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Find Us and Other Stories
"Don't read them at night unless you plan on listening for things that go bump in the night." "...Alley provides his readers with enough answers to satiate their appetite while allowing their imagination enough room run wild and fill in the blanks. This is the horror I like." -Shane Hawk, author of Anoka: A Collection of Indigenous Horror
"This was a great introduction to a new writer - this is also one of the reasons I love short story collections, you get to taste all the various works a writer is able to create - it has made me want to check out more work from Alley in the future." -Ross Jeffery, author of Juniper and Tome
"While a lot of ground is covered in terms of horror sub-genres every entry is lean, mean, and imaginative." -Todd Morr, author of If You're Not One Percent
Cosmic horrors visit a town ravaged by a changing climate. A team of scientists discover the price of immortality. A mysterious killer stalks a neglected campsite. A Christmas haunting torments an isolated family. A lonely child with a terrible secret makes a new friend. Find Us and Other Stories offers tales of spine-chilling terror.
"This was a great introduction to a new writer - this is also one of the reasons I love short story collections, you get to taste all the various works a writer is able to create - it has made me want to check out more work from Alley in the future." -Ross Jeffery, author of Juniper and Tome
"While a lot of ground is covered in terms of horror sub-genres every entry is lean, mean, and imaginative." -Todd Morr, author of If You're Not One Percent
Cosmic horrors visit a town ravaged by a changing climate. A team of scientists discover the price of immortality. A mysterious killer stalks a neglected campsite. A Christmas haunting torments an isolated family. A lonely child with a terrible secret makes a new friend. Find Us and Other Stories offers tales of spine-chilling terror.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
95 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Elford Alley
20 books85 followersElford Alley is a horror author and disgraced paranormal investigator. His novels include Apartment 239 and In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman. He has two short story collections, Ash and Bone and The Last Night in the Damned House.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 10, 2025
"Worst case, I hear they've got cigarettes in hell"
The author of this book is one of the people responsible for my endless TBR, real talk when he recommends a book I rarely every not take the recommendation and yet it seemed his books were destined to languish on my TBR with one of them staring at me, forlornly, from the stack next to my computer. When he announced a new book I jokingly commented that Never Leaving (the book staring at me) was judging me for hitting the buy now button and he suggested that I should read them back to back and make it a Elford September. I took the suggestion (I'm casually posting choice morsels on BlueSky too, if anyone is interested the link is in my Linktree).
One thing Alley understands is decay, specifically that sort of resigned and almost tender one that exists in places where things aren't quite as bad as they could be but there is no real hope of making things better and even more in the people who live in those spaces. Now, decaying spaces are one of the things I can never get enough so of course I enjoy the heck out of that aspect of his writing.
Absolute favorite story of the bunch was We All Go into the Water, that story of a cult at the end of the world just punched me in the gut, it was so so good.
They Never Stop Screaming was really close behind, it's a tale of science gone wrong and while the idea wasn't entirely new (it reminded me a little of a certain movie the title of which completely escapes and even if I remembered it would be a massive spoiler) it was done really well and I was really with it.
The Grinning Man also impressed me especially as it's the kind of western horror adjacent story that's normally pretty touch and go for me, I really liked the characters, and the ending was chef's kiss.
4.5 rounded up.
The author of this book is one of the people responsible for my endless TBR, real talk when he recommends a book I rarely every not take the recommendation and yet it seemed his books were destined to languish on my TBR with one of them staring at me, forlornly, from the stack next to my computer. When he announced a new book I jokingly commented that Never Leaving (the book staring at me) was judging me for hitting the buy now button and he suggested that I should read them back to back and make it a Elford September. I took the suggestion (I'm casually posting choice morsels on BlueSky too, if anyone is interested the link is in my Linktree).
One thing Alley understands is decay, specifically that sort of resigned and almost tender one that exists in places where things aren't quite as bad as they could be but there is no real hope of making things better and even more in the people who live in those spaces. Now, decaying spaces are one of the things I can never get enough so of course I enjoy the heck out of that aspect of his writing.
Absolute favorite story of the bunch was We All Go into the Water, that story of a cult at the end of the world just punched me in the gut, it was so so good.
They Never Stop Screaming was really close behind, it's a tale of science gone wrong and while the idea wasn't entirely new (it reminded me a little of a certain movie the title of which completely escapes and even if I remembered it would be a massive spoiler) it was done really well and I was really with it.
The Grinning Man also impressed me especially as it's the kind of western horror adjacent story that's normally pretty touch and go for me, I really liked the characters, and the ending was chef's kiss.
4.5 rounded up.
September 13, 2020
Horror at its best.
When reading horror, the best leave you hanging with just your imagination. This collection of short stories does just that. Don't read them at night unless you plan on listening for things that go bump in the night.
When reading horror, the best leave you hanging with just your imagination. This collection of short stories does just that. Don't read them at night unless you plan on listening for things that go bump in the night.
December 24, 2021
This book was the first book that I’ve read from this author and it was so good. I enjoyed every single story, if you enjoy horror and you’re looking for a quick read I would highly recommend this book.
June 27, 2021
This is a 3.5 star review rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads and Amazon.
Find Us - Title Story - a dark opening to the collection, we have a graveyard which holds a dark secret, one that our protagonist hopes to keep buried. I enjoyed the backdrop of a Third World War and what it has caused / the plight in the nations - and the chilling line ‘Such Restraint’ really hit a cord with me.
We All Go Into the Water - an old ritual that takes place in a troubled community helps to give the townsfolk something to believe in. But is it faith or population control? A dark story with a vicious and cruel underbelly, it’s the unsaid that is the most powerful tool in this story. The folklore / religious vibe makes for great reading, both things that I adore in my fiction.
They Never Stop Screaming - loved this story about cryogenics and what it leads to, then only thing I’d say about this particular story is that I wanted to know more. It was dark and the nuts and bolts of it are brilliant - this story would be ripe for expansion into a novella or novel. It reminded me of the brilliant short fiction work of Matthew Baker.
The House Beyond the Creek - a creepy sinister offering here, a rumour runs riot over a girl who’s sister has gone missing. Our protagonist sets about becoming this girls friend, they talk, they hang out and they eventually go exploring into the woods where her sister went missing.
The Monster In The Woods - this was a terrific tale that I thought was going one way and Alley takes it somewhere else entirely. Two strangers appear at our protagonists door desperate to be let in and crying out for help. We don’t really know what’s happened but things lurk outside things are not as they seem and the world has gone to the waste - but are these people friend or foe?
Miracle Maker - the line ‘His mercy wasn’t free.’ is brilliant and sums up this story perfectly - a church service at the end of the world. I really enjoyed this apocalyptic vision that Alley create, from the landscape to the mutants and down to the details about the characters - it’s rich and it’s brilliant and with a slice of dark comedy too!
The Window Lake Killer (Chapters 1-9) - I really enjoyed these chapters which formed a longer piece, Alley excels with the longer form and crafting of an unforgettable slasher that would give Jason Voorhees a run for his money. There were some issues I found with this story, some inconsistencies and gaps in the story but they were all overwhelmed with the pace and ferocity of the piece. The killer himself was a great creation but again I didn’t get a fully rounded character arc for him and the ending in these chapters seemed a little rushed and jarred a little given all that went before. But I enjoyed it. I need to read more horror slashers!
The Tree (A Christmas Ghost Story) - I really liked this creepy offering, oh ghosts and Christmas. It reads like some old folklore, rich in storytelling prowess and the elements of the story damn near great. The way Alley tells this one really gets under the readers resolve… there’s something creepy about horror and Christmas and as a sub genre it’s pretty cool, it’s a genre I never knew I needed to read more of until now!
February 14th, The Last - this is a short piece that packs one hell of a punch, a visitor comes to our protagonist to show him the way.
The Orb Weaver - a great story to end the collection. This one again I feel could be expanded into a longer piece- the thematic elements are there to make this a mighty fine disturbing read. It kind of reads like a twisted Grimm Brothers story but mixed with elements of true crime - I felt the ending was a little rushed and there were some plot holes but if expanded this would allow time for such a story to have the meat hung from its bones!
This was a great introduction to a new writer - this is also one of the reasons I love short story collections, you get to taste all the various works a writer is able to create - it has made me want to check out more work from Alley in the future. And his longest work in the collection ‘The Window Lake Killer’ shows what Alley can achieve in the longer form of horror.
As always there are stories I preferred in the collection but most of them are very strong indeed - although there are a number of typos (some which did jump me out of the stories on occasion - due to the typo in particular) it didn’t stop my enjoyment of the stories as I was fully invested to see the macabre offerings Alley delivers in bucket loads.
Find Us - Title Story - a dark opening to the collection, we have a graveyard which holds a dark secret, one that our protagonist hopes to keep buried. I enjoyed the backdrop of a Third World War and what it has caused / the plight in the nations - and the chilling line ‘Such Restraint’ really hit a cord with me.
We All Go Into the Water - an old ritual that takes place in a troubled community helps to give the townsfolk something to believe in. But is it faith or population control? A dark story with a vicious and cruel underbelly, it’s the unsaid that is the most powerful tool in this story. The folklore / religious vibe makes for great reading, both things that I adore in my fiction.
They Never Stop Screaming - loved this story about cryogenics and what it leads to, then only thing I’d say about this particular story is that I wanted to know more. It was dark and the nuts and bolts of it are brilliant - this story would be ripe for expansion into a novella or novel. It reminded me of the brilliant short fiction work of Matthew Baker.
The House Beyond the Creek - a creepy sinister offering here, a rumour runs riot over a girl who’s sister has gone missing. Our protagonist sets about becoming this girls friend, they talk, they hang out and they eventually go exploring into the woods where her sister went missing.
The Monster In The Woods - this was a terrific tale that I thought was going one way and Alley takes it somewhere else entirely. Two strangers appear at our protagonists door desperate to be let in and crying out for help. We don’t really know what’s happened but things lurk outside things are not as they seem and the world has gone to the waste - but are these people friend or foe?
Miracle Maker - the line ‘His mercy wasn’t free.’ is brilliant and sums up this story perfectly - a church service at the end of the world. I really enjoyed this apocalyptic vision that Alley create, from the landscape to the mutants and down to the details about the characters - it’s rich and it’s brilliant and with a slice of dark comedy too!
The Window Lake Killer (Chapters 1-9) - I really enjoyed these chapters which formed a longer piece, Alley excels with the longer form and crafting of an unforgettable slasher that would give Jason Voorhees a run for his money. There were some issues I found with this story, some inconsistencies and gaps in the story but they were all overwhelmed with the pace and ferocity of the piece. The killer himself was a great creation but again I didn’t get a fully rounded character arc for him and the ending in these chapters seemed a little rushed and jarred a little given all that went before. But I enjoyed it. I need to read more horror slashers!
The Tree (A Christmas Ghost Story) - I really liked this creepy offering, oh ghosts and Christmas. It reads like some old folklore, rich in storytelling prowess and the elements of the story damn near great. The way Alley tells this one really gets under the readers resolve… there’s something creepy about horror and Christmas and as a sub genre it’s pretty cool, it’s a genre I never knew I needed to read more of until now!
February 14th, The Last - this is a short piece that packs one hell of a punch, a visitor comes to our protagonist to show him the way.
The Orb Weaver - a great story to end the collection. This one again I feel could be expanded into a longer piece- the thematic elements are there to make this a mighty fine disturbing read. It kind of reads like a twisted Grimm Brothers story but mixed with elements of true crime - I felt the ending was a little rushed and there were some plot holes but if expanded this would allow time for such a story to have the meat hung from its bones!
This was a great introduction to a new writer - this is also one of the reasons I love short story collections, you get to taste all the various works a writer is able to create - it has made me want to check out more work from Alley in the future. And his longest work in the collection ‘The Window Lake Killer’ shows what Alley can achieve in the longer form of horror.
As always there are stories I preferred in the collection but most of them are very strong indeed - although there are a number of typos (some which did jump me out of the stories on occasion - due to the typo in particular) it didn’t stop my enjoyment of the stories as I was fully invested to see the macabre offerings Alley delivers in bucket loads.
December 29, 2021
A third of the way into this collection of short stories (with a novelette in the middle) and you'll realize what an excellent folk-horror writer Elford Alley is. I've mentioned before the economy of his writing, including his phrases and ideas. He has a great way of putting you there, where you smell the grass, feel the terror of isolated woods, feel the vibrations of apparitions that haunt the locations he writes about. His characters are realistic and conversations very natural. No wasted words.
These are mostly ghost stories yet there's a sense of man vs. nature among them, where nature often wins. Other reviewers have stated that his stories are like Twilight Zone episodes, and I agree that is his starting point with many of them. There are some stories where the characters have no way out of their situations and you suffer with them in their demise. That's how horror goes most of the time.
The novelette really drew me in to finish this in one sitting. It is a short and concise remix/remake of the slasher genre yet comes off wholly original with the struggles of the protagonist being mostly her own trauma than the present terror by a backwoods axe murderer.
Elford's books are fun to collect. They are small, and the artwork is minimal but effective. Sometimes he runs sales and you're able to get them all for a good price. They all come highly recommended.
These are mostly ghost stories yet there's a sense of man vs. nature among them, where nature often wins. Other reviewers have stated that his stories are like Twilight Zone episodes, and I agree that is his starting point with many of them. There are some stories where the characters have no way out of their situations and you suffer with them in their demise. That's how horror goes most of the time.
The novelette really drew me in to finish this in one sitting. It is a short and concise remix/remake of the slasher genre yet comes off wholly original with the struggles of the protagonist being mostly her own trauma than the present terror by a backwoods axe murderer.
Elford's books are fun to collect. They are small, and the artwork is minimal but effective. Sometimes he runs sales and you're able to get them all for a good price. They all come highly recommended.
July 13, 2022
Another wonderful collection from Alley!
I was a bit hesitant about this one when I saw the table of contents. One of my pet peeves is when chapters of a longer piece are placed into a short story collection, so I was prepared to be a little bit annoyed at the end.
That turned out not to be the case at all, as the chaptered story was totally justified. As a matter of fact, in its entirety, "The Window Lake Killer" ended up being my second favorite piece from the entire collection. (I do wish it had been placed at the end, because it was such a perfect place to leave off at, but I digress.)
My favorite piece was "We All Go into the Water" which I just never wanted to end. The world was so rich and unsettling, that I seriously wish it had been a novel length story on its own.
Once again I find myself so grateful to be in possession of signed copies of these books. I have yet to be disappointed.
I was a bit hesitant about this one when I saw the table of contents. One of my pet peeves is when chapters of a longer piece are placed into a short story collection, so I was prepared to be a little bit annoyed at the end.
That turned out not to be the case at all, as the chaptered story was totally justified. As a matter of fact, in its entirety, "The Window Lake Killer" ended up being my second favorite piece from the entire collection. (I do wish it had been placed at the end, because it was such a perfect place to leave off at, but I digress.)
My favorite piece was "We All Go into the Water" which I just never wanted to end. The world was so rich and unsettling, that I seriously wish it had been a novel length story on its own.
Once again I find myself so grateful to be in possession of signed copies of these books. I have yet to be disappointed.
January 25, 2021
A varied bunch of horror stories with something to like for everyone. Alley teeters the fine line between definite horror and ambiguous horror. The former answers every question a reader may have, possibly leaving them disappointed with those answers. The latter answers almost none of a reader's questions and can leave one disappointed and wanting more of a defined story and ending. With being right down the middle, Alley provides his readers with enough answers to satiate their appetite while allowing their imagination enough room to run wild and fill in the blanks. This is the horror I like.
Standout stories for me included: Find Us, The House Beyond the Creek, and The Orb Weaver.
Standout stories for me included: Find Us, The House Beyond the Creek, and The Orb Weaver.
May 16, 2022
From the opening story of a post apocalyptic horror to the closing tale of grim revenge with that sweet southern gothic flavor, this book promises “spine chilling terror”. Can it deliver on that promise?
In all, if you are a fan of horror and dark fiction, if you enjoy short collections of short stories that are perfect to blast through and savor between your other doorstopper novels, I highly recommend any of Elford Alley’s collections. Even though this is his debut collection and I feel the collections he’s put out after have only gotten better and better, this collection is absolutely worthy of a spot on your shelf.
Having read all of his collections, this one wasn’t the BEST of the 4, but it’s still very enjoyable, 3.5 out of 5 stars.(Rounded up to a 4 stars on Amazon/Goodreads)
FULL REVIEW AT:
https://aicpod.com/2022/05/16/elford-...
In all, if you are a fan of horror and dark fiction, if you enjoy short collections of short stories that are perfect to blast through and savor between your other doorstopper novels, I highly recommend any of Elford Alley’s collections. Even though this is his debut collection and I feel the collections he’s put out after have only gotten better and better, this collection is absolutely worthy of a spot on your shelf.
Having read all of his collections, this one wasn’t the BEST of the 4, but it’s still very enjoyable, 3.5 out of 5 stars.(Rounded up to a 4 stars on Amazon/Goodreads)
FULL REVIEW AT:
https://aicpod.com/2022/05/16/elford-...
October 24, 2021
Another great collection from Alley. At this point he’s become an insta-buy for me. The stories gathered here hold enough small details and connections(???) to keep you thinking long after you’ve finished the last(which is my personal favorite) Elford Alley has a way of taking a common horror theme/trope and bringing new life into it, which is exactly the case for one very voorhees-esque story in this collection; another favorite! One particular story got under my skin so bad I can still feel it hanging out like a weird peeps sized lump(the sugar coated marshmallow ducks. Yup) I would say pick up this collection first but I just really believe you should pick up anything Alley has written, not a bad tale in the bunch. K thx.
March 21, 2020
Alluring, haunting and inspired.
It's a brave new collection to enjoy in a quarantine blanket fort. Dont read it alone or you might not get past the seconds tale. I stopped there before resuming my reading in daylight. I only wish it was longer!
It's a brave new collection to enjoy in a quarantine blanket fort. Dont read it alone or you might not get past the seconds tale. I stopped there before resuming my reading in daylight. I only wish it was longer!
June 23, 2024
Find Us contains a collection of very short and a few longer horror stories that chill you to the bone. Although all stories were significantly different, they all related by imitating the feelings of being lost and - in their ways - needing to be found again, whether that be in life or death.
Read
March 17, 2021Horror collections are my thing, and this collection is one for the personal library for sure. Scary, creative and inspiring as a fellow horror writer. I would def recommend this collection to any horror fan.
May 25, 2021
Ten stories and every single one kicks some ass its own way. While a lot of ground is covered in terms of horror sub-genres every entry is lean, mean, and imaginative.
March 20, 2022
One of the best horror short story collections, I have encountered in decades. I loved this book. I'm just in awe at how happy I was reading it. It felt familiar
Familiar, like that feeling when you read Poe for the first time. Or watching a classic horror film for the first time. It was different as well. Certainly, stories that I haven't really encountered until this book. My favourites were: They Never Stop Screaming, Miracle Maker, The Window Lake Killer, The Tree, and The Orb Weaver. I'm looking forward to reading more by Elford Alley.
Familiar, like that feeling when you read Poe for the first time. Or watching a classic horror film for the first time. It was different as well. Certainly, stories that I haven't really encountered until this book. My favourites were: They Never Stop Screaming, Miracle Maker, The Window Lake Killer, The Tree, and The Orb Weaver. I'm looking forward to reading more by Elford Alley.
May 14, 2022
Fabulous!
This is a fantastic collection. I enjoyed all the stories, so it's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm off to read another book by Elford Alley now. Highly recommended!
This is a fantastic collection. I enjoyed all the stories, so it's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm off to read another book by Elford Alley now. Highly recommended!
October 25, 2023
i really loved these stories. some of them weren't horror in a paranormal sense, more like horror to a human life. but beautifully written.
i was absorbed!
i was absorbed!
October 21, 2021
Wow what a great short story collection I can honestly say I really like every story in here. Definitely going to check out his other stuff.
February 9, 2022
I enjoyed all the stories in this collection !
March 3, 2023
awesome collection of short stories
This is a fantastic set of short stories, very easy to read. A great way to step out of the chaos of daily life for a bit
This is a fantastic set of short stories, very easy to read. A great way to step out of the chaos of daily life for a bit
December 5, 2022
I will keep it short.
Excellent read.
Easy to get into so just wanted to read all of it.
Doesn’t happen very often.
This book did!
D
Excellent read.
Easy to get into so just wanted to read all of it.
Doesn’t happen very often.
This book did!
D
September 27, 2024
Very interesting stories; I wish they were longer
My favorite one was the very last one. Recommend, especially during the spooky season!
My favorite one was the very last one. Recommend, especially during the spooky season!
April 30, 2020
There’s some good stuff in here. Nicely told stories, a fine sense for an unnerving turn, and a lot of variety. Worth reading.
August 1, 2024
This collection is dark. There’s dread hulking within every page. One of the recurring themes is faith or at least the loss of it.
Alley has a way of building up a scene, fleshing out a character and then leaving you to wonder about what happens next at the last full stop.
And he takes us everywhere, to the distant past, future and present day. Morality tales like The Monster in the Woods hit hard. The failure of religion in Miracle Maker. Find Us was so bleak I had to take a break after reading it.
There’s also more traditional ghost stories like The Tree and a sadness in February 14, The Last.
I love a good collection like this, it allows you to trawl through the mind of an author and get a glimpse of where he wants to go. And wherever it is, I got my ticket.
Alley has a way of building up a scene, fleshing out a character and then leaving you to wonder about what happens next at the last full stop.
And he takes us everywhere, to the distant past, future and present day. Morality tales like The Monster in the Woods hit hard. The failure of religion in Miracle Maker. Find Us was so bleak I had to take a break after reading it.
There’s also more traditional ghost stories like The Tree and a sadness in February 14, The Last.
I love a good collection like this, it allows you to trawl through the mind of an author and get a glimpse of where he wants to go. And wherever it is, I got my ticket.
February 19, 2022
a mixed bag
This collection of short stories was like the curate’s egg. When the story was good, it was excellent, but unfortunately some of the stories were unbelievably bad. The editing and grammar needed sorting out, too many errors for short stories.
This collection of short stories was like the curate’s egg. When the story was good, it was excellent, but unfortunately some of the stories were unbelievably bad. The editing and grammar needed sorting out, too many errors for short stories.
March 30, 2023
This collection of shorts starts very apocalyptic. So I almost thought it was a theme. It was NOT. This author has a wide range of tales and a very creative imagination. Always a good thing
March 10, 2024
A collection of short stories with a couple of good ones but most were, unfortunately, unremarkable or lacked a true interest hook.
May 22, 2025
A solid collection.
June 7, 2023
I am in love with this mans brain.
Get this book, seriously - you'll be doing yourself a favor. It is both uncompromising, creepy and different.
Get this book, seriously - you'll be doing yourself a favor. It is both uncompromising, creepy and different.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews