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Shadow on the Stairs: Urban Mysteries and Horror Stories
Dr. Atwell knows. He knows how everyone will die, even the ones he won't kill himself. He also knows about all your clones. You didn't really think you were the original, did you? He's even traveled back in time to bring his daughter back from the dead. SHADOW ON THE STAIRS is a collection of short thriller, horror, mystery, and suspense stories. Each bite-sized page turner is a quick, exciting read, made more so by Dr. Atwell's elaborate narrative subtly woven between the stories. Supernatural and paranormal encounters. Deranged murders and master assassins. Mad experiments and profane rites... Delve into these mysteries and join the hunt to discover the truth. "This book is filled with quick and easy-to-read horror stories that pack a punch."
★★★★★ Review
"Blair has the incredible ability to weave the most mundane passing thoughts into creepy nightmares. She does this without evocative shock and gore and instead builds imagery and cadence that lead you there. She manages to build a world of existential dread that is not too unlike our own and doesn't waste time."
★★★★★ Review
"I devoured it in a day and a half. Blair's writing is in that perfect Goldilocks zone where it's accessible and easy to read but not dumbed-down or too simple. I got chills more than once reading this!"
★★★★★ Review
Exquisite original illustrations from the author make this collection truly unique.
We're passionate about publishing horror stories for adults, scary books for teens, and all sorts of dark fiction. We've got new horror kindle books every month, specializing in supernatural stories, supernatural book collections, and paranormal books for adults. We've got zombie books, demonic horror, ghosts and specters, angels and demons, gothic novels, and haunted houses and ghosts novels. We promise some of the top horror books 2018.
★★★★★ Review
"Blair has the incredible ability to weave the most mundane passing thoughts into creepy nightmares. She does this without evocative shock and gore and instead builds imagery and cadence that lead you there. She manages to build a world of existential dread that is not too unlike our own and doesn't waste time."
★★★★★ Review
"I devoured it in a day and a half. Blair's writing is in that perfect Goldilocks zone where it's accessible and easy to read but not dumbed-down or too simple. I got chills more than once reading this!"
★★★★★ Review
Exquisite original illustrations from the author make this collection truly unique.
We're passionate about publishing horror stories for adults, scary books for teens, and all sorts of dark fiction. We've got new horror kindle books every month, specializing in supernatural stories, supernatural book collections, and paranormal books for adults. We've got zombie books, demonic horror, ghosts and specters, angels and demons, gothic novels, and haunted houses and ghosts novels. We promise some of the top horror books 2018.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2018
464 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 18, 2025
Almost but, not quite!
This was a collection of bite sized horror stories, some good, some poor and others that just seemed, well unfinished.
The writing was okay but, nothing outstanding and the atmosphere, rather bland. That said, the book did hold my attention through to the very end
It was a difficult book to sum up accurately/fairly. There was no unnecessary blood and gore and most of the stories could be described as "interesting" but, something was missing.
This was a collection of bite sized horror stories, some good, some poor and others that just seemed, well unfinished.
The writing was okay but, nothing outstanding and the atmosphere, rather bland. That said, the book did hold my attention through to the very end
It was a difficult book to sum up accurately/fairly. There was no unnecessary blood and gore and most of the stories could be described as "interesting" but, something was missing.
July 17, 2025
Lol I started this book and then forgot about it until this last weekend 😂 it was pretty spooky!!
October 5, 2020
I originally came across Daniels's work several years ago on the r/nosleep Reddit forums, and liked whatever story I had found enough to add the paperback edition of this short story collection to my Amazon wishlist. Now, two years later, I've finally set down to read it--and oh, boy. This is objectively bad. It really pains me to write that about a small-time creator, but there is almost nothing positive that I can say about this entire collection, even after reading all 311 pages and 61 stories.
Each short story only averages about three pages, and the miniscule length barely gives the reader time to grasp what's happening, let alone feel any kind of emotional attachment when the "twist" inevitably pops up in the last line or two of each chapter. Most of the stories are either too cheesy to take seriously, too uninteresting to care about, or too baffling to even understand. Several genuinely felt unfinished, as though Daniels sat down at her computer with an idea but never wrote past the first few paragraphs, and there were a handful of stories that had almost identical setups and payoffs, leading to a strange sense of deja vu every time the "big reveal" involved . Unfortunately, this incomprehensible mixture of repeated plots, overused premises (looking at you, the-call-was-coming-from-inside-the-house, creepy-ax-wielding-guy-in-the-woods, and there's-someone-looking-back-at-you-through-the-door-peephole), and half-finished stories cheapens the few decent ideas that did seem to make it into the book, but even those are still full of issues.
The stories that do have some kind of narrative are riddled with leaps in logic (I lost count of how many times a character ran screaming from something completely mundane in order to "build tension" quickly), absurd dialogue and narration ("Yeah, we're not like other girls. We listen to ACDC, Kansas, and Styx, not prissy little pop stars like Taylor Swift" [175] has to be a joke, because if it's not I might have to retract any good thing I say about this book on principle), unresearched elements that pull you out of the narrative entirely (the entire premise of "I Answered A Payphone" hinges on a world where *69 apparently didn't exist in the 2000s), and--worst of all--completely preventable formatting and grammatical mistakes. For every story that I didn't find honestly god-awful, there were five that I did... and two more that were completely nonsensical. And, if I ever have to read an italicized Thump! again in my life, I think I might just die.
The worst offenders were the "connected" stories about , all of which were terrible on their own and worse when strung together. The through-line of the book was so poorly constructed that I had to reread "The Visit to Dr. Atwell" twice just to pick up on all the thrown-together elements from the rest of the collection. Nothing made even the slightest bit of sense () and I honestly believe that a majority of the collection was written without an overarching narrative in mind, with the final two stories written (and a few minor edits to others made) at the last moment as some kind of hook to drum up book sales.
I could go on, but that seems unfair at this point--this is a terrible collection of stories and I absolutely do not recommend it. If you do plan to pick it up, however, don't waste your time reading most of what's included. The best of the bunch (although keep in mind how low the bar for "best" is at this point) are: "The Hitman With A Heart" (not horror), "I Fell Asleep On The Subway" (not horror), "The Cornfield" (not horror), "Shadow On The Stairs" (horror), "The Baby Kicked" (horror; the best story of the whole collection), "My Library Has A Secret Basement" (horror), and "My Bath Was Not Relaxing" (horror). I am being generous, here--if I ever decided to re-read this book, I might shorten that list even further. The fact that only seven out of sixty-one stories in this entire collection are even worth the time it takes to read them speaks for itself.
2/5 for being awful but not "problematic".
Each short story only averages about three pages, and the miniscule length barely gives the reader time to grasp what's happening, let alone feel any kind of emotional attachment when the "twist" inevitably pops up in the last line or two of each chapter. Most of the stories are either too cheesy to take seriously, too uninteresting to care about, or too baffling to even understand. Several genuinely felt unfinished, as though Daniels sat down at her computer with an idea but never wrote past the first few paragraphs, and there were a handful of stories that had almost identical setups and payoffs, leading to a strange sense of deja vu every time the "big reveal" involved . Unfortunately, this incomprehensible mixture of repeated plots, overused premises (looking at you, the-call-was-coming-from-inside-the-house, creepy-ax-wielding-guy-in-the-woods, and there's-someone-looking-back-at-you-through-the-door-peephole), and half-finished stories cheapens the few decent ideas that did seem to make it into the book, but even those are still full of issues.
The stories that do have some kind of narrative are riddled with leaps in logic (I lost count of how many times a character ran screaming from something completely mundane in order to "build tension" quickly), absurd dialogue and narration ("Yeah, we're not like other girls. We listen to ACDC, Kansas, and Styx, not prissy little pop stars like Taylor Swift" [175] has to be a joke, because if it's not I might have to retract any good thing I say about this book on principle), unresearched elements that pull you out of the narrative entirely (the entire premise of "I Answered A Payphone" hinges on a world where *69 apparently didn't exist in the 2000s), and--worst of all--completely preventable formatting and grammatical mistakes. For every story that I didn't find honestly god-awful, there were five that I did... and two more that were completely nonsensical. And, if I ever have to read an italicized Thump! again in my life, I think I might just die.
The worst offenders were the "connected" stories about , all of which were terrible on their own and worse when strung together. The through-line of the book was so poorly constructed that I had to reread "The Visit to Dr. Atwell" twice just to pick up on all the thrown-together elements from the rest of the collection. Nothing made even the slightest bit of sense () and I honestly believe that a majority of the collection was written without an overarching narrative in mind, with the final two stories written (and a few minor edits to others made) at the last moment as some kind of hook to drum up book sales.
I could go on, but that seems unfair at this point--this is a terrible collection of stories and I absolutely do not recommend it. If you do plan to pick it up, however, don't waste your time reading most of what's included. The best of the bunch (although keep in mind how low the bar for "best" is at this point) are: "The Hitman With A Heart" (not horror), "I Fell Asleep On The Subway" (not horror), "The Cornfield" (not horror), "Shadow On The Stairs" (horror), "The Baby Kicked" (horror; the best story of the whole collection), "My Library Has A Secret Basement" (horror), and "My Bath Was Not Relaxing" (horror). I am being generous, here--if I ever decided to re-read this book, I might shorten that list even further. The fact that only seven out of sixty-one stories in this entire collection are even worth the time it takes to read them speaks for itself.
2/5 for being awful but not "problematic".
September 18, 2025
Started and finished date - 13.09.25 to 16.09.25.
My rating - Three Stars.
The book was okay book, and I like some of stories also I think people who like don't scream by Blair Daniels or behind you by Joe Hill may like is book. The cover of book was creepy and stunning. The writing was okay but not great and the writing was easy also the ending of book was fine. The atmosphere in most of stories was fine but bit bland. The paced in most of stories was well structured and steady paced but some other stories felt rush. The characters were okay, but they was little bit dull and forgettable.
My rating - Three Stars.
The book was okay book, and I like some of stories also I think people who like don't scream by Blair Daniels or behind you by Joe Hill may like is book. The cover of book was creepy and stunning. The writing was okay but not great and the writing was easy also the ending of book was fine. The atmosphere in most of stories was fine but bit bland. The paced in most of stories was well structured and steady paced but some other stories felt rush. The characters were okay, but they was little bit dull and forgettable.
August 28, 2025
This collection was overall enjoyable. About half and half of decent stories varying to stand out ones. I love Blair's creativity and have enjoyed all of her collections I've read so far. I tend to favor her longer stories over these micro ones but that's a me problem.
August 18, 2018
What I really, really liked about this book is how the author slowly leads us into a world of darkness through creepy imagery and her powerful prose.
This is a book for those who want their chills come from intelligent foreshadowing and not unnecessary shock or gore. As in any anthology, some stories are better than others, but all in all, this is a fantastic read.
I got this book for free, and this is my honest and voluntary review
This is a book for those who want their chills come from intelligent foreshadowing and not unnecessary shock or gore. As in any anthology, some stories are better than others, but all in all, this is a fantastic read.
I got this book for free, and this is my honest and voluntary review
August 16, 2018
Enjoyed this book a lot. Some of the stories at first glance don't seem connected but in the end it made sense all together.
December 8, 2018
Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].
Shadow on the Stairs’ by Blair Daniels
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Finished on November 26, 2018
Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $3.99 in Paperback | $13.99 in Paperback | $17.49 on Audiobook
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Atwell knows. He knows how everyone will die, even the ones he won't kill himself.
He also knows about all your clones. You didn't really think you were the original, did you?
He's even traveled back in time to bring his daughter back from the dead.
SHADOW ON THE STAIRS is a collection of short thriller, horror, mystery, and suspense stories. Each bite-sized page turner is a quick, exciting read, made more so by Dr. Atwell's elaborate narrative subtly woven between the stories.
Supernatural and paranormal encounters. Deranged murders and master assassins. Mad experiments and profane rites... Delve into these mysteries and join the hunt to discover the truth.
MY REVIEW:
Blair Daniels is one of my favorite NoSleep authors, so I knew I would love this collection. Her writing never disappoints.
I loved how these stories are weaved together with the larger Dr. Atwell narrative. I love a good short story collection, but linking them together with a higher narrative makes the collection almost feel like a novel. It’s an interesting and entertaining take.
Daniels’ brand of horror is my favorite sort. She doesn’t rely on shock value or gore for the scare. Instead, she takes regular, everyday situations and spins them into something deeply terrifying.
These stories are easy and fun to read. They’ll keep you gripping your Kindle (or however you read) with white knuckles right up until the surprising end.
Shadow on the Stairs’ by Blair Daniels
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Finished on November 26, 2018
Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $3.99 in Paperback | $13.99 in Paperback | $17.49 on Audiobook
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Atwell knows. He knows how everyone will die, even the ones he won't kill himself.
He also knows about all your clones. You didn't really think you were the original, did you?
He's even traveled back in time to bring his daughter back from the dead.
SHADOW ON THE STAIRS is a collection of short thriller, horror, mystery, and suspense stories. Each bite-sized page turner is a quick, exciting read, made more so by Dr. Atwell's elaborate narrative subtly woven between the stories.
Supernatural and paranormal encounters. Deranged murders and master assassins. Mad experiments and profane rites... Delve into these mysteries and join the hunt to discover the truth.
MY REVIEW:
Blair Daniels is one of my favorite NoSleep authors, so I knew I would love this collection. Her writing never disappoints.
I loved how these stories are weaved together with the larger Dr. Atwell narrative. I love a good short story collection, but linking them together with a higher narrative makes the collection almost feel like a novel. It’s an interesting and entertaining take.
Daniels’ brand of horror is my favorite sort. She doesn’t rely on shock value or gore for the scare. Instead, she takes regular, everyday situations and spins them into something deeply terrifying.
These stories are easy and fun to read. They’ll keep you gripping your Kindle (or however you read) with white knuckles right up until the surprising end.
January 10, 2019
I really liked this book, most especially the Shadow on the stairs story, I couldn't wait to get to that one.
The cover of the book kind of freaked me out at night, each time I went to my iBook, I always closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to look at the cover lol. I also liked the fact that in the mist of random stories some of the stories within were connected, and it made it all the more interesting.
The cover of the book kind of freaked me out at night, each time I went to my iBook, I always closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to look at the cover lol. I also liked the fact that in the mist of random stories some of the stories within were connected, and it made it all the more interesting.
January 26, 2021
Let's say 2.5 stars.
A pity, really: the collection strings together ideas ranging from decent to good, but all suspense and enjoyment are sucked out of each individual story by glaring incongruities, which poor (or nonexistent) editing has failed to smoothe out. All too soon, frustration takes over interest, leaving the best concepts and the most solid narrative choices (e.g., the ironic/humorous undercurrent that runs through the Switchblade saga) dismally underappreciated.
A pity, really: the collection strings together ideas ranging from decent to good, but all suspense and enjoyment are sucked out of each individual story by glaring incongruities, which poor (or nonexistent) editing has failed to smoothe out. All too soon, frustration takes over interest, leaving the best concepts and the most solid narrative choices (e.g., the ironic/humorous undercurrent that runs through the Switchblade saga) dismally underappreciated.
June 27, 2021
The author sets the dark mood softly, gently - then ramps it up so subtly you are unaware when you reach the end of the story, and are thoroughly scared s********s!
If "in your face" horror is not your cuppa bilge water - this is your read.
By the end of my sojourn with the authors tales I was quaking so bad due to his command of horror I will refuse to read any more (until I forget my first meeting that is!)
If "in your face" horror is not your cuppa bilge water - this is your read.
By the end of my sojourn with the authors tales I was quaking so bad due to his command of horror I will refuse to read any more (until I forget my first meeting that is!)
July 2, 2025
The first
This was the first book of Blair Daniels that I have read. I absolutely loved it!! I wasn't even half my through the book and I ordered 3 more of them! I have to say that it was one of the best horror stories that I have read. I have ordered and read a lot of horror books in my time as this is my favorite genre. I can tell you now that I will be reading more from Blair Daniels. Five stars!
This was the first book of Blair Daniels that I have read. I absolutely loved it!! I wasn't even half my through the book and I ordered 3 more of them! I have to say that it was one of the best horror stories that I have read. I have ordered and read a lot of horror books in my time as this is my favorite genre. I can tell you now that I will be reading more from Blair Daniels. Five stars!
September 17, 2018
Awesome Read
I usually don't read short stories because I like to be immersed in a book. But I am so glad I took a chance on this collection. This author has a brilliant mind and every story was connected but definitely unique in its own right. Please do not hesitate to read this book!!!!!!
I usually don't read short stories because I like to be immersed in a book. But I am so glad I took a chance on this collection. This author has a brilliant mind and every story was connected but definitely unique in its own right. Please do not hesitate to read this book!!!!!!
December 11, 2018
A qualidade das histórias variou bastante, mas, em geral, senti que muitas poderiam ter sido melhor desenvolvidas. Fiquei com a impressão de que algumas simplesmente acabavam de repente. Algumas histórias têm uma ligação, e se passam no mesmo universo, ponto positivo para isso. No geral, gostei das seguintes histórias: The Streetlamp, The Mural in the Nursery, My Library has a Secret Basement.
July 7, 2020
Good not great
If you read to the very end most of the random stories come together which i liked. Some of the short atories were good. Some were ok. Some made me roll my eyes. This is a good book to read when you cant find a new series or author to get into quite yet and you med to kill time.
If you read to the very end most of the random stories come together which i liked. Some of the short atories were good. Some were ok. Some made me roll my eyes. This is a good book to read when you cant find a new series or author to get into quite yet and you med to kill time.
September 10, 2021
What I liked about this book is how the author slowly leads us into a world of darkness through creepy imagery and her powerful prose.
This is a book for those who want their chills to come from intelligent foreshadowing and not unnecessary shock or gore. As in any anthology, some stories are better than others.
This is a book for those who want their chills to come from intelligent foreshadowing and not unnecessary shock or gore. As in any anthology, some stories are better than others.
June 30, 2022
Leave All The Lights On...
This collection of stories was incredible. It was unlike anything else I've ever read. There were horror, suspense, supernatural stories, BUT also woven throughout the book, were several longer stories! Genius really. Quality writing. I'm definitely gonna check to see if Blair Daniels has any other works.
This collection of stories was incredible. It was unlike anything else I've ever read. There were horror, suspense, supernatural stories, BUT also woven throughout the book, were several longer stories! Genius really. Quality writing. I'm definitely gonna check to see if Blair Daniels has any other works.
September 12, 2018
Good read.
Great short stories that intertwine together. Loved reading before falling asleep. You will find it interesting how she pieced all stories into one. Now to find more of her writing.
Great short stories that intertwine together. Loved reading before falling asleep. You will find it interesting how she pieced all stories into one. Now to find more of her writing.
December 18, 2019
Excellent follow up to the first book
I love how this book answers some, but not all of the lingering questions from the first book. Perfect creepy, keep you looking over your shoulder kind of read!
I love how this book answers some, but not all of the lingering questions from the first book. Perfect creepy, keep you looking over your shoulder kind of read!
December 26, 2019
Definitely a buy
I started reading Dont Scream 1 and 2 and was instantly hooked. Wanting more I picked this one up and I now I'm unsure which one I like the most. I love the mix of every day fears tied into these horror stories and how they are wrapped up at the end to explain all the weird individual stories. If I could give it 10 stars I would!
I started reading Dont Scream 1 and 2 and was instantly hooked. Wanting more I picked this one up and I now I'm unsure which one I like the most. I love the mix of every day fears tied into these horror stories and how they are wrapped up at the end to explain all the weird individual stories. If I could give it 10 stars I would!
January 13, 2020
Great collection of horror stories.
I love how unique feeling each of these stories are. It's a challenge to capture interest and tell a complete story in short stories, I think, especially in horror and this author does a terrific job!
I love how unique feeling each of these stories are. It's a challenge to capture interest and tell a complete story in short stories, I think, especially in horror and this author does a terrific job!
June 16, 2022
Mostly great
There are some stories that are a bit of a dud. However, the majority of stories are great. Quite a few of the characters are likable. And since quite a few stories are connected in a shared world, which makes some storylines feel bigger than others.
There are some stories that are a bit of a dud. However, the majority of stories are great. Quite a few of the characters are likable. And since quite a few stories are connected in a shared world, which makes some storylines feel bigger than others.
August 11, 2022
I could not bring myself to read past 20% of this book. The stories are so short that you don't have enough time to get invested or care about what's happening. The stories are also very typical "scary" stories with no new twists.
February 23, 2025
Fabulous!!!
What I thought were individual stories found a way to intertwine.
What a great surprise!!! All of the stories were new n super creepy. Great read, give it a spin you won’t be disappointed
What I thought were individual stories found a way to intertwine.
What a great surprise!!! All of the stories were new n super creepy. Great read, give it a spin you won’t be disappointed
August 12, 2025
I enjoyed these stories, although some of them I wasn't sure on until I began to see the connections between them which came together nicely. It was very cleverly done. Not my favourite from this author but I did enjoy it.
September 4, 2018
What an amazing collection of scary and suspenseful stories. Perfect for reading at night if you wish.
October 11, 2018
This book is total and complete garbage, okay, that's not always a bad thing, and was a waste of my time and a waste of yours too.
October 22, 2018
Pretty. Oil but missing a few things. RTC
November 2, 2018
I started out really enjoying this book, but unfortunately it started going downhill when I was about 40% in & it couldn't keep me entertained anymore.
November 25, 2018
Enjoy this book
I really enjoy reading the stories in this book. Will buy more books by Blair Daniels enjoy the way the stories was in this book
I really enjoy reading the stories in this book. Will buy more books by Blair Daniels enjoy the way the stories was in this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews