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B is for Beasts
B is for Beasts, the second book in an epic series of twenty-six horror anthologies. Within these pages you will find a collection of thirteen stories from some of the finest independent writers on the scene today. From oversized bugs to Kaiju, vicious woodland creatures to giant spiders, B is for Beasts contains a range of terrifying stories in which the humans are always the prey.
280 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2020
20 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Blakey-Novis
89 books73 followersAuthor of The Broken Doll, parts 1 & 2, both released in 2017. Author of 6 collections of short horror stories: Embrace the Darkness, Tunnels, The Artist, Karma, The Place Between Worlds, and Home, as well as the horror novella Four. Author of a children's book, Grace and Bobo, co-written with his daughter. Editor of Indie Writers Review magazine, and co-founder of Red Cape Publishing P.J. also has stories in numerous anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 1, 2021
The opening story of this anthology, “Momma’s Rattle” by Kristofer Kinsella, finds Tyler - an adulterous husband and discontented father - suspended upside down in the lair of a monster. He can’t quite remember how he came to find himself in these circumstances, but he knows he’s in a bit of trouble. And boy, is he. What follows is a tense, succinct, and brutal ordeal, capped off by a traumatic ending.
This piece perfectly encapsulates what the reader can expect to find in Red Cape Publishing’s latest anthology “A-Z of horror: B is for Beasts”, which includes thirteen cryptid-themed tales of horror from a wide-swathe of talented authors. Each story included here is brief, encompassing only a handful of pages each, but what these stories lack in length, they make-up for in sheer, terror-inducing force. No two pieces are alike, and readers can expect to find a myriad of unsettling themes and monsters scattered throughout these pages.
P.L. McMillan offers up the anthology’s best and most terrifying work with “Mrs. Rumtifusel's Fur Coat”. In this story, two teenagers wander into a mysterious museum in search of something unique to wear to the Salem Halloween Street Fair. The museum is brimming with grim curios, and after some resistance, the teens procure a striking fur coat from the enigmatic museum proprietor. The proprietor’s only stipulation - beyond a modest fee - is that the coat be returned to the museum before sundown. Needless to say, things escalate from there, and the teenagers soon realize that the coat was confined to the museum for a very specific reason. This story is dripping with atmosphere. Even in the opening - seemingly innocent - moments of this piece, McMillan introduces a host of disquieting story elements that are sure to unnerve even the most resolute readers. The anxiety builds and builds until it implodes into a beautifully dark and speculative ending. I cannot endorse this story highly enough.
Another standout addition is P.J. Blakey-Novis’s piece, “Rosebud Cottage”. Here, a wife and husband secure a position as caretakers for an isolated cottage. They hope to settle down and start a family, but something else entirely waits in store for them. In only a few pages, Blakey-Novis expertly drives home a feeling of isolation and never lets the reader forget it. This feeling, which starts off as merely intimidating, escalates to unrelenting dread as the married couple realize that they are not as isolated they have been led to believe. If it wasn’t already obvious, this story is a must-read.
The concluding story of the anthology, “Angels on Mountaintops” by Holley Cornetto is pure, panic-attack inducing horror. Elena - a summer-camp counselor - leads a small group of young girls on a multi-day hike. On the first night of the hike, one girl - Sammy - claims that she lives with her grandmother because “angels” took her parents several years ago. Sammy’s tale is met with skepticism, but as the hike progresses - and strange, unexplainable occurrences begin to mount - Elena realizes that there may be a twisted kernel of truth hidden in Sammy’s outlandish claims. Cornetto adeptly winds a ridiculous amount of tension into this piece that unravels into one of the most hellish and disturbing endings that I’ve had the pleasure of reading in some time.
Besides the stories mentioned above, there are plenty of other solid reads included in this anthology. For example: Charles R. Bernard weaves fantasy elements into his unsettling and arachno-centric story “Pholcidae”, and Craig Crawford merges a horrific creature-feature into an enjoyable and well-realized period setting in his story “Waiting for Daylight”.
Of course, this anthology is not without its flaws. Several stories fail to generate any momentum in the brief number of pages allotted to them. This results in the aforementioned narratives lacking the visceral impact captured by the best stories in the collection. Some clumsy writing and stiff dialog also insert themselves from time to time. Even still, the dizzying amount of excellent material on offer in this anthology creates more than enough momentum to carry readers through any dips in quality.
“B is for Beasts” represents a unique and extraordinary value, despite any minor imperfections. These authors aren’t interested in lulling you to sleep with generic horror tropes. Some want to bludgeon you with primal terrors and voracious monsters, others want to plant distressing seeds of thought in your mind that rot and fester long after you’ve finished reading. Even at their worst, these stories will make your spine tingle. At their best? These stories will shatter your nerves and cost you an uncomfortable amount of sleep in the weeks and months to come.
*My sincere thanks goes out to Red Cape Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This piece perfectly encapsulates what the reader can expect to find in Red Cape Publishing’s latest anthology “A-Z of horror: B is for Beasts”, which includes thirteen cryptid-themed tales of horror from a wide-swathe of talented authors. Each story included here is brief, encompassing only a handful of pages each, but what these stories lack in length, they make-up for in sheer, terror-inducing force. No two pieces are alike, and readers can expect to find a myriad of unsettling themes and monsters scattered throughout these pages.
P.L. McMillan offers up the anthology’s best and most terrifying work with “Mrs. Rumtifusel's Fur Coat”. In this story, two teenagers wander into a mysterious museum in search of something unique to wear to the Salem Halloween Street Fair. The museum is brimming with grim curios, and after some resistance, the teens procure a striking fur coat from the enigmatic museum proprietor. The proprietor’s only stipulation - beyond a modest fee - is that the coat be returned to the museum before sundown. Needless to say, things escalate from there, and the teenagers soon realize that the coat was confined to the museum for a very specific reason. This story is dripping with atmosphere. Even in the opening - seemingly innocent - moments of this piece, McMillan introduces a host of disquieting story elements that are sure to unnerve even the most resolute readers. The anxiety builds and builds until it implodes into a beautifully dark and speculative ending. I cannot endorse this story highly enough.
Another standout addition is P.J. Blakey-Novis’s piece, “Rosebud Cottage”. Here, a wife and husband secure a position as caretakers for an isolated cottage. They hope to settle down and start a family, but something else entirely waits in store for them. In only a few pages, Blakey-Novis expertly drives home a feeling of isolation and never lets the reader forget it. This feeling, which starts off as merely intimidating, escalates to unrelenting dread as the married couple realize that they are not as isolated they have been led to believe. If it wasn’t already obvious, this story is a must-read.
The concluding story of the anthology, “Angels on Mountaintops” by Holley Cornetto is pure, panic-attack inducing horror. Elena - a summer-camp counselor - leads a small group of young girls on a multi-day hike. On the first night of the hike, one girl - Sammy - claims that she lives with her grandmother because “angels” took her parents several years ago. Sammy’s tale is met with skepticism, but as the hike progresses - and strange, unexplainable occurrences begin to mount - Elena realizes that there may be a twisted kernel of truth hidden in Sammy’s outlandish claims. Cornetto adeptly winds a ridiculous amount of tension into this piece that unravels into one of the most hellish and disturbing endings that I’ve had the pleasure of reading in some time.
Besides the stories mentioned above, there are plenty of other solid reads included in this anthology. For example: Charles R. Bernard weaves fantasy elements into his unsettling and arachno-centric story “Pholcidae”, and Craig Crawford merges a horrific creature-feature into an enjoyable and well-realized period setting in his story “Waiting for Daylight”.
Of course, this anthology is not without its flaws. Several stories fail to generate any momentum in the brief number of pages allotted to them. This results in the aforementioned narratives lacking the visceral impact captured by the best stories in the collection. Some clumsy writing and stiff dialog also insert themselves from time to time. Even still, the dizzying amount of excellent material on offer in this anthology creates more than enough momentum to carry readers through any dips in quality.
“B is for Beasts” represents a unique and extraordinary value, despite any minor imperfections. These authors aren’t interested in lulling you to sleep with generic horror tropes. Some want to bludgeon you with primal terrors and voracious monsters, others want to plant distressing seeds of thought in your mind that rot and fester long after you’ve finished reading. Even at their worst, these stories will make your spine tingle. At their best? These stories will shatter your nerves and cost you an uncomfortable amount of sleep in the weeks and months to come.
*My sincere thanks goes out to Red Cape Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2020
The second release in Red Cape Publishing’s “A-Z of Horror” anthology series is all about Beasts. And these aren’t your run of the mill horror beasts you might expect. Each of the thirteen shorts in this collection present unique creatures which are sure to get under your skin.
In these pages you’ll find snake-people, giant moths, hungry creatures of the woods, a deal on a cottage which is too good to be true, and even a kaiju monster! I’ve always loved monster stories – whether the beasts are legends or supersized versions of creatures we see everyday – so I had high expectations for this book and am happy to say I did not leave disappointed. The variety of beasts presented kept this anthology fresh from start to finish, and there wasn’t even one story where I felt the creature of terror was a done to death idea.
Here’s a peek at what’s in store for you, just be warned, some of these beasts may peek back.
Set in 1961, “Mrs. Rumtifusel’s Fur Coat” by P. L. McMillan is a wonderfully rich story with a heck of a bite. Susan drags her boyfriend into a curiosity shop where she hopes to find the perfect accessory for her Halloween costume. She finally convinces the shop’s owner to rent out a fur coat, on the stipulation that Susan return it before the sun sets. I don’t want to spoil this story, so I’ll just say ignoring this condition might be the last thing Susan ever does.
Next, “Jack” by R. E. McAuliffe reminded me of the tale of “Bluebeard” if it were rewritten into a kind of body horror story. As a child, Chloe had a strange wriggling growth removed from her head. Instead of being inanimate tissue, the tumour grows into a full beastly entity, which Chloe’s mother names Jack. Throughout her life Chloe is burdened with caring for her ‘brother’ and when she wants to begin life as a married woman, she’s sure she can keep the two men in her life separated. But what kind of horror story would that be! While one of the outcomes of this story is predictable, there’s also a satisfying and shocking twist at the end. McAuliffe also digs deep into the characters, building sympathy for everyone, even Jack. This is story strikes that perfect balance between family drama and horror, creating a world I won’t soon forget.
Only three people are left alive in the small mining township of Hammond, where strange blue lights descend from the mountains each night in “Waiting for Daylight” by Craig Crawford. As the three barricade themselves in the bank, praying to survive until dawn, flashbacks tell the story of how the townsfolk had been murdered and mutilated by unseen creatures. Crawford does an excellent job of transporting the reader back to post-WWI days and instilling the feelings of isolation in small mining communities. It was one of those stories I didn’t want to end because the writing style was so enjoyable. Plus, the monsters in this tale were brutal and mind-blowingly horrific.
My favourite in the anthology was “Pholcidae” by Charles R. Bernard. Given that I’m an arachnophobe and that this is a story about giant bloodthirsty spiders, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to finish reading it, but I’m so glad I suck it out. Creepy crawlies aside, this is a well-crafted, dark fantasy story which follows the life of Amos, who can communicate with all animals. These talents are soon noticed by Rigel, a black magician who offers Amos a chance to make a lot of money by raising a few pholcidae, a breed of giant spider which Rigel claims Amos can tame. As the tale progresses, Amos’ sweet nature becomes corrupted and he abandons the people he loves. The ending is heartbreaking as well as terrifying, and as I was so entrenched in the story, it took me a while to recover and convince myself it wasn’t real.
Of course, as with most anthologies, there were a few stories that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. However, the bulk of the collection, especially Bernard’s story, made this an anthology I will revisit in the future. I highly recommend checking out “B is for Beasts” if you’re looking for a monstrously fantastic read.
*This review first appeared on Kendall Reviews.*
In these pages you’ll find snake-people, giant moths, hungry creatures of the woods, a deal on a cottage which is too good to be true, and even a kaiju monster! I’ve always loved monster stories – whether the beasts are legends or supersized versions of creatures we see everyday – so I had high expectations for this book and am happy to say I did not leave disappointed. The variety of beasts presented kept this anthology fresh from start to finish, and there wasn’t even one story where I felt the creature of terror was a done to death idea.
Here’s a peek at what’s in store for you, just be warned, some of these beasts may peek back.
Set in 1961, “Mrs. Rumtifusel’s Fur Coat” by P. L. McMillan is a wonderfully rich story with a heck of a bite. Susan drags her boyfriend into a curiosity shop where she hopes to find the perfect accessory for her Halloween costume. She finally convinces the shop’s owner to rent out a fur coat, on the stipulation that Susan return it before the sun sets. I don’t want to spoil this story, so I’ll just say ignoring this condition might be the last thing Susan ever does.
Next, “Jack” by R. E. McAuliffe reminded me of the tale of “Bluebeard” if it were rewritten into a kind of body horror story. As a child, Chloe had a strange wriggling growth removed from her head. Instead of being inanimate tissue, the tumour grows into a full beastly entity, which Chloe’s mother names Jack. Throughout her life Chloe is burdened with caring for her ‘brother’ and when she wants to begin life as a married woman, she’s sure she can keep the two men in her life separated. But what kind of horror story would that be! While one of the outcomes of this story is predictable, there’s also a satisfying and shocking twist at the end. McAuliffe also digs deep into the characters, building sympathy for everyone, even Jack. This is story strikes that perfect balance between family drama and horror, creating a world I won’t soon forget.
Only three people are left alive in the small mining township of Hammond, where strange blue lights descend from the mountains each night in “Waiting for Daylight” by Craig Crawford. As the three barricade themselves in the bank, praying to survive until dawn, flashbacks tell the story of how the townsfolk had been murdered and mutilated by unseen creatures. Crawford does an excellent job of transporting the reader back to post-WWI days and instilling the feelings of isolation in small mining communities. It was one of those stories I didn’t want to end because the writing style was so enjoyable. Plus, the monsters in this tale were brutal and mind-blowingly horrific.
My favourite in the anthology was “Pholcidae” by Charles R. Bernard. Given that I’m an arachnophobe and that this is a story about giant bloodthirsty spiders, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to finish reading it, but I’m so glad I suck it out. Creepy crawlies aside, this is a well-crafted, dark fantasy story which follows the life of Amos, who can communicate with all animals. These talents are soon noticed by Rigel, a black magician who offers Amos a chance to make a lot of money by raising a few pholcidae, a breed of giant spider which Rigel claims Amos can tame. As the tale progresses, Amos’ sweet nature becomes corrupted and he abandons the people he loves. The ending is heartbreaking as well as terrifying, and as I was so entrenched in the story, it took me a while to recover and convince myself it wasn’t real.
Of course, as with most anthologies, there were a few stories that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. However, the bulk of the collection, especially Bernard’s story, made this an anthology I will revisit in the future. I highly recommend checking out “B is for Beasts” if you’re looking for a monstrously fantastic read.
*This review first appeared on Kendall Reviews.*
May 12, 2020
B is for Beasts is the second in a proposed A-Z horror series from Red Cape Publishing, and this volume builds on the excellent work established in the first collecton (A is for Aliens).
All of the 13 stories in this collection give you something different; different beasts, different settings and very different voices. The worst I could say about any of the stories is that a few needed to be longer - there are a couple of stories here that I felt needed more time to expand their universe and characters further to really make them work as stand alone stories.
For me, the stand out stories that made the biggest impact were -
Momma Rattle by Kristofer Kinsella - an incredibly creepy and disturbing story that is well written.
Reptile at the Crossroads by Patrick C Greene - a wonderfully punchy story that displays great writing in a short amount of time.
Jack by RE McAuliffe - an amazing story, brilliantly written with great pacing and a unique voice.
Wood Fooks by Mark Anthony Smith - a raw, intense nightmare that reads like a punch to the gut, great stuff!
Rosebud Cottage by PJ Blakey-Novis - a well paced, action packed story with great, exciting writing.
Pholcidae by Charles R Bernard - creepy and hauntingly beautiful, one of the best written short stories I have read in years, truly amazing!
This is a brilliant collection of very varied, brilliant stories and well worth a read! I cannot wait for this series to continue.
All of the 13 stories in this collection give you something different; different beasts, different settings and very different voices. The worst I could say about any of the stories is that a few needed to be longer - there are a couple of stories here that I felt needed more time to expand their universe and characters further to really make them work as stand alone stories.
For me, the stand out stories that made the biggest impact were -
Momma Rattle by Kristofer Kinsella - an incredibly creepy and disturbing story that is well written.
Reptile at the Crossroads by Patrick C Greene - a wonderfully punchy story that displays great writing in a short amount of time.
Jack by RE McAuliffe - an amazing story, brilliantly written with great pacing and a unique voice.
Wood Fooks by Mark Anthony Smith - a raw, intense nightmare that reads like a punch to the gut, great stuff!
Rosebud Cottage by PJ Blakey-Novis - a well paced, action packed story with great, exciting writing.
Pholcidae by Charles R Bernard - creepy and hauntingly beautiful, one of the best written short stories I have read in years, truly amazing!
This is a brilliant collection of very varied, brilliant stories and well worth a read! I cannot wait for this series to continue.
November 7, 2020
A few standouts
As with many anthologies, this one was rather hit or miss. None of the stories were “bad,” so to speak, but many of them were in need of further revision due to issues such as inconsistent verb tense, errors in grammar, overused words, too much exposition, or just plain clunky sentences. Nevertheless, there were still a few standouts that I’d proudly count among my favorite short stories of 2020, so kudos to the editor for snagging these gruesome tales:
“Mrs. Rumtifusal’s Fur Coat” by P.L. McMillan
“Kaiju” by Joshua Bartolome
“Reptile at the Crossroads” by Patrick C. Greens
As with many anthologies, this one was rather hit or miss. None of the stories were “bad,” so to speak, but many of them were in need of further revision due to issues such as inconsistent verb tense, errors in grammar, overused words, too much exposition, or just plain clunky sentences. Nevertheless, there were still a few standouts that I’d proudly count among my favorite short stories of 2020, so kudos to the editor for snagging these gruesome tales:
“Mrs. Rumtifusal’s Fur Coat” by P.L. McMillan
“Kaiju” by Joshua Bartolome
“Reptile at the Crossroads” by Patrick C. Greens
June 7, 2020
An excellent collection of short tales- all of the beastly nature. The style of writing in each story was really good, unfortunately some stories i just didnt click with- only 2 or 3 though.
My personal favorites were:-
Momma's Rattle
Jack
Waiting for Daylight
Pholcidae
Rosebud Cottage
I look forward to seeing the other subjects in the series.
My personal favorites were:-
Momma's Rattle
Jack
Waiting for Daylight
Pholcidae
Rosebud Cottage
I look forward to seeing the other subjects in the series.
May 20, 2020
A Beastly Collection
Anthologies can be so hit and miss, but this one had all the hits. Such a great range of beasts from parasitical coats to glowing orbs and the more traditional creature feature.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Anthologies can be so hit and miss, but this one had all the hits. Such a great range of beasts from parasitical coats to glowing orbs and the more traditional creature feature.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
May 16, 2023
B is for Beasts, the second installment in the A to Z of Horror series by P.J. Blakey-Novis, delivers another chilling anthology that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. This collection of thirteen stories takes us on a harrowing journey into the realm of creatures that haunt our nightmares. From oversized bugs to Kaiju, vicious woodland creatures to giant spiders, B is for Beasts showcases the finest independent writers in the horror genre, each offering their own unique take on humanity's struggle against monstrous adversaries.
Within the pages of this anthology, readers will be immersed in a world where humans become the hunted. The stories are carefully crafted to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of vulnerability as ordinary people find themselves confronted by unimaginable horrors. As the beasts close in, the tension mounts, and readers are treated to a thrilling and often gruesome exploration of the human psyche in the face of mortal danger.
Blakey-Novis has assembled a talented group of writers who skillfully bring these nightmarish creatures to life. Each story is a testament to their creativity and ability to tap into our deepest fears. From the vivid descriptions of monstrous creatures to the visceral emotions experienced by the characters, the authors deliver a sensory experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
B is for Beasts builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, exploring the darker corners of the horror genre with a focus on the animalistic instincts that lurk within us all. It reminds us that in the face of such primal threats, our civilization and technological advancements can crumble, leaving us vulnerable and exposed.
Fans of horror will relish the opportunity to dive into this anthology, savoring each story as they navigate the treacherous landscapes inhabited by these terrifying creatures. Whether you are a longtime aficionado of the genre or a newcomer looking to explore the world of horror fiction, B is for Beasts offers a captivating and spine-chilling reading experience.
In conclusion, B is for Beasts is a masterfully curated anthology that showcases the talent and imagination of independent horror writers. P.J. Blakey-Novis has crafted a collection that will keep readers enthralled and entertained, providing a satisfying blend of terror, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. This anthology is a must-read for horror enthusiasts seeking a captivating and diverse collection of stories that will leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the A to Z of Horror series.
Within the pages of this anthology, readers will be immersed in a world where humans become the hunted. The stories are carefully crafted to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of vulnerability as ordinary people find themselves confronted by unimaginable horrors. As the beasts close in, the tension mounts, and readers are treated to a thrilling and often gruesome exploration of the human psyche in the face of mortal danger.
Blakey-Novis has assembled a talented group of writers who skillfully bring these nightmarish creatures to life. Each story is a testament to their creativity and ability to tap into our deepest fears. From the vivid descriptions of monstrous creatures to the visceral emotions experienced by the characters, the authors deliver a sensory experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
B is for Beasts builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, exploring the darker corners of the horror genre with a focus on the animalistic instincts that lurk within us all. It reminds us that in the face of such primal threats, our civilization and technological advancements can crumble, leaving us vulnerable and exposed.
Fans of horror will relish the opportunity to dive into this anthology, savoring each story as they navigate the treacherous landscapes inhabited by these terrifying creatures. Whether you are a longtime aficionado of the genre or a newcomer looking to explore the world of horror fiction, B is for Beasts offers a captivating and spine-chilling reading experience.
In conclusion, B is for Beasts is a masterfully curated anthology that showcases the talent and imagination of independent horror writers. P.J. Blakey-Novis has crafted a collection that will keep readers enthralled and entertained, providing a satisfying blend of terror, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. This anthology is a must-read for horror enthusiasts seeking a captivating and diverse collection of stories that will leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the A to Z of Horror series.
October 12, 2022
The authors behind this collection of short horror stories certainly have vivid imaginations. These were all about beasts but certainly not like the beasts I've ever read about. Very unique and creepy short stories. Some better than others but all worth reading or listening to.
March 14, 2023
Reading the book title, I thought it would be a kids' book, but I am glad that I decided to try it. The book has some great stories in it.
I received a free copy of this book via Red Cape Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Red Cape Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews