Little Black Spots

by John F.D. Taff

First he gave us Little Deaths: The Definitive Edition. Then he unleashed his unique brand of pain in The End in All Beginnings.

Now Bram Stoker Award-nominated John F.D. Taff – modern horror’s King of Pain – returns with Little Black Spots. Sixteen stories of dark horror fiction gathered together for the first time, exposing the delicate blemishes and sinister blots that tarnish the human condition.

From a man who stumbles on a cult that glorifies spontaneous human combustion, to a disgraced nature photographer who applies his skills for a vile outcome.

Where a darkened city parking structure seems malevolently alive, and a Halloween costume has a husband seeing his wife in a disturbing new light.

When a ruined man sees far too much of himself in his broken family, and a mysterious bottle of liquid arrives with a deadly secret inside.

Little Black Spots is a beacon shining its light into some of life's most shadowy corners, revealing the dark stains that spatter all mankind.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Collections, Fiction, Adult

310 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2018

About the author

John F.D. Taff is a multi-Bram Stoker Award short-listed dark fiction author with more than 30 years experience, and more than 100 short stories and seven novels in print.

He has appeared in Cemetery Dance, Eldritch Tales, Unnerving, Deathrealm, Big Pulp and One Buck Horror, as well as anthologies such as Hot Blood: Seeds of Fear, Hot Blood: Fear the Fever, Shock Rock II, Lullabies for Suffering, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, Behold!, Shadows Over Main Street 2, Horror Library V, Best of Horror Library, Dark Visions Vol. 1, Ominous Realities, Death's Realm, I Can Taste the Blood and Savage Beasts. His work will appear soon in The Seven Deadliest and I Can Hear the Shadows.

His novels include The Bell Witch, Kill-Off and the serialized apocalyptic epic The Fearing. Thunderstorm Books and Grey Matter Press will release a one-volume version of The Fearing in 2021, in limited edition hardcover, soft cover and digital. Short fiction collections include Little Deaths: The Definitive Collection and Little Black Spots, both published by Grey Matter Press.

Taff's novella collection, The End in All Beginnings, was called one of the best novella collections by Jack Ketchum and was a Stoker Award Finalist. His short "A Winter's Tale" was also a Stoker Finalist.

His upcoming anthology Dark Stars, a tribute to that seminal '80s work Dark Forces, will be published by Tor/Nightfire 11/2/21.

His website is at johnfdtaff.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnfdtaff.

Reviews

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first was published in SCREAM magazine

My favorite thing about good horror is its ability to penetrate past the page; words that transcend their placement on the page, embedding themselves deep into the minds of readers. I believe all horror fans open a dark book with the hope of being unsettled, disturbed or maybe even altered. It takes skill to manufacture fear in the hearts of readers.

I’ve heard it said about John F. D. Taff that he is “modern horror’s King of Pain” so I had high expectations. Not only was I hoping for Taff to bring the pain but I was hoping for something to linger. This collection delivered. Fifteen stories. All of them serving their purpose to showcase Taff’s wide range of skills-his most impressive is his imagination. These tales are dark, but that’s really the only thing they have in common.
It was exhilarating to read the first line of each story and wonder what it was I was going to get into.
Would I be inside the mind of a husband as he watches his wife go to bed in a bunny costume?
Would I be a child finding a mysterious bottle of purple soda in a ditch?
Maybe Inanimate objects would convince a man to kill people.
Maybe a woman would try her hand as a phone sex operator and find herself in a sticky situation.
Strangely, one of my favorite things about this book are all the end notes. John’s natural, conversational voice is immensely entertaining and I very much enjoyed all the insights he provided into each story. I recommend reading those after each story instead of saving them for last.
John’s Afterword confirms what I had already suspected. The title, LITTLE BLACK SPOTS is from the Police Song, King of Pain.

“There's a little black spot on the sun today, that's my soul up there
It's the same old thing as yesterday, that's my soul up there.”

The King of Pain has left little black spots on my soul. This collection lingers.

[Shane Douglas Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another easy five star read for me. I'll have a full review coming to Ink Heist soon but don't wait for that. This book is available today and you should definitely get it in your TBRs right now. Thank me later.

[Mindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Taff, and I can tell you right now it definitely isn't going to be the last.

Let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of short stories. And usually, when I read a collection or an anthology I read it straight through. Most of my friends like to dip into short stories in between chapters of a novel, but I want to become fully immersed in the theme or atmosphere of a particular book, so I read each story, one after another without any other books to distract me. That's how I roll.

So this collection! I thoroughly enjoyed every story in this book. There isn't a single weak tale in the bunch. As always some tend to stand out. I know that I will never forget Purple Soda Hand. That story is forever burned into my brain. I loved it. And I loved Taff's explanation at the end of the collection for what inspired him to write it. The story was written for Josh Malerman after Taff read his novella A House at the Bottom of a Lake, and that story affected me the same way it did Taff. Purple Soda Hand is a fantastic tribute, and a unique story. It's definitely one of my favorites.

The Bunny Suit is just so weird and unsettling. Again, I love how Taff gives explanatory notes for each of the stories, and his inspiration for this story changed my view of it totally. A Winter's Tale is both melancholy and uplifting. Taff took this story in a direction that I never saw coming, and I absolutely loved it. Just a Phone Call Away had me squirming in my chair. I can actually see this being something that happens quite a lot, but Taff of course takes it one step past what I expected. I think that seems to be the theme here. I would get drawn into a story, thinking that I could see where it was potentially going, and then Taff would go in the exact opposite direction. I love that. I love being surprised by stories. And Taff is a master at keeping you guessing.

Essentially I'm looking through the table of contents and I'm realizing that I could list every story in this collection and talk about why I enjoyed it so much. But instead, I'll let you discover that for yourself. I can definitely see why Taff has been dubbed Modern Horror's King of Pain.

[Mommacat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advance Review Copy

I started reading LITTLE BLACK SPOTS last night and realized something after finishing the second story.  I wouldn't be able to review this as I do a normal short story collection or anthology.  What I do with an ordinary collection is make a note in the table of contents with my star rating and a word or two as a reminder to help me write my review.  But, John Taff is not a normal writer (pun intended) and LITTLE BLACK SPOTS is not an ordinary short story collection.  So, what was I going to do besides read it straight through without stopping?  I finally decided to pick out a couple of my favorite stories and mention those.  First, The Bunny Suit - macabre and beautifully crafted.  Gethesmane, In Rain - bizarre, perfect.  The Coriolis Effect - thought-provoking; so much story packed into so little space. Lincoln & Booth at the Orpheum - alternate reality.  Taff is one of a very small handful of authors whose books I will buy automatically, without looking inside or knowing anything more than he wrote it.  His writing is smart, sharp, funny, tense, creepy and relevant.  Don't miss out on this superb collection.  Make sure you reserve your copy of LITTLE BLACK SPOTS now!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your usual horror from the king of pain. My review is posted here ---> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1Gy

[Steve Stred · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Edited as Review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **

“IN THIS CORNER, HAILING FROM PARTS UNKNOWN… THE KING OF PAIN!”

I seriously hope that’s how John F.D. Taff, Mr. King of Pain is announced at this year’s StokerCon. I myself won’t be there to find out, but I sure hope someone makes it happen and films the moment to share with the world.

Little Black Spots is my first Taff outing, and much like my personal embarrassment over my lack of Jonathan Janz reads under my belt, I feel the same shame admitting this about Taff.

I’ve personally always believed that in some cases a short story collection is a good way to be introduced to an author, and in this case Little Black Spots didn’t disappoint. The collection features a grab bag of emotion, atmosphere and chills, while Taff rambles off story after story of dark delights.

It took me a bit to get through this collection, because while the tales were good, I didn’t connect with some of them. It’s bound to happen in a collection.

I’ll focus on my fav’s for a brief synopsis/review.

My fav tale in this entire collection was easily ‘Just a Phone Call Away.’ Good grief this was a psychotic Pin-Head-esque tale of eroticism I didn’t expect. I’d love to see this made into a film. This just kept digging itself into more disturbing territory and the terrain was littered with razor blades.

‘A Winter’s Tale’ is a Lovecraftian ode that has found itself on the Stoker ballots, and rightfully so. I found the set up and the ending worked really nicely together. I’ve enjoyed lately, that there always seems to be one tale in horror-author’s collections that will make you weep, and this was the one that did it for me.

‘The Bitches of Madison County.’ At first I had looked at skipping the story entirely because of the title, but then decided to dive in. Boy was it a twisted look into voyeurism when the subject doesn’t believe they’re being a voyeur but just doing their job. The ending was fantastic and Taff showed how to cast a wide net then narrow it down to throw you into unexpected claustrophobia.

‘The Dark Level’ was a unique tale of dark dealings in a multi-level car garage. I’ve actually had an odd experience in a car garage where a friend and I believed someone was following us as we tried to remember where his car was parked. It turned out to be an echo that occurred specifically through a few levels and the car-park had even developed a ‘haunted’ reputation because of this.

‘The Bunny Suit’ was a demented tale of love and um… intertwining’s. Halloween costumes bringing out what the heart wants.

‘Lincoln, Booth & The Orpheum’ was a stunning closer, with an alternate reality twist. Really enjoyed this. I’m a fan of alternate history tales and Taff didn’t disappoint.

Surprisingly for me, my least favourite tale was ‘Purple Soda Hand.’ It was a brutally off the rails tale for sure, but I found that the plot moved exactly as I expected it would. The turns it took didn’t shock or surprise me, I saw it all coming well in advance. Not to say the writing was bad, it just didn’t do what it was supposed to with me.

Overall, this was a fun collection and while some tales didn’t resonate, the ones that did will stay with me for some time. At the end of the collection the publisher had included an advance look at Taff’s next release ‘The Fearing.’ I decided to not read it, as I’m looking forward to the full serial release this year!

Definitely a great starting off point for new fans of Taff, and for current fans who’ve been waiting to read this, time to get on it.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his introduction to this collection, Doug Murano states “ Before you read the following stories, let me give you a few words of warning: You’re going to want to hang on to something.” He is unquestionably correct. Taff has crafted a group of stories that left me looking up in amazement several times while reading.

I have read so many collections and anthologies this year that honestly, I was a little burnt out. Most of them were great, but I really missed getting lost in ONE world. I was apprehensive as I picked this up…what if I couldn’t get involved? What if my own marathon of short fiction left me unable to appreciate what I was about to read? I needn’t have worried. Taff took me on a journey unlike any other, and while it wasn’t one world, it was one twisted, delicious MIND I found myself lost in. Here are a few of my favorites.

“The Bunny Suit”

Halloween. Is there any other holiday that horror fans appreciate more? October is king of the calendar, at least in my estimation. In this tale, the main characters choose their costumes as they look forward to pretending to be someone else, even if for just a little while. But what happens when the line between pretend and reality is blurred? This was the first story of this collection to leave me slack-jawed with “what in the hell did I just read” written all over my face. From the husband’s nefarious nighttime activities to the wife’s penchant for salads and greenery – this one is sure to leave you in awe.

Purple Soda Hand

“Simply put, Tony was thirsty.”

This story was so weird and absolutely disgusting at times; I love its dark beauty. Leave it to Taff to take something as innocuous as a discarded bottle of purple soda and turn it into one of the most engaging short stories I’ve read in a while. I am not giving up any more details on this one. Know that the descriptions are fluid, the characters believable, and the story something completely unexpected. I want more of this world.

The Coriolis Effect (Or, Chiromancy for Beginners)

“Every tiny crack and every miniscule furrow is a story, an encounter, a soul trapped in a thin layer of skin, telling its story over and over…”

Family secrets, palmistry, and the effects of transformative life experiences are woven throughout this story, much like the lines of a palm as quoted above. Again Taff created characters that I could relate to; he really is skilled at crafting believable dialogue and reactions to life events. This one read like a movie playing in front of me – I could see the brothers and the differences in their chosen paths.

———————————————

These three tales are tied for my top spot in this collection. I couldn’t possibly pick one over the other. There are others I could extol, but I think it’s better left for readers to discover the rest on their own. I’ll be picking more up from Taff in the future, that’s a certainty.

[J. Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always am weary of short story collections. But they are necessary to understand who an author once was and where they are going in their career. Short story collections usually consists of older published works, stories that never were sold, and sometimes a few new ones. That's pretty much what we get with Little Black Spots. A few words to sum this up would be: Relentless. Emotional. Thrilling. Humanistic.

The collection focuses less on supernatural occurrences and spotlights the human condition. Truth be told there's nothing scarier than actual humans and what they're capable of. Humans have the ability to not only hurt us physically, but mentally, and in more ways than you could ever imagine. The test of human nature is spread throughout this collection.

4 out of 5 stars. Well-earned.

[Alan Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes whimsical, sometimes brutal, sometimes emotionally visceral, often all three, this collection of short stories is well worth your time.

[Red Lace Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen tales where Halloween costumes prove to be more than what they appear, where leviathans lurk beneath the ice, where murderous impulses overtake the unsuspecting, and where human beings are the very monsters to fear.

(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I thank Grey Matter Press for giving me the opportunity.

First and foremost, I was beginning to burn out from short story collections when I picked this one up. Despite enjoying those I have read over the past couple of months, I felt the pull for something that would last more than just a few pages. Thankfully, however, my first encounter with the King of Pain snapped me out of that completely. With all the bizarre and shocking twists and turns, I forgot all about my restlessness. Seriously, some of the tales included were downright weird, moreso than anything I've ever read. Not only that, but they were satisfying; driven to conclusions that felt pleasantly fitting. If anything, Taff excelled at exactly what he set out to do. He created memorable pieces, and showcased his ability to bring unique voices to the table.

As is the habit, I like to start with those that didn't entirely appeal, followed by those that did. Their Hands, The Dark Level, The Night Moves, Gethsmane, In Rain, and Lincoln & Booth at the Orpheum didn't interest me a great deal, but that's only five out of fifteen. The numbers don't lie in this case. Of course, different tales will resonate with different people, and that's the wonderful thing. Let's get into my top three:

A Winter's Tale - Sometimes his father's laughter would ooze through the house, soft, squishy, like mud swirling through water.
There's no question about my adoration of this particular story. Even after I finished I couldn't banish it from my head. It stuck with me throughout the remainder of the book, nothing else quite hitting that level of charm. Not only did it get an immediate tick because of the Lovecraftian approach, but because it told of something very real - of an absent father and neglectful mother. It was, ultimately, about family.

Just A Phone Call Away - Cynthia found, perversely, that her own disgust only heightened the arousal she was fighting.
It's been a while since I had the pleasure of reading erotic horror. There's always been a particular appeal; perhaps that queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. This gem was like re-discovering some long-lost, and terribly disturbing friend. When boundaries are pushed and the grisly relationship of lust and pain is so openly highlighted, I just can't tear my eyes away. Taff did it brilliantly, instantly making me feel for Cynthia. He took the time to express the change in her emotions; from disgust to utter obsessiveness. I swiftly fell into a state of morbid fascination.

The Bitches of Madison County - He existed to capture that one moment, the place in time where a person exhibited something real and true.
It was close between this one and The Coriolis Effect (Or, Chiromancy for Beginners). Delving into the mentality of unstable individuals, it's always been a favourite of mine. What began as seemingly harmless, yet no less disquieting, events, soon evolved into the outlandish. It also had, without a doubt, one hell of an ending.

The several remaining that made an impression: The Immolation Scene, The Bunny Suit, The Depravity of Inanimate Things, Everything Must Go, Purple Soda Hand and A Kiss from the Sun for a Pardon.

In conclusion: The first half of this collection was almost perfect for me, and the second half is where I struggled to stay connected. All in all, I enjoyed my time with such a capable storyteller. Taff certainly lived up to his title, and I hope to experience his work again.

© Red Lace 2018

Wordpress ~ Twitter

[James Sabata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into Little Black Spots, I was expecting greatness. Sometimes, that’s a mistake. Sometimes, the hype you give something you really want to read bites you. Every now and then, something you would have really enjoyed – and which is, by all other means very adequate – becomes a failure because on a scale of one to ten it was only a nine instead of a twelve.

This book surpassed my lofty expectations and then some.

Little Black Spots is a collection of fifteen short stories – some previously published, some brand new. Each is emotionally gnawing, and each is relevant to the world around us today. That’s not to say they’re political (although there is a story about President Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth, so I won’t say they’re not), but each story contained in this collection has a realness that I adore. They're twisted versions of reality, but they're all just outside the light of what we can see in our every day lives. The author, John FD Taff, is known as "The King of Pain," but it's his grasp on turning the screws on reality and opening little doors to the next world over that intrigues me.

I liked so many stories in this collection, but I also liked how independent and completely different they are from one another. I didn’t read this book in order. I skipped around, depending which one called to me at that time. What I found is that it didn't matter because these stories don't have a lot to do with one another. They share some themes, but each brings something totally different to this wonderful potluck of horror.

The Depravity of Inanimate Things brings a voice(s) that cannot be denied. In the note section of the book, Taff says “the voice of the main character came to me – forcefully”. The voice is not only forceful, it follows you.. I love the character telling us the story and the distinctive way he rides the soundwaves in my mind, but the other aspect that makes this one of my favorite stories in this collection is how incredibly relatable the insanity of the plot actually is. We all have that little voice in our heads that says something we would never think to say out loud… but what happens when many more voices join in with that voice?

Taff stated that he thought about updating Just a Phone Call Away, as it takes place pre-internet. I'm glad he didn't. It's absolutely essential to the plot, and sure, you could update that plot, and tell the story in a similar, but very different way, but why? Maybe some people won’t get it because they didn’t live in that time period. Some will love it. Some will read it and forget it. But I include it in this review because I think it’s important to read stories like this (plot wise, that’s a funny statement), because as readers, it reminds us that there are many other times we can read about. We don’t have to be confined with where we are… and, as writers, even if we write about the current period, there will come a day when we must ask ourselves if it’s time to update it. The answer is almost always going to be that it’s not. It’s a representation of that time and should be allowed to stay there. Just a Phone Call Away is a perfect example of this.

I have often told people that one of my definitions of horror is having everyone around accept something as normal while you are left the outsider who does not think it’s normal at all. Purple Soda Hand twisted that definition for me, as the horror comes from the main character accepting the normalcy of drinking a soda with a severed hand in it… and then sharing with his friend. This is my favorite story in the bunch. It blew my 14-year-old’s mind (although I had to give him a verbal summary because his mom didn’t think he should be reading it). There’s really no higher honor than the look on his face when I finished the last part of the book. He expected the end to go where it went… until it got kicked up a notch. The 14-year-old inside of me felt the same way.

Speaking of taking something we expect in horror and twisting it a little further, The Dark Level resonated with me because I park in parking garages a lot. I’ve often thought about who could be waiting… who could be watching… who was in what car and what they might be up to… but no. Taff has to go the extra mile and give me a whole new irrational fear. I’ll be thinking about this story for a very long time.

I could say good things about every story in this book, but these are the ones that struck specific chords in my brain. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. The King of Pain's reign does not end with this collection, if anything, he's finally accepting his destiny.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I took a gander at the cover art for this, I had a bit of an idea what was waiting inside for me. Well….I thought I did.

This collection took me all over the pace. Most of these stories really cranked my tractor. Really hit the horror radar. Purple Soda Hand, The Depravity Of Inanimate Things and The Bunny Suit, for instance. A few started to go right over my head. I almost missed the point. Probably not the author’s fault as I stayed up way too late reading these, so I set these aside and started up again the next day. And some were almost poetic, surreal in the best way. The sense of wrongness was palpable. However you like your horror, it’s in here.

I’m really glad I got my hands on these. There’s nothing like a little horror with a reality check included to make me a happy camper.

Did I enjoy this book? Certainly. Any fan of horror will find something to like in these pages. Would I read this author again? You know it. Whether more short stories or a full length novel, I’d dive right in.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Phillip Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. 4 to 4.5 for me. Great writing that isn't afraid to "go there." But the stories never feel forced. They zip right along until you end up doubled over with an emotional gut punch. The best of the bunch for me were "Immolation," "The Bunny Suit," "A Winter's Tale," "A Kiss From The Sun For Pardon," "The Bitches of Madison County," "Gethsemane in the Rain," and "Lincoln and Booth at the Emporium."

A very memorable collection.

[Doug Murano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't-miss collection by one of the masters of the horror short story. Highly recommended.

[David Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Black Spots – fifteen short stories from master storyteller John F.D. Taff a.k.a. “The King of Pain." Taff is an author I have always wanted to read more of but have yet to get around to due to the size of my to-be-read list. Thanks to an advance review copy from Tony Rivera I was able to right that wrong.

The anthology highlights Taff’s writing skills to the fullest. I liked a lot of the stories in the collection as they demonstrate the authors skewed take on reality. Little Black Spots is a collection I will return to frequently for re-reads as I enjoyed it that much. Recommended anthology from one of the masters of modern horror.

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me variety in a story collection. Different people, settings, problems, sub-genres. I want it all. And in Little Black Spots, John F.D. Taff delivers with aplomb. Inside, you will find stories that are genuinely creepy, unapologetically weird, cringe-inducing, tragic, cosmic, historical, erotic, and philosophical. Taff will make your gears turn and your skin crawl in equal measure.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Disclaimer: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]

John F.D. Taff is a master storyteller. There are few who excel so brilliantly at the short story form in particular as he does and having had the opportunity to be in a workshop setting with him as a fellow participant was a humbling experience indeed. I’ve read and reviewed John’s work for the past several years, and each time he impresses me more than the last. He’s the real deal, folks.

“The Immolation Scene” starts off in a way where it doesn’t get much more memorable: red snowflakes “like snow in Hell.” Corey, the main character kind of seems to have spontaneous combustion issues (seriously). The girl he’s into has the same issues. As he validly brings up, they will burn each other to death eventually, which is a real concern through, but still, I think readers will find this story ends in a much more interesting way despite the inevitable aspects of the ending.

In “The Bunny Suit,” which is right around the time as Halloween approaches, the protagonist’s cheerful wife wants to pick out Halloween costumes and he doesn’t want to be he goes along anyway. She picks a bunny suit and he picks a black ninja outfit. She won’t take off her costume, and pretty soon this story becomes a very interesting variation on the “oh no! they are all turning into their Halloween costumes!” trope.

A “movie distributor” takes center stage in “The Depravity of Inanimate Things,” which involves a guy who illegally records films and sells them. The protagonist’s voice called to mind Christopher or Ralphie from The Sopranos, which lent an interesting change of pace to the collection overall. He hears voices telling him to do terrible things, and again, Taff manages to find clever ways to divert the reader’s expectations. Another story that does this in spades is “Purple Soda Hand,” which takes something initially deceptively simple and turns it into something much bigger.

Many of the stories within this collection include the theme of people changing into frightening things and not knowing what to do as well as not liking that they get off on the idea of someone hurting themselves and yet inexorably being drawn toward it. Another theme I observed related to this is characters with deep needs and urges they can’t seem to suppress in spite of their best efforts.

Although I found the first half of the collection stronger for me, and that it made more of an impact, there are definitely some gems toward the end of the book, in particular a story featuring Abraham Lincoln. Taff also offers up a cool Afterword at the back, which explains some of the processes and rationales behind the stories he devised, which I appreciated. Overall, this is another strong offering from one of the best horror writers out there today. Get your hands on a copy as soon as you can.

[David Thirteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Black spots is a strong collection of short stories. The writing is always good and the subject matter is diverse extending over the entire spectrum of horror. As with any collection some stories land better than others, and there were some that pulled me into the wondrous and others that gave me chills, but a few felt a touch dated. But its strengths far outweigh any weaknesses and I would recommend this to any lover of horror.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There’s a little black spot on the sun today
It’s the same old thing as yesterday…”

John F.D. Taff is just one of those writers. You know the ones- you pick up their books or collections, and you know that no matter the POV, no matter the “voice” of the impending gloom or doom- he will take your hand and lead you to those horrors in a direct and non-forced way, occasionally dipping his typewriter into the poetic waters with his descriptions. He likes to play in those shadows, turning the screws slowly…

Review: http://kendallreviews.com/little-blac...

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

John F.D. Taff does it again with another brilliant short story collection. It's hard to describe the many layers he shows in these tales and the genres and sub-genres he plies with such a wonderful skill. His mind is truly warped and we're all better for it!

[JG Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short summaries and rating for each story:


The immolation scene: Corey and Amy used to date and work at the same job. Corey is bummed about it, until months later Amy has to fix is computer (she is IT). She notices he has the same “gift” as her, they can both set themselves on fire without any ignition. This turns into a type of sensual connection as they feel each other better when they burn each other’s skin. He is wary about letting themselves burn to feel love. He rejects her, her eye falls out, months later he realizes he made a mistake and uses a glass eye to try and find Amy again. Not my kind of story. 2 stars

The bunny suit: man and wife go to a Halloween warehouse for Halloween costumes. She gets a bunny suit and he gets a ninja suit. She puts the costume on as soon as they get home (Halloween is a week away) and slowly starts to become the bunny. He goes out every night presumably cheating on her, but seems like he is a serial killer as he comes home one night and the clothes are filled with blood? Ending was confusing, did he kill his wife, was any of this real? Would have been 4 stars but ending brings it down to 3

The depravity of inanimate objects: a guy makes a living going into movie theaters and filming the movies video a camera and mic in his hat for illegal international distribution. While filming a super hero movie, kids in front are bickering and disrupting the audio and the adult with them gives our narrator some guff. He leaves frustrated, knowing he’d have to see the movie again to re-film, but not before he hears voices in his head that say they could do harm to the woman. It was inanimate objects telling him to hurt and kill everyone he saw or interacting with, including his nagging gf. He ends up killing her when she shows up at his house and burns his house down. I didn’t like the writing style at all and the story was boring. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it. 1 star.

A Winter’s Tale: David has 2 siblings and a very mean mother, also a father who rarely ever shows up. They are poor and one cold January day their mother sends them out for the day, warning them to not come back til supper time and to stay away from the pond. David reflects on a time when he was five and he was sent it in similar fashion, being warned not to return til supper, but he returned early to his mother freaking out, naked and reptilian with glowing eyes. They end up going to the pond, a type of reptilian beast comes out from the water and turns out to be their dad. When he finds out how badly their mother treats them he walks them home and kills the mother? And then they go and live in the pond with their dad? Tried to be lovecraftian, missed the mark, but wasn’t terrible. 3 stars

Their Hands: guy at a pool sees two girls and obsesses about their hands. He gets them to leave with him and it appears he murders them and cuts off their hands as a keepsake. Short and uneventful. 1 star

Just a phone call away: a woman recently laid off from her job isn’t much of a looker, but has a sexy voice. She decided to run a phone sex operation. She gets a call one night from a man you likes to cut himself for pleasure, cutting one of his nipples off during their chat. she is disturbed but liked it in a weird way. He calls again, this time slicing his dick and she is total into it and orgasms. After she does she smells blood and freaks out. She goes in the bathroom to see their is not blood. She goes to sleep, wakes up, decides she is hungry, and she she is going for a knife to cut a tomato she gets an urge to cut herself. She cuts here breasts and has an orgasm. She ends up getting the guys that call to try this new knife fetish, to the point where she has few fingers and no toes. She ends up stabbing her self in the heart at the end (I think) while on the phone with her ex lover/boss who laid her off. This story was much better than the other. 4 stars.

The dark level: Jim needs a parking spot. He rents one in a new garage he never noticed. His spot is way at the bottom of the garbage and is in pitch darkness. He gets out the car, finds the elevator but it doesn’t work, then finds the stairs and keeps going up and up, but the darkness remains. He hears a grinding noise coming towards him so he decides to go back to his car but he cannot find it in the darkness. He passes out, wakes up and feels as if the floor is jelly. His Drinks some acidic flavored water, His eyes are adjusted to the light now, he tries to open car doors but he is getting tired. Finds bones on one of the cars. Lots of crap happens, there is a fire and a monster of some sort under the garage? Or maybe the garbage is the monster? Ending confused me and was boring. The idea of being lost on the dark is scary, but this story fell flat. Started off as a 4 star, went down to 2 stars.


Everything must go: Brian is getting coffee with a girl when he notices a new shop with green awning he never noticed before (getting Needful Things vibes). He is curious about a doorway within the shop that is blocked by a curtain. He searches the internet and calls around to like the post office and can find no evidence of this new store existing. A creepy lady sits in front of the store, very stoic. She touches Brian and now he isn’t the same and stops going to work. Returns to the closed shop everyday and had intense dreams he can’t remember. He stares at the shop everyday from a diner until he sees the woman again. He witnesses a man in a suit try to leave through the desk curtains, but is being pulled back by little “people” with smushed in faces and hoods. And there is colorful fog shooting out behind them. The lady says to him “it’s not for you, yet” and mentions the store noticed him and now wants him. He ends up going through the curtains, leaves a note beforehand for his ex, who initially can’t find the store but then does. And that is how it ends. Not a bad story really, but nothing great. 3 stars.

Purple Soda Hand: Tony finds a bottle of unopened purple liquid in a bottle that seems to be soda. It’s hot and he is thirsty, so he drinks it until he notices a hand inside. He takes the bottle home and calls his friend Mike. He fills mike in on what’s going on, Mike sleeps over, and they both sneakily take swigs from the bottle (neither of them know they are doing it). They to to sleep and have weird dreams. Mike dreams of his mom (who abandoned him) doing he routine she used to do to wake up him, except he was in a world of purple with spider-like creature outside his window and his mom vomited the purple stuff into his mouth. Tony’s dream had to do with a purple cop stopping him and accusing him of taking something that didn’t belong to him, as a man in the backseat of the cruiser waved a handless arm. Mike takes the bottle to the basketball court the next morning and Tony gets so angry about this that they start fighting on the court. Tony ends up hitting mike numerous times in the face/head with the bottle, which eventually smashes and the hand is no where to be found. Tony uses the sharp broken piece remaining in his hand to pluck mikes eye out, then he passes out on mikes dead body. The story ends with a newly introduced hound girl named Renee going tot he court weeks after this incident. She finds a bottle of fruit punch red drink with an eye ball on it. She is very thirsty. One of the better stories here in my opinion. 4 stars.

A Kiss from the sun For pardon: a man is sick, doesn’t know who he is or where he is exactly, but he is in a hotel room. He takes a taxi to a place called bar sanguine. He enters and everyone knows who he is. He meets up with a Mr Rood. He serves him something called Tepes water, something Mr Rood tells him he will only be able to stomach for weeks as he is no longer a vampire. This water has blood mixed with some other stuff. Mr rood tells him he is de transitioning from vampire most likely due to the one who turned him passing away. He will be welcome to the club until he is fully transitioned, then he won’t be welcome. His wife walks in, also who he doesn’t remember, and is upset because they had planned to die together as vampires in the sun and he can’t do that now. They go all the way up top the building on the roof and sit on the edge of the building until the sun rises and she disintegrates. He leaves the bar and the story ends. Could have had a better ending. 3 stars.

The bitches of Madison county: Richard was I Kenya on some photography job when he received a letter to leave the country. He is now in his hometown stalking women and taking photos and videos of them. He becomes obsessed with one of them, breaks into her apartment, and connects cameras into her bedroom which he can watch from his apartment. After watching her for a while have sex, he decided he wanted to go back in her apartment to place more cameras and capture her normal everyday activities he couldn’t see from the bedroom (making coffee, laundry, eating, etc). He breaks in again equipped with a rifle. She comes home early with a guy and he is found. He shots then both. Eventually he sneaks into her coffin and is buried alive with her as he waits with his camera. Another dumb ending to a decent story. Would have gotten 4 stars but drops to 3 stars.

The Night Moves: mysterious man walks through a city while other people touch him and either get bad memory flashbacks or a change of heart from doing terrible things. Not terrible. 3 stars

Gethsemane, in rain : 4 stories that connect to each other about weird and/or strange things that happen in this town when it rains. 4 stars

The coriolis effect - weird story of 2 brothers going back to their childhood home after the death of their mother. 4 stars

Lincoln and Booth at the Orpheum - garbage story. 1 star

[Ethan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found myself enjoying short story collections and anthologies more and more. Anthologies are generally driven by a unifying theme and short stories tend to highlight a range of a given author's talents. This collection of Taff's stories is definitely a broad dabbling in styles and perhaps even genre crossovers. For example, "Lincoln and Booth at the Orpheum," an historical fiction experience, isn't really dread-filled as much as it is an alternate version of history on auto-correct. On the other end of the spectrum is "Bunny Suit" which brings on a feeling of impending terror, exploring the psychological descent of the main character. "Purple Soda Hand" is a bit of an odd duck and requires the biggest suspension of reality, but somehow it is written so that the reader doesn't have to try too hard to suspend belief. The central suggestion is so off-kilter that the story's reality is easily acceptable, concentrating more on the conflict between characters than a concern over the origin of the strange *thing.*

Taff's writing is clear and direct. He can certainly lay out a tense environment in a smooth way and he is definitely able to be introspective and subtle in his approach. A few stories felt a little too brief, but none of them felt forced. Overall, I thought this was a satisfying and fast-paced read.

[Suzy Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.*

I am ashamed to admit this to the Horror community, but Little Black Spots is my first read by John Taff. And after reading it, I'm ashamed of myself too! My eyes were opened reading this collection of 15 short stories of dark fiction/horror, gathered together for the first time. The stories cover the wide range of sub genres in Horror, told by a masterful storyteller that is definitely well honed in the craft.

Within the 15 tales that make up Little Black Spots, you will find a wide spectrum of the horror genres on full display. From vampires, to body horror, to more subtle horrors, and to the downright strange.
1. The Immolation Scene- a horrific love story set in a cult.
2. The Bunny Suit- told from a first person narrative, a husband is effected in strange ways after seeing his wife dress up in a full body bunny suit for Halloween.
3. The Depravity of Inanimate Things- a movie distributor is disturbed by the voices he hears in his head and what they want him to do to the kids who destroyed his recording in a movie theater.
4. A Winter's Tale- a story about three young siblings and an inattentive, alcoholic Mother. There is a particularly bizarre relationship between the oldest son and the Mother.
5. Just A Phone Call Away- a newly unemployed woman finds work at a phone sex line. She was not expecting some of her clients unusual kinks, or how she would react to them.
6. Everything Must Go- a man becomes fascinated with an overlooked storefront. His fascination soon turns to obsession. The entrance is hidden behind a black curtain. And the man is dying to find out what is behind it.
7. Purple Soda Hand- two boys come across an unopened bottle of purple liquid they assume is grape soda. It's a hot day and both are thirsty. As one begins to take a sip, he notices something is in the bottle, and the boys are disgusted, but bring the bottle home anyway to their sleepover. Unusual things start to happen around and to the boys.
8. A Kiss From the Sun of Pardon- the protagonist wakes up in a motel room with amnesia. He finds a business card that leads him to a private night club, where he finds the answers he needs.
9. The Dark Level- a man decides to park in a new high rise parking structure. What he doesn't know is this structure has a mind of its own.
10. The Bitches of Madison County-an out of work photographer becomes obsessed with his female neighbors, documenting their every move through his lense. When he sees one neighbor seduce the paperboy he goes to extreme and terrifying lengths to get the perfect shot.
11. The Night Moves- this is delivered as a poem. A man wanders the streets at night, and each stranger that meets his gaze begins to remember something they've tried to forget.
12. Gethsemane In Rain- told from the point of views of four different residents in a small town. Each person is dealing with death in some way.
13. The Coriolis Effect- an unnamed narrator and his brother Stephen return to their childhood home when their Mother passes away. On the journey there, they discuss an usual story about almost being abducted by a naked man when they were children.
14. Lincoln and Booth at the Orpheum- in an alternate version of history, the south wins the civil war and Abraham Lincoln moves to San Francisco with his wife Mary. The former President feels he is a failure and begins suffering from physical pains. Out about town, Lincoln has a chance encounter with John Wilkes Booth. After their meeting, Lincoln realizes that his ailments are getting better. This leads him to become obsessed with the actor, thing Booth holds the answers to what is ailing him.
15. Preview of the upcoming apocalyptic novel The Fearing.

This was a fascinating collection of horror stories, all versatile and incredibly unique. The premises to each story were extremely creative and the author has a skill at making characters come to life in a short period of time. You feel so connected with the characters that you begin to feel what they feel, and that is no easy feat with a short story. This is a sign of amazing character building.
Some of the stories that stuck out for me- The Bunny Suit, which addresses body horror and has plenty of gore. This is not a typical story you read very often. I felt it showcased the authors range.
Purple Soda Hand was one of my favorites. Super weird and unsettling. A Kiss from the Sun for Pardon is a fantastic vampire story and I felt Taff breathed new life into a very familiar trope. I wasn't expecting a vampire story to be one of my faves! The Dark Level showcases the authors fantastic use of imagery to bring the building to life. Gethsemane In Rain again showcases Taff's amazing ability of character development. This is the longest story out of the bunch, but Taff leaves small hints through inner thoughts and dialogue to keep the reader's interest and to keep the story moving.

John Taff made a positive lasting impression on me with Little Black Spots. It becomes apparent very quickly that these tales are crafted by a professional. Someone who has carefully studied the dark underbelly of the human condition. With the end of each story, you had no idea what you were in for with the next. And no matter how brutal he is to your heart, you eagerly continue to the next story in an almost masochist way. Well done!

[Thomas Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Opening story, “The Immolation Scene”, is a horrific love story revolving around protagonist Corey and his once-girlfriend Amy. The catalyst for their break-up is the thing that makes them different from most people, the thing that could make them a part of the immolation scene, if only Corey would accept it. But he fights against it, against Amy, fearing that which makes him unique. The scenes shared by Corey and Amy are beautifully written by Taff, but it maintains its horror at the core.

“The Bunny Suit” wears its body horror image like a badge of honour. After an unsettling introduction to the first-person narrator while he indulges in his secret pastime away from home, we see him discussing Halloween costumes with his wife. While he secretly bemoans the tradition and how it is so unlike his truly dark nature, he goes along with his wife to choose their costumes. She selects a full-body bunny suit that proves to have a disquieting effect on her which, in turn, has a deeply disturbing effect on him. A bloodier offering from the author, but one which displays his range.

“The Depravity of Inanimate Things” sees ‘movie distributor’ Nick disturbed by the voices that whisper gruesome suggestions in his ear when some kids ruin his recording in a movie theater. But where are the voices coming from? Taff doesn’t waste time in leading up to the surreal events of this story and, so, to say much more about the story would be to spoil it. But the dialogue and characterisation are brilliant and, although it is markedly different from the first two stories, it is crafted so well, just as we would expect from this author.

“A Winter’s Tale” concerns three young siblings – David, Howie and Maggie – and one less-than attentive mother. There is more to the story, obviously, but the interaction between oldest sibling David and their mother as well as the descriptive language about the mother’s lifestyle and her lack of concern is so well done that, if the author had chosen to steer clear of the horror and the Lovecraft undertones, this could have worked just as well as a character study of a dysfunctional family and alcoholic parent. The relationships and interactions between characters, as well as peeling back the layers of characters, are especially strong points of Taff’s craft.

“Their Hands” is Taff’s attempt at flash fiction, the shortest story in the collection. And he manages to do what the only the best can; convey so much while saying so little. He hints at a deeper story as a strange lone traveller picks up two young women at a campground and takes them back to his RV. We are offered only a glimpse at the troubled man’s psyche, but it is as much the way Taff describes the man, as well as what he doesn’t say, that makes this story so effective.

Taff’s take on the erotic horror subgenre, “Just a Phone Call Away”, finds a newly unemployed woman, Cynthia, struggling to figure out what she can offer prospective employers that will make her stand out. Then she remembers colleagues’ reactions to her husky voice. A chance reading of an ad in the newspaper gives her the idea of a phone-sex line. But she doesn’t bargain on the unusual kinks of her callers. Or how it will affect herself. Not for the faint of heart, due to some graphic, yet highly effective, violence. And a truly stunning finale.

In “Everything Must Go”, while on a date, and to the chagrin of Kaylie, Brian becomes fascinated by a previously overlooked storefront. Perhaps if his level of interest hadn’t passed ‘fascination’ and headed straight on to ‘obsession’ things could have turned out better for Brian and Kaylie. As it is, he keeps returning to the storefront, the entrance hidden behind a black curtain, the shadow cast by the awning seemingly blocking all light and sound from the passing traffic and oblivious pedestrians. What lies beyond the curtain? Brian needs to know, but at what cost? The description of Brian’s descent into obsessive madness is compelling.

The premise for “Purple Soda Hand” is simple, if disturbing. A young boy finds an unopened bottle of purple liquid he takes to be grape soda. It’s a hot day. The seal on the bottle appears to be unbroken. His mouth grows drier as he stares at the refreshing liquid. Only when he takes a sip does he notice the item inside the bottle. The boy and his friend are disgusted. But it doesn’t stop them from taking the bottle home for their sleepover. The strange happenings and the power of the thing in the bottle are only the beginning, but they are not the true horror of the story. That lies in the effect the purple soda has on the two boys. This story has a very strange premise, but the characters make it gripping and horrific. A real page-turner and proof that Taff can take the strangest situation and still deliver a creepy tale with heart.

“A Kiss From the Sun for Pardon” opens with an unknown protagonist awaking in a motel and suffering from amnesia. This is often cited as an overused opening, but Taff doesn’t allow his character to linger long in the motel. Instead, he finds a business card that leads him to a private club and, ultimately, the answers he seeks. On the surface, it is a short vampire tale. But, at its core, it is a tragic love story, where the protagonist must reconcile his desire to be human once more with his love for another. He can’t have both. For many readers, the mere mention of vampires is enough to make them skip a story. But, if you are familiar with Taff’s work, you know this would be a mistake. He possesses the necessary skill and experience to eschew the done-to-death tropes, not to mention the new, angst-ridden teenage-friendly neckbiters, and instead offer something wholly original with a fresh perspective.

“The Dark Level” explores the horror of the high-rise parking structure. Not just what everyday dangers could be lurking in the shadows, but the nature of the building itself. Exasperated with the lack of affordable parking near his office, Jim drives around town, looking for an alternative. What he finds seems too good to be true. But when he tries to park in his new spot on Monday morning, things take a surreal turn. It begins slowly before taking a truly weird, and wonderful, detour. Taff ramps up the creep factor with nightmarish imagery and blood-chilling terror. It is an excellent and strange tale that taps into the human nature to survive, and delivers a terrific ending.

In “The Bitches of Madison County”, nature photographer, Donald Harmon, finds himself out of work and back home after three decades of globetrotting. His latest project came to an abrupt end, the cause of which only hinted at, but it appears that Harmon is to blame for a fairly serious incident in Kenya. We soon learn, though, that there is a darkness in Harmon who, when left without work, makes work of his own. He rents an apartment in a complex that is popular with single women and does what he does best; studies his subjects through his camera lens. He fills notebooks with detailed notes of behaviours and patterns, but nobody catches his eye. Until he witnesses his neighbour, Jayne, seduce the paper boy. Thus begins an obsession that leads the ever-unravelling Harmon to go to disturbing lengths to get his ultimate shot.

“The Night Moves” sees Taff stretch his poetry muscles. It still fulfils all the criteria for a short story, with a beginning/middle/end, characters, and a plot. But the way it is delivered is unlike anything else in the collection. Taff gets more colourful with his descriptive language and similes, his prose becoming almost musical to the reader’s ear. A man wanders the street at night, encountering many strangers, each reacting to his gaze by remembering some forgotten truth or shameful secret. Each experience their hidden thoughts in some visceral way, everything beautifully documented by the author.

“Gethsemane, In Rain” offers four snapshots of a small town, each segment taken by a different resident. The vignettes are interwoven with seemingly effortless ease and, while the horror is subtle and any supernatural elements merely hinted at, the writing is perfect. An elderly man bemoans having to drive to the pharmacy in the rain for his sick wife, until a haunting interruption sends him straight home. A man visits an upholsterer with whom he shares an unknown and potentially heart-breaking connection. A man with terminal cancer and months to live receives a plea for help from an unknown neighbour. A young boy, seemingly in foster care – or something more sinister – reflects on his horrible situation. Taff excels when it comes to character development and revealing exposition through dialogue and inner thoughts of his characters. He gives the reader enough to keep the stories moving forward at a steady pace without revealing everything in one go. Often the strongest stories hint at deeper emotions and allow the reader to find their own way.

One of the longer stories, “The Coriolis Effect (Or, Chiromancy for Beginners)” concerns the unnamed narrator and his brother, Stephen, returning to their childhood home to prepare it for sale after the passing of their mother. They are both fully grown men and, during the long drive, reminisce about their childhood, specifically, the night a naked man attempted to kidnap them through their bedroom window. The story jumps back and forth seamlessly between the road trip and memories the narrator has about his past, and the disturbing truth about their family. Perfectly paced, the revelations come at the right times, urging the reader on to the ending and the one terrible revelation that still remains for the narrator. A fantastic read.

The final story is an alternate version of the final days of President Abraham Lincoln. “Lincoln & Booth at the Orpheum” opens with Abraham and Mary Todd residing in San Francisco, the country still coming to terms with the Civil War, the Confederate Army victorious. Living in disgrace, troubled by aches and pains and the unsettling feeling of a greater wrong, the former president has a chance encounter in the street with an actor, John Wilkes Booth. After the meeting, Lincoln notices that his aches aren’t as severe, causing him to become obsessed with the actor, determined that he holds the answer to the ominous feelings and dreams that have been plaguing him. As a thought experiment, it considers the idea of predestination and fate. As a story, it is wonderfully executed, the characters ringing true and the setting beautifully rendered. Taff truly captures the voice of the era.

Whether it is author or publisher or a combination, whoever is responsible for the placement of the stories is to be commended. From the first story to the last, every one was so unique that no-one could foretell what each held. From body horror, to vampires, to the downright strange, to horror of a quieter nature, the full spectrum of the genre is on display. The through line is the exquisite storytelling of a skilled and masterful author. Taff has earned his moniker through years of hard work and diligence to his craft, so some may take this collection for granted. But his offering, in a year of strong entries in single author collections, should not be understated. This is one of the best collections of the year.

[Jessica (Spooky KidLit & We Who Walk Here, Walk Alone) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first John F.D. Taff work that I’ve read, and now that I’ve made it through to the other side, I understand the “King of Pain” moniker he’s earned. There’s an emotional depth to his work that makes sure his horror lingers…these are not just stories about fictional characters, these are stories about all of us. Reading Little Black Spots, the reader knows in their soul that they are not exempt from judgment. In this collection, Taff writes about: the violent extremes that people will go to in order to love or be loved; the hopeless isolation of working life; regrets, guilt, and the gaping hole inside yourself that never goes away; laughable helplessness in the face of temptation; the sad, horrible lives people lead behind closed doors; and, above all else, the relentlessness of fate. This collection leaves you with the feeling that whatever horrible thing is waiting for you — whether it is love that will literally cut you to pieces or an eldritch terror lurking in the shadows or something even worse — it is inescapable.

Each story is strong on its own, but in any short story collection there will be some that get under your skin a bit more than the others. There are two stories in particular that will stay with me for a long time. The first is “The Coriolis Effect (Or Chiromancy for Beginners).” I try to avoid spoilers as much as possible in my reviews, so I’ll use the delightfully vague summary for this story from the book synopsis quoted above: “A ruined man sees far too much of himself in his broken family.” Taff makes sure that the reader sees far too much of themselves in this broken family as well, with prose so soft and sweet that it cuts to the bone. I had to stop several times while reading to jot down quotes from the book; Taff has a talent for writing lines that make you catch your breath and go still, wanting to read them over and over again to recapture the feeling you had when you read them for the first time.

In the afterword, Taff mentions that “The Coriolis Effect (Or Chiromancy for Beginners)” was partly inspired by an event from his childhood, but I could already tell just by reading the story how deeply personal it is. It feels lived in and intimate in a way that few writers can achieve. I doubt that there are many readers who can relate directly to Taff’s experience (God, I hope not), but the story still feels uncomfortably familiar as it explores the gut punch sensation of revisiting childhood traumas and making unsettling connections as you realize what was really going on the whole time. The King of Pain reigns supreme here…we can’t relate to the specific situation at hand, but we feel the same emotions and recognize them in our own lives; when we realize that we feel such a strong kinship with such a monumentally screwed-up family, the horror of the story’s events becomes entwined with a sense of horror at ourselves and at humanity in general.

Not to be outdone in the “screwed-up” department, the second story that’s going to stay with me for a while is “Purple Soda Hand.” Here’s the deliciously vague summary: “A young boy finds a mysterious bottle of liquid containing a deadly secret.” Since it’s right there in the title, I’m going to be a tiny bit spoiler-y here and tell you that the mysterious bottle of liquid is purple soda and the deadly secret is a hand…floating inside the bottle of purple soda. To put it plainly, this story is weird and disgusting — two of my favorite things — but that’s not the disturbing part. No, what’s so disturbing (and impressive) is that Taff manages to write such a weird, disgusting story and still make me want to drink some of that damn purple soda. I’ve read the story, I know what happens, and I would probably still drink the accursed stuff. Taff is right; humanity is tarnished.

(Incidentally, when I realized that I just so happened to have a purple hand lying around my house for a photo shoot for this review, the evil laugh that emanated from deep within me would have made some of Taff’s characters proud.)

These are only two of the darkly poetic stories in this collection that hold up a cracked mirror to humanity’s face. I’m sure when you read Little Black Spots (I say “when,” not “if,” because I know you’re going to go out and pick it up now) you’ll find that other stories resonate more deeply with you than the ones I’ve mentioned. That’s the beauty, and the horror, of Taff’s book: no matter how horrific or depraved the stories are, no matter how much we may try to say otherwise, we still see ourselves on every page.

My thanks to Grey Matter Press for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Dona Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but this I know; my brain juices have turned purple, and there’s a tiny hand floating there that will not go away. Horror and mystery, just as the cover promised, and not all is explained; instead bits are left hovering in the mind to haunt the unsuspecting reader. And yes, the pain, I often suffered, though I knew these were but words gathered together into a tale. Artfully arranged by the King of Pain to piece the heart. I became fearful to step into another story, to turn another page. Touché, John F.D. Taff. Touché.

[Craig Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this 4 starts based on his writing ability. Having said that, this will be the last book I read by Taff. I read Little Deaths and thought I found a new favorite author. But nothing has come close since. But I am saying this as probably my taste type of thing. Does that make sense? The books and short stories I’ve read by Taff have all had the same “feel”. Except for “Little Deaths.” So the 4 stars is because I think he is an incredible writer, just not the type of story I like.

[Rikke Nordravn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I don't rate this as high as many others on goodreads, I think it might be because I consume lots of stories in this specific genre, and it takes something special to wow me. With this said there are some true gems in this book, sadly there are more of the boring stories (imho) which is why I only give it 3 stars. So my point is that the craftmanship is without a doubt really talented and well done, and it might be a taste question, and others might not find a majority of the stories predictable and boring. So pick it up and read it - if nothing else then you get some really good stories hidden in there. =)

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to follow shortly

[Jon Pickering]

DNF, not because I didn't like it, but because I'm burned out on short stories. I will pick this up again at some point.