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Dragged Into Darkness
Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
The world is a dark place, even in daylight. DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS features tales of horror from the subtle to the extreme. The characters are ordinary people who are ripped from their daily routines into a dark world. DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS is filled with characters who are one step from light and a normal existance, and because of this, their lives will never be the same. In THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, Dr. Gareth Troy empathizes with his tortured patients' disfigurements a little too much. For Grace in PURELY COSMETIC, reaching her target weight is all that matters. In ACCEPTABLE LOSSES, Captain John Clelland has struck the worst of bargains for the lives of allied soldiers. In RUNWAY THREE-SEVEN, Neal is forced to land his crippled aircraft on a runway that can't possibly exist.
DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS will make you clamor for the light.
The world is a dark place, even in daylight. DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS features tales of horror from the subtle to the extreme. The characters are ordinary people who are ripped from their daily routines into a dark world. DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS is filled with characters who are one step from light and a normal existance, and because of this, their lives will never be the same. In THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, Dr. Gareth Troy empathizes with his tortured patients' disfigurements a little too much. For Grace in PURELY COSMETIC, reaching her target weight is all that matters. In ACCEPTABLE LOSSES, Captain John Clelland has struck the worst of bargains for the lives of allied soldiers. In RUNWAY THREE-SEVEN, Neal is forced to land his crippled aircraft on a runway that can't possibly exist.
DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS will make you clamor for the light.
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 1, 2003
66 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Simon Wood
91 books516 followersSimon Wood is a California transplant from England. He's an ex-competitive racecar driver, a licensed pilot and an occasional private investigator. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie. Their lives are dominated by a longhaired dachshund and five cats. In the last ten years, he's had over 150 stories and articles published. His stories have been included in “Best of” anthologies and he's a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. He's the Anthony Award winner and a Crime Writers Dagger Award finalist. He's the author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper, Terminated, We All Fall Down, Deceptive Practices, The Fall Guy, Hot Seat and Did Not Finish. His latest thriller is, Saving Grace. He also writes horror under the pen name of Simon Janus. Those titles include The Scrubs and Road Rash.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 28, 2020
Amazing
These stories are some of the best horror stories I've ever read. They are extremely interesting and held my attention easily. Some were very creepy while others gave me a deep sense of dread. I highly recommend.
These stories are some of the best horror stories I've ever read. They are extremely interesting and held my attention easily. Some were very creepy while others gave me a deep sense of dread. I highly recommend.
August 10, 2017
I wasn't sure how to rate this collection. The whole time I was reading/listening I kept wanting to smash my iPad or head against the wall and just make it stop, or somehow unheard what I had already heard. I found it depressing and gloomy. But at the same time I realized that I couldn't stop no matter how much I wanted to. There's something about the macabre that peaks our interest. These tales are like Tales From the Dark Side. They are short but great. There was only a couple I found so so. As for the rating, I went with 5 stars because I sometimes like dark, creeepy tales. If that's not your cup of tea, you won't like these. Simon Wood has the creepiest mind. If I was his wife, I don't think I would sleep in the same room as him lol. He has the most perfect and unique statements describing things. You know when there's something so horrid you just can't give it a description? His are spot on! It makes me think, Yeah! That's exactly how I feel! For this and his wonderful creepiness, I give this collection a 5 star rating.
If you like audiobooks, you would love this in audio. The narrators are perfect. I loved them!
If you like audiobooks, you would love this in audio. The narrators are perfect. I loved them!
May 14, 2020
Surprising!
When I started reading this book, awhile ago, I got a bit bored with one of the stories, and so, I put the book down. I sometimes do this.
Well, these short horror stories, by Simon Wood, are a mixed bunch. Some of the stories are better than others, but most are very interesting.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and since I liked it, I intend to read more.
When I started reading this book, awhile ago, I got a bit bored with one of the stories, and so, I put the book down. I sometimes do this.
Well, these short horror stories, by Simon Wood, are a mixed bunch. Some of the stories are better than others, but most are very interesting.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and since I liked it, I intend to read more.
October 21, 2013
As with any collection of short stories- there were some in Simon Wood 's collection Dragged Into Darkness that I liked better than others. Overall I found the stories in this collection to be just the way I like my horror- laced with just enough information to allow my mind to run rampant with it's own imagination.
My favorite stories in this collection were Runway Three Seven Zero, Shadow Chasers, and Shower Curtain (which I might add will make tomorrow morning's shower creepy no doubt when the shower curtain tries to brush into me). My major complaint is that a couple of the stories seemed to end just a bit abruptly- specifically The Ladies Room, which I also thought was a tad predictable. Overall though the collection is a good one filled with stories that are just the right length!
My favorite stories in this collection were Runway Three Seven Zero, Shadow Chasers, and Shower Curtain (which I might add will make tomorrow morning's shower creepy no doubt when the shower curtain tries to brush into me). My major complaint is that a couple of the stories seemed to end just a bit abruptly- specifically The Ladies Room, which I also thought was a tad predictable. Overall though the collection is a good one filled with stories that are just the right length!
April 29, 2012
Twisted, unique, creepy, amazing, the list could go on and on when I think of words to describe the stories in Dragged into Darkness. Each tale is unique in its nature but yet each story will makes you want to explore into the dark realms of the next one on the pages, yet to be turned. The woman who went to extreme measures to lose weight to the pilot who thought he had nowhere to turn to in an emergency landing- these stories will make you think again when you thought you had all your i’s dotted and your t’s crossed. I bought this book after reading Simon Wood’s Paying the Piper. Simon had me hooked from the beginning of that book and mystery/drama was fantastic. This book did not disappoint but only made me want to read more by Simon, he has gained a loyal reader
July 15, 2013
A creepy and sometimes grisly selection of short stories beginning with a pilot of a light aircraft in dire straights in the midst of a storm, a man bitten by a vampire, a ladies room janitor who has premonitions of his own death and lots more that explore, and drag you into, the darkness as the title suggests. A really good and scary collection packed full of thrills, terror and action.
August 16, 2017
Different
Pretty good stories!!! They were weird yet different! They were a little strange lol. If you like scary stories this is a must read!!
Pretty good stories!!! They were weird yet different! They were a little strange lol. If you like scary stories this is a must read!!
January 26, 2015
"Twelve Ordinary People Thrust Into The Darkness Of Hell"
Have you ever read the horror stories written by Edgar Alan Poe? They are blood curdling tales never to be forgotten. Author Simon Wood has the same talent. They remind me of the horror stories I listened to on Saturday night radio shows back in the 50's. I highly recommend that if you like such stories, get the full effect by reading them on your Kindle, late at night with the lights off.
The 1st story is about Neal flying a Cessna into a storm, going through engine failure, getting instructions from an unknown airport and to approach runway 37. FAA never assigns runway directions higher than 36.
The 2nd story is about Paul Thompson, an award-winning architect, sitting on a Miami beach waiting for the sun to rise. Previously a man called The Whistler has bled Paul to death and tossed him into a dumpster. How can he be sitting now on a beach?
The 3rd story is about Terry seeking a job as a biotech but is not successful. He takes a job as night janitor cleaning offices, but is uncomfortable about cleaning the ladies' restroom. He becomes locked in the restroom with paranormal experiences.
The 4th story is about Roger Webb, retired for 10 years, feeling old, and struggles to lift a very special delivered package from under his porch. The contents of the package ... well, you'll find out!
The 5th story is about Charlene Casey, age 38, separated, has a daughter Mary, and she's an extremely addicted hoarder. Dr. Birnbaum, a psychologist, is visiting her sickened by her rotting trash inside and outside her home. Charlene has better success than the poor doctor. This is scary....
The 6th story is about Carole Bartholomew who has been referred to Dr. Gareth Troy. His mission is to help patients who are deformed and Carole has gnarled, twisted, bruised toes. He does resolve her problem... but in a very extreme way.
The 7th story is about Capt James Clelland's six-man team beaching their HMS Vulture watercraft onto a beach during World War II. Bodies cover the sandy beach, now blood read. His mission is to recover the bodies and parts, with instructions to utilize all information provided from "Oracle," even if "Oracle" is not human.
The 8th story is about three men on a porch of a farmhouse ... all of them hanging from the rafters. Three men arrive and watch the bodies sway in the breeze. One man, Cam, approaches the front door of the farmhouse asking Mac to come to the door and show himself. But Mac is a shadow ... of Cam!
The 9th story is about a fortune telling machine called "Imelda the Magnificent." Nick and Lisa have put their quarters in to find out their fortunes. Both tickets contain only one word, Thursday. What can it mean?
The 10th story is about Tammy standing at night in the middle of an old worn out wooden bridge. She's a typical teenager who is upset with her parents. She looks down in the stream and sees something floating. Going down the bank, she snags something which she takes home, dries it out, and sets it on her dresser. It looks like a doll's head ... but it's not!
The 11th story is about Patrick who steps out of his hot shower, wipes the condensation off the mirror over the washbasin. He looks at his face, drops his razor in fear; he sees faces embedded in the shower curtain, the faces look like they are screaming, and the number of faces increase.
The 12th story is about Capt Scott Harrison piloting a commercial airliner 747; the plane has just lifted off a San Francisco runway, destination London. At about 18,000 ft. altitude, an explosion is heard from the tail section. They lose control, but a passenger can show them how to save the plane. It just takes 'Faith.'
Have you ever read the horror stories written by Edgar Alan Poe? They are blood curdling tales never to be forgotten. Author Simon Wood has the same talent. They remind me of the horror stories I listened to on Saturday night radio shows back in the 50's. I highly recommend that if you like such stories, get the full effect by reading them on your Kindle, late at night with the lights off.
The 1st story is about Neal flying a Cessna into a storm, going through engine failure, getting instructions from an unknown airport and to approach runway 37. FAA never assigns runway directions higher than 36.
The 2nd story is about Paul Thompson, an award-winning architect, sitting on a Miami beach waiting for the sun to rise. Previously a man called The Whistler has bled Paul to death and tossed him into a dumpster. How can he be sitting now on a beach?
The 3rd story is about Terry seeking a job as a biotech but is not successful. He takes a job as night janitor cleaning offices, but is uncomfortable about cleaning the ladies' restroom. He becomes locked in the restroom with paranormal experiences.
The 4th story is about Roger Webb, retired for 10 years, feeling old, and struggles to lift a very special delivered package from under his porch. The contents of the package ... well, you'll find out!
The 5th story is about Charlene Casey, age 38, separated, has a daughter Mary, and she's an extremely addicted hoarder. Dr. Birnbaum, a psychologist, is visiting her sickened by her rotting trash inside and outside her home. Charlene has better success than the poor doctor. This is scary....
The 6th story is about Carole Bartholomew who has been referred to Dr. Gareth Troy. His mission is to help patients who are deformed and Carole has gnarled, twisted, bruised toes. He does resolve her problem... but in a very extreme way.
The 7th story is about Capt James Clelland's six-man team beaching their HMS Vulture watercraft onto a beach during World War II. Bodies cover the sandy beach, now blood read. His mission is to recover the bodies and parts, with instructions to utilize all information provided from "Oracle," even if "Oracle" is not human.
The 8th story is about three men on a porch of a farmhouse ... all of them hanging from the rafters. Three men arrive and watch the bodies sway in the breeze. One man, Cam, approaches the front door of the farmhouse asking Mac to come to the door and show himself. But Mac is a shadow ... of Cam!
The 9th story is about a fortune telling machine called "Imelda the Magnificent." Nick and Lisa have put their quarters in to find out their fortunes. Both tickets contain only one word, Thursday. What can it mean?
The 10th story is about Tammy standing at night in the middle of an old worn out wooden bridge. She's a typical teenager who is upset with her parents. She looks down in the stream and sees something floating. Going down the bank, she snags something which she takes home, dries it out, and sets it on her dresser. It looks like a doll's head ... but it's not!
The 11th story is about Patrick who steps out of his hot shower, wipes the condensation off the mirror over the washbasin. He looks at his face, drops his razor in fear; he sees faces embedded in the shower curtain, the faces look like they are screaming, and the number of faces increase.
The 12th story is about Capt Scott Harrison piloting a commercial airliner 747; the plane has just lifted off a San Francisco runway, destination London. At about 18,000 ft. altitude, an explosion is heard from the tail section. They lose control, but a passenger can show them how to save the plane. It just takes 'Faith.'
April 2, 2019
An excellent collection of short stories from a very talented author.
November 22, 2013
To be honest, I snatched this book up on sale when I saw it on a mystery book site, thinking it would be a mystery or thriller. So my first read by this author (who does indeed write thrillers/mysteries) is actually a horror short-story book--and it's extremely well done. I was completely captivated from the first story and ended up reading the whole thing in two sittings (would have been one if I'd remembered to keep the Kindle plugged in).
It's both a tough and a delightful read. The writing is terrific while the storylines are disturbing; the stories themselves are thoroughly entertaining. It's not easy to ask a reader to switch gears a dozen times to a completely different set of characters, but each of the 12 stories really worked for me. Best of all, each tale started off so reasonably and normally that it was easy for the author to convince me, as odd or seemingly impossible things occurred, that they were happening naturally as part of an evolving story. I don't think that's very easy to do--it's like my skepticism was removed even before it began.
I love a book that takes me places and this one fits the bill. From the creepiness of The Shower Curtain and Faith to the incredible storyline in Acceptable Losses and The Hoarder, I loved each story and wasn't disappointed at all that I accidentally bought the wrong genre. If you like horror, or like short stories, or just like really good, complete writing with engaging characters, this book is for you. I highly recommend it.
It's both a tough and a delightful read. The writing is terrific while the storylines are disturbing; the stories themselves are thoroughly entertaining. It's not easy to ask a reader to switch gears a dozen times to a completely different set of characters, but each of the 12 stories really worked for me. Best of all, each tale started off so reasonably and normally that it was easy for the author to convince me, as odd or seemingly impossible things occurred, that they were happening naturally as part of an evolving story. I don't think that's very easy to do--it's like my skepticism was removed even before it began.
I love a book that takes me places and this one fits the bill. From the creepiness of The Shower Curtain and Faith to the incredible storyline in Acceptable Losses and The Hoarder, I loved each story and wasn't disappointed at all that I accidentally bought the wrong genre. If you like horror, or like short stories, or just like really good, complete writing with engaging characters, this book is for you. I highly recommend it.
June 26, 2015
This is another collection of short stories in disguise these are more horror than thriller I did read the first few but abandoned it mainly because I am not a fan of short stories, I like a book I can 'get into' and I don't really like horror ie vampires etc. I still love Simon Wood and will be reading all his full length thrillers
February 12, 2016
Loved it
Again loved it. Great read I couldn't imagine anyone not enjoying it! Up to now I have loved every one of Simon wood's books. Now I'm going too pick the next book & I'll enjoy it I'm sure.
Again loved it. Great read I couldn't imagine anyone not enjoying it! Up to now I have loved every one of Simon wood's books. Now I'm going too pick the next book & I'll enjoy it I'm sure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews