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The Third Corona Book of Horror Stories
In response to our worldwide call, we received a total of 824 horror short story submissions for this book – adding up to a staggering total of over three million words. But we read them all, selecting only the best of the best stories to include in this book. That is why when we say this book is something special, we mean it – and that when we say it contains the best in new horror short stories, that is no hyperbole.
We love horror, and the stories included in this book prove that it’s a genre where great imagination and great writing are more than possible. From the opening story “Suds and Monsters”, which might put you off washing dishes for good, to the closing story “Scythe”, which brings the proceedings to a short sharp close, each contribution will bring new horrors to unsettle you.
We can guarantee you will find brilliant new horror writing here, but what you won’t find is a collection full of those who have star names (yet). We’re proud to include here both a story from at least one author who has sold books in the millions and a story from at least one author whose work has never been published before. We’ve simply included the very, very best of the stories, without fear or favour, to bring you the very best modern horror anthology possible.
The full list of contributing authors is:
1. Christopher Stanley
2. John Haas
3. Sue Bentley
4. C.C. Adams
5. Molly Thynes
6. Felix Flynn
7. Adam Meyer
8. Jo Gilmour
9. Tricia Lowther
10. A.P. Sessler
11. Sue Eaton
12. Jess Doyle
13. Viktoria Faust
14. Ryan Harville
15. Richard A. Shury
16. Colette Bennett
17. Florence Ann Marlowe
18. Jeremy Megargee
We love horror, and the stories included in this book prove that it’s a genre where great imagination and great writing are more than possible. From the opening story “Suds and Monsters”, which might put you off washing dishes for good, to the closing story “Scythe”, which brings the proceedings to a short sharp close, each contribution will bring new horrors to unsettle you.
We can guarantee you will find brilliant new horror writing here, but what you won’t find is a collection full of those who have star names (yet). We’re proud to include here both a story from at least one author who has sold books in the millions and a story from at least one author whose work has never been published before. We’ve simply included the very, very best of the stories, without fear or favour, to bring you the very best modern horror anthology possible.
The full list of contributing authors is:
1. Christopher Stanley
2. John Haas
3. Sue Bentley
4. C.C. Adams
5. Molly Thynes
6. Felix Flynn
7. Adam Meyer
8. Jo Gilmour
9. Tricia Lowther
10. A.P. Sessler
11. Sue Eaton
12. Jess Doyle
13. Viktoria Faust
14. Ryan Harville
15. Richard A. Shury
16. Colette Bennett
17. Florence Ann Marlowe
18. Jeremy Megargee
- GenresHorror
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2019
10 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Williams
8 books6 followersThey say to be a successful author you should pick one genre and stick to it. Lewis Williams hasn't exactly followed that advice: having written his first book on the singer Scott Walker, he followed that with a serious academic work on social policy, which he then followed with a trilogy of limerick books that were absolutely, categorically nothing remotely like his earlier books. His latest book projects include a revised and updated edition of Scott Walker: The Rhymes of Goodbye (published Plexus, London 2019) and editing all four volumes of the Corona Book of Horror Stories book series, including 2019's The Third Corona Book of Horror Stories with stories selected from over 800 submissions and this year's (2022's) "comeback" edition The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories.
Lewis has two degrees in philosophy (which number might be considered two too many) and worked for a number of years in a number of different roles for Oxford University before his ignominious departure from its employ. You can find out more about him by visiting his website www.lewiswilliams.com
Lewis has two degrees in philosophy (which number might be considered two too many) and worked for a number of years in a number of different roles for Oxford University before his ignominious departure from its employ. You can find out more about him by visiting his website www.lewiswilliams.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2019
Within these pages, you will find ghostly apparitions, sinister secrets, grisly murders, gruesome hobbies, and debilitating loss. All of the authors are new to me, and although every story may not have been my cup of tea, each brings something unique to the table.
This was an eclectic mix of tales that ranged from dark humor, to the more heart pounding horror and everything in between. My favorites in this anthology were "Suds and Monsters" by Christopher Stanley which is a timeless darkly comedic tale of hapless stepchild and spiteful stepmother. "The Haunting of April Heights" by Tricia Lowther is a more straight forward horror complete with bumps in the night after a young woman moves into a gloomy apartment with a somber past. "Murderabilia" by Adam Meyer is a slow decent into ghoulish obsession as a collector loses control of his hobby. "The First Circle" by Sue Eaton is creepy fun from start to finish and as someone who watches a lot of old TV the first thing I thought of was an episode of the old Dick Van Dyke Show titled It May Look Like A Walnut and I am sure a lot of you young people are scratching your head wondering what I am talking about but seriously look it up, it's free on YouTube. "Luna Too" by Jess Doyle finds a happy family on holiday who discover more than they expected inside their vacation rental.
"A Little Death" by Ryan Harville is both heart breaking and horrifying. I didn't think anything could be worse for a young man than to lose his wife and baby in the same day. I was wrong.
"Lily's Kids" by Florence Ann Marlowe begins innocently enough as young Jimmy Wades and his little sister Katie make the acquaintance of some unusual children... but this is a meeting they will soon regret.
These for me were the 5 star reads in this anthology.
I received an advance copy for review.
This was an eclectic mix of tales that ranged from dark humor, to the more heart pounding horror and everything in between. My favorites in this anthology were "Suds and Monsters" by Christopher Stanley which is a timeless darkly comedic tale of hapless stepchild and spiteful stepmother. "The Haunting of April Heights" by Tricia Lowther is a more straight forward horror complete with bumps in the night after a young woman moves into a gloomy apartment with a somber past. "Murderabilia" by Adam Meyer is a slow decent into ghoulish obsession as a collector loses control of his hobby. "The First Circle" by Sue Eaton is creepy fun from start to finish and as someone who watches a lot of old TV the first thing I thought of was an episode of the old Dick Van Dyke Show titled It May Look Like A Walnut and I am sure a lot of you young people are scratching your head wondering what I am talking about but seriously look it up, it's free on YouTube. "Luna Too" by Jess Doyle finds a happy family on holiday who discover more than they expected inside their vacation rental.
"A Little Death" by Ryan Harville is both heart breaking and horrifying. I didn't think anything could be worse for a young man than to lose his wife and baby in the same day. I was wrong.
"Lily's Kids" by Florence Ann Marlowe begins innocently enough as young Jimmy Wades and his little sister Katie make the acquaintance of some unusual children... but this is a meeting they will soon regret.
These for me were the 5 star reads in this anthology.
I received an advance copy for review.
August 27, 2019
Ok. So, I haven't actually read this yet but I'm one of the Authors!
I've been a member of goodreads for god knows how many years and to see my name listed as a contributing Author is absolutely mindblowing so I think that shamelessly giving this book ☆☆☆☆☆ is perfectly acceptable actually.
Seriously though, it's going to be amazing, so buy it!
I've been a member of goodreads for god knows how many years and to see my name listed as a contributing Author is absolutely mindblowing so I think that shamelessly giving this book ☆☆☆☆☆ is perfectly acceptable actually.
Seriously though, it's going to be amazing, so buy it!
October 25, 2019
This is a superb anthology featuring a wide range of horror including psychological, blood and gore, hauntings, and unknown terrors. The authors included are diverse and provide a variety of stories. I liked that each story is not too long but perfectly encapsulated in a few short pages. I don’t often read anthologies as I find them difficult to digest because of the different levels of writing and storytelling. But here there is not a single dud, and the writing is outstanding throughout. Reading this book made me feel like I never knew where the next scare is coming, and I loved it!
Hard to pick a favourite but I really liked “Roxy” by Viktoria Faust which has an ending I didn’t see coming, “Lily’s Kids” by Florence Ann Marlowe which has creepy children (I love them!) and “Old Gods” by Sue Bentley which is just beautifully bleak. Other notable picks are "The Debt" (John Haas), "The Barber" (A.P. Sessler), "The First Circle" (Sue Eaton), "Suds and Monsters" (Christopher Stanley) and "Curious, If Anything" (C.C. Adams).
If you’re looking for an anthology with excellent horror short stories by authors you may not have read before I totally recommend this. Just in time for Halloween!
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
Hard to pick a favourite but I really liked “Roxy” by Viktoria Faust which has an ending I didn’t see coming, “Lily’s Kids” by Florence Ann Marlowe which has creepy children (I love them!) and “Old Gods” by Sue Bentley which is just beautifully bleak. Other notable picks are "The Debt" (John Haas), "The Barber" (A.P. Sessler), "The First Circle" (Sue Eaton), "Suds and Monsters" (Christopher Stanley) and "Curious, If Anything" (C.C. Adams).
If you’re looking for an anthology with excellent horror short stories by authors you may not have read before I totally recommend this. Just in time for Halloween!
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
February 11, 2020
Review soon! Found some great stories in here, all from authors I haven’t read before, so that’s great!
October 14, 2019
OK call me slightly biased because I have a short story, entitled Old God's, included in this book. But it's the other 18 stories from fellow contributors which has spurred me on to rate it a five star read. The stories are varied, all offer chills. Some of them offer more than a wince or two - in a really good - or maybe that should be a horrible - way. This is the third (the clue's in the title!) in this series of unpleasant offerings.
Take your pick and read a story that takes your fancy or start at the beginning and read straight through - with the light left on. There's a feel of the Pan Books of Horror about this anthology, which is no bad thing.
Take your pick and read a story that takes your fancy or start at the beginning and read straight through - with the light left on. There's a feel of the Pan Books of Horror about this anthology, which is no bad thing.
September 23, 2019
Review coming soon on scifiandscary.com
October 16, 2019
Absolutely ferocious! Definitely the best collection I've read in a long time. It blows away last year's Stoker award winner for anthologies, 'The Devil and the Deep.' This is psychological horror, it isn't just a bunch of short, blood and guts stories. Kudos to the authors on this one, they hit it out of the park. Sorry for not providing a more in depth review, but I already reviewed it elsewhere and I hate re-writing stuff. Just go buy it, you won't be disappointed.
September 17, 2022
The Third Corona Book of Horror Stories
Halloween is coming and I would suggest the Third Corona Book of Horror Stories to get you in the mood. It is truly a box of delights for the horror connoisseur.
‘Lily’s Kid’s’ really freaked me out. I certainly never saw the end coming!
If you thought showers were bad news beware the bath, ‘Curious if Anything’ will give you cause for thought.
Meanwhile, ‘Suds and Monsters’ will encourage you to buy a dish washer if you don’t already have one.
We are all warned about the rapidity in which debt can accumulate so spare a thought for poor Gary when he discovers the cost of his. Will he have anything left?
From psychological horror to futuristic dystopia there must be something for everyone in this well-thought-out book.
Halloween is coming and I would suggest the Third Corona Book of Horror Stories to get you in the mood. It is truly a box of delights for the horror connoisseur.
‘Lily’s Kid’s’ really freaked me out. I certainly never saw the end coming!
If you thought showers were bad news beware the bath, ‘Curious if Anything’ will give you cause for thought.
Meanwhile, ‘Suds and Monsters’ will encourage you to buy a dish washer if you don’t already have one.
We are all warned about the rapidity in which debt can accumulate so spare a thought for poor Gary when he discovers the cost of his. Will he have anything left?
From psychological horror to futuristic dystopia there must be something for everyone in this well-thought-out book.
January 17, 2020
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I particularly liked the story 'Curious, If Anything' - about a man finding the ghost of a corpse in his bath (a la the Shining) and instead of being scared, he's curious to find out who it is. An unusual take on a usual trope.
The perspectives of this collection are unique, they take familiar tales and look at them from an angle not expected, interesting point of views and an array of material from ghosts to curses to AI. Would recommend for new and seasoned readers of horror.
I particularly liked the story 'Curious, If Anything' - about a man finding the ghost of a corpse in his bath (a la the Shining) and instead of being scared, he's curious to find out who it is. An unusual take on a usual trope.
The perspectives of this collection are unique, they take familiar tales and look at them from an angle not expected, interesting point of views and an array of material from ghosts to curses to AI. Would recommend for new and seasoned readers of horror.
August 29, 2024
A good mix of different types of horror. Nothing overly flowery. Just lots of nice (mostly) quick reads.
Picked up from one of the authors (Sue Eaton) at a local comicon.
I particularly liked The Debt, The Haunting of April Heights, The First Circle, Murderabilia, and Lucy's Kids. But that's nothing taken away from the others, just my faves.
Picked up from one of the authors (Sue Eaton) at a local comicon.
I particularly liked The Debt, The Haunting of April Heights, The First Circle, Murderabilia, and Lucy's Kids. But that's nothing taken away from the others, just my faves.
March 25, 2020
Excellent! Review coming soon!
December 6, 2019
Best anthology I've read in a long time!
I love short story collections, especially in the area of horror. This was a fabulously entertaining collection. Well written and thought provoking. Now I have to get the first and second Corona Books of Horror AND their ghost stories!
I love short story collections, especially in the area of horror. This was a fabulously entertaining collection. Well written and thought provoking. Now I have to get the first and second Corona Books of Horror AND their ghost stories!
April 3, 2020
Another slightly biased author review :) I did really enjoy the stories in this book though.
December 12, 2019
Liked the story by Sue Bentley. Good collection.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews