The Jersey Devil

by L.C.W. Allingham, H.A. Callum, River Eno

The Jersey Devil mystery has endured for centuries, birthed from within the untamed acres of the Pine Barrens. Is it a monster? A man? Or a hoax? What does it want and where does it hide? Five stories explore the origins of a mystery that preys upon our most primal fears.

In a future fighting to recover from environmental catastrophe, a young girl’s attempt to prove herself to her parents leads to a startling discovery.

A close encounter leaves two men obsessed, fifty years apart, but the twisted path they follow leads them away from the futures they imagined.

A reclusive rancher spins a web of intrigue for a reporter looking to change her luck. Can they find happiness together or will his secret destroy her?

Sisters seeking solace find themselves immersed in a land of myth, discover magik weaving in and out of their world.

A young woman fighting the vicious rumors that plague her small colonial town turns to her fiancé for help, but the perpetrators of the vicious hoax are more powerful than she imagined.

Is it utter speculation? Or do one of these stories hold the key to the truth behind this enduring legend?

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2020

About the author

LCW Allingham is a Philadelphia area author, artist, and editor. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. She is the co-founder and executive editor of the indie press, Speculation Publications. Her horror novella MUSE is coming out in April 2024, and her debut historical novel, LADY, will be out in September, 2024

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not traditionally a fan of short stories. I like a good solid 300 or so pages so I can really get to know the characters. But, I recognize that there is a talent in writing a short story that still presents a full story line and develops the characters. When done well, even I can enjoy them. When done poorly......well that is generally why I avoid short stories! Thankfully this collection of stories about the Jersey Devil is done well. Each story felt like it was written to be shared with a group of friends like a bar bet for the best story or one-upping each other around a campfire. The stories' setting ranged from several centuries ago to the future, and each with their own unique approach to the monster itself as well as its origin story. Reading through the five very different takes on the mythical beast that resides in a New Jersey forest was engaging, entertaining, and educating. You know how I love it when something I read makes me want to go learn more! And boy was I surprised at what I found! The only thing I would advise is to take a break between each story. Let it sink in before moving on to the next. Like a good box of candy, savor each piece for their differences!

Thanks to the author who so courageously shared this book with a non-short story lover. This review is my own opinion.

[C.M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A California girl, I had never heard the ancient legend of the Jersey Devil, or of the mysterious
Pine Barrens—so was fascinated at the prospect of such a creature living in the woodland just outside the Philadelphia area.

This collection of utter speculation will certainly test your beliefs, as each story is written from the prospective of individuals who have actually come in contact with the mystical beast. Opinions regarding the monster, as well as time periods, seem to vary from story-to-story, some believing the monster to be harmful while others do not. Timelines range from past, to present, to future, making it enjoyable reading for everyone.

I really enjoyed reading all five stories, especially the different takes from each author, finding them all to be imaginative, yet at the same time plausible.

The Secret, by Susan Tulio is the last in the anthology, and I thought did a remarkable job of tying the rest together with a surprising piece of history at the end, I didn’t see coming.

“The trees shot up like withered fingers scraping their way out of a grave,” writes H. A. Callum in Under My Skin, the most chilling of the tales in my opinion, with another unexpected ending.

I’m thrilled to recommend The Jersey Devil (A Collection of Utter Speculation Book 2) to all the readers out there who enjoy legend, mythology and folklore. This book is masterfully written by all who participated and brought me many hours of pleasure. A must read for mythology enthusiasts!

C. M. Turner