Hasty for the Dark: Selected Horrors

by Adam L.G. Nevill

These selected terrors range from the speculative to supernatural horror, encompass the infernal and the occult, and include stories inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, Robert Aickman and Ramsey Campbell.
Hasty for the Dark is the second short story collection from the award-winning and widely appreciated British writer of horror fiction, Adam L. G. Nevill. The author's best horror stories from 2009 to 2015 are collected here for the first time.

The hardest journeys in life and death are taken underground.
No blackmail is as ghastly as extortion from angels.
A swift reckoning often travels in handheld luggage.
Once considered inhumane and now derelict, this zoo may not be as empty as assumed.
A bad marriage, a killer couple, and part of a wider movement.
No sign of life aboard an abandoned freighter, but what is left below deck tells a strange story.
The origin of our species is not what we think.
In destitution, the future for revolution and mass murder is so bright.
Your memories may not be your own, and your life nothing more than a ritual that will compel you to perform an atrocity . . .

Praise for the author's first collection of horror stories, Some Will Not Sleep: Selected Horrors:

"Great storytelling, but across a wider palate and range of styles than you might have expected, leading to some delightfully unexpected visions and hellscapes." Gingernuts of Horror

“There is not one single tale which feels less than the others, none which seem to be mere ‘filler’. They are beautifully crafted, original and complete works which nevertheless fit well together as arranged by the author.” This is Horror

"In 'Some Will Not Sleep' nothing is sacred, nothing is safe, and goodness me, if you like horror fiction you’re going to absolutely love every damn minute." Pop Mythology

"Eleven wonderfully macabre tales that cover the whole gamut of the horrific. The supernatural rubs shoulders with the bizarre, body horror and psychological trauma walk hand in hand." The Eloquent Page

"Verdict: A collection full of creeping dread, well worth a read. 9/10." SciFi Bulletin

"Some Will Not Sleep contains 11 short stories, 11 stories that takes you different times and places. 11 stories that will give you your fix of the macabre. 5 Stars" Terror Tree

"It isn’t often that I read a short story collection and enjoy every entry, but with this book I did." The Grim Reader

"There are eleven stories in the book, eight of which are written in first person narrative, and each and every one is a cracker – here you’ll find monsters (including those of the human variety), ghosts, arcane rituals and some of the most disturbing imagery." Anthony Watson

"An excellent collection, recommended for anyone interested in the current surge in weird fiction or short stories in general." Unsung Stories

Praise for Adam Nevill's horror novels:

"Adam Nevill is a spine-chiller in the classic tradition, a writer who draws you in from the world of the familiar, eases you into the world of terror, and then locks the door behind you." Michael Koryta, NYT Bestselling author

"He has the rare ability to craft a nebulous atmosphere of terror, as well as to capture cinematic slasherpunk in the written word. Both are incredibly rare talents." Pornokitsch

"The sense of dread is immediate, with the reader’s sense of foreboding increasing with every new page.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, Thriller, Weird Fiction, Short Story Collection

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2017

About the author

ADAM L. G. NEVILL was born in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and grew up in England and New Zealand. He is an author of horror fiction. Of his novels, The Ritual, Last Days, No One Gets Out Alive and The Reddening were all winners of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. He has also published three collections of short stories, with Some Will Not Sleep winning the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection, 2017.

Imaginarium adapted The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive into feature films and more of his work is currently in development for the screen.

The author lives in Devon, England.

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Nevill does horror really well. What I find so scary about really good horror, is how an author can find terror in everyday things, places and people. Sometimes, a really scary horror can creep me out more if it's set in the heat of Summer during the daytime than in a graveyard at night-time. Adam is a bit of a master at this.
The first story in the series (and my favourite) is set on the underground, and is one of the most chilling short stories I have ever read. It conjures up so many terrifying images to me, and I haven't stopped thinking about it yet. My other favourite is a story about consequences, and it centres on a taxi driver who tragically knocks a teenager off his bike, but what are the repercussions?
The other stories are pretty good too, but these 2 have really stuck in my mind. I will need to search out Nevill's other short story collection now I think...

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are nine short stories in this book which, when taken together, result in one hell of a collection of nightmares that I'm glad I read in the daytime, since had I read them at night I probably wouldn't have slept. There are several "tribute" stories in this book, an homage to various writers who, as the author says, have inspired his own writing, including Robert Aickman, Mark Samuels, HP Lovecraft, and Ramsey Campbell. They're not pastiches by any means, and they're done very, very well.

By the time I'd finished the last story in this book, I was simultaneously a) relieved that I could breathe again and b) sad that it was all over. The stories here are not only creepy, but they're highly intelligent involving reader participation, meaning that the author doesn't give you all the answers so you really have to put thought into what you've just read. Cerebral and truly frightening all at the same time -- my kind of book.

Nevill fans, you have something excellent to look forward to!!

http://www.oddlyweirdfiction.com/2017...

[Adrienne L · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his notes on the stories collected in Hasty for the Dark Adam Nevill laments, "Enigma is vital to horror, but I never fail to be surprised at how many readers of horror find no value in this quality." Well, not this reader! And that's why I love the short stories of Ramsey Campbell, M.R. James, and Adam Nevill, all authors who really shine in this form.

This collection of nightmares is pretty solidly four stars all around, but my very favorite of the bunch would have to be "Hippocampus," a creepy and cinematic survey of an empty cargo ship where something horrible has just occurred, and portends something even more horrible on its way. "Call the Name" was another standout; a Lovecraft tribute story that merges the lurking, timeless terror of the Great Ones with a very near future ravaged by the effects climate change.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that anthology of 9 longer stories presented in one volume. The author can really write and creates an eerie and sinister atmosphere in his texts. His gift of observation is remarkable. Many of his stories are set in everyday life Britain. My favourits were On All London Underground Lines (I know the tube and everything described here very well), The Angels of London (saw that pub with its inhabitants before my mental eye), Always in Our Hearts (I also swear on cyclists when driving in London) and Eumenides (very philosophical human relationsships). Recommended!

[Carmilla Voiez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collection is dominated by feelings of isolation in crowded environments, and dreams and psychosis as messages from other realms. It is a strange read and might not be to everyone’s taste. In places it has an old-fashioned feel, that admirers of Poe and Lovecraft are bound to appreciate. At other times we are faced with futuristic desolation. There is little happiness to be found in these narratives, but they remain strangely consoling to troubled minds.

The first story is called “On All London Underground Lines”. It’s a chillingly descriptive piece that brings home the inhumanity of an overcrowded metro station. Having “enjoyed” delays and cancellations on a long rail trip this past weekend, I found myself reliving that experience while reading the frustrated thoughts of the narrator. Maybe it needs a trigger warning.

“The Angels of London” feels like it was a collaboration between Lovecraft and Irvine Welsh, based in a London hovel with a terrifying landlord. It’s full of luscious descriptions like “yolk-eyed drunk”.

“Always in Our Hearts” is a short story about a taxi driver with a guilty conscience. Nevill writes philosophically about the human ability to forgive oneself. “The ability to forget was a kind of advance braking system of the mind. The effectiveness of his own mental ABS surprised him.”

“Eumenides” - Themes of claustrophobia and powerlessness continue in this short story. The title “Hasty for the Dark” may reflect a desire to escape the desperate and lonely monotonous trap of failing at life that threads its way throughout these tales.

“The Days of Our Lives” Oh my god! This gave me chills. A terrifying and powerful story that I find hard to describe. Time, memories and murder revolve around a group called The Movement who are dedicated to the words of a poet who went mad. My favourite story so far.

“Hippocampus” The first paragraph is poetry. When people dismiss horror as irrelevant and without substance they ignore writers like Adam Nevill. Just feast your eyes on this - “Walls of water as slow as lava, black as coal, push the freighter up mountainsides, over frothing peaks and into plunging descents. Across vast, rolling waves the vessel ploughs, ungainly. Conjuring galaxies
of bubbles around its passage and in its wake, temporary cosmoses appear for moments in the immensity of onyx water, forged then sucked beneath the hull, or are sacrificed, fizzing, to the freezing night air.” It’s a descriptive piece of the aftermath of some massacre that asks more questions than it answers. It’s both shocking and strangely beautiful.

Call the Name is a Lovecraftian tale for a new generation. Cleo may be old and suffering from dementia, but she knows what’s coming even though few believe her.

White Light, White Heat, in the beginning the reader imagines Adam Nevill taking on Amazon with their 10p books and 98% market share. This brilliant touch made me laugh out loud. Only one thing gives the narrator of this story any pleasure and that is an intense euphoria gifted by a holy light in a box. Everything else is dull, depressing, over-crowded and filthy. It is only when he has lost everything that he is struck by a great epiphany and while his teachings are widely misinterpreted at least the things around him begin to change. “White Light, White Heat” is an exceptionally brutal and intelligent story.

Little Black Lamb, a remarkable story about an older couple who discover something within themselves that neither find remotely comfortable. It was undertones of ritual murder but there are few graphic descriptions for the reader to truly understand what is going on. The perfect ending to a bizarre and somewhat troubling collection of stories.

In the author’s own words - “Enigma is vital to horror, but I never fail to be surprised at how many readers of horror find no value in this quality.”

The stories are all enigmas and I love how hard my mind has to work to appreciate them.

[Gareth Is Haunted · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible collection of short horror stories.

"Across vast, rolling waves the vessel ploughs, ungainly. Conjuring galaxies of bubbles around its passage and in its wake, temporary cosmoses appear for moments in the immensity of onyx water, forged then sucked beneath the hull, or are sacrificed, fizzing, to the freezing night air."

These tick so many boxes across the horror spectrum, from gigantic and malevolent cosmic horror to the mundane day to day travels we undertake.
I had intended to write a short review of each story, but my writing abilities couldn't do them justice, it's best you experience them firsthand and come to your own conclusions.
There should be something here to tickle almost every horror reader's fancies.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a reason why Adam Nevill is a recipient of many consecutive awards for best novel and best collection of contemporary horror. Simply because, his craft is an accomplished work of art on all levels: tales of the strange and weird arising from the familiar, characters featuring from different pockets of life, confronting fears, desires, anxieties in an extraordinary situations. This astonishing talent of his to induce sheer fear and unease in the readers is always something to praise, especially when it is delivered in the author's particular brilliant style, his beautiful prose and unique descriptions. Such talent brings us this time nine dark stories collected in a new book HASTY FOR THE DARK.

