Damage and Dread

by Kevin Quigley

I bet you’re hungry.Hungry for new stories from horror writer Kevin Quigley. Hungry for terror. Hungry for damage. Hungry for dread.Make a meal out of dispatches from the future in “You’re Going to KillMe,” detailing gruesome crimes yet to happen, and the off-kilter mind of the man who discovers them.Feast on “The Extinction Device,” in which two women discover the ability to play God with things long dead.Sate yourself with “The Coming of the Elves,” a sinister tale of holiday madness.And gorge yourself on “Drawn to the Flame,” where a dark carnival is only the start of the horrors, and a swarm of fear threatens to swallow you whole.These stories and more set the table in the murkiest corners of your imagination. Pull up a chair and grab your knife and the terror won’t stop until you get your fill.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2020

Reviews

[Andy Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific short story collection that really caught me off guard. So many short story collections fall flat. Maybe I thought, given the author's history of writing about the works of Stephen King, that these stories would all be second rate King rehashes or impersonations. But this is not the case. This is a really terrific, well-written collection.

As I have stated elsewhere, my favorite story here is "Swing". Not only did I find this story to be quite imaginative, but it also had a haunting beauty that actually brought me to tears. Above all else, this was what most surprised me. But there are various types of dark, creepy stories here, all of which are as solid as the Golden Gate Bridge.

It's a damned shame that Kevin Quigley isn't better known for his fiction. I'd like to see Cemetery Dance get behind him and really push his work, because he has tremendous talent. I bought the paperback, but the Kindle edition is a mere $4.99 on Amazon. If you're unsure about trying an author you may not be familiar with, get that. You will not be disappointed. Kevin Quigley delivers the goods.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great mix of imaginative stories. My favorite is "The Extinction Device". Kevin Quigley can really paint a picture with his words. Don't read these before bed! They'll either leave you too scared to sleep or thinking more deeply about what you just read.

[kangeiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately none of these stories really worked for me, and far too many were of the “and so they were murdered horribly, and/or eaten” variety.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars for The Extinction Device. :)

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average rating of all stories: 3.27
Favorite: Blueberries