The Box Under the Bed

by Dan Alatorre (Editor), Jennifer Ruff, Allison Maruska

Come along for a chilling ride on a ghost ship, experience eerie daydreams and psychotic killers, explore haunted houses, and send the deceased to their final destination.

And that’s just a quarter of the thrills.

Edited and compiled by Amazon bestselling author Dan Alatorre, this anthology of scary tales brings together the minds and pens of twenty authors, including bestseller Allison Maruska (The Fourth Descendant), bestselling author Jenifer Ruff (Everett), Lucy Brazier (PorterGirl), J. A. Allen, Juliet Nubel, TA Henry, Ann Marie Andrus, Heather Hackett, Barbara Anne Helberg, Scott Skipper, Joanne R. Larner, Christine Valentor, Adele Marie Park, Curtis Bausse, Annette Robinson, Frank Parker, Eric Daniel Clarke, and Maribel C. Pagan.

Perfect for Halloween or any time, these stories will make you think twice before walking alone on the beach at night, reading a diary, or innocently watching a train from your car.

Consider yourselves warned.

NOTE: Warning! American and British spelling ahead. A few stories words are olde English, too. The story The Death Of Mrs. Billen by Mr. Alatorre is from his novel An Angel On Her Shoulder, used with permission.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published September 14, 2017

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Dan Alatorre has published more than 50 titles and is read in over a dozen languages around the world.

His fast-paced thrillers have gripped readers all over the globe, notably his USA Today bestseller The Gamma Sequence, a medical thriller series, his successful murder mystery Double Blind series, and more. Readers can't put his books down.

Dan resides in the Tampa area with his wife and daughter.

Check out his Readers Club at DanAlatorre.com and find out about new releases before anyone else!

Double Blind, a murder mystery thriller series
- Double Blind
- Primary Target
- Third Degree
- Fourth Estate
- Five Sparrows
- Six Sisters
- Seventh Avenue, coming soon

The Gamma Sequence, a medical thriller series
- The Gamma Sequence
- Rogue Elements
- Terminal Sequence
- The Keepers
- Dark Hour

Jett Thacker mysteries, a murder mystery series
- Tiffany Lynn Is Missing
- Killer In The Dark
- Definition Of A Murder, coming soon

Horror Anthology series:
- Dark Passages
- Dark Voodoo
- Dark Intent
- Dark Thoughts
- Shadowland
- Wings & Fire
- Spellbound
- Nightmareland
- Dark Visions
- The Box Under The Bed

Paranormal Thriller/Horror:
- A Place Of Shadows

Sci Fi Time Travel Adventure:
- The Navigators

Comedy Romance:
- The Italian Assistant

And many more!

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this collection at midnight on October 1st and it made for great holiday reading. Not all the stories are “scary” (as per the subtitle) but they are of various styles -- poetic and scary; touching and chilling; adventurous and frightening; vengeful and historical -- so something for just about everyone. Most are very well-written with great endings, though there are a few that are obviously first chapters of books; however, one of the latter stands on its own very well. This is not my usual genre, but going to sleep after reading these, my brain would try to write its own story or even to continue one I'd just read: a sure sign I was captured by the writing.

[Anita Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really loved reading this anthology. Each story is original and well written with a unique quality of its own.
From the bonus story, The Water Castle by Dan Alatorre, to The Blind Tattoist by Allison Maruska , there is something here for everyone.
It would be hard to pick a favourite, for we loved them all. Some were scary, some mysterious, but every single one was a darn good read.
Not exactly bed time reading, unless you want to have nightmares!

[Zain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Box Under the Bed is an anthology of twenty stories. Not all the stories are scary. You get a mixed bag here. Still, most of them are good.

[Jaye Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really loved reading this anthology. Each story is original and well written with a unique quality of its own.
From the bonus story, The Water Castle by Dan Alatorre, to The Blind Tattoist by Allison Maruska , there is something here for everyone.
It would be hard to pick a favourite, for we loved them all. Some were scary, some mysterious, but every single one was a darn good read.
Not exactly bed time reading, unless you want to have nightmares!

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Mixed among the cicada clatter, the tower echoed with the faint sounds of a woman laughing.’

Author and humorist Dan Alatorre became a first-time dad at the age of 47 - a daughter by the name of Savvy. His comedic debut book "Savvy Stories" tells humorous tales about a loving dad who sees the magic in children, and isn't a bumbling stooge about changing diapers like some TV sitcom. Dan was born in Ohio, and graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida before earning an MBA from Tampa College. Dan, Michele and Savvy live in the Tampa area. Beware! There is a problem with reading Dan Alatorre's book - Savvy Stories Series: They are addicting. Few writers today have that keen gift for finding the humor in challenging situations and Dan has a secure place at the top of the heap for comedic writing. He knows how youngsters think, and better ye he knows how to appreciate their joyful outlook ...and wisdom.

Now. After his many successes in writing humor Dan turns his attention to the paranormal/ghost/psychic/suspense book genre – and here he succeeds just as well. AN AGEL ON HER SHOULDER and THE NAVIGATORS proved that Dan can not only write fine horror stories but that he also has a wide circle of friends who are successful in the same genre. His frequent editor Allison Maruska joins Dan in this anthology of horror stories – tales of varying length and subject matter for tingling the spine.

Dan and Allison both offer their own stories to the collection and welcome Jenifer Ruff, Lucy Brazier, J. A. Allen, Juliet Nubel, T.A. Henry, Ann Marie Andrus, Heather Hackett, Barbara Anne Helberg, Scott Skipper, Joanne R. Larner, Christine Valentor, Adele Marie Park, Curtis Bausse, Annette Robinson, Frank Parker, Eric Daniel Clarke, and Maribel C. Pagan. AS the synopsis hints, the stories include ‘a chilling ride on a ghost ship, experience eerie daydreams and psychotic killers, explore haunted houses, and send the deceased to their final destination’ and more. The title of the book denotes Allison Maruska’s Prologue and Epilogue to the book and it is of note that Dan is now the editor and the one responsible for the collection. Dan also closes the book with a bonus story THE WATER CASTLE – worth waiting for! The book also comes wit a typical Dan Alatorre note of warning – ‘American and British spelling ahead. It’s not typos. Probably. A few stories words are olde English, too. So there’s that. But only a few. To enhance your reading experience and prevent confusion, I have noted the country of origin for each writer. I agree, it’s sad I had to do that.’

Even in relating horror stories Dan retains his consummate gift of humor. A fine collection, this.

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book of The Box Under the Bed and right up front I must say that I really enjoyed the narrator, Lia Frederick. Her voice and style of reading really complimented this book.
The Box Under the Bed is an anthology of creepy, unusual and sometimes quite horrifying stories. This anthology was edited by author Dan Alatorre and his professionalism and talent shows through in this polished and slick collection of short stories.
I enjoyed each story but my personal favourites were as follows:
1. Passion by Jenifer Ruff – My word this story was completely horrifying as the main character’s calculated and carefully consider actions seem so very possible. Brooke is a beautiful and clever medical student who is on holiday with her family in Cancun. She manages to sneak some alone time away from her family and indulge in her own very grim and bloody hobby.
2. The Clearer by Allison Maruska – I have read another book by this author and I really do enjoy her style of writing. Allison contributed a few of the short stories in this collection and they were all excellent but this one really played on my nerves. Imagine arriving at a friend’s house to housesit while she is away and discovering all sorts of strange and weirdly dressed people around both inside and outside the house. No wonder her friend has had a breakdown but what do these people want?
The right place by Curtin Bausse – A small girl’s birthday celebration with her parents goes awry when she sees a ghost in the bathroom mirror of the restaurant where they are having lunch prior to going on a boat cruise. Is the ghost warning her of impending doom? Will her family make it back alive? Or is there something even more sinister afoot?

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent bite size reads.

The stories range from the downright creepy, to the thought provoking, but every one of them is a little gem.
They’re also an excellent way to showcase the talents of the various writers, most of whom I’ll be checking out further.

[Mick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy,enjoyable,night time reading.

[Russell Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

A “horror” anthology (and I do use that designation lightly) containing the following stories: ***WARNING*** SPOILERS MAY BE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING

Prologue, The Box Under the Bed part one

Summary:

Two sisters, Tanya and Eileen, have the unwelcomed task of cleaning up their grandparents’ old house and ready it for sale. In the midst of her work, Tanya discovers some odd treasures under Grandpa’s bed.

What I liked:

A stylistic opening to an anthology. What could all those trinkets mean? Nice atmospheric setting. Creepy in just the right way.

What I didn’t Like:

Nothing to dislike here. It’s short and to the point. A nice way to open a suspenseful anthology.

Passion – Jenifer Ruff

Summary:

Young Brooke and family check into a beach resort for a little vacation. Brooke feels an urge for fun she hadn’t had in a long time and goes looking to satisfy that hunger.

What I liked:

It is a well written, fast paced horror story. The author paints an eerie tale that will stay with the reader long after the story is done.

What I didn’t Like:

I’m more of a creep than gore kinda guy. This has more gore than creep. Not on my list of faves, but that’s through no fault of the writer. Just preference.

The Clearer – Allison Maruska

Summary:

When Sasha’s friend Jayla agrees to seek help for her depression, Sasha agrees to watch her house and dog. What she discovers there goes against everything she holds as true. Ghosts converge on the house, and she’s the one they want.

What I liked:

Not at all what I expected, especially in a “horror” anthology, but I was pleasantly surprised. A unique take on the afterlife that actually made me smile.

What I didn’t Like:

Perhaps a bit predictable, but that doesn’t detract from the story. I would have liked a bit more atmosphere and description as well. There is some, but I think it could have used more.

The Death of Mrs. Billen – Dan Alatorre

Summary:

An excerpt from “An Angel On Her Shoulder by Dan Alatorre”. Doug Kenner sits at a train crossing and images flash before him. A woman and her baby, walking toward the train. Is it memory, or a connection to the things we can’t see with our eyes? Dark things.

What I liked:

It’s a good selection to add as part of the anthology. I’ve reviewed the book before on my blog. This still stands out to me as one of the creepier scenes of the book. Fits in with the tone of this story collection. In fact, alone, I think it fits better here than it did in the actual book.

What I didn’t Like:

Nothing to dislike about this story on its own. It works as a creepy, campfire story by itself.

Windows of the Soul – Lucy Brazier

Summary:

A Deputy Head Porter welcomes esteemed anthropologist, and alumnus, Dr. McGee to Old College. In unpacking his things, Dr. McGee unveils an old wooden doll he’s discovered in his research. A doll that he claims has a sketchy history. The Deputy Head Porter soon discovers there is more to the doll that its sketchy history.

What I liked:

Funny in ways that horror stories like this aren’t usually funny. The reactions of the main character come across to me more realistic than most horror story/movie characters. And the ending? Priceless.

And, I’m a cat person. This is just one more reason why everyone should be one. Just sayin’.

What I didn’t Like:

I would have like more in names than just Deputy Head Porter and Head Porter. Again, a bit predictable in the tale, save for the ending. We need more endings like this. (That should be part of the What I Liked section, but it flowed with my thought here).

Cassie – J. A. Allen

Summary:

The Red Death, a global plague, has wiped out most of the world’s population. One enclave of survivors eke out an existence on an island, cutoff from the rest of the world. When a broken ship arrives off the coast, protocol demands it be destroyed immediately. But when survivor Jackson spots a woman on board alone, he risks breaking protocol to find out more about her. Thing is, he might risk a lot more.

What I liked:

This story really intrigued me with the thought of how much we are willing to risk just to feel like we’re not alone. The things not said paint a bigger picture of the worldwide devastation than any info dump/backstory could have done.

What I didn’t Like:

Too short. Out of all the stories, so far, this is one that I wish would have had a bit more to it. There wasn’t enough tension. There is some, definitely, but not enough.

The Next One – Allison Maruska

Summary:

A dead body, an unnamed narrator, an unidentified killer. Who are any of them? Who will be next?

What I liked:

This is flash fiction to the extreme. I like flash fiction. The unanswered questions it leaves lingering in your mind. It kickstarts the imagination, and who knows where it will go.

What I didn’t Like:

This is a bit disorienting. But, there’s not a lot here to grasp for dislike or like. It serves its purpose, as flash fiction does.

Lovingly He Held Her Head Underwater – Juliet Nubel

Summary:

A man murdering his wife? For infidelity? Is everything as it seems?

What I liked:

The surprise ending. This one was definitely not predictable, especially in a horror anthology. Disturbing from the beginning, the end changes the entire tone. It raises questions that have no easy answers.

What I didn’t Like:

The writing could use some tightening, but otherwise this is a good story.

LabStor – T.A. Henry

Summary:

Divorce Lawyer Scott joins his wife at a University science party. While she chats away with grad students and faculty, he has a chance encounter with a beautiful woman. They flirt and she invites him to her office. Is this the fling he’d been hoping for, or something more sinister?

What I liked:

I do apologize, but I didn’t enjoy this one. Was it well written? Yes, I’ll give it that. A bit repetitious (how many time can a woman’s skirt shift open?), but otherwise professional. I do have to say that I liked the lack of gore and the focus on tension.

What I didn’t Like:

Again, predictability. You know what’s going to happen the from the first moment Scott lays eyes on Alison. While the author tried to use tension in the story, unfortunately it was spent on sexual tension instead of fright/fear. The big reveal played logically, but not emotionally.

Cobalt Point – Anne Marie Ardrus

Summary:

A young woman inherits an old mansion from a woman she didn’t know. Only, she’s not the only one.

What I liked:

The characters are interesting, and relatable. There is a lot of mystery here, and it’s a great scene from a larger work.

What I didn’t Like:

It’s not a horror story. At least, though it’s an excerpt, there’s nothing horror/scary about it. I liked it, but it doesn’t quite fit the rest of the anthology.

Mind Games – Heather Hackett

Summary:

A young woman’s hero turns out to be the villain bent on breaking her will and self-reliance.

What I liked:

The look into a woman’s emotional state in an abusive relationship is core to this story…

What I didn’t Like:

That said, there isn’t enough emotional pull in this. Not enough connection to the protagonist. The events described are horrific (though not a horror story), but there isn’t much investment demanded from the reader. Which, is horrible to even write that given the subject matter.

Interlock – Barbara Anne Helberg

Summary:

The journal of a killer? An investigation into the actions of an investigator? Crazed love gone awry? Interlock is a story about all of this. I think.

What I liked:

Unique. This story is definitely unique. It leaves you guessing what exactly is going on, even after you’ve finished reading it. I like stories that leave me with questions.

What I didn’t Like:

But, there were too many questions for me. Note: This is probably purely preference and not an indictment on the author’s skill. However, I was, and am, totally confused on what happened here and who it happened to. I think I know, but I can’t be sure. I understand the desired twist, but there are crucial elements missing for it to be a fully effective twist.

Hunter – Allison Maruska

Summary:

A young boy dreams that he is his dead older brother…who died before he was born.

What I liked:

An intriguing bit of flash fiction. Not scary, not horror, but definitely a supernatural vibe.

What I didn’t Like:

Again, too quick. Not enough to grab hold of here. Flash fiction is, by definition, quick, but it delivers a punch that satisfies. While I can’t fault the author in this story, not sure if it delivered the emotional shock/punch that such a story intended. Again, a preference rather than writing skill issue.

The Stainless Steel Coffin – Scott Skipper

Summary:

Some customer demands can be more than a nightmare. Said to be a “true story”.

What I liked:

The author’s writing style flows nicely and the story clips along at a good pace. This is dark humor, and it is funny in many parts. Nothing in the story goes beyond the plausible, even if it does reach some borderline absurdity.

What I didn’t Like:

Have to say it, but it grates me to no end when God or Jesus’s name is used as profanity. I know I’m old-fashioned that way, but it does. It can mark down a story for me quite a bit.

Repercussions – Joanne R. Larner

Summary:

One man’s betrayal is the devastation of an entire nation. A historical fiction look at the rise of Henry Tudor and the fall of King Richard.

What I liked:

I admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve studied any British history – and I’ve forgotten the little that is taught. This look into the ugly exchange of kings is interesting, though I will investigate what is true and what is a fiction author’s design. Still, it intrigued me.

What I didn’t Like:

Not much to dislike here. The pacing was a bit off at time, though. The switch in narration at times (slipped from 3rd person deep POV to a bit outside narrator a couple of times) needs some tightening. Other than those minor things, it read well. Again, not a horror tale really, though horrific in consequence.

Jack and Mary – Christine Valentor

Summary:

A tale of Jack the Ripper and Mary Kelly, told from their POVs.

What I liked:

I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t care for this one. The writing kept to first POV without any discernable problems.

What I didn’t Like:

The gore was too much for me. That’s a preference. The pacing, especially from Jack’s POV, dragged. There was too much telling, up until we reach Mary Kelly. The pacing picked up there. But again, the whole of the story gave too much detail into the gore. This is a horror story, true.

Genetic Aberrations – Adele Marie Park

Summary:

A young woman inherits her grandmother’s home. Did she inherit much more than just a house?

What I liked:

***Spoiler Alert*** I like the hopeful end of this, the connection between the woman and the house was a nice touch.

What I didn’t Like:

The strength of the writing was not there. There wasn’t enough tension, not enough emotion. The possibility for a deeper, rawer story exists, but is never delivered.

The Right Place – Curtis Bausse

Summary:

8 year old Susan sees things differently than most. People. Places. Including what might be the right place for her.

What I liked:

This was unique. Unlike anything I’ve read in a long, long time. The descriptions and atmosphere were pretty spot on.

What I didn’t Like:

The ending. Sorry, but no, I didn’t like it. Preference, yes, but still…come on…

Fireflies – Allison Maruska

Summary:

A night of pretend firefly catching becomes a spiritual awakening for a woman and her daughter.

What I liked:

Where do I start? Everything about this story is what a short story should be – the emotion, the pacing, the hints and pay-offs.

What I didn’t like:

Another story that doesn’t seem to fit a horror anthology, but it is such a good story that it doesn’t matter.

Betrayal – Annette Robinson

Summary:

A British journalist charged with finding out all she can about the German war machine in World War II falls in love with a French spy. Did she find the love of her life, or something more?

What I Liked:

It’s an intriguing tale – along the lines of old war movies about crazy mixed up lovers on the wrong sides of a war bigger than the both of them.

What I didn’t Like:

Too much time spent on tantalizing the reader. Thankfully, nothing graphic, but if some equal effort was spent on the tension and emotional torment, it would have been a better story. Also, this is another story that makes me scratch my head and wonder why it’s part of a horror anthology.

The Fateful Voyage of Patrick O’Brien – Frank Parker

Summary:

A gentleman shares a carriage ride with an old mariner who regales him with a tale of the sea to freeze the blood of any living person.

What I liked:

This has the markers of a classic scare story, one to tell around the campfire. Plausible horror without excessive gore. A tale-within-a-tale that is deeply descriptive and engaging.

What I didn’t Like:

***Spoiler Alert*** The POV needs some work. Not sure how the old man telling the story would get into the head of young Patrick to give him the life and agency that the character has, giving that the character doesn’t survive to tell the story from his POV to the old man. The events of the disaster at sea, sure, others could have told, but not with the same view as Patrick.

Destination Reached – Eric Daniel Clarke

Summary:

What happens when a man gives in to his desires? What price is he required to pay?

What I liked:

The poetic styling of this tale is unique and intriguing. It draws the reader in.

What I didn’t Like:

It’s hard to say. While I appreciate the lack of gore and graphic sex, the sexual charge of the story is still heavy. Perhaps that’s the point, though. The fate of those that live by that strong of a desire, to let temptation control you, can be life-destroying.

Diamond’s Promise – Allison Maruska

Summary:

A young girl takes driving lessons from her brother, and she’ll never forget them.

What I liked:

Another gem from Allison here – and, no, I didn’t mean the pun. A tale full of heart. Regret, pain, and hope all rolled together. Like life.

What I didn’t Like:

Not a dislike, but like other tales (notably from Allison), this isn’t a horror story. I like it a lot better than those that fit the horror story motif, but not sure if it should be in a horror anthology.

The Last Time She Saw Her Brother – Maribel C. Pagan

Summary:

A young woman recalls the one time she saw her brother when she was a toddler. Now, he remains hidden away in a room next to hers. What secrets lay hidden there, and what will she discover if the room opens?

What I liked:

Interesting that this follows immediately after Maruska’s Diamond’s Promise. Another tale of a young girl missing her brother. It’s short and sweet and full of emotion.

What I didn’t Like:

***Spoiler Alert*** Plausibility. Would a family keep such a secret from their daughter this long? Could they? While the tale is well-told, I can’t bring myself to buy-in on the premise. Also, not a horror story, but that isn’t a mark against it.

The Blind Tattooist – Allison Maruska

Summary:

Brit is dragged to a tattoo parlor by her friend. Reluctant as she is, the experience will change her life.

What I liked:

There is a theme with Allison’s tales. Shorter than most of the other stories in the anthology, they have a stronger punch. They are not horror, but spiritual in a way. They use the supernatural to make lasting emotional imprints on the reader. No exception with this one, either.

What I didn’t Like:

I feel like a broken record, but this is not horror. I prefer it, though.

Three Seconds of Grace – Anne Marie Andrus

Summary:

A young woman, long abused and disillusioned by the city of New Orleans, seeks to escape. A new life, freedom, anything but the nightmare she’d lived for so long. Will that freedom come from an unexpected place?

What I liked:

An excerpt from a larger book, this works as a short story – to a point. It’s well written and pulls the reader into the mind of the protagonist. The utter hopelessness she feels, the urgent need for something new, better. A release. Freedom. The reader can feel all of it.

What I didn’t Like:

I say this works as a short story, to a point. The point where it all falls apart is that there are too many questions left unanswered – and not in the normal way a flash fiction piece or short story conjures up questions. Too many plot holes that are probably filled with the longer book. That’s probably a preference problem, though.

Hair Razor – Carrie Ann Alexis

Summary:

Two hairstylists open up their very first salon after. They buy an older salon, abandoned after the death of the former owner. The place is perfect for everything they want, but the agent warns them the place might be haunted. Could there be more to this little salon than they had hoped?

What I liked:

It’s an engaging story. To walk with the main characters from when they buy the salon, through renovations, their grand opening, and beyond makes for a great story. The supernatural flair, mischievous more than malevolent, adds a nice touch. Not really a horror story, but the tension (albeit small) does keep the reader wondering at what will happen.

What I didn’t Like:

For a good portion of the story, the character of Michael seems stereotypical. The effeminate male hairstylist. While it doesn’t move away from this depiction, the story does finally add some depth to him. And heart. However, Nita could use a good dose of character development, too.

Mondays Are Who You Really Are – Lucy Brazier

Summary:

Benjamin Mountain, Legend, is adored by everyone. He showers his greatness on all he meets, except his wife. She only wishes everyone could see him the way she does, before he puts on his legend façade. One day, she gets her wish. Only, is this what she really wants?

What I liked:

A funny little tale that claims to have no moral to it, though there might be one lurking in there somewhere. The end does throw a nice little wrench in an otherwise predictable tale.

What I didn’t Like:

The POV dances around so much in this tale that it left me dizzy. Narrator to Eunice to Benjamin and around and around. Still, it was enjoyable enough to overlook this.

Epilogue, The Box Under the Bed part two

Summary:

The two sisters from the beginning of the anthology, Tanya and Eileen, take grandpa’s box of treasures and discover a collection of his stories. Each item in the box correlates to a story he wrote. They lose hours and themselves in the stories, closing the anthology with another tale that is more heart than horror.

What I liked:

It gave a good ending to the collection of stories. Short, to the point, and satisfying.

What I didn’t Like:

Nothing to dislike here.

Conclusion:

Honestly, this feels like it should have been called the Allison Maruska and Friends Anthology. A fifth of them were written by her, though that might actually be a strength for the whole book. There are a few diamonds in the rough in this collection, usually those that don’t actually fit the normal definition of a horror story. Overall, this anthology would better fit under a simple Supernatural heading than horror. There were some good creep factors, but some stories decided on gore rather than scare. Were there bad stories, yes. Not enough for me to tell others not to read it, though. The diamonds, the strong stories, are well worth the cost of the book alone.

[Gareth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of placid stories

I'm going to give up trying to read these horror compilations, they all seem to follow the same terrible format. Where have the actual stories gone !?

This book was just as rubbish as the last one I read, i gave it two stars because there are about 3 decent stories in there. I really hate to give up on a book but this one was testing me.

If you're looking for short scary stories don't read this. If you're looking for unfinished boring tales where nothing happens you're in for a winner !

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Box Under the Bed is easy reading, but worth it. 4.5 stars

I won't bore you with reviews of each story. I guess it would ruin the fun of new, short stories. Some ghost stories and some supernatural surprises, but mostly ordinary stories of ordinary people recognising some new truth. I enjoyed this group of stories and think you will too.

[Lisa Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good stories

This book had some pretty good stories in it. There were a few that didn't really move or interest me but, the morjorty did for the most part. It made me want to find more books like it.

[Holli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missing endings

The stories were good but a few were missing the endings in the digital copy i got. So that was a bummer

[losira13gmail.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something different

Chose the book because of the cover and wasn't sure what to expect. Some stories are very brief and I wasn't sure what to make of them but enjoyed them. Anyone who enjoys tales of a different type should like these.

[Kathleen Kuipers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty darn good!

I enjoyed at least 95% of these stories. If you're looking for a quick read, check this book out! I think you'll like it.

[Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mix of stories

It’s a good mix of stories. I enjoyed it very much and would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves short stories.

[Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

More strange than scary

It's an interesting collection of stories, although the book failed to grab my full attention. The order of the stories felt a bit disjointed but easy to read no the less. Its an OK read for lovers of peculiar tales with no time to read entire novels.

[April Tolliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

everyone before me had rated this book highly. I did not. most of these did not feel like stories. they felt like someone opened a book at random and took a page and a half from it, and called it a short story. no context, no point.

a girl finds a box under Grandpa's bed. it's filled with things that she can't imagine why he kept them. wonder why? the end.

people are sent notices that they inherited a house. 3 people meet up. have champagne. the end.

someone is talking in their sleep? under hypnosis? in a coma? mentions a dead brother by name. the end.

the writing was well done. it just felt pointless.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

some of these stories were decent enough but some seemed more like a beginning of a book that didnt really go anywhere or didnt make sense. being that it was a free anthology i am not upset that i bothered with it but overall it was just okay.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of stories.

[SpookyBoogie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad I didn't waste any money on this one.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rounded this one up from 2.5. Some of the stories were really intriguing and engaging - "The Blind Tattooist," Cassie," and "Betrayal" stood out for me. I really enjoyed those and thought they were well-written. Unfortunately, the rest of the collection is kind of a haphazard mess. Many stories go nowhere and have nothing to say. Some seem like they are taken from a longer work and have no context to make them coherent, others simply trail off in what seems like the middle of the story. The few good ones make it worth reading if you can borrow it for free.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discovery and knowledge, two items gathered through collective nano stories if the editor and publisher do their job. The theme is strong and the tales are unique not only in style but author's origin and ethnic background.
Some introducing characters from existing series, others are composed quips just for this collection. I pondered long over a few. Some were quick fun stories. The one thing to remember the hard work has been done, someone made sure that there are great stories sit back and discover your new favorite author.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, there are a lot of stories in this book that aren't scary. Not at all. So that's really misleading. I'm giving it a 3 because there were a few stories in this book that were decent, a few that were pretty good. But honestly, there were some that were terrible. I re-listened to them to see if I could make sense of them. I don't even know how or why they were chosen. They were awful. They had no point. Were poorly written, and seemed like a small part of an actual story.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's that book that'll leave you sitting in a chilling atmosphere. As there are many authors, there are many writing styles and many well written stories.

[Brian S. Shipe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horror,not

Found the book to be nothing short of horror.Some stories never even came close to being scary.Was only maybe three that I would even consider.....

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pretty Good Anthology

If you like anthologies, The Box Under The Bed is a pretty good one for you. Multiple stories; most can be read in just a few minutes. Give it a try.

[CHRISTINE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories with little depth.

Stories with no plot or endings. A few were pretty good. Many different authors. Not close to memorable. Quick read

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it!

Some anthologies have just a few interesting tales, but these stories are all enjoyable. I recommend this book to any horror reader.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It had just the right amount of creepy stories to keep you turning the pages all night long.