What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special
Halloween night, 2007. A television station near Denver, Colorado broadcasts a locally produced film adaptation of the Gothic horror novel The Crypt of Blood. The spirited production of the classic vampire story begins as a loving throwback to the horror movies of old, complete with rubber bats, inspired makeup effects, and plenty of fake blood.
But what transpired on the small screen that fateful evening was more than just a made-for-TV horror movie. The cameras inadvertently captured events far more terrifying than any plastic-fanged vampire—and may have recorded the final living moments of the production's cast and crew.
The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special has since become an urban legend, a myth relegated to internet forums, speculation among rare film collectors, and the ravings of the mad and paranoid. Some call it a publicity stunt. Others decry it as a hoax. A few say the broadcast never aired at all. But those who claim to have actually seen it... insist that it reveals an unimaginable legacy of terror.
You find yourself in possession of a copy of that dreaded broadcast, its cursed images seared into the magnetic tape of a well-worn VHS cassette. It's time to discover the truth behind the infamous broadcast, and whether The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special is just another urban legend—or if it delivers the horrors its reputation promises.
The television screen beckons. The VCR eagerly accepts the tape. Halloween is upon us. It's time to press PLAY.
But what transpired on the small screen that fateful evening was more than just a made-for-TV horror movie. The cameras inadvertently captured events far more terrifying than any plastic-fanged vampire—and may have recorded the final living moments of the production's cast and crew.
The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special has since become an urban legend, a myth relegated to internet forums, speculation among rare film collectors, and the ravings of the mad and paranoid. Some call it a publicity stunt. Others decry it as a hoax. A few say the broadcast never aired at all. But those who claim to have actually seen it... insist that it reveals an unimaginable legacy of terror.
You find yourself in possession of a copy of that dreaded broadcast, its cursed images seared into the magnetic tape of a well-worn VHS cassette. It's time to discover the truth behind the infamous broadcast, and whether The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special is just another urban legend—or if it delivers the horrors its reputation promises.
The television screen beckons. The VCR eagerly accepts the tape. Halloween is upon us. It's time to press PLAY.
- GenresHorror
78 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2020
4 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Raab
31 books65 followersJonathan Raab is the author of The Secret Goatman Spookshow and Other Psychological Warfare Operations, The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween TV Special, Camp Ghoul Mountain Part VI: The Official Novelization, and more. He is also the editor of several anthologies from Muzzleland Press including Behold the Undead of Dracula: Lurid Tales of Cinematic Gothic Horror and Terror in 16-bits. You can find him on Twitter at @jonathanraab1.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 23, 2020
A fantastic metafictional B-movie horror novella that's thrilling and funny and weird and unsettling. Raab clearly knows his stuff, from the conventions of trashy horror films to some engaging behind-the-scenes/production details that give the whole story a great sense of authenticity. This reminded me a little of an episode of Inside No. 9 - smart and weird, something that does an excellent job of riffing on a different format. There's so much rich and carefully constructed detail here for such a short piece. Cannot recommend enough.
March 28, 2025
A brief book, easy to read in one sitting, The Crypt of Blood concerns the viewing of a junky VHS tape of a legendary Halloween TV special. The story flips back and forth between descriptions of the movie itself, commercial breaks (legitimately disturbing indictments of modern government and society), and something else, glimpses of what really happened to the cast and crew of the doomed production.
This is an intriguing book, perfect for fans of old classic horror movie and more modern cheesy Halloween specials. Raab is particularly adept at describing the film’s scenes and effects. You can tell he’s a true horror fan, and it’s always a delight to read work by someone with a real passion for the genre.
This is an intriguing book, perfect for fans of old classic horror movie and more modern cheesy Halloween specials. Raab is particularly adept at describing the film’s scenes and effects. You can tell he’s a true horror fan, and it’s always a delight to read work by someone with a real passion for the genre.
November 11, 2020
You've been wanting to watch the cult TV movie that you've only heard rumors about, but since you can't find it, this novelization should work. Oh but I should warn you, just because you are reading it doesn't mean the hidden messages won't work, it'll still get into your head.
A perfect book to read for the Halloween season, or any time you want to dig into some amazing found footage horror fiction. Johnathan Raab is an absolute master at making a layered story based on fake movies and shows. Not only are we getting the novelization of a TV show, a cable access one at that, but we get what's happening behind the scenes. He even adds in commercials, which may or may not be affected by the truth of the show. It's a special experience that plays with your head as you read.
It's a short one, something you can read in one sitting. Which is probably my one complaint. I would have loved a little more to flesh out what is happening. I don't think we need to know everything, but going a little deeper would have made it all the better.
However, I had a ton of fun with this one and will definitely be reading this each Halloween.
A perfect book to read for the Halloween season, or any time you want to dig into some amazing found footage horror fiction. Johnathan Raab is an absolute master at making a layered story based on fake movies and shows. Not only are we getting the novelization of a TV show, a cable access one at that, but we get what's happening behind the scenes. He even adds in commercials, which may or may not be affected by the truth of the show. It's a special experience that plays with your head as you read.
It's a short one, something you can read in one sitting. Which is probably my one complaint. I would have loved a little more to flesh out what is happening. I don't think we need to know everything, but going a little deeper would have made it all the better.
However, I had a ton of fun with this one and will definitely be reading this each Halloween.
October 27, 2020
In Halloween terms, this story is a bite-sized Snickers from the house with the unmowed lawn and the broken porch light. The shaggy hippy "family" that lives there definitely laced your candy with something sinister. What I'm saying is: I loved this book and the dirty, uneasy way it made me feel.
The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween Special is a fast, fun, horrifyingly wild read. It's a ride that takes the reader from a community theater monster hunt to a static-charged finale as pychotic as it is haunting. Perfect for the Halloween season.
The Crypt of Blood: A Halloween Special is a fast, fun, horrifyingly wild read. It's a ride that takes the reader from a community theater monster hunt to a static-charged finale as pychotic as it is haunting. Perfect for the Halloween season.
October 21, 2020
Jonathan’s novella is a layered descent into surreal madness. It’s a midnight movie that finds terror in truly unexpected corners. I’ll also say: I LOVE the art. Matt Fitzsimmons’ pieces and the tremendous Trevor Henderson cover both. I haven’t heard the soundtrack that accompanies the book (put out by Black Mountain Transmitter), but I will listen to it as October continues.
August 18, 2022
I loved everything about this one. I devoured old horror shows and movies whenever I could as a kid, and this one reminded me exactly the feeling I had when watching them. Had a Creature Features vibe to it, or at least one of the classic B-movie horror flicks they used to run back in the day on Channel 2.
Ghoulish business.
Indeed.
Ghoulish business.
Indeed.
January 25, 2025
More of a chapbook, with several very short inter-related pieces as well as a few others not completely connected.
Like much of Raab's work it touches on local access, in this case television and not radio. There is some interesting 4th wall breaking interplay between layers of story, reality, and what is real though it never really feels like it comes together for me.
Like much of Raab's work it touches on local access, in this case television and not radio. There is some interesting 4th wall breaking interplay between layers of story, reality, and what is real though it never really feels like it comes together for me.
September 29, 2025
a series of little vignettes and commercials from a low budget local horror production and the things that happened the night it was broadcast. this was fun! just a little bitty bite-sized thing but it was charming and had some gnarly prose. i'd recommend this and i plan to read more of raab's work. 3/5.
January 7, 2022
If you’ve ever wondered if analog horror/found footage could work on the page, Raab proves it can with this eerie book.
September 6, 2022
A fun, quick read about the contents of a “lost” cheap Halloween production. Lots of blood, action and fun in a short space, this one is a fun story to fill an quiet night.
August 30, 2022
Raab is (or at least so it seems to me) one of the best-kept secrets in modern horror writing. And that's a shame, because he deserves major recognition.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews