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The Coming of the Old Ones
Three stories of horror in the vein of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. AROUND THE CORNER - A man whose parents raised him in a cult suspects the new tenants in his apartment complex belong to a similar cult, and are summoning up powers that will change the world...and not for the betterment of humankind. AFTER THE FALL - Around the world, after a great storm the sky becomes filled with the remains of vast fossilized monsters locked in an ancient conflict, leaving humans to interpret this vision and to consider their own humble existence. SCRIMSHAW - In this alternate history story set in 1851, men in seafaring ships do not harvest whale blubber, but seek strange treasures in the bodies of immense alien creatures. From Jeffrey Thomas -- the author of Punktown.
82 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2019
189 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Thomas
245 books278 followersJeffrey Thomas is an American author of weird fiction, the creator of the acclaimed setting Punktown. Books in the Punktown universe include the short story collections Punktown, Voices from Punktown, Punktown: Shades of Grey (with his brother, Scott Thomas), and Ghosts of Punktown. Novels in that setting include Deadstock, Blue War, Monstrocity, Health Agent, Everybody Scream!, Red Cells, and The New God. Thomas’s other short story collections include The Unnamed Country, Gods of a Nameless Country, The Endless Fall, Haunted Worlds, Worship the Night, Thirteen Specimens, Nocturnal Emissions, Doomsdays, Terror Incognita, Unholy Dimensions, AAAIIIEEE!!!, Honey Is Sweeter Than Blood, Carrion Men, Voices from Hades, The Return of Enoch Coffin, and Entering Gosston. His other novels include The American, Boneland, Subject 11, Letters From Hades, The Fall of Hades, The Exploded Soul, The Nought, Thought Forms, Beyond the Door, Lost in Darkness, and A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Dealers.
His work has been reprinted in The Year’s Best Horror Stories XXII (editor Karl Edward Wagner), The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror #14 (editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling), and Year’s Best Weird Fiction #1 (editors Laird Barron and Michael Kelly). At NecronomiCon 2024 Thomas received the Robert Bloch Award for his contributions to weird fiction.
Though he considers Viet Nam his second home, Thomas lives in Massachusetts.
His work has been reprinted in The Year’s Best Horror Stories XXII (editor Karl Edward Wagner), The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror #14 (editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling), and Year’s Best Weird Fiction #1 (editors Laird Barron and Michael Kelly). At NecronomiCon 2024 Thomas received the Robert Bloch Award for his contributions to weird fiction.
Though he considers Viet Nam his second home, Thomas lives in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 23, 2021
Here with have three Lovecraft inspired stories citing some motifs from the master. Strange angles and other dimensions, monsters in the sky, noises like a snorting beast... the stories were entertaining, rather mild, a bit eerie, a bit of Twilight Zone, one set in the past. Well, to be honest, I prefer stories written by Lovecraft himself. But if you're looking for some distraction you could risk a glance here! The author definitely knows how to set up a Lovecraft influenced tale!
September 2, 2020
This is a strong collection of Lovecraftian short stories.
I particularly enjoyed “After the Fall” and “Scrimshaw.” The use of imagery alone is worth the read. Thomas plays with some very clever and original concepts of the Old Ones.
Plus I love that cover.
I particularly enjoyed “After the Fall” and “Scrimshaw.” The use of imagery alone is worth the read. Thomas plays with some very clever and original concepts of the Old Ones.
Plus I love that cover.
January 21, 2021
All three stories are solid cosmic horror tales. The first is creepy and odd and kind of an unreliable narrator in some ways. The second was a very interesting concept that made me think. And the last story was my favorite of the three. Keeps you guessing as it doles out info on the cosmic horror part while gradually revealing the human elements of the plot. Definitely enjoyed all three.
