathe. But at what cost?
Reaching For Ruins- hospital policy, every office must have greenery. When the gardener finds a new species of plant why is it growing at such a rapid rate in the hospital. Then people start to go missing...
The Darkness Of Clara- a gloomy and emotional tale about the loss of Clara and the family she has left behind.
I especially enjoyed the Afterword. Alan speaks the truth. I commend him for his brutal honesty and adding his words of wisdom to the book.
Five stars!
I was actually unaware of Crow Shine being a collection of short stories (which I love) so I contacted Alan for more information and he kindly sent me a copy of the book!
The book's title comes from story one of nineteen called Crow Shine, a story involving hypnotic music, plenty of moon shine, and a hard-hearted crow. Crow Shine was most positively one of my favourite stories, I'm still reeling over the ending!
Baxter has written nineteen stories so simple to absorb. The characters are all so profound with such depth. Even the shortest of stories were intoxicating and passionate.
As much as I don't like to pick favourites I'll tell you a few I just adored.
Tiny Lives- an old man that can bring tiny clockwork toys to life with just one breathe. But at what cost?
Reaching For Ruins- hospital policy, every office must have greenery. When the gardener finds a new species of plant why is it growing at such a rapid rate in the hospital. Then people start to go missing...
The Darkness Of Clara- a gloomy and emotional tale about the loss of Clara and the family she has left behind.
I especially enjoyed the Afterword. Alan speaks the truth. I commend him for his brutal honesty and adding his words of wisdom to the book.
Five stars!
March 29, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Crow Shine is my second read of Alan Baxter’s after checking out the fantastic Devouring Dark last year. I also have Manifest Recall coming up on my TBR and after reading both of these releases, I’m really excited for that one.
I had Crow Shine on my radar for some time now, and when I saw Baxter offer it up for review on Twitter I jumped at the chance.
Crow Shine is a collection of 19 short stories and it covers a wide gamut of genres. It’s a fascinating foray into Alan’s imagination and each story pulls its weight on their own. I found only two stories didn’t resonate with me, and I think part of that was their length. They each could have been stand-alone novellas.
The collection bursts through your minds door right off the hop with the title story. Crow Shine is a stunning supernatural-rock and roller, following a family member who discovers his grandfather’s secret to his musical success. This is one of those tales that Baxter probably gets asked to either write a sequel or extend it to a full length frequently. Just top-notch storytelling and you’ll find yourself drawn in so quickly.
The story Tiny Lives is hauntingly tragic. An immigrant who can breathe real life into toys he’s made. All for a tragic cause. This was a story that had my um… er… allergies flare up unexpectedly.
Old Promise, New Blood was a fun romp through a familiar idea and Mephisto really helped crank up the creepy factor all around.
Where Baxter shines (sorry about that) is his ability to make the characters relatable and the stories engaging. You become one with the surroundings quickly and he throws out little details that make the air smell and the ground feel.
(A great collection, I hope Alan gifts us some more short stories in the near future.)
Crow Shine is my second read of Alan Baxter’s after checking out the fantastic Devouring Dark last year. I also have Manifest Recall coming up on my TBR and after reading both of these releases, I’m really excited for that one.
I had Crow Shine on my radar for some time now, and when I saw Baxter offer it up for review on Twitter I jumped at the chance.
Crow Shine is a collection of 19 short stories and it covers a wide gamut of genres. It’s a fascinating foray into Alan’s imagination and each story pulls its weight on their own. I found only two stories didn’t resonate with me, and I think part of that was their length. They each could have been stand-alone novellas.
The collection bursts through your minds door right off the hop with the title story. Crow Shine is a stunning supernatural-rock and roller, following a family member who discovers his grandfather’s secret to his musical success. This is one of those tales that Baxter probably gets asked to either write a sequel or extend it to a full length frequently. Just top-notch storytelling and you’ll find yourself drawn in so quickly.
The story Tiny Lives is hauntingly tragic. An immigrant who can breathe real life into toys he’s made. All for a tragic cause. This was a story that had my um… er… allergies flare up unexpectedly.
Old Promise, New Blood was a fun romp through a familiar idea and Mephisto really helped crank up the creepy factor all around.
Where Baxter shines (sorry about that) is his ability to make the characters relatable and the stories engaging. You become one with the surroundings quickly and he throws out little details that make the air smell and the ground feel.
(A great collection, I hope Alan gifts us some more short stories in the near future.)
February 6, 2017
This was a great collection of dark fantasy/horror stories. Well-written and creative, it kept me reading far past the time I should have been asleep. To me, that's the trademark of a good book. A mediocre book you can read slowly, picking at it here and there. A bad book can make you put it down completely. A good book sucks you in and enthralls you to the last page.
This being a collection they can be a little hard to review. This will be a general overview and for a fuller story by story review you will find it on www.scifiandscary.com. It will be posted on February 2nd and when it is completed I will edit this review and add a link directly to the review.
Even the stories that I didn't personally care for were well-written and still entertaining. One of them, The Darkest Shade of Grey, I really liked the story but the main character? Not so much. He was a trifle too< "Woe is me" for my taste.
But for maybe the two or three that didn't thrill me there were others that I loved immensely.
The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner was awesome. The Shadows of the Lonely Dead was absolutely beautiful. The titular story, Crow Shine was amazing. And there were man more.
I highly recommend it to people who love a good short story collection. Most collections and anthologies are uneven in their quality of stories but Crow Shine is less so than most and I'm positive there will be something for everyone who likes dark fiction.
I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.
This being a collection they can be a little hard to review. This will be a general overview and for a fuller story by story review you will find it on www.scifiandscary.com. It will be posted on February 2nd and when it is completed I will edit this review and add a link directly to the review.
Even the stories that I didn't personally care for were well-written and still entertaining. One of them, The Darkest Shade of Grey, I really liked the story but the main character? Not so much. He was a trifle too< "Woe is me" for my taste.
But for maybe the two or three that didn't thrill me there were others that I loved immensely.
The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner was awesome. The Shadows of the Lonely Dead was absolutely beautiful. The titular story, Crow Shine was amazing. And there were man more.
I highly recommend it to people who love a good short story collection. Most collections and anthologies are uneven in their quality of stories but Crow Shine is less so than most and I'm positive there will be something for everyone who likes dark fiction.
I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2022
This book is excellent, the stories were intense, earie, and have a lot of emotion packed into them, and I found the stories lingered in my mind after I read them, they have a similar feel to the short stories of Ronald Kelly and Roald Dahl's non children's books.
I highly recommend this book
I highly recommend this book
June 2, 2018
Alan Baxter has penned a collection of gritty, sharply written tales filled with dread. The horror seeps from every paragraph, often simmering just behind the scenes. Baxter creates a strong sense of place and atmosphere, drawing on both urban and rural settings in the USA and Australia. There are the satisfying twists readers of horror shorts expect. There's the unwavering prose and moments of poetry indicative of quality horror writing.
The title story, 'Crow Shine' is an ironic tale whose antagonist, the crow, ever the watcher, will have its way. There's an allusion to Mephistopheles selling his soul to the devil through the demon drink, when protagonist Clyde uses his grandfather's recipe to make moonshine and thence is able to play the Blues.
'Crow Shine' sets the tone for the rest of the collection, Baxter in full control of his characters as they tumble into darkness, decadence and the pits of hell. In 'The Darkest Shades of Grey' David is possessed by demons after meddling with ouija, and drifts further and further into inner conflict and torment. Here, Baxter is concerned with the possible consequences of using the occult for entertainment, a warning to us all.
I would recommend this collection to all who enjoy good horror shorts and especially to those wanting to discover the best in Australian horror today. https://isobelblackthorn.com/2018/06/...
The title story, 'Crow Shine' is an ironic tale whose antagonist, the crow, ever the watcher, will have its way. There's an allusion to Mephistopheles selling his soul to the devil through the demon drink, when protagonist Clyde uses his grandfather's recipe to make moonshine and thence is able to play the Blues.
'Crow Shine' sets the tone for the rest of the collection, Baxter in full control of his characters as they tumble into darkness, decadence and the pits of hell. In 'The Darkest Shades of Grey' David is possessed by demons after meddling with ouija, and drifts further and further into inner conflict and torment. Here, Baxter is concerned with the possible consequences of using the occult for entertainment, a warning to us all.
I would recommend this collection to all who enjoy good horror shorts and especially to those wanting to discover the best in Australian horror today. https://isobelblackthorn.com/2018/06/...
May 2, 2017
Atmospheric scenes and constant tension stoke the fire of mystery in this collection of short stories. ‘Aha’ moments are delivered with skill and precision.
Alan Baxter’s work can’t be confined to a single genre, or even a known fusion of genres. His stories are a kaleidoscope of colour; of piercing light and darkest shadow.
In Baxter’s world, fantasy is woven tightly with realism. Dive in and you will be transported to believable scenarios in magical settings. You’ll meet supernatural characters that feel as real as people.
I’ve never encountered such a diverse range of stories written by an author. Baxter’s unclassifiable work enables him to successfully play an unexpected card at any point.
Within the fantasy, I found genuine depth and meaningfulness in each story. Baxter is a masterful short story writer – a true word alchemist with a strong, enthralling voice.
4.5 out of 5 stars for Crow Shine. Thank you, Alan, for drawing me into your ethereal world of dark beauty, where unfamiliar subjects were made accessible to me; the reader.
Alan Baxter’s work can’t be confined to a single genre, or even a known fusion of genres. His stories are a kaleidoscope of colour; of piercing light and darkest shadow.
In Baxter’s world, fantasy is woven tightly with realism. Dive in and you will be transported to believable scenarios in magical settings. You’ll meet supernatural characters that feel as real as people.
I’ve never encountered such a diverse range of stories written by an author. Baxter’s unclassifiable work enables him to successfully play an unexpected card at any point.
Within the fantasy, I found genuine depth and meaningfulness in each story. Baxter is a masterful short story writer – a true word alchemist with a strong, enthralling voice.
4.5 out of 5 stars for Crow Shine. Thank you, Alan, for drawing me into your ethereal world of dark beauty, where unfamiliar subjects were made accessible to me; the reader.
January 22, 2018
An intriguing mix of Baxter's fantasy and horror shorts, with three original stories and the rest reprints.
January 7, 2017
I have always been a fan of dark short stories, stories with unexpected twists, dark motivations, surprising and fun little jaunts into someone else's imagination.
Despite this undying joy I get from them, it's rare that I read them. I don't know where I lost them, but suspect it happened somewhere around real life happening, while print fell out of favour.
It's these kind of stories you find in Crow Shine. A mixed bag of dark twists and fantastical themes, nearly all of them have that delicious leave-it-to-the-reader's-imagination brevity. I think reading it on my summer holidays was absolutely the best thing I could've done.
Despite this undying joy I get from them, it's rare that I read them. I don't know where I lost them, but suspect it happened somewhere around real life happening, while print fell out of favour.
It's these kind of stories you find in Crow Shine. A mixed bag of dark twists and fantastical themes, nearly all of them have that delicious leave-it-to-the-reader's-imagination brevity. I think reading it on my summer holidays was absolutely the best thing I could've done.
July 5, 2020
A collection of nineteen dark fantasy / horror stories from Alan Baxter.
Definitely a few little gems in this.
Five star reads:
CROW SHINE.
TINY LIVES.
OLD PROMISES, NEW BLOOD.
THE DARKEST SHADE OF GREY.
Four star reads:
THE BEAT OF THE PALE WING
ALL THR WEALTH IN THE WORLD.
Other stories didn't quite gel so much with me, but it doesn't mean to say they won't with you. There's enough diversity in here to please many tastes.
I would recommend it. And I'll also add that even with the stories I didn't care for much, they were still written well.
I immediately bought his second collection BEST SERVED COLD. So that should tell you something.
I'm giving this an overall score of 4 stars.
Definitely a few little gems in this.
Five star reads:
CROW SHINE.
TINY LIVES.
OLD PROMISES, NEW BLOOD.
THE DARKEST SHADE OF GREY.
Four star reads:
THE BEAT OF THE PALE WING
ALL THR WEALTH IN THE WORLD.
Other stories didn't quite gel so much with me, but it doesn't mean to say they won't with you. There's enough diversity in here to please many tastes.
I would recommend it. And I'll also add that even with the stories I didn't care for much, they were still written well.
I immediately bought his second collection BEST SERVED COLD. So that should tell you something.
I'm giving this an overall score of 4 stars.
November 22, 2016
Crow Shine brings together a whole lot of Alan's now sometimes very hard to find short stories, as well as three entirely new pieces. There is a lot of darkness and emotion here, highlighting the evil, weakness and occasionally unparalleled strength in all of us, but always with an aspect of choice. An excellent and well-paced collection. Full review here:
https://sqmag.com/2016/11/01/edition-...
https://sqmag.com/2016/11/01/edition-...
June 8, 2024
A solid collection of 19 stories all dealing with loss and human flaws and, in many cases; hope.
-Favorites of mine include: Crow Shine, Tiny Lives, All the Wealth in the World, In the Name of the Father, The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner & The Darkness in Clara
An overview of the stories below (favorites have been marked with an “*”)
-Crow Shine:*
A grandson follows in his legendary blues playing grandpa’s footsteps; secret magical (cursed?) moonshine and all. As his success grows larger for every show he plays, the more tainted his soul becomes and the higher the cost to the person he loves. A story about what one man is willing to sacrifice for success and the cost of reneging on it. Reminded me of the legend of Robert Johnson.
-The Beat of a Pale Wing:
Carly’s boyfriend is not the man she fell in love with, not since he became a high ranking mafioso. Sick of not being treated with respect and the lack of control, she makes use of one of his cronies who happens to have a touch of magic about him. Lovecraftian vibes (hungry entity, disappearing victims, beggars description, chanting)
-Tiny Lives:*
A man makes magical toy animals which he breathes life into. A bittersweet tale of the lengths a parent is willing to go in order to save their child; even if it demands the ultimate sacrifice.
-Roll the Bones:
A young homeless man is given the chance of earning an easy 50 bucks; or so he thinks. All he has to do is deliver a message. What ensues is a tale as old as time and a game of chance and luck.
-Old Promise, New Blood:
A young man goes through life trying to rectify his father’s mistake; a deal made in hell: Sacrificing one of his twin sons to save his wife.
As costly as it was for the father, he never really understood the extent of the consequences, nor does his surviving son who breaks his promise and dabbles in magic to try to get his brother back.
-All the Wealth in the World:*
A man with too much money & too painful a memory hinted at pays a ‘time maker’ to give him more time; a month to be specific; turns out that he’s after the side effect: Forgetting. At least he thinks he is. I can easily imagine this as an episode of Twilight Zone.
-In the Name of the Father:*
A young new vicar has taken over the parish in a rural area; with the intent of doing anything but good. People go missing and we learn just a little bit of which father he really serves. Would love to read more about this infernal vicar in the future; where did he come from, why did he choose this town, what is his end goal? Is anyone able to see through- and stop him?
-Fear is the Sin:
An erotic theatre play that flies in the face of a dystopian society complete with ‘Jesus freaks’, their sense of morality & censorship officials. Who is the mysterious woman behind it all; and how is she able to manipulate people’s emotions?
Loss: Freedom vs fear
-The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner:*
A pirate captain crosses paths with a mad and drunk vagrant who talks about an impossible island and what it hid that lead to him being the sole survivor of an entire crew. Furthermore, this drunk’s doodles turn out to be more than they seem and the captain slips into a madness of his own after having seen the drawing.
-pirate tale meets Lovecraft.
Loss: one’s mind.
-The Darkest Shade of Grey:
“Dreams, reality." (…) "Like good and bad it’s all shades of grey.”
A journalist dabbles in a ouija board and comes to regret it as the consequences sees him losing his family.
Stalked by a hobo who seems sure that he’ll be able to find and write his story although he has no memories or any idea what kind of story it might be.
Loss: family, memories/sanity
-A Strong Urge to Fly:
Eager to get out from under his domineering mom’s thumb, Jeremy takes the offer of a teaching position at a seaside town. Once there he lodges at a very particular old woman’s; one who’s a real stickler for rules & a bit of a cat lady. Seems she has a reputation in town.. and you don’t want to be late to one of her meals. Jeremy finds it increasingly difficult to stick by her rules once he realizes how much she reminds him of her mother.
-loss: autonomy, humanity (at least human form)
-Reaching for Ruins:
A psychiatrist realizes the new office plant of the hospital is.. not right. It grows quicker than any plant has any right to, avoids light and seems to have an affinity to certain disturbed patients. Keen to get rid of it, he soon finds that people have gone missing and that he might be too late.
Loss: people
-Shadows of the Lonely Dead:
A hospice worker absorbs some aspects of death from the patients. Said hospice worker has also entered a relationship that will point her towards why she’s been absorbing the more malignant edge of the dying.
Loss: literally lives. Also innocence. Loss of fear/distrust/anger
-Punishment of the Sun:
Little Annie spots a couple of men sneaking something into the feed shed. An ominous note is also left there. Annie would have told her family all of this if she hadn’t been forced to do her chores and had an argument. It becomes apparent that this definitely was something she shouldn’t have kept to herself. Vampire on a station (Mars?)
Loss: life, family
-The Fathomed Wreck to See:
A man has learned that he’s dying of cancer. Not equipped to handle it, he lets it drive a wedge between his wife and him rather than telling her the truth of his condition as he slaps her in a moment of affect. Marriage falling apart, full of regret, dying and living on a boat; he’s stopped living before he’s dead. Then he finds himself visited by a disconcerting but beautiful woman; one that beckons him to the sea.
-hungry mermaid.
-Not the Worst of Sins:
Reads like a western ghost story with a vengeance arc; an 18 y.o boy and his companion, a ghost, are on a quest to find a man who goes by several names; the boy’s father and the supposed former partner and murderer of the ghost. Chased by ghosts of wrongfully killed who tear out parts of his soul by every attack, the boy wonders how much of him is left.
Loss: soul/innocence/gullibility
-The Old Magic:
A witch reminiscing about her life which has spanned centuries; the many loves; husbands and children, the bitter sweetness of having to say goodbye and of the world/life moving on without oneself.
-Mephisto:
Mephisto the Magician is ending his show by having a boy disappear to the people’s delight. That is, until the parents realize that the boy won’t be reappearing. A tale of a Faustian, or, Mephistophelian bargain if you please..
-The Darkness in Clara:*
A woman goes to her partner’s backwoods town in order to learn why she committed suicide. She learns of a darker past forged in teen spite, hurt and recklessness than she could ever imagined. Worse still, unless she can find a way to solve it, she stands to also lose their son.
-Favorites of mine include: Crow Shine, Tiny Lives, All the Wealth in the World, In the Name of the Father, The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner & The Darkness in Clara
An overview of the stories below (favorites have been marked with an “*”)
-Crow Shine:*
A grandson follows in his legendary blues playing grandpa’s footsteps; secret magical (cursed?) moonshine and all. As his success grows larger for every show he plays, the more tainted his soul becomes and the higher the cost to the person he loves. A story about what one man is willing to sacrifice for success and the cost of reneging on it. Reminded me of the legend of Robert Johnson.
-The Beat of a Pale Wing:
Carly’s boyfriend is not the man she fell in love with, not since he became a high ranking mafioso. Sick of not being treated with respect and the lack of control, she makes use of one of his cronies who happens to have a touch of magic about him. Lovecraftian vibes (hungry entity, disappearing victims, beggars description, chanting)
-Tiny Lives:*
A man makes magical toy animals which he breathes life into. A bittersweet tale of the lengths a parent is willing to go in order to save their child; even if it demands the ultimate sacrifice.
-Roll the Bones:
A young homeless man is given the chance of earning an easy 50 bucks; or so he thinks. All he has to do is deliver a message. What ensues is a tale as old as time and a game of chance and luck.
-Old Promise, New Blood:
A young man goes through life trying to rectify his father’s mistake; a deal made in hell: Sacrificing one of his twin sons to save his wife.
As costly as it was for the father, he never really understood the extent of the consequences, nor does his surviving son who breaks his promise and dabbles in magic to try to get his brother back.
-All the Wealth in the World:*
A man with too much money & too painful a memory hinted at pays a ‘time maker’ to give him more time; a month to be specific; turns out that he’s after the side effect: Forgetting. At least he thinks he is. I can easily imagine this as an episode of Twilight Zone.
-In the Name of the Father:*
A young new vicar has taken over the parish in a rural area; with the intent of doing anything but good. People go missing and we learn just a little bit of which father he really serves. Would love to read more about this infernal vicar in the future; where did he come from, why did he choose this town, what is his end goal? Is anyone able to see through- and stop him?
-Fear is the Sin:
An erotic theatre play that flies in the face of a dystopian society complete with ‘Jesus freaks’, their sense of morality & censorship officials. Who is the mysterious woman behind it all; and how is she able to manipulate people’s emotions?
Loss: Freedom vs fear
-The Chart of the Vagrant Mariner:*
A pirate captain crosses paths with a mad and drunk vagrant who talks about an impossible island and what it hid that lead to him being the sole survivor of an entire crew. Furthermore, this drunk’s doodles turn out to be more than they seem and the captain slips into a madness of his own after having seen the drawing.
-pirate tale meets Lovecraft.
Loss: one’s mind.
-The Darkest Shade of Grey:
“Dreams, reality." (…) "Like good and bad it’s all shades of grey.”
A journalist dabbles in a ouija board and comes to regret it as the consequences sees him losing his family.
Stalked by a hobo who seems sure that he’ll be able to find and write his story although he has no memories or any idea what kind of story it might be.
Loss: family, memories/sanity
-A Strong Urge to Fly:
Eager to get out from under his domineering mom’s thumb, Jeremy takes the offer of a teaching position at a seaside town. Once there he lodges at a very particular old woman’s; one who’s a real stickler for rules & a bit of a cat lady. Seems she has a reputation in town.. and you don’t want to be late to one of her meals. Jeremy finds it increasingly difficult to stick by her rules once he realizes how much she reminds him of her mother.
-loss: autonomy, humanity (at least human form)
-Reaching for Ruins:
A psychiatrist realizes the new office plant of the hospital is.. not right. It grows quicker than any plant has any right to, avoids light and seems to have an affinity to certain disturbed patients. Keen to get rid of it, he soon finds that people have gone missing and that he might be too late.
Loss: people
-Shadows of the Lonely Dead:
A hospice worker absorbs some aspects of death from the patients. Said hospice worker has also entered a relationship that will point her towards why she’s been absorbing the more malignant edge of the dying.
Loss: literally lives. Also innocence. Loss of fear/distrust/anger
-Punishment of the Sun:
Little Annie spots a couple of men sneaking something into the feed shed. An ominous note is also left there. Annie would have told her family all of this if she hadn’t been forced to do her chores and had an argument. It becomes apparent that this definitely was something she shouldn’t have kept to herself. Vampire on a station (Mars?)
Loss: life, family
-The Fathomed Wreck to See:
A man has learned that he’s dying of cancer. Not equipped to handle it, he lets it drive a wedge between his wife and him rather than telling her the truth of his condition as he slaps her in a moment of affect. Marriage falling apart, full of regret, dying and living on a boat; he’s stopped living before he’s dead. Then he finds himself visited by a disconcerting but beautiful woman; one that beckons him to the sea.
-hungry mermaid.
-Not the Worst of Sins:
Reads like a western ghost story with a vengeance arc; an 18 y.o boy and his companion, a ghost, are on a quest to find a man who goes by several names; the boy’s father and the supposed former partner and murderer of the ghost. Chased by ghosts of wrongfully killed who tear out parts of his soul by every attack, the boy wonders how much of him is left.
Loss: soul/innocence/gullibility
-The Old Magic:
A witch reminiscing about her life which has spanned centuries; the many loves; husbands and children, the bitter sweetness of having to say goodbye and of the world/life moving on without oneself.
-Mephisto:
Mephisto the Magician is ending his show by having a boy disappear to the people’s delight. That is, until the parents realize that the boy won’t be reappearing. A tale of a Faustian, or, Mephistophelian bargain if you please..
-The Darkness in Clara:*
A woman goes to her partner’s backwoods town in order to learn why she committed suicide. She learns of a darker past forged in teen spite, hurt and recklessness than she could ever imagined. Worse still, unless she can find a way to solve it, she stands to also lose their son.
September 9, 2017
Crow Shine is a collection of short stories by Alan Baxter. Starting with the title tale, Alan Baxter takes you on a journey of cursed objects and even their even more cursed owners. From moonshine and guitars to a street side toy maker and a pair of stolen dice, each story is crafted to make any reader think twice about the power of possessions.
Though the male protagonists are easily recognisable as good time Charlie’s or the drinking buddy at the bar, the women are less so, but perhaps that is to be expected as maybe women are not so easily lead astray by the thirst for power and fame.
However, in each story Alan has shown is skill in observing the human condition; that all we want is to be noticed, to have our lives mean something, and that in the end there is nothing we won’t sacrifice for the people we love.
I admire the variation in his characters, his clever world play and his skill in taking an idea to a place you never thought of. For something to read when your life is too busy for a novel I recommend you give Crow Shine your time.
Though the male protagonists are easily recognisable as good time Charlie’s or the drinking buddy at the bar, the women are less so, but perhaps that is to be expected as maybe women are not so easily lead astray by the thirst for power and fame.
However, in each story Alan has shown is skill in observing the human condition; that all we want is to be noticed, to have our lives mean something, and that in the end there is nothing we won’t sacrifice for the people we love.
I admire the variation in his characters, his clever world play and his skill in taking an idea to a place you never thought of. For something to read when your life is too busy for a novel I recommend you give Crow Shine your time.
December 7, 2016
Baxter is truly great at short stories. He provides enough material to get you hooked and caught up in the world of each piece, allowing you to really connect with places and characters that you'll only know for a short time (at least, while reading...).
This collection took my mind on a crazy journey from one well-realized creepy ass place to another, and then did it about ten more times. It was enjoyable trying to figure out any underlying meanings these stories could have, or noticing little things that made me smile and give a "Oh, he knows what he's doing." nod to the author.
I'd highly recommend this to any fans of horror, supernatural, dark literature, or hell just anyone. Very good!
This collection took my mind on a crazy journey from one well-realized creepy ass place to another, and then did it about ten more times. It was enjoyable trying to figure out any underlying meanings these stories could have, or noticing little things that made me smile and give a "Oh, he knows what he's doing." nod to the author.
I'd highly recommend this to any fans of horror, supernatural, dark literature, or hell just anyone. Very good!
June 26, 2017
Crow Shine took me on a journey through all the emotions and feelings of humanity, both the dark and the light with many shades of grey in-between. Each story drew out something different from me and made me think about my own life in someways. If you're feeling like delving into your own darkness and sometimes finding some light at the end of the tunnel, then I would recommend this series of short stories for you.
December 20, 2018
4.5 stars. This is an excellent collection of horror and dark fantasy stories. I read it over a period of 12 months, dipping into it whenever I wanted to give myself a treat, but also to savour and allow each story its own time and space. All of the stories are good and some are absolute standout gems.
August 15, 2019
Many excellent short stories, "Crow Shine" definitely did the most for me though. I thought a few were not nearly as good as the overall quality of works here, but I think for the average enjoyment of a fantasy reader, especially one interested in urban fantasy -- they will find what they are looking for in this collection.
October 6, 2019
I love anthologies and this one does not disappoint. Alan Baxter has collected 19 stories, several new, some republished from elsewhere, together in this work. It was hard to tell which was my favourite as they were all intriguing, although I think "The Darkness in Clara" stood out for me.
If you like character driven stories that make you think, this is an anthology for you.
If you like character driven stories that make you think, this is an anthology for you.
December 29, 2020
My favorite horror to read is short horror and Alan always brings a bunch of dark stuff to the table when he writes. This collection is no exception. Dark and creepy and so so good. Crow Shine, the story the collection is named after, is worth the price of admission but everything else is just as good.
April 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this collection of stories and there is something for everyone in here.
Obviously there are some I enjoyed more than others - turns out I like my horror to come with a slice of hope :)
Perfect for fans of Joe Hill.
Obviously there are some I enjoyed more than others - turns out I like my horror to come with a slice of hope :)
Perfect for fans of Joe Hill.
January 19, 2019
Crow Shine is packed with powerful and magical stories that will leave your wanting more.
May 20, 2019
A substantial collection of nicely varied dark fiction stories. Well-paced, unpredictable narratives that take you on a journey to the darker side of life, not all of it fantasy.
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August 20, 2020https://robinknabel.squarespace.com/b...
Check out my spoiler free review of this awesome book!
Check out my spoiler free review of this awesome book!
December 31, 2021
There were a couple of weaker short stories as is normal but overall a good collection. No regrets here
July 17, 2025
Had this on my bedside table for awhile, reading a little bit every night. Baxter has become one of my favorite short story authors.
June 2, 2019
Great stories with some of the finest description.
March 4, 2017
Actual Rating 4.7 / 5
Crow Shine was a dark atmospheric collection of stories. It showed the good, the bad and the downright creepy underbelly of people's emotions, ranging from a deal with the devil to a bar fight gone wrong.
Stand Out Stories for me were:
The Darkest Shade of Grey
A Strong Urge to Fly
The Old Magic
The Darkness of Clara
These stood out for somewhat connection I had to the characters.
i would recommend this for people who want to try something darker in tone.
Crow Shine was a dark atmospheric collection of stories. It showed the good, the bad and the downright creepy underbelly of people's emotions, ranging from a deal with the devil to a bar fight gone wrong.
Stand Out Stories for me were:
The Darkest Shade of Grey
A Strong Urge to Fly
The Old Magic
The Darkness of Clara
These stood out for somewhat connection I had to the characters.
i would recommend this for people who want to try something darker in tone.
April 27, 2024
I've been reading the work of Alan Baxter since he was an emerging writer, and his fiction just keeps getting better and better. This debut collection of his short stories is possibly my favourite of his, and comprises a terrific range of tales that - as all good horror stories should - takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of all the deepest human emotions, giving the horror elements that much more impact. As an expat-Brit living in Australia, Baxter also imbues much of his work with a view of his adopted country that - far from seeming like the skewed views of an outsider - will amply remind Australian readers just how terrifying this wide red continent can be. A brilliant read.
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