Like the precedent collection, HASTY FOR THE DARK is a good twisted treat to all horror fans and readers who appreciate odd tales and fine scares of the dark world of Adam Nevill. And like H.P Lovecraft says, the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown, these stories are speculative and mysterious, where the characters try to subdue desperate situations, frustration and desolate existence yet they stand unable to escape the foreshadowing doom. HASTY FOR THE DARK summoned ordinary situations turned bad, characters unwittingly drawn to obscure places, domestic conflicts built on sadism, abhor and blood, manifestations of cosmic horror and alien deity, memories of a killer projected in the minds of a very normal couple, and a weird cult called the Movement.

To read the full review, please visit my blog below:

http://bloggingfromdubai.blogspot.ae/...

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are dedicated, vocal fans of Adam Nevill among horror readers, with praise that I’ve been hearing for a while. His work has always looked interesting to me, so when I felt like reading another short story collection, I jumped into this one as my introduction to Nevill’s work.

Each story in this collection has an elusive quality, a creeping, disorienting feeling that really lends to the horror. Each stands out in how little they spoon-feed the reader, challenging our ideas of horror and story form. One of the standout stories here, “Hippocampus,” reads like a found-footage movie in prose form, with no dialogue or characters, just pure mood and discovery as we explore an ship of death adrift in a storm. And most of the stories take everyday circumstances of discomfort and take them to the extreme, pulling pure horror out of the day-to-day, like a horrible subway commute in “On All London Underground Lines,” abusive relationships in “The Days of Our Lives,” or aging and Alzheimer’s in “Little Black Lamb.”

Not everything here is great, as some of the stories are just plain boring, but it’s a solid collection and if you’re looking for challenging stories that aren’t your usual fare, give this one a look.

[Pamela (Here to Read Books and Chew Gum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nevill has written a great collection of short stories here. It's no surprise that he's my favourite horror writer; he creates atmosphere like no other horror writer today. He can build any emotion he wants you to feel through the power of his prose from claustrophobia, through to sweeping dread. I gave myself a break between each story so that I could come to each tale emotionally fresh and experience it new.

Nevill writes about the oppressiveness of reality. It's easy to recognise his characters as parts of ourselves. Their experiences are universal, and the way the horror plays out almost feels like a representation of our own, very human insecurities. With stories written in homage to writers who have inspired him, Nevill nonetheless brings his own unique style. With descriptive, flowing prose it's easy to get caught up in his characters, their sense of dislocation, their alienation and their loneliness.

[Phillip Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nevill has fast become my go-to when recommending "something scary" to a friend. He writes in an almost extreme hyper-reality whereby very specific things are noticed or described, yet the reader is still uncertain of how they form into the bigger picture. Or the shape of the monster.

In a way, Nevill's stories reminded me of the eerie hyper-realism of Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

And the thing is, as I kept on reading this collection, my previous favorites kept getting outdone by the next story in line. I loved it. I'd put it amongst Barron's "Imago Sequence" or Jone's "The Ones Who Got Away" as one of my favorite single author collection.

A must read for those wanting to be freaked out.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Nevill never disappoints, once again he has created a book full of unnerving horror and creeping dread. This collection of short stories is masterfully written, not one story fails to deliver and they all provide a different kind of horror to one another. As with the rest of Adam's work I'd wholeheartedly recommend this, if you're unfamiliar with Adam this would even be a great book to start with.

[Oria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot of horror lately, most of it short stories. I don’t know what it is about horror that appeals to me. Movies don’t have the same impact – sometimes they give me nightmares, but books are different, more distilled somehow, and also leaving room for interpretation. I’ve read some of Adam Nevill’s writing before – House of Small Shadows, Some Will not Sleep, Before you Sleep, each book wonderful and horrific in its own way. “Hasty for the Dark” is no exception. This is a collection of nine horror stories, some of which I found truly heartbreaking while others left a more subdued impression. I also enjoyed reading about the inspiration for each story in the section at the back called Story Notes. If you’re one of those people who want to know where the ideas come from (like I am) don’t skip this part.

On All London Underground Lines

A commuter’s worst nightmare becomes real when he realizes he’s going to be late for work and there’s nothing he can do. No matter which option he tries, his way is blocked at every turn. All through reading this I got a trapped-in-a-tomb feeling, as if the main character was the only one truly alive in a crowd of people zombified by routine and work. Even the simplest question, like a woman asking him the way to the Piccadilly Line, only serves to underline the disconnect between the people and how you can be truly alone and not understood even when you’re stepping on someone’s toes at every turn. I can see the despair, the futility, the anguish, I can sympathize with the character and at the end of the story I was just glad I never had that experience.

The Angels of London

Frank moves into a derelict building above a closed bar. Alone and trying to survive in a demanding city, he soon feels like he’s beginning to vanish from the world. He gets no mail. He has no friends, no social life. And soon enough he may not even be able to make the rent of his tiny room.

A depressing, abysmal feeling hits the reader right from the start. Spilled garbage, a derelict building, a creepy landlord, weird neighbors, they all contribute to the feeling of being trapped. Just like in the previous story, it feels like the main character has gotten himself into a tight spot and can’t get out. But there might just be a way out. Unfortunately, it involves doing something awful, but Frank, by that time worn down to his survival instincts, might just do it. I found the ending satisfying and sad. I had hoped Frank would be able to move to a better place but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Always in Our Hearts

Ray Larch drives a taxi for a living. He’s stressed, overworked, and constantly fears accidents. Just reading about his thoughts on that made me anxious and thankful I don’t drive a car.

“We drive because we forget, he decided. We forget pain, we forget fear, we forget the hot-cold paralysis of near misses, we forget consequences. We forget our vulnerability: the very fragility of our bodies.”

Thank God for forgetting.
Unfortunately for Ray, someone did not forget what he did one day while driving his taxi. And as he goes to pick up one strange passenger after another, his destiny slowly becomes obvious and inescapable.
I liked this story. Part of me pitied Frank but the other, more justice-inclined part also felt satisfaction for the penalty he got. A very satisfying ending.

Eumenides (The Benevolent Ladies)

From his first day at work, Jason becomes obsessed with Electra. She’s young, attractive and aloof, and every time Jason sees her he becomes even more infatuated. When he finally summons the courage to ask her out she accepts easily, casually, leaving Jason both nervous and happy. But the best part is yet to come, as Electra suggests they go for their first date at a derelict zoo. Here the fun begins.

Well, this is a horror story and by fun I don’t mean happiness and laughter, but quite the opposite. There will be tears, and screams, and strange sounds, and inexplicable sexual behavior, and everything ties together so well I could not help but cheer by the end. I don’t really know who I was cheering for: the hunter or the hunted. Nor is it very clear to me what the creature in the story truly was and its connection with Electra. Perhaps Electra was a follower, giving in into a disturbing ritual, perhaps she was a lure for unsuspecting and trusty people. Perhaps it is a tale of revenge. Who knows?

The Days of Our Lives

A really twisted tale about a couple and the way they live and show their affection for each other. It’s not what one would call a “normal” relationship. Murder, threats and vicious behavior are part of the daily routine. Roles blur – who’s the victim and who’s the abuser? It’s fascinating, repulsive, pitiable, and at the end of the day, yet another dark story meant to reveal the hell inside the human heart.

Hippocampus

A ship is adrift in a storm. There are people inside but none alive. How did they die? Why did they die? Who killed them?
This was my favorite story in the whole collection. The description filled me with wonder, revulsion and fear. The details are amazing, every word driven home and rich with meaning. As I was reading I was dreading finding out what happened, yet wanted to know. This push and pull, the constant war between fear and curiosity, the instinct to cover my eyes and at the same time peek through my fingers, this is what I love the most about Adam Nevill’s stories. The answer is there, within the story, and yet it feels deliciously incomplete, like a tale told in riddles. As a reader, I find there’s nothing more satisfying than a story you feel is perfect yet it leaves you wanting more.

Call the Name

Cleo is slowly losing her mind. Her mother and grandmother before her, they both did. That’s how they died, and Cleo feels herself walking the same path. She has no choice. But I could not help but wonder if Cleo wasn’t sane after all, just carrying a great secret, one that would claim her life in the end. Now in a nursing home, Cleo feels the world unraveling. She’s still lucid enough to talk and write coherently, but these periods of time are followed by infinitely darker ones as the truth of what is coming, of what humans will have to face because of their irresponsible behavior on this planet, is getting closer.

I liked the idea behind the story, but I will not say more on that as I don’t want to spoil it. The only issue I had with the story was its incredibly descriptive narrative, scientific in parts. I have the urge to skip these portions in stories but I didn’t this time because while I didn’t like it that much, I can appreciate the feeling of truth it brings to the story. This feels like an incredibly detailed and well researched piece.

White Light, White Heat

Have you ever felt like a robot, working long hours in a tiny cubicle, surrounded by people yet forbidden to reach out to any of them?
The unnamed character works for a company he despises, just so he can pay the rent for a room he shares with a drunk. Jobs are scarce, money is tight and good food is a luxury. Everybody in the company lives in fear of the white envelope, for that means they’re fired. There is no hope, no joy and seemingly no escape. The only way he can face another soulless day is by gazing into the box housing The Reliquary of Light. By doing so, he can reach a state of happiness and contentment that can sustain his soul for another day. But what happens when his worst fear is realized and his only solace is taken away?

“A silent furnace of anxiety and dissatisfaction dressed in a white shirt. That was me, sitting before a computer monitor with my face reflected in the screen, same every day, year after year after year. My features were made ghoulish by the glow of the monitor that I longed to smash my head into.
I was one of many. Call us Legion.”

My God, what a cruel, heartless story this is! It made me want to scream in frustration and pity and anger. Its dystopian quality, the apparent futility of life itself, there’s not going lower than that on the horror scale. This is modern horror in the literal sense of the word, for what can be more crushing than knowing your chance of survival drops drastically the day you’re out of a job?

Little Black Lamb

An elderly couple begins to experience memories that don’t belong to them. This alters their life in significant ways, some interesting and some downright evil.
I was a little confused by the end and could only guess at the horror unfolding on the page. I wanted things to be clearer, yet I can appreciate the mystery. As usual, I am torn.

It has become obvious to me that these stories are not straightforward, not all of them anyway. If you want the answers spelled out for you, this might be a bit of a challenge, but if you love a mystery set in an amazing, descriptive setting, then this book is perfect.
Many thanks to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Towards the tail end of 2016 I read Some Will Not Sleep, a self-published collection of Adam’s short stories from the beginning of his career. A year later and a second collection has materialised, Hasty for The Dark. So, without further ado, on with the show…

On All London Underground Lines – I’m really not a fan of underground trains. As a rule, tube stations make me feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable. Just imagine you were stuck underground constantly reliving the same mind-numbing, brain-smothering horror again and again. The first story in the anthology and already the author is messing with my head. I have to admit I’m particularly fond of horror that taps right into my most primal fears. Doesn’t make me want to ride in a tube train any time soon mind you.

The Angels of London – Renting rather than buying can appear the ideal option when you move to a new city. The only real problem is that you’ll never know who (or what) will end up being your landlord. Frank has reached what he thinks is rock bottom. He’s wrong, you can always fall further.

Always in Our Hearts – Secrets can be insidious, cruel things. They can eat you away from the inside out. A taxi driver called Ray learns the hard way that eventually secrets will always catch up with you.

Eumenides (The Benevolent Ladies) – When something appears too good to be true, then chances are it is. When Electra agrees to go out on a date with Jason he is dumbfounded. What could such a perfect woman ever see in him? Perhaps a trip to an old run-down zoo will shed some light on her enigmatic nature.

The Days of Our Lives – When you’re in thrall to someone, you’re prepared to do anything for them…anything. A story that explores just how dysfunctional relationships can become and the damage they can cause.

Hippocampus – In the moments just after some horrible event we follow a route through a seemingly abandoned freighter. I envisaged this like a single shot movie. The camera slowly pans from room to room. As we explore each location small hints of what has occurred are revealed. I think this may be the standout story of the collection for me. It was just so different, a story with no characters, no plot, but multiple subtlety horrific suggestions.

Call the Name – Cleo has insight. Her family have passed down a secret through the generations. The problem is that she’s an old lady now and no-one is likely to listen to her seemingly nonsensical ramblings. There is something heart-breaking about this story. The end of the world seen through the eyes of someone who is so easily dismissed.

White Light, White Heat – Office work can be torturous, especially when you know that eventually the chances are you’re going to be fired. I’ve been a cubicle monkey for decades now (yup, I am that old) and I can really appreciate the surreal nature of working in large room with people all doing essentially the same thing.

Little Black Lamb – A husband and wife uncover an item that has been long since buried. The longer they keep it, the more it exerts its will on them. What is the nature of the force that demands their attention? Is it benevolent or malicious?

For a genre fan, there can be little better than reading the work of an author at the top of their game. I can’t fault a single story in this collection. Hasty for the Dark is the perfect companion piece to Some Will Not Sleep. I’d suggest buying both. You a chance to enjoy a writer finding their voice and seeing it evolve into their signature style. Let’s be honest, the only thing better than being creeped out is being creeped out by a factor of two.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As stated in the official synopsis, this is a collection of speculative and supernatural horror. But, while the noted inspirations and muses are delicately obvious in each story, Nevill’s incredible prose and gift for imagery is his own. The stories in the Hasty for the Dark collection are a dark sensory experience of enigmatic horror. Nevill takes real world situations and science and pushes the envelope of speculation and reality.

Although I could easily wax eloquent on all of the stories in Hasty for the Dark, for brevity I shall highlight my personal favorites.

Angels of London presents as a dark thriller. You have a man navigating real world struggles, but his story becomes more and more ominous as it progresses, building to a gruesome and chilling conclusion. I found this one particularly moving due to the frightening realism throughout the story. I had to put the book down for a bit after finishing this one. It is, ultimately, my favorite of the collection.

Always in our Hearts gets a compulsory mention because the building tension was physically painful. It is a very well executed story. Very Edgar Allen Poe.

The Days of Our Lives was particularly mind scrambling for me. It presents an ominous opening and progresses with a slight Lovecraftian bent of nightmarish imagery and occurrences that illustrate real world domestic issues taken to an otherworldly level. Although I initially found the demonism of fetishism to be a bit unwarranted, I ultimately realized that any and all actions can fall to darkness through intention. My personal discomfort at the content and progression of the story is why it speaks to me so and why I count it as a favorite. Horror should make you uncomfortable in some way.

Finally, I must spotlight Hippocampus. Hippocampus is the stuff of classic literature. Nevill’s dark prose produces haunting, ghastly imagery in words that would actually be beautiful if read aloud. This particular story inspires me to want this collection in hard copy upon the shelf. It is masterfully done.

In conclusion I would have to say that this collection is beautiful. It defies the horror genre by presenting the horrific with flowing words and smooth tempos. Poe himself would be rendered sober by it.

[B.P. Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are we reading?: Hasty for the Dark: Selected Horrors by Adam L G Nevill.

Give me the short version: These are the images that wake you too frightened to scream.


Recent British Fantasy Awards winner Adam Nevill lunges at us from the dark once again with his second collection of short stories. These are of a somewhat more wistful mood than the first batch and are certainly more experimental.

I found immersion in environment to be a standout flavour of Hasty for the Dark, whether it be a place of fearful wonder or one that will drive you to fling down the book and rush to the shower.

Some of you may already be fans of the abject and repulsive Yellow Teeth in Mr Nevill’s prior collection Some Will Not Sleep; in The Angels of London Nevill again demonstrates unflinching commitment so that we might flinch. He has penned a situation so skillfully vile it’s difficult to get through, inducing revulsion and a shivering vulnerability in the reader.

Top favourites for me were the hopeless purgatory of both On All London Underground Lines and White Light, White Heat; the latter’s setting in the publishing industry invoking grim humour. I also thoroughly enjoyed the playfulness of Hippocampus, a tale with no active players bar the reader/viewer themselves who pan slowly through the aftermath of a mysterious disaster.

In full disclosure I was offered a free ebook in exchange for an honest review, but this was after I’d already enthusiastically pre-ordered both ebook and the exquisitely illustrated hardback edition.


Favourite bit: “None of the pale faces in the crush even turn to look at me; they are committed to their immobile, futile yearning upwards. A smell hangs about the crowd, like old clothes left in airless spaces, and something else: the sweetish, hormoney smell of spoiling meat.” – On All London Underground Lines, Adam L G Nevill

[Brandon Petry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't have time to write my full review today (but I will before Halloween!) but this was an amazing collection and I am so happy I decided to buy the limited edition hardcover directly from the author. Lots of thoughts on these stories that I'm still digesting (or being digested by?). So damn good, I had to resist immediately picking up another book by Adam Nevill. More thoughts soon.

[Darren Dilnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Adam Nevill mercilessly casts his readers into the pit of the shocking, and bizarre. His latest collection Hasty For The Dark is an array of disconcerting, and uncomfortable weird horror snapshots that will leave you wondering, what the hell just happened.
One of the finest creators of the grotesque, and peculiar in the world.

[Regina Noviana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was not as scary as other Adam Nevill's horror stories collections.

[Patrick Kiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All these stories are great

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great horror read of yet another collection of short stories by Adam Nevill
This is Adam's second collection of short stories his first being “Some will not sleep” which Adam picked up the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection on Sunday 1st October 2017 at Fantasycon, Peterborough UK 2017. All nine short stories had previously been published either featured online or within other published collections featured with other authors.

Each story captivates you, taking you on an individual journey pulling you along and always wanting more.
Because Adam had intently written in different styles emanating his admired horror authors,
It is evident in each story in his approach and in some cases the final outcome.
In my opinion, Adam had captured each author’s styles very well.

There is also a very nice section at the end of the book called “Story notes” where Adam explains his inspirations and reasons for writing the individual stories.

I am a fan of Adams work and have been for many years now, and had purchased the hardback copy from his website http://www.adamlgnevill.com
Adam also offers two free e-books which are “Cries from the Crypt” and “Before you wake” both containing three short stories taken from both collections.

Congratulations Adam Nevill on another great collection.

[Bogdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this some time ago, but I wanted to write a little bit more about it, but, in the end, I know that I will not truly have the time to do it.
So, the first and the second story of the volume weren`t much of a thing, the second one started to slow and with the first I didn`t like it, and if at that moment I was thinking that this will be quite a miss book for me.
But, boy! I was very wrong! Because, after that two, the things were getting better and better, and I must say that I loved all the stories until the end of the volume.
Some of the subjects are very intriguing and unheard of, originality is a treat with Nevill, and most of them have that way that makes you feel you`re reading something special and unique.
For me some of them were truly impressive work and now I`m curious about the first volume of stories, this being the second one from him.
If i`m thinking better Adam Nevill stories had the same impact on my mind that I had experienced it when I read the Books of Blood by Clive Barker for the first time.
Definitely for the readers that like their horrors to be original, scary and straight to the point, this Anthology of stories it`s a must read!

[Felix Zilich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Второй сборник рассказов Невилла - про урбанистические кошмары. Восемь историй про изоляцию, проблемы с соседями и тревожный город Лондон. Самые традиционные и очевидные (пожалуй, слишком очевидные) истории - «Ангелы Лондона» и «Эструс». «Дни нашей жизни», «Курган крошки Мег», «На всех линиях лондонского метро» и «Всегда в наших сердцах» - про то же самое, но в более вольной форме. «Морской конёк» - заготовка для поэмы, а «Назови имя» - лавкрафтианское упражнение на самую злобу дня. Вирус, принесенный летучими мышами, постепенно истребляет человечество. Старики сидят по домам, моют руки, сходят с ума. Прогноз, кстати, у писателя неутешительный. Говорит, через месяц-другой у всех выздоровевших вырастут жабры. Будут после этого сидеть на берегу океана и вместе с Гретой Тунберг призывать ктулхов.

[shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, I devoured Nevill’s phenomenal novel ‘No One Gets Out Alive.’ Once I was finished that, I decided to dive directly into a few of his other books I have but haven’t read yet, and it was while searching my Kindle that I saw I still needed to read this collection. I’ve previously read his two three-story-free colllections on Amazon as well as his stunning Wyrd and Other Derelictions, so I knew I was in for some classic and solid Nevill-ness.

I was going to take my time reading this one, but as events occurred – namely me having a horrible case of food poisoning, I blasted through this while dealing with my stomach abandoning me in my moment of need!

What I liked: Nevill opens this one with a short introduction, telling us that he wanted to collect his short stories in a publication order and put it all in one place, allowing the reader to have an easy go-to book to read all of his short work. It works brilliantly and other than the opener, which is less paranormal and more claustrophobic over public transit, this one showcases why Nevill is one of the best, dark fiction authors working today.

I’d read a few of these stories already, but it was neat to dive back into them, as it had been three years in the case of a few of them, and this time apart seemed to kick me between the legs. How so? Back in my review that was posted on December 18th, 2019, I said this about ‘Always in Our Hearts’ – “I personally didn’t really enjoy this one. We follow a hired driver who head a location to pick up his next ride. On the surface it had some potential, but I just didn’t connect.’ ARE YOU KIDDING ME! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PAST STEVE?!!? Because, now, after having reread it, it was one of my favorite stories in this collection. It plays upon the strengths of odd characters and a seemingly unrelated even in the driver’s past, but when Nevill brings it full circle, HOLY COW!

‘The Angels of London’ was another great one, which I really loved the first time around. ‘Call the Name’ was an excellent slab of Lovecraftian horror and ‘Hippocampus’ is one of the finest pieces of short fiction ever put to page and one of the inspiration pieces to Nevill’s ‘Wyrd and Other Derelictions,’ having stories without any ‘real’ characters.

‘Little Black Lamb’ finished this one off and wow – what can I say. It was so spellbinding and essentially a fully developed folklore story without any outward or obvious folklore moments.

What I didn’t like: I’d say that the opener almost feels out of place now, after reading the stories that follow it. It’s a fun story for sure, but just didn’t deliver the same Nevill-ness that I’ve grown to absolutely love. For completionism sake I’m happy it was there, but the atmosphere was far off from the others.

Why you should buy this: If you’re a fan of Nevill then this one will most likely already be on your shelves or on your Kindle. If you’ve not read any of his long reads yet, this is a fantastic place to start and see just what you’re in for. Another amazing release from a living legend.

[uk · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a range of themes.
What a multitude of styles.
What a precision of language.
What a power of imagery.
What a scope of inventiveness.
What a feast of the imagination.
What a beautiful present.
Thanx, Mr Nevill.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of Adam Nevill's books.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot on the heels of his debut short story anthology “Some will not Sleep: Selected Horrors” (2016) Adam Nevill returns with its nasty little sibling “Hasty for the Dark”. The former recently, and deservedly so, scooped the prestigious ‘Best Collection’ award at the British Fantasy Awards in Peterborough. One wonders when our friends across the pond at the Horror Writers Association are ever going to award his talents with a long overdue Bram Stoker nomination? Having two major collections released within the same twelve month period is a rare treat for Nevill enthusiasts, however, all good things must come to an end. As this second collection features stories from the period 2009 to 2015 we cannot expect a third helping of horrors for a few more years, instead we wait for the next novel.

“Hasty for the Dark” undoubtedly has a broader range of stories that its predecessor. The nine tales are cleverly varied, exhibiting varied pace, chills which deal with the supernatural in both every day and altogether freakier situations, and other curve-balls which drop feet into other genres. It is lovingly complimented with really excellent end notes which reveal the inspiration behind many of the tales, of course you will not be surprised to find lots of autobiographical nuggets lurking within the pages. Likewise the tributes are equally revealing, featuring the likes of Ramsey Campbell and others whom Nevill is both hugely influenced by and a fan of.

The sneakiest treat of the collection are the various references and wider connections to his novels and other stories, an element of cross-referencing which is relatively new to his writing, at least to this extent. Anorak fans such as I love this sort of stuff… Amongst others our old friend Mr Hazzard from “Under a Watchful Eye” continues to exert his influence, and the novella length story “Call the Name” is set in a very similar environmentally destroyed world as his novel “The Lost Girl” featuring a geriatric unreliable narrator who believes the world may soon end. Filled with some shocking imagery, the vision of mass drownings and deaths of granny and grandad is a hard one to shake off in this engrossing Lovecraft inspired story. And don’t forget to cross-reference the mysterious ‘Movement’ which pops up here and there with Adam Nevill in fine playful mood.

“The Angels of London” was a true corker featuring the land-lord from hell. When luckless and down at heel Frank moves into a grotty room above a closed dilapidated pub called ‘The Angel of London’ he quickly regrets it. The place is worse than a dump, and after a bad day poor Frank soon gets into an argument when his horrible landlord Granby taps him for a rent increase (Granby would have been right at home in the house from Hell, in the novel “No One Gets Out Alive”). Things then go from bad to worse for Frank and soon he’s even too scared to use the toilet on the landing after a fellow tenant hints about what lies in store if he defies the slimy Granby. As there is no negotiating with Granby. You can cut the tension with a blunt knife, and it really did time-warp me back to a previous pub residence of my own in the mid-1990s, peeling wall-paper, a toilet with a peephole, worn-down carpet and all. A time and place I would rather avoid, brought to life by full and bloody descriptions of the squalor with the supernatural.

“Always in our Hearts” was equally terrific. Taxi-driver Ray causes a hit and run death and after lying low for a while thinks he’s in the clear and starts going about his business, picking up taxi fares across run down council estates. The story kicks off when he picks up John from a really horribly rundown house, the rather unsettling jolly passenger takes a package with him which appears to have something moving in it. A sick pet perhaps? Ray is then instructed to take a series of different passengers here and there, most of which have shifty looking packages. Easy money soon oozes into something else… It really was a great story, full of dark humour and tension, filthy breadcrumbs dropped here and there, with the reader certain John will get his comeuppance, but how? Horribly unpleasant stuff which has a terrific flow to it, as the author effectively drops the reader into the taxi with Ray, but thankfully we don’t have to pick up the bill. Something about it vaguely reminded me of the UK horror film, “The Kill List” but I’m not sure what.

“Hippocampus” changes style entirely and is a darkly descriptive story set on an abandoned ship with no visible living beings. This is one of several stories where Nevill changes his style considerable creating an imposing atmosphere and a story which is a jolt in style from the previous one in the book. So where are the crew? Why is their abandoned uneaten food? Who has murdered whom? Death is most certainly in the air. One can almost imagine walking through the after effects of some horrible crime or event with the reader feeling like he is intruding on something painful and that should be avoided.

I also really enjoyed my trip into a long since abandoned Victorian zoo. However, this is not exactly first choice for Jason in his surprise first date with the gorgeous Electra (but hey, he’ll take what he can get…) However, in “Eumenides [The Benevolent Ladies]” Nevill does what he does best and takes the reader on a dark and unsettling journey through the crumbling and deeply unpleasant zoo. Soaked with decay, unpleasant imagery and gnashing of teeth, you just know things are going to end badly for poor Jason who never really had a chance of getting his leg over with the saucy Electra.

As a downtrodden Scottish exile living in London I correctly guessed the background behind “On All London Underground Lines” as Nevill lived there for a number of years and like the rest of us suffered the delays and pain of rush hour on the London Underground. This story takes an unnamed narrator on a cycle of despair around a series of tube delays which seem never ending and something otherworldly lurks behind the veneer of the luckless traveller.

The final three which completed the collection were also very enjoyable and the Kafkaesque “White Light, White Heat” finds an editor struggling to survive in a huge company where the threat of dismissal and starvation is only a breath away in a dystopian society where it seems impossible to make any cash. But this guy will not be beaten! I found this story to be pretty funny and an entertaining detour away from straight horror and perhaps for Nevill reliving the memories of being a poor struggling author himself. “The Days of Our Lives” a warped tale of a bizarre marriage, with cross references to other stories was also laced with sly humour and both funny and unsettling scenes. Finally, “Little Black Lamb” was another twister, set in a domestic environment, about a couple who receive memories which are not their own. These final three stories move Nevill away from his traditional horror settings into a wider bracket of the supernatural but more than hold their own in this superb collection.

There is not much more to say except that Nevill fans will eat this new offering up and fully enjoy the range of the collection. On another note I hope the film version of “The Ritual” brings many new fans to this highly accomplished writer of supernatural fiction. Where would a newbie start? Any novel. They are all well worth reading.

[Catherine Cavendish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became a fan of Adam Nevill when I read his novel, Apartment 16, which had me glued, scared and peering a little too closely into mirrors and down shadowy corridors. I found it sensationally creepy. Hasty for the Dark proves that the author doesn’t need a large canvas on which to construct his masterpieces. This collection of short stories from six years of work contains evidence of almost every strand of horror and beyond. Employing the skills of a writer at the top of his game Adam Nevill takes us below ground where claustrophobia strikes as the mass of people presses against the narrator in On All Underground Lines – one of my personal favourites. In The Angels of London, we aren transported into a seedy house divided into bedsits that make Rigsby’s Rising Damp seem like a palace but there is more, so much more going on in that dilapidated building and the author reveals its secrets layer by tantalizing layer.

What happened to the crew of the ill-fated Hippocampus? Another intriguing tale awaits, heavy with atmosphere and foreboding.

All of the stories in this collection reflect the author’s grasp of language, pace, storytelling, character and plot. Each is a unique gem and, while he acknowledges the influence on him of writers such as Ramsey Campbell and HP Lovecraft, none of Nevill’s work is ever derivative and, before embarking on each new story, my question was always the same: Where is he going to transport me this time?

I was never disappointed. Read and enjoy, and be prepared for vivid images that stay with you long after you’ve turned the page.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd read 3 of these stories already, in the sampler Before You Wake. The other stories in this collection live up to that standard.

There's some Lovecraft, some Ramsey and a bit of Aickman. London features heavily as does a sense of dislocation and alienation and despair. What more can you ask for in a collection of horror stories?

The author's notes at the end are interesting reading, too. Each story gets a bit of background and this adds to the enjoyment.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but this hasn't swayed my review - I've read most of what Mr Nevill has written over the past few years and am waiting for a (paid for) delivery of his latest novel, Under a Watchful Eye. Along with F G Cottam, he's one of the best of the current crop of UK horror writers.

[Mike Duguid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted selection

I've always enjoyed a short story collection in between novel reads. There are some dark twisted beauties in this collection. Highly recommended