Christmas Horror Volume 2

Christmas Horror #2

by Chris Morey (Editor), Richard Chizmar, Jeff Strand

Christmas and a birthday collide, criminals get a holiday surprise, a man drifts through a life he once knew and Santa gets hungrier with each passing year. These are just some of the tales of terror found in Christmas Horror Volume 2, featuring all original fiction from Jeff Strand, Elizabeth Massie, Richard Chizmar, Gene O'Neill, Steve Rasnic Tem and William F. Nolan.

Genres: Horror, Anthologies, Short Stories

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2017

Reviews

[Jakob J. 🎃 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judging by the cover (yes I did), this supplement to the the first volume came together in a slipshod workshop of leftover parts. I studied the intro-to-photoshop wrapping, attempting to scope out some suggestions of horror hidden in the cranberry garland, but it’s just a generic Christmas card background.

As for the contents, all original stories, expectedly hit-or-miss, with a baffling one-page entry about Santa being attacked by a ghost with an axe.

None were exceptional, but all had their jubilantly macabre redeeming qualities. I’ll touch on the few standouts:

Steve Rasnic Tem presents a unique and increasingly gluttonous depiction of Santa that defies all natural laws, grotesquely inverting classic Christmas imagery of trains, elves, and chimney sneaking in I Saw Santa.

Jeff Strand brings trademark levity before blasting you in the face with violence as he exaggerates the plight of the unfortunate souls who share a birthday with baby Jesus in Christmas Birthday .

Gene O’Neill recruits a hummingbird spirit to rouse a brother and sister into avenging their parents using their alluded-to archery skills in Little Warriors.

The first volume, which I read and reviewed last year, had more going for it, but collections of festive frights are always welcome.

[Richard Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The following was initially written as a Double Feature Review of both Christmas Horror Volumes 1 and 2 for www.myindiemuse.com

This special festive double feature looks at the holiday-themed horror anthologies ‘Christmas Horror’ Volumes 1 and 2, published by Dark Regions Press.

The first volume features eight well-known horror names, including John Skipp, Joe Lansdale and J.F. Gonzalez and sports some beautiful full-page illustrations from Zach McCain. The yuletide yarns on offer here include;

‘Santa Explains’ by Joe R Lansdale – A delinquent father visits his family for the holidays looking for forgiveness, but all is not as it seems.
‘The Endless Black of Friday’ by Nate Southard – As if Black Friday sales weren’t bad enough, Nate Southard finds a way to make them oh so much worse.
‘Red Rage’ by Stephen Mark Rainey – A family moves into their new home just in time for Christmas, but the previous owners aren’t quite done with the place yet…
‘Pointy Canes’ by Jeff Strand – Mass murder by candy cane! Festive frights Jeff Strand style
‘Naughty’ by Shane McKenzie – A young boys older brother arranges a special Christmas present for him, with bloody violent consequences.
‘Krampusnacht in Cell Block J’ by Cody Goodfellow – A Christmas party at a juvenile detention centre gets a surprise (and unwelcome) visitor for the holidays.
‘The Shittiest Guy in the World (A Christmas Fable)’ by John Skipp – A cautionary tale for those who don’t know how to behave at Christmas.
‘Belsnickel’ by J.F. Gonzalez - A long lost relative visits for the holidays, and Amy will soon wish he’d stayed lost

There is a great mix of the light-hearted (‘Pointy Canes’), spooky (‘Red Rage’) and downright messed-up (‘Naughty’) to satisfy any horror fans Christmas cravings, and there isn’t a lump of coal in the bunch.

Volume 2 gives us six additional yuletide yarns, including.

‘Christmas at the Pattersons’ by Elizabeth Massie – A dull Christmas party hosted by the towns insufferable wealthy patrons takes a dark turn when two witches liven up proceedings
‘Little Warriors’ by Gene O’Neill – A home invasion at Christmas goes horribly wrong when the family fight back, with a little help from a mysterious supernatural force.
‘I Saw Santa’ by Steve Rasnic Tem – Equal parts bizarre, funny and horrifying. This tale of a neglected eight year old who sees Santa coming down his chimney on Christmas Eve gives us perhaps the most memorable (and disturbing) depiction of Old Saint Nick ever put to paper.
‘December Birthday’ – by Jeff Strand – This short will make anyone think twice about using the phrase “It’s a birthday AND a Christmas present”.
‘A Note From Santa’ by William F. Nolan – A short tale of Santa’s encounter one Christmas Eve with an axe-wielding ghost
‘Silent Night’ by Richard Chizmar – A man on the run goes back to his family home for one last Christmas.

While it lacks the same fantastic production values of the first volume and gives you fewer tales, the stories are of the same high quality as before, with Steve Rasnic Tem’s short being perhaps the best across both volumes.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the family-friendly fare typically on offer this time of year, then Dark Regions Press have gathered some of the biggest names in horror fiction to give us just that. Christmas Horror Volumes 1 and 2 are sure to get every horror fan in the Christmas spirit.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good fright!


You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to rate this collection of Christmas horror stories higher than 3 stars, but here is why I didn't. This being the second Christmas Horror collection from Dark Regions press, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the book when it was released a few weeks ago. The stories were great. I read Richard Chizmar's first even though it appeared in the book as the last short story. I love the "Note From Santa" even though it was only one page long. What bothered me was the fact that there were fewer stories than Volume 1, the size of the book was smaller so it looks out-of-place sitting next to Volume 1 on your bookshelf, and the cover art was kind a little too basic for me this time around. It fit in with the holiday motif, but it was not up to last year's standards. Regardless of my gripes, read this collection. You won't be disappointed.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable & entertaining collection. My favorites were December Birthday, I saw Santa , Christmas at the Patterson’s & Silent Night. There is a good variety of stories in this little book of horrors. I would have liked for this collection to be a little longer but overall still a great read!

[H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good

I enjoyed this. The stories are all well written. I especially liked the one with the monster Santa Claus. It's well edited.

[Mommacat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

* 3.2* Brief, solid stories set around and involving Christmas.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say Volume 2 failed to pack the same punch Volume 1 brought. It just goes to show that even with well known names attached, an anthology is not always a hit.

[Lars (theatretenor) Skaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Not nearly as good as Vol. 1. Not really even that great of stories.

[Rose Haskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally some happy ending

A few happy ending, but yet sad. Christmas at the Patterson's was a real fun read. And a cute poem by Santa.

[Langel Catan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first!

[Gary Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, did grab me as much ad Vol.1. Some good stories Jeff Strand I enjoyed. Hoping Vol.3 picks up a bit.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Christmas Horror is a niche you like to read, like me, and you find this for a good/sale price -- it's worth having in your collection. It's short. It reads fast. It's all incredibly on point for a dark Christmas collection. The only story I was totally enamored with was the first one though. Christmas at the Pattersons. It made me chuckle a lot at the inner monologue of the main character. But it was also pure horror. :)

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun bite-sized collection of short horror Christmas tales. Not all of them quite hit, but is still makes for a tasty seasonal nightcap.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible, some stories were even great, but uhh, the 4th story? How does that even count? It was 1 page, lol. The home invasion story was entirely too long. Loved the the christmas/birthday one and I will make sure to get separate gifts for anyone I know with a birthday close to Christmas 🤣