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Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories
Six creepy stories that are guaranteed to lodge themselves firmly under the skin. Each story invites the reader into a world where you are certain that from the very first word, things are not going to end with a cheery musical number. They are 'dark' stories for a reason. A quick read for those looking for a chilling end to the evening, each tale comes with its own twist. Personal favourites include 'Doctors Visit' and 'Clocking Off'.
67 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2019
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About the author
K.L. Wicks
9 books7 followersI have wanted to write and publish books since I started writing stories at six years old. My first book 'The Monsters Holiday' was that first story that took me into the world of writing, strangely it seems my subject matter chose me. After a 22 year gap from writing, my first real book 'The Willing Observer' happened and I haven't looked back, instead I just keep writing. Novellas, short stories, poetry and a non fiction book. There is more to come...
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 9, 2020
Prophetic visions of a restaurant patron, a publishing company with an uncanny ability to find best sellers, and notes on disturbed mental patients left behind by a doctor who may not be as stable as he seems are just a few of the strange short stories that await in Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories by K. L. Wicks. In many ways these tales remind me of programs like The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone, stories with bizarre twists in everyday situations.
In this collection, Wicks presents six peculiar tales which are wildly imaginative and highly entertaining. Although I’ve read almost everything she’s written, I’m constantly amazed by her ability to take mundane experiences and fold in a twist that I didn’t see coming. Because these stories depend on the unforeseen pivots, it’s hard to review them without spoilers, but I’ll try my best.
The collection begins with the title story “Under the Apple Tree,” where the main character is attending a family member’s wedding. Tired from the day’s events, she sneaks away for a nap under an apple tree, but images of a woman trapped in the gnarled roots of the tree haunt her dreams. Is it a nightmare fuelled by a stressful day and a few too many drinks, or does the tree hold more sinister memories?
Another tale is called “Spellbound” which follows Avery, a famed author, who begins writing a new book after a run in with an old woman at the supermarket. Like most writers, Avery steals character traits from people she’s met in real life, but this story explores the dangers of doing so – it’s certainly made me think twice about basing characters on real people!
My favourite story was “In the Garden” where the resident of a Victorian townhouse experiences lucid dreaming and uses the experiences to experiment with potential renovation ideas. At least that’s what she thinks, until she comes face to face with the ghost of a previous owner, and things only get stranger from there. From the beginning I had an idea of what was going to happen, but as K. L. Wicks proves time and again, I couldn’t anticipate exactly where the story was going, much to my delight.
Although the stories are set in present day, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of classic horror like Stevenson or Shelley, which can feel odd at times but carries the stories well. And, similarly to the classics, there’s not a lot of gore or curse words, which makes this collection enjoyable for fans of all ages. In a way, Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories remind me of scary stories you tell around the campfire or are passed around during sleepover parties, and like those stories these tales stay with you for a long time.
In this collection, Wicks presents six peculiar tales which are wildly imaginative and highly entertaining. Although I’ve read almost everything she’s written, I’m constantly amazed by her ability to take mundane experiences and fold in a twist that I didn’t see coming. Because these stories depend on the unforeseen pivots, it’s hard to review them without spoilers, but I’ll try my best.
The collection begins with the title story “Under the Apple Tree,” where the main character is attending a family member’s wedding. Tired from the day’s events, she sneaks away for a nap under an apple tree, but images of a woman trapped in the gnarled roots of the tree haunt her dreams. Is it a nightmare fuelled by a stressful day and a few too many drinks, or does the tree hold more sinister memories?
Another tale is called “Spellbound” which follows Avery, a famed author, who begins writing a new book after a run in with an old woman at the supermarket. Like most writers, Avery steals character traits from people she’s met in real life, but this story explores the dangers of doing so – it’s certainly made me think twice about basing characters on real people!
My favourite story was “In the Garden” where the resident of a Victorian townhouse experiences lucid dreaming and uses the experiences to experiment with potential renovation ideas. At least that’s what she thinks, until she comes face to face with the ghost of a previous owner, and things only get stranger from there. From the beginning I had an idea of what was going to happen, but as K. L. Wicks proves time and again, I couldn’t anticipate exactly where the story was going, much to my delight.
Although the stories are set in present day, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of classic horror like Stevenson or Shelley, which can feel odd at times but carries the stories well. And, similarly to the classics, there’s not a lot of gore or curse words, which makes this collection enjoyable for fans of all ages. In a way, Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories remind me of scary stories you tell around the campfire or are passed around during sleepover parties, and like those stories these tales stay with you for a long time.
November 16, 2020
This little collection had a dream-like quality which evidenced the powerful imagination of the writer. All six stories were enjoyable, but my favorites were Under the Apple Tree and Doctor's Visit. An easy read, completed in two sittings.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews