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Twisted: Tainted Tales
An abandoned house. A locked desk drawer full of old papers. And an 80’s mix tape? Jill is tasked with seeking out any legal documents from the property. What she discovers, transports her into a world of nightmares, ranging from the macabre to the downright chilling. Jill knows she has to share the stories she’s uncovered…
In Twisted: Tainted Tales, the Splatterpunk Award-nominee delivers creature features, supernatural urban legends, cannibalism and a few other surprises. Mixing flash fiction with short stories, these tales might be tainted and will be twisted.
Includes foreword from the amazing Flame Tree Press author, Glenn Rolfe.
In Twisted: Tainted Tales, the Splatterpunk Award-nominee delivers creature features, supernatural urban legends, cannibalism and a few other surprises. Mixing flash fiction with short stories, these tales might be tainted and will be twisted.
Includes foreword from the amazing Flame Tree Press author, Glenn Rolfe.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2021
102 people are currently reading
946 people want to read
About the author
Janine Pipe
24 books132 followersTrading a police badge for a pen, Janine cites her life-long love of horror as the catalyst for creating crazy and creepy stories. She also writes non-fiction with Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers released in 2022 and The Making of The Descent coming 21st August 2025.
Janine is an independent filmmaker having directed 4 short films combining her love of action and real life experience from policing.
She is a script editor and director for hire and also a film journalist with FILM HOUNDS.
Janine is an independent filmmaker having directed 4 short films combining her love of action and real life experience from policing.
She is a script editor and director for hire and also a film journalist with FILM HOUNDS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 7, 2022
Are you ready for some nostalgic trip back to the 80s? This is the right collection for it. Every single tale is named after a song, from that period: When Doves Cry to Lost in the Shadows, Running With the Devil or Addicted to Love (still love the music video). Loved that idea since it really brought back the time when those songs were released and formed our lives. Much reference to Nightmare on Elm Street, Jason, Halloween, Stephen King and other horror classics from that era. I was a youth in the 80s and completely enjoyed those stories about vampires, haunted houses, abduction and untamed sexuality, violence, eerie situations and lust. Had to smile about the unique tree trunk and its special whole (the story was titled Paradise City). At parts the content here is quite explicit (loved the reference to Sam Fox, since I was a big fan of her too, LOL, well, an album named Hooray for Boobies was released in 1996, LOL). The author is able to catch the spirit of the decade. The frame story is classic too (the stories told here are found by a character in the book). The stories were to the point and brought back fine memories. Here we go again, Like a prayer, It's a sin... Highly recommended!
April 24, 2021
I think it’s important to let other readers know that the author of this collection is a friend of mine and it’s always difficult to be entirely honest about my reading experience knowing full well that they will read every word and take it to heart. But I did decide I would read/review this with my critical hat on and make sure to be totally true/honest and approach this review like I would anything else.
I would shelve this particular collection of short stories next to my Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Treasury. The writing feels straightforward and accessible in the same tradition. Janine writes much like she talks; it’s unfiltered and free from any pretenses or fussy literary devices. Clean & simple.
As far as the format is concerned, I had some issues with the introduction in the beginning and the use of introductions for every story. They prefaced the stories too much, almost like a way of explaining to the reader how to feel about the story before reading it. I’ve never encountered anything like that before and I decided to skip them halfway through. Reading the author talking about their own work from an imaginary POV just didn’t work for me.
In contrast, I loved the author’s notes at the end of the stories. Because Janine is my friend, these notes were like having a conversation with her after each one.
All of that being said, Janine Pipe’s storytelling is like the blade of a knife piercing through your innermost parts with the deft precision of a skilled maniac.
Clearly, she is influenced by her favorite authors (who are some of my favorites too). I love the passion and dedication she shows improving her craft. I took notice of Janine right away when she burst on the scene. I remember DMing Tim Meyer on Twitter like, “Woah! This Janine gal!” If I were to write a blog post about her, the title would be “Who’s That Girl” (Madonna) because I can’t imagine our horror community without her big personality. One minute it was a quiet night with a full moon and the next minute Janine was howling at that moon inspiring all of us to howl along with her.
I am proud to call her a friend and I’m excited to sit back and watch her career blossom. Kicking ass, taking names, and checking off that bucket list. Debut author collection? Achievement unlocked.
Foreword- Glenn Rolfe
Introduction- Jill
Track 1- FOOTSTEPS: This is Janine's story in DIABOLICA BRITANNICA which is an anthology for charity. I haven't finished that book but I did read Janine's tale and thought it was great werewolf Splatterpunk. It has been nominated for a Splatterpunk Award so other people must have thought it was great too!
Track 2- WHEN DOVES CRY: A short, almost flash fiction style story because there's no real meat on these bones; no filler; doesn’t need any. Reads like a Scary Story to Tell in the Dark folklore/legend style.
Track 3- I WANT TO BREAK FREE: A "his" and "her" narrative with a predator/prey/human monsters theme. Fast and urgent. Uniquely Janine's whip-crack style.
Track 4- MANEATER: One of my favorites in the collection. Janine's wheelhouse is in writing what she knows, authentic dialog, and a fast-forward pace that keeps readers engaged. This one as it all.
Track 5- ADDICTED TO LOVE: Pretty gratuitous sex and violence simply for the sake of it. This would make a great addition to an anthology of similar stories but all by itself, I found it to be a little thin.
Track 6- SWEET CHILD O MINE: A proper story that I enjoyed but it ended as soon as it got going. I wanted a little more from this one. Maybe just like two more pages worth of character development or exposition.
Track 7- TAINTED LOVE: Okay, this one had a few issues that irked me. Some real confusion between love and lust and also, how the fuck did the narrator know that the guy's name was Adam? He seemed to be a total stranger on the bus! I went through it twice looking for the moment or opportunity for the name and couldn't find it so now I'm like, HEY! Lol
Track 8- LOST IN THE SHADOWS: "Hunter's Hamburgers Catering Company" Lol. Janine works in pop culture references like an artist in clay. Fun story.
Track 9- IT'S A SIN: Another favorite in the collection. I love when Janine writes from a child’s POV. It feels very authentic and the narrative just flows easily and fluidly with sweet innocence.
Track 10- LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: This is a case of too many pop culture references. It kind of muddies my brain with a lot of imagery from other works and not enough originality to stand on its own. I lost my way with this one.
Track 11- RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: I love this tale! Another great example that Janine’s writing shines when she’s in very familiar territory. The Legend of Trent Barrow feels like it could be the titular tale in a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark tribute anthology. I related to the narrator as she navigates her teenage scene. So realistic.
Track 12- PARADISE CITY: Ugh. I tapped out of this one actually. The subject matter with young boys jerking off and stuff just skeeved me out.
Track 13- SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER…: Authentic dialog. Easy, accessible storytelling. Fun.
Track 14- LIVING ON A PRAYER: Fun flash fiction. Authentic POV.
Track 15- BONES OF BOARDED-UP BABY BODIES BEHIND THE BATH-PANEL: I love when Janine leans into her context and utilizes Brit-slang. I enjoyed this one. I liked the ambiguity. It works.
Track 16- NOBODY'S FOOL: I could see this story idea more fully fleshed out in a novella. This stands well on its own as a very short story but I think there’s more here to uncover because I was left feeling a little unsatisfied. I want more, Janine!
Track 17- THEY: A favorite for me. I enjoyed the storytelling on this werewolf tale. It’s easy to see that Janine strives after her influences to produce stories her mentors would be proud of. This particular tale is fashioned as an homage to them, clearly.
I would shelve this particular collection of short stories next to my Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Treasury. The writing feels straightforward and accessible in the same tradition. Janine writes much like she talks; it’s unfiltered and free from any pretenses or fussy literary devices. Clean & simple.
As far as the format is concerned, I had some issues with the introduction in the beginning and the use of introductions for every story. They prefaced the stories too much, almost like a way of explaining to the reader how to feel about the story before reading it. I’ve never encountered anything like that before and I decided to skip them halfway through. Reading the author talking about their own work from an imaginary POV just didn’t work for me.
In contrast, I loved the author’s notes at the end of the stories. Because Janine is my friend, these notes were like having a conversation with her after each one.
All of that being said, Janine Pipe’s storytelling is like the blade of a knife piercing through your innermost parts with the deft precision of a skilled maniac.
Clearly, she is influenced by her favorite authors (who are some of my favorites too). I love the passion and dedication she shows improving her craft. I took notice of Janine right away when she burst on the scene. I remember DMing Tim Meyer on Twitter like, “Woah! This Janine gal!” If I were to write a blog post about her, the title would be “Who’s That Girl” (Madonna) because I can’t imagine our horror community without her big personality. One minute it was a quiet night with a full moon and the next minute Janine was howling at that moon inspiring all of us to howl along with her.
I am proud to call her a friend and I’m excited to sit back and watch her career blossom. Kicking ass, taking names, and checking off that bucket list. Debut author collection? Achievement unlocked.
Foreword- Glenn Rolfe
Introduction- Jill
Track 1- FOOTSTEPS: This is Janine's story in DIABOLICA BRITANNICA which is an anthology for charity. I haven't finished that book but I did read Janine's tale and thought it was great werewolf Splatterpunk. It has been nominated for a Splatterpunk Award so other people must have thought it was great too!
Track 2- WHEN DOVES CRY: A short, almost flash fiction style story because there's no real meat on these bones; no filler; doesn’t need any. Reads like a Scary Story to Tell in the Dark folklore/legend style.
Track 3- I WANT TO BREAK FREE: A "his" and "her" narrative with a predator/prey/human monsters theme. Fast and urgent. Uniquely Janine's whip-crack style.
Track 4- MANEATER: One of my favorites in the collection. Janine's wheelhouse is in writing what she knows, authentic dialog, and a fast-forward pace that keeps readers engaged. This one as it all.
Track 5- ADDICTED TO LOVE: Pretty gratuitous sex and violence simply for the sake of it. This would make a great addition to an anthology of similar stories but all by itself, I found it to be a little thin.
Track 6- SWEET CHILD O MINE: A proper story that I enjoyed but it ended as soon as it got going. I wanted a little more from this one. Maybe just like two more pages worth of character development or exposition.
Track 7- TAINTED LOVE: Okay, this one had a few issues that irked me. Some real confusion between love and lust and also, how the fuck did the narrator know that the guy's name was Adam? He seemed to be a total stranger on the bus! I went through it twice looking for the moment or opportunity for the name and couldn't find it so now I'm like, HEY! Lol
Track 8- LOST IN THE SHADOWS: "Hunter's Hamburgers Catering Company" Lol. Janine works in pop culture references like an artist in clay. Fun story.
Track 9- IT'S A SIN: Another favorite in the collection. I love when Janine writes from a child’s POV. It feels very authentic and the narrative just flows easily and fluidly with sweet innocence.
Track 10- LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: This is a case of too many pop culture references. It kind of muddies my brain with a lot of imagery from other works and not enough originality to stand on its own. I lost my way with this one.
Track 11- RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: I love this tale! Another great example that Janine’s writing shines when she’s in very familiar territory. The Legend of Trent Barrow feels like it could be the titular tale in a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark tribute anthology. I related to the narrator as she navigates her teenage scene. So realistic.
Track 12- PARADISE CITY: Ugh. I tapped out of this one actually. The subject matter with young boys jerking off and stuff just skeeved me out.
Track 13- SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER…: Authentic dialog. Easy, accessible storytelling. Fun.
Track 14- LIVING ON A PRAYER: Fun flash fiction. Authentic POV.
Track 15- BONES OF BOARDED-UP BABY BODIES BEHIND THE BATH-PANEL: I love when Janine leans into her context and utilizes Brit-slang. I enjoyed this one. I liked the ambiguity. It works.
Track 16- NOBODY'S FOOL: I could see this story idea more fully fleshed out in a novella. This stands well on its own as a very short story but I think there’s more here to uncover because I was left feeling a little unsatisfied. I want more, Janine!
Track 17- THEY: A favorite for me. I enjoyed the storytelling on this werewolf tale. It’s easy to see that Janine strives after her influences to produce stories her mentors would be proud of. This particular tale is fashioned as an homage to them, clearly.
July 16, 2022
‘Cause whilst they all think I’m amazing (even the cat sleeps on my bed), little do they know that once a month, I am just waiting for an excuse to rip their fucking throat out…
May 2, 2021
Writer, Editor, Reviewer, and general championer of all things horror, to say Janine Pipes debut horror collection, ‘Twisted: Tainted Tales’ is an eagerly awaited release among the indie horror community is something of an understatement. The anticipation for this collection of seventeen horror shorts on 1 May is practically palpable on social media and as of writing, it is already the number one on Amazons Horror Anthologies chart, almost two weeks before its release date.
Even before the publication of Twisted: Tainted Tales, Janine has been published in several high-profile anthologies and has even been nominated for a Splatterpunk award, so I’ve been looking forward to reading this one since the cover reveal. Her reputation for extreme horror and the loving tribute to 80s VHS that is the cover makes this a book that is right up my literary street so, to do something a bit different for this review, I’ve set out some thoughts and hints at what you’re in store for on each individual short below.
Before we get into that, however, I need to mention the introduction. It sets up a wraparound story of a young junior solicitor who inadvertently stumbles upon a series of papers containing the short stories presented in this book, which she proceeds to introduce the reader to in-between each one. I thought this was a neat touch, very reminiscent of the great 80s horror anthology movies like ‘Creepshow’ or ‘Twilight Zone: The Movie’ and helps set the scene and really adds to the fun, retro vibe of the whole production. 80s fans may even find some of the story’s titles somewhat familiar.
In the spirit of these classic horror anthologies, this intro has gone on long enough so, on with the show!
Footsteps
The opening story is probably Pipes best known, having previously been published in ‘Diabolica Brittania’ and also the short that won her a coveted Splatterpunk Award nomination earlier this year. As an opening story goes, it is a bold choice, but delivers some big expectations for what’s to come. The story itself is fairly simple, but Pipe puts a unique spin on the werewolf mythos and it all wraps up in a bloody and tense showdown. What I most enjoyed about this one was the camaraderie between the group of women the story focuses on. Their easy friendship and natural back and forth felt very genuine and was a lot of fun to read. As a fellow Brit, special mention has to go to the authentic UK slang! There aren’t nearly enough ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ references and uses of the words ‘sozzled’ and ‘bugger’ in modern horror stories for my tastes…
When Doves Cry
After the 80s references and cinematic feeling bloodbath that precedes this one, I wasn’t expecting a period piece that reads almost like a fairy-tale, but that’s exactly what you get with ‘When Doves Cry’. It sets the scene of a cosy inn, replete with roaring fire and lairy patrons very well and while it didn’t feel quite as polished at ‘Footsteps’ (the notes suggest this is an early story by the author) it did feature another unique take. I had thought I knew where the story was going as we’re introduced to a vulnerable woman travelling alone who happens upon a charming man who soon invites her back to his home but, as it transpires, Pipe has a surprise lined up and the twist ending and grisly imagery of this quick short does make it linger in your mind.
I Want to Break Free
I love split narrative stories. Like an unreliable narrative, getting multiple perspectives on a story may lead you to the realisation that not everything we’re being told is necessarily true and Pipe gets good mileage out of the device with this short. It is lean and grim and throws us into an unpleasant scene from the first sentence but to say things take an unexpected turn would be an understatement and I liked how Pipe made the readers sympathies shift multiple times throughout.
Maneater
This story has a great hook. A prolific serial killer is on the loose and the police are struggling to break the case. The most perplexing thing is they are finding the bodies… but where is the blood? I know what you’re thinking, but there is a surprise in store! I did not see that ending coming.
Addicted to Love
The title suggests romance but the content is anything but! This one was grubby and seedy and you may well need a shower after reading. It was also one of my favourite shorts of the book. No twist ending here, you can pretty much see the ending coming early on, and that just makes it all the more suspenseful waiting for the inevitable carnage in the last few pages.
Sweet Child O’ Mine
After some pretty graphic early stories, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine dialled things back a bit and presented a short but creepy little story that hints at sinister things to come early on. As we begin to get a clearer picture of where it is leading, Pipe resists the urge to do a big dramatic reveal and succeeds in delivering a more subtle and eerie tale, demonstrating range beyond the blood and gore that’s come before it.
Tainted Love
I really enjoyed the build-up in ‘Tainted Love’, how it started off quite sweet and saccharine, until the protagonist starts to show signs of being… well, I won’t spoil it here, but this short was a great example of how to set a scene, present some kind of anomaly or questionable act early on, then just ratchet up the tension until we finally see what the endgame was all along. Its ending certainly lived up to the hype.
Lost in The Shadows
The nostalgic references were non-stop with ‘Lost in The Shadows’! Not a surprise for a story named after a song from ‘Lost Boys’ but it was fun to spot all the references. This was one of those stories where the reader is clued in on the twist ending before the characters realise what is going on, and I have to admit, this one got a laugh from me. Darkly funny.
It’s A Sin
This was one of the longest shorts of the book and opens with the line “What is your greatest fear?”. The story then goes onto tell a surprisingly heartfelt and grounded coming of age tale that promises a ghost story, but puts the focus squarely on its two lead characters as opposed to any supernatural goings-on. This was a very relatable story, played straight and all the better for it. The ending is a gut-punch you won’t see coming and the whole short is equal parts heart-warming and tragic.
Love Is A Battlefield
Another refreshing change of pace, this time in the form of a dystopian future set short with some heavy sci-fi inspiration. This one read like a cross between ‘The Purge’ and ‘Mad Max’ and it wears its main influence, ‘The Running Man’ (the Bachman book as opposed to the Schwarzenegger movie) on its sleeve. It is just as nihilistic as all of these as well, telling a story of a state sanctioned game offering hope to impoverished masses, and the chilling truth behind the scenes.
Running with The Devil
Did you ever have any local legends growing up? The protagonist of this short had a great one, and they can’t resist checking it out for themselves to see if it is true. This was another favourite of mine, mostly down to the fact that the lead character is so likeable and well developed. I also enjoyed the flashback at the story’s conclusion which elevated the spooky urban legend into something a lot more ominous.
Paradise City
You would think with seventeen stories to choose from it would be tough to pick a favourite, but no. This one! This one is my favourite, hands down. It is sick and demented and absolutely hilarious. I may have ended up with a no doubt lifelong fear of trees now, but it was totally worth it…
Schools Out Forever
Set almost entirely in an old abandoned school, this short was packed full of atmosphere. Like a lot of shorts before it, the banter between the two main characters is a big highlight and really goes a long way to keeping you engaged as the pair good naturedly trade insults, distracting enough from the fact that you just know this isn’t going to end well for either of them.
Side Note - If you only read one set of story notes in this collection, make it these ones, as they really add an extra scare factor to what you’ve just read.
Living on A Prayer
I wasn’t prepared for ‘Living on A Prayer’. After reading so many stories that were funny, gory or scary, this one took me by surprise by being a sad and touching reflection about loss, at least to begin with. Pipe can’t resist taking a turn for the more macabre by the end, and both elements work very well for such a short story.
Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel
‘And the award for best short story title of 2021 goes to…’
This story got pretty tense. Featuring two teenage boys as the lead characters, you sense that one of them is acting… out of sorts for large portions of the story. The story’s big reveal is very well played and this is another that was so atmospheric and creepy I can imagine this one being a standout story for a lot of readers.
Nobody’s Fool
This one was a tough read, and reminded me a great deal of Jack Ketchum’s famous short story, ‘The Box’ but Pipe takes things in a very different and completely unexpected direction. The ending is largely ambiguous and the short is all the better for it, and I liked the escalation from quite a low key, introspective story that goes huge in scale at the end.
They
The collection closes with another of my favourites. Fans of Stephen Kings ‘IT’ will get a big kick out of this short about a group of preteen kids whose dares when exploring get more than a little out of hand. I won’t spoil the ending by mentioning the other book/movie it reminded me of after the midway point but think classic 80s creature feature. This was a top notch ending to the collection.
Each story boasts some thorough and often personal story notes and while I know they aren’t to everyone’s tastes, I do urge you to read these, as the insight they offer into the writing process along with some fun ‘behind the scenes’ trivia and anecdotes are interesting stories in their own right.
Overall, I had a great time with Twisted: Tainted Tales. It is a book that is meticulously designed to be pure entertainment, whether that be the glorious cover, the wraparound linking it all together, the numerous nostalgic references, or the stories themselves. There was a lot more diversity here than I was expecting, and while extreme horror or splatterpunk fans should leave well satisfied, there is more here to suit all tastes. The stories all paint a vivid picture and Pipe is very adept at setting a scene. She also has a knack for characters, finding some small thing to make them immediately relatable or memorable. What really shines through though is Pipe’s passion for the genre and her enthusiasm is infectious. To use one of her English colloquialisms, I challenge anyone to read Twisted: Tainted Tales and not have a bloody good time.
This review was initially written for and published by Horroroasis.com
Check out their site for horror book and movie reviews, articles, giveaways and more.
Even before the publication of Twisted: Tainted Tales, Janine has been published in several high-profile anthologies and has even been nominated for a Splatterpunk award, so I’ve been looking forward to reading this one since the cover reveal. Her reputation for extreme horror and the loving tribute to 80s VHS that is the cover makes this a book that is right up my literary street so, to do something a bit different for this review, I’ve set out some thoughts and hints at what you’re in store for on each individual short below.
Before we get into that, however, I need to mention the introduction. It sets up a wraparound story of a young junior solicitor who inadvertently stumbles upon a series of papers containing the short stories presented in this book, which she proceeds to introduce the reader to in-between each one. I thought this was a neat touch, very reminiscent of the great 80s horror anthology movies like ‘Creepshow’ or ‘Twilight Zone: The Movie’ and helps set the scene and really adds to the fun, retro vibe of the whole production. 80s fans may even find some of the story’s titles somewhat familiar.
In the spirit of these classic horror anthologies, this intro has gone on long enough so, on with the show!
Footsteps
The opening story is probably Pipes best known, having previously been published in ‘Diabolica Brittania’ and also the short that won her a coveted Splatterpunk Award nomination earlier this year. As an opening story goes, it is a bold choice, but delivers some big expectations for what’s to come. The story itself is fairly simple, but Pipe puts a unique spin on the werewolf mythos and it all wraps up in a bloody and tense showdown. What I most enjoyed about this one was the camaraderie between the group of women the story focuses on. Their easy friendship and natural back and forth felt very genuine and was a lot of fun to read. As a fellow Brit, special mention has to go to the authentic UK slang! There aren’t nearly enough ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ references and uses of the words ‘sozzled’ and ‘bugger’ in modern horror stories for my tastes…
When Doves Cry
After the 80s references and cinematic feeling bloodbath that precedes this one, I wasn’t expecting a period piece that reads almost like a fairy-tale, but that’s exactly what you get with ‘When Doves Cry’. It sets the scene of a cosy inn, replete with roaring fire and lairy patrons very well and while it didn’t feel quite as polished at ‘Footsteps’ (the notes suggest this is an early story by the author) it did feature another unique take. I had thought I knew where the story was going as we’re introduced to a vulnerable woman travelling alone who happens upon a charming man who soon invites her back to his home but, as it transpires, Pipe has a surprise lined up and the twist ending and grisly imagery of this quick short does make it linger in your mind.
I Want to Break Free
I love split narrative stories. Like an unreliable narrative, getting multiple perspectives on a story may lead you to the realisation that not everything we’re being told is necessarily true and Pipe gets good mileage out of the device with this short. It is lean and grim and throws us into an unpleasant scene from the first sentence but to say things take an unexpected turn would be an understatement and I liked how Pipe made the readers sympathies shift multiple times throughout.
Maneater
This story has a great hook. A prolific serial killer is on the loose and the police are struggling to break the case. The most perplexing thing is they are finding the bodies… but where is the blood? I know what you’re thinking, but there is a surprise in store! I did not see that ending coming.
Addicted to Love
The title suggests romance but the content is anything but! This one was grubby and seedy and you may well need a shower after reading. It was also one of my favourite shorts of the book. No twist ending here, you can pretty much see the ending coming early on, and that just makes it all the more suspenseful waiting for the inevitable carnage in the last few pages.
Sweet Child O’ Mine
After some pretty graphic early stories, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine dialled things back a bit and presented a short but creepy little story that hints at sinister things to come early on. As we begin to get a clearer picture of where it is leading, Pipe resists the urge to do a big dramatic reveal and succeeds in delivering a more subtle and eerie tale, demonstrating range beyond the blood and gore that’s come before it.
Tainted Love
I really enjoyed the build-up in ‘Tainted Love’, how it started off quite sweet and saccharine, until the protagonist starts to show signs of being… well, I won’t spoil it here, but this short was a great example of how to set a scene, present some kind of anomaly or questionable act early on, then just ratchet up the tension until we finally see what the endgame was all along. Its ending certainly lived up to the hype.
Lost in The Shadows
The nostalgic references were non-stop with ‘Lost in The Shadows’! Not a surprise for a story named after a song from ‘Lost Boys’ but it was fun to spot all the references. This was one of those stories where the reader is clued in on the twist ending before the characters realise what is going on, and I have to admit, this one got a laugh from me. Darkly funny.
It’s A Sin
This was one of the longest shorts of the book and opens with the line “What is your greatest fear?”. The story then goes onto tell a surprisingly heartfelt and grounded coming of age tale that promises a ghost story, but puts the focus squarely on its two lead characters as opposed to any supernatural goings-on. This was a very relatable story, played straight and all the better for it. The ending is a gut-punch you won’t see coming and the whole short is equal parts heart-warming and tragic.
Love Is A Battlefield
Another refreshing change of pace, this time in the form of a dystopian future set short with some heavy sci-fi inspiration. This one read like a cross between ‘The Purge’ and ‘Mad Max’ and it wears its main influence, ‘The Running Man’ (the Bachman book as opposed to the Schwarzenegger movie) on its sleeve. It is just as nihilistic as all of these as well, telling a story of a state sanctioned game offering hope to impoverished masses, and the chilling truth behind the scenes.