April 1, 2021
This is the first of 6 chapbooks in a series by Jeffrey Thomas. I think they all consist of three stories, and I don't think they're necessarily going to be related to each other (though at least a couple are set in the Punktown universe). This one is cosmic weirdness set on a terrestrial scale instead of a Punktown scale; three seemingly unrelated little stories. I think the second was my favorite, it had a cool quietness to it you don't get in much of the works in this corner of the genre sphere. Looking forward to reading the rest of the chapbooks, and got the whole 6-pack for a nice price on Kindle.
May 4, 2021
“The walls themselves seemed to be constructed out of a confluence of angles so unlikely, perhaps even so impossible, that it pained his mind to view them, let alone attempt to contemplate them”
Ohhh, this was a great Lovecraftian collection of three short stories. Cosmic horror, non-Euclidean geometry, cults, horrors beyond our understanding. Thomas is able to pack all this into a little over 60 pages!
‘Around the Corner’ tells the story of a Franklin, a man raised in a cult then deprogrammed at age 5. He is now living in an apartment complex where strange things are beginning to happen and his new neighbors may have connections to the same cult he escaped.
In ‘After the Fall’ the world a huge storm uncovers a sky filled with the fossilized remains of huge monsters. Why are they there? And have they always been there, lurking just outside our meager human vision and comprehension?
'Scrimshaw' 1takes us out to sea with a ship in search of treasures found in the bodies of immense alien creatures called The Fallen and the screams of The Fallen are beginning to get louder and louder. This story takes place in an alternate 1851 where these alien creatures are a normal occurrence and are harvested kind of like whales were in our 1851. On this ship we will see a young man in love, the jealousy of the captain of the ship and the lengths he will go to keep what is his.
These stories were so good! If you like cosmic horror you have to go get this collection. I am definitely going to be reading his other collections.
Ohhh, this was a great Lovecraftian collection of three short stories. Cosmic horror, non-Euclidean geometry, cults, horrors beyond our understanding. Thomas is able to pack all this into a little over 60 pages!
‘Around the Corner’ tells the story of a Franklin, a man raised in a cult then deprogrammed at age 5. He is now living in an apartment complex where strange things are beginning to happen and his new neighbors may have connections to the same cult he escaped.
In ‘After the Fall’ the world a huge storm uncovers a sky filled with the fossilized remains of huge monsters. Why are they there? And have they always been there, lurking just outside our meager human vision and comprehension?
'Scrimshaw' 1takes us out to sea with a ship in search of treasures found in the bodies of immense alien creatures called The Fallen and the screams of The Fallen are beginning to get louder and louder. This story takes place in an alternate 1851 where these alien creatures are a normal occurrence and are harvested kind of like whales were in our 1851. On this ship we will see a young man in love, the jealousy of the captain of the ship and the lengths he will go to keep what is his.
These stories were so good! If you like cosmic horror you have to go get this collection. I am definitely going to be reading his other collections.
January 11, 2021
3 1/2 stars from me, for a wonderful collection of short-stories infused with Lovecraftian cosmic horror. I enjoyed the first story the best, probably because it was more reality-based than the others, which dwelt on fallen Old Ones and their remains, either in the air or sea.
Very well done. Now I need to track down my ginormous TBR pile and see if there are any Punktown stories within...
Very well done. Now I need to track down my ginormous TBR pile and see if there are any Punktown stories within...
June 18, 2020
Some of the absolute best Lovecraftian fiction I've read, these stories look at the mythos and their possibilities in fascinating new light.
January 16, 2021
Three Short Stories...
No spoilers. 4 stars. I've been catching up on some short story collections lately and have rediscovered what I've always liked about them... They can be read in one sitting...
This collection has 3 stories... Below is a breakdown of each... I rated them all 4 stars... enjoy!
AROUND THE CORNER
The story of a man who just wanted to do his laundry undisturbed late one night but he discovers a nest of occultism on the top floor of his apartment building... and they want him to join them...
AFTER THE FALL
This is a prophetic little tale... A strong wind came out of nowhere and it was worldwide. The aftermath left the skies crystal clear except for some very creepy fossils floating in the atmosphere... what are they?...
SCRIMSHAW
In 1851 Massachusetts a hired deck hand on a whaler ship is taken with the captain's wife and makes her a present of a milk orb from a whale which he had decorated with scrimshaw depicting a mermaid... The captain is very displeased...
All three of these tales were good and very well developed considering their size. My only complaint is that the author put some time and detail into his stories but didn't spend much time with their conclusions and for that I removed a star.
No spoilers. 4 stars. I've been catching up on some short story collections lately and have rediscovered what I've always liked about them... They can be read in one sitting...
This collection has 3 stories... Below is a breakdown of each... I rated them all 4 stars... enjoy!
AROUND THE CORNER
The story of a man who just wanted to do his laundry undisturbed late one night but he discovers a nest of occultism on the top floor of his apartment building... and they want him to join them...
AFTER THE FALL
This is a prophetic little tale... A strong wind came out of nowhere and it was worldwide. The aftermath left the skies crystal clear except for some very creepy fossils floating in the atmosphere... what are they?...
SCRIMSHAW
In 1851 Massachusetts a hired deck hand on a whaler ship is taken with the captain's wife and makes her a present of a milk orb from a whale which he had decorated with scrimshaw depicting a mermaid... The captain is very displeased...
All three of these tales were good and very well developed considering their size. My only complaint is that the author put some time and detail into his stories but didn't spend much time with their conclusions and for that I removed a star.
February 20, 2023
A slim but solid chapbook of 3 stories of cosmic horror from the always readable Jeffrey Thomas. They're set in different periods and have very different characters, but are tangentially related by certain strands of a looming over-arching dread. A major character of the last story Scrimshaw is an engaging cross between Ron Perlman's Hannibal Chau character in Pacific Rim and Richard Dix's tyrannical captain in The Ghost Ship.
Overall, A tasty snack between other readings. Recommended to JT readers and horror fans in general.
Overall, A tasty snack between other readings. Recommended to JT readers and horror fans in general.
May 23, 2021
The Coming of the Old Ones includes three novellas: "Around the Corner," "After the Fall," and "Scrimshaw." Each has a distinctively Lovecraftian tone but is also decidedly Thomas' own. All three have a creepy feel to them. The Coming of the Old Ones is a quick read, but a good one.
August 16, 2020
An excellent collection. The stories are original, and do a very good job of creating new variations on Lovecraftean themes. Complex and interesting characters, caught up in complex and inexplicable situations. “Scrimshaw”, in particular, tells a solid story of jealousy and vengeance in a world that poses far more questions than it answers, and one that I would love to see more from.
Well-written, well-balanced, and engaging stories.
Well-written, well-balanced, and engaging stories.
March 29, 2025
This was my first foray into the books of Jeffrey Thomas, best know for his punktown series - which I Will dabble in the coming months.
These are 3 short stories with 82 pages, each around 20/25.
The first one "Around the Corner" deals with a man, who his parents - although this is not really delve - cultists and he starts seeing in his bulding strange stuff, a young beautiful woman and some connections to the cults he left. It's not really developed and it ended quite absurdly and abruptly. What I mean is that in the back cover it says "... and are summoning up powers that will change the world... and not for the betterment of humankind". Unless my book was missing pages I didn't see anything like that.
The second one, "After the fall" it was my favourite of the three and deals with appearance of strange fossils as they call them in the sky and the changes on humanity (Well a couple of characters to be fair) but most of the story if focus on a couple in a brink of separating. It's quite interesting because it deals a good punch by the end.
The third one is Scrimshaw and although I enjoy the tale, it's basically the discovering of imense alien beings on earth and the process of harvest it. It deals with a crazy husband and the thought of her wife being unfaithful. It's a really nutty job and how he deals with a person he think loves his wife.
In the end I felt satisfied but I was not great. It was another take on the old ones. They are not backstory characters like Lovecraft but they are not mad ravening beings destroying the world. They exist and how would affect "normal" people around the world. Quite good take.
I would rate this 74/100
Btw: The Cover has nothing to do with the stories - although it's beautiful.
These are 3 short stories with 82 pages, each around 20/25.
The first one "Around the Corner" deals with a man, who his parents - although this is not really delve - cultists and he starts seeing in his bulding strange stuff, a young beautiful woman and some connections to the cults he left. It's not really developed and it ended quite absurdly and abruptly. What I mean is that in the back cover it says "... and are summoning up powers that will change the world... and not for the betterment of humankind". Unless my book was missing pages I didn't see anything like that.
The second one, "After the fall" it was my favourite of the three and deals with appearance of strange fossils as they call them in the sky and the changes on humanity (Well a couple of characters to be fair) but most of the story if focus on a couple in a brink of separating. It's quite interesting because it deals a good punch by the end.
The third one is Scrimshaw and although I enjoy the tale, it's basically the discovering of imense alien beings on earth and the process of harvest it. It deals with a crazy husband and the thought of her wife being unfaithful. It's a really nutty job and how he deals with a person he think loves his wife.
In the end I felt satisfied but I was not great. It was another take on the old ones. They are not backstory characters like Lovecraft but they are not mad ravening beings destroying the world. They exist and how would affect "normal" people around the world. Quite good take.
I would rate this 74/100
Btw: The Cover has nothing to do with the stories - although it's beautiful.
July 22, 2021
Three Lovecraftian stories in one, so I think I shall review each separately!
Around The Corner reminded me somewhat of a combination of Lovecraft's Cool Air and The Call of Cthulhu, with a mixture of creepy apartment building neighbours and grim cultists. Perhaps the weakest of the three, this is still a strong homage to Lovecraft with some eloquent prose. Four stars.
After The Fall is much more akin to the more well-known elements of Lovecraft's writings; namely existential crises and ancient gods beyond our comprehension. When the fossils of ancient, battling monsters appear in the sky, Humankind's place in the universe comes into question, a question which nobody can ever hope to answer. Some wonderful imagery and masterful prose on display here, four stars once more.
Scrimshaw is an alternate history tale which, like After The Fall, explores a world in which the carcasses of some of Lovecraft's Old Ones begin to appear on our little planet. The outcomes of this small anachronism are certainly intriguing, and once more Thomas uses some beautifully creative imagery and masterful prose to tell this bizarre tale. Five stars.
Overall, this is a collection of three well-constructed and interesting tales which are all quite different from one another in different ways, yet are all equally Lovecraftian. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Around The Corner reminded me somewhat of a combination of Lovecraft's Cool Air and The Call of Cthulhu, with a mixture of creepy apartment building neighbours and grim cultists. Perhaps the weakest of the three, this is still a strong homage to Lovecraft with some eloquent prose. Four stars.
After The Fall is much more akin to the more well-known elements of Lovecraft's writings; namely existential crises and ancient gods beyond our comprehension. When the fossils of ancient, battling monsters appear in the sky, Humankind's place in the universe comes into question, a question which nobody can ever hope to answer. Some wonderful imagery and masterful prose on display here, four stars once more.
Scrimshaw is an alternate history tale which, like After The Fall, explores a world in which the carcasses of some of Lovecraft's Old Ones begin to appear on our little planet. The outcomes of this small anachronism are certainly intriguing, and once more Thomas uses some beautifully creative imagery and masterful prose to tell this bizarre tale. Five stars.
Overall, this is a collection of three well-constructed and interesting tales which are all quite different from one another in different ways, yet are all equally Lovecraftian. Thoroughly enjoyed.
February 28, 2022
The Coming of the Old Ones is a compilation of three H.P. Lovecraft-inspired short stories. Makes for an entertaining read you can finish in one evening. I was definitely sucked in and couldn't put it down once I started.
Around the Corner - an interesting take on the Cult of Cthulhu, wherein the cultists are stopped by the police. The five year old son of a pair of cultists is saved, deprogrammed, and sent to live with his grandparents. But years later, the past might still catch up with him . . .
After the Fall - I really love the atmosphere of this story. A strange global storm leaves Earth with a crystal clear view of giant alien monster fossils spread all across the sky. Fantastic imagery in this one - dreamlike.
Scrimshaw - it's 1851. The body of a great old one appeared in the ocean two decades earlier, and is being drilled into and it's parts harvested. It's like whaling. Except this is creature outside of time and cutting into it may not be the best idea. Meanwhile, Nate is a young ship's hand who thinks it's a good idea to make googly eyes at the wife of his ultra-stern, ultra-creepy captain and does not pick up on threats. It goes about where you would expect. This one has some interesting ideas, but I enjoyed the first two stories more.
Around the Corner - an interesting take on the Cult of Cthulhu, wherein the cultists are stopped by the police. The five year old son of a pair of cultists is saved, deprogrammed, and sent to live with his grandparents. But years later, the past might still catch up with him . . .
After the Fall - I really love the atmosphere of this story. A strange global storm leaves Earth with a crystal clear view of giant alien monster fossils spread all across the sky. Fantastic imagery in this one - dreamlike.
Scrimshaw - it's 1851. The body of a great old one appeared in the ocean two decades earlier, and is being drilled into and it's parts harvested. It's like whaling. Except this is creature outside of time and cutting into it may not be the best idea. Meanwhile, Nate is a young ship's hand who thinks it's a good idea to make googly eyes at the wife of his ultra-stern, ultra-creepy captain and does not pick up on threats. It goes about where you would expect. This one has some interesting ideas, but I enjoyed the first two stories more.
March 12, 2021
I always enjoy Thomas' books, although I always prefer long fiction to short. I also generally prefer science fiction to horror (and if you are unfamiliar with the Punktown writings, you really should change that about yourself; they are astonishingly good.
The first two stories were just as I hoped for them to be. The third had a style change, consistent with the setting, and perfectly correct, well done. I was unable to get used to it in time to fully enjoy the story, which in other ways was the best of the three.
The first two stories were just as I hoped for them to be. The third had a style change, consistent with the setting, and perfectly correct, well done. I was unable to get used to it in time to fully enjoy the story, which in other ways was the best of the three.
March 15, 2021
Strong start, interesting middle story, and big creep factor to close.
Even though the starting story is also the one that opened the Return of the Old Ones anthology, it is a great start. The middle story has a great atmosphere and dread to it with strong imagery, even though it is weaker writing overall. And the closing story is great, with a huge creep factor to it.
If I were to say anything negative, I would say it's too short and leaves you wanting a few more stories.
Even though the starting story is also the one that opened the Return of the Old Ones anthology, it is a great start. The middle story has a great atmosphere and dread to it with strong imagery, even though it is weaker writing overall. And the closing story is great, with a huge creep factor to it.
If I were to say anything negative, I would say it's too short and leaves you wanting a few more stories.
August 14, 2022
A very solid 3 stars a good set of weird fiction short stories.. each story had a very unsettling atmosphere. The first story in this collection set the stage started off creepy ended creepy wish it was longer. Second story definitely didn't want to end very interesting. The third and last story was okay didn't care for it too much wasn't horrible wasn't good it was just whatever. The theme with these stories they all could have been a little longer.
November 21, 2021
The only reason I didn't give this story collection five stars is because I wanted more from the stories. I understand that some can't go on forever, that you can't stretch a thin plot into a thick novel, but the second story, especially, I wanted more from. Will definitely have to check out more of Thomas's work!
March 7, 2024
Cosmic horror not to be missed
In each of these three amazing short stories, Jeffrey Thomas builds a unique world, touched by something unearthly and immense. And within the space of these vast cosmic horrors, he also tells the story of ordinary people, those with normal hopes, dreams and fears. Brilliantly constructed and executed.
In each of these three amazing short stories, Jeffrey Thomas builds a unique world, touched by something unearthly and immense. And within the space of these vast cosmic horrors, he also tells the story of ordinary people, those with normal hopes, dreams and fears. Brilliantly constructed and executed.
April 18, 2020
Too short!!!
These stories were GREAT but were WAY too short! It was like sitting down to a bowl of soup on a cold day and spilling it halfway through and finding it was the last of the pot. I was interested and investing the stories but they did not go anywhere.
These stories were GREAT but were WAY too short! It was like sitting down to a bowl of soup on a cold day and spilling it halfway through and finding it was the last of the pot. I was interested and investing the stories but they did not go anywhere.
June 26, 2020
So very close to perfect.
The first two stories are chilling new age lovecraft but the last story,even tho it wasn't horrible, was just okay. If anything the author didn't know if he wanted it to be sci fi or horror, and wasn't explained very well. Over all A-.
The first two stories are chilling new age lovecraft but the last story,even tho it wasn't horrible, was just okay. If anything the author didn't know if he wanted it to be sci fi or horror, and wasn't explained very well. Over all A-.
July 4, 2020
Atmospheric and unsettlimg.
I really enjoyed "After the Fall". It was the strongest of the trio for me. It you enjoy stories with less action and plenty of atmosphere and tension, give these a shot.
I really enjoyed "After the Fall". It was the strongest of the trio for me. It you enjoy stories with less action and plenty of atmosphere and tension, give these a shot.
October 1, 2020
This was a fun read and an author I'd like to read more from. Each story was captivating and revealed more of a grand mystery. However, I only wish each story was more extensive, and with a more definitive conclusion. An exciting trio of strange fiction, overall.
December 5, 2020
Some very enjoyably creepy Lovecraftian stories . . .
Three stories that seem Lovecraftian (though perhaps not so directly referencing any particular aspect of the Mythos), with a good slow-burn sense of horror. I enjoyed this collection very much.
Three stories that seem Lovecraftian (though perhaps not so directly referencing any particular aspect of the Mythos), with a good slow-burn sense of horror. I enjoyed this collection very much.
March 18, 2021
Great short stories
Loved the stories. The first one i remember reading in an anthology called the mountain that moved. The other two stories were great as well. Can't wait to read more by him.
Loved the stories. The first one i remember reading in an anthology called the mountain that moved. The other two stories were great as well. Can't wait to read more by him.
June 18, 2022
Boring, flat, no pay off. The last story is the best, and I would rate that one 2.5/5. Overall, I feel the vague, mysterious descriptions are due more to the author’s lack of ability than true ambiance or intention.
February 7, 2023
Always Fun!!
These stories reflect the beginning stages of the Old Ones co.ing back to reclaim what is theirs. This is a little bit different then what one is used to when it comes to LovecraftIan Lore.
Enjoyed very much!!
These stories reflect the beginning stages of the Old Ones co.ing back to reclaim what is theirs. This is a little bit different then what one is used to when it comes to LovecraftIan Lore.
Enjoyed very much!!
June 1, 2024
An excellent collection of Lovecraftian fiction, just a shame it’s so short. The second story, "After the Fall", has some outstanding imagery,and is really very evocative. I’ll definitely be looking into more of Mr. Thomas's works.
July 10, 2025
Modern Chtulu
Was hoping for something modern within the milieu, and this short book of three stories has that, and well done for overall as well. I had hoped for a bit more humorous take, like with the Laundry Files, which I didn't get, but oh well, it ain't bad
Was hoping for something modern within the milieu, and this short book of three stories has that, and well done for overall as well. I had hoped for a bit more humorous take, like with the Laundry Files, which I didn't get, but oh well, it ain't bad
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews