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The Ones Who Never Came Back: Horror Stories and Novellas
A little girl found a leg on the shore of my lake.The authorities won’t drain the lake to look for the rest of the body.
They say it’s impossible, that five thousand acres is too much, even to look into a potential murder.
The thing is… they emptied it out a while ago just to clean up some old sewage. They absolutely can drain the lake if they want to.
But maybe they know better than to try.
-From "The Lake"
THE ONES WHO NEVER CAME BACK is a collection of horror stories. Some are short and visceral with sudden and terrifying impact, while others are extended and elaborate mysteries. From monsters and supernatural encounters to killers and psychological thrillers, this collection has something for anyone looking for quick exciting reads.
Praise for the book"...Some of the creepiest reads i've read in awhile."★★★★★ Review
"Any horror fan will love every creepy tale this collection has to offer. The author knows just what makes our skin crawl and delivers!"★★★★★ Review
"A beautiful sentiment in a horrid place. I actually cried at the end. Writing was amazing. I could 'see' everything as it happened."★★★★★ Review
R.C. Bowman is a distinguished horror author featured on the world famous Nosleep Podcast.
Read now to learn what happened to all those who never came back.
About Haunted House Publishing
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.
They say it’s impossible, that five thousand acres is too much, even to look into a potential murder.
The thing is… they emptied it out a while ago just to clean up some old sewage. They absolutely can drain the lake if they want to.
But maybe they know better than to try.
-From "The Lake"
THE ONES WHO NEVER CAME BACK is a collection of horror stories. Some are short and visceral with sudden and terrifying impact, while others are extended and elaborate mysteries. From monsters and supernatural encounters to killers and psychological thrillers, this collection has something for anyone looking for quick exciting reads.
Praise for the book"...Some of the creepiest reads i've read in awhile."★★★★★ Review
"Any horror fan will love every creepy tale this collection has to offer. The author knows just what makes our skin crawl and delivers!"★★★★★ Review
"A beautiful sentiment in a horrid place. I actually cried at the end. Writing was amazing. I could 'see' everything as it happened."★★★★★ Review
R.C. Bowman is a distinguished horror author featured on the world famous Nosleep Podcast.
Read now to learn what happened to all those who never came back.
About Haunted House Publishing
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.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2018
77 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 11, 2018
The Ones Who Never Came Back by R. C. Bowman is a collection of twenty-five short horror stories and novellas. I like to comment on each story but in summary; No. 13, The Wooden King is very good as far as a twisted horror story. The last two stories are wonderful celebrations of humanity and the ways the human spirit can deal with horrible situations.
1. Come to Daddy***** This first story sets the tone of the book. Do I want to continue reading? Yep. Here are the first two lines. “You would probably be surprised at the number of bodies one can find out in the desert. You would probably be even more surprised at how often people play with the bodies.” (Kindle Locations 44-45).
2. The Lake***** There is a “they” we all know about. We frequently use the word to describe a powerful, ruling, unresponsive entity such as “the government.” In this story “they” refuse to drain the lake to search for an unknown yet acknowledged horror. They know better.
3. Lorelai***** Six-year-old Rachele unwillingly spent her summer at her aunt’s house. She had been looking forward to a summer of magic but her aunt and cousins shunned her so she had to find magic on her own. Then she met Lorelai the mermaid.
4. Being***** This story is full of beautiful description of world building. Read this story for descriptions of alternative, complex, opposing realities.
5. I Want My MTV***** Tim thought he was the chosen one. Nope.
6. Yo-Yos***** There is a reason yo-yos are on a string. They always come back (unlike Braden).
7. Art Lover***** We have heard life imitates art but what happens when art imitates life?
8. The Mother in the Tree***** There is a trade. A friend for a friend, or …
9. The Mirror***** This story will make you look at joggers in the park with new eyes.
10. Just Like Another World***** The patient can live but the rest of humanity has to die. This story has excellent descriptive writing of pain more imaginable than I ever want to experience.
11. The World’s Most Exciting Competition***** Finally!! A cure for WWE!
12. Bad Dreams***** Four-year-old Noah protected his dad; it just took twenty-four years for him to do it.
13. The Wooden King***** It began with something similar to a dating website but quickly morphed into an ultimate nightmare/dream or alternate reality. Best story so far of the collection.
14. The Auction***** This is a story about a zoo for animal victims of occult practices. Which animal of those described is the latest, most recent victim?
15. The Procedure***** This might be an endorsement for over the counter bug spray. Readers can decide.
16. The Desert***** This might be the most confusing story of the collection. I am betting on a giant bird but this is a reader interpretation story. Great descriptive writing.
17. The Feral Child***** This story redefines the meaning of a close family.
18. My Brother’s Fairy Godmother***** Not all fairy godmothers are socially acceptable.
19. Waifu***** The question for this story, one logically suggested by the title is: “Who is the Waifu?”
20. Whippersnapper***** Dad confesses all to his son.
21. The True Fairy Princess***** Tatiana held the true secret to Catarina’s fate. Or maybe not.
22. Maggot Man***** Sammie could see the Maggot Man because she had the glass. Tatiana couldn’t see him because she didn’t have the glass, When Sammie finally gave it to her Tatiana didn’t want to look. The question is, where is Sammie now?
23. Wings***** Some monsters are good; they exist to protect. The hero of this story wished he had helped the monster when Margaret asked for his help. At least the monster hadn’t eaten him.
24. A Recipe for Happiness***** On the nature of happiness, pain, and being human, this is philosophically the best story of the collection.
25. The Cobbler’s Gift***** This last story is a fitting and upbeat ending to the collection. It is not entirely a twisted horror story. It is a powerful tribute to the power of kindness and love.
1. Come to Daddy***** This first story sets the tone of the book. Do I want to continue reading? Yep. Here are the first two lines. “You would probably be surprised at the number of bodies one can find out in the desert. You would probably be even more surprised at how often people play with the bodies.” (Kindle Locations 44-45).
2. The Lake***** There is a “they” we all know about. We frequently use the word to describe a powerful, ruling, unresponsive entity such as “the government.” In this story “they” refuse to drain the lake to search for an unknown yet acknowledged horror. They know better.
3. Lorelai***** Six-year-old Rachele unwillingly spent her summer at her aunt’s house. She had been looking forward to a summer of magic but her aunt and cousins shunned her so she had to find magic on her own. Then she met Lorelai the mermaid.
4. Being***** This story is full of beautiful description of world building. Read this story for descriptions of alternative, complex, opposing realities.
5. I Want My MTV***** Tim thought he was the chosen one. Nope.
6. Yo-Yos***** There is a reason yo-yos are on a string. They always come back (unlike Braden).
7. Art Lover***** We have heard life imitates art but what happens when art imitates life?
8. The Mother in the Tree***** There is a trade. A friend for a friend, or …
9. The Mirror***** This story will make you look at joggers in the park with new eyes.
10. Just Like Another World***** The patient can live but the rest of humanity has to die. This story has excellent descriptive writing of pain more imaginable than I ever want to experience.
11. The World’s Most Exciting Competition***** Finally!! A cure for WWE!
12. Bad Dreams***** Four-year-old Noah protected his dad; it just took twenty-four years for him to do it.
13. The Wooden King***** It began with something similar to a dating website but quickly morphed into an ultimate nightmare/dream or alternate reality. Best story so far of the collection.
14. The Auction***** This is a story about a zoo for animal victims of occult practices. Which animal of those described is the latest, most recent victim?
15. The Procedure***** This might be an endorsement for over the counter bug spray. Readers can decide.
16. The Desert***** This might be the most confusing story of the collection. I am betting on a giant bird but this is a reader interpretation story. Great descriptive writing.
17. The Feral Child***** This story redefines the meaning of a close family.
18. My Brother’s Fairy Godmother***** Not all fairy godmothers are socially acceptable.
19. Waifu***** The question for this story, one logically suggested by the title is: “Who is the Waifu?”
20. Whippersnapper***** Dad confesses all to his son.
21. The True Fairy Princess***** Tatiana held the true secret to Catarina’s fate. Or maybe not.
22. Maggot Man***** Sammie could see the Maggot Man because she had the glass. Tatiana couldn’t see him because she didn’t have the glass, When Sammie finally gave it to her Tatiana didn’t want to look. The question is, where is Sammie now?
23. Wings***** Some monsters are good; they exist to protect. The hero of this story wished he had helped the monster when Margaret asked for his help. At least the monster hadn’t eaten him.
24. A Recipe for Happiness***** On the nature of happiness, pain, and being human, this is philosophically the best story of the collection.
25. The Cobbler’s Gift***** This last story is a fitting and upbeat ending to the collection. It is not entirely a twisted horror story. It is a powerful tribute to the power of kindness and love.
November 17, 2018
This collection of short stories run the gauntlet of strange, weird, unusual and often just plain scary characters. Some times characters can be to well-developed and then you occasionally find one of them visiting, perhaps under your bed? Or, in your closet? But the worst is when you discover they have moved into your body! This book contains a few of those characters so, now you have been warned, read with lots of lights on and check under your bed before you climb in.
Can you tell I loved these stories? Quickly, go get this book and scare yourself silly!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Can you tell I loved these stories? Quickly, go get this book and scare yourself silly!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
February 6, 2019
There's not much I can say about this collection of Horror Stories. Like most anthologies, there are stories that work and stories that don't quite work. The one story that I enjoyed the most, but was however one of the shortest and would like to see a full novel treatment of, The Lake, dealing with a park ranger and a possible Lovecraftian creature living in the lake. Wings and Recipe for Happiness are two other stories that stand out in this collection.
I am very intrigued by the other and am going to be looking into more of their works for feature reads.
