The Man in the Black Suit: 4 Dark Tales

by Stephen King, John Cullum (Narrator), Becky Ann Baker (Narrator)

"...the face of the man in the black suit grows ever clearer, ever closer, and I remember every word he said. I don't want to think of him, but I can't help it, and sometimes at night my old heart beats so hard and so fast I think it will tear itself right clear of my chest."

A haunting recollection of a mysterious boyhood event, The Man in the Black Suit read by John Cullum leads off this masterful collection from Stephen King.

Other dark tales include: All That You Love Will Be Carried Away read by Peter Gerety, in which a man checks into a Lincoln, Nebraska Motel 6 to find the meaning in his life; That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French read by Becky Ann Baker presents the ultimate case of déjà vu; and The Death of Jack Hamilton read by Arliss Howard—a blistering tale of Depression-era outlaws on the run.

Whether writing about encounters with the dead, the near dead, or about the mundane dreads of life, Stephen King's The Man in the Black Suit: Four Dark Tales is intense, eerie and instantly compelling.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Stephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.

Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.

He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.

Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.

In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant Story and homage to Hawthorne's Young Goodman Browne. A young boy is fishing and meets the devil in the woods. Now at the age of 91 with failing health he remembers that remarkable episode from childhood days. Did Gary's mother really die as the devil told him? A compelling classic tale about a nine year old meeting the devil. Absolutely liked the idea, plot and prose. The story is included in the anthology Six Stories. Highly recommended!

[Sumit RK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Stephen King’s short stories more than his novels because they always explore a different sub genre of horror. From overgrown grass fields to a Kindle from a parallel universe (yes, you read that right), there is always something new in them. Having said that this must be the first proper horror story by King I have read.

The story is about a boy & the devil. Ignoring his parent's warnings to stick close to home, a boy goes out fishing in the woods and meets the Satan beside a river. King does a good job in building up the tense atmosphere for the story and creates an unforgettable & terrifying imagery describing this monster (burning eyes, smell of burnt match). In a way, this story reminds me of the opening scene of IT movie (with Pennywise Clown & Georgie, in the sewer) which I felt was as dark & powerful. Overall, it’s interesting and intriguing. If you love mysteries with a touch of horror, you will enjoy this one.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man in The Black Suit
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator John Cullum

[Moha Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really short yet awesome horror story, well written and better recited.
Audiobooks are my thing now for sure.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of King's best short stories. The voice and setting work together beautifully. It is both a visit to a favorite fishing hole on a perfect summer afternoon and the most terrifying experience in a young boy's life. John Cullum's reading is great too!

[Jonathan Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

there are two things that I have learned about Stephen King novels. Firstly, the novels are more about the people than the monsters. Secondly, the monsters are, quite often, not all that original.
Oh, and thirdly, before I forget, Stephen King's writing style (voice) is so conversational that anyone can relate to it which is where he really wins. I'm a Stephen King fan today and I was a Stephen King fan 30 years ago.

[Kandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read each of these four stories in other places, so they weren't new to me, which is why I audio-ed them. I liked the way each story had it's own CD, despite their varying lengths. They each a different reader as well, so this felt a bit like a "book buffet".

The Man In The Black Suit **

This was not one of my favorites by King. It felt as if someone else actually wrote it. I had no problem with the idea itself, and actually found it more believable ending the way it did than if he had ended it as expected. The devil is a trickster, after all. King has used the "old man looking back" device before, but it's always felt more "real" to me. In this case, instead of feeling the man was remembering a true event, I felt he was recalling a bad dream or something.

All That You Love Will Be Carried Away ****

I loved the idea of a graffiti notebook, and who better to keep one than a traveling salesman? I like to think King "collected" these himself on a bike trip or something, rather than just making them up for the story. Some of them were real gems and are just more meaningful if they really appear in lipstick/Sharpie/paint somewhere in America. The wrap around story felt like an excuse to use these sayings, and while it worked, I didn't care so much about the salesman as I did about the next little clinker he was going to drop on us.

The Death Of Jack Hamilton *****

This is straight narrative. Actually, since it's a true event, I guess it could even be historical fiction. Of course no one really knows what happened between Jack, Johnny and Homer in those last days, but this certainly seems plausible, doesn't it? I felt that King gor Dillinger's charm across perfectly. Everything you read about the man alludes to "the way he had" of winning people over. In my experience that's an elusive quality and very hard to pinpoint just what it is about these charmers that makes them so charming. Usually you need to meet them or see them in action. Here, it's conveyed perfectly, and I knew if I had met Dillinger, I would have fallen under his spell as well.

That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French **

I just don't like this story. When I first read it in Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales I had to go back to it, instead of reading it in order, because I just hated it. I find the entire "groundhog day" device tiring. Here at least, it was on audio and I could do other things as I listened. I know I will re-read EE, but I am giving myself permission to skip this one.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first foray into Stephen King it was quite good but I got confused a bit at The last story. It's quite awesome though how he can have really distinctive voices for each character. These art that scary or creepy but still good. They are really suspenseful I would say and more psychological

[Iloveplacebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reto: La Mansión Encantada - del grupo 'La cafetería de Audrey'.
Tema: demonios (1).

[Tatevik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Մի տեսակ կիսատ էր միտքը ու հեչ էլ վախենալու չէր։ Գեյմանի մոտ ավելի լավ է ստացվում վախեցնելը։ Հայերեն աուդիոն վատը չէր։

[Bon Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to rate this book on first two stories, which are absolute masterpieces if you ask me. The first one is simple idea of boy going to fishing and finding more than he lured for. Almost becoming the lure himself.

The second one is told almost by toilette graffity alone. How genius is that? You have to find good ones to make it fun and interesting, with correct amount of shitty ones (dig it?) to keep it real. It's not as easy as "Even the bravest ones shat themselves here".

The third is very good with just a tiny, almost barely noticeable element of supernatural thrown in, in the form of lasso-catching the flies like it's just a matter of skill. If it was real it would be ultimate in finesse, but so is the very idea of it. The last one I didn't completely get, but ok.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spooky, haunting, and very short collection. I remember reading some of these before, but some I don't recall. Of course I recommend this for all King fans.

[Anuraag Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 1- 4.5⭐
Part 2- 3⭐
Part 3- 3.5⭐
Part 4- 4⭐

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst bit of garbage I’ve ever read. I am King fan and I still can’t believe this came from his pen. This collection would make a great fire starter!

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four dark tales from King, two are pretty good and the other two are decent.

***

The Man in the Black Suit
4/5

Very underrated short story from Stephen King about a little boy that encounters Satan in the woods in the form a normal man in a black suit.

The whole story is written like a classic eerie folktale, mimicking the vintage style of classic gothic ghost story writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Algernon Blackwood. It takes place in a remote location in 1914 Maine and chronicles the story of a normal everyday boy named Gary being absolutely terrified, taunted and psychologically attacked by the Devil himself who seems to be having an absolute blast scaring the living daylights out of him and forcing him to question the nature of his own reality. It's beautifully atmospheric, the family slice of life is oddly cozy, and the core of the plot is both disturbingly funny and unnervingly sinister.

As someone that has always been fascinated and comforted by the deep woods of nature in all their terrifying glory, this one just hit different for me. Really enjoyed it.

***

All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
4/5

Funny, sad, and more relatable now than the time it was written. It’s about a depressed and lonely traveling salesman named Alfie Zimmer who has become so absorbed in his suicidal ideation that he feels completely disconnected from humanity and the world around him. The closest thing he has to human interaction and conversation is reading the ridiculous, vulgar and nonsensical graffiti written on the inside of the bathroom stalls at the rest stops he frequents on his travels. He’ll sit and stare at them for hours contemplating what the person who wrote them must have been thinking or feeling at the time. Were they utterly insane or just having fun? Were they desperate for attention or in desperate need of help?

While it’s a sad story that many people in the modern world can relate to, it’s delivered in a humorous and playful manner that’s open ended and cautiously optimistic as Alfie battles against his inner demons and does what little he can to find the willpower he needs to start making positive changes in his life before giving in to his temptations to end his maddening loneliness.

Gives me the same type of vibes as Taxi Driver, Bladerunner 2099 and Serial Experiments Lain.

***

That Feeling, You Can Only Say What it is in French
3/5

A married couple are trapped in an infinite loop where they're forced to relive the same bloody honeymoon over and over again as if it's happening for the first time. Hell isn't a person or a place in this story, it is repetition.

A simple plot with an effectively chilling concept. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result as they say, only this time around the couple in question have no choice or say in the matter.

***

The Death of Jack Hamilton

3/5

Depression era gangsters struggle to keep their friend Jack Hamilton alive after a bank robbery getaway goes horribly wrong.

The first half of the story captures the gritty gangster movie tone and plot formula from the noir era of crime films, but the second half of the story is surprisingly melancholy and introspective. During Jack Hamilton’s struggle to stay alive from a brutal bullet wound, the gang has time to reflect on the sad fate of their fallen friend and the lives they’ve lived up until that point while attempting to keep him on his feet.

Jack and the gang might be bad guys doing bad guy things, but gotta admire their sense of friendship, loyalty and compassion for each other.

Not as good as some of the other stories in Everything’s Eventual, but still fairly solid.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to talk about here, however I can for sure say I like Stephen Kings short stories better than his full length novels.

[Oumaïma (readwithmima) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story “The Man In The Black Suit” tells a dark edged tale laced with grief and centers around a young boy and his fear of losing his Mom. Out fishing one day a boy has a run-in with the devil who attempts to take advantage of his fear. It manages to be creepy, funny, and heartbreaking and the characters come to vivid life. This is a story I’ll be rereading before passing along.

Next up is "All That You Love Will Be Carried Away" about a suicidal traveling salesman with a quirky habit of collecting little snippets of bathroom graffiti in a notebook. As he contemplates suicide and the trauma it (and the discovery of his odd collection) will have on his wife and young daughter (he has no clue . . .) he reviews his favorites for what may or may not be the last time. This was a downright gloomy story filled with despair and near hopelessness about a lonely life spent on the road. There’s an itsy bitsy glimmer of hope at the very end and the emotion felt very real but I wish I hadn’t “read” this one in such an intimate format. I can deal with gloominess, darkness and all the grossness you can splatter at me but a suicidal father is something I never, ever wish to read about if I can avoid it.

“The Death of Jack Hamilton” takes a step back in time. It’s all about a gang of bank robbers, one who is gravely wounded, running from the law. I’m not a big fan of this sort of thing but King’s writing voice managed to hold my attention. His characters are full of color and wit even when facing down death. It’s also very gruesome. It’s a good thing I have a cast iron stomach because I not so brilliantly insisted upon listening to the bullet removal scene while eating lunch. Ewww. . .

The final story, “You Can Only Say What It Is in French “, features a long-time married couple on their way to their second honeymoon. While traveling, the wife has an odd sense of déjà vu and “sees” some disturbing images. She knows bad things are going to happen to her husband. She’s seen his glasses melt right into his face (amongst other gruesome images). She also knows she can prevent them if she changes but one thing in their routine but, for reasons that are explained later on, isn’t compelled to do so. As the story begins she appears to adore her husband, who has given her riches beyond her greatest expectation and seems to have been a decent guy during their time together but as the story progresses it turns out he’s done some not-so-nice things along the way. He’s also the reason why she feels she is doomed to burn forever in hell if those Christian School teachers of her past have their way. This was entertaining but slightly predictable.

[PRINCESS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recalling the most horrifying incident in his life, Gary is still frightened and does not want to encounter with The Man in The Black Suit.

When he was nine years old, his brother died due to a bee sting. Though he did not had allergy like his brother but the unpleasant incident made him stay terrified when seeing a bee. One day while he was fishing he falls asleep. When he woke up he noticed a bee sitting on his nose. He suddenly heard a clap and the bee flew. Looking around, he found a Man in the Black Suit with burning eyes, stinky smell and a pale skin. He told him horrible stories. He could not believe but still he was scared of him and what he said. Throwing the fish toward the man, he makes his way of escape and finally reaches home to find out his mother is alive and father is at home; opposite of what the man had said. But the event is so dark that shadows his whole.

The mystery of evil.

[Rinku · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy's simple fishing trip turns into a nightmare that lasts a lifetime. This short story had me checking behind my back for a man in a suit that smells like sulfur.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 predictable short stories from King.
Not bad but nothing extraordinary.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I wanted an audiobook for a road trip we were taking, and Stephen King's short stories are always a good bet. Although I had already read all four of the stories in Everything's Eventual, it had been years plus listening to them on audio is a different experience. All the stories were voiced well.

The Man in Black- An old man recounts when he met Satan as a young child in 1914 Maine. The best of the four stories.

All That You Love Will Be Carried Away- a traveling salesman contemplates suicide in a motel. Ambiguous ending- I choose to believe he lives.

The Death of Jack Hamilton- a historical fiction story about the Dillinger gang and the death of one of the gangsters- which eventually led to Dillinger's death soon afterward.

That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French- a woman on the way to a second honeymoon with her rich but philandering husband has a feeling of déjà vu over and over again. The sad ending points to her being caught in a time loop in purgatory.

[Pino · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Mohammad reza khorasanizadeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

کینگ در این داستان کوتاه به سرعت هیجان را تزریق میکند!
مثل همیشه عالی
خلاصه کتاب در یک کلام: ملاقات با شیطان!

[Greg Strandberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this collection of short stories to be quite slow.

The first is probably the longest and I listened to about half of it. I just couldn't get into it. After that I went to the last story, which was about marriage problems told from the point of view of the wife. I again listened to about half of this before losing interest.

After that I went to the third story, "The Death of Jack Hamilton." This is told from the perspective of a Dillinger Gang member in the 30s. I got more than halfway through this one, it had some good descriptions and such, but just didn't keep my interest that well.

Overall, this is a collection of stories more along the lines of Stand By Me or The Green Mile, less like Night Shift. It just didn't meet my fancy.

[Mss Sunrise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this tale was a good choice to kick the wheels and begin 2021 freshly with🙄
A horror story about a boy who meets a devil, a man in a black suit, when he goes fishing, ignoring his parents' warnings. The main character is now an old man and he still remebers that day vividly. I found the story compelling and quite fast paced. I wanted something short, and this defenitely did barely take me time!

[Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Second story in SK’s Everything's Eventual
Of course the devil has to have its place in a short story collection of horror stories. It was ok, not bad but not as scary as the first story and no surprises.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! Good length and awesome story.

[Badseedgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

King For a Year 2025

These four short stories are part of the larger collection Everything's Eventual Which I will be reading later this year.

The Man in the Black Suit: This story is a riff on the old tale of meeting the devil at the crossroads. IN this case a nine year old meets the devil at a fishing hole. This was one brave little boy. 5 stars

All That You Love Will Be Carried Away: There really is not any supernatural elements in this one, but a man does experience the darkest night of his life. 3.8 stars

That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French: Is it déjà vu or just hell? 4 stars

The Death of Jack Hamilton: another one without much in the way of supernatural, but it made me wonder how much of the story was true. 5 stars

This makes me want to move Everything's Eventual up on my list.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

working on reading all of King's works.