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After Sundown
This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window. It is the first of what will hopefully become an annual, non-themed horror anthology of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer.
Contents List:
BUTTERFLY ISLAND by C.J. Tudor
RESEARCH by Tim Lebbon
SWANSKIN by Alison Littlewood
THAT’S THE SPIRIT by Sarah Lotz
GAVE by Michael Bailey
WHEREVER YOU LOOK by Ramsey Campbell
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR by Angela Slatter
MINE SEVEN by Elana Gomel
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT by Michael Marshall Smith
CREEPING IVY by Laura Purcell
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD by Rick Cross
WE ALL COME HOME by Simon Bestwick
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE by Robert Shearman
BOKEH by Thana Niveau
MURDER BOARD by Grady Hendrix
ALICE’S REBELLION by John Langan
THE MIRROR HOUSE by Jonathan Robbins Leon
THE NAUGHTY STEP by Stephen Volk
A HOTEL IN GERMANY by Catriona Ward
BRANCH LINE by Paul Finch
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
Contents List:
BUTTERFLY ISLAND by C.J. Tudor
RESEARCH by Tim Lebbon
SWANSKIN by Alison Littlewood
THAT’S THE SPIRIT by Sarah Lotz
GAVE by Michael Bailey
WHEREVER YOU LOOK by Ramsey Campbell
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR by Angela Slatter
MINE SEVEN by Elana Gomel
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT by Michael Marshall Smith
CREEPING IVY by Laura Purcell
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD by Rick Cross
WE ALL COME HOME by Simon Bestwick
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE by Robert Shearman
BOKEH by Thana Niveau
MURDER BOARD by Grady Hendrix
ALICE’S REBELLION by John Langan
THE MIRROR HOUSE by Jonathan Robbins Leon
THE NAUGHTY STEP by Stephen Volk
A HOTEL IN GERMANY by Catriona Ward
BRANCH LINE by Paul Finch
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2020
127 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Mark Morris
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There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 13, 2020
After Sundown is a collection of twenty horror short stories edited by Mark Morris. The contributors are published authors.
BUTTERFLY ISLAND (C.J.Tudor) is set in a post-viral world and features flesh-eating butterflies, a psychotic maniac, mines and some greedy, gun-happy opportunists. 4/5
RESEARCH (Tim Lebbon) an author ends up inside a plot that could easily be his own. 5/5
SWANSKIN (Alison Littlewood) a fishing town with wintering swans, beautiful women and cruel men. 4/5
THAT’S THE SPIRIT (Sarah Lotz) a fraud psychic with an elderly sidekick and electronic aids begins to wonder about the “messages: his assistant denies sending. 5/5
GAVE (Michael Bailey) a regular donor does what he can for a diminishing population 2.5/5
WHEREVER YOU LOOK (Ramsey Campbell) an author of supernatural thrillers finds himself being haunted by a character. 5/5
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR (Angela Slatter) the one light of the year when ghostly Cindy has some weight is not a good night to hang around the cemetery. 5/5
MINE SEVEN (Elana Gomel) when Lena and Bill go on an Arctic winter vacation, the melting ice unleashes a very old curse. 5/5
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT (Michael Marshall Smith) a father discovers that his is not the only child in the neighbourhood whose socks initiate a “doesn’t feel right” tantrum. 5/5
CREEPING IVY (Laura Purcell) a nineteenth Century garden lover’s plants take revenge for her murder. 4/5
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD (Rick Cross) mythical monsters turn up dead in strange places. 3/5
WE ALL COME HOME (Simon Bestwick) a man returns to the site of a childhood trauma to face a repressed memory. 4/5
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE (Robert Shearman) a woman writes a letter of warning to her husband’s lover. 5/5
BOKEH (Thana Niveau) Vera’s daughter sees fairies, but no the Tinkerbelle kind. 4/5
MURDER BOARD (Grady Hendrix) a Ouija board session sets off a string of deadly events. 5/5
ALICE’S REBELLION (John Langan) post-Wonderland, Alice finds her battles not yet over. 4/5
THE MIRROR HOUSE (Jonathan Robbins Leon) a wife discovers an alternate reality in the pantry. 4/5
THE NAUGHTY STEP (Stephen Volk) a social worker comes to care for a little boy at a murder scene. 5/5
A HOTEL IN GERMANY (Catriona Ward) a movie star and her personal vampire(?) on location in Germany. 3/5
BRANCH LINE (Paul Finch) at almost sixty, Richard Gates is questioned about the disappearance, over forty years earlier, of his classmate, Brian O’Rourke in the abandoned Branch Line. 4/5
This collection is a mixed bag: some are excellent, and five of the stories, Research, That’s The Spirit, Wherever You Look, It Doesn’t Feel Right, and Murder Board, are quite outstanding.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Flame Tree Press.
BUTTERFLY ISLAND (C.J.Tudor) is set in a post-viral world and features flesh-eating butterflies, a psychotic maniac, mines and some greedy, gun-happy opportunists. 4/5
RESEARCH (Tim Lebbon) an author ends up inside a plot that could easily be his own. 5/5
SWANSKIN (Alison Littlewood) a fishing town with wintering swans, beautiful women and cruel men. 4/5
THAT’S THE SPIRIT (Sarah Lotz) a fraud psychic with an elderly sidekick and electronic aids begins to wonder about the “messages: his assistant denies sending. 5/5
GAVE (Michael Bailey) a regular donor does what he can for a diminishing population 2.5/5
WHEREVER YOU LOOK (Ramsey Campbell) an author of supernatural thrillers finds himself being haunted by a character. 5/5
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR (Angela Slatter) the one light of the year when ghostly Cindy has some weight is not a good night to hang around the cemetery. 5/5
MINE SEVEN (Elana Gomel) when Lena and Bill go on an Arctic winter vacation, the melting ice unleashes a very old curse. 5/5
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT (Michael Marshall Smith) a father discovers that his is not the only child in the neighbourhood whose socks initiate a “doesn’t feel right” tantrum. 5/5
CREEPING IVY (Laura Purcell) a nineteenth Century garden lover’s plants take revenge for her murder. 4/5
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD (Rick Cross) mythical monsters turn up dead in strange places. 3/5
WE ALL COME HOME (Simon Bestwick) a man returns to the site of a childhood trauma to face a repressed memory. 4/5
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE (Robert Shearman) a woman writes a letter of warning to her husband’s lover. 5/5
BOKEH (Thana Niveau) Vera’s daughter sees fairies, but no the Tinkerbelle kind. 4/5
MURDER BOARD (Grady Hendrix) a Ouija board session sets off a string of deadly events. 5/5
ALICE’S REBELLION (John Langan) post-Wonderland, Alice finds her battles not yet over. 4/5
THE MIRROR HOUSE (Jonathan Robbins Leon) a wife discovers an alternate reality in the pantry. 4/5
THE NAUGHTY STEP (Stephen Volk) a social worker comes to care for a little boy at a murder scene. 5/5
A HOTEL IN GERMANY (Catriona Ward) a movie star and her personal vampire(?) on location in Germany. 3/5
BRANCH LINE (Paul Finch) at almost sixty, Richard Gates is questioned about the disappearance, over forty years earlier, of his classmate, Brian O’Rourke in the abandoned Branch Line. 4/5
This collection is a mixed bag: some are excellent, and five of the stories, Research, That’s The Spirit, Wherever You Look, It Doesn’t Feel Right, and Murder Board, are quite outstanding.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Flame Tree Press.
October 8, 2020
20 short stories that are supposed to be horror from well known and arising literary stars. It appears this is going to be a yearly collection, I would look forward to it if they put true horror stories in it. These were mostly sci-fi and dystopian style stories. Mediocre stories...
July 6, 2020
Great collection of horror stories from horror industry-leading publisher Flame Tree Press. Unlike many short story collections, this one has very consistently good stories across the board. There were a few that “aren’t my thing” horror-wise, but all are very well-written and scary. My favorite was the CJ Tudor story about Butterfly Island that kicks off the book. I was sorry this story had to end when it did and would happily have read a whole book of it. Same thing with Swanskin. This book is very ably edited and curated and I am hopeful that, as the editor states, this may become a yearly compilation. Very high quality collection of stories to take your time enjoying. 4.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley, editor Mark Morris and Flame Tree press for the advance copy!
Thanks to NetGalley, editor Mark Morris and Flame Tree press for the advance copy!
July 13, 2020
With this anthology, Morris proves he has an eye for quality and his finger on the pulse of the horror genre. He has assembled a stellar line-up of some of the top names in the genre, as well as four new authors. After Sundown contains 20 original horror stories. While, officially, there's no common theme to the stories, I've found one. Most of them are gripping from the get-go.
I especially liked the opening story Butterfly Island by C.J. Tudor – it's fast, furious, and uncompromising. Set in the near future, it follows a rag-tag group of survivors looking for a haven on a seemingly deserted island. It's a horror anthology so it won't come as a surprise that things go wrong and people end up being blown up, sacrificed, and eaten. All in 19 pages! I loved the idea and the execution. And I want more.
Most of the stories are good reads in a disturbing way. Some dive deep into terror, some contain the supernatural and uncanny to further raise the stakes. Take Grady Hendrix, for example. In Murder Board, he plays with the Ouija Board theme. What if the board messes with people sitting over it and trying to send a subconscious message to the other? Expect unexpected.
Other standouts for me included Sarah Lotz’s That's The Spirit about a fake psychic who may not be so fake after all, and Ramsey Campbell’s creepy Wherever You Look that defies categorization.
After Sundown is a fine horror anthology. Filled with spine-chilling stories, it'll make your heart race nonstop. It proves horror has no boundaries. You can find it in both supernatural and non-supernatural stories. Highly recommended.
ARC through NetGalley
I especially liked the opening story Butterfly Island by C.J. Tudor – it's fast, furious, and uncompromising. Set in the near future, it follows a rag-tag group of survivors looking for a haven on a seemingly deserted island. It's a horror anthology so it won't come as a surprise that things go wrong and people end up being blown up, sacrificed, and eaten. All in 19 pages! I loved the idea and the execution. And I want more.
Most of the stories are good reads in a disturbing way. Some dive deep into terror, some contain the supernatural and uncanny to further raise the stakes. Take Grady Hendrix, for example. In Murder Board, he plays with the Ouija Board theme. What if the board messes with people sitting over it and trying to send a subconscious message to the other? Expect unexpected.
Other standouts for me included Sarah Lotz’s That's The Spirit about a fake psychic who may not be so fake after all, and Ramsey Campbell’s creepy Wherever You Look that defies categorization.
After Sundown is a fine horror anthology. Filled with spine-chilling stories, it'll make your heart race nonstop. It proves horror has no boundaries. You can find it in both supernatural and non-supernatural stories. Highly recommended.
ARC through NetGalley
December 10, 2020
☆☆☆☆REVIEW
Thank you @FlameTreePress for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.
I have become a fan of anthologies and collections, and After Sundown is among my favorites. Although I do not read horror all the time, I like to dip into the genre occasionally. I am glad I read After Sundown because it would have been a travesty to miss this unique collection. As with any anthology, I like some stories more than others, but each has something to offer.
These stories are compelling, entertaining and hauntingly creepy with a good balance of darker themes and lighter tales from a mosaic of well known and new authors. As a whole, the collection is well curated, perfectly paced and packs a punch. Whether frightening or just a bit scary, you will find a favorite. After Sundown is an amazing group of short stories. I hope Flame Tree publishes a new anthology yearly.
🎃
CONTENTS
BUTTERFLY ISLAND, C.J. Tudor
RESEARCH, Tim Lebbon
SWANSKIN, Alison Littlewood
THAT’S THE SPIRIT, Sarah Lotz
GAVE, Michael Bailey
WHEREVER YOU LOOK, Ramsey Campbell
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, Angela Slatter
MINE SEVEN, Elana Gomel
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT, Michael Marshall Smith
CREEPING IVY, Laura Purcell
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD, Rick Cross
WE ALL COME HOME, Simon Bestwick
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE, Robert Shearman
BOKEH, Thana Niveau
MURDER BOARD, Grady Hendrix
ALICE’S REBELLION, John Langan
THE MIRROR HOUSE, Jonathan Robbins Leon
THE NAUGHTY STEP, Stephen Volk
A HOTEL IN GERMANY, Catriona Ward
BRANCH LINE, Paul Finch
Thank you @FlameTreePress for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.
I have become a fan of anthologies and collections, and After Sundown is among my favorites. Although I do not read horror all the time, I like to dip into the genre occasionally. I am glad I read After Sundown because it would have been a travesty to miss this unique collection. As with any anthology, I like some stories more than others, but each has something to offer.
These stories are compelling, entertaining and hauntingly creepy with a good balance of darker themes and lighter tales from a mosaic of well known and new authors. As a whole, the collection is well curated, perfectly paced and packs a punch. Whether frightening or just a bit scary, you will find a favorite. After Sundown is an amazing group of short stories. I hope Flame Tree publishes a new anthology yearly.
🎃
CONTENTS
BUTTERFLY ISLAND, C.J. Tudor
RESEARCH, Tim Lebbon
SWANSKIN, Alison Littlewood
THAT’S THE SPIRIT, Sarah Lotz
GAVE, Michael Bailey
WHEREVER YOU LOOK, Ramsey Campbell
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, Angela Slatter
MINE SEVEN, Elana Gomel
IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT, Michael Marshall Smith
CREEPING IVY, Laura Purcell
LAST RITES FOR THE FOURTH WORLD, Rick Cross
WE ALL COME HOME, Simon Bestwick
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE, Robert Shearman
BOKEH, Thana Niveau
MURDER BOARD, Grady Hendrix
ALICE’S REBELLION, John Langan
THE MIRROR HOUSE, Jonathan Robbins Leon
THE NAUGHTY STEP, Stephen Volk
A HOTEL IN GERMANY, Catriona Ward
BRANCH LINE, Paul Finch
September 30, 2020
As a long time lover of short horror stories I'm smiling like a crazed Jack O'lantern at the thought of Flame Tree Press putting out an annual anthology. I would have been happier if it was Halloween themed but that did not stop me from enjoying what will hopefully become a yearly tradition.
The first story to totally blow me away was IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT by Michael Marshall Smith. Everyone has something that particularly creeps them out. For me it's always been stories about children. You just never know what a child will do. They're inconsistent and undependable and therefore terrifying.. One minute they tell you that you're the best mommy in the world and the next minute they hate you because their toothbrush is the wrong color. In this story, the every day chore of trying to get a child appropriately dressed and out the door in time for school was something I could commiserate with until it took a horrifying turn.
BOKEH by Thana Niveau also featured a terrifying child who sees and knows more than her unsuspecting mother gives her credit for until it's far too late. This one inspired such a deliciously dreadful feeling because I could just tell this child was up to no good from the start.
THE NAUGHTY STEP by Stephen Volk finds child services attempting to collect a small boy from his home after he survived a traumatic event. This story was as heartbreaking as it was shocking.
RESEARCH by Tim Lebbon had a Misery vibe to it as an author finds himself held hostage although not by his greatest fan, there is nothing personal in the confinement, just a twisted desire to observe what happens when a writer can not write.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE by Robert Shearman is a dental horror story of epic proportions that at first glimpse seems to be merely the tale of a woman who fears losing her husband before it explodes into supernatural terror well beyond my expectations.
MURDER BOARD by Grady Hendrix should be a caution to anyone considering playing with a Ouija board, especially on a perfectly dark and stormy night in your secluded mansion with your embittered aging, has been, of a husband.
THE MIRROR HOUSE by Jonathan Robbins Leon makes me want to spout some overused cliché like there but for the grace of God go I.... But wait, in the mirror house which one is really me? This was a very clever and fear inspiring tale.
These were my favorites but every story is well worth a read.
I received an advance copy for review.
The first story to totally blow me away was IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT by Michael Marshall Smith. Everyone has something that particularly creeps them out. For me it's always been stories about children. You just never know what a child will do. They're inconsistent and undependable and therefore terrifying.. One minute they tell you that you're the best mommy in the world and the next minute they hate you because their toothbrush is the wrong color. In this story, the every day chore of trying to get a child appropriately dressed and out the door in time for school was something I could commiserate with until it took a horrifying turn.
BOKEH by Thana Niveau also featured a terrifying child who sees and knows more than her unsuspecting mother gives her credit for until it's far too late. This one inspired such a deliciously dreadful feeling because I could just tell this child was up to no good from the start.
THE NAUGHTY STEP by Stephen Volk finds child services attempting to collect a small boy from his home after he survived a traumatic event. This story was as heartbreaking as it was shocking.
RESEARCH by Tim Lebbon had a Misery vibe to it as an author finds himself held hostage although not by his greatest fan, there is nothing personal in the confinement, just a twisted desire to observe what happens when a writer can not write.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE by Robert Shearman is a dental horror story of epic proportions that at first glimpse seems to be merely the tale of a woman who fears losing her husband before it explodes into supernatural terror well beyond my expectations.
MURDER BOARD by Grady Hendrix should be a caution to anyone considering playing with a Ouija board, especially on a perfectly dark and stormy night in your secluded mansion with your embittered aging, has been, of a husband.
THE MIRROR HOUSE by Jonathan Robbins Leon makes me want to spout some overused cliché like there but for the grace of God go I.... But wait, in the mirror house which one is really me? This was a very clever and fear inspiring tale.
These were my favorites but every story is well worth a read.
I received an advance copy for review.
July 24, 2020
What a great anthology! The lack of categorization was great in that I had no clue what the next story would hold for me, as I kept reading. I loved: Butterfly Island by CJ Tudor, Swanskin by Alison Littlewood, That's the Spirit by Sarah Lotz, The Importance of Oral Hygiene and Alice's Rebellion by John Langan. There's something in here for every reader.
September 6, 2020
October is the perfect time to publish an anthology of horror stories! I decided to read this one for review for several reasons: I have enjoyed many horror novels published by Flame Tree Press; I love horror short story collections; and, 16 of these stories are by published authors I am familiar with and four of them were chosen from submissions sent to FTP. I'm always up for reading something by new-to-me authors!
Any time a reader delves into a collection of 20 stories there will be tales they love and ones that just missed the mark. That's the joy of a short story anthology -- what one reader doesn't like, another one will. So there is something for everyone! There weren't any stories in this collection that I didn't finish or that I completely disliked. Some were awesome....others were just ok....and there were a couple that just didn't hit the mark for me. But, not every story is for every reader. For the most part, I enjoyed the offerings in this demented little horror collection!
This book definitely primed my desire to start reading horror stories. I get into Halloween mode once September starts every year. I love autumn....and I love horror stories! So I enjoy making the season last as long as possible!
I believe this horror anthology is going to be an annual thing for FTP. I'm definitely in line to buy a copy each year! The stories in this first anthology are varied, interesting and definitely creepy fun to read!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Any time a reader delves into a collection of 20 stories there will be tales they love and ones that just missed the mark. That's the joy of a short story anthology -- what one reader doesn't like, another one will. So there is something for everyone! There weren't any stories in this collection that I didn't finish or that I completely disliked. Some were awesome....others were just ok....and there were a couple that just didn't hit the mark for me. But, not every story is for every reader. For the most part, I enjoyed the offerings in this demented little horror collection!
This book definitely primed my desire to start reading horror stories. I get into Halloween mode once September starts every year. I love autumn....and I love horror stories! So I enjoy making the season last as long as possible!
I believe this horror anthology is going to be an annual thing for FTP. I'm definitely in line to buy a copy each year! The stories in this first anthology are varied, interesting and definitely creepy fun to read!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
October 16, 2020
What a collection is this: the first "Anthology of New Best Short Stories," a non-themed Anthology of Horror from Flame Tree Press, and oh! the authors included!
"Butterfly Island " by C. J. Tudor: Think Pandemic. Think 2020. Think "Survivor " without camerapersons or first aid. Think stranded on a jungle island with psychosis. Think "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!"
"Research" by Tim Lebbon: Obviously, the Misery-trope has not been overdone. This writer's neighbors are not exactly fans....but oh my are they psychotic. But the best aspect of good Horror is when it twists, when it turns on you, and you find yourself gasping with astonished delight: that "I can't believe that just happened!" moment...
"Swanskin" by Alison Littlewood: I can't express how angry I became at the injustice in this historically-ser feminist story. To consciously refuse magic as a cultural and personal choice, to effectively imprison women, to mock and brutalize and condemn.....
"That's the Spirit" by Sarah Lotz: intriguing premise, spooky as it works out, and an ending that makes the reader wonder what actually is fact here?
"Gave" by Michael Bailey: I don't think about global population reduction; I worry about overpopulation. But in this story, plague reduces global population at an incredible rate, while an elderly gentleman is a lifelong donor, and reminisces in statistics.
"Whenever You Look" by Ramsey Campbell: This Master of Horror seems to like books, writers, bookselling, as a venue. How an unassuming writer struggles to identify a passage he may, or may not, have written or read, is engrossing. Reading Ramsey Campbell always makes me feel I belong in the story (of course intensifying the fears).
oh, and another thing about Mr. Campbell's work?
ALWAYS TERRIBLY SCARY!!!
"Same Time Next Year " by Angela Slatter: A winning combination of regretful sadness and OMG horror. Won't forget!
"Mine Seven" by Elana Gomel: Glorious! Enwraps Cli-Fi with Arctic Circle history and environment and delivers abject terror coupled with empowering hope.
"It Doesn't Feel Right " by Michael Marshall Smith: A very subtle tale about parenting tribulations....until IT SCARES THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME! NIGHTMARES!
"Creeping Ivy" by Laura Purcell: Oh, Vengeance: thy Name is Woman and thy weapon is Nature.
"Last Rites for the Fourth World" by Rick Cross: Wow. Just an amazing story, unexpected, so much tragedy and so much hope.
"We All Come Home" by Simon Bestwick: Oh my goodness. This one is Scary from Page One. How I rooted for the protagonist, who easily elicited my empathy. Did he succeed? Read for yourself...but not at night, alone.
"The Importance of Oral Hygiene " by Robert Shearman: This one to me has a very formal Victorian aura, and is as much a thriller of the Psyche as it is Paranormal.
"Bokeh" by Thana Niveau: This scary story made me want to be alone, and not anywhere with trees and grass. Of course, reading alone did not distill the fear. Scared me senseless!
"Murder Board" by Grady Hendrix: Misunderstandings, crosscultural confusion, and what Cool Hand Luke referred to as a "failure to communicate" combine into ugly consequences. Or is it the "protective" board?
"Alice's Rebellion " by John Langan: Believe me, you have never seen Alice in Wonderland like this!
"The Mirror House" by Jonathan Robbins Leon: Remarkably feminist in outworking, as an accomplished and gifted academic discovers her reality is an illusion, and then takes action with intriguing consequences. Poetic justice.
"The Naughty Step" by Stephen Volk: This one is seriously edgy, definitely not to be read at night. Shivers!!
"A Hotel In Germany " by Catriona Ward: Subtly unfolded, the theme is always almost out of reach.
"Branch Line" by Paul Finch: This one I REALLY should NOT have read alone at night: not only is a scary story included, but the outcome is in-your-face terrifying!
"Butterfly Island " by C. J. Tudor: Think Pandemic. Think 2020. Think "Survivor " without camerapersons or first aid. Think stranded on a jungle island with psychosis. Think "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!"
"Research" by Tim Lebbon: Obviously, the Misery-trope has not been overdone. This writer's neighbors are not exactly fans....but oh my are they psychotic. But the best aspect of good Horror is when it twists, when it turns on you, and you find yourself gasping with astonished delight: that "I can't believe that just happened!" moment...
"Swanskin" by Alison Littlewood: I can't express how angry I became at the injustice in this historically-ser feminist story. To consciously refuse magic as a cultural and personal choice, to effectively imprison women, to mock and brutalize and condemn.....
"That's the Spirit" by Sarah Lotz: intriguing premise, spooky as it works out, and an ending that makes the reader wonder what actually is fact here?
"Gave" by Michael Bailey: I don't think about global population reduction; I worry about overpopulation. But in this story, plague reduces global population at an incredible rate, while an elderly gentleman is a lifelong donor, and reminisces in statistics.
"Whenever You Look" by Ramsey Campbell: This Master of Horror seems to like books, writers, bookselling, as a venue. How an unassuming writer struggles to identify a passage he may, or may not, have written or read, is engrossing. Reading Ramsey Campbell always makes me feel I belong in the story (of course intensifying the fears).
oh, and another thing about Mr. Campbell's work?
ALWAYS TERRIBLY SCARY!!!
"Same Time Next Year " by Angela Slatter: A winning combination of regretful sadness and OMG horror. Won't forget!
"Mine Seven" by Elana Gomel: Glorious! Enwraps Cli-Fi with Arctic Circle history and environment and delivers abject terror coupled with empowering hope.
"It Doesn't Feel Right " by Michael Marshall Smith: A very subtle tale about parenting tribulations....until IT SCARES THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME! NIGHTMARES!
"Creeping Ivy" by Laura Purcell: Oh, Vengeance: thy Name is Woman and thy weapon is Nature.
"Last Rites for the Fourth World" by Rick Cross: Wow. Just an amazing story, unexpected, so much tragedy and so much hope.
"We All Come Home" by Simon Bestwick: Oh my goodness. This one is Scary from Page One. How I rooted for the protagonist, who easily elicited my empathy. Did he succeed? Read for yourself...but not at night, alone.
"The Importance of Oral Hygiene " by Robert Shearman: This one to me has a very formal Victorian aura, and is as much a thriller of the Psyche as it is Paranormal.
"Bokeh" by Thana Niveau: This scary story made me want to be alone, and not anywhere with trees and grass. Of course, reading alone did not distill the fear. Scared me senseless!
"Murder Board" by Grady Hendrix: Misunderstandings, crosscultural confusion, and what Cool Hand Luke referred to as a "failure to communicate" combine into ugly consequences. Or is it the "protective" board?
"Alice's Rebellion " by John Langan: Believe me, you have never seen Alice in Wonderland like this!
"The Mirror House" by Jonathan Robbins Leon: Remarkably feminist in outworking, as an accomplished and gifted academic discovers her reality is an illusion, and then takes action with intriguing consequences. Poetic justice.
"The Naughty Step" by Stephen Volk: This one is seriously edgy, definitely not to be read at night. Shivers!!
"A Hotel In Germany " by Catriona Ward: Subtly unfolded, the theme is always almost out of reach.
"Branch Line" by Paul Finch: This one I REALLY should NOT have read alone at night: not only is a scary story included, but the outcome is in-your-face terrifying!
September 19, 2023
It Doesn’t Feel Right by Michael Marshall Smith ★★★★★
Fear. Real fear. It reminded of The Shining. It was claustrophobic domestic horror, the kind that had me panting, before anything supernatural even happened.
Branch Line by Paul Finch ★★★★½
“Only a true millennial idiot would think I was trying to sell you that.”
Ooooh that was scary. It was that one-two King punch where the domestic tension/violence suddenly explodes with supernatural malevolence!
Last Rites for the Fourth World by Rick Cross ★★★★☆
All the monsters from all the cultures that signal the end of the world die dramatically. Only Native American myths hold some hope.
Murder Board by Grady Hendrix ★★★★☆
A Ouija board leads to all manner of murderous trouble.
Butterfly Island by CJ Tudor ★★★½☆
Hey! You can’t end it there! I want to hear the great idea! I want to know how the carnivorous butterflies came to be. I want to know what caused the apocalypse to begin with!
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood ★★★½☆
Sort of a selkie tale, but with a nice adaptation of revenge.
We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick ★★★½☆
Three kids enter the forest but only one is ever found - with amnesia. After the outrage that was In The Woods, I needed this version of that story to have answers. It did, in 90s SciFi Channel way. Still better than nothing.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk ★★★½☆
Ick. A pedo comes back from the dead for his victim, his son. A determined social worker does her best to save him. She should have tempered that with love for her cat.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell ★★★☆☆
“I cut her down.
Yet her hate springs, evergreen.”
A murderer is made to regret his actions.
Save Time Next Year by Angela Slatter ★★★☆☆
The musings of an angry young ghost girl in a cemetery.
Mine Seven by Elana Gomel ★★★☆☆
Siberian monsters emerge with global warming and leave an American clinging to her native roots for aid in changing world.
Research by Tim Lebbon ★★★☆☆
A little like Misery. A weird couple kidnaps a writer.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene by Robert Shearman ★★★☆☆
Creepy story of dentist seducing/drugging patients.
Bokeh by Thana Niveau ★★★☆☆
A newly single mom begins to think her daughter is a little evil. She’s right, the girl is chatting with fairies about human sacrifice.
The Mirror House by Jonathan Robbins Leon ★★★☆☆
A mystery of mirror lives in secret closets and an unhappy marriage.
Wherever You Look by Ramsey Campbell ★★½☆☆
Strange story about an author who may have borrowed a character from something he read as a child.
Gave by Michael Bailey ★★☆☆☆
Too much of a tease. You never find out what is causing the die-off.
That’s the Spirit by Sarah Lotz ★½☆☆☆
That was unsatisfying. I guess even real spirits are frauds.
A Hotel in Germany by Catriona Ward DNF
I have no idea what’s going on or why.
Alice’s Rebellion by John Langan DNF
A messy amalgam of Alice in Wonderland and Brexit.
I finished 18/20 stories averaging 3.25 stars. The quality varied wildly but there was some real fear and good spooky monsters.
Fear. Real fear. It reminded of The Shining. It was claustrophobic domestic horror, the kind that had me panting, before anything supernatural even happened.
Branch Line by Paul Finch ★★★★½
“Only a true millennial idiot would think I was trying to sell you that.”
Ooooh that was scary. It was that one-two King punch where the domestic tension/violence suddenly explodes with supernatural malevolence!
Last Rites for the Fourth World by Rick Cross ★★★★☆
All the monsters from all the cultures that signal the end of the world die dramatically. Only Native American myths hold some hope.
Murder Board by Grady Hendrix ★★★★☆
A Ouija board leads to all manner of murderous trouble.
Butterfly Island by CJ Tudor ★★★½☆
Hey! You can’t end it there! I want to hear the great idea! I want to know how the carnivorous butterflies came to be. I want to know what caused the apocalypse to begin with!
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood ★★★½☆
Sort of a selkie tale, but with a nice adaptation of revenge.
We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick ★★★½☆
Three kids enter the forest but only one is ever found - with amnesia. After the outrage that was In The Woods, I needed this version of that story to have answers. It did, in 90s SciFi Channel way. Still better than nothing.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk ★★★½☆
Ick. A pedo comes back from the dead for his victim, his son. A determined social worker does her best to save him. She should have tempered that with love for her cat.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell ★★★☆☆
“I cut her down.
Yet her hate springs, evergreen.”
A murderer is made to regret his actions.
Save Time Next Year by Angela Slatter ★★★☆☆
The musings of an angry young ghost girl in a cemetery.
Mine Seven by Elana Gomel ★★★☆☆
Siberian monsters emerge with global warming and leave an American clinging to her native roots for aid in changing world.
Research by Tim Lebbon ★★★☆☆
A little like Misery. A weird couple kidnaps a writer.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene by Robert Shearman ★★★☆☆
Creepy story of dentist seducing/drugging patients.
Bokeh by Thana Niveau ★★★☆☆
A newly single mom begins to think her daughter is a little evil. She’s right, the girl is chatting with fairies about human sacrifice.
The Mirror House by Jonathan Robbins Leon ★★★☆☆
A mystery of mirror lives in secret closets and an unhappy marriage.
Wherever You Look by Ramsey Campbell ★★½☆☆
Strange story about an author who may have borrowed a character from something he read as a child.
Gave by Michael Bailey ★★☆☆☆
Too much of a tease. You never find out what is causing the die-off.
That’s the Spirit by Sarah Lotz ★½☆☆☆
That was unsatisfying. I guess even real spirits are frauds.
A Hotel in Germany by Catriona Ward DNF
I have no idea what’s going on or why.
Alice’s Rebellion by John Langan DNF
A messy amalgam of Alice in Wonderland and Brexit.
I finished 18/20 stories averaging 3.25 stars. The quality varied wildly but there was some real fear and good spooky monsters.
October 18, 2021
A lot of these left me wondering how they got published in a horror anthology, while a few were genuinely pretty scary.
Just a heads up for how I personally interpret the star ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Good
⭐⭐⭐ = Average/okay
⭐⭐ = Disliked
⭐ = Hated
Butterfly Island, by C.J. Tudor
It started out promising, but, over the course of the story, I lost interest, especially when so much of the plot relied on characters acting stupidly. The butterflies were interesting but not nearly in it enough to pull the overall rating up very high. And then the story ended at what felt like the middle of the story, with no resolution at all and I ended up mentally shrugging and moving on. 2 stars.
Research, by Tim Lebbon:
This one was okay, and it gets bonus points from me because the protagonist is an author. Ironically, it seemed clear that the author of this short story has never written a novel before, as the character has ten hour long writing days, and yet it would still take him another four or five to complete his book that only needs about 5K words to finish. I am not a very productive writer on most days, with a very good day being 1K words, and I never spend anywhere near ten hours to reach that, but even I could hit 5K if I spent ten hours a day on it, in at most two days! It was also established that he's basically in a frenzy with eagerness to complete it, too, so it's not like he had writer's block or anything like that. Sorry for the little tirade there. 🙃
3 stars
Swanskin, by Alison Littlewood:
I liked this one. Lovely writing and there was some substance to the story as well, whereas the previous stories were pretty surface-level. 4 stars
That's the Spirit, by Sarah Lotz:
Meh, didn't really care for this one. It was pretty boring and never really went anywhere. 2.5 stars
Gave, by Michael Bailey:
This one could have been amazing. It's clear the author did a lot of research about blood types and things like that, even slipping into the story a handy chart that shows the possible hereditary combinations. And the story overall was quietly frightening and compelling. The one thing that bugged me throughout, though, was the lack of explanation for a HUGE increase in population. The MC reminisces about how the world population was 4 billion when he was ten, and then it was 17 billion when he was in high school?? This wasn't just a one-time slip up or anything, as that number is repeated several times in the story. I just find that impossible unless there was some supernatural reason, I guess, but nothing like that was ever mentioned. So, aside from that quite glaring plot hole, it was a really good story. 3.5 stars
Wherever you Look, by Ramsey Campbell:
I skipped this one. The writing was really odd and I was not having fun trying to figure out whatever was happening. Maybe I'll come back to it some day. Unrated
Same Time Next Year, by Angela Slatter:
This story felt pointless and the MC was pretty annoying. Luckily this was a very quick read, and I'll give it a few bonus points because of the interesting take on ghosts, even though nothing really came of it. 2 stars
Mine Seven, by Elana Gomel:
There was a lot to like about this story. It was very atmospheric and had an unusual and fascinating setting: a town near abandoned mines in Svalbard. It featured an American protagonist with Chukchi heritage. This was also one of the few stories that was actually scary. But...then it ended suddenly and all that delicious buildup fizzled out. Still, I liked it quite well. 3.5 stars
It Doesn't Feel Right, by Michael Marshall Smith:
I enjoyed how quietly creepy this one was and how the tension built throughout. And that ending? Finally a very effective finale that just hit me with emotion. Possibly my favorite story in this anthology. 4.5 stars
Creeping Ivy, by Laura Purcell:
Another very well-crafted story that had a great deal of suspense. This was a little scary, but since the MC isn't someone you want to survive, I was actually on the “evil's” side in this one, so I saw it more as rightfully earned justice than anything else. This story was told via diary entries, which always reach a point where they don't logically make too much sense, but I didn't mind suspending my disbelief a little. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. 4 stars
Last Rites for the Fourth World, by Rick Cross:
An interesting story but ultimately I didn't get a lot out of it. I'm not really a fan of omniscient POV, in most cases, and here, while fairly necessary to the story, it just didn't seem worth it. 2.5 stars
We All Come Home, by Simon Bestwick:
A tense story that had a taut line of suspense throughout, some scary reveals and moments, and then a twist at the end that completely threw me. All in all, good stuff! 4 stars
The Importance of Oral Hygiene, by Robert Shearman:
Okay...this one was...interesting. It had a few moments that would fit nicely into the r/menwritingwomen subreddit, which was probably the most disturbing thing about it, though it was fairly creepy in more conventional ways too. All in all, I wasn't a fan. 1.5 stars
Bokeh, by Thana Niveau:
A classic “kid who is friends with otherworldly forces and is subsequently creepy af” story. I still liked how it was done in "It Doesn't Feel Right" a little better, since the force is never revealed, unlike it is in "Bokeh", but this was still a very engaging story that had me on the edge of my seat as everything went to hell. 4 stars
Murder Board, by Grady Hendrix:
This one was wild and seemed ultimately to be mindless entertainment without much of a point. I don't have very strong opinions about it either way. so...2.5 stars I guess.
Alice's Rebellion, by John Langan:
An okay story, though fairly nonsensical, which is fitting, I suppose, since it features characters from Alice in Wonderland. Fans of that book might get more out of this story than I did. 3 stars
The Mirror House, by Jonathan Robbins Leon:
Didn't care too much for this one. First of all, the only interesting part was summarized after it occurred, rather than allowing the reader to experience along with the protagonist as it happened. That choice just cut all the tension out and never regained it. The rest of the story was rather boring and I really didn't care about the protagonist's stupid marriage problems when there's literally a mirrored version of her house within her house that we missed out on exploring because the author wanted to showcase a boring drama instead. *Sigh* CW for racism, too. 1.5 stars
The Naughty Step, by Stephan Volk:
This has to be the most disturbing story in the collection. While the dark/horror element was minor, this story dealt with some very real-life trauma that made for a fairly rough read. I'm not quite sure how I feel abut the story in general, honestly. The writing took the cliché blunt cop style to a new height, which grated on my nerves, and there were sections where I had trouble differentiating between speakers. But, once the story hit its prime, it was compelling, I'll give it that much. 2.5 stars
A Hotel in Germany, by Catriona Ward:
A very evocative and fascinating story. This one had a few twists that were pleasantly surprising and set it apart from how a lot of these stories have been handling monsters and such. The ending left me wishing that maybe this could be expanded into a longer work. I would definitely read it! 4.5 stars
Branch Line, by Paul Finch:
A little conflicted about how I feel about this one, but the twist towards the end helped me to not be as angry about some of the things that happened earlier in the story...as some circumstances could have been even more offensive than they already were! CW for homophobia though. This was the longest story in the anthology, and I did think it was a little long-winded in places. I didn't really enjoy my time too much with this one, but it wasn't completely terrible. 2 stars
Just a heads up for how I personally interpret the star ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Good
⭐⭐⭐ = Average/okay
⭐⭐ = Disliked
⭐ = Hated
Butterfly Island, by C.J. Tudor
It started out promising, but, over the course of the story, I lost interest, especially when so much of the plot relied on characters acting stupidly. The butterflies were interesting but not nearly in it enough to pull the overall rating up very high. And then the story ended at what felt like the middle of the story, with no resolution at all and I ended up mentally shrugging and moving on. 2 stars.
Research, by Tim Lebbon:
This one was okay, and it gets bonus points from me because the protagonist is an author. Ironically, it seemed clear that the author of this short story has never written a novel before, as the character has ten hour long writing days, and yet it would still take him another four or five to complete his book that only needs about 5K words to finish. I am not a very productive writer on most days, with a very good day being 1K words, and I never spend anywhere near ten hours to reach that, but even I could hit 5K if I spent ten hours a day on it, in at most two days! It was also established that he's basically in a frenzy with eagerness to complete it, too, so it's not like he had writer's block or anything like that. Sorry for the little tirade there. 🙃
3 stars
Swanskin, by Alison Littlewood:
I liked this one. Lovely writing and there was some substance to the story as well, whereas the previous stories were pretty surface-level. 4 stars
That's the Spirit, by Sarah Lotz:
Meh, didn't really care for this one. It was pretty boring and never really went anywhere. 2.5 stars
Gave, by Michael Bailey:
This one could have been amazing. It's clear the author did a lot of research about blood types and things like that, even slipping into the story a handy chart that shows the possible hereditary combinations. And the story overall was quietly frightening and compelling. The one thing that bugged me throughout, though, was the lack of explanation for a HUGE increase in population. The MC reminisces about how the world population was 4 billion when he was ten, and then it was 17 billion when he was in high school?? This wasn't just a one-time slip up or anything, as that number is repeated several times in the story. I just find that impossible unless there was some supernatural reason, I guess, but nothing like that was ever mentioned. So, aside from that quite glaring plot hole, it was a really good story. 3.5 stars
Wherever you Look, by Ramsey Campbell:
I skipped this one. The writing was really odd and I was not having fun trying to figure out whatever was happening. Maybe I'll come back to it some day. Unrated
Same Time Next Year, by Angela Slatter:
This story felt pointless and the MC was pretty annoying. Luckily this was a very quick read, and I'll give it a few bonus points because of the interesting take on ghosts, even though nothing really came of it. 2 stars
Mine Seven, by Elana Gomel:
There was a lot to like about this story. It was very atmospheric and had an unusual and fascinating setting: a town near abandoned mines in Svalbard. It featured an American protagonist with Chukchi heritage. This was also one of the few stories that was actually scary. But...then it ended suddenly and all that delicious buildup fizzled out. Still, I liked it quite well. 3.5 stars
It Doesn't Feel Right, by Michael Marshall Smith:
I enjoyed how quietly creepy this one was and how the tension built throughout. And that ending? Finally a very effective finale that just hit me with emotion. Possibly my favorite story in this anthology. 4.5 stars
Creeping Ivy, by Laura Purcell:
Another very well-crafted story that had a great deal of suspense. This was a little scary, but since the MC isn't someone you want to survive, I was actually on the “evil's” side in this one, so I saw it more as rightfully earned justice than anything else. This story was told via diary entries, which always reach a point where they don't logically make too much sense, but I didn't mind suspending my disbelief a little. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. 4 stars
Last Rites for the Fourth World, by Rick Cross:
An interesting story but ultimately I didn't get a lot out of it. I'm not really a fan of omniscient POV, in most cases, and here, while fairly necessary to the story, it just didn't seem worth it. 2.5 stars
We All Come Home, by Simon Bestwick:
A tense story that had a taut line of suspense throughout, some scary reveals and moments, and then a twist at the end that completely threw me. All in all, good stuff! 4 stars
The Importance of Oral Hygiene, by Robert Shearman:
Okay...this one was...interesting. It had a few moments that would fit nicely into the r/menwritingwomen subreddit, which was probably the most disturbing thing about it, though it was fairly creepy in more conventional ways too. All in all, I wasn't a fan. 1.5 stars
Bokeh, by Thana Niveau:
A classic “kid who is friends with otherworldly forces and is subsequently creepy af” story. I still liked how it was done in "It Doesn't Feel Right" a little better, since the force is never revealed, unlike it is in "Bokeh", but this was still a very engaging story that had me on the edge of my seat as everything went to hell. 4 stars
Murder Board, by Grady Hendrix:
This one was wild and seemed ultimately to be mindless entertainment without much of a point. I don't have very strong opinions about it either way. so...2.5 stars I guess.
Alice's Rebellion, by John Langan:
An okay story, though fairly nonsensical, which is fitting, I suppose, since it features characters from Alice in Wonderland. Fans of that book might get more out of this story than I did. 3 stars
The Mirror House, by Jonathan Robbins Leon:
Didn't care too much for this one. First of all, the only interesting part was summarized after it occurred, rather than allowing the reader to experience along with the protagonist as it happened. That choice just cut all the tension out and never regained it. The rest of the story was rather boring and I really didn't care about the protagonist's stupid marriage problems when there's literally a mirrored version of her house within her house that we missed out on exploring because the author wanted to showcase a boring drama instead. *Sigh* CW for racism, too. 1.5 stars
The Naughty Step, by Stephan Volk:
This has to be the most disturbing story in the collection. While the dark/horror element was minor, this story dealt with some very real-life trauma that made for a fairly rough read. I'm not quite sure how I feel abut the story in general, honestly. The writing took the cliché blunt cop style to a new height, which grated on my nerves, and there were sections where I had trouble differentiating between speakers. But, once the story hit its prime, it was compelling, I'll give it that much. 2.5 stars
A Hotel in Germany, by Catriona Ward:
A very evocative and fascinating story. This one had a few twists that were pleasantly surprising and set it apart from how a lot of these stories have been handling monsters and such. The ending left me wishing that maybe this could be expanded into a longer work. I would definitely read it! 4.5 stars
Branch Line, by Paul Finch:
A little conflicted about how I feel about this one, but the twist towards the end helped me to not be as angry about some of the things that happened earlier in the story...as some circumstances could have been even more offensive than they already were! CW for homophobia though. This was the longest story in the anthology, and I did think it was a little long-winded in places. I didn't really enjoy my time too much with this one, but it wasn't completely terrible. 2 stars
October 19, 2020
After Sundown is a fantastic collection of short stories from established authors and new talent.
Each story was gripping in their own unique way, no story felt the same or was on the same theme. I was really kept on my toes while reading these stories!
There were, of course, a few standouts:
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood. A tale in which swans have their skins stolen and they have to stay in human form, serving their husbands. There was just something so ethereal about this story, and the imagery the author used was so vivid.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell. A historical piece of fiction about a diary unearthed at a dig site and the intriguing story within its pages. This was just a brilliant atmospheric read, I'm definitely putting Laura Purcell's book on my tbr list.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk. A story about a social worker called to a house after a little boy witnesses his mother's death. Goodness, this pulled at my heartstrings and was creepy at the same time.
Branch Line by Paul Finch. A cold case interview about a young boy who went missing in the 1970s and the unbelievable tale of the survivor. I love a ghost story, and this one was both realistic and creepy.
I had an issue with the fact I felt some stories could have been longer, particularly CJ Tudor's Butterfly Island, I would have read an entire book about that story!
I would recommend this collection, not only for horror lovers, but if you enjoy stories that really pull you in and keep you enthralled.
Each story was gripping in their own unique way, no story felt the same or was on the same theme. I was really kept on my toes while reading these stories!
There were, of course, a few standouts:
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood. A tale in which swans have their skins stolen and they have to stay in human form, serving their husbands. There was just something so ethereal about this story, and the imagery the author used was so vivid.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell. A historical piece of fiction about a diary unearthed at a dig site and the intriguing story within its pages. This was just a brilliant atmospheric read, I'm definitely putting Laura Purcell's book on my tbr list.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk. A story about a social worker called to a house after a little boy witnesses his mother's death. Goodness, this pulled at my heartstrings and was creepy at the same time.
Branch Line by Paul Finch. A cold case interview about a young boy who went missing in the 1970s and the unbelievable tale of the survivor. I love a ghost story, and this one was both realistic and creepy.
I had an issue with the fact I felt some stories could have been longer, particularly CJ Tudor's Butterfly Island, I would have read an entire book about that story!
I would recommend this collection, not only for horror lovers, but if you enjoy stories that really pull you in and keep you enthralled.
October 12, 2020
If you're into binge-reading short stories and horror, then this is the perfect collection for you. Each story is delicately crafted to ensure top grades for the "jumping-at-the-slightest-sound" factor. There is some truly brilliant writing going on here. There are a few new names to add to my list of authors that I want to read more of. A fine collection of 20 spine-tingling shivers!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
September 14, 2020
Solid anthology of 20 horror stories. All kinds of subgenres are represented, so there's something in it for everyone. The average of all my individual ratings is 3.05 stars, but I'm adding half a bonus star because some of the stories in this collection will really stick with me. I love discovering new authors throughout anthologies. Catriona Ward, Elana Gomel and Robert Shearman are now high on my list of authors to try out.
My individual ratings and scribblings:
Butterfly Island by C.J. Tudor
3.5 stars. Good atmosphere/suspense. Curious about the rest of the story. Abrupt ending, but fitting. Genuine horror elements.
Research by Tim Lebbon
3 stars. Psychological horror. Weird and creepy people. Never fully trust your neighbours/aquantainces.
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood
3 stars. Like a creepy fairytale. Trigger warning: animal cruelty.
That's The Spirit by Sarah Lotz
2 stars. Wtf is up with the open ending? Could've just been a regular and boring story. Makes you guess but i don't like having to guess.
Gave by Michael Bailey
2 stars. An idea and something with counting things like an autistic rapstar. The concept of depopulation was interesting but not enough to make this one shine for me
Wherever you look by Ramsey Campbell
2 stars. Thought this was going to be a 1 Star rating. I couldn't get into the story due to the writing style of which the use of present tense was my main annoyance.. One bonus star for the ending.
Same Time Next Year by Angela Slatter
2.5 stars. Ghost story. Ended too quick to really leave an impression.
Mine Seven by Elana Gomel
4 stars. Nordic darkness combined with supernatural gore. Reminded me of 30 days Of Night, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed back in the day. This story makes me want to watch it again.
It Doesn't Feel Right by Michael Marshall Smith
3 stars. Kids from hell. Being a mother of a 3-year old with regular temper tantrums, I GET the horror of this story.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell
3.5 stars. Madman or haunted? Loving the gothic atmosphere the manor brings. The first couple of pages were hard for me to get into, but it paid off nicely in the end.
Last Rights For The Fourth World by Rick Cross
1 star. I really could not connect with this story. The writing style, with all its technical and military terms, was a chore to get through. The use of 'foreign' language overdone. I didn't even understand the plot due to this white noise.
We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick
4 stars. Even though it's nothing new/lacks originality, I enjoyed this one.Creeptastic.
The Importance Of Oral Hygene by Robert Shearman
4 stars. The first 2 pages started out crappy with me thinking where the hell the editor had been at that point. After that, shit got awesome and wtf just happened?!
Bokeh by Thana Niveau
3 stars. Creepy girl story. Entertaining enough and will definitely make me look differently at Bokeh filters from now on.
Murder Board by Grady Hendrix
4 stars. At first, I got distracted by some typos. But this is an ARC, so I shouldn't complain too much. The story unfolded from a sigh to a whirlwind. Awesome.
Alice's Rebellion by John Langan
1.5/2 stars. The umpteenth reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. There's 'inspired by' and just copying shit and calling it your own. This was too much copying for me. Not a nice and fresh story. 0.5 bonus stars for the bloody parts.
The Mirror House by Jonathan Robbins Leon
3.5 stars. In the beginning, it gave me flashbacks to the first season of Stranger things and the Silent Hill movie. Rich storytelling that could've gone anywhere. But I meh-ed at how the ending turned out.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk
2.5 stars. Im not even entirely sure what happened here. The end made me feel like shit.
A Hotel In Germany by Catriona Ward
5 stars. I want more of this world. Totally unexpected pleasure treasure.
Branch Line by Paul Finch
3 stars. Good suspense. Open mystery which isnt bad but doesn't work well for me personally. There's already too much in life we dont know shit about. I like it when my stories are clean cut, leaving no guessing around. Still enjoyed it, though.
Thank you FLAME TREE PRESS for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley
My individual ratings and scribblings:
Butterfly Island by C.J. Tudor
3.5 stars. Good atmosphere/suspense. Curious about the rest of the story. Abrupt ending, but fitting. Genuine horror elements.
Research by Tim Lebbon
3 stars. Psychological horror. Weird and creepy people. Never fully trust your neighbours/aquantainces.
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood
3 stars. Like a creepy fairytale. Trigger warning: animal cruelty.
That's The Spirit by Sarah Lotz
2 stars. Wtf is up with the open ending? Could've just been a regular and boring story. Makes you guess but i don't like having to guess.
Gave by Michael Bailey
2 stars. An idea and something with counting things like an autistic rapstar. The concept of depopulation was interesting but not enough to make this one shine for me
Wherever you look by Ramsey Campbell
2 stars. Thought this was going to be a 1 Star rating. I couldn't get into the story due to the writing style of which the use of present tense was my main annoyance.. One bonus star for the ending.
Same Time Next Year by Angela Slatter
2.5 stars. Ghost story. Ended too quick to really leave an impression.
Mine Seven by Elana Gomel
4 stars. Nordic darkness combined with supernatural gore. Reminded me of 30 days Of Night, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed back in the day. This story makes me want to watch it again.
It Doesn't Feel Right by Michael Marshall Smith
3 stars. Kids from hell. Being a mother of a 3-year old with regular temper tantrums, I GET the horror of this story.
Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell
3.5 stars. Madman or haunted? Loving the gothic atmosphere the manor brings. The first couple of pages were hard for me to get into, but it paid off nicely in the end.
Last Rights For The Fourth World by Rick Cross
1 star. I really could not connect with this story. The writing style, with all its technical and military terms, was a chore to get through. The use of 'foreign' language overdone. I didn't even understand the plot due to this white noise.
We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick
4 stars. Even though it's nothing new/lacks originality, I enjoyed this one.Creeptastic.
The Importance Of Oral Hygene by Robert Shearman
4 stars. The first 2 pages started out crappy with me thinking where the hell the editor had been at that point. After that, shit got awesome and wtf just happened?!
Bokeh by Thana Niveau
3 stars. Creepy girl story. Entertaining enough and will definitely make me look differently at Bokeh filters from now on.
Murder Board by Grady Hendrix
4 stars. At first, I got distracted by some typos. But this is an ARC, so I shouldn't complain too much. The story unfolded from a sigh to a whirlwind. Awesome.
Alice's Rebellion by John Langan
1.5/2 stars. The umpteenth reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. There's 'inspired by' and just copying shit and calling it your own. This was too much copying for me. Not a nice and fresh story. 0.5 bonus stars for the bloody parts.
The Mirror House by Jonathan Robbins Leon
3.5 stars. In the beginning, it gave me flashbacks to the first season of Stranger things and the Silent Hill movie. Rich storytelling that could've gone anywhere. But I meh-ed at how the ending turned out.
The Naughty Step by Stephen Volk
2.5 stars. Im not even entirely sure what happened here. The end made me feel like shit.
A Hotel In Germany by Catriona Ward
5 stars. I want more of this world. Totally unexpected pleasure treasure.
Branch Line by Paul Finch
3 stars. Good suspense. Open mystery which isnt bad but doesn't work well for me personally. There's already too much in life we dont know shit about. I like it when my stories are clean cut, leaving no guessing around. Still enjoyed it, though.
Thank you FLAME TREE PRESS for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley
October 21, 2020
ARC provided by Flame Tree Press and Mark Morris via Random Things Tours. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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10-21: 'After Sundown,' edited by Mark Morris, is a new horror anthology out on Flame Tree Press.
Specifically in the horror field, I've always been a big fan of anthologies. Over the years, I've discovered some of my favorite horror writers this way because they have a limited time to hook me and deliver and I've found if they can do that in this format, it's almost a sure thing in novels later on.
Of the 20 original horror stories included, 16 of them were commissioned from some of the top names in the horror genre. The cool thing about this anthology, which will hopefully be an annual non-themed horror anthology release, is 4 of those 20 were selected from 100's of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window.
What a great way to discover new talent and see how well they might be received!
Some of the short stories, as to be expected, are just slightly unpleasant 'what if' scenarios relating to post-apocalyptic situations, experimentation, or even sort of surreal pandemic settings. All of the stories are at least good.. but there are a few that I feel are exceptional.
I have to start with 'Wherever You Look' by Ramsey Campbell because he's just still such a master in the field. I can't even remember how old I was when I first discovered his work.. probably 15 or so.. and it was definitely in one of those old anthologies I was about to learn to love.
Campbell obviously loves to play with things that skirt the periphery of our minds. Those tricks our brains play on us when we sometimes think we get a glimpse of something out of the corner of our vision, only to turn and see nothing.. or things that are ever present, that we somehow manage to overlook until it's too late.
This story is no different in that regard and it's absolutely one I will carry forward with me. Even now the concept lingers at the back of my mind. I know the experience would be terrifying and love the slow, subtle approach he uses to torment both the character and the reader.
'Mine Seven' by Elana Gomel is a special story, as it takes place near the Arctic Circle and explores concepts of Chukchi folklore, an indigenous people who live within the Russian Federation. Leveraging shamanic themes and a more existential horror style, though the mythos itself is far different.. it carries an almost Lovecraftian feel in the tale's atmosphere. I loved this, as I don't feel we see nearly enough diversity in the industry as a rule, and in the US at least.. we so lack exposure to the eastern storytelling styles that readers often don't even know how to process the differences.
'That's the Spirit' by Sarah Lotz is another really disarming story. It's incredibly well delivered with such a delicate touch of foreshadowing it's actually difficult to see. While I thought I knew what was up, I was completely wrong. She took a classic theme and still managed to surprise me with its use.
'It Doesn't Feel Right' by Michael Marshall Smith is a fantastically creepy read. Smith writes with such an easy humor in the initial pages that I almost forgot that I was reading horror and so with the first glimpse of something really off.. I was so alarmed by it he had me thinking of some of my favorite classic horror films. I won't name them here, because I'd hate to ruin the experience for anyone.. but it was definitely chilling.
Though I'm hard pressed to pick just only one more, 'Alice's Rebellion' by John Langan must be it. I love stories born of Wonderland and it intrigues me that as dark as the original tale is, new perspectives are often even darker. This story is lovingly rendered in a style suitable to follow Lewis Carroll's, though it's less whimsical, it's just as wild. Yet, at the same time, one can't help but see the presentation of our modern world often in very literal, specific ways, throughout. It's a favorite, for certain.
If you like horror and anthologies at all.. do yourself a favor and pick this book up. It's actually probably the best collection I've read all year.. and there are plenty of gems inside. Plus, I'd love to see it get the support it needs to become that annual release they're hoping for.
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October 24, 2020
From the first story to the last, there is a thread of continuity that joins very, very different stories-it reads like a dream with not one dud note to be found. The impression that is received after this very satisfied reader finished it, is that the editor, Mark, chose each story with extreme care and then used optimum placing to ensure a smooth transition between them.
Moving from body based horror, to apocalyptic terror, 19th century chills to subtle commentary on modern parenting that will have you side eyeing the school yard queue for quite some time (Michael Marshall Smith takes the morning routine and runs it through the ringer-footwear Vietnam is so incredibly relatable!)
What is great about anthologies can also be it;s worst enemy in that they can sometimes come across as overly rich and indulgent, but in the case of 'After Sundown', it is a showcase of talents that I am pretty sure will introduce writers to new readers-and vice versa. There are people here such as Angela Slatter and Rick Cross who I have never read before, and am keen to read more of. The mini biogs at the back recommend back catalogue reading, so start reading with a pen and paper close to hand.
Stories hit the supernatural bullseye with varying degrees of accuracy-some , like 'Butterfly Island' land right in the solar plexus whilst others, like 'Swanskin' and 'Creeping Ivy' contain a more cerebral, haunting quality which proves difficult to shake off.
As someone who read the 'The Fontana Book Of Great Ghost Stories' and 'The Pan Book Of Horror Stories' at far too young and impressionable an age, I have been looking, ever since, for a book series which invinces the kind of feelings that those anthologies did. In 'After Sundown' ,I got the feeling that this could be a series that delivers the same kind of thrills. Running the gamut of emotions as you read is such a joyful experience, it is like having a box of chocolates and losing the selection card-you take a risk with every bite and maybe you hope you don't -or rather you do- take a bite of something gooey, bitter and somehow, familiar tasting....
Moving from body based horror, to apocalyptic terror, 19th century chills to subtle commentary on modern parenting that will have you side eyeing the school yard queue for quite some time (Michael Marshall Smith takes the morning routine and runs it through the ringer-footwear Vietnam is so incredibly relatable!)
What is great about anthologies can also be it;s worst enemy in that they can sometimes come across as overly rich and indulgent, but in the case of 'After Sundown', it is a showcase of talents that I am pretty sure will introduce writers to new readers-and vice versa. There are people here such as Angela Slatter and Rick Cross who I have never read before, and am keen to read more of. The mini biogs at the back recommend back catalogue reading, so start reading with a pen and paper close to hand.
Stories hit the supernatural bullseye with varying degrees of accuracy-some , like 'Butterfly Island' land right in the solar plexus whilst others, like 'Swanskin' and 'Creeping Ivy' contain a more cerebral, haunting quality which proves difficult to shake off.
As someone who read the 'The Fontana Book Of Great Ghost Stories' and 'The Pan Book Of Horror Stories' at far too young and impressionable an age, I have been looking, ever since, for a book series which invinces the kind of feelings that those anthologies did. In 'After Sundown' ,I got the feeling that this could be a series that delivers the same kind of thrills. Running the gamut of emotions as you read is such a joyful experience, it is like having a box of chocolates and losing the selection card-you take a risk with every bite and maybe you hope you don't -or rather you do- take a bite of something gooey, bitter and somehow, familiar tasting....
October 15, 2020
4 Stars
I received a copy of "After Sundown" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I absolutely loved this book. It offers readers twenty unique horror and science fiction short stories from some of the best authors in the genres including Tim Lebbon, author of "The Silence", and Laura Purcell, author of "The Silent Companions" just to name a few.
The book caught my attention from the start and kept me intrigued until the very last page. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I truly enjoyed all of the short stories which for me is a huge feat. I usually dislike a few of the stories in an anthology, but with "After Sundown' I enjoyed them all, more some than others, but I did honestly enjoy the entire book.
The stories offered variety focusing on both the horror and science fiction genres and they had something for everyone. The stories focused on abductions, murders, creatures and so much more. I think all readers will find something to grasp their attention.
Some of my favourite stories were "Butterfly Island", "Wherever You Look", "We All Come Home", "The Mirror House" , "The Naughty Step", "Branch Line", and "The Importance of Oral Hygiene" (my favourite). After completing this horror anthology, I am definitely interested in reading more of them in the future.
I received a copy of "After Sundown" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I absolutely loved this book. It offers readers twenty unique horror and science fiction short stories from some of the best authors in the genres including Tim Lebbon, author of "The Silence", and Laura Purcell, author of "The Silent Companions" just to name a few.
The book caught my attention from the start and kept me intrigued until the very last page. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I truly enjoyed all of the short stories which for me is a huge feat. I usually dislike a few of the stories in an anthology, but with "After Sundown' I enjoyed them all, more some than others, but I did honestly enjoy the entire book.
The stories offered variety focusing on both the horror and science fiction genres and they had something for everyone. The stories focused on abductions, murders, creatures and so much more. I think all readers will find something to grasp their attention.
Some of my favourite stories were "Butterfly Island", "Wherever You Look", "We All Come Home", "The Mirror House" , "The Naughty Step", "Branch Line", and "The Importance of Oral Hygiene" (my favourite). After completing this horror anthology, I am definitely interested in reading more of them in the future.
October 24, 2020
This was a solid collection. Although some of the stories ended a little abruptly. Was also expecting a lot from Catriona Ward, given her upcoming Stephen-King-endorsed novel, but wound up disappointed from this particular short.
Some of my favorites were by Grady Hendrix, Angela Slatter, Laura Purcell, and Alison Littlewood
Some of my favorites were by Grady Hendrix, Angela Slatter, Laura Purcell, and Alison Littlewood
November 5, 2020
A great collection of horror tales with a wide range of smart tales
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
September 13, 2020
After Sundown is an entertaining collection of short stories that frighten and entertain. There are familiar elements of horror, throughout, but the originality is what makes most of these stories entertaining. There are many standouts.
My favorite stories In After Sundown are: Swanskin, Mine Seven, Last Rites for the Fourth World, Murder Board, and Branch Line. The most beautiful story is Swanskin. Alison Littlewood’s story about witchcraft is very melodic and haunting. Murder Board is Grady Hendrix’s offering, and as with most of his novels, it has the perfect blend of hilarity and gore. Of all the stories, the one that scared me the most is Branch Line. It is a ghost story with a twist.
There were two stories that felt uninspired. The most disappointing story is Butterfly Island. It is by CJ Tudor, and being a fan of her novels, I was expecting to enjoy this story. It ended up being too open ended. The other story that fell flat is Gave. Michael Bailey crafts an interesting tale about Earth’s population dying off, but it is clouded by all the science of genetics and donating blood.
After Sundown is an anthology that covers a spectrum ranging from horror, sci fi, and fantasy. As with most anthologies, there are some lackluster stories, but for the most part, these stories are unique and entertaining.
My favorite stories In After Sundown are: Swanskin, Mine Seven, Last Rites for the Fourth World, Murder Board, and Branch Line. The most beautiful story is Swanskin. Alison Littlewood’s story about witchcraft is very melodic and haunting. Murder Board is Grady Hendrix’s offering, and as with most of his novels, it has the perfect blend of hilarity and gore. Of all the stories, the one that scared me the most is Branch Line. It is a ghost story with a twist.
There were two stories that felt uninspired. The most disappointing story is Butterfly Island. It is by CJ Tudor, and being a fan of her novels, I was expecting to enjoy this story. It ended up being too open ended. The other story that fell flat is Gave. Michael Bailey crafts an interesting tale about Earth’s population dying off, but it is clouded by all the science of genetics and donating blood.
After Sundown is an anthology that covers a spectrum ranging from horror, sci fi, and fantasy. As with most anthologies, there are some lackluster stories, but for the most part, these stories are unique and entertaining.
June 21, 2020
This is an anthology of 20 horror shorts, including some famous names too. I’m a sucker for short stories and this one lived quite up to the expectations. What I really liked was how out of the box some of these ideas were, very original and a treat to read, but most of them dealing with the ideas of the end of the world and apocalypse, making it a perfect read for this year, lol.
Some of these were really great, others not so much and I kinda struggled with them, but that said, every story tops the crazy, out of the box ideas. Among others, my absolute favorites were Swanskin by Allison Littewood, It doesn’t feel right by Michael Marshall Smith, Gave by Michael Bailey, Research by Tim Lebbon, and Branch line by Paul Finch.
Totally recommended if you like crazy, and mind bending horror short stories.
Some of these were really great, others not so much and I kinda struggled with them, but that said, every story tops the crazy, out of the box ideas. Among others, my absolute favorites were Swanskin by Allison Littewood, It doesn’t feel right by Michael Marshall Smith, Gave by Michael Bailey, Research by Tim Lebbon, and Branch line by Paul Finch.
Totally recommended if you like crazy, and mind bending horror short stories.
November 13, 2020
Wow, what a treat. Usually in an anthology I only find only a couple of good stories here and there but in this one all the short stories are worth your time, especially those written by Sarah Lotz, Michael Marshall Smith, Ramsey Campbell and Grady Hendrix. Very chilling tales. Yes, I’ll even go and say that AFTER SUNDOWN is by far my favorite read this year. I'm really impressed, you guys. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
October 23, 2020
3.5 stars
After Sundown is an anthology of 20 stories in the horror genre. Flame Tree Press hopes this open submission process mixing established and new authors will be an annual event.
There's a good selection of stories in this collection, and it was fun to dip into these tales during October. As with most story collections, there are some you love and others that don't do it for you, but I'm sure there's something for everyone in here. Horror can be interpreted in many different ways. What scares one person, may have no effect on another depending on your tolerance levels and familiarity with this type of writing. I personally didn't find anything in these tales that particularly chilled me or had me looking over my shoulder.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy many of the stories. My personal favourites were Swanskin by Alison Littlewood (which I absolutely loved), Research by Tim Lebbon, Mine Seven by Elana Gomel (I particularly liked the setting and atmosphere in this one), Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell, We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick and Murder Board by Grady Hendrix.
I'd happily look out for this anthology again next year to see what's been accepted and included.
After Sundown is an anthology of 20 stories in the horror genre. Flame Tree Press hopes this open submission process mixing established and new authors will be an annual event.
There's a good selection of stories in this collection, and it was fun to dip into these tales during October. As with most story collections, there are some you love and others that don't do it for you, but I'm sure there's something for everyone in here. Horror can be interpreted in many different ways. What scares one person, may have no effect on another depending on your tolerance levels and familiarity with this type of writing. I personally didn't find anything in these tales that particularly chilled me or had me looking over my shoulder.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy many of the stories. My personal favourites were Swanskin by Alison Littlewood (which I absolutely loved), Research by Tim Lebbon, Mine Seven by Elana Gomel (I particularly liked the setting and atmosphere in this one), Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell, We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick and Murder Board by Grady Hendrix.
I'd happily look out for this anthology again next year to see what's been accepted and included.
November 10, 2024
A collection of 20 short horror stories - After Sundown, is written by some of the great names in the horror genre! As is the case with most of anthologies, it was all over the place for me. None of the story was mind blowing, but I did like few of them. Few of my favourites were Creeping Ivy, It doesn't feel right, The Importance of Oral Hygiene & Murder Box. The rest were ether underdeveloped or not good at all.
Overall, It was underwhelming but there were few hidden gems and few I would prefer to be written as full book rather than a short story.
2.75 (round off 3 Stars)
***Got the e-arc from Netgalley for an honest review***
Overall, It was underwhelming but there were few hidden gems and few I would prefer to be written as full book rather than a short story.
2.75 (round off 3 Stars)
***Got the e-arc from Netgalley for an honest review***
October 27, 2020
Great fun, especially impressed with the inclusion of Stephen Volk of Ghostwatch fame.
Blog tour and review here on the blog:
https://hedwigsworldofbooks.home.blog...
Blog tour and review here on the blog:
https://hedwigsworldofbooks.home.blog...
July 13, 2020
I’ve long been a fan of horror fiction, especially of the novella and short story and length, which seems ideally suited to the genre. As a child I gravitated from the popular Three Investigators mysteries in my local library - created by American author Robert Arthur and featuring the real-life film director Alfred Hitchcock as a character – through name association towards the Alfred Hitchcock anthologies, also edited by Robert Arthur. These books, most of which possessed evocative titles, were crammed with an array of talented writers, mainly crime but also quite a few classics of the macabre – HP Lovecraft, Patricia Highsmith, Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Joan Aiken, MR James, Roald Dahl, Shirley Jackson, Richard Matheson, etc, etc.
I’m nearly 50 years old now, and it’s fair to say that in the last few years my impression of the horror genre has become somewhat jaded. I’ve found myself reading far more crime than horror in the last few years. Why, I’m not really sure. Perhaps I’d become desensitised, or took for granted just what the genre has to offer. So nowadays I’m always slightly wary about picking up a new horror anthology. Disappointment is just so…well, disappointing.
After Sundown, edited by Mark Morris and published by Flame Tree Press, contains 20 original horror stories featuring some of the genre’s brightest contemporary names. Sixteen of these tales were commissioned from established writers, with the remaining four selected from an open submission window. This appears to be a great way of ensuring a decent standard whilst at the same time giving voice to emerging talent. It’s testament to the quality of the stories in that there’s no discernible difference between the pros and the lesser-known authors. Mark Morris has done a great job in putting together a fine selection.
There’s a refreshing lack of pretentiousness about these stories. The authors span several continents so there’s a decent array of themes and styles. Each tale had a very distinct voice, with a superb variety that perfectly illustrates what a broad church the genre covers. I had a blast reading this book. It really has reinvigorated my interest in the horror genre. Hopefully this will be the first in an ongoing annual publication from Flame Tree Press. And in that regard After Sundown is a great way to launch the series. Each tale was well-written, even if not every story was to my personal taste. But that’s the exciting thing about anthologies; there’s always another one coming along if the previous one didn’t quite do it. My favourite tales were probably the ones written by CJ Tudor, Ramsey Campbell, Michael Marshall Smith, Thana Niveau, Stephen Volk, Catriona Ward and Paul Finch, but really there’s not a bad story in there so I have no hesitation in urging everyone to give this a try. Recommended.
I’m nearly 50 years old now, and it’s fair to say that in the last few years my impression of the horror genre has become somewhat jaded. I’ve found myself reading far more crime than horror in the last few years. Why, I’m not really sure. Perhaps I’d become desensitised, or took for granted just what the genre has to offer. So nowadays I’m always slightly wary about picking up a new horror anthology. Disappointment is just so…well, disappointing.
After Sundown, edited by Mark Morris and published by Flame Tree Press, contains 20 original horror stories featuring some of the genre’s brightest contemporary names. Sixteen of these tales were commissioned from established writers, with the remaining four selected from an open submission window. This appears to be a great way of ensuring a decent standard whilst at the same time giving voice to emerging talent. It’s testament to the quality of the stories in that there’s no discernible difference between the pros and the lesser-known authors. Mark Morris has done a great job in putting together a fine selection.
There’s a refreshing lack of pretentiousness about these stories. The authors span several continents so there’s a decent array of themes and styles. Each tale had a very distinct voice, with a superb variety that perfectly illustrates what a broad church the genre covers. I had a blast reading this book. It really has reinvigorated my interest in the horror genre. Hopefully this will be the first in an ongoing annual publication from Flame Tree Press. And in that regard After Sundown is a great way to launch the series. Each tale was well-written, even if not every story was to my personal taste. But that’s the exciting thing about anthologies; there’s always another one coming along if the previous one didn’t quite do it. My favourite tales were probably the ones written by CJ Tudor, Ramsey Campbell, Michael Marshall Smith, Thana Niveau, Stephen Volk, Catriona Ward and Paul Finch, but really there’s not a bad story in there so I have no hesitation in urging everyone to give this a try. Recommended.
August 9, 2020
(My score has been rounded up for Goodreads)
I want to preface this review by saying I love Flame Tree and the way they do things. I have a large stack of their books on my shelf, and I don’t see my love for those red spines fading any time soon. This opinion is my own and has not been influenced by the publisher doing anything for me.
My love in Flame Tree being noted, I was very disappointed with After Sundown, the first volume in a new (hopeful) annual anthology of horror. Featuring twenty stories, sixteen of the featured authors are said to be some of the top in the genre; the other four were chosen during an extensive open submissions period. Despite there being sixteen supposedly big name authors included, I only recognized four of the names: CJ Tudor, Tim Lebbon, Grady Hendrix, and Ramsey Campbell. Everybody else was new to me.
These were also the writers that actually impressed me - their stories were the most enjoyable (with the exception of Lebbon’s “Research,” which felt underwhelming) of the collection. “Butterfly Island” (by CJ Tudor) was probably my favorite, right up there with Hendrix’s “Murder Board” (which was a story that stood on crime/drama above horror). Both of these entries were exciting and well-written. “Butterfly Island” felt like the explosive opening to an awesomely horrific novel, and “Murder Board” proposed an idea that surely deserves a prequel. Campbell’s “Wherever You Look” also featured some wonderful prose that flowed with ease, while holding my attention throughout.
Sadly, beyond these stories, I felt bored with this collection more often than I’d like to admit. There were entries that were fine, but lacking; and then there were stories that I actually daydreamed throughout. Unfortunately, that makes this collection more of a fail than anything for me. Hopefully, the next time they will get some more exciting stories in the mix.
Review by Aiden Merchant - This book was provided as an e-ARC by the publisher for review consideration.
www.aidenmerchant.com (Also on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon)
contact@aidenmerchant.com (Message for review consideration)
I want to preface this review by saying I love Flame Tree and the way they do things. I have a large stack of their books on my shelf, and I don’t see my love for those red spines fading any time soon. This opinion is my own and has not been influenced by the publisher doing anything for me.
My love in Flame Tree being noted, I was very disappointed with After Sundown, the first volume in a new (hopeful) annual anthology of horror. Featuring twenty stories, sixteen of the featured authors are said to be some of the top in the genre; the other four were chosen during an extensive open submissions period. Despite there being sixteen supposedly big name authors included, I only recognized four of the names: CJ Tudor, Tim Lebbon, Grady Hendrix, and Ramsey Campbell. Everybody else was new to me.
These were also the writers that actually impressed me - their stories were the most enjoyable (with the exception of Lebbon’s “Research,” which felt underwhelming) of the collection. “Butterfly Island” (by CJ Tudor) was probably my favorite, right up there with Hendrix’s “Murder Board” (which was a story that stood on crime/drama above horror). Both of these entries were exciting and well-written. “Butterfly Island” felt like the explosive opening to an awesomely horrific novel, and “Murder Board” proposed an idea that surely deserves a prequel. Campbell’s “Wherever You Look” also featured some wonderful prose that flowed with ease, while holding my attention throughout.
Sadly, beyond these stories, I felt bored with this collection more often than I’d like to admit. There were entries that were fine, but lacking; and then there were stories that I actually daydreamed throughout. Unfortunately, that makes this collection more of a fail than anything for me. Hopefully, the next time they will get some more exciting stories in the mix.
Review by Aiden Merchant - This book was provided as an e-ARC by the publisher for review consideration.
www.aidenmerchant.com (Also on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon)
contact@aidenmerchant.com (Message for review consideration)
March 10, 2021
2.5
After Sundown was a letdown. I’ve read a couple of other anthologies edited by Mark Morris and liked them plenty. I don’t know, maybe it’s like ongoing sequels to horror movie franchises...the more you make, the worse they get. He selected 4 of the 20 stories in the anthology from submissions open to anybody with the goal of discovering new talent while the remaining 16 came from established authors. Could have sworn it was the other way around.
1. Butterfly Island (3/5)
2. Research (3/5)
3. Swanskin (2.5/5)
4. That’s the Spirit (4/5): Fraud or a gift from God?
5. Gave (2.5/5)
6. Wherever You Look (1/5)
7. Same Time Next Year (2/5)
8. Mine Seven (3/5)
9. It Doesn’t Feel Right (4/5): Who knew that a story could be a form of contraception
10. Creeping Ivy (4/5): Vegetation retaliation
11. Last Rites for the Fourth World (2.5/5)
12. We All Come Home (2/5)
13. The Importance of Oral Hygiene (1/5)
14. Bokeh (4/5): Faerie tale
15. Murder Board (3.5/5)
16. Alice’s Rebellion (2/5)
17. The Mirror House (3/5)
18. The Naughty Step (2.5/5)
19. A Hotel in Germany (1/5)
20. Branch Line (3/5)
After Sundown was a letdown. I’ve read a couple of other anthologies edited by Mark Morris and liked them plenty. I don’t know, maybe it’s like ongoing sequels to horror movie franchises...the more you make, the worse they get. He selected 4 of the 20 stories in the anthology from submissions open to anybody with the goal of discovering new talent while the remaining 16 came from established authors. Could have sworn it was the other way around.
1. Butterfly Island (3/5)
2. Research (3/5)
3. Swanskin (2.5/5)
4. That’s the Spirit (4/5): Fraud or a gift from God?
5. Gave (2.5/5)
6. Wherever You Look (1/5)
7. Same Time Next Year (2/5)
8. Mine Seven (3/5)
9. It Doesn’t Feel Right (4/5): Who knew that a story could be a form of contraception
10. Creeping Ivy (4/5): Vegetation retaliation
11. Last Rites for the Fourth World (2.5/5)
12. We All Come Home (2/5)
13. The Importance of Oral Hygiene (1/5)
14. Bokeh (4/5): Faerie tale
15. Murder Board (3.5/5)
16. Alice’s Rebellion (2/5)
17. The Mirror House (3/5)
18. The Naughty Step (2.5/5)
19. A Hotel in Germany (1/5)
20. Branch Line (3/5)
October 29, 2020
I received a free advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review...
After Sundown is an anthology of 20 stories which cannot be read after sundown. Some of these stories were more sci-fi and fantasy than horror. However, they were quite well-written.
From the first story, I was hooked. My only problem with it was that I would have loved to find out what happened next. I finished that story wondering if their situation got any better or worse.
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood was my favorite of them all. It was deeply unsettling and I read the whole story with a feeling of unease.
Mine Seven by Elena Gomel was also another favorite. I like reading about the mythology of other countries and I found that creature very interesting.
I think the one that came in third place for me would have been Branch Line by Paul Finch. It was a true horror story with the typical jilted lady ghost. As someone who loves the horror genre, it was a fantastic read and I found it perfect as the last story of the collection.
It Doesn't Feel Right by Michael Marshall Smith was quite a spooky read as a parent. All parents know what it's like to deal with children like these mentioned in the story. However, I'm pretty sure our stories don't end like this one did.
Some notable stories are Last Rites For The Fourth World by Rick Cross, Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell, We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick and Bokeh by Thana Niveau.
The other stories were good reads but the ones I mentioned were the ones I remembered even when I finished the book.
This book should be read by adults due to large amounts of blood and gore (typical with horror stories), There was mild sexual content and some obscenities.
After Sundown is an anthology of 20 stories which cannot be read after sundown. Some of these stories were more sci-fi and fantasy than horror. However, they were quite well-written.
From the first story, I was hooked. My only problem with it was that I would have loved to find out what happened next. I finished that story wondering if their situation got any better or worse.
Swanskin by Alison Littlewood was my favorite of them all. It was deeply unsettling and I read the whole story with a feeling of unease.
Mine Seven by Elena Gomel was also another favorite. I like reading about the mythology of other countries and I found that creature very interesting.
I think the one that came in third place for me would have been Branch Line by Paul Finch. It was a true horror story with the typical jilted lady ghost. As someone who loves the horror genre, it was a fantastic read and I found it perfect as the last story of the collection.
It Doesn't Feel Right by Michael Marshall Smith was quite a spooky read as a parent. All parents know what it's like to deal with children like these mentioned in the story. However, I'm pretty sure our stories don't end like this one did.
Some notable stories are Last Rites For The Fourth World by Rick Cross, Creeping Ivy by Laura Purcell, We All Come Home by Simon Bestwick and Bokeh by Thana Niveau.
The other stories were good reads but the ones I mentioned were the ones I remembered even when I finished the book.
This book should be read by adults due to large amounts of blood and gore (typical with horror stories), There was mild sexual content and some obscenities.
October 26, 2020
This is a horror anthology from indie press, Flame Tree, with some big hitters involved - C J Tudor, Alison Littlewood, 'The British King of Horror' -Mr Ramsey Campbell, Laura Purcell and Stephen Volk (famous for GhostWatch) and those are just a taster of the authors who've contributed.
So there is something here for pretty much every reader's horror tastes, and the spectrum on offer in terms of content is broad, ranging from more thriller to supernatural to evil fairies, mediums to murder, Russian demon monsters from the mines, to woodland creatures who are not cute.
In that respect it's a bit of a horror pix 'n' mix, with no theme to link them, and every story tossing his gore/ore into the melting pot.
I rather like dipping in and out, reading one or two in a go and then going back later for another story before bed.
I enjoyed nearly all of the stories, with only two or three, which for my tastes didn't click but there were a few let down, I felt by hurried or inconclusive endings or ones which really could have been novellas not short stories.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. A longer version of this review will appear on The Horror Tree site soon.
So there is something here for pretty much every reader's horror tastes, and the spectrum on offer in terms of content is broad, ranging from more thriller to supernatural to evil fairies, mediums to murder, Russian demon monsters from the mines, to woodland creatures who are not cute.
In that respect it's a bit of a horror pix 'n' mix, with no theme to link them, and every story tossing his gore/ore into the melting pot.
I rather like dipping in and out, reading one or two in a go and then going back later for another story before bed.
I enjoyed nearly all of the stories, with only two or three, which for my tastes didn't click but there were a few let down, I felt by hurried or inconclusive endings or ones which really could have been novellas not short stories.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. A longer version of this review will appear on The Horror Tree site soon.
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