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Dark Screams: Volume Seven
Robert McCammon, James Renner, Kaaron Warren, Brian Hodge, Bill Schweigart, and Mick Garris reveal sinister secrets and unsavory pasts in a haunting anthology of short stories collected by acclaimed horror editors Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar.
LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon
The lizardman thinks he knows about all the mysterious dangers of the Florida swamps, but there are things lurking in the bayou that are older and deadlier than his wildest dreams.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner
Although every child dreams of visiting Hundred Acre Wood, only one has ever actually frolicked in that fabled forest—and survived.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren
She’s been going to the beach since she was a child, daring the other kids to go out past the dunes where those boys died all those years ago. Now she realizes that the farther out you go, the harder it is to come back.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge
After the success of their latest album, Sebastián, Sofia, and Enrique head to Mexico for a shoot under the statue of Santa Muerte. But they have fans south of the border who’d kill to know where they get their inspiration.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart
On a quest to bring glory to the Führer, Lieutenant Dietrich Drexler leads his team into the ruins of the Carpathian Mountains. But the wolf that’s stalking them is no ordinary predator.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris
A schoolteacher’s impulsive tryst with a colleague becomes a haunting lesson in tragedy and terror when he’s targeted for revenge by an unlikely, unhinged rival.
LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon
The lizardman thinks he knows about all the mysterious dangers of the Florida swamps, but there are things lurking in the bayou that are older and deadlier than his wildest dreams.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner
Although every child dreams of visiting Hundred Acre Wood, only one has ever actually frolicked in that fabled forest—and survived.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren
She’s been going to the beach since she was a child, daring the other kids to go out past the dunes where those boys died all those years ago. Now she realizes that the farther out you go, the harder it is to come back.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge
After the success of their latest album, Sebastián, Sofia, and Enrique head to Mexico for a shoot under the statue of Santa Muerte. But they have fans south of the border who’d kill to know where they get their inspiration.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart
On a quest to bring glory to the Führer, Lieutenant Dietrich Drexler leads his team into the ruins of the Carpathian Mountains. But the wolf that’s stalking them is no ordinary predator.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris
A schoolteacher’s impulsive tryst with a colleague becomes a haunting lesson in tragedy and terror when he’s targeted for revenge by an unlikely, unhinged rival.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
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About the author
Brian James Freeman
100 books149 followersBrian James Freeman sold his first short story when he was fourteen years old and now writes full-time thanks to the support of his patrons on Patreon. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, three kids, a German Shorthaired Pointer, and an English Pointer. More books are on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews
June 14, 2017
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
This collection elicited no screams from me, dark or otherwise. A grumble of discontent is all I am willing to give. My hackles were not raised, nor did my neck prickle at any point. Psychological horror is my preference, and there wasn't enough bite in these for my taste. As a seasoned reader of horror, I was underwhelmed. Newcomers to this genre might very well enjoy these stories more.
This collection elicited no screams from me, dark or otherwise. A grumble of discontent is all I am willing to give. My hackles were not raised, nor did my neck prickle at any point. Psychological horror is my preference, and there wasn't enough bite in these for my taste. As a seasoned reader of horror, I was underwhelmed. Newcomers to this genre might very well enjoy these stories more.
June 15, 2017
DARK SCREAMS VOLUME SEVEN is a six story anthology that give the reader a bit of fantasy, a touch of supernatural and a look at totally gruesome, but nothing really scary for this lover of true horror.
LIZARDMAN - (Robert McCammon) - 3 Stars - You'll find here an icky-slimy read set in a misty Florida swamp, a wise old gator hunter who finds more than he bargained for in the caverns below.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST - (James Rennet) - 2 Stars - Not much time left, but a last request is granted for an OLD timer to visit his OLD wooded stomping grounds where a few creatures...you just may recognize...come wildly alive, AND...a silent one speaks a few cherished words.
FURTHEREST - (Kaaron Warren) - 2 Stars - Summertime is full of fun and discovery at the dunes...IF you don't venture out too far!
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL - (Brian Hodge) - 3 Stars - A simple photo shoot turns brutally gruesome in old Mexico. Yikes!
THE EXPEDITION - (Bill Schweigart) - 3 Stars - 1938 Germany...A predator of the worst kind....in wolf's clothing....just may keep you laughing...or not.
SNOW SHOWERS (Mick Garris) - 4 Stars - A schoolteacher's extracurricular activity takes a sinister turn....twice....when a strange young student seeks revenge for his heart's desire....with a bit of spiritual help.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Hydra for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2017
The Dark Screams series comes along with this, Volume Seven, and continues to be one of the most solid anthology series' out there.
Going into this, I fully expected the Robert McCammon story to be the stand-out, as he's one of my favorite authors and never fails to satisfy my story urge. However, I have to hand it to James Renner because his story A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) not only knocked the ball out of the park, it knocked it out of town! To see the Pooh stories turned into dark fiction pleased me to no end! Five FAT stars!
That said, I did love McCammon's Lizardman. In a way this story reminded me of that TV show I've seen previews of-The Swamp People? But then the tale took a strange twist and landed somewhere totally different. 4 stars!
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge was a strange tale where mythology and real life blended into a torture chamber of sorts. Never pray to the skeleton saint. 4*
I enjoyed the rest of the stories as well, just as not as much as these 3-and these 3 alone are well worth the price of admission! Highly recommended!
You can pre-order your copy here:Dark Screams: Volume Seven
*Thanks to Hydra and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
Going into this, I fully expected the Robert McCammon story to be the stand-out, as he's one of my favorite authors and never fails to satisfy my story urge. However, I have to hand it to James Renner because his story A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) not only knocked the ball out of the park, it knocked it out of town! To see the Pooh stories turned into dark fiction pleased me to no end! Five FAT stars!
That said, I did love McCammon's Lizardman. In a way this story reminded me of that TV show I've seen previews of-The Swamp People? But then the tale took a strange twist and landed somewhere totally different. 4 stars!
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge was a strange tale where mythology and real life blended into a torture chamber of sorts. Never pray to the skeleton saint. 4*
I enjoyed the rest of the stories as well, just as not as much as these 3-and these 3 alone are well worth the price of admission! Highly recommended!
You can pre-order your copy here:Dark Screams: Volume Seven
*Thanks to Hydra and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
May 30, 2017
3.5 stars
This is my 3rd installment of the Dark Screams anthologies, and probably my least favorite so far. But don't get me wrong-this is still a worthy read!
Volume 7 consists of 6 shorties, most of them by new or unknown authors to me. While they all didn't fall into the true 'horror' genre in my opinion, they certainly were dark.
The stand out for me was Snow Shadows, with Futherest a close second. Lizardman seemed vaguely familiar, so I might have read this one in another anthology possibly.
If you are a fan of the dark and enjoy the variety that anthologies offer, make sure you grab a copy-there is something in here for everyone's taste!
ARC provided by NetGalley
This is my 3rd installment of the Dark Screams anthologies, and probably my least favorite so far. But don't get me wrong-this is still a worthy read!
Volume 7 consists of 6 shorties, most of them by new or unknown authors to me. While they all didn't fall into the true 'horror' genre in my opinion, they certainly were dark.
The stand out for me was Snow Shadows, with Futherest a close second. Lizardman seemed vaguely familiar, so I might have read this one in another anthology possibly.
If you are a fan of the dark and enjoy the variety that anthologies offer, make sure you grab a copy-there is something in here for everyone's taste!
ARC provided by NetGalley
July 7, 2017
SCREAMS: Volume 7, edited by Brian James Freeman & Richard Chizmar is the seventh edition of story collections--this one containing six stories of varying lengths. There were a few stories that were notable to me, but one that absolutely stole the show in this anthology, in my opinion.
The first story of note is "Lizardman", by Robert McCammon: a swamp man sets out to stalk a legendary, larger-than-life lizard that claimed the lives of so many over the years. "Well, the lizard man figured, it took mean and ugly to kill mean and ugly. . . " A story that started out in a "predictable" enough manner, but ended on an unexpected note.
The second story I wanted to mention is "West of Matamoros, North of Hell", by Brian Hodge. This one was more of a novella length, featuring a unique rock bank in their home country of Mexico. "Here at home, people found death a lot more interesting than life. . . " The group makes plans to get some publicity photos for their next tour by visiting a large statue of Santa Muerte. ". . . she might look different in a hundred details, but was always the same simple figure: a skull in a dress, a skeleton were a woman used to be. . . Always, she held your fate . . . " However, someone...or something...else has been monitoring their movements for an altogether different reason. I felt this was a very thought provoking look at beliefs, and what lies behind them.
"Death turned everybody into equals."
My hands-down favorite in this bunch was James Renner's "Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye). This story--the first that I have read from Renner--took the well known fairy tale of Winnie the Pooh and turned it into something completely unexpected and different in every possible way, while retaining the original characters. When a dying Christopher Robin, who has spent most of his life avoiding the publicity brought on by his father's stories of his "adventures", decides it's time for a final visit to the place he once referred to as the Hundred Acre Woods, he is accompanied by a caregiver and her young, autistic son.
". . . There are ghost instincts, I believe, senses carried down in our genes from our ancestors who huddled in caves and hunted in open fields and has to know when a jaguar was stalking them. . . "
Christopher once tried to tell her that there were places on this earth that were "different" from others--places that their minds knew instinctively to avoid, but without the reasoning behind the feeling. ". . . Like your very soul was disjointed from all logic and sense. In the face of such strangeness, our minds protest."
Again, this story was so fascinating in its replicating of a boy's childhood "friends", and yet so hideously distorted by the author's imagination, that I simply can not wait to read more from him.
Overall, not a bad collection, but much more "uneven" in terms of quality that the last Volume, I felt.
Still, recommended for the James Renner story, alone!
The first story of note is "Lizardman", by Robert McCammon: a swamp man sets out to stalk a legendary, larger-than-life lizard that claimed the lives of so many over the years. "Well, the lizard man figured, it took mean and ugly to kill mean and ugly. . . " A story that started out in a "predictable" enough manner, but ended on an unexpected note.
The second story I wanted to mention is "West of Matamoros, North of Hell", by Brian Hodge. This one was more of a novella length, featuring a unique rock bank in their home country of Mexico. "Here at home, people found death a lot more interesting than life. . . " The group makes plans to get some publicity photos for their next tour by visiting a large statue of Santa Muerte. ". . . she might look different in a hundred details, but was always the same simple figure: a skull in a dress, a skeleton were a woman used to be. . . Always, she held your fate . . . " However, someone...or something...else has been monitoring their movements for an altogether different reason. I felt this was a very thought provoking look at beliefs, and what lies behind them.
"Death turned everybody into equals."
My hands-down favorite in this bunch was James Renner's "Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye). This story--the first that I have read from Renner--took the well known fairy tale of Winnie the Pooh and turned it into something completely unexpected and different in every possible way, while retaining the original characters. When a dying Christopher Robin, who has spent most of his life avoiding the publicity brought on by his father's stories of his "adventures", decides it's time for a final visit to the place he once referred to as the Hundred Acre Woods, he is accompanied by a caregiver and her young, autistic son.
". . . There are ghost instincts, I believe, senses carried down in our genes from our ancestors who huddled in caves and hunted in open fields and has to know when a jaguar was stalking them. . . "
Christopher once tried to tell her that there were places on this earth that were "different" from others--places that their minds knew instinctively to avoid, but without the reasoning behind the feeling. ". . . Like your very soul was disjointed from all logic and sense. In the face of such strangeness, our minds protest."
Again, this story was so fascinating in its replicating of a boy's childhood "friends", and yet so hideously distorted by the author's imagination, that I simply can not wait to read more from him.
Overall, not a bad collection, but much more "uneven" in terms of quality that the last Volume, I felt.
Still, recommended for the James Renner story, alone!
October 9, 2020
I was disillusioned by some horror anthologies last year but October is calling to me, so here I am again. I’m not sure what it is about horror short stories but I don’t find them scary and would rarely even classify their content as horror. While all of these stories are okay, I didn’t find any scares amongst them.
My favourite was James Renner’s A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye).
Lizardman by Robert McCammon - 🎃🎃🎃
The lizardman has been searching for Old Pope for a long time. Tonight he will find him.
You’ll never see Winnie-the-Pooh the same again.
Those boys died in the dunes but there’s more to the story.
This is the photoshoot from hell.
Nazis vs. the wolf.
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A man and boy are haunted by the death of a woman.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hydra, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
My favourite was James Renner’s A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye).
Lizardman by Robert McCammon - 🎃🎃🎃
The lizardman has been searching for Old Pope for a long time. Tonight he will find him.
Oh, yeah, the swamp had teeth. Eat you up, bury you under. That was how it was.A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner - 🎃🎃🎃🎃
You’ll never see Winnie-the-Pooh the same again.
“Sometimes the bad things take up the most room in your heart. Don’t they?”Furtherest by Kaaron Warren - 🎃🎃🎃
Those boys died in the dunes but there’s more to the story.
“So don’t go into the dunes, kids. You never know who’s lurking in there.”West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge - 🎃🎃🎃
This is the photoshoot from hell.
“Everybody’s got a plan until the knives come out.”The Expedition by Bill Schweigart - 🎃🎃🎃
Nazis vs. the wolf.
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Had they known then of the chest and the doom that awaited them all, Bruner would have chosen prison.Snow Shadows by Mick Garris - 🎃🎃🎃
A man and boy are haunted by the death of a woman.
“Did you love her?”Content warnings include death by suicide.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hydra, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
May 27, 2017
Dark Screams 7 is a very good anthology of dark fiction. 3 out of the 5 featured authors were completely new to me. That’s pretty ballsy for an established series to put out there, but I dug it. I enjoyed every one of the stories and have a few new authors to keep an eye out for to boot. Can’t ask for more than that.
October 27, 2017
This was a pretty good book of short stories. I really enjoyed all of the stories and my favorites are Lizardman and Snow Shadows. The stories are not scary, but they were entertaining. Giving it three stars.
November 18, 2017
This collection of short stories had more misses than hits for me. Frankly, there was just one story that I truly enjoyed and that was A Monsters Comes to Ashdown Forest. There is just something so chilling when it comes to a horror tales about beloved figures from children's books. This tale was haunting and really good and I wished the rest had been as good. - 4 stars to this tale!
Then we have Lizardman and The Expeditions. They were OK, not as good as A Monsters Comes to Ashdown Forest, but they didn't bore me and had an interesting story to tell. What they lacked, however, were any chilling feeling. - 3 stars to these tales.
Finally, at the bottom, we have Furtherest, West of Matamoros, North of Hell and Snow Shadows. These three stories really didn't work for me. When a short story feels too long then you know you have a problem. Furtherest was just odd and not in a good way. I was bored reading that one. West of Matamoros, North of Hell could have been interesting, with the Santa Muerte theme. But, it was just a long short story that I couldn't wait to get through. And then we have Snow Shadows. I just don't see the point of adding this story to this collection? Now the other two at least felt like they belonged in this collection (even though I didn't enjoy them). But, this story? Sure, it seems like there is some kind of ghost thing going one, but it was lacking anything remotely chilling or thrilling. -1 star to these stories.
There we have it. Not the best collections I've read, although I need to check up James Renner's work.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Then we have Lizardman and The Expeditions. They were OK, not as good as A Monsters Comes to Ashdown Forest, but they didn't bore me and had an interesting story to tell. What they lacked, however, were any chilling feeling. - 3 stars to these tales.
Finally, at the bottom, we have Furtherest, West of Matamoros, North of Hell and Snow Shadows. These three stories really didn't work for me. When a short story feels too long then you know you have a problem. Furtherest was just odd and not in a good way. I was bored reading that one. West of Matamoros, North of Hell could have been interesting, with the Santa Muerte theme. But, it was just a long short story that I couldn't wait to get through. And then we have Snow Shadows. I just don't see the point of adding this story to this collection? Now the other two at least felt like they belonged in this collection (even though I didn't enjoy them). But, this story? Sure, it seems like there is some kind of ghost thing going one, but it was lacking anything remotely chilling or thrilling. -1 star to these stories.
There we have it. Not the best collections I've read, although I need to check up James Renner's work.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
August 14, 2017
Another anthology that is a mixed bag, like so many others. Giving you some stories you devour insanely, while offering others that you read simply because its standing between you and the next story. I originally rated this anthology a 3 star read, but after putting together my review, and thinking about the 2 stories in this anthology that REALLY stuck out to me; I decided to bump it up to 4. The ones I enjoyed were so enjoyable (for me), that I wanted to give this book a higher rating simply for those 2 stories. I will say I enjoyed it overall, and would read other anthologies Dark Screams collections. The 2 stories I’m referencing are below:
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner: This was by far my favourite story in the entire collection. Taking the Winnie the Pooh stories and completely turning them on their head. Making them scary and dark, and I loved it so much! Especially being that I wasn’t a big WtP fan when I was a kid.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge: This whole story basically revolved around Sante Muerte and it was gruesome and gory, and I loved it!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner: This was by far my favourite story in the entire collection. Taking the Winnie the Pooh stories and completely turning them on their head. Making them scary and dark, and I loved it so much! Especially being that I wasn’t a big WtP fan when I was a kid.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge: This whole story basically revolved around Sante Muerte and it was gruesome and gory, and I loved it!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review
September 1, 2017
Rather than delve into every story that gives birth to Volume 7 of the horror anthology, Dark Screams, I am choosing a more general approach. For the most part, these stories do not strike me as horror. Nonetheless, they are exceptionally well written and they each leave behind a haunting echo in their wake – of vastly varying sorts. For instance, “West of Matamoros, North of Hell” is probably the closest of these stories to true horror. It has the stereotypical death-obsessed cult and, if I had to name a favorite in this collection, it has to be Brian Hodge’s short tale.
“Snow Shadows” is easily my least favorite, as it is little more than an obsession fueled suicide-fest that, in some ways, feels like it makes light of depression and loneliness. Whether or not such feellings are the author’s intention is beyond me. The other tales fall somewhere in between.
As expected for an anthology edited by Freeman and Chizmar, the craft shown by the writers that produced pieces for this book is exceptional. It is only for the lack of heavy horror elements that I take away one star, leaving this one at a four. In the future, I hope to read more of these anthologies.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
“Snow Shadows” is easily my least favorite, as it is little more than an obsession fueled suicide-fest that, in some ways, feels like it makes light of depression and loneliness. Whether or not such feellings are the author’s intention is beyond me. The other tales fall somewhere in between.
As expected for an anthology edited by Freeman and Chizmar, the craft shown by the writers that produced pieces for this book is exceptional. It is only for the lack of heavy horror elements that I take away one star, leaving this one at a four. In the future, I hope to read more of these anthologies.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
November 13, 2021
I don't normally keep track of stories for review, and....o.k., I still didn't for this! I've got to say though, I was really impressed by these shorties. First the bad. Lizardman was awful. Still, others may like it. I've never liked a short story by McCammon. Love his novels, not his shorts. James Renner did a fantastic job with the Pooh story. Oh dear, what has become of my eeyore and piglet? It will take awhile to get over those images. This shorty ended up leaving me with a smile, and a few tears. West of Matamoros, North of hell, chilled me to the bone. It took me 2 days to finish because I kept getting freaked out. I remember when this happened, "the real part" and its still a chilling story. Also, Brian Hodge always manages to scare me silly. Furtherest was excellent, but the ending was weird. Still well worth my time. Kaaron Warren is someone I'll be on the lookout for. Bill Schweigert rocked his story. Anyone who can get me to read and enjoy a story with Nazi's is a rare thing. Also, I was happy to see that I had a few books of Bill's on my Kindle. Mick Garris somehow gets the short end of the staff here. I honestly can't recall what this story was about. I know I didn't hate it, and that's it. I've read all volumes of these Dark Screams books, and this may be my favorite one. Thanks much to Hydra/Random House and Netgalley for this free e-arc.
July 28, 2017
Dark Screams: Volume Seven is obviously the 7th edition of the Dark Screams anthology. Containing six stories, the first and the last story made the collection for me.
LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon
The hunter or the hunted? Tonight is the night-- he can feel it -- and it ends one way or another. My second favorite story in this collection.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner
Fascinating premise. I think this one could have been a lot better, it gets a little bogged down and then just bizarre at the end.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren
A beach trip on acid, this one will have you rethinking just how far is too far.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge
This was an odd story that was well written. I wanted to like it more than I did.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart
I DNF this one.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris
My absolute favorite story in this collection. Beautiful and tragic, this story will haunt you--it did me.
This collection is totally worth the $3.99 on Amazon to buy it. I received mine as an e-ARC from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon
The hunter or the hunted? Tonight is the night-- he can feel it -- and it ends one way or another. My second favorite story in this collection.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner
Fascinating premise. I think this one could have been a lot better, it gets a little bogged down and then just bizarre at the end.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren
A beach trip on acid, this one will have you rethinking just how far is too far.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge
This was an odd story that was well written. I wanted to like it more than I did.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart
I DNF this one.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris
My absolute favorite story in this collection. Beautiful and tragic, this story will haunt you--it did me.
This collection is totally worth the $3.99 on Amazon to buy it. I received mine as an e-ARC from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2017
Dark Screams: Volume Seven is a horror short story collection featuring six creepy stories:
The Lizardman - Robert McCammon. A gator hunter encounters something otherworldly in a dark, Florida swamp.
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest - James Renner. Winnie the Pooh and The Hundred Acre Wood take on a sinister twist.
Furtherest - Kaaron Warren. Four beach houses amid the dunes and strange memorials to the dead. A prize for who dares to venture the furtherest.....
West of Matamoros, North of Hell - Brian Hodge. A photo shoot beneath a statue of Santa Muerte leads to bloody terror.
The Expedition - Bill Schweigart. Nazis on a trek through Romania are pursued by a wolf....or is it something more?
Snow Shadows - Mick Garris. A teacher realizes his affair with a co-worker was a disastrous mistake with supernatural, deadly consequences.
While I didn't find these stories particularly horrifying, I did enjoy all six of them. My favorite is A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest. The story gives a great creepy slant to Winnie-The-Pooh. All of the stories in the collection are delightfully creepy and grotesque, but for me, fell a bit short of being actually scary. A better term might be unsettling....or maybe disturbing. The collection was definitely enjoyable and I look forward to the next volume of stories!
This was my first visit to Dark Screams. I will definitely be reading the first six collections, and look forward to any future ones! I hope some are a bit more scary than these stories....but, in this case, creepy and disturbing is still enjoyable for this horror fan.
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy from Random House Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
The Lizardman - Robert McCammon. A gator hunter encounters something otherworldly in a dark, Florida swamp.
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest - James Renner. Winnie the Pooh and The Hundred Acre Wood take on a sinister twist.
Furtherest - Kaaron Warren. Four beach houses amid the dunes and strange memorials to the dead. A prize for who dares to venture the furtherest.....
West of Matamoros, North of Hell - Brian Hodge. A photo shoot beneath a statue of Santa Muerte leads to bloody terror.
The Expedition - Bill Schweigart. Nazis on a trek through Romania are pursued by a wolf....or is it something more?
Snow Shadows - Mick Garris. A teacher realizes his affair with a co-worker was a disastrous mistake with supernatural, deadly consequences.
While I didn't find these stories particularly horrifying, I did enjoy all six of them. My favorite is A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest. The story gives a great creepy slant to Winnie-The-Pooh. All of the stories in the collection are delightfully creepy and grotesque, but for me, fell a bit short of being actually scary. A better term might be unsettling....or maybe disturbing. The collection was definitely enjoyable and I look forward to the next volume of stories!
This was my first visit to Dark Screams. I will definitely be reading the first six collections, and look forward to any future ones! I hope some are a bit more scary than these stories....but, in this case, creepy and disturbing is still enjoyable for this horror fan.
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy from Random House Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
February 1, 2018
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5
This is the seventh volume in the Dark Screams anthology series and I believe I've read them all, so far. As with most anthologies, there were some strong showings here and some that didn't quite stand up to the others.
Like the previous edition, this volume features six short stories - or more accurately, five short stories and one novelette/novella.
Robert McCammon's "Lizardman" has a great premise and tremendous setting for a horror story, but it just never connected with me.
"A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest" by James Renner was one of the most original stories, and had me thoroughly invested in the story and frightened out of my wits. I suspected what was coming at the end but I was still on edge all the way through. In this story Christopher Robin, now an old man, revisits the Hundred Acre Wood, which isn't as serene as the fairy tales present it.
"Furtherest" by Kaaron Warren is a short in which a young girl dares the other kids at the beach to go out past the dunes where some boys died years ago. This story plays on the psychological horror, which I generally enjoy. There was nothing wrong with the story but it wasn't memorable at all. Once you turn the last page it's forgotten.
"West of Matamoros, North of Hell" is by Brian Hodge in which a photo shoot in Mexico gets creepy. I enjoyed this dark story. The cultural differences (from what I am typically familiar with) really help play up the dark attributes of this story.
Bill Schweigart's "The Expedition" was another story that I just couldn't connect with. Here a German office hopes to bring glory to the Fatherland with his expedition through the Carpathian mountains but there is something following them. It could be that I don't really get in to Nazi/horror stories.
"Snow Showers" by Mick Garris was the longest work in the collection and might have been a better tale had it been shorter by half. A schoolteacher's affair turns into a spooky, long-running visitation.
As always, there are hits and misses here which puts my rating for the book right in the middle. I've come to wonder if I lean more to one or the other of the editors in terms of what I like.
Looking for a good book? Dark Screams Volume Seven is a collection of dark(ish) stories that are overall pretty average - though those above average are well worth reading.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the seventh volume in the Dark Screams anthology series and I believe I've read them all, so far. As with most anthologies, there were some strong showings here and some that didn't quite stand up to the others.
Like the previous edition, this volume features six short stories - or more accurately, five short stories and one novelette/novella.
Robert McCammon's "Lizardman" has a great premise and tremendous setting for a horror story, but it just never connected with me.
"A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest" by James Renner was one of the most original stories, and had me thoroughly invested in the story and frightened out of my wits. I suspected what was coming at the end but I was still on edge all the way through. In this story Christopher Robin, now an old man, revisits the Hundred Acre Wood, which isn't as serene as the fairy tales present it.
"Furtherest" by Kaaron Warren is a short in which a young girl dares the other kids at the beach to go out past the dunes where some boys died years ago. This story plays on the psychological horror, which I generally enjoy. There was nothing wrong with the story but it wasn't memorable at all. Once you turn the last page it's forgotten.
"West of Matamoros, North of Hell" is by Brian Hodge in which a photo shoot in Mexico gets creepy. I enjoyed this dark story. The cultural differences (from what I am typically familiar with) really help play up the dark attributes of this story.
Bill Schweigart's "The Expedition" was another story that I just couldn't connect with. Here a German office hopes to bring glory to the Fatherland with his expedition through the Carpathian mountains but there is something following them. It could be that I don't really get in to Nazi/horror stories.
"Snow Showers" by Mick Garris was the longest work in the collection and might have been a better tale had it been shorter by half. A schoolteacher's affair turns into a spooky, long-running visitation.
As always, there are hits and misses here which puts my rating for the book right in the middle. I've come to wonder if I lean more to one or the other of the editors in terms of what I like.
Looking for a good book? Dark Screams Volume Seven is a collection of dark(ish) stories that are overall pretty average - though those above average are well worth reading.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2017
Dark Screams has quickly become one of my favorite Horror Anthology series of all time. I was excited not only to see a volume 7, but the name Mick Garris who wrote one of my favorite stories back in Dark Screams volume 5. So it came as no surprise to me that Snow Shadows ended up making my favorites in this volume. It opens on a cold winter's day at Ravensbrooke Youth Academy for the Arts. Miss Featherstone, the drama teacher is about to have a very dramatic moment indeed.
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner brings beloved childhood characters back to gruesome life. An excellent story.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren is a spooky summer time tale of camp fires, cook outs, and corpses. I could almost smell the Coppertone it was so well written and descriptive.
As much as I love short horror stories it's always a bit difficult for me to review them without giving too much away. So that is why I have just touched briefly on my absolute favorites.
I received an advance copy for review.
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner brings beloved childhood characters back to gruesome life. An excellent story.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren is a spooky summer time tale of camp fires, cook outs, and corpses. I could almost smell the Coppertone it was so well written and descriptive.
As much as I love short horror stories it's always a bit difficult for me to review them without giving too much away. So that is why I have just touched briefly on my absolute favorites.
I received an advance copy for review.
May 3, 2017
I'm gonna go ahead and proclaim it the best Dark Screams volume yet...at least of the ones I've read. Great line up this time, though interestingly enough my favorite story comes from an author I've never heard of before, James Renner. Try looking at a popular kid's story the same after that one. Terrific variety, but all leaning mostly toward literary horror, my favorite kind. Especially the last one by Mick Garris, a haunting winter tale of isolation and regrets. Funny, I typically think of Garris as the scary movie/tv guy, but he's quite a talented author in his own right. Always great to see versatility. Really great bunch of stories, exceptionally entertaining, spooky, well written and tons of fun to read. Enthusiastically recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
October 11, 2017
Dark Screams: Volume Seven Kindle Edition
by Brian Hodge (Author), Robert McCammon (Author), Bill Schweigart (Author),
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
Another in the excellent series of anthologies that includes established masters and extraordinary new talents. Each is a spine-shivering story that will keep you up at night.Jamr
Robert B McCammon contributes the first story, Lizardman. His soft Southern style that created such classics as Wolf's Hour, Swan's Song and A Boy's Life is highlighted here. That style is combined with a gator hunt reminicent of Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea. The 'villain' and the ending would make HP Lovecraft shiver in pride. However the normally deep character exploration that McCammon is known for is not quite there. This story receives a 3 out of 5. As a McCammon story, this part of the anthology is Book Nerd Approved.
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) is James Renners offering to Dark Screams Vol 7, proving that our childhoods neither leave us or are what we remember. The lead character is a caretaker in a convelesant home, in which Christopher Robin Milne (now using the last name Sanders) is spending the last of his days. Renners's descriptions of scents and and textures is nothing is not visceral, and not in a good way. The description of Tigger, yes THE Tigger who has a bouncey tail, is both frigntening and sad for those who grew up sing the song “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers.” Putting a dark spin on everyone's favorite honey seeking bear and a sorrowful ending, this story earsn a 4 out of 5 and is Book Nerd Approved
The second story within the anthology, coincidently, brings up Pooh as a comforting object, but that isn't what sticks out. Descriptions like “the negative of noise” bringing to mind that pressure of pure silence on your ears, that moment when you hear neither the constant hum of electricity, the whoosh of cars or even the tweet of birds. A dark tale of family troubles, dead bodies and zombie stuffed animals.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
4 out of 5 This story is book nerd approved
Extrasensory (The Phoenix Agency Book 2)
Aug 1, 2017 | Kindle eBook
by Desiree Holt
I received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley for review purposes
“The Phoenix men were well trained for all occasions.” Including dealing with a precognitive like Mia and her visions of Carpenter Technologies latest gadgets. Visions she can't even figure out herself. Dan and his team of ex-military and computer geniuses must work with her to pick apart the mystery hiding in her visions.
The story it self was interesting, however for men of action, men who were SEAL and such, they do a lot of talking and sitting, so the action moves slowly. A book that should have taken me a day to read took several. It was only my love for the concept that kept me going.
The solution to villianry is plainly given away when we first meet the mastermind. But the book is a sweet love story wrapped in a silly mystery. Given half a chance and maybe a little chat actual military men (I come from a family of officers, presidential helicopter guards, a real Spec Ops, and my father won a distinguished flying cross and flew for 22 years, most of them SAC – they are men of moment even when planning) or a little Christine Feehan or Donald MacDonald mentoring, Desiree Holt's series will improve.
4 out of 5 – This book is Book Nerd accepted if not approved.
https://www.amazon.com/Extrasensory-P...
Dark Screams Vol 7
Edited by Richard Chizmar and Brian James Freeman
I received an uncorrected ARC copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
Both Chizmar and Freeman are veteran editors of the gloriously horrifying Cemetery Dance. The talent to pick the best of horror, old and new takes us on a world wide tour de force of terror.
From the blood soaked streets of cartel and Santa Muerto controlled Mexico to a haunted English private school, I was truly entranced and thrilled, and for a changed mightily scared.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell, with it use of very real, very horrifying events that took place in the 80's and the inclusion of the very real cult of Santa Muerto gave me the most chills. Kudos to Brian Hodge – you managed to scare me as much as Peter Straub's Floating Dragon. The only book to ever to keep from sleeping.
Bill Schweigart's The Expedition, on the other hand, had the opportunity to use the very real horror of the SS and Himmler's search for artifacts, but dropped the ball. There was no scare, just a really warped version of Indiana Jones if he were a Nazi.
Robert McCammon has always been on of my favorite author's. I've read most of his books at least twice and his brilliant Swan's Song a half a dozen time. His trip to the Southern Swamps of America after the Lizardman fell kind of flat. It was more Fortean the frightening.
My Eyeore toys are now safely in storage, thank you very much James Renner! Piglet and Owl and the gang will never be the same to me after A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest.
Mick Garris is always a treat to read, and his tale of regret, revenge and first loves, Snow Shadows leaves you with the feeling there is no real villain in the world, just very screwed up people and one very screwed up supernatural force trying to balance the scales.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren takes us to the Australian beach where childhood tales, dares and secrets end up cost adult lives, leaving one young woman waiting out death.
This book is very much Book Nerd Approved. 5 out of 5 scary stars! Thanks guys from Cemetery Dance for the great read.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
by Brian Hodge (Author), Robert McCammon (Author), Bill Schweigart (Author),
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
Another in the excellent series of anthologies that includes established masters and extraordinary new talents. Each is a spine-shivering story that will keep you up at night.Jamr
Robert B McCammon contributes the first story, Lizardman. His soft Southern style that created such classics as Wolf's Hour, Swan's Song and A Boy's Life is highlighted here. That style is combined with a gator hunt reminicent of Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea. The 'villain' and the ending would make HP Lovecraft shiver in pride. However the normally deep character exploration that McCammon is known for is not quite there. This story receives a 3 out of 5. As a McCammon story, this part of the anthology is Book Nerd Approved.
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) is James Renners offering to Dark Screams Vol 7, proving that our childhoods neither leave us or are what we remember. The lead character is a caretaker in a convelesant home, in which Christopher Robin Milne (now using the last name Sanders) is spending the last of his days. Renners's descriptions of scents and and textures is nothing is not visceral, and not in a good way. The description of Tigger, yes THE Tigger who has a bouncey tail, is both frigntening and sad for those who grew up sing the song “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers.” Putting a dark spin on everyone's favorite honey seeking bear and a sorrowful ending, this story earsn a 4 out of 5 and is Book Nerd Approved
The second story within the anthology, coincidently, brings up Pooh as a comforting object, but that isn't what sticks out. Descriptions like “the negative of noise” bringing to mind that pressure of pure silence on your ears, that moment when you hear neither the constant hum of electricity, the whoosh of cars or even the tweet of birds. A dark tale of family troubles, dead bodies and zombie stuffed animals.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
4 out of 5 This story is book nerd approved
Extrasensory (The Phoenix Agency Book 2)
Aug 1, 2017 | Kindle eBook
by Desiree Holt
I received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley for review purposes
“The Phoenix men were well trained for all occasions.” Including dealing with a precognitive like Mia and her visions of Carpenter Technologies latest gadgets. Visions she can't even figure out herself. Dan and his team of ex-military and computer geniuses must work with her to pick apart the mystery hiding in her visions.
The story it self was interesting, however for men of action, men who were SEAL and such, they do a lot of talking and sitting, so the action moves slowly. A book that should have taken me a day to read took several. It was only my love for the concept that kept me going.
The solution to villianry is plainly given away when we first meet the mastermind. But the book is a sweet love story wrapped in a silly mystery. Given half a chance and maybe a little chat actual military men (I come from a family of officers, presidential helicopter guards, a real Spec Ops, and my father won a distinguished flying cross and flew for 22 years, most of them SAC – they are men of moment even when planning) or a little Christine Feehan or Donald MacDonald mentoring, Desiree Holt's series will improve.
4 out of 5 – This book is Book Nerd accepted if not approved.
https://www.amazon.com/Extrasensory-P...
Dark Screams Vol 7
Edited by Richard Chizmar and Brian James Freeman
I received an uncorrected ARC copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
Both Chizmar and Freeman are veteran editors of the gloriously horrifying Cemetery Dance. The talent to pick the best of horror, old and new takes us on a world wide tour de force of terror.
From the blood soaked streets of cartel and Santa Muerto controlled Mexico to a haunted English private school, I was truly entranced and thrilled, and for a changed mightily scared.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell, with it use of very real, very horrifying events that took place in the 80's and the inclusion of the very real cult of Santa Muerto gave me the most chills. Kudos to Brian Hodge – you managed to scare me as much as Peter Straub's Floating Dragon. The only book to ever to keep from sleeping.
Bill Schweigart's The Expedition, on the other hand, had the opportunity to use the very real horror of the SS and Himmler's search for artifacts, but dropped the ball. There was no scare, just a really warped version of Indiana Jones if he were a Nazi.
Robert McCammon has always been on of my favorite author's. I've read most of his books at least twice and his brilliant Swan's Song a half a dozen time. His trip to the Southern Swamps of America after the Lizardman fell kind of flat. It was more Fortean the frightening.
My Eyeore toys are now safely in storage, thank you very much James Renner! Piglet and Owl and the gang will never be the same to me after A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest.
Mick Garris is always a treat to read, and his tale of regret, revenge and first loves, Snow Shadows leaves you with the feeling there is no real villain in the world, just very screwed up people and one very screwed up supernatural force trying to balance the scales.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren takes us to the Australian beach where childhood tales, dares and secrets end up cost adult lives, leaving one young woman waiting out death.
This book is very much Book Nerd Approved. 5 out of 5 scary stars! Thanks guys from Cemetery Dance for the great read.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Screams-S...
July 6, 2017
I received a copy of Dark Screams in exchange for an honest review
I'm not going to lie. I'm a huge fan of this series, and everytime I see there's a new one I get a little excited. Each volume of Screams is good. Of course after volume 6 I was worried that it wouldn't be as good, but I was wrong. Volume 7 may not have the same big names, but it keeps the series going in an interesting direction. The editors have once again picked stories that resonate with you and remind you that sometimes, horror doesn't have to be all blood and guts to make an impact. As a kid I loved atmopheric horror. It was the unknown that was the most terrifying.
Volume 7 is a solid entry to the series that gives you another six stories featuring some really talented writers that I plan on looking up once I get all my reviews done. With such a short selection the beauty here is there's no filler. Each story is solid, but of course, there would be some who would nitpick and say: "This isn't really horror." It is, it's just not what you expect horror to be. The closest you get to brutal, mind numbing horror, and I would also go as far as saying it's the best story here. The thing I love about this series is that they're short, but packed full of talent. For what you pay, you truly do get your moneys worth. Hydra has truly built a solid franchise with here, and now that I'm finished I can't wait to see what they do in Volume 8.
I'm not going to lie. I'm a huge fan of this series, and everytime I see there's a new one I get a little excited. Each volume of Screams is good. Of course after volume 6 I was worried that it wouldn't be as good, but I was wrong. Volume 7 may not have the same big names, but it keeps the series going in an interesting direction. The editors have once again picked stories that resonate with you and remind you that sometimes, horror doesn't have to be all blood and guts to make an impact. As a kid I loved atmopheric horror. It was the unknown that was the most terrifying.
Volume 7 is a solid entry to the series that gives you another six stories featuring some really talented writers that I plan on looking up once I get all my reviews done. With such a short selection the beauty here is there's no filler. Each story is solid, but of course, there would be some who would nitpick and say: "This isn't really horror." It is, it's just not what you expect horror to be. The closest you get to brutal, mind numbing horror, and I would also go as far as saying it's the best story here. The thing I love about this series is that they're short, but packed full of talent. For what you pay, you truly do get your moneys worth. Hydra has truly built a solid franchise with here, and now that I'm finished I can't wait to see what they do in Volume 8.
September 11, 2017
Lizardman (Robert McCammon)
While the subject of the story wasn't really my cup of tea, the writing totally made up for that. Each word, each sentence shows that the author is a true master at his art. ***
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (James Rennet)
I loved the original and surprising idea behind this story, which also made it my favorite in this anthology. *****
Furtherest - (Kaaron Warren)
Subtle, this worked like the calm before the storm that hits you with the following story... **
West Of Matamoros, North Of Hell (Brian Hodge)
I think this was my first encounter with Brian Hodge, but it will definitely not be my last. Powerful, brutal and shocking, but more than just gore. ****
The Expedition (Bill Schweigart)
Another experienced horror story, but not remarkable in comparison. Guess this was my least favorite of the collection. **
Snow Showers (Mick Garris)
Spooky and mysterious, this was a nice ghost story, but too long for my liking. **
The seventh Dark Screams anthology provided two surprising stories, introducing me to two authors I haven't read of before, but will definitely check out in the future.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
While the subject of the story wasn't really my cup of tea, the writing totally made up for that. Each word, each sentence shows that the author is a true master at his art. ***
A Monster Comes To Ashdown Forest (James Rennet)
I loved the original and surprising idea behind this story, which also made it my favorite in this anthology. *****
Furtherest - (Kaaron Warren)
Subtle, this worked like the calm before the storm that hits you with the following story... **
West Of Matamoros, North Of Hell (Brian Hodge)
I think this was my first encounter with Brian Hodge, but it will definitely not be my last. Powerful, brutal and shocking, but more than just gore. ****
The Expedition (Bill Schweigart)
Another experienced horror story, but not remarkable in comparison. Guess this was my least favorite of the collection. **
Snow Showers (Mick Garris)
Spooky and mysterious, this was a nice ghost story, but too long for my liking. **
The seventh Dark Screams anthology provided two surprising stories, introducing me to two authors I haven't read of before, but will definitely check out in the future.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
September 10, 2017
Way back when, I was asked by Brian Freeman if I would be wiling to read (and review) a new venture for Cemetery Dance Publications called Dark Screams. It contained short stories by some of the premier horror authors. I jumped at the chance. Seven volumes later and I'm glad they haven't stopped.
Volume 7 starts off with a bang:
Lizardman by Robert McCammon - Anytime you can have a collection and be able to include McCammon, you know you've got something special. This was an interesting tale about a gator hunter looking for the monster of all gators; and may regret finding it.
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest by James Renner - This was my favorite of the group. It was an interesting, and frightening take on Winnie-the Pooh. I will never look at the Milne books the same way again. I enjoyed this story so much that I sought out Mr. Renner to let him know what I thought.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren - Growing up on Long Island and spending a lot of time at the beach - and near dunes - this one hit home. A bunch of kids, rental houses, a creepy neighbor, and "who-knows-what" deeper and deeper into the dunes. Don't read this one at the beach.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge - This story had a very Clive Barker feel to it. It was frightening, weird, fantastical, and supernatural. A band decided to head to Mexico to shoot photos for their next album. What they discover is enough to make your skin crawl.
The Expedition by Bill Schweigart - As with all anthologies, there's bound to be one that doesn't "tickle your fancy". For me, this was it. The story takes place in WWII. An SS officer leads a group to find "evidence of the superiority of the Aryan race." What they find was something worse than any virus. I liked the story, but was disappointed at the ending; it fell flat.
Finally we end this anthology the same way it began - with a bang:
Snow Shadows by Mick Garris - Mick has been one of my favorite directors ever since I knew what a director was. Thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications, I found out he was also an author, and have since read most of what he's written. I love the way Mick describes things. This story takes place in a youth academy in England and I actually felt like there should have been snow outside my window. Love, loss, and revenge are the themes here. Another one of my favorites in the book.
Folks, I've said it before, and I'll say it again - don't pass up on these books. The talent across these seven volumes is incredible and for less than a cup of Starbucks, you can experience the best of the best.
Volume 7 starts off with a bang:
Lizardman by Robert McCammon - Anytime you can have a collection and be able to include McCammon, you know you've got something special. This was an interesting tale about a gator hunter looking for the monster of all gators; and may regret finding it.
A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest by James Renner - This was my favorite of the group. It was an interesting, and frightening take on Winnie-the Pooh. I will never look at the Milne books the same way again. I enjoyed this story so much that I sought out Mr. Renner to let him know what I thought.
Furtherest by Kaaron Warren - Growing up on Long Island and spending a lot of time at the beach - and near dunes - this one hit home. A bunch of kids, rental houses, a creepy neighbor, and "who-knows-what" deeper and deeper into the dunes. Don't read this one at the beach.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge - This story had a very Clive Barker feel to it. It was frightening, weird, fantastical, and supernatural. A band decided to head to Mexico to shoot photos for their next album. What they discover is enough to make your skin crawl.
The Expedition by Bill Schweigart - As with all anthologies, there's bound to be one that doesn't "tickle your fancy". For me, this was it. The story takes place in WWII. An SS officer leads a group to find "evidence of the superiority of the Aryan race." What they find was something worse than any virus. I liked the story, but was disappointed at the ending; it fell flat.
Finally we end this anthology the same way it began - with a bang:
Snow Shadows by Mick Garris - Mick has been one of my favorite directors ever since I knew what a director was. Thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications, I found out he was also an author, and have since read most of what he's written. I love the way Mick describes things. This story takes place in a youth academy in England and I actually felt like there should have been snow outside my window. Love, loss, and revenge are the themes here. Another one of my favorites in the book.
Folks, I've said it before, and I'll say it again - don't pass up on these books. The talent across these seven volumes is incredible and for less than a cup of Starbucks, you can experience the best of the best.
May 13, 2020
Overall 4.5/5
1/5 Lizardman: just plain weird
4/5 A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye): this short has a way of ruining good childhood memories of Winnie the Pooh & his friends. But in a very good & imaginative way indeed. A MUST read
3.75/5 Furtherest: a good short but took a turn I didn't expect 😏
0.5/5 West of Matamoros, North of Hell: just couldn't get into it
5/5 The Expedition by Bill Schweigart: very good, would've liked to be longer actually. I am looking forward to reading more by him.
3.75/5 Snow Shadows: sad in a weird yet good way
1/5 Lizardman: just plain weird
4/5 A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye): this short has a way of ruining good childhood memories of Winnie the Pooh & his friends. But in a very good & imaginative way indeed. A MUST read
3.75/5 Furtherest: a good short but took a turn I didn't expect 😏
0.5/5 West of Matamoros, North of Hell: just couldn't get into it
5/5 The Expedition by Bill Schweigart: very good, would've liked to be longer actually. I am looking forward to reading more by him.
3.75/5 Snow Shadows: sad in a weird yet good way
April 5, 2018
An odd mixture of horror stories, featuring appearances in one by Pooh and friends as Christopher Robin approaches his final days.
As an issue of a magazine, acceptable, but if this were a solo collection this would not really make the grade.
As an issue of a magazine, acceptable, but if this were a solo collection this would not really make the grade.
July 10, 2017
Interesting read! Interesting characters! Awesome opening! Clearly an exciting horror-filled volume! Sad but intriquing ending! I read all of the other Dark Screams. I just had to read DARK SCREAMS: VOLUME SEVEN and see what these amazing authors and editors came up with. And, Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar are two editors that made this volume of Dark Screams stand out even more, as each door is opened and the reader walks through to the dark depths that reaches inside and chills to the bone.
As the story of, LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon, began, this angry-looking but also a little bit wise-looking king of the swamp was searching for an unseen thing that could only be heard. If you were lucky enough to see it, then it would be too late. Would Lizardman find it before it found him? If so, how would he confront it? Will he destroy it before it devours him? Serious problem!
In, A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner, a haunting tale of intrigue told about a young nurse, along with others at a hospital, which were told to help care for a seventy-five year old man who could pass away at any time. And, they were also told never to mention that bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. Now, why would anybody be told not to mention that little bear? Thus, a good horror mystery.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren, a uniquely different tale of horror that will leave a lot of room for thinking. This tale is about a peculiar old man in House 4 that made up a game out of searching for strange things on or near the beach. And, the strangest or farthest the kids had to wonder for the prize. How far out and weird will this game go? What horrors will this story lead to?
Our next story titled, WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge will take the reader into some far out country for picture taking, and a guide to lead the way. But, where will they wind up in this dark tale of horror as they zoom on down the road into unknown territory? Intriguing and mystifying.
I love reading these dark tales, and this next story titled, THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart, will make you think twice about your next expedition. It began in August 1938, when a wolf was following the expedition and there had already been one casualty when the guide fell from his horse. Who will lead them now? Will there be more casualties? Can anyone escape the darkness and what lies in it?
This next dark tale titled, SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris, is filled with supernatural happenings that will leave the reader with a spine-tingling chill; especially with things lurking in the dark in the dead of Winter at the Ravensbrooke Youth Academy. This fast-paced story will have the reader turning the pages in lightening speed to find out what happened to Miss Featherstone, and what lies just around the corner. DARK SCREAMS: VOLUME SEVEN is a novel you will not want to miss!
As the story of, LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon, began, this angry-looking but also a little bit wise-looking king of the swamp was searching for an unseen thing that could only be heard. If you were lucky enough to see it, then it would be too late. Would Lizardman find it before it found him? If so, how would he confront it? Will he destroy it before it devours him? Serious problem!
In, A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner, a haunting tale of intrigue told about a young nurse, along with others at a hospital, which were told to help care for a seventy-five year old man who could pass away at any time. And, they were also told never to mention that bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. Now, why would anybody be told not to mention that little bear? Thus, a good horror mystery.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren, a uniquely different tale of horror that will leave a lot of room for thinking. This tale is about a peculiar old man in House 4 that made up a game out of searching for strange things on or near the beach. And, the strangest or farthest the kids had to wonder for the prize. How far out and weird will this game go? What horrors will this story lead to?
Our next story titled, WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge will take the reader into some far out country for picture taking, and a guide to lead the way. But, where will they wind up in this dark tale of horror as they zoom on down the road into unknown territory? Intriguing and mystifying.
I love reading these dark tales, and this next story titled, THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart, will make you think twice about your next expedition. It began in August 1938, when a wolf was following the expedition and there had already been one casualty when the guide fell from his horse. Who will lead them now? Will there be more casualties? Can anyone escape the darkness and what lies in it?
This next dark tale titled, SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris, is filled with supernatural happenings that will leave the reader with a spine-tingling chill; especially with things lurking in the dark in the dead of Winter at the Ravensbrooke Youth Academy. This fast-paced story will have the reader turning the pages in lightening speed to find out what happened to Miss Featherstone, and what lies just around the corner. DARK SCREAMS: VOLUME SEVEN is a novel you will not want to miss!
May 31, 2017
Another great installation of the Dark Screams series brought to us from Cemetery Dance's Brian Freeman and Richard Chizmar. Surprisingly, I was only familiar with 3 of the 6 authors in this incarnation of the series.
Even more surprising was that my favorite story was A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner, one of the authors with whose work I was previously unfamiliar. We find out that Ashdown Forest was actually the 100 Acre Wood from those lovable Winnie the Pooh books when Christopher Robin, the patient in an convalescent home, requests to go back one last time. When they arrive, they are greeted by the "real" Eeyore and meet the rest of the somewhat timeworn gang. It's kind of a nightmare version of Winnie the Pooh - a great read for anyone who has read those books or watched those movies a thousand times to children who just can't get enough. (I can still sing those damn songs due to a little girl I babysat 20 years ago.)
Lizardman by Robert McCammon is also worth a mention. While the story was pretty good, the description was amazing. I don't know if McCammon has spent much time in swampy areas, but the depiction of it had me twitching my nose, waiting to be eaten by mosquitoes. It is extraordinarily compelling.
While it was not really my type of story, West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge was without a doubt the most terrifying story in the collection for me. I am well aware of the problems of drug cartels within the boundaries of our southern neighbor, and have seen videos of their savagery. This story seriously hits a nerve. And the ending is a bit of surprise. Definitely worth a read.
A great anthology to add to the series.
Even more surprising was that my favorite story was A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner, one of the authors with whose work I was previously unfamiliar. We find out that Ashdown Forest was actually the 100 Acre Wood from those lovable Winnie the Pooh books when Christopher Robin, the patient in an convalescent home, requests to go back one last time. When they arrive, they are greeted by the "real" Eeyore and meet the rest of the somewhat timeworn gang. It's kind of a nightmare version of Winnie the Pooh - a great read for anyone who has read those books or watched those movies a thousand times to children who just can't get enough. (I can still sing those damn songs due to a little girl I babysat 20 years ago.)
Lizardman by Robert McCammon is also worth a mention. While the story was pretty good, the description was amazing. I don't know if McCammon has spent much time in swampy areas, but the depiction of it had me twitching my nose, waiting to be eaten by mosquitoes. It is extraordinarily compelling.
While it was not really my type of story, West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge was without a doubt the most terrifying story in the collection for me. I am well aware of the problems of drug cartels within the boundaries of our southern neighbor, and have seen videos of their savagery. This story seriously hits a nerve. And the ending is a bit of surprise. Definitely worth a read.
A great anthology to add to the series.
August 25, 2017
Hydra and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Dark Screams: Volume Seven. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Authors Robert McCammon, James Renner, Kaaron Warren, Brian Hodge, Bill Schweigart, and Mick Garris have all contributed twisted tales that will spook, scare, and delight many readers. Some of the short stories are more successful than others, especially in regard to the level of horror.
My favorite offering in this anthology is A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner. The author has taken beloved childhood story characters and has twisted their environment in the most unrecognizable way.
Robert McCammon's Lizardman was good, but not exactly what I had been expecting from this veteran author. The scare factor was there, especially in regards to the setting, but the ending was less than thrilling.
Snow Shadows by Mick Garris was the most predictable, with a plot that will appeal to readers who do not normally read horror fiction.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge just did not speak to me and I found myself struggling to continue reading the story.
The Expedition by Bill Schweigart is a Nazi themed story, good but not exactly memorable.
The least successful story in the book was Furtherest by Kaaron Warren, as I was completely bored by the characters and the thin plot line.
As with all of the other volumes of Dark Screams, the book has offerings that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Overall, Dark Screams: Volume 7 was a good read and I would recommend on the strength of the James Renner story alone.
Authors Robert McCammon, James Renner, Kaaron Warren, Brian Hodge, Bill Schweigart, and Mick Garris have all contributed twisted tales that will spook, scare, and delight many readers. Some of the short stories are more successful than others, especially in regard to the level of horror.
My favorite offering in this anthology is A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest (In Which Christopher Robin Says Goodbye) by James Renner. The author has taken beloved childhood story characters and has twisted their environment in the most unrecognizable way.
Robert McCammon's Lizardman was good, but not exactly what I had been expecting from this veteran author. The scare factor was there, especially in regards to the setting, but the ending was less than thrilling.
Snow Shadows by Mick Garris was the most predictable, with a plot that will appeal to readers who do not normally read horror fiction.
West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge just did not speak to me and I found myself struggling to continue reading the story.
The Expedition by Bill Schweigart is a Nazi themed story, good but not exactly memorable.
The least successful story in the book was Furtherest by Kaaron Warren, as I was completely bored by the characters and the thin plot line.
As with all of the other volumes of Dark Screams, the book has offerings that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Overall, Dark Screams: Volume 7 was a good read and I would recommend on the strength of the James Renner story alone.
May 4, 2017
LIZARDMAN by Robert McCammon is the only story in this collection that's a reprint. Previously published in 1989, this is pure horror from McCammon. I must have read it, but I don't remember it. It was fun - like reading a brand new story for me! I pictured George C. Scott playing the lead role. (That's a hint to you filmakers.)
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner - OK, the title says it all. As I sat there wearing my Eeyore pajamas, I had a tear in my eye. But, this is still a very dark story.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren - Beach homes and summer fun add up to an ending that belong in the dark of winter.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge - Always a favorite of mine, Brian Hodge goes very dark in this not to be missed story about ink and music.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart - We know the SS were searching for mystic proof of der Motherland's superority. This story just might keep you awake after reading.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris - Love is the scariest of all, isn't it?
I think that number 7 is the winner for best Dark Screams yet. It's one hell of a ride. Make plans to read it.
Thanks to Random House/Hydra for letting me read and review in advance of publication.
A MONSTER COMES TO ASHDOWN FOREST (IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN SAYS GOODBYE) by James Renner - OK, the title says it all. As I sat there wearing my Eeyore pajamas, I had a tear in my eye. But, this is still a very dark story.
FURTHEREST by Kaaron Warren - Beach homes and summer fun add up to an ending that belong in the dark of winter.
WEST OF MATAMOROS, NORTH OF HELL by Brian Hodge - Always a favorite of mine, Brian Hodge goes very dark in this not to be missed story about ink and music.
THE EXPEDITION by Bill Schweigart - We know the SS were searching for mystic proof of der Motherland's superority. This story just might keep you awake after reading.
SNOW SHADOWS by Mick Garris - Love is the scariest of all, isn't it?
I think that number 7 is the winner for best Dark Screams yet. It's one hell of a ride. Make plans to read it.
Thanks to Random House/Hydra for letting me read and review in advance of publication.
June 19, 2017
Like the others in this series, I find the stories unevenly matched. Some I really enjoy, and others, not so much, which I suppose is the norm for most collections. They can't all be gems, can they? I loved Lizardman, though I've liked McCammon forever and think I've read this before. A Monster Comes to Ashdown Forest was another story I enjoyed, especially since I had no idea where this might go. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for almost anything, if handled well, and this was. Furtherest was okay - I went for the ride, but the payoff was wanting. And the longest one, at least it seemed to take forever to get to the end, was West of Matamoros, North of Hell. A big title, with big ideas, and flashes of really goodness, that never really hooked me. And I was nibbling the bait the whole time. I like the Expedition, it had a few nice twists and turns though I had a hunch where we heading. My least favorite story was the final Snow Shadows, a ghost story of unrequited something. Never really got into gear on any level for me - all atmosphere and little drive. Overall, another good volume in the series, but not great. I wonder if someday they'll collect all of the volumes into one larger book. Now that would be a collection.
December 17, 2019
The most scariest story for me was West of Matamoros, North of Hell by Brian Hodge. It was a gruesome about humans torturing other humans and even more so because this thing did and probably still does happen. The way humans can torture each other finding more sadistic ways to slaughter someone is alas not a thing just from the past. Isis comes to mind and especially the murder of Muath al-Kasasbeh a Jordanian pilot and they burned in a cage.
That being said I am appalled how animals are used in this world. Lobsters, cows,lambs pigs slaughtered by humans and everybody thinking this is normal.
Okay stop my ranting and back to the book
I did like some of the stories but then not the ending. The Expedition and Furtherest come to mind.
This was not as good and I just give it 3 stars.
That being said I am appalled how animals are used in this world. Lobsters, cows,lambs pigs slaughtered by humans and everybody thinking this is normal.
Okay stop my ranting and back to the book
I did like some of the stories but then not the ending. The Expedition and Furtherest come to mind.
This was not as good and I just give it 3 stars.
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