Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders

by Doug Murano (Editor), Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman

***Winner of the 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in an Anthology***

Crystal Lake Publishing and Bram Stoker Award-winning editor Doug Murano, are proud to present BEHOLD! ODDITIES, CURIOSITIES AND UNDEFINABLE WONDERS.

Embrace the odd. Satisfy your curiosity. Surrender to wonder. Witness as the finest talents of our time bring you tales of the strangeness at the edges of existence.

Featuring: Clive Barker, John Langan, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell, Lisa Morton, Brian Kirk, Hal Bodner, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Erinn Kemper, John F.D. Taff, Patrick Freivald, Lucy Snyder, Brian Hodge, Kristi DeMeester, Christopher Coake, Sarah Read, and Richard Thomas. With a foreword by Josh Malerman.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fantasy, Anthologies, Fiction, Science Fiction, Ebooks

404 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2017

Reviews

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took one look at the cover and decided I had to read this. I wrongly assumed it was about the carny life and ever since reading Geek Love I’ve been drawn to those types of books. These stories aren’t about sideshow freaks and pop-up carnivals but they’re mostly pretty good despite that.

The book is broken up into three sections. Oddities, Curiosities & Undefinable Wonders. I enjoyed more of the stories in the first two categories and started to feel a little fatigued by the end. This is typical of me and short story collections (see my review for Nightmares: A New Decade of Modern Horror) and likely says nothing about the collection but there it is.

Let’s start with the ODDITIES.

Larue’s Dime Museum by Lisa Morton Julia is intrigued by two old photos she discovers at an antique shop and brings them home. Soon her life has turned into a creepy Twilight Zone episode. This tale sets just the right tone for this collection.

Wildflower, Cactus by Rose Brian Kirk The price of beauty and the ugliness of human nature leads two women down the path of body modification and helps them find their power.

"The world is a mirror. What do you want to see?"

I wish this story had been a bit longer but I truly enjoyed what was there.

The Baker of Millepoix by Hal Bodner A heartbroken man buys a bakery and gives it his all (and that’s all I’m saying!). Before long, miracles start to happen. I do believe this was my favorite story in the collection. It has it all. There is a great setup, character building, fabulous storytelling and even a little humor. You must read it.

Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament by Clive Barker I've read this one twice before in Clive Barker’s Books of Blood Vol. 2 . I nearly skipped it this time around but am glad I didn’t.

Jacqueline discovers she has a grisly talent that terrifies her a little. It would terrify me too. It’s a pretty dastardly power. But once she realizes what a rush of power it brings, she develops a new lust for life. She perfects her talent and wields it to exact revenge and rid herself of pesky men. It’s dark, bloody, visceral, horribly humorous (if you’re warped) and classic Clive Barker. Even on this, my third reading, I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time.

An Exhibition of Mother and Monster by Stephanie M. Wytovich This is a damning poem on those who glee in the sideshow freaks. Now I almost feel bad for my little fetish.

Next up: CURIOSITIES

I love shops filled with old treasures. The creepier the better.

Madame Painte: For Sale by John Langan Intrigued by a "must be kept outside" sign accompanying a strangely painted garden gnome, “you” decide to bring it inside and learn more about its story. And it's a horrible story, indeed! It's devilishly evil and I adored it. How come the old crap I bring home never has such a sinister secret life?!

Chivalry by Neil Gaiman Gaiman’s dry wit is on full display as he tells this tale about a stubborn old bitty who stumbles upon the Holy Grail and refuses to part with it! Sir Galaad brings her all sorts of gifts in order to get it back but she is not at all impressed. If I had the ability to laugh out loud while reading, this would’ve been the story to make me to do it. Simply charming.

VERY IMPT. BONUS NOTES: I just discovered that Levar Burton reads this in episode 7 of his new podcast! Drop everything and go listen!!

Fully Boarded by Ramsey Campbell I know Ramsey Campbell is a legend in horrorland but his writing has never quite worked for me. The same goes here. This story is about a travel reviewer, a wristband and some truly terrible hospitality. I’d give this a three. It was ok, slightly on the “meh” side of the scale and not my favorite here.

In Amelia’s Wake by Erinn L. Kemper This story is slathered all over with grief. It’s about a group of brother’s who are watching over Amelia Earhart's plane and about a slithery thing that hides in the shadows. I thought it was slightly eerie but slow and it ended too suddenly.

A Ware That Will Not Keep by John F.D. Taff A dying man shares a terrible story from his past. Now this one was took my breath away. It’s a creative and haunting little tale and that ending? Damn, that will be hard to forget.

Earl Pruitt’s Smoker by Patrick Freivald A bee keeper’s old smoker brings one woman the freedom and excitement she so desperately craves but it also brings out the worst in her. This is such an imaginative and chilling little story that smacks you in the face with the consequences of your darker side.

As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party Stephanie M. Wytovich A whimsical poem that takes a dark turn. This one, at least, didn’t leave me with the guilts!

Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies Lucy A. Snyder This tale lures you in with the funny but then takes a sad turn as a woman faces the one moment she wishes she could redo.

And, finally, we have UNDEFINABLE WONDERS. This is the part of the collection where my attention began to wane. I only found one of the stories exceptional and completely engaging. The rest were a little bit of a struggle for me to finish.

The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows by Brian Hodge This story follows a bunch of down on their luck train hoppers as they attempt to find a tree that is rumored to have magical powers that may lead them down a better path. It’s strikingly real but maintains a sense of wonder but was missing a little certain something for me.

The Wakeful Kristi DeMeester This is a weird story about a teacher, a bad relationship, a strange little girl and a terrible garden. Is it a tale of madness or something else? I am left unsure but it I do know that it left me feeling unsettled.

Knitter by Christopher Coake My favorite of the undefinable wonders. The author creates a dark vision of another world where people are trying to live their lives while attempting to avoid ever seeing a creature they call "knitters" who have a devastating power that they use at will. It has a fairytale like feel with a pitch black undertone, hypnotizing prose and an ending that hurts.

Through Gravel by Sarah Read There is a society living underground who call themselves “The Kindred”. As time goes by, their numbers shrink but a newbie arrives with new ideas that will invigorate their group but The Kindred’s greed may be their downfall. This story didn’t do it for me. I cannot explain the reasons.

Hiraeth by Richard Thomas I may have been out of steam by the time I arrived at this story because I didn’t understand it. It could be my lack of brain cells that caused me to miss nuanced symbolism or whatnot but honestly I’m too tired to think and don’t want to work this hard to comprehend a short story. It’s about a poor farmer’s son who has a hole running through is body, a prickly tree with forbidden fruit and the pain the hapless boy brings upon himself – I think. It was weird, that’s for sure.

Anyway, I’m beat and that’s all I have. There is some wondrous storytelling within these pages and, even though some of the stories weren’t meant for me, it’s most definitely a collection worth checking out!

[Renee S. DeCamillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A photographer whose pictures can transport you in time, an objectified woman who can control your matter with her mind, a garden gnome that commits horrific acts if kept indoors, a garden that will sprout what you’d never expect . . . These are only tidbits of the magic that awaits in Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders from Crystal Lake Publishing, edited by Doug Murano. This is a collection that will keep you up all night—reading to the end. If you dare close your eyes and nightmares follow, don’t say I didn’t warn you. There are no limits in this world, no impossibilities, and these stories are evidence to that fact. With works from renown horror and dark fiction writers such as Lisa Morton, Clive Barker, Richard Thomas, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell, and more—this is a must-read anthology for all who love the dark and the weird and the inexplicable. Get your copy and devour every tasty morsel, but make sure you’re not washing it down with the witches’ tea in Stephanie M. Wytovich’s poem, “As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party”—or you may not live to talk about it.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release July 28

Review: BEHOLD: ODDITIES, CURIOSITIES, AND UNDEFINABLE WONDERS (edited by Doug Murano)

Crystal Lake Publishing is an infallible go-to for exceptional "Dark Literature," and in BEHOLD, champion editor Doug Myrano curates an incredible line-up of outstanding authors who bring readers unforgettable stories. So powerful is the content offered herein that this reviewer highly recommends savouring one story per serving, as surely you will wish to fully revel in each entry, while it absorbs itself into your essence. Contained within are world-renowned authors, and authors who deserve wider recognition as well. Make this a collection you cherish.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m going to be honest: I rarely finish reading anthologies. Sometimes, the work just doesn’t resonate with me; other times, I simply don’t have enough time to read through it before the Next Big Thing on my reading list is released. So, when I accepted an ARC of Behold! Oddities, Curiosities, and Undefinable Wonders, I did so with the explanation that I’d try to have a review ready for launch day, but would make no promises.

But then something happened that almost never happens for me: I read the whole thing, and here I am, writing a review on launch day.

Every story in Behold! is excellent. With a lineup like this, you can’t really go wrong. Check this out: Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell, Lisa Morton, Brian Kirk, Hal Bodner, Stephanie M. Wytovich, John Langan, Erinn L. Kemper, John F.D. Taff, Patrick Freivald, Lucy A. Snyder, Brian Hodge, Kristi DeMeester, Christopher Coake, Sarah Read, and Richard Thomas.

I won’t recap all the stories here—I’ll leave those for you to discover—but I do want to give mention to several stand-out favorites in the collection:

Brian Kirk’s “Wildflower, Cactus, Rose.”
Hal Bodner’s “The Baker of Millepoix.”
John Langan’s “Madame Painte: For Sale.”
Erinn L. Kemper’s “Amelia’s Wake.”
Patrick Freivald’s “Ed Pruitt’s Smoker.”
Sarah Read’s “Through Gravel.”
Stephanie Wyotivich’s “An Exhibition of Mother and Monsters.”

Each story will take you through a gauntlet of emotions, and I feel like these pieces best exemplify what Doug was going for in this collection: the bizarre, the unsettling, the fantastic, the magical, and the heartbreaking.

Doug Murano has done a wonderful job curating this collection. From the cover art by John Coulthart, to the interior design by Lori Michelle and illustrations by Luke Spooner, to the content itself, this book is a full package of speculative tales that lives up to its promise, a carnival sideshow of prose and poetry that will spark your imagination and break your heart. Buy it!

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I got my greedy little hands on this book I was giddy with glee. I love the strange, unusual and creepy and this had it all.

The story has three parts, Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders. Not wanting to risk spoilers, I’d say that sums it up nicely. Creepy gardens, gnomes, clowns, mysterious whatevers and more all await your curiosity.

There is just too much awesomeness in this collection to single out any favorites. Some of these talented authors are old friends and some are new to me. All of them are in top form, entertaining me with their various tales.

Make sure you don’t skip past the foreword. It’s a smart piece of work in itself, explaining what awaits you when you get to the meat of the book. As R.L. Stine says, “Beware. You’re in for a scare.”

Loved every bit of this book. I bet you will too. Try it and see. And remember to breathe.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a cool concept for an anthology and for the most part, the stories assembled here are entertaining. Crystal Lake has a well deserved reputation for the quality of work which they put out and this is no exception.

The cover art for this book is beautifully done although it did create an expectation in my head that caused some of the stories to fall outside what I thought the theme was. I was kind of looking forward to stories centered around freak shows and carnivals and old-time Hollywood type supernatural tales. The first story of the collection was more in line of what I was anticipating, about photographs a character finds in an antique shop and how she becomes plagued with visions of those people in her day to day life. Much of the rest seemed to simply feature characters with paranormal abilities. And I thought some of the stories could have stood being pared down a little and clarified. But both of these notes about the book are totally arbitrary, just my feelings.

Being a baker myself, my favorite story was The Baker of Millepoix. I thought it was an incredibly creative take on a familiar concept and wonderfully written. The story about Amelia Earhart was clever and enjoyable. Taff's golem story was particularly awesome. And the Clive Barker story, Jacqueline Ess is a favorite of mine. A sort of dark love story with an ending scene that is brutal and still somehow beautiful.

All around, a fun book and a good read.

[Melora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expect short story collections to be “uneven,” but this was particularly the case with “Behold.” By which I mean, there were a couple excellent stories, several that were fine, and a lot of “meh.” My favorites were “A Ware That Will Not Keep,” by John Taff, and “Knitter,” by Christopher Coake. “LaRue's Dime Museum,” by Lisa Morton, is odd but interesting, and Neil Gaiman's “Chivalry” is cute, though it felt familiar (perhaps I've read it before?). “The Baker of Millepoix,” by Hal Bodner, is sweet, if predictable, but Brian Hodge's “The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows” caught me by surprise. Erinn Kemper's “In Amelia's Wake” and Sarah Read's “Through Gravel” were both pretty marginal – some intriguing elements, but ultimately unsatisfying, and the rest of the collection – ten out of the eighteen stories – were uninteresting. Not a total waste, but there are plenty of better collections.

[Dave-Brendon Burgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

First shout-out has to go to Josh Malerman for an incredible foreword – it’s not often that a foreword truly captures the essence of what the reader is going to be reading, but Josh did an incredible job; so much so that you’ll probably find yourself re-reading the foreword, as I did. And if you’ve yet to read Josh’s work, the foreword alone will make sure you do; the man has an enticing, evocative and lyrically rhythmic turn of phrase which seems perfectly suited to Horror. (and yes, I too have yet to read Josh’s work)

The anthology is divided into three sections – Oddities, Curiosities, and Undefinable Wonders, and Lisa Morton’s LaRue’s Dime Museum opens the anthology – an inspired choice by editor Doug Murano, as this tale hints at practically every strange and terrifyingly wondrous thing you’ll read. Let me be clear: the feel of it, how it blends reality, fear, and longing, as well as the imagery and atmosphere of it, will prepare you (to a certain degree) for the rest of the tales. It’s also a tale which defies end-guessing, and which will probably make you look twice at that strange-looking person across the street…

The next tale, Brian Kirk‘s Wildflower, Cactus, Rose is absolutely chilling in how it looks at society’s sick need to ‘look better’, as well as how ‘normal’ and ‘accepted’ abuse becomes. It’s a difficult story to read, and should be – we have to talk about the things that make us uncomfortable and that have no easy answers, and this tale doesn’t flinch from showing the uglier sides of human nature… Yet there’s a strange kind of beauty there, too.

Hal Bodner‘s The Baker of Millepoix is filled with the kind of imagery you’d expect from a charming foreign-language movie; the writing is flowing, lyrical, easy – as if your eyes are following the happy gurgling of a stream with birds tweeting in the background and a slight breeze puffing your hair. Yet when the horror arrives, it seems almost sweet and -dare I say it again- charming. You, the reader, will have witnessed something society says you must not allow to happen, must not take part in, yet… You’ll have found it a bit wonderful.

Next you’ll read Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament – not saying who the author is (either let yourself be surprised or spoil it for yourself). This tale is about the discovery of talents, the exercising of power, the black-hole-pull of love and lust, the physicality of intention, how guilt is able to ravage and inflame, and how, strangely enough, there’s a sick, twisted and yet breathtaking beauty in the experiences of pain and horror. The tale also ends with one of the most unsettling, yet fitting, scenes I’ve ever read.

What also makes Behold such a memorable anthology are the poems which split the book’s sections – Stephanie M. Wytovich isn’t one of those ‘read and have no clue what you’ve just read’ poets; her work won’t leave you feeling as if you missed classes at some high-brow literary school. It’s as if Stephanie has woven scenes or micro-stories using the ideas of Horror, the foundational elements and emotions. Her work is unsettling and addictive. An Exhibition of Mother and Monster is, to me, a scathing indictment of humanity’s need to make a spectacle of that which freaks us out. The poem points at us and says, ‘You giggle and cringe and thank your genes that you haven’t come out different, yet you don’t see the beauty and tragedy in what you’re paying to see and selfie.’

The next tale, John Langan‘s Madame Painte: For Sale is a quirky tale – it almost serves as a warning to bargain- or antique-hunters to be very careful of what they find, yet it could also be a warning to folks against believing the stories which accompany the pieces you’re interested in; it works both ways.

The next tale, Chalice, by another author I won’t name (for the same reasons as Jacqueline Ess) is one of those quaint, leaves-you-with-a-good-feeling tales – it’s sublimely written and marries the strange and out of place beautifully with the solitary life of a small-town retiree.

Fully Boarded by Ramsey Campbell is a story every traveller will love. 😉 Or maybe you’ll never travel again. Or maybe you’ll never go anywhere just to find fault with a place… Who knows? 😉

In Amelia’s Wake by Erinn L Kemper is, to me, a brooding, lovely and yet dark meditation on loss and progress, and about how grief can become a wall which not even more loss can break through. There’s a dark magic to this tale.

In A Ware That Will Not Keep, from John F.D. Taff, we hear the confession of an old man to his grandson, and we’re taken back to World War 2 and the atrocities committed against the Jews by the Nazis. It’s a tale which explores the nature and repercussions of revenge, and is probably also the first time I’ve ever felt true sorrow for a mass-murderer.

Then comes Ed Pruitt’s Smoker by Patrick Freivald – this tale ranks among my favourites because of the nature of the tale. It takes a seemingly innocuous subject -bees and bee-keepers- and gives it a terrifyingly wonderful twist; you simply have to read this one to understand what I mean.

We’re then treated to another poem by Stephanie Wytovich, As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party, and this time she focuses on the utter uselessness, faux frivolity and inherent judgements made by women who hold tea parties. Or does she? You decide.

Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies by Lucy A. Snyder will have you laughing out loud and perhaps wiping away tears, too – Conventions may be one of those events an author aspires to, but be careful of the cookies, okay? 😉

Brian Hodge‘s The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows launches the reader into the anthology’s final section – Undefinable Wonders. Brian’s tale is one of the most beautiful, and heart-breaking, tales in the anthology. It reveals a world very. very few of us have ever (willingly or otherwise) entered, people by real people, the likes of which you have probably met without knowing it. You know how sometimes truth and need, when combined, can be heart-breaking? That’s what this tale represents. Wonderful, lingering stuff.

The Wakeful by Kristi DeMeester is sublime, slow-building horror… Don’t read it while sitting out in your garden; you’ve been warned.

Christopher Coake‘s Knitter beings to my mind the awesome work Stephen King did in Insomnia – that marriage of the seemingly innocuous with the truly strange; it’s a glimpse into a world which will be very real to you while you read the tale.

Sarah Read‘s Through Gravel is, to me, an exploration of how claustrophobic religion can become – Sarah shows us a world in which darkness is sacrosanct, and change is anathema; it’s when the light begins to filter in that things change…

The collection ends with Hiraeth by Richard Thomas – a beautiful tale which resounds with aching need, sorrow, and a growing love amidst slow and beautiful magic. A reminder that the world has more to offer than we can possibly see, or know from experience.

Behold is one of those memorable collections – you haven’t encountered anything like these stories in fiction before. Beauty and darkness and terror and love swirl together to create a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time. You simply have to read this-experience this-absorb this. Major kudos to Doug Murano for excellent editing and to Crystal Lake Publishing for giving readers this anthology. Absolutely incredible stuff, and well deserving of a resounding 10 out of 10.

[Noelle Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a colourful kaleidoscope of weird, wacky and bizarre stories and poems.

Best read lying in an empty grassy field on a splendid sunny day or in a giant tent, while sipping on something magical.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of this book for months and I’m delighted to have received a launch day copy to review! Behold!: Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders is an anthology from Crystal Lake Publishing, edited by Doug Murano and featuring a vast array of authors, including Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. My obsession with short story collections was triggered by another Crystal Lake anthology, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories. Gutted was also co-edited by Mr. Murano, so I had very high hopes for this.

This is another cracking anthology from Crystal Lake. This is a wondrous collection, full of strange other-worldly tales and fans of Fantasy Island will devour this. Every addition is unique and leaves the reader feeling like they are entering different tents at a carnival, with many different, some grotesque wonders to behold. Below are snippets of my favourite stories.

Larue’s Dime Museum

This story opened the anthology – a stylish and clever take on “carnival freaks” and curiosity. Beware of what you pick up in Larue’s Dime Museum!

Wildflower, Cactus Rose

A strange tale that is sad in parts. The most horrific part to this story is humanity and our obsession with outer beauty. This was brutal in parts, but I loved the message. The author quotes it perfectly: “The world is a mirror, what we see is a reflection of who we are. So the question is, what do you want the world to see?” The ending leaves the reader keep pondering the question.

The Baker of Millepoix

Set in a beautiful French village, this is both charming and grotesque. A miraculous baker with a secret ingredient that will leave a taste in your mouth.

Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament

Clive Barker’s sprawling tale mingles horror, pleasure, obsession and love. Brilliantly written, this is a monstrous story with gore and heart. Jacqueleine is unlike any other woman, imaginary or real.

An Exhibition of Mother and Monster

I don’t normally read poetry, but I loved this nighmarish poem. It features a delicious collection of Nature’s freaks for a cheap price – “A Wholesome Fee for the Devil’s Smile.”

Chivalry

Neil Gaiman’s addition to the collection is a quirky, magical tale, with a lovely touch of humour. Mrs. Whitaker, the main character, is a feisty old lady with a great eye for antiques.

A Ware That Will Not Keep

A dying Grandfather tells his son of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp. It’s a tale of escape, release, true horror and desperation.

Earl Pruitt’s Smoker

A wonderful, vivid flight of the imagination with a bee-keeper.

As A Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party

I loved this poem, the second I read the alliterative title. The second poem anthology is vivacious and the cadence reminds me of a dance. It’s a dark tale of a witchy afternoon tea.

Knitter

Knitter reminded me of a gruesome Grimm’s Tale, where the unsuspecting characters have a sad fate awaiting them. Creepy and disturbing with a mystical twist.

Through Gravel

A surreal, strange tale of an underground world where the Kindred pluck their offspring from the world above.

Each story in Behold!: Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders is a gem. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you, so dig into this treasure trove and you won’t regret it.

[James Sabata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely judge this book by its cover. It’s human nature to do so, no matter what we say to the contrary. Just as it’s human nature to want to see the freak show. This cover is a big top, drawing us in. Gorgeous. Intriguing. Inviting. The Fancy Pants announcer, standing outside the tent, demands our attention, “BEHOLD!” he says, “Oddities, Curiosities, and Undefinable Wonders!” So we enter, punching a ticket to pull back the curtain. Escaping one world of freaks to enter another.

But what this book does better than any I’ve read in years is to bring such conflicting stories together and let them flow as stops on a great journey, never feeling as distant from one another as they are. They are the attractions as we make our way through the big top, forever on the quest for something new to astonish our senses and let us feel as though we are normal – if only for a moment. Finding the similarities between such different stories and creating a path between them is almost a superpower for Editor Doug Murano. We’ve seen it in his past works (Shadows Over Main Street and the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories), but Murano takes it to another level with this offering and creates a literary tour through the minds of some of the hottest names in horror today.

We begin with the Oddities. Our first stop, Lisa Morton’s “LaRue’s Dime Museum,” is the exact sort of story you would expect in this collection. It features an Inside Out Man, a tentacled accomplice and a woman who can contort into any shape. But the aberrations are perspective; and we are quickly reminded the view can change depending on the lens.

In fact, the belief that the view can change runs directly into the next entry, Brian Kirk’s “Wildflower, Cactus, Rose,” where we find that the world is a mirror. What you put into it is often what you’ll take out of it and some people will go to great lengths to protect the beauty they brought into the world.

Speaking of getting out what you put in, the main character in Hal Bodner’s “The Baker of Millepoix,” loses the love of his life, but finds a passion for helping people. Henri pours himself into helping others, no matter how much of himself he loses in the process. When you have a gift like Henri does, it would be a sin not to share it with the world.

Jaqueline Ess also has a gift to share with the world, but it is not one her recipients get to enjoy for long. Clive Barker (he made a few small things like Hellraiser, Candyman, and Gods and Monsters) brings us “Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament.” This story is right up there with his other works; perhaps it’s even more sinister in some respects. It’s the story of a woman who degrades herself to gain power over the powerful.

We are greeted with Stephanie M. Wytovich’s poem, “An Exhibition of Mother and Monster.” Later, we encounter a second poem by Wytovich entitled, “As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party.” The two poems serve almost as bridge between the sections of the book, bringing us from Oddities to Curiosities and from there to the Undefinable Wonders. Each is a handcrafted masterpiece of poetry, calling to mind that Fancy Pants announcer who wants us to move on and see the next attraction.

The Curiosities abound, beginning with a garden gnome who prefers to remain outside. John Langan’s “Madame Painte: For Sale” wins the distinction of containing my favorite death in this anthology. It was the type of story I anticipated going into the book, but I was rewarded with so much more than I’d expected from it. This typical haunted doll story is anything but typical, as even people who know her story can’t wait to take her home. I suggest letting her stay outside, though.

Next, we stumble directly into an antiques store to find another treasure to bring home. Neil Gaiman (Yes, THAT Neil Gaiman; creator of Sandman, American Gods, and Neverwhere) brings us “Chivalry,” the story of an elderly woman who happens to find the Holy Grail. When Sir Galaad requests it back, he finds that some treasure is worthless and some trash is priceless. Only in understanding what the elderly woman finds worthwhile will he gain the treasure he seeks.
One of the most decorated horror writers of all time, Ramsey Campbell, pops in to frighten us with “Fully Boarded.” His protagonist finds something he definitely doesn’t want to bring home; but oh how he longs to get back there. Campbell weaves a story of several layers of isolation that grab you by the wrist and never let go.

At first glance, “In Amelia’s Wake” seems to have one of the most choreographed climaxes in this book, but Erinn L. Kemper flips it on its side and beats us with it. Only when the tragedy telegraphed from the very first paragraph occurs does the real horror begin. Kemper subjects every character in this story to tragedy and makes each not only memorable, but relatable. This story was a slow burn, but the scars it left on my psyche have brought me back to it several times in the last week.

John F.D. Taff brings us a tale of man seeking vengeance and survival in “A Ware That Will Not Keep.” He finds both, but not without consequences. As is often the case, revenge can get out of hand quickly. The price Lev pays may leave him a prisoner long after he’s found his freedom.

Step this way for a moment and meet Jamie, a woman who will also learn the price of revenge. In Patrick Freivald’s “Earl Pruitt’s Smoker,” Jamie gives in to hive mentality to commit her crime, but she finds the guilt that accompanies it can be too much for one individual to live with.

The final exhibit in the Curiosities section, Lucy A. Snyder slips us some “Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies” laced with the dreams, guilt, and sorrows of her main character’s life. This tale of a woman retracing her life’s steps with a little help from her friends dug into my soul and wouldn’t let go, long after the effects of the trip wore off.

We move into the Undefinable Wonders and it becomes more than apparent that many of these stories straddle a fine line between sections. How Murano decided for sure where they should sit is a mystery I’ll never understand, but I’ll argue to the death that he chose correctly. This is certainly the case with Brian Hodge’s “The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows” which tells the tale of two drifters riding the rails in search of something but finding what they’re looking for doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for everyone involved.

Charlotte Pratchett continuously plants the seeds for her future, but none of them find purchase until the events of Kristi DeMeester’s “The Wakeful” unfold. This story dug deep into my psyche and produced a monster I didn’t expect, but fully appreciated. DeMeester’s style and tone bring this story to another level, grounding it in a familiar reality when nothing about this should be normal.

In every collection of stories – as in every circus, in every freak show – there is one attraction that resonates with you more than any other. While it probably won’t be the same for you, the one that did it to me was Christopher Coake’s “Knitter.” This story weaves the most tragic story while showing the undying love between two people who were practically made for one another. I have been thinking about their loss for weeks now. I hope I never stop. That’s all I can tell you about this, because I don’t want to create any expectations or allow your own sense of wonder to disappear with this one.

Sarah Read’s “Through Gravel” brings us a new society not so far removed from our own, but different as night and day. A subterranean society picks a new member, but will she signal a new beginning as they hope or bring about the very destruction they long to escape? And will she ever make it home?

Speaking of home, it’s almost time to leave the Freak Show and head home ourselves.

But just where is home? That’s the question at the very heart of Richard Thomas’s “Hiraeth.” The word itself is defined as a yearning or nostalgia for a home to which we can never return. A home that, perhaps, never existed. Jimmy has a home, but it’s not the home that calls to him. It’s not the home he wants. It’s not where the love of his life is. It’s not where he hangs his heart. On a search for that home – the one he desires – Jimmy can’t resist the forbidden fruit and gives in to his weaknesses. He will have to deal with the consequences and one of those consequences just might be losing something he never got to have.

This book is an absolute tribute to how great the horror industry is right now. With a mix of the all-time greats, relative newcomers, and the hottest attractions hitting the scare scene at the moment, Behold! does what so few books could do thematically – it makes each attraction the absolute star of the show while allowing them as a team to make one another shine.

5/5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Kelly Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories featuring work from Clive Barker, John Langan, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell, Lisa Morton, Brian Kirk, Hal Bodner, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Erinn Kemper, John F.D. Taff, Patrick Freivald, Lucy Snyder, Brian Hodge, Kristi DeMeester, Christopher Coake, Sarah Read, and Richard Thomas. With a foreword by Josh Malerman.

'Slide into the spaces between the ordinary. Embrace the odd. Indulge your curiosity. Surrender to wonder. Witness as the finest talents of our time bring you tales of the strangeness at the edges of existence'

I especially enjoyed 'thought gravel' and would love to see a novella of this.

A really enjoyable anthology and some great names too.

I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold! is an anthology of 16 stories and 2 poems, divided into three sets, as indicated by the subtitle of the book: Oddities, Curiosities, and Undefinable Wonders. This is an eclectic collection of stories, ranging from the whimsical (“Chivalry” by Neil Gaiman) to the poignant (“Larue’s Dime Museum” by Lisa Morton; “The Baker of Millepoix” by Hal Bodner) to outright horror (“Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament” by Clive Barker). Part of the joy of reading anthologies like this one is discovering new authors. My favorite story in the book, the Golem story “A Ware That Will Not Keep,” is by an author I’d not heard of before, John F.D. Taff. I had also not heard of Patrick Freivald before, but his touching story “Earl Pruitt’s Smoker” will haunt me for quite some time.

[R.B. Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step right up, if you dare…

I was provided an Advanced Release Copy (ARC) in return for an unbiased review.

I have a secret obsession with dark, disturbing, weird, and well-written anthologies. Crystal Lake Publishing has come out with a few of my favorites over the past few years, and BEHOLD! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonder is the latest favorite, following on from last year’s Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories and their annual Tales from the Lake collections.

The Short Review:

Buy it. It’s amazing and editor Doug Murano did a marvelous job putting together the collection--which features amazing wordsmiths such as Clive Barker, Lucy A. Snyder, Neil Gaiman, Stephanie M. Wytovich, John Langan, Lisa Morton, Richard Thomas and many others. Oh, and a wonderful foreword from Josh Malerman that you really shouldn’t skip over.

The Longer Review:

Right from the gorgeous cover by artist John Coulthart, the reader is invited between the pages into a literary carnival of wonders and the grotesque.

Behold! is divided into three sections – Oddities, Curiosities, and Undefinable Wonders (as the title suggests). The choice of Lisa Morton’s LaRue’s Dime Museum kicks off the Oddities section. It is a delightfully different and weird “freak show” type tale that is both unexpected and fresh. Brian Kirk‘s Wildflower, Cactus, Rose was a tough story to read based on the subject matter—but was beautiful and spine-tingling at the same time. The Baker of Millepoix by Hal Bodner is the story that most resembles a painting—beautiful, colorful. Picturesque, even. Finally, Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament is a marvelously disturbing tales of guilt and horror intertwined with desire and love.

I was delighted at this point to discover that each section was separated by poetry by Stephanie M. Wytovich. An Exhibition of Mother and Monsters is between ‘Oddities’ and ‘Curiosities’ and As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party dove tails into Lucy A Snyder’s Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies close out ‘Curiosities’ and kicks off ‘Undefinable Wonders’

Curiosities begins with John Langan‘s Madame Painte: For Sale--a buyer beware story of sorts with a delicious ending. Chivalry by Neil Gaiman is next and is a feel good story….of a sort. Gaiman always draws me into his world-creations. Fully Boarded by Ramsey Campbell is a story that will give even the most stalwart traveller pause. Amelia’s Wake by Erinn L Kemper is a dark story of grief and sadness. Her story really resonated with me after the death of my dad last year.

A Ware That Will Not Keep, is an anecdotal story told by a grandfather about the atrocities of WW II and John F.D. Taft tells a sympathetic tale that is both sympathetic and horrific.

Horror to me is taking the everyday and turning it onto itself. Was the creaking floorboard REALLY just the house settling? Ed Pruitt’s Smoker by Patrick Freivald takes bee keeping to a very different place and works so very well.

Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies by Lucy A. Snyder had me laughing to myself (as it was 3AM at the time, my wife found this disconcerting). If you have a unique take on humor, you will adore this one.

Undefinable Wonders begins with The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows was such a real-world story, that I think you might have to read this one for yourself to process it. A nice one by Brian Hodge.

The Wakeful is another one of those ‘every day’ stories that make horror so disturbing. I’m just glad I was inside when I read it. Kristi DeMeester is now on my ‘to read’ list.

Christopher Coake‘s strange story Knitter , while clever was so different from The Wakeful that it shocked me into a different place. It is very well written and presented—I may just have not switched gears fast enough.

I adore subtle anti-religion tales, and that’s what Sarah Read gives us with Through Gravel. Deliciously executed.

The collection ends with one of my favorite authors, Richard Thomas and his short entitled Hiraeth. Yes, I had to look it up, and I’m glad I did before reading. Hiraeth, loosely translated, means homesick—but so much more. There is a passion and a sorrow in the Welsh word that no English translation can capture. This story was beautiful and deep—and is perfectly named. There is hope here. Beauty and wonder as well. And there is the knowledge that our world is unknowable in its complexity.

BEHOLD! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonder is a collection that you will read over and over. Pay the entry fee and discover the worlds within for yourself.

But take heed. Some of these stories may change you.

[Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection full of excellent stories. Behold! Oddities, Curiosities & Undefinable Wonders edited by Doug Murano includes both original stories and reprints (although if you haven't read them yet, they're new to you). Some of the stories are straight up horror, others are horror-comedy, and still others are straight up comedy. There are also a couple poems, a couple fairy tales, and even a couple stories that I'd classify as literary.

"Larue's Dime Museum" by Lisa Morton is a horror story about sideshow freaks. There's a man with tentacles as well as a really freaky inside-out man. It's a great horror story, but I've got to admit I wasn't satisfied by the ending.

"Wildflower, Cactus, Rose" by Brian Kirk is another story that's great right up until the end. It starts out with our narrator sharing a trick: you can influence the mood of strangers on the street by how you present yourself to them. A smile will get you a smile in return, the same with a scowl. I liked this because this is something I've noticed and it does work more often than not.

It's largely a horror story, but it also contains humor. The narrator prefers literal words like toothbrush and thinks spoons should be called food scoopers, eyes should be called looking balls, etc. It got me smiling. As we continue, the story gets into extreme body modification. We meet a character who has the face of a lizard and another character undergoes an equally extreme transformation.

At one point, lighting a candle with markings on it causes a spell to cast as the candle burns. I thought this was a pretty cool idea. I thought it was strange that the characters use old-fashioned feather pillows and it also seemed odd that everyone the narrator meets on Tinder is physically abusive. What are the odds of that happening? Overall, this is the kind of weird story that I love, but it just stopped rather than having a proper ending.

"The Baker of Millepoix" by Hal Bodner is a largely humorous story about a man who decides to become a baker in a small town. There is a horrific element to it, but overall, I'd classify this story as humor. "Chivalry" by Neil Gaiman is another straight up humorous story about an old women who buys the Holy Grail at a second hand store.

"Fully Boarded" by Ramsey Campbell is a mix of horror and humor in which a hotel reviewer finds himself in the worst hotel imaginable. I particularly liked the line describing the pool "in which the only swimmers were a bedraggled cigarette and an empty bag of crisps."

"Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament" by Clive Barker is the definition of body horror. I know it's considered a classic, but it was probably my least favorite in this collection. It's about a women who discovers she has the ability to control flesh and decides to use this power to kill men who she finds annoying in extremely gruesome ways. It's one of those disproportionate revenge fantasies that feels rather juvenile.

The police assume her first disfigured victim was killed by some random psycho which just doesn't make sense. I did like the part where her husband says he wants to get something off his chest and she thinks "On to me." Many people think confessing is the right thing to do, but often it's just a way to make yourself feel better while making someone else feel worse.

"In Amelia's Wake" by Erinn Kemper is a depression era story about some brothers tasked with guarding Amelia Earhart's plan. It's a largely realistic story with an understated supernatural element. It's a fine story, but I felt it was too slow paced. "The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows" by Brian Hodge is another largely realistic depression era story with an understated supernatural element. This one is about hobos riding the rails in search of a magical place and I liked it quite a bit.

"Earl Pruitt's Smoker" by Patrick Freivald is about a girl who can control bees. I really liked this one. "Through Gravel" by Sarah Read is about people who live underground "fishing" for surface dwellers. Strange in a good way. "Madame Painte: For Sale" by John Langan is about a haunted garden gnome. Enough said. "A Ware That Will Not Keep" by John F.D. Taff is a Nazi concentration camp story featuring the golem of Jewish legend. It seems like an obvious idea to try to fight Nazis with a golem, but to my knowledge it's never been done before.

"Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummys" by Lucy A. Snyder was one of the weaker stories in this collection. It's about a writer who accidentally takes a hallucinogen at a comic con style event. It starts out somewhat funny and ends up serious. It just didn't resonate with me. "The Wakeful" by Kristi DeMeester is about a teacher having an affair and a student whose mom is always late picking her up from school. I've got to admit this one was confusing to me. I may need to read it again.

"Knitter" by Christopher Coake is a fairy tale about the act of storytelling. "Hiraeth" by Richard Thomas is another story with a fairy tale feeling to it. It starts out kind of like Jack and the Beanstalk. The main character, who has a hole in his chest, is sent to town to trade and warned by his parents not to bring back anything useless so they won't starve through the winter. After seeking literal forbidden fruit along the way, he begins a romantic relationship with a woman in town.

There are many great stories in this collection, although since they're so different from each other, I'm not sure why they were collected together. According to the afterword, "darkness and light can coexist and enhance each other's beauty and depth." I guess that's it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection was received free in return for an honest review from Crystal Lake Publishing.

The new weird has arrived. A collection of the strange and the freakish, the dark and the fantastical. Divided into Oddities, Curiosities and Wonders, this is a literary cabinet of alternative delights.

Oddities starts off with the freaks of LaRue’s Dime Museum, a frozen image of a past thought dead and buried. But is it? Wildflower, Cactus, Rose ponders the eternal question of the nature of beauty and the power of image over others, “The world is a mirror … What we see is a reflection of who we are.” The Baker of Millepoix gives himself in more ways than one to help those in his village. And then there is Clive Barker’s Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament. Dark and disturbing, it’s story of who truly wields power “We cannot believe, we men, that power will ever reside happily in the body of a woman … Not true power … The power must be in male hands.” Jacqueline has power, but does she have real control? This tale is my favourite amongst the Oddities.

Curiosities begins with Madame Painte: For Sale, a cursed ornament which wreaks destruction on those who dare to take it into their homes. It is followed by the wonderfully humorous Chivalry by Neil Gaiman. I loved this story for the sheer pragmatism of Mrs Whitaker when the Holy Grail enters her life and an Arthurian knight appears and tries to cut a deal with her for its return. She packs him off with cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, what’s not to love? Then we plunge from the gentle humour and uplifting nature of Chivalry into the grim holiday-from-hell world of Fully Boarded. The hotel inspector doesn’t stand a chance. In Amelia’s Wake takes us back in time to Canada and the clash of old-world superstition with non-belief, a theme also developed in John F.D. Taff’s A Ware That Will Not Keep. The latter is a tragic tale of what one will do in order to survive, in this case the concentration camp, and the price that had to be paid both then and now. A heart-breaking story. Earl Pruitt’s Smoker pulls us into the world of the hive and the section closes with Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummies, a hallucinogenic trip into the past to make peace with oneself.

Too soon you find yourself coming to the end of the book and its Undefinable Wonders. The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows with its train-hopping and dream-chasing, The Wakeful and a very strange garden. My favourite here, Knitter, a story of creation and destruction, of making and unmaking, scary in its far-reaching consequences for those who see the Knitter. Then it’s underground in Through Gravel, and finally Hiraeth with its elements of folklore and superstition in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm.

Special mention must go to Stephanie M. Wytovich and her poems An Exhibition of Mother and Monster and As a Guest at the Telekinetic Tea Party. The poems are placed at strategic points in the anthology perfectly linking the tales before with those to come, dovetails of darkness which should not be overlooked.

I honestly loved this anthology, the quality of writing and sheer imagination is second-to-none. Diverse and endlessly entertaining, this is story-telling at its best.

[Michael J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is plenty to like here. BEHOLD! is a premium collection of stories, many deserving of multiple readings for full appreciation. This is a collection worthy of a permanent place on the bookshelf as well as a book that should be shared and recommended to all fans of quality horror story-telling.

As an avid reader of horror, I always approach new anthologies with curiosity and expectations. I begin by searching the back cover description for the theme, and then review the list of contributing authors. I’ll often skim through the foreword or preface (if there is one) to learn more about the collection. Finally, I’ll consider who the editor is and their reputation.

As reputations grow, so do expectations. Doug Murano has a well-earned reputation for editing premium anthologies, and received high accolades for his work in putting together GUTTED: BEAUTIFUL HORROR STORIES. After noting the exceptional list of contributors to BEHOLD!, I was pleased to learn that Murano edited the book. My expectations were raised to a higher level.

I was not disappointed. Every one of the sixteen stories and two poems in BEHOLD! satisfied my expectations. Seven of the stories went beyond that to the next plateau of excellence. Plus, there are an additional three stories in this anthology that represent the best of the best, the absolute cream of the crop.

Two of the three highest-achieving stories are reprints, but their inclusion here is entirely appropriate. They incorporate so well the themes of the anthology and blend in perfectly with the other tales in their respective sections of the book. Clive Barker’s “Jacqueline Ess: Her Will And Testament” (originally published in 1984) is a sexually-charged masterpiece of fear involving a suicidal woman whose recovery brings her transformational powers that lead to fatal promiscuity. Neil Gaiman’s “Chivalry” helps break the high tension of the first six stories with a whimsical and humorous update on the quest for the Holy Grail. Finally, Ramsey Campbell chills to the bone with the disturbing tale of a travel writer assigned to review the resort from hell.

BEHOLD is divided into three sections, with four stories and a poem included in the opening Oddities. Curiousities, the middle section, contains seven stories and a poem and is the strongest of the three divisions. It contains the Gaiman and Campbell stories, as well as three more tales that were above expectations. The final section is named Undefinable Wonders and includes five stories.

The stories that exceeded expectations are written by Lisa Morten, Brian Kirk, Hal Bodner, John Langan, John F. D. Taff, Patrick Freivald and Christopher Coake. Meeting my high expectations were two poems by Stephanie M. Wytovich and stories by Erinn L. Kemper, Lucy A. Snyder, Brian Hodge, Kristi DeMeester, Sarah Read, and Richard Thomas.

There is a very entertaining and evocative introduction to the book by writer Josh Malerman, and some gorgeous illustrations and paintings throughout the collection.

I received a complimentary digital copy of BEHOLD! with the hopes of an honest review.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold marks yet another stellar anthology of horror fiction from Crystal Lake Publishing. Editor Doug Murano has assembled an intricately quilted patchwork that collects a unique combination of well-written stories that continue the theme of beautiful horror established by his previous anthology, Gutted, itself a stunning masterpiece. As with any anthology, some stories will resonate more with certain readers, and everyone will have a different list of favourites, but the pages of Behold contain many wonders that will make a lasting impression on readers.

[Maegan Heil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders is beautifully bizarre. Reading this book was like finding a magical portal that transported me to places my mind didn’t know it could imagine but needed to find.

Each story stretches you in a different direction, taking you stop-by-stop on a tour of the unusual, and giving you ample time to marvel. A journey so thoroughly vivid, you’ll feel like you belong, and only wish you could stay a little longer.

Five stars for fantastic fiction.

I was provided an Advanced Release Copy (ARC) in return for an unbiased review.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serious collection of short stories written by some of the finest authors of our generation. Some in this wondrous collection will keep you awake all night, some will have you saying, "what if?" Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders will leave you saying, "awesome".

[Debbi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best anthologies I have read this year, and the best I have read from Crystal Lake. A horde if awesome authors and wondrous stories to totally lose yourself in. I loved having a book with such notables as Neil Gaiman,Clive Barker( my favorites) and so many others in one book.

I received a copy to this from the publisher and chose to review it.

[David Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re all fascinated by things that are strange, odd and just plain different. Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders edited by Doug Murano is an anthology that embraces weirdness. When you start reading this book you know to expect the unexpected from the first story. In Larue’s Dime Museum by Lisa Morton. The story follows a woman who is obsessed with the past and finds two photos that transport her back in time. I loved how this story opens leading you to believe it’s about a circus style sideshow. Then you start to realize it’s really about a photographer and a woman who wishes to be in another time. I loved the descriptions of the setting and hearing about the woman’s daily routine and how she sees the world around her.

Another good story in this anthology is Chivalry by Neil Gaiman. In this story, an old woman finds the holy grail in a second-hand store and before long Galaad comes on a quest to bring the grail to King Arthur’s Knights Of The Round Table. The woman does not want to give it up. Galaad keeps coming back with extravagant gifts and finally offers three gifts to the woman and the woman accepts two in exchange for the chalice but the one she rejects is a huge surprise in the story. I love how the woman rejects the gift and her reaction after Galaad leaves her. At this point you are left to wonder is she crying because she liked the attention from Galaad or is it because she really wanted the third gift. This story is a must read.

Another good one is the Wildflower, Cactus Rose by Brian Kirk. This is a completely original story about a woman who goes in for surgery to take care of a sleep apnea problem. She comes out mutilated and thinks her life is over. Her new gifts seem to change her life though as she finds it easier to do the right thing. There is a good message in this story about how the way you look doesn’t affect the life you choose. In reality, it’s our attitude that either draws people to us or pushes them away. The world is a mirror, you see what you want to see.

This book is full of great stories and one of the best is Clive Barker’s Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament. This is an odd story about a woman who almost dies due to a suicide attempt. She then discovers she can make men do anything she wants and kill people with a simple thought. This one is fascinating because it is told from two perspectives and there is a bizarre love story involved. This tale can be described as a journey as you watch Jacqueline change as she understands her power and you watch the men around her change as they figure out what she can do. Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders is a speculative fiction anthology that is a must read.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up because it won this year's Stoker Award for Best Anthology.

The Stoker Award is for horror, and some of these stories are pretty creepy, but there are also some fantasy stories. The general theme could be "Weird shit happens." Think people turning into cacti. Or hobos looking in mirrors that tell the future.

The big name authors here are Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. I liked both their stories.

Also especially liked "Fully Boarded" by Ramsey Campbell and "The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows" by Brian Hodge.

Gave this three stars because I never love every story in an anthology. That said, there were none here I actively disliked.

[Lukasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I link the premise of this anthology, but I'm not quite satisfied with its content.

Alright, I need to calm down.

The short stories compiled in Behold! are all well-crafted, and therein lies the issue. None of them stood out to me; some were more than ok, others less so, but all were solid. Will I remember any of them? Probably not. Perhaps Neil Gaiman's story, though not because it's exceptional, but for its unique tone that distinguished it from the others. I'm not sure what else to say - it's more than adequate, but I suspect I'll soon forget about it.

[Doreena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this one. I'm in the minority again. I just expected so much more from this book. It wasn't at all what I expected.All of the stories just seemed to be missing something and then they ended abruptly. This was one that I had high hopes for and it just kind of let me down a bit.

[The Behrg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic anthology, full review to come ...

[Delia Remington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every story in this collection was wonderfully written. I have dipped in again and again, each time discovering a gem within its pages.

[Aisha-Kimberly Hashmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurry, hurry, hurry, step right up, this big top book is ready for your viewing pleasure. Behind door number one, be prepared to view some photographs that just may take you we here you don't want to go... then continue through the tent to a woman who controls things in an unusual way, a garden that grows some things you don't expect, and much more. All this for a low, low price... hurry, hurry, hurry, step right up....

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Crystal Lake Publishing’s second anthology with Doug Murano acting as editor—the first being Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories. It’s also their second anthology that brought in some very big names, which no doubt aided in healthy sales, securing a nice spot at the top of Amazon’s anthology charts. The ironic thing is, those big names (Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, and Ramsey Campbell) brought the weakest stories to an otherwise very solid collection.

I like that.

Don’t get me wrong, the veterans’ contributions don’t fail to deliver, but they certainly aren’t the main course. More like the attractive hors d’oeuvres that bring the masses, luring readers in to get a taste of newer blood.

What’s to be expected in an anthology is that not every story is going to hit the mark. This collection is no different; however, the stories I put on the bottom of the list don’t feel like filler, they just don’t scratch that itch for me. I should point out that I’ve peeked at what others are saying in reviews, and there are readers enjoying the few pieces that weren’t as memorable for me. And to me, that’s a well-rounded book.

Some standouts for me? Brian Kirk’s “Wildflower, Cactus, Rose.” Kirk wrote the most memorable story in Gutted, and he brings that same heart-wrenching look at a woman who’s going through something none of us can relate to. Here, a woman suffers the disfiguring consequences of reconstructive surgery, with the result becoming a hidden blessing and a change of perspective for both her and her daughter. The most impressive part of this story—other than the underlying message that comes to light by the end—is Kirk’s ability to make this young female narrator believable. Kirk’s female voice is convincing and never strained. Kudos.

“The Baker of Millepoix” by Hal Bodner is not an easy read. It contains all the language and style one would expect from a period piece, but as the story unwinds we’re taken on an entertaining venture as a baker creates goods that contain a special ingredient giving divine properties to the food. The popularity of the shop rises as the baker struggles to keep up with demand. But for them, he’ll do anything.

“A Ware That Will Not Keep” by John F.D. Taff. Quite possibly the most unique story in the bunch. Great use of a nonfiction setting that we’re all familiar with but with an otherworldly component. A man held captive in a Nazi concentration camp slowly creates a living golem made of clay—using mud and the ashes of the dead—with the hope that it will help him and every other innocent soul there to escape the clutches of those who oppress them. The instructions given to the golem? To kill everyone against him and not to let him die. The creature is a dedicated servant to the extreme.

“Knitter” by Christopher Coake is a tale regarding hidden creatures that are responsible for the life and death of things, their creation and destruction. This one is heartbreaking and reminds me of a long lost fairy tale—a fantastical story of origins with a somber creep factor.

“Through Gravel” by Sarah Read. With so much to explore, this one could have easily been much longer. But it sits well as a short piece, too. An underground society who call themselves the Kindred grow flowers and offer them up through the cracks in the city above for those seeking something more out of life. Those people are pulled down where they join the endless search for more Kindred. Very interesting concept with a great underlying message—a common theme for most of the stories in Behold!—those meaningful statements that linger deep under the horror and the gore, the unpleasant and the disturbing.

Others worth mentioning are “Earl Pruitt’s Smoker” by Patrick Freivald and “The Shiny Fruit of Our Tomorrows” by Brian Hodge

For me, the greatest thing about this anthology is what I stated above–the lesser known authors are not carried by the veterans but proudly skip ahead, leading the way. And while the anthology is lightly themed, none of these bits are similar in any way other than offering solid entertainment in exchange for your time.

(A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review)

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncaged Book Reviews

This is a vast mixture of odd stories if you are of a curious nature. Some are unknown authors to me in this book, as well as a few known to me, for example Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. A story that was my fave is an old women visits a charity shop and in the middle of buying some books she spots an ornament that she thinks will look good on her mantelpiece. What she doesn’t know is what she took home was the holy grail. I think all sorts of people will enjoy this book I highly recommend it. Reviewed by Jennifer

[Brandon Petry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders from Crystal Lake Publishing blew my socks off. It’s a wonderful and varied anthology that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Edited by Doug Murano, I had high hopes after last years excellent Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories anthology, and I was not disappointed. This is the type of anthology I want to read. For me, horror anthologies sometimes feel penned in by their theme or affiliation. I mean I enjoy Lovecraft and am always willing to check out a Lovecraft themed anthology or story but come on, how many Lovecraft anthologies get put out each year?

Now, this anthology, like any other, is going to have stories you respond to and those that you don’t. Which held true for this one as well but, unlike most anthologies I’ve read, even the stories I didn’t love still had plenty going for them. And the illustrations by Luke Spooner elevated this collection up a notch in my opinion:

And even though the publisher provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I bought a physical copy of the book because, well just look at this illustration from one of my favorite stories:

Plenty of other reviews have given a play by play breakdown of the stories within so I’ll just wrap this up with a brief list of some of the stories that I absolutely loved:

Brian Kirk’s “Wildflower, Cactus, Rose.”
Clive Barker’s “Jacqueline Ess: Her will and Testament”
John Langan’s “Madame Painte: For Sale.”
Erinn L. Kemper’s “Amelia’s Wake”
Lucy A. Snyder’s “Hazelnuts and Yummy Mummys”
Kristi DeMeester’s “The Wakeful”
Richard Thomas’s “Hiraeth”

And many of the stories were by authors I’d never encountered before (Kirk, Kemper and Snyder for example), which is one of the best things about reading an anthology like Behold. Discovering excellent new writers is one of the best rewards for an adventurous reader.

Doug Murano and company have done such a great job so far, I’d encourage any horror/weird/dark fantasy readers to check this anthology out. I’m certainly glad I did and I know I will be looking forward to their next project.