Running with The Devil
Did you ever have any local legends growing up? The protagonist of this short had a great one, and they can’t resist checking it out for themselves to see if it is true. This was another favourite of mine, mostly down to the fact that the lead character is so likeable and well developed. I also enjoyed the flashback at the story’s conclusion which elevated the spooky urban legend into something a lot more ominous.
Paradise City
You would think with seventeen stories to choose from it would be tough to pick a favourite, but no. This one! This one is my favourite, hands down. It is sick and demented and absolutely hilarious. I may have ended up with a no doubt lifelong fear of trees now, but it was totally worth it…
Schools Out Forever
Set almost entirely in an old abandoned school, this short was packed full of atmosphere. Like a lot of shorts before it, the banter between the two main characters is a big highlight and really goes a long way to keeping you engaged as the pair good naturedly trade insults, distracting enough from the fact that you just know this isn’t going to end well for either of them.
Side Note - If you only read one set of story notes in this collection, make it these ones, as they really add an extra scare factor to what you’ve just read.
Living on A Prayer
I wasn’t prepared for ‘Living on A Prayer’. After reading so many stories that were funny, gory or scary, this one took me by surprise by being a sad and touching reflection about loss, at least to begin with. Pipe can’t resist taking a turn for the more macabre by the end, and both elements work very well for such a short story.
Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel
‘And the award for best short story title of 2021 goes to…’
This story got pretty tense. Featuring two teenage boys as the lead characters, you sense that one of them is acting… out of sorts for large portions of the story. The story’s big reveal is very well played and this is another that was so atmospheric and creepy I can imagine this one being a standout story for a lot of readers.
Nobody’s Fool
This one was a tough read, and reminded me a great deal of Jack Ketchum’s famous short story, ‘The Box’ but Pipe takes things in a very different and completely unexpected direction. The ending is largely ambiguous and the short is all the better for it, and I liked the escalation from quite a low key, introspective story that goes huge in scale at the end.
They
The collection closes with another of my favourites. Fans of Stephen Kings ‘IT’ will get a big kick out of this short about a group of preteen kids whose dares when exploring get more than a little out of hand. I won’t spoil the ending by mentioning the other book/movie it reminded me of after the midway point but think classic 80s creature feature. This was a top notch ending to the collection.
Each story boasts some thorough and often personal story notes and while I know they aren’t to everyone’s tastes, I do urge you to read these, as the insight they offer into the writing process along with some fun ‘behind the scenes’ trivia and anecdotes are interesting stories in their own right.
Overall, I had a great time with Twisted: Tainted Tales. It is a book that is meticulously designed to be pure entertainment, whether that be the glorious cover, the wraparound linking it all together, the numerous nostalgic references, or the stories themselves. There was a lot more diversity here than I was expecting, and while extreme horror or splatterpunk fans should leave well satisfied, there is more here to suit all tastes. The stories all paint a vivid picture and Pipe is very adept at setting a scene. She also has a knack for characters, finding some small thing to make them immediately relatable or memorable. What really shines through though is Pipe’s passion for the genre and her enthusiasm is infectious. To use one of her English colloquialisms, I challenge anyone to read Twisted: Tainted Tales and not have a bloody good time.
This review was initially written for and published by Horroroasis.com
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August 26, 2021
I'm very excited that Janine has her first collection out in the world! I enjoyed the stories I've read from her in the past, and I can just tell she has so much fun writing them. Her passion for horror is also very obvious. The tales here abound with winks, sly nods, and even direct references to a wide variety of tropes and other authors and stories.
I really enjoy Janine's voice and style in writing. Yes, it's fairly informal at times: breaking the fourth wall, slipping into second person, peppering in slang, and so on. I could see some readers being turned off by this, but personally I enjoyed it. And though she sets many of her stories in America, she seems to be in her element when she's writing stories set in England with characters saying things I hardly understand. It's good stuff.
But apart from her style, what I also liked about this collection is the variety of horror genres represented therein. We see a wonderful mix of splatter punk, body horror, gothic horror, and supernatural horror. There's also werewolves, vampires, ghosts, serial killers, apocalypses, and so much more. Obviously not every story landed with me, and I'm admittedly not a fan of Janine's favorite genre (extreme horror), but I still appreciate the diversity of tales. The one thing that really didn't work for me is the framing device, but overall the stories themselves are good!
"Footsteps" - Three female friends head out into the woods and are subsequently hunted by a ferocious beast. It's a fun and frightening werewolf story, much deserving of its Splatterpunk Award nomination.
"When Doves Cry" - A destitute woman is taken in by a gentleman with a dark secret. This one is more gothic in nature and it has a very disturbing twist. Also, I love the ending scene as it adds even another layer to the creepy factor.
"I Want to Break Free" - The same story told twice, once from the POV of captive and then from captor. It's an interesting and entertaining exercise for sure, but it didn't feel much like a fleshed out story. I was intrigued, but I left with too many questions.
"Maneater" - Someone is killing people and draining their blood. A detective finally comes face-to-face with the mysterious murderer and receives quite a shock. It's a fun take on vampirism and vigilante justice.
"Addicted to Love" - A man takes a woman home from the bar for a night of fornication, when the tables are suddenly turned in quite a nasty way. There's not necessarily anything wrong with the story, it's just not my type of tale. Extreme horror fans will likely enjoy this one.
"Sweet Child O Mine" - A mother returns to her childhood vacation home with her daughter. She's uneasy being there but can't place why, and she finally remembers on the car ride home. I enjoyed the one. I too felt uneasy as I waited for the reveal, and the final lines chilled me to the bone.
"Tainted Love" - A woman appears to fall blindly in love with a stranger, but when she finally gets him alone it's clear there is more to the story. For awhile I was taken out of this story. I couldn't understand why the woman was SO madly lusting over this random guy. But then there's a reveal in the final act that clears things up, and the ending is quite disturbing.
"Lost in the Shadows" - Local kids are going missing and the town is panicked. Then one night, at the local drive-in, an employee makes a chilling discovery. Another story with a classic Janine Pipe twist at the end!
"It's a Sin" - Young Sam is becoming best friends with the new kid, Jack, when suddenly Jack goes missing. The mystery thickens, and the second half is loaded with suspense. I don't know if I'm fully convinced of the reasoning for what happens, but I was totally on board. It's a creepy story, and anything involving cellars is going to freak me out.
"Love is a Battlefield" - In a subverted dystopian future, the poor have rebelled and rule while the rich are subjected to a brutal entertainment known as The Game. I was completely captivated and held in suspense as to what was going to happen to the main character, right up until the very end. Unfortunately the final moments were frustratingly vague for me.
"Running with the Devil" - A teenage girl is obsessed with a local legend involving a phantom coach that appears on Halloween and vows to experience the phenomena for herself. I really enjoyed the old school ghost story aspect to this, as well as the shift in time periods from present day to 1899. It feels like something MR James may have written, though with the author's own stylized spin on it.
"Paradise City" - There is a tree in the woods that provides a pleasure hole for boys...until one day something goes wrong. I just, uh, have no words for this one. It's gross on a few different levels, and I can't believe Janine made me read it. For fans of extreme horror, definitely.
"School's Out for Ever" - The narrator and her friend explore an abandoned boy's school for clout with their friends and get the scare of their lives. I really enjoyed this one, and I think it's a great example of Janine's natural writing voice (zippy, clever, vulgar, and informal). It's especially fun (and creepy) because it seems to be based on real events!
"Livin' on a Prayer" - Two brothers go on a camping trip with their father after the sudden death of their mother, and a horrifying events occurs in the woods. Another good story with well-realized characters and a dark, violent twist towards the end!
"Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath Panel" - Two boys finally explore the "haunted house" they've been obsessing over for years. This may be my favorite story in the entire collection. It is written beautifully, balancing Janine's personal style with wonderful flourishes of language and imagery. It's also incredibly creepy in the second half, and it has a twist that will haunt me for a long time. It's great!
"Nobody's Fool" - Though the parents have tried everything, their child still suffers from regular nightmares that eventually manifest in the waking world. It's compelling, and I wanted to know just as badly as all the adults what was going on with these nightly disturbances. The reveal at the end is quite interesting.
"They" - A group of friends dare each other to explore a storm drain when something happens to one of the boys...something with hair and fangs that will forever alter his life. Man, what a story! The writing, the pacing, the suspense - all great. This one is more subtle than in your face, and I really enjoyed it. Close runner for favorite in the collection.
I really enjoy Janine's voice and style in writing. Yes, it's fairly informal at times: breaking the fourth wall, slipping into second person, peppering in slang, and so on. I could see some readers being turned off by this, but personally I enjoyed it. And though she sets many of her stories in America, she seems to be in her element when she's writing stories set in England with characters saying things I hardly understand. It's good stuff.
But apart from her style, what I also liked about this collection is the variety of horror genres represented therein. We see a wonderful mix of splatter punk, body horror, gothic horror, and supernatural horror. There's also werewolves, vampires, ghosts, serial killers, apocalypses, and so much more. Obviously not every story landed with me, and I'm admittedly not a fan of Janine's favorite genre (extreme horror), but I still appreciate the diversity of tales. The one thing that really didn't work for me is the framing device, but overall the stories themselves are good!
"Footsteps" - Three female friends head out into the woods and are subsequently hunted by a ferocious beast. It's a fun and frightening werewolf story, much deserving of its Splatterpunk Award nomination.
"When Doves Cry" - A destitute woman is taken in by a gentleman with a dark secret. This one is more gothic in nature and it has a very disturbing twist. Also, I love the ending scene as it adds even another layer to the creepy factor.
"I Want to Break Free" - The same story told twice, once from the POV of captive and then from captor. It's an interesting and entertaining exercise for sure, but it didn't feel much like a fleshed out story. I was intrigued, but I left with too many questions.
"Maneater" - Someone is killing people and draining their blood. A detective finally comes face-to-face with the mysterious murderer and receives quite a shock. It's a fun take on vampirism and vigilante justice.
"Addicted to Love" - A man takes a woman home from the bar for a night of fornication, when the tables are suddenly turned in quite a nasty way. There's not necessarily anything wrong with the story, it's just not my type of tale. Extreme horror fans will likely enjoy this one.
"Sweet Child O Mine" - A mother returns to her childhood vacation home with her daughter. She's uneasy being there but can't place why, and she finally remembers on the car ride home. I enjoyed the one. I too felt uneasy as I waited for the reveal, and the final lines chilled me to the bone.
"Tainted Love" - A woman appears to fall blindly in love with a stranger, but when she finally gets him alone it's clear there is more to the story. For awhile I was taken out of this story. I couldn't understand why the woman was SO madly lusting over this random guy. But then there's a reveal in the final act that clears things up, and the ending is quite disturbing.
"Lost in the Shadows" - Local kids are going missing and the town is panicked. Then one night, at the local drive-in, an employee makes a chilling discovery. Another story with a classic Janine Pipe twist at the end!
"It's a Sin" - Young Sam is becoming best friends with the new kid, Jack, when suddenly Jack goes missing. The mystery thickens, and the second half is loaded with suspense. I don't know if I'm fully convinced of the reasoning for what happens, but I was totally on board. It's a creepy story, and anything involving cellars is going to freak me out.
"Love is a Battlefield" - In a subverted dystopian future, the poor have rebelled and rule while the rich are subjected to a brutal entertainment known as The Game. I was completely captivated and held in suspense as to what was going to happen to the main character, right up until the very end. Unfortunately the final moments were frustratingly vague for me.
"Running with the Devil" - A teenage girl is obsessed with a local legend involving a phantom coach that appears on Halloween and vows to experience the phenomena for herself. I really enjoyed the old school ghost story aspect to this, as well as the shift in time periods from present day to 1899. It feels like something MR James may have written, though with the author's own stylized spin on it.
"Paradise City" - There is a tree in the woods that provides a pleasure hole for boys...until one day something goes wrong. I just, uh, have no words for this one. It's gross on a few different levels, and I can't believe Janine made me read it. For fans of extreme horror, definitely.
"School's Out for Ever" - The narrator and her friend explore an abandoned boy's school for clout with their friends and get the scare of their lives. I really enjoyed this one, and I think it's a great example of Janine's natural writing voice (zippy, clever, vulgar, and informal). It's especially fun (and creepy) because it seems to be based on real events!
"Livin' on a Prayer" - Two brothers go on a camping trip with their father after the sudden death of their mother, and a horrifying events occurs in the woods. Another good story with well-realized characters and a dark, violent twist towards the end!
"Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath Panel" - Two boys finally explore the "haunted house" they've been obsessing over for years. This may be my favorite story in the entire collection. It is written beautifully, balancing Janine's personal style with wonderful flourishes of language and imagery. It's also incredibly creepy in the second half, and it has a twist that will haunt me for a long time. It's great!
"Nobody's Fool" - Though the parents have tried everything, their child still suffers from regular nightmares that eventually manifest in the waking world. It's compelling, and I wanted to know just as badly as all the adults what was going on with these nightly disturbances. The reveal at the end is quite interesting.
"They" - A group of friends dare each other to explore a storm drain when something happens to one of the boys...something with hair and fangs that will forever alter his life. Man, what a story! The writing, the pacing, the suspense - all great. This one is more subtle than in your face, and I really enjoyed it. Close runner for favorite in the collection.
November 1, 2021
A few ace tales in this spooky collection. My favourites were Sweet Child O Mine and Lost in the Shadows. Well worth the read if you are looking for a scare.
April 29, 2021
This collection is STRONG and even better than that it is so diverse. There is a story here to suit every horror reader’s tastes. It’s rare that I will enjoy every story in a collection of stories but somehow I did here. I’m also generally happy to read a story or two here or there, spacing out a collection gradually but this was so bingeable.
Can we also just talk about the cover graphics and how epic they are? I am a huge sucker for retro graphics and this is such a tribute to the 1980s.
The retro vibes continue in this collection with Janine paying tribute to horror movies she loves throughout. The collection is also set up like a Spotify playlist, with each story title named after a killer classic tune.
This collection has author notes after each story which I am always a fan of as it helps me to connect on a deeper level with each story. Each story was also preluded by notes as if the stories were found by someone. This was fun.
The collection opens with ‘Footsteps’ - a strong starter which hooked me in straight away! This is a tale of a camping trip gone wrong and female friendship. Throw in a “really fucked up wolf man” and you have yourself a winner. Loved this one so much!
Fast forward to ‘When Doves Cry which I also loved. This had a gothic feel and lots of atmosphere. The historical setting was beautiful too.
In ‘I Want to Break Free’ we get a unique creature feature story told from two perspectives.
‘Maneater’ was hard, fast and saucy with a detective who seeks her revenge on pedophiles in an unexpected yet gruesome way.
We fast forward some more to ‘Addicted to Love’, a brutal splatterpunk story of sex and violence with a fierce female protagonist.
‘Sweet Child of Mine’ is eerie and chilling. I’d put this in the quiet horror category. Put a childhood holiday home and imaginary friend together and you get some seriously spooky vibes.
In ‘Tainted Love this is a story at its core of obsessed love whereas in ‘Lost in the Shadows’ the story is set in Crystal River where kids are mysteriously going missing.
In ‘It’s a Sin’ we get a seriously creepy ghost story and in ‘Love is a Battlefield’ flash fiction is the flavour.
‘Running with the Devil’ has undertones of mythology and folklore with the story revolving around a local legend and ghost story.
‘Paradise City’ was absolute bonkers and weirded me out. It also made me laugh. That’s all I will say without giving away anything.
‘School’s out Forever’ focuses on a group of teenage girls who explore an old boys school. This was spooky.
In ‘Living on a Prayer’ some brothers go on a camping trip with their dad and was another fun flash fiction entry.
In ‘Bones of Boarded-Up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel’ the story centres around the town’s haunted house.
In ‘Nobody’s Fool’ we get a teenage boy who needs to follow through with an apocalyptic vision he saw at the age of 16. I really enjoyed this one. It was creepy.
Finally to finish, we get ‘They’, another werewolf story. Although I hate to compare as this story truly stands in its own right, it gave me serious IT vibes. Such a great tale to finish off on and another favourite of mine.
So impressed by this collection. I can’t wait to read Janine’s other work!
Can we also just talk about the cover graphics and how epic they are? I am a huge sucker for retro graphics and this is such a tribute to the 1980s.
The retro vibes continue in this collection with Janine paying tribute to horror movies she loves throughout. The collection is also set up like a Spotify playlist, with each story title named after a killer classic tune.
This collection has author notes after each story which I am always a fan of as it helps me to connect on a deeper level with each story. Each story was also preluded by notes as if the stories were found by someone. This was fun.
The collection opens with ‘Footsteps’ - a strong starter which hooked me in straight away! This is a tale of a camping trip gone wrong and female friendship. Throw in a “really fucked up wolf man” and you have yourself a winner. Loved this one so much!
Fast forward to ‘When Doves Cry which I also loved. This had a gothic feel and lots of atmosphere. The historical setting was beautiful too.
In ‘I Want to Break Free’ we get a unique creature feature story told from two perspectives.
‘Maneater’ was hard, fast and saucy with a detective who seeks her revenge on pedophiles in an unexpected yet gruesome way.
We fast forward some more to ‘Addicted to Love’, a brutal splatterpunk story of sex and violence with a fierce female protagonist.
‘Sweet Child of Mine’ is eerie and chilling. I’d put this in the quiet horror category. Put a childhood holiday home and imaginary friend together and you get some seriously spooky vibes.
In ‘Tainted Love this is a story at its core of obsessed love whereas in ‘Lost in the Shadows’ the story is set in Crystal River where kids are mysteriously going missing.
In ‘It’s a Sin’ we get a seriously creepy ghost story and in ‘Love is a Battlefield’ flash fiction is the flavour.
‘Running with the Devil’ has undertones of mythology and folklore with the story revolving around a local legend and ghost story.
‘Paradise City’ was absolute bonkers and weirded me out. It also made me laugh. That’s all I will say without giving away anything.
‘School’s out Forever’ focuses on a group of teenage girls who explore an old boys school. This was spooky.
In ‘Living on a Prayer’ some brothers go on a camping trip with their dad and was another fun flash fiction entry.
In ‘Bones of Boarded-Up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel’ the story centres around the town’s haunted house.
In ‘Nobody’s Fool’ we get a teenage boy who needs to follow through with an apocalyptic vision he saw at the age of 16. I really enjoyed this one. It was creepy.
Finally to finish, we get ‘They’, another werewolf story. Although I hate to compare as this story truly stands in its own right, it gave me serious IT vibes. Such a great tale to finish off on and another favourite of mine.
So impressed by this collection. I can’t wait to read Janine’s other work!
May 12, 2021
A kick ass debut of horror delicacies by the one and only Janine Pipe. She hits so many horror sweet spots, it's impossible to put this book down. Highly recommended!
April 11, 2021
If you want ALL my thoughts, check the YouTube review out.
Here, I'll just say... this is a brilliant collection.
Not one bad story in the 17-track batch.
I did write the foreword for this one and I wouldn't have done so if I didn't believe wholeheartedly in the book.
The cover, the stories, the author... all 5 stars!
Here, I'll just say... this is a brilliant collection.
Not one bad story in the 17-track batch.
I did write the foreword for this one and I wouldn't have done so if I didn't believe wholeheartedly in the book.
The cover, the stories, the author... all 5 stars!
April 29, 2021
Janine Pipe's debut collection, TWISTED: TAINTED TALES, slays on all levels! These stories are loaded with violence, blood, sex, and all the scary things you can think of. From hauntings to bloodthirsty creatures to stalkers and beyond, there is absolutely a story in here for every horror enthusiast. I actually really enjoyed every story, which is not always the case when it comes to collections. Each story delivers what it should: action, gore, crippling fear, paranoia, spooks, and anything and everything in between depending on the story. These are stories you want to share with your closest friends and wait for their reactions! Pipe is not afraid to be as vulgar or intense as she wants to be, using each story to rip through us like Freddy's glove or Leatherface's chainsaw. The dialogue is inviting and authentic, the characters are very much relatable and/or a trope you've come across in horror movies, and her writing style makes it so easy to flip through these stories. I loved how the chapters were 80s songs and there's even a cool Spotify playlist at the end - one I will surely be adding! I cannot WAIT for more from Janine Pipe!
April 30, 2021
Incredibly diverse debut collection of spooky stories ranging from creature features to hauntings, extreme horror to quiet terror. Told with a casualness that is approachable, like sharing stories around a fire with friends.
The idea behind the collection is that of a found document, with each story being framed by the discoverer. Reminiscent of the Cryptkeeper but without the levity. I found the intros to each story to hamper rather than enhance, often spoiling some of the surprises within.
As with all collections some stories worked better than others for me. Highlights were Track 1: Footsteps - don't go camping on your period; Track 9: Its a Sin - a missing boy, a secret to keep; track 12: Paradise City - teenage boys are gross.
Overall the collection was fun, and has a little something for everyone. It's clear that Pipe is a huge horror fan, as every story is full of pop culture references (sometimes too many) and nods to her many influences.
Great collection if you're newer to horror and want to get a feel for the different genres. This comes out tomorrow! Thanks for the advanced copy and to the Extreme Horror read along crew!
The idea behind the collection is that of a found document, with each story being framed by the discoverer. Reminiscent of the Cryptkeeper but without the levity. I found the intros to each story to hamper rather than enhance, often spoiling some of the surprises within.
As with all collections some stories worked better than others for me. Highlights were Track 1: Footsteps - don't go camping on your period; Track 9: Its a Sin - a missing boy, a secret to keep; track 12: Paradise City - teenage boys are gross.
Overall the collection was fun, and has a little something for everyone. It's clear that Pipe is a huge horror fan, as every story is full of pop culture references (sometimes too many) and nods to her many influences.
Great collection if you're newer to horror and want to get a feel for the different genres. This comes out tomorrow! Thanks for the advanced copy and to the Extreme Horror read along crew!
May 1, 2021
This book is a RIDE! A splattery, in-your-face, beast of a collection that I tore through much like some of the creatures shredded a few of the less fortunate characters in these stories. The tales go by quickly and left me wanting more!
Before we go further, a disclosure. I count the author as a friend and this is the first review for a friend I've had to write. That said, I'm going to review this just like any other book because doing anything else wouldn't be fair.
I wrote a little something about each story:
FOOTSTEPS: I loved this award-nominated tale. There's an image at the end that I will think about any time I read a story featuring this particular type of menace.
WHEN DOVES CRY: A folksy good time. As a period piece it sticks out a bit, but still a ton of fun.
I WANT TO BREAK FREE: I liked the different perspectives in this story. Finding out what was actually happening was neat.
MANEATER: Knowing Janine's background, this was a cool story to read. I hope we get to see more of Detective Kate Ramsey.
ADDICTED TO LOVE: This one is sexy and has some teeth. Not like any other story in the collection. I liked it, but not as much as some of the others.
SWEET CHILD O MINE: Loved this story. When kids say they see things, PAY ATTENTION!
TAINTED LOVE: Twisty story about infatuation with a gut-punch for good measure.
LOST IN THE SHADOWS: I haven't been to the drive-in in years, but we do have one close by. I really dug the setting and the Easter Eggs. There's a lot of names I recognize and the story was gross because I read it while hungry. That will make more sense after you read it.
IT'S A SIN: One of the creepier stories in the collection and one of my favorites. I could read stories like this all day.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: Very different than the rest of stories in the collection, with a fun (if not frustrating) ending.
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: Another one of my favorites. When it hits the fan in this story, it hits the fan and I loved every second of it!
PARADISE CITY: Uhhh...wow, lol. Equal parts dark comedy and yikes. The Narnia reference killed me. Hormones are a hell of a thing. Not my favorite, but couldn't help but laugh at it.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER: I actually wanted this story to be longer, but I also understand why the story ended the way it did. Make sure to read the story notes on this one!
LIVING ON A PRAYER: This one would have made a hardcore episode of "Are You Afraid of The Dark?". Really liked this one.
BONES OF BOARDED-UP BABY BODIES BEHIND THE BATH-PANEL: I think this one was my favorite? The ending totally and completely worked for me. Genuinely creeped out by this one.
NOBODY'S FOOL: This story felt like the beginning of something. I wanted to know what happened after it ended!
THEY: Feels like a bookend and a perfect way to end the collection. I loved this one too and one of the cooler werewolf stories I've ever read.
Bonus points for the foreword by Glenn Rolfe (totally got me pumped) and the wonderful story notes!
I had a blast with this collection. While not every story was a complete home run for me, I at least liked parts of every story and that goes a long way. Janine's voice is very natural and full-steam ahead. There's no words wasted here, and as mentioned above, there's a few stories that I wish were longer. TWISTED: TAINTED TALES is like a late-night Halloween party that refuses to turn the music down no matter how much the neighbors complain, and let's face it, they probably won't make it 'till morning anyways if they're in a Janine Pipe story.
4.5 out of 5 (rounded up to 5 for GR)
* I was provided an ebook ARC by the author for review
Before we go further, a disclosure. I count the author as a friend and this is the first review for a friend I've had to write. That said, I'm going to review this just like any other book because doing anything else wouldn't be fair.
I wrote a little something about each story:
FOOTSTEPS: I loved this award-nominated tale. There's an image at the end that I will think about any time I read a story featuring this particular type of menace.
WHEN DOVES CRY: A folksy good time. As a period piece it sticks out a bit, but still a ton of fun.
I WANT TO BREAK FREE: I liked the different perspectives in this story. Finding out what was actually happening was neat.
MANEATER: Knowing Janine's background, this was a cool story to read. I hope we get to see more of Detective Kate Ramsey.
ADDICTED TO LOVE: This one is sexy and has some teeth. Not like any other story in the collection. I liked it, but not as much as some of the others.
SWEET CHILD O MINE: Loved this story. When kids say they see things, PAY ATTENTION!
TAINTED LOVE: Twisty story about infatuation with a gut-punch for good measure.
LOST IN THE SHADOWS: I haven't been to the drive-in in years, but we do have one close by. I really dug the setting and the Easter Eggs. There's a lot of names I recognize and the story was gross because I read it while hungry. That will make more sense after you read it.
IT'S A SIN: One of the creepier stories in the collection and one of my favorites. I could read stories like this all day.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: Very different than the rest of stories in the collection, with a fun (if not frustrating) ending.
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: Another one of my favorites. When it hits the fan in this story, it hits the fan and I loved every second of it!
PARADISE CITY: Uhhh...wow, lol. Equal parts dark comedy and yikes. The Narnia reference killed me. Hormones are a hell of a thing. Not my favorite, but couldn't help but laugh at it.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER: I actually wanted this story to be longer, but I also understand why the story ended the way it did. Make sure to read the story notes on this one!
LIVING ON A PRAYER: This one would have made a hardcore episode of "Are You Afraid of The Dark?". Really liked this one.
BONES OF BOARDED-UP BABY BODIES BEHIND THE BATH-PANEL: I think this one was my favorite? The ending totally and completely worked for me. Genuinely creeped out by this one.
NOBODY'S FOOL: This story felt like the beginning of something. I wanted to know what happened after it ended!
THEY: Feels like a bookend and a perfect way to end the collection. I loved this one too and one of the cooler werewolf stories I've ever read.
Bonus points for the foreword by Glenn Rolfe (totally got me pumped) and the wonderful story notes!
I had a blast with this collection. While not every story was a complete home run for me, I at least liked parts of every story and that goes a long way. Janine's voice is very natural and full-steam ahead. There's no words wasted here, and as mentioned above, there's a few stories that I wish were longer. TWISTED: TAINTED TALES is like a late-night Halloween party that refuses to turn the music down no matter how much the neighbors complain, and let's face it, they probably won't make it 'till morning anyways if they're in a Janine Pipe story.
4.5 out of 5 (rounded up to 5 for GR)
* I was provided an ebook ARC by the author for review
April 29, 2021
Twisted: Tainted Tales is a debut short story collection by Janine Pipe that I thought was super fun. I absolutely loved the cover. Immediately it made me think of My Best Friend’s Exorcism and Hell’s Bells. I can’t wait to see what else Janine comes up with in the future!
One of the reasons that this collection was great was because of the varying horror elements found within and the situations that some of the characters find themselves in. There’s something for everyone in here: creature features, hauntings, splatter, etc.
Also, making the chapter titles into songs? Loved it! She even included a playlist in the back of the book.
One of the cons: I feel like the stories themselves would have been better without the introductions. I feel like it gave the story away a little bit, instead of being able to dive into it.
A few of the stories stood out to me, so I’ll definitely be making note of those. This collection starts off with one of my current favourites: werewolves.
Track One: Footsteps
Felicity, Becky and Loz go on a girls weekend camping trip. Felicity takes a picture and in it there appears to be a blurred wolf-man. I assume you know what happens next. This was my favourite story in the collection by far!
Track Two: When Doves Cry
A maiden meets a stranger in a bar....and you’re waiting for the punchline. Well, it’s don’t go home with strangers, period. You’ll lose fingers, or more. This story had MAJOR gothic vibes and I was here for it!
Track Five: Addicted to Love
Reading this story my first impression was that this girl reminds me of Go Down Hard, in that she seems to be punishing men who want to take advantage of drunk girls. But, on second thought...she might just make a killing from smut films.
Track Six: Sweet Child O Mine
1. It mentions Terminator 2.
2. Do I need another reason to like it?
All children have imaginary friends but are they truly imaginary....
Track Seven: Tainted Love
We all love the obsessive, bordering on stalker-ish love stories, don’t we? What I LOVED was the main characters mental dialogue, the building up of the story in her head. Of how “Adam” was to be hers.
Which made me think of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Season 4 has Professor Walsh creating a half human, half demon that she names “Adam.”
Track Eleven: Running With The Devil
The Haunting of Trent Barrow. Creepy woods, Halloween and ghosts. YES YES YES.
4⭐️
One of the reasons that this collection was great was because of the varying horror elements found within and the situations that some of the characters find themselves in. There’s something for everyone in here: creature features, hauntings, splatter, etc.
Also, making the chapter titles into songs? Loved it! She even included a playlist in the back of the book.
One of the cons: I feel like the stories themselves would have been better without the introductions. I feel like it gave the story away a little bit, instead of being able to dive into it.
A few of the stories stood out to me, so I’ll definitely be making note of those. This collection starts off with one of my current favourites: werewolves.
Track One: Footsteps
Felicity, Becky and Loz go on a girls weekend camping trip. Felicity takes a picture and in it there appears to be a blurred wolf-man. I assume you know what happens next. This was my favourite story in the collection by far!
Track Two: When Doves Cry
A maiden meets a stranger in a bar....and you’re waiting for the punchline. Well, it’s don’t go home with strangers, period. You’ll lose fingers, or more. This story had MAJOR gothic vibes and I was here for it!
Track Five: Addicted to Love
Reading this story my first impression was that this girl reminds me of Go Down Hard, in that she seems to be punishing men who want to take advantage of drunk girls. But, on second thought...she might just make a killing from smut films.
Track Six: Sweet Child O Mine
1. It mentions Terminator 2.
2. Do I need another reason to like it?
All children have imaginary friends but are they truly imaginary....
Track Seven: Tainted Love
We all love the obsessive, bordering on stalker-ish love stories, don’t we? What I LOVED was the main characters mental dialogue, the building up of the story in her head. Of how “Adam” was to be hers.
Which made me think of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Season 4 has Professor Walsh creating a half human, half demon that she names “Adam.”
Track Eleven: Running With The Devil
The Haunting of Trent Barrow. Creepy woods, Halloween and ghosts. YES YES YES.
4⭐️
April 16, 2021
I was utterly thrilled to get an ARC of Twisted: Tainted Tales and I devoured the book in two nights while my daughter slept in the next room. Probably stayed up way too late, but oh well. These stories were what I’ve come to expect and love from Janine Pipe. They were scary, disturbing, bloody and gross; filled with imagination and amazing character development. Why is it that she can write the teen boy coming-of-age so well? And she does it with just the right amount of angst and swagger.
This was nostalgia at it’s best. I’m a child of the 80’s/90’s and this was very relevant to my childhood. The cassette tapes, wading through drain pipes, imaginary friends, and an Edward Furlong poster.
Here are some of my highlights:
Track 1 Footsteps is a girls night gone way wrong. With some uniquely feminine twists and a killer who hunts by smell. The ending was crazy and unexpected!
Track 6 Sweet Child O Mine just happens to be one of my favorite songs and bands! The story follows a family visiting a childhood vacation spot. What could go wrong? The idea of children and specifically imaginary friends is one of the most terrifying things I can imagine. When you witness your child talking to thin air...you wonder if someone is responding...
Track 8 Lost in the Shadows was short and twisty. I frequented the local drive-in as a child/teen and remember the rumors about our own ice cream truck. It’s not always the obvious answer.
Track Thirteen School’s Out Forever was hard core nostalgia for me. I had an abandoned house and yes my group of friends wanted to explore. I loved the line; “Well, there was a sense of honesty back then; it never crossed my mind to fabricate a story.” So freaking true! We didn’t need insta or snap chat for proof! What was the tale behind your neighborhood haunted house?
Track 17 They. First off I love that title as it pertains to the story, I’ll leave it at that. I’m a sucker for creatures and monsters and coming of age stories. This had all of the above and more. Sometimes the monster is actually a good guy.
Loved all the stories! Fantastic book! Lovely CoverArt as well! I’ll be reading a lot more from Janine Pipe in the future!
This was nostalgia at it’s best. I’m a child of the 80’s/90’s and this was very relevant to my childhood. The cassette tapes, wading through drain pipes, imaginary friends, and an Edward Furlong poster.
Here are some of my highlights:
Track 1 Footsteps is a girls night gone way wrong. With some uniquely feminine twists and a killer who hunts by smell. The ending was crazy and unexpected!
Track 6 Sweet Child O Mine just happens to be one of my favorite songs and bands! The story follows a family visiting a childhood vacation spot. What could go wrong? The idea of children and specifically imaginary friends is one of the most terrifying things I can imagine. When you witness your child talking to thin air...you wonder if someone is responding...
Track 8 Lost in the Shadows was short and twisty. I frequented the local drive-in as a child/teen and remember the rumors about our own ice cream truck. It’s not always the obvious answer.
Track Thirteen School’s Out Forever was hard core nostalgia for me. I had an abandoned house and yes my group of friends wanted to explore. I loved the line; “Well, there was a sense of honesty back then; it never crossed my mind to fabricate a story.” So freaking true! We didn’t need insta or snap chat for proof! What was the tale behind your neighborhood haunted house?
Track 17 They. First off I love that title as it pertains to the story, I’ll leave it at that. I’m a sucker for creatures and monsters and coming of age stories. This had all of the above and more. Sometimes the monster is actually a good guy.
Loved all the stories! Fantastic book! Lovely CoverArt as well! I’ll be reading a lot more from Janine Pipe in the future!
June 11, 2021
Thank you to the author for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!
First thing's first: Not only is Janine a cheerleader for the horror community, but she is also a personal friend of mine. In 2020, Janine (who was a fan of my videos) reached out to me and offered some of her short fiction for review. I read the anthology that featured her story and really admired her district style: bloody horror infused with humor and retro appeal. In other words, her stories are just plain fun. I liked her pop-culture references, her British wit, and her over-the-top scenes that are at once gory and humorous. Since reading her work, we have become personal friends, so I guess you could say I was a fan of her work first and foremost.
That being said, being friends with the author in no way affects my review. I will always be completely honest with my thoughts. "Bullshit!" you say. "If the author is your friend, that makes you bias no matter what!" That may be how you feel, but the fact of the matter is this: I find being constructive to my writer friends is a bigger help than leaving a perfect glowing review. At the end of the day, however, my review of Twisted: Tainted Tales is mostly glowing.
While there are stories in here I liked more than others, there wasn't a "bad" story in the bunch. There was one that I didn't care for, but that is because it was a post-apocalyptic tale. I just don't like those. That is a personal thing. People who like post-apocalyptic may enjoy it. Otherwise, these tales of familiar horrors (werewolves, vampires, ghosts, etc.) are cliches turned on their heads, giving us something nostalgic whilst bringing something fresh to the table. Janine is a bursting pipe of talent, and she displays a clear passion for the genre.
If you are a newbie to horror, you may find yourself not really "getting" these stories, but from the perspective of someone who is well-read when it comes to the genre, I was able to acknowledge the nods to familiar tropes, movies, and books. That's where the real fun is! So, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a pure-bred horror fan and wants something nostalgic but totally fresh.
To see my full video review and reading vlog, click HERE.
First thing's first: Not only is Janine a cheerleader for the horror community, but she is also a personal friend of mine. In 2020, Janine (who was a fan of my videos) reached out to me and offered some of her short fiction for review. I read the anthology that featured her story and really admired her district style: bloody horror infused with humor and retro appeal. In other words, her stories are just plain fun. I liked her pop-culture references, her British wit, and her over-the-top scenes that are at once gory and humorous. Since reading her work, we have become personal friends, so I guess you could say I was a fan of her work first and foremost.
That being said, being friends with the author in no way affects my review. I will always be completely honest with my thoughts. "Bullshit!" you say. "If the author is your friend, that makes you bias no matter what!" That may be how you feel, but the fact of the matter is this: I find being constructive to my writer friends is a bigger help than leaving a perfect glowing review. At the end of the day, however, my review of Twisted: Tainted Tales is mostly glowing.
While there are stories in here I liked more than others, there wasn't a "bad" story in the bunch. There was one that I didn't care for, but that is because it was a post-apocalyptic tale. I just don't like those. That is a personal thing. People who like post-apocalyptic may enjoy it. Otherwise, these tales of familiar horrors (werewolves, vampires, ghosts, etc.) are cliches turned on their heads, giving us something nostalgic whilst bringing something fresh to the table. Janine is a bursting pipe of talent, and she displays a clear passion for the genre.
If you are a newbie to horror, you may find yourself not really "getting" these stories, but from the perspective of someone who is well-read when it comes to the genre, I was able to acknowledge the nods to familiar tropes, movies, and books. That's where the real fun is! So, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a pure-bred horror fan and wants something nostalgic but totally fresh.
To see my full video review and reading vlog, click HERE.
April 27, 2021
I was lucky enough to read Janine Pipe's debut collection before its published release and OMG I really hope to read more from her!! This delectable and delicious horror collection of 17 stories was such a fun read! It has stories for everyone at every level of horror/dread/creepiness and those whose stomachs are not so easily soured. Love the start of each chapter, felt like a mixed tape of 80s songs that I would sit in front of the radio and record (yes, I’m dating myself) Each story has elements of disturbing breaks from reality, ghosts, cannibals, werewolves, vampires and coming of age stories that just ever so lightly sent a small surge of dread while reading! I love open-ended stories which let your imagination run wild! I am so looking forward to many more of Janine’s work.
These were a few of my favorite reads:
Living on a Prayer – Mommy’s always watching!
School’s out Forever – Haunting and creepy in the best-dilapidated building!
Maneater – Bloodlust vampire – enough said!
Sweet Child o’ Mine – I feel seen – Childhood imaginary friends!
Lost in Shadows –Unsavory concession stand delights
It’s a Sin – Forever friends!
They – Werewolves, oh my!
So very impressed and looking forward to more!!!