I am very intrigued by the other and am going to be looking into more of their works for feature reads.
November 28, 2018
This is a pretty good collection of short horror stories. As usual with books like this, there are some you may not like as much as others, but I liked the author’s style and found much more I did like than not. Some are really creepy. Some were downright disturbing. I remember thinking “wow” in my head more than once at the end of a story. Makes for a good rain/snow day read and is well worth the money.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2018
If you like horror and supernatural and enjoy short stories, this is for you. They all have a creepy feeling to them although not all are straight horror.
As in any collection, there are ups and downs, stories that would appeal more to your tastes than others, but this is a wonderful set that will keep you glued to the book until the end.
As in any collection, there are ups and downs, stories that would appeal more to your tastes than others, but this is a wonderful set that will keep you glued to the book until the end.
November 30, 2018
🌟🌟🌟
I really liked a couple of the stories. However, the further you get into the book, the more likeness you see to previous stories. It started to feel like I was reading the same stories, just with some changes made. For me, I became bored easily. I enjoyed the descriptive gore! Just an ok read for me. Grammar errors noted. Would definitely recommend to others though!
I really liked a couple of the stories. However, the further you get into the book, the more likeness you see to previous stories. It started to feel like I was reading the same stories, just with some changes made. For me, I became bored easily. I enjoyed the descriptive gore! Just an ok read for me. Grammar errors noted. Would definitely recommend to others though!
December 19, 2018
Maybe more a 3.5 than a 4, but idk. I liked most of the stories, but for some of them they felt less like stories with a beginning, climax, resolution, etc, or even twists and such, and more like "here's a creepy thing" I guess.
March 2, 2023
I love these anthologies. Short stories are great for when you are pressed for time. Some were scarier than others but they were all worth reading.
I received a copy of The Ones Who Never Came Back through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
I received a copy of The Ones Who Never Came Back through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
January 13, 2019
Great Read
Very diverse stories, some that could be true some pure fantasy but All good. I highly recommend this author and I read all his stories.
Very diverse stories, some that could be true some pure fantasy but All good. I highly recommend this author and I read all his stories.
January 24, 2020
This is an anthology book that has a bunch of horror stories rolled into one huge package. My feeling towards anthology are the same ones that I reserve for a box of chocolate all sorts. On the surface they look all yummy and you like the idea of a big box full of fun treats.
You might even get lucky with the first one being a good classic milk chocolate but eventually you get that dreaded Turkish delight.
The Ones who Never came back is a collection of horror stories. I could go into each story discussing their merits and the type of audience that might enjoy them. But after getting to the three hour mark on audible I can safely say who the target audience is.
This is targeted to old grannies and house wives who like sad depressing things. This isn't horror. It's a book full of sad moments with fantasy and horror elements added into it.
“But reviewer.” You might say. “How could you tell people that you like or don't like this book? That would be like giving your impression on a restaurant just off one or two meals.”
Yeah but when the menu includes several types of chicken curry and you are still throwing up the last one that you had it's time to call it a day.
These stories aren't scary. Only one body horror, one or two ghost stories, a haunted underpass, one medical horror that was somewhat passable, one demon summoning, one poor excuse of a lovecraft. Three hours into the audiobook and that was it. I can't remember the others and I skipped a few bits because I was so bored.
There are only two stories that I really remember reading from this phone book. One was story number 3 where a boy talks to a girl tells him that she is a mermaid. The other story was where a guy with a bunch of illnesses tries to have them cured in a bizarre medical practice.
I know that you don't need buckets of blood or a werewolf to make things frightening. I like new monsters, I like suspense. But this book is just depressing and the stories just don't stand out.
You might even get lucky with the first one being a good classic milk chocolate but eventually you get that dreaded Turkish delight.
The Ones who Never came back is a collection of horror stories. I could go into each story discussing their merits and the type of audience that might enjoy them. But after getting to the three hour mark on audible I can safely say who the target audience is.
This is targeted to old grannies and house wives who like sad depressing things. This isn't horror. It's a book full of sad moments with fantasy and horror elements added into it.
“But reviewer.” You might say. “How could you tell people that you like or don't like this book? That would be like giving your impression on a restaurant just off one or two meals.”
Yeah but when the menu includes several types of chicken curry and you are still throwing up the last one that you had it's time to call it a day.
These stories aren't scary. Only one body horror, one or two ghost stories, a haunted underpass, one medical horror that was somewhat passable, one demon summoning, one poor excuse of a lovecraft. Three hours into the audiobook and that was it. I can't remember the others and I skipped a few bits because I was so bored.
There are only two stories that I really remember reading from this phone book. One was story number 3 where a boy talks to a girl tells him that she is a mermaid. The other story was where a guy with a bunch of illnesses tries to have them cured in a bizarre medical practice.
I know that you don't need buckets of blood or a werewolf to make things frightening. I like new monsters, I like suspense. But this book is just depressing and the stories just don't stand out.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews