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Essex Witch Museum Mystery
The Strange Casebook
Enjoy these six short spooktacular stories, inspired by Rosie Strange and Sam Stone’s work at the museum…if you dare! These stories focus on characters that interact with Rosie and Sam in the Essex Witch Museum series and take place across a number of different time frames. Whether it be Rosie's old relatives, academic George Chin or the residents of Adders Fork - spooky incidents abound at every turn.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2018
About the author
Syd Moore
19 books205 followersBefore embarking on a career in education, Syd worked extensively in the publishing industry, fronting Channel 4’s book programme, Pulp. She was the founding editor of Level 4, an arts and culture magazine, and is co-creator of Super Strumps, the game that reclaims female stereotypes.
Syd has also been a go go dancer, backing singer, subbuteo maker, children’s entertainer and performance poet, She now works for Metal Culture, an arts organisation, promoting arts and cultural events and developing literature programmes.
Syd is an out and proud Essex Girl and is lucky enough to live in that county where she spends her free time excavating old myths and listening out for things that go bump in the night.
Syd has also been a go go dancer, backing singer, subbuteo maker, children’s entertainer and performance poet, She now works for Metal Culture, an arts organisation, promoting arts and cultural events and developing literature programmes.
Syd is an out and proud Essex Girl and is lucky enough to live in that county where she spends her free time excavating old myths and listening out for things that go bump in the night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 7, 2018
This is a collection of spooky and strange short stories with stories and characters connected to Rosie Strange and Sam in the Essex Witch Museum series. You do not need to have read the series to enjoy this selection of tales, so apt for autumn and this time of the year. In Death Becomes Her, Stacey Winters, a police officer, has been burdened with a gift from childhood, but no matter how hard she tries, death is hard to cheat. In Snowy we meet Norah and her cats, and the theme of reincarnation. In Madness in A Coruna, a semiotics academic celebrates the disintegration of his marriage to young Sheila by visiting his friend Xose, only to find himself witnessing a public suicide, encountering a strange and vindictive creature, and truly experiencing Madness in A Coruna. In She Saw Three Ships, Ethel-Rose Strange has arrived early to Cornwall, to ensure all is ready at Lilia Cottage, she insists on staying at the cottage for the night despite opposition. It is the Feast of All Angels, a night to beware of as Ethel-Rose is to discover to her horror. In Jocelyn's Story, Rita is obsessed with Betty Grable, and her legs in particular. The House of Savage Lane is a tale of horror for the innocent and good Cordelia when her path crosses that of a deplorable man. This is a short book, and none of the stories are very long, but nevertheless they manage to be scary and creepy. Perfect for this time of the year. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.
October 9, 2018
I haven't read any of the other books in Syd Moore's Essex Witch Museum series, and I wondered if that would make this collection of short stories impenetrable to me. After reading it, my conclusion is: I think readers familiar with the series will get the most out of this, but it's by no means impossible to enjoy it as standalone book. It's a quick (under 100 pages) and fun read containing six tales of ghosts, horror and strange happenings.
The Strange Casebook begins with a couple of brief and enjoyable stories that make it easy to get into. 'Death Becomes Her' is about a police officer who is more closely acquainted with death than anyone might suspect. In 'Snowy' we meet a widow and her numerous cats, who aren't quite what they seem.
Although I wasn't sure why several pages were wasted on establishing how much of a dick the narrator is, 'Madness in A Coruña' nevertheless stands out as the high point of the book. Having recently divorced, a man visits an old friend in the Spanish city of A Coruña, where he hopes to drink and socialise and go to a concert. But, while killing some time waiting for his friend, he is caught up in a disturbing incident on the beach instead. This is a really atmospheric tale and, of the six in this collection, has the most individual appeal. There's something timeless about it; it would be perfectly at home in any horror anthology. I was only disappointed the narrator didn't get a more grisly comeuppance... but then I suppose he wouldn't be telling his story.
In contrast, 'She Saw Three Ships' was my least favourite and, I think, suffered the most from my lack of familiarity with the Essex Witch Museum books. Ethel-Rose spends the night in a cottage on the Cornish coast, having travelled on ahead of her family to clean the place, and witnesses a bizarre and gruesome scene. I found it distracting that I couldn't figure out when this was supposed to be set. Ethel-Rose is described as a young woman, yet her thoughts and inner voice seem like they belong to someone much older. I assume this must be because the story has a historical setting, but the time period is never clarified. The plot wasn't engaging enough to override my confusion. Unsatisfying.
'Jocelyn's Story' is a dark and twisted little tale that reminded me of Shirley Jackson. A woman, Rita, is watching her ex-husband seduce another woman with a startling level of enthusiasm. What's the story behind this scene? Rita will tell us – but there's more to her account than meets the eye (as you might gather if you take note of the title).
'The House on Savage Lane' is a nice bit of grotesque to round off the book. Slight Angela Carter vibes to this one, and a suitably ghoulish ending.
I received an advance review copy of The Strange Casebook from the publisher through NetGalley.
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The Strange Casebook begins with a couple of brief and enjoyable stories that make it easy to get into. 'Death Becomes Her' is about a police officer who is more closely acquainted with death than anyone might suspect. In 'Snowy' we meet a widow and her numerous cats, who aren't quite what they seem.
Although I wasn't sure why several pages were wasted on establishing how much of a dick the narrator is, 'Madness in A Coruña' nevertheless stands out as the high point of the book. Having recently divorced, a man visits an old friend in the Spanish city of A Coruña, where he hopes to drink and socialise and go to a concert. But, while killing some time waiting for his friend, he is caught up in a disturbing incident on the beach instead. This is a really atmospheric tale and, of the six in this collection, has the most individual appeal. There's something timeless about it; it would be perfectly at home in any horror anthology. I was only disappointed the narrator didn't get a more grisly comeuppance... but then I suppose he wouldn't be telling his story.
In contrast, 'She Saw Three Ships' was my least favourite and, I think, suffered the most from my lack of familiarity with the Essex Witch Museum books. Ethel-Rose spends the night in a cottage on the Cornish coast, having travelled on ahead of her family to clean the place, and witnesses a bizarre and gruesome scene. I found it distracting that I couldn't figure out when this was supposed to be set. Ethel-Rose is described as a young woman, yet her thoughts and inner voice seem like they belong to someone much older. I assume this must be because the story has a historical setting, but the time period is never clarified. The plot wasn't engaging enough to override my confusion. Unsatisfying.
'Jocelyn's Story' is a dark and twisted little tale that reminded me of Shirley Jackson. A woman, Rita, is watching her ex-husband seduce another woman with a startling level of enthusiasm. What's the story behind this scene? Rita will tell us – but there's more to her account than meets the eye (as you might gather if you take note of the title).
'The House on Savage Lane' is a nice bit of grotesque to round off the book. Slight Angela Carter vibes to this one, and a suitably ghoulish ending.
I received an advance review copy of The Strange Casebook from the publisher through NetGalley.
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October 21, 2018
SPOOKY VIBES EVERYWHERE 😈
“Just because it’s a story, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
Halloween is coming and I was looking for intriguing and spooky books navigating through Netgalley, when I found this book. Even if it is part of a series I decided to request it because short stories always attract me.
There are different themes and plot resolutions in this little book. Death is the main protagonist, I would say. I liked a lot the strangeness atmosphere, I don’t know how to explain this feeling. The author describes some scenes and you understand what are you reading, but at the end of the story there are a lot of unanswered questions and all you can think is that you are missing something.
The weird and the wicked is everywhere in this book. And I liked it.
The first story is about a woman who can see the Death.
The second story is about a woman with a lot of cats.
The third story is about a man who goes to La Coruña and find something unexpected.
The fourth story is about a woman who sees three ships and doesn’t understand what’s going on.
The fifth story is about a woman who wants new legs.
The sixth story is about two twins and their different characters.
The atmosphere is creepy in every story, but I liked it the most in the first, the second and the fourth story. I guess the fourth and the sixth were the best, really. They are disturbing and unexpected and freakish.
I recommend this book to everyone who want a rapid and enjoyable experience during Halloween night.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
“Just because it’s a story, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
Halloween is coming and I was looking for intriguing and spooky books navigating through Netgalley, when I found this book. Even if it is part of a series I decided to request it because short stories always attract me.
There are different themes and plot resolutions in this little book. Death is the main protagonist, I would say. I liked a lot the strangeness atmosphere, I don’t know how to explain this feeling. The author describes some scenes and you understand what are you reading, but at the end of the story there are a lot of unanswered questions and all you can think is that you are missing something.
The weird and the wicked is everywhere in this book. And I liked it.
The first story is about a woman who can see the Death.
The second story is about a woman with a lot of cats.
The third story is about a man who goes to La Coruña and find something unexpected.
The fourth story is about a woman who sees three ships and doesn’t understand what’s going on.
The fifth story is about a woman who wants new legs.
The sixth story is about two twins and their different characters.
The atmosphere is creepy in every story, but I liked it the most in the first, the second and the fourth story. I guess the fourth and the sixth were the best, really. They are disturbing and unexpected and freakish.
I recommend this book to everyone who want a rapid and enjoyable experience during Halloween night.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
October 27, 2018
These short stories are absolutely perfect reading for the Halloween season! I enjoyed "Snowy" and "She Saw Three Ships" the best, but each of them has eerily creepy aspects that fit right into dark rooms with low fires and creaky doors.
Grab some cocoa (and maybe a friend!) and dig into these six spooky stories before the next full moon!
Grab some cocoa (and maybe a friend!) and dig into these six spooky stories before the next full moon!
December 26, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Strange Casebook
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Syd Moore
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Horror
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 31st October 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.25/5
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is a perfect Halloween read.
Containing six short stories, each tale is a strangely woven creation, embracing morbid, creepy elements, breathing life into old and new monsters.
To put it bluntly, it's weird.
I think my favourite story was The House On Savage Lane which is the last story in the collection. It held everything I'm scared of, with a clever unexpected turn thrown in at the end.
The reason I've rated this series of stories only a three star is because I found that the twists were not always evident. Some stories I liked. Some stories I didn't. It's a balanced average. However;
The stories served their purpose.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Strange Casebook
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Syd Moore
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Horror
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 31st October 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.25/5
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is a perfect Halloween read.
Containing six short stories, each tale is a strangely woven creation, embracing morbid, creepy elements, breathing life into old and new monsters.
To put it bluntly, it's weird.
"'People say that it's love that separates us from the animals, but it's not. We can't be sure of much in life, but we all know we're going to die. No other species on the planet knows it, right? Dogs don't. Cats don't. Just us. And because we know it - we fear it. I don't know why we're afraid of a fact.'"
I think my favourite story was The House On Savage Lane which is the last story in the collection. It held everything I'm scared of, with a clever unexpected turn thrown in at the end.
The reason I've rated this series of stories only a three star is because I found that the twists were not always evident. Some stories I liked. Some stories I didn't. It's a balanced average. However;
The stories served their purpose.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
February 27, 2019
A quick, enjoyable read, these six short stories are the perfect read for fans of the horror genre. These fascinating, mysterious and brief stories grow in intensity and it’s very easy to connect with them, no matter how strange they get. They’re all written very nicely, carefully selected from the world of Essex Witch Museum Mystery series. Even though I haven’t read the series before, I highly enjoyed the tales and their twists.
The style of writing is clear and it changes according to the story and its protagonist. Syd Moore was able to bring out the feeling of horror and suspense from the pages of this little book in a way that will keep you glued to its pages.
Let's take a look at each short-story individually.
'Death Becomes Her' – Stacey Winters, a police officer, is more than she seems and knows death a bit more personally than just in the line of work. Trying to escape a traumatizing childhood, she slowly begins to understand that there is no escape from death. For me, it was a soft way to start, but no less engaging.
‘Snowy’ - Norah is a widow who lives with her numerous cats, but they’re not all that they seem. This story goes into the world of reincarnation. While I enjoyed it, I can’t say it marked me.
'Madness in A Coruña' is my favourite story. A young, recently-divorced, semiotics academic man is visiting his friend, Xose, in the city of Coruña, Spain. While waiting for his friends, he sees more than he should and witnesses a deadly incident on the beach. His encounter with a strange, vindictive creature drives the meaning of this tales’ title. We find out from the beginning that the main character isn’t a very nice guy. Even so, I ended up feeling both satisfied and sorry for him in the end.
‘She Saw Three Ships,’ - Ethel-Rose Strange arrives in Cornwall, travelling ahead of her family to prepare the cottage they’re to stay for their arrival. Despite the warnings she receives, Ethel-Rose decides to spend the night in Lilia Cottage. It’s the Feast of All Angel, a night that reveals more than Ethel is ready for in the most gruesome kind of way. While I enjoyed this tale, I think it would have had more depth if I’d known the historical period it took place. The language the author uses makes it impossible to place it.
'Jocelyn's Story' – Rita watches has her ex-husband successfully seduces another woman. She tells us the story in her own words, but there’s more to the story than meets the eye. What you should know in advance: Rita is a big fan of Betty Grable, the American actress and pin-up model, and her legs… It’s a twisted tale with a great narrator. Meet my second favourite.
‘House of Savage Lane’ - Innocent Cordelia meets a dangerous man and gets more than she bargains for. A gruesome and ghoulish way to end this amazing short-story collection.
In all, they are the perfect length so we don’t grow bored, but at the same time, they manage to capture the horror and mystery in a way that makes these stories memorable. It helps that they're all creepy and scary in their own way. While I haven’t read any of Moore’s books, but reading this little book, made me want to discover more about them.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Accent Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
The style of writing is clear and it changes according to the story and its protagonist. Syd Moore was able to bring out the feeling of horror and suspense from the pages of this little book in a way that will keep you glued to its pages.
Let's take a look at each short-story individually.
'Death Becomes Her' – Stacey Winters, a police officer, is more than she seems and knows death a bit more personally than just in the line of work. Trying to escape a traumatizing childhood, she slowly begins to understand that there is no escape from death. For me, it was a soft way to start, but no less engaging.
‘Snowy’ - Norah is a widow who lives with her numerous cats, but they’re not all that they seem. This story goes into the world of reincarnation. While I enjoyed it, I can’t say it marked me.
'Madness in A Coruña' is my favourite story. A young, recently-divorced, semiotics academic man is visiting his friend, Xose, in the city of Coruña, Spain. While waiting for his friends, he sees more than he should and witnesses a deadly incident on the beach. His encounter with a strange, vindictive creature drives the meaning of this tales’ title. We find out from the beginning that the main character isn’t a very nice guy. Even so, I ended up feeling both satisfied and sorry for him in the end.
‘She Saw Three Ships,’ - Ethel-Rose Strange arrives in Cornwall, travelling ahead of her family to prepare the cottage they’re to stay for their arrival. Despite the warnings she receives, Ethel-Rose decides to spend the night in Lilia Cottage. It’s the Feast of All Angel, a night that reveals more than Ethel is ready for in the most gruesome kind of way. While I enjoyed this tale, I think it would have had more depth if I’d known the historical period it took place. The language the author uses makes it impossible to place it.
'Jocelyn's Story' – Rita watches has her ex-husband successfully seduces another woman. She tells us the story in her own words, but there’s more to the story than meets the eye. What you should know in advance: Rita is a big fan of Betty Grable, the American actress and pin-up model, and her legs… It’s a twisted tale with a great narrator. Meet my second favourite.
‘House of Savage Lane’ - Innocent Cordelia meets a dangerous man and gets more than she bargains for. A gruesome and ghoulish way to end this amazing short-story collection.
In all, they are the perfect length so we don’t grow bored, but at the same time, they manage to capture the horror and mystery in a way that makes these stories memorable. It helps that they're all creepy and scary in their own way. While I haven’t read any of Moore’s books, but reading this little book, made me want to discover more about them.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Accent Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
October 1, 2018
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC an exchange for an honest review
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is a enjoyable spooky quick read.
The Strange Casebook is six short stories, well written and crafted. These short stories are perfect for readers getting into the spooky mood for Halloween. My favorite story of this collection had to be "Snowy" not because it was scary per say, but because of the meaning and ending to it. My 4 star review comes from not particularly enjoying all six stories. Some of the stories were a bit weird to me.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys spooky reads!
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is a enjoyable spooky quick read.
The Strange Casebook is six short stories, well written and crafted. These short stories are perfect for readers getting into the spooky mood for Halloween. My favorite story of this collection had to be "Snowy" not because it was scary per say, but because of the meaning and ending to it. My 4 star review comes from not particularly enjoying all six stories. Some of the stories were a bit weird to me.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys spooky reads!
September 14, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A collection of short, spooky stories, The Strange Casebook is filled with the perfect reads for Halloween! Carefully selected, this are fascinating stories, surrounded by an air of mystery and danger lurking in dark corners.
All stories are carefully constructed and very well written, with interesting twists and turns. Their length is ideal, preventing the reader from getting bored, while in the same time leaving them asking for more details.
This is an enjoyable, quick read, that combines mystery with spookiness in a very successful blend. Ideal for lovers of strange stories and horror, The Strange Casebook is definitely recommended to all readers that can handle a little darkness in their books!
A collection of short, spooky stories, The Strange Casebook is filled with the perfect reads for Halloween! Carefully selected, this are fascinating stories, surrounded by an air of mystery and danger lurking in dark corners.
All stories are carefully constructed and very well written, with interesting twists and turns. Their length is ideal, preventing the reader from getting bored, while in the same time leaving them asking for more details.
This is an enjoyable, quick read, that combines mystery with spookiness in a very successful blend. Ideal for lovers of strange stories and horror, The Strange Casebook is definitely recommended to all readers that can handle a little darkness in their books!
October 6, 2018
Full review is available from 17th October on my blog! (http://swiftcoffee.blog/2018/10/17/th...)
This was a nice spooky read indeed. It definitely matched the autumn atmosphere and my spooky mood. I couldn't forget myself into it as much as I expected, though.
First of all, I have to state, that this is a very eloquently written book (all stories included), and I loved it! I loved the author's style, and that's why I would be up to reading anything else written by her anytime! I could feel the difference between the characters throughout her writing, it really felt like reading different narrators.
As for the stories, there were very good and average ones as well. At least for me. There were some very weird ones, ones that I didn't really see the point of or I got bored by getting halfway through. On the other hand, I found some very great short stories as well, ones that had a meaning beyond being spooky just for the purpose of being spooky, and ones that really gave off a 'scary-tale-by-the-firelight' vibe.
As a summary, I would say that if you want a fast autumn-mood read, this book is for you!
This was a nice spooky read indeed. It definitely matched the autumn atmosphere and my spooky mood. I couldn't forget myself into it as much as I expected, though.
First of all, I have to state, that this is a very eloquently written book (all stories included), and I loved it! I loved the author's style, and that's why I would be up to reading anything else written by her anytime! I could feel the difference between the characters throughout her writing, it really felt like reading different narrators.
As for the stories, there were very good and average ones as well. At least for me. There were some very weird ones, ones that I didn't really see the point of or I got bored by getting halfway through. On the other hand, I found some very great short stories as well, ones that had a meaning beyond being spooky just for the purpose of being spooky, and ones that really gave off a 'scary-tale-by-the-firelight' vibe.
As a summary, I would say that if you want a fast autumn-mood read, this book is for you!
November 6, 2023
I found this collection of short stories to be nothing like the books in this series. Ugh. Not enjoyable to me. And I read this late at night. I hope for no nightmares as I try to sleep...
October 6, 2018
I'm grateful to the publisher for an advance copy of The Strange Casebook via NetGalley.
These are short stories which mostly, though not all, take place in the world of Moore's Essex Witches novels - supernatural thrillers focussed on Rosie Strange and her family's museum in the village of Adder's Fork, Essex.
If you've read and enjoyed those books you'll have the chance to spot how the stories fit in to that world - either featuring moonier characters, member of Rosie's family, forming testimony given to the Museum or just appearing in Adder's Fork itself.
Death is a common theme here.
Death Becomes Her focuses on a policewoman we have seen before, and perhaps explains a bit about her.
Snowy is a gentle hymn to death and loss and perhaps - perhaps - to consolations beyond.
Madness in A Coruña is probably the longest story in the book, and is an effective and creepy ghost story, perhaps with an MR Jamesian bent. An unwary traveller to the Spanish city (yes, the same as in the poem by Charles Wolfe) discovers mysteries there. The city seems to be guarded against something. But is it guarded well enough? As this story came to a climax I found myself sitting forward and gripping my Kindle so tense did it get.
She Saw Three Ships is a delight, a whole story featuring Ethel-Rose and taking place in that most ghost haunted, uncanny of English counties, Cornwall. What happens when the locals make you unwelcome on the eve of a creepy local festival? Well, you dig in and see what peahens, obviously. This slice of folk hour is calculated to raise a shiver as Hallowe'en approaches.
Jocelyn's Story and The House on Savage Lane, are a different kind of story, the sort where the revelation of what is really going on is what drives the horror (even if you'd begun to guess as I did for the second, not the first) so I won't say much about them. I did, though, find Jocelyn's Story to be genuinely strange and unsettling, a different sort of horror. The House on Savage Lane was a bit more conventional but still had a couple of effective twists.
So, great stories - whether read while you wait impatiently while you wait for Strange Tombs, or if you just want something a bit creepy for the lengthening evenings.
These are short stories which mostly, though not all, take place in the world of Moore's Essex Witches novels - supernatural thrillers focussed on Rosie Strange and her family's museum in the village of Adder's Fork, Essex.
If you've read and enjoyed those books you'll have the chance to spot how the stories fit in to that world - either featuring moonier characters, member of Rosie's family, forming testimony given to the Museum or just appearing in Adder's Fork itself.
Death is a common theme here.
Death Becomes Her focuses on a policewoman we have seen before, and perhaps explains a bit about her.
Snowy is a gentle hymn to death and loss and perhaps - perhaps - to consolations beyond.
Madness in A Coruña is probably the longest story in the book, and is an effective and creepy ghost story, perhaps with an MR Jamesian bent. An unwary traveller to the Spanish city (yes, the same as in the poem by Charles Wolfe) discovers mysteries there. The city seems to be guarded against something. But is it guarded well enough? As this story came to a climax I found myself sitting forward and gripping my Kindle so tense did it get.
She Saw Three Ships is a delight, a whole story featuring Ethel-Rose and taking place in that most ghost haunted, uncanny of English counties, Cornwall. What happens when the locals make you unwelcome on the eve of a creepy local festival? Well, you dig in and see what peahens, obviously. This slice of folk hour is calculated to raise a shiver as Hallowe'en approaches.
Jocelyn's Story and The House on Savage Lane, are a different kind of story, the sort where the revelation of what is really going on is what drives the horror (even if you'd begun to guess as I did for the second, not the first) so I won't say much about them. I did, though, find Jocelyn's Story to be genuinely strange and unsettling, a different sort of horror. The House on Savage Lane was a bit more conventional but still had a couple of effective twists.
So, great stories - whether read while you wait impatiently while you wait for Strange Tombs, or if you just want something a bit creepy for the lengthening evenings.
April 2, 2020
Review taken from The Pewter Wolf, which will be going live in early/mid April 2020
***eProof given by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I listened to audiobook via Scribd***
I had such high hopes for this series. It sounded right up my street: a crime mystery with paranormal elements. What more can I ask for? So when I saw this collection of short stories set in this world was on available on NetGalley, I went straight for it. Perfect way to get into the world, I thought. ... well...
This is a collection of six short stories, each with their own twist in the tale. And while these, I believe will be great little extras for fans of the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series, not sure this was the greatest entrance for me. With each story, I kept going "How? How does this relate to the rest of the series?"
Basically, I was this gif every time a short story ended:
I think most fans of this series will like this collection (though I would recommend fans to buy The Twelve Strange Days of Christmas as this contains all six short stories in this collection and six new short stories), but for me... these stories didn't really leave an impression on me and, because of that, I'm a little more wary to try this series, starting with Strange Magic.
***eProof given by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I listened to audiobook via Scribd***
I had such high hopes for this series. It sounded right up my street: a crime mystery with paranormal elements. What more can I ask for? So when I saw this collection of short stories set in this world was on available on NetGalley, I went straight for it. Perfect way to get into the world, I thought. ... well...
This is a collection of six short stories, each with their own twist in the tale. And while these, I believe will be great little extras for fans of the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series, not sure this was the greatest entrance for me. With each story, I kept going "How? How does this relate to the rest of the series?"
Basically, I was this gif every time a short story ended:
I think most fans of this series will like this collection (though I would recommend fans to buy The Twelve Strange Days of Christmas as this contains all six short stories in this collection and six new short stories), but for me... these stories didn't really leave an impression on me and, because of that, I'm a little more wary to try this series, starting with Strange Magic.
October 30, 2018
**I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.**
Syd Moore's The Strange Casebook is a quick read to get you in the mood for Halloween! This collection of six short stories is fun and spooky; it also stands alone so that if you haven't read the other Strange novels, you won't lose out here.
Opinions differ on which stories in the collection are the "best." This of course depends on your preferences as a reader. If you like a longer, fully detailed story, reminiscent of a Victorian ghost or horror story, then you might enjoy "Madness in A Coruna" and "The House on Savage Lane" most, while "Snowy" might appeal to readers who like quicker, more modern-sounding reads. While I enjoy both styles, my personal favorite from the collection is "Snowy": it's a lovely take on the old cat lady stereotype and also has a bittersweet ending. I wasn't particularly enthralled with "Jocelyn's Story" simply because the narrative voice seemed forced, whereas characters' registers in other stories, like "Madness," felt more natural to the characters and stories.
"She Saw Three Ships" is a Strange story, and this is one I really liked. For me, the title is a tongue-twister, while the story itself is a nice twist on the figure of the wrecker. Plus, the setting made me want to read a Daphne du Maurier! I also enjoyed "Madness in A Coruna" which had a light Lovecraftian undertone. The title "Death Becomes Her" is a nice play on the plot of the story, although I did predict the ending fairly quickly, and thought the story was a bit abrupt.
Unfortunately, there were a lot of typological and formatting errors, but that might be because I read the Kindle version. These did impact the readability of the stories for me, since the sporadic comma usage broke up the narrative when it shouldn't have. However, the editing isn't bad enough that you won't enjoy this collection!
Syd Moore's The Strange Casebook is a quick read to get you in the mood for Halloween! This collection of six short stories is fun and spooky; it also stands alone so that if you haven't read the other Strange novels, you won't lose out here.
Opinions differ on which stories in the collection are the "best." This of course depends on your preferences as a reader. If you like a longer, fully detailed story, reminiscent of a Victorian ghost or horror story, then you might enjoy "Madness in A Coruna" and "The House on Savage Lane" most, while "Snowy" might appeal to readers who like quicker, more modern-sounding reads. While I enjoy both styles, my personal favorite from the collection is "Snowy": it's a lovely take on the old cat lady stereotype and also has a bittersweet ending. I wasn't particularly enthralled with "Jocelyn's Story" simply because the narrative voice seemed forced, whereas characters' registers in other stories, like "Madness," felt more natural to the characters and stories.
"She Saw Three Ships" is a Strange story, and this is one I really liked. For me, the title is a tongue-twister, while the story itself is a nice twist on the figure of the wrecker. Plus, the setting made me want to read a Daphne du Maurier! I also enjoyed "Madness in A Coruna" which had a light Lovecraftian undertone. The title "Death Becomes Her" is a nice play on the plot of the story, although I did predict the ending fairly quickly, and thought the story was a bit abrupt.
Unfortunately, there were a lot of typological and formatting errors, but that might be because I read the Kindle version. These did impact the readability of the stories for me, since the sporadic comma usage broke up the narrative when it shouldn't have. However, the editing isn't bad enough that you won't enjoy this collection!
November 2, 2018
Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed Syd Moore's wonderfully creepy supernatural thriller Witch Hunt I decided that I would spend the evening of Halloween in the good company of the author's collection of six short stories that she has written as part of the Essex Witch Museum series. As the light faded and dark descended and with parties of children and adults in costumes parading excitedly in the streets outside I settled down expectantly. It took only about three hours to complete and at the end I felt suitably entertained having experienced several spine chilling moments. The stories are different in length and content and have a good mixture of the supernatural and horror.
There are three stories I particularly enjoyed which were firstly Madness in A Coruña this being the longest story in the book. The narrator is reminiscent of a MR James character being the academic who despite warnings from the locals will not leave well alone. Here a local legend begins to look something much more. A warning to the curious indeed.
Secondly I really liked Three Ships which is more in keeping with a traditional English ghost story and set during Michaelmas eve where Ethel-Rose Strange makes the mistake of arriving early at the remote Lilia Cottage in Cornwall and despite the opposition of the again all knowing locals decides to stay there overnight when no one ever stays there on this particular date each year. The other favourite was The House of Savage Lane which has an end you will not forget in a hurry.
So if you have a spare evening and like experiencing a few chills down your spine then I would recommend this collection.
There are three stories I particularly enjoyed which were firstly Madness in A Coruña this being the longest story in the book. The narrator is reminiscent of a MR James character being the academic who despite warnings from the locals will not leave well alone. Here a local legend begins to look something much more. A warning to the curious indeed.
Secondly I really liked Three Ships which is more in keeping with a traditional English ghost story and set during Michaelmas eve where Ethel-Rose Strange makes the mistake of arriving early at the remote Lilia Cottage in Cornwall and despite the opposition of the again all knowing locals decides to stay there overnight when no one ever stays there on this particular date each year. The other favourite was The House of Savage Lane which has an end you will not forget in a hurry.
So if you have a spare evening and like experiencing a few chills down your spine then I would recommend this collection.
October 29, 2018
A spooky collection of 6 short stories each with different dark and paranormal aspects and characters with thier own eerie atmosphere.
Having not read any of the Essex Museum series by Syd Moore I was worried I would not follow along. These were easy to read regardless and having done so I'll be seeking out his other works and reading.
The imagery in each story transports the reader into the dark setting and certainly while reading every creak and groan and flicker of light had me freaked out and constantly alert.
The collection is well written with unique and interesting paranormal characters each with great spooky characteristics.
The House on Savage Lane gave me that traditional horror feel the classic horror tale with an eerily creepy atmosphere with a dark undertone to the things that go bump in the night.
As death reigns the centralised theme the stories are peculiar and wonderfully wicked each with thier own take on the horror story concept.
I really enjoyed the entirety of this collection and with Halloween impending it's the perfect book to settle in with when the thinning of the veil comences.
Thanks to Netgalley and One World publishing and Syd Moore for an ARC to review with an honest opinion.
Having not read any of the Essex Museum series by Syd Moore I was worried I would not follow along. These were easy to read regardless and having done so I'll be seeking out his other works and reading.
The imagery in each story transports the reader into the dark setting and certainly while reading every creak and groan and flicker of light had me freaked out and constantly alert.
The collection is well written with unique and interesting paranormal characters each with great spooky characteristics.
The House on Savage Lane gave me that traditional horror feel the classic horror tale with an eerily creepy atmosphere with a dark undertone to the things that go bump in the night.
As death reigns the centralised theme the stories are peculiar and wonderfully wicked each with thier own take on the horror story concept.
I really enjoyed the entirety of this collection and with Halloween impending it's the perfect book to settle in with when the thinning of the veil comences.
Thanks to Netgalley and One World publishing and Syd Moore for an ARC to review with an honest opinion.
October 14, 2018
The Strange Casebook is an enjoyable collection of six paranormal and fantastical short stories, with the stories all short enough to read one in a sitting quite easily.
This is from the same world as the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series, none of which I've read, but I could still like the short stories, although I'm sure I will have missed the background of the characters in the stories, so if you have read the series, I'm sure you'll really get a kick out of them.
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is due to be published on 31st October, which is very appropriate, as these are quite spooky! Here's the pre-order link from Amazon!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications (the publishers) for this book.
This is from the same world as the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series, none of which I've read, but I could still like the short stories, although I'm sure I will have missed the background of the characters in the stories, so if you have read the series, I'm sure you'll really get a kick out of them.
The Strange Casebook by Syd Moore is due to be published on 31st October, which is very appropriate, as these are quite spooky! Here's the pre-order link from Amazon!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications (the publishers) for this book.
October 23, 2018
Looking for another Halloween read for the month, I picked this up not realising it was connected to an established series by the same author – it didn’t matter one bit. Six standalone short stories are featured in this collection and they were firing on all cylinders, which I’ve found is rare in most short story collections. With memorable characters in each tale, every story takes a different approach to the paranormal and peculiar so it never feels repetitive.
Standouts were the sublime Snowy which was unexpectedly moving, and The House on Savage Lane for having a rather classical horror story feel, and giving me a dark chuckle.
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publishers
Standouts were the sublime Snowy which was unexpectedly moving, and The House on Savage Lane for having a rather classical horror story feel, and giving me a dark chuckle.
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publishers
November 7, 2018
The Strange Casebook is a collection of six unsettling tales narrated by characters connected with The Essex Witch Museum series. I haven’t read those books (yet) but these can easily be enjoyed as stand-alone stories perfect for a dark night.
The individual tales are varied but all carry a feeling of malice or foreboding. They are all well written but I particularly enjoyed ‘Death Becomes Her’ and ‘The House on Savage Lane’. These would both be great little reads on Halloween and the latter would make for a suitably spooky episode of ‘Inside Number 9’!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The individual tales are varied but all carry a feeling of malice or foreboding. They are all well written but I particularly enjoyed ‘Death Becomes Her’ and ‘The House on Savage Lane’. These would both be great little reads on Halloween and the latter would make for a suitably spooky episode of ‘Inside Number 9’!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 13, 2018
I did not realise that this book collection was linked to another series, but this did not stop my enjoyment of the short stories.
There are 6 spooky short stories that are very different to each other. The policewoman who can see death, the Professor who goes to Coruna on holiday, a twist on the cat woman, the scary ghost story set in Cornwall that was terrifying, Jocelyn the 40s bomb shell, and the creepy horror when a good woman meets a deplorable man.
The stories are creepy and the book itself is a quick read. Pull up the chair, pull down your blinds and enjoy some good old fashioned ghost stories.
There are 6 spooky short stories that are very different to each other. The policewoman who can see death, the Professor who goes to Coruna on holiday, a twist on the cat woman, the scary ghost story set in Cornwall that was terrifying, Jocelyn the 40s bomb shell, and the creepy horror when a good woman meets a deplorable man.
The stories are creepy and the book itself is a quick read. Pull up the chair, pull down your blinds and enjoy some good old fashioned ghost stories.
October 31, 2018
My thanks to OneWorld Publishers for an ARC via NetGalley of this fun and spooky collection of short stories.
I am not particularly a reader of short stories, preferring novels where characters and plot are developed at a more leisurely pace. Yet I enjoyed these and they made me more determined to read the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series as soon as possible.
I was a bit concerned in advance that not having read any of the other novels that I might feel lost but the collection worked fine and provided a taster of Syd Moore’s style.
A perfect treat for Halloween!
I am not particularly a reader of short stories, preferring novels where characters and plot are developed at a more leisurely pace. Yet I enjoyed these and they made me more determined to read the Essex Witch Museum Mystery series as soon as possible.
I was a bit concerned in advance that not having read any of the other novels that I might feel lost but the collection worked fine and provided a taster of Syd Moore’s style.
A perfect treat for Halloween!
November 4, 2018
Having read the first book of the series, I was interested in seeing what these short stories held. I seem to be in the minority but I was rather disappointed. The best story was 'She Saw Three Ships'; a great story about wreckers (people who would lure ships onto rocks, murder the crew, and then plunder the cargo) which had shades of Jamaica Inn. The rest were so-so.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Oneworld Publications, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Oneworld Publications, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
November 24, 2018
I was really excited for this one as I really liked the first book in this series and Syd Moore's writting style. Out of all the short strories in this book i really enjoyed the longer ones. It gave more time to set the scene and made the ending more impactful. Unfortunately a few of them were a little obvious for me which didn't allow me to enjoy the full reading experience but that's mostly on me I think. Over all a fun read for the spooky season!
October 31, 2018
Excellent collection of short stories
Another wonderful book by Syd Moore. A collection of gory, spooky stories, some with a wonderful twist and all with the touch of paranormal that you've come to expect from this author. I read the whole thing in a few hours - I just couldn't put it down! I'm already excited for the next instalment of the Strange series!
Another wonderful book by Syd Moore. A collection of gory, spooky stories, some with a wonderful twist and all with the touch of paranormal that you've come to expect from this author. I read the whole thing in a few hours - I just couldn't put it down! I'm already excited for the next instalment of the Strange series!
October 31, 2018
Worth waiting up until midnight to download this gem onto my Kindle! 6 spooky short stories not only for the fans of Syd Moore's Essex Witch Museum Mysteries, but for everyone who wants to read something good at Halloween and beyond. Chilling and moving at the same time, written in Syd's usual flowing and engrossing style, you'll get to the last page and hope for more! Happy Halloween!
December 31, 2018
This was an amazing collection of spooky and dark short stories. I love the themes behind each one! These would make a great fall re-read every year. When I was approved for this title, I had no idea that this was part of a series. This book could be a stand alone. You don't have to read the others in the series to understand what is happening in this one.
January 31, 2019
It was ok. I love the other novels in this series and whilst it was comfort to have these short stories they were a little lackluster for me..
But I would highly recommend the other books in this series
But I would highly recommend the other books in this series
September 6, 2021
This was so much better than I expected it to me. MORE PLEASE? What an excellent little collection. I love the mixture of new and old characters, of real horrors and awful ones.
Just stunning and I really wish more people would read this series.
Just stunning and I really wish more people would read this series.
December 28, 2021
Lyxigt läskiga noveller med karaktärer ur Rosie Strange-serien, fristående men får absolut ett annat djup när man läst böckerna. Präglas av mindre humor än romanerna, men visst glimrar den till ibland.
November 1, 2018
Something to what the appitite
Another collection of classic tales from the formidable Syd Moore, something to chill the bones as the cold winter nights draw in.
Another collection of classic tales from the formidable Syd Moore, something to chill the bones as the cold winter nights draw in.
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