These were a few of my favorite reads:
Living on a Prayer – Mommy’s always watching!
School’s out Forever – Haunting and creepy in the best-dilapidated building!
Maneater – Bloodlust vampire – enough said!
Sweet Child o’ Mine – I feel seen – Childhood imaginary friends!
Lost in Shadows –Unsavory concession stand delights
It’s a Sin – Forever friends!
They – Werewolves, oh my!
So very impressed and looking forward to more!!!
May 16, 2021
What an amazing collection! Every story truly is a home run and there is something for everyone in this collection. I can’t wait to read more from Janine! I feel like starting over again and reading the whole thing from the beginning again. I love the interludes that really makes this feel like a tales from the crypt season of stories.
April 26, 2021
I don’t do many reviews here. Actually, this is my first one. So, better start off good, right.
Luckily, this book was awesome - and fits perfectly with my mindset these days (being a lot of short and intriguing stories - perfect for binge-reading).
The book contains a ton of very different stories - and every time I finished one I wanted to stay within that....until I started the next one.
Halfway through, I missed stories of more badass female characters who kicked butt. Found out I only had to wait a bit, and then it came in spades.
5 stars for this VERY bingeable book.
Looking forward to the next one from her.
August 11, 2021
A number of years ago, I began subscribing to horror magazines such as Nightmare Magazine, and The Dark. I had gotten bored with the meager selection of horror that my local stores offered, tired of watching the same old horror movies on repeat and I missed having a variety of all things odd, macabre, and horrifying. I remember being so pleased by the wide variety of stories available in these magazines, the incredible offering of author voices all on display, for me to read, to devour late at night when the house is quiet.
Twisted Tainted Tales can be one of those magazines, all by itself. I believe that may very well be the highest compliment that I can personally give to this collection. Janine Pipe used a brilliant idea in laying out her collection like an 80’s mix tape. Being a child from the 80’s and 90’s, I greatly appreciated this concept. It was different and unexpected much like the stories in her collection. Not only that, she used the layout to tell a story in itself, that gathered the various tales into one cohesive storyline. Again, brilliant.
The chosen time frame for her mixtape was excellent, taking me back to my beloved classic horror movies, and pulp fictions. The stories were fantastic, each one a miniature masterpiece within the few pages allotted to it and the horror ramped up to max. The settings, the topics, the fear, and tropes within, all fully showcase the range that Janine has at her disposal.
This is a triple-feature at the drive-in, a rare summer occurrence; a music festival for only the most hard-core metal heads with opening acts that will melt your face off, let alone the headliner. Janine Pipe is the opening act, the headliner, the closer and that triple-feature. She is an 80’s classic summer horror festival, all you need is the popcorn.
I am not going to lay out the tracks contained on this mix-tape for you. This is something you will need to experience for yourself because it is an experience. Put the kids to bed, pop some popcorn, turn those lights off and settle in. It’s going to be an epic night.
5 stars for a horror festival told in 17 tracks of gore and solid gold.
Twisted Tainted Tales can be one of those magazines, all by itself. I believe that may very well be the highest compliment that I can personally give to this collection. Janine Pipe used a brilliant idea in laying out her collection like an 80’s mix tape. Being a child from the 80’s and 90’s, I greatly appreciated this concept. It was different and unexpected much like the stories in her collection. Not only that, she used the layout to tell a story in itself, that gathered the various tales into one cohesive storyline. Again, brilliant.
The chosen time frame for her mixtape was excellent, taking me back to my beloved classic horror movies, and pulp fictions. The stories were fantastic, each one a miniature masterpiece within the few pages allotted to it and the horror ramped up to max. The settings, the topics, the fear, and tropes within, all fully showcase the range that Janine has at her disposal.
This is a triple-feature at the drive-in, a rare summer occurrence; a music festival for only the most hard-core metal heads with opening acts that will melt your face off, let alone the headliner. Janine Pipe is the opening act, the headliner, the closer and that triple-feature. She is an 80’s classic summer horror festival, all you need is the popcorn.
I am not going to lay out the tracks contained on this mix-tape for you. This is something you will need to experience for yourself because it is an experience. Put the kids to bed, pop some popcorn, turn those lights off and settle in. It’s going to be an epic night.
5 stars for a horror festival told in 17 tracks of gore and solid gold.
April 23, 2021
Verdict: 4.25 out of 5.0
Overview: Jill has been tasked with clearing out an abandoned house. Inside, she discovers an 80’s mixtape and a locked desk drawer of papers. With these discoveries comes a collection of stories, all horrific in their own way.
The Good: Janine has sharpened this debut collection with an entertaining framing device. Each story begins with an introduction of sorts from Jill, who is a character that has stumbled upon these tales inside an abandoned house she’s clearing. This formatting was like a dash of spice to an already tasty collection. Twisted is also varied in its content and levels of shock; inside, you’ll find monsters, cannibals, ghosts, hungry trees (that’s right!), and more. Some of it is extreme, and has earned Janine recognition in the splatterpunk community. Some of it is more atmospheric than bloody, bringing to mind the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series many of us grew up reading. Perhaps best of all is Janine’s actual writing - she’s a natural storyteller. Her narratives are easy, entertaining, and electric.
The Bad: A couple stories had some uneven pacing or abrupt endings.
The Takeaway: Twisted will make you feel young again as you re-discover the many facets horror has to offer. You’ll laugh, love, and scream! This is damn good fun.
~
> File Under: ghosts … monsters … supernatural … splatterpunk … bizarro horror … horror … short stories … coming of age horror
> Also Read: Though this is Janine’s debut solo release, she has also appeared in various anthologies, including 25 Gates of Hell.
~
> Reviewed by Aiden Merchant - www.aidenmerchant.com / Instagram @ AidenMerchant89 / Twitter @ AidenMerchant89 / (e) contact@aidenmerchant.com
> Aiden is currently CLOSED to review requests - please refer to social media for updates on openings
> Aiden’s scoring system - (5) Perfection (4) Loved it (3) Enjoyed it (2) Disliked it (1) Hard pass / Aiden generally will not write a review for anything that scores lower than a (3) in his mind / DNF means “Did Not Finish” - this could be because of the writing, scheduling conflicts, lack of interest, or content; it does not necessarily mean the book was terrible
Overview: Jill has been tasked with clearing out an abandoned house. Inside, she discovers an 80’s mixtape and a locked desk drawer of papers. With these discoveries comes a collection of stories, all horrific in their own way.
The Good: Janine has sharpened this debut collection with an entertaining framing device. Each story begins with an introduction of sorts from Jill, who is a character that has stumbled upon these tales inside an abandoned house she’s clearing. This formatting was like a dash of spice to an already tasty collection. Twisted is also varied in its content and levels of shock; inside, you’ll find monsters, cannibals, ghosts, hungry trees (that’s right!), and more. Some of it is extreme, and has earned Janine recognition in the splatterpunk community. Some of it is more atmospheric than bloody, bringing to mind the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series many of us grew up reading. Perhaps best of all is Janine’s actual writing - she’s a natural storyteller. Her narratives are easy, entertaining, and electric.
The Bad: A couple stories had some uneven pacing or abrupt endings.
The Takeaway: Twisted will make you feel young again as you re-discover the many facets horror has to offer. You’ll laugh, love, and scream! This is damn good fun.
~
> File Under: ghosts … monsters … supernatural … splatterpunk … bizarro horror … horror … short stories … coming of age horror
> Also Read: Though this is Janine’s debut solo release, she has also appeared in various anthologies, including 25 Gates of Hell.
~
> Reviewed by Aiden Merchant - www.aidenmerchant.com / Instagram @ AidenMerchant89 / Twitter @ AidenMerchant89 / (e) contact@aidenmerchant.com
> Aiden is currently CLOSED to review requests - please refer to social media for updates on openings
> Aiden’s scoring system - (5) Perfection (4) Loved it (3) Enjoyed it (2) Disliked it (1) Hard pass / Aiden generally will not write a review for anything that scores lower than a (3) in his mind / DNF means “Did Not Finish” - this could be because of the writing, scheduling conflicts, lack of interest, or content; it does not necessarily mean the book was terrible
April 12, 2021
Buckle up, buttercup! You’re in for a ride!
Let’s kick off with the cover, shall we? I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but we’re all guilty of it. Neil Fraser’s stunning job on this cover art suggests that the tales contained within are steeped with horror nostalgia… and they are and that’s awesome! But, there’s also something fresh and exciting about them too.
Janine Pipe plays with gore and twists like a cat playing with a mouse. The poor little mousey thinks it’s got away and then BAM… there’s mouse guts decorating the wall. And the ceiling. And your face. This woman wasn’t nominated for a Splatterpunk award for nothing.
Even though each story is short, she takes you on a journey with each one. She makes you believe in the characters and the situations, no matter who outlandish or terrifying. There’s now a part of me that won’t let me camp in the woods if I’m on my period (ta very much “Footsteps”) and I’m downright convinced there’s a vampire or werewolf or something looking over my shoulder while I’m writing this.
Janine Pipe isn’t afraid to take risks - and I’m not just talking about the extreme elements she uncovers in stories like “Addicted to Love”. “When Doves Cry” is completely different to the other stories I’ve read from her, taking on a more gothic horror approach rather than out and out gore and it STILL packs a bloody good punch!
“Twisted: Tainted Tales” is all killer and no filler and, because of that, it’s bloody hard to pick a favourite story. That said, “Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-panel” has been in my head since I first read it, so I’ll probably go with that one as being my favourite for now.
This author is going places. Jump aboard now and join her journey from the beginning.
Let’s kick off with the cover, shall we? I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but we’re all guilty of it. Neil Fraser’s stunning job on this cover art suggests that the tales contained within are steeped with horror nostalgia… and they are and that’s awesome! But, there’s also something fresh and exciting about them too.
Janine Pipe plays with gore and twists like a cat playing with a mouse. The poor little mousey thinks it’s got away and then BAM… there’s mouse guts decorating the wall. And the ceiling. And your face. This woman wasn’t nominated for a Splatterpunk award for nothing.
Even though each story is short, she takes you on a journey with each one. She makes you believe in the characters and the situations, no matter who outlandish or terrifying. There’s now a part of me that won’t let me camp in the woods if I’m on my period (ta very much “Footsteps”) and I’m downright convinced there’s a vampire or werewolf or something looking over my shoulder while I’m writing this.
Janine Pipe isn’t afraid to take risks - and I’m not just talking about the extreme elements she uncovers in stories like “Addicted to Love”. “When Doves Cry” is completely different to the other stories I’ve read from her, taking on a more gothic horror approach rather than out and out gore and it STILL packs a bloody good punch!
“Twisted: Tainted Tales” is all killer and no filler and, because of that, it’s bloody hard to pick a favourite story. That said, “Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-panel” has been in my head since I first read it, so I’ll probably go with that one as being my favourite for now.
This author is going places. Jump aboard now and join her journey from the beginning.
April 21, 2021
Seventeen tales of a mixture of ghosts, creatures of the night, night terrors, revenge from beyond the grave, imaginary friends and more. With so many good stories I will feel guilty not mentioning them all.
Highlights:
Have you every read a story that just makes you uncomfortable? Kind of read from the corner of your eye because you don’t want to look directly at it. The first story, Footsteps, brought me to that point with a creature that has a nose for something specific.
Another story has two stories told from different points of view. First from a captured woman, alone and chained in a windowless room. Days of nothing until screams of pain and terror shatter her world. Next is told from the captor and how he uses the captured to his bloody advantage.
One of my favorite stories, Sweet Child O’Mine, was creepy and twisted, dealing with a long forgotten imaginary friend.
Follow your instincts, know where your food comes from, stay out of the sewers, and seriously, don’t stick your body parts into holes in trees!!!
Lots of nostalgia for the 80’s, killer creatures too horrible for description, ghosts that appear every Halloween, and a damn tree that makes me shrivel up like a frightened turtle are all the reasons you need to pick up Janine Pipe’s debut collection of stories.
Highlights:
Have you every read a story that just makes you uncomfortable? Kind of read from the corner of your eye because you don’t want to look directly at it. The first story, Footsteps, brought me to that point with a creature that has a nose for something specific.
Another story has two stories told from different points of view. First from a captured woman, alone and chained in a windowless room. Days of nothing until screams of pain and terror shatter her world. Next is told from the captor and how he uses the captured to his bloody advantage.
One of my favorite stories, Sweet Child O’Mine, was creepy and twisted, dealing with a long forgotten imaginary friend.
Follow your instincts, know where your food comes from, stay out of the sewers, and seriously, don’t stick your body parts into holes in trees!!!
Lots of nostalgia for the 80’s, killer creatures too horrible for description, ghosts that appear every Halloween, and a damn tree that makes me shrivel up like a frightened turtle are all the reasons you need to pick up Janine Pipe’s debut collection of stories.
May 31, 2021
Janine Pipe bring us her debut collection of stories, a writer who I first came to discover in a few anthologies has now collated many of her previously published stories into on fun horror filled debut collection.
Twisted: Tainted Tales is a fun read - pure escapism on every page.
Jill our driving force of the collection has gone to an empty house that is being sold off but whilst she is there she discovers some old stories from the previous owner - and what transpires is Jill recounting these stories to us, it’s a macabre mix tape of sorts, and as each story finishes we return to Jill who details and introduces the next horrors for us to enjoy! I only wish we’d learned more about Jill at the stories conclusion - maybe Jill will return?
I did really enjoy this collection as I said it was pure escapism on the page, this isn’t to say I didn’t gel with some of the stories - because it’s a collection and you can’t like every story, or it’s very hard to come by like hens teeth - I felt that there were a few too many vampiric / lycanthropy tales for me, it’s personal taste but Vampires haven’t been scary for me since ‘Let The Right One In’. And although it is Janine’s style of narrative voice - the expletives and dark compost of horror akin to Dog Soldiers (which I know is a personal favourite), I feel that sometimes (sometimes) these two elements dilute the full blown impact of the horror on the page.
But having said that I really enjoyed it - I loved the escapism, the retro vibe to the collection, the nostalgia that flows from the page and builds as the collection goes on - I also really loved the breadcrumbs that Janine puts into each story and highlights in an author note afterwards. These are either where names of characters came from, films or stories that inspired her work and all of that stuff was brilliant to read and discover!
Footsteps - this had been my introduction to Janine Pipe and it did everything you could hope for - it showcased a new writer to me who I have championed ever since! This one is dark and oh so bloody!
When Doves Cry - I like my horror gothic, I like my horror quiet and subtle and with the horror elements weird / this story is all of that and more, and has some of the prettiest hands in town.
I Want to Break Free - Here we have a great split POV tale of the Hunter and the Hunted and we are left to see which one is worse. It is vampiric and lycanthropy in theme and story elements and so we get to see both sides of the coin.
Maneater - In this story we see two detectives searching for a killer that drains the blood from their victims - think almost Stephen King’s ‘The Outsider’ in tone. Knowing Janine’s love for the vampiric and lycanthrope I knew it had to be one or the other - it was a great little story, a moral locked in there too. But because as I mentioned knowing Janine’s love of those staples of horror I got the twist a little before it was revealed, but it didn’t stop my enjoyment.
Addicted to Love - this one is Splatterpunk to the max - it’s all the visceral goodness on show and a lot of sex and violence. I don’t know if I can ever look Janine in the eye again after this story... it had elements of ‘Basic Instinct’ and a whole host of other cool nostalgic references.
Sweet Child O Mine - The collection features a couple of shorter stories (Janine calls them flash horror) this one is super short, but oh my does it pack the creep factor. I bloody loved this story. The eeriness and the unsaid about one of the dynamic tools in this really gets you thinking / and the ending, what is going to happen?
Tainted Love - A story about love and infatuation and what one will do to get the one - but it’s Janine so it’s going to have a little twist to throw you off the scent! There is a small vampiric vibe to this story which I felt was unneeded and it could have been a stronger piece without that trope... but it’s all down to personal taste I guess and I still enjoyed it, but I feel it would have made the ending that much more shocking if Pipe had veered away from that trope.
Lost in the Shadows - Another short flash piece, I enjoyed it but, but I got the twist pretty early on.
It’s a Sin - Is a creepy little ghost story, that draws you into a missing person case, but is a person missing if their ghost comes to visit? I really loved this one and it reminded me of ‘Lovely Bones’ and was just a proper creepy yarn!
Love is a Battlefield - is an homage to ‘The Running Man’ there is not a lot here that is original and in Janine’s notes she mentioned it’s a mash up between ‘The Running Man’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ - both books and films I bloody loved... so for me it was pretty damn fun!
Running With The Devil - This one is a chilling folk lore / legend story - you know the ones that are passed down from community to community, the ones we hear around a campfire or work their way into your head as a child and grow more macabre as the years pass and you add to the horror that blooms in your head. This one focuses on the legend of Trent Barrow and the story is set around Halloween so the creep factor is high with this one - (I also read it whilst I was visiting my family in Dorset - where the myth is from - and it gave it those extra chill vibes because of that!)
Paradise City - teenage themes and weird horror combine into a deeply rich story that had me chilled. I love weird horror and this was right up my street and the final line is delivered so clean that it made me chuckle at the stories brutal conclusion!
School’s out Forever - a mighty fine creeping offering here, this one you could taste the horror, feel the unease creep down your neck and when reading the author notes I can see why - because this place is real, the horrors, the atrocities - Janine writes from experience and it shows.
Living on a Prayer - I enjoyed the premise of this story, the whole prayer / incantation that binds the soul - creates a revenant. A special story, one I enjoyed!
Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel - a sub genre that I didn’t know I loved until I read Michael Clark’s ‘Patience of a Dead Man’ trilogy was that of haunted houses and Pipe delivers a beast of a tale here that gave me what I crave from that trope!
Nobody’s Fool - nothing creepier than children, I say this from a parents perspective too - anything with children in is scary and when they are formed by Janine and with these little quirks, it turns out they are a nightmarish vision.
They - Pipe saves a cracking story to close off the collection, although I’m not a huge fan of lycanthropy stories this one had the IT factor and throw into that a whole lot of nostalgia and coming of age - it was a great way to end an exciting collection!
A solid collection that shows above all Janine Pipe’s range and love of all things horror, a collection in my opinion should provide one thing and that is variety and variety that makes me want to pick up more work by that author and this does exactly that!
I’m looking forward to a novella or novel from Pipe soon and so should you!
Twisted: Tainted Tales is a fun read - pure escapism on every page.
Jill our driving force of the collection has gone to an empty house that is being sold off but whilst she is there she discovers some old stories from the previous owner - and what transpires is Jill recounting these stories to us, it’s a macabre mix tape of sorts, and as each story finishes we return to Jill who details and introduces the next horrors for us to enjoy! I only wish we’d learned more about Jill at the stories conclusion - maybe Jill will return?
I did really enjoy this collection as I said it was pure escapism on the page, this isn’t to say I didn’t gel with some of the stories - because it’s a collection and you can’t like every story, or it’s very hard to come by like hens teeth - I felt that there were a few too many vampiric / lycanthropy tales for me, it’s personal taste but Vampires haven’t been scary for me since ‘Let The Right One In’. And although it is Janine’s style of narrative voice - the expletives and dark compost of horror akin to Dog Soldiers (which I know is a personal favourite), I feel that sometimes (sometimes) these two elements dilute the full blown impact of the horror on the page.
But having said that I really enjoyed it - I loved the escapism, the retro vibe to the collection, the nostalgia that flows from the page and builds as the collection goes on - I also really loved the breadcrumbs that Janine puts into each story and highlights in an author note afterwards. These are either where names of characters came from, films or stories that inspired her work and all of that stuff was brilliant to read and discover!
Footsteps - this had been my introduction to Janine Pipe and it did everything you could hope for - it showcased a new writer to me who I have championed ever since! This one is dark and oh so bloody!
When Doves Cry - I like my horror gothic, I like my horror quiet and subtle and with the horror elements weird / this story is all of that and more, and has some of the prettiest hands in town.
I Want to Break Free - Here we have a great split POV tale of the Hunter and the Hunted and we are left to see which one is worse. It is vampiric and lycanthropy in theme and story elements and so we get to see both sides of the coin.
Maneater - In this story we see two detectives searching for a killer that drains the blood from their victims - think almost Stephen King’s ‘The Outsider’ in tone. Knowing Janine’s love for the vampiric and lycanthrope I knew it had to be one or the other - it was a great little story, a moral locked in there too. But because as I mentioned knowing Janine’s love of those staples of horror I got the twist a little before it was revealed, but it didn’t stop my enjoyment.
Addicted to Love - this one is Splatterpunk to the max - it’s all the visceral goodness on show and a lot of sex and violence. I don’t know if I can ever look Janine in the eye again after this story... it had elements of ‘Basic Instinct’ and a whole host of other cool nostalgic references.
Sweet Child O Mine - The collection features a couple of shorter stories (Janine calls them flash horror) this one is super short, but oh my does it pack the creep factor. I bloody loved this story. The eeriness and the unsaid about one of the dynamic tools in this really gets you thinking / and the ending, what is going to happen?
Tainted Love - A story about love and infatuation and what one will do to get the one - but it’s Janine so it’s going to have a little twist to throw you off the scent! There is a small vampiric vibe to this story which I felt was unneeded and it could have been a stronger piece without that trope... but it’s all down to personal taste I guess and I still enjoyed it, but I feel it would have made the ending that much more shocking if Pipe had veered away from that trope.
Lost in the Shadows - Another short flash piece, I enjoyed it but, but I got the twist pretty early on.
It’s a Sin - Is a creepy little ghost story, that draws you into a missing person case, but is a person missing if their ghost comes to visit? I really loved this one and it reminded me of ‘Lovely Bones’ and was just a proper creepy yarn!
Love is a Battlefield - is an homage to ‘The Running Man’ there is not a lot here that is original and in Janine’s notes she mentioned it’s a mash up between ‘The Running Man’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ - both books and films I bloody loved... so for me it was pretty damn fun!
Running With The Devil - This one is a chilling folk lore / legend story - you know the ones that are passed down from community to community, the ones we hear around a campfire or work their way into your head as a child and grow more macabre as the years pass and you add to the horror that blooms in your head. This one focuses on the legend of Trent Barrow and the story is set around Halloween so the creep factor is high with this one - (I also read it whilst I was visiting my family in Dorset - where the myth is from - and it gave it those extra chill vibes because of that!)
Paradise City - teenage themes and weird horror combine into a deeply rich story that had me chilled. I love weird horror and this was right up my street and the final line is delivered so clean that it made me chuckle at the stories brutal conclusion!
School’s out Forever - a mighty fine creeping offering here, this one you could taste the horror, feel the unease creep down your neck and when reading the author notes I can see why - because this place is real, the horrors, the atrocities - Janine writes from experience and it shows.
Living on a Prayer - I enjoyed the premise of this story, the whole prayer / incantation that binds the soul - creates a revenant. A special story, one I enjoyed!
Bones of Boarded-up Baby Bodies Behind the Bath-Panel - a sub genre that I didn’t know I loved until I read Michael Clark’s ‘Patience of a Dead Man’ trilogy was that of haunted houses and Pipe delivers a beast of a tale here that gave me what I crave from that trope!
Nobody’s Fool - nothing creepier than children, I say this from a parents perspective too - anything with children in is scary and when they are formed by Janine and with these little quirks, it turns out they are a nightmarish vision.
They - Pipe saves a cracking story to close off the collection, although I’m not a huge fan of lycanthropy stories this one had the IT factor and throw into that a whole lot of nostalgia and coming of age - it was a great way to end an exciting collection!
A solid collection that shows above all Janine Pipe’s range and love of all things horror, a collection in my opinion should provide one thing and that is variety and variety that makes me want to pick up more work by that author and this does exactly that!
I’m looking forward to a novella or novel from Pipe soon and so should you!
May 5, 2021
Crazy, exuberant, bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Am I talking about the book or the author here? Both, actually.
I've been friends with Janine Pipe on S.M. for about a year and have got to know her pretty well. It's always difficult to separate that friendship and judge a book on its own merits and that's the case here. However, I will do my best.
First the cover. What a beauty! Janine has poured her heart and soul into this collection, doing everything she can to deliver a professional, quality product, and that's what she's achieved.
I liked the concept of using an imaginary character, Jill, to introduce each story and embrace the idea behind it as a link. However, they did seem to tell the reader what to expect from the stories. On the other hand, I enjoyed reading the author notes at the end of the stories. I also loved the way she used 80's song titles to link them. Very clever!
My favorite stories were:
Footsteps
When Doves Cry - (I was immediately drawn to the folktale feel of this one.)
Tainted Love - (I enjoyed the twist.)
It's a Sin
Running With the Devil (Enjoyed the connection to the legend.)
Nobody's Fool
A few too many stories featured hormone-driven teenage boys for me, though I have to admit, they were amusing and spot-on.
To sum up... if you like in-your-face-horror, bursting with gore and grime, then this collection will definitely be to your taste!
I've been friends with Janine Pipe on S.M. for about a year and have got to know her pretty well. It's always difficult to separate that friendship and judge a book on its own merits and that's the case here. However, I will do my best.
First the cover. What a beauty! Janine has poured her heart and soul into this collection, doing everything she can to deliver a professional, quality product, and that's what she's achieved.
I liked the concept of using an imaginary character, Jill, to introduce each story and embrace the idea behind it as a link. However, they did seem to tell the reader what to expect from the stories. On the other hand, I enjoyed reading the author notes at the end of the stories. I also loved the way she used 80's song titles to link them. Very clever!
My favorite stories were:
Footsteps
When Doves Cry - (I was immediately drawn to the folktale feel of this one.)
Tainted Love - (I enjoyed the twist.)
It's a Sin
Running With the Devil (Enjoyed the connection to the legend.)
Nobody's Fool
A few too many stories featured hormone-driven teenage boys for me, though I have to admit, they were amusing and spot-on.
To sum up... if you like in-your-face-horror, bursting with gore and grime, then this collection will definitely be to your taste!
May 7, 2021
Horror collection with something for everyone!
I love Janine and her writing. I've previously read and enjoyed her stories in the Kandisha Press Women of Horror Anthologies, so of course I immediately bought this collection. And yes, I loved this as well! Horror fans, you'll want this in your library, I promise.
I was familiar with a couple of these stories, having beta read 3 of them. I thought I knew what I was getting into--some nice folklore elements, supernatural creepiness, hauntings--but yeah, she goes way beyond that. This collection is a smorgasbord of horror, with something for everyone. Each tale has its own tone, unique characters, and surprise twists. Some are quiet and spooky, some are loud and bloody, and there's even comedy, but they are all entertaining as hell!
While I loved some stories more than others, which happens with every collection, I truly feel they're all good. I want to mention a couple in particular, my absolute top picks:
"Footsteps" - this was printed before, though it's my first time reading it, and it's already beloved enough by the community to be nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. Picture girls out in the wilderness, but something is drawn to them and begins hunting... I do not want to give away anything, but I loved this so much! Honestly, I'm glad another woman talked about this scenario cause I swear while on adventures in the wild, this exact fear has crossed my mind.
"When Doves Cry" - short and sweet, brilliant gothic folk horror. It reads like a spooky story recounted by a fire, some local legend or fairy tale just unsettling enough to keep you looking over your shoulder when you're far from home and vulnerable.
"Addicted to Love" - A pair of drunk partiers hook up, heading out for an unforgettable one-night stand. I kinda had a feeling about the twist, but that's a-okay. Still so fun watching the trap get set then snap shut!
"Sweet Child O Mine" - A woman wants to return for a vacation to the farm she loved as a child, relive those happy times with her daughter. And omg...I might have gasped out loud at the end. Hit a little close to home given how my sisters and I used to pass the time on family vacations... but no spoilers!
"It's a Sin" - Sam finally makes a friend, Jack. But Jack goes missing. Whatever could've happened?? Beautifully written, atmospheric, with such an empathetic main character, and what a twist... probably my favorite.
"Running With The Devil" - Did I mention how much I love folk horror and ghost stories? Read about the legend of Trent Barrow. Follow a bunch of teens on Halloween night as they go to find out if it's real. Such a good story with a banging ending!
"Paradise City" - All I will say is...so gross, but so hilarious. This story will not be for everyone, but we all need a dose of gross-out horror/humor every once in a while.
"School's Out Forever" - Remember that scary place in your hometown, the place you weren't supposed to go? Well, in this town, it's the shut-down Barwick School For Boys, and 2 girls decide to trespass. Haunted goodness awaits!
"Nobody's Fool" - This story was surprisingly touching. I really felt for Alex's parents. They love their son, but every night he has horrible nightmares which cripple him for years. But what if it's more than just a nightmare?? I would love to see this expanded into a larger story.
"They" - I often enjoy a narrator that's not particularly likeable, especially in horror. Meet Sammy - he's kind of a bonehead, but he's got guts for sure. Him and his friends dare each other to explore a creepy tunnel. Can Sammy beat the record and win his chance at a kiss? We'll see!
I love Janine and her writing. I've previously read and enjoyed her stories in the Kandisha Press Women of Horror Anthologies, so of course I immediately bought this collection. And yes, I loved this as well! Horror fans, you'll want this in your library, I promise.
I was familiar with a couple of these stories, having beta read 3 of them. I thought I knew what I was getting into--some nice folklore elements, supernatural creepiness, hauntings--but yeah, she goes way beyond that. This collection is a smorgasbord of horror, with something for everyone. Each tale has its own tone, unique characters, and surprise twists. Some are quiet and spooky, some are loud and bloody, and there's even comedy, but they are all entertaining as hell!
While I loved some stories more than others, which happens with every collection, I truly feel they're all good. I want to mention a couple in particular, my absolute top picks:
"Footsteps" - this was printed before, though it's my first time reading it, and it's already beloved enough by the community to be nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. Picture girls out in the wilderness, but something is drawn to them and begins hunting... I do not want to give away anything, but I loved this so much! Honestly, I'm glad another woman talked about this scenario cause I swear while on adventures in the wild, this exact fear has crossed my mind.
"When Doves Cry" - short and sweet, brilliant gothic folk horror. It reads like a spooky story recounted by a fire, some local legend or fairy tale just unsettling enough to keep you looking over your shoulder when you're far from home and vulnerable.
"Addicted to Love" - A pair of drunk partiers hook up, heading out for an unforgettable one-night stand. I kinda had a feeling about the twist, but that's a-okay. Still so fun watching the trap get set then snap shut!
"Sweet Child O Mine" - A woman wants to return for a vacation to the farm she loved as a child, relive those happy times with her daughter. And omg...I might have gasped out loud at the end. Hit a little close to home given how my sisters and I used to pass the time on family vacations... but no spoilers!
"It's a Sin" - Sam finally makes a friend, Jack. But Jack goes missing. Whatever could've happened?? Beautifully written, atmospheric, with such an empathetic main character, and what a twist... probably my favorite.
"Running With The Devil" - Did I mention how much I love folk horror and ghost stories? Read about the legend of Trent Barrow. Follow a bunch of teens on Halloween night as they go to find out if it's real. Such a good story with a banging ending!
"Paradise City" - All I will say is...so gross, but so hilarious. This story will not be for everyone, but we all need a dose of gross-out horror/humor every once in a while.
"School's Out Forever" - Remember that scary place in your hometown, the place you weren't supposed to go? Well, in this town, it's the shut-down Barwick School For Boys, and 2 girls decide to trespass. Haunted goodness awaits!
"Nobody's Fool" - This story was surprisingly touching. I really felt for Alex's parents. They love their son, but every night he has horrible nightmares which cripple him for years. But what if it's more than just a nightmare?? I would love to see this expanded into a larger story.
"They" - I often enjoy a narrator that's not particularly likeable, especially in horror. Meet Sammy - he's kind of a bonehead, but he's got guts for sure. Him and his friends dare each other to explore a creepy tunnel. Can Sammy beat the record and win his chance at a kiss? We'll see!
May 4, 2021
Horrifying
A collection of tales to terrify you. In one three friends go camping at the wrong time of the month. Two friends decide to brake the law and things get scary. These and more tales await you.
A collection of tales to terrify you. In one three friends go camping at the wrong time of the month. Two friends decide to brake the law and things get scary. These and more tales await you.
August 25, 2021
A very entertaining horror collection
I just finished reading Janine Pipe’s debut offering, Twisted: Tainted Tales and was very impressed. There was a nice blend of stories and the introductions to each of them were reminiscent of Rod Sterling’s Twilight Zone which I enjoyed. It was an awesome debut and she hit it out of the park on her first at bat. Although there’s lots to love in this collection, my favourites were:
I Want to Break Free
Maneater
They
Do yourself a favour and read it today. 👍
I just finished reading Janine Pipe’s debut offering, Twisted: Tainted Tales and was very impressed. There was a nice blend of stories and the introductions to each of them were reminiscent of Rod Sterling’s Twilight Zone which I enjoyed. It was an awesome debut and she hit it out of the park on her first at bat. Although there’s lots to love in this collection, my favourites were:
I Want to Break Free
Maneater
They
Do yourself a favour and read it today. 👍
May 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed all the stories. Really good read
July 4, 2021
Twisted: Tainted Tales is a horror short story collection by the amazingly talented, Janine Pipe. When I saw the hype behind her new collection doing the rounds on Twitter, I just knew I had to get aboard. I’ve been lucky enough to taste Janine’s unique brand of horror before and TTT is equally compelling. The shades of darkness are there to witness with equally horrifying results.
The first story that drew me under her spell was When Doves Cry. This story has a very old-time feel. It gave me instant Dickensian feelings. The setting, the narrative, and the characterization felt like a drop in the ocean. I was one-minute treading water, and then, I was pulled under by the depth of the plot, which is no mean feat in a short story. It’s one of my favourites from the collection and also reminded me of fear street-like reveals. Janine has a real talent for revealing the punchline without regret or filter. She gives it to you straight, something I enjoy immensely about her work.
I want to Break Free is not your average vampire story…I repeat this is not a drill. The two polar opposite point of views was executed with laser precision. Pipe is not shy in expressing her love of the TV show, Supernatural and it comes out in glorious technicolor in this story. She has investigated succinctly the motivations behind feeding and that insatiable hunger that they feel. A style that felt like whiplash.
Maneater – haven’t we all envisioned our sense of justice and retribution to those we deem worthy? How empowering would it be to play judge, jury, and executioner? This, in my opinion, was Pipe’s strongest stories and it came through in her brutal narrative style. A monster hiding in plain sight, it was the perfect setup and destruction of a character. By this point in the book, I was becoming more and more intrigued by how Pipe develops her characters. They all flaws and they all scream for attention to be heard.
Addicted to Love. This is the true embodiment of splatter fiction. My eyes were dilated to the max, perspiration was building on my brow and my heart rate was getting to tachycardic levels with not only the narrative but the direction the story manifested to. It’s the kind of story that you feel split between. It gave me a bit of pleasure that one of the characters got exactly what they deserved (it’s not okay to try and have sex with partners that are off their skull drunk) but still surprised at just how far Pipe can go. She is the pedestal for women writing splatter. She does it with ease but with criminal levels of authenticity. This is the story I was here for. The Gore was aplenty and the blood rained down and soaked her readers. It was glorious.
Twisted: Tainted Tales should be described as: Am I going out of my mind? It was that damn good. 80’s nostalgia, gore, and scares…has there ever been a better combination?
The first story that drew me under her spell was When Doves Cry. This story has a very old-time feel. It gave me instant Dickensian feelings. The setting, the narrative, and the characterization felt like a drop in the ocean. I was one-minute treading water, and then, I was pulled under by the depth of the plot, which is no mean feat in a short story. It’s one of my favourites from the collection and also reminded me of fear street-like reveals. Janine has a real talent for revealing the punchline without regret or filter. She gives it to you straight, something I enjoy immensely about her work.
I want to Break Free is not your average vampire story…I repeat this is not a drill. The two polar opposite point of views was executed with laser precision. Pipe is not shy in expressing her love of the TV show, Supernatural and it comes out in glorious technicolor in this story. She has investigated succinctly the motivations behind feeding and that insatiable hunger that they feel. A style that felt like whiplash.
Maneater – haven’t we all envisioned our sense of justice and retribution to those we deem worthy? How empowering would it be to play judge, jury, and executioner? This, in my opinion, was Pipe’s strongest stories and it came through in her brutal narrative style. A monster hiding in plain sight, it was the perfect setup and destruction of a character. By this point in the book, I was becoming more and more intrigued by how Pipe develops her characters. They all flaws and they all scream for attention to be heard.
Addicted to Love. This is the true embodiment of splatter fiction. My eyes were dilated to the max, perspiration was building on my brow and my heart rate was getting to tachycardic levels with not only the narrative but the direction the story manifested to. It’s the kind of story that you feel split between. It gave me a bit of pleasure that one of the characters got exactly what they deserved (it’s not okay to try and have sex with partners that are off their skull drunk) but still surprised at just how far Pipe can go. She is the pedestal for women writing splatter. She does it with ease but with criminal levels of authenticity. This is the story I was here for. The Gore was aplenty and the blood rained down and soaked her readers. It was glorious.
Twisted: Tainted Tales should be described as: Am I going out of my mind? It was that damn good. 80’s nostalgia, gore, and scares…has there ever been a better combination?
April 30, 2021
Tainted Twisted Tails is a debut short story collection by Janine Pipe.
Let’s start with the cover. I have a soft spot for book covers and this one us stunning. The book has the look of a vhs tape. It gives the reader the feeling that they are entering a space of horror nostalgia.
Jill had been tasked to clear out an old abandoned house. She stumbles an old mixed tape that houses 17 stories and a locked drawer of papers. Jill provides the reader with an introduction to each story. I love how the author used this framing device to house her stories.
The stories vary from monsters , ghosts to the supernatural. There are some extreme splatterpunk stories in the bunch. I loved how the stories really touched on classic horror creatures.
Here are some of my highlights:
Track 1 - Footsteps is a girls night gone wrong.
Track 3 - I want to break free. is a creature feature told in a split perspective. It also left me thinking.
Track 6 -Sweet Child o’ Mine is
one of my favorite songs from Guns and Roses. The story follows a family visiting a childhood vacation spot. What could go wrong? right?! 😈
4 ⭐️
Let’s start with the cover. I have a soft spot for book covers and this one us stunning. The book has the look of a vhs tape. It gives the reader the feeling that they are entering a space of horror nostalgia.
Jill had been tasked to clear out an old abandoned house. She stumbles an old mixed tape that houses 17 stories and a locked drawer of papers. Jill provides the reader with an introduction to each story. I love how the author used this framing device to house her stories.
The stories vary from monsters , ghosts to the supernatural. There are some extreme splatterpunk stories in the bunch. I loved how the stories really touched on classic horror creatures.
Here are some of my highlights:
Track 1 - Footsteps is a girls night gone wrong.
Track 3 - I want to break free. is a creature feature told in a split perspective. It also left me thinking.
Track 6 -Sweet Child o’ Mine is
one of my favorite songs from Guns and Roses. The story follows a family visiting a childhood vacation spot. What could go wrong? right?! 😈
4 ⭐️
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