Screams Before Dawn

by Heinrich von Wolfcastle

For those with an interest in the occult and macabre, this collection of twelve twisted tales will have you screaming before dawn. A measured and blood-splattered concoction of humor and horror in the spirit of “Tales from the Crypt,” this tongue-in-cheek compilation features creatures, killers, monsters, and madmen. The ghouls and ghosts you find here, as well as the grim places and people they haunt, will creep their way into your nightmares… and your heart.

Included in this collection of short horror stories: A SCREAM BEFORE DAWN; WHAT HAPPENED; BIRD’S THE WORD; SHE SAID HER NAME WAS SPOOKIE; VULTURES OF THE AFTERMATH; THE WHITE CROSS ON RESURRECTION DRIVE; OF GOD, MONSTERS, AND MEN; EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; THINGS IN THE ATTIC; MARVIN’S TAVERN; THE LAST DAY ON EARTH; AMBASSADORS OF AMBROSIA

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2019

About the author

In tribute to a bygone era, Heinrich von Wolfcastle writes by candlelight from the seclusion of his castle in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Though he lives the life of a recluse, he has been known to emerge from the shadows for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween night. And, he checks his email regularly at HeinrichvonWolfcastle at gmail dot com.

Reviews

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

Screams before dawn is a collection of twelve short horror stories. Each story is a love letter filled with contents such as regret, dystopian nature, dark humor, fear and Halloween style haunting storylines. The author covers most horror subgenre categories and is most suitable for people who enjoy that line of suspense.


I found the literature to be descriptive and very suitable for the genre at hand. With such being a horror book, it needed to be detailed and have a visionary status with the reader being able to picture every scene. I was impressed to know that even though the stories were short, the author still managed to maintain that necessity.



The pace of the stories added a thrilling kind to the story. I particularly enjoyed the last day on earth and appreciated the concept of understanding that people are just as horrific as the monsters they imagine.



Due to the book being a collection it would also be very suitable for people who like to read short stories and come back to read more later on.

[Friend to Books and Cats Alike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a ton of either horror stories or short stories, but I was feeling particularly excited for Halloween and picked this up. It was fantastic! The stories are very unique throughout and don't rely heavily on tropes - some of them grossed me out, some of them made me actually laugh out loud (looking at you, Vultures of the Aftermath), and some of them genuinely freaked me out.

I think what surprised me the most about this book was that each tale had it's own twist that I didn't see coming, and I enjoyed reflecting on both the world-building in each setting and what read-between-the-lines commentary the writer plays with in each. Enjoyable all around!

5.

[Daniel C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say, I was very impressed by this author. I would definitely read more from him. This wide ranging collection of short horror stories will appeal to those who seek a new, unique voice in horror.